Longstanding Van Hool buyer Richmonds Coaches of Barley in Hertfordshire has taken delivery of its first example of the T range in the form of a T16 Astron, supplied by VDL Bus UK.
It is a 53-seater, with each Kiel position finished in leather with diamond stitching. Also included are padded sides along with three-point belts, footrests, magazine nets, and drop-down tables.
The coach is PSVAR compliant, with an additional door mounted over the front axle. That package includes a 500kg Dhollandia passenger lift and room for one wheelchair user, along with silver destination displays.
VDL Bus UK Sales Representative Robert White (pictured, centre) notes how when carrying a wheelchair user, there is no need to remove seats from the coach. Instead, four pairs slide together to create the necessary space.
Passenger comforts capture a boiler, a centre sunken toilet, and a dash fridge. Other fitments include pavement lights and additional side and rear markers, a camera monitoring system and a 360-degree bird’s eye view, and additional cameras that provide a view of corners, cyclists and pedestrians.
Power comes from the DAF MX-13 engine developing 530bhp coupled to an Allison T525R six-speed automatic gearbox. The T16 Astron is finished in Richmonds Coaches’ distinctive new livery and joins various other Van Hool products in the fleet.
Mr White handed over the vehicle to Director Andrew Richmond (pictured, right) and the coach’s regular driver, Alan Cole (pictured, left).
