Coach & Bus Week : Issue 1099 by Coach and Bus Week & Group Travel World

Wednesday August 7, 2013 Issue 1099 | £2.95 www.coachandbusweek.com

COACH:

Fuel ef�iciency wins Hollinshead over to Volvo B11R p8

LEGAL:

Glowing references, but ignorance is no defence for Tates p28

BUS:

First Manchester acquires Fingland's bus operations p4

PRODUCTS:

Guarded access for Reading Transport's gas bus �leet p30

for recruitm

Belgian gateway with Eurolines

JOB ADVE ent EVERY WERTS EK

RECRUIT N

p24

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this week

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BUSK targets brokers

learned with interest via Facebook about BUSK’s forthcoming meeting in Swindon on August 20, which aims to bring together brokers, operators and interested parties to discuss the sometimes thorny issue of price comparison outlets. There is no doubt BUSK’s topical debate needs to be had. Of course, one must remember the distinction between a clearing house and a pure broker – those who match spare capacity with demand. I have to say, part of me doesn’t envy John Burch’s job of chairing the proceedings, but at the same time, such a task needs someone of his calibre. It seems to be the latest potentially piece of good work from the charity. From good old off the record chats, it would appear BUSK’s Simply Safe and Benchmark schemes are attracting a lot of interest, including most importantly, from those it is aimed at – schools. On a bus note, I would appear things are hotting up in the South West of England. Last week we received two interesting announcements from the Go-Ahead Group’s Plymouth Citybus and Stagecoach about the expansion

their services. It’s enough to say here that First will shortly face competition on its X80/81 from two major operators. How will First respond, if at all? It’s not all bad news for First, however. The firm has recently won the Truro P&R contract from Western Greyhound. I also understand from well-placed sources that two routes have been surrendered in Cornwall, with concessionary fares reimbursement a key issue. Is something of a tidying up exercise being carried out with an eye on the future? Meanwhile, the announcement of First’s intention to acquire Fingland’s from EYMS has sent commentators into something of a frenzy – but is it honestly such a surprise? I can’t really imagine the OFT sanctioning the sale to Stagecoach. Last but by no means least, further to my not so thinly veiled reference in this column last week, I can formally announce Andy Izatt has joined CBW as Features Editor. He brings a wealth of experience and a vast depth knowledge and enthusiasm. Gareth Evans Editor

CONTENTS 4

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

A helpful reminder of dismissal regulations from Backhouse Jones

A different take on a Glasgow Citysightseeing open-topper

What’s happening across the country’s regions. Plus Events Diary

A passenger perspective on travelling to Ghent using Eurolines

Focuses this week on the important area of uniforms and workwear

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

Tates warned over registration but given credit where due by TC

A lighthearted look at the industry. Plus Office Diary column

All the latest vehicle delieries in operators’ yards across the country

Reading’s gas bus maintenance platform & Michelin fleet aid tool

All the latest people moves from across the industry

News

Regional News Tour News Deliveries

Legal Update

Eurolines trip Legal News Products

Big Picture

Industry Guide

Last Stop

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.

Driver CPC Training Fully inclusive. No hidden costs

£60

wts.co.uk www.coachandbusweek.com

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4 | COACH & BUS WEEK | August 7, 2013

news

“The mistake here was to have treated the notification as a formality. I am charged with a duty which I take very seriously...” Richard Turfitt Traffic commissioner

briefly Surrey-based recovery firm McAllisters Recovery has ceased trading after nearly 40 years in the business. The family-run firm, which specialised in roadside assistance and commercial and light vehicle recovery, ceased trading on July 3 with the loss of 40 jobs. MD Mark McAllister told Commercialmotor.com that an “unviable public sector contract” contributed to the firm’s collapse. It held contracts with Surrey Police and the Highways Agency, in addition to carrying out call-out work for operators and the general public. The company operated from three sites in Chobham, Guildford and Leatherhead. Govtoday is hosting the fourth Annual National Sustainable Transport Conference, ‘Unlocking the door-to-door journey’ which will be held on October 3 at the Brewery, The City of London. According to the blurb, the event will focus on “The Government’s latest policy ‘Cleaner, greener transport, door to door’.” Confirmed speakers include Norman Baker MP, David Sidebottom of Passenger Focus and CTA Chairman Dr Stephen Hickey. Eurolines has reduced its fares on routes to Dublin and Cork by up to 10%. Dublin can be reached from London, Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds for £44 single or £64 return. Daily departures from London to Cork now cost £51 single or £74 return. Eurolines offers daily journeys to over 40 destinations in Ireland. Responding to the announcement last week by HM Treasury of plans to extend the island fuel rebate to remote inland areas, the Freight Transport Association (FTA) has said the 5p per litre fuel duty cut should apply across the whole of the UK. While the FTA has said it is pleased about how the proposed fuel duty cut would help stimulate growth in the rural economy, it is calling on government to make the duty cut across the UK. The Association said the reduction should not only be applied to rural drivers but must be implemented across the whole of the country. www.coachandbusweek.com

News4,5.indd 4

Legal News p28

First Manchester to purchase Finglands’ bus operations Move puts First in direct competition with Stagecoach in South Manchester First Manchester has agreed to acquire the Manchester bus business from Finglands Coachways for £50,000. The acquisition of Finglands, which was established in 1907 and operates a number of commercial bus services and school contracts to the South and East of Manchester, is subject to OFT clearance and, if approved, is expected to be

completed this autumn. The deal would see the firm’s white buses with beige, orange and brown stripes taken off the streets of Manchester. The acquisition includes the lease of the current depot in Wilmslow Road, Rusholme, existing service registrations and the transfer of 100 staff. The fleet of 41 vehicles would be excluded from the sale although some may be used in the short-term to meet current service commitments. The sale also excludes Finglands’ coach

Subject to OFT approval, the sale will see First operate into South Manchester. Wright Gemini buses operated by Finglands and First are see here entering Piccadilly Gardens in the city centre

Cheaper child fares from Newport Bus & Arriva SC Two bus operators in different corners of the UK have introduced discounted young person’s fares to help travelling youngsters during the summer holidays. Newport Transport has launched Bamboo, a new and cheaper fare for passengers under the age of 19. The operator is also launching a new Bamboo smartcard which can

be used by youngsters to purchase cheaper weekly, monthly and annual passes. With the card, young travellers will pay one low price to travel between both zones of the Newport Transport network. Fares start at £9 for unlimited travel for a week, including the weekend. A monthly pass is £30 and an annual pass £320, less than 90p per day. Passengers with a Bamboo card will no longer be asked for ID on the bus and the card will expire on their 19th birthday. The Bamboo card is replacing the Child Passport product. Anyone holding a Child Passport or Child Passport Plus will need to upgrade their card. Newport Transport will

operation. According to the Manchester Evening News, the Finglands business saw unaudited revenues of £3.8m for the year ending December 2012, but in its last filed accounts, it made a loss of £266,000. The firm is currently in consultation with 14 staff regarding the future of its coach business, which is separate from the bus operation. Peter Harris, Finance Director at East Yorkshire Motor Services, which acquired Finglands in 1992, said: “It is no secret we have made a loss for the last few years. This is an ideal opportunity for us to work with First and secure as many jobs as possible.” Dave Alexander, Regional Managing Director for First in the North of England, said: “This acquisition demonstrates our commitment to Greater Manchester and represents an excellent opportunity to further grow bus passenger volumes. It reflects our strategy of focusing on those areas which offer the greatest potential for growth and allows us to improve bus networks for the communities we serve. “We are looking forward, subject to OFT clearance, to welcoming our new colleagues to FirstGroup.” supply the card and transfer any existing credit free of charge. Scott Pearson, MD at Newport Transport, said: “Hopefully this will lower the barrier for young people to start using the bus and save some money.” Meanwhile, Arriva Southern Counties (ASC) has extended the availability of its ‘Kids Go Cheap’ fares in Kent and East Sussex. The special fares will be available all day, seven days a week and can be used by up to two children travelling with one person paying adult fares, instead of the normal two adults. The fares allow children to travel for a maximum of 60p for a single journey or £1 for a return.

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August 7, 2013 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 5

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Showbus ready to showcase Operators from different counties will be able to compete for Best Local Operator at this year’s Showbus event, which takes place for the first time at Long Marston Airfield near Stratford-upon-Avon on September 22. Eligibility is restricted to Warwickshire and its neighbouring counties of Derbyshire, Gloucestershire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Staffordshire and Worcestershire. The West Midlands Metropolitan area is included and, says the organisers, hopefully without controversy, also Rutland. Showbus has been held at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford for many years and a past winner of

Lodges Coaches has been a loyal supporter of Showbus events recently the Best Local Operator title has been Cozy Travel from Hertfordshire, using the local publicity to good effect. Operators wishing to compete for the award can enter online via the event website, www. showbus.com or by post. This year’s Showbus will have a very different flavour to

previous events, say the organisers. Considerable interest has been shown from enthusiasts and operators in the Midlands and the surrounding area, joining many Duxford regulars. Celebrating the 90th anniversary of the BMMO (Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Company)

at peak times, while ‘more modern’ StreetCars are unlikely because they cost about £320,000 each. Cllr Brian Allinson, Chairman of the West of England Partnership’s Joint Transport Committee, said: “We are determined that the MetroBus vehicle delivers a visibly high level of passenger quality and comfort, but we have to be realistic and balance our wishes with practicality. “This minimum specification (single-decker hybrid with twin doors) sets a high standard but

it should also be affordable and will allow us to work with the chosen operator to get the best for passengers.” A report before the committee, which met on Wednesday (July 31), explained all the options available and the factors which had to be taken into account before choosing the best type of bus. A partnership spokesman said: “The MetroBus team has looked at double-deckers and articulated vehicles – which carry more people, so fewer of them are needed – and compared them against single-deck vehicles which are more accessible but need more vehicles to carry the same number of people. Needing more vehicles means a

Bristol Metrobus favours single-decker hybrids The Bristol MetroBus service is likely to use single-decker hybrid vehicles, with two sets of doors in an effort to minimise stop dwell time, The Bristol Post reported. After research from transport experts, single-decker vehicles emerged as the favourable choice, providing the quickest and bestquality service for passengers, although it is up to the contract winning operator to decide which twin door hybrid vehicles to use. Bendy buses are unlikely because of their reliance on standing room

SOS, two of these buses will pose together, each forming part of their respective museum’s displays. The Aston Manor Road Transport Museum has a Trent SOS while The Transport Museum at Wythall has a Midland Red vehicle. The Oxford Bus Museum will also be showing vehicles. The organisers would like to know about any excursions to Showbus or to Stratford for the day so that they can publicise it on their website and help the many enthusiasts wanting to attend to get there by bus or coach. A free shuttle will operate half hourly to and from the site to Stratford and Johnsons Quality Coach & Bus Travel of Henleyin-Arden will operate a courtesy shuttle connecting with key trains at Honeybourne railway station. For further information contact Dr Martin Isles on showbus@showbus.com

more frequent service but costs more to run. The dwell time is also important. Two sets of doors is faster, but a system has to be in place to make sure people pay – and the plan is that this will mainly be by a Smartcard.” Three routes are planned for the £200m MetroBus scheme, with the first one running from the parkand-ride site at Long Ashton to Temple Meads. The second route travels from the northern fringe of the city to Hengrove, and the South Bristol Link will run from the A370 to Cater Road roundabout in Hartcliffe. The first £51m route should be operational in 2016.

Vehicle Inspection & Maintenance Compliance Services

If you would like further information please call 01543 897505 or visit www.lloydmorgangroup.co.uk www.coachandbusweek.com

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6 | COACH & BUS WEEK | August 7, 2013

news › BUSeS

Number of seats on Hollinshead Coaches’ new Jonckheere-bodied Volvo B11R

briefly Between April 1 and June 29, Thamesdown Transport operated 99.75% of its scheduled mileage, against a target of 99.80%, according to the firm’s latest reliability and punctuality report. Punctuality during this period was 94.39%, against a target of 95.00%. Paul Jenkins, Managing Director of the highly-regarded municipal, said: “Both our reliability and punctuality for this quarter were close to our target, with the only significant problem being the closure of part of Great Western Way in late April due to a collapsed sewer, which lead to severe traffic delays and the cancellation of a number of journeys on that side of town.” Figures obtained under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act show between September 2012 and April 2013, 9,265 drivers were given £60 fixed penalty notices for illegally using two bus gates in Taunton. Nearly 7,000 paid promptly and had their fine reduced to £30. There were 1,450 appeals of which 169 were successful. The measures on Mountway Road were introduced in 2005 to give an advantage to buses using the Silk Mills park-and-ride and stop the road from becoming a ‘rat-run’. Only buses, emergency service vehicles and cyclists are allowed to use the bus gates which operates 24/7. The judging of entries for this year’s UK Bus Awards competition gets underway this week. More than 40 judges will sit on a total of six panels assessing entries to find the 2013 finalists. Judging panels will meet regularly until September and operating categories will be followed up by mystery traveller surveys. The 2013 finalists will be announced at an event at Heathrow Airport on October 10, with winners announced at a ceremony at the London Hilton in Park Lane on November 19. UKBA Chairman, John Owen, said: “It has proved to be another superb year for entries. It is clear the industry is going through a challenging period for a variety of reasons, yet the number of nominations clearly reflects optimism and pride.” www.coachandbusweek.com

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First Cymru wins Cardiff Airport express bus contract ...And Cardiff Bus diverts current X91 away from airport to run direct to St Athan & Llantwit Major First Cymru is operating a new express bus service contract – the Cardiff Airport Express – which was launched on August 1. The new T9 service, funded by the Welsh Government and developed together with the Vale of Glamorgan and Cardiff Councils, uses five Optare Tempos (four in active use and one spare) which the Welsh Assembly Government has provided. The service runs on a 20-minute frequency, seven days a week, from early morning to late at

night. It stops at Cardiff Bus Station and Cardiff Bay. First’s Cardiff depot is employing 18 new drivers as a result of winning the contract. Internally, the vehicles feature leather seating, climate control, WiFi, extra luggage space and improved on-board information. Work is also underway to develop ticketing arrangements which will enable passengers to purchase online and combine with other train or bus tickets. The new service costs £5 for an adult single or £8 return, with reductions for children and no charge for concessionary bus pass holders who reside in Wales.

Pictured (L-R): Justin Davies, Edwina Hart, Jon Horne & Cllr Lis Burnett

New Stagecoach Gold services in South West Stagecoach South West has announced, starting on September 30, it is introducing two new Stagecoach Gold routes. The two Gold-standard routes will operate up to every 30 minutes, seven days a week between Torquay, Paignton and Totnes. The routes will then connect the English Riviera to either Dartmouth or Plymouth via Ivybridge, with each location benefiting from an hourly service.

The company is also investing £2m in a new fleet of nine high-spec buses which will only operate on the Gold routes with a distinctive gold and blue livery. The buses feature extra legroom, high back leather seats and free WiFi. They are also fitted with Scania Euro 5 engines. Mike Watson, MD at Stagecoach South West, said: “We know that, particularly on longer distance

Justin Davies, MD of First Cymru, said: “We are pleased to have won one of the most high profile contracts in Wales at the moment. It’s an honour for us to be involved in the delivery of these services. “Turnaround time between the announcement of the contract win and the beginning of the service was short but we are confident all the elements will work. We’re looking forward to working closely with the Welsh Assembly Government and Cardiff Airport to deliver the high standards that both we, and they, expect.” In response to the new express service, Cardiff Bus announced it is making changes to the X91. From September 9, the Monday to Saturday timetable will be revised to run directly between Cardiff, St Athan and Llantwit Major, instead of serving the airport and Rhoose. The move follows the withdrawal of the X91 Sunday service as of July 28. Peter Heath, Operations and Commercial Director, explained: “The introduction of the new T9 express service between Cardiff and the airport means there is no longer a need for the X91 serve to the airport so we have taken the opportunity to speed up the service for our passngers from St Athan and Llantwit Major.” journeys, comfort and reliability are essential so we are taking our services to the next level by introducing ‘Stagecoach Gold’. This is an incredibly exciting development for Devon and I can’t wait to see the new buses on the road”. Further details about the new services will be released towards the end of the month, in preparation for the launch on September 30. More information about Stagecoach Gold can be found at www.stagecoach gold.com

05/08/2013 18:44

£35

The Eurolines single fare from London to Ghent

Epsom trials the UK’s �irst Citaro K Quality Line, the bus division of Epsom Coaches, is operating the first Mercedes-Benz Citaro K in the UK. A TfL specification demonstrator on loan from EvoBus UK, the Euro 6 10.6m two-door bus, will augment routes X26 and 465 as well as other services for several weeks before moving on to other TfL contractors. As well as standard TfL features such as driver air-conditioning and iBus, the specification includes 28 City Star Eco seats, a standing capacity of 56 and an oversize wheelchair space. Clearly visible white on black high resolution LED destination displays are being used instead of roller blinds. Epsom Managing Director Steve Whiteway said: “I have long admired the Citaro. We operate a number of them already and this new shorter version will give us more flexibility to take on more of the marquee in future. Its high quality matches our aspirations and we look forward to the new model’s future success. In particular, the early introduction of Euro 6 emission standards demonstrates

£50k

How much First Manchester has paid to purchase Fingland’s Manchester Bus business, subject to OFT approval Mercedes-Benz and Quality Line’s commitment to protect our environment.” Andrew Allsop, Director of Mercedes-Benz Sales at Daimler Buses, EvoBus UK, explained to CBW that the single-door righthand-drive prototype exhibited at Euro Bus Expo 2012 had been well received, particularly amongst operators with arduous urban duty cycles. That vehicle used for development purposes has returned to Germany. A singledoor demonstrator for the UK is scheduled for 2014. Andrew believes EvoBus is ahead

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of the competition because it can offer two completely redesigned, more fuel efficient models, the 10.6m Citaro K and 12m Citaro, at Euro 6 that deliver lower whole life costs. An independently audited test run compared with Euro 5 showed an 8.5% improvement in fuel economy. Contributing to lower life cycle costs is lower weight, an energy recuperation module using supercaps and a power management system, numerous air system enhancements, reduction in AdBlue consumption and extended maintenance intervals.

SHARE WATCH

Industry share prices at the close of the Stock Exchange on Monday, August 5. FirstGroup saw the greatest proportional rise, while Go-Ahead saw the greatest proportional drop. Most figures obtained from www.iii.co.uk

458.00p

Price: Year High: 462.20p Year Low: 300.80p

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Citaro K will demonstrate to several TfL contractors

Enviro200s for Compass after contract renewal Worthing-based Compass Travel has announced the purchase of another seven new buses following recent contract awards by both East Sussex and West Sussex County Councils. The new buses are ADL Enviro200s, supplied by Southdown PSV at Copthorne. Finance for the buses has been arranged by Lombard. The East Sussex contracts follow on from short-term arrangements after the demise of Countryliner Sussex, with a further two routes added which are currently operated by Renown Coaches. The services recently awarded are: ■ 121 Lewes - Chailey - Newick ■ 124 Alfriston - Ringmer College ■ 125 Barcombe - Lewes - Alfriston ■ 126 Seaford - Alfriston - Eastbourne ■ 127, 128, 129, Lewes Local Routes ■ 166 Lewes - Plumpton Haywards Heath ■ 824 (Village Rider) Lewes -

August 7, 2013 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 7

Steve Swain, (MD, Southdown PSV), Malcolm Gallichan (Engineering Director, Compass Travel), Andrew McKinnon (Operations Manager, Compass), Chris Chatfield (MD, Compass) with the new vehicles Ditchling - Burgess Hill The new contracts commenced on Wednesday (July 29). East Sussex County Council has made some changes to the routes and timings but service levels are generally maintained, with some routes gaining later journeys.

In West Sussex, route 99 Petworth – Duncton – Chichester has been re-awarded to Compass and one of the new buses will be allocated to this route. The service remains demand-responsive, with certain destinations needing to be pre-booked. Chris Chatfield, MD of Compass, said: “The new buses represent further investment by ourselves in local bus transport in the counties of East and West Sussex. These new, longer-term contracts have enabled us to replace some older vehicles with new buses, to provide the quality and reliability which our passengers deserve.” Southdown MD, Steve Swain, said: “We sincerely appreciate the loyalty shown by the Compass Directors for once again placing their valued business with Southdown PSV. In these challenging economic times it is gratifying to see an independent bus company investing in new vehicles for the benefit of their passengers, staff and the bus industry as a whole.”

