Coach Hire Comparison Adopts Innovative Automated Pricing System
"Coach Hire Comparison is set to transition to an automated pricing system, moving away from the current method where operators manually submit quotes for individual customer requests. This change comes after a significant six-figure investment, positioning the company for more streamlined and efficient service.
The website, which connects customers with over 250 independent minibus and coach operators across the UK, will generate instant quotes, ensuring that a suitable operator will always be found to fulfill customer requirements.
At present, operators spend an average of 24 days per year submitting quotes, with “no guarantee of success”, explains co-founder James Stokes. The new system provides a ""Book It Now"" feature, allowing operators to log in daily to view and accept opportunities that match their fleet and location. This system ensures that operators are fully paid for every booking they take on.
The transition will occur in phases, with the goal of automating 80% of inquiries by the end of the year. The pricing model will rely on over a decade's worth of data, including metrics such as search trends, conversion rates, and historical pricing behaviours. Factors like time of day, day of the week, seasonality, and specific onboard amenities will all be considered when calculating quotes.
Not only will this shift save time for operators, but it will also improve the customer experience, says Stokes. ""Currently, there are instances of overpricing by significant margins, as well as underquoting, which can result in delays in getting average quotes. This leaves many customers underserved and significant revenue potential untapped.""
He adds that the ""Book It Now"" system will address these issues by providing accurate, instant quotes and securing fully paid bookings for operators. This, in turn, will offer them more certainty, better cash flow, and reduced administrative burden. Customers, on the other hand, will benefit from a faster, more seamless booking process and a clearer understanding of journey costs.
With customers increasingly expecting a digital experience, Stokes believes investing in technology is crucial to maintaining their position as a market leader. Coach Hire Comparison, which was acquired by CMAC in June 2023, provides around 5,000 quotes per month for various events, including school trips, corporate bookings, airport transfers, travel to music festivals and sporting events.
Looking ahead, the company is targeting significant growth, aiming to double its size over the next year. It also plans to expand its services internationally, with Ireland and Portugal slated for 2025, and Spain and Greece also under consideration.
Describing the move as the biggest enhancement in the company’s 14-year history, Stokes says, ""We believe 'Book It Now' will be transformative for operators and customers alike. It represents a new, more efficient way of working and will bring a host of benefits, from increased earnings for operators to a better overall experience for customers.""
The company is confident that the automated pricing model will become a standard of excellence within the industry, with webinars planned to help operators adapt to the new system."
Westway Coaches is first private owner of Yutong U11DD electric
Westway Coaches of West Molesey has taken delivery of the first privately-operated Yutong U11DD battery-electric double-decker to be supplied by Pelican Bus and Coach.
It continues an established relationship between the two businesses, with Westway having been the first purchaser of battery-electric coaches from Pelican in 2019 when it took the first of several Yutong TCe12 models. The U11DD made its debut in 2023.
The new arrival is a 72-seat model with each position trimmed in leather. It is finished in Westway’s distinctive understated livery and is PSVAR compliant.
422kWh of battery capacity is fitted, which is protected by the Yutong Electric Safety Standard.
The bus is air-conditioned throughout, has a camera monitoring system in lieu of rear-view mirrors, and comes with a cherished 74-plate registration mark.
Westway Coaches Managing Director David West says that being the first operator of a privately-owned Yutong U11DD “marks an important milestone” for the business.
“This investment highlights our commitment to reducing emissions and providing a superior, eco-friendly travel experience for our passengers,” Mr West continues.
Adds Pelican Bus and Coach Managing Director Richard Crump: “This delivery represents a significant step towards a cleaner, greener future and demonstrates our dedication to offering innovative electric vehicle solutions.”
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Hints of wider Van Hool coach range under VDL as deliveries restart
Delivery of new Van Hool coaches to UK buyers has restarted amid growing suggestions that VDL – which purchased parts of Van Hool’s coach and bus business out of bankruptcy in June – will continue production of more models from that range than had been expected.
Woods Coaches of Tillicoultry has received an EX trio, and Bibby’s of Ingleton a T15 Alicron. They are the first Van Hools to arrive in the UK since a T16 Astron for DJ Thomas Coaches during April.
It is understood that several further new Van Hools are due imminently. Meanwhile, sources close to the marque have said that more T range variants are set to be retained by VDL in the long-term than had previously been anticipated.
That is backed up by communication direct to operators, although in response to routeone, VDL says that it has “not yet made decisions on what Van Hool’s product range will look like,” noting that the Dutch OEM continues to take “time and space” to reach a conclusion.
During the summer, several buyers were advised that some or all members of the T range would be dropped by VDL, with a best-case scenario floated of only those that will not compete with its forthcoming Futura 3 being retained alongside the established Altano overdecker and Astromega double-decker. VDL did not comment on those reports.
However, it has now been indicated to multiple customers that other T variants – possibly including two-axle models – will remain in production at the former Van Hool plant in North Macedonia.
One source believes that VDL has taken onboard the versatility of the T range and its ability to suit many use cases. Preparation of the coaches under delivery is being undertaken at VDL Bus and Coach UK’s premises in Barnsley.
The seeming change of tack is also said to include the T16 Astron tri-axle. Another buyer was previously advised that it had been dropped, but that looks to no longer be the case and it is expected to continue. An operator awaiting delivery of Van Hool product says that recent developments have left them “a lot more confident” in the marque's future under VDL.
The vehicles supplied to Woods include the first EX15M and EX11H examples with Allison automatic gearboxes. One 49-seat EX15M and two EX11Hs have been delivered. All are highly specified with leather seats and much else, with the EX11H pair each coming with a small kitchen and four tables.
Bibby’s T15 Alicron is a 49/53-seater with a demountable toilet and a ZF EcoLife automatic gearbox. It also has a camera monitoring system in lieu of mirrors. All four coaches for Woods and Bibby’s are powered by the DAF MX-11 engine.
Meanwhile, two part-complete T coaches for Parrys International remain in limbo at the former Van Hool factory in Belgium. They did not form part of the VDL purchase.
Managing Director Dave Parry says that those vehicles are thus still the property of the court-appointed curators of Van Hool, but he will soon visit the Koningshooikt plant – which is used by VDL for some non-manufacturing purposes – in a bid to gain clarity on their future.
Separately, a First Gazette notice for Van Hool UK to be struck off the register of companies and dissolved was laid on 17 September. Those steps will progress unless cause to the contrary is shown. After completion, all property and rights vested in or held in trust for Van Hool UK will be deemed bona vacantia and belong to the Crown.
Three members of the Van Hool family remain directors of Van Hool UK. The curators previously said that those individuals were not cooperating with attempts to wind up the Wellingborough business. It remains the case that any deposits paid to Van Hool UK are lost.