Jones Coach and Bus Sales will soon deliver its first Noone Turas 500s coachbuilt Mercedes-Benz Sprinter-based minicoach, the dealership has confirmed.
That vehicle will go to Acklams Coaches of Beverley and it follows a move of production of the Turas 500s to Erduman Otomotiv in Turkey. While the vehicle design is the same as when the model was produced elsewhere, Erduman has a dedicated line for the Turas 500s and build “is in full flow,” says Jones Coach and Bus Sales Managing Director Steve Jones.
Mr Jones adds that availability of base vehicles across the Noone Turas range is good and that the Llanrwst business – which services England and Wales – expects to deliver 50 units over the next 12 months. Customers in Scotland are served by Brian Noone.
“We expect an upscaling over the coming year, with the difference being the availability of Sprinter chassis,” adds Mr Jones. “We are very excited about prospects and availability going forward.”
The Acklams Turas 500s was displayed at the UK Coach Rally in Blackpool over the weekend of 13-14 April. It is a 16-seater with two tables at the rear and finished to a high specification. Alongside it was a Turas 900S on DAF LF chassis, one of two on order for Star Coaches of Batley.
Mr Jones adds that interest in the Turas 900S remains strong and that several are in hand for UK operators.
Brian Noone and Jones Coach and Bus Sales continue to offer the Rosero Connect low-entry midibus on an Iveco Daily chassis, but soon to complement that will be a similar but smaller product on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter base with a low-floor section.
Mr Jones advises that the newcomer will take up to 21 seats including tip-ups. The first is expected to arrive later this year and will form one of multiple range additions for the Brian Noone and Jones partnership, with the former reporting similarly buoyant demand among operators in Ireland.
