Iveco pushing the bus concept p28
Elfyn Thomas: Living through First to appeal against wheelchair ruling p6 the �ires of bankruptcy p30
Wednesday October 23, 2013 Issue 1110 | £2.95 www.coachandbusweek.com
StreetLite p12
but not as we know it p24
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ISO 9001 for Arriva Bus & p5 Coach
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Back in the hot seat
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s you’ll read elsewhere in this issue (Martin’s Office Diary column, p52), I’m back in the hot seat after a full week away from CBW – shock horror. I admit taking a break is not a strong point of mine and I’m sure I am not alone among you in that respect. Even when we’re away, the camera shutter still snaps and we make mental observations about coaches and buses – very sad you might say, but at the same time, true. In between slashing the seemingly endless shrubbery in the back garden and preparing the ‘Algar Valley Railway’ in readiness for the Welshpool model railway show this Saturday (October 26), I escaped to County Durham. My better half Sarah and I enjoyed a two-night stay at The Moorings near Chester-le-Street. While it cannot accommodate coach groups for overnight stays, there being only eight rooms, I would recommend it for a meal out if you’re ever in the area. The staff were all friendly and the food delicious. On our way up there, it was good to see the coach bays apparently being enforced at Moto’s Wetherby services on Tuesday – so much so, I even posted it on CBW’s Facebook page. In between taking sips of my coffee, I noted a man in a yellow coat stop several caravans, vans and trailers and 7.5T trucks. After all, photographs are regularly posted on the Coach Driver’s Name & Shamed Facebook group of other vehicles high
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The latest from across the coach and bus industry in the UK
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Essex converter sets out its stall at Brands Hatch
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Another selection of new products and innovations
All that was new at Europe’s premier bus and coach show
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Iveco’s ELLISUP Concept Bus is unveiled at Busworld
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A lighthearted look at the industry. Plus Office Diary column
Mairs Thistle and Gordons Travel brought to account
Elfyn Thomas, former MD of Silver Star reflects on bankruptcy
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Busworld review Legal News
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jacking clearly marked coach bays across the UK and Europe, so well done Moto. On Wednesday we enjoyed a walk around Durham city centre – a first for me. While I didn’t get his name, the experienced Arriva park & ride driver was most helpful when I asked him where we needed to get off and re-board for the return. We enjoyed Thursday at Beamish – the main attraction of the trip I admit. It was every bit as interesting as I remembered it when I visited it with my parents and brother years ago. Meanwhile, I heard about the Welsh Government’s budget last week – the joys of electronic communications. While space is lacking in this column to give the subject justice, it’s enough to say I wouldn’t want to be a bus operator or local authority transport officer ‘back home’ now. The required savings will inevitably mean sharper knives will be needed for the deeper cuts. Ouch. Back in CBW land, we’re looking forward to 2014. We have some exciting new plans for the year ahead, which we plan to reveal in the coming weeks. If you would like us to feature a given operator, supplier or subject, please drop us a line.
Stanford exhibits Big Picture
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wts.co.uk October 23, 2013 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 3 21/10/2013 20:06
NEWS B R I E F LY l TFL has confirmed route 390 is the fourth in line to be converted to New Bus for London (NBfL) operation. The service, which runs 24-hours a day, links Notting Hill Gate with Archway, via Marble Arch, Oxford Circus, King’s Cross and Tufnell Park. London United’s route 9 (Hammersmith – Aldwych) starts to go over to full NBfL operation from this Saturday (October 26).
Daughter & Transport Manager convicted of theft
l WELSH TRANSPORT MINISTER Edwina Hart has announced plans to retain bus routes set to be withdrawn by Arriva in North & West Wales. Funding for the X94 service from Wrexham and Barmouth, which forms part of the TrawsCymru Network, will be provided from the Regional Transport Services Grant. She said officials had worked with three local authorities to draw up a shortterm solution to save services and were discussing with councils the award of contracts, under emergency procedures, to local operators, while looking at longer term solutions for a sustainable network of services.” l IRELAND’S Department of Transport has retained accounting and consultancy firm Deloitte to look at the financial implications of any further industrial action at Dublin Bus. The three-day strike in August saw Dublin Bus stripped of €423,000 from its State subvention by the National Transport Authority, in addition to the loss of fares. Drivers rejected initiatives aimed at saving €11m and called for strike action. They are to ballot again this week on new proposals. Ministers deny Deloitte is to advise on a possible liquidation of Dublin Bus, but said after a year of negotiation and no solution – if recommendations were not accepted there may be no other alternative. l WARDLE TRANSPORT has agreed to operate a commercial weekday service between Knutton and Newcastle. The route was dropped by First as it was deemed not viable. Wardle is re-routing its 28 service to accommodate the requirement.
Confidence Bus & Coach was founded by Ken Williams in 1970 and has an O-licence for 27 vehicles Business as usual at respected Leicester family-run operator Andrew Peter Harris, former Transport Manager at Leicesterbased Confidence Bus & Coach, has been convicted of theft from his former employer. Andrew is currently proprietor and Transport Manger of Harris of Leicester, which has an O-licence for one vehicle. According to the Leicester Mercury, Andrew admitted false accounting and theft on the basis he took about £30,000 although the prosecution alleged that bank account evidence suggested he might have taken up to £55,000. He was given a 22-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, with 180 hours of unpaid work. Judge Robert Brown told Andrew: “You’ve stolen from your employer and the sum is just under £30,000, but the company feels they’ve lost more.” He said that he was suspending the sentence as Andrew’s family was “heavily dependent” on him. Convicted at the same time on separate charges was Susan
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Williams, daughter of Confidence Managing Director Ken Williams. Admitting to theft of about £20,000, she was given a 16-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, with 150 hours of unpaid work. Her parents had written to the judge urging “mercy” and “leniency” in her case. The Judge said to Susan: “I accept that you have shown remorse from the outset. I am told these proceedings have brought the family closer together in a very positive way.” Fay Mellor prosecuting, said Andrew was responsible for taking fares and waybills from the drivers and logging the figures, before passing them to Suzan. Williams’ administrative duties included recording the takings on a spread sheet and banking them. Miss Mellor said: “A driver found a waybill in his name, but not his writing, and alerted the secretary, who discovered other waybills had been forged. There was a drastic shortfall against the money taken and what was banked, amounting to about £70,000. Each
denies acting with the other. The Managing Director challenged the staff and, when he threatened to call police, his daughter, Susan Williams, broke down and confessed. She also said: “Harris had also been taking money before he got married and bought a car and jewellery.” Miss Mellor said that from January 2010, a number of deposits went into his bank account, paid in coins and low denomination notes, consistent with bus fares. Philip Gibbs, mitigating for Suzan, said: “She immediately owned up and it must have been extremely difficult.’’ James Adcock, for Andrew, said: “It’s a personal disaster for him. He’s the author of his own misfortune.” Both defendants face having their assets investigated and seized to compensate the business. Ken Williams told CBW that it was business as usual at Confidence. “Onwards and upwards,” he said. “We’re recovering from what’s happened.” www.coachandbusweek.com
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Finglands’ coach operations acquired by Bullocks EYMS Group has announced the sale of its Finglands coach operations is now agreed and that part of the Finglands business will pass to Bullocks Coaches of Manchester. The sale includes all but two of the existing Finglands coach fleet and all staff employed in the coaching business are being offered jobs at Bullocks under their existing terms and conditions.
Arriva Bus & Coach gains ISO 9001 accreditation Arriva Bus & Coach has recently achieved recognition under the ISO 9001. Steve Hodkinson, MD, said: “We set out on this journey to ensure we could deliver outstanding customer service, consistently and reliably. By implementing a quality-led culture and a range of well-defined processes to support this, we are able to focus our efforts on achieving ever higher levels of customer satisfaction. “Continuous improvement is a key part of the firm’s ethos. The requirements of ISO 9001 for the management of quality throughout the business support this approach strongly.” Arriva Bus & Coach was supported throughout the development by Harry Whitehead of QA Consultancy Services Limited, a company which specialises in consultancy, design, development, implementation and maintenance of quality and health and safety management systems.
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EYMS Chairman Peter Shipp said: “We are very disappointed that we have had to take the hard decision to dispose of the coach business but it would be difficult for us to continue it in Manchester as a stand-alone operation once the Finglands bus business has gone. Finglands Coachways has a long and proud history going back over 100 years, and from 1934 or possibly even earlier and until very recently it was well-known
business to FirstGroup will go ahead but this remains subject to clearance by the OFT. Both First and EYMS have supplied a huge amount of information to the OFT and I very much hope they will announce their decision soon so we can end the uncertainty for our staff in Manchester. Naturally, I hope they will agree to the deal as I am absolutely certain it will not have any negative effect on competition in the area.”
for providing the team coach for Manchester City. I am sure it has found a very good home with a reputable and long-established company like Bullocks. I hope our coaching staff will be happy with their new employer, which I am sure intends to carry on and develop their enlarged coaching operation.” Mr Shipp continued: “We’re still hopeful that the previously announced sale of Finglands bus
11 new Citaros for Go North East New distributor for Telma Retarder
An 11-strong fleet of new Mercedes-Benz Citaros has entered service this week at Go North East (GNE), representing an investment of £2m. Based at Washington garage, the high-specification buses include audio visual next stop announcements, which the operator rightly said will be a boon for visually or hearing impaired people. Other onboard features include free WiFi and comfortable high-backed coach-style seating. In the renowned operator’s best tradition, the buses sport distinctive route branding, which is pleasing on the eye. The vehicles are dedicated to ‘Connections 4,’ the new name and number for the operator’s M1 service connecting Houghton-leSpring, Washington, Concord and Heworth. The service operates up to every 10 minutes during the daytime on Mondays to Saturdays and up to every 15 minutes on Sundays and half-hourly during the evening. GNE said a marketing campaign to promote Connections 4 is now well under way, with households along the route receiving information leaflets.
After 45 years serving the UK market through Telma Retarder Ltd, the Telma Group has recently carried out a world-wide review of its distribution policies. Robin Gregg, MD at Telma Retarder Ltd, said: “It’s been decided Telma retarders and parts will in future be distributed in the UK by our new independent specialist EMR Technology Ltd. “Aftermarket sales through its new Daventry facility will commence from November 1. “We would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to our many customers over the years and trust Telma Retarder products will continue to give excellent service in the future.”
Telma enquiries should be directed to: EMR Technology Ltd, 9, Brindley Close, Drayton Fields Industrial Estate, Daventry, Northants NN11 8RP. Telephone: 01327828722. Email: info@emrtech. co.uk. Web: www.emrtech.co.uk .
October 23, 2013 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 5 21/10/2013 19:13
NEWS B R I E F LY l FIRST BORDERS has introduced a new £3 ‘Day Ticket’ in Galashiels on a trial basis until December 1. Lee Young, Operations Manager at Galashiels, said: “If enough passengers use the ticket we’ll make it a permanent addition to our range of fares.” First Borders’ promotion of the fare includes advertising on ATM machines across Galashiels - a first for any First bus operating company in Scotland. l THE COLE ESTUARY PRESERVED BUSES group has announced that its 2014 Clacton Rally will be held at the Clacton Factory Outlet on Sunday, June 1. The Shopping Village has also given permission for the group to hold an event in October or November 2014. Consideration is being given for a charity running day in conjunction with other local preservation groups, which would also tie in with the start of Christmas shopping and benefit the Shopping Village. The group is inviting feedback on the idea via its Facebook page at https://www.facebook. com/ColneEstuaryPB . l THIS WEEK 26 county villages saw the start of Demand Responsive services planned to run every Wednesday into Oakham until December 18. The CallConnect minibus route is to be determined by passenger bookings which can be made by phone, text message or internet. Successful operation is likely to see the service permanently retained and possibly extended. A County Council Shore Link service linking the town with Rutland Water and Uppingham including local villages has already been praised for improving connectivity. l THE NATIONAL TRANSPORT AUTHORITY (NTA) is expected to announce 10% increases for bus and rail fares to counter the €18m reduction in subvention plus the increase in fuel costs. Dublin Bus prices will increase between 9.3% and 10.3%, with Bus Eireann fares to rise by around 6% and fares on Iarnrod Eireann rail services increasing between 1.85% and 10.39%.
First to appeal against wheelchair ruling Operator believes the case “raises important issues for the wider industry” FirstGroup has confirmed it intends to appeal against the recent landmark ruling (CBW1108) concerning enforcement of the priority bay. The original claimant Doug Paulley, 35, took First to court after he was unable to board a bus as a mother refused to move her pram, in fear of waking her child. The Judge said it was an unlawful discrimination, being in contravention of the Equality Act 2010. Mr Paulley was awarded £5,500. First was also ordered to update its policy within six months. A First spokesperson told CBW: “Our current policy points out that ‘wheelchair users have priority use of the wheelchair space’ set aside on our buses but our drivers have no actual power to require people to vacate the space. Despite this, the court decided we must require people to move to another part of the bus, or leave altogether, if a
customer in a wheelchair needs the space. “We recognise how important it is that bus services are accessible to all customers and our drivers across the country are trained to act in accordance with our policy, which is to ask in the strongest polite terms to make way for the wheelchair user, which the driver did in this case. A previous court decision on very similar facts decided this approach was correct. There is therefore, real uncertainty as to our obligations and we’ve decided to ask for permission to appeal as we believe it raises important issues for the wider industry.” Reacting to the news, Mr Paulley told The Yorkshire Evening Post: “I don’t understand what they will gain. This will give a massively negative impression of the bus company to others. I don’t see why there can be different policies in other parts of the country. In London they have to help disabled people find seating and move people if necessary.”
Stagecoach wins Canterbury park & ride contract Park and ride services in Canterbury are now operated by Stagecoach in East Kent after the firm won the city council contract. Passengers benefit from a new fleet of six ADL Enviro300 single deckers and four Enviro400 double deckers. They are also able to take advantage of complimentary onboard WiFi and extended operating hours. The new service was launched on October 5. Stagecoach won the five-year contract following a competitive tender process. The council’s previous contractor, Kent Top Travel, chose not to bid after providing the service over the last five years. Philip Norwell, Managing Director of Stagecoach in East Kent said: “We are delighted to have won the opportunity to operate such an important and high-profile public service for Canterbury. We are committed to reducing traffic congestion by continually improving public transport. This brand new fleet of park and ride buses, free WiFi and extended operating hours will hopefully encourage more people to use the
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33,000
The membership base of the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport
Dignitaries pose for the obligatory group photo at the launch of the new buses service rather than driving into the city centre and all the hassle it can entail in finding a parking space.” Canterbury City Council’s Executive Member for Transport, Cllr Peter Vickery-Jones, said: “Park and ride is one of our most important services. Hundreds of thousands of people use it each year and rely on it to get into the
city quickly and easily for working, studying and leisure. “A new contract gives us the opportunity to take advantage of modern technology, such as onboard WiFi, and to ensure we use the latest environmentally friendly buses. We’re looking forward to working with Stagecoach in the years ahead.” www.coachandbusweek.com
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500
The sum raised for charity at Lothian Buses’ Doors Open event
380
The number of exhibitors at this year’s Busworld Kortrijk
First is privately not alone in expressing grave concerns over the judgement and its implications for the whole bus industry
Major utility works start on A580 for Manchester busway
SHARE WATCH
Work to deliver a major bus priority route along the East Lancashire Road (A580) between Salford and Manchester has started this week. Dedicated bus lanes are being created at key stretches of the A580 between Ellenbrook and Irlams o’th’ Height as part of the Leigh-Salford-Manchester busway. Transport for Greater Manchester and Salford City Council developed the scheme to improve access to key destinations by more reliable, punctual bus services with shorter journey times. The major programme of works started on Monday (October 21) with a series of utility diversions before bus lane construction can start next year on new stretches of bus lane plus two lanes of general traf�ic in each direction. A new signalling system which responds to traf�ic levels on the road is being installed to improve traf�ic �low at junctions. BT is carrying out work on the eastbound carriageway of the A580, part of which is reducing to one lane. Access will be maintained to the M60 north on-slip road.
