Level crossing campaign targets professional drivers p6
Electric Versas for York Park-and-Ride start p8
Buses to help improve services start to arrive in Malta
p8
INDUSTRY JOBS
FIRST FOR
RECRUITMENT
JOB ADVERTS EVERY WEEK See pages 69-71
p20
TOP STORIES
Enhanced Borders links
● National Express Operator Awards p10 ● Irizar UK sell 100th Integral p11 OVER 1,000 VEHICLES FOR SALE
THE NO.1
Arriva investing in the North East with a new depot p22 New Scanias for Voel 001_CBW1141_Cover.indd 1
Wednesday June 11, 2014 | Issue 1141 | £2.95 | www.coachandbusweek.com
WEBSITE FOR BUYING AND
p34
SELLING YOUR
VEHICLES
09/06/2014 19:28
701895-1139-Hants & Dorset 27/05/2014 16:11 Page 1
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 Digital Editor James Day 01733 293244 james.day@coachandbusweek.com Art Director Ian Blaza Contributors Martin Cole, Jonathan Bray, David Bell, Tony Hunter, Steve Hodgson
ADVERTISING, MARKETING & EVENTS Advertising & Marketing Manager Ian Gillis 01733 293484 ian.gillis@coachandbusweek.com Assistant Advertising Manager Kerry Watson 01733 293488 Kerry.watson@coachandbusweek.com
Could you see yourself contributing to Coach & Bus Week?
Senior Sales Executive Caroline Barnes 01733 293480 caroline.barnes@coachandbusweek.com
Could this be you?
Sales & Admin Executive Gemma Ireland 01733 293247 gemma.ireland@coachandbusweek.com Advertising Production June Barnard 01473 858761 june@adsproduction.co.uk
I
’m sure you won’t be surprised to learn I am often told I need help – being the selfconfessed whacky sort of person that I am. Joking aside, and in all seriousness, regular readers surely cannot fail to have noticed this magazine has developed both in terms of its appearance and content over the past nine months or so. We’re aiming to further widen our industry reach. With this in mind, we would like to recruit additional contributors – which could open up a whole host of opportunities for the right sort of individuals. We’re looking for bright, enthusiastic people who are knowledgeable and passionate about the coach and bus industry, who can write in-depth features and news. After all, if you’re interested in what you’re writing about, it will show. The ability to take photographs would also be extremely advantageous. Do you know of anyone who may �it the bill? If so, please contact me.
SUBSCRIPTIONS & CIRCULATION Subscriptions & Circulation Manager Samantha Noble 01733 293240 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 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. xxxxxxxx p18 9% at National Express p7 ISSUE FOCUS ON: NOTTINGHAM CITY TRANSPORT
SPECIAL
xxxxxxxx p18
xxxxxxxx p18
Passengers and revenue up
Excelsior joins the Guild of British Coach Operators p11
Volkswagen completes Pennine Motors Euro 6 M-B Citaros for calls it a day p8 Germany’s steepest route p14
Scania takeover p8 BVG orders VDL Citeas p14
First marks Westcliff 100 p36
OVER 1,000 VEHICLES FOR SALE
THE NO.1
WEBSITE FOR
BUYING AND
p40
SELLING YOUR
VEHICLES
INDUSTRY JOBS
INDUSTRY JOBS
INDUSTRY JOBS
FIRST FOR
FIRST FOR
FIRST FOR
RECRUITMENT
RECRUITMENT
RECRUITMENT
JOB ADVERTS EVERY WEEK
JOB ADVERTS EVERY WEEK
JOB ADVERTS EVERY WEEK
See pages 93-94
See pages 69-70
See pages 69-70
Optare double deck launch Yorkshire manufacture’s latest edition completes bus range p16
We look at key areas of the business and talk to the people who make it happen
001_CBW1139_Cover.indd 1
p16
p24
bright MAN for the Euro 6Burning job Ian Manning retires
PLUS
MINIBUS this week...
p24
minibuses ● Shearings management buyout p6 ● CV Show Fiat Ducato ● More on LHD Leyland ● New Olympians p26
Wednesday May 28, 2014 | Issue 1139 | £2.95 | www.coachandbusweek.com
OVER 1,000 VEHICLES FOR SALE
THE NO.1
● West Bridgford 100 marked ● NCT fleet profile included
Drivers reminisce with Motts p22 27/05/2014 18:31 001_CBW1140_Cover.indd 1
Wednesday June 4, 2014 | Issue 1140 | £2.95 | www.coachandbusweek.com
WEBSITE FOR
BUYING AND
SELLING YOUR
VEHICLES
001_CBW1138_Cover.indd 1 02/06/2014 20:44
www.coachandbusweek.com
003_CBW1141_Comment.indd 3
xxxx
p6
Yutong TC12 delivered to Cropley Coaches
OVER 1,000 VEHICLES FOR SALE
ALBUM report p16
THE NO.1
Wednesday May 21, 2014 | Issue 1138 | £2.95 | www.coachandbusweek.com
WEBSITE FOR
BUYING AND SELLING YOUR
VEHICLES
READ
for less than
90P
PER ISSUE
On an entirely separate note, I must say I was rather impressed when putting together this week’s ‘Products’ page (p44) to learn about the latest development from WheelRight. Put simply, the tyre pressure sensor system produced by the Oxfordshire-based supplier is now approved for use alongside fuel pumps. Particularly for operators who have a �low system in their depot(s), comprising for example, a fuelling bay and bus wash, which also includes checking engine oil, it’s another ‘box ticked.’ Thanks to the ANPR system, which instantly recognises a vehicle’s identi�ication, if the vehicle does not require its tyres topping up with air, it causes no delay to the �low system, something which is vital during the run-in from the evening peak in a busy urban bus garage. I don’t pretend to have seen the WheelRight system in operation for myself, but it certainly sounds a really useful piece of kit. Gareth Evans Editor
CONTACT OUR DEDICATED
SUBSCRIPTIONS TEAM
Tel: 01733 293240 or email samantha.noble@coachandbusweek.com
The latest news, views, features, jobs, vehicles for sale AND MUCH MORE...
19/05/2014 20:05
June 11, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 3 09/06/2014 19:22
CONTENTS
16
HERITAGE NEWS
20
FIRST BORDERS CROSSINGS
22 26 34 38 42 44
Cover Story...
Routemaster coach joins Routemaster bus at Central Buses
Upgrades for links between Edinburgh Galashiels and Carlisle
ARRIVA ASHINGTON
Arriva North East opens new depot as prelude to service enhancements
INDUSTRY GUIDE
Repairs and refurbishment: Suppliers that have the equipment and knowledge that can help your business
DELIVERIES
Some of the new vehicles that have been entering service with operators around the country
FACE-TO-FACE
Gareth Evans talks to Chris Wales, Chief Executive of the Coach Tourism Council
TECHNOLOGY
A detailed look at the BusHub platform created by Rise Digital Media
PRODUCTS
New innovations that could help your business
Borders launch in Top Stories
Regulars
7 l First Bristol trials CycleEye, state-ofthe-art safety technology
06 News 08 Bus News 10 Coach News 12 Regional News 18 International News 36 Big Picture 68 Last Stop 69 People
7 l Go-Ahead to leave North America after winding up joint venture 8 l Electric Optare Versas go into service on new York P&R service 11 l Van Hool plans to introduce new standard coach body next year
RWT Commercial Services Ltd
(MD Bob Turnock)
SPECIALISTS IN THE SUPPLY AND FIT OF DPF FILTERS AND HGV MAINTENANCE • DPF filter supply and fit • 6 weekly inspections and general maintenance • Spare parts, tyres and vehicle lift supplier
• Texa diagnostics • Air conditioning
01384 893056 rwtcs@btconnect.com www.rwtcommercialservices.com 004_005_CBW1141_ContentsDPS.indd 4
09/06/2014 19:25
01
xxxxxxxx p18
the Guild of Excelsior joinsOperators p11 British Coach
up and revenue Passengers Express p7 9% at National
BVG orders VDL
Citeas
p14
INDUSTRY JOBS
FIRST FOR ENT RECRUITM
JOB ADVERTS EVERY WEEK
SUBSCRIBE FROM LESS THAN 90P PER ISSUE
See pages 69-70
Call our subscriptions team Tel: 01733 293240 or email: samantha.noble@coachandbusweek.com Euro 6 job MAN for the p16
management
Ian Manning
retires
buyout p6
ans p26 ● Shearings Leyland Olympi Issue 1140 | ● More on LHD 4, 2014 | Wednesday June
p24
OVER 1,000 VEHICLES
FOR SALE
busweek.com
£2.95 | www.coachand
THE NO.1 FOR
ce Drivers reminis p22 with Motts over.indd
001_CBW1140_C
WEBSITE
BUYING AND
SELLING YOUR
VEHICLES
02/06/2014
20:44
1
VEHICLES
CLASSIFIEDS
P65-67
A full range of industry products and services to choose from.
JOBS
P69-70
The first for recruitment with the latest industry jobs and new recruitment every week. www.coachandbusweek.com/jobs
h in tartan p20
p44 p18
p38
0800 DPF Cleaning.com Ltd
d
(Member of RWT)
PF
m
P45-64
The no.1 website for buying and selling your coaches, buses and minibuses. Now with over 1,000 more vehicles to choose from. www.coachandbusmarket.com
SPECIALISTS IN DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER CLEANING • 24 hour turnaround of your own DPF filter • Daily collection and delivery service using our own vans • Serial numbers logged for traceability of your filter
• Filter test report
01384 893440 info@0800dpfcleaning.com www.rwtcommercialservices.com 004_005_CBW1141_ContentsDPS.indd 5
www.coachandbusweek.com
April 9, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 5
09/06/2014 19:25
NEWS B R I E F LY
Level crossing campaign targets professional drivers
l FURTHER to our story on p6 of last week’s issue, we would like to clarify that Mobility Networks is a completely new company. Mobility Networks will be a distributor for API products outside of the UK but the firm says that is only part of it. Mike Simmonds is pulling together a wide range of products for the accessible vehicle sector so that OEMs across the world, can buy all accessible vehicle solutions from one supplier. That includes wheelchair access lifts, ramps, door opening systems and emergency hatches – in essence, all accessible components. While Mobility Networks is headquartered in Whitstable, Kent, and hence only a short distance away from Q’Straint, Mike’s only connection with that business is that he was Managing Director for 18 years, a role he relinquished three years ago. We unreservedly apologise to both Q’Straint and Mobility Networks for this error.
Rail infrastructure operator makes training material available for bus and coach operators as part of national awareness programme
l A ONE-WAY SYSTEM has been introduced on part of Cross Street in Manchester city centre this week. Since Monday (June 9) traffic has been able to travel one-way from Market Street to King Street, as work continues to divert utilities from the path of the new Metrolink Second City Crossing (2CC). Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) said signposted diversion routes are in place. However, access for local bus services and pedestrians is being maintained. TfGM said it is working closely with Manchester City Council and other stakeholders to minimise any disruption and ensure the 2CC works are integrated with other developments in the city centre. l ARRIVA BUSES WALES has introduced a new Sunday timetable onto routes 66 and 67, which connect Bangor, Bethesda and Gerlan. The service level has been further boosted with the operation of additional Saturday journeys. From Sunday May 18, 2014, a new Sunday timetable will be introduced on services 66 and 67 between Bangor, Bethesda and Gerlan. Additional Saturday journeys will also be introduced.
6 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 11, 2014 006_007_CBW1141_News.indd 6
Network Rail has launched a nationwide awareness programme aimed at reducing the number of incidents at level crossings involving professional drivers. The programme will educate them on the safe use of level crossings. While level crossings in Britain are among the safest in Europe, almost a fifth of the 142 nearmisses which occurred at level crossings in 2013 included a vehicle driven in a professional capacity – such as a lorry, van, bus or taxi – putting the life of the driver as well as others at risk. The programme involves Network Rail’s 100 level crossing managers, who are based all over Britain, engaging with local employers whose workforce includes a significant number of drivers. Julia Territt, Head of Fleet at Network Rail, said: “Safety is our top priority and with one of the biggest fleets of road vehicles in the country, we want our drivers to lead by example. As well as ensuring that drivers are aware of the Highway Code’s requirements on level crossing usage, such as the need to stop at amber lights, we want all professional drivers to be aware that misusing a level crossing not only puts their life at risk but also their livelihood.” Network Rail (NR) has produced
May slight decline
The bus and coach market fell by 22 units in May following a surge in April, but year-to-date, it remains up 4.1% according to the SMMT. The purpose-built sector fell to 284 units in the month with year-todate volumes showing 11% drop. The converted sector remained buoyant, up 31.9% in May and 19.9% over the year-to-date. “After a glut of new bus and coach registrations in April, the sector performed more modestly in May, down 3.3%,” said SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes. “While the purpose-built sector suffered a 27.7% reduction versus May 2013, converted bus registrations fared better with 31.9% growth. The positive results for the 12 months to May (up 6.8%) and for the yearto-date (up 4.1%) are a solid base for the remainder of 2014.”
Barriers severely damaged after a road/rail collision in Gloucester. NETWORK RAIL a range of pack materials, which employers can distribute to their drivers and/or include in training packs. It is also working with companies to deliver bespoke interactive presentations and forums, where it will work with drivers to reinforce good level crossing use practice. The sessions will remind drivers that although it may seem an inconvenience to have to wait at a crossing, especially when they are trying to meet timetable or delivery deadlines, the stops are in place to save lives – theirs as well as those on trains and other road users. In addition to the risk to life, failing to correctly use a level crossing also poses a threat to the career of a professional driver as it is a criminal offence to misuse a level
crossing. This year has seen the successful prosecution of drivers for careless or dangerous driving at level crossings, NR said. For example, in Bugle, Cornwall a delivery van driver was fined and incurred costs and penalty points on his licence. The driver was also suspended from his job pending the outcome of an internal investigation. In Rossington, Doncaster, a driver found guilty of dangerous driving lost his licence for 12 months and will need to take an extended test in order to get his licence back. Julia concluded: “The message is clear: for a professional driver, a prosecution for the misuse of a level crossing could have a devastating effect on his or her career.”
REGISTRATIONS OF NEW PURPOSE-BUILT BUSES AND COACHES IN THE UK Marque
MAY-14 MAY-13 YTD-14 YTD-13
VOLVO BUS
55 72 326 432
WRIGHTBUS
70 47 268 120
ALEXANDER DENNIS 53 147 264 506 SCANIA
39 37 156 153
OPTARE
14 13 112 134
VDL
6 14 85 51
VAN HOOL
14 14 59 35
SETRA
2 0 46 12
NEOPLAN
7 12 42 42
IRIZAR
4 9 26 16
MERCEDES-BENZ
2 4 25 36
OTHER IMPORTS
11 4 24 10
KING LONG
6 0 17 12
MAN
1 3 14 37
IVECO BUS TOTAL BUSES AND COACHES
0 17 4 54 284
393
1,468
1,650
www.coachandbusweek.com
09/06/2014 18:26
2,783 Followers
Go-Ahead Group to leave North America
Go-Ahead entered the North American market in November 2009 Go-Ahead Group is to leave North America, winding up its 50:50 joint venture with Cook-Illinois when its contract ends in St Louis, Missouri. The contract is being taken over by Durham School Services, part of National Express Group. The joint venture is expected to end on July 31, 2014. Go-Ahead originally announced the joint venture in November 2009, and it won its first and only contract for 120 buses in February 2010, with operation starting in August of that year. “Our joint venture with Go-Ahead from England was a fantastic learning experience for both companies,” said John Benish, Chief Operating Officer for Cook-Illinois. “We learned much from working with such a large, multi-national company.” Sarah Boundy, Corporate Communications Director for GoAhead Group, said: “We’ll continue to run the original contracts which end in July this year. We’ve gained experience about managing operations overseas that’s definitely been useful and transferable.”
Join the discussion on Twitter by following us at @cbwtweets
1,961 Likes
Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ coachandbusweek
Join the group
Join our flickr group. Search groups – coach and bus week magazine
First West of England trials CycleEye in Bristol First West of England is trialling state-of-the-art cycle safety technology on three of its buses on the busy Gloucester Road corridor in Bristol. The project is part of an ongoing trial funded by five West of England local authorities. The CycleEye (sic) technology has been developed by Bristol engineering company Fusion Processing to reduce the growing number of cyclist collisions and casualties across the country involving large commercial vehicles. It uses radar and camera sensors to identify when the risk for the cyclist is increased due to being in the vehicle’s blind spot, and gives an audible alert to the driver’s cab. The unit, which can operate in all weather conditions, as well during night and day, is fitted to the side of the commercial vehicle and is unique in the way it only audibly alerts drivers when there is a real danger of a collision with the cyclist. The intelligent system is programmed to ignore other nearby objects such as bollards, railings or cars so they are not mistaken for bikes, thereby cutting out false alerts which have been an issue with other cycle safety technologies. It also reduces cognitive overload on the driver – a condition where too much information is being dealt with simultaneously by an individual – allowing them to respond faster to potentially critical situations. Its promoters said a preliminary trial in London, saw the system achieve a staggering 98.5% success rate in identifying cyclists. According to the Office for National Statistics, cycling in Bristol has doubled over the last 10 years. Between 2008-2011, cyclists were involved in over a quarter of all collisions in the city and 19
Hopes are high that a preliminary trial in London, which saw the system achieve a staggering 98.5% success rate in identifying cyclists, can be mirrored in Bristol involved buses. Paul Matthews, Managing Director, First West of England, said: “CycleEye is an interesting piece of technology and we look forward to being able to review fully the findings of the study into it.”
He added: “We are pleased to be working with the city council and Fusion Processing on this project. We are constantly looking at ways we can reduce risk in our business, ensuring the safety of our customers, staff and all other road users in the process.”
Digital and analogue tachograph analysis
If you would like further information please call 01543 897505
Visit our website: www.lloydmorgangroup.co.uk
www.coachandbusweek.com
006_007_CBW1141_News.indd 7
June 11, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 7 09/06/2014 18:26
NEWS › BUSES B R I E F LY l KOWLOON MOTOR BUS in Hong Kong has taken delivery of the first higher capacity 12.8m Wrightbus-bodied Volvo B9TL capable of carrying up to 146 passengers. Built by GT Bus in China, it is 1.5m longer than the typical specification high capacity vehicles operating in the New Territories. Wrightbus International Business Development Director Steve Harper said: “We have worked closely with our customer KMB and partner Volvo to develop this excellent new bus. The high capacity double-decker bus is an integral part of Hong Kong’s transport system and the 12.8m vehicle ably demonstrates the potential to further extend its capacity.” l A JUDGE-LED INQUIRY is to investigate Edinburgh’s troubled tram project, Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond has announced. According to BBC News, he cited “considerable public concern” over the £776m project, which he said had disrupted homes and businesses. The problems included a dispute between the city council and its contractor. l THE OXFORD BUS COMPANY and its sister company GoAhead London have announced a promotional through ticketing offer during the forthcoming Wimbledon tennis tournament. Passengers boarding an X90 coach service to Marble Arch can connect with a Go-Ahead London 739 service from the Park Lane Coach Stop Southbound) to Wimbledon for an all-in price. Adult returns cost £25 and child returns are priced at £12.50. The offer is valid over the two weeks between Monday, June 23 and Saturday, June 28 – and Monday, June 30 to Sunday, July 6. l A MAN DIED and 13 people including the bus driver were injured in a collision between an Audi A4 car and an Arriva London New Routemaster operating on route N38. The victim was travelling in the Audi. The accident took place on Lea Bridge Road at its junction with Essex Wharf, Clapton at around 0220hrs on Wednesday, June 4.
8 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 11, 2014 008_007_CBW1141_Bus news.indd 8
15%
The percentage of all West End audiences which arrive by coach
1000
The sum raised for Transaid at the National Express Operator Awards
York’s new Park-and-Ride is Optare Versa EVs enter service following the securing of Green Bus Fund support
Six Optare Versa EVs entered service with First in York on Sunday. They’re providing a 10-minute daytime frequency, seven days a week on route 59 between the city’s newest Parkand-Ride site at Poppleton Bar and the centre. The buses have a 70-80 mile range. Overnight recharging for all six takes place at First’s James Street depot with top up charging as required during the day at the Park-and-Ride site where there are 600 parking spaces. Poppleton Bar is part of a £22.7m project that has seen the current Askham Bar Park-and-Ride facility also extended from 400 to around 1,100 spaces. First continues to use its Mercedes-Benz Citaro artics alongside other types on the Askham bar service. The Park-and-Ride electric Versas, owned by First, are part of a nine-strong order in conjunction
with City of York Council that attracted fourth round Green Bus Fund support. Two more buses are expected to be used by an as yet unnamed operator on a route serving a sustainable housing development while Transdev York is having the ninth for its Unibus
service. First has created a dedicated rota for the buses as drivers are also responsible for top up charging. While the buses are much quieter than a diesel vehicle they do emit a noise. First has worked with a local blind and partially sighted group
Local authorities and other public bodies have been invited to apply for a share of £5m from the Clean Vehicle Technology Fund. Transport Minister Baroness Kramer announced the fund on June 2, which is aimed at making improvements to local bus fleets and other vehicles. Baroness Kramer said: “This is our latest step in a major programme of measures to make our air cleaner. We are raising
the bar and making sure that the ongoing trend of improving air quality continues. “This £5 million will mean less harmful exhaust fumes from buses, and other vehicles, in some of our most polluted urban areas. This funding will also secure jobs and growth in the industries delivering the technology.” The scheme builds on the £7.3m awarded last year across 26 local authorities through the Clean Bus
Technology Fund. Last year’s fund helped modify over 500 buses. This year’s scheme allows local authorities to apply for funding to improve other vehicles in their fleets, providing they are used predominantly on local roads with poor air quality. The funding, up to a maximum of £500,000 for any one authority, will allow them to fund fitting technology to treat exhaust fumes or convert vehicles to run on
First’s Park-and-Ride manager Peter McCarthy with Cllr David Levene, City of York Cabinet Member for Transport
LA’s to bid for Clean Vehicle Technology funding
The 45 buses that Malta Public Transport has leased for at least a year from Dawsonrentals started to enter service last week. There are 23 nine-metre Optare Solos and 22 Wrightbus-bodied Volvo B7RLEs. All are new stock vehicles that have been equipped with air conditioning. Initially registered in the UK so that they could be driven through Europe prior to shipping, passenger information systems, ticket machines, GPS tracking and CCTV are being installed once they arrive in Malta. Delivery is expected to be completed by the middle of June with the last entering service by the end of the month. BOTH PICTURES: GEOFF GIRLING www.coachandbusweek.com
09/06/2014 18:40
6
The number of workshop bays at Arriva’s Ashington depot
de is electric so members know what sounds to expect. First’s Park-and-Ride manager, Peter McCarthy, said: “We’re ready to welcome customers on board these fabulous new vehicles that offer free WiFi and the latest in comfort. I’m sure this new environmentally friendly way to travel will be a huge success and reduce congestion in our city. Cllr David Levene, Cabinet Member for Transport at City of York Council, said: “York has become the �irst city in the North to introduce a new �leet of electric buses thanks to a successful bid in May last year, which awarded £1.2m funding. “Our aim is to encourage even more people to travel by bus and increase passenger numbers by 18% by 2015. We know our ongoing work to improve services will help to deliver real bene�its for the city, and for every £1 spent in York this project should deliver £4 of bene�its by reducing congestion, improving air quality and health, and reducing road accidents.”
2,783 Followers
Join the discussion on Twitter by following us at @cbwtweets
1,961 Likes
Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ coachandbusweek
SHARE WATCH
Stagecoach Gold expands
Industry share prices at the close of the Stock Exchange on Monday, June 9. 21st Century saw the greatest proportional rise, while Optare saw the greatest proportional drop. Most figures obtained from www.lse.co.uk
429.90p
Price: Year High: 471.00p Year Low: 374.10p
www.coachandbusweek.com
008_007_CBW1141_Bus news.indd 9
SAME on last week
139.70p
Price: Year High: 146.10p Year Low: 90.30p
+0.30 on last week
2285.00p
Stagecoach East upgraded the 13 group of services between Cambridge and Haverhill to Gold standard using 11 Enviro400-bodied Scania N230UDs from June 1. In addition to E-Leather seating, they have free WiFi. A dedicated team of 18 drivers based at Haverhill outstation have received training and new uniforms including a gold tie. DAVID BELL
Price: Year High: 2295.00p Year Low: 1363.00p
+47.00
275.60p
Price: Year High: 307.70p Year Low: 202.70p
TfL adds ‘One More Journey’ to Oyster
Transport for London (TfL) has announced that it has introduced Oyster ‘One More Journey,’ allowing passengers to make one more bus journey should they have insuf�icient ‘pay as you go’ credit to travel. The new facility supports the move to cash free bus travel, which is being introduced across the capital’s bus network from Sunday, July 6. It was developed following extensive research which showed nine out of 10 passengers who paid a cash fare did so because they either had insuf�icient ‘pay as you go’ credit to travel or had left their Oyster card at home. Its introduction is one month earlier than planned and follows a successful trial which commenced on April 4, 2014, on around 500 buses operating on 60 routes in the capital. Since the trial started, around 1,500 passengers a day have used the facility. The new feature is available to any passenger who presents an Oyster card for travel that has a
Join the group
Join our flickr group. Search groups – coach and bus week magazine
386.00p
Price: Year High: 401.40p Year Low: 289.10p
0.23
Price: Year High: 0.42p Year Low: 0.21p
53.00p
Price: Year High: 58.50p Year Low: 42.50p
on last week
-2.90 on last week
-3.60 on last week
-0.015 on last week
+0.25 on last week
Passengers will be reminded their card needs topping up positive balance but insuf�icient credit to pay for the bus journey. The passenger receives an emergency fare advice slip to acknowledge that the Oyster ‘One More Journey’ feature has been used and to remind them that their card needs to be topped up before another journey can be made. Passengers using rear door Oyster readers on multi-entry buses, such as New Routemasters, will be prompted to speak to the driver and use the reader at the front of the bus to receive their emergency fare advice slip.
