Alexander Dennis is to supply six Enviro200 buses in a bespoke specification to LeShuttle, part of Getlink group. LeShuttle, which operates trains for road vehicles through the Channel Tunnel between terminals at Folkestone and Calais, runs freight shuttles for heavy goods vehicles in addition to car and coach services. On freight shuttles, drivers travel in a Club Car at the front of the train, and as LeShuttle trains are half a mile in length, the company uses a fleet of midibuses to take drivers along the platform from and to their lorries. As such, it plans to replace some of its older fleet of step-entrance vehicles with brand new low-emission, low-floor buses.
Six new 8.9m long Alexander Dennis Enviro200s will join LeShuttle in the coming months following their preparation at Alexander Dennis’ AD24 Service Centre in Harlow. This will see an additional door added on the driver’s side to enable flexible boarding and alighting on both sides of the bus, as trains can stop at either platform face.
Security Logistics & Transport Manager at LeShuttle Rod Hunt said: “It was an easy decision to return to Alexander Dennis for our new buses as the six similar, earlier-model Enviro200s we bought in 2015 and 2018 have performed extremely well. The combination of doors on both sides and low-floor access ensures that they can pick up and drop off drivers safely as well as quickly, and is a testament to Alexander Dennis’ great approach to meeting customer requirements.”
Alexander Dennis Regional Sales Manager Mark Taylor added: “We’re delighted to continue to support LeShuttle. This order again demonstrates the versatility of the Enviro200 and its ability to be adapted to any working environment. It’s a credit to Wayne Allen and the expertise of his team at our Harlow AD24 Service Centre that we can begin deliveries soon.”
The buses will be used at the operator’s Folkstone terminal.