Coach & Bus Week : Issue 1028

Wednesday March 21, 2012 Issue 1028 | £2.95 www.coachandbusweek.com

COACH:

Grantham-based A C Williams revitalised by private investor p4

PEOPLE:

Face to Face with Alex Hornby from trent barton p28

BASE and Beulas showcase latest developments

BUS:

First Manchester �ined £285,000 by TC Beverley Bell p6

TECHNOLOGY:

Go-Ahead team up with Williams to develop hybrid �lywheel p12

for recru i

JOB ADV tment EVERY WERTS EEK

p24

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THIS WEEK

Coach & Bus Week is published by Rouncy Media, First Floor, 3 The Office Village, Cygnet Park, Forder Way, Hampton, Peterborough PE7 8GX Switchboard 01733 293240 Fax 0845 280 2927 Web www.coachandbusweek.com Distributed by COMAG

EDITORIAL Publisher Jonathan Taylor 01733 293240 jonathan.taylor@rouncymedia.co.uk Editor Gareth Evans 01733 293243 gareth.evans@rouncymedia.co.uk Industry Editor Meera Rambissoon 01733 293240 meera.rambissoon@rouncymedia.co.uk Technical & Minibus Editor Martin Cole 01733 293245, 07885 692144 martin.cole@rouncymedia.co.uk News Reporter James Day 01733 293244 james.day@rouncymedia.co.uk News Reporter Andrew Cream 01733 293240 andrew.cream@rouncymedia.co.uk Art Director Keith Simpson Contributors Richard Charnley, Gabriel Conway, Alan Payling

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The opinions and views expressed by authors and contributors within Coach & Bus Week are not necessarily those of the Editor or its publisher Rouncy Media Ltd.

It’s not �ine for the users

I

t was with considerable interest I read our report this week on First Manchester’s public inquiry.

Predictably, the rose-tinted ‘re-regulationists’ came out in force, as did the anti-bus local media, who seem to view buses as impediment to their car commute and thrive on any opportunity to rant about the bus.

There was an interesting post on the popular industry blog omnibuses.blogspot.com and the associated reader comments. ‘Bussing’, as the anonymous blogger is known, asks “Wouldn’t it be nice if First could convert the £285,000 fine into some sort of customer benefit. That way, the users might feel that they’re being compensated rather than seeing a large slice of their collective fares going to the DfT.” Of course, there is also the argument of ‘be careful what you wish for’.

One commentator noted: “Surely the ultimate purpose of a ‘disciplinary’ system should be to identify the causes of problems, and offer solutions to

prevent such problems arising in the future? That approach would actually offer the possibility of a genuine improvement for those who are disadvantaged when things go wrong - in this case, the passengers.

“Instead we have a ‘blame culture’ which simply seeks to punish when something does not go according to plan. If a bus runs late, it’s easy to say the operator is at fault, and penalise them accordingly; but finding out what is actually causing the problem is more difficult; proposing a solution is even more difficult. So the ‘system’ takes the easy way out.”

However, let us not forget the issue of schedules being sped up to reduce PVR. Of course, declaring whether a timetable is realistic is subjective. There will always be drivers who floor it or crawl it – and there will always be the chance the waterboard will dig a hole without notification. What are your thoughts?

We’d be interested to hear.

Gareth Evans Editor

CONTENTS 4

24

38

The latest from across the coach and bus industry in the UK

14

BASE takes CBW to see their Spanish bodybuilders - part 1

28

Grettons coach driver praised for fire evacuation action on A421

National Express has been turned around to a firm profit-maker

20

Drivers are a key part of trent barton’s publicity, says Alex Hornby

32

Employment Tribunal rules redundancy pools of one are unfair

...From tourist attractions and events. Plus ideas for group visits

22

A good reflection on operator dealer Southdown PSV

34

A lighthearted look at the industry.

Plus Gareth’s Diary!

Go-Ahead and Nottingham City Transport celebrate top ratings

New Euro VI-compliant engine range to be launched this summer

All the latest people moves from across the industry

News

Financial News Tour News

Business News

Factory Visit Face to Face

The Big Picture

Mercedes Engines

Drivers

41

Legal Update

62

Last Stop

63

People

www.coachandbusweek.com

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4 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 21, 2012

news

briefly National Express Group nonexecutive director Miranda Curtis will retire from the Board at the conclusion of the AGM on May 10 to pursue other business interests. John Devaney, chairman of National Express, said: “I would like to thank Miranda for the excellent contribution she has made to the Board of National Express.

On behalf of all members of the Board, I would like to wish her well for the future.”

Transport for London (TfL) has published the timings, temporary road closures and parking restrictions which will be in place during this summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games. Road events in London are scheduled to take place on seven of the 16 days of the Olympic Games and one day of the Paralympic Games. Further information can be found at www.getaheadofthegames.com.

There are also maps of each of the road event routes available on the TfL website at www. tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/ london2012/22487.aspx .

Joint figures from the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) and Network Rail show there will be fewer replacement buses and coaches than last year. Rail replacement has dropped by over a third compared with last Easter – 34% fewer than 2011. No disruptive work is planned on mainline rail routes over a three-month period this summer including the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Robin Gisby, Network Rail’s MD, network operations, said: “Passengers will see fewer buses and a better service this Easter as our improvement work uses new techniques which reduce the impact on train services.”

Centrad has announced a move to provide an installation service for all of its CCTV products across the UK. Self installing is still an option using provided ‘DIY’ step by step instructions. The company is offering its four camera system, including the four cameras and a 500GB hard drive, at £590 supply and fit or £390 supply only. www.coachandbusweek.com

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Saved: A C Williams Long-established Grantham coach operator survives after investor steps in and staff persevere A C Williams has been saved after a private investor stepped in to secure the future of the business, in a move which prompted celebrations from the 25 drivers, mechanics and office staff after learning their jobs were safe.

Established nearly 60 years ago in Ancaster, and despite a healthy demand for bookings, the firm’s future was threatened following the closure of its sister business in December, the A C Williams Renault car dealership. Now, the business has benefitted from a cash and management injection from investor Glen Pratt, who wants to save jobs by turning round small family-owned companies. He wants to build the business through employee profit sharing and the partnership principles which have proved so successful for John Lewis.

Asked by CBW why he was investing in a coach company, Mr Pratt replied: “The simple answer is A C Williams is a fundamentally good business with great potential.

The parent business, which was the Renault car parts, had a turnover of £11m, while the bus and coach division revenue amounted to just over £1m, so it was a very small part of a big business. The parent company suffered from cash flow problems and the effects of the economic downturn last year.

“Begbies (the administrators)

were going to close the coach business too until the employees pointed out the value of the contract work, which supports the future of the firm, and hence its viability. As a result Begbies tried to find a buyer.

“I have a close friend who works inside the business. She mentioned it over dinner, so I contacted the administrators for due diligence.

My brother spent four days on site.

“The coaching side of A C Williams has been neglected because it was non-core business and had a very cautious attitude.

The 20 vehicles include a top of the range Scania, yet every time I passed the yard, those coaches seemed to be parked up.”

Turning to the future, Mr Pratt said: “We’re going to increase fleet utilisation considerably. This year we’re doing 10 holidays, next year we’ll do 30 and 40 the following year.

Investor Glen Pratt (above); and the A C Williams staff celebrate the good news (below)

“Also, the firm has never really advertised. We’re going to revamp the website and actively contact our 4,000-name database. I genuinely think the size of this business could double in a couple of years. I believe we’ll be taking on more drivers and increasing the size of the 10,000 square feet workshops. In time we’ll build two new workshops, which will allow us to expand the amount of third party bus and coach contract maintenance, while also allowing us to start HGV and car repairs. It’s been too sleepy but does have a terrific brand name.

“I believe it’s also important to keep the family association.

Even while in administration, the business has won contracts, but naturally the holidays and day trips have suffered due to the uncertainty.”

As executive chairman of the company, Glen Pratt, a successful investment fund manager in London, will be keeping not just the A C Williams name, but the Williams’ involvement as well, with former directors David Williams and Alison Parker fulfilling non-managerial roles within the company. The family approach will be expanded, with David Pratt joining his brother Glen on the board as finance director.

Former MD David Williams said: “I am delighted jobs will be saved and the A C Williams name will continue, in what promises to be a bright future for the company.”

Peter Blair, a partner in the Nottingham office of corporate recovery specialists Begbies Traynor, was appointed joint administrator of A C Williams in December. He said: “We are pleased to have saved jobs and maintained important services in Lincolnshire.

We are grateful for the support and tenacity of the A C Williams staff, and that we were able to retain those staff. We wish the new venture every success.”

Concluding, Mr Pratt said: “I’m very excited. The coach industry is a good business to be in. In the current economic climate, we as an industry need to shout more than ever about the benefits of coach travel. For example, we do day trips to London for £15 – it’s great value for money.”

19/03/2012 20:02

“In just two years National Express has moved from reporting losses to the record profits we have announced now.”

Dean Finch National Express

Pelican Engineering signs up for BMC in the UK Pelican Engineering Group, trading as BMC UK, has been officially launched after a signing ceremony at the BMC factory in Izmir, Turkey last week.

BMC UK MD Richard Crump, accompanied by Ken Grindrod, group sales director and Phillip Hodgson, head of UK bus and coach sales, signed the agreement with BMC Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S. directors Ishmal Kirkal, head of export sales and Sinan Ogun.

After the signing ceremony Mr Crump said BMC UK was working hard to improve after sales support to BMC operators throughout the UK by offering service facilities on 24/7 and parts availability from 0600hrs until midnight on week days and from 0600 until 1800 at weekends. He added: “We only close three days a year on Xmas, Boxing and New Years days.

Deliveries are by our own fleet of

New DFT permanent secretary

The head of the civil service, Sir Bob Kerslake, has announced the appointment of Philip Rutnam as the new Permanent Secretary at the Department for Transport (DfT).

vehicles within 150-mile radius of Leeds and by overnight carrier for further afield, although we do have five main dealers across the UK who will be offering services facilities and fast moving parts.

“The future is going to be exciting for BMC in the UK and it is our intention to see the marque reach its rightful place as one of the top five brands in the UK. For years BMC has provided UK bus and coach operators with a highly cost effective and reliable

Financial News p14

range of vehicles with a focus on flexibility. The BMC range includes small and midi-coaches, citybuses and school buses. With its range of products including light, medium and heavy commercials, specialpurpose and military vehicles, buses and coaches, spare parts and engines, BMC is the largest commercial vehicle manufacturer in Turkey. 24,000 vehicles are made annually at the company’s two facilities by a highly skilled work force of 3,600 people.

Pelican and BMC sign agreement. Pictured here area Phil Hodgson, Synan Ogun, Phil Crump and Ishmal Kirkal Philip, who is currently director general of business and skills at BIS was chosen following an open competition. His appointment has been approved by the PM and Justine Greening MP and following consultation with the deputy prime minister Philip will take up his post on April 11.

Philip said: “I am delighted to be taking on this role. Transport is central to the Government’s agenda

March 21, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 5

for economic growth, and I am looking forward to working with colleagues on the challenges and opportunities ahead.”

The secretary of state, Justine Greening, said: “This government is that clear we see transport as a key driver of economic growth, so Philip’s outstanding record and skillset will be tremendous assets to this department. It’s hard to think of a better fit.”

Meera departs on a Greener Journey CBW’s popular industry editor Meera Rambisoon will start a new role as campaigns manager at Greener Journeys in April. Backed by the so-called ‘Big Five’ operators, Greener Journeys is the UK bus and coach industry’s campaign to encourage people to switch from cars to buses and coaches.

Meera joined CBW in February 2010 as news reporter from Transit magazine. She became industry editor in February 2011.

CBW editor Gareth Evans said: “It’s been a pleasure to work with Meera. She’s been an enthusiastic and supportive team member, who brought a new dimension to the publication. Her contributions will be sorely missed. We all wish her well for the future.”

Meera said: “It has been a great pleasure meeting, working with, interviewing and learning from an inspiring range of people in a vibrant and diverse sector - a big thank you. Writing about the achievements and challenges of operators, PTEs and local authorities has been fascinating.

“I look forward to getting stuck into the challenge of encouraging more out of their cars and onto buses, a cause close to my heart, through helping to promote and develop Greener Journeys. I won’t be far away and will continue to work with many of you, so this is an au revoir, but not goodbye.”

www.coachandbusweek.com

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news › BUSeS

£180.2m National Express Group profit before tax and amortisation in 2011, up from £97.3m in 2010

briefly Network Warrington has upgraded its Triscan Fuel monitoring system as part of a general overhaul and modernisation of the firm’s management information systems. David Squire, MD, said: “We’ve had the Triscan system for a number of years and have now upgraded to the web-based version. Also included is a module to automatically read odometer readings, all the data feeds directly into our management systems allowing faster completion of mileage returns for BSOG and tyre contracts. It also gives us the ability to build up fleet, bus type and individual bus MPG profiles.”

Michael Leach has left the smartcard organisation ITSO, where he was CEO. Mike Fuhr, chairman of the ITSO Ltd Board, said: “We can confirm Michael Leach left the company on March 7. The Board would like to place on record their appreciation of Michael’s valuable service to the firm since he joined in January 2010 and his important achievements in the delivery of improved services and financial sustainability. The Board wishes Michael every success in his future career. For the time being, Michael’s responsibilities will be divided between the senior management team of Lindsay Robertson as director of member services, Caroline Carruthers as chief technical officer, and Arthur Dodgson as finance director.”

Epsom Group’s new Mercedes-Benz Citaros, for operation on TfL express route X26 linking Croydon with London Heathrow airport, are in production and almost ready for delivery. The 10 new buses for X26 will be run

by Epsom’s bus division Quality Line from Saturday, April 14. Steve Whiteway, commercial director, signed off the first bus on March 11 and inspected the vehicles making their way down the production line at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Manheim, Germany. The X26 is currently operated by Go-Ahead Group-owned Metrobus using Scania Omnicity single-deckers. It is the longest TfL route, standing at 23.75 miles. www.coachandbusweek.com

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First Manchester fined £285k for late running A VOSA investigation revealed a quarter of all buses run by First Manchester do not run on time First Manchester has been fined £285,000 after North West traffic commissioner Beverley Bell ruled the firm had failed to meet the industry regulation of 95% for punctuality.

A recent high-profile public inquiry heard how officers from the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) monitored more than 860 journeys in Eccles, Swinton, Worsley, Royton, Trafford and Stalybridge over January and February last year.

The investigation revealed a quarter of the operator’s buses were not running on time and showed First’s overall compliance rate across Greater Manchester was 82.5%.

Accepting First had “clearly done a lot”, Ms Bell said the operator was “working hard with the local authority and Transport for Greater Manchester” but it was “just a case of where more needed to be done”.

“The main reason I imposed the penalty was because the operator hadn’t done enough to make sure these services ran on time,” she said.

“This monitoring was over 12 months ago and yet, as at today’s date, the operator was still trying to put measures in place and I didn’t

think that was enough done quickly enough.”

Ms Bell said she had the option of fining the company up to £500,000 but had decided on £285,000 in view of the work the company had already done in improving services.

She added it would have been “wholly wrong” to take away First’s O-licence in Greater Manchester.

However, she said she wanted First “to show over the next three to six months that it is operating properly - and if it isn’t, it’ll have to come back and see me again”.

“I want to send a message which is, without imposing a penalty, First Manchester would not have focused its mind enough to meet the legislation and I still feel it’s being complacent.”

“I have asked the operator to report back to me in three and six

Beverley Bell said First had “done a lot” but “more needed to be done”

Go-Ahead to buy First’s Northumberland Park Depot Go-Ahead group has acquired FirstGroup’s Northumberland Park bus depot in North-East London.

The deal has a gross cash consideration of £14m, with the transaction to be completed on March 30, 2012. The acquisition increases Go-Ahead’s share of the London market from 22% to 23%.

The business has around 400 employees and a fleet of 130 buses, operating 13 Transport for London contracts and a number of school contracts. The annual turnover of

the business is around £24.5m.

Giles Fearnley, First UK Bus MD, said: “The sale marks further progress in our ongoing programme to pursue selective asset and business disposals as we review the scope and scale of our business and position our UK Bus division for the longer term.

“We remain focused on developing the opportunities which exist to transition to increased growth within our networks through targeted investment in

months so I can see if work has been done to improve. I need to be satisfied they won’t just take the financial hit,” she added.

If First cannot show improvement then it could face a second public inquiry.

A spokesman for First stated the company was disappointed by the outcome of the public inquiry and would reflect further upon its position.

“First Manchester continues to devote a significant amount of time and resource to ensuring that it provides a punctual and reliable service for its customers. While we continue to face challenging operating conditions in Manchester, not least as a result of the continuing Tramlink development, we are committed to actively engaging with all relevant parties to ensure that network disruption is kept to a minimum.

“Indeed, the traffic commissioner recognised the role local authorities and Transport for Greater Manchester must play in improving and sustaining service quality and we will continue to work in partnership with them to achieve this objective.”

For a thought-provoking article on First Manchester’s PI, visit popular industry blog Omnibuses at omnibuses.blogspot.co.uk.

staff, systems, new vehicles and technology while retaining our strong cost discipline.”

David Brown, Go-Ahead Group CEO, said: “We have great confidence in the London market and our management team in London. This acquisition provides the opportunity to run in a new area of the capital.

“We look forward to working with the Northumberland Park team to build on their success and to continue to deliver a good service to passengers in this area of London on behalf of TfL.” The depot will become part of Go-Ahead London, under the leadership of MD John Trayner.

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52

The current number of entries for this year’s UK Coach Rally

Stagecoach’s integrated bus-rail smartcard Stagecoach Group has launched a ticketing scheme in Hampshire to allow passengers to travel by bus and rail on one smartcard.

The pilot was launched last Wednesday (March 14) in Basingstoke and is one of the UK’s first commercial multi-modal applications of the Governmentpreferred ITSO technology.

It involves a small number of South West Trains (SWT) season ticket holders travelling between Basingstoke and any smartcard enabled station outside London.

One smartcard stores both a rail season ticket and a Stagecoach South Megarider multi-journey bus ticket.

The pilot will be expanded over the coming months to include more passengers and areas.

Stagecoach Group finance director Martin Griffiths said: “This exciting initiative means joined up journeys on rail and bus using smartcard ticketing is now a reality.

It’s making travel easier and more convenient for our passengers.”

In 2008, Stagecoach launched the UK’s first national rail smartcard on SWT and ITSO smart ticketing is now live at around 100 stations on the network.

Stagecoach’s smartcards are also in use in Cambridgeshire, Oxfordshire, Manchester and East Kent and East Sussex after it became the first major UK bus firm to install the technology.

First Solo SRs for Epsom’s TfL route 470

Epsom Coaches Group has given preferred bidder status to Optare for the supply of seven new buses for operation of Transport for London route 470, between Epsom and Colliers Wood.

The firm’s Quality Line bus operating division has run the route since its inception as the S7 in 2002. Starting in November 2012, the new five-year contract will also bring with it an enhanced timetable,

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March 21, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 7

23%

Go-Ahead Group’s share of the London bus market after its acquisition of First’s Northumberland Park bus depot

SHARE WATCH

Industry share prices at the close of the Stock Exchange on Monday, March 19. All except Rotala experienced a rise, with Optare seeing the greatest proportional rise.

Most figures obtained from www.iii.co.uk

314.40p

Price: Year High: 574.37p Year Low: 257.70p

297.00p

Price: Year High: 416.90p Year Low: 285.60p

+1.30 on last week

+11.40 on last week

Norman Baker, waving the flag for Bristol services

£78.8m Greater Bristol Bus Network project completed Transport minister Norman Baker marked the completion of an upgrade to the bus network in Bristol on Thursday (March 15).

The four-year £78.8m Greater Bristol Bus Network (GBBN) project involved the upgrade of 40 routes across 70 bus services in the region. This included investing in more than 120 new buses, upgrading almost 1,000 bus shelters and the creation of 8.6km of bus priority lanes.

The DfT provided £42.4m of the funding with £22.5m coming from FirstGroup and £13.9m from four local councils.

Norman Baker said: “I want to see more people travelling by bus.

To achieve this, we need to ensure

services are up to scratch and passengers benefit from reliable, accessible, sustainable travel which offers more direct routes. That’s why the department has spent millions of pounds, working closely with operators and local councils in delivering these projects.”

Robert Sinclair from the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership said: “We are very pleased to welcome the minister here to see the improvements that Greater Bristol Bus Network funding has brought about. An efficient, reliable public transport infrastructure is a key priority for local businesses helping to create a more competitive local economy and better connected communities.”

extending the evening services until 2030hrs, along with a brand new fleet of buses.

Steve Appleby, fleetcare services manager, said the process for selection of the new buses was exacting, with the views of drivers,

engineers and passengers being taken into consideration.

Steve added: “We’ve chosen Optare as our supplier on this occasion and will be introducing for the first time on London routes, the Optare Solo SR, an upgraded version of the long established Solo range. These new buses will provide larger and more accessible vehicles on this popular service and join our existing bus fleet which majors on Optare products. We have worked closely with Optare to research the requirements of this route. Subject to a route test and some specification changes, we look forward to taking delivery of the buses in early November.”

Epsom’s Quality line is no stranger to Optare Solos

1330.0p

Price: Year High: 1540p Year Low: 1034p

249.70p

Price: Year High: 272.10p Year Low: 203.85p

267.55p

Price: Year High: 281.90p Year Low: 158.30p

0.49p

Price: Year High: 6.75p Year Low: 0.24p

41.50p

Price: Year High: 43.50p Year Low: 24.90p

78.67p

Price: Year High: 99.57p Year Low: 66.86p

17.50p

Price: ■ Year High: 17.50p Year Low: 5.75p

+36.50 on last week

+6.35 on last week

+3.70 on last week

+0.18 on last week

+0.00 on last week

+3.87 on last week

+1.62 on last week

FTSE 100

5961

Price: Year High: 6,105 Year Low: 4,790

+68 on last week

www.coachandbusweek.com

19/03/2012 20:32

8 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 21, 2012

news › coaches

“We continue to spend more and more on research.

We’re very good at thinking of wacky ideas but let’s make sure it’s what the customer wants” Alex Hornby

briefly Work has begun on a 1.2mile stretch of the M606 in Bradford. The £130,000 project will improve the motorway in both directions between junction 26 of the M62 and Euroway at Junction 2 on the M606. The work will take place between 2000 and 0600hrs until March 24. It will entail closure of the southbound carriageway of the M606 and the southbound entry slip to the M606 at Euroway, Junction 2. In the Northbound direction the link between the M62 east and the M606 will be closed, and the remainder of the M606 northbound carriageway subject to a 50mph speed limit, lane closures and hard shoulder running.

Victoria Coach station is celebrating its 80th birthday this month. London’s largest coach station, which operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, has seen over 10 million passengers pass through its doors in the last year alone.

Malcolm Wildridge, the station’s general manager, said: “It really makes me proud that Victoria Coach Station has stood the test of time for 80 years and continues to offer an excellent service for the 10 million passengers who pass through our doors each year.” The station was opened in March 1932 and spans over three acres.

