New Temsa HD13 coaches with 74 seats in a 3+2 configuration will be among high-capacity options developed by dealership Temsa Sales UK, with that ex-factory model becoming available from late this year.
Such news comes at the same time that the Cleckheaton business announced it has reached agreement with Apex Buses to supply Mercedes-Benz Sprinter-based minicoaches and a low-entry minibus. Sales of those products will be handled by the same team that work with Temsa customers and deals with UK buyers have been completed already.
To prove the 3+2 layout concept for its large coaches, Temsa Sales UK engaged Cogent Seating to carry out a pilot upseating of an existing HD12 coach. It can now carry 71 passengers and was shown at the 2025 UK Coach Rally on 12 and 13 April. It is PSVAR compliant with space for two wheelchair users.
Temsa Sales UK Director Kevin Procter adds that while the HD13 with 74 seats will be built to that configuration from new, the dealership will also arrange conversion of existing HD12 and HD13 coaches to 3+2.
In the pilot HD12 conversion, the sunken aisle has been adjusted by Cogent to take account of how seats are arranged. Mr Procter adds that an enquiry has already been received about a 3+2 layout with a toilet.
“We see a big gap in the market for high-capacity coaches,” he continues. “We have developed the initial HD12 to show the concept and to seek constructive criticism from operators, and we could already have sold it several times over.”
Experience suggests that the usage profile of high-capacity school coaches is evolving, Mr Procter suggests. While in the past they may seldom have ventured far from base, he believes that some now cover longer distances on school trips. A 3+2 layout on a new or nearly new coach thus makes increasing sense.
On the Apex Buses deal to sell Sprinter-based vehicles. that range extends from eight-seat VIP units on a lighter base vehicle through to larger minicoaches and the low-entry minibus conversion.
“We believe that Temsa buyers have seen good customer service and support on those products, and so the same approach will be beneficial in smaller vehicles,” says Mr Procter. Conversion work is carried out in Turkey and Temsa Sales UK will hold body-specific parts at Cleckheaton.
