Fleet Bus and Coach Summer 2018 by Fleet Transport

OFFICIAL IRISH JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL BUS/COACH AWARDS

Volume 14. No. 2. Summer 2018

All-New VOLVO 9900 INSIDE

for the ultimate journey SURVEY: What bus passengers really want • PROFILE: Aircoach NEW FLEET: Volvo, Higer & Turas Coach sales • REVIEW: Busworld TESTS: Higer & LDV • LAUNCH PAD: Mercedes-Benz, Solaris & MAN

some things you just can’t put a price on The Volvo B11R coach range – where safety always comes ﬁrst

In today’s Volvo B11R coach range, you’ll find features that include Front Impact Protection (FIP), Emergency Braking System, (EBS), Volvo Exhaust Brake (VEB), Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), Volvo Dynamic Steering (VDS), Lane Keeping Support (LKS) and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), to name but a few. What do they all add up to? In a word, safety. Something, at Volvo, we think you just can’t put a price on. To find out more on why safety always comes first, along with all the other benefits of the Volvo B11R range, call the Volvo Retail Sales team today or visit www.volvobuses.co.uk.

VOLVO B11R Built to perform Wedgnock Lane, Warwick CV34 5YA Tel: 01926 401777, www.volvobuses.co.uk

www.fleet.ie | 3

2018 into 2019

Contents Summer 2018 4 News CTTC Coach & Bus Show 2018 Go Ahead creates 425 jobs Public transport is best in Belfast ADL adds to Plaxton range Obituary: Tribute to Adrian Wickens New sales staff at ADL Next generation Sprinter as a PSV

Dónal / Chairman/M.D.

Sandra / Exec Director

2018 looks like a great year for tourism transport. Connecting with us, you will have an extra Sales Distribution line with our Cloud Computing for your Private Hire Tourism vehicles in 2018 and 2019.

Results to date for 32CC Network CO-OP €7m+ in new, additional business to Investor and Sub Hire companies over the years from all markets, North America, Britain, Europe Middle, the Far East and Local Irish Marketing wholly owned 2 International brands (Irish Coaches & Hello Ireland Tours) Local domestic ads. promoting Members/Associates (e.g. Active Retirement Ireland/Members Annual 2018 )

8 Cover Hailing the new Volvo flagship 10 Survey Bus passengers want Wifi and comfort 12 Profile Aircoach Ireland

19 Test Driving the new Higer Super 9 & LDV EV80 20 New Fleet Sales of Volvo, Higer and Turas Coaches 22 Pin Pics Classic and vintage plus future travel 24 Launch Pad I Mercedes-Benz Citaro Electric 25 Launch Pad II Solaris Electric 26 Powerplant At MAN’s engine factory

14 Global From Sweden to Netherlands to the USA

28 Launch Pad III ZF technology

16 Review Busworld, Izmir, Turkey

30 Conductors’ Stand Electromobility

Fleet Bus & Coach Magazine D’Alton Street, Claremorris, Co. Mayo, Ireland. Tel: +353 (0)94 9372819/ 9372826 Fax: +353 (0)94 9373571 Email: enquiries@fleet.ie ISSN: 1649-9433 Managing Editor: Jarlath Sweeney

FINALIST Passenger Transport Company of the Year Irish Logistics & Transport Awards 2018/2019 “Filling Gaps for Network Members” 11+ Years Success On-the-Road Thirty Two Counties Coaches Designated Activity Company Ulster Bank Chambers, Dublin 1 01 - 8788894/98 E-mail: dch@32ccgroup.ie or sandra@32ccgroup.ie www.32ccgroup.ie www.irishcoaches.ie www.helloireland.com

Talk with Dónal or Sandra

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Editor: Sean Murtagh Contributors: Rob Van Dieten, Paul White Photography: Jarlath Sweeney, Sean Murtagh, Paul White Administration: Denise Vahey, Paula Mullarkey Advertising: Mary Morrissey, Orla Sweeney Design: Eamon Wynne Printed in Ireland

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Fleet Transport/ Fleet Car/ Green Fleet Management/ Fleet Van & Utility/ Fleet Bus & Coach/ Fleet Trailer & Body Builder/ Fleet Maritime & Caravan Cruise Ireland are published by JJDS Publications Ltd. Registered Office: D’Alton Street, Claremorris, Co. Mayo. Co. Reg. 368767 Directors: Jarlath Sweeney, Sean Murtagh. Disclaimer: Fleet Bus & Coach Magazine management can accept no responsibility for the accuracy of contributed articles or statements appearing in this magazine and any views or opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Fleet Bus & Coach management, save where otherwise indicated. No responsibility for loss or distress occasioned to any person acting or refraining from acting as a result of the material in this publication can be accepted by the authors, contributors, Editors or publishers. The Editor reserves the right to make publishing decisions on any advertisements or editorial article submitted to the magazine and to refuse publication or to edit any editorial material as seems appropriate to him. Professional legal advice should always be sought in relation to any specific matter.

Fleet Bus & Coach - the official Irish journal of the International Bus/Coach of the Year Awards. www.fleet.ie

4 | NEWS 1

BUS LANE Euro Bus Expo 2018 Euro Bus Expo 2018 takes place from 30 October to 1 November nex t at the NEC, Birmingham, UK. Thousands of visitors from all over the world will travel to the event which represents the centre of current trends and future developments in the bus and coach sector. Around 300 exhibitors will showcase a full spectrum of cutting-edge innovations. From the latest vehicles and technology to training and services, industry insiders can expect to have their fingers firmly on the passenger transport pulse at Euro Bus Expo 2018. 2016’s event played host to the launch of numerous vehicles (amongst the 120 on display), 291 exhibitors, 18 expert speakers and almost 9,500 attendees.

More staff reductions at Wrights

RDS Simmonscourt hosts 10th CTTC Coach & Bus Show 2018

he 10th CTTC Coach & Bus Show 2018, sponsored by Campion Insurance, will once again be held at the RDS, Simmonscourt Pavilion on Saturday/Sunday - 17/18 November next. The biennial event continues its successful format with exhibition halls full of new products supported by service providers. The Coach Driver of the Year Competition and Gala Dinner is also part of the weekend’s activities. Driver of Year Competition: Th is year’s Show will once again feature The Coach Driver of the Year Competition, sponsored by Mercedes Benz Commercial Vehicles. The competition will take place throughout the Show weekend providing drivers an opportunity to display their diverse range of skills. Entrants have to undertake a Theory Test, an Interview and a Driving Skills Test on a predesigned test circuit. “It is designed to test every

aspect of the entrant’s driving ability and knowledge and find a worthy winner who can claim to be Ireland’s top coach driver,” explained Kevin. Application Forms, along with terms and conditions can be accessed via the CTTC website - www.cttc.ie Gala Dinner: The social highlight of the event is the Gala Dinner, sponsored by Mercedes Benz Commercial Vehicles, which takes place in the Ballsbridge Hotel, Pembroke Road, Dublin on the evening of Saturday, 17 November. All are welcome. Tickets can be obtained by contacting Cheryl Halpenny on 042 9322023 / 087 2573417 or Cherylhalpenny@gmail. com

Go-Ahead Ireland creates 425 jobs Due to continuing low levels of demand in the UK bus market, the Wrights Group is to further reduce its workforce in Ballymena. The company anticipates that, subject to the outcome of a consultation process, up to 95 roles could potentially be affected within the company’s Wrightbus, Customcare and EN-Drive subsidiaries. Th is workforce reduction is similar to the numbers made redundant in February this year. “There is a good deal of continuing uncertainty specifically in the UK market - at present, which is causing private and public bus operators alike to delay or postpone their vehicle investment programmes,” said Mark Nodder OBE, Chairman of Wrights Group.

