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Wright Eclipse Gemini

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Wright Eclipse Gemini
London General Volvo B5LH with Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 bodywork at Marble Arch in September 2022
Overview
ManufacturerWrightbus
Production2001–present
AssemblyBallymena, Northern Ireland
Body and chassis
Doors1-2
Floor typeLow floor
ChassisVolvo B8L
Volvo B5TL
Volvo B5LH
Volvo B9TL
Volvo B7TL
Volvo Super Olympian (Explorer)
Scania K410EB
RelatedWright Eclipse
Wright Pulsar Gemini
Wright StreetDeck (Chassis)
Powertrain
EngineVolvo D8K (Volvo B8L)
Volvo D5K (Volvo B5TL)
Volvo D5E/D5F/D5K (Volvo B5LH)
Volvo D9A/D9B (Volvo B9TL)
Volvo D7C (Volvo B7TL)
Volvo D10A (Volvo Super Olympian)
Scania DC13 (Scania K410)
TransmissionVolvo I-Shift
Voith DIWA
ZF Ecomat
ZF EcoLife
Dimensions
Length
2-axle
10.0 m (32 ft 10 in) to 11.5 m (37 ft 9 in)[1]
3-axle
11.3 m (37 ft 1 in)
12.0 m (39 ft 4 in)
12.8 m (42 ft 0 in)
Width2.52 m (8 ft 3 in)
Height4.23 m (13 ft 11 in) or 4.4 m (14 ft 5 in)

The Wright Eclipse Gemini is a double-decker body of a bus. It has a low-floor. It has been made from 2001 to the present day by Wrightbus.

First generation (2001–2009)

[change | change source]
For the Gemini body on the VDL/DAF DB250LF chassis, see Wright Pulsar Gemini.
Transdev in Burnley & Pendle Volvo B7TL with first generation Wright Eclipse Gemini body
Rears of First Bristol Volvo B7TL (right) and facelifted Volvo B9TL (left) Wright Eclipse Geminis at Cribbs Causeway bus station

From 2001 to 2009, Wrightbus made a double-decker body of a bus called the Wright Eclipse Gemini.

From 2001 to 2006, the Wright Eclipse Gemini was built on the Volvo B7TL chassis.[2]

In 2007, the Volvo B7TL chassis was replaced with the Volvo B9TL chassis because the B7TL had lots of noise complaints.[3]

In 2007, Wrightbus improved the Wright Eclipse Gemini to fit the new Volvo B9TL chassis. the rear destination number was moved to the right, the registration plate was moved to the top of the bus and the rear window was smaller.

From 2007 to 2009, the Wright Eclipse Gemini was built on the Volvo B9TL chassis.

Operators

[change | change source]

United Kingdom

[change | change source]
Volvo B7TL
[change | change source]

Arriva London ordered 179 Volvo B7TLs with Eclipse Gemini 1 bodywork.

London Central and London General ordered 273 Volvo B7TL Gemini 1s.

From 2004 to 2007, First Glasgow, First West, First South Yorkshire, and First Leicester ordered Volvo B7TLs with Eclipse Gemini 1 bodywork.[4][5]

From 2004 to 2006, Travel West Midlands ordered 150 Volvo B7TL Gemini 1s.[6][7][8]

Volvo B9TL
[change | change source]

In 2007, First South Yorkshire and First Glasgow ordered Volvo B9TL Gemini 1s.