332.50p

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FTSE 100

6,631

Index: Year High: 6,840 Year Low: 5,606

+10 on last week

www.coachandbusweek.com

05/08/2013 18:45

8 | COACH & BUS WEEK | August 7, 2013

news › coaches

briefly A contraflow system is now in place on the M6 near J38 at Tebay until Saturday, December 7. The bridge over the the River Lune is being refurbished. Southbound traffic is being directed into lanes on the northbound carriageway while the bridge is closed for the repairs. Two lanes are running in each direction and a 40mph speed limit is in place. The M6 northbound from Junction 6 (Birmingham City Centre) to Junction 7 (Great Barr) is to be shut overnight this Friday / Saturday (August 9-11), between 2200 and 0800hrs for carriageway works. The M42 southbound to the M5 northbound link road will be closed overnight this Friday between 2200 and 0500, for carriageway works.

Hollinshead’s new 13-plate Volvo ‘ticks the boxes’ for North Staffs operator coach The impressive fuel economy of Volvo’s new B11R coach was one of the key purchasing factors for independently-owned Hollinshead Coaches, which has recently taken delivery of a new Jonckheerebodied example. “We’ve had many years operating Volvos and we like and trust them,” explained Hollinshead Coaches’, Stephen Haydon. “We had two fundamental requirements with our new coach. It had to be as economic on fuel as possible and we also specifically wanted a vehicle with 53-seats plus centre demountable toilet.

The delivery of Hollinshead’s new B11R coach means that 90% of the North Staffordshire operator’s vehicles are now built on the Volvo chassis. “Volvo Bus once again met our exacting requirements and we’re very pleased with the new vehicle,”

The new vehicle benefits from a bright & airy interior

The M3 northbound between J9 and 7 is to be closed overnight 2200 – 0600 for six nights from Thursday (August 8). This will allow the surface to be repaired between Winchester and Basingstoke. Traffic is being diverted via the A303 and A34. The Westbound M20 from J2 (A20) to 4 (West Malling) is to be shut for resurfacing overnight for two nights from Thursday. While the closure will be in force between 2200 and 0530 on Thursday, it will begin an hour later on Friday. The signed diversion is via the A228, A20 to M26 J2a (M26). There will be various overnight carriageway closures on both east and westbound carriageways of the A52 at Clifton in Nottinghamshire from now until September 8. The closures, which are in connection with bridge works, take place from 2000 to 0600 each night and diversions will be signposted. The M25 clockwise entry slip road for J31 (A13) is to closed overnight between 2200 and 0500 this Saturday for bridge maintenance. Traffic is to be diverted via the A1306 and A13 to M25 J30. www.coachandbusweek.com

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Registered ‘DH13HOL’, the Jonckheere-bodied Volvo B11R coach sports Hollinshead’s familiar but pleasant on the eye livery

Skills acquire McEwens

The acquisition of the McEwen vehicle takes Skill’s fleet up to almost 80 vehicles

McEwen’s Coaches of Mansfield has been acquired by Skill’s Motor Coaches of Bulwell, Nottingham. Director Nigel Skill described the move as amicable and confirmed John McEwen would remain in place running the business on a daily basis with assistance from Skill’s administration department. Additionally, all staff positions were

continued Stephen. “Another factor in our decision was the re-assurance of the back-up and support we receive from The Hartshorne Group and our contact there Bob Phillips. They’ve always been superb.” The firm’s new 53-seater vehicle, liveried in the company’s distinctive red and cream, is specified with Volvo’s fuel efficient, D11C 11-litre diesel engine, rated at 450hp, coupled to the Volvo I-Shift gearbox. The new coach also features an on board toilet and entertainment facilities which include a radio, CD & DVD player and TV monitors. It is also equipped with climate control, a drinks area and top of the range seating with leather headrests and trim. Already operating across Hollinshead’s own tour programme, the new coach is also being used for private hire activity and an increasing number of corporate customers. “That was one of the reasons we needed those extra seats,” continued Steven Haydon. “It is to meet the demands of our larger groups.” Volvo Bus Coach Sales Manager, James Hyde commented: “Hollinshead Coaches is a longestablished and loyal Volvo customer. They were impressed by the fuel economy of the new B11R vehicle and it also met their passenger capacity requirements.” “The vehicle has been in daily operation since the beginning of June and Hollinshead Coaches have been pleased with its performance,” continued James. “We look forward to continuing our successful working relationship in the future.” The coach was supplied by Volvo Bus’ Coventry dealership. Call 02476 210250 or visit www.volvobuses.com/ bus/uk/en-gb

retained and employment secured. The acquisition takes Skills’ total fleet to just short of 80 vehicles. Nigel Skill said he planned to keep six of the original McEwen fleet and replace the remainder, up to eight coaches, with vehicles from the Skill’s Holidays fleet – which would dramatically reduce the age profile and upgrade the quality of McEwens. He felt the business had great potential and was a very good fit within the Skills’ family providing a great opportunity to develop business in Mansfield.

05/08/2013 18:55

August 7, 2013 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 9

“Eurolines advertises itself as a real student travel service, but a number of families, solo travellers and older couples also made up the passenger numbers.” Andrew Cream

Insight p24

BUSK aims to broker best practice

Far from taking an insular view, Nat Ex’s passengers can now enjoy the benefits of ‘joined up thinking’

Nat Ex offers all-in-one Vectis ticket National Express has has teamed up with the UK’s only hovercraft operator Hovertravel and bus company Southern Vectis, so passengers to the Isle of Wight can buy one ticket to take them from London Victoria to destinations all over the island. NX coaches travel to Southsea port in Portsmouth where passengers board the hovercraft for a 10-minute hop across the Solent to Ryde. From there passengers can catch the bus to Newport, Sandown, Shanklin, Ventnor and East Cowes. Holidaymakers looking to return

Epsom winners join forces

Epsom Coaches and The Jockey Club have joined forces to raise the profile of one of the world’s greatest flat races, The Derby. Each of the company’s coaches will be named after a horse that won the race with the first, ‘Ruler of the World’ recognising the 2013 winner. Steve Whiteway, Epsom Coaches Managing Director said: “Epsom is well known for the Derby, but

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to the Isle of Wight can also avoid the hassle of buying multiple tickets when travelling back from Heathrow or Gatwick airports. NX UK Coach Managing Director, Tom Stables said: “We are thrilled to be announcing this exciting new partnership which means with the summer well underway holidaymakers can look forward to travelling to the Isle of Wight without the hassle of buying multiple tickets. “As the UK’s largest coach network we are committed to growing our partnerships so more people can access comfortable, convenient and great-value transport.” Hovertravel Marketing Manager Loretta Lale said: “We appreciate the Island community considers a connection to London as an

essential service and we have been working with our transport partners to create a seamless journey. “This connection to London and both Heathrow and Gatwick airports is an excellent example of how we are continuing to offer very attractive travel products for the Island community.” FirstGroup’s former Greyhound coach operation to the South Coast previously enjoyed a tie-up with Wightlink Ferries. This included offering the ferry operator’s passengers a 25% discount on Greyhound services. Adult single fares start at £24.50. To book tickets or for more information call 08717 818 181 or visit www. nationalexpress.com

BUSK has convened a meeting to work towards setting national standards for coach brokers. BUSK’s Pat Harris told CBW: “Some good brokers can be found in the UK but undoubtedly, from BUSK research, there is a rogue element that cause mayhem, put passenger safety at risk and who let customers and operators down repeatedly. What they have done successfully, is to give brokers a bad name. “They often charge hirers inflated rates and then hire the lowest quality vehicles and in many instances, just do not turn up. The idea is to get operators and brokers in the same room with a view to creating a set of national standards.” The half-day event, which is free to attend, will take place in Swindon on Tuesday, August 20. The day starts at 0915hrs for registration and welcome refreshments, before beginning in earnest at 0930. The event is due to finish by 1300. Asked by CBW how many people have booked to attend so far, Pat replied: “50 – and the venue has a capacity for up to double that.” Speakers include representatives from Don’t Travel Empty, Momentum, The Kings Ferry, Anthony’s Travel, Reynolds Diplomat and Coach Hire Comparison. The proceedings will be chaired by John Burch. “If there are good brokers out there, now is the time to stand up and be counted – to try to do something about the rogue element of the industry,” concluded Pat.

equally our coaches have ensured that the name of Epsom is spread across the UK and Europe, as we have travelled many millions of miles since we started in 1920. “Naming each coach brings together two legends of Epsom and promotes the borough and its iconic race worldwide. With over 240 Derby winners, we have plenty of names to choose from allowing for further expansion of our fleet which continues to set the standard in the passenger travel industry.”

First to be recognised on a Setra S416 GT-HD is 2013 winner, Ruler of the World www.coachandbusweek.com

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news

Dublin Bus services halted by strike action Each day without operating services has estimated cost of €600k as firm struggles to make €11.7m cut Strike action at Dublin Bus began over the weekend and continued into Irish Bank Holiday Monday as all services were cancelled due to industrial action by staff and pickets at the gate. The loss of public transport over one of the busiest weekends for local events and attractions has drawn heavy criticism from the economic sector. The strike has likely caused significant damage to the economy as tourism, shopping, sporting and social events were left inaccessible over one of the busiest weekends of the year. Dublin Bus has proposed significant cutbacks in a bid to

Dublin Bus workshop accreditation

The Harristown depot of Dublin Bus is the first Irish site to gain IRTE (Institute of Road Transport Engineers) Workshop Accreditation, an independent scheme that aims to raise industry-wide standards in vehicle maintenance. Donnybrook, Clontarf, Phibsboro, Ringsend and Summerhill depots have since gained the accreditation, with plans for the Conyngham Road depot to undergo an audit in the next few weeks. Company Health and Safety Manager, James McHugh said: “We had been looking for an external means of benchmarking our maintenance systems and procedures against that of industry best practice, and this seemed like a logical way forward. “The audit was comprehensive, well-structured and covered the various requirements in some detail. Like any audit however, it was viewed as another opportunity for further improving what we already had. www.coachandbusweek.com

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cut costs. It has been advised by Dublin’s Labour Court it must make an annual reduction of €11.7m in order to remain viable. After 14 months of negotiating the terms and requirements for implementing the cuts Dublin Bus remained at loggerheads with the union and has decided it could wait no longer. While all parties involved agree the need for talks is paramount there appears to be no sign of any return to negotiation between Dublin Bus and the SIPTU union. Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar told Irish TV news the Dublin Bus strike was counterproductive. The industrial action was targeting people in Dublin for whom there was no alternative to public transport in many cases. He was also worried about prolonged action, which he felt would threaten

the jobs of people in Dublin who don’t have the job security or protection that Dublin Bus workers do. Although uncertain at time of publication, if the strike runs into Tuesday (August 6) it could affect up to 400,000 commuters. Colleagues in the National Bus and Rail Union are now pledging their support for SIPTU members and also to strike in support. Each day without operating services is costing Dublin Bus around €600,000. The Irish Transport Minister has been asked to intervene but is adamant nothing can be done while drivers fail to realise there is no more money to give to Dublin Bus. He said the €11.7m cuts had to be implemented and urged them to re-enter negotiations.

Guernsey £20m bus investment About £20m could be spent on a new bus fleet and depot on Guernsey under plans put forward by the States. The current operator, CT Plus, uses former tram sheds as a depot at the moment, as the previous bus depot was sold off and replaced by social housing. Deputy Roger Domaille said a proper depot would make it easier to tender for a bus service in the future, and the project would include £5m for replacing and refitting the buses which CT Plus currently operate. He said: “This money is not for a completely new bus fleet, it is for a replacement programme which would include buying new buses, renovating some and upgrading others. “Another £15m is earmarked to find a permanent home for the bus operator and service. The £15m is a build cost and doesn’t include having to purchase land so it could cost more. “The decision to sell off the old depot was not thought through – social housing is clearly a priority but in taking away the existing depot the States should have gone to a phase two and replaced it.” “We have to have a bus service. Despite complaints it is a good bus service. It has its problems but it is a good service.” Obituary

Robert Watson IRTE Worskop Accreditation being rolled out across Dublin Bus garages “In considering that operator premises inspections by the Road Safety Authority will now be introduced in late 2013 under the Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Act 2012, this type of audit could prove useful for any operators who may have concerns over compliance.” Ian Chisholm, Head of Operations & Communications at IRTE’s umbrella organisation, SOE (Society of Operations Engineers), said: “By being the first to gain IRTE

Workshop Accreditation in the Republic of Ireland, Dublin Bus is leading the way in responsible vehicle maintenance provision. “Vehicle maintenance has a serious impact on road safety and compliance, and the fact that Dublin Bus customers can now be absolutely confident in the level of maintenance carried out on their public service vehicles is a significant step forward for the road transport industry in the Republic of Ireland.”

Coach & Bus Week would like to express its deepest sympathies for the sudden loss of Robert Watson at Meridian Driver Ltd, who died suddenly on the morning of July 30, aged 54. Paying tribute to his brother, Paul Watson, Managing Director at Meridian Driver, described Robert as a man who had everything to live for. “He was the only CPC trainer that every one of his class would rebook as long as it was Robert taking the class,” Paul said. “He will be sadly missed as a brother, a friend and a trainer at Meridian.”

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news › international

MAN Engine Academy ensures quality of service MAN’s Engine Academy is located at the new training centre of the International Engine Competence Centre in Nuremberg and is used to train service personnel in the correct handling of MAN engines. Germany In order to keep the idle time lost to the customer during repair and regular servicing at a minimum, experienced specialists at the new MAN Engine Academy at the Engine Competence Centre in Nuremberg give three- to five-day training courses to service staff of sales partners and certified service outlets. All aspects of theory and practice focus on the function, diagnostic strategies and servicing of MAN engines used in agricultural machinery, railway applications, combined heat and power plants, working vessels and commercial vehicles. Reiner Roessner, Head of Sales MAN Engines, said: “MAN guarantees the highest level of quality, not only of its products

but also of its service. For this reason, service personnel with first-class training are extremely important to us. With the expanded training program offered by the MAN Engine Academy we are contributing importantly to making practical knowhow on all MAN engines available.” Since the beginning of this year,

Young MAN technicians study a simulated operation in the academy

Washington provides new start for NABI USA Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has awarded NABI Bus, LLC, now a subsidiary of Canada’s New Flyer, a contract for up to 654 (725 equivalent units or EUs) NABI Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)- styled 42-foot and 60-foot buses with driveline options including: diesel-electric hybrid and compressed natural gas (CNG). The contract contains a firm order for 85 NABI BRT-styled diesel-electric hybrid 42-foot buses and options of up to 498 42-foot NABI BRT-styled diesel-electric hybrid or CNG buses and up to 71 (142 EUs) 60-foot diesel-electric hybrid buses over a five-year contract period. “We are thrilled about our recent acquisition of NABI and this award reinforces the opportunity we have www.coachandbusweek.com

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up to four training sessions have been taking place simultaneously in the facility. The rooms have been completely redesigned and are equipped with modern instruction material for the theoretical contents and a full array of training equipment for practical exercises, ranging from operable engines for the application currently being trained to mockups of the operator’s platform. The two integrated training test benches enable engines to be run under realistic conditions and an unlimited number of fault situations to be simulated. The Engine Academy is one of a series of investments MAN has made in the Nuremberg site over the past few years. Of those, the biggest have been investments in the future, beginning with the opening of the new Development Centre in 2010, the laying of the foundation stone for the new Sequencing Centre in 2012 and the extension of the Development Centre currently taking place.

A 60ft articulated BRT built at NABI’s Anniston, Alabama facility to provide a broader product and support offering and create better value for our customers,” said Paul Soubry, President and CEO of New Flyer. Soubry added: “WMATA operates both New Flyer and NABI buses and collectively we have delivered 1,046 buses to WMATA since 1995. We are very impressed with NABI products and personnel, and compliment them on this contract award from WMATA.”

Brian Dewsnup, Vice President and GM of NABI said: “Following its introduction in 2005, the NABI BRT-styled buses have become the industry leading model in its class.” The order for 85 BRT buses is scheduled to enter production in the first quarter of 2014 and are expected to be delivered by June 2014. All buses will be manufactured in NABI’s Anniston, Alabama facility.

Bus order brightens outlook for Ashok Leyland India Commercial Vehicle major manufacturer and Hinduja Group flagship Ashok Leyland has secured an order for 2,610 buses from the Institute of Road Transport, Tamilnadu, the nodal organisation which procures buses for all transport corporations in the State. The deal has been warmly welcomed by the company after its recent first quarter results described the general market as ‘very tough.’ “Ashok Leyland is proud to receive this order and is thankful to Government of Tamilnadu for this timely order,” said Vinod K Dasari, Managing Director, Ashok Leyland.

UTP elects new board

Belgium On June 13, the French professional association of urban public transport and rail transport companies elected its Board members for the next two years. Jean-Marc Janaillac, Chairman and CEO of Transdev, has been appointed President of UTP alongside four Vice-Presidents: n Sophie Boissard, Head of Business Strategy & Development, SNCF Group; n Marc Delayer, Managing Director, Transports Publics du Choletais, Agir association; n Jean-Pierre Farandou, President and Group CEO, Keolis; n François Saglier, Executive committee member, Senior VicePresident, Services, Customer Relations and Transport Environments, RATP Group. Jean-Marc Janaillac welcomed the new Board as being representative of the profession. Since January 2013, infrastructure managers, namely Eurotunnel and RFF (Réseau Ferré de France) have become members of UTP, the new Board now gathers the key players of mobility in France. Jean-Marc Janaillac declared he “would endeavour to ensure the continuity of the work done by the previous Board.”S

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news › international

ZF pursues composite technology ZF has inaugurated the ZF Composites Tech Centre which is located in Schweinfurt. Germany ZF plans to develop manufacturing processes for volume production of fibrereinforced plastics (FRP) components at a new 400 sq m. facility in Schweinfurt. All Group divisions will be able to use this knowledge, which is a prerequisite for the maturity of many lightweight design concepts for passenger cars and commercial vehicles which ZF has presented in recent years. A press is the centerpiece of the ZF Composites Tech Centre. It is controlled by Corporate Research and Development in Friedrichshafen and can be used to produce components from duroplastic materials according to the RTM process (Resin Transfer Moulding). In Schweinfurt, ZF will also produce minor quantities of complex FRP parts suitable for prototypes. Since the beginning of 2012, ZF has invested a total of EUR 3.1mn in machines and buildings for the ZF Composites Tech Centre. Dr. Ignacio Lobo Casanova is in charge of the ZF Composites Tech Centre, which will initially be run by four engineers. Apart from a press with a high-pressure injection unit for various resin hardener systems, further processing systems,

including a robot and an infrared tempering furnace are available. ZF believes the facility is wellequipped for tackling the three major upcoming tasks. Firstly, these include basic research, especially in terms of the different RTM processes and the tools used in these processes. “Part of our basic research work aims at making samples available from different material systems in order to determine the corresponding material characteristics. These again are stored as material models in a simulation process chain in order to be able to use simulations in the future to make

product and process development leaner”, said Dr. Ignacio Lobo Casanova. Secondly, joining technology, in particular bonding methods, plays an important role, just like the automation of process steps by using gripper technologies. Thirdly, the ZF Composites Tech Centre will also be included in the further development of specific ZF lightweight design concepts such as suspension struts and knuckle as well as the wheelguiding transverse spring which feature very attractive lightweight potential for passenger car chassis: The lightweight knuckle only

Production know-how for fiber-reinforced plastics material: ZF’s CEO Dr. Stefan Sommer (right) and Director Michael Hankel open the new ZF Composites Tech Centre at the Schweinfurt location

Sawtell bites the bullet

Australia New South Wales regional bus operator Sawtell Coaches has independently introduced new green technology into its bus services with two lowemission hybrids. Sawtell Coaches has searched the globe to find the best viable solution. Various alternative drive systems were looked at. In Sawtell Coaches’ opinion, gas buses were too dangerous; full electric buses had limited range and questionable green credentials depending on how the electricity was generated; hydrogen fuel cells remain experimental; flywheel drive systems are not yet widely www.coachandbusweek.com

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Sawtell Coaches researched its own answer to a low-emission future available; and hybrid-drives, both series and parallel, remained as the best option. This led sawtell to the BLK/ BCI parallel diesel-electric-hybridCummins-Eaton drive system as its preferred option. Sawtell says by installing a

smaller diesel engine in parallel with an electric motor drive supported by batteries which are charged by the normal operation of the bus. Sawtell closely followed a short 10 month trial in Sydney of one type of hybrid technology which it

weighs half as much as its steel counterpart and the lightweight transverse spring saves up to 15% weight over the corresponding steel construction. A four-point link for truck chassis with potential savings of 25% compared to the current cast version is also on the agenda of ZF engineers. Throughout ZF Group, roughly 30 development engineers are currently working on projects where FRP materials expertise is vital. “One essential additional task of the ZF Composites Tech Center is the Group-wide transfer of knowledge as well as consultancy and qualification for all ZF divisions and other development locations,” said Dr. Michael Heselhaus, project manager in charge of setting up the Tech Center. This transfer of expertise is not limited to lightweight and FRP specialists, though. Toolmakers are closely integrated into the activities of the Tech Centre to make sure the existing tooling expertise is enhanced in terms of FRP knowledge for massive and sheet materials as well as plastics injection moulding. TheTech Centre is organized as a branch of Corporate Research and Development in Friedrichshafen and part of Corporate Production. There is sufficient space on the Schweinfurt site for expansion. believes ended with little prospect of further trials but has revealed fuel savings between 4-15% from a series hybrid. The company deduced the better advantage lay with parallel hybrids. Based on its own investigations, in normal operation Sawtell Coaches predicted dramatically better results of up to 30-40% fuel saving. Additionally, there was found on the Sydney hybrid trial a possible $500-$2000 per year per bus savings to the health service due to reduced pollution directly attributed to bus emissions. Further savings (not measured) could be allocated as a result of the removal of cars/bikes from the roads, based on a 70k km per year average mileage. Sawtell Coaches cover 80k per year, average so the company expects to better the trial result.