New Arriva Luton Stagecoach to introduce CNG Solos travel shop in Shef�ield with DfT grant funding Arriva the Shires (ASC) has opened its new travel centre in the middle of The Mall in Luton. Located in Central Square, the shop is open seven days a week. “We have seen in other towns how having somewhere people can go and speak to a real person about travelling by bus is really important,” said Mr Adcock. “The location is great for all our current and potential new passengers to �ind out more about bus travel in the area. With the Busway now fully open, more and more people are interested in �inding out about bus travel so this was the right time to open a centre.” The travel centre can sell local bus tickets, Green Line tickets to London and National Express tickets for services across the country. Arriva has also launched new smartcards which can be topped up at the shop. Imminent closure of the travel information of�ice in the Central Library may mean Arriva can offer other services including rail tickets, coach trips and holidays. www.coachandbusweek.com
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A number of Stagecoach vehicles in Shef�ield are switching from diesel to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) engines as part of a £1m scheme to improve the air quality in environmentally sensitive areas. The recently-announced Clean Bus Technology Funding from the Department for Transport is being used to retro�it �ive buses with dedicated CNG engines, which will run on biomethane. The scheme, which has been part-funded by Stagecoach Yorkshire, will reduce engine noise by 50% and ensure the virtual elimination of particulate matter from exhausts. Paul Lynch, Managing Director, Stagecoach Yorkshire, said: “We are delighted to have been successful in securing this signi�icant Clean Bus Technology Funding. “It forms part of our continued commitment to improving air quality by switching from diesel to cleaner fuels. Along with our own investment into the scheme, it supports the reduction of reliance on diesel as a primary fuel source
in the future.” Five Euro 4 Optare Solos will have their diesel engines removed and replaced with the CNG engines. The converted buses are scheduled to operate along Stagecoach’s SL2 and 35a services. The steep, hilly routes, which create an increase in emissions because the vehicles are working at capacity with high demand on engines. They are within the city’s Air Quality Management Area and provide an important link to Stagecoach Supertram serving the city centre, Hillsborough, universities and Meadowhall. The investment also includes the installation of a CNG refuelling station at Stagecoach’s Eccles�ield depot. Shef�ield City Council led the Clean Bus Technology Fund bid in partnership with Stagecoach as part of the Shef�ield Bus Partnership. The scheme will start in the New Year, when Stagecoach expects to announce more details on the jobs created.
Industry share prices at the close of the Stock Exchange on Monday, October 21. BAE Systems saw the greatest proportional rise, while 21st Century saw the greatest drop. Most figures obtained from www.iii.co.uk
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October 23, 2013 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 7 21/10/2013 19:21
NEWS
Trapeze wins Brighton & Hove contract Joint project sees new & upgraded infrastructure for bus operator and two neighbouring local authorities Trapeze Group has won a major contract from the city of Brighton & Hove. Brighton & Hove City Council in partnership with the neighbouring local authority, East Sussex County Council, and the local bus operator, Brighton & Hove Bus and Coach Company (B&H), have awarded Trapeze a contract for supplying and installing an integrated ITCS operations control system. Furthermore, the two authorities have ordered additional bus stop displays for Brighton & Hove and East Sussex, and also entrusted Trapeze with updating the communications system. Brighton & Hove’s fleet of almost 300 vehicles move more than 40 million passengers every year. The vehicles serve over 50 routes with more than 2,000 stops. B&H has been a Trapeze customer for over 10 years and has owned an operations control system since 2001. This system
New corporate identity for CILT
The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) is to unveil its new corporate identity at its UK Annual Awards for Excellence in London on Thursday (October 24). The professional body says its new identity will provide worldwide recognition for all its 33,000 members around the world, including 18,000 in the UK, and the more than 3,000 members of its UK Bus and Coach Forum and its Strategic Rail Policy Forum. The institute believes its updated corporate identity will provide members with worldwide recognition through a single brand image and professional standards which are accepted and recognised on a global basis. Steve Agg, CILT’s Chief Executive, explained: “Our new common identity will unify and energise our activities. Its confident message ‘Stronger Together’ applies to the combined strengths of our member countries around the globe and to our broad reach across the entire logistics and transport professions, as exemplified by our eight professional sectors.”
Other operators will now be able to join the system in Brighton was subsequently extended by sharing the radio and server infrastructure of East Sussex County Council, which was made available to other bus companies within the county administration. The newest-generation Trapeze operations control system enables B&H to further enhance the efficiency of its entire bus fleet management. It also allows
vehicles of other bus operators to be integrated in the control system in the future and allows for the number of bus stop displays for real-time information to be gradually increased. In the next two years, Trapeze is to supply and install hardware and software for the ITCS Intelligent Transport System as well as mobile technologies. This includes a
Corethree, the UK-based innovative technology company has signed an agreement with Cardiff Bus for the provision of mobile ticketing services across the municipallyowned operator’s network. The Cardiff Bus m-ticketing app became available on October 20 via iPhone and Android devices on any mobile network, allowing passengers to browse, select, buy and use bus tickets all from the convenience of their own mobile. Corethree’s mobile capabilities combined with its back office administration and analytical tools mean passengers can now receive tailored products from operators which meet their own needs. Using analytical data, new ticketing products can be created by operators via Corethree’s web console within a matter of minutes, saving time and money. Passengers who require bespoke items such as a book of tickets – to be used over a certain period – or a family ticket can now be offered via mobile. Richard Stevenson, Corethree’s Product Specialist said: “Our m-ticketing technology offers the flexibility to create new ticketing
Cardiff Bus’ m-ticketing app is now available on Android and iPhone devices
For more details about products and services provided by Trapeze, visit www. trapezegroup.co.uk. Visit the Brighton & Hove Bus Bus and Coach Company website at www. buses.co.uk
Cardiff Bus adopts Corethree for m-ticketing
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hardware and software upgrade to the advanced on-board computers for accurate position location of vehicles and for direct voice and data communications with the bus company’s control centre. Also being renewed is the entire communications system between the control centre, the vehicles and the bus stop displays on the basis of GPRS/UMTS. For this purpose, the latest communications technology is to be used. The project launch is scheduled for November 1 and the entire period of execution is estimated at 14 months. “The introduction of the new Trapeze system opens up additional fleet management and enhanced information possibilities for our passengers,” said Mike Best, Operations Director for Brighton & Hove.
products in real-time and allow our clients to cater for a variety of different passengers’ needs at a price point which suits them. Over the last two years, results from specific tailored products have shown an increase in patronage and revenues, rather than a shift in channel adoption.” Passengers using the Cardiff Bus m-ticketing service will also have a choice of payment methods when buying tickets as Corethree have included Barclays Pingit mobile
checkout to their mobile wallet, with the alternative to pay via debit or credit cards. Peter Heath, Operations and Commercial Director at Cardiff Bus said: “Corethree’s m-ticketing offering was the natural choice for us to create operational efficiencies and improve the customer experience. It will offer customers the ability to buy a ticket which is right for them, whilst on the move and removes the hassle of finding the right change at the roadside.” www.coachandbusweek.com
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NEWS › REGIONAL WALES FIRST CYMRU and Carmarthenshire Council have worked together to improve parts of the West Wales county’s local bus network. Following the re-award of the contract from Carmarthenshire for the Sunday service between Llandeilo, Ammanford and Pontardulais, First has introduced extensions to and from Swansea on its X13 route. The new two-hourly service will be introduced on Sunday, November 3. Better services are also planned for Llandybie, Blaenau, Caerbryn and Penygroes. Following discussions with County Council officers, First Cymru is to introduce an extra bus on a trial basis. The new journey on service 165 will depart from Ammanford at 0825hrs on school days only, running through Llandybie and Caecoed Estate, Blaenau and Caerbryn, Penygroes and Gorsddu, to Cross Hands and the Business Park. Passengers can stay on the bus at Cross Hands and continue their journey on route 166, giving them a direct bus to Carmarthen or the National Botanic Garden of Wales. The new journey starts on Monday, November 4. It will initially run on school days only, although First has promised to review this. Subject to customer demand, First will examine the possibility of running it during school holidays. County executive board member for transport services Cllr Colin Evans said: “First Cymru is to be congratulated for having responded to suggestions made to improve this service following discussions with our transport officers. “It is important passengers respond by making use of the new journey opportunities to encourage First Cymru to continue and possibly improve the service even further.”
SOUTH EAST
IMPROVEMENTS to Milton Keynes bus services have been discussed. Ideas such as smart traffic lights and lowering speed humps were debated at a meeting of Milton Keynes Council’s cabinet. It follows the city’s low ranking in the Bus Passnger Survey by Passenger Focus in March. The survey revealed passengers in MK were the least satisfied in the whole country, sparking a discussion between members of the cabinet and Milton Keynes Bus
KEY
Users Group. Peter Ballantyne, Chairman of the bus users group, said: “We’d like to see smart traffic lights introduced, which will stop buses from being delayed in traffic. We’d also like to see some speed humps being lowered, because it is not helping with suspension units on buses. “And of course e-ticketing, where you can top up your tickets at the stations, would also help with delays.” The council’s cabinet member responsible for transport and highways, Cllr John Bint, hopes some of the proposals may be implemented by the middle of next year. He added: “We have a bunch of ideas and are always looking at improving the services. “Smart lights is an interesting idea to explore and it’s all about doing little things which can make a big difference to satisfaction.” READING bucked the national trend with the number of bus passenger trips increasing by 200,000 in 2012/13. Bus use in the borough increased to 16.2 million journeys in the last year. The figures published by the Department for Transport (DfT) put Reading fourth in the country, outside of London, in terms of the number of bus journeys per head of population. Cllr Tony Page, Reading’s lead councillor for transport, said: “The town’s bus service is central to our local transport system and is relied upon by a great many Reading residents.
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Reading’s population travel by bus 2.6 times more than the regional average. The figures also show there were 4.5m concessionary pass journeys made in Reading and 4.8m in the rest of Berkshire. This accounts for 27.8% of bus travel in Reading.
SCOTLAND NORTHERN IRELAND REP OF IRELAND NORTH WALES MIDLANDS EAST LONDON SOUTH EAST SOUTH WEST
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“However, people will only use buses if they provide a fast and reliable means of getting around. “That is why the council places great emphasis on keeping bus lanes clear and giving buses priority, wherever possible, so that the bus companies can provide a fast and reliable service. “We will continue to look at every opportunity to improve the reliability of public transport in the town.” Passengers numbers on the purple 17 service, linking East and West Reading, have grown by 15 to 20% compared to the same period last year following the introduction of more buses in the evening and on Sundays. James Freeman, CEO of Reading Buses, said: “In terms of trips per head of population in Reading, we fully expect this figure to rise during the current year as we can see passenger numbers starting to increase more steeply. “The increasing popularity of bus travel in Reading shows the importance of putting on a fast and reliable service for local residents.” The DfT figures show Reading as one of 10 local authorities in the South East where bus travel is growing, along with West Berkshire and Wokingham, although usage is much lower at 2.5m and 2.2m respectively. Brighton was the town with the most number of journeys per head of population, at 163.9, followed by Nottingham, Tyne and Wear and then Reading at 103.1. The average number in the South East was 39.8 which means
A BUS linking Otley, Menston and Pool-in-Wharfedale to Leeds Bradford Airport is to stop and be replaced with a cut-down service. The airport is ending the £250,000-a year-subsidy it has been providing for the current halfhourly 967. The airport made the decision because of ‘very limited’ use of the bus, which is also funded by Metro, the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive. Metro said only about 15 people used the service on an average weekday and even fewer at weekends, equating to a subsidised cost of £7 per passenger. Such low usage meant it could not justify the costs. It is proposing a less-frequent replacement which will omit the airport altogether and only stop at the outer edge of Pool. City councillors in both wards are being asked by Metro, which is looking at introducing the new timetable from the end of January 2014, to gather feedback from residents by November 1. A VILLAGE bus link to Bolton has been saved after the local authority agreed to subsidise a replacement service. Arriva announced it was cutting the 537 service from Edgworth to Bolton from the end of this month. Now, after negotiations with Blackburn with Darwen Council, Darwen Coaches will extend its Darwen to Edgworth service to go as far as Bromley Cross. The service will initially operate until March, when it will be reviewed. Darwen Councillor Maureen Bateson, said: “The council recognises the importance of local public transport, and despite the financial constraints, we have agreed to find an additional subsidy to provide an extension to the existing subsidised rural minibus, service 37, from Darwen to Edgworth, which will now also serve Bromley Cross. This service will operate Monday to Fridays for an initial period to the end of March, where it will be part of a wider review of other subsidised www.coachandbusweek.com
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NEWS › REGIONAL services. “The decision to withdraw the Arriva 537 Bolton to Edgworth bus service was made by Arriva for commercial reasons. “However, as soon as we found out, we worked closely with other local bus operators to find an interim solution for the residents of Edgworth and we continue to have ongoing discussions.” Darwen MP Jake Berry added: “It is really important Edgworth has a decent bus service and I am delighted with this outcome.”
SOUTH WEST
WEBBER COACHES has agreed to take over a dropped North Cornwall bus service. Western Greyhound is to cease operating the 561 service from next month, which runs between Bodmin, Wadebridge and Camelford. Webber Coaches is set to step in to serve the area with its own 561 service. St Tudy Parish Council Chairman Brian Lamerton said: “It’s a
reprieve. We heard of a rumour going round that a new operator would take it on but now it has been confirmed it’s ideal. “It will be a great boost to the village of St Tudy as a lot of people feared being cut off, especially those who don’t drive.” Director Keith Webber said: “We are happy to be able to extend our service to these villages and towns and feel the people will once again have a service which is adequate for their needs.” Western Greyhound’s 561 service will finish on November 3 with Webber Coaches taking over the following day. The new service will also run from Monday to Saturday, but will operate from 0915 until 1700hrs, instead of the current 0740 to 1815hrs Western Greyhound service. The decision to stop the Western Greyhound service was made after Cornwall Council, which offers a subsidy to operators, had to make savings of around £500,000 in its bus budget.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
This year’s UK Bus Awards will take place on Tuesday, November 19 at the London Hilton Hotel on Park Lane
2013 n October 20 Oxford Bus Museum Bus & Coach Vehicle Rally. 01993 883 617. www.oxfordbusmuseum.
org.uk
n October 23-24 Young Bus Managers Network Conference. Manchester. www. youngbusmanagers.org.uk n October 27 Swansea Bus Museum Running Day. 07877 771 878. www.swanseabusmuseum.com n October 27 Bluebell Railway Vintage Bus Running Day Event includes service 20 Brighton – Lewes – Sheffield Park. For details, call 01825 720800. Visit www.bluebell-railway.com n November 3 Lincolnshire Vintage Vehicle Society Museum Open Day. North Hykenham, Lincoln. www.lvvs.org.uk
Two Derby-based charities have today thrown down the gauntlet in their bid to win a share of a £10,000 charitable prize fund as bus company Arriva Midlands launched its ‘Local Derby’ campaign in the city centre. Teams from the Derbyshire branch of Macmillan Cancer Support and Umbrella, which supports disabled children, young people and their families in Derby, joined crowds gathered in the Market Square to start lobbying for votes in an attempt gain the highest percentage of the prize pot being offered by Arriva. During the event, the teams urged the people of Derby to show their support for their preferred charity by registering votes through a poll being hosted on the Arriva Bus website. The prize fund will then be distributed according to the percentage of votes amassed by each charity when the campaign ends on November 8, 2013. Simon Mathieson, Arriva Midlands Area Director, commented: “Derby is right at the heart of our Midlands network so we really wanted to give something back to the people that continue to support us by using our services across the city. “Both these charities do fantastic work throughout the wider Derbyshire community and are each incredibly worthy of our backing so we thought we’d give the public the chance to have their say where they think our donations should go. But whichever way the votes swing on this occasion, we really hope this campaign will offer each charity a great platform from which to shout about all their achievements, and hopefully gain them increased support in the future.” Pictured (L-R) are Tracy Townsend from Macmillan Cancer Support, Arriva’s Simon Mathieson and Ann Rowlands from Umbrella. www.coachandbusweek.com
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n November 5–8 QV Associates’ Introduction to Bus & Crew Scheduling. Birmingham. 01905 613527. www.qv-associates.com/ qvcourses.htm n November 19 UK Bus Awards. London Hilton Hotel Park Lane.
www.ukbusawards.org.uk
n November 27 ATCO Winter Conference & AGM. Local Government House, Smith Square, London. www.atco.org.uk n December 7 Ensignbus Christmas Vintage Bus Running Day on routes X55 and X81. Call 01708 86 56 56. Visit www. ensignbus.com
2014 n January 1 Friends of King Alfred Bus Running Day. Winchester. Free bus rides & transport enthusiasts bazaar. www.fokab.org.uk n January 1 Oxford Bus Museum New Years Day & free vintage
bus rides. 01993 861 617. www. oxfordbusmuseum.org.uk n January 25 Excursions 2014 Alexandra Palace, London www.excursions.org.uk n March 4–7 QV Associates’ course Introduction to Bus & Crew Scheduling. Birmingham. 01905 613527. www.qv-associates.com/
qvcourses.htm
n March 18-19 Young Bus Managers Network Conference. Reading. www.youngbusmanagers. org.uk n March 25–28 QV Associates’ course Route & Timetable Planning Birmingham. 01905 613527. www.qv-associates.com/qvcourses. htm n April 5 South East Bus Festival. Kent Showground, Maidstone. www. facebook.com/southeastbusfestival n April 10 UK Coach Awards. Mercure Piccadilly Hotel, Manchester. www.ukcoachawards.co.uk n April 29-May 1 The Commercial Vehicle Show NEC, Birmingham. 01634 261262 www.cvshow.com n May 10-11 UK Coach Rally. Alton Towers. 01753 631170. www.coachdisplays.co.uk n May 12-14 ALBUM Conference. Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh. www.album-bus.co.uk 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 September 25 - October 2 IAA Commercial Vehicle Show. Hannover, Germany. www.iaa.de
Send your event details to gareth.evans@ coachandbusweek.com
October 23, 2013 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 11 21/10/2013 15:03
SHOW REVIEW › BUSWORLD
Sold in Europe by VDL as the Citea MLE, the Wrightbus StreetLite
‘Export or die’ Busworld, held biennially in Kortrijk, Belgium is generally regarded as the premier European bus and coach show. Andy Izatt was there to see what was of interest from a British perspective
M
ore than 20 UK-based companies were amongst 380 exhibitors at this year’s Busworld held at Kortrijk Xpo, Belgium. Around 31,000 visitors were expected to attend the six-day event. Those making product announcements included Mix Telematics, which presented a new telematics strategy that brought a wide range of telematics and related solutions together under one fully-integrated umbrella. Q’Straint unveiled Quantum, what it says is the first fully automatic rear-facing wheelchair securement station designed for virtually any bus while Voith highlighted its ‘DIWA Efficiency Package’ comprising DIWA.6 automatic transmission, Voith air compressor and secondary water retarder saying additional 5%
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fuel savings can be achieved. Fifty-two exhibitors were from Turkey including first time vehicle exhibitor Karsan which signed a strategic partnership agreement with Italian manufacturer BreadaMenarinibus in 2010. On display were a stylish range of Fiat Powertrain (FPT)-powered shuttle buses and a CNG-fuelled BredaMenarinibus Avancity 18m articulated bus. From the Russian Federation came Volgabus showing a Rhythmix Avia ‘intercity coach’. German-builder Göppel Bus, now owned by Russia’s Kirovsky Zavod, showed a 12-metre go4city12 bus and articulated go4city19. Double-deck sightseeing buses were exhibited by UNVI on MAN and Volvo, and by City-Cabrio-Busse on MAN. Ankai’s two-axle offering was for the Big Bus Company, which
already operates the Chinese manufacturer’s three-axle products in London as well as other cities. Ayats showed its latest double-deck coach, Eclipse while Slovenia-based TAM, which has sold in Ireland has become TAM-Durabus and had a MAN-powered Vive TL midi coach on display as well as a VivAir airport bus.
