Coach & Bus 15 by Transport Publishing Australia

Issue 015

Contents CONTACT DETAILS PO Box 3294 Erina, NSW 2250 www.truckandbus.net.au Enquiries Tel: 0411 099 091 Follow us on Twitter #truckandbusnews Publisher/Managing Editor Geoff Paradise gparadise@truckandbus.net.au Editor Fabian Cotter fabian@truckandbus.net.au Art Director Luke Melbourne www.groeningdesigns.com.au Senior Designer Adelle Chang www.groeningdesigns.com.au Advertising Sales 0411 099 091 0409 654 157 advertising@truckandbus.net.au Contributing Writers Chris Smith, David Meredith, Sven-Erik Lindstrand, Allen Matzel Contributing Photographers Mark Bean, Cristian Brunelli, David Meredith, Chris Smith, Paul Jakubicki, Matthew Everingham

Regulars

04 06 08 61 63 64

Driver’s Seat

The stats are out: Too many people still prefer cars than we busies would like. Editor Cotter examines the implications.

Fare Go Publisher Paradise isn’t too happy about ADL’s decision to abandon iconic Aussie bus body building company Custom and outlines the implications affecting us all.

Up Front We wrap up the key local and international bus and coach news that affects us as a global industry and where we are heading.

Hot Stuff If you are past Lego and Meccano then these trick gadgets on the go are hard to resist. You may not need them, but you’ll certainly want them. Or is that vice-versa?

Working Wheels The new Renault Kangoo can do, it seems. And the French manufacturer is properly excited about it. Geoff Paradise reports.

Money Financial guru Paul Clitheroe talks about finding ‘lost’ super fund money and increasing your supper benefits - for this financial year and beyond.

Technical

Art of Induction TECH: The dilemma of how to set up re-charging infrastructure for next-gen electric buses might just have been solved. Or the experts sure hope. Fabian Cotter investigates.

Coach & Bus magazine is published under licence by the Truck Power Media Group Pty Ltd six times a year and is distributed to bus and coach operators, business professionals and the industry throughout Australia. All material contained herein including text, photography, design elements and format are copyright and cannot be reproduced by any means without the written permission of the publisher. Truck Power Media Group is a member of the Copyright Agency Limited (1800 066 844). Editorial contributions are welcome for consideration. Contact the Editor or Publisher for guidelines, fees and level of interest. All unsolicited manuscripts must be accompanied by a stamp, addressed envelope for their return. We will not be held responsible for material supplied electronically. Proudly printed in Australia

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coach&bus “...enables buses to operate largely unimpeded from beginning to end.”

32 Features

Magical Mystery Tour

30 32

Daily Commute

COVERSTORY: A Queensland tourism company needed something tougher than a regular bus around beautiful Fraser Island, so a 4x4 MAN cab-chassis with Coach Design pod it was. Fabian Cotter reports.

REALLY NEW: IVECO’s brand-new Daily van range is touted as award-winning stuff and heralds a new era for its commercial vehicle sales. Geoff Paradise reports from Italy.

The Big O PAST BLAST: Adelaide’s O-Bahn rapid bus system is nothing new, but nearing 30 years of service is still cutting the mustard and gives cause to question the worth of light rail. Fabian Cotter hopped on board.

Training Day THE LOWDOWN: Training is proving a godsend for Asia Motors based in Sydney, which is seeing great benefits from a newly built training facility for educating customers about its Daewoo gear. Fabian Cotter reports.

60 Mins With...

Space Invader

Sixual Healing

INTERVIEW: Now firmly settled into his new role as CEO, WMC/Higer Australia’s Neil Bamford was only too happy to chat about the company’s fortunes and what the future holds for it. Fabian Cotter reports.

INTERNATIONAL: If the saying ‘Beam me up, Scotty!’ does things for you then a ride on a bus that looks more like a space shuttle might just be your thing – in Japan. Fabian Cotter uses The Force.

NEW GEAR: The first Euro6 bus for service on Australian roads is here and ready for action. In fact, ACTION in the ACT chose the new Scanias and bio-diesel use is well on the map. Fabian Cotter reports.

Special

Administering Punishment? REPORT: Not even two years since Alexander Dennis bought bus body-builder Custom, it’s now suddenly sold it. Geoff Paradise looks at the issue.

First Non-Euro Combo for NSW REPORT: A NSW Government bus-service contractor has put into service a fleet of new buses – Daewoo chassis under King Long bodies. And it’s the first time non-Euro gear’s been used.

004Driver’s Seat

Fabian Cotter “...we’re squabbling over the scraps when we should be gearing up for a transport war and winning it.”

o news is good news? Then if there were good news to be told right about now the rest of the magazine after this sentence should be blank, right? Well, there goes that experiment because there’s just been so much that’s happened since our last issue that the next 40-odd pages are chock-a-block with all sorts of news and views. Not all bad, mind

of any government initiates or campaigns to get more people to use public transport, about 63 per cent of Sydneysiders still commuted in their cars. It also cites data indicating that in London almost one third of workers still rely on a vehicle to get to work. Factor in population numbers, the spaces that those cars would take up, the need for car park real estate to accommodate them daily, the emissions going

digest, but I can’t help but see an overbearing dark cloud of gloom that’s hovered over the industry’s head as of late. “I don’t see any dark cloud,” you might say. “Everything’s alright at my end and any bad

out into the air and it’s a pretty grim picture. So why is there reluctance to use public transport still? Senior lecturer in environmental planning and research at Macquarie University, Jennifer Kent, is quoted as stating she found motorists were willing to put up with Sydney’s congested motorways and lengthy travel times

heads of others.” Is that so? Well. I’ll be brief. And I’m not even talking about the Alexander Dennis-Custom divorce just yet. How to put this? The industry is blind and it hasn’t realised it yet. Individuals and companies are joyously celebrating weekly and monthly wins, even yearly ones if that, in terms of sales, or minor route patronage increases, or their way. A taste of success? For sure. But insipid ones. Short to medium gain in the grand scheme of the bus’s potential role in the public transport sector over the next 20-65 years. After which we’ll all be in driverless hovercrafts probably and buses and trains will be things of the past. And the really bad bit? Push comes We are celebrating ‘wins’ that are merely titbits of a far greater prize; we’re squabbling over the scraps when we should be gearing up for a transport war with the only objective being to win it. That is if we are serious about the importance of the bus at all. The problem is the challenge is much harder than what many experts had estimated. And

using their own vehicles’. She adds that in the commute to work and back motorists catch up with family and friends calls and pay bills on their tablet computers, and or listen to music or ‘talking books’. “The car takes on new meaning when it is the last bastion of privacy in modern life,” Kent said. Unless we as a whole try to tackle the psychology behind what makes people alternative – and that includes our rail brethren, so don’t feel too bad – then we collectively might as well be playing darts. And sure if we don’t we can go on our merry way, make some yearly sales of note, everyone gets paid, take home a cheap hamper and bottle of grog from the work Christmas party before resolving to do it all again next year but surely the long-term objective is to invoke real public transport usage change for the bus-related companies.

