Accessible interdeckers to be used on work to and from major ports for cruisegoers and corporate hire
Ashton-in-Makerfield operator Eavesway Travel has taken delivery of four high-specification Van Hool TDX21 Altano interdeckers for its high-profile Cruiselink fleet.
The Altano, with its high luggage capacity, has long been favoured by Eavesway for this work and the new additions have been supplied by Moseley (PCV) of South Elmsall.
The Altano’s layout means all of them are accessible to wheelchair users, who ride in a small area on the lower deck.
Power comes from DAF’s 12.9-litre MX-13 engine rated at 460bhp coupled to fully-automatic Allison gearboxes.
The Altanos carry 56 passengers on the upper deck, with a further five seats (two of which are demountable) adjacent to the driver. In a departure from the norm seats are from Kiel, rather than being Van Hool’s own products, and they are upholstered in leather.
USB charging points are provided for every passenger and front destination screens are also fitted.
Eavesway Travel runs the UK’s largest fleet of Altanos and purchased its first in 2008. The new additions will be utilised on work to the ports of Dover, Newcastle and Southampton carrying passengers to join cruise ships.
They will also be used on corporate work around these commitments and are expected to cover around 50,000km per year. Fuel consumption is likely to be around the 10mpg mark, says the operator.
