July 2020
Issue 416
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Message change to get people on board
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THERE are signs that the government is preparing to amend its ‘avoid public transport’ messaging which is critical to the recovery plans for the sector, and for the reestablishment of buses and coaches as a central part of strategies to address climate change and urban air pollution. Worrying signs have already emerged that the switch to car travel could create serious congestion and pollution issues in UK towns and cities and a new ‘pro publi transport’ message is urgently needed. In this issue we republish an article by David Brown, GoAhead CEO which makes a cogent argument about the need for government to change its position and get behind the bus industry as a key component in future transport strategies. It is only a few months since many industry leaders were gathering at the Bus Summit as the government announced ambitious plans to support investment in 4,000 zero carbon buses. CPT has issued a timely reminder to government of the need to rekindle these plans and has pledged support from its members for a new ‘green bus revolution’. CPT argues that one extra bus journey per person each month would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by two million tonnes a year, and also points out that the lockdown has had a devastating effect on current investment and there is an urgent need to support highly skilled bus manufacturing jobs in the UK.
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July 2020
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contents comment 5-12 news TfL reintroduces payment collection across all London bus fleet.
5-12 news Cross-border services restarted by megabus.
14-19 green First batch of BYD/ADL double-decks for National Express.
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20-21 international Volvo Buses delivers2100 new artics for Santiago.
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July 2020
news
Revenue collection back on all London buses following safety improvements
ALL London buses are now taking payments following the introduction of enhanced safety measures across the fleet to protect drivers and customers from coronavirus. Customers are now required to touch in with Oyster, contactless and concessionary cards on all buses, entering through the front doors on most buses in a near complete return to traditional frontdoor boarding arrangements. The reintroduction of revenue collection and front-door boarding began in late May following analysis from University College
London’s Centre for Transport Studies and Department of Civil, Environmental & Geomatic Engineering which backed the protective measures TfL had introduced, including sealing off gaps in the driver’s assault screen to reduce the risk to drivers of contracting coronavirus from customers. The installation of additional safety measures across the bus fleet has allowed a full return to revenue collection and near complete return to front-door boarding. A small number of buses – around 200 New Routemasters
– continue to allow middle-door boarding only, and an additional 200 New Routemasters still permit boarding at the front, middle and rear. Work is underway to switch these to front-door boarding only. “The safety of our staff has always been paramount,” says Claire Mann, Tf L director of bus operations. “That’s why we commissioned expert research to ensure driver cabs are as safe as they can be before reinstating front-door boarding and accepting customer payments.” www.tfl.gov.uk
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Cross-border services between England and Scotland for megabus STAGECOACH has restarted its cross-border megabus operation following the reopening of many parts of the leisure and hospitality sector in Scotland and England. It will initially run two services each day between Glasgow and London. The move follows the reintroduction of services in England from 3 July. The cross-border services will run between Buchanan bus station, Glasgow and Victoria coach station and link towns and cities across England including Preston, Manchester (including Manchester airport), and Birmingham. An additional daily service will operate between Manchester and London serving Manchester airport. The operator has also reinstated a number of services across England including London, Bristol, Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle, Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Birmingham, Nottingham, Norwich and Heathrow.
