Wednesday May 16, 2012 Issue 1036 | £2.95 www.coachandbusweek.com
COACH:
Chalkwell Coach Hire to use fuel-saving additive Envirox p8
GARAGE:
Arriva Merseyside opens new £4m Speke bus depot p18
Inside this week...
Minibus
BUS:
Satisfaction on the up at Nottingham City Transport p6
PEOPLE:
UK Bus Awards seeks nomination for Bus Driver of the Year p4
for recru i
JOB ADV tment EVERY WERTS EEK
Family coach firm fit for the future p22
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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 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 293482 andrew.cream@rouncymedia.co.uk News Reporter Alex Tyler 01733 293240 alex.tyler@rouncymedia.co.uk Art Director Keith Simpson Contributors Tim Deakin, Richard Charnley, Gabriel Conway, Alan Payling
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www.coachandbusweek.com ISSN: 1351-3877 © 2012 Rouncy Media Ltd. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or system or in any means without the written permission of the directors. This is considered a breach of copyright and action will be taken where this occurs. This magazine must not be lent, sold, hired or otherwise disposed of in a mutilated condition or in any authorised cover by way, or by trade, or annexed to any publication or advertising matter without first obtaining written permission from the directors. 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.
A sigh of relief
H
aving written a ‘ranting’ editorial on the subject some weeks ago, I breathed a sigh of relief on Friday when I learned the threat of a fuel strike had been lifted. As an industry, with the peak coaching season nearly upon us, it would just have been what we could do without. The country as a whole also risked going into something of a lock down and the matter could have dealt a further unwanted blow to our economy. In a similar vane, am I alone in noticing the pump price of fuel appears to be falling in some areas? Last week I noted diesel was on sale at Esso on Shrewsbury bypass (A5/A49 junction) at 143.9, while another Esso garage, on the East-bound carriageway of the A14 Kettering, it was on sale at 142.9. Is it merely an Esso ‘thing’ at the moment? I’ve noticed how the suppliers seem to go through spells of being cheaper than some of their rivals – as Shell once was.
However, the apparently positive news won’t last for long as thanks to the ‘ConDems’ budget, duty is set to rise in August – just in time for the start of the new school term. Ah well… On a brighter note, I hope you will find this week’s ‘Operator Profile’ feature to be of interest. It’s a sad fact of life that many family-run coach and bus operators, but particularly the former, often find themselves having to close the doors or sell up as the next generation has no desire to take the business forward into the future. It was therefore pleasing to be able to chat to Paul Catterall, his son Matthew and daughter Isobel about their experiences of being brought up in the business and some of their ideas for the securing of its future. I couldn’t fail to sense the pride and the sense of duty which goes with it – something many will be able to identify with. Gareth Evans Editor
CONTENTS 4
18
32
The latest from across the coach and bus industry in the UK
10
£4million Arriva Speke garage has its official opening ceremony
20
EYMS’ open top Plaxton Presidentbodied Volvo in Scarborough
What’s happening across the country’s regions. Plus Events Diary
14
All the latest vehicle deliveries in operator’s yards across the country
22
The latest minibus news, Fishwicks supplier update and UK Coach Rally
New ADL midibus deal, BYD K9 electric buses introduced in Canada
Warwickshire family-run coach operator Cateralls of Southam
News
Regional News
International News
News Focus Deliveries
Operator Profile
The Big Picture
35
Minibus
62
Last Stop
16
26
A lighthearted look at the industry. Plus Gareth’s Diary!
Queen’s speech, FirstGroup Safety and Environmental Awards
Finance and rental firms which can help make new vehicles affordable
All the latest people moves from across the industry
Business News
Essential Guide
63
People
For all the latest industry news and information, register with us online at:
www.coachandbusweek.com www.coachandbusweek.com
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4 | COACH & BUS WEEK | May 16, 2012
news
“It remains to be seen if the increased qualifying period has the desired impact of reducing the number of spurious claims in the EAT.” Simone McIver Employment Law Specialist
briefly Belmont International and GreenRoad are holding a Best Practices Workshop on Thursday May 31. The event, which will be held between 0930 and 1630hrs at the Birmingham Motorcycle Museum, is open to CPT members and Belmont and GreenRoad clients. The workshop is aimed at GreenRoad project champions and executive sponsors. It will include discussions in areas including: how to maximise fuel savings; creative ideas to secure driver buy-in; different ways to communicate with drivers; dealing with persistent high risk drivers; how to run an effective reward and recognition scheme; and how to investigate accidents. To register email daisy.seymour@greenroad. com – for more information visit http://tinyurl.com/c8lobm4 Carlyle Bus & Coach has now produced a new Electrical Catalogue which is available to view on the firm’s recently launched new website. The updated catalogue includes electrical accessories, headlamps and indicator bulbs. Carlyle Marketing Coordinator Christine Babbington explained: “Our new site has a fresh feel and takes on a whole new approach to Carlyle’s revised corporate image. The redesigned site reflects the company’s new direction and will continue to evolve as Carlyle does.” Carlyle have also launched a new Facebook page and set up a mailing list, which will enable customers to stay up to date with the latest news, new products and company activities.” Visit the firm’s website at www.carlylebuscoach.co.uk Almost 60,000 more tickets have been issued to motorists using Reading’s bus lanes than in the previous year, according to the borough council. BBC News claimed the budget monitoring report revealed 95,000 tickets were issued in 2011/12 (excluding March), compared with 36,000 in 2010/11 and 26,753 in 09/10. In February about 7,000 motorists were issued with penalty charge notices compared to 3,100 in February 2011. The council said extended camera enforcement had resulted in more fines. www.coachandbusweek.com
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Business News p16
UK Bus Awards seek nominations for Britain’s best driver Awards are returning for their 17th year, with Trevor Owens winner of Britain’s Best Driver last year The UK Bus Awards 2012 is once again gathering nominations for Britain’s best driver. The UK Bus Awards has reopened its website for nominations and is asking operators for their help in gathering passenger feedback. The present UK Bus Awards scheme was launched as the Bus Industry Awards in 1996, and is running its 17th annual competition. The scheme is
operated and financed by an independent not-for-dividend company, the Bus Industry Awards Ltd and is designed to provide positive media coverage, encourage and reward best practice within the UK bus industry. To be eligible for the coveted title of Top National Bus Driver, entrants need to be individuals whose skill, personality and professionalism help them to give outstanding service to their customers. The competition to find Britain’s top bus driver relies on several elements: nominations of individuals who have impressed
Trevor Owens with his award last year, along with Derek Philips, MD of CBW and Gillian Merron, Chairwoman of Bus Users UK
IRU manual on Passenger Rights The International Road Transport Union (IRU) has published a manual for bus and coach operators, providing useful information before the March 1 2013 deadline, regarding their obligations to passengers and aiming to promote increased service quality within the sector. The manual includes provisions
on assistance, reimbursement, rerouting, compensation, assistance to disabled persons and passenger information, among others. IRU Vice President and President of the IRU Passenger Transport Council, Yves Mannaerts, said: “It is vital operators fully understand the new EU Regulation and are prepared for the consequent major changes to passengers’ rights before March 2013. The new regulation will have significant implications for our industry.” The IRU manual, chaptered in three sections for regular services over 250km, under 250km and
customers and/or employers, information and endorsement from the driver’s employers, the consent of the driver concerned and a judging process in which a panel of independent experts scrutinises the nomination and the information provided by the employer. The judges then compile a short-list of drivers to go forward to the finals. At this point the shortlisted drivers will be checked by a ‘mystery traveller’ to check on the standards of customer service and professionalism delivered on the ground. Speaking to CBW, Chris Cheek of the UK Bus Awards said: “We think the process of gathering nominations from the public is very important, it’s always nice to hear from the public. It’s a good service, as it helps to boost morale and it’s important to have recognition for, what at times, can be an extremely difficult job.” Stephensons of Essex was so proud of its winning driver Trevor Owens in 2011, they put him an image of him on the back of one of their buses.
To nominate a driver or to read more about the judges criteria, visit www. topnationalbusdriver.co.uk Nominations close June 30, 2012. for occasional services, focuses on passenger rights during the handling of accidents, delays and cancellations, the rights of disabled passengers, and how passengers are provided with information. Mr Mannaerts added: “These new regulations ensure we continue to provide high quality services to all categories of passengers before, during and after their journey.” The manual can be downloaded from: http:// www.iru.org/en_bookshop_ item?id=318
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May 16, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 5
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Travel de Courcey scoop second local award
Dr Danny Sriskandarajah, Director of the Royal Commonwealth Society and Dean Finch, Group Chief Executive of National Express
COVENTRY TELEGRAPH
National Express unveil Diamond Jubilee coach National Express has unveiled a special Jubilee Caetano Levante coach to celebrate their sponsorship of the Royal Commonwealth Society’s ‘Jubilee Time Capsule’. The Jubilee Time Capsule is a large history project, collecting people’s memories from the last 60 years to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. At a launch event in London on Monday, May 14, National Express Group Chief Executive Dean Finch joined Royal Commonwealth Society Director Dr Danny Sriskandarajah to unveil the special Jubilee coach. The vehicle, operated by Travel De Courcey, features a selection of the most moving moments submitted to the project from across the UK. It will travel between London and Birmingham encouraging people to submit their memories to the project. The Jubilee Time Capsule
currently has over 61,000 uploaded items – including content from Prince Harry and Princess Eugenie. Dr Danny Sriskandarajah said: “As Jubilee excitement builds, we are delighted so many people, young and old, all across the Commonwealth, want to share their moving moments. With the support of National Express we hope to encourage even more people to get involved in this innovative Diamond Jubilee project.” Dean Finch said: “This amazing project forms part of Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations - offering everyone the chance to share their own moving moments from the past 60 years. “As well as providing travel to the many Jubilee celebrations taking place around the UK this summer we are encouraging customers to upload their personal memories.”
Travel de Courcey is celebrating after winning a prestigious accolade for excellence in customer care. The Coventry-based operator beat off tough competition to clinch the Customer Service Award at the Coventry Telegraph Business Awards ceremony 2012, held in association with the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, for its continuous commitment to improving customer care standards. Alan Durham, chairman of the judging panel, said: “Travel de Courcey put a huge amount of effort into making sure it delivers excellent customer service. “It was obvious to the judges that
it is part of the company’s culture and partly as a result it is doing very well as a business.” It is the second year running Travel de Courcey has been honoured in the Coventry Telegraph Business Awards, having won the Green Business of the Year Award in 2011. Mike de Courcey, Managing Director, said: “We put customer service at the heart of our bus and coach operations, so it is fantastic for that commitment to be recognised by our peers and our local region. “The award also recognises the tremendous hard work of the whole team at Travel de Courcey in delivering such high standards of customer service, which has been pivotal in securing significant contracts in the last year.” The award was presented to Mike at the event at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry on Friday, May 11, hosted by news reporter and TV presenter Bill Turnbull.
Pictured with the Customer Service Award at the Coventry Telegraph Business Awards 2012 is Mike de Courcey with members of the Travel de Courcey team
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6 | COACH & BUS WEEK | May 16, 2012
£1
news › BUSeS
Price of Reading Buses’ “Doggy Day Rover” ticket
Nottingham City Transport’s popular smartphone app has been updated for Android, following the launch of the ‘Ice Cream Sandwich’ (ICS) operating system in March 2012. ICS had been released in response to the Android platform being quite fragmented due to the high number of different manufacturers and devices using it. The latest update was not backwards compatible with previous Android operating systems and required some extensive development work to integrate the complex real time information which feeds the NCT APP the next bus information which is popular with NCT customers. The new app can be downloaded from the Android Market. GHA Coaches-owned Bryn Melyn has introduced a new bus service between Wrexham and Ellesmere. Service 502 will operate three return journeys between the two market towns. Buses will depart Ellesmere at 0900, 1100, 1300, 1500hrs, with an additional 1600hrs journey on school days. The service returns from Wrexham at 1000, 1200 and 1400hrs. Both English National and Welsh concessionary passes are valid.
Positive customer survey results for NCT New survey shows improvements across the board from 2009, as high as 14% in some places Results from the Nottingham City Transport (NCT) 2011 customer satisfaction survey show a number of improvements for the municipal operator. Over 6,000 people completed the survey, which shows overall customer satisfaction has increased from 71% to 80% in the space of two years. The positive results mirror the recent survey conducted by Passenger Transport, which reported NCT achieved the second highest score in the UK for customer satisfaction. “We carry out passenger satisfaction research every year, and have done since 2004,” says NCT Marketing Manager, Anthony Carver-Smith. “It’s an essential tool we use to measure how we can continually develop services for our customers. These great results and
the growth in passenger figures, reflect a two-year programme of improvement activity, which has included significant investment in technology and training.” NCT believes its investments, which include extensive customer service training for all drivers and the new £3m GPS tracking system, have contributed to its 2% increase in passenger numbers over the last 12 months.
Results by feature Service Feature
2009 2011 Results Results
Running frequently Turning up on time Having friendly drivers Bus cleanliness Offering value for money Sufficient space for buggies & wheelchairs Able to get a seat Feeling safe on the bus
78% 85% 70% 79% 67% 81% 73% 81% 65% 79% 66% 79% 74% 81% 75% 84%
The new Orford Jubilee Park in Warrington is due to open for business on May 21, and from this date, Network Warrington will be diverting route 20/21 to serve the new centre on Jubilee Way, off the A49 Winwick Road. As the centre is open all day, journeys on these services will serve the new leisure, health and community facilities for the benefit of staff and visitors to the facilities. Transport Secretary Justine Greening opened the new £7m Stourbridge Bus Interchange on May 14. Tributes were paid to the late chairman of Centro Councillor Angus Adams, who died in April and was key in driving forward the new station. She said: “It’s an absolute privilege for me to come here today and be part of this opening of Stourbridge Interchange. It’s a fantastic new bus station for Stourbridge. I would also like to pay tribute to Angus Adams for the work he did.” www.coachandbusweek.com
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An NCT Optare Solo SR works route 87 to Arnold
Reading Ridership up in wake of fuel prices Reading Buses claim the escalating cost of fuel is persuading more people to leave their car at home
and travel by bus. Figures released today by the operator reveal passenger numbers are up on a number of routes compared to the same period last year. James Freeman, Chief Executive Officer of Reading Buses, said: “I am hearing people say for the first time that the price of fuel has gone up so much they are converting to travelling by bus.
Carver-Smith added: “We’ve gone to great lengths to try and ensure our customers enjoy every aspect of their travel experience with us – from improving the accuracy and frequency of our services (core routes now run from every seven minutes) to making sure our buses are clean and have more room for wheelchair users and buggies. “We’re very pleased to see that our passengers are recognising the huge efforts made every day by our drivers and staff behind the scenes.”
Additional survey results: 74% of customers are travelling on three or more days per week, every week Work, shopping and travelling to education are the top reasons for using the bus 24% of surveyed customers in 2011 said they were new to using NCT’s bus services 20% previously used the car for their journey 26% of all customers surveyed in 2011 said they could have used a car for their journey, but chose to use the bus. On the highest route this was 40% of customers Main reasons given were that using the bus was easier than driving (27%); parking and car costs were too high (47%) 76% of all customers did not use a timetable for their journey – reflective of NCT’s realtime technology, mobile phone app and website as well as high frequency ‘turn up and go’ routes 95% of customers believe the service offered is the same or better than the year before.
STEVE HODGSON
briefly
“I haven’t heard that in 35 years in the bus industry which I consider to be very significant.” Mr. Freeman’s experience is being reflected in the general increase in ridership across the network. “Not every route is up - in fact some are down. But several are up very significantly which is most pleasing in the current economic climate,” he added.
14/05/2012 20:46
May 16, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 7
1972 80% The year Catteralls of Southam was established
SHARE WATCH
Average consumer satisfaction on Nottingham City Transport in 2011
Nostalgic City Coach livery from Ensign
SIMON NICHOLAS
Ensign Bus has decided to commemorate the brown and ivory City Coach Company buses from Brentwood’s roads, 60 years after they were last seen in the town, by repainting one of its vehicles. For more than two decades the famous buses of the City Coach Company plied their trade in Brentwood and much of west Essex. Paul Dickson, Customer Services Manager of Ensign, explained: “60 years ago, the City Coach Company sold out to Westcliff-on-Sea Motor Services Ltd, which itself was a subsidiary of the British Transport Commission. “City operated a major service from North London to Southend which ran via Romford, Brentwood, Shenfield, Billericay and Wickford. “In addition, they were the principal operator of bus services in the Brentwood area and were highly regarded by the residents. “To commemorate the event 60 years ago, we have repainted one of our 81 buses, which operate between Brentwood and Hutton via Shenfield, into the traditional City livery. “And as it will traverse roads served by the original company, maybe it will evoke memories among some of the older residents. We hope so.”
Ensign Bus have repainted an Alexander-bodied Dart in the livery of the old City Coach Company According to the figures: ■ Woodley passenger numbers are up by 15% ■ Lower Earley up 18% ■ Lower Caversham up 28% ■ jetblack up 26% ■ Vitality up 14% Mr Freeman said: “This is a welcome and marked difference from the last three years during which time passenger numbers had been declining.”
