Wrightbus secures further Arriva order

Wrightbus announced today (5th February) a further £11 million order from Arriva for 57 new Wrightbus Gemini 2 DL double deck buses. The new vehicles – powered by Euro 5 compliant diesel engines – are scheduled to enter service on a number of routes operated by Arriva in London during November this year.

This latest order for the new generation of Wrightbus double decks is in addition to the contract announced at Euro Bus Expo 2008 in November last year for the supply of 268 vehicles to Arriva throughout 2009.

The announcement was made during a visit to the VDL bus chassis manufacturing facilities in Eindhoven, Netherlands.  VDL is the principal sub-contractor for the supply of chassis and driveline modules for the new double decker bus. Mark Nodder & Sam McLaren of the Wright Group were joined by the Northern Ireland Assembly Minister of Enterprise, Trade & Investment, Arlene Foster MLA who was visiting the Netherlands on an Invest Northern Ireland trade mission.

Mark Nodder commented, “I am delighted that we can announce this additional and significant order for Arriva whilst we are here in the Netherlands. It is a great endorsement of the product and the work that both VDL and ourselves have collectively put in to offer choice and value for money.”

All 57 vehicles will be built to full Transport for London (TfL) specification and feature the new and distinctive exterior Gemini 2 front styling. Their VDL chassis platform features a 6.7 litre Euro 5 compliant Cummins engine and Voith D854.5 automatic transmission driving through a ZF portal rear axle.

The Wrightbus Gemini 2 was unveiled last November at Euro Bus Expo 2008, and has been designed as a modular concept, providing operators with the choice of diesel (Gemini 2 DL) or hybrid-electric drivelines (Gemini 2 HEV).

Developed by the Wrightbus Product Development team in Ballymena led by Product Development Director, Damian McGarry in conjunction with VDL, key objectives in the design of the new double deck were to deliver a weight optimised, fuel efficient vehicle with maximum seating capacity, suitable for both London and provincial applications.

Weight optimisation has been achieved by using an integral approach to design and manufacturing, employing composites and other light weight materials where appropriate resulting in a “best in class” combination of passenger capacity and low-floor seating layout.

Source: Transportweekly