in fact it, ultimately, will have nothing to with which bus saves the most fuel, costs less,

A booming industry would thus help eradicate situations where quality companies

has more bells and whistles and comes in any pretty colours you desire (though I’m quite

like Custom are left in the lurch because its

Although it’s just looking at one city it is arguably and disturbingly probable representation of global trends that need the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics indicate that regardless

004 www.truckandbus.net.au

I say ‘suddenly’ because it sounds like no-one knew the real situation until the last minute. And if not the last minute, or in fact months or years earlier, it means someone, somewhere, some how’s dropped the ball and hasn’t run the math properly I’d imagine. Still to anyone other than those poor

hundreds of employees whose jobs are the ‘bigger picture’ probably seems trivial compared to other issues recently. These include, oh I don’t know. Let’s see: higher petrol costs thanks to an increase in fuel excise; bus drivers losing their licences after positive drug tests (in one case safety defects found on school buses after a swoop by authorities; pedestrians getting run over by buses, cyclists riding into buses, buses driving into innocent houses and fences... Yep, it’s been a crazy month or two. So perhaps it’s just as well we do have some good news items inside this issue for you, like our MAN 4x4 cab-chassis bus pod vehicle doing great things up on Heritage-listed Fraser Island, or a look at the very cool new Iveco Daily van range, or even a new training facility buses in service in the ACT thanks to Scania. Plus we interview Higer CEO Neil Bamford and check out South Aussie’s O-Bahn system and the issue of induction charging for electric buses. So open wide, come inside. It might not be Play School, but heck it’s close enough. And that’s no bad thing, kiddies. Until the next thrilling instalment...

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006Fare Go

Geoff Paradise The Alexander Dennis abandonment of iconic Aussie bus body builder Custom has far greater implications for us all than you might think.

ur timing couldn’t have been worse. Some might say piss poor, in fact. But that’s the nature of the publishing beast. You think you are onto a good thing – and we were

to any more expenditure from that day until

through it.

no, they took the easy way out. Legal? Yes, but gutless and immoral. The capitulation by ADL in the Australian market may be the thin end of the wedge for local body builders. News that the Feds

and other safety features these buses inherit from their truck siblings. Given the spate of

I’m talking, of course, about our previous coverstory on the Custom-ADL Enviro200. Just weeks after that issue was published Custom ADL called in the administrators - on May 30 to be precise. Thank you linesman, thank you ball boys. The news that Custom’s ADL masters in the UK decided to withhold all future funding was greeted with shock and anger by the local industry, creditors (of which we are one) and employees. ADL claims it had already put in more than enough – millions of dollars says CEO Colin Robertson – but no more. Just one week shy of their second anniversary of buying Custom from the Burgess family, the Scottish-based company pulled the pin. In doing so all unsecured creditors can, and

have agreed to increase the maximum width rule to 2550mm now opens the door for Completely Built-Up (CBU) buses and coaches from Europe. It will be up to each state to allow 2550mm vehicles to be registered, but I see that as a mere formality. What this means to the local body building industry is that companies that are now their customers could soon become their competitors. Mercedes-Benz led the way and they imported a Citaro city bus for approval late last year, which it ultimately got. And while we won’t see boatloads of Citaros on our roads we will see them in small numbers. No doubt other European manufacturers will be casting a critical eye over their European models to determine what would

bus accidents this year, particularly in NSW, that has to be a good thing. The losers, however, are likely to be those in the local body building industry, which has served the market so well for more than a hundred years. How will it be able to compete with the resources of M-B, Iveco, Volvo, MAN, Scania and others? The answer is simple: they won’t. So what becomes of them? Can they restructure and become bespoke body builders designing and building bodies for unique applications, or will we see history repeat itself when, 100 years ago, car bodies were built on imported chassis – the Adelaide-based body works of Holden and Frost is a good example – only to be wiped out when multinational companies did a

will get their entitlements and, thanks to laws introduced by a past federal government,

size and cost. In fact, I know of two such manufacturers who have already done just

automobiles. By the mid-’20s passenger car body builders ceased to exist save for some

superannuation accounts are protected. But tough titties for the small, medium and large

that. Interesting times. With this change to the width law there are winners and losers; the winners will be bus and coach passengers who will be able to travel on some of the safest, most technically advanced vehicles on the planet. Vehicles that boast lane assist, collision avoidance radar, proximity control, roll-over protection

who built ‘specials’. In war, such casualties are referred to as ‘collateral damage’, but that is only spin for lives lost or ruined. I can only hope that local manufacturing is able to remain intact

by corporate mercenaries holed up in their

have drawn a line in the books, paid all accounts that were due and not committed

006 www.truckandbus.net.au

the imports for the sake of the thousands of Australians who work in manufacturing.

VOLVO Bus

UpFront CUSTOM IN ADMINISTRATION follow us online at: www.truckandbus.net.au

ICONIC AUSTRALIAN BUS body builder Custom is now in voluntary administration after British parent company Alexander Dennis (ADL) closed its Sydney and Adelaide operations late May. The exact number of any job losses and the future of each location is yet to be determined, with an announcement

on 29th May to close both Custom’s Adelaide and Sydney operations. Custom also has manufacturing and maintenance facilities in NSW, QLD, South Australia, and Victoria. “At 11am they announced to workers that the company had been put into voluntary administration and the parent company, Alexander Dennis,

Custom still has contracts with the South Australian State Government and also private sales, Batchelor said. Disheartened by the news, South Australian Transport Minister Stephen Mullighan said: “We are monitoring the situation and while all orders appear secure, if required, Scania will fill our demand through existing contracts

sale is possible, which could allow the business to continue trading.’’ Deloitte was apointed administrator on 30 May, 2014. The appointees are Vaughan Strawbridge and Tim Norman, based in Sydney. General equiries should go to Emma Henderson on (02) 9322 5348, or gleaned from www.deloitte.com/au/

as to if there is a buyer for Custom due shortly. Reports are that executives of Alexander Dennis met on Thursday night

no longer wishes to pour money into the company,” said Australian Manufacturing Workers Union regional secretary Scott Batchelor.

with alternate suppliers,” he said. “Administrators Deloitte are operating the company for now, and I understand the parties are hopeful a

custom-coaches. Further latest information about the Custom-ADL situation is reported on pages 17-19 of this issue.

