Bay Travel of Fife is rolling out out PSV Accessible Information Regulations (AIR) compliance in its coach fleet with delivery of a pair of Yutong GT12 models which satisfy that legislation.
Deployment of AIR provision across the Lochgelly business’s buses used on local services has already been completed after fitment of the necessary equipment in recent weeks.
Office Manager Neil Bailey notes that Bay Travel operates home-to-school contracts that are in scope of the Regulations, as are some of its rail replacement duties. “We also have contracts with Scottish Citylink, so the ability to utilise these coaches on any work is crucial to our business,” he adds.
The GT12 pair are also compliant with PSVAR. Simon Collins, UK Coach Sales Manager at supplier Pelican Bus and Coach, says that pre-wiring for the necessary on-board equipment to comply with AIR is installed in all UK-bound Yutong coaches during the build stage.
That enables straightforward fitment of displays and other components required to comply with the Accessible Information Regulations once the coach has arrived here.
Mr Bailey has commended the dealership for that approach. “We were in discussion with Pelican and Area Sales Manager Dale Ogg about AIR prior to the Regulations taking effect and prior to our order being placed,” he continues.
The new GT12s have also debuted a revised livery for Bay Travel. “Availability and aftersales backup, along with the opportunity to work with Dale once again, are our reasons for these recent purchases,” Mr Bailey adds.
“Both coaches are already working on UK and European tours, with one embarking on a Scottish departure with American clients only a few hours after delivery.”
Each of the pair has 53 seats and is powered by a DAF MX-11 engine developing 450bhp coupled to a ZF EcoLife automatic gearbox. They join two smaller Yutong TC9 midicoaches that were delivered to the operator in 2018.
Separately, Bay Travel has agreed the sale of its final non-PSVAR coach. Once it departs, the operator’s fleet will be 100% compliant with those accessibility regulations.
