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ISSN: 1649-9433
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Editor: Sean Murtagh
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Printed in Ireland
Fleet Bus & Coach - the official Irish journal of the International Bus & Coach of the Year Awards
62 NEwS
Singaporean delegation of ComfortDelGro’s visit Irish Citylink in Galway
CTTC-Campion Insurance Coach & Bus Show returns to Dublin this November
64 COvER
Bus Euro Test 2024, Prague, Czech Republic
68 ANNivERSARY
Silver lining for Aircoach
70 REviEw
Busworld 2024, Turkey
73 LAUNCH PAD
The Karsan buses are coming …. from Turkey
74 NEw DELivERiES
Handovers from Noones, Volvo and EVM
76 CONDUCTORS’ STAND
Public transport and the public!
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.
Last month Irish Citylink was honoured with the visit by ComfortDelGro Group CEO Siak Kian Cheng and Group Chairman Mark Greaves. ComfortDelGro is a Singapore based transportation company of which Irish Citylink is a wholly owned subsidiary. The delegation also consisted of ComfortDelGro Europe CEO Edward Thomas, and UK & Ireland CEO Patrick Sibley.
The event meeting continued a regular trend of ComfortDelGro senior leadership visiting Ireland to share
Moving to the Irish Citylink Head Office, the group held a strategic update meeting, conducted by Chairman Mark Greaves, as well as chatting with members of the operations, customer, marketing, and passenger teams.
knowledge, discuss group strategy, and to get to know new members of the Irish Citylink team, including recently appointed Regional General Manager for Ireland, Ms. Sarah Comer. Sarah joins Irish Citylink after 2 decades with the Connacht Hospitality Group, most recently as their Group Commercial Manager.
The delegation met with key operations partners Callinan Coaches and its owner Tommy Callinan in the Galway Docklands, further strengthening a vital partnership for the company.
The 12th biennial CTTC-Campion Insurance Coach & Bus Show is set to take place on November 2nd & 3rd, 2024, at the RDS Simmonscourt Pavilion in Dublin. This highly anticipated event, once again sponsored by Campion Insurance, is the premier gathering for coach operators and industry professionals across Ireland.
This year’s showpiece event promises to be an exciting opportunity to explore the latest products, innovations and services in the coach and bus industry. Attendees will have the chance to network with peers, attend informative sessions and meet innovative suppliers who will demonstrate their cutting-edge technology to help drive efficiency and sustainability across the country’s diverse transport network.
The Coach Show Gala Dinner will take place on Saturday 2nd November in the nearby Clayton Hotel, Ballsbridge and offers a great opportunity for attendees, CTTC members and exhibitors to network in a relaxed environment whilst enjoying the finest food and entertainment. Tickets are limited and are available to purchase via the show website.
Commenting John Halpenny, Chairperson of the Coach & Bus Show committee, emphasised the significance of the event: “The CTTC-Campion Insurance Coach & Bus Show is the biggest event in the organisation’s calendar and offers an unparalleled opportunity for industry professionals to come together, share knowledge and drive the future of transportation in Ireland. We are excited to host such a
The group were invited to a working lunch with President of the Galway Chamber of Commerce, Eveanna Ryan who warmly welcomed the group to Galway, and commented on the growing trade links between the West of Ireland and Singapore.
Finally, to celebrate their visit and Irish Citylink’s role as Official Transport Provider to Galway GAA, the Singaporean delegates were presented with official Galway GAA gear as a memento of their latest trip to Ireland.
continue our support for the Coach and Bus Show this year. This event is pivotal in driving industry innovation and collaboration. The team at Campion Insurance is excited to meet with attendees this November and highlight our tailored insurance solutions for Ireland’s transport industry.”
General admission to the Expo is free for all. A limited number of stands still remain - exhibitors interested in showcasing their products can book a stand by visiting the event’s official website coachshow.ie or by contacting info@cttc.ie
Last May, the International Bus of the Year (IBOY) jury assembled in Prague, to participate in the biennial Bus Euro Test, which ultimately selects a winner of the International Bus of the Year for 2025. Fleet Bus & Coach has represented Ireland on the IBOY Jury for many years and was there to play its part in the selection process.
