Coach & Bus Week : Issue 1122

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Interview...

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HERITAGE

Black Country buses on track 27/01/2014 18:37

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

EDITORIAL Publisher Jonathan Taylor 01733 293240 jonathan.taylor@coachandbusweek.com Editor Gareth Evans 01733 293243 gareth.evans@coachandbusweek.com Features Editor Andrew Izatt 01733 293482 andrew.izatt@coachandbusweek.com Technical & Minibus Editor Martin Cole 01733 293245, 07597 179030 martin.cole@coachandbusweek.com Digital Editor James Day 01733 293244 james.day@coachandbusweek.com Art Director Ian Blaza Contributors Ray Wilkes, Jonathan Bray, David Bell, Tony Hunter, Steve Hodgson

ADVERTISING, MARKETING & EVENTS Advertising & Marketing Manager Ian Gillis 01733 293484 ian.gillis@coachandbusweek.com Coach & Bus Market Advertising Manager Jade Cassidy 01733 293247 jade.cassidy@coachandbusweek.com Senior Sales Executive Caroline Barnes 01733 293480 caroline.barnes@coachandbusweek.com Advertising Sales Executive Brodiee Neumann 01733 293488 brodiee.neumann@coachandbusweek.com Advertising Production June Barnard 01473 858761 june@adsproduction.co.uk

SUBSCRIPTIONS & CIRCULATION Subscriptions & Circulation Manager Samantha Noble 01733 293480 samantha.noble@coachandbusweek.com Subscriptions Executive Lorraine Jackson 01733 293483 lorraine.jackson@coachandbusweek.com Annual subscription rate for 51 issues: UK £85, Europe/Eire £140, USA and RoW £295 ONLINE £44.95 www.coachandbusweek.com Cover picture: David Bell ISSN: 1351-3877 © 2014 Coach and Bus Week Ltd. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or system or in any means without the written permission of the directors. This is considered a breach of copyright and action will be taken where this occurs. This magazine must not be lent, sold, hired or otherwise disposed of in a mutilated condition or in any authorised cover by way, or by trade, or annexed to any publication or advertising matter without first obtaining written permission from the directors.

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

pteg on parking enforcement

A

s this issue went to press, an interesting email landed in my inbox – from Jonathan Bray, Director of pteg. Before you roll your eyes and fear a rant is in the pipeline trumpeting bus re-regulation (assuming you’re a free marketeer), I must stress pteg is about more than one issue. While some of us may differ in our views on the correct regulatory structure for local bus services, we’re all agreed on one thing – our passion for the coach and bus industry. Pteg does an awful lot of good work lobbying for the bus industry.

The body which represents the PTEs campaigns for bus services to operate in a punctual manner, serving the needs of the travelling public. As we all know, a key part of that is ensuring buses don’t have to endure unnecessary holdups – be it using bus priority measures, or enforcing parking restrictions for example.

Back in early December, the DfT opened a consultation on local authority parking, the details of which can be found at https:// www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/ uploads/attachment_data/file/263815/ parking-consultation.pdf . It closes on February 14.

Anyway, Jonathan has rightly drawn our attention to the fact one of the things the government want to do is to stop the use of CCTV for on–street parking

CONTENTS

enforcements. As the pteg briefing note (read it at http://www.pteg.net or http://tinyurl.com/pzvjg9m) states: “The situation is further complicated because the consultation refers to banning use of CCTV cameras for enforcement of parking but not of moving traffic offences. Under the 2004 Traffic Management Act local government has the powers to enforce moving traffic offences in bus lanes. This suggests that CCTV could continue to be used (as it is now in some areas by local authorities) for enforcing bus lanes.

However it couldn’t be used in future for enforcement of parking on bus stops.

“Bus services which can be easily undermined if local authorities lose the ability to prevent parking offences that obstruct and delay those services.”

Of particular note to those of you who operate school runs, the briefing warns: “Mobile CCTV is used to enforce ‘school-keep clear markings.’

Experience shows that enforcement using foot based enforcement officers is less effective as a deterrent than CCTV cars.”

I would urge you to save it in your ‘favourites’ and perhaps, download the report and save it as ‘ammunition.’ Better still, I would urge you to respond to the DfT consultation. Well done pteg.

Gareth Evans Editor

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The latest from across the coach and bus industry at home & abroad

14

Mike de Courcey on the past, present and future

30

The complete Travel de Courcey fleet listing, with images

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

18

Entrepreneurial spirit from the second generation

36

Travel de Courcey’s award-winning work with National Express

South East bus festival entries incoming, RMs to leave route 9

22

One of Travel de Courcey’s NECbased Mercedes-Benz Citaros

38

A lighthearted look at the industry, plus Office Diary column

Introduction and history to start our in depth Travel de Courcey coverage

A look at the success of de Courcey’s electric Optare Versas

All the latest people moves from across the industry

News

Regional News Heritage News

Travel de Courcey

Face to Face

Adrian de Courcey Big Picture

Vehicle Focus

Fleet Profile

44

Birmingham Depot

68

Last Stop

70

People

JUST ONE CALL IS ALL IT TAKES HASSLE-FREE DRIVERS? We keep your wheels turning while your drivers are resting UK’S LARGEST PREMIER COACH DRIVER AGENCY Putting Drivers and Operators together since 2007 Western Training strips.indd 2

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T: 07950 292939 W: www.justcoachdrivers.com 13/12/2013 12:33

January 29, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 3

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NEWS B R I E F LY l WITH THE CO-OPERATION OF VOSA, The Association of Trainers has produced, in conjunction with People 1st and CPT, new free information card for drivers to assist them carrying out a thorough and diligent walk round check before a coach is taken out onto the road every day.

These guides are invaluable aids to drivers, supervisors and managers alike, whilst trainers should be considering issuing them as part of their driver CPC courses. These are available completely free of charge as a PDF download from the Association’s website at: www.asot.org.uk/index.php/ resources/training-aids. l PEAK LEGAL SERVICES LIMITED is now a member of the CPT. The company, which specialises in defensive accident investigation for “retained liability claims” operates throughout the United Kingdom and was established in 1995.

The staff have extensive bus and tram claims experience spanning a 50 year history. Visit www.peak-legal.co.uk. Call Ben Ford on 07748 116797 or email peaklegalservices@googlemail. com. l LONDON MAYOR Boris Johnson has said 2014 holds historical significance for London’s buses and announced a year-long celebration of the capital’s buses. TfL and the London Transport Museum are collaborating on a programme of events celebrating the past, present and future of the London bus.

First Manchester gains OFT approval for Finglands Coachways acquisition

First will finally take over the Finglands operation on February 9 Decision is long overdue in the eyes of Peter Shipp of EYMS First Manchester has been given Office of Fair Trading (OFT) approval to acquire the Manchester bus business of Finglands Coachways.

East Yorkshire Motor Servicesowned Finglands operates commercial bus services and school contracts to the South and East of Manchester. First will takeover Finglands’ existing bus services from Sunday, February 9.

The acquisition includes the lease of the depot in Wilmslow Road, Rusholme, existing service registrations and the transfer of 100 staff. The fleet of 41 vehicles is excluded from the sale although they will be used in the shortterm to meet current service commitments. First said further

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details regarding additional fleet investment will be made shortly.

One of the first improvements from February 9 will be the extension of the First Day and Week ticket area to include the Finglands network in South Manchester. All existing Finglands tickets will still be available and details of other new developments will be provided in future announcements.

Reacting to the news, Peter Shipp of EYMS Group told CBW: “I am relieved that the OFT has at last given clearance but disappointed that the process has taken so long.

This has meant uncertainty for our employees at Finglands and also that trading difficulties have continued which has not helped EYMS Group as a whole. We have virtually everything in place with First in the hope that this would be cleared so the sale should now be

finalised very quickly.

“It’s very disappointing that we had to take the ‘sale or close’ decision at all given the success of Finglands for several years after we bought the company in 1992.

However, this just shows the lasting damage that can by done by low cost, low quality competition – in this case UK North which did immense damage to the bus network in South Manchester until it was eventually taken off the road.”

Dave Alexander, Regional Managing Director for First in the North of England, said: “This acquisition represents an excellent opportunity to further grow bus passenger volumes.

“We welcome new colleagues and customers and we look forward to working with them to further improve bus services in the conurbation.”

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Bill Courtney calls for TUPE change The owner of Courtney Buses is calling for a change in the TUPE – Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) – regulations after his company was faced with a possible industrial injury claim from an employee who worked for a another company at the time of his injury.

The liability could potentially be transferred to Courtney Buses under TUPE Regulations.

The independent operator, based in Finchampstead, Berkshire, took over a contract together with four drivers. It later transpired that one of the employees was still recovering from an injury alleged to have been sustained on the previous employer’s premises.

Courtney Buses Managing Director, Bill Courtney-Smith, received a letter from solicitors representing the injured driver claiming damages for

up to £25,000 and stating: “In accordance with Regulation 4 (2) (a) of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006, we enclose the defendant’s claim noti�ication form, for your perusal. Please note that this is a formal claim against

Go South Coast has upgraded its websites covering the morebus, Bluestar and Damory bus networks so that foreign visitors and visually impaired people can bene�it from the Recite ‘speak me’ application.

The new application makes it easy for those seeking information to have the text read out in English or translated into a chosen language.

The new feature can also simply change the size of the text and the background colours to help and assist those with visual impairments.

Damory’s website has also been completely redesigned to allow

improved access for visitors using smart phones and tablets.

Nikki Honer, Marketing and Communications Manager for Go South Coast said that with the ever increasing reliance on the web to access details on services, timetables and fares, the company is determined to make it as easy as possible to relay information accurately, simply and clearly.

She said: “We believe the ongoing investment to our website will make it easier for our customers to select the services they require.”

“It also makes it easier to take advantage of our discounted key card travel offers.”

Bill Courtney-Smith

GSC websites enhanced for visually impaired and foreign visitors

www.coachandbusweek.com

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you which must be acknowledged by email immediately and passed to your insurers.”

TUPE regulations state that all terms and conditions relating to an employee must be transferred to the new employer, including any injury claims.

“This is clearly something which needs to be addressed,” Mr Courtney-Smith said. “It is ridiculous that we would be liable for injuries which an employee apparently suffered while working for another company and allegedly on their premises.

“Generally speaking, TUPE is a perfectly sensible and responsible way to protect employees who are transferred to another employer and rightly so. It is only when anomalies such as this come to light that we feel that the Regulations clearly need to be reviewed.”

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Suspected second arson attack on Western Greyhound A �ire at Western Greyhound’s Trevecca Industrial Estate depot, Liskeard is suspected of being a second arson attack.

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service attended the blaze in the early hours of Friday (January 24) where three buses were destroyed. The �ire was reported around 0450hrs by local residents.

The incident is being investigated

by Devon and Cornwall Police.

Managing Director of Western Greyhound, Mark Howarth, told BBC Radio Cornwall he feared the company might be being targeted.

Last May a suspected arson attack at the operator’s Summercourt depot saw 35 buses destroyed.

The �ire caused obvious disruption to services as the depot and local roads were cordoned off as police and �ire service of�icers began the investigation process.

IEW!

SNEAK PREV

The latest coach to be available for the UK market is this Chinese-made Yutong, which is being distributed by Castleford-based Pelican Engineeing.

The vehicle was test driven by a member of CBW’s editorial team as this issue went to press on Monday. Full details will appear in next weeks issue – but in the meantime, we thought we’d provide you with this taster.

Janaury 29, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 5 27/01/2014 19:10

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NEWS › BUSES B R I E F LY ● A WEEKLY VERSION of Hertfordshire’ County Council’s multi-operator Intalink Explorer ticket is now available to buy on-bus. They will be available to buy on any day of the week and are valid for seven consecutive days from date which they are purchased. They cost £30 for adults and £20 for children aged five to 10 and SaverCard holders who are aged 11-19. ● THE DRIVER AND VEHICLE STANDARDS AGENCY (DVSA), the new body replacing the DSA and VOSA, is to put its Vehicle Inspectors through a new training and assessment programme which it claims sets an ‘industry benchmark.’

Successful achievement of the programme, which is quality assured by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), will see Vehicle Inspectors receive IRTE’s industry-recognised irtec licence and IMI Awards QAA certification. ● TFL is consulting about quicker journey times on route B14 (Bexleyheath – Orpington).

Under the plans, buses would no longer serve Onslow Drive in Albany Park and fixed bus stops would be introduced along Longmead Drive. More details can be found at https:// consultations.tfl.gov.uk/ buses/b14/consult_view. The consultation closes on February 21. ● A BUS LANE in Colchester which has been the centre of controversy due to ‘unclear road markings’ is earmarked for revision. Essex County Council is to resurface the bus lane section of the High Street with red tarmac to make it more distinctive. The work takes place overnight from 2100 hrs Sunday February 3 to 0600 hrs on the morning of Monday February 4.

READ

NCT’s Red Line adds new Enviro400s Red Line 43 will be the �irst of Nottingham City Transport’s well-used routes to bene�it from the introduction of six new ADL Enviro400s – and a further 34 new vehicles will be brought into service across the network between January and April 2014.

Running every seven minutes during the daytime and every 15 – 20 minutes during the evenings and Sundays, the Red 43 operates to the City from Bakers�ield and Sneinton and is one of the most popular lines on the NCT network.

Passengers got a sneak preview of the new deckers ahead of their launch on Monday, January 27, as one of the buses appeared in the City Centre on Friday, January 24 – promoting the service and NCT’s latest vehicle investment.

“These double-deckers come with some pretty impressive features as standard,” said NCT

Marketing Manager, Anthony Carver-Smith. “As well as the low �loor for wheelchair-users and buggies, real-time tracking and audio announcements, and the environmentally-friendly engines our customers have come to expect, these vehicles also feature more comfortable seating with extra padding, forced air ventilation in the upper deck to help keep buses cooler in the summer, and free WiFi.” The Turquoise Line 77 to Aspley and Strelley is the next to see new vehicles, as more of the Enviro400s will be introduced in March.

“2014 will be a year of continued investment for NCT as we recognise the importance of keeping journeys as pleasant and as comfortable as possible for our passengers,” added Anthony Carver-Smith.

“Along with the introduction of brand new buses to many routes, we’ll also be upgrading routes with newer vehicles, changing single decks to doubles and increasing frequencies.”

Bookings for the ALBUM Conference 2014 are �illing up fast, with over 70% of places taken so far.

Organiser Lothian Buses has said there has also been great demand for exhibition stands with companies such as Volvo, Scania, Alexander Dennis, Wrightbus and many more already booking their place at this year’s conference.

The conference theme is ‘Innovate, Integrate, Motivate,’ which means: ● Innovate – how do we create idea-led cultures that help address the multiple challenges facing the industry? ● Integrate – how are various transport projects, local authority ambitions and key stakeholder requirements combined to offer

customer-focused, quality public transport? ● Motivate – in a world of constant change, how do we ensure we motivate our teams to deliver?

The conference will aim to address speci�ically these three questions by presenting a number of leading speakers in each �ield including Dr George Hazel OBE (MMM Group), Claire Walters (Bus Users UK), David Middleton (CEO Transport Scotland) and former Scotland Rugby Union star Gavin Hastings.

As well as a two-day conference at Murray�ield, delegates can enjoy social activities including a round of golf at the championship links course, Craigielaw, in East Lothian; a cruise on the Forth Belle on the Firth of Forth; a traditional

Red Line is the �irst of several busy NCT routes to bene�it from new E400s in 2014

ALBUM 2014 Edingburgh �illing up fast

double 2013 and Optare due p4 The BIG Question: to 2014 p26 decker looking forward

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ElecAnglia Going ahead in East trifying Milton week...

MINIBUS INSIDE thisEVM goes The essential read

January 2013

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Euro 6 – the dominated by is pretty much which sees his month’s issue of emissions legislation latest implementation of particulates from the exhaust.

6 to market the virtual elimination has brought Euro Mercedes-Benz the Currently only will follow over does not and the other manufacturers new technology price 12 months. The course of the next cost and there are some signi�icantnot are added as a result. They come without to new vehicles has been increases attached 6 modi�ications, the range safety Euro new or revised just attached to restyling and some updated with some been upgraded, engine stop/start has and there is systems. The ESP with automatic transmission a blind-spot developed to work option along with compensation now a side wind via generally arrive assist. from manufacturershowever, trawling Press releases as they are released, a e-mail as soon last week I discovered the web for stories

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Editor

January 22, 2014

| COACH & BUS

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HERITAGE

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media site I had on the Daimler with September 2013) the period of co-operation press release (dated ending of cease by 2016.

It referred to the arrangement would leave Volkswagen not been sent. said the current and Volkswagen and cut production of the Crafter plan to extend also refers to a This will effectively doubt, replacement. It model. This, no to develop its own with a larger capacity no-one at Mercedesthe Sprinter range for Vario which as it It is welcome news will be the replacement anything about. for operators seeking Benz has yet said necessary capacity more expensive will provide the and the need to purchase 27-33-seats without – all of which have to be coachbuilt for suitable Atego-based products just making the chassis involve many man-hours coach applications.

Malta opp

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splash of colour

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Graham Smith connects low emissions

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in London

One man and

s Tours p8his rare buses Beestons buys John’ 06/01/2014

18:39

Chris Owens amongst friends

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Taking flight – Nottingham - Derby

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We review more

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Scottish celebration in Ghillie Dhu, a Scottish-themed, city-centre setting, and a Gala Dinner hosted at Our Dynamic Earth, one of Scotland’s most spectacular tourist attractions which overlooks the extinct volcano, Arthur’s Seat.

The Gala Dinner will not disappoint with TV Personality, Hazel Irvine as compare and after dinner entertainment from the legendary Scottish Comedian Fred MacAulay. Delegates are reminded to book fast or risk missing out on this year’s conference.

All conference and booking information can be found at http://albumconference2014. com/ and further details about the conference will be provided when it becomes available.

CONTACT OUR DEDICATED SUBSCRIPTIONS TEAM Tel: 01733 293240 or email samantha.noble@coachandbusweek.com

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The latest news, views, features, jobs, vehicles for sale AND MUCH MORE...

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293

Number of people employed by Travel de Courcey

5,500

Amount of fuel in litres used daily by vehicles based at Travel de Courcey’s Birmingham depot

SHARE WATCH Industry share prices at the close of the Stock Exchange on Monday, January 27. Optare saw the greatest proportional rise, while 21st Century saw the greatest proportional drop.

Most figures obtained from www.iii.co.uk

432.90p

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One of NCT’s new ADL Enviro400s in its Red Line route branding

Guide Dogs argues the AV case on Radio 4‘s In Touch James White, Campaign Manager for Guide Dogs for the Blind, appeared on the BBC Radio 4 programme In Touch last week, a programme dedicated to news for blind people.

He was responding to comments made by Baroness Kramer on the show previously relating to the number of new buses being �itted with Audio-Visual (AV) equipment.

Baroness Kramer’s appearance followed the rejection of Transport Select Committee proposals to make AV systems mandatory. She said she accepted how useful such equipment would be, most new buses are being �itted with AV equipment and ‘quite a bit’ of the £2bn the government spends on improving buses is being spent on AV. Prior to going on the show, James got in touch with CBW, who informed him that while AV is being �itted to more vehicles than it used to be, it certainly isn’t most of them.

His own research added to this.

He said: “Around 3,000 new buses were registered in 2013, according to SMMT. Stagecoach has made a £60m order for about 400 new www.coachandbusweek.com

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buses – none of those to have AV on them. “National Express, in a partnership plus announcement in July 2013, ordered 350 new buses, but only 50 of these have AV on them. “FirstGroup has spent £76m on 464 new buses. They have WiFi and leather seating, but as far as we know, none are to have AV.” When asked by host Peter White whether he knew how many buses were being �itted with AV, James said: “We keep quite a close eye on it. If you go back a year to 2012 there was some funding which was made available (Better Bus Area fund). According to our tallying and speaking to operators around England, 1,029 buses had AV installed. Even in that instance if you’re talking about 3,000 new buses a year, we’re not approaching majority.”

Turning to the ‘quite a bit’ statement from Baroness Kramer, James argued: “Even if you use the higher �igure for the cost of installing talking bus equipment which the government quoted before Christmas, we’ve calculated the cost

-12.00

James White, Campaigns Manager for Guide Dogs for the Blind

of installing the technology on those 1,029 buses is only 0.18 of 1% of the DfT spending in 2012.”

Peter White asked: “If you were spending £3,000 on the 40,000 or so buses which aren’t �itted with AV, that’s around £120m, a notinconsiderable sum of money. What are you saying the government ought to do – you’re not saying they should spend that much are you?”

In reply, James said: “We back the suggestion of a phased introduction.

While we’d love to see all buses �itted with AV overnight, we’re mindful of the pressures on operators. A phased introduction across 10 years is lots of time for this to be implemented across the piece.”

The broadcast can be found and downloaded at http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/ series/intouch. All episodes are available for 30 days after they are broadcast

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on last week

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FTSE 100

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-246 on last week

Janaury 29, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 7 27/01/2014 17:52

NEWS › COACHES An example of The Kings Ferry’s VIP livery, seen on another Irizar i6

Irizar UK receives first Euro 6 order from The Kings Ferry The i6 is the first DAF-powered coach for The Kings Ferry in 25 years Irizar UK has taken its first order for a Euro 6 coach from The Kings Ferry – the Kent company’s first new DAF-powered coach for 25 years.

