A KIDDERMINSTER-based coach operator has taken delivery of a new £250,000 vehicle.

Whittle Coach and Bus (Whittles), at Foley Business Park, runs holiday trips and daily services.

Its new luxury coach is part of a major investment by its parent company, the privately-owned independent Hull-based bus and coach operator EYMS Group, which has taken delivery of five new vehicles, worth a total of almost £1.25 million.

Two are luxury touring coaches, with one going to Whittles and the other to East Yorkshire Coaches’ fleet at Hull.

Whittles also operates a major six-vehicle contract for National Express and as part of the resulting coach reshuffle within EYMS Whittles now also has an extra coach in National Express colours for more long distance work and a second similar coach for private charter with a wheelchair lift.

The two touring coaches will be used on coach holidays and private hire at both Whittles and East Yorkshire.

EYMS chairman Peter Shipp said: “While times are very tough in the bus and coach industry we are still trying our best to update our fleets whenever we can and in a competitive market it is vital that we keep the coach fleet up to date.

“We have recently launched our Whittles 2013 coach holiday programme and the new coach will be mainly used on this although it can be hired for private parties.

“All five coaches are replacements and we have also taken the opportunity to transfer to general coaching duties at Kidderminster two of the three displaced National Express coaches, which are only four years old, thus further improving and expanding the Whittles coach fleet.”