From 2007 to 2010, First Greater Manchester ordered over 200 Volvo B9TL Gemini 1s.[9][10]

In 2008, Yorkshire Coastliner ordered 10 Volvo B9TL Gemini 1s.[11]

In 2007, Wessex Bus ordered seven Volvo B9TL Gemini 1s.[12]

Volvo B5LH
[change | change source]

In 2008, Volvo made a hybrid chassis called the Volvo B5LH. In 2009, Wrightbus made bus bodies for the Volvo B5LH chassis

In 2009, Arriva London ordered 6 Volvo B5LHs Gemini 1s.[13][14]: 136 

Hong Kong

[change | change source]
Wright Explorer
[change | change source]
Kowloon Motor Bus Volvo Super Olympian with Wright Explorer bodywork

From 2003 to 2005, Wrightbus made a double-decker body of a bus called the Wright Explorer (previously called The Wright Bus[15][16]). It had three-axles and it had low-floor. It was made for the Hong Kong market.[15][16]

The Wright Explorer body was built on the Volvo Super Olympian chassis.[16]

Operators
[change | change source]

In 2003, Kowloon Motor Bus ordered Volvo Super Olympians with Wright Explorer bodywork.[15][16]

In 2006, the Super Olympian chassis was replaced with the three-axle Volvo B9TL chassis.

In 2006, Wrightbus made an improved bus body but didn't give it a name.

In 2006, Kowloon ordered 64 Volvo B9TLs with the unnamed Wright bodywork.[17]

Second generation (2008–2018)

[change | change source]
For the Gemini 2 on VDL DB300 and diesel-electric hybrid chassis, see Wright Gemini 2.
Lothian Buses Volvo B9TL with standard-height Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 body in June 2010

From 2008 to 2018, Wrightbus made a double-decker body of a bus called the Wright Eclipse Gemini 2. It had a low-floor.

The Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 body was built on the Volvo B9TL chassis and the hybrid B5LH chassis.

Operators

[change | change source]

United Kingdom

[change | change source]
Volvo B9TL
[change | change source]

In 2012, First West Yorkshire ordered 47 Volvo B9TLs with Eclipse Gemini 2 bodywork.[14]: 184–185 

From 2011 to 2013, First Berkshire ordered six Volvo B9TL Gemini 2s for use on their Green Line 702 service.[14]: 178–179 

From 2009 to 2011, Lothian Buses ordered 145 Volvo B9TL Gemini 2s.[18][19]

In 2009, East Yorkshire Motor Services ordered 20 Volvo B9TL Gemini 2s.[20][21] From 2014 to 2015, they ordered 9 more Volvo B9TL Gemini 2s.[22][23]

Volvo B5LH
[change | change source]
Arriva North West Volvo B5LH with low-roof version of the Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 body

From 2012 to 2013, Arriva UK bus ordered 77 Volvo B5LHs with Eclipse Gemini 2 bodywork.

In 2013, Oxford Bus Company ordered 19 Volvo B5LH Gemini 2s.[30][31][32]

In 2011, First West Yorkshire ordered 22 Volvo B5LH Gemini 2s for use on the Leeds guided busway.[33][34]

In 2013, Preston Bus ordered 8 Volvo B5LH Gemini 2s.[35][36][32]

Hong Kong

[change | change source]
Volvo B9TL
[change | change source]
SBS Transit Volvo B9TL Wright Eclipse Gemini 2

In 2014, Citybus, Kowloon Motor Bus, MTR Bus and New World First Bus ordered Volvo B9TL Gemini 2s.[37][38][39]

From 2010 to 2017, SBS Transit and Land Transport Authority ordered 1,606 Volvo B9TL Gemini 2s, They were sent as knock-down kits and locally made by ComfortDelGro Engineering.[40][41][42][43]

Third generation (2013–present)

[change | change source]
Dublin Bus Volvo B5TL with Wright Gemini 3 bodywork near Parnell Square in May 2019

From 2013 to the present day, Wrightbus make a double-decker body of a bus called the Wright Eclipse Gemini 3. It has a low-floor.

The Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 body is built on the Volvo B5TL chassis and the hybrid Volvo B5LH chassis.

Operators

[change | change source]

United Kingdom

[change | change source]
Volvo B5TL
[change | change source]

In 2014, Dublin Bus ordered over 600 Volvo B5TL Gemini 3s.

