The 2018 Euro Bus Expo exhibitors featured a large number of minibus converters, manufacturers, providers and associated parts suppliers. CBW reviews what was on display and what was new at this year’s show [wlm_nonmember][…]
By subscribing you will benefit from:
- Operator & Supplier Profiles
- Face-to-Face Interviews
- Lastest News
- Test Drives and Reviews
- Legal Updates
- Route Focus
- Industry Insider Opinions
- Passenger Perspective
- Vehicle Launches
- and much more!
BusConcept.eu
BusConcept’s Road Runner range made its debut at the show this year. The VIP is a 16 to 22-seater luxury minibus based on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. This is the second right-hand drive example to be built and it sold during the show on Tuesday. The interior is equipped with luggage racks, reading lights, two tables, convection interior heating and Eberspacher air-conditioning.
Limo black privacy glass is fitted, but the option to have larger panoramic style windows is also available. BusConcept was formed in Poland in 2015 and its current market is Finland, Germany and Norway. It is looking for a UK dealer for the Road Runner range.
Bus Factory
Polish minibus conversion company, Bus Factory, is offering five models to the UK market. These include the Skylite GT, which was shown on the stand.
The Mercedes-Benz-based Skylite GT is a fully panoramic glazed conversion that features 16 seats in a 2×1 configuration. The glass fitted to the roof and side windows is double-glazed, tinted and heat resistant to ensure that the interior remains cool, whilst in the winter a Webasto auxiliary heater is fitted to ensure passenger comfort. Bus Factory also builds on the Volkswagen Crafter and Iveco Daily. A UK Sales Manager Marek Janczarek has now been appointed, based in Surrey. Models built on the new shape Mercedes-Benz Sprinter will be available shortly.
Cogent Passenger Seating
Showing in the UK for the first time was the busbuddy system, which is to be distributed by Cogent Passenger Seating. The Australian company that has developed the seatbelt monitoring system is the Lockliv Corporation.
Using wireless Bluetooth technology, the busbuddy system knows if all the passengers on the vehicle have their seatbelts on and secured.
The system operates by each seatbelt buckle being fitted with a small Bluetooth enabled cartridge; this then transmits information about the status of the seat to the driver by means of a dash-mounted tablet. The driver can tell if the seat is unoccupied or if the seatbelt is buckled or unbuckled. Audio and visual alerts make it easy for the driver to identify if any passenger is not secured.
Also on the stand was a Peugeot Boxer minibus owned by CanDrive and fitted with Cogent Eagle seating with three-point seatbelts.
Connaught PSV
Two Ferqui SR-bodied Iveco Dailys were on display, a 25-seater destined for Wilfreda Beehive and a 33-seater similar to the example recently tested by CBW. The lower capacity 25 seater also features extra leg room and a large capacity boot. Also on the stand was a 16-seat Mercedes-Benz Sprinter-based Soroco DL in the livery of LAB Travel of Leicester, which additionally features two tables.
EVM Direct
EVM had six Mercedes-Benz Sprinters on show, with the new Trend specification being the sole ‘facelift’ model. The Trend on show featured 13 EVM executive class 110 individual seats, with an interior specification that includes wood-effect flooring and individual passenger service units. Mercedes-Benz HH9 air-conditioning also controls the interior temperature. The Trend is based on the 314 CDI Sprinter developing 140hp.
A 516 Sprinter on show demonstrated the X-Clusive VIP specification that features nine luxury VIP leather seats, glass panoramic roof, USB ports, two fridges and full air-conditioning. A coach-style rear replaces the standard Sprinter double doors. A City Liner built to ArrivaClick specification included 13 black and cream leather seats, two tables in the upper saloon, full air-conditioning, twin sliding Masats entry door and front, side and rear white LED destination displays.
GM Coachworks
The Devon-based minibus converter displayed a Volkswagen Crafter with a conversion called the Condor. It is available with nine to 16 seats in lengths from 5.9m to 7.3m and a choice of front, rear or four wheel drive options. The Condor on display was fitted with eight Phoenix seats and a PLS inboard tail lift; with the seats removed it can carry five wheelchairs. The wheelchair lift can also be fitted underfloor. Side entry steps and hand rails are provided at the sliding entry door.
