Biffa Municipal is investing £11m in a new fleet as part of a major eight year deal it won last year to run Manchester City’s household collections and street cleaning services.
Of the 100-plus strong fleet, Biffa has so far taken delivery of two Mercedes Econic 18-tonne refuse and recycling collection vehicles (RCVs); nine Mercedes Econic 26-tonne rear-steer RCVs; three DAF LF 16-tonne RCVs; 20 Ford Connect vans; and 30 Ford Transit cage tippers.
Nine of the 14 RCVs delivered so far, will take part in a six month trial to decide which configuration best optimises their performance.
This will then be used as the basis to specify 30-plus RCVs that will make up the remainder of the order. One of the RCVs will also trial a 360o video camera and the Cyclear safe cyclist system.
Mark Hodkinson, Biffa’s general manager for its Manchester contract, said: “We’re all working hard to get the fleet prepared for deployment on Manchester’s streets.
"While performing their normal duties, the larger RCVs will be providing valuable information about how they can best be used to deliver efficient and economical collection services."