In 2014, Lothian Buses ordered 25 Volvo B5TL Gemini 3s,[44]

In 2015, Yellow Buses ordered 8 Volvo B5TL Gemini 3s,.[45][46]

From 2015 to 2017, Delaine Buses ordered 3 Volvo B5TL Gemini 3s.[47]

B5LH
[change | change source]
Metroline Volvo B5LH with Gemini 3 bodywork in June 2015

In 2014, Stagecoach London ordered 32 Volvo B5LH Gemini 3s for use on route 53;[14]: 162–163 [48] In 2018, these were sold to Arriva London.[49]

In 2014, Metroline ordered 95 Volvo B5LH Gemini 3s.[14]: 109–112 

In 2015, London United ordered 28 Volvo B5LH Gemini 3s.

In 2015, Tower Transit ordered 11 Volvo B5LH Gemini 3s.[14]: 68, 90 [50]

2014 improvements

[change | change source]

In 2014, the bus was improved, it had new front headlamps, new grille, new front and rear bumpers, new rear lights and a new interior.

Operators

[change | change source]
United Kingdom
[change | change source]
Volvo B5TL
[change | change source]
Translink Metro Volvo B5TL with Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 bodywork in Belfast
Lothian Buses open-top Volvo B5TL with Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 bodywork in Edinburgh in June 2018
London United Volvo B5LH with Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 bodywork at Hatton Cross Station in January 2025

From 2015 to 2019, Lothian Buses ordered Volvo B5TL and B5LH Gemini 3s.[51][52][53][54]

In 2019, Lothian Buses ordered 30 open top Volvo B5TL Gemini 3s for use on City Sightseeing, Edinburgh Tour and Majestic Tour services.[55]

In 2017, Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire ordered 7 open-top Volvo B5TL Gemini 3s for use on the Lakesider sightseeing service in the Lake District.[56][57]

In 2017, Translink ordered 10 Volvo B5TL Gemini 3s for Airport Express services, these served Belfast International Airport.[58]

B5LH
[change | change source]

In 2015, First Greater Manchester ordered 20 Volvo B5LH Gemini 3s for use on Vantage services. In 2016, they ordered five more Volvo B5LH Gemini 3s.[59][60]

Hong Kong
[change | change source]

In 2017, Kowloon Motor Bus ordered 200 Volvo B8Ls with Gemini 3 bodywork.

In 2017, Long Win Bus ordered 10 Volvo B8L Gemini 3s.

In 2017, Citybus ordered 46 Volvo B8L Gemini 3s.

In 2017, New World First Bus ordered 7 Volvo B8L Gemini 3s.

Japan
[change | change source]

In 2018, Hato Bus ordered 5 Scania K410EB Gemini 3 sightseeing buses.[61]

