Edinburgh branded Wrightbus deckers take to the road with Lothian

(left to right) Lothian Managing Director, Ian Craig and Wrightbus Commercial Director, Sam McLaren, on one of Lothian’s new buses with a unique interior design.

Lothian Buses’ new fleet of Wrightbus Gemini 2 double deck buses will soon be taking to the Edinburgh roads, complete with both modernised external branding and a unique local interior design.

(left to right) Lothian Managing Director, Ian Craig and Wrightbus Commercial Director, Sam McLaren, on one of Lothian’s new buses with a unique interior design.

On ordering the 60 new vehicles Lothian specified a uniquely designed moquette on the seating, depicting some of the famous sights and attractions of the historic City of Edinburgh. Externally their traditional harlequin livery is replaced with an attractive modern design, inline with Lothian’s current brand development.

Speaking on a recent visit to Ballymena when Lothian officially “signed off” on their 60 new buses, Lothian Managing Director, Ian Craig commented “Introducing these new vehicles provided us with an ideal opportunity to update our branding and develop a new local theme for the buses that the people of Edinburgh can easily identify with.”

The new Eclipse Gemini 2 buses, built on the proven Volvo B9TL chassis, feature 48 seats on the upper deck and 32 in the lower saloon. They have wheelchair access via a powered ramp, the latest electronic destination equipment, an 11 camera CCTV system and Lothian Buses’ much-acclaimed buggy space.

“Lothian’s fleet is already fully accessible with one of the lowest age profiles of any large UK based operator,” continued Ian Craig. “These new Wrightbus double deck buses help us further minimise our environmental impact broadening the appeal of our services to the communities we serve”.

Featuring a Euro 5 incentive EEV 9.4 litre engine and specified to a high standard, the 11.3m metre low-floor, easy access double deck buses will be used across the whole range of Lothian’s well-established Edinburgh routes. Once complete, the order will mean that 435 new Wrightbus/ Volvo buses will have entered service with Lothian buses in Edinburgh since 2004.

Closely involved with the project from the outset, Wrightbus Commercial Director, Sam McLaren said, “We were delighted to win a highly competitive pitch and further consolidate our relationship as the preferred vehicle supplier to Lothian Buses,” he explained.

“The Wrightbus double deck vehicles help renew the Lothian fleet, delivering the quality that the company expects. New external branding perfectly complements the unique modern interior design, while the specialised seating adds a real sense of local identity to the vehicles.”