National Express unveils first of 25 new Van Hool Altano TDX21 coaches
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Published: 15th March 2024
Erik Olijslagers from Van Hool, Mike Edwards and Richard Thomas from Edwards Coaches, Selwyn Jones from Selwyns Travel,
and Ed Rickard from National Express with the first of 25 brand new Van Hool Altano vehicles
National Express has today revealed the first of 25 brand-new Van Hool Altano TDX21 tri-axle coaches that are due to enter service this year.
The initial high-capacity overdecker coach was unveiled at bus and coach manufacturer Van Hool’s UK site in Wellingborough this morning before the coach heads to Bristol to join Edwards Coaches’ National Express fleet. It will be joined by nine others over the coming months.
In addition to the 10 vehicles destined for Edwards Coaches, Selwyns Travel in the North West will be home to 15 more TDX21 models when they arrive later this year.
The UK’s largest scheduled coach operator is working with Van Hool and the two long-standing coach partner operators to launch the 25 new vehicles on National Express services including the 040 between London and Bristol and the 540 between London and Manchester via Milton Keynes.
Boasting a huge 752 litre fuel tank, reducing the need to re-fuel as often, the Altano model has an extensive luggage capacity of 16.5m3 including luggage racks, and a raised floor with additional height for easy access. Wheelchair access is also excellent with a lower entry point and ramp, plus three seats on the lower floor behind the driver, offering enhanced accessibility for passengers.
The Altano TDX21 stands at a length of 14.4m, width of 2.55m and height of 3.73m with 66 seats plus the wheelchair space. It includes LED mood lighting, free Wi-Fi, leather reclining seats, air conditioning, and onboard charging.
Ed Rickard, Network Director for National Express UK and Ireland, said:
“More and more people are choosing to travel with National Express as a reliable, convenient and affordable way to get around the country. We're responding by working with our valued coach partner operators to invest in new vehicles and technology while delivering a brilliant customer experience.
”The brand-new Van Hool Altano TDX21 coaches are high-capacity vehicles and have excellent wheelchair access and extensive luggage capacity, plus all the modern comforts our customers have come to know and love when travelling with us.
“They’re a welcome addition to the National Express fleet as we look to meet the increased demand for our services and we’re looking forward to seeing the first of the coaches out of the road in the coming months, with the remainder in service by the end of this year.”
Erik Olijslagers, Van Hool Area Sales Manager RHD and Northern Europe, said:
"Van Hool is pleased to be working with National Express and its partner operators to introduce 25 new Van Hool TDX21 Altano's on their UK coach network this year.
"The overdecker model is ideal for long-distance journeys, providing great comfort and ample luggage capacity for customers, alongside excellent fuel efficiency and reliability for coach operators."
In addition to all the modern comforts, the Altano TDX21 is also kitted out with National Express’s unrivalled onboard safety and security technology, including Guardian’s Seeing Machines fatigue monitoring system which monitors drivers focus on the road, Lytx DriveCam to help maintain driver performance, and Alcolock, which will not allow the coach engine to start until the driver has passed an alcohol breathalyser test.
Mike Edwards, Managing Director of Edwards Coaches, said:
We are proud to be welcoming the 10 Van Hool Altano coaches to our Bristol depot for use on our National Express contract between Bristol and London. We’re familiar with the Altano product, having operated a high specification, executive class team coach in our private hire fleet for the past 10 years. We have been impressed with its comfort, accessibility, fuel efficiency, durability and reliability.
“These new vehicles will be a welcome addition to our fleet as we approach our 100-year anniversary. They exemplify a continued investment of over £35 million in new vehicles over the next year by Edwards for both National Express and our own tour programme.”
Selwyns Jones, Managing Director of Selwyns Travel, said:
“As a long-established partner operator of National Express we are looking forward to being part of their future expansion plans, with the introduction of the Van Hool Altano product on the network.
“These high specification vehicles will operate on National Express services out of our North West depots, in Runcorn and Manchester, and will provide not only additional capacity on our London services but also high levels of passenger comfort and safety.”
Press Office Contact
For all media enquiries and filming opportunities please contact the press office by email pressoffice@nationalexpress.com. For out-of-hours media queries please call 07768 557592 and speak to the on-call press officer.
National Express UK businesses:
National Express Coach, National Express West Midlands, National Express Coventry, Dublin Express, National Express Transport Solutions, National Express Accessible Transport.
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