References

[change | change source]
  1. ↑ Jones, Stuart (26 January 2016). "Transdev Harrogate redefines the 36". Bus & Coach Buyer. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
  2. ↑ "Wrightbus announces new decker on Volvo B7L". Bus & Coach Professional. Archived from the original on 8 January 2001. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  3. ↑ "Route 6 & 52". london.gov.uk. 6 December 2006. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  4. ↑ "Massive two-year order for First". Bus & Coach Professional. 9 July 2004. Archived from the original on 20 October 2007. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  5. ↑ "First orders 320 Volvo/Wrights". Bus & Coach Professional. 20 March 2006. Archived from the original on 24 March 2006. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  6. ↑ "NatEx orders 60 from Volvo/Wrightbus". Bus & Coach Professional. 11 April 2006. Archived from the original on 30 October 2007. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  7. ↑ Plisner, Peter (28 November 2004). "The Banana makeover". Bus & Coach Professional. No. 93. Retrieved 16 October 2022 – via TRID.
  8. ↑ "1000th Gemini from Wrightbus". Bus & Coach Professional. 2004. Archived from the original on 6 December 2004. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  9. ↑ "First introduces its first Euro4 Eclipse Geminis". Buses. No. 628. Shepperton: Ian Allan Publishing. July 2007. p. 12. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  10. ↑ "200 more buses for First Manchester". Bus & Coach Professional. 16 September 2009. Archived from the original on 15 December 2007. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  11. ↑ "Blazefield takes 18 more Volvos". Bus & Coach Professional. 6 December 2007. Archived from the original on 29 December 2008. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  12. ↑ "More jobs at Wrightbus as orders flow in". Bus & Coach Professional. 3 July 2007. Archived from the original on 12 October 2007. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  13. ↑ "Volvo hybrid double-deck handed over at historic venue". Fleet. 11 July 2009. Retrieved 5 August 2018.[dead link]
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 Wharmby, Matthew (30 January 2020). The London Volvo B9TL & B5LH. Pen and Sword Transport. ISBN 978-1-52674-963-5. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 "Hong Kong breakthrough makes Wright Group" (Press release). Ballymena: WrightGroup. 4 December 2003. Archived from the original on 9 November 2006. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 "The Wright Double Deck for KMB" (Press release). Ballymena: WrightGroup. 8 December 2003. Archived from the original on 9 November 2006. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  17. ↑ "KMB place repeat Wright order" (Press release). Ballymena: WrightGroup. 10 February 2006. Archived from the original on 9 November 2006. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  18. ↑ "Latest order for 75 double decks further cements Lothian Buses' partnership with Volvo and Wrightbus" (Press release). Volvo Buses United Kingdom & Ireland. 6 March 2009. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  19. ↑ NC Creative Group (6 June 2011). "Edinburgh branded Wrightbus deckers take to the road with Lothian". Intelligent Transport. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  20. ↑ "More new buses for Hull roads" (Press release). Hull: EYMS Group. 30 June 2009. Archived from the original on 30 June 2012. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  21. ↑ "£1.75 million investment in buses for Hull" (Press release). Hull: EYMS Group. 9 September 2009. Archived from the original on 29 June 2012. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  22. ↑ "EYMS delivery includes its first MCV-bodied vehicles". Coach & Bus Week. Peterborough. 17 July 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  23. ↑ "Vehicle reliability keeps East Yorkshire Motor Services coming back to Volvo Bus" (Press release). Volvo Buses United Kingdom & Ireland. 24 August 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  24. ↑ Challen, John (19 March 2013). "Arriva North West goes for 44 Volvo hybrid buses". Transport Engineer. Retrieved 26 August 2022.[permanent dead link]
  25. ↑ "Arriva invests £15.5m in green buses for NW". Coach & Bus Week. Peterborough. 5 March 2013. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  26. ↑ Pattinson, Rob (9 March 2013). "Arriva unveils new cross-river service fleet of hybrid "green" buses in Birkenhead through £9m scheme". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  27. ↑ "Arriva Yorkshire unveils fleet of 'Frankenbuses'". BBC News. 16 April 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  28. ↑ Boyle, Danny (15 March 2013). "Arriva buses a breath of cleaner air in Maidstone". Kent Online. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  29. ↑ "Arriva places £26.7m orders for 98 new greener buses" (Press release). Arriva UK Bus. 23 March 2012. Archived from the original on 27 August 2022. