Wright Axcess

The Wright Axcess-Ultralow was introduced in 1995 as a low-cost replacement for Wright Endurance and Wright Pathfinder bodies based on the step-entrance Scania N113 and low-entry N113CRL chassis respectively, developed to fit the recommendations of the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DiPTAC) on improving wheelchair and pushchair access. Like the Endurance and Pathfinder, the Axcess-Ultralow body was constructed using an Alusuisse bolted aluminium frame and with bonded window glazing, and internally, featured a {{convert|320|mm}} low single entrance step, capable of being lowered to {{convert|200|mm}} at the kerbside via the 'kneeling' function of the chassis. This was followed by a {{convert|780|mm}} central gangway between both front axles and three {{convert|200|mm}} steps towards the rear seats of the bus.{{cite magazine |last=Millier |first=Noel |date=16 March 1995 |title=Low price-tag on low-floor bus |url=https://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/16th-march-1995/16/low-price-tag-on-low-floor-bus |magazine=Commercial Motor |volume=182 |issue=4611 |page=16 |location=Sutton |publisher=Reed Business Publishing |access-date=5 August 2018}}

File:Wright Axcess-Floline 1.jpg Wright Axcess-Floline bodied Scania L94UB in Liverpool in June 2007]]

The Axcess-Ultralow was succeeded by the Wright Axcess-Floline in 1997 on the Scania L94UB chassis. Launched at the Coach & Bus 97 expo, most of the Floline's changes were found internally, most notably being the 'Floline' sloped floor system, originally launched on the Renown on Volvo B10BLE, that removed the need for multiple steps towards the rear of the interior. Additional strength applied to the body's framework for implementing the Floline concept allowed the bus to be specified with bonded gasket windows.{{cite magazine |last1=Morris |first1=Stephen |last2=Lamb |first2=Philip |url=https://archive.org/details/buses-issue513/page/n38/mode/1up |title=Scania's new 4 series |magazine=Buses |location=Hersham |publisher=Ian Allan Publishing |issue=513 |page=xi |date=December 1997 |access-date=15 September 2024}} The Floline was succeeded in 2000 by the low-floor 'Millennium Design' Wright Solar body on the same Scania L94UB chassis.

An initial batch of 20 Wright Axcess-Ultralows were delivered to Rider York in June 1995 for service on the York park and ride equipped with luggage ramps supplied from Marks & Spencer.{{cite magazine |last=Jarsoz |first=Andrew |date=17 June 1995 |url=https://archive.org/details/cbw-issue172/page/n4/mode/1up |title=Rider York gets P&R |magazine=Coach & Bus Week |issue=172 |page=5 |location=Peterborough |publisher=Emap |access-date=6 April 2024}}{{cite magazine |date=14 October 1995 |url=https://archive.org/details/cbw-issue189/page/n17/mode/1up |title=Axcess poses for cameras at revamped Park and Ride |magazine=Coach & Bus Week |issue=189 |page=18 |location=Peterborough |publisher=Emap |access-date=6 April 2024}} These buses eventually became part of the FirstBus fleet, who were popular customers of the Wright Axcess-Ultralow, especially for its Scottish operations. A majority of the group's Axcess-Ultralows were delivered to First Greater Glasgow from 1996 onwards,{{cite magazine |last=Booth |first=Gavin |date=13 December 1996 |issue=388 |pages=7–8 |title=The changing face of Strathclyde Buses |magazine=Bus & Coach Buyer |location=Spalding |publisher=Glen-Holland Limited}} while twelve were delivered to FifeFirst in June 1997,{{cite magazine |author= |url=https://archive.org/details/busesmag-pre2010/page/n7/mode/2up |title=FirstBus gets going in Fife |magazine=Buses |location=Hersham |publisher=Ian Allan Publishing |issue=508 |page=8 |date=July 1997 |access-date=6 April 2024}} and eight were delivered to its Midland Bluebird and Lowland operations during 1997.{{cite magazine |date=31 January 1997 |issue=394 |page=26 |title=Trunk routes upgraded |magazine=Bus & Coach Buyer |location=Spalding |publisher=Glen-Holland Limited}} Elsewhere, Axcess-Ultralows were delivered to Kingfisher Huddersfield,{{cite magazine |last=Jones |first=Stuart |date=13 December 1996 |issue=388 |pages=9–11 |title=New depot for Kingfisher |magazine=Bus & Coach Buyer |location=Spalding |publisher=Glen-Holland Limited |quote=A further six vehicles are scheduled to join Kingfisher in 1997, these being Scania L113 Wright Axcess Ultralows, the operation's first low floor buses.}} First Crosville,{{cite magazine |date=4 December 1997 |url=https://archive.org/details/cbw-issue298/page/31/mode/1up |title=Crosville: Axcess-ultralows |magazine=Coach & Bus Week |issue=298 |page=31 |location=Peterborough |publisher=Emap |access-date=24 September 2024}} and the group's Eastern Counties, Northampton and Leicester operations.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

