Wednesday January 25, 2012 Issue 1020 | ÂŁ2.95 www.coachandbusweek.com
COACH:
Debut for Tunbridge Wells - London commuter service p8
ACCESSIBILITY: Travel de Courcey becomes latest audio visual operator p10
Inside this week...
Minibus
BUS:
GREEN ISSUES:
Stagecoach London's Second round of Green Bus Funding for West Ham depot under Scotland announced p6 the spotlight p22
for recru i
NEWS FLASH
25% BSOG cut could spell disaster for Welsh buses
JOB ADV tment EVERY WERTS EEK
p4
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Here is your chance to experience a full cruise at a very special price. Exclusively for you from Coach World and Coaches Etc. Prices starting at £399 for a balcony cabin for a full 7 days Mediterranean cruise on board MSC Flagship Splendida MSC Cruises continues to astound with its cutting-edge ʻFantasiaʼ class of cruise ships. After the success of MSC Fantasia we were immensely proud to introduce her sister, MSC Splendida, a cruise ship where technology and comfort are spectacularly combined. Futuristic, yet retaining its classic simplicity and elegance. A cruise ship that promises the ultimate cruise experience.
MSC Splendida also features 4 swimming pools, a squash court, a Formula 1 simulator and much, much more... there are 5 restaurants to chose from, and 13 bars, as well as a magnificent theatre where top class shows take place very night, a large casino and plenty of shops. This trip gives you the chance to experience the luxury of a balcony cabin.
Balcony Cabin Outside with Balcony
All beds can be both single or double (on request). Spacious wardrobe. Bathroom with shower or tub. Interactive TV. Telephone. Availability of internet connection by your own laptop (on payment). Mini bar and safe. Air conditioning. Size: approx 22 square metres.
Sailing Dates: 28th January 2012 sailing from Genoa Italy
25th February 2012 sailing from Genoa Italy
Ports en route: Genoa, Barcelona, at sea, Casablanca, Gibraltar, Valencia, Marseille, Genoa
Ports en route: Genoa, Barcelona, at sea, Casablanca, Gibraltar, Valencia, Marseille, Genoa
Prices including flight only £599 per person on the 28th January and £649 on the 25th February and this is unbelievable, but no single supplement !!!!!
Or travel by coach stopping en route in the magnificent Park Inn Macon Hotel, on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis for just £525 per person on 28th January and £569 on 25th February, or arrange your own flights and pay just £399 on 28th January and £439 on 25th February.
Theses prices are for a balcony cabin with either flights or coach travel included, and are amazing, so to book now before the cabins sell out please call Richard or Tasha on 0208 665 5561 or email Richard@coachesetc.com There is limited availability so please call us as soon as you can
There are also some free places for group organisers who meet the criteria so get a group together and get on board.
January 25, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 3
THIS WEEK
Coach & Bus Week is published by Rouncy Media, First Floor, 3 The Office Village, Cygnet Park, Forder Way, Hampton, Peterborough PE7 8GX Switchboard 01733 293240 Fax 0845 280 2927 Web www.coachandbusweek.com
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Last Minute Dot Com
W
ith apologies to a certain well known online retailer, I can’t help but conclude governments in Wales and Scotland have embraced the spirit of ‘last minute dot com’. First the bad (disastrous) news – our cover story about the Welsh Government’s decision to slash BSOG by 25%. I feel the minister and those responsible should be ashamed of themselves. They should be called to account. As a proud Welshman, I dare say because this decision only applies to Wales it will not enjoy the same media attention it would if it occurred in England (or the USA). While councils can typically give 12 weeks’ notice to terminate or change a contract, operators are often tied to binding seven-year contracts with no ‘get out of jail free’ cards, with only measly increases if they’re lucky. While this is a topic in itself, it could be said some councils have got operators
over a barrel. Put simply, the view is one of take it or leave it. Tender prices will now have to reflect this risk. Will Cardiff’s decision to seemingly protect the cherished concessionary fares scheme come back to bite the politicians when the public notices bus services are being axed and the value of their passes plummets? It’s almost certain it will be the hard pressed council staff and operators who will have to take the flak. With tensions heightening in Iran, the price of fuel will inevitably rocket in the coming weeks. As we all know, the cost of fuel flies up on the slightest hint of bother but only parachutes down. On perhaps a more positive note is the news of a second round of Scottish Green Bus Funding. However, cynics will note the remarkably tight deadline and hence may conclude Holyrood is using up unspent cash – albeit to what is a commendable cause in our industry rather than return it to Westminster. Gareth Evans Editor
CONTENTS 4
22
39
The latest from across the coach and bus industry in the UK
12
A spotlight on the architectural and green features of the elegant garage
26
Community Transport Association CEO Keith Halstead
Partnerships are the way forward says Lloyds Coaches’ Richard Jones
18
Seating & flooring suppliers discuss the services they can offier you
32
All the latest news and advice from the minibus sector
...From tourist attractions and events. Plus ideas for group visits
20
A Mini Pointer Dart in Go North East’s revived ‘OK’ branding
34
A lighthearted look at the industry. Plus Gareth’s Diary!
Cable hails engineering scheme and toughness on takeovers urged
The story behind an illegallyoperated limousine seized by VOSA
All the latest people moves from across the industry
News
Inbox
Tour News
Business News
West Ham Garage Essential Guide
The Big Picture Legal News
Open Platform
41
Minibus
61
Last Stop
62
People
The opinions and views expressed by authors and contributors within Coach & Bus Week are not necessarily those of the Editor or its publisher Rouncy Media Ltd.
For all the latest industry news and information, register with us online at:
www.coachandbusweek.com www.coachandbusweek.com
Contents1.indd 3
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4 | COACH & BUS WEEK | January 25, 2012
nEWS
BriEfly John Gunn, the non-executive chairman of Rotala plc, has sold 87,500 ordinary shares of 25 pence each at a price of 39 pence per share. Following this sale Mr Gunn has an interest, directly and indirectly, in 9,271,837 ordinary shares of the company, representing 26.29% of the shares currently in issue. Vehicle tracking and telematics specialist Isotrak is moving its London office from Charlotte Street to Angel. Their new address is 2 Whitehorse Yard, 78 Liverpool Road, London, N1 0QD. Anthony’s Travel, crowned UK Coach Operator of the Year at the 2011 UK Coach Awards, has been shortlisted for the Cheshire & Chester High Sheriffs Corporate Social Responsibility Award for the work it does within the community. In particular the operator has partnerships with Halton Haven Hospice and The Mark Gorry Foundation and supports special needs athlete Omar Haddad. Anthony’s Travel recently applied signs to our fleet displaying its support for local good causes and produced a video on its CSR and community work at www. youtube.com/watch?v=4Ies2KeprE Q&feature=youtu.be Municipally-owned Reading buses has become the latest operator to trial MAN’s Ecocity gas bus. The vehicle is on loan from the manufacturer, having completed demonstration stints in Liverpool and East Anglia, will be in use on route 9 between Reading Station and Shinfield Park, via Royal Berkshire Hospital and Reading University’s Whiteknights Campus. The trial is expected to last for six weeks. James Freeman, chief executive at Reading Transport, said: “We’ve readily accepted the opportunity to trial the new technology which offers even lower emissions than our recently delivered hybrids. The trial is supported by the Gas Bus Alliance which is providing the infrastructure for the supply of fuel. For the first time, we are using the mains gas supply at Reading Buses’ Great Knollys Street depot to fuel this bus.” www.coachandbusweek.com
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One of North Wales’ quality independent operators is Express Motors, as seen here in Porthmadog
Wales BSOG blow With just two months’ notice, it’s no joke as fuel duty rebate is slashed by 25% from April 1 With less than two months to go, the Welsh Government has told bus operators the Bus Service Operators’ Grant (BSOG) – formerly the fuel duty rebate – will drop by 25% on April 1. As a result, a litre of diesel for a bus will effectively rise by 12p at current prices, a massive blow for the industry, when one considers even a small 25-seater bus consumes around 60 litres per day. By contrast, operators in England were told in October 2010 that BSOG would be slashed by 20% over three years from April 2012. The 18 months’ notice was designed to allow operators and councils to prepare. Welsh operators are warning of big fare rises and job losses as a direct result of the massive change in BSOG. According to CPT Wales, the actual increase in duty which operators will be forced to pay from April 1 is 108%. Operators currently pay 10.9p per litre net. From April 1 when this cut is implemented, the net amount payable soars to 22.6p per litre. A Welsh Government spokesman
said difficult funding decisions had to be made across transport programmes to stay within tight spending plans. The BSOG budget would remain at £17m-a-year for two years to help make the transition to new arrangements. Commenting on the lack of proper notice, CPT Wales director of government relations John Pockett told CBW: “We are most disappointed. At our meeting with him in September, Carl Sargeant, minister for local government and communities warned BSOG would be cut but he gave us a timescale of no more than six to eight weeks to give us the precise details. “The lateness of the announcement has made things very difficult for operators who have been working flat out on budgets.” Michael Morton, chairman of CPT Cymru and MD of Arriva Buses Wales, said: “Independent research shows every pound spent on BSOG delivers up to £5 in wider benefits to our communities. A reduction in the rate paid constitutes a huge, regressive tax hike for bus passengers, it would cost jobs and be bad for business. The worst impact will be on the pockets of the poorest in our society whose bus
services are a lifeline and smaller bus operators might even be in danger of going out of business.” Bus passengers, many of whom are on low incomes, already pay more fuel tax than wealthier air and rail passengers. A UK-wide study by the Green Alliance has shown that while buses still pay a significant amount of fuel tax, trains pay very little and aviation pays none. BSOG is equivalent to a £437m a year investment in buses. In contrast, aviation gets a £6.5b a year tax break by paying no fuel duty. The BSOG cut is the latest blow to be dealt to the bus industry in Wales. Local authorities have had their Local Transport Services Grant (LTSG) cut by around 28% (or £4m pounds overall), with no prior notice. LTSG supports a large proportion of the tendered local bus service network in all councils, so it will prove difficult, if not impossible for them to support more services which are no longer commercially viable, but considered socially important. As one respected local authority transport team employee observed, a 25% BSOG reduction, coupled with the LTSG announcement can only mean major service reductions and fare rises across Wales.
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January 25, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 5
“The garage has been built and designed to avoid wasting natural resources and to recycle as much as possible.” David Jones Stagecoach London
UKCA shortlist event in February The UK Coach Awards (UKCA) shortlist announcement will be held at the Great Days Out Fair in Manchester for the first time in February. The Great Days Out Fair is the biggest one-day group travel show outside London at which group travel organisers and coach operators can get ideas for trips across the UK & Ireland. The organisers of the UKCA said incorporating the shortlist announcement with the event reflects the increased recognition and importance of the awards. The event will take place on Saturday, February 25 in EventCity at Manchester’s Trafford Centre.
Book your ALBUM place while you can Bookings for this year’s Album (Association of Local Bus Company Managers) conference on May 22 and 23 are going so well, delegate places are disappearing fast and only four trade stands are still available in the exhibition area. The event, held at the Forest Pines Hotel near Brigg in North Lincolnshire, will focus mainly on the theme ‘How to Win Friends
The UKCA awards ceremony will be held in Manchester on April 19. The shortlist announcement will take place in the Talks Area of the Great Days Out Fair at 1315hrs and all nominees are invited to attend, along with press and group travel organiser delegates at the fair. UKCA chairman Allan
West Ham Garage p22
Edmondson, said: “We are pleased to be working with Visit Manchester, organisers of the Great Days Out Fair, to host the shortlist announcement at an event which many coach operators will already be attending. “Visit Manchester works closely with coach operators to help
The shortlist announcement will add to the ever-popular awards ceremony and Influence People’. Two more speakers have been signed up - Ian Jones of Backhouse Jones and Nikki Honer, who recently left Reading Buses to become commercial manager at Blue Star in Southampton. Organiser Peter Shipp of EYMS, said: “I am delighted to report that as of today (January 17) we have 155 delegates registered, which is starting to get close to the number of rooms contracted with the hotel, virtually the whole hotel on the traditionally busier Tuesday night!” Peter said such is the “tremendous support” from the trade exhibitors, he is exploring
possibilities of an overflow area we could use if necessary with the hotel. There is, however, still space for more vehicle exhibits. “I am also very pleased to announce that Alexander Dennis has joined Volvo and Wrightbus as one of the three principal event sponsors,” continued Peter. “Volvo and Wrightbus have very generously been the main sponsors for previous conferences while ADL has also been a regular supporter, last year sponsoring the lunches on both days. Allison Transmissions are again sponsoring the Gala Dinner, and all sponsors – including two new ones,
attract more business from the sector, so it is fitting the city should not only host the first short list announcement as well as the annual award ceremony.” Paul Simpson, managing director of Visit Manchester, said: “Great Days Out is the UKs premier oneday group travel show. As such, it is an excellent platform at which to announce the shortlist for this year’s UK Coach Awards which is an incredibly important element of the groups travel market.” Coach operators can bring a coach load of their key group organiser clients to the fair and give them a free familiarisation trip to venues en-route to the show on one of 17 specially arranged itineraries arranged by Visit Manchester. Two overnight itineraries to Manchester and Blackpool are also available. Visit the UKCA website at www.ukcoachawards.co.uk and the Great Days Out Fair at http://greatdaysout.com
will be shown on the conference website. Peter added: “We shall be including information and advice on embracing all the new technology coming on stream and how operators - and suppliers - can benefit from social networking media. In keeping with this we have a QR code for the conference website and if anyone doesn’t know what this is or how it works perhaps they should book for the conference!” To book your place at the ALBUM conference, visit www.albumconference.co.uk
www.coachandbusweek.com
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6 | COACH & BUS WEEK | January 25, 2012
nEWS › BUSeS
108%
The actual increase in duty which operators will be required to pay from April 1 after the BSOG cut
BriEfly Optare is relocating its production site in Blackburn to a new site in Sherburn, near Leeds. The move will bring some 80 years of bus manufacturing in Blackburn to an end, however, the site will remain as a store and for engineering development and specialist vehicle conversion work. Steve Johnson, group marketing manager was reported to have said: “A protective HR1 redundancy notice covering 99 people has been formally issued, but employment positions exist at all levels on the Sherburn site, and all affected employees will be offered the opportunity to transfer.” Optare has started planning the move two years ago. Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC) proposed £1.5m annual funding to subsidise bus services last week. The move follows the freezing of plans to save £2.7m each year by ending public support for services after a judicial review was threatened. A residents survey also showed only 3% of respondents supported the cut, and 82% said it was the wrong thing to do. However, CCC says it does not intend to reinstate the routes which were axed last April, including the free Cambridge city centre shuttle bus, because of lack of funds and comparatively low usage figures. The new funding, which will be phased in over three years, will continue to subsidise some “socially necessary” buses. East Yorkshire Motor Services (EYMS) has announced changes to bus routes. The operator says alterations between Goole, South Cave, Gilberdyke, Brough, Hull and York will mean faster journey times and new links. EYMS consulted hundreds of passengers last year who called for more express buses to Hull and services to Market Weighton and York. After reviewing passenger feedback, EYMS has decided to make changes to the X55 and 155 services to and from Hull and introduce a new service to York, a link to Castle Hill Hospital and extra express buses. EYMS is holding a series of drop-in events where passengers can find out more information about the changes this week. www.coachandbusweek.com
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£2m for Scottish Green Bus Fund 2 Grants for successful bidders can amount to up to 80% of the price differential between an LCV (Low Carbon Vehicle) and its diesel equivalent The Scottish Government released £2m of funding in a second wave of Green Bus Fund grants on January 17. The funding marks the latest round of applications for funding. It is intended to build on the previous success of the program, which saw five operators invest in 48 new low
carbon buses. The Scottish Green Bus Fund 2 will operate as a Challenge Fund, with the announced fixed budget available in the 2011-2012 financial year. Grants for successful bidders can amount to up to 80% of the price differential between an LCV (Low Carbon Vehicle) and its diesel equivalent. No more than £750,000 can be offered to any single bidder, though joint bids can be made for greater funding. The £750,000 limit also applies to all of an operators
Lothian Buses launched its BAE Systems ADL Enviro 400 Hybrids in September 2011, as pictured by Steve Hodgson
Stagecoach franchises route to Compass Bus Stagecoach South routes 7 and 7A between Lancing and Worthing in West Sussex have become the first Stagecoach services to be franchised in the south of England. Worthing-based Compass Travel will operate the service with 3 of their single deck buses now liveried in Stagecoach colours, with seven assigned drivers. Stagecoach South MD Andrew
Compass Bus prides itself on customer friendly service Dyer said following the removal of support by West Sussex County Council for evening and Sunday services, the decision was made to offer the route under franchise to another operator well placed to offer a reliable service and able to
subsidiary companies. Reacting to the news, Paul White, public affairs executive for CPT Scotland said: “While this is £2m going into the industry, there is so much more going out thanks to the BSOG cut. It’s money and we wouldn’t do anything other than welcome it, but it has only materialised because it’s coming up to the end of the financial year and leftover money needs to go somewhere to secure the same budget the following year.” A spokesman for Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) told CBW: “The Scottish government is clearly determined to build on the positive start it has made in terms of encouraging local authorities and bus operators to introduce low carbon bus options. Having won 46 of the 50 vehicles ordered in Round One of the Scottish Green Bus Fund – and now with nearly 350 ADL hybrid-electrics operating across the UK – we are in a strong position to further enhance our reputation as Europe’s leading supplier of this advanced technology. “Our hybrids operating in Edinburgh are achieving nearly 60% fuel savings against the conventional diesels previously operating on the same route. Across the UK, the hybrids are achieving 96% and 97% reliability, on a par with diesels. In addition to this, we keep overheads to a minimum. “Compass Travel will be able to deliver the high standard of service we require with running costs which should ensure the route can continue to operate without subsidies,” said Dyer. “We will continue to handle the marketing and promotion of the service.” Compass Travel MD Chris Chatfield said he was delighted to have gained the route 7 franchise: “Everyone’s a winner with this commercial partnership. Our dedicated driver team with their local knowledge will be able to provide customers an excellent, friendly service between Lancing, Sompting, Lyons Farm, Broadwater and Worthing.”
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66
The route number of Stagecoach West newly upgraded Gold service will shortly introduce stop-start technology to our current hybrid offering which should improve fuel efficiency and CO2 reductions by a further 10%.” While the GBF 2 funding provides a useful stimulus for hybrid bus manufacturers, it also applies to any form of qualifying low carbon bus. This means full-electric drives, and alternatively-fuelled buses running on biofuels or sustainable biogas. MAN’s EcoCity gas bus, which qualifies for the grant, is due to start trials in Edinburgh at the end of February and therefore unlikely to gain any firm commitment in this round of funding. Lothian Buses will trial the EcoCity until late April when it will move on to trials with McGills. General sales manager for MAN Truck & Bus, Tony Griffiths, is hoping to compete on better terms in any future funding rounds. He told CBW: “We aim to show we can offer a much more viable option which not only competes favourably in terms of reduced fuel use and emissions output, it also offers complete transparency in its whole life costs. We’ve been running these gas buses for over 10 years and so we can accurately predict and factor-in the cost of spare parts. There remains much scepticism over the predicted life of hybrid battery systems and the cost of replacement electric drive motors is said to be almost astronomical.” For further information about the fund, call 0131 244 7760, email Scottishgreenbusfund2@ scotland.gsi.gov.uk or visit www. transportscotland.gov.uk/publictransport/Buses/Bus-Fund
£1.89
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SHARE WATCH
The average urban bus fare, according to the latest research from TAS
Industry share prices at the close of the Stock Exchange on Monday, January 23. Siemens enjoyed the greatest proportional rise and Optare continued to see the biggest proportional drop. Most figures obtained from www.iii.co.uk
322.50p
Price: Year High: 574.37p Year Low: 257.70p
To celebrate the launch of the upgrade of its Route 66 to gold, Stagecoach West is offering a £1 single fares on Sunday services in Swindon
Gold standard upgrade for Stagecoach West’s Route 66 Stagecoach West’s Route 66 between Swindon and Oxford has benefitted from an upgrade to Gold standard. The firm has invested almost £1.5m in seven brand new high-specification Scania ADL E400s, which include E Leatherupholstered Lazzarini Transito, high-back leather seats and free WiFi on board. Nathan Griffith-Williams, marketing manager of Stagecoach West said: “We enhanced Route 66 back in May 2010 by increasing the daytime frequency to every 30 minutes and adding extra journeys in the evenings and on Sundays. Since then we have seen patronage grow by over 40% Ian Manning, MD of Stagecoach West, added: “When we introduced identical vehicles on our Cheltenham
to Gloucester route, we attracted over 90,000 extra passengers in the first year, then an additional 50,000 passengers on top of that in the second year. I have every confidence we will achieve similar or better results on Route 66.” To celebrate the launch, Stagecoach West is running a Month of Sundays ticket promotion, which also started on Sunday (January 22). It will allow passengers to try the new luxury service for £1 single fares on any Sunday service operated by Stagecoach in Swindon and will run until February 26. The operator has also invested over £1.5m in new vehicles for route 55, which links Swindon with Chippenham via Royal Wootton Bassett and Calne. These buses will be launched on Friday (January 27).
to a PI after withdrawing service S50 between Ashton and Mossley in April 2011 without giving the statutory 56 days notice. The firm was fined £5,600 for not operating a registered service after having been refused a “short notice cancellation”. The traffic commissioner concerned stated she was not satisfied that Speedwell had shown a reasonable excuse for the cancellation; that to find “reasonable excuse” would be unfair to bus operators who operated within the rules; and that
she did not want to risk setting a precedent which would allow any operator who had lost money to cancel services at short notice without appropriate arrangements being made. However, the same issue of N&P contains a new application for a 20-vehicle O-licence from Messrs. Jack Hampson and Mr David Whyatt, trading as Speedwell Travel Services and lists its Transport Manager(s) as Paul Derek Banham and Jack Hampson. According to its website, the current company was set up in 2002, the team behind Speedwellbus having operated bus services in Glossopdale and Tameside for around 20 years.
