Falcon Buses orders 13 Alexander Dennis Enviro200EV next-gen
Falcon Buses has become the first independent operator to order the next-generation Alexander Dennis Enviro200EV battery-electric single-decker.
It has signed a deal with the manufacturer for 13 examples at 10.9m and with 37 seats. They will each have 400kWh of battery storage and are part of a successful bid led by Surrey County Council to the second round of the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas scheme.
The order was confirmed at Euro Bus Expo 2024. Delivery will be in 2026 and the buses will be used on route 436 between Woking and Weybridge and route 461 between Chertsey and Kingston.
Power will be taken via the Voith Electrical Drive System. Alexander Dennis says that the Enviro200EV fleet for Falcon Buses will include its revised interior utilising warmer colour tones, distinctive styling lines and a revised surface finish to create a pleasant travelling environment.
Speaking about the order, Falcon Buses Managing Director Richard Telling says: “The Enviro200 has long been the mainstay of our services, with over 50 in operation and 15 examples added this year along to give a robust fleet that protects our bottom line.
“With this classic now upgraded for the next generation and updated with the latest zero-emission technology, and offering four more seats than other vehicles of this length, the Enviro200EV was an easy choice for us. We cannot wait to start this new chapter for our business in 2026.”
Adds Alexander Dennis Regional Sales Manager Mark Taylor: “Our new Enviro200EV has been designed to replicate all the great features that have made the conventional Enviro200 Britain’s best-selling bus in an electric vehicle that cuts out tailpipe emissions and improves energy efficiency.
“For Falcon Buses, this means that the new zero-emission fleet will seamlessly integrate with the company’s large fleet of low-emission buses, giving driving and engineering staff alike a familiar working environment and delivering fleet benefits.
“We are really looking forward to supporting Richard and the team at Falcon Buses in their transition to zero-emission mobility.”
The Coach Travel Group orders 42 Scanias as growth on agenda
The Coach Travel Group has ordered 42 Scania Touring coaches for delivery to constituent fleets from March 2025.
Those coaches are a mix of two- and three-axle examples and all will be PSVAR compliant. The deal was announced on the second day of Euro Bus Expo at the NEC Birmingham on 13 November.
It comes as the group – which was formed via the merger of seven formerly independent coach operators earlier in 2024 – continues to focus on expansion. Director Matt Clayson (pictured, left), who is also Director of Readybus, says that further operator additions are “very much” on the agenda.
He adds that growth of the group’s geographic presence is an imperative, with the East Midlands, Scotland and South Wales having been identified as focus areas.
The Scania Touring order was placed after consultation with a variety of vehicle suppliers. Mr Clayson says that product availability in 2025 was among considerations, but he adds that Readybus received its first Touring in 2017 and has found the type to perform well.
Seen as important by The Coach Travel Group is the two-year repair and maintenance package that comes with new Scania coaches supplied to retail buyers. Mr Clayson says that experience at Readybus has shown that the aftersales and support network from Scania is also strong.
The Coach Travel Group CEO Tom Stables adds that purchase of coaches “is just one part of the company’s ongoing strategy to deliver unrivalled group travel experiences.” The business is also assessing products and services that will benefit safety and allow standardisation across the group.
While one coach with Readybus was recently painted into a The Coach Travel Group livery, local identities will continue. Mr Clayson says that such a step was part of a promotional move and that another coach with a different operating company may follow suit.
Speaking about the coach procurement, Scania UK Retail Sales Manager Lee Wale (pictured, second from left) says: “We are proud to be working with The Coach Travel Group. Our shared values and ability to bring people together is what makes this such a great partnership.
“This agreement showcases the synergies between the two organisations and our ambitions to do the right thing by both our customers and the environment. This is the first step on our journey to delivering a sustainable transport solution together.”
Tourings to be delivered to The Coach Travel Group will be built on the new-generation Scania chassis. Two-axle models will be powered by the DC09 engine at 360bhp, and three-axle examples using the DC13 at 410bhp.
Irizar UK pushes ahead with Blyth premises amid busiest ever year
Irizar UK is moving ahead with the development of a new four-acre headquarters site near Blyth in Nottinghamshire built on what it says is a record year in 2024 and strong orders to 2026.
Facilities there will include a showroom and coach handover facilities along with office accommodation and extensive coach parking. A planning application has been submitted and main contractors are currently being selected. Opening is expected in Q4 2025.
Purchase of the site – close to the A1 – was completed in 2018, but economic uncertainties because of the pandemic period and the UK’s departure from the EU saw the project put on hold, the dealership advises. Work is now moving forward again based on strong trading by the supplier of DAF-engined Irizar integral coaches.
Speaking about the progress, Managing Director Andrew Blundell says: “It is a major milestone for Irizar in the UK. We have reached a key transitional phase in the evolution of the business, and investing in our own premises will give us the capacity to further enhance our market position in the UK.
“Given the post-COVID turbulence impacting coach and bus manufacturers, customers should see this significant investment as not only a long-term commitment to our intentions for the UK market, but also a reflection on the stability of Irizar and its ability to weather changes and remain focused on the longer term.
“We have confidence in the UK, and a commitment to deliver for our customers," Mr Blundell concludes.
On success in 2024, Irizar UK says that by mid-November it had delivered more new vehicles that in previous full years and is on target to reach the 100 mark by the close of December with coaches for more than 35 operators.
Alongside retail buyers, those customers include the Ministry of Defence and First Bus. Relationships have also been formed with Mistral Bus and Coach and Dawsongroup that give access to Irizar integral coaches via operating lease and rental. Repeat orders with both those companies have been secured for 2025 “and beyond,” the dealership says.
Irizar UK is showing four vehicles at Euro Bus Expo, including an i4 integral, an i6S Efficient integral, and an i8 integral. They are joined by an ie tram battery-electric bus for Go-Ahead London on the Kent Fastrack network.
The latest generation i6S Efficient integral recently commenced production. In integral form it will offer a further 5% reduction in fuel consumption. The first example is expected to be completed in the coming weeks.