Stagecoach placed an order for 20 Enviro100EV ahead of the type’s launch and production is now under way with deliveries expected in the first half of 2024. The vehicles are expected to be allocated to operating companies in Scotland. 

Alexander Dennis Enviro100EV for Stagecoach

The Enviro100EV was unveiled earlier this month as part of the manufacturer’s next generation of battery-electric buses, developed in house outside of the (still existing) partnership with BYD. Highly manoeuvrable at just 8.5m length and 2.35m width, the Enviro100EV seats up to 25 passengers.

Powered by the Voith Electrical Drive System, the energy stored in its 354kWh batteries gives it a class-leading range of up to 285 miles according to manufacturer.

The battery system was developed for Alexander Dennis by its partner Impact Clean Power Technology (that has also recently renewed its partnership with Solaris). “Particular attention has been paid to making it future-proof by allowing easy battery replacement with newer batteries in later life without a need for vehicle modifications”, ADL states. 

Sam Greer, Chief Operating Officer for Stagecoach, said: “Acquiring the new Enviro100EV reaffirms our commitment to our customers experience while also bringing us a step closer to realising our goal of being fully Net Zero by 2050. As a part of the fabric of daily life in the UK, we will continue to build on our work to tackle climate change and become more energy efficient. Having been involved with these battery-electric buses from the concept phase, we are sure they will establish themselves as a long-serving staple of the Stagecoach fleet.” 

Paul Davies, Alexander Dennis President & Managing Director, said: “We’re delighted to have Stagecoach on board as the launch customer for our Enviro100EV ‘big small bus’. We really valued their input as we worked closely with them through the concept phase. These next-generation electric buses will be versatile assets for Stagecoach, their expansive range and diminutive road footprint making them equally suited to narrow town streets as winding country lanes. It’s a significant technical challenge packaging 354kWh of battery capacity and up to 285 miles of range into such a small vehicle but our engineers have pulled out the Top Trump card once again. The Enviro100EV is best-in-class by some distance and with its future-proof battery system and the next generation of aftermarket support from AD24, this new fleet of small buses is destined to enjoy long, productive working lives in the Stagecoach fleet.” 

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MTR Corporation provides Hong Kong’s Mass Transit Railway urban rail system including a network of feeder bus services, for which it operates a fleet of 172 buses. Most of them have been supplied by Alexander Dennis from its Enviro200, Enviro400 and Enviro500 vehicle ranges, ADL points out. 

New generation Alexander Dennis e-buses for Hong Kong

The Enviro500EV has been fully designed in-house by Alexander Dennis’s engineering team as part of the manufacturer’s next generation of zero-emission buses. Its 472kWh batteries are supplied by Impact Clean Power Technology to a future-proof design that allows for upgrades to benefit from advances in battery technology without structural modifications. Power is transmitted through the heavy-duty Voith Electrical Drive System, with 410kW peak and 310kW continuous output.

Andy Boulton, Managing Director Asia Pacific for Alexander Dennis, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen by the MTR Corporation as partner for the transition to zero-emission bus services. Our Enviro500EV has been designed from the ground up for the demands of Hong Kong’s world class transport system, ensuring that this transformational investment in cleaner transport will deliver for the MTR Corporation.” 

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The 10.2m long buses will be publicly owned by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, which will provide them to the bus company chosen to operate the service. They have been part-funded by the UK Government’s Zero-Emission Regional Bus Areas (ZEBRA) scheme, one of the main funding schemes for zero emission buses available in the UK.

Electric buses for Sheffield

The four electric BYD–Alexander Dennis Enviro200EV single deck buses will be the first zero-emission buses in Sheffield, reducing emissions inside the city’s Clean Air Zone. They will convert the Sheffield Connect service to electric operation. Linking destinations around the heart of the city and running up to every 10 minutes, the route provides residents and visitors with easy links to and from train, tram and other bus services, Alexander Dennis underlines.

Martin Dunleavy, Regional Sales Manager at Alexander Dennis, said: “We’re really pleased to support the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority with their future vision to transform public transport. We look forward to playing our part in supporting South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard’s vision to transform the public transport network with the four publicly-owned zero-emission buses for the city of Sheffield. The new electric buses will be supported by our aftermarket team based locally in South Yorkshire at our AD24 service centre in Anston.”

