Alexander Dennis
Limited (ADL) and operator Blackpool Transport have teamed up with
The
Blackpool
Sixth Form College to help shape the future of customer-friendly
transport. At a special local event, Travel and Tourism students from
the college gave their feedback on ADL’s Enviro400 City
demonstrator, fitted with the Passenger Plus specification package,
which has previously been trialed in Blackpool. Results will be presented via video at the ALBUM conference, to be held in Blackpool
on 9th+10th
May 2017.
Blackpool Transport and
ADL have been working in partnership since 2016 as the operator rolls
out its vision of a fleet in which no bus is older than five years.
After taking delivery of an initial ten Enviro400 City double deck
buses last summer, this true collaboration has just taken the next
step with a further 25 new buses of the same type entering service in
Blackpool this month.
The
latest buses feature group seating on the upper saloon which means
that families, children and adults alike can make better use of their
travel time with seats arranged sociably around three tables.
Blackpool Transport is evaluating the
comprehensive Passenger Plus specification package of ADL’s
demonstrator vehicle, first unveiled at Euro Bus Expo in November
2016, with a view to potentially introducing some of the features on
upcoming vehicles. Passenger Plus brings together a wealth of
customer-focused elements all designed to enhance the appeal of bus travel, such as individual amenity
sets integrated into seatbacks and three glazed roof panels along the
length of the vehicle.
To ensure that the voices of future
customers are heard in the decision making process when designing
Blackpool’s buses, the survey invited the students from Blackpool
Sixth to learn about ADL’s strategy before being treated to a test
drive of the demonstrator vehicle and given the chance to share their
reactions and suggestions.
The students will form a key part of the
agenda when presenting the results of the survey via video at the
ALBUM conference on 9th+10th
May 2017.
James Carney, Finance & Commercial
Director at Blackpool Transport said: “Taking high tech buses to
customers and future employees to hear their views is a key part to
our strategy of community engagement.””
Jill Gray, Principal of Blackpool Sixth,
commented: “The visit represents a wonderful opportunity for our
students to play a part in shaping the future of public transport in
their area. The experience is extremely relevant to their studies in
travel and tourism and will widen their understanding of the workings
of the transport industry. We are very grateful to both ADL and
Blackpool Transport for choosing to work with our students in this
innovative way.”
Keith Watson, Customer Development Director
at ADL, added: “We are delighted by the opportunity to hear from
young bus users on how we can make our buses even more responsive to
their needs. Building on our proven track record of working with all
stakeholders to build Britain’s best buses, we are proud to develop
the buses of the future together with their future passengers.”
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The Enviro400 City was first shown at Euro Bus Expo in 2016 showing a wealth of customer-focused elements |
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