Wednesday August 8, 2012 Issue 1048 | £2.95 www.coachandbusweek.com
COACH:
Torbay's Rutland Hotel invests £268k in new Scania Irizar PB p8
INSIGHT:
David Blainey talks about successful bus partnerships p34
BUS:
Shef�ield drops QCs in favour of Quality Partnerships p6
BIG QUESTION: Industry response to A14 toll road proposals p30
for recruitm
JOB ADVE ent EVERY WERTS EK
A family affair – Peelings Coaches
RECRUIT N
OW
p18
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A cycle safety campaign?
T
he tragic death of a 28-year old cyclist near the Olympic Park in London last week brought home the potential conflict between large and not so large road users. Clearly, our sympathies go to all those affected. Much has been written about the incident on web forums and social networking websites making all sorts of allegations, but it would be wrong to speculate at this stage. I’m not always one for wading into such debates, but it got me thinking about the issue of cyclists going down the side of coaches and buses. While I’m not one of the ‘Daily Wail’ ‘cyclists must pay tax’ brigade,’ I do believe something needs to be done. I’ve driven coaches and buses for a living and I also enjoy getting in the saddle on a bicycle. Is it time for an awareness campaign? The road haulage sector has one in place but as ever, being far more conservative, we in the coach & bus industry
remain silent. I applaud the FTA for its campaign, which is supported by the IAM and has been developed in partnership with the London Cycling Campaign at www.fta.co.uk/policy_and_compliance/road/urban_ operations/cycling_code.html Clearly, what we don’t want to do is create a perception that buses and coaches are the enemy – just as Boris’ mob did for bendies. It’s about respect – a two-way thing. Just as PCV drivers shouldn’t go cutting up cyclists, riders should not hurtle up the side of PCVs, with their many blind spots. I shall never forget my former housemates in Peterborough believing it was acceptable to ride up the inside of a coach, bus or HGV – until I pointed out the risks. Worryingly, these were intelligent, professional types – with several degrees to boot. Your thoughts would be welcome. Gareth Evans Editor
CONTENTS 4
22
34
The latest from across the coach and bus industry in the UK
12
LED Autolamps, Tachodisc’s RestAssured and Tachosys’ digiBLU
24
Merseytravel’s David Blainey on the authority’s QBP arrangements
Youngman/Viseon agreement and NY Orion order passes to New Flyer
16
The Institute of Advanced Motorists supplies Driver CPC training
30
All the latest vehicle deliveries in operators’ yards across the country
A report on a chance encounter with a Civil Enforcement Officer
18
The industry’s views on plans for the A14 upgrade in Cambridgeshire
32
A lighthearted look at the industry. Plus Gareth’s Diary!
A visit to traditional Norfolk-based family operator Peelings Coaches
A Van Hool touring coach pictured in London during the Olympics
All the latest people moves from across the industry
News
International News News Focus
Operator Profile
Products
Supplier Profile Big Question
The Big Picture
Insight
40
Deliveries
60
Last Stop
62
People
The opinions and views expressed by authors and contributors within Coach & Bus Week are not necessarily those of the Editor or its publisher Coach and Bus Week Ltd.
For all the latest industry news and information, register with us online at:
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Contents.indd 3
06/08/2012 23:56
4 | COACH & BUS WEEK | August 8, 2012
news
“It depends on where they put the toll, as we can jump straight to the M11, so it doesn’t impact us directly. Council contracts are another matter.” Richard Grey Greys of Ely
briefly trent barton is holding a special bus naming ceremony on Wednesday, August 15, 2012, where the operator will name a new bus after the late Peter Huntley. The naming will take place at 1200hrs at Nottingham Castle. Alex Hornby of trent barton said: “Peter Huntley was an inspirational and passionate man who dedicated his life to improving public transport and worked tirelessly for countless charities. One of his final jobs before he died was to help us create the threes’ improved route and timetable. We’re going to name one of our new buses on the threes in his honour, as a lasting tribute to a very special man whose contributions will not be forgotten.” Daimler has alerted buyers of 7,200 buses and coaches to a possible defect in some plug connectors which could cause a fire, a company spokeswoman said. The problem at the Mercedes-Benz and Setra brands affects bus models Intouro, Integro and Multiclass, of which Daimler sold about 10,000 between 2006 and 2011. The fault concerns electric plug connections which could corrode, creating the risk of fire, if water leaked into the driver’s cabin. The company said it had notified buyers of the affected buses and advised them to have the electric plug connections examined and replaced during their next service checks if necessary. Monmouth MP David Davies has called on his own government to take state control of the two Severn bridges so motorists and businesses can enjoy VAT-free tolls on a permanent basis, the Western Mail reported. The Conservative, often described as the most right-wing mainstream politician from Wales, said he had been persuaded that continuing with a private operator was not in the interests of bridge users. Under present arrangements, both the original Severn Bridge, opened in 1966, and the Second Severn Crossing, which opened 30 years later, are maintained and operated by Severn River Crossing plc (SRC). However, in around five years time – the precise date will depend on the level of toll revenues – SRC’s contract will end. www.coachandbusweek.com
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Big Question p30
Wearside Labour MP backs Nexus QC Bridget Phillipson hits out at operators’ profits and calls for London style system Wearside MP Bridget Phillipson has launched a website urging people to co-sign a letter pushing for a Quality Contract (QC). In September, members of the Tyne and Wear Integrated Transport Authority will be asked to consider moves which would effectively see them become the first in the UK to end more than 25 years of bus privatisation. The Quality Contract process would see councils set prices and routes, putting out the service to tender for a single contractor. Operators have threatened extensive legal action to halt the moves, with a less formal series of changes, a Quality Partnership, also being proposed. Ms Phillipson, Labour MP for Houghton and Sunderland South, said: “The taxpayer currently subsidises this profit, yet we have no say when routes are cut at short notice. “I have long campaigned for better regulation, more accountability
and better value for money from our bus services. On September 27, councilors have a chance to send a clear signal and support a Londonstyle quality contract scheme.” Ms Phillipson said figures from transport authority Nexus show bus operators in Tyne and Wear receive 45% of their income from the taxpayer. Some of the biggest bus firms, the MP claimed, receive profits of more the 17%. However, operators have denied the subsidies they receive are as large as mentioned by Labour politicians. Go North East launched
Wearside MP Bridget Phillipson
Tenth consecutive monthly rise in registrations Despite the apparent gloom surrounding the bulk of coach and bus dealers, the number of registrations has risen for the 10th consecutive month. Overall, the market is not as buoyant as its typical norm and has been shored-up to a certain extent by ‘green bus fund’ investment. While the slowdown is attributable to the state of the economy it has not been helped by the unwillingness of financial bodies to extend loans or finance agreements to operators seeking to update or upgrade their fleets. Whether the recent pumping of money into the banking sector by the Bank of England, specifically to generate more lending, will have any success still remains to be seen. “The UK bus and coach market continues to rebound strongly from
the extremely difficult market we saw a year ago. In July, registrations were up 90%, a steady trend which has seen registrations in the sector grow more than 40% over the period,” said Paul Everitt, SMMT CEO. “Operators and manufacturers will be keeping an eye on the stability of the Eurozone - currently the sector is robust and confident.”
Highlights n The overall bus and coach market rose 90.2% to 622 registrations in July, and 65% over the first seven months. n The purpose-built bus and coach sector rose 47.1% in the month and 45.8% for the year-to-date. n Converted bus registrations were up 185.3% in June and 88.2% for the January to July period.
a “Say Yes Now” campaign in February against the proposed Quality Contract. Tom Dodds, Stakeholder Manager at Go North East, said: “Ms Phillipson is wrong to say taxpayers subsidise bus company profits. “In Tyne and Wear we are paid £40m for travel for the elderly and the disabled – travel which is worth about £75m. “We are paid about £10m to run services few people use but which Nexus deems socially necessary. And we are paid £12m in a partial refund of fuel tax which is used to keep fares low. “London’s buses are paid for by local taxpayers and by a large chunk of the hundreds of millions raised by the congestion charge. Support a ‘London-style’ scheme and you are committing Tyne and Wear to having to look at ‘London-style’ ways of finding the money.” Bridget Phillipson’s campaign can be found at, http://tinyurl.com/d8ydxyd while the Go North East campaign is at www.sayyesnow.co.uk
New AV app for disabled passengers Researchers in Barcelona have created an app which may be useful to passengers who are blind, deaf or otherwise disabled. OnTheBus alerts the user where and when they need to board, signal and disembark. The app will direct users to the nearest bus stop, inform them of bus arrival, tell them how many stops they will be riding for and when to activate the “stop” cord or button. Once off, it continues guiding them with walking directions. The app will accept voice input or writing with symbols, and a separate interface was designed for people with severe visual impairment or total blindness.
07/08/2012 00:40
August 8, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 5
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City of York reviews contracts
Stagecoach say about 2.35m journeys have been made on its busway services alone
Milestone for Guided Busway More than 2.5 million journeys have been made on the Cambridge guided busway in its first year. The route between St Ives and Cambridge celebrated its first birthday on Tuesday, August 7, and operators said passenger numbers are far ahead of expectations. Stagecoach said about 2.35 million journeys had been made on its busway services alone, double the number of trips made on similar routes the previous year. Journeys made on buses operated by Whippet are thought to have taken the total past the 2.5 million mark. Stagecoach purchased extra buses to increase the frequency of departures to every seven or
eight minutes and has added new destinations including Peterborough and Ramsey. It is hoped the busway will eventually attract 3.5 million passengers a year. Stagecoach East Managing Director Andy Campbell said he believed the Busway had helped cut congestion on the A14 – citing the fact buses along the route previously took little more than a million passengers annually. He added: “I think the first year has been a success. We didn’t anticipate the growth to take off so quickly and we have invested in new vehicles to try to keep up with that growth.” Whippet Director Peter Lee said: “It has attracted people to use it. We have a long way to go, but I’m certain this is only the first phase and as it continues and expands even more people will use it.” Cllr Ian Bates, Cambridgeshire County Council cabinet member,
said the busway was a “magnificent success”. He said: “In the spring we saw the number of trips had already gone past the two million mark, putting the system well ahead of its business case. “From the very start new services had to be put on to meet demand and the Government has funded expansion to St Ives Park & Ride along the route.” Tim Phillips, chairman of campaign group Cast.Iron, which pushed for the railway to be rebuilt between St Ives and Cambridge, said: “It will take a great deal more than the current information before Cast.Iron accepts genuine easing of A14 traffic. A much greater increase in local, national and international journey opportunities could not have been made through rail reinstatement and improvements to conventional bus services – and at far lower cost.”
City of York Council has had to review how it classifies the services it buys from businesses after a supplier raised concerns about how it handled a transport contract for taking disabled children to school – according to the York Press. Under European directives, services provided by businesses to local authorities are classified as either Part A services, or Part B services, which are subject to minimal legislative requirements. The council handled the contract as a Part B service and did not allow a period of time following the announcement of the contract being awarded for it to be challenged, as required for Part A contracts. The Cabinet Office has asked the council to review the process by which procurement contracts are classified, and to look at new contracts for services which have been previously classified as Part B. Zara Carter, Head of Procurement at the council, said the Cabinet Office concluded they had not breached any procurement regulations and recognised they briefed all potential suppliers that the contract was a part B service before launching the tender. She said: “We are committed to continuous improvement in our service and to making it accessible for SMEs. We have recently undertaken a review to ensure the council is using its buying power effectively, supporting the local economy and providing value for money for residents.”
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622
news › BUSeS
Number of registrations in July, with the overall market rising by 90.2%
briefly First said there is “absolutely no truth” in rumours the order for the new ‘green’ buses for the Bath Park & Ride service has been cancelled. A spokeswoman told CBW: “ADL Enviro 400 Hybrids are due to be delivered in October. They are slightly more advanced than the variant we trialled.” She also said that from September, First is due to take over the operation of the P&R on a commercial basis. A man has been charged in connection with the arson attack on Paignton bus station in South Devon. Three Stagecoach buses were destroyed in the attack on July 30. Police arrested a man from Torquay on Friday. A Police Spokesman said the 23-yearold appeared at South Devon Magistrates’ Court at the weekend and was remanded in custody. Nottingham City Transport has announced increased frequencies on routes and new night buses for the city’s universities from September. Changes include more buses on the Navy Line 1 route, increased frequency on the Unilink 4 on weekdays and buses every seven minutes on the Brown Line 17 on weekdays and Saturdays. Extra buses will operate weekdays to and from Bulwell for those travelling to schools and colleges in Bilborough on the Orange line 35 and buses from New Vale Road and Colwick Crossings to the city are retimed to operate one minute earlier on all days on Red Line 44.
New Sheffield Bus Agreement approved Work on Quality Contracts suspended as authority admits partnership is way forward. New agreement includes Stagecoach, First and TM Travel South Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority has approved plans for the Sheffield Bus Agreement, which will see operators co-operate over routes, timetables and fares. The Sheffield Bus Partnership brings together South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, First South Yorkshire, Stagecoach Sheffield, TM Travel, Sheffield Community Transport and Sheffield Council. The Government has pledged £8m in funding over five years to support the agreement.
The new network, designed to encourage more people to travel by bus, is due to be launched on October 28. From that date, a discounted multi-operator ticket will be available, causing fares to fall by as much as 23%. The Citywide Day ticket will be reduced to £4.30 and new weekly, 28-day and annual tickets will be introduced. Passengers can also expect greater network stability, with fewer changes to routes and timetables and better vehicles. In addition, Stagecoach has announced an offer allowing two passengers to travel together for the price of one on any of its Sheffield routes throughout August. The offer comes just a week after
Stagecoach announced an offer allowing two passengers to travel for the price of one in August. First has also reduced its fare for the summer
First South Yorkshire launched a cutprice fares campaign for summer. Welcoming the news, Cllr Leigh Bramall, Vice-Chairman of the South Yorkshire ITA, said: “The partnership is the best deal for Sheffield. It will see better buses offering a better, more reliable and affordable service, with a unified approach to customer information and a modern approach to ticketing. “In addition, the government has made it clear that it will support the Bus Partnership Agreement financially - something it is equally clear it won’t do for Quality Contracts. It has recognised the Bus Partnership Agreement as innovative and ground breaking and is willing to provide a further £8m over five years to support the agreement, giving a further boost to efforts to improve bus services. Given these factors, it is clear the best option for bus users is to suspend work on a Quality Contract to focus on ensuring the Bus Partnership delivers a better bus service for people here and now.” “What’s more, we are able to implement this from October, bringing people far better public transport now, not in three years’ time.” David Young of South Yorkshire PTE said: “This is the Sheffield people’s bus network. We hope it will persuade more people to switch to buses from the private car.”
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06/08/2012 22:54
August 8, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 7
1923 90% The year Norfolk-based Peeling’s Coaches was established
Customer satisfaction rating achieved by Merseytravel as measured by Passenger Focus
TfL plans to end ‘Pay Before you Board’
Transport for London (TfL) plans to end ‘Pay Before you Board’ arrangements and remove all remaining Roadside Ticket Machines (RTMs) in a scheme due to start on September 28 and set to finish by February 2013. RTMs are located at bus stops where Pay Before You Board applies. TfL says the decline in cash fare payments (1.1% of total passenger journeys) and the low level of RTM use means the savings from maintaining the RTM network (£1.9m a year) can be “re-invested back into the transport system”. RTM users will be able to pay cash fares on the bus, but are encouraged to use Oyster cards. Benefits of Oyster include: ■ Oyster: Maximum daily fare capped at £4.20. Tickets from RTMs: £2.30 for each journey ■ Oyster: Adults only pay cheapest fare (£1.35). RTMs: Only fare available £2.30 for one journey – exact money only and no change given. To take part in the consultation visit https:// consultations.tfl.gov.uk/buses/ pay-before-you-board
Go North East marks consistent Passenger Focus results Independent passenger watchdog Passenger Focus has given Go North East a 91% overall satisfaction rating for the third year running. To celebrate, Go North East used its Facebook pages to invite customers to celebrate the success by releasing 91 red and gold balloons at Newcastle’s iconic Tyne Bridge. The same customers also received a day’s free travel on a key smart card. The company used the occasion to mark the arrival of the first of a
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Industry share prices at the close of the Stock Exchange on Monday, August 6. Siemens saw the greatest proportional rise while 21st Century experienced the biggest proportional drop. Most figures obtained from www.iii.co.uk
Livery options presented in the online poll for Jersey residents to select a favourite and name their bus operation
Jersey: online poll to select brand and livery Jersey residents have been asked to vote on new designs for the island’s buses after CT Plus takes over the service on January 2, 2013. There are two designs, one featuring Jerriais parish names and multi-coloured sails, the other showing waves of colour. An online poll is underway, with the winner being used across the fleet. CT Plus Jersey has also asked people to suggest what the service, currently branded MyBus, should be called. Dai Powell, CEO of parent company HCT Group, said: “It’s Jersey’s bus service, so we believe the public should have their say about what it looks like and what
Go North East released 91 gold and red balloons at Tyne Bridge to commemorate the results fleet of brand-new buses. Kevin Carr, Managing Director of Go North East, said: “A 91% satisfaction rating would be a fantastic accomplishment at any
SHARE WATCH
it’s called. “We also want to have a conversation about how the service can develop, so we’ll be starting a consultation process shortly.” The liveries were developed by graphic designer David Shaw, who said: “The first of the designs is contemporary and colourful. The aim is to reflect Jersey’s pride in its parishes and island life. It is a collection of sails, each showing a parish crest. The second is a modern take on traditional bus liveries. Jersey’s natural beauty was the inspiration for its sea, sand, grass and sky colours.” HCT Group has pointed out to CBW the images used to portray the proposed liveries are not indicative of any forthcoming order for bus brands or models. The company is still in negotiation with suppliers. The intake will include a number of double deckers for the contracted service between the airport and St Hellier. time, but to achieve it for three years in a row is just amazing. “This is a huge vote of confidence from our passengers and I’d like to thank them all for their continuing support. “I’d also like to pay tribute to our 2,100 drivers, engineers, mechanics and support staff who do a great job.” Six new buses, costing £1.2m, will be entering service on the Tyne Tees Xpress routes between Newcastle, Peterlee, Billingham, Stockton and Middlesbrough this month. The new buses feature high-backed coach-style seating, customer information screens updated in real time, power sockets for laptops and phones and free WiFi. Mr. Carr said: “This investment in new vehicles is evidence of our commitment to continuous improvement both in our fleet and in the way we do things.”
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06/08/2012 22:55
8 | COACH & BUS WEEK | August 8, 2012
news › coaches
briefly Before the Olympics began, the Confederation of Public Transport UK and London’s Deputy Mayor, Isabel Dedring, had started work on a three year plan to improve facilities for coach passengers and drivers in the capital. To help inform this work, the CPT is asking operators and drivers to provide details of specific areas/venues which cause them the most difficulties. The CPT said: “Please take this opportunity to vent your spleen – or at the very least highlight the key problems you, your drivers and your customers face in London on a day to day basis by emailing CPT’s Coaching Executive cathys@ cpt-uk.org” A six week maintenance programme of overnight work along the A56 in Lancashire is due to begin on August 17 and should be completed by September 30. The work will be carried out in phases along different sections of both carriageways of the route and includes resurfacing to repair potholes and cracking, upgrading road markings, renewal of road studs and some renewal of lighting and surface re-texturing. Roadside signage advises drivers when the work is taking place along individual sections. To minimise inconvenience for the majority of roadusers, work will only be taking place overnight between 2200 and 0500hrs on weekdays and 2200 to 0700 ot weekends. Coaches carrying Olympic athletes, officials and media representatives are able to use the M4 in west London in both directions since 0200hrs on Saturday (August 4) the Highways Agency said. Until now these vehicles were only permitted to use the M4 eastbound. They are now exempt from the weight restriction for vehicles over 7.5 tonnes on the M4 between J1 & J3 in both directions. The changes only apply to authorised Olympic coaches weighing up to 18 tonnes carrying athletes, officials and media. For all other vehicles, the 7.5 tonne weight restriction between J1 & 3 remains in both directions, with a signed diversion via the adjacent dual carriageways, the A312 and the A4. www.coachandbusweek.com
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Torbay Council supports coach trade The mayor welcomed visitors in order to promote and recognise the local hotel coach trade Visitors arriving at the Rutland Hotel this week received an official, and warm welcome, from Torbay’s Mayor, Gordon Oliver. The Mayor was taking time to demonstrate his support for the busy coach trade which the Rutland Hotel and dozens of other hotels in the bay rely upon. The Rutland Hotel is one of a number of such establishments in Torbay which caters solely to the coach market.
