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DRURY ADDS ANOTHER PLAXTON
Following examples of Beaver, Profile (2) and Panther in successive years, Goole based Drury Coaches have maintained their policy of continuous updating with the addition of another Plaxton to the fleet, this time their first Cheetah. The latest vehicle brings the average age of five of the six vehicle fleet, all Plaxtons, to less than three years. The exception is a pristine 1989 Paramount which is retained as a spare vehicle and serves as a reminder of just how far this progressive business has come in recent years.
Proprietors Roland Drury and Richard Wilson are delighted with the investment, Roland explained “We have maintained our policy of continuous renewal over the last few years and the fleet is now 100% Plaxton. We have had good service from them and taking everything into account – purchase price, running costs and residual values – they represent excellent value for money.”
The new Cheetah is to Club specification and accommodates 33 passengers in Keil seats with three point seatbelts. Mechanically it is based on the Mercedes-Benz Vario 0816, Euro 4 chassis which utilises SCR technology to meet the stringent emissions standards. Transmission is six speed manual.
The Drury fleet is employed largely on contract and private hire work, much of it derived from local schools among which they enjoy an enviable reputation. The decision to opt for wheelchair accessibility on a proportion of the fleet, although the new Cheetah isn’t one of these, allows additional flexibility in giving customers this option where required and Roland explains that this has proved valuable. “Goole is in a largely a rural area so much of our work is locally generated and we need to maximise every opportunity. The facility to accommodate wheelchair passengers is another string to the bow and does help bring in new customers.”
The flagship of the fleet is a Plaxton Panther delivered in 2008 which is wheelchair accessible and to full DDA specification.
Both vehicles were supplied by Plaxton Coach Sales at Anston.
ENDS
Aug 2009