Stagecoach has ordered 70 buses from Switch Mobility. 10 are battery-electric Metrocitys at 9.5m for its London operation, and 60 are diesel Solos sold under the Optare brand. The latter are Slimline, 8.5m examples that are to replace existing Solos in Stagecoach fleets.
The Metrocitys will enter service on route W11 between Chingford Hall and Walthamstow in early 2024, while the Solos will be delivered during the first of next year. Switch advises that the Metrocity fleet will have NMC battery technology and deliver a range of up to 170 miles. The Solos will be 28-seaters.
Completion of the deal represents a major boost for Switch’s UK business, and confirms its decision to again manufacture diesel buses under the Optare brand. In early 2022, now-departed CEO and Executive Vice-Chairman Dr Andy Palmer said that the business had built its final non-zero-emission vehicles.
Speaking about the business from Stagecoach, current Switch Mobility CEO Mahesh Babu says: “We are delighted to continue to expand our relationship with Stagecoach. Its repeat order for the Metrocity electric bus, following the recent delivery of 20 in London, is testament to the vehicle’s efficiency and versatility.
“While our focus at Switch is on engineering and delivering the world’s most efficient electric buses, we recognise that operators such as Stagecoach are continuing to look for ways to reduce their environmental impact and improve the efficiency of their fleets.
“For this reason, we have taken the decision to restart production of our renowned Solo product and support Stagecoach in replacing part of its existing Solo fleet.”
Despite the order for diesels, Stagecoach Chief Operating Officer Sam Greer has underlined the group’s commitment to operating a zero-emission bus fleet by 2035.