The i6 Integral is destined for the National Express-owned operator’s VIP fleet, and will be based at The Kings Ferry’s Gillingham depot. It is currently in build at Irizar’s Spanish factory and will be completed this summer by AD Coach Systems of Stoke-on-Trent.

“As these vehicles are at the very

OBITUARY –

Jimmy Lee Clarkes of London’s Jimmy Lee, one of its longest serving drivers, passed away on the morning of January 20, 2014.

Breaking the news to its Facebook followers, Clarkes Coaches wrote: “Although we

top end of our fleet, we select our suppliers very carefully,” said Ian Fraser, Operations Director at The Kings Ferry. “When we test drove the integral Irizar at our premises and had it over our pits we knew immediately that this was a premium product.

“The smoothness of the drivetrain we feel reflects the high-quality components used.

The i6 tri-axle matches our requirements well, and we are confident the all-new DAF Euro 6 engine will give us class-leading fuel economy and a long service life.”

The i6 Integral being supplied to The Kings Ferry is a 13.9-metre had kept in touch with Jim and members of his large family, who were in attendance throughout his short illness, everyone here at Clarkes of London is deeply shocked at this news. He will be sadly missed by us all. “‘Jungle’ Jim (as he was affectionately known) began working for Clarkes during

8 | COACH & BUS WEEK | January 29, 2014 008_009_CBW1122_News.indd 8

tri-axle with 36 leather seats arranged around nine tables.

It has a rear kitchen with hot cupboard, microwave and filter coffee machine. Windows are privacy tinted and the coach is carpeted throughout.

Core customers include major football clubs, so the multiscreen Sky TV video system also accepts laptop inputs for training purposes, and for corporate use.

An on-board inverter ensures the coach has stable 240-Volt power sockets.

The coach – in The Kings Ferry’s exclusive VIP livery – is powered

by DAF-Paccar’s new MX-11320, 435bhp engine, which can

produce 2,100Nm of torque. The power is delivered through a ZF AS-Tronic auto-shift gearbox.

“We were keen to ensure that our new VIP vehicle had excellent aftersales back-up and DAF’s network of service centres plus Irizar UK’s parts stock with Masterpart gives us the confidence to invest in this vehicle,” said Ian Fraser.

“We are pleased to see that customers like The Kings Ferry are now seeing the benefits offered by the premium build of the i6 Integral and the service and back-up offered by Irizar UK,” said Ian Hall, Sales Director at Irizar UK. “We have been knocking The King’s Ferry’s door since we started and, as you can imagine, we were delighted when they opted this year for the DAF powered Integral Irizar.”

September 1973 and had recently celebrated his 40th year of service. His enthusiasm, loyalty and kindness endeared him to everyone at Clarkes and not least our customers.

“Our sympathies go out to his loving wife Bernice, his children and grandchildren at this very Jimmy Lee had celebrated 40 years difficult time.” with London-based Clarkes Coaches www.coachandbusweek.com

27/01/2014 17:56

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Motts continues to provide Coach Trip’s Plaxton Panther Aylesbury-based Motts Travel, an established coach operator offering day trips, coach hire and Holidays in the UK and Europe through the Crusader Holiday brand for over 40 years, has announced that its Union Jack liveried Volvo Plaxton Panther is the coach used in the ninth and latest series of Channel 4’s “Coach Trip,” which first aired on Monday, January 27, 2014 and continues on weekdays at 1730hrs.

Motts Travel has supplied the coach and driver for the series since its conception in 2005, spanning eight series to date including celebrity and Christmas specials.

The Volvo Plaxton B12B Panther is the third coach supplied by Motts Travel which has featured in series 4 – 8 and has carried the likes of Michael Barrymore, Tony Blackburn, The Chuckle Brothers and of course the host – Brendan Sheerin.

Inside, the coach has been custom fitted with sixteen seats in the front around four tables. There are six internal remote controlled cameras

The programme, now in its ninth season, has used the Volvo Plaxton B12B since its fourth series and two external cameras on the roof. At the rear, the coach has an on board production office where the sound engineers and camera operators sit with screens and editing equipment for the series which has previously lasted up to 50 days.

Roger Mott, Director of Motts Travel and Crusader Holidays, commented: “We are delighted to have forged such a strong relationship with 12 Yard

New Punjab Coaches takes delivery of two Van Hool Alicrons New Punjab Coaches (NPC) of Slough, Berkshire, has recently taken delivery of two 13.2m Van Hool TX16 Alicron coaches.

Built to EC 2001/85 legislation, the specification of the identical vehicles includes a 400bhp MAN Euro 5 and EEV emission level engine with ZF AS-Tronic transmission and ZF Intarder. The vehicles have ASR traction control and carry 400 litre fuel tanks.

Each vehicle can carry up to 57 passengers on TX Grand Lux reclining passenger seats with lap seat belts. There is also an electrically operated reclining courier seat.

Passenger comfort is maintained with dual zone climate control and air conditioning. The vehicles also have double glazed and double tinted side windows, with curtains to the side and rear windows.

The vehicles each have a centre continental exit with a powered doors.

For passenger entertainment, the vehicles carry a radio, PA and CD system with a foot activated microphone and Bluetooth capability. There is also a DVD system which is linked with a monitor. www.coachandbusweek.com

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Productions, who make the show for Channel 4. This is the third coach we have supplied for the show and are happy to have a TV star amongst our fleet. The show is a great platform to promote coach travel nationally, showing the friendships that can be made between passengers and the views from ground level which a short flight wouldn’t allow.

“It is also a great chance for us to showcase one of our coaches and

promote the Motts Travel brand nationally. We hope our customers will enjoy the programme and tell others they have used our coaches.”

In the first episode, the 14 Brits took a sobering visit to Flanders Fields in Belgium on the 100th anniversary of when homes and fields were turned into a battlefield during the First World War in 1914.

A million soldiers were wounded, missing or killed in action and tens of thousands of citizens became refugees. The monuments and memorials here tell a story of the past.

The contestants then took part in Belgian beer tasting before heading off to Brussels for the second day where there was a messy chocolate making lesson, before scuba diving at the world’s deepest swimming pool.

Flanders Fields is a trip which Crusader Holidays customers can experience for themselves on the centenary year, visiting the Passchendale Museum, Hill 60, Vancouver Corner, Tyne Cot Cemetery and Hell Fire corner.

The two NPC-branded Van Hool TX16 Alicrons are identical The driver has access to a drivers bunk, with a door in the continental exit side wall. The driver and courier sun blinds are electrically operated and the driver can also make use of a colour reversing camera, coupled with an interior surveillance camera, both displayed through a five inch colour monitor in the dash. A cool box and fridge are both also mounted within the dash, to the front and side of the courier seat respectively.

The vehicles have LED strip lights to step edgings and LED rear lights. Each has xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights.

They each have Alcoa alloy wheels and the exteriors are finished in metallic paintwork with vinyl signage to create the livery.

Janaury 29, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 9 27/01/2014 17:56

NEWS

Chalkwell pledges support for air ambulance Operator announces a number of fundraising events, from quiz nights to bungee jumping Sittingbourne-based coach and bus operator Chalkwell has announced its Charity of the Year partnership with Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance.

Employing members of staff who are on the road every day either getting to work or driving professionally, Chalkwell said it is conscious that the Air Ambulance is always ready to help in an emergency. Chalkwell has pledged to raise as much money as they can for the organisation which relies on public support.

Karen Lockyer, Chalkwell’s Coach Hire and Tour Sales Manager, said a number of large and small fundraising events were planned for the year and she hoped that Chalkwell’s customers would also participate in addition to its staff.

One of the bigger events will be a quiz night at the Dancing Dog Saloon, Bobbing, in April. Other sponsored activities would include bungee jumping and a walk over the O2 as well as a summer barbecue.

She said a ‘red day’ was in the planning stages when employees could make a donation to wear items of red clothing and she was open to ideas from staff and customers for other fundraising support.

“We have sent out letters to companies appealing for raffle prizes and have been really touched by their generosity, if any enthusiastic member of the public would like to

L-R: Clive Eglinton (Chalkwell Managing Director), Andy Bates (Chalkwell Operations Manager), Karen Lockyer (Coach Hire and Tour Sales Manager) and Julie Clare (Air Ambulance Corporate and Events Assistant). make a donation or come along to one of our events they can give me a call,” said Karen.

“Because Air Ambulance is so reliant on public support, our business, which couldn’t operate without using the roads, is pleased to have the opportunity of forming

this partnership which will have a key role in what we do this year.”

Air Ambulance Corporate and Events Assistant Julie Clare said: “This is a new Charity of the Year partnership for us and we’re really looking forward to working with the team at Chalkwell.

“They have already shown great enthusiasm which is reflected in the exciting fundraising events they have planned.”

To make a donation towards the Chalkwell raffle, contact Karen on 01795 423982

TfL considers scrapping Capital Call minicab service Transport for London (TfL) has launched a public consultation on proposals to withdraw the Capital Call subsidised minicab service, which currently duplicates the more popular Taxicard scheme.

There are currently two subsidised door-to-door transport services for Londoners who are unable to use public transport due to a mobility impairment; Taxicard - which is operated by taxis (black cabs) and minicabs (private hire vehicles) and Capital Call - which is operated by minicabs.

In addition TfL operates Dial-aRide, a free door-to-door multipassenger bus service.

Capital Call was created by TfL in 2003 and operates in just 10 London boroughs where historically there was a shortage of taxis (black cabs).

Availability of taxis operating in the 10 boroughs has increased and contributed to a reduced number of people using Capital Call services, by 20% in recent years. Now just 1,400 people regularly use the service, compared to 10,000 who use Taxicard in these boroughs.

To be eligible for Capital Call, users must already be registered members of Taxicard, which makes them automatically eligible for Dial-a-Ride and gives them access to shopping trips,

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recreation or visits to friends and family.

As Capital Call costs £470,000 a year to operate and duplicates what Taxicard does since incorporating minicabs alongside taxis, TfL is considering its withdrawal. It claimed the efficiency savings delivered would be invested in making improvements to the capital’s transport network, to the benefit of more people across London.

Garrett Emmerson, TfL Surface Transport Chief Operating Officer, said: “This proposal reflects both changes to the subsidised travel schemes and the way in which people are

using these services.

“Significantly fewer people are now using Capital Call, which effectively duplicates the Taxicard scheme which now includes minicabs as well as taxis.

“Together, Taxicard and Dial-aRide would continue to ensure mobility impaired Londoners have access to two services enabling them to get around the city.”

Capital Call operates in the following 10 boroughs which historically had fewer taxis in operation than in other areas: Bexley, Hounslow, Ealing, Lambeth, Enfield, Lewisham, Haringey, Merton, Hillingdon and Southwark. www.coachandbusweek.com

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Muirhead launches Venturer leather product for coach & bus market Muirhead is introducing a new product to its range UK manufactured low carbon leather, named Venturer and developed specifically for the bus and coach sector.

Specially developed by Muirhead’s in-house team under Technical Director Dr. Raymond Gosland at the company’s recently expanded Glasgow laboratory, Venturer is designed to accommodate high volume traffic and usage patterns with enhanced physical properties. New lacquer systems have been engineered to meet the greater abrasion, flex and colour fastness, rubbing in wet and dry and increased perspiration demands of the bus and coach sector.

Muirhead’s business in the bus and coach sector now has supply arrangements in place with large operators internationally, and smaller, high profile customers.

The company has also recently appointed a bus and coach specialist, Kevin Smith, in order to support this market. Kevin joins the company with over fifteen years’ experience in automotive and mass transit interior trim, full hides, cut parts, sewn covers and complete seats.

Kevin Smith said: “Venturer is a premium quality and comfort leather like all Muirhead products, but this one has new highly durable characteristics to accommodate the unique demands of bus and coach market.”

Six year old Daniel Svecov from Maybush, Southampton is to represent England by entering the International Children’s Tae Kwon Do Championships to be held in Germany in February, thanks to support from Bluestar and its bus drivers.

Daniel’s father Igor, who is a former Russian kick boxer, joined Bluestar as a trainee driver two years ago and is delighted that both his colleagues at the company’s depot at Totton, and Bluestar’s Operations Manager Paul Coyne have contributed over £300 to the travel costs to Stuttgart ready for the championship starting the first week in February.

Daniel only started the Korean martial art at the Tae Kwon Do Panther Club in Millbrook six months ago and has already gained bronze medals in the southern England competition and in club competitions and demonstrations.

Paul Coyne said that the company is delighted to help support Daniel’s medal bid in the championship: “It’s great to have the opportunity to help Daniel and encourage his interest in the disciplined art of Tae Kwon Do. We hope he returns having enjoyed the experience and with some awards!” www.coachandbusweek.com

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TRAINING UPDATE

Silent but deadly?

Jeremy Miles from AA DriveTech looks at how the increase of hydrogen-powered buses will change the relationship between road users

E

ver since passenger carrying vehicles first adorned our streets, vulnerable road users, like pedestrians, cyclists and bikers, have been bombarded with visual and audible warnings of their presence. Originally there was the clip clop of hooves accompanied with the rumble and clatter of carriages. For many years, some people have seen buses as smog-pumping, gear-grinding behemoths groaning through the streets.

While you might have thought it would have been impossible for someone to not see or hear a bus coming towards them, collisions still happened. People still pulled out into buses or walked in front of them, blissfully unaware of several tonnes of metal looming towards them. In fact, road users have relied on these audible and visual clues not to “get hit by a bus”. Modern hydrogen powered vehicles offer no such warnings.

Hydrogen powered buses are odour-free and virtually silent, particularly at the low speeds required in towns and cities. The journeys are much smoother so the eye is not drawn as easily to the approaching vehicle. As the ride is both smoother and quieter, it is easy for a driver to feel they are travelling at a slower speed. Match this with the modern day distractions that many road users face, the risk of preventable accidents increases significantly. If a pedestrian is distracted by talking on a mobile, their children, or wearing headphones, a quiet bus potentially becomes a silent, but deadly, weapon.

There are numerous tips for drivers to help them ensure

vulnerable road users are kept safe: These include: l The driver checking their mirrors more frequently and paying close attention to blind spots when turning; l A blue light glowing on the instrument panel of a hydrogen bus shows the engine is running.

Drivers are conditioned to listen to engine noise; with hybrid vehicles, this is not an option when stationary or at low speeds. They must be alert to the risk of accidentally starting their vehicles. l Hydrogen buses have a larger overhang at the rear due to the battery position. When turning the bus, drivers must be aware of moving vehicles, street furniture and pedestrians. l The driver needs a greater degree of concentration, awareness and anticipation, making training a high priority.

Hydrogen buses have been well received by the public, politicians and transport companies; but we all need to be alert to the new risks of a quieter, cleaner fleets.

How AA DriveTech can help

AA DriveTech is the posttest training arm of the AA with extensive experience of delivering top quality, value for money and useful driver training to professional drivers whether they are bus, coach or truck drivers. The company offers training courses both at a client’s business premises as well as ‘open’ courses via a UKwide network of training venues which any driver can attend.

To understand more, or book a course, call 0845 345 9626 or go to www.AAdrivetech.com

January 29, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 11 27/01/2014 19:24

NEWS › INTERNATIONAL

$10.5m investment in new double deck coaches for megabus.com Rapid growth creates over 1,000 new jobs in past seven years as megabus orders 15 new Van Hools USA Stagecoach Group has announced a $10.5 million investment in new double-deck coaches for its growing megabus. com network in North America.

A fleet of 15 Van Hool TD 925 vehicles is expected to enter service within the next six months as part of planned expansion to services.

Rapid growth at megabus.com has created more than 1,000 new jobs over the past seven years and the brand now operates in more than 30 states in the US and two provinces in Canada, serving more than 120 destinations and carrying around 10m passengers on more than 200,000 trips every year. More than 50% of passengers previously travelled by car.

Stagecoach Group reported last month its revenue from megabus. com operations in North America increased by more than 20% in the six months ended October 31 2013 and further expansion is planned in the next 12 months.

Customers already benefit from the most modern fleet of double-decker buses in North America. The new 81-seat, greencertified and wheelchair accessible double-decker buses will be equipped with free Wi-Fi, power outlets, seat belts and toilets.

Dale Moser, President and Chief Operating Office of megabus. com, said: “megabus.com has transformed inter-city bus travel in North America. We believe there is a huge opportunity to encourage people to leave their car keys at home and take the bus to get to work, make a business trip, travel with friends or go on a vacation.

“These new state-of-the-art

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coaches are part of our exciting expansion plans for 2014 and will help bring safe, high-quality and affordable to travel to more people in North America.”

The investment comes as independent research has revealed travellers in the United States saved $1.1 billion last year by taking megabus.com and other discount inter-city bus operators rather than the train or plane.

Research by the DePaul University Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development in Chicago found bus passengers saved 52% compared with trips by rail on the same route, while they paid 79% less than people who chose to fly to their destination.

The report, entitled Motoring into the Mainstream1, calculated that inter-city bus users paid an average of 38% less than motorists, with the savings exceeding 50% when the full costs of owning a car were taken into account.

Previous studies by the transportation institute found the launch of megabus.com in the United States in 2006 sparked a renaissance in inter-city bus travel after decades of decline.

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Earlier this month, megabus. com received the American Bus Association’s (ABA) 2014 Green Operator Award in recognition of its commitment to eco-driving, the use of anti-idling techniques when the bus is not in use, recycling of oil and other engine fluids and overall business practices promoting sustainability and environmental awareness. megabus.com’s double-decker coaches achieve 305 passenger miles per gallon of fuel. Two double-decker coaches transport nearly as many passengers as three standard coaches, reducing carbon emissions and fuel use.

The coaches on order will have a range of specialist safety features, linked to the company’s 24/7 monitoring centre. megabus. com in North America has been recognised for its best-in-class safety standards and earlier this month become the first motor carrier to receive approval by the Transportation Safety Exchange (TSX) for all of its operations.

TSX - based in Fairfax, Virginia - is an independent safety rating organisation providing assessments of more than 300,000 passenger and freight carriers.

ZF Kama Inaugurates Russian CV transmission production RUSSIA ZF Kama, the joint initiative between ZF and Kamaz, has opened a new commercial vehicle transmission production facility in Naberezhnye Chelny.

The site occupies about 20,000 square meters and will produce the Ecomid and Ecosplit commercial vehicle transmissions.

It is part of an investment package totaling €90 million which ZF and Kamaz will use to expand capacities at the location by 2016.

“With the expansion of production in Naberezhnye Chelny we laid an important foundation for the future. We are firmly convinced that this key market will develop positively and now we are able to serve this market even better,” said Dr. Stefan Sommer, ZF’s Chief Executive Officer, at the opening ceremony for the new hall.

Rustam Minnikhanov, President of the Republic of Tatarstan, Sergey Chemezov, CEO of the Rostec state cooperation, and Vasil Shayhraziev, mayor of the city of Naberezhnye Chelny were among the prominent guests. “In order to improve the competitiveness of our Kamaz trucks, we rely on technology

Celebrating the inauguration of a new workshop hall of the Russian joint venture ZF Kama (from left to right): Ravil Zaripov, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Republic of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, President of the Republic of Tatarstan, Sergey Chemezov, CEO of the Rostec state corporation, Dr. Stefan Sommer, CEO of ZF Friedrichshafen AG, Sergey Kogogin, General Director of OJSC Kamaz, and Vasil Shayhraziev, mayor of Naberezhnye Chelny. transfer and the collaboration with renowned international automotive suppliers, which certainly includes ZF,” emphasized Sergey Kogogin, General Director at Kamaz. “The investment in the

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joint venture ZF Kama continues to guarantee our customers modern and high quality products.” Until 2016, ZF and Kamaz will have invested a total of about €90 million in the location.

Founded in 2005, the joint venture, in which ZF has a 51% share and Kamaz 49%, currently produces manual ZF transmissions belonging to the Ecosplit (16-speed version) and Ecomid (nine-speed) product families – more than 95% for Kamaz, but also for other Russian manufacturers and trucks produced locally by importers. The relocation to the new building expands ZF Kama’s plant grounds from previously 4,000 to around 20,000 square metres, approximately by five times. This also significantly increases the volumes produced by the joint venture. In 2016, up to 50,000 Ecosplit and Ecomid transmissions will come off the line in Naberezhnye Chelny per year, compared to previously 20,000 units. At the same time, headcount is to rise from currently 350 to at least 550 employees within the next two years. Therefore, the larger production facility provides ideal prerequisites to attain a considerably higher localisation level of ZF transmissions and transmission components in Russia. www.coachandbusweek.com

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NEWS › REGIONAL MIDLANDS THE MAJOR NEWMARKET STREET roadworks in Hereford, due to start daytime work in February, will affect four bus routes.

Work to refurbish the city centre road, and create a pedestrian crossing at ‘Widemarsh Gate’ is already ongoing at night, but as of February 3 it will mean closing one lane in each direction during the day.

As a result Credenhill, Bobblestock, Belmont to Hampton Park, and school bus services to St Marys and the Bishop of Hereford Bluecoat School will see changes to their routes.

