The Mellor Tucana (previously known as the Bluebird Tucana) is a small wheelchair-accessible minibus manufactured by Mellor Coachcraft in England.

Mellor Tucana
Mellor Tucana II operated by Somerset CC
Overview
ManufacturerBluebird Vehicles (2005-2014)
Mellor Coachcraft (2014-)
Production2005-present
Body and chassis
Doors1 side door or 2 door (1 side, 1 rear)
Floor typeLow floor
ChassisVolkswagen Transporter T5/ T6
Powertrain
Engine2.0-litre 4-cylinder Euro-6
Capacity15 seats or 4 wheelchairs
Power output140-150PS
Transmission7 speed Direct-shift gearbox
6 speed manual
Dimensions
Length6.83-7.01 metres
Width2.08 metres
Height2.41-2.57 metres
Curb weight4.1 tonnes

Tucana

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The Bluebird Tucana entered production in 2005 fitted to the Volkswagen Transporter T5 chassis.[1] Over 650 were built, with Transport for London purchasing over 250 for use on Dial-a-Ride services.[2][3][4] A number are used by Sheffield Community Transport in South Yorkshire.[citation needed]

Woodall Nicholson purchased the rights to the Tucana and transferred production from Scarborough to its Mellor Coachcraft subsidiary in Rochdale after Bluebird entered administration in 2014.[5][6][7]

Tucana II

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In August 2016, Mellor Coachcraft launched the Mellor Tucana II based on the Volkswagen Transporter T6 chassis with the first delivered to Scarborough Dial-a-Ride.[8][9][10]

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References

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  1. ^ CTA Show 2005 Review Bus & Coach Professional 21 November 2005
  2. ^ "Thousands of older and disabled Londoners to gain as Mayor introduces new Dial-a-Ride vehicles". Transport for London. 5 September 2008. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  3. ^ Standard, Evening (5 April 2012). "Boris Johnson launches the revamped Dial-a-Ride bus". Evening Standard. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  4. ^ Pidgeon, Caroline (26 May 2022). "Please state how many buses currently operate for Dial-a-Ride". Mayor's Question Time. Retrieved 4 November 2022. There are 256 buses in Dial-a-Ride's fleet.
  5. ^ Woodall Nicholson expands with bus acquisition Manchester Evening News 14 July 2014
  6. ^ Bluebird snapped up by rival Scarborough News 15 July 2014
  7. ^ New name, familiar product Bus & Coach Buyer 29 September 2014
  8. ^ Orchard, Rob (18 October 2016). "The new Mellor Tucana II". Bus & Coach Buyer. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  9. ^ "Mellor Coachcraft launches redesigned Tucana II". Route One. 26 August 2016.[dead link]
  10. ^ Mellor Coachcraft launches Tucana II Coach & Bus Week issue 1258 20 September 2016 pages 40, 41
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  Media related to Bluebird Tucana at Wikimedia Commons