{{short description|British-built model of double-decker bus, built since 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2016}} {{Use British English|date=August 2016}} {{Infobox bus | background = | name = Switch Metrodecker | image = Optare Metrodecker - New Adventure Travel (26642374933) (cropped).jpg | caption = NAT Group MetroDecker in Cardiff in 2016 | manufacturer = Switch Mobility | production = 2014–2025 | length = {{convert|10.5|m|ftin|abbr=on}} & {{convert|11.1|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | width = {{convert|2.5|m|ftin|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} | height = {{convert|4.31|m|ftin|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} | weight = {{convert|9.98|t|LT ST}} | floortype = Low floor | doors = 1-2 | capacity = 63 - 84 seated | engine = Mercedes-Benz OM934LA<br /> 250kW Full Electric | powerout = | transmission = ZF EcoLife 6AP 1000B 6-speed <br /> ZF AVE 130 hub motor axle | predecessor = Optare OmniDekka<br />Optare Olympus | successor = | related = Switch Metrocity }} The '''Switch Metrodecker''' (formerly known as the Optare MetroDecker) is an integral twin-axle double-decker bus produced by British bus manufacturer Switch Mobility since 2014. The bus bears resemblance to the Switch Metrocity, sharing similar interior and exterior features. The MetroDecker was designed as the successor to the Optare Olympus and Optare OmniDekka double-deckers, which were both discontinued in 2011, however unlike these, the MetroDecker is only available in integral form.
Switch Mobility, then known as Optare, initially aimed to have MetroDeckers in service in London by the end of 2014 and sales of over 100 MetroDeckers within eighteen months of launch; this did not occur, with no orders placed until June 2018.<ref>{{cite news |last=Clancy |first=Rebecca |date=21 May 2014 |title= Metrodecker: the new London bus |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/industry/10846546/Metrodecker-the-new-London-bus.html |work=The Telegraph |location=London |access-date=13 January 2022}}{{subscription required}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news|date=30 May 2014|title=Optare MetroDecker launch|url=https://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/optare-metrodecker-launch/|access-date=27 January 2021|website=Bus & Coach Buyer|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Deakin |first=Tim |url=https://www.route-one.net/test-drives/driving_the_optare_metrodecker/ |title=Driving the Optare MetroDecker |work=RouteOne |date=9 October 2014 |access-date=24 March 2022}}</ref>
==Variants== ===Metrodecker=== The Metrodecker was launched by Optare in 2014 initially with the 4 cylinder Euro VI Mercedes-Benz OM934LA engine with a 6-speed ZF EcoLife transmission fitted. The bus is built on an integral Optare chassis, making the bus lighter than its body-on-chassis predecessors.<ref name=":0" />
In June 2018, Reading Buses placed the first order for five diesel Metrodeckers with high specification interiors for use on Green Line route 702, following a period of demonstration.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=19 June 2018|title=Optare confirms first ever Metrodecker order |url=https://cbwmagazine.com/optare-confirms-first-ever-metrodecker-order/ |magazine=Coach & Bus Week |issue=1347 |page=6 |location=Peterborough |access-date=24 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=17 June 2018 |title=First ever order for Optare Metrodecker |url=https://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/first-ever-order-optare-metrodecker/ |work=Bus & Coach Buyer |location=Peterborough |access-date=24 March 2022}}</ref> Due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Reading Buses cancelled the order in July 2020.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.itthub.net/coach-bus-minibus/reading-buses-announce-33-job-losses-and-cancels-optare-double-decker-order/|title=Reading Buses announce 33 job losses and cancels Optare double-decker order|date=28 July 2020|work=ITThub News|access-date=8 October 2020}}</ref>
Three pre-production demonstrators were built by Optare for bus operators to trial around the United Kingdom. Two of these entered service with First South Yorkshire,<ref>{{cite news |date=17 June 2016 |title=Optare MetroDecker trial gets underway with First Bus |url=http://busandcoach.com/news/articles/2016/metrodecker-trial-gets-underway-with-first-bus/ |work=Bus & Coach Professional |access-date=11 July 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204203053/http://busandcoach.com/news/articles/2016/metrodecker-trial-gets-underway-with-first-bus/|archive-date=4 February 2017}}</ref> Go North East and the NAT Group,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.route-one.net/articles/Whisperer/Once_upon_a_time |title=Once upon a time |work=RouteOne |date=15 June 2016 |access-date=24 March 2022}}</ref> and a demonstrator built to Transport for London specification commenced trials with Go-Ahead London in August 2016.<ref>{{cite news |date=19 August 2016 |title=TfL spec Metrodecker starts operation with Go-Ahead London|url=http://busandcoach.com/news/articles/2016/tfl-spec-metrodecker-starts-operation-with-go-ahead-london/ |work=Bus & Coach Professional |access-date=11 July 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204203133/http://busandcoach.com/news/articles/2016/tfl-spec-metrodecker-starts-operation-with-go-ahead-london/|archive-date=4 February 2017}}</ref> None of these demonstration periods resulted in orders for the diesel Metrodecker.
