Switch Metrocity
{{short description|Integral midibus manufactured by Switch Mobility since 2013}}
{{EngvarB|date=November 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{Infobox bus
| name = Switch Metrocity
| image = File:MIDLAND CLASSIC Swadlincote - Flickr - secret coach park.jpg
| caption = Midland Classic Optare MetroCity in June 2018
| interiorimage =
| interiorcaption =
| manufacturer = Switch Mobility
| production = 2013–present
| length = 9.9, 10.1, 10.6, 10.8 & 11.52 metres
| width = 2.47 metres
| height = 2.85 metres
| weight =
| floortype = Low floor
| doors = 1 or 2
| capacity = 22–44 seated
| engine = {{ubl|Cummins ISBe|Mercedes-Benz OM904LA|Mercedes-Benz OM934|Magtec (electric)}}
| powerout =
| transmission = Allison 2100
| predecessor = Optare Tempo SR
| successor =
}}
The Switch Metrocity (formerly known as the Optare MetroCity) is an integral midibus manufactured by Switch Mobility since 2013. Originally aimed at the London market, the Metrocity is based on the Optare Versa which was introduced in 2009. In the UK market, longer variants of the Metrocity have replaced the Optare Tempo SR. As at August 2018, over 250 had been built.[http://www.buslistsontheweb.co.uk/index.htm?http://www.buslistsontheweb.co.uk/list.asp?listname=1026 Optare MetroCity] Bus Lists on the Web
Variants
= Diesel =
The first prototype Optare MetroCity was delivered to London United. The MetroCity is available in five lengths, with the V990MC, V1010MC, V1060MC, V1080MC and V1152MC models measuring {{cvt|9.9|mm|m}},{{cite web |title=MetroCity |url=http://www.optare.com/metrocity |website=Optare |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814070627/http://www.optare.com/metrocity |archivedate=14 Aug 2014}} {{cvt|10.13|m|mm}},{{cite web |title=Metrocity SPECIFICATION |url=https://www.optare.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/MetroCitySpecSheetOct2018AW6pp.pdf |website=Optare |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709032714/https://www.optare.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/MetroCitySpecSheetOct2018AW6pp.pdf |archivedate=9 Jul 2021}} {{cvt|10.6|m|mm}}, {{cvt|10.82|m|mm}}, and {{cvt|11.52|m|mm}}, long respectively. The shorter models were designed to replace the Optare Solo SR in London, while the longer models were to replace the Optare Versa and Optare Tempo SR in the London market. Although the Solo SR and Versa remain in production, the Tempo SR has now been entirely discontinued in the UK market with the introduction of the MetroCity due to poor sales.
= Metrocity EV =
File:Stagecoach London Switch Metrocity EV.jpg Metrocity EV in Stratford in July 2023]]
An electric version is available, named the Metrocity EV, using a 150 kW Magtec motor. In London, four entered service with London United in July 2014 on route H98,[https://www.tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2014/july/first-british-built-electric-buses-enter-service First British built electric buses enter service] Transport for London 30 July 2014 while nine entered service with Arriva London on route 312 in September 2015.[http://busandcoach.com/news/articles/first-all-electric-bus-route-for-london/ First all-electric bus route for London] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414150721/http://busandcoach.com/news/articles/first-all-electric-bus-route-for-london/ |date=14 April 2015 }} Bus & Coach Professional 6 March 2015[http://busandcoach.com/news/articles/optare-metrocity-buses-for-london-s-fully-electric-bus-route/ Optare MetroCity buses for London's fully electric bus route] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124123833/http://busandcoach.com/news/articles/optare-metrocity-buses-for-london-s-fully-electric-bus-route |date=24 November 2015 }} Bus & Coach Professional 2 April 2015 Twelve entered service in August 2023 with Stagecoach London on route 339.{{cite web|author= |url=https://www.route-one.net/deliveries/tower-transit-to-become-first-customer-for-updated-9-4m-metrocity/ |title=Tower Transit to become first customer for updated 9.4m Metrocity |work=RouteOne |date=17 May 2022 |access-date=19 May 2022}}
A Switch Metrodecker EV equipped with Fusion Processing CAVstar autonomous technology entered service with First Berkshire & The Thames Valley on a month-long trial on a service operating between Didcot Parkway railway station and the Milton Park business and technology park in September 2023.{{cite web|author= |url=https://www.route-one.net/news/first-bus-begins-autonomous-metrocity-ev-trials-in-didcot/ |title=First Bus begins autonomous Metrocity EV trials in Didcot |work=routeone |date=11 September 2023 |access-date=12 September 2023}}
Operators
=United Kingdom=
London United were the launch customer for the MetroCity, taking delivery of four examples in April 2014. These were followed in May 2014 by twelve for Quality Line, who was the largest operator of the type in London until their closure in 2021.[http://www.optare.com/pr_08_10_13.htm Epsom Coaches place first order for Optare’s MetroCity urban bus] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016101013/http://www.optare.com/pr_08_10_13.htm |date=16 October 2013 }} Optare 8 October 2013 Two MetroCity EVs were delivered to Arriva London in November 2014, followed by a further seven in August 2015.{{Cite news|url=https://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/arriva-london-orders-optare-electrics/ |title=Arriva London orders Optare electrics |location=Peterborough|work=Bus & Coach Buyer|publisher=Brave Creative|date=31 March 2015|access-date=19 May 2022}}
Other large orders have been made by New Adventure Travel, who received thirty diesel MetroCities,{{Cite news|url=https://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/new-adventures-metrodecker-trial/ |title=New Adventure's Metrodecker trial |location=Peterborough|work=Bus & Coach Buyer|publisher=Brave Creative|date=26 May 2016|access-date=19 May 2022}} and West Coast Motors, who purchased eleven between 2016 and 2017.{{Cite news|url=https://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/metrocitys-perrymans/ |title= Metrocitys for Perryman's |location=Peterborough|work=Bus & Coach Buyer|publisher=Brave Creative|date=16 December 2016|access-date=19 May 2022}}{{cite web|author= |url=https://www.route-one.net/news/west_coast_splashes__3_5m_in_borders/ |title=West Coast splashes £3.5m in Borders |work=RouteOne |date=4 April 2017 |access-date=19 May 2022}}
=New Zealand=
In September 2017, Tranzit Group ordered 114 for use in Wellington.[https://www.busnews.com.au/industry-news/1709/optare-announce-114-bus-deal Optare announce 114 bus deal] Australasian Bus & Coach 21 September 2017[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-41353399 Optare gets £21m bus order for New Zealand] BBC News 21 September 2017[https://web.archive.org/web/20170924045158/http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/regional/optare-wins-21m-order-to-supply-114-buses-to-new-zealand-operator-1-8766029 Optare wins £21m order to supply 114 buses to New Zealand operator] Yorkshire Evening Post 21 September 2017
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category-inline}}
{{Optare timeline}}