Operator places £1.3m order for six vehicles following trials of a number of different buses last summer
Reading Buses has announced a £1.3m order from Wrightbus ?for six of its StreetDeck double-decker models.
The Wrightbus order follows Reading Buses ‘summer bus trials’ undertaken last year, where the operator evaluated a number of new models, including a New Routemaster.
The buses, which will upgrade Reading Buses’ orange routes between Woodley and Reading, will be fitted Euro 6 engines and feature Wrightbus’ latest MicroHybrid fuel efficient technologies. They will be the first buses of their kind to be fitted with automatic engine start-stop technology.
Reading Buses is continuing to adopt the lightweight Lazzerini Ethos seat following successful deployment on its 2015 vehicle intake.
Other features will include a glazed staircase and roof panels, 4G WiFi and USB charging points, as well as social seating arrangements seen on the Claret Spritzer student buses, which were launched on the University of Reading route last year.
The new buses will enter service from the start of September 2016 on Reading Buses’ orange routes 13 and 14 to Woodley.
Martijn Gilbert, CEO of Reading Buses, said: “We’ve worked hard with Wrightbus, our design agency Best Impressions and other partners to ensure that these buses will provide a further step change in local bus services for our customers.
“Using the latest innovations in many design and engineering features, and best practice from across the transport industry, we will be delivering a bus that will not only offer the highest standards of customer comfort and ambiance, but also one that has been optimised to achieve class leading fuel economy and environmental credentials – luxury will meet efficiency.
“We are delighted to be working with Wrightbus, especially in their 70th anniversary year, on what will be a flagship project for everyone involved.”
Ian Downie, Managing Director, Sales and Customcare at Wrightbus, added: “Wrightbus is honoured to receive this prestigious order from Reading Buses. We were delighted to participate in the summer trials.
“The engagement with Reading and its partners has created a groundbreaking vehicle that surpasses environmental legislation requirements with superb economy and, most importantly, provides our mutual end customer with the wow factor.
“Reading Buses has ensured the customer is at the forefront of their thoughts and Wrightbus has delivered a customer driven solution that surpasses expectations.”
