Alexander ALX400 - Volvo B7TL

Released in 1997, it replaced the Alexander R-series and was fitted to numerous chassis, including the Dennis/TransBus Trident, the DAF/VDL DB250LF and the Volvo B7TL. It proved a big success with national operators; huge numbers serve London and the rest of the United Kingdom. From its introduction until 2006, it had been the favoured 2-axle double-decker bus model for the Stagecoach Group.
The ALX400 was also a big hit with Dublin Bus of Ireland, which ordered 658 between 2000 and 2006. 648 of them were fitted on Volvo B7TL chassis, AV 1-448 (AV means Alexander Volvo) were Volvo B7TL chassis, and AX 449-648 were on B7TL MKII chassis. During 2003 an order was placed for 10 TransBus Trident/ALX 400 versions known as DT 1-10 to compare against the AV class with a view to splitting future orders. Most of these featured 76 seat single door bodies although there were various seating capacities for on a small minority used and rail/airport services. Summerhill based AV 116-130 were built with dual door bodies for use on the Airlink services.
In late 2005 Alexander Dennis launched the Enviro400 model, intended as a replacement for the ALX400. But in 2006, new ALX400s were still entering service with Stagecoach (on Dennis Trident 2 chassis) and Arriva (on Volvo B7TL chassis). Despite the bulk of the 2006 Stagecoach double-decker bus order favouring the Enviro400 model, also chosen by London operator Metroline, in March 2006 Dublin Bus placed a repeat order for 100 of the type on Volvo B7TL chassis. Production of the ALX400 bodywork ceased after the delivery of these 100 ALX400-bodied Volvo B7TL in late 2006.
Arriva London's DLA1 (R101GNW), the first built ALX400 and London's first low floor double decker, is to be preserved by the London Transport Museum.