A pair of accessible Mellor Orion buses have been delivered to York Wheels to support in the running of its city-wide Dial & Ride transport service. The buses were funded by a City of York Council grant, with the local authority also subsidising the service’s operation.

A flexible, door-to-door bus service for the residents of York, the Dial & Ride scheme was created to provide a public transport solution for those who struggle to use public routes due to age or mobility problems. The scheme runs directly between the passenger’s home and a number of popular destinations, including major supermarkets, shopping centres and York’s historic city centre. York Wheels also runs a volunteer car scheme to assist the elderly and disabled.

York Wheels’ manual transmission Orions have been configured to carry up to 16 passengers and can seat 12 with space for two wheelchairs. An in-built ramp provides access via the front Ventura rapid sliding door. Climate control is provided by Eberspacher and Phoenix Sirius seats are fitted throughout the saloon.

Chairman of York Wheels Ltd, Rob Atkinson, said: “We are pleased to have taken delivery of these two new buses for the Dial & Ride operation, as they will ensure that we can continue to provide a reliable and comfortable service within the city.”

Councillor Andy D’Agorne, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Transport, at City of York Council, said: “Over the years, York has built up significant levels of bus use and we are committed to doing what we can to protect our bus services, which provide a lifeline and connection for so many in York.
“We want our historic city to be accessible and inclusive for all. Dial & Ride buses offer the opportunity for our disabled and less mobile residents to get out and about safely and comfortably.

Jane Dransfield, Area Sales Manager at Mellor, said: “Our Mellor Orion is the perfect partner for accessible transport services, such as York Wheels’ Dial & Ride scheme. Our short delivery lead-time was an influencing factor in the charity’s decision to place the order for the Orion, as was our commitment to accessible design. The organisation will undoubtedly benefit from the Orion’s outstanding fuel economy and low overall total cost of ownership, while passengers can enjoy a comfortable, spacious and reliable ride onboard their new buses.”

Both highly adaptable and configurable, the Mellor Orion range offers unparalleled flexibility for local authority, charity and DRT operators alike. With dignified accessibility being a core Mellor value, the Orion has been engineered to offer a class-leading 250mm floor height and capacity for up to five wheelchairs, all while delivering maximum budget efficiency through the small bus design.