The 4 year old 5 ton Volkswagen Crafter LWB has replaced a 12 year old Iveco minibus. The 15 seat vehicle (plus driver’s seat) is one of a fleet of 3 minibuses utilised by Age UK Blackburn with Darwen to transport older people to their two daycare centres.

Established in 1976, Age UK Blackburn with Darwen has 50 employees and 160 volunteers supporting local older people with community based services. Their 3 transport vehicles provide invaluable support, relied on daily.

The Crafter has a PLS Lift installed with a N/S door and allows for the removal of 13 detachable seats in exchange for 5 wheelchair passengers. A special lift out side step with hand rails allows excellent access for older passengers.

Additional benefits include air conditioning and climate control, full audio and CD player with electric windows, mirrors, rear reversing sensors and camera monitor, making the modern vehicle a comfortable addition for both driver and passenger.

“It has been a bit of struggle for Age UK Blackburn with Darwen because day care contracts did not provide longer term continuity of funding and although the old buses were long overdue for renewal, budget and resources were tight,” explained David Hardacre from Stanford Coachworks.

“We have kept in regular contact since 2005 and more recently we have been able to suggest a second hand quality minibus solution as part of our ‘New & Used Bus Sales Programme’.”

This is the first of many top class used wheelchair accessible minibuses from Stanford Coachworks available to the open market in the charity and private sector. This solution has been developed because Stanford has been aware for some time that many charitable organisations and nonprofit making enterprises want to run this type of vehicle for their operation, but cannot afford a new option.

Elaine Jennings Age UK commented: ‘We have been looking to upgrade our minibuses for some time. A good quality used minibus conversion was the ideal solution for our organization.’

New structures for low carbon dioxide emissions mean that some cars will not be taxed as a benefit and therefore making it more viable for employers to supply ‘blue’ vehicles.

Cars which require security features because of the job at hand are now not regarded as a benefit in kind. We would suggest any vehicle you use with passengers and/or equipment transport would need extra security anyway!

If a disabled employee has an automatic car because manual operation can be difficult, the employee is taxed as if it were a manual.

All subtle changes but well worth keeping on top of if you provide vehicles for your employees or drive a company car.

We will be showcasing several vehicles including a Mercedes Sprinter wheelchair accessible vehicle for Burnt Tree vehicle rentals on the Eberspacher Stand (1G30) and a Volkswagen Crafter wheelchair accessible vehicle for London Hire on the Webasto stand (3A60).

For over a decade the CVS has been a prominent resource for the UK logistics, road transport and passenger transport industry across both public and private sectors.

We’ve attended for several years now and it offers a great opportunity to meet existing and new clients alike.

Let us know if you’re coming along!

Stanford Coachworks have been privileged to take part in a television series documenting the types of companies and equipment involved in helping to support people 20 stone and above, some as heavy as 70 stone, and make their lives a little easier.

Stanford build ambulance conversions and have supplied over 10 bariatric ambulances to the bariatric department at Thames hospital. Extra wide ramps and doors are fitted to the vehicles, mainly Fiat Ducato L3 H2, 3 litre 160 dci turbo, to withstand up to 95 stone. Reinforced flat floor systems to the ambulance conversions can secure extra wide 36 inch wheelchairs; wheel chairs which are almost twice the size of standard issue chairs.

It is an unfortunate thing to say but this marketplace is vastly growing in size and offers huge potential for Stanford to supply hospitals and ambulance services, both private ambulance services and public sector operations, with quality ambulance vehicles and bariatric ambulance conversions.

All vehicles, even ambulance conversions can be specifically tailored to meet the individual needs of the patients and staff involved. In the case of the bariatric ambulances, reinforced inflatable ‘elk’ stretchers, extra wide automatic ramps and wrench supports come as standard.

If you’ve missed the programme, please tune in to Channel 5 at 8pm every Wednesday evening and let us know what you think.