Changes to those timetables are in place up until March 1.

KEY

contraventions through the generation of fixed penalties using evidence from footage from on bus cameras.”

The report goes on to say that this cannot be pursued in South Gloucestershire until there is a change in legislation.

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

SOUTH EAST

NORTH

NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has approved cuts of around £2m in subsidies to bus services.

From April there will be changes to almost 100 bus services across the county, with some route subsidies either reduced or removed.

The services affected include the 156/7 bus from Bedale to Gayle, via Hawes, which will be reduced from an hourly service to three return journeys per day from Monday to Saturday.

The council said community transport will be enhanced to provide additional support.

Deputy Leader Cllr Carl Lis said: “We are conscious of the potential these reductions have for people in rural areas, in terms of isolation and loneliness.

“These issues are very much in our minds, and we will do all we can to mitigate against them.”

ARRIVA YORKSHIRE is revising fares with some expected to rise.

The changes started on Sunday, January 19, with some fares increasing by up to 10p while others remain frozen.

The all-Yorkshire zone multijourney tickets, used throughout North Yorkshire, will be frozen at 2013 prices, including the day, week and four-weekly tickets.

The online 10% discount offer on all four-weekly tickets will continue at www.arrivabus. co.uk/yorkshire or via the Arriva Mobile Ticketing App. Arriva Yorkshire Regional Managing Director, Nigel Featham, said the company had applied the minimum increase

possible. He said: “By capping any increase to the rate of inflation, we want to keep fares competitive and ensure travelling by bus remains attractive.

ARRIVA YORKSHIRE has introduced new Urban Zone tickets to Bradford.

The new fares, which came into operation on Sunday, January 19, offer discounted bus travel across the city.

A Bradford Urban day ticket costs £4, and a weekly £14.

Nigel Featham, Regional Managing Director for Arriva Yorkshire, said: “Whether people are heading into the city centre for work or for leisure, these new tickets will offer passengers great value travel. The whole Urban range of tickets can be bought directly from the bus driver as customers hop on to head out.”

The Arriva drivers stopped off at the Bradford Alhambra yesterday to promote the benefits of the new discount scheme.

SOUTH WEST

CAMERAS could be fitted to the front of buses to catch car drivers using bus lanes in South Gloucestershire, the Bristol Post reported.

Councillors have written to the Government to urge a change in the law which currently means that only London can use bus cameras in this way.

In Bristol and the surrounding area, CCTV has long been

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used on buses to capture road accidents or on-board incidents.

Councillors agreed to write to transport minister Patrick McLoughlin to ask him to consider changing the law.

A report put to the committee said in recent years the number of bus priority measures in the district has increased, concurrent with schemes such as the Greater Bristol Bus Network and new developments such as Cheswick and Charlton Hayes.

But it states: “Certain locations have compliance violations on a regular basis and police enforcement occurs by exception because the constabulary does not regard enforcement as a main priority.

“Drivers have become aware the risk of being prosecuted for driving/parking in a bus lane is relatively low.”

The report goes on to state that apart from fixed roadside cameras, other options have been investigated, such as having cameras on board buses to deal with bus lane enforcement.

It says: “Certain vehicles in First’s fleet have forward facing CCTV cameras which are mainly used by the operator as part of investigation into accident claims.

“The cameras currently lack type-approval which means they are uncertified to meet standards in terms of regulatory and technical purposes.

“This situation applies across the country apart from London which is unique in having ability to prosecute bus lane

CAMPAIGN FOR REAL ALE members visiting the 31st Luton Beer and Cider Festival can travel at reduced rates on certain services thanks to support from Arriva.

The festival runs from Thursday, February 20 to Saturday, February 22 and CAMRA members can travel for child rate by showing their membership cards to drivers on services 101, 102 and Service A on the Luton-Dunstable Busway.

Arriva Regional Marketing Manager Linsey Frostick said: “We are delighted to support this event. Travelling to the festival by bus is the sensible way to travel there and make the most of the drinks on offer.”

Festival organiser Mike Coombes said: “The beer and cider festival venue, Active Luton’s excellent High Town Community Sports and Arts Centre, is a really short walk from the fantastic new interchange. It makes perfect sense to get there and back by bus.

“CAMRA is a strong advocate for enjoying drinks responsibly and safely. Being able to travel to and from the festival on reliable public transport is an enormous benefit. As well as enjoying free entry to this year’s festival, paidup members of CAMRA from Hitchin, Stevenage and Dunstable will be able to save on travel, too.”

GROWING TRAFFIC DELAYS in the Aylesbury area have forced Arriva to make changes to its timetables.

The operator said it would be making the changes from February 2 ‘mainly to improve reliability in the face of growing traffic congestion on certain routes’.

Arriva’s Regional Publicity Manager, Richard Lewis, said: “We constantly monitor the reliability of our services and we have taken the opportunity to revise some of our timetables in the Aylesbury area by adjusting running times to ensure that buses can run as near to scheduled time as possible.”

The services affected by the

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changes are the 50 to RAF Halton, the 55 to Amersham and Chesham, the 61 to Dunstable and Luton, the 150 to Milton Keynes and the 300 to High Wycombe.

There will also be changes to the times of the 9 between Aylesbury and Stoke Mandeville before 0930hrs.

SCOTLAND

AN OLD BUS DEPOT on the Esplanade in the Invertiel area of Kirkcaldy is for sale.

The former Stagecoach depot is now on the market, and local councillor George Kay hopes it will be a catalyst for the area’s further regeneration.

Mr Kay said: “To put that building on the open market is a

big step forward in regenerating the area and I’d like to see something go in there that would complement Morrisons.

“A garden centre, for example, would be very desirable.

“I’ve written to Stagecoach several times and in November I got a response telling me they would make sure the units were environmentally sound. I presume that means the roof, which is probably asbestos, which will be secured, and then they said it would go on the open market.”

A spokeswoman for Stagecoach in Fife said: “Our depot on Kirkcaldy Esplanade is currently for sale. Although it has not been a working depot as such for a number of years, the building has been used for additional storage.”

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particularly as I got to meet my favourite player, Max.” A ‘cheer up crew’ was out and about across its network giving out bunches of flowers from Betty’s Florists, chocolate brownies from the Chocolate Brownie Company, pies and pasties from Peter’s Foods and shopping vouchers from St David’s shopping centre.

Stand-up comedian Dan Mitchell was also on hand to put a smile on commuters’ faces.

Gareth Stevens, Business Development Manager at Cardiff Bus, said: “Our customers are very important to us and we wanted to spread a little cheer and lift their spirits on what is dubbed the most depressing day of the year.

“It was great to surprise Natalie with a visit from the Cardiff Devils.

We hope it cheered up her Monday.

“Thanks to all our partners who have helped us cheer up our customers.”

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DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

The 2014 UK Bus Driver of the Year takes place in Blackpool on September 14. It’s likely to be another closely run contest

2014

Transport Barry Island, South Wales. www.ctpg.co.uk

n February 1, 2014 LTCOA Dinner Dance The Royal Garden Hotel, Knightsbridge. Call Sue Reynolds on 07932 158999 or email ltcoa@btinternet.com

n June 15 Welsh Coach Rally, Swansea. ntfwswansea.co.uk Contact Ashley Lovering 07814 958379

n February 23-24 Coach Holiday Conference & Workshop. Best Western Premier Queen Hotel, Chester. www.coachtourismcouncil. co.uk

n July 6-7 North Norfolk Railway Bus Rally. Heritage bus service both days, transport Festival on Sunday. Email bus@johnrstewart. co.uk for an entry form.

n March 4–7 QV Associates’ course Introduction to Bus & Crew Scheduling. Birmingham. 01905 613527. www.qv-associates.com/

n July 12–13 Routemaster 60.

Finsbury Park, London. Organised by the Routemaster Association, the event will commemorate the 60th anniversary of the unveiling of RM1. www.routemaster.org.uk

qvcourses.htm

CARDIFF BUS helped banish the January blues of a Cardiff Devils fan by surprising her with a special visit from two of the team’s players.

Max Birbraer and Brad Plumton hand delivered tickets to Cardiff Bus customer Natalie Harvey, 24, from Llanishen, as part of a day of gestures by the bus operator designed to cheer up its customers. This was one of several acts by Cardiff Bus on Blue Monday, officially the most depressing day of the year.

The third Monday of January has been awarded the gloomy title by scientists due to a combination of post-Christmas blues, debt, cold dark nights and failed New Year’s resolutions.

Natalie, who has been a fan of the Devils since she was six years of age, said: “What a surprise! I was told to turn up at Cardiff Bus’ customer service centre but had no idea what was going to happen. It certainly cheered up my Monday,

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n March 19-20 Young Bus Managers Network Conference.

Reading. www.youngbusmanagers. org.uk n March 25–28 QV Associates’ course Route & Timetable Planning Birmingham. 01905 613527. www.qv-

associates.com/qvcourses.htm

n April 5 South East Bus Festival.

Kent Showground, Maidstone. www.

facebook.com/southeastbusfestival

n July 20 Alton Bus Rally.

Anstey Park, Alton, Hants. www. altonbusrally.org.uk n September 9 Association of Trainers AGM. Birmingham. 01797 344251 www.asot.org.uk/index.php/ asot/come-to-meet-us-menu n September 10-11 Low Carbon Vehicle Event, Millbrook, Bedfordshire. 01509 635 750. www. cenex-lcv.co.uk

n April 10 UK Coach Awards.

Mercure Piccadilly Hotel, Manchester. www.ukcoachawards.co.uk

n September 14 UK Bus Driver of the Year 2014 Blackpool. info@ bdoy.co.uk

n April 29-May 1 The Commercial Vehicle Show NEC, Birmingham.

01634 261262 www.cvshow.com

n September 21 Showbus 2014.

Imperial War Museum, Duxford. www.showbus.com

n May 10-11 UK Coach Rally.

Alton Towers. 01753 631170. www.coachdisplays.co.uk

n September 25 - October 2 IAA Commercial Vehicle Show.

Hannover, Germany. www.iaa.de

n May 12-14 ALBUM Conference.

Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh. www.album-bus.co.uk n June 8 Barry Festival of

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

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January 29, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 17

NEWS › HERITAGE

South East Bus Festival vehicle entries already rolling in Destination Detling, near Maidstone, April 5, 2014 The organisers of the annual South East Bus Festival, held at Kent Showground, near Maidstone, were delighted to see vehicle entries had already started rolling in before Christmas and they are expecting another large turnout of coaches and buses, old and new when the event takes place on Saturday, April 5.

The 2014 festival is the fourth event to be organised by the team which initially put together the very popular ‘M&D 100’ show in 2011 to celebrate the centenary of the formation of the famous Maidstone & District bus company.

As with the previous events, this year’s bus festival will take place alongside Kent Showground’s own Heritage Transport Show which brings

together around 400 cars, commercial vehicles, motorbikes and tractors, the combined events ensuring plenty to see and do for people interested in all types of road transport.

The South East Bus Festival follows the successful format of previous years with an expected turnout of over 100 buses and coaches, many of which will run on a �ive-minute frequency free service around the extensive internal road system on the showground.

Three guest speakers have agreed to give talks during the day, including two well-known bus industry names and there will be a large number of salesstands in the main exhibition hall within the showground’s conference centre, as well as displays of model buses and memorabilia. The conference centre will also be used for slide shows.

Co-organiser Richard Lewis said: “We welcome coaches and buses of all types, all ages and from anywhere in the UK or beyond to take part in the event, as we have a huge amount of space at our disposal for displaying and running the vehicles.

“As well as the older preserved vehicles that will form the bulk of the vehicle entries, we would like current operators to take part and to display examples of the present-day coach and bus �leet as a contrast to those of yesteryear.

“We already have one local operator that has entered six vehicles and we hope others will take the opportunity to use the bus festival as a place where they can show off their latest vehicles.

“Each of our previous three events has attracted around 5,000 people and while the bitterly cold weather of last winter reduced numbers slightly

the popularity of the festival meant people braved the cold to be there and fortunately the sun shone brightly on the day. We hope conditions will be warmer this year and that the numbers coming to the showground will be even greater.”

Three anniversaries will be celebrated at the South East Bus Festival this year, allowing themed displays to mark the 60th anniversary of the AEC Reliance, the 60th anniversary of the AEC Routemaster and the 75th anniversary of the London ‘RT’ class.

Full details of the event can be found online at arrivabus.co.uk/ southeastbusfestival. A Facebook page, www.facebook. com/southeastbusfestival, will also display the latest news about the event and vehicle entries.

The 2013 event had a large number of heritage coaches and buses on display

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Join the discussion on Twitter by following us at @cbwtweets

CTPG appeals to repatriate Bedwas & Machen no.7 The Cardiff Transport Preservation Group (CTPG) has launched an appeal for donations to purchase, repatriate and restore a special 63 year old bus.

The 1951 AEC single deck 35-seater known as ‘Bedwas & Machen no 7’ is the last bus to be actually built in Cardiff by the former Bruce Coach Works on Pengam Airfield.

This historic vehicle used to operate in the Bedwas & Machen area near Caerphilly up until it was withdrawn in 1971. The CTPG has a 1930s Western Welsh bus depot in Barry and aims to raise £20,000 to return and restore this unique bus, as it currently resides in South Africa.

The preservation group has a long shopping list for the Bedwas & Machen 7 Project with £10,000 to purchase the bus, £8,000 to ship it from South Africa and a further £2,000 to fully repaint and restore it to running order.

CTPG Chairman Mike Taylor, who is heading up the project, said: “The AEC engine and chassis is in reasonable running order.

This is a unique opportunity as the bus has an important historical link to Cardiff. Bedwas & Machen as one of the smallest municipal bus operators in Britain which only had nine vehicles running at any one time.

This bus, no.7 is also the only Bruce-bodied single decker still in existance.”

Withdrawn by the council in 1971, it was bought for preservation by a John Allan and he took it with him when he

Currently sporting non-authentic sand and cream, the bus will be restored to its original blue and royal ivory livery emigrated to South Africa. It is now at the Sandstone Heritage Foundation, Ficksburg, Free State.

Whie the unique survivor is kept under cover, it has been repainted into a non-authentic sand and cream livery.

Mike continued: “We intend to restore Bedwas & Machen 7 to the original Blue and Royal Ivory livery it carried throughout its’ working life in South Wales.”

Once restored, the bus will take an active part at rallies and shows for future generations to see and ride on.

A much newer double decker

of 1968 vintage once owned by Bedwas & Machen UDC, built

by Massey Bros. of Wigan has already been restored and was re-launched by the Mayor of Caerphilly County in March last year.

The single decker, No 7, will make an attractive pair representing the old Bedwas & Machen fleet.

Mike Taylor is heading the Call for Donations and can be contacted by visiting the group’s website at www.ctpg. co.uk

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Black Country trolley buses on track

The Black Country Museum has hit back at stories published on internet forums which claimed the living museum’s popular trolleybuses have been mothballed due to concerns about the presence of asbestos in the historic vehicles.

Laura Wakelin, Director of Communications and Marketing told CBW: “We identified some minor work to do on our trolley buses, which requires the removal of asbestos. We moved quickly to obtain quotes from specialist contractors. It’s now a case of getting the work done.

“As soon as that’s complete, the trolley buses will be up and running. There is no exact timescale as yet but we’re aiming to have them operational again in time for the start of the main season at Easter – if not before.

“There is certainly no fear of them not running here ever again.

The trolleybuses are an important part of the visitor experience.

Vintage buses are running but we want the trolleybuses too. We’ve got the UK’s largest trolleybus route.”

The current trolley bus fleet includes former Wolverhampton Corporation no.433 and ex Walsall no.862. Awaiting restoration is early Wolverhampton no.78, made

by Guy Motors in 1931.

Transport events taking place at the Dudley-based museum this year include the Festival of Black Country Vehicles on Sunday, July 27 and on Saturday, September 13, the Centenary of West Bromwich Buses.

RMs to be withdrawn from London’s route 9 TfL plans to withdraw the heritage journeys operated using Routemasters on route 9 from July. However, traditional Routemasters will continue to run on route 15 between Trafalgar Square and the Tower of London.

Writing on his blog (http:// leondaniels.blogspot.co.uk), Leon Daniels, MD of Surface Transport said: “Originally RMs operated daily between Aldwych and Royal Albert Hall on route 9 and between Trafalgar Square and Tower Hill on route 15.

Subsequently route 9 was recast to operate between Trafalgar Square and Kensington High

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Street and when the contracts were relet in 2010, the routes were rewarded to their original operators – First and Stagecoach.

Hence when Tower Transit acquired part of First’s London business in 2013, the operation of route 9 transferred to them.

“Route 15 has been of most value, helping with the peak hour flow into the West End while carrying tourists out to the Tower. Later in the day, it returns the tourists while again supporting the mainstream 15 during the evening peak.

At certain times of the day, an empty bus starting at Tower Hill is a huge blessing when there

are 50 or more visitors patiently waiting at Tower Hill.

“Routemasters on route 9 have not been quite so popular and the service has recently been run by the ‘New Routemasters’ in the shape of the New Bus for London. Nowadays, those travelling for leisure purposes tend to choose the new buses.

“With continued growth on our network and no new money, we reluctantly have to accept that the subsidy of over £1m for the tourist Routemasters on route 9 would be better spent elsewhere.

“The change also eliminates the conflicting arrangement whereby the conductors on traditional

Routemasters serve you at your seat and take cash, whereas the second crew member on the New Routemaster does neither.

In addition, the hand-held ticket machines which have long since passed their sell-by date can now be recycled for use on route 15.

“This also gives us the opportunity to select vehicles in the best condition, allowing them to continue to perform a useful function on route 15.”

View and respond to the consultation, which closes on March 7, at https:// consultations.tfl.gov.uk/buses/ route-9/consult_view

Janaury 29, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 19 27/01/2014 19:53

LEGAL UPDATE

Changes to combat ‘false self-employment’

Steven Meyerhoff from Backhouse Jones provides this week’s Legal Update

H

M Revenue and Customs has issued a consultation on proposed changes to the tax system to ccombat ombat so-called ‘false selfemployment.’

The proposed changes are due to come into force in April 2014.

The government’s aim is to prevent businesses qualifying for tax breaks by setting up intermediary companies to create the impression of a self-employment situation.

The Existing Test

Under the current test, payments made to agency workers by intermediary companies are taxable as employment income where there is ‘personal service’ to the end client in accordance with the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003.

The Proposed New Test The proposed new test will broaden the scope of this test and give �lexibility to HMRC to assess the true relationship between worker and user by providing that the payment of a worker’s wages will be taxed as employment income where the worker personally provides ‘or is personally involved in the provision of’ services to another and is subjected to supervision, direction or control as to his work duties.

How this will affect Agency Workers

While those workers who are contracted by a temporary work agency are likely to be paying tax in any event, the big impact of these changes will be to the sham self-employed. It will be interesting to see how the courts interpret the law in this area.

For instance, in the case of Marlen Ltd v Revenue and Customs Commissioners (2011) an arrangement existed whereby the sole Director and shareholder of a company (M) provided engineering resource support to an end user through a contract with an intermediary agency.

This is likely to be a situation the

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government is attempting to affect with these proposals.

The Revenue and Customs Commissioner interpreted this to be tax avoidance under IR35 legislation on the grounds that if the services were provided to the end user directly instead of through an intermediary company, M would have been regarded as an employee.

However, on appeal to the First Tier Tribunal (Tax Chamber) this �inding was overturned.

A signi�icant part of the reasoning related to there not being the requisite degree of ‘personal service’ and ‘mutuality of obligations’ between the parties for there to have existed an employment relationship. This was based upon M not having to work to a �ixed schedule and being able to �ind a suitably quali�ied replacement if unable to work due to sickness or injury.

With the ‘personal service’ requirement set to be relaxed under the new proposals, it might be that the income paid by the intermediary company to M will be taxable as employment income since being able to have another worker do the work on occasion would not preclude the tax legislation from applying.

If this is the case, from April 2014 businesses could be affected by the renewed impetus of HMRC to consider the relationship between workers and businesses. This could have particular impact as the penalties may result in tax and National Insurance Contributions liabilities.

Workers will also qualify to receive statutory sick pay and maternity pay. They may also be entitled to employee rights if this is re�lected in the intention of the parties, the degree of control exercised by the employer and a mutuality of obligations between the parties.

The effect of the government’s proposal will be determined when the courts consider the issue after next April. In the meantime, employers must be vigilant to ensure that they are acting within the law and complying with their tax obligations.

Case Law Update: The Agency Worker Regulations 2010 – Who qualifies as a ‘temporary’ worker?

The EAT recently considered this issue in Moran and ors v (1) Ideal Cleaning Services Ltd and (2) anor.

The Facts

The claimants were employed by the �irst respondent (ICS) and placed on a cleaning contract with the second respondent (anor) for periods of between six and 25 years before they were made redundant.

When the Agency Worker Regulations 2010 came into force, the workers brought a claim that they were agency workers falling within the scope of the regulations.

Their aim was to fall within the de�inition of an agency worker according to Regulation 3, namely, a worker ‘supplied by a temporary work agency to work temporarily for and under the supervision of a hirer’.

Their motivation for bringing this claim was to be entitled to the same basic working and employment terms as would be the case if they were employed by the second respondent directly.

