Plants Luxury Travel takes a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Transfer 45
Plants Luxury Travel of Cheadle in Staffordshire has added a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Transfer 45 minicoach to its fleet, supplied by EVM UK.
It is a 19-seater, with each position having a three-point belt and synthetic leather finish that includes diamond stitching. Folding armrests are to aisle sides and USB charging points are fitted.
Entry is via a sliding side door. An electric step is beneath it and the opening has a grab rail and a modesty panel. OEM saloon windows in privacy dark tint are retained, and access to the rear boot is via the originally fitted doors.
Air-conditioning is via both dash and saloon units, complemented by saloon heaters. A pair of luggage racks and Tarabus non-slip wood-effect flooring are further elements of the specification, along with passenger service units on the undersides of the former.
The driver of the Sprinter Transfer 45 benefits from a reversing camera that feeds to a seven-inch touch-screen dash display.
Externally, side skirts are fitted along with front and rear marker lights. Finish is in Mercedes-Benz selenite grey. A two-year, unlimited mileage chassis warranty is part of the package.
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Anita's Coaches takes delivery of a Yutong TC9 midi
Anita’s Coaches of Stansted Airport has taken delivery of a Yutong TC9, supplied by Pelican Bus and Coach.
It is a 37-seater with half-red leather upholstery. PSVAR readiness has been specified to enable straightforward future conversion to full compliance, including an additional door ahead of the rear axle. The operator’s distinctive metallic orange livery was applied at the factory before shipping.
Power is from the Cummins B6.7 engine developing 320bhp coupled to a ZF EcoLife automatic gearbox. A cherished registration mark and polished alloy wheels complete the midicoach.
Speaking about the further collaboration between the two parties, Pelican UK Coach Sales Manager Simon Collins says: “Anita’s Coaches is a third-generation family firm, and ideally suited to Pelican’s fourth-generation family firm way of doing business.
“We are very grateful for the support and faith from Anita’s. It is what we do at Pelican Bus and Coach, and we hope that this vehicle will be a great servant for many years to come.”
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Parrys' Van Hool T pair to be finished as Tourliners also ordered
A pair of part-built Van Hool T17 Astron coaches for Parrys International that have been marooned at the manufacturer's former plant in Belgium are shortly to move to the VDL Van Hool factory in North Macedonia for completion.
Those vehicles have been in limbo for around seven months. They have stood untouched since bankruptcy of Van Hool and the subsequent purchase of some of its coach and bus undertakings by VDL. Parrys Managing Director Dave Parry has now agreed with VDL that the Van Hool pair will move to North Macedonia for assembly to restart.
They are expected to be transported during week commencing 28 October and Mr Parry is hopeful that they will be delivered to the UK in early 2025. Some fittings will be installed by AD Coach Systems after arrival here.
Resolution for the matter follows VDL confirming that it will continue to manufacture some members of the Van Hool T range in North Macedonia. Further part-completed Van Hool coaches for one other UK operator are understood to also be in Belgium.
In addition, Mr Parry has ordered at least four more T17 Astrons for 2025 delivery. Parrys has also confirmed two Neoplan Tourliners in a return to that brand for the Cheslyn Hay operator after over a decade away. The Tourliners will be to a bespoke specification for Parrys “with the option for more,” says Mr Parry.
Arriving at a solution for the unfinished coaches has “been a bit more difficult than we thought with complications, but we got there in the end,” he adds.
Work on those vehicles in North Macedonia will see them completed on an assembly line rather than the individual basis previously utilised by Van Hool in Koningshooikt. “There are exciting times ahead,” continues Mr Parry.
Separately, VDL has underlined to customers that it will continue the Van Hool T15 Acron, T16 Astron and T17 Astron models in right-hand drive, along with the TDX21 Altano overdecker and the TDX27 Astromega double-decker.
In a letter to those parties, VDL Van Hool CEO Marc van Doorn says that the business is “proudly and passionately producing Van Hool coaches,” with approximately 250 former Van Hool employees on hand in Koningshookt – where an aftersales service point will be launched this year – and around 1,300 staff in North Macedonia.
A decision on the Van Hool models that will continue under VDL ownership came after “a careful evaluation of the coach range,” says Mr van Doorn. He adds that coaches that were in build in North Macedonia before the Van Hool bankruptcy will be finished in agreement with customers.