Nottingham City Transport has placed its first order with Wrightbus for many years in the form of six StreetDeck Ultroliner diesel double-deckers for use on the Pathfinder 26 route between the city and Southwell.
The buses are due into service during the autumn. They will be to a high specification that includes high-backed seats, space for two wheelchair users, a table upstairs, and improved accessibility features.
Managing Director David Astill says that the vehicles will represent a significant upgrade on the existing Pathfinder 26 fleet, which is over a decade old.
“As one of our longest bus routes, battery-electric vehicles aren’t a viable or realistic option for Pathfinder 26 currently or in the immediate future, but these buses can be repowered by Wrightbus and its NewPower business in the future to be fully electric, which is something we will consider when battery technology advances further.”
In welcoming the Nottingham City Transport order, Wrightbus CEO Jean-Marc Gales acknowledges that although the Ballymena manufacturer has greatly advanced its zero-emission bus offering, “the fact remains that not all operators can access the funding to make the immediate switch to zero-emission.”
He continues: “This combination of the latest generation of engines from Cummins and the latest technology from Voith, coupled to our industry-leading Micro Hybrid technology, means that these StreetDeck Ultroliners offer optimal efficiency in the diesel market.
“We are delighted that Wrightbus ultra-low emission vehicles that have been designed and built here in the UK will soon be on the streets of Nottingham, offering passengers a comfortable journey while also helping to lower emissions.”
The StreetDeck Ultroliners will be the first Wrightbus products delivered to Nottingham City Transport since a small batch of articulated Scania L94UA vehicles with Solar Fusion bodies in the early-2000s. One of those is now part of the Nottingham Heritage Vehicles Charity collection.