008 www.truckandbus.net.au

Stephen Trlin from Norwest Coaches

Norwest Coaches Goes Higer SCHOOL CHILDREN ARE special cargo and so Norwest Coaches, in Sydney’s north-west, has again selected Higer product for its private school run - this time the Higer H9250 Midi Boss. Norwest Coaches is a charter business primarily operating club and pub courtesy runs and specialised

children to get to and from school in safety and comfort, and we felt the Higer could offer both,” Trlin said. “The bus uses very well regarded component brands, so we knew it was going to be reliable, and the quality of the finishes is very high.” The Midi Boss is powered by a

Higer buses, the 41-seat Midi Boss is equipped with seatbelts. “The Higer Midi Boss is used on our Hills Grammar and William Clark school runs. There are children on this route travelling more than 30 kilometres per day, so it’s essential we can transport them not only in comfort, but on a bus

the Midi Boss to be available for the school runs, so the Cummins workshop were able to service the bus at 6pm on a Friday. This kind of flexibility really makes a difference to us, allowing us to keep the bus on the road and generating revenue when we need it to,” Trlin said.

school runs. Fleet manager Steve Trlin says the company bought its first Higer about eight months ago and it is used for transporting students to two different schools in Sydney’s Hills District. “We know that parents want their

Cummins ISB e5 6.7-litre power plant, which is mated to an Allison automatic transmission for easy-starting and efficient operation. The model also features Wabco ABS disc brakes and Firestone airbag suspension and, like all

that is extremely reliable and very safe. “One of our requirements when choosing a new bus is that the brand be well supported in Australia with ready access to parts and servicing. Higer really fits the bill on that front. We need

According to Trlin, the Higer Midi Boss was very well received by Norwest Coaches’ young passengers. “They really have been overwhelmed by the quality and luxury of the coach that takes them to school every day.”

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UpFront

10 years of MAN Lion’s City buses SINCE THE MARKET launch in 2004, around 16,000 MAN Lion City buses have been sold to customers worldwide. Just recently, Swedish transport company Keolis ordered 181 MAN Lion’s City buses, including 52 hybrid buses. Other recent bulk orders from Germany, Switzerland and Hungary show just how popular MAN city buses are with customers around the

efficient air conditioning systems reduce power input and vehicle weight. In order to sustain their value, MAN uses cathodic dip painting (CDP) on all bus frameworks. The sidewall segmenting helps minimise repair costs and idle times due to slight impacts or minor accidents. It has also been possible to further reduce the already low fuel consumption

braking system (EBS) are all fitted as standard. Other standard equipment includes a fire-detection system in the engine compartment and highlyeffective fire isolation between the engine compartment and passenger area. MAN is also one of the few suppliers offering the electronic stability programme (ESP) as an option for all solo buses in the Lion’s

is made of natural light with optional translucent bellows. The driver benefits from the MAN Lion’s City too. All the controls are positioned in the cockpit to make them easily accessible, without distracting the driver from what is happening on the road. The entrance to the driver’s cabin is wide, offering the driver easy access. There

world, the company says. By introducing Euro6 technology which MAN introduced for diesel city buses in 2011 - it has been possible to reduce fuel consumption further. Moreover, bus operators, passengers and drivers alike never cease to be amazed by the vehicles’ supreme handling, numerous safety features and comfortable passenger space, it’s stated. MAN is continually developing the Lion’s

of MAN city buses by three to five per cent on average by introducing the Euro6 emission standard. This is just one reason Austrian transport company Dr. Richard, one of the first customers of the Lion’s City bus range worldwide in 2005, has once again chosen MAN. “After several test runs using Euro6 buses, MAN impressed both in terms of fuel consumption compared to the previous model and also with regard to

City range. If required, customers can also enhance the safety of their vehicles with Tyre Pressure Monitoring (TPM). This permanently monitors the vehicle’s tyre pressure and alerts the driver if this falls below the minimum threshold. Furthermore, MAN already meets stringent rollover stability requirements stipulated in regulation ECE-R66. The neat, nicely laid-out passenger area

are also plenty of places to put things, ensuring ample storage space, the company states. The vehicles handle with an impressively high level of directional stability. The MAN Lion’s City can be steered with ease and precision through the city traffic thanks to its speciallytuned power steering system. The buses are also very quiet when running. Depending on individual requirements

City bus range so that it can always offer customers an ideal efficient passenger

their tried and tested technology. The comparatively lower life-cycle costs were

in the MAN Lion’s City can be designed to suit individual customer requirements. A

and applications, the MAN Lion’s City will have a total length of between 10.5

transportation solution for local public transport, according to the company. New product features introduced in 2012 not only cut fuel consumption but also ensure lower life cycle costs. While driving, the topography-dependent transmission control unit automatically activates the most efficient gear-shifting programme and helps save fuel. Lighter, energy-

ultimately a key factor in our decision. We are now able to draw on the initial experience from regular service with the buses and at this time feel vindicated in the decision we have made,” said Mag. Johann Strasser, technical director at Dr. Richard. An anti-lock braking system (ABS), anti-slip control (ASC) and an electronic

well-designed handrail system helps with passenger flow and allows unrestricted access to wheelchair spaces. The MAN Lion’s City offers plenty of headroom, ensuring that taller passengers have enough space. Large safety-glass roof hatches provide more natural light, increasing the sense of space. In MAN articulated buses, even greater use

and 18.75 metres. Whether they are looking for a low-entry, low-floor, solo or articulated bus with a vertical or horizontal engine, customers have an extensive range of models from which to choose. MAN also offers a diverse range of drive types, with diesel, hybrid and natural gas drives ensuring a broad spectrum of engines and technologies.

010 www.truckandbus.net.au

OIL FILTER CHOICE NO CHOICE, SAYS VOLVO OILS, FILTERS AND other parts can have a bigger impact on bus performance than operators may realise, says David Woodward, regional service manager from Volvo Australia, who recommends choosing genuine products for optimum performance. “Non-genuine options may be cheaper

Volvo conducted comparisons which showed the small saving that might be made on a non-genuine oil filter is seriously outweighed by the potential to jeopardise vehicle profitability and service life. “When we assessed Volvo genuine oils against non-genuine alternatives, the

in the short term, but in the long run they are usually not the best choice,” Woodward said. “Put simply, choosing a genuine part is the best way to ensure you get the ultimate performance from your bus. If you’re prepared to invest in a high quality vehicle, it makes sense to choose the best parts and products as well.” Even relatively inexpensive items like oil filters play a big role in bus performance, and making the right choice can impact an operator’s bottom line. “Filters may appeal as an easy way to make savings, but they are actually vitally important. By clearing impurities from engine fluids, they safeguard vehicle operation and protect against damage which can be very expensive to repair and can lead to considerable

results were quite alarming,” Woodward said. In comparative testing, only two of six non-genuine filters could match Volvo’s bare-minimum filter media area of 0.6m2. Sealing tests found using genuine oil kept seals soft and elastic for continued sealing capacity, even after 72 hours at minus 30 degrees Celsius. Under the same conditions, five of the six non-genuine oils allowed the seal to harden, increasing the risk of leakage. “Our genuine filter was also the only one with four support points to give the filter stability both sideways and vertically, and only half the tested filters had bonded filter joints compared to Volvo’s bonded and reinforced metal rail. “Of course, ultimately what you want from a filter is good filtration. While the genuine filter maintained its high

downtime. “With increasing demands for higher availability, less downtime and longer service intervals, the humble filter plays a crucial role, so it’s worth choosing the right one for the job.”

capacity for the full service interval, four of the six non-genuine brands did not.” Woodward says the principles of choosing the right oil filter apply to other parts and consumables choices. “Customers choose premium bus

brands because they want the highest level of performance, but to maintain that level it’s important to use purposebuilt parts that are designed to meet the needs of the vehicle and matched to the conditions you’re using it in.” “Genuine parts are engineered specifically for their unique

function in the chassis, certified to the highest standards and extensively tested in operating conditions. Buying genuine parts from your dealer also means you can be assured you are purchasing the latest options that use the most up to date technology.”

