FIRST is investing £1.7m in 14 new buses for the five-route Chester park and ride service.
The order has been placed with Volvo following the award of the new park and ride contract that starts this month.
The new buses will be 41-seaters, featuring easy access, buggy-friendly low floors – ideal for the elderly and parents travelling with children.
As part of the contract a dedicated park and ride supervisor is to be appointed and the recruitment process for this role has also started.
The supervisor will be regularly seen travelling on the network.
Ken Poole, managing director for First’s bus operations in Chester and Wirral said: “We were very pleased to learn that our bid had won the competitive tendering process for this important contract.
“We put considerable effort into analysing the previous contract to make sure that where lessons were to be learned, they were, and in ensuring our tender for the new contract addressed all the requirements laid down for the new operator.
“We’ve now committed the investment for the new buses and we anticipate progressive delivery during the early weeks of the new contract. Close monitoring and reporting will be a key element of the new contract in order to ensure that customers always have access to a reliable and dependable service.
“This will involve the fullest cooperation with our local authority partners in Cheshire West and Chester and will include our regular attendance at feedback and review meetings.”
