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.

Metrodecker

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

Operators

Three demonstrators were made by Optare for bus operators to trial around the United Kingdom. These entered service with First South Yorkshire, Go North East, NAT Group, and Go-Ahead London. 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. In 2020, Reading Buses cancelled the order because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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.

Operators

London

In 2019, Metroline ordered 31 Metrodecker EVs for use on route 134.

In 2020, Tower Transit ordered 37 Metrodecker EVs for use on routes 23 and C3,

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

United Kingdom

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

MetroDecker H2

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

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. 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, the buses returned to service in May.

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

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.[permanent dead link]
  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

Media related to Optare MetroDecker at Wikimedia Commons