RouteOne are reporting that the next generation Streetdeck Ultroliner will be available with a 6.7l Cummins engine option, alongside the existing 4 cylinder Daimler/Mercedes. Bus Vannin are to take the first Cummins engined example.

https://www.route-one.net/news/wrightbus...ins-power/

Wrightbus will utilise Cummins power in its StreetDeck Ultroliner diesel double-decker for the first time in a next-generation variant of that model.

Those vehicles will be powered by the six-cylinder B6.7 engine rated at 250bhp or 300bhp, driving through the Voith DIWA.8 seven-speed automatic gearbox. Such an approach will further reduce emissions, and the new model will be Ultra-Low Emission Bus accredited by Zemo Partnership, the manufacturer says.

The existing StreetDeck Ultroliner, which is powered by the Daimler OM 934 four-cylinder engine, will continue to be available. The first Cummins-powered examples are to be supplied to Isle of Man operator Bus Vannin.

Notably, Wrightbus says that using the latest Cummins engine platform opens the latest-generation StreetDeck Ultroliner to potential repower with a hydrogen combustion engine from the same manufacturer mid-life. Cummins previously showed an example of its hydrogen-powered B6.7H unit.

Wrightbus CEO Jean-Marc Gales acknowledges that “not everyone has the funding to be able to make the switch to zero-emission.”

He thus says that the vehicle manufacturer thus believes “in a blended approach of responsible technologies; battery-electric, hydrogen fuel cell, and the cleanest diesel to ensure all our customers can continue to decarbonise as quickly as possible, while still maintaining financially viable operations.”

Adds Mr Gales: “The combination of the latest generation of engines from Cummins and the latest technology from Voith, coupled to our industry-leading Micro Hybrid technology, means that the StreetDeck UIltroliner offers optimal efficiency in the diesel market. We are delighted that Bus Vannin will be the first customer to experience our new offering.”

Bus Vannin Director Ian Bates notes that the five StreetDeck Ultroliner buses ordered from Wrightbus are the first double-deckers procured by that operator since the pandemic period.

They will deliver what he describes as “a progressive step forward in a known technology, the internal combustion engine, while continuing to take into account the Isle of Man Government’s Island Plan and commitments to climate change.”

Adds Mr Bates: “Technologies continue to advance at an astonishing rate, but this controlled approach allows us to see how the network will look in the future, enabling an insight into possible hydrogen options alongside electrification.”

So they're finally putting a proper gearbox in it.

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I've just seen this....wonder of was done to try and wooo Arriva back from ADL?

Can see some 250bhp Cummins examples being ordered for Blyth with future 300bhp examples for the likes of the X93, X94 and the Alnwick X routes.

(04 Jan 2025, 11:36 am)L469 YVK wrote I've just seen this....wonder of was done to try and wooo Arriva back from ADL?

Can see some 250bhp Cummins examples being ordered for Blyth with future 300bhp examples for the likes of the X93, X94 and the Alnwick X routes.

The Alnwick routes got new vehicles just over 2 years ago, so I seriously doubt they'll be receiving anything new for a number of years - I would think by the time they're up for replacement the range of ZEBs would have improved to the point they'd be able to cover most diagrams.
In terms of the X93/94, they've successfully trialled the MMC on there, so if an order was to go in I don't see why they'd take a risk on a new vehicle type.

(04 Jan 2025, 11:36 am)L469 YVK wrote I've just seen this....wonder of was done to try and wooo Arriva back from ADL?

Can see some 250bhp Cummins examples being ordered for Blyth with future 300bhp examples for the likes of the X93, X94 and the Alnwick X routes.

I can’t see that happening. Arriva UK Bus have stated that they’re no longer buying fossil fuel powered vehicles.

(04 Jan 2025, 5:03 pm)omnicity4659 wrote I can’t see that happening. Arriva UK Bus have stated that they’re no longer buying fossil fuel powered vehicles.

I genuinely don't believe any of these companies will go all electric themselves. They're only buying electrics when they get funded by government, so I doubt they'll not buy diesel again.

(04 Jan 2025, 5:03 pm)omnicity4659 wrote I can’t see that happening. Arriva UK Bus have stated that they’re no longer buying fossil fuel powered vehicles.

They said that in all their 2023 accounts I believe, yet there will be diesel powered vehicles delivered in 2025...

(04 Jan 2025, 5:48 pm)PH - BQA wrote They said that in all their 2023 accounts I believe, yet there will be diesel powered vehicles delivered in 2025...

The accounts were submitted in November 2024, and do set out what is expected in the future.

I imagine that the 2024 order (for delivery in 2025) is the last order of fossil fuel powered vehicles. Perhaps the decision was made after the orders for the diesels were made?

(05 Jan 2025, 5:59 am)omnicity4659 wrote The accounts were submitted in November 2024, and do set out what is expected in the future.

I imagine that the 2024 order (for delivery in 2025) is the last order of fossil fuel powered vehicles. Perhaps the decision was made after the orders for the diesels were made?

With franchising on the horizon I don't see Northumbria getting many (if any) brand new vehicles for now (the electrics for the 43/44/45 excluded perhaps).

(05 Jan 2025, 8:56 am)solsburian wrote With franchising on the horizon I don't see Northumbria getting many (if any) brand new vehicles for now (the electrics for the 43/44/45 excluded perhaps).

In fairness, it would make sense but they've just bought loads of buses for Liverpool who are also getting franchising aswell so who knows.

Unless Arriva only wants it crap network in Kent and the Midlands then they probably might want to show a change in colours as they're on track to lose Liverpool, Leeds and most of the North East which are their money makers. Not to mention their Crosscountry train contract is going to be up eventually aswell.

If they're only buying electrics, then it would make sense to replace some of the DB300's/Pulsars at Blyth with them, it's probably the easiest they're going to get around the country. The 14/15 Plate Enviro 400's and 12 Plate Pulsars could then head to Ashington and that's Northumbria sorted until at least 2027/28. The Ashington fleet bar the 4 58 Plate E400's is fine as it is really, if they could get arid of the few older Pulsars lingering around.

(05 Jan 2025, 8:56 am)solsburian wrote With franchising on the horizon I don't see Northumbria getting many (if any) brand new vehicles for now (the electrics for the 43/44/45 excluded perhaps).

I disagree. Rumour is they want to put themselves in a better position to be able to compete for contracts in the North East as they see it as an area they can compete and could be profitable.