Pulham’s Coaches has taken delivery of a PSVAR-compliant, 21-plate Irizar i6S integral. It represents conquest business for both vehicle supplier Irizar UK and its parent company Irizar, and it is also the Bourton-on-the-Water operator’s first coach with a DAF engine.
The 12.9m i6S integral has been built to Pulham’s specification. It has 53 i6Plus seats, a Masats KS7 semi-automatic lift and Hannover destination display units. Four of the seats can be demounted using a Tecam quick-release system to create space for a wheelchair user.
Also part of the specification are USB charging points, blue interior mood lighting and powered underfloor locker doors. A floor-level toilet is fitted to maximise luggage carrying capacity.
Director Andy Pulham says that the look of the i6S, plus Pulham’s desire to try something different, were behind the decision to go with the Irizar integral. A long-standing relationship with salesman Stuart Smithson also helped the process.
“We have purchased the coach outright, and it is a long-term investment for us. Originally, we anticipated using it on incoming tour work, but the COVID-19 crisis changed that. Irizar was kind enough to let us defer delivery, but we can now put the coach to work on rail replacement thanks to it being to PSVAR specification.
“As schools return, we are also experiencing a boom in demand for our bread-and-butter home-to-school work, which the coach is also capable of undertaking. It was always our intention to retain the coach for home-to-school use once its life on the tourist fleet was over, and we anticipate it still being with us in 15 years’ time.”
Pulham’s i6S has a DAF MX-11 engine rated at 368bhp driving through a ZF EcoLife gearbox. It will be maintained in-house by Pulham’s garage, which include a DVSA Authorised Testing Facility lane.
“We are confident of being able to handle the Irizar integral even though the engine is new to us,” continues Mr Pulham. “There was a very good handover process when we picked up the coach from Irizar UK’s head office in Worksop. That is to be followed up by on-site training on the vehicle here for our workshop staff by Irizar technical support.”