The announcement and presentation of the IBOY 2025 will be made at the IAA Transportation event in Hannover, Germany this September. As always the selection process has been rigorous and tedious - it has to be, as there is a lot at stake.
Although we are now in a time of “zero emissions”, there is as yet no definite consensus on what the future type of propulsion will be for commercial vehicles. Five buses of different design styles were presented for selection with different drivetrains.
Some of these electric vehicles are not yet available in Ireland, but thankfully there is more of an appetite from manufacturers to build right hand drive versions as it is easier from an engineering point of view than it was in the past with diesel powered units. So, we may see more availability and choice in the future.
When testing electric and hydrogen buses, the questions and comparisons contrast from those when evaluating a diesel bus. Range distance is always foremost in people’s minds followed by battery capacity and the extra weight that is created by battery packs, plus, of course the method of charging and the length of time it takes.
Ebusco 18m Artic vDL Citea LE122 MAN Lions’ 12E LE Mercedes-Benz eCitaro Solaris Urbino 18m Artic – Hydrogen
Ebusco is a relatively new player to join the city-bus market. At the Bus Euro Test, the Dutch company presented an artic version of its bus. One of its big selling points is its stability, mainly because the batteries are embedded into the floor, lowering the centre of gravity. When driving it has excellent acceleration, and effective retardation, which helps is the regeneration of the battery pack. It comes fitted with mirror cams, a
feature that some drivers are not too keen about, but it is new technology worth getting used to. In the future it will be the norm. But getting back to the bus, the overall visibility is good. One drawback is the steering wheel. While it is well positioned, it is heavy and may become tiresome for a driver after a full day’s driving. The information cluster is clear and there is plenty of storage space for the drivers’ bits and pieces.
Inside, Kiel seats are fitted and the floor is level throughout. One of the ongoing aspects of artic buses is the bumpiness in the back, and this was evident. A plus factor was the bright interior with USB points throughout. Ebusco offers a number of seating options depending on customer requirements and local laws. However, up to 100 passengers can be carried. Another key element is the stainless-steel construction and carbon fibre body. Ebusco claims the daily range is between 500 and 600 km depending on circumstances, and also stated that the construction will allow a 25-year lifespan and reduce the TCO.
Ebusco, headquartered in Deurne, also has manufacturing facilities in France, Portugal and China. With the exception of the batteries, all components are European sourced. So far, Ebusco has taken significant orders for buses, 1,700 in total.
VDL is the undoubted champion of the lighter bus. Almost two years ago the long established Dutch manufacturer launched the new Citea, and the second version of this bus comes in 650 kg lighter than its predecessor. With a carrying capacity of over 100 passengers, this Citea has significantly improved its TCO.
VDL has significant experience in the operation of electric buses. 1,500 are now in operation and with a new plant opened
in Roeselare, Belgium since April, the company has discontinued the manufacture of diesel powered buses.
Because VDL started from a blank canvas with the Citea, there were no design constraints carried over. A novel phone holder at each seat gives an extra dimension of comfort to passengers and each seat position has a charge point. A new heating system allows two separate heating temperatures, slightly warmer at the front and a little cooler in the rear. Research shows that older people and women on their own feel safer nearer the driver and younger people tend to migrate to the rear, VDL has incorporated this into the design.
For the driver there are some options. The pedals can be standing or hanging, and a new drivers cockpit area indicates that plenty of thought and driver consultation went into its design and providing an extra dimension in comfort. For those keen on one pedal driving, the Citea is well purposed.
One main element of the Citea’s overall body design is the focus on aerodynamics. VDL stated that every design feature on the new bus had to offer additional functionality. For example,
improvements in the front and rear aerodynamics reduce drag by 22%. Larger, double-glazed windows are now deeper and give a sense of space in the bus, adding to the overall brightness inside also. Finally, using a modular concept, all panels are interchangeable.
