Lothiancountry began operations in August 2018, introducing vital connections between Edinburgh and West Lothian. Since launch the company has seen significant market stimulation and customer growth across its network of services.
The new interurban Plaxton Leopard is based on the 12.8m model of the versatile coach. It has 49 comfortable seats with three-point seatbelts. A double door in the centre of the vehicle allows large numbers of customers to alight quickly at their destination reducing dwell times at stops and integrates a full wheelchair lift. Wheelchair users travel in a comfortable designated wheelchair bay in the main saloon opposite the centre doors and are secured in a forward facing position using a simple wheelchair and passenger restraint system. A full set of destination displays ensures that the interurban Plaxton Leopard is fully compliant with PSV Accessibility Regulations.
The Volvo B8R 4×2 chassis provides a proven and reliable underframe for the interurba Plaxton Leopard. Its clean Euro 6 engine is matched to a ZF EcoLife automatic transmission.
A suite of safety features such as an Advanced Emergency Braking System and Lane
Departure Warning complete the specification. Richard Hall, Managing Director of Lothian, says: “Public Transport is changing rapidly and as operators we need to adapt to our customers’ demands and expectations. Creating modal shift from the car ensures we will reduce congestion and environmental impacts across our society. To give commuters a credible alternative coupled with high levels of customer service means that our investment in these new 49-seat coaches with improved accessibility features has been designed with the customer’s comfort and convenience in mind. We look forward to seeing these vehicles on service across our networks soon.”
Philip Owen, Bus Sales Director at Volvo Bus UK, comments: “Volvo Bus are very pleased
to have supplied the B8R coach chassis to Lothian for the new Leopard interurban coach
which represents another forward thinking and innovative design approach from Lothian that
is totally focused on meeting its customers’ needs and exceeding expectations.”
Colin Robertson, Alexander Dennis Chief Executive, says: “We are delighted to once again
work in partnership with Lothian to develop another new and exciting product. The new
Plaxton Leopard interurban coach has been tailored to meet Lothian’s exacting specification
and the demands of a busy interurban operation.”
Mark Ballam, Coach Commercial Manager at Alexander Dennis Limited, says: “Interurban
services are a growth market across the country when provided with the right vehicles for
this type of operation. In addition to Alexander Dennis’s wide range of specification options
for our Enviro buses, the Plaxton range offers purpose-designed models including the new
49-seat Leopard interurban coach.”
