UK Coach Rally 2014 – Rain and resilience at Alton Towers
Trade
The trade display matched closely with the preview in Bus and Coach Buyer 1274, giving visitors a good overview of products currently available on the UK market, and a frequent refuge from the heavy showers!
Three Plaxton products were present including a Euro6 example of the Volvo B8R based Leopard exhibited by Dawsonrentals Bus and Coach Ltd. This was a 12.8m 57 seat vehicle with air conditioning. Plaxton Coach Sales showed two Panthers, both on Euro5 Volvo B9R chassis. One was a 12.8m vehicle to the latest third generation specification with 53 Politecnica reclining seats, toilet and air conditioning, tailored to an internal specification developed in conjunction with its purchaser, Weardale Motor Services. Shown in white with discreet Weardale anniversary branding and roof mounted air horns, the coach is expected to gain a tour operator’s livery. The second vehicle was the last second generation Panther Cub available for sale. This featured 41 Fainsa Gala reclining seats together with an aisle level toilet. Plaxton advised that third generation Panther Cubs would be available from late summer on the Volvo B8R Euro6 chassis.
Volvo Bus themselves showed an example of the Euro6 B8R with Sunsundegui SC7 coachwork. This had 55 reclining seats with a centre demountable toilet and servery unit.
The strong black and orange colour scheme of the Neoplan Tourliner used to launch MAN’s ‘Top Used’ programme made it stand out amongst the mainly white trade display
MAN Truck and Bus UK presented two Neoplan Tourliners. One was a new P20 13.2m tri-axle to Euro6 standard with 53 reclining seats and a full interior package which may be used initially as a demonstration vehicle. The second was a 2010 P21 12m two axle vehicle previously in the City Circle fleet which has been prepared to a high standard for the extension of MAN’s ‘Top Used’ programme into the coach sector. This had been refinished in black with a striking orange wrap at the front and offered 49 reclining seats. The ‘Top Used’ branding is intended for pre-owned vehicles which are offered with the same standard of repair and maintenance, warranty and finance packages available for new products.
Scania GB had a welcome hospitality unit flanked by two Irizar i6 bodied coaches which enabled visitors to compare Euro5 and Euro6 specifications. The Euro5 example was a 12.45m vehicle with 53 reclining seats for Gastonia Coaches in Surrey, a business which shares its 50th anniversary with Scania GB this year. The Euro6 example was mechanically distinctly different showing Scania’s change from pure EGR at Euro5 to pure SCR at Euro6. A demonstration vehicle, it was used to set up the driving test arena before the rally.
Scania’s hospitality units flanked by Euro5 and Euro6 Irizar i6 bodied vehicles
Irizar UK showed two vehicles, both 12.9m with DAF Euro5 engines, a stock i4 and an i6 that has recently entered service with Johnson Bros on Travel Style operations. The i4 featured 59 reclining seats, air conditioning, a ZF AS-Tronic gearbox and two doorways. The i6 had a ZF EcoLife automatic transmission, 57 reclining seats, toilet and a servery fitted by AD Coach Systems in the UK.
All EvoBus (UK) products are now to Euro6 standard, examples of the Tourismo to Touring Plus specification in both 12.2m 49 seat and 12.95m tri-axle 53 seat formats being shown. Both vehicles featured a ZF automatic gearbox and a high specification interior with Luxline seats designed to appeal to operators who would previously have chosen Setra products.
Moseley in the South exhibited this VDL Futura 2 for Andrew James Quality Travel
In addition to the previewed VDL Futura 2 from Moseley in the South, Moseley PCV showed a pre-owned vehicle, one of the 2010 MAN powered Van Hool Astrons recently traded in for similar new vehicles by Parrys International Tours and still carrying the latter’s red colours. The Futura 2 was due for imminent delivery to Andrew James Quality Travel in Wiltshire. The 12.9m vehicle had a DAF Euro5 engine, ZF automatic transmission and 57 Vogel seats.
Base Coaches‘ exhibit was a refurbished mid-life double decker, one of a considerable number the dealer has refinished and converted to single door this year. The company offers a menu of options for such works including the installation of a ramp in the front doorway and seat belts throughout. They are now able to supply post 2003 vehicles so equipped, having developed a solution to the pull test requirements of the later vehicles.
EVM showed two minibus conversions, both based on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 516 with entrance alongside the driver. On the Elegance, this was a manual door and was combined with van style doors at the rear. Moving up to the X-clusive, this featured a powered door and a coach style rear with boot.
Opposite the vehicle display, the CPT marquee provided a welcome shelter with the opportunity to meet with CPT representatives, the team from Distinctive Systems and some of the Alton Towers marketing team. Really braving the elements were Bus and Coach Glazing whose gazebo did its best to try and break free from the site. Bonnie and her team provided welcome shelter in the main display area and also came to the rescue of Symphony Coaches‘ Neoplan Tourliner which sustained a broken rear nearside window on the road run. With support from parent PSV Glass and the co-operation of Alton Towers in providing access to an enclosed workshop area, Bus and Coach Glazing Technician Clive was able to replace the glass before the Saturday afternoon was out. Clive was also on hand to do chip repairs although weather conditions meant he was only able to complete one on the Symphony Coaches vehicle using Esprit equipment.
Last Word
The UK Coach Rally has seen many changes since it was first held in Clacton back in 1955 but remains true to the concept of giving operators and their teams the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in both driving and vehicle preparation. The move with the UK Coach Awards to Alton Towers in 2013 provided new opportunities and challenges but proved successful and set the foundation for this year’s standalone Diamond Jubilee event. Moving to May brought its own challenges with many operators and dealers already committed to summer programmes, the reversion to April weather was probably the least anticipated of these! Nevertheless, it was good to see a mixture of regular and new entrants from across the UK this year. The prize winners tend to take the headlines but it is the support of all the operators taking part, Coach Display’s volunteer team and the trade support that makes the UK Coach Rally. What will 2015 bring?