Impressed by product and backup, well-known operator is on-track for an all-Euro 6 fleet for its London and Edinburgh operations
Twenty further Scania Irizar coaches have now joined the well-known fleet of Hayes, Middlesex-based City Circle UK Limited. This additional batch of vehicles makes the fleet predominantly Scania-powered and will ensure the City Circle fleet is firmly on track towards an all-Euro 6 fleet, well in advance of the required date for London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) of 2019.
Commenting on his company’s decision to once again commit to Scania Irizar coaches, City Circle UK Limited Managing Director Neil Pegg told CBW: “We’ve been exceedingly happy with last year’s vehicles. We are delighted with Scania and Irizar product, and more refreshingly, the backup from Scania Heathrow, our local Scania dealer – not to mention the service from Scania and Irizar.
“We made what was major change from Neoplan in 2014. After buying large numbers of Neoplan Tourliners until that point, it was time for a change. In 2013, we had a couple of baby 10.8m Scanias. Successful operation of them led to us ordering more baby Scanias last year.
“This year’s order will make our fleet two-thirds Euro 6-compliant, with our plan to be fully compliant by next Spring – meaning we will be ready for the introduction of the ULEZ in London.”
Neil added: “Out of 20 vehicles, five are operating out of our Edinburgh depot – two 10.8m and three 13m models. We now operate 58 coaches across both operations.”
Asked by CBW what the latest vehicles have replaced, Neil replied: “The 20 new coaches have replaced Neoplan Tourliners and the initial four 10.8m Scanias. Some were part-exchanged, others were sold privately.”
Last year, City Circle acquired 16 Scania Irizar i6s, which followed on six Scania Irizar i6s it took during 2013 and 2014.
Martin West, General Manager – Retail Sales for Scania (Great Britain) Limited said: “We are delighted to have completed this latest delivery of prestigious Scania Irizar i6 coaches to City Circle, which represents one of our largest retail coach orders. The level of specification on the new vehicles will deliver a fantastic service on the company’s executive tours around the UK and Ireland for incoming tourists, and corporate charter services. We wish City Circle every success as they introduce the new vehicles into service.”
Turning to the vehicles’ specifications, the 16 Irizar i6 12.9m overall length Irizar i6s are based on Scania’s K410 6×2*4 chassis, powered by a Scania 410hp Euro 6 engine, coupled to a fully automated Opticruise gear selection system.
These vehicles have 53 luxurious reclining seats with leather and extra padded flaps, sunken toilet/washroom and Frenzel Kitchen located at the centre continental exit. Additional features include Durabright aluminium wheels, reversing and road cameras and integrated satellite navigation. The passenger seats benefit from having USB charging points, seat back tables, magazine nets and footrests, and the bodies are finished with extra dark tinted double-glazing. The coaches will be mostly catering for incoming tourists, and high profile touring work around the UK and Ireland.
The four 10.8-metre overall length Irizar i6s are based on Scania’s K360 EB 4×2 chassis, powered by a Scania 360hp Euro 6 engine, coupled to a fully automated Opticruise gear selection system.
These vehicles have 36 reclining seats with half leather trim, rear floor mounted toilet/washroom and an extensive servery at the rear of the coach with built in units for fridges and drinks facilities fitted by AD coach systems. The vehicles are specified extremely highly with the additions of satellite navigation, twin monitors, fully furnished seat back facilities, dark tinted glass and Durabright aluminium wheels.