Mark Venables, managing director, megabus, says: “We’re absolutely delighted to be getting our coaches back on the road, and to be reinstating cross-border services from 15 July, to help reunite people with friends and family, as well as taking people across the country for staycations and day trips. “With the extra safety measures, we have to make sure that our services are Covid-19 secure, and with customers following all
the government guidance in place, people can have confidence in travelling with us. “Public transport will continue to play a crucial role in the country’s recovery ahead. As well as helping to restart our economy, it is vital in bringing normality back to many areas of our daily lives, keeping families and communities connected and contributing towards a safer, cleaner and healthier nation.” uk.megabus.com
Bus Users poll shows confidence in getting back on board
BUS Users has published the results of a Twitter survey into the extent and nature of people’s concerns around bus travel as the rules on lockdown are eased. The survey, which gathered 1,500 responses, was launched to coincide with face coverings becoming mandatory on public transport in England. The survey found that 73 per cent of respondents said they would be wearing a face covering, 84 per cent of people were aware of safety measures put in place by
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operators, over 65 per cent were willing to use the bus, and around half said their views on using public transport had not changed during the crisis. The survey also reported that nearly 70 per cent of people were more concerned about other people breaking the rules. “Operators have clearly done a great deal to communicate with their passengers and despite some concerns, the vast majority (65.8 per cent) of people said they were willing to return to bus travel,”
says Dawn Badminton-Capps, Bus Users director for England “What’s needed now is clarity and consistency around the rules on bus travel and how they are enforced. “The bus will be a vital tool in our economic and social recovery and we need everyone to feel confident and safe about travelling if we are to ensure services are viable and sustainable for the future.” bususers.org/england/twitter-pollresults-published-on-how-people-feelabout-getting-back-on-the-bus/
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news
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ADL appoints Ardee Coach Trim as Irish service partner
ALEXANDER Dennis Limited has appointed Ardee Coach Trim as its new service partner in Ireland. Ardee Coach Trim will be the manufacturer’s exclusive service and accident repair agent for Alexander Dennis buses and Plaxton coaches in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Ardee’s mobile technicians, training, tooling and IT systems will assist operators throughout the island and will provide aftermarket support for ADL’s framework agreement with Ireland’s National Transport Authority
for up to 600 double-deck Enviro400ER hybrid buses and other operators throughout Ireland. Ardee Coach Trim was founded in 1989 and employs more than 90 people and has more than 20,000 sq ft of workshops and parking for more than 100 buses and coaches. “Alexander Dennis buses and Plaxton coaches are growing in popularity in Ireland and we are delighted to announce this cooperation with Ardee Coach Trim to give operators the best-in-class aftermarket support for our fuelefficient and stylish vehicles,” says
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Ian Wallace, ADL head of service. “This partnership will also underpin our fleet of electric range hybrid buses for the NTA, delivery of which will begin later this year.” Eoin Lennon, general manager, Ardee Coach Trim, adds: “This partnership will develop and expand in proportion to the number of vehicles in the region. We are excited to be on the same team as ADL. “To help deliver this initiative we are investing €500,000 on people, capacity and our facilities.” www.alexander-dennis.com
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news
UK services launched by Flixbus Flixbus has started intercity coach services in the UK with initial services from London to Bristol, Guildford, Birmingham and Portsmouth, operated by local operators. Flixbus says it plans to extend its network and is targeting several million passengers on
its green-branded coaches within 12 months of launching its UK services. Founded in 2013, the company now operates in 32 countries. Flixbus raised €500million from investors in 2019 to expand but along with the rest of the sector, had to stop its services when
European governments imposed lockdowns in March. It is now gradually ramping up services in most European countries and some US states, with buses disinfected before each trip and passengers required to wear face masks.
www.flixbus.com
West Yorkshire mass transit system planned as Combined Authority backs development funding PROPOSALS to make £2million available to support the further development of a mass transit system have been approved by members of the West Yorkshire Combined Authorit y investment committee. The funding is designed to support the development of route options and the modes of transport that would be the most appropriate for each. The West Yorkshire devolution deal, agreed in March and currently the subject of a public consultation, includes a Government commitment to explore the case for a modern low-carbon West Yorkshire mass transit system. The deal will also give the Com-
