KWL is a subsidiary of Hull City Council; the operator owns the buses and hires them to the council. The vehicles will be used for a range of passenger transport operations, including adult day care and school services.
The Strata HF buses were selected after an in-depth tender process, key to which was a vehicle with sufficient interior space to enable 2+2 seating with a wide aisle.
Gary Middleton, of KWL fleet, explains: “The interior design, dimensions, and weight of the buses were critically important elements of the tender process, and going for a quality coach-built solution was considered the best option.
“Ease of use and accessibility for passengers was vital: we undertook trials with both our client and service users/passengers prior to placing the order, to make sure they met all of their specific requirements.”
The Strata HF is based on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis. The construction allows for a capacity of up to 19 seated passengers or seven wheelchairs, and internal space has been maximised to allow 2+2 seating of 450mm-wide seats on a fully flat floor.
Mellor has provided familiarisation sessions for drivers, as well as maintenance training for KWL’s fleet technician team.