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Industry share prices at the close of the Stock Exchange on Monday, May 14. FirstGroup saw the greatest proportional rise while BAE Systems experienced the biggest proportional drop. Most figures obtained from www.iii.co.uk
275.05p
Price: Year High: 345.30p Year Low: 241.00p
Alex Hornby, trent barton Commercial Director, Gillian Merron, Chairwoman of Bus Users UK and Jeff Counsell, trent barton MD, at the unveiling
trent barton rainbow route rebranded trent barton is rebranding its rainbow 4 service as the i4 from May 27. The service, which runs from Derby to Nottingham, will feature new 12-metre Optare Tempo SRs, with seating for 41 people and space for a further 44 standees. The new-look buses feature photographs of regular users of the service, and many of them joined trent barton staff and Gillian Merron, Chairwoman of Bus Users UK, at a special event in Nottingham on May 4 to mark the launch of i4. Alex Hornby, trent barton Commercial Director, said: “A few weeks ago we invited customers along to a photoshoot to be the faces of the new bus for Nottingham and Derby. “We’re passionate about our customers; and the i4 is a product built around them. So, who else better to promote our services than “The transformation is very much welcomed because it has allowed us to take the increases in fuel prices and reductions in government grants in our stride. “The increase in passenger numbers also reflects the investment we have made in new buses, the greater stability of the network and a free flowing town centre following last year’s major upheavals.”
the customers who live along the route? “The response was great and we welcomed those who took part in the photoshoot to our launch in Nottingham, including Matilda Cole and Lowri Billing, who got to see their over-sized replicas on the back of the new i4 buses.” The buses feature double-glazed windows and an on-board, sixcamera CCTV system. Alex added: “With their eyecatching design and distinctive branding, i4 buses look set to become a familiar sight on our local roads. “We’re proud that this pioneering bus design sees its debut in Nottingham and Derby and we hope it will encourage more people to travel by bus - and be proud to do so – on a vehicle with real street presence.” The i4 buses will run the same route and timetable as rainbow 4, with buses approximately every 10 minutes serving Sandiacre, Stapleford, Bramcote and the Queens Medical Centre. Further details on the i4 can be found at www. trentbarton.co.uk
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Reading Buses has seen growth of up to 28% on some routes
Index: Year High: 6,104 Year Low: 4,791
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8 | COACH & BUS WEEK | May 16, 2012
news › coaches
“We had clients we worked with directly – they included Madonna, Michael Jackson, Guns N’ Roses and New Kids on the Block.” Paul Catterall
briefly In last week’s article regarding CHAS/ CoachMarque CBW mistakenly said Humberside County Council made the decision. It was actually Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council. CBW apologises for any confusion caused. The DfT has approved plans to start development work on six road schemes which will take place over the next three years. The schemes will be ready for the early stages of the next spending review period (2015-18), if given final ministerial approval. They are: M4 J3-12 managed motorway scheme, Thames Valley; M25 J30/ A13 congestion relief scheme, Thurrock; A19/A1058 Coast Road Junction improvement, North Tyneside; A21 Tonbridge – Pembury widening, Kent; A63 Castle Street improvements, Hull; and A160/ A180 improvements, Immingham. The £34m dual carriageway project to the south east of Corby and the £109m Kingskerswell Bypass in Devon have also been given final approval. These are due to be operational by January 2014 and December 2015 respectively. Work to resurface the A66 alongside Bassenthwaite Lake in Cumbria began May 14. The £36,000 scheme to seal cracks in the surface and repair potholes is due to be completed by May 27. The work, at Beck Wythop, takes place around the clock, affecting both single and dual carriageway sections of the route, with traffic being managed by temporary lights. A 50mph limit is in place along the dual carriageway with a 40mph restriction in place along the single carriageway section. The last phase of a scheme to refurbish the A27 Southerham Railway Bridge near Lewes in East Sussex started on May 16. The improvements are essential to prolong the life of the bridge, located between Ashcombe and Southerham roundabouts and carries the A27 over the East Coastway railway line. The work is due to be complete by June 1. It involves narrow lanes and a variety of traffic management systems being in place. www.coachandbusweek.com
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Operator Profile p22
Chalkwell Coach Hire embraces Envirox Chalkwell agrees to a full commercial trial of the fuelsaving additive Envirox Chalkwell Coach Hire & Tours (Chalkwell) has decided to carry out a full commercial trial on Energenics’ fuel saving additive Envirox across the whole of its fleet of 61 coaches and buses, beginning in June this year. An additive dosing unit will be installed at the company’s main depot in Murston near Sittingbourne, Kent, and the bulk diesel fuel storage tank will be treated with Envirox for an initial nine-month period. Envirox is based on a wellknown oxidation catalyst widely
used in catalytic converters. The material has been re-engineered using nanotechnology to allow it to be delivered as a diesel fuel treatment. This ensures a cleaner burn within the combustion chamber, resulting in improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions. It also facilitates the removal of carbon deposits from the engine and diesel particulate filters (DPFs). Stagecoach UK Bus has used Envirox nationally since 2005, followed more recently by East Yorkshire Motor Services (EYMS) and others. Clive Eglinton, Managing Director of Chalkwell told CBW: “As well as the potential financial
A Scania Irizar coach in Chalkwell’s attractive livery
Centaur’s high profile sporting date at Royal Palace Kent-based Centaur Coaches is set to carry VIPs, athletes and officials during certain high profile sporting events occuring in London over the summer. As part of the operator’s detailed preparations for the events, four of its luxury vehicles took part in a ‘dry run’ into a famous Royal house. Centaur’s Chief Executive Matthew Sims said: “We are delighted to be among a select few coach operators to win contracts
awarded by the London Organising Committee for the events. We’ve been in business for 37 years and this is a wonderful moment for everyone associated with the company.” Established in 1975, the firm operates more than 100 minibuses and coaches in the UK and abroad and provides transport for a number of London boroughs, local authorities, universities, colleges and schools. It also provides private
benefits we see this as a means of improving our environmental performance. We are targeting an average fuel saving of 4% which is equivalent to 58 tonnes of CO2 on an annualised basis. 28 vehicles in our fleet already have diesel particulate filters fitted, but we expect to remove a further 27 kg of particulate emissions per year from the rest of the fleet through the use of Envirox. “We read about EYMS and Stagecoach using the products and they are sufficiently hard-nosed for us to know Envirox is serious and effective.” Mr Eglinton continued: “Energenics has been very helpful and Envirox wasn’t a hard sell. They gave in-depth information about the product and helped with the installation – it wasn’t just a salesman showing up at the door with a box of stuff and leaving it with us.” Mike Attfield, Chief Executive Officer of Energenics Europe, said: “We are delighted to welcome Chalkwell as a new customer. This promises to be a valuable opportunity to validate Envirox performance in a mixed coaching and bus operation. The fuel savings from the vehicles fitted with DPFs will be of particular interest for the future as it appears that particulate filter technology will be factory fitted in all Euro 6 buses and coaches.” and contract hire services as well as executive and corporate hire. As reported in CBW1020, the company recently launched a successful daily commuter service from West Kent to the capital. Centaur Coaches have more than 70 pick-up points around Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge. Commuters can save as much as £2,104 a year travelling with Centaur instead of by train to Canary Wharf and up to £1,480 a year to London Bridge. For further details visit www.commutetolondon. com or call 020 8300 3001.
14/05/2012 19:04
IN PARLIAMENT…
Roselyn’s recent open day raised valuable funds for a local hospice
Roselyn Coaches joins Guild of British Coach Operators Cornwall-based Roselyn Coaches has been inducted into the Guild of British Coach Operators. Formed in 1985, the Guild represents over 20 of the UK’s top coach companies. Membership is only open to operators who can demonstrate the highest standards in their operations. Michael Heppell, Human Resources Manager at Roselyn Coaches, told CBW: “We are very proud to have been accepted as their criteria is quite strict. We were surprised though, that we didn’t have to change too much, as we had a lot of their required procedures already in place. We pride ourselves on our standards, and this we feel emphasises our commitment to being the best.” In a separate development, the company opened the doors to its Par depot on Sunday May 6 for the firm’s second Open Day, where approximately 20 visiting classic
Maynes joins BUSK safety scheme
Maynes of Buckie has become the first Scottish member of the BUSK Simply Safe Scheme. The scheme aims to ensure schools, councils and parents can be assured the trip is being undertaken by an operator which has been selected as an approved member of the scheme. The BUSK (Belt Up School Kids) charity has been working to ensure the safety onboard vehicles for
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vehicles including two Bedford OBs, an SB, a Leyland RT, some AECs and even a fully crewed local fire engine were in attendance. Mr Heppell said the event was “fantastic”. “We had loads of people come and visit us for rides in our open topper and other visiting vehicles and there were stalls for models and food, and transport artist Paul Atchinson delivered a commissioned painting for Managing Director Jonathan Ede of his 1969 Bedford Val. A local ‘air’ band the Westernairs played throughout the day. All the rides were free, although we had collection buckets for people to donate if they wished and all the proceeds went to a local charity, the Mt Edgcumbe Hospice.” For more information on the Guild of British Coach Operators visit www.coach-tours. co.uk or for Roselyn Coaches www.roselyncoaches.co.uk
nearly 20 years. Kevin Mayne, of the renowned Banffshire operator, said: “This further shows our commitment to ensuring safety is always at the forefront of everyone involved at Maynes. We have a wealth of knowledge dealing with school trips, from simple days out to full UK an European tours. Obtaining three quotes and booking the cheapest is certainly not the way to go when planning your school trip.” Visit Maynes Coaches’ website at www.maynes. co.uk and the BUSK website at www.busk-uk.com
BUS FARES Tom Blenkinsop (Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, Labour) asked the Secretary of State for Transport if she will seek a guarantee from Arriva North East that bus fares will not be increased in the Tees Valley during 2012 and 2013. Norman Baker said: “Fares are not set by central Government. Bus operators are free to set their own fares in the deregulated market. Local transport authorities have the power to set maximum fares as part of a Quality Partnership Scheme and I suggest the hon. member direct his suggestion to the relevant local council.” QUALITY CONTRACTS Bridget Phillipson (Houghton and Sunderland South, Labour) asked what steps the DfT is taking to encourage transport authorities (TAs) to consult on the introduction of voluntary partnerships or Quality Contracts and whether the transport minister would make a statement. Baker said: “Local TAs have a statutory duty to consult on Quality Contracts should they wish to introduce them. The Dept. has issued guidance which sets out expectation that prior to the statutory notice and consultation stage, local TAs will discuss their proposals with bus operators, passenger groups and other interested parties. There is no statutory duty to consult on voluntary partnership schemes, but a similar approach is expected. LOW CARBON BUSES Maria Eagle (Garston and Halewood, Labour) asked how many low carbon buses have been operating in (a) the South West, (b) the South East, (c) London, (d) the West Midlands, (e) the East Midlands, (f) East Anglia, (g) the North East and (h) the North West in each of the last five years. Baker replied: “Low carbon buses supported through the Green Bus Fund have been operating in England since 2010. The amount of funded buses
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which are in service are: “(a) Zero. (b) 33 in 2010, 75 in 2011. (c) 50 in 2010, 127 in 2011. (d) 20 in 2011. (e) Zero. (f) Zero. (g) Three in 2010, 32 in 2011. (h) 50 in 2010, 82 in 2011. Additionally, Yorkshire and Humber had 53 funded buses operating in 2011. “A further 571 low carbon buses supported by the GBF are expected to be in service in England by summer 2013. Transport for London has also operated low carbon buses since 2006 without GBF support. The number of buses in service for the last five years were: Six in 2007, 12 in 2008, 56 in 2009 and 2010, 62 in 2011.” DFT JOBS Gareth Thomas (Harrow West, Labour) asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many job vacancies there were for staff posts and senior Civil Service posts in her Department on March 31 of each year from 2010, and if she will make a statement. Norman Baker responded: “The following provides a breakdown of the recruitment for each of the years requested. “In the 2009-2010 financial year, 582 posts were advertised, with 18 senior civil service positions. 2010-2011 had 400 posts advertised with no senior positions, while 2011-2012 saw 1,085 positions advertised, with 17 senior posts. The numbers for 2009-2010 show posts advertised across the Civil Service and externally as they were not recorded separately. The posts advertised externally for 2010-11 and 2011-12 have been separated. “In the 2010-2011 financial year, 19 external non-senior civil servant posts were advertised with three senior. From 2011-2012, 73 nonsenior and nine senior posts were offered. The increase in recruitment in 2011-12 is both to manage turnover of staff and to reflect the impact of restructuring and change programmes which have required particular skills and/or locations to be considered, for example, in DfT(C) and VOSA. Fixed Term Appointments have also been used as a strategy to manage a changing workforce e.g. in MCA ahead of the Coastguard restructure.”
www.coachandbusweek.com
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news › REGIONAL
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.
NORTH
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in support of bus services. The current level of subsidy is no longer affordable.” The authority has listed the services in order of those which least meet ‘strategic needs’, with part of First’s route 20, which links Crewe with Hanley via Haslington and Alsager, ranking near the top. The extension service on Sundays when the number 20 goes to Leighton Hospital in Crewe is currently paid for by Cheshire East. First Midlands Network Manager Paul de Santis said: “If the council removed the subsidy, it is very unlikely the route would continue.” The 79 service from Rode Heath to Alsager, buses K80, K95 and K96, all in Congleton and the 78 from Crewe to Malbank School are also high on the list. The review comes as the council recently voted to axe subsidised buses to faith schools to save £230,000. Labour councillor Steven Hogben, who represents Crewe South, said: “I think this is a step too far. It’s getting to the stage where there won’t be any subsidised services left. These cuts could leave people stranded.” Councillor Rod Menlove, cabinet member with responsibility for environmental services, said: “This review is all about looking at our public transport network with fresh eyes and with a reduced budget in mind. It’s also about looking at under-used bus routes and tapping into those communities to see if
‘Ride Around For A Pound’, a scheme designed to give young people in North Yorkshire more access to public transport, could be extended across the region. It sees bus firms offer a flat £1 fare to under-18s to travel anywhere in the district for a day. The scheme was introduced in the Craven area as a trial last summer after a petition organised by the Craven Youth Council and led to an increase in passenger numbers, with more than 3,000 tickets being sold. North Yorkshire County Council and the North Yorkshire Youth Council are now hoping to encourage more bus companies to join the scheme. County councillor Chris Metcalfe, executive member for passenger transport, said: “The cost of public transport is an issue for many people with little or no income. By encouraging young people to use public transport, bus companies are building up their customer base for the future.” Youth worker James Parkes said: “The county council has written to all bus companies operating in the county encouraging them to get involved, and is currently waiting for responses. We aim to get the service running for the start of the six-week school holiday so young people can get as much use as possible and not feel stranded over the summer break.” Funding for bus services in South Cheshire is under review by Cheshire East Council which plans to save £500,000. The changes could affect up to 56 routes in the region. Cheshire East Council spends £2.2m on subsidising 88 bus services, but says it can no longer afford the expenditure. Buses operating in Congleton, Alsager, Crewe, Sandbach and Nantwich are involved in the review and are undergoing an eight-week public consultation. The authority is considering reducing the number of days the service operates and the frequency or hours of operation. Funding for weekend services between 1800 and 0600hrs, and services after 1800 may also be withdrawn and traditional fixed route bus services look set to be replaced with flexible, demand-responsive services. A council report said: “The council’s business plan for 201215 includes a saving of £500,000
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SCOTLAND NORTHERN IRELAND REP OF IRELAND NORTH WALES MIDLANDS EAST LONDON SOUTH EAST SOUTH WEST
other forms of transport, could work more effectively.”
WALES
Renowned Machynllethbased operator Lloyds Coaches has introduced a day rover ticket. The ticket will simply be called ‘Lloyds Day’ and will be priced at £5.60 per adult and £2.80 per child under the age of 16. However, the ticket cannot be purchased on services 34A, 36, X32 (Sundays & bank holidays), and X85 as they are council full cost contracted services. Passengers buy the ticket on the first bus they board and can use it all day on the Lloyds Coaches network of services including the evening X32 service operated by Express Motors between Dolgellau and Aberystwyth as well as the firm’s new X27 service between Machynlleth and Dolgellau. Under the new scheme, travel from Dolgellau and Tywyn to Aberystwyth costs only £5.60 via the X27/X28/X29 services. The company said the ticket was introduced due to the recent 19% price rise in the Red Rover ticket from £5.40 per adult to £6.40.
MIDLANDS
A new bus and rail rover ticket designed to encourage people to explore the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty without a car has been launched. The Cotswold Discoverer ticket
is available in one-day and threeday versions and is valid on trains between Oxford and Moretonin-Marsh on the Cotswold Line and between Swindon, Stroud, Gloucester, Cheltenham and Ashchurch, and on bus services across the Cotswolds, including Swanbrook’s 853 Oxford to Cheltenham coach route. A one-day adult ticket costs £10 and a three-day adult ticket £25. Reductions are available with railcards and fares are half-price for children under 16. The Discoverer is available seven days a week, throughout the day (but is not valid on trains on weekdays until 0850hrs), and can be bought at any railway station and on board participating buses. It was developed by the Cotswolds Conservation Board in conjunction with train operator First Great Western, Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire county councils and bus operators. The ticket will be on sale until October on a trial basis. If the idea proves a success this summer, the conservation board hopes that the transport firms will take over its operation in future years. Details can be found at http:// www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk/ things-to-see/cotswolds-discoverer/
SOUTH WEST
A financial rescue package has been created to save a vital bus service between Whitehill, Bordon, Lindford, Headley and Grayshott. Hampshire County Council has earmarked an undisclosed sum of money to keep the number 18 bus running to Whitehill, through the villages and on to Haslemere rail station. The news was announced after Surrey County Council decided as of September it would no longer subsidise the service. Hampshire county councillor for Grayshott, Headley and Bramshott and Liphook Ferris Cowper said: “This is a well-used bus with at least six to seven passengers per trip, which is a good rate of utilisation in a rural area such as ours. If nothing had been done it would have been catastrophic for the most needy sections of our community. It connects communities with a population of over 25,000 in Hampshire, as well as Hindhead and Haslemere in Surrey, with no public transport links, with schools, hospitals, doctors’ surgeries, dentists, a railway station and shops.”
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12 | COACH & BUS WEEK | May 16, 2012
news › REGIONAL
Although the full details of the rescue package aren’t finalised yet, Hampshire County Council’s head of passenger transport Peter Shelley said it had been confirmed Surrey wouldn’t subsidise the service after September. He said: “Hampshire County Council has approached Stagecoach, and the company may be able to offer an attractive cost for retaining the route, otherwise we will go out to open tender. The current contract runs until September which will enable Hampshire County Council to put a new contract in place so that this vital service continues.”
LONDON
Diversions to bus routes in the Orpington area while the Chislehurst Road bridge is being replaced could become permanent. The 61, 273 and 661 routes have been on diversion along Poverest Road and Cray Avenue since weight restrictions were put in place on the bridge in March 2009, more
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY than two years before it closed in November last year. When the bridge reopens in November this year, it was previously thought the buses would return to their original routes but TfL said it will review routes 61 and 273 before then, following calls to make the diversions permanent. Bob Blitz, Network Planning Manager for London Buses, said: “Transport for London is aware of residents’ requests to retain route 273 on its current diversion when Chislehurst Road bridge reopens. We will review this route, as well as route 61 before the reopening.” Residents in Petts Wood have welcomed the links with Nugent Retail Park in Orpington due to the diversions. Public transport committee member at the Petts Wood District Residents’ Association Chris Harris said: “I first raised the idea with TfL in January 2008 of the provision of a bus service between the centre of Petts Wood.”