There will be overnight lane closures on the M6 between junctions 5 (Castle Bromwich) and 8 (M6/M5 interchange) until March 30, although there will be no work carried out over the weekend (March 24 and 25). At least one lane will remain open to traffic, in both directions, during the work. The lane closures will allow temporary traffic monitoring equipment to be installed as part of the preparations for main construction work starting between April and June. Traffic management, including speed limits and narrow lanes, will be installed after the Easter holidays.

The lane closures will be in place from 2130 to 0530hrs Monday to Thursday, and from 2200 to 0800hrs on Fridays. www.coachandbusweek.com

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Face to Face p28

Coventry set to gain official coach park Convenient central location will provide 24 coach bays, plus car drop-off zone White Street car park, near Pool Meadow bus station, will become Coventry’s official coach park.

Coventry City Council has approved plans to transform the car park, which is expected to close on March 31 and reopen as a coach park on April 30, at a cost of around £15,000.

Coventry city councillor Linda Bigham, cabinet member for city development, said: “It was never fully utilised as a car park, I believe that it was only ever about 44% full.”

Coach tour operators have not used the White Street car park for nine years. In February Coventry won CPT Coach Friendly Status and announced initial plans for the coach park, as reported in CBW1023.

The park will have 24 coach bays along with drop-off car parking provision and taxi ranking space.

There is also a proposal for CCTV to provide additional security.

Coventry City Council and Centro are currently looking into providing

extra facilities such as restrooms. At present, passengers and drivers can use the facilities at Pool Meadow bus station, a short walk away.

Phil Bateman, CPT’s West Midlands regional manager, told CBW: “The fact that a big city like Coventry is taking an interest in providing more facilities for coaches is really important. It’s a really exciting time for Coventry and for the West Midlands.

“But of course they have also got to maintain it. The issue is keeping up the standards. We will be keeping a close eye on Coventry to see if they develop coaching as an important sector.”

He highlighted Coventry has a lot

CPT WM regional manager Phil Bateman has welcomed the move

CBW Michelin tyre trial update

In December 2011 CBW teamed up with Michelin to launch a nationwide search to find three coach fleets to trial the manufacturer’s latest Energy SaverGreen coach tyres. The study is expected to illustrate how the use of Michelin technology, including the patented ‘Energy Flex’ casing, can help reduce the fuel consumption of coaches covering long-distances at high average speeds.

Following strong interest, CBW and Michelin have shortlisted possible applicants to take part in the year-long tyre trial. Michelin technical managers are currently visiting these fleets to ensure that the necessary reporting structure is in place to enable an accurate

Michelin is a renowned supplier of tyres to the coach industry comparison to be drawn between the trial tyres and the fleet’s current fitments. For instance, in order to ensure consistency, the fleet must have at least one year’s worth of fuel records for any vehicles running in the trial.

to offer coach operators in terms of places to visit. The city is home to a theatre, cathedral and a number of museums and will also be hosting football matches at this year’s Olympic Games.

He added: “Its location is key. It is as close as it can get to the city centre for operators who want to get their customers to the cathedral and other central locations.

“The important point is we’re hoping that, moving forward, Coventry is going to improve its coach status in the city and move forward as a tourist destination.

“It’s the policies they have which sit behind this new status which sets it apart from the other towns and cities in the West Midlands. I think we will be patting them on the back again in 12 months.”

Mr Bateman was able to confirm the CPT is speaking with Walsall and Wolverhampton about improving their coach status after Coventry’s new standing sparked interest in the nearby conurbations.

He said if Birmingham was to follow suit, it would be very significant for the West Midlands.

The first fleet selected to take part is Salsburgh-based Bruce Coaches – an operator for which high mileages are a daily occurrence.

Commenting on the selection of Bruce Coaches, Brian Porteous, Michelin UK technical manager, told CBW: “I understand this well-known Scottish fleet is a very high mileage coach operator.

Their detailed fuel reporting and commitment to fuel saving would seem to make them an ideal candidate for the trial.

“The coaches we’ll be focusing on clock-up approximately 7,000 km a week, making the potential for fuel saving significant. We hope this trial will develop some interesting comparative data,” he adds.

CBW and Michelin plan to announce the next two trial fleets soon, with the 12-month study officially commencing soon after.

19/03/2012 19:49

March 21, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 9

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King Long appoints Northern Coach Sales King Long has strengthened its sales network with the appointment of Northern Coach Sales as its representative for the north of England and southern Scotland.

Northern Coach Sales, based in Scarborough, has been established by industry stalwart Paul Nicholson.

Paul said: “I have been out of the industry for about nine months and have missed the cut and thrust of dealing and meeting with my many old friends – so much so, that when the opportunity to re-join King Long arose I had no hesitation whatsoever.

“I was involved when King Long first entered the UK market and have monitored its progress with interest. I believe, with the resources the manufacturer has available in China, it is now producing a range of vehicles comparable with any in Europe.

“Northern Coach Sales is to offer the complete bus and coach range, from XMQ 6800 and 6900 midicoaches, both equipped to a very high standard specification, to the flagship XMQ 6127 which is well known in the UK. All the coaches are covered by a two-year warranty package as standard.”

Later this year, Northern Coach Sales will showcase King Long’s

Epsom wins another Nat Ex contract

King Long’s XMQ6130Y was displayed on the Chinese manufacturer’s stand at last year’s Busworld Kortrijk latest development for the UK market, an XMQ 6130, at EuroBus Expo in Birmingham. The model is currently undergoing final testing before its launch. It will be a 13-metre tri-axle with 57 seats.

Powered by Cummins’ new Euro 5 440 ISM engine coupled to a ZF AS-Tronic automatic transmission, the coach features a high standard specification, which includes, ZF front and rear axles, with ZF RAS active steering tag axle, a drinks machine, wide-view mirror with defrost function, one 17” LCD TV at the front and two 15” LCD TV monitors in the saloon.

In addition to supplying new King Longs, Northern Coach Sales is to broker sales of coaches on behalf of operators and offer used vehicles taken in part exchange for deals on

new King Long buses or coaches.

The business is aiming to relocate in the near future to a facility at Pickering, North Yorkshire.

Contact Northern Coach Sales on 07827 894454.

UK & European Cover

For all your glass replacement needs

New out of hours protocol for Manchester Airport A new out of hours operational protocol has been agreed by CPT for coach operators at Manchester Airport after recent difficulties experienced by CPT member Unicorn Travel.

For coaches arriving at Manchester Airport to collect passengers outside of the station opening hours, the following protocol needs to be adhered to. This applies to coaches needing access to the RFID lane on T1 & T2. For T3, coaches do not access the RFID lanes.

On route to the airport, the operator should contact the car parks manager on 07958 876476.

Coach operator to advise: The

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company name, which terminal they are collecting from, which flight they are collecting for and approximate time of arrival.

The Car Parks team manager will advise the operator to press the intercom on arrival at the RFID lane and the control room will then grant access.

The Car Parks team manger will then advise the control room of the expected coach arrival details.

During station opening hours, the current protocol of operation will exist whereby the coach operator will park at the station and be given a password for access to the RFID lane.

Epsom Coaches has won a further contract to operate a daily London to Wolverhampton service on behalf of National Express, starting on Monday (March 26).

As a result, a further two brand new Caetano Levante-bodied Volvo B9 coaches are arriving shortly to service this new route.

Coach services manager John Fowler said: “We are delighted to be adding to our portfolio of National Express routes, joining our services on the network from London to Liverpool and Birmingham. We aim to provide the best service to those travelling and are rated as a gold operator on the National Express Network. This endorsement with a further route contract is a huge compliment to our driving team and is well deserved.”

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19/03/2012 20:12

10 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 21, 2012

news

Cresswells in administration A spokesman for RSM Tenon, the administrator acting on behalf of Cresswells, said: “We have tried to speak to several interested parties with a view to taking over the company. However, we have not been able to find a buyer for the business.”

The administrator has sent out letters to customers outlining how they can look at getting refunds and are contacting those who had a tour booked.

The spokesman added travel insurance and credit card guarantees may cover some bookings.

Leicestershire-based Cresswells Coaches has gone into receivership after administrators could not find a buyer for the company.

Some of the operator’s school and private hire contracts have been taken over by Swadlincotebased Viking Coaches while Roberts Holidays of Hugglescote has taken on a school service to Ashby School and service 7, which

runs from Ashby to Nuneaton.

Cresswells, based in Shortheath Road, Moira, ran services from Repton and Willington to John Port School in Etwall, from Rosliston to William Allit School in Newhall and to Ashby School.

It also took pupils from Hartshorne, Willington and Linton primary schools and Woodville Junior School to swimming lessons.

Viking Coaches will take on eight school contracts and private hire contracts.

Andy Garratt, director of Viking, part of Solus Travel, said: “We saw it as an opportunity to save several

jobs and take over the private hire and school contracts.

“We are trying to build a company which is a recognised brand and work with the community, by saving local jobs and enabling people to still go on their day trips. Those who have already booked private hire days can give us a call on 01283 217012 — we hope to honour their booking.”

Margaret Bunker, finance director at Roberts Holidays, said: “This is an industry where we are always short of drivers so the wheels are in motion to take on staff from Cresswells.”

The latest addition to the fleet of Tees Valley Coach Travel of Eaglescliffe is a new Plaxton Panther-bodied Volvo B9R, supplied

by Plaxton Coaches Sales. It joins a predominantly Plaxton coach fleet, which includes Panthers and a top-specification tri-axle Elite used primarily as the Middlesbrough Football Club team coach.

“We have had good experiences with the Plaxton/Volvo combination,” said Ian Peacock, who set up the business in 2005.

“This new coach is our first B9R and our first new-generation Panther and we have bought it primarily to cater for incoming tourists.”

The 12.8m-long Panther is an air-conditioned 49/53-seater with centre sunken toilet. It provides

Tees Valley with high standards of comfort for its clients, and operational flexibility. The B9R is powered by Volvo’s 340bhp D9B 9-litre Euro 5 engine, coupled to the popular I-Shift 12-speed automated gearbox.

Now in its seventh year of operation, the firm has a 27 strong fleet and is based in Stockton-onTees.

The company’s expansion since it started up with just one vehicle has been across a range of operations including school contracts, local bus services and private hire. “We’ve grasped opportunities as they have arisen,” Mr Peacock explained. “This latest investment demonstrates our focus on providing customers with a top-quality service.”

A Motts of Aylesbury driver negotiates the driving course in a tri-axle Scania at the 2010 UK Coach Rally

Cresswells Coaches has gone into administration, with several of its school and private hire contracts being taken up by other operators

Tees Valley adds new Plaxton Panther to its fleet

The new Elite joins the fleet of Plaxtons at Tees Valley www.coachandbusweek.com

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Drivers gear up to test their skills at UK Coach Rally A newly-designed driving test is among the enhancements planned for this year’s UK Coach Rally which takes place at the East of England Showground at Peterborough on April 21-22. The organisers are anticipating stiff competition for the six-minute driving test which comprises six sections: width test, garage, reversing over a pit, tyre pad, parallel parking and bullseye.

The rules and regulations have also been updated including the penalties for infringements.

Entries for the coach rally currently stand at 52. With a number expected to confirm their attendance soon, the organisers are still anticipating beating last year’s total of 65 entries.

Further sponsorship for the rally has been secured with Wrightsure Insurance backing the top two

trophies - UK Coach Rally Coach Driver of the Year and UK Coach Rally Bus Driver of the Year.

“We’re also pleased to confirm that Scania UK have now agreed to join Volvo and Plaxton in sponsoring the UK Coach Rally,” said Paul Cousins, organiser.

Bookings for the Saturday evening dinner dance are still available but prompt booking is advised.

In addition to the rally and driving tests, the event also includes a return of the display of vintage vehicles, trade stands and indoor exhibitors from CPT’s supplier members, supported by live displays from the West Midlands Safari Park.

Call 07885 825133. Visit www.coachdisplays.co.uk

19/03/2012 20:47

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12 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 21, 2012

news

Go-Ahead and Williams Hybrid Power to develop hybrid flywheel The Go-Ahead Group and Williams Hybrid Power (WHP), a subsidiary of Williams Grand Prix Engineering, have signed a ground-breaking agreement to develop a flywheel energy storage application for use in buses.

Go-Ahead and Williams Hybrid Power have agreed to work together to develop and produce six prototype buses with a retrofitted hybrid flywheel system, providing electro mechanical energy to drive the bus and deliver substantial improvements to fuel economy and reductions in CO2 emissions.

Williams Hybrid Power has been at the forefront of hybrid flywheel systems within motor racing,

originally developing it for the Williams Formula One car and providing systems to Porsche for the 911 GT3 Hybrid and recently Audi for the R18 e-tron Quattro that will compete at this year’s Le Mans 24 hour race.

The company is now making the technology available to applications such as hybrid buses, hybrid passenger vehicles, electric trains, rapid transit systems and smart grid infrastructure to meet their high power energy storage needs, save fuel and reduce emissions.

Phil Margrave, Go-Ahead’s Group engineering director, commented: “In the on-going quest to significantly reduce the CO2 emissions of the Go-Ahead Group we are very excited to be working with Williams Hybrid Power, a British technology company at the

Devolution of local transport decisions in urban areas was in the spotlight at last week’s pteg Parliamentary reception.

Although buses received small mention at the reception ‘Ready for the devolution challenge; PTEs/ITAS and the future of urban transport’, in favour of rail and large infrastructure projects, transport secretary Justine Greening said she travelled on a bus, unlike her predecessor Philip Hammond.

Graham Stringer, Labour MP for Blackley and Broughton commented on the popularity of devolution. “Everybody across the political spectrum is in favour of devolution – getting decisions closer to the people who either provide services or use services has to make a lot of sense.

“I don’t say this totally without caveats; devolution can mean many different things to different people. Sometimes it means passing on difficult decisions down a lower level, away from central government. Sometimes it means passing on costs and not the

benefits to local government or to a more local level.”

Stringer raised the “real desire” of PTEs to get closer to rail franchises while Geoff Inskip, chairman of pteg renewed the call for BSOG to be devolved. “We’ve made the point we’d like to see BSOG devolved to local authorities and ITAs in particular, to ensure we can then work in partnership with our local operators to ensure the funding gets to the right source and gets our objectives achieved in the right way.”

Commenting on a “general desire to make sure our transport strategy works at a more local level as well as a national level”, Greening said: “There is a real need to make sure end-to-end journeys are considered not just modes on their own.

“One of the biggest challenges in transport is it feels like a portfolio which is begging to be disaggregated when actually what you really need to do is make sure it adds up as a whole.

“I was travelling back from Sheffield a couple of days ago and I started off on the train, got onto the tube, got onto the overland and finally finished up on the number 37 bus back from Clapham Junction.”

Hybrid system developed for Grand Prix set to debut in six Go-Ahead Group buses

Devolution in the spotlight

www.coachandbusweek.com

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cutting edge of alternative energy solutions.

“We are convinced that the experience and expertise they have gained from developing and using the flywheel technology in motorsport will migrate to the bus market and deliver a ground-

Phil Margrave, Go-Ahead’s Group engineering director

breaking solution to the issue of fuel efficiency.”

Speaking about the announcement Ian Foley, managing director of Williams Hybrid Power, added: “I am delighted that we have signed this agreement with a forward thinking company like Go-Ahead. From the very start we identified public transport as an ideal customer for our flywheel technology and I am excited about meeting the challenge of delivering this innovation for the bus industry.”

As this issue went to press, confirmation was awaited as to which make and model of buses the Williams system would be fitted.

To learn more about Williams Hybrid Power, visit the company’s website at www.williamshybridpower.com

ETOA seeks better plan for coach tourism in Barcelona In an open letter to Barcelona City Council, the European Tour Operators Association (ETOA), and a number of other bodies have called for the foundation of a group to help address the question of tour coaches within the city.

The letter highlights the benefits coach tourism could bring to help the city’s economy. The letter reads: “We express our support for the foundation of a working group to look at the question of tour coaches in Barcelona.

“As such an initiative was promised by the City Council, and given that plans for coach restrictions are now being proposed by the authorities without such a group having convened, we feel it is imperative proper consultation takes place.

“The initial proposals regard access to the Sagrada Familia, but recent debates at the City Hall show a wider plan is being sought for the city. Barcelona is a leading city in the world of tourism. The revenue and, particularly in the current climate, the employment the tourist

sector provides is fundamental to the city’s economy. However, this investment is fragile. And any extra burden, be it financial or structural, cannot be placed upon it lightly.

Equally, when framing policy, it is logical that the professionals working within that sector should be involved every step of the way. “…There is a tendency to single [coach tourism] out as the main cause of congestion, ignoring the fact it is a green and efficient mode of travel… “…Some cities have shown themselves to be enlightened when developing and improving their tourism infrastructure; others not.

We very much hope that Barcelona falls into the former category and we look forward to engaging with policy makers and other stakeholders to ensure the city continues to thrive as a destination.”

The ETOA remains the only trade association offering European level representation for the interests of tour operators. Visit www.etoa.org

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news › financial

Profits rise at National Express Once ailing ‘Big Five’ group announces record profits National Express recorded record profit in 2011, spurred by strong performances from its UK Coach, UK Bus and North America divisions.

The operator’s profit before tax and amortisation was £180.2m, up from £97.3m in 2010. Revenue rose 5% to £2.24bn.

UK Coach delivered a record profit of £34.9m with a 13.5% margin while UK Bus achieved a margin of 12.4%.

Dean Finch, National Express Group chief executive, said: “In just two years National Express has moved from reporting losses to the record profits we have announced today. We carried more passengers than in 2010 and are now the best performing operator in many of our markets. While our customers are increasingly cost conscious in these challenging economic times, we are focused on delivering excellent services at good value.

We are determined to maintain this momentum in 2012. I believe our portfolio of businesses and track record of success mean we are also well placed to do this and target emerging growth opportunities.”

The company claims that while economic austerity is presenting a number of challenges for operators, it has also opened up opportunities, with more people turning to public transport as a more viable means of getting around.

Finch continued: “National Express provides attractive, value for money alternatives. We believe that our portfolio of businesses will provide sustainable earnings growth, continued cash generation and exciting opportunities for growth in selected markets in the medium term.”

In the UK Bus division, the average passenger yield has been improved with the West Midlands fares remaining amongst the lowest for comparable conurbations.

Growth of over 4% in commercial revenue was driven by the 11% passenger yield rise.

Passenger volumes decreased by 7%, partly reflecting an overall mileage reduction of 2%. The company states it has targeted reductions in some off-peak www.coachandbusweek.com

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National Express has changed its coach pricing policy by eliminating heavily discounted promotional fares in favour of every day value pricing.

Passengers wait to board two services at Peterborough bus station on June 25, 2011 - route 350 to Clacton on Sea and 449 to Mablethorpe respectively services, but increased services to meet additional demand elsewhere; for example, re-timetabling on the inner circle route 8 in Birmingham driving 15% passenger growth year on year, along with a 50% reduction in waiting times.

UK Coach eliminated heavily discounted promotional fares in favour of every day value pricing.

The firm has seen passenger volume growth in response to service improvements in both the UK Bus and Coach operations. It cites more effective marketing strategies targeting student travel in bus, coach and rail, together with commuter travel in coach as contributing factors.

INVESTMENT There was large investment in new fleet in 2011, with spending of £132m across the group last year.

In UK Bus over 250 new buses entered service over a 12-month period, along with 160 new vehicles introduced to its third-party operated UK Coach fleet in 2011, and 300 new vehicles in Spain.

In North America over 600 new school buses were added in 2011 and cascaded over 900 existing

buses across the fleet, driving better capital efficiency. Growth in North America has been boosted by the recently acquired Petermann school bus business.

“We will continue to focus on opportunities to enhance margins and profitability in the four core bus and coach divisions. Leveraging our international portfolio and scale, procurement savings, worth over £12m year-on-year in 2011, will continue to bring benefits. In UK Bus we are targeting to further increase margin, through improved costs, depot improvements and growth. In North American school bus, already the industry leader in margin, further improvements will be delivered through improved maintenance schemes and the use of technology; GPS is already delivering better control of wage and fuel costs. Spain and UK Coach are focused on minimising the impact on 2012 margins of concession renewal and subsidy reduction respectively. Each business will continue to deliver cost savings and productivity gains, while keeping networks optimised,” added Finch.

The firm states organic growth

is a key target for each business and claims austerity will continue to drive value services such as bus and coach.

A number of cost reduction programmes were put into action last year, including: Procurement savings of £12m across the Group, including parts, telecoms and IT; Insurance savings of £3m, reflecting safety improvement led by the Driving Out Harm programme; and Targeted cost efficiencies savings of £21m, mainly in overhead costs.

These were partially offset by: Fuel costs rising by £1m, with higher hedged prices and Depreciation increasing by £6m, reflecting increased investment in vehicles in North America and Spain.

Group operating cash flow in 2011 was £159.8m (2010: £221.7m), reflecting reinvestment of higher profits in fleet renewal.

Revenue for Alsa, Spain was £551.1m (2010: £525.6m) and normalised operating profit was £90.1m (2010: £86.2m). Revenue for North America was £481.0m (2010: £459.8m) and normalised operating profit was £47.9m (2010: £36.9m). Revenue for UK Bus was £263.5m (2010: £257.8m) and normalised operating profit was £32.7m (2010: £28.3m). Revenue for UK Coach was £259.1m (2010: £250.3m) and normalised operating profit was £34.9m (2010: £32.0m). UK Bus and North America have both nearly doubled profit since 2009.

OUTLOOK Looking forward, Finch said: “After a strong end to 2011, we expect passenger revenue to continue to grow in each of our bus and coach divisions. In 2012, as austerity measures, fuel and fare increases make passenger travel by other modes relatively more expensive, National Express provides attractive, value for money alternatives. We believe that our portfolio of businesses will provide sustainable earnings growth, continued cash generation and exciting opportunities for growth in selected markets in the medium term.”

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news › international

Mercedes-Benz Citaro G hybrid artic for Wuppertal’s WSW mobil Vehicle is 70th hybrid bus in the Rhein Rhuhr area since promotion began in 2009 GERMANY WSW mobil GmbH has taken delivery of an 18m MercedesBenz Citaro G articulated hybrid with the aid of funding through the Rheine-Ruhr transport association.

The Rhein-Ruhr transport association (VRR), of which WSW mobil GmbH is a member, launched a promotional programme for hybrid buses in 2009. Today approximately 70 hybrids belonging to VRR transport companies have been subsidised with the help of the programme for ‘Innovative projects for the improvement of local public transport.’ The objective is to pool the findings and experience gained with regard to the new technology as part of a research programme and put them at the disposal of other transport companies and vehicle manufacturers.

Ulrich Piotrowski, who is responsible for the market launch of hybrid and electric buses at Mercedes‑Benz, said: “Wuppertal is just perfect for the Citaro G BlueTec Hybrid. The demanding topography provides sufficient opportunity for energy recuperation via the brakes, but, if necessary, can also clearly demonstrate deficits thanks to the challenging routes. The experience gained during daily operations is invaluable to the further development of vehicles.”

When topographical conditions are ideal, the Citaro G BlueTec Hybrid can drive up to 10km using only electric power without the help of the diesel engine. Four electric wheel hub motors which draw their power from lithium ion batteries provide the drive. Electric current is generated when the brakes are applied and, if required, can also be obtained via a generator which is driven by a small diesel engine.

