ENVIRONMENT › ARRIVA ELECTRIC BUSES IN DEPTH
Induction-charged Wrightbus StreetLite EV: Test driving an Arriva The Shires vehicle A dedicated 22-strong driver’s rota has been created for route 7 although 34 drivers in total have received the required day’s training on the induction charging StreetLite EVs, the first of which was delivered to Milton Keynes last November. Mark Mitchell from Wrightbus pointed out that driver feedback had been very positive. Performance including acceleration was described as fantastic and handling was favourably commented on as well. With thanks to Arriva The Shires, we were able to take one of the SteetLite EVs for a short test drive after the official launch and would agree with all of those comments, reinforcing previous experience of driving another manufacturer’s electric bus. For those that have yet to experience it, driving an electric is quite different to a diesel with a gearbox. Performance feels effortless in comparison and it’s an altogether much more relaxing experience. StreetLite’s driver’s area meets ISO16121 for ergonomics and all-round visibility. An angled windscreen is designed to minimise reflections and the absence of an offside ‘B’ pillar all help to enhance that visibility. Side mirrors
are deep and well placed. A multiple internal mirror system means the driver not only can see what’s happening in the saloon, but also in the wheelchair position directly behind the cab partition. Wrightbus thoughtfully provided two clothes hooks, one for a jacket or coat and another possibly for a hi-viz vest. The 46cm steering wheel and soft feel VDO binnacle adjusted as one, and it was quick and easy to set up a comfortable driving position. The left-side positioned steering wheel stalk has controls for the wipers, screen wash, horn, headlights and indicators. The fully adjustable Chapman driver seat was very comfortable. Our bus had a pulldown windscreen blind, but there wasn’t one for the signalling window. The binnacle display includes a speedometer on the left, various warning lights and a digital display that informs the driver on start up when the bus is ready to drive and the percentage state of the battery charge, and the progress of any recharge. Despite the ZF label below the drive, neutral and reverse buttons, the StreetLite EV doesn’t have a gearbox. Red ‘open’ and green ‘close’
For the driver the VDO binnacle is well laid out with controls falling easily to hand
Multiple mirror system ensures the driver can see what’s happening in the wheelchair position
Despite an extra 2.6t in weight, seating capacity has been maintained at 37
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entrance door buttons are adjacent. Above that are switches for fog, side and dipped headlights, ferry lift and suspension nearside lowering, ignition and engine start. Then there are hazards, reversing alarm on and off and a switch for the camera that aids docking above those induction plates. Arriva specifies an eight camera CCTV system on single-deckers. Overhead is a 21St Century monitor, which the driver uses for reversing and positioning the bus for induction recharge. To the right are controls for the Hanover electronic destination equipment and switches for the saloon and cab lights, battery guard reset and cab fan. The sides of the moulded panel below the signalling window have controls for lowering and raising the collector plate and there is a driver alarm. On top of the moulding is the parking brake, the Heavac Fronterior controlled heating and ventilation system and a master isolator switch. Arriva The Shires uses smartcard-enabled Parkeon Wayfarer TGX200 ticketing. On the left-hand side of the front dashboard moulding
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13/01/2014 18:13