The Annual ALBUM conference is being held at the Forest Pines Hotel in North Lincolnshire this coming Tuesday and Wednesday, May 22-23
2012 n May 22-23 ALBUM Conference. – Forest Pines Hotel, near Brigg, North Lincolnshire.
www.albumconference.co.uk
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 n June 22 CILT Wales National Transport Awards lunch. Cardiff City Hall. 01446 451227. www.ciltuk.
org.uk/pages/regions/wales
n July 1 Reading Transport Great Knollys Street Open Day. 11 – 1600hrs. 0118 959 4000. www.reading-buses.co.uk
Stagecoach North East has announced the winning names for its new fleet of buses, after a competition was launched to celebrate Stagecoach North East’s investment into the 19 new greener vehicles, which are being allocated to the South Shields depot. The local bus operator asked youngsters from schools across South Tyneside and people who live in the area to put forward names for the vehicles with the best ones being branded on each bus. The winners came from local schools Bede Burn Primary, East Bolden Infants, Westo Crown Primary and South Shields residents. The imaginative entries chosen included Busy Bee, Eco Warrior, the Shields Shamrock, Sharon (after Sharon Dyer, who worked for the Sunderland and South Shields depots and lost her brave battle with cancer three years ago), Bertie-Beep-Beep, the Dean Road Dynamo, Caterpillar and Looney Lucy. Jill Evans, reception class teacher at Bede Burn Primary School, said: “The children really enjoyed thinking of names for the new buses and the activity fitted in well with our topic on ‘How Things Move’. We are extremely pleased that we have some winners in our class and will look out for the new buses, especially ours.” Robin Knight, Commercial Director, Stagecoach North East, said: “The arrival of the vehicles presented an ideal opportunity for us to engage with local schools and the community by asking them to christen the buses.”
n July 15 Alton Bus Rally & Running Day. Mid Hants Railway, Alton, Hampshire. www.watercressline.co.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 Sept 9 Amberley Bus Show. Amberley Museum and Heritage Centre, West Sussex. www.amberleymuseum.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 October 21 The Very Best of London Buses. Brooklands, Surrey. Featuring 50 years of Routemaster buses. London Bus Museum. www.londonbusmuseum.com
n July 16-18 TPM. The tenth annual conference of the Transport Practitioners Meeting (TPM) will be held at the John Moores University, Liverpool www.ciltuk.org
n November 6-8 Euro Bus Expo. NEC, Birmingham. 01926 834790. www.eurobusxpo.com
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.
2013
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 November 20 UK Bus Awards London Hilton Park Lane. www.ukbusawards.org.uk n Jan 1 New Year’s Holiday Open Day. Oxford Bus Museum. www.oxfordbusmuseum.org.uk
Do you have an event to promote? Send details to gareth.evans@rouncymedia.co.uk
www.coachandbusweek.com
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news › international
Alexander Dennis and New Flyer agree midibus deal Firm estimates around 1,000 vehicles could be sold each year NORTH AMERICA Canadian bus manufacturer New Flyer Industries has agreed a deal with Alexander Dennis to introduce low-floor midibuses with a 10-year operational life. New Flyer is responsible for sales, marketing, manufacturing and aftermarket support, while Alexander Dennis will handle engineering, testing and prototype development activities. Prototypes will be built this summer, with a planned launch in early 2013. The midibus will have propulsion system options ranging from clean diesel, electric hybrid and compressed natural gas. Paul Soubry, New Flyer President and CEO, said: “Operators are faced with pressure to operate and adapt their fleets in tough economic conditions. With escalating costs,
there are many of our customers’ routes that do not require a full sized heavy-duty bus with a 12-year design life. Customers have asked us to provide a bus which meets their needs for this application, but with the full support of New Flyer’s aftermarket network.” “We also believe private shuttle operators in North America are looking for a high quality product”,
Colin Robertson, Chief Executive of Alexander Dennis
Revamped Brussels opentop tourist bus service starts BELGIUM The new ‘Hop on/Hop off’ tourist bus service for Brussels has been launched. The service is the product of a partnership between the Brussels public transport company, STIB, and tourist office VISITBRUSSELS. It aims to provide an effective means of transport for visiting tourist sites and locations in Brussels, with onboard commentary provided on the various sites. In response to past complaints about the service, an order was put in place, making STIB responsible for tourist bus services and stating it must subcontract them to an agent. STIB worked closely with VISITBRUSSELS to implement the order, who drew up recommendations for improving the quality of the service. Suggestions included setting up routes to allow more tourism points of interest to be reached, along with improving timetabling and bus frequency. Philippe Close, Elderman for www.coachandbusweek.com
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Tourism in Brussels said: “I salute the cooperation between STIB and VISITBRUSSELS which has allowed a new, top-quality tourist service to be instituted, one which is worthy of a great international capital city.” Brussels ‘Hop on/Hop off’ bus services are provided by Open Tours, under the strict supervision of STIB. Open Tours is the only operator with a licence to arrange tourist trips by bus in Brussels. Brigitte Grouwels, Minister of Transport for Brussels, said: “I am delighted STIB will be responsible for ‘Hop on/Hop off’ tourist buses in Brussels. STIB has the expertise needed to organise the tourist bus sector and ensure complaints about service and punctuality are a thing of the past.” Alexander Dochy, MD of Open Tours, said he is happy with the choice made following STIB’s Europe-wide tender exercise. The company uses double-decker City Sightseeing Brussels red buses on a daily basis.
Soubry added. “In developing our strategy to support both segments, we evaluated our own midi design and compared it to buses in this class around the world. Alexander Dennis has a world-class midibus which is modern, quiet, fuel efficient and provides the best value for our customers.” New Flyer estimates around 1,000 buses could be sold each year. “The decision to develop a strategic relationship with New Flyer was a simple one”, said Colin Robertson, CEO of Alexander Dennis. “We researched the North American market and came to the same conclusion. New Flyer is recognised for its reputation for customer care and product support and is a compliment to our product expertise. We look forward to working with New Flyer to merge all the benefits of our midi bus with New Flyer’s commitment to lifetime customer care in North America.”
The ‘Hop on/Hop off’ service is being provided by Open Tours The services started on May 7. It comprises of two circuits - the first covering the Northern part of the City and the second the Southern part. The revamp has resulted in an increase in the frequency and extension of the length of the tours in summer and at weekends, with more visible stops at the Central Station. Tickets are available from VISITBRUSSELS offices, on the bus or from the City Sightseeing Brussels and VISITBRUSSELS websites.
For more information visit www.citysightseeingbrussel. be or www.visitbrussels.be
BYD allelectric buses introduced into North American city NORTH AMERICA BYD is providing 10 K9 electric buses to Windsor, Canada, making it the first North American city to use Chinese allelectric propulsion. Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis signed a letter of intent to purchase the 40-foot electric buses for city transport services in an agreement which also opens talks to bring manufacturing of BYD buses to the Ontario region in the near future. Transit Windsor has the unique distinction of running in Canada as well as in Detroit, making this launch one which serves both Canadian and US roads. The BYD iron-phosphate batteries used in the K9 are claimed to be the only rechargeable battery systems that contain no heavy metals, toxic electrolytes or use caustic materials in their production. The K9 electric bus can be fully charged in six hours offering a 186-mile range with a 60-mph top speed. Its battery can be charged to 50% capacity in just 30 minutes and features iron-phosphate batteries that can cleanly recycle its stored energy. Once the vehicles are taken off the road in 12 to 15 years time Windsor transport authorities hope to convert them into fixed energy storage stations. Mayor Eddie Francis said: “One of our primary goals was to position Windsor among the first cities in North America to pioneer the efficient use of electric buses within its public transit authority and to establish Windsor as a hub for the development, manufacture and commercialisation of energy products including electric buses.” China-headquartered BYD is in the process of completing FMVSS, CMVSS, and other certification testing in North America this year with further plans for fleet sales and deliveries after the first Windsor bus deliveries. BYD has delivered over 300 allelectric buses worldwide and has orders for over 1,300 more in 2012, making it the largest electric bus manufacturer in the world.
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2.5bn
news › BUSINESS
The number of passengers carried by FirstGroup last year
briefly Business sentiment among the UK’s small and mediumsized manufacturers rose for the first time since mid-2011 and orders and production are expected to grow solidly over the next quarter. Over the past three months the volume of total new orders rose by 8% and is expected to result in faster growth over the next three months, reaching 27%. Output was broadly flat for the second quarter running but is expected to see an increase in the next quarter to 19%. Similarly, SMEs also expect to increase employment by 16% next quarter. With sentiment recovering, firms are raising their investment intentions. Respondents plan to raise capital expenditure in the year ahead compared to the past twelve months, with investment intentions for plant and machinery turning positive at 13%. The Bank of England has held UK interest rates at a record low of 0.5% and is not extending its Quantitative Easing programme (QE). QE is the Bank’s scheme to boost the economy by buying bonds. In February, the Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) boosted the stimulus to £325bn. Rates have been at 0.5% for three years, despite persistent inflation. In March, the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) measure of inflation rose to 3.5%, from 3.4% in February. CPI inflation has been running above the Bank of England’s target rate of 2% for 28 months. Economists believe the latest decision shows that worries over inflation are trumping concerns over the flagging economy. UK producer prices rose 0.7% in April from March, due in part to rises in the cost of tobacco, alcohol and electrical equipment, figures have shown. On an annual basis, prices rose by 3.3%, the lowest rate for more than two years, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. Annual producer price inflation has been slowing since September last year, when it rose by more than 6%. Input prices fell by 1.5% month-onmonth due to a fall in the oil price. Year-on-year, input prices rose by 1.2%, a sharp slowdown from the 5.6% rise recorded in March. www.coachandbusweek.com
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Queens Speech targets businesses The latest government initiatves outlined in the Queen’s Speech neither help, nor further hinder, the bus and coach industry The Queen’s speech revealed new measures designed to encourage businesses by reducing regulation in an attempt to boost economic growth. The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill covers competition, employment disputes, directors pay and regulatory reform. It also outlines the merging of the CC and parts of the OFT, with the intention of strengthening competition enforcement. Employment tribunals also face a shake up, with more options being made available for the early resolution of disputes through ACAS. Shareholders are given greater sway over director’s pay, with a binding vote on the remuneration of senior management. Legislation also unveiled in the Speech sees the creation of a specific drug driving offence. Though it is currently an offence to drive whilst under the influence of drugs police have to demonstrate the suspect’s driving had been impaired in order to prosecute. Under the proposed legislation it will automatically be an offence to drive a road vehicle with certain
controlled drugs in your body in excess of specified limits. This makes it much easier for police to take action against drug drivers. An independent review of drink and drug driving law in 2010 recommended a new specified limit offence be developed. The exact drugs covered by the offence and the specified limits for each will be determined following advice from a panel comprised of experts in the field of alcohol and drug misuse who will work with officials from the Home Office, Ministry of Justice and Department of Health, followed by a public consultation. The penalty for the new offence will be a maximum of six months imprisonment, and/or a fine of up to £5,000 and an automatic driving ban of at least 12 months. Devices to screen for drugs in the body are expected to receive Home Office approval by the end of the year. Road Safety Minister Mike Penning said: “The new offence sends out a clear message that if you drive whilst under the influence of drugs you will not get away with it. We have an enviable record on road safety in this country and I want to keep it that way. This measure will help to rid our roads of the irresponsible minority who risk the lives of innocent motorists and pedestrians.”
Devices similar to the widely recognised failsafe Alcolock could soon be used for other narcotics
In regards to the transport industry, John Major, CPT Communications Director told CBW nothing announced during the opening of the new Parliament supports the industry in its efforts to address passengers’ number one issue – punctuality. He said: “We have made numerous representations to Ministers over recent times about the continuous list of issues they’ve confronted us with: Concessionary Fares, The Local transport Act, The Competition Commission review and cuts in BSOG, to name but a few, – and could they please just see their way clear to giving us a little bit of breathing space before the next raft comes our way. All we ask is a chance to get back to our day jobs, focus on the things that really matter to our passengers and even try to build on the customer satisfaction rates which hover around 90% for the services we provide. Perhaps therefore we should be comforted by the fact no new direct legislation which would get in the way of this was announced and as such, at least for now, it would be churlish for the industry’s comment on the Queen’s Speech to be anything other than, ‘Thank you’.” Simonne McIvor at Pellys Solicitors said: “From an employment angle the Queen’s speech will impact all employers/ employees in the Coach and Bus industry. Without being political the recommended changes include increasing the qualifying period in bringing claims in the tribunal from one year to two years. This however does nothing to preclude anyone issuing proceedings with less than two years service if the claim also includes a claim for discrimination or for protected conditions under statute, for example whistle blowing, sex discrimination and so forth. “It remains to be seen if the increased qualifying period has the desired impact of reducing the number of spurious claims in the Employment Tribunal and enable the tribunals to clear backlogs and sift out the time wasters.”
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0.7% £5k The rise in UK producer prices between March and April
The proposed fine under the new drug driving legislation
FirstGroup annual Safety and Environmental Awards On April 24, FirstGroup hosted its annual Safety and Environmental Awards. The awards recognise the achievements of its people and companies throughout the UK. “Injury Prevention underpins everything we do at First,” said Naveed Qamar, FirstGroup’s Safety Director. “The lives of 125,000 employees are in our hands, as well as those of the 2.5 billion passengers we move each year. Our approach to safety is relentless and while we can point to a good safety record across the Group, we must continue to improve and do better.” Naveed explained that the Awards Ceremony and the Safety Conference the following day (April 25) augmented the aim for zero safety related incidents across the Group. “We want all our depots, stations and offices to achieve zero injuries and zero preventable incidents. “Our Awards and Safety Conference re-enforced our company mantra: ‘If you cannot do it safely, don’t do it.’“ Graham Thurstan, Environmental Manager at FirstGroup, commented: “FirstGroup is committed to reducing the impact of our operations and have made great strides in the last year increasing recycling and reducing the amount of waste going to landfill. We are also very proud of achieving the Carbon Trust Standard this year, which provides tangible proof of actual reductions in FirstGroup’s carbon footprint.
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“The Environmental Awards reward those individuals and companies which demonstrate commitment, enthusiasm, innovative thinking and go the extra mile to help limit our environmental footprint.” Winner of the coveted ‘Best
FirstGroup CEO, Tim O’Toole, speaking at the company’s annual Safety and Environmental Awards
Large Depot’ for UK Bus in the safety category was First Aberdeen. In the Environmental category, Halifax’s Skircoat Bus depot scooped the Best Bus Depot award after transforming the way it manages waste – the depot has the highest recycling rate across the Group (97%). The awards dinner was attended by around 200 senior management from FirstGroup and included representatives from each of First’s UK companies and a number of employees from FirstGroup America. Amongst special external guests were Rick Haythornwaite, Chairman of Network Rail, Alex Botha, Chief Executive of the British Safety Council and Simon Posner, Chief Executive of the CPT. Safety award winners received around £6,000 in total from FirstGroup to donate to local charities of their choice. Individual winners were rewarded with a weekend away courtesy of First.
Full list of awards and winners: UK Bus – Safety Awards n Best Large Depot – First Aberdeen n Best Medium Depot – Slough n Best Small Depot – Wrexham n Outstanding Individual Contribution, Jimmy Lillis, Larbert, First Scotland East UK Rail – Safety Awards n Best Large Team – General Management Team West Region, First Great Western n Best Medium Team – West Region Stations, First Great Western n Best Small Team – Teeside Stations, First TransPennine Express n Best Individual Outstanding
Contribution to Injury Prevention – Ed Fenton, Train manager, First Great Western Environmental Awards n Best Bus Depot – Skircoat, Halifax n Best Bus Environmental Initiative – The Green Team, First London n Best Bus Driver – Angela Overton, First London n Best Train Operating Company – ScotRail n Best Rail Environmental Initiative – Oxford Station, First Great Western n Sustainable Procurement Award (Group wide) – ScotRail
Translink Corporate Challenge Winners Translink announced IT company Allstate as the winner of the ‘Translink Corporate Challenge’, a four-month initiative launched in partnership with the Irish News and supported by Business in the Community which challenged local businesses to become more sustainable by encouraging employees to use public transport. Norman Maynes, Head of Business Development at Translink said: “We are always keen to communicate the sustainable benefits along with the costs savings public transport offers and Allstate demonstrated a real dedication to the initiative, using internal communications to target employees and build momentum across the campaign period.” Allstate conducted monthly surveys to determine commuting habits and perceptions of passenger transport, and from January recorded an increase from 45% to 52% in the number of employees who use bus or rail at least once a week or always. Glen Burges from Allstate said: “Our employees really got behind the challenge, many tried public transport for the first time and others gave up the car. I would like to thank Translink’s corporate, ticketing and marketing departments for helping us set up our bus and train initiatives in 2010.”
www.coachandbusweek.com
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news focus › ARRIVA Speke garage
David Martin, Mike Cooper, Phil Stone, Norman Baker; Howard Farrall, Derek Draper, Arriva Merseyside and Peter Linford of Nobles Construction
Arriva Speke garage opening ceremony Tim Deakin reports on the opening of Arriva Merseyside’s Speke garage, which has recently benefited from a £4m investment in new facilities while remaining open as an operational depot A new bus depot is not an unusual occurrence: several operators have relocated from existing premises to built-from-scratch facilities since the turn of the millennium. But Arriva Merseyside’s Speke garage, formally opened by Transport Minister Norman Baker MP on Wednesday (May 9), is a little different. It has been built on the site of an existing depot whose operations remained at full strength throughout the 18-month development process. Located in the south-eastern part of the Merseyside conurbation, www.coachandbusweek.com
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Speke first opened in July 1957. Its transformation from a rather dowdy art-deco establishment to today’s state-of-the-art base for Arriva’s operations in south Liverpool begun in October 2010 and was completed earlier this year. Making a brief speech to the assembled guests at the ceremony, Baker noted he was “particularly pleased the new depot has been built without any disruption to passengers – this is an impressive feat and one which I’m sure [they] will have appreciated.” Following Baker’s address, Arriva North West regional MD Phil Stone spoke before the gathered party. Amongst those present were Arriva Group CEO David Martin and Arriva UK Bus MD Mike Cooper, suppliers and stakeholders, the latter including representatives of
the nearby Liverpool John Lennon Airport, for which Speke acts as a key partner in providing highquality bus links. Stone paid tribute to Speke’s 450 staff for their understanding since work begun, adding that the new premises – built by locally-based Nobles Construction at a total cost of £4m – further demonstrates Arriva’s commitment to Liverpool. Reflecting Speke’s status as a depot which has remained fully operational throughout demolition and construction phases, few buses were present on the launch day. Nevertheless, in a demonstration that the completely new facility represents merely one facet of Arriva’s investment in Merseyside, one of the garage’s 44 recentlydelivered Wright Gemini 2 doubledeckers was displayed.