This ‘One More Journey’ emergency fare will take the Oyster card into a negative balance which will be cleared when the ‘pay as you go’ balance is topped up. Mike Weston, TfL Director of Buses, said: “During our trial over 77,000 journeys were enabled because of Oyster ‘One More Journey’ with positive feedback received from both passengers and bus drivers. Introducing this facility is the �irst of many steps we are taking to ensure a smooth transition to cash free bus travel from July 6.”
425.00p
Price: Year High: 620.00p Year Low: 375.00p
5.375p
Price: Year High: 10.50p Year Low: 4.38p
+7.50 on last week
+0.25 on last week
FTSE 100
6,878
Index: Year High: 6,878 Year Low: 6,029
+16 on last week
June 11, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 9 09/06/2014 18:40
NEWS › COACHES RO A D WATC H n WORK BEGAN on Monday (June 9) to modify Preston Boats junction, where the northbound A49 to Whitchurch leaves the A5 on the eastern end of Shrewsbury bypass The existing roundabout is to be retained but all approaches will have traffic lights installed. These will be of the ‘smart’ variety, which read the demands of traffic on the junction approaches and alter timings automatically. ‘Free flow’ lanes will also be introduced on the A5 westbound and A49 to A5 eastbound arms, removing a significant volume of traffic from the junction. The next roundabout at Emstrey island, which had lights installed in 2009, is to see several approaches being widened – in addition to the widening of the island itself to provide three lanes with traffic lights. A 50mph limit will be in force on the approaches – along with both lane and full carriageway closures overnight. The project is part of the Government’s pinch point programme. n DRIVERS ARE TO BE REMINDED that work to repair and maintain three bridges along a two-mile section of the A47 at King’s Lynn in Norfolk was due to start as this issue went to press on Monday (June 9). The structures – the River Great Ouse Bridge, the River Nar Bridge and the Harbour Junction Bridge – are to rewaterproofed and resurfaced. A 30 mph speed limit is now in force between A47 Pullover Roundabout and A47/A10/A149 Hardwick Roundabout. Single lanes are operating in each direction. From Saturday (June 14) – a week earlier than planned – a contraflow operation will begin for six weeks. The Highways Agency (HA) said it is aiming to finish the work on July 29 – before the busiest holiday period. At a location which is already a notorious bottleneck, the HA is advising drivers to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys. n THE A77 SYMINGTON and Bogend Toll improvements project has been completed early and on budget.
NX Coach operators clean up at awards night
Pictured from left to right are: Graeme Hoggan (Parks of Hamilton), Asan Fazal (Travelstar European), Peter Bennett ( Bennetts Coaches), Chris Lucassi (Bennetts Coaches), Gavin Bennett (Bennetts Coaches), Ian Luckett (Lucketts Travel), Dawn Murphy (Stagecoach Yorkshire), Malcolm Fisher (Parks of Hamilton), Joe Gilchrist (Stagecoach Yorkshire), Phil Holmes (Parks Plymouth), Carl Stott (Stotts Coaches), Mohammed Asif (Travelstar European), Mark Stott (Stotts Coaches), Simon Davies (Edwards Coaches), Matt Turley (South Gloucestershire Bus and Coach), Geoff Prince (Selwyns Travel), Stewart Isaac (Edwards Coaches) and Selwyn Jones (Selwyns Travel)
Coach firms from across the country have been recognised and commended for their hard work and excellence at the National Express Operator Awards night. The UK’s largest coach operator handed accolades to thirteen coach operators that run services on the national coach network at the event held at the Windmill Village Hotel in Coventry last fortnight. Among those awarded for their work during last year were Gloucester-based Bennett’s Coaches – winner of the overall Network Operator of the Year and the High Achiever Award, E Stott & Sons won the Best Fleet Award while Julia Humby, also of Bennett’s, won the
Driver of the Year Award. Excelsior Coaches scooped the Driving Out Harm (Safety Excellence) Award, Parks of Hamilton and South Gloucester jointly won the Community Contribution Award and Edwards won the prize for Best Operator of a fleet of 16 or more vehicles. A further seven awards were handed out to operators for Sustained High Achievements. National Express UK Coach Managing Director Tom Stables presented the winners with their trophies on stage during the evening. He said: “We were once again highly impressed by the standards set by the winners while running their operations last year - with the bar being raised yet again. We rely
on our partner operators to deliver excellence in order to meet the high standards that our customers expect and the quality we have seen underlines just how good the service is.” During the evening a charity raffle raised nearly £1,000 which was donated to international development charity Transaid. Gary Forster, Transaid’s Chief Executive, said: “We are delighted that National Express operators have chosen to donate the proceeds from the charity raffle at their annual awards to Transaid. Every donation we receive helps us to continue our projects which save lives and reduce poverty for rural communities across Africa by providing them with better transport solutions.”
Carmel Coaches is set to lose its O-licence on July 31 after a Public Inquiry before Traffic Commissioner Sarah Bell. O-licence no.PH1098535 is to be revoked, while Tony Hazell and his son Michael James Hazell, a fellow director, have been disqualified from holding or obtaining an O-licence or being involved in transport operations for a period of 18 months from the date of the
decision (June 5). Michael James Hazell, trading as Hirethisbus.com, which used O-licence no.PH1060745 has been revoked with immediate effect. Commenting on the recent coach crash in which two people lost their lives, Miss Bell said: “I cannot pre-judge the outcome of those enquiries [by the police and other agencies]. This decision should not be read so as to reflect any
conclusion regarding the incident.” Carolyn Alderton, who was granted a sole trader five-vehicle O-licence for the Nailsea-based former North Somerset Coaches operation has been ‘tainted’ by her involvement with Carmel Coaches, Ms Bell said. As this issue went to press, it remained to be seen whether any of those involved will appeal against the decision.
Network contractors recognised for their achievements
Carmel Coaches set to lose O-licence
10 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 11, 2014 010_011_CBW1141_Coach News.indd 10
www.coachandbusweek.com
09/06/2014 18:12
2,783 Followers
Join the discussion on Twitter by following us at @cbwtweets
1,961 Likes
Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ coachandbusweek
Join the group
Join our flickr group. Search groups – coach and bus week magazine
Irizar sells its 100th new integral coach in UK Volvo Jonckheere Irizar UK has sold its 100th integral coach to Norfolk-based tour specialist Eastons Holidays. The landmark vehicle – an i6 touring coach – comes less than three years after the Worksopbased dealership’s launch and helped Irizar become market leader in the UK in 2013, with more than 25% of full-sized coach sales. “It seems such a short time ago that Ian Hall and I were watching the showroom signage go up,” said Steve O’Neill, Commercial Director. “We are very proud to have sold our 100th coach and owe a debt of thanks for those operators who have shown faith in us and our determination to make Irizar UK a �irst-rate company.” Steve says the growing �leet of Irizar integral coaches – including the i4 and PB – has been matched by investment in key staff and in parts stock with supplier partner Masterpart. Additionally, Irizar UK has a programme of product training for the 30 specialist DAF service agents in the UK. “As a former coach operator, I know how important our aftersales service is to our customers, to sort out problems as soon as they occur and to leave the talking until our customer’s vehicle is back on the road. Thankfully, the superb build quality now being achieved by Irizar’s global brand has meant
for New Bharat
Derek Easton, Joint Owner of Eastons, and daughter Claire Smith, who also works at the business, on a recent visit to Irizar’s factory in Spain those problems have been few and far between.” The 100th is a 13.87 metre long, 3.9 metre high 53-seater i6, which has DAF-Paccar’s 460hp MX340 engine and ZF AS-Tronic autoshift gearbox. It is being liveried in the factory, and will be delivered in July. Joint Owner of Eastons, Robert Easton, says the decision to buy the i6 was made very carefully: “After having been very impressed with the factory when I was hosted by Irizar on a VIP trip, I decided to take a closer look,” he said.
“Legroom on our European tour programme is a critical factor for us, but the Irizar i6 in its 13.87 metre length offers legroom in plenty. Another factor is the ‘wow’ which is created by the i6 design, both outside and inside – it offers high levels of customer appeal.” However Robert didn’t rely solely on his own judgement: “Having spoken to other operators, it was clear that the all-important backup and aftersales service is a key part of the package offered by Irizar UK. That’s essential for us.”
New Van Hool coach model for 2015
Van Hool will be introducing a new type of standard coach for Europe and ‘new markets’ in 2015. During the of�icial inauguration of the �irm’s new Macedonian plant in Skopje (see separate story on p16) Filip Van Hool, CEO of Van Hool, announced that the production of a new vehicle type will be starting in the fourth quarter of this year at the company’s Skopje plant. The new model is described as ‘a standard coach’ and has received the name ‘EX.’ “Van Hool wants to continue playing a signi�icant role on the
www.coachandbusweek.com
010_011_CBW1141_Coach News.indd 11
An artist’s impression of the new coach international market of buses and coaches,” explained Filip. “For the �irst time since the worldwide �inancial-economic crisis began, we’re again thinking in terms of growth. True to tradition, we stay in close
contact with what’s going on with our customers and keep a sharp eye on how the market is evolving. What we’ve been seeing prompted us to build a new type of coach. With this new vehicle type we can even tap
Excellent fuel economy was one of the key factors behind London-based operator New Bharat Coaches purchasing a new Jonckheere-bodied Volvo B11R. “The Volvo B11R is the ideal size for our requirements,” explained New Bharat Coaches’ Director, Taj Dhaliwal. “We’ve had the Volvo B12B coach before and the B11R is the nearest vehicle to it in Volvo’s current range. “Long-term familiarity with the brand wasn’t our only reason for specifying Volvo – it was more a case of the fuel economy that could be achieved with this new vehicle. We tend to cover quite a lot of miles and we want the best fuel results for our business. “Volvo Bus Regional Coach Sales Manager, Jo Standbridge, was very enthusiastic. She was keen to demonstrate the ability of Volvo’s B11R and we were impressed by what we saw. We look forward to seeing how the vehicle performs over the coming months.” The 53-seater is equipped with a radio, CD & DVD player and TV monitors. The vehicle is also �itted with climate control and a servery. It carries a cherished registration number – ‘NB14NBC.’
Call New Bharat on 020 8574 6817. Visit http:// newbharat.co.uk
new markets that until recently were virtually unattainable for us. It will be a standard type coach, characterised by the high quality standards for which Van Hool is renowned for. Over the past few months, the employees at the new plant in Skopje have clearly demonstrated that they can quickly make Van Hool’s high quality standards their own. “The vehicle is situated in the lower segment of the international bus and coach market and, in order to be competitive, it has to be built cost-ef�iciently. For the more specialised work with high added value, the plant in Koningshooikt naturally remains the ideal site. “We invite everyone to come take a look at the new vehicle at the major international trade fair IAA in Hannover, Germany which is being held from 25/9/2014 through into 2/10/2014.” June 11, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 11 09/06/2014 18:12
NEWS › REGIONAL MIDLANDS TRENT BARTON is honouring servicemen and women for their bravery, offering them free weekend travel. The renowned bus operator has already raised thousands of pounds for the charity Help for Heroes. Alex Hornby, Marketing and Communications Director, said: “We are only too aware of the risks service personnel face when on active duty overseas, but they also do a sterling job – day in, day out – to keep our country safe. “By offering them free travel at weekends and on bank holidays, we hope they can make the most of the time they have with family and friends. “At the same time, we want to show our gratitude for all their hard work.” Army, navy and air force members will be required to show their forces ID when boarding a bus.
SOUTH EAST
EASTLEIGH-BASED operator Xelabus has announced a package of service improvements. The most significant is that its popular X7 service between Eastleigh and Chandlers Ford is to double in frequency from hourly to every 30 minutes during the day on June 23. The firm’s X3 service between Eastleigh and Asda will also be diverted to serve Boyatt Wood giving residents a new service to the large retail store.
2,783 Followers
Join the discussion on Twitter by following us at @cbwtweets
1,961 Likes
Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ coachandbusweek
NORTH
KEY
SCOTLAND NORTHERN IRELAND REP OF IRELAND NORTH WALES MIDLANDS EAST LONDON SOUTH EAST SOUTH WEST
However, new will be a service X4 running from Eastleigh to Hedge End serving Barton Peveril College, Parkway, Mansbridge and West End. During the daytime buses will also enter Haskins Car Park and stop right outside the shop. As an added bonus, Xelabus have teamed up with Haskins and offer each passenger a voucher for a beverage in the restaurant completely free. Students travelling to Barton Peveril College will also find Xelabus will be operating all college services from the same date. Philip Blair, Managing Director for Xelabus said: “These changes
just go to show how much we learn from our customers on travel requests within the Eastleigh area. Chandlers Ford getting a 30-minute service will provide more capacity on this growing route, especially with demand being very high from the Velmore Estate. Residents from Boyatt Wood have requested a service to the large superstore and the X3 will fit the bill. However, we are very excited about our new X4 service, which will replace the Velvet A route and give customers a more reliable service to and from Hedge End.”
THREE LOCAL BUS n OPERATORS in South Essex were among many local
businesses and individuals who teamed up together to help restore a well-known local war memorial that had fallen on hard times. The memorial itself is Wickford War Memorial Park dating back to 1949 and consists of a tree lined Avenue of Remembrance and a formal flower garden. Over the years the garden had long since disappeared and the avenue lost some of its original trees. Many of the plaques with the soldiers names on had also been lost, stolen, or damaged. The project was led by the Wickford War Memorial Association which is chaired by Ensign’s Steve Newman. After successfully restoring three other war memorials in the past 10 years, the group set about raising
12 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 11, 2014 012_014_CBW1141_Regional News.indd 12
the £55,000 to complete this project. Having successfully gained a number of grants, they still had to raise a significant remaining amount and is where the local contacts in the bus industry
Join the group
Join our flickr group. Search groups – coach and bus week magazine
helped. The newly restored avenue and garden were opened at a service on May 23. The avenue now has 66 trees dedicated to the fallen from the town, each with a plaque
PLANS FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT of Chester Bus Exchange have been unveiled, which will see the current facility turned into a shopping centre and the bus station relocated. According to the Chester Chronicle, the £300m Northgate development, as it is known, aims to help reverse Chester’s decline as a top retail destination against fierce competition from other cities and out-of-town shopping centres, but is said to be unviable unless the bus exchange area is freed up for development. Northgate would, however, include three bus stops. Gorse Stacks car park is Cheshire West and Chester Council’s preferred location for the u-shaped interchange, with nine internal stands and four on George Street. In addition to the new £10m grass-roofed bus station, the transport vision includes a free ‘shopper hopper’ bus – possibly electric, hybrid or low carbon – circling the city in an anticlockwise direction with frequent links between the railway station and the new bus exchange. The terminal will also feature real-time bus information screens and may include charging points for electric bicycles. A planning application will be submitted in November, to be decided in December, with construction due to start next spring and completion in late summer 2016. A funding application has been submitted to the Local Enterprise Partnership
that tells the story of how the men were lost, many including a photo of the serviceman, making the memorial a truly unique one which the town can be justifiably proud of. Commenting on the completed project, Steve said: “It’s been a lot of hard work by a lot of people, but the end result is a truly fantastic living war memorial. The link between the military and the bus industry goes back to when drivers took soldiers to the trenches in World War I so it was great that the local industry came together to help fund such a project and for which all those involved are very grateful.” Pictured here are: Adrian Jones, MD of First Eastern, Peter Newman, Chairman, Ensign Bus and Steve Nelson, MD of NIBS Buses in the Memorial Park.
www.coachandbusweek.com
09/06/2014 17:05
698874-1140-Airconco 02/06/2014 13:58 Page 1
NEWS › REGIONAL with a decision expected in July. Under current plans, The Ship Victory pub will be demolished. The canal end of Frodsham Street could be realigned to allow for a mixed office and commercial development in front of Mecca bingo. Work will not go ahead until an anchor tenant has been secured for Northgate. A review of the commercial viability of the current Northgate scheme is also being reviewed given the fast changing retail landscape, including the growth of online shopping.
FIRST HAS UNVEILED 12 new buses with free WiFi for Bradford. The buses are low WrightBus Eclipse 2 Volvos B7RLEs worth £2m, and will operate on the 607 Thornton – Holme Wood circular. As well as promotional information inside the vehicle, a marketing campaign has been launched along the route to promote the new service, using outdoor poster sites, a household door drop and email to local residents “This latest investment by First is welcome news for the people of Bradford,” said Bradford Council leader Councillor David Green. “[It] will add to the improving quality of the bus experience for customers.” Operations Manager for First in Bradford, Barry Jones, said: “These new buses deliver a great travelling experience for our customers and I’m sure new features like free Wifi will make travelling by bus more attractive.”
SOUTH WEST
FIRST BRISTOL has seen a significant rise in passengers partly because of their new fares structure, the firm has claimed. The change in ticket prices was prompted by a local bus user who campaigned for cheaper fares, after 90% of people said its prices were too high. First has said the 15% increase equates to 53,000 extra journeys a week compared to April and May last year. Paul Matthews from First said: “It’s not simple to suggest you cut fares one day and you see immediate volume and revenue growth the next day.” First has operated two zones since November - an inner (up to six miles from the city centre) and outer (six to 12 miles) – offers halfprice single tickets to under 16s for single tickets in the inner zone. The remaining 6% increase
2,783 Followers
in passenger volume has been credited to other factors such as new buses, free WiFi, extra bus services and recruiting bus drivers with better customer service skills. The results of a fares consultation held earlier this year are due to be released next week.
1,961 Likes
Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ coachandbusweek
Join the group
Join our flickr group. Search groups – coach and bus week magazine
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
WALES
BUSES FROM CHEPSTOW to Newport which were cut will continue after Newport Bus stepped in to take over the routes. Newport Bus will run the 74 service in the Severnside area through Magor, Caldicot, Undy and Portskewett from July 21. In April the route’s current provider Stagecoach announced it was giving up running the service, blaming a lack of Welsh Government investment in bus services. A Monmouthshire council spokesman said the service will not cost the authority any extra money and will run from Newport and Chepstow via Caldicot from 0624 to 2330hrs. During peak times the service will run every 30 minutes, every hour during quieter periods. Newport Bus said it will be holding surgeries in the coming months to gauge what improvements are needed for the services. It has said fares will be lower than they are at present. As part of the new plan, the 74 will not run through Underwood and will cut 10 minutes off the journey time from Newport to Chepstow. Newport Bus will run a 21 service between Newport and Underwood via Spytty Retail Park. The operator said frequency of the buses can increase if there is sufficient demand. Monmouthshire and Newport councils will look to see if the 62 service can provide better service to the Caldicot area and provide further links between Caerwent, Caldicot and Severn Tunnel Junction. Newport Bus’ Managing Director, Scott Pearson, said: “We recognise the importance of these communities on Severnside being served by good quality public transport. As a company we are prepared to supply these bus services and continually review them to ensure they are proving commercially viable. The consultation process with the local authority and community councils suggests that they are, but I would stress that in this difficult financial climate for public transport in Wales that the services clearly need to be used to ensure longevity.”
14 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 11, 2014 012_014_CBW1141_Regional News.indd 14
Join the discussion on Twitter by following us at @cbwtweets
Reading Buses is holding its popular open day at its Great Knollys Street depot on Sunday, June 29 from 1100 until 1600hrs
2014 n June 15 Welsh Coach Rally, Swansea. ntfwswansea.co.uk Contact Ashley Lovering 07814 958379 n June 17-19 ATCO Summer Event 2014, Cardiff. www.atco.org.uk n June 29 Reading Buses seventh annual open day Great Knollys Street depot 1100-1600hrs. 0118 959 4000 n June 29 Wessex Transport Society Bus Rally Ringwood, Hampshire. 01202 293245. mikepenny.wts@gmail.com n July 2 European Bus Forum 2014 Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester. www.
europeanbusforum.com
n July 5-6 North Norfolk Railway Bus Rally. Heritage bus service both days, transport festival on Sunday. Email bus@johnrstewart. co.uk for an entry form. 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 n July 20 Alton Bus Rally. Anstey Park, Alton, Hants. www. altonbusrally.org.uk n August 31 Buses Festival. Heritage Motor Museum, Gaydon. 10 – 1700hrs. Contact: michelle. withers@keypublishing.com 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 September 14 Bus & Coach Wales Merthyr Tydfil n September 14 UK Bus Driver of the Year 2014 Blackpool. bdoy@ btinternet.com n September 21 Showbus 2014. Imperial War Museum, Duxford. www.showbus.com n September 25 - October 2 IAA Commercial Vehicle Show. Hannover, Germany. www.iaa.de n October 28-31 International Bus and Coach Trade Fair Feria de Madrid Avda del Partenon, 5 28042 Madrid, Spain www.ifema.es n October 5 Bluebell Railway Vintage Bus Day. 01825 720800, visit www.bluebell-railway.com or email d.morgan52@btinternet.com n October 6–7 CPT Scotland Annual Conference. Cameron House Hotel, Alexandria. 0131 272 2150. www.cpt-uk.org n November 4-6 Euro Bus Expo Expo 2014 NEC Birmingham www. eurobusexpo.com n November 4 – 7 QV Associates Introduction to Bus & Crew Scheduling course. Birmingham. 01905 613527. http://qv-associates. com n November 18 – 21 QV Associates Route & Timetable Planning course. Birmingham. 01905 613527. http://qv-associates. com
Send your event details to gareth.evans@ coachandbusweek.com
www.coachandbusweek.com
09/06/2014 17:05
p15_CBW_1141 09/06/2014 12:42 Page 15
Swansea Coachworks New 16 seat Mercedes Sprinter with large boot and side lockers.
Based on the Mercedes Sprinter 516, we have designed a truly unique mini-coach. First of all we have added our coach style body extension to facilitate the luggage requirements, then we have created an interior capable of seating 16 passengers in extreme comfort but added the option of 4 tables, 2 double tables and 2 single tables.
Used Mercedes Sprinter 311 16 seat luxury minicoach  with brand new conversion
Full luxury interior, luggage racks, forced air ventilation, rack reading lights, double glazed windows, curtains, luxury reclinning coach seats with armrest, full exterior body kit, full exterior re-paint. The vehicle can also be used as a 13 seat with 4 tables (as per picture) as seats are on coach type tracking. PHONE FOR MORE DETAILS. This is a brief description of this luxury vehicleÂ
Once again you decide what options you require from a vast list available and then pick your own colours to match your requirements. One thing you can be sure about is that a Swansea Coachworks mini-coach stands out in a crowd.
www.swanseacoachworks.com
www.coachandbusweek.com
June 11, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 15
NEWS › HERITAGE
2,783 Followers
Join the discussion on Twitter by following us at @cbwtweets
1,961 Likes
Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ coachandbusweek
Join the group
Join our flickr group. Search groups – coach and bus week magazine
Crowds carried at Barry running day Cardiff Transport Preservation Group’s event to mark the 40th anniversary of the end of the Urban District Council structure in Wales proves a hit The Cardiff Transport Preservation Group (CTPG) held its second running day on Sunday, May 4, giving free heritage bus rides from its 1930s former National Welsh bus depot in Barry. The day had a theme of recognising the 40th anniversary of the end of the Urban District Council structure in Wales. Back in 1974, some of these councils had been running their own local bus services since the 1920s but change meant larger District Councils were taking over. Vehicles in service during the event included 1951-built ex Caerphilly Leyland Tiger PS2 ‘LTX311,’ Bedwas PD3 ‘PAX466F,’ Pontypridd 1968-built Regent V ‘ETG313G’ and the popular opentopper 1964-built Cardiff Guy Arab Neepsend ‘ABO434B’ at Barry Depot.
Passengers board a 1979-built East Lancs bodied-Leyland Leopard ex Rhymney Valley District Council bus at The Bus Depot, Barry for a free trip to Sully and Penarth. Buses in the background are a green 1952 Caerphilly UDC Leyland and an Aberdare Red & White 1966 Bristol MW. TUDOR THOMAS Mike Taylor, Chairman of the heritage bus group said: “Our Urban District Council buses were the oldest ones that we were giving rides in. To represent the period following the District Council take over in 1974, we had
RCL joins RML at Central Buses
RCL2220 alongside RML2411
several buses from Islwyn Borough Transport and Rhymney Valley District Council too. We also had a privately-owned visiting Aberdare Red & White bus which had travelled all the way from Essex. As the sun came out, we ran our
50-year-old Cardiff open topper too.” Commenting on the success of the event, Mike said: “We saw several hundred people on the day and many of the buses were full leaving the depot. With only 30 minutes between departures, queues were forming quickly for the next trip. Free bus rides to Penarth and Rhoose were run along with a Barry Island and town tour. It was also good to see new members joining us so we are expanding our in�luence. “Our volunteers, who restored many of the buses, were very pleased to see local residents and some youngsters too taking advantage of the free buses.”
