Poynters Coaches of Northampton has taken delivery of a new 12.9m Scania Irizar i6s with a K360NI chassis, its second example of the model.
The operator thus grows its fleet to 30 vehicles, which includes six Scanias.
The 9-litre engine delivers 360 bhp and comes with a 12-speed Opticruise gearbox.
Poynters notes that growing its fleet of PSVAR-compliant coaches is an important consideration.
The included half-leather extra-padded seats, of which there are 53, each with USB-C charging, were a major selling point, according to Director Dominic Sinclair.
Other features of the GSR-compliant vehicle are wood-effect flooring, alloy wheels, centre WCV, hot-water boiler, refrigerator, and Bosch infotainment system.
Speaking of the purchase, Mr Sinclair says: “From a passenger-comfort standpoint, the seats we’ve chosen in the i6 are, in my opinion, the best on the market right now.
“The drive and gear changes are incredibly smooth, which makes for a very comfortable journey.
“The camera mirrors really stand out, customers notice them straight away and associate them with a newer, more advanced coach.
“Overall, it has a sleek, modern look that creates a great impression for us at Poynters.”
The operator plans to use the coach for day trips, school and college contracts, and tours, and has another i6 on order for September.
“PSVAR is a major part of our business outlook and future expansion,” says the Director. “Modernising the fleet has been essential in supporting this.
“Every new vehicle I’ve purchased since 2024 over 22 seats has been fully PSVAR-compliant.
“It’s also had a really positive impact on team morale, integrating new vehicles into our fleet, creating a stronger sense of pride in the vehicles we operate and the work we do.”
Mr Sinclair, who has added 22 vehicles to his fleet since he acquired it in 2019, credits his team’s “dedication and hard work” for making this happen.
He adds of Scania Regional Account Manager Richard Austin: “I think having a strong relationship with a sales representative makes a massive difference, and Richard at Scania has been excellent.
“He’s always available both before and after a purchase to answer questions or help with any queries, and if he can’t assist directly, he’ll always put you in touch with someone who can.”
