Southampton: Coach firm boosts fleet with support from Santander

The future is looking bright for a Southampton coach firm, which has just invested £600,000 in a pair of brand new vehicles. Coliseum Coaches has taken delivery of two 53-seat coaches as it’s gearing up for continued growth in 2018 and beyond.

Managing director Tony Lawman said: “We set out our ambitious growth plans just over a year ago and we’re set to see a significant rise in demand for our services from this summer as a result.

“It’s important that we’re prepared for that, with new vehicles meaning our expanding customer base travels on the very latest and most comfortable coaches. It also means we’re working with the very latest coaches in terms of vehicle emissions, driving down our carbon footprint.”

The delivery is the latest in Coliseum’s ongoing fleet renewal programme. Its parent company Lucketts Group, which this week acquired north Hampshire-based Mortons Travel, is set to invest £5.5 million in its fleet over the course of 2018.

The new Irizar i6 integral coaches are 13.2 metres long and feature plenty of leg room as well as seatback tables, space to store magazines, a coffee machine, lockers and a toilet. They also have CCTV, which Coliseum demands as standard on all of its vehicles for customer peace of mind.

The coaches were funded by Santander Corporate Bank, which Coliseum and its parent company Lucketts Group have been working with closely on its growth plans.

Charlie Disney, asset finance relationship director, Santander Business Banking, said: “We are impressed by Coliseum Coaches’ growth plans and the momentum they have in the market. Santander is delighted to be able to be part of such an important step of their long-term planning with this expansion of its fleet and look forward to working with the team to support its ambitious renewal programme in the coming years.”

One of the new coaches has particular significance as it is the 350^th Irizar Integral vehicle to be brought into the UK. Both will be used for a variety of work, including private hire, schools travel and Coliseum’s popular holiday programme.

“Irizar have been supplying coaches to Lucketts for nearly 25 years now. I hope it’s a recognition of our products and service that keeps them coming back to us and we are very proud to be their chosen supplier for these vehicles,” said Steve O’Neill, Director of Irizar UK.