Two New Tour Buses for Ooosh Tours
One of the SCW build teams have been incredibly busy this month converting two brand-new bespoke splitter buses for a returning tour bus client.
Ooosh Tours, who are based in Brighton, began their touring business in 2008 and now have over 20 vehicles that are available to hire with or without a driver. Since relocating to a larger premises in 2015, Ooosh Tours also began offering additional services such as equipment and rehearsal room hire. After the industry’s reopening post-lockdown, Ooosh saw a mass influx in business resulting in them requiring another two bespoke Stanfords Mercedes Sprinter conversions.
Ooosh Tours’ new vehicles are based on L3H2 Mercedes Sprinters.
When designing their previous vehicles, we worked closely with Ooosh Tours to help create a bespoke specification which meets all of their requirements. Their two new vehicles have been converted to this same specification and are again based on L3H2 Mercedes Sprinters finished in blue metallic paint to match their previous splitters. To cater for all of their self-drive clients, one of the new vehicles features automatic transmission and the other, manual transmission. The custom Sprinters are split into two sections - a comfortable passenger saloon in the front for touring entertainers and a large equipment storage area in the rear.
The conversion
At the end of the month, one of our experienced coachbuilding teams began transforming the standard panel van into a premium bespoke tour bus. Similar to our other vehicles, these two Sprinters were converted entirely by a team of just two coachbuilders, Keith and Craig, and take around two weeks each to finish. Each coachbuilding team is entirely responsible for their vehicle and complete every step of the conversion themselves, except from seating upholstery, which is carried out in our on-site seating department by another two-member team.
Keith pictured working on converting the rear storage area.
Seats made by our onsite seating department.
Passenger cabin
Inside, the tour bus features six premium reclining seats configured in a conference style layout around a large centre table. Each seat has been upholstered in a blue hard-wearing bio leather with silver piping and custom stitching. We tend to use bio-leather in our tour bus conversions as it is easier to clean and last remarkably longer than ordinary leather. Due to the frequent and consistent usage of tour buses, the bio-leather seating ensures that Ooosh Tours’ vehicles will always look up to the mark. To give the passenger cabin a professional feel, we have lined each vehicle’s interior with a soft-feel grey material and have overlined the tracked flooring with a non-slip wood-effect lino.
Passenger entertainment is a must so we have installed two television screens, one forward facing and one rearward facing, with Apple TV and a Bluetooth soundbar. For those wishing to work whilst on the go, we have included a HDMI socket which automatically switches the television’s input to mirror whichever device is plugged into it. No one likes a low battery when on the road, so we have installed multiple 240-volt plug sockets with USB charging points throughout the vehicles.
Touring can be tiring so we have installed a custom memory foam daybed behind the forward facing passenger seats which can be used when the vehicles are parked up on set. For the comfort and privacy of passengers, we have installed blue and white interior LED roof lighting and limo tinted windows. Additional finishing touches such as a bottle opener, pop-out coat hangers and a rubbish bin have also been included.
Rear storage area
As with all of our splitter bus conversions, we had to ensure that the custom-built storage space at the rear of the vehicle was used as efficiently as possible. This area must be large yet secure as it will be used to transport and store production and musical equipment. To do this, we have lined the interior with matching soft-feel grey material and we have capped each wheel arch, then extended it, to create an open secure compartment.
The rear storage area has been fully lined with soft feel material and the flooring has been overlined with non-slip wood-effect lino to match the passenger saloon.
To illuminate this area, we have installed a high-intensity LED loading light which automatically switches on when the rear doors are opened. Additional roof lighting, operated by a switch besides the door, has also been installed however, to avoid running down the battery, all of the rear storage area lighting automatically switches off when the rear doors are closed.
Electrical equipment
To power all of Ooosh’s on-board electrical equipment, we have installed an 800-watt inverter and battery system. All of this equipment has been installed below the dual cab passenger seat so is easily accessible if needed, yet protected and isolated from passengers. For use when refuelling, we have included a 15-minute electrical timer which allows the rear saloon equipment to remain powered up for 15 minutes after the key is removed from the ignition.
The front cab seats have been reupholstered to match the rear saloon seats.
Thanks to Ooosh Tours
We would like to thank Ooosh Tours for their returning custom and we are especially pleased to hear that their business is thriving again post-lockdown. We hope that their clients enjoy hiring their new vehicles and we wish Ooosh Tours all of the best for the future.
Looking to hire these vehicles? Head over to the Ooosh Tours website by clicking here.
Please see below for the full vehicle specification.
Specification
Both vehicles based on a L3H2 Mercedes Sprinter in dark metallic blue (one automatic transmission, one manual transmission)
Limo tinted rear windows
6 x reclining passenger seats configured in a conference style arrangement
Seats upholstered in a blue hard-wearing bio leather with silver piping and stitching
Front cab seats reupholstered to match rear saloon seats
Soft feel material lined interior
Tracked flooring overlined with non-slip wood-effect lino
Custom matching blue recessed roof panel
2 x television screens with Apple TV, Bluetooth soundbar and HDMI input
Double and single 240-volt plug socket with USB charging points
Memory foam daybed
Interior comfort blue / reading white LED lights
Bottle opener, pop-out coat hangers and rubbish bin
Large rear storage space for equipment
Rear interior lined with soft feel material, rear flooring overlaid with non-slip wood-effect lino
Automatic high-intensity LED load light
LED roof lighting
Capped wheel arches extended to create open storage box
800-watt inverter
Battery charging system
15-minute timer
Additional exterior locking system to secure equipment