Two new Irizar i6S integrals have been delivered to Carnforth operator The Travellers Choice by Irizar UK. They are 13.2m tri-axles that each have 57 i6 Plus seats with synthetic leather trim and USB charging points.
The newcomers follow two similar coaches that were delivered in 2020. Joint Managing Director John Shaw says that those earlier Irizar integrals have returned excellent fuel economy. The new coaches have the 10.8-litre DAF MX-11 engine rated at 449bhp driving through the fully-automatic ZF EcoLife gearbox.
Mr Shaw adds that the Irizar kerb appeal has been a factor in the marque’s success with The Travellers Choice. “Our passengers may not know much about coaches, but the Irizar product stands out from the competition when you have different vehicles parked side-by-side. It is important to have coaches that look like they are at the cutting edge, which is one reason we chose the i6S.”
As with all vehicles in the operator’s fleet, the i6S integral pair will be maintained in-house. Mr Shaw says the model “is as easy to work on as anything else.” He adds: “As for how easy it is to fix complex problems, or what the backup might be like for breakdowns, I can happily say I have no idea, as we have had no issues with our Irizar integrals at all to date.”
He believes that 2021 “is pretty much a write-off as far as incoming tourism goes” for the coach industry, but the recent additions form part of a longer-term strategy.
Each new coach has a factory-installed washing system and they are both equipped with Alcoa Dura-Bright polished alloy wheels.
