Alexander Dennis

?? Passengers travelling between Winchester and Southampton can now enjoy 10 brand new Alexander Dennis Enviro400 low-emission double deckers thanks investment by Bluestar, part of The Go-Ahead Group and Go South Coast Ltd. The new vehicles for the Bluestar 1 route have a smart new look on board with a more comfortable and spacious seating layout, and lighter flooring. And thanks to our SmartPack efficiency technology that combines engine stop/start, e-cooling and auxiliary load management, they are certified as low-emission buses by the Zemo Partnership. Bluestar's new Enviro400 are part of a package of enhancements that also include an increase in the route's frequency and night buses, which the operator is delivering in partnership with Hampshire County Council with funding from the UK Government’s Bus Service Improvement Plan.

? The Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV is the battery-electric double deck bus to move the crowds on busy urban corridors and interurban expresses, delivering a host of benefits for your operation: ? More seats than comparable electric double deckers and available with two wheelchair bays ? Heavy-duty driveline for gradeability and higher speed running ? Underfloor batteries for better weight distribution and interior layout ? Best-in-class 0.67kWh/km efficiency over the UK Bus Cycle and 97% grid-to-wheel efficiency #LeadingtheZEvolution

We're thrilled that Whippet Coaches has joined the #Connector project as the new operator for the autonomous bus trial. The innovative pilot scheme is designed to explore the potential of self-driving bus technology in Cambridge. By integrating cutting-edge automation into bus operations, the trial aims to provide valuable insights into how autonomous vehicles could enhance public transport options in the future. ? Whippet will operate the project's Alexander Dennis Enviro100AEV, the first of which was recently launched at our Farnborough facility ahead of track testing. The next-generation autonomous electric buses will run between Trumpington and Babraham Park & Ride sites, serving the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. The Connector consortium is led by the Greater Cambridge Partnership and also includes dRISK, Fusion Processing Ltd, Gamma Energy and IPG Automotive. The project is funded by the UK Government's Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles and industry partners. #LeadingtheZEvolution

?? Last week some of our team had the opportunity to celebrate Peter Manning and his retirement from First Bus after 40 years in the industry. Peter had a long standing involvement with the development of a number of Alexander Dennis products, he also inspected and signed off new vehicles that were delivered into First Bus. Marie Connell our National Account Manager who attended the celebration said: " It's been an absolute pleasure working with Peter. I am very grateful for his continued friendship, support and guidance throughout the years. I'd like to wish Peter a happy retirement." Our Head of Concepts and Advanced Engineering Jamie Wilson fondly recalled: "I had the privilege of working with Peter across multiple generations of AD vehicle models. I also spent some time with him as a graduate engineer, benefiting from his knowledge of bus operations. His insights to our product development journey were invaluable and we owe him a great debt of gratitude." ?? We would like to wish Peter a long, happy and fulfilling retirement!

???? Our regional sales team is there to support your fleet investment – get in touch with Charlie Miller, Martin Dunleavy, Simon Wood and Mark Taylor to discuss your requirements and reserve your next low and zero-emission buses!

?? We were thrilled to attend another successful annual networking event, the Corporate Members Reception hosted by London Transport Museum on Wednesday evening. As a continuous supporter of the museum, we value every opportunity to work together with Transport for London and bus operators in the capital to discuss the future of bus industry, innovation and how can we support delivery of their commitments on public transport in London. A big thank you to the London Transport Museum for organising such a memorable evening! #LeadingtheZEvolution

?? Change Please is an award-winning social enterprise tackling homelessness. In a ground-breaking initiative called Driving for Change, the Change Please Foundation takes repurposed double deckers to key London boroughs to provide lifesaving and essential services to the most vulnerable. These include access to general NHS and oral healthcare, a hairdresser, as well as financial inclusion, social support and much more. We are pleased to have been able to provide the Change Please Foundation with a Enviro400 double decker that was built in 2014 as one of the prototypes of the model’s ‘MMC’ generation. For the past decade, it served as a test & development vehicle used by our engineers for long-term testing and validation. Ken Love, Managing Director Change Please UK & Ireland, said: “At Change Please, we are incredibly grateful for the generous donation from Alexander Dennis. Their support in providing a bus for our Driving for Change initiative is a game-changer in our mission to deliver vital services to those experiencing homelessness. This donation not only enables us to extend our reach but also ensures that we can continue offering essential support. Together, we are driving meaningful change and creating brighter futures for those who need it most.” Peter Richardson, our Head of Test & Development said: “After more than ten years as a vital part of our development fleet, our prototype Enviro400 will have an even more important role in its second life. Driving for Change is a great initiative to alleviate homelessness in the capital and we’re incredibly honoured to be able to play our part by donating this additional double decker, allowing the Change Please Foundation to further expand its work.”

? Why choose the next-generation Enviro200EV all-rounder from Alexander Dennis? ? Lightweight design for improved energy efficiency - around two tonnes lighter than competitors ? Long wheelbases and small wheelarches deliver a large accessible saloon space ? Narrower body increases manoeuvrability with no compromise to interior comfort and space ? A scalable platform across midi and full-size single deck lengths Britain’s best bus is becoming Britain’s best zero-emission bus! #LeadingtheZEvolution

Congratulations to our Head of Concepts & Advanced Engineering, Jamie Wilson, who has been elected to the Zemo Partnership board of directors! As a Chartered Engineer, Jamie has spent almost 20 years in the bus industry during which he has shaped successive generations of new bus and coach products with a broad range of low and zero-emission technologies including efficient diesel, hybrid, biogas, hydrogen fuel cell and battery electric. A key focus in his work is on improving safety, increasing energy efficiency to reduce the environmental impact of buses and coaches, lowering operational costs for operators and supporting governments’ net zero targets. Jamie is passionate about public transport and is an advocate for the vital role low and zero-emission buses have to play in ensuring it remains universally affordable and accessible for all. Jamie participates in industry events, workshops and focus groups as well as delivering lectures to interested parties including STEM students on technology developments within the industry. #LeadingtheZEvolution

? We're offering zero-emission buses from stock for the first time with a number of Enviro100EV available this year! This fully electric ‘big small bus’ is ideal for narrow housing estates or winding country roads, where its compact road footprint is combined with generous passenger capacity including 25 seats trimmed in Camira moquette and room for up to 20 standees. Hanover Displays destination screens are fitted and provision is made for accessible information. 354kWh batteries – 50% more battery capacity than other small buses – and the highly efficient Voith Turbo Electrical Drive System give the Enviro100EV class-leading range on a single charge. Speak to our team today for full specifications and to reserve your buses: ?? Charlie Miller for Scotland: 07766 681380 ?? Simon Wood for North West England, Central England and Wales: 07771 510112 ?? Martin Dunleavy for the North East and East of England: 07879 895348 ?? Mark Taylor for the South of England: 07767 472561