Alexander Dennis Limited (“ADL”), a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc. (“NFI”), one of the world’s largest independent global bus manufacturers, today announced that it has delivered a further 15 Enviro200 single deck buses to Blackpool Transport as part of the operator’s ongoing fleet renewal programme. This latest delivery increases the number of Alexander Dennis single and double deck buses added to the Blackpool Transport fleet since 2016 to 88.
In 2016, Blackpool Transport made a commitment to the local authority, the people of Blackpool and the millions of visitors to the town to implement a continuous replacement programme for its 140-strong bus fleet. Since then, Alexander Dennis has supplied 55 Enviro400 City double deckers and 33 Enviro200 single decker buses.
Working closely with Blackpool Transport, ADL has adapted its buses to the operator’s premium ‘Palladium’ standard. In addition to free Wi-Fi, e-leather seating, wood effect flooring and both audio and visual stop announcements, this specification has evolved for this year’s buses with the addition of wireless charging in the seats’ headrests, meaning customers will not even need a wire to charge their compatible phone on the go.
This year’s delivery comprises of eleven 11.8m long Enviro200 with 43 seats, and four shorter 9.7m Enviro200 seating 34 passengers. All are equipped with ADL’s SmartPack efficiency technology which further reduces fuel consumption and emissions of the clean Euro 6 engines. They will be used on Blackpool Transport services 6 and 7.
Jane Cole, Managing Director of Blackpool Transport, commented during the stakeholder launch: “This is a wonderful milestone in our journey of collaboration with Alexander Dennis. The latest delivery of Enviro200 buses once again introduces features which have never been seen before in Blackpool and brings us ever closer to our target of having no bus older than five years by 2020. The features which we now offer as standard as part of our Palladium brand have been driven by feedback from our customers and ADL have been able to deliver on our specific customer-led requests time and time again. It’s an exciting time in Blackpool and we’re proud that we’re able to offer a public transport network which matches the ambitions and vision of the town.”
Charlie Miller, ADL Regional Sales Manager, said: “It has been our pleasure to work closely with the team at Blackpool Transport not only in the design, delivery and operation of their fleet of ADL buses, but also on other visionary projects aimed at increasing bus patronage and making the bus a more inclusive environment. At ADL we are proud to have been part of this journey with Blackpool Transport – reigniting the public’s passion for travelling by bus, challenging customers’ perceptions of public transport and making the bus an enjoyable experience for anyone and everyone.”
