Articulated buses in the United Kingdom

Articulated buses have been rarely used in the United Kingdom compared to other countries, until the turn of the millennium. This was historically due to the UK preference for the double-decker bus for use on high capacity routes. As of June 2006, there were over 500 articulated buses in the UK [http://www.busandcoach.com/featureStory.aspx?id=795 Bus and Coach News] June 2006 review of UK artics] , although they are still heavily outnumbered by double deckers. The majority of this fleet was used in London, although in August 2008 it was announced these buses would be withdrawn by 2013/2015.

Leyland DAB

Until 1980 articulated buses were illegal for British roads due to their length. Following an exemption, the first trial of articulated buses in the UK used the Leyland-DAB articulated bus, built by the British-Danish joint venture, Leyland-DAB bus, in Denmark [ [http://busexplorer.com/WorldBus/DanishBus-Text.html Bus Explorer Danish Bus industry] ] .

Four models of their National bodied buses were imported, and used on extended trial by South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE), purchased in 1979 [ [http://www.flickr.com/photos/tgphotos/1852838287/ National bodied Leyland-DAB artic in a state of dis-repair] ] . These vehicles wore a green, red and cream livery [ [http://bobsroutemasterpage.fotopic.net/p46822258.html National bodied Leyland-DAB artic in demonstration livery] ] , and as well as Yorkshire, were demonstrated to other UK operators including Maidstone Borough Council Transport. An example was also exhibited by private London operator Capital Citybus with route blinds and markings for Red Arrow service [ [http://www.londonbusesbyadam.fotopic.net/p29679169.html Fotopic Image of a National bodied Leyland-DAB artic in Red Arrow markings] ] .

Two of these National types were later sold to McGills of Barrhead originally for their Barrhead-Paisley-Renfrew service, and later for their Barrhead-Glasgow service after a weight limit prevented their continued use on the Paisley Servce, [ [http://thebusgalleryarchive.fotopic.net/p42516058.html National bodied Leyland-DAB artic with McGills markings] ] [ [http://malcolmsbusphoto-uk.fotopic.net/p465367.htmlNational bodied Leyland-DAB artic with McGills markings] ] , with the others to Hampshire Bus in Winchester. Some later saw use as airport buses with British Airways, and then as non-PSV exhibit buses [ [http://bus.fotopic.org.uk/p34966749.html National bodied Leyland-DAB artic as a West Midlands exhibit bus] ] [ [http://ayr339t.fotopic.net/p48300085.html National bodied Leyland-DAB artic as a Birmingham Airport runway extension exhibit bus] ] (in 2008) At least one of these buses was undergoing preservation by 2003 [ [http://www.geocities.com/transportpages14/bendymove/bendymove.html Enthusiast page detailing the purchase of a National bodied Leyland-DAB artic for preservation] ] .

Following the trials and demonstrations, no UK operators decided to place orders for the Leyland DABs, except for South Yorkshire Transport in 1985, the bus operating company now divested from the SYPTE. SYT placed an order for 13 buses of the DAB bodied type, which saw service in a blue and cream liveried "City Clipper" circular service [ [http://www.flickr.com/photos/boxley/2147895599/ Image of the SYT City Clipper liveried DAB bodied Leyland-DAB artic] ] and the X91 "Fastline" route [ [http://thebusgalleryarchive.fotopic.net/p40972782.html Image of the SYT Fastline liveried DAB bodied Leyland-DAB artic] ] . These buses survived privatisation of the PTEs and saw service with the privatised operator Mainline in Sheffield [ [http://peterstransportalbum.fotopic.net/p12153230.html Image of a Sheffield Mainline liveried DAB bodied Leyland-DAB artic] ] and Rotherham [ [http://ben231.fotopic.net/p40209928.html Image of a Rotherham Mainline liveried DAB bodied Leyland-DAB artic] ] . These vehicles lasted in Mainline service until 1999. These buses were also loaned for demonstration to London Buses, with one seeing service with the Selkent division, [ [http://kfcpics.fotopic.net/p46192860.html Image of a Selkent liveried DAB bodied Leyland-DAB artic] ] in 1992 [ [http://kfcpics.fotopic.net/p46192862.html Image of a Selkent liveried DAB bodied Leyland-DAB artic] ] .

