Shearings motors on with £10m investment

COACH tour specialist Shearings has invested £10m in a fleet of 45 new vehicles amid surging demand for its holidays.

The investment is the second this year by the £180m turnover Wigan company, which has expanded its European services in recent months.

The 45 Setra coaches made by EvoBus are powered by Euro 5 Mercedes-Benz engines, which are environmentally friendly, modern and reduce emissions. 

Shearings chief executive, Denis Wormwell, said: “We have been delighted with the coaches delivered earlier this year. By investing in this new fleet of 45 Setra coaches, our aim is to provide an even more pleasurable experience for our customers as well as continuing to develop our coach offering across the group.

“The new vehicles are amongst the newest and greenest in the UK, and, by carrying more people per journey we are reducing overall emissions.

“We are also happy to be making another major investment in a key asset in the current economy, sending out a strong message about the group’s ongoing success.”

Shearings has recently expanded its offering for 2010 with 12 new European itineraries including Inclusive breaks to Lake Garda, tours to Austria and Lake Como and new short breaks to Northern France and Belgium.

Some 30 of the new vehicles are tri-axle, and are 13.2 metres long which allows for increased luggage, higher passenger numbers and a more comfortable journey.

Sister company National Holidays has also purchased 15, 12-metre double axle coaches which feature 48 seats.