Coming on the back of a £39m package of new buses in recent years and a further £2m spent on revenue collection equipment, Phil Stone described how this year’s intake of new vehicles will be as high as 70 on Merseyside and will be followed in 2013 by up to a further 60, including 34 Volvo B5 hybrids for cross-river services. “We are delighted to have given our Speke garage a new lease of life,” added Stone, explaining that the development work had provided a clean, safe and modern working environment for years to come. Following the ceremony, Speke’s General Manager Derek Draper spoke exclusively to CBW. In charge of a depot which runs 146 buses and delivers 15m passenger journeys per year, he explained how a decision was made to rebuild on the existing site. “Some of the old facilities “had ‘concrete cancer’,” Derek says, describing how surveyors assessing the nowdemolished buildings discovered that the existing reinforced concrete was contaminated with chlorine, which had caused the metal supports within to rot.
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“Even though the concrete columns looked good, they weren’t. Once we were aware, we requested that a survey be undertaken.” Findings boiled down to the fact that, even if the necessary £2m was spent replacing the affected beams, “we still wouldn’t get a new facility. All we’d get was a safer building,” says Derek. “We did look at half-a-dozen other sites in the area,” continues the GM, “but nobody wants a bus depot near them. So the decision was made. Architects told us we could build on the existing site – but it would take some doing.” The new premises’ centrepiece is a large building situated in the centre of the site. The western section is two-storey and provides accommodation for drivers, management and administration functions but space at the eastern end is occupied by extensive engineering facilities, including stores, offices and recreational space for maintenance staff. Eight pit-equipped inspection bays have been provided alongside two sets of vehicle lifts. At 25m long, Speke’s steam cleaning pit is Europe’s largest – bigger even than it’s largest buses, a batch of 10 Mercedes-Benz Citaros artics
Above: Opening cake. Below: Norman Baker and Arriva NW Managing Director Phil Stone admire the new workshop facilities
cascaded from Arriva London, and able to accommodate two of its numerous 12m single-deckers at once. Long before the Citaros arrived, says Derek, the new Speke had been designed with ‘bendies’ in mind. “The plan from the outset was to accommodate them in the future.” One of the eight indoor pits is of a length to accommodate a Citaro. Vehicle washing facilities have been provided by Worcestershirebased Istobal Commercial Services. Two separate lanes are installed, both featuring equipment which utilises a combination of the drivethrough and stand-still practices and comes complete with ‘traffic lights’, which indicate to cleaning staff when to proceed and when to stop. This, says Istobal’s MD Tom Byrne, who was present at the opening, helps prevent the age-old problem of a dirty vertical ‘streak’ on the rear of the bus when it has been driven away before cleaning has finished. Most water is recycled. Despite its impressive facilities, Speke is not on VOSA’s list of Approved Testing Facilities (ATF). One of its sister garages on Merseyside – Green Lane in Stoneycroft – is, however. Green Lane’s General Manager Lee Jones, also present at Speke’s opening ceremony, explained to CBW that this development has proved worthwhile and generates considerable outside work, not least buses from fellow ‘big five’ subsidiary Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire, and HGVs operated by Eddie Stobart. Complementing the fullyequipped canteen is a recreation room featuring a competition-sized snooker table, whilst a number of computers have been provided by the drivers’ union, Unite, forming part of its learning programme.
New Wright Geminis: Speke’s 10 Citaro artics may have the greatest road presence but passengers in south Liverpool are much more likely to find themselves riding on one of the garage’s 44 Wright Gemini 2 integral double-deckers. Based on VDL running units, the buses entered service during late 2011, primarily to service the upgrade 79 and 82 routes, which run from Netherley and Speke respectively to Liverpool city centre. They replaced a mix of single-deckers and older double-deckers. “The big issue with single-deckers on the 79 was they weren’t big enough,” says Derek Draper. “It’s a busy corridor with a bus every
One of the new Wright Gemini 2s
five minutes, but they just couldn’t cope. We put a business case together and were allocated the new double-deckers.” The Geminis accommodate almost twice as many seated passengers than their single-deck predecessors could. Even though the new doubledeckers have only been in service for a matter of months, they have had a positive effect from the outset and their influence is increasing. “We monitor passenger figures every week and can see there is growth [since the new buses entered service],” explains Derek. “We’re receiving comments from passengers now saying it’s a joy to go to work, that they’re no longer on a cramped vehicle and that the bus is not going to go past their stop because it’s full already.” Derek knows more than most about operating buses in Liverpool. “I used to be a conductor and then a driver, and back then everything was double-deck. Then changes in policy meant things went over to saloons. But Speke is a doubledecker garage; it always has been and it always will be.”
Bendy Buses: By some margin the largest buses at Speke are 10 Mercedes-Benz Citaro artics, which made the journey north from London once Boris Johnson’s quest to rid the capital of ‘bendies’ got under way. Although not the first ‘bendies’ to work in Liverpool, Arriva’s are the most visible, performing on routes to the airport and also route 699 to the University of Liverpool. “I like ‘bendies’,” says Speke’s GM Derek Draper, who gained experience with one of the first batches of the type to reintroduce mainstream articulated bus operation to the UK during the late 1990s. “The only problem you tend to find is passengers sometimes get on through the rear doors, which is a concern.” The Citaros’ duties see them exclusively work limited-stop services. “They’re basically designed to carry people,” points out Derek, adding that the comparatively low number of seats provided out of their total carrying capacity is not an issue on the 699, where young, able-bodied students are prepared to stand for the 15-minute journey to or from the city centre. “We’ve trained about half the drivers at Speke on the ‘bendies’,” he adds, noting that besides those on dedicated rotas for Citaro-operated services it was also necessary to enlist the 60-odd drivers who make up spares rosters. “It’s a full day’s training. They spend two or three hours in the morning simply reversing. That’s the trick with a ‘bendy’; if you can do that, you can do everything else with one.” Reversing is followed by classroom training and the afternoon is spent out on the road. Tuition is undertaken by Arriva’s own instructors, and it’s only when the individual delivering the training is happy with the driver that they’re allowed to pilot a Citaro unaccompanied. The training regime, limited-stop work and Arriva Merseyside’s rigorous monitoring of efficient driving standards have contributed to a fuel return above expectations. “We were told that we’d get 3.5mpg,” observes Derek. “But we’re actually getting over 4mpg. You’ve got to handle them with great respect and I think our drivers quickly realised that.” www.coachandbusweek.com
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DELIVERIES
MINSTERLEY MOTORS In the heart of the Shropshire Hills, Minsterley Motors has upgraded its fleet with three of the latest model Panthers from Plaxton. MD John Jones said: “With Plaxton, we are buying a good quality product and we are buying British. These new Panthers are
probably the best ever, our drivers and customers all feel comfortable with them immediately when they board. “The deeply tinted glazing gives them a really special ambience inside. We expect them to perform a whole range of coaching duties and they deliver without problems.” Two of the coaches have been built to the European WVTA specification, while the third is one of the final batch
built to the UK national spec. The Panthers are 12.8m twoaxle vehicles, two featuring 53 GTV reclining seats with all age three point belts trimmed in black and grey moquette with grey leather headrest inserts and piping. The third has Gala seats trimmed in a blue patterned moquette with cream leather headrest inserts and piping. The soft trimmed interiors match the seating fabric colour choices. Drivers benefit from an airsuspended Grammar seat.
TRANSDEV IN HARROGATE Transdev in Harrogate launched eight new vehicles for its local routes on Tuesday May 1. All eight were built in Sherburn in Elmet, 20 miles from Harrogate. With this investment of over £1m, Transdev said it was delighted with its new Optare ‘Versa’ buses. The investment matched the amount spent
FACT FILE
Chassis/body Volvo B9R/
Plaxton Panther
Engine Volvo D9B Transmission Volvo I-Shift Seats 53 Spec Touring Supplied by
Plaxton Coach Sales (Anston) 01909 551166 www.plaxtonlimited.co.uk
LOGANS TRAVEL County Antrim-based operator Logans Travel has taken delivery of a second Volvo B7R Sideral 10 Sunsundegui coach, three months after purchasing its first. MD Sean Logan explained: “We’ve been buying new Volvo coaches since 1995. We think they are quite simply the best product on the market and the back-up and support you get with Volvo is second to none.” Established for over 40 years, Logans Travel operates 25 Volvo coaches on private hire contracts and tour work throughout Northern Ireland and Europe. “The new coach is the perfect size and capacity to fit into a niche which isn’t
over the past 12 months on its fleet of double deckers for Route 36 ‘City Connect,’ linking Leeds, Harrogate and Ripon. They are powered by Mercedes-Benz SCR Euro 5 engines and Allison 2100 gearboxes. They have 30 Esteban Civic 3 seats plus six tip-ups (three per side). There is dedicated space for wheelchair users and buggies, a step free entrance allowing easy
consumption and a longer service life. “Logans Travel took one of our B7R Sideral 10 coaches earlier this year, which was the first time they’d specified the Volvo Sunsundegui combination,” commented Volvo Bus Regional Sales Manager Duncan Crosby. “It’s therefore particularly pleasing to see them return so quickly to specify another.” FACT FILE
currently serviced by other models in our operation,” continued Sean Logan. “We were absolutely delighted with the B7R Sunsundegui we took earlier in the year; it’s a perfect mid-range vehicle,
complementing our existing fleet and we also really like the styling.” Logans Travel’s new 10.3-metre coach is equipped with 38 reclining seats, each with three point safety belts. It features an on-board toilet,
a TV monitor, DVD player and a reversing camera. Its drivetrain consists of the 7.1 litre 290bhp Volvo D7E engine and a ZF EcoLife automatic gearbox. The combination is claimed to provide low fuel
Chassis/body Volvo B7R Sideral 10 Sunsundegui Engine 290bhp 7.1 litre Volvo D7E Transmission ZF Ecolife Automatic Seats 38 Spec Touring Supplied by
Volvo Bus 02476 210250 www.volvobuses.com/bus/uk/ en-gb
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Have you taken delivery of a new vehicle and want to tell the world about it? Email all the details and pictures to cbwinbox@ rouncymedia.co.uk
access for those with mobility difficulties. Synetics CCTV systems and Mobitec destination gear were specified. The buses also introduce the new ‘Harrogate Connect’ brand for Transdev’s local routes across the town. With the environment in mind, Transdev teamed up with RHS Garden Harlow Carr, which looks upon sustainability as a priority and welcomes visitors travelling by Connect 6 bus with half price entry. FACT FILE
Chassis/body Optare Versa Engine Mercedes Euro 5
115kw/201BHP SCR Transmission Allison 2100 Seats 36 Spec Stage Carriage Supplied by
Optare 0845 838 9901 www.optare.com
BLAKES COACHES Blakes Coaches, based at East Anstey in North Devon, has received a 13m Beulas Aura-bodied MAN R37 tri-axle from BASE Coach Sales. The ‘super high’ (3.8m) vehicle is powered by a 480bhp EEV engine with ZF AS-Tronic gearbox. It contains 53 Politectnica seats with lux pack and Micromotion moquette. Magazine nets and seat back tables are included. On-board facilities include a Blaupunkt entertainment system, which is linked up to twin monitors (the 2nd of which is motorised) and a DVD player. Air-conditioning and a Webasto heater are included. For the driver’s benefit, the vehicle carries a reversing camera and Sat-Nav with
“We purchased a Beulas two years ago and loved it, so decided to get this one. The Neoplan we bought direct from MAN last year also uses the MAN chassis combination, which performs particularly well. “It’s being used for our holiday tour program, mostly in Europe.” After its delivery the vehicle took part in the UK Coach Rally at the East of England Showground on April 21-22. FACT FILE
The new vehicle is seen taking part in the UK Coach Rally forward facing camera for passengers. David Blake of Blakes Coaches told CBW: “The Beulas is one the best coaches we’ve ever bought.
It has great build quality, is achieving 11mpg and both the driver and the passengers love it. We’re thinking about ordering another.
Chassis/body Beulas Aura MAN R37 Tri Axle Engine 480bhp EEV Transmission ZF AS-Tronic Seats 53 Spec Touring Supplied by
BASE coach sales 01772 425355 www.basecoachsales.co.uk
www.coachandbusweek.com
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operator profile › catteralls
Family-run operator with a future Coach & Bus Week’s Gareth Evans visits Warwickshire family-run coach operator Catteralls, which now has its third generation firmly on board
I
n many ways Catteralls of Southam epitomises a present day rural familyrun coach operator. A friendly, warm welcome is assured, combined with a ‘can do’ attitude and the needs of the customer at the forefront. Then there’s the proud history – the third generation of the Catterall family forms an integral part of the business. It’s also got its quirks, which add to the charm. The firm’s Managing Director Paul Catterall, who is no stranger at industry events, has been joined in recent years by his son Matthew and daughter Isobel. The business runs out of two premises comprising a travel shop at 74 Coventry Street in the heart of Southam and a depot in the nearby village of Long Itchington. For those with an interest in industrial archaeology, until the late 1990s Southam was home to a medium sized cement factory with
associated quarrying a mile north of the town. This works was served by both rail and canal transport — the latter being a short arm from the famous Grand Union Canal. However, cement production was halted and moved to nearby Rugby although quarrying at the site continues. The nearest sizeable town to Southam is Leamington Spa, located roughly seven miles (11 km) to the west. The towns of Rugby and Daventry are also within 10 miles (16 km) of Southam, with Banbury 14 miles (22.5 km) to the south and the major city of Coventry some 13 miles (21 km) to the north. From a coach operator’s perspective, the firm is thus located within easy access of three of the UK’s main motorway arteries - the M1, M40 and M6.
The MD’s story
Paul is an easy man to talk to. I’ve known him and Matthew since I joined CBW some five
Left: A family concern – Isobel, Paul and Matthew. Right: The 83-seater 15m-long Plaxton Volvo makes an impressive sight by the pond in the village of Long Itchington
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operator: Catteralls of Southam location: Southam, Warwickshire fleet: 30 Contact: 01926 813192 www.travelcatteralls.co.uk
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operator profile › catteralls
and a half years ago. He’s passionate about his family and his work, but also about history. Indeed, the photographs from the area’s rich industrial past bear testimony to this – not to mention his seemingly encyclopaedic knowledge of the Grand Union Canal. “The business was established in 1972,” explained Paul. “All through dad’s life he was ill. I came into the business in 1976. I’ve had the grounding. For a long time I was the youngest operator in Warwickshire, maybe even the country. “Dad said I’d better put in for my PSV. He advised I put on the form ‘available at any time’. On a Monday I got called and I was told I was doing my test at 1100hrs on Friday in Leamington. At that point I’d never driven a coach. I practised in between schools.” “I passed in ‘BWO240V’, an ex Bebbs Moseley Ford,” Paul recalled proudly. Paul said the firm has occupied offices upstairs at 74 Coventry Street for the last 13 years – the firm was downstairs before that. “It’s rented. We’ve always been a Southam company,” he added. Recalling his lifetime of work in the firm, Paul explained: “We used to do band buses at one time. It was great experience – I’d recommend it to anyone, especially a young man. We did it between 1990 and 1995. We had clients we worked with directly – they included Madonna, Michael Jackson, Guns N’ Roses and New Kids on the Block. However, the exchange rates made us expensive to hire, so we pulled out of the market. “Touch wood, we’ve made it through a succession of recessions. I’ve also seen holiday companies come and go. As an operator you traditionally made your money on
the feeders. It was also nice work, with plenty of variety for drivers.” “It’s nice to have my son and daughter involved in the business,” Paul said proudly. “They have their own ideas and they’re bringing those on board. “Attracting new blood to coaching is a huge problem. The enthusiasm for the jobs wanes as you get older. I love going out behind the wheel on a local private hire or going abroad on tour.” In words which will strike a chord with many, Paul said: “September 2013 will be the crunch – the Driver CPC deadline. I’ve got drivers who I’ve not put through it as they’ve said they wish to retire then. I feel a real opportunity has been missed to give people a valued qualification in our industry.” Asked about his other concerns for the industry, Paul highlighted another issue related to older drivers: “One of my biggest concerns is how slow the DVLA is at turning licence renewals around. One of my team waited four months. He could still drive because he had a covering letter but my worry is someone in that position dare not go abroad. “Another problem is vehicles which have been retrofitted with LEZ equipment. Why can’t such vehicles be taxed at local post offices? Why do we need to go to a DVLA office? It means we’re forced to incur unnecessary time and expense.”
The third generation
“I gained my PCV licence at the age of 19,” explained Matthew. “I’ve worked full-time in the business since I left university seven years ago. I spent a coupe of enjoyable years driving PGL tours between the UK and France, providing me
These 61-seater Neoplans provide plenty of capacity
“September 2013 will be the crunch – the Driver CPC deadline. I’ve got drivers who I’ve not put through it as they’ve said they wish to retire then. I feel a real opportunity has been missed to give people a valued qualification in our industry.” Paul Catterall
with invaluable experience. You can’t expect people do things if you’ve not done it yourself. “Gradually I’ve been moving into the Transport Manager’s role. I obtained my CPC when I was 21. Stan Griffin, our Transport Manager, is now 65 and has been with us for 30-odd years.” Recalling his early years, Matthew admitted: “As a youngster I was around the business but I must admit I wasn’t very interested initially. However, as I got older my enthusiasm grew. .” Does Matthew enjoy it? “Yes, most definitely,” he replied without hesitation. “I enjoy taking a handson role in planning and allocating work. I’ve also been trying to drag the business into the twenty-first
Above left: Ex Dublin Bus double decker and corporate spec Plaxton-bodied Volvo. Above right: One of the several Noge-bodied MANs in the fleet www.coachandbusweek.com
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century – kicking and screaming admittedly – but we’ll get there one day.” On that note, Matt said: “Isobel is very keen on social media and I like to keep the website looking good. We’ve been trying to get our vehicles to a new audience. We’re fortunate to have a very loyal customer base but they’re getting older, so it’s vital to look to the future. “We’re also trying to advertise more and use mail shots. It’s important to make information easily available and to communicate with our customers and potential customers – and that’s where social media is a key ingredient. In fact, we’re planning to publicise our social media presence in both the brochure and on the vehicles.
