Charity York Wheels has taken delivery of a pair of Mellor Orion accessible minibuses for its dial-a-ride service in the city.
The minibuses have been funded by a City of York Council grant, with the local authority also subsidising their operation. They can each carry 16 passengers, or 12 seated travellers with two wheelchair user spaces. The Orions come with a built-in ramp at the Ventura front door for easy boarding and alighting. Floor height is a mere 250mm.
Seats are Phoenix Sirius models and Eberspächer climate control is fitted. The Fiat Ducato base vehicles have been specified with manual gearboxes, with Mellor Area Sales Manager Jane Dransfield noting that the short lead time of the Orions was a factor in York Wheels’ vehicle choice.
The minibuses will be used to carry passengers between their homes and various destinations including supermarkets, shopping centres and York city centre, fulfilling York Wheels’ purpose of providing a public transport solution to people who struggle to use fixed-route bus services.
Speaking about the delivery, City of York Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Transport Cllr Andy D’Agorne says: “Over the years, York has built up significant levels of bus use and we are committed to doing what we can to protect our bus services, which provide a lifeline and connection for so many in York.
“We want our historic city to be accessible and inclusive for all. Dial-a-ride buses offer the opportunity for our disabled and less mobile residents to get out and about safely and comfortably.”