The Decision

The EAT upheld the decision of the lower Tribunal in holding that the claimants could not be classi�ied as ‘temporary’ workers as required by the Regulations. It was decided that since the claimants’ working arrangement was inde�inite, it was to be regarded as a permanent contract and could not fall within the scope of the de�inition under Regulation 3.

Comment

For a worker to fall within Regulation 3 and be entitled to the protection it affords to agency workers, a worker must be ‘temporary’ according to the de�inition.

This has been interpreted to mean that the worker must have a contract which is terminable upon a condition being satis�ied, for example, when a �ixed period of www.coachandbusweek.com

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procedural fairness to employees when taking action.

Government Response Published to the Consultation on Shared Parental Leave

A driver must have a contract terminable on a set condition to qualify as a temporary worker time has elapsed or a task has been completed.

Case Law Update: Opinion of the Advocate General regarding Commission and Holiday Pay The Advocate General of the CJEU has recently published an opinion in the case of ZJR Lock v British Gas concerning the calculation of holiday pay where a worker is paid by commission.

The Facts

The case concerned a salesman whose monthly remuneration comprised two elements: basic pay and commission for sales.

During a two week Christmas holiday he received basic pay but not commission in respect of his holiday pay and brought a claim to challenge this calculation.

The Decision

The Advocate General applied Williams v British Airways and found commission to be inextricably linked to the performance of the tasks the worker was required to carry out according to his contract of employment. Thus, the employee’s commission should have been taken into account in the calculation of his holiday pay.

Comment

While the CJEU is not obliged to follow the opinion of the Advocate General, it will be regarded as persuasive when the matter is further considered; so this decision may indicate the future direction of the court.

If this ruling is followed by the www.coachandbusweek.com

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CJEU, it will conflict with the current domestic position as established in Evans v Malley Organisation. If this happens, Evans would have to be disregarded due to the over-riding impact of EU law.

Operators should keep a close eye on this situation, particularly in respect of ‘nights out allowances’ and ‘meal allowances’ which would have to be factored into any calculation of holiday pay.

In the Pipeline…

ACAS Consultation on Changes to the Right of an Employee to be accompanied at a Grievance or Disciplinary Hearing Following a recent decision of the Employment Appeal Tribunal, a consultation is under way on changes to the ACAS code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures.

The ACAS Code contains principles of best practice for employers against which their conduct will be judged at Tribunal when matters of procedural fairness and reasonableness are considered.

Section 10 of the Employment Rights Act 1999 establishes the right of a worker to be accompanied at a grievance or disciplinary hearing. The worker may be accompanied by a person of their choice provided that person falls within the categories enumerated in section 10, and they make a ‘reasonable request’.

Toal and anor v BG Oils

In Toal and anor v BG Oils, the EAT considered an employer’s

refusal to allow two workers to be accompanied by their chosen union representative at a grievance meeting on the grounds that it was not a ‘reasonable request’.

However, the EAT held that the requirement of reasonableness does not extend to the identity of the companion and the employer was not entitled to refuse the workers’ request.

The EAT also commented in the case that it believed that the ACAS Code did not accurately reflect the legal position.

Implications of this judgement

The ACAS Code currently states that it would not ordinarily be reasonable for a worker to ‘ask to be accompanied by a companion from a remote geographical location if someone suitable and willing was available on site.’

It is proposed to make clear that workers have a right to be accompanied by whoever they like at a hearing providing the person falls within the categories of section 10. It will, however, remain a ‘good practice point’ for workers in choosing their companion to have some consideration for the fairness and reasonableness of the grievance or disciplinary process itself.

While this would not be a substantial change to the Code, employers should be careful to ensure they act carefully and reasonably with regard to grievance and disciplinary practices. It is also wise for employers to continuously consult the ACAS Code to keep up to date with any amendments and ensure that they satisfy their duty of

The Children and Families Bill is currently passing through the House of Lords, with the intention that it will be passed and implemented by 2015.

Part six of the Bill concerns shared parental leave and provides for eligible mothers and their partners to have a maximum of 52 weeks maternal or paternal leave and be entitled to up to 39 weeks shared parental pay.

Under the Bill both parents will be permitted to take their allocated leave either concurrently or alternate their respective leave periods. However, all parental leave must be taken within 52 weeks following birth.

Employees will have to provide employers with notice of their intention to opt into the shared parental leave system and provide to their employer a non-binding indication of how they intend to take the leave. Notice of an intention to take any period of leave must be provided to an employer eight weeks prior to taking the leave period.

The right to return to the same job following the leave period will be maintained for employees providing the period of leave lasts 26 weeks or less in aggregate. This will remain the case even where the leave is taken in discontinuous periods.

Draft regulations will be published detailing further how the system will work prior to the bill receiving Royal Assent. n

Backhouse Jones acts for clients in the private and public sector, both national and international operators from one to several thousand vehicles.

Backhouse is absolutely “industry specific.” Whilst the company can trace its heritage to 1819 it only represented its first road transport operator in 1930. The explanation for this is that the first transport act was only introduced in 1930.

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.”

Contact 01254 828300. Visit www.backhousejones.co.uk

January 29, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 21 27/01/2014 09:06

INTRODUCTION › TRAVEL DE COURCEY

Introducing Travel de C o

T

ravel de Courcey is one of the UK’s largest independently-owned bus and coach operators. Founded in 1972 by Mike de Courcey, the family-run �irm now operates more than 130 buses and coaches from three depots across the Midlands. It runs everything from local bus services to key destinations across Coventry, Warwickshire and Leicestershire to specialist corporate transport and private hire.

Family-owned Travel de Courcey has grown rapidly in recent years. Testimony to the rate of expansion can be found by the fact that in November 2010, the �irm ran 85 vehicles. Today it’s 116. It’s grown from its headquarters on the edge of Coventry airport to open two additional depots – in Birmingham city centre and at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC). The latter 22 | COACH & BUS WEEK | January 29, 2014

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Gareth Evans sets the scene for an in-depth look at a respected Midlands independent coach and bus operator

commercial success and a is home to 10 MercedesUSEFUL INFORMATION willingness to take an industry Benz Citaros which are used Contact Travel de Courcey on lead. on services linking the car 024 7630 2656.

We’ve enjoyed talking to Mike parks with the halls, while Visit www.traveldecourcey.com de Courcey, the �irm’s founding the former is used to operate On Twitter, follow @ father. A respected industry National Express coach Traveldecourcey �igure, he’s well-known for his contracts. candidness and joviality. Indeed, In this issue we’ve followed it’s that personality combined our familiar format for with his passion for the industry which superfeatures, providing you with a snapshot undoubtedly keeps him going through life’s of the business. As you’ll read, an innovative knocks, which Mike has unfortunately had more approach has brought Travel de Courcey www.coachandbusweek.com

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In more recent times, low-floor double-deckers such as this Alexander ALX400-bodied Dennis Trident 2 have replaced step-entrance Olympians. DAVID BELLE

C ourcey than his fair share of. Among the experiences he’s shared with us are those of diversi�ication into Anglo-Irish coach services and Anglo-Irish �lights.

With Mike’s son now a key part of the business, Adrian’s experiences at high-pro�ile large companies like Shell mean he’s brought a different set of values to Travel de Courcey.

On �irst impressions, he’s quieter and more serious than his father but it soon becomes apparent that he too enjoys a spot of friendly banter. Like Mike, Adrian is passionate about his work and his home city of Coventry. Adrian is also an enthusiastic advocate of technology and to this end, talks about how it’s a key to both modal shift and giving smaller operators a competitive tool.

Our ever-popular ‘Big Picture’ features one of the Mercedes-Benz Citaros at work in its natural www.coachandbusweek.com

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SUCCESS

Success at the UK Bus Awards Travel de Courcey made its mark at the 2013 UK Bus Awards (UKBA). Most notably, it was crowned Top Express Operation, which was sponsored by Volvo Bus. UKBA judges remarked: “Travel de Courcey is a local, family-owned business which places high values on customer service and the professional integrity of its staff. At first sight its relationship with National Express looks like a David and Goliath scenario, yet the company has more than proved itself, to the extent that it is now contracted to operate well over four million miles for National Express annually.

“Not only are high-profile routes operated, but Travel de Courcey vehicles are frequently selected by National Express to represent the company in high-profile public relations events.”

Not to be outdone, the Coventry-based bus operation was awarded the title of Highly Commended in the catergory Top Shire Operator, sponsored by Ticketer.

On that note, UKBA judges descrived the firm as: “A company which has

Volvo Bus UK & Ireland MD Nick Page presents Adrian de Courcey with the trophy for the Top National Express Operation at the UK Bus Awards 2013 demonstrated that there is still place for a local, family-owned business based on traditional values but combined with industry-leading levels of service, technological innovation and a dedication to the reduction of carbon emissions. Considering the extremely rapid growth of the company over recent years, the judges were impressed that this had been achieved without losing sight of the basics of good bus operation and staff relationships, evidenced by the very high passenger satisfaction levels and extremely low staff

environment at the NEC. Mike has also shared his experiences of operating electric Optare Versas on Coventry’s park and ride service. His key message the capital cost of electric vehicles can be brought down to level comparable to the their diesel counterparts, in Mike’s words, “suddenly they become a ‘no-brainer.”

We’ve also looked at the varied �leet, which ranges from modern low �loor buses to private hire coaches, and a heritage double-decker.

With National Express coach work forming such an important part of the business, we’ve spoken to some of the team which runs the Birmingham-based operation.

Inspiring Britain

Late last year, the London Stock Exchange Group Plc announced a list of the 1,000 Companies to Inspire Britain’ – described as a celebration of some of the fastest-growing and most dynamic Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the UK. Travel de Courcey made it onto the list – joining two other respected independent operators – Norfolk Green (since acquired by Stagecoach) and Stephensons of Essex.

Companies were selected based on recent revenue, pro�it and employment growth. Travel

turnover.”

Last but by no means least, along with its partners at Coventry City Council, Centro and CENEX, Travel de Courcey was highly commended in the Environment Award catergory.

Judges were impressed with the park and ride service, its use of the UK’s first fast-charging electric buses, along with its continued commitment to reducing carbon emissions. Indeed, the judges commented “How it (the project) seems to have had a transformational impact on the company operating the service.”

de Courcey has tripled in size on all these measures over the past three years. News of being included on such a prestigious list of inspirational companies was welcomed humbly at Rowley Drive.

Charitable gestures

As a local company, Travel de Courcey feels it’s important to play a strong role in the community.

Therefore, it actively supports two local charities – Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance and Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice. It does this through donations, fundraising and vehicle branding to raise the public’s awareness of these good causes.

More awards

The �irm is no stranger to awards. In more recent times, these have included: National Express Medium Sized Operator of the Year – 2013; Customer Focused Company of the Year – 2012 (Coventry Evening Telegraph); National Express New Operator of the Year – 2012; West Midlands Sustainability Champion – 2012; Green Company of the Year - 2011 (Coventry Evening Telegraph); Business of the Year – 2010 Finalist (Coventry Evening Telegraph); and Excellence in Tourism – 2011 (Heart of England Tourism Awards). ■

January 29, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 23 27/01/2014 20:24

INTERVIEW › MIKE DE COURCEY

The founding

father

M

ike de Courcey is a well-known �igure in our industry. He’s a familiar face at key industry events such as trade shows and dinners, particularly those organised by the CPT. Indeed, the CPT West Midlands dinners have a life of their own thanks to Mike’s involvement, boosted by his charisma.

A friendly and approachable man, Mike is always easy to talk to – what one might call a typical Irishman. As a journalist, he’s also great for a quote. Yes he will call a spade a spade, but at least he’s genuine and very much down to earth.

Undoubtedly passionate about the industry, he’s devoted his life to it. That being so, he’s not the sort of person to sit back and put his feet up – retirement is not on the horizon. Mike likes his work – and I’m sure his colleagues enjoy working alongside him.

He’s had more than his fair share of knocks in life, both with the business and personally in terms of his health, but each time he’s bounced back. At the age of 52, Mike had a heart attack and at 65, a bioptic valve. In his own words, he enthused: “After each knock I come back to work.” While he will doubtless cringe at me for saying it because he’s that sort, I think Mike is inspirational.

Let’s also not forget his entrepreneurial spirit – such as the Anglo-Irish coach service and the airline which developed from that.

Gareth Evans talks to Mike de Courcey, founder of Travel de Courcey about how he got into the coach and bus industry, his experiences, the history of the �irm – and even his favourite vehicle type

CBW: How did you get into this industry?

MDC: I passed my test in 1964 in a doubledecker bus. I was working at Standard Triumph.

I drove part-time for George’s Coaches, an operator which went out of business in 1978.

At the end of 1969/70, he gave me the opportunity to join him in the business. I bought a coach and we ran eight vehicles. I worked there until the end of 1971. Our respective styles of management differed.

I started up on my own on January 1, 1972 with a single coach, a double-decker bus – and no money. Our operating centre was alongside the then family home on Sherlock Road, Coventry.

I slowly built it up from there. In about 1974/5 I bought the two-coach operation of GB Travel. I absorbed it into Mike de Courcey Travel.

On November 1, 1979 we gained possession of this two-acre site at Rowley Drive alongside the airport. It was all �ields back then. First of all we built the garage, followed by the of�ices. In Easter 1980 we moved here.

When I started up, I used to drive a lot, especially European tours. I would call my wife from Calais and she would tell me ‘I’ve got another on the way down for you with a suitcase full of clean clothes.’ We used to swap crews at Dover.

They were long days back then. Sometimes I wouldn’t go home. One time I slept in a driver’s bunk on a coach and gave a driver a right shock when I walked down the gangway as he took it out of the yard.

The business suffered a terrible blow in both �inancial and emotional terms on May 22, 1981.

Colin Lovelock, who worked here as a mechanic, set �ire to his wife, a cleaner on a coach while she was cleaning it. Their marriage as going through a rough patch. He poured petrol on her, sat on her and set her a light. I tried in vain to pull her away.

Six vehicles were destroyed. It was a very tough time in our history. We turned it around and built the business back up again. It took some years to recover from the �ire. It had a tremendous effect on everyone here – we were very close-knit.

In 1983 I bought Bob Mann’s company. He ran

Humble beginnings

CBW: How did you come to Coventry in the �irst place?

MDC:I came out of the Irish army. I had six months to decide what to do – whether to stay or leave the army. I came to Coventry for a month and stayed with a cousin. 50 years later, I’m still here.

I always remember I landed on a wet Sunday morning and by 1030hrs the following morning, I had a job. You wouldn’t get that nowadays.

There used to be a big Irish community here back. If you go up town today, I’m the only Irish accent you’ll hear.

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Mike’s favourite bus of all time is the MCW Metrobus. Training Manager Lol Jones stands by ‘LOA379X’ in August 2004 after the bus received its then new look two coaches and a pair of minibuses. Again, the operation was absorbed.

After bus deregulation, I set up some school services and over the years I’ve turned them into a network.

In 1987 I bought Central of Leamington Spa, which ran eight coaches. Two years later, I acquired Enterprise Coaches of Coventry. The �ive vehicles included one bus route. That got me into local bus service operations.

We moved into wheelchair-accessible coach hire in the 1990s. We were the �irst operator

of the NEC shuttle buses. We bought 10 new Mercedes-Benz Citaros. That gave us a third depot. The NEC is the seventh biggest conference facility in Europe. We take care of their transport needs.

We’ve diversi�ied where required. We were heavily into private hire at one time but we’re currently into contract work.

Because we have a lot of double-deckers, we’re ideally placed for mass people movements, such as student balls, university open days, sports event etc.

Here’s a little fact for you. Since I started I’ve employed over 1,700 people. I know that because of the payroll.

My longest serving employee had 29 years’ service. to do that. We got a lot of rest homes excited because wheelchair users had not been able to go out for the day. We currently run �ive wheelchair-accessible coaches.

On June 22, 2011 we moved into Birmingham to operate National Express coach contracts.

Initially we operated out of the former Veolia coach depot on Garrison Street at Bordesley Green but then moved to Miller Street on January 8, 2012.

In August 2012 we took over the operation www.coachandbusweek.com

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CBW: You’re clearly proud of your employees. Off the top of your head, do you have any facts and �igures?

MDC: Here’s a little fact for you. Since I started I’ve employed over 1,700 people. I know that because of the pay roll. My longest serving employee had 29 years’ service. Fred Brown sadly passed away last year.

Many staff have clocked up years of service with us. Most of them stay – you’ll always get

those who �lit between Travel Coventry, us and Stagecoach. That said, we’ve stopped taking them back now.

Diversi�ication

CBW: Tell us about some business trials and tribulations.

MDC: In 1985/6 I set up an airline called Destination Knock. I �lew from Coventry and Luton and then Manchester. We operated during peak holiday times. It was a time when the skies between the UK and Ireland had been deregulated.

I got caught between BA and Ryanair. I did it for three years. In the end Ryanair won – and I lost. I made a lot of money in the �irst two years but ended with an £8,000 loss. We were on the way to the High Court in Dublin. I pleaded with Tony Ryan’s two sons for us to join together. I was �illing my planes when they were not �illing their planes at the time.

I was refused landing permission at Knock.

I wasn’t going to be beaten, so I coached my passengers to Belfast.

Interestingly, Knock was an airport built by a parish priest. Everyone thought it would literally never take off but it did. It’s doing well today.

My sister in law lives in County Mayo. To help raise money, they charged people £1 to drive along the runway. The idea of running my own aircraft came to me then. I come from County Galway – the next county over.

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INTERVIEW › MIKE DE COURCEY CBW: What prompted your decision to take to the skies?

MDC: Before that, from 1980/1, I ran coaches from London to Westport, County Mayo. I ran another service linking London, Coventry, Birmingham, Liverpool and then onto the ferry.

Another coach ran from Leamington, via Coventry, Birmingham, Gloucester and then the – ferry to Cork. Leamington had a Ford factory and there was another in Cork.

National Express and CIE started on both routes a year after I did. We ran in competition for three years. I couldn’t compete on price, so I withdrew.

CBW: Are there any other memorable business ventures you’ve had a go at?

MDC: We ran open-top tours in Coventry for two years. It was seasonal. The take up didn’t justify it.

CPT involvement.

CBW: You are well known as a highly respected industry �igure. Tell us about your involvement with the CPT.

Mike started running wheelchair-accessible coaches in the 1990s

Vehicles

so appealing? You operated a large number of them in the not too distant past.

CBW: What’s been your best �leet buy?

MDC: I was elected West Midlands Chairman in 2007. I’m also on the bus and coach commissions. I �ind it most interesting and enjoy getting involved with local matters on behalf of my fellow operators. I feel I’m actively able to give independent operators a voice. I love the role. It’s a great privilege and honour to represent my fellow operators.

Our local West Midlands Regional Manager Phil Bateman and I enjoy a great relationship both personally and professionally.

CBW: What’s your view on your competitors?

MDC: We work well together. There’s enough work for us all.

MDC: On our bus side it would have to be the MCV-bodied Mercedes-Benz. They’re heaven to drive. I’m also particularly pleased with our Citaros, which have exceeded our expectations.

I’m very impressed with the backup from Evobus – it’s been outstanding.

On the coach side, it’s Volvo. The Levantes are great work horses.

CBW: What was your best ever bus buy?

MDC: Two MCW Metrobuses for £1,500 at auction. It cost £1,000 to MOT them and I sold them early last year for £3,500.

CBW: What is it about Metrobuses which is

MDC: We ran 20 of them at one point. They’re the best workhorses ever. They’re simple to work on and cheap to operate.

CBW: What was your best ever coach buy?

MDS: I don’t know because they’re so expensive.

CBW: Have you got any memorable deals?

MDC: It’s that photo there (which adorns the wall of the of�ice Adrian and Mike share).

Back in 2005 I went to see Andy Greenway at Evobus to buy a bus. As I passed John Hill’s of�ice, he said ‘I’ve got a nice second-hand Volvo for you.’ In the yard I spotted three Mercedes-Benz Touros and fell in love with

DISASTER STRUCK Disaster struck on May 22, 1981 when a mechanic set fire to his wife,who also worked for the firm, as cleaner, on a coach while she was cleaning it.

Half a dozen coaches were destroyed in the ensuing blaze at Rowley Drive depot – not to mention the emotional turmoil it brought for years afterwards.

The two photos below show the terrible aftermath. On the left, a bewildered Mike surveys the damage. One of the vehicles destroyed was his first new coach, Plaxton-bodied Ford ‘OVC2P.’ In the second photo, a fireman dampens down the gutted remains of a Plaxton coach.

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www.coachandbusweek.com

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INTERVIEW › MIKE DE COURCEY

Acquiring three Mercedes-Benz Touros from Evobus is Mike’s most memorable deal MDC: If I started today, would I do it again? Yes – because I’ve had more good than bad times.

Since I started this business, there have been so many changes. When I started here, there were 13 coach operators. Today there are three – Shaws, A-Line.

I’ve met some great characters along the way. I enjoy attending the bus and coach show, meeting old faces, such as those who have left the industry but go along to meet their acquaintances.

CBW: What are some of those changes?

Mike said his best ever bus is the MCV-bodied Mercedes-Benz, describing them as ‘heaven to drive’ them. They’re still in the �leet and will be for a while yet. Three of them went to Italy last year.