Irish sales
When it came to vehicles on display it was the Irish who flew the flag for the British Isles. Brian Noone had the only stand exhibiting entirely right-hand drive product - two Noone Turas 500s, one an air conditioned, doubleglazed 19 seater on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 516CDi for West Yorkshire Travel, Bradford, the other a similarly-mounted 16 seater with four tables, air conditioning and double glazing for Tony Doyle Coaches, Ballyomey, County Wicklow. Noone’s has the design rights to the Irmaos Mota-built Turas coachbuilt body range and Mark Noone explained he was at Kortrijk to build customer interest in left-hand drive versions of the product and to make contact with potential European distributors. Around 100 Mercedes-Benz Vario-based Turas 800 and Sprinter-based Turas 500s have been sold in the UK and Ireland since the launch a year ago and the Mercedes-Benz Atego 918-based Turas 900 33-seater will be launched next spring as the replacement to the Vario. Luggage capacity has been a key selling point for Turas. The 500 has three cubic metres of well www.coachandbusweek.com
21/10/2013 19:36
packaged space and Mark believes this can be further enhanced by around half a cubic metre. Next door to Noone’s was Bus Groep Nederland of Narrden, Killbeggan-based EVM’s new Dutch distributor. Fast Concept Car has been selling EVM Mercedes-Benz Sprinter conversions as well as Turkish-built Otokar vehicles in France, Belgium and Luxemburg for several years and Bus Groep is a distributor for Fast and Otokar. EVM models on offer include the Avantgarde, X-Clusive, Mixed and School. On the stand was a Sprinter conversion for Diepenbeek-based De Zigeuner and a Community Low Floor demonstrator. Fast was exhibiting in its own right and as well as showing its own-built, restyled, high-floor Starter and Scoler, it again showed the 12.8m Starter LE, which MCV builds for it in Egypt with Evolution C130RLE bodywork on the MAN A69. Low floor Sprinter conversions were displayed by several exhibitors. Another, just around the corner from the Irish, was Altas Commercial Vehicles of Lithuania which started selling into the UK through AutoService, Pontypool more than a year ago. Altas Managing Director Edvardas Radzevicius told CBW three sales have been achieved so far and his company will be exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo next year. On the nearby stand of French dealer Negobus Sarl
was a Ferqui F5-bodied Mercedes-Benz Atego. Connaught PSV will be importing the 33-seat right-hand drive version as its MercedesBenz Vario replacement next year. Ballymena-based Wrightbus was also at Kortrijk, but not in its own right. VDL is to distribute a slightly restyled StreetLite as the Cummins ISBe4.5 E6-powered Citea MLE. Wheel-forward 8.8m MLE-88s like the show exhibit and 9.5m MLE95 will be available from the first quarter of 2014, door-forward 10.2m MLE102 and 10.8m MLE-108s from the autumn. VDL also launched the 18m or 18.75m articulated Citea SLFA and Futura FMD2, a lower-height, multi-purpose, inter-city version of the FHD2 already available in the UK.
Euro 6 dominates
Inevitably with introduction only weeks away, Euro 6 dominated the offerings from most manufacturers. The heavy development costs that have been incurred were brought into focus by the announcement that Scania is offering
Scania Citywide comes to the UK with Euro 6. This show vehicle had a 6.7-litre Cummins engine
EVM’s new Dutch distributor is Bus Groep Nederland. Fast already sells EVM conversions in France www.coachandbusweek.com
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Ferqui Mercedes-Benz Atego to be imported by Connaught PSV spring next year
Scania is offering the Cummins Euro 6 6.7-litre ISB engine alongside its own nine-litre engine the Cummins six-cylinder 6.7-litre ISB engine in buses alongside its own nine-litre engine. The 280bhp Cummins, which uses a combination of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and variable geometry turbocharging (VGT) has a peak torque of 1,100Nm. Driveline weight saving compared to the nine-litre are said to be up to 500kg. On the Scania stand was a 12m Citywide LF low floor with the Cummins engine and 14.8m Citywide LE low entry tri-axle with a Euro 6 340bhp gas engine. Citywide replaces OmniCity and OmniLink in the UK from Euro 6. The Touring on display underlined Scania’s continuing commitment to its joint venture with Higer in China, the OmniExpress a reminder that body production is being transferred from Finish coachbuilder Lahden Autokori to Poland next year. It’s reported that Lahden has filed for bankruptcy. It was good to talk to Bo Martinsson on the stand. Widely respected and liked, Bo
Mark Noone keen to sell the Turas range in Europe October 23, 2013 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 13 21/10/2013 19:36
SHOW REVIEW › BUSWORLD Volvo’s 7900H shown as a 12-metre rigid and articulated
was UK Bus Sales Development Manager for many years although he moved to a new role in China two years ago. He passed on his best wishes to all who know him. The first Euro 6 Irizar i3 for the UK on a Scania K250UB was exhibited by the Spanish coachbuilder outside the halls alongside the Euro 6 i6 integral that was at Coach & Bus Live. Bodied at Irizar’s factory in Morocco, this i3 had a nine-litre 250bhp Scania DC09.111 engine and ZF EcoLife gearbox and seated 43. Irizar’s modular construction means different lengths from 10.7m can be accommodated as well as various door configurations. Cummins pivotal role as a global engine supplier can’t be underestimated. With the number of preparatory engines acceptable to European customers increasingly limited,
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several vehicle manufacturers from outside the continent looking to develop their presence rely on it. Anadolu Isuzu, for example, a Turkish-Japanese partnership based in Kocaeli had a sizable line up of vehicles on display and Cummins diesel and gas engines featured prominently. It wasn’t alone. VDL, for example uses Cummins and Iveco in buses, Paccar (DAF) in coaches. Solaris uses Cummins and Paccar. The two main Chinese manufacturers trying to develop in the UK, King Long and soon to be introduced by Castleford-based Pelican Engineering, Yutong also rely on Cummins. Lower power applications will be met at Euro 6 by the four and six-cylinder ISB. Cummins has also developed the Euro 6 8.9-litre ISL G gas engine, but replacements for the Euro 5 ISLe or ISMe diesels used in more powerful coaches are
more difficult to find. Cummins announced the heavy-duty G Series at Busworld, an in-line six-cylinder engine with 10.5 and 11.8-litre displacements, but when it’s launched in 2014 it will initially only meet Euro 3 and Euro 4. Euro 5, Euro 6 and US EPA applications are in development, it says. So the likes of King Long and Yutong are looking elsewhere, at least in the short term. Yutong, which had an impressive stand opposite Temsa – French dealer Dietrich Carebus Group imports both, - is opting for Paccar. King Long with a much more modest stand, is going for Iveco although the UK importer, Kinglong UK made clear that it won’t be the British option. Iveco has only a very limited presence here. A final decision is still to be made. King Long has delivered its first bus to Arriva Nederlands, a www.coachandbusweek.com
21/10/2013 19:36
First Irizar i3 Scania K250UB for the UK was on show
Voted Coach of the Year 2014, the Setra S515 HD
Pelican Engineering is importing the Yutong ZK6129H XMQ6120BGD. Yutong unveiled the 59-seat EC12 school bus also available at 13 metres (63 seats) as the EC13, and the 39-seat IC9 nine-metre midicoach (35 with a toilet) at its press conference attended by the Chinese ambassador. Possibly of most interest to British visitors was the 12-metre Mixed 6129 on show, a similar first right-hand drive example of which Pelican Engineering hopes to have in the UK by the end of the year. Although the vehicle on the stand was configured with a side mounted lift reducing capacity, the Pelican ZK6129H will have 53 seats and will be powered by a Paccar MX11 Euro 6 engine driving through a ZF automatic gearbox. It will also have Meritor axles. Pelican has an initial stock build of six planned. www.coachandbusweek.com
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Inside the Iveco ELLISUP – see this week’s Big Picture for more details about this innovative vehicle October 23, 2013 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 15 21/10/2013 19:36
SHOW REVIEW › BUSWORLD
Solaris showed this 12-metre Urbino 12 electric
Ebusco says the YTP-1 has already proven itself
Van Hool has sold 92 single or double articulated versions of Exqui.City since its launch two years ago
Vectia, a collaboration between Castrosua and CAF P&A, showed the Veris.12, a 12-metre hybrid To meet Euro 6 Iveco has adopted the Hi-eSCR (high efficient SCR) catalytic reduction system patented by FPT Industrial. Fuel efficiency is improved by 5% to 10%, it says. Optimal engine combustion is retained through the sole intake of fresh air. EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) is not required. Iveco says the technology is particularly suited to rear-engine configurations with high cooling constraints. Iveco Bus is owned by CNH Industrial, a merger of Fiat Industrial and CNH Global. CNH employs 68,000 people, has 64 production plants and a presence in 190 countries. Daimler’s Busworld line up was given extensive coverage in CBW (September 18). However, subsequent to that, it was announced that the Setra S515 HD had been voted ‘Coach of the Year 2014 and the presentation was made at Busworld. The Euro 6 ComfortClass 500 series is not going to be available in right-hand drive, but 16 | COACH & BUS WEEK | October 23, 2013
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as we reported in September, a new addition to the Mercedes-Benz Tourismo range, a ‘13-metre’ variant of the Tourismo M, aims to fill the gap.
Dash for electric
Viable electric propulsion is increasingly becoming the ‘holy grail’ of the bus and coach automotive industry, but with onboard battery technology still putting severe limitations on load and range, the path to achieving it is far from simple. Franz Redwitz, Head of Product Marketing Bus & Coach at MAN said that ‘Electromobility’ is high on the agenda, but electric buses are neither economical nor ready to go into production. In the short term MAN is committed to its Lion’s City Hybrid and sees natural gas-powered buses as an investment in the future. MAN’s strategy in the UK reflects that. On the stand was a Lion’s City GL articulated bus for Bus Rapid Transit., its
E2876 CNG engine developing 310bhp. The latest Neoplan Jetliner was also making its show debut. Volvo talked in similar terms although its first three plug-in hybrids are currently being trialled in Gothenburg. “Within the framework of the ElectriCity cooperation project, the Volvo Group and a number of other players are focussing on developing Gothenburg’s first electric-bus line, scheduled to commence mid-2015,” said the manufacturer. At Euro 6 all Volvo’s European mainland single deck buses with low floors will be hybrid. Nearly 1,200 7900Hs have been sold to customers in 21 countries including the UK. On the stand at Busworld alongside 9700 and 9900 coaches were a 12-metre 7900H and one of the first articulated vehicles with a carrying capacity of 154. Spain-based Vectia, a collaboration between Carrocera Castrosua and CAF P&A, showed the Veris.12, a 12-metre hybrid utilising either a Cummins diesel or PSI (Power Solutions International) traction system comprised a three-phase generator, electric motor, power convertors and braking resistor. Hybrid power storage uses ultra-capacitors and batteries – 100% electric operation is available. On its home Belgian territory, it was no surprise that the biggest stand was reserved for Van Hool. An impressive line-up of Euro 6 TX integrals underlined that 800 Euro 5 coaches with Paccar and MAN engines have been built since the launch of the range two years ago – 200 of them for the British Isles. Also on show was the A308-E, a 9.5m electric bus that can be charged both inductively and conductively. Three are due
Impressive line-up of Euro 6 TX integrals underlined that 800 Euro 5 coaches have been built
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SHOW REVIEW › BUSWORLD
The Eurabus 2.0 E-Bus is built by Chinese manufacturer Tewoo. The first has been in service with KViP Kreisverkehrsgesellschaft in since May 2012
AMZ-Kutno showed two quite different electric bus solutions to go into service in Bruges next spring. Also on display was Van Hool’s ‘tram-bus’, Exqui.City. Since its launch two years ago 92 single or double articulated versions have been sold with various hybrid systems such as dieselelectric, CNG-electric and trolley. Another was in the demonstration park, as was a A330 fuel cell bus. Van Hool’s new Skopje, Macedonia factory is now in production. Hess showed its own variant on the tram-bus theme, the SwissTosa. Using the firm’s aluminium Co-Bolt modular construction system, the 18.7m articulated low floor electric vehicle uses plug-in recharging overnight and in-service overhead recharging at designated stops and termini to reduce the on-board battery requirement. Solaris’s three bus stand line-up included a 33-seat 12-metre Urbino 12 electric with Vossloh Kiepe-supplied electric equipment. Two 120kW motors are integrate into the drive axle, 80kWh Lithium-ion batteries can be fast charged via a roof-mounted pantograph developed by the Polish vehicle builder in conjunction with Ekoenergetyka. During the Solaris press conference young ladies from Ebusco handed out tickets to ride on their electric bus, which was demonstrating outside the halls. They were stood in the aisle 18 | COACH & BUS WEEK | October 23, 2013 012_018_CBW1110_Kortijk.indd 18
Holland-based Composite Mobility is marketing the 16-seat Mission
so there wasn’t much Solaris representatives could do about it although they didn’t seem too concerned. Ebusco wasn’t the only electric bus giving rides. VDL’s 12-metre Citea Electric was doing the same and there was a BYD (Build Your Dreams) 12-metre ebus for Helsinki in the demonstration park. Another ebus for Copenhagen was on BYD’s stand. The first ebus in London is expected in service by the end of the year. Europe-wide trails have confirmed range claims of 250km and a European bus assembly facility is planned although there is no decision yet on a host country. Holland-based Ebusco says the 12-metre YTP-1 with a 325km range has already proven itself in the Chinese market with 300 buses in service. The Lithium iron phosphate LFP battery pack has a capacity of 242kWh. Energy released during braking is stored for reuse in the batteries. A full recharge takes two and half hours. An YTP-2 is promised. Power Vehicle Innovation (Gépébus) of France showed its electric 120km minimum range Oréos 2X and Oréos 4X mini and midibuses while SOR Libchavy Spol from the Czech Republic was promoting its EBN 8 to 10.5 range of electric buses that use Lithium-ion batteries. German
- based supplier Euracom Group markets the 12-metre battery-driven Eurabus 2.0 E-Bus, the first example of which has been in service with KViP Kreisverkehrsgesellschaft in Pinneberg since May 2012. Lithium iron phosphate batteries are used in this vehicle built by Chinese manufacturer Tewoo. Polish-manufacturer AMZ-Kutno introduced the Cummins or Paccar-powered 10m and 12m City Smile in 2011. The 10m version is also available as battery electric with a TAM motor and 230kWh batteries to give a range of 240km. It was displayed alongside a City Smile 12 LEEHAW (Hybricon Arctic Whisperer) with roof and under floor mounted battery packs. HAW uses e-Traction / Ziehl Abegg wheel motors. Also of note was a left-hand drive Optare Bonito. Actually not a Bonito but the Plastisol composite-bodied minibus which Optare is selling as the Bonito and is based on a Fiat Ducato. Holland-based Composite Mobility is marketing it as the 16-seat Mission either as a Ducato diesel or as the electric 150E based on a converted platform with a 158kW permanent magnet motor, 52 kW/h 400 volt battery, 22kW/h 400 volt VAC three-phase charger and singe drive ‘E-Gear’ transmission. n www.coachandbusweek.com
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NEWS › LEGAL
Mairs Thistle and Gordons Travel (Scotland) lose licenses The Director/Transport Manager for both firms lose repute, although TC lacks the power to deal with two other individuals in control of Gordons Travel The O-licences held by Mairs Thistle Executive Hire and Gordons Travel (Scotland) have been revoked with effect from September 24, 2013. Both businesses and their directors George Mair and Gorden Milne respectively are disqualified from holding or obtaining an O-licence in this or any other traffic area, or being a director or partner of a business holding or applying for an O-licence in terms of section 28 of the Transport Act 1985. Both George Mair and Gordon Milne have lost their repute as transport managers and are disqualified indefinitely.
