Fully functioning mobile post offices will soon be serving rural communities across the UK thanks to the vehicle building capabilities of MAXUS manufacturer LDV Group.
A three-year joint project between Post Office Limited and LDV Group has seen the two companies design a dedicated rural mobile van that comes fully equipped with everything you would expect to see in your local high street post office. Forty vehicles of this type will soon be in service.
The MAXUS long wheel base 95PS panel vans are a testament to the company's unique special vehicle operations department (SVO), which was central to the success of the project.
John Ball, LDV's direct supply fleet manager, said the vehicles are fully specified to meet every requirement of a modern post office. “Our brief was to accommodate all Post Office equipment and electronic services into a compact secure counter within our 3.5 tonne MAXUS van. Prototypes were designed, built and then tried and tested before the finished model, as seen at this year's Commercial Vehicle Show, was produced.”
Customers enter the mobile unit via the rear door. The unit can accommodate up to six adults and includes provisions for wheelchair access. The interior is fully insulated and includes heating and ventilation for the comfort of the customers and counter clerk.
Security and power provisions are crucial for the service to operate in remote locations. John said: “A fully independent inverter system has been installed to transfer power from the onboard auxiliary batteries into mains voltage to power the equipment. This in turn operates the Horizon computer which provides customers with the full range of services available at a 'normal' post office.”
A number of covert security features, tinted glazing and a wide entrance step with secure grab rails are fitted to provide a safe and secure environment for the staff and customers.
To accommodate a seamless service, GSM mobile communication is installed for use in remote locations. Information can then be transferred while at the remote location via a wireless modem and then fully downloaded when the vehicle returns to base, where the auxiliary batteries are recharged overnight.
Steve Fox, concept manager at Post Office Limited, led the project. He said. “The mobile post office is an essential part of our Outreach Programme, which offers innovative services to various communities. LDV's SVO department's flexible approach and creative ideas have made this project come to life and we're looking forward to seeing more MAXUS mobile post offices on the road very soon.”
For further information on the MAXUS range and the service provided by the SVO department visit www.maxus.com
