A pair of Optare Tempo heavy-duty, low-floor buses are being operated by Airport Parking & Hotels Ltd (www.aph.com) as part of its ongoing and proven strategy of providing the highest quality of customer service.

The Tempos are based in Manchester where they will help to ferry an estimated 200,000 people a year between the company’s 1,800-space car park and Manchester International Airport’s three terminals, just five minutes travel time away. They’re also being used to take passengers to and from airport hotels as part of the hotel and parking packages that APH offers along with a range of other travel related services.

Managing Director Nick Caunter says the travel time on the Tempos may be short but it’s important that the experience is a good one. “When people are going on holiday they are often anxious and a little stressed,” he says. “And when they’re returning they want the minimum of hassle from the point at which they land at the airport to getting into their car and driving home. Our aim is to make sure that the experience we deliver is trouble-free and comfortable and the Tempos will play an important role in achieving that.”

The buses are 10.6 metre models fitted with 25 Rescroft Defender high-back seats each fitted with a lap and diagonal seat belt. They are fully DDA compliant and three of the seats are tip-ups in the wheelchair bay, which is accessed by means of a simple, manually operated, leaf-fold ramp. Electronically controlled air suspension allows the front air bags to be exhausted to further reduce the low entry height and re-inflation to ride height takes just four seconds.

This feature, along with Tempo’s wide door, makes it easier, safer and quicker for passengers to board and leave the bus. All luggage is taken on board the bus – with driver assistance as standard – for safe stowing in large airport-style luggage racks.

According to Nick Caunter, the heightened anxiety levels amongst people departing for a holiday also requires that destination information be provided in a clear and calm way. On the Tempos this will be by means of Hanover LED destination blinds on the front and side and a state-of-the-art Announce 2 visual and audio GPS-triggered system using a flat TFT screen mounted prominently in the saloon. This system has been successfully trialed at the company’s Gatwick operation.

The Tempos are powered by the Mercedes-Benz 906La six-cylinder engine delivering plenty of power at 180kW (240 bhp). APH Manchester is familiar with Mercedes running units and the availability of this engine was a key factor in the buying decision. The engine is matched to an Allison T310R five-speed automatic transmission.

Founded 20 years ago, APH has developed into a major player in the airport parking business. Its three sites at Gatwick, Birmingham and Manchester have over 8,000 spaces and it handles bookings for car park operators at 16 UK airports and 19 in the USA. Over 700,000 bookings a year are taken for its full range of travel services, which extend from hotel and car hire reservations, to insurance and ski hire. Most are made on line through the company’s website www.aph.com.

Earlier this year the company was a finalist in the ‘Exceptional Customer Service’ category of the British Parking Awards 2006.

For further information please contact:
Martin Hayes, Communications Advisor, +44 (0) 207 494 8050