London’s NEWEST Tri-Axle Hybrid Double Decker Bus on Route 12 + Journey!

[@BusesInLondon]

Note - this bus has an extra set of wheels. Hence it is called Tri-Axle. After a long gap, the third axle returns on TFL commercial services in London

[@BusTrainsGuy20]

BusesInLondon oh okay sorry let me find my own one

[@DoubleDeckerAnton]

I drove it....and I actually like it. It helps the driver to be more aware with all the safety aids/alarms sounding in the cab. I hope ADL can trial their tri-axles in the capital soon...!!! 🤔💭...✅👌

[@BusesInLondon]

Hi Anton! Yes, these safety features were a shared responsibility across different London Operators. I believe the ADL Tri-Axles do not meet London specs (E500's) as they are too heavy?

[@ymodnar]

@New Routemaster Fan do it in his channel :/

[@daboysus1094]

What happened to these buses I don’t see them anymore?

[@yuviftbl]

this got withdrawn in 2020. I miss these buses

[@astock5000]

A few thoughts on this bus - I haven't been on it so can't comment on certain features, however: I'm not convinced the 12 was the best route to trial it on. In addition to passengers being used to open boarding on the route, this vehicle has more seats per door area than a conventional layout bus, let alone an LT. Maybe it won't be such a big problem in practice but I would have thought this would lead to increased dwell times at stops compared to the other buses on the route, resulting in bunching. In my opinion any bus of this size used in London should at least have a second staircase if not a third door. It would certainly help in making sure passengers manage to reach the exit doors by the time the bus has stopped, which on faster sections of routes can sometimes be a struggle on a conventional bus if the stops are closely spaced. It's a good idea to trial air-con) though they've missed the hot weather this year!) and the other interior features. Hopefully those seats are as comfortable as they look. The blue variant of the TfL interior actually doesn't look bad to me though I still prefer the red one (and wish it was a standard requirement). Finally I'm still not a fan of the styling of the Enterprise but that's not something specific to this vehicle.

[@BusesInLondon]

Wow a detailed comment! I agree, dual boarding is useful but it wont be if the bus is jam packed. It did happen yesteday though. I dont think a second staircase will be useful as it takes away from more seating room. Hopefully all the features are in use in the summer again! The interior styling is nice, some say plasticky but theyve really missed the trick in regards to the aisle width, a pram wont fit through like a normal bus due to the massive staircase

[@astock5000]

@@BusesInLondon A 12m tri-axle with the layout of an NRM could still seat 70, maybe 72 depending on if the equipment at the very rear of the upper deck could be relocated. Remove the middle door and go for a "passenger flow" layout and it would be even higher, though that might cause delays when very crowded as wheelchair users would have to board and alight through the front door as on a provincial bus. Seating capacity isn't everything however, if the vehicles spend more time at stops the effective capacity of each bus reduces slightly as they're taking longer to complete a round trip and you either need more or the frequency goes down. Which brings up another point, carrying more passengers per bus may be more efficient but that means lower frequencies. With plenty of routes having excess capacity as it is, I'd say it would be better to stay with two-axle buses and keep frequencies up as best as possible to avoid putting more passengers off using the service due to longer waiting times. Many bus interiors have issues with plasticy or 'cheap' finishes and fittings in my opinion, at least when compared to the NRMs. I travelled on several early LTs (2013 deliveries) recently and their interiors really didn't look worn at all.

[@astock5000]

@Sentlsion Not at all, I don't live in London and the only TfL routes that are somewhat local to me are the 142 and 258, which are certainly not as suitable. My comment is rather old now anyway but my reasoning was that compared to a conventional double deck, this bus is a step in a rather different direction to the New Routemaster, being more about increased capacity rather than easier boarding and reduced dwell times, and it seemed an odd choice of route if the main goal was to trial a tri-axle in service assuming that route 12, having NRMs allocated, suits those (and some may well argue otherwise of course). This BCI did have a number of other features and it may have been the idea to test those on a high-profile route in which case the choice is more logical - plus there's always negotiations with operators etc which can have an effect. The 12 however is far from unchanged as it has been shortened considerably over the years. The remaining section has been rather stable but the same goes for many routes. I'm not sure that this was a factor though, as prototype buses have been trialled on many different routes, while more controlled "simulated" running of buses on test sites has based on route 159

[@lawrencediangana]

Wow That's Very Cool by the way it's Amazing you Caught the Tri-Axle bus Ever and I will Try and Catch it soon as I can by the way Great Video

[@BusesInLondon]

Thanks!