It is open for most of the year and operates its own coach and holiday programme for coach passengers staying at the hotel. This includes a range of daily excursions, a trip to the Babbacombe Theatre and nightly entertainment. Hotel Manager Eve Walley said: “It’s wonderful, it’s positive. We believe in what we’re doing and it is nice that the Mayor shows he has confidence in our business.” While the mayor was at the Rutland Hotel, he was shown around the coach by the hotel’s PCV driver, Les Graham. The vehicle,
The Rutland Hotel’s new Scania PB Irizar with locally sourced design
A55 widening ‘impractical’ A key coaching corridor to the Irish Sea port of Holyhead, the A55, was closed for 12 hours when a lorry overturned last week, BBC Wales reported. The incident involving a meat lorry between junctions 13 and 14 in Abergwyngregyn occurred at around 0750hrs and a 12mile traffic jam built up on the commuter route, after the road was closed in both directions. The road had reopened by 2030hrs. The North Wales Business Club called for the A55 to be made into
a six-lane arterial road to avert a future shutdown. David Williams, Club Chairman, told BBC Wales: “It’s hugely unfortunate. I’m sure thousands of man hours were lost in the north Wales economy. It is a big problem for north Wales. “People say if it had been built, as it should’ve been built, as a six-lane motorway, many of these problems would not have occurred.” The Welsh government said providing a hard shoulder or extending the A55 to a six-lane carriageway would involve widening the existing highway corridor along its full length and constraints along parts of the road, such as bridges, tunnels and properties made it impractical. A spokesman said: “Widening the highway would involve compulsory
which represents an investment of £268,000, is a Scania Irizar PB and features air conditioning, DVD facilities, drinks servery, on board toilet facilities and an on board hostess, Gwen Graham. It will be used to collect coach parties and groups mainly from the north east of England. The eye catching artwork on the Rutland Hotel’s new coach was sourced locally from the design and marketing team at Partington Print in Paignton. Gordon Oliver said: “The value of tourism and coaching is a major player in the business life of Torbay. It reduces the volume of traffic and enables large groups of people to be transported in a safe and secure environment to and from their destinations. The coach trade plays a major part in the home market in the UK and sustains a substantial number of jobs, not only in tourism, but in the supporting activities such as food and distribution, property repairs, furnishings and other services’. “The Rutland Hotel’s investment in luxury travel conveys strong confidence in the future of the tourism industry in Torbay and is another supporting role in maintaining and increasing the volume of business all year round.” purchases, land acquisition and would be very costly. In view of the above, and the current tight financial climate, it is not considered to be a feasible option.” Welsh Transport Minister Carl Sargeant said the clean-up operation after the incident involved using a crane to remove the lorry and by hand removal of 25 tonnes of meat, reloading it and clearing-up around 1,000 litres of spilled fuel. “I want to express my appreciation for the professionalism and hard work shown by all that were involved in getting the A55 moving and I would like to assure people that we will investigate to see if there are any lessons to be learned from this incident,” he said.
06/08/2012 22:56
“We sold our possessions and bought a coach firm. We borrowed money from my mum. Ruth’s mum bought the first set of tyres we needed.” Jonathan Joplin Peelings Coaches
Operator Profile p18
Shaws Coaches support Chernobyl Children Peterborough-based Shaws Coaches has helped out a charity which works to improve the lives of children affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Every year the Helpston branch of the Friends of Chernobyl’s Children (FOCC) brings youngsters from Belarus to the UK to give them a break and help improve their health. This year they wanted to take them on a trip to the countryside and Shaws Coaches stepped in, taking the group to Fineshade Wood in Northamptonshire. FOCC Co-ordinator Cecilia Hammond said: “The break from the children’s often grinding routine at home is vital to their health, and helps them develop resistance to the cancers and other illnesses caused by exposure to radiation. Some of these children are orphaned or have been in foster care and others work hard when
Premier Service for Coliseum Coaches
Southampton-based Coliseum Coaches, has won a contract to take Southampton FC fans to all of the team’s away matches during the 2012/2013 season. Supporters looking to head to Manchester City on August 19 can now use the same company the club already chooses
August 8, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 9
they are at home, so this break is a real respite. They have a wonderful time. “We’re very grateful to Shaws. The children also have a lot of luggage when they go home, so a
coach is the only way to travel to the airport.” Jane Duffelen, Director at the firm with her brothers Chris and Richard Shaw, said: “We’ve always admired the work FOCC do in giving the children of Chernobyl the opportunity of having a holiday, and it’s a privilege to make a small contribution to the wonderful work they do.”
Shaws of Maxey deservedly benefits from an excellent reputation locally for it’s first team players and academy team. With a move up to the Premier League, Southampton FC knows there will be huge demand for away tickets this season. Saints supporters following their team to 19 away matches in the Premier League will clock up thousands of miles. The company, which is owned by Lucketts, brings a new booking service for supporters this season, with no need to go through the club to arrange travel. The firm has already started selling seats on coaches heading to Manchester with travel for all other games
available soon. Mark Pitter, General Manager of Coliseum Coaches said: “With Saints back in the Premier League it’s going to be a season to remember. We’re delighted to offer fans a trouble free choice for travel to away matches. We take pride in supplying the team coach to get them around the country and now we can offer the same service to supporters as well.”
A dedicated online facility for Saints fans to book their travel will be located at www. coliseumcoaches.co.uk.
Mayday marks 25th anniversary Croydon-based Mayday Travel recently celebrated 25 years of business. The firm first started out as a coach-less coach hire company in 1987. When owner Keith D’Souza was 18 he worked for Troika Travel, but declined a wage, instead agreeing with his boss to borrow their vehicle to carry out his own work. Eventually, Mr D’Souza bought his own coach and opened Mayday Travel in Thornton Heath. The company now owns and operates 15 coaches which are used for schools, business trips and its own day trips and excursions. Due to the Olympics, the company will mark its 25 years of trading after the Games, with a party for its customers. The business is now based in Beddington Lane and has Mr D’Souza’s wife Trudy as company secretary, his sister Jeannette in accounts and niece Shareen in admin. Cousins Mark and James are company and office manager respectively and Keith’s brotherin-law Mark, is the company’s maintenance manager. Mr D’Souza said: “We are a family owned and operated business who focus on customer service. Our success is based on hard work and I am proud of all our staff for this. I have never been money driven, profit has always been second to customer satisfaction. I wanted to build a company which would stand the test of time.”
www.coachandbusweek.com
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news
Tighter driver safety in Ireland Under new regulations, drivers will be penalised for lack of seatbelts and failing to meet vehicle weight restrictions The number of traffic offences attracting penalty points in the Republic of Ireland has been increased to 48. The seven additional laws will see anyone convicted for not wearing a seatbelt or having an unrestrained child in their car penalised with four penalty points and a fine of up to €90. Transport Minister Leo Varadkar announced the changes, which came into effect Friday, August 3. The seven new rules will punish the following: n Driver of car or goods vehicle not
wearing safety belt n Driver permitting person under 17 years of age to occupy a seat when not wearing safety belt n Driver of car or goods vehicle permitting child under 3 years of age to travel in it without being restrained by appropriate child restraint n Driver of car or goods vehicle permitting child over 3 years of age to travel in it without being restrained by appropriate child restraint n Driver of car or goods vehicle permitting child to be restrained by rearward facing child restraint fitted to a seat protected by active frontal air-bag n Driver of bus not wearing safety belt, and n Using vehicle – (a) whose weight
un-laden exceeds maximum permitted weight, (b) whose weight laden exceeds maximum permitted weight, or (c)any part of which transmits to ground greater weight than maximum permitted weight. Figures released last month by the Road Safety Authority showed 23% of drivers killed and 29% of passengers killed on the roads in the first half of 2012 were not wearing seatbelts. Garda Assistant Commissioner Gerard Phillips said: “It is the simplest and most effective way to protect all occupants in any vehicle, “We also wish to remind all road users to take extra care on the roads this August Bank Holiday weekend. July and August are known to be high-risk periods on our roads.” Among the seven new offences, six of which focus on seatbelts, is a new category for vehicle weight. Anyone convicted for driving a vehicle exceeding the permitted weight will be given three penalty points and could face a fine of up to €300.
West Ham is Stagecoach’s newest garage in London
Stagecoach London open days At Stagecoach London’s open House event this year, the theme is the “Changing Face of London.” With this in mind, Stagecoach London is arranging behind the scenes visits to Leyton, one of its oldest bus garages and West Ham, its newest, on Saturday, September 22. Visits to West Ham will need to be pre-booked, but Leyton will www.coachandbusweek.com
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be open to all and there will be no admission charges. Visitors to West Ham will be taken on guided tours, which need to be booked in advance, themed either for architectural or enthusiast interest. Tours will last up to 45 minutes and will begin at intervals from 1000 to 1530hrs. Visitors will have a chance to learn about the background to the garage, its construction and green features, as well as being able to see examples of the current bus fleet. For those who want to see both garages, there will be a chance to join special buses to Leyton.
Leyton garage, originally built in 1906, will be open from 1030 to 1630hrs. It will feature a display of buses from past times, sales stands and other displays of interest. A commemorative model bus has been produced for the event. There will also be “non-landing” open top (weather permitting) bus tours to West Ham which will give a brief look at the newest garage.
Tours of West Ham can be booked from Thursday, August 16, on 020 7055 9600 or by e-mail to pr.london@ stagecoachbus.com
‘Gold Standard’ award for Nat Ex
National Express makes gold standard National Express has become the first transport company to be awarded the ‘Gold Standard’ by Carbon Saver - an independent advisory board which rates environmental performance across all major industries. The Group received the accolade following a significant reduction in carbon consumption, mainly in its UK Bus Division, through the installation of green technologies. Every roof of the operator’s bus depots in the West Midlands, Coventry and Dundee has been installed with photo voltaics solar panels which help to power the depots and feed carbon neutral energy back into the National Grid. Alongside the installation of Solar Panel technology National Express is also half way through a roof replacement programme which will see new energy efficient roofing at all of the their UK Bus Divisions. This will see more heat retained helping to keep down energy consumption in the depot. Alongside the building improvements and installation of Solar Panels National Express has introduced the PowerPerfector voltage optimisation system, LED lighting and the Vickers energy management system to its depots all of which are showing big reductions in Carbon usage. All together the measures have resulted in a reported annual saving of over 3,400 tonnes of Co2, the equivalent annual use of 722 houses. Stuart Parker, Environmental Director of National Express said: “To be the first transport company to get this award reflects the amount of effort and resources we have put in to reducing our carbon consumption and improving our energy efficiency.”
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news › international
Youngman completes Viseon GmbH buy-in Youngman will continue to invest in the European market Germany Viseon Bus GmbH and China Youngman Automobile Group Co. signed an authenticated agreement governing the participation of the Chinese automobile and commercial vehicle group in the German bus manufacturer on August 1. The companies issued a joint statement stating new shareholder Youngman has acquired a majority stake in Viseon Bus GmbH and together with the existing shareholders will participate in a capital increase. “I am delighted that with Youngman we now have a reliable partner on our side whom we’ve known well for many years,” said Viseon CEO Joachim Reinmuth. “With the new shareholder structure, we have provided a significant strengthening of Viseon and created the best possible conditions to successfully grow further, to continue to invest in the European market presence and expand our product range constantly.” Pang Qingnian, founder and President of Youngman Group said: “With our participation, we deliberately support the current growth of Viseon. With our long-term commitment we also strengthen our expertise in the
New Flyer to build CNG buses for New York
Canada/USA New Flyer Industries Inc, the Canadian heavy-duty transit bus manufacturer with production facilities at its Winnipeg HQ and at Crookston, Minnesota in the United States, has announced Daimler Buses North America has assigned New Flyer to its contract with New York City Transit Authority and the MTA Bus Company to build 74 heavy-duty 40-foot CNG buses. The contract includes an option to www.coachandbusweek.com
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development and production of modern buses for global markets.” The notarised agreement signed last Wednesday still requires the approval of the Chinese authorities, which all participants believe is a pure formality. Of note for Viseon customers and business partners nothing changes, former partners Joachim Reinmuth and Ernoe Bartha remain shareholders and continue to manage the company. Development, construction and assembly of Viseon coaches will continue in Pilsting as will the development and construction of new bus models for Youngman’s
international target markets. The agreement also strengthens the job security of Viseon’s 240 employees. China Youngman Automobile Group, one of the major bus manufacturers in China, last year produced more than 4,800 buses. Since 1994 Youngman (former Jinhua Neoplan) co-operated with Neoplan and MAN and holds several licenses for the production of Neoplan bus and coach models for the Asian market. China Youngman has researched and owns advanced technology for battery and other alternative energy propulsion systems which will be used in Viseon buses.
Construction of Viseon coaches will continune in Pilsting, Germany acquire another 30. This assignment follows Daimler’s decision on April 25, 2012 to cease production of heavy duty transit buses for the US and Canadian market at its Orion plants. The base order for the assigned US Federal Transit Administration funded contract (74 buses) will commence production in August 2012 and are scheduled for delivery to NYCT by the end of the year. Final assembly of these buses will take place in New Flyer’s Crookston, Minnesota facility. The buses will be virtually identical to New Flyer’s existing contract with NYCT for 385 buses currently in production. “Delivering to NYCT requirements was our top priority,” said Paul Soubry,
New Flyer’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are pleased we could react so quickly due to Daimler Buses North America’s transition plan with a solution which met NYCT needs by continuing the build of our current bus production run.”
The contract includes an option for 30 more 40’ long CNG buses
Deane’s buses sold for $53 million Australia Queanbeyan, New South Wales bus operator Deane’s Bus Lines has been bought by Cabcharge, a taxi payment operator, partnered by Singapore-based ComfortDelGro for $53m (Aus). Deane’s is the largest bus operator in southern New South Wales. The sale includes Deane’s Transborder Express bus services. Cabcharge said the move underlined its ambition to diversify its business base. With around 70% of Queanbeyan’s population working within the current transit area Cabcharge believes demand for transport will grow significantly in the next decade. Pending regulatory approval of the sale, the ComfortDelGroCabcharge company will then operate a fleet of nearly 1,500 private buses across the ACT (Australasian Capital Territory), New South Wales and Victoria and the acquisition makes the company the largest private bus operator in Australia. Completion of the transaction is expected in the coming weeks. Australia’s Transport Workers Union said the sale of Deane’s Bus Lines and Transborder Express should not have any immediate impact on drivers. Secretary of the A-C-T sub branch of the Transport Workers Union, Klaus Pinkas said there are about 80 drivers working for the company and their working conditions have been guaranteed. “In the short term it shouldn’t make a lot of difference for our members out at Deane’s,” Pinkas said. “Their current wages and conditions have been guaranteed by CDC, the new contractors taking over from Deane’s.” Mayor of Queanbeyan Tim Overall said the sale of Deane’s Bus Lines would provide a boost for the city. “Clearly, I think this deal will bring an even stronger capital base to Deane’s Bus Lines, which all goes well for the future. As Queanbeyan continues to expand we’ll continue to acquire increasing investment by public transport operators.” ComfortDelGro firms in the UK and Ireland include Metroline, Westbus and Citylink.
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14 | COACH & BUS WEEK | August 8, 2012
news › REGIONAL
MIDLANDS
A group of excited young visitors from the Ukraine called in to Nottingham City Transport’s (NCT) Travel Centre recently and were thrilled to receive their very own Easyrider travel passes, giving them unlimited journeys in and around the city. The group were in the UK as part of Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline charity which helps with the recuperation of Ukrainian people from the effects of the 1986 nuclear disaster. NCT supported the charity by discounting the cost of the groups travel by half and donating free travel to the two team leaders, who are here in the UK with the group. Each of the 15 children, aged between nine and 11, learned how to plan their trips and were keen to have their photograph taken for their specially-created passes. Anthony Carver-Smith, NCT Marketing Manager, said: “It was great to see the children so excited about Nottingham and all the fantastic attractions we have here. They were fascinated by all the maps and leaflets we have at the Travel Centre and couldn’t wait to hop on a bus with their Easyrider cards so they could explore the city.” For more details about the work of the Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline charity, log on to NCT’s website at www.nctx.co.uk A £13m revamp of Leicester bus station has been scrapped. Leicester City Council had planned to upgrade the busy Haymarket bus station, in Charles Street, despite missing out on a £5m grant from the Government earlier this year. The local authority had submitted a bid for funding from the Government’s Better Bus Area fund in order to use the money to create a new covered bus station at the Haymarket site. However, the Department of Transport (DfT), which assessed the scheme, decided it would be too expensive and offer poor value for money. It also said the council had failed to demonstrate how the bus station plan would reduce carbon emissions and provide enough information about how its running costs would be covered. Deputy City Mayor Councillor Rory Palmer said: “The strengths and advantages of the bid were recognised but, to be honest, I don’t think the feedback we got was particularly helpful. This scheme www.coachandbusweek.com
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Environment, Transport and Development, said the new station would “strengthen public transport links” and help revitalise the town centre. Marion Chapman-Allen, county Cllr representing Thetford East said: “This will lead the way for a proposed hotel, cinema and shops on the Anchor site and investment of £6m from Breckland Council and £1m from Norfolk County Council. “Any further delay could potentially damage the regeneration of the town.” Prior to the councillors’ vote, committee member John Ward said: “This new site is not ideal but it’s an improvement on the old site.”
KEY
SCOTLAND NORTHERN IRELAND REP OF IRELAND NORTH WALES MIDLANDS EAST LONDON SOUTH EAST SOUTH WEST
SOUTH EAST
would provide the biggest single improvement to Leicester’s bus infrastructure for a generation. I do think it would be value for money and would greatly improve bus travel.” A DfT spokesman said there were 50 applications for a limited pot of money and “there were lots of good schemes but it could not support them all.” A £2m investment by trent barton has seen a fresh new look for a popular bus service linking Mansfield and Nottingham via Sutton, Kirkby and Hucknall. As well as a zesty orange makeover, the ‘threes’ (sic) route has also seen the introduction of new Optare Versas boasting designer interiors. Alex Hornby, trent barton Commercial Director, said: “We love to spoil our customers and the transformation of the former rainbow 3 service enables them to travel in style on one of our most popular routes. “What’s more, anyone wanting to jump aboard will never have long to wait as we’ve put extra buses on services between Sutton and Mansfield, and an enhanced timetable for Coxmoor and Sutton Junction.” The threes now run every 10 minutes throughout the day. Mansfield Mayor, Cllr Tony Egginton and the Vice Chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council, Cllr Barrie Cooper, were amongst the first to try out the new vehicles.