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bined Authority access to a new £4.2billion government fund to support urban transport development which will be introduced in 2022/23. Kim Groves, chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority transport committee, says: “Mass transit is essential to delivering a 21st century transport system for West Yorkshire and is crucial to the connectivity plan we are developing to address future transport needs. The West Yorkshire devolution deal has created an opportunity to accelerate this project which will bring benefits across the region.” The investment committee
also approved the next stage of the A64 Bus Priority and Park & Ride scheme in east and north east Leeds designed to improve current bus journey times, encourage modal shift from private car to bus, reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality. The project is valued at £8.88million with the Combined Authority contributing £7million from the Transforming Cities Fund. A new £5million scheme at Leeds bus station is also planned to upgrade passenger facilities including a new travel centre, enhanced information displays and new solar panels. www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk
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National Express brings The King’s Ferry and Lucketts into unified brand NATIONAL Express is launching a new coach hire business by bringing together The Kings Ferry and Lucketts into a single business division to deliver corporate and private hire travel. National Express Transport Solutions will start with private hire bookings for one-off events as well as commercial contracts, such as employee and university shuttle services, sports teams and supporters clubs. The business aims to expand its offering of VIP transport with its luxury vehicle fleet, and coach holidays including day trips and accommodation packages. National Express Transport Solutions will operate via a UK-
wide regional infrastructure utilising both its own fleets and depots as well as existing and new partner operators, supported by common central functions. “The current UK coach market is fragmented with lots of local offerings from often small, independent family run businesses,” says Tom Stables, National Express managing director, UK and Germany. “The Kings Ferry and Lucketts already have a significant presence in the corporate travel sector. By forming National Express Transport Solutions, we can leverage their joint capabilities with National Express’ strength as a recognised and trusted brand to
deliver a consistent high quality UK-wide product.” The business will retain its existing local brands but will operate under the National Express name for all of its national sales and marketing activity. Tony Lawman, adds: “We have ambitious plans to build on the work we already do in these areas, initially concentrating on the opportunities for shuttle services and private hire whilst expanding our offering in the tourism sector. “We are already speaking with our existing partner operators and starting conversations with potential new partners regarding our future plans.” www.nationalexpress.com
CPT calls for flexible social distancing CPT welcomed the relaxation of the social distancing rules from 2m to 1m and called for f lexibility in their applications to bus services. Chief executive Graham Vidler says: “The prime minister’s announcement heralds a significant opening up of further sec-
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OUR PICK OF THE LATEST ENVIRONMENTAL DEVELOPMENTS IN THE BUS AND COACH SECTOR
First BYD ADL Enviro400EV double-decks for National Express West Midlands ALEXANDER Dennis and BYD Europe have supplied the first of 29 BYD ADL Enviro400EV double-decks to National Express West Midlands. The buses will be charged entirely by renewable energy and utilise a stationery battery system to balance the load on the electricity grid. The 10.9m long buses are built to National Express’s Platinum standard, offering extra legroom for 65 seated passengers as well as USB chargers, free wi-fi and other accessories. A new heat pump system ensures that saloon heating power is supplied efficiently from the main batteries without undue impact on operational range. The first 19 of these zero-emission buses have now entered service in Birmingham, where the operator’s 80-year old Yardley Wood garage has been retrofitted with plug chargers for each bus along with a stationery battery,
provided by Zenobe Energy, that balances the load on the grid. Ten further vehicles will be introduced in Coventry in the autumn. The investment has been supported with a £3million grant from the UK Government’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles. “At National Express, zero-
emission is not the future – it’s the here-and-now,” says Tom Stables, managing director, National Express UK. “Our bus fleet will be zero emission by 2030, and we’re very proud to bring fullyelectric buses to the people of the West Midlands.” Colin Robertson, ADL chief executive, adds: “Nationa l Express has taken the decision to never buy another diesel bus, the first UK bus operator to do so. We have worked in close collaboration with National Express West Midlands and our partner BYD to ensure that these first 29 electric buses are a great start into a zero-emission future for Birmingham, Coventry and the wider West Midlands.” The BYD ADL Enviro400EV was launched just over a year ago and more than 250 have been sold to date with two thirds of them already in service in UK cities. www.bydeurope.com www.alexander-dennis.com
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July 2020
green UK bus industry sets out plans to deliver green bus revolution as part of post-Covid recovery UK bus operators have set out how to deliver the Government’s pledge of 4,000 new zero-emission buses, supporting a green economic recovery and ensuring thousands of skilled jobs are retained in the UK. In launching the new pledge, CPT points out that while bus operators have invested £2billion in new cleaner and greener buses over the last five years, the Covid-19 pandemic has meant that annual orders for around 2,750 buses have been reduced or cancelled entirely. CPT is proposing a leasing model where operators pay
