Berkhof Ambassador

Berkhof Ambassador
Berkhof Ambassador from Østtrafik
Interior of an Ambassador from Syntus
Overview
Manufacturer	VDL Berkhof
Production	2001–2011
Assembly	Heerenveen and Valkenswaard
Body and chassis
Doors	1-2-0 or 2-2-0
Floor type	Low floor Low entry
Powertrain
Engine	Diesel engine by Cummins or DAF
Capacity	80 passengers (up to 34 seated)
Power output	205 bhp
Transmission	Automatic Voith gearbox
Dimensions
Length	10.6–11.95 m
Width	2.5 m
Height	2.92 m
Curb weight	8,359–8,728 kg
Chronology

The Berkhof Ambassador was a low-floor urban bus produced by the Dutch bus manufacturer VDL Berkhof between 2001 and 2011 where it was replaced by VDL Citea LLE. The section between the front and rear door are at the same height. The seats at the very rear are a bit higher, and can be reached by using stairs.

This type of bus is most commonly used in the Netherlands and Denmark. In the Netherlands, owners and operators include:Arriva, Breng, Connexxion, Hermes, Syntus and Veolia Transport. In Denmark, owners and operators include: Arriva, City-Trafik, De Hvide Busser, DitoBus, Kruse, Nettbuss and Nobina.

The Ambassador has been in production since 2001, and its exterior is largely unchanged; the interior, however, has undergone several changes, and the vehicle is assembled at low cost. The older series (built from 2001–2005) has an inferior suspension, which causes the bus to rattle. The Ambassador was originally equipped with a Voith automatic gearbox, which was noisy. Later versions are sturdier, and more-recent Voith gearboxes are quieter in use. The combination of better isolation and a more environmentally-conscious Cummins engine makes the bus quieter. The suspension has also been improved, allowing for a smoother ride.

The first series (Connexxion/Hermes) of Ambassadors was delivered with green LCD route signals (line number and destination). These occasionally malfunctioned, and later series were delivered with orange LED route signals. This type of bus has been involved in several incidents: in December 2003 a driver was killed after becoming stuck between the front door and the bus (this type of door has since been replaced), and during a storm on 18 January 2007 an Ambassador was blown off a dike due to its light weight.

Connexxion has ordered the most Ambassador buses by far; in 2005 it placed an order of 300 buses for €50 million. Since the capacity of VDL's factory in Heerenveen was inadequate for an order of this size, the factory in Valkenswaard was equipped to build Ambassador buses as well. Following its success in the Netherlands, the Ambassador was also exported; orders were placed by operators in Denmark, Germany and Israel. In July 2008, Connexxion placed a 355-bus order for the Ambassador, to be delivered throughout the year. The total cost of the order was €75 million.