New versatile buses unveiled

NOTTS County Council is unveiling the first of a fleet of new, multi-purpose buses.

The county council has worked in partnership with Bluebird Vehicles of North Yorkshire and invested over £1 million in 18 new, state-of-the-art buses.

The low-floor, environmentally friendly buses can be used on all types of journeys, including trips to day centres and special needs schools and for use on rural local bus and community transport services.

Because they are multi-purpose they can be on the road all day long, therefore providing a more economical service and removing the need for individual, specialised vehicles. They are based on a 15-seat layout and can accommodate up to four wheelchairs.

“We believe these buses show the way forward for local transport provision in Nottinghamshire,” said Mark Hudson, group manager transport and travel services for the county council.

“Their multi purpose use will ensure the county council can make the most efficient use of this valuable resource, ensuring that service costs are contained and sustainable.”

“Because they are multi-functional, they can undertake a variety of other work rather than being limited to one particular service. The low floor at the front means they can be easily accessed by all users and that in turn does away with the need for a tail lift at the back which helps save on maintenance costs.”

The first of the buses are being used on adult day care runs, but the plan is to use them for services right across the day.

”For example they might start the day doing a school run, then take a turn at running people to and from day centres before a spell as a local bus for rural areas, then returning for the school run again,” added Mr Hudson.