a fee in exchange for long term usage of the bus. The purchase of these buses, which would all be zero-emission, would be financed through a combination of £2billion of government and private investment. “Our new proposals kick start that process helping the government to achieve its ambition for 4,000 new zero emission buses, contributing to a green recovery from Covid-19 and protecting highly skilled UK manufacturing jobs,” says CPT chief executive Graham Vidler. CPT also highlighted the importance of encouraging people
back onto the bus following the government’s ‘avoid public transport messaging’ to both reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality. “One extra bus journey per person each month would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by two million tonnes a year. “In the aftermath of the ‘avoid public transport’ message the Government will need to work with operators on a high profile campaign to get people back onto the bus in the months ahead,” adds Vidler www.cpt-uk.org
New Net Zero board set up by transport secretary THE government has established a new Net Zero transport board to bring together high-profile leaders from a range of fields including behavioural change and policy, as well as experts from a number of prominent industry sectors including environment, science, aviation and technology. The group, who met for the first time this month, will provide ministers with advice from expert stakeholders on what
steps they feel government should be taking to ensure a green recovery from coronavirus and the associated economic impact. The board’s agenda will cover what further action the government should be taking to support jobs and the economy in line with the UK’s transport decarbonisation goals. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps says: “Clearly our groundbreaking transport decarbonisation plan must be shaped by the
best brains and the widest array of expertise and experience. “The board will also help shape and inform the transport decarbonisation plan coming later this year. It is the first time the UK will lay out its approach to decarbonising every form of transport, setting out a credible and ambitious pathway to delivering transport’s contribution to carbon budgets and to meeting net zero by 2050.” www.gov.uk/dft
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green Karsan Jest Electric for BMW employee shuttle BMW is using Karsan Jest Electric buses to transport its factory personnel in Germany. Delivered by Karsan’s German dealer Quantron, the new Jest Electrics are now in operation at BMW’s Munich campus. The six-metre low-f loor Jest Electric is equipped with a BMW electric motor producing 170hp and 290Nm torque with optional 44 or 88 kWh batteries from BMW. The vehicle offers a range of up to 210km, backed by a regenerative braking system which provides energy recovery by enabling the batteries to selfrecharge at a rate of 25 per cent. The Jest Electrics are equipped with a 10.1-in multimedia touch-
screen, digital dashboard, keyless operation and USB ports as well as an optional wi-fi infrastructure. Karsan has also recently won a tender from Coimbra in Portugal to provide nine Jest Electrics. This order will increase the total num-
ber of Jest Electric vehicles in the city to 11. Karsan aims to deliver the tender vehicles to SMTUC, the public transportation authority, in the last quarter of 2020. www.karsan.tr
New Driverless Shuttle starts operating A DRIVERLESS shuttle is being launched in Newcastle, Australia which will operate at around 20km per hour on a trial route which connects local tourist areas with the public transport network. “It is very exciting to see the shuttle operating on road alongside other traffic and we are delighted to partner with the city of Newcastle to gather more insights on this technology. We encourage every-
one to take a ride and share their feedback,” says Keolis Downer CEO David Franks. “When the shuttle was out in November last year, over 90 per cent of participants’ opinion of driverless shuttles improved after enjoying a ride. “Keolis has been operating driverless shuttles since 2016 in Lyon, France. The shuttle is now an integral part of the multimodal
network. We are keen to accelerate the deployment of this technology in Australia, and better understand the role autonomous shuttles can play in people’s door-to-door journeys.” The trial is being funded through a $5million federal grant through the Smart Cities and Suburbs Programme. newcastlesdriverlessshuttle.com.au www.keolisdowner.com.au
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OUR PICK OF THE LATEST ENVIRONMENTAL DEVELOPMENTS IN THE BUS AND COACH SECTOR
Santiago takes 150 BYD ebuses AS part of the push for electrification in the Chilean public transport system, 150 new BYD electric buses have been delivered to Santiago. Operated by Metbus, which currently has the largest fleet of electric buses in the Americas, the buses will run along Avenida Bernardo O’Higgins, known as the Alameda, the historic central avenue in the Chilean capital. With a total of 455 buses in operation, BYD is the country’s
leader in the electric bus market, with a 65 per cent share. Through its R ED Mobility standard, Chile’s ministry of transportation is aiming for the total electrification of public transportation by 2040. “This process of continuously improving public transportation is a direct benefit for the people,” says minister of transportation and telecommunications, Gloria Hutt.