Speedwellbus ceases trading ahead of revocation Speedwellbus of Hyde has become the latest Greater Manchester independent operator to hit the rocks after it ceased trading last week – two months before its O-licence was due to be revoked. According to Notices & Proceedings (N&P) dated January 6, 2012, the existing Speedwell O-licence is due to be revoked from 2359hrs on March 31, 2012. This follows a Public Inquiry (PI) on September 27, 2011, which lists director as Mr Jack Hampson. The firm was called
January 25, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 7
306.60p
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+18.00 on last week
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FTSE 100
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Price: Year High: 6,105 Year Low: 4,790
+123 on last week
www.coachandbusweek.com
23/01/2012 21:30
8 | COACH & BUS WEEK | January 25, 2012
nEWS › coaches
BriEfly Each of the laybys along the A585 from its junction with the A66 near Bridgefoot south to Calderbridge will close overnight in turn, between February 13 and March 4, so they can be updated with new signing, lining, road studs and bollards. Minor overnight delays may be experienced at times along the route as temporary traffic lights will be in use for short periods from time to time. Work to replace damaged noise fencing next to the northbound carriageway of the M5 between junctions 3 and 2 is due to start on 27 February and will take around eight weeks to complete. It will be undertaken between 2200 and 0600hrs and 0900 and 1530hrs. During these times, the hard shoulder and inside lane between junctions 3 and 2 will be closed. The Bude Close footbridge, which links Falmouth Road and Hillsley Road near Portsmouth, between junctions 11 and 12 of the M27, will have its concrete bridge deck replaced with a new steel one. Work was due to start on Monday (January 23) and is expected to take eight weeks to complete. The work will require temporary lane restrictions on the M27 between junctions 11 and 12, with the eastbound hard shoulder closed and lane one of the westbound carriageway. There will be three overnight full motorway closures as the bridge deck is dismantled and replaced, with fully signed diversion routes via the A27 and the A3. The dates of the closures will be announced in advance. Overnight maintenance on a six mile section of the A303 in the area of Stonehenge will start on Tuesday, January 31 and continue until March. The work, between the Countess Roundabout and the start of the dual carriageway at Deptford, will include resurfacing, repainting road markings and gulley repairs. There will be overnight closures between 2000 and 0600hrs and clearly signed diversions will be in place. www.coachandbusweek.com
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New commuter route for Tunbridge Wells Inaugural commuter coach service launched between Tunbridge Wells and London Centaur Coaches & Minicoaches has recently launched Centaur Commute, the first commuter coach service between Tunbridge Wells and London. Two routes serve Royal Tunbridge Wells, Langton Green, Pembury, Rusthall and the surrounding areas with an additional route coming soon for Tonbridge and Hildenborough. The operator will cover almost 70 pick up points in and around the Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge areas. The firm offered a free trial service on January 5 and 6, and is offering a second one at the end of the month. The service will run two coaches
on both routes, morning and evening. Passengers also have “direct access by phone or email to those responsible for running the service,” said MD Matthew Sims. The route makes use of bus lanes, a CCTV tracking system and skirts the notorious Longfield Road roundabout in an effort to avoid delays. Passengers can also view the tracker to keep tabs on the coaches. An annual season ticket costs £2,488 – a saving of £1,500 compared with £3,968 on the train. Business continuity manager at Ernst and Young Jo Collins commutes by rail to London Bridge and tested several return journeys on the coach. She said: “The coach picked me up at Pembury Library, 200 yards from my house. Normally I drive
Coaches used on the service include this MAN-powered Noge Catalan Star
Harrison Holidays bought by Australian firm OzBus Kings Lynn-based Harrison Holidays has been bought out by Australian-owned OzBus, based in Cambridgeshire. The Norfolk coach holiday operator called in the administrators in November. Around 20 people lost their jobs and holiday-makers were unsure if their trips would be going ahead. Norwich insolvency specialists
Parker Andrews announced on January 16 that the company had now been sold to OzBus Tours. The sale price is based on a percentage of the turnover of the new business during 2012, expected to be between £100,000 and £200,000 with creditors owed more than £200,000. “It is possible that if the Harrison Holidays brand does extremely
along Pembury Road, find a parking space, walk to the station with a trolley bag and have to get on the train with it. Here there is a luggage rack in the side of the coach. “This is more effective because the journey is less bitty and I can either sleep or work. Reception is fine on my Blackberry and, using a SIM in my laptop, I could use the internet and access e-mails. I understand they are getting Wi-Fi in March. Simon Bishop works in the city. He said: “First of all it’s the money – the savings – and also it’s the convenience. It stops just down the end of my road, whereas usually I would drive to Tonbridge. Door to door I have dropped about 15 to 20 minutes from my journey time if you include parking.” Concern was raised about the limited number of return journeys as passengers were less able to dictate their working day. Matthew Sims said the company was likely to add another coach in the evening “even if not both ways”. He added: “Initially we expect to start at around 50 to 100 passengers, rising to 160 within three months as word gets around and season tickets expire. There are signs that it could be much more. “For many, the door-to-door times may actually be faster than their existing means of travel.” For more information, visit www.commutetolondon. com or call 02083 003001
well, creditors may be paid in full,” said Jamie Playford, director and insolvency specialist at Parker Andrews. OzBus Tours Ltd is owned by Daryl Jones, who is based near Brisbane, and who has operated coach holidays in Australia for more than 40 years. The UK operations, based in Diddington, Cambridgeshire, are run by operations manager Stephen Nattrass. OzBus also plans to reopen Harrison’s former shop on King’s Lynn’s High Street. “We’re pretty hopeful we can
23/01/2012 20:38
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“Community transport shows what can be done when people take responsibility for solving their own problems. It mobilises and engages local communities...” Keith Halstead CTA
Open Platform p39
Phoenix Holidays in administration
Bayliss Executive Travel’s new Sunsundegui-bodied Volvo B9R coach
New B9R for Bayliss Executive Travel Bayliss Executive Travel has taken delivery of a new 13-metre Volvo B9R Sunsundegui coach. Five out of Bayliss’ six coaches are now Volvos. Alistair Bayliss, company owner, said: “They are good solid, reliable vehicles. “Volvo builds quality vehicles that do exactly what they’re designed to do, plus we get the excellent back-up and support from MC Group in Hythe.” The new B9R is fitted with 55 passenger seats, with three point safety belts. It also features a toilet, two TV monitors, servery, CD/DVD player, refrigerator and a safe. Supplied in dealer white and adorned with the Bayliss Executive Travel logo on the front and sides, the new B9R coach also features a special Visit Malta livery at the rear. “It’s all part of a link-up we’ve established with the Maltese take this forward successfully,” explained Stephen Nattrass. “It’s a good brand, it’s got a good history, it’s got some very loyal clients, and we like that.” OzBus will honour customer payments received prior to the company entering administration for tours. If any holidays are not run due to a lack of bookings, OzBus will offer customers a place on an alternative holiday of their choice. The firm also intends to contact former Harrison employees to discuss positions which may be available with the new business.
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Government and tourist board,” explained Alistair Bayliss. “It will hopefully mean the vehicle is also extremely recognisable when travelling around the country.” Bayliss’ new coach will be used across a wide spectrum of work, including some of the firm’s cruise contracts, student travel and private hire. “The versatility of the vehicle was another key factor in our decision,” said Alistair Bayliss. The B9R chassis incorporates the rear-mounted Volvo D9B engine, which is attached to the fully automated Volvo I-Shift 12-speed mechanical gearbox. “Operators like the B9R because of its reliability, flexibility and adaptability,” explained regional coach sales manager, Richard Mann. “Bayliss Executive Travel has been pleased with the performance they’ve had from their existing Volvo coaches and we’re delighted to meet their requirements on this latest purchase.” Visit Bayliss’ website at www.baylissexecutivetravel.
Tour operator Phoenix Travel, based in Gloucestershire, has been placed in administration. The coach travel company, which was formed in 2008 after the collapse of previous tour operator Travelscope, specialised in ski holidays, coach tours and river cruises. Around 20 people were told they’d lost their jobs with immediate effect on January 13 and would receive no pay. The administrators, PR Booth & Co, were called in after an announcement was made to staff. According to the administrators, a “significant drop” in bookings in the fourth quarter of last year led to the business folding As this issue went to press on Monday, details were unavailable as to sums owed to coach operators and those affected.
Phoenix Travel’s business included running ‘reader holidays’ on behalf of newspapers, one of which was featured in CBW when two Peterborough residents recalled their pleasant experiences on board a £99 break to Cologne. In 2008, Travelscope blamed litigation over a cancelled cruise as the reason for going into administration. Former Travelscope manager Darren Parris and Anu Desai formed Phoenix Travel when they rescued failing Travelscope. At the time, more than 250 jobs were lost at the firm and 12,000 holidays cancelled.
Contact the administrator PR Booth & Co by calling 01924 263 777 or email enquiries@prboothandco.co.uk . Visit www.prboothandco.co.uk
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co.uk Parker Andrews will be working closely with OzBus over the coming weeks to ensure a smooth handover and provide information to customers booked on holidays. OzBus Tours Ltd was formed in September 2011 to purchase another failed holiday operator, Oz-Bus UK, which was placed into liquidation in August 2011. OzBus said it was looking to quickly arrange extra tours under the Harrisons brand for 2012. For information on OzBus, visit www.oz-bus.com/
Tel: 0845 3303 446 www.englishchain.co.uk/cbw www.coachandbusweek.com
23/01/2012 20:38
10 | COACH & BUS WEEK | January 25, 2012
nEWS
Travel de Courcey introduces Talking Buses First operator to introduce audio announcements in Coventry and Warwickshire Travel de Courcey has become the first operator in Coventry and Warwickshire to introduce on-bus audio announcements to help blind and partially sighted passengers. The announcements will be launched on the Coventry to Leicester X6 service in February and will be fitted as standard on any new buses added to the firm’s fleet, including new electric buses currently being built for Coventry’s Park and Ride service which operates from the War Memorial Park. The X6 is also being extended to operate every day of the week, with a new Sunday service starting from January 29 to include three return journeys as well as an additional direct link from Burbage to Coventry and Leicester, which includes Fosse Park. Ben Hobday, project manager at Travel de Courcey, said: “As well as having a visual display, our buses on the X6 service now have audio announcements informing passengers of the next stop. “It involves a piece of equipment being fitted to the vehicle which has a satellite navigation system to automatically trigger the right
TAS bus fare survey shows rises below inflation
Many operators have managed to keep increases to below the level of inflation over the last two years, despite the huge rise in fuel costs, according to a new survey. The survey of over 1,000 individual bus fares was undertaken by the TAS Partnership and built on similar work done in 2009. The survey showed the following: the average fare charged for a typical three-mile journey had risen from £1.74 in 2009 to £1.91 in 2011 - an increase of 9.8% www.coachandbusweek.com
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announcements being made at points on the journey between Coventry and Leicester.” The company said it is the latest initiative by Travel de Courcey which has gained widespread recognition for its innovative and customer-focused approach. The X6 service, which serves University Hospital Coventry and Leicester Royal Infirmary, also includes free Wi-Fi for passengers.
The move has been welcomed by Guide Dogs, whose Talking Buses campaign is calling for a change in regulations to make audio and visual information available on bus and coach services throughout the UK (CBW1019). Following the government’s announcement for £50m Better Bus Areas funding for bus companies to reduce congestion, improve bus stations and provide better
Ben Hobday, project manager at Travel de Courcey, with Beverley Muldoon and her guide dog, Fifi with an X6-branded Optare Olympus behind which falls below the 10.1% rise in the RPI over the same period; bus fares continue to vary widely across the country, with the lowest fare charged for a 3-mile journey being 70p and the highest being £3.85; and the average urban fare was £1.89 and the average nonurban single fare was £1.96; fares in urban areas tend to be lower than in non-urban ones; municipal companies tend to have lower single fares but give lower discounts for day and weekly tickets; and Stagecoach and National Express offer the greatest discounts on day and weekly tickets. Scotland had the lowest urban and non-urban single fares, London the highest urban fares and the West Midlands the highest
non-urban single fares. With the exception of the East of England, the average fares tended to be higher for non-urban operations. The continuing growth in availability and use of daily and weekly tickets was also analysed. It was notable that in several parts of the country, a day ticket was cheaper than two singles. In all cases, a day ticket was substantially cheaper than three journeys. The pricing policies for weekly tickets also varied sharply, with savings varying between 16% and 33%. Commenting on the report, TAS operations director Steve Warburton said: “Overall, we clearly show that demographics are the major influence on fare level. External factors leading to high bus use imply lower fares and this leads to a clear north-south divide in the
information for passengers, Guide Dogs wants bus operators to bid to install audio visual systems to make buses easier to use for all. John Welsman, Guide Dogs’ transport policy officer, said: “We’re trying to help the 180,000 people living with sight loss who struggle to leave home alone, and every bus company which adopts audio visual systems helps us to do that. “Buses are often the most accessible and affordable form of public transport for blind and partially sighted people. Not knowing where you are on a journey or when you’ve reached your stop deters many visually impaired people, from using buses. “Providing passengers with audible and visual information about the next stop and final destination will increase their confidence. Welsman concluded: “Travel de Courcey’s new audio visual systems will enhance every passenger’s experience, especially those living with sight loss.” Beverley Muldoon, who lives in Leamington Spa, has cone dystrophy, which means her sight is adversely affected by bright light, and relies on her guide dog, Fifi. “Using a bus without audio visual announcements is difficult because you have to rely on other people to tell you when you’re at your stop, but they often forget” she said. “If you get off at the wrong stop, it’s easy to end up lost. Bus companies such as Travel de Courcey adopting audio visual systems can only be a good thing.” results. After all it is a standard economic principle that high volumes engender lower prices.” Predictably, the report warns fares are likely to rise sharply in 2012 after the BSOG cut in April. “This alone is likely to drive fares up by over 5%, and then there is the pressure of other rising costs with inflation still above 4%,” added Warburton. “This level of increase is likely to lead to increased resistance amongst passengers, leading to the need for further fares increases. If we’re not careful, we could end up with a 1970s-style spiral of decline.” The 100+ page survey report is available from the TAS Publications website, priced £65 + VAT (electronically) or £80 (hard copy). Visit www. taspublications.co.uk
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12 | COACH & BUS WEEK | January 25, 2012
inBOx
LETTER of the week
Partnerships ARE the way forward
Dear Sirs. I feel compelled to let you know of what is taking place regarding the deployment of bus services in the South Meirionnydd area of Gwynedd and the Dyfi Valley. In the current climate it’s understandable financial saving exercises are taking place, compounded by both the cut in BSOG and Local Transport Service Grant. At Lloyds Coaches we currently run a mix of tendered and fully commercial services. In recent years we have worked hard to develop the co-ordinated network of bus services running today in our part of Wales and have used our own commercial flair and acumen to grow the passenger numbers. We are a company with a future and sustainable development strategy with aspirations of providing quality bus services through our network, job prosperity in the region (which is much needed) and continued co-operation and collaboration with various organisations and authorities in bringing about this continued development. As a result of co-operation and collaboration, we run a modern fleet and large commercial elements of the bus network in a hard to operate commercial bus territory. We are able to provide full blown commercial services through a springboard effect on the
Apologies in advance
Dear Sirs. Forgive me if I don’t join you in a drink at the CPT Dinner on Thursday. The reason? Imagine your worst ever hangover. Double it - then double it again. Now try recovering on a never ending roller coaster and you can glimpse my recent fortnight. Alas I have not become a debauched carouser, joined a hellfire club or sought solace in the bottle. I have however, succumbed to a minor operation known as a stapendectomy in my own personal “law effort”. I have been going slowly deaf for many years which has made for some interesting professional encounters. You can only credibly ask clients to repeat themselves three times before guessing at their response and I was horrified at my first CPT Council meeting when I endeavoured to tackle a question on coach seats belts after hearing 10% of the question. My condition www.cbwonline.com
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back end of school buses - which are in place anyway through a statutory requirement. As a result, this is effective utilisation of peak transport (vehicle) resources at minimal cost to the local authority, especially if you consider the council would have to tender for the full blown services and network itself, which would need heavy subsidy due to the low population densities in local rural areas. Sadly the council responsibile for transport provision in Meirionnydd has decided to test the market through its statutory powers and tender out all provision being subsidised by the authority in an attempt to save money. We’ve attempted to reason with the council by stating it needs to work with us in further cost effective usage of its funding in the way described above. However, it is unwilling to enter into this and is failing to see it is presently, without doubt, receiving value for money in the way we operate and utilise resources, be it financial or otherwise. Ironically we therefore find ourselves in a situation whereby if these services are retendered (including the vital school journeys), the whole local bus network could potentially collapse. I’ve pointed this out on several occasions and have highlighted to the council it could end up paying more for the same provision or more for less services. In turn, the council stated if it is faced with paying more it will simply cut services. We recognise and sympathise with the predicament faced by all 22 Welsh authorities and the need to remain within budget. This is
did however, allow me to appear cool and aloof - and I have never truly played anything cool - when obliquely approached by a larger law firm about a merger. The truth was I could not hear a word over the hubbub of the dining room. Lately things have gotten a little worse and when I almost found my head in the nape of the Princess Royal’s neck in front of 650 Scottish operators I knew it was time to take action. Princess Ann was sat to my left (deaf side) during an awards ceremony and as the shortlist was announced chose that moment to ask me a question about (I think) telematics. I craned my right ear to listen to the royal question and became closer than either of us deemed appropriate although Princess Ann was delightfully too pragmatic to say anything. However, her close protection officer seemed rather edgy. A stapendectomy involves drilling the tiniest of holes in the minute stapes bone in the middle ear and then inserting a piston to allow sound to oscillate. So far so good, and I can hear left sided
why working in closer partnerships is needed between the public and private sector but utilising transport expertise. Furthermore, due to the BSOG cut, tender prices will increase at the time of retendering. However, our X28 Coastliner service between Machynlleth and Aberystwyth can be used as a positive model of excellence on how collaboration can work well between the private and public sectors in Ceredigion. We carry statutory school children on behalf of Ceredigion County Council and college students on behalf of Ceredigion College on our commercial service in return for ‘funding for seats’. We have recently invested in a new ADL E400 and have afforded financial savings to Ceredigion County Council. The future certainly looks grim for public transport in rural Wales at the moment, whilst on the other hand a decision at Westminster has only recently been made to invest heavily in high speed train services across England. I recall when I sat one of my many exams at Manchester, years ago, when attaining my chartered member status with the Chartered Institute of Logistic and Transport. The exam question read ‘Transport is the life blood of the economy, please explain’. This is certainly true throughout the country, especially in rural Wales and most certainly aids and maintains economy, recovery and growth as well as social inclusion and environmental issues amongst other elements. Richard Jones, general manager, Lloyds Coaches, Machynlleth
A BUS! Sort of...
Drop us a line and if your letter is chosen as our Letter of the Week, you’ll receive a top-notch coach or bus model courtesy of our friends at Corgi. Please try to keep your letters concise. The editor’s decision is final.