David Woodward, regional service

manager, Volvo Australia

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UpFront NHVR CEO appointed THE BOARD OF the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has announced the appointment of Mr Sal Petroccitto as chief executive following a nationwide recruitment search. Petroccitto joins the NHVR from the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, bringing extensive knowledge of heavy vehicle regulation to this challenging role. He is currently the Queensland Government representative on the NHVR Project Implementation Board and the Board of Transport Certification Australia, and has built strong working relationships with industry and government across Australia’s rail, ports and freight industries. The Board wishes to thank the current acting chief executive and chief financial officer, Ms Melinda Bailey, for her leadership of the NHVR during the past few months. Petroccitto is currently the general manager (Roads, Rail and Ports System Management) with the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads.

012 www.truckandbus.net.au

ELECTRIC HYBRIDS DEMO’D IN STOCKHOLM Electric buses = better living conditions? STOCKHOLM IS SET to demonstrate and evaluate how buses with electric power can contribute to better living conditions. This is part of ZeEUS, an EU project being conducted in six European countries. Starting this European autumn, eight Volvo electric hybrid buses will enter regular operations in the city. The technology these buses use will offer significantly reduced energy consumption, lower exhaust emissions and less noise, it’s stated. Behind the demo project, which is co-financed by the EU, are Volvo Buses, SL (Stockholm Public Transport) and energy provider Vattenfall. “A modern and extensive public

As of this European autumn for two years, eight Volvo electric hybrid buses will be put into regular operations on SL’s Route 73, which goes through the heart of central Stockholm. The electric hybrid buses are equipped with an electric motor and a battery pack that is quick-charged at either end of the route. Charging takes about six minutes. With fully charged batteries the buses can cover seven of the route’s eight or so kilometres on electricity, driving quietly and with absolutely no exhaust emissions. Compared with conventional diesel buses, the electric hybrids have 75 per cent lower fuel consumption and thus

how electrically powered buses in cities can help reduce air pollution, climate impact and noise. Apart from Stockholm, ZeEUS involves a further seven European cities, including London, Barcelona and Bonn. “Public transport based on electric hybrid buses is a cost-effective way of reducing several of the big city’s environmental problems. The solutions we are now developing create the necessary preconditions for both more attractive forms of travel and also better living conditions in city centres, without requiring major investments in new infrastructure. Electric hybrid buses and full-electric buses are tomorrow’s solution for urban public

transport system is essential in order to meet today’s and tomorrow’s environmental and sustainability targets. It is extremely gratifying that we now have the opportunity, as part of SL’s regular operations, to try out the very latest technology for further reducing our already low environmental impact,” says Christer G Wennerholm, traffic commissioner and first vice-president of

also a similar reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. Climate impact is reduced still further since the buses run on biodiesel. With electricity consumption included, the total energy saving is about 60 per cent. The Stockholm field test is part of an EU project entitled ZeEUS (Zero Emission Urban Bus System), which pools the expertise of more than 40 participating companies

transport,” says Håkan Agnevall, president Volvo Buses. “Vattenfall wants to actively contribute to the transport sector’s future solutions and our natural role is to provide electricity and charging services, as in this case. In this field test we want to showcase electrification’s ability to improve energy usage efficiency and promote a cleaner environment,”

Stockholm County Council Executive Committee.

and organisations. The primary aim of ZeEUS is to test and evaluate

says Torbjörn Wahlborg, senior vicepresident Vattenfall Region Nordic.

London Annual Passenger Journeys Top 2.4 Billion LONDON’S BUS NETWORK – of which Australia’s Transit Systems is now a massive part of - carried more passengers in 2013/14 than in any year since 1959, with over 2.4 billion journeys made, a recent report states. In addition, Tuesday 29 April saw the highest number of buses operating on the capital’s roads since 1953 with a record 7961 buses – 266 more than usual. Half of all the bus journeys made in England each year take place in London and the capital’s buses travelled 491 million kilometres in passenger service in 2013/14. Bus ridership grew by 69 per cent between 1999/00 and 2013/14 and the number of bus kilometres operated increased by 41 per cent. The continued population growth in the capital is expected to see usage of London’s buses increase by around seven per cent by 2020/21. Responding to the London Assembly

Transport Committee’s report ‘Bus Services in London’, published in October 2013, Transport for London (TfL) welcomed the Assembly’s recognition of the capital’s bus network as ‘world class’ and has committed to: continue to develop affordable, costeffective plans to increase capacity on the bus network to ensure it keeps pace with the expected growth in demand; introduce a new approach to engagement to capture the views of stakeholders and passengers on changes to bus services - this could include organising informal ‘drop-in’ sessions and emailing Oyster card users about consultations which may be of interest; Build on the report’s welcome and strong support for increased bus priority which will include working more closely with the London boroughs to distribute the £200m that has been allocated for these schemes in the TfL Business Plan up to 2020/21. Four fifths of the capital’s bus services operate

on borough roads; Further increase transparency by publishing annually the number of passenger journeys and bus kilometres operated on each of nearly 700 bus routes, with data for 2013/14 published by the end of this year. The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “Buses play a massively important role in keeping London moving, ferrying huge numbers of people around every far corner of the capital. Without the efficient movement of people that our network allows, London simply wouldn’t function as smoothly it does. As we celebrate the ‘Year of the Bus’, we remain fully focused on maintaining our position as a world-leader in bus services, while ensuring that the network adapts and continues to support the growth of our great city.” Leon Daniels, managing director for TfL Surface Transport, said: “The London Assembly rightly recognises London’s bus network as world class, with it ranked top for size, frequency,

reliability and accessibility when compared to other world cities including Paris and New York. We are committed to maintaining and further improving the bus network to maintain this world class service and meet the needs of London’s growing population. To this end, we will introduce improvements such as strengthening our engagement with the boroughs to better target our investment in bus services and publish more detailed data on how the network is performing. Critically, we need the Government to continue to support our investment while we work hard to get the most out of the existing network and match capacity to passenger demand.” TfL is responsible for managing one of the largest bus networks in the world with more than 8700 buses in the fleet. TfL keeps the bus network under regular review, working with the London boroughs and other partners to help ensure that services can respond to London’s changing travel needs.

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UpFront

The Audace has made a lasting impression on operators like Kennedy’s Tours in Nowra.