In October a Fiat Ducato L3 H2, 3 litre 160 dci turbo, commissioned by the Bariatric Department of Thames Valley hospital, was delivered.

Bariatric is a branch of medicine concerned with obese patients and this particular vehicle was the subject of several weeks filming for the programme. The series will commence on Wednesday 22^nd February on Channel 5 at 8pm.

The bariatric ambulance conversion is the Tenth to be produced by Essex based Stanford Coachworks and one of over 50 ambulances converted and supplied to Thames Ambulance.

The ambulance has been manufactured to mobilise individuals weighing up to 50 stone. The interior is fully wipe clean for hygiene purposes with an 18mm WPB ply floor with non-slip blue lino, roller blinds and LED lighting throughout.

Two single 425mm Pheonix tip and fold seats with age belts and one Pheonix tip up seat are fitted inside the vehicle, all with isle side support armrests. Two full lengths of centre floor tracking allow for secure wheelchair provision. A reinforced vehicle tail-lift and heavy duty wheelchairs ease the strain on ambulance and hospital support workers and improve the comfort for the patient.

Emergency and safety equipment include piped oxygen store and outlet, Ferno Harrier XL stretcher with extendible sides, two fire extinguishers, one PSV first aid kit, a 1 ton winch, storage for scoop board, carry chair and spinal board, 12 volt incubator sockets, multiple grab handles and storage compartments.

So remember to tune in and see how the boys perform. There’s certainly some trepidation here, hoping of course to create the right impression!

Let us know what you think, they’re all sitting here with bitten nails and stampeding right feet!

The vehicle was formally handed over the 6th December by Stanford Coachworks representative Mike Gasper, the local mayoress Councillor Jane Cooper, and the donating Benjamin Weir Trust organisation. Before its official working life some final additions, in the form of Eberspacher climate control, vehicle registering and testing, were made. Trinity Hospice, established for over 120 years, took the keys on Thursday 22^nd December.

The much needed minibus replaces and old Iveco Daily to transport patients in the local community and has been the focus of two years fundraising. The hospice cares for people with cancer and long term conditions such as the heart, lung or neurological illness in and around Central and South West London.

“Our brand new Mercedes minibus is a wonderful donation from the Benjamin Weir Trust,” said Anne Hooper, Chief Executive of Trinity Hospice.

“We are very grateful for such a generous gift – as a charity we rely on the support of local people, businesses and organisations to enable us to continue providing skilled and compassionate end-of-life care for people in our communities who are at an advanced stage of illness.

The Mercedes has an automatic gearbox, long wheelbase, EJ6 audio command system and will transport up to 9 passengers plus driver. The minibus is wheelchair accessible with the option to accommodate 4 wheelchairs, access gained through using a rear Ratcliffe RTP50, 500kg capacity long platform chair lift. Standard seating has special tracking fitted to the floor allowing for five removable chairs.

Ms Hooper explains: “Our patients often have many different illnesses that may restrict their mobility and some require breathing apparatus while travelling so that they can access our day services at Trinity’s Mulberry Place. This minibus has a high specification and has been well adapted to meet their needs and make journeys as comfortable as possible – we are very pleased with the standard of workmanship which went into creating this special vehicle for Trinity.”

The Stanford Coachworks M2 tested safety floor system is fitted with a non slip vinyl covering. The original base of the vehicle has been up-rated to 3880kg GVW. Insulation has been built-in to all rear, sidewall and roof cavities for extra comfort and warmth. The vehicle is fully VOSA certified and includes 12 months warranty for the conversion.

“The handover highlights the significance of the new low emission zone legislation coming into force from 3rd January,” explains Jess Rider, Co-Director of Stanford Coachworks.

The legislation conforms to Euro IV emissions regulations which affect all 5 ton vehicles or less that were registered before 2002. Trinity Hospice’s old minibus did not meet the new requirements and would have forfeited a £100+ per day if venturing in London.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any requirements for a welfare or wheelchair accessible minibus.