[@ucm1313]

the tri-axle is very refreshing, but london's cramped roads limit the potential usability on certain routings that fit best to its demand such as 65 (twists and turns in ham). At least certain routes like 18, 607, 25 and 73 have a higher chance of using tri-axles as with their previous exp with bendy buses.

[@BusesInLondon]

+Abe Chow I agree routes 25 607 etc would be ideal for the route. You never know they may get e400XLB buses

[@jumpcirclegaming4467]

Great video! Can't wait to have a ride on that thing! One question do you know why the metroline optare solo srs have dot matrix blinds? I thought it wasn't allowed in London

[@BusesInLondon]

+Jumpcircle Gaming they couldn't fit smartblinds on it

[@nathanw9770]

There is a Mercedes-Benz Citaro with a dot matrix blind on the 108 but Idk how long that one will stay in London

[@jumpcirclegaming4467]

That would make sense thanks for the info!

[@DimitriB757]

TheOriginalWray It’s because it’s a demonstration unit...

[@leicestertravels4705]

I love the sound of this. Arriva Midlands need to get some of these in Sapphire for the 127 from Leicester to Loughborough and Shepshed.

[@greaterlondonbuses8100]

FINALLY! CAN'T WAIT TO GO ON THIS! GREAT VIDEO 👍

[@BusesInLondon]

Thanks!

[@sarahsrandomvideos6965]

Great video as always. Well worth the wait. I can't wait to catch one on these. 🚌😀

[@BusesInLondon]

thanks

[@sarahsrandomvideos6965]

@@BusesInLondon no worries 😀👍🏼

[@4.22AM]

1 of the best buses no lie it was parked up by my house even went on it it’s like the buses in china

[@ALxdCr4ftPlays]

Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, already has had 100% Electric Double Decker Buses since Mid 2018. They cost the government NZ$1,000,000 each which is fair as they can carry nearly 100 people. Plus they have fast chargers which can fully charge the buses in 5 minutes. A full charge can last up to 150km travel. Fair price considering the work they can do and they're highly popular with the youth and cheaper than your average NZ house.

[@alfiemoynesrobloxgaming3144]

These buses are sick! (In like amazing), thanks for uploding this amazing video.

[@BusesInLondon]

+RobloxGaming HD thx

[@plasmauktransport1657]

Great video! I think we’re the only ones who did TA1e and I have to admit this bus is beautiful.

[@BusesInLondon]

Nice, its *NOT* called TA1e, it is TA1

[@plasmauktransport1657]

BusesInLondon yeah it’s TA1 😂 just like saying the e thing😂

[@BusesInLondon]

Plasmas UKTransport it's not right to include it in the fleetcode

[@adamshaw2932]

This looks quite interesting! The lower front end makes me think of a the old East Lancs Lolyne! Infact the slight slope to the roof at the front has an East Lancs look about it too.

[@JayJay-nc7pr]

The 12 is a strange route to test these buses on, the 12 goes down some tight roads between Dulwich & Peckham, the 53 or 68 might’ve been a better choice since their radial routes which stays more or less on one major wide road for most of their route

[@BusesInLondon]

It was initially penciled for use on the X68

[@AD-hf1hp]

149 is perfect for this

[@Jeromeg27]

But the 12 is bus that get frequently used between Peckham Rye and Elephant and Castle. I see what you mean by tight bends but I think they done this to build the capacity and number of passengers on the bus itself.