Tamara Berríos, country manager, BYD Chile, adds: “The Alameda project is of great importance due to its visibility as the transformation of the capital’s central avenue. We are convinced that it is necessary to continue promoting the transformation of public transport through electromobility, and BYD will continue to advance in this way.” www.byd.com
First BYD eBuses for Vy Buss in Norway VY Buss, part of Norway’s Vy Group, has taken delivery of its first 15 eBuses from BYD, the start of a fleet renewal programme comprising 55 BYD eBuses. The vehicles go into service immediately on operations in Haugesund. BYD now has nearly 300 eBuses either delivered, or on order across Scandinavia, and more than 1,300 throughout Europe. Vy Buss becomes BYD’s first customer to take delivery of the latest 13m model which has
an upgraded battery to deliver extended range. Vy Buss has also taken delivery of BYD’s 18m articulated eBus model. “We’re delighted to be introducing BYD’s Class II 13-metre eBus into our fleet,” says Ole Engebret Haugen, CEO, Vy Buss, “Together, we create a more sustainable environment and increase the safety of passengers and other road users. This is good news for Vy Buss and it’s good news for our clients.” BYD has also delivered 23 12m BYD eBuses to Norway operator
Unibuss. The new fleet sees Unibuss as one of the largest electric bus operators in the Nordic region. Unibuss operates more than half of the city’s electric bus fleet in the capital Oslo. The new Unibuss fleet goes into service immediately on several routes in Vestre Aker and Bærum Øst in and around Oslo. BYD’s total vehicles in Europe are now in excess of 1,300 units. www.vy.no/en www.byd.com
First Bus confirms plans to stop buying diesel buses by December 2022
FIRST Bus has committed to operate a zero-emission bus fleet in the UK by 2035, and plans to end purchases of new diesel buses in December 2022. “We are focused on First Bus becoming a leader in the transition to a low-carbon future for public transportation,” says chief executive Matthew Gregory. “We look forward to working closely
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with our supply chain, industry partners and the UK Government to ensure that our shared ambitions can be taken forward following the current crisis. “This builds on our investments in buses to help deliver local authorities’ air quality commitments. First Bus has sought to move to the forefront of the industry in terms of technology and
customer experience, bringing to passengers a number of upgrades to our highly regarded passenger app, including becoming the first large operator to add the capability for customers to check in real time how full each bus is, and the availability of wheelchair spaces, helping them make informed decisions.” www.firstgroup.com
July 2020
green New York contract wins for BAE Systems BAE Systems has been selected by New York City Transit Authority to supply 435 electric hybrid power and propulsion systems for its new fleet of transit buses, reducing carbon emissions and fuel consumption. “We are committed to collaborating with New York as it strives to reduce transportation emissions and improve air quality in the communities across the state,” says Steve Trichka, vice president and general manager of power & propulsion solutions at BAE Systems. “Our Series-E system provides transit operators with a highly reliable, flexible option that brings our state one step closer to a zero emission future.”