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news › REGIONAL

SCOTLAND

Edinburgh City Council is issuing 100 fixed penalty fines a day to drivers who illegally drive in bus lanes. New figures show the penalty notices were issued between April 23, 2012, and July 4, 2013, after the bus lane cameras were launched in March 2012. The city has five mobile and two fixed devices with plans for ten more across key routes in the city. Motorists are liable to pay £60 if filmed at sites where number plate recognition cameras have been installed, though the fine is reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days. The scheme has faced criticism in the past and Edinburgh City Council was forced to write off almost 6,000 penalty notices in May 2012 after an official review concluded one of the cameras had been poorly located.

telling workers he was from another depot.

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

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A heritage open-top doubledeck bus service has started operating in the Worth Valley, West Yorkshire. The two-hour round trips takes in attractions which include the Star Centre, police museum, East Riddlesden Hall, Cliffe Castle, the Museum of Rail Travel and the Bronte Parsonage. Behind the initiative is Visit Bradford (Bradford Council’s tourism department), Keighley Bus Museum Trust (KBMT) and the Bronte Country Tourism Partnership. Town Tour Bus 822, as it is being marketed, is operated by KBMT under contract to the Bronte Country Partnership. The service operates between 1100 and 1700hrs every Saturday & Sunday in August, including Bank Holiday Monday August 26 and September 1. KBMT’s Graham Mitchell said: “Keighley is not normally regarded as a ‘tourist town’ yet it has an absolute wealth of architectural, social and transport history, all of which is examined and explained during the tour. And it’s best seen from the open top of a double-deck bus.” Passengers can travel on the service for free if they are in possession of a valid admission ticket to any tourist attraction on the route. Otherwise, a flat fare of £2 is payable for any single journey up to two hours. English National Concessionary Travel Passes are also valid. www.coachandbusweek.com

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Network Warrington has launching a range of special offers and extra bus journeys. As part of the initiative, Happy Sundays, the operator has extended its bus services for an extra two hours on a Sunday and bank holidays from August 4 to September 15. The fare is £1 for a single journey and 70p for a child. Maureen Banner, Network Warrington Chair, said: “It’s clear from customer feedback people wanted extended Sunday services so in response we have decided to trial it for a six week period. “If it’s successful we will consider providing an improved Sunday evening service.” Permission to demolish a 1930s former bus station on a one-acre site in Whitehaven is being sought by the owners. Special consent is needed as it lies within a town centre Conservation Area. Copeland Council’s approval to demolish the bus station, together with the old bus garages, has been applied for by Monaghans Ltd of Sheffield, acting as agents on behalf of Torquaybased company Whitehaven Marina. Peter Beard, for Whitehaven Marina, said: “We are looking to demolish the buildings and to find someone who may wish to purchase our sites.” Parts of the old garages on Wellington Row are considered

dangerous and the council’s building control section has become involved. The firm demolished the old bus depot last summer. The depot, which used to house Stagecoach buses, plus the adjacent Grand Garage site, was cleared to leave a large vacant tract of land which had planning consent, granted over three years ago, for a new five-storey complex of shops and 62 flats. The bus station was opened in 1931, only the second covered-in bus station in England at that time.

EAST

A man who disguised himself in a bus driver’s uniform before stealing a bus in Chelmsford has been jailed for six months. Joshua Cooper, 20, took the single-decker Bluebird bus, operated by FirstGroup, on May 14 after obtaining a uniform from a friend at the company. The bus was driven two or three miles before Cooper took it into a depot. Cooper admitted taking a vehicle without the owner’s permission. He also pleaded guilty to driving without insurance or a licence. Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court heard no passengers were on board the bus when it was taken. According to a BBC article, it is understood Cooper had been turning up at the depot disguised in uniform for a couple of weeks before he took the single-decker,

Oxford Bus Company is the first Oxfordshire business to develop a renewable energy scheme with community benefit, in partnership with the Low Carbon Hub. The 140kW solar PV scheme, placed on the Oxford Bus Company’s garage roof in Cowley, will provide the company with low cost electricity and the Low Carbon Hub an income stream to support and fund community energy projects across the city and county. The development has received backing from David Cameron in a letter of support to Oxford Bus Company. The letter said: “I sincerely hope other Oxfordshire businesses will follow and I hope we will be able to use Oxfordshire as a showcase which will inspire replication across the UK.” Oxford Bus Finance Director Luke Marion said: “This is a great project to be involved with. We have consistently established good environmental practices and our bus fleet has one of the best environmental profiles in the UK. We have cut our carbon use by over 25% per passenger journey in the last five years. But we also recognise it isn’t just about our buses, it is about how we run our whole business. “The Low Carbon Hub project is attractive to us because it has the right investment profile and there is a great payback to the community.” Barbara Hammond, CEO of the Low Carbon Hub said: “We are pleased to be working with Oxford Bus Company on this innovative project which benefits business, investors and communities. We hope other companies will follow their lead.”

SOUTH WEST

A major change to the rapid transit route through Bristol has been approved by Bath and North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset councils The Ashton Vale to Temple Meads metrobus will now run along Cumberland Road rather than Prince Street bridge. George Ferguson, Mayor of Bristol, said he did not want to see buses “clogging up the bridge or compromising the harbourside area ambience.”

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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. The four councils have been working together on crossboundary transport issues to develop a 15-year plan for an integrated network and had to agree to the mayor’s proposed change. Mr Ferguson’s amendment still has to approved by the government which is funding much of the £200m metrobus project. The introduction of new bus lane enforcement measures in Bournemouth is claimed to have addressed congestion and road safety concerns. Building on its successful use of CCTV technologies in other areas of enforcement, Bournemouth Borough Council is using two SEA ROADflow Flexi cameras to identify contraventions at the Coach House Place interchange near the town’s central station. The new cameras are integrated fully with the existing, proven verification platform and back office processing system provided by the Council’s long-standing enforcement partner, Imperial Civil Enforcement Solutions (ICES). ROADflow Flexi is a redeployable Automatic Number

Arriva Midlands teamed up with Leicestershire County Council last week to encourage families to choose bus travel as their preferred method of transport when considering day trips out to The National Forest and surrounding tourist attractions this summer. During a roadshow event which took place at Coalville town centre visitors were able to learn about how the National Forest Hopper service, (Arriva routes 9/9a and 29/29a), offers improved access to family attractions. The event also showcased the wide range of activity packs and interactive games being offered to keep children entertained during bus journeys, as well as giving youngsters the chance to have their faces painted and meet Arriva’s mascot Alfie the Bus Driver and Charlie Fox from Leicestershire County Cricket club. Regional Marketing and Communications Manager of Arriva Midlands, Keith Myatt said: “With reduced fares, vouchers for attractions and interactive games to keep children entertained during bus journeys, this service offers our customers something different and we hope it will tempt more people to try the bus as a result.”

Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera system designed to provide effective enforcement for restricted routes such as bus lanes and bus gates. The cameras operate continuously and generate evidence packs for every contravention identified. Encrypted evidence packs are then sent using wireless technologies to the ICES Parking Gateway back office system. The success of the new enforcement measure was immediate. Following a public awareness programme before the system went live, compliance to the traffic restrictions on the interchange increased by 80% in the first two weeks of operation. Cllr Michael Filer, Cabinet member for Transport, said: “Coach House Place is retained for taxi and bus traffic only and the majority of motorists follow the current signage and take the correct routes. Others, however, are flouting the regulations and creatuing a road safety issue as well as congestion problems for the area’s public transport operators. Frankly we had no option and had to take steps to introduce effective enforcement.”

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DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

The Bus Driver of the Year event once again takes place in Blackpool, on September 7-8 when keen competition comes to the fore

2013 n August 10 Metroline’s Holloway Garage Open Day

www.metroline.co.uk

n August 17/18 Scottish Vintage Bus Museum Open Weekend & Volvo Ailsa 40th Anniversary. Lothalmond, Fife. www.svbm.org.uk n August 24 Inglebrough Classic & Vintage Vehicle Gathering. Bibbys Coaches depot, North Yorkshire. 10-1700hrs. For details, call 015242 41330 n August 26 The Big Operating Day and Blue & Cream Celebration. Celebrating the centenary of Birmingham’s first blue & cream buses. The Transport Museum Wythall. 01564 826471. www.wythall.org.uk n August 31 EYMS Big Bus Day. Streetlife Museum of Transport, Hull. www.eyms.co.uk

Pictured here are Keith Myatt from Arriva Midlands, Richard Garrett from Leicestershire County Council, Alfie the Bus Driver, Charlie Fox and Ian Davidson from Leicestershire County Cricket club and Richard Drakeley from National Forest. Other attractions found on the route include Snibston Discovery Centre, Ashby Castle, Moira Furnace, CONKERS, Swadlincote Ski Centre, Sharpe’s Pottery Museum, the National Brewery Centre, and the open air pool at Hood Park Leisure Centre.

n September 22 Showbus 2013. Long Marston Airfield, Warwickshire. www.showbus.com n October 2-3 Coach & Bus Live 2013. NEC, Birmingham. www. coachandbuslive.com n October 18–23 Busworld Kortrijk. Kortrijk, Belgium. www. kortrijk.busworld.org n October 20 Oxford Bus Museum Bus & Coach Vehicle Rally. 01993 883 617. www.oxfordbusmuseum. org.uk n October 23-24 Young Bus Managers Network Conference. Manchester. www. youngbusmanagers.org.uk n October 27 Swansea Bus Museum Running Day. 07877 771 878. www.swanseabusmuseum.com

n September 7-8 Bus Driver of the Year Final. Blackpool. Call 01303 251462. www.bdoy.co.uk

n November 3 Lincolnshire Vintage Vehicle Society Museum Open Day. North Hykenham, Lincoln. www.lvvs.org.uk

n September 8 Bus & Coach Wales 2013. Rhyd y Car Leisure Centre, Merthyr Tydfil

n November 19 UK Bus Awards. London Hilton Hotel Park Lane. www.ukbusawards.org.uk

n September 9-10 CPT Scotland Annual Conference. Crieff Hydro Hotel, Perthshire. Visit www.cpt-uk. org or call CPT Scotland on 0131 272 215

n November 27 ATCO Winter Conference & AGM. Local Government House, Smith Square, London. www.atco.org.uk

n September 10 Association of Trainers AGM. 1400hrs, Wembley. For details call 01797 344251. n September 11 IRTE Conference 2013. Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon. 01322 221144. www.irteconference.co.uk n September 21-22 Metrobus 30th anniversary depot open days. Orpington, Croydon & Crawley. www.metrobus.co.uk/ metrobus30

2014 n March 18-19 Young Bus Managers Network Conference. Reading. www.youngbusmanagers. org.uk n May 12-14 ALBUM Conference. Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh. www.album-bus.co.uk

Send your event details to gareth.evans@ coachandbusweek.com www.coachandbusweek.com

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news › TOURISM

20%

The group discount for admission at The National Forest Wood Fair

The 29 year restoration of the gardens at Canons Ashby House near Daventry reaches completion this year. The estate is marking the occasion with a new daily tour which takes visitors around the extensive gardens and impressive exterior of the house. The interior of the house features grand rooms, stunning tapestries and Jacobean plasterwork and has survived largely unaltered since 1710. The venue has a coach parking and drop off zone available just 200 yards from the house. There are also buggy transfers available for visitors with mobility issues. Admission starts at £6.70 and the average length of visit is around three hours. For more information call 01327 860044 or email cononsashby@nationaltrust. org.uk The Keswick Pencil Museum documents the history of the writing implement and is home to the world’s longest colour pencil. There are special discounted rates available for groups of 10 or more and the coach driver is entitled to a free lunch in the on-site coffee shop up to the value of £5. Free parking for coaches is available, but only for vehicles with a pre-booked appointment. The recommended maximum size for one group is 25. However, the museum can accommodate larger numbers but these would have to be split up into smaller groups. The typical length of a visit is an hour and a half. For more information visit www. pencilmuseum.co.uk Tours of York Brewery reveal the traditional art of brewing in the heart of this historical City. Visitors are able to see, smell and taste some of the finest cask conditioned ales being brewed on-site for local, national and worldwide consumption. The main brewhouse attraction is a 20 barrel brewing plant above which a gallery has been constructed providing an excellent viewing platform fo visitors. Guided tours are conducted by a member of the brewery team and the tour also includes a beer sampling session. For further information on brewery tours or group bookings call 01904 621162. www.coachandbusweek.com

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A wealth of history at Stoneleigh Abbey New tours have been introduced for the 2013 summer season Sitting in 690 acres of parkland overlooking the River Avon in Warwickshire, Stoneleigh was established in 1154 and is regarded as one of the best preserved stately homes in England. The abbey is known for its close links to renowned 19th Century author, Jane Austen, with tours centered on her time at Stoneleigh in 1806 and how her visit came to be reflected in her later writing.

Other themed tours, led by costumed guides, are available giving an insight into the extensive, oft intriguing and mysterious history of the abbey. A new tour has been added to the repertoire for 2013 entitled Her-story which reveals the joys and sorrows of the women who inhabited Stoneleigh between the 1500s and 1900s. All groups must be pre-booked with admission fees starting at £6.50 per person which includes a guided tour. Tours followed by tea &

The main building at Stoneleigh Abbey, pictured by Gareth Evans

Houses of Parliament extends opening times The Houses of Parliament (HoP) is extending its weekday opening hours throughout August for the ‘Blue Badge’ guided tours of the Lords and Commons. Additional dates for specialist art tours in the House of Lords and Portcullis House have also been announced. ‘Royalty and splendour in the House of Lords’ reveals the work of eminent Victorian artists while ‘Contemporary portraiture in Portcullis House’ highlights the House of Commons contemporary portrait collection. These tours run on selected Mondays and Fridays. This year’s Summer Opening period runs from July 31 to August 31 (Monday to Saturday) and September 17 to October 5 (Tuesday to Saturday). In August,

Visitors can see inside the commons chamber weekday opening is extended with last tours at 1730hrs. Tour commentary is available in Russian, Spanish, Italian, French and German. The Houses of Parliament was recently awarded ‘Best Attraction for Groups: Short Visits’ at the 2013 Group Travel Awards, and

cake and high tea are also available for £10 and £15 respectively per person. A minimum of three hours is suggested for a group visit, to cover the tour, refreshments and to walk around the gardens and stables. The Orangery Tea Room overlooks the river and offers a selection of buffets or light refreshments. The abbey is largely accessible to all but wheelchair users are permitted to cross over grass verges should the graveled paths prove problematic. There is ample space for coach parking and drivers are invited to drop off their passengers at the Gatehouse before parking. Some SATNAV systems may direct an approach Stoneleigh Abbey via the B4113 and the Stoneleigh/NAC entrance which is inaccessible. Drivers should take the A452 off the A46 towards Leamington Spa. The entrance is off the B4115 and is signposted off the A452. For more information or bookings visit www. stoneleighabbey.org or call 01926 858585

named by TripAdvisor as a 2013 Travellers’ Choice winner. Discounted group admission starts at £9 per person prior to 1000hrs and increases to £13 afterwards. Coach drop off points can be arranged via prior arrangement by the visitor entrance located by Cromwell Green. Ideally, operatorss should seek parking or drop off elsewhere and travel to HoP on public transport as parking nearby is limited. A number of security measures have been put into place. Searches, similar to those used in airports, will be conducted on entry, mobile phones must be turned off and cameras cannot be used, except in Westminster Hall. For information and reservations call 0844 847 2498 or visit www.parliament. uk/visiting

UK PARLIAMENT

brIEfly

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UK PARLIAMENT

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1806 £6.70 The year Jane Austen visited Stoneleigh Abbey

The price of admission per person for Canons Ashby House

Wood Fair at the National Forest

Advance tickets are now on sale for the National Forest Wood Fair. Held in Beacon Hill Country Park, Leicestershire, over 100 exhibitors and demonstrators are gathering on Monday August 26. Groups booking in advance get 20% off admission prices. Opening hours have been expanded for 2013 with admission from 0900 to 1800hrs. The programme features displays from lumberjacks, chainsaw carvers, pole lathe turners in the log to leg races and heavy horses hauling logs. New this year is the Forest Food Festival with an array of locally-sourced food and drink. Cookery demonstrations share the stage with a series of woodworking masterclasses. Beacon Hill Country Park is just five minutes from junctions 22/23 of the M1 motorway. Coach parking and drop off is available on site and a free park and ride will be in operation from Leicester County Council’s County Hall. For more information or to book call 0844 888 5181 email info@goleicestershire. com or visit www.nationalforest. org

diesel prices

Neolithic houses will be a highlight

Stonehenge’s new visitor experience nears completion A new visitor centre at Stonehenge is heading towards the final stages of its construction. Also near completion are two ‘pods’; one covered in sweet chestnut to house the exhibition galleries while the second glass one contains the café, shop and education space. The major redesign promises a much-improved visitor experience and will allow visitors to encounter the unique atmosphere of the prehistoric stones, with the closure of a nearby road and the relocating of the car parks 1.5 miles away from

the site itself. The new visitor centre will have permanent exhibitions on the history of Stonehenge itself and the surrounding landscapes, which are rich in architectural history. Neolithic houses will be the highlight of Stonehenge’s outdoor gallery of the visitor centre, which will open to the public from 2014. Stonehenge remains open to visitors as normal while the work is on-going. For more information visit www.english-heritage. org.uk

DEALS OF THE WEEK Chartwell in Kent is the famously much-loved Churchill family home and the place from which Sir Winston drew inspiration from 1924 until the end of his life. The rooms remain much as they were when he lived here, with pictures, books and personal mementoes evoking the career and wide-ranging interests of a great statesman, writer, painter and family man. The hillside gardens reflect Churchill’s love of the landscape and nature. They include the lakes he created, Lady Churchill’s rose garden, the kitchen garden and the Marycot, a playhouse created especially for the youngest Churchill daughter.

