Is this the future of coach travel?
Sleek space age exteriors, elevating seating areas and energy-efficient hybrid technology – coach travel in 2030 is set to undergo a radical transformation, according to the 12 designs shortlisted in a national competition to uncover the future of coach travel. The competition, launched by Leger Holidays and coach manufacturer SETRA, was open to all university level design students in the UK. With the first stage of judging now complete, the final 12 shortlisted entries are now competing to win a visit to SETRA’s global HQ and research and design centre at its Neu Ulm-based headquarters.
Visit http://design.europeancoach.co.uk to view all 12 shortlisted designs and to vote for your favourite. A judging panel of industry experts including representatives from Setra, Leger, Coach Tourism Travel, Travelmail.co.uk and Bus and Coach Buyer magazine will make the final decision on the winning design with the winner expected to be announced in September.
Shortlisted entries include:
Adrian Devonald – Swansea University
Outline specification:
- Wheels and drive designed to cut energy consumption by 30%
- Powered by a hybrid hydrogen system
- Cutting edge design
- Steering set up allows the driver to steer using both ends of the vehicle
Tom Kavanagh – Huddersfield University
Outline specification:
- Large glass windows and glass roof which opens up when stationary
- Platform raises seats up for additional viewing
- Lightweight air grid mesh seats
- Luggage stored in a recess under the seat
Michael Kasule, Roberto Rodricks and Andre Picart – Coventry University
Outline specification:
- Innovative seating layout with different environments for socialising and individual relaxing
- Cutting edge seat design with hidden storage pockets
- Specialist driver cabin
- Exterior made from carbon fibre and bioplastic making the vehicle more energy efficient
Roy Norton – Northumbria University
Outline specification:
- Incorporates articulated lorry technology for increased manoeuvrability and handling for small towns with restricted space
- Cutting edge exterior design
- Innovative driver positioning
Richard Oxspring, Customer Operations Manager from Leger Holidays, commented: “We have over 25 years experience in the coach holiday industry and pride ourselves in remaining at the forefront of coach design. We are continuously searching out new innovations for our vehicles that will benefit our customers which is why we launched this competition.
“We asked the UK’s most up and coming design talent to predict how coach travel will evolve in the next 25 years and the results have been extremely impressive. I have been in the industry a long time but the ideas and solutions that the students have presented to us have really made me think again about how the industry will develop in the future. I can see many of these designs being incorporated into our vehicles in years to come and look forward to seeing that happen.”
Mike Beagrie, General Manager Coach Sales, for Setra commented: “Like Leger, innovation is key to our business and supporting the UK’s up and coming design talent is something that we are passionate about. All of the designs that we received were of an extremely high standard and we have been very impressed with the thought and hard work that has been put in. There is huge potential for some of the technology and design features to be incorporated into coaches in years to come and we will be keeping in close contact with all of our finalists as designers to look out for in the future.”
For further information about Leger Holidays, visit legerbreaks.info.
