Translink invests £13million in new Buses
5 December 2006
Ulsterbus Limited has awarded a £13 million contract to Volvo Bus Limited, with Ballymena-based Wrightbus as its partner, to supply 110 new buses. Designed prinicipally for school bus operation, the vehicles will have enhanced safety features and all passenger seats will be fitted with seatbelts.
Earlier this year the government confirmed a significant investment of £37m. in school bus provision designed to end the practice of three children sharing a two-person seat and to eliminate the need for standing by 2009. Other aspects of the investment include enhanced signage and associated infrastructure improvements.
Translink's contract with Volvo Bus and Wrightbus represents the first stage of its implementation of new school bus safety legislation. Translink has confirmed that the first of the new vehicles are due to go into service in autumn 2007, with the remainder phased in over a six month period.
Translink Chief Executive, Keith Moffatt said the organisation was delighted to award the contract to Volvo Bus and Wrightbus. “These fully accessible vehicles are intended primarily for school bus and rural service operations. They will have 66, fully belted seats - or 62 seats plus one wheelchair - based on a 3 on one side and 2 on the other seating arrangement. As access to the vehicles will be via steps at the front, all seating will be on one level, which will improve safety and comfort for the passengers on board.
“Passenger safety remains at the top of Translink’s agenda and while it is accepted that bus travel is 10 times safer than travel by car, this investment will allow us to enhance further our already high safety standards. We have enjoyed an excellent safety record to date in school transport carrying around 60,000 schoolchildren every day, representing two-thirds of the total school population which travels by bus in Northern Ireland,” he said.
Commenting on the Translink bus order, Wright Group Managing Director Mark Nodder said “Wrights and Volvo are delighted to have secured this important order. The new school bus has been designed to carry our school children in comfort and above all in safety. We believe they point the way ahead for the future of school transportation in Northern Ireland.”
Ends
For further press information please contact Keelin Haughey at Morrow Communications. Tel: 028 9039 3837. Email k.haughey@morrowcommunications.com
Notes to Editor
Key Vehicle features
The vehicles will be 12 metres long and will be single deck.
Six-camera CCTV system for passenger and driver security.
The new vehicles will have a powered side lift for wheelchair passengers
Interior overhead luggage racks
Electronically controlled heating system on board
Environmentally friendly – reduced emissions in line with latest European Legislation (Euro 4)
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