17/03/10
Recent Deliveries from Wrightbus
Release to: Coach Journals
Date: March 2010
Title: New Airport arrivals from Ballymena
14 new Wrightbus Eclipse Gemini 2 Double Deck Buses are due to enter service with Lothian Buses 'Airlink' operation.
Travelling between Edinburgh City centre and the Airport is set to become more luxurious thanks to the imminent arrival of 14 new Wrightbus Eclipse Gemini 2 Double Deck buses, which are due to enter service with Lothian Buses ‘Airlink’ operation. Specified with the Euro 5 Incentive compliant Volvo B9TL chassis, the new Ballymena-built vehicles combine functionality with exceptionally high levels of comfort and security.
This latest delivery from Wrightbus to Lothian is part of a larger order placed for 75 vehicles in March 2009 and sees 14 specially adapted Double Deck buses built to very high specification specifically for the Airlink service.
All of the new Eclipse Gemini 2 buses are 11.4 metre low-floor, easy access vehicles specified with Euro 5 Incentive 9.4 litre engines, coupled to a Voith gearbox. The 310 HP Volvo D9B rear-mounted, transverse, vertical 9-litre engine offers class-leading driveability and excellent fuel economy, with the Volvo B9TL chassis also featuring all round air suspension and electronically controlled disc brakes.
The new vehicles are specified with 43 seats on the upper deck and 23 in the lower saloon. On board, two tone wine and cream Lazzerini Practico seats add to the on board experience, whilst the unique E-Leather covering provides a pleasing, scuff resistant and easily wipeable finish. Lothian opted for E-Leather, which is a real leather by-product due to its ‘green; recycling and hardwearing properties. Among the other aesthetic features are two tone wood effect flooring, light ivory handpoles and artistically designed roof panels, complete with cloud effect give the interior a bright and airy feel.
There are also attractive new additions for passengers such as 240v electrical sockets, tables and luggage racking, providing generous storage space throughout the vehicle to fully accommodate passengers’ luggage requirements. A key feature of the interior design is the use of LED lighting – calming pink is used above the tables in the upper saloon, with amber and blue underseat lighting in the lower and upper saloons respectively. One of the main draws the new buses will have is the free on-board WiFi provided by Incomera. The journey time between the Airport and the City Centre is around 30 minutes and gives passengers ample time to logon and check email messages on the move.
A PA system allows the driver to communicate with passengers and “top of the range” CCTV, featuring 13 separate camera units throughout each vehicle, assault doors and screens help to further improve safety and security. There is also an Ineo ‘real time’ next stop visual display so passengers can track their journey along the route. This also gives out key information’s such as hotels, tourist attractions and bus interchange points.
An electronic ramp to the front door ensures that each vehicle offers complete wheelchair access, in addition to the latest electronic destination equipment. The buses also incorporate important safety features including reverse alarm and secure drivers signalling windows, whilst the new distinctive Airlink livery will ensure the vehicles are easily recognisable on the roads.
Managing Director of Lothian Buses, Ian Craig commented “We are committed to the continued upgrade of our fleet, during the last five years Wrightbus and Volvo have together supplied nearly 370 low floor, low emission vehicles to Lothian Buses and these Airlink vehicles are the culmination of our experience to date.”
He added, “The Airlink vehicles have been carefully designed and specified to make the whole journey experience for passengers travelling to and from the airport as safe, comfortable, and stress free as possible”.
"Airlink is a hugely successful and popular service and this upgrade is a great investment from Lothian Buses for the city”, commented Councillor Gordon Mackenzie, Transport Convener at the City of Edinburgh Council.
“The relationship with Lothian continues to be a highly successful one”, commented Sam McLaren, Wrightbus Commercial Director, “These latest vehicles have all been equipped to an extremely high standard to meet the specific requirements for airport travellers and we are delighted to continue building our strong relationship with Lothian”.