EU Bus/Coach market down During the first four months of 2018, bus and coach registrations decreased by 2.1%. In total, 13,241 new vehicles were registered across the EU. Demand increased only in Spain (+11.6%) and Italy (+13.0%); registrations dropped in the United Kingdom (-18.8%), France (-9.6%) and Germany (-0.9%). FLEETBUS&COACH | Summer 2018

o-Ahead Ireland, the country’s newest private bus company, is to create 425 new jobs and invest €8.5 million in its new operation here. The roles will be company-wide and include up to 350 bus drivers as well as engineers, maintenance support, mechanics, planners, operational and administrative personnel. Speaking at the announcement, Ed Wills, Managing Director of GoAhead Ireland said: “Since being awarded the contract to run 24 of the existing Outer Dublin Metropolitan Area (ODMA) bus routes by the National Transport Authority (NTA) last August, we have been building our Dublin operation in preparation for a phased rollout commencing September

2018. Creating these new 425 jobs and providing a financially secure and investment ready business is critical for our colleagues, our customers and our ambitious expansion plans. We are passionate about what we do and are focused on attracting the very best talent out there”. When the new bus drivers and maintenance support colleagues are recruited, they will be working on existing routes, beginning in September 2018 and completing by end January 2019.

NEWS 11 | 5

Belfast public demonstrate ‘Waste of Space’ on Streets

n Sunday 3 June, 105 volunteers, 90 cars, two buses, one Glider vehicle and 48 bicycles, gathered in Belfast City Centre to demonstrate the advantages of sustainable travel in a bid to combat congestion in towns and cities in Northern Ireland. Championed by Translink, The Department for Infrastructure, Belfast City Council and The Institution of Civil Engineers, the resulting short ‘Road Share’ film and still images tell an important story about how transport choices impact the health, wellbeing and overall prosperity of everyone in Northern Ireland. As traffic congestion in the North continues to hit the headlines, ‘Road Share’ succinctly illustrates and compares the typical space occupied in a city street by four common modes of transport - cars, buses, cycling and walking - transporting the equivalent number of people. ‘Road Share’ involved the closure of one of the most instantly recognisable and often congested roads in Belfast – Oxford Street. The project used 105 people, as this is the capacity of the new Glider vehicle; a striking new BRT - Bus Rapid Transit system for Belfast starting service this September. Speaking at the making of the film, Translink Group Chief Executive Chris Conway,

Transition 1: Drone footage captured on Oxford Street, Belfast shows the equivalent space required to transport 105 people by car (90 cars in total).

Transition 3: Shows the equivalent space required to transport 105 people by bus (two double decker buses).

Transition 2: Footage shows the ‘waste of space’ on roads based on the average of 1.2 people travelling by car.

Transition 4: Demonstrates the equivalent space required to transport 105 people by Glider, a striking new rapid transit system for Belfast starting service this September.

said: “Public Transport is well known for its many benefits in busy cities: improving air quality, well-being, saving money and reducing traffic. Equally, catching the bus or train can help save something that all cities desperately require more of - space. The Road Share exercise in Belfast very clearly demonstrates how moving large numbers of people by car around cities is not efficient, particularly during commuting times.” Supporting the Road Share initiative, the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Nuala McAllister, added: “Belfast City

Council is committed to the development of a sustainable city, and this includes the development of sustainable transport. The reduction of congestion, not only in the city centre but on our main arterial routes, is a priority, and can only be of benefit not only to the city and its economy, but also to the health and well-being of our citizens. I hope that the images and video generated by today’s exercise will highlight the role each and every one of us has in the development of Belfast as a truly accessible and healthy city of the future.”

Plaxton add to Coach range

lexander Dennis Limited (ADL) has added two new coaches to its Plaxton brand, Panther LE and the Panorama double deck high capacity luxury

coach.

ADL describe the Panther LE as a coach that can give ease of access for wheelchair users with added comfort and versatility. Using a split level floor design, the forward part of the coach is low floor and has 16 seats with a forward facing wheelchair position. Th ree steps will take passengers to the rear part of the coach. In total there are 53 seats which is built on the threeaxle Volvo B8RLE chassis, powered by Volvo’s 350hp, Euro 6 diesel. Operators have a choice of Volvo I-Shift or ZF EcoLife automated transmissions. Aimed at the inter-city and commuter express service markets, the Plaxton Panorama Double Decker coach can be fitted with up to 87 seats, with 65 on the upper deck. It's built on the three-axle Volvo B11RLE chassis with 460hp Euro 6, coupled

to Volvos I-Shift gearbox. At 4.0m in height it is also suited for international operations. In total there is 10.1 cubic metres of luggage space. When ordering there are a number of different layouts available to choose from, for example, the lower deck can facilitate wheelchair access. Safety is a strong feature of both coaches, with fitt ing including front collision warning, emergency braking and lane guard assist. The addition of these two new coaches allows ADL to offer the full passenger carrier range, from midi-coach to Double-decker. www.fleet.ie

6 | NEWS III

OBITUARY Adrian Wickens

veryone at Volvo Bus and the wider bus and coach fraternity in the UK and Ireland were shocked and saddened to hear about the passing of Adrian Wickens. Adrian, who worked for Volvo Bus for 42 years, died suddenly a few weeks ago in May. He was a much liked and highly respected figure within the Volvo Bus organisation as well as throughout the bus industry and around the world. He will be greatly missed

by everyone who knew and worked with him. Vol vo Bus has expressed its heartfelt condolences to Adrian’s wife Cathy, his children and all his family and friends at this very sad and difficult time.

retired in September 2015 after spending 40 years with Volvo Bus. Former press representative Robin Dickeson, who knew Adrian well, paid tribute to him on hearing of his passing: “Adrian was always a reliable source of common-sense information. From the start, he was a charming, welcoming and valuable colleague and contact. He had a splendid sense of humour, was legendarily well-informed and offered fascinating insights into the background of the often-complex issues that surround the bus business”.

Adrian began his career with British Leyland as a graduate mechanical engineer and

Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) strengthens sales team

ong established bus builder Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) has strengthened its retail sales team with two new appointments, one of whom is dedicated to the Irish marketplace. Lee Gibson, from Ballymoney, in Country Antrim, joins the team after a 10-year spell in key sales and business development roles at Mercedes-Benz Bus, Coach & Mini Bus, prior to which he also worked with the Dawson Group and Dixon Motor Group. His new role will see him lead ADL’s retail efforts in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Alongside him in the new team will be Lee Salt, from Tamworth, in Staffordshire, who joins ADL from Dawson Rentals Bus & Coach, where he was responsible for sales initiatives in the Midlands and Wales. Richard Matthews, ADL’s Retail Sales Director, commented: “Lee Gibson and Lee Salt have a wealth of experience in the industry

and will bring added impetus to our recently restructured and reinvigorated sales team. They join a powerful line-up of senior sales executives knowledgeable in every aspect of the industry. It is a team with credentials second to none and which, I am confident, will continue to underpin ADL’s leadership in the home and Irish markets.”

New Sprinter’s improved offering for Passenger transport

ith over 3.4 million units sold since its launch in 1995, there is little doubt that the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has been nothing if not a resounding success. A significant number of that figure were delivered to the passenger and leisure markets, where the vehicle has earned a deserved reputation as flexible, elevating to a high end executive bus. The latest incarnation of the Sprinter was revealed last February, and it has now arrived to dealers throughout Ireland. Arguably the most dramatic change is the availability of a front wheel drive Sprinter, which should further enhance bodywork options for the already popular model. For the passenger sector Sprinter will offer FLEETBUS&COACH | Summer 2018

three power outputs from the four cylinder 2.1 litre, and a 190 hp version of the 3.0 litre V6. The transmission options include a 6-speed manual, 7-speed automatic and a new 9-speed automatic. It is expected the new 9-speed automatic transmission will find favour with the passenger fraternity. The model line-up does list a 9-seat (including driver) version of the Sprinter Tourer, which brings it into the passenger

car segment. While there is a 16/19 seat version available from Daimler, it is expected that Irish operators will continue with their arrangements with preferred bodybuilders. Importantly chassis rails and mounting points have remained almost identical from the outgoing model which should help to speed up design and mounting. More detailed plans for new Sprinter’s range of passenger options will be available later this year - well in time for 2019. The new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter comes with an exceptional level of standard equipment, and important safety features. This combined with the already proven engines and transmissions, means Sprinter’s success looks set to continue. Paul White

8 | COVER

New Volvo 9900 Coach to enter service next year

xtra height, more luggage space and somewhat lighter, the newly designed Volvo 9900 coach is aimed at the premium end of the market.

