Mistral Group is to supply eight new 8.9m Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro200 buses to Eastleigh-based Xelabus. The value of the investment exceeds half a million pounds
“The introduction of the new vehicles, with three-year full vehicle warranties from ADL, will allow Xelabus to operate on a much-reduced maintenance cost compared with the vehicles that are currently being used, and ensure maximum availability,” said Ben Werth, Mistral Bus and Coach Commercial Manager.
“We anticipate that this business model will work exceptionally well for Xelabus and that this is the start of a long, mutually beneficial relationship between our two companies.”
Xelabus has also announced Gareth Blair’s appointment to Managing Director, taking over from his father Phil Blair who remains as Chairman and Executive Director.
Gareth commented: “It will be a hard act to follow taking the reins from my father who has had 40 years’ experience in the bus industry.
“However, there are exciting times ahead for the company with planned expansion and increased operations, plus further new vehicle deliveries to be announced for 2017.”
Mistral Group Managing Director, Steve Low, said: “We wish Gareth every success with his new appointment.
“It has been our pleasure to work closely with Xelabus at this exciting time of change and expansion.”
In a separate development, Xelabus has introduced real-time information for its Itchen College service, allowing students to track their own bus services in a new mobile phone app.
The app, developed by Southampton-based Joel Kidd at Findmybus, has many features to encourage students to use the bus as an alternative means of getting to college.
It uses GPS technology connecting directly to the onboard bus ticket machines.
Gareth Blair said: “This app has already proved very popular with the students. The app uses real time information to update and with the push notification option students can be reliably informed of any buses running late due to traffic congestion.
“We hope to roll out a similar system on our other services during 2017.”
