Alexander Dennis Enviro500

Alexander Dennis / TransBus Enviro500
Years of manufacture	2002 to present
Length	11.3 to 12.8 metres
Width	2550 milimetres

The Alexander Dennis Enviro500 is a tri-axle double-decker transit and commuter bus. It debuted in 2002 with TransBus International. A hybrid version of the Enviro500 was developed and unveiled in 2008. This model is called the Enviro500H. The Enviro500 is part of the Enviro-series of buses by Alexander Dennis, and is designed and built to meet European standards and the operating environment of Hong Kong and North America.

The chassis for the Enviro500 is a modified Trident 3. The builder's plate lists the chassis as "Trident E500". The Enviro500 can also use the Volvo Buses B9TL chassis.

Design in Asia and Europe

The bus debuted in Hong Kong when the maximum width for buses was 2500 millimetres (98.4 inches). The later width of 2550 millimetres (100.3 inches) eventually became standard. The Hong Kong Enviro500 buses had a fixed top deck rear window where the glass is broken for emergency egress. The buses for Dublin and Glasgow retained the traditional window frame with push-out egress.

The styling of the Enviro500 was based on the single-deck Enviro300. The front upper area design was similar to the design used on the Plaxton President body. In late 2003, the design was revised with a slightly different lower front and rear fascia.

In 2009, New World First Bus (NWFB) and Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB) took delivery of 11.3 metre length Enviro500 buses.

In 2012 Alexander Dennis launched a new version of the Enviro500 for Asia and Europe. This version of the Enviro500, in addition to following the exterior restyle that was first introduced in North America, uses a new chassis with the powertrain off-set to the left. The new chassis configuration along with a new staircase design have increased the seating capacity to 90. Changes in materials and parts design have lead to a reduction of weight as well.

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  Original lower front fascia.

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  Revised lower front fascia.

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  11.3 metre Enviro500.

Design in North America

In 2004 Alexander Dennis decided to explore the North American market with its Enviro500. The North American version has a modified body and redesigned fuel tank, which enabled the straight staircase to be moved forward. The rear of the bus is different from overseas versions as the top deck lacks a rear window. This area, instead, has a black gloss-effect rectangular panel with larger circular tail lights on either side.

In late 2007, Alexander Dennis announced that a 12.8 metre version of the Enviro500 will be made available for 2008. GO Transit was the first customer to receive this version. The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada later took delivery of 12.8 metre length Enviro500 buses with two staircases.

At the 2011 APTA Expo in New Orleans, Alexander Dennis launched a redesigned look to the Enviro500 based on the front styling of the Enviro400. A lower height, "Go-Anywhere", option was launched as well, with OC Transpo and GO Transit being among the first customers. The lower height at 13 feet, six inches is only available as a 42 foot long bus.

The "Go-Anywhere" model is only available in a 42 foot length to make up for a reduction in seating capacity. Unlike the standard height model, the rear row of seats is over rearmost wheel with the fuel tank behind. The fuel tank had to be relocated due to the dropped body height. The door beside the last passenger window is used for maintenance access.

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  12.8 metre Enviro500 also with ESAB bumpers.

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  Enviro500 with low-profile bumpers.

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  Open-top sightseeing Enviro500.

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  "Go Anywhere" model.

Specifications (On Enviro500 chassis)

Dimensions

• Length: 11.3m, 12m, or 12.8m
• Width: 2550mm
• Height: 4.3, 4.2 or 4.1m

Engine

• Cummins ISL9 EPA 2010, 8.9 litre, 330 or 380 hp (North America, 2010-present)
• Cummins ISLe Euro 5, 8.9 litre, 340 hp (2010-present)
• Cummins ISLe Euro 4, 8.9 litre, 340 hp (2006-2010)
• Cummins ISM EPA 2007, 10.6 litre, 330 hp (North America, 2007-2010)
• Cummins ISMe Euro 3, 8.9 litre, 335 hp (2002-2006)
• Cummins ISM EPA 2004, 10.6 litre, 330 hp (North America, 2004-2007)

Transmission

• Allison B500R (2007-present)
• Voith D864.5 (2005-present)
• ZF 6HP604C (2006-present)
• Voith D864.3E (2002-2005)
• ZF 5HP602C (2002-2006)

Axles

• Front: Dana NDS 80LF Deep drop I beam, 17,640 lbs capacity, lock angle 55 degrees
• Rear: Dana Drop centre 28,665 lbs capacity,
• Tag: Dana T75ULF drop centre, 16,535 lbs capacity

Brakes

• Front: Knorr Bremes disc
• Rear and tag: Dana S Cam

Steering

• ZF 8098

HVAC

• Denso
• Thermo King TDD-M1
• Thermo King TDD-M2

Operators

Canada

• GO Transit - Golden Horseshoe, ON
• Kelowna Regional Transit System - Kelowna, Lake Country, BC
• OC Transpo - Ottawa, ON
• Strathcona County Transit - Sherwood Park, AB (one year demo)
• Victoria Regional Transit System - Victoria, BC
• Whistler Transit System - Whistler, BC

Hong Kong

• Citybus
• CLP Group employee shuttle (operated by Citybus)
• Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB)
• Long Win Bus
• Mass Transit Railway (MTR)
• New World First Bus (NWFB)

Ireland

• Dublin Bus - Dublin

Scotland

• First Glasgow - Glasgow

United States

• Community Transit - Snohomish County, WA
• Gray Line New York - New York, NY
• Gray Line San Francisco - San Francisco, CA
• Gray Line of Washington Washington, DC
• Hawaii County Mass Transit Agency (Hele-On Bus) - Hawaii County, HI
• Open Top Sightseeing San Francisco - San Francisco, CA
• Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC Transit) - Las Vegas, NV
• San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority (SLO Transit) - San Luis Obispo, CA
• Unitrans - Davis, CA

Demonstrator units

Fleet number	Thumbnail	Year	VIN	Engine	Transmission	Notes
		July 2004	SFET222184GN11721	Cummins ISM	Voith D864.3E	12m Altoona test bus Rear destination sign
		2007	SFET132106GN11861	Cummins ISM	ZF 6HP602C	12m Demoed with Community Transit from 2007 to the end of 2009 Demoed with Strathcona County Transit from September 2010 until August 2011.
		2007	SFET455257GN11888	Cummins ISL9	Allison B500R	12.8m Originally had seats in green vinyl, later reupholstered in blue fabric Repowered to EPA 2010 engine in 2011 (formerly had EPA 2007 ISM) On trial with BC Transit as 9528
		Aug. 2011	SFET40738BGN12390	Cummins ISL9	Allison B500R	12.8m restyled model Silver, blue and green exterior with blue interior and 4ONE seating Displayed at 2011 APTA and CUTA expos Displayed at Terminus Cartier for STL passengers Jan. 19, 2012
		Oct. 2012	SFET7E730CGN12518			12.8m "Go-Anywhere" model On trial with RTC March 6 to 20