Nottingham City Transport (NCT) is a forward-thinking transport company pushing toward a zero-emissions future. As part of a £32.2m infrastructure project, NCT ordered 62 single-decker Yutong electric buses—a significant step in their sustainability journey.
Working on buses, especially large ones, means personnel must operate at height. This becomes a daily reality for NCT’s maintenance teams, tasked with servicing these new electric buses. The catch? The battery arrays powering these green vehicles sit on the roofs, requiring safe, reliable access for routine checks and repairs. Early in the project, NCT recognised that their team would spend substantial time working at height. Plus, the area needing access spanned most of the bus roof, demanding a robust platform. Safety was paramount—any solution had to minimise risks while keeping operations efficient.
NCT turned to Planet Platforms, specialists in access equipment, to tackle this challenge. Right from the initial talks, both teams knew a tailored approach was essential. After exploring options—like mobile aluminium platforms used at other depots—they settled on a fixed gantry system for the Trentbridge Works depot. These access platforms for buses offered a permanent, sturdy solution, prioritising safety and efficiency over temporary fixes. Designed, manufactured, and installed by Planet Platforms, the gantry became a cornerstone of NCT’s maintenance strategy.
Early in the project, Nottingham City Transport (NCT) approached access platforms specialist Planet Platforms to establish how these work at height tasks could be conducted as safely as possible. Right from the initial discussions, it became apparent that a significant amount of time would be spent working at height and any solution would need to reflect this. Just as important, the area that would need to be accessed covered most of the top of the vehicles, so the working platform would have to be substantial.
This wasn’t just any gantry—it came loaded with smart design elements:
Versatility: Primarily for single-decker battery maintenance, it also handles double-decker window replacements.
Comprehensive Coverage: The working area wraps around both sides and the rear of the bus, making it one of the most thorough access platforms for buses in the industry.
Profiling Fingers: Deployable fingers contour the bus’s sides and back, ensuring precise access.
Traffic Light Safety System: Sensors on the side fingers trigger a visible green light when retracted, or red if even one remains extended—preventing damage during entry or exit.
Robust Build: With a safe working load of 2kN/m², it supports multiple personnel at once.
The setup is straightforward yet effective. A bus reverses into the gantry, guided by a banksman signaling the driver into position. Once inside, the profiling fingers adjust to fit the vehicle’s shape. The traffic light system keeps everyone in sync—green means go, red means stop. It’s a seamless blend of safety and practicality, letting NCT’s team focus on the job, not the risks.
This fixed gantry system transformed NCT’s maintenance game. It’s a significant investment, but one built to last, delivering a strong return over years of use. Beyond safety, it boosts operational efficiency—crucial for maintaining 62 electric buses on their zero-emissions path. Sean O’Sullivan, Head of Engineering at NCT, summed it up: “It’s been fantastic working hand in hand with Planet Platforms. They collaborated closely with our engineering team to create a one-off, high-level boxing ring gantry. It meets the needs of our new EV vehicles and lets our engineers tackle a range of maintenance tasks safely and controlled at height.”
For NCT, these access platforms for buses aren’t just equipment—they’re a lifeline to long-term success. By ensuring personnel can work at height securely and efficiently, Planet Platforms helped NCT take a big step toward their sustainability goals without compromising on safety or productivity.
