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Wright Eclipse
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Wright Eclipse
East Coast Buses Wright Eclipse 3 bodied Volvo B8RLE in September 2018
Overview
ManufacturerWrightbus
Production2000–2019
AssemblyBallymena, Northern Ireland
Body and chassis
Doors1 or 2
Floor typeLow floor/low entry
Step-entrance (Eclipse SchoolRun)
ChassisVolvo B7L
Volvo B7RLE
Volvo B7R
Volvo B8RLE
RelatedWright Eclipse Fusion
Wright Eclipse Gemini
Powertrain
EngineB7L: D7C
B7R: D7C
B7RLE: D7C/D7E
B8RLE: D8K
TransmissionVoith
ZF Friedrichshafen
Dimensions
Length11.8 m (38 ft 9 in)
12.2 m (40 ft 0 in)
12.4 m (40 ft 8 in)
13.2 m (43 ft 4 in)
Width2.5 m (8 ft 2 in)
Height3 m (9 ft 10 in)
Chronology
PredecessorWright Renown
SuccessorWright GB Hawk

The Wright Eclipse is a low-floor single-deck bus body that was built by Wrightbus between 2000 and 2019. The second-generation Eclipse 2 was launched in 2008, followed by the third-generation Eclipse 3 in 2015. The Eclipse, and its sister design the Solar, were named for a solar eclipse which was visible in the UK in 1999, the year of its introduction.

The Eclipse was launched in 2000 on Volvo B7L chassis and, in 2003, the body was made available on the more popular Volvo B7RLE chassis. A coach version, the Eclipse SchoolRun, was later launched on high floor Volvo B7R chassis. In November 2008, Wright unveiled the Eclipse 2 at that year's Euro Bus Expo, with front and rear ends facelifted to match the Wright StreetCar. In 2015, the Eclipse 3 was launched on Volvo B8RLE chassis, the successor to the B7RLE.

A double-decker version of the Eclipse was also available, known as the Wright Eclipse Gemini, as well as an articulated version known as the Wright Eclipse Fusion.

First generation (2000–2010)

[edit]
Arriva North West Wright Eclipse Metro bodied Volvo B7L in June 2008
First West Yorkshire Wright Eclipse Urban bodied Volvo B7RLE in July 2007

The first generation Wright Eclipse was launched in 2000 by Wrightbus on Volvo B7L chassis as the replacement for the Wright Renown bodywork on the older Volvo B10BLE chassis. Both a bi-axle and tri-axle variant were offered, however only the former was ever built.[1]

However, sales of the B7L were lower than anticipated in the United Kingdom, owing to its unusual engine layout;[citation needed] as a result, the Eclipse Urban was launched on Volvo B7RLE chassis in 2003, which consequently saw the original B7L bodywork renamed to the Eclipse Metro.[2]

As well as being the largest operator of the Eclipse Metro, the FirstGroup were the largest operators of the Wright Eclipse Urban. 253 Eclipse Urbans were ordered for First Greater Manchester between 2004 and 2006, with other significant orders within the group, among others, delivered to First Glasgow, First West Yorkshire and First West of England, as well as for First's airside shuttle services at Belfast City Airport.[3][4] Lothian Buses were another popular customer for the Eclipse Urban, with deliveries commencing in 2004;[5][6][7] five of these Urbans were used on Edinburgh's guided busway system until it was replaced by the Edinburgh Tram.[8] 38 Urbans were delivered to Travel West Midlands during 2006.[9]

Arriva UK Bus were also a large purchaser of Eclipse Urbans. Notably, 22 were delivered across two batches to Arriva Southern Counties' Fastrack bus rapid transit scheme in 2006 and 2007; these were equipped with audio-visual next stop announcements, air conditioning and CCTV.[10][11] Elsewhere, Arriva Yorkshire took delivery of 13 Eclipse Urbans in August 2008,[12] and Arriva Scotland West took eleven Urbans, featuring branding for the Glasgow Flyer service and specified with high-specification interiors, in late 2007.[13]