Outwardly, the light blue hybrid hardly differs from the rest of the WSW Citaro fleet. The bright and friendly interior is characterised by large windows, traffic red grab rails, which provide a contrast to the blue seat covers. A five-camera CCTV www.coachandbusweek.com

NewsIntl.indd 16

system improves safety and avoids damage through vandalism. The climate control in the passenger saloon and in the driver’s cab can be regulated independently of one another via the overhead air-conditioning system. The airconditioning concept, just like the fire alarm system and the automatic fire extinguishing system in the engine compartment, is standard WSW equipment.

Two 48.26 cm TFT monitors in the front and rear sections display the names of bus stops. When connected to the IBIS on-board computer, information regarding route progress and the name of the next bus stop are displayed.

The IBIS is not only responsible for the control of the passenger information systems, but also for traffic signal pre-emption in

Wuppertal. The control centre can directly transmit acoustic and visual information to one or all of the vehicles on the service route. The exact position of the vehicle is determined, evaluated and transmitted to the passenger information boards located at the bus stops using GPS. Passengers at the bus stops are informed in real time about exact arrival and departure times.

Four electric motors influence the driving characteristics of the Citaro. They accelerate the 18m-long bus quickly and almost silently. As no transmission is used, passengers notice no jerking typical of gear changes. The drive output of the wheel hub motors is 320 kW, supplied as required by the battery and the diesel engine driven generator. These electric motors

Tammo Voigt, head of Public Transport Fleet Sales at Mercedes-Benz Buses, hands over the Mercedes-Benz Citaro G BlueTec Hybrid to Ulrich Jäger, managing director of WSW mobil GmbH

Solaris supplies CNG and hybrid buses to Lithuania LITHUANIA Two Lithuanian cities have chosen a total of 30 CNG Solaris buses to renew their fleets over coming months. Different technologies are used, with the new buses fuelled by biogas or built as diesel-electric hybrids. The orders were placed by operators in Kaunas and Panevėžys.

“These contracts confirm Solaris’s excellent expertise in

eco-friendly buses,” explained Małgorzata Olszewska, director of global sales and marketing at Solaris.

“They demonstrate our offer is valued by our Lithuanian customers, who have come through challenging times and now are once again able to invest in innovative, sustainable public transport.”

In Kaunas, municipal operator

are also used for braking the bus.

They then function like generators and convert the brake energy into electric current for the battery. If the battery indicates it requires more power, the diesel engine automatically starts to generate additional energy. In comparison to a bus which runs on diesel only, the engine is only half the size - it weighs only 450 kg instead of 1,000 kg and its engine capacity is 4.8 litres as opposed to 12 litres. At 160 kW, its output is about a third lower.

The energy storage unit used in the Mercedes‑Benz Citaro G BlueTec Hybrid is a lithium ion battery.

The battery system supplies a maximum of 240 kW and, weighing less than 350 kg, is comparably light. Compared to conventional battery systems, batteries with ion technology impress with a higher energy density in conjunction with a greater storage capacity and lower weight.

WSW mobil GmbH is a subsidiary of Wuppertal Stadtwerke GmbH. The fleet comprises 300 regular service buses operating 65 routes totalling 633.7 km long, stretching from Wuppertal and Solingen via Remscheid to as far away as parts of the Ennepe-Ruhr district.

Ulrich Jäger, MD at WSW mobil GmbH, said: “Hybrid technology is the future for environmentally friendly bus services. It will only be possible to implement the ambitious climate targets of the EU by 2050 if all areas of transport policy are consistently oriented towards environmental protection.”

Kauno Autobusai opted for biogas.

The sustainably produced fuel will be used to power 24 Solaris Urbino 12 CNG. The buses enter service in Lithuania’s second-largest city toward the end of April 2012.

Panevėžio Autobusų Parkas operates in the northern city of Panevėžys and has ordered six diesel-electric Solaris Urbino 12 hybrids. They feature a parallel hybrid system supplied by Eaton which reduces fuel consumption and lowers emissions. They are the first hybrids to go into service in Lithuania.

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18 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 21, 2012

news › REGIONAL

SCOTLAND

Lothian Buses have confirmed the Lothian Autistic Society (LAS) as its official Charity of the Year partner for 2012.

In response to recent customer research, which revealed 76% of respondents believed it ‘very important or quite important’ for Lothian Buses to support local community and charity projects, the company has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting good causes within the community.

Ian Craig, managing director of Lothian Buses, said: “Staff at Lothian Buses annually raise thousands of pounds for good causes. As an award-winning and community-focused business, we have made the decision to add to our company’s charitable work by supporting an especially deserving local cause which would benefit from this relationship.”

It is the first time the Edinburghbased firm has appointed a Charity of the Year to benefit from focused fundraising and awareness activities. Michelle Keenan, director of Lothian Autistic Society, welcomed the announcement: “As a charity dependent on fundraising activity to help over 400 families across Edinburgh, West Lothian and Midlothian, we are extremely appreciative of the offer by Lothian Buses to choose us as its Charity of the Year. Everyone very much looks forward to working with Lothian Buses in fundraising initiatives in the months ahead.”

NORTH

Arriva North East is giving passengers the red carpet treatment this month.

Arriva North East’s Angels greeted passengers with refreshments and a smile as they arrived at the Haymarket Bus Station.

The Arriva Angels are travelling on buses throughout the region talking to passengers, answering queries and providing everyone with some cheer.

Nigel Featham, managing director for Arriva North East, said: “Our passengers are so valuable to us we want to show them how much we care and appreciate their custom. The Angels can now give a little bit back to our loyal customers by making sure they have a positive experience on our services.”

He added: “We believe the Arriva Angels will be welcomed by our passengers and we really hope people will enjoy meeting them and www.coachandbusweek.com

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grant (BSOG) which has already seen bus companies across the country reappraising all commercially operated routes.

KEY

SCOTLAND NORTHERN IRELAND REP OF IRELAND NORTH WALES MIDLANDS EAST LONDON SOUTH EAST SOUTH WEST

overall enjoy having a chat on their way to work.”

Go North East has launched its new smartphone ticket, the M-ticket. The company claims that it makes bus travel more convenient for passengers.

Customers can now buy bus tickets direct from their smartphone with the new M-ticket service. Available through the existing Go North East Key Mobile app, customers simply present the M-ticket to the driver on their smartphone to board the bus.

There’s a range of discounted tickets available on the iPhone and Android smartphone app from individual route savers to Buzzfare tickets for all services and Get Around tickets for students and young people. The app’s features also include bus timetables, live traffic reports and details about any delays to bus routes.

To use the service, passengers download the freeKey Mobile app from the Apple app store or Android market. Tickets can be bought for instant or future use.

Stephen King, marketing and sales manager at Go North East, said: “The new M-ticket is the latest development in the Key Mobile app, which has already proven to be a success. It is an example of what is to come in Go North East’s technological advances and a result of listening to our customers and what they want. Prioritising the quality of service for passengers is

MIDLANDS

a key focus for Go North East and keeping on top of technology allows us to provide customers with ticket options to suit their needs.”

The introduction of the M-ticket coincides with the launch of the company’s Charter for Positive Change where bus users, customers and stakeholders are invited to provide their feedback on ways bus services could be improved across the North East.

WALES

Cardiff Bay is reducing its Local Transport Services Grant by 27% next month. The grant which is given to councils to help pay for uneconomic bus routes deemed ‘socially necessary’ is being cut from £11m to £8m from April 1.

Swansea council currently receive £638,700 a year through the grant, but it is being cut by £174,191 due to the changes. The council’s cabinet has voted to put an extra £174,000 into services to make up for the cuts in Welsh Government funding.

Many subsidised bus services across Wales face an uncertain future and it is hoped council money will keep them viable.

Councillor Stuart Rice, cabinet member for finance, said: “Public transport is a key part of society.

The environment and finance departments have been working closely together to find the money.”

The Welsh Government is also cutting its bus service operators

Parents could face a price rise of hundreds of pounds to keep school bus services in the West Midlands.

Public transport authority Centro said it is proposing cutting funding to The Green Bus services by 50% although no final decision has been made. The Green Bus service said it would have to increase prices or cut routes if the subsidy was reduced. It currently offers half-price travel for journeys to and from school aiming to reduce car usage.

The two organisations have recently been negotiating next year’s child fares. A spokesman for Green Bus said the proposals were “completely unacceptable particularly when many family budgets are already under pressure.”

Centro said negotiations were still ongoing about the subsidy. It said: “Centro is not proposing to stop reimbursement payments to Green Bus Company for these services, however under Centro’s Concessionary Fare Scheme for children the level of reimbursement given by the taxpayer to Green Bus is currently around £600 per child per year, compared to around £300 for other operators. We are therefore proposing to provide a level of reimbursement similar to that given to other operators, and we are currently in negotiation about this with Green Bus. No final decision has yet been made.”

EAST

Stagecoach is reducing the service of a ‘lifeline’ bus route in Lincolnshire.

More than 1,000 people have signed petitions to stop Stagecoach from cutting funding to the number 3 bus between Grimsby and Lincoln after the 20% cut to the BSOG was announced.

Market Rasen and Caistor town councils want Lincolnshire County Council to subsidise the bus service which they claim is a lifeline for people living in rural locations such as Nettleton, Holton le Moor, Middle Rasen, Linwood and Faldingworth.

Lincolnshire County Council’s head of transportation Chris Briggs said: “The costs quoted to us are too high for us to meet and would require additional funding which

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is not there, or subsidies being removed from other areas, which would have a similar impact. The reality of public demand is it is insufficient for the operator to make a profit.”

Currently there is an hourly service but Stagecoach proposes reducing this to five buses a day leaving Lincoln at 0655, 0840, 1340, 1540 and 1740hrs.

County councillor Burt Keimach said: “We understand there is deep feeling about this and we know there are petitions. We have a duty to provide a bus service so we will be working towards a solution.”

The council’s portfolio holder met with Stagecoach on March 19.

SOUTH EAST

Bus services in a Berkshire town are set to be axed or reduced as part of council budget

March 21, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 19

Coach & Bus Week takes a look at the big issues where you live in our round-up of the regions. If you’ve got a local issue you would like us to cover, contact James Day at james.day@rouncymedia.co.uk.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

cuts. Bracknell Council subsidises a number of routes which bus operators deem not commercially viable. But with cuts in public spending the authority said it needed to withdraw five routes and halve three further services.

It is asking residents for their views and to give comments about a further seven services currently under review.

Routes under threat include the Monday to Saturday 151 Bracknell to Wokingham and the evening 153/154 Bracknell to Binfield.

The authority added: “The council is keen to understand how, and why, people use the buses in Bracknell Forest and what the implications would be if a service was reduced or withdrawn.

“This will inform the decisionmaking process, taking into account views and opinions.”

2012 n March 21-22 Young Bus Managers Network conference.

Lansdown Hotel, Brighton. For more details, email alex.hornby@ youngbusmanagers.org.uk. Visit www.youngbusmanagers.org.uk n March 31 ‘M&D and EK 60’.

Kent Showground on the A249 near Maidstone. www.arrivabus.co.uk/ MDEK60, contact mdekbusclub@ gmail.com n April 14 Paul S Winson Coaches Running Day. Loughborough and local area. www.busrunningday. co.uk, contact info@busrunningday. co.uk n April 19, 2012 UK Coach Awards. Ramada Jarvis Piccadilly Hotel in Manchester, 0870 900 1450. www.ukcoachawards.co.uk n April 19-21 Busworld Turkey.

Istanbul Expo Center, Turkey. www.busworldturkey.com/en/ index.html n April 21-22 UK Coach Rally.

East of England Showground, Peterborough. 01753 631170. www.coachdisplays.co.uk n April 24-26 CV Show. NEC, Birmingham. 01634 261262. www.cvshow.com n May 5 – 7 Llandudno Festival of Transport. Bodafon Fields, Llandudno, North Wales. 01492 545053. www.llantransfest.co.uk n May 22-23 ALBUM Conference.

– Forest Pines Hotel, near Brigg, North Lincolnshire. www.albumconference.co.uk

Engineers and drivers from Stagecoach North East have helped raise over £30,000 for local charities. £8,500 of this sum has been raised by Walkergate depot engineers Alan Appleby, Steve Laws, David Wynn, Mark Rutherford and Eddie King. They have undertaken a number of challenges including the Coast to Coast cycle ride from Whitehaven to Sunderland. Around £5,000 has been donated to charities such as the Marie Curie Hospice and the Great North Air Ambulance. In September they cycled from Lands End to John O’Groats which took them just over 10 days to complete and raised £3,500 which they donated to the Tiny Lives Baby Unit at the Royal Victoria Infirmary. From the same depot, drivers Ronnie Oxborough and Stuart Cooper have organised a number of events in aid of the Tiny Lives Baby Unit, raising £7,000 which has gone towards specialist equipment for the facility. All the money raised was match-funded by Stagecoach North East, taking the total to over £30,000. Alan Appleby said: “We are committed to doing our bit for charity and aim to undertake two challenges per year. Charities like the Chris Lucas Trust and the Great North Air Ambulance rely on the support of people like us and the bike rides are something we all enjoy. Fundraising is so worthwhile and we all find the challenges we undertake rewarding. And it’s paid off. Over the past six years we’ve raised over £8,500 which Stagecoach North East matched and we’re really proud of that.”

John Conroy, MD, Stagecoach North East, said: “The fact they have raised over £15,000 is testament to their dedication to supporting worthwhile causes. Helping local charities is something they believe in and we are delighted to be able to contribute to the money they’ve raised.”

n June 4 Imberbus’ service, using Routemaster buses from Warminster, across rarely-seen parts of Salisbury Plain. warminstervbrd. zxq.net/v/imber.htm n June 5 – 7 Transports Publics 2012. The European Mobility Exhibition, Paris. www.

transportspublics-expo.com

n June 10 Barry Festival of Transport. Organised by Cardiff Transport Preservation Group, Barry, South Wales. postmaster@-ctpg. co.uk. www.ctpg.co.uk

The European Mobility Show, better known as ‘Transports Publics’ will be held in Paris between June 5–7. The show covers bus, coach, rail and light rail, with a range of suppliers from across Europe n August 3-5 Bedford OB GetTogether. South Cerney Airfield, Cirencester, GL7 5QB. Contact the organiser Tim Wootton by email on tim@tjcs.freeserve.co.uk. Visit http://www.bedfordob.com/ n August 27 The National Association of Road Transport Museums gala day. The Transport Museum, Wythall, near Birmingham. www.wythall.org.uk n September 6 Association of Trainers AGM. Steele Road, Wembley Julia@asot.org.uk 01797 344251 n September 8-9 UK Bus Driver of the Year, Blackpool. Call competition secretary Bill Holmes on 01303 251462. www.bdoy.co.uk n September 16 Showbus.

Imperial War Museum, Duxford, Cambridgeshire. www.showbus.com n September 20-27 IAA Commercial Vehicles. Hannover. +(00)49 30897842. www.iaa.de n October 14 Midland Red Centenary of the Reintroduction of Motorbuses. The Transport Museum, Wythall, near Birmingham. www.wythall.org.uk n October 18 CILT Annual Awards for Excellence Dinner. London.

01536 740104. www.ciltuk.org.uk n November 6-8 Euro Bus Expo.

NEC, Birmingham. 01926 834790. www.eurobusxpo.com n November 20 UK Bus Awards – provisional date. www.ukbusawards.org.uk

2013

n June 22 CILT Wales National Transport Awards lunch. Cardiff City Hall. 01446 451227. www.ciltuk. org.uk/pages/regions/wales

n May 26-30 UITP Congress & Exhibition. Palexpo, Geneva. www.uitp.org. +(00)32 2673 6100.

n July 15 Alton Bus Rally & Running Day. Mid Hants Railway, Alton, Hampshire. www. watercressline.co.uk

Do you have an event to promote? Send details to gareth.evans@rouncymedia.co.uk www.coachandbusweek.com

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news › TOURISM

The maximum group number The Royal Gunpowder Mills site can cater for

brIEfly The National Botanic Garden of Wales is hosting a series of talks, courses, exhibitions and fun activities throughout May 2012.

Every Wednesday visitors can make their own herbal concoction and hear a lecture about plant-derived medicines. Weekend visitors can learn about healthy food and ask a pirate what spices from his ship will protect them from the plague.

In May, visitors can discover images of the medieval Physicians of Myddfai in the garden’s Art Gallery whilst in the Great Glasshouse, smartphones can be used to locate some of the world’s most amazing medicinal plants. Admission is £8.50 per adult, £7.00 concessions and £4.50 for children, with under 5s entering free. Visit www. gardenofwales.org.uk/whats-on for the full May programme.

Shrewsbury’s Riverside Shopping Centre is to be rebuilt as part of a £150m scheme to merge the town’s three biggest shopping centres and create a new department store. The Darwin, Pride Hill and Riverside centres will become a single shopping centre.

In addition, up to 60 additional shops and restaurants will be created. Bosses say the proposals would make Shrewsbury a “more attractive” place to shop and visit. David Rodger, of Ignis Real Estate, said: “The proposal is to demolish the Riverside Centre which is over 40 years old. We would bulldoze the mall at the back and build up the new box and punch into the existing Darwin and Pride Hill stores. The only part to be demolished is the Riverside Mall, the other two centres will remain as they are subject to refurbishment and redevelopment.”

The plans will be officially unveiled later this month.

The Yorkshire Dales Falconry Centre is offering discount rates of £6.00 per adult and £4.20 per child for groups of 20 plus.

The deal is geared towards school groups, with one free adult entry per 10 children. The centre was created in 1991, and provides a glimpse into the sport of falconry as well as an insight into various birds of prey. To book, call 01729 822832 or visit www.hawkexperience.com www.coachandbusweek.com

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Famous hotel opens doors to coach tours Grim’s Dyke widens its driveway entrance to cater for the coach tourism industry The Grim’s Dyke country house hotel and gardens, former home of Sir William Gilbert of the world famous Gilbert & Sullivan operatic partnership, is now welcoming coach parties following a decision to widen the driveway entrance.

The hotel, located in a beautiful tranquil setting at Harrow Weald, Middlesex, is just 12 miles from London’s West End. An ideal setting

for wedding receptions, corporate events and parties, Grim’s Dyke has wanted to attract coach tour business for a long time but the restricted access to the driveway has made it impossible.

It is hoped the move will prove popular with tour operators and coach companies, leading to a rise in visitor numbers.

The Grade II listed building, set in 40 acres of formal gardens and woodlands, features classic Gothic Victorian architecture.

The inside of the house is equally

The rose garden is part of the 40 acres which surround the house

Inventive tours at The Rum Story in Cumbria Voted Cumbria Tourism’s Small Visitor Attraction of the Year 2007, The Rum Story is an experience set in the original 1785 shop, courtyards, cellars and bonded warehouses of the Jefferson family.

Visitors travel through a tropical rainforest, an African village, a realistic slave ship, a Cooper’s workshop and much more.

A coach drop-off point is located at the front door, with a nearby coach park and a meet and greet service for pre-booked coaches.

There is free entry for the coach driver. Local market days are Thursday and Saturdays.

stunning with features such as the recently refurbished Music Room and its beautiful vaulted ceiling and original minstrel’s gallery.

The hotel’s double AA-rosetted restaurant is popular with both locals and hotel guests. Head chef Daren Mason sources ingredients for his dishes from the hotel’s vegetable gardens and orchards.

There is a busy entertainment programme which runs throughout the year and includes Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Dinners, jazz nights, Murder Mystery Evenings and Gourmet Dinners.

The Grim’s Dyke’s formal gardens feature rhododendron bushes that were planted by Lady Gilbert, 100-year-old Giant Redwood trees and a thriving wildlife community which includes an unusual species of deer.

The surrounding woodlands include a nature walk, the site of the boating lake where Sir William tragically drowned and a recently restored Victorian orchard which is home to many rare Victorian species of apple.

For more information visit www.grimsdyke.com

Explosive school trips

The haunted vault is one of the many things to see at The Rum Story There are discounted group rates of £3.50 per person. The attraction offers a free guided tour with private welcome facilities. It is fully wheelchair accessible.

Catering facilities can be provided. Any special dietary requirements should be raised prior to arrival.

Call 01946 592933 or email info@rumstory.co.uk for more information.

The Royal Gunpowder Mills in Essex have 300 years of history in a setting ideal for schools. A series of projects are featured to bring everything from the Gunpowder Plot to the Space Race to life.

The site can cater for school groups from 20 to 120 members.

General open hours are 1000 to 1430hrs, but self-guided visits can go on until 1700hrs.

Programme prices vary by class size from £208 to £130, or £176 to £110 per class for self-guided visits.

Four free adult places are provided per class, with additional tickets available for £6.50 each.

Call 01992 707370 or email education.booking@ royalgunpowdermills.com

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1869 £150m The year Norman Shaw designed Grim’s Dyke in Middlesex

Cost of scheme to merge Shrewsbury’s three biggest shopping centres

Five-star mining museum in Scotland

The Scottish Mining Museum offers a host of activities for groups.

The five-star attraction is based at what is hailed as one of the best surviving examples of a Victorian colliery in Europe, the Lady Victoria Colliery at Newtongrange, nine miles south of Edinburgh.

Opening hours are 1000 to 1700hrs in Spring and Summer (last tour 1500) and 1000 to 1600hrs in Autumn and Winter (last tour 1430hrs). Both the museum and coffee shop are open seven days a week. Tours run regularly at £7.50 per adult, with three free children’s tickets per adult, and £5.50 for concessions.

General entry for groups is set at £6.50 per adult, £4.50 per concession and £1 per school child, with teachers and the coach driver going free. A minimum of one teacher per 10 pupils is advised.

The venue has full disabled access, and asks that visitors bring warm clothing, as it can get quite cold at times.

For more information visit www. scottishminingmuseum.com

diesel prices

A host of vintage buses are seen at the Wythall-based museum

Tour the Transport Museum The Transport Museum, Wythall, is a volunteer-managed museum open on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays throughout British Summer Time from 1100 to 1600hrs. The museum also opens on Wednesday afternoons from 1300hrs between June and August.

The normal adult admission rate is £3 but groups of 10 or more are discounted to £2.50. There are also discount rates available for children and families.

Special rates apply on events

days (generally Bank Holidays).

At slightly higher cost per head, a guided tour can be included with optional refreshments. As these tours are pre-booked, Wythall is happy to conduct them outside normal opening hours. Coach drivers with groups will get free admission and are looked after with a cup of tea and biscuits.

Minimum charges apply on guided tours and visitors are asked to advise their requirements and obtain a quotation through enquiries@wythall.org.uk or by post to Group Visits, The Transport Museum, Chapel Lane, Wythall, Worcestershire B47 6JX. More details can be found at www.wythall.co.uk

MANUEL HARLAN

DEALS OF THE WEEK Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace, famous for their stunning tango routines on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, are now heading to the Manchester Opera House with ‘Midnight Tango,’ a breathtaking evening bringing all the drama, sensuality and elegance of this most exciting of dance forms to life. The performance is showing from Tuesday, April 17 to Saturday, April 21 as part of a national tour. Evening showings are at 1930hrs with Wednesday and Saturday matinees taking place at 1430hrs. Ticket prices range from £14.50 to £25.50. Set in a late night bar in downtown Buenos Aires and featuring some of the finest tango dancers in the world and live music, Midnight Tango takes

Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace are sure to display choreography as flamboyant as that seen on the famous BBC series audiences on a journey into a heart of this intoxicating city.