Chartwell frequently played host to Sir Winston Churchill Timed tickets operate in the house. Group visits are available for 15 or more people and all groups must be pre-booked. Adult admission is £10.70 while children is £5.40 The average length of the visit is

two and a half hours. Parking for six coaches 250 yards from the entrance, on-board coach welcomes and introductory talks are available. Catering is provided by an onsite restaurant. n For group bookings call 01732

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

143.17 138.20 138.09 127.72 124.29 123.94 123.51 121.41 120.86 120.80 120.26 119.57 114.94 113.23 113.23 109.54 102.09

holiday pound £1 will get you: Euro 1.16 Switzerland (Franc) 1.43 Norway (Kroner) 9.11 Hungary (Forint) 345.79 Czech Republic (Koruna) 29.96 Poland (Zloty) 4.88

868381 or email chartwell@ nationaltrust.org.uk Well-known comedian Andy Parsons’ ‘I’ve got a shed’ Tour continues on September 13 at the York Theatre Royal. To date Andy has done three sell-out National tours and in 2009, released his debut DVD Britain’s Got Idiots, which was followed up by Gruntled in 2011. Andy started in TV on Spitting Image, becoming one of the main writers before embarking on a stand-up career which has led to such shows as Mock The Week and Live at the Apollo. The nearest parking to the theatre can be found on Bootham Row and Marygate, but coach drop off can be arranged with the venue. Admission is £16 per person. n For more information visit www. yorktheatreroyal.co.uk and further listings www.andyparsons.co.uk for bookings call 01904 623568 www.coachandbusweek.com

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20 | COACH & BUS WEEK | August 7, 2013

DELIVERIES

AVALON COACHES Glastonbury-based Avalon Coaches has taken delivery of two Scania Irizar i6s. Based on K 400 EB4x2 chassis, the vehicles are equipped with 13-litre Scania 400bhp Euro 5 EGR engines and fully-automated Scania Opticruise gear selection systems. Inside are soft leather PB seats with wings, WiFi and CCTV. The

coaches are supported by Scania’s two-year repair and maintenance package which will be managed by Scania’s Shepton Mallet branch. “These coaches will be primarily used on UK tours, with the expectation they will put Avalon on the right road to a prosperous future, with a view to further expanding our fleet of modern quality coaches,” said Avalon MD Geoff Rouse. “We chose Scania for this major investment as the

back-up service is second to none. Scania Shepton Mallet is easy to deal with, their attitude being that nothing is ever a problem. “The Scania Irizar i6 is a good all round touring coach and the PB seat comfort is impressive. Having the bigger engine in my opinion is a must. The fuel economy is impressive – we’ are averaging already 13 mpg on a day including London work, and have managed up to 15 mpg. The drivers saying they are fantastic to drive.”

NEW BHARAT New Bharat Coaches has reinforced its modern fleet by taking delivery of a new Van Hool TDX27 Astromega from Taunton-based dealer Moseley in the South. The 14.2m-long coach is powered by a 480 bhp MAN engine, coupled to a ZF ASTronic gearbox, with an integral retarder and ASR traction control. Internally, the coach is

FACT FILE

Chassis/body Scania/ Irizar i6 Engine Scania 320hp Transmission Scania

Opticruise Seats 49 Spec Touring

Supplied by

Scania 01909 500822 www.scania.co.uk

TAW & TORRIDGE North Devon-based Taw & Torridge says it is pleased with the performance of a matching pair of VDL Futura FHD2 129.365PR automatic luxury coaches delivered in time for the 2013 season. Sporting distinctive cherished registration numbers ‘UK13TAW’ and ‘GB13TAW’, the vehicles have been acquired from Moseley in the South. Commenting on the new coaches, Mark Hunt, a Director of the family-run coach firm, told CBW: “I really like the styling of the new Futura – it looks great. Moseley in the South is our local dealer. We’ve previously bought three Van Hools from there. We’re now looking to

fitted with 85 ‘TX Grande Lux’ reclining passenger seats with individual footrests and contrasting leather trim to the headrest inlays, piping, cushion and backrest cheeks. Facilities on board include a servery with a fridge, water boiler and storage cupboards – in addition to a pair of tables on the lower deck and space for a solitary wheelchair. Entertainment equipment includes a DVD player coupled to four monitors,

with contrasting leather trim to headrests and piping, adjustable footrests and seat back tables. The two new coaches are allocated to the firm’s Barnstaple depot, which was acquired from First Bus in December 2012 and complements the operating centre at Meeth. Further details will be contained in a forthcoming CBW ‘Operator Update’ feature. FACT FILE

acquire a further five new coaches to beat the Euro 6 deadline by the end of the year. These will hopefully be VDL Futuras.” Mark added: “We’ve specified £20,000 worth of optional extras. This includes Alcoa Durabrite alloy wheels, driver’s bunk,

additional marker lights and an extra fridge in the dash, complementing the one on the gangway side of the toilet. We’ve also had pavement flood lights over nearside coach length and continental exit as it’s a feature we liked with our Van Hools.”

Also on board is a reversing camera and rear proximity sensors – in addition to CCTV covering the centre continental exit and forward-facing ‘road ahead’ camera. Not to be forgotten are the 53 Vogel Conturo Reclining passenger seats, which have been finished

Chassis/body VDL Futura FHD2 (integral) Engine DAF Paccar 361BHP Transmission ZF auto Seats 53 Spec Touring Supplied by

Moseley in the South 01823 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

with two each on the upper and lower saloon respectively. Not to be forgotten is the Bosch Travel Pilot navigation system. The CCTV system includes supervision cameras to the upper deck, a reversing camera, ‘road ahead’ camera and rear out-swing cameras. Pavement flood lighting is also fitted on the nearside. Founded in 1977, the Southall-based firm now runs a fleet ranging from 32 to 71 seats. FACT FILE

Chassis/body Van Hool TDX27

Astromega (integral)

Engine MAN 480 BHP Transmission ZF ASTronic Seats 85 Spec Touring Supplied by

Moseley in the South 01823 653000 www.moseleysouth.co.uk

LOCHS & GLENS Scottish-based coach holiday specialists, Lochs & Glens have taken delivery of eight new Volvo B13R, 14-m tri-axle Jonckheere-bodied coaches as part of an ongoing fleet upgrade. The Gartocharn-registered firm runs 16 coaches, all of which are based on the Volvo chassis. “Lochs & Glens has traditionally been a Volvo operator,” explained Transport Manager, Steve Nicols. “Five of the new vehicles are being operated by us, the remaining three are in our livery and are working on our holiday programme, but are actually owned and run by Leeming Bar-based Procters Coaches,” he explained. “Obviously we’ve had Volvo B13Rs before so we knew what we were getting. The key factors for

us in determining vehicle selection were fuel economy, reliability and engine power,” he continued. “We need the extra torque up here in Scotland, because the vehicles are regularly travelling over steep terrain to reach any one of our seven idyllic hotel locations. “The Jonckheere bodywork also played a part in our decision. The styling combined with the Volvo

chassis really does give us the complete package.” Lochs & Glens’ new 57 seater vehicles are specified with Volvo’s fuel efficient, 13-litre, diesel engine rated at 460hp, coupled to the Volvo I-Shift gearbox. Each of the new coaches feature distinctive light Ivory paintwork and includes the company’s logo on the livery. An ergonomic driving position, with easy-reach

controls, adjustable driver’s seat and steering wheel means the B13R is a popular choice with drivers and makes it ideal for long hauls, such as those undertaken on the Lochs & Glens holiday tour programme. The Volvo B13R is equally suited to the needs of its passengers with carpet throughout, three-point belts, leather headrests, two TV screens, CD & DVD player, as well as an on-board WC. FACT FILE

Chassis/body Volvo B13R/ Jonckheere Engine Volvo 460bhp Transmission Volvo I-Shift Seats 57 Spec Hanover LED destination gear, Esteban seats Supplied by

Volvo Bus 02476 210250 www.volvobuses.com/bus/uk/ en-gb

www.coachandbusweek.com

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LEGAL update › unfair dismissal

Don’t dismiss procedures

Failure to follow procedures when dismissing an employee could cost you dearly. Steven Meyerhoff, a Director & Head of Employment at Backhouse Jones goes back to basics and provides a refresher on this important area of employment law The rules on unfair dismissal were first introduced with the Industrial Relations Act 1971 but are now contained within the Employment Rights Act 1996, (ERA 1996), which states that the dismissal of a qualifying employee will be unfair unless: The employer can show the reason for the dismissal is one of the potentially five fair reasons given in section 98(1) and (2) of ERA 1996; and That the Tribunal finds, in all the circumstances (this includes the employer’s size and administrative resources) that the employer acted reasonably in treating the reason for dismissing the employee as a sufficient reason for dismissal. “Sufficient Reason” has been interpreted as meaning that the dismissal must be both “procedurally” and “substantively” fair. The qualifying period of service to have the right to bring an unfair dismissal claim is two years provided the employee started work after April 6, 2012 or one year for those whose employment commenced before April 6, 2012. There are however, dismissals for certain reasons which are deemed automatically unfair, e.g. discrimination. In such cases, an employee does not need to prove they meet the qualifying period of service to bring a claim. www.coachandbusweek.com

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A constructive dismissal is not always an unfair dismissal – the Tribunal will look at the employer’s conduct If an Employment Tribunal finds the dismissal is unfair, it can order the employer to re-engage or reinstate the employee or, which often happens in practice, pay the employee compensation. Note however, that if the dismissal is for misconduct or poor performance the Acas Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures (Acas Code) must be applied as the Tribunal will look at the employer’s use of the guidelines in coming to his/her conclusion and may increase an award by up to 25% for failure to comply.

What is a Dismissal? To bring an unfair dismissal claim, an employee must have been dismissed as defined in section 95(1), of the ERA 1996, which defines a dismissal as: The employer terminating the employment with or without notice. A limited-term contract expires without being renewed on the same terms. The employee resigns (with or without notice) and they can establish that they

were constructively dismissed by showing that: n There was a repudiatory breach of their contract by the employer; n They resigned because of that breach; and n They did not delay before resigning. A constructive dismissal is not always an unfair dismissal and the Tribunal will look at the employer’s conduct and decide whether it acted fairly as defined in Allders International Ltd v Parkins [1981] IRLR 68. There is no dismissal where the employee decides to resign, where the parties have come to an agreement, where the operation of law frustrates the contract of employment or in cases where the dismissal “vanishes” as the employee has successfully appealed the decision to dismiss them.

Potentially fair reasons for dismissal As outlined above, there are five potentially fair reasons for dismissing an employee under the ERA 1996 are conduct, capability, redundancy, breach of a statutory restriction, and “Some Other

Substantial Reason” (SOSR). Note, however, that until 2011 retirement was a potentially fair reason for dismissal until the default retirement age of 65 was abolished. A retirement dismissal may now lead to a claim of age discrimination. The five fair reasons for a dismissal are very similar and it is often that an employee will claim on the basis for breaches being committed in relation to more than one fair reason.

Conduct To be dismissed on the ground of misconduct could either be a single act of serious misconduct or a series of acts which are less serious, such as: Disobeying reasonable orders; Breach of certain terms of the contract (including breach of the duties of good faith and mutual trust and confidence); Theft or dishonesty; Unauthorised absence from work; Violence at work;

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In association with

Alcohol or drug abuse (although this may be treated as an illness); Disclosure of confidential information, competing or preparing to compete; and Repeated poor attendance. Employers are advised to check their disciplinary policies which may provide further examples.

Capability “Capability” is assessed by reference to an employee’s skill, aptitude, health or any other physical or mental quality. The capability must relate to the work that the employee was employed to do and in practice, capability dismissals normally fall into two main groups: Poor performance or attitude, or Ill health.

Dismissals for these reasons can potentially be fair, as they relate to the employee’s capability to do the job they have been employed to perform. In some cases of dismissal for ill-health, the sickness amounts to a disability which in turn could fall under discrimination law. In those circumstances the employee may bring a claim of disability discrimination claim which are very difficult to defend.

Redundancy A dismissal may be fair on the grounds of redundancy – but it must be proven that the dismissal is “wholly or mainly attributable to” the employer either: Ceasing or intending to cease to carry on the business for the purposes of which the employee was employed by it (business closure); Ceasing or intending to cease to carry on that business in the place where the employee was so employed (workplace closure); or Having a reduced requirement for employees to carry out work of a particular kind or to carry out work of a particular kind at the place where the employee was employed to work (reduced requirement for employees).

Statutory restriction A dismissal is potentially fair if it can be proven the staff member’s continued employment would breach a statutory enactment. The employer must be able to show that the employee’s continued employment would actually contravene a statutory restriction and it is not sufficient to reasonably believe that the dismissal is necessary because continued employment would be breaking the law as defined in Bouchaala v Trusthouse Forte Hotels Ltd [1980] IRLR 382. Statutory restriction dismissals are normally a result of specific rules governing the specific job in question, for example: Dismissal because continued employment would breach the immigration rules; Dismissal because the employee has lost their driving licence and they need to drive to do the job.; Dismissal because the employee has failed to obtain certain vocational qualifications; or Dismissal because the employer discovers that the employee has (or has received) a criminal record. Ultimately, in these circumstances employers will need to show the courts they have considered alternative roles for the employees, particularly in circumstances where contravention of a statutory enactment is

temporary, i.e. six-month ban on driving entitlement.

Some other substantial reason The final potentially fair reason for dismissal is what is termed for “some other substantial reason”. There is no more statutory guidance on what is meant by the term, but unfair dismissals under this reason could be an issue which did not fall into any of the other categories. To justify a dismissal under SOSR, it is only necessary to establish a reason which is of a kind that could justify the dismissal of an employee holding the job in question. It is not necessary to show that it actually did justify the dismissal as defined in Willow Oak Developments Ltd v Silverwood [2006] IRLR 607. This distinction is important as, once it is established that the employer has a potentially fair reason, the dismissal will be fair if the decision to dismiss was within the range of reasonable responses. This leads to the question of what is reasonable? Reasonableness of the dismissal Once the employer has established a potentially fair reason for the dismissal under the ERA 1996, the Tribunal will decide if the employer acted reasonably in dismissing the member of staff for that reason. Most Tribunals will approach the question by applying the “normal”

Dismissal on the grounds of misconduct can include alcohol or drug abuse

Backhouse Jones acts for clients in the private and public sector, both national and international operators from one to several thousand vehicles. Backhouse is absolutely “industry specific”. Whilst the company can trace its heritage to 1819 it only represented its first Road Transport Operator in 1930. The explanation for this is that the

test for reasonableness under section 98(4) of ERA 1996. This section states: “Where the employer has fulfilled the requirements of subsection (1), the determination of the question whether the dismissal is fair or unfair (having regard to the reason shown by the employer) – on whether in the a depends circumstances (including the size and administrative resources of the employer’s undertaking) the employer acted reasonably or unreasonably in treating it as a sufficient reason for dismissing the employee, and be determined in b shall accordance with equity and the substantial merits of the case.” In other words the Tribunal has to decide whether the employer’s decision to dismiss the employee falls within the range of reasonable responses which a reasonable employer in those circumstances and in that type of business would have come to. The test applies both to the decision to dismiss and to the procedure by which that decision is reached Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Ltd v Hitt [2003] IRLR 23. The Tribunal will assess the reasonableness of the employer’s conduct, and only take into account facts which are known to the employer at the time of the dismissal. In Orr v Milton Keynes Council [2011] EWCA Civ 62 the Court of Appeal held that “known to the employer” does not mean the employer must know all of the facts the member of staff knew but merely the facts known to the decision-maker at the time when he reached his decision to dismiss. A further question of reasonableness will be whether or not the employee has carried out a fair procedure. Determination of this will be based on the employer’s own procedures and at the very least, compliance with the ACAS code of practice. If you are uncertain about the accuracy of the facts on which you are basing the decision to dismiss an employee on, first of all consult your policy and thereafter seek legal advice as the punishment for unfairly dismissing an employee can be extremely costly.

first transport act was only introduced in 1930 n The Independent Chambers Guide 2009 describes Backhouse Jones Limited as a specialist company with a national reputation for “first class strength, experience and understanding of the transport industry”. n Contact 01254 828300. Visit www.backhousejones.co.uk www.cbwonline.com

LegalUpdate.indd 23

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24 | COACH & BUS WEEK | August 7, 2013

insight › Eurolines

To Ghent with Eurolines Accompanied by his better half Vicky, Andrew Cream details his recent weekend trip to the idyllic Belgian city of Ghent, courtesy of the transEuropean coach operator Eurolines www.coachandbusweek.com

EurolinesGhent.indd 24

erhaps surprisingly, my trip to Ghent in June with Eurolines was my first coach journey outside the country since a school ‘European trip’ to Aachen and Luxembourg when I was 13, so I was eager and curious when my partner Vicky and I set off for Victoria Coach Station on Friday, June 7. It was a bright and early start. Our coach wasn’t scheduled to leave until 1000hrs but customers are told they have to arrive at least an hour in advance. We traversed the London terrain in somewhat of a hurry, only to find that when we reached the station, there wasn’t much need to be there so early. Now, I appreciate at busy times, allowing an hour to ‘check in’ etc. is necessary – it was just a little frustrating seeing people strolling up at 0955 after our hectic journey

and being allowed to board no problem at all. Better to be safe than sorry I guess.

All aboard

After a little confusion over which queue to join due to the late arrival of a coach to the North East which was using the same gate as us, we met the driver, who told us which side of the coach to place our baggage, and then boarded. The final destination of the trip was Amsterdam, with stops at Bruges, Utrecht and of course, Ghent. Eurolines advertises itself as a real student travel service, but while there were several younger holidaymakers onboard (it was heading to Amsterdam…), a number of families, solo travellers and older couples also made up the passenger numbers. Our outbound journey was on a Mercedes-Benz Tourismo and a quick Google search of the

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A De Lijn-operated Van Hool AG300 articulated low floor bus. Left: The river flowing through Ghent hosts many boat trips

registration BV-ZF-43 revealed (isn’t the internet brilliant?) the coach was registered in 2009, has 59 seats and is powered by a Euro 5-compliant engine. It was operated by Dutch firm Bovo Tours, based around half an hour south west of Holland’s capital. The driver however was, to my knowledge, English, but he spoke what seemed to be a variety of languages. As this was our first time onboard a Eurolines coach, we certainly appreciated the detailed commentary at different parts of the journey. He even added a sprinkling of humour at times, albeit his jokes were only in one language.

Coach comfort

We didn’t go overboard on luggage, but Vicky certainly isn’t one to travel light, so Eurolines’ generous baggage allowance is one plus point in the competition with

EurolinesGhent.indd 25

also air conditioning and an onboard toilet which is standard with Eurolines vehicles.

Tunnel vision

The outbound Mercedes-Benz Tourismo coach at the Eurotunnel terminal low-cost airlines. Two mediumsized suitcases and a carry-on bag per person should be more than enough for most people. While the coach wasn’t luxurious in any way, there was sufficient leg room and the seats were comfortable enough. There was

“Ghent is the perfect city to enjoy a short break. It’s charming and only a short distance from the UK.”

After the driver skilfully negotiated his way out of London, we headed down to the Eurotunnel terminal in Folkestone via a quick pick-up in Dover. We were grateful for a 15-minute layover in the waiting zone before boarding, using it as a chance to stretch our legs and pick up some grub. Crossing the channel using Eurotunnel was another first for us, but again the driver explained the procedures and what would happen in plenty of detail. Driving a coach into one of the train ‘carriages’ looks like a skill in itself – the manoeuvring involved made me clench my backside muscles in the same way as driving down a narrow street with parked cars does. The 35-minute stint in the tunnel is fairly unexciting. The www.coachandbusweek.com

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26 | COACH & BUS WEEK | August 7, 2013

insight › Eurolines

Above: An example of Ghent’s medieval architecture. Above right: The Novotel is situated just minutes away from the city centre coach rocks slightly, left to right, but not so much as to give you any kind of unwanted side effects.

Eurolines: travel info

A stunning city

The weather in June wasn’t very spectacular in the UK, but we were most fortunate to enjoy a magnificent weekend of sunshine while in Belgium. As soon as we reached Bruges the sun came out and we were lucky enough to get a glimpse of the outskirts of the charming town. The Ghent drop-off point for Eurolines is situated outside its Dampoort railway station, just over a mile outside the centre of the city. We stayed in the Novotel right in the hub of Ghent, although the city centre is so small, if you stayed anywhere you would be within walking distance of all the bars and restaurants and many of the attractions. I know we were lucky with the weather, but Ghent is a beautiful city, as I alluded to in a previous ‘Big Picture’. The medieval buildings are well preserved and there are plenty of spots to enjoy the river, which has a host of boat tours riding up and down. Public transport reigns supreme in the centre, as Ghent boasts the largest car-free zone in Belgium. Local operator De Lijn runs buses and trams in the city, although the tram lines aren’t too much of an eyesore. There are seven main city bus routes as well as plenty of regional and inter-city services. The stateowned operator currently prefers to run Van Hool AG300 articulated www.coachandbusweek.com

EurolinesGhent.indd 26

The return journey’s second passport check low floor buses, a mixture of diesels and hybrids, in Ghent. As we were only there for one full day and the climate was on our side, we decided against indoor attractions, instead opting to soak up the atmosphere and a few drinks along the way. However, the Gravensteen castle, the Museum voor Schone Kunsten (Museum of Fine Art) and the SMAK all provide rainy-day entertainment.

