Wright StreetCar
Encyclopedia
The Wright StreetCar is an articulated bus
developed by Wrightbus
and Volvo Buses
for FirstGroup. It consists of an adapted Volvo B7LA
(to be replaced by Volvo B9LA) chassis, featuring a separate driver compartment at the front, resembling to some extent similar designs in continental Europe
.
They feature air-conditioning and a wrap-around seating arrangement at the rear. They're designed to mimic trams in their appearance and in the UK
, the Wright StreetCar buses are used on First Group's ftr services since its launch in May 2006, with high frequencies and dedicated stops to further enforce the impression of a premium service. They have also gained the nickname of "understeer
streetcar" with some drivers, owing to a tendency to understeer negotiating roundabouts.
In 2006, Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
in the United States
placed an order for 50 StreetCar Rapid Transit Vehicles for delivery in late 2000s. Developed from the Wright StreetCar, these will be hybrid-powered vehicles
with chassis built by Carrosserie Hess
of Switzerland
. On December 24, 2008, RTC StreetCar A016 arrived on property appropriately on Christmas Eve.
In 2007, North East England bus operator Go North East
ran a StreetCar trial on its popular X66 CentreLink service (currently operated by Wright Solar Fusions) between Gateshead Interchange and MetroCentre. The StreetCar was loaned from First Group.
Articulated bus
An articulated bus is an articulated vehicle used in public transportation. It is usually a single-deck design, and comprises two rigid sections linked by a pivoting joint...
developed by Wrightbus
Wrightbus
Wrightbus is an independent coachbuilder and pioneer of the low-floor bus. Based in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, it was established in 1946 by Robert Wright and currently run by his son William Wright.-History:...
and Volvo Buses
Volvo Buses
Volvo Buses is a subsidiary and a business area of the Swedish vehicle maker Volvo, which became an independent division in 1968. It is based in Göteborg....
for FirstGroup. It consists of an adapted Volvo B7LA
Volvo B7L
Volvo B7L was a low floor citybus chassis with a rear engine mounted vertically on the left of the rear overhang, it was built as a replacement for the Volvo B10L...
(to be replaced by Volvo B9LA) chassis, featuring a separate driver compartment at the front, resembling to some extent similar designs in continental Europe
Continental Europe
Continental Europe, also referred to as mainland Europe or simply the Continent, is the continent of Europe, explicitly excluding European islands....
.
They feature air-conditioning and a wrap-around seating arrangement at the rear. They're designed to mimic trams in their appearance and in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, the Wright StreetCar buses are used on First Group's ftr services since its launch in May 2006, with high frequencies and dedicated stops to further enforce the impression of a premium service. They have also gained the nickname of "understeer
Understeer
Understeer and oversteer are vehicle dynamics terms used to describe the sensitivity of a vehicle to steering. Simply put, oversteer is what occurs when a car turns by more than the amount commanded by the driver...
streetcar" with some drivers, owing to a tendency to understeer negotiating roundabouts.
In 2006, Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada is both the transit authority and the transportation-planning agency for Southern Nevada...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
placed an order for 50 StreetCar Rapid Transit Vehicles for delivery in late 2000s. Developed from the Wright StreetCar, these will be hybrid-powered vehicles
Hybrid vehicle
A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses two or more distinct power sources to move the vehicle. The term most commonly refers to hybrid electric vehicles , which combine an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors.-Power:...
with chassis built by Carrosserie Hess
Carrosserie Hess
Carrosserie Hess AG is a bus, trolleybus and commercial vehicle manufacturer based in Bellach , Switzerland. Its products can be found operating across the globe, including the United States and Canada.-History:...
of Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. On December 24, 2008, RTC StreetCar A016 arrived on property appropriately on Christmas Eve.
In 2007, North East England bus operator Go North East
Go North East
Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland...
ran a StreetCar trial on its popular X66 CentreLink service (currently operated by Wright Solar Fusions) between Gateshead Interchange and MetroCentre. The StreetCar was loaned from First Group.