The show, produced by Arlene Phillips and Adam Spiegal, is currently enjoying a ‘smash hit’ 10-week season at the Aldwych Theatre in the West End, which

ends on March 31. It will embark on a national tour on April 10. n For further information, visit www.midnighttango.co.uk. Box office number is 0844 871 3018.

Lancaster Castle offers daytime group tours at £4

Cost per litre in pence: Great Britain Italy Sweden Greece Ireland Hungary Belgium France Netherlands Czech Republic Germany Portugal Austria Poland Spain Slovenia Luxembourg

142.80 142.21 140.93 133.35 130.31 127.58 126.51 125.83 123.72 123.67 121.52 121.52 117.98 116.74 112.32 111.81 104.21

holiday pound £1 will get you: Euro 1.20 Switzerland (Franc) 1.45 Norway (Kroner) 9.10 Hungary (Forint) 347.36 Czech Republic (Koruna) 29.39 Poland (Zloty) 4.94

per head, with a deposit of £20 required to secure bookings. Adult evening tours are £5 per head, with a deposit of £50 required at least one week before the tour date. Child evening tours (under 15s) cost £4 per head with £40 deposit. Lancaster Castle is still used as a crown court and was a category C prison until March 2011.

Despite some areas of the castle which housed the prison being closed to the public, it is possible to see a good portion of the building and learn about its long history.

The castle is open seven days a week (except the Christmas/New Year period) from 1000 to 1700hrs, with tours operating between 1030 and 1600hrs. Coach and minibus parking must be pre-booked. There is a maximum number of 50 people per tour but multiple tours can be organised if a group exceeds this. n For more information visit www. lancastercastle.com www.coachandbusweek.com

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20%

news › BUSINESS

Go-Ahead’s target for reducing CO2 emissions by 2015

briefly Go-Ahead has become a ‘premier member’ of the British Quality Foundation (BQF), which helps businesses improve performance, learn from best practice and achieve sustainable excellence. It also provides support to the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM), which helps measure delivery against strategic goals, brings consistency to management style and drives innovation. David Brown, GoAhead chief executive, said: “The BQF is Europe’s largest corporate membership organisation dedicated to performance improvement.

Our premier membership of BQF will help us build on our existing management systems and share best practice. It will also give us insights, tools and experiences we can use to improve, innovate and achieve sustainable excellence.”

Increasing international trade and investment, overhauling the capital’s transport system, tackling unemployment and improving education and skills should be at the heart of priorities for the next London mayor, the CBI said last week. Sara Parker, CBI London region director, said: “The capital’s lifeblood is its transport network. It’s vital to the success of London’s economy. Firms want the mayor to optimise the capacity on the existing networks and deliver new transport modes, like Crossrail, while also increasing connectivity and reliability for passengers.”

UK unemployment rose by 28,000 to 2.67m during the three months to January, with the unemployment rate at 8.4%, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Unemployment amongst women accounted for most of the increase. However there was a small increase in the number of people in work - up by 9,000 in the three months to January. The government said the data showed the situation was “stabilising” but Labour said ministers were being “complacent”.

The number of people claiming JSA increased by 7,200 to 1.61m in February. Meanwhile, average earnings increased by 1.4% in the year to January, down from a rate of 1.9% in December. www.coachandbusweek.com

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Go-Ahead celebrates gold rating success Go-Ahead recognised in the Business in the Community 2012 Corporate Responsibility Index Go-Ahead has achieved a ‘gold’ rating in Business in the Community’s (BITC) 2012 Corporate Responsibility Index (CRI), a voluntary benchmark of corporate responsibility.

Go-Ahead has participated in the index since it began 10 years ago and gained full marks across all categories in the integration section, which tested whether corporate responsibility (CR) is implemented and embedded throughout its businesses. Full marks were also given in five out of six of the areas in the corporate strategy section, which rewards companies for placing CR values at the heart of their business.

Go-Ahead’s commitment to reducing its impact on the environment through its Driving Energy Further initiatives in bus and rail meant it achieved 100% in the environmental impacts section, beating the benchmark across all sectors in the index.

Achieving gold means it can: demonstrate openness and transparency through

effective public reporting of its material environmental and social issues, programmes and performance; expand and adapt its risk management processes by incorporating relevant aspects of corporate responsibility risk and opportunity; and articulate its corporate responsibility strategy in an effective manner and include clear and measurable targets.

“This is great news for the group,” said David Brown, Go-Ahead chief executive. “The survey recognises our commitment to operating our

Go-Ahead chief executive David Brown welcome recognition of the group’s efforts to help the environment

Government hampering economic recovery, says BCC The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has criticised the government for “pussyfooting around” on growth and hampering recovery with a mountain of red tape.

Less than a week before the budget, the BCC has accused politicians of undermining business and failing to provide the skilled workers the private sector needs.

“We have young people failed by the education system and a Whitehall machine that knows nothing of how a business really operates,” the BCC director general, John Longworth, told the group’s annual conference, Business is good for Britain.

“Why do many officials have so little understanding of business and

why do some, rather like the butler in Downton Abbey, look upon business, particularly medium and small business, with a superior air of distaste – ‘only fit for the tradesman’s entrance’?”

Longworth attacked what he saw as an impossible planning regime, a multitude of small regulations and interferences and “terrible” infrastructure.

Some politicians “take every opportunity to attack the productive sector of the economy”, he said.

The chancellor is again expected to highlight the role of business in driving economic recovery.

The BCC has called for Osborne to use next Wednesday’s budget

rail and bus businesses responsibly and to making a positive impact on the economy and society.

“It is also good to see our work to reduce our impact on the environment being recognised - we have reduced our CO2 emissions by 12% per passenger journey since 2008 and are on target to meet our 20% reduction target by 2015.”

Stephen Howard, chief executive of Business in the Community, said: “I congratulate the Go-Ahead Group on achieving Gold in the 2012 BITC Corporate Responsibility Index. The CR Index has helped to highlight clearly those best practice examples that bring to life in a powerful way what integrated responsible practice really looks like.

“As we celebrate 10 years of our CR Index it has given me great pleasure to witness each company’s responsible business journey and the transformations they are making both within their businesses and the impact they have in our communities”.

To find out more about Business in the Community’s Corporate Responsibility Index visit www.bitc.org.uk

to scrap a planned rise in business rates, bring forward a new capital allowance to encourage investment and double a new youth contract employment scheme to £2bn.

Longworth repeated a call for a state-owned business bank to lend to expanding companies, doubting Osborne’s much heralded “credit easing” would suffice.

“My message is simple. Set business free. Let business help.

Let the economy rip and stop pussyfooting around,” he said.

Nick Clegg said people were over-optimistic in expecting a quick recovery. “I think people still feel what happened in 2008 was a normal recession and we should bounce back in the normal way. It was a shocking heart attack. We know when we get those seizures in the financial system the recovery takes longer,” he told the BCC.

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£9m

NCT investment in the last year on 56 new, more efficient buses

GEDLING BOROUGH COUNCIL

NCT shines in new ECO Stars Scheme Nottingham City Transport (NCT) has achieved a four-star rating for the efficiency of its buses, as part of a new scheme which encourages businesses to run emission-cutting and cleaner vehicle fleets.

The ECO Stars scheme, which is free and voluntary to join, aims to tackle pollution on roads by offering advice and support to help fleet vehicles reduce fuel and general operational costs, and run more efficiently.

Gedling Borough Council has become the first council in the East Midlands to win funding to operate ECO Stars, and NCT was one of the first businesses to sign up to the scheme.

David Astill, NCT commercial manager, said: “Having invested £9m in the last year alone on 56 new, more efficient buses, NCT is proud

BLOG of the week

March 21, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 23

80%

Amount of networking time, which should be spent on building and maintaining relationships to be recognised as having one of the lowest emission fleets in the UK. “It is vitally important we continue our commitment to reducing our environmental impact, while still providing our passengers with the best possible service. Taking part in the ECO Stars scheme will help us towards achieving this in the Gedling area.”

Cllr Jenny Hollingsworth, portfolio holder for health and wellbeing at the Gedling Borough Council, said: “Pollution is becoming more of an issue wherever you are, but particularly on main routes where there is lots of standing traffic. I am delighted we are able to help local businesses to not only tackle this problem which affects us all, but also to support them to become more cost effective and efficient, which means less pollution for us and money saved for them, which in these economic times is very important.”

For more information about the ECO Stars scheme visit www.nctx.co.uk

David Astill, NCT commercial manager, receiving the ECO Stars certificate from Cllr Jenny Hollingsworth

Stop collecting contacts

Find, build and maintain mutually beneficial relationships, rather than spend all your time collecting contacts, says Heather Townsend, performance improvement expert for professional services, on www.businesszone.co.uk A good friend of mine, Rob Brown, has a great quote, which I often recite: “Stop counting conversations, and make conversations count.”

Which is so true. However, in my opinion, so many people spend all their networking effort and time collecting contacts. Whereas, in my view effective business networking is about finding, building and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships.

If you focus all your energy on finding relationships and very little on the building and maintaining relationships, then (and how do I say this sensitively?) you are wasting your time networking. There, I’ve said it – I’ve named the elephant in the room here.

Let me explain. If you sell a high priced service or product – which most of us do – there needs to be significant levels of trust and credibility established before either someone will buy from you or recommend your services to others. I am sure at one level, we all get this. However, why do so many professionals and people with business development responsibilities have a flawed belief that they can go into a room of strangers and

Do not spend more than 20% of your networking time finding relationships and connecting with people you’ve not met before, urges Heather walk out with invoiceable business? You may be thinking, but I don’t fall into this trap. I’m sure you don’t, but have a look at how you are spending your networking time.

If you are spending more than 20% of your networking time finding relationships and connecting with people you’ve not met before,

then sorry, you are falling into this trap.

Yes, you heard me right, 80% of your networking time needs to be spent on the building and maintaining relationships part of networking. Which means if you have 10 hours to spend on networking a week, two hours can be focused on finding new relationships, i.e. via LinkedIn, face-to-face networking events, conferences, and eight hours having conversations, spending time and helping out your existing contacts in your network.

I will tend to only go to face-to-face networking events if I can meet at least two of my existing network there. Or if there is someone who is so strategically important to me going to be there.

Otherwise, why bother attending these random type of events?

It saddens me that there is a whole industry built up around the perception that you can win business by only working a room.

Maybe that’s a strong opinion, but why else are there so many mix and mingle events?

In case you are wondering, I believe organisations like 4N, BNI, Athena, Chambers of Commerce can add real value with the networking opportunities which they offer. However, if all you do is get addicted to meeting people with the hope you’ll eventually bump into a client, there are far better (i.e. effective) ways to use your valuable marketing time.

Heather Townsend is the author of ‘The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking’, the fastest selling FT Guide ever and the current best selling book on Business Networking. www.coachandbusweek.com

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FACTORY VISIT › BEULAS/BASE

BASE and Beulas build on family values and bespoke designs Coach & Bus Week’s Andrew Cream reports on the strong working relationship between the Lancashire-based coach dealership and the Spanish bodybuilders

I

t’s obvious from spending a couple of days with BASE at the Beulas factory that there is a good working relationship between the Spanish coachbuilders and their UK distributors.

BASE has been supplying Beulas’ products

www.coachandbusweek.com

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to the UK market since 2006 and the general consensus is there will be a healthy long future between the two likeminded, family-based companies.

The Beulas factory is located in the hills of north east Spain in a small industrial town called Arbúcies, just over an hour from

the French border. The roads out of the town are winding and relatively undulating, perfect for road tests.

Dealing with the economic climate

The factory itself employs 195 staff in total and last year produced 150 units. As has been well-

documented, Spain has been hit hard with the recession and the ongoing economic crisis in Europe.

Currently there are around 5.4m unemployed in the country, around 24% of the working population.

It should be noted however, that Spain’s northern region is coping better than the tourism-orientated south, as a large proportion of the country’s industry and manufacturing is based there. In Arbúcies alone there are several coach and minibus bodybuilders.

Beulas are currently fairing relatively well given the circumstances which is down to a number of factors. It previously used to outsource some of the manufacturing process, but has since brought the full process inhouse. Jaume Clapes, export sales, explained it adds more value to the factory. “It is very important to keep the people with the skills in the factory,” he said.

The company is also big on diversity and being able to suit unique specifications – another reason why Jaume feels they have managed to beat the recession.

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Inside the busy Beulas factory (left); and L - R, Nick Allen (Beulas) and Mr Beulas, Nick Dodgson, Fran Aspinall and Mark Aspinall (BASE) and Jaume Clapes, Ramon Beluas and Toni Codina Soley (Beulas) (right) The workforce isn’t as big as it was in 2008 (when there were 220 staff) but while nobody new was recruited in 2009 and 2010, there were new recruits last year, despite the overall number of coaches bought in Spain last year being 50% less than in 2008. The factory is expanding too, with a new aftersales unit to open up within a month.

Mark Aspinall, director of BASE, said: “Beulas is constantly investing despite the recession.”

This year the company aims to produce around 210 units.

Another fact which illustrates Beulas’ strong economic position is that many other Spanish companies are enrolled in a government scheme whereby factories run for one month then have a month of downtime. The government pays employees during the downtime, but not their full wage. Beulas have not needed to enrol in this scheme.

company’s ability to make bespoke products without difficulty.

The factory is split up into bays, where typically each bay represents one day’s work. Production of a vehicle from start to finish takes roughly nine to 10 weeks.

A usual work day for staff is 0700 to 1800hrs for the factory and 0800 to 1900hrs for the office, with one and a half hours for lunch.

There is a strong quality ethos

at Beulas. Jaume explained: “There are five people employed in quality checking; the coach cannot move on to the next bay until it has been checked and a signature has been logged. We are very strict.”

While conducting the factory tour, Jaume was able to explain some of the production process and the materials used: “We use stainless steel for the side panels so we can stretch them as much

The factory

Production at the factory was described as “classic” and “hands on” by Jaume, emphasising the

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Mark Aspinall said of the Glory: “It’s a product which has the wow factor.”

as possible to get them flat. Seven to eight people work on the side panels. We then need to wait 24 hours for the glue to dry.”

The roof and wheel arches of the coaches are made from fibre glass, while all doors are aluminium, 3mm thick.

Painting and cleaning logically comes towards the end of the coach-building process. All coaches are painted first in a green epoxy for rust protection. Four separate rooms are dedicated to this process, while a further four rooms are set aside for the other paintwork.

Nick Dodgson, general manager at BASE, said: “Without blowing their trumpet, Beulas are one of the best at graduated painting. It’s very technical.”

The engine is not started until the last stage. If a coach is at this stage it means the next day at midday it will be tested on the road.

Mark was very positive about Beulas’ methods. He said: “With the quality of the engineering solutions they bring to the market place, overall we think Beulas delivers the best product in

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FACTORY VISIT › BEULAS/BASE

Europe.”

As well as the factory space, Beulas’ premises also include a shower area where coaches spend an obligatory 40 minutes under as a means of testing for leaks. There is also a turning circle in which 15-metre coaches are tested to determine they can turn within the yellow line.

Beulas coaches

Beulas uses a number of chassis suppliers when building their coaches, again adding to the number of different product variations it can offer. Chassis suppliers include VDL, MercedesBenz, Scania, MAN, Volvo and Iveco.

While there isn’t a preferred chassis supplier, MAN currently provides the highest percentage.

Beulas’ product range currently consists of the Jewel, Glory, Aura, Cygnus and Spica, all available with a range of specifications to suit customers’ needs.

The factory had a sample of coaches available to view. This included a 9-metre MAN 14.290 Spica with 35 seats and 6.7-litre rear engine. Jaume explained the rear engine model is popular due to less noise and a larger luggage area. In fact, he claimed this model has the most luggage space possible for a 9-metre coach. The air-conditioning

Beulas:

is positioned in front of the engine, while in all other Beulas coaches it is located in the roof.

Also on display was a 13.9-metre MAN R37 Glory 480bhp AS-Tronic with 65 seats upstairs and five downstairs. This particular model is being delivered to BASE’s sister company Holmeswood Coaches at the end of April, and will enter service in May. The Glory comes with slim foam seating, leaving room for extra seats.

Mark enthused: “It’s a product which has the wow factor.”

Holmeswood will also take delivery of a 13.7-metre Aura with 57 seats and DDA access. Mark explained this particular model has “cradle to grave specification” and the wheelchair lift doesn’t affect its excellent luggage capacity of 14m3, which is also helped by the high floor and rear floor-mounted toilet.

During the factory visit, CBW was treated to a couple of journeys in Beulas coaches. The first was in a 10.8-metre MAN R33 Spica.

It had sliding top windows as it was headed for a tour company in the Caribbean. Inside, the vehicle was clean and modern with ample legroom. It was equipped with seatbelts, monitors and reclining seats and was also surprisingly quiet considering it had singleglazed windows. This, Jaume

This MAN Jewel is equipped with comfy Vogel seats and footrests explained, was down to extra insulation. But he stressed there was no noticeable change to the weight. Mark joked: “The main damage has been to the price.”

The second drive was in Beulas’ newest model – the Jewel. It is clear the BASE team are excited about this vehicle, and are looking to introduce it to the UK market this year.

Development of the Jewel arose from growing demand from customers. It is a double decker with front and centre access, the centre complete with wheelchair access by way of a manual ramp.

This particular vehicle was a 13.9-metre MAN 24.480 with 89 seats. The maximum capacity on a Jewel is 93 seats.

Regarding luggage capacity, Jaume said: “Double deckers don’t have a great amount of luggage space, but this one offers the most.”

The upper deck gangway is dipped in the centre, meaning there are fewer steps.

It was a smooth ride through the hills and there was excellent visibility for passengers.

The coach was equipped with footrests, comfy Vogel seats, smart

a brief history

1934: Ramon Beluas and Narcis Pujol establish Beulas.

There is team of 12 workers.

1937 - 1939: During the Spanish Civil War, the company built ambulance bodies for the army.

1940 - 1953: Each body was made by order for each customer, making six units per year.

1967 - 1968: Vehicles begin to be standardised. There is a team of 40 workers.

1975 - 1977: Premises enlarged to 10,000m2. The Beulas 75 is created, with its own design and personality.

1988 - 1992: The Stergo model is developed. The number of employees rises to 96.

1993 - 1999: Beulas start to supply to Germany and the UK. 2000 - 2006: Develop the Aura, Cygnus and Spica.

Employees increase to 190.

Coaches are tested for leaks under the shower

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Join the discussion on Twitter by following us at @cbwtweets and find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/coachandbusweek doom and gloom, some at Beulas believe the country still hasn’t seen the worst of it. Looking to the future, Mr Beulas added: “Whatever happens we must keep enjoying what we are doing. A small company like us cannot control what will happen.”

BASE

The Jewel outside the factory (above left); the Jewel’s wheelchair access (above right); and the MAN Spica (below)

“We have the experience, the ability to hear, the ability to modify and the ability to make improvements.

From listening to people we have the ability to create.”

Mr Beulas Owner & engineering director modern lighting, 22” front monitor, 15” middle monitor and a front time and temperature display.

Lights run across the top and bottom of the vehicle. Toni Codina Soley, technical commercial, was behind the wheel for this road test.

He said: “The lights are very helpful at night.”

Again, the Jewel can be adjusted to suit customers’ needs. Nick said: “We can be very flexible. It’s not a mass-produced product. One guy we spoke to said it would make a great band bus.”

Addressing the look and style of the coach, Nick added: “It’s got a curve and a sweep. The design makes it aesthetically pleasing.”

Regarding delivery times from BASE, he explained: “If an order is placed now, it will be delivered in the third quarter of 2012.”

Wheelchair access on coaches is becoming very common in Spain.

This is not surprising considering the Spanish government helps fund these modifications. Jaume said: “We have fitted a lot of wheelchair equipment because of the government grant.”

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The installation of double doors on the Glory has been particularly popular. “Even people who don’t need wheelchair access ask for it because they like the increased access area,” he added.

Present and future

In 2011, Beulas’ production was split by country as follows: Spain 51%, Sweden 19% (an exception due to a large order), France 11%, UK 8%, Italy 6% and others 5% (Cyprus, Malta, Holland, Czech Republic and Switzerland).

Mr Beulas, the owner and engineering director, offers great expertise during these tough economic times. He explained however that the real weight of the company lies on his sons’ shoulders.

When talking about what makes Beulas stand out from their competitors, Mr Beulas said: “We have the experience, the ability to hear, the ability to modify and the ability to make improvements.

From listening to people we have the ability to create.”

While the company is currently coping well through the financial

BASE was established in the late 1990s and is run out of the same office as Holmeswood Coaches.

In 2003 it set up a relationship with Marco Polo to supply their coaches to the UK market, while more recently it established a partnership with Tata Hispano (more in CBW1029).

The Leyland-based company is quite unique within the UK, as not only does it deal with its overseas partners, but it also converts coaches for second and third lives.

This year, it aims to make between 60 and 65 sales – 25 of those being new.

It is also a company which has ridden the recession wave well.

Mark said: “In a recession you have to have a profitable business model. We have reduced group debt by £4m since the start of the recession.”

Nick added: “We’re working on a finer margin, trying to make every penny count.”

With regard to Beulas products for the UK market, BASE is currently working at the following prices: 13.9m MAN R37 480 AS Tronic Jewel 85 seats no wheelchair £375,000 13.9m Glory 72 seats with wheelchair £330,000 10.3m 14 280 Spica 39 seats with toilet £195,000 9m Spica 35 seats no toilet £185,000 12.2m Spica 57 seats A91 290 auto ZF ~£190,000 12.72m R33 400 executive Cygnus 55 seats “with toys” £245,000 Mark and Nick at BASE are clearly proud of their relationship with Beulas and have faith in its vehicles. The two companies share similar values and there is a good rapport between them.

Beulas’ product range exemplifies quality and highlights the ongoing development within the company. A team of four headed

by Mr Beulas work on developing bespoke designs for customers and the firm stresses compliance with European regulations is a top priority.

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FACE TO FACE › alex hornby

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NAME: Alex Hornby AGE: 30

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occupation: Commercial director, trent barton, Heanor, Derbyshire Contact: twitter.com/ alextrentbarton

Buses, brands and creativity Drivers are taking first place in trent barton’s publicity, says Alex, pointing out drivers pictured on coving on one of the company’s my15 vehicles

Alex Hornby is big on buses, brands and the wider industry, within which he is keen to help foster talent and creativity. The trent barton commercial director and founding member of the Young Bus Managers Network speaks to Coach & Bus Week’s Meera Rambissoon about delighting the customer and how he feels the industry can move forward

I

f trent barton is “the really good bus company”, then Alex Hornby is its really passionate commercial director – passionate about buses, passionate about the trent barton brand and passionate about fostering young and creative talent in the industry.

Alex reveals, like many, he was bitten by the bus bug as a boy and admits to an “unhealthy interest” in both buses and brands. Fitting then, he works where he does. For him, the key to a really good bus company is an inspiring brand and an overarching aim of ‘delighting the customer’ which centres around high-calibre, empowered drivers.

We sit on plush, comfy leather seats on a variety of buses with snazzy names, liveries and interiors, after being greeted by thoroughly friendly and helpful drivers from trent barton’s speedy Rapid 1 service. It is easy to see what makes customers delighted.

