UK Bus Operator of the Year Reading Buses today announced a
groundbreaking £1.3 million order with British bus manufacturer
Wrightbus for six of its Streetdeck double deck models.
Incorporating
latest technology, many innovations and a number of ‘wow’ factors, the
project has set out to enhance the on-board experience of customers and
raise the profile of buses in Reading.
The Wrightbus
order follows Reading Buses 'summer bus trials' undertaken last year
where the operator evaluated a number of new models, including a New
Routemaster from London which is also built by the Ballymena-based
manufacturer.
The buses, which will upgrade Reading
Buses orange routes between Woodley and Reading, will be fitted with the
latest environmental features such as engines meeting the Euro 6
emission standard and additionally featuring Wrightbus’ latest
'MicroHybrid' fuel efficient technologies, including the first of their
kind to be fitted with automatic engine 'start-stop.’
Reading
Buses is continuing to adopt the Lazzerini Ethos seat following
successful deployment on its 2015 vehicle intake. This super lightweight
seat uses approaches from the aviation industry to produce around a 30%
weight saving.
The enhanced model has been re-worked
by Lazzerini, Reading Buses and its design agency Best Impressions to
further enhance both visual appeal and customer comfort. Combined with
Wrightbus' overall lightweight and fuel efficient approach to the whole
vehicle, the buses will also meet the Government's stringent Low Carbon
Bus criteria, something that's generally the domain of lighter, weight
single deck vehicles.
As well as comfortable seating,
the partners behind the project have set out to considerably enhance the
on-board experience of customers and create a number of 'wow' factors
that will continue to raise the profile of buses in Reading by clearly
demonstrating that they are a modern, dependable and sustainable travel
mode.
Features will include a glazed staircase and roof
panels and the now standard 4G WiFi and USB charging points as well as
harness the best features from the claret spritzer student buses, such
as social seating, which were launched on the University of Reading
route last year.
Martijn Gilbert, Chief Executive
Officer of Reading Buses, said today: "We've worked hard with Wrightbus,
our design agency Best Impressions and other partners to ensure that
these buses will provide a further step change in local bus services for
our customers.
“Using the latest innovations in many
design and engineering features, and best practice from across the
transport industry, we will be delivering a bus that will not only offer
the highest standards of customer comfort and ambiance, but also one
that has been optimised to achieve class leading fuel economy and
environmental credentials - luxury will meet efficiency.
“We
are delighted to be working with Wrightbus, especially in their 70th
anniversary year, on what will be a flagship project for everyone
involved.”
Ian Downie, Managing Director, Sales and
Customcare at Wrightbus, said: “Wrightbus is honoured to receive this
prestigious order from Reading Buses. We were delighted to participate
in the summer trials.
“The engagement with Reading and
their partners has created a groundbreaking vehicle that surpasses
environmental legislation requirements with superb economy and, most
importantly, provides our mutual end customer with the wow factor.
“Reading
Buses has ensured the customer is at the forefront of their thoughts
and Wrightbus has delivered a customer driven solution that surpasses
expectations.”
The buses will enter service from the start of September 2016 on Reading Buses' orange routes 13 and 14 to Woodley.