In a rare opportunity, Scania currently has a substantial number of OmniCity double-decker buses with much life left in them looking for a new home. What are they like – and how do you find out more?
Do you have a use for a mid-life, well-maintained double-decker that has many years of life left in it, for anything from school duties to stagecarriage work? If so, Scania may have just the buses.
In stock are the last few of a batch of 59-plate N 230 UDs with OmniCity bodywork that have returned off-lease from Stagecoach London, and 39 further 2011-registered examples from another London operator will arrive soon.
They are capable of around 60mph, making them suitable for a new life in the provinces, and in as-is condition they seat 41 on the upper deck and 22 downstairs; total capacity is up to 90.
Each bus has covered around 400,000km and is powered by the 230bhp DC-09 engine to EEV emission standards coupled to a five-speed ZF Ecomat gearbox.
All are in an excellent state of repair thanks to return conditions placed on them, says Steve Lambert, General Manager – Used Vehicles.
“They come back adhering to specified minimums on items such as remaining MoT and tyre tread depth, and the returning operator is required to correct any bodywork issues before they depart.”
Examination of a member of the earlier batch demonstrates that they are indeed in excellent condition. Panels are straight and tidy all-round, the interior has received a heavy clean and both glass and seats are free from damage.
Back to basics
The London-specific iBus equipment and destination blinds are removed along with the ticket machine. Other than that and any necessary rectification work, the OmniCitys return in ex-service condition. But they don’t need to move on to their new owners like that, Steve adds.
“We can supply them in straight ex-London layout but we can also arrange for conversion work to be undertaken by our preferred supplier Hants and Dorset Trim (HDT),” he says.
HDT’s work can involve any combination of the removal of the centre door and up-seating, repainting, installation of LED destination equipment, an interior LED light upgrade, or a seat re-trim, although the buses returned so far are tidy in the latter regard.
One invoice is raised by Scania, rather than the operator receiving one from Scania and one from HDT, and the Eastleigh-based specialist can also convert them to open-top layout.
“Work is done to meet the buyer and we know from experience that HDT is a quality supplier,” says Steve.
“The conversion to single-door moves the wheelchair area to the nearside and it involves installation of a manual ramp at the front door. It adds four seats.” It’s also possible to remove the wheelchair area entirely in the name of maximising seating if PSVAR compliance is not required.
Proven history
Besides the requirement that the buses return in tip-top condition, those that are part of the 2011 batch have a proven history.
They were supplied on repair and maintenance (R&M) packages and have been looked after by Scania’s Heathrow dealership.
To demonstrate the level to which they have been maintained, Steve accesses their maintenance records.
Examination of the amount spent on a bus selected at random is illuminating.
In its five-and-a-half-year London career, a six-figure sum has been invested, and that, says Steve, gives operators who take the buses on for a second life the reassurance that they have been well looked-after.
“The earlier batch was not supplied with R&M support but Stagecoach has an excellent reputation for maintenance and it was supported by Scania Purfleet, which also carried out a post-contract inspection on them before hand-back.”
Finance choices
The OmniCitys can be purchased outright or they can be taken on operating lease packages provided by Scania’s in-house finance arm.
In ex-London condition, the price to buy starts at £55,000. For a bus converted to single door that is PSVAR-compliant, up-seated to 68 and with Hanover front, side and rear destination equipment and that has a one-colour repaint that figure increases by £10,000.
Operating leases for non-converted buses start at £799 per month for one of the older batch in as-is condition and at £1,199 per month for a converted example. Both the 59- and 61-plate buses are available on this, all subject to terms.
A range of extras provided by Scania can be added, including vehicle familiarisation training, workshop training and service packages.
As with the other new and used vehicles that it supplies, OmniCitys on operating lease can have their deals extended at the end of the agreed period, or the vehicle can be bought outright. It can also be returned.
“Operating lease is ideal for buses on tendered work,” says Steve. “We realise that in those circumstances operators have no certainty on contract length, but when the bus is first supplied we can also give a purchase price on it for when the lease period concludes.”
Buses are in stock at Scania’s Worksop premises and it also has a dual-door demonstrator. Full information and pictures can also be found on its used coach and bus sales app.
Download Scania’s used app from the App Store or Google Play.
