Mellor Strata

Mellor Strata
Overview
Manufacturer	Mellor Coachcraft
Production	2016–
Body and chassis
Doors	1 door
Floor type	Low-floor (Strata LF) Step entrance (Strata HF 16)
Chassis	Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
Powertrain
Engine	Mercedes-Benz
Capacity	14–21 seated Or up to 7 wheelchairs
Power output	140 bhp (514 CDI) 163 bhp (516 CDI)
Transmission	7-speed automatic or manual
Dimensions
Length	7.76 metres
Width	2.3 metres
Height	2.67 metres (Strata LF) 2.76 metres (Strata HF 16)
Curb weight	5500 kg
Chronology

The Mellor Strata is a minibus body manufactured by Mellor Coachcraft since 2016 on Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis. It is available as the Mellor Strata HF 16, a step-entrance version aimed at the access bus market, so named for it's maximum seated passenger capacity of sixteen; or as the Mellor Strata LF, a low-floor variant targeting the service bus market, with a capacity of up to 21 seated passengers.

The light and economical van-based Strata was launched to compete with the more traditional, but heavier and less economical, bus-based short wheelbase Alexander Dennis Enviro200 MMC and Optare Solo SR, as well as other van-based minibus designs, as the United Kingdom bus market was starting to go through the 'second minibus revolution' of the mid to late 2010s.

The Strata LF is built on the long-wheelbase Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 516 CDI chassis, while the Strata HF 16 is available on both the 514 CDI (with a less powerful engine) and 516 CDI variants of the Sprinter.

Operators

Strata HF 16

The first two Strata HF 16s were delivered to Melksham Community Transport in early 2017. East Riding of Yorkshire Council have placed the largest order for Strata HF 16s to date, taking delivery of nine examples in July 2017.

Strata LF

The first two Strata LFs entered service with McGill's Bus Services in late 2016 on their Inverclyde network.

The Strata LF has seen strong sales with local councils for community transport operations, with deliveries going to Dumfries & Galloway Council's SWestrans operation (three examples, leased to Houston's Coaches of Lockerbie); Nottinghamshire County Council (two examples); and Redcar and Cleveland Council (three examples). Additionally, a single Strata LF has been delivered to Cheshire West and Chester Council and leased to Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire for operation on the Blacon Greyhound community bus service between Blacon and the Greyhound Retail Park in Chester.

The first order from a major group came in 2017, with Arriva North West taking delivery of nine Stratas for services in Macclesfield and Winsford in Cheshire. In July 2017, a Strata LF demonstrator entered service with TLC Travel in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, ahead of a possible future order. Several Strata LFs have also entered service with Prentice Coaches.

See also

Competitors:

• Alexander Dennis Enviro200 MMC
• Optare Solo SR

Other contemporary Mellor products:

• Mellor Maxima
• Mellor Orion
• Mellor Tucana II