Inverness-based D&E Coaches has completed a £1m investment in new coaches plus a £200,000 extension of its Henderson Drive base.
This brings D&E’s resource up to 84 coaches – a rapid leap from three years ago when its 50th vehicle was acquired – and it employs 115 people
“We have taken delivery of 13 new coaches in the past four months, each seating 37-45 people”, says MD Donald Mathieson. “This is a significant investment for us and comes in response to a busy forward workload while also taking account of the latest trends.
“Low-floor coaches have been introduced to meet disability discrimination legislation while we have also acquired our first four low-emission vehicles, to reduce our carbon footprint.
“We see low emission coaches as the way forward to address the public’s concern and become as environmentally friendly as possible.”
Mr Mathieson founded D&E in 1996, working from home with a minibus bought for £1,000, picking up private hires and then council contracts.
Now the firm, which moved to new-build premises 12 years ago, has a £5m turnover.
“Our investment plan was put in place last year as we secured an increasing volume of contracts from Highland Council while also generating new levels of private hire work”, says Mr Mathieson.