At the launch of this new fl agship in Sweden, Volvo Bus representatives described the new coach as “the biggest renewal of our coach range in several decades”. Having spent over €40 million on its development, this luxury passenger transport vehicle sports a totally new design. Built as an integral structure, Volvo’s design engineers were able to bring down the new coach’s overall weight. In all there will be six variants of the coach available, across two models, the 9900 and the slightly lower spec 9700. In Right Hand Drive (RHD) form only two types will be available, tri-axle with either 5.96m and 6.86m wheelbases (as 9900 only). The new 9900 will replace the current 9700 model line. Th is reduced range of coaches to be offered to the Irish market is not a sign of a lack of interest by Volvo Bus, as two of

FLEETBUS&COACH | Summer 2018

the prototypes built, one was RHD. To date, some Irish operators already have had a look at the new coach and customer comments from operators both here and throughout Europe will be recorded and reacted to before serial production starts. Volvo Bus has confirmed that the coach will be displayed and officially launched in the Irish market at the CTTC’s Coach & Bus Show in the RDS, Dublin later this year. Production for the Left Hand Drive (LHD) will begin in September, and operators that have seen the coach have been very impressed. Further pre-production testing will be carried out on the prototypes and full production of the RHD coaches will begin at the Volvo plant in Wroclaw, Poland before the end of the year, with new vehicle deliveries commencing before Spring 2019. In the past the Volvo coach series included the 9500, 9700 and 9900. Only the 9700 was available in RHD. At the presentation, it was pointed out that the new 9900 is a completely new coach and bears no similarity to the previous model.

COVER | 9

New Volvo 9900

One of the core values of the AB Volvo Corporation is safety, all of the safety systems available on current models are offered with additional enhancements, for instance, driver protection at the front end. The A pillar on the driver’s side has been redesigned to improve visibility. A lower glass panel in the front entrance door further improves visibility also and brings in some additional natural light too. One safety feature that impressed was the ability of an operator to create a “safety zone” and it works using the GPS system. So, let’s say when using the GPS system, the transport office puts a restriction of 50 kp/h on a section of road going past a school, all the company vehicles will be automatically reduced to that speed on that section of road. When trialling this particular feature, technicians used a particular route in the Swedish city of Gothenburg as it passed over a bridge where there was a speed limit of 50 kp/h, which was rarely heeded by drivers. In a feedback session from drivers it was generally agreed by them that this new feature ensured all involved “kept to the speed limit”. Volvo Bus has taken all the mechanical features of the renowned B11R platform and so there is no change to the engine or driveline in general. On the initial RHD coaches the popular power output from the 11-litre engine will be 460hp mated to the latest version of the Volvo I-Shift transmission, which is well regarded by all drivers, many believing it to be the best in the market. With the improved design, aerodynamics and weight reduction, fuel reductions of up to 4 percent are achievable, according to Volvo Bus people. Although not a standard instalment, the introduction of the Volvo I-See topography system can add a further 2 percent fuel savings. Th is system is incorporated into the GPS system and allows the coach combine the on-board data collected and then use the advanced eco-roll programme to make the fuel savings. In other words, the coach can predict the crest of a hill in the same way a driver can see it. However, to get the maximum benefit out of this feature, drivers will need to be trained and then practice to improve their technique. On the overall weight side, the introduction of an integral structure results in a weight reduction of 350kg, with over 200kg of this is in the newly designed roof structure. Th is feature on the new 9900 is Text & Photos: Sean Murtagh - sean@fleet.ie

not very noticeable, but the height is increased by 12 cm, and lends itself to provide extra headroom and additional overhead luggage space. The windscreen is larger also. With regard to the interior of the coach the traditional theatre style seating is retained and LED lighting is used throughout. The seating in the prototype shown was a litt le dark, but as most operators will choose the trim colour to suit their taste and that of their customers, it is a point of personal choice. On the shorter wheelbase there will be 53 seats plus toilet and 57 plus toilet on the longer variant. As the coach is usually in service on long distance routes, it is unlikely many would substitute seats for the toilet space. Although there are significant design changes to the coach’s exterior, it is still strongly recognisable as a Volvo. There is a body line on the side of the coach that gives it a sweeping look, that follows the line of the floor on the inside. Styling at the rear of the coach is more than just visual, as improved airflow here improves the aerodynamic affect and therefore overall fuel economy. As mentioned the 9900 is aimed at the top end of the coach market and while no one from Volvo Bus was prepared to talk money, it is believed that the cost increase will not be significant, but will reflect the extra features offered and the expected savings in fuel. Volvo Bus has always been a popular brand in Ireland, so I think the future for the 9900 is bright. New Volvo 9700

www.fleet.ie

10 | SURVEY

Volvo Buses has analysed what bus passengers want: “Yes to wi-ﬁ and comfortable seats, but no to sharp knees and bare feet"

olvo Buses has analysed what bus passengers want: “Yes to wi-fi and comfortable seats, but no to sharp knees and bare feet” Some people want a three-course dinner, others prefer to surf, chat, or just relax. Almost half are interested in safety while two-thirds reveal that they use seat belts on coach trips. These are some of the results of Volvo Buses’ passenger survey, conducted in six European countries. All told, 6,000 people who have travelled by tourist coach or long-distance bus in Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, France and Sweden were interviewed for their opinions on what it takes to make a bus trip a positive experience. “Together with our customers we work constantly to make bus travel as appealing and competitive as possible. In this perspective, passenger viewpoints are immensely important. Through our surveys we see that most of the passenger viewpoints are prett y similar in all the countries, but there are also some things that set them apart,” explained Niklas Orre, VP Strategy and Product Management at Volvo Buses. Wi-fi, safety and comfortable seats are important So, what do people most like doing while on board? Sleeping, chatt ing, watching films and reading are popular. It’s therefore hardly a surprise that comfortable seats and plenty of legroom are among the most important conditions for a good journey. The list of services that passengers want is topped by a fast wi-fi link. Th is is something for which many passengers, above all younger ones, are prepared to pay extra. Most feel it is important to be able to buy something to drink or eat on board. A few even want the option of splashing out and ordering a three-course dinner. Safety consistently receives a high rating. 47 per cent of passengers want information about the bus’s safety before

FLEETBUS&COACH | Summer 2018

they book their tickets, and 66 per cent use the bus’s seat belts. Seat belt usage is highest in Sweden, France and Spain. Top three tips to get on with other passengers The survey also reveals a lot of information for those who want to get on with their fellow passengers. Top of the list is not making noise. Noisy passengers are consistently felt to be the most annoying problem on a bus trip, according to a huge 79 percent of respondents. Tip number two: don’t push your knees into the backrest of the seat in front. Few things are perceived as more irritating than having the knees of the passenger behind you digging into your back (71 percent). Strong-smelling food is not appreciated (5 0 p e r c e n t) , a lt houg h here Italian passengers show remarkably high tolerance (25 percent). Swedish passengers appear to have fewer problems w ith passengers taking off their shoes – something that is seldom regarded as acceptable on the continent.

“All told, we can say that comfort, safety and pleasant fellow passengers are significant factors for anyone travelling far by bus. So yes to wi-fi and comfortable seats, but no to sharp knees and bare feet,” added Niklas. Facts about the Volvo Buses passenger survey • Carried out by Kantar SIFO in France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Sweden and Germany in the last few weeks of 2017 and first few weeks of 2018. • The survey covered people above the age of 18 who had undertaken a bus trip of at least one hour in the past three years. • A total of 6000 passengers participated, 1000 per country.