Blazefield Group subsidiary Keighley & District first took delivery of 14 Eclipse Urban bodied Volvo B7RLEs in April 2005, branded as 'the shuttle' for use on route 662 between Keighley and Bradford in competition with regional rail services. These Urbans followed a similar specification to the double-deck Wright Eclipse Geminis delivered for Harrogate bus route 36 a year prior, featuring leather seats with improved legroom and tinted windows, and a red and white route-branded exterior livery with the front of the bus painted in chrome effect paint.[14] A further eight were delivered to Keighley & District for conventional services in 2008,[15] while Blackburn Transport took delivery of 25 during 2007 to aid the company's rebranding to 'SpotOn' following its purchase by Transdev.[16]

Smaller operators of the Eclipse Urban included East Yorkshire Motor Services, who took delivery of 10 between 2005 and 2006 for use on both park and ride and urban services in Kingston upon Hull,[17][18] Lincolnshire RoadCar, who took delivery of six in 2005 for services in Skegness,[19] Go North East, who took delivery of five in early 2005 for services between Sunderland and South Shields,[20] Whitelaw's of Stonehouse, who took delivery of five in 2004,[21] and Perryman's Coaches of Berwick upon Tweed and Hedingham Omnibuses, each taking delivery of a single Eclipse Urban in 2004 and 2005 respectively.[22][23]

The only export operator for both the Eclipse and Eclipse Urban was state-owned Irish bus operator Bus Éireann, taking delivery of 48 Eclipse Urbans during 2007.[24]

Eclipse Commuter

[edit]

Wrightbus also marketed a longer distance and intercity variant of the Eclipse, named the Eclipse Commuter and built on a version of the B7RLE chassis, which had the higher floor section extended to the front axle of the bus. The design included all of the features of a standard coach, such as under-floor storage and a high seating position, while maintaining a small low floor section for passengers in wheelchairs.[25] The first entered service with Ulsterbus in April 2004 while Yorkshire Coastliner ordered six (which never entered service) and Stagecoach West Scotland ordered two, supplied with funding with Dumfries and Galloway Council.[26][27]

Eclipse SchoolRun

[edit]
Ulsterbus Wright Eclipse SchoolRun bodied Volvo B7R in Derry in September 2007

In 2006, Wrightbus launched the Eclipse SchoolRun; effectively an entirely high floor version of the Eclipse Commuter, bodied on Volvo B7R coach chassis. The Eclipse SchoolRun was mainly intended for school bus work. Northern Ireland bus operator Ulsterbus were the only customer to order the Eclipse SchoolRun, initially taking delivery of 160 of the type in their first batch order between 2007 and 2008,[28][29] with an additional batch of 61 Eclipse SchoolRuns delivered to the operator between 2009 and 2010.

The first 110 Eclipse SchoolRuns delivered between 2007 and 2008 were specified with 66 seats in a 2+3 layout, with several seats at the front of the bus capable of being removed to make room for wheelchairs; the latter 50 buses were delivered with 62 seats and a permanent wheelchair area to save time reconfiguring the seating arrangement.[30] The second batch of 61 buses were delivered to Ulsterbus in this latter configuration between 2009 and 2010.[citation needed]

Second generation (2008–2018)

[edit]
Plymouth Citybus Wright Eclipse Urban 2 bodied Volvo B7RLE in December 2012
See also: Wright Pulsar 2

The second generation Wright Eclipse, known as the Eclipse Urban 2, was launched at the 2008 Euro Bus Expo as the successor to the Eclipse Urban, although the two designs were produced concurrently until 2009. The Eclipse 2 features a facelifted front fascia and rear end, and was available exclusively on the Volvo B7RLE chassis.[citation needed] The Burnley Bus Company were the first customer to take delivery of the Wright Eclipse Urban 2, with nineteen delivered for the operator's 'Mainline' services in 2009.[31][32]

The Urban 2 proved popular again with the National Express Group's bus operations, with 147 delivered to National Express West Midlands between 2011 and 2013,[33] 23 of these being delivered to National Express Coventry in 2013,[34] and a further 27 delivered to National Express Dundee in 2011.[35]

