Wright SRM
{{Short description|Double-decker bus body on Volvo B5LH chassis}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox bus
|name = Wright SRM
|image = Wright Short Routemaster.jpg
|imagesize =
|caption = London Sovereign Wright SRM bodied Volvo B5LH at Golders Green station in December 2016
|manufacturer = Wrightbus
|production = 2016
|assembly = Ballymena, Northern Ireland
|capacity =
|length = {{convert|10.6| to |11.3|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|width = {{convert|2.5|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|height = {{convert|4.2|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|floortype = Low floor
|doors = 2
|weight =
|chassis = Volvo B5LH
Volvo B5LHC
|related = New Routemaster
|engine = Volvo D5K240
|powerout =
|transmission = Volvo I-Shift
|predecessor =
|successor = }}
The Wright SRM (Son of Route Master{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Stuart |url=http://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/son-routemaster/ |title=Son of Routemaster |work=Bus & Coach Buyer |date=22 March 2016 |access-date=1 April 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409184338/http://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/son-routemaster/ |archive-date=9 April 2016}}) is a twin-axle double-decker bus body manufactured by Wrightbus in 2016, designed for the Volvo B5LH and Volvo B5LHC hybrid chassis.
The design is based on the New Routemaster, sharing the majority of body panels up to the rear quarter section but having no second staircase or third door. It was designed with provincial bus operators in mind, rather than being exclusively for bus operators in London.{{cite news |url=http://www.busandcoach.com/news/articles/2016/london-launch-for-new-wrightbus-srm-on-volvo-b5lh/ |title=London launch for new Wrightbus SRM on Volvo B5LH |work=Bus & Coach Professional |date=18 March 2016 |access-date=1 April 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328081818/http://www.busandcoach.com/news/articles/2016/london-launch-for-new-wrightbus-srm-on-volvo-b5lh |archive-date=28 March 2016}}{{cite news |last=Deakin |first=Tim |url=http://www.route-one.net/articles/Son_of_Routemaster_appears_Wright_on_cue |title=Son of Routemaster appears Wright on cue |work=routeone |date=23 March 2016 |access-date=1 April 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427084941/http://www.route-one.net/articles/Son_of_Routemaster_appears_Wright_on_cue |archive-date=27 April 2016}} Despite this, all those produced have only been used in London.
Design
File:OppCharge-SRM-BusExpo2016-P1390318 (30705876776).jpg
The Wright SRM is styled like the New Routemaster with a tall wrap-around windscreen, an upper deck double-curvature windscreen and an arched roof - however Transport for London (TfL) have had no involvement with designing the Wright SRM.{{Cite news|url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/questions_about_the_srm_and_envi#incoming-1100274|title=Questions about the SRM and Enviro400H City|date=12 December 2017|work=WhatDoTheyKnow|access-date=28 January 2018|language=en}}
Orders
The first six Volvo B5LHs entered service with London Sovereign on route 13 in September 2016. They were transferred to route 183 in April 2017 owing to a boarding problem.{{cite magazine |last=Lyons |first=Mark |url=https://www.keybuses.com/article/short-hops-1 |title=Short Hops |magazine=Buses |issue=748 |date=15 June 2017 |page=23 |location=Stamford |publisher=Key Publishing |access-date=29 September 2024}}
A further two were completed to TfL specification on Volvo B5LHC chassis in 2016, featuring roof-mounted pantograph chargers that can charge the B5LHC's batteries when attached to Volvo 'OppCharge' opportunity charging gantries.{{cite news |url=http://busandcoach.com/news/articles/2016/world-premiere-for-volvo-b5lhc-electric-hybrid-double-deck/ |title=World premiere for Volvo B5LHC Electric Hybrid double-deck |work=Bus & Coach Professional |date=7 November 2016 |access-date=13 September 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913184038/http://busandcoach.com/news/articles/2016/world-premiere-for-volvo-b5lhc-electric-hybrid-double-deck/ |archive-date=13 September 2017}} One was retained by Volvo Buses in Sweden for further trials before being delivered to London;{{cite magazine |url=https://www.keybuses.com/article/volvo-plugs-electrification |last=Millar |first=Alan |title=Volvo plugs electrification |magazine=Buses |issue=750 |date=17 August 2017 |pages=34-36 |location=Stamford |publisher=Key Publishing |access-date=29 September 2024 |url-access=subscription}} both commenced trial service with London Central on route 37 in 2018,{{cite magazine |last=Lyons |first=Mark |url=https://www.keybuses.com/article/volvo-electrics-arrive-south-london-trial |title=Volvo electric arrive for south London trial |magazine=Buses |issue=761 |date=19 July 2018 |page=23 |location=Stamford |publisher=Key Publishing |access-date=29 September 2024 |url-access=subscription}}{{cite magazine |url=https://www.keybuses.com/article/go-ahead-starts-using-opp-charged-volvos-london |title=Go-Ahead starts using opp-charged Volvos in London |magazine=Buses |issue=762 |date=16 August 2018 |page=7 |location=Stamford |publisher=Key Publishing |access-date=29 September 2024}} however they entered service on the 37 as hybrid electric buses after TfL abandoned plans to install opportunity charging gantries at the 37's termini at Peckham bus station and Putney Heath, stating there was insufficient space at both.{{cite magazine |last=Lyons |first=Mark |url=https://www.keybuses.com/article/oppcharge-trial-abandoned-it-starts |title=OppCharge trial abandoned before it starts |magazine=Buses |issue=767 |date=17 January 2019 |page=20 |location=Stamford |publisher=Key Publishing |access-date=29 September 2024 |url-access=subscription}}
The only SRMs produced were built in 2016, at the time of the model's launch. The model remained available for order right up until Wrightbus entered administration in 2019, although no further examples were built.
References
{{Reflist}}