[@TakaCode]

Bus 25 would be amazing with this

[@Jeromeg27]

@@TakaCode So true, I sometimes use the 25 bus as well. The 25 route covers a load of main stops in East London like Stratford, Bow, Mile End and Bethnal Green and Central London stops like Aldgate, Bank, St Paul's and City Thameslink. So I think this new bus would be good for the 25. Well pointed out

[@SouthLondonBuses]

Amazing video! They look nice on the inside. I'll be riding on one of these soon

[@BusesInLondon]

Thanks and yes

[@BusesInLondon]

enjoy your ride!

[@duncandavies9706]

Now nearly 2021 is this tri-axle bus still being tested ??

[@Trainsrock183]

Was this built by optare

[@TheTransportHub17]

Great video mate and at last it's in service.

[@BusesInLondon]

Thank you!

[@drivemediareviews]

Are these busses still in operation?

[@peterdeutscher1442]

Wow, how did you find this bus from, mate? I haven't seen that before, but where are they now??

[@CarpeDiemTraveller]

I can't wait to ride these buses, they remind me of the Voith B7TLs and also the BYDs, but also the fire engine in GTA San Andreas 😂😂

[@BusesInLondon]

have fun!

[@TakaCode]

I hope bus 25 will get theses someday.

[@tahmedurrahman666]

You never know Stagecoach might order these for the 25 as the Contract has been awarded to Stagecoach from May 2020

[@muzaffar278]

me too, because 25 is my favourite bus route in London

[@cplayzstuff6907]

TfL should start using B8Ls as well

[@peterdeutscher1442]

Hard to find it. What expect to wish to ride this! :(

[@route1237]

Where do you find this!?!

[@CarpeDiemTraveller]

Great video!!!

[@BusesInLondon]

Thanks!

[@lt_20181]

A beauty

[@BusesInLondon]

+8R4THK4J 81 hmm

[@customtransport2777]

I managed to catch this bus within seconds to spare and then rode a full journey and back

[@BusesInLondon]

yes, i saw you were out of breath when you boarded the bus

[@customtransport2777]

Also congratulations on exactly 3000 subs! 👍🏻

[@BusesInLondon]

Thanks!

[@the_alex_ellis_channel6923]

In New Zealand & Australia, this bus is called the "BCI Citirider D", which is it's actual name (as it's a Double decker version of the Second-Generation Citirider).

[@BusesInLondon]

Wow! intersting to know!

[@JoeHupp]

@@BusesInLondon BCI is an Australian company - the full name of the company is Bus & Coach International. They are based in the industrial suburb of Kewdale, in Western Australia’s capital city, Perth

[@ryanpattie8987]

The new London buses look stunning

[@Ashley_van_Schooneveld]

Tri Axle double deckers like those in Vancouver run by TransLink and Ottawa run by OC Transpo.

[@hughnorris1699]

How many of there are in service?

[@LucyMichela]

I believe I'm right in remembering that Metroline trialled some rather bad LED displays on one of their E400s out of Cricklewood. I only saw it for like a week, and it clearly failed. Can't remember which vehicle it was tho

[@BusesInLondon]

Those were Kindle Blinds, these are LED blinds which is a different system and it is much better!

[@LucyMichela]

@@BusesInLondon oh that's why the way they worked reminded me of an Amazon Kindle! Yes, LEDs are great, although why it's taken this long for them to make it to London instead of blinds, I have no idea

[@BusesInLondon]

@@LucyMichela Probably the cost too, I think if more are ordered, the manufacturing price goes down...

[@SMTransportStuff]

It's funny how I was on the 182 today and the announcement was supposed to say 'Sudbury and Harrow Road Station' but instead said 'Hayes ASDA' which was exteremely strange

[@BusesInLondon]

ibus glitch

[@SMTransportStuff]

@@BusesInLondon Yeah. It's quite funny when that happens although for some passengers that can be confusing

[@SMTransportStuff]

@@BusesInLondon Congrats on reaching 3K subs

[@samrogers7896]

Great thumbnail photo mate. =) Looks great too.

