FIAA International Bus & Coach Trade Fair, Madrid

For years the organisers of the International Bus & Coach Trade Fair, FIAA 2022, the IFEMA MADRID has been trying to make it a truly international show is succeeding, as each event, more and more of the big manufacturers are supporting their local agents by exhibiting. As the event was cancelled in 2020 because of Covid-19 restrictions, naturally there was a little nervousness about it this time around. While some brands choose not to exhibit there was a significant number that did and the large attendance helped make the show a success. Like the IAA Transportation in Hannover a few weeks before, the main emphasis was on reducing carbon emissions in the atmosphere. The move towards sustainability is now unstoppable. Two manufacturers mentioned in their presentations said they were auditing their suppliers to see how sustainable their activities were. In addition, they would consider changing suppliers if they felt the company was not making real efforts to reduce their carbon footprint. There is no doubt that measuring and reducing every companies’ sustainability will be a significant part of their activities.

Some readers may remember a test trial undertaken on a CAETANO Hydrogen powered bus around Dublin for evaluation purposes. Over a three month period, it was driven on a few routes by Dublin Bus on a few routes and around the Airport, with more than 3,000 kms were covered in total. CAETANO has since launched an updated version of this bus, the H2 CityGold, which is lighter, with an increased range and extra passenger capacity.

Daimler Bus launched the new eCitaro which has an updated chassis and a battery type which will give extra range. By 2030 Daimler will offer electric vehicles in all segments. Part of this development will see the introduction of Hydrogen fuel cell power, with plans to have the first Inter-City coach available for customers in 2025.

Although discontinued in RHD, the SETRA name in coach building is still well regarded. It has never been ruled out that RHD versions would be re-introduced into the marketplace. A new generation Comfort Class and Top Class models have been introduced and were on display at the show. ive Co Bus

IVECO Bus launched the new Crossway low entry hybrid here. It is available in diesel, natural gas and electric and can run on renewable fuels also. Crossway has been a very successful bus for IVECO, and since its inception over 150,000 units have been manufactured. The company took the opportunity to mark the 75th anniversary of the local council in Madrid operating buses, which currently operates 1,400 buses of which the biggest percentage are sporting the Italian brand’s logo. oTo K ar

VDL opened its own operation in Spain in 2018, to cater for the Iberian market. At the show it announced details of a pilot scheme in renting out buses to operators. It is proving successful so far. Operators can hire for a week or a few years to meet their needs. Traded as RentalBus, operators only need to provide a driver and fuel.

Turkish manufacturer put a toe in the RHD (right hand drive) with a 12m city bus some years ago. Now it is considering a further entry with the e-CENTRO, which is a low floor 7m electric bus, that comes with a range of 200km and can carry 32 passengers seated and standing. An ideal vehicle for some of our Rural Link routes.

Having just completed a complete upgrade to its product range, Isuzu is confident it can stabilise and increase sales after the pandemic. Supply chain disruption is not now a problem and while the Russian-Ukraine conflict and inflation continues to present challenges, buyers are returning to the market. Spain is also a region of growth, and so far Isuzu has supplied over 100 buses into this marketplace.

Turkish Operator Karsan is a regular exhibitor and has been at every event this year across Europe. At the FIAA, it announced details of a new partnership with a Spanish distributor. To date, there 20 of its buses in service in Spain but in general Karsan now operates 450 units in 19 countries. Having launched a Hydrogen powered model earlier this year, which it claimed will be a big part of the future. At the moment, 2% of European buses are hydrogen powered, this is expected to rise to 15% by the end of the decade.

German company ZF is a major component manufacturers when it comes to electric buses and autonomous vehicles. This concept vehicle will provoke some thought and give people an insight into how we may travel in the years to come.

e B us Co

This Polish manufacturer continues to gain market share in Spain. Last year overall it produced almost 1,500 new buses of which half were electric. It’s hydrogen versions are also improving sales wise. In 2017 it sold 4, last year that figure was 75. Details of 30 new Urbino’s 9 LE for the city of Madrid, were announced, with deliveries due to commence in the New Year.