Smaller numbers of Urban 2s were sold to FirstGroup operators, with First West Yorkshire receiving ten in 2013 for services in Huddersfield.[36] Arriva Shires & Essex had eleven Urban 2s equipped with guidewheels delivered for service on the Luton to Dunstable Busway in 2012,[37] while ten Urban 2s were delivered to the Go-Ahead Group's Plymouth Citybus subsidiary in April 2012.[38] with 36 were subsequently delivered to morebus in July 2012.[39] Eighteen Urban 2s specified with centre exit doors were also delivered to Metrobus of Crawley in August 2014 for use on the Fastway bus rapid transit scheme.[40]

Municipally-owned operators of the Urban 2 included Lothian Buses, who took delivery of 25 between 2010 and 2013,[41][42] Network Warrington, who took delivery of twelve in July 2009,[43] and Rossendale Transport, who took delivery of eight in February 2010.[44] Independent Urban 2 operators include McGill's Bus Services, who took delivery of ten Urban 2s in 2011,[45] Minsterley Motors of Annscroft, who took delivery of six in February 2012,[46] Celtic Travel of Llanidloes, who took delivery of three Urban 2s also in early 2012,[47] and Henry Cooper Coaches of Annitsford, who took delivery of a single Urban 2 in September 2010.[48]

A batch of Urban 2s equipped with air conditioning were leased to Malta Public Transport in 2014.[49]

Third generation (2015–2019)

[edit]
East Coast Buses Wright Eclipse 3 bodied Volvo B8RLE in July 2018

The third generation Eclipse, known as the Eclipse 3, was launched in 2015. The Eclipse 3 was only available on Volvo B8RLE chassis, the successor to the B7RLE.[50] As well as the difference in chassis, the front and rear ends initially underwent a minor facelift, incorporating design features from the Wright StreetLite integral design. The first Eclipse 3s entered service with Trentbarton in October 2015 and the second batch by Stagecoach in the Fens for the Cambridgeshire Busway. The front design was revised further in spring 2017 with the first (and only) 13.2 metres (43 ft) examples being purchased by East Coast Buses.[51] The first 11.8 metres (39 ft) variant with the revised bodywork has since entered service with Delaine Buses.[52]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Wright Eclipse

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Wright Eclipse was a low-floor body manufactured by from 2000 to 2019, the Northern Ireland-based bus builder founded in 1946 and known for innovative vehicle designs. The model served as a versatile platform for urban and interurban transport, typically mounted on chassis from manufacturers like . The second-generation Eclipse 2, launched in 2008, succeeded earlier single-deck offerings and featured refreshed styling influenced by Wrightbus's StreetCar trambus concept, with ten units in advanced production stages by October of that year for operator . Built on the chassis with a 290hp D7E engine and ZF automatic transmission, these buses provided easy-access low-floor entry, capacity for 41 seated and 31 standing passengers, full , , connectivity, and compatibility with 100% fuel, as demonstrated in a 2009 batch for Cambridge on the . Later examples, such as those delivered to Celtic Travel in 2012, included 44 leather seats with three-point belts, advanced audio-visual systems, and Synetics CCTV to meet Disability Discrimination Act standards for enhanced passenger comfort on routes like the X75 Shrewsbury-Rhayader service. The third-generation Eclipse 3, introduced around 2015, incorporated front-end design elements from Wrightbus's double-deck and StreetDeck models, including a wraparound windscreen and extended length for additional high-backed seating with headrests. Re-engineered to integrate emission-reduction technology on the Euro 6 chassis, it supported commuter operations, with a 2017 delivery of 15 units to East Coast Buses (a subsidiary) for Edinburgh-East Lothian routes, exemplified by vehicle 10051 (SF17 VLX) used for driver training. These updates emphasized improved , reliability, and environmental performance, aligning with Wrightbus's focus on sustainable urban mobility.