Mercedes Benz

A single November 1992 built articulated Mercedes-Benz O405G was bought by Grampian Regional Transport (GRT), the forerunner of First Group, as their bus RT1 ("K1 GRT") [ [http://jel-first.fotopic.net/p21359653.html Image of GRT 1] ] . This bus survived into 2008 as a unique member of the First Aberdeen fleet as their 10046 [ [http://www.kingstreetdepot.fotopic.net/p49113595.html Image of First Aberdeen 10046] ] .

Modern era

Towards the new millennium, interest was revived in the more advanced, lighter, low-floor designs being introduced, and the first articulated buses were introduced by First Group in Manchester in 1998/1999, used on route 135 [ [http://www.jonathan-gallagher.fotopic.net/p42658167.html Image of an S-reg (1998/1999) articulated bus in service with First Manchester] ] . Articulated buses were first introduced in London in the early 2000s. Later, First Group, in collaboration with Volvo Buses and Wrightbus, developed the Wright StreetCar. First Group branded this the ftr concept, for use in the introduction of new bus rapid transit schemes. The ftr is used in Leeds and York, and is due for use in Swansea.

Use of conventional articulated buses has extended beyond London, into the other English regions, as well as Scotland and Wales. Cardiff Bus secured the first Statutory Quality Bus Partnership in the UK which prompted the introduction of high technology artics. While Arriva has the largest single fleet, in London, First operates the most artics in the UK, across its subsidiary companies.

Use in London

The majority of UK artics are based in London, driven by the tendering specification system of Transport for London, the regulation authority responsible for bus services in London. The introduction of 'bendy buses' in London caused several issues, including safety and fare evasion.

By 2008, the London fleet stood at 393 buses. In August 2008, following the election of Boris Johnson as Mayor of London, it was announced the bendy buses would be withdrawn as their 5 year operating contracts came to an end, starting from May 2009, and completed by 2013 (or 2015 depending on contract extensions)Buses Magazine, August 2008 issue, page 5, Ian Allen Publishing] . With the majority of London operators of bendy buses also having significant provincial fleets in the UK, namely Arriva and the Go-Ahead Group, it is possible these buses could find alternate usage elsewhere in the UK, although it is also possible they could be sold to the other countries where their usage is more prevalent, although this would be hampered by these buses being right hand drive.

Types

The majority of articulated buses in the UK are Mercedes Citaros, with the remainder being standard Scania and Volvos, and the Wright StreetCar.

The types in use are:
* Mercedes Citaro integral buses
* Mercedes-Benz O405GN integral buses
* Scania OmniCity integral buses
* Scania OmniTown integral buses
* Scania L94UA chassis with Wright Solar Fusion bodywork
* Volvo B10LA chassis with Wright Fusion bodywork
* Volvo B7LA chassis with Wright Eclipse Fusion bodywork
* Wright StreetCar, a Volvo/Wright combined project

Volvo have demonstrated a Hispano-bodied articulated bus in London, as have Scania with the OmniCity, but neither has secured any orders.

Operators

* Arriva London
* Cardiff Bus
* East London
* First Aberdeen
* First Avon and Somerset
* First Capital Connect Luton Airport link
* First Glasgow
* First Leeds (ftr)
* First Manchester
* First York (Park & Ride)
* First York (ftr)
* Go North East MetroCentre Shuttle
* London Central
* London General
* Lothian Buses (only one currently)
* National Express Coventry
* National Express West Midlands
* Nottingham City Transport
* Truronian (3 for the Eden project)

ee also

External links

* [http://kfcpics.fotopic.net/c1396844.html Images of the Mainline Leyland DAB on hire in London]
* [http://www.taketwo.fotopic.net/c1279913_1.html Gallery of UK articulated buses]

References