The 2,000th Yutong vehicle for the UK has been registered by dealership Pelican Bus and Coach in a GT12 coach for First Bus that will be used on FlixBus services.
Reaching the milestone has come in 11 years since the first Yutong was delivered here. That was a TC12 coach for Cropley Coaches. Since then, the manufacturer’s range has grown significantly, and it is now firmly seated across both coach and bus in the UK.
Pelican Managing Director Richard Crump (pictured, left) says: “Every registration is a celebration of our relationship with our customers, but this 2,000th is a very special milestone for both Pelican and Yutong in the UK.
“It is fitting that the vehicle is the successor to the TC12, which was our first vehicle. We continue to invest heavily in the UK product range, with diesel and electric two- and three-axle coaches, electric single-deck and double-deck buses, and an airside bus.
“This is testament to the continuous investment that Pelican and Yutong provide for our Yutong customers, and we hope for many more milestones to come.”
The GT12 for First Bus will join the operator’s West of England fleet. It is part of a 21-strong order by the group for FlixBus contracts.
First Bus Managing Director (B2B) Andrew Jarvis (pictured, right) notes that the group was the first UK operator to place a fleet order for Yutong vehicles in 2018 when it agreed the supply of 43 TC12 coaches. Those went to the Somerset Passenger Solutions business. More recently it has taken battery-electric Yutong buses in large numbers.
“We have always appreciated the positive attitude to suggestions, the excellent vehicle reliability and performance, and the back-up provided by Pelican,” continues Mr Jarvis.
The GT12 is prominent among purchases of new coaches for FlixBus duties in the UK. Andreas Schorling, FlixBus UK Senior Managing Director, says that procurement of those is part of the business continuing “its inevitable journey towards market leadership.”
He adds: “The launch of our partnership with First Bus is made all the more special with Yutong’s 2,000th vehicle in the UK. We will watch with pride as the vehicles begin operating FlixBus services across the UK, opening new routes to meet passenger demand ahead of the busy summer season.”