Text: Rob Van Dieten - rob@fleet.ie

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12 | PROFILE

Aircoach First & Foremost “Anything you can do to make the whole travel experience easier for a customer means they are more likely to travel with you” Dervla McKay, new Managing Director, Aircoach

oday, it is generally thought that competition is good in the passenger transport business, as the customer benefits from improved service, lower prices, and more choice. However, this was not always the case, and it may be difficult for some to appreciate just what Aircoach achieved when it began operating in 1998. Since then many operators have followed with both private and public transport service providers having received wider acceptance, and for many reasons are expected to grow further in the future. Aircoach is now a subsidiary of First Group Plc, one of the world’s largest passenger transport providers, headquartered in Aberdeen. In May of this year the Fleet Bus & Coach Award winning company appointed Dervla McKay as its new Managing Director. It is somewhat unusual that Dervla ended up in the position of MD of a leading coach company when she had no family links to, or any particular interest in the passenger transport sector growing up. It was only after fi nishing a business degree at the University of Ulster’s Magee

FLEETBUS&COACH | Summer 2018

College in Derry that Dervla noticed a Graduate Programme opportunity with First Group Plc. She applied for the position, and in 2005 began with the company as a graduate trainee. While she readily admitted that: “I fell into it”, she immediately took to the industry, the people and the variety of work which, ”keeps me interested”. Since 2005, Dervla has been totally immersed in the business and believes: “people often underestimate what we do as an operator, and the vital role we play in the community. Often people only realise the important role of public transport when it goes wrong”. From its main base beside Dublin Airport, Aircoach operates 54 coaches covering routes servicing Dublin City Centre and further out to the greater Dublin area and onto Bray and Greystones in County Wicklow. Other routes serviced include direct express coaches to Belfast and Cork. In addition, the company runs all Dublin Airport owned car park shuttle services on behalf of Dublin Airport Authority. Before joining Aircoach Dervla’s last position with First Group was as Head of

Operations for First Hampshire, Dorset & Berkshire. With such experience, where does she see her main challenges with the future development of Aircoach? “Space is of course one issue, and driver recruitment is another,”she said. As the economy continues to emerge from the recession, commercial space in key locations such as close to Dublin Airport is at a premium especially with the space needed to operate a bus and coach fleet of 62 vehicles. Of course the vehicles are never in the same place at the same time. Schedules for hourly departures on express routes and 15 minute departures from Dublin Airport keep the coaches away from base. Apart from a small workshop area for minor running repairs all maintenance for the fleet is contracted out to three companies. These three companies employ staff who have been trained to maintain the coaches to First Group’s own standard which ‘well exceeds the regulatory requirement”. Being part of a large group affords Aircoach a certain amount purchasing power, which Dervla emphasized improves the quality of the product. “As a company we can get feedback into the process to make a

PROFILE | 13 Fi and USB charging ports. Continuing with a move towards fully accessible coaches, the new units will be wheelchair accessible - as indeed is the majority of the Aircoach fleet. Also in keeping with the rest of the fleet the new units will be accepting contactless payments via bank cards or through the Apple and Android Pay systems. This has been recently rolled out and is quickly fi nding favour with customers who can choose to pay in either Euro or Sterling. There are a many benefits with going cashless, though the main driver is improving the customer experience.

better coach and improve the customer experience.” While there is no preferred supplier when ordering new vehicles, the latest new vehicle supply for eleven units was awarded to Volvo Plaxton - a vehicle that is currently performing well for the company. Though Dervla appreciates that it's fi ne to have a bus that looks great, and delivers for the customer, “obviously we want to make sure it is a coach that is not going to cost a fortune once it’s out of warranty”. On the contentious issue of diesel vehicles in city centres, First Group has been trialing a number of advanced transport systems including alternative powertrains and even autonomous vehicles. However, at this stage the concerns are the same for everyone with respect to alternative powertrains - the range, the infrastructure, and the cost outlay is significant. Dervla also highlighted that telematic systems such as the Drive Green programme that Aircoach uses can deliver important fuel savings, and related reductions in emissions which should not be ignored in this debate. The new coaches will come fitted with what is now standard equipment of WiText: Paul White - paul@fleet.ie

“Anything you can do to make the whole travel experience easier for a customer means they are more likely to travel with you.” Customer service is high on Dervla’s agenda, and as a frequent user of the company’s services she can monitor the service levels from both sides. She is also well aware of the power of social media. Aircoach has a team designated to reply and respond promptly to customer questions and comments posted to social media modes. Commenting on the current difficulties all companies are finding recruiting staff and particularly drivers, Dervla believes this problem could get worse before it gets better. Nevertheless she is working to address this issue and intends to establish a programme to encourage new entrants to the industry. Aircoach will provide training and develop a career path with options to move to other positions within the company, once a person shows the right aptitude. In addition, being proactive in seeking new recruits from other industries and the retail sector, could explore an untapped resource where she feels “people just didn’t think it (driving) was a career option.” We asked how Aircoach feels about how the National Transport Authority’s (NTA) future plans may change the transport landscape, and how that landscape may look in ten years time, Dervla replied: “We have a good relationship with the NTA and we always get a fair hearing. We share a common goal to provide a safe reliable bus operation that keeps the towns and cities across the country moving.”

On long term planning regarding shutt le services; “Of course a rail link to the Airport would not suit Aircoach, however that is a long way off, and it's our experience that a mixture of modes would be the way forward. We have some good examples of that in our UK operations – one being a Bus Rapid Transit infrastructure where there is a 20% modal shift from passenger car.” In ten years time she feels there will be a lot more people on public transport, adding that improvements in infrastructure and interconnected modes are vital. Dervla cited the introduction of the Leap Card as an example: “People are encouraged if it gets easier to use and there is an ease of transition between integrated modes of transport. That's what people want - a reliable journey time, simplicity - and a pleasant driver.” Based on her experience in the UK, was route privatisation the best way forward? “Th at depends on who you speak to, franchising does not always work. There are many factors to consider in each area to help form how public transport should be delivered in that particular locale. One thing I do know from my experience is that in the majority of cases, a partnership approach is the best way.”

www.fleet.ie

14 | GLOBAL

Volvo Ocean Race signals the start for electric articulated buses in Gothenburg

isitors to the penultimate round of the 2017/18 Volvo Ocean Race in Gothenburg, Sweden last month had the privilege of travelling on two new all-electric articulated Volvo buses between downtown Nordstan and the event venue in Frihamnen. From June 25 the new concept buses, which can carry 135 passengers, are being tested on part of public transport provider Vasttrafik’s route 16. The electric articulated buses are part of the ElectriCity project, which since 2015 has seen about ten electric buses operate on route 55 in Gothenburg. The articulated bus project

is being run by Volvo, Vasttrafi k, the City of Gothenburg, Goteborg Energi and Transdev. In addition to electric propulsion, the two articulated buses feature a number of

technical and design solutions that make travel easier and more comfortable for passengers. For instance, the buses have four double doors, large unobstructed floor surfaces and ergonomically designed handrails, grab-handles and backrests for standing passengers. The aim is that a large number of passengers should be able to quickly and conveniently enter and exit at every stop, while making the journey itself as comfortable as possible. On board there is free Wi-Fi, sockets for charging mobile phones, and screens showing traffic information.

VDL’s unique charging plaza in Valkenswaard

unique charging location for electric vehicles was recently opened on the grounds of VDL’s ETS (Enabling Transport Solutions) in Valkenswaard. Up to seven vehicles can be charged simultaneously in different ways. The latest charging equipment from the main suppliers can be linked to the various rapid charging connections. For example, the four rapid charging locations can be used for simultaneous testing of both vehicle-mounted electric rendering systems (pantographs) and the pantographs attached to the infrastructure. With a total available power of 1.4 MW, tests conducted with charging powers up to 600 kW and current flows up to 1000 A can be

battery systems and possibilities to give batteries a ‘second life’. In addition, the system provides good opportunities to further investigate the load from charging sessions on the electricity grid.

achieved. As a comparison, a special home charger for passenger cars only charges at up to 11 kW. At VDL ETS it is not only possible to charge vehicles but also discharge them via the charging infrastructure. After discharging, the energy is stored in a stationary battery pack. Th is energy storage system will be used to test charging systems and also to provide an insight into the ageing of

“Th is advanced charging square gives VDL the opportunity to test all new chargers as soon as or before they are put on the market in accordance with all future safety standards and requirements,” said Managing Director Menno Kleingeld of VDL ETS. “The ability to also discharge vehicles into energy storage systems makes it possible to perform charging/ discharging cycles faster without excessive energy wastage or unnecessary aging of the battery.”

