Landmark for Lochs Motor Transport as Enviro400 trio arrive
Lochs Motor Transport, based in Leurbost on the Isle of Lewis, has taken delivery of the first three of five Alexander Dennis Enviro400 double-deckers that are to join its fleet.
Handover of that initial trio was completed recently at the builder’s plant in Scarborough. They are the first double-deckers ever to operate on Lewis and Harris and each seats 85 with room for a wheelchair user. The deal represents further success for Alexander Dennis with smaller operators for the Enviro400 in high-specification form.
They have been purchased following the award to Lochs Motor Transport of a new contract to supply a shuttle service for cruise ship passengers visiting the Western Isles, linking Stornoway’s new deep-water terminal to the town centre. The buses’ capacity will also be used on busy school services.
Speaking about the purchase, Director Roddy MacDonald says: “The Alexander Dennis Enviro400 is great value for money for a high-capacity vehicle that is easy to maintain and operate.
“Visitors can appreciate the beauty of the Western Isles through panoramic windows from comfortable seats, and we are more easily able to accommodate large numbers of customers – which is why we have ordered a further two double-deckers for next year.”
Adds Alexander Dennis Regional Sales Manager Lee Gibson: “I am grateful for the trust placed in Alexander Dennis when Lochs Motor Transport chose us to supply its first ever double-deckers after buying Plaxton coaches for many years.
“We look forward to continuing to support Roddy and his team next year with another pair of Enviro400 double-deckers for cruise ship services, the port authority, schools, and private hire.”
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Totalkare supplies vehicle lifts to Wrightbus NewPower operation
Wrightbus has chosen Totalkare T8DC cable-free mobile column lifts for deployment at its NewPower facility in Bicester, where existing diesel buses are being repowered to battery-electric.
Six lift sets form part of Wrightbus’s strategic investment into NewPower. According to the garage equipment specialist, that is “testament to the robust performance of Totalkare’s solutions, tailored to meet the demanding requirements of heavy-duty vehicle maintenance and conversion."
Also provided by Totalkare is a mobile brake tester. It is DVSA approved and capable of testing up to a 16,000kg axle load. The brake tester will be a flexible tool to help Wrightbus and NewPower to ensure on-road safety and enhance the longevity of vehicles passing through the facility.
Speaking about the purchase, Wrightbus Manufacturing Engineer Karsten Hall says: “We are delighted to integrate Totalkare’s T8DC cable-free mobile column lifts into our NewPower facility.
“These lifts are not only pivotal to the repowering process but also reflect the superior quality and reliability we have come to expect from Totalkare. As a returning customer, we value its exceptional equipment and unwavering service support.
“The T8DC lifts will play a crucial role in enabling our teams to efficiently convert buses to electric powertrains, thus accelerating our journey towards a greener future.”
Totalkare UK Sales Manager Jay Chauhan adds that the T8DC lifts “are designed for versatility and efficiency, providing unparalleled ease of use and safety. It is an honour to be part of Wrightbus’s bold initiative to decarbonise the transport sector, and we look forward to contributing to its continued success and sustainability efforts.”
The T8DC lifts bring seamless, wireless operation and easy movement around a workshop. Such efficiency qualities are essential for the recently-opened NewPower facility, where engineers will work simultaneously on multiple buses to meet the goal of converting up to 500 units annually.
Durham and Northallerton gain Coach Friendly status from CPT
Durham (pictured) and Northallerton are the latest destinations to be awarded Coach Friendly status by the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT).
Regional Manager (North of England) Andrew McGuinness formally presented Durham with its certificate on Monday 12 August, while that for Northallerton will be handed over on Wednesday 14 August.
They take to around 30 destinations and attractions with the accreditation. CPT says that it looks forward to recognising "several more towns and attractions their Coach Friendly awards over the coming months.”
The status highlights those traffic generators that are welcoming of coaches and coach groups, and which work with the sector to improve facilities for passengers, drivers and operators.
Speaking at the presentation in Durham, Mr McGuinness said that he is “delighted” to see the city gain Coach Friendly certification “precisely because it is the kind of destination that can really gain from holding this accreditation.”
Adds Mr McGuinness: “This award provides recognised assurance to coach operators, drivers and their passengers that they will be well catered for and welcomed by Durham, so they can make the most of its rich array of historic venues.”
Visit County Durham Managing Director Michelle Gorman says that Coach Friendly accreditation “is an important standard by which many coach companies and their customers measure a destination’s readiness and welcome for group visits."
She adds: “Through achieving the accolade, Durham City can pledge that it can manage coach tourism professionally and deliver a great experience for visitors.”
In Northallerton, the town’s Business Improvement District (BID) Manager Alex Shennib says that the BID “has led the coach friendly initiative since its re-election 2022."
He adds that achieving the accreditation has come via collaboration between the Town Team, comprised of the BID, North Yorkshire Council, Northallerton Town Council, Northallerton Tourist Information Centre, and Hambleton Community Action.
“They have all worked tirelessly over the past two years on this scheme, and their hard work is being acknowledged through this accreditation,” adds Mr Shennib. “We hope that all future visitors have a wonderful experience and enjoy all that Northallerton has to offer.”
CPT UK Coach Manager Phil Smith welcomed Northallerton ahead of the formal presentation. “By going coach friendly, a town or tourist attraction will help to curb congestion, improve air quality, and do more to help preserve its unique local environment while developing more sustainable tourism that supports thriving local businesses.”