More details about the CTPG’s �leet and events can be found at www.ctpg.co.uk ● The CTPG will be supporting the National Transport Festival of Wales this Sunday (June 15). More details at www. ntfwswansea.co.uk
Summer weekend with a Commer
This beautifully restored 1943-built Commer Q4 will be providing short trips from Andrews House station to East Tanfield at the Tanfield Railway’s inaugural Vintage Transport & Real Ale Festival this coming weekend (June 14 – 15). The County Durham heritage
railway will feature a gathering of road steam locos, including aSentinel DG8 steam waggon, vintage vehicles from Sunderland & District Classic Vehicle Society, displays from the North East Meccano Society, Gateshead model flying club and theTyneside
Society of Model & Experimental Engineers. ‘Driver for a Fiver’ will also be available on an Armstrong Whitworth diesel locomotive No.2. More details at www. tanfield-railway.co.uk or 0845 463 4938
West Midlands independent operator Central Buses has acquired a second Routemaster – in the shape of an RCL2220. It joins RML2411 which was purchased in December 2012. Geoff Cross, Managing Director at Central Buses told CBW: “Obtaining good examples is becoming harder. Therefore, when RCL2220 became available, we snapped it up. She has an original AEC engine, is a convertible and has a closed platform which gives us �lexibility for hires which don’t require a conductor.” Geoff added: “The RCL is being used on private hire. Heritage bus hire has become a sideline for us – we’ve set up a heritage hire division.” 16 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 11, 2014 016_CBW1141_Heritage News.indd 16
www.coachandbusweek.com
09/06/2014 19:27
702196-1141-HJS 09/06/2014 18:05 Page 1
Emission Abatement Systems for The Clean Vehicle Technology Fund Quality Emission Abatement Systems – Made in Germany The HJS SMF® (Sintered Metal Filter) has enabled public transport buses to operate within Low Emission Zones throughout Europe for a number of years now. HJS are also pioneers of the innovative SCRT® retrofit solution to significantly reduce the level of harmful pollutants emitted by buses including Nitrogen Oxides (NOx). ✔
✔
✔
✔ ✔
HJS SCRT® systems are TfL approved and meet the requirements of the Clean Vehicle Technology Fund 2014 Systems are modular in design with separate CRT and SCR units for easy maintenance Direct fit technology and Millbrook tested vehicle specific applications Manufactured in Germany to the highest OE quality standards NEW! Thermo Management Systems to Increase NOx conversion on Euro 5 vehicles
SCRT® – The most cost effective solution for cleaner buses
UK Office: EEL Ltd Tel: 01344 360173 / 07733 227889 info@hjs.com www.hjs.com
NEWS › INTERNATIONAL
2,783 Followers
Join the discussion on Twitter by following us at @cbwtweets
1,961 Likes
Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ coachandbusweek
Join the group
Join our flickr group. Search groups – coach and bus week magazine
Van Hool officially opens Macedonian factory €25m investment in Skopje will strengthen Belgian manufacturer’s global presence MACEDONIA Van Hool has officially opened its new Macedonian factory. The Belgian coachbuilder said its €25m investment in the plant at Skopje will help to reaffirm and strengthen its position on the international coach and bus market in the coming years. The origins of the new factory can be traced back to early 2012 when Van Hool announced it had received a large order for 500 coaches for the North American market. This order in fact consisted of two orders: a first one for 300 standard coaches, and a second one for 200 coaches with high added value. CEO Filip Van Hool took up the story: “Van Hool wants to continue playing a significant
First major Euro 6 delivery checks in
CZECH REPUBLIC The first major Euro 6 bus delivery to the Czech Republic has been made to operator ICOM, according to Daimler Buses, which has supplied a dozen Mercedes-Benz Intouro high-floor dual-purpose buses. The 50-seater vehicles will be used on scheduled services in central Bohemia. To this end, one door of the dual-entrance buses is equipped with an integrated lifting platform with a width of 1,380mm. There has been a relationship between Mercedes-Benz and ICOM in the bus and coach segment since 1998. In the past 15 years, the company has ordered 1,000 buses and coaches. The ICOM fleet comprises over 700 Mercedes-Benz Intouros. The firm also operates 300 Mercedes-Benz trucks for national and international haulage.
The ceremonial ribbon is cut, declaring the new factory open role on the American market. From the start it was clear that we couldn’t build these 300 standard coaches in Belgium – the cost price, above all because of the high wage costs for building
a series of standard coaches, was too high. After a detailed analysis of several possibilities, we decided to build a new plant in Macedonia. The country, although not a member of the EU,
is nevertheless very European oriented. The favourable investment climate, together with the working conditions and the skills of the highly-motivated workforce, prompted us to make our investment. “If we hadn´t made this investment for that first order, we wouldn´t have received the second order for high added value coaches that are being currently built in Koningshooikt (Belgium).” Just a year ago, the same Prime Minister of Macedonia cut the first sod. The inaugural completed coach left the plant on October 15. In the meantime, 431 Macedonian employees (410 men and 21 women) are working in the brand-new plant and more than 125 coaches have already been built for the American market. This year, around 300 vehicles are being built in Macedonia for the North-American market.
Tieber takes delivery of first TopClass 500 in Austria AUSTRIA Tieber GmbH has added a special Setra coach to its fleet – its inaugural S516HDH model – which also happens to be the first vehicle from the new TopClass500 series to be delivered in Austria. For company owner Peter Tieber is was an easy choice. “The TopClass 500 ties in perfectly with our company philosophy,” he said. Based on the motto ‘Mit Stil ans Ziel’ (Travelling in Style), the Styrian opertor now plans to deploy the tri-axle vehicle on exclusive tours throughout Europe. Shortly after the official handover of the keys in front of more than 50 invited industry guests at the Setra Customer Center in Neu-Ulm, the vehicle took to the road to make its maiden voyage to Strasbourg and Colmar. The four-star coach boasts 50 Setra Voyage Plus seats, featuring lengthened cushions, heated
window strips, eight-channel headphone system for each seat, three 19-inch monitors, a coffee machine and toilet. Ambient lighting also helps to provide harmonious conditions in the vehicle interior when travelling night. Based in Judenburg, not far
from the Austrian ‘Red Bull Ring’ race circuit, Tieber GmbH was established in 1961 and has been managed since 1990 by Peter as sole trader. The company operates a 10-strong fleet of luxury touring coaches.
first company in Germany to use these vehicles in regular service. The acquisition of the buses was funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The vehicles will be used in the towns of Hürth and Brühl, both of which are located south of
Cologne. The Van Hool A330 FC model is 13.16 meters long and has a fuel cell with an output of 150 kW. The energy is stored in a lithium -ion battery. Two 85 kW strong electric motors drive the Van Hool A330 FC. The vehicles contain 33 seats and can carry 67 standees.
RVK has been using hydrogen fuel cell hybrid buses in regular service since 2011. The first two vehicles of the ‘Phileas’ types are still prototypes, made by Dutch manufacturer APTS. The operator has set itself a target of running a 100% ‘green’ fleet by 2030.
Martin Biewald (left), Head of Sales at Setra Buses in Austria, hands over the milestone coach to company owner Peter Tieber in Neu-Ulm
Rhineland debut for Van Hool A330 hybrid fuel cell buses GERMANY Regional Köln GmbH (RVK) has expanded its zero-emission bus fleet with the acquisition of two new fuel cell hybrid buses. The pair of Van Hool A330 FC fuel cell hybrid buses are pre-production vehicles of the type’s third generation. RVK is the
18 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 11, 2014 018_CBW1141_International News.indd 18
www.coachandbusweek.com
09/06/2014 19:37
p19_CBW_1141 09/06/2014 17:31 Page 19
www.coachandbusweek.com
June 11, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 19
SERVICE UPDATE › FIRST BORDERS X95 & X62
First upgrades its Waverley routes
Gareth Evans reports how First Scotland East has upgraded two of its key bus routes which connect the Borders with Edinburgh and Carlisle
M
ention the words ‘Waverley route’ to a seasoned railway enthusiast and they’re likely to go all goey eyed. Indeed, for many transport buffs, the Edinburgh to Carlisle corridor is synonymous with offering a highly scenic journey off the beaten track. The once proud North British-built 98-mile double-track mainline was earmarked for closure by Beeching in 1967 but public outcry resulted in the railway clinging on until 1969. More than 40 years later, a 30-mile section is being re-opened at the northern end between Edinburgh, Galashiels and Tweedbank. Trains are set to return in June 2015. The project has not come cheap however – the budget being a staggering £350m. What has this got to do with buses? The new Borders Railway will trim almost half-an-hour off the public travel time between Galashiels and Edinburgh when it opens. However, for many with bus passes and limited budgets, the X95 will remain �irst choice. Far from rationalising its service level in the wake of competition from a rival mode of transport, First has invested in its two highpro�ile commercially-operated bus routes. As can be seen in the panel opposite, the timetable is surprisingly comprehensive for both routes.
20 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 11, 2014 018_019_CBW1141_First Scotland.indd 20
Facelift
Last week First Borders, as the �irm now trades in this part of the world, revealed a series of passenger-friendly improvements for two services which link the Borders with Edinburgh – the X95 and the X62. Among other changes, striking new liveries have been applied to vehicles which operate on the two routes. The X95, which runs the full length of the Edinburgh to Carlisle corridor, has been branded the ‘The Ridings.’ The name has been used to re�lect the annual celebrations, where hundreds of locals ride their horses through Borders’ towns, protecting their territory. The tradition dates back to the beginning of the 16th century. In addition, all 10 buses will sport bespoke and striking new liveries – there are three new designs in total, one each for Galashiels, Selkirk and Hawick. A 10-strong �leet of new ADL Enviro300s were acquired last year for the route at a cost of £1.5m. Building on the recent improvements to the X62 frequency – which now operates every 20 minutes instead of half-hourly – all buses on the route are set to bene�it from the installation of free WiFi. This has been installed by Icomera, FirstGroup’s provider of choice. Six Wrightbus Eclipse Gemini-bodied Volvo B9TLs
double-deckers feature a distinct eye-catching new tartan livery based on the Borders’ local heritage. The strapline, ‘Connect with the Real Scotland’ complements the new tartan and the tourist-friendly concept. While the vehicles have not been refurbished, the liveries were designed by Glasgow-based Smart Graphics. Both routes are operated by Galashiels depot. Re�lecting the fact the buses operate on long-distance journeys, higher-speci�ication seats are provided, which includes the use of E-Leather on the X62 and FirstGroup moquette on the X95. First says the improvements have been driven by the belief that enhancements will drive passenger growth. On that note, in order to encourage more people to try the improved bus services, First has posted lea�lets, which feature bus discount vouchers totalling more than £185,000 to more than 15,000 households on the routes. First of�icially revealed the improvements to the X62 and X95 at the Kingsknowes Hotel in Galashiels on Thursday (June 5) morning. To mark the improvements, Gavin Young and Alice Mackay, Galashiels’ ‘Braw Lad’ and ‘Braw Lass’ and Greg McDougall, Selkirk’s Common Ridings ‘Standard Bearer’ came along and were accompanied by star of the show – a horse named Matty. www.coachandbusweek.com
09/06/2014 17:55
Flanked by Greg McDougall and Matty the horse, the distinctive X95 and X62 liveries can be seen to good effect
A side on view of the X62 tartan colours
A front end view the X95 and X62 branding
A rear three-quarter view of the X95 livery Managing Director of First Borders, Paul McGowan, said: “Our X62 and X95 vehicles have undergone a makeover and I’m delighted with the �inal results – they look fantastic. I’m really pleased that we’ve been able to introduce a new look and feel to the buses which I’m con�ident will be welcomed by customers. I’m pleased too that passengers will bene�it from free WiFi on service X62. Having seen the success and popularity of the free WiFi on our X95 group of services over the last 12 months, it was an easy decision to give X62 customers the same bene�its.
INSIGHT
X62 & X95 operations The X95 links Edinburgh with Carlisle, via Eskbank, Newtongrange, Stow, Galashiels, Selkirk, Hawick and Langholm. On a typical Monday to Friday, the first through journey between Edinburgh and Carlisle departs at 0755hrs, arriving in the northern English border city at 1133hrs.
www.coachandbusweek.com
018_019_CBW1141_First Scotland.indd 21
“We want more people to travel by bus, and to travel by bus more often. At First Borders, we are working hard to improve our services so that we can attract more customers. We’re con�ident that these improvements to X62 and X95 services will prove popular with customers and help attract more people out of their cars and onto the bus.” Gavin Young said: “The Common Ridings is a huge event in the Borders and it’s fantastic that First’s X95 buses will help raise our pro�ile along the Edinburgh to Carlisle route.” To help promote the improvements all First
The last through trip leaves Edinburgh at 1600hrs, reaching Carlisle by 1948hrs – with an additional journey on Friday only at 1800hrs, arriving in Carlisle at 2155hrs. The final southbound service from Edinburgh to Galashiels departs at 2300hrs, reaching its destination at 0019hrs. The X62 connects Galashiles with Edinburgh, and operates via Innerleithen, Peebles and
Borders bus drivers have the option of wearing a kilt to work on June 28 to mark the end of the Common Ridings celebrations. Roxanne Gillies and Terri Mitchell are two of many drivers who will wear kilts whilst driving buses on June 28. Roxanne, who is aged 27 and hails from Kelso, has been driving for First for more than six years. She said: “I love driving buses and to be able to do so in my kilt and help promote the new look X62 and X95 buses is brilliant. It’s a great idea and I’m sure it will go down well with our passengers.” ■
Penicuik. The first northbound departure leaves Galashiels at 0520, arrving in Edinburgh by 0713hrs. It then runs a broadly 20-minute service. The first southbound service leaves Edinburgh at 0720hrs during term time (10 minutes later in school holidays) The final northbound working leaves Galashiels at 2130 and arrives in Edinburgh for 2318hrs, although this operates as the 62A,
a variant of the X62. As a result, the last southbound journey leaves Edinburgh at 2330hrs, arriving back in Peebles for 0039hrs. As for fares, an adult single from Edinburgh to Carlisle costs £7.20, while a return is £13. For slightly shorter journeys, an Edinburgh to Gala single works out at £6.70 or £12.10 return. A Gala to Carlisle single is charged at £7.20 or return £13.
June 11, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 21 09/06/2014 17:55
INFRASTRUCTURE › ARRIVA ASHINGTON INVESTMENT
Boost for the North East Arriva is making a signi�icant investment in its Northumberland operation backed by a new depot at Ashington as Andy Izatt reports
A
rriva North East has opened a new £3m depot at Ashington in Northumberland. It is part of a £6m investment in its local operation that will also see a substantial number of new and refurbished buses enter service in coming months. High pro�ile will be the Sapphire upgrade of route X21/X22 (Ashington – Newcastle) from July 27, using seven new Alexander Dennis Enviro400s supplemented by nine 57-plate Enviro400s that are being refurbished ‘across town’ by Ashington-based Thornton Brothers. A business that has earned a national reputation for the quality of its work, CBW will be taking an in-depth look at what Thornton Brothers has to offer in a future article. Nationally, Arriva is introducing Sapphire to 11 routes this summer, bringing the number of these high spec buses in service to 190. Arriva North East will then have four routes with 50 vehicles. The Sapphire speci�ication includes quality E-Leather seating, extra legroom, charging points, audio visual ‘next stop’
A high workshop roof means double-deckers can be raised on lifts, a luxury not available at the old garage
Arriva North East Regional Managing Director Nigel Featham and Managing Director for Arriva UK Bus Bob Holland with Richard Levett and Tommy Ashington staff mark the commencement of work on the new depot in July 2013 McLean and guests at the official opening of the new depot 22 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 11, 2014 022_025_CBW1141_Arriva Washington.indd 22
www.coachandbusweek.com
09/06/2014 18:04
2,768 Followers
Join the discussion on Twitter by following us at @cbwtweets
1,946 Likes
Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ coachandbusweek
Join the group
Join our flickr group. Search groups – coach and bus week magazine
announcements and free WiFi. The X21/X22 is a landmark conversion because of its relatively high PVR (Peak Vehicle Requirement), which will increase to 15 doubledeckers following introduction of a Monday to Saturday 10-minute daytime headway. Around 70 drivers are to receive Sapphire customer care training over a two week period later this month. Among other fleet enhancements planned for Ashington is the introduction of three new Wrightbus StreetLite Micro Hybrids. Carrying Arriva’s low carbon green livery, they will make up part of the allocation on route 35/35A (Woodhorn/Newbiggin – Morpeth) where there’s a PVR of six.
Harnessing technology
Passengers will be able to track their buses using the Arriva app, which was launched first in Arriva North East’s area in January. Available from the App and Google Stores, there have already been 150,000 downloads and it’s being rolled out nationally from the end of June. “It enables a user to track where their bus is,” explained Chloe Leach-O’Connell, Head of Regional Marketing and Communications at Arriva Yorkshire/Arriva North East. “Customers can enter the start and end points of their journey, and the app will plan the route and tell them when the next bus is due. It takes the mystery out of travelling by bus. What’s more, it’s linked to our m-ticket app so they can do everything from their smartphone.” Chloe went on to explain how passengers can also interact on the go by using the company’s social media platforms. Always trying to make best use of the available technology, she added that Arriva monitors these very carefully, both nationally and at local level. A vital communications tool when routes are disrupted or subject to diversions, it also provides valuable feedback on service delivery that can be passed on to staff and translated directly into improvements. Nick Knox, Area Managing Director for the North East pointed out that the introduction of the peak time non-stop X30 between Blyth and Newcastle in March was a direct consequence of that social media engagement.
The office and workshop complex is 1,184m2, of which around 950m2 comprises the six-bay workshop www.coachandbusweek.com
022_025_CBW1141_Arriva Washington.indd 23
(L to R) Head of Regional Marketing and Communications Chloe LeachO’Connell with Martin Blakelock, Nick Knox and Alan Wilkes June 11, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 23 09/06/2014 18:04
INFRASTRUCTURE › ARRIVA ASHINGTON INVESTMENT
Yard facilities include a drive through bus wash, steam cleaning bay with a pit, bunded fuel storage, AdBlue tank and a reclaim building
A BRIEF HISTORY
Arriva North East Arriva North East is a 550-vehicle operation with main depots north of the River Tyne in Newcastle (Jesmond), Blyth and Ashington. South of the Tyne it operates from Darlington, Durham, Stockton-on-Tees, Redcar and Whitby. What had been United Automobile Services, a Tilling then a National Bus Company (NBC) subsidiary, was split in the 1980s in anticipation of the privatisation of the NBC. The northern part was sold in a management buyout to Proudmutual as Northumbria Motor Services. British Bus bought it in 1994. The County Durham, Teesside and North Yorkshire operations were sold in a management buyout to Caldaire Holdings. In 1992 it passed to the Westcourt Bus Group. National Express bought it three years later, and it passed to Cowie Group in July 1996. Cowie bought British Bus a month later, bringing the two parts back into common ownership, although they initially continued as separate entities. Cowie was rebranded Arriva in November 1997. Notable changes in the operating area include the purchase of The Eden Bus Company in 1995. Its West Auckland base was subsequently closed with operations moved to Bishop Auckland. In 2006, with the exception of three routes, Go North East withdrew from Bishop Auckland and the bulk of the work was taken over by Arriva. However, subsequent consolidation has seen Arriva’s depot in the town close operationally and it’s now used for storage. Arriva North East took over Stagecoach North East’s Darlington operation in 2007. Three years later Go North East’s Ashington operation was taken over in an exchange that saw Arriva’s Hexham depot pass to Go North East.
24 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 11, 2014 022_025_CBW1141_Arriva Washington.indd 24
The first floor gym, requested by staff, is popular and well used. It has its own shower
Part of regenerating Ashington
Ashington’s longest serving driver, Tommy McLean and longest serving engineer Richard Levett who have 80 years of service between them, officially opened the new depot last month. They were asked to unveil a huge plaque which featured photos of both of them, proving they were stars of the show. Tommy, whose daughter and grandson attended the event, said: “The new depot is great news for the staff at Ashington who have been looking forward to moving into the new depot for quite some time. It was an honour to be able to open the depot and fantastic to have my grandson here to see it.” Key stakeholders from across the region were invited to be part of the opening and they were given a sneak preview of the Sapphire investment due at the end of July. Nick Knox explained on the day: “This is a major vote of confidence in the potential of Ashington and Northumberland. Regenerating and strengthening the economy depends on good transport links and we believe this investment is a major boost for the area.” The majority of Ashington’s male population worked in the mining industry until the late 1980s, but subsequent pit closures led to large scale unemployment from which it has taken time for the community to recover. The site of Ashington Colliery north of the town became part of a regeneration project that saw the creation of what is now Wansbeck Business Park.
The opening of the new Arriva depot is part of a planned redevelopment of Ashington town centre by Northumberland County Council that will incorporate new shopping and leisure facilities, and a new bus station. The local authority acquired the old garage and bus station in the Lintonville Terrace area two years ago. While it dates back to before the Second World War, the site had been altered and upgraded over the years, notably in the mid1990s when part of the garage was demolished to make way for the current five-bay bus station. Another two bays are located in an adjoining road. They all remain in use, a situation expected to continue for at least another two years, but stops are to receive a ‘spruce up’ in the coming months. Lead drivers are based onsite during the day and there are canteen and restroom facilities for drivers, although the new depot is within walking distance. When the local authority deal was concluded, Jason Wainwright, partner at Muckle LLP, which worked on behalf of the bus company, said: “We prepared the documentation for Arriva. Negotiations took place during an 18 month period as part of a larger council blueprint. This is similar to the town centre redevelopment in Morpeth where we acted on behalf of Arriva in overseeing the sale of the bus station there too to make way for the Sanderson Arcade. The site in Ashington will be redeveloped for leisure and retail purposes. “As well as the sale, we also negotiated a three year lease on the site for Arriva from the www.coachandbusweek.com
09/06/2014 18:04
2,768 Followers
Join the discussion on Twitter by following us at @cbwtweets
1,946 Likes
Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ coachandbusweek
Join the group
Join our flickr group. Search groups – coach and bus week magazine
Although the site will be redeveloped, the current Ashington bus station remains in use for the time being
Ross Moffatt, one of three engineering apprentices, has received national recognition
The new stores are all part of the step change improvement compared with the old garage council, to allow the company to continue to operate its bus services from there while it finds an alternative location for its depot and bus station.”
State of the art facility
The new depot on Lintonville Parkway can accommodate up to 70 buses and has been built on a two-acre green field site purchased from the local authority. Building contractor was Rowlands Gill-based STP Construction, which started work in July 2013, completing the build in February 2014. There’s a 50,000 sq ft concrete yard with a drive through bus wash, steam cleaning bay including a pit, 100,000-litre bunded fuel storage, 1,200-litre AdBlue tank and a reclaim building. Cleaners have their own mess room and shower. The office and workshop complex is 1,184m2, of which around 950m2 comprises the six-bay workshop. As well as three 15m inspection pits equipped with pit jacks, there’s a fully equipped 20m MOT lane. It’s possible to lift doubledeckers in the remaining two bays, a luxury that wasn’t afforded the engineering team at the old depot. All six bays have air, antifreeze mix, and gear and axle oil supplied on tap. Batteries can be placed on-charge whenever a vehicle is brought in and there’s also LEV (Local Exhaust Ventilation) extraction and oil drainage. Perhaps not surprisingly, with the facilities available, workshop productivity has gone up since the move. www.coachandbusweek.com
022_025_CBW1141_Arriva Washington.indd 25
Ross Moffatt, one of three engineering apprentices, has received national recognition. In June 2012 he was the highest placed electrical apprentice in the IRTE Skills Competition. In October that year he received the Arriva North East – Making a Difference (MAD) award in the ‘Outstanding Achievement through Learning’ category. The following month he was the inaugural winner of the Arriva UK Bus Engineering Apprentice of the Year. Recognition continued in October 2013 when he was judged Highest Achieving PSV Student at City College in the 2012/13 academic year. May 2014 saw him declared IRTE Northern Region Engineering Apprentice of the Year 2014. Also on the ground floor of the depot are traffic offices and driver facilities including a locker room that account for the remaining 234m2. First floor offices, mess room, classrooms, gym including shower facilities and toilets comprise around 347m2. Depot Manager is Alan Wilkes who pointed out that the gym, requested by staff, is popular and well used.