VOLVO-MARCOPOLO PARTNERSHIP POSITIVE THE NEW AUDACE – the first bus to come from a partnership between Volvo Bus Australia and South American bodybuilder Marcopolo - has made quite an impression on the Australian market, as operators continue to give positive feedback, the company says. Two NSW operators in particular, have been impressed with the back-up, functionality and stylish appearance of the newly launched model. The 12.3m Audace combines the renowned Volvo Euro5 B7R chassis with a

in Nowra, NSW, and Brett Allen, director of Wagga Wagga’s Allen’s Coaches. In Nowra, Kennedy has been operating the new Audace for both his regular school routes and school excursions for two months, and says the bus ticks all the boxes. “This unit really meets all our requirements – it allows us to deliver the high quality service on which we pride ourselves and it’s a good looking bus, built well and at a good price. It came with all the features we were looking for, from

braking, and active suspension that allows for a smooth ride and exceptional manoeuvrability. The 57-seat Marco Polo body features bonded glass panes that maximise passenger and driver visibility, streamlined pillars from windscreen to roof, head and tail-lights with LED turn signals and clearance lights, and electric rounded external mirrors with a demisting system. “Everyone loves this bus. The drivers enjoy the manoeuvrability and robustness of the Volvo B7R chassis, as well as the

excellent back up we’ve received from both Volgren and Volvo.” Of Kennedy’s 24-strong fleet, 17 of his units have Volvo chassis and their reliability and brawn are something he’s come to rely on. Another characteristic Kennedy depends on is Volvo’s steadfast support, the company states. Throw Volgren Australia into this equation and Kennedy says the back-up and support he receives for his new Audace is second to none. “The Volvo chassis is what really sold

Brazilian-made Marcopolo body. The result is a sleek, stylish and affordable package that appeals to the dynamic needs of operators, including John Kennedy, owner of Kennedy’s Tours

safety to comfort and functionality to back up,” Kennedy said. The Volvo B7Rs have extensive mechanical features, including four-wheel disc brakes and ABS for responsive

seating position and the layout of the driver’s cabin, while our customers and passengers are impressed with the overall design and comfort. And from a business standpoint, we’re really pleased with the

me on the Audace, but the fact that the whole unit is fully warranted and supported by both Volgren and Volvo really added that extra security that this was the right bus for us,” he said.

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PROVEN QUALITY COMPONENTS Daewoo Buses has forged strong partnerships with its component suppliers to ensure maximum customer satisfaction and minimise operating costs. Global brands with the highest reputation such as Doosan engines, Allison transmission, Dana axles and Bosch engine management systems ensure you are guaranteed only the best quality components in your Daewoo.

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DARWIN URBAN BUS SERVICES CONTRACT SECURED TRANSIT SYSTEMS HAS successfully secured a Darwin Urban Bus Services contract for the provision of urban and school bus services, which will see the company operate 32 buses completing approximately 1.6 million in-service kilometres per annum in the Greater Darwin region. With successful public transport contracts in major Australian capital cities, as well as operations in the United

owned family company that has built a reputation for a positive work culture and its ability to collaborate effectively with Government to deliver improved services for passengers. The company currently employs a team of 3600 people and Feuerherdt said they were excited to transition all permanent staff in the existing Darwin team into the company. “We look forward to working with

Kingdom, Transit Systems CEO Clint Feuerherdt said they are eager to bring their global experience to Darwin. “We currently transport over 168 million passengers in Australia and London, which gives us a diverse portfolio of experience to share across our business to improve and enhance local operations,” he said. Transit Systems is an Australian-

the new team members and within the community to review any opportunities that will improve operational efficiencies, connections and timetabling,” he said. Feuerherdt added that Transit Systems had transitioned more public bus contracts than any other provider in Australia. “We are confident of our ability to provide a seamless transition to ensure

that the community continues to receive a reliable and convenient passage,” he said. As part of the contract, Transit Systems will adhere to the current bus replacement programme endorsed by the Department of Transport to provide a quality operating fleet. This will see at least half of the fleet replaced with new

buses over the term of the contract and the fleet age reducing to an average of seven years. Transit Systems will transition the Darwin bus contract over the coming few months. Timetable information will remain available at www.transport. nt.gov.au/public/bus

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Special Report

ADMINISTERING

PUNISHMENT?

After just two years Custom-ADL called in the administrators when the parent company, UK-based Alexander-Dennis Ltd, withdrew funding from the Australian operation after committing millions of dollars to keep the business viable. ADL cited â&#x20AC;&#x153;changing buying www.truckandbus.net.au 017

“...it’s unlikely any creditor prior to May 30th will get a penny from the remains.”

he local body-building industry has taken a serious knock with CustomADL calling in the administrators on May 30th. Just two years after Alexander Dennis Ltd

protected by government legislation that guarantees money owed. The failure of the Custom-ADL deal has

In essence, perhaps ADL made the wrong business decision in 2012 and when the going got tough ADL got going. It has scurried away and left a mess of massive proportions for local management and

purchased the business from the Burgess family it has pulled the pin on its investment and left all unsecured creditors in the lurch. It was on June 7th, 2012, ADL issued a press release bordering on Hollywood hype that said, in part, it will “invest in people, processes and products” as it bids to “turn a successful brand into a GREAT Australian business.” Well, many industry insiders say ADL failed. And despite a mea culpa from chief executive Colin Robertson it’s unlikely any creditor prior to

contracts, the most notable being the NSW State Transit Authority and, according to the statement issued by Colin Robertson, the ADL

May 30th will get a penny from the remains. The administrator, Deloitte, had set a July 7th

magnitude pay millions of dollars for a business

customers and we know how to invest to maintain our momentum.”

deadline for the business to be sold. A purchaser would be able to ‘cherry pick’ the assets and it is most unlikely they will agree to take on debts and liabilities. So, what is left of ‘Custom ADL’ could be placed in receivership and once all the secured creditors, the receivers and the ATO get their cut there

smart move?

Wrong on all counts! If ADL had any bottle it would ensure that all creditors, suppliers,

guarantees from its local directors and, on hearing that, there was a mass exodus of management. Could you blame them? Who would personally guarantee millions of dollars if

for unsecured creditors.

much money?

entitlements, but it will indeed snow in Hawaii before that happens. In case you didn’t get Robertson’s cop out you can read it on these pages. There, now doesn’t that make you feel better? They are sad, they say, but the reality is ADL’s

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of cash into the business. the surface it appears ADL was derelict in its due diligence prior to buying the company, in so far as it did not prepare itself for a downturn in the market or the potential loss of contracts. After all, how could a company of this

the administrators to sort out. By late June, Many say it makes of mockery of ADL’s mission statements where it claims to have “passion, talent and entrepreneurship and are proud to stand out from the crowd.” Or these gems: “Our values, smarter, sharper, better, month after months, year after year, building and nurturing the trust of our customers.

STOP PRESS!

