The Coach Travel Group has ordered 42 Scania Touring coaches for delivery to constituent fleets from March 2025.
Those coaches are a mix of two- and three-axle examples and all will be PSVAR compliant. The deal was announced on the second day of Euro Bus Expo at the NEC Birmingham on 13 November.
It comes as the group – which was formed via the merger of seven formerly independent coach operators earlier in 2024 – continues to focus on expansion. Director Matt Clayson (pictured, left), who is also Director of Readybus, says that further operator additions are “very much” on the agenda.
He adds that growth of the group’s geographic presence is an imperative, with the East Midlands, Scotland and South Wales having been identified as focus areas.
The Scania Touring order was placed after consultation with a variety of vehicle suppliers. Mr Clayson says that product availability in 2025 was among considerations, but he adds that Readybus received its first Touring in 2017 and has found the type to perform well.
Seen as important by The Coach Travel Group is the two-year repair and maintenance package that comes with new Scania coaches supplied to retail buyers. Mr Clayson says that experience at Readybus has shown that the aftersales and support network from Scania is also strong.
The Coach Travel Group CEO Tom Stables adds that purchase of coaches “is just one part of the company’s ongoing strategy to deliver unrivalled group travel experiences.” The business is also assessing products and services that will benefit safety and allow standardisation across the group.
While one coach with Readybus was recently painted into a The Coach Travel Group livery, local identities will continue. Mr Clayson says that such a step was part of a promotional move and that another coach with a different operating company may follow suit.
Speaking about the coach procurement, Scania UK Retail Sales Manager Lee Wale (pictured, second from left) says: “We are proud to be working with The Coach Travel Group. Our shared values and ability to bring people together is what makes this such a great partnership.
“This agreement showcases the synergies between the two organisations and our ambitions to do the right thing by both our customers and the environment. This is the first step on our journey to delivering a sustainable transport solution together.”
Tourings to be delivered to The Coach Travel Group will be built on the new-generation Scania chassis. Two-axle models will be powered by the DC09 engine at 360bhp, and three-axle examples using the DC13 at 410bhp.
