Timberbush Tours has taken delivery of the first seven of 16 Mercedes-Benz Sprinters with UNVI bodywork that form part of an over £3 million investment in its fleet for the 2024 season.
The remaining examples are expected over the coming weeks. The batch of 16 will be key to what the Edinburgh operator expects to be a year of strong tourism-led demand boosted by growth in private and corporate hires, along with day trips.
Chief Executive Officer Steve Spalding (pictured) says that all of the markets in which Timberbush is active have rebounded well, leaving it – like many other coach operators – positive about 2024.
“In true Timberbush tradition, these vehicles are some of the most fuel efficient and clean on the market, while the company continually commits to a spending and investment principle where a strict environmental policy is mandatory within every procurement decision.”
The UNVI minicoaches are being supplied by Coachtraders. The deal represents repeat business and is the largest order placed with the Whitburn dealership to date, says Director Gordon Robertson.
Mr Robertson adds that Coachtraders prides itself on such return custom “and maintaining longstanding relationships with our customers. Timberbush is a prime example of that.” The two parties have been working together since 2011.
Arrival of the first of the 2024 UNVI Sprinters follows Timberbush Tours’ establishment of its Balmoral Executive Travel chauffeur-driven car division earlier this year. That saw an investment of almost £1 million in cars and premises.