CBW: What’s the latest on your ex Coventry City Transport Daimler heritage doubledecker bus?

MDC: We’re giving it a complete overhaul this year. The windows need replacing. Some of them are probably original – they’ve got etching in them. The seats are being reupholstered and the �loor is being replaced. The engine is also being reconditioned. It will then be available again for private hire. We had it at the universities last year 28 | COACH & BUS WEEK | January 29, 2014 024_028_CBW1122_De courcey_Mike Interview.indd 28

– the Chinese were particularly fond of it. It’s also a popular choice for groups going round the pubs of rural Warwickshire.

Re�lection

CBW: Do you have any plans to retire?

MDC: No. My body would not stand the physical shock of retirement. I’ve still got my PCV licence.

Now and again I like to go out to play – I enjoy driving a bus. I’m happy doing local bus service work or coaching.

CBW: Do you have any regrets?

MDC: Customer expectations have certainly changed. They’re much higher than in the 1970s and 80s. Technology has also moved forward rapidly in the last 20 years.

I don’t feel drivers a paid enough today for all their responsibilities. HGV drivers get paid more for carrying beans – yet ours are carrying human beings.

CBW: How do vehicles today compare to those from the 1970s?

MDC: They’re light years apart. The only problem for me is there are too many electronics. Reliability is certainly better these days.

CBW: Do you have any concerns for the future?

MDC: Yes. Because of all the cutbacks, we’re trying to get away from tendered work and develop our commercial operations. ■

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INTERVIEW › ADRIAN DE COURCEY

The second

generation

W

hile his father Mike has no immediate plans to retire, Adrian is in many respects the new broom at Travel de Courcey. To continue with the cleaning analogy, while his father is a traditional Hoover in that he does a good job and is respected, Adrian is akin to a Dyson. That is to say he has modern, fresh ideas, gets a kick out of innovation and is always eager to develop things for the future. Contrary to �irst impressions, Adrian can be feisty when pushed. He’s certainly no pushover. He gets very animated at times.

He’s passionate about what he does and I for one know he works long hours, having received emails and text messages relating to this feature late into the evening.

Childhood

“As a child, the depot was in Sherlock Road, Coventry. Our house was alongside, so I grew up on site. The business would always be discussed at the family dinner table. I learned the names of the drivers and played with their children.

Our families all socialised. I used to answer the phone too throughout growing up.

When you grow up with the business, you see the good and the bad – such as people not

Gareth Evans talks to Adrian de Courcey, Mike de Courcey’s son, who armed with his experiences of working for multi-nationals, is driving the family-owned �irm forward, while continuing the entrepreneurial spirit he has pursued since its inception turning up and cash-�low.

“Rowley Drive became our base. We were much smaller back then. The location was perfect but to help pay for itself, we sub-let part of it to third parties. The early 1980s was a very dif�icult period for the business.

“Colin Lovelock set �ire to his wife on a coach while she was cleaning it. He poured petrol on her, sat on her and set her a light. Dad tried in vain to pull her away. Thanks to deregulation,

the 1980s was a boom time for other coach and bus operators – but for us it was tough.

“We didn’t get into bus deregulation as our business was being rebuilt. For us bus deregulation came in the 1990s and has grown over time. The bus side has grown from just schools to more or less entirely commercial work. We have a small tendered network and focus far more on developing commercial operations especially in this environment.

Travel de Courcey achieved an impressive 96% in Passenger Focus research into customer satisfaction. Particular praise is regularly received from customers on the high-profile X6 Coventry to Leicester service. TONY HUNTER 30 | COACH & BUS WEEK | January 29, 2014 030_034_CBW1122_De courcey_Adrian Interview.indd 30

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Career

“I’m a little shy at times,” admitted Adrian when asked about his career. “I worked for Shell in the UK, Holland, Germany, Switzerland, China and the USA on projects. I learned presentation skills and I worked with some smart people. I also learnt about risk management and the �inancial side in big companies. I’m probably more numbers savvy than some.

“My �irst degree was in Economics. I won a European Union-funded scholarship to do a Masters in Economics and I also have an MBA. “I moved back to the UK because my parents became ill. Mum had cancer and dad had a heart bypass. Being an only child, it was my duty to tend to them.”

Adrian continued: “People perceive me as being maybe more different to my father on �irst impressions but once you get to know us, we’re actually very similar. We have had different experiences in life.

“The danger in family business is you can get the next generation who swing in and out of nightclubs – but I’m not that sort. Work is a key part of me – I admit I don’t always get enough sleep.

“In this industry you will see a smart, clued up second generation. Richard Grey, Simon Dew and Roddy Perryman are prime

People perceive me as being maybe more different to my father on first impressions but once you get to know us, we’re actually very similar. examples. They’re very grounded people – you can tell they’ve been brought up well. In a family business, it’s about building trust and relationships.

As is so often the case, a person’s experiences shape their attitudes and beliefs – and Adrian is no exception. “I’ve been lucky to have some great mentors, such as a boss I learned an awful lot from. To me it’s the people you learn from – and it’s vital to continue learning.

“Alan Shearer said you’re only as good as your last match. We make mistakes each day but as a business, we’re only as good as our last service.

“We mustn’t forget that in this industry, the majority of operators have very high customer satisfaction ratings, which I feel is a great credit to them. Retailers would kill for the high customer satisfaction scores achieved by many bus operators and they don’t have to battle with road traf�ic like we do every day. I think our industry is poor at going out and telling the public – and especially the proportion who don’t use public transport – what a good job bus and coach operators up and down the length and breadth of the UK every day. www.coachandbusweek.com

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THE MANAGEMENT TEAM

Seen from left to right are: Niloofar Berenji, Sue Nicklin, Chris Savage, David Jones, Adegboyega Kayode, Paul Dadzis, Adrian de Courcey, and John Bowns There have been a number of changes in the firm in recent times. According to Adrian, the business is now “more professional, enjoys better use of technology and is more ambitious.”

He continued: “Because our risk has increased, we’re also more risk averse. We’re not interested in winning work at the lowest cost. We’ve gained many contracts by offering a value-for-money through a high quality and reliable product than simply being the lowest on cost.

“We’ve got a strong management team here.

A finance colleague also has an MBA and blue chip business experience.

The management team has been strengthened substantially with suitably qualified individuals, many of whom are from larger operators, which enables the company to keep its entrepreneurial spirit alive, combined with the best practices of bigger companies.

This includes Chris Savage (Scheduling Manager), Adegboyega Kayode (Company Accountant), Dave Jones (Driver Training Officer – Coventry), Sue Nicklin (Contracts) Craig Boiling (Fleet Engineer), Dave Tye (Engineering Manager – Birmingham ), Les Buttler (Compliance Officer), Paul Godwin (Depot Manager - Birmingham), Roy Pearson (Driver Training Officer - Birmingham), Rob Walker (Network Standards - Birmingham) and Paul Dadzis (Operations Supervisor - Coventry).

Adrian is keen to stress “it’s very much a team effort.” Adrian described John Bowns, Head of Operations as: “Brilliant, very detail orientated, with knowledge as a massive strength.” John trained to be an electrician, before started in the road passenger transport industry as a coach driver.

John took up his story: “I enjoyed driving.

I came into operations as an assistant and really developed from there. The company has always been very supportive in helping stretch and develop me. Mike and Adrian are very easy to get along with and together a huge amount has been achieved over the years.”

An experienced scheduler has also been recruited in the shape of Chris Savage. In Adrian’s words, “Chris’ job is very important.”

Chris said: “I started at Hants & Dorset in 1978. I worked at Travel West Midlands, before being posted to Travel London. This meant a daily commute from the Midlands, which was tiring. I moved to Veolia Transport. It was great to start off with – there was a lot of enthusiasm. National Express was stable but nothing was built in for fleet replacement, which meant that when the contracts came up for renewal, there were no resources for new vehicles. Veolia was a significant player on the NX network.

“When Travel de Courcey took over the National Express coach contracts from Veolia Transport, I assisted with the transition. I moved to FirstGroup for the Olympics, before spending eight months at Oldham depot. An opportunity then arose here.”

Commenting on his role in Coventry, Chris added: “It’s been very much a case of hitting the ground running. As always when I joined a new company, I love the challenge of new networks, routes and duties.”

Operations Supervisor Paul Dadzis is very much the office Bantermeister at Rowley Drive. Coventry born and bred, his dry sense of humour and quick witted nature mean he’s got the right traits to handle the stresses of the traffic office, or despatch as it’s known here.

“I deal with despatch, drivers, passengers and accounts,” enthused Paul.

“I’ve recently returned to the company but was previously employed here for 14 years. In the last six months, the challenges I’ve found have included the introduction of the Driver CPC, which I feel is a barrier to recruitment.

My wife Laura works here as a driver. It’s a family business. Travel de Courcey is a very good place to work. From the MD to Linda the cleaner, everyone is treated the same.”

He was not wrong when he said: “Friendly banter rubs off on everyone. It goes across the company. If our drivers are unhappy, it rubs off on our passengers.”

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INTERVIEW › ADRIAN DE COURCEY

Travel De Courcey was the first UK operator run electric buses on a large scale. DAVID BELL

Coventry – the place to be?

“As Coventry has grown, we’ve developed services around the city,’ explained Adrian. “The city has expanded around new developments, which in the past 20 years have come around the periphery. We’ve targeted popular parts – such as the RICOH Arena (used for football matches at the 2012 Olympics), Cross Point Business Park and UHCW (University Hospital Coventry Warwickshire). The RICOH Arena development is home to one of the UK’s largest Tesco Extras – it’s their beacon store. There are a lot of big names and anchor stores there too – including Next, New Look and Frankie & Benny’s. Cross Point is home to a number of call centres and distribution warehouses – and a multiscreen cinema is also on site. We link �ive hospitals, including the UHCW at Walsgrave, Leicester Royal In�irmary, St Cross Hospital in

PHILOSOPHY

Mission Statement Travel de Courcey are committed to being recognised by our key stakeholders as the best passenger transport provider in the Warwickshire, West Midlands and Leicestershire areas. Committed to ensuring a safe, friendly and flexible service in the most environmentally efficient manner; dedicated to meeting the needs of all our customers and employees.”

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A proud statistic is we’ve been profitable for every year we’ve been in business – even following the fire.

Rugby, George Elliot at Nuneaton, and over a 100 GP practices and health centres across our network.

“The centre of Coventry is not such a draw as it was in the 1980s. It does have a bad image, which I feel is grossly unfair. Jaguar Land Rover is headquartered in Coventry, along with two leading universities and a famous cathedral.

“Coventry was the �irst place to have city centre Ikea store. Leeds overshadows Bradford in the same way Birmingham does for Coventry.

Coventry is one of the UK’s largest cities. Thanks to immigration, Coventry has an excellent demographic pro�ile.”

Adrian is passionate about his home city.

Indeed, he sits on the board of the Local Enterprise Partnership for local businesses.

There is a separate seat on a Local Enterprise Committte for transport operators which is shared with Travel Coventry.

Adrian described the city’s other principal bus operator, National Express Group’s Travel Coventry as “a good quality competitor.” “They know what they’re doing,” he added.

Looking ahead to the future in both the medium and long-term, Adrian said Coventry has been successful in winning European Union funding. The Friargate development around the railway station is a prime example.

“It’s a massive, transformational scheme,” he enthused.

“Another is Coventry Gateway, a £250m scheme to create 14,000 new jobs at what will be a logistics and high technology hub. Coventry is in the so-called ‘golden triangle’ around the M1-M6.

“Coventry city-centre has been hit hard by the recession but it’s now starting to reap the bene�its. On the ‘fast’ Virgin West Coast main line trains, it’s only 54 minutes from Euston.

You’re close to London and Birmingham and Manchester is relatively easy to reach. Coventry is geographically well-connected, has signi�icant talent pools and is a far cheaper place to do business than other cities.”

Asked about the future, Adrian said: “This company has grown steadily. A proud statistic is we’ve been pro�itable for every year we’ve been in business – even following the �ire. My goals for 2014 are for us to simply be the best at what we do.”

Business hallmarks

What has Adrian brought to the business?

Being the extremely modest individual that he is, Adrian is keen not to over trumpet and take credit for some of changes and developments which have occurred since he joined the family

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INTERVIEW › ADRIAN DE COURCEY

Traffilog, which Adrian can’t praise enough, was introduced to the fleet when the firm started operating National Express coach work. This Levante is seen near Victoria Coach Station in London while working a journey to Coventry �irm. “A lot of growth has happened since I’ve joined but I must stress it’s not all down to me by any means,” he said.

However, Adrian admits he has brought a sharper focus on numbers, a good understanding of cost models, built strong relationships with banks, introduced KPIs and metrics. “We’re also using technology a lot more.”

Hallmarks of the business include: ● Customer Service Travel de Courcey achieved 96% in Passenger Focus research, among the highest in our industry.

Adrian enthused: “What does customer service mean to us? It starts with recruitment and getting the basics right. We try to get drivers who are friendly, who can strike up a rapport. If a driver smiles and greets a passenger, it can make their day. We compete not only on price and our network but also on customer service, vehicle cleanliness, on-board WiFi and drivers who are strong communicators.” ● Employee Focus The �irm employs 293 people. “We know many of them by name. When they join us, they tend to stay,” said Adrian. ● Technology Savvy “You can manage everything using Traf�ilog – apart from saying ‘hi’ to customers,” Adrian enthused. “Traf�ilog is a game changer. Each morning we check the scores. We analyse them and grade each driver on acceleration, turning and braking. We pay bonuses based on green and gold. Zero is a perfect score. We’ve currently got 31 drivers with a perfect score, and 13 at gold (0-10). The system is used at our depots in Birmingham, Coventry and the NEC. “Green and gold means a nice smooth drive, reduced insurance risk, less vehicle wear and 34 | COACH & BUS WEEK | January 29, 2014 030_034_CBW1122_De courcey_Adrian Interview.indd 34

tear and improved customer experience.

“We go out to recruit the best drivers. Traf�ilog plays a key part in that. Safety is absolutely paramount, is and always will be our top priority – Traf�ilog is one of the most effective tools we use to manage risk. As a our business has expanded, our risk has increased. Traf�ilog allows us to measure our metrics and KPIs more accurately.”

M-commerce and m-ticketing is very important. This is about modal shift – you can only do that by widening the customer base. ● Innovation Adrian was not wrong when he observed: “For a small family-run operator, we’re genuinely innovative.”

He added: “We offer free WiFi on some services.

We were the �irst operator in the UK to run electric buses on a large scale. It’s satisfying that we often get visits from Arriva, RATP and First – indeed, almost all the large operators.

We’ve also been visited by representatives from the Government of Gibraltar, York City Council Transport for Greater Manchester, the Swiss Canton of Berne and the Norwegian Government.

“We also use Nano Technology fuel particulate Envirox, we recycle the water from our bus

washes – plus of course, we run electric buses and use Traf�ilog.

“We manage risk well for a small company.

We’ve done some pretty ambitious things.”

Continuing on the subject of innovation, Adrian said: “If we’re to be successful, we’ve got to be constantly innovating to increase the attractiveness of our services to customers.

“M-commerce and m-ticketing is very important. This is about modal shift – you can only do that by widening the customer base.

Traditionally customers are school children and OAPs. We need to appeal to a wider cross-section of the market to help us build a long-term sustainable business. With m-ticketing there are also cash-�low and cost ef�iciency bene�its.

“Technology is crucial because it levels the playing �ield. We operate in a market which, since deregulation, has been dominated by companies achieving a competitive advantage through scale.

That’s why it’s so prone to mergers. Technology is one way which allows a more nimble company to survive and thrive.”

He added: “Our mission statement means we need passengers to think they’re going by bus because they want to rather than have to. This is where I’m different to dad. He’d be sceptical about a mission statement but I view it as a guiding principle. We as a company need to know what we’re about and how to achieve it.”

Adrian recognises the importance of social media, but seemed to think that Twitter was a more effective tool for driving growth than Facebook. His views on technology go beyond simply social media and are more focused on how technology can be used throughout the company to streamline processes and make the travel experience easier and better for customers. ■ www.coachandbusweek.com

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THE BIG PICTURE An easily forgotten part of the Travel de Courcey operation is that which is based at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC). Launched during Euro Bus Expo 2012, the 10-strong fleet of dedicated Mercedes-Benz Citaros is used by firm to provide the onsite shuttle bus service. Acquired through Coventry-based dealer EvoBus UK, the impressive, modern two-door buses can carry 101 passengers between car parks, hotels and the exhibition halls.

Onboard technology includes Synectics digital CCTV with remote monitoring, and the Traffilog driver management and monitoring system. This scene was caught on camera by Gareth Evans later on the afternoon of October 2, 2013. Fleet number 2001, which is registered ‘BD12OVF,’ is pictured working the shuttle to North Car Parks 2 – 7.

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INSIGHT › ELECTRIC BUSES One of the three Optare Versa EVs from the Coventry South park-and-ride operation. DAVID BELL

Electric Versas �it for duty

O

ptare Versa EVs have been given a characteristic ‘thumbs up’ for their performance on the Coventry park and ride operation run by Travel de Courcey.

A successful bid to the Green Bus Fund secured the acquisition of the three fully electric buses which have now been in operation for around a year and a half. Despite some unforeseen lengthy delays in the planned delivery of the 11.1m Versa EVs they have now settled in and provide relatively fuss-free service.

Mike de Courcey said: “Everybody likes them.

There’s no doubt they are very expensive vehicles and you always have risk of new technology being somewhat unreliable, but apart from a few teething troubles they have been very good.

‘Green’ experiences

“We burned out the traction motors because they were just not powerful enough. Optare 38 | COACH & BUS WEEK | January 29, 2013

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Martin Cole talks to Mike de Courcey about the threestrong �leet of Optare Versa EVs which are dedicated to Coventry’s park-and-ride service. replaced them with more powerful motors and we’ve had no bother from the drive system at all since then. They are being monitored very closely and occasionally they are returned to Optare for modi�ications. For instance, they came with 56 batteries but have since had some taken away and now there’s just 50. I believe this is to become the standard speci�ication for all new Versa EVs. It may be possible to get the number reduced – which will be good news as it will shed some weight. I think they are as good as you will ever get with new technology.

“We get such good feedback from them too.

The council is obviously delighted it has a made

a strong environmental statement while the public response has been extremely positive and the drivers just love them. We have noticed they deplete the batteries faster in winter – but you have the lights on longer and the heaters turned up – so it is to be expected. What I have been extremely pleased about is the apparent lack of tyre wear.”

Environmentally friendly buses were a requisite for the park and ride contract which is sited in the War Memorial Park just off Kenilworth Road. Public parking at the site is free and passengers pay fares to hop on the bus into town. To emphasise their zero emission www.coachandbusweek.com

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Mike de Courcey - so pleased with the Versa he bought some more

capability they have been given a green livery, they have e-Leather upholstered seating and wood-effect �looring material was speci�ied to help promote a ‘natural’ theme. Each bus does nine runs from the site into town and back per day.

Because of their limited range (around 65-70 miles on a full charge) two are in service while one is charging. The process ensures there is always suf�icient charge aboard the buses to complete their working day (0730 – 1830 hrs) and return to the base in Rowley Drive.

Once on-site they are put through the wash and placed on a dedicated area of concrete standing where they can be plugged into to the charging system and given a steady overnight charge. The on-site system turns itself off when the batteries are fully charged – a full recharge takes six hours.

Power for the system was brought in separately and required building a small structure to house the transformer. It has been www.coachandbusweek.com

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No mistaking the environmental messages here

The charge display on the Versa’s dash

located in an unobtrusive position behind the main of�ices and adjacent to the exit gate from the yard.

During the day, drivers are encouraged to keep a close eye on the battery condition monitor in the dashboard display. Condition is depicted by a vertical stack of white bars which gets smaller as the stored energy is diminished. If it get down to just two bars – which suddenly turn from white to red as a visual warning, it is time to return the vehicle to base to ensure it doesn’t deplete its stored energy completely and become stranded.

Public parking at the War Memorial Park includes a number of dedicated bays for electric cars, allowing the owners to plug-in and top up their batteries while shopping or at work in the city. The charging facility at the park and ride site is somewhat unusual. Due to the environmental sensitivity in the area and even though the park and ride contributes substantially to reducing city traf�ic, it was

felt putting in planning application to do the roadworks required to bring power from the west side of Kenilworth Road to east side, would attract considerable local objection and either cause delay to implementing the use of electric buses or take up considerable time in challenging the objection. It was decided to carry out the work �irst and put in the necessary applications later. One lane was closed late on a Friday night while half the cable was laid.

The other half was completed on the Saturday night and the job all �inished and cleared up by Sunday morning as if nothing had happened. As War Memorial Park is a conservation area, great care was taken not to damage tree roots while laying the cable.

However, the supply would not support the size of cable needed to transfer power from a single 50kvA charge point to the vehicle and so two 25kvA charger units had to be installed.

A cable from each one attaches to the bus to deliver what it should be able to get from just

January 29, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 39 27/01/2014 16:01

INSIGHT › ELECTRIC BUSES

One of three 11.1m Optare Versa EVs operated by Mike de Courcey Travel on Coventry South park and ride

Two inputs were required for fast charging and the red socket is for slow overnight charge

Slow charging overnight takes six hours one. It also means the buses are forced to carry an additional charging socket – making three in all – two for interim charging at the site and one for the overnight charge at the depot.