The Australian-market CustomADL Enviro200 - shot down before it ever got up? 2 It’s stop - but definitely not in the name of love. ADL has ceased its involvement in Custom. 1

UK directors couldn’t give a tinker’s toss about the impact their actions have had on people in this country. ADL itself was rescued from administration

At the time of print, no buyer had been announced for all or part of the Custom-ADL business. Information Coach & Bus magazine received from reliable industry sources suggested a buyer is imminent, but until they have signed on the dotted line nothing can be confirmed or denied. The Court has extended the deadline to September, 2014, to find a buyer. Further information can be found at: www.deloitte.com/ au/custom-coaches

British businessmen and women paid around 90 million pounds for the company from the USIts chief, the highly paid Colin Robertson and has been noted as an “award-winning executive”. The company was embroiled in a union dispute last year when workers took industrial action when management resisted a 0.5 per The previous year, Colin Robertson’s salary had risen by 89 per cent. Ironically, during a downturn in its domestic market in 2009/10 Robertson was quoted in the prestigious Financial Times newspaper as saying: “The owners were unwavering in their support – there was never any push for redundancies and consolidation, or to cost-cut our way out of the problem,” he said. “We continued to invest in people, our service capability and our product lines, when if we had been in the private equity space, we would have had to slash and burn – and paid the price for 44 Biloela Street, Villawood NSW 2163 PO Box 3, Guildford NSW 2161 Ph: 02 9914 3800 Fax: 02 9727 2178

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN nd ions and a significant reduction in dema “As a result of deteriorating trading condit that Custom Coaches regret great with is it t, marke lian Austra for route buses in the istration. has today been placed into Voluntary Admin will and during the Administration period ADL This decision has not been taken lightly g tradin ue contin to s tunitie oppor e explor to continue to work with the Administrator t. marke lian Austra the in ers custom rting and suppo in 2012 the ADL Group has worked Since the acquisition of Custom Coaches turn the business around whilst financially to m Custo at yees tirelessly with the emplo injections of many millions of dollars. cash cant signifi supporting the business with ns and despite our best endeavours it is However, due to a change in buying patter ly to improve in the near future and as a unlike are ions condit t marke that clear now ing losses. on-go fund to ue contin t canno we e consequenc team in Australia and the Custom the cts, produ m Custo in es ADL still strongly believ and delivery performance quality in ts vemen impro brand and is hopeful that the tial solution. poten a g findin in help recognised in the market place will this action and we remain hopeful that a It is with real sadness that we have taken .” solution may be found over the coming weeks Colin Robertson Chief Executive Alexander Dennis

it today.” A damn shame they didn’t employ the same support for their newly acquired, long-standing Australian business.

WINNERS ARE GRINNERS? Alexander Dennis was named 2013 Scottish Company of the Year in the inaugural Scottish Corporate Awards, which celebrate the achievements of both listed companies and privately-owned businesses. As well as winning the Private Company of the Year award, Alexander Dennis also emerged as the overall winner, collecting the coveted Scottish Company of the Year title.

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Industry Change

FIRST NON-EURO COMBO FOR NSW The times they are a changinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; - or are they? Korean and Chinese product gets the

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BUS SPECS

t is perhaps ironical that at the time news of Australian company Custom going into voluntary administration with parent

comfort and safety.” Some of these item included are: Next stop voice announcement; GPS advertising

company Alexander Dennis bailing out,

MODEL: King Long 48-seat 6125AU (body), 12.5m ENGINE: Doosan DL08S Euro5, inline six-cylinder. Direct injection, watercooled. Turbocharged intercooler. Power – 250kW@2200rpm; Torque - 1423Nm@1200rpm TRANSMISSION: Allison T375R (integrated retarder) SUSPESNION: Airbag front and rear, telescopic doubled acting shocks and stabilising bar. Axles - Daewoo centre drop reverse Elliot I-Beam (Steer); Full-floating banjo (rear)

service of a leading NSW bus operator – also a NSW Government contractor. Interline Bus Service at Ingleburn, in the Macarthur region of South West Sydney, has taken delivery of 18 Korean-made Euro5

Long. The delivery is the result of Interline selecting the chassis-body combination from the Transport for New South Wales Panel, according to Australian company Asia Motors, which have traditionally supplied government service under locally produced Custom-made bodies. supplied from the TfNSW Panel with other than a European chassis with a locally assembled body,” explained Bruce Campbell, Asia Motors sales and marketing director. “All 18 buses were successfully placed in service on time on the second of June to meet contractual obligations Interline has with TfNSW. “Daewoo bus previously supplied Interline

to transport solutions, so I think you will see this model appear more over the coming Asked how it was dealing with Asia Motors and the Daewoo product, he said: “Having never built with Daewoo we didn’t really batch of their new chassis with an updated electrical system and EBS braking system we had a fair bit of engineering work to be done. Before full production could start we needed time to get right, then once full production

for Heavy Vehicles Australia Pty Ltd (HVA) –

production line, were shipped, PD, registered and delivered in record time, which impressed everyone.” “The vehicles were shipped directly from Xiamen, China, to Port Kembla, NSW, which saved us some time. And once they arrived it was all hands on deck. They were driven

distributor for King Long buses in Australia – was elated with the result.

process began. All our supply partners did

government contract and, whilst they came at cheaper price tag, nothing was left out in

a fantastic job working together to get the buses out on time. “Thanks to the following companies for making this happen: McConnell Seats,

“Joe Oliveri (Interline owner) put his own touches in the bus with some hi-tech gadgets, lifting the benchmark for the whole passenger experience - not to mention driver

Buslines, Thoreb, all the guys involved with ETS and Ptips and especially the team at Heavy Vehicles Australia, who worked tirelessly to meet the deadline.”

Coaches SB80 bodies,” he said.

1 The general public probably won’t see any

doors for customer safely and night time; 360deg ‘birds eye’ camera; Six-camera CCTV system with internal LCD to deter bad behaviour; ISRI air suspension seat; and C90 driver’s interface touchscreen, which controls the vehicle’s AC and destination signs. “It’s an indication of the times and bus bodies are a very labour intensive product. And like all governments around the world

difference. It’s a Chinese and Korean combo. 2 Rolling off the King Long production line in

Xiamen, China. 3 Daewoo chassis with Doosan Euro5 engine

- in the raw. 4 Looked and felt alright before launch. Drivers

should feel right at home.

5 “Cause you are the crane beneath my wings”.

Fresh off the boat.

CBT15_p020-021.indd 21

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17/07/2014 1:22 pm

Cover Story

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The popular rough-road tourist market around Australia has seen thousands want to take in all sorts of sights in all sorts of remote places. When ‘normal’ buses don’t cut it to get people there, it’s time to get serious. One tour company took the MAN 4x4 truck-bus route. Fabian Cotter reports.

