Touring by coach was an important trend of the 1980s represented by the creation of the “Tourisme Verney’ brand name which was part of the travel business of the group. This was a time of re-centralization for the company as, to the profound regret of the President, the goods part of the business died out gradually so that the group would only focus on the passenger.
Until now the vehicles were painted red and white - a livery that expressed simply the future generations of repaints thereafter. The fleet was mainly composed of LMC 12 A, 12 B CML, TD 5, TD 3 and LMC 12 / 80S. In the late 1970s the TV marque appeared on vehicles: beforehand it denoted Transports Verney. Now it means Tourisme Verney. TV representing the same brand.
The CBM Albatros coaches featured a new livery with the words (in bold black font, bold) Tourisme Verney. The upholstery is comprised of three vertical bars: red, grey and white. The seats are like "airplane" with headrest, ashtray, and footrest. The luggage racks are also like airliners. Most vehicles are equipped with air conditioning with toilet cabin located on the rear left axle: This option required a backseat taking the width of the vehicle, plus a seat backing onto the toilet in the opposite direction of travel of the vehicle. At the rear entrance, a block supported a fridge: this is the kitchenette. Everything is designed for passenger comfort. The driver and guide were also given comfort: the Albatros had a very spacious driving position. The driver is the same height as the passengers. The dashboard is ergonomic for the main controls. Modern fittings included a sunshade controlled by a button on the driver's seat. The guide has a map-reader with a lamp placed on the dashboard: a spacious area for quality work.
However the Albatros ceased production in July 1981 with only 23 vehicles built. The CBM marque, producing only the CM 220, must find another tour coach. So the President of Verney turned to the French manufacturer Renault Commercial Vehicles (RVI). Part of CBM left to become part of RVI in 1985. The last Albatros were rebuilt in 1995, used essentially for school transport at this late stage of their careers.
RVI takes track ...
In 1985, the Verney group commissioned fifty FR1 coaches. For the manufacturer it's a big order, and it will not be the last. Tourisme Verney acquires these well-equipped comfortable coaches. The first generation FR1 comes in T and GT versions with Mack engine. The interior mirrors the style of long-haul aircraft. The seats are comfortable with a magazine-rack, a table and an ashtray. The ceilings are equipped with two reading lights and two air vents. The large windows allow travellers to contemplate the beautiful scenery through double-glazing, also preserving thermal environment quality.
Everything is designed to capture the attention of customers. The ambience on board is peaceful with a quiet motor, reducing equipment vibration and thermal comfort at the forefront of the technology era.
The driver environment improves with ergonomic driving position. It consists of two blocks, positioned on both sides of the panel with all the gauges at the centre. The steering wheel is adjustable for tilt and adjustable according to the build of the driver. The exterior mirrors are adjusted from the cab; the micro-driver is built into the cab near the left pane. The latter is electrical.
The guide has a comfortable seat with a fridge on his right. A lamp is placed at the juncture of the body // windshield. The FR1 completely fulfils the requirements of Mr. Verney. The President of Verney attaches great importance to the quality of travel and the comfort of its customers.
Feature of FR1 Verney: The Telma was placed on the left and controls on the right side so that the driver can have a hand on the wheel with access to the Telma and another on the gear lever. This facilitated driving especially whilst slowing down or manoeuvring.
The key delivery to the Group: March 1987
Tourisme Verney takes delivery of a series of 45 FR1 GT-T which makes 200 FR1 for the Verney group. The vehicles are delivered by Verney drivers linking the cities of Lyon, Dijon, Le Mans, and Rennes, starting from the plant at Annonay for a large city relay event. This delivery is accompanied Privilege No. 3, a series of 10 examples of the FR1 GTS: the business range. Some options appear like the "hostess call" button, toilet, TV sets and others ...
Tourisme Verney grows in size and the FR1 evolves ...
In March 1991 the 300th FR1 is delivered to Verney. The 300th is a higher version: GTX. Indeed, the Verney fleet saw the arrival of vehicles having a greater capacity in baggage hold and a more powerful engine with fewer mechanical problems than the previous ones. FR1 GTX and TX came with a Tourisme Verney livery with red and grey bars of different sizes. The livery is designed by Graphibus, at a period when the Albertville Olympic Games were under preparation. Their equipment was equivalent to those of FR1 GT. And they had a height of 3.60m.
Between 1991 and 1996, several hundreds of FR1 came into the Verney group. All versions were present in the TV fleet: From the GTS GTX through the GT, T, E, M340, TX, TEX. FR1 was the undisputed coach of Tourisme Verney. It represented the business throughout Europe and even at major events like the 1998 World Cup, the 50th anniversary of the landings, the Olympic Games in Albertville, etc. Some FR1s wore advertising film coatings promoting such as Hollywood Chewing Gum in 1994 or 50 years of Dassault Aviation.
A little trip to Morocco: 1 FM 200 "FR1 Moroccan"
Verney Group searched for a vehicle range below the FR1 but with the same chassis (so the same powertrain). And a cost 20% less than those of Portugal or Spain ... It was the "start" of the TEX. They approached the Moroccan Industrial Bodybuilding Morocco (CIM): a company that was part of Star Auto Saida since 1991 this company was known for its high-end bodies. Renault understructures were sold by Berliet Morocco to CIM as local assembly was not possible due to the large baggage area mounted on simple hinges. The windshield was based on Vanhool Alicron. For purposes of sound reduction, the engine was placed at the rear of the vehicle with an installation of electric brakes for optimum safety. For the engine it is powered by a 340 hp for low maintenance and economical consumption of fuel. It has a height of 3.80m through the placement of the air conditioning in the superstructure on the roof. Its configuration is 55 seats with 12 folding seats and no toilet.
