There's a New Kid In Town: Part 1

The latest bus model to embrace the London Bus Scene is Optare's new single decker, the Metrocity. RATP Group are the first to purchase these and have a total of 17 Metrocities in their fleet. 

The Metrocity was unveiled in late 2012 and production was to start in the third quartile of 2013. So towards the end of 2013, when the bus was launched into production, RATP announced they had bought 12 Metrocities on a Mercedes-Benz engine for route S1 in their Quality Line division and that the buses would be ready for the end of February 2014. 

But wait, something else was announced slightly earlier. It was also said that route 391, between Richmond and Imperial Wharf, Sand's End Sainsbury's had been retained with it's current Optare Versa vehicles, then one new vehicle too. The new vehicle was said to be a Optare Metrocity demonstrator. However, this bus doesn't run the 391 at all - from my understanding, this bus was diverted to Epsom Buses and is the current MCD01 that also runs route S1. There was a reason for this, and it's stated below.


There is a difference between MCD01 and the OMs, and it's not just the codes. Like stated above, the OMs are mounted on a chassis made by Mercedes-Benz, however, MCD01 has a chassis manufactured by Cummins. The reason MCD01 is with Epsom Buses and not with London United is for various of tests such as fuel consumption and reliability, and to make the test as fair as possible, the buses will operate on the same route (S1). 


These Optare Metrocities seem to be favoured by drivers, enthusiasts and passengers alike, and Optare have stated it is, as you may have noticed, a Optare Versa and a Optare Tempo squeezed together into one. Optare also stated that they added some new features as well to improve the Metrocity, having London in mind, who could be it's biggest investor such as a door-safety lock, very low floor and easy care engines. The bodies are also made stronger so they can last longer. The buses are also Optare's first Euro VI (6) buses to enter service in London.


The current Esteems on the S1 will then go and displace various single deckers (Mainly Solos) in the Quality Line fleet. The fleetlist of the new buses on route S1 is seen below:


Registration - Fleet No. - Engine

YJ14 BFA - OM01 - Mercedes-Benz
YJ14 BFE - OM02 - Mercedes-Benz
YJ14 BFF - OM03 - Mercedes-Benz
YJ14 BFK - OM04 - Mercedes-Benz
YJ14 BFL - OM05 - Mercedes-Benz
YJ14 BFM - OM06 - Mercedes-Benz
YJ14 BFN - OM07 - Mercedes-Benz
YJ14 BFO - OM08 - Mercedes-Benz
YJ14 BFP - OM09 -  Mercedes-Benz
YJ14 BFU - OM10 - Mercedes-Benz
YJ14 BFV - OM11 - Mercedes-Benz
YJ14 BFX - OM12 - Mercedes-Benz
YJ14 BFY - MCD01 - Cummins

Here's some photos of the new Optare Metrocities on route S1:

©Lewis JN

First up is MCD01, seen performing a service on route S1 towards Banstead (Marks & Spencers). This one is the unique Cummins based one in the fleet. You can tell it's a demonstrator as the bus is devoid of legals, logos and any stickers or branding (London Buses Roundel seems to be absent in this shot). The only notable identification is the Optare badge visible on the front and the small fleetnumber stickers on the cab side windows. 

Second up, illustrated below is OM02 at Sutton, on the route S1 service again towards Banstead (Marks & Spencer). Unlike MCD01, the actual Metrocities ordered for S1 have company logos, roundels, TfL stickers (Like roundels, wheelchair friendly bus). The keen eye would notice where the logo is on the front, the Optare badge has disappeared.

©Lawrence Abel

Wait, the post isn't over. On the other side of RATP, not London Sovereign, but London United, something incredible happened. RATP did receive some Metrocities, however, not a regular Euro 6 Diesel one, but 4 electrical versions instead!

These buses are ordered by London United, so they aren't demonstrators and they run out of Hounslow (AV) garage on route H98, between Hayes End and Hounslow Bus Station. Electrical charging points have been set up at Hounslow (AV) all over the garage, one's on the forecourt and can be easily seen and photographed, another one is closer to the actual entrance of the garage and the other two are said to be inside the garage.

The order of these 4 Metrocity EVs, also built to Euro 6 specification are built to 10.6m of length and usually operate on weekdays. Like the BYD buses on routes 507 and 521, these buses also have the green leaves livery which is something worth seeing. The OCEs, as they are coded have released 4 DLEs to be refurbished (They are 60-reg, and they are only about 4 years old) and have set off to Hounslow Heath (HH) for work on route 216.

Another thing worth noting about the OCEs is that they have high back seats, in the form of Esteban Civic V3 seats, the headrest made out of leather. That really adds comfort to the buses. 

Another fleetlist here is provided: 
LJ14 SZO - OCE1 
LJ14 SZP - OCE2 
LJ14 SZR - OCE3 
LJ14 SZT - OCE4 

I haven't yet to go on one, but the apperance does look welcoming on London's streets and the interior looks comfortable. However, word from other people have said that the buses are lovely and comforting and are a nice change from the usual Enviro 200 we see. Let's hope this bus can give the Enviro 200 a run for it's money.

©Lee Thatcher

Well here is OCE2 (LJ14 SZP) at Hounslow, Treaty Centre on route H98, beginning a service towards Hayes End. Here is the new 'Green Leaves' livery in action. These buses only run on weekdays usually, and sometimes Saturdays. The buses also have dayglo yellow blinds, which were spare in Hounslow (AV) garage.

Thanks to Lewis JN and Lee Thatcher for allowing us to use their photos. 

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