Plaxton Presidents refurbished well and on time, says LU25 January 2010

Transdev subsidiary London United has 26 ALX400s and six Plaxton Presidents going through repaint and re-panelling, with new seats and trim, at Optare's dedicated refurbishment and upgrade unit in Blackburn.

Andy Morris, chief engineer London United and London Sovereign, says they are being handled under a rolling programme, with two completed each week through to mid February.

"Optare quoted a competitive price and we agreed a schedule," he says. "The work is being completed on time and to a very high standard. As a result, we can plan our maintenance and repair programme confident in the knowledge that Optare will meet our requirements."

Optare only set up the operation four months ago and says it has already completed work on more than 60 vehicles.

Stagecoach, for example, is having six Solos re-powered with Mercedes-Benz engines, and Norfolk Green has put four in for new seats and stanchions and a respray.

Two ex Nottingham Volvo Olympians are also back where they were originally bodied to have a respray prior to entering service with Chorley operator Tyrers of Adlington on school contract work.

"Operators are looking at every way they can to extend the service life of their vehicles whilst maintaining the highest standards for their passengers," says Glenn Saint, Optare commercial director. "What we have geared up to do enables them to upgrade and improve their vehicles at a competitive cost and against short lead times."

He also refers to Optare' Low Carbon Conversion Centre, also at Blackburn, which converts vehicles for alternative or additional fuels. "We can also re-engine vehicles to meet more recent EU emission standards," says Saint.

Author
Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Optare plc

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