Send your letters to cbwinbox@ rouncymedia.co.uk, fax 0845 2802927 or write to: Inbox, CBW, 3 The Office Village, Cygnet Park, Forder Way, Hampton, Peterborough PE7 8GX
noises never heard before. However, the ear controls hearing and balance. Vertigo was described as a side effect and the post operative literature said patients “can feel detached from reality”. After seven days of vomiting and learning to walk again, I can agree. Thanks to the skill of my surgeon I expect to make a full recovery and hopefully hear the most mumbling judge in an empty courtroom. But it is imperative to seek the positive in all life’s experiences. So what have I learned? Three things. Firstly, banisters are actually really useful. Secondly, I’ve come to empathise with clients who say they feel detached and submerged by the legal process with far off voices talking about disorientated and disjointed issues. Thirdly, the radio is an easier medium than telly. It remains to be seen if I make it to the Annual Dinner and I hope the bonhomie of prodigious drinkers leads to a simple morning only hangover! Drinks are on the house; James and Jonathon BackHOUSE. Ian Jones, Backhouse Jones
23/01/2012 18:32
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January 25, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 13
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14 | COACH & BUS WEEK | January 25, 2012
nEWS › TECHNOLOGY
Free app for Daimler buses First telematics supplier to offer a fleet management and driving analysis app for the Apple iPhone and iPad Daimler FleetBoard has become the first supplier of telematics technology to offer a fleet management and driving analysis app for the Apple iPhone and iPad. Operators can use it to control their fleet of buses or coaches at any time and from any location. The trip recorder makes it possible to display the most recent journey made. The app enables operators to monitor how their vehicles are being used, their drivers’ working hours, the fuel consumption and the drivers’ driving style. It is even possible to show the status of doors and boarding ramps. To use the FleetBoard app it is necessary to have a vehicle equipped with FleetBoard, with a FleetBoard service contract. The new FleetBoard app is available for a limited period free of charge from the App Store. The app has already been available for some time now for trucks and vans. Until now, the telematics system for buses has been known as Omniplus BusFleet. The busspecific telematics system for rural-service buses, touring coaches and urban buses from Daimler FleetBoard GmbH has been available and undergoing further development for some weeks now. Trust is important but, as operators know, transparency is even better - and an indispensable factor if a company is to operate economically and efficiently. The FleetBoard fleet management system provides effective support, allowing fleet operators to take advantage of the app, even if they’re out and about. The FleetBoard system can be factory fitted in any fully equipped Mercedes-Benz and Setra bus or coach, or – as also in the case of buses and coaches made by other manufacturers – retrofitted. Several operators are already working successfully with FleetBoard and making extensive use of the telematics system in their daily operations. “We have more than 10 years’ experience of working with commercial vehicle fleets. www.coachandbusweek.com
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data can then be transferred automatically into a payroll system. With FleetBoard, the download of driver card data from the bus which is required by law can be undertaken regardless of the time of day or the location of the vehicle. FleetBoard also allows the remote transfer of mass storage data from the onboard digital tachograph. Where a coach is away from base for longer periods, this can bring significant savings in time and costs.
The FleetBoard app can be used on an ipad or iphone (pictured) Particularly when diesel prices are high, our customers appreciate the way in which FleetBoard can help make significant reductions in fuel consumption,” said Markus Lipinsky, MD of Daimler FleetBoard GmbH.
Mapping: Keeping tabs on buses around the world at all times. The fleet manager can locate the whereabouts of a vehicle on a digital map that can be brought up on any computer with internet access, or track its route at 30-second intervals. It is possible to switch between map and satellite views or to select a combination of both. Mapping can also be used to show important occurrences during the course of the trip, or to display warning and status messages. A geofencing function makes it possible to define specific areas where entry and exit are monitored. As well as providing resource planning information on both the bus and the driver, this is also a significant security feature in the event of a vehicle theft.
Driver analysis: Evaluation of driving style and realisation of potential savings. FleetBoard can help to optimise its economic efficiency, as the right driving style can reduce both fuel consumption and wear and tear by up to 10%. FleetBoard interprets driver and vehicle-related data, taking the assessment of driving style and the complexity of the route into consideration in the process. The underlying data relating to vehicle speeds, engine speeds, hard braking
and other such information provide an objective basis for conclusions about the way the bus or coach is being handled. Such monitoring also provides feedback for the driver as to what measures he can take to improve his driving style and perhaps most importantly, to become a safer driver. Internal investigations by Daimler have shown that improving driving style can cut accident rates by up to 90%.
Trip recorDing: Transparency in everyday operations. The data thus accumulated makes it possible to ascertain precisely the times and places at which the bus has been stationary or on the move. Reliable information about whether the doors were open or closed at any particular point can be obtained. This information can then be used, for example, to deal with customer issues by establishing whether a specific bus was on time and available for boarding at a given stop. Similarly, operators are able to produce data showing the use of the access ramp by passengers with restricted mobility. The driver is able to use preset message buttons to send standardised messages back to the bus depot. In return, the firm can also send messages to the display in the driver’s instrument cluster. TiMe ManageMenT: Automatic capture and archiving of tachograph data. The time management function facilitates optimum planning of working hours on the basis of drivers’ rest periods and remaining driving time. All relevant
service: Evaluation of operating data and optimised maintenance scheduling. All key bus operating data, such as mileage or tank fill level, are displayed via FleetBoard. The system will also send selected warning messages from the vehicle, allowing repairs to be made in a prompt and targeted fashion. Further messages transmitted by the vehicle allow evaluation of factors such as retarder use, or how long auxiliary heating systems or air conditioning are being kept on for. This in turn allows conclusions to be drawn about the condition of the vehicle and thus of its economic efficiency and the level of comfort provided. FleetBoard allows fleet operators to plan efficiently for any services which are due, or any timeconsuming vehicle checks that need to be made. The vehicle data is recorded via a standardised FMS interface in the bus and stored in the FleetBoard on-board computer before being transmitted. The transfer of data takes place via GPRS to a central FleetBoard server. Registered FleetBoard users have secure access via the internet to the bus client containing all the data and evaluation results.
Daimler FleetBoard GmbH’s FleetBoard has a proven reputation of many years’ standing, offering improved economic efficiency and transparency. It provides user-friendly technology to assist drivers in their daily work. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Daimler AG, based in Stuttgart, the company has been tested and certified by DEKRA in accordance with DIN EN ISO 9000:2008.
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nEWS › REGIONAL
nORTH
The future of Preston’s bus station will be discussed on February 2, when a campaigner will present a five-minute address on the issue. John Wilson, who launched an online petition to debate the future of the iconic building in November, has secured 1,435 signatures after needing 1,250 to secure the debate. He said: “I feel I am representing every one of the people who has signed the petition and I believe they should be the ones who get the final say. “I have called this petition a referendum on the future of the bus station and 80% of the people I have spoken with have said they believe it should be kept in use. “2012 is an important year for Preston, it is our first Guild as a city and there will be thousands of people coming through the bus station. “What are they going to think of it at the moment?” Speaking after hosting a “listening event” on the bus station last week, council leader Peter Rankin said: “The bus station is obviously a building which divides opinion and we want to listen to all sides of the argument.” Atherton-based South Lancs Travel has merged with Strawberry Bus from St Helens, after the former was bought by D&G of Uttoxeter. As SLT’s depot is much larger, Strawberry has moved to the Atherton depot. New joint operations director Oliver Howarth, who himself set up Strawberry two years ago after being operations director for Blackpool Transport, said there should be very few noticeable differences. He said: “The one thing bus service customers dislike above all other is change. They want consistency reliability and continuity. They don’t want buses changing times and routes and they are not going to get that. “You might perhaps see one of the other buses in the area covering for a vehicle if the regular one has broken down. “We are very pleased with how smoothly the transition has gone. “We will gradually merge the companies but we are not making any hasty announcements. We are aiming to bring stability above all else. “We have lost a couple of staff due to the overlap but by and large the transition affects neither www.coachandbusweek.com
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safety. “Drivers have to look at the times on a little board at the side of the road to check if they can be in them or not at certain times. Every time they are looking at these signs, they are taking their eyes off the road, which is my biggest concern.”
KEY
SCOTLAND NORTHERN IRELAND REP OF IRELAND NORTH WALES MIDLANDS EAST LONDON SOUTH EAST SOUTH WEST
customers nor employees.” South Lancs Travel is the trading name of Green Triangle Buses which was established with four vehicles in 1998 by Martin Bott and David Stewart. D&G Bus bought the pair’s remaining shares along with shareholder Julian Peddle, although they are remaining with the newlymerged firm as consultants. Mr Stewart said: “We will not have the pressure of control, but will have the benefit of still being involved within a business and industry which has formed a large part of our lives for so long.” Motorists in Bolton will be fined £60 for driving in bus lanes at peak times, as part of a new crackdown. The measures are part of a Greater Manchesterwide scheme to keep bus corridors car-free, which Town Hall bosses say will reduce congestion. A CCTV monitor system is almost in place and ready to go live. Motoring groups said they are opposed to bus lanes in principle, arguing the “confusing” bus lane regime will lead to big fines for motorists who accidently go into bus lanes at prohibited times. Currently, only Manchester City Council provides civil enforcement of bus lanes. Bolton, and the remaining Greater Manchester authorities, are keen to join them. Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is meeting the cost of the plan as it wants to see a
WALES
uniform approach to keeping bus lanes car-free across the county. Michael Renshaw, bus and rail director at TfGM, said: “Bolton Council is currently consolidating its Traffic Regulation Orders to harmonise bus lane hours of operation in preparation for the future addition of bus lane enforcement to its existing parking enforcement regime.” A Bolton Council spokesman said: “Most of the CCTV infrastructure is already in place for enforcement, but there are certain places in the town centre where some further work still needs to be carried out. “Across Greater Manchester, bus lane operational times are being standardised to provide consistency and assist motorists understanding of the restrictions in force.” The three standard periods of operation will be: 24 hours; 0700 to 1900hrs; and 0700 to 1000hrs and 1600 to 1900hrs. Fines will be £60, reduced to £30 for early payment. Police can already enforce bus lanes. Association of British Drivers spokesman and retired traffic officer Keith Peat said the campaign group was opposed to bus lanes as they cleared the way for private bus companies at the expense of motorists. “They also excessively punished motorists who could mistakenly end up in a bus lane”, he added. But he said his main concern was
A new bus route will be launched linking Blaenau Gwent to Torfaen, after a local operator pumped £40,000 into the venture. Pontypool-based Phil Anslow Coaches will start running the service from Brynmawr to Cwmbran every hour in both directions from February 20. Phil Anslow said: “Cwmbran is an up-and-coming place and it allows people from other parts of Gwent to travel there for work and shopping. There is no other service offering this route and it is just about being innovative, filling a gap and offering something which is not there.” Mr Anslow said people in Blaenau Gwent currently have to get a bus to Newport and then another to Cwmbran, so the new route will cut journey time significantly. Buses will run every hour between 0800 and 1700hrs, stopping in Brynmawr, Blaina, Nantyglo, Abertillery, Six Bells, Aberbeeg, Llanhilleth, Swffryd, Pontypool and then Cwmbran. Mr Anslow also said the move had helped save four jobs after four unprofitable routes, in Treowen, Wyllie and Risca to Newport had been withdrawn. He currently has 19 vehicles which run nine commercial routes and a number of school runs from the company’s headquarters on Varteg Hill. Exact fares for the routes have not yet been calculated, but are expected to be in line with existing routes in Gwent.
SOUTH EAST
An open top bus tour in the New Forest carried more than 14,000 people in its first six weeks. The red route offered by New Forest Tours takes people around Burley, Ringwood, Fordingbridge and Lyndhurst, and was launched to complement the established green route visiting Beaulieu, Brocken-hurst and Lymington. The green route carried 20,000 people during the summer. The red route was introduced as
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a pilot scheme during the school summer holiday and aimed to help visitors learn more about the forest with a commentary, and encourage them to visit local businesses. David Harrison, lead member for transport at the New Forest National Park Authority, said: “This pilot tour has been a phenomenal success. The feedback has been extremely positive and we are working hard to ensure the red route will become a regular fixture in the north and west of the forest during the summer months.” It is estimated more than 147,000 private car miles were saved by the New Forest Tour this year and its customers generated a contribution of nearly £500,000 to the local economy. The hop-on hop-off New Forest Tour route has been made possible by a partnership between the New Forest National Park Authority, Wilts & Dorset bus company and Sandy Balls Holiday Centre. Brett Turner, operations director at Sandy Balls Holiday Centre, said: ‘Sandy Balls is very pleased to have been a partner in this summer’s successful New Forest Tour. Not
January 25, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 17
Coach & Bus Week takes a look at the big issues where you live in our round-up of the regions. If you’ve got a local issue you would like us to cover, contact James Day at james.day@rouncymedia.co.uk.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
only have our guests and local residents enjoyed the benefits of this new sustainable access to the forest but so has the local business community, with reports of increased trading along the route.”
2012
SOUTH WEST
Figures show Thamesdown Transport received £78,955 in overpayments during 2011 under its exact fare policy. The information, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, shows the extra cash is the highest since the policy came into force in 2005. It is put into the municipal’s overall revenue pot and helps to meet operating costs, but campaigners say it should help to reinstate the affected services. The news follows the withdrawl of several marginal routes, which appears to have been unpopular. Conservative cllr Richard Hurley said: “It’s money they’ve got by default and I think if the public knew how much they had already received through the system they would be quite surprised, so I think perhaps it should go towards helping those services.”
n January 26 CPT National Dinner. Hilton Park Lane, London. 020 7240 3131 www.cpt-uk.org n January 28 Excursions 2012. Alexandra Palace, London. www. excursions.org.uk n February 4 Mid Anglia Coach Operators Association Dinner Dance. The Bedford Lodge Hotel, Newmarket. Contact Bridget Paterson on 01638 780066 or email sales@nealstravel.com n March 14-15 Best of Britain and Ireland (BoBi). Travel Trade Forum. NEC, 01926 834796. www. bestofbritainandirelandevent.co.uk n March 15 Volvo Bus social evening in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust’s Warwickshire Appeal. Century Court House, Warwick. Pam Matthews 01926 414 553 or e-mail pam.matthews@volvo.com n March 18 Leyland National 40th Anniversary. Organised by the Leyland National Group, Nationals on static display and working in service.The British Commercial Vehicle Museum in Leyland. www.leylandnational
group.co.uk
n March 31 ‘M&D and EK 60’. Kent Showground on the A249 near Maidstone. www.arrivabus.co.uk/ MDEK60, contact mdekbusclub@ gmail.com n April 14 Paul S Winson Coaches Running Day. Loughborough and local area. www.busrunningday. co.uk, contact info@busrunningday. co.uk n April 19, 2012 UK Coach Awards. Ramada Jarvis Piccadilly Hotel in Manchester, 0870 900 1450. www.ukcoachawards.co.uk
Stagecoach Oxfordshire has extended and improved upon its service between Oxford and Bicester. Some changes took place on December 11, with twice as many buses running on Sundays and some slight alteration to evening journeys to suite Bicester Village opening hours. The majority of the improvements, however, came into effect on January 15. There are more buses, running up to every 15 minutes throughout the day, later weekend nightbuses leaving Oxford around 3am and commuter journeys direct to Oxford city centre run by 87 seat double deck Oxford Tube coaches. New luxury Gold buses have also been introduced, featuring leather seats, cleaner greener engines and free Wi-Fi. The dedicated team of drivers on the route will be enlarged with the creation of several new jobs. Carole Stevens, Stagecoach Bus manager said: “We are carrying many more people from Bicester to Oxford and these changes will help to meet the extra demand anticipated from new housing developments and the redevelopment of the town centre. “We are delighted with the introduction of direct buses to the JR Hospital which is going to be a real advantage to people living in Bicester and working at the JR.”
n April 19-21 Busworld Turkey. Istanbul Expo Center, Turkey. www.busworldturkey.com/en/ index.html n April 21-22 UK Coach Rally. East of England Showground, Peterborough. 01753 631170. www.coachdisplays.co.uk n April 24-26 CV Show. NEC, Birmingham. 01634 261262.
www.cvshow.com
n May 22-23 ALBUM Conference. – Forest Pines Hotel, near Brigg, North Lincolnshire. www.albumconference.co.uk
The Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust will hold its Annual Open Day at Bridgeton on October 14 n June 10 Barry Festival of Transport. Organised by Cardiff Transport Preservation Group, Barry, South Wales. postmaster@-ctpg. co.uk. www.ctpg.co.uk n August 3-5 Bedford OB GetTogether. South Cerney Airfield, Cirencester, GL7 5QB. Contact the organiser Tim Wootton by email on tim@tjcs.freeserve.co.uk. Visit http://www.bedfordob.com/ n August 27 The National Association of Road Transport Museums gala day. The Transport Museum, Wythall, near Birmingham. www.wythall.org.uk n September 8-9 UK Bus Driver of the Year, Blackpool. Call competition secretary Bill Holmes on 01303 251462. www.bdoy.co.uk n September 16 Showbus. Imperial War Museum, Duxford, Cambridgeshire. www.showbus.com n September 20-27 IAA Commercial Vehicles. Hannover. +(00)49 30897842. www.iaa.de n October 14 Midland Red Centenary of the Reintroduction of Motorbuses. The Transport Museum, Wythall, near Birmingham. www.wythall.org.uk n October 18 CILT Annual Awards for Excellence Dinner. London. 01536 740104. www.ciltuk.org.uk n November 6-8 Euro Bus Expo. NEC, Birmingham. 01926 834790. www.eurobusxpo.com n November 20 UK Bus Awards – provisional date. www.ukbusawards.org.uk
2013 n May 26-30 UITP Congress & Exhibition. Palexpo, Geneva. www.uitp.org. +(00)32 2673 6100.
Do you have an event to promote? Send details to gareth.evans@rouncymedia.co.uk www.coachandbusweek.com
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nEWS › TOURISM
1710
The last time Canons Ashby House underwent major redevelopment
BriEfly Sheppy’s Farm and Cider Centre in Taunton, Somerset, offers guided tours for groups of 20 plus between April and October on Saturdays and Thursday evenings. The tour includes a tractor/trailer ride through the orchards, a visit to the cellars and museum, where groups can hear an explanation of the cider making process, and a cider tasting session with a meal in the tea room. The shop stocks a range of locally produced products including cheeses, meat and preserves and of course cider. The tour costs £16 each. The extensive farm and duck pond is home to many animals, and a playground is open all year round. For more information visit www. sheppyscider.com or call 01823 461233. Visit Manchester is the official website for all things tourism-based in the Cottonopolis. The site is packed with things to do, popular accommodation and top restaurants and bars. Currently the site features the city’s best real ale pubs, Chester Zoo, and recommended days out for kids including The Legoland Discovery Centre, the Chill Factor and Aerial Extreme. For more ideas in and around Greater Manchester, head to www.visitmanchester.com Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company has undergone a £1.2m redevelopment of its historic Queens Park Station. The attraction has promised a bigger and better service for 2012. The new-look Booking Hall aims to transport passengers back to “The Golden Age of Steam” as soon as they enter the station. The scheme will be completed by March 31, 2012. Visit www.dartmouthrailriver. co.uk for information on group discounts, coach parking and various activities and attractions.
Exclusive private tours of impressive medieval castle This 14th century fortress is ideal for a group day out. Raby Castle near Darlington, Co Durham, now offers groups an exclusive private guided tour alongside the popular VIP and guided tours already on offer. The exclusive tour will include refreshments in the castle’s Grand Entrance Hall, a private tour of the castle by an experienced guide and a souvenir guide book for each guest. The tour is available for groups of 12 or more at £17.50 each.
Groups can also book general free flow visits during July and August allowing visitors time to enjoy the fabulous interiors, fine furniture, impressive artworks and elaborate architecture. The rest of the day can be spent relaxing in the grounds and gardens, or visiting the shop and tearooms. Guided tours only take place Monday to Wednesday in May, June and September. General group admission is £7.50 for adults and £4 for children for the castle park and gardens, or £4.50
Visit www.rabycastle.com for more information or call the admin office on 01833 660202.
The castle is surrounded by beautiful countryside
Go plane crazy at Shuttleworth The Shuttleworth Collection is an aeronautical museum near Biggleswade, which depicts the history of flight between the 1900s and the 1950s. In the summer, all the airworthy aircraft are flown, re-creating flying during the Edwardian period and
the two wars. The site is also home to a Swiss Garden and a bird of prey centre. Group packages are available at £22 per person and include a guided tour of the collection, lunch and a guided tour of the garden. There is free parking and coach drivers receive a meal voucher. The above package is only available on weekdays and not on special event and flying days.
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for adults and £2.50 for children for just the park and gardens. Group benefits include free parking and familiarisation visits, free admission for the coach driver and organiser, meal vouchers for coach drivers, and an optional meet and greet service on the coach. There is ample free coach parking in the grounds and a coach drop off and pick up point right outside the castle gates. Set in the heart of the Durham Dales, Raby Castle is one of England’s finest medieval castles, surrounded by beautiful countryside containing a 250acre deer park and 18th century walled gardens. A horse-drawn carriage collection is housed in the old stables. There is a gift shop to visit and tearooms, which can accommodate groups for lunch and light snacks. The park and gardens are open between 1100 and 1730hrs, while the castle is open between 1300 and 1630hrs.
