East Coast Buses has bought 15 new Wrightbus Eclipse 3 single deckers, a £3m investment in East Lothian.
The Lothian Buses subsidiary has worked with Wrightbus to develop a bespoke design for the vehicles, with a new standardised interior trim.
With 40 seats, they’re the first Wrightbus single-decks to have the new ‘stealth’ designed front, and at 13.2m are also Wrightbus’s longest ever single-decks.
They’re on Euro 6 Volvo B8RLE chassis, with USB charging points, upgraded heating systems, and five glass roof panels, to create a bright saloon. They also have two-tone wood-effect flooring and improved ambient lighting, plus half-leather Lazzerini seats. Each vehicle also has two multi-media Hanover screens.
East Coast is improving services from next week, including extended key routes and a new express service between North Berwick and Edinburgh centre.
Richard Hall, Managing Director for Lothian Buses, says: “We are delighted to once again be working in partnership with Wrightbus to offer our customers a unique, high-quality, bespoke vehicle, which has been specifically designed with their comfort and safety in mind.
“From concept to reality, every element of these vehicles has been reviewed in detail to ensure that our customers are able to travel in a warm and comfortable environment. Our investment in these vehicles shows our continued commitment to the local community, building on our promise to provide the county with a first-class service.”
Sam McLaren, Commercial Director for Wrightbus, says: “We are delighted to now be delivering this important launch order of Eclipse 3 single deck buses to Lothian Buses.
“Lothian Buses are well recognised as an innovative bus operator and it is gives our company great pleasure to know that they have been quick to endorse the new look product and Wrightbus as a long term business partner.”
