Actually, if you are referring to the Enviro 500 mock up with 3
doors, it doesn't have an engine yet, so in practical terms, the
Enviro 500 chassis is as inflexible as the B9TL.
Of course they could develop the 3rd door Enviro 500, but at
what cost? If the costs are too high, might as well buy a normal
12m 2 door double deck, or if you really need the efficiency of
clearing loads, buy more bendy buses like what the Europeans have
done, which in fact will clear loads faster than the 3 door Enviro
500.
Both options mentioned above, ie normal 12m or bendies, are
expected to be much cheaper than buying the 3 door Enviro 500. This
focus on cost is crucial as it is now the taxpayers who are paying
for buses instead of bus companies. The LTA needs to weigh the ROI
on a hypothetical purchase of an Enviro 500 3 door vs normal 12m DD
vs MAN 3 door DD vs bendy buses carefully, so that taxpayers and
commuters get the best solution at a reasonable price.
Volvo does offer less versatility than ADL... Everywhere the B9
is abt the same, unlike the E500... My observation la at least
I think a 3-door ADL will still be beneficial... Esp with LTA
gradually phasing out bendies, 2-door DDs rly cannot cope w feeder
load la very frankly, passengers are paying, in the long run,
efficiency, convenience and comfort, so why not?
If they DO wanna save money maybe they can do away with the USB
ports...