Mellor has delivered a total of nine new Tucana II low floor buses to social enterprise transport group HCT for use on Dial-a-Ride services for TfL in the capital. 

This order follows on the back of six vehicles of the same specification that were delivered in September 2017 and have been deployed for use on special education needs (SEN) services in the London boroughs of Hammersmith and Wandsworth. The Tucana IIs were selected by HCT to meet its requirement for low floor buses which are easily accessible for SEN passengers. 

Built on the Volkswagen T6 chassis, the buses were purchased by Dawsons, which in turn has leased them to HCT.

Steve Perks, Group Engineering Director for HCT, said:

“We needed a vehicle with a fully flat, low floor design that would be able to meet the requirements of our SEN passengers.

“The Mellor Tucana II has proved excellent in terms of the design and layout as well as offering excellent performance and reliability.  In addition, last year we took delivery of six Mellor Iveco based vehicles which have also performed extremely well, so we have complete confidence in our new fleet additions.”

Each Tucana II is configured to carry up to 14 seated passengers or three seats and four wheelchairs.  In addition to a rapid sliding side door, there are two manual rear doors which provide access to the fold out ramp.  Phoenix Blenheim Shuffle seats with all age seatbelts and Webasto climate control ensure passenger comfort and safety.

HCT Group is a social enterprise operating in the transport industry which provides more than 23 million passenger trips each year.  The company offers a range of services from London red buses to social services and school transport.  All profits are reinvested into services and projects for the communities it serves.