The coaches have been pressed into immediate service transporting domestic and inbound tourists across the UK and to the continent, in what from now to late autumn is the business’s busiest period.
Ian Williams, the co-director of Cresta Coaches with wife Diane, said: "Unfortunately, there is still significantly long lead times if you want to buy new coaches in the UK directly from the manufacturers. So, the ability to secure these new additions from Asset Alliance Group’s rental fleet and get them working while we’re at our busiest has been fantastic.”
The HD12 and HD13 coaches feature partial-leather seating with dedicated power supplies for customer devices, wood floor panelling, Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, internal camera systems, drinks stations, and toilets, with capacity for 53 and 57 passengers, respectively.
The new coaches, which replace older vehicles, are powered by PACCAR MX-11 (10.8 litre) engines and ZF automatic transmissions. They will each average 80,000km to 100,000km a year, working five to six days a week.
Cresta Coaches’ 19-strong fleet undertakes school runs for local authorities, provides private hire and short break services and fulfils both UK & European tour work, with vehicle fleet sizes ranging from 16-seaters up to 70-seat executive coaches.
