Mainline Coaches continues fleet investment with more Yutongs
Mainline Coaches has added a further pair of Yutong vehicles to its fleet in the form of a GT12 full-size model and a latest-generation TC9 midi, supplied by Pelican Bus and Coach.
Both will deliver tours and private hire services. The GT12 is a 53-seat example with a camera monitoring system, while the TC9 is a 34-seater. They are to a high specification, giving what the Gilfach Goch operator says is versatility and a quality travel experience.
Arrival of the two newcomers follows previous Yutong deliveries to Mainline Coaches, the first of which was a TC9 in 2020. It now has five each of the smaller model and of the larger variant within a total fleet of 42 vehicles.
General Manager Colin Lloyd Jones notes how customer and driver feedback has been “consistently excellent, reflecting the quality and reliability of the vehicles.”
Both of the latest coaches entered service immediately. The TC9 operated a tour of Cornwall for a German group, while the GT12 was deployed to northern England with a Canadian party.
Director Chris Mainwaring adds that the most recent investment reflects a continued commitment to fleet modernisation and service quality from the South Wales business, “ensuring that the company remains competitive in the growing UK coach tourism and private hire sector.”
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Latest Ballard fuel cell for Wrightbus StreetDeck Hydroliner Gen 3.0
Wrightbus will use the latest-generation Ballard FCmove-SC hydrogen fuel cell in its third-generation StreetDeck Hydroliner Gen 3.0 platform, with series production of the vehicle to start in 2027.
That will continue a long reliance on Ballard fuel cells in Wrightbus hydrogen-powered buses. Ballard says that the FCmove-SC unit delivers enhanced efficiency, extended durability and a simplified system architecture to reduce total cost of ownership (TCO).
In addition, it delivers greater sustained power and improved in-service performance, Ballard notes. That will target a peak power capacity of at least 75kW, optimised for consistent in-service output, and higher thermal margins for an efficiency uplift.
The latest fuel cell is optimised for public transport applications and has been designed to improve power density, simplify integration into the vehicle, and reduce lifecycle cost, the supplier continues.
Speaking about the Gen 3.0 hydrogen bus platform, Wrightbus Chief Procurement Officer Paul King says it has been in development “for some time” ahead of launch next year.
“We are looking for partners that can help to generate greater efficiency, improved lifecycle economics, and robust performance for demanding transit operations,” he adds.
“Our next-generation hydrogen bus is all about creating a TCO that is comparable to battery-electric… [There] are plenty of examples where electric does not provide the range needed for efficient daily operation or where the cost of infrastructure is prohibitive.
“We are delighted to be able to extend our partnership with Ballard, using its next-generation fuel cells, as we accelerate the rollout of hydrogen mobility across our key markets.”
The FCmove-SC is the ninth-generation hydrogen fuel cell from Ballard. It says the product will have an operational lifetime of above 25,000 hours, with remote diagnostics to monitor performance data to anticipate preventative maintenance. A peak fuel efficiency of 57% is given by the manufacturer.
Ballard Vice-President, Sales and Marketing, Oben Uluc describes the choice by Wrightbus to use the FCmove-SC in the StreetDeck Hydroliner Gen 3.0 as “a major milestone” for the fuel cell.
“This decision reflects out decades-long collaboration and Wrightbus’s confidence in Ballard’s availability to deliver performance, reliability, and lifecycle economics at scale,” he adds. “The FCmove-SC was made for the mature bus market, and OEM nominations like this validate the value proposition for customers.”
Andrew Dickinson promoted to Marketing Director by Harris Group
Harris Group, parent of the Harris Bus and Coach business that is bringing Higer vehicles to the UK and Ireland, has appointed Andrew Dickinson (pictured) as Marketing Director.
Mr Dickinson joined Harris in 2025 as Head of Marketing. His expanded remit will see him join the senior leadership team as Harris Group continues to pursue new brand partnerships and expand across multiple transport sectors.
He will continue to oversee the business’s marketing strategy across its brands – which beyond Higer include Maxus light commercial vehicles and (in Ireland) Isuzu models – while also taking on a strategic role to support future growth initiatives.
Elevation of Mr Dickinson is a further reshuffle of the Harris senior management team. Denise Harris recently took up the position of Executive Chairperson, while Brian Patterson has been appointed CEO. The changes reflect “both the company’s ambitious growth plans and its commitment to developing the next generation of leadership talent,” Harris Group says.
Mr Dickinson has over two decades’ automotive marketing experience and has worked in multiple segments of the industry to support over 25 manufacturers, including commercial vehicle and premium passenger car brands.
Speaking about his promotion, he says: “Harris Group is a business with huge ambition, incredible momentum, and some of the strongest brands in the industry, so stepping into the role of Marketing Director at this point in the company’s journey is a fantastic opportunity.
“We are building real traction across multiple markets, growing our dealer network, and pushing the profile of the business to new levels. I am excited to work with the team to keep driving that momentum forward and help share the next phase of growth for Harris Group.”
Mr Patterson has congratulated Mr Dickinson on his move, noting: “Andrew has made a significant impact on the business in a short space of time, strengthening the profile of our brands and Harris Group as a whole.
“He brings a clear and strategic focus, strong commercial understanding, and a proven ability to deliver results across multiple areas of the business.”
Harris Bus and Coach UK now has each of the V-10, V-12 and V-14 diesel coaches on the ground here. The Azure battery-electric bus is also part of its range, with further bus models in diesel and battery-electric promised.
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