United Kingdom-based bus builder Alexander Dennis has secured two new deals with Auckland operators.
The deals were both signed this week at the Bus and Coach Association Annual Conference in Rotorua.
Birkenhead Transport has placed an order for 20 new Enviro200XLB buses. Launched in June 2017, this 12.75m long 3 axle single deck is powered by a 6 cylinder Euro VI engine and designed to carry 45 seated passengers and 38 standees.
Birkenhead’s fleet of Enviro200XLB vehicles will operate on Auckland’s North Shore alongside a fleet of 8 Enviro500 double deck buses. Six Enviro500s are already in service, with the next two being delivered mid-October.
Birkenhead Transport director Robert Inwards says they have found their exisiting Alexander Dennis buses a reliable addition to their fleet.
“Our Enviro500 vehicles have proven to be very reliable and key additions to our operation,” Inwards says. We also have great peace of mind thanks to the local support and parts supply which Alexander Dennis offers. It was an easy decision to make due to the low operating costs, especially when we are working under the new PTOM contracts.”
Tony Moore, general manager for Alexander Dennis in New Zealand, says they are delighted to receive the order from Birkenhead Transport, their third.
“We see this as a strong endorsement of the investment Alexander Dennis has made in developing a range of vehicles for this market which couple outstanding product reliability, class-leading performance and low whole life costs,” Moore says. “We look forward to continuing to partner with Birkenhead throughout the lifecycle of this fleet and beyond. This agility along with the significant investment we’ve made in our NZ-wide parts and service operation is what differentiates us from our competition.”
In the second deal, the first of eight Elite executive touring coaches ordered by Ritchies Transport Holdings, New Zealand’s largest coach operator, is being exhibited at the conference.
The 13.5m Elite coaches seat up to 53 passengers. Of the eight vehicles ordered, two specification variants exist – one with a near side centre exit door plus centre toilet and a second variant featuring a rear saloon floor mounted toilet to facilitate passenger access and maximise luggage capacity. A brand new HVAC climate control system and single glazing conform to New Zealand’s weight regulations. Interior trim options bespoke for Ritchies have been developed in leather and fabric materials.
“This level of flexibility and customisation, along with the Elite’s styling, sophistication and cost competitiveness were strong factors in my decision to choose Elite coaches”, says Andrew Ritchie of Ritchies Transport Holdings.
