FirstGroup, the UK’s leading bus and rail operator, today revealed
that its bus division has ordered 464 new vehicles worth £76m for
delivery in the 2013/14 financial year. This order will bring First’s
investment in new buses to around £240m in three years.
First also confirmed that more than 95% of its 2013/14 manufacture
will be in the UK. The bulk of the order will be built by Falkirk based
Alexander Dennis Limited (222 vehicles) and Ballymena based Wrightbus
(179 vehicles). Volvo Group UK will manage its 37 bus contract from its
headquarters in Warwick, while Leeds company Optare will manufacture
18. A further eight vehicles will be ordered, but as yet no decision
has been taken as to the manufacturer.
The interior of each vehicle will be laid out to First’s
specification which was designed last year following extensive customer
research. This seeks to maximise the flexibility for both buggies and
wheelchairs whilst providing additional grab rails for all passengers
whether seated or standing. All vehicles will be fitted with Wi-Fi so
that customers can stay connected whilst on the move.
“Investment in our bus division continues apace,” said Giles Fearnley, Managing Director of First UK Bus.
“We are committed to growing our business and encouraging more people
to use our services and to use them more often. These new buses will
see our investment reach some £240m in nearly 1500 vehicles over the
last three years. This is enabling us to make a step change in the
quality of service that we offer.”
He continued: “It’s really important that we provide the very
greatest flexibility for those customers using wheelchairs and buggies.
Fitting Wi-Fi as standard is also increasingly important for our
customers and all the vehicles will have leather or e-leather seating.
We are determined to be at the forefront of customer service across the
British bus industry.”
Mr Fearnley also said he was delighted that First continues to
support British bus manufacturers. “Our manufacturing partners continue
to lead the world in terms of quality and value for money. I’m
pleased that our tradition of supporting the British transport industry
remains strong.”
Colin Robertson, Chief Executive of Alexander Dennis Limited, said:
“We are delighted to be supplying almost 50% of FirstGroup’s total new
vehicle requirement this year. It is an endorsement of our class-leading
products and the business relationship we have grown and nurtured with
FirstGroup in recent years, working with them to raise the bar for the
whole industry. I am particularly pleased that 142 of the 222 buses we
will build for them are ultra-fuel efficient, 14-tonne Enviro300 single
decks. These are achieving 9 - 10 mpg, which is best-in-class and
provides significant whole life fuel savings versus many vehicles in
service today.”
Wright Group Managing Director, Mark Nodder, said: “Wrightbus is
thrilled to be awarded this substantial order from FirstGroup. It is a
huge endorsement of the development of our StreetLite range of
lightweight buses, which proved themselves best in class in every
category at fuel trials conducted at Millbrook Proving Grounds under the
close scrutiny of FirstGroup’s engineers. We look forward to continuing
our close working relationship with First, a partnership which has
lasted more than 17 years.”
Ian Downie, Project Director at Volvo Bus, said: “It is fantastic
news that our partnership with FirstGroup continues with this new tender
award, and in particular, with the repeat order for our complete single
deck citybus, the Volvo 7900 hybrid. The continued success of the Volvo
B7RLE ensures it is the 18 tonne city bus product of FirstGroup’s’
choice.”
Optare’s Deputy CEO, Glenn Saint, said: “I am very pleased that
FirstGroup is putting our Versa model into its fleet and I have no doubt
that it will meet, and exceed all their expectations. Versa is a well
proven model, renowned for providing the highest standards of passenger
and driver comfort, excellent reliability and class-leading fuel
efficiency, and I'm sure it will deliver on all of these key points for
FirstGroup.”
First’s new buses will be fitted with EURO V engines. The £76m order
consists primarily of single decker and midi buses with 42 double
deckers. It follows the delivery in 2012 of a very high number of double
deckers for First’s Olympic Shuttle services.