Lion’s City as a brand has served MAN Truck & Bus well. As a corporation the German commercial vehicle brand plans to be net zero by 2050. Presented was a two-door model, and there is a three door version also available, both coming in three lengths, MAN has been conservative in stating that the range distance is 250 to 300km as customers are reporting better range in working operations. MAN’s focus in Europe is with the Lion’s bus range, but plans are in place to produce an e-chassis for body builders world-wide. From an Irish point of view, a RHD version is on the cards in the medium to long term.
Driving the Lion’s City is a dream. The cockpit area is all-new. We were told that 500 drivers were consulted on its design - and
it shows. The cluster is digital, and it takes a little getting used to. Mirror cams are well positioned and give panoramic views of the bus, including the front and passenger area. The forward opening motion of the front entrance door gives extra space for entry/exit, but it is something that needs care at bus stops.
The interior is bright, and can be fitted out to suit, city or urban operations. USB points were on the test bus and available as an option. One feature that may be a little redundant is the overhead luggage rack in the low floor part of the bus, as it would only suit passengers of a certain stature.
MAN is focussed on sustainability, and from 2025 will supply batteries from a new plant in Nuremberg. So far, more than 1,500 electric buses have been delivered and this will have increased to 2,000 by September. Finally, in keeping with a sustainability theme, 90% of all recently built buses are recyclable.
One of the most successful city and highly applauded buses on the road is the Citaro, with well more than 70,000 delivered since it first went into service. Over 1,000 electric e-Citaros versions have been delivered since 2018. Parent company, Daimler Truck & Bus has developed the technology of the bus without making major changes to the basic platform. Since the first e-Citaros arrived, they featured a range extender and the latest bus now features the third development of the batteries. Mercedes-Benz states that it can stand over a 400km range. There are three battery packs on the bus, one on the roof and two at the rear, underfloor. A Fuel Cell range extender supplied by Toyota weighs 240 kg and five hydrogen tanks are fitted on
the roof. One could say there is an element of a hybrid about the bus. No indication of price was available for this configuration, but operators will pay a high price for this dual option.
An advantage of the e-Citaro from an owners point of view is the similarity between the older bus and the new. Everything is pretty much the same, although from a driving position it felt a little too top heavy. Although the bus was fitted with traditional mirrors, digital mirrors will be available. There is a 360-degree camera for the safety of those in the vicinity of the bus and all the side protection technology is fitted as on previous models. Glazing in the lower part of the of the passenger entrance door and a low widescreen improves driver’s vision. Again it will appeal to drivers that like a one pedal style of engagement and can set the retarder to suit their own style.
As with all previous Citaros, the build quality of the interior is excellent. Although the interior was a little dark, it was specified for a customer, but can be ordered in any shade or colour required. Heating for the interior is supplied from the fuel cell. A practical option is provided in the form of an option for a diesel heater for areas where temperatures are lower.
Citaro has a multipurpose bus here with many options for operators here. It is a versatile product and will allow latitude in operations.
After the electric bus, the age of the hydrogen powered passenger carrier has dawned, with most manufacturers having dabbled with the newer technology, some more than others. Polish manufacturer Solaris has embraced hydrogen and is of the opinion that it is the zero emission technology that is growing fastest. Already it has delivered 200 H2 powered units, with an order book for 600 more, Solaris is confident that it can increase its presently held 14% of the European market.
From a driving point of view, there is no difference in operating electric or hydrogen powered buses. Driving the Urbino is quite comfortable. Being an artic, it has the same feature as other artics, a sense of being kicked from behind when driving it, yet strangely when one travels in the bus, front or back, there is no sense of that for passengers. All of the batteries and storage tanks are in the roof, but it did not give
a top-heavy feeling when driving. A bright interior with wide and easy access doors will assist fast and efficient loading at bus stops. On this model there were four doors. In terms of driving position, it had the best view. Mirror cams are standard, and well positioned to allow constant view of the two rear-most axles.
A key advantage of hydrogen use is the less time it takes to re-fuel the bus, just 20 minutes maximum, giving a range of 600km. Impressive indeed. A disadvantage is the space lost at the rear of the bus with the small tower, which allows only four seats at the back, but this element may be able to be engineered out in future modals.
