Southern Transit, based near Brighton, is to expand its fleet with a pair of new, custom-specified Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) Enviro400 City double-deckers, due to be delivered next month.
The coach and bus operator, which specialises in private hire, has a modest fleet operated by a team of 14 drivers and office staff.
Planned to join the fleet just under a year before the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) comes into force in London on 9 April 2019, Southern Transit says is the only company to invest in the environmentally adapted city-spec vehicles in the south-east, outside of London.
The purchase of the Enviro400City buses, which Southern Transit has re-named ‘Citymasters’ to reflect their bespoke build, cost £500,000 a major investment that the firm says “truly sets the company apart from its competitors in the south.”
Indpendent
Southern Transit Director Neil Bird who bought the company in 2008, says: “We are a local independent business, but I wanted to ensure that we were prepared for the future, and could compete with the big players in the industry, hence taking the initiative to invest now.
“When The Ultra-Low Emission Zone regulations come into effect next year it is sure to affect a lot of people, not only industry professionals, but also group travel customers who must find a supplier that can meet the London requirements.
“It is clear that the independent bus and coach industry has diminished over the years with the big suppliers taking away large contracts, and less work overall, but I just couldn’t risk that with Southern Transit.
“Even if I look at our base at the Old Shoreham Cement Works, near Upper Beeding, there used to be 15 thriving companies situated alongside us in 2006.
“Today that has reduced to just four companies, including us.
“Businesses today have to work hard and stay focused, a statement that while true across any sector, is especially prevalent in public transport with technology advancing at a rapid pace.”
Facilities
Southern Transit’s Citymasters feature an array of facilities to provide an enhanced passenger experience including a sophisticated temperature control system, tables and seats with USB charging points, a wireless bell system, sky-view windows, and LED lighting.
Seating 72 passengers, the buses will be available for private hire from May 2018 at around £800 per day – the equivalent of £11.11 per person if booked for full capacity.
The buses are the latest in a number of ‘up-spec’d’ examples specifically designed to capture the private hire market, where high capacity vehicles are required for shorter distance hires, but are modern.
As all manufacturers adapt to the lower numbers of new bus orders being generated by Transport for London (TfL) contracts – which are now increasingly for retro-fitted existing vehicles, ADL has been targeting the high-density private hire market.
While not a volume sector, ADL has won orders for hi-spec Enviro400 MMCs for private hire from Hams Travel of Flimwell, near Tunbridge Wells, Westway Coach Services of West Mosley on the outskirts of London and Swans Travel of Manchester, among others.
Wheelers Travel in Southampton took delivery of a high-spec Enviro400City for private hire work last June.