Background
Mairs Thistle of Farburn House, Dyce was granted a standard O-licence in December 2004. The sole director was George Mair (born 1946) who is also transport manager. By operator self service on August 4, 2012, David Booth’s name was added as a director – yet he is not shown as a director in Companies House. By letter of January 8, 2013, the operator was required to complete a director questionnaire for Mr Booth but that was not done. Gordons Travel originally of Peterculter, with an operating centre formerly in Belhelvie, Aberdeen, was granted an O-licence with effect from January 17, 2001. The current authorisation is seven vehicles, with seven discs in issue. The sole director at Companies House is James Gordon Milne (born 1945). The other director, Mrs Kathleen Elizabeth Milne, (born 1952) is recorded as having resigned on November 18, 2010. Mr Milne is transport manager on the licence. A variation application dated
February 28, 2013 for the Gordons Travel (Scotland) licence but not lodged with the TC’s Leeds office until May 20, 2013, sought to add Northlasts Manor, Peterculter as an operating centre and address for the licence and to remove Middlemuir Croft at Whitecairns; and to nominate A M Philip Truck Tech Ltd as an additional maintenance contractor to inhouse maintenance at Northlasts Manor. The variation application was made in name of the operator Gordons Travel (Scotland) Ltd trading as Mairs Thistle (Scotland). Parking permission for Northlasts Manor was given by David Booth. His signature appears on the in-house maintenance contract operator and contractor section and as operator on the contract with A M Phillips. The authorisation sought was 10 vehicles, an increase of three vehicles. Evidence of financial standing was requested during the processing of the variation application – £43,200 was required for such level of authorisation but the evidence was not forthcoming despite a reminder. After the TC Joan Aitken received an adverse report from a VOSA Vehicle Examiner, she called both licences to a conjoined Public Inquiry. The TC’s office also became aware of a fire at Northlasts Manor on August 16. Mr Milne wrote (undated) explaining the fire had burnt out three of their coaches. While they were looking to replace these vehicles, he would like to apply for replacement discs.
Public Inquiry
The PI convened at Aberdeen on September 24, 2013. George Mair was present along with Mr A Williams from VOSA. There was no appearance by Mr Milne or anyone for the Gordons Travel licence. On September 20, the TC’s office received a letter dated September 17 from James
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Gordon Milne who signed himself as Director and Transport Manager of Gordons Travel (Scotland) Ltd PM0003027 under a letterhead with the trading name of Mairs Thistle Scotland in which he asked for an extension of time in order to prepare for the Inquiry. The letter read: “Unfortunately, on August 16 our business suffered from loss of vehicles due to a fire. The aftermath of this has been time consuming. Further to this, we have not yet arranged a legal team. Without legal assistance I will simply be unable to understand the process. Since the fire and subsequent notice of the PI all our staff has decided to take alternative employment of their own volition. This has rendered our business unable to trade. It is my intention to continue with and attend the PI and request a period of 12 weeks grace or any other extension of time the Traffic Commissioner sees fit to allow me time to prepare.” Thus, Mr Milne’s attendance at
vehicle and HP records, log books and mail to Peterculter. Mr Mair ceased to have access to the records from that date. A new transport manager, Neil Robertson, was introduced in May 2012 and he was to take over the running of the companies under direction of David Booth. Mr Mair was under the impression Mr Robertson held a CPC. Mr Mair ceased acting as transport manager and was told to take a back seat and not to interfere. In September 2012, his mother died and he had some weeks off; then he found himself looking after his father. He claimed when he and his mechanic had been responsible for maintenance, all was up-to-date and the records filed and a wall forward planner showed all the dates for inspections, calibrations etc. After the maintenance work went to Peterculter he had no role. By January/February 2013 he felt ill and took some more weeks off
the PI was expected albeit he was saying he would seek an extension of time. No evidence of financial standing was provided by either operator in terms of the respective call up letters. On the eve of the PI, VOSA advised the TC that Mairs Thistle Executive Hire was in liquidation, confirmed by George Mair at the PI. He had received a writ a few months ago and an Aberdeen practitioner had been named as liquidator. The case had been brought by HM Revenue and Customs for non payment of PAYE. Mr Mair said he had not had contact with Mr Milne or Mr David Booth since March 2013 when he was dismissed by Mr David Booth. He no longer played in any part in Mairs Thistle Executive Hire as transport manager or director. The original plan had been that the two companies were to join. His company was having trouble with HMRC and Mr Booth said he would make an offer to them. In January 2012, they “sort of joined” the companies. David Booth and his father Dennis worked out of their office at Dyce and in October/ November 2012 transferred the equipment and records, including
and when he went in at the end of March, David Booth took his car and phone from him. He had tried to get these back but David Booth called the Police. His health was affected and since then he has had a series of afflictions, including a stroke and has required weeks of in-patient treatment in hospital. When the company was taken over by the Booths, the asset value of the vehicles was between £30,000 to £40,000, with £30,000 of invoices to collect. Part of the agreement to take over the company was that an outstanding loan would be taken care of. He now felt his company had been “stolen” from him without any benefit to him. He did not think that the letter dated September 17 from Mr Milne to the TC office was Mr Milne’s terminology. Mr Mair had no knowledge of how the maintenance records were at Northlasts. He is the sole director at Companies House. He had seen from the Public Inquiry brief that Mr Booth had appointed himself as a director on the licence. Mr Booth was controlling the business, not a penny could be spent without him or his father’s say. He had not told the TC’s office
No evidence of financial standing was provided by either operator in terms of the respective call-up letters
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Key Points l Both Mairs Thistle Executive Hire and Gordons Travel (Scotland) were called to a joint PI following an adverse VOSA report. l Nobody was present at the PI from Gordons Travel, including David Booth, who’s name had been added as a director, although he did not show as a director in Companies House. Gordon Milne, Director & Transport Manager of Gordons Travel had requested more time after a fire which destroyed three coaches, but was still expected to attend. l Mairs Thistle went into liquidation the day before the PI, due to non-payment of PAYE tax. l The two companies “sort of joined” after David Booth and his father Dennis made an offer to George Mair. After the transfer of equipment and records, Mr Mair ceased to have access to them. A new Transport Manager was appointed and Mr Mair was told to take a back seat. l He claimed at the PI his company had been “stolen” from him without any benefit to him. l VOSA evidence revealed entity and roadworthiness concerns. The Examiner conducted a maintenance investigation and found it to be unsatisfactory. l Both firms lacked professional competence and evidence of financial standing of these changes as Mr Booth said he and his lawyers were dealing with it. He now believes this was a lie and said he feels foolish. He has no intention of going back to PSV operating as he is not physically fit to do so.
VOSA Evidence
The VOSA evidence in the Vehicle Examiner’s report can be summarised as entity and roadworthiness concerns. A maintenance investigation was carried out on September 24, 2012 at the Farburn House, Dyce
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NEWS › LEGAL operating centre of Mairs Thistle. Vehicles were inspected and in order. Mr Mair said there was a takeover by Dennis Booth who had bought the limited companies and that there was another operating centre where David Booth was manager and where the PMI records were being kept. The Examiners proceeded to Northlasts Manor but David Booth said that he was leaving and so they could not complete their inquiries. Mr Booth said his father had been in communication about the operator’s licence but had not had advice on how to proceed. The Examiners decided to do a follow up visit and had difficulty in arranging this with Mr Booth. The follow up visit eventually happened on February 28, 2013. Present then were David Booth and Gordon Milne for Gordons Travel and George Mair. Michael Dunlop of MD Consulting Ltd was present as he had been retained to sort out the O-licences. Mr Dunlop had only met the operator that day so did not have a full awareness. The Examiner reported that Dennis Booth had been brought in to both limited companies around November 2011 and became the major shareholder. Milne and Mair were listed as directors and transport managers on the licences. It was said that Mr Milne and Mr Mair were still carrying out transport duties. David Booth is the overall manager but is not listed as a director of the company. It was said that David was added as Director of Gordons Travel though this was not requested. It was said around £600,000 had been
Summary
1. 2.
3. 4. 5. 6.
invested in the operations and it was the intention for both licences to be consolidated and that the Mairs Thistle licence would be surrendered. Gordon Milne would remain as sole director and transport manager and he takes direction from David Booth. They were operating 12 vehicles between the two licences. The Examiner conducted a maintenance investigation and found it to be unsatisfactory. He
The available records showed intervals between four to 32 weeks. There were no wheel maintenance or torque records
found that records were missing, inspection intervals were not met; defects were not signed off; there were was not a current forward planner; there was no contract for the external inspections; there had been an unauthorised operating centre taken on; and wheel maintenance records were inadequate. He was also concerned about annual tests. Mr Booth claimed some of the records were at his
The O-licence held by Mairs Thistle Executive Hire Ltd is revoked with effect from September 24, 2013 Mairs Thistle and Director George Mair are disqualified from holding or obtaining a O-licence in this or any other traffic area or being a director or partner of a business holding or applying for an operator’s licence in terms of section 28 of the Transport Act 1985. Mr George Mair has lost his repute as a transport manager and is disqualified indefinitely in terms of Schedule 3 of the 1981 Act. The O-licence held by Gordons Travel (Scotland) Ltd is revoked with effect from September 24, 2013. Gordons Travel and director Gordon Milne are disqualified from holding or obtaining an O-licence in this or any other traffic area or being a director or partner of a business holding or applying for an O-licence in terms of section 28 of the Transport Act 1985. Gordon Milne has lost his repute as a transport manager and is disqualified indefinitely in terms of Schedule 3 of the 1981 Act.
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home address and that his home was in upheaval. He said he had a forward planner at home. The available records showed intervals between four to 32 weeks. There were no wheel maintenance or torque records. One driver commented to the Examiner that he was continually reporting defects and the workshops were not taking action to properly repair his vehicle. Other driver defect sheets were not signed off, with rectification carried out and there were repeat instances of defects requiring attention. The Examiner saw that there was a forward planner lying in the workshop which he thought had been brought from one of the previous operating centres. The Examiner did not believe Mr Booth’s account that he was keeping track of inspection intervals. One 16 seat vehicle was out of test, but still in use on the date of the visit.
Consideration of the evidence and TC’s decision
In her written decision, Traffic Commissioner Joan Aitken said: “Sometime in 2011 and certainly by January 2012, George Mair sole director and transport manager relinquished control of his company Mairs Thistle and operations under the O-licence to an arrangement with Gordon Milne who also held an operator’s licence and David Booth and Dennis Booth. The motivation for this action by Mr Mair stemmed from his not having managed PAYE payments to HMRC. “At some point, Gordons Travel assumed the trading name of Mairs Thistle Scotland, reflected in the inclusion of that name in the variation application lodged on May 20, 2013 and this continues to date. By 2012 and to date, the controlling force behind these two licences has become Messrs Booth and, in particular, David Booth. I come to this finding given the evidence of the vehicle examiner’s report of Messrs Booths’ involvement in the licences; Mr Mair’s evidence at the Public Inquiry; and Mr David Booth’s signatures in documentation to my Leeds office (as copied in the Public Inquiry brief); and the nomination by self service of David Booth as a director. The vehicle examiner’s report revealed material changes in the control of the licence operations; use of an unauthorised operating centre at Northlasts
Manor, Peterculter; and records not being available after the move to Peterculter, including the forward planner being consigned to the office floor; and inspection intervals well in excess of what is required of compliant operating. There was deterioration in adherence to the licence undertakings and to record keeping. “I received no evidence of continuing financial standing on the part of Gordons Travel. The failure to respond to Leeds in the variation process when an increase to 10 vehicles was sought inferred difficulties as did the failure to send in such evidence as required by the Public Inquiry call up letter of 20 August. “Mairs Thistle is in liquidation. This is a material change. “Mr Mair as transport manager for Mairs Thistle Executive Hire Ltd has not undertaken the effective role since early 2012 and was dismissed by the company in March 2013. Thus, the company has not had professional competence since before that www.coachandbusweek.com
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Traffic Commissioner Joan Aitken
date. Mr Mair should have told my office of these developments and of this material change to the licence; of his inability to fulfil either the controlling role of director or that of the transport manager. By not advising me Mr Mair has allowed an unauthorised third party or third parties to operate PSVs without their own O-licence. This goes to Mr Mair’s repute as transport manager and director. While I was sympathetic to him at the Inquiry, on reflection, I have to take a harder view for I cannot have persons allowing others to operate under cover of another entity’s operator’s licence. I am also not pleased that Mr Mair’s company did not pay its taxes. “I revoke the licence held by Mairs Thistle Executive Hire Ltd on grounds of material change; loss of repute; loss of financial standing; loss of professional competence and breach of the licence undertakings. I find Mr Mair has lost his repute and professional competence and I disqualify the company www.coachandbusweek.com
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Mair has allowed unauthorised third party or third parties to operate PSVs without their own O-licence and him as a director and also as a transport manager for an indefinite period. I am not proposing remedial measures as, by his own account, he is unlikely to have involvement in PSV operation again. The disqualification will be in this and any other traffic area and will be from holding or applying for a licence or being a director or partner of a business holding or applying for an O-licence. “I have considered the absence of Mr Milne or anyone from Gordons Travel and the terms of the letter. In other circumstances such a letter might provoke a different reaction in me and I might have felt obliged to adjourn and give another chance of attendance. However, the failure of anyone from that licence to
attend at the Public Inquiry and within the context and evidence of the Vehicle Examiner and Mr Mair and the evidence within the Public Inquiry brief as to who is controlling this licence, served to propel me in the direction of making a decision on the day. It is not for an operator to opt out of attendance at a Public Inquiry which has been properly called. There is no doubt that Gordons Travel and director and transport manager knew of the date. “The evidence in the Inquiry brief and the oral evidence point to Mr Milne having ceded control of Gordons Travel to Messrs Booth. This goes straight to repute. It is a material change to the licence. The Vehicle Examiner’s evidence, in particular, revealed that neither of the
transport managers (Mair or Milne) had the effective and continuous management of the transport activities. The Booths have taken over. This goes to Mr Milne’s repute as a transport manager. “I revoke the licence held by Gordons Travel on the grounds of material change; loss of repute; lack of financial standing; breach of the licence undertakings and loss of repute on the part of the transport manager and his professional competence. I disqualify the operator company and Mr James Milne from holding or applying for a licence in this or any other traffic area or being a director or partner of a business holding or applying for an operator’s licence. I find that Mr James Milne has lost his repute and professional competence as transport manager and I disqualify him for an indefinite period. I deliberately chose an indefinite period. Mr Milne chose to absent himself from this Public Inquiry and that is not acceptable. He deprived himself of the opportunity to engage with me – whether in relation to an adjournment request or on substantive issues. By placing an indefinite disqualification on him, the remedy is for him to make an application to me to remove the orders for disqualification. Thus, the onus moves from any burden on me to adjourn or reconvene the Public Inquiry and transfers to him to decide when he is in a proper place and can apply to me to participate in the PSV industry again. Of course, he may not push at an open door given what has come out in this case, but he will get a hearing. “The ghosts at this feast are of course Messrs Booth. They have no formal position in relation to the licences as they are not directors at Companies House nor are they transport managers on the licence. “Thus, as of now, I have no powers to make orders against them. However, I direct that should either one of them or both ever seek to be involved in any other O-licence or an application for a licence then that existing licence or application will be considered at Public Inquiry. They will then have the opportunity to give an account of themselves to me. “This is the proper route into public service vehicle operating, that is to do it compliantly, transparently, and properly.” n
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EXHIBITION › SCW SHOW
STANFORD COACHWORKS’
Brands Hatch
bonanza S
tanford Coachworks (SCW) launched its latest innovative minibus conversion last week at its own exhibition and open day held at the Brands Hatch racing circuit. Well over 200 potential customers attended the event and were treated to a large display of products, they were fed and watered in the Hailwood’s Bar & Restaurant and offered the ‘ride of their life’ in a selection of high performance cars around the famous race track.