The charging units were sourced from ABB Terra in the Netherlands and are monitored and controlled from there. If there is a power failure and the system needs to be reset or reprogrammed it is all done remotely from Holland. They can fully charge a bus in two hours.

Out on the road

Accompanying Mike de Courcey on a round trip to experience the electric journey, it was clear the passengers aboard the service were enjoying the quiet environment. Yes, there is some whining from the electric drive, compressor and pumps in addition to road noise, but the low comparative sound level means it’s easy to chat. The passenger environment is very pleasant too. Seating is comfortable and legroom adequate. The colours co-ordinate nicely and the interiors were litterfree and very clean.

Overall, the Versa gave a very pleasant ride into the centre of Coventry and back. It displayed there was suf�icient power on tap to 40 | COACH & BUS WEEK | January 29, 2014 038_40_CBW1122_De courcey_Electric.indd 40

Small sub-station at the depot for overnight charging clear junctions smartly and accelerate away smoothly. With no gearbox in the driveline there are no gearchanges – so the drive feels ultrasmooth. Most of the braking is done using the regenerative braking system. Removing the right foot from the accelerator initiates the process, reversing the function of the drive and turning the motors into alternators. This effectively slows the bus considerably and the power generated is transferred to the battery storage system and restores some of the charge used when driving.

It helps keep the battery charge level up and extends the range of the vehicle.

I found the journey experience pleasant and there was little, if anything, to criticise. Another nice touch was the voice announcement system aboard the buses. It seemed an ideal addition for visitors to the city who may �ind it easy to locate a park and ride site – yet not know whereabouts in the city to alight.

Conclusion

Overall, Mike said he was very satis�ied with the Versa EV. “They don’t take much looking after and I’ve spent nothing on spare parts for them at all. I never expected perfection with such new technology but they have proved much better than I thought they would be. Another bene�it

The electric drive unit is contained in a standard Optare powertrain module is apparent lack of tyre wear. I also didn’t expect I would ever buy Optare Versas, but based on how well these have gone I bought a few dieselengined examples for another job.

It’s still very early days with the Versas having only been operating a year and a half but if the current level of reliability is maintained it bodes well for the wider application of full electric buses. There are currently many niche operations where they can perform their duties just as well as any conventional bus with the bonus of being completely emission free and very quiet. In years to come, as power management improves and battery technology is advanced, the range and �lexibility of EVs will increase their suitability for application to wider and more challenging duty cycles.

The key de�initive is currently the buses each cost around £14 per day in electricity. If they were diesel buses they would each be consuming around 125 litres of fuel. Bring the unit cost of electric buses down to a similar level as their diesel counterparts and suddenly they become a ‘no-brainer’ and I have little doubt operators would soon �ind plenty of applications for them and reserve the diesel buses for the longer routes and more challenging duties. ■ www.coachandbusweek.com

27/01/2014 16:01

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Vital skills for success

Courses on Network and Timetable Planning Bus and Crew Scheduling

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January 29, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 41

FLEET PROFILE

A top quality lineup

An MCV Evolution-bodied MAN 14.220

James Day compiles the complete Travel de Courcey �leet pro�ile

A

ccording to the information supplied, Travel de Courcey has 116 vehicles on its books. This �igure includes 42 coaches, of which 27 are Caetano Levantebodied Volvo B9Rs used on National Express work, 70 buses and two preserved heritage vehicles, including a Coventry Corporation Metro-Cammell-bodied Daimler, which is believed to be the oldest surviving example of its kind.

Listings include quantity, body type, chassis type and year of �irst registration.

5 Alexander ALX400 Dennis Trident 2 (1999) 4 Alexander ALX400 Dennis Trident 2 (2000) 4 Alexander ALX400 Dennis Trident 2 (2002) 2 Alexander RH Leyland Olympian (1988) 14 Caetano Levante Volvo B9R (2011) 2 Caetano Levante Volvo B9R (2012) 11 Caetano Levante Volvo B9R (2013) 4 East Lancs Cityzen Scania N113DRB (1996) 1 Jonckheere Mistral Volvo B12M (2001) 1 LDV Convoy (2001) 2 Marcopolo Viaggio MAN 18.360 (2006) 1 Marcopollo Viaggio III MAN 18.360 (2007) 1 Marcopollo Viaggio III MAN 18.360 (2008) 1 Marcopolo Viaggio III MAN A91 (2009) 1 Marshall C39 CapitalBus Dennis Dart SLF (2001) 1 Marshall Leyland Leopard (1972) 9 MCV Evolution MAN 14.220 (2004) 2 MCV Evolution MAN 14.220 (2005) 4 MCV Evolution MAN 14.220 (2006) 9 MCV Evolution MAN 14.220 (2007) 2 MCV Evolution 2 Mercedes-Benz OC500 (2012) 2 MCW Metrobus (1982) 1 Mercedes-Benz Citaro (2004) 10 Mercedes-Benz Citaro (2012) 1 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (2003) 7 Mercedes-Benz Touro (2002-06) 1 Metro-Cammell Daimler CVG6 (1958) 2 Optare Olympus Scania N230UD4 (2010) 1 Optare Tempo (2007) 3 Optare Versa EV (2012) 3 Optare Versa V1100 (2012) 2 Plaxton Premiere 350 Volvo B10M (1998) 2 Plaxton Verde Volvo B10B (1995)

The information in this �leet pro�ile was sourced from http://wmbusphotos. com/DeCourcey/�leetlist.html and correct at time of publication.

42 | COACH & BUS WEEK | January 29, 2014 042_043_CBW1122_De courcey_Fleet.indd 42

One of 10 Mercedes-Benz Citaros used at the NEC

A 54-plate Mercedes-Benz Citaro, the only Citaro not used at the NEC in Birmingham www.coachandbusweek.com

27/01/2014 18:05

Travel de Courcey’s heritage vehicles: a Metro-Cammell-bodied Daimler CVG6 which is quite a rarity, and a Marshall-bodied Leyland Leopard Two of three electric Optare Versas used on the Southern Park and Ride in Coventry, seen at the launch in 2012

The ‘Harry Coach,’ a Caetano Levante-bodied Volvo B9R

One of Travel de Courcey’s three diesel Optare Versas www.coachandbusweek.com

042_043_CBW1122_De courcey_Fleet.indd 43

A Marcopolo Viaggio III MAN 18.360, used for private hire.

All six Marcopolos in the fleet have wheelchair lifts January 29, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 43 27/01/2014 18:05

PROFILE › BIRMINGHAM DEPOT

A �lawless trans f James Day visits Travel de Courcey’s Miller Street Depot in Birmingham to learn more about its award-winning National Express contract coach operation

Travel de Courcey operates a coach with a Harry Moseley livery as part of its PR work for National Express

44 | COACH & BUS WEEK | January 29, 2014 044_048_CBW1122_De courcey_Nat Ex.indd 44

www.coachandbusweek.com

27/01/2014 14:52

s formation W

hile the bulk of Travel de Courcey’s services are in and around Coventry, the company also has a coaching operation based on Miller Street in Birmingham, primarily running National Express contracts. As it turns out, this coaching operation is one of the most successful in the entire National Express network.

After arriving at Birmingham New Street station, where I met Depot Manager Paul Goodwin (27) and Network Standards Manager Rob Walker, I was given a particularly warm welcome when we were picked up in one of the company’s Caetano Levantes, driven

by Driver Training Of�icer Roy Pearson. The destination blind read ‘Welcome James Day CBW,’ which was certainly a pleasant surprise.

After taking a few pictures and a short journey on board a coach with a very modern well looked after interior, we arrived at Miller Street.

The depot is home to 28 Caetano Levantes and a single Marcopolo, which is used for National Express work but not branded – a spare. Travel de Courcey’s 10 Citaros used at the NEC are also maintained from Birmingham. The depot is quite small considering it is the effective base of almost 40 vehicles, but since the majority of them are out day and night, only returning for fuel or maintenance, it’s very rare to have a large number parked up there.

The depot employs 92 full time drivers plus casuals. There are four engineers and a manager, four cleaners and six fuel shunters.

Another cleaner is based at Digbeth Coach Station, since there is not always time to get the vehicle back to the depot, but it is important to keep the standard high for the next load of passengers boarding.

The depot has a 50,000 litre tank, which is topped up daily. Roughly 5,500 litres of diesel are issued per day. As soon as the coaches return, they are washed, cleaned, fuelled.

Coaches are kept fully topped-up, in case they need to cover another service.

Transformation

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044_048_CBW1122_De courcey_Nat Ex.indd 45

Travel de Courcey took on the National Express contract relatively recently. Roy talked me through his history in the industry, which also explained the origins of the operation quite nicely.

“I started in the bus industry about 40 years ago as a conductor,” he explained. “It was a municipal operator then – Birmingham City Transport. The only operator was the council. I was part of a two man driver conductor team, which was in the process of becoming one man driver.

“For there I became an inspector, looking after monetary services in the of�ices. Within that time I saw quite a lot of change.

“The local company was taken over by National Express, which had both bus and coach divisions. I transferred from bus to coach, operating the 420 service to London Victoria. While they were rebuilding the coach station (Digbeth) the work was franchised out.

It was Veolia who took the on the work, so I transferred from National Express to Veolia.

“It wasn’t really that good an operator. It took

January 29, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 45 27/01/2014 14:52

PROFILE › BIRMINGHAM DEPOT

L-R: Roy Pearson, Driver Training Officer; Rob Walker, Network Standards Manager and Paul Goodwin, Depot Manager on the work as a �ive year contract, but after four years they couldn’t cope and handed it back.

There was a lot of lost mileage and breakdowns.

The business didn’t have much of an idea how to operate either bus or coach.

“When it was handed back from National Express, they put it out to tender and Travel de Courcey took over.

“It hit the ground running. Travel de Courcey is engineering and compliance minded and put trust in us to turn the operation into what it is today.

“In 2011 we won Best Incoming Operator at National Express’ own awards. The award was created for Travel de Courcey speci�ically because National Express felt our performance warranted an award.”

In April 2013, another operator who

PROFILE

Paul Goodwin Paul studied Public Service at college, with the intention of joining the fire service.

Unfortunately, they were not recruiting when he left college, so he instead got a role in the offices at Travel West Midlands, before being made redundant in December 2008.

For a spell, Paul did a bit of pub work, doing some extra work on weekends to build his portfolio, before joining Veolia in the office.

When Veolia dropped its National Express work, Paul spoke to Travel de Courcey, who showed an interest in him. He became Depot Supervisor before being promoted to Depot Manager in January, 2013. In the time since Paul took this role, the number of vehicles at the depot has doubled.

“I’ve gained a lot through the support from high management,” Paul said. “None of us here pull rank, we’re all equal. It’s a strong team which works together very well.”

46 | COACH & BUS WEEK | January 29, 2014 044_048_CBW1122_De courcey_Nat Ex.indd 46

Our James was given a warm welcome on pick-up at Birmingham New Street unfortunately, faced service quality issues pulled out of their contract with National Express. In an overnight transition, Travel de Courcey took on the work, causing the size of the operation to double overnight. The work had to continue straight away, since the previous operator would have had coaches going out at 0700hrs in the morning.

“National Express do get the services which they’re paying for,” Roy said.

“We’re audited by National Express every year, but we check quality ourselves daily. As a result, we ‘exceed compliance.’ You have to do A, B and C, but we do D as well.

“Dealing with complaints is a good example of what we do extra. Some are for our reference only which we don’t have to act on, but we do anyway.”

The potency of Travel de Courcey’s National Express operation has not gone unnoticed outside of the company’s own awards. It won best express coach operator in the UK at the 2013 UK Bus Awards, up against �irms like megabus. Travel de Courcey won it for its National Express operation speci�ically, the �irst time any operation within the network has won the award. Mike de Courcey was there to collect the award, as the team could not attend – operations came �irst.

Travel de Courcey is currently at Gold standard on the National Express evaluation table, meaning the driving, cleanliness and complaints levels have scored 95% or better.

“It’s a very small buffer,” Rob said. “With two or three coaches it’s much easier to achieve, but with such a large depot and �leet it took a large amount of work.

“It only takes one driver being off to knock you out of the gold standard.”

Traf�ilog

All of the National Express network uses the Traf�ilog system, but Travel de Courcey is the only operator in the National Express network to achieve 100% green and gold status for

drivers on the system. This is quite a feat, with 92 drivers driving an average of 2,600 miles per month each.

“National Express’ own operations have not achieved that,” Roy said. “They keep asking us how do we do it, because they can’t.

“It’s a trade secret!” he joked.

Traf�ilog by default produces fortnightly reports, with all drivers starting off at gold level.

Depending on their driving techniques, they can move down chart, with the rating at the end determined by number of events per miles driven. Once a new fortnight starts, all drivers are reset to gold again.

The issue with this was it could be a week before the results appeared at the end of a fortnight, meaning drivers could be halfway through the following fortnight, using the same driving techniques which saw them penalised earlier, before they had the opportunity to correct themselves. They were unaware as to whether they were in the gold or in the red.

“Other operators didn’t take it as seriously as we did. I got involved with Traf�ilog and found out a bit more about how to use and operate it,” Roy explained.

“Instead of waiting for the fortnightly report, I did it myself. I extracted the information from Traf�ilog and put the scores up daily.

“Once drivers were able to see how they were getting them on, and we could speak to them and help them change what they were doing wrong, it changed virtually overnight.

“Drivers had the opportunity to change their driving.”

While there were concerns at �irst that it could cause con�lict to display names and grades for all to see, in reality, it seems to have merely created friendly competition and banter between the drivers.

“When a driver gets six months in gold, they’re passionate about it,” Paul said.

“It can really work in their favour for further employment, as the driver can show an operator how good they are. We Are always www.coachandbusweek.com

27/01/2014 14:52

keen to celebrate our success with more and more drivers in Gold and we have even had periods where 100% of our drivers have been Gold, which is an incredible achievement.

“We keep records of their grades from start to leaving, so their next employer knows exactly who they’re employing.

“It’s almost like a passport or CV. There’s nothing else which will do it.

“We use this with recruitment too when a driver moved up to Birmingham from Dover, from another operator which is part of the National Express network.

“It can contribute to whether we take them on.”

“Its been excellent and far exceeded our expectations,” Rob added.

“It’s about encouraging safer driving and trying to improve styles. Rather than telling drivers they’re out the door if they don’t improve, we teach them to improve.”

Other advantages which were highlighted included the system’s tracking. It means complaints about poor driving can be disproved by examining the evidence, speed tracking can deal with inaccurate speeding �ines and the control room can see an instant visual display of

THE DEPOT

exactly where a vehicle is. Tracking information viewable by coach passengers is also fed by the Traf�ilog system.

Paul said: “Traf�ilog provides visual tracking, which we can view on big screen with Google Maps integration. If there is an accident disrupting the roads, we can work out exactly where it is and guide the driver around it.

“If we want to we can look at the vehicle’s dashboard. If a vehicle is coming into Birmingham and Digbeth needs coach to go to Manchester, we can see if it has enough fuel to go straight there. We can even look at the gearbox or the battery.”

Geofencing is another feature which Travel de Courcey makes use of, whereby arti�icial boundaries can be set up to stop coaches moving into areas which they shouldn’t. The operator has an agreement with some London residents to not send coaches down certain streets. The system �lags if a coach has moved through the geofence, letting management know.

“Those are people who travel with us, so in effect it’s helping to keep passengers happy,” Rob stated.

2

5

4 1

6

7

Many in our industry will have heard of the name Miller Street in Birmingham – for passenger transport has literally flowed through its heart for years.

While it may be a familiar location, it’s not so easy to picture whereabouts exactly Travel de Courcey’s depot is to be found. Therefore, it was felt this explanatory image, courtesy of Google, would be invaluable in putting the site into context, while also rekindling memories for some of you.

Bordered by the A34 on the left and the A4540 Newtown

www.coachandbusweek.com

044_048_CBW1122_De courcey_Nat Ex.indd 47

Rob Walker Rob started at Travel West Midlands about 11 years ago as a service driver. He moved over to Veolia in 2007 when they took the National Express contract.

He moved over to do fuel shunting and work on the presentation side of the vehicles. “When you’re a driver you can see that this or that needs doing but you haven’t got the time to do it,” he said.

From there, Rob moved to the engineering side of the business, conducting minor repairs. He stayed with the operation when it was taken over by Travel de Courcey, and applied to be a Traffic Controller in February 2012.

Later, the Operations Manager took the decision to bring him upstairs to help bring the standard of vehicle back into line.

“Nobody has a job title upstairs,” Rob said.

“Really if something needs doing it gets done.”

“We are all very focused on OPN Traf�ilog and performance from the top down.” Paul added.

“However it’s important to remember that while it highlights issues it doesn’t �ix things on its own.”

Training up on tachographs

3

Miller Street

PROFILE

Middleway at the bottom, Travel de Courcey’s depot can be found at 1 . Note the orange, blue and white double-decker in the corner.

Behind it at 2 , is what served for a spell as a depot for another independent operator, Central Buses.

Over to the right 3 is the site used by Travel West Midlands (TWM) – or National Express West Midlands as it’s now known of course – for component recovery. It’s the location where withdrawn buses are stripped for spares, before being sent to a scrap yard.

The L-shaped brick building 4 is that once used by

Central Coachways, TWM’s former coaching arm. Moving further to the right is the twostorey office block 5 , part of which was used by TWM’s training school and was also home to the inspectors.

Across Miller Street at 6 , the long buildings are the historic former tram sheds and bus depot. After its closure as an operating centre, its was used to store part of TWM’s reserve fleet.

Following a number of years of disuse, the buildings have been occupied by non-PSV third parties.

Last but by no means least at 7 is what was once TWM’s Card Systems offices.

Roy has found that the most common training needed by incoming drivers is in the use of its Siemens digital tachographs, since many drivers join from bus operators which rarely need to use them, or only have experience with analogue tachographs. To help with this, Travel de Courcey uses a digital tachograph simulator, a computer program created using Flash.

Drivers copy the programme onto a CD and take it home to practice with. They are not allowed out on the road until they have demonstrated they are completely versed in the use of digital tachographs, particularly the manual entry function.

“How long it takes depends on experience levels,” Rob said. “It can take around two weeks if they are fresh, although we angle the training to cater for drivers’ strengths and weaknesses.

“Any employee joining has to go through it to make sure they are compliant.”

“99% don’t know anything at all when they come to us,” Roy added. “There is a course we put them on, which costs £60 for half a morning, and as part of our training we show them how to do it.”

As a result of this, Travel de Courcey’s drivers are extremely compliant with tachograph regulations, even when they have relatively little experience with them.

Roy explained: “We had a driver who handed his driver’s card over when he was stopped by VOSA, who found there was only three days of work on the card.

“I got a call from Mike, who asked me to speak to VOSA at Victoria Coach Station. They asked me where his other work was, but once I found out the driver’s name, I discovered he had only been working for us for three days.

January 29, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 47 27/01/2014 14:52

PROFILE › BIRMINGHAM DEPOT “What he’d done and learnt in those three days was exceptional, because he was recording in the sort of detail which made VOSA think he’d been driving for years and years. Tachographs can be a bit mindboggling until you understand, so having come off the buses it was remarkable how well he’d been recording it.”

Preventative maintenance

Paul said the tachograph vigilance is only part of what makes the operation what it is.

“On the engineering side, we focus on preventative maintenance,” he said.

“Our new Engineering Manager Dave Tye has been in the role for two weeks and is very proactive, always making sure the right stock is on the shelf.

“There should never be a vehicle off the road because of the parts not being there.

“The white fades on National Express vehicles if they are not looked after. We repair any body damage and do body polishing overnight, making sure vehicles leave in top condition.

“The occasional breakdown is inevitable, but we make sure we know who to call and when to call.

“Our engineers know the importance of the services which the vehicles run on. Educating everyone within the business has helped us really. Rob has done a great job of getting everyone to understand what we need from them.”

National Express network standards audit 10% of each operator’s vehicles per calendar month.

Paul explained that Travel de Courcey has to use an approved supplier for vehicles’ graphics, as the auditors can even tell if the shade of blue on the National Express logo is different. While the

Drivers like seeing us being proactive. We don’t ask people to do what we won’t do ourselves – Rob Walker

auditors are exceptionally good at spotting faults, there is still room for good sense.

“Recently one of the coaches needed a respray, but we didn’t have sticker which would need replacing,” Rob said. “Normally we would have been marked down for that but we told them sticker was on order. We just wanted to get on with respraying the coach – it didn’t make sense to delay it for the sake of a sticker which we were waiting for.”

“We’ve had an auditor come aboard one of our coaches and say it was up to a brilliant standard when it was actually waiting to be cleaned,” Paul said. “It had just been to London and back.”

Being part of the National Express network means Travel de Courcey is happy to help other operators, which it can do easily thanks to its central location.

“We don’t see the other operators as competitors,” Paul added. “We’re all part of the same network.”