Dutch manufacturer announced details of the new EBUSCO 3.0, due to be launched next Spring. It is available in 12m & 18m and with a range distance of up to 575km. From an Irish point of view, good news, as it will be available in right hand drive.

ADL - Alexander Dennis Limited has supplied a new Volvo based Plaxton Panther coach to Ballynacraig, County Donegal based Mangan Tours.

The new coach, built on a Volvo B8R chassis, has 53 seats and is fitted with an executive-class interior that includes air-conditioning as well as a servery and a toilet mounted at the continental

Alexander Dennis delivers new Plaxton Panther to Mangan Tours

offside emergency exit.

It has gone into service as part of the Mangan Tours luxury touring fleet. The family business delivers scheduled services across Ireland as well as providing coach transport for holidays across Ireland, the UK and Europe.

Commenting on the purchase, Mangan Tours owner Joseph Mangan said: “This new coach is great for our

Wexford Bus specifies first new Volvo B11R 9700 for airport run

Wexford Bus has taken delivery of its first new Volvo B11R 9700 which is being used to transport passengers twice daily to Dublin Airport and the city centre. The new addition to the predominantly Volvo fleet is very distinctive in its orange, blue and white livery, which helps customers recognise the Wexford Bus vehicle when looking for their pick-up spot, including at the airport.

Brendan Crowley, owner and managing director at Wexford Bus, commented on the purchase said: “Customers like the look of the B11R 9700 and it is very easy to recognise in its eye-catching paintwork. Wexford Bus has many other Volvo’s on our fleet and their reliability ensures that our customers, in turn, enjoy a reliable and enjoyable service. Importantly, this latest addition is PSVAR compliant and we are making progress in ensuring that all our vehicles will offer the same standards of accessibility for our customers in Ireland, especially at a time when we are growing the business.”

Feedback from the drivers has also been very positive, some of whom have built up many miles behind the Volvo wheel in such coaches as the Volvo 9700 Prestige and now in the B11R 9700 which is clocking up the miles by travelling twice daily with two 330km round trips.

Diarmaid Thompson, Retail Sale customers and will be an excellent addition to our fleet. We’re continuing to invest in the future of our business and I’m delighted to take delivery of this high-quality, high-spec vehicle.”

ADL Regional Sales Manager for Ireland, Lee Gibson, added: “It’s been a pleasure working with Joseph and the team at Mangan Tours for the first time and look forward to a long-lasting relationship into the future.”

Borderline Coaches, which operates from Lisnaskea, Enniskillen recently purchased this new Iveco Daily Ferqui Sunrise 33 Seater from EVM.

Based on the Iveco Daily 70C18 chassis with a Euro 6 diesel engine, the Ferqui Sunrise 33 Seater is mated to an

Manager Ireland for Volvo Bus and Coach, said: “Wexford Bus is a long-established Volvo customer and it’s great to hear that their latest model, which has 53 seats and is 13.1 metres in length, is living up to the high standards that it expects. It’s also encouraging to see that Wexford Bus is looking to expand its fleet as passengers return to coach travel, with destinations like Dublin Airport proving popular with international travel back on the agenda.”

New model Iveco Daily Ferqui Sunrise 33 Seater Borderline Coaches from EVM

8-speed ZF Hi-Matic automated gear box, with the exterior finished in Arctic White paintwork.

Passenger access is via a new Masats plug type entry door with a manual emergency release and a key lock facility. The entrance features an EVM integrated three stage entry step with LED strip lights. This model also features EVM panoramic glazed saloon windows in privacy dark tint grey. The

Sunrise has a large type panoramic windscreen with manual sun blinds. The access to the boot is through an elevating boot door with access to a large luggage area. The Sunrise is fitted with Webasto saloon air conditioning ducted through luggage racks, exciting through passenger service units and convector heating, as well as Iveco In dash air conditioning.

At the Euro Bus & Coach Show 2022 at the NEC, Birmingham a new Volvo 9700 was officially handed over to John Halpenny, along with his sons, Cillian and Donnacha at Halpenny Travel (Dundalk).