Richmonds Coaches takes delivery of a Van Hool T16 Astron
Longstanding Van Hool buyer Richmonds Coaches of Barley in Hertfordshire has taken delivery of its first example of the T range in the form of a T16 Astron, supplied by VDL Bus UK.
It is a 53-seater, with each Kiel position finished in leather with diamond stitching. Also included are padded sides along with three-point belts, footrests, magazine nets, and drop-down tables.
The coach is PSVAR compliant, with an additional door mounted over the front axle. That package includes a 500kg Dhollandia passenger lift and room for one wheelchair user, along with silver destination displays.
VDL Bus UK Sales Representative Robert White (pictured, centre) notes how when carrying a wheelchair user, there is no need to remove seats from the coach. Instead, four pairs slide together to create the necessary space.
Passenger comforts capture a boiler, a centre sunken toilet, and a dash fridge. Other fitments include pavement lights and additional side and rear markers, a camera monitoring system and a 360-degree bird’s eye view, and additional cameras that provide a view of corners, cyclists and pedestrians.
Power comes from the DAF MX-13 engine developing 530bhp coupled to an Allison T525R six-speed automatic gearbox. The T16 Astron is finished in Richmonds Coaches’ distinctive new livery and joins various other Van Hool products in the fleet.
Mr White handed over the vehicle to Director Andrew Richmond (pictured, right) and the coach’s regular driver, Alan Cole (pictured, left).
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Volvo targets school market with high-capacity B8R Evotor option
Volvo has announced high-capacity variants of its B8R coach with MCV Evotor body that will see the model gain a 12.8m variant that can carry up to 72 passengers in a 3+2 layout.
Alongside it will sit a 59-seat option at 2+2, with dealership Volvo Buses UK and Ireland noting that the new variant of the B8R Evotor combination will permit adjustment of capacity across its lifetime to give maximum versatility and residual value.
Its introduction will bring Volvo back into the high-capacity coach market on two axles. Deliveries of the new model are due to commence from autumn 2026. The newcomer complements the existing 12.6m Evotor and is the same height as that coach.
Volvo adds how the 12.8m variant will have a reconfigured entrance and luggage area that are redesigned to enable a flat floor. That has seen the seating area lowered slightly to the same height as the aisle. To achieve the higher seating capacity, the new model will come with a manual rear emergency exit with integrated steps.
Each seat will have a footrest and USB-A and USB-C charging points will be at each row. The dealership adds that all of the new model will be PSVAR compliant including a passenger lift, Hanover white LED destination displays and quick-release seats where applicable.
The driveline consists of the 7.7-litre D8K engine coupled to a ZF EcoLife six-speed automatic gearbox, a combination that Volvo says will deliver good driveability and strong fuel economy.
Speaking about the development, Volvo Buses UK and Ireland Managing Director Domenico Bondi says: “We have worked closely with our partner MCV to develop a solution for school transport operators.
“These customers face unique challenges, balancing safety, capacity and cost-efficiency while ferrying the next generation to and from the classroom and for educational outings.
“This new model addresses those demands with increased seating capacity, allowing students to travel together in a single vehicle. Combined with the reliability of the Volvo chassis and the D8K engine, operators and teachers can be confident that passengers will get to where they need to go comfortably and safely.”
Whitbread Wanderbus welcomes a new EVM Cityline minibus
Whitbread Wanderbus of Bedfordshire has welcomed a new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with an EVM Cityline low-entry conversion.
It is a 16-seater that can carry a further six standees. Each position is finished in synthetic leather with additional padding, while USB charging points are fitted at each row.
The passenger entry is 120cm wide and has a dual-leaf Masats door. A lightweight ramp from the same supplier is included to give access for wheelchair users, with full-length tracking in the low-floor area and a luggage drop cage as part of the ticket machine mounting unit.
Panoramic double-glazed side windows are fitted while the OEM windscreen and rear barn doors are retained. An Auto Clima 12kW saloon air-conditioning unit is mounted on the roof, while convector heaters are in both parts of the passenger area.
A multimedia entertainment system with a seven-inch screen is installed along with saloon speakers and a reversing camera. Wood-effect flooring and Hanover destination displays are also part of the package.
On the exterior are colour-coded side skirts and mouldings, bumpers and grille in white to match the rest of the vehicle.
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