Rough return

After a pleasant and enjoyable outbound journey with a great driver to boot, our trip home was a little disappointing. We were picked up at around 1200hrs on Sunday by a Noge Touring Star coach, operated by Werner Reisen, based near Karlsruhe. The vehicle was fine, but one of the drivers was very unprofessional in our opinion. Aside from being rude in general, he also distracted the driver who was behind the wheel on several

occasions and there were no announcements or commentary of any kind either. I’m sure the return journey was an exception to the rule, however. Passport control on return was also a bit of a farce as we had to leave the coach and queue up for two separate checks. On the outbound journey, two French police officials came onboard and checked the passports – it was a quick and easy affair; shame that couldn’t happen on the return trip.

Conclusion

So, would I do it again? Yes, I think so. Eurolines’ fares are good value and it’s a lot less hassle than air travel. The only downside is journey time – for a two-night break it can be a little tiring, but for anything longer I think it is manageable. As for Ghent, it’s the perfect city to enjoy a short break. It’s quaint, charming and only a short distance from the UK.

Single fares from London to Ghent start at £35 plus £4 booking fee. Eurolines also provides regular services to other destinations in Belgium including Antwerp, Bruges and Brussels. Three services per day operate from London Victoria Coach Station to Ghent at 0800, 1000 and 2130hrs. The journey is scheduled to take between 6hr 10 and 6hr 40 mins. Departures are from London Victoria Coach Station. You get a free luggage allowance of two medium size suitcases plus an item of hand luggage. If you’re travelling from outside London, a special rate connection fare is available on National Express services for £15 return from any NX departure point. For more details, visit www.eurolines.co.uk

“There are seven main city bus routes as well as plenty of regional and intercity services. The state-owned operator currently prefers to run Van Hool AG300 articulated low floor buses in Ghent.”

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28 | COACH & BUS WEEK | August 7, 2013

LEGAL news › public inquiry

Tates praised and criticised Formal warning for Hertfordshire coach operator Tates of Markyate after failure to give formal notice to TC, although it is praised for letting school & pupils know Tates Coaches of Markyate has been given a formal warning by Traffic Commissioner (TC) Richard Turfitt after it stopped operating two school transport services which were registered as being available to the general public, without giving the correct notice to the Office of the TC. The long-established family-run firm, which boasts a good reputation, holds a 10-vehicle International O-licence.

Public Inquiry The Public Inquiry (PI) took place in Cambridge on July 11, 2013. The company was represented by Mr Patrick Sadd of Counsel, instructed by Messrs Pellys. The operator was present in the form of all three Directors – Alan Michael Tate, Anthony John Tate and Stephen William Tate of which two, namely Alan and Stephen are the nominated Transport Managers. The firm was called to a PI after Hertfordshire County Council reported services T61 and T43, both of which ran to Townsend School in High Oaks, had ceased operating. In October 2012, the company applied to Mr Turfitt to cancel both services at short notice, with effect from November 16. Of course, operations running registered local services are required to give the TCs 56 days’ notice of their intention to vary or cancel a local bus service but can apply for a short notice change. Staff acting on behalf of the TC contacted Hertfordshire County Council who indicated they were unable to support the cancellation of the services from November 16, due to the adverse impact on students at the Townsend School. After considering the application, the short notice request was refused and the company instructed to provide the full 56 days’ notice. www.coachandbusweek.com

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This meant the services would have to run until December 25, 2012. The council subsequently reported that the T43 ceased operating before that date. During the PI, the TC examined the circumstances leading to the short notice application. The business, although familiar with running school services, was not experienced in the registration process and its obligations to the TC. Mr Turfitt found, despite the company’s indication that a copy of the short notice application had been sent to the council, there was no evidence they had done so. “The mistake here was to have treated the notification as a formality,” the TC noted. “I am charged with a duty which I take very seriously – that is to ensure members of the travelling public are provided with the services which operators have said they will provide.” The operator’s call-up letter for the PI was dated December 18, 2012. In a his written decision issued after the hearing, Mr Turfitt went on the say: “The alleged issues of concern were the subject of discussion during the course of the PI but essentially, having seen the financial evidence in advance, for which I was grateful, boiled down to one of repute. The reason this issue arose is because of the circumstances surrounding the cancellation, or rather the operator’s ceasing to operate two registered bus services. Firstly, T61 operating between Porters Park Drive, Shenley and Townsends School in High Oaks and T43 which was operating between Church Street, Luton and Townsend School, High Oaks.” The TC added: “The evidence I heard during the PI gave a picture of the changing trade in environment which many PSV operators find themselves in at this time. The state of public finances has led many local authorities to identify ways in which they might save money. These are difficult decisions and I make no criticism of Hertfordshire

While familiar with school runs, the firm fell foul of the registration process

Key Points: Praise for operator for obtaining work directly from school rather than going through the council’s controversial e-tendering. Operator commended for engagement with school, parents & pupils over service change. TC aghast at failure to inform “everyone else” except him – although Tates believes otherwise. TC satisfied operator will ensure future compliance. Tates Coaches issued with a formal warning.

“Ignorance is no defence, but it is relevant to questions of proportionality. I was satisfied there was no intent behind the failures.” Richard Turfitt Traffic Commissioner

County Council. Having made that decision, the whole approach to the provision of school travel was properly communicated to operators through a public meeting and also through the offices of the Hertfordshire Bus & Coach Operators’ Association. This presented, as I described it, an opportunity for this operator to seek work which was previously tendered by the ‘e routes’ administered by the council. “This operator, spotting that opportunity, created a consortium with two other licensed operators in order to bid for that work directly from, in this case, the Townsend School in High Oaks. This appeared to be a very sensible approach and demonstrated some pro-activity on the part of the operators concerned.” Mr Turfitt continued: “However, it presented a situation where this operator, which was clearly experienced in the running of school services but was not experienced within terms of the necessary registration process, which is required of operators seeking to engage in this type of work directly from schools. I say, necessary, because it lies at the

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to ensure that they comply with the O-licence requirements and in the case of bus registrations, to comply with what they said they will do because people in society are relying on that service. It is an extremely responsible position to be in,” he added. “In this case, the operator, as far as I could establish, for sound commercial reasons, found itself in a position where it felt unable to continue to run the T61 and T43 services. It was at that stage where the directors would have been well advised to put in the application to the Office of the Traffic Commissioner; they did

Traffic Commissioner Richard Turfitt heart of the ability of TCs to take action when required. Operators are asked to register the services; it is their registration to which they commit and they must run those services until they deregister the service in line with the provisions set out within the relevant regulations. There is, of course, the ability to seek to vary those registrations at short notice but, again, there are checks to ensure that the application is appropriate and falls within the scope of the regulations. This is highly relevant to the question of trust. The licensing regime is based on two planks – one of road safety, which was not of a concern to me at the PI and the other on fair competition.” Mr Turfitt acknowledged the firm made considerable efforts to ensure students found alternative travel to the school. The TC also pointed out that this type of transport was more than getting someone from A to B for a fixed price – there was a degree of service and care. “Operators, particularly those engaged in the transport of vulnerable members of society, are trusted. Not just trusted to be honest, compliant operators and of good intent; they are trusted

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Tates operates a well-presented fleet of coaches not. Instead, and some of this is to their credit, they sought to engage in, what seemed to be considerable efforts, to ensure those relying on the service were provided with alternatives for travel to school. They continued to engage, quite actively. I found the evidence of Mrs Bell, on behalf of the school administration, to be entirely credible, if not forceful. It is clear that one of the reasons the Governors allocated this work to this consortium of three operators was the ability to communicate actively with the members of the consortium. The school apparently had a long-standing relationship; one where the school Governors, on behalf of the parents, valued

the holistic approach and service provided by this operator.” In the course of the application, Alan Tate signed an application to the TC’s office, in which he stated: “I have sent a copy of this form and supporting document to the following authorities: Hertfordshire County Council”. The TC said: “That form was dated October 26, 2012. During evidence from Mr Tate, he told me he believed he gave instructions to this office that this would be the case. There is no copy documentation on file. There is no possibility of any evidence being produced that it was, in fact, sent because the only correspondence which was sent by way of ‘recorded delivery’ or whatever we are calling it this month with Royal Mail, relates to sending it to my office in Leeds.” The TC continued: “The real impact was the confusion which has arisen both in the mind of the local authority but also in the mind of the Directors of this operator and because that has arisen, they did not live up to the level of trust which I placed in them to get things right and to comply with their registered services. I referred to a number of confusing emails which followed and they quite clearly confused others including Mr Tate. It is not surprising, therefore, that another arm of the local authority, and I do not know how closely connected with Mr Brady the officers were who wrote to me in respect of this short notice application, but the result was an inaccurate picture being presented to me and undermined my ability to regulate these arrangements properly on behalf the members of the public and, in this case, particularly parents who relied on the services in question.”

Decision “It may have occurred to the operator during the course of proceedings that seeking permission for a short notice seems like an unnecessary level of bureaucracy. The mistake here was to have treated the notification as a formality; it is not,” the TC concluded. “However, I also took into account the great efforts this operator made to ensure those same members of the public were addressed; that alternatives were found in order for their children to attend school. The operator’s false sense of security might have been

have been misinterpreted – ‘We’ve done it so we don’t need to tell the regulator’. If an operator is going to engage in what is a regulated environment, the operator is expected to know what is required of it.” Having taken account of the “glowing references” from the operator’s other customers, “most particularly” from Mr Skinner, who is the Hertfordshire County Council Team Leader for Quality, Monitoring and Contract Enforcement; the TC concluded: “Ignorance is no defence, but it is relevant to questions of proportionality. I was satisfied there was no intent behind the failures. I was also satisfied commercial implications were not put above the interests of those served by the operator. Unfortunately, the effect was the same in that I was misled by a failure to supply a full and accurate picture. It would have been so easy for the operator to ensure I was written to. The letter enclosing the applications was extremely sparse in terms of detail to the point of minimalism and the subsequent correspondence did not really help. Everyone else was supplied with information but I was not. “While I only heard directly from Alan Tate, I reached the conclusion that I could trust this operator to ensure future compliance. I was satisfied the three directors would live up to what I was told they would do in future. I stressed that if there is any question in their minds as to what is required they should not take advice from another operator but from an appropriate and recognised source.” The TC reminded the operator of what was expected in the future, before adding “and any one looking at these proceedings should be clear as well. The obligation to supply a registered service imposes an important duty. I therefore issued the operator with a formal warning in respect of these events. Mr Tate informed me at the PI in no uncertain terms this would never happen again and I reminded him to make sure it doesn’t.” Director of Tates Coaches Gary Skinner said his firm took over the T43 and T61 services to Townsend School after the County Council withdrew them as part of its drive to cut costs. Mr Skinner said: “Once we got passenger numbers, there were some routes that were not viable, so with the school we made alternative arrangements.”

www.coachandbusweek.com

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PRODUCTS

Guarded access platforms for Reading’s gas buses Kee Safety has provided Reading Transport with a bespoke Mobile Guarded Access Platform for its new fleet of gas buses. Utilising ‘Kee Lite’ and ‘Kee Klamp’ fittings, the tubular structures specialist, designed a safe ‘working at height’ system for maintenance teams accessing the gas cylinders housed on the bus roof. Reading Transport’s recent investment in 20 gas powered buses demands a means to regularly and safely maintain the fleet. A lightweight portable safe working platform was required and having worked with Kee Safety many years ago, the company made contact to find out what solution it could provide. “We discussed our requirements with Kee Safety and what impressed us was their ability to provide a bespoke system that ticked all the boxes,” commented Mike Batt, Purchasing & Facilities Manager, Reading Transport. “We have been working with the structure for a few weeks now and are extremely happy with the end result as it provides a safe and secure working platform that we have confidence in. We see

the opportunity for using this type of system for other applications across the single deck fleet for air con servicing, radio antenna work and roof damage.” The platforms are constructed using a combination of Kee Lite and Kee Klamp fittings. It is crucial that there is no gap between the platform and bus to avoid any possible accidents. However, this means that the structure needs to incorporate a form of cushioning to run along the internal edge to eliminate any damage to the paint work. With the structure being mobile, it is used outside and then easily moved to an undercover parking area

Email martin.cole@coachandbus week.com to get your new product or service in the spotlight

when not in use. Mobile Guarded Access Platforms are an adaptable, portable work space allowing elevated stable access where ladders or standard practices are not easily implemented. Every install has its own issues and requirements. The advantage of Kee Safety’s systems are their flexibility as they can be adapted and customised to suit any requirement without welding, meaning repairs or modifications can be made on site without specialist equipment. For more information visit www.keesafety.co.uk

Lighweight guarded platform from Kee Safety aids access to gas cylinders

Michelin EFFIFUEL to assist fleet management Michelin Solutions’ innovative ‘EFFIFUEL’ solution is designed to help customers contain and reduce fuel costs. Michelin is working with fleets to define a contractual commitment based on fuel savings and the resources to be deployed to attain them, with the savings generated by the solution to be shared by the partners. To reduce fuel consumption Michelin can access an array of services including eco-driving training courses, monitoring of drivers’ at-thewheel behaviour based on individual eco-scores and the installation of telematics display units to give fleets complete visibility and help them remotely track fuel use. Fuel Analysts from within Michelin assist in gathering and studying data on the influences of fuel consumption, while optimising tyre management through pence/km tyre pricing with a fitment strategy aimed at reducing fuel consumption. This

EFFIFUEL - a joint approach to fuel savings including tyre management can include the installation of tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) to improve the safety of the driver, vehicle and its cargo. Initially, Michelin conducts a detailed audit of vehicle types, current tyres, itineraries, vehicle operating weights and driver habits, before helping to define an objective efficiency savings target, measured in litres/100km. Once a savings structure is in place, Michelin offers fleets commitments to meet those targets

over periods of up to four years. Throughout the contract period Michelin Solutions’ own expert Fuel Analysts conduct in-depth studies and regular fleet reports. EFFIFUEL does not seek to replace fleet managers but to provide them with resources to optimise their operation. If the joint fuel saving goal is met, the gains are shared -if not, Michelin Solutions reimburses a portion of the expenses incurred on a pro rata basis.”

Smartflex bus and coach tyres

New coach tyre from Hankook Hankook Tyre’s new Smartflex all season radial range is specifically developed for the UK market. Designed for medium to long-haul purposes, Smartflex promises high performance in almost all weather conditions. It uses the latest tyre technologies to provide a safe and economical alternative to seasonal tyres. Smartflex tyres are available for steer and drive-axles in 295/80 R22.5, 315/80 R 22.5 and 315/70 R 22.5 sizes. The AH31 steer axle tyre features advanced Spiral Coil Technology, where a continuously-wound steel belt is inserted between the traditional high-tensile steel belt cords to improve belt durability, increase tyre life and improve steering and rolling characteristics. Small support blocks on the outside of the second and fourth ribs also effectively prevent one-sided irregular tread wear. Benefiting from a solid six rib tread design with six-angled tread blocks, the DH31 drive axle tyre improves grip and mileage, while reducing irregular wear. Self-regenerating kerfs in the centre of each tread block help to prevent tearing at the block edges, providing good traction throughout the tyre’s life span. The 3D full-depth kerfs on both steer and drive axle tyres ensure even wear - increasing mileage.ad retaining traction even in the later stages of wear. Alongside the new Smartflex range, Hankook has also launched alphatread - a retread tyre choice. It allows operators to benefit from reduced costs associated with a retread, as well as high mileage from the extra wide tread and deep grooves. The tyre’s lateral tread design with high-density grooves also ensures excellent traction in all weather conditions. For more information, visit www.hankooktire-eu.com.

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THE BIG PICTURE

This attractive scene was taken during a recent publicity photoshoot for Glasgow Citysightseeing, a wholly-owned subsidiary of West Coast Motors. At the centre of the photo is the striking 2006-built structure, which is officially called the Clyde Arc. “It’s better known locally as Squinty Bridge owing to its angle,” Donald Booth, Operations Manager for City Sightseeing Glasgow told CBW. The road bridge spanning the River Clyde connecting Finnieston, near the Clyde Auditorium and SECC with Pacific Quay and Glasgow Science Centre in Govan. Turning to the bus itself, East Lancs Olympusbodied Scania N230UD ‘YN07LHY’ was new in June 2007 to London United. It is now one of three identical vehicles in the Glasgow fleet, which run alongside two 2009-built Optare Visionaires and five Alexander Volvo Olympians. The open-top tours run throughout the year, on a 15-minute frequency in summer, dropping to hourly in winter. A mix of live guides & prerecorded multi-lingual commentary narrated by Neil Oliver of the ‘Coast’ TV programme fame is used.

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August 7, 2013 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 35

INDUSTRY

GUIDE

TO UNIFORMS & WORKWEAR

Some well-presented bus drivers at Network Warrington, a good example of how uniform improves the image of an operator

Dress to Impress This week’s Industry Guide looks at suppliers of uniforms and workwear, providing gear which suitable for the wide variety of roles in the coach and bus industry, whether it’s helping drivers make the right first impression or keeping engineers safe IndustryGuide_p35top.indd 35

irst impressions are extremely important for new customers in this industry. It’s easy for passengers to be put off by a dirty or poorly maintained vehicle, but it is equally easy for them to be unimpressed by a poorly presented driver. Coach operators might be able to get away with it when transporting a group of under 25s or sports fans, but for the majority of tours, corporate transport contracts or school contracts, customers will expect some effort to have been made. The first few moments when a passenger boards the vehicle are extremely important, especially if it is for the first time. Investing in a good quality uniform and ensuring it is properly worn is sure to impress customers. The same is true of staff in travel shops, where a poorly dressed customer service assistant can put off customers before they have even

considered makin a booking. Consistency is also important. Passengers are sure to notice if they have a well presented bus driver one day and a shabby-looking individual the next. It isn’t all about impressions though, as the driver needs to be comfortable whn driving a large vehicle for long periods of time. Fortunately suppliers of uniform have specific experience with the coach & bus industry which allows them to make specifically tailored uniforms for this exact purpose. For maintenance staff, looking the part is less important than the uniform being appropriate for the job. Their clothing needs to be durable, safe and highly visible to keep them safe in the workshop. It isn’t worth risking the safety of staff simply by not having appropriate uniforms. Suppliers participating in this feature stock plenty of high visibility uniforms, work boots and personal protection equipment which is up to the task.

www.coachandbusweek.com

05/08/2013 16:09

36 | COACH & BUS WEEK | August 7, 2013

INDUSTRY

GUIDE

TO UNIFORMS & WORKWEAR Look Custom Look Custom has been supplying corporate clothing to transport operators for over 30 years and has driven through the tough economic times in true partnership with its clients. Look Custom supplies a full range of clothing for the workplace including numerous suiting collections, shirts, ties, outerwear, polo shirts, workwear, hi visibility and personal protection equipment; as well as footwear and accessories. With one of the widest ranges of ‘off the shelf’ products available, which can be combined with bespoke manufacture, Look Custom is the perfect one stop shop for uniform management and supply. In any business consistency is a key to success and Look Custom has enjoyed long and consistent relationships with clients and importantly, ownership – not by Banks or venture capitalists but by the founder of the company, Bert

Newton. At 69 years young Bert remains actively involved in the business and is still as passionate about providing a first class service today as he was at the beginning, a philosophy backed up each and every day by a team packing a

A light-hearted Look Custom advertising campaign surrounding a new product launch

wealth of skills and knowledge. The Look Custom team has experience supplying uniforms into organisations such as Arriva and FirstGroup as well as dozens, probably hundreds over the years, of regional bus and coach operators up and down the country. With a sound footing, Look Custom has been more active in the market place over recent months with investments in IT, new marketing tools, websites and people to support the growing business. Investments which have seen collaborations with award winning corporate clothing designers, new contract awards and a greater focus on UK sourcing and manufacturing. Couple this with an increased global network of ethically accredited suppliers and factories ensures clients of any size can be accommodated with a service and production plan to deliver success. All backed up by a business which is ISO:9001 and ISO:14000 accredited.