For more information visit www.shuttleworth.org
A Bristol Boxkite takes to the skies at Shuttleworth
Saturday 25 February 2012 EventCity, Manchester
Organise group travel? Great Days Out is the event for you. Register now for your FREE tickets at greatdaysout.com
www.coachandbusweek.com
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£1.2m 80 Cost of redeveloping the Queens Park Station at Dartmouth Steam Railway
The minutes allotted to the hawk-walk where visitors to Knockhatch can experience falconry first hand
NTPL STEPHEN ROBSON
A manor house with centuries of history
National trust-owned Canons Ashby House is an Elizabethan manor house, largely unaltered since 1710. The building still features Elizabethan wall paintings and Jacobean plasterwork, while the garden has been restored to its Victorian style, and the parkland offers a glimpse of medieval history. Canons Ashby is 8.4 miles south of Daventry in Northamptonshire, exit 16 off the M1. There is parking for two coaches, 200 yards from the entrance. Introductory talks are available as part of an on-board coach welcome. Group admission is £7.50 each to view the whole site, or £3.10 each for just the gardens, which are best viewed between May and August. The garden tea-room can seat 72 in two sittings, and tables can be reserved for groups. The house is open between February 18 and December 16, but check in advance for specific opening times. For more information ring 01327 860044 or email canonsashby@nationaltrust. org.uk
dEAlS OF THE WEEK The Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth is currently displaying some of the costumes worn during the final season of the Emmy Award-winning series The Tudors. The costumes will be on display until April 15, and entry can be gained with a Portsmouth Historic Dockyard ticket. Viewable outfits include those worn by
diESEl priCES
The Edwardian house and garden is part of the 1,300-acre Lyme Park
Large estate on edge of Peak District The golden era of Lyme Park was in the Edwardian age, when it was a great sporting estate before the Great War. The estate, six miles from Stockport, includes the impressive house with its lavish interiors, and a beautiful garden set against sweeping moorland. The 1,300 acre park with its medieval herd of red and fallow deer offers fantastic walks and stunning views. Children can let off steam in Crow Wood Playscape whilst the
Jonathan Rhys Meyers as King Henry VIII, Joss Stone as Anne of Cleves and Joely Richardson as Catherine Parr. An all-inclusive ticket (adults £16, seniors £13.50, children £11.50) will give groups the chance to visit six separate attractions including HMS Victory, the National Museum of the Royal Navy and a harbour tour. Single attraction tickets are £10.50 for adults, £9 for seniors and £7.50 for children. The Mary Rose Museum also offers exclusive guided tours for groups, led by a costumed
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coffee shop offers hot and cold snacks, soups and cakes. Group admission is £9.50 per person, but groups cannot be catered for on weekends or bank holidays. The park and coffee shop are open all year round except for Christmas Day, while the house is open between February 25 and October 28, and the garden is open between February 25 and December 31. There is parking for one coach a mile from the entrance, and a drop-off point 150 yards away for booked house visitors. Parking is free if pre-booked.
For more information email lymepark@nationaltrust. org.uk or ring 01663 762023
guide. The minimum group size is 15, and bookings must be made at least 10 days in advance. Coaches can drop off at The Hard Interchange, 200 metres from the main entrance, and parking is available at the D-Day Museum, St George’s Road or Museum Road on a first come first served basis. n For more information visit www. historicdockyard.co.uk Knockhatch Adventure Park near Eastbourne in East Sussex is a day out packed with family fun. The 40-acre park
Cost per litre in pence: Great Britain Sweden Belgium Italy Germany Ireland Netherlands France Czech Republic Greece Portugal Austria Hungary Spain Slovenia Poland Luxembourg
140.90 136.28 129.02 127.65 125.52 123.55 123.55 123.47 118.94 118.77 117.83 116.38 114.63 109.30 108.36 104.40 104.26
HOlidAy pOUnd £1 will get you: Euro Switzerland (Franc) Norway (Kroner) Hungary (Forint) Czech Republic (Koruna) Poland (Zloty)
1.20 1.45 9.15 359.46 30.36 5.13
features a falconry centre, a rowing boat lake, a children’s farm, a gokart race track and lots more. New for 2012 is the hawk-walk – an 80 minute walk which aims to share the excitement and joy of handling and flying one of nature’s top-class predators in a safe environment. The park is open weekends between April and October, as well as a number of selected weekdays. Groups of 16 plus receive a 25% discount on entry prices. n For more information visit www.knockhatch.com
Saturday 25 February 2012 EventCity, Manchester
Packed with new ideas, features and information from over 200 destinations and attractions, representing all regions from the UK and Ireland. For more information visit greatdaysout.com www.coachandbusweek.com
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nEWS › BUSINESS
2%
The average pay rise in the private sector (Office for National Statistics)
BriEfly Ministers should learn from German industry if they want to rebalance the economy to boost manufacturing, the TUC said. A TUC report has highlighted different approaches between the two countries; Germany giving more support to mediumsized companies, which are the “backbone” of its economy, while the UK emphasis is on large firms and the very smallest organisations, with “little thought” to those in between. TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: “The UK economy is crying out for assistance and a revival in our manufacturing sector, and less of a dependence on the financial sector, will be a crucial factor in creating thousands of much-needed jobs.” High inflation, rising utility bills and reduced consumer spending has caused small business confidence to plummet to the lowest level in two years, according to the latest quarterly survey from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). Also, one in eight of the 1,600 firms polled for the FSB by the Centre for Economic and Business Research expected a worsening economic situation in the next quarter. The FSB has called for government measures to encourage bank lending to small firms and boost investment through the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme, while acknowledging these policies will take time to feed in. A new group aimed at improving the way the government and banks support micro businesses has been launched. Representing 4.5m business owners, the selfemployed and sole traders, who employ up to nine workers and run 95% of all UK companies, Enterprise Rockers say micro firms have “taken a right pounding from government, big business and the banks over the last 10 years”. Its social media campaign is using the #MicroBizMatters hashtag to encourage people to sign a petition calling for “clearer communication by government on the contribution and benefit of its policies, programmes and support to micro enterprises”. www.coachandbusweek.com
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Cable hails engineering talent scheme a success The scheme matches those facing redundancy with manufacturing and engineering companies Business Secretary Vince Cable met with executives from BAE Systems, Rolls- Royce and Nissan yesterday to discuss the progress of a new scheme helping to retain vital engineering skills in the UK. Formally launched in July last year, the Talent Retention Scheme (TRS) was initiated to match skilled employees facing redundancy to UK companies in growing sectors of advanced manufacturing and engineering who are recruiting. The free service has received backing from a number of leading companies and industry bodies, including the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). Speaking last week, Vince Cable said: “The TRS provides a way for advanced manufacturing and engineering companies to recruit
engineers quickly. “It supports UK economic growth by ensuring that sectors who are winning business and recruiting can secure vital engineering
Business secretary Vince Cable says the Talent Retention Scheme provides a way to recruit engineers
Staff shedding means bolder government The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has urged government to be bolder in its changes to existing employment law to incentivise employment, as new figures show small businesses will look to shed staff in the first three months of 2012. The FSB’s warning came ahead of statistics published by the Office of National Statistics last week showing UK unemployment rose by 118,000 in the three months to November to 2.685m and a rise the unemployment rate to 8.4% from 8.3%, the highest since January 1996. Figures from the FSB ‘Voice of Small Business’ Index show that a net balance of 6.5% small firms plan to lay off workers in the first three months of 2012 – the highest level since the survey began.
Tinkering and increasing existing employment laws will only make things worse, says John Walker, national chairman of the FSB The ‘Voice of Small Business’ Index also shows that a balance of 4.8% of small businesses reduced their headcount in the three months from October to December – slightly less than businesses had expected. The FSB is urging the government to ‘think small first’ when it responds to the Modern Workplaces consultation and is calling for:
talent from companies which are in a different economic cycle. I encourage engineering firms to take advantage of this important opportunity to add to their skillsets, and particularly SMEs for who the service is free.” Stephen Tetlow, chief executive of the IMechE, added: “Without the right skills the UK’s economy cannot prosper, so during the current economic climate it is more important than ever to work together to redeploy and retain talent in the UK. “This tool helps link up those who have found themselves facing redundancy with top employers around the country who are desperately looking to recruit engineers. It’s good news for engineers looking for work, for companies looking to recruit and for the country as a whole as a way of retaining crucial skills needed to get the economy back on its feet.”
Micro firms to be made exempt from the extension of the right to request flexible working for all; A complete and simplified reform of maternity and paternity leave in the future – doing so in an uncertain economic environment could harm businesses; and A micro business exemption from proposals on pay audits which will require employers who lose an Employment Tribunal case to carry out a potentially costly, time consuming and complex pay audit. “The beginning of 2012 is beginning to look bleak with confidence incredibly low and businesses looking to shed staff,” said FSB national chairman, John Walker. “Tinkering and increasing existing employment laws will only serve to worsen this situation. But by putting simple measures in place, such as excluding micro firms from the right to request flexible working for all, will help free businesses from the shackle of red tape so they can grow, innovate and take on new staff.”
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5,000
The number of jobs created by the private sector during the three months to November last year
Get tough on takeovers, says Miliband Labour leader Ed Miliband has called for tighter regulation on takeovers to protect the long-term interests of British business. In an article for the Financial Times, the Labour leader said hostile takeovers of recent years highlighted the “short-termism that blights British enterprise”. Under plans being considered by Labour, he said investors who buy shares after a company receives a takeover approach would be banned from voting on its sale. He said firms needed a defence “against fund managers chasing the fast buck”. Under another proposal, a threshold of two-thirds rather than a majority of shareholders would be required before a takeover can succeed. “Some argue the government should just stay out of the way,” he said. “But the rules which govern the system shape outcomes and it is no accident that too many takeovers are decided on the basis of short-term decision-making by people who never had any interest in the long-term success of the company concerned. “The rules need to change to help companies take decisions which drive long-term value creation.” Milliband also referred to the “unedifying spectacle” of Cadbury being bought by US firm Kraft in 2010 as investors gambled that the bid would succeed. Foreign mergers and acquisition investment in the UK totalled £56.8bn and represented 75.6 per cent of all UK M&A activity last year, the highest proportion on record.
Too many takeovers are being agreed on the basis of short-term decision making, warns Ed Miliband
6.5%
January 25, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 21
The number of small firms planning to lay off workers in the first three months of 2012
Empowering staff in the bus industry was the focus of last spring’s ALBUM conference
BLOg of the week
THinK BiggEr ABOUT EngAgEmEnT AT WOrK
Engagement at work is not only about loyalty and keeping staff turnover low but about encouraging productivity, says John Wenger, director of Quantum Shift on www.businesszone.co.uk Shifting to a new way of thinking is required when our tried and tested ways of explaining the world no longer fits our experience. For example, performance management systems keep people on track with achieving their KPI’s, but have limited use in generating genuine engagement at work. Year after year, surveys show employees are becoming less and less engaged at work. The phenomenon that Roger Herman calls ‘warm chair attrition’ is here to stay unless we think bigger about how to generate workplaces where people feel compelled to come in every day. Despite stubbornly high unemployment, there is still a talent shortage, so you don’t want your good people to jump ship and leave behind the less capable to run things. Not only is engagement about loyalty and low staff turnover, it is also connected to productivity. How do you get people to accomplish more in the same time but without increasing stress, lowering morale and compromising quality or safety? It’s definitely not done purely through KPI’s. One key link between people capability and the bottom line is growing and developing transformational leaders - the ones who listen to people and can gauge
how they feel. These are the people who overlay leadership onto a good set of management skills in ways which motivate people to engage more. Ask yourself these questions: Is there a culture of autonomy and accountability woven into the fabric of our organisation? People want their work to be meaningful, they want to work for successful organisations and they feel satisfied when their contributions are valued. This implies a culture where regular and frequent conversations about performance are par for the course; where people are treated with respect; where initiative and creativity are encouraged and rewarded, not shunned or ignored. How do we show that we care about people? Transformational leaders understand this is not just about caring for employees, but also about creating and nurturing a culture of caring for each other through the whole of an organisation. This is also not something we can just pay lip service to; it needs to be genuine caring. Do we have mechanisms whereby we can identify those people who are ‘naturally chosen’ by staff members, as potential leadership material? These people may have the ‘raw materials’, such as a caring attitude, good listening skills or ability to mentor others. We need to grow these people and invest in developing the other qualities they will need as they take up more visible leadership roles.
How much do we invest in learning and development? People want to improve their capabilities to perform a wide range of tasks at work. This involves ‘soft skills’ training as well the technical stuff. If we are thinking about leader development, it’s probably important to remember that they will have had their fill of ‘hard’ or technical training and will require more ongoing, longterm development in the areas of communication, self-awareness and relationship management. Do we focus on developing the ‘people skills’ of our managers? It’s been said that people join good organisations but leave bad leaders. Managers direct, but leaders inspire, nurture, get genuinely interested in people and set good examples. Research into this area shows that about 2/3 of a manager’s job is related to ‘people skills’, with only 1/3 related to their technical know-how. What do we do when we ‘fail’? Are mistakes seen as opportunities to learn and find new ways of doing things? Remember the (probably apocryphal) story of Thomas Edison: when his assistants came to him bemoaning the fact they had tried 500 ways of getting this new-fangled ‘light-bulb’ thing to work, but to no avail, Edison is reputed to have said, “That’s great! Now we know 500 things NOT to do. Keep going.” Considering these questions leads us to bigger thinking about business, staff engagement and the bottom line. The problem we see is often not the real problem and bigger thinking can help us to uncover other truths that are screaming out for attention. www.coachandbusweek.com
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infrAStrUCtUrE › west ham garage
West Ham Bus Garage, able to hold 320 buses, is the biggest garage in London
www.coachandbusweek.com
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27%
The amount of CO2 emissions the garage is estimated to save
£48m 7.2 The cost of the garage funded mainly by Transport for London
January 25, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 23
Number of acres the garage covers, making it the biggest in London
A feat of architecture and sustainability
West Ham bus garage is the newest, largest and greenest bus garage in London. David Jones, Stagecoach London’s customer services manager, took Coach & Bus Week’s Meera Rambissoon through the many sustainable features of the building
W
hen it comes to form and function, West Ham Bus Garage in East London has both. Not only is it a feat of modern architecture – with an elegant four-arched composition reminiscent of the 1950s Stockwell bus garage – but it is a triumph in sustainability, not least with its living green roof, rain water harvesting, biomass heating system and onsite electricity generation from a wind turbine. Highly commended in the environment category of last November’s UK Bus Awards, the garage was one of the buildings featured in the Open House London weekend last September, giving architects and Stagecoach London (formerly East London Bus Group), who lease the building, a chance to show it off to the public.
Background
The building of the newest garage in the capital came about as part of the plan to relocate two garages in Waterden Road, Hackney located within the Olympic Park area, which were demolished to make way for the 2012 Olympic Games infrastructure. “Unsightly old Victorian garages’ are the words used by one of the architects of the garage, the firm Pringle
www.coachandbusweek.com
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infrAStrUCtUrE › west ham garage
Stagecoach London’s David Jones (left), the living green roof planted with sedum (middle) and vehicles which are to be used for the 2012 Olympics (right) Richards Sharratt, to describe the previous garages. The project for the new replacement at West Ham cost £48m and was funded by Transport for London (TfL) as well as a contribution by the London Development Agency. The site of the garage was previously home to the delivery firm ParcelForce’s buildings and warehouse. Construction of the garage took place immediately to the south of a temporary parking area and the main structure was in place by the end of March 2009, at which time ParceForce vacated its site further south of the garage which became the bus parking area. By December 2009, engineering and operating staff moved in, joined by head office staff from Ilford in February 2010. Work on the parking, washing and fuelling area was completed in June the same year, when the contractors handed over the site.
Garage by numbers
The garage occupies 7.2 acres of land, making it the largest bus garage in London and has parking capacity for up to 320 vehicles and engineering facilities with 30 individual bus maintenance bays. It also has dedicated office space for administration and bus operations, areas for staff training, a staff canteen and welfare facilities as well as the iBus control centre. In addition to the main bus garage and external open parking area, there is a smaller building which houses the fuelling and bus washing facilities. The garage is currently home www.coachandbusweek.com
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to 181 Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400 double deck buses, 20 Scania Omnicity double decks, 31 ADL Enviro 200 single decks and 10 AEC Routemasters which run on the number 15 heritage route. Meanwhile, 729 drivers, 13 conductors, 11 supervisors, 66 engineers and 45 head office staff are based there. The temporary parking area in front of the garage, is currently being set aside for 200 buses for transporting competitors and officials during the 2012 Games, as organised by Stagecoach’s UK bus events division.
A green design
The garage boasts a solid approach to sustainable design by incorporating low energy technologies such as thermal efficiency, daylighting and natural ventilation. With the various sustainable technologies in place, it is estimated the building will save approximately 27% in CO2 emissions. Key sustainable design features: Laminated timber roof structure; Living green roof planted with sedum to help reduce flooding by collecting water and releasing it slowly to drains; Rain water harvesting which collects water from the roof and reuses it for flushing toilets; Natural ventilation to minimise the need for air conditioning; Biomass boilers and combined heat and power units which reduce the reliance on fossil fuels;
Skylights to allow natural light to be used and to reduce energy consumption; and Bus washing facilities designed to recycle 70% of the water used. “The garage has been built and designed to avoid wasting natural resources and to recycle as much as possible,” explains David Jones, customer services manager for Stagecoach London, who took groups on tours of the garage during last September’s Open House London weekend. In particular, the 100w wind turbine, granted planning permission by London Thames Gateway Development Corporation in 2008 and switched on last June, is estimated to provide around 10% of the energy the garage needs with any excess of this sold back to the National Grid. David said the turbine is controlled by Northern Power all the way over in Canada by means of wireless technology. The garage has an unusual hybrid structure of laminated timber from sustainable sources, three-pinned arched ribs supported on concrete buttresses at the perimeter and upturned steel V-shaped columns between the four 27m by 81m vaults. There is space to park 60 buses beneath the two outside combined, with room to manoeuvre, and another 240 in the yard outside. David said heating and ventilation is computer controlled by an outside weather station, which averages out the temperature over a week span. The green roof on the outer two vaults adds an organic dimension
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The garage has 30 bus maintenance bays (below), houses 240 buses (middle) and a wind turbine provides around 10% of its energy needs (right) to the garage – as inspired by Adnam’s brewery in Southwould in Suffolk. “The Adnams brewery was inspirational in the way it blended in with the surrounding area, i.e. not sticking out like a sore thumb,” said David. “It was hoped the view of the garage from the Manor Road residences would not be too intrusive. The sedum which is planted on our roof was freshly grown and transplanted.” Meanwhile, as part of the overall green approach, staff are encouraged to use public transport to travel to and from the garage and a regular minibus link service is provided between West Ham tube station, enabling access to the DLR nearby, throughout the day.
For more information about some of the suppliers of various aspects of the building, contact: n Bus wash – Smith Brothers Webb; www.sbw-wash.com n Garage equipment – ASD; Tel: 01942 609200 n Fuel storage and distribution – Cameron Forecourt; www. cameronforecourt.co.uk n Steelwork and timber roof structure – B&K Structures; www.bkts.co.uk n Pit steelwork – Glentworth Fabrications; 01189 772 088 n Wind turbine – Perpetual Energy; 01565 757 829 n Lifts – Otis; www.otis.com /site/gb/ n Garage test equipment – VL Test Systems; 01280 822488 n Green roof and cladding – Lakesmere; www.lakesmere.com www.coachandbusweek.com
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ESSENTIAL GUIDE
› SEATING & FLOORING
A coach interior is what a passenger will see the most of – it should look the business
Refreshing refurbishment Passenger comfort is an important consideration for any operator, particularly for coach firms, whose passengers are getting used to luxury as standard. This week’s Essential Guide looks at several firms involved with seating and flooring and how they can give an edge to operators and offer environmentally friendly options www.coachandbusweek.com
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enovating the seating and flooring in a fleet vehicle can refresh and prolong its life, making it a worthwhile investment. Allowing the interior to age with the body is likely to result in replacement vehicles being sought sooner, dramatically increasing the cost of maintaining passenger comfort. The suppliers in this Essential Guide are specialists in this field, with dedicated teams to breathe new life into the stale interiors of ageing buses and coaches. Many coach and bus seating and flooring suppliers have experience across a large range of industries. Euro Upholstery is involved with a number of cinemas and auditoriums, including over 50 Vue multiplexes, as well as having major contracts with FirstGroup which include all of its London buses.
E-Leather, a product sold by many of the suppliers listed this issue, is used for just about anything leather can be used for, including shoes and handbags as well as seats. With such a wide background, these companies will no doubt have the infrastructure, flexibility and experience to cater for any and all of an operator’s needs. Specialised and experienced firms can be found in Blackpool based P.L.Trim, a family firm which has specialised in coach and vehicle trimming since 1993, or Holdsworth, a firm with roots in the 1800s specialising in Bus and Coach textile technology, which was recently acquired by Camira Group. Floor Tek ‘N’ Trim also has 35 years experience in the industry, placing emphasis on quality work over speed of turnaround. Also featured this week is Q-Straint, specialists in tie downs and restraint systems for seats, particularly for disabled users.
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ESSENTIAL GUIDE
› SEATING & FLOORING
E-LEATHER Many operators are discovering the benefits of E-Leather when performing mid-life refurbishment or the re-livery of vehicles before moving on to new routes or contracts. The E-Leather range of 12 standard ‘off the shelf’ colours can totally transform a vehicle interior and provides a smart, hygienic and durable finish which is available at a surprisingly inexpensive cost. One company which has recently used the material is Dawson Rentals for the refurbishment of MAN Neoplans previously in service on the Oxford Tube route. Dawson Rentals was completely satisfied with the end result of the interior and exterior overhaul. Re-trimming of the seats was carried out by Duraflex of Banbury and A&J innovations of Stourbridge, replacing the standard Stagecoach moquette with a burgundy E-Leather selected for its luxurious appearance on both upper and lower saloons. The material is also available with added waterproofing and is being used by Lothian Buses on their open topped ‘Majestic’ route in Edinburgh where it has proved successful in standing up to all that the Scottish winter can throw at it. The usage and performance expectations of leather are diverse as are the production methods of each industry sector. From hand sewing by highly skilled operatives to computer controlled multi-layer cutting and highly automated manufacture, E-Leather engineers different specifications for each precise user application and their different performance requirements. The main advantages of E-Leather are: It is environmentally friendly, being made from recycled leather fibre; It has product consistency. There are no natural defects and minimal batch to batch variation; A high cutting yield. E-Leather is cost efficient and reduces landfill waste; High durability and excellent flame retardancy; Customisable colours available on request; Extensive design options, from leather effects to bold geometric designs; Significant fuel savings on transport applications, due www.coachandbusweek.com
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This Stagecoach interior has been transformed by E-Leather upholstery to a large reduction in weight compared to standard seats. Ease of cleaning and care E-Leather wipes clean; and Large panels and automated cutting, from roll supply.