Meeting operational requirements
The Ashington operation serves most of Northumberland with a PVR of 44. Longest routes are the X15/X18 that run north from Newcastle, Morpeth and Alnwick to Berwick. Drivers are on a separate rota because they’re subject to European drivers’ hours and affective servicing of the routes is one reason
why a new five-vehicle outstation was opened at Rothbury Motors’ Alnwick base in October 2013. The old United garage in the town had been closed four years ago. Vehicles, parked and refuelled at Alnwick, are scheduled to return to Ashington every other day for any maintenance. The majority of Ashington’s 53-strong allocation is Enviro400s and Dennis Darts although other types include DAF DB250s and older SB3000 coaches. It’s a fluid situation at the moment as vehicles are away for refurbishment. After all the planned changes across Arriva North East’s operation that will see Scania OmniCitys replacing the last coaches, the entire operation will be DDA compliant. There are 150 staff based at Ashington so it’s a significant local employer. Of those, 131 are drivers, 15 work in engineering and another five have administrative posts. Working alongside Alan is Engineering Manager Martin Blakelock. Ashington is also home to the training team for the three depots north of the River Tyne. That’s an examiner, instructor and relief instructor. There’s also a trade union learning representative. Colleagues based at Stockton serve depots south of the Tyne. As Alan pointed out, training is taken very seriously. Ashington achieves some of the lowest accident rates across Arriva North East. It’s a very stable workforce with some having worked for the company and its predecessors for more than 30 years. There has been no requirement to recruit new drivers for several years. n
June 11, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 25 09/06/2014 18:04
INDUSTRY
GUIDE
REPAIRS & REFURBISHMENT 190 refurbished buses in the Arriva Sapphire brand will be on the road by the end of the year
Time for refreshments This week’s Industry Guide examines suppliers of repair and refurbishment services, all geared towards getting vehicles into top condition and back on the road as soon as possible
26 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 11, 2014 026_033_CBW1141_Industry Guide.indd 26
W
hether a vehicle is becoming run down or suffers repairable damage, the most important thing is to have it back in service and bringing in revenue as quickly as is practically possible. Many companies are offering a flexible service to help with this, whereby they can travel to the operator’s premises to service a vehicle. This means no further wear and tear is added by sending the vehicle away and no arrangements have to be made to have the vehicle picked up, or to drive it there. Many companies are happy to simply supply the right parts and materials, allowing operators who already employ
experts in the field to do the job, or even provide training so they can do in future. Renovating older vehicles is one of the best ways of postponing fleet renewal if done well. Some vehicles have a lifespan which easily outlasts the seating and flooring of their interiors, but this can be solved with renovation, making the vehicle look like new on the inside to the eyes of an average bus or coach passenger, where it counts. It isn’t just the interior of the vehicle which can be refurbished – taking a look at the drivetrain of older vehicles can extend their service lives and give them a much needed boost in performance, nhelping them to keep up with fleets of a lower average age. n www.coachandbusweek.com
09/06/2014 18:36
CUMMINS
Cummins’ range of high quality re-manufactured B and C Series engines delivers benefits to operators and the environment. Due to the long vehicle life expectancy of buses, these engines offer the best value in terms of performance, reliability and life cycle costs. Every engine is completely remanufactured in our Diesel ReCon facility to the same specification as a new Cummins engine, whilst also incorporating the latest product design improvements. They offer the capability of extending vehicle life up to a further 100%. For the environment, this ‘green’ business is the ultimate form of recycling. Re-manufacturing requires about 85% less energy than manufacturing the same product from new parts. For example, if an engine block can be reused, this means that the ore mining, ore processing, transportation, casting foundry, and machining line energy consumption is eliminated. The same principle applies to the reuse of the other engine components. Since most energy used at Cummins and in the supply chain is fossil fuel based, energy savings equate to greenhouse gas reductions. Engines and components are returned to productive use, and in many cases are ‘up cycled’ to include the latest design and quality upgrades. Globally, Cummins is able to reuse or recycle over 22,000 tonnes of material each year and the amount of greenhouse gas reduced is approximately 100,000 tonnes per year. In addition to the energy and GHG savings, remanufacturing also results in less landfill space used and reduced water usage. The processes used by Cummins ReCon are markedly different
from those used by most exchange engine suppliers who overhaul rather than re-manufacture. Cummins ReCon strip engines down to the smallest components. All critical fasteners and worn out items such as pistons, bearings and gaskets are discarded and the major components are re-manufactured to ‘as-new’ standards. Engines are then assembled on a production line using 100% genuine new parts and re-manufactured major components and every engine is performance tested. This delivers a product that performs ‘as-new,’ maintaining the highest levels of quality, durability and dependability. The availability of ReCon product dramatically reduces turnaround time and gets vehicles back on the road faster. Engine change-outs can be planned alongside bus maintenance, substantially reducing down time.
About Cummins
Cummins Inc., a global power leader, is a corporation of complementary business units that design, manufacture, distribute and service engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, electronic controls, air handling, filtration, emission solutions and electrical power generation systems. Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana (USA), Cummins employs approximately 48,000 people worldwide and serves customers in approximately 190 countries and territories through a network of more than 600 company-owned and independent distributor locations and approximately 6,500 dealer locations. Cummins earned $1.48bn on sales of $17.3bn in 2013. T: 01933 334200 E: cduksales@cummins.com W: www.cummins-uk.com
Remanufactured engines have dramatically reduced harmful emissions www.coachandbusweek.com
026_033_CBW1141_Industry Guide.indd 27
June 11, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 27 09/06/2014 18:36
INDUSTRY
GUIDE
REPAIRS & REFURBISHMENT CAMIRA FABRICS
During 2014, the fabric specialist Holdsworth is changing its name to parent company Camira. Part of the award-winning Camira Group since 2007, the name change is designed to reflect the company’s wider ranging product capabilities, encompassing not only moquette fabrics for seating, but high performance upholstery flat cloths and textile ancillary trims. The company’s transportation fabric collection includes a wide range of standard fabrics, such as Vigor, Aura, Elements and Dimension, and custom made design services for creating client specific fabrics to fit individual requirements. Dimension is a 100% pile polyester upholstery fabric collection which allows customers to get creative, making a personalised design statement for their vehicle interior. Dimension has 12 designs across 47 colours, giving a total of 564 fabric options to choose from. Designs range from large scale organic patterns to smaller geometric repeats inspired by the fusion of nature and
Dimension comes in 47 different colours, with 12 design options technology in a broad spectrum of colourways from trusted traditionals, earthy neutrals or vivid brights. Dimension is a sustainable fabric choice - it’s 20% lighter than traditional wool moquette, providing significant
28 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 11, 2014 026_033_CBW1141_Industry Guide.indd 28
weight gains in vehicles. It also boasts recycled content in the form of ‘closed loop’ recycled yarn derived from the company’s own polyester yarn waste and selvedges. Dimension has a 50m minimum order quantity.
The contemporary Elements collection offers 125 different design and colour permutations in a high wool content moquette fabric. Inspired by current key style trends, and available in five colour themes – greys, blues, reds, greens and browns – there’s something for every interior. This collection is not stock backed but is available to order on a quick ship program for a minimum of 50m. As is to be expected, the Dimension and Elements collections coordinate with other Camira trim and ancillary fabrics for complementary textile finishes on wallsides, curtaining and headrests. The name transition is a landmark change being rolled out during the course of 2014, including autumn trade fairs in Australia, USA and the UK (Australasia Bus and Coach Conference & Expo on the Gold Coast, APTA in Houston and Euro Bus Expo in Birmingham).
T: 01924 490591 E: info@camirafabrics.com W: www.camirafabrics.com
www.coachandbusweek.com
09/06/2014 18:36
THORNTONS
The refurbed Wright-bodied B7TLs now used by First Aberdeen Thorntons has always been a family run company and has been trading in the North East since 1979. Having gained a huge amount of experience in the vehicle refinishing world over the last 35 years, it has moved its business over to concentrate on bus refurbishment. Bus refurbishment obviously comes in a lot of guises, whether the operator is requiring a mini refurb, midlife refurb or full blown top to bottom refurbishment. Thorntons knows this is a cost driven industry and the decisions by the operators are bus age related and also commercially driven, but in all cases it is there to offer advice and draw on the vast experience gained. The current Thorntons facility
is on a five acre site constructed in 2005. It has three 22m paint ovens which have capabilities for articulated buses. There is also a separate shot blasting facility with dust extraction, capable of housing vehicles up to 22m. Thorntons also carries out many crash repairs to a very high standard, often using the JOSAM Jig aligning equipment. The workforce at Thorntons has been continually growing in recent times and is now 50 strong. The company’s skilled workforce is a local one and many individuals have been in Thorntons employment for many years. Thorntons says it really enjoys working with bus operators and the firm has gained a great deal of knowledge as a result of working in long term relationships with them. Many operators are looking to carry out DDA works to ensure their fleets are compliant before the due date and Thorntons is well placed to turn large volumes of this work around. Thorntons started refurbing buses in larger quantities when Go North East approached it in 2006.
First Bus placed its confidence in Thornton’s in 2010 and many refurbs have been carried out all over the country for it. Thornton’s successfully completed a number of Olympic shuttle buses in 2012 as well as a number of Platinum vehicles for First Aberdeen. Arriva first used Thorntons in 2010 and so far the firm has carried out works for many of its Opcos, including a large proportion of centre door conversions. Thorntons also refurbed a batch of Geminis B7s which were delivered to Leicester in the Arriva Sapphire Livery. Many Operators are having WiFi fitted along with passenger info systems. Thorntons do all this in house along with Internal LED updates. Some operators have asked Thorntons to fit USB charging ports as well as, in some cases 240 volt three pin sockets for their customers to charge their IPads phones etc. Thorntons also carry out MOT Preparation for many of the Opco’s as well as major service works. Thorntons has invested in
transportation equipment to transport their customers’ vehicles from the Operational Depots and then back again after the work has been carried out. Recently, Thorntons has invested in two specialised low loader trailers which are used for moving double decker buses and are designed so that they clear the motorway bridges. The transport of the single deckers and even articulated PSV vehicles is also possible and all transport costs are carried out on a minimal charge. The operator has the choice whether it be a light refurbishment job or the ‘Full Monty’ and the vehicles will be delivered back to the Opco looking like new, with all the up to date legals fitted. Thorntons carries out all the works in a timely fashion with great attention to care and detail and only the best quality materials are used by the time served staff.
T: 01670 854500 E: info@thornton-t180. co.uk W: www.thornton-t180.co.uk
THORNTONS BUS REFURBISHMENT
• DDA conversions carried out • LED lighting • WiFi and real time information systems
Contact: 01670 854500 Mobile: 07920 553443 Email: info@thornton-t180.co.uk www.thornton-t180.co.uk www.coachandbusweek.com
026_033_CBW1141_Industry Guide.indd 29
June 11, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 29 09/06/2014 18:36
INDUSTRY
GUIDE
REPAIRS & REFURBISHMENT EASTGATE
Eastgate Coach Trimmers has been specialising in the refurbishment of coach and bus interiors for 31 years, from small repairs to complete interior retrims including roofs, racks, side walls and so on. All work is carried out by highlyskilled time-served coach trimmers who began their careers at Plaxton Coach Builders in Scarborough, serving five-year apprenticeships in the factory and the local college. They can now, after many years’ experience, retrim any make and model of bus and coach which arrives at the Pickering workshops. When retrimming the complete interior of a coach, all existing materials are stripped off and if any of the interior can be removed, the racks, decency shields and toilet cubicle, they are taken out of the coach, dismantled and retrimmed as though they are being installed on the coach on completion, as near a factory finished job as possible. Even though certain sets of seating can be trimmed in a day, Eastgate prefers to have the seats a little longer as some times the foams can be badly damaged or deteriorated.
Also, as well as transforming tired coach interiors to look ‘as new,’ Eastgate over recent years has been retrimming seats for some of the large bus groups. This has proven very successful as up to five sets of bus seat backs and cushions can be collected and delivered at one time, which significantly reduces the transportation costs, especially when travelling to and from the London area and Scotland. Up-seating is also a part of Eastgate’s business – removing toilets, building up the floors with steelwork & flooring, re-spacing and fitting extra seats where legally possible. Bespoke interiors have been built for large band coaches incorporating bunk beds with air conditioning, small flat screen TVs, sound systems, kitchen areas and large leather horseshoe-shaped lounges. T: 01751 472229 E: info@eastgatecoachtrimmers.co.uk W: www.eastgatecoachtrimmers.co.uk
astgate COACH TRIMMERS LTD
WJF TECHNICAL SUPPORT
WJF Technical Support has a skilled team of coach and bus engineers with knowledge of working on all makes of vehicles, specialising in supplying mechanics, coach builders and electricians directly to work on the customer’s own premises. The company’s competitive rates have recently been revised to be more competitive and come all inclusive for daily/ hourly rates. WJF is a well-established, family-owned business, and has national coverage working with manufacturers and operators alike; it can usually supply at short notice and for fixed term, covering shift patterns which fit within difficult staffing rotas. In addition to the core business, WJF can also confidently price for refurbishment work, e.g. seat trimming, floor re-covering etc. with recent successes working around customers’ vehicle availability. WJF is reasonably new to the London market, but is already successfully supplying in three locations, with plans to build further relationships WJF Technical Support certainly has evolved
over the last eighteen months by working smarter, and its Managing Director, Tim Freshney, believes it is unique, in that its hybrid-style company combines a solid core of existing engineers coupled with an experienced recruitment arm to the business, enabling expansion and contraction if needed to fulfil contracts and more short-term requirements. This certainly has worked well over the last two years, with campaign work and new business, plus with a willingness to listen to customers’ needs; the firm’s success is borne out of determination to adapt the company in order to succeed. Finally, the WJF Technical Support website has now been upgraded again to keep up with current news, (not least reaching the finals of a regional business awards), and WJF looks forward to evolving further this year by building new business relationships and winning work by reputation and value for money.
T: 01253 340565 E: enquiries@ wjftechnicalsupport.co.uk W: http://wjftechnicalsupport.co.uk
TECHNICAL SUPPORT LTD
Quality mobile bus & coach engineers throughout the UK Supplying the Bus & Coach industry with quality seat retrims and interior Tel/Fax: refurbishment. Full floors re-laid and centre gangways. Collection and delivery service anywhere in Email: info@eastgate-coachtrimmers.co.uk the UK, seven days Web: www.eastgate-coachtrimmers.co.uk a week.
01751 472229
30 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 11, 2014 026_033_CBW1141_Industry Guide.indd 30
01253 340565 www.wjftechnicalsupport.co.uk
www.coachandbusweek.com
09/06/2014 18:36
TRANSPORT DOOR SOLUTIONS There were just under 75,000 buses in operation in the UK at the end of 2013, according to the Department of Transport’s annual statistics. With an average bus cycling its doors over 200 times a day, at some time components are going to need to be replaced or repaired, some a number of times in its service life. This is why TDS (Transport Door Solutions) does what it does, and why it does it so well. TDS can’t supply every known door component for the many historical door manuafacturers, but it has catalogued over 3,000 items so far which are commonly associated with wear failure or for which there has been customer enquiries during its first eight years of trading. As important, being an OE door manufacturer itself and Ventura Systems UK agent, TDS can also guarantee future access to all extra parts needed on these specific door systems. The TDS website – www. transportdoorsolutions.co.uk – is a top ranked site by Google Search and is an excellent resource for
www.coachandbusweek.com
026_033_CBW1141_Industry Guide.indd 31
bus door components and bus door system information on the web, and it is backed up by a team of specialists who understand the problems, issues and solutions to operational issues associated with bus doors. TDS will help any bus operator with door components, door operational issues, preventative maintenance and onsite support where required. TDS is an independent company with a highly knowledgeable and committed management
TDS is highly knowledgeable
team and staff, who have over 90 years of experience in transport door design and servicing, troubleshooting, maintenance and training, supplying worldwide support for all enquiries from the industry; from operators, repairers, distributors, body builders and councils. TDS is the UK agent for Ventura Door Systems of Holland, and supplies its own range of doors, the Epsilon range, to worldwide and UK customers. “We are the bus door experts,” said TDS MD Paul Rossington. “If anyone is having problems associated with their bus door mechanisms, or are trying to source a particular part, their first port of call should always be the TDS website. “We have the most comprehensive image-based listing of parts and components on the web, and we have the resources and personnel to hopefully meet any challenge. From furnishing complete door systems for crash repairs to replacing worn guide spindles, we can meet their needs. A bus without a smoothly
UK agent for Ventura operating door is not available for service. Not only can we get the bus back on its route, we can help prevent these problems arising in the first place.”
T: 01787 473000 E:sales@transportdoor solutions.co.uk W: www.transportdoorsolutions. co.uk
June 11, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 31 09/06/2014 18:36
INDUSTRY
GUIDE
REPAIRS & REFURBISHMENT
blackpool trim shops
BLACKPOOL TRIM SHOPS
COVERING THE NATION SINCE 1970 Brun Grove, Blackpool, Lancs, FY1 6PG Tel: 01253 766762 • Fax: 01253 798443 sales@blackpooltrimshops.co.uk www.blackpooltrimshops.co.uk
Blackpool Trim Shops claims to be the longest established independent trim shop in the country. The company was formed by Robert Taylor Senior, who managed the trimming department at Duple´s coachworks before starting on his own, some 40 years ago. Blackpool Trim offers the highest quality for the lowest price with the fastest turnaround. 70 seat + service vehicles can be trimmed while you wait, and the company promises the fastest turnaround of all other vehicles. Blackpool Trim offers travel to whoever has brought the vehicle to a nearby hotel or wherever they need to go. With repairs arriving daily, the company is happy for operators drop in with their vehicle or any other quote or query, with which Blackpool Trim will be happy to assist. Blackpool Trim has a wide range of material available and works closely with its customers to ensure that the retrim is exactly what they expect.
The company offers a ‘while you wait’ service The company works with everything from moquette to leather seating. A stock of seating is kept available at all times. T: 01253 766762 E: sales@ blackpooltrimshops.co.uk
HANOVER Refurbishing a vehicle?
Transform the look of your vehicle with LED destination displays. Hanover is one of Europe's leading manufacturers of LED destination displays for the transport industry. Hanover can also provide new LED lighting which is simple to fit, reduces vehicles power consumption and is maintenance free minimising vehicle downtime.
Maintenance free LED lighting
LED Display benefits include: • 10-year parts warranty (LED signs & controllers) • ISO9001 & ISO14001 Accredited • DDA/DTAC & EMC compliant • Free programming software • Excellent after-sales support network
BEFORE
Example pictures
AFTER
15% installation discount on new orders by quoting reference: CBWRR2014
Southerham House, Southerham Lane, Lewes, East Sussex, BN8 6JN. Phone: +44 (0)1273 477528 web: www.hanoverdisplays.com
32 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 11, 2014 026_033_CBW1141_Industry Guide.indd 32
www.coachandbusweek.com
09/06/2014 18:36
PAUL CLARK SERVICES
Paul Clark says that its services continues to be the number one provider of high quality engineering support to the transport industry, including the coach and bus industry, vehicle manufacturers, NHS ambulance services, and aftermarket retrofitments/campaigns. Within this spectrum of support, the business is able to provide highly skilled engineers for workshop support, supervision and management cover when the customer has shortages or just needs extra resilience. Paul Clark Services is a highly professional business and operates under a Quality Management System accredited to ISO9001, an accreditation which the company has held since March 2013. The business is also a member of the FTA. It says all its engineers are highly trained professionals enabling any type of servicing, repairs or maintenance to be undertaken, giving the customer complete confidence that all work completed is finished to the
highest of standards. Whether an operator needs a vehicle inspection carried out by the company’s DVSA/FTA trained technician, or run of the mill repairs undertaken to engines or transmissions, charged using Paul Clark Services’ very comprehensive fixed price menu service, there’s no limitation to the type or complexity of the engineering support services which can be provided, including fully managed contract maintenance. The Paul Clark Services’ management team are significantly experienced in high level transport management and have all the necessary qualifications required to undertake the duties of a transport manager. Paul Clarke Services remains number one for engineering support to the coach and bus industry. T: 0845 6060 474 E: info@paulclarkservices. co.uk W: www.paulclarkservices.co.uk
MASTERPART
Masterpart is a supplier of a large array of parts and components for any aspect of coaches and buses in the UK. Formed in 2011 to support the UK’s Public Service Vehicle (PSV) and commercial vehicle operators with market leading brands from renowned OEM parts manufacturers, Masterpart is fast becoming a leading supplier to the PSV aftermarket, offering a comprehensive all makes parts program to companies of all sizes and budgets. Masterpart says it is proud to be the approved parts supply partner to Irizar UK, offering genuine Irizar parts to this rapidly growing market. It is backed with £100,000 of genuine Irizar parts in its purpose built facility in Worksop, Nottinghamshire. The company’s aim is to offer its customers only the best in service and support delivered by its customer focused parts team, backed by world renowned part manufacturers. Masterpart prides itself on the relationships with its supply partners, offering value for money
and quality parts backed with full technical support. Being a OEM part supplier, Masterpart will never compromise quality for price which gives its customer base complete peace of mind knowing that quality components have been fitted to their fleet. Each of these components is backed by comprehensive liability cover at a very competitive price. The firm offers a 24/7 service to its customers throughout the year. The comprehensive parts package offered by Masterpart covers all of the major brands and products in: l Braking l Steering l Suspension l Chassis components l Transmission l Filtration l Engine parts l Cooling products l Electrical components l Consumables l Genuine Irizar parts T: 01909 511349 W: www.master-part.co.uk
Formed in 2011 to support the UK’s PSV & CV operators with parts from Market leading OEM brands from World Wide renowned manufacturers
We off a comprehensive all makes parts program in:
Braking • Steering • Suspension Chassis Components • Transmission Filtration • Engine • Electrical Lubricants • Consumables EXPRESS PARTS DELIVERY
Master Part | Portland House | Dukeries Industrial Estate | Worksop | Notts | S81 7BQ
www.coachandbusweek.com
026_033_CBW1141_Industry Guide.indd 33
June 11, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 33 09/06/2014 19:42
Have you taken delivery of a new vehicle and want to tell the world about it? Email all the details and pictures to james.day@coachandbusweek.com
DELIVERIES DOCHERTY’S MIDLANDS COACHES
Docherty’s Midland Coaches of Auchterarder has taken delivery of two new 12.6m Plaxton Elite-bodied Volvo B9Rs. The Elites join the fleet with the prospect of a busy summer ahead as Scotland hosts the Ryder Cup in nearby Gleneagles and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Explaining the choice of Elites, Neil Docherty commented: “The Elites represent a good deal for the business. They bring style, kerb appeal and a fresh look to the fleet. We have had positive experience with Plaxton products including Cheetahs and Panthers and also have a good relationship with our local Volvo workshop in Perth.” His brother, Colin said: “Our customers love them. They are good looking vehicles and the interior has a real ambience.” The new Elites feature 51 Fainsa reclining seats, incorporating three-point all-age seat belts and drinks holders, finished in a blue moquette with blue leather piping and headrest inserts together with a matching courier seat. The interior includes
aircraft style overhead lockers, grey roof linings and blue curtains. Passenger comfort is assured by climate control incorporating an integrated ThermoKing roof-mounted airconditioning unit, together with tinted windows. The specification also includes a sunken toilet with servery area above, fridge and offside continental door. Entertainment is provided by a Bosch CD/Radio/PA system enhanced with a DVD based video system. Underneath the stainless steel framed Plaxton Elite body is a rear-engined Volvo B9R chassis with Volvo’s nine-litre D9B 380hp Euro5 engine, coupled to the Volvo I-shift gearbox. Euro5 is achieved through the SCR process using Ad-Blue. Externally, the Elites have been finished in the Scottish family firm’s familiar livery, with grey and white motifs and bold Docherty’s Midland Coaches branding on a white base. They are enhanced with Alcoa Durabrite alloy wheels and select ‘14’ registration marks. Docherty’s has also specified the vehicles with an on-board vacuum cleaning system and a full
34 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 11, 2014 034_035_CBW1141_Deliveries 1.indd 34
EDWARDS COACHES
eight-camera CCTV system with reversing camera. The new Elites are being used mainly on quality private hire and tour work across Scotland with one of them employed by Scottish Premier League St. Johnstone FC, for which it will provide team transport during the football season. Founded in 1947, Docherty’s Midland Coaches is now in its second and third generation. Managing Director Jim Docherty and his three Director sons, Neil, Colin and William operate over 30 buses and coaches alongside, a number of goods vehicles from their modern premises in the centre of the pretty Perthshire village of Auchterarder. The fleet is engaged on a wide variety of work including local bus services, contracts, private hire, tours and incoming tourist services.