Frank Thorpe, Managing Director, BYD UK, said: “BYD is delighted to support this eco-friendly initiative introducing publicly owned non-polluting electric buses to passengers in Sheffield’s Clean Air Zone. This is a superb example of ‘thinking outside the box’ to adopt electric bus transport for which we applaud the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority. In partnership with Alexander Dennis, in which BYD brings the world’s most advanced battery technology, we look forward to being part of this ongoing ‘electric bus journey’ in South Yorkshire.”

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The first 50 zero-emission buses will enter service in Wigan, Bolton and parts of Salford and Bury in September, when the new Bee Network starts to bring buses under local control for the first time in nearly 40 years. A further 50 will be delivered in March 2024, when bus franchising will be extended to Bury, Rochdale and Oldham and parts of Manchester, Salford and Tameside, before services across the rest of Greater Manchester follow in January 2025.

Alexander Dennis DD e-buses for Manchester

Each of the BYD–Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV zero-emission buses is 10.8m long and seats 62 passengers. They will be fully inclusive, with two wheelchair bays, hearing induction loops, audio and visual announcement systems and anti-slip flooring. The new buses will be funded from the government’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement.

Alexander Dennis Group Commercial Director, Martin West, said: “We are proud to be manufacturing the brand-new buses that will upgrade bus services in Greater Manchester as part of the Bee Network. These proven and reliable electric buses will deliver smooth journeys for passengers while cutting out tailpipe emissions wherever they go. The assembly of these buses in the UK supports the jobs and apprenticeships of over 2,000 team members in our company, who are proud to be leading the transition to zero-emission mobility. Through our domestic supply chain, this Bee Network investment benefits communities in the North of England and right across the country.”

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “By bringing buses under local control and investing in new vehicles, routes, and services, we will start to transform how people get around Greater Manchester. Key to that is a world-class fleet of modern, accessible, and environmentally friendly buses – which is what these are. It was great to see the first ones off the production line and I can’t wait to see them full of passengers when the first services come under local control from September. The contract with Alexander Dennis is a brilliant example of the far-reaching benefits the work we are doing to improve public transport in Greater Manchester has to the UK economy. Through our supply chains we are helping to secure skilled jobs and training and I was delighted to have the opportunity to speak with the young apprentices, who look to have a great career ahead of them.”

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The new order will take the number of BYD AD Enviro400EV buses operated by National Express in the West Midlands to 329. The fleet, which will be the largest of the type in the UK, includes an earlier order for 130 buses that are part of the UK Government’s ambitions to make Coventry the country’s first All-Electric Bus City by 2025.

Over half of the 130 BYD AD Enviro400EV buses ordered are already operating on National Express bus routes across Coventry.

National Express to have zero emission bus fleet by 2030

The continued investment is part of National Express delivering on its commitment to have a completely zero-emission bus fleet in the UK by 2030. The electricity to power the electric vehicles will be 100% renewable and zero carbon.

Tom Stables, CEO National Express UK & Germany, said: “Replacing our diesel buses with electric means we are on track to meet net zero in a way that is good for business and good for communities. These new British buses, built in Falkirk by Alexander Dennis on a BYD chassis, are clean, green double decker buses that are popular with customers. As a result, they are not only more economical to run but they will boost passenger growth and revenue by getting more people to ditch their cars for the bus; and of course they do their bit to help tackle the climate and clean air emergency.”

Alexander Dennis Group Commercial Director, Martin West, said: “At Alexander Dennis, we are proud to lead the charge with solutions that move hearts and minds. We are excited to help National Express deliver its ambitious plans in support of the West Midlands’ target to become a zero-carbon region by 2041. This repeat order from National Express will create the largest fleet of BYD AD Enviro400EV electric double deck buses in the country and shows the gathering pace of the transition to zero-emission mobility.”

Frank Thorpe, Managing Director, BYD UK, said: “This is yet another considerable electric bus order and we are delighted to support National Express as it continues to make significant headway in replacing its diesel bus fleets with clean electric alternatives. Through our partnership with Alexander Dennis, we combine our niche areas of expertise, including BYD’s world-leading battery technology to bring safe, reliable, non-polluting solutions to make public bus services more sustainable, and ever more appealing to a broader range of passengers.”