The Series-E systems will be produced at the company’s manufacturing facilities in Endicott, New York, which employs more than 1,300 people. The Series-E system combines motors, energy storage, and smart controls to create a clean form of electric drive power for buses and
accessories. The system features a high power-density ultracapacitor which provides reliable energy storage for the life of the bus. With fully electrified accessories, each bus can also support engine stop/start technology. www.baesystems.com
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international
Bus and coach news from around the world
Arriva takes on major Czech Republic contract and introduces 315 new buses
ARRIVA has started a new 10-year bus contract in the Pilsen Region, in the south west of the Czech Republic. It means that Arriva is now the principal bus operator for the area, which will see the introduction of 315 brand new buses. Jana Siber, Arriva managing director for mainland Europe, says: “I am incredibly proud of the Arriva team in the Czech Republic for mobilising the contract against the challenging backdrop of global disruption to supply chains because of coronavirus. Organising a new contract that involves the introduction of 315 buses is no easy feat in this current time. Ensuring the safety of passengers and our people remains our key
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priority and we have measures in place to reduce the risk posed by coronavirus.� The new contract forms part of a wider re-organisation of transport operations in the Pilsen Region that includes an overhaul of the timetable and a reorganisation of some parts of the network. There will be a demand-responsive element in the new contract. From August, customers in more rural areas will be able to make a request to be picked up from their nearest bus stop half an hour before departure. This can be done via telephone, online or by making a request on another Arriva bus service. Arriva is now responsible for the
operation of 235 bus routes, which are mostly focused in and around the city of Pilsen. The 315 new Arriva buses are in a uniform blue, white and yellow livery, and include the logo for the region. Four different types of buses have been introduced ranging from minibuses that can accommodate up to 20 passengers, through to larger buses that can accommodate up to 55 people for use on busier parts of the network. The new buses include 12 small Dekstra minibuses, 145 standard Iveco Crossway buses, 92 standard MAN buses and 66 big capacity Setra buses. www.arriva.com July 2020
Bus and coach news from around the world
international
200 new high-capacity Volvos for Santiago CHILE’S capital city operator Subus has placed an order for 200 Volvo B8RLE articulated buses. This latest order means that a total of 2,850 Volvo buses will be operating in Santiago after the new vehicles are delivered this year. The articulated buses, which can carry up to 180 passengers, will be part of Santiago’s mass transit system RED, which carries almost 6.1 million passengers daily. “We’ve supplied buses and innovative solutions to Santiago’s public transport network ever since the system was integrated, and with our latest highly modern articulated buses we are continuing to make public transport both more efficient and more appealing,” says Alexandre Selski, strategic sales director for Volvo Buses in Latin America. The new Volvo B8RLE Euro VI articulated buses have been specified to meet Santiago’s demands on low emissions and high safety. They are fitted with Zone Management, which automatically limits
the vehicle’s speed on roads with a high accident risk or where there are many unprotected road users. The new articulated buses are also equipped with electronically controlled disc brakes, electronically regulated air suspension, Volvo
Fleet Management System and I-Coaching. The chassis for these buses are built in Sweden and the bodywork is carried out by Marcopolo in Colombia. www.volvo.com
Volánbusz places further order for Tourliners HUNGARIAN operator Volánbusz has ordered 29 Neoplan Tourliners. The new high-floor coaches are powered by a 470hp D26 engine and automated 12-gear MAN TipMatic gearbox. “These modern, high-f loor coaches are expected to be up and running this summer,” says Martin Strier, managing director, MAN Truck & Bus in Hungary. Each of the two-axle coaches can seat 49 passengers and include a range of safety systems including ESP, ASR, Lane Guard System and EBA. Volánbusz is a regular NeoJuly 2020
plan customer. Last year it took 43 Tourliners following 31 in 2018, and 30 in 2017. “The fact that the company has placed its trust in us and is continuously upgrading its fleet with
Tourliners goes to show that our Neoplan vehicles are highly innovative,” adds Rudi Kuchta, head of business unit bus, MAN Truck & Bus.
www.mantruckandbbus.com
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product
The latest products and services for the bus and coach sector
Safer workshop repairs with Josam induction heater
GO-AHEAD London reports improvements to workshop safety and vehicle repairs since installing a portable induction heater at its New Cross accident and repair centre. Supplied by Automotive Equipment Solutions (AES), the UK distributor for Josam commercial vehicle workshop products, the JH1000 heat inductor enables straightening and loosening of heavy vehicle parts without needing a naked flame. “It’s so much safer than using a flame to heat up anything on the
vehicle,” says repair centre manager David Frost. “For example, we recently straightened a frontbearer by applying heat right next to the electric wiring and air pipes, without affecting them in any way. “The bearer was pulled straight and the job completed in minutes rather than hours – which would have been the case had we needed to remove the bearer or move the wiring and pipework out of the way. “After the initial demo, we purchased the Josam JH1000 because
we heat a lot of chassis and body parts during accident repairs. It has quickly paid for itself and continues to be a workshop asset.” The JH1000 induction heater is designed for straightening lighter components and loosening heavier machine parts including bolts, nuts, bushes and bearings. The control panel on the induction heater has intuitive buttons and indicators for easy setting of five power output levels and a duty cycle of 40 minutes.