Cllr Cooper said: “I’d like to thank trent barton for its on going commitment to working in partnership with the county and district councils to improve the quality of bus travel in the area. “The threes launch is welcomed as an important first step towards a number of improvements in the coming year, including the building of a new bus station in Mansfield.”
EAST
A new bus station for Thetford has been granted permission by Norfolk County Council. It is planned to be built on vacant land adjacent to St Nicholas Street, London Road and Minstergate. The council said the new interchange was vital to the growth and regeneration of the town. The decision goes against a parish poll which took place last summer when 81% of respondents said they wanted the station to remain on its current site at the Anchor. However, Breckland Council’s Moving Thetford Forward scheme previously criticised the poll, stating the 14% turnout did not represent the majority of people in Thetford. The new station will feature five bus bays, a single storey building for an information point, toilets and storage and the renovation of a listed building. A report by Mike Jackson, the county council’s Director for
Young people no longer need to produce ID or proof of age for discounted travel on Reading Buses. The operator scrapped ID in favour of a young person rate ticket at the start of August. CEO James Freeman said: “This will greatly reduce the red tape around cheap travel for young people. Anyone under the age of 19, whether in full time education or not, will now get young person rate travel – for any journey. It is all about making sure using the bus is the natural route to independence for young people in an age when motoring costs – particularly for younger people – are prohibitive. This removes almost all the obstacles to straightforward bus travel and is the end of the simplyBus READI-id card.” Mr Freeman said the move was very much in line with the ambitions of the Youth Parliament which has placed making travel easier for young people at the top of its agenda. “We are taking a lead in offering all under 19s a simple, straightforward discount travel scheme. On boarding, those aged under 19 only have to ask the driver for a young person’s ticket. Just as before, it will still be possible for parents to buy stored value smart cards for their children to use for travelling to and from school as well as other journeys. Likewise, customers with stored value or period passes on their READI-id smartcards will still be able to use them until they run out,” he added. Hampshire County Council (HCC) has agreed to fund the number 18 bus service from Whitehill to Aldershot for the next
06/08/2012 12:51
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’d like us to cover, contact James Day on james. day@coachandbusweek.com. six months. The Stagecoach route runs between Hampshire and Surrey, going through Haslemere and Farnham in Surrey and also linking Aldershot, Headley, Whitehill, Bordon and Lindford. The service was set to be withdrawn by Surrey County Council earlier this year. During discussions as to how to maintain the service it was suggested Surrey County Council would finance the Surrey-based part of the route, but this was later shown not to be viable. County and Grayshott Cllr Ferris Cowper said: “I’m really pleased HCC has stepped up to the mark and will be keeping the service running. “In general I’m disappointed at the reduction in public transport nationwide but at least in our local area the essential 18 service will continue to run.” During the six month period of funding, Hampshire County Council will continue to assess the viability of the service and look for a tender to take on the running of the service after the initial period has ended.
To keep the service running for six months will cost £18,000. Cllr Cowper said: “Other transport operators as well as Stagecoach, will be invited to continue the service beyond the six months based on their tender replies and so all council taxpayers can be sure the service subsidy will offer the best value for money. “It is a win for the residents who rely on the service and I will continue to work hard to keep it for the residents.” A planned strike by drivers at Stagecoach South’s Winchester has been called off. Stagecoach Managing Director Andrew Dyer said the two one-day strikes by the RMT union due to take place on August 4 and 11 have been called off following discussions with local union representatives. “I have been give assurances our revised pay offer has been accepted after the talks and we will be able to run our net work of services based from Winchester as usual with the support of our 96-strong driver team.”
August 8, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 15
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Oxford Bus Museum’s annual bus and classic vehicle rally takes places on Sunday October 21. Visit www.oxfordbusmuseum.org.uk
2012 n August 8-9 Plaxton Sporting Challenge Open Day. Anston, Sheffield. 01909 551166 n August 25-26 Llangollen Railway Classic Transport Weekend. Llangollen, Denbighshire LL20 8SN. 01978 860979. www.
n October 21 The Very Best of London Buses. Brooklands, Surrey. Featuring 50 years of Routemaster buses. London Bus Museum. www.londonbusmuseum.com
n August 27 The National Association of Road Transport Museums gala day. The Transport Museum, Wythall, near Birmingham.
n October 23 CPT Coaching Conference. Volvo HQ, Warwick. Further details will be published in due course. Call CPT on 020 7240 3131. www.cpt-uk.org
llangollen-railway.co.uk
www.wythall.org.uk
n September 6 Association of Trainers AGM. Steele Road, Wembley Julia@asot.org.uk 01797 344251 n September 8-9 UK Bus Driver of the Year, Blackpool. Call competition secretary Bill Holmes on 01303 251462. www.bdoy.co.uk n September 9 Amberley Bus Show. Amberley Museum and Heritage Centre, West Sussex. www.amberleymuseum.co.uk
Wilts & Dorset (W&D) has introduced an open top bus tour to cover a selection of tourist attractions in the Salisbury area. At the launch held outside Wilton House, W&D’s Operations Director Ed Wills and Operations Manager Andrew Sherrington (pictured) promoted the specially branded 76-seat Volvo B7TL to the public. The vehicle will provide hourly tours every day until September 1. Ed Wills said the new tour will offer customers the chance to catch the bus at any bus stop, with a 24 hour hop and hop off ticket for them to use on its circular route between Salisbury, Wilton House, Wilton and Old Sarum. “We will operate whatever the weather over the coming month,” explained Ed Wills. “In our experience having operated the open top New Forest Tour and the Purbeck Breezer service between Bournemouth and Swanage for a few years, we know a few showers do not dampen the enthusiasm of sightseers who enjoy the scenery without having to look through windows. The height of the top deck also allows much better views not seen on foot or in a car.” He said the new hour-long circular tour does not include Stonehenge as the monument is already served by the successful Stonehenge Tour.
n October 18 CILT Annual Awards for Excellence Dinner. London. 01536 740104. www.ciltuk.org.uk
n September 10-11 CPT Scotland Annual Conference. Crieff Hydro Hotel, Perthshire, PH7 3LQ. Call CPT Scotland on 0131 2722150 or email conference2012@cpt-uk.org 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 September 22 Open House event at Leyton and West Ham Garages. 020 7055 9600. pr.london@stagecoachbus.com n October 14 Midland Red Centenary of the Reintroduction of Motorbuses. The Transport Museum, Wythall, near Birmingham. www.wythall.org.uk
n October 24-25 Trapeze UK User Conference 2012. Radisson Hotel, Manchester Airport. 08445 616771. www.trapezegroup.co.uk n November 6-8 Euro Bus Expo. NEC, Birmingham. 01926 834790. www.eurobusxpo.com n November 15 CPT Northern Bus Summit. Manchester Conference Centre. Details from contact CPT NW Regional Manager Phillipa Sudlow on phillipas@cpt-uk.org. n November 20 UK Bus Awards London Hilton Park Lane. www.ukbusawards.org.uk n November 20-21 ATCO Winter Conference 2012. Local Government Association House, London, SW1. Will include AGM. www.atco.org.uk
2013 n January 1 New Year’s Holiday Open Day. Oxford Bus Museum. www.oxfordbusmuseum.org.uk n January 1 Annual King Alfred Running Day, Winchester. Further information from www.fokab.org.uk
Send your event details to gareth.evans@ coachandbusweek.com www.coachandbusweek.com
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16 | COACH & BUS WEEK | August 8, 2012
news focus › coach parking tickets
Above: The moment the CEO issued the ticket. Above right: The bays are marked ‘Bus Stand’ on the road but there are no signed restrictions to that effect
Caught in the act Coach & Bus Week’s Editor Gareth Evans reports on a chance encounter with a traffic warden in Westminster, London who wrongly issued a ticket to a Megabus coach It’s a familiar story – a coach has been wrongly issued with a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) in London – yet the moment is rarely, if ever caught on camera. We at CBW often hear tales of woe from coach operators who have been on the receiving end of what they claim is ‘rough justice’ yet aside from pointing them in the right direction; we’re unable to help in practical terms without concrete evidence. That changed last Tuesday (July 31), however. Having spent a couple of hours interviewing National Express CEO Dean Finch across the road at Victoria Coach Station (VCS), I spent time keeping CBW’s image library up to date – there’s certainly no shortage of vehicle movements around Victoria Coach www.coachandbusweek.com
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Station (VCS)/Bullied Way Coach Station/ Buckingham Palace Road area. Walking along Elizabeth Way, which lies directly across from the main pedestrian entrance to VCS, I spotted a Traffic Warden, otherwise known as ‘Civil Enforcement Officer’ (CEO), ticketing Stagecoach Megabus Jonckheere-bodied Volvo coach ‘FN04JZR’, fleet no. 52677, which was correctly parked in the front one of the two bays. With my camera set to sport mode, which takes a series of snaps at high speed, I photographed the CEO issuing the ticket. It was truly one of those rare moments of being in the right place at the right time. The gentleman appeared unperturbed by the clicking noise of the Canon digital SLR. I must stress I’m not out to ‘dish the dirt’ on CEOs – they have a job to do. As I explained to Westminster Council when I spoke to their media team on Thursday, more of which later, the vast majority of coach
drivers aim to act with the utmost professionalism, which includes stopping where it is legal to do so. The Megabus driver parked up in good faith as there was no signage to indicate restrictions were in place at that time of day.
An Olympic twist? Elizabeth Bridge is listed on the Transport for London (TfL) publication ‘Coach Parking in Central London Olympic and Paralympic Games 25 July – 12 September 2012 as “2 spaces, free, max 2 hours’. You can download a PDF from: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/ assets/downloads/orn-coach-map. pdf . Alternatively, access it via the TfL Coaching pages at http://www. tfl.gov.uk/modalpages/2716.aspx . With the co-operation of the friendly Rugby-based driver, I was also able to photograph the ticket. He showed me the Vehicle Condition Report (or whatever it’s called in Stagecoach), which showed the coach had been parked
there since 1103hrs – the ticket was issued at 1152. According to Westminster Council’s website, ‘Code 01’ means “parking during restricted hours.” However, the CEO issued a ticket when no visible time restrictions were in place. There were markings on the ground for ‘Bus Stand’ but there were no signs in place to define the usage or restrictions. There should of course have been a sign to state: ‘No Stopping at any time except buses. Max stay 2 hours’. This was confirmed by TfL, a spokesman for which told CBW: “There are two temporary coach parking bays situated on Elizabeth Bridge, between the junctions of Buckingham Palace Road and Bulleid Way. They were introduced following the displacement of a number of other bays by the Olympic Route Network. We are engaged in a dialogue with Westminster City Council about signage for the bays.”
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August 8, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 17
Join the discussion on Twitter by following us at @cbwtweets and find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/coachandbusweek
Above: The driver discovers his ticket. Below: The current singage at Elizabeth Bridge gives no mention of daytime restrictions. Bottom: The PCN TfL’s quote would appear to be a polite way of stating Westminster has screwed up by not erecting the correct signage. From discussions I had with drivers and support crew around Bullied Way, it seems the Megabus incident is unfortunately far from isolated, something which was later confirmed by Stagecoach’s Megabus team. Late on Friday afternoon, a spokesman for Westminster City Council responded to CBW’s inquiry by stating: “We shall await the outcome of the appeal before commenting further.” I passed my photographs and notes on to Stagecoach’s Megabus team. Commenting on the story, a Megabus spokesman said: “We are a responsible coach and bus operator and we are committed to ensuring we comply with traffic and parking regulations. A bus stand has been created on Elizabeth Bridge in the City of Westminster for the period of the London 2012 Games. There is no signage which forbids the parking of our coaches or buses at this location. We can confirm we are appealing against a number of parking tickets which have been issued in error and we are confident those appeals will be
NewsFocus_TrafficWarden.indd 17
successful.” Asked to comment on the Elizabeth Bridge/ Bullied Way/ Buckingham Palace Road area, Chris Nice of the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) said: “This bay hasn’t been an issue per-se but that doesn’t mean it has not caused other operators grief. We would encourage operators to share their concerns in regards to coach parking with our Coach Parking Committee. Clearly, we don’t need to hear about each and every parking ticket, but if something is becomes a continual area of concern, then operators should not hesitate to contact us.”
A lesson for all coach drivers As a former coach and bus driver, I believe the incident serves as a textbook example of the importance of carrying a camera. If you don’t have a camera, use a mobile phone with a sufficiently decent camera such as an iPhone. As any traditional policeman would readily admit, it’s vital to obtain ‘contemporaneous notes’. If your coach has been or is about to be ticketed, capture it on camera and write down all the details – just as you would in the event of a collision. www.coachandbusweek.com
06/08/2012 12:31
18 | COACH & BUS WEEK | August 8, 2012
operator profile › peelings coaches
Norfolk’s friendly coach fleet Coach & Bus Week’s Gareth Evans enjoys a visit to Peelings Coaches, a family-run operator based in the heart of rural Norfolk, with a real passion for the business www.coachandbusweek.com
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P
erhaps Peelings Coaches epitomises a traditional, rural family-run coach operator. Located down a charming narrow lane, only just wide enough for a coach, the firm has a proud history dating back almost 90 years. Today the business is run by the Joplin family, comprising parents Jonathan and Ruth and their two sons Robert and Jack – not forgetting Buster the dog and Keith the cat. The yard adjoins the family
06/08/2012 23:37
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operator: Peelings Coaches location: Tittleshall, Norfolk established: 1923 Contact: 01328 701531 www.peelings-coaches.co.uk
Peelings’ rural setting: An overview of the yard. With the workshop ahead, the office lies out of shot to the right
home and is also guarded by a large cockerel. However, a warm welcome awaits visitors in the clean, cosy office, which is located in a separate building. Traditional values and manners are a corner stone of this business. Maintenance is carried out in a single-road covered workshop.
History
The firm was formed in 1923 by Charles Peeling, a motor engineer. He ran it with his three sons – Victor, Phillip and Paul, who were all able engineers and mechanics.
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As was common practice at the time, lorries were also operated. Indeed, one of the first vehicles was a Mercedes-Benz commandeered from the First World War on which they built a bus body. “The body lasted for years afterwards as a sowing room,” explained Jonathan. “The business continued in a similar way throughout the Second World War but Phillip and Victor went to war. At the time they ran six or seven vehicles.” A varied fleet was operated, ranging from AJS and Albions to
Bedford OBs. The first new vehicle was a Bedford OWB. In 1950 a Dennis Lancet with a Thurgood body was acquired new.” Jonathan continued: “The fleet then evolved with AECs and the odd Bedford, with the majority being heavyweights. From the mid to late 1970s, we ran a few Fords, the fleet being four-strong at the time.” Recalling the much lamented Phil, Jonathan said: “From the mid 1980s, I did some part-time driving. I was working on a farm at the time. Phil was a great bloke – nothing fazed him. He’d light his pipe and
think. For example, when replacing king pins, everyone else would curse but Phil would just say ‘let’s go for a coffee’. Suitably relaxed, he’d go back to it and get the job done. “I also remember how Phil used to take his old dog on his school run, which of course you couldn’t do now. The dog was as good as gold – he used to sit on a blanket on top of the bonnet – which was inside on a Ford. Appropriately, we buried the old dog in a corner of the yard.” Jonathan gained his PCV
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06/08/2012 23:37
20 | COACH & BUS WEEK | August 8, 2012
operator profile › peelings coaches
with Eagles of Castleacre, believed to be Norfolk’s oldest coach firm, in 1982. By contrast, it was another 10 years before Ruth got behind the wheel of a coach. “When I was learning to drive I learned so much just from listening to Phil,” she said. “He really was a great guy. I gained my coach driving license in 1992.” Upon Phil’s retirement in 1990, Jonathan and Ruth took over the business. “We ran three Ford R-Series coaches at the time,” recalled Jonathan. In something which will doubtless strike a chord with many an operator in their early days of trading, he explained: “We sold our possessions and bought a coach firm. We borrowed money from my mum. Ruth’s mum bought the first set of tyres we needed.” At the time the business ran what without doubt can be called the variety of work expected of a rural coach operator - school contracts and private hire, augmented by a number of market day stagecarriage services using the coach fleet. Alas, in the era of the Disability Discrimination Act, the true multi-purpose vehicle, which enabled operators and customers to benefit from the cost savings of high fleet utilisation, is but a distant memory for many. Put another way, the same coach which took people to the seaside transported them to school or off to town to do their shopping. Jonathan continued: “We then started expanding the small excursion programme. We also won an extra school contract, which required an additional vehicle. A Duple Dominant IV-bodied Bedford YMT was duly acquired for £13,000. It had a horrible Turner gearbox.” “Looking back, I don’t know how we afforded that coach,” remarked Ruth. “We then operated three Duple Lasers, one of which was ex Bebbs of Llantwit Fardre coach,” added Jonathan. “We graduated from Fords to Bedfords, to Dennis Javelins. Then in 1999, we bought a Plaxton Supreme V-bodied Volvo B10M from Smiths of Woodnorton. It had 270km on the clock and had only ever been driven by two drivers. It had only worked high days and holidays, so it was in mint condition. We ran it in our main fleet for a while and it’s now a spare vehicle. To this end the coach operates in the livery of Smiths Coaches and is no stranger to the www.coachandbusweek.com
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Some of the friendly faces at Peelings Coaches and bus rally scene. Indeed, “I must confess I don’t coach the coach appeared at the UK Coach enjoy going to London Rally 2012 in Peterborough. “We sold it to Fowlers of as it always seems Holbeach in 2005. Five years later, hassle all the way. It’s I asked Andrew Fowler if I could borrow it to help cover the peak a constant battle to summer period. It turned out he’d find parking spaces only used the coach once. It never returned to Holbeach as we rewhile also trying to acquired it,” enthused Jonathan. do the traditional Fleet coaching practice Perhaps Jonathan summed the of looking after and firm’s fleet when he said: “We’ve emanated into better taking your time with gradually vehicles. They’re not in the first your customers.” flush of youth but they are well Jonathan Joplin
maintained and reliable.” “We’ve got three coaches which
This low floor bus, an Optare Excel, is used for market day services
can go to London. However, I must confess I don’t enjoy going to London as it always seems hassle all the way. It’s a constant battle to find parking spaces while also trying to do the traditional coaching practice of looking after and taking your time with your customers,” remarked Jonathan. Ruth said: “We have tried to comply with the LEZ (Low Emission Zone) by fitting our coaches with the necessary equipment.” However, Jonathan said: “The problem is the industry had to invest in newer rolling stock or carry the cost of retro fitting existing vehicles to the tune of £4,000 per vehicle - yet the rates have not increased with it. I believe the industry lost a golden opportunity to increase hire rates.” Echoing the thoughts of many across the industry, Jonathan commented: “You can look at the definition of ‘green’ in several different ways. The latest so-called ‘environmentally-friendly’ buses and coaches seem to use twice as much fuel as the trusty old Gardner engines. How is that good for the environment?” The current fleet includes a Van Hool T9, Jonckheere Mistral-bodied Volvo B10, a Jonckheere Deauvillebodied Volvo B10, a Plaxton-bodied Dennis R-Series and a Plaxton Paramount-bodied Volvo B10, which was previously operated by
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Above: Jonckheere Mistral and Van Hool coaches. Below: The Dennis R-Series undergoes a routine inspection Telford-based Elcock Reisen. Not to be forgotten is the firm’s sole lowfloor service bus, an Optare Excel, acquired from konectbus, which is fitted with seat-belts and pole pads. It may comes as no surprise therefore that Ruth commented: “It’s particularly easy to get parts for Volvo coaches, especially B10Ms – we can get them next day. We like Van Hool bodywork too. They’re very well built and look the part.” Asked about the comparatively rare Dennis R-Series coach in the fleet, Jonathan replied: “We bought it from Dickinsons. The coach had been very well looked after. I believe it’s a shame the R-Series was not developed more into Euro 4. Our customers always remark how they love the ride quality and the airy interior.” On the subject of vehicle procurement and how times have changed, Jonathan observed: “It worries me the fact you can not buy a coach with manual transmission anymore. Frankly, I believe if you can’t change gear, you shouldn’t be driving.” Conscious that he’s not sounding like the friendly, happy gentleman which he is, Jonathan stressed: “I’m still interested in this industry but perhaps not as much as I used to be.” Far from being what might be termed a ‘bus widow’, Ruth is a supporter of her other half’s
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“Private hire is steady, while excursions are not as good this year as in the past.” Ruth added: “Our brochure includes visits to the traditional seaside favourites, country houses and gardens. However, excursions can be something of a hit and a miss – some can struggle for numbers while others need duplicating.” Seven tours per annum are now operated. “Eastons act as our agent Nigel at Eastons is a great bloke,” explained Jonathan. However, Jonathan believes theatre trips have declined in popularity. “We also run London theatre trips but I believe the bubble has burst – they’re not as popular as they once were.” In the past the firm ran five market day services, including Fakenham on a Thursday, Dereham on a Friday and Kings Lynn on a Saturday. Today Peelings operates between King’s Lynn on Tuesdays, Harpley and Fakenham on Thursdays and between Tittleshall and King’s Lynn on a Friday. All market day shopping services are operated using the Optare Excel acquired earlier this year.