T: 01733 843939 E: sales@eleathergroup.com W: http://www.eleatherltd.com/
FLOOR TEK ‘N’ TRIM Floor Tek ‘N’ Trim Ltd is a well established family run bus and coach interior refurbishment company, supplying trade with quality seat and body re-trims. Floor Tek is a safety flooring specialist handling anything from a minor repair to a full floor re-lay available. Managing director Tony Sayers, who has over 35 years experience in the industry, along with son Mark lead an experienced team of trimmers, based on the same site as Express Coach Repairs in Pickering, North Yorkshire. Floor Tek places an emphasis on quality work rather than speed of turn around, with a minor seat repair or a full executive coach re-trim treated with the same care. Although it always has various sets of re-trimmed seats in stock for same day exchange to save the customers vehicle “off the road time,” there is an extensive range of moquettes and flooring to choose from, helping the customer meet their individual requirements. To give a coach an individual look, Floor Tek can provide moquette backs to seats, leather headrest inserts, fluting or leather piping. All leather used is ecofriendly e-leather. Floor Tek can source and supply
sets of seats and seat frames for up-seating vehicles. It also stocks a wide range of seat frame parts and seat belts. Over the last few years Floor Tek has rebuilt and retrimmed numerous sets of 1950’s and 60’s coach seats on restoration vehicles, many of which have been shown at coach rallies across the
UK and Europe. Floor Tek offers a wide range of flooring products. Carpets can be laid or cut to size in kit form to be laid on site, with anything from an entrance area to a full coach catered for. Similarly, customers can purchase safety vinyl cut to size which they can lay themselves, or Floor Tek offers a laying service. Again, anything from a minor repair to a full floor re-lay is available. All floors are professionally welded, moulded and sealed by a team of qualified floor layers. The quality of work and materials used will give the customer a watertight floor with a lengthy lifespan. Working closely with Express Coach Repairs, which carries out a full range of exterior work, Floor Tek can offer a full interior and exterior refurbishment package. Floor Tek offers a collection and delivery service, operating anywhere in the UK. This saves the customer time, enabling them to carry out other work on the vehicle while the seats are being
P.L.TRIM LTD COACH & VEHICLE TRIMMERS
Quality retrims or repairs at affordable prices
Also available: Side wall carpet, PVC gear level gaiters & Trim fabrics and foam
Tel/Fax:01253 696033 Email: enquiries@pltrim.co.uk www.pltrim.co.uk
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re-trimmed. An on-site service is also provided for body trimming and flooring. Customers come from all over the UK, from Moffatt & Williamson in Dundee to numerous notable operators in the south of England. T: 01751 477994 E: floortekntrim@ btinternet.com
P.L. TRIM Specialist coach and vehicle trimmer P.L. Trim is a Blackpool based family business run by Bill Preston and his son John. The firm was established in June 1993. Initially based on an industrial estate on Chapel Road, the business relocated ten years later to a purpose-built unit on the old Duple site off Vicarage Lane. Until it’s closure in 1990, Bill was employed as a foreman for 17 years at the Coach and Vehicle Trimming Shop at Duple Coachbuilders. However, Bill’s career stretches
back much further – for he started trimming at H.V. Burlinghams as an apprentice in 1957, which was subsequently taken over by Duple in 1961. John joined the business in 1994. Prior to this he served his time as a sheet metal worker. P.L. Trim was originally formed to supply the automotive industry with interior services ranging from drivers seats and passenger seats to complete interior soft trim. Experiencing much success in this field the company went onto increase its offering to a range of diverse markets. All the firm’s work is undertaken by highly skilled craftsmen whose due care and attention to detail, whether working on the most basic of repairs that can be arranged to be done the same day, or the most comprehensive vehicle retrim. Its customer base ranges from preservation companies and societies whose members have one offs to local authorities and fleet operators with hundreds of vehicles. Indeed, P.L can also cater
to the general public for any type of trim work. The firm says its experience over the years helps it to understand the requirements of its customers. “We provide cost effective solutions to a wealth of new features and options for interior retrims,” said Bill. “Everything is individually hand made ‘in house’ to meet the customer and vehicle specifications.” All materials are sourced from trusted suppliers which include a good selection of:
P.L. Trim have extensive experience in refurbishing heritage vehicles
n Vinyl n Carpet n Cord n Leather n Moquette n Foam n Plywood P.L.Trim firmly believes ‘the customer comes first’. To this end, the firm is committed to constantly updating its product range, customer service and quality. T: 01253 696033 W: www.pltrim.co.uk
HOLdSWORTH FABRICS Holdsworth Fabrics is the original ‘one-stop-shop’ for transportation interiors, removing all the hassle of dealing with multiple suppliers for different fabric needs. This isn’t the only reason to choose Holdsworth as a fabric supplier - it aims to be at the forefront of environmental design and has been improving its products and processes for over 10 years. Holdsworth Fabrics doesn’t just want to create products which look great, it wants to understand and minimise its full environmental impacts.
Euro Upholstery Re-trim Euro Upholstery offer re-trim services to the transportation industry. Covering vandalism, general wear & tear and full re-trim supply. As well as a good quality, reliable and cost effective service, we also offer a fast turnaround of up to 3 days. “Euro Upholstery has proved to be thoroughly professional, extremely reliable with excellent customer service. They now know my upholstery requirements better than I do!” Will Adshead-Grant, First UK Bus Procurement Manager
In addition to standard re-trim work we have also established a range of ancillary items that have been identified to solve an array of Health & Safety issues. One of the many items that has proved popular is the lightweight engineer/Cleaner Steering wheel cover as detailed below. Colour Details: Red (Other colours can be requested). Lettering reads DO NO START DO NOT MOVE with a plastic pouch to hold notes, we can also add names so this item can be issued as part of a individuals kit. This product has proved very popular within the depots as it can be folded and kept in engineers/cleaners pockets. Our 20,000sq ft factory is based in Southend on Sea and is equipped with tacking stations, cutting benches, fabric storage units, stripping bays and a team of experienced upholsterers who have a vast knowledge in the transport sector. We also have a Darwen based factory enabling us to service across the UK. For more information on our services please contact Claire Buckland Email: Office: Mobile:
claire@eurogroup.co.uk + 44 (0) 1702 614444 + 44 (0) 7772 375007
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ESSENTIAL GUIDE
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The company claims it was the first textile manufacturer to gain the ISO 14001 environmental management standard in 1996 and now manufactures sustainable fabrics on energy efficient high speed looms. The Holdsworth design team constantly strives to improve the environmental advantage of fabrics using high wool content, renewable fibres and cotton backings. Vigor is its traditional classic range of wool rich fabrics for comfort, appearance and durability developed to meet the specific requirements of bus and coach transport systems, manufactured from over 80% natural fibres. Janina Crook, design and development manager for Holdsworth Fabrics, believes the design trends for the future to be the greater use of different yarns and textures. She said: “For plush construction, the future will include lighter weight cloth with a combination of multiple surface textures, and aesthetically, designs will include bold colour
blocking highlights. For flat wovens there will be a greater variety of cloths, using multiple textures, yarn combinations and finishes, giving different fabric weights and performance”. Holdsworth Fabrics is the renowned transportation textile
specialist whose origins go back to 1822. Now part of the global Camira Group, the company’s fabric collection includes traditional wool moquettes, flat weave products and leather for seating; as well as wall sides, curtains and interior trims. All are fully compliant to UK and European FR standards. Holdsworth Fabrics also offer a comprehensive custom made design facility from its in-house product development department with reasonable minimum order quantities and short lead times.
EURO UPHOLSTERY
Products from Holdsworth Fabrics carry a five year guarantee
Euro Group UK’s upholstery division specialises in transport seating renovation, manufacturing new bespoke upholstery also when required. An extensive modern premises caters for high volume high quality production. Recently, Euro Upholstery has become a player in the transport seating sector and has secured major contracts with FirstGroup
PLC looking after all of their London buses. Euro Upholstery’s service is thorough. Items are collected, all old material and foam are removed, with only fire retardant foam and fabrics used in the re-covering. Any grade of foam can be laser cut or profile cut to virtually any shape and the company can supply literally thousands of different fabrics and leathers. If access is a problem Euro Upholstery can work on site at weekends and through the night, travelling all over the UK and Europe. With bespoke upholstery, Euro Upholstery has years of experience manufacturing challenging speciality products. It can design and build any type of seating. T: 01702 614444 E: enquires@euro-groupuk.com W: http://www.euro-groupuk.com/html/euro-groupupholstery.html
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THE BIG PICTURE
Go North East has introduced two new services in the Bishop Auckland area in recent weeks using the attractively-liveried ‘OK’ brand. Appropriately, 2012 is the 100th anniversary of the formation of OK Motor Services. One of the new routes is half hourly local service 18 between Bishop Auckland, Woodhouse Close Estate and Coundon, replacing services cancelled by Arriva North East as part of a package of changes. Pictured here by Steve Hodgson is one of the pair of Mini Pointer Darts, ‘NK53TMV’ or fleet number 571, dedicated to the route and hence branded as such. The second route is the new OK1 which hit the road as this issue went to press on Monday (January 23). The half hourly service from Crook via Bishop Auckland, St Helens Auckland and West Auckland to Darlington, using Wright Solarbodied Scania L94s, numbers 5229-5233 in the same livery and branded ‘The OK Expressway’.
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LEGAL nEWS › public inquiry
End of the road for illegal stretch limo Nick Jones, Deputy Traffic Commissioner for the Eastern Traffic Area, dismisses an appeal against VOSA’s impounding of an illegally operated stretch limousine On December 7, 2011, Nick Jones, Deputy Traffic Commissioner for the Eastern Traffic Area, heard evidence from various parties regarding the return of stretch limousines which had been impounded by VOSA. The case was titled “Mohamed Arshed Mehmood v VOSA – Appeal against impounding of vehicle DAD1S (also known to be HX54 UJV)”.
Background On August 11, 2011, in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, VOSA impounded a stretch limousine, a public service vehicle with registration number DAD1S (also known to be HX54 UJV). At the time of the impounding, the vehicle bore the livery of A1 Stretch.com. Mohamed Mehmood made an application for the return of the vehicle with registration number DAD1S on the basis that he was the lawful owner and he did not know it was being, or had been, used in contravention of Section 12 of the 1981 Act.
Hearing The hearing on December 7 was attended by the applicant Mohamed Mehmood, his wife Saira Mehmood, Senior Traffic Examiner Killingback, Senior Traffic Examiner Webb, and PC Sexton. The applicant accepted the impounding was lawful and there was no procedural irregularity. As far as he was concerned, he sought to persuade the Deputy Traffic Commissioner (DTC) that he was the owner of the vehicle; and additionally, he did not know it was being, or had been, used in contravention of Section 12 of the 1981 Act. THe Law By virtue of Section 12 (1) of the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 www.coachandbus.com
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(as amended) a public service vehicle should not be used on a road for carrying passengers for hire or reward except under a PSV operator’s licence granted in accordance with the provisions of that Act. Section 1 of the Act defines “public service vehicle” as a motor vehicle (other than a tram car) which: a vehicle adapted to carry a is more than eight passengers and is used for carrying passengers for hire or reward; or, a vehicle not so adapted b being and is used for carrying passengers for hire or reward at separate fares in a course of a business of carrying passengers. Under Section 6 of the Act there is a requirement that a public service vehicle adapted to carry more than eight passengers shall not be used on a road unless a certificate of initial fitness or its equivalent (COIF) has been issued in respect of that vehicle. The Public Service Vehicles (Enforcement Powers) Regulations 2009 enable VOSA examiners to detain (impound) vehicles which are being, or have been, used without a PSV operator’s licence. These regulations set out the way in which the owner of any vehicle so detained can apply for it to be returned to him. An application is made to a traffic commissioner and can only be made by “the owner” who is defined by the Regulations as:the case of a vehicle which, a in at the time of its detention, was hired from the vehicle hire firm under a hiring agreement, the vehicle hire firm; or the case to which b in paragraph (a) does not apply, the person who can show to the satisfaction of the authorised person that, at the time the vehicle was detained, the person who lawfully owned the vehicle (whether or not that person was the person in whose name the vehicle was registered under the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994). Proving the applicant is in fact the owner within the meaning
as set out above is a condition precedent to an application proceeding to a hearing or a proper consideration. Once it has been shown the vehicle has been properly detained under the Regulations and the Applicant is the owner, the onus moves to the Applicant to show he is entitled to the return of the vehicle. In this case the Applicant has sought to persuade the DTC he did not know the vehicle was being, or had been, used in contravention of Section 12 of the Act. Section 12 of the Act sets out that a public service vehicle used on a road for carrying passengers for hire or reward must hold a PSV operator’s licence granted by a traffic commissioner.
evidence Mehmood told the DTC he had initially purchased two stretch limousines for his restricted PSV operator’s licence which was granted in 2006. His case was that he ceased operating and agreed to sell his vehicles to the owner of A1 Stretch, spelling it out that ownership did not pass until the payment was made in full. He stated he thought the vehicles were parked up in A1 Stretch’s showroom with a view to potentially being sold on to another purchaser and he did not know they were being used on the road for carrying passengers for hire or reward. It was also Mehmood’s case that he acted appropriately when finding that monies promised for payment were not forthcoming in making a statutory SORN so, in his view, the vehicles could not be utilised on the public road. Copies of the V5 registration certificate issued by the DVLA were on file for the two limousines which had been owned by Mehmood, HX54 UJV and S77 WNS. Mehmood told the DTC the Lincoln Town Car S77 WNS was an eight passenger seat vehicle whilst the other limousine which was the subject of the appeal hearing; HX54 UJV was registered as a minibus. Mehmood said the restricted PSV operator’s licence had conditions
attached to effect that vehicles would not be used to carry more than eight passengers. Mehmood was reminded the V5 logbook for S77 WNS showed the number of seats including the driver’s was 11; accordingly it was registered to carry 10 passengers. The Ford HX54 UJV had a registration document which confirmed the total number of seats including the driver was 15; therefore able to carry 14 passengers. Mehmood confirmed neither vehicle had a COIF (Certificate Of Initial Fitness) and he did not realise a COIF was needed for them until he ceased trading and was told they were of less value as a result of not having COIFs. Mehmood told the DTC he operated as “Swanz Limos” and sold both his vehicles on February 28, 2011, having spoken to Eddy Ellis of A1 Stretch. Mohamed Mehmood’s wife, Saira Mehmood, had undertaken research on the internet and found A1 Stretch bought and sold vehicles as well as operating. The DTC asked Mohamed
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VOSA memorably crushed an illegally operated limousine at Simms Metals in Newport, South Wales at the end of March 2011, an event which attracted widespread coverage in the mainstream media Mehmood if he had a PCV vocational driving licence authorising him to drive his nine to 16 seat PSV vehicles for hire or reward, but was told he did not do so and only held an ordinary car driving licence. It was pointed out to Mehmood this meant when he drove the vehicles for hire or reward he would have been doing so without possessing the correct licence. It was also pointed out to Mehmood the V5 logbooks were clear as to the status of the two limousines. If the logbooks showed a number of passenger seats in excess of eight, they were not in law small vehicles. Mehmood told the DTC he made a mistake in giving the cars to A1 Stretch without full prior payment, saying “he ripped me off”. Mehmood said he was scared and felt Eddy Ellis was aggressive when speaking on the telephone. He then made a SORN declaration on June 1, 2011, as the road tax was due to expire and a reminder had been sent to him as the registered
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keeper. Mehmood told the DTC as far as he was concerned the vehicles were off the road. Mr Hallsworth representing VOSA challenged Mehmood’s evidence, implying he knew the vehicles were being used or closed his mind to the issue. In particular it was pointed out that Mehmood did not write the Traffic Commissioner for the West Midland Traffic Area to say he no longer required his PSV operator’s licence until August 19, 2011, the day after the vehicle was impounded. Mehmood responded that this was a mere coincidence. Payment from Eddy Ellis for the two vehicles was agreed by way of post dated cheques, but some were not honoured. Sums paid to Mehmood by way of bank transfer and cheques totalled £15,000. The combined contract price for the two vehicles was £23,000 meaning £8,000 was owed. Mehmood confirmed the £23,000 was made up of £12,000 for one vehicle and £11,000 for the other vehicle. The DTC reminded Mehmood
Key Points: Restricted PSV O-licence could not be used for vehicles carrying more than eight seats but in reality used on 14 PSV Vehicle dAd1S was lawfully seized (impounded) by VOSA VOSA will dispose of vehicle in “the normal manner”
“Mohamed Mehmood has been duped by others involved in A1 Stretch Limos which has, through various guises, been operating illegally for a number of years. He is owed monies.” Nick Jones
that he sought to persuade him that he owned the vehicle which had been impounded and that he had received £15,000 of £23,000 owing for the two vehicles. As £15,000 had been paid, more than half of the sum owing was received. The DTC asked Mehmood, how could he say monies were not paid for the vehicle which had not been impounded, whilst they had been paid for the vehicle which had been impounded? The burden was on him to satisfy the DTC as to ownership. The response from Mehmood was when Eddy Ellis was speaking to his wife, Saira Mehmood, he said: “I’ve paid you for the Lincoln Town Car; you have to transfer the vehicle to me.” In other words monies had been paid for the vehicle which was not subject of the impounding, but had not been paid in full for the vehicle which was impounded. At this stage Mr Hallsworth referred to the second page of Traffic Examiner Parsons’ report which was in the DTC’s brief and copied to the Applicant. Both Mohamed and Saira Mehmood met with the traffic examiner on September 15, 2011. His report, which had previously been accepted as factually accurate included the following extract: “Mr Mehmood stated the price which had been agreed between himself and Mr Ellis of A1 Stretch was £23,000 for the two vehicles, and some monies had been received, £15,000. I asked if he was able to identify how the money received was divided. He stated there are no invoices relating to the sale of the vehicles, and the price for each vehicle not being clear. Mr Mehmood was unable to clarify if the monies received related wholly to either HX54 UJV or the second vehicle S77 WNS, or if it was divided between the two. Mr Mehmood stated he had not hired or loaned the vehicles out to anyone, as far as he was concerned they were both sold to A1 Stretch awaiting payment in full.” Mehmood asked the DTC to accept he had, at the conclusion of the impounding appeal on December 7, 2011, remembered details which were contrary to what he had earlier discussed with Traffic Examiner Parsons on September 15, 2011.
FiNdiNgS Dealing first with the issue of ownership of the vehicle which
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LEGAL nEWS › public inquiry
is the subject of the impounding appeal The DTC made the following findings in respect of Mohamed Mehmood: “Mohamed Mehmood has been duped by others involved in A1 Stretch Limos which has, through various guises, been operating illegally for a number of years. He is owed monies; I do not doubt Mehmood is a victim in as much as he has not received the full payments due to him for the sale of his vehicles. However I find he has opted to give evidence which he believed was more likely to result in the return of the vehicle rather than telling the truth; Mehmood’s assertion that his wife was told the monies already paid were for the Lincoln Town Car rather than the vehicle which had been the subject of the impounding is not accurate, it is something he has made up whilst giving evidence; Mehmood’s comments to the traffic examiner regarding payment for the vehicles were accurate; and, As a result of the above I find Mehmood is an unreliable witness.” The contracted price for two limousines was £23,000, with £11,000 for one vehicle and £12,000 for another vehicle. The DTC found £15,000 has been paid and there is no indication as to which vehicle has been paid off in full. It is for the applicant to satisfy the DTC on the balance of probabilities that he is the lawful owner of the vehicle, the subject of the impounding and he has failed to do so. Strictly, having found the applicant has failed to satisfy the DTC that he is the lawful owner, there is no need to deal with the issue as to whether he had knowledge of the unlawful operation by A1 Stretch without a valid operator’s licence. After reviewing the guidance set out in paragraphs 24 to 31 inclusive in the Asset 2 Asset 2011/25 case, the DTC found the following: “Mehmood has sought to persuade the DTC he is a naïve, innocent dupe; I accept he is less than competent and he has not been paid in full for both vehicles; I do not accept the date of the surrender of his restricted PSV operator’s licence, the day after the impounding, was a mere www.coachandbus.com
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satisfied me that he owned the vehicle whose return he seeks at the date of the impounding. In any event Mehmood has not satisfied me that he did not know the vehicle was being or had been used in contravention of Section 12 of the Act.”