Two MCV-bodied Volvo B7RLEs have entered service with Edwards Coaches of Llantwit Fardre in South Wales. The new buses are being used for local service routes between Cardiff and Gwaun Miskin. “We had a demonstrator B7RLE in our fleet which we trialled for a week. It proved popular with our drivers, particularly for its smooth handling and driveability. It also has a high passenger capacity,” explained Stewart Isaac, Service Operations Manager, Edwards Coaches. The B7RLEs provide a high passenger capacity – 44 seated and 42 standing – with efficient passenger flow. Its kneeling function and wide centre aisle enable quick entry and exit and the chassis layout permits wide doors. Features onboard include eight CCTV cameras and a GPS tracker . The company’s new
VOEL COACHES Voel Coaches has taken delivery of two new Scania K 400 OmniExpress 36 coaches. Based in Dyserth, North Wales, the firm was established in 1949, and continues to be family-owned and managed. Equipped with Scania’s 400hp Euro 5 engine, the vehicles’ K 400 EB 4x2 chassis feature the latest generation of Scania’s two-pedal Opticruise gear selection system. Both vehicles are 12.8m in length and have 53 reclining seats, a centre sunken WC, drinks machine, three-point seatbelts, extra dark tined glass, climate control airconditioning and Durabright alloy wheels. Commenting on the new
B7RLEs have joined Edwards’ 200-strong fleet. The firm already relies on 33 Volvo B9Rs for its National Express work, and B10Ms and B12s, which are used mainly for school runs and some private hire. Edwards has been operating as a well-established family business for nearly 90 years, and Stewart Isaac attributes its ongoing association with Volvo to excellent customer coaches, Voel Coaches Director Martin Higginson said: “We were really impressed with the total package on offer from Scania. In addition the vehicles’ high specification, we liked Scania’s two-year repair and maintenance package, the full backing of its national and international dealer network and a sales team that understands an operator’s needs.” FACT FILE
CHASSIS/BODY Scania K 400 EB 4x2/ OmniExpress ENGINE Scania 400hp, Euro 5 TRANSMISSION Scania Opticruise SEATS 53 SUPPLIED BY Scania (GB) 01909 500822 www.scania.co.uk
FACT FILE
CHASSIS/BODY Volvo B9R / Plaxton Elite ENGINE Volvo DB9, Euro 5 TRANSMISSION Volvo I-Shift SEATS 51 SUPPLIED by Plaxton Coach Sales 01909 551166 www.plaxtoncoachsales.co.uk
www.coachandbusweek.com
09/06/2014 18:09
2,783 Followers
Join the discussion on Twitter by following us at @cbwtweets
ROADMARK West Sussex-based Roadmark Travel has moved from Mercedes-Benz coaches to Irizar with this i6 Integral from Irizar UK. The two-coach company which runs its own tours and excursions programme puts quality above quantity and says it was swayed to buy the DAF-engined 12.9m i6 not only by its looks, but by its ability to accommodate 48 seats with class-leading service and product support. “The Volvo local customer service has been absolutely superb, all the way. We cannot fault them and they are always very responsive, he explained. Phil Fletcher, Bus Sales Manager, commented: “This delivery once again underlines the strong relationship built up between Edwards Coaches and Volvo Buses over many
years, reinforced with our commitment to offer service and parts support.” FACT FILE
CHASSIS/BODY Volvo B7RLE/ MCV ENGINE Volvo D7E, 290hp TRANSMISSION Volvo ZF
Ecolife six-speed SEATS 44 SUPPLIED Volvo Bus 02476 210250 www.volvobuses.com/ BUS/UK/EN-GB
www.coachandbusweek.com
034_035_CBW1141_Deliveries 1.indd 35
1,961 Likes
Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ coachandbusweek
legroom. “We first saw the coach at EuroBus Expo at the NEC in 2012 and the first impressions were very good,” said David Coster, Roadmark’s Managing Director. “It looked very passenger friendly. So we went to the showroom in Worksop a few months later, had a test drive and went away liking the Irizar UK setup, Steve and Ian.” Having ordered its coach, Roadmark then went to the
Join the group
Join our flickr group. Search groups – coach and bus week magazine
Irizar factory in Spain: “It is a fantastic factory and the staff all seemed focused on delivering a good product. That was very reassuring,” David added. The Euro 5 vehicle is powered by a DAF-Paccar MX300 engine, coupled to a ZF AS-Tronic autoshift gearbox. The coach has a toilet, seatback tables, a reversing camera, additional marker lights, DVD system and was liveried by Irizar. Its first trip was to the Netherlands. “We got great feedback from the driver,” said David, whose company is a member of both the Confederation of Passenger Transport and Coach Tourism Council. FACT FILE
CHASSIS/BODY Irizar i6 Integral ENGINE Paccar MX300 TRANSMISSION ZF AS-Tronic SEATS 48 SUPPLIED Irizar UK 01909
500514 www.irizar.co.uk
June 11, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 35 09/06/2014 19:38
THE BIG PICTURE Reflecting the summer season, we’ve decided to bring you an appropriate ‘Big Picture’ this week – a First Wessex open-topper. Northern Counties Palatine 2-bodied Volvo Olympian no.39920, registered ‘L650SEU’ is seen working route 1 between Weymouth and Portland, due to the nice weather. Tourist route 501 (Weymouth – Portland Bill) follows a similar route and is normally open-top, but this only runs in July and August. Therefore, the use of the Olympian on route 1 went down very well with the locals on such a fine day. The scene, which was caught on camera by Matthew Wool, shows the bus climbing the hill out of Fortuneswell, with amazing views over Chesil Beach and Portland Harbour on Sunday, May 25.
036_037_CBW1141_Big Picture.indd 36
09/06/2014 18:27
036_037_CBW1141_Big Picture.indd 37
09/06/2014 18:27
FACE TO FACE › CHRIS WALES
Chris remains as passionate as ever about the coach industry
38 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 11, 2014 038_041_CBW1141_Chris Wales.indd 38
www.coachandbusweek.com
09/06/2014 12:01
2,783 Followers
Join the discussion on Twitter by following us at @cbwtweets
1,961 Likes
Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ coachandbusweek
Join the group
Join our flickr group. Search groups – coach and bus week magazine
Promoting coach travel
with passion
Gareth Evans talks to Chris Wales, Chief Executive of the Coach Tourism Council about his work, his life and the founding of the popular trade organisation
I
t’s a wet, miserable afternoon when Roots we meet but Chris has made himself Born in East London, Chris grew up in Essex. “As at home on a comfy leather sofa by a if you couldn’t tell,” he chuckles. window. With a pint on the coffee table, Chris is not the sort to reel off detail in a he rises from his seat as soon as he fashion akin to a CV – he’s more of a standup spots me walking towards him. In his typically comic, who likes to laugh at himself over friendly manner, he immediately asks what I’m seemingly the mundanest of things. drinking. This will be all It came as no surprise that too familiar to those of you when asked about his early AT A GLANCE who are fortunate to know career and education, he Name Chris Wales Chris – he’s been the same replies with a smile: “Not Age 66 since I first met him after many people know this but Position Chief Executive joining CBW’s full-time team I went to teacher training Organisation Coach Tourism Council in 2007. college. It only took one term Contact 0870 850 2839 At this point, it’s probably to find out I was only there www.coachtourismcouncil.com prudent to say we catch up for the beer and birds!” not in one of Chris’ beloved The rest is history as they JD Weatherspoons pubs, of say, but on a serious note, which there are two in Peterborough, but in the Chris also has a keen interest in birds – of acclaimed Brewery Tap, which boasts its own the feathered variety. He’s a regular at RSPB micro-brewery. reserves around the country. Like a good number of others in the coach Back to his career, Chris continues: “My and bus industry, Chris is something of a roving background is ferries. I started in the ferry Wetherspoons directory – and he also enjoys business in 1977 with Paul Ovington – we real ale. Indeed, during CBW’s popular annual joined the firm in the same week. Paul is of ‘Big Question’ feature in our January 8 edition course my right-hand man in the CTC. He (CBW1119), he said his personal achivement protects my backside all the time – he’s a good for 2013 was having a beer with Tim Martin, man. Chairman of Wetherspoons. “I worked at Townsend Thoresen as Passenger “I always like Wetherspoons because the beer Sales Manager. The firm was acquired by P&O in is good and it’s reasonably priced,” he tells me. January 1987. I was there during The Herald of In Peterborough, does he prefer the Drapers Free Enterprise disaster – in March 1987. I was or College Arms? “I like the Drapers but if I’m not on the ship but I met the survivors.” meeting someone who is a smoker, it’s the Asked about his lowest point in life, it comes College as it’s got a heated outdoor smoking as no surprise when he replies poignantly: “I area.” was given the job of looking after the survivors On the independently-owned establishment of the Herald of Free Enterprise when they we meet in, Chris remarks: “I like The Brewery arrived at Gatwick from Zeebrugge. I was asked Tap as it’s what I regard as a daytime pub – by a man who had lost his family what I was there’s no noise, so it’s perfect to meet someone. going to do about it. That experience still haunts I also like the relaxed atmosphere.” me. On the day we meet, like me, he’s in smart “I left and joined Sealink British Ferries, where casual attire. The ever-cheerful gentleman is not I became Group Sales Director.” sporting one of his colourful ties. On that note, Chris is no stranger to presenting Founding the CTC awards, where he always knows how to draw a From Sealink, Chris’ career took a different laugh from the crowd. Indeed, this is something course – one which would promote coach which is mirrored in the CTC’s column in CBW’s tourism to the general public. sister publication, Group Travel World, where Where does his passion for coach travel come his passion for coach travel is all too apparent. from and how did it develop? What was the
‘I worked at Townsend Thoresen as Passenger Sales Manager. The firm was acquired by P&O in January 1987. I was there during The Herald of Free Enterprise disaster – in March 1987’
www.coachandbusweek.com
038_041_CBW1141_Chris Wales.indd 39
June 11, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 39 09/06/2014 12:01
FACE TO FACE › CHRIS WALES
Chris is no stranger to presenting awards, where he always manages to make the audience laugh catalyst? “In my early days in the travel industry I dealt with travel agents, then self-drive tour operators. As I got older I was given coach operators to look after and honestly, it was the best thing to happen to my career. I feel passionately about the coach tourism business. That is why I, along with many other industry figures founded the Coach Tourism Council (CTC).” “Gerry Topiol, Managing Director of wholesaler Groupways, approached me about establishing the CTC. He was also Managing Director of BAWTA (British Association of Wholesale Tour Agents),” recalls Chris. “It was a difficult birth. The Bus & Coach Council (BCC) – now the CPT – was based in Sardinia House, just off Holborn. Veronica Palmer, who was its Director General, was kept informed of our developments – we didn’t want the CTC to be seen as a rival to the BCC. Many coach tour operators and wholesalers had become frustrated that the BCC did not have the remit or resources to promote coach tourism to the general public, so they decided to mount a PR campaign themselves. “Gerry called a meeting of industry suppliers and well-known coach operators to gauge the appetite for such a campaign. “Although there was a full house, there was a reluctance from the suppliers to put their hands in their pockets. At the time I was General Manager at Sealink British Ferries. While I felt the concept was worthy, I couldn’t see how it
40 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 11, 2014 038_041_CBW1141_Chris Wales.indd 40
could be properly executed. I decided that if I was to commit Sealink’s money, I had to have a say on how it was spent. I pledged £1,000 along with other industry partners on the basis we formed a voluntary Board to oversee it – so the CTC was formed. “The PR launch under the slogan ‘promoting travel and tourism by coach’ was held at the then British Travel Trade Fair at the NEC in 1990, which was met not so much by hostility but by bewilderment from the trade. The concept of a consumer PR campaign to promote tourism by coach seemed beyond the comprehension of many coach operators and suppliers. It was hard to get people to join. However, after some ups and downs, the CTC triumphed. “This year (2014) is the CTC’s silver jubilee. On the founding board was Roger Mott (Mott’s of Aylesbury) and Dave Fenton (DF Travel), along with Gerry and I. “Originally we had a board of 30 people, but it was clearly too many. We’ve now got a dozen. CBW was instrumental in launching it – in the shape of Ian Griffin, the magazine’s then Publisher and Mark Barton, its Editor. The continuity remains with the CTC column in CBW’s sister monthly tourism title Group Travel World. CBW was our biggest supporter in the early days and we are eternally grateful for its continued support. “While there are too many names to thank for the success story, it would be wrong of me not to thank Gerry Topiol, Margaret Palmer, David
RECOGNITION
Smith and Dave Fenton. “In more recent years, it’s no exaggeration to say we owe Sean Taggart for what the CTC is today. Has has undoubtedly been the driving force in taking the CTC forward to ensure the concept of promoting coach travel has stood the test of time. “Although I started the CTC, I took a back seat. 10 years ago, they asked me to come back. “In the last 10 years, Sean has turned the CTC into a good, professional, functioning body. We are the number one networking organisation for coach tourism professionals. However, Sean is stepping down next April – we’re now looking for a new Chairman. We’ve got to have an inspirational leader and someone with energy – just two of Sean’s qualities. “In 2012 the CTC converted to a company limited by guarantee – the Coach Tourism Association Limited – although the organisation continues to trade and be known as the CTC. “Thanks to support from our trade media partners, our profile is high. We go from strength to strength. All our events, such as the conference which was held this year in Chester, enjoy a high profile and are popular. Speakers at this year’s event included West End theatre producers and Managing Directors of hotel groups. We are fortunate to have some truly excellent members, who all help to make our events what they are. “We’re in a good place for the future. Our press trips have achieved a considerable amount of consumer media coverage, which benefits our
Coach Awards recognitition Chris says his proudest moment has been “Winning a UK Coach Award for Services to the Industry in 2011.” This award is presented annually by UK Coach Awards to somebody in the world of coach tourism who has devoted a lifetime to the industry, and delivered exceptional service in the provision and/or delivery of coach services. The award is designed to recognise a significant and sustained contribution to the success of the industry by an individual who has gone consistently beyond the call of normal duty to improve and promote the coach industry for its users or the wider community. Judges remarked: “Chris has worked incessantly for the good of the industry for many years. He was a founder member of the Coach Tourism Council and is a past Chairman. He has been its Chief Executive since 2004. “Everyone who knows Chris (and that’s a lot of people) cannot fail to be aware of his infectious enthusiasm for the world of coach tourism. The judges love the way Chris projects confidence in the industry’s future and it is largely thanks to his efforts that so many share his optimism. “When the CTC celebrated its 20th anniversary, Chris noted: ‘There are more than eight million people using coaches for
The smile on Chris’ face says it all excursions, short breaks and longer holidays and we are confident these numbers will continue to rise over the next two decades.’ Thanks to him and those around him, he is already being proved right. “Chris is a passionate advocate for group travel and coach tourism, and the Management Committee felt that his immense hard work on behalf of the whole industry meant that the award was richly deserved.”
www.coachandbusweek.com
09/06/2014 19:38
2,783 Followers
Join the discussion on Twitter by following us at @cbwtweets
1,961 Likes
Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ coachandbusweek
Early days of the CTC – Peter Welch of Disneyland Paris, Roger Mott (Mott’s of Aylesbury), and Dave Fenton (DF Travel), Chris Wales and Gerry Topiol
‘We have to face the fact that the consumer market is aging. It used to be 55 plus, but it’s now nearer 65. On the plus side, people are living longer. It’s a mature persons market’ members. You can see all the cuttings on the CTC website. “We’ve enjoyed coverage in all the national newspapers, along with strong features in the likes of People’s Friend and Women’s Weekly – in addition to local and regional press. That’s my proudest achievement. Events like BBQs etc. represent the froth.” In his familiar jovial manner, he muses: “When I get my OBE – Other Beggars Efforts – it will be for promoting coach tourism.” “Anyway, we have to face the fact that the consumer market is aging,” he continues. “It used to be 55 plus, but it’s now nearer 65. On the plus side, people are living longer. It’s a mature persons market. Lots of operators have tried to target younger people but I feel it doesn’t work. Our target market is those individuals who are rich in time and funds. “All operators enjoy a loyal core customer base, who are provided with what they want. A lot of that customer base will be taking several day excursions, short breaks and holidays per annum. “For me, my passion is promoting coach tourism. In the scheme of things, we can get marginalised in favour of air holidays and cruises. Customers are bombarded with deals, so someone has got to fight the corner of the coach holiday.”
Theatre
“The theatre market serves as a prime way of introducing people to coach travel,” he enthuses. “Posh women for example, will get on a coach to attend a matinee performance in London but www.coachandbusweek.com
038_041_CBW1141_Chris Wales.indd 41
they wouldn’t normally go on a coach holiday. “The West End theatres couldn’t survive without coaches. Did you know 15% of all West End audiences arrive by coach? That figure is incredible when you think about it. “The positive thing is the coach market is quite robust. While it’s never going to be like 50 years ago, the CTC is concerned with promoting coach travel to the general public. That’s our mission statement. “The top 150 coach tour operators are CTC members and we’ve got another 150 leading suppliers.”
Typical week
What’s a typical week for Chris? “I’m off on a press trip to Scotland tomorrow with 10 journalists, comprising those from the national newspapers, regional press and magazines. It’s a tried and tested model – because we invite their partners. On a conventional press trip, partners are not invited, but we treat it like a coach trip. The other half might say ‘I’ve never been on a coach press trip.’ It works well for us. We always ask for people to come as two. Partners can be friends, parents etc. “One of the benefits of a coach trip is a single person doesn’t stand out. I always say you start off as strangers at the beginning of a hoiday but you’re friends by the end.”
Battlefields
In a classic example of where a hobby interest crosses a professional path, Chris is involved with a French museum dedicated to the First World War.
Join the group
Join our flickr group. Search groups – coach and bus week magazine
Chris with Wetherspoons Chairman Tim Martin “Robert Wales, my uncle Bob, died on November 5, 1918 – a week before the First World War ended, so it’s given me a personal interest in the conflict. I’ve written a number of articles on the subject. I also represent The Museum of the Great War Meaux near Paris. In this centenary year, it’s important we remember the sacrifices. All CTC operator members are running trips.”
Last words
In a role which entails lots of travelling, what’s his favourite mainland European country and why? “It’s got to be France. I love the food, its scenery and the history, particularly World War 1 and World War 2. However, I would not want to live there.” What is Chris’ most memorable trip? “Without doubt, it’s got to be the Orkneys and Shetlands. They certainly beat the Galapagos Islands.” What is his preference for crossing the Channel – Eurotunnel or ferry? In his familiar light-hearted manner, Chris replies: “As I have been sacked by all the cross-channel operators I have no preference, especially as I am taking pensions from P&O and Eurotunnel.” Asked about any quirky stories he can recall off the top of his head, Chris says: “I remember once being woken up at three in the morning by someone banging on my front door. I opened the door and there was a bloke standing there in what looked like a well-known coach operator’s uniform. He asked me if I could give him a push. I was about to tell him to go away when my partner, who was listening to the conversation, shouted ‘Give him a push Chris. It could be you that has broken down.’ I went upstairs put on my clothes, got outside and called ‘where are you mate?’ The reply came back: ‘Over here on the swings.’” Last but by no means least, does Chris have any plans for retirement? “It often crosses my mind but in all honesty, what would I do all day? Wetherspoons?” n
June 11, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 41 09/06/2014 12:01
TECHNOLOGY › RISE DM
The next stop for loyalty and rewards James Day speaks to Scott James from Rise Digital Media about the broad service offer within the BusHub platform, which aims to align local bus services with local retailers and businesses, providing passengers with a more rewarding transport experience
B
usHub is a platform that just might have the potential to go nationwide. The ambitious project combines route planning, real-time information, mobile ticketing, social media and advertising into a platform which makes bus services a joy to use for passengers and a powerful ally for the struggling high street, as well as an extremely useful datagathering tool for bus operators themselves. Whilst it appears to have something worthwhile to offer everyone who comes into contact with the industry, it’s key motivator is to improve the passenger experience and increase availability of public transport information.
A creative upstart
Scott James started Rise Digital Media (Rise) in 2010 after 16 years experience in web technologies and creative services as an interactive designer. The startup had a focus on data driven communications systems, working with companies like Network Rail, Thompson Reuters and Standard Bank on large scale internet based communications platforms. “By 2012 we’d grown a team from scratch and were delivering several hundreds of thousand pounds a year in digital services, through the toughest financial climate in a generation,” Scott said. “Our client base was broad and we’d successfully completed web projects for large organisations including the Home Retail Group (Argos, Homebase etc.), Royal London and Turner Broadcasting. “In May 2012, the CPT came to us with a brief to create a digital platform to support a national campaign to provide bus information for young people based on their location. This was an interesting opportunity for us as we could see the potential to execute an engaging creative concept against some pretty big open data sets. We had to design and develop an interactive solution that could match nationwide postcode data with operators’ data and display the results on an interactive map. “The initiative became known as BusForUs. Through BusForUs we became familiar with the TNDS (Traveline National Data Set) and we successfully created a front-end website 42 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 11, 2014
042_043_CBW1141_Bus App.indd 42
and user experience which delivered against the client brief and now provides access to over 70,000 bus services nationwide. This was ultimately launched on a bus (using the onboard WiFi) in Brighton by the then Minister for Transport, Norman Baker.
A new opportunity
While BusForUs remains an ongoing project for Rise in partnership with CPT, perhaps more importantly for Rise as a business, the delivery of BusForUs presented further opportunities within the industry. “From our research we had discovered just how hard it can be for passengers to easily plan a trip or bus route with their local operators on the web,” Scott explained. “By aggregating the data of all operators within the UK, and moulding it into a format compatible with modern web technologies, we saw the potential to deliver a powerful UK wide, multi-operator journey planning solution to solve this issue.” The first steps on this path were for Rise to design a comprehensive bus services content platform. This dataset includes transport timetable information for England, Scotland and Wales. The Rise system downloads from
Abellio Surrey is an operator which will be using BusHub in the near future TNDS once a week and re-models the data for improved usability and performance. This data is then made available to rich web and mobile templates for individual operators, or for campaigns such as Catch the Bus week (launched last month on the BusHub platform). “Our customers can now integrate a journey planner on their website as a single page app which simply requires them to add a single script to their website,” Scott said. “The functionality is then loaded into the page for them automatically and without any requirements for technical support from their own teams. The journey planner is a self maintaining piece of technology and when operators update their service data with Traveline via TNDS these updates automatically appear within their journey planner.”
BusHub
BusHub first showed at Coach & Bus Live in Birmingham last year. “We used the event to engage with potential customers and invite them to embark on a pilot with us,” Scott said. “Since the show we have been working closely with a PlusBus to bring this functionality to their connected bus, rail and tram customers. “Using their website passengers can now plan
The team at Rise Digital Media www.coachandbusweek.com
09/06/2014 18:09
a trip, �ind participating PlusBus operators and services and locate fares information from a single easy to use page. All service information and routes are available on an interactive map, which also highlights places of interest such as schools, hospitals, tourist attractions, museums and post of�ices. “Following the successful launch of the PlusBus journey planner, we’ve worked with the team at Greener Journey’s to provide a route �inder for the Catch the Bus Week campaign which allowed passengers to identify services and operators near to their location as part of a wider objective to further promote the use of public transport.” The BusHub route �inder can be easily added in to an operator’s website or mobile app, providing passengers with real-time data (where available) and giving fares information to help them choose the correct ticket. A next bus service is another aspect of BusHub, letting passengers know when the next bus is due whether they’re planning a trip from home or out with their mobile phone.
A rewarding social platform
The �irst steps towards an improved passenger experience were in journey planning and the creation of an affordable, low maintenance, multi-platform real-time information service for operators. Rise’s next target was to create a social platform for operators which could be integrated into their website and app platforms to provide passengers with superior level of service from their local bus company. Working from the core product out has allowed Rise to design a complete passenger communications solution - which starts from planning a trip. The platform now provides a suite of connected products with a sense of community at the heart of the overall service. Registered users on BusHub can connect with friends, share travel tips, ‘checkin’ to bus services, set reminders and alerts for bus departures, create and share itineraries, post social comments and collect BusPoints. BusPoints take loyalty and rewards to the next level. Passengers get rewarded for a range of activities, which includes any social comments and blog posts they contribute within an www.coachandbusweek.com
042_043_CBW1141_Bus App.indd 43
operators website or app platform. Points are also earned in the more traditional sense for every £1 spent on travel with their operator. Using the BusHub rewards app, passengers can ‘checkin’ on their mobile at participating stores and outlets to redeem special offers and rewards as well as collecting discounts on their travel.
Sponsoring Loyalty & Rewards
BusHub provides a platform for operators to manage their loyalty and rewards programme alongside partner promotions and sponsored advertising content. This allows very well targeted marketing, where high street promotions can be aimed at passing or soon-to-be passing bus passengers via ads on the operator’s on-board WiFi or mobile app. This links in with the social aspect of the system, providing incentives for passengers to contribute to an operator’s community content platform. From an operator’s perspective, this provides a mechanism to increase funding within its rewards programme. “Local bus companies are the perfect partner to help breath vitality back into the high street to create a mutually bene�icial commercial loop between bus operators, the local community and nearby businesses to highlight relevant local goods and services,” Scott said. “Rise has designed and developed a self service advertising platform for retailers and businesses to place content within operators’ digital platforms. Using location-based technology, an operator can carry an advert for a nearby store or local business on its WiFi content platform, mobile app or website. The ads feed into the loyalty and rewards programme from a passenger’s perspective and allow registered passengers to take advantage of special offers and discounts that have relevance to the journey they have taken or the trip they are planning. “Rewards are not just tied to the number of bus trips a passenger takes; they also get rewarded for contributing to the operator’s digital content platforms. Once logged in to an operators digital services, passengers can create itineraries, review trips and places of
BusHub can display advertising for businesses which are in close proximity to a passenger’s bus route. It also encourages bus use and passenger communication through loyalty and rewards schemes with local businesses interest or provide operators with feedback and suggestions - all types of user-generated content qualify for BusPoints.”
More development ahead
Looking towards the summer, the team at Rise is releasing a range of complimentary services which include smart ticketing, payment solutions and accessible content platforms for visually impaired passengers. Users can sign up for a demo of the journey planner or rewards platform by visiting www. bushub.co.uk/signup. For general sales enquiries contact Simon Miles on 0203 4229115 quoting BusHub June 11, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 43 09/06/2014 18:10
NEWS › PRODUCTS
2,783 Followers
Join the discussion on Twitter by following us at @cbwtweets
1,961 Likes
Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ coachandbusweek
Join the group
Join our flickr group. Search groups – coach and bus week magazine
PRODUCT OF THE WEEK
WheelRight now works at the fuel pumps The monitoring of bus and coach tyre pressures can now be done far more efficiently UK-based WheelRight has achieved ATEX Class 2 certification for its unique tyre-monitoring system – meaning the device can be placed alongside potentially explosive atmospheres such as fuel pumps across the world, making the chore of manually checking tyre pressures a thing of the past. The WheelRight system comprises a sensory pad which is embedded into the road, at a point where vehicles enter or leave a facility or fuel pump. There are no sensors on the vehicle.
