The Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust (WAST) has replaced 67 of its non-emergency ambulance fleet with new Renault Masters, funded by the Welsh Government.
WAST has been a Renault LCV customer for 20 years, with 220 of its 280-vehicle fleet already with the brand. The trust covers around 1.5 million journeys per year, with some of the eight-year-old Masters the newcomers are replacing racking up over 200,000 miles in that time, taking non-emergency patients to routing appointments.
Conversions were carried out by Wilker, a Renault Accredited Converter. All bare based on long wheelbase, medium roof vans, with a 2.3-litre dCi 110 diesel engine and manual gearbox. Front-wheel drive versions are used due to the low rear floor, with 42 converted for double wheelchair access and the remainder for carrying stretchers. All vehicles have a 500kg tail lift.
David Holmes, national fleet manager at Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust, said: “Our teams find them a comfortable drive and another important bonus is that these latest, more efficient versions will enable us to make fuel savings and reduce the impact our journeys have on the surrounding environment.”
