Volvo Buses
UNITED KINGDOM & IRELAND
This significant purchase marks an important developmental step for the North West based company who are committed to upgrading all of their vehicles in line with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), which states that all public transportation vehicles must provide access for all.
Blackpool Transport’s new buses are specified with either Euro 4 or Euro 5 Incentive compliant D7E 7.1 litre engines rated at 290hp featuring common rail fuel injection and incorporating SCR exhaust after-treatment, coupled to the ZF six speed automatic gearbox. The low-entry single deck vehicles have Plaxton Centro bodywork and are fitted with 45 seats, all with three-point safety belts. There is also room for an additional 25 standees.
This order is the first time that Blackpool Transport has invested in new Volvo vehicles since 1994, although they have purchased used vehicles in the past. “The key for us was the reliability that Volvo provides, we needed vehicles that weren’t going to let us down, plus Volvo offer excellent back up and support”, said Blackpool Transport Managing Director, Trevor Roberts.
“From start to finish Volvo were excellent with us,” continued Trevor Roberts. “We dealt with the Thomas Hardie dealership in Preston and they provided us everything that we required, whilst Arthur Argyle, Volvo Bus, Regional Commercial Manager, helped us find the right vehicles at the right value for our business needs”.
The new Volvos will enter service immediately running along the promenade on Blackpool’s 11 mile route 1 service which covers all of the main tourist areas and up to Fleetwood.
Trevor Roberts also explained how the new vehicles were intended to support Blackpool Transport’s customer care pledge, “We carry a large number of senior citizens on a daily basis and with the DDA restrictions also being phased in, we considered this order a necessary investment to ensure that the high safety standards we have established are continually maintained”.
Purchase of the nine new Volvo B7RLEs takes Blackpool Transport’s fleet to 150 vehicles running in Blackpool, as well as the Fylde and Wyre districts. Vehicles have been specified in the company’s branded colours which is black and yellow with a silver and red swirl, a livery the company is keen to roll out on all its vehicles to ensure strong brand association.
Volvo Bus, Regional Commercial Manager, Arthur Argyle is delighted with the vehicle sales. “It’s always nice to sell a number of vehicles, but particularly when it is to a customer who hasn’t previously bought new buses from us. I hope this can be the start of a long and successful relationship with Blackpool Transport”.
ENDS
09 September 2010
Caption for Image: Volvo Bus has delivered nine B7RLE Plaxton Centro bodied buses to Blackpool Transport.