Future
interest and passion for the coach industry. Indeed, she’s enjoys days out on the firm’s heritage coach. “We meet a lot of nice people when we attend events in our old Volvo coach. While it may lack some of the refinements of modern vehicles, I sometimes admire its simplicity - it frightens me how much can go wrong on new coaches, with their electronics and so on.”
Business Mix
Asked how the firm is faring in the current economic climate, Jonathan replied: “We had a knock five years ago when we lost some school contracts, but we’ve since re-gained them, with the result we’re back up to operating five school runs.
“We meet a lot of nice people when we attend events in our old Volvo coach. While it may lack some of the refinements of modern vehicles, I sometimes admire its simplicity.” Ruth Joplin
With many family-run operators struggling to find offspring with an interest in taking the business forward into the future, the Joplins are fortunate to have their two sons playing an active part in the firm. Robert is aged 25 and holds a PCV licence. Indeed, on the day of CBW’s visit, was driving the Thursday shopping services. His younger brother Jack, who is aged 18, passed his Module 4 last week. As a result, he can now drive a coach load of passengers. Commenting on the changes which have been introduced to PCV licence training, Jonathan said: “I fear raising the barriers to entry for PCV driving test will lead to fewer young people joining the industry. It puts them off.” Asked about the Driver CPC, he enthused: “We’ve done all ours with Fowlers of Holbeach, who used Peter Smythe. He was very good. There was a serious side to it but we had lots of fun too. Humour is a vital part of life.” A family after my own heart, Ruth concluded: “I’m sure people think we’re raving mad here.” However, the crew at Peelings Coaches is certainly a friendly one – and long may it be so.
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supplier update › zf
The ZF Servotronic linear power steering system
ZF – determined to aid fuel efficiency Increased efficiency, lighter weight and more robust construction are elements of the latest developments from transmission specialist ZF – which it will present at the IAA 2012 exhibition in Hanover 20-27 September. AVE 130 portal axle Having established reliable and efficient performance from its AVE 130 portal axle incorporating electric hub motors, these are now entering series production. Around 150 of the units, either in Mercedes-Benz Citaro or VDL Citea artictulated hybrid buses have accumulated around 1.5m kilometres in service and reliably returning fuel economy of up to 30%. The AVE 130, while ideally suited to hybrid combinations of diesel-electric or fuel cell, is also appropriate for full electric drive, from either battery, energy accumulator or trolleybus power lines. Each AVE 130 incorporates a 120kW water cooled asynchronous hub motor on each side. This ensures a compact installation allowing a completely flat central www.coachandbusweek.com
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aisle from front to back. It is powerful enough for the largest citybuses and able to cope with demanding terrain. Production versions of AVE 130 feature improved gearing which delivers even quieter running. The axle has a load capacity of 13 tonnes. By the end of 2013, ZF says a considerable number will be in service around the world as it features highly in specialist transport system requirements for schemes currently in development. Interestingly, ZF points out the axle system requires only minor modification to the axle bridge to adjust track width. Although no details were given this would indicate some transport schemes may be in the pipeline for wider and much larger capacity vehicles which would seemingly be running in dedicated busways. It would also
suit the construction of wider apron buses for airports.
ZF EcoLife ZF’s EcoLife transmission was developed to make public transport more fuel efficient and quieter. The engine speed can be kept low thanks to its six finely stepped gears and the TopoDyn Life shift programme which is sensitive to local topography combined with demand. During the settingoff process, a maximum speed reduction of about 700rpm compared to conventional automatic transmissions is possible. Lower speeds relate to reduced engine noise which benefits passengers, pedestrians and people who live or work near busy bus routes. In particular in the area of the rear seat rows, an enormous noise level is generated
due to high engine speeds. EcoLife has the capability to reduce noise considerably. Continuous approach and departure processes at bus stops generate a high noise level and are the same areas where the most emissions are generated. The company concludes the factors with a positive effect on fuel consumption - namely, very low engine speeds - are also advantageous to the ears. EcoLife’s closely stepped gear ratios and high total spread of 12.6 means the engine can be run in a low speed range in any operating condition. The standard TopoDyn Life shift program triggers upshifts as early as possible (short shifting) depending on topography and load, which results, in practice, in a substantial noise reduction for the loud setting-off process from the bus stop: In 2010, a study conducted in co-operation with the Posen Technical University revealed noise level reduction of about 5 dB(A). This result was confirmed in a DEKRA expert report in 2011, which certifies a possible reduction of up to 6.4 dB(A) depending on the vehicle type. It is, consequently, quieter inside the bus: Rear seat row noise level decreases by up to 5 dB(A) - signifying a perceivable gain in passenger comfort. EcoLife’s close ratio six gears means driving in torque converter drag, which is generally noisy and fuel-intensive, is reduced to a minimum (also confirmed by DEKRA): At a typical full-load
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Above: RL 55 EC midius independent front suspension. Above right: AV 133 – lighter and stronger. Top: Servotronic parallel power steering unit acceleration when departing from the bus stop, the torque converter is completely bypassed after a drive of about 1.5 metres. The mechanical power transmission is not only more efficient but enables to lower engine speeds - thereby reducing noise level and consumption. EcoLife set new standards for fuel efficiency, requiring 10% less fuel than its predecessor the Ecomat; the hybrid version is claimed to need 25% less. Many technical developments contribute to reduced fuel consumption – such as the on-demand control of the hydraulic pump. It only provides the complete pump output when driving with full power. The control software shifts into neutral position when standing still at the bus stop. It also does this when the vehicle is moving (above 12 km/h), ensuring engine and brakes do not counteract and have a negative effect on fuel consumption.
New AV 133 Lowfloor Bus Axle Directly replacing ZF’s AV 132 conventional lowfloor portal drive axle, the new AV 133 is much lighter despite increased performance and will go some way to compensating for increased vehicle weight due to Euro 6 engine installations. The axle is said to be in-line for further weight reductions following the introduction of alternative lightweight materials. Composites are being introduced and feature strongly at IAA 2012 where new four-point links made of these materials are being introduced to
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the truck sector. Composites are likely to implemented into PSV sector products from 2014. The new AV 133 lowfloor portal has been made more robust to cater for heavy duty applications in vehicles such as double-articulated buses. It can now reliably handle higher torque input thanks to the incorporation of stronger and reinforced bearings, stronger gears and differential. It retains the same dimensions and mounting points as AV 132.
ZF independent suspension for midibuses ZF claims demand for its RL 55 EC independent front suspension for midibuses is now growing and increasing numbers of manufacturers are taking it onboard. With low weight being a major contributor to improved fuel economy it is now more relevant than ever and combined with the impending Euro 6 implementation and additional weight penalty it incurs. The latest version has undergone a weight reduction process with all components ‘strength and weight optimised.’ Turkish manufacturers were the first to adopt the RL 55 EC in quantity but its popularity has also spread to Polish manufacturers Solaris and Autosan who are supplying markets across Europe for use in inner-city environments in dense urban traffic and narrow streets where manoeuvrability a key requirement. “Customers demanded a new
axle concept and we responded with our RL 55 EC”, said Andreas Moser, Head of ZF’s CV Axle Systems business unit in Passau. The RL 55 EC independent suspension is designed for use in vehicles with a conventional high floor or with a full lowfloor front end. Another challenge for vehicle manufacturers is fuel economy which makes lightweight design so important. This is also something the RL 55 EC independent suspension can score with as it is lighter compared to the solid axle.” The RL 55 EC features a double-wishbone design with steering-knuckle support which transfers vertical forces via the air spring and the shock absorber to the chassis without straining the transverse control arm. During steering, the anti-friction steeringknuckle pin support decouples the suspension movements from the steering movements. This load distribution leads to optimal suspension response and perfect steering precision. For drivers and passengers this means: a considerably higher level of comfort and safety. Another benefit is great manoeuvrability thanks to the RL 55 EC’s high wheel angle of 55 degrees for the inner wheel and 45 degrees for the outer wheel which effectively reduces the turning circle by up to one metre compared to a rigid axle. It also offers excellent roll stiffness for a possible axle load of up to 5.8 tons - even without a stabilizer. Its compact dimensions
also mean body designers have more freedom create internal space.
ZF Steering Systems The Servoline is a linear steering system which adapts the hydraulic rack-and-pinion power steering concept (HPS) for commercial vehicle applications. The precise servo assistance comes courtesy of a power cylinder installed in parallel to the steering rack unit. The short, compact design saves space and supports large steering angles. The power cylinder can be dimensioned depending on the vehicle class and necessary size; three different models are available. The Servoline’s optimiSed kinematics lead more sensitivity at the steering wheel - contributing to reduced wear of the steering gear - cutting life cycle costs. Compared with a block steering system, Servoline features considerable weight advantages through the use of fewer components. Varioserv, is an adjustable vane pump which responds to increased demand for energy-saving steering pumps in the hydraulic sector. Thanks to its optimised design, the pump transports only the required oil volume on demand with energy savings of up to 40%, depending on the system design and driving cycle. These savings can amount to reduced fuel consumption of up to 0.2 litres per 100 kilometers and consequent lower exhaust emissions. Annual mileage of approx. 200,000km results in fuel savings of 200 - 400 litres.
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SUPPLIER PROFILE › IAM Drive & Survive
IAM Drive & Survive’s Module Five D-CPC course is entitled ‘Health & Safety for the Professional Driver’. It covers manual handling, a key task for any touring coach driver
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supplier: IAM Drive & Survive location: Chiswick, London established: 1956 Contact: 0870 120 2910 www.iamdrivercpc.org.uk/cbw
Advanced Driver Training Coach & Bus Week’s Gareth Evans visits the Institute of Advanced Motorists and learns about its approach to Driver CPC training
W
ith seemingly no shortage of players in the market for Driver CPC training, it’s essential for providers to offer unique selling points. The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) is without doubt a household name. Based in pleasant, easily-accessible offices in Chiswick, West London, the IAM can trace its roots back to 1956.
What is the IAM?
IAM Drive & Survive is the commercial subsidiary of the IAM, one of the UK’s most high profile road safety organisations dedicated to raising driving and riding standards and reducing the number of collisions that occur on our roads. IAM Drive & Survive is an occupational driver risk management provider which works with companies to help them reduce incidents, minimise costs and look after their drivers. Training includes Driver CPC, online risk assessment, face-to-face seminar training and one-to-one on the road training, providing a comprehensive programme to suit any company’s driver training requirements. By providing company drivers with the appropriate skills required, IAM Drive & Survive can ensure operators meet their legal
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obligations while providing training of the highest standard. The profits generated by IAM Drive & Survive are used to help fund the charitable work of the IAM, allowing it to continually invest in the development of new services. Widely respected in its field as a ‘voice of authority’, the IAM advises, and is consulted by, leading organisations world-wide with responsibilities for Road Safety. It is perhaps no coincidence that the IAM is regularly asked for comments in the media and is no stranger to primetime television and radio.
Why choose the IAM?
“There are many suppliers of Driver CPC training, so you need to be confident that you’re investing your company’s valuable time and money receiving the highest levels of training from a supplier you can trust,” explained Simon Elstow, Head of Training. “As a leading occupational driver training supplier, IAM Drive & Survive can work with you to help develop a robust Driver CPC programme which helps you and your drivers comply. In-line with EU Directive 2003/59, our Joint Approvals Unit for Periodic Training (JAUPT) approved Driver CPC Periodic Training Modules improve the knowledge and skills of professional LGV and PCV drivers, with each
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SUPPLIER PROFILE › IAM Drive & Survive
one fulfilling seven hours of the required 35 hours of training.” IAM Drive & Survive manages a national network of more than 100 highly qualified trainers who can be deployed throughout the UK. Training can be provided at an operator’s premises, a location of their choice or the IAM can arrange for a suitable training venue. As with other providers, the IAM feels the optimum number of ‘trainees’ or ‘delegates’ is 15 to 20. Although Driver CPC is a regulatory requirement it is also an opportunity for operators to consider their duty of care and health and safety obligations for their staff, while demonstrating their organisation’s commitment to staff and road safety. Depending on their requirements, the IAM’s interactive workshops can offer valuable standalone training or be part of an integrated training programme which incorporates online risk assessment and learning products and on-road training. “There’s an enormous range of myths in driver training – what works and what doesn’t. “We can show people the skills they need to pass an Advanced Driving course in a day, or two half days. Depending on the operator’s needs, we will give them training which improves their situational awareness skills. Other elements include defensive driving and eco driving. It’s important for operators to look at where they’re at and what they’re looking for. There are three elements to look at: 1 Save Save money, i.e. through wear and tear. Obviously with buses and coaches, that’s bigger than cars and they’re also not going to crash so often. When a bus or coach has a bump, how is it costed? When we ask operators, we often find they struggle to tell us. If we at the IAM are going to cut the chase and go to the D-CPC, in the room we need the person who deals with the incidents/ accident, i.e. incident reporting. What are their most common incidents? What was their most expensive vehicle-based incident? We need to know what the small and big bangs are so we can design a training package. Statistics show incidents follow patterns but sometimes they’re very quirky, depending on the nature of the operations. www.coachandbusweek.com
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Above: Training with the IAM is about more than merely meeting a legal requirement. Below: Simon Elstow, Head of Training at IAM Drive & Survive
“To use academic terms, most coach and bus drivers are activist by nature – they need to see it to believe it. We have a lot of interactive elements in our courses.” Simon Elstow
Comply Most of the time it’s ticking boxes for many organisations. It’s planted in the Health & Safety (H&S) arena. The problems is the H&S person’s responsibilities finish when the vehicles leave the depot. The question is can you apply H&S to the road? No you can’t because driving is a self-paced task and there are so many variables. There’s no one size fits all. 3 Protect It’s normally the responsibility of Human Resources (HR) but it’s very fuzzy. Frankly we normally find HR has a budget
2
which is unavailable to others – it’s for training. Ideally we’d talk to someone from each of those departments so we can tailor a package. In terms of D-CPC the three biggest issues for commercial drivers are fatigue, distraction management and managing expectations. The latter is for example, sticking to a timetable or work ticket.” On the subject of fatigue, Simon said: “We know people drive when they’re tired.” Highlighting an example where IAM differs in its approach to the D-CPC, Simon said: “Take ‘Rational Driving’ as an example, which is about driving correctly using the right gears and not mistreating the vehicle. However, it doesn’t have much to do with interacting with other road users. You could easily not cover that. At IAM we’ve got three principles we work from to make a better and safer driver – (1) Identify; (2) Keep space; and (3) Keep visible and communicate. “There’s a big discussion on point 3. Most people think it’s about signalling but it’s also about allowing time and space to negotiate space. You can’t assume other drivers are going to let you into a gap.”
On course
Simon continued: “In our D-CPC sessions, the morning is about knowledge and skills. It’s a workshop environment. By lunchtime they may have a new set of knowledge. “The afternoon session looks at a range of practical scenarios in groups. The idea is they’re all doing
the same scenario but competing with each other. We ask them to look at key decision points, such as what personal issues or work pressures may have made a driver behave in the wrong way. We get each group to present their findings. We feel that without going out on the road, that’s the closest to an everyday scenario.” Simon was not wrong when he said: “To use academic terms, most coach and bus drivers are activist by nature – they need to see it to believe it. We have a lot of interactive elements in our courses. “However, there are some issues which are great in class rooms, such as a healthy diet. One of our slides shows what colour your urine should be. In a group, it’s very effective – it can get them to talk.”
Other D-CPC training
In addition to five D-CPC courses, IAM Drive & Survive offers two onroad courses which count towards a driver’s legal training requirement. These comprise: incident 1 Post “We feel in coach and bus there’s an opportunity in our approved CPC course for a targeted development course,” explained Simon. “Thanks to telematics, data can show you which drivers need training. Afterwards, telematics can show the effectiveness or otherwise of training. We’d build up a programme around addressing any needs or issues for an individual driver.” Advanced 2 Generic Driver Coaching “We’ve been fortunate to gain JAUPT approval for a course which gives a practical flavour to the morning theory session and enables training to be tailored to a company’s needs,” explained Simon. “A generic course has a big advantage in that you can explore distractions which can prevent the application of eco driving. We’re saying to companies that drivers will probably know 60 – 70% of the theory but there will also be new material.” In a sentence which literally summed up his seemingly never-ending enthusiasm, Simon concluded: “We’ll literally train anywhere – we’ll go abroad too, as indeed, we have already done.” Comprehensive details of IAM Drive & Survive’s D-CPC courses can be found at www.iamdrivercpc.org.uk/cbw
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PRODUCTS
New LED combo lamps LED Autolamps, manufacturer of commercial vehicle LED lighting, has introduced three new series of Combination Lamps – 250, 151 and 101 – to add to its existing ranges. The 250 series lamps have sealed electronics, are fully submersible, rustproof and shock-resistant while featuring LED Autolamps’ highlyeffective diamond lens pattern, which has proven popular in existing products. The circuit board is fully encased in resin with corrosion-protected tinned copper wiring and comes with a five-year warranty. This new introduction to the range currently comprises three models – 250ARWM, 250WARM which incorporates Stop/Tail, Indicator, Reverse and Reflector, while model 250FARM incorporates Stop/Tail, Indicator, Fog and Reflector. The units are fitted with a 40cm hardwired cable, provide multi-volt operation of 12-24 volts and offer the benefit of extremely low power consumption with a current draw at 13.8 Volts of 0.04 Amps for Stop, 0.32 Amps for Tail, 0.32 Amps for Indicator, 0.24 Amps for Reverse and 0.15 Amps for Fog. The 151 and 101 series have sealed electronics, three-year warranties,
12-volt inputs and stop/tail/ indicator and reflector functions. Overall dimensions for all three series are: 250 series 250(L) x 80(W) x 24mm (D); 151 series 150(L) x 80(W) x 22mm (D); 101 series 100mm (L) x 100mm (W) x 22mm (D). Each model has discrete rear fixing-holes and comes with ECE and RoHS compliance, the units are made from shock-resistant plastics for demanding work environments. Maurice Bibb, Commercial Director Europe of LED Autolamps commented: “The new
Email martin.cole@coachandbus week.com to get your new product or service in the spotlight
Combination Lamps’ series completes our very popular ranges, which include the Double, Triple and Quad 80 series, the Triple & Quad 100 series, the Triple Heavy Duty 125 series and the various Slimline 200 combination lamp series. Our full range now provides quality solutions for all Combination Lamp requirements.” Call Maurice Bibb on 0121 313 2222. Email Maurice@ ledautolamps-uk.com. Visit www. ledautolamps-uk.com
LED Autolamps’ new combination lights
Tachodisc RestAssured dispels hours law uncertainty Tachodisc knows one of the biggest misinterpretations of Drivers’ Hours Law is still Daily Rest, which when taken incorrectly is recorded as an infringement and could lead to possible fines. To resolve this on-going compliance issue enabling drivers to easily understand rest and working periods and remain compliant, Tachodisc has created RestAssured. RestAssured is a circular instrument using the 24-hour clock and a visual traffic light system to show when rest periods are valid. The daily rest period is calculated by marking the start and end of duty, whereby the remainder of the 24-hour period will be the driver’s daily rest period. Karen Crispe, Tachodisc’s Managing Director explains how RestAssured works: “Using the outer ‘start dial’ drivers simply align the start arrow
Tachosys digiBLU spells and end to drivers’ hours uncertainty The latest innovation from Tachosys, digiBLU, monitors the activity of the digital tachograph in real time. Data is sent directly via Bluetooth to any Android smartphone or tablet. A user friendly Android app provides a constant monitor of current driving time and a clear countdown is displayed which turns from green to orange and then to red as the required break approaches. The Android app ‘digifob for Android’ is free from Google Play along with other free tachograph applications from Tachosys. Download of the tachograph and driver card can also be achieved. In addition to the drivers hours functionality, digiBLU can also be used to download the tachograph’s mass memory and the driver card – a valid company card is needed for this. Neatly the app can send data files directly to an operator’s third party analysis provider. Technical features include: n Bluetooth interface; n Inserts in Stoneridge or VDO Digital tachograph; n Serial interface allowing fully featured tachograph download with a valid company card; n Automatic stop/start operation; n Powered by VU (no batteries required); and n Key ring mountable. For more details, visit www.tachosys.com
Tachodisc’s RestAssured calculator at the time duty starts and then use the second ‘end dial’ to align the end arrow where duty ends; the colour coded ‘daily rest taken’ box will then advise whether the rest period is regular, reduced or an illegal period of rest.” “Should a driver wish to start earlier the next day, a third centre dial will then show if a legitimate daily
rest would be taken. “RestAssured is a very simple but clever concept and one which can really help drivers understand their daily rest in just a matter of seconds,” added Karen. Priced at £9.95, RestAssured is now available from www. tachodisc.co.uk. Call 01925 283328
digiBLU App
www.coachandbusweek.com
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the big question › a14 toll
What’s your view on the government’s proposals for the A14 between Cambridge and Huntingdon? What impact will it have on business?
