The choice of the accessible, low floor Orions also marks a departure from the Council’s previous policy of specifying traditional vehicles with tail-lifts. The new vehicles will be used for school runs, adult social care and transfers to respite centres.
They are equipped with Cant rail tracking, rear door wheelchair access with low floors, dash-mounted reverse camera and Eberspacher climate control.
The buses are also fitted with 12 Rescroft lite seats, and four Unwin Easisit seats for passengers with a variety of needs and abilities.
Mark Ellison, group engineering manager for Tameside Council, said: “Our new buses will be providing transport to elderly and disabled people, so the requirement for a smooth, comfortable ride was of paramount importance for their needs.
“The feedback we have been getting from our drivers and passengers has been very favourable.”