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Regional PSO Fleets - Bus Éireann, GAI, Local Link, etc

  • 31-10-2025 12:59AM
    #1
    PlatformNine
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 489 ✭✭


    I wanted to start this thread to have a better place to discuss the current and future non-urban fleets, as there doesn't appear to be a thread for it at the moment.

    That said, I was inspired to start this thread due to the recent announcement of the VDL Futura 3, the successor to the Futura 2 which we seem to like so much. Overall it seems like a good machine. Focus on efficiency and comfort, with a design that is future proofed for low/zero emission powertrains. However it seems that since VDL acquired Van Hool, they want to make sure that neither company has overlapping markets. From my reading of the announcement and what was shown at Busworld, the Futura 3 may not have a DD version that could directly succeed the FDD2 (BÉ's LF class), and that the DD coaches will now be made by Van Hool. Truthfully I am a bit sad there may not be any more FDD2s/LFs, having been on them they are great coaches, super comfortable, warm in the winters, plenty of capacity, etc.

    This has me wondering what options other options are out there? Are there any other manufacturers making DD coaches for RHD markets? I suppose if VDL has it their way, the NTA would simply start buying Van Hool Astromegas, but would they be a good alternative?



Comments

  • #2
    bk
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 23,717 Mod ✭✭✭✭bk


    Well first of all I’d say the Van Hool Astromega would be a great replacement, great manufacturer and a high end product.

    There is also the Volvo B13R Double Decker coaches, Matthew’s just got 5 of them for very similar sort of commuter service, they look great and while I haven’t been on the double decker version yet, the Volvo 9700, is a pretty great coach.

    An out there option would be the Neoplan Skyliner.



  • #3
    devnull
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 11,972 Mod ✭✭✭✭devnull


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058427565/regional-pso-fleets-bus-eireann-gai-local-link-etc

    I would suggest that you read up on how public procurement works.

    What is bought is based on what wins a tender, not what a state company wants to go out and buy. I cannot ever see something like a high end VanHool, Neoplan or Volvo 9700 double decker winning a tender as the cost would be very uncompetitive with the competition and we all know a big part of winning a tender is based on cost.



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