Ilesbus
Turkish body builder Ilesbus now has a UK dealer in the form of Ilesbus UK, ownership being split 50/50 by the family behind Ilesbus in Turkey and the owners of Swansea Coachworks, a name which is now being phased out to concentrate on Ilesbus products only.
Two vehicles were on display: a new shape Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 516 CDI in 16-seat Tourism specification and an Iveco Turbo Daily in Vesta Tourism specification. Both feature luxury interiors and Valeo air conditioning. The Tourism is available with a seating capacity of up to 19 seats, the Vesta Tourism as 25 seats and two tables or 29 seats and it also features air suspension and a retarder.
London Hire
Showing a Ford Transit Connect, London Hire has specified the vehicle with a rear ramp which enables to carry four passengers plus a wheelchair. The Connect is in the livery of Milton Keynes Council Care and Respond unit, which is a unit that deals in older persons day care services.
London Hire now has a rental fleet that exceeds 900 vehicles. Options vary from four to 32 seater vehicles with a variety of wheelchair lift options if required.
Mellor Coachcraft
Mellor announced it has built on the successful Strata platform, launching the Strata Plus and Strata Ultra. A demonstrator vehicle of each was on its stand this year.
Like the original Strata, both vehicles are built on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, which will now be offered on the new model 907 complete with its various technological upgrades. Each has an extended wheelbase of 5.1m and an increased body length. The Strata Plus has been extended by 400mm on the base Strata to a length of 8.1m, while the Strata Ultra reaches a length of 8.8m.
Once again, Mellor has sought to ensure there is seating capacity for the vast majority of passengers each vehicle can carry. The Strata Plus can seat up to 23 passengers and carry a further three standees, while the Strata Ultra can be specified with up to 27 passenger seats and standing room for three.
Each vehicle has three tip-up seats on the offside of the low-floor area, which can be stowed to allow space for a wheelchair. When a wheelchair is on board, a further two standees can be carried, meaning overall bus capacity is unaffected.
Mellor claims it has managed to maintain the 5,500kg GVW of the base Strata with the Strata Plus through various improvements, including a new lightweight Kiel passenger seat. The interior upgrades made have been passed down to the standard Strata as well. The Strata Ultra has a GVW of 6,000kg.
A number of options and accessories are available for both vehicles. USB charging points can be provided at every seating position, a reversing camera can be specified and various seat trim options are available, amongst other enhancements.
John Randerson, Managing Director of Mellor, said that over 100 Mellor Stratas have been sold to-date, with many of them finding their way into large bus operator fleets. These operators have challenged Mellor to develop the product further. “They’re being treated as small buses, which is exactly what we were aiming for,” he noted.
“The Strata carries all the features you would expect from a big bus, but with a low purchase price and a fuel economy of 20mpg. Where bus routes are seen to be not quite commercially viable, products like this encourage operators to think differently.”
The Strata Plus is already available off-the-shelf, while the Strata Ultra is going through the final stages of durability testing and is expected to be available in the first quarter of 2019.
John also said Mellor’s recent movement into the export market is progressing well: “We have vehicles going to Sweden, Germany and Australia, along with a launch in Hong Kong at the end of November. Demonstrations have taken place in Norway and Gibraltar. We’re really starting to gain traction in the EU.”
Minibus World
Offering minibuses produced by all the leading manufacturers, Minibus World is offering a large selection of vehicles from stock, including the electric LDV minibus. Client-supplied vehicles can also be adapted, modified and converted.
Noone Turas
The big news on the Noone Turas stand was the introduction of a DAF-based vehicle into the range. The DAF LF-based Turas 900s is available in two lengths, the 33-seater based on the 10T chassis with a 4,800mm wheelbase and the 37-seater based on the 12T chassis with a 5,100mm wheelbase.
Powered by the Paccar-DAF PX5 producing 213hp, driven through a ZF six-speed manual or a ZF AS-Tronic 6 Speed 6AS800 OD automated gearbox.
The Turas 900s will run alongside the current 900 range which offers the same seating capacity options, but
on a Mercedes-Benz Atego chassis.
