Patient transport provider strikes 250 Renault Master fleet deal

Patient transport provider EMED is growing its fleet with the addition of more than 250 specially converted Renault Master vans.

Launching new patient transport services across Sussex, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Frimley, EMED will use the new light commercial vehicles (LCVs) to fulfil two new contracts.

The 10-year contracts are a significant expansion for the business, with the new vans meaning that Renault vehicles now account for 48% of EMED’s 1,346-vehicle fleet.

EMED considered vans from several brands over an 18-month tender period. However, it says that its positive experience of its existing Renault vehicles drove its decision to invest in more, with reliability, durability, economy and the competitive price being key decision drivers.

The weight of the base Renault Master van also allowed EMED to keep the fully-converted unit below 3.5 tonnes – an essential requirement that allows a wide array of staff to drive and keep each van in use 10 hours a day.

To optimise value for the business and the NHS, the company intends to keep each of its new Master vans for seven years, with the possibility that this may be extended to 10 years.

EMED expects each van to cover circa 180,000 miles during the period.

Jimmy Sommerville (pictured above), group fleet manager at EMED, said: “There are cheaper units, but you get what you pay for, and the Renault is a quality product while still offering a competitive cost.

“It is more important that we have something which lasts, and our experience of our previous Renault LCVs has been very positive, with good reliability and no downtime.

“The crews also like them, and later this year we will be looking to further extend the fleet with the addition of the new Master.”

Most vans have been converted to non-emergency patient transport services (NEPTS) specification, while five have been completed as high dependency unit (HDU) vehicles.

Those in NEPTS trim transport patients that include those who have dementia or are required to attend essential dialysis and oncology appointments, while the HDU vehicles carry critical patients between places of treatment.

All are equipped with wheelchairs and oxygen, with circa 50% also including stretchers.   

Justin Costello, head of fleet at Renault UK, said: “It is very rewarding that Renault is enabling EMED to grow exponentially while helping some of the most vulnerable in our communities to reach essential hospital appointments comfortably and safely.

“The fact that EMED will keep its Masters for up to a decade illustrates just how durable and dependable Renault vehicles are.”