Home Finance & Investments Manchester bus& coach hire firm adds to fleet with £380,000 investment

Manchester bus& coach hire firm adds to fleet with £380,000 investment

Robert Dolan, left, with Phil Hitchen and one of Belle Vue's additional Mercedes Sprinter minibuses

Bus and coach hire firm Belle Vue Manchester has expanded its fleet to meet growing demand with an investment of nearly £400,000.

The Stockport-based operator has added four vehicles to its fleet – two minibuses, a 61-seater coach and a 34-seater midi coach.

The vehicles are being used for corporate, private and educational trips and tours and for contract work, including a shuttle bus service for staff at The Christie in Manchester.

Santander Business Banking provided Belle Vue with a funding package for the coaches and minibuses, which cost £383,000 in total.


Robert Dolan, a relationship director at Santander, said: “We are delighted to provide the funding for these additional vehicles.

“It’s fantastic to see Belle Vue continue to grow, providing short and long journey options, and we are confident client demand will only continue to increase.”

The spending takes Belle Vue’s investment in its fleet to more than £700,000 over the past two years as vehicle numbers have increased to 66.

The executive midi coach is the first vehicle in Belle Vue’s fleet to be built by Chinese manufacturer Yutong. Features include reclining leather seats which can be moved sideways into the aisle to create more space for passengers. The vehicle also has air-conditioning, on-board wi-fi and a toilet.

The minibuses are 20-seater Mercedes Sprinters, while the 61-seater coach is an Irizar i6, which has a toilet and washroom.

Belle Vue director Phil Hitchen said: “Increased demand for vehicles which can accommodate larger groups has dictated the need to buy a bigger coach than the traditional 49-seater.

“The minibuses are equipped to a very high standard and perfectly meet the needs of our contract customers and touring groups.

“Our business is developing and expanding all the time. Continual investment is vital to ensure all of our clients are travelling on a modern fleet equipped with wi-fi, USB and electric sockets and more, ensuring an up-to-date passenger experience.”