Twice in one afternoon, completely unprompted Alex assures me, two people stop him to praise the “fantastic job” of its drivers on one service and the “best bus in Nottingham” on another. Equally, Alex himself bubbles with genuine and infectious enthusiasm about

F2FAlexHornby.indd 29

everything trent barton, from the livery and interiors to the various innovations, approaches and ethos of the company. A rising star throughout his career so far, 30-year-old Alex is also keen to put something back into the industry and help young managers develop, through his extensive involvement in the Young Bus Managers Network (YMBN), of which he is a founder member. However, the priority for the industry, in his view, is to encourage people to be more entrepreneurial and creative.

The journey so far

“I think I had a needle stuck in me when I was born!” quips Alex, when asked what got him interested in buses in the first place.

“In Liverpool, free concessionary travel passes are well established.

I didn’t go to nursery school and was palmed off onto my gran and grandad who travelled everywhere by bus. They’d go to buy eggs in St Helens just to make a trip out of it. I would be sitting on the bus and the next thing I’d be drawing pictures of buses; my parents found something which made me quiet so they’d bring home model buses and timetables and it just fostered an interest.”

So, when the time came

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FACE TO FACE › alex hornby

for work experience, the obvious choice was his local depot in Liverpool at the Merseybus Green Lane depot.

Having studied transport management at Aston University between 2000 and 2004, Alex pursued the Stagecoach graduate management scheme, which comprised a 10-month training stint across all departments in the group’s East Kent business, and assistant operations manager roles at Canterbury and Hyde Road depot of Stagecoach Manchester.

His next rung on the ladder was as operations manager at Go-Ahead subsidiary Bluestar in the Solent.

Over three and half a years later he joined trent barton, where he has been responsible for business development, marketing, training and PR since May 2010.

For Alex, it’s clearly not just a job and his enthusiasm for all things trent barton spills over into the industry itself and the people in it.

“I have a real passion for what the industry is capable of achieving,” he says. “A quick lesson I learnt early on is the people factor: genuinely enjoying working with people, knowing how and when to learn from people and as you then rise up into more senior positions, knowing how to get people to work for you. I was lucky to learn from many great people on a variety of levels.

“I’m fortunate the people I work with have a passion for the industry and for promoting young people in the industry. James Freeman was one of the first people I came into contact with at Stagecoach when I took a sandwich placement at University, during which I worked with the commercial team at Rugby and I learnt how to drive a bus – one of the most critical things a management trainee could do.”

Indeed James has been a supportive and influential mentor to Alex throughout his career.

Belief in the brand

“I think there’s more to do,” comments Alex on the way the bus industry markets itself as an employer, which he believes is synonymous with branding. “It’s relative to how desirable other sectors and companies present themselves: the bus industry and the products within it should be just as attractive to associate with.”

Admitting his passion for brands, Alex adds: “As well as having an unhealthy interest in buses, I also have a unhealthy interest in cool www.coachandbusweek.com

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Dianne Bull on the company’s red arrow route, gives customers a warm welcome; research shows drivers are the top attraction for customers

Alex Hornby: a brief history

Alex Hornby, 30, has had an interest in buses since he was a boy. Having studied transport management at Aston University between 2000 and 2004, he took up Stagecoach’s graduate management scheme, including a 10-month training stint with the group’s East Kent business and assistant operations manager roles at Canterbury and Hyde Road depot of Stagecoach Manchester. He became operations manager at GoAhead subsidiary Bluestar in the Solent in 2006. Over three and half a years later he joined trent barton, where he has been commercial director since May 2010. Alex is a founder member of the Young Bus Managers Network.

“One of our drivers had an issue with a bus and bought a cup of tea for all the customers while they were waiting.

We didn’t shout at him when he put in a receipt – we thanked him.”

Alex Hornby

brands such as Innocent, Pret, YO! Sushi and Ted Baker. People love being associated with these brands.

The product has to be inspiring to both use and work for. Look at the great service you get in Costa – and these people are paid no more than the average bus driver but they love their brand and it shows.” Indeed, one of the company’s drivers even changes the colour of his turban to match the livery of the bus he is driving of his own accord.

Commercial operators seem to be acting like retailers to varying degrees of success, says Alex, who believes accepting marketing and branding has a more important role to play.

“One important thing is always questioning what we do and comparing ourselves to other retailers – remembering what’s relative in the eyes of the user.

I won’t rest until our average customer feels about us in the same way they pride themselves on shopping at places like Waitrose. I want customers to love that trent barton forms part of their lifestyle.

“We can get more out of comparing ourselves to other brands rather than comparing ourselves to other bus companies.”

He adds: “If we start with the premise of delighting the customer, in the way great brands do, how can you possibly go wrong? We have experience which shows by doing that our profit often looks after itself.”

Ingredients of success Alex places the role of driver at the core of the trent barton brand and its delighting the customer philosophy.

“Independent research continually tells us the number

one reason people choose to travel on trent barton is because of our drivers. During much of the past year, we have enhanced our emphasis on the importance of the role of the driver . Drivers are pictured on coving inside the buses and are becoming first place in our publicity – which make drivers feel good and customers feel good – buses take second place.

“There is a window behind the cab so people can see the driver and there are no screens, so it enables proper interaction. Drivers give a friendly welcome when you get on and off the bus and always hand tickets and change directly into the customer’s hand.”

“People react best to the human touch,” he adds and believes the offer of a money-back guarantee, managed by the driver, which isn’t taken up “as much as it should be”, is also a powerful factor.

“There is no reason anyone else in the industry can’t do it,” he urges, commenting on the driver ethos.

“We give people empowerment and ownership, which means we deliver a better quality of service. It’s backed up by continual training and 2,500 quality audits per year – and we read all of them. Delivering a service which delights the customer means they are more likely to come back for more and I suggest this promotes repeat business more than a plastic loyalty card ever could. If they are delighted by a a helpful driver on the bus they are more likely to tell others. We still complete the CRM (customer relationship management) package using our smartcard MANGO as a payment and loyalty card, as well as a customer insight tool.”

“But to do that you’ve got to have the right things in place to make sure the customers are delighted when they use the bus,” he adds.

Giving drivers flexibility to make their own decisions is also important. “We trust our drivers to ‘do what you think best in the eyes of the customer’,” says Alex.

“There obviously have to be certain rules but we build the bulk of our processes around the driver. None of them can ever get in trouble if they deviate from the norm for the benefit of the customer.

“One of our drivers had an issue with a bus and bought a cup of tea for all the customers while they were waiting. We didn’t shout at him when he put in a receipt – we thanked him.”

Alex goes out with his fellow

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Join the discussion on Twitter by following us at @cbwtweets and find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/coachandbusweek managers at least twice a month.

“It’s important – you want drivers to see you with them and I always wear my name badge in the same way they do. It’s just playing your role as part of a team, and you always learn so much from it.” At this point a lady at Victoria bus station in Nottingham, whose friends are taken to a disabled centre by trent barton’s 141 service, stops Alex to tell him “your drivers do a fantastic job”. Later on, a passenger travelling on trent barton’s Calverton Connection service which serves Arnold and Nottingham says: “This is the best bus service in Nottingham – better than the number 7!”

“Nottingham is a great bus city and proof the current framework is working for growing numbers of passengers, with competition around us,” says Alex. “If you’re a commercial bus operator, competition is a fact of life – you welcome it and you can even get a kick out of it. If we all do a good job, you get modal shift and if you get modal shift, you get to compete for a bigger stake – the role of the bus becomes more important, quality rises and everyone benefits.”

Where next for trent barton?

Alex says the company will continue to invest in new buses and technology and is looking at developing real-time information in the palm of the customer’s hand

as well as improving its MANGO smart card offer. Alex believes it is only scratching the surface at the moment despite being responsible for 22% of all paid journeys.

“We are looking at weekly and monthly caps and intelligent pricing. We need to think more about filling empty capacity. So, on very quiet buses during a Sunday morning, could only charge a MANGO user a minimal amount,” he explains.

The company is also looking more closely at people’s travel patterns. The Rapid 1 service, launched six months ago, runs between Ripley, Heanor and Nottingham. Shaving 20 minutes off the current journey time, Alex says it was “completely built from start to finish” on the basis of research.

“We asked people where they shopped, why they didn’t choose certain destinations and what it would take them to consider using the bus, and then built up a robust business case considering population densities and car ownership.

“Now we’re taking more people from Heanor who previously didn’t go to Nottingham: some are existing users making extra trips. Increasing trip frequency often forms the basis of our revenue growth.

“We want to use journey data from customers’ individual MANGO cards to understand

their travel patterns and convince them to make journeys they may never have considered, such as at weekends, late nights or to different destinations. Meanwhile, we continue to spend more and more on research. We’re very good at thinking of wacky ideas but let’s make sure it’s what the customer wants.”

The need for connection and creativity Still, it is innovation and creativity, which mark the approach of both trent barton and Alex, and needs to be fostered more within and by the industry, in his view. Referring to the first YBMN conference in Birmingham last June since the network was revitalised in March last year, Alex comments: “The amount of enthusiasm we felt in that room in Birmingham shows passion is alive and well enough to carry the bus industry through.

If you were in that room, you wouldn’t say the industry had a problem of being unable to attract young managers.”

Explaining the nature of the network, he says: “The plcs have graduate schemes, of which I have been a product and of which I always talk very highly but the industry needs to enable new managers to talk to each other.

They need to share ideas, successes, failures, bounce off each other.

The interior of a vehicle on trent barton’s Rapid 1 service which was introduced six months ago on the back of research, to offer a faster alternative to the frequent Rainbow 1 service

“When you’re a manager after completing a graduate scheme, with a depot under you can feel quite alone and high expectations land on you from all corners - that is when you need your contacts. The YBMN enables people in those positions to connect with each other.”

“The graduate training schemes are very good at teaching operational skills and man management but often it is very difficult to teach anybody to be creative and be innovative. My concern for the industry is not that enough young people aren’t coming on board, but that there isn’t enough happening to encourage people to be truly entrepreneurial.”

When you’re put in a depot and told how to run it – that’s not being entrepreneurial, that can sometimes just amount to running a depot to structured management processes.”

Alex also calls for an openminded, self-aware and shared approach towards best practice across companies.

“The other thing we have to accept, even certain really good bus companies, is there is a wealth of things other people do – and we have to open our eyes and our ears to how we work and how others work do things and form the right view of doing it. We want young managers to say ‘I do it this way at Arriva, how do you do it at First, and, even, how do other retailers do it too?’.”

Acknowledging the role apprenticeships play, Alex is keen to ensure the Network remembers the industry is a collection of many skills and engineering apprentices may have been overlooked.

“At trent barton we place great value on apprenticeships, and take on at least two a year. We introduce people to skills they may have never knew they had and introduce them to jobs in an industry they didn’t know they wanted to work in. Many of them then stay in the industry for years. If we didn’t have apprenticeships, think of all the pool of talent we would have lost.”

The Young Bus Managers Network was set up four years ago to provide a new generation of bus managers with the opportunity to engage with each other and share their experiences. For more information on the network, visit www.youngbusmanagers. org.uk

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THE BIG PICTURE

Do you think you’re seeing double?

This scene was caught on camera

by Coach & Bus Week editor Gareth Evans while in Crawley town centre on the afternoon of Tuesday, March 13. With the lighting conditions just right, the attractive livery of operator dealer Southdown PSV is reflected to good effect in the rear near-side window of a Metrobus-operated Scania single-decker, which our Gareth had just got off at the time.

The East Lancs-bodied Dennis Dart ‘LK55ACV’ pictured here had just worked route 527, the Crawley & Horley Circular, which runs via Three Bridges and Hookwood.

On that note, Southdown PSV is to be commended for displaying fares information on its website, something which is unfortunately uncommon practice. Back to the photo, the driver was carefully reversing his bus off the stand prior to parking it up in the layover area, which is located to his right along what might be regarded as the central reservation.

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SUPPLIER UPDATE › MERCEDES-BENZ

New engine range from Mercedes-Benz ready for production The range of ‘BlueEfficiency Power’ Euro 6 compliant engines from Mercedes-Benz is being extended and enters series production from June at Mannheim Heavy Duty Application Mercedes-Benz is extending its range of heavy-duty truck and bus engines. The new verticallymounted six-cylinder in-line OM 470 engine, with a displacement of 10.7 litres, spans an output range from 240 kW (326 hp) to 315 kW (428 hp). The compact, lightweight and highly sophisticated engine enters production from June at the company’s Mannheim engine plant.

It marks an expansion of the company’s “New Engine Generation” through the addition of ‘BlueEfficiency Power.’ All the engines are claimed to comply with future Euro 6 emissions requirements.

Based on the heavy-duty OM 471 model series launched last year the OM 470 variant specifically caters for truck and bus application.

Weighing just under one tonne at 990kg, according to DIN 70020A, it lends itself to weight-critical installations. Mercedes-Benz says it delivers exceptional economy and robustness alongside environmental compatibility. The OM 470 will only be supplied in versions meeting Euro 6.

Due to their specific operating profiles and to the different configurations of transmissions and rear axles, the engines for use in EvoBus buses and coaches are slightly different to truck versions.

For urban buses the OM 470 is available in two output and torque combinations: Output Torque @ 1800rpm @ 1100rpm

265kW (360hp) 290kW (394hp)

1700Nm 1900Nm

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For rural-service buses and touring coaches there are three OM 470 options: Output Torque @ 1800rpm @ 1100rpm

265kW (360hp) 290kW (394hp) 315kW (428hp)

1700Nm 1900Nm 2100Nm

The result is a tightly graduated range of output and torque combinations, matched to the specific operational requirements.

At the lower end of the spectrum the new OM 470 picks up where the equally new OM 93x model series finishes, while at the upper end of the scale the range merges seamlessly into that of the OM 471.

The new OM 470 achieves the same performance from its 10.7 litre displacement as the current 12 litre OM 457. Despite its lighter construction, the manufacturer insists it is more robust and with all the additional components required to achieve Euro 6 it still weighs in at 50kg lighter and delivers lower fuel consumption.

Both the rated speed of 1800 rpm and the engine speed of 1100 rpm at maximum torque are the same as on the OM 471 but the OM 470, even allowing for transmissions with a broad ratio between first and top gear, has greater flexibility/driveability. It is claimed it can achieve 95% of its maximum torque at just 800 rpm.

Maximum torque remains constant up to 1400 rpm, which is close to the rated maximum engine speed.

This remarkably flat power-curve ensures the engine has plenty of power in the main operating

range aided by its long stroke characteristics 125 x 145mm.

Durability is also said to be improved thanks to employing new technology. The crankcase is made from a special cast-iron alloy and the cylinder head from vermicular, or compacted, graphite iron (CGI).

To cope with the strain imposed by ignition pressures of more than 200 bar steel pistons are used. Oilspray cooling, oil cooling ducts, wet cylinder liners and a sophisticated cooling system ensure optimum cooling.

The quiet and efficient gear drive operating both overhead camshafts, as well as other ancillary components, is a complete redesign from the existing OM 471 system.

The camshafts are composite units, in common with the other newgeneration Mercedes-Benz engines.

Rather than being milled from a solid billet they are assembled around a lightweight tube. Each camshaft controls a pair of intake and outlet valves, arranged in parallel.

The OM 470 benefits from a flexible Common Rail injection system with fully electronic engine management system and X-PULSE pressure booster. This means the pressure in the common rail only ever reaches a maximum of 900 bar while individual injectors are boosted to an injection pressure of up to 2100 bar.

Depending on specific operating conditions the injection rate can be freely shaped, with each injection process comprising up to five individual injection phases.

X-PULSE is claimed to minimise fuel consumption while making the engine exceptionally smooth running.

Vertical and horizontal versions of the OM 934 and OM 936 will cater for the medium-duty market for bus and coach application

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The OM 470 retains a turbocharger with asymmetric turbine casing, fixed geometry and charge-air cooling. Exhaust gas from the three rear cylinders is channeled directly into the turbine, without the losses involved in passing through the exhaust gas recirculation system. Only the front three cylinders are directly connected with the EGR duct. This is claimed to improve the engine’s responsiveness. Charge pressure is limited by a wastegate valve.

Control of the exhaust gases also enables higher effeciency from the exhaust brake. MercedesBenz opted for a turbocharged decompression brake, controlled in three stages via a steering column switch. During stage one the exhaust brake is activated on three cylinders, the remaining three cylinders are brought in for stage two. The third stage involves increasing the charging level of the engine to deliver an impressive maximum brake power of 340 kW. The combination of cooled EGR with the existing SCR technology and a particulate filter results in an extremely complex emission control system. BlueTec technology employs SCR to clean the exhaust gases through AdBlue injection into the exhaust system. Harmful nitrogen oxides are then converted into harmless elements of nitrogen and water in a downstream SCR catalytic converter.

Greater efficiency is achieved with the help of the auxiliary components, such as the closedloop coolant pump and the air compressor, which are designed to help optimise fuel consumption.

Extended service intervals, to as much as 150,000km in longdistance transport operations also aid efficiency. The particulate filter is maintenance-free up to 450,000 km of operational use. Ease of maintenance also helps to reduce costs. A filter module incorporating the oil filter as well as the two fuel filters is fitted in an easily accessible position on the cool side of the engine. New filters have been specially designed for the OM 470 and contribute to the overall reduction in weight.

Engines designed for installation in buses and coaches feature a particularly flat, space-saving oil sump. Therefore the auxiliary components are arranged slightly differently. Depending on its designated application it can be fitted ex-factory with a two-

www.coachandbusweek.com

MercEngines.indd 35

19/03/2012 18:15

36 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 21, 2012

SUPPLIER UPDATE › MERCEDES-BENZ

mass flywheel.

These new engines have already undergone extensive testing in widely varied environments around the world. They achieved a B10 rating for 1.2m km – which means at least 90% of the engines are able to cover this distance without requiring a major overhaul.

Medium Duty Application Mercedes-Benz is also introducing a completely redesigned BlueTec Power engine series for light and heavy-duty trucks, buses and coaches. The OM 93x series, with four or six cylinder options and displacement of either 5.1 or 7.7 litres, cover output ratings from 115 kW (156 hp) to 260 kW (354 hp).

They are also claimed to achieve Euro 6 emissions requirements.

The OM 93x range is said to deliver exceptional economic efficiency, long service life and low fuel consumption. The company says they ‘offer a pleasing immediacy of response, together with impressive power delivery’ – thanks to their sophisticated engine technology. The new engines are the first series-production diesel engines in the world to feature an adjustable camshaft.

The new engine family is made up of a 5.1 litre, four-cylinder, inline engine (designation OM 934) and a 7.7 litre, six-cylinder, in-line unit (OM 936) - each with various power output options. They replace the 900 series which was launched in 1996 and carried through until now with the latest versions achieving Euro 5 compliance. OM 93x series engines are based on a modular system and share a significant number of common parts - offering output ranging from 115 kW (156 hp) to 260 kW (354 hp).

These engines are also planned to be available in additional brands and models from Daimler Trucks on other continents. The same applies to its use as an industrial engine. Series production will begin this year in the Mannheim engine plant. Daimler Trucks invested around 500 million euros in the development of the new OM 93x engine series and the facilities for its production.

From the start of production, all variants meet Euro 6, which does not become legally binding in the EU until January 1, 2014.

A horizontal six-cylinder OM 93 specifically aimed at urban bus installation is available in either 220 kW (299 hp) or 260 kW (354 www.coachandbusweek.com

MercEngines.indd 36

hp) ratings. The engineering design work involved is considerable, since the space available for its installation in the rear of a bus is extremely restricted. The basic engine remains the same as the horizontal variant was already taken into account during the concept phase. Redesigned peripherals include the fuel module, oil/coolant module, oil sump, turbocharger unit with air and exhaust pipes, valve cover with oil mist separation and all ducting.

Again, all OM 93x engines employ Common Rail injection with up to 2,400 bar injection pressure and this is claimed to be what allows them to ‘punch above their weight’ and exceed expected performance of medium-duty class engines.

They feature cooled EGR combined with BlueTec SCR technology and a closed-loop particulate filter.

As part of the transition to Euro VI, the consumption of AdBlue has also been reduced to just 2.0 to 2.5% of fuel consumption - less than half the amount used with Euro V. Maintenance intervals can now extend to 120,000 km long-distance transport operations, even at fullcapacity use - which is around a 20% increase. The oil fill capacity of the four-cylinder engine has been increased marginally to achieve this. The six-cylinder unit shows a reduction of 12% compared with the largest predecessor engine. The maintenance intervals for particulate filters can be up to 240,000 km.

With a forecasted service life of 750,000 km without major overhaul in long-distance transport operations, the new medium-duty

engines manage to achieve figures which were the exclusive preserve of heavy-duty engines. The average service life of these engines is around 20% longer than the previous series.

Extensive choice: two sizes, nine output categories The four-cylinder Mercedes-Benz OM 934 engine is available in the following versions:

Output Torque @ 2200rpm @ 1200-1600rpm

115kW (156hp) 130kW (177hp) 155kW (211hp) 170kW (231hp)

650Nm 750Nm 850Nm 900Nm

The six-cylinder OM 936 engine is available in a total of five output and torque categories:

Output Torque @ 2200rpm @ 1200-1600rpm

175kW (238hp) 200kW (272hp) 220kW (299hp) 235kW (320hp) 260kW (354hp)

1000Nm 1100Nm 1200Nm 1300Nm 1400Nm

The OM 936 and OM 936 h (horizontal engine) in the two output categories of 220 kW (299 hp) and 260 kW (354 hp) are available in addition for installation in MercedesBenz urban and inner-city buses.

The output curve and torque figures remain as for the truck engines.

According to Mercedes-Benz, development of the new engines began with a blank sheet of paper and no requirement to take existing production

The heavy duty six-cylinder OM 470 weighs under one tonne

facilities into consideration.

The focus throughout the development process could then be set on delivering a product with exemplary qualities and delivering maximum benefit for the customer.

Sixteen years ago, the innovative three-valve technology of the 900 series broke new ground. This time it has moved to four-valve per cylinder. Intake and outlet valves are arranged in parallel pairs in the crossflow arrangement which keeps the intake and outlet ducts as short and flow losses to a minimum - one of the principles ensuring fuel consumption remains low.

Cylinder heads are made from grey cast iron with lamellar graphite (GJL). A special cast-iron alloy, developed by the company’s own foundry at Mannheim, gives it exceptional strength. The use of

19/03/2012 18:15

March 21, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 37

The medium duty OM 93 series feature variable exhaust camshaft timing which generates heat for efficient particulate filter regeneration this material also ensures optimum thermal management of the component in those areas directly exposed to the combustion process.

The crankcase and cylinder head are held together by six bolts per cylinder for absolute security, although the materials used for the cylinder head and crankcase share the same coefficients of expansion, there is no warping between the compo­nents.

The ‘composite’ camshafts, manufactured in a patented process at Mannheim, comprise a hollow tube, onto which the cams are shrink-fitted. This lightweight yet solid design was first seen in a commercial vehicle engine a year ago, in the OM 471. The camshafts control the intake and exhaust valves via a low-friction, wearresistant roller-type rocker arm.

