TBC Conversions specialise in wheelchair accessible vehicles and minibus conversions.  At the show next month, they’ll be exhibiting a side entry 16 seat accessible Volkswagen Crafter, based on the CR50 LWB Maxi chassis.

Company name: TBC Conversions Ltd

Year founded: 2006

Headquarters: Dungannon, Northern Ireland / Birkenhead, Liverpool

Main products: Minibus, Taxi & Mobility conversions

Yearly output: We currently convert approx 1,500 vehicles per year, with plans to increase capacity to 2,000 per annum

Fun/interesting company fact:

Our chief engineer is father of WRC Rally superstar Kris Meeke who regularly visits the factory.

How important is Coach & Bus UK to you and the industry?

Coach & Bus UK is important for the industry as it allows us to display the very latest innovations and to develop our relationships with customers, partners and suppliers alike.

What are you most looking forward to about the show?

Seeing existing clients and new prospects in a relaxed environment.

Looking ahead, what’s the biggest opportunity for the coach & bus industry in the coming years?

Working with vehicle manufacturers to develop conversion solutions on electrically powered vehicles.

Can you give us an example of what your business is doing to be even more sustainable?

We are eagerly awaiting the new Volkswagen E-Crafter and have already began development to deliver a one stop Zero emissions solution.

What’s your view/standpoint on zero-emission vehicles?

We need to embrace the change, however the infrastructure needs to be there to support it. There will be a need for both diesel and electric, depending on terrain.

In your opinion, how can the industry continue to reduce its carbon footprint?

Recently TBC Conversions has achieved ISO 14001 Environmental management and we believe that all suppliers within the industry should be striving to achieve this accreditation.

What new tech should coach / bus operators be looking to invest in?

Alternative fuel sources.

Why is innovation so vital to the future of the industry?

Innovation is vital, as ensuring our environment and quality of air is paramount for the generations to follow as well as providing our customers and passengers with the highest level of comfort without compromising on safety.

What’s your current bestseller? 

Our most popular vehicle at the moment is the VW Crafter based 16 seat accessible minibus. Built in association with Volkswagen, we are in the final stages of full European type approval. Being a Volkswagen Integrated Partner is vital to us as we believe any conversion should meet with manufacturer standards.

What vehicles will you be bringing to the show?

We will be exhibiting our wheelchair accessible Volkswagen Crafter.

This is a side entry 16 seat accessible vehicle, based on the CR50 LWB Maxi chassis. The accessible minibus features a fully flat 8-track floor, wipe clean interior panels and stylish ceiling-mounted LED lights.

The vehicle on show has a maximum capacity of driver plus 15 passengers and the saloon is equipped with 14 removable seats finished in a functional but modern style. With all saloon seats on NMI quick-release legs, the vehicle provides the user with a flexible seating and wheelchair layout, with the ability to accommodate up to a maximum of five wheelchair passengers. Wheelchair access is via an internally mounted lift at the rear doors, and boarding for ambulant passengers is through the sliding side door that offers well positioned fold out handrails and an electrically operated 800mm cantilever step. A lot of care has went into the design of the side door entrance in order to assist those with reduced mobility getting in and out of the vehicle.

Both manual and automatic gearboxes are available on the new Crafter model and the vehicle on display at the show features front and rear parking sensors, electrically operated and heated door mirrors, as well as a VW factory-fitted climate control system in the rear of the vehicle.

 

 

  • Information supplied by TBC Conversions.

TBC Conversions is exhibiting at Coach & Bus UK on stand E2/1, miniplus Area.

To register for a free trade ticket, please visit https://cbuk-2019.reg.buzz