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Having a look around Orkney’s new bus

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By Nick Morrison

At the end of September, Orkney will receive the first of a new set of buses from operator Stagecoach. 34 new buses will eventually be delivered which are low floored and conform to Euro 6 low emission standards. The buses will all be fitted with seatbelts for use in public and school service.

Track testing the ramp.
Dedicated space for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Low consumption internal lighting that does not dazzle the driver.
State of the art emergency escape windows, these don’t need a special hammer, remove the cap and hit it with your hand and the glass shatters outside the bus.
each seat has 2 USB charging points.

Mainland public bus services have been awarded to Stagecoach for the next 8 years.  Timetables can be viewed online here www.orkney.gov.uk/Bus or are on display at the Kirkwall Travel Centre.

Public Bus Services in Westray and Sanday will continue to be operated by existing contractors M & J Harcus and Sanday Enterprises, and the Island of Hoy Development Trust were awarded the contract to operate a one day per week public bus service on the island.

The award of school transport routes in Mainland went to several smaller operators, J&V Coaches, and Stagecoach. School services in Eday, Stronsay and East Holm will be re-tendered as no bids were received.

The cost of School and Public Bus Services for the first full year of operation is £5,379,899, compared with an existing budget available of £3,050,760.

The old and the new

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3 replies »

  1. Very sad that the new buses are by Volvo, wherever they build them at present, and with bodywork from Egypt.
    Now just remind me, Scotland does have a bus building industry, doesn’t it.

  2. No. Scotland does not build busses. Only bodies for double deck busses at ADL around the Falkirk area. The chassis for these vehicles are made in England using European sourced components.

    • You are a bit behind as the ADL chassis built in Guildford has been closed and moved to Falkirk.
      Anyway what would you rather have, a bus with bodywork built in Scotland or a bus with a chassis built in Europe or China and bodywork built in Egypt.