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  30. ↑ "2013 Volvo B5LH Wright Gemini 2 Bus - N1 OXF". Buses. Stamford: Key Publishing. 16 July 2019. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  31. ↑ Ffrench, Andrew (16 February 2013). "Green vision sparks hybrid buses boost". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 "Low carbon buses part-funded through the Green Bus Fund" (PDF). parliament.uk. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  33. ↑ NC Creative Group (30 March 2011). "Wrightbus and Volvo continue to be backbone of FirstGroup bus fleet as 2011/12 vehicle orders are confirmed". Intelligent Transport. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  34. ↑ "Leeds' new fleet of fuel-efficient buses hit the road". BBC News. 13 August 2011. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  35. ↑ "Poignant Preston Bus handover for Volvo Bus Managing Director Steve Dewhurst" (Press release). Volvo Buses United Kingdom & Ireland. 1 March 2013. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  36. ↑ "Preston trials radios". Bus & Coach Buyer. Peterborough. 16 July 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  37. ↑ Weir, Clare (6 March 2014). "Ballymena's Wrightbus to build flatpack buses for Hong Kong". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  38. ↑ "Wrightbus to assemble in Malaysia". Bus & Coach Professional. 6 March 2014. Archived from the original on 9 March 2014. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  39. ↑ "World News". Buses Worldwide. No. 208. April 2018. p. 45.
  40. ↑ "First for Wrightbus". Bus & Coach Professional. 24 September 2010. Archived from the original on 9 March 2014. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  41. ↑ "Doing the Wright thing in Asia" (Press release). Wrightbus. 21 November 2012. Archived from the original on 5 May 2018. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  42. ↑ "Wrightbus International and Volvo Bus win fourth consecutive contract from SBS Transit Singapore". routeone. 9 July 2014. Archived from the original on 5 May 2018. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  43. ↑ "415 Volvos for Singapore". Bus & Coach Buyer. 11 July 2014. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  44. ↑ "Lothian Buses orders 25 Euro 6 Gemini double deckers". Coach & Bus Week. Peterborough. 30 May 2014. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  45. ↑ Cork, Laura (8 April 2015). "Yellow Buses extends fleet with Euro 6 Volvo B5TL". Transport Engineer. Archived from the original on 3 December 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  46. ↑ "Yellow Buses spend £1.6m". RouteOne. 2015. Archived from the original on 22 July 2022. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  47. ↑ "Last of the classics". RouteOne. 6 December 2016. Archived from the original on 22 July 2022. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  48. ↑ "Stagecoach London/Volvo B5LH Wrightbus". RouteOne. 2014. Retrieved 22 July 2022.[permanent dead link]
  49. ↑ "Four-year-old Wright-bodied Volvos to go". Buses. Stamford: Key Publishing. 18 October 2018. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  50. ↑ Timham, Brian (19 February 2015). "TfL specification Volvo hybrid buses for Tower Transit". Transport Engineer. Archived from the original on 22 July 2022. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  51. ↑ Sadler, Katie (1 November 2016). "Lothian Buses agrees 4 year deal with Wrightbus for up to 316 vehicles". Intelligent Transport. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  52. ↑ "Lothian Buses and Wrightbus announce four year deal". Coach & Bus Week. Peterborough. 8 November 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  53. ↑ "Lothian's £6m gift for Edinburgh". RouteOne. 19 December 2016. Archived from the original on 23 July 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  54. ↑ "Lothian launches £6m Wrightbus fleet". Coach & Bus Week. Peterborough. 20 December 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  55. ↑ Cole, David (23 August 2016). "Fresher air on top". Bus & Coach Buyer. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  56. ↑ "Stagecoach launches its first new UK open-toppers". Buses. Stamford: Key Publishing. 17 August 2017. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  57. ↑ "First open-top Gemini 3 Volvos for Stagecoach". RouteOne. 25 July 2017. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  58. ↑ "Translink makes £2.3m upgrade to Airport Express". Coach & Bus Week. Peterborough. 9 May 2017. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  59. ↑ Peat, Chris (5 April 2016). "Busway begins". Bus & Coach Buyer. Peterborough. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  60. ↑ "Extra buses added to cope with guided busway demand". Leigh Journal. 28 September 2016. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  61. ↑ "Japanese Tour Operator orders Wright Open-tops". Buses Magazine. No. 765. Key Publishing. December 2018. p. 21.

Other websites

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Media related to Wright Eclipse Gemini at Wikimedia Commons

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