The A14 pictured when it was relatively quiet – 1500hrs on Sunday (August 5)
Coach & Bus Week’s Alex Tyler talks to operators and organisations about the Government’s proposals for the A14 between Cambridge and Huntingdon and what action they will be taking
T
he Government has recently announced proposals for major investment along the A14 corridor in Cambridgeshire. Subject to agreement with interested local authorities on a funding package and decisions at the next Spending Review, construction work could begin by 2018. The plans are designed to address congestion and long term capacity issues on and around the key artery. The A14 road improvement package includes: Widening of the Cambridge Northern Bypass between Milton and Girton and enhancement of the Girton Interchange; Provision of “high standard” roads for local traffic use running in parallel to an enhanced A14 carriageway between Girton and the area near the current Trinity Foot A14 junction; Construction of a bypass to the south of Huntingdon between the area near Trinity Foot and the A1, at both ends tying in with the existing A14. Study work has confirmed funding for these can be generated in part through tolling a length of the enhanced A14, featuring around 20 miles of new or widened road. However, more work will be taken to determine the best tolling option, including what length the tolled section should be, how users would pay and what the tariff should be. The schemes have entered the DfT roads programme where detailed design and statutory processes occur. They are dependent on local government and commercial decision making and will be considered in more detail by the relevant local authorities and local enterprise partnerships. www.coachandbusweek.com
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Andy Campbell Managing Director, Stagecoach East “It will have no impact for us as we don’t operate any direct routes along the road. We only run on a small section from Bar Hill to Cambridge. I should think it will have a positive impact whilst it is being built, as it will push more people on to the Busway as they will want to avoid the delays. However, it should have a beneficial effect, as there will be fewer delays.”
Richard Grey Managing Director, Greys of Ely “It really depends where they put the toll, as we can jump straight to the M11 so it doesn’t impact us directly. However, in regards to school and student journeys to the college which we operate on behalf of the local authority, we would have to ask ‘who is paying for it?’ Currently, there is no mention of tolls in the contracts for Cambridgeshire. Operators could be made exempt or the local authority might have to find a space in the budget for it. Customers may also expect an additional charge and we take that into account, so it is potentially a cost which gets passed on. “Also, the A14 is not a fluid road, and as such, it might not be a good idea. There’s the potential for public backlash. They will have to think carefully how it is implemented.” Ed Funnel Spokesman for the CILT (Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport) UK “We understand to a degree that in difficult times the government will ask for a contribution from drivers for road projects. From a coach and bus perspective, it’s a more environmental form of travel and encourages fewer cars so we would be
Richard Grey has reservations about the plans
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disappointed and not in favour if operators were asked to pay. In principle, encouraging bus and coach travel is cheaper than building new roads. Some kind of allowance or reduction should be in place for operators due to them providing sustainable transport.”
Graham Neal Managing Director, Neal’s Travel, Isleham, near Ely, Cambridegshire “I would think it would have a detrimental effect on business because we will have to charge the customers for the tolls. We use it quite a bit to get to the north and west of Cambridge. Every little bit of extra cost we have to pass on and it could effect business between Cambridge and Peterborough. “Ultimately, I’d like to see the road improved but not as a toll road. Also, there’s a potential by pass at the A142 near Ely being considered because currently anything bigger than a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter can’t go under the barrier-free railway bridge because it has a 3m limit – larger vehicles have to wait at the level crossing at what is a very busy railway junction. As a result, in the roads surrounding Ely you can be waiting for up to 10 minutes in traffic. The sooner that bypass is built the better.”
Malcolm Bingham Head of Road Network Management Policy, FTA (Freight Transport Association) “The FTA welcomed the previous announcement by the Prime Minister that he would look at private investment in our infrastructure, but we were clear that any additional costs imposed on the freight industry would be unacceptable. The FTA is worried freight operators who have to use the A14 in order to get in and out of the vital container terminal at Felixstowe will be forced to pay this toll, which would be seen as an unavoidable tax if they are not offered a reasonable affordable alternative route to reach the Suffolk port.”
“I would think it would have a detrimental effect on business because we will have to charge the customers for the tolls. Every little bit of extra cost we have to pass on and it could effect business between Cambridge and Peterborough.” Andy Campbell: more passengers on the Busway
Graham Neal Neal’s Travel
Christopher Nice Deputy Director of Communications, CPT “Additional capacity is needed as it is a very busy road. As it stands, we support the government’s efforts, but will monitor the situation. We will decide nearer the time if we should challenge the decision. Ultimately, it is the decision of the operator – would they rather pay a little for a shorter journey or potentially risk a longer one.”
Plans could have an adverse affect on Neal’s www.coachandbusweek.com
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THE BIG PICTURE
This Van Hool T916-bodied Volvo belonging to Glen Valley Tours of Wooler, Northumberland, was caught on camera by CBW Editor Gareth Evans on the afternoon of Tuesday, July 31. The 48-seater is pictured heading North along London’s Park Lane, past Speakers’ Corner, Marble Arch. According to Gareth, the Van Hool appeared to be a rare touring coach in a sea of Olympic-related vehicles, familiar red London buses and open top tour buses. To this end, a tour guide can be seen giving commenatry from the comfort of the courier/ crew seat to a Gulliver’s Travel Associates (GTA) group. The coach, the livery of which appears to be distinctive in its application, carries the cherished registration number plate ‘H9GVT’. Turning to the operator, family-run Glen Valley Tours has been in business for over 40 years. It operates the familiar broad spectrum of work, including private hire and its own UK and European holiday tour programme. A couple of local bus routes are also operated. The coach fleet ranges from 16 to 70 seats.
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insight › bus partnership
Working together in Merseyside Tim Deakin talks to Merseytravel’s Integrated Transport Operations Manager David Blainey about the success of its partnership with the region’s operators and its plans for the future
M
erseytravel’s successful network of quality bus partnership (QBP) corridors grew further earlier this month when an additional tranche of routes became part of the scheme, bringing with it a new operator – First’s Chester and Wirral business. The man with responsibility for QBPs on Merseyside is David Blainey, Integrated Transport Operations Manager at Merseytravel and a man who has many years of experience in the bus sector to call upon. A graduate of Salford University in 1975, David joined Merseytravel three years ago having held a variety of posts with such longdeparted operators as West Midlands PTE, Northampton Borough Transport and South Notts. More recently he enjoyed two decades in a local government position in North Wales, still with responsibility for bus services. He also holds a full PCV licence and has almost completed Driver CPC training. Although quality bus partnerships on Merseyside can be traced back to the inner-city SMART scheme of almost 20 years ago – a project which saw the entry into service of the UK’s first low-floor bus – the current developments are www.coachandbusweek.com
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Left: David Blainey. Right: Registration restrictions are in place on Merseyside’s QBP corridors
much more recent, having debuted during July 2011. Nevertheless they had been in the works for a long time prior that, says David, and in contrast to SMART have been targeted at the region’s busiest bus corridors. “When I came to Merseytravel just over three years ago QBPs were one of the things I was asked to look at. The partnerships were in place by then in respect that there was a lot of conversation between the operators and us. Relationships already existed, but we did start looking at using the statutory QBP as a way of tying all the partners in,” he explained. Quality Contracts were also looked at by Merseytravel. “There were two options,” David said. “The view here was we should try the partnership approach first, but would retain the option of
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quality contracts if it didn’t work.” Regardless, he is of the opinion the QBP method is superior. “It has meant real passenger benefits which we’ve been able to deliver very quickly.” One of the key components comes through the Traffic Commissioner’s involvement. Registration restrictions are in place along QBP corridors on Merseyside and these prevent operators from running services there which do not meet the specifications laid down and agreed to by all partners. At the moment these include DDA access, engines satisfying Euro 3 emissions legislation as a minimum, side and rear route number repeaters and specially-trained drivers amongst others. Such requirements leave the door open to objections from other operators who may wish to run services via QBP corridors but are either unable or unwilling to meet the specified standards. “There is potential for that to happen. But when you look at our smaller providers, generally speaking the quality of the vehicles they operate is as good as the bigger companies’,” said David.
“I think there was an acceptance that where we had headto-head competition, neither operator was going to go away... The way forward is to coordinate, rather than to work separately.” David Blainey “This is because they’re very much focused on our tendered services, where we set vehicle standards. We award eight-year contracts, so what often happens is; operators invest in new buses which will last the lifetime of the tender.” He also acknowledges some may construe Merseytravel’s QBP specifications as setting a bar to entry into the market, but notes it is a quality standard that’s realistic. “For example, Euro 3 isn’t particularly onerous now and we are looking at whether in some of the later QBPs we might up that to Euro 4.” Liverpool’s current QBP corridors have historically
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insight › bus partnership
been endowed with an enviable level of service even before their upgrade. Buses were generally modern, frequencies high and fares low. Why were they identified for QBP treatment? “We talked about where the best potential is. It’s a combination of everything – and where we can identify scope to improve infrastructure obviously helps,” David explained. Another factor was where onstreet conflict had been underway between two of the larger companies. “I think there was an acceptance that where we had head-to-head competition, neither operator was going to go away,” said David. “The way forward is to co-ordinate, rather than to work separately.” He noted a particular issue was present on the 14 corridor in Liverpool, which runs north east from the city centre to Norris Green, Croxteth and outlying Kirkby. “Both operators were running half-hourly in the evenings but they were running together.” Individual frequencies at this time of day remain the same but the difference now, he explained, is that timetables are co-ordinated and service provision has, in effect, been doubled. “The indication from conversations is that it is benefiting revenue. Income is going up and it’s the same on Sundays where we’ve got very frequent, coordinated timetables,” he added. Daytime frequency on route 14’s core section on Sundays is every 7-8 minutes, both Arriva and Stagecoach operating quarterhourly. During Monday to Saturday, passengers between Croxteth and Liverpool city centre enjoy a bus every three minutes, a level of service also in place on the 82
corridor as far as Garston. Inter-availability of both operators’ daily and weekly tickets is one of the foundations upon which Merseyside’s QBP bus network is built, but revenue apportionment remains completely simple. “They just keep what they take,” said David. “If somebody boards a Stagecoach bus on a 14 on a Monday morning [and buys a weekly ticket] then Stagecoach keeps that money. The ticket can be used on an Arriva bus for the rest of the week but the revenue stays where it falls. Operators are happy with that and it’s easy.” Throughout the process of the various corridors’ conversion to QBP standard, consultation has been undertaken with all stakeholders. Passengers, operators, the Traffic Commissioner, the police and district councils are all among the parties who have been given the opportunity to comment. Operator involvement in this process extends beyond those directly involved in QBP
“Both bus companies are to be congratulated on joining in these partnerships with us, which are part of our continuing efforts to provide the region with the best possible public transport service.” Councillor Liam Robinson Chairman of Merseytravel
Two corridors on Wirral were converted to QBP standard on July 8. Both were formerley the scene of competition between two large operators www.coachandbusweek.com
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implementation from the outset. Every provider in the region is sent details of proposed schemes and may have their say. “It’s a very wide process based upon what’s contained in the 2008 Transport Act,” noted David, in reference to the piece of legislation which gave rise to quality bus partnerships. When the contracts are formally signed, nothing will visibly change from a passenger’s point of view. The big difference is that components which were previously voluntary will become legal obligations, explained David. “Where it mandates vehicles will be to a certain standard, it becomes a binding commitment,” he said, adding the caveat - Merseytravel is aware very occasional issues outside the control of operators may see non-compliant buses substituted by necessity to maintain service.
Wirral
The July 8 conversions of two corridors on Wirral to QBP standard are slightly different to those already undertaken. Both serve Liverpool city centre before passing through the Queensway Tunnel to Birkenhead. Buses on routes 471 and 472, in particular, load very well at peak times and continue to the affluent suburb of Heswall on the west of the peninsula; services 1 and 2 head south along the A41 corridor to serve Ellesmere Port. They terminate some way south of the Merseyside border in Chester. In common with the earlier routes both Wirral QBP corridors were formerly the scene of some heavy-duty competition between two large operators. “More than we’ve seen in Liverpool, frequencies aren’t as high on Wirral,” David explained. “We had quite a lot of people saying ‘why have we got two buses running together and then a long gap?’ There was more of a wish for the users’ benefit to try and co-ordinate something. Particularly along the A41 we were concerned evening and Sunday frequencies were nowhere near what we would like them to be.” With the Wirral changes leading to a reduced PVR for both operators concerned, resources have been redistributed. As with the Liverpool QBPs, this has seen the wishedfor improvements to evening and Sunday frequencies materialise. “We’ve been able to withdraw tendered journeys and they are
now operated commercially,” David noted. “We then commit to reinvest the money we’ve saved [by doing so] in marketing. It’s been the same on the Liverpool corridors as well.” The Wirral network of QBP services also includes one which never enters Merseyside. “On this side of the border, we wanted a co-ordinated Chester to Liverpool network which served all the main passenger demands. But then there were parts of Cheshire West which would have been left without a service,” David said. “We tried all sorts of ways to juggle routes around, but in the end
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the only way we could do it was by putting on an X2 between Chester and Ellesmere Port. Although it doesn’t come into Merseyside, it was always part of the discussions we had.” The X2 observes a halfhourly timetable and operates Monday to Saturday daytimes only. Administration of the X2 is handled by Cheshire West and Chester council (CWAC), but in terms of promotion and ticketing inter-availability it will form part of Merseytravel’s quality partnership network. David is hopeful the Wirral conversions will see the same results witnessed in Liverpool. CWAC bid
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successfully for Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF) money which will enable infrastructure improvements to continue on the southern end of routes 1 and 2, also benefiting the X2. Upgrades will also come to the physical kit used on Wirral QBPs. Arriva’s vehicles are largely compliant already but will be further improved next year when brand new hybrid double-deckers take over its share of the Liverpool to Heswall corridor. First’s commitment here will be upgraded to modern double-deck standards following Olympics-related fleet movements. The Chester routes will remain with saloons; both operators’ buses on the A41 axis already meet specifications laid down in QP documents. Services 1 and 2’s customer bases are mainly made up of intermediate passengers. Chester and Liverpool are linked every 15 minutes by a quicker Merseyrail service, and David accepts most travellers between the two centres will likely choose this option in spite of Chester railway station’s poor location some distance from the city’s main commercial area. The 471 and 472 present a different opportunity as Heswall is linked directly to Liverpool by rail. “That’s one of the main opportunities there,” he said. “That’s where we want to try and market it,” mentioning that people who wouldn’t previously have thought about using the bus, but would happily travel by train were a service available, are the key demographic who will be targeted in Heswall. “We have to try and make people see it differently. It’s a quality service.” Councillor Liam Robinson, the new Chair of Merseytravel,
David Blainey believes the QBP method is superior to Quality Contracts, as it offers real passenger benefits which can be delivered very quickly
“The way we try to work is not to impose things on operators; it’s to agree with them. We said, ‘we’re investing in a realtime system and we need your buses to be able to ‘speak’ to it. When will they be able to do that?’” David Blainey
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insight › bus partnership
has indicated his support for the partnership approach in response to the introduction of the Wirral QBPs. “Both bus companies are to be congratulated on joining in these partnerships with us, which are part of our continuing efforts to provide the region with the best possible public transport service.”
Future plans
Merseytravel’s QBP network as it stands now has already delivered tangible benefits for operators and users alike. Customer satisfaction as measured by Passenger Focus has already reached 90% for services along quality partnership corridors against 86% for the remainder of Merseyside’s bus network. This variation, says David, is impressive. “We were very pleased there was actually a difference. According to the statisticians we spoke to, 4% is significant. That is something we’re very encouraged by,” he observed. “It is very important to us because it demonstrates customers do appreciate what we’re trying to do.” What is perhaps even more interesting is the potential Merseyside’s quality bus partnership network exhibits for the future. Existing improvements have seen a number of junctions altered where doing so improves bus flow, but central to further benefits throughout the QBP network is the impending adoption of a centralised real time information system, scheduled to be in place by the end of next year. David said: “The way we try to work is not to impose things on operators; it’s to agree with them. We said, ‘we’re investing in a real-time system and we need your buses to be able to ‘speak’ to it. When will they be able to do that?’” LSTF money should eventually enable a central control centre to be set up in Liverpool to handle all real time-related tasks. “The intention is that it will be jointly staffed by us and the operators,” he added. This control centre has access to all real-time data and can call upon the CCTV network when needed. “It will link in with bus priority because it allows people there to see whether a bus actually needs priority,” said David. “If a journey is two minutes early, there’s no point getting it through the junction quicker.” Conversely, he added, the real-time system will also be sophisticated enough to know when a bus is late and needs to proceed rapidly. More serious disruption www.coachandbusweek.com
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will be identifiable sooner. “If, for example, there is a problem on the 14 corridor and nothing is getting through, we’ll be able to switch to the CCTV, which might show us there is a lorry broken down,” he explained. “We can then get a message to people on the ground telling them no buses on the 14 will be coming. We hope we can use the real time information and CCTV systems to give us that sort of control over the whole QBP network.” Merseytravel is also developing
“If, day after day, vehicles are being provided which are not up to the standard, action could be taken which might mean they were unable to operate on that route.” David Blainey
Customer satisfaction is 90% for services on Merseytravel’s QBP corridors
The Legal Deal:
Competition Commission-compliant
At the moment, and although the first QBP to be introduced has now been in operation for almost a year, none of them are actually legally binding schemes. This means none of the commitments agreed by Merseytravel and operators are obligatory yet, although in reality everything is in place and running to the desired standard. “Everything’s agreed. We’ve looked at all the feedback from the consultation and that’s been incorporated, so really we’re just waiting for our legal people to give the go-ahead. Solicitors do need to be very cautious about what’s in a legal agreement and it’s that which has taken time,” explained David. “We have had to be very careful that things like inter-availability ticketing aren’t contrary to anything that the Competition Commission is saying,” he continued. “We have got concerns that, as schemes become more and more widespread across Merseyside, it may become more difficult to keep the CC happy.” The 14 corridor should be the first to be signed, sealed and delivered as a binding agreement for all involved.
