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Switch Metrodecker

The Switch Metrodecker (previously called the Optare MetroDecker) is a double-decker bus. It has a low-floor. It has been made from 2014 to the present day by Switch Mobility.

Switch Metrodecker
Optare Metrodecker - New Adventure Travel (26642374933) (cropped).jpg
NAT Group MetroDecker in Cardiff in 2016
Overview
ManufacturerSwitch Mobility
Production2014–present
Body and chassis
Doors1-2
Floor typeLow floor
RelatedSwitch Metrocity
Powertrain
EngineMercedes-Benz OM934LA
250kW Full Electric
Capacity63 - 84 seated
TransmissionZF EcoLife 6AP 1000B 6-speed
ZF AVE 130 hub motor axle
Dimensions
Length10.5 m (34 ft 5 in) & 11.1 m (36 ft 5 in)
Width2.5 m (8 ft 2 in)
Height4.31 m (14 ft 2 in)
Curb weight9.98 tonnes (9.82 long tons; 11.00 short tons)
Chronology
PredecessorOptare OmniDekka
Optare Olympus

In 2020, Optare changed its name to Switch Mobility.[1]

Metrodecker

From 2014 to the present day, Switch Mobility make a diesel bus called the Metrodecker.[2]

Operators

Metrodecker EV

London Transit Optare MetroDecker EV on route 23 at Marble Arch in September 2022

From 2015 to the present day, Switch Mobility make a battery electric bus called the Metrodecker EV.[3][2]

London

In 2019, Metroline ordered 31 Metrodecker EVs for use on route 134.[4][5]

In 2020, Tower Transit ordered 37 Metrodecker EVs for use on routes 23 and C3,[6][7][8]

In 2021, Go-Ahead London ordered 17 Metrodecker EVs for use on route 200.[9]

United Kingdom

In 2019, First York ordered 21 Metrodecker EVs for use on York Park & Ride services.[10][11]

MetroDecker H2

In 2020, Optare made a hydrogen fuel cell bus bus called the MetroDecker H2.[12][13][14] It was made for countries that have a humid subtropical climate and would need air conditioning.[15][16][17] As of July 2025, no operators have ordered any Metrodecker H2s.[18]

Incidents

In May 2022, a fire destroyed six buses at Metroline's Potters Bar garage, two buses were Metrodecker EVs. Switch Mobility told all operators to stop using Metrodecker EVs.[19] An investigation into the Potters Bar fire found that a conductive coolant had been added to the battery system of a Metrodecker EV instead of a non-conductive one,[20][21] the buses returned to service in May.[20][21]

In January 2024, a Metrodecker EV operated by Go-Ahead London caught fire while operating route 200 in Wimbledon,[22] the cause of fire isn't known and was being investigated by Go-Ahead London.[22]

Switch Metrodecker Media

References

  1. ↑ Optare Group Limited renamed as Switch Mobility Limited (30 November 2020)Optare. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Optare MetroDecker launch (in en-GB). Bus & Coach Buyer (30 May 2014). Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  3. ↑ Dalrymple, Will. Electric double deckers. Transport Engineer (4 June 2019). Retrieved 27 January 2021.[dead link]
  4. ↑ Crawford, Alex. Metroline is first to deploy Optare Metrodecker EV. RouteOne (21 August 2019). Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  5. ↑ "Electric Metrodeckers enter service with Metroline". Coach & Bus Week (Peterborough: Emap). 20 August 2019. https://cbwmagazine.com/electric-metrodeckers-enter-service-with-metroline/. Retrieved 24 March 2022. 
  6. ↑ Deakin, Tim. Tower Transit orders 37 Optare Metrodecker EVs (in en-GB). RouteOne (8 February 2020). Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  7. ↑ Peat, Chris (18 December 2020). "Tower Transit's Metrodecker EVs hit London's roads". Bus & Coach Buyer (Peterborough). https://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/tower-transits-metrodecker-evs-hit-londons-roads/. Retrieved 24 March 2022. 
  8. ↑ "Tower Transit's Optare Metrodecker EVs hit the road". Buses (Stamford: Key Publishing). 17 December 2020. https://www.keybuses.com/article/tower-transits-optare-metrodecker-evs-hit-road. Retrieved 24 March 2022. 
  9. ↑ Go-Ahead London places Metrodecker EV order. RouteOne (18 November 2020). Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  10. ↑ Lewis, Haydn (30 July 2020). "Biggest zero emissions bus fleet in UK launched in York". The Press (York). https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/18618144.biggest-zero-emissions-bus-fleet-uk-launched-york/. Retrieved 24 March 2022. 
  11. ↑ Optare Metrodecker EV fleet makes debut with First York. RouteOne (30 July 2020). Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  12. ↑ Optare and Arcola announce fuel cell Metrodecker H2. RouteOne (28 April 2020). Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  13. ↑ Arcola A-Drive fuel cell platform to power Metrodecker H2. RouteOne (27 November 2020). Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  14. ↑ Hampel, Carrie. Optare launches H2 fuel cell double-decker bus. electrive (29 April 2020). Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  15. ↑ Optare Metrodeck H2 launched: a new hydrogen bus in the UK (with Arcola Energy) (in en-US). Sustainable Bus (28 April 2020). Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  16. ↑ Team, routeone. Optare and Arcola announce fuel cell Metrodecker H2 (in en-GB). routeone (28 April 2020). Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  17. ↑ Moreno, Clive. Optare launching hydrogen decker (in en-GB). Bus & Coach Buyer (28 April 2020). Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  18. ↑ Hampel, Carrie. Optare launches H2 fuel cell double-decker bus. electrive (29 April 2020). Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  19. ↑ Peat, Chris (23 May 2022). "Electric Metrodeckers grounded following fire". Bus & Coach Buyer (Peterborough). https://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/electric-metrodeckers-grounded-following-fire/. Retrieved 23 May 2022. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 22 May Fire at Metroline's Potters Bar Bus Depot (3) (in en). london.gov.uk (23 June 2022)London City Hall. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Bus Fires (1) (in en). london.gov.uk (23 June 2022)London City Hall. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Peat, Chris (11 January 2024). "Go-Ahead London urgently investigating electric bus fire". Bus & Coach Buyer (Peterborough). https://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/go-ahead-london-urgently-investigating-electric-bus-fire/. Retrieved 11 January 2024. 

Other websites

Media related to Optare MetroDecker at Wikimedia Commons

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