Van Hool builds bus factory in Tennessee, USA

an Hool has invested more than $47 million in its second production site after Skopje, Macedonia to build a new factory in America for the local bus and coach market. The new facility in Morristown, Tennessee will be operational during the first quarter of 2020 with 600 employees. Filip Van Hool, CEO at Van Hool, said of the decision: “We have over 30 years of experience in the North American market where we have been successful with buses and coaches for private companies. FLEETBUS&COACH | Summer 2018

Act,” our family business decided to explore a new manufacturing facility in the US.”

We’ve delivered over 11,000 vehicles in North America since 1987. Based on this experience and through market research, we have learned that the public transportation market, with a total annual potential of 6,000 to 8,000 vehicles, offers opportunities for Van Hool. Because of the “Buy America

“We are excited to announce the next step of the Van Hool group’s global growth plans here in Morristown, Hamblen County, Tennessee. The presence of highlyrespected technical schools and well-trained employees, together with the support and cooperation of all the local stakeholders in Morristown, Hamblen County and Tennessee, convinced Van Hool’s Executive Board to make the largest investment outside of Belgium in Van Hool’s 71-year history.” Text: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie

Euro Bus Expo is a unique opportunity for transport professionals, as it brings together such a diverse range of manufactures, service providers, industry bodies, operators and experts in a single eventâ&#x20AC;?

"# ! # """ ! ! # $" ! ! #%

16 | REVIEW

busworld Turkey in Izmir

uring April, Busworld hosted its biennial exhibition in Izmir, Turkey. Most Irish bus and coach operators will be aware that Busworld is a Belgian based company established by local operators to organise a trade show in the western coastal city of Kortrijk. Since 1971 the event has been held every two years.

More recently Busworld has organised shows in China, India, Turkey and Russia. Th is year marks the seventh running of the passenger transport trade exhibition in Turkey. Up until now it has always been held in Istanbul, but on this occasion, it was staged in Izmir. On the last occasion, Irish operators

Guleryuz Local manufacturer Guleryuz, like most Turkish body-builders, started out simply as a van converter. Now this family owned company manufactures over 400 vehicles per year, with capacity to increase to 600 units. 60 percent of its buses are exported and at the IAA CV Show in Hannover, Germany in September, Guleryuz will launch a full electric bus. To date, it sells into 28 markets globally and has not ruled out building RHD versions in the near future.

FLEETBUS&COACH | Summer 2018

attending found the mix of European and Asian exhibitors useful and informative. Over 12,000 visitors attended and there were over 150 exhibitors presenting their products and services. There are many similarities between the Busworld event and the CTTC Coach & Bus Show in Dublin. The Board of Busworld is made up of and largely controlled by bus operators. In Izmir, local bus and coach operators are involved and seminars and networking events are held during the event. Bus building in Turkey is worth 1.1 billion USD and in spite of the fact that the domestic market can be volatile, export markets remain steady. While there may have been some nervousness in moving the event from Istanbul to Izmir, the organisers need not have worried, as from the fi rst morning of the exhibition, the crowds came in huge numbers.

Maparman (MAN) Agent and distributor for MAN, Marparman has been involved in selling direct to the market for over 40 years. A key area of its business is refurb and refit. On the stand was one such example. A 2011 Tourliner had been refitted with new seating, with some new panels also installed. In addition, some engine components were replaced, but not the engine block itself. The fi nished cost of this vehicle was â&#x201A;Ź70,000, while a new vehicle would cost â&#x201A;Ź280,000 - maybe this is the way to go.

REVIEW | 17 Otokar Last year Otokar produced over two thousand buses of which 700 units were exported. Although it sells in limited numbers on five continents, Otokar enjoys the biggest market share in the Turkish market. Having manufactured for over fi ft y years, surprisingly it only entered the RHD market in the past five years. So far, the numbers are low, but some models are operating in the UK.

ISUZU Last year Isuzu launched its new low floor city bus in Kortrijk, and at this Busworld event, the Turkish model was introduced to the market. Th is bus will no doubt be popular in its home market due to its size and the range of door configurations available. Despite being launched at the show in Belgium, it’s unlikely to make a big impact in the Central European market. Pictured is a winning design on a School bus.

Busworld Academy In conjunction with all Busworld shows held in recent years, a series of Academy workshops are organised with expert speakers addressing all aspects and issues concering the industry. These have three main objectives - to acquire, bundle and share bus related knowledge. Knowledge is divided into four different sections - technical developments, legislation, market information and other specialised topics. Four sessions were held, covering safety, technology, market trends and electric operations. Most of these

Text & Photos: Sean Murtagh - sean@fleet.ie

BMC By far the biggest exhibitor at t he S how was national commercial vehicle manufacturer BMC, formed in 1964 from the ashes of its once UK parent. In recent times, BMC is making a bigger impact in the bus building business. It has invested heavily in designing and producing an electric city bus, and all the transfers around the Show grounds were on its vehicles. Next year, BMC will invest $685 million, mainly in electro-mobility but also in Defence specified vehicles. Accessible Ramp Th is mobility accessible ramp is built by a small local engineering company based in Ismir. Interestingly, there are no electrical moving or mechanical parts. On the stand company representatives were coy about the price structure, except to say that the systems are “very cheap”. The name of the company is Autoadapt.

presentations are available on t he B u s w or ld website - w w w. busworldacademy. org and scroll to the presentation section.

www.fleet.ie

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welcome to the world of Van Hool elegance and efﬁciency in transport Van Hool NV • Bernard Van Hoolstraat 58, BE-2500 Lier (Koningshooikt), Belgium • tel. +32 3 420 20 20 • sales.bc@vanhool.be • www.vanhool.be

TEST | 19

New & Improved PSV offerings from the Harris Group LDV EV80 Electric Mini Bus The Harris Group is associated with the LDV van and minibus range for some time, and the most recent addition will certainly cause a stir in the market. With a range of 190km, the EV80 has got Mark Barrett, General Manager for Ireland & UK excited about the entry to the minibus market. Donegal Automotive Services is the authorised converter and having a long tradition in coach building, quality will not be an issue. Higer Super 9

or over seventy years the Harris Group has been involved in importing and distributing commercial vehicles in both Ireland and Great Britain. More recently the Naas Road headquartered company has entered the bus and coach sectors as distributors of Higer coaches and the LDV minibus ranges. Renowned for its attention to customer care, built on the lifetime work and dedication of company founder and President, the late Pino Harris, the Harris Group is now run by recently appointed CEO John McEvoy. Speaking at the launch of the Higer Super 9 39-seater luxury coach and the LDV minibus range John said: “We will bring the same level of service to coach operators that we have been giving truck operators for decades. With the 39-seater coach, we have worked hard with our colleagues at Higer to develop it for the Irish and UK markets. Th is is the beginning, and we will in the near future be offering more choice in size and specification.” Higer Super 9 At 9.6m with 39 (+2 Crew) seats and with the look and feel of a coach, the Harris Group is on to a winner with its new Higer Super 9. Group Marketing Manager at the PSV division Chris Haughton mentioned that an order of 41 new coaches is currently on its way from source in China. By the end of July, most of these coaches will be on Irish and UK roads. Coming with a two year warranty, a Cummins engine (ISB6.7 litre 300hp Euro 6) and ZF EcoLife auto Text: Sean Murtagh - sean@fleet.ie

box, operators can be confident that the package will be reliable. A further source of assurance is the parts availability as almost every part required, including engines, are stocked at an extensive new facility on the Naas Road. Spare parts can be couriered overnight to any part of Ireland and the UK. As one enters the coach its ample width is noticable. What is also remarkable is the width of the rear entrance, certainly wider than most full size coaches. Luggage space is generous and the side doors are easily operated. Drivers will be happy with the layout, blind spots are minimal and the driving position seems higher, thereby improving vision. On a short drive the road holding is solid, something not always a feature of smaller coaches.

