Realise gains four-year WYCA contract extension for driver training
Driver training provider Realise and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) have agreed a four-year contract extension that will deliver what the supplier says is over 1,000 new recruits to coach and bus operators in the region.
That agreement will see Realise continue to deliver the Route to Success driver training programme. It is fully funded and open to residents of Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield who are aged 19 and over.
Money for the scheme has come through the devolved adult education budget of Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin. More than 600 people in West Yorkshire have already engaged with Route to Success since 2022, with many going into employment with operators such as Arriva and First Bus.
Under the contract extension, at least 320 learners per year to July 2029 will complete stage one of the training. That step is classroom-based and covers the fundamentals of coach and bus driving, along with challenging common misconceptions about the profession.
No fewer than 90 learners per year will then go on to stage two of the programme, which is built around on-road practical training. Those completing it will be given assistance to find employment with what Realise says are SME operators in West Yorkshire.
Those that finish stage one but do not move to stage two with Realise will instead “go on to complete their training with major coach and bus operators in the region,” the supplier continues.
Ms Brabin says that ongoing use of Route to Success has been enabled by the harnessing of devolution potential for skills and transport by WYCA.
“We are putting in place the local, diverse talent that our [franchised] Weaver Network will need to run more services, ramp up reliability, and transform the economy and society of West Yorkshire for generations to come.”
Realise Director of Transport Kairon Flowers adds: “We are delighted to have secured this four-year contract extension to continue our important work in West Yorkshire.
“The Mayor of West Yorkshire has made a pledge to ensure that everyone in the region has the skills they need to secure work. This programme offers hundreds of people each year the chance to do just that.
“Route to Success offers people a fantastic opportunity to embark on an exciting and rewarding new career path while addressing the bus driver shortage and protecting vital services.”
VDL Futura 3 due to make UK debut in 2027, builder reveals
The forthcoming VDL Futura 3 coach will be built in right-hand drive for the UK market, the builder has confirmed. A spokesperson for VDL Group has told routeone that sales of the new model are expected to begin in 2026 “so we can start delivering from 2027 onwards.”
That position ends uncertainty over whether the coach will come here. During a first look at what was then termed the Vision Futura project in September 2023, senior VDL Bus and Coach representatives would not be drawn on whether the model was to be forthcoming in right-hand drive.
Since then, VDL confirmed a future for many members of the Van Hool T coach range in its overall line-up following purchase of parts of the former Van Hool coach and bus business, but details of right-hand drive plans for the Futura 3 gives certainty that both products will be part of the longer-term UK marketplace.
The Futura 3 in left-hand drive configuration is set to make its global debut at Busworld Brussels in early October.
Extensive testing of the model has been underway for some time since the first prototype was seen over two years ago. That includes hot- and cold-weather evaluation work in both climates and a wind tunnel in Vienna that can simulate ambient temperatures of between -25 and +45 degrees centigrade.
In announcing the Futura 3 reveal at Busworld, VDL said that the model will deliver an up to 15% cut in fuel consumption compared to the existing Futura 2. The newcomer also promises modular driveline architecture to ready for what the manufacturer calls “future powertrains.”
The Futura 3 will follow its predecessor in being built in Valkenswaard in the Netherlands. Its debut at Busworld will coincide with integration of the VDL Bus and Coach and VDL Van Hool business units under a single VDL Bus Group operation.
Next-generation Yutong TC9 midicoach due for UK in Q1 2026
A next-generation Yutong TC9 rear-engined midicoach will debut in the UK during Q1 2026, dealership Pelican Bus and Coach has revealed.
The new model will incorporate overhauled exterior styling and what Pelican UK Coach and Truck Sales Manager Simon Collins says is an entirely new interior, including overhead racks. Within that is seating styled like the type used in the full-size Yutong GT12 coach to give what the dealer adds is “enhanced comfort and class.”
In the cab, an ergonomic dashboard has been completely redesigned to give a commanding view of the road and “a rewarding driving experience” that combines modern styling with intuitive functionality.
On the exterior, the next-generation Yutong TC9 retains an obvious link with the established model but includes obvious styling updates. It is slightly longer than the existing TC9 and will offer an improved underfloor luggage capacity of 5.6 cubic metres.
Passenger capacities will remain as at present, at 37 in a straight seated configuration or 34 with a rear floor-level toilet. Power will continue to come from the Cummins B6.7 engine coupled to a ZF EcoLife automatic gearbox.
On accessibility, all examples built for stock will arrive in the UK ready for both PSVAR and the PSV Accessible Information Regulations, with fitment of necessary equipment to achieve full compliance to be undertaken here before delivery. Vehicles built to customer order can be specified without any preparation for PSVAR.
Mr Collins notes how the TC9 has been highly successful since its introduction over a decade ago and that Pelican expects such a position to be leveraged by the updated variant. The first prototype is currently in development by Yutong in China.
“We are keenly awaiting its arrival,” he adds. “The TC9 is already the UK’s leading midicoach. This new generation keeps everything operators trust while adding more comfort, style and practicality.”
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