Transdev has allowed three of its bus drivers to preview of a £2.34m fleet of new double-decker Wrightbus-bodied Volvo B5s before they enter service with Coastliner this Autumn.
Michael Hill, Adam Davies and Pete Burnett are all drivers at the Coastliner depot in Malton, North Yorkshire. They all won the chance to see the company’s new buses being completed at the Wrightbus factory in Northern Ireland, as part of a competition to thank Coastliner drivers for their hard work during a busy summer season on the bus network linking Leeds, York, Malton and the East Coast.
The 10 new vehicles, to be introduced this Autumn, will feature LED lighting, wood effect flooring, part leather seating, 4G WiFi, USB points at every seat and glazed upper deck roof panels to let in more natural light.
Each new Coastliner bus will utilise a bespoke new livery created by Best Impressions.
On board, there’ll be two new ‘family zones’ on the upper deck, complete with tables, wireless mobile device charging pads and plug in charging sockets with integrated USB points – while downstairs, rear seat passengers will also have their own tables.
Scrolling information screens on both decks will feature next stop audio-visual announcements and on the outside, destination equipment will feature a countdown to departure time at key calling points.
The new Coastliner fleet will also include a 14-camera CCTV system inside and outside the bus, push button emergency exit glazing and a fully glazed stairway with LED lighting throughout both decks, under the seats and on the staircase. The new buses will offer extra space for luggage on the lower deck.
Transdev Blazefield CEO, Alex Hornby, said: “Our high specification for these new vehicles will deliver a major upgrade in quality, taking the best features from the 36: Riding Redefined buses which we introduced earlier this year and incorporating them into an all-new bus packed with the most up-to-the-minute technology.
“The new Coastliner buses will offer the most comfortable and stylish way to travel across Yorkshire, from Leeds, Tadcaster and York all the way across to Malton and the East Coast. We’re very excited to be setting the pace in public transport once again with these top of the range buses.”
Driver Michael Hill added: “We all agreed that the new buses for Coastliner are absolutely stunning – they’re a real game changer.
“The buses are really impressive, and will usher in a new era of amazing, first class travel for our customers on Coastliner – we can’t wait to get our hands on them.”
