Protours (Isle of Man) coaches
Towards the latter part of 2003 the operations of Tours
(Isle of Man) passed to Protours (Isle of Man), who
introduced the Protours fleetname and an attractive livery
of white with yellow and green flashes and embarked upon a
vehicle upgrading policy. Initially this included three
Turksih built BMC Probus 850 Club mid-sized
coaches, although not all came to the Island first, some
going to the UK arm of the operation. After these
vehicles added to the Island part of the Protours business
usually comprised coaches cascaded from the
UK operation or selected second-hand purchases.
Initially based in the former Tours (IOM) depot at
Summerhill, Douglas, at the end of 2008 the business was
relocated to premises on the outskirts of Ballasalla, near
to Ronladsway airport.
With effect from January 1, 2012 Protours sold the Isle of
Man business, having previously sold or closed down the UK
operations, back into local ownership, with the fleetname
reverting to the former identity Tours Isle of Man.
Below are a selection of photographs showing some of the
vehicles operated by Protours (IOM).
Following the change of ownership to Protours, a
number of older coaches were withdrawn and sold or scrapped
in conjunction with a fleet upgrading programme. The first
coach to arrive was a new 35-seat BMC Probus 850 Club which
was also the first to carry the new base white livery.
Registered BMN 111C, and numbered 850/1 it is captured
at Summerhill depot alongside Plaxton bodied Bedford 7,
whose registration it has taken. The Bedford was withdrawn
and sold for use as a race support vehicle.
Driver Andy Hurd waits with Bova Integral number 1
(MAN 1110) on the coach parking area at Ronaldsway
Airport awaiting a party.
Plaxton bodied Bedford 3 (HMN 111) draws to
a stop in Laxey on a school journey.
Irizar bodied Scania 7 (111 JMN) with driver
Bernie May at the wheel, makes its way along Douglas
Promenades en route to the boat.
One time Port Erin Hotels Plaxton bodied Bedford 9
(FMN 111N) sits at the coach stand on Douglas
Promenade. The coach had been withdrawn some months earlier
and was being used for non-psv work.
The first of the Duple bodied DAF's acquired by Tours
(IOM), Protours number 10 (111 PMN) waits outside Douglas
Promenade booking office between journeys.
Rare ACE Puma 32 (L111 MAN) is seen parked
up alongside Ramsey Swimming Pool having last been employed
on the northern express service between Douglas and
Ramsey
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