Solaris has been involved in manufacturing electric buses since 2016 and has over 2 million kilometres of road experience, and is now well on the same journey with hydrogen.
For almost a century, transport operators had, by and large, one energy/fuel option - diesel. When we started to see cleaner diesel engines arrive in the market, a choice had to be made, EGR or SCR with or without AdBlue. Now that we are in a low or zero-emission era, there are a number of options, including electric, natural gas, fuel cell and combustion hydrogen. All have different consequences for charging and refuelling. It will be a very wise person that would be able to predict which of these technologies will prevail, or will it be something else? Let’s leave the environmental aspect one side for the moment and measure the newer technologies against the cost and efficiency of diesel. The reality is that none of them come near, so far. Is that not the challenge? Bringing the cost and efficiency of zero emission buses closer to those of diesel has to be the ultimate goal.
Text: Sean Murtagh – sean@fleet.ie
Aircoach, Ireland’s leading private coach operator, is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year. It marks a significant milestone for the company, its employees and its almost 40 million passengers who have all contributed to building the company to its current success.
Founded in 1999, Aircoach operated its first route from Ballsbridge to Dublin Airport with a clear vision of what it wanted to achieve within the Irish transport industry: to provide passengers with a reliable, efficient and comfortable way of travelling. Today, Aircoach offers an extensive range of routes around the country, connecting major cities and towns to Dublin Airport. Its daily regular services from the airport include Cork, Belfast, Derry, Dublin City Centre, South Dublin and Wicklow. Recently, Aircoach has added significant extra services to its
Dublin/Belfast routes as well as its Dublin and Wicklow routes.
No company is complete without a team of hard-working and dedicated professionals, and Aircoach is no different. From drivers and customer service agents to maintenance crews and support staff, each member of the team plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth operation of its services. The team’s unwavering commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction facilitates Aircoach’s reputation as a trusted and respected leader in passenger transport. The company employs three hundred staff, manages a fleet of over sixty vehicles, and serves over two million passengers a year, as well as providing car park and shuttle bus services including all car park shuttle services on contract to the Dublin Airport Authority.
Over the 25 years, Aircoach has continued to stay ahead of the curve to meet the growing needs of its passengers. Technological advancements have included the launch of the Aircoach App as well as the implementation of environmentally sustainable practices, ensuring that Aircoach remains at the forefront of innovation and industry best practices. As well as enhancing the passenger experience, these innovative changes also support the company’s commitment to environmental and social responsibility. In 2022, the company achieved IS0 14001 accreditation and in 2023, Aircoach became a founding member of Mobility Partnership Ireland
(MPI), a coalition of leading companies operating in the shared transport sector that aspire to provide leadership and solutions to help Ireland’s future mobility. MPI’s vision is that Ireland develops as a global leader in shared sustainable mobility by placing the needs of transport users at the heart of transport policy, enabling innovation, promoting public health, and supporting climate action.
To celebrate this monumental year, Aircoach is giving away 2,500 passenger seats as a thank you to customers for all their support over the 25 years. On the 25th day of every month for the rest of 2024, it giving away free fares for the first 199 customers, as well as offering giveaways, experiences and special events.
“This year is a truly momentous one,” stated Aircoach’s Managing Director, Kim Swan, who added: “Our customers have been paramount to our success over the last 25 years, and we are thrilled to show our appreciation by offering this special anniversary offer to thank them for their loyalty. It is remarkable to consider we are expecting to welcome our 40 millionth passenger this year – a figure that truly shows how many lives we have impacted over the last two and a half decades, getting people to and from the airport.”
Busworld Türkiye is a very important event in the passenger transport industry. It is a forum to discover what new products and services are available to operators and what the Eastern World has to offer the West. Like all shows and exhibitions, Busworld Türkiye, held at Istanbul Fuar Merkezi from 29-31 May 2024, has an important business and social aspect to it, where operators and suppliers can exchange ideas and industry trends. It is where informed opinions are formed that can in the future help creates policies that will shape the bus and coach sector. As usual, Fleet Bus & Coach was there to eavesdrop on the goings on and get a flavour of what the future holds.