New minibus clutch guide tube
The First Line Group (FLG) has introduced under its renowned Borg & Beck brand a clutch guide tube – part number HKD0006 – which is compatible with 35 of its clutch kits for many popular PSA (Peugeot/Citroën) and FIAT group applications. Although not officially deemed to be part of the clutch kit, FLG ‘best practice’ recommends that just as with Concentric Slave Cylinder (CSC) replacement, the clutch guide tube is also replaced
Certification means coach and bus tyre pressures can be checked at the same time the vehicle is being refuelled As the device is driven over, ‘in-motion’ measurements of the tyre pressures are acquired and analysed. It means that every time a driver pulls up at a fuel pump,
the WheelRight system can be used to measure the vehicle’s tyre pressures, without the driver having to leave the vehicle. The tyre pressures can be advised
when the vehicle requires a replacement clutch. Replacing this guide tube at the same time as the clutch can not only save time and money in the long term, but can actually help to extend the life of the clutch, as the original guide tube will often be worn or damaged. Left unchanged, this can cause the release bearing to operate incorrectly or become misaligned, which can cause clutch operating problems, such as slipping, stiff operation or clutch control issues. It is also important that all the lubrication points in the clutch release system are correctly greased and checked for their correct operation, as both the lack of lubrication or excess
grease build up can cause release problems. To ensure the amount and specification of the lubrication is correct, each Borg & Beck clutch kit comes complete with a sachet of grease, which is specifically designed for clutch spline and release systems. Through its Borg & Beck brand, FLG claims it is the market leader when it comes to replacement CSC clutch kits, with more than 400 part numbers in its comprehensive range. It also says its CSC clutches represent almost 25% of the repair market.
and built to meet demanding requirements for trucks, buses and plant. The product, which is available in two diameters,
13-inches (33.0 cm) with a six-inch inlet and 15-inches (38.1 cm) with seven-inch inlet, offers many innovative design features intended to benefit OEM customers and end users. For instance, the system has a decreased pressure drop at higher air flows. Indeed, the ECO-III-XL series is purpose-built to deliver superior performance by keeping engines clean using four levels of protection. If required, the product can be supplied with a secondary filter installed. With this fitted, a continuous ring seal is provided at the interface between the primary
to the driver by a display and printout at the pump or by means of a text message to a mobile phone. The WheelRight system has also recently achieved a National Measurement Office (NMO) accreditation. This is the first time the globally recognised Organisation Internationale de Métrologie Légale (OIML) has granted accreditation for a weigh-in-motion system which incorporates tyre pressure monitoring in a single product.
For more details, visit www.wheelright.co.uk or call 01865 854 848
Borg & Beck’s new clutch guide tube
Call 01869 248484 or visit www.firstlineltd.com
New air filter from Parker Racor for hot and dirty environments Parker Racor is releasing its ECO-III-XL series of air cleaning/ filtration systems for OEMs producing heavy duty equipment. Designed for high dust environments with excessive vibration and extreme temperatures, Racor ECO-III-XL series air cleaners are now the economical choice for all heavy duty applications. Large scale equipment operating in aggressive conditions requires heavy duty engine air intake filtration. Racor’s ECO-III-XL air cleaners are designed
The ECO-III-XL
44 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 11, 2014 044_CBW1141_Products.indd 44
and secondary filter, introducing an extra layer of protection to meet the requirements of extra demanding on- and off-road applications. Air flow rates of the ECO-III-XL series are up to 28.3 cubic metres a minute, while the unit also provides a restriction indicator port with SAE plug. Furthermore, state-of-the-art engineering materials have been used throughout, ensuring the ECO-IIIXL series is a top performer for heavy duty applications, while the innovative design makes it easy to mount and service. Visit www.parker.com or call 01924 487037
www.coachandbusweek.com
09/06/2014 13:46
has joined twitter to keep up to date with the latest from the largest vehicle marketplace
follow us @cbmtweets_
Buy and sell vehicles on
p46_CBW_1141 09/06/2014 12:51 Page 46
Ford Transit 430 Jumbo
VW Transporter T32 130
Iveco Daily 45c14 Iris Bus
Renault Traffic LH29
2.2TD, 6 speed gearbox, tacho, high roof factory conversion, PAS, side loading door,16 high back seats plus driver, fully tracked Unwin floor, PLS underfloor tail lift, ex charity, only 41,777 miles.
LWB, 2.5TDI, 6 speed manual gearbox, air con, CD player, semi high roof, side loading door, 5 high back seats in rear, double passenger seat + driver, lowering suspension with fold down ramp, Unwin tracking, electric winch, 49,185 miles.
3.0, 6 speed gearbox, high roof, PAS, LWB, tacho, power front entry door, 16 rear high back seats (17 seats in total), Unwin tracking, Eberspacher heater, underfloor Ratcliff tail lift, COIF to take up to 5 wheelchairs, choice of 2.
2.5TD, manual gearbox, high roof, O & H conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, high back seats, fully tracked Unwin floor, Ricon tail lift, 33,164 miles only.
P.O.A.
P.O.A.
P.O.A.
P.O.A.
H.W. Pickrell – 01268 521033
H.W. Pickrell – 01268 521033
H.W. Pickrell – 01268 521033
H.W. Pickrell – 01268 521033
2002 (52) Mercedes 814 Vario Plaxton Beaver 2
2003 (52) Iveco Daily 45c13 Iris Bus
LDV Maxus 3.5T 95 LWB
Fiat Ducato 160 Multijet
29 seats all with lap diagonal belts, auto, 203,000 kms, MOT till August, PLS underslung chair lift.
10 seats with PLS chairlift, front entry, fully length floor tracking, all seats on quick release, bonded glass, COIF/PSV, tacho.
7 seats, AMF-Bruns internal chairlift, full tracking on Unwin quick release, Euromotive built, 1 owner, low miles, side loading door.
17 seats, 80,000 miles from new, 1 owner, front and rear aircon, luggage racks, armrests, Bluetooth, 6 speed manual, COIF/PSV, tacho.
£9,995 + VAT
£3,995 + VAT
£6,495 + VAT
£11,495 + VAT
BNL Coaches 0208 363 8572 or 07811 848548
BNL Coaches 0208 363 8572 or 07811 848548
BNL Coaches 0208 363 8572 or 07811 848548
BNL Coaches 0208 363 8572 or 07971 785390
2004 04 PLATE DAF LF45 WELFARE BUS
2006 06 PLATE MERCEDES SPRINTER 413 CDI FRONT ENTRY MINIBUS
2006 Mercedes Sprinter 413 EX
2012 EVM Sprinter 516 Avantgarde
6.0 litre turbo diesel 180ps, automatic gearbox, 40 seats plus driver and companion, tracking for 4 wheelchairs, electric folding access door, electric windows, 147,000 kilometers/91,000 miles, very good condition, supplied with 12 months MOT, serviced to FTA standards . WAS £18,495 + VAT – NOW £16,995 + VAT
2200 CDI turbo diesel 130ps, 6 speed sprintshift automatic, 17 seats, air con, UV Modular conversion, Ratcliffe underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for upto 6 wheelchairs, COIF, tachograph, CD player, 107,000 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
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
16 seats, auto, power door, large drop boot, coach rear end, panoramic windows, monitor and DVD, Euroliners, Mercedes Benz warranty, 6 new tyres.
£52,000 + VAT
Ben Weaver Commercials 0114 275 7076
Ben Weaver Commercials 0114 275 7076
EVM Direct – 0845 5205160
EVM Direct – 0845 5205160
2008 58 PLATE VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER T5 WELFARE BUS
2006 56 PLATE VOLKSWAGEN LT46 16 SEAT MINIBUS
Mercedes Benz Sprinter 513 CDI
Euro 6 Low Floor Sprinter
2.5 TDI auto, 15 seats, COIF, digital tacho, gross vehicle weight for 4100 kgs so can be driven without a D1 license, tracking for up to 5 wheelchairs, electric front entry doors with fold out wheelchair ramp, reversing camera, LEZ compliant, 81,000 miles, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty.
2.5 TDI, Ricon internal rear wheelchair lift, tracking for up to 3 wheelchairs plus 5 seated, twin side loading doors with near side AVS electric access step, digital tachograph, COIF, LEZ compliant, 101,000 miles, very good condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty.
16 seats + driver, LWB, 6 speed manual, electric entry step, in-dash aircon, 3 year Mercedes Benz warranty, optional extras available.
22 mixed between seating/standing/wheelchair, sliding 120 cm entry door, multiple drop box combinations are available for luggage storage.
£11,995 + VAT
WAS £10,995 + VAT – NOW £10,495 + VAT
Ben Weaver Commercials 0114 275 7076
Ben Weaver Commercials 0114 275 7076
£33,000 + VAT
POA
EVM Direct – 0845 5205160
EVM Direct – 0845 5205160
Telephone Gemma Ireland on 01733 293247 or email gemma.ireland@coachandbusweek.com 46 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 11, 2014
www.coachandbusweek.com
p48_CBW_1141 09/06/2014 12:52 Page 48
2005 LDV Convoy
2000 Volvo B7TL’S
2008 Mercedes Sprinter Executive
Front entry coach built, large panoramic windows, wood dash, Euroliner wheel trims, very tidy inside and out,12 months MOT, this is the intercooled high power model, drives superb, low mileage.
ZF gearboxes, single door, 82 seats fully seated or 80 seats as DDA compliant, supplied with new MOT and COIF, new batch just arriving. Why pay more for less. FROM £20,000
10 seats + driver, DVD stereo system, air con, tables, inverter, leather seats, huge luggage space, black tint rear windows, very good, clean condition, LEZ, ready for work.
£5,500 – MAY PX
Parnells Coaches 01404 47502/07790 966667
2009 Iveco Daily
16 moquette seats with 3 point belts, white, manual, single panoramic privacy glazing, forced air, wheelchair tracking, right hand emergency door, reading lights and air vents, 90,000 miles, very clean.
£18,000 + VAT
2001 Y Reg Tridents
Cummins C series engines, Voith gearboxes, Plaxton President bodies, 78 seats. Why pay more for less. FROM £18,000 + VAT
EnsignBus 01708 865656
Steve 0161 775 0800/07980 600597 operations@travel-master.co.uk
New EVM Sprinter X-Clusive
New EVM Sprinter Classic
2008 Mercedes Benz Vario
16 executive seats in leather+ driver, automatic, power door, coach back boot, in-dash and saloon A/C, panoramic windows, monitors and DVD.
22 seats + driver, automatic, power door, double rear doors, privacy glass, in-dash and saloon A/C, saloon heater, 3 stage entry step, luggage racks.
Manual gearbox, double rear doors, 24 moquette seats + driver, bonded windows, single glazing, forced air, 71,879 miles, rear emergency exit doors, Buckingham seats, under dash box, 2 roof vents.
EnsignBus 01708 865656
£18,000 + VAT
POA
POA
£27,000 + VAT
EVM Direct – 01293 852025
EVM Direct – 0845 5205160
EVM Direct – 0845 5205160
EVM Direct – 0845 5205160
1998 Volvo Caetano Salvador
2005 05 Reg VW LT35 95 TDi LWB
2008 08 reg Mercedes Sprinter
2008 Iveco Beulas Cygnus
16 seats, drives well, low mileage, 5 gears, front entry, non-PSV, CD player, skylight, MOT April 2015.
Newish conversion, 12 months PSV, taxed, COIF, 5 speed box, panoramic tinted windows, CD player.
£14,500 + VAT o.n.o.
£4,900 – MAY PX
£POA – MAY PX
49/51 rec seats, 3 point belts, courier seat, auto, power plug & continental doors, air con, double glazing, audio & DVD, reverse camera, powered luggage lockers, floor mounted toilet, low mileage. POA
01833 660471 / 07730 486708 paul.watson@btconnect.com
01404 47502/07790 966667 www.parnell-coaches.com
01404 47502/07790 966667 www.parnell-coaches.com
Tel: 01823 653000 Moseley in the South
2000/2001 X/Y Reg Volvo B7TL’S
1997 Volvo B12R VanHool Astrobel
2004 Mercedes OC500 18.36 Touro
Iveco Daily
Auto, 71 reclining seats, twin courier seat, driver & crew doors, centre powered entrance, double glazing, air con, audio & DVD, servery with boiler & fridge, toilet, n/s & o/s doors to luggage compartment.
49 reclining seats with armrests, seat back tables, & footrests, courier seat, Plug entrance door, double glazing, air con, CD & DVD, drinks machine & fridge; centre sunken toilet, continental exit, digital tachograph, manual transmission, retarder.
8 passengers plus driver, front entrance with lowered step, 3 point seat belts, large tinted panoramic windows, flat floor with lots of tracking, 2.8ltr diesel manual, 2 fire extinguishers + first aid kit, 113,000 miles, MOT Sept, tax Oct 2014.
POA
POA
NOW £4,200 including VAT
Tel: 01823 653000 Moseley in the South
Tel: 01823 653000 Moseley in the South
Tel: 0121 788 8848 Marsden PTS Ltd
49 reclining seat with seat belts, mid toilet, centre door, monitor + DVD, radio + cassette, courier seat, tax and tested, fitted with air con but needs belts and re-gas.
80 seats, Voith gearboxes, Euro 2 engines with traps, or full Euro 3 with traps, Plaxton President bodies, can be DDA with 78 seats. Why pay more for less. FROM £20,000 + VAT
EnsignBus 01708 865656
Telephone Gemma Ireland on 01733 293247 or email gemma.ireland@coachandbusweek.com 48 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 11, 2014
www.coachandbusweek.com
p49_CBW_1141 09/06/2014 12:53 Page 49
2001 MAN Neoplan
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.
53 plate Mercedes Cheetah
2003 Volvo B12M VanHool Euro 3
2005 DAF VanHool
29 passengers plus courier seat, tax till August, MOT till June, large boot, low emission exhaust fitted. £18,000 + VAT
49 belted seats + crew, retrimmed seats & side panels, air con, monitor, radio/PA, saloon mounted WC, rear continental door, MOT November. £39,999 + VAT
48 seater executive, air con, rear mounted WC, very good condition, tested until October 2014. £78,000 + VAT
Contact Gary – 07930 377051
Hailstone Travel Ltd 0845 388 3848
2004 Volvo B7RLE Wright Eclipse
2006 Scania Irizar Century
£25,000 + VAT
Nigel McCree - 01509 502695
Shaw’s Coaches Tel: 01977 661214
1995 Scania K113 VanHool Alizee
1997 Dennis Javelin GX300 Berkhoff Axial 53 seats Manual New respray in white New screen Engine fault and misted side bays, taken in PX.
Auto, one year’s MOT, 49 seats: new 70 Cogent seats on order and the conversion will be carried out shortly, so pick your own trim.
Converted this year to 70 seater using Cogent seats with 3 point belts, tea machine, TV/DVD.
Offers + VAT to clear
yourbus – 01773 714013
£100,000 + VAT Milligans Coach Travel 01290 550365
£21,000 Milligans Coach Travel 01290 550365
Llew Jones – 07795 347476 or steve@llewjones.com
2003 Mercedes Benz Setra
Volvo Olympian open top bus
2002 Volvo B7R Plaxton
2003 Volvo B12M Jonckheere Euro 3
49 seat with belts, 2 monitors, DVD, centre toilet, centre power door, cool box + boiler, leather headrests inserts, seat back tables, foot rests, good tyres, 6 speed ZF, LEZ box, tax and test ready to work.
This year’s allocation sold. Please check back in the Autumn.
53 seats plus courier, automatic, A/C, used only on tour work, removable vinyls, seat belts, available with new test. £39,000 Call Anthony Kelly
01833 660471 / 07730 486708 paul.watson@btconnect.com
Bath Bus Company 01225 330444
PAB Tours – 0113 320 0780 ant@pabtours.com
48 x 3 point belted seats + crew, air con, saloon mounted WC, rear continental door, MOT November, option 53 or 55-seater with WC removed. £36,000 + VAT – CHOICE
1993 Volvo B10M Plaxton Premier
2002 Scania VanHool K124
2007 Scania K340/ Caetano Levante
1988 DAF MB230 Plaxton
53 seats, automatic, very good condition for year, currently in dry storage, additional vehicle also available. £2,750
£65,000 + VAT each
PAB Tours – 0113 320 0780 ant@pabtours.com
45 seats, full DDA, ZF automatic gearbox, MobiTec destination, Cyberlyne CCTV with audio recording, choice of four.
£35,000 + VAT
£40,000 + VAT o.n.o.
49 seats, automatic, good condition for year, available with new test, removable vinyls. Choice of 3. £11,995
49 exec, W.C., A.C., 7 speed C-Shift, MOT 30/9/14, excellent condition.
NOW £39,000
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.
PAB Tours – 0113 320 0780 ant@pabtours.com
Kingdoms Tours Ltd 01884 252646 / 07702 626542
yourbus – 01773 714013
Nigel McCree - 01509 502695
Telephone Gemma Ireland on 01733 293247 or email gemma.ireland@coachandbusweek.com www.coachandbusweek.com
June 11, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 49
p50_CBW_1141 09/06/2014 12:54 Page 50
LDV 400 Convoy LWB
1999 Volvo Olympian Alexander
7HO
Concept conversion, COIF for 17 seats with 3 point belts, 5 speed gearbox, double rear doors, front entry door, exterior cassette tail lift, Class 6 MOT till Apr 2015, taxed till end Sept 2014, very tidy inside and out, one of 4 minibuses owned from new with full service history. £2,695
78 seats + 13 standing, automatic, limited to 90 Kph, seatbelts throughout, ideal for school trips and contract hire, Hannover displays.
£14,000 + VAT
Davian Coaches - 0208 807 1515
Steve 0161 775 0800/07445 266345 operations@travel-master.co.uk
1998 Mercedes Sprinter
2004 Iveco Beulas
15 seats, front entry, Mellor conversion, MOT 16/5/14, very good condition, with tail lift.
£ 3,700
1998 Iveco 40 / 10 15 seats, front entry, MOT 22/8/14, very good condition.
£ 2,500
1995 Iveco 49 / 10 19 seats, front entry, power door, MOT 13/1/15, very good condition.
£ 3,000 Kingdoms Tours Ltd
2002 MAN 24.400 Tri Axle
49 seat executive, manual, centre toilet, climate control, DVD, MOT Feb 15, taxed July, drives superb, excellent condition, real head turner.
£19,950 + VAT ono – PX considered
Llew Jones – 07795 347476 or steve@llewjones.com
D L SO
52 reg Optare Solo M920
33 seats, owned from new, re-con engine & gearbox in 2012, repanelled & painted in 2013, Hannover digital destination, MOT Dec 2014.
£15,000
Coach Services Ltd Tel: 01842 821509
Auto, 51 seat executive coach, WC, DVD, A/C, drinks boiler, fridge, etc, in exceptional condition for age, MOT July 2014.
£34,500 ono + VAT
01884 252646 / 07702 626542
Tel 01249 742000/07717 768315
2013 Ford Transit 300
2006 Transit Tourneo
MWB, 8 x M2 seats with diagonal belts + driver, 6 speed gearbox, front air con, PAS, radio/CD, twin side load doors, silver metallic, mesh cage partition from luggage area, balance of manufacturers warranty. £16,995
9 seater, tax till Jan, will have new MOT, 190,000 miles, runs well, front and rear air-con, tow bar. £3,500 + VAT
EnsignBus 01708 865656
Autoservice Pontypool Ltd 01495 757111
Hailstone Travel Ltd 0845 388 3848
2003 Mercedes Cheetah
2007 (57) MAN 18.360 Noge
2003 Alexander Dennis Enviro 300 SLF 12m
1999/2000/2001 V/Y Reg Dennis Tridents
Cummins/Voith, LEZ compliant with traps to Euro 4, CCTV, Alexander ALX400 bodies, DDA compliant or upseated to 80 seats. Why pay more for less. FROM £18,000 + VAT
29 passengers plus courier seat Tax till March MOT till February Large boot New clutch and turbo
£18,000 + VAT
Hailstone Travel Ltd 0845 388 3848
51 seats + WC, DVD, two screens, A/C, MOT & tax, low mileage, one owner.
£75,000 ono
Manns Travel - 07796 695675
44 seats + 27 standees. £22,000 + VAT Southdown PSV 01342 711840 email: bussales@southdownpsv.co.uk www.southdownpsv.co.uk
Telephone Gemma Ireland on 01733 293247 or email gemma.ireland@coachandbusweek.com 50 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 11, 2014
www.coachandbusweek.com
700211-1140-Ventura 02/06/2014 14:43 Page 1
698896-1141-Ensign_Layout 1 09/06/2014 14:57 Page 1
Ensig DOUBLE DECK 2000/2001 X/Y REG VOLVO B7TL’s
80 seats, Voith gearboxes, Euro 2 engines with traps, or full Euro 3 with traps, Plaxton President bodies, can be DDA with 78 seats. From £18,000
LEZ
COMPLIANT
1999/2000/2001 V/Y REG DENNIS TRIDENTS
Cummins/Voith, LEZ compliant with traps to Euro 4, CCTV, Alexander ALX400 bodies, DDA compliant or upseated to 80 seats. From £17,000
2006 OPTARE SOLO M920
2006 55 PLATE VOLVO B7TL’s
ZF automatics, Wrights Gemini bodies, 69 coach seats, air-con, DDA, long MOT’s.
31 seats, Mercedes engines, DDA compliant.
2002 02 PLATE DENNIS TRIDENTS
1999 T/V REG DENNIS TRIDENTS
Cummins ISC Euro 3 engines, Plaxton bodies, DDA and LEZ compliant, 78 seats.
Cummins / ZF, Plaxton bodies, 62 seats, DDA and LEZ compliant.
2001 SUPER POINTER DARTS
2009 OPTARE SOLO M850 Mercedes engine, Euro 4, 26 seats, Mobitech LED’s, DDA.
2001 Super Pointer Darts, Allison gearboxes, 11.3m, 41 seats.
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. From £20,000
2002 DENNIS DARTS
Cummins ISB Euro 3 engines , 10.7M, 37 seats, new MOT, Hanover LED’s
2009 OPTARE SOLO M920’s
33 seats, Mercedes engines, Mobitech LED’s, long MOT’s.
OPEN TOP BUSES A SPECIALITY -
Juliette Close, Purfleet Industrial Telephone 01708 865656 Fax: 01708 8 Visit our website for current s
698896-1141-Ensign_Layout 1 09/06/2014 14:57 Page 2
nbus
K ER SPECIALIST 2003 VOLVO B7TL’s
Euro 3 engines, DDA and LEZ compliant, Plaxton President bodies, 65 seats 2 door or up to 78 seats single door.
2001 Y REG TRIDENTS
Cummins C series engines, Voith gearboxes, Plaxton President bodies, 78 seats.
2002 DENNIS DARTS
Cummins ISB Euro 3 engines, Plaxton Pointer bodies, 2 door, can be converted to single door, 30 or 36 seats, DDA and LEZ compliant, 10.2m, ABS, long MOT’s.
2007 VOLVO B12B’s
£18,000 + VAT
2003 03 PLATE DENNIS TRIDENTS
Euro 5, automatic, Plaxton Panthers, 12m, air-con, being converted to 70 seats, front wheelchair lift, Hanover LED’s.
Cummins ISC Euro 3 engines, DDA and LEZ compliant, 2 door 62 seats or can be single doored and upseated.
2009 OPTARE SOLO
2000 X REG VOLVO B7TL’s
Mercedes Euro 4 engines, 9.2m, 33 seats.
2001/2002 DENNIS TRIDENTS
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.
Euro 2, LEZ compliant, Plaxton President , CCTV, dual door 62 seats or single door 74 seats.
1998 VOLVO BN10BLE’s
SLF, ZF gearboxes, Wrights bodies, 44 seats, long MOT’s.
