Final VDL Futura FHD2 for UK market is for Richard Taylor Travel
Hitchin operator Richard Taylor Travel has welcomed to its fleet the final VDL Futura FHD2 coach to be delivered to a UK operator. It was supplied by VDL Bus and Coach UK.
And end to the long-lasting model comes ahead of the arrival of its successor the Futura 3, which made its debut in left-hand drive format in October 2025. The Futura FHD2 was handed over to Rachel Taylor (pictured, left) of the operator by VDL Bus and Coach Area Sales Manager Tim Fairless (pictured, right).
It has 57 VDL Class 300 seats with Blackline and Top Luxe trim. Three-point belts and magazine nets are included along with USB charging points in the frames. A centre sunken toilet is also fitted.
The coach is PSVAR compliant. That includes a passenger lift from PLS and Hanover destination displays. Customary Futura FHD2 specification elements include 830-litre fuel tanks over the front axle and polished alloy wheels.
Richard Taylor Travel has added a cherished 26-plate registration mark and named the coach in tribute to the late William ‘Bill’ Taylor.
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Scania debuts PSVAIR compliance package for coach products
Scania UK is a further supplier to offer a PSV Accessible Information Regulations (PSVAIR) package for coach products. It has debuted on a Touring demonstrator, where it sits alongside compliance with the separate PSV Accessibility Regulations.
The PSVAIR package uses equipment and expertise from Elite Vehicle Supplies and Hanover. It includes an additional ‘letterbox’ shaped display above the front bulkhead-mounted monitor and an induction loop.
Retail Sales Manager Lee Wale says that as well as the Touring, the accessible information equipment can be fitted to Irizar-bodied coaches. Scania has adopted the same equipment across both product lines for commonality purposes and its arrival follows many customer enquiries, he says.
Rail replacement is driving demand, Mr Wale continues. Earlier this year, Buses and Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood and Transport Minister Lord Hendy wrote to train operating companies to tell them that no further exemptions from PSVAIR for coaches on that work where it applies will be offered beyond 31 July.
In addition to installing the equipment to new coaches, Scania can facilitate retrofit of existing models to PSVAIR via Elite and Hanover.
The Touring demonstrator that complies with the accessible information regulations is a 13.7m example with 59 seats. It was present at the UK Coach Rally in Blackpool over the weekend of 18 and 19 April and will begin an evaluation programme with operators soon.
Scania UK will also show a PSVAIR-compliant coach at Euro Bus Expo in November. At least two PSVAIR-compliant coaches from other marques were among rally entrants.
Mr Wale adds that with end of current PSVAIR exemptions for coaches on in-scope rail replacement little over three months away, building future vehicles that comply with both PSVAR and the accessible information regulations “is a natural step.”
The dealership has 70 Touring coaches on order, with the first to arrive in late 2026 for delivery in Q1 2027. All of those will comply with each set of legislation.
Wheelers Travel adds a next-generation Yutong TC9 midicoach
Wheelers Travel is a further early customer for the next-generation Yutong TC9, having taken delivery of one of the new models from Pelican Bus and Coach.
It has mood lighting, USB charging points and 240-volt power sockets, an ergonomic driver-focused cab area and more as part of a wholesale interior overhaul.
Pelican UK and Ireland Coach and Truck Sales Manager Simon Collins describes the latest TC9 as “a huge improvement from the previous market-leading model” and points to its revised external styling and slight length gain as notable changes. The latter allows an uplift to luggage capacity.
No change has been made to the driveline, which continues to use the Cummins B6.7 engine developing 320bhp coupled to a ZF EcoLife automatic gearbox.
Mr Collins has thanked Wheelers Travel Managing Director Derek Wheeler for the order. “Wheelers Travel has been a trusted supporter of Pelican for many years, building relationships and friendships that last,” says Mr Collins.
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