At the end of May, Busworld hosted its 10th Biennial show in Istanbul. Since its inception, this event has been growing substantially. Last time, 184 exhibitors from 84 countries displayed their wares. In total, over 11,000 people visited the show over three days. On this occasion, post-pandemic, the event was completely sold out, featuring 159 exhibitors from 16 countries and attracting a record-breaking 12,366 visitors, including 1,881 international attendees from 96 countries. The exhibition covered a 9,975 square metre area, showcasing 56 buses and coaches from prominent manufacturers, as well as a variety of mini and midi buses and numerous component, accessory, and service suppliers.
As with all recent exhibitions the focus is mainly on zero emission buses with just a handful of diesel vehicles were on display. One of the new sets of exhibitors emerging are suppliers of electric vehicle battery charging equipment. An irony of the Turkish bus manufacturing industry is that many of the electric buses that operate in Europe are produced there even though there are very small numbers of electric buses in operation in that country.
Last year there were almost 12,000 buses and coaches produced in Turkey, of which were 80% were exported. In fact, the total Turkish fleet number above 9m is just over 80,000 units, A point made by the President of the Turkish Bus Operators, who said: “We know that the way we are doing business is not sustainable, we need to de-carbonise our fleets, but we cannot do it alone, we need the government to step and show leadership. No infrastructure exists in the state for commercial vehicle charging at the moment. Even in Istanbul, charging infrastructure for private cars is very scarce. Some of the locals attending the show seem to think that it will be some years before there are electric buses on the streets of Istanbul, given the economic climate in the country.”
Well known to Irish operators is the Isuzu brand, distributed by EVM in both Ireland and across the UK. Consistently the largest exporter of midi-buses from Turkey to Europe, the Grand Toro has been its biggest seller. With an increased focus on electrification, the Nova Volt was launched at the show and will soon be available in right hand drive. Other models showcased include the Cityport 12 Diesel Euro 6 and Novociti Volt, each designed to meet various transportation needs with advanced features and award-winning designs.
Iveco launched the 12m electric city bus, E-way, fitted with three doors that can accommodate up to 75 passengers sitting and standing. Iveco also signed an agreement with the Turkish Olympic team to become the official road transportation supplier for the next two years. An Iveco Evadys with the Olympic games livery was displayed, alongside the Crossway, and Daily, which can be powered by Diesel, Biomethane, or electric engines
Karsan is on a path to create a world brand. Based in Bursa, it had a full line-up of buses on display from 9m to 18m, and continues to improve its product lines. Presented was a complete all-electric and zero-emission portfolio, including the e-Ata 12 Hydrogen bus, the autonomous e-Atak urban midibus, and the popular eJest. With an attractive 7 minute refuelling time and 500km range, the e-Ata 12 Hydrogen bus certainly generated lots of interest. Karsan also confirmed it will enter the UK & Irish markets later this year.
ZF has been making components for bus and truck brands for over 100 years. Launching the next generation of electric axles for city buses, the company’s CEO Holger Klein takes a pragmatic view of the future, saying that diesel will be around for a long time to come, ZF must continue to develop products to cater for that market. He also stated that safety elements will be developed in parallel with traditional and future products.
Its stand featured technologies such as automated driving, interactive safety, motion control, and electromobility, all aimed at the decarbonisation of transportation.
In 2010, Turkish engineering company Bozankoya, which was best known for manufacturing components for many bus manufacturers, recently decided to build its own bus. It is now supplying electric buses to all Turkish cities and has an ambitious plan to export with a keen eye on the UK market. Premiered was a 12-meter, low-floor electric bus with advanced design and third-generation battery technology, offering a range of over 300 km and a charging time of approximately 2 hours.
