Long-awaited Macedonia-built coach starts in England; separate dates for Scotland, Wales will follow
Arriva Bus and Coach (ABC) has begun what it describes as a Grand Tour of the UK with the Van Hool EX16M, marking the type’s debut in the UK.
The tour started on Monday with visits to Weardale Travel, York Pullman and Sharpes of Nottingham and it continues in England operators until Thursday. Tours of Scotland and Wales will follow at later dates.
New dimension
The EX16M made its debut in right-hand drive form at Busworld Kortrijk last year.
At 13.3m long it seats up to 57, and Van Hool has made a number of improvements to the EX range that are incorporated on the EX16M. They include a weight reduction, improved aerodynamics, better access for maintenance, and a revised dash layout.
The demonstration coach arrived in the UK at the beginning of this year.
The 3.68m high EX16M complements the taller EX15H and tri-axle EX16H coaches that are already in the market here and ABC has stated that it is targeted squarely at those buyers who require 57 seats on two axles at a competitive price.
Built in Van Hool’s Skopje, Macedonia plant, the EX range is also a cost-effective alternative to the established TX line-up. ABC has indicated that it will hold stock EX coaches, with TX models instead being built to order.
Good to go?
When the EX15H and EX16H models have been shown to UK operators the response has been good, with the quality of finish commented on positively.
Like the rest of Van Hool’s range, the EX is DAF-powered, with the manufacturer having indicated that the latest generation of engines will be adopted in 2018.
The EX range is built as standard with the ZF EcoLife automatic gearbox, but Van Hool has also confirmed that its range will take up the Traxon automated manual option later this year in place of the AS-Tronic.