VosA will now dispose of the limo - either by export or crushing (pictured)
nick Jones is known to have a keen interest in the safe operation of limousines and novelty vehicles
“If he was an honest and reasonable PSV operator [Mehmood] would have made enquiries as to basic ground rules on running a compliant operation. He sought to mislead me as to the issue of ownership and I do not trust Mehmood.” Nick Jones
coincidence. He wrote a letter surrendering the licence to improve his chances of having the vehicle returned; I do not accept Mehmood’s claim as to wholesale ignorance as to his responsibilities as an operator. This is corroborated by my finding that he has attempted to mislead me in giving his evidence and is unreliable; Whilst Mehmood was keen to obtain monies quickly for his daughter’s wedding and I accept his business was not successful, his claim as to what amounts to wholesale ignorance of the law is not credible. He ran two vehicles as PSVs claiming they were small vehicles, but the V5 log books clearly state otherwise. He told me one of his vehicles was registered as a minibus, so he knew there was an issue with registrations. If he was an honest and reasonable PSV operator he would have made enquiries as to basic ground rules on running a compliant operation. He sought to mislead me as to the issue of ownership and I do not trust Mehmood. I do not accept his explanations as to innocence and ignorance when he operated 9-16 passenger seat PSVs without COIFs and without a valid PCV vocational driving licence; My findings above support my finding of fact that he either knew the vehicles would be used unlawfully or had deliberately closed his eyes to the obvious, as defined in paragraph 24 of the Asset 2 Asset Ltd 2011/25 case; and, I have already made a finding that the Applicant has not
Decisions Under the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 (as amended) (“The Act”) and The Public Service Vehicles (Enforcement Powers) Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/1964), the DTC declared: vehicle DAD1S (also 1 PSV known to be HX54 UJV) was lawfully seized (impounded) by VOSA Arshed Mehmood 2 Mohamed has not satisfied me on the balance of probabilities that he is the lawful owner of vehicle DAD1S (also known to be HX54 UJV). any event Mohamed 3 In Arshed Mehmood has not satisfied me on the balance of probabilities he did not know the above vehicle was being, or had been, used in contravention of Section 12 of the 1981 Act. Arshed Mehmood’s 4 Mohamed application by way of appeal for the return of the above vehicle is dismissed. It will be for VOSA to dispose of the vehicle in the normal manner.
FURTHER READING: Publications about the operation of limousines can be viewed and downloaded from www.dft.gov.uk/vosa by following the below pathway: Publications > Manuals and Guides > Operator Licence Guides n And on www.businesslink.gov. uk/transport n You can check if an operator has a licence by visiting www. businesslink.gov.uk/check-publicservice-vehicle-operator-licences n Contact your Local Authority to enquire about a PHV licence holder. A directory of local councils can be found at: http:// www.direct.gov.uk/en/Dl1/ Directories/Localcouncils/index. htm n Or call the VOSA national line 0300 123 9000 if you need help or advice. To watch a video of last year’s limo crushing on YouTube courtesy of ‘thechauffer. com’, visit http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=OhYifPQXFsM
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OpEn plAtfOrm › keith halstead
January 25, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 39
Community transport: a growing sector CTA chief executive Keith Halstead outlines the scope for community transport schemes and community bus services under Section 22 in the current landscape. Community transport shows what can be done when people take responsibility for solving their own problems. It mobilises and engages local communities, as it is provided by charities, social enterprises and voluntary organisations which are embedded in the communities which they serve, and harnesses the experience of volunteers who give freely of their time to help others. Community transport meets the needs of people who do not have access to cars, taxis or buses and provides a lifeline in both rural and urban areas. It takes disabled people to work, children to school, sick people to healthcare and older people to the shops. It runs local bus routes and provides transport for a wide range of clubs, voluntary bodies and care homes. People shape the services they want and community transport makes it happen. With the reduction in local authority subsidised bus services, particularly in rural areas, the need for community transport has never been greater. Local authorities are increasingly looking to the community transport sector to deliver locally-based services which are cost effective, innovative and geared to the needs of the individual without compromising quality and safety. In response to these needs, community transport organisations are able to operate registered community bus services, which are open to all members of the public and operate to a fixed timetable or on a more flexible basis. Fundamentally, these services, which are not for profit and cannot be operated where there is an existing commercial service, play a vital role in promoting independence and tackling isolation. The CTA believes there is significant scope for more of this type of service, usually referred to as Section 22 (which is the relevant section in the Road Transport Act 1985). It is therefore encouraging to see a growth in this type of community transport provision. Since April 2010, 184 Section 22 permits have been issued, compared to 40 in 2009/10 and only 14 between 2007 and 2009. This to me demonstrates how community organisations have taken up the challenge to operate more community bus services. Even the government, in responding to the Transport Select Committee’s recent report
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Whilst the community transport sector can never fill all of the gap left by the reduction in conventional bus services, CTA members can and will do what they can to meet the transport needs of the communities they serve, says Keith
“Section 22 services can form an important part of the overall local transport network as these services can feed into commercially operated and subsidised bus routes.” ‘Bus Services after the Spending Review’, said: “This would suggest that the sector is growing and able to respond to the loss of subsidised bus services by providing cost-effective, efficient transport that can be more tailored to the needs of users and communities”. Whilst the community transport sector can never fill all of the gap left by the reduction in conventional subsidised bus services, our members can and will do what they can to respond to meet the transport needs of the communities they serve. Section 22 services can form an important part of the overall local transport network as these services can feed into commercially operated and subsidised bus routes, such as between market towns, thereby ensuring that they remain financially viable. Last month, Tracy Jessop, on becoming the new chairwoman of ATCO, called for “greater collaboration between operators of conventional local bus services and community transport where there are key interchanges where route development and passenger growth can be encouraged”. I endorse Tracy’s comments. It is already happening in some areas, but it would be great to report more examples of effective engagement in 2012.
It is against this backdrop, that the CTA welcomes the recent announcement by the transport minister, Norman Baker MP, of a further investment in community transport across 76 local authorities in England. This will provide a significant boost to our sector and will enable local authorities who received an allocation of the Department for Transport funding to best consider how community transport can be developed and integrated in their areas to enhance the overall public transport network. In January 2012, the CTA will be contacting all 76 local authorities to learn how they intend to use their new funding. And, in the new spirit of localism, how local authorities will be engaging with community transport organisations to develop new and better ways to design and deliver services for the communities which all of us serve. ABOUT CTA The CTA is a UK-wide charity which provides leadership, learning and enterprise support to over 1,500 member organisations and stands ready to help on all aspects of community transport provision through membership, consultancy or via our free advice line on 0845 130 6195 or email at advice@ctauk.org. Further information is also available at www.ctauk.org Keith Halstead is chief executive of the Community Transport Association (CTA). Prior to joining the CTA in May 2005, Keith worked for the National Trust in various senior management roles, most recently as director for the Trust’s Thames and Solent Region. Keith also worked for the City of Norwich Planning Department earlier in his career. He is a member of Defra’s Civil Society Advisory Board, a member of the Heritage Lottery Fund’s South East England Committee, a Trustee of the Churches Conservation Trust and a Fellow of the Royal Society for Arts. If you want to let off some steam, just tap away at the keyboard and send your rant (or carefully-reasoned views) to cbwinbox@rouncymedia.co.uk, 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 www.coachandbusweek.com
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minibus The essential read for Minibus Operators
January 2012
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CONTENTS 42 News
Optare enters small bus market with new Bonito; £10m extension to the existing Supporting Community Transport Fund; and AA DriveTech issues Driver CPC reminder ahead
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Imminent growth for small bus sector?
T
he minibus sector has been hit very hard during the recession and it seems to show little sign of major improvement for general operations, however, the area which does appear to be attracting interest is for lowfloor minibuses to provide cost effective, affordable operation on local authority supported services. With both Bluebird Vehicles and Mellor Coachcraft supplying this sector it seems Optare has suddenly spotted an opportunity and decided to re-enter the market with a totally new product – although it won’t be built in-house. This new Bonito (why cause confusion when
MB.Opener.indd 41
you already have a model called Bonito which bears no resemblance to new vehicle?) features a Fiat Ducato Maxi front end and drivetrain. As a substitute for the now discontinued Alero it gets around the problem of non-availablity of an automatic gearbox but the penalty is it can only offer front-wheel drive. Maybe, for Optare, the attraction will be its ability to offer the Bonito at a competitive price. It could also be the manufacturer anticipates big bus operators to begin buying smaller vehicles for rural or low passenger volume routes. It already has most of them as customers so does not have so many relationships to build. The other serious contenders for this market,
Q’Straint Q&A
Q’Straint provides the answers to commonly asked questions concerning passenger restraint lowfloor Sprinter City models from EvoBus, a similar product VDL and a couple of other specialists – all of which carry quite a high price premium. They would argue their buses are ‘built for purpose’ and will perform reliably for longer. There may be some truth in such a statement and it is early days for this sector, so no-one quite knows how well anything is going to stand up to the rigors of service operation. Fiat, of course, is delighted at yet more opportunity to increase sales of its Ducato but the manufacturer is becoming nervous of the requirement to use Ducato in a service bus scenario with lots of stop-start operation. No doubt it fears heavy warranty claims against clutch failures or transmission damage from a kind of operation it was never designed for. martin Cole Editor
www.coachandbusweek.com
23/01/2012 17:25
42 | COACH & BUS WEEK MINIBUS | January 25, 2012
NEWS
Optare enters small bus market with the Bonito And withdraw from the small luxury coach market. New bus to be produced in the Netherlands by Plastisol to Optare’s specification Optare is to re-enter the small and accessible bus market this year with an all new Optare-badged model – the Bonito. The new vehicle is produced in the Netherlands by Plastisol to Optare’s specification and will be sold directly by Optare’s sales force. Optare believes the move represents a growth opportunity for the company. The Bonito will go on sale to British operators from June, with potential export sales in other European markets following on. It employs a fully integrated composite body structure with accommodation for up to 16 passengers and no separate chassis. It is based on the highly successful Fiat Ducato Maxi featuring a gross vehicle weight of
New CT scheme for Conwy& Denbighshire
A new Community Transport scheme has been launched in Conwy which will see one of the first examples in North Wales of a CT operator providing a scheduled local bus service. The bus, which is operated by Conwy Community Transport and funded by Conwy County Borough Council, will be running subsidised services three days a week between Llandudno Junction, Llanrwst, Betws-y-Coed, Cerrigydrudion, Corwen and Denbigh.
4.0 tonnes, a 2999cc 157bhp diesel engine, and a choice of six speed manual or automated transmission. In due course Optare will offer specification options ensuring that the Bonito is attractive for all major UK city operations.
Glenn Saint, Optare’s chief operating officer, said: “We have been looking at a number of routes to enter the important small bus/ accessible vehicle market and are convinced the fully developed Bonito is the right answer. We have
A representation of the new Optare Bonito lowfloor minibus Since the Local Transport Act 2008 came into force, Community Transport operators have been able to cater for the general public rather than just specific groups and this scheme with Conwy Community Transport is one of the first of its kind operating in North Wales. The new vehicle, called ‘Bws Bro’, is a 16-seater Bluebird Orion with low floor entry. Conwy Community Transport’s Glyn Jones explained: “Our aim is to provide accessible transport for people who may have difficulty in using local services. By providing this subsidized route we are meeting those objectives and providing a service to the rural community.” Councilllor Goronwy Edwards,
a proven and successful direct sales team and service network which can fully support this competitive and attractive product. “This move is consistent with the full review and re-positioning of Optare’s product range for growth and follows on the heels of the announcements about Solo and also launch of the new Tempo SR in October last year. We will be making an announcement about development of the Versa product for UK and export markets in Q2 this year”. Full specification details of the new Bonito will be announced in the near future. Simultaneously with its entry into the small bus market, Optare is announcing it is to withdraw from the small luxury coach market, bringing to an end its long term partnership with Spanish coachbuilder Ferqui which has supplied a range of Optarebadged, Mercedes-based products plus the original Bonito which was built by Ferqui on Ford Transit chassis. “I am pleased to say we are in negotiations with a number of parties which may lead to the two current models, the Soroco and Toro, continuing to be available in the UK, though outside the Optare brand,” said Glenn Saint.
Mellor appointment
The new Bluebird bus seen at the launch at Venue Cymru on Llandudno sea front Conwy County Borough Council’s cabinet member for communities added: “The organisations involved have worked really hard to see this scheme come to fruition and to provide a service for the community.”
Mellor Coachcraft has appointed Piers Justice as area sales manager for the south of England. Piers has a wealth of customer service experience and becomes the first point of contact for current and future Mellor customers. He is a well known and respected figure in the industry, having previously worked for Mellor Coachcraft, for four years and since gained experience working for a number of firms in the accessible transport market - including coachbuilders and equipment suppliers. Piers Justice can be contacted on 07767 221824.
www.coachandbusweek.com
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200
The number of routes Royal Mail Post Bus operated at its height
The Combined Services Disabled Ski Team with their new Ford Transit
Ford aids disabled skiers Ford has once again come to the aid of disabled Service skiers allowing them to compete in international winter sports events with the provision of a new Transit minibus. The a nine-seater Tourneo 280 short wheelbase vehicle, will be used by the Combined Services Disabled Ski Team (CSDST) to transport athletes and their equipment around the Alps this winter. It is the third consecutive year Ford has assisted the team. The CSDST is a registered charity which provides quality race coaching to serving members of the Armed Forces, and to veterans, all of whom have a permanent disability. Most members were injured on active service, and several are double amputees. Last season the team won three gold, four silver and four bronze medals in international events and this season will train in Austria ahead of the Inter Services Championships in February. Several CSDST members are hoping to make the British Disabled Ski Team and represent their country in the 2014 Winter Paralympics in Sochi, Russia. “Ford’s assistance in providing the Tourneo is greatly appreciated,” said Lt Col Mike Quaile, team deputy chairman. “The vehicle enables us to move both the disabled skiers and their equipment during training and competitions, and without it we would struggle to provide these opportunities to disabled service men and women.”
£7
The cost of a Day Rover ticket on the Shropshire Hills Shuttle
Shropshire Hills Shuttle Grows The Shropshire Hills Shuttle service will return this year and is to be expanded with the addition of a third route - between Much Wenlock, Acton Scott Historic Working Farm and Church Stretton. The new Shuttle route will be called the ‘Wenlock Wanderer’ and will run along the famed Wenlock Edge, through ancient woodland and into the majestic folds of the Stretton hills and the Long Mynd. There are some great walking opportunities, as well as fantastic views, welcoming country pubs and the chance to experience life on a Victorian Farm at Acton Scott. The ‘Long Mynd & Stiperstones’ Shuttle, which has run each season for over 10 years, remains the same. As the name suggests, this Shuttle bus runs over these two distinctive ‘hill tops’ with key stops at Church Stretton, Cardingmill Valley, Pontesbury and Minsterley. The Shuttle is co-ordinated by the Craven Arms-based Shropshire Hills AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) Partnership and is operated using vehicles accessible minibuses from Shropshire
4.0
January 25, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK MINIBUS | 43
The gross vehicle weight of Optare’s new Bonito lowfloor minibus Council’s Fleet Services division. Stephanie Hayes of Shropshire Hills AONB Partnership, told CBW: “After 10 years of successful operation, we’re expanding. With its important historical links with the Olympics, we feel it’s timely to trial a service to Much Wenlock. We’ll see how it goes.” Shuttle bus fares have been held at 2011 rates. The £7 Day Rover will be valid on all three routes. The Shropshire Hills Shuttles operate every weekend and Bank Holiday Monday, and the 2012 season starts on Saturday April 7 (Easter) running until September 30, 2012.
For details of the Shropshire Hills Shuttle, visit www.shropshirehillsshuttles. co.uk or call 01588 674080
The Shuttle service operates through the picturesque Shropshire Hills
Prentice Coaches upgrade with a Plaxton Cheetah Progressive East Lothian operator Prentice Coaches of Haddington has upgraded its minicoach fleet with a new Mercedes-Benz based Plaxton Cheetah. MD Ross Prentice finds the Cheetah ideal for the firm’s activities. “The Cheetah is the best thing for the job and now is an opportune time to upgrade. We find 33 seats a popular size so thought it a good idea to get one of the final examples whilst they were still available. The Cheetah will do anything we expect our smaller coaches to do.” The Club specification Cheetah, features 33 Politecnica seats with
three point seat belts. The seats are trimmed in navy blue patterned moquette with beige leather piping and headrest inserts. The interior trim continues the blue theme, contrasted with beige curtains.
New Cheetah is to Club specification
Hortons O-licence revoked A Wolverhampton-based minibus and private hire operator has had its PSV O-licence revoked. Cynthia Margaret Oliver, trading as Hortons Airport Transfer, licence number PD1056380 was called to appear before West Midlands Traffic Commissioner (TC) Nick Jones on December 7, 2011 at 38, George Road, Birmingham. In the operator’s absence, the TC revoked the licence with immediate effect. He also ruled that if that if Barry John Oliver applies for a licence in his name, or in the name of an entity where he has an interest, it is to be brought to the attention of a TC. Furthermore, the TC ruled a marker should be attached to Mr Oliver’s name as he operated vehicles unlawfully in another name, and allowed an unlicensed driver to drive a PSV on 16 occasions after being told by a Traffic Examiner that the driver did not have a valid licence to drive for hire and reward. According to its website, the family-run firm has been “taking care of the region’s transport needs for over 30 years.” Entertainment is offered by a dash mounted radio/CD/DVD/ PA system and passenger appeal is enhanced by climate control based on a roof mounted Thermo-King air conditioning unit. In addition to the Cheetah’s full range of standard features, an additional handrail has been specified on the decency screen which older customers consider makes the vehicle much easier to board. The Plaxton Cheetah body is mounted on the latest MercedesBenz Vario 0.816 8.5m chassis featuring the 156bhp OM906LA SCR Euro5 engine which utilises Bluetec SCR technology to achieve lower emissions. It has a six speed manual transmission. The new coach is finished in Prentice Coaches’ distinctive livery.
www.coachandbusweek.com
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23/01/2012 17:21
44 | COACH & BUS WEEK MINIBUS | January 25, 2012
NEWS
Transport Minister Baker announces £10m CT Fund Further £10m of funding aimed at supporting and kick-starting community transport initiatives Transport Minister, Norman Baker, launched a series of transport initiatives during a visit to Bristol on 19 December, inviting staff from Bristol Community Transport (BCT) along as he unveiled an extension to the Supporting Community Transport Fund. The extension to the existing Supporting Community Transport fund is great news for community transport organisations like BCT as it provides a further £10m of funding aimed at supporting and kick-starting community transport initiatives, particularly in rural areas. BCT has developed considerable local expertise in providing community transport services since its inception in 1985. It currently provides minibuses that are used by over 500 not-for-profit organisations in and around Bristol, as well as several community bus services. Both Jan Jones, chief executive of BCT, and Jude Winter, deputy chief executive of HCT Group, were invited to attend, and had
AA DriveTech issues Driver CPC reminder
Minibus drivers working for a commercial business who have failed to achieve the mandatory Driver CPC qualification by September 9, 2013 will effectively be driving illegally. A commercial business is one which operates minibuses either as its core or minor business activity and does so for personal or commercial profit, known as ‘hire and reward’. A good example would
the opportunity to discuss the important role of community transport with the Minister. BCT had been asked to provide transport for the launch, and was pleased to oblige as a great example of a social enterprise and effective community transport provider. Jan Jones said: “We really welcome the Minister’s announcement of extra funding for community transport. Although Bristol Community Transport is based in an urban area, we provide much needed transport for those
in surrounding rural areas to get to health appointments and other support services in Bristol. Access to key services is vitally important to ensure that vulnerable people in rural communities are not isolated.” BCT has recently joined HCT Group, one of the UK’s leading and most successful social enterprises. HCT Group runss the 904 Park and Ride service in Bristol under its CT Plus trading arm, and reinvests the money it makes from this contract into supporting BCT’s important work in local communities.
Norman Baker (centre) is seen with representatives of BCT and HCT be taxi firms providing minibus services to events, airports etc. Similar businesses can be found under the ‘coach hire’ or ‘private hire’ section of the yellow pages and advertised to the public or, for example, a private nursing home which charges their residents a fee which indirectly includes the use of the minibus. Other activities which may fall into this category are: n Nursery and child care n Private schools n Hotels n Businesses-run courtesy buses However, where Minibus and Community bus permits are issued to organisations concerned with
education, religion, social welfare, recreation or other activities of benefit to the community, a nominal passenger charge can be made without having to comply with the full Public Service Vehicle (PSV) operator licensing requirements. This means drivers do not need to have PCV entitlement and are therefore exempt from Driver CPC training requirements. Schools often have a Section 19 permit and, regardless of whether the driver holds a D1 licence, this does not require the driver to qualify for Driver CPC but there are specific conditions that the driver must comply with.
Many Post Buses have enjoyed second lives as school buses, such as this LDV Pilot, the last remaining example in the Tanat Valley fleet
Post Bus operations slashed Royal Mail has further reduced its Post Bus network and is now down to only a handful of routes. Created in 1967, Post Bus grew ran 200 routes at its height but has latterly been in sharp decline. Two out of the three remaining English routes ended in October. The remaining service from Malton to Foxholes in Yorkshire will end in the spring. A revised version of the recently axed route from Peatling Parva to Lutterworth has been awarded to George’s Taxis by Leicestershire Council. In Scotland, only the Drunbeg to Lairg route remains. In the Outer Hebrides, four routes will still run on North Uist and one on Lewis, while Islay and Luing in the Inner Hebrides retain one service each. AA DriveTech has a wide range of courses enabling minibus drivers to comply with their Driver CPC training obligations. Completing an AA DriveTech course provides more than mere compliance – regular exit polls not only highlight that the majority of attendees learned something new but also that they enjoyed the experience. Completion of one of these courses also brings personal development benefits. The employer wins too, by having drivers that are more risk averse, that proactively reduce running costs and have increased awareness about the impact of their driving on the passenger experience.
www.coachandbusweek.com
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23/01/2012 17:23
More Mellor deliveries Hedgehog, the North Cotswold Community Bus Association has acquired a Mellor coachbuilt Iveco 50C-15 to add to its fleet. It is equipped with 16 Phoenix Blenheim fixed seats, a powered single-leaf glider door, indash Eberspacher air conditioning unit and destination equipment to the nearside top windscreen.