MercEngines.indd 37

Premiere for diesel engines: adjustable camshaft An interesting feature of the OM 93x is the VCP (variable camshaft phaser). This is an adjustable exhaust camshaft – the first to appear in any diesel engine.

The adjustment supports the regeneration of the particulate filter as the timing can be adjusted as necessary, by up to 65 degrees, to ‘early’: in this case the exhaust valves open and close earlier, so the exhaust gas released from the cylinder is hotter. VCP makes regeneration possible under practically any operating conditions and at outdoor temperatures as low as -30 degrees Celsius.

The adjustment is made hydraulically via a vane piston on the exhaust camshaft, acting on a signal from the engine control unit.

“The flanks of the gear wheel teeth in the gear drive have all been hardened and ground. As well as giving them a high degree of fatigue durability, this keeps gear noise down to an absolute minimum.”

If an adjustment is required, engine oil flows into the vane piston. This then turns, influencing the position of the camshaft relative to its drive gear.

The crankshaft drives the camshafts via a compact and rigid gear drive located on the back of the engine. The arrangement of the gear wheels on the flywheel side of the engine helps to reduce noise emissions, while providing drive for the compactly arranged auxiliary units of oil pump, air compressor and high-pressure fuel pump, including feed pump.

It can also serve optionally available live engine power-take-off units at the rear, with up to 600 Nm of net torque.

The flanks of the gear wheel teeth in the gear drive are hardened and ground. It gives them a high degree of fatigue durability and keeps gear noise down to an absolute minimum.

The highly flexible injection strategy allows up to five separate injections, including pilot, main and post-injections. Depending on the specific operating situation, for instance normal warm running, cold starting or cold running, the system will apply a different strategy, using a combination of either some or all of the possible injection stages in each cycle.

MCM and ACM control units: everything under control Efficiency, eco-friendliness and performance is closely related to electronic control of both engine and exhaust gas aftertreatment system. Two processors work together in the Motor Control Module (MCM) and Aftertreatment Control Module (ACM).

The electronic systems are constantly using their tremendous computing power to calculate the ideal injection point, correct charge pressure and best operating conditions for the aftertreatment system to deliver the best possible traction, economic efficiency and environmental performance.

When launched in 1996, the previous engines, were among the first commercial vehicle diesel engines to have full electronic controls. The MCM had to factor in around 300 different parameters, performance characteristics and mapping data. The new engine series MCM control module now involves around ten thousand such data fields, with a further 7000 in the ACM control module.

www.coachandbusweek.com

19/03/2012 18:16

38 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 21, 2012

DRIVERS

In association with

DriveTech

Send your driver news and stories to gareth.evans@rouncymedia. co.uk or call 01733 293 243.

Grettons coach driver praised for blaze action Fire brigade say his swift actions ensured no one was injured Grettons Coaches driver Malcolm Smith has been praised for his decisive action in evacuating 27 school pupils before his vehicle burst into flames.

Mr Smith acted immediately after smoke was spotted coming from the vehicle’s engine as it transported Year 6 pupils from Oakdale Primary School in Peterborough to Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire on March 15.

After pulling up on the A421 near Dunstable and ushering the pupils off the coach, Mr Smith, who has worked for Grettons Coaches for

First recognises ‘DriveGreen’ champion

First Aberdeen driver, Malcolm Wilson, was recently recognised by senior management as one of First’s best drivers.

Malcolm consistently achieved high scores in the company’s ‘DriveGreen’ initiative, which is designed to reward and recognise the safest and greenest drivers within the business.

All of First Aberdeen’s 150 buses are fitted with GPS technology called GreenRoad, which detect dozens of driving movements per minute and immediately informs the driver how well they are driving.

First Aberdeen employs around 500 drivers and Malcolm, who has been driving for the company for five years, has won one monthly and two weekly awards in just 12 months.

almost 20 years, had time to collect their belongings before flames engulfed the vehicle. Nobody from the party, which included three teachers and a parent, was hurt in the incident and a replacement coach was organised by the company to return the children to school.

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue said it took 45 minutes to extinguish the fire and praised Mr Smith for his quick reactions.

Martin Statham, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue incident commander, said: “The driver did very well to get all 27 children and four adults out before the fire developed. He acted very quickly to do that, pulling over to the side

of the road and making sure they were safe. His swift actions ensured no-one was injured.”

The coach, a Van Hool T8-bodied Scania, was reportedly serviced the previous day and at time of writing, Grettons Coaches said the cause of the fire had not been established. The company intends to conduct a full investigation into the malfunction.

Roger Gretton, owner of Peterborough-based Grettons Coaches, said: “We’re very pleased with how he handled the situation.”

Although one child claimed the bus fire was more interesting than the planned day out, the trip to Whipsnade has been rescheduled.

Malcolm Wilson – one of First Aberdeen’s ‘DriveGreen champions’ Malcolm said: “I was a little bit worried about the DriveGreen initiative when it was first introduced in 2010, but once I’d received training on how it works, I could see why the company was introducing it and the benefits to passengers.

“I think it has improved my skills as a driver - I have even had customers compliment me on how smooth their journey is. When I am driving the car in my time off I

continue to drive more smoothly – it’s safer and saves petrol.”

Duncan Cameron, operations director at First Aberdeen, said: “Our drivers in Aberdeen have embraced the groundbreaking DriveGreen technology.”

He added: “Malcolm is one of a number of drivers that have particularly excelled, with exceptional DriveGreen scores.

He is one of our ‘DriveGreen Champions’.”

It’s only half true when they say he has a face like the back of a bus

Larger-thanlife tribute to top driver Stephensons of Essex has paid tribute to its award-winning bus driver by putting a full-length photo of him on the back of one of his regular buses on route 60 in Southend – an Optare Olympusbodied Scania.

Having won the Top National Bus Driver title in the UK Bus Awards, Trevor Owen’s bosses arranged for his achievement to be proudly proclaimed along with a largerthan-life picture of him holding his trophy.

Trevor, who has worked for renowned independent operator Stephensons for nearly three years, started working on the buses in 1980, and often drives service 60 between Southend and Canewdon.

He was nominated by his regular customers, and was then subject to assessment by a UK Bus Awards mystery traveller.

Trevor said: “I was gobsmacked when I came in and saw the bus with me on it. It’s especially great to be ten feet tall, but people are starting to ask for my autograph when I go out shopping, which can be a trifle irritating.”

Stephensons managing director Bill Hiron commented: “Trevor is a worthy champion.”

www.coachandbusweek.com

DriversAA.indd 38

19/03/2012 19:46

552739-1007-Roadtech

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LEGAL update

In association with

Selection pool of one held to be unfair Though the question of redundancy pools is primarily a matter for the employer to decide, the selection can still be challenged by employees In Capita Hartshead Ltd v Byard the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has upheld a tribunal’s decision in which a dismissal following selection for redundancy from a pool of one was unfair. In so holding the EAT set out the applicable principles when assessing whether the correct redundancy selection pool has been used. The EAT also rejected the argument that its decision in Taymech v Ryan precludes tribunals from holding an employer’s chosen pool is so flawed that any employee selected has been unfairly dismissed.

B, actually, no longer had enough work for a full­time role as many of the pension schemes she worked on had either been wound up or the clients had been lost. Although there were three other actuaries, B was put into a redundancy selection pool of one. GH Ltd stated there was not enough work to sustain four actuaries and, given the personal nature of the work done by an actuary for a pension scheme, there was a risk of losing clients if they were transferred between actuaries. Unsurprisingly, B was selected for redundancy.

She subsequently lodged an unfair dismissal claim and argued all four actuaries should have been included in the pool. The majority of the tribunal found CH Ltd’s decision to limit the size of the selection pool to B was unfair given the risk of losing clients from reassigning actuaries to pension schemes was

‘slight’. There was no evidence to suggest CH Ltd could reasonably have concluded, in the light of the circumstances known to it at the time of dismissal, that a pool of three or more actuaries would have been ‘utterly useless’, as B’s dismissal would almost certainly have followed. B had therefore been unfairly dismissed. Upholding the tribunal’s decision, the EAT set out the applicable principles in unfair dismissal claims when assessing whether the correct redundancy selection pool has been used:

It is not a tribunal’s function to decide whether they would have thought it fairer to act in some other way: the question is whether the dismissal lay within the range of conduct that a reasonable employer could have adopted­Williams v Compair Maxam Limited 1982 IRLR 83; The ‘reasonable response’ test is applicable to the selection of the pool from which the redundancies are to be drawn- ­ Hendy Banks City Print Limited v Fairbrother and ors EAT 0691/04;

Two heads (or more) are better than one when it comes to selection pools

Use of successive fixed-term contracts to cover for permanent staff on family leave In Kücük v Land NordrheinWestfalen C-586/10, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) considered whether the use of consecutive fixed-term contracts, under which an employee provided cover for permanent employees taking family leave, was contrary to EU rules www.coachandbusweek.com

LegalUpdate.indd 40

on fixed­term work. The ECJ has maintained an employer’s need to replace staff who are temporarily absent on maternity, parental or other leave, with objective reason, within the meaning of the Framework Agreement on fixed term work, for renewing other

employees’ fixed term contracts.

This may be so even where the firm is big and needs family-leave cover on a regular basis. However, there will be no objective reason where an employee’s fixed-term contract is renewed to cover permanent rather than temporary needs.

There is no legal requirement stating a pool should be limited to employees doing the same or similar work. The question of how the pool should be defined is primarily a matter for the employer to determine and therefore difficult for the employee to challenge it where the employer has genuinely applied his mind to the problem - Taymech v Ryan EAT 663/94; The tribunal is entitled, if not obliged, to consider with care and scrutinize carefully the reasoning of the employer to determine if he has ‘genuinely applied’ his mind to the issue of who should be in the pool for consideration for redundancy; and Even if the employer has genuinely applied his mind to the issue of who should be in the pool for consideration for redundancy, then it is difficult, but not impossible, for an employee to challenge it.

In the instant case, the majority of the tribunal had applied these principles in a way consistent with S.98(4) of the Employment Rights Act 1996 to reach its conclusion that CH Ltd acted unfairly in not including other actuaries in the redundancy selection pool. As the majority had made the unappealed finding which showed there was only a slight risk of losing clients if work was transferred from one actuary to another, the tribunal was entitled to conclude that CH Ltd had not genuinely applied its mind to the issue of who should be in the pool for consideration for redundancy.

Backhouse Jones acts for clients in the private and public sector, both national and international operators from one to several thousand vehicles. Backhouse is absolutely “industry specific”. Whilst the company can trace its heritage to 1819 it only represented its first Road Transport Operator in 1930. The explanation for this is that the first transport act was only introduced in 1930 n The Independent Chambers Guide 2009 describes Backhouse Jones Limited as a specialist company with a national reputation for “first class strength, experience and understanding of the transport industry”. n Contact 01254 828300. Visit www.backhousejones.co.uk

19/03/2012 18:55

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p43_CBW_1028

19/3/12

17:09

Page 1

March 21, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 43

COACH&BUSMARKET – the place to buy and sell

To advertise on these pages for as little as £30 just call 01733 293247 Network Warrington have the following vehicles for sale

Registration Numbers for sale:

PFK 473 YRK 631 On retention documents transfer paid.

Registration Number for sale:

C4 STS On retention document transfer paid.

£5,000 no VAT

Potters Bar Coach Hire 01707 652706 anytime

Potters Bar Coach Hire 01707 652706 anytime

1998 R Dennis Dart SLF 10.2m Plaxton Pointer 35 seats.

Hanover LED. Choice £4,500 each

01293 518307

£1,000 each no VAT

2002 Dennis Dart SLF 8.8m Marshall DDA compliant, power ramp, 25 seats/50 capacity Euro 3. Choice

Optare Toro

Mercedes-Benz 0815 Vario chassis with rear air suspension, 28 passenger seats with 3pt lap and diagonal seat belts, powered entry door, air conditioning, double glazed windows, luggage racks with individual passenger reading lights and adjustable air flow blowers, radio/CD & PA system.

£45,500 +VAT NOW £41,000 +VAT

Dennis Dart SLF 10.8m 1999, Choice of 6, Cummins 6BT, Allison AT545 4 speed auto, Marshall body, 40 seats.

Contact Damian Graham (Engineering Director) Warrington Borough Transport Ltd Wilderspool Causeway, Warrington WA4 6PT. Tel 01925 634296

Passenger and Commercial Vehicles Recovery Dismantlers Parts Sales

Dennis Pointer Dart Mk2 x 100 All spares available - includes engine, gearboxes, seats, etc.

Call: 01226 727769 Mobile: 07912 103497 Email: geoff-ripley@btconnect.com www.geoff-ripleysbuscoachsales.com

UNVI GT

Mercedes-Benz 0816 Vario chassis with rear air suspension, 29 passenger seats with 3pt lap and diagonal seat belts and leather headrest inserts, courier seat, dark tint double glazed windows, air con radio/CD & PA system, DVD player and monitor, grammer luxury heated driver seat, full draw curtains, large boot space and side lockers.

£69,950 +VAT NOW £66,950 +VAT

Call Dougie at Haggis Adventures on 0131 554 9192

Telephone Jade Cassidy on 01733 293247 or email jade.cassidy@rouncymedia.co.uk

p44_CBW_1028

19/3/12

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44 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 21, 2012

COACH&BUSMARKET – the place to buy and sell

To advertise on these pages for as little as £30 just call 01733 293247

SHELTON MOTORS – RAMSEY, CAMBS

WANTED ALL TYPES OF BUSES AND COACHES FULLY LICENSED ELV SITE # WANTED FOR BREAKING AND EXPORT ORDERS # IMMEDIATE PAY AND COLLECTION # SINGLE OR FLEET PURCHASES Tel: 01487 813156 (9 until 5 Mon - Fri only) Mobile: 07831 349760 Email: sales@shelton-motors.co.uk

WANTED # WANTED # WANTED # WANTED

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Don’t forget to mention that you saw it advertised in

Leyland Olympian, Northern Counties bodywork, 1988, 73 seats with belts, tachograph, MOT until 06/04/2013. £3,000 + VAT

2005 (55) Caetano Optimo V

DAF MB230, Van Hool Bodywork, 1989, 53 belted seats, rear toilet, MoT until 12/04/2013. £6,000 + VAT 1 Set of Briton Column Lifts (7.5 Tonnes). Regularly serviced and in good condition. £4,500

Luxury 26 seats + courier, white, manual, tacho, 3 point seatbelts, CD + PA, forced air, power door, Euroliners. Very good condition, new MOT, 194,000 miles. £34,000 + VAT ono

Tel: 01209 717 152 Mobile: 07885 298 383

01494 532 777 2010 MAN Neoplan Tourliner 400bhp, 49 recliners, centre sunken toilet, air-con, fully loaded, 1 year’s MoT, low mileage, plain white exterior ...........................................................................£155,000+VAT 1995 Volvo B10 Caetano Algarve just been converted to 70 seat coach with Cogent seats, 1 year’s MoT .....................................£25,000+VAT 1993 Scania VanHool Alizee Super High K113 Triaxle 7 speed comfort shift, air-con, 48 retrimmed recliners, centre sunken toilet, TV, DVD, excellent condition for year ....................................£13,500+VAT

Telephone 01290 550365 or Mobile 07736 490200 Milligans Coach Travel, Scotland

2002 - Setra 315 GTHD

48 seat executive, MOT due Feb 2013, tow bar, good condition, Euro 3, used mainly on tours, coach hoover system

1994 - Bova Futura 70 seats school conversion MOT due February 2013 £28,000.00 plus VAT ono

£65,000.00 plus VAT ono

01672 562238 info@pewseyvalecoaches.co.uk

Telephone Jade Cassidy on 01733 293247 or email jade.cassidy@rouncymedia.co.uk

553368-1028-Pembridge

19/3/12

16:25

Page 1

NEW PRE-REGISTERED FORDS

New Ford Transit 17 seat 4.3ton 135ps minibus. From £20,595 + VAT

OTHER MAKES

FORD TRANSIT MINIBUSES

(11) 2011 Ford Transit 9 seat Shuttle Bus, twin side loading doors, large rear luggage area, delivery miles only £16,995

(10) 2010 Ford Transit 17 seat M/R 140PS with air-con, tacho, COIF/PSV £17,995 (08) 2008 Ford Transit 3.5ton 15 seat 2.4tdi, 115ps, high back seats with three point belts, tacho £13,800 (05) Ford Transit 17 seat 2.5 diesel 115ps, high back seats with three point belts 25,000 miles only £8,750 (53) 2003 Ford Transit 17 seat 2.4 td minibus, high back seats with three point belts, tacho, air-con, COIF/PSV £6,995 (03) Ford Transit 3.5 ton 15 seat minibus, 2.4 tdi, high back seats with three point belts £2,995 (52) 2003 Ford Transit 17 seat 2.4tdi, tacho, towbar, high back seats with three point belts, COIF/PSV £6,495

LDV MINIBUSES

(57) 2007 LDV Maxus 15 seat minibus, high back seats with three point belts £7,495

(03) 2003 LDV Convoy Maxi XLWB 17 seat mini-coach, 2.4 Tdi, front entry drop step, luggage racks, rear heating, wide aisle, rear row of seats removable, New PSV £6,495

OTHER MAKES

New Renault Master 17 seat LM35/ 2.2di 125ps, six speed, satnav, tacho, fully tracked floor with removable seats £21,995

New Peugeot Boxer 16 seat 3.5 ton and 17 seat wheelchair accessible minibuses, 2.2 diesel 120ps, six speed gearbox, LEZ COMPLIANT from £23,500 + VAT (09) 2009 Renault Master 16 seat minibus, tacho,high back seats with three point belts, 35,000km £15,650

(07) 2007 Peugeot Boxer 17 seat 3.5 ton minibus, 2.2 diesel, high back seats with three point belts, rear row of seats on tracking, 18,000 miles only £10,495

WHEELCHAIR ACCESS

(08) Renault Master LWB 3.5 ton, 2.5 tdi, six seats, fully tracked floor, inboard Ricon Clearway lift, one owner from new, 40,000 miles £16,750

SOLD

(07) 2007 Volkswagen Crafter 8 seat 2.2 diesel inboard lift, fully tracked floor, rear heating, 48,000 miles £13,995 (57) LDV Maxus LWB 9 seats tracking to take two wheelchairs, inboard lift, 49,000 miles, £9,995

(54) 2005 Renault Master 13 seat wheelchair access minibus, inboard Ricon lift, fully tracked floor, rear heating, electric side step, 56,000 miles £8,995

(03) 2003 Fiat Doblo SX 1.9 diesel, low floor, four seats plus one wheelchair, lightweight ramp, 45,000 miles £3,495 (53) 2003 Mercedes Vito 108 cdi 2.2 diesel, 6 seats, low floor with lightweight ramp, tracking for two wheelchairs £5,995 Y 2001 Renault Mascot 2.8 diesel, 16 seat wheelchair accessible minibus, front entry drop step, fully tracked floor to take five wheelchairs, under floor lift, rear heating, COIF/PSV £7,750

Contact Graham Thatcher – email: sales@minibussales.co.uk

Tel: 01633 485858 Mobile: 07866 443304

Pembridge House, The Park Business Centre, Plough Road, Goytre, Penperlleni, Nr Usk, South Wales NP4 0AL – 10 minutes from M4 motorway. Viewing by appointment only Finance Contract Hire and Finance Lease Available. We deliver Nationwide. All vehicles prepared to VOSA standard COIF/PSV specialist

All above prices are subject to VAT @ 20%

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Ensig DOUBLE DECK 1997/8 VOLVO OLYMPIANS Seatbe exampleslted no available w

LEZ

LEZ

COMPLIANT

COMPLIANT

Volvo engines, Euro 2, 78 seats, converted to single door, new COIF, tyres included, UK registered ready to work.

2004/5 SCANIA K114 AND 124’S

1999/2000 T/V/X REG DENNIS TRIDENTS

Cummins/Voith, LEZ compliant for 2012 with traps to Euro 4, CCTV, Alexander ALX400 bodies, DDA compliant or upseated to 80 seats.

2000 DAF SB120

ZF automatics, Irizar PB bodies, 49 leather seats, toilets, air-con, £53,500. (pic YN04GPX)

Cummins / Allison, Wrights Cadet body, ramp, wheelchair space, Hanover LEDʼs, CCTV, 39 retrimmed individual seats, from our own fleet and very tidy.

2006 OPTARE SOLO’S

1998 R REG VOLVO OLYMPIAN

Slimline, Mercedes engines, 23 seats, long MOTʼs.

ZF automatic, 74 seats, dual door, CONVERTIBLE open topper, so can still be used in the Winter! One only.

1995 M REG DENNIS DRAGONS

1998 DAF SB3000

ZF automatic, Plaxton Premiere 350, air-con, 57 seats.

Cummins/Voith gearboxes, Duple Metsec bodies, recent floors and 92 coach seats.

2001 DDA COMPLIANT DENNIS DARTS

Plaxton Pointer 2 dual door bodies, 31 seats, CCTV, particulate traps fitted, LEZ 2012 compliant, only £6,500 each plus tyres (£375)

2001 Y REG DART SLF’S

Cummins/Allison, LEZ compliant for 2012 with traps to Euro 4, CCTV, Alexander ALX200 bodies with either 30 seats and 2 doors or 34 seats converted to single door, ramps, DDA certified and compliant. 10.8m 37 seaters now available.

OPEN TOP BUSES A SPECIALITY -

Juliette Close, Purfleet Industrial Telephone 01708 865656 Fax: 01708 8 Visit our website for current s

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nbus ER SPECIALIST 1993 L REG VOLVO OLYMPIAN

GREAT VALUE DENNIS DARTS!!!

Northern Counties low height body, Volvo engine, long MOT.

2001 Y REG DENNIS DART MPD’s

Plaxton Pointer 2 bodies, 29 seats, LEZ compliant post 2012 with traps, DDA compliant, long MOTʼs.

1998-2000 S / V / W reg Darts with Plaxton Pointer 2 bodies, 31 seats, dual door, DDA compliant, exhaust traps fitted so reduced tax, huge choice at an unbelievable £4,500 each plus VAT and tyres (£400).

2003 MAN 14220

Hanover LEDʼs, East Lancs Myllenium body, 39 seats.

2003 MAN 11.2220’S

Euro 3, ZF automatics, 35 seats, East Lancs Myllenium bodies.

1998 DENNIS DARTS

Cummins / Allison, Marshall Capital bodies, Hanover LEDʼs, CCTV, 37 seats.

1999/2000 DENNIS TRIDENTS

Cummins/Voith, LEZ compliant with traps, Plaxton President bodies, 62 seats or 70 when converted to single door.

1998 DENNIS DART

Cummins/Allison, East Lancs body, 33 seats.

1995 VOLVO B10M

ZF 6 speed manual, starts and drives, Plaxton Premiere 350 body past its best, £4,000 spares or repair.

2007 MAN 14.220

£7000 just spend on recon engine, MCV Evolution body, 40 seats, DDA, Hanover LEDʼs.

1995 N REG SCANIA L113

Voith automatic, East Lancs body, 49 dual purpose seats just retrimmed, supplied with new MOT.

2006 VOLVO B6’S

ZF automatic, SLF, Wrights bodies.