“After all, social media is not just for young people – there is an increasing amount of so-called ‘silver surfers’ who enjoy using the different platforms. Our Facebook and Twitter accounts are linked, so what appears on one goes up on the other. People tell us they’ve seen such and such on Facebook and Twitter, so it’s clearly having the desired effect.” Asked whether he gets behind the wheel, Matthew replied: “I still do some driving, especially in the peak season. One of the benefits of modern technology is I can take the office with me. “As a family we’re keen skiers. In contrast to some companies, we allow our drivers to ski while they’re over there. It can be freezing cold up an apparently desolate mountain, so getting paid while skiing is a bonus.” Turning to the challenges facing our industry, as ever Matthew seemed to have both his feet firmly embedded on terra firma. “It is difficult to keep afloat and you read about firms going under. A recent CPT meeting I attended painted a very gloomy picture. While new members are joining, there are lots leaving too as frankly they’re going bust. I believe the key is not to overstretch yourself.” Like her father and brother, Isobel is professional yet friendly and approachable. She recalls her formative years in the family firm with fondness. “I remember going down the yard cleaning coaches as a little girl. We also used to get dragged on day trips to the coast, but we loved it as kids. I think our annual holidays were taken on a coach. I remember when us four kids went to Scotland one year,” she mused. In age terms, there’s 18 months
difference between the two siblings. Isobel has worked in the business since she left school. Prior to that she used to work there in her school holidays. Asked what her role in the business was, Isobel joked, “The skivvy”. She seems to take pride in her work as office administrator. “When people email I like to reply the same day, even if it means I work long days. I also put together the work tickets and information for the drivers.” In something which will doubtless strike a chord with similar coach operators, Isobel observed: “A lot of people book over the phone nowadays – they don’t come into the office in nearly the same volume they did in the past. I think it’s because it’s more convenient for them to pay with a debit card over the phone. Perhaps it’s also a generational thing.” Does she enjoy it? “Yes. I think that’s because it’s a family business. You cannot have the ‘can’t be bothered’ at work attitude – it’s the family’s livelihood and a lot of pride goes with it.” Asked whether she can drive a coach, Isobel replied: “Good God no. A car’s more than big enough for me. If I did gain my PCV, I’m sure dad would have me out every hour of the day. In any case, you always need someone in the office, so I’m happy to do that. However, I certainly see myself remaining in the business in the future.”
Fleet
“We have in total 30 vehicles but we tend to have out between 20 to 25. There is always some in the garage,” explained Paul. “Our fleet is predominately MAN and Volvo.” The fleet includes: n Three tri-axle 61-seater
Neoplans n Four 53-seater Beulas-bodied Iveco, ex Redwing n One 10-plate Noge-bodied MAN n One 10-plate Volvo 9700 n One Ayats-bodied MAN n Three Noge Catalan-bodied MANs n One ex Flights Hallmark corporate charter specification Plaxton-bodied Volvo, which retains its black livery, the former Walsall FC team coach n Eight Plaxton-bodied Volvos n One 55-plate Marcopolo-bodied MAN 70-seater n One V-plate Alexander ALX400bodied Volvo B7 low-floor bus n Two ex Dublin Bus Alexanderbodied Volvo double-deckers n One 77-seater Neoplan Skyliner n One 15-metre-long 83-seater Plaxton Volvo, ex Stagecoach Megabus Anston 15m. “The Ivecos have been very good and they also look the part,” continued Paul. “Our 57-seater Volvos look the part and they’re not too bad on fuel economy. They all return between nine and nine and half miles per gallon. I love the ex Dublin Bus double-deckers. They’re extremely reliable vehicles and are an excellent buy for schools work.”
Business Mix
In addition to private hire and school contracts, the firm operates its own day tour and small door-todoor holiday programme. It also runs a handful of market day services to Moreton-in-theMarsh from such locations as Kenilworth and Leamington Spa. As discussed earlier, Catteralls is an enthusiastic operator for well-known school travel firm PGL. Indeed, several members of the fleet include the letters ‘PGL’ in their private registration numbers.
Above left: Engineers are a friendly crew at Catteralls. Above right: Several members of the fleet carry ‘PGL‘ in their private registration numbers www.coachandbusweek.com
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eg
ESSENTIAL GUIDE
› FINANCE
Financing the Fleet With the June/July peak season and September school contracts closing in, operators may find their fleet stretched, or need the edge provided by a brand new vehicle. This week’s Essential Guide looks at both rental companies and corporate finance options, which can help whether you are looking for a temporary boost to your fleet, or help with a permanent new vehicle
S
ometimes, a fleet needs expansion, but the capital just isn’t available for new vehicles. Not only can rental companies and financial firms help to remedy this, you will also have the benefit of their after service support. Companies in both areas offer plenty of flexibility to suit a variety of needs. Dawsonrentals’ coach and bus division is one the larger rental firms available to the industry, offering a wide variety of leases combined with a huge range of vehicles. All are plain white, for the benefit of operators who do not want it to be obvious that the bus or coach is rented. Meanwhile, Ventura Coach Sales claim to offer virtually all types of vehicle from service, pledging to find anything it doesn’t have on site. London Hire offer a wide range of vehicles, catering particularly well for operators needing accessible vehicles. They have a strong partnership with Stanford Coach Works and are experts at reducing vehicle downtime. On the finance side of matters, Pioneer Corporate Finance has worked with the coach and bus industry since 2001 and prides itself on being a traditional company, where its sales staff will visit a company on site anywhere in
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the UK. Forest Asset Finance takes the view that it is best to spread borrowing requirements to prevent aggregated borrowing sources from compromising future deals. It has a number of financial backers which can be accessed easily, saving management time.
DAWSONRENTALS
As a company, Dawsonrentals Bus and Coach Limited is a leading rental, hire and leasing company in the UK, offering purchasing, supply and financing of buses, coaches and accessible vehicles. The firm offers a vast and varied range of buses, coaches and accessible vehicles, from the UK’s
premium manufacturers such as Alexander Dennis, Volvo, Plaxton and Optare. Dawsonrentals can rightly claim to be industry pioneers and provide a large range of specialist packages in the country, boasting over 70 years experience in the transport industry. Its priority is to offer flexibility, good value for money and quality vehicles for a range of companies, claiming to have the most thorough preparation and presentation process available to any bus hire company and the only rental company with a 24-hour helpline, a dedicated engineering team and operational support personnel always ready to help. Some existing clients include
Dawsonrentals provide for TfL operating companies and major UK airports
the major UK bus groups, such as Transport for London operating companies, the major UK airports, local authorities, provincial bus companies and coach tour operators. All Dawsonrentals buses are plain white, without any livery, meaning clients never need drive a vehicle which is obviously hired. The company offers a range of options which include full maintenance support, tyres, and road tax and breakdown assistance, or it offers the option for operators to maintain the vehicle themselves. Whatever suits the customer and their needs. Dawsonrentals has a strong relationship with a number of domestic and international banks. As a result it can offer a flexible range of finance options for clients. This offers customer’s operational efficiency, and is tailored to individual business needs. Dawsonrentals offer operating lease, structured lease, load, lease purchase, hire purchase and rent-to-buy contracts. It can offer fully supported long-term rental agreements where the equipment is funded off the balance sheet and includes a range of service options or shorter period arrangements without routine maintenance, to ownership options upon completion of the primary rental term, but with the benefits of rental
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still applied. The firm has a dedicated team of salespeople who are based around the country and happy to advise and go through the best options available to any type of business. They can offer a range of vehicles to suit an operator’s needs from accessible vehicles, executive coaches or standard coaches to service buses, school and double decker buses. Both new and used vehicles are available. Dawsonrentals has access to a large range of ex-rental vehicles and major operator equipment for sale or rental. It claims its range is the best in the bus and coach industry, whatever specification or age is desired. Dawsonrentals claims that with many years of experience and extensive knowledge, expertise and limitless packages available, there is no reason to look elsewhere.
Support is available for operators who do not have the capital to purchase new vehicles
T: 01908 218111 E: contactus@dawson group.co.uk W: www.dawsongroup.co.uk/ busandcoach
FOREST ASSET FINANCE The market for asset finance changed considerably over the last few years. Mirroring the banking crisis, large numbers of funders have either pulled out of the market all together or are retrenching by limiting lending to their own banking customers. Understandably, many operators may have delayed replacement or investment programs and a lot has changed in a relatively short space of time, so operators may be surprised to find out their traditional lines of funding are not lending any more. Banks promote their own hire purchase and leasing subsidiaries, but operators should be aware that other sources of borrowing i.e. overdraft, loans and other
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HP could well be aggregated. This could result in subsequent requests for additional facilities being compromised. Forest’s view is it is always best to spread borrowing requirements to prevent this happening and it can arrange funding for an operator’s fleet requirements. Whether buying new or used vehicles on hire purchase, finance lease or operating lease, or looking to release equity in existing vehicles through refinance, Forest has contacts and experience to help. The company has an extensive portfolio of funders and can also save valuable management time, as clients only have to see one contact to access a number of funders. Due to the breadth of funders, this also means Forest can cater for most financial requirements including associated purchases such as garage or ticketing equipment. To show its commitment to the industry, Forest is a member of the CPT and regularly attends the bus
Many London Hire vehicles are designed for high accessibility and coach shows. It is exhibiting at Eurobus 2012 at the NEC this year (November 6, 7 & 8).
T: 01425 485685 E: sales@forestasset finance.co.uk W: www.forestassetfinance.co.uk
Forest Asset Finance Limited
Making Sense Of Your Finance Requirements Forest Asset Finance Limited
Specialists in the provision of funding to the bus & coach industry Whatever your requirements we have a flexible solution for your business
Please contact Michael Bycroft Darren Fitzpatrick Philip Gwyther Tamsin Hodges Michael Eatough
01425 485685 www.forest assetfinance co.uk info@forest assetfinance co.uk
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LONDON HIRE London Hire Limited has long been regarded as one of the market leaders in the Accessible Vehicle sector and it is a label they have never taken for granted. The company was established in 1988 by Robert and Evita Evans and they are still the co-owners of the company today. As a privately owned company, London Hire is able to offer flexible packages of Contract Hire and Daily Rental to the industry. At its premises in Burts Wharf, Belvedere, Kent there is a fully equipped workshop which is able to undertake all MOT and servicing work for their fleet. There are also plans to extend this in the near future to incorporate an MOT station, enabling London Hire to reduce downtime for customers. Peter Moxom recognised early on in his career at London Hire, which has now been over 20 years, that downtime has far more impact on the service user than most people realise. The end user requires continuity in the service offered to them and chopping and changing from vehicle to vehicle can cause a lot of stress and upset for them. Peter said: “Regular scheduled maintenance has been the key to reduced downtime on our fleet.” Logistically it is not practical to maintain London Hire’s entire fleet in-house. Therefore, it has a nationwide network of partners, including the end user themselves. Peter explained: “If we have a client out of our area of cover, we will always work with the hirer to find a suitable service partner during the hire period. In many cases the hirer will have their own workshops
and therefore the maintenance work would be offered to them first, creating a two way trading relationship.” Service is at the top of the company’s priorities and is something which London Hire claims to never compromise on. Every vehicle which is booked for a short term rental or long term contract is fully checked at London Hire’s own workshops at Belvedere, Kent. Once the vehicle is delivered to the customer a hand over procedure is in place to ensure the user is fully confident with all the components of the vehicle, including tail lift usage and any auxiliary items. Once the vehicle is handed over the support continues and the customer has the assurance of a 24hour, 365-day-a-year breakdown service with a ‘like for like’ fleet support replacement vehicle within 24 hours if repair is not possible, wherever the customer is in the UK. In addition to the mechanical workshop support, London Hire also owns a body repair workshop with a spray booth to take any vehicle on their fleet. Also as part of the group they have their own Tyre Fitting workshop and breakdown service, further enhancing the ‘One stop shop service’. There are a variety of options available to the customer including daily rental, fully supported contract hire and lease purchase. London Hire’s sale team work with the customer to find the right vehicle and the right contract to suit them and their budget. This task is undertaken by Peter in London and the South East and for the rest of the UK John Shier, who has recently joined the Sales team. John Shier is known to many in the throughout industry already and London Hire is delighted to have him as part of the team. London Hire offers the largest range of accessible vehicles from a single wheelchair user to a 32 seat Fully Accessible Coach. The smallest vehicles are a fully accessible 8-11 seat Volkswagen Transporter or Renault Master. All vehicles have automatic gearbox, PLS Tail lifts, wheelchair restraints and fully removable single seating with NMI Quick release fixings. 14-16 seat Accessible van Conversions are met by Mercedes Sprinter and VW Crafters, again with PLS Tail Lifts, single seating with all age lap and diagonal belts, NMI Quick Release fixings
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and NMI easywheels for reduced manual handling. In addition each vehicle has a smoke alarm and Eberspacher Full Climate Control, LED lighting and soft feel finishes. All vehicles are built to London Hires own ‘Sensory Specification’ by Stanford Coach Works. London Hire has a long term working relationship with Stanford Coach Works and Peter Moxom, who continues to work on new projects with Jess Ryder and Lee Wiggins. London Hire’s recent collaboration with Stanford Coach Works developed and produced 10 x Mercedes Sprinters 15 seat Buses built to full Sensory Spec with a concealed inner floor PLS Lift. The vehicles have been working in the London Borough of Southwark for the past six months and have been a success with the service providers and even more so with the end user. The reduction in downtime with the concealed lift has been a real benefit to the end user as previous vehicles would regularly ground out and damage the tail lift. For Larger applications, London Hire offer for daily rental and contract hire, 16, 24 and 28 seat Mercedes Vario’s all supplied by Mellor Coach Craft. Peter Moxom feels the recent move to Mellor Coach Craft for all their coach built vehicles has been a real success and the after sales support has been outstanding. “We needed a modern looking vehicle for the next generation of coach built users and the Mellor bus offers that look,” Peter added. “The extra light which comes into the vehicle and the increased floor space is a real plus for our service users and the feedback so far has been great”. Geoff Hudson and Alison Prince have ensured that London Hire have all the impressed stock and training for their workshop staff and mobile fitters necessary for it to ensure an excellent back up service which their users have enjoyed in the past. London Hire said in the last 12 months there has been a huge increase in the number of calls for its used vehicles, partly due to reduced budgets and uncertainty of the service. Due to the size of its fleet it claims to always have quality used stock for sale. T: 0845 257 4257 W: www.londonhireltd.com
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enables us to really get a feel for where the business is going and this helps us provide the right funding service for the client.” “Our competitive strength comes from our ability to identify a client’s individual funding requirements and match these requirements to an appropriate finance package.” Pioneer has seen many financial institutions and banks ‘pull-out’ or reduce their exposure in the Asset Finance sector, due to the recent Credit Crunch and recessionary effect. It still claims to have a strong and sizeable funder portfolio actively looking to fund within the Bus and Coach sectors.
T: 08700 622 699 E: ddavies@pioneercf.co.uk / rhuxley@pioneercf.co.uk W: www.pioneercf.co.uk
Pioneer provides full UK coverage and will visit an operators premises
PIONEER CORPORATE FINANCE Pioneer Corporate Finance, now in its 11th year, continues to work hard to bridge the funding gap still evident with the main high street banks and UK funding institutions. Pioneer has been delivering innovative funding options to the Coach and Bus sectors since 2001. In these interesting times, with many financial institutions and banks reluctant lend, David Davies, Director of Pioneer, commented: “Now more than ever, our clients in the Bus and Coach sectors rely on our financial expertise to introduce them to the most appropriate funders for their business. “On a daily basis, we are still seeing clients (new and current) struggle to persuade their bank or other funding institutions to support their business moving forward. “While Pioneer has many loyal and existing clients, over the last 12 months we have seen many new clients approach us when looking at a new or used coach purchase. During 2011/2012, we have helped more businesses restructure existing debt, to either free up capital to take out their current bank or provide valuable working capital to help them grow in these difficult times.” While today there are fewer asset finance funders operating in the UK market place, Pioneer has continued to develop key funding arrangements with new entrants or
established UK banks which have been looking to expand their asset finance lending. Today Pioneer continues to offer a broad and comprehensive range of innovative and flexible financial services, including: n Asset Finance (HP/ Finance Lease, Operating Lease) n Refinance / Equity Release n Cash Flow Funding – factoring, confidential invoice discounting, trade finance, stock finance. n Insurance Services & VOSA Funding - to enable operators to meet VOSA financial standing requirements. n Commercial & Residential Mortgages – for owner occupier, investor funding, land purchases, development finance, bridging finance. n Business Consultancy & Turnaround Advice – helping business achieve funding for growth, financial restructuring and corporate turnaround services. Based in Crewe, Cheshire, Pioneer provides full UK coverage. It is a traditional company in that staff like to visit all prospective clients at their place of work and provide a more personal level of customer service. David Davies added: “Clients still like to deal with people. While some of the UK’s financial providers still attempt to deal with clients over the phone or via the internet, we believe our personal approach enables us to fully understand a client’s requirements. Meeting first hand at their trading premises
VENTURA As a company Ventura bus and coach sales hold a unique position in the British Passenger Transport market. Ventura offers virtually all types of vehicles from service, including school and double decked buses, accessible vehicles, executive or standard coaches. It has good relationships with both large bus and coach operators and major finance companies. Ventura’s experienced sales team is always happy to go through all the options and the best choices of vehicles available. It offers a nationwide service and has two convenient locations - near Gatwick Airport and the M25 motorway and Worksop, Nottinghamshire. Ventura holds vast and varied used and new bus and coach stock. It claims that whatever an operator’s requirements, it will receive the highest quality of service and the best choice of vehicles available, all at great value prices. By calling Ventura, operators are accessing the broadest possible choice of products - if it’s for sale and Ventura don’t have it on site, it promises to find it for you. Friendly and highly experienced staff are always available to discuss vehicle requirements. Ventura prides itself on quality service, reliability and commitment to its customers. T: 01342 835206 / 01709 703592 E: contactus@venturasales.co.uk W: www.venturasales.co.uk
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“The secret’s out...