Look Custom is a business which delivers through its people. Being uniform suppliers, the interaction with people every day ensures a personal approach which can too quickly be lost in larger organisations. Look Custom is proud to be a compact and nimble business which can proactively deal with client requirements and yet is big enough to deliver volume and large scale requirements. In fact, as this article goes to press a floor of the warehouse has been prepared to complete 800 individual person packs for a large transport operator while simultaneously packing up 90 individual packs for a two local tour operators. Combined with the usual volume of daily orders being embroidered or printed and goods coming in and going out, it’s a slick operation to witness. T: 01923 800013 E: sales@lookcustom.co.uk W: www.lookcustom.co.uk

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Examples of the new Uniform Express stock range

Uniform Express Uniform Express is a supplier of corporate clothing for all business requirements. Whether operators are looking for a fast delivery of stock or a new bespoke corporate identity with a fully managed online solution, Uniform Express has the skills and knowledge to deliver, with the additional benefit of staff in all areas of the business having knowledge and experience to support, service, and supply a full range of products to the transport sector. Uniform Express was formed 27 years ago and since then, has maintained a continuous improvement programme in the management of uniform supply. Today it boasts an extraordinary wealth of expertise throughout its personnel and through a sophisticated state-of-the-art wardrobe management system. The offices and warehouse are based in Banbury and employ 42 people. Recent years have seen the company become one of the strongest in the uniform sector. The company plans to maintain this growth organically and possibly through acquisition. Uniform Express offers a large selection of its own brand products all ideal for the transport sector while offering a great depth of stock and size ranges suitable for all. Ian Fountain oversees this sector, who is well known in the industry both in knowledge and contacts with coach, bus and rail sectors. Uniform Express has many operators who use the on-line facility and stock supported products to equip their staff whether they work as drivers, engineers or in travel shops. Such

IndustryGuide_p36,37.indd 37

names it services include Shearings Holidays, National Holidays, Wilfreda Beehive, Green Bus, Lloyds Coaches, Bennett’s Coaches, Premium Tours, Epsom Coaches and, most recently, Hardings Travel, Dudley Coaches and R&B Travel. New additions to its stock support ranges for the Autumn to be released at the Coach & Bus Live 2013 Show will be a men’s and ladies’ poly-wool lyrca business suiting called the Signature Range. It will offer five core colours in both male and female style jackets, trousers and waistcoats, as well as dresses and skirts for females. This enables Uniform Express to add a suitable high end range suit for the silver service type coach operators and the travel / holiday sector for travel shops. Customer service and support are at the forefront of Uniform Express’ operating procedures. Controlled online ordering is an essential part of uniform supply and a sophisticated package of options can be adapted to meet operators’ most demanding requirements. Excellent supplier relationships across the globe, backed up with real-time management information, ensure stocks are automatically replenished to meet demand. Add this to the in-house embroidery, a garment alteration facility and a talented designer, ready to create an ideal new image, and Uniform Express should be a preferred partner for uniform supply. T: 01295 709774 E: sales@uniformexpress.

co.uk W: http://www.uniformexpress. co.uk www.coachandbusweek.com

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1995 Scania K113 VanHool Alizee

Converted this year to 70 seater using Cogent seats with 3 point belts, tea machine, TV/DVD.

£27,500 Milligans Coach Travel 01290 550365

2003 MERCEDES SPRINTER 313CDI 15 SEAT MINIBUS WITH COIF/PSV

Diesel, 122000 miles, 2000cc turbo diesel, silver, air conditioning, electric front windows, rear boot, twin side loading doors, AVS side access step, LEZ compliant, certificate of initial fitness, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT. £9,495 – NO VAT

Ben Weaver Commercials 0114 275 7076

1998 Volvo Olympian

1998 Mercedes 814 Vario Alexander

Northern Counties low height body, ZF gearbox, 76 seats + 8, choice of 2.

27 coach seats with 3 point belts, auto gearbox, power door, great for school and private work. £8,995 + VAT Call Karl at Whitegate Travel Tel: 01606 786833 Mobile: 07841 110426

£8,950

Stafford Bus Centre 01782 791774

2007 Setra 415GTHD Comfort Class

49 seats, AS Tronic gearbox, Mercedes engine, Euroliners, Ambiente seats, serviced by Mercedes since new, one owner, 302,000kms, MOT Apr 2014. Must sell due to retirement.

£89,995

Burns Coach Tours 01651 851279

MAN Fast Carrier

57 dual purpose seats + 12 standees, 3 point belts, power front and side doors, auto gearbox, double glazed tinted glass and curtains, 238,157 miles.

£92,000

Blythswood Motors 0141 889 9730

2002 Futura

2007 MAN Plaxton Panther 49/53 seats, LEZ compliant, toilet, DVD/CD, fridge, hot drinks, Webasto. Only used on our own holidays and excursions. Excellent condition.

£85,000 + VAT

Please call Jamie 01730 267543 or 07956 029344

1998 R REG OPTARE SOLO

Mercedes engine, Allison, 30 seats, new MOT.

POA

EnsignBus 01708 865656

Mercedes 814D Euro Coach

Full exec spec, Eminox euro 4 exhaust, 49 seats, green cloth, manual, 792K kms, new MOT on sale.

£55,000 + VAT L.J. Edwards: 01323 440622 option 2 or John 07974 369570

Volvo Jonkheere B10M 71 belted 3 point seats

1994, MOT to May 2014, excellent condition. Offers invited

0151 547 2713 / 07802 235778

2006 Ford Transit Minibus

Ideal for school and private hire, very clean throughout, fully maintained in house. £6,995 + VAT Call Karl at Whitegate Travel Tel: 01606 786833 Mobile: 07841 110426

2001 Mercedes 814 Vario Optare Nouvelle

PSV 12/5/13, taxed 30/4/13, full service history.

31/33 high back seats, forced air, reading lights, PA system, power door and boot.

£58,000

POA

Contact William on 07733 914050

Connaught PSV – 01405 814064

2003 Mercedes Citaros

1999 Volvo B10M Jonckheere

38 + 34 standees, LEZ complaint, full DDA, dual door, Hanover LEDs, CCTV, in good condition, very low mileage (240,000 – 260,000 km), 1 year’s MOT. Choice of 6 (5 x 53 plate and 1 x 03 plate). £40,000 each + VAT

48 reclining seats with retractable belts, monitor, DVD, radio + cassette, rear toilet with rear door, fully sprayed and new stretch panels fitted, good coach, just been to Spain, lovely driver.

yourbus – 01773 714013

£20,000 + VAT ono

Paul Watson Travel paul.watson9@btconnect.com

Telephone Jade Cassidy on 01733 293247 or email jade.cassidy@coachandbusweek.com

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40 | COACH & BUS WEEK | August 7, 2013

2006 Bova Majiq

1999 Scania VanHool Alizee T9

7HO

49 seat executive, ZF auto, LEZ compliant, leather headrests, twin monitor DVD, centre sunken toilet, tasteful moquette, excellent condition, MOT & Tax, economical vehicle, ready to work.

£95,000 + VAT

Travelstar European 01922 647100 / 07779 801862

2003 Volvo B7TL Wrights Gemini 10.1m

09 Reg Renault Master LM35 2.5TD

Volvo Olympian 81 belted coach seats

Private plate (B13 RTT), auto, 49 seats, drinks machine, centre sunken toilet, headrest covers & curtains, 2 fridges, reversing camera, tested till March 2014, good condition for year, 2 owners, owner retiring, available end August. £21,000 o.n.o. – NO VAT

07850 377268 (Kent) available end August

2009 Renault

16 reclining seats, perfect for airports, takes 20 big suitcases, A/C, TV, DVD, hot drinks & fridge, 3 point belts, overhead racks, front entry, 166,000kms, great on fuel, sale due to fleet restructure.

64 seats + 25 standees, Volvo D7C/Voith, conversion to single door available & seat belt option (£POA), very clean ex-lease vehicles. £27,500 + VAT – CHOICE Southdown PSV 01342 711840 email: bussales@southdownpsv.co.uk www.southdownpsv.co.uk

Florida Taxi Coaches 01787 477701

2010 59 Reg Ford Transit Factory Bus

2011 Vauxhall Vivaro 12 seat minibus

17 seats, will have new COIF and PSV test, tachograph, only 60k miles.

£15,500 + VAT

£14,950

Full COIF with 11 months PSV/MOT, taxed until Dec, digital tachograph, 6 speed gearbox, 3 rear seats can be removed (ensuring space for luggage), 1 owner vehicle.

0151 547 2713 / 07802 235778

Stafford Bus Centre 01782 791774

AFJ Travel – 0121 689 1000

1996 N Reg Volvo Olympian

57 Mercedes Sprinter 515 UVG Coachbuilt

2002 Mercedes OC500 Touro 12m

2005 Mercedes 814D Plaxton Cheetah

Northern Counties, 76 seats with belts, recent repaint into metallic silver, looks very well.

49,000 miles, 16 highback passenger seats on Unwin tracking, flat floor, air-con, power door, automatic tail lift, 12 months PSV test.

ZF automatic gearbox, 49 seats, air con, MOT June 2014.

£12,250

£21,995

£35,000

Stafford Bus Centre 01782 791774

Heatons Motor Company 01782 791774

Volvo Bus & Coach 02476 210250

Manual gearbox, high roof, factory conversion, PAS side loading doors, electric side step, 15 high back seats plus driver, tested floor, tacho fitted, 32,997 kms only.

P.O.A.

1997, B10R, MOT to June 2014, 55 mph, excellent condition. Offers invited

H.W. Pickrell – 01268 521033

P.O.A.

33 high back seats, 3 point belts, forced air, reading lights, power door and boot.

POA

Connaught PSV – 01405 814064

Telephone Jade Cassidy on 01733 293247 or email jade.cassidy@coachandbusweek.com

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August 7, 2013 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 41

ALFA COACHES HAVE FOR SALE DUE TO FLEET REPLACEMENT

CONTRACT VEHICLES FOR SALE

Dennis Plaxton R Series Cummins 420, AStronic Gearbox 2004: 5 x 53 seats £40,000 plus VAT 2005: 2 x 53 seats £50,000 plus VAT Volvo B12B Plaxton Paragon Easyshift gearbox, LEZ compliant 2006: 2 x 53 seats £84,000 plus VAT All are well maintained, low mileage examples (approximately 62,000km per annum) with reclining seats, 3 point seat belts and air conditioning. Owned by us from new and used on our own holiday programme. All over cream. Price includes new MoT. Sorry no part exchange facilities!

To view contact Tom Smith, Operations Manager, on 01257 248136

2000 SCANIA T9

2009 MAN NL273F Wrightbus Meridian 12m

2001 MAN Neoplan 12 months MOT, 12 months tax, full tank of fuel, one owner driver for the last 5 years, 49 seater, toilet, aircon, drivers bunk, alloy wheels, just refurbished, 2 new 22in Samsung LED monitors, black-out windows, TV tuner, DVD system all fitted 8 months ago, good mpg, 3 new air bags, new belts, hoses and interior LED lights just fitted, 600,000km, based in Glasgow. £33,500 + VAT

Three coaches for sale with 53/57/70 seats. Two available now and one in October.

P.O.A.

Contact Gary 07930 377051

Manns Travel – 07796 695675

1994 Volvo B9M Berkof Excellence

1996 Volvo B10M

Good solid engine and gearbox, tidy bodywork, MOT till April 2014, 37 recliners, loads of legroom and a rear toilet.

ZF automatic, Plaxton Premiere 350, 70 seats, air-conditioning.

Belfast Bus – 07921 389720

44 seats + 26 standees, fully DDA compliant, Mobitec LED, CCTV, digital tachograph, ex-lease. £67,500 + VAT Southdown PSV 01342 711840 email: bussales@southdownpsv.co.uk www.southdownpsv.co.uk

£14,000 Milligans Coach Travel 01290 550365

EnsignBus 01708 865656

2008 Setra 416 GT HD

Luxury VW Crafter

2007 Unvi Riada

2007, 16 seats, A/C, DVD, microphone, 125,000 miles, 8 months MOT, excellent condition.

Brand new engine with Mercedes warranty, 22 seats + certified courier seat, leather headrests, Euroliners, DVD, 3 point belts, P/A, air-con, 227,000km, MOT 15/04/14.

£99,500 + VAT

£25,000

£32,000

Florida Taxi Coaches 01787 477701

Slick Rides – 07823 770978

Burns Coach Tours 01651 851279

Volvo Bus & Coach 02476 210250

2003 Futura

2003 Setra 315 GTHD

2007 Scania K340/ Caetano Levante

VOLVO B12B

49 seat with retractable belts, low mileage, seat back tables, footrests, centre toilet, power door, air con, webasto, cool box and boiler 2 x monitors and DVD, radio cassette, LEZ exhaust, great drive.

£53,500 + VAT ono

Choice of 2, 49 leather reclining seats, ZF automatic gearbox and retarder, Hanover front, side and rear destinations, WC, air conditioning, PLS magic lift, low mileage, recently refurbished and can be used on National Express network until June 2016.

Paul Watson Travel paul.watson9@btconnect.com

£80,000 + VAT each

£120,000

yourbus – 01773 714013

Contact William on 07733 914050

53 seats, excellent condition, PSV 26/5/13, taxed 30/4/13, service records, lovely bus all round and just had an interior re-trim.

£24,750

53 seat Comfort class, 12 speed ASTronic gearbox, air con, PA, CD & DVD, hot drinks & fridge, WC/washroom, seat belts, continental entrance.

Full exec spec, Eminox euro 4 exhaust, 49 seats, green cloth, manual, 695K kms, new MOT on sale.

£65,000 + VAT L.J. Edwards: 01323 440622 option 2 or John 07974 369570

POA

2005 Volvo B12M VanHool Alizee 12m

I-Shift gearbox, 49/53 seats, air con, MOT June 2014.

£89,000

375,604 miles, PSV 25/4/13, taxed 31/3/13, full service history.

Telephone Jade Cassidy on 01733 293247 or email jade.cassidy@coachandbusweek.com

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42 | COACH & BUS WEEK | August 7, 2013

2005 Daf VanHool

Auto, 49/51 seat executive, purple, immaculate, Webasto, air conditioning, retarder, WC, DVD, reversing camera, hot water, fridge, leather headrests/piping, MOT May 2014, one driver from new, 486,000km. Must sell due to retirement.

ÂŁ85,000

Burns Coach Tours 01651 851279

2006 Mercedes Benz 814 Vario

24 seats + courier, 3 point belts, luggage racks, reading lights, blown air, private plate, full skirts, Euroliners. ÂŁ32,495 + VAT Call Karl at Whitegate Travel Tel: 01606 786833 Mobile: 07841 110426

1998 Volvo B10M Caetano Enigma

1999 Mercedes Benz 814 Plaxton

2006 MAN 14.220 SLF MCV Evolution 11.2m

27 coach seats with 3 point belts, perfect for school bus and private hire, private plate, manual, test April 2014. ÂŁ8,995 + VAT Call Karl at Whitegate Travel Tel: 01606 786833 Mobile: 07841 110426

40 seats + 21 standees, DDA compliant, Hanover LED, direct off lease from a major operator. ÂŁ32,500 + VAT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; CHOICE Southdown PSV 01342 711840 email: bussales@southdownpsv.co.uk www.southdownpsv.co.uk

Lightning Travel â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 017530 237830

2008 Mercedes 515 CDI Soroco

Volvo Olympian 81 belted coach seats

19 high back seats, forced air, A/C, D/G, reading lights, power door and boot, in metallic silver.

1999 Iveco Beulis

Mercedes Plaxton Cheetah

29 seater plus large boot, very nice clean exterior and brand new seat trim, new wheel rims, taxed with short test but can be re-tested if required.

ÂŁ14,500 o.n.o.

ÂŁPOA

POA

1997, B10R, MOT to June 2014, 55 mph, excellent condition. Offers invited

Blythswood Motors 0141 889 9730

Connaught PSV â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 01405 814064

0151 547 2713 / 07802 235778

49 seats, 4 x 4 box, air con, new test, toilet.

2004 Bova Futura

<RXÂś UH L Q FRQW URO

49 seats with retractable belts, monitor, DVD, radio, cassette, taxed and tested, has air-con but needs re-gas + belts, needs t.l.c. but good motor.

ÂŁ15,500 + VAT ono

51 seat executive, ZF auto, LEZ compliant, excellent condition, centre sunken toilet, 2 monitors, DVD, driver and crew seat retrimmed. Ready to go.

ÂŁ55,000 + VAT

Paul Watson Travel paul.watson9@btconnect.com

Travelstar European 01922 647100 / 07779 801862

1999 Mercedes 814D Mellor

Volvo Jonkheere B10M 71 belted 3 point seats

33 coach seats, 3 point belts, MOT 21/11/12, luggage racks, forced air, power door, boot/side locker, manual gearbox, tacho, repainted cream.

ÂŁ10,000

Drew Wilson Coach Sales 0141 248 5524

7DNH W KH SKRW RV ZU L W H W KH DG DQG F KDQJH L W O DW H U L I \ RX ZDQW W R DO O I U RP \ RXU RQO L QH GDV KERDU G 6H O O L QJ D Y H KL F O H L V V L PSO H RQ 1994, MOT to May 2014, excellent condition. Offers invited

0151 547 2713 / 07802 235778

Telephone Jade Cassidy on 01733 293247 or email jade.cassidy@coachandbusweek.com

681973-1097-Pembridge

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NEW PRE-REGISTERED FORDS

New Ford Transit 17 seat 4.3ton 135ps minibus, air-con, tacho From £20,795 + VAT

OTHER MAKES

(56) 2006 Peugeot Boxer 3.5t on 17 seat minibus 2.8 diesel, high back seats with three point belts, 33,000 miles £8,995

FORD TRANSIT MINIBUSES

(12) 2012 Ford Transit Tourneo 9 seat Trend 2.2 125 PS, air-con, Bluetooth, in Midnight Sky Blue, 2,608 miles £14,900 + VAT (12) 2012 Ford Transit 17 seat minibus 135ps air-con, tacho, COIF/PSV £18,450

(05) 2005 Mercedes Vito 9 seat LWB 2.2 diesel, 6 speed gearbox, air-con, large boot £6,995

WHEELCHAIR ACCESS

(57) 2008 Iveco 50c15 wheelchair accessible minibus, 17 seats or 4 seated + 5 wheelchairs, rear heating, underfloor tail lift, front entry drop step, 90,000 km COIF/PSV £15,495

D L O S

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

(07) 2007 LDV Maxus 13 seat wheelchair accessible minibus, under floor lift, space for two wheelchairs, electric side step £8,495

(10) 2010 Ford Transit 17 seat minibus 2.4 diesel, six speed gearbox, tacho, 55,000 km £13,495

(06) 2006 Vauxhall Vivaro 1.9 cdti 9 seat, inboard lift, tracking for 2 wheelchairs, 45,000 miles £8,995

(57) 2007 Renault Master MWB 2.5TD 6 speed, tracking for two wheelchairs, in board lift, aircon, rear heating, 35,000 miles, one owner £12,495

(58) 2008 Ford Transit 12 seat minibus 2.2 diesel, twin side loading doors, tacho, 35,000 miles £10,995 (07) 2007 Ford Transit 17 seat minibus 2.4 diesel, six speed, one owner, 64,000 miles, FSH, COIF/PSV £9,950 + VAT

OTHER MAKES

New Peugeot Boxer 16 seat 3.5 ton and 17 seat w/chair accessible minibuses, 2.2 diesel 120ps, six speed gearbox LEZ COMPLIANT From £24,750 + VAT (10) 2010 Renault Master 17 seat LM39 2.5 diesel, high back seats, nice spec £11,450 (56) 2006 Peugeot Boxer 3.5 ton 17 seat LWB minibus, 2.8 diesel, high back seats with three point seat belts, 19,000 miles only £9,450

(

(05) 2005 Fiat Ducato 20ltr diesel SWB 6 Seat wheelchair accessible minibus, Unwin fully tracked floor to take two wheelchairs, lightweight fold out ramp, electric winch £3,995

(55) 2005 Peugeot Boxer 3.5 ton 17 seat minibus 2.8 diesel, with three point seat belts, tow bar, removable seats to rear, 77,000 miles £6,995

D SOL

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 £5,995

PART-EX TO CLEAR

D SOL

(X) 2000 Ford Transit SWB 2 litre petrol 11 seat minibus, MOT until March 2014 in VGC £1,250 no VAT

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%

681335-1099-Ensign:Layout 1

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Ensig DOUBLE DECK 85

SEAT S

2000 DENNIS TRIDENTS Alexander ALX400 bodies, converted to high capacity 85 seat school buses.

LEZ

COMPLIANT

1999/2000/2001 V/X/51 PLATE DENNIS TRIDENTS Cummins/Voith, LEZ compliant for 2012 with traps to Euro 4, CCTV, Alexander ALX400 bodies, DDA compliant or upseated to 80 seats.