===Metrodecker EV=== [[File:(GBR-London) First Bus London OME46014 YJ70EVU 23 2025-06-15.jpg|thumb|London Transit Optare MetroDecker EV at Paddington in June 2025]] The '''Switch Metrodecker EV''' battery electric bus was launched in late 2015, complementing Optare's single decker range which already had battery electric variants. The battery supports 250 kW of power with an electric ZF AxTrax AVE powertrain, resulting in an electric range of {{convert|160|mile}}.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Dalrymple|first=Will|title=Electric double deckers|url=http://www.transportengineer.org.uk/transport-engineer-features/electric-double-deckers/215626|date=4 June 2019|access-date=27 January 2021|website=Transport Engineer}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> A hybrid electric variant was announced by Optare during the initial launch of the MetroDecker in 2015, however no orders materialised.<ref name=":0" />
The first Metrodecker order for a Transport for London operator came in 2019 when 31 Metrodecker EVs were delivered to Metroline for operation on route 134.<ref>{{cite news|last=Crawford |first=Alex |url=https://www.route-one.net/operators/optare-metrodecker-ev-fleet-makes-debut-with-first-york/ |title=Metroline is first to deploy Optare Metrodecker EV |work=RouteOne |date=21 August 2019 |access-date=24 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=20 August 2019|title=Electric Metrodeckers enter service with Metroline |url=https://cbwmagazine.com/electric-metrodeckers-enter-service-with-metroline/ |work=Coach & Bus Week |location=Peterborough |access-date=24 March 2022}}</ref> 37 Metrodecker EVs were later delivered to Tower Transit in November 2020 for operation on routes 23 and C3,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Deakin|first=Tim|date=8 February 2020|title=Tower Transit orders 37 Optare Metrodecker EVs|url=https://www.route-one.net/operators/tower-transit-orders-37-optare-metrodecker-evs/ |access-date=27 January 2021 |website=RouteOne|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Peat |first=Chris |date=18 December 2020 |title=Tower Transit's Metrodecker EVs hit London's roads |url=https://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/tower-transits-metrodecker-evs-hit-londons-roads/ |work=Bus & Coach Buyer |location=Peterborough |access-date=24 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |date=17 December 2020 |title=Tower Transit's Optare Metrodecker EVs hit the road |url=https://www.keybuses.com/article/tower-transits-optare-metrodecker-evs-hit-road |magazine=Buses |location=Stamford |publisher=Key Publishing |access-date=24 March 2022}}</ref> and Go-Ahead London ordered 17 Metrodecker EVs for delivery in May 2021 for operation on route 200.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.route-one.net/business-deals/go-ahead-london-places-metrodecker-ev-order/ |title=Go-Ahead London places Metrodecker EV order |work=RouteOne |date=18 November 2020 |access-date=24 March 2022}}</ref>
In March 2019, First York ordered 21 Metrodecker EVs for the city's rebranded York Park & Ride operations. The first of these buses entered service from July 2020.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lewis |first=Haydn |date=30 July 2020 |title=Biggest zero emissions bus fleet in UK launched in York |url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/18618144.biggest-zero-emissions-bus-fleet-uk-launched-york/ |work=The Press |location=York |access-date=24 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.route-one.net/operators/optare-metrodecker-ev-fleet-makes-debut-with-first-york/ |title=Optare Metrodecker EV fleet makes debut with First York |work=RouteOne |date=30 July 2020 |access-date=24 March 2022}}</ref>