...We supply anywhere, NOT JUST LONDON!” • Daily rental or contract hire • Flexible packages to suit your budget • Largest range of accessible vehicles available in the UK • Serving the HEART of your community
Call: 020 8320 4200
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THE BIG PICTURE
In early March 2012, East Yorkshire Motor Services (EYMS) announced it had acquired 27 ex-London Plaxton President-bodied Volvo B7TLs from Volvo Bus. Of these, 22 are being refurbished by Leylandbased Coach Parts Direct. The other five are being refurbished and converted in EYMS’ workshops to open-top format for use on Scarborough seafront services. Set against the sandy beach and the North Sea, one of the latter makes for an attractive sight operating route 109, as pictured here recently by Matthew Wool. Turning to the bus itself, a quick Google search reveals ‘165DKH’ was originally registered ‘X594EGK’ with the Go-Ahead Group’s London Central operating company. The open toppers also differ in that they retain their centre door, as EYMS says lower deck capacity is not important. It is also believed this will speed up boarding and alighting, which often takes place simultaneously at each end of the seafront route. As for the vehicles’ predecessors, EYMS has sold the 1989-registered Alexander-bodied Volvo B10M Citybuses for further service with an Estonian operator.
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minibus The essential read for Minibus Operators
May 2012
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CONTENTS 36 News
Four Seasons up before Traffic Commissioner and Briggs face £300,000 damages claim
42
Supplier Update
Specialist minibus dealer David Fishwick outlines the key ingredients for success
44 p44
UK Coach Rally
A round up of the minibuses and minicoaches at this year’s UK Coach Rally
An outline of the schedule ahead
A
busy international schedule of visits over the past few weeks has meant it’s been difficult to gather together a great deal of material for Minibus. However, the diary is clearing a little and there are a couple of new vehicles already lined up. One of these is the 2012 specification Mercedes-Benz Sprinter TL9 Traveliner Blue Efficiency. The TL9 is the first of the new generation Sprinters in the UK and features higher overall gearing thanks to a new rear axle. The model on test has the standard six-speed manual gearbox but an option for a full automatic, featuring the latest seven-speed transmission, will shortly join the line-up. It also features the fuel-saving Eco-Start system which cuts the engine when the vehicle is stationary. These changes come ahead of the Sprinter gaining another facelift – probably in time for the IAA exhibition in Hanover this September. Citroen remains unable to provide a minibus from its ‘Ready
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to Run’ range but is keen for Minibus to at least try out a Relay panel van and report on its performance. The same is true of Fiat Professional which is also promising to let us have a panel van for a test drive as it no longer includes buses in its press fleet. It’s been a long time getting here – but Vauxhall has finally confirmed a test date for its Movano minibus which becomes available for a test drive in July. An example of the new Movano minibus appeared at the CV Show. On the face of it, there’s precious little difference between it and the Renault Master example launched last year. All the same, its appearance is long overdue as it has always been a popular option in the community section. July is also the usual month for the Mercedes-Benz Van Experience – it’s possible Sprinters with seven-speed automatic gearboxes will be revealed during the event - but maybe it will coincide with the pending facelift. Martin Cole Editor
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50
The number of new Renault Master minibuses acquired by easyBus
Stanford sells its first used minibus Age UK Blackburn with Darwen revels in refurbishment deal Stanford Coachworks concluded its first ‘Official Sale’ for a used minibus conversion to Age UK Blackburn with Darwen. The minibus was a four-year-old Volkswagen Crafter CR50 LWB which was selected to replace a 12-year-old Iveco minibus. The 15-seat vehicle (plus driver) is one of a fleet of three minibuses utilised by Age UK Blackburn with Darwen to transport older people to its two day care centres. Established in 1976, Age UK Blackburn with Darwen has 50 employees and 160 volunteers supporting local older people with community-based services. Its transport operations provide invaluable support, relied on daily. The Crafter has a PLS Lift installed with a N/S door and allows the removal of up to 13 detachable seats to accommodate up to five wheelchair passengers. A special lift-out side step with hand rails allows excellent access for older passengers. Additional benefits include air conditioning and climate control, full audio and CD player with electric windows, mirrors, rear reversing sensors and camera monitor, making the Crafter a comfortable addition for drivers and passengers.
easyBus invests in Renault Master fleet
easyBus has invested in 50 customconverted 13-seater Renault Masters, all badged up in the distinctive orange livery.
“It has been a bit of struggle for Age UK Blackburn with Darwen because day care contracts did not provide longer term continuity of funding and although the old buses were long overdue for renewal, budget and resources were tight,” explained David Hardacre from Stanford Coachworks. “We have kept in regular contact since 2005 and more recently we have been able to suggest a second hand quality minibus solution as part of our ‘New & Used Bus Sales Programme.’” The company investigated the market for high-quality used vehicle conversions and identified a
£40k
The funding from DfT enabling CTA to create its new online English CT database
growing requirement for this type of vehicle in the charity, not-forprofit operations and private sector - largely due to difficulties for customers in raising new vehicle finance from banks or leasing companies. Elaine Jennings Age UK commented: “We have been looking to upgrade our minibuses for some time. A good quality used minibus conversion was the ideal solution for our organisation.” Contact Stanford Coachworks on 01375 676088. Visit www. stanfordcoachworks.co.uk
The refurbished VW Crafter supplied to Age UK Blackburn with Darwen They are powered by 2.3-litre MT9 Common rail engines with Quickshift automated manual gearboxes. Each has a passenger capacity of 13 following conversions carried out by VFS in Southampton, where two passenger seats were removed and internal luggage cages installed. easyBus told CBW the Renault was chosen because the standard vehicle specification met the
operator’s equipment requirement. Some key features highlighted were the 62mph limiter, digital tachographs for potential overseas journeys, private hire and privately funded schools plus an electric side step for convenience and safety. They run the new easyBus route from Luton Airport to Earl’s Court which commenced on April 22 (see CBW1034). Richard Shackleton,
Formal warning for Four Seasons The Four Seasons Minibus Company from Orpington, Kent, has been issued a formal warning for failing to ensure its vehicles were given safety inspections. The operator, which holds a licence to run four vehicles, was called before Deputy Traffic Commissioner (DTC) John Baker as a result of an investigation by VOSA. The VOSA vehicle examiner’s investigation identified vehicles being used to carry passengers on a permanent contract had not been submitted for routine maintenance checks, as required by the terms of the licence. The operators, Michael Watts and Laura Snelling, told the examiner they believed they did not need to submit vehicles for inspections because their work related to contract passengers only. The DTC heard evidence from the company in response to the vehicle examiner’s findings, before determining the formal warning should be recorded against their licence. He ruled the business had failed to keep vehicles fit and serviceable, as required under Section 17(aa) of the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 (as amended). The DTC also considered taking action against Transport Manager, Linda Snelling. He ruled Ms Snelling’s repute would remain intact and she could therefore continue acting as a Transport Manager for the business. Communications Director, said: “They are based at our Hanger Lane depot in London, close to the tube station and North Circular Road. “They are operated by easyBus, but there will be no change to our partnership with Arriva and its Greenline service from Luton Airport to London Victoria, which runs some easyBus liveried vehicles.” They join 29 Optare Sorocos.
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The number of volunteers supporting 50 staff at Age UK Blackburn with Darwen
Join the discussion on Twitter by following us at @cbwtweets and find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/coachandbusweek
Longmynd Travel selects UNVI ClassicRGT 29
to 70 seats on local, national and international duties. Husband and wife team, George and Joan Evans, still active in the business, commenced trading with a Bedford bus acquired from the local authority to run a school contract, operating from an office
Longmynd Travel, based at Lea Cross near Shrewsbury, has recently taken delivery of a new UNVI Classic-RGT 29 seat coach based on the uprated Mercedes Benz 818 Euro 5 chassis with 177 bhp engine and six-speed manual gearbox. It features Politecnica Relax GTV seats fitted with ‘all heights freeflow’ seat belt guiders and gangway armrests, trimmed in red moquette with red leather headrest inserts. 2012 UNVI models now feature Diavia air conditioning, convection heating alongside double glazing, full length parcel racks with individual service units,
reverse camera, Blaupunkt radio/ CD/PA and DVD with drop down monitor. The large luggage boot is complemented by two side lockers. Longmynd is a family business established over 30 years ago operating a fleet of mainly air conditioned coaches offering 16
The interior of Longmynd’s new UNVI Classic RGT 29
in Snailbeach. As the business expanded the base was relocated to Pontesbury, eventually moving to the former council depot at Lea Cross to accommodate the growing fleet size. In 2000 daughter Val and her husband Mark Sheppard became directors. Val is now company secretary and Mark, who originally joined the company as a tour driver in 1991, is Managing Director. The new coach will be operated on private hire and contract work as well as small party tours when required. Mark Sheppard said: “We wanted a stylish replacement for our 2003 Mercedes and were very aware of UNVI’s growth in the mini and midicoach sector. Being able to specify the interior and uprated engine was a real bonus and having air conditioning increases our flexibility with small party bookings.”
CTA to launch English CT database
Metro funds new Ring & Ride service
The Community Transport Association (CTA) is finalising a specification for a new online database for England to be called CT Online. Funded with £40,000 from the Department for Transport, the searchable facility will provide CT users with the ability to seek out service providers based on geographical location, service type or passenger categories served. The aim is to provide up-to-date information in an easily accessible format for transport users and other stakeholders. The system being devised will also allow CT operators to access and update their own data including contact details, the areas they cover, services they provide and users they serve. Operators will also be able to approve, or otherwise, the data for inclusion in the publicly searchable database and include links to their own website or booking systems.
Metro, West Yorkshire’s PTE operations, is funding a trial demand-responsive service for people in Sharlston, Crofton and Streethouse. Working with WakeyBus Community Transport, Metro’s service aims to help local residents overcome problems caused by the introduction of a weight restriction to the bridge on Cow Lane, Sharlston, in late 2011. A daytime service, between 1000 and 1400hrs Monday to Friday, has been funded for eight months, while an evening service, between 2000 and 2200hrs Monday to Saturday for 15 weeks. The service will connect residents with local facilities such as the Medical Centre and Children’s Centre as well as restoring links between Crofton, Sharlston, Streethouse and as far as Normanton.
CTA’s online database looks set to be a valuable tool for CT users. A Ford Transit operated by Qube, the dial-a-ride service for Oswestry is pictured at Whittington Castle on September 10, 2011 The system will provide opportunities for operators to contribute towards research. Future functionality being planned includes the ability to allow MiDAS trainers to order manuals and materials online, enter data on trained drivers and print off certificates directly. The CTA is also exploring ways to include the ability for operators to communicate with colleagues
around their region. Construction of the new system started in February with testing and completion scheduled for the summer. Thereafter, the CTA says it will add data on a phased basis and ask operators to confirm its validity and approve its use.
Contact Anthony Finn at the CTA’s Hyde office on 0161 351 1475. Visit www.ctauk.org
For more information visit www.wymetro.com
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news
Redwing Coaches take two UNVI Vega GTs New minicoaches to operate under the Addison Lee banner Redwing Coaches has recently taken delivery of two new UNVI Vega GT minicoaches. Fully coachbuilt with an R66 rollover compliant structure based on Mercedes Benz Sprinter 516 chassis, the new vehicles were built to order. Operating under parent company Addison Lee’s brand, the new models feature the Mercedes five-speed automatic gearbox, 18 Politecnica seats, indash and saloon air conditioning, red and grey interior, radio/CD/ PA/DVD with fold down screen and reverse camera with dash mounted monitor. Exterior styling is quite distinct with the coach rear featuring a windowless upper panel and hinged boot door providing access to the 2.8 cubic metre luggage boot. The Vega GT’s are operating on local private hires, small party tours and specialist corporate duties in which the company has a high level of experience. Paul Hockley, Redwing’s Managing Director,
commented: “The styling of the Vega GT immediately appealed to us and the new vehicles project our image and the standard to which we operate. UNVI was able to build the specification we required and we are very pleased with the result.” All Vegas benefit from a threeyear Mercedes-Benz warranty along with two-year bodywork warranty from UNVI. The
Contact: Alan White on 01302 833203. Visit www.ministomidis.com
Two new UNVI Vega GTs line up for Addison Lee
Swansea woman sues for £300,000 after fall from bus A woman from Swansea who suffered severe head injuries when she fell through the open doors of a minibus is suing for £300,000 worth of compensation, the South Wales Evening Post reported. Natasha Flockhart, 20, of Aberdyberthi Street, in Hafod, is no longer able to look after herself after the accident which happened in June 2008 in Broughton Avenue, Blaenymaes. According to a claim filed at London’s High Court, driver Julian Bowles offered Ms Flockhart a bottle of Lucozade and as she stood
coachbuilt Vega GT is available with eight to 18 seats and can be tailored to meet customer’s individual requirements. They were supplied by Minis to Midis, UNVI’s authorised dealer for London and the south.
up to accept it, he drove over a speed bump, jolting the vehicle and causing her to fall out of the open doors and onto the main road. Following the accident, she was rushed to hospital in a deep coma with a severe brain injury. Following the incident she has suffered from post traumatic migraine headaches and is at risk of developing epilepsy. The claim accuses Mr Bowles of negligence, saying he drove over the speed limit at excessive speed and allowed the minibus to jolt, making her lose her balance and allowed
the minibus door to open. The claim also states, he also caused her to remove her seatbelt to reach the bottle, caused her to fall through the open door and be injured, failed to warn her of the speed bump and failing to take adequate care for her safety. Miss Flockhart is seeking damages from Mr Bowles and his employers Briggs Coaches, on the assumption that she will not develop epilepsy, as well as an order allowing her to return to court for more damages if she does develop epilepsy as a result of the accident. A director of the bus company, William Briggs, said he was unable to comment on the case, as he was due to speak to his solicitor today.
Elderly woman left locked on council minibus A woman suffering from Alzheimer’s was left locked on a Luton Borough Council minibus overnight. The woman, who is in her 80s, was picked up from the Hockwell Ring Day Centre in Luton and should have been taken back to her sheltered accommodation. She was found Tuesday May 8, 0700 at Kingsway depot by a driver in the council’s Passenger Transport Unit. The council confirmed an internal investigation began shortly afterwards, and the original driver of the minibus has been suspended. A meeting of relevant organisations took place on Wednesday to investigate how the woman was left on the minibus and why the alarm was not raised earlier. A temporary procedure has already been put in place to ensure every passenger transport vehicle is checked before the end of each day and this will remain in force until further notice. Chief Executive Trevor Holden said: “Something has gone so seriously wrong. Action will be taken. Senior officers from the council met with our client’s family as soon as possible on Tuesday to make sure everything is being done for her continued welfare and to express how very, very sorry we are that this appalling incident took place. “We are deeply shocked that something has gone so seriously wrong and we will do everything we can to find out exactly what took place and ensure it cannot happen again. “We deeply regret the distress caused to everyone affected.” Bedfordshire Police will also conduct an investigation and each of the organisation’s involved will carry out internal inquiries.
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supplier update › david fishwick
Service and support are key to success Martin Cole visits Lancashire-based supplier of new and used minibuses David Fishwick and finds service and support underpin the firm’s nationwide sales strategy
D
avid Fishwick has what is arguably the largest independent minibus dealership in the country and has continued achieving reasonable sales figures throughout the economic downturn. According to Dealer Principal Mark Barlow, customers get an unprecedented level of back-up and support – whether they have invested in an executive specification minicoach or a used factory-built minibus. He said: “We are prepared to go the extra mile to ensure our customers are satisfied. If they have a breakdown which prevents them from operating a service or undertaking a hire we will provide a replacement vehicle and collect theirs in order to have it repaired – either by a trusted local dealership or service agent or by Fishwick’s own service department in Colne.” He cited a recent example where a specialist wheelchair accessible vehicle had been supplied to a customer in the Orkneys which suffered a lowering air suspension system failure. A replacement was taken there immediately, on a trailer, which then returned the
incapacitated vehicle to Colne for repair. It was returned as soon as the problem had been overcome – result, one very happy customer and a huge boost to customer loyalty. David Fishwick, owner of the enterprise, said: “Customers buy these vehicles to work and earn them a living. It’s our job to see the vehicles we sell them enable them to do just that. We occasionally get instances where vehicles we have commissioned for customers may not be completed in time to meet the delivery date. If they are required for a contract this can be serious blow to the operator so we will supply alternatives to do the job until those new vehicles can be delivered. We have such a case in hand at present. The minicoach we promised to supply a customer cannot be delivered in time because we can’t get a certification date due to the backlog. So, this afternoon we have registered a brand new vehicle from stock which we will deliver to the customer to ensure he isn’t let down. I don’t know of any other organisations who would do this – but we’ve never been bound by convention. “We guarantee any vehicle supplied by us will arrive with no dents in the bodywork, no scuffs on seats and everything will
Above: Mark Barlow, David Fishwick and Matt Thompson with a ‘superextended’ Sprinter. Below: Fishwick’s VW Crafter and Sprinter coaches
function 100%. If it doesn’t – send it back. We are building a business where an operator can tell us what he wants and we will supply it, delivered to his door on a trailer. If it doesn’t meet with requirements he can send it back. There should be no need for a customer to travel 250 miles to look at what we have in stock and make repeat visits to check things out. In most cases a 17-seat Ford Transit minibus finished in white is pretty much the same wherever it hails from but
we will have checked it thoroughly to ensure it all works as it should when it’s delivered. “We don’t run this business as a limited company. I don’t see the need for it. We are sufficiently well-funded and if we want to do something we can make instant decisions here in the office. We don’t have to approach banks with business plans in order to raise capital and we don’t have to seek approval from a board of directors. “In many ways we are fortunate
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May 16, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK MINIBUS | 43
to have had a really good grounding. I began trading in cars when I was 16 and unable even to drive. I built up a sound business and diversified into other areas – including property. We have an excellent foundation which underpins everything we do and it allows us to tailor deals which work for our customers. “ David does appreciate, however, many people will want to view vehicles on site and see what facilities are available. He said: “Before we even thought about dealing with minibuses I had an eye on dealing in light commercials. Back then, buying used vans was something you could rarely do without wearing ‘wellies’ to access the vehicles and often, if they had been builders’ vans they needed half a ton of concrete chipping off the floor. I knew there had to be a better way of marketing used vans and had a decent facility built with
a good tarmac base which allowed people to visit comfortably in their best shoes. It’s the same with the minibus side. We keep it clean, tidy and presentable. Our technical staff are all uniformed. The sales team seldom wear suits but are always smartly attired and presentable. What we seek is to provide a comfortable sales environment where we can show customers our aim is to provide a fair vehicle at a fair price.” Mark Barlow pointed out it was within Fishwicks’ capabilities to take in three or four vehicles in exchange for new one and give money back to the customer. As long as they could see a profit at the end of it, the team at Colne had complete flexibility. Mark noted current trends in vehicle sales had steered towards the ‘high end’ of the market but demands were continually changing. He said: “We have vehicles built exclusively for some customers but we have been developing certain models for base-stock in line with common requirements. Our main builders are UVS in Manchester and Onyx in Barnsley. Both do an excellent job. The super-extended Sprinter or Crafter models fit almost exactly with what our customers ask for from executive specification vehicles. If a customer wants something different we can get it built to the exact requirement. “I’ve always been a great fan of Aston Martin and one of our latest minicoach developments is a sort of homage to the interior styling of the DBS. We use a black carbonfibre dashboard enhancement kit and the seating is upholstered in grey leather with quilted black leather panels. Quilted grey leather is applied to the roof trim and the undersides of the parcel racks. The rear saloon features a lounge area with two tables finished in high-gloss black with a carbonfibre insert and mounted on sturdy stainless steel legs. The latest examples now feature a black nonslip flooring material and carbonfibre sill cappings in addition to the usual touring or executive demands such as dark tinted panoramic
windows, skirting kit, curtains, air conditioning and DVD system.” The Aston Martin-inspired development is available on Sprinter or Crafter and it also incorporates an extended coach rear end with a boot capable of carrying up to 300kg of luggage. Fishwick is currently developing a new concept based on yachtinspired design. Key elements will be wooden decking and leather upholstery but the details are not yet finalised. There may be something to see in July. David Fishwick added: “There is a lot more to come from Fishwicks. In a few short weeks we will be headline news thanks to a new enterprise I’m embarking on, the launch of a TV series which I’ve been doing a lot of filming for, the launch of a book and some features I’ve done with national newspapers. I can’t go into detail because of embargoes – but there will be plenty to come and see us about again when this all takes off.”