www.a-e-s-uk.co.uk
New mobile app myTrip launched for small operators UK technology company Passenger is launching myTrip - a mobile ticketing and tracking app for buses. Due to be released in August, myTrip is designed to help smaller operators without existing apps (including school and shuttle bus services) as the UK emerges from lockdown. Users of myTrip will be able to buy bus tickets on their mobile and see live bus locations for the services operating in their area. As
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well as the live location, they will be able to see information about the bus itself, including when the bus was last cleaned and whether the bus is ‘quiet’, ‘moderate’ or ‘busy’. The users will also be able to provide feedback on how busy a bus is. This information is t hen weighted and analysed against data from ETM hardware suppliers, drivers and other sources to
show the buses occupancy in realtime. Passenger CEO Tom Quay says: “Safely returning to normality as the COVID lockdown is lifted is hugely important and a big task for the UK’s public transport operators. Bus operators must balance user’s needs and government guidance and myTrip will help extend support to every operator to meet these needs confidently.” www.passengerteam.com July 2020
The latest products and services for the bus and coach sector
product
New protective barrier retrofit available for Tourliners MAN Truck & Bus is now offering a hygienic protective barrier that can be retrofitted on its buses and coaches, including converting the barrier behind the driver’s seat into a partition on Tourliner models. The dividing screen is made of shatter-resistant polycarbonate and installed with an aluminium section, while the bottom panel is made of satin glass. “The safety of drivers is a priority close to our hearts,” Heinz Kiess, head of product marketing bus, MAN Truck & Bus. “Ulti-
mately, they’re the ones who are out there day after day to keep the transport system running. The ceiling- high screen keeps the driver’s cab separate from the passenger area, protecting both drivers and passengers.” The first retrofits have already been completed in Plauen, including a hygienic safety solution for Vf L Wolfsburg’s MAN Lion’s Coach L. “This makes VfL Wolfsburg the first German Bundesliga club to have installed a coronavirus pro-
tection system on board its team bus,” adds Kiess. MAN has also retrofitted dividing screens to the two Lion’s City E models being field-tested by Hamburg operators Hamburger Hochbahn AG and Verkehrsbetriebe Hamburg-Holstein GmbH (VHH). “As a result, these electric buses aren’t just zero-emission vehicles – they’ll also have enhanced coronavirus protection while they’re out servicing their routes,” says Kiess. www.mantruckandbus.com
Volvo Bus supports operators with Clean & Care Programme SINCE the start of the pandemic, Volvo Buses has been focussing on safety related to Covid-19 and has now developed a sanitation programme for coaches. “We want to support our customers in offering their passengers a safe way to travel by coach in these times, while still guaranteeing a comfortable and relaxing journey”, says Karl Johansson, business development director coach, Europe at Volvo Buses. “As a bus operator, we advise you to look at which product
accessories and customisations are suitable for your application”, says Johansson. “We have worked with protecting our personnel and ensuring that our local organisations are as informed as possible so that they meet both Volvo’s guidelines and local regulations and requirements. All our facilities the world over are following local guidelines when it comes to personal protection and social distancing. In the same way that we have supported local health care workers with masks and aprons, we are also
doing everything we can to support our customers.” The biggest challenges when it comes to Covid-19 and the bus industry is to meet the needs of travellers while at the same time, meeting demands for social distancing in order to not contribute to the spread of the virus. “This is why it is very important that we as manufacturers work together with operators and different authorities when it comes to recommendations and product solutions,” adds Johansson. www.volvobuses.com
Government imposes ban on tyres aged ten years and older T H E U K gover n ment ha s announced a ban on tyres aged ten years and older on trucks, buses and coaches in England, Scotland and Wales. The ban, which comes in the wake of long-running campaigns by safety groups, follows research commissioned by the Department for Transport which indicated ageing tyres suffer corrosion that could cause them to fail. The move will make it illegal to fit tyres aged ten years or older to the front wheels of lorries, buses July 2020
