Alexander Dennis Limited’s Enviro500 full flat floor, 3 door,
2 staircase double deck stole the show at the LTA-UITP Singapore
International Transport Congress and Exhibition (SITCE) in Suntec City,
Singapore during October 2016.
The
Enviro500 concept bus, commissioned by the Land Transport Authority
(LTA), is the result of close collaboration between the transport agency
and Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL), the world’s largest double deck bus
manufacturer. Exhibited at a series of Bus Carnivals at venues across
Singapore in March and April 2016, visitors were encouraged to provide
their feedback on the design of this brand new vehicle designed
specifically for Singapore. Positive feedback on the design and
specification has also been received from international visitors to this
week’s SITCE event.
The concept bus retains many of the features
which have made ADL’s Enviro500 the most popular high-capacity double
deck bus in the world. The most significant difference is the third
door and second staircase. The second and third doors act as the exit
points for all riders, the result being an efficient, two-stream
passenger flow throughout the vehicle which speeds up boarding and
alighting, reduces vehicle dwell time at bus stops and enhances the
passenger experience. Ease of access for all passengers is guaranteed
thanks to the absence of any internal steps in the lower saloon.
The
bus has a range of sophisticated on board specifications including
luxurious high back contoured seating, WiFi, USB charging points at all
seats, mood lighting and passenger information screens. Improvements
for the driver include a comfortable, ergonomically designed seat within
the spacious cab area. A large curved windscreen offers excellent
visibility, and a CCTV monitor gives the driver all round clear views of
staircases and exit doors for the added security of passengers.
Paul
Davies, Director and General Manager of Alexander Dennis Asia Pacific,
commented: “As a global business, we embrace this type of major customer
involvement initiative. The LTA challenged ADL to design and build a
double deck bus with three doors and two staircases which they believe
will transform the passenger experience. A series of engineering
workshops with the LTA, in addition to passenger feedback, has enabled
us to further refine the initial design into a viable technical
solution. We are confident the vehicle will deliver the operational
advantages the LTA require while improving the passengers’ on board
experience.”
When asked about the complexity of engineering this
unique concept vehicle, Bill Thong, General Manager of Alexander Dennis
(Singapore) Service Pte Limited, responded, “It’s not a question of
difficulty it is a question of desire. If the market is calling for a
3-door bus solution then the challenge is for manufacturers to respond
and that is what we at ADL are doing.”
Paul Davies added, “Our
collaboration with the LTA to develop this concept bus underlines our
commitment to this critically important market. With over 200 Enviro500
vehicles in circulation here, we already have a strong foundation in
Singapore. In summer 2015, we invested in a new, centrally based, local
HQ in Tagore 8, which is headed up by Bill Thong. We are delighted
Bill joined us, bringing over 15 years senior management experience in
commercially focused roles having been with Michelin, Alcoa, Akzo Nobel
and Comfort Delgro, before joining Alexander Dennis Limited.
Since
then we have continued strengthen our organisation in Singapore,
recruiting a new Service Manager and Field Service Engineers. ADL is
renowned for delivering reliable vehicles underpinned by class-leading
aftermarket support, so having our own highly trained Service Engineers
gives our customers the comfort of knowing their vehicles’ uptime will
be maximised.”