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t’s big business and who can blame them? The tourist, that is - not just the tour operators trying to accommodate the thousands of Aussie and international travellers each year who want nothing more than to get out there and take in all the stunningly beautiful and exhilarating natural

bugger it! There’s no better time to use the word ‘girt’, so here it is – GIRT our beloved

Don’t let anyone tell you any better; Australia is an inspiringly beautiful place and has some of the best scenery on the planet – including sublime eye candy for those that don’t mind

where there aren’t even any ‘roads’, or simply half-cut goat tracks for that matter (even some goats are too afraid to use), and many

The problem? Thanks to the rough and ragged road conditions of Australia many vehicles cannot get to wherever and return

– until, of course, custom-made 4x4 truck-bus Well, maybe ‘roughing it’ in terms of actually using their own two hiking boots and feet as they trek down dusty paths, up mountains, along rocky outcrops, through dense bushland and forests, or the best bit – barefoot over idyllic sandy beaches that surround – no,

Arguably no better example of necessity being the mother of invention in bus terms,

chassis unit usually chosen are 4x4 drivetrain and tough as nails to get the tourist job done - all thrown under a comfy and aesthetically pleasing ‘bus pod’ on the back and Bob isn’t just your uncle, these days he’s a builder as well (just ask your kids and grand-kids, they’ll Formerly known as Great Sandy Island and situated along the southern coast of Queensland, about 200km north of Brisbane, the beautiful World Heritage-listed Fraser Island is perfect for tourists and visitors to sample Australia’s natural delights, but travelling around it on a regular bus or coach wasn’t ideal says local operator Fraser Explorer

small family-sized 4x4 and larger bus-coach

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CBT15_p022-026_MAN.indd 24

23/07/2014 11:41 am

running around the island and nine of those are similar in style to the MAN one you see here,” said Colin Anderson, general manager of Tours

pod has had, although throughout the years there have been light re-furbs of seat covers

they operate in they always have about four spare buses at various locations, so that if the worst thing happens they can do a quick

“This will be a full re-furb, which means we So what are the pros and cons of running one pictured is a 2012 model, so they range use them was the conditions that we work in; so the idea of a cab-chassis with a pod put onto the back of it made good business sense

Most of the pods the company uses are 40-seaters; though, there is one 32-seater

“What helps us with these ones are the

great use as even though the industry is seasonal, Fraser Explorer Tours operates every day of the year – including Christmas

whole range of things like repairs, spare parts - having consistency across the board so you

what they need just to meet market demand,

are aware of all the repairs on all of them,”

“What happens is once they get about seven put a new one underneath, re-furb the pod and

that is currently getting a new cab-chassis

On an average day the company will have

“In terms of the pod, or body, we like the

Christmas and school holidays seeing most of them out, but he says given the conditions

user-friendly, so they are good for the guests,

“No regular truck, mind you. The cab-chassis units chosen are 4x4.”

BUS SPECS MODEL: MAN TGM 18-290 BB 4x4 BODY: Coach Design, 39 seats Luxury, stainless steel framed off-road body ENGINE: MAN D0836, 6.871-litre, Euro5. EGR with OBD2 (no DPD regeneration or AdBlue required), engine driven live drive for body A/C compressor drive. Power – (290hp) 213kW@2300rpm, Torque - 1150Nm@ 1200-1750rpm TRANSMISSON: ZF 12 AS1210 OD, 12-speed automated manual, Off-road and Sand Mode SUSPENSION: Parabolic front spring with swaybar, rear parabolic with swaybar DIFFERENTIALS: Front and rear Hub reduction with diff locks; Transfer case - MAN G102, two-speed selectable 4WD with lock, Low Ratio 1.6:1, High Ratio 0.98:1 TYRES: 2x 385/65 R22.5 front axle, 2x 385/65 R 22.5 rear axle BRAKES: EBS with ABS off-road logic, full air-operated drums front and rear, hill-climb brake for steep inclines.

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A typical interior of one of the many ‘pods’ used. Minor re-furbishments throughout the years keep them tip top.

with repairs, spare parts – consistency.” And what about the ones actually behind the are quite robust and suit the conditions that we The oldest pods Fraser Explorer Tours has are Volgrens, which although he says are getting towards the end of their usable lives are still not bad, while the rest of them are coach

wheel; what do the drivers think of the MAN truck-bus vehicles, based on the MAN TGM 4x4 range? Anderson replied: “Drivers will be drivers, there will always be positives and negatives

a mothers club meeting, used for the ‘Cool These not only would be great for being spotted from a helicopter if in the highly unlikely event they are ever lost out on the island, but in the minimum Anderson says they have got to be a good marketing ploy if “opposition

drive, there’s plenty of power for them in these

To purchase a brand-new one like this Anderson says you don’t get much change out So what drove the original decision to go with

really wear a tyre out because they are working

MAN?

on the pods, which he’s quick to point out they

Hinos were good they were a little bit light for the conditions that we are operating in and we were having some chassis issues with them, so we decided to change over to MAN and we’ve had, really, not too many dramas with them,”

To the outsider theses vehicles must look quite an impressive site meandering through the rugged terrain or clipping along the beach in the striking blue company colour – but Fraser Explorer Tours even have some in bright pink that stand out like a strip-gram at

026 www.truckandbus.net.au

In terms of the rolling stock used and how it handles the tough conditions, Anderson explains that they are running super singles all around and they use a variety of tyres on the

wall, which weakens them so they don’t get “But that’s par for the course for what we do, getting people to where they want to go, and one of the costs for doing business on a World

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FOR SALES & CUSTOMER ENQUIRIES: Jason Eldred Sales Manager jeldred@marcopoloaustralia.com.au +61 (0) 459 110 304 www.marcopoloaustralia.com.au

Really New

DAILY C

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COMMUTE Ivecoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new Daily range heralds a new era for its light commercial vehicles, including a line-up of mini-buses.

The frontline. Deep inside the Iveco factory the new Dailys get pieced together.

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1 An all-new look for this half

a billion euro Iveco project. 2 Good access and a stylish

approach.

hat you are looking at represents a A$720 million spend on the part of Italian commercial vehicle manufacturer Iveco. The van range is extensive, from small to humongous, but that’s not what we are on about here; it’s the mini-bus range that took our eye at the location of the reveal, Fiat’s Balocco test facility, between Torino and Milano. The new Daily is just that – new. No nut, no bolt, no body panel has been left untouched in this half a billion euro project. As far as the vans are concerned they will pick up plenty of awards over the next 12 months when industry associations and trade publications start dishing them out. Yes, the new Daily is that good! The new Daily mini-bus will also be available in a variety of versions to meet the needs of customers who operate in the passenger transport sector, both in urban areas and for

reveal any secrets. Time will tell. The new generation of Daily mini-buses which include new architecture, a new range of longer wheelbases, new interior and exterior designs, a new driving position with versions for four main types of missions: interurban, tourism, urban and school. Seating capacities range from 16, 19 and 22 - the latter pair does not include the driver.

