Customcare, the aftermarket division of Wrights Group, has undertaken a specialist conversion project for Dublin-based city sightseeing bus operator the Dualway Group
Two Eclipse Gemini 2-bodied Volvo B9TLs have been converted into open top sightseeing buses for deployment on a range of routes throughout Dublin. A third vehicle is to undergo the same conversion and enter into service in 2016 and will feature a multi-language system for the benefit of non-English speaking tourists to the city.
This is the first Wrightbus-approved, open top double-decker structural alteration to be carried out by Customcare’s special projects team at the company’s headquarters in Ballymena. These are also the first ever Wrightbus vehicles to be added to the Dualway fleet.Ian Downie, MD Sales and Customcare for Wrightbus, said: “This project heralds a double first for us with Dualway Group with our first open top conversion and the first time we’ve supplied our vehicles into their fleet. We hope this will be the start of the long and successful business relationship with them.”
David McConn, Chief Executive Officer of Dualway Group, added: “The Wrightbus Gemini 2 is renowned for its operational performance as well as for its external appearance and passenger comfort.
“This project, which has transformed the two buses into specialist city sightseeing vehicles, has been excellent and we’re particularly pleased with the quality of the conversion and finish. We look forward to our third bus being completed and entering into service next year.”
The conversion project included the removal of the roof behind the staircase enclosure and the strengthening of the side and rear frames to comply with the Customcare stress engineers’ stringent requirements. Other changes involved the lowering of the rear end frame to suit the new rear dome top section and extra drain holes were added to ensure the fast removal of any rainwater. Plastic waterproof seats have also been added to the open top section.
The electrical system, situated at the back of the bus, has been fully waterproofed as have the speakers used by the driver and travel guide PA system.
In addition to specialist conversion and adaptation projects, Customcare provides a dedicated support infrastructure for Wrightbus customers which centres around maximising vehicle availability and productivity. It also covers all aspects of warranty administration and repair, technician training and technical documentation.