Service Outline Service Route Operator Core freq (mins)
1, 2 10, 10A, 10B, 10C 14, 14A, 14B, 14C 53, 53A 82, 82D 86, 86A, 86D 471, 472
Liverpool – Ellesmere Port – Chester Arriva/First Arriva/Stagecoach Liverpool – Huyton – St Helens Arriva/Stagecoach Liverpool – Croxteth – Kirkby Arriva/Stagecoach Liverpool – Crosby – Aintree Arriva/Stagecoach Liverpool – Aigburth – Speke Arriva/Stagecoach Liverpool – Garston – JLA Liverpool – Birkenhead – Heswall Arriva/First
10 2-3 3 5 3 3-5 10
an app for smartphones so realtime data can be sent direct to passengers. Again based on the centralised real time concept, information is sent to people’s computers as and when necessary, informing them of any disruption to their journeys. “So for example, if you catch the 472 home and there’s a problem in the tunnel, we can send you a message saying you’d be better off getting the train and catching your bus in Birkenhead,” David noted. Longer term, Merseytravel also has the potential to introduce a system similar to London’s iBus, which announces the next stop to passengers on board the vehicle. “The system we’ve bought allows us to do that, but whether we could actually put it on buses is down to funding.” Next up in terms of further partnerships should be area-based schemes. Both Southport and Liverpool city centre have so far been identified as likely recipients of wholesale QBP treatment, but these won’t happen until all parts of the existing network are legally binding. “We want to really put effort into getting these signed off,” said David. “We don’t want to keep going, corridor after corridor, without having the agreement to back it up.” While QBPs benefit both operators and passengers alike, members of the former group should remember, when signed into being by all concerned they impose a legal obligation to meet the specified standards. Although he is confident such measures will never be required on Merseyside, David describes what could happen to service providers should they repeatedly and consistently fail to do what’s required of them. “If, day after day, vehicles are not up to the standard, action could be taken which might mean they were unable to operate on that route.” But for now, with all three operators so far involved with Merseytravel’s growing network of QBPs having invested heavily to go along with the considerable amount of public finance ploughed into the scheme, the future looks rosy for passengers and service providers alike. With the hope of more corridors and area schemes to come, Liverpool and Wirral’s quality bus partnerships could become a template for the rest of the country to follow.
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DELIVERIES
seatbelts. Radio, PA, CD/ DVD and MP3 audio/video equipment is on board, coupled to motorised drop down monitor. Laura Thomas, a Director at Upton Coaches, told CBW: “We used to have the first model of the Beluga, so it was time for an upgrade. “Moseley are right on our doorstep and deal with Sitcars. We’ve bought some of our larger vehicles from them, including a 53-seater.”
UPTON COACHES LIMITED A Sitcar Beluga 3 Midicoach has joined Upton Coaches of Upton, Taunton. The coach is built on a Mercedes Benz 0816D 4800 coach chassis and powered by a Euro 5 turbo charged and intercooled
engine, which generates 115kW of power at 2200rpm and 610Nm of torque at 1200-1600rpm. The coach has a Telma retarder, air suspension to the rear axle and a 125-litre fuel tank. The midicoach carries 29 Vogel reclining seats with contrasting leather trim to headrest, sides of seat cushions, backrests and piping, all with three point
JAY AND KAY COACH TOURS Moseley in the South has supplied Jay and Kay Coach Tours with a VDL Bova Futura FHD 120.365 PR coach. Measuring 12 metres, the coach is built to EC 2001/85 legislation. Power comes from a 365bhp DAF PR Euro 5 engine, coupled to a manual six speed gearbox with a ZF Intarder with hand control.
FACT FILE
Chassis/body Mercedes-Benz
0816D 4800
Engine OM904LA Euro 5 115kW Transmission Mercedes
Manual Seats 29 Spec Touring
Supplied by
Moseley in the South 018230 653000 www.moseleysouth.co.uk
FILERS TRAVEL LTD Filers Travel Ltd, of Ilfracombe, North Devon, has taken delivery of a trio of VDL Bova Futura FHD 127.365 PR 12.7m coaches, built to EC 2001/85 legislation. The vehicles are powered by 365bhp DAF PR Euro 5 engines with ZF automatic transmission and ZF Intarder with hand control. Each carries a device for raising and lowering the suspension of the vehicle, ASR traction control and a 160-gallon (nominal 725-litre) fuel tank. The driver has access to cruise control, satellite navigation and a reversing camera. The vehicles contain 53 Vogel Conturo reclining seats with headrest covers
Drivability is assisted by ASR traction control and cruise control. The driver also benefits from a reversing camera. The coach carries 49 Vogel Conturo reclining seats equipped with seatbelts and contrasting leather panels to headrest, backrest, cushions and moquette seams. Internally, the vehicle contains a centre sunken toilet compartment/ washroom, fridge, water boiler, radio/PA/CD/DVD
sunken toilet and washroom compartment is on board, with a fridge to the gangway side of the toilet and a water boiler to the toilet top. The vehicles have an offside centre poweroperated continental exit for easier boarding and alighting. Xenon headlamps and L.E.D rear lights are installed. Wheel trims match the body colour of the vehicles, which is finished in a metallic red. FACT FILE
and piping to the moquette seams, seatback tables, seatbelts and adjustable, individual footrests. The courier and driver seats are trimmed in leather. Windows are dark tinted and double
glazed to the sides and rear with curtains. Carpets cover the floors to entrance and exit steps, drivers area and gangway. Climate control is provided by a Futurair air conditioning
system with additional winter protection and Webasto pre heater with digital timer. Each coach holds two LCD monitors linked to a DVD system, along with a radio, PA and CD system. A centre
Chassis/body VDL Bova Futura FHD 127.365 PR Engine 365bhp DAF PR Euro 5 Transmission ZF Automatic Seats 53 Spec Touring Supplied by
Moseley in the South 018230 653000 www.moseleysouth.co.uk
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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 james.day@ coachandbusweek.com
system and two centre motorised LCD monitors. Karl Brazier, joint owner of Jay and Kay Coach Tours, told CBW: “We’ve always liked Bovas and Moseley are very good to deal with. We’ve put £8,000 of extras into the vehicle and so far it has been superb, winning two awards at the UK Coach Rally. “We run our own tours and day excursions, which is the majority of the business we do, so the coach is built for touring.” FACT FILE
Chassis/body VDL Bova
Futura FHD 120.365 PR
Engine 365bhp DAF PR Euro 5 Transmission 6 Speed Manual Seats 49 Spec Touring Supplied by
Moseley in the South 01823 653000 www.moseleysouth.co.uk
COMPANY COACHES Company Coaches has upgraded its fleet with the delivery of a highspecification 51/53 seat Mercedes-Benz Tourismo from EvoBus. The company operates from its base in Ferrybridge, West Yorkshire, and the business has been established for over 20 years. Over that period the business has increased its fleet size to a total of 15 vehicles. The newly added Tourismo will be mainly used for University College trips to London and with the Olympic Games taking place this year, the company said it needed a new flagship vehicle. The new coach is a 12.2 metre Tourismo and features a 12-litre Mercedes-Benz OM 457 LA 260 kW Euro 5
public address and two 15’’flat screen front & centre monitors. In addition the vehicle comes with a boon kitchen. Jonathan Slatter, a partner, said: “We have always liked the Mercedes-Benz products and the new Tourismo will fit into our fleet perfectly. With us having bought one of the first 0404 Hispanos and the first Mercedes Touros, the Tourismo was a natural progression.” turbo-charged inter-cooled engine, coupled with a ZF Ecolife six speed fully automatic gearbox. Euro 5 is achieved through Mercedes-Benz’s BlueTec SCR technology using Ad-Blue. The driver has access to cruise control and is supported by a range of safety features including ESP, Brake Assist and EBS. The vehicle carrys 53 Travel
Star Xtra seats with specified two point seatbelts, armrests and leather headrests. The seats also have aisle-side lateral adjustment. The fully integral double glazed vehicle provides Webasto heating, roof mounted air conditioning and additional driver’s area climate control. A Coach 2000 professional multi-media system is on board, with DVD/CD/
FACT FILE
Chassis/body 12.2m Mercedes-Benz Tourismo Engine 12 Litre Mercedes-Benz OM 457 Euro 5 Transmission ZF Ecolife 6 Speed Automatic Seats 53 Spec Touring Supplied by
EvoBus UK 024 7662 6000 www.evobus.co.uk
www.coachandbusweek.com
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DRIVERS
In association with
DriveTech
Send your driver news and stories to james.day@coachandbusweek. com or call 01733 293 244.
Arriva North West well represented at UKBA Three top drivers go on to represent the company at UK Bus Driver of the Year in September Three Arriva North West drivers have been awarded first, second and third place at the regional final of the UK Bus Driver of the Year Competition 2012. Debbie Letman, based at Bootle garage, scooped first prize, with Alan France and Rachel Hill, who both work from the Winsford garage, being awarded second and third place respectively. 11 Arriva bus drivers from the North West and Wales had the
Plymouth Citybus MD back on the buses
Plymouth Citybus’ recentlyappointed Managing Director Richard Stevens went back to the front line on Thursday, July 26, driving some of the city’s bus routes. Richard, who started his career as a bus driver, went undercover and completed a full driver’s duty. He spent the day driving services 28, 50, 61 and 62, with the aim of experiencing firsthand the conditions his bus drivers face every day and to gain an insight into the needs of the Go-Ahead Groupowned operator’s customers. Commenting on his experience of being back behind the wheel, Richard said: “Overall my shift was a great success. I made a few little mistakes but all of my passengers were incredibly tolerant and patient of their ‘new bus driver,’ even in the 25 degree heat. “I believe there isn’t a better way
opportunity to demonstrate their skills and safety awareness at the event and Arriva North West says it has become an important date in its calendar. Held at the Rhyl Events arena, the competition aims to help raise the standards of passenger care and comfort, recognising and rewarding the skill involved in driving a bus. Debra Heaton, Marketing and Communications Manager for Arriva North West and Wales, said: “All the drivers who took part were of an extremely high standard. To represent their garage at the regional final a whole
range of criteria are taken into consideration, including customer comments, driving standards, appearance and punctuality in service. The final competition involves a driving course and a theory test. “The top drivers at each garage and the three overall winners should be very proud of their achievements.” Debbie, Alan and Rachel will go on to represent Arriva North West and Wales in the UK Bus Driver of the Year national event, held in Blackpool over the weekend of September 8–9.
MD Richard Stevens behind the wheel of route 61 from Royal Parade to get to know our customers than from behind the wheel of a bus. I would like to thank everyone who travelled with me.” Richard continued: “We have had a fantastic response from our customers as part of the recent Chatterbus consultation process. “My bus driver’s perspective will help me apply all of my efforts into meeting the transport needs of
people of Plymouth. I am confident the team I have at Plymouth Citybus will meet this challenge. The first of our service changes to improve the customer experience will take effect before the end of October, details will be announced shortly.” Richard joined Plymouth Citybus on May 1. Previously he was Operations Director at Exeterbased Stagecoach South West.
Image of George Harrison etched in dirt by bus driver Robert Burden
“Clean me…” becomes an art for driver Bus Driver and urban artist, Rob Burden, has created four portraits in dirty vans in Kettering since he started driving the X4 Stagecoach route from the town. By wiping away the dirt to produce highlights he has ‘sketched’ silver screen idol Gary Cooper on a van at the junction of London Road and Pytchley Road and actor James Dean on a bus at his depot in Northampton Road to name a few. He first started his dirt van portraits in 2005 when working as a van courier in London. While waiting for jobs he would amuse other drivers by sketching on the vans in the yard. Since then he has created nearly 200 portraits around the country and hopes to publish a book of the pictures once he has produced enough. Rob said: “I would just like people to know I’m doing a little bit of art and I’m not going to damage the vehicle. If they see me hanging around it’s just a passion of mine. If I see a dirty van I can’t resist it.” The portraits take around three quarters of an hour to produce. Driving around the county gives Rob plenty of opportunities to spot new canvases and he is said to have his eye on a particularly dirty van in Weldon. For more information or to offer your dirty van for a portrait visit www.robertburden. co.uk
www.coachandbusweek.com
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COACH&BUSMARKET – the place to buy and sell
To advertise on these pages for as little as £30 just call 01733 293247 For Sale: Due to fleet replacement, we need to sell up to 5 of the following and don’t mind which 5! Dennis Plaxton R Series Cummins 420 2003: 2 x 49/53 seats with WC, 3 x 53 seats 2004: 5 x 53 seats 2005: 2 x 53 seats Volvo B12B Plaxton Paragon: 2006: 2 x 49/53 seats with WC, 1 x 53 seats All are well maintained, low mileage examples (approximately 62,000km per annum) with long MoT, air conditioning and AStronic/Easyshift gearboxes. Owned by us from new and used on our own holiday programme. All over cream. Priced to sell at £37,000 (03 reg), £48,000 (04 reg), £59,000 (05 reg) and £89,000 (06 reg) plus VAT (£3,000 premium for WC). Sorry no part exchange facilities!
To view contact Tom Smith, Operations Manager, Alfa Travel on 08451 305777
...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.
Passenger and Commercial Vehicles Recovery Dismantlers Parts Sales
Dennis Pointer Dart Mk2 x 130 All spares available - includes engine, gearboxes, seats, etc.
Call: 01226 727769 Mobile: 07912 103497 Email: geoff-ripley@btconnect.com www.geoff-ripleysbuscoachsales.com
2000 OPTARE SOLO
9.2 mtr with Mercedes engine, 33 seats with wheelchair and buggy space plus 20 standing with 31 newly installed seatbelts (forward facing), full repaint in any fleet colour, ready for schools, good choice.
£13,950.00
Order now for September
For more information visit
www.staffordbuscentre.com Tel: 01782 791774/07803 222552
Don’t forget to say that you saw it in
1996 Volvo B10M
Manual, 50 seats+crew with lap belts, A/C, rear W/C, full CCTV system, continental door, DVD & monitor, taxed and MOT, double glazed windows.
£23,000 +VAT ono Contact Ron Hoskins Select Bus & Coach Services 41 Mary Street, Neath, West Glamorgan SA11 1PN
Tel: 07980 618419 Email: select_services@mail.com
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
COACH&BUSMARKET
Looking for a great deal to sell your vehicles? Contact Jade Cassidy now for details of our current offers : 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!
Telephone Jade Cassidy on 01733 293247 or email jade.cassidy@coachandbusweek.com
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Ensig DOUBLE DECK 1999 T/V REG DENNIS TRIDENTS
LEZ
COMPLIANT
Cummins/Voith, LEZ compliant with traps, Plaxton President bodies, 62 seats dual door (£13,000) or 70 when converted to single door (£16,000).
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 LED’s, 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.
1993 K REG LEYLAND OLYMPIAN
Volvo Euro 2 engines, ZF gearboxes, Northern Counties bodies, 78 seats.
1997/98 VOLVO OLYMPIANS
Gardner 6LXB / ZF, Northern Counties low height body, 76 seats, long MOT.
1995 M REG DENNIS DRAGON
2000 X REG VOLVO B7LA ARTIC
Cummins/Voith gearbox, Duple Metsec body, recent floor and 92 coach seats. LAST ONE
120 capacity, new MOT on sale, last one remaining.
2001 DDA COMPLIANT DENNIS DART
Plaxton Pointer 2 dual door body, 31 seats, CCTV, particulate trap fitted, LEZ 2012 compliant, only £6,500 plus tyres (£400). LAST ONE
1999 DENNIS TRIDENTS
Cummins/Voith, Alexander ALX 400 bodies, 63 seats or 70 as single door.
OPEN TOP BUSES A SPECIALITY -
Juliette Close, Purfleet Industrial Telephone 01708 865656 Fax: 01708 8 Visit our website for current s
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nbus
K ER SPECIALIST ZF automatics, Plaxton Premiere 320 bodies, 53 seats, exhaust traps fitted, LEZ compliant.
1998 R REG DAF SB3000’S
2000/2001 X REG DENNIS SUPER POINTER DARTS
ZF automatic, Plaxton Premiere 320, 70 seats with 3 point belts, LEZ Euro 4 compliant.
1994 PP VOLVO B10M
Gardner 6LXB’s / Hydracyclic’s, good spare schoolbuses, £2500 each.
1982 LEYLAN TITANS
Euro 3, ZF automatics, East Lancs bodies, 37 seats, full DDA, Hanover LED’s, long MOT’s.
2002 VOLVO B6BLE’S
Cummins 160 engines, Voith gearboxes, 35 seats as dual door, or 43 seats as single door.
Euro 4, Wrights Gemini body, dual door, 68 seats. LAST ONE
2007 VOLVO B9TL
1997/98 P/R REG VOLVO OLYMPIANS
1998 VOLVO OLYMPIAN
Northern Counties Palatine 2, Volvo Euro 2 engine with trap for LEZ, 70 seats.
Volvo Euro 2 engines, ZF gearboxes, Alexander RL low height bodies, 80 / 87 seaters
ZF automatic, Plaxton Excalibur body , 49 seats with rear toilet, air-con.
2000 W REG VOLVO B10M
1999 S REG SUPER POINTER DART
2001 X REG DENNIS DART MPD’S
1994 M REG DENNIS JAVLIN
25 seats, ramps, good MOT’s.
11.3m, uprated engine and Allison World Series gearbox, 41 seats.
6 speed ZF manual gearbox, Plaxton Premiere 320 body, 70 seats with 3 point belts.
