Mellor Starts Rollout of 33 Strata Plus Buses for West Yorkshire AccessBus

Mellor has begun delivering 33 Strata Plus low-floor buses to replace West Yorkshire's AccessBus fleet, as part of a £6.5m programme run by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA).

Mellor Bus

The order was awarded earlier this year, and Mellor says the ultra-low emission vehicles will be introduced progressively across the region. WYCA said the buses being replaced were between 11 and 18 years old when the programme was announced.

What AccessBus Does

AccessBus provides door-to-door transport for people who may find it difficult to use conventional public transport, including older passengers and people with additional mobility needs.

The Strata Plus

The Strata Plus is the middle model in Mellor's three-strong Strata range, which Bus Ambassador covered when the latest generation was unveiled in 2025. It is designed and built in Britain on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter platform, combining a low-floor saloon with the manoeuvrability of a smaller bus.

Mellor says the AccessBus vehicles have been specified around the needs of the service. That means low-floor access, flexible passenger layouts and extra provision for wheelchairs and mobility equipment. The latest-generation model has an extended low-floor area, flexible seating configurations, provision for up to two wheelchair positions and the latest driver assistance and safety systems.

Mellor Bus

Sprinter Underneath

Beneath the Mellor bodywork, the Strata Plus is a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. Mellor fits its coachbuilt body and low-floor frame conversion to the Sprinter chassis and drivetrain, and builds the vehicles in Rochdale.

The link goes back to the original Strata in 2016. Mellor chose the Sprinter for its driveline's reputation for performance and reliability, its low running costs and its large dealer network, and Mercedes-Benz formally approved the chassis work. The Plus and Ultra followed in 2018, offered on the then-new 907-series Sprinter. The Plus launched at 8.1m long and, like the rest of the range, is 2.3m wide.

That width and a 17-metre turning circle suit tight routes, which matters for a door-to-door service. Mellor claims up to 22mpg. The current Strata also comes with GSR2 driver assistance as standard, including Attention Assist, Intelligent Speed Assist, Blind Spot Assist and Active Brake Assist, and Mellor says the AccessBus buses have the latest driver assistance and safety systems.

Richard Matthews, Sales Director at Mellor, said:

“Being a Yorkshireman myself, there’s something particularly special about seeing 33 Mellor buses being delivered to communities across West Yorkshire. AccessBus performs an important role for passengers who rely on accessible transport, and the Strata Plus is perfectly suited to the operation. It provides genuine low-floor access, flexibility for wheelchairs and mobility equipment and a modern passenger environment, while retaining the manoeuvrability and efficiency that come with a smaller vehicle. It’s also a significant order for our team and a great example of British-built buses being designed around the specific needs of the services and communities they will support.”

For Mellor, it is one of the largest orders to date for the latest-generation Strata Plus.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said:

“AccessBus is a vital service for people across West Yorkshire who might otherwise struggle to get where they need to go. These new buses will provide a more modern, comfortable and accessible journey for passengers, and I’m delighted to see the new fleet starting to roll out across the region as we continue building a better-connected West Yorkshire.”

Weaver Network on the Horizon

The delivery comes as West Yorkshire prepares for bus franchising and the wider Weaver Network. The Combined Authority has said franchising will be introduced in phases, beginning in 2027 and completing in 2028. The bus in Mellor's photos already carries Weaver Network branding.

The Strata Plus order is a different one from the almost 200 electric Wrightbus buses due from spring 2027, which Bus Ambassador saw taking shape on the production line earlier this month. First Bus and Transdev Blazefield have also signed the first Weaver Network franchising contracts.

Small Buses in Franchised Networks

Mellor has been here before. The Rochdale-based firm built Strata LF buses for Greater Manchester's Bee Network, which has more recently expanded its night bus services.

In the Liverpool City Region, Mellor's sister company Treka has delivered seven CitySprint minibuses to the Metro network, with three in St Helens and four for Wirral. Both firms are part of the Woodall Nicholson Group.

Further details are available in Mellor's announcement and on the Strata range page.