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Being more specific, Larbert site (roughly between Glasgow and Edinburgh) will focus on the production of the new Enviro400EV zero-emission bus from August 2023, assembling the next-generation body on the new Alexander Dennis battery-electric chassis. The decision follows a successful pilot programme to build Enviro400FCEV hydrogen fuel cell buses in Larbert, the manufacturer says.

Alexander Dennis to build zero emission buses in Lambert

The move expands Alexander Dennis’s UK manufacturing footprint from two to three production sites. The Larbert expansion, which converts existing warehouse space into production lines, “supports the company’s 690+ green manufacturing jobs in Scotland”, ADL says.

The Enviro400EV double deck that will be assembled at Larbert has been designed to move large numbers of people on busy urban corridors and interurban expresses with a total capacity of up to 96 passengers and an operational range of up to 260 miles on a single charge. Voith and Impact have been chosen as supplier partners for the new e-bus family, announced in mid-2022.

Works are underway in Alexander Dennis Larbert site

The Alexander Dennis head office remains at Larbert and “work has already been completed to revamp the site’s office space to equip it for its future as a flexible environment that brings together key business teams and maximises utilisation under the hybrid working arrangements that are now standard across Alexander Dennis. The changes in Larbert are part of a company-wide modernisation journey that started with the opening of the new Farnborough facility in 2022 and which will continue in coming years as further members of the next generation of zero-emission buses are added to the Alexander Dennis portfolio”, the manufacturer explains.

Alexander Dennis President & Managing Director Paul Davies said: “Over the past couple of years we have been laser focused on a modernisation agenda, underpinned by significant investment in our people, our products and our facilities. We not only need to future-proof our manufacturing capabilities for the ZEvolution but we also need to ensure that we create the best possible working environment in which our people can excel. This is another step on our Alexander Dennis journey to build a sustainable company for the future, with zero-emission buses being at the core of the repurposed and upgraded Larbert site.

Pat Rafferty, Unite Scottish Secretary, said: “Unite warmly welcomes the announcement by Alexander Dennis to manufacture the next-generation Enviro400EV zero-emission buses and for the Larbert site to be upgraded to enable this exciting expansion. It is a great vote of confidence in Alexander Dennis’ world-class workforce and it helps to sustain hundreds of jobs in the local economy. Unite is pleased to play our full role in helping to firmly establish the company as a market leader in the manufacturing of green buses and to assisting with increasing global demand in order to meet the challenges associated with the decarbonisation of public transport.”

Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn, Leader of Falkirk Council said: “Alexander Dennis is a world class leader in bus production and this announcement reinforces their position as a key employer in the Falkirk area. Their modernisation and adaptation to changing markets shows how they are at the forefront of their industry, and we are proud to have them based in our area providing employment and investment opportunities in the coming years.”

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The additional 50 British-built electric buses will enter service in parts of Bury, Rochdale and Oldham when the second tranche of franchising launches there in April 2024. The buses will be funded from the government’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement.

Electric buses for Bee Network

The new buses, which are a new order adding to NFI Group’s backlog, follow an initial procurement of 50 buses for the first tranche of Bee Network services in Wigan and Bolton from September 2023, for which Go North West and Diamond have been confirmed as the appointed operators.

Alexander Dennis President & Managing Director, Paul Davies, commented: “This repeat order from Transport for Greater Manchester is a great recognition of the value added by our zero-emission buses, which will be built in the North of England at our factory in Scarborough and supported locally from our AD24 aftermarket hub in Skelmersdale. With a total of 100 electric buses now on order from Alexander Dennis for the Bee Network, we are looking forward to helping to transform the public transport experience in the region.”

Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester, Vernon Everitt, said: “There is strong momentum towards the delivery of the Bee Network – an integrated London-style transport system – and bus franchising alongside our Metrolink trams means we have a solid foundation to build from. High demand for safe, reliable and affordable public transport in the region will only increase as we progressively join up our fares, ticketing and information systems to make using public transport easier and more accessible for everyone. We are also developing major schemes at pace, with more than £100m worth of projects currently being progressed, including dozens of new electric buses, plans for new quality bus routes and various projects that will significantly improve the travelling experience for passengers.”

