A Brand New Extra-Long Wheelbase Sprinter for Uttlesford!
Stanford’s first extra-long wheelbase New Generation Sprinter left our blue gates to head to its new home of a longstanding customer in Uttlesford last week.
We were delighted to be converting another fully wheelchair accessible vehicle for Uttlesford Community Travel in Chelmsford. The wonderful organisation provides service to residents in the Uttlesford area who either find it difficult to access public transport, are over the age of 60, are disabled or rurally isolated. Last week we had the pleasure of delivering their brand-new vehicle.
Uttlesford Community Travel’s Steel Blue extra-long wheelbase Mercedes Sprinter.
The Stanford Coachworks Conversion
The accessible minibus is based on an extra-long wheelbase New Generation Mercedes Sprinter in Steel Blue. The vehicle can carry up to 15 passengers plus the driver.
Installed inside of the vehicle is our flat floor system. This eliminates any wheel arch intrusions allowing more space for 14 M2 tested passenger seats in the rear saloon. We have fitted all of the seats with Unwin HAL lockables to allow quick removal for up to 5 wheelchair positions.
Each seat has been upholstered in a patterned moquette material with Ambla Ninian wipe clean bases and lower back curve. The interior of the vehicle has been trimmed in a soft feel carpet material which compliments the patterned seats. We have also re-upholstered the single front cab passengers’ seat and drivers’ seat to ensure that it matches the theme throughout. Uttlesford’s Company Secretary, Janice Goodwin, said that ‘it’s better than good, it looks very impressive and the interior colour scheme blends together brilliantly.’
The interior design of the wheelchair accessible minibus.
Base Vehicle
The base vehicle comes fully equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox, Bluetooth, cruise control, 100kph speed limiter and tachograph. SCW have also installed a full CCTV system. The system includes forward, rearward, side facing and interior cameras to ensure the safety of Uttlesford’s drivers and passengers. We have also privacy tinted the rear windows to give the vehicle a more luxurious look. To keep passengers comfortable in the summer weather, rear air conditioning has been installed.
The front cab of the Sprinter wheelchair accessible vehicle.
Accessibility
Fitted inside of the side load door is the new style SCW fold out step. This allows passengers to safety enter and exit the vehicle. Wheelchair passengers are able to access the rear saloon via a PLS split platform tail lift.
Wheelchair passengers wanting to access the rear saloon can do so via the PLS internal tail lift.
The Handover
Unfortunately upon receipt of the minibus Janice Goodwin couldn’t be present for the handover. However, she did contact us once she had seen the vehicle for herself and wrote: ‘we certainly have a minibus to be proud of and I would like to say thank you for your guidance with the interior design and to your team at Stanford Coachworks for supplying a great looking minibus.’ ‘I know this vehicle has been a challenge but your team have excelled once again.’
Customer satisfaction is extremely important to our team here at Stanford Coachworks. Such pleasant feedback from Uttlesford Community Travel is what makes it all worth while! We hope that you enjoy your vehicle!
Take a look at some more of our wheelchair accessible conversions here.