Buses Outside Plymouth Week - Blackpool

Buses Outside Plymouth Week

Blackpool

Blog post from: http://thenorthwestbusblog.co.uk/tomharrison/new-bus-for-blackpool/

Good evening everyone

Today is another post from Buses Outside Plymouth Week

The posts so far:
http://www.busesaroundplymouth.co.uk/2016/02/buses-outside-plymouth-week-bristol.html
http://www.busesaroundplymouth.co.uk/2016/02/buses-outside-plymouth-week-liverpool.html
http://www.busesaroundplymouth.co.uk/2016/02/buses-outside-plymouth-week-manchester.html

And for more info: http://www.busesaroundplymouth.co.uk/2016/02/welcome-to-buses-outside-plymouth-week.html

Blackpool Transport is the first operator outside London to order the new Alexander Dennis Enviro400 City double-decker bus.

Ten Alexander Dennis Enviro400 City buses are on order to the value of £2 million. They will be 72-seat one-door Euro6 diesel variants and will replace a mix of five Volvo Olympian double decks and five Optare Solo midi buses, and will operate on high profile Palladium service 9 between Blackpool town centre and Cleveleys.

Interior features will include E-leather seats, wood-effect floors, WiFi and USB charging points, ‘next stop’ visuals and audio announcements, as well as a glazed staircase. The new buses will be to the same specification that of the Palladium branded Mercedes-Benz Citaros purchased last year for service 5 between Victoria Hospital and Halfway House via Blackpool town centre.

Jane Cole, Managing Director of Blackpool Transport, commented:  “The introduction of these leading-edge vehicles forms part of our on-going investment in modern buses. Our aim is to enhance the customer experience, provide value-for-money and encourage people out of their cars and onto public transport.

“The ADL City bus is a stunning, high-performance, eco-friendly vehicle that sets the pace and reinforces our commitment to continuous improvement and further enhancement of the passenger experience.”

Richard Matthews, Sales Director ADL Retail Bus and Coach, commented: “We are delighted to be working with Blackpool Transport on this break-through contract. They will be the first transport operator in the country to introduce the one-door 72-seat variant of the Enviro400 City, which we launched just a few months ago. As we said at the time, it brings together style and innovation.

“In addition to the latest low-emission technology, it introduces a whole range of new features. The glazed stairwell is obviously a big attraction, as is the wrap-around driver’s windscreen with the wipers recessed at the top.

“Customers are also intrigued by the combination of the shallow upper deck front window, which – along with hopper windows and other design features – significantly reduces solar heat on warm, sunny days. And, of course, our unique QRG (quick release glazing) continues to be as popular as ever.”

These will be the first new double deckers to Blackpool Transport for ten years – the longest such gap the fleet has experienced, beating the 9-year gap between the last PD3s and first Atlanteans, explains Paul Turner from the Fylde Bus Blog.

Sources - Alexander Dennis, The North West Bus Blog (in particular, Tom Harrison) (information used)

So, where next in the UK? Find out tomorrow