Mellor, the Rochdale-based manufacturer of size-appropriate buses, has delivered the first two Sigma 8s to local bus operator, Shuttle Buses.

The buses represent a significant milestone for Mellor; not only being the first Sigmas in Scotland, but also the first customer examples of the electric midi-bus.

These two Sigma 8 are capable of carrying 27 seated passengers with 27 standees and have been configured to Mellor’s ‘rural’ specification with a single passenger door.

Now in daily service, the buses are delivering zero emissions public transport to bus passengers across North Ayrshire.

The two vehicles were part-funded by Transport Scotland under their ScotZEB scheme, with financing from Virgin Money Asset Finance Direct.

Before placing an order, the long-standing Mellor customer tested a Sigma 10 demonstrator.

The second model in Mellor’s six-strong Sigma range, the Sigma 8 is 2.35 metres wide, making it ideal for service routes with low patronage, operating in environments such as housing estates and on narrow lanes where vehicle size is a limiting factor, and on demand-responsive transport programmes.

A total of eight Mellor Stratas already operate within the 60-strong Shuttle Buses fleet.

Ross Granger, Managing Director of Shuttle Buses, said “Our two Sigma 8s have settled down well and we’re achieving 145 miles a day with battery power to spare, even in a Scottish winter.

“Drivers and passengers alike appreciate the ‘big bus’ feel of the Sigma, and we look forward to continuing to partner with Mellor as we move towards an all-electric fleet”.