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Hydrogen, e-bus market, the effects of inflation, production strategies, Brexit consequences. These topics – and more – have been discussed with Sustainable Bus by Alexander Dennis’ Managing Director, Paul Davies.

Prior to the Brexit trade deal, we planned to build the BVG Berlin buses in Europe. We’d identified a manufacturing partner because exporting out of the UK with a 16% import duty was not commercially viable, but once the Brexit trade deal was put into place, it effectively enabled us to save 350-plus jobs because at the time we didn’t have enough demand in the UK but bringing manufacture of the Berlin buses back to Scarborough enabled us to protect the workforce.

Paul Davies, Alexander Dennis’ Managing Director

The market according to Alexander Dennis

You’ve launched a hydrogen fuel cell double deck bus, and you’re shortly launching an electric battery version. Which technology do you think might be more prevalent in five to 10 years?

“Both hydrogen fuel cell and battery electric have a place in the market. Looking at our history, it’s about giving customers choice, so it makes sense to offer both technology types. We’re not backing one technology over the other, and both have their strengths and weaknesses, whether that’s duty cycle or infrastructure, so it makes sense for us to provide both options. There are also many similarities in the hydrogen driveline that carry over to the electric battery bus.”

How have sales in 2022 progressed in terms of a post-Covid recovery?

“We’ve seen modest growth this year. It’s still not what we hoped for and I don’t think there’s any secret that the market’s still finding its feet post pandemic. I think it’s also a function of government support for bus operations, plus the clarity on long-term funding for decarbonisation. There’s also general inflation, impacting labour and fuel. All of these things in the mixing bowl are still making it quite a challenging environment for the industry. I think that more than ever, especially in the UK, the industry has to stand together to show continued commitment and investment. With this approach, hopefully the market will recover sooner rather than later.”

What potential support do you foresee from government?

“Everybody’s concern has got to be the general economic climate and the impact that may have on support because there’s no question that whether that’s been through the CBSSG Recovery plan (ed: now the Bus Recovery Grant) or additional decarbonisation funding, there’s been significant investment in the bus industry. One would imagine that the government would like the industry to become more self-sustaining.”

The UK is the bedrock of the ADL business. We need a strong UK market to allow us to make those jumps internationally. The export agenda typically comes off the back of a strong foundation, so we would really like the UK to get back to an even keel before we think about any big, further expansion plans

Paul Davies, Alexander Dennis’ Managing Director

How is the economic climate impacting ADL’s plan regarding international markets?

“We’re well established in Asia, including Singapore and the Hong Kong market, and we’ve also sold our Enviro 500 EV to KMB in Hong Kong which we’re excited about. We’re also strong in New Zealand, so we continue to support those markets and customers. We’re delivering buses into Berlin at the moment, and like most countries, they have a zero emission transition agenda, also requiring various bespoke products and requiring new investment to support it. Right now, and I’ve said this to the Department of International Trade, we need a strong UK. The UK is the bedrock of the ADL business. We need a strong UK market to allow us to make those jumps internationally. The export agenda typically comes off the back of a strong foundation, so we would really like the UK to get back to an even keel before we think about any big, further expansion plans.”

How has Brexit impacted ADL’s operations?

“Prior to the Brexit trade deal, we planned to build the BVG Berlin buses in Europe. We’d identified a manufacturing partner because exporting out of the UK with a 16% import duty was not commercially viable, but once the Brexit trade deal was put into place, it effectively enabled us to save 350-plus jobs because at the time we didn’t have enough demand in the UK but bringing manufacture of the Berlin buses back to Scarborough enabled us to protect the workforce. The only negative has been in administration surrounding importing parts for manufacture, and while this was a challenge to begin with, the process has become more manageable.”

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Building on the comprehensive expertise gained as the UK market leader for low, ultra-low and zero-emission buses and benefitting from learnings across NFI Group, Alexander Dennis has developed a new zero-emission technology platform as the basis for a new generation of battery-electric and hydrogen-fuel cell buses. “In addition, the company will continue to offer the buses of the BYD ADL partnership, giving cities, transport authorities and bus operators even more options to meet their operational requirements”, the company stresses.

