Renault Agora L

Produced: 1997 to date

 Having been a little slow off the mark in launching the Agora, Renault seemed keen to make up the deficit, and the basic rigid Agora has since been followed by an articulated version (the Agora L, launched in 1997). 

 

TRAM, Mulhouse no. 621 (6166 WQ 68) - September 2001
A typical Agora L, this one being the first delivered to the Mulhouse fleet. Note the characteristic 'hump' on the roof to accommodate the articulation equipment. 

RATP, Paris no. 4404 - September 2000
By far the biggest fleet of Agora Ls is to be found with RATP - they are all three-door examples (a fourth door in the rear overhang is optional). 4404 was one of the very first into service.

 

The new flagship of the Renault range, the articulated Agora has been ordered in large numbers by RATP for service in the capital in order to replace PR180.2s, and has also appeared (albeit in much smaller numbers) in many provincial towns. Orléans, Grenoble, Reims, Chambéry, Lyon, Annecy, Le Mans, Maubeuge, Tours, Metz, Troyes, Valenciennes, Limoges, Mulhouse, Strasbourg, Nancy and Douai are all Agora L operators, and there are others to be found with Paris suburban operators.

The Agora L is the first low-floor artic in the Renault range and replaced the PR180-derived PR118 model. Three- and four-door versions are available (with or without a door in the rear overhang of the rear section). Unlike its predecessors in the Renault range, the Agora L is a true "pusher" artic, with only the axle in the rear section being driven.

In due course a natural gas-powered Agora L has appeared. These are not that widespread as yet, however there is a substantial fleet already in service in Lille and others in Colmar, Meaux, Le Mans and Nice.

TUR, Reims no. 813 (361 ZV 51) - September 2001
An Agora L from the rear, again showing the roof hump containing articulation equipment.

TRACE, Colmar no. 147 (1314 WV 68) - September 2001
Agora L GNVs are not yet common but Colmar have this lone example which operates alongside a growing fleet of rigid Agora GNVs. The TRACE fleet is now going for 'clean and green' buses in a big way - they are replacing Renault SC10Rs which are right at the other end of the pollution spectrum!