Northern Gas Networks (NGN) has purchased 134 Ford Transit emergency-response vans in a fleet renewal deal worth £4.9m.
The medium-wheelbase, high-roof Transit 350s will form part of NGN's emergency response and repair service and were chosen primarily because of their ability to accommodate on-board power systems, as well as overall driver acceptance and their proven reliability.
Two engineers will work from each of the vehicles, which include bespoke features such as power-conversion systems for 110V generators, compressors, power tools and digging equipment, all running off the 2.4-litre, 138hp diesel engine.
United Utilities Operations, NGN's fleet partner, runs approximately 570 vans and other CVs, and the newcomers replace older Transits and Mercedes-Benz Sprinters - most of which have gone to auction.
Adam Stephenson, network operations manager at United Utilities Operations, says: "The Transit provides the best platform for our needs and we need them to be self-sufficient out in the field, hence all the equipment. Traditionally we replace our vehicles every four years and these ones were purchased direct from the manufacturer."
He adds: "There's also heavy-duty batteries and racking equipment on board, which does affect payload, but the vehicles' primary task is to get to leakages quickly then call in specialised LCVs if needs be."
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