Switch Metrodecker

Switch Metrodecker
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

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.

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

Three demonstrators were made by Optare for bus operators to trial around the United Kingdom. These entered service with First South Yorkshire,[3] Go North East, NAT Group,[4] and Go-Ahead London.[5] After the trials ended, no operators ordered any diesel Metrodeckers.

In 2018, Reading Buses ordered five diesel Metrodeckers for use on Green Line route 702.[6][7] In 2020, Reading Buses cancelled the order because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[8]

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.[9][2]

Operators

London

In 2019, Metroline ordered 31 Metrodecker EVs for use on route 134.[10][11]

In 2020, Tower Transit ordered 37 Metrodecker EVs for use on routes 23 and C3,[12][13][14]

In 2021, Go-Ahead London ordered 17 Metrodecker EVs for use on route 200.[15]

United Kingdom

In 2019, First York ordered 21 Metrodecker EVs for use on York Park & Ride services.[16][17]

MetroDecker H2

In 2020, Optare made a hydrogen fuel cell bus bus called the MetroDecker H2.[18][19][20] It was made for countries that have a humid subtropical climate and would need air conditioning.[21][22][23] As of July 2025, no operators have ordered any Metrodecker H2s.[24]

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.[25] 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,[26][27] the buses returned to service in May.[26][27]

In January 2024, a Metrodecker EV operated by Go-Ahead London caught fire while operating route 200 in Wimbledon,[28] the cause of fire isn't known and was being investigated by Go-Ahead London.[28]

References

  1. ↑ "Optare Group Limited renamed as Switch Mobility Limited". Optare. 30 November 2020. Archived from the original on 15 March 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  2. 1 2 "Optare MetroDecker launch". Bus & Coach Buyer. 30 May 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  3. ↑ "Optare MetroDecker trial gets underway with First Bus". Bus & Coach Professional. 17 June 2016. Archived from the original on 4 February 2017. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  4. ↑ "Once upon a time". RouteOne. 15 June 2016. Archived from the original on 24 September 2017. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  5. ↑ "TfL spec Metrodecker starts operation with Go-Ahead London". Bus & Coach Professional. 19 August 2016. Archived from the original on 4 February 2017. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  6. ↑ "Optare confirms first ever Metrodecker order". Coach & Bus Week. No. 1347. Peterborough: Emap. 19 June 2018. p. 6. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  7. ↑ "First ever order for Optare Metrodecker". Bus & Coach Buyer. Peterborough. 17 June 2018. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  8. ↑ "Reading Buses announce 33 job losses and cancels Optare double-decker order". ITThub News. 28 July 2020. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  9. ↑ Dalrymple, Will (4 June 2019). "Electric double deckers". Transport Engineer. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  10. ↑ Crawford, Alex (21 August 2019). "Metroline is first to deploy Optare Metrodecker EV". RouteOne. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  11. ↑ "Electric Metrodeckers enter service with Metroline". Coach & Bus Week. Peterborough: Emap. 20 August 2019. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  12. ↑ Deakin, Tim (8 February 2020). "Tower Transit orders 37 Optare Metrodecker EVs". RouteOne. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  13. ↑ Peat, Chris (18 December 2020). "Tower Transit's Metrodecker EVs hit London's roads". Bus & Coach Buyer. Peterborough. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  14. ↑ "Tower Transit's Optare Metrodecker EVs hit the road". Buses. Stamford: Key Publishing. 17 December 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  15. ↑ "Go-Ahead London places Metrodecker EV order". RouteOne. 18 November 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  16. ↑ Lewis, Haydn (30 July 2020). "Biggest zero emissions bus fleet in UK launched in York". The Press. York. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  17. ↑ "Optare Metrodecker EV fleet makes debut with First York". RouteOne. 30 July 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  18. ↑ "Optare and Arcola announce fuel cell Metrodecker H2". RouteOne. 28 April 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  19. ↑ "Arcola A-Drive fuel cell platform to power Metrodecker H2". RouteOne. 27 November 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  20. ↑ Hampel, Carrie (29 April 2020). "Optare launches H2 fuel cell double-decker bus". electrive. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  21. ↑ "Optare Metrodeck H2 launched: a new hydrogen bus in the UK (with Arcola Energy)". Sustainable Bus. 28 April 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  22. ↑ Team, routeone (28 April 2020). "Optare and Arcola announce fuel cell Metrodecker H2". routeone. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  23. ↑ Moreno, Clive (28 April 2020). "Optare launching hydrogen decker". Bus & Coach Buyer. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  24. ↑ Hampel, Carrie (29 April 2020). "Optare launches H2 fuel cell double-decker bus". electrive. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  25. ↑ Peat, Chris (23 May 2022). "Electric Metrodeckers grounded following fire". Bus & Coach Buyer. Peterborough. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
  26. 1 2 "22 May Fire at Metroline's Potters Bar Bus Depot (3)". london.gov.uk. London City Hall. 23 June 2022. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  27. 1 2 "Bus Fires (1)". london.gov.uk. London City Hall. 23 June 2022. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  28. 1 2 Peat, Chris (11 January 2024). "Go-Ahead London urgently investigating electric bus fire". Bus & Coach Buyer. Peterborough. Retrieved 11 January 2024.

Other websites

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