Versatility is often a selling point for new coaches and Scania’s Interlink HD netted top marks for Southampton operator Princess Coaches when it took three that are customised to its needs
A versatile coach is a busy coach. That was the thinking behind one Southampton operator’s decision to take three Scania Interlink HDs that have been built to maximise luggage space but retain a high level of passenger comfort.
Princess Coaches is among Scania’s most loyal customers, and the two-axle, 12.8m Interlinks – which are to Finesse specification with added extras – come with rear floor-mounted toilets and offside doors behind the rear axle.
That gives unimpeded wheelbase locker space, because luggage capacity is paramount on some of the family-run firm’s work.
“The Interlinks are specified like this because we do a lot to and from Southampton’s cruise ship terminals,” says MD Pete Brown.
“On those duties the coaches may not be fully loaded with passengers but there is a large amount of luggage, and we can do that with the new Interlinks.
“The following day they may carry 53 passengers with no luggage on shore excursions, and the Finesse specification with some custom additions allows us to do that. The Interlinks are also used on school work to fit around other commitments, and the carriage of football supporters.”
Below the surface
Princess went for some other options to tailor the Interlinks exactly to the work that they will do. The luggage bay doors lift parallel to the coach to suit cramped parking arrangements in cruise terminals and small lockers have been added over the rear wheels to hold drivers’ cleaning supplies.
The Interlinks are built on K 410 EB chassis and they are powered by the 12.7-litre DC-13 engine rated at 410bhp driving through Opticruise automated manual gearboxes.
Pete says that driver and passenger response to the new coaches – which follow several years where Irizar-bodied Scanias have been purchased – has been excellent.
All 17 of Princess’ fleet is from the Swedish manufacturer, and the Interlinks are among seven coaches that it currently has on repair and maintenance contracts with the local Scania agent in Fareham.
“Scania Fareham sees our coaches a lot for routine maintenance and the Interlinks received their pre-delivery inspection there.”
Although the Interlinks have only been in service since April, Pete says that the build quality of them seems to be excellent.
“So far they have been great, and the Interlink’s pricing point is also good. Scania’s product is reliable and we don’t generally have any issues, so I can only say positive things.”
