After a slight delay Pats Coaches took delivery today of their new Iveco / Ilesbus I-City Max service bus. It has the private plate of PD23PAT. PC23PAT was given to the new Tourismo but the 'PD' is very important as a tribute to the late Pat Davies the founder of the firm.
This service bus was displayed at the Blackpool Coach Rally on the weekend of April 1/2 but had to return to Bridgend for some final modifications before delivery could take place.
For the last week Pats Coaches have been using the similar demonstration bus RV22DMY which they also used last July.
The new service bus has seating for 31 people and can accommodate a wheelchair. It has a luggage space near the driver, various comfort factors for passengers including USB points, seat belts, mood lighting, radio, clock and temperature display. The driver has the new arrangement of cameras instead of the conventional near and offside mirrors.The seats are very comfortable and have a red trim. Not sure if this is to blend with the mood lighting to create a warm welcome, whether this is simply the firm's colour, whether the red helps to support Wrexham FC or the regular driver's Liverpool F.C
I was able to sample the bus on a very pleasant ride from Overton to Whitchurch and I must admit both I and the passengers were very happy with the experience.
Unfortunately the destination display has not yet been programmed - being the first day in service - but this will be sorted soon.
