Tendring Community Transport’s New Stanford’s Sprinter
Earlier this week the sun finally decided to make an appearance in the Essex seaside town of Clacton for the handover of a brand-new ‘Vanda Blue’ Mercedes Sprinter minibus to Tendring Community Transport.
Tendring CT’s new ‘Vanda Blue’ Mercedes Sprinter Stanford’s conversion.
Tendring Community Transport is a well-established and accomplished community transport scheme that provides wheelchair accessible door to door transportation to people of all ages. First launched under Tendring Community Voluntary Services in 1993, the charity and its fantastic group of volunteers, focus on providing services to those in need. This may be due to age, mental or physical disability or poverty.
Base Vehicle
The bespoke ‘Vanda Blue’ extra-long wheelbase Mercedes Sprinter was converted entirely by a team of 2 SCW coach builders. To meet all of Tendring’s transport requirements, we designed the vehicle with them in mind. With a 6-speed manual gearbox, 100kph speed limiter and tachograph, the 516 Sprinter can facilitate up to 15 passengers or 4 wheelchairs with seats removed.
The SCW double fold-out twin rail side step on Tendring’s new Sprinter.
Rear Saloon
Entrance into the rear saloon can be via the SCW double fold-out twin rail side step. With its twin rails, the step helps passengers with mobility issues to enter and exit the vehicle in a safer and easier way. For high visibility, we have powder coated the step yellow. Stanfords have also included non-slip edging for the safety of passengers.
At Stanford Coachworks we ensure that our vehicles are as aesthetically pleasing as they are safe and reliable. Therefore, the colour scheme inside the vehicle compliments the exterior. Each of the 14 M2 tested rear saloon seats have been upholstered in a new Camira grey and blue honeycomb moquette. To guarantee that the theme is continuous throughout the vehicle we have also reupholstered the driver and front passenger’s. We used the same Camira moquette to do this. 12 of the rear saloon seats include NMI seat fixings with carriage wheels for easy removal.
New Camira moquettes: Tendring’s vehicle featured a grey and blue honeycomb moquette.
Electrical Features
To illuminate the rear saloon, we have installed 4 chrome finished LED down lights. Additionally, our coach builders have installed 2 pairs of speakers, matching moquette recessed panels and a roof hatch. For the comfort of all passengers, we have also installed an Eberspacher D4 heater.
Wheelchair Accessibility
For those passengers using wheelchairs, we have fitted a Ricon internal tail lift at the rear entrance. Behind the front cab seats, we have installed 2 wheelchair clamp storage boxes for the stowage of any wheelchair restraints.
Access for passengers using wheelchairs is via a Ricon internal tail lift.
The new vehicle will join Tendring CT’s existing fleet. We would like to thank Tendring for their returning custom. We hope that their new accessible Stanford’s minibus helps contribute towards the excellent service they provide for the community of Tendring.
To find out more about our wheelchair accessible conversions click here.