LAUNCH EVENT: Trent Barton The Villager ADL Enviro 200 MMC [303 - YY24 HAO]

Recorded on 22/06/24. This video has been divided into three sections:
0:14 - Exterior
0:42 - Interior
2:17 - Sticker showcase
Saturday 22nd June saw the first launch event for Trent Barton's 24-plated Enviro 200 MMCs. One bus was present at this event - being 303 (YY24 HAO). Four other Enviro 200 MMCs will be joining 303 on The Villager, replacing a fleet of Volvo B7RLE Wright Eclipse Urbans (701, FJ58 KJK, being one of them).
In the next few months, Trent Barton will take delivery of a total of 29 new Enviro 200 MMCs. Therefore, similar launch events are likely to take place.
Compared to the previous batch of Enviro 200 MMCs (which were for The Threes), there are very few changes. The most notable difference (with the 24-plates) is the inclusion of a backwards-facing screen for passengers in the wheelchair or buggy bay - see 2:00. The Threes Enviro 200 MMCs are said to be returning to Alexander Dennis to have these screens retrofitted.
When compared to older Trent Barton batches of Enviro 200 MMCs, these have the addition of tinted windows, a light-up Trent Barton logo on the side of the driver's cabin, and USB-C power sockets (instead of only USB-A ports). There are also more windows that can be opened.
Personally, I'm still not the biggest fan of the Enviro 200 MMCs. There are far too many at Trent Barton and the vehicle variety continues to diminish. They also have fewer seats than their Volvo predecessors and are often louder. But given the appalling condition some of them are in (see my 701 video as an example, link at the bottom of the description), I'm somewhat glad that they are being replaced. Hopefully, with some time off the road, the B7RLE Eclipses can be repaired properly.
The stand-out aspect of this bus, however, is the branding. Recently, Trent Barton's interior branding has been getting stronger and that really shines through here. The stickers are unique and a far cry from the generic branding seen on the Indigo and i4.
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[@stephenpeat3885]

The new bus is smaller compared with the pervious bus that has a seating capacity of 47. The new buses have a seating capacity of 41. To cover for the lost sesting of 28seating over the hour require a frequency change to carry to cover the loss seating. The second problem the new bus has no air conditioning compared with the older buses. Since the affects of climate change high temperatures could be a risk to passengers on the bus because the more windows including the roof with extra light and heat will be transfered into the bus.

[@trentbartontraveller]

I somewhat agree with you, although I think the Eclipses (the predecessors to the new buses) only have a seating capacity of 45 not 47. But to lose 20 seats across the whole fleet is still not ideal.
Personally, I'm most familiar with the Indigo and i4 routes (both of which use the same type of vehicle shown in this video). The i4 especially does not cope well at all with peak time journeys. It's not uncommon to see a bus at full standing capacity. I think it will be less of an issue with The Villager (from my limited experience), though I am concerned about capacity issues with the new H1 vehicles.
With regards to the skylights, I think they're a nice touch for the average day. But in extreme conditions (i.e., very hot or very cold), they can be unpleasant. On cold days, condensation can form on the skylights, causing water to drip onto the seats below. On hot days, the glass just amplifies the heat. I once caught the Indigo in 40°C conditions and that was horrible.

[@nottinghamlocals]

hay sorry if i made any background sound i was boord playing tertris

[@trentbartontraveller]

No worries! It livens up the video - better than it being completely silent. Hope you don't mind featuring in it

[@nottinghamlocals]

@trentbartontraveller nah I never mind appearing in videos because I play try and find myself

[@trentbartontraveller]

@@nottinghamlocals Ah, that's fair enough!