Twenty Axcess-Ultralows were delivered to MTL Trust Holdings for its Merseybus operations in 1996,{{cite magazine |date=23 March 1996 |url=https://archive.org/details/cbw-issue210/page/n28/mode/1up |title=MTL low-floor investment |magazine=Coach & Bus Week |issue=210 |page=29 |location=Peterborough |publisher=Emap |access-date=30 April 2024}} while ten Axcess-Ultralows were also delivered to Kentish Bus in late 1994, part of a wider investment by Kent County Council into improving bus stops and shelters as well as providing route information for service 480 between Dartford and Gravesend.{{cite magazine |last=Williams |first=Mark |date=6 January 1995 |url=https://archive.org/details/cbw-issue199/page/n23/mode/2up |title=Axcess-ultralows funded by Kent County Council |magazine=Coach & Bus Week |issue=199 |pages=24–25 |location=Peterborough |publisher=Emap |access-date=6 April 2024}} Six Axcess-Ultralows were delivered to Chester City Transport for park and ride services in late 1997,{{cite magazine |date=15 January 1998 |url=https://archive.org/details/cbw-issue303/page/27/mode/1up |title=CCT opts for Wrights in revamp |magazine=Coach & Bus Week |issue=303 |page=27 |location=Peterborough |publisher=Emap |access-date=24 September 2024}} and five Axcess-Ultralows were delivered to Nottingham City Transport between 1995 and early 1996.{{cite magazine |author= |date=22 September 1995 |issue=325 |page=15 |title=Fleet additions |magazine=Bus & Coach Buyer |location=Spalding |publisher=Glen-Holland Limited}}

Five Axcess-Ultralows were delivered to Bullocks Coaches of Cheadle in 1995 for use on route 42 between Piccadilly Gardens and Stockport bus station,{{cite magazine |author= |date=25 November 1995 |issue=195 |page=27 |title=Bullocks gets first five Manchester grant-aided low-floors |magazine=Coach & Bus Week |location=Peterborough |publisher=Emap}}{{cite magazine |author= |date=26 January 1996 |issue=342 |page=22 |title=Low Bullocks |magazine=Bus & Coach Buyer |location=Spalding |publisher=Glen-Holland Limited}} followed by another five being delivered to North Western's StarLine subsidiary for service between Altrincham, Sale, Wythenshawe and Manchester Airport. The purchases of both batches of these buses were funded from low-floor grants provided by the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority.{{cite magazine |author= |date=16 March 1996 |issue=209 |page=26 |title=Low-floors for StarLine |magazine=Coach & Bus Week |location=Peterborough |publisher=Emap}} A further 29 Axcess-Ultralows were supplied to North Western and the StarLine subsidiary during 1996.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

All but 34 of the 276 Axcess-Flolines produced were delivered to FirstBus operators, with some early examples built concurrently alongside the group's orders for the Axcess-Ultralow. The first production Axcess-Floline was delivered to First Greater Glasgow following the Coach & Bus 97 expo.

{{Reflist}}

• {{commons category-inline|Wright Axcess-Ultralow}}
• {{commons category-inline|Wright Axcess-Floline}}

{{Portal-inline|Buses}}

{{Wrightbus|state=collapsed}}

Category:Low-entry buses

Category:Vehicles introduced in 1995

Axcess