Alexander Dennis has been awarded a contract to build 60 new tri-axle double-deckers for Scottish bus operator Lothian Buses.
The order, which will be carried out with Volvo Buses, will see the companies work together by combining Volvo’s B8L chassis and Alexander Dennis’ Enviro400XLB design.
Utilising three axles, the new buses will measure 42 feet (12.8 metres) in length – roughly 4.3 feet (1.3 metres) longer than most of the operator’s existing two-axle double-deckers.
This extra length will be used to offer inclusive and accessible spaces for passengers on the lower deck, including two wheelchair and buggy spaces alongside priority seating.
A large portion of the new Enviro400XLB vehicles will be used to meet growing demand across East Coast Buses and Lothian Country operations, which connect East and West Lothian to the Scottish capital.
The Airlink 100 service will also benefit from the introduction of the new vehicles, with the buses set to provide additional support.
Dylan Dastey, Engineering Director at Lothian Buses, said:Lothian is delighted to once again be working in partnership with Volvo and Alexander Dennis, building on our long-standing relationships to deliver new double-deck vehicles for our capital city.
Since launching our Driving Towards Net Zero decarbonisation strategy in 2023, we have remained firmly focused on achieving our long-term sustainability ambitions. At the same time, we continue to invest in renewing and modernising our fleet to ensure we provide safe, reliable, and high-quality services for our customers, both now and in the years ahead. This investment reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering the best possible customer experience, while supporting our wider ambition to fully decarbonise the fleet over the coming years.
The collaboration between Lothian Buses, Volvo, and Alexander Dennis aims to build on successful earlier work between the three companies, which has seen the supply of 78 Alexander Dennis Enviro400XLB on Volvo B8L chassis – built to a different specification – supplied to Lothian Buses in 2018 and 2019.
The operator has also stated intentions to order 40 zero-emission double-deckers from the two manufacturers, with Alexander Dennis planning to place its Enviro400EV body on the Volvo BZL electric chassis. Procurement of these vehicles is subject to confirmation of grant funding allocation to Lothian Buses from the Scottish Government’s third-round Scottish Zero-Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB3).