- BRITAIN’S BIGGEST BUS DEALERS Park, Purfleet, Essex, RM15 4YF 8 864340 e-mail: sales@ensignbus.com t stock at www.ensignbus.com

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BEN WEAVER PSV

2007 07 FORD TRANSIT 17 SEAT MEDIUM ROOF MINIBUS 2400cc 6 speed turbo diesel 115ps engine, electric front windows, power heated door mirrors, LEZ compliant, CD player, 64000 miles, finished in tonic a very rare light metallic blue, supplied with 12 months MoT, fully serviced to good garage scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £13995 + VAT

PSV

2005 55 IVECO DAILY 50C13 13 SEAT MINIBUS 2800 turbo diesel engine, Euromotive conversion, certificate of initial fitness, electric windows, analogue tachograph, tracking for 4 wheelchairs, Ricon underfloor tail lift, AVS side step, air con, finished in white, only 48000 miles £10995 + VAT

PSV

2005 05 IVECO DAILY 50C13 13 SEAT MINIBUS 2800 turbo diesel engine, Euromotive conversion, electric windows, analogue tachograph tracking for 4 wheelchairs, Ricon underfloor tail lift, AVS side step, air con, finished in white, only 53000 miles £10495 + VAT

PSV

2002 52 IVECO DAILY 13 SEAT FRONT ENTRY WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE WELFARE MINIBUS 2800 turbo diesel engine, analogue tachograph, certificate of initial fitness, access underfloor rear tail lift, tracking for 6 wheelchairs, front entryelectric plug door, only 37000 miles, finished inwhite, excellent condition, supplied with 11 monthsPSV test and already serviced by ourselves just in December, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £6795 + VAT

2004 04 IVECO DAILY 50C11 FRONT ENTRY 11 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS 2800 6 speed turbo diesel engine, certificate of initial fitness, analogue tachograph, tracking for 6 wheelchairs, access underfloor rear tail lift, electric front plug door, air con, only 37000 miles, finished in white, excellent condition, supplied with 11 months PSV test and already serviced by ourselves just in December £9795 + VAT

PSV

PSV

2005 05 IVECO DAILY 50C13 13 SEAT MINIBUS 2800 turbo diesel engine, Euromotive conversion, certificate of initial fitness, electric windows, analogue tachograph, tracking for 4 wheelchairs, Ricon underfloor tail lift, AVS side step, air con, finished in white, only 45000 miles, arriving soon £10795 + VAT

2009 09 REG MERCEDES SPRINTER 209CDI SHORT WHEELBASE LOW ROOF WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLE 2148cc CDI diesel, automatic gearbox,velvet red, Ricon rear internal lift, cruise control, parking sensors, air con, electric windows & mirrors, CD player, 8000 miles with full service history, excellent condition, 12 months MoT, fully serviced to good garage scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £16995 NO VAT

PSV

2004 04 MERCEDES SPRINTER 411 8 SEAT COACH SPEC MINIBUS WITH BOOT AND LUGGAGE SPACE 2200 turbo diesel engine, internal luggage racks, electric front windows, electric mirrors, coach style recline seats, boot lid with luggage space, twin slide loading doors, reverse parking camera, finished in silver, 141000 miles £9995 + VAT

PSV

NOVEMBER 2011 61 MERCEDES SPRINTER 516 CDI EXTRA LONG 16 SEAT COACH BUILT MINIBUS 2300 turbo diesel euro 5 manual engine, 16 non reclining luxary coach seats with piping, luggage racks with forced air and reading lights, large panoramic windows, large illuminated luggage area, show curtains, walnut dash, drivers locker, radio and CD player system with 6 spakers, GRP lowered entrance step, GRP body skirts, COIF £47995 + VAT

2007 57 REG MERCEDES SPRINTER 209CDI SHORT WHEELBASE HIGH ROOF WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLE 2148cc CDI diesel, velvet red, Ricon rear internal lift, front and rear parking sensors, air con, electric windows & mirrors, CD player, 40000 miles with Mercedes Benz full service history, excellent condition, 12 months MoT, fully serviced to good garage scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 12995 NO VAT

PSV

2002 02 IVECO DAILY 65C15 23 SEAT FRONT ENTRY WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE WELFARE MINIBUS 2800 6 speed turbo diesel engine, Frank Guy conversion, Ricon internal wheelchair lift, tracking for 6 wheelchairs, certificate of initial fitness, PSV, analogue tachograph, 145000 klms, 90000 miles, excellent condition, finished in white £6795 + VAT

2002 02 IVECO DAILY 50C13 17 SEAT FRONT ENTRY WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE WELFARE MINIBUS 2800 6 speed turbo diesel engine, certificate of initial fitness, PSV, Mellor coachcraft conversion, access underfloor rear tail lift, tracking for up to 8 wheelchairs, lift up sky light, carpeted roof, analogue tachogragh, 115000 klms, 72000 miles, finished in white £7295 + VAT

2002 02 MERCEDES SPRINTER 413CDI FRONT ENTRY 11 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE WELFARE MINIBUS 2200 turbo diesel automatic, Mellor coachcraft conversion, Ricon internal lift, tracking for 6 wheelchairs, air conditioning, certificate of initial fitness, electric front entry door, 136000 miles, excellent condition, finished in white £7795 + VAT

2008 08 FORD TRANSIT NEW SHAPE 17 SEAT MEDIUM ROOF MINIBUS 2.4 6 speed 115ps turbo diesel engine, LEZ compliant, electric windows, electric mirrors, CD player, digital tachograph, 125000 klms, 78000 miles, finished in white £12995 + VAT

Can be altered to 25 seats with a VTP5 application on the next PSV test, this can be carried out at the point of sale, 2800 turbo diesel engine, tachograph, certificate of initial fitness, velour seats and matching roof lining, Mellor Coachcraft conversion, automatic plug entry door, access underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for up to 6 wheelchairs, this bus is extemely tidy both inside and out, 119000klms, 73000 miles, finished in white

2000 W REG VOLKSWAGEN LT46 LWB HIGH ROOF 13 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS 2500 cc tdi, blue, air conditioning, tachograph, electric folding side entry door, access underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for 2 wheelchairs, 101000 klms £5495 NO VAT

2007 57 FORD TRANSIT NEW SHAPE 17 SEAT MEDIUM ROOF MINIBUS 2.4 5 speed 100ps turbo diesel engine, LEZ compliant, electric windows, electric mirrors, CD player, digital tachograph, 198000 klms, 123000 miles with full maintenance/service history records, finished in white £10995 + VAT

2001 Y TOYOTA PREVIA GS VVTI 8 SEATER 2.4 petrol automatic, electric windows, electric mirrors, air con, overdrive, 81000 miles, finished in metallic green, supplied wth 12 months MoT, fully serviced to good garage scheme standards £3495 NO VAT

2001 Y REG VOLKSWAGEN LT35 TDI 10 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS 2.5tdi turbo diesel engine, underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for 6 wheelchairs, finished in blue, 122000 miles £5495 + VAT

2001 Y REG VOLKSWAGEN LT35 TDI 10 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS 2.5tdi turbo diesel engine, underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for 6 wheelchairs, finished in blue, 76000 miles £5995 + VAT

2002 51 MERCEDES VARIO 614 23 or 25 SEAT FRONT ENTRY WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS Euro 3 4250cc turbo diesel automatic engine, front entry electric plug door, Mellor Coach Craft conversion, Ratcliffe rear underfloor electric lift, tracking for 6 wheelchairs, analogue tachograph, 97000 klms, only 60000 miles, supplied with 12 months MoT, fully serviced to good garage scheme standards, 3 months parts and labour warranty £9495 + VAT

2007 07 FORD TRANSIT 15 SEAT MEDIUM ROOF MINIBUS 2400 turbo diesel engine, electric windows, electric mirrors, CD player, only 23000 miles, supplied with 12 months MoT, fully serviced to good garage scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £10495 + VAT

PSV

2004 54 IVECO DAILY 65C15 23 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE WELFARE MINIBUS

£10995

PSV

BEN WEAVER commercIals

2002 02 MERCEDES SPRINTER 413CDI FRONT ENTRY 17 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE WELFARE MINIBUS 2.2 turbo diesel automatic, certificate of initial fitness, tachograph, PSV, UV module conversions, tracking for 6 wheelchairs, underfloor rear lift, 96000 miles £7995 + VAT

PSV

2003 53 MERCEDES SPRINTER 313 CDI LWB HIGH ROOF 15 SEAT MINIBUS 2.2 turbo diesel engine, certificate of initial fitness, 4 seats across the rear with luggage space, twin side loading doors, electric windows, electric mirrors, air con, climate control, automatic side step, lift up sky lights, carpeted roof, finished in white, 46000 miles £10695 + VAT

2005 05 RE VOLKSWAGEN LT35 16 SEAT MINIBUS, 2500CC TDI Ex local authority vehicle, double harness seat belts on all rear compartment seats, AVS side access step, towbar with ball and pin, taxed to 31st July 2012, 100,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months MoT, fully serviced to good garage scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty. £7995 + VAT

Gower Street, Sheffield, S4 7JW Tel: 0114 275 7076 www.benweavercommercials.co.uk

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commercials PSV

2004 04 IVECO DAILY 50C13 15 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE WELFARE MINIBUS 2.8 turbo diesel engine, Mellor conversion, tracking for 6 wheelchairs, underfloor rear electric lift, analogue tachograph, 65000 miles, finished in blue £7995 + VAT

PSV

2003 03 REG IVECO DAILY 50C13 15 SEAT WELFARE BUS 2800cc turbo diesel, 6 speed gearbox, Mellor Coachcraft conversion, ex local authority vehicle, Ricon internal rear wheelchair lift, tracking for upto 6 wheelchairs, tachograph, 176000 kilometers 110000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months MoT, fully serviced to good garage scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 7495 + VAT

PSV

2003 53 MERCEDES SPRINTER 313 CDI LWB HIGH ROOF 15 SEAT MINIBUS 2.2 turbo diesel engine, certificate of initial fitness, 4 seats across the rear with luggage space, twin side loading doors, electric windows, electric mirrors, air con, climate control, automatic side step, lift up sky lights, carpeted roof, finished in white, 52000 miles £10495 + VAT

2003 53 MERCEDES SPRINTER 313 CDI LWB HIGH ROOF 15 SEAT MINIBUS 2.2 turbo diesel engine, certificate of initial fitness, 4 seats across the rear with luggage space, twin side loading doors, electric windows, electric mirrors, air con, climate control, automatic side step, lift up sky lights, carpeted roof, finished in white, 126000 miles £9295 + VAT

2005 05 FORD TRANSIT 17 SEAT MEDIUM ROOF MINIBUS LEZ compliant, 2.4 turbo diesel 125ps, electric front windows, electric mirrors, finished in white, only 64000 miles £8495 + VAT

2001 51 REG IVECO DAILY 40C11 9 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESIBLE MINIBUS 2800cc turbo diesel, white, tachograph, underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for up to 4 wheelchairs, panoramic glass, 200000 klms, 124000 miles, excellent condition £5295 + VAT

PSV

PSV

2001 51 MERCEDES SPRINTER 413CDI FRONT ENTRY 10 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE WELFARE MINIBUS 2.2 turbo diesel automatic, certificate of initial fitness, analogue tachograph, underfloor rear tail lift, tracking for 6 wheelchairs, 244000 klms, 153000 miles £6295 + VAT

2003 03 REG LDV CONVOY 17 SEAT HIGH ROOF MINIBUS Certificate of initial fitness, PSV, 2400cc turbo diesel Ford 75ps engine, 119000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months MoT or PSV, fully serviced to good garage scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 2495 + VAT

2004 54 VOLKSWAGEN LT46 17 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS 2500 TDI 109bhp, Ddvanced minibus conversion, tachograph, Ratcliffe underfloor rear wheelchair lift, AVS side step, 194000 kilometers 121000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months MoT, fully serviced to good garage scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty, no vat to pay £9995 NO VAT

2002 52 VOLKSWAGEN LT46 17 SEAT MINIBUS 2.5 turbo diesel, analogue tachograph, certificate of initial fitness, finished in white, 138000 miles £6295 + VAT

PSV

2003 03 REG BMW 318 CI SE COUPE 2.0 petrol engine, 5 speed manual gearbox, 17 inch M Sport alloys, 6 disc CD stacker, on board computer, reverse parking sensors, multi function steering wheel, front fog lights, cruise control, electric windows, power heated door mirrors, air conditioning, 119,000 miles with history, supplied with 12 months MoT and just been fully serviced, now £3595 NO VAT

2000 X REG FORD TRANSIT FRONT ENTRY 15 SEAT WELFARE MINIBUS 2.5 turbo diesel, tracking for 6 wheelchairs, access underfloor rear electric lift, 85,000 miles, very good condition, supplied with 12 months MoT, arriving soon, photo for illustration purpose only £4495 + VAT

2005 55 REG FIAT DOBLO 3 SEATER MULTIJET ACTIVE WITH WHEELCHAIR ACCESS 1.3 turbo diesel engine, OH conversion, rear wheelchair ramp, rear tailgate, twin sliding side access doors, ABS, power steering, central locking, electric windows, finished in capri blue, only 43,000 miles, service history, numerous uses for a vehicle like this!

Excellent condition £3495 NO VAT

2001 51 REG. MERCEDES 8 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE DISABILITY MINIBUS 2.2 turbo diesel, Ratcliffe underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for up to 3 wheelchairs, side access step, carpeted roof lining, 2 sunroofs, 136000 miles, finished in classic red, excellent condition £4995 + VAT

2004 04 IVECO DAILY IRIS MWB 9 SEATER 2.8 turbo diesel, 8 velour passenger seats, panaramic glass, ex local authority, only 48000 miles, photos taken prior to valeting £5995 + VAT

2004 04 IVECO DAILY IRIS MWB 9 SEATER 2.8 turbo diesel, 8 velour passenger seats, panoramic glass, ex local authority, only 87000 miles £5495 + VAT

2003 53 OPTARE ALERO 12 SEAT PLUS DRIVER PLUS 4 STANDEES BUS 2800cc turbo diesel, fold out ramp to the side, air con, certificate of initial fitness, PSV, 113000 miles, excellent condition £8495 + VAT

2002 02 REG IVECO DAILY 45C13 16 SEAT FRONT ENTRY WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS 2800cc turbo diesel, white, underfloor rear wheelchair lift, velour trim inc carpeted roof lining, 177000 kilometres (110000 miles), excellent condition £5995 + VAT

2004 54 FORD TRANSIT 15 SEAT MINIBUS LEZ compliant, 2.4 turbo diesel engine, 176, 000 miles, excellent condition, finished in Ford dark true blue £4995 NO VAT

2005 05 VOLKSWAGEN LT46 6 SEAT FRONT ENTRY WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS 2.5 turbo diesel engine, internal wheelchair lift, analogue tachograph, 224000 klms with full service print out, 140000 miles, excellent condition £7695 + VAT

2005 55 REG FIAT DOBLO 3 SEATER MULTIJET ACTIVE With wheelchair access and manual clutch operating lever, 1.3 turbo diesel engine, OH conversion, rear wheelchair ramp, rear tailgate, twin sliding side access doors, ABS, power steering, central locking, electric windows, finished in rhumba red, only 39,000 miles, service history, numerous uses for a vehicle like this!

Excellent condition £3495 NO VAT

2004 04 FORD TRANSIT HIGH ROOF 9 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS LEZ compliant, 2.0 135ps turbo diesel engine front wheel drive, ex NHS, Ricon fully electric internal wheelchair lift, air conditioning, electric windows, CD player, front fog lights, 147 000 miles, finished in white, excellent condition £5295 + VAT

2008 08 REG BMW 318I ES 4 DOOR SALOON 2000cc petrol, 6 speed manual gearbox, black, grey cloth interior, alloy wheels, air conditioning, CD player, electric windows, elecric mirrors, 6 months tax, 70000 miles with full BMW service history £7795

IVECO, DAILY 50C13 13 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS With COIF, tacho, 2005, diesel, 54000 miles, 2800 turbo diesel, white, Euromotive conversion, certificate of initial fitness, PSV, Ratcliffe underfloor rear wheelchair lift, 13 passenger seats or 4 seated and 4 wheelchairs, AVS electric side entrance step, air con, electric windows, 87000 kilometers, 54000 miles, supplied with 12 months PSV or MoT, excellent condition £10495 + VAT

2004 54 REG FORD FIESTA 1400cc tdci diesel, silver, colour coded, 17 inch gloss black alloy wheels, rear boot spoiler, CD player, excellent condition, 101000 miles with a fully stamped Ford service history £2395 + VAT

All vehicles supplied with 12 months MOT/PSV, fully serviced to good garage scheme standards and 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty

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HEATONS MOTOR CO. WIGAN 01942 864222 THE NORTH WEST’S PREMIER MINIBUS SALES, SUPPLYING NATIONWIDE FOR OVER 40 YEARS

05 BMC PROBUS 850 Covered 81,000 miles, council owned from new, 35 highback reclining coach seats with 3 point belts, full air conditioning, luggage racks, blown air, music system, tv, fridge, aircraft style lockers, generous underfloor storage, Cummins engine, automatic Voith gearbox, choice of 2 excellent cost effective luxury coaches £29,995 WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

READY TO WORK

READY TO WORK

54 MERCEDES VARIO 614 with 15 highback passenger seats, complete flat floor, powerdoor front entry, external PLS tailift, analogue tacho, fully colour coded, totally immaculate in every way. low miles, excellent value £10,995

02/03 MERCEDES VARIO 814

F7 O E C I O PSV’d CH

54 MERCEDES SPRINTER 411 CDI Covered 57,000 miles, 16 highback passenger seats, one council owner, front low step entry, full carpetlined, analogue tacho, Triptronic transmission, 12 months PSV test, good value for a low mileage minibus. An excellent example of this popular minibus £10,995

54 PLATE IVECO 50C13 IRIS BUS 16 highback passenger seats, 3 point belts, full air conditioning, panoramic tinted windows, front low step entry, one owner, looks excellent, excellent drive, excellent value, 12 months PSV test, ready to work From £9,995

LEZ

LEZ

COMPLIANT

COMPLIANT

56 RENAULT MASTER MM33 covered 25,000 miles, Ricon fully automatic internal Clearway tailift, 6 high back passenger seats plus wheelchair spaces or would up seat, SLD with electric cassette step, totally showroom condition inside and out £12,995

03 MERCEDES VARIO 814 Coachbuilt with 16 highback seats or would up-seat to 24, low miles, complete flatfloor, powerdoor front entry, external PLS fully automatic tailift, totally immaculate and excellent value for money, choice of 2 £10,995

WERE DO YOU FIND THESE? 07 MERCEDES VARIO 616

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

Mellor Coachcraft coachbuilt, covered 71,000 miles, one council owner, automatic transmission, 32 high back passenger seats all on Unwin tracking, 3 point belts, powerdoor front entry, external PLS cassette tailift, very very clean and original, PSV tested.

Where do you find these ultra low mileage buses, from £12,995

PSV’d

PSV’d

PSV’d

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

05 RENAULT MASTER MWB, covered 41,000 miles, lots of Unwin tracking, Ricon internal tailift, SLD with cassette step, totally showroom condition inside and out, excellent value From £9,495

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

LEZ

PSV’d

COMPLIANT

LEZ

COMPLIANT

READY TO WORK

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

PSV’d 08 IVECO 40C12 good quality Iris Bus conversion, covered 60,000 miles, one local authority plant on, panoramic windows, 16 highback passenger seats, 3 point belts, full air conditioning, Euroliners, totally showroom condition inside and out £15,995

06 RENAULT MASTER MWB, covered 64,000 miles, totally unmarked silver metallic, SLD with cassette step, lots of Unwin tracking, 7 /8 highback passenger seats £10,495

Mellor Coachcraft coachbuilt, 15 high back seats all on Unwin tracking, complete flat floor, Ricon fully automatic internal tailift, powerdoor front low step entry, a good quality bus, LEZ compliant, will come with 12 months PSV test, excellent value £14,995

Let us take the stress out of the purchase of your next minibus, leaving you to concentrate on running your business.

1, PSV tested. 2, Tacho fitted. 3, Finance options if required – 36, 48, 60 months low deposits, etc. Details on request. 4, Delivered to your premises. 5, Tail lift certificates.

Where can you find one of the largest stock of wheelchair accessible/conventional minibuses? Ready to work, combining this with over 50 years of experience in the industry. Just one friendly phone call to Wayne or Philip will simplify your job.

HEATONS MOTOR CO. WIGAN

ALL PRICES PLUS VAT We guarantee quality vehicles, right prices, no pressure sales. Come and have a coffee while you browse at your leisure. Junction 23, M6 or 20 miles from Manchester/Liverpool airport.

52 Bickershaw Lane, Abram, Wigan, Lancashire WN2 5PL

Tel: 01942 864222

SEE ALL OUR STOCK ON OUR WEBSITE www.heatonsmotorco.co.uk

p51_CBW_1028

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March 21, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 51

554731-1028-Ventura

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p53_CBW_1028

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March 21, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 53

2010 MAN Plaxton Panther

For further details and viewing in Chertsey, please call Mark or Danny on 07979 295668

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2003 DENNIS JAVELIN PLAXTON PROFILE Registered Dec 2003, double glazed tinted glass, Cummins 275 engine, 6 speed manual gearbox, 49 seats, toilet & washroom, ready for immediate use, MoT tested, 120,000 miles, choice of two. £P.O.A

Straight from MOD

VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER

Dec 07, low mileage, 7 seats, quick release tracking for wheelchair use. £12,500 + VAT

MERCEDES VARIO 612

1998, 20 new seats, wheelchair lift on wheel tracking, 20 new seats.

Choice of 6.

TRADE SALE OR SEPARATE

06 MAN EVOLUTION

14/220, 37 seats, SLF automatic, wheelchair ramp, superb condition throughout, fully MoT’d. £45,500 Part exchange considered

1995 DENNIS JAVELIN PLAXTON PREMIER HIGHLINER 53 recliner seats, 290 Cummins, automatic, continental door, toilet, full years MoT, must be seen. £POA + VAT £19,500

BERKOF RADIAL 1998

53 seats, seats, Cummins 53 Cummins 300 300 engine, ex ex council, engine, council, manual box, box, air cond, manual cond, MoT, veryMoT, low mileage, full years very low mileage, super condition. super condition. £POA £19,500

02 LDV

Minibus with 12 seats, long MOT, wheelchair lift and very clean.

£P.O.A.

CAETANO (SALVADOR) 1998

57 seats, in white, Cummins 245 engine, MoT Sept 2012, very clean vehicle. £19,500 + VAT

1996 DENNIS JAVELIN

10 metre, new MoT, 41/47 seats, 220 Cummins, 6 speed box, new stretch panels, repainted.

Choice of 2. £POA + VAT

BMC AIRPORT BUS

32 seats, 220 Cummins, new MoT this week.

QUICK SALE WANTED.

£15,000

1996 VOLVO PLAXTON PREMIER HIGH LINER

B10 engine, 14 months test, 70 seats, tinted double glazing with curtains & continental door, must be seen. £POA

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IVECO SERVICE BUS

67 seats (moquet), new 2006, only 12,000 miles since new, Vihixel body, auto gearbox, air-con, MOT full year, LEZ, must be seen, superb condition.

£65,000 + VAT PX considered.