The Colne premises houses a vast array of new and used minibuses and minicoaches. The bulk of those supplied are Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Ford or Iveco-based but just about every brand is represented there. Another new development which has become popular with customers is the availability of short-term vehicle hires. Mark said: “It has been well received by a number of clients who have needed extra capacity to cope with a seasonal increase in work or the arrival of an unexpected contract. Currently we are supplying them on a minimum three-month term but we’d be prepared to look at shorter terms if there is sufficient demand. Vehicles on hire currently include extended minicoaches, new and used Ford Transits and various makes of wheelchair accessible minibuses. Call 01282 867772. Visit www.davidfishwick.com
Above: The Aston Martin DBDinspired interior with quilted leather. Below: The boot area on a super-extended coach, built by UVS to meet touring needs, holds up to 300kg of luggage
www.coachandbusweek.com
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44 | COACH & BUS WEEK MINIBUS | May 16, 2012
event focus › uk coach rally
1
Minicoaches at UK Coach Rally 2012 Gareth Evans looks at the minibuses and minicoaches which were present at this year’s UK Coach Rally, which was held at Peterborough’s East of England Showground on April 21-22
F
our minicoaches competed in the UK Coach Rally 2012, compared to no fewer than five last year. Three of those present in 2011 – Everydays Travel, Cedar Coaches and Haines Minicoaches – were joined by London Mini Coaches this year. David Phillips of renowned Hounslow-based operator London Mini Coaches competed in a 25-seater Sitcar Beluga 3-bodied Mercedes-Benz 816DT Vario registered ‘WA11AEL’. Although Mr Phillips is no stranger to the rally, having competed in 2007 when the event was held in Brighton, this year was his first attempt at its current home in Peterborough. Asked why he chose to compete, he replied: “Partly to support
the event and hopefully win something.” However, Mr Phillips felt “For the number of years it’s been running, the organisation could be better – it could benefit from a shorter road run for example.” Fellow West London minicoach operator Everydays Travel entered its EVM-converted MercedesBenz Sprinter 515CDi ‘RK10PZG’. The 16-seater was driven by Yoganathan Koculen. Thaya Nadarajh, one of owners of the Hampton-based firm told CBW: “We go as a family – three kids and my wife – and it’s the same for my colleague. We want to be part of it and continue to support the event. We’ll definitely be there again next year.” Asked if we was happy with the event, Thaya replied: “Yes. While
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25
The seating capacity of London Mini Coaches’ Sitcar Beluga
May 16, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK MINIBUS | 45
£34k 2 The price of EVM’s entry level Mercedes-Benz Sprinter shuttle
The fleet size of West Londonbased Everydays Travel
2
4 the weather was bad this year, we want it to be better in 2013. I also think the event needs to be in the school holidays. We’re a small firm. The problem for us was we risked getting caught up in the Friday evening traffic as we were unable to leave before the schools have finished. Therefore we had to get up at the crack of dawn and arrive on the Saturday morning.” Surrey’s Haines Minicoaches can perhaps be best described as rally veterans, having competed at both Brighton and Peterborough. The Banstead-based operator has had some success too, winning Mini Coach Driver of the Year 2007, 2008, 2010 & 2011 (Matt); Top Team on road section 2011(Matt & Brenda); Top Caetano-bodied coach 2010; Best Presented Mini Coach 2005 & 2008 (Sprinter/Vario); Best
3
5 1: David Phillips of London Mini Coaches completes the driving test on Saturday April 21. 2: Vehicles displayed on the EVM stand in the trade exhibition area comprised an X-Clusive Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Shuttle. 3: Under the watchful eye of onlookers, Ben Harpin of Cedar Coaches completes the ‘pit’ excercise on the Saturday. 4: London’s Transport Commissioner Peter Hendy presents the Mini Coach Driver of the Year cup to Ben Harpin. 5: Everdays Travel entered an EVM-converted Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, which is seen here in the horse shoe-shaped display area
Irisbus vehicle of the show 2002 (Iveco Turbodaily); and Top Lady Driver 2004 & 2005 (Vicky). This year however, Matthew Haines got behind the wheel of 26-seater Caetano Optimo V-bodied Toyota Coaster ‘FJ09DWW’. Last but by no means least was Cedar Coaches of Bedford with its Tawe-converted Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 515CDi. The 16-seater ‘CE10ERS’, which was also present last year, was driven by Ben Harpin. He was crowned ‘Mini Coach Driver of the Year’. On the supplier front, Irish converter EVM attended with an X-Clusive Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and a Sprinter Shuttle. EVM proprietor Danny McGee said he was delighted by the response he received at the rally. “I really enjoyed Peterborough,”
he told CBW. “I was only there for the Sunday as I’d just arrived back from visiting Busworld Turkey, but after the positive reception we had two years ago we really wanted to be there again. “Our entry level Sprinter shuttle, priced around £34,000, caused a bit of interest and we have sold two after following up on show enquiries. We have a few more in the pipeline which may result in sales and we also have a couple of good enquires for the Executive Sprinter to deal with. So, overall we were certainly not disappointed and it was certainly worth our while supporting the event.” For details about the UK Coach Rally, visit www. coachdisplays.co.uk Call 01753 631170
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46 | COACH & BUS WEEK | May 16, 2012
COACH&BUSMARKET – the place to buy and sell
To advertise on these pages for as little as £30 just call 01733 293247 Volvo B12 Van-Hool 1995 14 berth sleeper
2003 FORD TRANSIT 410
17 seat factory bus, ex-council, low mileage, Class 5 MOT
£4,950
LEZ compliant, MOT 03/13, static A/C, tow bar. Well maintained, ready to work. For more information call Tim on 07900 111110 or email tim@sleeperbuses.info
...then 50 come along at once. Due to a major influx of new vehicles, we are selling a number of ex-TWM service buses. They’re in great condition for their age and have been maintained to a very high standard. There are currently 50 vehicles available, all stored at our site for viewing. Although mainly Volvo, Scania and Optare single deck, there are some double deck buses also available. All will be sold with 12 months MOT and repaint if required. Please call for more details. Finance and rental packages available. Volant PVS Ltd, Beecham Business Park, Northgate, Aldridge WS9 8TZ T: +44 (0)1922 457003 volantpvs.co.uk
For more information visit
www.staffordbuscentre.com Tel: 01782 791774/07803 222552 2005 Ford Transit 410
Factory minibus, fitted with 14 moquette h/b coach seats, COIF, tacho and new PSV, 120,000 miles
£5950
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
2004 (54) Neoplan Starliner Tri-Axle Corporate/Team Coach
Volvo B12M VanHool
For more information visit
www.staffordbuscentre.com Tel: 01782 791774/07803 222552
2002 Optare Solo M850 52 reg, 29 seats, 23 with belts
£19950
32 leather seats around 8 tables, full rear servery with fridges, ice machine, hot water, microwave and airline style food warmers, 3 extra fridges throughout coach, airline style overhead lockers, 240v inverter and onboard generator, Blaupunkt sound system with DVD & SKY TV (2 screens), extra mini screens on a separate channel on both front tables, ASTronic gearbox, A/C, WC, fully carpeted, removable ski box, spare seats.
£104,000 + VAT o.n.o.
For more details call Patrick or Murray 01787 477701/ 07730 671064
Manual, choice of two, 2002 & 2003, both with new MOT, low miles, owned from new, both 51 seaters, full exec with rear toilet and rear servery, selling due to fleet upgrade
£55,000 and £65,000
Contact Ian 01443 681995
For more information visit
www.staffordbuscentre.com Tel: 01782 791774/07803 222552
Telephone Jade Cassidy on 01733 293247 or email jade.cassidy@rouncymedia.co.uk
553368-1036-Pembridge
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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 (11) 2011 Ford Transit 15 seat 3.5 ton, 2.4tdi engine 115ps, tacho, 10,000 km £17,500
(10) 2010 Ford Transit 17 seat M/R 140PS with air-con, tacho, COIF/PSV £17,995
SOLD
(08) 2008 Ford Transit 3.5ton 15 seat 2.4tdi, 115ps, high back seats with three point belts, tacho £13,800 (
(56) Ford Transit 17 seat 2.4tdi 115ps, high back seats, electric windows, central locking, 66,000 miles, FSH, COIF/PSV £9,995 (53) 2003 Ford Transit 17 seat 2.4 td minibus, high back seats with three point belts, tacho, air-con, COIF/PSV £6,995 (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 3.5 ton 17 seat minibus, high back seats, rear two rows of seats on tracking, 33,000 miles COIF/PSV £9,500 (07) Peugeot Boxer 3.5 ton 17 seat minibus, 2.2 diesel with three point seat belts, 28,000 miles, COIF/PSV £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 (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 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 £6,495
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%
553180-1036-Ensign:Layout 1
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Ensig DOUBLE DECK 1997/8 VOLVO OLYMPIANS Seatbe exampleslted no available w
LEZ
COMPLIANT
Volvo engines, Euro 2, 78 seats, converted to single door, new COIF, tyres included, UK registered ready to work.
Cummins/Voith, LEZ compliant for 2012 with traps to Euro 4, CCTV, Alexander ALX400 bodies, DDA compliant or upseated to 80 seats.
1999/2000 T/V/X REG DENNIS TRIDENTS
Cummins / Allison, Wrights Cadet body, ramp, wheelchair space, Hanover LEDʼs, CCTV, 39 retrimmed individual seats, from our own fleet and very tidy.
2000 DAF SB120
1999 T/V REG DENNIS DART SLF’S
Caetano Compass bodies, 39 seats, ramps, £7000 each plus tyres.
1998 R REG VOLVO OLYMPIAN
Mercedes engine, 33 seats, DDA, Hanover LEDʼs, new MOT.
2004 OPTARE SOLO
ZF automatic, 74 seats, dual door, CONVERTIBLE open topper, so can still be used in the Winter! One only.
1995 M REG DENNIS DRAGONS
ZF automatic, Plaxton Premiere 350, air-con, 57 seats.
1998 DAF SB3000
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
553180-1036-Ensign:Layout 1
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nbus ER SPECIALIST DDA compliant, 8.8m, 28 seats, LEZ compliant, Hanover LEDʼs, from our own fleet.
2001 Y REG DART MPD
GREAT VALUE DENNIS DARTS!!!
2001 Y REG DENNIS DART MPD’s
Plaxton Pointer 2 bodies, 29 seats, LEZ compliant post 2012 with traps, DDA compliant, long MOTʼs.
1996/7 N and R Reg with Plaxton bodies, 35/40 seats, single door, long tests. £4500 plus tyres
Hanover LEDʼs, East Lancs Myllenium body, 39 seats.
2003 MAN 14220
Euro 3, ZF automatics, 35 seats, East Lancs Myllenium bodies.
2003 MAN 11.2220’S
Euro 4, Wrights Gemini bodies, dual door, 68 seats.
Cummins Euro 3 ISB engines, Allison gearboxes, Caetano Nimbus bodies, 10.7m, 37 seats, full DDA.
£7000 just spend on recon engine, MCV Evolution body, 40 seats, DDA, Hanover LEDʼs.
2002 DENNIS DART SLF’S
1999/2000 DENNIS TRIDENTS
Cummins/Voith, LEZ compliant with traps, Plaxton President bodies, 62 seats or 70 when converted to single door.
1997/98 P/R/S REG VOLVO OLYMPIANS Volvo Euro 2 engines, ZF gearboxes, Alexander RL low height bodies, LWB, 87 seats.
2007 VOLVO B9TL’S
2007 MAN 14.220
Voith automatic, East Lancs body, 49 dual purpose seats just retrimmed, supplied with new MOT.
1995 N REG SCANIA L113
ZF automatic, SLF, Wrights body.
2000 X REG VOLVO B6
- 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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50 | COACH & BUS WEEK | May 16, 2012
2004 Optare Solo M920 33 seats, Mercedes engine, Allison automatic gearbox, MOT Nov 2012, direct local authority. Fitted with all new aluminium side panels repainted in Diamond white. Additional options include electronic destination and repaint into your livery if required £27,950
2003 Mercedes 814D Vario 33 seat coach. 5 speed manual gearbox. Three point seatbelts, boot, luggage racks. £23,450
1999 Mercedes 814D Vario
1999 Mercedes 814D Automatic
4.2 litre turbo diesel, 5 speed manual gearbox, 33 bus seats fitted with retractable lapbelts. Ready to work. In daily use. Photo shows typical bus. Choice available. £9,250
4.2 litre turbo diesel, Allison automatic gearbox, 31 bus seats, repaint in white, ready to work. £8,950
1996 Dennis Dart Plaxton Pointer SLF 37 seats. In daily use. Vehicle has been recently repainted. (number plate and electronic destination not included). £5,000
1997 Mercedes 814D Plaxton Beaver 33 seat with belts, Allison automatic gearbox, both vehicles MOT to Sept 2012. Ageless plate fitted. Choice of 2. 1 with 'urban' bus seats and the other with retrimmed bus seats. £4,950
1999 Mercedes 814D Vario Repanelled as required, repainted in diamond white, 33 coach seats fitted, 2 point retractable seatbelts, long MOT. £14,950 + VAT
2002 Mercedes 814D Vario 33 seatbelts, 4.2 litre turbo diesel, 5 speed manual gearbox, MOT August 2011. £11,950
1997 (but you’d never know) Marshall Capital Dennis Dart One previous owner from new, well maintained example direct from municipal bus company. Retrimmed seats. Tinted glass. £8,450
1996 SLF Dennis Dart
Ex-major operator, MOT expired, but in good order. Sold as seen £3,500 or with 12 months MOT £4,500 + VAT
1997 Marshall Capital, Dennis Dart One previous owner from new, well maintained example direct from municipal bus company. Tinted glass. £6,000
DON’T FORGET OUR BUS RENTALS Short and long term hire available on any of these vehicles, ask about ‘Rent to Buy’ as well !
Nextbus Ltd, Chippenham, Wiltshire Tel - 01249 462462 - 24 Hr Mobile - 07590851477 www.next-bus.co.uk email - sales@next-bus.co.uk
Renault Master 15 seat coach, tacho, new MOT, part exchange to clear
£2950
For more information visit
www.staffordbuscentre.com Tel: 01782 791774/07803 222552
2007 Ford Transit
17 seat factory bus, only 39,000 miles, COIF, tacho and new PSV
£12450
For more information visit
www.staffordbuscentre.com Tel: 01782 791774/07803 222552
COACH&BUSMARKET Looking for a great deal to sell your vehicles? Buy 3 weeks get a 4th week
FREE!
Contact Jade Cassidy now on :
01733 293247 jade.cassidy@rouncymedia.co.uk Coach & Bus Week – the only paid-for weekly magazine in the bus and coach industry – there’s no comparison!