Brand new
Taking pole position in the exhibition line-up was a bright orange coloured Renault Master, complete with sporty black stripes, with a �lat �loor. This speci�ication was developed in conjunction with London Hire and creates a cheaper option for operators seeking a �lat �loored minibus to maximise wheelchair accessibility. Director Jess Rider said: “The Renault gives customers who want the �lat �loor a cheaper or more easily affordable option to the versions we produce on the Sprinter
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Having chosen not to attend Coach and Bus Live, the Essex converter Stanford Coachworks held its own exhibition and open day at Brands Hatch or Crafter. Typically these cost £55 - £57,000 whereas the Renault Master is priced in the low £40,000s. So many potential buyers are really knocked out with the �lat �loor conversion, especially with the inboard passenger lift being completely hidden while not being exposed to the elements like an under�loor lift. Generally they are very keen to buy them but often �ind their budgets won’t quite stretch far enough. “We are very pleased with the result achieved with the Renault Master and many people who have looked it over are also very impressed.
We think the current vehicle sits just a bit too high and we are in the process of having new suspension mounting blocks manufactured to lower the ride height.” The Master can seat 15 passengers or one passenger plus �ive wheelchairs. Extensive �loor tracking is provided to maximise �lexibility of layout and high level sidewall tracking, above the window line, means highly effective passenger restraint systems can be employed. Side entry to the saloon utilises the original side door and cutaway step arrangement but also has a swing-down set of steps which are easy to operate. The seats are upholstered in black with orange piping and orange three-point lap and diagonal belts. They are secured using NMI quick release feet. Grey fabric trim to sidewalls and roof is contrasted by orange fabric covers for the sidewall tacking and orange surrounds for the roof hatch. LED lighting is provided throughout the saloon.
Wide ranging selection
In addition to the new �lat-�loored Master was a comprehensive line-up of accessible minibuses, passenger shuttles, ambulances, a camper van and a good selection of high-speci�ication executive minicoaches from small capacity VIP/ limousine style transport to 16-seat coaches – including the Monaco land yacht-styled examples which are becoming increasingly popular. Jess Rider continued: “We are very pleased with Monaco because it’s become clear people are recognising it as a brand. Customers in the market for minicoaches are ringing up and asking about Monaco speci�ically, so they do recognise it as a style they appreciate and can easily relate to.”
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Wood-effect �looring and seats and trim in complimentary colours was what set the vehicles apart from others on the market. It set a trend and the rest have been quick to latch onto this and similar speci�ications have now become available from competitors. Popular speci�ications lean towards just �ive or six seats in the main saloon, creating a spacious lounge area for passengers and leaving a huge amount of luggage space at the rear, separated by a bulkhead. This provides a useful mounting point for a large-screen monitor. If the customer chooses to have a bulkhead between the saloon and cab area it adds a further mounting for a screen to suit forward facing passengers. Monaco models offer the customers a wealth of speci�ication options for creating very individual and personalised transport without actually going to the full coach speci�ication with the extended rear and coach boot. A 16-seat version can be con�igured to provide a reasonable amount of space for luggage. A 19seat version is theoretically possible but would kill the concept of space for the passengers and could limit seating choices to something much more basic. A 16 seat example previously shown at last year’s EuroBus Expo had been borrowed for the day from Ruskin Private Hire to allow visitors to see a wider range of options. In addition to a number of conversions aimed speci�ically at PTS (Patient Transfer Services) operation, the company also showed its capability in producing frontline ambulances and specialist ambulance conversions on 4x4 platforms such as the Land Rover. A specially produced livery adorned a VW Crafter which was part of the section �illed by SCW minibuses typically supplied to hire
Burnt Tree hire options – the Crafter artwork was reproduced from competition winners at SEN schools
Fiat Ducato accessible
Burnt Tree Crafter interior
Flat floored Master interior
High specification line-up – above. Stanford directors with pupils from Phoenix Pre-School - left www.coachandbusweek.com
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EXHIBITION › SCW SHOW
Left: SCW flat floor Renault Master Right: Renault Master passenger access features a wide, manually deployed step with integrated handail support specialist Burnt Tree. Applied as a wrap, it contained a selection of artwork from pictures submitted by pupils of Special Educational Needs schools. Burnt Tree said it had thought about a special project to celebrate its 30th anniversary and decided on running a competition for SEN pupils at schools in 12 different areas Burnt Tree targets to supply schools with hired minibuses. The winning pictures from each area were all combined into the vehicle wrap along with each artist’s name. Prizes were also awarded to the winners. Inside, the Crafter contains framed images of the original artwork set into the red fabric sidewall lining above the windows. The seating is upholstered in bright red and blue colours and the grey roof lining had bold blue logos printed on it. Perhaps a bit gaudy, but it is aimed at children – and they like it. Burnt Tree also said the SEN schools had all been very keen to enter into the competition and the children are extremely excited at seeing their work displayed when the bus arrives on demonstration. Part of the day was set aside for the handover of a Ford Transit minibus on behalf of the Lords’ Taverners. Children from a local Kent SEN facility – The Phoenix Pre School – were present to take delivery of the vehicle and were delighted to be photographed alongside the bus, SCW directors Lee Wiggins and Jess Rider and a couple of the race cars being used in the day’s proceedings. The children were then chauffeured trackside, issued with crash helmets and were taken for some respectably quick laps of the circuit in the race cars. Visitors to the event also had the opportunity to catch a ride around the circuit in a selection of cars which included Caterhams, Renault Clios, an Aston Martin and a McLaren MP4. Back in the Hailwood’s Bar and Restaurant facility, part of the catering area had been set
aside for an exhibition by companies regularly supplying equipment, components or working alongside SCW. Apart from Ricon, which had a separate display outside the main compound, exhibitors included: AT Industries; AutoAdapt; AVS; Ratcliff Palfinger; PLS; Eberspacher; Webasto; Stedalls; Politecnica; Phoenix; Koller; Unwin Safety Systems; Burnt Tree; London Hire; TPPL procurement partnership; Automotive Leasing; MRP Promotions; and Knowles Associates. Burnt Tree confirmed it had completed a deal, on the day, with one customer which had more than paid for its stand space. The company said it would most definitely be supporting any future SCW events. Jess Rider concluded: “This has been a fantastic event for us and for everyone else. We’ve raised over £3,000 for Lords’ Taverners, our suppliers have been absolutely delighted by the response they’ve had from our customers and everyone who has been out on the track has come away with big smile on their face. Everyone wants to know if we’ll be doing it again next year and we are already planning something similar. We may be able to include some specialist workshops into the day to demonstrate correct procedures for lift operation, securing wheelchair passengers and vehicle evacuation in the event of a fire. “It is certain we’ll be doing this again. The positive feedback indicates all-round support and we’ve done it all for much less than it would have cost to have a stand at Birmingham. It’s local to us and we managed to get all 28 vehicles back to Stanford Le-Hope and in the compound by nine o’clock that night.” The total number of visitors to the event was 224 and there was not a negative comment to be heard from anyone. The line-up of vehicles displayed not only endorsed the high build standards applied by SCW, it also underlined the diversity of the market it now serves.
This event has been fantastic for us... ...we will definitely be repeating this again
Monaco front entrance using original door
One of many Monaco interior options 26 | COACH & BUS WEEK | October 23, 2013 024_026_CBW1110_Stancoach.indd 26
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Vital skills for success
Courses on Network and Timetable Planning Bus and Crew Scheduling
QV Associates www.coachandbusweek.com
2 Bath Road Worcester WR5 3EJ Phone 01905-613527 Fax: 01905-767509 email courses@qv-associates.co.uk
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THE BIG PICTURE The ELLISUP Concept Bus project led by Iveco Bus was unveiled at Busworld Kortrijk where Andy Izatt took this photograph. Controlled by the French Environment and Energy Management Agency, partners include Michelin, RATP, EDF (Electricite de France), the CEA (French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission), IFP Energies Nouvelles, IFSTTAR (the French Institute of Science and Technology for Transport, Spatial Planning, Development and Networks), ERCTEEL (Commercial and Technical Study and Development centre for electric and electronic technologies) and RECUPYL (a company specialising in the innovative recycling of batteries into strategic metals). ELLISUP is equipped with an electric motor developed by Michelin which is housed within four of the eight small wheels.
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OPEN PLATFORM › ELFYN THOMAS
Light at the end M of the tunnel Elfyn Thomas, former MD of Caernarfon-based Silver Star holidays writes ‘Everything You Wanted To Know About Bankruptcy But Were Too Afraid To Ask’ 30 | COACH & BUS WEEK | October 23, 2013 030_031_CBW1110_Open Platform.indd 30
en can be judged by the company they keep. I never thought I would place myself in the company of the strong, featured and genial star of cinema Burt Reynolds. When Burt carved his name in the 1970s and 80s as a male sex symbol, I was learning how to run the family coach business, Silverstar, in North Wales. I had a degree of success in building our company and loved my work and, so far as I could tell, enjoyed the respect of my community. However, to be frank I did not see the recession coming in 2008 and I suspect, if everyone was honest, I was not alone in this lack of foresight. I am the first to admit that I am not a rugged tough guy action figure but like Burt, I have recently been on a Cannonball run of my own – and like Burt have www.coachandbusweek.com
21/10/2013 10:36
Silver Star/ Seren Arian enjoyed an excellent reputation among its loyal customer base, with quality coaches and fine hotels. One of the firm’s Setra coaches in pictured while on Battlefields tour in November 2008. Ann Evans
had to face up to personal bankruptcy. However, Burt and I find ourselves in good company as other celebrity members of our select bankruptcy group include Abraham Lincoln, H G Heinz, Henry Ford, Donald Trump, Walt Disney, George Best, Kim Bassinger, Bjorn Borg and Buffalo Bill. All of this group financially over extended ourselves and had to deal with the repercussions, albeit some of the group learned from the experience and went on to achieve greatness. Whereas I lost my family business, home and livelihood, Burt went one further and also lost his trade mark moustache. I suspect it is easier to grow a moustache from scratch than it is to rebuild a 50-year-old family business and a good reputation. However, that is what I www.coachandbusweek.com
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am striving to achieve. There are few positives but many learning opportunities during the bankruptcy process and at the very least, it is character building. It is 50 years since Martin Luther King had a dream that his children would be judged by the content of their character and I pen this article not to whine and complain, but to invite all coach operators to listen to my cautionary tale. If like me, you cannot resist glimpsing at a passing coach to see how many passengers it is carrying you share my pride in and dedication to the coach industry. Rather than living my childhood dream of developing the family business I have lived through a nightmare which, at my lowest ebb I contemplated suicide. If you are reading this article thinking this could never happen to my business, I urge you to
spend more time with your accountant, study your profit and loss account and grapple with every single expense within your business. Having been through the fires of bankruptcy hell, I volunteer my experience as part of my rebuilding process. I carry with me the stigma of bankruptcy and whilst I doubt I will go on to rebuild a movie career with Dolly Parton. Another king who has in the past filed for bankruptcy is the American chat show host – Larry King. 30 years after filing for bankruptcy, Larry King is now a multi millionaire but in 1978 he was in dire financial circumstances and was even accused of stealing money from his business partner and charged with a criminal offence. The charges were eventually dropped. Whatever anybody says about me, I know I have never taken money to which I am not entitled from a business partner or anybody for that matter. I may have been bankrupt but I have not lost my moral compass. We are living through grim economic times and I suggest that bankruptcy is not necessarily synonymous with a lack of honour. I hope I have maintained my integrity as best I can. As one operator advised me, ‘there but for the grace of God go us all’. When it comes to destroying a reputation, in Britain, we judge liars particularly harshly. While I have had to dismantle my business, I hope I have not undergone complete reputational wipe out. Not everything which is written in the press is correct and some details can be misinterpreted. However, stripped down to bare essentials, there is one enduring truth – honesty is at the core of all good reputations. Like Burt, I have made some honest mistakes and like Burt I hope I can weather these personal and business hurdles and my business career is not utterly ruined. Every person going through bankruptcy feels alone or, I suspect, that they are the only ones suffering from the stress and strain of financial struggles. Often the stigma can be overwhelming and you do not feel like going out into the community you have been a part of all your life. That said, an important part of the process is to deal with the realisation that the bankruptcy and the way out of it is down to you. Being optimistic is an essential part of being in business otherwise you would never go into business. That optimism is needed to claw yourself out of the grips of bankruptcy and the depression it can cause. I am looking, with the assistance of good friends who have stood by me, to start again with a modest coach operation in North Wales and learn from the mistakes I have made. Thank you for listening to my story and if you are in the depths of your own personal crisis, please take heart that luck never gives it only lends and please take heart that it will get better. n
If you want to let off some steam, just tap away at the keyboard and send your rant (or carefully-reasoned views) to gareth.evans@ coachandbusweek.com, or fax 0845 280 2927. Make ‘Open Platform’ the subject line. Alternatively, send your missive to: CBW, 3 The Office Village, Cygnet Park, Forder Way, Hampton, Peterborough, PE7 8GX.
October 23, 2013 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 31 21/10/2013 10:36
PRODUCTS becomes ‘PremiumPartner’ to VW AMETEK C-COM 3AD gauge VB SemiAirs (semi air suspension) VB-AIRSUSPENSION has become
THE C-COM 3AD (CANCommunicator 3-inch Analogue Gauge with Display) is the most recent addition to AMETEK Vehicular Instrumentation Systems’ next generation instrumentation system. The C-COM 3AD is a versatile, standalone gauge which can satisfy the instrumentation requirements for a wide range of vehicle platforms. The modular three-inch analog gauge can be connected directly to an SAE J1939 (CAN) data bus. The gauge also is designed to accept a pulsed input or a NMEA-0183 GPS received on its USB input. It features a multifunction, backlit, 13-segment, seven-digit alphanumeric liquid crystal display which can provide odometer and hour-meter information, tachometer, coolant temperature or any other vehicle information. Gauge decals can be customised or chosen from a wide variety of standard decals. With the addition of optional external buttons, the gauge’s menu system can be expanded to include additional vehicle data, two resettable trip mileage and hours functions, diagnostic fault
codes and warning messages. As a GPS speedometer, the C-COM 3AD can monitor vehicle speed without wheel or drive train sensors. Two optional dead-fronted LED tell-tale indicators can be customised per application and controlled by switched inputs or J1939 data bus. The C-COM 3AD is durable as well as functional. The gauge is sealed to IP67 specifications and designed to withstand harsh conditions typical of off-road environments. It meets all SAE J1455 and J113 requirements for vehicular instrumentation. The gauge operates on nine to 32 volts DC and includes multioption inputs than can be used for resistive, analogue, pulsed or USB inputs. The rugged qualities and versatility of the C-COM 3AD make it a perfect choice for a wide range of vehicles, including buses and coaches.
For more information, contact AMETEK VIS, 287 27 Road, Grand Junction, CO 81503-1900. Web site: www. ametekvis.com
Recessed mount fixings for Hella people counter HELLA has now released a recessed mounting for its Automatic People Counter (APC) allowing the unit to be installed flush into the roof lining above doorways. Hella claims its People Counter defines a new level of precision in electronic people counting. It can function even under difficult conditions and achieves a counting accuracy of 98 %. Unfavorable, variable lighting or shadows do not affect the counting accuracy, allowing the APC to reliably detect
how many people enter or leave a public transport vehicle, building or any event, as well tracking as how many people are currently present. The counter’s accuracy is, according to the manufacturer, rooted in Hella’s unique expertise in image processing and 3D camera technology.
e-mail peoplecounter@ hella.com web: www.hella. de/peoplecounter
32 | COACH & BUS WEEK | October 23, 2013
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an official ‘PremiumPartner’ of Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge. Following an assessment of VB’s processes and skills by Volkswagen AG within the framework of a company audit, the longstanding partnership enjoyed with Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge has resulted in its inclusion into the exclusive group of PremiumPartners. Products provided for Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge vehicles include VB-CoilSprings (helper and reinforced replacement steel springs), VB-
and VB-FullAir systems (full air suspension) for the Volkswagen Caddy, Amarok, Transporter T5 and Crafter vehicles. VB says the success of its products demonstrates to the joint customers of Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge and VBAirsuspension that the Premium partnership was the logical next step.