[@BusesInLondon]

Thanks, taken at the Oxford Circus Stand

[@samrogers7896]

@@BusesInLondon Awesome. 😊👍

[@jtransportbuses]

Nice Video. The bus sounds are cool. Sorry one question, When will the H12 use E400MMCs and what bus will 79 use.

[@BusesInLondon]

we will see in december

[@jub3640]

is it LED blinded and if it is, is it the same type that are on Stagecoaches E400 ?

[@BusesInLondon]

yes

[@NextSound170]

Ive not been to Central London in months so not seen hide nor hear of this bus, spending time in St Albans away from the headache of London

[@BusesInLondon]

have fun

[@zetch972]

I saw these buses on my way to work. Are they testing them out or are they going to become a permanent feature on London’s Roads? I feel like these buses are more for cities outside of London.

[@BusesInLondon]

Zetch brown testing

[@MandingoAfricano]

I’m guessing the failed the test

[@hughnorris1699]

How many seats does it have?

[@volvotrident4835]

Amazing bus! For a hybrid it sounds abit like a roaring Enviro 400 MMC

[@BusesInLondon]

+VolvoTrident sounds like a vantage vlp

[@volvotrident4835]

@@BusesInLondon Either way, decent bus ;)

[@alex_isman]

Isn’t it electric

[@daboysus1094]

What happened to these buses ?

[@SprattyHeath]

Didn't Ensign bus have these as well???

[@BusesInLondon]

Yes they do but not in TFL service. They are also diesel btw

[@ho-kitlam8609]

It seems to be very different to when I caught it. That hybrid engine also sounds a lot like the BYD E200MMC on the 507 & 521. A couple questions: 1. What's the general feel of the bus? 2. Is it a nice bus? 3. Finally, would you want more of these buses 4. Oh and do you think it needs Wi-Fi?!

[@BusesInLondon]

Sounds more like those vantage VLPs tbh. Bus is great and quick. Poor interior layout as prams have to board from the central doors. Others have described it as plasticky. Passengers think it is a routemaster as it is long and start boarding using the middle doors. Would be helpful on some busier routes in London Dont think so as now pretty much everyone has 4G

[@ho-kitlam8609]

@@BusesInLondon That's great, I think a trial like this is helpful for operators to see what they can do. Yet I agree with it being plastikiy and I do think it will create problems with boarding

[@hughnorris1699]

What engine do they Have?

[@hughnorris1699]

What has happened to these buses?

[@mahammad]

What’s the benefit of 3 wheels? And also if this is a trial, they need to improve on making it look like a London bus not a foreign one, also no back windows and the ibus looks weird. But at least it stays in electric mode unlike most other hybrids.

[@BusesInLondon]

More passengers per bus may mean a total of less buses on the road. Tri-axles are usually seen on long distance trips however (like NationalExpress)

[@mahammad]

BusesInLondon so it increases fuel efficiency or something like that?

[@BusesInLondon]

we dont know yet, It depends on the usage of the bus. There could be a better MPG per person...

[@bestnzgamer3666]

@Chiltern Transport Productions foreign buses are better than British buses just saying. Adl Wrightbus and optare are all cheap plastic garbage

[@NC-002]

It has the low browed look of the Plaxton President, it looks fantastic! Shame they are restricted to London, and I’ll have to look out for it when I next go, but every new bus represents the loss of a classic bus.

[@BusesInLondon]

Theyre not, Ensign bus have quite a few of these, the company is australian i think

[@NC-002]

Oh, well still it's an interesting bus, much better than the new Routemaster which isn't quite my cup of tea.

[@NC-002]

@Environmentum new Routemasters are awful in my opinion, very little character compared to these. Plus we’re all entitled to these things we call “opinions”

[@saifjeetoo5786]

Great video

[@BusesInLondon]

+Saif Jeetoo thx

[@londonbuses5724]

Looks nice

[@BusesInLondon]

+LondonBuses57 yep

[@SVSG98]

Looking forward to having a ride

[@joshuahill6153]

New Zealand has narrow streets hand has fleets of BCI and Enviro500 Double Deckers all almost the same specs.

[@BusesInLondon]

nice!

