Alexander Dennis has fulfilled a major bus order in double quick time to help get the new Go Cornwall bus service off the mark.
The new service, a subsidiary of Go Ahead Group, started operations at the end of March, less than three months after being awarded its contract by Cornwall County Council.
Faced with a short mobilisation period and a substantially increased vehicle requirement, the operator ordered 92 new buses from ADL.
The first batch of 44 vehicles – all Enviro200 single deckers – was delivered last month in time for the start of operations on routes across the Duchy.
A further 48 buses, including 17 Enviro400 double deckers, will follow in coming months. These were initially expected by June but their completion may be delayed by the temporary suspension of production at ADL’s British manufacturing sites in response to government advice on social distancing.
Martin Brailey, Regional Sales Director London & the South at ADL, said, “Setting up the new Transport for Cornwall network in less than three months would have been a formidable task even without the impact of current events, but Go Cornwall Bus have fully risen to this challenge.
Richard Stevens, Managing Director, Go Cornwall Bus and Plymouth Citybus, said, “With tight timescales for the contract the two biggest worries would be getting enough drivers and buses. The deal for 92 new buses eased the strain of the second, although a huge amount of work has gone into getting a brand new fleet on the road for the 29th March 2020.
“With the reduction in service due to COVID-19, we have managed to not use any borrowed buses, but go live with what is a brand new fleet. We look forward to phase two and for Transport for Cornwall having the newest fleet in the country.”
