Mellor, the Rochdale-based manufacturer of size-appropriate buses, has delivered the first two Sigma 8s to local bus operator, Shuttle Buses in Scotland. The buses represent a significant milestone for Mellor; it are the customer examples of the electric midi-bus, designed from the ground up with zero emissions in mind and now the first Sigmas in Scotland.
The Sigma 8 is the second model in Mellor’s six-strong Sigma range, The bus is just 2.35 metres wide, making it perfect for service routes with low patronage, operating in environments such as housing estates and on narrow lanes where vehicle size is a limiting factor, and on demand-responsive transport programmes. Presented in Shuttle Buses’ distinctive yellow and white livery, the two Sigma 8 are capable of carrying 27 seated passengers with 27 standees and have been configured to Mellor’s ‘rural’ specification with a single passenger door. 'Shuttle Buses' are no strangers to operating size appropriate buses, with eight Mellor Stratas already operating within the 60-strong fleet. Shuttle Buses is renewing its fleet from buses with internal combustion engines to zero emission buses.
Ross Granger, Managing Director of Shuttle Buses, said “Our two Sigma 8s have settled down well and we’re achieving 145 miles a day with battery power to spare, even in a Scottish winter.” Now in daily service, the buses are delivering zero emissions public transport to bus passengers across North Ayrshire. The two vehicles were part-funded by Transport Scotland under their ScotZEB scheme, with financing from Virgin Money Asset Finance Direct. Mellor is a manufacturer of size-appropriate buses to suit a wide range of operations, with a 27,000sq.ft, three production lines with a 500-vehicle per year capacity. Mellor is part of the WNVTech group of companies.