For details email: info@ vbairsuspension.com or visit www.vbairsuspension.com
MSWD introduces Chevron
Chevron marking aims to provide a benchmark for wheel quality A NEW CHEVRON mark is to be stamped onto every steel wheel purchased from Motor Wheel Service Distribution (MWSD) to assist operators in choosing quality products while aiding traceability. Taken from the company’s logo, the imprint has been introduced to help truck, trailer, bus and coach fleets identify superior quality wheels sourced by the company. In turn this will help maximise loads and minimise failures, both key messages from the wheel safety campaign led by MD, John Ellis. The distinctive stamp will work in tandem with the recently launched Chevron Quality Steel Wheels Product Information booklet which explains the advantages of each wheel alongside informative charts showing the capabilities across a wide breadth of sizes. There are three tiers to the Chevron Steel Wheels range: Gold is a premium brand of steel wheel for OEM manufacturers and operators seeking an exact replacement; Silver is a leading aftermarket mid-range proposition offering superb quality and performance; Bronze is a dependable budget wheel. Notably, Gold and Silver ranges
have been extensively fatigue tested using an LBF machine designed to accurately simulate real world operating conditions, underlining the strength of wheel design and safety capability. All wheels carry the TüV quality mark. All Chevron Steel Wheel sales are supported by MWSD’s technical support and fulfilment team, meaning the right wheel can be selected and distributed quickly and efficiently for each specific application, while comprehensive online and print catalogues are also available. John Ellis said: “It is as confusing now to find the right wheel as it has ever been. By teaming up with all the major manufacturers to add the Chevron stamp, we begin the process of demystifying the decision process. “The move is designed to make wheel buying decisions quick, simple and, more importantly, correct. Running the best wheels is essential to maximise profits and keep vehicles as safe as possible.”
More information about Chevron Steel Wheels can be obtained by calling 0161 908 1023 or by visiting www. mwswheels.co.uk.
www.coachandbusweek.com
21/10/2013 19:16
Exol gets in gear with new oil blending equipment EXOL LUBRICANTS has upgraded three new pieces of essential laboratory equipment at its Rotherham production facility. Upgrades include: Noack machine, High Temperature High Shear Viscometer and Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) machine, all of which play an integral part in the formulation of the highest speci�ication oils. The Noack machine measures the evaporative loss of oils when operating at high temperatures. As engine oils evaporate when heated, leaving large, heavy molecules behind, it can result in increased consumption, reduced fuel economy and higher emissions and so the measurement of this is critical to
the production of low volatility oils. Also new is the High Temperature High Shear Viscometer, which simulates the conditions an oil will encounter
Exol new laboratory equipment (ICP Machine)
in an engine and measures its viscosity at 150°C. The machine can measure up to 20 samples per hour, is incredibly easy to use featuring a one button operating process and displays all results both in digital and printed format. Finally, the Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) machine is used to measure contaminants, additives and wear metal levels in an oil. This machine plays a key role in maintaining high levels of quality control and is also effective in ‘condition monitoring’ of in-use oils. Steve Dunn, Exol Sales Director, said: “No other oil blender in the past 12 months has been as energetic and productive as
Euromaster introduces Taurus tyres
TYRE EXPERT ATS EUROMASTER is introducing three new mid-range Taurus steer and drive tyres for trucks and coaches, each built in European plants by one of the world’s largest tyre manufacturers. The new Taurus Roads F (steer) and Taurus Roads D (drive) �itments replace a previous generation of tyre in the popular 225/75 R 22.5, 295/80 R 22.5 and 315/80 R 22.5 sizes. Suitable for long and short journeys on all types of roads, they feature a robust casing, optimised contact patch and a directional tread pattern on the drive axle to ensure even wear. All three new drive tyres carry M+S (Mud + Snow) sidewall markings as a sign of excellent grip and traction during winter. The 295/80 and 315/80 drive tyres also meet the new 3PMSF (3 Peaks Mountain Snow Flake) standard – a further indication of impressive grip on snow-covered roads. Peter Fairlie, Group Sales Director of ATS Euromaster, says: “Taurus tyres are manufactured in Michelin Group factories within Europe, each meeting stringent environmental and quality management standards. This gives customers the reassurance they are buying quality tyres purposebuilt for European road and climate conditions. “Taurus tyres are also designed to be regroovable and retreadable, which enables our technicians to help �leets extract multiple lives and maximum value from the same robust casing.” The three new Taurus steer and drive tyres are available exclusively from ATS Euromaster truck centres nationwide, and form part of a ‘Roads’ range available in eight different sizes. ATS Euromaster also offer Taurus’ specialist ‘On/Off’ line-up of tyres for vehicles with a requirement to operate off-road, when delivering to building sites and quarries. There is also a ‘City’ range for refuse collection vehicles and city buses working in urban and suburban areas at www.coachandbusweek.com
032_033_CBW110_Products.indd 33
low average speeds. Taurus tyres are one of several mid-range commercial vehicle tyre brands stocked by ATS Euromaster. Together with a line-up of premium and budget tyres, they ensure ATS Euromaster has a mobility solution to suit every customer’s budget.
Exol Lubricants in investing in its business to better serve its customer base across a number of sectors. Our expansion and investment programme will continue to gather pace, as we look to signi�icantly increase the speed in which we bring new products to market.” In the past year, Exol has announced site improvements at its Rotherham and Wednesbury facilities, unveiled new product packaging and introduced new to market oils such as Optima Vimax F 5W-20, which is specially formulated for the latest Ford EcoBoost engines. Call Mark Field on Tel: 07825 410 998.
Updated Agriemach Heat and Sound Insulation catalogue
AGRIEMACH has updated its Heat and Sound Insulation Catalogue which offers a wide range of off-the-shelf products. In addition, the company can also provide bespoke thermal and acoustic Jackets, made to individual customer speci�ication for precise thermal reduction and to assist with system sound attenuation where required. The company holds a large UK stock selection of its standard products which are available via a next day delivery service. Agriemach offers a wide range of products for �itment to vehicles and specialist workshop tools or repair systems . Each range has its own speci�ic catalogue. Details: www. agriemach.com
October 23, 2013 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 33 21/10/2013 19:16
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2005 Setra 315GTHD
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Mercedes 814D Euro Coach
1997 Volvo Olympian open top bus
2005 (55) MAN 14.220 MCV Evolution
LEZ
COMPLIANT
49 seat exec, toilet, boiler, cooler, DVD, 2 x monitors, Mercedes engine, A/S Tronic gearbox, intarder, air conditioning, Webasto, alloy wheels, owned & maintained by us from new, repaint by arrangement. Choice of 2.
£62,500
PSV 12/5/13, taxed 30/4/13, full service history.
Clarkes of London Call Andy Nixon – 020 8768 9612
£58,000
Alexander Dennis body, P reg, 75 seats, fitted with a PA system, new MOT on purchase. Only 2 remaining.
Contact William on 07733 914050
Bath Bus Company 01225 330444
1995 Scania K113 VanHool Alizee
2003 Mercedes Citaros
Setra 315 GTHD
6 speed manual, 49 seater executive, MOT April 2014 (LEZ, Eminox system).
£39,000
Converted this year to 70 seater using Cogent seats with 3 point belts, tea machine, TV/DVD.
Williams Coaches 01874 622223
£27,500 Milligans Coach Travel 01290 550365
1999 Volvo Olympian Alexander
2008 MAN Auto Ayats
78/81 seats with seat belts, Volvo engine, ZF automatic gearbox, power door, UK COIF, new MOT, straight panelwork, can be painted in base colour.
WAS £12,500 NOW FROM £10,500 + VAT
Drew Wilson Coach Sales 0141 248 5524
2005 Setra 315GT HD
51 seat full executive, owned from new, choice of 2, real head turner, used on tour programme, low mileage @ 240,000kms, a lot of coach for the money, looks great and great value at just...
£82,500+VAT - P/X considered
Tel: Adrian on 07717 768315
2002 Iveco Beulas Stergo
38 + 34 standees, LEZ complaint, full DDA, dual door, Hanover LEDs, CCTV, in good condition, very low mileage (240,000 – 260,000 km), 1 year’s MOT. Choice of 6 (5 x 53 plate and 1 x 03 plate). £40,000 each + VAT
40 seat SLF service bus, newly repanelled and repainted, 12 months MOT to October 2013, Hannover LED destination, excellent condition, drives superb.
£25,950 + VAT ovno
Llew Jones – 07795 347476 or steve@llewjones.com
2003 Bova Futura • Air con • Toilet • DVD • Monitor x 2 • Full exec spec • Eminox euro 4 • 49 seats • Green cloth • Manual • Long MOT
£55,000 + VAT
yourbus – 01773 714013
L.J. Edwards – 07974 369570
1999 Mercedes Benz 814 Plaxton
1999 Volvo B10M Jonckheere
27 coach seats with 3 point belts, perfect for school bus and private hire, MOT till April 2014, manual with power door and private plate.
48 reclining seats with retractable belts, monitor, DVD, radio + cassette, rear toilet with rear door, fully sprayed and new stretch panels fitted, good coach, just been to Spain, lovely driver.
£8,995 + VAT Call Karl at Whitegate Travel Tel: 01606 786833 Mobile: 07841 110426
Paul Watson Travel paul.watson9@btconnect.com
2007 Scania Irizar Century
1998 Volvo Olympian Alexander
£20,000 + VAT ono
• Automatic • Air con • Toilet • Monitor x 2 First registered January 2005, owned from new, 53 seats + courier, LEZ compliant, ZF AS/Tronic automatic gearbox, climate control, Satnav, DVD/CCTV/Backwatch, refrigerator.
POA
Epsom Coaches – 01372 731711
• Non LEZ • Long MOT
£30,000 + VAT
L.J. Edwards – 07974 369570
Opticruise, 49 seater executive, MOT and tax October 2013, LEZ.
87 seats with belts, power door, Voith auto gearbox, straight panelwork, new MOT.
£86,000
£12,950
Williams Coaches 01874 622223
Drew Wilson Coach Sales 0141 248 5524
Telephone Jade Cassidy on 01733 293247 or email jade.cassidy@coachandbusweek.com www.coachandbusweek.com
October 23, 2013 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 35
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2003 DAF SB4000 Ayats Atlantis
53 seat executive, ZF Auto, 380 hp, air con, underfloor toilet, DVD (2 screens), power lockers, MOT till March, real eye catcher.
£29,950 + VAT – PX welcome
UNVI GT
gh rou Week h t s d Sol & Bu h c 0816 Vario chassis with rear air Mercedesa Benz Co 29 passenger seats + courier seat, suspension, double glazed windows, forced air, radio/CD and PA system, DVD player and monitor, luxury driver seat, large boot space and side lockers, FSH.
ÂŁ47,500 + VAT
1998 Volvo B10M Caetano Enigma
49 seats with retractable belts, monitor, DVD, radio, cassette, taxed and tested, has air-con but needs re-gas + belts, needs t.l.c. but good motor.
ÂŁ15,500 + VAT ono
Llew Jones – 07795 347476 or steve@llewjones.com
Hugh or Dougie - 0131 554 9192
Paul Watson Travel paul.watson9@btconnect.com
2003 Alexander Dennis Enviro 300 SLF 12m
2003 Volvo Jonckheere B12M Mistral 50
2011 Irizar PB
2006 (56) Volvo B12B Plaxton Panther
44 seats + 27 standees, DDA compliant, 12 months MOT. ÂŁ27,500 + VAT Southdown PSV 01342 711840 email: bussales@southdownpsv.co.uk www.southdownpsv.co.uk
53 passenger seats, 12 months MOT, 527,071kms, interior & exterior in excellent condition, vigorously maintained (records available).
ÂŁ39,950 + VAT ono Star Coaches Limited Martin 07831 265804 Adam 0121 350 5555
December 2011, 59 seats, toilet/servery, 3 DVD screens, Euro 5.
ÂŁ190,000
49 seat executive, DDA 1 front entrance, PLS wheelchair lift, air con, full leather recliners, rear N/S floor mounted toilet, Euro 4 LEZ compliant, sold with new MOT.
ÂŁ59,950 + VAT ovno
Buzzlines Travel - 01303 261870
Llew Jones – 07795 347476 or steve@llewjones.com
Scania Irizar PB
2007 Mercedes 819 Plaxton Cheetah
<RXÂś UH L Q FRQW URO
ÂŁ95,000 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; CHOICE OF 2
29 seats, 310,000 miles, air con, reclining seats, extremely large luggage capacity, used on feeder and tour work only, 2 owner drivers from new, 22 miles to the gallon, 160 HP chipped to 190, internally very good condition.
Williams Coaches 01874 622223
Greenfields Travel â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 01709 891444
ZF automatic, 49 seater executive, owned from new, MOT 2014, taxed, LEZ.
2009 Setra 416GTHD
ÂŁ49,995
2003 Volvo Plaxton Panther
7DNH W KH SKRW RV ZU L W H W KH DG DQG F KDQJH L W O DW H U L I \ RX ZDQW W R DO O I U RP \ RXU RQO L QH GDV KERDU G 6H O O L QJ D Y H KL F O H L V V L PSO H RQ June 2009, 49 seats, toilet/servery, 2 DVD screens, Euro 5.
53 seats, blue multi-colour interior, air con, LCD screen, rear toilet, LEZ compliant.
ÂŁ150,000
POA
Buzzlines Travel - 01303 261870
Arriva Bus & Coach 01274 681144
Telephone Jade Cassidy on 01733 293247 or email jade.cassidy@coachandbusweek.com 36 | COACH & BUS WEEK | October 23, 2013
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ALFA TRAVEL HAVE FOR SALE DUE TO FLEET REPLACEMENT Dennis Plaxton R Series
1997 Dennis Javelin UVG S320
Luxury VW Crafter
Cummins 420, AStronic gearbox 2004: 3 x 53 seats £40,000 plus VAT
Volvo B12B Plaxton Paragon Easyshift gearbox, LEZ compliant 2006: 2 x 53 seats £79,000 plus VAT All are well maintained, low mileage examples (approximately 62,000km per annum) with reclining seats, 3 point seat belts and air conditioning. Owned by us from new and used on our own holiday programme. All over cream. Price includes new MoT. Sorry no part exchange facilities!
To view contact Tom Smith, Operations Manager, on 08451 305777
2007 Scania K340/ Caetano Levante
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.
2004 Iveco Beulas
Auto, 49 seat executive coach, WC, DVD, A/C, drinks boiler, fridge, etc, in exceptional condition for age, MOT July 2014.
53 seat coach with crew seat, manual gearbox, fully belted, MOT August 14. £8,750 + VAT
2007, 16 seats, A/C, DVD, microphone, 135,000 miles, 7 months MOT, excellent condition.
£21,000
Chalkwell Coach Hire 01795 423982 andy.bates@chalkwell.co.uk
Slick Rides – 07823 770978
2011 Vauxhall Vivaro 12 seat minibus
VOLVO B12B
Full COIF with 8 months PSV/MOT, taxed until December, digital tachograph, 6 speed gearbox, 3 rear seats can be removed (ensuring space for luggage),1 owner vehicle.
375,604 miles, PSV 25/4/13, taxed 31/3/13, full service history.
£80,000 + VAT each
£39,000 ono + VAT - Possible P/X
£13,250 + VAT o.n.o.
£120,000
yourbus – 01773 714013
Tel 01249 742000/07717 768315
AFJ Travel – 07947 152763
Contact William on 07733 914050
1999 Mercedes 412D
2003 Setra 315 GTHD
1994 Volvo B9M Berkof Excellence
2005 Optare Solo M950 SLF 9.5m
16 removable seats, or 6 wheelchairs, 5 speed manual, external wheelchair lift, tachograph fitted, very clean condition, MOT June 14. £3,495 + VAT
49 seat with retractable belts, low mileage, seat back tables, footrests, centre toilet, power door, air con, webasto, cool box and boiler 2 x monitors and DVD, radio cassette, LEZ exhaust, great drive.
£53,500 + VAT ono
Good solid engine and gearbox, tidy bodywork, MOT till April 2014, 37 recliners, loads of legroom and a rear toilet.
Chalkwell Coach Hire 01795 423982 andy.bates@chalkwell.co.uk
Paul Watson Travel paul.watson9@btconnect.com
£14,000 Milligans Coach Travel 01290 550365
2009 (59) Iveco Daily
2001 MAN Neoplan
2002 Bova Futura
16 passenger seats with 3 point belts, front entrance with lowered entry step, extra large boot, panoramic windows, parcel racks with reading lights and blown air, interior lighting with dim facility, CD sound system, tested until 30 September 2014.
£21,995 + VAT Call Karl at Whitegate Travel Tel: 01606 786833 Mobile: 07841 110426
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.
33 seats + 17 standees, Mercedes engine, Hanover LED. £32,000 + VAT – CHOICE OF 3 Southdown PSV 01342 711840 email: bussales@southdownpsv.co.uk www.southdownpsv.co.uk
2009 (09) Iveco Daily
• Air con • Toilet • DVD • Monitor x 2 • Eminox euro 4 • 49 seats • Green cloth • Long MOT
16 passenger seats with 3 point seat belts, front entrance with lowered entry step, extra large boot, panoramic windows, parcel racks with reading lights and blown air, interior lighting with dim facility, CD sound system, tested to June 2014.
£28,000 + VAT
£50,000 + VAT
Contact Gary – 07930 377051
L.J. Edwards – 07974 369570
£21,995 + VAT Call Karl at Whitegate Travel Tel: 01606 786833 Mobile: 07841 110426
Telephone Jade Cassidy on 01733 293247 or email jade.cassidy@coachandbusweek.com www.coachandbusweek.com
October 23, 2013 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 37
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07 Ford Transit
1998 Mercedes Benz 814 Alexander
7HO
88,000 miles, one charity owner, 16 highback passenger seats in moquette, power door front entry, Hanover digital destination, 12 months PSV test, totally immaculate inside and out.