===MetroDecker H2=== <!--Possibly discontinued? No mention of it on Switch Mobility website--> The '''Optare MetroDecker H2''' fuel cell bus was announced by Optare in partnership with Arcola Energy in April 2020. The MetroDecker H2 is based on existing EV platform, utilising Arcola's A-Drive hydrogen fuel cell electric powertrain with a claimed range of up to {{convert|250|mile}}. Optare aims to establish an export market aimed at countries within a humid subtropical climate requiring use of air conditioning for the MetroDecker H2, however orders are yet to be placed by potential operators.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.route-one.net/vehicles/optare-and-arcola-announce-fuel-cell-metrodecker-h2/ |title=Optare and Arcola announce fuel cell Metrodecker H2 |work=RouteOne |date=28 April 2020 |access-date=24 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.route-one.net/vehicles/arcola-a-drive-fuel-cell-platform-to-power-metrodecker-h2/ |title=Arcola A-Drive fuel cell platform to power Metrodecker H2 |work=RouteOne |date=27 November 2020 |access-date=24 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.electrive.com/2020/04/29/optare-launches-h2-fuel-cell-double-decker-bus/ |title=Optare launches H2 fuel cell double-decker bus |last=Hampel |first=Carrie |date=29 April 2020 |website=electrive |access-date=24 March 2022}}</ref>
== Incidents == A major fire in May 2022 that destroyed six buses at Metroline's Potters Bar garage, two of which were Metrodecker EVs, caused Switch Mobility to order all Metrodecker EVs to be taken out of service for safety precautions.<ref>{{cite news |last=Peat |first=Chris |date=23 May 2022 |title=Electric Metrodeckers grounded following fire |url=https://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/electric-metrodeckers-grounded-following-fire/ |work=Bus & Coach Buyer |location=Peterborough |access-date=23 May 2022}}</ref> An investigation into the Potters Bar fire found that a conductive coolant had inadvertently been added to the battery system of a Metrodecker EV instead of a non-conductive one, and the buses returned to service later that month.<ref>{{cite web |title=22 May Fire at Metroline's Potters Bar Bus Depot (3) |publisher=London City Hall |url=https://www.london.gov.uk/who-we-are/what-london-assembly-does/questions-mayor/find-an-answer/22-may-fire-metrolines-potters-bar-bus-depot-3 |website=www.london.gov.uk |date=23 June 2022 |access-date=11 January 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Bus Fires (1) |publisher=London City Hall |url=https://www.london.gov.uk/who-we-are/what-london-assembly-does/questions-mayor/find-an-answer/bus-fires-1 |website=www.london.gov.uk |date=23 June 2022 |access-date=11 January 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
A Metrodecker EV operated by Go-Ahead London caught fire on 11 January 2024 while operating route 200 in Wimbledon, with the cause for the fire under investigation by the operator.<ref>{{cite news |last=Peat |first=Chris |date=11 January 2024 |title=Go-Ahead London urgently investigating electric bus fire |url=https://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/go-ahead-london-urgently-investigating-electric-bus-fire/ |work=Bus & Coach Buyer |location=Peterborough |access-date=11 January 2024}}</ref> == See also == * Switch Metrocity * List of buses
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category-inline|Optare MetroDecker}}
{{Optare timeline}}
Category:Double-decker buses Category:Low-floor buses Metrodecker Category:Vehicles introduced in 2014