Lancashire County Council has taken delivery of 15 Mercedes-Benz Sprinters with Mellor Strata High Floor coachbuilt accessible bodywork for special educational needs and adult social care transport services.
They continue a long relationship between the local authority and Mellor. Of Lancashire County Council’s fleet of 130 passenger vehicles, 75% are from the Rochdale manufacturer. Strong collaboration between the two parties, flexibility in configuration and reliability of the Sprinter base unit are cited as the reasons for that longevity.
Each of the new arrivals has 16 removable seats and capacity to carry up to six wheelchair users. Accessibility is via an inboard rear lift, while at the front is a single-leaf glider door.
The driver gets a reversing camera and reversing sensors as well as the Cycle Eye system. Those fittings “contribute to a seamless and secure travel experience for both passengers and operators,” says Mellor.
Mellor’s design team worked with the local authority to accommodate change requests through the procurement process.
Speaking about the delivery, Lancashire County Council Transport Services Manager Ian Wilkin (pictured, centre) adds: “The Mellor Strata High Floor vehicles significantly improve punctuality through their reliability and efficiency.
“The ongoing collaboration with Mellor ensures that we receive vehicles that meet our exact needs, making a tangible difference in the daily operation of our transport services.”
