Stephen Haywood, Southern Area Sales Manager for Mellor, looks at the key features and benefits offered by low-floor buses as well as discussing why they are such a practical option where operators are concerned
In these uncertain times, local authority fleet managers continue to be faced with their budgets being squeezed and need to find the best solutions for their transport requirements. Sourcing the best vehicles to meet their needs and those of their passengers while keeping costs down can be a tricky balancing act. Low-floor buses offer flexibility and low operating costs and in many cases are now becoming the vehicle of choice.
The first key benefit of low floor buses affects wheelchair users, as this type of vehicle offers much more dignified and probably more inclusive access to public transport. At the same time, operators and drivers also have much to gain by working with a low-floor fleet.
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For the wheelchair user and driver alike, boarding the bus is much more efficient and importantly, dignified. For the operator, the fact there is no passenger lift in turn eliminates any associated maintenance costs, stringent and regular testing and staff training. All of these elements are important considerations in the overall cost of ownership for the lifetime of the vehicle. Additionally, with no passenger lift, the risk of accidents is eradicated.
For the drivers, there is much to gain from low-floor buses. Easier access, improved visibility and no hassle of time-consuming passenger lift operations means less to have to worry about on a day-to-day basis.
In today’s market, low-floor buses are widely available in a range of versatile and flexible models. Fleet managers are only too aware that passenger needs and expectations are changing and will seek a bus that not only meets their needs but will effectively exceed them. In addition, the bonus of improved cost of ownership offered by many low-floor buses is something that cannot be ignored.
Many of the UK’s leading operators are adopting the concept of low-floor. A good example is Transport for London Dial-a-Ride adding 90 Mellor Tucana buses to its fleet. As well as featuring low-floor operation, these vehicles also meet the stringent emissions requirements of the capital’s ultra-low emissions zone (ULEZ).
We have also seen a number of forward-thinking local authorities throughout the UK make the switch to low-floor single step entry buses. Some of these include Monmouthshire County Council, which is operating Mellor’s Tucana and Strata Plus vehicles, Dorset County Council which runs a predominantly Orion-based fleet and South Lanarkshire Council. Many more have also benefitted from the improvements made to low-floor technology in recent years. Features and benefits such as reliability, robustness and flexibility are major contributors and the overall passenger experience has also been substantially improved and provides a more inclusive environment.
Times are quickly changing and the industry is witnessing a resurgence in the selection and deployment of smaller low-floor buses to meet a whole range of requirements for passengers, drivers and operators.
Easy access to the bus for the passenger, be they able bodied or a wheelchair user, needs to take place without any fuss or delay. Today’s bus traveller has high expectations and they want the same features and benefits they receive on larger buses, such as information screens, free WiFi and USB charging points. Small low-floor buses can give them all of these things in exactly the same way larger vehicles do.
To meet these needs and expectations operators are looking to provide such features and they are paramount in their minds when they make their purchasing decision. In the end, this will go a long way to encouraging increased use of public transport, bringing environmental benefits and helping to reduce congestion.
Mellor is committed to reducing operating costs with highly engineered, innovative vehicles thereby helping operators meet their tight budgets.
The company currently boasts the widest range of small low-floor buses available on the UK market, providing real choice and value for fleet managers. It is always a good idea to work closely with the bus manufacturer to source the right vehicle which will meet particular requirements of the operator.
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