The recent addition to their fleet of an Optare Bonito 16-seat luxury minicoach is contributing to the continuing expansion of a family-run travel firm at Trelewis in the Welsh valleys.

In just 12 years, Acorn Travel (South Wales) Limited has grown to 24 vehicles, from taxis to full-size coaches. The Bonito is supporting both further growth and the company’s strategy of constantly improving the quality of the travel experience it offers to its customers.

“The Bonito has been well received by our corporate customers and is proving popular for up-market private hires,” says Acorn Travel’s managing director, Dave Morgan. “We’ve also used it for short breaks throughout the UK and it’s performed very well on these longer trips.

“It’s got a large boot that makes it particularly good for golfing parties and for airport transport work. It’s ideal too for feeder services for tour companies as it means that passengers can enjoy a high level of comfort from the very outset of their holiday, compared to travelling on a van-converted minibus.”

Based on the Ford Transit 350 long wheelbase chassis, Bonito features a fully coachbuilt body by Optare’s Spanish partner Ferqui. This has 16 Fainsa Gaudi high-back coach seats trimmed in luxurious moquette and fitted with grab handles and gangway armrests. All seats have three-point inertia reel seatbelt with anchorages that meet M2 standards.

Extensive use of soft trim to the lower side panels and the full length parcel rack, along with the use of a matching moquette on the centre roof panel, contribute further to the sense of quiet luxury in the saloon. The parcel rack also incorporates individual forced air ventilation nozzles and reading lights. Side windows are tinted and fitted with full draw curtains.

Acorn Travel will be servicing and maintaining the Bonito in their own well-equipped workshop at Trelewis. “Being Ford based means that parts will be readily available should they be needed,” says Dave Morgan. “And we’ve already found that everything on the vehicle is easily accessible making daily checks and top-ups quick and easy to do.”

The Bonito was supplied through Optare’s coach dealer in South Wales, Autoservice Pontypool.

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