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Stagecoach has announced plans to invest £1.4 million in accessible vehicles to improve accessibility and their service to disabled people.
“I was really excited when I heard about these buses, I now have to freedom to go back and forth to Edinburgh whenever I please.“
New Innovative Design
The new innovative buses have been designed with disabled passengers in mind. The Plaxton Panther Low Entry features the same level of luxury available on the Stagecoach Express fleet including; leather reclining seats, free Wi-Fi, USB charging ports, air conditioning and a luggage hold. The difference is in the front of the coach, which features low level seating – improving accessibility for disabled passengers and those with reduced mobility. These seats are accessible through the front door entrance, with no need to navigate steps at all.
Improving Links
Stagecoach has launched these coaches on a number of routes, aiming to improve accessible transport links between major cities and surrounding towns. These coaches run every hour and are part of the Stagecoach’s wider, award-winning Express City Connect Network.
Reactions
The public have reacted well and have welcomed the new buses.
Bus passenger, Kerry Taylor, said on Facebook:
“I was on the new X55 on Wednesday and it was excellent. They’re easy to board, although the driver has to get the ramp out of the boot, plenty turning space for my chair, it gets tied down with straps that are attached to the bus so they can’t get lost and a seatbelt that’s also attached. I was really excited when I heard about these buses, I now have to freedom to go out whenever I please. Good job Stagecoach, 100% improvement.”
