Barnes Coaches has gone back to the future with the delivery of a PSVAR-compliant Irizar i6 integral that marks the Swindon operator’s centenary in a historic version of its green, red and white livery.
While celebrating the past, the coach – which will be joined by a further new Irizar integral soon, and joins others already in the fleet – also looks to the future. The current focus on accessibility has been considered in its specification and it utilises a PLS lift to board wheelchair users.
The DAF MX-11-powered 12.9m coach is also built to full touring specification. It has 53 seats and a toilet, along with a drinks machine and a comprehensive entertainment system.
Growth of Clean Air Zones, and Scotland’s Low Emission Zones, was a further consideration when ordering more new coaches, says Director Luke Barnes. “Our fleet is now 90% Euro VI as we see the growth of emission control zones around the country, including in Bristol and Bath.”
Mr Barnes and his brother Luke are the fourth generation of the Barnes family to run the business. It began in 1920 when Tommy Barnes inaugurated a link between Aldbourne and Hungerford railway station using two carts and six horses.
The new i6 integral is Barnes’ first accessible coach. It is expected to remain with the operator for at least five years. Like the remainder of the fleet, it will be looked after in-house.
Supplier Irizar UK can offer PSVAR-compliant examples of its full coach range: The i4, i6, i6S and i8 integrals.