New website for Tower Travel
York-based minicoach operator Tower Travel, which was profiled in CBW992, has invested in an impressive all-new website. Daniel Donnor told CBW: “The new website has certainly led to an increase in web traffic, which we are naturally delighted with. As with our old site, we see social media, including Twitter and Facebook as key promotional tools. In the current economic climate, every little really does help. The more accessible you are in different
Dudley Council has taken delivery of a Mellor conversion based on an Irisbus 50C-17. It features a sliding saloon entrance door, 14 Phoenix Hydra seats with NMI Millennium legs, Unwin tracking, dual front passenger seat and it can accommodate up to five wheelchairs. Passenger access is aided via an AMF BRUNS electrically operated slide-out step and a PLS Powermatic underfloor tail lift facilitates wheelchair access.
places, the more opportunities arise for your business.” Tower Travel has also recently joined the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT). Call Tower Travel on 01904 799611. Visit www.towertravel.co.uk
White’s Coaches of St. Albans has acquired its second UNVI coach in less than a year. Featured on the UNVI stand at Coach and Bus Live in October, this is the final 29 seat GTR model to be produced. Future models will offer a maximum of 27 seats owing to regulation changes. Based on the Mercedes Benz 818 chassis with uprated engine for increased performance, the new model also includes customer specified enhancements to the interior. Politecnica Relax GTV seats have been fitted with ‘all heights’ free flow seat belt guiders, centre armrests and attractively trimmed in black and grey virtual leather, complemented by grey suede and grey full draw curtains to create an executive ambience. Dark tint double glazing, Hispacold air conditioning fed through fully serviced parcel racks, coolbox and a comprehensive multimedia system complete the interior. Extra large boot and side locker offer ample luggage capacity. The exterior is painted in metallic silver adorned with White’s distinct yet subtle livery. For more details, contact Alan White at Minis to Midis on 01302 833203. www.coachandbusweek.com
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23/01/2012 17:23
46 | COACH & BUS WEEK MINIBUS | January 25, 2012
INSIGHT
How to maximise wheelchair passenger safety and minimise operator risk Welcome to the eighteenth and final Q&A feature from CBW in association with Q’Straint. These have generated an impressive response from vehicle professionals and have provided an extensive array of key tips and advice regarding wheelchair restraint systems. Topical areas such as ECWVTA, crash-testing and operator training have all been covered in this feature and Q’Staint looks forward to delivering even more essential information in the future with CBW. This final feature focuses on the most popular questions asked since 2010 and provides an invaluable conclusion to the end of this series. Why is an upper third point occupant anchorage essential in accessible vehicles to comply with European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval (ECWVTA)? For any Wheelchair Tie-down and Occupant Restraint System (WTORS) to comply with ECWVTA, it must have undergone fully approved product testing and also meet ISO 10542. This standard states that an upper anchorage point is mandatory to comply with the testing specifications prescribed within the regulation. All belt systems and components are subject to rigorous environmental testing in accordance with UNECE Regulation 16. In addition to these environmental tests, every system must undergo a 20g/48kph/h dynamic crash test in accordance with ISO10542. Furthermore, these tests need to
Q
A
Q’Straint QRT restraints deliver the fastest, single-handed deployment on the market which minimises back strain for vehicle operators. Below: For maximum safety and optimum passenger geometry, Q’Straint occupant restraints are always secured at an upper third point above and behind the passenger‘s shoulder be either independently witnessed or sanctioned by an Approved Technical Service (VCA, etc.). A restraint system without an upper anchorage would NOT comply with the standard and therefore not be able to meet ECWVTA. It is important to note, that compliance with ISO 10542 Part 2 alone, will not satisfy the requirements of ECWVTA. All restraint systems must also comply with part 1 of ISO 10542 to be fully compliant. With complete ECWVTA through the installation of Q’Straint restraint systems, any accessible vehicle can then be exported into all countries within the EU as it will hold a
universally accepted certificate of conformity.
What are the key features I need to note when selecting a wheelchair restraint system to ensure it has universal compatibility? A universal and easy-touse design is essential with WTORS to ensure that anchorage and belts are deployed correctly time and again. The Department of Transport ‘Safety Of Wheelchair Occupants In Road Passenger Vehicles’ report, prepared for the Mobility and Inclusion Unit, recognised
Q A
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January 25, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK MINIBUS | 47
Brought to you by
that the incorrect application of occupant restraints is a major issue within accessible vehicles. As this is difficult to address through legislation, it suggested that reduced misuse could be achieved through engineering innovation and education, which reflects the ethos of suppliers such as Q’Straint. Q’Straint is renowned for universal restraints that are straightforward and simple to secure, providing market leading training and a progressive approach to wheelchair passenger safety. Developed over several decades, Q’Straint safety solutions encompass many key design features to ensure universal compatibility and efficient use which include: Each QRT kit comprises of four identical retractors which can be deployed equally at the front or rear, left or right corners of a wheelchair Adaptable QRT retractors eliminate the need to choose between specific restraints for different passengers Floor-mounted QRT retractors are all low profile to avoid obstructions Fast, single-handed securement is delivered by the QRT range so difficult areas to reach present no problem Straightforward ‘J hooks’ are incorporated into the restraint design which eliminate the possibility of incorrect securement Q’Straint QER electrical retractors deliver a fully automated solution What is involved in a Wheelchair Tie-down and Occupant Restraint Systems (WTORS) crash test and what are the objectives? WTORS crash tests are performed essentially for three main reasons – for compliance with industry safety standards, for product development and so that wheelchair manufacturers and vehicle convertors can deliver maximum safety at all times for passengers.
This test is designed to simulate a real life head-on collision in a passenger car and involves mounting a surrogate wheelchair and test dummy onto a sled. The wheelchair is secured to the sled using wheelchair tie-downs and occupant restraint systems such as those supplied by Q’Straint. This sled is then accelerated and brought to a controlled stop within 80-120ms to simulate a head on
collision at 30mph. The procedure is shot on high-speed film of at least 500 frames per second and then analysed to determine various points of movement. Historically these tests have been performed at relevant test houses without the need for external auditing. However since the introduction of the 2007/46/EC European Directive, any WTOR that is to be used in a type approved
Q’Straint QRTs are tested using a 30mph/20G sled which delivers a force 20 times greater than nearly all crash situations
Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) must be independently witnessed and approved by a competent approval authority such as a representative from the VCA. It is also important to note that working with an accredited organisation such as Millbrook is essential when testing, as no wheelchair passenger solution can be deemed ‘safe’ unless it has been reviewed independently. As an example from a leading specialist, Q’Straint always uses and recommends independent testing at Millbrook Proving Ground, which is one of Europe’s leading locations for the development and testing of every type of land vehicle.
KEY FACTS TO REMEMBER An occupant restraint system must encompass an upper anchorage to fully comply with ECWVTA such as a QRT based configuration from Q’Straint Universally compatible WTORS from Q’Straint greatly assist vehicle operators as they are easy-to-deploy, suitable for nearly all wheelchair types and deliver maximise safety WTORS must be tested by a qualified independent organisation to be deemed safe The QRT range of wheelchair tie-downs from Q’Straint fully comply with Type Approval and minimise operator risk For all the latest news and advice regarding wheelchair passenger safety, sign up to receive the Q’Straint e-newsletter here: www.qstraint. com/company/blog
Q A
All Q’Straint retractors are designed with low profile casing so wheelchair leg rests are not impeded
Thank you for supporting this series and look out for new wheelchair passenger safety features in the future from Q’Straint. We hope this final Q&A has been useful and if you have any further questions regarding wheelchair and occupant restraint systems, please contact one of the specialist Q’Straint team on – Tel: 01227 773035 Email: info@qstraint. co.uk Web: www.qstraint.com
www.coachandbusweek.com
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48 | COACH & BUS WEEK | January 25, 2012
BUS STOPthe place to buy and sell
To advertise on these pages for as little as £20 just call 01733 293240 Optare Toro
Mercedes-Benz 0815 Vario chassis with rear air suspension, 28 passenger seats with 3pt lap and diagonal seat belts, powered entry door, air conditioning, double glazed windows, luggage racks with individual passenger reading lights and adjustable air flow blowers, radio/CD & PA system.
£45,500 +VAT NOW £41,000 +VAT
UNVI GT
Mercedes-Benz 0816 Vario chassis with rear air suspension, 29 passenger seats with 3pt lap and diagonal seat belts and leather headrest inserts, courier seat, dark tint double glazed windows, air con radio/CD & PA system, DVD player and monitor, grammer luxury heated driver seat, full draw curtains, large boot space and side lockers.
£69,950 +VAT NOW £66,950 +VAT
Call Dougie at Haggis Adventures on 0131 554 9192
Get Results! Advertiseyour CoachorBus hereforas littleas
£20.00 aweek!
Call the Sales Team on 01733 293240
Dennis Plaxton R Series Due to fleet replacement, we need to sell up to 5 of the following and don’t mind which 5! 2003: 2 x 49/53 seats with WC, 3 x 53 seats 2004: 5 x 53 seats 2005: 1 x 49/53 seats with WC, 2 x 53 seats All are well maintained, low mileage examples (approx 62,000km per annum) with long MoT, air conditioning and AStronic gearboxes. Owned by us from new and used on our own holiday programme. All over cream. Can be sold with patterns of 2012 tour work if required. Viewing at Thos. Hardie Commercials, Red Scar, Preston. Priced to sell at £47,000 (03 reg), £58,000 (04 reg) and £74,000 (05 reg) plus VAT (£3,000 premium for WC). Sorry no part exchange.
To view contact Tom Smith, Operations Manager, Alfa Travel on 08451 305777
Due to arrival of New vehicles, one of the following must be sold:
Irizar PB Scania K114 Auto Reg Date: 16/05/2008 Irizar PB Scania K114 Auto Reg Date: 01/09/2008 Both are 49 seater Executive Coaches
Sensible offers invited Hills of Wolverhampton
01902 753770 AdvertiseyourCoachorBushereforaslittleas £20.00 aweek! Phone the Sales Team NOW on 01733 293240
FREEDESIGNFREEWEBADFREEFULLCOLOURFREEDESIGNFREEWEBADFREEFULLCOLOUR
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NEW PRE-REGISTERED FORDS
OTHER MAKES
New Ford Transit 17 seat 4.3ton 135ps minibus. From £20,595 + VAT
FORD TRANSIT MINIBUSES (05) Ford Transit 17 seat 2.5 diesel 115ps, high back seats with three point belts 25,000 miles only £8,750
(53) 2003 Ford Transit 17 seat 2.4 td minibus, high back seats with three point belts, tacho, air-con, COIF/PSV £6,995
(02) Ford Transit 3.5 ton, 15 seat minibus, 2.4 tdi, high back seats with three point belts £2,995
Peugeot Boxer 17 seat wheelchair accessible 2.2 diesel 120ps with six speed gearbox, COIF/PSV. Choice of colours. £23,500 + VAT
WHEELCHAIR ACCESS (07) 2007 Volkswagen Crafter 8 seat 2.2 diesel inboard lift, fully tracked floor, rear heating, 48,000 miles £13,995
LDV MINIBUSES (57) 2007 LDV Maxus 15 seat minibus, high back seats with three point belts £7,495
(03) 2003 LDV Convoy Maxi XLWB 17 seat mini-coach, 2.4 Tdi, front entry drop step, luggage racks, rear heating, wide aisle, rear row of seats removable, New PSV £6,995
OTHER MAKES
(57) LDV Maxus LWB 9 seats tracking to take two wheelchairs, inboard lift, 49,000 miles, £9,995
(06) Fiat Ducato LWB, high roof, panoramic windows, inboard tail lift, 6 seats plus wheelchair tracking, 42,000 miles £10,995
New Renault Master 17 seat LM35/ 2.2di 125ps, six speed, satnav, tacho, fully tracked floor with removable seats £21,995
(54) 2005 Renault Master 13 seat wheelchair access minibus, inboard Ricon lift, fully tracked floor, rear heating, electric side step, 56,000 miles £8,995
(10) 2010 Renault Trafic 9 seat LL29, twin side loading doors, air-con, alloys, tail gate, 50,000 miles £11,995
(04) 2004 Mercedes Sprinter 413cdi minibus 2.2 diesel, front entry drop step with power door, inboard Clearway lift, fully tracked floor to take 4 wheelchairs, rear heating, 77,000 miles £9,995
(09) 2009 Renault Master 16 seat minibus, tacho,high back seats with three point belts, 35,000km £15,650
(53) 2003 Mercedes Vito 108 cdi 2.2 diesel, 6 seats, low floor with lightweight ramp, tracking for two wheelchairs £5,995
(08) 2008 Renault Master 17 seat minibus 2.2 diesel, high back seats with three point belts, 61,000 miles £9,750
(53) 2003 Iveco Daily 16 seat minibus, front entry drop step with power door, wheelchair tracking, under floor tail lift, rear heating, COIF/PSV £9,995
(07) 2007 Peugeot Boxer 17 seat 3.5 ton minibus, 2.2 diesel, high back seats with three point belts, rear row of seats on tracking, 18,000 miles only £10,495
Y 2001 Renault Mascot 2.8 diesel, 16 seat wheelchair accessible minibus, front entry drop step, fully tracked floor to take five wheelchairs, under floor lift, rear heating, COIF/PSV £7,750
Tel: 01633 485858 Mobile: 07866 443304 Contact Graham Thatcher – email: sales@minibussales.co.uk
Pembridge House, The Park Business Centre, Plough Road, Goytre, Penperlleni, Nr Usk, South Wales NP4 0AL – 10 minutes from M4 motorway. Viewing by appointment only Finance Contract Hire and Finance Lease Available. We deliver Nationwide. All vehicles prepared to VOSA standard COIF/PSV specialist
All above prices are subject to VAT @ 20%
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DOUBLE DECK E 1997/8 VOLVO OLYMPIANS Seatbe exampleslted no available w
LEZ
LEZ
COMPLIANT
COMPLIANT
Volvo engines, Euro 2, 78 seats, converted to single door, new COIF, tyres included, UK registered ready to work.
Cummins/Voith, LEZ compliant for 2012 with traps to Euro 4, CCTV, Alexander ALX400 bodies, DDA compliant or upseated to 80 seats.
1999/2000 T/V/X REG DENNIS TRIDENTS
Mercedes engine, 31 seats, 29 belted and 2 tip-ups, Hanover LEDʼs all round.
2006 OPTARE SOLO M920
8.9m, Cummins / Allison, Hanover blinds, 29 seats, full DDA.
ZF automatic, Van Hool Alizee body, 53 seats, Trap fitted for Euro 4 LEZ compliance, MOT 11/12.
1999/2000 DENNIS TRIDENTS
2009 ADL ENVIRO 200
1995 M DAF SB3000
Cummins/Voith, East Lancs bodies, 87 seats.
1995 M REG DENNIS DRAGONS
2001 MERCEDES 814 VARIO
Cummins/Voith gearboxes, Duple Metsec bodies, recent floors and 92 coach seats.
Manual, 31 seats, belts fitted, MOT 04/12.
2001 DDA COMPLIANT DENNIS DARTS
Plaxton Pointer 2 dual door bodies, 31 seats, CCTV, particulate traps fitted, LEZ 2012 compliant, only £6,500 each plus tyres (£375)
2001 Y REG DART SLF’S
Cummins/Allison, LEZ compliant for 2012 with traps to Euro 4, CCTV, Alexander ALX200 bodies with either 30 seats and 2 doors or 34 seats converted to single door, ramps, DDA certified and compliant. 10.8m 37 seaters now available.
OPEN TOP BUSES A SPECIALITY - B
Juliette Close, Purfleet Industrial Pa Telephone 01708 865656 Fax: 01708 864 Visit our website for current sto
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g nbus
K ER SPECIALIST 1994 K REG VOLVO OLYMPIAN
GREAT VALUE DENNIS DARTS!!!
Northern Counties low height bodies, Volvo engines, good selection with long MOTs.
2001 Y REG DENNIS DART MPD’S
Plaxton Pointer 2 bodies, 29 seats, LEZ compliant post 2012 with traps, DDA compliant, long MOTʼs.
1998-2000 S / V / W reg Darts with Plaxton Pointer 2 bodies, 31 seats, dual door, DDA compliant, exhaust traps fitted so reduced tax, huge choice at an unbelievable £4,500 each plus VAT and tyres (£375).
1Automatic, Plaxton Premiere 350 body, 51 seats, LEZ compliant to Euro 4, supplied with new MOT.
1997 DAF SB3000
1998 S REG DENNIS DART SPD
Cummins / Allison World Series gearbox , Pointer 2 body, 41 seats.
ZF auto, Van Hool body, 49 seats with centre toilet and door, only one available.
Cummins / ZF, 40 seats with 3 point belts, Hanover LEDʼs, new MOT.
2008 58 PLATE ENVIRO 300
£7000 just spend on recon engine, MCV Evolution body, 40 seats, DDA, Hanover LEDʼs.
1999/2000 DENNIS TRIDENTS
Euro 4, Cummins/Allison, MCV body, 9m, 32 seats, special narrow version, only 2.4m wide.
1999 V REG DENNIS DART MPD’S
1992 J REG LEYLAN OLYMPIANS
Cummins/Voith, LEZ compliant with traps, Plaxton President bodies, 62 seats or 70 when converted to single door.
Cummins/Allison, Plaxton bodies, 8.8m, 29 seats.
2003 VOLVO B12B
2007 MAN 14.220
2007 DART MPD
Fitted with new Iveco Euro 3 engines in 2008, ZF gearboxes, Alexander bodies, tachoʼs and long MOTʼs.
- BRITAIN’S BIGGEST BUS DEALERS
rial Park, Purfleet, Essex, RM15 4YF 708 864340 e-mail: sales@ensignbus.com ent stock at www.ensignbus.com
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THIS WEEK’S SPECIAL OFFERS...
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H.W. PICKRELL
MINIBUS AND WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLES
Gardiners Lane North • Crays Hill • Billericay • Essex • CM11 2XE Tel: 01268 521033 • Mobile: 07860 894331 • Fax: 01268 284951
Email: sales@hwpickrell.co.uk - www.hwpickrell.co.uk
Finance available on all vehicles (subject to status) Written details on request.
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINI BUSES
56 REG IVECO DAILY 40c12 IRIS BUS 2.3 TD
Manual gearbox tacho, LWB, O & H conversion, side loading door, AVS manual step, 16 x high back removable seats, all age belts, Eberspacher, Ratcliff underfloor t/lift, ex local authority, COIF'd, only 6,096 miles.
59 REG MERCEDES SPRINTER 513 L17 2.1
Manual gearbox, LWB, PAS, side loading door, AVS electric step, 12 high back removable seats, PLS underfloor t/ lift, ex local charity, tacho fitted, 47,827 kms only.
07 REG RENAULT MASTER LH35 2.5TD
LWB, hi roof, multi purpose office/comms unit, PAS, SLD with AVS side step, awning, 3 x workstations, amber light, bars front and rear, overhead storage lockers, heating, generator, microwave, tv, only 1,500 miles.
07 REG RENAULT MASTER SL33 2.2TD
56 REG RENAULT MASTER LM39 2.5TD
06 REG RENAULT MASTER MM33 2.2TD
2005 54 REG RENAULT MASTER MM33 2.2TD
Manual gearbox, high roof, O & H conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, 6 high back seats plus 1 x w/chair, air con, heater, Unwin tracked floor, Ricon tail lift, 22,166 miles.
Manual, high roof, PAS, LWB, Mellor conversion, side loading door, AVS side step, 14 high back seats, AMF m2 fully tracked floor, new Ricon tail lift, only 35,756 miles, choice of two.
Automatic gearbox, high roof, SCW conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, 7 high back seats plus 1 x w/chair, Eberspacher heater, Unwin tracked floor, Ricon tail lift, 11,831 miles.
Manual gearbox, high roof, Atlas conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, 5 high back seats plus 2 x w/chair, air con, heater, Unwin tracked floor, Ricon tail lift, 8,166 miles.
53 REG MERCEDES SPRINTER 416 CDI
54 REG MERCEDES SPRINTER 411 CDI
2004 54 REG IVECO 50c13 IRIS BUS 2.8 TURBO DIESEL
08 REG MERCEDES VARIO 613D
4x4 ambulance, LWB, Wilker box body conversion, full air con/climate, side loading door, 3 high back seats, Falcon stretcher, PLS stretcher lift, very high spec, one owner ex Air Force, only 25,950 kms.
Tiptronic gearbox, tacho, Euromotive conversion, front entry slam door with low entry step, 16 x high back removable seats, Eberspacher climate, PLS underfloor t/lift, ex local authority, COIF'd, only 72,422 kms.
