Plaxton has launched a side-mounted wheelchair lift option for its 12.8m Panther body on the Volvo B8R chassis as part of its steps to further enhance its range of accessible coaches.
The model is part of Plaxton’s PSVAR-compliant range, which captures its whole line-up from the low-height Leopard to the Elite-i interdecker and the Panorama double-decker.
Additionally, Plaxton has announced a programme to build stock PSVAR-compliant Leopards. The first will be ready during spring, and 18 are already sold. However, examples will be completed “throughout the year,” says the builder. There is currently strong availability from May onwards.
With a side-mounted lift, the 12.8m Leopard is available with PSVAR certification in both 57- and 70-seat layouts. It is also offered with a wide centre door and a lift within the stairs there seating 49.
The PSVAR-compliant Panther on B8R chassis comes with either 53 or 59 seats, with or without a toilet respectively. At 12.6m on the B11R underframe, the Panther is available with a front lift.
The highest-capacity PSVAR-compliant Plaxton coaches can carry up to 75 passengers in the Elite-i or 90 in the Panorama.
Says General Manager Coach Sales Simon Wood: “Building our coaches in Britain gives us flexibility to respond quickly to market demands and tailor specifications to our customers’ requirements.
“We offer PSVAR-compliant versions of all of our coach models when built to order, along with a strong programme of accessible Leopard stock ready to go straight into service from the spring.”