So far the scheme has been extremely successful but concerns are still too high for London’s air pollution. As from yesterday, 3rd January more vehicles are now affected by the LEZ legislation and the limits posed on lorries, buses and coaches have become even tighter.

Nigel Standley, CEO of GreenUrban Technologies has been quoted to say: “If January wasn’t bleak enough, the extra cost brought about by changes to London’s low emission zone is something many are not prepared for.”

There haven’t been any published statistics yet as to how the introductory day was received but it will undoubtedly cause many issues within the logistics, transport and hospitality industries.

The New LEZ Criteria

The new LEZ legislation now tightens emissions standards to Euro IV for particulate matter for lorries, buses and coaches, motor caravans, motorised horseboxes and other specialist commercial vehicles.

Full details can be viewed here for types of emission particles and EU Standard levels.

The LEZ is now applicable to all diesel vans over 1.205 tonnes (unladen weight) and minibuses under 5 tonnes (gross vehicle weight) with more than 8 seats plus the driver’s seat.  All vehicles in this category will need to meet the Euro 3 emission standard for particle matter (PM) to drive within the LEZ without paying a daily charge.

To counteract any avoidance attempts the London LEZ has adopted the use of cameras to read vehicle registration number plates. The numbers are cross references against a database and penalties issued to non-compliant vehicles which haven’t paid the daily charge.

The Transport for London in November estimated that over 10,000 vehicles would not meet the requirements and imminent solutions would be required to assist so many unprepared motorists.

Fortunately at Stanford Coachworks we have some solutions for you. We can identify the areas your vehicle will not comply in and provide a conversion quotation or vehicle improvement programme. If this is not an option we have been supplying new minibus conversions and vehicles since 1994.

Contact us today on 01375 676088 for more details.

Image: Mocanu Bogdan

It’s a new year already and doesn’t time fly?

Best wishes to all our customers for a prosperous 2012.

We’re already looking towards a bright future with new marketing plans and a healthy vehicle conversion order book for the first quarter and we hope you have the same positive vibes.

Our industry has been through some changes, not least with the introduction of the new low emission zone legislation throughout London that will stump many older vans and minibuses registered before January 2002.

And with the recession continuing budgets are being reallocated and squeezed every which way possible.If your vehicle is in need of some TLC then we have just the solution with our Vehicle Improvement programme. Your minibus conversion, ambulance, mini-coach or wheelchair accessible vehicle can have a VIP treatment that even Gok Wan would approve!

Options include:

• Rigorous safety inspection
• Full valet
• Steam clean
• Fire safety check
• Lubrication
• New decals
• Replacement floor covering
• Re-trimmed interiors
• Wheelchair lifts servicing
• Full wax and polish

Alternatively if you do require a brand new vehicle conversion we handle the majority of reputable manufacturers including Mercedes Benz, Renault, Iveco, Peugeot, Volkswagen, Fiat and Citroen.

All the best from Jess, Lee and the Stanford Distinction Team!

YOU MAY BE AT RISK – CONTACT US TODAY TO FIND OUT HOW WE CAN HELP

Merry Christmas to all our customers

May we take the time to wish all our customers, colleagues and suppliers a very Happy Christmas and all the best for a fantastic New Year.

It’s been a tough year so far for most businesses and it’s been no different here at Stanford.

We’ve launched some new products and services, namely the ‘VIP’ Vehicle Improvement Programme and our flagship luxury mini coach, ‘The Monaco’ to combat the recession and move into new markets.

There’s more to come in 2011 and we are trying hard to explore new possibilities in conversions to meet customer demand and to be able to offer something that little bit unique.

We’ve also been spending a lot of time and investment in testing for the new European legislation for Whole Vehicle Type Approval. This move is an investment in corporate responsibility and social sustainability, to be able to offer the best possible conversions for health and safety throughout the UK. With this accreditation, we can certainly publicise the fact.

So, a huge thank you to all our customers for their support through 2011 and here’s a toast for 2012!

Jess, Lee and the Stanford Distinction Team!