1999 T/V REG DENNIS TRIDENTS

2010 SCANIA OMNICITY

Cummins/Voith, LEZ compliant with traps, Plaxton President bodies, 62 seats dual door or 70 when converted to single door. Last few remaining from £8,500.

Euro 5, 76 seats, long MOT.

2000 VOLVO B7TL’S

2007 ENVIRO 200

80 seats, Voith gearboxes, Euro 2 engines with traps, or full Euro 3 with traps, Plaxton President bodies, can be DDA with 78 seats.

8.8m, 29 seats, Hanover LEDs, long MOT, Euro 4 Cummins.

1996 VOLVO B10M

1999 VOLVO B7TL’S

ZF automatic, Plaxton Premiere 350, 70 seats, air-con.

SWB, CCTV, particulate traps so LEZ compliant, Plaxton President bodies, dual door 62 seats or single door 71 seats.

2002 52 PLATE VOLVO B7TL’S 2005 NEOPLAN SKYLINER Air-con, auto, MAN engine, 89 seats.

DDA and LEZ, 70 seats, Euro 3, £24000 plus VAT.

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 1998 R REG VOLVO B10BLE’S

2000 W REG DAF SB220’S

ZF auto, East Lancs Myllenium bodies, SLF, 46 seats.

1998 R REG DENNIS JAVELIN ZF 6 speed manual, Plaxton Premiere 350, 53 seats, new MOT.

Voith automatic gearboxes, SLF, Alexander ALX300 bodies, 44 seats and 27 standing, heavy duty low floor buses. They can also be converted to be DDA compliant.

2003 SCANIA OMNICITY CN94UB

2005 VOLVO B7R

ZF automatic, 53 seats, Plaxton Profile body.

2 door, Euro 3, ZF automatic, 37 seats, 12m, DDA.

2000 W REG DENNIS TRIDENTS

1997 VOLVO OLYMPIAN

Volvo Euro 2 engine, 76 seats, Northern Counties low height (13 feet 8) body, MOT Feb 2014.

Cummins / Voith, East Lancs bodies, 78 seats.

2001/2002 DENNIS TRIDENTS

1991 DENNIS JAVELIN

51 and 02 plate, Cummins Euro 3 ISC engines, LEZ, Plaxton President bodies, can be DDA, single door and 78 seats, or dual door 67 seats.

ZF automatic, Plaxton body, 53 high back seats with 3 point belts.

1998 R REG VOLVO OLYMPIANS Euro 2 engines, ZF gearboxes, Northern Counties bodies, 80 seats.

2008 SCANIA OMNICITY N230UD 64 seats, 2 door, Euro 5, can be converted to single door 75 seats.

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

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682251-1099-Dawsons

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697625-1098-Stafford

29/7/13

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Page 1

Call for details on our website conversions, upseating, refurbishment, and change of use conversion. Also vehicles available for hire short and long term.

www.staffordbuscentre.com email: martin@staffordbuscentre.com Telephone: 01782 791774 Mobile: 07803 222552 View our latest arrivals on www.staffordbuscentre.com

DENNIS TRIDENT PLAXTON PRESIDENT 2000 X REG Single door converted, can be belted if required. FROM £12,950.00

AEC ROUTEMASTER No 1747 FOR RESTORATION

With AEC engine, 95% complete and does run, no seats, been a playbus & office, just waiting for new use.

Offers around £18,950

OPTARE SOLO M850 2001 51 REG Upto 28 seats and 22 standing + wheelchair or 25 seat belts, new MOT and full repaint. £14,250.00

CHOICE OF 2 £8.950

VOLVO OLYMPIAN NORTHERN COUNTIES 1996 N REG 76 seats with belts, recent repaint into metallic silver, looks very well. £12,250.00

MERCEDES 614D VARIO VAN CONVERSION 2003 52 REG Fitted with 20 coach seats, full height boot etc, ideal for airports etc, new MOT.

£7,950

MERCEDES 814D VARIO PLAXTON BEAVER 2 1999 T REG Fitted with 29 h/b seats and belts but would re seat to 33, will have new MOT. £7,950

FORD TRANSIT 350 15 SEAT FACTORY BUS 57 REG

Low miles, Class 5 MOT, drive on any car licence, ideal for school and club use with restricted drivers.

£9,950

£32,950

CHOICE 1 x 2007 & 1 x 2008 9 SEAT INC DRIVER FORD TRANSIT WHEELCHAIR ACCESS MINIBUSES TRACKING FOR 1 WHEELCHAIR P.O.A.

05 (55) MERCEDES SPRINTER 413CDi TREKA BUS W/CHAIR ACCESS COIF/PSV 101,650KMS £16,495

06 (06) FORD TRANSIT 17 SEAT MINIBUS COIF/PSV ANALOGUE TACHO 94791MILES £7,495

MULTIPART & LDV/MAXUS PARTS STOCKISTS

(PONTYPOOL) LTD

P.O.A.

Tel: 01495 757111 Mob: 07850 739446 (Haydn) or visit our website www.minibussales.biz to view the above stock

2005 (05) MERCEDES SPRINTER 413CDI 17 SEAT MINICOACH OLYMPUS CONVERSION 220,000 MILES AIR CON LUGGAGE RACKS £ 18,495

08 (08) VW CRAFTER 16 SEAT INC DRIVER WHEELCHAIR ACCESS, UNDERFLOOR LIFT, FIT 5 WHEELCHAIRS, FRONT ENTRY, COIF/PSV £20,995

• ALTAS CONVERSION • 17 SEAT MINICOACH • DOUBLE GLAZED WINDOWS • FULL AIR CONDITIONING • POWER DOOR LOW ENTRY STEP

NEW MERCEDES SPRINTER TOURLINE 519CDI

13:14

08 (08) VAUXHALL VIVARO COMBI 9 SEAT INC DRIVER P.O.A.

08 (08) MERCEDES SPRINTER 515 CDI 17 SEAT COIF/ PSV DROPWELL WARDROBE BOOT AIR-CON P.O.A.

5/8/13

07 (07) FORD TRANSIT 17 SEAT MINIBUS 115PS COIF/PSV DIGI TACHO ELECTRIC MIRRORS £9,495

08 (08) IVECO 50C15 16 SEAT W/CHAIR ACC MINIBUS UNDERFLOOR LIFT TRACKING FOR UP TO 5 W/CHAIRS COIF/PSV SILVER METALLIC, 49,000 MILES £20,995

p00_CBW_1099 Autoservice Page 1

697833-1099-DrewWilson NEW

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2005 MERCEDES UNVI ESKER TOURING

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Page 1

2006 MAN MCV EVOLUTION

1999 OPTARE SOLO M850

1995 DAF SB3000 VAN HOOL ALIZE T8

34 recliners with belts, rear servery, rear toilet, boiler, new respray into white, excellent condition inside and out, euroliners

43 seats and 20 standees, destination equipment, auto box, power door, current MOT

mot august 2013,power door, disabled access, auto box, 27 seats with seat-belts, plus 17 standees

53 seats, PSV, new MOT, 53 recliners with belts, crew seat, power door, ZF auto box, can be up seated to 70 p.o.a. New paint in white, new style front, excellent condition

£49950 + VAT

£25,000 + VAT

£8,000 + VAT

£8500 + VAT

1996 VOLVO B10M VAN HOOL

2002 MERCEDES 515CDI OPTARE SOROCO

ZF manual gear box, 49/53 recliners, centre toilet, double glazed, curtains, luggage racks with lights and blowers, new MOT. New repaint in white

16 seat mini coach, automatic box, power door, seat belts, carpets, curtains, newly painted into white, excellent condition, new test

£17,000 + VAT

£12,750 + VAT

2006 MERCEDES 814 PLAXTON BEAVER 2

33 high back seats with belts, overhead racks, power door, very tidy condition inside and out, new MOT £25,000 + VAT

2004 DENNIS DART PLAXTON POINTER SLF 38 seats with 17 standees, wheelchair access, super low floor, auto box, power door, destination equipment, repanneled and painted white, low mileage only 298225,excellent condition MOT till June 2014 £22,000 + VAT

2002 VOLVO B12M VAN HOOL ALIZE T9

49 recliners with belts, crew seat, carpets and curtains, recent repaint, rear sunken toilet, air conditioning, 6 speed ZF manual £45,000 + VAT

CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE AT WWW.DREWWILSON.CO.UK

1998 SCANIA IRIZAR CENTURY

2010 ADL ENVIRO 200 29 seats with 17 standees power door, long MOT, destination front, side and rear, excellent condition inside and out.

49 recliners with belts plus crew seat,rear sunken toilet,servery and fridge,air conditioning,carpets, newly repainted into white curtains,monitors, PA system,manual gearbox £15,500 + VAT

£72,000 + VAT

1999 VOLVO OLYMPIAN ALEXANDER BODY (CHOICE) 2005 MERCEDES 815D MEDIO 29 seats with belts, servery with drinks, overhead racks with forced air and reading lights, power door, manual gearbox, new MOT. £30,000 + VAT

2003 DENNIS JAVELIN WADHAM STRINGER

70 cogent seats with 3 point belts, power door, racks with reading lights and blowers, large lockers, double doors at rear, brand new mot, very tidy condition, c hoice of two, ideal school coaches £15,000 + VAT

78/81 seats with seat belts , Volvo engine, ZF automatic gearbox, power door, tachograph, uk coif, wired for cctv, all glass good, straight panelwork, new MOT, painted in choice of base colour

FROM £10,500 + VAT

1998 DAF SB3000 VAN HOOL

4x4 manual gearbox, 53 recliners with belts, centre continental door, luggage racks with blowers and lights, MOT till august 2013. New repaint in white £19,000 + VAT

1998/99 MAN EOS

49/53 seats, power door, air conditioned, retarder, electric mirrors, rear emergency exit, front door entry, TV/video, PA system, CD player, large boot, side lockers, courier seat, choice. FROM 15,000 + VAT

2002 IVECO BEULAS EL MONDO

49 recliners plus crew, centre toilet with continental door, monitor with DVD player, PA system and CD player, air conditioning, MOT till June 2014, luggage racks with lights and blowers, manual gearbox. £25,000 + VAT

1996 DAF BOVA FUTURA

75 cogent seats with three point belts, power door, new MOT, new re-spray and box sections replaced, manual gearbox. £27,500 + VAT

CHOICE OF OVER 350 VEHICLES ‘Open 7 days 08.00-18.00’ For our full range,

visit www.drewwilson.co.uk Tel/Fax 0141 248 5524 | Mob 07764 200 444 Email drew@drewwilson.co.uk

696864-1095-Connaught

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Mini Coach Sales

BRAND NEW COACH BUILT MERCEDES 516 FERQUI SOROCO 16 high back leather trimmed reclining seats, courier seat, A/C, D/G, power door, large boot, DVD, silver metallic. AVAILABLE NOW.

BRAND NEW MERCEDES FERQUI TORO 28/32 high back seats + courier, A/C, D/G, forced air, reading lights, power door, large boot.

BRAND NEW MERCEDES BENZ FERQUI SOROCO 19 high back seats, 3 point belts, A/C, D/G, forced air, reading lights and boot.

2011 MERCEDES 519 CDI SPRINTER X-CLUSIVE AUTO 16 high back full leather trimmed seats, 3 point belts, A/C, D/G, power door, glass roof, large boot and DVD system.

2011 61 REG MERCEDES 513 CDI TRANSFER 16 high back seats, 3 point belts, A/C, parking sensors, side entry with automatic step, luggage space.

2010 59 REG MERCEDES 515 CDI TRAVEL 45 16 high back reclining seats, 3 point belts, A/C, forced air, reading lights, DVD, power door & power step, coach rear, auto.

2008 08 REG MERCEDES 515 CDI SOROCO 16 high back seats, forced air, A/C, D/G, reading lights, power door and boot, in silver metallic.

2008 08 REG MERCEDES 515CDI SPRINTER 16 high back seats, 3 point belts, AC, forced air, reading lights, under-floor wheelchair lift, silver.

2007 07 REG MERCEDES 515CDI SOROCO 19 high back seats, 3 point belts, A/C, D/G, forced air, reading lights, power door, boot, in silver metallic.

2007 07 REG MERCEDES 515CDI SOROCO 16 high back seats, 3 point belts, AC, DG, forced air, reading lights, DVD, power door and large boot.

2005 05 REG MERCEDES 814D PLAXTON CHEETAH 33 high back seats, 3 point belts, forced air, reading lights, power door and boot.

2003 03 REG MERCEDES 413 CDI SOROCO 16 high back seats, 3 point belts, AC, forced air, reading lights, power door and boot.

Steve Peach Tel: 01302 770863 Mob: 07836 551020 Email: steve@connaughtpsv.co.uk www.connaughtpsv.co.uk

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H. W. PIC

SUPPLIERS OF LOW MILEAGE WHEELCHAIR

GARDINERS LANE NORTH • CRAYS HI

Tel: 01268 521033 • Mobile: 07860 894331 • Fax

www.hwpic

2010 10 REG VOLKSWAGEN CRAFTER CR50 2.5TDI 108PS, LWB, EXCEL MINIBUS CONVERSION, SIDE LOADING DOOR, AVS STEP, 16 HIGH BACK ABACUS SEATS ON T BOLTS, EBERSPACHER, COIF, EX LOCAL AUTHORITY, 35,280 KMS.

61 REG RENAULT MASTER F3500 2.5TD MANUAL GEARBOX, HIGH ROOF, FACTORY CONVERSION, PAS, SIDE LOADING DOORS, ELECTRIC SIDE STEP, 16 HIGH BACK SEATS PLUS DRIVER, TESTED FLOOR, OVER HEAD STORAGE SHELVES, TACHO FITTED, 20,137 KMS ONLY.

59 REG RENAULT MASTER LM35 2.5TD MANUAL, HIGH ROOF, PAS, LWB, GLENEAGLES CONVERSION, SIDE LOADING DOOR, SIDE STEP, 8 HIGH BACK SEATS, FULLY TRACKED UNWIN FLOOR, LOWERING AIR SUSPENSION & PORTARAMP, WEBASTO HEATER, 11,199 MILES.

2004 DAF LF45 150 GVW 7.5 TON, FITTED WITH BRAD LEIGH STEEL DROPSIDE TIPPER BODY MANUAL GEARBOX, PTO, FITTED WITH ELECTRIC / HYDRAULIC 017T HIAB CRANE, LEZ COMP, REDUCED POLLUTION CERT & TESTED TILL MAY 2014, EX LOCAL AUTHORITY, ONLY 53,429KMS, CHOICE OF 2.

09 REG RENAULT MASTER, LM35 2.5TD MANUAL GEAR BOX, HIGH ROOF, MELLOR CONVERSION, PAS, SIDE LOADING DOORS, AVS SIDE STEP, 13 HIGH BACK SEATS PLUS DRIVER, AMF FULLY TRACKED TESTED FLOOR, AMF TAIL LIFT, TACHO FITTED, 24,848 KMS ONLY.

57 REG FORD TRANSIT 100 350 2.4TDCI MANUAL, MWB, HIGH ROOF, PAS, SCW CONVERSION, SIDE LOADING DOOR, SIDE STEP, 8 HIGH BACK SEATS, FULLY UNWIN TRACKED FLOOR, DASH AC, EBERSPACHER HEATER, RATCLIFF UNDERFLOOR TAIL LIFT, 11,092 MILES ONLY.

08 REG VW CRAFTER CR50 2.5TDI 108PS LWB, SCW MINIBUS CONVERSION, FRONT ENTRY SLAM DOOR, 16 HIGH BACK REMOVABLE SEATS ON NMI QUICK RELEASE, FLAT FLOOR, EBERSPACHER, RATCLIFF UNDERFLOOR T/ LIFT, EX LOCAL AUTHORITY, COIF'D, TACHO, 39,161 MILES.

08 REG RENAULT MASTER, LM35 2.5TD MANUAL GEAR BOX, HIGH ROOF, MELLOR CONVERSION, PAS, SIDE LOADING DOORS, AVS SIDE STEP, 12 HIGH BACK SEATS PLUS DRIVER, AMF FULLY TRACKED TESTED FLOOR, AMF TAIL LIFT, TACHO FITTED, 24,848 KMS ONLY.

08 REG FORD TRANSIT 430 JUMBO 2.4TDCI MANUAL GEARBOX, HIGH ROOF, PAS, LWB, TACHO, SIDE LOADING DOOR, ELECTRIC SIDE STEP, 13 RESCROFT SEATS, UNWIN FULLY TRACKED FLOOR, EBERSPACHER HEATER, UNDERFLOOR RATCLIFF TAIL LIFT, TACHO, 34,955 MILES.

2008 57 REG MERCEDES SPRINTER 311 2.2CDI 6 SPEED MANUAL G/BOX, SEMI HIGH ROOF, PAS, MWB, SLD, 10 HIGH BACK SEATS INCLUDING DRIVER, BLUETOOTH & SAT NAV, AIR CON, ELEC WINDOWS & MIRRORS, ELECTRIC SIDE STEP, UNWIN TRACKING, RICON TAIL LIFT, 39,834 MILES.

05 REG VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER T30 TDI LWB, MAN G/BOX, CD, ELEC WINDOWS & MIRRORS, FULL A/C CLIMATE FRONT AND REAR, TWIN SIDE LOADING DOORS, 9 HIGH BACK SEAT IN REAR, UNWIN TRACKING, BRAUN TAIL LIFT, REAR TAIL GATE & BLINDS, COTRIM CONVERSION, 29,209 MILES.

58 REG RENAULT MASTER LM35 2.5TD MANUAL, PAS, LWB, PTS AMBULANCE CONVERSION, SLD, SIDE STEP, FITTED WITH FRONT STORAGE CAGE, 6 REAR HIGH BACK SEATS, WIPE CLEAN INTERIOR, UNWIN TRACKING, RICON STRETCHER AIL LIFT, EBERSPACHER HEATER, 51,849 MILES ONLY.

For latest stock arrivals follow

@h_w_pickrell

ICKRELL 697831-1099-Pickrell DPS

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LC CHAIR ACCESSIBLE & MUNICIPAL VEHICLES

HILL • BILLERICAY • ESSEX • CM11 2XE

ax: 01268 284951 • Email: sales@hwpickrell.co.uk

ckrell.co.uk 2009 58 REG RENAULT TRAFFIC, LH29 2.0TD AUTOMATIC GEARBOX, HIGH ROOF, SCW CONVERSION, TWIN SIDE LOADING DOORS, SIDE STEP, 6 REAR HIGH BACK SEATS PLUS DOUBLE PASSENGER & DRIVER AC, EBERSPACHER HEATER, UNWIN TRACKING, RICON TAIL LIFT, 38,309 MILES ONLY.

58 REG FORD TRANSIT TOURNEO CONNECT 1.8 HDI MANUAL GEARBOX, CD, ELEC WINDOWS & MIRRORS, A/C, TWIN SIDE LOADING DOORS, HIGH BACK SEAT IN REAR SINGLE PASSENGER SEAT, CUT OUT FLOOR, LOWERING AIR SUSPENSION, FOLD DOWN RAMP, GOWERINGS CONVERSION, ONLY 8,600 MILES.

57 REG CITROEN RELAY 2.5TD MANUAL GEAR BOX, HIGH ROOF, PAS, LWB, O&H CONVERSION, SLD, AVS SIDE STEP, 9 SEATS PLUS DRIVER PLUS 1 X WHEELCHAIR SPACE, UNWIN TRACKING, EBERSPACHER HEATER, RICON TAIL LIFT, EX LOCAL AUTHORITY, 21,647 MILES.

