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Scania-Bustechs Tassielink fix

A unique operating environment called for a uniquely-designed bus in Tasmania’s south

Scania and Bustech delivered a uniquely-designed bus to suit the needs of Tasmanian bus operator Tassielink Transit recently.

The custom design provides easy access for those with limited-mobility and is based on a Bustech model with extra storage space that is currently used on the Gold Coast as an airport shuttle, with a few interesting tweaks.

The Tassielink bus will run between Hobart and outlying towns, servicing some well-known tourist destinations along the way.

“We see a lot of backpackers and tourists in this region and local travellers who have bulky loads, but we needed to give passengers in wheelchairs hassle-free access as well,” Tassielink Transit managing director Shane Dewsbery says.

The main requirements were low-floor access and good luggage space and Dewsbery is especially fond of the comfortable seating and an elevated rear floor section.

The delivery is notable as the first Bustech bus designed specifically for regional roads and conditions in Tasmania.

The 52-seats have thicker-than-usual bases to give greater comfort, because passengers on the service are seated for longer than usual, by route bus standards.

The aisle seats also have armrests, because some of the routes have a lot of corners.

“You have good capacity for luggage inside the bus, nice seats with grab handles but none of the usual grab bars found on a route bus,” Dewsbery says.

“Also moving to the semi-low floor means wheelchair lifts are not needed, as the front suspension kneels for roll-on wheelchair access, so the design means the bus can do two jobs really well.”

Bustech also fitted a spare wheel and carrier into the in the engine bay which according to Dewsbery is unheard of for a low-floor bus.

The Bustech body features front, rear-and interior cameras and sits on a Scania K 320 UB 4×2 LB chassis.

Scania Bus and Coach new vehicle account manager Jamie Atkinson says the versatile Bustech design makes it suitable for school runs, charter and route-service work.

“We were delighted to be able to deliver a bus to Tassielink’s imaginative specification,” he says.

“We worked closely with Bustech and Tassielink throughout the build and delivery process to ensure their specification requirements were met.”

A second bus of this kind is now in the making and will soon be added to the growing Tassielink fleet.

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