It was presented at the Tourism Fair in Casablanca in Verney group colours (Generation 85) with Mr. Friederich on the RVI and Verney stand, which had a visit from the royal family and all the staff of Moroccan Tourism (+ complimentary couscous in tagines...).The project was not supported by the union of the RVI at Annonay: Which compelled the Verney group to register vehicles through the services of Chardon. Given the
various problems quickly encountered in body quality, wisdom prevailed and a return to the real FR1 followed!
In Morocco, Berliet there did not have the power of past years and CIM was related to Volvo and Daf who also failed to see the arrival of RVI in this way. Only the network of TVRA had been affected by these four deliveries (the figure of 20 vehicles had been discussed for Europe and 20 to 50 for Morocco). They were delivered March 31, 1992 and entered service in May 1992 following non-compliance of the front turn signals. The first model was used for technical approval with the assistance of Renault Commercial Vehicles (RVI) France and Establishments Chardon in 1991.
Only four "1FM 200" were produced because people were not convinced and
Moroccans preferred the B 10 M Volvo.
1994 and some novelties ...
From 1994 the upholstery was changed for a new generation of fabrics. It was red and grey like those present on the body stripes. The exterior livery remained that of 1991.
In March 1997 a new delivery is made, as replacements of the FR1: The Iliad is a remodelling of the FR1 with equivalent equipment but a completely redesigned grille, an ergonomic instrument panel and mirrors giving it large ears. The Iliad featured the latest generation of Tourisme Verney livery with finer and more numerous lines than the FR1. A livery remembered by all. The Iliad had a minimal career with Verney group from 1997 to 2002: these were the group’s last touring coaches. The majority of the Iliads (ILIADE) came in RTX version.
To complete the RVI story. Tourisme Verney was composed of a series of TRACER. These school and service buses had in fact a red and grey TV livery to make occasional trips at county or regional level. (Most TRACERS were in the livery of the various networks or the colours of TER).
Foreigners in the fleet
Following numerous absorptions of companies the Verney Group acquired various vehicles of foreign makes. On the national fleet, this represented between 10 and 12%, or even less.
Firstly, the Scania Irizar Dragon were the first double-deck vehicles to enter the TV fleet. They carried the older generation of TV livery: like the FR1 85 A large TV is placed on the back part of both sides. The back of the vehicle has no vision since it is covered with a white film with a drawing of a planet earth and an exploding TV towards new horizons: "Travel Tourisme Verney." To our knowledge, there have been two / three vehicles of this type: Angers, Rennes, and Charny.
The second double-deck vehicle is a Setra S228 HDS. This coach is integrated into the Tourisme Verney fleet following the purchase of a Breton company. It has FR1 1991 livery, with a sign TOURISME VERNEY on the windshield. Two such vehicles operated on behalf of TV Rennes 35. Followed by S 328 DT.
Descending the range with the 0303 Mercedes that was present in several networks. Some had replacement upholstery in red and grey livery with a livery FR1 1985 and 1991.
Much later, following the purchase of Cars Favier, Mercedes 0530 "Tourismo RHD" appeared wearing a livery like ILIADE 96. The name Tourisme Verney will remain only a short time ...
On the Swedish side, Volvo came into the Verney group. And be aware that the Verney group had ordered Volvo Berkhof first for the TV network in Strasbourg. Subsequently, several other centres would have Volvos with the red and grey TV
upholstery. These vehicles were painted as FR1 1991 but the first had carried the 1985-type FR1 livery with the planet and the TV exploding on the back.
The only CBM across the years with Tourisme Verney was the LMB 12 "CAR INFO". This vehicle was equipped with a cinema at the back and a reception area. It sported a TRACER grille for a while. It ended its career with TV Rennes (35) before being sold on in the Nantes region. The coaches of Tourisme Verney were only part of the brand. Tourisme Verney was a tour operator with a network of 79 travel agencies called TVD (Tourisme Verney Distribution). Do not forget their travel brochures (individual or group reservations according to brochure) and those available through the networks (school trips, corporate, groups, etc. ...).
Tourisme Verney: a key player in coach touring
The driver of a Tourisme Verney coach is the image first seen by customers. He represents his company on the journeys to which he is assigned. The President of Verney thought a lot about the image of his company and that of its employees. He therefore outfitted his team of drivers with uniforms in the colours of Tourisme Verney. Here are the details below.
. White shirt, with the logo Tourism Verney
. Dark grey trousers
. Navy blue blazer with gold buttons representing TV
. Grey blouson jacket with red / white bars and the word Tourisme Verney in the back
. Red blouson jacket with "Verney Group" logo
. V-neck pullover in navy blue with red embroidered TV (long sleeved or sleeveless
according to season)
. TV tie
. Bag
. Plasticized red notebook with TV for carrying vehicle papers
. TV badge TV (gold or silver according to length of service with the company) +
Tourisme Verney badge
At a bus and coach park it was usual to see one or two buses of Tourisme Verney with drivers correctly dressed from A to Z to perform their duties. The requirement was clearly stated: the driver was wearing his uniform, always having his coach clean inside and outside. The drivers were trained by Tourism Training Institute Yves Verney (IFYV) on all points and in all possible conditions. They received additional training at major events like the Olympic Games in Albertville in 1992 for driving on ice. At major events, it was important for the president that everything was calculated to the nearest meter and minute. The buses were all parked at the same distance with a certain rigour so that the vehicles were properly aligned. Mr. Verney did not hesitate to re-align the vehicles, whether there were 5 or 150.
Tourisme Verney is not forgotten: their coaches have made their mark on more than one person amongst us all. Comfort, quality, organisation and discipline have enabled the brand to have a good send-off!