South Lanarkshire Council takes 16 Treka Bus Mobility minibuses
South Lanarkshire Council has taken delivery of 16 Treka Bus Mobility accessible minibuses, supplied by the converter in a significant upgrade to the local authority’s fleet.
They are based on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and have been specified to support the council’s education transport services while also giving flexibility to serve a wider range of passenger needs.
Each has seating for up to 16 passengers. Those positions can be removed quickly to give space for a maximum of six wheelchair users. PLS passenger lifts have been specified along with a Stop Safe securement system.
Treka Bus was selected to supply the minibuses after a competitive procurement process. Vehicle quality, value for money and a strong existing relationship with South Lanarkshire Council all counted in its favour, the manufacturer says.
The local authority’s Fleet Manager Steven Hardman adds that the vehicles will play “a key role in supporting our scheduled operations” and that early feedback has been positive.
“The build quality, accessibility features and overall comfort of the vehicles have aligned well with the requirements of our school transport service,” continues Mr Hardman.
“In addition, we are actively engaging with our social work department to undertake a structured trial of these vehicles within care-related and community transport settings. Should the trial continue to prove successful, we anticipate further opportunities to expand the use of Treka vehicles across a wider range of council services.”
He notes that Treka Bus was supportive and responsive throughout the procurement and delivery process for the minibuses.
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First Volvo B13R UNVI XL nears completion as demand strong
The first completed example of the Volvo B13R with UNVI XL body is due off the production line soon ahead of a round of evaluation and testing, with UNVI having also commenced series manufacture of the model.
Volvo Bus UK and Ireland announced the XL partnership with UNVI around a year ago. The 12.8m coach will have either 53 seats or 49 plus one wheelchair user space. Originally UNVI had planned to build the body at its Spanish site in Ourense, but that work has been moved to Porto in Portugal “to unlock additional production capacity,” Volvo says.
Product Director Joseph Gisslow adds that demand for the XL has exceeded expectations, with 12 customers having placed orders. One of those deals is for nine units. The first coach to be built will be used by Volvo Bus UK and Ireland as a demonstrator after evaluation and testing is complete. One coach per week will initially be finished from July onwards.
Adds Mr Gisslow: “To ensure that we can deliver coaches as quickly as possible, UNVI has transferred production to a dedicated facility in Portugal. This gives us the capacity to meet our strong order book commitments while ensuring lead times for future orders remain competitive."
The XL will come with Brusa Create 120 seats as standard, including three-point belts, aisle-side armrests, footrests, magazine nets, drop-down tables, enhanced upholstery in a mix of moquette and synthetic leather, and seatback USB-A and USB-C charging points.
Volvo adds that other XL specification elements will include generous overhead luggage capacity along with interior and gangway LED lighting. Thermo King air-conditioning will be used alongside a Bosch audio-visual system with twin 22-inch screens. Underfloor luggage space will be around 9.5 cubic metres and a freshwater centre sunken toilet will be included.
Service Market Director Daniel Tanner says that the B13R XL combination will be backed by a network of over 80 Volvo Truck and Bus dealer points. “This includes a specialist parts facility held at our Loughborough body and paint shop, which keeps stock of thousands of bodywork components, from glazing and body panels to spare seats,” he adds.
Body and chassis warranty will be three-years/300,000km, with 12 years' structural coverage. Power in the coach is from the 13-litre D13K engine driving through a 12-speed I-Shift automated manual gearbox with an overdrive top ratio.
Paul O'Malley named Head of Communications by Harris Group
Harris Group has appointed Paul O’Malley (pictured) as Head of Communications across its automotive brands including Higer, for which it is the UK and Ireland supplier of the Chinese coach and bus manufacturer's products.
Mr O’Malley has three decades’ experience in the commercial vehicle communications field. He joins from automotive PR specialist Torque. Working as part of Harris’s overall marketing function led by Head of Marketing Andrew Dickinson, Mr O’Malley will align communications with the group’s wider commercial and brand strategies.
He combines industry insight with a strong record in strategic communications and media engagement, Harris Group notes. Previous clients with which Mr O’Malley has worked include DAF Trucks and MAN.
With Harris, he is charged with leading messaging through a period of portfolio expansion and market change. The group has made clear its ambitions for the Higer coach and bus brand, with a strong market entry in hand and plans for further models to join the products already coming to the UK and Ireland.
Speaking about the arrival, Mr Dickinson says: “Paul’s appointment is a significant step in our ongoing development. His depth of sector experience, combined with a proven ability to build brand visibility and manage communications programmes, makes him ideally suited to lead our comms function as the business enters its next growth phase.
“His understanding of the transport media ensures that our messaging will remain relevant, credible, and firmly customer focused.”
Adds Mr O’Malley: “I am thrilled to be joining Harris Group at such an exciting time in the company’s growth.
“There is strong momentum across the business; Maxus continues to grow strongly in both the electric- and diesel-powered LCV sectors, Isuzu is further consolidating its market position in Ireland, and Higer is poised to make a major impact in the coach and bus sector, backed by an ambitious product strategy, a comprehensive dealer network, and clear long-term intent.”
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