- BRITAIN’S BIGGEST BUS DEALERS Park, Purfleet, Essex, RM15 4YF 8 864340 e-mail: sales@ensignbus.com t stock at www.ensignbus.com
553368-1048-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
SOLD
(10) 2010 Ford Transit 17 seat M/R 140PS with air-con, tacho, COIF/PSV £17,995 (59) 2009 Ford Transit 17 seat 2.4tdi 115ps, tacho, air-con, 15,000km only £17,495 (
SOLD
(56) Ford Transit 17 seat 2.4tdi 115ps, high back seats, electric windows, central locking, 66,000 miles, FSH, COIF/PSV £9,995
LDV MINIBUSES
(57) 2007 LDV Maxus 15 seat minibus, high back seats with three point belts £7,495
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 (07) Peugeot Boxer 3.5 ton 17 seat minibus, 2.2 diesel with three point seat belts, 28,000 miles, COIF/PSV £10,495 2006 (55) Vauxhall Vivaro, 7 seat, wheelchair tracking, inboard electric lift, easy clean floor, 55,000 miles £7,995 2003 (53) Peugeot Expert Taxi 7 seat 2.0ltr diesel, tracking for one wheelchair, lightweight ramp, easy clean floor, 50,000 miles only £4,495 no VAT
SOLD
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
(09) 2009 Renault Master 16 seat minibus, tacho,high back seats with three point belts, 35,000km £15,650
(57) LDV Maxus LWB 9 seats tracking to take two wheelchairs, inboard lift, 49,000 miles, £9,995
New Renault Master 17 seat LWB LM39dci 126 Minibus, tacho ONLY £20,350
(03) 2003 Fiat Doblo SX 1.9 diesel, low floor, four seats plus one wheelchair, lightweight ramp, 45,000 miles £3,495
(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
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%
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The North West’s Premier Minibus Sales, supplying nationwide for over 40 years
LEZ
LEZ
LEZ
Wheelchair Accessible
Wheelchair Accessible
Wheelchair Accessible
58 FORD TRANSIT
57 MERCEDES SPRINTER 515
58 VAUXHALL MOVANO
52 VOLKSWAGEN LT 46
LWB 17 seat factory minibus, covered 70,000 miles, full electric pack, digital tacho, totally totally showroom condition inside and out £12,995
Only covered 20,000 miles, fitted with 16 highback Restcroft seats, lots of Unwin tracking, SLD with cassette step, external Ratcliffe fully automatic tailift, good quality O&H conversion, totally totally like new choice of 2 POA
LWB covered 41,000 miles, 8 highback passenger seats, lots of Unwin tracking, Ricon internal fully automatic tailift, totally showroom condition, SLD with cassette step £16,995
8/10 highback seats plus wheelchair spaces, Ricon internal fully automatic tailift, choice of 2 £4,995
PSV’d
Wheelchair Accessible
LEZ
LEZ
LEZ
Wheelchair Accessible
Wheelchair Accessible
56 MERCEDES VARIO 614
08 MERCEDES VITO LWB
09 RENAULT MASTER
06 MERCEDES SPRINTER 413 CDI
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 £14,995
Only covered 50,000 miles from new, 8 passenger seats, twin SLDs, totally immaculate, excellent value at £10,995
MWB, covered 49,000 miles, 5/8 highback passenger seats, SLD with cassette step, Ricon internal tailift, totally showroom condition inside and out. £14,995
LWB, 15 highback passenger seats, power side door, lots of Unwin tracking, external cassette tailift, LEZ compliant, will come with 12 months PSV test, excellent condition inside and out £14,995
LEZ
LEZ
Wheelchair Accessible
Wheelchair Accessible
LEZ LEZ
Wheelchair Accessible
58 RENAULT MASTER
09 FORD TRANSIT 110 TREND
05 MERCEDES SPRINTER 311 CDI
LWB, covered 46,000 miles, unmarked, silver metallic, 8 highback passenger, seats lots of Unwin tracking, Ricon internal Clearway tailift, SLD with cassette step. Where do you find late model vehicles like this – excellent value £16,995
MWB covered 25,000 miles, twin SLDs, full electric pack, totally immaculate inside and out £11,995
MWB, front low step entry, fitted with 8 highback passenger seats, lots of Unwin tracking, good quality conversion, external cassette tailift, totally showroom condition £9,995
TO REA W DY OR K
06 MERCEDES SPRINTER 316 CDI LWB, full automatic transmission, 8 highback passenger seats plus wheelchair spaces, Ricon internal fully automatic tailift, lots of Unwin tracking, Unwin Innotrax m1 flooring system, front low step entry with cassette step, air conditioning, LEZ compliant, totally immaculate in everyway £12,995
PSV’d
LEZ
LEZ
Wheelchair Accessible
Wheelchair Accessible
Wheelchair Accessible
54 MERCEDES VARIO 614
55 BMW 630i CONVERTIBLE
56 RENAULT MASTER
09 RENAULT MASTER
With 15 highback passenger seats, complete flat floor, powerdoor front entry, external PLS tailift, analogue tacho, fully colour coded, totally immaculate in every way, low miles, excellent value £10,995
Cream leather 44,000 miles, our own car from new, full BMW service history, totally immaculate in everyway, please ring for full spec.
LWB 9 highback passenger seats, covered 46,000 miles, lots of Unwin tracking, Ricon internal tailift, SLD with side step, m1 Unwin Invatax floor, totally unmarked, silver metallic £11,995
LWB, PTS spec, covered 41,000 miles, 8 highback passenger seats, Ricon internal tailift, lots of Unwin tracking, SLD with cassette step, totally totally immaculate, LEZ compliant, choice of 2 £16,995
LEZ
PSV’d
Wheelchair Accessible
Wheelchair Accessible
LEZ
07 MERCEDES SPRINTER 515
58 VAUXHALL MOVANO
02 MERCEDES VARIO 814
2010 FORD TRANSIT
Covered 40,000 miles, 16 highback passenger seats, external Ratcliffe cassette tailift.
LWB covered 41,000 miles, 8 highback passenger seats, lots of Unwin tracking, Ricon internal fully automatic tailift, totally showroom condition, SLD with cassette step £16,995
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, 97k miles £13,995
LWB, highroof, 17 seat factory spec minibus, digital tacho, showroom condition inside and out, LEZ compliant, above average miles but fantastic value at £14,995
Tel: 01942 864222 • WWW.HEATONSMOTORCO.CO.UK ALL PRICES PLUS VAT We guarantee quality vehicles, right prices, no pressure sales. Come and have a coffee while you browse at your leisure. Junction 23, M6 or 20 miles from Manchester/Liverpool airport.
06 (06) FORD TRANSIT 9 SEAT W/CHAIR ACC OR 4 SEATING/2 W/CHAIR NEW INTERNAL LIFT £11,495
09 (59) FORD TRANSIT 17 SEAT MEDIUM ROOF TACHO COIF/PSV 30,000 MILES CHOICE OF 2 £16,495
04 (04) LDV CONVOY 17 SEAT COACHSTYLE FRONT ENTRY COIF/PSV £7,995
2010 (60) RENAULT TRAFFIC 9 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE DELIVERY MILEAGE £24,995
MULTIPART & LDV/MAXUS PARTS STOCKISTS
(PONTYPOOL) LTD
NOW AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING
P.O.A.
• ALTAS CONVERSION • 17 SEAT MINICOACH • DOUBLE GLAZED WINDOWS • FULL AIR CONDITIONING • POWER DOOR LOW ENTRY STEP • HI-VIS WINDSCREEN • COACH STYLE REAR WITH DROP WELL BOOT • LUGGAGE RACKS • MANY EXTRAS
NEW MERCEDES SPRINTER TOURLINE 516CDI
Tel: 01495 757111 Mob: 07850 739446 (Haydn) or visit our website www.minibussales.biz to view the above stock
2005 (55) FORD TRANSIT 17 SEAT MINIBUS 115PS COIF/PSV IN WHITE 77,500MLS TACHO £9,495
2006 (55) LDV CONVOY ELWB MINI COACH 17 SEATS 90PS EXCEL CONVERSION COIF/PSV TACHO £11,995
08 (58) MERCEDES SPRINTER 2-09 CDI W/CHAIR ACC 6 SEATS INC DRIVER 20,000 MILES £18,995
16:39
07 (07) LDV MAXUS W/CHAIR ACCESSIBLE 4 SEAT INBOARD LIFT UNWIN TRACKING £12,495
6/8/12
(07) 57 FORD TRANSIT 17 SEAT MEDIUM ROOF TACHO COIF/PSV 58,000 MILES £11,495
p49_CBW_1048 Page 1
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2005 Ford Transit 410
Factory minibus, fitted with 14 moquette h/b coach seats, COIF, tacho and new PSV, 120,000 miles
£5950
For more information visit
www.staffordbuscentre.com Tel: 01782 791774/07803 222552
2 x DAF SB3000 WS Plaxton Prima 320
ZF auto, 53 reclining seats, with Eminiox Euro 4 kits, short MOT, can supply new test, excellent condition £18,000.00 ONO + VAT
2006 MAN NEOPLAN EUROLINER
I 49 seat exec I Air con I Centre toilet I Long MoT
1995 Volvo B10M Plaxton Premier 350
ZF Auto, 49/53 exec certified, plain white, new trim, really nice coach £15,000.00 ONO + VAT
1992 Volvo B10M Manual Plaxton Premier 350
57 seater, brand new trim, 7 upseat, sprayed white, ready to go £13,000.00 ONO + VAT
2 x 1996 70 Seater Plaxton Premier 320
Volvo B10M ZF chassis, available September 2012 £28,000.00 + VAT CALL FOR DETAILS
01268 795763
I Auto
OFFERS INVITED Finance Packages Available. Vehicles for sale on behalf of operator or finance house Call Mike Austin for more information
07834 810907 or 0121 711 7237 2000 OPTARE SOLO
9.2 mtr with Mercedes engine, 33 seats with wheelchair and buggy space plus 20 standing with 31 newly installed seatbelts (forward facing), full repaint in any fleet colour, ready for schools, good choice.
£13,950.00
Order now for September
For more information visit
www.staffordbuscentre.com Tel: 01782 791774/07803 222552
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OPTARE SOLO 2000 reg, Mercedes engine, 31 seats with new belt installation, DDA spec, new paint and test. Order now for September
£13,950
For more information visit
www.staffordbuscentre.com Tel: 01782 791774/07803 222552
COACH&BUSMARKET
Looking for a great deal to sell your vehicles?
1 x 57 Volvo Vanhool 1987 Tested Mar 2013 Taxed Sept 2012 1 x 53 Volvo Vanhool 1993 (Toilet) Tested Feb 2013 Taxed Nov 2012 1 x 32 Plaxton Cheetah 1998 Tested Jan 2013 Taxed Feb 2013 1 x 32 Plaxton Cheetah 1998 Tested Apr 2013 Taxed Jan 2013 1 x 27 Beluga 2001 Tested Apr 2013 Taxed Dec 2012 1 x 16 Ford Transit 2005 Tested Dec 2012 Taxed Sept 2012 1 x 16 Ford Transit 2002 Tested Aug 2013 Taxed Mar 2013 1 x 14 Ford Transit 2005 Tested Mar 2013 Taxed Feb 2013 1 x 8 Ford Transit 2003 Tested Oct 2012 Taxed Nov 2012 1 x 8 Volkswagen Caravelle 2003 (D) Tested Mar 2013 Taxed Mar 2013
Contact Jade Cassidy now on :
01733 293247 jade.cassidy@coachandbusweek.com Coach & Bus Week – the only paid-for weekly magazine in the bus and coach industry – there’s no comparison!
1 x 8 Volkswagen Caravelle (D) Wheelchair Accessb 1997 Tested Nov 2012 Taxed July 2012 1 x 6 Vauxhall Safira (D) 2001 Tested Sept 2012 Taxed July 2012
2009 09 REG FORD TRANSIT
15 seat factory bus with only 9K miles, tacho, COIF applied for
£14,250
For more information visit
www.staffordbuscentre.com Tel: 01782 791774/07803 222552
For prices telephone: 01779 480480 or mobile contact Ewan Mowat: 07768 432111 Email: info@victoriacoaches.co.uk www.victoriacoaches.co.uk
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Southdown PSV - 01342 711840 www.southdownpsv.co.uk
2007 (57) ADL ENVIRO 200 10.8m - 37 SEATS • • • • • • •
SLF 10.8m. 37 seats Cummins Euro 4. Alison auto g/box Fully DDA compliant for 2016+ Hanover LED destination Repainted June 2012 MOT April 2013 £52,000 + VAT
Finance available – subject to status
Many more quality buses available – please call 01342 711840 or visit our website
www.southdownpsv.co.uk
Southdown PSV Silverwood Snow Hill Copthorne West Sussex RH10 3EN
S ALL
OLD
ADL ENVIRO 200 58/09 REG 29 seats Choice of 4
2005 MAN 14.240 MCV EVOLUTION SERVICE BUS
From £59,950
For more information visit
www.staffordbuscentre.com Tel: 01782 791774/07803 222552
2000 OPTARE SOLO
9.2 mtr with Mercedes engine, 33 seats with wheelchair and buggy space plus 20 standing with 31 newly installed seatbelts (forward facing), full repaint in any fleet colour, ready for schools, good choice.
£13,950.00
Order now for September
For more information visit
www.staffordbuscentre.com Tel: 01782 791774/07803 222552
40 seats, NEW MOT TO MAY 2013, repanelled and repainted 2 pack white, engine overhauled, Hanover LED destination gear, drives fantastic, superb condition.
£26,500 + VAT o.v.n.o.
Contact Steve on 07795 347476 or 01492 640320 (North Wales)
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August 8, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 55
1999/2000 Dennis Trident Alexander ALX 400 V and X reg, long wheelbase, EURO 4
55/57 str from £4950+VAT
68 seats £9950+VAT
£3500+VAT
57 seat B10M
37 seats £18950+VAT
£66950+VAT
For more information visit
www.staffordbuscentre.com Tel: 01782 791774/07803 222552
COACHES
MAYPOLE COACHES COACH OPERATORS FOR OVER 50 YEARS DUE TO RESTRUCTURING HAVE THE FOLLOWING VEHICLES FOR SALE: Belted, S/D con, tacho, Eminox, Euro 4, driver air con, 60 mph, 12 mths MOT £16,000 + VAT
81 SEATS VOLVO OLYMPIAN
Eminox exhaust, air con, 60 mph, 12 mths MOT, £11,500 + VAT
74 SEAT BELTED
As above £10,000 + VAT
74 SEATS WITHOUT BELTS
1994 VOLVO B10M JONCKHEERE DEAUVILLE
Retrimmed 2 yr ago, 12 mths MOT, 51 seats with belts, toilet, DVD/monitor £12,500 + VAT
1993 VOLVO B10M VANHOOL T8 BODYWORK
12 mths MOT, toilet, DVD/monitor, 49 seats with belts £11,000 + VAT 63 seats, ZF auto, 3 point belts, 12 mths MOT, tacho £5,500 + VAT
1992 LEYLAND LYNX
60 coach seats 3 point belts,Cummins/ Allison, 12 mths MOT, tacho, radio £5,900 + VAT
1996 BLUEBIRD BUS
Tel: 0151 547 2713 or 07802 235778 DENNIS DART PLAXTON POINTER SLF
P reg with 29/32 seats, recent retrim, metallic silver, new test.
£5,950
For more information visit
www.staffordbuscentre.com Tel: 01782 791774/07803 222552
05-54 Iveco Beulas Eurorider, 49 seat exec, 6 speed man, centre sunken toilet, low mileage, MOT May 2013 ...............................................................................................................................................£66,950 93 K Scania Cetano, 8 speed manual, 51 seat exec, centre sunken toilet, MOT July 2013 ......£10,950 92-J Volvo B10M VanHool, manual, 57 seat, MOT Feb 2013 ......................................................£9,950 91-J Dennis Javelin, Cummins diesel, manual, 68 seats, MOT Feb 2013 ...................................£9,950 90-H Scania VanHool, manual, 49 seat exec, centre sunken toilet, MOT ....................................£7,500 1988 Scania VanHool, manual, 55 seat, MOT May 2013 .............................................................£4,950 1987 Daf VanHool, manual, 57 seat, choice of two, .....................................................................£7,950 1987 Daf VanHool, manual, 55 seat, MOT Dec 2012 ...................................................................£7,950
MINI-COACHES & BUSES 99-V Optare Solo, auto, 37 seat/15 standing, low floor, 2 owners .............................................£18,950 97-P Merc 814 Nouvelle, 6 speed, 33 seat, MOT 1 year, ............................................................£11,950 97-P Merc 711, manual, 29 seat, MOT 1 year, 2 owners ..............................................................£8,500 97-P Merc 709, Auto, 24 seat, MOT 1 year, 2 owners ..................................................................£4,950 91-J Merc 811, Auto, 31 seat Carlyle body, MOT Nov, 2 owners .................................................£3,500 91-J Merc 709, manual, 25 seat Alexander body, MOT 1 year .....................................................£3,950 03-03 LDV Convoy Hi-roof LWB, 8 seat (Private Hire) MOT March 2013 ...................................£1,350 All prices - PLUS VAT • All vehicles can be painted in colour at cost.
Tel 01768 892727 Fax 01768 899680 Email: sales@nbmtravel.co.uk NBM Travel, Cromwell Road, Penrith, Cumbria CA11 7JW
COACH&BUSMARKET Looking for a great deal to sell your vehicles? Buy 3 weeks get a 4th week
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H. W. PICKRELL MINIBUS AND WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLES
Gardiners Lane North • Crays Hill • Billericay • Essex • CM11 2XE Tel: 01268 521033 • Mobile: 07860 894331 • Fax: 01268 284951
Email: sales@hwpickrell.co.uk - www.hwpickrell.co.uk Finance available on all vehicles (subject to status) Written details on request.
WH E E LCH AIR ACCE S S IBL E MI NI BUS E S For latest stock arrivals follow @h_w_pickrel
60 REG FORD TRANSIT T430 JUMBO 2.4TD
2009 59 REG VAUXHALL VIVARO SL28 2.0 TD
56 REG RENAULT MASTER MM33 2.5TD
2008 57 REG RENAULT M AST ER LM39 2.5TD
Manual gearbox, high roof, factory bus conversion, side entry slam door with low entry step, 16 x high back seats plus driver, ex local authority, only 6,900 miles.
Manual gearbox, low roof, O & H conversion, PAS, twin side loading door, side step, 4 high back seats plus 1 x w/chair, modified low floor, electric winch & fold out ramp, 15,491 miles.
Manual gearbox, high roof, Warnerbus conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, sat nav, 6 high back seats plus 1 x w/chair, air con, Unwin Innotrax floor, Ricon tail lift, 14,300 miles only.
Manual, high roof, PAS, LWB, SCW conversion, side loading door, AVS side step, 10 high back seats, Unwin tracked floor, Ricon tail lift, ex local authority, 27,478 miles.
06 REG RENAULT MASTER SM33 2.2TD
06 REG RENAULT MASTER LM35 2.5TD
09 REG RENAULT MASTER MM33 2.5TD
2012 UN REG IVECO DAILY 45C IRIS BUS 3.0TD
Manual gearbox, high roof, O & H conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, 6 high back seats plus 1 x w/chair, Eberspacher heater, air con, Unwin tracked floor, Ricon tail lift, 21253.441 miles.
Manual, PAS, LWB, PTS ambulance conversion, SLD, 6 rear high back seats, Ferno stretcher locks, Ricon stretcher lift , Eberspacher heater, Unwin tracking, exNHS, 36,100 miles only.
Manual gearbox, high roof, Warnerbus conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, 7 high back seats plus 1 x w/chair, full air con, Webasto, Unwin Innotrax floor, Braun tail lift, 27,087 miles only.
Agile gearbox, high roof, PAS, LWB, front power door, 16 high back CT seats, m2 tested fully tracked flat floor, roof vent, new Ratcliff tail lift, new conversion.
2008 57 REG VAUXHALL MOVANO LM39 2.5TD
06 REG RENAULT MASTER MM33 2.2TD
06 REG RENAULT MASTER SL 33 2.2TD
60 REG RENAULT MASTER SM33 2.5TD
Manual, high roof, PAS, LWB, new conversion, side loading door, AVS side step, 14 high back seats, AMF m2 fully tracked floor, Ricon tail lift, tacho fitted, only 62,794kms.
Automatic gearbox, high roof, SCW conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, 7 high back seats plus 1 x w/chair, Eberspacher heater, Unwin tracked floor, Ricon tail lift, 11,831 miles.
