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Fiat Doblo Cargo is vehicle of choice for new Network Rail maintenance fleet

16th December 2014 Print
Fiat Doblo Cargo

Network Rail has taken delivery of the first Fiat Doblo Cargo vehicles it has ordered to facilitate its technicians in carrying out the day-to-day operation and maintenance of Britain’s expansive rail network.

A total of 283 Fiat Doblo Cargo and Doblo Crew vans, all in SWB guise powered by SWB 1.3 MultiJet II 90hp engines, have been ordered for deployment across the UK and while they require no factory modifications they are sent to Bri-Stor Systems in Staffordshire before delivery to have their graphics applied and any racking and storage requested by Network Rail fitted to the load area.

Network Rail is responsible for the care and maintenance of 20,000 miles of rail tracks and infrastructure as well as 18 major railway stations, 2,500 peripheral railway stations, 8,200 commercial properties and 32,000 bridges and tunnels, not to mention the countless signals and level crossings dotted across the network. Given the importance, complexity and geographical challenges presented by Network Rail’s work, a fleet of efficient, reliable, comfortable and safe vehicles is essential equipment for its frontline technical staff.

The multi award-winning Fiat Doblo Cargo fits the bill perfectly: Built on a bespoke platform that bestows it with tremendous versatility and adaptability, the Doblo Cargo offers an impressive payload of up to one tonne and a load volume of up to 5.0m3. The bi-link rear suspension ensures a smooth ride and surefooted handling, while its engine range provides low running costs and emissions. In addition, an astonishing number of variants are offered, including a platform cab, the Work Up pickup, long-wheelbase and high-roof versions, crew vans and high-specification Sportivo models with alloy wheels and an exclusive side-stripe; an engine power upgrade; air conditioning and Blue&Me connectivity as standard.

A critical element in being able to meet the requirements of Network Rail is the quality, workmanship and professionalism of the vehicle converters. Founded in 1983, Bri-Stor Systems specialises in the design, manufacture and fitting of vehicle storage products, capable of handling fleet orders of up to 1,500 vehicles at a time with an average turnover of 8000 vehicles per year.

Sebastiano Fedrigo, Head of Fiat Professional UK, commented, “Being chosen by Network Rail to supply its fleet of maintenance vehicles is not just a major vote of confidence in the robustness, efficiency, versatility and commercial sense of Fiat Professional products, we feel it also recognises the quality of our aftersales care as well as our ability to meet the exacting requirements of every single customer, from individual user-choosers to large company fleets.”

Prices for the Fiat Doblo Cargo start at just £13,055 (excluding VAT and OTR charges).

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Fiat Doblo Cargo