Birtley firm takes 89-seater principally for European work; has ordered another, both on Scania chassis
JH Coaches of Birtley, Tyne and Wear, became the first UK operator to take delivery of a vehicle supplied by Ayats UK Coach Sales when a 14.1m, 89-seat Eclipse-bodied Scania double-decker in the operator’s striking gold livery was handed over at CBUK.
“We looked at a variety of double-deckers but I wanted a combination where we would be assured of rapid back-up for the chassis when in Europe,” says JH Coaches Operations Director Ian Shipley.
Mr Shipley confirms that JH Coaches has ordered another of the combination, although unlike the coach shown at CBUK the second Ayats will not be PSVAR-compliant.
Both will seat 89 passengers, but the first example has two pairs of removable seats to accommodate a wheelchair user.
Although only delivered a few days before CBUK, Mr Shipley reports that JH Coaches is pleased with the Ayats.
“It has the 12-speed Opticruise gearbox and the driver who brought it from Birtley to Birmingham reports that it drove exceptionally well. We had a very close look at it after delivery and the fit and finish appears to be excellent.”
The first Ayats for JH Coaches replaces an older double-decker but the second will be a fleet addition. “Four years’ chassis warranty is provided along with five for the body and that gives us great comfort,” adds Mr Shipley.
“Ayats came up with a solution that suited us and the coach has been built exactly how we wanted it.”