Some of the component manufacturers at the show are happy to accept and send on-line orders to Irish passenger transport operators.
etka-d Footrests, mirrors and most interior parts; contact: sales@etkaatomivcon.com
Makersan Door handles, exterior locker handles; contact: oktay@makersan.com
Ninkasi Suppliers of interior fridges, new or replacement; contact: suphi.komut@deko.com.tr (this company is looking for an Irish distributor)
Tumsan Suppliers of wheelchair lifts; contact: info@tumsan.com.tr
Almost all of the manufacturers present that Fleet Bus & Coach spoke to indicated that, as is not very difficult from an engineering point of view to produce electric versions in right hand drive (RHD), they see it as a natural progression to offer such products. For instance, Karsan announced entry in the Irish and UK markets later this year, offering more choice to operators. Most of the Turkish component manufacturers present are in a position to deal direct with operators in other countries, so there may be some opportunities for distributors also. Turkey is a big player when it comes to buses/coaches and related products and services.
Text: Sean Murtagh – sean@fleet.ie
Although Karsan has been in the automotive business for almost 60 years in Turkey, manufacturing light commercial vehicles and cars under license for other manufacturers, the actual Karsan brand was only established in 2013. Today, ten plus years on, the Bursa based company, situated near Istanbul on the Asian side of the gigantic Bosporus river, manufactures only electric buses (and more recently hydrogen). As a result, Karsan has an advantage over most of its competitors in not having the baggage of diesel products in its portfolio, allowing the firm to look forward always.
Senior Management are keen to establish Karsan as a world brand, instilling the motto “One Step Ahead” as the vision for the company. Remarkably, this growing company has maintained the enthusiasm of a startup and boasts the unsustainable energy that some companies lose after the first few years of trading. Already it has made inroads outside its home market, achieving sales in many European countries and in North American. Over 150 buses are already on the roads in Canada, for example. Ongoing investment in Europe incudes the creation of spare parts facilities in Germany and Italy.
Karsan actually launched its first electric bus in Germany, in the shape of the e-JEST, which has been described as a ‘Quirky Bus’. A full range of electric buses are now available in lengths from 6m to 18m, and over the past few years range distance has increased.
e-JEST
Built on a BMW platform, e-JEST is available as a 5m bus. It is has proved popular for careering through narrow urban streets and historic sites. With a range of 200 km, it can carry up to 22 passengers, configured in various layouts - seated and standing. e-JEST comes with a 4-year warranty on the battery or
Karsan has got the ‘Golden Bus Ticket’ towards a sustainable future
200,000 kms. Earlier this year a right-hand drive version was launched for the Japanese market.
Available from 8m to 18m, e-ATAK has a range of 300km and can carry up to 90 passengers in various combinations of seating and standing. It takes 5 hours to charge overnight, but can also be fast charged fully in less than 3 hours.
AUTONOMOUS vERS i ON
Karsan has also been to the fore in the development of autonomous buses and this recent technology is available among all of its models. Units are currently operating at two locations in Norway and Canada. Once the legal framework is in place and operating protocols finalised, supplying the vehicle can be done post haste.
HYDRO g EN (H2)
Hydrogen power is something that has been seen as a likely progression from electric power. Karsan has invested in this emission free propulsion system, with a new hydrogen bus in serial production and ready for delivery. One of the big selling points for H2 is the range distance and speed of refuelling which on average takes only 7 minutes, and there is a minimum estimated range of 500km.
Karsan has three production plants at Bursa. It assembled 41,000 Renault Megane cars last year and that number is set to increase to 44,000 units this year. At the factories where the new buses are produced, there is a lot of flexibility on the line. Presently, 5 buses can be assembled each day, a mixture of e-ATAK and e-JEST models, but more can roll off if required. Certain body panels and sections and some sub-assembly takes place off-site. As explained by the production manager during a tour of the site, additional capacity can be made available on the existing lines by forming an extra shift, Karsan is able to cope with any surge that comes, without much expense been added. While there
are different levels of automation at each plant, Karsan insists that it is on track to be carbon neutral by 2030 with its production facilities and systems.
K ARSAN ENTER THE Rig HT -H AND D R iv E (RHD) MARKET
Late last year, Karsan launched right-hand drive (RHD) versions of its product line for export to Japan. Following that initial market success, plans are in place to launch in the UK and Ireland markets. While it has not been fully confirmed, it is said that Karsan will attend the EuroBus Show at the NEC, Birmingham in November and launch the e-JEST there.
