Transdev orders Mellor Strata Ultras for East Lancashire routes
Transdev is investing £2.4million in a new fleet of 23 Strata Ultra buses from manufacturer Mellor as it prepares to launch a new network of routes across East Lancashire. Transdev says the order for new buses with Rochdale-based Mellor will create 50 new jobs when 18 of the new buses are in service on a new Ribble Country-branded bus network in Burnley, Pendle and the Ribble Valley.
The Ribble Country name echoes the former Ribble Motor Services company, whose red buses once served the north west from Liverpool to Carlisle.
The remaining five new buses are being used on another new Transdev service between Preston, Higher Walton, Bamber Bridge and Leyland, also to be operated in partnership with Lancashire County Council.
Transdev says it has chosen Mellor’s Strata Ultra bus as it offers a fully-accessible vehicle which can comfortably carry 30 customers in levels of comfort which match a full-size bus, yet can also navigate rural routes and busy town streets with ease.
Transdev CEO Alex Hornby says: “As part of our new multi-year partnership with Lancashire County Council, we are thrilled to unveil the Ribble Country brand in tribute to the transport heritage of the area we are so proud to serve. A new look and expanded network needs the right bus for the job – and we’re delighted to have chosen Mellor, a proudly local North West company, with our order for its class-leading Strata Ultra product which offers us the quality, reliability and flexible performance we need.”
Mellor bus division managing director Mark Clissett adds: “This is a significant fleet delivery for us and an important new service for the people of east Lancashire.
“Our Strata Ultra bus offers the ideal solution for regional transport operations where larger buses are simply not viable. Transdev’s new Mellor fleet will provide essential public transport across dozens of local towns and villages, linking communities and performing a vital daily service for thousands of people, while still delivering consistent productivity for Transdev.”