average welsh
You wouldn’t tell the difference…
With limited options for new contract coaches, South Wales Transport has purchased six Volvo B9R Plaxton Panther 2s for school contracts. Like the previously purchased B7R Profiles (2009), these vehicles are technically registered as brand new, despite having been previously used on Ministry of Defence contracts. The foresight behind these purchases is that, once the Plaxton Profiles eventually reach the end of their service life, the Panther 2s can be reconfigured to seat over 70 passengers comfortably.
Within Swansea, operators running school contracts must comply with regulations — such as the 15-year maximum vehicle age and the requirement that all pupils be seated on the same level as the driver. These rules contribute to a higher fleet turnover, particularly for older ‘executive’ coaches, such as EB & AB60 MTB, which were subsequently sold to Newport Transport.
Additionally, because of the “same level as the driver” rule, it is unlikely that vehicles like the Plaxton Panorama or Van Hool Astromega will be seen in local operators’ fleets anytime soon. Cymru Coaches did briefly operate a Plaxton Elite i, but it was soon withdrawn as it lacked suitable scope for contract work once rail replacement demand subsided.
As a result of these restrictions, it is rare to see older vehicles or a wide variety of coaches operating within Swansea.
You wouldn’t tell the difference…
With limited options for new contract coaches, South Wales Transport has purchased six Volvo B9R Plaxton Panther 2s for school contracts. Like the previously purchased B7R Profiles (2009), these vehicles are technically registered as brand new, despite having been previously used on Ministry of Defence contracts. The foresight behind these purchases is that, once the Plaxton Profiles eventually reach the end of their service life, the Panther 2s can be reconfigured to seat over 70 passengers comfortably.
Within Swansea, operators running school contracts must comply with regulations — such as the 15-year maximum vehicle age and the requirement that all pupils be seated on the same level as the driver. These rules contribute to a higher fleet turnover, particularly for older ‘executive’ coaches, such as EB & AB60 MTB, which were subsequently sold to Newport Transport.
Additionally, because of the “same level as the driver” rule, it is unlikely that vehicles like the Plaxton Panorama or Van Hool Astromega will be seen in local operators’ fleets anytime soon. Cymru Coaches did briefly operate a Plaxton Elite i, but it was soon withdrawn as it lacked suitable scope for contract work once rail replacement demand subsided.
As a result of these restrictions, it is rare to see older vehicles or a wide variety of coaches operating within Swansea.