The price point on the DAF option will be lower compared to the Mercedes-Benz option. Specification on the 900s includes a roof-mounted Valeo Spheros REVO 200 air-conditioning system, saloon convection heating, Bosch entertainment system, USB charging points at each seat, wood effect flooring including centre aisle carpet, LED floor lighting and a reversing camera.
Luggage capacity is good, with a large boot and two side lockers providing 6.2m3 on the 33-seater and 6.7m3 on the 37-seat option.
Parabolic springs are used for the front suspension and air bags are fitted to the rear. Intrusion from the front-mounted Paccar PX5 engine is minimal due to the height and length of the 900s. The driving position is very good with all controls to hand, and the DAF steering wheel features carbon fibre styling at the top which has also been matched to the top of the dashboard.
The announcement of Midlands Bus and Coach Sales as UK agent for the Turas range will also allow operators to view the range at the Tamworth site, and they will also hold some parts for the range.
Nu-Track
A City Lift based on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter was on display, designed to carry 22 seated passengers or up to six wheelchairs. The wide 2,260mm body on the City Lift allows a gangway width of 500mm, making the interior easy to board and alight.
The demonstration vehicle is fitted with a luggage rack behind the driver’s cab to satisfy the needs of the education boards in Nothern Ireland, where this is not specified additional legroom is provided on the offside. An Eberspacher D5 auxiliary system provides heating to the saloon, with two opening windows on each side and a glass roof vent for ventilation.
A BCE plug door opens to three shallow steps to the saloon with glazed twin ambulance style doors to the rear that allow wheelchair access via the PLS accessLite cassette lift. This demonstrator also featured inbuilt yellow LED lights to the front and rear to warn when the vehicle is boarding or alighting. A LED school bus sign is also built in between these lights. A reversing camera is fitted. The low-floor City Dash, 30-seater Stellar and 35-seat Pulse are still available in the range, but the low-floor Nu-Vibe that could carry four wheelchairs and 21 seated passengers is no longer available.
Stanford Coachworks
A Renault Master Business+ minibus was displayed on the Stanford Coachworks stand. It has been converted to an eight seater or can carry seven with one seat removed, allowing for one wheelchair. The Renault Master also included full soft trim to the interior, seating made by Phoenix and NMI seat securing brackets. A high specification BraunAbility Q-Series internal tail lift to the rear which when in the stored position still allows easy entry and exiting via the rear doors without the need to deploy the lift due to the platform folding into two halves on each side of the vehicle. Additional LED lighting is provided for when the rear doors are open, allowing easy operation of the lift when in use at night. Interior heating and cooling options are provided by Eberspacher or Webasto depending on the customer’s requirements.
TBC Conversions
The Northern Ireland-based vehicle converter showed one of four of its remaining pre-facelift Volkswagen Crafters that it has in stock. The Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle recognised conversion offers a three year bumper to bumper warranty on all of its conversions. The Volkswagen Crafter CR50 LWB Maxi 163ps on show had 16 passenger seats on quick release legs and wheels made by CT Lite, front passenger entry to the vehicle being assisted by an Electric 800mm cantilever step with an BraunAbility Vista internal lift to the rear. Taking the seats out allows for up to six wheelchairs to be carried. An Eberspacher D2 provides the saloon heating.
Travel by Knight
The first UK sleeper Mercedes-Benz Sprinter converted by Swansea Coachworks was on display, along with its owner to promote the sleeper minibus concept to visitors.
Unwin
Unwin introduced its new wheelchair lift, the E-Series, a new range of lightweight wheelchair lifts that are 12% lighter than previous models. Manufactured in steel and weighing in at 137kg, the E-Series has a lifting capacity of 400kg. The E-Series shares the same element of platform stability as the premium Q-Series model. Another recent development at Unwin is the Bespoke semi-automatic step lift, which acts as normal vehicle entry steps with an integrated wheelchair lift. This system allows the vehicle to have one entrance rather than having a separate wheelchair lift. It has a loading capacity of 300kg and can be used in all types of passenger carrying vehicles including coaches.
[/wlm_ismember]