The community-run Whitbread Wanderbus scheme has taken delivery of a new Mellor Orion bus.
The Bedfordshire-based Wanderbus scheme has been in operation since 1989, run entirely on volunteer time and charitable donations, and has run two buses on its community transport service since 2016.
It offers scheduled routes during the week and permits private hire of the bus to other community groups. This arrangement allows local residents access to transport throughout the week while the wider community benefits from having a modern, accessible bus available to them.
This recent delivery is the fourth Mellor bus for the scheme with three Orions and a Mercedes Sprinter.
Committee member and Driver Assessor Trainer Richard Thomas said: 'We trialled a demo vehicle from Mellor and another company but in the end it made sense to stick with the Orion; both operationally and from a maintenance point of view. Our first Orion proved to be reliable and fulfilled its function as a low-floor bus very well.
The new bus has been supplied with Rescroft CT Lite and an additional two tip seats taking capacity to 16. All seats have been fitted with all-age provision seatbelts. The bus was also designed to have secure storage areas for the convenience of its passengers.
One of the main attractions of the Orion is its low floor with single step entry. The completely flat saloon and fold out front ramp makes the bus perfectly accessible to those with limited mobility and passengers with luggage or pushchairs.
Richard Thomas said: 'Having looked at other models we decided that the Orion was the best low floor option and met our layout needs and budget'
