For its 2015 fleet renewal and upgrade programme, Berkshire based Horseman Coaches has invested over £2 million in eight new Plaxton coaches.
The five Leopards and three Panthers on Volvo chassis continue the company’s longstanding relationship with the UK manufacturer and made good business sense for Director of Operations James Horseman: “The Panthers have been well received on our recently increased commitment to European tour work and the Leopards are proving to be versatile members of the fleet. Plaxton have been one of our key suppliers for many years not least due to the excellent support and back up service they provide.”
The three new Panthers are 12.8m two-axle vehicles featuring 53 Politecnica GTV reclining seats with all-age three point seatbelts, trimmed in moquette with light coloured leather headrest inserts and piping. They have a kerb level washroom alongside the centre continental door with fridge and servery area above, parallel lift doors to the side lockers, climate control and Alcoa Dura-Brite alloy wheels. They are mounted on the Euro 5 Volvo B11R chassis incorporating a rear fixed Volvo D11C 10.8 litre engine and Volvo I-Shift automated gearbox.
The five Leopards are also 12.8m two-axle vehicles that feature 57 Brusa reclining seats with all-age three point seatbelts trimmed in moquette, climate control and Alcoa Dura-Brite alloy wheels. They are mounted on the Euro 5 Volvo B9R chassis incorporating a rear fixed Volvo D9B 9.36 litre engine and Volvo I-Shift automated gearbox. Horseman Coaches have specified a full internal and external Synetics CCTV system together with a professional entertainment system on all the new vehicles.
Horseman Coaches is a second generation family business based at a modern depot in the south of Reading, Berkshire. It was founded by Keith Horseman in 1977 and has grown to be the leading operator in the Thames Valley area with a current fleet strength of 67 vehicles including Panthers, Cheetahs, Profiles, Elites and Leopards from Plaxton. The fleet is used on a wide variety of work including school contracts, private charters, corporate shuttles and a tour programme across the UK and Europe.
Horseman Coaches’ new Plaxton coaches were supplied by Plaxton Coach Sales at Anston and are to be followed by an additional example of each model to Euro6 specification.