An Optare Soroco Plus luxury minicoach recently acquired by Rendezvous Travel is opening up new business opportunities for the Norwich-based family firm.

The four-year old company, run by father and son Fred and John Smith, bought the 22-seater to provide feeder services throughout North Norfolk for Shearings and to do local private hire work. By dual certifying it for a smaller number of passengers and putting in tables, and by having a towbar fitted, they are also able to use it for UK and Continental golf and wine tours that they are planning to run.

“We’re finding it’s the right size to suit a wide range of work,” says Fred. “We’ve even used it on our own inclusive tours when reduced numbers have not warranted putting on a full-size coach. Passengers have been very happy with the level of comfort; we’ve avoided cancelling tours; and the Soroco has been able to earn its keep.

“Now we’re looking at developing a programme of golfing tours in the UK and into Europe as well as tours of the wine districts in France. With the tables in place we can still carry up to 19 and the ability to pull a small luggage trailer means that bulky golf clubs won’t be a problem. It’s also a nice set-up for corporate work, which is another side of our business that we’re keen to develop further.”

Rendezvous Travel’s Soroco Plus has comfortable moquette-trimmed Esteban Irati seats, each with three-point seat belts and all but the back row being recliners. There’s a DVD and CD player to provide entertainment when on the move and a public address system with a driver’s microphone. A high capacity Davia air conditioning system ensures that comfortable temperatures can be maintained and tinted side windows with full-draw curtains add to the pleasant ambience in the saloon.

Based on the Mercedes-Benz 616 CDI extended chassis, the Soroco Plus is a compact vehicle at just 7.6 metres overall length and 2.3 metres wide. The OM612 engine delivers 156 bhp and is well matched to a five-speed overdrive synchromesh gearbox to ensure optimum performance and fuel economy in all road or load conditions.

The Soroco Plus has replaced a 16 seat Soroco NT that gave good service over almost three years. Increased loadings led to the purchase of the Soroco Plus, the arrival of which also co-coincided with the replacement of a 24-seater by a full-size coach.

“With 22 seats the Soroco Plus neatly plugged the gap between my full-size coaches and the minicoaches and people carriers that I run,” says Fred Smith. “Being Mercedes based I can also get servicing carried out locally and it comes with a three year warranty, which will cover the time that I intend to keep it.”

Rendezvous Holidays was set up eight years ago as a travel agency and the coaching side of the business – Rendezvous Travel – followed four years later. The business has developed a programme of short breaks and extended tours both in the UK and on the Continent. Particular attention has been paid to making provision for disabled people to participate in the tour programme under the ‘Holidays for All’ banner.

For further information please contact:
Martin Hayes, Communications Advisor, +44 (0) 207 494 8050