Optare electric switches ca
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• West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive's 23 million pilot scheme to bring electric trolleybuses back to the streets of Britain is gathering momentum following the unveiling of the first prototype vehicle design from Optare.
Although the Leeds-based bus and coach bodybuilder is saying little about the project, beyond that its low-floor concept design "is very much in its infancy", it looks like becoming one of the leading contenders in the race among PSV manufacturers to win the initial 11 vehicle ElectroBus contract, which goes out to tender in six months time.
Optare's ElectroBus design features a stylish full-length single-deck body, mounted on a normal chassis frame, fitted with a 120kW electric traction motor in place of the normal diesel engine.
Commercial Motor, however, understands that the same Optare low-floor single decker body could also be making an appearance next year but on a conventional diesel-powered bus chassis.
Alongside its electronicallycontrolled traction motor, the ElectroBus will also have a small auxilhary generator, allowing it to manouevre both on to, and off, the power lines, as well as enabling it to take small detours off the trolleybus network.
Optare is not revealing which chassis it would build the ElectroBus on if it wins the tender, although one contender could be Dennis. Before deregulation, Dennis worked closely with the then South Yorkshire PTE to develop a double decker trolleybus, based on a Dominator chassis.
Roger Cobbe, rail and transport development manager of Metro WYPTA, says that the million 'first stage' of the ElectroBus project will involve the setting up of an initial 10km route between Bradford and Buttershaw, with the first vehicles expected to be operating by the start of 1990.
The first stage, however, is just part of a more ambitious scheme in which the 'WYPTA is aiming to establish an overall 801irn ElectroBus network costing some 217 million.
The final ElectroBus project will link Leeds, Bradford and Pudsey and also provide a trolleybus service within Leeds itself.
To help finance the project WYPTA is looking to the EEC for a 25 million development grant which would go towards the cost of setting up the trolleybus infrastructure. If the EEC gives cash to the project, however, it could also open the way for continental vehicle manufacturers such as Renault, with its extensive trolleybus experience, to compete for the ElectroBus order.
Cobbe says that while Optare has been working closely with WYPTA on the initial ElectroBus design, it will still have to tender along with other manufacturers if it wants to build the final vehicles.
WYPTA will also hold the decision as to who will operate the ElectroBus scheme, which could be run by outside private contractors. According to Cobbe there could be "substantial advantages in running with more than one operator — subject to DTp approval".
By switching to trolleybuses, WYPTA says it will save between 5-10% on operating costs, compared with diesel buses — mainly on maintenance and improved performance. Cobbe, however, says that there will be environmental benefits to be had by moving over to electric vehicles.