There are preventative measures which 48 | COACH & BUS WEEK | January 29, 2014 044_048_CBW1122_De courcey_Nat Ex.indd 48

Vehicles are washed and refuelled as soon as they return

The modern interior of a Levante the operator takes elsewhere, such as with its Synectics CCTV. The pre-�itted CCTV on all the vehicles came without audio, and about 18 months ago a passenger accused driver of something which couldn’t be proved or disproved as a result.

“So we retro�itted the vehicles with audio, which has paid for itself,” Roy explained. “There are a lot of assaults on our vehicles, usually between passengers, and with the CCTV and audio we can submit evidence.

“Scotland Yard has been to visit us before, looking for a person of interest. It has proved very useful.”

PR work

Travel de Courcey does a lot of PR work for National Express. Currently, one of its vehicles has the Harry Moseley foundation on its livery.

It will still be affectionately known as the ‘Harry Coach’ when the livery comes off.

The Pride of Britain awards was the biggest PR event which Travel de Courcey has taken part in. It involved a week long tour around the country, including London, Wales and Glasgow, with various celebrities, including Carol Vorderman and Vinnie Jones.

“On the night of the awards, we went to London, picked up the winners and pulled up next to the red carpet,” Paul said.

“While we were there we had Kim Woodburn from How Clean is Your House come aboard and inspect the coach, which she was certainly

The operator is well versed on using tachographs satis�ied with,” Roy added.

When a PR event is on, it can often mean a lot of very hands on last minute work.

“That sort of work is not pro�it based,” Rob said. “It’s most important to get the job right.

“Drivers like seeing us being proactive.

We don’t ask people to do what we won’t do ourselves. Mike is the same – you’ll often see him cutting grass or making coffee.

“When the depot was being prepared he was over here painting in a suit,” he mused.

“Everyone is a name not a number,” Paul added. “When people see us and Mike doing it it’s much easier to ask them to do it.”

Roy has also worked with Aston and Coventry universities, who wanted to know how the operations was managed. The universities were also interested in de Courcey’s safer driving schemes.

“We were getting high compliance grades from National Express and they wanted to know how we achieved these scores,” Roy explained.

Roy also works closely with the job centre for recruitment. It advertises that Travel de Courcey is looking for PCV drivers and the operator holds open days.

A great reputation

Paul said: “We’ve been given the opportunity to really play to our strengths and work to the best of our ability, and we’ve been recognised for it. It goes both ways – I’m very proud to work here.” ■ www.coachandbusweek.com

27/01/2014 14:52

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by Euro dominated which sees pretty much legislation exhaust. issue is of emissions from the 6 to market his month’s Euro of particulates latest implementation has brought elimination over the the virtual only Mercedes-Benzwill follow does not Currently price other manufacturerstechnology and the months. The new some signi�icantnot are are 12 and there of the next result. They course added cost vehicles as a range has been safety the to new come without attached 6 modi�ications, new or revised increases to Euro and some stop/start is just attached some restylingupgraded, engine and there with transmission has been updated with a blind-spot The ESP automatic systems. to work with option along developed wind compensation arrive via generally now a side trawling however, assist. from manufacturers released, a Press releasesas they are I discovered soon e-mail as stories last week for the web

UNLIMITED ONLINE vehicle for sale advertisments on coachandbusmarket.com

20/01/2014

18:36

| 41

Deadline for vehicle and classified advertisements in the magazine is 1200hrs Friday.

Contact your friendly coachandbusmarket Manager Jade Cassidy via phone, email or fax Tel: 01733 293247 f: 0845 280 2927 e: jade.cassidy@coachandbusweek.com 049_CBW1122_CBM Cover.indd 49

24/01/2014 16:59

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2003 Scania K114

2000 Mercedes 814 Plaxton Beaver 2

7HO

33 coach seats with 3 point belts. Perfect for school trips and private hire Very tidy throughout. Test December 2014

With Irizar Century 49 seat body with toilet. £45,000

Andy Shaw – 0131 554 5413 1992, Volvo B10M Plaxton Paramount

2004 Iveco Beulas

Manual, 57 seat belted seats.

Available due to fleet upgrade.

MOT’d till May 14

Auto, 49 seat executive coach, WC, DVD, A/C, drinks boiler, fridge, etc, in exceptional condition for age, MOT July 2014.

£6,000 + VAT

Call 01691 780212 or visit www.tanat.co.uk for more details

2002 Mercedes 814 Vario Plaxton Cheetah

2010 Volvo B9TL’S

33 seater + driver. Manual. New model cheetah. Taxed + mot’d. Wood dash. 3 point belts. Drives like new.

Excellent condition inside + out. Euro liner wheel trims.View Devon near Exeter airport. PX available.

Euro 5, Wrights Eclipse Gemini 2 bodies, single door, 74 seats.

£10,995 + VAT

Call Karl at Whitegate Travel Tel: 01606 786833 Mobile: 07841 110426

2009 MAN Plaxton Centro

£39,000 ono + VAT - Possible P/X

Tel 01249 742000/07717 768315

2006 Transit Tourneo

9 seater, tax till Jan, will have new MOT, 190,000 miles, runs well, front and rear air-con, tow bar. £4,000 + VAT

£27,999 + VAT

POA

38 blue moquette seats, Mobitec LED destination equipment, one year’s MOT. Offers over £45,000

Call Tim 01404 47502 07790 966667 parnell-coaches@supanet.com

EnsignBus 01708 865656

Andy Shaw – 0131 554 5413

Hailstone Travel Ltd 0845 388 3848

2006 Mercedes Sprinter 413 EX

2003 Mercedes Cheetah

2008 MAN Auto Ayats

2003 Optare Solo

51 seat full executive, owned from new, choice of 2, real head turner, used on tour programme, low mileage @ 240,000kms, a lot of coach for the money, looks great and great value at just...

£82,500+VAT - P/X considered

Mercedes engine, one owner, good condition and tyres, low mileage 392,955, 29 seated 20 standing, full diptact space for one wheelchair, tested June 2014, taxed end of October 2013. £17,500 o.n.o.

Tel: Adrian on 07717 768315

BD23 5BS – 01756 753123

29 passengers plus courier seat Tax till March MOT till February Large boot New clutch and turbo.

16 seats + driver with 3 point belts, finished in moquette, panoramic glazing, A/C front and rear, radio/CD, decorative curtains, large boot, new engine, clutch & flywheel fitted at 248,000 miles. £17,000 + VAT

EVM Direct – 0845 5205160

£24,000 + VAT

Hailstone Travel Ltd 0845 388 3848

Telephone Jade Cassidy on 01733 293247 or email jade.cassidy@coachandbusweek.com 50 | COACH & BUS WEEK | January 29, 2014

www.coachandbusweek.com

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2006 MAN 14.220 SLF MCV Evolution 11.2m

Page 51

1988 DAF MB230 Plaxton

1998 Mercedes Benz 814 Alexander Auto

1995 Scania K113 VanHool Alizee

40 seats + 21 standees, DDA compliant, Hanover LED. Direct off lease from a major operator. £32,500 + VAT – CHOICE Southdown PSV 01342 711840 email: bussales@southdownpsv.co.uk www.southdownpsv.co.uk

53 seats, automatic, very good condition for year, currently in dry storage, view Dublin.

Additional vehicle also available. £3,000

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

PAB Tours 00353 86 8138165 ant@pabtours.com

£21,000 Milligans Coach Travel 01290 550365

Call Karl at Whitegate Travel Tel: 01606 786833 Mobile: 07841 110426

2002 Volvo B7R Plaxton

2003 Mercedes 614D

2003 Bova Futura

2002 Renault Rohill

53 seats plus courier, automatic, good condition, used on tour work, new test, seat belts. View North Wales / Dublin. £40,000

Frank Guy, 16 seater, belted, manual, power door, wheelchair lift at rear, MOT’d until August 2014.

Available due to fleet upgrade.

PAB Tours 00353 86 8138165 ant@pabtours.com

Call 01691 780212 or visit www.tanat.co.uk for more details

1993 Volvo B10M Plaxton Premier

2002 Iveco Beulas Stergo

• Air con • Toilet • DVD • Monitor x 2 • Full exec spec • Eminox euro 4 • 49 seats • Green cloth • Manual • Long MOT

27 coach seats with 3 point belts.

Ideal for school contracts. Test September 2014.

£6,450 + VAT

£55,000 + VAT

2.5 diesel minibus with 15 seats, low floor with kneeling facility, 1 removable seat for wheelchair use, destination equipment, ideal multi-purpose vehicle, MOT 25/5/2014. £3,950 + VAT

L.J. Edwards – 07974 369570

Chalkwell Coach Hire 01795 423982

2005 (55) MAN 14.220 MCV Evolution

1997 Volvo Olympian open top bus

£7,000 + VAT

• Automatic • Air con • Toilet • Monitor x 2 49 seats, automatic, good condition for year, available with new test, ideal for upseat.

Choice of 3 – view North Wales/Dublin. £13,000

• Non LEZ • Long MOT

£30,000 + VAT

PAB Tours 00353 86 8138165 ant@pabtours.com

L.J. Edwards – 07974 369570

2004 Volvo B7RLE Wright Eclipse

1998 (R) Iveco 16 seat Minibus

40 seat SLF service bus, newly repanelled and repainted, 12 months MOT to October 2013, Hannover LED destination, excellent condition, drives superb.

NOW £19,950 + VAT ovno

Llew Jones – 07795 347476 or steve@llewjones.com

2006 Iveco Beulas Cygnus

Alexander Dennis body, P reg, 75 seats, fitted with a PA system, new MOT on purchase.

Only 2 remaining.

Bath Bus Company 01225 330444

53 plate Mercedes Cheetah

Power door Will have new test.

45 seats, full DDA, ZF automatic gearbox, MobiTec destination, Cyberlyne CCTV with audio recording, choice of four.

£45,000 + VAT

yourbus – 01773 714013

£1,250 + VAT

Nigel Brown – 01982 570225

53 seats + crew and driver, exceptionally clean interior, air con, reversing camera, DVD/monitor, radio/CD, microphone, fridge, individual air vent and light per seat, powered side lockers, owned from new.

£76,000 o.n.o

29 passengers plus courier seat, tax till August, MOT till June, large boot, low emission exhaust fitted. £26,000 + VAT

Tony Doyle Coaches Ltd 0035 312 867427

Hailstone Travel Ltd 0845 388 3848

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

January 29, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 51

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Setra 415 GTHD

2000 Volvo B7TL’S

ZF gearboxes, single door, 82 seats fully seated or 80 seats as DDA compliant, supplied with new MOT and COIF, new batch just arriving.

POA

400,000 km. Long MOT. 48 reclining seats. Frenzel Kitchen,Toilet/Washroom. 2 Screen + DVD player.

Built in vehicle wash.

Choice of two - June 2007 + January 2008

£85,000 + VAT

2008 Mercedes Atego

2005 Neoplan Skyliners

L With Sitcar Marlin 33 seat body in green. £45,000

T S A

E N O

13.8m, MAN engines, 89 seats, toilet, air-con.

POA

EnsignBus 01708 865656

Buzzlines Travel Contact Nigel or Scott on 01303 261870

Andy Shaw – 0131 554 5413

EnsignBus 01708 865656

2003 Alexander Dennis Enviro 300 SLF 12m

2008 Mercedes Sprinter 515 EX

1998 Volvo B10M Caetano Enigma

1999 (T) MAN 24,400 Noge Triaxle

44 seats + 27 standees, DDA compliant, 12 months MOT. £27,500 + VAT Southdown PSV 01342 711840 email: bussales@southdownpsv.co.uk www.southdownpsv.co.uk

16 recliners with 3 point belts, MOT till May, air-con, double glazing, large drop boot, decorative curtains, 276,000 miles (39,258 on new engine), 1 owner. £22,995 + VAT

1995 (N) Toyota Optimo III

2008 Toyota Optimo

EVM Direct – 0845 5205160

21 seats White 12 months MOT Ideal school contract vehicle.

May 2008. 215,000 km, MOT May 2014.

22 Leather reclining seats with 3 point belts.

Coffee machine.

£2,750 + VAT

£27,000 + VAT

OFFERS + VAT

Nigel Brown – 01982 570225

2008 Mercedes Benz Sitcar Marlin

2008 MAN 14:240 MCV Evolution

33 moquette seats + guide + driver, 3 point belts, folding arm rests, reclining back rest, double glazing, A/C, radio/CD/PA, full draw curtains, aisle carpet, fridge, saloon heater, 4.5m2 of luggage storage.

43 seats + 22 standees, auto box, 3 point belts, DDA compliant with Mobitec display, 8 camera CCTV system,Traffilog tracking & diagnostics, well maintained with long MOT, 4 available.

£47,500

EVM Direct – 0845 5205160

2007 MAN Marco Polo

2008 MAN Marco Polo Viaggio 3

2007 (57 plate) VW Crafter

55 reclining seats (plus driver & courier), 345,000Km, reversing camera, air con, DVD/monitor, fridge, radio/CD, microphone, individual air vent and light per seat, really good MPG, come take a test drive.

57 reclining seats (plus driver & courier), side wheelchair lift prepared, only 195,000km, reverse camera, air con, DVD/monitor, fridge, radio/CD, microphone, individual air vent and light per seat.

Nigel Brown – 01982 570225

1996 Volvo B10MA Articulated Coach

L

£12,500 + VAT ono

Paul Watson Travel paul.watson9@btconnect.com

Bakers Dolphin 01934 422400 or 07788 101631

Buzzlines Travel Contact Nigel or Scott on 01303 261870

T S A

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.

49 executive seats ZF auto gearbox Alloy wheels No tax or MOT Dry stored past 2 years.

POA

E N O

POA

£89,000

£98,000

16 leather seats with 3 point belts, air conditioned, large boot with barn doors, body kit, colour coded.

May consider part exchange.

EnsignBus 01708 865656

Tony Doyle Coaches Ltd 0035 312 867427

Tony Doyle Coaches Ltd 0035 312 867427

Shaws – Tel: 01977 661214

ZF automatics, 71 seats.

£19,900 + VAT

Telephone Jade Cassidy on 01733 293247 or email jade.cassidy@coachandbusweek.com 52 | COACH & BUS WEEK | January 29, 2014

www.coachandbusweek.com

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2001 MAN Neoplan

2006 Bova Majiq

12 months MOT & 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.

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.

1999 Mercedes 412D

1999 Mercedes Optare Solo M850

26 + standees, automatic box, DDA compliant with Mobitec display, 8 camera CCTV system and Traffilog tracking and diagnostics fitted.

MOT to March 2014.

£95,000 + VAT

16 removable seats, or 6 wheelchairs, 5 speed manual, external wheelchair lift, tachograph fitted, very clean condition, MOT June 14. £3,250 + VAT

Travelstar European 01922 647100 / 07779 801862

Chalkwell Coach Hire 01795 423982 andy.bates@chalkwell.co.uk

Bakers Dolphin 01934 422400 or 07788 101631

Plaxton Panther MAN

1994 Volvo B9M Berkof Excellence

Luxury VW Crafter

2002 Mercedes Benz 814 Plaxton Beaver 2

49 reclining seats, AS Tronic gearbox, LEZ compliant, A/C, W/C, sat-nav, reverse camera, DVD, 2 x monitors.

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

2007, 16 seats, A/C, DVD, microphone, 135,000 miles, 7 months MOT, excellent condition.

33 brand new re-trimmed seats + driver with 3 point belts. Luggage Racks. Just been re-painted. This vehicle is immaculate. Test May 2014

£95,500

Applegates Coaches 01453 810314

£11,000 Milligans Coach Travel 01290 550365

2003 Setra 315 GTHD

2006 Ford Transit minibus

£25,000 + VAT

Contact Gary – 07930 377051

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.

Ideal for school contracts and private hire work. Very clean throughout. Fully maintained in our in house work shops. Test October 2014. Choice of 2

£21,000

Slick Rides – 07823 770978

£8,500

£19,950 + VAT

Call Karl at Whitegate Travel Tel: 01606 786833 Mobile: 07841 110426

2006 Mercedes Benz Beluga Midi Coach

2002 Bova Futura • Air con • Toilet • DVD • Monitor x 2 • Eminox euro 4 • 49 seats • Green cloth • Long MOT

Merc Vario 815, 5 speed manual, 29 reclining seats with armrests + courier seat . Re-trimmed in in moquette May 2013, new carpet. A/C, rear heating.

Large boot and sidelockers 1 yr MOT. 328000 kms

£45,000 + VAT ono

04 plate £5,250 + VAT 06 plate £6,250 + VAT

Paul Watson Travel paul.watson9@btconnect.com

Call Karl at Whitegate Travel Tel: 01606 786833 Mobile: 07841 110426

£50,000 + VAT

POA

L.J. Edwards – 07974 369570

EVM Direct – 0845 5205160

1998 (R) DAF SB300 Plaxton Excalibur

2001, Volvo B10M Plaxton Excalibur

2007 Scania K340/ Caetano Levante

2005 Optare Solo M950 SLF 9.5m

33 seats + 17 standees, Mercedes engine, Hanover LED.

£25,000 + VAT

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.

Call 01691 780212 or visit www.tanat.co.uk for more details

yourbus – 01773 714013

53 T&T Auto gearbox (faulty) Spares or repair.

OFFERS + VAT

Nigel Brown – 01982 570225

ZF Auto, 49 belted seats. A/C, Toilet, MOT’d till April 2014.

LEZ Certificated until April 2014.

£80,000 + VAT each

£32,000 + VAT Southdown PSV 01342 711840 email: bussales@southdownpsv.co.uk www.southdownpsv.co.uk

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

January 29, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 53

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DAF MB230 VanHool Super High

2008 Iveco Daily 50c15 Iris Bus 16 seat, 81,000 miles from new, 1 council owner, mint condition inside and out, tax and MOT. £14,700 + VAT

2007 Optare Solo 7.1 SE

2003 Ford Transit 410 17 seats factory minibus, 1 council owner from new, 115,000 miles, in superb all round condition, no dents anywhere, MOT till end of March.

£3,250 ono + VAT

23 seater + 10 standing, MOT June 2014, full service history from new, Hanover front digital destination board, CCTV – Activ 4 camera system, Mercedes engine, 263,000 miles. £35,000 o.n.o. + VAT

Tel: 07770 593835

Express Motors Email: jones14@btconnect.com

Ring Graham Croombs 0118 973 3486 graham@courtneybuses.com

Tel: 07770 593835

2003 (53) Renault Master SWB

2000 Volvo B10M Plaxton Panther

05 or 55 Plate Iveco 65c15

CONTRACT VEHICLES FOR SALE

2.3 diesel, inboard Ricon lift, 4 seats + tracking for two wheelchairs.

49 seats, PA system DVD player, climate control, centre sunken WC, continental door, water boiler, P/plate, not subject to LEZ, recent upholstery re-trim. Sale due to fleet replacement.

Mellor coachbuilt, 24 highback passenger seats all on quick release, external PLS fully automatic cassette tailift, low mileage, new COIF and 12 months PSV test.

£5,995 + VAT

£24,000 + VAT

FROM £10,995

Two coaches for sale with 53/57 seats.

Pembridge Vehicle Management 01633 485858

Steve 0161 775 0800/07445 266345 operations@travel-master.co.uk

Heatons Motor Company 01942 864222

Manns Travel – 07796 695675

2003 (52 plate) Volvo B7R Plaxton Prima

Renault Master

53 seater + WC, tax and MOT until April 2014, in daily use, newer vehicle forces sale, private plate not included.

£4,450 + VAT

£3,250 ono each

7L PH L V PRQH\ ZF auto, 57 seats + courier, lap belts, 8 camera x200 CCTV system, manual tacho, MOT July 2014, owned by us from new, sold as seen.

17 seat, 2.8 diesel mini coach, full underfloor luggage, large boot, tachograph, COIF/PSV.

£39,950 + VAT

£5,995 + VAT

enquiries@perrymansbuses.com 01289 308719

Pembridge Vehicle Management 01633 485858

2001 Salvador Caetano B10M

Volvo B12B Van Hool

70 seats + driver and crew, 3 point belts fitted, auto, 3+2 seat config, air-con, good runner, inspection welcome, ready for work, sale due to fleet replacement.

£40,000 + VAT

ZF auto, 14 berth sleeper, Euro 4 LEZ, static AC/heating, 240v, normal band bus stuff! MOT March 2014, good condition.

Steve 0161 775 0800/07445 266345 operations@travel-master.co.uk

£25,000 + VAT

Telephone: 01487 843333

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2003 Neoplan Starliner

38 seats, leather seat around tables, Sky TV, DVD, entertainment system, 7 screens, toilet/washroom, kitchen with fridge and microwave, sockets throughout coach, automatic, Merc engine.

1999 Volvo Olympian Alexander

78 seats + 13 standing, automatic, limited to 90 Kph, seatbelts throughout, ideal for school trips and contract hire, Hannover displays.

£37,500 + VAT

£14,000 + VAT

Steve 0161 775 0800/07445 266345 operations@travel-master.co.uk

Steve 0161 775 0800/07445 266345 operations@travel-master.co.uk

Telephone Jade Cassidy on 01733 293247 or email jade.cassidy@coachandbusweek.com 54 | COACH & BUS WEEK | January 29, 2014

www.coachandbusweek.com

699651-1120-Stafford

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11:53

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Ensig DOUBLE DECK 1998 S REG VOLVO OLYMPIANS Euro 2 Volvo engines ZF gearboxes, Northern Counties Palatine 2 bodies, 77 seats

LEZ

COMPLIANT

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

1999/2000/2001 V/Y REG DENNIS TRIDENTS

13.8m, MAN engines, 89 seats, toilet, air-con.

