Many small operators know the feeling of excitement that comes with the arrival of a new coach. With the 17-plate now here, one of the first to enter service continues a Staffs firm’s relationship with Volvo
2017’s high season comes a little closer today for North Staffordshire-based Hollinsheads Coaches, which is among those operators placing a fresh-faced 17-plate vehicle in service in the form of its third 9700, a model that is the flagship of Volvo’s coach range.
Hollinsheads has long been a Volvo customer and internally, the new coach is similar to a 9700 in its fleet that dates from 2015.
But externally it’s a different matter, and a revised livery debuts on the newcomer to set it apart from its predecessor.
All nine full-size coaches in the 14-strong Biddulph fleet are Volvo, and they are complemented by two smaller Sitcars and three buses.
The 9700, the first of which joined in 2011 in the form of a two-axle 49-seater, is now the tool of choice, says Managing Director Stephen Haydon.
“We have looked at all of Volvo’s coach range and I believe that the 9700 presents the best image to customers.
“It gives the best first impression when they board; the operator pays for that, but I believe that the 9700’s quality is worth the extra outlay over others.”
Passengers first
Although Volvo is the dominant marque in Hollinsheads’ fleet, the operator looked closely at another manufacturer’s offering when deciding on its latest purchase. But while there are several reasons that it has stuck with Volvo, none are what Stephen describes as sentimental ones.
“First and foremost this is a business and not a hobby. No operator should think that customers care what chassis, engine or gearbox is underneath the coach. They don’t.
“Instead, they care about getting from A to B comfortably and reliably, and that is my priority when purchasing.
“The new coach will be used on various duties, including on our own tours. That can be lucrative work, but if customers are paying a lot of money to travel, it is down to us to provide the best possible coach for them, and that is one of the reasons why I have stayed with the 9700.”
Another important aspect of Hollinsheads’ decision to stay with Volvo is the service it receives from local dealer Hartshorne Potteries in Newcastle-under-Lyme. Hartshorne’s premises are around seven miles from Biddulph.
Tried and tested
The 13m, tri-axle 9700 seats 53, and it has a demountable toilet that, when removed, adds a further two to that figure. Wood effect flooring is fitted throughout, along with a well-designed servery unit and large front fridge.
Stephen kindly invited routeone to join him on Monday and drive the 9700 home from Volvo Bus’ sales centre in Coventry on trade plates. As would be expected at this time of year, the unit was a hive of activity as coaches were prepared for delivery, but the red 9700 stood out regardless.
Although it is luxurious inside, Hollinsheads’ 9700 is to Volvo’s standard specification and no optional extras have been added. Power is from the 10.8 litre D11K engine rated at 460bhp driving through an I-Shift automated manual gearbox.
I-Shift’s software is regularly updated, and in this regard the 9700 was noticeably different when compared to the first Euro 6 9700 in the UK, which arrived in 2013 and has also been driven by routeone.
In economy setting it is very reluctant to take the engine speed above 1,500rpm even when climbing under full throttle, and more use is made of very low-end torque.
The latter strategy proved worthwhile when accelerating past LGVs in lane two on the M6; the D11K pulls very well from little more than 1,000rpm when prompted, and speed piles on immediately. The 9700 is a superb drive, and in this regard, it justifiably sits as Volvo’s premium coach offering.
Harvesting Swedes
It’s not just the livery that has evolved at Hollinsheads of late.
Stephen – who describes himself as a businessman who runs coaches – says that regular fleet investment is a must if growth is to be achieved consistently, and that is demonstrated by the evolution since his father and his business partner purchased Hollinsheads in October 1985.
“The fleet then consisted of four Bedfords, which were later joined by a second-hand AEC.
“Our first Volvo was also second-hand, a B10M with Plaxton Paramount 3500 bodywork, and we took our first new coach, from another manufacturer, in 2003.
“The first new Volvo arrived in 2004; it was a Van Hool-bodied B12M, and we have consistently bought new ever since.
“Because of the work that we do, we have to been seen to constantly be moving forward.
“If possible, the next coach always has to be an improvement on the last one, and that is one of the reasons for the new livery on the new 9700.” Besides acting as a fleet flagship on Hollinsheads’ tour programme, the new 9700 will also see use on private hire duties.
The latter now includes a degree of corporate work for some of Staffordshire’s biggest employers, and Stephen adds that such hires mandate a top-of-the-range coach; nothing less will do.
“My opinion is that the 9700 is the best coach that Volvo builds. The 15-plate example in our fleet set the bar very high, but because of that, I am happy to take another.”