Text: Sean Murtagh - sean@fleet.ie
Brian Noone Ltd., Maynooth, the long established bus and coach converter and distributor, recently sold a batch of new Turas coaches to passenger transport operators in Munster.
Power Travel (Kerry) collected a new high-spec Mercedes-Benz Turas 500S VIP,
featuring eleven upgraded seats plus courier, two executive tables, carbon fibre dash finish, USB connections, pillar LED lighting, large rear boot, LED headlights, 10-inch dash display and finished in a metallic grey and black roof.
County neighbours Jerry and David O’Brien of Cork Coach Hire received the keys to two new Turas coaches - a DAF Turas 900 S, which has 37 passenger seats plus courier while the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Turas 500 S has 19 seats plus courier. Both of these high specification coaches come with a host of extras including USB
connections, carbon fibre dash finishes, large rear boot, upgraded passenger seats and much more! These are the second and third Turas coaches for Cork Coach Hire following the purchase of a Turas 900s 33 seater earlier in the year.
Diarmaid Thompson, National Accounts Manager – Ireland for Volvo Bus UK conducted the following new sales of Volvo MCV coaches
ECL Chauffeur Drive (Dublin) - New model Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 517CDI VS30 EVM Elegance 16 Seater plus guide, plus driver
Galvins Coaches (Cork) - New model MercedesBenz Sprinter 519 CDI VS30 Grand Tourer with 19 Seater + Guide + Driver
Wallace Travel (Dublin) - New version Iveco Daily Erener Revolution mini-coach 33 Seater plus guide plus driver, based on the
Making a move from car to public transport is not an easy choice. To make cycling or walking the preferred method of commuting does not appeal to everyone, most people will need a better argument than it’s good for the planet or health. There is no doubt that there are more options for people to use, if they choose to make the change. But the question is, would some small changes help to improve the number of public transport users?
In Istanbul, Turkey, one of the leading transport providers is IETT (Istanbul Electric & Tunnelling Company), which operates 6,600 buses and the tram and trolly bus system. Covering 1.2 million kilometres and making 52,000 trips per day. Istanbul has a severe traffic problem; this reduces average bus speeds significantly, sometimes as slow as walking speed. Over 2 million people use public transport every day and it is estimated that no resident of the city is more than 500m from a bus stop.
About four years ago the company decided to review operations to see if it could improve efficiency and get more people to use the existing services.
So, what did the review turn-up? One simple finding was significant. Those surveyed pointed to a lack of connectivity. In some cases, it was found that it could take three or four journeys for some commuters to complete their journey. A study to improve connectivity between routes was started and with the help of commuters and drivers some changes to routes were made. Now four years later 97% of all routes are integrated with other routes. No new route is put in place until it can be integrated and connected with another route and help create new journey possibilities.
One other figure to be mindful of was that the average commute was up to ninety minutes. When the CEO of the group produced the initial report, he said it had not fully calculated how many extra commuters it had attracted to public transport. He concluded by saying that it’s aim was to increase the number of commuters, reduce their time spent on the bus with a minimal increase in the number of buses used.
We could do something similar here in Ireland, it would be a very useful exercise. In planning routes in Dublin and with the proposed new bus connects project, there will certainly be improved connectivity, but some changes and small tweaks could be made to improve connectivity. For example, Limerick city will see a lot more people arrive in the city by rail in the coming years. At the new bus station built adjoining the rail station there are 20 modern bus bays. At the moment only the provincial buses operate in and out of this station. In the future if
all the city services were to operate through the station it would make commuting an option for more commuters. I am sure there are many opportunities like this where some changes could create more efficiencies.
Since the National Transport Authority (NTA) was set up and started to invest in new routes and existing routes, there are more people using public transport. In a way this success has created more challenges. As said at the start, getting people to leave the car at home will always be difficult. It will never suit everybody to use the bus or train all of the time, but the state agencies can not give up.
Text: Sean Murtagh – sean@fleet.ie
