Neoplan N4016
| Neoplan N4016 | |
|---|---|
 Arriva NW Neoplan N4016 (exterior) | |
|
Arriva NW Neoplan N4016 (interior) | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Neoplan |
| Body and chassis | |
| Doors |
1 door (UK) 1 door, 2 doors or 3 doors (Europe) |
| Floor type | Low entry |
| Chassis | Integral |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | MAN or DAF |
| Capacity | 31–39 (seated) |
| Transmission | Voith or ZF |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 12 m (39 ft) |
| Width | 2.5 m (8.2 ft) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Neoplan Centroliner |
The Neoplan N4016 is a low-floor single-decker bus built by Neoplan until 1999, initially at Stuttgart in Germany and later also in Poland. It is the larger version of the Neoplan N4009 midibus.
The N4016 is remembered for being the first low-entry single-decker bus sold in the United Kingdom.
Specifications
The N4016 is 12m long and 2.5m wide, and is powered by a MAN or DAF engine with Voith or ZF transmission. The N4016 typically seats 31 or 39 with a large standing capacity. Some interesting features that it has a double-curvature windscreen and a rounded roof dome that is more rounded than the existing Centroliner that is slightly different from the existing Centroliner.
Service
United Kingdom
Only twelve N4016s were sold in the United Kingdom. They were bought by Merseyside PTE in 1994 for use on Merseytravel SMART services in Liverpool, and were operated by MTL. They later passed to MTL for use on other services, primarily between Liverpool and Croxteth Park. MTL's successor Arriva North West and Wales continued to operate them until late 2008, also between Liverpool and Croxteth Park (route 18A), when they were replaced by Wright Pulsars. Two examples survived until early 2009, and were also replaced by Wright Pulsars.
Rumours suggested that the Neoplans could have gone to Arriva Southend in 2009, however this never occurred, and instead the majority of the Neoplan fleet was scrapped. Three N4016s found their way into further service (with a fourth serving as a source of spare parts) with Tanat Valley Coaches in mid Wales. After the loss of a contract, Tanat Valley placed their N4016s up for sale and they were sold, however their location is currently unknown.
Europe
Athens-based bus operator, OAS, purchased 93 Neoplan N4016s in 1994. They are now being replaced due to their age and all the buses are retired.
References
- Millar, Alan (2007) Bus & Coach Recognition : Ian Allan Ltd., ISBN 0-7110-3136-3