Cummins / Allison with traps, DDA and LEZ compliant, Caetano bodies, 38 seats.

2005 NEOPLAN SKYLINER’S

2001 Y REG DENNIS DARTS

2000/2001 X/Y REG VOLVO B7TL’S

Cummins / Voith, Alexander ALX 400 lowheight body, 84 seats, LEZ compliant.

1999 DENNIS TRIDENT

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

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

1999 VOLVO B7TL’S

Cummins / Allison , Plaxton Pointer bodies, 35 seats.

1998 R REG DENNIS DARTS

2000 VOLVO B7TL’s

ZF gearboxes, single door, 82 seats fully seated or 80 seats as DDA compliant, supplied with new MOT and COIF, new batch just arriving.

Euro 4 Volvo engine, Wrights Eclipse Gemini body, 68 seats or 74 converted to single door.

2007 VOLVO B9TL

1998 R REG VOLVO OLYMPIANS

Volvo Euro 2 engines, ZF gearboxes, East Lancs bodies, 72 seats.

OPEN TOP BUSES A SPECIALITY -

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

698896-1122-Ensign:Layout 1

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Page 2

nbus

K ER SPECIALIST ZF automatic, Plaxton Verde bodies, 51 seats.

1995 VOLVO B10B’S

2010 VOLVO B9TL’S

Euro 5, Wrights Eclipse Gemini 2 bodies, single door, 74 seats.

1989-93 LEYLAND OLYMPIANS

Cummins L10, ZF 5 speed gearboxes, some 72 coach seats, some 76 bus seats, low height 13 feet 8, long MOT’s.

2003 SCANIA OMNICITY CN94UB

Caetano Levante bodies, DDA compliant with lifts, 49 seats, toilet, air-con, recent re-trims, LEZ compliant.

12m, Euro 3, DDA, 42 seats.

ZF automatic, Northern Counties low height bodies, 77 seats, Volvo Euro 2 engines.

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.

Manual gearbox, Van Hool body, 53 seats.

2000 X REG DENNIS SUPER POINTER DARTS

2001 X REG DENNIS MINI POINTER DARTS

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

2004 MERCEDES CITARO

2006 VOLVO B12B’S

1997 VOLVO OLYMPIANS

2001/2002 DENNIS TRIDENTS

Cummins 160 engines, Voith gearboxes, 41 seats.

1996 VOLVO B10MA ARTICULATED COACHES ZF automatics, 71 seats.

1997 DAF SB3000

8.8m, 25 seats, LEZ compliant.

2000 W REG DENNIS TRIDENTS

Cummins / Voith, East Lancs body, 78 seats, long MOT’s.

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

700044-1122-BenWeaver

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BEN WEAVER commercials PSV

2003 53 PLATE 17 SEAT FRONT ENTRY WELFARE MINIBUS 2200 cdi turbo diesel 130ps, 6 speed sprintshift auto gearbox, UV Modular conversion, Ratcliffe underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for upto 6 wheelchairs, certificate of initial fitness, analogue tachograph, PSV, 210000 kilometers/131000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 1 month nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 9795 + VAT

PSV

02 51 IVECO 50C13 17 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE WELFARE BUS 2.8 turbo diesel, white, Frank Guy conversion, access rear wheelchair lift, tracking for upto 6 wheelchairs, analogue tachograph, certificate of initial fitness, PSV, sunroofs ex local authority owned, 150,000 kilometers/94,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standard, 1 month nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 5,495

2004 53 PLATE FORD TRANSIT TOURNEO GLX 8 SEAT MINIBUS 2.0 turbo diesel, blue, alloy wheels, electric windows, remote central locking, CD player electric door mirrors, taxed until 28th February 2014, 147,000 miles, very good condition, part exchange to clear, supplied with 12 months MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 1 month parts and labour warranty, no VAT to pay £ 3,995 NO VAT

2003 03 PLATE VOLKSWAGEN LT46 17 SEAT FRONT ENTRY WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS 2.5 tdi, white, Ratcliffe underfloor rear wheelchair lift, fully tracked throughout, tracking for up to 6 wheelchairs, tachograph, 72,000 kilometers/45,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 1 month nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 6,995 + VAT

PSV

2002 02 IVECO DAILY 45C11 11 SEAT FRONT ENTRY LWB WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS White, 2800cc 6 speed turbo diesel, analogue tachograph, Ratcliffe underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for up to 6 wheelchairs, seats can be added to make into a 17 seater, LEZ compliant, 26,000 kilometers/16,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 1 month nationwide parts and labour warranty, no VAT to pay £ 7,995 NO VAT

2004 54 REG FORD TRANSIT 15 SEAT MINIBUS 2400cc turbo diesel, white, remote central locking, electric windows, electric door mirrors, 55,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 5,495 + VAT

2008 08 PLATE IVECO DAILY 50C15 16 SEAT FRONT ENTRY WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS 3000cc turbo diesel euro 4 engine, automatic, white, air con, Ratcliffe underfloor lift, fully tracked throughout with flat floor, tracking for upto 6 wheelchairs, certificate of initial fitness, digital tachograph, PSV, electrically operated front entry plug door, remote central locking, CD player, LEZ compliant, 40,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 17495 + VAT

2002 52 IVECO DIALY 17 SEAT FRONT ENTRY LWB WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS White, 2800cc 6 speed turbo diesel, analogue tachograph, Ratcliffe underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for up to 6 wheelchairs, LEZ compliant, 86000 kilometers/54000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 1 month nationwide parts and labour warranty, no VAT to pay £ 7,195 NO VAT

PSV

2003 03 REG IVECO DAILY 45C13 11 SEAT FRONT ENTRY LONG WHEEL BASE WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS 2800cc turbo diesel white, white, access underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for up to 6 wheelchairs, tachograph, LEZ compliant, currently fitted with 11 seats but can be made upto 17, 200000 kilometers/124000 miles, supplied with 12 months MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty REDUCED WAS £ 6995 + VAT NOW £ 5995 + VAT

2006 06 PLATE VOLKSWAGEN LT46 17 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS 2.5 TDI, white, Ratcliffe underfloor rear wheelchair lift, fully tracked throughout, tracking for up to 6 wheelchairs, AVS side door access step, tachograph, 147,000 kilometers/92,000 miles, very good condition, supplied with 12 months MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 9,695 + VAT

2006 06 REG IVECO DAILY 40C14 10 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS 3000cc turbo diesel, white, analogue tachograph, Access underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for 2 wheelchairs, 4200 kgs gross vehicle weight, can be driven without D1 licence, overhead cab storage, 2 rear storage compartments, remote central locking, ex NHS, 89,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty REDUCED WAS £ 9,995 + VAT NOW £ 8,995 + VAT

2005 05 PLATE IVECO DAILY IRIS 50C13 17 SEAT FRONT ENTRY WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS Stanford conversion, analogue tacho, certificate of initial fitness, PSV, 2.8 turbo diesel, 6 speed manual, white, panoramic glass, electric front entry plug door with auto step, Access underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for upto 6 wheelchairs, LEZ compliant, 109,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty REDUCED WAS £ 9,795 + VAT NOW £ 8,995 + VAT

2002 02 MERCEDES VARIO 614 21 SEAT FRONT ENTRY WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS 4300 turbo diesel engine with manual gearbox, Access underfloor rear tail lift, tracking for 6 wheelchairs, 256000 klms/160000 miles, finished in white, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 1 month nationwide parts and labour warranty REDUCED WAS £ 6,995 + VAT NOW £ 5,995 + VAT

2008 08 PLATE MERCEDES 816 VARIO 29 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE BUS 4.3 Bluetec 4 turbo diesel engine, 6 speed manual gearbox, Access underfloor rear wheelchair lift, digital tachograph, tracking for upto 6 wheelchairs, front entry, Nu-Track Nufinn conversion, fully tracked, ex local authority owned, LEZ compliant, 131,000 kilometers/81,000 miles, supplied with 12 months MOT, fully serviced to FTA standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 24,995 + VAT

PSV

2007 07 PLATE IVECO DAILY 50C15 11 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS 3.0 turbo diesel, automatic gearbox, metallic blue, certificate of initial fitness, digital tachograph, PSV, electric plug side entry door, Access underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for up to 6 wheelchairs, currently has 10 passenger seats fitted but can be made upto 16, electric windows, CD player, 2 x uplift skylights, 75,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty. £14,995 + VAT

2003 53 PLATE MERCEDES SPRINTER 413CDI 17 SEAT FRONT ENTRY WELFARE MINIBUS 2200 CDI turbo diesel 130ps, 6 speed sprintshift automatic gearbox, white, UV Modular conversion, Ratcliffe underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for upto 6 wheelchairs, certificate of initial fitness, analogue tachograph, PSV, LEZ compliant, CD player, 125,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 1 month nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 9795 + VAT

PSV

2008 57 PLATE MERCEDES 816 VARIO 29 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE BUS 4.3 Bluetec 4 turbo diesel engine, 6 speed manual gearbox, Access underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for upto 6 wheelchairs, front entry, Nu-Track Nufinn conversion, fully tracked, ex local authority owned, LEZ compliant, 111,000 kilometers/69,000 miles, supplied with 12 months MOT, fully serviced to FTA standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 23,995 + VAT

2002 52 PLATE IVECO DAILY IRIS 40C13 16 SEAT FRONT ENTRY WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS 2.8 turbo diesel, 6 speed manual gearbox, white, analogue tachograph, Access underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracked throughout, tracking for up to 4 wheelchairs, panoramic glass, front entry door with low access step, ex local authority owned, 33,000 kilometers/20,000 miles, supplied with 12 months MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 1 month nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 7,295 + VAT

2006 06 PLATE FORD TRANSIT LWB HIGH ROOF 11 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS 2.4 90ps turbo diesel, white, Ricon internal rear wheelchair lift, tracking for up to 3 wheelchairs, fitted with 5 passenger seats but can be made upto 10, digital tachograph, electric windows, power heated door mirrors, PAS, remote central locking, overhead cab luggage tray, 101,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 8,695 + VAT

2003 53 REG IVECO DAILY 65C15 WELFARE BUS 2800cc turbo diesel, metallic light blue, currently fitted with 16 passenger seats, will take upto 22 passenger seats, Access underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for upto 8 wheelchairs, overhead luggage storage, 152000 kilometers/92000 miles, very good condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 1 month nationwide parts and labour warranty £7995 + VAT

All vehicles supplied with 12 months MOT/PSV, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards and 1-3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty

Gower Street, Sheffield, S4 7JW Tel: 0114 275 7076 www.minibuses-for-sale.co.uk

p59_CBW_1122

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62 | COACH & BUS WEEK | January 29, 2014

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January 29, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 63

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January 29, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 65

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The UK’s loneliest bus stops Monday Martin here. Press day once again and there’s the general hustle and bustle to finalise pages, chase up news leads and get everything finished. Things went on longer than we’d have liked but it was all but put to bed by 1900hrs.

Tuesday Bright sunshine as I left Grantham for Peterborough – half a mile down the A1 it turns to fairly thick fog and looked like a slow journey in prospect.

Worse than expected,a lorry has shed its load at Wansford, traffic starts backing up around Woolfox and well before the usual congestion at Stamford.

Takes an age to reach a turnoff and then I head across country roads to pick-up the eastbound A47. An accident on the ring road causes further delay – half the morning gone.

Wednesday Put finishing touches to an article for next week’s issue and began digging out some stories. Progress is halted somewhat as at first the web stops functioning and then the emails wouldn’t play ball.

Andy is away all day on a test drive with Volvo, Gareth has to rush out to get his windscreen fixed and James heads home in search of functioning internet to enable our website updating to be completed. The IT problems get sorted out before the close of play and normality returns.

Thursday Dreadful weather causes yet more problems and severe delays on the A1. Spent the morning in the office and headed north at lunchtime for an afternoon meeting with Moseley PCV. The sun had come out and it was a pleasant journey most of the way up to South Emsall with just the tail-end of a storm around the Doncaster area.

Friday Things are running normally. Rake in some international stories and get started on proof reading the bulk of the pages for the next issue.

We seem to be on course for a more timely finish on Monday.

On the BBC’s online magazine last week, the focus was put on bus stops – more specifically, in the wake of local authority cuts, lonely bus stops.

The opening photograph on the post depicts a slate-roofed sandstone shelter which appears to be in the centre of a large grassy roundabout in Cumbria. The mound is located in the centre of the village of Millburn, close to the Pennines. Bus driver Tony Carrick, who navigates the 625 service through the narrow lanes of Cumbria’s Eden Valley, said: “I wouldn’t expect to see anyone here, maybe the odd walker in summer, but nobody now.”

And this is on the shelter’s busiest day.

After the 625 returns from Penrith, nine miles away, the bus will not return for a week. Other weekly services – one funded by coffee mornings – attract a little more attention as they pass by, but locals suggest this amounts to six or seven passengers a week. Eden is England’s most sparsely populated area, so it is a firm contender as the UK’s loneliest bus stop.

The article did highlight other contenders, though. A service between Wigton and Newton Arlosh carried 570 passengers last year – half the number on the 625. No doubt there’s a good chance of a lonely stop or two on that route. In Yorkshire, ‘there are rumours of a stop which has never seen a bus.’

SOCIAL MEDIA

UPDATE Q: Debate time: what’s your view on the opening of Wetherspoons at Beaconsfield Services on the M40?

Jones - Great for food... always cheap... But alcohol at a motorway services if that doesn’t encourage drink drivers then I don’t know what will ● Neil

● Richard Sharman - I’m sure Coach Passengers will love it! But drivers will now be hanging round longer for them to get back to the coach.

Wood - A nightmare to get to by public transport for Wethies tickers!

● Keith

Harley - Keith Wood - no it isn’t! Arriva’s service 74 runs every 30 mins between Slough and Beaconsfield & High Wycombe and there’s a stop on the road outside the services. ● Paul

68 | COACH & BUS WEEK | January 29, 2014 068_CBW1122_Last Stop.indd 68

However even though the 625 runs once a week and has such low usage, it is still clearly a lifeline to residents in the area. On the day the BBC visited all 16 seats on the minibus were taken in Long Marton, a few miles before Milburn. A few miles on another would-be passenger is stricken to hear there’s no room, having wanted to take his library books back. Thankfully, a car-owner helps out and the books are back on time.

Without the 625, there’s no access to

Craven - So many pubs have a car park anyway. What’s the difference? Makes a change to treat us all like adults ● Andrew

Cameron-young - What’s the problem? You can go into M&S and buy alcohol at the same services.

They will be on to a winner if the food prices stay the same as the high street

● David

● Andy Fear - Having seen how Wetherspoons can struggle to cope with serving food within a reasonable timeframe at predictable high street locations, they’ll need to be more able to cope with the demands of several simultaneous loads of coach passengers plus the usual flow of cars. Plus, I wouldn’t fancy being the sole sober person on a coach full of people who’ve rushed half a dozen pints in their 45 min break.

Doggett - I can’t see a problem. How many pubs are within five minutes off a motorway? You can buy alcohol almost anywhere and drink and drive. I have planned to take

● Mark

services like supermarkets and hospitals, said Councillor Dorothy Spence, who is campaigning to save it. There are few alternatives. Long Marton’s former train station is now a holiday home, a taxi into Penrith costs £30 and to catch a more regular bus means a half-hour trek through fields.

The BBC magazine post can be found at http://www. bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-magazinemonitor-25857278

my passengers there in Febuary on way to London ● Malcolm Johnson - Best make sure coaches have toilets or could cause problems!!

James Great food not sure on the alcoholic drinks

● Christopher

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RECRUITMENT & PEOPLE DEADLINES Booking: Monday 5.00pm Full artwork: Monday 5.00pm CONTACT Ian Gillis T: 01733 293484 E: ian.gillis@coachandbusweek.com

Reading Buses names its ‘Star of the Year’

Reading Buses Star of the Year Phil Blackburn with Chairman David Sutton.

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A double star of the month award winner has been crowned Reading Buses Star of the Year 2014.

Phil Blackburn, 49, of Tilehurst, was named as the winner at the plush venue High�ield Park, south of Reading, to rapturous applause from fellow star of the month winners, managers and staff.

A popular choice, Phil, who has worked for the company for �ive years, was described by CEO James Freeman as the ‘epitome of all that you would wish for in a bus driver.’

James said Phil ‘thoroughly deserved’ his award. “He has consistently been one of the shining stars of the past year. He is well respected by customers and staff alike and is a great ambassador for the company.

“Phil manages to combine great driving with excellent customer service skills and receives lots of compliments from customers who see how conscientious he is on the road. His managers at Reading Buses also appreciate his hard work combined with �lexibility.”

During the past year Phil has received two Star of the Month awards. The �irst, last February, was for his all-round attitude and service delivery which came from two separate compliments about him.

Then last October he achieved his second award for being the �irst driver to score 100% in Reading Buses mystery traveller report which the company uses to help check their customer experience.

Phil was both ‘delighted and shocked’ at his win, which he described as a ‘great way to start the New Year.’

All recipients of a star of the month award were invited to the ceremony and each received a certi�icate as well as a special Reading Buses-branded box of chocolates donated by the company’s ticket machine supplier Ticketer.

The night also celebrated staff who had retired, achieved long service or completed professional quali�ications during the past year.

James L. Wanaselja, Vice President of North American Marketing, Sales and Service for Allison Transmission Inc., has elected to retire, effective April 1.

This has seen Micheal G Headly promoted to Senior Vice President of Global marketing, Sales and Service and he will add Wanaselja’s duties to his existing

responsibilities.

“Under Jim’s leadership over the past 19 years, he and his team have developed effective sales and marketing strategies which have been implemented company wide.

“The entire Allison team and I wish Jim, his wife, Lynn, and their family a long and happy retirement.“

Wanaselja steps down as Headly moves up

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First Aberdeen drivers start bereavement fund A group of drivers from First Aberdeen have set up a bereavement fund in memory of five colleagues who sadly died over the past year.

The aim of the fund is to help dependents when a death in service occurs, as well as raising money for charities.

The TBDT Fund was founded after five staff members passed away while still working for First Aberdeen. Their nicknames became the name of the fund set up in their memory. Tadeusz Kolodziej (TAD), Risdon Dougan (BOB), Derek Melville (DEK), and Brian Edmondstone (TIDDLES) with one of the fund mascots named ‘Perrie’ after driver Roy Perrie who also died soon after the others.

David Minty, a driver from First Aberdeen, and a member of the TBDT fund, completed the ‘Ride the North’ cycle challenge last August, a 166 mile cycle between Inverness and Aberdeen. David, who was sponsored by friends,

Pic cap: First Aberdeen Drivers, Richard Jaffray (far left) and David Minty (far right) are joined by Colin Welsh, Chairman of Monty’s Maggie’s Charity. family, the local branch of Unite the Union and fellow Fund members, donated the cash one of the Fund’s preferred charities, Maggie’s.

39-year old David, who has been a driver for First since 2001, said: “The cycle challenge was very tough but very rewarding as I managed to raise some money for Maggie’s. It’s fitting that the TBDT

Richard Jones leaves Lloyds Coaches After four plus years as General Manager for Lloyds Coaches, Richard Jones bid a fond farewell to the family-owned company to concentrate on family and other things.

Richard commented: “It is with pride I look at my time at Lloyds Coaches, contemplating on our achievements from business growth, surviving industry changes in funding, legislation and regulation issues to increasing our company profile across a wider UK stage through recognition at many recognised industry awards.

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“My debt is owed so much to the professional and fantastic dedicated people we have at the company. My thanks and admiration go to these special people. I would also like to thank the loyal passengers which have supported our company as we have introduced new routes over the years. Without the staff and passengers we would be nothing.

“I have enjoyed working at Lloyds Coaches and have enjoyed managing the company’s Facebook page and website during my time at the company.”

fund supports Maggie’s as some of our colleagues have benefited from its services.”

Richard Jaffray, Chairman of TBDT, said: “We are a very close knit family at First Aberdeen, and the passing of our friends affected us all. The fund was set up in honour of our colleagues who are no longer with us. I know

they would be delighted that we are supporting worthwhile causes such as Maggie’s.”

The TBDT has raised funds for a number of charities including Macmillan, The Lord Provosts Charity Fund and St Mary’s Church in Aberdeen. The fund also ran a successful “PutATinInTheBin” Food Drop Campaign in conjunction with St Mary’s Parish Church to support the Aberdeen charity, Instant Neighbour.

Colin Welsh, Chairman of Monty’s Maggie’s, said: “We really appreciate the money raised by David and all the team at TBDT. Donations go a long way in helping provide a vital service to people and their families who are trying to cope with cancer. This is not the first time First Aberdeen has raised money for us and I’m delighted with their continued support.”

To help support the TBDT, visit http://the-tbdt-fabwelfare-fund.campaignsites.net

Richard Jones left Lloyds Coaches on January 24

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