Mellor says that its ambitions to be a significant player in the small PSV market are being proven as more bus operators choose the Mercedes-Benz based Strata LF.
It comes as Rotala-owned Preston Bus takes delivery of five – its first Mellor order following a successful demo trial – for use on a new rural service by Lancashire County Council. Preston Bus runs 123 vehicles.
It means that 64 of the versatile 22-seaters are now on the road with others in operation on stage-carriage and DRT duties with Arriva, McGills, Moffatt & Williamson, Reading Buses and Transdev, among others.
The Strata LF is the smallest bus to date to have met the stringent requirements associated with Low Emission Bus (LEB) certification, meaning it qualifies for a rebate from the DfT as part of the Low Carbon Emission Bus incentive scheme.
The Strata LF offers a range of seating options including space for one wheelchair with 18 seated and three standing.
It also offers ease of access with a sliding entrance door and low-floor single entry step, a beneficial specification for passengers with pushchairs or limited mobility.
With optimised dimensions, the bus is able to negotiate narrow streets and rural lanes with ease, making it an ideal choice for many sectors. It also delivers class leading average fuel economy of 22mpg.
John Asquith, Commercial Manager for Preston Bus, said: “We had the opportunity to trial the Strata and we were so impressed with the performance of the vehicle, that we decided to place an order.
“Fuel consumption and reliability were a determining factor for us when selecting a vehicle and these features were clearly demonstrated in our trial.”
Mellor’s Area Sales Manager for Central England and North Wales, Jane Dransfield, said: “We are pleased that Preston Bus were impressed with the demo vehicle supplied and on the back of that chose to place the order. With its lightweight design these vehicles are the perfect fleet addition for the networks they will be servicing.”
