DHSC has appointed Renault UK, LeasePlan UK and TGS via Crown Commercial Services to double its existing fleet of Test and Trace mobile testing units. Developing such a specialised vehicle and delivering it in significant numbers, on budget, and within an extremely tight three-month timeframe, ensued close collaboration between the three companies, with all involved in playing a key role in helping the Government to suppress the spread of COVID-19 across the UK. The 500 Renault Masters replace, and nearly double, DHSC’s existing MTU fleet of 258 vehicles. The bespoke conversion, developed by LeasePlan UK and TGS, also offers twice the daily testing capacity of the previous MTU, with each of the new vehicles having the ability to store 1,000 test kits compared with the original’s capacity of 500. These developments significantly increase the testing capacity offered by the UK’s mobile testing capability and enhance the NHS Test and Trace Programme. TGS, which is an accredited converter in Renault UK’s conversions portfolio and a Tier 1 supplier to LeasePlan UK, completed up to 60 MTUs per week. Despite a late design change dictating the necessity for sliding doors on either side of the Renault Masters, all 500 MTUs were completed by the end of March. It is believed that the delivery of such a detailed conversion in such a quantity and timeframe is near unprecedented in the industry. The purpose-built conversion ensures safe and comfortable testing conditions for staff and subjects in all weather conditions. Features include twin awnings with layouts to accommodate drive-through testing and staff welfare areas, pedestrian testing bays, onboard heating, hot water and hand-washing facilities, generator for additional power, comprehensive charging and electrical access points, and extra lighting. To ensure the Renault Master MTUs are instantly work-ready, TGS and LeasePlan UK have worked with third-party suppliers to guarantee the continual flow of components and inventory sourced from across the EU and included in each van before delivery.
DHSC has appointed Renault UK, LeasePlan UK and TGS via Crown Commercial Services to double its existing fleet of Test and Trace mobile testing units. Developing such a specialised vehicle and delivering it in significant numbers, on budget, and within an extremely tight three-month timeframe, ensued close collaboration between the three companies, with all involved in playing a key role in helping the Government to suppress the spread of COVID-19 across the UK. The 500 Renault Masters replace, and nearly double, DHSC’s existing MTU fleet of 258 vehicles. The bespoke conversion, developed by LeasePlan UK and TGS, also offers twice the daily testing capacity of the previous MTU, with each of the new vehicles having the ability to store 1,000 test kits compared with the original’s capacity of 500. These developments significantly increase the testing capacity offered by the UK’s mobile testing capability and enhance the NHS Test and Trace Programme. TGS, which is an accredited converter in Renault UK’s conversions portfolio and a Tier 1 supplier to LeasePlan UK, completed up to 60 MTUs per week. Despite a late design change dictating the necessity for sliding doors on either side of the Renault Masters, all 500 MTUs were completed by the end of March. It is believed that the delivery of such a detailed conversion in such a quantity and timeframe is near unprecedented in the industry. The purpose-built conversion ensures safe and comfortable testing conditions for staff and subjects in all weather conditions. Features include twin awnings with layouts to accommodate drive-through testing and staff welfare areas, pedestrian testing bays, onboard heating, hot water and hand-washing facilities, generator for additional power, comprehensive charging and electrical access points, and extra lighting. To ensure the Renault Master MTUs are instantly work-ready, TGS and LeasePlan UK have worked with third-party suppliers to guarantee the continual flow of components and inventory sourced from across the EU and included in each van before delivery.
