Drury Holidays takes delivery of a Mercedes-Benz Tourismo M/3
Drury Holidays of Emberton in Buckinghamshire has taken delivery of a bespoke Mercedes-Benz Tourismo M/3, supplied by Daimler Buses UK.
It has 48 seats within its 13m length. Each position has a drop-down table with a cup holder, while armrests, footrests and USB charging are included. A toilet is within the specification along with twin 21.5-inch LCD displays incorporating media router preparation.
The driver gets a heated seat with swivel functionality and a leather-trimmed steering wheel. Fuel efficiency is boosted by Predictive Powertrain Control, which uses topographical data via GPS for seamless power delivery and ride refinement.
The customary Tourismo safety specifications are complemented by MirrorCam, which provides rear-view cameras in lieu of conventional mirrors. Drive in the coach comes from the 10.7-litre OM 470 engine developing 422bhp coupled to the eight-speed Powershift automated manual gearbox.
External finish is in a dark blue scheme with polished alloy wheels and a cherished 26-plate registration mark to complete the effect. Drury Holidays has additionally chosen an OMNIplus repair and maintenance service contract to support its new coach, which Daimler Buses UK says will ensure optimal vehicle condition and uptime.
[adrotate banner="44"]
Irizar i6S Efficient hydrogen coach ready for production in H1 2027
The Irizar i6S Efficient H2 FCEV hydrogen fuel cell-electric coach will be available for production in the first half of 2027 after a demonstrator entered passenger-carrying service with Alsa in the manufacturer’s home market of Spain.
That vehicle is a second-generation hydrogen coach and follows the earlier proof-of-concept model that was shown at Busworld Brussels in 2023. Mobico Group business Alsa is using the newer example on what Irizar says are “both demanding intercity and long-distance routes” around the capital Madrid.
Utilised in the second-generation hydrogen coach from Irizar is a 190kW Bosch fuel cell. Refuelling is cited as taking 10-15 minutes, with a range in excess of 1,000km to give performance and commercial attributes equivalent to those of diesel vehicles, it adds.
The green coach has a seating capacity of 69 on three axles and can also carry 18 standing passengers, with the builder saying that the vehicle has proved itself “as a sustainable, efficient and reliable solution for all types of applications.”
The i6S Efficient H2 FCEV is the first hydrogen-powered coach from a European manufacturer. An electric propulsion system is designed for medium- and long-distance applications, with the second generation model having "substantial improvements" over the proof-of-concept vehicle from 2023 in areas including luggage and passenger capacity, range, and weight.
Bringing the hydrogen coach to production availability in 2027 reflects a commitment to what the builder says is a multi-energy solution for passenger transport decarbonisation and “its conviction to move towards sustainable and efficient mobility.”
The first-generation coach previously completed a 2,500km journey from the manufacturer’s headquarters in Ormaiztegi to Briançon in the French Alps, setting what Irizar says is a record for the longest distance travelled by a hydrogen coach in Europe to date.
At Busworld Brussels in 2025, it displayed the i3 Normal Floor battery-electric low-height coach with a claimed range of up to 450km.
Six Wrightbus electric buses for TfW to follow TrawsCymru update
Six Wrightbus GB Kite Electroliner battery-electric single-deck buses have been ordered by Transport for Wales (TfW) in what are understood to be the first zero-emission vehicles from the Northern Irish manufacturer bought for service in the country.
They are due to be delivered in 2027 for use on local services in Powys as part of 'bridge to franchising' work in mid-Wales. Usage will be on routes currently delivered by Celtic Travel of Llanidloes. Representatives from TfW have visited the Wrightbus factory in Ballymena to meet members of the manufacturer’s specification team and begin work on the new electric buses.
An order from TfW for electric buses on regular services comes as bus franchising in Wales approaches. It also follows widespread recent investment in the TrawsCymru long-distance bus fleet in Wales. That is already served by a number of Yutong battery-electrics, while 30 new diesel buses built by Volvo and Wrightbus are in the process of entering service.
In addition, eight Volvo B8R MCV Evotor coaches have been procured for the new north-south express link that will commence later this year.
The recent Wrightbus arrivals for TrawsCymru use are 14 Wrightbus StreetDeck Ultroliners, split between Lloyds Coaches of Machynlleth (six) and Arriva Cymru (eight). Volvo B8RLE deliveries have been made to operators including Celtic Travel, K&P Coaches of Bangor, and Richards Bros of Cardigan.
The Welsh Government notes how Wales has the oldest bus fleet in the UK. Investment in the 30 new diesels supports a commitment to “a greener, more accessible transport network for all, reducing congestion and cutting carbon emissions," it says.
TfW Executive Director for Regional Transport and Integration Lee Robinson adds that work to procure new diesel and electric buses is helping preparations for an integrated and franchised bus network in Wales. He notes how the new diesel buses will deliver more comfortable, higher-quality journeys for customers.
“Crucially, they will also help to strengthen access to essential services, including healthcare, education, leisure and employment, opening up greater opportunities for communities across the country,” Mr Robinson continues.