Plaxton has launched two new low entry coach specifications, both of which have been developed in partnership with Stagecoach.
Revealed at a media event at the company’s Scarborough facility, the first of the vehicles is a new double-decker coach, called the Plaxton Panorama. The vehicle has gone from concept to build in less than a year.
The vehicle is build on a Volvo B11RLE tri-axle chassis and has a maximum seating capacity of 87, or 83 with a single wheelchair position, though the lower deck can be specified to carry several wheelchairs in place of passenger seats. The low flat floor of the lower deck allows space for overhead storage.
The vehicle has two passenger entrances, each close to its own staircase to the upper deck. Its luggage capacity is 10.5m3, including the hold, overhead racks, buggy pen (when fitted) and front wheel arch rack.
The initial batch of Panoramas are destined for Stagecoach’s megabus.com operations.
The second vehicle launched is the Plaxton Panther LE (Low Entry). The 14.6m long vehicle is built on a Volvo B8R tri-axle chassis and carries 53 passenger seats, along with a single permanent wheelchair position.
The vehicle on display was in the livery of Stagecoach East Scotland and is intended for use on the operator’s Express City Connect service which serves Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Full coverage of the launch event will appear in the next issue of CBW (CBW1345).
