Author Archive: ripe

The eagerly anticipated Ford Transit has arrived and is ready for demonstrations across the UK. The all new Ford Transit Minibus offers smarter, even more useful, connected technology. More powerful and efficient engines, a striking new design and most importantly, improvements to the carrying capacity. The exterior updates include a bold front-end design with a new grille, front bumper, hood and headlights. The new engines are among the most efficient available, combining reduced fuel consumption with lower CO2 emissions resulting in the outstanding economy across the range with an 8-11% CO2 improvement when compared with the outgoing powertrains. More at https://www.redkite-minibuses.com/new-vehicles/ford-transit/

Red Kite were happy to be with Devizes PHAB charity when they formally launched their minibus last Saturday. 94 year old Nancy was asked to cut the ribbon, she has been using their minibuses for some 17 years and really enjoys going on outings and shopping trips – she said she would be lost without the service they provide. ​There are about 200 Phab clubs across the country, affiliated to the National charity Phab, (PHysically disabled and ABle bodied) an organisation which brings people with and without disabilities together.

Brand new Red Kite Peugeot Boxer, 17 Seat School Minibus on its way to Valentine’s High School, Redbridge today, completes a busy week. With Stanley Grove Primary School, Manchester taking delivery of their two, new Peugeot Boxer 17 seat school minibuses on Wednesday and Cardif Pinnacle, Borehamwood took delivery of their Peugeot yesterday. Thank you for choosing Red Kite. Our Peugeot demonstrators will be on the road next week, so please connect me direct or call the team on 01202 827678 to arrange a no obligation demonstration at your premises.

St George’s School, Ascot will be travelling in style, comfort and safety for the next academic year thanks to their Bursar, Mrs Julia Wood, who won the use of a School Minibus for the 2019-2020 academic year from national supplier Red Kite Minibuses.

While attending the ISBA Annual Conference in Manchester this week, Mrs Wood was invited, along with all the other attendees to participate in Red Kite’s Lucky Six Competition which provides participants with the opportunity to win a free minibus for their school for a year on one throw of six dice. The winner is the player who either throws or gets closest to throwing six, sixes. By throwing an amazing 666665, which is the highest ever recorded score in the [...]

Visit us on Stand 69 at the ISBA Conference on 21-22nd May, to talk through your school minibus requirements. The team will be available to discuss the many options we offer our school customers including a large choice of both new and pre-owned, 9-17 seat minibuses, flexible finance packages, contract hire options, flexible seating plans and our bespoke design service.

Feeling lucky? Red Kite Lucky Six is back! Offering school conference attendees a chance to win a minibus for their school. Simply throw six dice and the nearest to six sixes will win the use of a minibus for their school FREE OF CHARGE for the next academic year. While attending the annual ISBA Conference in Brighton last year, Northease Manor School, Sussex were our 2018 winners. We look forward to seeing you there.

Devizes & District PHAB Club is one of approximately 200 Phab clubs across the country, affiliated to the National Charity Phab (Physically disabled and Able bodied). An organisation which brings people with and without disabilities together to achieve complete integration within the wider community and to make more of life together.

Having raised sufficient funds through various events and generous donations, Red Kite specialist minibus providers were approached by the chair Terry Bazeley in December 2018 as the club was looking to replace one of its older wheelchair accessible minibuses. In January Terry brought members of the committee down to Red Kite and met with Jon Diment and the Red Kite special options team to discuss their needs and requirements. Following a number of consultations, an order was placed for the supply of [...]

Ford have just revealed the new Transit Smart Energy Concept – a one-of-a-kind 10-seater minibus that is helping the company explore solutions for maximising the energy efficiency and driving range of future electrified vehicles.

Delivering 150 km (93 miles) driving range from a 4-hour charge, and developed by engineers at Ford’s Merkenich Technical Centre, Germany, the concept uses a Ford Transit chassis fitted with the same battery-electric drivetrain technology as the StreetScooter WORK XL, supported by energy-saving and energy-generating innovations.

Many organisations will need to be aware that with Britain due to leave the EU, there will be changes to the permissions granted to drive abroad after 29th March 2019. As a leading supplier of school and specialist minibuses, Red Kite feel it is important to understand these significant changes, should the situation arise for overseas driving.

The EU protocol currently in force allows us to drive in EEA countries without restrictions to licencing or insurance. The EU Commissioners have agreed in principle to replicate the current system, but this will only be confirmed as part of the wider exit arrangement, not in the short term. If there is no transition agreement with the [...]

To help improve air quality, an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will be in place in central London from 8 April 2019. Most vehicles including cars, vans and minibuses will need to meet new, tighter exhaust emission standards (ULEZ standards) or pay a daily charge to travel within the area of the ULEZ. From 25 October 2021, the ULEZ area will be expanded to include the inner London area bounded by the North and South Circular.

Vehicles included are:

Small vans (weighing up to and including 1.205 tonnes unladen weight)
Larger vans, 4X4 light utility vehicles, motorised horseboxes, pickups (over 1.205 tonnes unladen weight up to and including 3.5 tonnes gross [...]