Overview

Development and background

The Wright Eclipse was developed as a successor to the Wright Renown single-deck bus body, which had been produced on the B10BLE chassis from 1997 to 2002 at Wrightbus's factory in . Launched in 2000, the addressed the increasing demand for low-floor buses in the UK, driven by accessibility requirements under the and the shift toward more inclusive designs. The name "Eclipse" drew inspiration from the total visible across parts of the on , 1999, symbolizing a new era in Wrightbus's bodywork innovation and coinciding with the company's range of products. Initial development focused on the chassis for the 2000 launch, with a transition to the more efficient rear-engine chassis in 2003 to better suit operator preferences for driveline layout and . All Wright Eclipse variants were manufactured at Wrightbus's facility in , , with production spanning from 2000 to 2019 across three generations. Key milestones included the completion of first prototypes in 1999 and entry into service in 2000, with early operators such as and Ride deploying the initial vehicles on urban routes. The Eclipse's low-floor design philosophy emphasized accessibility, aligning with broader industry trends toward step-free boarding.

Design features and specifications

The Wright Eclipse was constructed as a low-floor or low-entry body, featuring a flat floor height to facilitate for users and passengers with mobility aids, while the SchoolRun variant offered an optional step-entrance design for specific operational needs. The body utilized aluminum panels, providing a lightweight yet durable structure that contributed to improved and reduced vehicle weight. Door configurations were flexible, with options for single- or dual-door setups, commonly placed on the nearside and offside to suit urban or commuter routing requirements. Standard dimensions included lengths of 11.8 m, 12.2 m, 12.4 m, and 13.2 m to accommodate varying capacities and route demands, a width of 2.5 m for compliance with road regulations, and a height of 3 m for low-profile urban operation. The was primarily built on chassis such as the B7L for full low-floor layouts, the B7RLE for low-entry applications, and the B8RLE for later Euro 6-compliant models, with adaptations also available for and chassis to meet diverse operator preferences. Powertrain options centered on Volvo engines, including the D7C (220 kW), D7E (up to 213 kW), and D8K (ranging from 235 kW to 310 kW), all inline six-cylinder diesels with displacements around 7-8 liters, paired with transmissions from (e.g., DIWA series) or ZF (e.g., 6AP1400B six-speed automatic) for smooth urban performance. Emissions compliance evolved from Euro 3 standards in early models to Euro 6 in later iterations, incorporating (SCR) and (EGR) for reduced and particulate output. Later generations integrated LED lighting as a baseline feature for enhanced visibility and energy savings, though core design emphasized modular for easy .

First generation (2000–2010)

Eclipse Urban

The Eclipse Urban represented the core urban transit variant of the first-generation Eclipse single-deck bus body produced by Wrightbus. Initially launched in 2000 on the low-floor chassis as the Eclipse Metro, it served as a direct replacement for the earlier Wright Renown bodywork, targeting dense city operations with its transverse-mounted engine enabling a flat floor throughout. In 2003, the model was rebranded as the Eclipse Urban and adapted to the more conventional low-entry chassis, enhancing maneuverability on tight urban routes while maintaining accessibility via a raised floor at the rear. This configuration optimized the bus for high-frequency services, incorporating dual doors for efficient passenger boarding and alighting, alongside the overall low-floor or low-entry specifications that facilitated step-free access. Approximately 200 units of the (initially as Metro on B7L from 2000, then Urban on B7RLE from 2003) were constructed between 2000 and 2003, with the majority supplied to major operators including , whose subsidiaries received early examples such as those entering service with First Cymru around 2002. Key features included a standard commuter seating layout supporting up to 40 passengers in a 2+2 arrangement and basic systems suited to everyday urban demands.

Eclipse Commuter

The Eclipse Commuter was launched in 2004 by as a specialized variant of the first-generation , aimed at providing a hybrid between accessible low-floor buses and traditional high-floor coaches for extended travel. Developed in response to the needs of regional operators, it featured a raised floor structure extended forward for improved passenger comfort on longer routes, while retaining a low-floor entry for . The initial order came from in , marking the model's debut. Built on the chassis, the Eclipse Commuter offered length options of 11.8 m, 12.2 m, and up to 12.4 m to suit varying regional service requirements, with a typical of around 51 passengers in a coach-style layout. Key design elements included underfloor luggage storage for practicality on commuter runs, a higher seating position for better headroom and views, and standard destination displays to support route-specific branding. Production occurred primarily between 2004 and 2005, with a limited number of units constructed to meet targeted operator demands. Deployment focused on Northern Ireland's networks, where integrated the vehicles into express and commuter services, including early operations on Belfast-area lines starting in April 2004. These buses emphasized passenger amenities like enhanced insulation for quieter, more comfortable rides on express routes, distinguishing them from urban-focused variants. While a small fleet was assembled, the model demonstrated Wrightbus's versatility in adapting the platform for non-city environments.