2005 NEOPLAN SKYLINER 89 seats, air-con, toilet, MAN engine, ZF gearbox.
1996 VOLVO B10MA ARTICULATED COACHES ZF automatics, 71 seats.
2009 WRIGHTS HYBRIDS
65 seats, dual door, can be converted to single door, latest Wrights hybrid drive, brand new battery pack, cooling pack, and Cummins Euro 5 engine, body upgraded to Gemini 2, over £100k spent on upgrade. COMPETITIVELY PRICED
- BRITAIN’S BIGGEST BUS DEALERS Park, Purfleet, Essex, RM15 4YF 8 864340 e-mail: sales@ensignbus.com t stock at www.ensignbus.com
698956-1137-Pembridge 12/05/2014 13:53 Page 1
FORD TRANSIT MINIBUSES (12) 2012 Ford Transit 17 seat minibus 135ps air-con, tacho, COIF/PSV £19,995 (12) 2012 Ford Transit 9 seat Shuttle twin side loading doors 18000 miles £12,995
D L O S
(10) 2010 Ford Transit 17 seat minibus 2.4 diesel, six speed gearbox, tacho, 55,000 km £13,495 (58) 2008 Ford Transit 17 seat minibus 2.4 diesel with six speed gearbox, 16,000 miles FSH £10,495 (56) 2006 Ford Transit 17 seat minibus, high back seats with three point belts, COIF/PSV £7,995 (02) 2002 Ford Transit 2.4 diesel 3.5 ton, automatic gearbox, 8 seats, inboard Ricon wheelchair lift, rear heating, tracking to take 3 wheelchairs, overhead lockers £5,995
OTHER MAKES
New Peugeot Boxer 16 seat 3.5 ton and 17 seat w/chair accessible minibuses, 2.2 diesel 120ps, six speed gearbox LEZ COMPLIANT From £24,750 + VAT
(60) 2010 Renault Master 3.5 ton GVW 17 seat minibus, 2.3 diesel, six speed manual, high back seats, tacho, 38,000kms, sat-nav £15,995 (60) 2010 Renault Master 9 seat Shuttel 2.3 diesel six speed, large boot, sat-nav, Bluetooth £10,495 (56) 2006 Peugeot Boxer 3.5 ton 17 seat LWB minibus, 2.8 diesel, high back seats with three point seat belts, 19,000 miles only £9,450
OTHER MAKES
(56) 2006 Peugeot Boxer 3.5t on 17 seat minibus 2.8 diesel, high back seats with three point belts, 33,000 miles £8,995
D L O S
Renault Master 17 seat 2.8 diesel mini coach, full under floor luggage large boot, tachograph, COIF/PSV £5,995 + VAT
WHEELCHAIR ACCESS
(62) 2013 Citroen Berlingo Automatic, 8,000 miles only, low floor, lightweight ramp, electric reals, high spec £12,850
(13) 2013 Renault Trafic LL29 Sport 9 seat, sat-nav, Bluetooth, six speed, 29,831 miles £16,950
(60) 2010 Renault Master 3.5ton 9 seat 2.3 diesel six speed, sat-nav, Bluetooth, tachograph, fully tracked floor, inboard lightweight ramp, 40,000 miles £15,995
(58) 2008 Renault Master MWB 2.5TD 6 speed, tracking for two wheelchairs, in board lift, aircon, rear heating, low entrance step, 62,000 miles, one owner £9,995 (07) 2007 Fiat Doblo 1.4 petrol, 11,500 miles only, five speed manual, three seats plus wheelchair space, low floor, lightweight ramp, electric reals, air-con £6,995
(06) 2006 Iveco Daily Iris Bus 16 seat, 2.8 litre, six speed, front entry drop step with power door, fully tracked floor, full power under floor tail lift, rear heating, 65,000 mile £10,995 (05) 2005 Citroen Dispatch 1.9 diesel, five speed manual, four seats plus wheelchair, low floor with lightweight ramp, 57,000 miles £4,495
D L O S
(53) 2003 Renault Master SWB 2.3 diesel, inboard Ricon lift,tracking for two wheelchairs, electric side step £5,995
Contact Graham Thatcher – email: sales@minibussales.co.uk
Tel: 01633 485858 Mobile: 07866 443304
Pembridge House, The Park Business Centre, Plough Road, Goytre, Penperlleni, Nr Usk, South Wales NP4 0AL – 10 minutes from M4 motorway. Viewing by appointment only
Finance Contract Hire and Finance Lease Available. We deliver Nationwide. All vehicles prepared to VOSA standard COIF/PSV specialist
All above prices are subject to VAT @ 20%
p55_CBW_1141 09/06/2014 17:41 Page 1
p56_CBW_1141 09/06/2014 15:10 Page 56
Call for details on our website conversions, upseating, refurbishment, and change of use conversion. Also vehicles available for hire short and long term.
www.staffordbuscentre.com email: martin@staffordbuscentre.com Telephone: 01782 791774 Mobile: 07803 222552
View our latest arrivals on www.staffordbuscentre.com DENNIS DART PLAXTON POINTER "MPD"
OPTARE SOLO M850 2000 W REG
2001 Y reg, 29 seats with new 3 point belt installation, wheelchair ramp in step so DDA, Eminox exhaust to Euro 4 LEZ/RPC
Choice of 4 £9,950
SINGLE DECKERS ADL ENVIRO 300 2006 56 REG. SLF BUS - dual use options, with 60 x 3 point belted seats, use on bus services or school contracts. Phone for spec and price DENNIS DART PLAXTON MINI POINTER “MPD” Y REG. 29 seats, DDA destination equipment. Choice of 4 (Euro 4 and beltable) £6,950 DENNIS DART CAETANO CUTLASS. Step entrance with 38 seats & 3 point belts. Ideal school contracts etc. £3,450
08 (08) IVECO IRIS BUS 50C15 17 SEAT INC DRIVER W/CHAIR ACCESS PLUG DOOR COIF/PSV £17,995
07 (07) FORD TRANSIT 85 T280S W/CHAIR ACCESS 8 SEATS INC DRIVER 85,270 MILES £10,495
06 (56) VW LT35 WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE 16 SEAT INC DRIVER FIT 3/4 WHEELCHAIRS COIF/PSV 64,000 MILES (CHOICE OF 2) £15,995
FORD TRANSIT 17 SEAT FACTORY BUS March 2009 09 Reg Only 17,000 miles from new, 6 speed gearbox, electric windows, tacho, etc, COIF booked. £12,750
DENNIS TRIDENT ALEXANDER ALX400 LWB 13ft 10in low height, 84 seats, wheelchair space, fold out ramp in entrance, can be belted. £POA
MERCEDES SPRINTER 416 22 seat super low floor dual purpose with wheelchair ramp in entrance, 3 point belts, etc. MOT Dec. £14,950
DOUBLE DECKERS VOLVO OLYMPIAN ALEXANDER BODY 1996 N REG. 78 seats with belts, long or new MoT, one repainted white, currently taxed so ready to work. FROM £7,750
OPTARE SOLO M780 SLIMLINE 55 and 06 reg fully repainted into plain white From £27,950
2 with coach seats and 1 with bus seats All with ramp for DDA etc All at £6,000.00
FORD TRANSITS 15-17 seats, available for short term rental. Rent for one week, month or year. Up to you. Always available. Phone for details IVECO 45/15 2005 55 REG. 16 seats, power door, powerful 3.0 ltr engine. £7,950 MERCEDES 413D SPRINTER 2004 04 REG. Extra long body with 16 seats and huge full height boot, COIF and long MoT. £11,950 MERCEDES 814 VARIO PLAXTON BEAVER 2 2004 54 REG. Fitted with 20 seats on tracking, and up to 10 wheelchairs, PSV, COIF and MoT, manual gearbox, power door, destination etc. long wheel base so could go to 32 seats. £14,950
07 (57) RENAULT TRAFFIC LL29DCI 115 9 SEAT MINIBUS 82,000 MILES £8,500
2012 (12) FORD TRANSIT ELWB MEDIUM ROOF 135PS COIF/PSV 58,327KMS £16,495
07 (57) RENAULT MASTER LH39 3.9T LUXURY MINICOACH 17 LEATHER SEATS DIGI TACHO ELECTRIC WINDOWS/MIRRORS £12,995
VW LT 46. Extra long wheelbase and super low floor, currently only 8 seats but could be 16-20 seats or make superb accessible camper. CHOICE OF 2 FROM £5,500 IVECO DAILY 45 15 LWB HIGH ROOF 2005 55 REG 16 seats wheelchair accessible with power door, new MoT £6,950 DENNIS DART PLAXTON SUPER POINTER 47 fully belted seats, ideal for schools £8,950 DAF PLAXTON PREMIER 1996 PP Fitted with 55 seats, automatic gearbox, new MOT upon sale £9,950 MERCEDES 814D VARIO 2004 04 REG 32 high back seats 3 point belts manual gearbox £14,450 MERCEDES SPRINTER 313CDI 2011 11 REG 16 seat, new conversion, PSV, COIF and MoT, low miles £23,950
07 (57) FORD TRANSIT 85 T280S WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE 8 SEATS INBOARD LIFT FULLY TRACKED FLOOR 78,000 MILES £9,450
2007 (07) VW CRAFTER TRANSPORTER 14 SEAT INC DRIVER WHEELCHAIR ACCESS £17,995
2010 (60) MERCEDES SPRINTER 513CDI 16 SEAT W/CHAIR ACCESSIBLE COIF/PSV £28,500
NEW MERCEDES SPRINTER TOURLINE 519CDI • ALTAS CONVERSION • 17 SEAT MINICOACH • DOUBLE GLAZED WINDOWS • FULL AIR CONDITIONING • POWER DOOR LOW ENTRY STEP
P.O.A. (PONTYPOOL) LTD
MULTIPART & LDV/MAXUS PARTS STOCKISTS
Tel: 01495 757111 Mob: 07850 739446 (Haydn) or visit our website www.minibussales.biz to view the above stock 56 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 11, 2014
www.coachandbusweek.com
701162-1139-Connaught_Layout 1 27/05/2014 14:39 Page 1
New Euro 6 Ferqui Soroco Blue efficiency Euro 6 chassis with glass reinforced polyester body on a galvanised steel frame Available in 16 and 19 seat configurations Double glazing Air Conditioning Power Door Luggage boot 3 year warranty
Brand New coach-built Mercedes 519 CDi Euro 6 Ferqui Soroco 16 leather high back reclining seats, 3 point belts, AC, DG, reading lights, DVD system, power door, large boot, metallic paint.
2010 Iveco 45C15 19 high back seats, 3 point belts, forced air, reading lights, lowered entrance step.
2010 VW Crafter AUTO 16 high back seats, 3 point belts, AC, forced air, reading lights, drop step, coach back end and large luggage boot.
2008 58 Reg Mercedes 515 CDi Sprinter 16 high back leather seats, 3 point belts, AC, forced air, reading lights, DVD, fully carpeted, coach back end, large boot, low mileage.
2007 07 Reg Mercedes 515 CDi Sprinter 16 high back leather seats, 3 point belts, AC, forced air, reading lights, DVD, fully carpeted, coach back end, large boot, low mileage.
2006 56 Reg Mercedes Benz 616CDi Riada 23 high back seats, 3 point belts, AC, forced air, reading lights, curtains, DVD system, power door & large boot, new MB engine fitted.
2006 56 Reg Mercedes 413CDi Soroco 16 high back seats, 3 point belts, AC, forced air, reading lights, curtains, power door & large boot.
2005 55 Reg Mercedes 814 Vario 24 high back seats, 3 point belts, forced air, reading lights, luggage boot.
2002 02 Reg Mercedes Benz 413CDi Soroco 16 high back seats, 3 point belts, AC, reading lights, power door & boot.
Steve Peach Tel: 01405 814064 Mob: 07836 551020 Email: info@connaughtpsv.co.uk Web: www.connaughtpsv.co.uk
p58_CBW_1141 09/06/2014 13:10 Page 58
Pennine Motor Services
www.bbcommercials.co.uk
2003 DENNIS DART PLAXTON 37 seats, 10.7 metre, DDA, two available.
2013 FORD TOURNEO CUSTOM T300 2.2TDCI 155PS LIMITED ONLY 800 MILES £19,995
2012 FORD TOURNEO 125ps 9 SEATER MINIBUS DIESEL 29,000 MILES FROM NEW £14,995 NO VAT
2009 MERCEDES-BENZ TRAVELINER X/LWB 9 SEATER LUXURY MINIBUS 59,000 MILES £11,995
2011 FORD TRANSIT 115ps 17 SEATER MINIBUS EX-MoD COIF/PSV TEST DIESEL 56,000 MILES £11,950
2010 FORD TRANSIT 115ps TREND 12 SEATER MINIBUS 38,000 MILES WITH F.S.H DIESEL £10,995
2009 FORD TRANSIT 115ps 15 SEATER MINIBUS EX-COUNCIL COIF/PSV TEST 40,000 MILES WITH F.S.H DIESEL £9,995
2009 RENAULT TRAFIC 115ps LWB 9 SEATER MINIBUS 49,000 MILES DIESEL £9450
2006 VOLKSWAGEN LT46 16 SEATER MINIBUS WHEELCHAIR ACCESS EX-COUNCIL COIF/PSV 75,000 MILES £8,995
2005 VOLKSWAGEN LT46 16 SEATER MINIBUS WHEELCHAIR ACCESS EX-COUNCIL COIF/PSV £7,995
2006 VOLKSWAGEN LT46 MINIBUS WHEELCHAIR ACCESS EX-COUNCIL COIF/PSV DIESEL £6,995
2007 FORD TRANSIT 115ps 17 SEATER MINIBUS EX-COUNCIL 36,000 MILES WITH COIF/PSV TEST £8,995
2009 RENAULT TRAFIC 115 DCI LWB 9 SEATER MINIBUS 73,000 MILES WITH F.S.H £8,995
£7,000 + VAT
2002 DENNIS DART PLAXTON 37 seats, 10.7 metre, DDA, five available.
£6,500 + VAT
2001 DENNIS DART PLAXTON 37 seats, 10.7 metre, DDA, two available.
£5,500 + VAT
2000 DENNIS DART PLAXTON 39 seats, 10.7 metre, three available.
£2,000 + VAT Most with long MOTs and Hanover LEDs Pennine Motor Services, Skipton, North Yorkshire
01756 795515 58 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 11, 2014
www.coachandbusweek.com
701915-1141-DrewWilson 09/06/2014 15:33 Page 1
DREW WILSON coach sales
1996 VOLVO B10M JONCKHEERE DEAUVILLE 53 recliners with belts, power door, ZF manual gearbox, double glazing, tinted windows, carpets and curtains, recent respray, 716,699kms. £17,500 + VAT
1996 VOLVO B10M KONCKHEERE DEAUVILLE 51 recliners with belts, crew seat, ZF manual gearbox, rear floor mounted toilet, boiler, fridge, curtains, luggage racks, reading lights with forced air ventilation, tinted windows. £17,500 + VAT
2006 MERCEDES CHEETAH 33 seats, 3 point belts, Telma retarder, power door, luggage racks, reading lights, forced air ventilation, purmo heating, mileage 355,340kms, MOT May 2015. POA
1999 DENNIS JAVELIN CAETANO CUTLASS 70 cogent seats with belts, 6 speed ZF manual, power door, luggage racks, forced air, reading lights, ccTV system fitted, 330,000 kms, one owner, new test. £21,500 + VAT
MERCEDES 408CDI LWB MINIBUS KVC CONVERSION Manual gearbox, power door, large boot, fridge, dVd player, two monitors, only 1 owner since new, 120,000 kms genuine mileage, new paint in white. £15,000 + VAT
2003 VOLVO B12M CATANO ENIGMA 49 recliners with belts, centre sunken toilet, air con, pa system, luggage racks with reading lights, power door, ZF manual, tidy condition for year. £49,500 + VAT
2007 MERCEDES UNVI RIADA LUXURY MINIBUS 16 full leather recliners, power door, carpets, curtains and tables, radio, cd equipment, excellent condition. £31,000 + VAT
2002 SCANIA VAN HOOL ALIZEE T9 49/53 recliners with belts, crew seat, air con, luggage racks with reading lights, carpets and curtains, ZF auto box, reconditioned engine fitted, very tidy condition. £35,000 + VAT
2001 MERCEDES CHEETAH 33 seats, 3 point belts, air suspension, Telma retarder, power door, luggage racks, forced air ventilation, tinted glass, purmo heating, mileage 347,332kms, MOT October. POA
2007 MERCEDES PLAXTON BEAVER 3 33 high back seats with 3 point belts, power door, luggage racks, side wheelchair ramp, manual gearbox, MOT till November £34,000 + VAT
2008 MERCEDES 816D PLAXTON CHEETAH 29 coach seats with 3 point belts, double glazed, air con, large boot, power door, 6 speed manual, dVd/cd/radio/ pa, new/paint, LEZ compliant, new MOT, 293,718 kms. £75,000 + VAT
2000 VOLVO B10M CAETANO ENIGMA 49 recliners plus crew seat with belts, power door, recent retrim, overhead luggage rack with reading lights, ZF manual, centre sunken toilet, MOT till september. £22,000 + VAT
2010 VOLVO B9R PLAXTON PANTHER 53/57 seats with three point belts, power door, air con, actia sound system with single monitor, luggage racks with reading lights. £110,000 + VAT
2010 (60) VOLVO B12B PLAXTON PANTHER 49/53 reclining seats, centre toilet, crew seat, I-shift gearbox, radio/cassette, 2 x dVd / monitors, large/wide entrance door, 178000km, air con, MOT september. £145,000 + VAT
2004 OPTARE SOLO MERCEDES ENGINE 27 seats, wheelchair accessible, destination equipment, power door, auto, on sale due to fleet upgrade. also available 2005, 2006 & 2007, some with belts. also slimline model available. £20,000 + VAT
2007 VOLVO B12B VAN HOOL ALIZE T9 I -shift, 49/53 fully demountable executive coach, 1 owner from new, excellent condition,340,359 kms, MOT October.
2004 SETRA S315 GT-HD ZF as-tronic, full luxury executive, leather headrests, seat back tables, magazine nets, clean and tidy. CHOICE OF TWO £54,950 + VAT
2002 IVECO EURORIDER BEULAS STERGO 'E' ZF automatic gearbox, 53 recliners, crew seat, air-con, 3-point belts, double-glazed, power plug door, curtains, wheel trims, MOT till November. £37,000 + VAT
2008 BMC KARISMA ZF automatic gearbox, 35 recliners, crew seat, air-con, 3-point belts, double-glazed, power plug door, curtains, front carpet, digital tacho, LEZ compliant engine. £49,500 + VAT
2009 MERCEDES TOURISMO automatic tiptronic gearbox, 53 recliners, crew seat, centre continental door, air-conditioning, 3-point belts, doubleglazed, power plug door, carpet, curtains. £115,000 + VAT
VOLVO OLYMPIAN NORTHERN COUNTIES PALATINE 2 68 coach seats can be upseated to 73 seats, seatbelted, power door, ZF gearbox, new MOT, high speed dif fitted, repainted white. £7,500 + VAT
2003 SCANIA IRIZAR CENTURY 49/53 recliners with belts, rear sunken toilet, hot water boiler, power door, air con, aircraft lockers, ZF auto gearbox, reading lights, long MOTs, choice of 3 available. £35,000 + VAT
DAF IKARUS 70 cogent seats with three point belts, power door, crew seat, freshly re painted into white, 4 over 4 gearbox, long MOT, ideal school bus. £17,500 + VAT
IVECO INDCAR MAXIM 11 29 seats with belts, courier seat, cd/pa system, curtains, large boot, tinted windows.
£119,950 + VAT
£17,000 + VAT
CHOICE OF OVER 350 VEHICLES • OPEN 7 DAYS 08.00-18.00
CHECK OUT NEW WEBSITE AT WWW.DREWWILSON.CO.UK Tel/Fax: 0141 248 5524 • Mob: 07764 200444 • Email: drew@drewwilson.co.uk Mob: 07827 325474 • Email: graham@drewwilson.co.uk
p60_CBW_1141 09/06/2014 17:22 Page 60
Elite Travel Service Unit 12, Adwick Business Park, Adwick Park Court Adwick le Street, Doncaster DN6 7HD
PROFESSIONAL COACH CONVERSIONS ON NEW AND USED VEHICLES • Professional conversions carried out to customer specification. • New and used vehicles converted. • Fully compliant for type approval as passenger carrying vehicle. • Conversion to any make or model. • Specialists in luxury mini-coach conversions. • Vehicles always available. In association with
MINICOACHES ALBION HOUSE 16–18 ALBION STREET WILLENHALL WEST MIDLANDS WV13 21NJ TEL: 01902 631507 FAX: 01902 630791
Call today for more details of vehicles going into build or near completion. Used stock always available.
TEL: JOHN WORGAN 01302 721304
60 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 11, 2014
2003 Volvo B12M Jonckheere Euro 3 48 x 3 point belted seats, 1 crew, air conditioned, saloon mounted w/c, rear continental door, MOT November 2014. £36,000 + VAT CHOICE Option to 53 or 55 w/c removed.
Nigel McCree Mobile: 07817 542113 Office: 01509 502695 or Nev Simpson Mobile: 07814 716149 Email: nigel@nigelmccree.com Insurance Stock updated weekly on the website:
www.nigelmccree.com
SHORT OF CASH? RE-FINANCE YOUR VEHICLES WITH US – CALL 07736 850375
www.coachandbusweek.com
p61_CBW_1141 09/06/2014 13:07 Page 61
Low mileage vehicles for sale
Scania CN94UB Omnicities
Scania L94UA Articulated Buses
42 seats 51 to 54 reg Contact for prices
59 seats Y to 54 reg Offers invited
12m Dennis Trident
9.2m Optare Solos
94 seats Y reg, DDA compliant ÂŁ25,000
33 seats, V reg Easily converted to gain Accessability Certificate Offers invited All prices plus VAT & Tyres if required
For further information or to arrange a purchase please contact Adam at Nottingham City Transport on 0115 9766712 or adam.zapasnik@nctx.co.uk
www.coachandbusweek.com
June 11, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 61
p62_CBW_1141 09/06/2014 16:33 Page 62
VUgYWcUW\gU`Yg#Wc#i_ Call for details on our website conversions, upseating, refurbishment, and change of use conversion. Also vehicles available for hire short and long term.
www.staffordbuscentre.com email: martin@staffordbuscentre.com Telephone: 01782 791774 Mobile: 07803 222552 View our latest arrivals on www.staffordbuscentre.com
MERCEDES 413CDI PLAXTON PRONTO
2006 56 REG 16 SEAT COACHBUILT ACCESSIBLE PSV BUS NEW MINICOACH CONVERSION TO A QUALITY USED VAN COIFLOW + 12 MONTHS CHOICE OF 2 WITH MILES PSV MOT
£16,950.00 FRONT ENTRY,LUGGAGE RACKS 16 COACH SEATS ON TRACK
DRIVERS LOCKER, NON SLIP FLOORING OR RENT FOR £350TACHOGRAPH PER WEEKINSTALLATION NEW OTHERS IN BUILD (4 weeks minimum)SO CHOOSE YOUR COLOUR £25,450.00
62 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 11, 2014
www.coachandbusweek.com
p63_CBW_1141 09/06/2014 13:07 Page 63
TENDER SALE 12 x ex-Contract Scania K340 Caetano Levantes
• Automatic gearbox • Airconditioning • 49 Seats with three point belts • Rear floor mounted W/C • LEZ Compliant • DDA Compliant front entry lift • MOT current • Front, side and rear electronic destination
Tender closes Sunday 5pm 15th June Sale by sealed bid tender under the instruction of Finance Co. For more information or to arrange a viewing contact Mark on 07787 967 100 For sale as individual lots by sealed bid tender by email: frl@supanet.com Last viewing date Saturday 14th June
Kingdoms Tours
2002 Scania Irizar K114
• 49 seat executive • WC • A/C • 7 speed C-Shift • MOT 21/5/15 £43,000 £37,000
2002 Scania VanHool K124 • 49 seat executive • WC • A/C • 7 speed C-Shift • MOT 30/9/14 £45,000 £39,000
2006 Volvo B12M 2003 (53) Volvo • 51/53 seat exec B12M • WC • A/C • Auto • Berkoff LEZ • MOT 12/11/14 £79,000 £65,000
• 51/53 seat exec • WC • A/C • Berkoff LEZ 12/11/14 £52,500 £44,000
ALL COACHES ARE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION INSIDE AND OUT. PRICES REDUCED TO SELL – NEW COACHES ARRIVING
Kingdoms Tours Ltd 01884 252646 / 07702 626542 www.coachandbusweek.com
June 11, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 63
p64_CBW_1141 09/06/2014 17:35 Page 64
RETIRING or
Mercedes Sprinter Treka Coachbuilt (2000) 16 seats with 3 point belts, white, power door front entry. External automatic tail lift, tracking. 12 months MOT Surplus to requirements – Sensible offers considered.
Mercedes Sprinter 413 CDI (2002) 16 seats with 3 point belts, white, panoramic double glazed glass. External automatic tail lift, tracking. 12 months MOT Surplus to requirements – Sensible offers considered.