Mark said that there will need to be some additional State assistance in the early stages, but the cost is not as severe as one might think. “One must look at the total cost of ownership (TCO) when evaluating, we estimate that over a five year period there will be very litt le difference, as one could say you are paying for your fuel up front.” Fitted with a 56 kilowatt battery a slow charge will take between 5 and 8 hours, with the chance to top-up during the day. The EV80 is built in Shanghai by SAIC, which is the seventh largest automotive producer in the world. We had a chance to take the electric bus for a drive and it was extremely powerful and silent, with the ability to regenerate its own battery a useful and practical function. In the present environmental and political climate the future for this type of electric minibus is indeed bright.

LDV EV80 Electric Mini Bus www.fleet.ie

20 | NEW FLEET I

11 new Volvo coaches for Bernard Kavanagh & Sons

rominent and long established coach operator Bernard Kavanagh & Sons, has taken delivery of eleven new Volvo coaches to add to its predominantly Volvo fleet. The new vehicles will supplement a fleet of more than 60 coaches for the Urlingford, County Kilkenny operator. Included in this latest order are seven B11R integral Volvo 9700s and four Volvo B8R Plaxton Panthers. Commenting on the order Bernard Kavanagh, co-owner of Bernard Kavanagh & Sons, said: “We have purchased 13 Volvo 9700s since 2016 and have found the operational performance and reliability of the B11R chassis to be excellent, with a significant improvement on our fuel consumption rates. The 9700 far exceeds our expectations, which is why we keep returning to Volvo when we need additional coaches for our busy fleet. The four Volvo B8R vehicles that we have specified on this occasion

are a change of direction for us, but we wanted to diversify our fleet and the 57 seat, 12.8m coach with Plaxton Panther body has come highly recommended.”

Super Higers creating a Storm across Ireland!

Edward O Malley from O Malley Coaches, Newport, County Tipperary recently collected his new Higer Storm 1. Th is top of the range coach is in Satin Silver with a gloss black roof with leather seats.

Collinstown, County Westmeath based Matt Murray & Son received the keys to a new Higer Super 9 XL in Artic White, with a gloss black roof, leather seats and alloy wheels.

Trevor McCarthy from Bandon, County Cork has taken delivery of a new 34-seater Higer Storm 1 with Cummins Power and painted in Artic White with a Gloss black roof.

Another Fleet Bus & Coach Award winner Anchor Tours (Dundalk, County Louth) collected this new Higer Super 9 in Artic White with a gloss black roof and leather seats. Fleet Bus & Coach Award winning Coach Operator of the Year 2018 Paddywagon has put into operation two new Higer Super 9s, finished off in the Dublin headquartered company’s distinctive livery and boasting a host of extras including leather seats.

FLEETBUS&COACH | Summer 2018

Text: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie

NEW FLEET II | 21

Recent sales by Brian Noone Ltd. (Maynooth) Three new Turas coaches for Kennedy Coaches County Kerry based Kennedy Coaches has added to its fleet a new Turas 500, Turas 700 and Turas 700 VIP. Established in 1950, Kennedy Coaches is now operated by the second and third generation of the Kennedy family, Paddy & Patrick Kennedy. Specializing in VIP Tours and VIP golf excursions, Kennedy’s is regarded as one of Ireland’s leading Tour Operators.

Callinan Coaches collects two new Turas 600s Fleet Bus & Coach Award winning Callinan Coaches, established in 1998 by Tommy Callinan, has gone from strength to strength. Callinan Coaches continues to grow with bases in Galway, Dublin and close to London at Stansted Airport and Perivale, West London. Well known for operating a f leet of modern large coaches, in particular the Citylink Dublin Airport to Galway service, Callinan’s has now diversified into smaller coaches for the fi rst time with the addition of two new Turas 600S 25-seater mini-coaches. Major investment by Kerry Coaches with eleven new Turas coaches Kerry Coaches, which celebrated 60 years in business in 2017, is one of Ireland’s leading specialists in Executive Touring and VIP Golf Excursions. The Killarney based company is owned and run by Mike Buckley and his son Johnny. The original

Text: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie

business was started by Mike’s father; Johnny Buckley who started providing transportation in the Killarney area in 1957. From its humble beginnings with a horse and cart, Kerry Coaches now has one of the largest and most modern fleet of vehicles in Ireland. These vehicles range in size from Mercedes-Benz executive cars to

53 seated luxury coaches. The addition of eleven new Turas 700s, customised to first class standards for the VIP Golf market marks the single biggest investment in this sector to date by any coach operator in Ireland.

www.fleet.ie

22 | PIN PICS

Scania Bulldog Bussen 1932 Bulldog bus in 1932 marked the beginning of a new bus era. The engineers came up with an ingeniously simple way to mount the engine. It was placed inside the passenger compartment on top of the front axle. In addition to better weight distribution between front and rear, this also increased passenger capacity. It marked a breakthrough for the forwardcontrol concept, and most buses soon lost their protruding bonnet.

t the Scania headquarters in Södertälje, Sweden a selection of vintage and classic trucks and buses are on display including the Bulldog Bussen. Scania-Vabis’ launch of the so-called

The bus was delivered to Mölnlycke Bil & Omnibus AB in western Sweden in 1932, fitted with a body from Svenska Maskinverken in Södertälje. The bus remained in operation for 25 years and has clocked up 2,250,000 km. It operated on the Mölnlycke-Gothenburg route, but also

didd some occasionall service. During World War II, the assignments entailed transporting recruits between Uddevalla and Gothenburg. Due to the lack of imported fuel, the bus then operated on producer gas. In 1931, the maximum permitted vehicle road speed for buses was raised from 20 to 40 km/h.

Volvo LV4 Bus – 1928

ictured at the Volvo Corporation Museum in Gothenburg, Sweden is Volvo’s first passenger transport vehicle - the LV4 Bus from 1928. It was built on a PV4 chassis and used the same engine and transmission as the company’s fi rst cars. The wooden body was built by Arvika Vagnsfebrik. The fi rst LV4 was bought by Carl Nilsson, a shopkeeper’s son, from Treskog, a small town in the Arvika region. Specification:Manufactured: 1928-1929 Engine: In-line 4-cylinder with side valves Cylinder Capacity: 1944cc Performance: 28hp @2,000rpm Transmission: 3-speed

The Volvo Museum takes visitors through the interesting timeline of the Swedish company’s history through a collection of cars, buses and trucks as well as marine engines and construction equipment.

Translink & Henry Brothers ‘Go Eco’for World Environment Day

ranslink is transforming public transport in Belfast in line with its Vision ‘To be your first choice for travel in Northern Ireland’. The new Belfast Rapid Transit ‘Glider’, which will be introduced in September is a new, innovative mode of travel, set to further enhance the image of the City and inspire more people to choose public transport. “An efficient public transport system delivers energy efficient and low-carbon mobility and our new eco-hybrid Glider vehicles will bring a further step change in helping to reduce emissions and improve FLEETBUS&COACH | Summer 2018

air quality along the routes. We have also invested over £5m in new Metro buses last year which meet the latest Euro 6 emission standards ensuring we have some of the

most fuel efficient and environmentally friendly buses in the region,” explained Translink’s Environmental Manager Andy Bate. “Translink also considers its environmental footprint in many other ways, notably within the design and construction of its supporting facilities. The new Milewater Service Centre, currently under construction by local construction company, Henry Brothers, is a purposebuilt facility to service, maintain and repair the Glider fleet and other Translink buses,” he concluded.