£13,995
Automatic, 27 seats, 3 point belts, power door, perfect for school/private hire, good offers considered.
Heatons Motor Company 01942 864222
£8,995 + VAT Call Karl at Whitegate Travel Tel: 01606 786833 Mobile: 07841 110426
2006 Van Hool
2006 Bova Majiq
49 seat luxury coach, excellent condition throughout, leather headrests, toilet, DVD, reversing camera, retractable belts.
£85,000 – NO VAT
2006 MAN 14.220 SLF MCV Evolution 11.2m
1 ) 0 5 0 4 " / % ' 6 $ 0 0 6 3 " 4 4 5 " / % " 3 % 0 / " 7 & ) * $ & ' 0 3 4 " & " % 7 & 3 5 * 4 & .& / 5 4
40 seats + 21 standees, DDA compliant, Hanover LED. Direct off lease from a major operator. £32,500 + VAT Southdown PSV 01342 711840 email: bussales@southdownpsv.co.uk www.southdownpsv.co.uk
49 seat executive, ZF auto, LEZ compliant, leather headrests, twin monitor DVD, centre sunken toilet, tasteful moquette, excellent condition, MOT & Tax, economical vehicle, ready to work.
£95,000 + VAT
Kane Coach Hire 353 87 2339750
Travelstar European 01922 647100 / 07779 801862
2009 MAN NL273F Wrightbus Meridian 12m
2003 Optare Solo
44 seats + 26 standees, fully DDA compliant, Mobitec LED, CCTV cameras fitted, digital tachograph, ex-lease. £67,500 + VAT Southdown PSV 01342 711840 email: bussales@southdownpsv.co.uk www.southdownpsv.co.uk
Mercedes engine, one owner, good condition and tyres, low mileage 392,955, 29 seated 20 standing, full diptact space for one wheelchair, tested June 2014, taxed end of October 2013. £17,500 o.n.o.
BD23 5BS – 01756 753123
2009 Renault
2008 Temsa Safari HD
£14,950 + VAT ovno
50 reclining seats, TV/DVD, PA, fridge, hot drinks servery, air con, Webasto, alloy wheels. Last coach remaining. £23,750 + VAT
16 reclining seats, perfect for airports, takes 20 big suitcases, A/C, TV, DVD, hot drinks & fridge, 3 point belts, overhead racks, front entry, 166,000kms, great on fuel, sale due to fleet restructure.
102,000 miles, 53 seats with belts plus crew seat, automatic gearbox, double glazing, air con, carpet, curtains, Staybrite aluminium wheels, radio, 2 monitors, PA, LEZ compliant Euro 4.
Llew Jones – 07795 347476 or steve@llewjones.com
Snowcoach Holidays 01727 866177 / 07831 612125
£14,000 + VAT
£87,500
Florida Taxi Coaches 01787 477701
Castleways – 01242 603715
2001 Volvo B10M Berkhof Axial
2000 Iveco Eurorider Beulas Stergo E
51 seat executive, centre toilet, air con/ climate control, power lockers, 8 speed manual gearbox, MOT till March, excellent condition, drives superb.
Telephone Jade Cassidy on 01733 293247 or email jade.cassidy@coachandbusweek.com 38 | COACH & BUS WEEK | October 23, 2013
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Ensig DOUBLE DECK 2010 ENVIRO 300
Cummins ISC Euro 5 engine, 12m, DDA, 44 seats, Hanover LED’s.
DDA, Cummins / Allison, Alexander ALX200 bodies, 8.8m, 27 seats.
2001 Y REG DENNIS DARTS
LEZ
COMPLIANT
Cummins/Voith, LEZ compliant for 2012 with traps to Euro 4, CCTV, Alexander ALX400 bodies, DDA compliant or upseated to 80 seats.
1999/2000/2001 V/Y REG DENNIS TRIDENTS
Mercedes engine, 30 seats, long MOT.
2002 OPTARE SOLO M850
2000/2001 X/Y REG VOLVO B7TL’S
Cummins / Voith, Alexander ALX 400 lowheight body, 84 seats, LEZ compliant.
1999 DENNIS TRIDENT
80 seats, Voith gearboxes, Euro 2 engines with traps, or full Euro 3 with traps, Plaxton President bodies, can be DDA with 78 seats.
SWB, CCTV, particulate traps so LEZ compliant, Plaxton President bodies, dual door 62 seats or single door 71 seats.
1999 VOLVO B7TL’S
ZF automatic, Plaxton Prestige body, 41 seats.
1997 P REG VOLVO B10BLE
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.
2010 VOLVO B7RLE’S
Volvo Euro 5 engine, 12m, DDA, 45 seats, Hanover LED’s.
OPEN TOP BUSES A SPECIALITY -
Juliette Close, Purfleet Industrial Telephone 01708 865656 Fax: 01708 8 Visit our website for current s
681335-1110-Ensign:Layout 1
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K ER SPECIALIST Cummins ISB Euro 3 engine, Allison gearbox, Caetano bodies, 24 seats, 8.8 m, DDA.
2004 DENNIS DARTS
2010 VOLVO B7R
ZF automatic, Euro 5, Plaxton Profile body, air-con, 53 seats, very low mileage, new MOT.
2008 SCANIA OMNICITY N230UD
64 seats, 2 door, Euro 4, can be converted to single door 75 seats.
2003 SCANIA OMNICITY CN94UB
2 door, Euro 3, ZF automatic, 37 seats, 12m, DDA.
12m, Euro 3, DDA, 42 seats.
2004 MERCEDES CITARO
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.
2001/2002 DENNIS TRIDENTS
10.1m, Cummins ISB Euro 3 engines with traps, DDA, Plaxton bodies, 29 seats as dual door or 36 converted to single door.
2002 DENNIS DARTS
Euro 4 Cummins engines, 8.5m long, 28 seats, DDA.
2008 PLAXTON PRIMO
ZF automatic, 53 or 57 seats, Plaxton Profile body, air-con.
2005 VOLVO B7R’S
Cummins / Allison, Alexander ALX200 bodies, 10m or 10.7m , 34 or 37 seats.
1998 R/S REG DENNIS DARTS
2000 X REG DENNIS SUPER POINTER DARTS Cummins B series 160 engines, Voith gearboxes, 41 seats, long MOT’s.
Euro 4 Volvo engine, Wrights Eclipse Gemini body, 68 seats or 74 converted to single door.
2007 VOLVO B9TL
1998 R REG VOLVO OLYMPIANS
Volvo Euro 2 engines, ZF gearboxes, East Lancs bodies, 72 seats.
- BRITAIN’S BIGGEST BUS DEALERS Park, Purfleet, Essex, RM15 4YF 8 864340 e-mail: sales@ensignbus.com t stock at www.ensignbus.com
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HEATONS MOTOR CO. WIGAN THE NORTH WEST’S PREMIER MINIBUS SALES, SUPPLYING NATIONWIDE FOR OVER 40 YEARS WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
2005 CONCORDE CHARISMA 920
55 PLATE IVECO 65c15 MELLOR COACHBUILT
Only covered 14,000 miles, NEC Motorhome Show models, Mercedes 616 auto, low fixed bedat rear large garage, fully loaded in pristine condition. The Rolls Royce of motorhomes.
Fitted with 24 highback newly trimmed moquette seats plus wheelchair spaces or would upseat as 24 seaters, complete flat floors, lots of Unwin tracking, automatic cassette tailifts, low mileage, direct council, full document history. From £11,995
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
57 FORD TRANSIT 430
LWB, highroof 8 passenger seats plus wheelchair spaces, lots of Unwin tracking, external Ratcliffe fully automatic cassette tailift, SLD with side step, good quality conversion, totally unmarked in everyway. LEZ £12,995
54 MERCEDES VARIO 614
13 highback passenger seats or 9 seats plus 3 wheelchairs, external PLS fully automatic cassette tailift, low step front entry, fully colour coded, one council owner from new, looks and drives superb. £8,995
60 PLATE PEUGEOT BOXER
LWB, only covered 34,000 miles, Rolac ramp with lowering suspension, Unwin tracking, 8 highback passenger seats, SLD with cut out side step, air conditioning, full electric pack, totally unmarked and showroom condition inside and out, totally tremendous LEZ value at £17,995
05 FORD TRANSIT LWB 350
Only covered 47,000 miles, 8 highback passenger seats, lots of Unwin tracking, PLS external cassette tailift, SLD with side step, totally immaculate in every way, tremendous value. LEZ £8,995
£77,790
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
05 FORD TRANSIT 430
Highroof, covered 70,000 miles,12 highback passenger seats, lots of Unwin tracking, SLD with electric side step, Ricon internal tailift, totally showroom condition inside and out, excellent value. LEZ £9,995
11 PLATE VAUXHALL VIVARO
LWB highroof covered 26,000 miles, Ricon internal clearway tailift, SLD with cassette step, Unwin tracking, 5 highback passenger seats (would take 8 passengers), Eberspacher heater, totally as new in everyway, why buy new. LEZ £15,995
SERVICE BUSES ARRIVING SOON
Choice of 4 x 2004 plate Transbus Int Enviro 44 seat, 11.6 meter, low floor, digital destination, one council owner from new. Also a 2007 Plaxton Primo, 28 seat, low floor.
ALL PRICES PLUS VAT
We guarantee quality vehicles, right prices, no pressure sales. Come and have a coffee while you browse at your leisure. Junction 23, M6 or 20 miles from Manchester/Liverpool airport.
HEATONS MOTOR CO. WIGAN 53 Bickershaw Lane, Abram, Wigan, Lancashire WN2 5PL
Tel: 01942 864222 SEE ALL OUR STOCK ON OUR WEBSITE www.heatonsmotorco.co.uk
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Scania Omni 36 *Choice of 2+
2002 WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VOLVO B12M ZF AUTO PLAXTON PARAGON • 12.2 long • 53 seats + loo • Side lift • Retrimmed 2012 • Good condition Bargain at £37,500
•Reg 2010 • 63 Reclining Seats • W/C & Servery • Climate Control • Automa c • Euro5 • Leather Headrests • 250,000km • 14.1m Price £165,000
Scania Omni 34
•Reg 2009 • 55 Reclining Seats • W/C & Servery • Climate Control • Automa c • Euro5 • Leather Headrests • 385,000km Price £145,000
1998 (R) PLAXTON PREMIER WHEELCHAIR LIFT COACH
Premier Connec ons Travel Ltd
Call Jamie 01582 424140 www.premier.gb.com
• 46 seats with rear toilet & servery • Most seats on quick release • Takes up to approx 10-12 fixed chairs • Drives really well and tested to January Only £14,000
2003 (03) MERCEDES 814 PLAXTON CHEETAH AUTO • 25 reclining seats • LEZ box • Table • Air conditioning • Good condition Bargain at £27,000 + VAT
More pictures and videos at www.honestpetescoachsales.co.uk Call 020 8858 0031 Email: peter@lewistravel.co.uk 44 | COACH & BUS WEEK | October 23, 2013
www.coachandbusweek.com
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DREW WILSON coach sales
1998 DAF VAN HOOL
1998 DAF IKARUS
53 recliners with belts and crew seat, continental door, luggage racks with forced air and reading lights, manual gearbox, new MOT, new paint in white.
WAS £22,000 NOW £17,500 + VAT
WAS £19,000 NOW £17,500 + VAT
70 Cogent seats with belts ,power door, manual gearbox, luggage racks with blown air and reading lights, all box sections replaced with new paint in white, new MOT test.
1997 DAF BOVA FUTURA
1998 VOLVO OLYMPIAN ALEXANDER BODY DOUBLE DECKER
WAS £27,500 NOW £23,000 + VAT
WAS £14,000 NOW £12,950 + VAT
1999 VOLVO OLYMPIAN ALEXANDER BODY DOUBLE DECKER
1993 BOVA FUTURA FHD
70 Cogent seats with three point belts, power door, crew seat, freshly re- painted into white, 4 over 4 gearbox, long MOT.
78/81 seats with seat belts, Volvo engine, ZF automatic gearbox, power door, UK COIF, new MOT, straight panelwork, can be painted in base colour. WAS £12,500 NOW FROM £10,500 + VAT
87 seats with belts, power door, Voith auto gearbox, straight panelwork, new MOT.
48 recliners with belts and crew seat, power door, ZF ASV gearbox auto/manual, toilet with rear servery, very tidy condition inside and out, MOT till April 2014. WAS £8,500 NOW £7,500 + VAT
CHOICE OF OVER 350 VEHICLES ‘Open 7 days 08.00-18.00’ For our full range,
visit www.drewwilson.co.uk Tel/Fax 0141 248 5524 | Mob 07764 200 444 Email drew@drewwilson.co.uk
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Back to School Special
Sprinter 513 Cdi LWB 131 bhp. r 6OLGLQJ VLGH GRRU ZLWK (OHFWULF HQWU\ VWHS r 6HDWV 'ULYHU r ,Q 'DVK $LUFRQ r 6DORRQ $LUFRQ Optional Extraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s: r %RG\ &RORXUHG %XPSHUV r /XJJDJH UDFNV r %RG\ 6W\OH 3DFN r :KHHOFKDLU OLIW 2SWLRQ Contact. Danny: T.(01293)852040 M.(0774)9103203 Peter: T.(01293)852025 M.(0771)5473354
46 | COACH & BUS WEEK | October 23, 2013
www.coachandbusweek.com
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Southdown PSV - 01342 711840 www.southdownpsv.co.uk
2009 MAN NL273F WRIGHTBUS MERIDIAN • 12 metre • 44 seats +34 standees • 270 bhp euro 4 engine • ZF 5 speed gearbox • MOT May 2014 • Mobitec destination • Fully DDA compliant £62,500 + VAT
2005 OPTARE SOLO M950 SLF
Very clean ex lease vehicles direct from Major Operator • 9.5 metre • 33 seats + 17 standees • Mercedes 154 bhp euro 3 engine • Allison auto • MOT July 2014 • Hanover destination • Fully DDA compliant £32,000 + VAT Finance available – subject to status
2003 ADL ENVIRO 300 SLF
• 12 metre • 44 seats + 27 standees • Cummins 220 bhp euro 3 engine • ZF auto • MOT October 2014 • Hanover destination • Fully DDA compliant £27,500 +VAT
Southdown PSV Silverwood Snow Hill Copthorne West Sussex RH10 3EN www.coachandbusweek.com
October 23, 2013 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 47
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BEN WEAVER commercials 2007 FORD TRANSIT 17 SEAT MINIBUS METALLIC TONIC BLUE, DIESEL, 121000 MILES.. £8,795
2007 FORD TRANSIT 15 SEAT MINIBUS WITH AIR CONDITIONING AND DIGITAL TACHO, WHITE, DIESEL, 47000 MILES.. £8,495
2003 IVECO DAILY 65C15 WELFARE BUS WITH TACHO, COIF, PSV, LIGHT METALLIC TURQUOISE, DIESEL, 104000 MILES.. £7,995 NO VAT
2005 FORD TRANSIT 15 SEAT MINIBUS WITH TACHO, WHITE, DIESEL, 78000 MILES.. £5,795
2002 IVECO DAILY IRIS 50C13 17 SEAT WELFARE BUS WITH COIF TACHO PSV, WHITE, DIESEL, 45000 MILES.. £5,995
2008 IVECO DAILY 50C15 12 SEAT FRONT ENTRY WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS AUTOMATIC GEARBOX, COIF, TACHO, PSV, WHITE, DIESEL, 40000 MILES.. £17,995
2006 VOLKSWAGEN LT46 17 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS WITH TACHO, WHITE, DIESEL, 92000 MILES.. £9,995
2008 FORD TRANSIT 17 SEAT MEDIUM ROOF MINIBUS 115PS, NEW SHAPE, LOW MILES, TRUE DARK BLUE, DIESEL, 46000 MILES.. £12,495
2004 MERCEDES SPRINTER 413CDI 17 SEAT AUTO WELFARE BUS WITH COIF, TACHO, PSV, WHITE, DIESEL, 150000 MILES.. £10,995
2006 FORD TRANSIT 15 SEAT BUS WITH ANALOGUE TACHO, WHITE, DIESEL, 63000 MILES.. £6,495
2003 IVECO DAILY 50C13 17 SEAT FRONT ENTRY WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS WITH COIF, TACHO, PSV, WHITE, DIESEL, 167000 MILES.. £6495
2004 IVECO DAILY 45C11 15 SEAT FRONT ENTRY WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS WITH TACHO, WHITE, DIESEL, 92000 MILES.. £7,495
2003 MERCEDES SPRINTER 413CDI AUTOMATIC 17 SEAT WELFARE BUS WITH COIF, TACHO, PSV, WHITE, DIESEL, 139000 MILES.. £9,995
2005 VOLKSWAGEN LT35 LWB 14 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS INDIAN BLUE, DIESEL, 36000 MILES.. £10,495 NO VAT
2005 IVECO, DAILY 50C13 17 SEAT FRONT ENTRY WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS WITH COIF, TACHO, PSV, WHITE, DIESEL, 109000 MILES.. £9,495
2005 IVECO DAILY 65C15 25 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE WELFARE BUS WITH TACHO, WHITE, DIESEL, 78000 MILES.. £9,495
2003 MERCEDES SPRINTER 413CDI 17 SEAT WELFARE BUS AUTO, COIF, TACHO, PSV, WHITE, DIESEL, 125000 MILES.. £9,995
2005 IVECO DAILY 65C15 WELFARE BUS COIF, TACHO, PSV, SILVER, DIESEL, 104000 MILES.. £8,995
2006 FORD TRANSIT 15 SEAT MINIBUS WITH TACHOGRAPH, WHITE, DIESEL, 63000 MILES.. £6,495
2006 IVECO DAILY 40C14 11 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS WITH TACHO, WHITE, DIESEL, 89000 MILES.. £9,495
All vehicles supplied with 12 months MOT/PSV, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards and 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty
Gower Street, Sheffield, S4 7JW Tel: 0114 275 7076 www.benweavercommercials.co.uk
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CHECKPOINTS
AUDIO & VISUAL
EXHAUSTS
LEZ BOX FOR SALE
Used Eminox LEZ exhaust box, used for 6 months 2012. Cleaned/reconditioned. To fit a Bova Futura. With full fitting kit or can be fitted while you wait!
