Since passing into Dumarey Group ownership, Woodall Nicholson businesses Mellor and Treka Bus have majored on their roots of building small, accessible buses. Both have a long pedigree in that field and Woodall Nicholson CEO John Randerson believes that will continue with the forthcoming Treka CitySprint, a low-entry minibus conversion of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.
Demand for products in its class has accelerated in recent years, with growing interest around demand responsive transport (DRT) from local authorities being a contributor. John sees DRT as a prime market for the CitySprint, but he points to it suiting other use cases such as lower-demand fixed-route duties, workplace shuttles and community transport applications.
The first CitySprint is due off Treka’s Brighouse production line in early 2026. Orders for a double-figure number have been taken. “We went to market before having a vehicle to show to customers because I am so confident that the product will work,” says John.
Why so? “Because we have been doing this type of manufacturing for so long,” he continues, as evidence pointing to both Treka and Mellor’s longstanding supply of Sprinter-based minibuses. Treka has until now built high-floor accessible models, while Mellor has more than eight years’ experience with the coachbuilt Strata – a model that saw an upgrade earlier this year.
Low-floor versatility key for Treka CitySprint
The low-floor concept used in the CitySprint is shared with the Strata, although the metalwork is not identical. It is fabricated and installed by Woodall Nicholson businesses JM Engineering and Promech Engineering in Scarborough, where other chassis adaptation along with fabrication and welding takes place. Fit out for the CitySprint follows at Brighouse. It and the Strata use the same means of lowering the prop shaft to pass under the dropped floor.
Two sizes of low-floor area are to be used to suit the pair of lengths that the CitySprint will be built at. Of the latter, 7.4m will sit alongside 8.1m, with the difference being within the wheelbase. And it is the configuration there that has occupied considerable time during the design phase.
“On the 7.4m model we were determined to make the [wheelchair user] space as large as possible so someone with reduced mobility, or with a buggy, did not feel hemmed in,” John explains. “Of course, our product meets the regulations, but we wanted to do better than that.”
For the larger 8.1m variant, a key selling point is that it can carry two wheelchair users in the low-floor area. John notes how repeated requests for that capability in a conversion had been received.
“I had not seen it anywhere else, and we felt that we had enough knowledge and technical wherewithal through our relationship with Mercedes-Benz UK to extend the wheelbase to deliver what is being asked for,” he continues. There is flexibility in the layout; a wheelchair user and a buggy can also be carried, and if neither is aboard, the space can be used for standing passengers.
Lightweight nature is critical to new product
To its smaller size, the CitySprint will carry up to 22 passengers. Four more can be accommodated in the 8.1m model to give 26.
Both totals are achieved with no change to the ex-factory gross weight, which is 5,500kg. The benefits of all fabrication and conversion work sitting in-house is cited by John as a major contributor to that achievement.
“This again leans on the beauty of us having been in the business for a long time,” he says. “Because we are the design authority, we know every nut and bolt that goes into the vehicle, how much it weighs, and how much value it adds.”
Sitting alongside that is use of composite materials and structural adhesives. Lightweight duplex steel is also utilised.
The relationship between Woodall Nicholson businesses and Mercedes-Benz UK works in favour of the CitySprint. Hundreds of Sprinters pass through Mellor and Treka each year and the new product is fully backed by the base vehicle supplier. Like Strata, which had a letter of no objection before the first was sold, CitySprint will be fully identifiable on Mercedes-Benz systems.
“The dealer network will not see it as a van; they will be informed that it is a Sprinter with defined conversion activity. It will be clear to workshops,” John notes. That is a critical consideration for many reasons, he says. As an example, addition of the low-floor area requires exhaust rerouting. Vehicles are delivered from Germany with that already in place, and it is reflected by Mercedes-Benz records should parts be needed in the future.
A three-year Mercedes-Benz warranty is provided. It is coupled to seven years’ coverage of the conversion by Treka. The length of that reflects Treka’s confidence in the new product, John adds. Low Emission Bus certification by Zemo Partnership is on the agenda once the first CitySprint is complete.
Treka: listening to buyers’ needs on CitySprint production
Two standard trim levels will be available on the CitySprint: Premium and Premium Plus. There is also scope to configure beyond those, with customers welcome to visit the factory in Brighouse. Premium and Premium Plus will be offered on each of the two lengths. Kiel seats will be standard, but it is likely that other suppliers will be added.
In Premium form, the buyer will get everything required to put a competent minibus into service. It will include front, side and rear destination displays as part of PSVAR compliance, and cab air-conditioning. To that, Premium Plus will add various comfort items such as optional saloon air-conditioning, a higher seat specification, and more. PSV Accessible Information Regulations equipment can be added to both trim levels.
“With Premium and Premium Plus, we believe that we can cover the two most common sets of what buyers want,” John says. “Beyond that, there is a ‘bucket’ of around 10 options. We welcome customers mixing and matching what they want; CitySprint is about making the product as configurable as it can be.”
OEM rear doors will be retained, while the CitySprint in completed form will be held in stock by Treka at both lengths and to Premium and Premium Plus configuration. As with other products, the standard practice of no customer deposit being required on orders placed will continue with the CitySprint.
Domestic build a point of pride for Woodall Nicholson chief
Mellor has supplied Stratas to operators delivering the franchised Bee Network in Greater Manchester. John has a close eye on rollout of further regulated services elsewhere and believes that the CitySprint could develop a niche there. Bee Network procurement has illustrated how franchising authorities are willing to seek alternatives to large buses when specific social needs are identified.
“With the right bus in the right circumstances, it is possible to stimulate demand. That can lead to frequency increases and a requirement for more vehicles,” he observes. When coupled to other markets where the Woodall Nicholson bus businesses are strong, he sees franchised networks as representing a strong ongoing opportunity for both CitySprint and Strata.
Electrification is also on the agenda. A Woodall Nicholson bus model is expected to debut in that form within 12 months. Focus on upfront purchase price is the priority there, John continues. “The whole thrust of what our engineers are working on [for zero-emission] is making our vehicles affordable.”
Of CitySprint, he believes it will bring something new to its part of the market. That all conversion work will be handled in the UK is a major selling point; buyers can visit the factory, specify their vehicles with those who will build them, and later see them on the production line. The Woodall Nicholson chief describes that as “an intrinsic customer value” of building here.
“Across Woodall Nicholson businesses we will produce close to 1,500 vehicles this year. I am as proud as I can be about that, and the collective benefit provided to the 400 people within our organisation. It supports UK PLC,” he says. With orders already in hand, a bold approach to the product and a customer-centred view, there is every indication of the CitySprint adding to that.