Text & Photos: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie

24 | LAUNCH PAD I

Mercedes-Benz Citaro Electriﬁed in terms of paying passengers, this would add to improved TCO (Total Cost of Ownership). Up to the end of 2017 there were 50,000 Citaros operating worldwide and Mercedes-Benz will invest a further €200 million in improving electric and driverless technology before the end of 2020. Concluding his presentation, Mr. Tuschen said: “We are by no means fi nished manufacturing diesel buses. Our hybrid, launched last year will be available and popular for many years to come.

ercedes-Benz launched its fi rst electric-powered Citaro commuter bus to the media in Stuttgart recently., albeit heavily disguised and not as prett y as it will likely look when it is officially launched at the IAA CV Show in Hannover later this year. Head of Engineering at the company, Gustav Tuschen said that while Mercedes-Benz was excited to bring a new product to the market the company was determined to be the best, not the fi rst. Although the electrified Citaro is not yet ready for service or delivery to customers, there are currently twelve prototypes on pre-production test programmes at different locations, including the Arctic circle and warmer parts of Spain. Mercedes-Benz is aware that while other manufacturers may have arrived with similar alternatively powered products ahead of them, it feels that any such rush into this select marketplace could compromise on quality. The Daimler brand is looking to a time when 75% of city buses will be zero emission. By its calculations this should happen by 2030. By 2025, it is estimated that there will be parity between diesel and electric. A big challenge for the future for all manufacturers will be using the new technology as fast as it becomes available. Bearing this in mind, Gustav Tuschen, said that in the past when a new model was launched it would be six or seven years before a facelift would be introduced. “Now,” he said, “because of accelerated development and new technologies emerging faster, facelifts would happen at shorter intervals.” He quickly added that in spite of technology being used that may not have been viable the previous year, quality would never be compromised. One area that is seeing development at a rapid pace is battery units, both in terms of cost and improving range. Mercedes-Benz has always been conservative when it comes to making claims on the range of an electric bus. While Gustav stated that 250km may be a reasonable target, the reality is that operators should plan to achieve 150km in range distances between charges. He is confident that very soon into the life of the electric Citaro, this range could be increased to 250km. According to the company’s research this range would cover up to 70% of urban routes in Europe. Another area that will be competitive is cost and weight. If the weight of batteries could be reduced and savings returned

FLEETBUS&COACH | Summer 2018

First trip on the Electric Citaro While attendees at the presentation did not actually drive the electric Citaro, they did get to travel a short distance on board at Daimlers own internal test track at its HQ in Stuttgart. While the bus looks similar to the current Citaro range, the most noticeable difference is the drivers’ dash area, reflecting the different instrumentation. The bus was certainly comfortable, quiet and smooth. At one point the driver stopped on a very severe hill and was able to move off effortlessly, gaining speed all the time. While driving on the severe banked corners on the track, one could see that despite the weight of the batteries on the roof, it did not seem to affect the vehicle’s overall stability. Mercedes-Benz continues to be a ‘World Leader’ Hartmut Schick has headed Daimler’s Bus Division for over ten years and is now moving to a new post within the company. He will be replaced by Till Oberworder, who has come from the truck division. In one of his last duties before departure, the outgoing CEO outlined the current position of the world market and where Daimler fits in. In 2017, the company delivered almost 30,000 units worldwide, an increase of 9% on the previous year. Employee numbers are up a litt le to over 18,000 people worldwide. In his fi nal address to the international media, Mr. Schick said the future of the bus business was as exciting as it was challenging. “At the very latest we expect the cost of running an electric bus to be similar to that of a diesel powered unit by 2030 and possibly sooner.” Questioned on electric coaches, he said that: “Currently there is no big demand from the market and market strategy and direction is uncertain. It would seem that battery development in terms of range will be the critical issue here, so in a way the groundwork is underway.” “Nine years ago, we sold buses, now we have to go a few steps further and sell solutions to the cities of the world,” he concluded. What a challenge. Conclusion Upon stepping out of the electric Citaro, one journalist remarked that there was litt le difference in this bus and most others he had travelled on. Then someone tipped him on the shoulder, pointed to the sky and said: “You may not notice the difference, but the environment will”. That is the whole point and the obligation is upon us to explore and develop electric power - as MercedesBenz is doing for us and the generations to come. Text & Photo: Sean Murtagh - sean@fleet.ie

LAUNCH PAD II | 25

Solaris â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Electrifying the way forward for urban commuter transport investment in electric buses - Krakow, the birthplace of Pope John Paul II, (population 1,000,000) and close by a smaller city Jaworzno (population 100,000). In Krakow, the primary city operator MPK, has 566 buses operating from three depots. Throughout the city there are 152 routes of which 18 operate on a 24-hour basis, with the Mayor of Krakow having agreed on a strategy with the operator to improve the air quality in the city.

olish bus and coach builder Solaris has become one of the leading suppliers of electric powered passenger vehicles in Europe. In a way as one of the smaller and newcomers to the market, Solaris has stolen a march on the more established and traditional manufacturers. The future of the diesel bus may be uncertain but neither is there any certainty as to how the future bus will be powered. Given the direction that the market seems to be heading at the moment, the manufacturer of the electric bus will have to have more of an involvement with its customers in terms of supplying infrastructure. Solaris has been in business for twenty years now and its growth and success has been impressive and steady. Employing over 2,500 and with a turnover last year of â&#x201A;Ź434 million, more than 1,400 buses were manufactured. Although owned and controlled by the Olzewski family, that may be about to change. In recent comments

from a company spokesperson, it appears the family may be ready to look for an investor and divest some of their shareholding. According to Solaris current orders will take up all of the available production capacity until early 2020. In its home country Poland, Solaris is the market leader for the past five years. A Tale of two Cities Today, when a manufacturer supplies electric buses to a customer there is a lot more engagement. When a charging method has been decided upon, there may be charging equipment and other infrastructure associated with maintenance needed. In Poland, Solaris is very much involved with its customers. If some of the cities in Ireland decide to go for the electric option, they would need to choose a suitable partner very carefully. It would not be difficult to learn from other European cities' approaches. In the south of Poland, two cities quite close to each other have made a big

Currently there are 26 all electric buses in operation and the plan is that by 2026 that figure will increase to 160. Nobody believes that the diesel powered bus can be done without and to this end it is proposed that by 2020, a minimum Euro 6 standard will only be allowed. At that stage the city and the operator will review progress and decide a date for the whole city to convert to that exhaust emission level. 100km further down the road is the city of Jaworzno. Here the local Mayor is heavily involved in public transport. The city sprawls a bit and all of the routes are longer than the European average, something that presents problems for electric vehicles. When the current Mayor took office in 2015, he set down two objectives, relating to the future of the city and the local bus operator - to increase the numbers traveling by bus and to move towards an electric fleet. Having doubled the numbers traveling by public transport by reducing ticket prices and introducing 24-hour service on some routes, he is now looking for more gains. PKM, the largest operator in the city has a fleet of 55 buses, of which 22 are full electric. The plan is to substantially add to this number in the next few years and in doing so improve air quality and reduce noise levels. Finally If any Irish city planned to go electric, the relevant authorities would need to be enthusiastic rather than bullish. Collaboration between elected and unelected officials, a progressive operator, a innovative vehicle supplier and deep pockets is required. There is a cost to improving the environment, but it's of a benefit to us all.