• Audio / PA systems • Video-on-demand systems • Monitor & DVD systems • Hands-free mobile phone kits • Reversing cameras and sensors • Multi or single language systems • CCTV • Alarms, tracking and cruise control • SkyTV systems • GPS commentary systems
£2,500 + VAT
UK and Ireland Distributor
PARNHAMS COACHES LTD Contact Ray 07747 071071
www.autosound.co.uk Tel: 0044 (0)1274 688990 Unit 4, Lister Street, Dudley Hill, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD4 9PQ
CRAIG TILSLEY Suppliers of Reconditioned
ENGINES
DAF MAN MERC, VOLVO SCANIA, GARDNER LEYLAND, CUMMINS ENGINES CYLINDER HEADS CRANKSHAFTS CRANKCASES CAMSHAFTS PUMPS ETC
Tel: 01782 791524 or 01782 791527 Fax: 01782 791316
Email: info@craigtilsley.co.uk www.craigtilsley.co.uk
Moorfields Industrial Estate, Cotes Heath, Stoke-on-Trent ST21 6QY
HEAVY DUTY STEEL BUILDINGS
BUILDINGS
• Bus Workshops • Secure Storage
• Supplied any width, any length
• Building to BS5590
• Doors high enough for Double Deckers
• Finance available Phone for further information
BLUELINE BUILDINGS 01709 578333 anytime FLEET SALES
RETIRING
THE CUMMINS ENGINE SPECIALISTS PARTS & SERVICE DIVISION
LIVERPOOL
SEATING
or
COACHTRIMMERS
CHANGING
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
YOUR FLEET?
Contact Malcolm Harrison Auctions
01630 674326
auctions@malcolmharrison.co.uk MALCOLM HARRISON AUCTIONS
Top Quality Refurbishment
SEPTEMBER SALE
Own a bus? Cheap re-trims available, choice of fabrics. Tel: Dave Percival 07970 412878 www.liverpool-coachtrimmers.co.uk
TRAINING
REGISTRATIONS
£750 99 WNX AXZ 17 FRZ 70 JXI 52 LIG 59 MHZ 25 RUI 46 SBZ 37 WXI 17
£350 ACZ 686 CEZ 565 EIG 525 JBZ 686 MCZ 232 RBZ 696 SBZ 343 UIW 686 XIB 636
£99 CRZ 7273 EXZ 4334 FRZ 4142 GRZ 2555 GRZ 2556 HIG 8788 JFZ 3440 KIG 6556 LIG 4564
Buy with confidence – CNDA Member We buy for cash, also Part Exchange
£99 LIG 4565 LIG 4566 RHZ 5656 SNZ 5223 SNZ 5224 SUI 8185 TJZ 9339 UUI 2887 UUI 2888
£50 EXZ 5505 FRZ 4155 FRZ 4156 JFZ 3934 LIG 7716 LIG 7717 NFZ 9484 RHZ 1484 RHZ 1485
£50 SNZ 6168 SNZ 6169 TNZ 2272 TNZ 2273 TUI 7970 UUI 4344 UUI 4345 VJZ 1815 VJZ 1816
Tel: 028 6638 7124 • www.speedyreg.co.uk Millwood, Lisbellaw, Co. Fermanagh, N. Ireland BT94 5HQ
50 | COACH & BUS WEEK | October 23, 2013
www.coachandbusweek.com
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TRIM
VEHICLE SPARES
Passenger and Commercial Vehicles Recovery Dismantlers Parts Sales
COACH TRIMMERS LTD
Supplying the Bus and Coach Industry with quality seat retrims and interior refurbishment. Full floors re-laid and centre gangways. Collection and delivery service anywhere in the UK, seven days a week.
Email: info@eastgate-coachtrimmers.co.uk Web: www.eastgate-coachtrimmers.co.uk
OUR SERVICES:
Tel/Fax: 01751 472229
•
Recovery
•
Testing
• •
TYRE EQUIPMENT
• • • • • •
DISMANTLING/SPARES: •
Refurbishment
•
Repairs
•
Engine/gearbox rebuilds
• •
Fault finding
•
Buying & selling vehicles
Reconditioned engines Reconditioned gearboxes Engine spares Windows
Windscreens Seats
Export to foreign markets Repairs
Finance repossession and storage
CALL: 01226 727 769 Bus sales: www.geoff-ripleysbuscoachsales.com Geoff Ripley, Boulder Lane (off Shaw Lane), Carlton, Barnsley S71 3HJ
Mob: 07912 103 497 or 07711 750 434 Fax: 01226 727 607 Email: geoff-ripley@btconnect.com
Trevor Wigley & Son Bus Ltd
TW FULLY LICENSED END OF LIFE VEHICLE CENTRE TW REDUNDANT AND SCRAP VEHICLES TAKEN TW PROFESSIONAL, EFFICIENT SERVICE TW ALL REQUIREMENTS CATERED FOR
VEHICLE INSPECTION TRAINING
If you would like further information please call 01543 897505 or visit www.lloydmorgangroup.co.uk
www.coachandbusweek.com
Specialist vehicle Inspection training with optional IRTEC accreditation
TW VARIOUS SPARES AVAILABLE TW CONTACT US FOR FULL AVAILABILITY
Call 01226 723147 Night Service 01226 716479 Fax 01226 700199 Email wigleys@btconnect.com
www.twigley.com
October 23, 2013 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 51
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
NEWS › XXXXXX
Back to the future Monday Martin here this week – how come I get the short straw when I only managed to escape the office confines once? Press Day – so the usual dash to get pages together, subbed, proof read and off the designer. It seems to flow quite smoothly – is this because of Gareth being on holiday or in spite of it? We don’t finish too late but it seems later as the nights are quickly drawing in and the weather is dismal. Tuesday Drive down to Brands Hatch for the Stanford Coachworks exhibition and open day. Bright sunshine ensures a good day for over 200 visitors. Lots to look at and fun to be had with some quick laps as a passenger in a selection of performance cars. Wednesday Get the previous day’s copy written as the Reading Buses/ Scania event originally planned for today has been postponed. It means we will be short of material for next week’s magazine – so my Stanford feature will have to fill the gap – which is OK but it means the next Minibus issue has lost its main planned feature. Thursday Source and sort photos for the next issue along with searching out news stories. Andy has gone to cover the press day at Kortrijk but has very limited time there and will major on getting images of anything interesting at Busworld. Friday Get as much subbing done as I can and dig for news. A concerned coach company engineer calls me desperately seeking hubs for 2005 Dennis R Series coach. None of the obvious sources can help. I suggest a few lines of enquiry and do some searching myself. I call back with a few likely numbers but he has just managed to locate some pattern parts. It’s the end of another long week although the Stanford Coachworks event was certainly a high point.
Magirus Deutz coach exhibited by Otokar at Busworld was reminder of past times Busworld, Kortrijk is all about the latest cutting edge technology and vehicle developments Europe wide. MAN went one further by showing some concept models – a taster of what the German manufacturer is thinking perhaps. Iveco’s ELLISUP Concept Bus project (see the Big Picture this week) challenges conventional thinking, but it presumably comes at a price. It’s expected to go into service shortly. In complete contrast, parked opposite ELLISUP on the stand of Turkish manufacturer Otokar was a preserved Magirus Deutz, Otokar using Deutz engines in its vehicles. Its presence was designed to make a point about a long ancestry.
Dilbert
52 | COACH & BUS WEEK | October 23, 2013 052_CBW1110_Last Stop.indd 52
MAN was looking to the future with models There have been close ties between Germany and Turkey for many years. Cologne-based Deutz was founded as N. A. Otto & Cie by Nikolaus Otto in 1864. He was the inventor of the four-stroke internal combustion engine. Famous names that worked for Deutz were Eugen Langen, Gottlieb Daimler, Wilhelm Maybach, Prosper L’Orange, Rudolf Diesel, Robert Bosch and Ettore Bugatti.
Commercial vehicles powered by Deutz engines were popular from 1960 to 1980, sold under the brand name Magirus Deutz. Magirus was owned by Klöckner Humboldt Deutz, but was sold to Iveco in 1975, which continued producing some Magirus trucks for a short while under the Iveco Magirus brand.
www.coachandbusweek.com
21/10/2013 19:17
RECRUITMENT & PEOPLE
In association with
DEADLINES Booking: Monday 5.00pm Full artwork: Monday 5.00pm
CONTACT Ianâ&#x20AC;ş Gillis T: 01733 293484 E: ian.gillis@coachandbusweek.com NEWS XXXXXXX
Mike is new AOM at Stagecoach Sharston Mike Gaskell, has been appointed Assistant Operations Manager at Stagecoach Manchesterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sharston depot. Mike joined the firm as a driver 13 years ago, before working in a number of other positions across the company, including as Inspector and Allocation Manager. His new role at the modern Sharston depot involves managing over 420 drivers and running over 170 vehicles every day, maintaining high levels of customer service, and ensuring efficient control of the operations. Mike commented: â&#x20AC;&#x153;My time working in other areas of the company, including on the buses themselves, has given me a great knowledge of the overall business, which I will put to good use in my new role. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A key part will be working with the wider operations team to
General Operations Manager Bristol, salary c. ÂŁ40k plus benefits
Mike Gaskell joins the ever-friendly team at Sharston depot ensure our passengers continue to get the highest level of service possible, which is something Stagecoach Manchester prides itself on.â&#x20AC;? Christopher Bowles, MD at Stagecoach Manchester, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mikeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s experience, as well as his enthusiasm and dedication to the firm, will be extremely beneficial to the business. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m looking forward to working with Mike and I know his appointment will benefit the whole team at the Sharston.â&#x20AC;?
CT Plus is part of the HCT Group, an award-winning social enterprise in the transport industry. Operating from depots in London, West Yorkshire, Humberside, Bristol and the Channel Islands, we deliver a range of high quality transport services â&#x20AC;&#x201C; from London red buses to social services transport, from school transport to Park & Ride, from community transport to education and training. We reinvest surplus from our commercial work back into further transport services or high-impact projects in the communities we serve. We are seeking an experienced bus operations professional to manage our Bristol depots, ensuring that they provide safe, compliant, punctual, reliable, high quality and cost effective transport services. Reporting to the Regional Manager, the General Operations Manager will lead and develop a team of service supervisors, administrative staff and drivers, taking forward the delivery of our Park & Ride, day centre and other transport services in the Bristol area. The successful candidate will be a talented road passenger transport professional with extensive experience of service improvement through operations management and budget/financial management. You will have strong written and verbal communications skills and a track record of leading and developing teams. A Certificate of Professional Competence in National Road Passenger Transport or other recognised qualification is a pre-requisite for the role. For the right candidate, we offer a salary of Circa ÂŁ40k and a pension contribution of 6% of salary payable after completion of probationary period. Owing to the nature of the operation, some flexible working is required and the postholder will be on an emergency call out rota. For the full job description/person specification, please visit www.hctgroup.org/jobs. No agencies please. To apply for the post, please send a CV with covering letter to Donna Dixon donnamdixon@hctgroup.org. Closing date for applications is 1 November 2013. Interviews to be held shortly afterwards.
www.coachandbusweek.com
053_055_CBW1110_Peopl_Recruitment.indd 53
October 23, 2013 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 53 21/10/2013 19:19
RECRUITMENT & PEOPLE DEADLINES Booking: Monday 5.00pm Full artwork: Monday 5.00pm CONTACT Ian Gillis T: 01733 293484 E: ian.gillis@coachandbusweek.com
HASSLE-FREE DRIVERS? Hire coach drivers when you need them. No holiday, no absence, no NI – pay only for the hours you need them for. We keep your wheels turning while your drivers are resting.
Marchant’s Coaches of Cheltenham Spa currently have a vacancy for an
Experienced Tours Manager Responsibilities will include planning and marketing our established Day Excursion, Coach Holiday and Theatre programme. The successful candidate will require experience in the coach/travel industry have good people and IT skills. You will also be responsible for the smooth running of a small busy travel shop/office. Please send your full CV and current salary to:
Call Del Haggerty Just Coach Drivers Ltd 07950 292939 www.justcoachdrivers.com
Mr Roger Marchant Marchant’s Coaches 61 Clarence Street Cheltenham GL50 3LB E-mail Roger@marchants-coaches.com
Book one week, get a second week
HALF PRICE and a third week
Get your vacancy seen by quality candidates
FREE!
Full Colour as standard ■ All vacancies posted to www.coachandbusweek.com/jobs ■ Details of all vacancies posted to our Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin pages ■
Contact Ian Gillis 01733 293484 ian.gillis@coachandbusweek.com 54 | COACH & BUS WEEK | October 23, 2013 053_055_CBW1110_Peopl_Recruitment.indd 54
www.coachandbusweek.com
21/10/2013 19:19
In association with
NEWS › XXXXXXX
Firstgroup success at benefits excellence awards FirstGroup’s Reward and Pensions Team is celebrating after winning the award for ‘the most successful communication strategy to an offline workforce’ at the prestigious Benefits Excellence Awards held in London. The majority of FirstGroup’s colleagues do not have access to a computer as part of their job, so the Reward and Pensions Team work extra hard to successfully communicate the rewards package in an innovative and cost-effective way. Judges at the awards commented on the endorsement of the rewards package by Chief Executive, Tim O’Toole. And importantly, they also noted the ‘multiple communication hooks’ used by the team to engage with so-called ‘offline’ colleagues,
who have no internet access. More than 27,000 First staff currently access its bespoke MyRewards website and more that 35% of the UK workforce is now using the latest offering from First – First Xclusives. Launched last year, First Xclusives offers colleagues fantastic discount and cashback on thousands of products and services, over and above sales prices. Colleagues have so far spent more than £4m and saved almost £250,000 through First Xclusives. Lisa Proctor, Group Reward Manager said: “Winning this award reflects just how hard we work to ensure all our colleagues across the UK have the opportunity to participate in our fantastic reward package.”
Lisa Proctor, First’s Group Reward Manager
Enthusiastic Austrian busman to develop Reading network It was a secondment to the London organising committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games last summer which brought Austrian Helmuth Schroettner to England – and subsequently Reading. He spent seven months as Bus System Manager at Heathrow which whetted his appetite for the bus industry in the UK and Reading in particular. For Helmuth, aged 41, made friends with busmen in the region and when he spotted a vacancy for the position of Network Development Manager with Reading Buses – he rose to the challenge. As a result, he now holds the
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Helmuth Schroettner is every bit as approachable as he looks
post and has been described by James Freeman, Reading Buses’ Chief Executive Officer, as the ‘best candidate for the job.’ Commenting on Helmuth’s appointment, James: “He brings a wealth of different experiences to his role in Reading. It is both surprising and reassuring that our experiences in Reading have so much in common with what Helmuth has encountered hitherto in Austria. “It’s certainly going to be an exciting time for all of us.” Helmuth, who is now a resident of Reading town centre, is in charge of the operator’s popular and high-profile premium service network, which he says will be
adapted as the town continues to develop. “I’m looking at new ideas and solutions to both expand and update our route network. This also incorporates timetables and drivers’ shifts, in addition to marketing and ticketing. In short, they’re all factors which will help to further boost patronage.” Helmuth started his bus industry career in his native Innsbruck as a bus driver eight and a half years ago. He then progressed to network development, including planning for the athletes and spectators using buses during the Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck early in 2012.
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