Bus Eireann has begun field testing the revolutionary Volvo B7RLE Wrightbus Commuter bus on various services.
During mid October 2006, Bus Eireann launched this demo Commuter onto various routes from Dublin.
UK demo bus BP54WYH is seen loading at Bus Aras, Dublin City Centre on Saturday 21st October 2006 during its Dublin based evaluation period.
The Wright Commuter is similar in appearance to the popular Solar & Urban designs from the Ballymena coachbuilder, however has a much raised windowline in this high floor coach version.
Seen above, complete with its rear number dmd programmed for the 111 service to Trim. " on hire to Bus Eireann " stickers applied internally to all side of the bus, given the unusual blue colours & unaccustomed passenger reactions.
BP54WYH which was built in 2004 has been with various UK operators demonstrating the new wheelchair capabilities of a full height coach.
Seen above on layover at Trim having worked out from Dublin.
During the evaluation period with Bus Eireann Broadstone, the Commuter has been allocated to the Kells/ Cavan & Trim routes.
The Wright Commuter has a longer than average front overhang due to the wide entry double front doors to accommodate the wheelchair configuration
As well as the ability to carry a wheelchair user while maintaining a high floor seating configuration for able boded passengers, this also leaves plenty of space benefit underfloor for luggage & freight.
The Commuter features a vertically mounted D7C engine with automatic transmission, with front independent suspension with an aluminum fuel tank behind the rear overhang.
interior cabin with high backed 51 coach seating
rear view, with overhead luggage racks & clima control
The main saloon is accessed using three ( 200 mm ) steps in the centre, the first seats offside are level with the wheelchair space so the wheelchair passenger is not left feeling isolated in their area.
The wheelchair area itself is located beside the right hand door with securing hooks to attached to the wheelchair along with seatbelts for the passenger.
Above showing the wheelchair ramp extending covering the same area as the wheelchair area. The door is also wider than standard. The front door swings forward while the rear door leaf swings backwards. Both are plug type.
While some coachbuilders are favouring full ground to high floor external lifts, Wrightbus believes this is both intimidating for wheelchair users, especially in poor weather conditions & also awkward for operations, particularly small bus station/ rural roads where side space may not always be available. There is also greater loss of seating capacity ( usually 4 seats ).
Blazefield Holdings was the first UK operator to purchase six Commuters for their Yorkshire Coastliner " Whitby- Scarborough-York- Leeds " service in June 2004 & the bus was showcased by Wrightbus at the NEC in Birmingham at the Coach & Bus show the same year.
Translink Northern Ireland also has one Commuter on long term loan & has been to various depots across the Province.
Bus Eireann is set to trial the Commuter on Dublin based routes for 2 weeks, then transfer to Cork & Limerick with perhaps Galway as well. Also under consideration is the Ayats Bravo double decker with wheelchair capabilities.
Short films of the Commuter in service with Bus Eireann :
Footnote:
The Commuter ( WC 1 ) arrived at Bus Eireann Capwell Garage, Cork on 27th October 2006 for evaluation on some Cork routes. It operated services such as the 249 Cork/ Kinsale & Cork Airport service.
It was reported back in Bus Eireann Broadstone 14th November awaiting handover back to Irish Commercials, Naas