[@joshuahill6153]

The BCI's are lets just say, can't handle our roads and their chassis decide to snap.

[@NintendoFanboy21]

Do tfl still have these buses

[@BusesInLondon]

+Nintendo Fanboy plays roblox and more yes

[@NintendoFanboy21]

@@BusesInLondon ok thanks, but which bus route has those buses

[@BusesInLondon]

@@NintendoFanboy21 route seen in the video

[@joshuahalla.k.a.controlla6333]

Great video.☺️ It reminds me of those buses in Hong Kong and a new version of the MHV’s and Optare Metro decker combined together with a third axle like in Hong Kong.☺️

[@BusesInLondon]

Defo Hong Kong, they have long buses there!

[@parisminah178]

also singapore

[@idontknow12383]

It also disappeared like the 98 which had a similar type of bus like this without 3 wheels 💀

[@navinbabji]

This double decker bus would be perfect for a Motorhome conversion...

[@BusesInLondon]

lol

[@QwertyScream]

London deserves Enviro400XLB buses already in Edinburgh!

[@thomasfluskey5922]

Wouldn't this be ideal for the Heathrow Central to Croydon Express Route.

[@BusesInLondon]

Really?

[@mintymax3001]

Nice.

[@MsEdy09]

Is this the e500?

[@BusesInLondon]

no

[@MsEdy09]

K

[@MsEdy09]

What it's called oh and btw that looks like a e500 so that's why I said that

[@bestnzgamer3666]

@@MsEdy09 bruh doesn't look like an e500

[@normanschlongdongovic4124]

Rear axle tag steering,I’m a bus driver of 12m single and tri-axles double decker and also 18m articulate bus driver

[@BusesInLondon]

nice

[@RIYAD74PRODUCTIONS]

Why this New London bus got Three wheels and not two wheels there were from Scottish bus?

[@BusesInLondon]

its a trial

[@8834]

They should put these on long routes like the X26

[@cplayzstuff6907]

Or 278

[@christianvanristell]

Why does Camberwell always get the newest and best buses? At Merton, the newest bus we have are the awful WSDs.

[@BusesInLondon]

WSDs are new...

[@christianvanristell]

BusesInLondon But they’re no good

[@alxchung3440]

Is London going to buy any?

[@BusesInLondon]

this is a trial so maybe after it ends

[@alxchung3440]

Reminds me of the scanias

[@alxchung3440]

Did you film upstairs?

[@BusesInLondon]

@@alxchung3440 no

[@TrainBoy-qp3je]

These seem like quite nice buses, do you like them? The phone holders seem like a good idea just but just badly designed, unless it is maintained well, in a few weeks you will be barely able to open them because of chewing gum

[@BusesInLondon]

After a short 5 minutes ride, Id say they are good quick buses but the interior is badly designed. Agree about the phone slots, theyre gonna break. I think those USB chargers suppport fast charging too!

[@normanschlongdongovic4124]

12m?

[@marksinthehouse1968]

Love to drive one hope my company gets a batch

[@clash0308]

omg i love that so much

[@BusesInLondon]

nice

[@hasanyilmaz4379]

What ever happened to these tri-axle buses

[@MS46532]

2 wheels in the back Lol i actually like them

[@LiIther]

It is good although i don't like the fact it has an extra set of wheels

[@oforid2227]

there is a picture on facebook with anton standing next to it

[@BusesInLondon]

+oforid222 Official Wow? Is there a link?

[@JasonsTransportGamingVideos]

BusesInLondon I will find it

[@JasonsTransportGamingVideos]

BusesInLondon it’s on instagram

[@ixntrh6112]

Before this bus was introduced I used 12 weekly to get to Dulwich Annoyed now

[@BusesInLondon]

oh no!

[@DanielsUKT]

This one sounds weird like a VOLVO B5LH a BYD and a E40H in one bus but it's awesome

[@BusesInLondon]

+Daniel's UK Transport videos and more nice

[@insertnamehere0247]

Enjoyed the hand reveal 💀💀💀

[@BusesInLondon]

Insert Name Here you can't tell anything from that

[@leonleon1027]

N 12 to Dulwich I don't think those buses gonna last long in Dulwich ......

