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 Transdev
Lancashire United has put six Optare Versa
low-floor midibuses into service in
Blackburn
as part of its new ‘SpotOn’ branded town
centre services.
The
11-metre Versas went on the road on 17th
March and are operating on the 18, 19 and 22
services in the Mill Hill and Feniscowles area
of the town.
They
are to the same specification as the 19 Versas
that entered service last month with Transdev
Burnley and Pendle. Each has 37 Esteban Civic V2 seats and, with standees, a total capacity of 52. There
is an eight camera CCTV system, and a powered
ramp to provide fast and safe access for
passengers in wheelchairs or with reduced
mobility.
The
Euro 4 Cummins ISBe engine rated at 201 bhp (150
kW) has been specified to help cope more easily
with the local hilly terrain. This has an
integral KLAM proportional retarder activated
automatically through the brake pedal and which
helps to reduce power consumption leading to
better fuel efficiency. An Allison 2100 Series
five-speed automatic transmission completes the
driveline.
David
Wilson, Commercial Development Director at
Transdev Lancashire United, said: “The arrival
of this second batch of Versas brings us closer
to achieving our objective of having all of
Transdev’s commercial services in Lancashire
being operated by low-floor, easy access buses
with space for buggies and wheelchairs. The
timing is absolutely right too as we prepare for
the introduction next month of the national
concessionary fares scheme.
“Our
investment in new buses in the past year is now
well over £5 million and is aimed at making bus
travel more attractive and accessible for
everybody. I am sure that the appearance on the
streets of
Blackburn
of these superbly styled and comfortable buses
will go some way towards persuading people out
of their cars and on to the buses.”
Chris
Wise, Optare Sales Director, said the he was
delighted that Transdev had again chosen the
Versa for their operations in
Lancashire
. “Transdev is highly regarded as a
progressive operator running high quality
vehicles that make the bus travelling experience
a better one for all passengers. I’m confident
that in Versa we have delivered to them a
vehicle that exactly meets their operating ethos
and high standards.”
For
further information please contact:
David
Rowlands, Automotive PR, 020 7494 8050, drowlands@automotivepr.com
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