Odyssey Coach Sales and Glenrental have launched a flexible rental offering that will start with Euro VI, PSVAR-compliant Temsa HD12 coaches registered in 2018.
The first will be available from March. Odyssey Director Darren Critchley says that the HD12 is “an ideal rental coach” thanks to its DAF/ZF driveline and 53 seats and a toilet, suiting it to a variety of work. PSVAR upgrades will be carried out by a well-known engineering company using a kit from Temsa.
Mr Critchley adds that a flexible rental option has come about through availability of low-mileage, late-model HD12s and the possibility that lenders may become more cautious about funding new coaches in 2021.
“Operators will still need modern vehicles. Rental insulates them from fluctuating residual values and depreciation, and it is a tax-efficient method of vehicle procurement,” he continues.
The HD12s will be available to rent for up to five years. Odyssey and Glenrental will also look at shorter terms from one month. Pricing will start from around £700 per week, depending on the length of the agreement and subject to status.
As part of the rental process the supplier will undertake a site visit and carry out credit checks. While the operator will be responsible for maintenance, the coach will be monitored during its time with the renter and copies of PMI sheets will be required.
Mr Critchley says that the scheme is regarded as flexible because it will permit customers to upgrade to a newer like-for-like vehicle during the lifetime of the agreement. If it is a success, a further 10 2019-registered Temsa HD12 coaches will be added to the existing rental pool.
Odyssey and Glenrental are also examining the rental market for 72-seat Sunsundegui SB3-bodied Volvo B8Rs. If that proceeds, those coaches would also be converted to achieve PSVAR compliance before being released.
