The firm purchased an ex-demo Tourismo last year
Fordingbridge-based Herrington Coaches has taken delivery of its third new vehicle since it was founded back in 1953.
The vehicle in question is a 12.3m, 53-seater, second-generation Mercedes-Benz Tourismo, and is the 46th vehicle the operator has acquired since it was founded.
Herrington’s 68-plate Mercedes-Benz comes equipped with a toilet, as well as built-in sat nav and a reversing camera.
Powering the coach is a six-cylinder, 10.7-litre, 394 bhp OM470 engine, and drive is transmitted through a ZF six-speed automatic gearbox.
Gary Owen, Area Sales Manager at EvoBus in Coventry, handed the coach over to Directors Alan and Kevin Herrington on Monday 17 September.
The new Tourismo joins three first-generation 53-seat models and three Mercedes-Benz Varios in the fleet.
“We bought an ex-demo Tourismo last year – a 53-seater with a toilet – which we’ve been very happy with,” Jef Johnson, a Driver at Herrington Coaches, told CBW.
“With the issues coming up relating to low emission zones, we thought it’d be a good idea to get another Euro VI one.
“The intention was to purchase another ex-demonstrator, but after attending an event at EvoBus we were offered this brand-new one for only slightly more – around £2,000. So, it seemed like the obvious choice to go for the new one.
“I used to be part of the management at Redwing Coaches, so kept in touch with them. When I was in London one day I parked in their depot to catch up with Managing Director Nigel Taylor.
“They were thinking of selling some of their Tourismos, so I suggested that Herrington might be interested. Our liveries are quite similar, so it made sense.
“We ended up buying some of those, which were our first Tourismos. So, that chance mention a few years ago has led to us buying several more Mercedes-Benz vehicles, and now our first new one.”
The previous two coaches the firm bought new were a 1989 Plaxton Paramount-bodied Dennis Javelin and a 2011 Plaxton Panther-bodied Volvo B9R, neither of which it still owns.
