Protours - The Island's largest coach operator

Summerhill, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM2 4PF

Tel 01624 674301, Fax 01624 675656

Website: www.protours.co.im E-mail info@protours.co.im

During the boom years of mass tourism the Island enjoyed many dozens of coach operators, ranging from sizable fleets including Corkills, Downwards (Highlander), Hamills, Manintourist and Shimmins through to the owner-driver with one coach. Since the 1960's and largely due to the move from the traditional British holiday towards foreign packages gathered momentum, the Island's coaching industry has undergone wholescale and dramatic changes. Following prolonged reduction which affected the number of operators and their fleet sizes, the Summerhill based operations of Tours (Isle of Man) emerged as the Islands premier coach fleet. Indeed there are now only three independent psv operators on the Island, the others being the small South Coast Buses outfit based in Castletown, and the one-coach Corletts, Port St. Mary.

No longer can rows of coaches be seen parading along Douglas Promenades waiting for emerging holidaymakers ready to embark on the traditional full and half day tours. Tours (Isle of Man) has reacted to these dramatic changes and now undertakes a wide range of work which, whilst covering the traditional Island tours, also encompasses private hire and off-Island package holidays where coaches can be seen throughout the United Kingdom and Europe. It has also diversified into contract work and registered its network of Express coach services before the state run Isle of Man Transport finally managed to get its act together and unveil their express bus routes. Towards the latter part of 2003 the operations passed into new ownership with operations running the name Protours.

Protours currently has a varied and interesting fleet with older Bedfords and Leyland Tigers running alongside more modern DAF's, LAG Panoramic, Bova and a range of minicoaches. November 2003 saw the arrival of a new 35-seat Turkish built BMC, the first new full size coach the Island has seen since Highlander purchased Bedford YRQ/Plaxton 45 OMN in 1972. Two vintage Duple Vista bodied Bedford OB's dating from 1950 and a 1974 Bedford YRQ/Duple C45F comprise the heritage fleet, whilst a rare Van Hool bodied ACE Puma adds interest for enthusiasts. Tours (IOM) had several liveries, basically relating to the type of operation on which the coach was largely, but not exclusively, used, however Protours have introduced an attractive livery of white with yellow and green flashes.

For details of services and holidays currently on offer please contact Protours at the above address.

Below are photographs of a selection of vehicles currently operated.

 

Following the change of ownership to Protours, a number of older coaches have been withdrawn and disposed of in conjunction with a fleet upgrading programme. The first coach to arrive is this new 35-seat BMC which was also the first to carry the new base white livery. Registered BMN 111C, it is captured at Summerhill depot alongside Plaxton bodied Bedford 7, whose registration it has taken. The Bedford was withdrawn and has subsequently left the fleet. (Photos Richard Dodge)

 

2 (F111 MAN ex-C155 UDD). 53-seat Bedford YNV Venturer with Plaxton Paramount body seen at Axnfell. (Photo Richard Dodge)

4 (MAN 111D ex-WWE 130Y,GIL 2528,JBT 244Y). 49-seat Bedford YNT with Plaxton Paramount body seen at Summerhill depot, Douglas. (Photo Richard Dodge)

47 (BMN 111 ex-F768 XNH). 47-seat LAG Panoramic seen in the company of two Duple bodied DAF's at Douglas Sea Terminal shortly after repaint into yellow livery, but prior to lettering addition. (Photo Richard Dodge)