Bus users in Stockton are now benefiting from improved services which are being funded by the local authority and operated by Compass Royston, one of the north-east’s leading family-owned bus and coach operators.

To operate the services Compass Royston has this week put in to service two Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 25 midi buses. The 2.46m-wide low-floor buses are 25-seaters and ideal replacements for earlier generations of step-entrance Mercedes minibuses.

One of the Sprinter 25s is upgrading an existing contract which Compass Royston has held for the last three years, offering passengers step-free access and accommodation for wheelchairs. The other is being used on two new local services in Stockton.

“It’s the first time I have offered the council the option of a low-floor minibus for contracted services,” Gary Walton adds, “and they could clearly see the benefits which a fully-accessible vehicle would bring.”

The Sprinter 25 has a step height of 320mm, which can be reduced to 250mm using the lowering facility in the suspension.