BELGIUM The first VDL Futura FDD2 double-decker has been delivered to RC (Royal Coach) Travel in Belgium, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary.
“This double-decker offers so much comfort and is furnished with such attention to detail that I am very proud of the fact that we, as a loyal 100% VDL customer, were the first to receive this new model,” said Ad Bruintjes, Managing Director RC Travel. “With the acquisition of this ultra-luxurious double-decker coach we want to make it possible to travel business class for an affordable price.”
VDL Futura FDD2 is the showpiece in the high-end VDL Futura family. With various capacity options, it offers both the discerning holidaymaker and the intercity business traveller a comfortable and fitting transport solution says VDL.
The use of a newly developed upper-deck floor made of lightweight sandwich material has made it possible to achieve a generous 1.86m of standing height on the lower deck. An innovation is the improvement in the driver’s upward viewing angle, achieved by sloping the floor of the upper deck upwards at the windscreen. This gives the feeling of having plenty of space and an optimal view.
The vehicle’s low kerb weight makes it possible to carry more passengers, and a light vehicle consumes less fuel. For the coach operator this means a double benefit – more paying passengers and lower fuel costs – resulting in ‘Profit of Ownership.’
RC’s Futura FDD2 has a First Class Coach specification, a business class version for luxurious long-distance travel. There are 48 passenger seats and two hostess seats. The coach is also equipped with an extra sleeping area for the hostesses. The VDL Class 600 seats are in a two by one configuration. Each seat has its own 220volt socket and USB port. The multimedia system in the coach offers passengers a choice of various music channels and 50 different films. The fully equipped kitchen provides everything needed to provide meals and refreshments while on the road.
RC Travel focuses on luxury long-distance travel. During the summer most of those are to Spain and Croatia for tour operator Solmar Tours and in the winter period to various winter sports destinations. The fleet consists entirely of VDL double-decker coaches, four with the Royal Class package, plus the latest addition, the FDD2 with the First Class specification.
Having started as a driver at RC (Royal Class) Travel, Ad Bruintjes took over the company in 2001 and renamed it RC (Royal Coach) Travel. The fleet has always consisted of VDL double-decker coaches, including the Berkhof Excellence 2000, the VDL Axial 100, the VDL Synergy and now the new VDL Futura FDD2.
