35 year old Van Hool Alizee Super H – Still delivering quality service

seemed possible., so Mike initially redesigned the rear of the coach, keeping the original structure while accommodating the new internal framework to support the cars. The coach’s mid-mounted engine helped, so he could reduce the boot height and remove the rear part of the floor. Weight was a potential problem. Originally the coach weighed in at 12,600 kg, but by removing the upper luggage racks, the seats, most of the floor, the rear door, and steps in that area, he had some scope with the extra equipment to be fitted. In the end the coach came in at 12,850 kg, an acceptable result.

Key to the project was the requirement to get two rally cars inside the bus with room to work on them, so the first stage involved building scale models to see if it could work. All

All through the conversion, the craftsmanship and quality of the manufacturing process at Van Hool was apparent. Mick, whose son, Shane, assisted in some of the work, was also impressed with the quality of the steel in the coach and the general structure, with no visible rust. Another aspect of the conversion was how easy it was to separate the leisure equipment and its batteries (4 x 230 amp fitted) from the main systems on the coach. Thanks to Van Hool’s electrical systems, these changes were comfortably accommodated. As an additional power supply, some solar panels were fitted to the roof. When it came to the fit-out, Mick’s wife Jackie was in charge. She tastefully used the original grey and orange colour of the interior as a base to enhance the layout. Using some of the original seats and curtains, some wear on the driver’s seat was noticed and repaired, but otherwise the seats were perfect. A double bed was suspended over the driving area and a couch fitted that can be converted to two additional beds. Other domestic features include full domestic fridge/ freezer, double oven gas cooker, and a shower unit, with the original toilet used. This Alizee Super H was built on a Volvo B10M chassis, with a ZF manual box. At the time, it was a highly specified coach and that still shows. It is thought that it was first delivered to Appleby’s in the UK and possibly spent some time at Trollops in Wiltshire, eventually ending up in Moseley’s (South). It was then purchased by Martin’s in Limerick in

2006, and ran on the registration plate 88 LK 3778. It was put into service on a Dell contract to bring employees to and from the Raheen plant. It remained in service until 2019 and has now escaped the scrap yard to begin a new service at rallies.

For Mick and his family this was an enormous project, but a labour of practical love, during which, they all agree, there were times of doubt about it all. Now that it’s finished it’s a joy to drive, and while Mick says they cannot be sure what mileage is on the Volvo engine - “It still drives sweet”. One thing Mike kept referring to - the high quality of the original build and how accommodating this Belgian coach was to work on from a motor engineer from Clare’s perspective. Over its lifetime this coach has had many number plates and seen many parts of the world. It is now registered ZV 17910, and in this new stage of its venerable life may be undertaking a new adventure later this year - a trip to Spain. A worthy example of a quality engineering product.

Text: Sean Murtagh - sean@fleet.ie

Jerry Ryan Coach Hire, Thurles, Tipperary –Premium Service offered in Premier County

Jerry Ryan Jnr took a leap of faith in 1995, and founded his family run Coach Hire service in Thurles, County Tipperary. Starting out with eight coaches, the operation has grown to a thriving family business, with some 36 vehicles in operation today.

Jerry’s wife Kate, his two sons Daniel and James and daughter Rebecca are all involved. Daniel is the company secretary, is accounts manager and looks after the office, but he drives too, along with his father and siblings. Even Rebecca, a student teacher, has recently attained her D1 licence. However Daniel explains that his father is the guiding force: “He is the main man, he’s the Director. He really is the driving force behind the business, you know, he’s built it up to where it is now.”

This work ethic was formed as the younger Jerry Junior worked with his father in a busy limousine, hackney and minibus service in Thurles. Then in 1995 he and Kate set up Jerry Ryan Jnr Coaches starting with just five staff, but that has grown, with his family now among the 20 staff that form the business today.

Daniel is keen to emphasise the importance of the whole team behind the firm. “It’s a real team effort between drivers and mechanics. the drivers have made a massive contribution”. The business outsources some work to Cummins Repairs & Tyres in Rahealty, but they also rely on resident mechanic John Geoghagan who has been with the business since its inception, and previously had been a foreman at Bus Éireann’s Thurles Depot. “He has a wealth of experience in maintenance and repairs, we’d be lost without him. He’s a genius!” said Daniel.

Daniel also credits their suppliers which he says are the support network and backbone of the business, including Murphy & Ryan Motor Factors, Thurles; Moynihan Ryan Commercial Spares, Thurles; L. C. Lube Oil & Spares, Thurles; Bourkes Autoglass, Templemore; and Kavanagh’s Urlingford Test Centre.

The drivers have been rewarded recently with a high-end fleet investment. Jerry Ryan Jnr Coaches purchased the very first Volvo 9900 of 2023 in Ireland, from Irish Commercials, Naas. This followed the acquisition of two Volvo Jonckheere 54 seater coaches from Volvo Bus & Coach Sales in Coventry, UK, and they also have a number of B11R Volvos in the fleet too. These executive coaches offer air conditioning, WC facilities, reclining seats and USB ports, and WiFi is being rolled out too.

Daniel says it was a gratifying moment to see the new 9900 roll into the yard. “It’s the highest spec bus you can get in the country, so it’s a great addition.”

Jerry Ryan Junior Coaches offers a nationwide service covering everything from corporate taxis and airport pick-ups in its high end cars, to luxury group tours for holiday makers, sports clubs. Luxury cars and coaches are available for weddings, Christmas parties, transport for concerts, and everything in between.

The firm has also diversified into supplying vehicles and drivers for businesses like Abbey Tours, taking tourists across the country in the comfort of its executive coaches. It also has valuable contracts to supply Bus Éireann with ad-hoc services for its intercity routes between Limerick and Cork, Tralee, Killarney, Galway, Limerick, Dublin and Waterford. Besides these jobs, Daniel explains that the firm’s bread and butter in in school transport services, again provided for Bus Éireann. This involves about 20 services on any given day across North and South Tipperary, mainly using Ford Transit minibuses and Mercedes-Benz Vario midibuses.

Of course, the business has faced challenges. Covid-19 effectively closed the whole operation down. “It was frustrating, I suppose we couldn’t plan ahead.” But Daniel explains that they were lucky in that the school transport contracts meant they got back to work as soon as lockdowns were lifted, and they got back all their staff after the worst of the pandemic.

Staff shortages are a perennial issue, with average driver ages increasing. But Daniel says they value their own steady crew, and the wealth of knowledge and standards that they bring to bear. Looking forward, he is also encouraged that the nearby Tipperary Education & Training Board provides bus driver training courses; “that’s great to see, and we have given work experience to students.”

Like most transport firms they are of course impacted by the price of fuel: “Soaring fuel costs are a massive obstruction in our game. And as a passenger transport operator we can’t claim VAT so that’s a major handicap... when you’re tied into contracts there’s no leeway in the rate.” But he says they do have a bulk storage facility at the depot that can offset some price fluctuations. From the firm’s beginnings with just eight vehicles, Jerry Ryan Junior Coaches now has some 30 buses and six luxury cars in its fleet. Dan says this is down to putting the customer first, with safety and comfort at the top of their priorities. And, he says the secret to their success is his Dad. “He has a passion, sure he’d work every day of the week if he had his way!”