CHANGING
YOUR FLEET? Contact Malcolm Harrison Auctions
01630 674326
auctions@malcolmharrison.co.uk Stanley Travel 01207 237424 Ian Scott 07768 126136 – Durham
MALCOLM HARRISON AUCTIONS
Southdown PSV - 01342 711840 www.southdownpsv.co.uk 2008 ADL ENVIRO 200 SLF 38 seats. £47,000 + VAT
2000 DART PLAXTON SLF 40 seats with belts. £5,950 + VAT
2008 OPTARE VERSA SLF 38 seats. £55,000 + VAT - Choice
seat belts fitted
2003 TRIDENT SLF ALEXANDER 63 seats £12,000 + VAT - Choice 72 sts + refurb package £25,000 + VAT
2003 ADL ENVIRO 300 SLF 44 seats. £22,000 + VAT
2003 OPTARE SOLO SLF 26 seats + belts £19,950 + VAT
SOLD
Southdown PSV Silverwood Snow Hill Copthorne West Sussex RH10 3EN 64 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 11, 2014
www.coachandbusweek.com
p65_CBW_1141 09/06/2014 13:47 Page 65
ADVISORY SERVICES
HEAVY DUTY STEEL BUILDINGS
BUILDINGS
PCV & LGV AID
• Bus Workshops • Secure Storage
• Supplied any width,
Real help for Transport Operators
• Struggling with compliance issues?
any length
• PCV & LGV have over 30 years experience
• Building to BS5590
• Doors high enough for Double Deckers
• VOSA related problems? • Help that isn’t over-priced SPECIAL OFFER WITH THIS ADVERT First visit FREE – just expenses & coffee
07534 571709 / 01292 269777 pcvandlgvaid@gmail.com CHECKPOINTS
ENGINEERING SERVICES
• Finance available Phone for further information
BLUELINE BUILDINGS 01709 578333 anytime BUSINESSES WANTED
Wanted
Bus & Coach Businesses
• Are you Retiring • Losing Money • Need Investment • or Just Had Enough
We have Interested Buyers, Cash Investors Waiting
Reply, in con"idence, to PO Box 490, Scarborough YO11 9FF
GARAGE EQUIPMENT
ENGINES
THE CUMMINS ENGINE SPECIALISTS PARTS & SERVICE DIVISION
D.I.E.S.E.L. LIMITED OFFER A VAST RANGE OF SERVICES FOR ALL TYPES OF CUMMINS ENGINES FREE TECHNICAL ADVICE AND SUPPORT FULL OR 3/4 BUILT RECON ENGINES COMPETITIVE & COST EFFECTIVE SERVICE REPAIRS FIXED PRICE ENGINE REPAIRS/OVERHAULS COMPREHENSIVE PARTS STOCK – NEW AND USED ON SITE REPAIRS FULL ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTICS CONTACT US TODAY FOR ALL YOUR CUMMINS REQUIREMENTS TELEPHONE UK: 01708 859625 FAX UK: 01708 857630 EMAIL: SALES@DIESEL.UK.COM
• ATF Lanes • MOT Bays • Vehicle Lifts • Brake Testing Equipment • Column Lifts • Inspection Pits • Repair and 6 Monthly Service Inspections Tel: 01386 244758 Mobile: 07538 218194 www.commercialgarageequipment.co.uk Email: sales@commercialgarageequipment.co.uk
ENGINES
Contact Kerry Watson T: 01733 293488 F: 0845 280 2927 E: kerry.watson @coachandbusweek.com
MAN VOLVO CUMMINS SCANIA DAF ETC
HEATING
Heaters • A/C Equipment Blowers • Motors • Radiators Silicone Hose • Ducting Wiper Equipment • Gas Struts
Tel: 01993 849522 Fax: 01993 706920 Email: sales@thhs.co.uk
www.thhs.co.uk
UNIT 9 NIMROD BUSINESS PARK DE HAVILLAND WAY, WITNEY OX29 0YG
www.coachandbusweek.com
June 11, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 65
p66_CBW_1141 09/06/2014 13:49 Page 66
REPAIRS
PARTS
Formed in 2011 to support the UK’s PSV & CV operators with parts from Market leading OEM brands from World Wide renowned manufacturers
We off a comprehensive all makes parts program in:
Braking • Steering • Suspension Chassis Components • Transmission Filtration • Engine • Electrical Lubricants • Consumables EXPRESS PARTS DELIVERY
P C R All aspects of coach interior re-trim carried out to a high standard at competitive prices! Tel: 01253 696033 info@westcoasttrim.co.uk Burton Road, Blackpool FY4 4NW
COMME RCIAL BODYWORKS • 15M & 5M COMPLIANT SPRAY BOOTH • INSURANCE APPROVED • REPAIRS AND PAINTWORK • REFURBISHMENTS • METALLIC AND PEARL FINISHES 01507 523980 / 07733 885582 paulclarkrepair@aol.com paulclarkrepair.co.uk HORNCASTLE, LINCOLNSHIRE
Driver CPC Periodic Training
TRAINING Master Part | Portland House | Dukeries Industrial Estate | Worksop | Notts | S81 7BQ
If you would like further information please call 01543 897505
Visit our website: www.lloydmorgangroup.co.uk
Contact Kerry Watson T: 01733 293488 F: 0845 280 2927 E: kerry.watson@coachandbusweek.com 66 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 11, 2014
www.coachandbusweek.com
p67_CBW_1141 09/06/2014 13:51 Page 67
TRAINING
TYRE EQUIPMENT
With driver CPC Course on average £78 + VAT per module, we are really competitive at £65 + VAT per module. BUT have you considered organising this training at your own premises* for 20 drivers, This would work out at £33 + VAT per person per module.
CPC Nat / International Driver CPC Digital Tachograph Drivers’ Hours Tachograph Analysis Contact Kerry Watson T: 01733 293488 F: 0845 280 2927 E: kerry.watson@coachandbusweek.com
TRIM
VEHICLE SPARES
Trevor Wigley & Son Bus Ltd COACH TRIMMERS LTD
Supplying the Bus and Coach Industry with quality seat retrims and interior refurbishment.
TW FULLY LICENSED END OF LIFE VEHICLE CENTRE
Full floors re-laid and centre gangways. Collection and delivery service anywhere in the UK, seven days a week.
TW REDUNDANT AND SCRAP VEHICLES TAKEN
Email: info@eastgate-coachtrimmers.co.uk Web: www.eastgate-coachtrimmers.co.uk
TW PROFESSIONAL, EFFICIENT SERVICE
Tel/Fax: 01751 472229
TW ALL REQUIREMENTS CATERED FOR TW VARIOUS SPARES AVAILABLE
High quality bus & coach retrims
TW CONTACT US FOR FULL AVAILABILITY
blackpool trim shops
With over 45 years expertise, we guarantee to beat any other quote. Call us on 07968 717115 or email us at: sales@blackpooltrimshops.co.uk www.coachandbusweek.com
Call 01226 723147 Night Service 01226 716479 Fax 01226 700199 Email wigleys@btconnect.com
www.twigley.com
June 11, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 67
In association with
NEWS › XXXXXX Seen something funny? Send it to gareth.evans@coachandbusweek. com or write to: Last Stop, Coach & Bus Week, 3 The Office Village, Cygnet Park, Forder Way, Hampton, Peterborough PE7 8GX
Monday: Press day. We finish later than planned. Tuesday: A hectic day in the office updating plans for the coming weeks and doing general admin. Also forge on with writing and producing material for this issue. In the evening, Andy and I meet a potential contributer to discuss helping us out. However, the clock whizzes by at a rate of knots and I don’t end up eating my evening meal – until I grab a snack when I get home after 2200hrs. Wednesday: Resolve a problem which had the potential to become serious indeed. It’s enough to say a healthy dose of ‘Welsh magic’ also played its part. Produce content both for this issue and the weeks ahead. Also help proof pages for Group Travel World. At 1300hrs, the office shakes like an earthquake. I immediately identify it as a sonic boom caused by an RAF jet. Our usually reliable local Peterborough Telegraph confirms my belief. However, BBC Look East doesn’t see fit to mention it on the evening TV news bulletin – and likewise the national papers.
Say ‘thank you dad’ with Cardiff Bus Cardiff Bus has launched a unique competition to help say thanks to fathers across Cardiff and the Vale. After the success of its Mother’s Day competition, the municipally-owned bus operator is giving members of the public an opportunity to name a bus after their dad this Father’s Day. Those wishing to publicly show appreciation of their dads are encouraged to enter the ‘Thank You, Dad’ competition for the chance to have their father’s name displayed on a dedicated bus for a week and a personal message to their dad on the on-board media screens. The lucky dad will also win a backstage guided tour of the Wales Millennium Centre and lunch in Ffresh, a family day ticket for World of Boats and the opportunity to have a photo taken with his personal bus. Second place will win a meal for five at Top Gun Fish and Chip restaurant in Cardiff Bay and a family day ticket for a day at World of Boats. Eight runners up get family tickets for World of Boats. “It’s often hard to find a gift that really shows how much you
Thursday: With my planned extra long day trip out having been cancelled by mutual agreement, I concentrate on writing and overseeing production in the office. Andy and I sit down with Jonathan for a catch up in the afternoon. Friday: Write up my First Scotland East mini feature and focus on editing pages and producing news. Catch up with Martin about some forthcoming feature ideas.
68 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 11, 2014 068_CBW1141_Last Stop.indd 68
appreciate your dad,” said Cardiff Bus’ Marketing Assistant Carys Roberts. “After all the wonderful entries we had for Mother’s Day, and seeing how happy the winner was, we wanted to give the people of Cardiff and the
Vale the opportunity to publicly show appreciation of their dads this Father’s Day. One lucky winner can show the whole of Cardiff just how much their dad means to them with our unique competition.”
Minimise Your Risk goes green Those of you who thought the use of AdBlue was limited to PCVs and HGVs can think again – for it is now on cars. Minimise Your Risk, one of the industry’s leading Health & Safety and Training Consultancies has just taken delivery of a new Euro 6 diesel Vauxhall Zafira Ecoflex Stop/start, which also needs AdBlue. Alec Horner, Managing Director of Minimise Your Risk told CBW: “We are practicing what we preach by going ‘green’ and this will improve our environmental and carbon footprint. “This is one of the first Euro 6 cars
Above: Graham Standen of Eastbourne Motors handing the keys of the car to Alec Horner Left: The AdBlue filler cap in the country and we can add this to our environmental policy. I know several of our customers will be able to help out when we need topping up with AdBlue. “At 109 g/km Co2 emissions it is a very clean engine and carries no
road tax in the first year. Initial fuel consumption figures are showing a 25% improvement over the last model, whilst the design and handling is much better on the ‘Tourer’ model compared to old basic Zafira.”
www.coachandbusweek.com
09/06/2014 19:25
RECRUITMENT & PEOPLE DEADLINES Booking: Monday 5.00pm Full artwork: Monday 5.00pm CONTACT Ian Gillis T: 01733 293484 E: ian.gillis@coachandbusweek.com
Ex BBC journalist turned bus driver recognised for service excellence A former BBC journalist has won a special accolade after swapping the newsroom for life behind a bus wheel. Working for over a decade at trent barton, John Shaw from Ilkeston has now been named the company’s Driver of the Year. Familiar to passengers on the services between Nottingham, Beeston and Stapleford, the 35-year-old was presented with a trophy by TV and radio celebrity Paul Ross during a gala awards ceremony at the iPro stadium in Derby. He was among a number of trent barton staff recognised for their efforts over the past 12 months as part of the firm’s annual Really Good Service Awards. Alongside the trophy, John also picked up holiday vouchers worth £1,000. He said he intends to spend the money he intends to spend on his honeymoon following his wedding to fiancée Hazel. “Winning the award is a dream,” said John. “When I first joined trent barton I
TM
Some of the winners at the Really Good Service Awards pictured with TV and radio celebrity Paul Ross wanted to become an ambassador for the company, and as an award winner I am thrilled to have achieved this ambition.” He dedicated his award to his
Travel
Engineering Manager A vacancy has arisen for an experienced Engineer to join our management team at TM Travel.
As part of the industry leading Wellglade Group, TM Travel operates a fleet of around 70 buses on local services throughout South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire. The company is going through an exciting period of change, driving up quality standards and financial performance, delivering friendly reliable services while keeping tight control of our costs.
Reporting to the Group Chief Engineer you will take responsibility for all aspects of fleet management. This will include vehicle provision, repair and maintenance together with supervision of maintenance staff and control of the workshop premises. You will also be responsible for the effective enforcement of the company's health and safety policy within the workplace. We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic individual who can communicate effectively and be part of a dedicated team in delivering our services – day in, day out.
We will offer an attractive and competitive salary – dependent upon experience and qualifications.
Please send your application together with a full CV to: Steve Davy, Group Chief Engineer, trentbarton, Mansfield Road, Heanor, Derbyshire DE75 7BG or email sdavy@trentbarton.co.uk
colleagues on route 18, whom he credits for helping him deliver a “fantastic service.” Runners-up in the Driver of the Year category were Jayne Philips, a
driver on the H1 service between Derby and Heanor, and Abdul Jabar who works on the indigo route serving communities between Nottingham, Long Eaton and Derby. Other award winners included Kel Pizzuti, who was crowned Hero of the Year; Andy Salmon who picked up the Customers’ Choice title; and Andy Haymes, who was voted by his workmates as the Colleagues’ Choice. Scott Hutchinson was recognised for his efforts as Apprentice of the Year. Skylink was named as the firm’s Brand of the Year. “All the winners demonstrated our commitment to going to the extra mile for our customers,” commented Jeff Counsell, trent barton’s Managing Director. “The awards have been running for the past 12 years, and every year picking an overall winner gets harder. However, John has consistently scored top marks from mystery customers over the past 12 months. Congratulations go to all the winners and runners-up.”
Compliance Engineer Competitive salary + company vehicle + benefits Immediate Start (Full & Part Time)
Lloyd Morgan Group are the one of the country’s leading PCV/ HGV compliance monitoring and training companies, which is enforced by our Corporate partnership to the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT).
We are looking for a highly motivated specialist to join our expanding team of compliance engineers, who is willing to travel and spend some nights away from home. The Role. You will be home based, working throughout the UK, with the opportunity to travel further afield into Europe, USA and the UAE. Although the appointments are pre-planned the role is predominantly self managing your time and meeting deadlines.
You will be a motivated engineer with an eye for detail, have excellent written and verbal communication skills and have a thorough knowledge of not only vehicle inspection but also engineering maintenance systems and best practice. You will ideally will have auditing knowledge and an auditing qualification. You will be computer literate, have a working knowledge of Word, Outlook, emails and Excel and be a forward thinker.
You must hold relevant PCV/HGV qualifications for engineering, a current UK driving licence and have attention to detail.
If you feel you have the necessary skills, acumen and qualification to meet this exciting challenge please email your CV through to jeanette.groves@lloydmorgangroup.co.uk
Closing date: 27th June 2014
www.coachandbusweek.com
069_071_CBW1141_People_Recruitment.indd 69
June 11, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 69 09/06/2014 19:35
RECRUITMENT & PEOPLE DEADLINES Booking: Monday 5.00pm Full artwork: Monday 5.00pm CONTACT Ian Gillis T: 01733 293484 E: ian.gillis@coachandbusweek.com
Have you got something you would like to say or appear in Coach & Bus Week? We’re keen to broaden the editorial coverage to reflect what you think. If you have something that you would like to see included, whether it be an article, news story, or considered opinion, please let us know. The magazine is only as good as its readers and we’d be delighted to hear from you. Contact Editor Gareth Evans, Tel: 01733 293243 or email: gareth. evans@ coachand busweek.com
New Appointments at Stagecoach West Stagecoach West has appointed a new Operations Director (OD) and Commercial Manager (CM) following changes to Senior Management positions. Rachel Geliamassi has joined the business as OD. Rachel is another successful product of the industry leading Stagecoach Graduate Development Programme, having started with the Group in 2007. Rachel has been a successful Operations Manager at locations as diverse as Kilmarnock, Hastings and Sunderland. She leads a team of managers and drivers who deliver punctual and reliable bus services across Gloucestershire and Wiltshire plus surrounding counties. Rachel said: “I cannot wait to see what goals we can achieve within this diverse region and my aspiration is to work directly with new and existing customers and to exceed their expectations in our service delivery.” Ben Cole has been promoted to CM, having progressed through
Ben Cole
Rachel Geliamassi
the ranks at Stagecoach West. He joined the firm in 2003 and was most recently employed as Commercial Officer. Ben will shape service development and initiatives which will help continue to deliver additional patronage across the bus network. Ben said: “I am pleased to have been given this opportunity to further progress my career within Stagecoach and particularly within West. I am looking forward to working with everyone here to
improve all areas of our business and further grow the Stagecoach West portfolio for all our customers.” Rupert Cox, Managing Director, Stagecoach West, who took over from the recently retired Ian Manning, said: “I am delighted to promote both Rachel and Ben into their new roles. At a time of growing passenger numbers and increased investment in new routes and buses, I am very pleased to have them on board.”
BUSES
Based in Merstham, Surrey we are looking for the following staff:
Engineer A vacancy has arisen for an experienced engineer to join the team at Buses Etc to become a key part of our service delivery team. Reporting to the general manager your duties will include all aspects of vehicle repair and maintenance together with the supervision of the maintenance staff including control of the workshop premises. We are looking for an experienced professional engineer and someone who is passionate and detailed in their approach. We operate a large fleet and this position is an important position in our expanding team.
Mechanics
Buses Etc need to recruit experienced coach and bus mechanics, working in a modern workshop based in Merstham in Surrey. You will be able to demonstrate the required skills to ensure our fleet maintains its high standards of vehicle maintenance
Bus drivers Are you an experienced bus driver, then we have long term permanent positions available in our Merstham depot, you will need a current CPC and be reliable and used to working shift patterns . In return we offer a competitive salary and benefits along with a great working environment For all of the above vacancies please call 07500 049061 or email your CV to operation@busesetc.com
70 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 11, 2014 069_071_CBW1141_People_Recruitment.indd 70
Operations Manager, er Jersey (2 year fixed term) CT Plus (Jersey) is a part of the award winning social enterprise HCT Group. In Jersey, CT Plus operates LibertyBus, the Island’s bus service. We are looking for an experienced Operations Manager who will be accountable for the day to day operation of the local bus and school transport services in Jersey. The successful candidate will have a proven track record in operational management in the bus industry with the ability to innovate, achieve growth and ensure that all services are operated to a high level of quality while meeting budgetary requirements. Experience of developing individuals and teams to maximise their potential is also required. An essential requirement of the role is that the candidate holds a National or International CPC qualification in the passenger transport industry. For an application pack please contact Nikki Withe at nikkiwithe@hctgroup.org. Closing date is 11 June 2014. No agencies please.
www.coachandbusweek.com
09/06/2014 19:35
Nottingham City Transport driver shaves her head to raise money in brother’s memory Nottingham City Transport (NCT) driver, Amanda Ogelsby (25) from Cotgrave, has shaved her hair and raised £1,000 for Diabetes UK. The charity is something close to Ogelsby’s heart, as Diabetes took her brother. “Several members of my family have Diabetes and six years ago my brother Terry sadly passed away from Diabetes-related complications, aged just 23 – I miss him dearly,” she explained. “Diabetes UK offers a lot of support to people with the condition. They help them come to terms with having Diabetes, support them in adjusting their lifestyle and even talk to them about participating in research to find a cure. They’re a fantastic charity and I wanted to do something just a little bit unusual to try and raise as much money for them as possible!” Amanda, who’s been an NCT
Tim Matthews
Amanda is seen before her hair cut driver for nearly a year, works on the West Bridgford route, mainly on services 5,7,8,9 and 11. “Everyone at NCT (who donated £250) has been really generous and supportive, sponsoring me and even lending
me a bus for the occasion,” Amanda added. “In 2012 I managed to raise £916 for Diabetes UK by doing a tandem sky dive, so I’m really hoping to beat that total this time around.”
Busmen first bungee jump for charity Two Chalkwell bus and coach men, Andy Bates and Michael Yates, have experienced their first bungee jump for charity. They have raised about £425 for the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air ambulance, Chalkwell’s charity of the year. Battling the chilly weather, the duo jumped 160ft from the metal cage of a crane at the O2 Arena. Initially, they both admitted they were a little apprehensive as they stood with their feet over the edge
www.coachandbusweek.com
069_071_CBW1141_People_Recruitment.indd 71
Tim Matthews joins Optare
ready to jump, but once the fall began, they enjoyed the descent. “We agreed afterwards we would like to do another charity bungee jump and next time from a greater height of 300ft,” said Michael who is Sittingbournebased Chalkwell’s Coach Reservations Assistant. Andy, who is the company’s Operations Manager, came up with the idea of the bungee jump to continue Chalkwell’s fundraising for Air Ambulance.
Andy and Michael
Tim Matthews has been appointed UK Retail Sales Manager for Optare. He reports to UK Sales Director John Horn. Tim joined the industry in 1993 working for Autobus Classique, which was purchased by Optare three years later. As part of the manufacturing team he was Materials Manager responsible for all purchasing and logistics at Optare’s Rotherham site. In 2000 Tim joined Mistral Group as Northern Sales Manager covering the sales and rental function. In 2004 he became Regional Director and then in 2009 Sales Director responsible for sales of new, ex-fleet and part exchange vehicles. As part of his role, he acted as a sales agent for Optare renting Solos, Versas and Tempos as well as Wrightbus StreetLites and latterly selling and renting Enviro200s to the retail market. Tim said: “I believe Optare has some fantastic fuel efficient products and I can’t wait to get them in front of customers old and new to discuss the benefits.”
June 11, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 71 09/06/2014 19:35
701729-1139-Santander 21/05/2014 15:56 Page 1
QUALITY BUSES AND COACHES TO LEASE OR BUY WITH FLEXIBLE FINANCE OPTIONS Wide choice of funding available on a range of vehicles
2009 Scania CN230UB Omnicity SLF 12m ■ Ex Rental Fleet, LEZ Compliant, High Back Bus Seats, 36 Seats, 31 Standees, 1 Wheelchair, Tip up Seats, Automatic Gearbox, DDA Complaint, Wheelchair Ramp, LED Destination, Mot 2014, Choice of 14, Due off hire May – June.
Rental or Purchase Options
FUELLING BUSINESS AMBITION
o
Call: Steve Moult on 0161 7476012 / 07753 712 444 or Russell Moon on 07809 493 139 Email: steve.moult@santander.co.uk Web: www.santanderusedassets.co.uk UK businesses only. Over 18, subject to status. Telephone calls may be recorded for security, quality and training purposes. All rentals are subject to VAT. Rental prices quoted assume an annual mileage allowance of 55,000 miles and rental period of 36 months.
Santander Corporate & Commercial is a brand name of Santander UK plc, Abbey National Treasury Services plc (which also uses the brand name Santander Global Banking and Markets) and Santander Asset Finance plc, all (with the exception of Santander Asset Finance plc) authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Our Financial Services Register numbers are106054 and 146003 respectively. In Jersey, Santander UK plc is regulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission to carry on deposit-taking business under the Banking Business (Jersey) Law 1991. Registered office: 2 Triton Square, Regent’s Place, London NW1 3AN. Company numbers: 2294747, 2338548 and 1533123 respectively. Registered in England. Santander and the flame logo are registered trademarks. Santander UK plc is a participant in the Jersey Banking Depositor Compensation Scheme. The Scheme offers protection for eligible deposits of up to £50,000. The maximum total amount of compensation is capped at £100,000,000 in any 5 year period. Full details of the Scheme and banking groups covered are available on the States of Jersey website (www.gov.je) or on request.
p47_CBW_1141 09/06/2014 12:52 Page 47
2003 Dennis Trident Alexander
63 seats: £12,000 + VAT – CHOICE 72 seats + refurb package: £25,000 +VAT Full details on request. Southdown PSV 01342 711840 email: bussales@southdownpsv.co.uk www.southdownpsv.co.uk
2002 Scania Irizar K114
2008 Optare Versa 11.4m
2000 Dennis Dart SLF Plaxton Pointer 10.1m
49 exec, W.C., A.C., 7 speed C-Shift, MOT 21/5/15, excellent condition.
38 seats, DDA compliant, Mobitec LED. £55,000 + VAT – CHOICE Southdown PSV 01342 711840 email: bussales@southdownpsv.co.uk www.southdownpsv.co.uk
40 seats + 15 standees, belts fitted to all seats. £5,950 + VAT Southdown PSV 01342 711840 email: bussales@southdownpsv.co.uk www.southdownpsv.co.uk
NOW £37,000
Kingdoms Tours Ltd 01884 252646 / 07702 626542
2009 Mercedes 0816 Sitcar Beluga 2
1993 K reg DAF / Bova
25 leather trimmed seats with lap belts, courier seat, power plug door, air con, audio & DVD, fridge, drivers door, drivers electric window, reverse camera, digital tacho, Telma retarder. POA
70 seats, lots of new parts, taxed and MOT’d and in daily use.
Tel: 01823 653000 Moseley in the South
Manns Travel – 07796 695675
Luxury VW Crafter
2006 Volvo B12M
£12,000
2007, 16 seats, A/C, DVD, microphone, 135,000 miles, 7 months MOT, excellent condition.
£21,000
Contact your friendly Sales & Admin Executive Gemma Ireland
Slick Rides – 07823 770978
Tel: 01733 293247 Fax: 0845 280 2927 Email: gemma.ireland@coachandbusweek.com
2008 Volvo B12B Plaxton Paragons
I-Shift gearbox, reclining seats, 3 point belts, air con, demountable wc, hot/cold water, fridge, owned from new and used on our own holiday programme, low mileage examples (approx 62,000km per annum), well maintained, all-over cream, price includes new MOT.
6 AVAILABLE – £99,000
Alfa Travel – 01257 248003
51/53 seat executive, WC, AC, auto, Berkoff LEZ, MOT 12/11/14, excellent condition. NOW £65,000
01884 252646 / 07702 626542 Kingdoms Tours Ltd
2003 (53) Volvo B12M
2003 Neoplan Starliner
2007 Volvo Plaxton Panther B12B
51/53 seat executive, WC, AC, Berkoff, LEZ, MOT 12/11/14, excellent condition. NOW £44,000 – MAY CONSIDER PX
38 seats, leather seats around tables, Sky TV, DVD entertainment system, 7 screens, toilet/washroom, kitchen with fridge and microwave, sockets throughout coach, automatic, merc engine.
65 seats, WC, front w/chair lift, A/C, 3 point belts fitted, ZF auto, inspection welcome, ready for work, sale due to fleet replacement.
01884 252646 / 07702 626542 Kingdoms Tours Ltd
£37,500 + VAT
Steve 0161 775 0800/07445 266345
£75,000 + VAT
Steve 0161 775 0800/07445 266345 operations@travel-master.co.uk
Telephone Gemma Ireland on 01733 293247 or email gemma.ireland@coachandbusweek.com www.coachandbusweek.com
June 11, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 47