The new ambulances will be used by WAST’s non-emergency patient transport services to transport people to and from routine outpatient appointments at clinics, hospitals and day centres, thereby playing a major role in the 1.5m journeys that the service completes each year for them. Specially converted to WAST’s specific requirements, the new Renault Masters allow a wide spectrum of patients to be catered for easily, including those requiring stretchers, wheelchair users and those with limited mobility.
Funded by the Welsh Government, the new vehicles are replacements for a number of WAST’s existing eight-year-old Renault Masters, many of which have now covered in the region of over 200,000 miles. The Master makes up the vast majority of the organisation’s vehicles, accounting for over 220 of the near 280-strong fleet. It has operated Renault vehicles for over 20 years and the reliability and durability of its previous Masters was a major factor in its decision to reinvest in the brand.
The latest batch of them are in two differing configurations, with 42 being converted for double wheelchair access and 25 being stretcher-bearing vehicles, with four passenger seats. They are based on the long wheelbase, medium roof, front-wheel drive version (LM35) and all the conversions have been completed by Wilker, which is one of nearly 30 approved converters included in the Renault Accredited Converter programme. Wilker has equipped each vehicle with an inboard tail-lift, with a safe working load of 500kgs.
Powering the ambulances is the efficient 2.3-litre turbodiesel, dCi 110 engine, matched to a six-speed manual gearbox. All the vehicles are based on the Business+ level of trim, which provides WAST’s drivers with standard features such as an alarm and electronic immobiliser, air conditioning, electric windows, ABS with EBD (Electronic Brake force Distribution), heated and electrically-adjustable door mirrors, central locking, ESC (Electronic Stability Control) with Grip Xtend, Hill Start Assist and multi-function trip computer. Each is specified with the optional MediaNav multimedia system with 7.0-inch touchscreen, Navteq navigation, DAB tuner and both Bluetooth and USB connectivity.
WAST benefits from the standard Renault 100,000-mile/three-year warranty on the base vehicles, supported by Wilker matching the manufacturer’s cover. David Holmes, National Fleet Manager, WAST, stated: “The Renault Master has been our ambulance of choice for many years and it’s proved to be perfect for our needs time and time again, offering good value against rival vehicles, a high specification and, importantly, excellent durability and reliability.
“The front-wheel-drive Master lends itself particularly well to the conversion as the low floor height, combined with the large sliding side door, provides generous access for more mobile patients and crews alike. 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.”
This significant order highlights how appealing the Renault Master is but also the expertise and benefits that the Renault Accredited Converter programme offers. The converters form the basis of built-to-order specialised vehicles that include welfare units, ambulances, temperature-controlled vans, horseboxes, transporters, ‘cherry pickers’ with cranes and platforms, minibuses, motorhomes and campers, and construction vehicles.
