For Doncaster operator Travelgreen Coaches Limited the latest addition to their fleet is yet another Optare Soroco 16-seat minicoach. This is now the fifth the company has bought since it took its first in 1999 and is currently one of two in the five-strong fleet.

Owner Dave Green, who has been running the business with his wife Janice since 1978, says it’s not just the quality of the product but the all-round package that Optare offers that keeps them coming back.

“For me, Soroco is the ultimate in 16 seat minicoaches. It’s a great combination of a very well finished and stylish coachbuilt body on a proven and reliable Mercedes-Benz chassis. On top of that we get excellent support from Optare right from the initial deal to the point where we trade the vehicle.

“On the road performance is superb, with the Mercedes running units proving very reliable and delivering good fuel economy. And if we need parts they’re readily available at our local dealer, Northside Truck & Van, or direct from Optare’s Unitec operation at Rotherham.

“For the sort of quality corporate and private hire work that we do the Soroco is ideal. It handles well and copes comfortably with a full complement of passengers. Luggage capacity is good too and we’ve even found it suitable for mini tours, on which you wouldn’t normally use such a small vehicle.”

Travelgreen’s new Soroco has been specified to a very high standard. It has Fainsa high-back coach seats of which 12 are recliners. All seats have leather inserts and edge piping, grab handles and gangway armrests and are fitted with a lap and diagonal seatbelt to full M2 standard.

Carpeting throughout, full-draw curtains, air conditioning and a powerful Webasto blown air heater ensure a comfortable and quiet environment within the saloon. The specification of a wood-effect dashboard helps add a further touch of luxury.

“I particularly like the stylish looks of the Soroco, which is made even better by the first-rate job that Optare have done on the paintwork,” says Dave Green. “The finish is as good as a luxury car. All of this contributes to a good residual value when I move it on in three years time and this helps to make the whole life vehicle cost much more attractive for such a quality product.”

The Soroco NT is based on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Cdi chassis and is powered by the four-cylinder 2.15 litre Mercedes-Benz OM611 engine, which delivers 129 bhp. The engine is matched to a five-speed synchromesh gearbox with overdrive. ABS and ASR are standard. The Soroco NT is just 7.0 metres long and 2.0 metres wide and has a gross weight of 4,600 kg.

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