Whittles has taken delivery of its first new coach since it was acquired by Johnsons of Henley-in-Arden in January from EYMS Group.
The new 49-seater Plaxton Panther-bodied Euro 6 Volvo B11R joins Whittles’ nine-strong coach fleet. The specification includes extra legroom, air-conditioning, tea and coffee making facilities, WC and DVD player. The coach will be used on Whittles’ range of holidays and day excursions this summer, as well as for what the firm said was its “blossoming” private hire business.
Delivered to Whittles’ Kidderminster depot last Wednesday (June 10), the coach also carries a revised livery – the large sun on the bodyside having been dropped. The Panther replaces the 07-plate 36-seater with tables Volvo 9700 Prestige Plus Volvo B12BT tri-axle, which was new to the Finglands’ fleet.
Peter Johnson, Director at Johnsons Group said: “In my early years of working in the coach industry, the aspirational vehicle and chassis combination was a Volvo / Plaxton and I am pleased that after 35 years we have bought one. The acquisition of Whittles and its Volvo / Plaxton fleet meant that everyone there was really used to this product and vouched for it from a customer and an operational point of view. We are really pleased to make this investment in our Whittles fleet which will support our hardworking and professional staff and our many Whittles customers.”