Manual, LWB, PAS, factory conversion, electric windows, cruise control, low front entry slam door, 16 high back seats with all age seat belts, full air con, exlocal authority, COIF, new PSV MOT, only 80,341 kms.
Euro 4, manual gearbox, tacho, Minibus Options conversion, electric power door, AVS manual step, 16 x high back removable seats, all age belts, Ebers-pacher, PLS underfloor t/lift, ex local authority, COIF'd, only 82,000 kms.
58 REG RENAULT MASTER SM33 2.2TD
2008 57 REG RENAULT TRAFFIC LH29 2.2 TD
06 REG MERCEDES VARIO 814
06 REG VOLKSWAGEN LT35 2.5 TD
Manual gearbox, high roof, O & H conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, 6 high back seats plus 1 x w/chair, Eberspacher heater, air con, Unwin tracked floor, Ricon tail lift, 8,630 miles only.
Automatic, high roof, LWB, SCW conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, 8 high back seats, Unwin tracking, tinted windows, full air front & rear, Eberspacher heater, Ricon tail lift, only 9,000 miles.
Manual gearbox, LWB, PAS, tacho, Mellor coach conversion, electric power door, fold out low entry step, 32 high back removable seats, Eberspacher, PLS underfloort/ lift, ex local authority, COIF'd, only 84,000 kms.
Manual gearbox, MWB, high roof, SCW conversion, side loading door, manual side step, 10 high back seats plus 2 x w/chair, heater, Unwin tracked floor, Ricon tail lift, 45,531 miles.
55 REG PEUGEOT BOXER 2.5 TD
07 REG FORD TRANSIT 350 2.4TD
08 REG RENAULT MASTER MM33 2.2TD
58 REG RENAULT MASTER LM39 2.5TD
Manual, high roof, PAS, LWB, Kirkham conversion, side loading door, side step, 11 rear high back seats,double passenger seat + driver, Ricon tail lift, ex local school bus, only 54,756 miles.
Long wheelbase, high roof, 6 seater crew van, PAS, SLD, rear partion for storage & tools in rear, Eberspacher heater, overhead storage, microwave, hot water box, wash facilties, 27,000 miles only.
Manual gearbox, high roof, O & H conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, 6 high back seats plus 2 x w/chair, Eberspacher heater, air con, Unwin tracked floor, Ricon tail lift, 36,831 miles.
Manual, high roof, PAS, LWB, Mellor conversion, side loading door, AVS side step, 12 high back seats, amf m2 fully tracked floor, Ratcliff tail lift, only 35,755 miles.
60 REG PEUGEOT BOXER 2.5 TD
2007 MERCEDES VARIO 613D
06 REG RENAULT MASTER SM33 2.2TD
2004/05 54 REG MERCEDES SPRINTER 416CDI AMBULANCE
5 speed manual, high roof, PAS, MWB, O & H conversion, side loading door, side step, 8 rear high back seats,single passenger seat + driver, Ricon tail lift, Eberspacher heater & full air con, only 8,896 miles.
Euro 4, manual gearbox, tacho, Mellor coach conversion, electric power door, AVS manual step, 16 x high back removable seats, all age belts, Eberspacher, Ricon inboard t/lift, ex local authority, COIF'd, 132,000 kms.
Manual gearbox, high roof, O & H conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, 6 high back seats plus 1 x w/chair, Eberspacher heater, air con, Unwin tracked floor, Ricon tail lift, 21253.441 miles.
LWB, Macneillie van conversion, SLD, 2 rear high back seats, Ferno Falcon stretcher & locks, stretcher lift, blue light bars and siren, very high spec, low miles 65-85,000 miles only, choice of 8.
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BUS & COACH SALES
2010 2007 2007 2006 2006 2006 2005
MAN Panther DDA 49 seats A/C front w/chair lift Setra S416GTHD Tri axles 48 seats A/C Setra S415GTHD 48 seats A/C Mercedes Tourismo 49 seats A/C Setra S416GTHD Tri axle 49 seats A/C MAN Plaxton 49 seats A/C Dennis R Caetano Enigma 49 seats A/C
2004 2004 2004 2003 2003 1998
MAN Marco Polo 70 seats A/C Volvo B12B Caetano Enigma 49 seats A/C MAN Noge Catalan 51 seats A/C Volvo B12M Caetano Enigma 49 seats A/C Volvo B12B Caetano 48 seats A/C Volvo B10M Excalibur 49 seats
TO VIEW CALL 07979 295668
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January 25, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 57
London United Busways Ltd CLEARANCE SALE – Don’t miss this opportunity to pick up a bargain Dennis Dart Plaxton Pointer 2 SLF 10.7m Single door 35 Seated 25 Standing T/V reg (1999) LEZ compliant Look CCTV system Manual ramp, Cab Air con, From £9,999.00 + VAT + Tyres (£250)
Dennis Dart Plaxton Pointer 2 SLF 10.7m
Merc V8/AsTronic box, 75str, white ext/blue int, air con, drinks, fridge, ski box, 160,000 miles since factory engine, MoT Oct 2012, Eminox fitted to Euro 4, RPC for reduced road tax (£190 P/A), very good condition, low mileage coach. Ideal people mover for the Olympics. £109,000 + VAT ono
NEOPLAN SKYLINER 2003
31 Seated 27 Standing T/V reg (1999) LEZ compliant Look CCTV system, Power ramp, Cab Air con, Single door conversion available. From £4,999.00 + VAT + Tyres (£250)
Dennis Dart Plaxton Pointer 2 SLF 10.2m 27 Seated 30 Standing V reg (1999) LEZ compliant Look CCTV system Power ramp, Cab Air con, Single door conversion available From £4,500.00 + VAT + Tyres (£250)
Contact Joseph Sage 0208 400 6680 Email Joseph.sage@lonutd.co.uk
1 - 7.8SE 23str with seat belts and semi coach seats, digi tacho, radio, approx 142,000 miles. MoT June 2012 £49,500 + VAT ono 2 - 7.1SE 23str approx 195,000 miles, MoT May 2012 £47,500 + VAT ono Both vehicles Euro 4 Mercedes engines, white exterior/blue interior, Hanover destination, vgc.
2 OPTARE SOLOS 2007
Tel: 01296 398300 Motts Travel, Buckinghamshire
COACHES FOR SALE Please contact Peter Fyvie on 0131 554 5413
2 x 2003 SCANIA IRIZAR CENTURY’S with 49 reclining seats. One vehicle is white with no markings and and is MOT’d till September 2012. The other has removable vinyls. MOT’d till May 2012. Toilet, PA system, air-con in both coaches and they are in very good condition. These vehicles can be sold Euro IV LEZ Compliant if required. They are priced at £65,000 o.n.o.
2002 MAN MAGO 1 Charcoal gray with 33 reclining seats. Air-con and pa system. To be sold with new MOT. A rare vehicle possibly the only one in the UK. We have had this Midi coach since new and it has performed very well for us. Priced at £30,000 o.n.o 2006 MERCEDES 16 SEAT SPRINTER 413CDI Excellent condition. MOT’d till June 2012. Silver in colour with removable vinyls. No air-con. Price £15,000 o.n.o.
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58 | COACH & BUS WEEK | January 25, 2012
SilverGray Carriage Ltd 4 x 14 berth Ayat bravo sleeper buses for sale. They are between 2001 and 2003. They can come with or without LEZ compliance.
We are currently looking at a starting price from 45K + VAT per bus.
01797 343900 berni@silvergray.co.uk
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January 25, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 59
ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS &SERVICES CRAIG TILSLEY
AIR CONDITIONING
ENGINES
Suppliers of Reconditioned
DAF MAN MERC, VOLVO SCANIA, GARDNER LEYLAND, CUMMINS ENGINES CYLINDER HEADS CRANKSHAFTS CRANKCASES CAMSHAFTS Tel: PUMPS Works: 01782 791524 Moorfields Ind. ETC 01782 791527 Est. Cotes Heath, Fax: 01782 791316
BUILDINGS
CHECKPOINTS
Stoke-on-Trent ST21 6QY
SPECIAL OFFERS
EQUIPMENT
Specialists in Used Commercial Garage Equipment BWS 0117 953 0381 www.bwsequip.co.uk
email: bwsequip@hotmail.com
ENGINEERING SERVICES
HEAVY DUTY STEEL BUILDINGS
Bus Workshops - Secure Storage Supplied any width, any length Building to BS5590 - Doors high enough for Double Deckers - Finance available For further information phone
TO PURCHASE CHECKPOINT/DUSTITE loose wheelnut indicators or to locate your nearest stockist:
BLUELINE BUILDINGS 01709 578333 anytime
www.checkpoint-safety.com
Tel: 01524 271200
r .FDIBOJDBM "TTJTUBODF r &MFDUSJDBM "TTJTUBODF r $PBDI CVJMEJOH "TTJTUBODF r .BOBHFSJBM "TTJTUBODF
Ray McAlle (General Manager) Mobile: 07530 387394 Office: 01666 510158 Fax: 01793 840514 Email: info@paulclarkservices.co.uk Web: www.paulclarkservices.co.uk
ENGINES
Crewe Engines Ltd
INSURANCE
MERCEDES ENGINE SPECIALISTS
WE ALSO RECONDITION ALL MAKES OF BUS & COACH ENGINES
Direct from the UK’s No.1 since 1975 Call now for a quote or more information
01270 526333
Federation of Engine Re-Manufacturers
REGISTRATIONS
www.creweengines.co.uk
VOLVO - CUMMINS - SCANIA MAN - DAF - IVECO FULL FITTING FACILITIES
G £750 20 PXV 40 OXW 60 NJX 70 NNX 90 PXL PJZ 88 RJZ 66 RJZ 77 SJZ 22
SPEEDY REGISTRATIONS CO LTD G ‘Buy with confidence – CNDA Member’
£350 £99 £99 £50 AJZ 484 CXZ 2228 MNZ 1195 AXZ 5618 JBZ 484 CXZ 2229 ONZ 1171 AXZ 5619 JHZ 939 HIG 5650 REZ 3379 CRZ 4825 LLZ 949 HIG 5651 RUI 2117 CXZ 2215 MKZ 989 HIG 5652 SEZ 7608 CXZ 2216 PDZ 818 IFZ 2292 SUI 8847 DRZ 5652 PXI 434 KIG 1901 SUI 8848 DRZ 5653 SCZ 797 KIG 1902 TJZ 1118 IFZ 2314 YIL 202 MJZ 6749 TJZ 1119 IFZ 2315 We Buy for Cash, also Part Exchange
Tel: (028) 6638 7124 Fax: (028) 6638 7771
Millwood, Lisbellaw, Co. Fermanagh, N. Ireland BT94 5HQ
£50 JIG 8031 JIG 8032 KIG 1321 KIG 1322 RNZ 1127 RNZ 1128 RNZ 1129 TUI 4724 TUI 4725
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60 | COACH & BUS WEEK | January 25, 2012
ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS &SERVICES SEATING
TYRE EQUIPMENT
URBAN
SERVICE
COACH
SERVICE
HAND RAIL PADDING
ACCESSORIES
G Hand Rail Padding G Next Day Delivery G Seat Belt Installations G Double Deckers Seat Belted G Seat Belt Supplies Securon Amsafe/Safetex Fasching ISRI Reflex Schneeweis Orion MCF GWR Fainsa Vogle Keil Politecnica Esteban + many more
Parts Hotline - Graham White graham@bhiuk.com 01522 689911 Email: info@bhiuk.com
www.bhiuk.com
Fax: 01522 689922
The UK’s No1 Seatbelt Installers VEHICLE SPARES
SNOW CHAINS
Trevor Wigley & Son Bus Ltd
TW FULLY LICENSED END OF LIFE VEHICLE CENTRE TW REDUNDANT AND SCRAP VEHICLES TAKEN TW PROFESSIONAL, EFFICIENT SERVICE TW ALL REQUIREMENTS CATERED FOR TW VARIOUS SPARES AVAILABLE TW CONTACT US FOR FULL AVAILABILITY
TRAINING
Driver CPC Farrow Training UK Ltd
Driver CPC Training available in West Midlands, Worcestershire and Shropshire at a time and place to suit you.
Get Legal - Get Trained www.trainingforcpc.com Tel: 07970 853663
Don’t forget to mention that you saw it advertised in
Call 01226 723147 Night Service 01226 716479 Fax 01226 700199 Email wigleys@btconnect.com
www.twigley.com
January 25, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 61
Seen something funny? Send it to gareth.evans@rouncymedia.co.uk, fax 0845 2802927 or write to: Last Stop, Coach & Bus Week, 3 The Office Village, Cygnet Park, Forder Way, Hampton, Peterborough PE7 8GX
Monday: Press day. I’m not on form but I focus on the task in hand. A hitherto fit and active 89-year old dearly loved relative is in a critical condition in hospital in Telford. It’s touch and go and I attempt to mentally prepare myself for the worst. I’ve also got a large painful spot on my throat. On a brighter note, my fiancée texts me to remind me to put the heating back to timed as she’s left it on before going to bed. With my reputation for being prudent, my colleagues jest we will now have to live on Tesco Value noodles for the next month. All good fun. Caught on camera by Steve Hodgson, this cartoon in an Arriva North-East shop-front window in Darlington displays several helpful phone numbers for passengers. One of these, the traveline number, forms perhaps the most complicated bus route number we’ve ever seen. We wondered how many customers would use the 08712002233 route, and where it would go… We’re not entirely sure exactly what the shop is for. Perhaps if you find your way through an automated phone system to the right end, the door mysteriously opens? It would certainly turn a search for lost property into a fun little treasure hunt… All joking aside, it’s nice to see Arriva making the effort to brighten up the street, rather than pasting a tiny number illegibly in the corner of the window.
Royal Welsh Way or Royal Welsh Car Park? The A470 is set for a change, with support growing to rename the road ‘The Royal Welsh Way,’ after the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells which the road passes. An article in the Western Mail described the proposed changes to the road from Cardiff to Llandudno,
Dilbert
which is notorious for rush hour traffic jams and journeys spent staring at the rear end of a Mid Wales tractor. The new name, should it go ahead, is hoped to attract tourists and serve as a morale boost to Welsh troops based overseas. Paul Hinge, who served with the Royal Welch Fusiliers from 1970 to 1984 and sits on the regimental association executive committee, came up with the idea. He said: “The servicemen would be over the moon. I know they would be.” A Welsh government spokesman said: “The spectacular scenery,
activities, attractions, stories and communities along the A470 already make it an iconic tourist trail for many visitors. Giving the road a title to reflect this would be an interesting proposal.” One cynical observer quipped: “The Welsh are notorious for giving things nicknames and if this road deserved one it would already be in place. Naming the road would necessitate all signs to be bilingual and then retain the A470 for map and satnav purposes. “For anyone who drives to Cardiff it should be called the Taff Car Park. The A470 is not “an tourist trail”.
Tuesday: I’m tired and frankly rather grumpy to boot. Reluctantly agree not to visit my relative in hospital in case’s I’ve got an infection. Wednesday: Fail in my attempt to visit a GP as a visitor – I’m still registered with my doc ‘back home’. Don’t you just love bureaucracy?! Enjoy talking to a friendly reader who has expressed an interest in putting some of his coach industry experiences to paper. Help Martin with news for Minibus. Thursday: Enjoy a catch up with a friendly contributor and agree a forthcoming feature. Having overheard my rant, Derek approaches the editorial team corner of the office with care, before asking: “Is it safe enough to proceed beyond this point?” I reply: “I’m rather like a steam engine boiler. My safety valves lift once the pressure becomes too high, I blow off steam and normal pressure is restored.” Next minute I’m laughing and joking as normal. Life’s too short to let things get to you – that’s something I learned while dealing with thuggish louts on Birmingham’s buses. Friday: Another full day in the office driving production forward. Subedit Minibus and many pages of CBW. Enjoy a catch up with a friendly English coach operator. www.coachandbusweek.com
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62 | COACH & BUS WEEK | January 25, 2012
RECRUITMENT
Obituary
Sir Tom Cowie The founder of Arriva, Sir Tom Cowie passed away on January 18, aged 89. Sir Tom, a successful northeast entrepreneur and also the chairman of Sunderland AFC between 1980 and 1986, was awarded an OBE in 1982 and was knighted in 1992. He died at his home, Broadwood Hall in County Durham. In 1980 the family business, named Cowie, which since 1960 had been into motor retailing, started to purchase bus companies with the acquisition of Londonbased Grey-Green. Over the next few years, there were more bus company acquisitions, with the biggest – British Bus Group plc – in 1996 making the business one of the largest bus operators in the UK. Sir Tom left the company in
1993, and Arriva was established in 1997, bringing together many different company backgrounds under the Arriva flag. Paying tribute, Arriva’s chief executive, David Martin said: “Sir Tom was a dedicated and talented businessman whose determination and vision built his small family motorcycle business, T Cowie Ltd, into a successful national motor retailing chain and laid the foundations for Arriva’s international business today. “After Sir Tom’s retirement from the group in 1993 he became our honorary president. Whilst this was not an active board role, he remained interested in and supportive of Arriva’s expansion into new transport markets. Sir Tom will be sadly missed. Our thoughts are with his family.” Sir Tom was married first to Lillas Hunnam, with whom he had one son and four daughters, and then to Diana Evans, with whom he had three more daughters and two step-children.
Scania grows talent as apprentice numbers rise More than 50 students embarked on Scania Apprenticeship programmes between September 2011 and January 2012. This latest intake comprises 39 apprentice technicians, five apprentice parts professionals and eight apprentice bus and coach technicians. “These figures are part of a healthy upward trend which has seen our intake of apprentices almost double over the past three
Training takes place at Scania’s facility near Loughborough
years,” said Mark Grant, aftersales director for Scania (Great Britain) Limited. “That is excellent news, not only for Scania and its customers but also for the transport sector in general, as today’s new blood is the future lifeblood of our industry.” During the three-year programme, apprentices receive on-going training and support from the in-house team at Scania’s UK Training Centre based near Loughborough. Completion of the apprenticeship secures two industry-recognised qualifications: the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) Technical Certificate Level 2/3 and a National Vocational Qualification for Maintenance and Repair Heavy Vehicle, Level 2/3. A recent addition is Scania’s three-year Bus and Coach Apprenticeship programme.
Your First Choice for Recruitment
Coach and Bus Week’s well-established recruitment portfolio attracts candidates across sales, marketing and management, delivering not just quantity but quality candidates, providing exceptional value for money. In addition to our unrivalled print-based product, at no extra cost recruitment adverts are also automatically placed online at www.coachandbusweek.com, where they remain on view until a position’s closing date. Coach and Bus Week and www.coachandbusweek.com combine to create the ultimate recruitment solution, guaranteeing your vacancy is seen by every job seeker that matters from sales agents to board level. To get your vacancy seen by quality candidates, call Harley on 01733 293249 (email harley.denham@rouncymedia.co.uk) or Ian on 01733 293484 (email ian.gillis@rouncymedia.co.uk) www.coachandbusweek.com
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DeaDlines Booking: Monday 5.00pm Full artwork: Monday 5.30pm
ContaCt Harley Denham 01733 293249
Obituary
He was always approachable and brought lectures alive with his seemingly endless stream of tales. We all remember his catchphrases and talk about him with fondness to this day.” Another of Alasdair’s former students, Patrick Stringer who is now operations and commercial manager at the Brighton & Hove Bus and Coach Company, told CBW: “The stories he used to illustrate examples in lectures have become folklore. He will forever remain someone who raises a smile whenever you think of him. There is no more a fitting tribute than raising a glass to him in the Sacks of Potatoes pub (on campus).” Alasdair had been retired since 2006/07 and gradually gave up part time teaching, enjoying retirement and time with his grandchildren. Dr Pete Hedges, a former colleague said: “Alasdair seems to have touched a lot of lives.” Alasdair’s funeral was held on Monday (January 23).
Alasdair Traill Alasdair Traill, former senior lecturer in transport and logistics at Aston University, Birmingham, passed away suddenly overnight on January 5/6. It is understood he died of bronchial-pneumonia. Alasdair lectured a whole generation of Transport Management students who have since found themselves in employment right across the coach and bus industry, including all the ‘Big Five’ groups, independent operators, transport authorities and consultancies. A popular figure among students and staff alike, he was known for his no-nonsense approach but also for his encouragement and vast depth of knowledge. Paying tribute, one of his former students, CBW editor Gareth Evans said: “Alasdair was a real character.
harley.denham@rouncymedia.co.uk
Assistant Operations Manager Redwing Coaches require an experienced Assistant Operations Manager to help manage our Traffic Team at our Head Office in Herne Hill, South London. Reporting to the Operations Manager, you will assist with all aspects of Scheduling, Allocation and Service Delivery of our fleet of 59 coaches, ensuring the companyʼs high standard of customer service is maintained. A team player with a proven track record is essential, along with a high level of management and people skills and an ability to work under pressure. The successful candidate will have a sound knowledge of EU Drivers Hours Regulations. PCV Licence essential. Good knowledge of London, UK and Europe would be an advantage. You will be required to work shifts including weekends. Salary negotiable according to qualifications and experience. Please send your CV with covering letter to: Nigel Taylor Operations Manager Redwing Coaches 10 Dylan Road, London SE24 0HL Or by email to nigel@redwing-coaches.co.uk Closing date: 3 February 2012 www.coachandbusweek.com
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