555142-1036-Bowen
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554114-1023-Eastwoods
6/2/12
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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
555409-1036-Heatons
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HEATONS MOTOR CO. WIGAN - tel 01942 864222 www.heatonsmotorco.co.uk WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
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 POA
57 FORD TRANSIT MWB, covered 64,000 miles, factory spec minibus, 8/11 passenger seats, twin SLDs, full electric pack, excellent value POA
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
LEZ
D L O S
PSV’d
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
D L O S
READY TO WORK
PSV’d
09 RENAULT MASTER SWB, covered 16,000 miles, Ricon internal Clearway tailift, lots of Unwin tracking,SLD with cassette step, 6 highback passenger seats, good quality O&H conversion, totally showroom condition inside and out excellent value POA
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 POA
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
PSV’d
PSV’d
PSV’d
COMPLIANT
51 MERCEDES SPRINTER UVG coachbuilt, 16 highback passenger seats, complete flat floor, Powerdoor front entry, low miles, totally immaculate, external PLS cassette tailift, LEZ compliant, 12 months PSV test, Triptronic transmission POA
09 FORD TRANSIT LWB 17 seat factory minibus, covered 66,000 miles, digital tacho, central locking, totally immaculate, 12 months PSV test POA
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
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 POA
LEZ
COMPLIANT
56/07 IVECO coachbuilt with 14 highback coach seats, complete flat floor, external cassette tailift, Powerdoor front entry, saloon heater, sound system, lots of Unwin tracking, low miles, this must give excellent value POA
05/06 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 POA
PSV’d
LEZ
06 MERCEDES SPRINTER 413 CDI Plaxton Pronto coachbuilt, 15 highback seats, power door, front low step entry, air conditioning, external PLS cassette tailift, silver metallic, totally showroom condition, low miles POA
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
D L O S
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
09 PEUGEOT BOXER MWB, low miles, 6/8 highback passenger seats, Ricon internal tailift, twin SLDs, air conditioning, showroom condition POA
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
56 RENAULT MASTER MWB 6/8 highback passenger seats, Ricon internal tailift, lots of Unwin tracking, SLD with cassette step, totally showroom condition POA
54 MERCEDES SPRINTER 413 CDI 16 highback passenger seats, Koch low floor service bus, wheelchair accessible, PSV tested, very original or can paint to your colour at additional cost, drives superb POA
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
09 RENAULT MASTER LWB, 8/10 highback seats, low miles, Ricon internal fully automatic tailift, non slip floor, lots of Unwin tracking POA
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
06 RENAULT MASTER MWB, silver metallic, 6/8 highback passenger seats, lots of Unwin tracking, Ricon internal Clearway tailift, SLD with cassette step, totally immaculate POA
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
06 FIAT DUCATO SWB, 6 highback seats, Unwin tracking, Rolac ramp, covered 52,000 miles, SLD with cassette step, stunning silver metallic, showroom condition POA
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
LEZ
PSV’d
COMPLIANT
02 MERCEDES VARIO 814 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, low mileage POA
03 MERCEDES VARIO 814 Coachbuilt with 24 highback seats, low miles, complete flatfloor, powerdoor front entry, external PLS fully automatic tailift, totally immaculate and excellent value for money, choice of 2 POA
COMPLIANT
56 MERCEDES VARIO 614 Mellor coachbuilt, 16 highback coach seats, 3 point belts, complete flat floor, lots of Unwin tracking, Powerdoor front entry, external cassette tailift, covered 80,000 miles, totally immaculate inside and out, excellent value POA
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
D L O S
PSV’d
WERE DO YOU FIND THESE 07 MERCEDES VARIO 616 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 POA
52 MERCEDES SPRINTER 411 CDI
08 IVECO 50c15 Covered 35,000 miles, 16 highback Cogent seats, lots of Unwin tracking, front entry PLS external cassette tailift, totally like new POA
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
02 MERCEDES SPRINTER 411 CDI covered 57,000 miles, lots of Unwin tracking, Powerdoor external cassette tailift, 8 highback seats plus wheelchair spaces or would up seat POA
14/16 highback seats, UVG coachbuilt, powerdoor front entry, manual transmission, exceptionally clean, choice of 5 POA
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BUS & CO A CH S A LES
2010 2010 2006 2006 2005
MAN Panther DDA 49 seats A/C front w/chair lift Volvo B12B Prestige 49/51 sts A/C Mercedes Touro 49 seats A/C MAN Plaxton 49 seats A/C Iveco Beulas 49 seats A/C
2004 2004 2004 2003 2003
MAN Marco Polo 70 seats A/C Volvo B12B Caetano Enigma 49 sts A/C MAN Noge Catalan 51 seats A/C MAN Marco Polo 70 seats Volvo B12M Caetano Enigma 49 seats A/C
2003 2000 1998 1998 1996
Volvo B12B Caetano 48 seats A/C Iveco Beulas 49 seats A/C Volvo B10M Excalibur 49 seats Merc Beaver 27 seats Volvo Strider 49 seats
TO VIEW CALL 07979 295668
Southdown PSV - 01342 711840 www.southdownpsv.co.uk
2006 ADL ENVIRO 200 SLF 29 sts - choice of 2 £45,000 ea+ VAT
2004 DENNIS DART SLF MPD 29 seats. £34,000 + VAT
1995 MERCEDES 0416 WRIGHTBUS 47 seats. £4,950 + VAT
1996 VOLVO OLY ALEXANDER 78 seats. £9,750 + VAT
2003 MAN 18.280 SLF IKARUS 42 seats - £19,750 + VAT
1999 VOLVO B7 SLF ALEXANDER 60 seats. £18,500 + VAT
73 Capacity
Southdown PSV Silverwood Snow Hill Copthorne West Sussex RH10 3EN
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SDRC0ACHhelp
“Assisting the Coaching Industry”
2 x 1990 Volvo B10M Manual Plaxton Paramount 3500 57 Seaters With Courier Seat, Long Test, Brand New Re-Trim & NEW Sprayed White £8,500.00 + VAT
1996 Dennis Javelin Manual Berkhof Excellence 2000 53 Seater With Courier Seat, Tested Till June, But Will Supply New Test & NEW Spray White £7,500.00 + VAT
D L O S
2008 Mercedes 613D Oynx Manual, LEZ 4, Minicoach 24 Seats, AIR CON, Long MOT & London LEZ Euro 4 £38,000.00 + VAT
1995 Volvo B10M Auto Plaxton Premier 350 53 Seat Standard Exec, Level Floor, Mounted Toilet, NEW Retrim & Spray, Long MOT, Mint! £16,000.00 + VAT
READY FOR START OF SEASON Volvo B10M Plaxton Premier 320 Automatics Brand New Converted 70 Seat Coaches, New Seats & Spray, Certified And Ready To Go...
www.SDRcoachhelp.com 24 Hrs 0844 576 3300 1 x 1993, £18,500.00 + VAT 1 x 1994, £22,500.00 + VAT
1 x 1995, £26,500.00 + VAT 2 x 1997, £29,500.00 + VAT
Hunnable Industrial Estate, Toppesfield Road, Gt Yeldham, Essex CO9 4HD
May 16, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 57
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58 | COACH & BUS WEEK | May 16, 2012
ADL ENVIRO 200 58/09 REG 29 seats Choice of 4
From £52,950 For more information visit
www.staffordbuscentre.com Tel: 01782 791774/07803 222552
VOLVO B6 BLE ALEXANDER ALX P & R REG 35 seats
From £3,750
For more information visit
www.staffordbuscentre.com Tel: 01782 791774/07803 222552
COACHES & BUSES WANTED FOR AUCTION for our UK & Commonwealth buyers 2003 Neoplan Skyliner • 75 seater • Low mileage and excellent condition • Euro 4 with RPC • Mercedes V8/AsTronic box. • Ski box • MOT Oct 2012 Probably the best Skyliner available Photos available
Bargain at £89,000 + VAT
Tel: 01296 398300 Motts Travel, Buckinghamshire
2003 Ford Transit 410
Coach build body, taillift, powerdoor, 65,000 miles Class 5 MOT
£5450
For more information visit
www.staffordbuscentre.com Tel: 01782 791774/07803 222552
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
1999/2000 Dennis Trident Alexander ALX 400 V and X reg, long wheelbase, EURO 4
For more information visit
www.staffordbuscentre.com Tel: 01782 791774/07803 222552
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COACH&BUSMARKET Looking for a great deal to sell your vehicles? Photos and full colour as standard on all vehicle for sale advertisements! Contact Jade Cassidy now on :
01733 293247 jade.cassidy@rouncymedia.co.uk Coach & Bus Week – the only paid-for weekly magazine in the bus and coach industry – there’s no comparison!
SF05 YHH – 2005 Bova Futura 55 seat exec, centre sunken toilet, Air Con, can be LEZ at asking price. No sign writing, metallic silver, ready to go 6 speed Manual, TAX and MOT. £80,000 + VAT GO03 ECB – 2003 Scania Irizar Century 49 Seat exec, rear sunken toilet, Air Con, can be LEZ at asking price. No sign writing, Hanover boards – DDA SCH.3, 7 speed comfort-shift, TAX and MOT. £50,000 + VAT T13 TSE – 2000 (W) Bova Futura 49 Seat Exec, Centre Sunken Toilet, Air Con, Automatic (ZF). Can be LEZ at asking price, interchangeable boards to sides and rear, DDA Sch.3, Hanover boards, TAX and MOT. £40,000 + VAT
Call Junior – 07779 801862 – 01922 647100
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COACH&BUSCLASSIFIED BUILDINGS
CHECKPOINTS
HEAVY DUTY STEEL BUILDINGS
Bus Workshops - Secure Storage Supplied any width, any length Building to BS5590 - Doors high enough for Double Deckers - Finance available For further information phone
TO PURCHASE CHECKPOINT/DUSTITE loose wheelnut indicators or to locate your nearest stockist:
BLUELINE BUILDINGS 01709 578333 anytime
www.checkpoint-safety.com
BUSESWANTED
SPECIAL OFFERS
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
GARAGE EQUIPMENT
# WANTED # WANTED # WANTED #
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 # WANTED
WANTED # WANTED # WANTED # WANTED
Tel: 01524 271200
CRAIG TILSLEY
ENGINES
# WANTED # WANTED # WANTED #
Specialists in Used Commercial Garage Equipment BWS 0117 953 0381 www.bwsequip.co.uk
email: bwsequip@hotmail.com
ENGINES
Commercial Garage Equipment Brake Testers
Inspection Pits
Commercial Lifts
Mobile Lifts
Tel: 07538 218194 www.commercialgarageequipment.co.uk Email: sales@commercialgarageequipment.co.uk
INSURANCE
Crewe Engines Ltd MERCEDES ENGINE SPECIALISTS
WE ALSO RECONDITION ALL MAKES OF BUS & COACH ENGINES
Direct from the UK’s No.1 since 1975
REGISTRATIONS
Call now for a quote or more information
01270 526333
Federation of Engine Re-Manufacturers
www.creweengines.co.uk
VOLVO - CUMMINS - SCANIA MAN - DAF - IVECO FULL FITTING FACILITIES
G £750 44 NXA 80 HXE 99 HXY ALZ 787 AXZ 88 ECR 767 IIG 62 JUI 808 RXI 85
SPEEDY REGISTRATIONS CO LTD G ‘Buy with confidence – CNDA Member’
£350 £99 £99 £50 DKZ 303 HIG 5338 MNZ 1195 CXZ 5851 JBZ 484 HIG 5339 ONZ 1180 CXZ 5852 MKZ 686 IIG 7764 REZ 3369 DFZ 4697 NUI 636 IIG 7765 RUI 2117 DFZ 4698 PXI 494 JIG 8894 SEZ 5766 DRZ 7441 RBZ 868 JIG 8895 SUI 8836 DRZ 7442 SCZ 878 KIG 5113 SUI 8837 IFZ 8350 YXI 454 KIG 5114 TJZ 1116 IFZ 8360 YXI 585 MJZ 6749 TJZ 1119 JFZ 8304 We Buy for Cash, also Part Exchange
Tel: (028) 6638 7124 Fax: (028) 6638 7771
Millwood, Lisbellaw, Co. Fermanagh, N. Ireland BT94 5HQ
£50 JFZ 8305 JIG 8947 JIG 8948 KIG 1216 KIG 1217 RNZ 2214 RNZ 2215 TUI 5717 TUI 5718
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COACH&BUSCLASSIFIED TICKETING
TRAINING
TYRE EQUIPMENT
TRIM
Coach refurbishment, spray painting, structural work & accident repairs
VEHICLE SPARES
Trevor Wigley & Son Bus Ltd
TW FULLY LICENSED END OF LIFE VEHICLE CENTRE TW REDUNDANT AND SCRAP VEHICLES TAKEN www.blackpoolcoachservices.co.uk
Contact Neale – 01253 698686
TRAINING
TW PROFESSIONAL, EFFICIENT SERVICE TW ALL REQUIREMENTS CATERED FOR TW VARIOUS SPARES AVAILABLE TW CONTACT US FOR FULL AVAILABILITY
Call 01226 723147 Night Service 01226 716479 Fax 01226 700199 Email wigleys@btconnect.com
www.twigley.com
62 | COACH & BUS WEEK | May 16, 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
We’ll drink to that… It looks like our Gareth’s prayers have been answered… A new bus stop outside the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC) on Ellon Road is sure to prove popular with First Aberdeen Park and Ride users looking for a caffeine fix. First Aberdeen, for the first time, is allowing customers to travel on Park and Ride services with take away coffee. The move has come about as a result of AECC’s new look Café Concourse which now serves Costa Coffee and a full range of refreshments. With the new bus stop located just yards from the Café Concourse, it is also hoped more Park and Ride users will take advantage of enjoying a cup of coffee on board the bus before starting work. Duncan Cameron, Operations Director of First Aberdeen, said: “I’m pleased we’ve been able to add value to our service and hope customers will enjoy their coffee on board the bus as they prepare for a day’s work.” Brian Horsburgh, AECC’s Managing Director, commented: “By having a joint approach with First Aberdeen we hope to provide an improved commute-to-work experience with the addition of a great coffee en-route.”
Reading’s Rover Ticket
Reading Buses has come up with a solution to a fare problem – a Doggy Day Rover. Owners who travel on the bus with their dog can buy the ticket for just £1, which will then be
Dilbert
Monday Bank Holiday. I enjoy my third rest day ‘back home’ in the Welsh borderland. I’m gearing up for my Jubilee week break. Tuesday Press day. Finish at a reasonable time. Wednesday James is working remotely – he’s not feeling well and frankly doesn’t sound it. A friendly coach operator calls for a catch up. I feel a visit is in order.
Duncan Cameron, Operations Director of First Aberdeen valid for the rest of the day. Jake Osman, Marketing Manager at Reading Buses, explained what the problem has been: “The previous fare structure meant dog owners had to pay £1 for each journey. It could work out more expensive for the dog to travel than the owner. Now we have made a significant change to the fare
structure for dogs.” Jake also revealed dogs make 7,600 journeys a year on Reading Buses and added that dogs for the blind and deaf would continue to travel free. Is Reading barking up the wrong tree? Is the issue set to be dogged with problems? Perhaps we’re reading too much into it…
Thursday A day in the office. Andrew is in London, Martin is in Lancashire and James is at home, leaving Alex and I to hold the fort. Receive an email, which duly puts me in a foul mood – I stew away and do a lot of thinking. Chat to the sender later in the day and he’s fine with me, not the slightest bit funny. Why do people do that? Wouldn’t it have been easier to talk in the first instance? Emails should be drafted to get thoughts out of your head and re-read later – it saves a lot of potential grief. Friday Enjoy a chat with Matthew and Isobel at Catteralls to finalise quotes for the feature (see p24). A Marketing Director of a museum returns my call in connection with a story for a forthcoming ‘Heritage News’ page. Don’t leave the office until considerably later than desired. With the weather finally having been dry for at least two days, cut the lawn at home. Saturday Rise at 0600hrs and tap away on CBW. With the sun shining gloriously, a big part of me wants to jump on the bike & go for a ride but I’ve got work to do… Spend part of day attending to domestic chores, including pushing on with ‘Operation Clearout’. In the evening, meet Chris Bibby from Bibbys of Ingleton for catch up chat at a hotel in Kettering – he’s down there for the weekend with a coach group. As ever, the banter flows unabated.
www.coachandbusweek.com
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RECRUITMENT
New Coaching Executive for CPT The Confederation of Passenger Transport UK (CPT) has appointed Cathy Summers as Coaching Executive on its Operations Team. Mrs Summers brings a wealth of experience to the role having worked in the bus and coach industry for over 20 years. After spending 15 years with Sleafordbased Wings Coaches, Cathy joined Peterborough City Council in 2004 as Manager of its Passenger Transport team. While with the Council she was directly responsible for procuring and monitoring transport service contracts, managing the council’s bus stop infrastructure and publicising all public transport services. Cathy also oversaw the concessionary bus fare scheme, which involved reimbursement
Deadlines Booking: Monday 5.00pm Full artwork: Monday 5.00pm
negotiations with operators. CPT’s Director of Operations Stephen Smith said: “She will be working with our members on the complex issues surrounding coach parking, penalty notices and regulations, as well as raising their concerns and frustrations to councils and local authorities.” Mrs Summers added: “Having worked in the industry throughout my career, I look forward to now being on the other side of the fence and representing the best interests of coach operators.”
Cathy Summers
May 16, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 63
New Finance Director at FirstGroup FirstGroup has announced the appointment of Chris Surch as Group Finance Director. Chris joins from waste management specialist Shanks Group plc where he has been Group Finance Director since May 2009. Prior to joining Shanks he held senior financial roles at Smiths Group plc and TI Group plc. He began his career at Pricewaterhouse Coopers where he qualified as an accountant. Together with a strong track record of financial leadership and budgetary planning, he has extensive operational, strategic and international experience. It is anticipated that Chris will join the Group on September 1, 2012. Chris Surch said: “I am delighted to be joining FirstGroup as Group
Contact Ian Gillis 01733 293484
ian.gillis@rouncymedia.co.uk
Finance Director. “As the leading transport operator in the UK and North America with strong positions in its core markets and a clear focus on strengthening the business for the future, this is an exciting challenge.” Commenting on Chris’ appointment, Tim O’Toole, Chief Executive said: “I am delighted to welcome Chris to the Board of FirstGroup. His considerable experience and record of achievement will be of great benefit to the Group. I am confident Chris will make a significant contribution to the progress of the Group as we take action to create a stronger business for the future to deliver long-term sustainable growth. “I would like to take this opportunity to extend my thanks and gratitude to Nick Chevis for his support and valuable contribution during his tenure as Acting Finance Director.” The post was previously filled by Jeff Carr, who moved to Dutch supermarket group Ahold last year. Arriva buses. Here to take you there.
Drive your career...
Engineering Manager / Cannock Engineer yourself a great opportunity…. Arriva is one of the largest transport service organisations in Europe, employing more than 47,500 people and delivering more than one billion passenger journeys across 12 European countries every year. Arriva Midlands operates services from 16 locations across a diverse and geographically dispersed region. We are seeking to recruit an Engineering Manager to support our Cannock and Stafford Outstation Depots. Reporting to the General Manager the successful candidate will be responsible for all engineering operation functions, including engineering and support staff, maintenance of the 90 bus fleet to Company and VOSA standards and compliance with Health and Safety requirements. The successful candidate will have exceptional attention to detail, work allocation and people management skills, along with the ability to work within a budget. Other requirements include IT literacy and computerised inventory systems experience. Knowledge of quality management techniques and processes will be an advantage. A full driving licence is required for this post and PCV/LGV licence entitlements are advantageous. In return we offer an excellent remuneration package commensurate with your skills and experience and suitable training will be provided.
How to apply: Interested candidates should apply in writing with a copy of your full curriculum vitae together with covering letter to: Louisa Starling, Personnel Manager, Arriva Midlands 852 Melton Road, Thurmaston, Leicester LE4 8BT or email: vacancies.midlands@arriva.co.uk arrivabus.co.uk
Closing Closing date forDate: applications: Friday Friday188 May June2012 2012
Arriva is committed to diversity. If you are good, you’re welcome
www.coachandbusweek.com
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