Eclipse SchoolRun

The Eclipse SchoolRun was introduced in 2006 as a dedicated school bus variant of the first-generation Wright Eclipse, developed to meet Ulsterbus contracts for transporting students across Northern Ireland. A total of 221 units were produced between 2007 and 2010, comprising the largest single order for any Eclipse body variant and exclusively serving Ulsterbus operations. This model incorporated a step-entrance design adapted from the low-floor baseline to improve durability on rural roads, featuring reinforced flooring for enhanced longevity under heavy use. Seating was configured for higher capacity, accommodating up to 55 positions equipped with lap belts to ensure passenger safety during school runs. The buses were mounted on a Volvo B7R chassis with a 12.2 m length, paired with manual transmissions selected for cost efficiency in fleet maintenance and operation. Unique safety features tailored to school transport included multiple emergency exits for rapid evacuation, provisions for , and anti-vandalism interiors such as durable, easy-to-clean materials to withstand daily student use. These adaptations distinguished the SchoolRun from standard Eclipse configurations, prioritizing robustness and child safety over urban accessibility. The Eclipse SchoolRun fleet played a pivotal role in Northern Ireland's school transport network, reliably serving routes until progressive renewals in the as operators modernized their vehicles.

Second generation (2008–2018)

Eclipse Urban 2

The Eclipse Urban 2 represented a facelifted iteration of the second-generation Wright Eclipse, launched in November 2008 at the Euro Bus Expo on the low-entry chassis. This update introduced revised front and rear styling to enhance and align with Wrightbus's contemporary , including slimmer headlights and integrated LED indicators for improved visibility and efficiency. Production of the Eclipse Urban 2 spanned from 2008 to 2018, primarily for urban operations in the . The inaugural delivery went to Burnley and Pendle (operating as Burnley Bus Company), comprising 19 units introduced in early 2009 for the Mainline services and the X43 express route to . These buses incorporated advanced features such as Alizé , wheelchair accessibility with a dedicated lift and space, and the ACIS RTPI (Real Time Passenger Information) system to provide passengers with up-to-date service details via onboard displays. Optional upgrades like leather seating were available for premium service configurations, while the driver's area benefited from an improved layout for enhanced and the latest Volvo Driver System (VDS) for real-time performance monitoring. Compliant with Euro 5 emission standards through its D7E engine, the Eclipse Urban 2 was designed for operation in dense urban environments.

Export variants

In 2014, leased 22 air-conditioned units of the second-generation Wright Eclipse Urban 2 on chassis to support its operations in the . The production occurred between 2013 and 2014, with all units measuring 12 m in length and equipped with automatic transmissions to meet urban route demands. Deployed primarily on routes serving and surrounding areas, the order represented Wrightbus's key expansion into EU export markets outside the . Adapting the right-hand drive configuration and complying with local EU regulations presented initial challenges, though the buses proved reliable in service. The lease concluded with the units returned to the UK in 2019.

Third generation (2015–2019)

Eclipse 3 introduction

The third-generation Wright Eclipse, known as the Eclipse 3, debuted in 2015 as a low-floor body exclusively on the chassis, marking a significant evolution from previous models with its adoption of the rear-engine layout successor to the B7RLE. The initial launch featured an updated front end design incorporating elements from the , with a focus on improved aesthetics and functionality. A conceptual "Stealth" design was unveiled at the Euro Bus Expo in 2014 for the broader range, emphasizing improved aerodynamics and serviceability. The first Eclipse 3 vehicles entered service with Trentbarton in October 2015, comprising 11 units (fleet numbers 770–780) deployed on the "the two" route between and , praised for their suitability on regional services with tight urban constraints. Shortly thereafter, a second batch of 10 buses (fleet numbers 21301–21310) joined East's operations in , specifically for the routes connecting , , and St Ives. These early deployments highlighted the model's standard 12.2 m length configuration, seating up to 45 passengers in a B45F layout, powered by Volvo's Euro 6-compliant D8K engine for reduced emissions and compliance with contemporary environmental standards. Production of the Eclipse 3 ran from to , with approximately 40 units built in total, focusing on urban and commuter applications with features like USB charging ports at seats, enhanced low-floor accessibility via improved deployment ramps, and compatibility with digital systems for real-time tracking and . Initial reception among operators centered on the model's reliability for regional and guided busway duties, with positive feedback on and the interior's high-backed seating for comfort on longer journeys.

