£10m bus order joy

Twickenham-based bus operator London United, who received its first double decker built by East Lancashire Coachbuilders in 2004, has now placed a further order for three routes, including Route 13 -- the last bastion of the capital's favourite red Routemaster buses.

"To win such a prestigious repeat order is a reflection on the quality workmanship by the team at Whitebirk and the ability to prove yet again that it can meet the high specifications required by not only London United but Transport for London as well," said John Horn, the company's sales director.

The vehicles the company has supplied for London United are wheelchair accessible and include a ten camera CCTV system, a digital recorder with two large television-size monitors, which enhance security and can also be adapted to show advertising.

East Lancs Coachbuilders has been successful in many parts of the UK this year and are close to meeting this year's target ahead of schedule.

Recent deliveries include 13 double deckers with removable roofs for Poole-based Wilts & Dorset Bus Company. They can be used on the popular sea front services in the summer and then have their roofs refitted for the winter.

Brighton & Hove Bus & Coach Company has recently taken delivery of a further eight double decker buses and Nottingham City Transport have 28 Omni Dekkas.

First Group, the UK's largest bus operator, has also placed repeat orders for vehicles for their operations in Edinburgh, Southampton and Plymouth.

East Lancs Coachbuilders said its order book is 50 per cent higher than this period last year and they are in on-going discussions to supply 50 double decker vehicles to Istanbul, Turkey.

Mr Horn added: "We are seen as a manufacturer who can supply either a single vehicle or a large batch.

"Last year saw London United invest in some 61 of our products, all to the TFL Schedule II specification, while still meeting the individual requirements of the smaller customer.

"Our focus in this respect will not change."