Manual gearbox, low roof, O & H conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, 4 high back seats plus 1 x w/chair, Eberspacher heater, Unwin tracked floor, Ricon tail lift, 17,491 miles.
Manual gearbox, high roof, Advance conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, 6 high back seats plus 2 x w/chair, heater, air con, Unwin tracked floor, Ricon tail lift, 2,060 miles only.
57 REG FORD TRANSIT T300 125BHP 2.5 TD
06 REG MERCEDES SPRINTER 413 CDI
07 REG RENAULT MASTER LH35 2.5TD
2004/05 54 REG MERCEDES SPRINTER 416CDI AMBULANCE
6 speed gea box, high roof, SCW conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, 10 high back seats plus 2 x w/chair, Eberspacher heater, Unwin tracked floor, Ratcliff underfloor tail lift, only 29,682 miles.
Plaxton Pronto coachbuilt, auto gearbox, LWB, PAS, electric power side door, 16 high back removable seats on NMI quick release, AC, Webasto heater, Ratcliff underfloor tail lift, ex local authority, COIF'd, only 76,000 kms.
LWB, hi roof, multi purpose office/comms unit, PAS, SLD with AVS side step, awning, 3 x workstations, amber light, bars front and rear, overhead storage lockers, heating, generator, microwave, tv, only 1,500 miles.
LWB, Macneillie van conversion, SLD, 2 rear high back seats, Ferno Falcon stretcher & locks, stretcher lift, blue light bars and siren, very high spec, low miles 65-85,000 miles only, choice of 8.
2008 57 REG VAUXHALL VIVARO LH28 2.0 TD
09 PEUGEOT EXPERT TEPEE 1.9 HDI
53 REG MERCEDES SPRINTER 416 CDI
54 REG MERCEDES SPRINTER 411 CDI
Manual gearbox, hi roof, O & H conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, 5 high back seats plus 1 x w/chair, Eberspacher heater, Unwin tracked floor, Ricon tail lift, 30,280 miles only.
Manual 5 speed gearbox, PAS, CD player, air con, twin side loading doors, 2 high back seat in rear, double passenger seat front, cut out floor, fold down ramp, blue metallic silver, alloy wheels, 14,932 miles.
4x4 ambulance, LWB, Wilker box body conversion, full air con/climate, side loading door, 3 high back seats, Falcon stretcher, PLS stretcher lift, very high spec, one owner ex Air Force, only 25,950 kms.
Tiptronic gearbox, Euromotive PSC bus conversion, front entry slam door with low entry step, 16 x high back removable seats, Eberspacher, ex local authority, COIF'd, tacho fitted, only 66,780 kms.
60 REG FORD TRANSIT T430 JUMBO 125BHP 2.4TD
2008 58 REG VAUXHALL MOVANO LM39 2.5TD
2009 09 VAUXHAL L MOVANO LM39 2.5TD
07 REG RENAULT MASTER MM33 2.5TD
High roof, Minibus Options conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, 15 high back seats, Eberspacher heater, Unwin tracked floor, Ratcliff underfloor tail lift, only 16,682 miles.
Manual, high roof, PAS, LWB, O & H conversion, side loading door, AVS side step, 8 high back seats + driver, Unwin tracked floor, stretcher, Ricon tail lift, piped oxygen, Eberspacher heater, 48,441 miles.
Manual, high roof, PAS, LWB, Wilker conversion, side loading door, AVS side step, 10 high back seats fully tracked floor, Ricon tail lift, Eberspacher heater, window blinds, ex NHS, 36,351 miles.
Manual gearbox, high roof, Warnerbus conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, sat nav, 6 high back seats plus 1 x w/chair, Webasto, Unwin innotrax floor, Ricon tail lift, 14,300 miles only.
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August 8, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 57
COACH&BUSCLASSIFIED HEAVY DUTY STEEL BUILDINGS
BUILDINGS
• Bus Workshops • Secure Storage
• Supplied any width, any length
• Building to BS5590
• Doors high enough for Double Deckers
• Finance available Phone for further information
BLUELINE BUILDINGS 01709 578333 anytime CHECKPOINTS
Don’t forget to say that you saw it in
FUEL SAVE
‘Stop Fuel Theft’ Prevents access to tank, while allowing unrestricted filling Prevents trash being put into tank Wide range to suit most coach and bus fuel tanks
Contact JBL Mechanical Engineers Green Fields • Stanton • Shrewsbury • Shropshire SY4 4LR
Tel: 01939 251 351• Fax: 01939 251 051 Mobile: 07831 332 913 GARAGE EQUIPMENT
TO PURCHASE CHECKPOINT/ DUSTITE
loose wheelnut indicators or to locate your nearest stockist:
Tel: 01524 271200
www.checkpoint-safety.com Email: info@checkpoint-safety.com
CRAIG TILSLEY
ENGINES
Tel: 01782 791524 or 01782 791527
Fax: 01782 791316
Moorfields Industrial Estate Cotes Heath, Stoke-on-Trent ST21 6QY
Suppliers of Reconditioned DAF MAN MERC, VOLVO SCANIA, GARDNER LEYLAND, CUMMINS ENGINES CYLINDER HEADS CRANKSHAFTS CRANKCASES CAMSHAFTS PUMPS ETC
Mobile Column Lifts FREE
Set of Axle Stands when you purchase your Mobile Columns JHM Butt & Company Limited Sales: 01302 718226
www.buttsequipment.com equipment.com
THE CUMMINS ENGINE SPECIALISTS PARTS & SERVICE DIVISION
D.I.E.S.E.L. LIMITED OFFER A VAST RANGE OF SERVICES FOR ALL TYPES OF CUMMINS ENGINES FREE TECHNICAL ADVICE AND SUPPORT FULL OR 3/4 BUILT RECON ENGINES COMPETITIVE & COST EFFECTIVE SERVICE REPAIRS FIXED PRICE ENGINE REPAIRS/OVERHAULS COMPREHENSIVE PARTS STOCK – NEW AND USED ON SITE REPAIRS FULL ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTICS CONTACT US TODAY FOR ALL YOUR CUMMINS REQUIREMENTS TELEPHONE UK: 01708 859625 FAX UK: 01708 857630 EMAIL: SALES@DIESEL.UK.COM
COACH&BUSCLASSIFIED Looking for a great deal to promote your products and services?
Contact Jade Cassidy now for our current offers: 01733 293247 jade.cassidy@coachandbusweek.com Coach & Bus Week – the only paid-for weekly magazine in the bus and coach industry – there’s no comparison!
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58 | COACH & BUS WEEK | August 8, 2012
COACH&BUSCLASSIFIED INSURANCE
TICKETING
REGISTRATIONS G
SPEEDY REGISTRATIONS CO LTD G ‘Buy with confidence – CNDA Member’
£690 CXZ 50 JFZ 40 PBZ 16 RNZ 10 TBZ 19 TJZ 44 TJZ 50 TUI 20 UXI 70
£350 £99 £99 £50 AJZ 262 DXZ 1150 MJZ 6749 CXZ 4473 KBZ 737 HIG 5338 MNZ 1195 CXZ 4474 KBZ 505 HIG 5339 ONZ 1180 DFZ 4694 IBZ 484 IIG 2278 REZ 3369 DRZ 8551 RBZ 696 IIG 2279 RUI 2117 DRZ 8552 RDZ 989 JIG 8894 SUI 8836 ERZ 1643 SBZ 545 JIG 8895 SUI 8837 JFZ 8393 VIW 242 KIG 5113 TJZ 1116 JFZ 8394 XJI 474 KIG 5114 TJZ 1119 JIG 8491 We Buy for Cash, also Part Exchange
£50 JIG 8492 KFZ 3733 KFZ 3734 KIG 6631 KIG 6632 RNZ 2144 RNZ 2145 TUI 7074 TUI 7075
Tel: (028) 6638 7124 Fax: (028) 6638 7771
Millwood, Lisbellaw, Co. Fermanagh, N. Ireland BT94 5HQ
TICKETING
COACH&BUSCLASSIFIED
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p59_CBW_1048
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August 8, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 59
COACH&BUSCLASSIFIED TRAINING
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DRIVERS DAILY DEFECT BOOKS, MAINTENANCE WALL PLANNERS, SAFETY INSPECTION PADS, TACHOS, DRIVERS WALLETS ETC. CALL ORDERLINE: 01329 280280 Email: info@wardint.co.uk
TYRE EQUIPMENT
CPC Nat / International Driver CPC Digital Tachograph Drivers’ Hours Tachograph Analysis
DRIVER CPC PERIODIC TRAINING AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE
Ward International Consulting Ltd 70 Marks Tey Road, Fareham, Hants PO14 3UR www.wardint.co.uk
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Trevor Wigley & Son Bus Ltd
TW FULLY LICENSED END OF LIFE VEHICLE CENTRE
TW REDUNDANT AND SCRAP VEHICLES TAKEN TW PROFESSIONAL, EFFICIENT SERVICE TW ALL REQUIREMENTS CATERED FOR TW VARIOUS SPARES AVAILABLE TW CONTACT US FOR FULL AVAILABILITY
Call 01226 723147 Night Service 01226 716479 Fax 01226 700199 Email wigleys@btconnect.com
www.twigley.com
60 | COACH & BUS WEEK | August 8, 2012
Seen something funny? Send it to gareth.evans@coachandbusweek.com, fax 0845 2802927 or write to: Last Stop, Coach & Bus Week, 3 The Office Village, Cygnet Park, Forder Way, Hampton, Peterborough PE7 8GX
Monday: The familiar long and stressful press day. However, we’re boosted by James’ first day back in the office after two weeks of sunning himself across the Atlantic. Leave the office at 1930hrs.
Applying the extra large QR code to this double-decker clearly wasn’t a tall order for CBS Outdoor…
That’s a cracking code… Quick Response (QR) codes are becoming more commonplace but few seem to have made an appearance on buses other than in commercial advertisements. In conjunction with CBS Outdoor, which handles all the Group’s commercial advertising, EYMS is promoting its student services in Hull with a ‘T-shape’ advert incorporating what is believed to be the biggest on-bus QR code
Dilbert
(unless of course you know better!) It makes you wonder who was burdened with the giant phone used to scan it… CBS has produced the giant design and the advert boards in partnership with EYMS. When it is scanned with a mobile device this particular QR code takes the viewer directly to the student pages on the EYMS website www.eyms.co.uk The advert has been applied to a Wright Gemini Volvo (fleet no.700). The vehicle also carries branding for route 105, which passes the University before linking with the halls of residence in Cottingham (reputed to be England’s largest village).
Bouncing Buses? Coach operators often receive unusual questions, but one asked of Anthonys Travel caught our eye in the CBW office. Far from jumping for joy, Richard Bamber of Runcornbased Anthonys Travel shared his amusement on Facebook after the family-run operator received an unusual enquiry from someone looking to hire bouncy castles. “Whilst some of us may be built for comfort I hope they weren’t referring to our shape!” he mused.
Tuesday: Rise at 0450hrs. I feel privileged when I spend an enjoyable couple of hours interviewing National Express CEO Dean Finch at Victoria Coach Station. He’s easy to talk – even if he doesn’t seem to quite know what to make of one of my photo angles. All good fun. Spend the rest of the day taking a load of stock pics in the vicinity, before heading up to Marble Arch to catch up with two industry friends – and take more pics. Fulfil a long-held ambition when I catch a traffic warden in the act on camera as he apparently incorrectly issues a ticket to a coach (see p16). In keeping with their employers’ reputations, drivers from two operators act shadily – perhaps it’s because I’m in my suit… Wednesday: A hectic day in the office writing several features all at the same time – I don’t like doing it but needs must. It’s also a busy day on the social media front. Thursday: Another busy day juggling writing features with doing an Editor’s job – managing people, production, costs and content. For once, I leave the office bang on time. Pick up my fiancée, before spending an enjoyable evening round at the in-laws on the other side of town. As always, their three cats take it in turns to be nursed. Friday: Spend the morning working remotely at home while our telephone and broadband connection is upgraded, before heading to the office at lunchtime. Stay into the early evening to complete tasks after something of a ‘management meeting’. As ever, we make time to laugh – it’s the best way.
www.coachandbusweek.com
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“Advertise all your recruitment vacancies the affordable way; book a series of three adverts; buy one week, get the second week half price and have a third week on us… yes, that’s free! CBW is the only paid-for weekly publication serving the coach and bus industry; read by directors, managers, engineers and drivers alike. Your vacancy will be seen in the print and digital editions, and online at www. coachandbusweek.com/jobs. This amazing offer ends on September 28, 2012, so don’t delay, contact me, Ian Gillis, on 01733 293 484, or via email: ian.gillis@coachandbusweek.com”
RECRUITNOW www.coachandbusweek.com/jobs Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/coachandbusweek Join the discussion on Twitter by following us at @cbwtweets Search LinkedIn Groups for ‘Coach and Bus Week (CBW)’
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RECRUITMENT
Goffin steps down after 30 years at Van Hool Van Hool’s Public Relations Manager, Yves Goffin, is retiring at the end of August after 30 years with the company. His position is being filled by Dirk Snauwaert who joined Van Hool in October 2011 and has 25 years’ experience in communication within the automotive sector. Yves said: “I am grateful to Van Hool for the many opportunities I had to represent the company on a national and international level. As this important period in my life is coming to an end, I can look back with satisfaction, and I wish Van Hool every success. “Going forward, I will be able to spend more time with my family, children and grandchildren. Time
also for hobbies and for voluntary work.” For those of us in the media, Yves Goffin has always been the ‘face’ of Van Hool. He led many marketing campaigns and has spent countless hours meeting customers and visitors at major shows and exhibitions.
Yves Goffin pictured on the right with successor Dirk Snauwaert
Deadlines Booking: Monday 5.00pm Full artwork: Monday 5.00pm
Contact Ian Gillis 01733 293484
ian.gillis@coachandbusweek.com
Two new Passenger Service Advisors at Bus Users UK Bus Users UK has appointed two new passenger service advisers to handle customer complaints, in advance of a recommendation from the Department for Transport (DfT). The DfT recommends that the Bus Appeals Body, in which Bus Users UK is a partner, should be the designated body to be responsible for bus users’ complaint appeals in England and Wales (outside London) under the EU Passenger Rights Regulations due to come into force next March. Rena Verlander joined Bus Users UK earlier in July, from Professional Transport Services, where she continues to organise training and advice for the bus industry. Rena is working for the organisation on Wednesday-Friday and will be joined by Karen King at the end of the month. Karen will work
Monday-Wednesday and joins Bus Users UK from Richmond Carers Centre, where she was a Carers’ Development Worker. Both are experienced bus users with a passion for good public service and take over from Mike Gilson, Complaints Manager. Mike left Bus Users UK in June to pursue a new career in counselling. “Bus Users UK is undergoing rapid transformation,” said General Manager Stephen Morris. Last year we appointed Gillian Merron as our chair to improve our profile; this year we have appointed Claire Walters as our new Chief Executive and we are working hard to improve and expand our other activities.” Around 95% of complaint appeals are resolved by Bus Users UK before the Bus Appeals Body gets involved.
Operations Manager Based in London & Surrey Attractive Salary and Benefits package We currently have a vacancy for the position of Operations Manager based at our Beddington depot. The main responsibilities of the position are to effectively, plan and manage all aspects of the operational and administrative provision at the depot, in order to deliver a consistently reliable, safe, high quality and punctual service in line with specified targets, contractual obligations and commercial objectives. The Operations Manager will oversee all operational staff to ensure they work together in consistently providing the required level and quality of service to both internal and external customers. The successful applicant will be required to lead by example, and work as part of a team in monitoring staff performance and motivating staff to deliver an effective and efficient service. You will also ensure that all customer and Stakeholder feedback is promptly and professionally received, investigated and responded to, and that this information is used as a management tool to drive continuous improvement. A collaboration approach with colleagues in all departments is also required. You will deliver all aspects of the people strategy at local level; ensuring all employees receive appropriate training, induction, and personal development. You will ensure that action plans are implemented and followed up, that individuals with high potential are retained and that all parts of the workforce are engaged and high performing. Applications by way of a C.V. and covering letter clearly detailing your experience, knowledge and suitability for the role are to be forwarded by email to jackee.adamson@abellio.co.uk or post to: Jackee Adamson - HR Advisor, Silverthorne Road, Battersea, London, SW8 3HE Abellio is an equal opportunities employer
Deadline for applications: 15th August 2012 www.abellio.co.uk
Join the team where your skills and experience will be respected.
www.coachandbusweek.com
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Service Quality Supervisors Admin Clerk Service Quality Supervisors – Surrey – c£26k We are looking for three suitable candidates to join the Operational team based at our Surrey Depot in Byfleet. As part of the local supervisory team, the successful applicant will provide the General Manager with a high level of support to ensure the quality of service provided to Surrey County Council and our customers in terms of reliability and safety. The successful candidates will be expected to show that they can assist in managing the network of services and our staff, whilst maintaining the cost effective use of resources to meet contractual requirements, ensuring customer satisfaction is achieved. We are looking for team players that are committed, confident, highly motivated and reliable, who will provide support to the Operations Department.
Admin Clerk – Surrey – c£20k We are looking for a suitable candidate to join the Operational team based at our Surrey Depot in Byfleet. As part of the local team, the successful applicant will provide the General Manager with a high level of support in administrative services and support for the local Management Team, utilising I.T. packages (including staff allocations software) as appropriate. The successful candidate will be expected to show that they can assist in collating statistics for weekly and monthly reports for submission to the General Manager, local Management Team and/or Board of Directors. We are looking for a team player that is committed, confident, highly motivated and reliable, who will provide support to the Operations Department. Applicants do not need to have a thorough understanding of working in the bus industry, as training will be provided if required. Any relevant experience will of course be beneficial. Further details of the roles are included in the role profiles / job descriptions which can be obtained from Jackee Adamson by calling 0207 788 8722.
Abellio is an equal opportunities employer
Applications by way of a C.V. and covering letter clearly detailing your experience, knowledge and suitability for the role should be sent to: Jackee Adamson, Human Resources Dept, Battersea Depot, Silverthorne Road, London SW8 3HE. Email: adamsonj@abellio.co.uk Closing date for applications: Friday 10th August 2012
Join the team where your skills and experience will be respected.
CONTRACT FOR THE PROVISION OF INDEPENDENT TRANSPORT OPERATIONS FOR THE TRANSPORTATION OF CHILDREN, ADULTS, THE ELDERLY AND STAFF
Harrow Council and Barnet Council invite suitably qualified and experienced contractors to tender for the provision of passenger transportation services within a four year framework agreement. This framework agreement is commissioned by the London Borough of Harrow and the London Borough of Barnet (The ʻAuthorities”) for the provision of door-to-door passenger and ad-hoc transport services for vulnerable adults, young people and for other public bodies across London that may wish to make use of these services. The scope of the services involve the following:
• Vulnerable Adults requiring travel assistance to and from Day Centres and or other establishments; • Children and young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN) who are assessed as requiring travel assistance to and from schools, colleges or other destinations; • Families and service users, who may have specific medical or physical needs and require assisted travel; • The Authoritiesʼ staff or other authorised individuals and groups travelling in the course of their duties; • Non-SEN and Social Care service users to school and other destinations; • Service users requiring secure transport to and from court and secure facilities; • The Authoritiesʼ requirements to deliver goods to various locations and facilities and undertake courier services using vans and/or other suitable vehicles.
The Council intends to let a four-year contract from 5th November 2012 to 4th November 2016.
To express an interest in providing this service and to access the tender documents, please register by logging in to Bravo our E-tendering portal https://harrow.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.shtml The closing date for returned submissions is Wednesday 29th August 2012, 12 noon.
www.coachandbusweek.com
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