PLAXTON PARAGON 48 reclining seats plus courier seat, air-con.

£49,500 + VAT

03 MERCEDES VARIO

With wheelchair lift, 13 seats, low mileage.

£12,000 + VAT

1995 PLAXTON PREMIER

B10 engine In excellent condition throughout MOT

£16,000 +VAT

02 SETRA

Model S-315 GT HD, 6 cylinder MAN engine, manual 6 speed gearbox, 49 seater, full air conditioning, many extras, full year MOT

£45,000 + VAT

Part exchange considered

554105-1028-Pickrell

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H.W. PICKRELL MINIBUS AND WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLES

Gardiners Lane North • Crays Hill • Billericay • Essex • CM11 2XE Tel: 01268 521033 • Mobile: 07860 894331 • Fax: 01268 284951

Email: sales@hwpickrell.co.uk - www.hwpickrell.co.uk

Finance available on all vehicles (subject to status) Written details on request.

WH E E LCH AIR ACCE S S IBL E MI NI BUS E S

PART EXCHANGE - V REG M ERCEDES SPRINTER 411 CDI

56 REG RENAULT MASTER LM39 2.5TD

Manual, high roof, PAS, LWB, Mellor conversion, side loading door, AVS side step, 14 high back seats, AMF m2 fully tracked floor, new Ricon tail lift, only 35,756 miles, choice of two.

Auto gearbox, UVG Treka bus conversion, power entry door with low entry step, 8-16 x high back removable seats, Eberspacher air con, ex local authority, COIF'd, tacho fitted, non LEZ, choice of 6.

09 PEUGEOT EXPERT TEPEE 1.9 HDI

Manual 5 speed gearbox, PAS, CD player, air con, twin side loading doors, 2 high back seat in rear, double passenger seat front, cut out floor, fold down ramp, blue metallic silver, alloy wheels, 14,932 miles.

2008 57 REG RENAULT MASTER LM39 2.5TD

58 REG RENAULT MASTER LM39 2.5TD

07 REG RENAULT MASTER SL 33 2.2TD

06 REG RENAULT MASTER SM33 2.2TD

Manual, high roof, PAS, LWB, new conversion, side loading door, AVS side step, 14 high back seats, AMF m2 fully tracked floor, new Ricon tail lift, only 31,956 kms. .

Manual, high roof, PAS, LWB, Mellor conversion, side loading door, AVS side step, 12 high back seats, amf m2 fully tracked floor, Ratcliff tail lift, only 35,755 miles.

Manual gearbox, high roof, O & H conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, 6 high back seats plus 1 x w/chair, air con, heater, Unwin tracked floor, Ricon tail lift, 22,166 miles.

Manual gearbox, high roof, O & H conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, 6 high back seats plus 1 x w/chair, Eberspacher heater, air con, Unwin tracked floor, Ricon tail lift, 21253.441 miles.

53 REG RENAULT MASTER LM35 2.2TD

07 REG RENAULT MASTER LH35 2.5TD

2010 10 REG VAUXHALL MOVANO LM39 2.5TD

2008 57 REG PEUGEOT BOXER 2.4TD

Manual, PAS, LWB, Papworth ambulance conversion, SLD, 2 rear high back seats, Ferno stretcher, lowering suspension & electric cheese wedge ramp, blue light bars and siren, high spec, low miles 6,000 miles only.

LWB, hi roof, multi purpose office/comms unit, PAS, SLD with AVS side step, awning, 3 x workstations, amber light, bars front and rear, overhead storage lockers, heating, generator, microwave, tv, only 1,500 miles.

Manual, high roof, LWB, factory conversion, side loading door, side step, 12 rear high back seats, double passenger seat + driver, tacho fitted, a/c fitted front and rear, ex-authority, only 89,711kms.

Manual, high roof, PAS, LWB, O & H conversion, side loading door, side step, 11 rear high back seats, double passenger seat + driver, Ricon tail lift, ex local authority, only 8,756 miles.

54 REG M ERCEDES SPRINT ER 411 CDI

06 REG RENAULT MASTER MM33 2.2TD

2004/05 54 REG MERCEDES SPRINTER 416CDI AMBULANCE

07 REG F ORD TRANSIT 350 2.4TD

Tiptronic gearbox, Euromotive PSC bus conversion, front entry slam door with low entry step, 16 x high back removable seats, Eberspacher, ex local authority, COIF'd, tacho fitted, only 66,780 kms.

Manual gearbox, high roof, Widnes conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, 6 high back seats plus 1 x w/chair, Eberspacher heater, air con, Unwin tracked floor, Portaramp & winch, 8,947 miles.

LWB, Macneillie van conversion, SLD, 2 rear high back seats, Ferno Falcon stretcher & locks, stretcher lift, blue light bars and siren, very high spec, low miles 65-85,000 miles only, choice of 8.

Long wheelbase, high roof, 6 seater crew van, PAS, SLD, rear partion for storage & tools in rear, Eberspacher heater, overhead storage, microwave, hot water box, wash facilties, 27,000 miles only.

2011 UN-REG RENAULT MASTER LM35 2.5TD

06 REG RENAULT MASTER MM33 2.2TD

07 REG MERCEDES SPRINTER 313CDI 2.2

2004 54 REG IVECO 50c13 IRIS BUS 2.8 TURBO DIESEL

Manual, high roof, PAS, LWB, new conversion, side loading door, AVS side step, 11 high back CT seats, M2 tested fully tracked floor, roof vent, new AMF tail lift.

Automatic gearbox, high roof, SCW conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, 7 high back seats plus 1 x w/chair, Eberspacher heater, Unwin tracked floor, Ricon tail lift, 11,831 miles.

6 speed manual, a/c, Frank Guy crew van, side loading door, 8 x high back Cogent reclining removable seats, tracked floor, large storage area ideal airport shuttle bus, 34,500 miles only, choice of two.

Manual, LWB, PAS, factory conversion, electric windows, cruise control, low front entry slam door, 16 high back seats with all age seat belts, full air con, exlocal authority, COIF, new PSV MOT, only 80,341 kms.

06 REG RENAULT MASTER SL33 2.2TD

Manual gearbox, low roof, O & H conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, 4 high back seats plus 1 x w/chair, Eberspacher heater, Unwin tracked floor, Ricon tail lift, 17,491 miles.

08 REG RENAULT MASTER MM33 2.2TD

Manual gearbox, high roof, O & H conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, 6 high back seats plus 2 x w/chair, Eberspacher heater, air con, Unwin tracked floor, Ricon tail lift, 36,831 miles.

53 REG MERCEDES SPRINTER 416 CDI

4x4 ambulance, LWB, Wilker box body conversion, full air con/climate, side loading door, 3 high back seats, Falcon stretcher, PLS stretcher lift, very high spec, one owner ex Air Force, only 25,950 kms.

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March 21, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 57

COACHES & BUSES WANTED FOR AUCTION for our UK & Commonwealth buyers Our main interest is equipment available due to Retirement or Fleet Reorganisation.

All equipment would be marketed worldwide through our Special Auction Events Team.

See our website history for people we have worked for.

For further information please call Malcolm Harrison on 01630 674326 or email malcolm@malcolmharrison.co.uk MALCOLM HARRISON AUCTIONS

Bullseye.

Merc V8/AsTronic box, 75str, white ext/blue int, air con, drinks, fridge, ski box, 160,000 miles since factory engine, MoT Oct 2012, Eminox fitted to Euro 4, RPC for reduced road tax (£190 P/A), very good condition, low mileage coach. Ideal people mover for the Olympics. £109,000 + VAT ono

NEOPLAN SKYLINER 2003

1 - 7.8SE 23str with seat belts and semi coach seats, digi tacho, radio, approx 142,000 miles. MoT June 2012 £49,500 + VAT ono 2 - 7.1SE 23str approx 195,000 miles, MoT May 2012 £47,500 + VAT ono Both vehicles Euro 4 Mercedes engines, white exterior/blue interior, Hanover destination, vgc.

2 OPTARE SOLOS 2007

Tel: 01296 398300 Motts Travel, Buckinghamshire

Looking for a used Dennis Dart?

Then you’ve just hit the jackpot.

We have over 50 up for sale at amazing prices.

Starting at £4,995 on plates ranging from P to V. Call us at the double on 01922 457003 to find out more and to book a viewing and to make sure you’re going home with more than just your bus fare home.

Volant PVS Ltd Beecham Business Park, Northgate, Aldridge WS9 8TZ T: +44 (0)1922 457003 volantpvs.co.uk

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58 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 21, 2012

1998 VOLVO B10M PLAXTON PREMIERE 350

OFFERS INVITED

70 SEATS NEW CONVERSION including 3 point belts, new flooring, full interior retrim including racks, sides, roof etc. New MOT till March 2013. ZF manual gearbox, newly repainted 2 pack white. Looks and drives superb.

A credit to any fleet.

£29,950 + VAT o.v.n.o.

Contact Steve on 07795 347476 or 01492 640320 (North Wales)

Southdown PSV - 01342 711840 www.southdownpsv.co.uk

Look! Great choice of Low Floor Mini Enviros and Darts – ideal replacements for step entrance Minibuses 2006 ADL ENVIRO 200 SLF 29 seats. £POA

Choice of two

2004 DENNIS DART MPD SLF 29 seats. £POA

2000 DENNIS DART MPD SLF 29 seats. £POA

Choice of two

Southdown PSV Silverwood Snow Hill Copthorne West Sussex RH10 3EN

Choice of three

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March 21, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 59

ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS &SERVICES BUILDINGS

BUSESWANTED

For further information phone

BLUELINE BUILDINGS 01709 578333 anytime

WANTED # WANTED # WANTED # WANTED

Bus Workshops - Secure Storage Supplied any width, any length Building to BS5590 - Doors high enough for Double Deckers - Finance available

SHELTON MOTORS RAMSEY, CAMBS LICENSED ELV CENTRE

ALL BUSES & COACHES WANTED Tel: 01487 813156 (9 - 5, Mon - Fri) Mobile: 07831 349760 Email: sales@shelton-motors.co.uk

# WANTED # WANTED # WANTED #

Don’t forget to mention that you saw it advertised in

SPECIAL OFFERS

GARAGE EQUIPMENT

TO PURCHASE CHECKPOINT/DUSTITE loose wheelnut indicators or to locate your nearest stockist:

Specialists in Used Commercial Garage Equipment

# WANTED # WANTED # WANTED # WANTED # WANTED # WANTED # WANTED

HEAVY DUTY STEEL BUILDINGS

CHECKPOINTS

Tel: 01524 271200 www.checkpoint-safety.com

BWS 0117 953 0381 www.bwsequip.co.uk

email: bwsequip@hotmail.com

ENGINEERING SERVICES

r .FDIBOJDBM "TTJTUBODF r &MFDUSJDBM "TTJTUBODF r $PBDI CVJMEJOH "TTJTUBODF r .BOBHFSJBM "TTJTUBODF

Ray McAlle (General Manager) Mobile: 07530 387394 Office: 01666 510158 Fax: 01793 840514 Email: info@paulclarkservices.co.uk Web: www.paulclarkservices.co.uk

COIN DISPENSERS

ENGINES

C oi n D is pe n s e r s

Crewe Engines Ltd MERCEDES ENGINE SPECIALISTS

WE ALSO RECONDITION ALL MAKES OF BUS & COACH ENGINES

Direct from the UK’s No.1 since 1975 Call now for a quote or more information

Quick change coin dispensers Buy direct from manufacturer Also spares and repairs T T S

RANSPORT

ICKET

ERVICES

Phone: 01600 750650 Email: ttservices@tiscali.co.uk www.ticket-machines.co.uk

01270 526333

Federation of Engine Re-Manufacturers

www.creweengines.co.uk

VOLVO - CUMMINS - SCANIA MAN - DAF - IVECO FULL FITTING FACILITIES

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60 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 21, 2012

ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS &SERVICES CRAIG TILSLEY

ENGINES

Tel: 01782 791524 or 01782 791527

Fax: 01782 791316

Moorfields Industrial Estate Cotes Heath, Stoke-on-Trent ST21 6QY

Suppliers of Reconditioned DAF MAN MERC, VOLVO SCANIA, GARDNER LEYLAND, CUMMINS ENGINES CYLINDER HEADS CRANKSHAFTS CRANKCASES CAMSHAFTS PUMPS ETC

Don’t forget to mention that you saw it advertised in

REGISTRATIONS G

SPEEDY REGISTRATIONS CO LTD G ‘Buy with confidence – CNDA Member’

£750 20 HXT 44 NXA ALZ 303 AXZ 88 ECR 767 IIG 62 IIL 36 JUI 808 RXI 85

£350 £99 £99 £50 AJZ 459 HIG 5651 MNZ 1195 AXZ 5648 JBZ 484 HIG 5652 ONZ 1180 CXZ 4470 JHZ 939 IIG 7764 REZ 3379 CXZ 4471 LLZ 949 IIG 7765 RUI 2119 DRZ 7321 MKZ 686 JIG 1575 SEZ 4324 DRZ 7322 PDZ 818 JIG 1576 SUI 2171 IFZ 8428 PXI 494 KIG 1902 SUI 2172 IFZ 8429 RBZ 131 KIG 1903 TJZ 1116 JFZ 3260 YIB 303 MJZ 6749 TJZ 1119 JFZ 3261 We Buy for Cash, also Part Exchange

£50 JFZ 3262 JIG 2903 JIG 2904 KIG 2285 KIG 2286 RNZ 1127 RNZ 1128 TUI 5717 TUI 5718

Tel: (028) 6638 7124 Fax: (028) 6638 7771

Millwood, Lisbellaw, Co. Fermanagh, N. Ireland BT94 5HQ

SEATING

ERGONOMIC SEATING SPECIALISTS

GLAZING Email: sales@reglaze.co.uk Tel: 01274 870919 www.reglaze.co.uk

For all your glass replacement needs • PLEASE CALL TODAY FOR A QUOTE OR EXPERT ADVICE • OUR PHONES ARE MANAGED 24 HOURS, 365 DAYS A YEAR • NO CALL CENTRES • • • • • • • • • •

24 hours, 265 days, fast & friendly service UK & European Quality workmanship Cover 24 hours access to large glass supply No call centres – straight through to experienced staff member e rvice first tim Competitive pricing Quality & Se ise?

Customer accounts upon request om pr m co – why Repairs & filming ys!

24x7 - 365 da Insurance work covered Over 50 years combined experience Replacing glass on coaches, buses, trains, horse boxes, boats, trams, motorhomes, plant and agricultural equipment & much more

INSURANCE

Full range of Static, Mechanical and Air Suspension seats available for Coaches, Service Buses, Vans and Trucks

Prices from £150+VAT (No carriage charges)

12 Murray Place, Righead Ind Est, Bellshill ML4 3LP Tel: 01698 845352 • Fax: 01698 844325 Email: TScottco@aol.com

53 Fainsa Seats • Removed from Jonckheere • Approx 6 years old • VGC £1,750 ovno

Contact 07860 492911

AdvertiseyourProducts &Serviceshere foraslittleas£30.00 aweek!

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March 21, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 61

ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS &SERVICES TICKETING

TYRE EQUIPMENT

TRAINING

VEHICLE SPARES

Trevor Wigley & Son Bus Ltd

TW FULLY LICENSED END OF LIFE VEHICLE CENTRE

TW REDUNDANT AND SCRAP VEHICLES TAKEN TW PROFESSIONAL, EFFICIENT SERVICE TW ALL REQUIREMENTS CATERED FOR TW VARIOUS SPARES AVAILABLE TW CONTACT US FOR FULL AVAILABILITY

Driver CPC CPC Nat / International Driver CPC Digital Tachograph Drivers’ Hours Tachograph Analysis

Farrow Training UK Ltd

Driver CPC Training available in West Midlands, Worcestershire and Shropshire at a time and place to suit you.

Get Legal - Get Trained www.trainingforcpc.com Tel: 07970 853663

Call 01226 723147 Night Service 01226 716479 Fax 01226 700199 Email wigleys@btconnect.com

www.twigley.com

62 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 21, 2012

Seen something funny? Send it to gareth.evans@rouncymedia.co.uk, fax 0845 2802927 or write to: Last Stop, Coach & Bus Week, 3 The Office Village, Cygnet Park, Forder Way, Hampton, Peterborough PE7 8GX

Monday: Press day. The office is awash with cake thanks to Meera and I. Ian muses it’s like harvest festival.

Leave the office at 2030hrs.

Pictured left to right are: Gavin Gill, area manager for Weatherspoons, Mr Mango and Alex Hornby, trent barton’s commercial director celebrate the launch of the new No Brainer beer

New beer named after trent bus campaign A new beer is to be named after a trent barton slogan to encourage drinkers to leave their car at home and use a popular smartcard to take the bus to their watering hole.

In the run-up to the Wetherspoon’s Real Ale and Cider Festival, trent barton joined forces with Milestone Brewery to develop ‘No Brainer’.

The distinctive brew is named after a successful campaign urging people to take advantage of MANGOcard, which offers a 25% discount on every single fare.

Dilbert

Alex Hornby, trent barton’s commercial director, explained: “Many of our customers have come to love what MANGO is all about, explained by our slogan ‘no cash, no fuss, no brainer’.

“When the brewery asked us for a name for a new beer to be launched at the festival, we conducted a survey amongst our team who then voted for ‘No Brainer’. We think it’s a great way to remind people of the safe and sensible way to travel whilst enjoying a drink at Wetherspoon’s.”

During the festival, which runs until Sunday, April 1, trent barton’s Mr MANGO mascot will be out and about visiting customers at participating pubs.

Members of the trent barton team will accompany him, handing out free goodies and explaining the benefits of

the MANGO scheme.

In addition to enjoying discounted bus travel, card holders are entitled to a 20% discount on food served at any Wetherspoon’s pub in the area, as well as great deals at a number of shops and restaurants across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

Gavin Gill, area manager for Wetherspoons, added: “We were really impressed by the trent barton campaign and agree with the message that getting a MANGO card is a real ‘no brainer’.”

‘No Brainer’ is made from a 60/40 mix of pale malt and wheat with a touch of crystal and some torrified wheat for head. Dried mango is also added for spice followed with Citra and Galaxy hops for additional aroma and flavour.

We concluded we would certainly drink to the news...

Tuesday: My alarm goes off at 0440hrs.

Enjoy a brisk half hour walk to the railway station. Interview a senior industry figure in London.

After enjoying a further caffeine fix in a coffee shop, head south of ‘the smoke’. Sitting on the clean Go-Ahead Group-operated train awaiting departure from Victoria, as ever I seem to take on the role of ‘Mr Information Point’. Snap at least two ‘Big Pictures’ over the course of the day. Arrive back in Peterborough by 1930hrs. My tired legs don’t fancy a walk, so make the rare decision to jump in a cab. However, those who know about my prudence won’t be surprised when I utter: “This meter’s defective – it’s gone up 10p in 10 yards.” Perhaps wisely, the driver doesn’t respond. Note to self - disembark from taxi further down the road next time, or wait for the bus.

Wednesday: Start a little later in the office. A mountain of emails awaits my attention but catching up with my team takes priority. I’m in my element managing people (most of the time). Update draft flat plans for forthcoming issues and edit material ready for Keith to design.

Thursday: I’m having a scatty week – it’s probably a combination of tiredness and workload, but I still enjoy editing CBW. Friday: Another hectic day in the office.

It’s Meera’s last day with us. I don’t leave the office until almost 1900hrs. I feel shattered and have a splitting headache which Ibuprofen has failed to touch. A tiring week is catching me up, so reluctantly decide to bail of out joining the others for Meera’s leaving drinks. I don’t make pleasant company when I feel like that.

www.coachandbusweek.com

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RECRUITMENT

Deadlines Booking: Monday 5.00pm Full artwork: Monday 5.00pm

FTA engineer completes four week training project in Africa Wyn Skyrme, an engineer from the Freight Transport Association (FTA) has returned to the UK after a four-week secondment in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.

Wyn put his 29 years of transport industry expertise to good use whilst working with international development charity Transaid. He spent the first two weeks at the National Institute of Transport (NIT), where he trained 12 HGV and PSV engineers in vehicle inspection procedures, diagnostics, workshop safety and environmental issues.

During the third and fourth week he teamed up with 28 police vehicle inspectors from across Tanzania to demonstrate how to carry out real-life vehicle inspections to UK roadside enforcement standards.

This training marked a first for Transaid in Tanzania, helping to take the charity’s impact to a wider

institutional level.

Commenting on the experience, Wyn said: “The work at the roadside was a massive eye-opener for me. It reinforced the importance of Transaid’s Professional Driver

March 21, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 63

Training Project and the vital need to raise vehicle maintenance standards to help improve road safety.

“I found it overwhelming just how much respect the people of Tanzania have for what Transaid is doing. I was inundated with messages of thanks from those I met - they really value the assistance being provided.”

Transaid are appreciative of the expertise provided by the FTA

Your First Choice for Recruitment

Contact Ian Gillis 01733 293484

ian.gillis@rouncymedia.co.uk

New area manager for Setra coach sales team The Setra coach sales team in the UK has been strengthened with appointment of Bob McGarry as area sales manager.

He will be responsible for Yorkshire, Northern England, Scotland, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Bob moves from the Iveco franchise Sherwood Truck & Van, where he held the position of regional sales manager.

Mike Beagrie, director of coach sales, said: “Bob brings a wealth of experience to his new role, not least of which will be his extensive technical background and the great commitment to the very best levels of customer service he has demonstrated in his previous role.”

Schedules Manager Abellio London & Surrey We currently have a vacancy for the position of Schedules Manager within the Performance department based at Twickenham.

The successful applicant will be responsible for effectively managing a team in the planning and internal delivery of efficient, robust and cost effective crew schedules. This key role will work closely with the Performance Director and Commercial Manager in the production and preparation of tender submissions and service proposals.

A key part of this position is to ensure that all scheduling, rostering, duty development and tender preparations are undertaken accurately and efficiently in accordance with deadlines and legal requirements.

Coach & Bus Week’s well-established recruitment portfolio attracts candidates across sales, marketing and management, delivering not just quantity but quality candidates, providing exceptional value for money.

In addition to our unrivalled print-based product, at no extra cost recruitment adverts are also automatically placed online at www.coachandbusweek.com, where they remain on view until a position’s closing date.

Coach & Bus Week and www.coachandbusweek.com combine to create the ultimate recruitment solution, guaranteeing your vacancy is seen by every jobseeker that matters from sales agents to board level.

To get your vacancy seen by quality candidates, call Ian Gillis on 01733 293484 or email ian.gillis@rouncymedia.co.uk

You will be required to lead by example in managing, monitoring and motivating a team. You will need to have a detailed knowledge of scheduling procedures to ensure that priorities are managed effectively.

Further details of the role are included in the role profile / job description which can be obtained from Jackee Adamson, HR Advisor by calling 0207 788 8722.

Applications by way of a C.V. and covering letter clearly detailing your experience, knowledge and suitability for the role are to be forwarded by email to jackee.adamson@abellio.co.uk or post to: Jackee Adamson - HR Advisor, Silverthorne Road, Battersea, London, SW8 3HE Closing date for applications: 16th May 2012 Abellio is an equal opportunities employer

www.abellio.co.uk

Join the team where your skills and experience will be respected.

www.coachandbusweek.com

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