Mellor Orion

The Mellor Orion (previously known as the Bluebird Orion) is a minibus body manufactured on Fiat Ducato chassis since 2011, introduced by Bluebird Vehicles and subsequently built by Mellor Coachcraft since 2014. Several variants are produced, including the long-wheelbase Orion Plus and the fully electric Orion E.[1] In 2021, Mellor launched an updated version known as the Orion Evolution.[2]

Mellor Orion
A 2016 Mellor Orion operated by Wanderbus
Overview
ManufacturerBluebird Vehicles (2011–2014)
Mellor Coachcraft (2014–)
Production2011–
AssemblyScarborough, North Yorkshire;
Rochdale, Greater Manchester
Body and chassis
ClassSingle-decker bus
LayoutFront-engine, front-wheel drive
Doors1
Floor typeLow-floor
ChassisFiat Ducato
Powertrain
Engine180 bhp (130 kW) Iveco F1AE3481E diesel
Electric motor1x 96 kW Mellor motor (Orion E)
Capacity192 kWh (Orion E)
Transmission8-speed fully automatic
6-speed manual
7.3:1 ratio E-Gear (Orion E)
Battery2x 96kWh lithium–iron phosphate packs (Orion E)
Electric range100 mi (160 km) (Orion E)
Plug-in charging400 volts AC, 32 amps (4.25 hours to full charge) (Orion E)
Dimensions
Wheelbase4.890 m (16.04 ft)
Length7.497 to 7.797 m (24.60 to 25.58 ft)
Width2.200 m (7.22 ft)
Height2.645 m (8.68 ft)
Kerb weight5,000 kg (5.0 t), GVW

An eight-seater private hire taxi variant, known as the Mellor Pico, was launched in 2019 on short-wheelbase Fiat Ducato chassis.

Operators

Orion

The Mellor Orion has proven popular with local councils in providing accessible transport, home-to-school transport and demand responsive or low-demand rural services. One of the largest customers for the Orion has been Dorset County Council, who took delivery of 39 Orions between 2016 and 2018 in a major renewal of their minibus fleet.[3] Other large customers for the Orion include Nottinghamshire County Council, who have taken delivery of eleven examples;[4] Durham County Council, who operate seven Orions;[5] and Edinburgh City Council, who ordered twelve vehicles in 2019.[6]

The Orion has also been offered to foreign markets. In early 2014, a Bluebird Orion Plus was exported to Australia and tested by several operators after being route tested by Australasian Bus & Coach magazine.[7]

Orion E

The first production Orion E entered service in 2019 with the National Galleries of Scotland on a shuttle service between its three sites.[8] Seven Orion Es were delivered to First West Yorkshire in Leeds in 2021 for the new Flexibus East Leeds demand responsive transport service.[9] Cheshire West and Chester Council took delivery of an Orion E in 2022 to join their existing fleet of diesel Orions, marking the council's first investment in electric buses.[10] Other customers include Nottingham City Council, who are evaluating a single Orion E alongside other electric vehicles as part of their Project EVE.[11]

Pico

The Mellor Pico was launched at the Busworld exposition in Brussels in October 2019. Aimed at the taxi and demand responsive market, the Pico is built on the shortest wheelbase Fiat Ducato chassis and contains up to eight passenger seats, competing with contemporary taxis such as the LEVC TX.[12]

References
  1. Orchard, Rob (4 August 2015). "The Mellor Orion service bus". Bus & Coach Buyer. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  2. "New minibus launched as Mellor announces investment". Transport Engineer. 1 October 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  3. "Dorset CC adds a further eight Mellor Orions". Route One Magazine. 23 April 2018. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  4. "Notts CC's repeat order for Mellor Orion Plus". Route One Magazine. 10 August 2018. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  5. Deakin, Tim (18 December 2019). "Durham County Council takes Seven Mellor Orions". Route One Magazine. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  6. "Edinburgh City Council adds 12 Mellor Orions". Route One Magazine. 25 February 2019. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  7. Skinner, Steve (14 April 2014). "VIDEO REVIEW: BLUEBIRD ORION PLUS". Australasian Bus & Coach. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  8. Deakin, Tim (17 April 2019). "Zero-emission Mellor Orion E enters service". Route One Magazine. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  9. "Mellor Orion E battery-electric fleet for Leeds Flexibus DRT". Route One Magazine. 19 January 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  10. "Cheshire (UK) adds a Mellor Orion E electric minibus to its fleet". Sustainable Bus. 5 May 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  11. "Mellor Orion E to play part in Nottingham City Council ZE project". Route One Magazine. 9 March 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  12. Deakin, Tim (30 October 2019). "Mellor turns to DRT as Pico makes debut". Route One Magazine. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
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