2017 revisions

In spring 2017, the Wright Eclipse 3 underwent a mid-generation facelift, featuring the "Stealth" front-end design first conceptualized in 2014. This revision incorporated angular aesthetics inspired by , a one-piece wraparound windscreen, updated lower dash, and full LED headlights with integrated indicators, aligning the single-deck model more closely with contemporary aesthetics while maintaining compatibility with the chassis. The revisions coincided with the introduction of an extended 13.2-meter variant, the longest configuration offered for the Eclipse 3, designed to provide higher passenger capacity through additional length and reinforced rear axles with a tag axle setup for stability. East Coast Buses placed the sole order for this length, acquiring 15 units at a cost of £3 million, which entered service in and featured custom high-back seating arrangements for enhanced comfort on longer routes. These buses offered a total passenger capacity of up to 89, including standing room, surpassing standard Eclipse 3 models. Production of the Eclipse 3 continued through 2018, with final deliveries including a single unit to Delaine Buses in , marking one of the last examples built before entered administration in 2019. The third-generation model saw limited overall output, focused on select operators, before being succeeded by the Wright GB Hawk in 2021, which consolidated 's single-deck lineup on updated chassis.

Operators and legacy

United Kingdom deployments

FirstGroup was an early adopter of the Wright Eclipse, with subsidiaries such as and taking delivery of units from the first generation starting in 2000, including Eclipse Fusion models on SB220 chassis for urban and regional services in and . Over the period from 2000 to 2015, FirstGroup operated numerous Eclipse-bodied buses across its operations, deployed on city routes in and interurban links in , where they provided low-floor accessibility for passengers. Ulsterbus, part of the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company, became a major operator of Wright Eclipse variants in the UK, with a significant fleet entering service from 2000 onward, encompassing Urban, Commuter, and SchoolRun models on and B7RLE chassis. In 2006, Ulsterbus placed an order for 110 Eclipse SchoolRun high-floor buses specifically for school transport and rural services, marking the variant's debut and enabling reliable operations on 's demanding routes until fleet modernization in the 2020s. These buses served urban corridors in and regional connections across , emphasizing durability for high-mileage school duties. Arriva UK Bus was also a large purchaser of Eclipse Urbans, deploying numerous units on urban and regional services across . The Burnley Bus Company, operating under , introduced the second-generation Eclipse Urban 2 in 2009 as its launch customer, acquiring 19 examples for Mainline services linking , , and until their withdrawal around 2018 amid fleet renewal. Trentbarton in the adopted third-generation Eclipse 3 models from 2015, with units entering service on the high-frequency 'the two' route between and , providing enhanced passenger comfort on regional express links still active as of 2025. Stagecoach in deployed Eclipse 3 buses from 2015 on the , using chassis for Routes A and B connecting , , and St Ives, where the low-floor design facilitated seamless integration with the busway until service adjustments by 2019. East Coast Buses, a of , received 15 revised Eclipse 3 units in 2017, featuring updated front-end styling aligned with Wrightbus's double-deck aesthetics and Euro 6 compliance for X5 and 124 services along the A1 corridor from to , enhancing reliability on long-distance operations. Delaine Buses in took delivery of final production Eclipse 3 examples, including a pioneering 'stealth' front in 2017 for rural routes like the 101 to , representing one of the last orders before Wrightbus discontinued the model in 2019. By 2025, many first- and second-generation Wright Eclipse buses across fleets had been withdrawn due to stringent emissions regulations, including the completion of grace periods for Low Emission Zones in Scottish cities requiring Euro 6 standards, prompting operators to retire Euro 3 and 4 units in favor of zero-emission alternatives. Remaining examples continue in less regulated areas, while others have been preserved for heritage purposes or exported second-hand to international markets.

