BT has taken delivery of a further 1,000 vans from Ford in the first three months of this year, as part of a major fleet replacement and extension programme.
Almost three quarters of the latest vehicles are Transit and Transit Custom models, with the remainder Ford Fiesta vans.
The new vehicles will be in operation for up to seven years and, says Mike Langford, BT's senior customer relationship manager, long-term availability of spares was a key factor.
"If we are keeping a van for seven years, we have to ask whether we will be able to get a spare part for that vehicle, at the right price, throughout its life."
Other criteria, he adds, included whole-life costs, safety, emissions and aftersales support.
Bri-Stor Systems and Bott are carrying out interior alterations for the vans.