NEW UN REG IVECO DAILY 50C17 IRIS BUS 3.0 AGILE GEARBOX, HIGH ROOF, PAS, LWB, TACHO, POWER FRONT ENTRY DOOR, 16 REAR HIGH BACK SEATS (17 seats in total), UNWIN INNOTRAX FLAT FLOOR, UNDERFLOOR RATCLIFF T/ LIFT, COIF/IVA TO TAKE UP TO 5 WHEELCHAIRS.

2008 57 REG VAUXHALL MOVANO MM33 2.5TD 6 SPEED MANUAL GEARBOX, MWB, HIGH ROOF, PAS, TWIN SIDE LOADING DOOR, SIDE STEP, 9 SEATS PLUS DRIVER PLUS 1 x W/CHAIR, HEATER, UNWIN TRACKED FLOOR, RICON TAIL LIFT, 39191 MILES ONLY, EURO 4.

54 & 06 REG MERCEDES SPRINTER 413 CDI UVG TREKA AUTO GEARBOX, LWB, PAS, CLIMATE CONTROL, N/S/F ELECTRIC POWER DOOR, 16 HIGH BACK REMOVABLE SEATS ON NMI QUICK RELEASE, EBERSPACHER, PLS UNDERFLOOR T/LIFT, EX LOCAL AUTHORITY, COIF'D, 60,000 KMS ONLY. CHOICE.

57 REG PEUGEOT BOXER, 2.5TD MANUAL GEAR BOX, HIGH ROOF, PAS, LWB, O&H CONVERSION, SLD, AVS SIDE STEP, 8 REAR HIGH BACK SEATS PLUS 1 x WHEELCHAIR SPACE, UNWIN TRACKING, EBERSPACHER HEATER, RICON TAIL LIFT, EX LOCAL AUTHORITY, 20,286 MILES.

10 REG PEUGEOT PARTNER TEPEE URBAN 1.6 PETROL MANUAL GEARBOX, CD, ELECTRIC WINDOWS & MIRRORS, TWIN SIDE LOADING DOORS, HIGH BACK SEAT IN REAR SINGLE PASSENGER SEAT, CUT OUT FLOOR, FOLD DOWN RAMP, GOWERINGS CONVERSION, ONLY 4,105 MILES.

2006 VOLVO FL220 GVW 15 TON WHALE LOW VOLUME GULLY EMPTIER, TIPPING TANK BODY AUTO GEARBOX, PTO, VAC PUMP & LOW PRESSURE JET PUMP, HAND WASH, LEZ COMPLIANT, REDUCED POLLUTION CERT & TESTED TILL JUNE 2014, EX LOCAL AUTHORITY, ONLY 62,517 KMS, CHOICE OF 2.

2008 57 REG VW TRANSPORTER T32 AUTO GEARBOX, LWB, PAS, BLUEBIRD TUCANA, N/S ELECTRIC POWER DOOR WITH FOLD OUT LOW ENTRY RAMP, 12 HIGH BACK REMOVABLE SEATS, EBERSPACHER, REAR LOWERING AIR SUSPENSION & RAMP, EX LOCAL AUTHORITY, ONLY 25,391 MILES.

06 REG MERCEDES SPRINTER 411 CDI MANUAL GEAR BOX, LWB, PAS, O & H CONVERSION, N/S FULL HEIGHT MANUAL DOOR, 16 HIGH BACK REMOVABLE SEATS, EBERSPACHER HEATER, RATCLIFF UNDERFLOOR T/ LIFT, EX NHS, COIF'D,103,080 KMS, PSV TESTED TILL MARCH 2014.

07 REG MERCEDES SPRINTER 515 CDI AUTO GEARBOX, HIGH ROOF, PAS, LWB, TACHO, O&H CONVERSION, SIDE LOADING DOOR, 17 REAR HIGH BACK SEATS, UNWIN TRACKED FLOOR, EBERSPACHER HEATER, RATCLIFF TAIL LIFT, COIF, 49,381 MILES ONLY, CHOICE OF 2.

Finance available on all vehicles (subject to status) – written details available on request

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THIS SATURDAY HATTSTRAVELAUCTION Saturday 10th August 2013, 10am prompt Viewing Friday 9th August 2013

BUILDINGS

HEAVY DUTY STEEL BUILDINGS

Westend, Foxham, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 4NB Due to fleet reorganisation programme following company acquisitions

Bus Workshops - Secure Storage Supplied any width, any length Building to BS5590 - Doors high enough for Double Deckers - Finance available For further information phone

BLUELINE BUILDINGS 01709 578333 anytime

CHECKPOINTS

Contact Charlie Foyle or Graham Johnson on 01630 674326

www.malcolmharrison.co.uk auctions@malcolmharrison.co.uk

01274 681144

busandcoachsales@arriva.co.uk www.arrivabusandcoach.co.uk

EXHAUSTS

£3,000 + VAT

MALCOLM HARRISON AUCTIONS heating

fleet sales

RETIRING Heaters • A/C Equipment Blowers • Motors • Radiators Silicone Hose • Ducting Wiper Equipment • Gas Struts

Tel: 01993 849522 Fax: 01993 706920 Email: sales@thhs.co.uk

www.thhs.co.uk

UNIT 9 NIMROD BUSINESS PARK DE HAVILLAND WAY, WITNEY OX29 0YG

Bus and Coach

PARNHAMS COACHES LTD Contact Ray 07747 071071

All overseas and first time buyers not known to the auctioneer must lodge £1000 refundable deposit on registration by cash/credit/debit card.

We also have a number of Dennis Dart and Volvo single decker buses with seat belts.

Under your control. For the time you need it.

Used Eminox LEZ exhaust box, used for 6 months 2012. Cleaned/reconditioned. To fit a Bova Futura. With full fitting kit or can be fitted while you wait!

Click the link on our website to register

Large selection, all taxed and PSV’d, ZF auto boxes, recently re-upholstered, just out of services, upper deck 47, lower 31, standing 8.

The ABC of Rental Solutions

LEZ BOXES FOR SALE

FREE ONLINE BIDDING AVAILABLE

Volvo Olympians

BUS & COACH RENTALS

INSURANCE

CHANGING YOUR FLEET?

Contact Malcolm Harrison Auctions

01630 674326

auctions@malcolmharrison.co.uk MALCOLM HARRISON AUCTIONS

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August 7, 2013 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 57

LIFTS & RAMPS

FINANCE

PARTS

Innovative funding solutions to fit every business. We specialise in raising funds for all types of companies from sole traders to PLCs.

• Full UK coverage

As a specialist business funder, Huxley Corporate Finance can provide your company with a wide rang of finance facilities including the following: • Equipment Finance • Vehicle Finance • Cash Flow • Mortgages • Company Acquisition • Capital Release Scheme • Vehicle Sourcing

• Same day local delivery • Next day national delivery • Official Irizar part distributor

Call the team to discuss your current financial requirements on 01829 730062

65A High Street, Tarporley, Cheshire, CW6 0DP T 01829 730062 F 01829 730063 E info@huxleycf.co.uk www.huxleycf.co.uk

• All manufacturer parts supplier • Fast, efficient & 24/7

Tel: 01909 511349 www.master-part.co.uk

You’re in control.

Take the photos, write the ad and change it later if you want to, all from your online dashboard. Selling a vehicle is simple on . . .

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PARTS

The ABC of Parts Support Over 17,000 parts lines directly from stock. Next day delivery as standard. Bus and Coach

SEATING

TRAINING

BUCKINGHAM 3 & 2 • Ideal for 3 & 2 configurations • Ergonomic design for maximum support, comfort and legroom • Tried & tested: fitted into many new coaches as OEM • Full range of legs and fitting options make the Buckingham ideal for upseating to 70+ seats • Lighter weight makes easier for installation

01274 681144

busandcoachsales@arriva.co.uk www.arrivabusandcoach.co.uk

Prime Passenger Seating Limited 7 Canalwood Industrial Estate, Chirk, Wrexham LL14 5RL Telephone: 01691 898 665 Fax: 01691 770 798 Email: johnm@primeps.com

www.primeps.com

7L PH L V PRQH\ 8SO RDG \ RXU Y H KL F O H DG L Q D PDW W H U RI PL QXW H V DQG L Q QR W L PH DW DO O W KH F DO O V F RXO G EH F RPL QJ L Q

THE DRIVER CPC IS HERE SAME DAY J.A.U.P.T. REGISTRATION SAME DAY C.P.C. CERTIFICATES DELIVERED AT YOUR OWN DEPOTS

REMEMBER-REMEMBER 10th SEPTEMBER WE WILL HOLD OUR PRICES FOR 5 YEARS

PCV DRIVER HIRE 0800-731-5007 CORPORATE DEALS AVAILABLE

MERIDIAN DRIVER LTD

SIGNWRITING Rising above all others

www.meridiandriver.com

Sign Writing Services • School Signs – Hard Back with Suckers, Magnetic or Stick-on • Legal Lettering, Stickers, Notices & Signs • Full Colour Latex Vinyl Printing & Design Service • Vinyl Livery Cut & Posted ready to apply

1 ) 0 5 0 4 " / % ' 6 $ 0 0 6 3 " 4 4 5 " / % " 3 % 0 / " 7 & ) * $ & ' 0 3 4 " & " % 7 & 3 5 * 4 & .& / 5 4

Tel: 01884 290818 Mobile: 07583 334455 www.kjsupport.co.uk

TRAINING

VEHICLE INSPECTION TRAINING

If you would like further information please call 01543 897505 or visit www.lloydmorgangroup.co.uk

Specialist vehicle Inspection training with optional IRTEC accreditation

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VEHICLE SPARES

TYRES

Trevor Wigley & Son Bus Ltd

NEW FOR 2013 FALKEN TYRES SUMMERTIME SPECIALS 245/70R19.5 265/70R19.5 255/70R22.5 295/80R22.5 295/80R22.5 315/70R22.5 315/70R22.5 315/80R22.5 315/80R22.5

FALKEN RI128 STEER FALKEN RI128 STEER FALKEN RI117 STEER FALKEN RI117 STEER FALKEN BI867 DRIVE FALKEN RI128 STEER FALKEN BI867 DRIVE FALKEN RI117 STEER FALKEN BI867 DRIVE

TW FULLY LICENSED END OF LIFE VEHICLE CENTRE £150.00 £160.00 £175.00 £225.00 £235.00 £245.00 £260.00 £255.00 £260.00

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

PREMIUM TYRE SPECIALS 205/75R17.5 UNIROYAL R2000 STEER 215/75R17.5 BRIDGESTONE R227 STEER 215/75R17.5 UNIROYAL R2000 STEER 245/70R19.5 UNIROYAL FH100 STEER 275/70R22.5 UNIROYAL R200 STEER 295/80R22.5 UNIROYAL FH100 STEER 295/80R22.5 BRIDGESTONE R297 STEER 315/70R22.5 UNIROYAL FH100 STEER 315/80R22.5 BRIDGESTONE R297 STEER

£126.00 £148.00 £129.00 £190.00 £248.00 £268.00 £320.00 £284.00 £335.00

FREE next day delivery for 4 tyres or more • Steel wheels from £65.00 • 24/7 Tyre Breakdown Service • Tyre First Aid Tel: 01684 560029 Mob: 07841 239411 or 07545 735303 Breakdown: 07710 000999

www.tdtyres.com

Call 01226 723147 Night Service 01226 716479 Fax 01226 700199 Email wigleys@btconnect.com

www.twigley.com

01885 488 448 / 07896 191 672

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WINDSCREEN WIPERS

Manufacturers, Designers and Suppliers of windscreen wiper equipment and bus/coach products

FOR ALL YOUR WIPER EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS PLEASE CONTACT US OR VISIT OUR NEW ON-LINE CATALOGUE

Unit 3, Seaview Road, Bootle, Merseyside L20 4DU

T: +44 (0) 151 922 5933 T: +44 (0) 151 933 4272 F: +44 (0) 151 922 5468 E: sales@transervex.co.uk W: www.transervex.com

A Clear Vision

August 7, 2013 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 61

Seen something funny? Send it to gareth.evans@coachandbusweek.com or write to: Last Stop, Coach & Bus Week, 3 The Office Village, Cygnet Park, Forder Way, Hampton, Peterborough PE7 8GX

Monday: James here. It’s press day, but it’s also Alex’s final day in the office. He puts in 100% right up to deadline and I’m sad to see him go, although I’m sure we’ll be staying in touch outside of work life.

Cardiff Bus passengers became ‘Paparazzi’ as the Lady Gaga lookalike boarded their bus

Cardiff bus makes pax go gaga Commuters in Cardiff were stunned on their way to work recently as they pounded the pavement alongside international pop star Lady Gaga. The Bad Romance singer was seen popping into Cardiff Bus’ customer service centre to top up her iff card, before jumping on the number 6 bus to Cardiff Bay. Fans snapped pictures on their phones and her appearance caused quite a stir on twitter with many questioning why she was in Cardiff. However, it wasn’t quite what it seemed. Fooling many onlookers, Cardiff Bus had secured top impersonator Donna Marie to help promote its express service to Cardiff Bay.

Dilbert

The high-profile look-a-like was used by the municipallyowned operator to encourage local residents and visitors to use its service to the Bay to enjoy the area’s summer festivities which include an urban beach. Gareth Stevens, Business Development Manager at Cardiff Bus said: “We had a great response this morning from commuters spotting Donna Marie as Lady Gaga on the way to work. It was funny seeing people’s reactions when she was travelling on the number 6 bus to the Bay. “It was a fun and quirky way to promote our express service from the city centre.” Donna Marie, the Lady Gaga tribute, said: “It was good fun and I think it got a lot of attention. I could see people looking from a distance and talking amongst themselves saying ‘Is it her?’” The PR stunt was the talk of

the city, with local media group Media Wales picking it up and covering it in its print and online channels. Once Gaga’s cover was blown, people took to Twitter to congratulate the bus operator on the stunt’s success: ■ “@made_of_stone: Good bit of publicity by @cardiffbus sending out a Lady Gaga lookalike on their buses.” ■ “@hath79: The @cardiffbus lady gaga stunt is a great piece of marketing. Well done to them.” ■ “@sueb124: @cardiffbus great idea…twitter has gone crazy #gagaincardiff” ■ “@ipsrees: @cardiffbus the stunt has worked, I’ve never seen the Bay so busy! #number6.” We assume the response was music the ears of all at Sloper Road and Wood Street. It’s certainly got the thumbs up in the CBW office – well done for coming up with something different.

Tuesday: Spend much of the day working on the website, which for some reason seemed to need more time this week. Having found a house to move into at the weekend, my new letting agent calls Gareth to ask for a reference, which he is kind enough to return almost immediately. The agent remarks it is the about the fastest an employer has ever got back to them, which lines up jokes about me having a gun held to Gareth’s head. Wednesday: Get this week’s Industry Guide more-or-less sorted out and work on various news pages and articles. Also contact some transport authorities about a potential upcoming Big Question. Thursday: Gareth is working from home, so it’s a fairly quiet day in the office with just Martin and myself in editorial. The majority of the mag is either designed or with the designer by the time I leave at 1730hrs. Friday: Travel to York with my better half for a weekend away for her birthday. After lunch and a brief walk around the city centre we head over to the Cedar Court Grand Hotel & Spa, a five star hotel which kindly agreed to accommodate us in an executive room in exchange for coverage in CBW’s sister magazine Group Travel World. The hotel really was phenomenal, with a perfect atmosphere and an excellent meal in the evening to top it off. A good place to stop over with an executive coach tour no doubt. Keep your eye on upcoming GTW issues if you would like to hear more. www.coachandbusweek.com

LastStop.indd 61

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HASSLE-FREE DRIVERS? Hire coach drivers when you need them.

Galleon Travel is a small family owned and run business based on the Essex/ Hertfordshire border and have a family approach to our staff.

No holiday, no absence, no NI – pay only for the hours you need them for. We keep your wheels turning while your drivers are resting.

Call Del Haggerty Just Coach Drivers Ltd 07950 292939 www.justcoachdrivers.com

Fleet Engineer Due to recent expansion, Galleon Travel are looking for a Fleet Engineer to organise the workshop and workshop staff and become part of the management team. The applicant must have a hands-on approach and be up-to-date with requirements for buses and coaches. A PCV licence would be an advantage but not a requirement for the right candidate Salary negotiable. If this interests you then, in the first instance, please email a C.V. to mark@galleontravel.co.uk

Get your vacancy seen by quality candidates Full colour as standard All vacancies posted to www.coachandbusweek.com/jobs Details of all vacancies posted to our Facebook, Twi�er & Linkedin pages

eek, get a w e n o k o Bo half price k e e w d n seco ek FREE! e w d ir h t and a d un�l nde Oﬀer exte ber 2013 m te p 27th Se

Contact Ian Gillis

tel 01733 293484 or email ian.gillis@coachandbusweek.com

www.coachandbusweek.com

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RECRUITMENT & people

August 7, 2013 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 63

In association with

Deadlines Booking: Monday 5.00pm Full artwork: Monday 5.00pm Contact Ian Gillis T: 01733 293484 E: ian.gillis@coachandbusweek.com

Taking to the sky for charity

New KPMG promotions

Nine employees from Stagecoach North East took to the sky in a charity zip slide to raise money for cancer charity, the Sara’s Hope Foundation. The nine included MD Phil Medlicott and drivers & staff from Sunderland, Slatyford and Walkergate depots. The event saw the team zip 280m from the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art at Gateshead, 40m up, diagonally across the River Tyne before finishing on the Newcastle quayside. The employees raised £1,581.50 for the charity with Stagecoach also donating £2,000. Carly Tindale, Deputy Manager at Slatyford depot, presented a cheque to Alan Gray and Carol Bennett from the Foundation. Phil Medlicott said: “The zip slide was pretty scary, but knowing we

KPMG has announced the appointment of one partner and three directors in its transport and infrastructure advisory practices. Ed Thomas, who currently runs the transport team within KPMG’s infrastructure practice, was promoted to partner. Susan Day, a specialist in privately-funded healthcare infrastructure, Dominic Holt, head of the UK’s nuclear advisory team and Jonathan Turton, a PPI/PFI infrastructure specialist, were promoted to Director. In total, KPMG in the UK appointed 29 partners and 82 directors from within the firm. The promotions take effect from October 1 – KPMG’s new financial year. Simon Collins, UK Chairman of KPMG, commented: “This year’s promotions take in a wealth of specialist technical expertise and industry knowledge.”

Phil Medlicott (centre) with Stagecoach NE staff after the charity zip drive were doing it for such a fantastic cause made it all worthwhile. The atmosphere was great on the day with everyone from Stagecoach providing moral support for one another. Our thanks go to those who kindly donated. “Bus services are at the heart of many communities across the region, so we’re always looking for ways to give back through various

New Manager for Stagecoach Kettering and Corby team Bert Smith has been appointed Engineering Manager for the Stagecoach in Kettering and Corby. Prior to joining Stagecoach on June 3, Bert was Fleet Engineer for Arriva in Malta for 12 months. “That was a challenge,” Bert said. Bert has worked in the engineering side of the bus industry since 1975 when he started with the Western SMT Company in Ayrshire. He was still there when the business was taken over

by Stagecoach in 1995 and he continued to work for the company in Inverness for another two years. Among the other companies he later worked for was First in Yorkshire, where he was Engineering Director/Area Engineering Manager for its Leeds and Bradford depots for five years. Bert said: “I am concentrating on company procedures, to ensure the utmost reliability of the bus fleet operating from these two depots.”

fun and imaginative charity efforts, the zip slide is just one example.” Through various fundraising activities, Stagecoach North East raises money for a range of carefully selected charities throughout the year. At Christmas bus drivers at Slatyford depot dressed up for the Sara’s Hope Foundation raising a further £8,031 through onboard collections.

PSV Mechanic

Country Bus are a medium-size bus operator based near Newton Abbot in Devon. We run a mixed fleet of buses and coaches and require a qualified and experienced person to maintain our vehicles to high standards. Applicants should be able to work on their own initiative and have a positive “can-do” attitude. PSV or HGV licence would be an advantage. Pay negotiable. Applicants should apply to by email to nick@countrybusdevon.co.uk or by post to: Mr N.J.Elgar, Country Bus, King Charles Business Park, Old Newton Road, Newton Abbot, DevonTQ12 6UT. For further details call us on 01626 833664.

www.coachandbusweek.com

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