and coaches, and all wheels of minibuses. Secondary legislation will be laid in parliament in the autumn and will also apply to retreaded tyres - with the date of retreading to be marked – making the age of the tyre clearly visible. “In the same way that you wouldn’t drive a car with faulty brakes, ensuring your tyres are fit for purpose is crucial in making every journey safer,” says roads minister Baroness Vere. “Taking this step will give drivers across the country confidence their lor-
ries, buses and coaches are truly fit for use – a safety boost for road users everywhere. “This change is in no small way the result of years of campaigning, particularly from Frances Molloy, to whom I thank and pay tribute.” Frances Molloy’s son Michael died in a coach crash, where the vehicle had a 19-year-old tyre fitted to the front axle of a coach in 2012. Since the accident, Molloy has campaigned to see the law changed. www.gov.uk/dft
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Analysis
Go-Ahead chief calls for three-point bus plan David Brown, Go-Ahead Group CEO has urged the Government to launch a three-point plan to put the bus at the centre of planning for a green, post-Covid Britain. The plan includes a call for the government to drop its ‘avoid public transport’ message and to recognise the climate change benefits of bus travel.
T
he past three months have been unlike any other for the country. As the government begins to ease the lockdown, I’m proud of the efforts my colleagues have made in keeping essential bus services running, connecting communities and taking fellow key workers to hospitals and supermarkets. But as Britain gets moving again, the bus industry is at a crossroads. Public messaging to avoid public transport has meant confidence in using buses has fallen despite the vital role our services play. We kept services at 50 per cent, with welcome government support, during the height of the pandemic, but typically only one in ten passengers travelled. So we know the challenge we face to encourage people back on to the bus. That’s why we have increased the “deep cleaning” of our vehicles, given clear advice on hygiene and encouraged customers to pay by app or contactless. We’re supporting the government’s requirement for everyone to use a face mask on public transport. But I firmly believe the battle to restore faith in public transport should be one for the country as a whole. Coronavirus is triggering generational change across industries, but the bus remains something that you would introduce if it didn’t already exist. The environmental benefits of taking the bus were already staring us in the face before the world changed – taking cars off the road, reducing congestion, and improving the air quality in our towns and cities. Tens of billions of economic activity are dependent on bus usage, and there are physical benefits too, bus users typically do at least 20- 28 minutes of exercise every day. All this hasn’t changed. And I truly believe that now, more than ever, the government must put public transport at the heart of the nation’s plan for a postCovid future. The lockdown has changed lives dramatically, but the improvements in the environment around us have
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been notable. The International Energy Agency forecast carbon emissions will fall by 8 per cent this year. After a period where families reclaimed roads as their own, increasing cycling, walking, even skateboarding, do we really want to return to a world of traffic jams? That is what could happen – and the signs are already there. Official figures show that car usage is already back to more than two-thirds of pre-lockdown level. Academics claim restrictions on buses and train travel could put an extra million cars on the road during rush hour. We need a three-point plan backed by every level of government. And we need it now. Firstly, we would ask No 10 to move away from the “avoid public transport” message and emphasise how using the bus supports the campaign to restart the economy. The bus can help make towns and cities hubs of economic activity again and in a cleaner way than the car. Secondly, the government must press ahead with a national bus strategy that lays the foundation for a revolution in public transport and actively promotes the benefits of bus journeys. Every Whitehall department should consider public transport in their policy-making, not only in the green agenda but also when building new housing developments or considering the fight against obesity, loneliness or inequality – issues that we know buses can have a significant positive impact on. Tackling congestion through priority bus lanes was a critical issue before the pandemic and it will be again. Lastly, some of the £3billion promised for the bus industry earlier this year by the government should be used to speed up the deployment of hydrogen and electric buses as part of an integrated government plan. And why not offer to buy them direct from British manufacturers to help revive our economy?" www.go-ahead.com July 2020
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