[@junaid72085]

they need these buses on route 18

[@BusesInLondon]

+Junaid Sheeraz maybe

[@alex_isman]

We don’t see these 12 buses no more

[@transportenthusiasticman26]

I hope these buses will operate on the route 12 soon like replacing the RouteMasters on it

[@ho-kitlam8609]

The Routemasters are daily new, they are most likely to go on another route which is worth it like the 25 or 140?

[@transportenthusiasticman26]

Ho-Kit Lam I guess you're right

[@insertnamehere0247]

Great vid nevertheless

[@BusesInLondon]

thx

[@BusTrainsGuy20]

I found this on images? Am I accidentally copying someone else’s picture?

[@BusesInLondon]

you cant use an image found on a google search, it needs to be a picture *you took yourself*. If it isnt, you need to change.

[@stearmaster6.756]

i like it but it should of used a B5LH engine

[@stearmaster6.756]

@Sentlsion you do know anything can have the B5LH chssis, evosetis can have B5TLs while Gemini 3s can have hydrogens streetdeck and B5TL chassis, so yes this could infact acompany the B5LH chassis, so know your levels and calm down😂😂😂

[@VolvoB10L]

Sounds like a washing machine lol

[@1964sdyoung]

Make the buses bigger, more passengers on each one, won’t need so many buses so less drivers to pay for, new idea for saving money

[@nazmabegumahmed9812]

That a electral bus

[@philipssecurityates4931]

Pretty funny bus isn't??? 🤔

[@vignijaansone3880]

I hate tfl because they replaced it with new routemasters

[@transparentlemon]

That bust looks horrible. I prefer the route master because it’s so curvy and modern looking.

[@BusTrainsGuy20]

Jeez that hurts my ears the freaken engine sounds likes it’s going through some problems or something Plus Vantage power needs to make that sounds go away because boi that hurts my ears very bad like my ears are ringing

[@BusesInLondon]

+TFL_Travel_RBLX what noise. Please change your profile picture as that is not your photo

[@LandAnchor]

Interesting concept but I’ll be honest, this is not an attractive piece of street furniture.

[@BusesInLondon]

@expressTransport374 LOL

[@BusesInLondon]

Tbh its not bad in the flesh, better than an Evoseti on the 30/13 etc

[@BusesInLondon]

@expressTransport374 the fact that narrow streets dont suit a triaxle is ridiculous, theyre the same width as any bus! Infact it looks better in real life

[@BusesInLondon]

@expressTransport374 agree, no need for the phone holders, the interior is actually nice but they need to sort out a few big issues

[@wharris302]

an e500 with rear wheel steer will outturn any 10m bus, lol

[@phonemaster123]

busesinlondon

[@wrighteclipsegemini5381]

KNOCK OFF CHINESE BUS 😂😂

[@BusesInLondon]

GeminiNightmares lol

[@CB-by9nf]

Its kinda ugly still and its abit hard to accept given thay there are soo many dual axles and this is the only tri-axle. If they wanted a proper tri-axle bus they should have ordered the Man Lion City Double decker but i really think bendy buses should make a return due to their flexibility.

[@BusesInLondon]

they may not be fuel efficient

[@MarioStahl1983]

Another diesel bus with a laughable little electric motor attached to it. Hooray! Just call it "hybrid" and everybody thinks it's super ecofriendly. Next step: Introduce a battery-electric bus and call that ecofriendly. Hooray! Gosh! The word is : PANTOGRAPH!!! Overhead electrification!!! Zero emissions A N D no batteries! Every 100-year old tramway is more ecofriendly than this bus. But I guess it makes us all somehow feel better, right? 😂🤣😅

[@h11apprentice]

Yay first view lol

[@coastliner7009]

That looks so ugly

[@insertnamehere0247]

EWWWWWWW what is this monstrosity

[@BusesInLondon]

@expressTransport374 Theyre better than an evoseti!

[@tahmedurrahman666]

This bus looks way too American!