The Mellor Tucana (previously known as the Bluebird Tucana) is a small wheelchair-accessible minibus manufactured by Mellor Coachcraft in England.
| Mellor Tucana | |
|---|---|
 Mellor Tucana II operated by Somerset CC | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Bluebird Vehicles (2005-2014) Mellor Coachcraft (2014-) |
| Production | 2005-present |
| Body and chassis | |
| Doors | 1 side door or 2 door (1 side, 1 rear) |
| Floor type | Low floor |
| Chassis | Volkswagen Transporter T5/ T6 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2.0-litre 4-cylinder Euro-6 |
| Capacity | 15 seats or 4 wheelchairs |
| Power output | 140-150PS |
| Transmission | 7 speed Direct-shift gearbox 6 speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 6.83-7.01 metres |
| Width | 2.08 metres |
| Height | 2.41-2.57 metres |
| Curb weight | 4.1 tonnes |
Tucana
editThe Bluebird Tucana entered production in 2005 fitted to the Volkswagen Transporter T5 chassis.[1] Over 650 were built, with Transport for London purchasing over 250 for use on Dial-a-Ride services.[2][3][4] A number are used by Sheffield Community Transport in South Yorkshire.[citation needed]
Woodall Nicholson purchased the rights to the Tucana and transferred production from Scarborough to its Mellor Coachcraft subsidiary in Rochdale after Bluebird entered administration in 2014.[5][6][7]
Tucana II
editIn August 2016, Mellor Coachcraft launched the Mellor Tucana II based on the Volkswagen Transporter T6 chassis with the first delivered to Scarborough Dial-a-Ride.[8][9][10]
Gallery
edit-
London Dial-a-Ride Bluebird Tucana -
Rear of London Dial-a-Ride Bluebird Tucana -
The interior of a Bluebird Tucana
References
edit- ^ CTA Show 2005 Review Bus & Coach Professional 21 November 2005
- ^ "Thousands of older and disabled Londoners to gain as Mayor introduces new Dial-a-Ride vehicles". Transport for London. 5 September 2008. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
- ^ Standard, Evening (5 April 2012). "Boris Johnson launches the revamped Dial-a-Ride bus". Evening Standard. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
- ^ Pidgeon, Caroline (26 May 2022). "Please state how many buses currently operate for Dial-a-Ride". Mayor's Question Time. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
There are 256 buses in Dial-a-Ride's fleet.
- ^ Woodall Nicholson expands with bus acquisition Manchester Evening News 14 July 2014
- ^ Bluebird snapped up by rival Scarborough News 15 July 2014
- ^ New name, familiar product Bus & Coach Buyer 29 September 2014
- ^ Orchard, Rob (18 October 2016). "The new Mellor Tucana II". Bus & Coach Buyer. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
- ^ "Mellor Coachcraft launches redesigned Tucana II". Route One. 26 August 2016. Archived from the original on 28 August 2016.
- ^ Mellor Coachcraft launches Tucana II Coach & Bus Week issue 1258 20 September 2016 pages 40, 41
External links
edit
Media related to Bluebird Tucana at Wikimedia Commons
- Mellor Tucana brochure Mellor Coachcraft
- Mellor Tucana II brochure Mellor Coachcraft