Text & Photos: Sean Murtagh - sean@fleet.ie

www.fleet.ie

26 | POWERPLANT

MAN engine production in Nuremberg cleanliness, con-rods are vibrated to an ultrasonic range so that even the smallest particles are removed. At the end of the process the final test takes 20 minutes where emissions, noise and performance levels are analysed. A recent development is the introduction of a cold test on engines, this is more environmentally friendly, but unfortunately as of now, this process can only be used on marine and rail engines. MAN also manufactures natural gas powered engines and is the market leader in Europe for compressed natural gas-powered buses. All engine development is based on reducing emissions and improving efficiency.

ow owned by Volkswagen Truck & Bus GmbH, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, MAN Truck & Bus is one of the leading manufacturers of commercial vehicles, selling over 83,000 vehicles worldwide last year. While producing complete trucks and buses at factories in various continents is a significant part of its business, MAN also supplies chassis to coach and bus body-builders and manufactures engines for the marine and rail sectors. In fact, every year MAN produces more than 10,000 engines to power ships and trains. Practically all of the engine manufacturing takes place in Nuremberg, Germany. Currently this plant turns out over 100,000 engines annually for bus, truck, coach, rail and marine. A new plant is under construction and it will give increased capacity and improved quality. Using cleanroom technology, almost no part of the process will require a human hand to come in contact with an engine component. From that plant in Nuremburg 4,000 employees produce 100,000 engines annually. A full range of diesel engines are manufactured, ranging from six-cylinder in-line to eight and ten-cylinder â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Vâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; engines. All of the major components are manufactured here including the crank case, bearings, head and con-rods. Assembly is by electronically controlled robotic arms. A key part of the process is the continuous monitoring of measurement and checks for any potential leakage. In order to ensure and guarantee maximum

FLEETBUS&COACH | Summer 2018

On the same site is the MAN Engine Academy which is both a training centre for young trainees and a development centre for future technologies. Training is for beginners and those wishing to update their skills and while most of the training is standard, tailor made modules and courses are provided when required. New MAN D15 Diesel Engine Using Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology, the new MAN D15 engine meets the Euro 6D emission standards. In its first stage of development, the new block has been designed for its city bus range, and is expected to be the platform that all future engine development will be based on, for both its truck and bus product lines. Th is engine promises improved efficiency and savings for operators and reduced noise and emission levels for the environment. Engineers at the factory informed the visiting press representatives that Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) is no longer required as part of the process. Th is innovation obviously brought some challenges in terms of high exhaust temperatures, a particular problem when running empty and while operating in slow moving urban areas. A new design involved putting an additional valve at the front of the engine which ensures the engine warms up faster and helps the temperature to remain constant. Some redesign of the intercooler was needed to keep the temperature in the exhaust constant. MAN has re-engineered its medium duty engines and it looks like a winner. Power outputs from the initial phase range from 280hp to 360hp, and there is no doubt as the series is developed there will be even further improvements achieved.

Text & Photos: Sean Murtagh - sean@fleet.ie

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28 | LAUNCH PAD III

ZF keeps the wheels of transport turning gearboxes. Recently, at an event coorganised by MAN Truck & Bus which featured two coaches, a Tourliner and Cityliner, both were fitted with the EcoLife auto box. EcoLife has been around since 2005 but was generally used in city commuter buses. What is new is that EcoLife is now being offered to operators where the average speeds on a route are low, generally below 45 kp/h. It's particularly aimed at coaches that spend more time on urban work and touring in hilly and winding terrain.

ick any bus, coach or truck, even car that you travel in, best bet is that there is a ZF component in it. Front and rear axles, automated gearboxes and steering systems are some of the more readily identifiable products the long established Southern German company designs and makes. Now, as we move into an environment that demands as close to zero emissions as possible, the company has moved to focus on this requirement. Operating from its HQ in ZF Friedrichshafen, the company employs over 140,000 people worldwide. With 20 manufacturing facilities globally, (230 locations in 40 countries), service is available at 6,500 via 650 service partners locations worldwide. One of the strengths of the group is its

financial independence, which allows it to make independent decisions without fear of stock market interference. One of the challenges of employing such big numbers is a risk of stagnation. ZF management is all too aware of this threat and encourages innovation through smaller working groups within the company that are not impeded by the bigger organisation. Founded in 1915 the company was a main component builder of the original Zeppelin airship. It has come a long way in the past 100 years. In the near future it will be operating to ‘Vision Zero’ meaning zero accidents, zero emissions and zero paperwork. EcoLife or TraXon transmissions ZF supplies all of the major manufacturers with various components, including

While the EcoLife can be used as a longdistance option, the most savings in terms of fuel economy will be at lower speeds. Separately, some operators are moving from ZF’s AS-Tronic automated transmission to EcoLife, with evidence of 2% to 4% fuel saving. While this may have been an unintended consequence (there have been some reports of punitive fuel returns), ZF did indicate some development in the future on EcoLife for long distance operations. Test Drives Using two Neoplan coaches - a Tourliner demonstration vehicle, and a Cityliner which was in service with a local operator the visiting journalists got the opportunity to drive along the famous Serpentine route in Upper Bavaria. Similar to the Corkscrew Hill, near Lisdoonvarna in County Clare, this undulating road is ideal to experience the modified EcoLite. One of the most notable features was the smooth change, but also its quick engagement. On the twisty sections, the coach changed up and down with slick and quiet movements. Those who accompanied the driver said that the gear-changes were noticeably absent. The driver from the local operator claimed the company was achieving a fuel consumption improvement in excess of 10 mpg on these types of routes. Separately, the addition of the PCV (passenger comfort valve) in the front suspension does improve comfort levels and provides a driver with a better feeling of control all-round. Continued innovation by ZF is improving safety and comfort, and the Germanheadquartered multi-national company is well on the way to “zero vision”.

FLEETBUS&COACH | Summer 2018

Text & Photos: Sean Murtagh - sean@fleet.ie

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30 | CONDUCTORS' STAND

'Still Suckinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Diesel' term is about to change Back Seat Driver by Sean Murtagh

enerally, the discussion about public transport revolves around frequency, service levels and routes. In the last while, a new topic has come on the agenda, the type of propulsion. In other words, electric or diesel power - or a combination of both. Natural Gas is now a viable option too. As is often the case in these matters the people that know least about the subject shout loudest, without possibly being as well informed as they should be. I do not think there is one person inside or outside the bus and coach industry that does not have protection of the environment, air quality and the general wellbeing of everybody on the planet as a priority. One thing that is blatantly obvious is the fall from grace of the diesel engine, and the elevation of electric and gas power as the new messiahs in terms of saviours of the planet. I am not arguing in favour of one over the other in this case, but I do think that more thorough investigating of what is available would be prudent before companies, cities and regions tie themselves to very expensive alternatives that make no overall difference to the environment. Manufacturers of heavy diesel engines have been making significant reductions in exhaust emissions emitted into the environment since the late 1980s. Under EU legislation, a programme of development started with the Euro 1 emission controls back then, going through six stages of reducing harmful NOx and Particulate Matter which has culminated in the introduction of Euro 6 two years ago.

Currently, an electric bus is costing about twice the price of a diesel counterpart, and I believe that in a very short time these will be on par with each other. A few years ago I went to a presentation titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;The arrival of the Diesel engineâ&#x20AC;?. The lecturer talked about the revolution that came with diesel power. Trucks replaced horses and diesel locomotives replaced steam engines on the railways. In his conclusion the guest speaker said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The efficiencies we got from the introduction of diesel engines is impossible to quantify, a vehicle is only constrained by the short time it takes to refuel it and feed the driverâ&#x20AC;?. Currently electric vehicles do not give us these efficiencies, but letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s be patient, they will in time.

More recently we have seen the arrival of diesel-electric hybrid engines, further reducing emissions. Of course, they are not as clean as an all-electric bus, but in terms of where we are now and where we have come from, the improvement is dramatic. The improvements I am referring to were well described by a spokesman from one manufacturer recently when he emphasized the effect of a delivery of twenty new Euro 6 diesel buses to a city with a very severe air pollution problem. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think the emissions from theses buses will be significantly cleaner than the air they are taking in for the combustion process.â&#x20AC;? Electric buses are without doubt the cleanest form of public transport to have in any city, but one must consider two aspects of the process before any final decision can be made. Firstly, the eco-friendliness of the electricity supply chain, in other words what type of energy is used at the power station producing the electricity? Secondly, full electric buses are still in the early stage of development and the type of product that will be available to the market in five yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; time will be infinitely more efficient and less cumbersome in terms of in infrastructure. Costs in general will also be less of an issue. I think the sensible way forward is to continue to roll out electric buses at a pace that will improve their efficiency, not at a pace decided alone by well meaning politicians and environmentalists. FLEETBUS&COACH | Summer 2018

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