GoBus.ie coach runs more than half a million kilometres on Michelin tyres

GoBus.ie, Ireland’s first non-stop motorway coach service between Galway and Dublin City, has achieved exceptional mileage on a set of Michelin X MultiWay 3D Z tyres fitted to the drive axle, reaching an impressive 542,000km on one of its Volvo 9700 coaches.

The customer specifies Michelin tyres as original equipment across the fleet, with tyres on the drive axle typically achieving 440,000km before being replaced. However this vehicle set a new fleet record, covering in excess of half a million kilometres – the equivalent of travelling around the equator more than 13 times.

GoBus.ie’s fleet manager Donal Burke says: “Our coaches are on the road 365 days a year, so fitting a reputable and reliable tyre brand is key for our long distance, inter-city journeys. That’s exactly what we get from the Michelin tyres – and more!

“We had experience of a premium competitor brand coming as original equipment on some of our coaches, but they’d only manage 300,000km before wearing out. Our vehicles travel approximately 1,000 km in a day, so fitting Michelin tyres has proven the best option and we haven’t looked back since.”

The customer also benefits from the reassurance of Michelin’s accidental damage guarantee, which is unique in the Irish and UK markets. Available on more than 40 different sizes and tread patterns of Michelin tyre, it covers operators against the financial costs of accidental damage suffered before a Michelin tyre is 50 per cent worn, providing it has been registered on Michelin’s MyAccount web portal.

Burke adds: “On the rare occasions that we have suffered a tyre failure, having the accidental damage guarantee meant we didn’t lose out financially and Michelin handled the process from start to finish. The aftercare service we receive from Michelin is fantastic.”

The customer specifies its 14m-long Volvo coaches on 315/80 R 22.5 Michelin X MultiWay 3D Z (all-position) tyres as standard across all three axles. This ensures the maximum ride comfort for its passengers on the long journeys across Ireland.

GoBus.ie is a family run business and was established in 2009. It was recently named ‘Overall Winner’ at the Best of Galway Awards 2017, a ceremony which seeks to recognise the best Galway businesses as voted for by the people of the city.