International use

The Wright Eclipse achieved its most notable international deployment in , where 22 second-generation units on chassis were leased to between 2014 and 2019 for operation by the state-owned services. These air-conditioned buses served urban and inter-city routes in the , featuring adaptations such as enhanced cooling systems to handle high temperatures and compliance with safety regulations. Minor trials of third-generation models occurred during this period but did not result in additional orders. Beyond Malta, exports were sparse, primarily to other EU operators including Bus Éireann in the Republic of Ireland, which took delivery of several second-generation Eclipse Urban 2 variants on chassis for regional services in the . These units were configured for right-hand drive, aligning with Irish road conventions, and incorporated local modifications for passenger accessibility standards. By the early 2020s, some second-hand UK Eclipse buses had been exported to operators in Europe. The international rollout faced challenges, including the lease-return structure in , which saw all 22 units repatriated to the by amid operational transitions at the operator. Wrightbus's halt of Eclipse production in further curtailed potential exports, limiting the global fleet to under 50 units overall and emphasizing the model's primary focus on the market.

References

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  2. https://www.volvobuses.com/gb/news/2009/jun/news-65918.html
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  4. https://cbwmagazine.com/celtic-travels-wright-volvos-hit-the-road/
  5. https://www.keybuses.com/article/new-look-front-east-coast-buses-eclipse-3s
  6. https://www.urban-transport-magazine.com/en/wrightbus-portrait-of-a-bus-manufacturer/
  7. https://www.keybuses.com/article/volvo-renown
  8. https://bendybusleeds.wordpress.com/eclipse-fusion/
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  12. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Wright_Solar_on_Scania_L94UB_buses_in_the_United_Kingdom
  13. https://fandjexports.com/stocklist/volvo-d7c-bus-specification-engine/
  14. https://autoline.info/-/sale/engines/bus/Volvo/D7E--25110420443481131700
  15. https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/trivia-rare-and-unusual-bus-and-coach-types.264302/page-3
  16. https://travelwestyorks.proboards.com/thread/6661/volvo-b7l-b7rle
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  22. https://www.ukbuses.co.uk/fleet/translink.pdf
  23. https://www.volvobuses.com/gb/news/2008/nov/news-53572.html
  24. https://www.volvobuses.com/gb/news/2009/feb/news-58286.html
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  28. https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/ex-malta-public-transport-volvos-optares.189180/
  29. https://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/new-look-wrightbus/
  30. https://www.derbybusdepot.co.uk/december2015.html
  31. https://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php/Stagecoach_21301-21310
  32. https://www.buslistsontheweb.co.uk/list.asp?listname=1263&Type=Body
  33. https://www.metrobus.co.uk/fleet-list
  34. https://history.buses.co.uk/history/fleethist/metrobusfleet.htm
  35. https://www.keybuses.com/article/fleet-news-scotland
  36. https://www.route-one.net/news/15_single_decks_for_east_lothian/
  37. https://www.eastlothiancourier.com/news/15225392.new-3million-fleet-of-specially-designed-east-coast-buses-coming-to-east-lothian/
  38. https://cbwmagazine.com/showbus-2018-at-donington-park/delaine-showbus/
  39. https://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php?title=Wright_GB_Hawk
  40. https://www.flickr.com/photos/144774525%40N02/50007142217
  41. https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/wright-eclipse.html
  42. http://www.ith.org.uk/ubnews2006.html
  43. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127079988%40N02/42145559195
  44. https://www.keybuses.com/article/new-single-decker-first-england
  45. https://www.sentinelsystems.co.uk/post/the-vehicle-regulation-changes-you-need-to-know-about-in-2025
  46. https://api.flickr.com/photos/northernblue109/43702756814/in/album-72157716794281287
  47. https://busphoto.eu/vehicle/733025/
  48. https://bustimes.org/vehicles/ie-6793
  49. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpYxAFk5vqU
  50. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hszkavH0Qy8
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