Alexander Dennis preview of new in-house e-buses at Euro Bus Expo

With a total capacity of up to 96 passengers and an operational range of up to 260 miles on a single charge, the Enviro400EV features an improved lower deck seating layout and a wide range of specification options to tailor the vehicle to local needs.

The Enviro100EV is a midibus that is just 8.5m long and 2.35m wide. Configured from the ground up to meet the exact needs of UK operators, it will have up to 25 seats and accommodate a total of up to 45 passengers, making it at home in town streets as much as in country lanes, where a class-leading range of up to 285 miles on a single charge will let it tackle longer routes, says Alexander Dennis.

Voith and Impact as partners

Enviro400EV, Enviro100EV and international models such as the Enviro500EV for Hong Kong share key technologies including a next-generation electric driveline. The choice of the driveline fell on Voith Electrical Drive System. The Enviro400EV uses the heavy-duty variant (VEDS HD), giving the double decker a 410kW peak power output as well as a high maximum running speed and excellent static and dynamic gradeability, while the Enviro100EV midibus uses a medium-duty version (VEDS MD) designed for smaller vehicles.

The new battery system is assembled by Impact Clean Power Technology to an Alexander Dennis proprietary design that standardises packaging and interfaces to the vehicle. Dual sourcing is possible at pack, module and cell level, protecting customers and the vehicle design from adverse impacts of rapid development in battery technology, ensuring continuity of supply throughout vehicle life and allowing operators to benefit from technology advancements at a mid-life refresh without the need for vehicle modifications.

Particular attention has been paid to battery system reliability: Alexander Dennis states that “Underfloor battery packs are mechanically isolated rather than directly bolted to the chassis, protecting them against external loads from twists and impacts that could cause premature failure, and feature a stainless-steel container and aluminium cooling plate to limit the risk of perforation or damage from road debris and road infrastructure. String-level redundancy ensures that the bus remains able to drive home in case of a single fault, reducing the likelihood of breakdowns”.

In its initial application in the Enviro400EV and Enviro100EV, the Alexander Dennis battery system will use heavy-duty, high-density prismatic nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) cells that are less susceptible to cold weather performance degradation and have a more gradual state-of-health decline. The Enviro400EV double decker will have 472kWh batteries as standard, with a 354kWh option available to trade range for passenger capacity. On the Enviro100EV midibus, batteries are 236kWh or 354kWh.

Alexander Dennis new e-bus range: with safety in mind

The new electric buses have been developed with enhanced active and passive safety. Driver visibility is improved with wrap-around glass and minimal A pillar intrusion, while the more strongly raked windscreen reduces internal reflections and reduces the risk to vulnerable road users, who also benefit from an acoustic vehicle alerting system. An electronic park brake and safety interlocks reduce the risk of accidental roll-away. The vehicle design maximises internal flat floor area to remove trip hazards and give enhanced accessibility for all customers, with room for two wheelchair spaces as well as improved headroom at the rear of the lower deck on the double deck bus.

The new zero-emission buses will have whole-vehicle AD24 aftermarket support, giving access to 24/7 spare parts ordering, 50 fully-trained mobile field service engineers across the UK and customer-bespoke training packages through the Alexander Dennis training academy. The advanced NFI Connect telematics suite will be available to enhance vehicle analytics and further boost uptime and efficiency.

Alexander Dennis President & Managing Director Paul Davies says: “Alexander Dennis is taking the next step in leading the ZEvolution with our next generation of zero-emission buses fully designed and built in-house, while continuing our very successful partnership with BYD which has been leading the market for the last six years and will continue to offer excellent products that meet further operational needs. Passenger appeal, performance, efficiency and total cost of ownership are all key principles that have featured in every decision and at every stage during the development of our new battery-electric buses, with no gambles taken or corners cut. The crowd-shifting Enviro400EV and the Enviro100EV, which introduces a big bus feel to the small bus market, are both designed specifically and unequivocally for the specific requirements of bus operation in the UK and Ireland, giving bus operators, transport authorities and cities the best bus for the zero-emission age.”

