A new hero will soon be motoring along the roads because Johannesburg-based emergency medical service provider, Buthelezi EMS, has chosen to use Ford’s 2.2-litre Duratorq-powered van as the basis for its fleet of ambulances.

Buthelezi EMS ordered 45 Transit Custom vans to do duty saving lives in Gauteng, Free State, Northern Cape, Western Cape, and Limpopo.

Each one will be customised by emergency vehicle specialists Emergency Vehicle Conversions.

The design for the Transit ambulance was originally completed at launch, in 2013, when Emergency Vehicle Conversions built a demonstration vehicle. This included the fitment of a stretcher, securing brackets, a bench seat, and equipment cabinets.

Specifications for a Transit with an ambulance conversion can vary according to the requirements of the service provider, and costs range from R125 000 for a basic version, to more than R550 000 for a Transit ambulance that has intensive care equipment installed.

According to Ford the Transit Custom with its substantial loading volume and payload figures, is the ideal vehicle for the installation of the essential, life-saving equipment needed in an ambulance. Despite its compact appearance, a maximum load length of 4972mm (short wheel base) or 5339mm (long wheel base) is offered.