Alexander Dennis shows also Enviro400FCEV

At Euro Bus Expo Alexander Dennis has also unveiled its Enviro400FCEV hydrogen-fuel cell double decker as part of its next generation of zero-emission buses. The vehicle at the show is the first for the type’s launch customer, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

The 11.1m long Enviro400FCEV can carry up to 88 passengers, up to 73 of them seated and with up to two wheelchair users accommodated in dedicated bays.

Similar to the upcoming new Alexander Dennis battery-electric buses, the Enviro400FCEV utilises the Voith Electrical Drive System. Peak power output of the heavy-duty unit (VEDS HD) has been capped at 350kW on the Enviro400FCEV to maximise fuel economy while still enabling a high maximum running speed and excellent static and dynamic gradeability.

The Enviro400FCEV is fuelled in just five minutes through fillers on both sides of the vehicle. Up to 29.4kg of hydrogen is stored in 350bar NPROXX composite pressure vessels safely mounted at the rear of the vehicle before being converted to electric energy in a Ballard FCmove-HD fuel cell power module that is rated at 45kW or 60kW depending on operational application to optimise efficiency, reduce heat rejection and extend fuel cell life. A 30kWh battery from Impact Clean Power Technology provides on-board buffer storage between fuel cell module and motor. Using lithium-titanate (LTO) chemistry, it is particularly suited to frequent rapid charge and discharge and is expected to last the life of the bus. No external battery charging is required in daily operation.

Alexander Dennis President & Managing Director Paul Davies says: “The launch of the Enviro400FCEV signals the start of a new age for zero-emission buses with our next-generation technology platform. Using the expertise from earlier prototypes as well as our wider experience as the long-established market leader for greener buses, this is a mature product for an industry that needs customised solutions from a reliable partner. Sitting alongside our new battery-electric buses and the hugely successful products we will continue to build in partnership with BYD, the Enviro400FCEV adds a hydrogen-fuel cell bus to what is now the industry’s widest portfolio of zero-emission solutions, ready to meet the requirements of any bus operator, transport authority or city.”

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Alexander Dennis has recently announced the launch in 2023 of its in-house developed e-bus range, but it is unspecified if Manchester will witness the entry in operation of those new vehicles or of BYD – ADL Enviro 500EV (as suggested by the pictures released together with the press release, where the brand BYD, however, is not mentioned).

WeWe look forward to playing our part in transforming bus services in Wigan and Bolton with these iconic buses, which will be built in the North of England at our factory in Scarborough and supported locally from our AD24 aftermarket hub in Skelmersdale

Paul Davies, Alexander Dennis President & Managing Director

Alexander Dennis e-buses for Greater Manchester Bee Network

The electric buses will be built in Britain at Alexander Dennis’s factory in Scarborough, North Yorkshire and are due to operate in Wigan and Bolton, where bus franchising will be rolled out on 17 September 2023, ahead of other parts of Greater Manchester following in 2024 and 2025.

The 50 new buses will be funded from the government’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, with around 300 more electric buses to be delivered from 2024 through to 2027.

The Alexander Dennis zero-emission buses will be the first to bear the branding of the new Bee Network – Greater Manchester’s bold ambition for a fully integrated, London-style integrated transport system comprising buses, trams, walking and cycling, and eventually trains, ADL points out in its press note. The distinctive black and yellow design was unveiled by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.

Alexander Dennis President & Managing Director, Paul Davies, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen by Transport for Greater Manchester as supplier for the first tranche of zero-emission buses for the new Bee Network. We look forward to playing our part in transforming bus services in Wigan and Bolton with these iconic buses, which will be built in the North of England at our factory in Scarborough and supported locally from our AD24 aftermarket hub in Skelmersdale. Choosing Alexander Dennis shows Transport for Greater Manchester and the Mayor’s commitment to building buses locally in the United Kingdom, for which we are grateful. The new livery will inspire pride in Manchester’s Bee Network and the improvements it will deliver for the region.”

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “The countdown to bringing buses back under local control for the first time in 36 years is well and truly on. With the order placed for our first 50 new electric buses and strong interest from operators who want to run the first franchised services a year from now, the Bee Network is gathering real momentum. I am also delighted to unveil a sneak peek of what the Bee Network is going to look like. We’re building on Manchester’s symbolic bee and Metrolink colours – both of which are synonymous with our city-region – to deliver something modern and iconic that reflects the first-class transport network it will become.”

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