longer 4100mm wheelbase seats up to 22 passengers, plus the driver and a tour guide and 30 per cent extra space in the luggage compartment compared to previous versions. The New Daily minibus is available in the The Daily Line is the most versatile version, ideal for inter-urban routes, or as a school

layouts, seats up to 22 passengers and

Powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder, 2.3-litre, 136hp version and 146hp and 170hp at the moment, but Iveco says an automatic will be available in 2015. The on-board safety and well-being of the driver and passengers is a main priority for Iveco Bus. The driver can rely on safety systems, such as ESP and LDWS, and on a level of comfort and driveability that are

rapid transfers outside of urban networks. Of course, the big question is will Iveco

second to none. The new driver’s seat with lowered seating position and smaller steering

Trucks Australia bring the mini-buses to this country? We asked truck and bus manager Steve Heanes just that and he was coy in his response. Heanes recognises the gradual increase in

wheel allow for improved vehicle handling. Passenger comfort is guaranteed thanks to new and modern interiors, designed to make even the longest journey pleasant with improvements to climate control systems and ventilation, along with the further allocation of air suspensions for a smoother ride. Among the main new features, the new top-of-the-range 6.1-tonne version with a

well aware of Mercedes-Benz becoming very active with its range of mini-buses from 2015, so it’s understandable he wasn’t about to

wheelchair ramp. The Daily Tourys is the touring bus version that is similar to a grand tourism vehicle both in terms of comfort and style. The ‘family feeling’ between this version and the range of large tourism buses from Iveco Bus is even more evident. The vehicle features with other features such as LED lights and individual climate control vents. designed for transport in small urban and version, the vehicle features a double central door and a rear door with wheelchair access thanks to a dedicated ramp. And the Daily Pop is the school bus dedicated to the Italian market. Available in seating capacity of 45 passengers for primary school and 32 for high school use.

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23/07/2014 11:04 am

“...new architecture, a new range of longer wheelbases, new interior and exterior designs.” 4

3 It’s a beautiful interior and potential buyers

will find it hard to ignore such appeal. 4 An aesthetically and ergonomically

pleasing place to be.

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Past Blast

THE BIG

Light-rail systems have been popular in hundreds of cities worldwide and now Sydney looks though? Adelaide has one of the good? Coach & Bus editor Fabian

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n 4 June 2014 NSW Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian announced that the green light had been given for the $1.6 billion new CBD and South East Light Rail project. This followed the NSW Government in 2012 beginning the extension of the Inner West Light Rail line and announcing the CBD and South East Light Rail project. As touted, the choice meant, “Light rail will play a central role in the future of transport in Sydney. It is a high capacity, reliable and sustainable mode of public transport that will ease the pressure on Sydney’s roads by reducing the city’s reliance on buses”. problem was, in fact, caused by hundreds of cars during peak hour and thus buses were there to encourage people to use public transport instead, such ‘reliance’ arguably makes buses sound panacea it seems. And so light rail cometh. here, but the new light rail carriages destined for Sydney’s streets – albeit ‘hovering above’ them thanks to the actual tracks, as it were – will no doubt receive the all the praise they deserve. Until, that is, one of them breaks down. In peak hour, probably. It’s always the way. Murphy’s Law and all that. Fingers crossed for all commuters that won’t happen, of course. Especially as connecting bus services will still play a big part of the overall

solid guarantee they won’t. Nor should they … if they are smart. And having spent time in icy, Wimbledon and Croydon, in London, due to a light rail drama one winter, who knows what might happen here one stinking hot summer’s day. Still, aside from the hypothetical breakdown debate of fossil fuel vehicles versus electric calculated from the vehicles itself or from the entire production and distribution of the respective fuel (it’s an engrossing argument to sink your teeth into if you have the time on sites like www.lightrailnow.org etc). Ultimately, though, most will be concerned with overall trip times. How will it enmesh with bus timetables and movements etc, from a commuter’s optimum journey point of view? Is it the best way to move people to the outer suburbs from a city, where a potential time bottleneck could be encountered as people have to wait for a bus? Or

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if such a system is to aesthetically placate the needs of certain suburbs relatively close to a CBD anyway, rather than cater to those who need to travel further distances each day back and forth for whom time, comfort and safety ‘long enough’ whereas an enhanced bus service might better suit. Add in the logistics of removing or circumventing an inoperable and stranded being radioed in; the costs of buses against costs or carriages per capita of commuter etc; the noise pollution when installing the rail lines into the ground and then from the actual carriages themselves in use around corners (it’s a huge gripe for local business and residents on the Gold Coast where light rail is being implemented) and it’s clear the correct answers will only be forthcoming in time. So what kind of bus system could rival light And Australia has one of the world’s earliest systems that’s in full use today. Coach & Bus magazine decided to check it out. It’s no new thing; in fact, it was an idea could have their own guiding carriageway, thereby avoiding the congestion of regular

unique in that it uses specially made guiding ‘tracks’, thus harbouring elements of both bus and rail transport. As a South Australia Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure spokesperson

guided busway only takes 20 minutes to travel the 12km, where a normal car could take up to 40 minutes at peak times.” “Today over 1000 bus services use the the most highly patronised public transport corridor in the metropolitan area, carrying approximately 8 million passengers per year.”

system being completed by 1989. The maximum speed is 100km/h, with lower speeds at stations and on some curves. interchanges, is 60km/h. It was chosen when in 1968 the South Australian Government published the Metropolitan Adelaide Transport Study (MATS plan). This plan included the Modbury freeway between the City of Adelaide and the growing North East suburbs of Adelaide. Following considerable public opposition the concept of the Modbury freeway, along with many other projects within the MATS Plan, was

abandoned. Land, however, was still available and the Modbury freeway corridor became the Modbury transport corridor. Investigations into the use of the Modbury corridor as a public transport corridor commenced in 1973 including train, tram and bus options. By 1979 the then Government decided that the corridor would be operated as a light rail system, including an underground section in the City of Adelaide. Following an election in 1979 the choice of light rail or bus was reconsidered given the cost of the light rail option.

to the expanding suburbs on the North east corridor in Adelaide. So what are the pros and cons of the system? What improvements or enhancements have been implemented since it started, or are coming? “Buses can operate at a high frequency, with the limiting factors being reliable operation with a safe braking distance for a fully loaded bus operating at the maximum speed of 100 able to slow at exits and interchanges.” and operate into the regular road network,

1 It’s mostly Scania buses used these days on

the O-Bahn. 2 The buses are specially modified and fitted

with horizontally running guide wheels. 3 The need for speed? It certainly feels like it.

Which is no bad thing when just wanting to get home after a tiring day. 4 Bus headquarters, Adelaide style. 5 An aerial shot of the Adelaide O-Bahn.

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trunk services. grade separated from all other transport modes, particularly from cars and other unimpeded from beginning to end. Each interchange still has pedestrian access across from the adjacent linear bike path, park’n’rides and suburbs, though there are longer term Transport and Land Use Plan to remove this for safety reasons separated roadway for buses only, they are able to operate at higher speeds compared to adjacent roads. This is aided by the fact there are only three stops (or interchanges) along operate at higher average speeds. “Whilst services are able to change once stops/interchanges are permanent structures,

system could rival light rail – and would it be any good?” Access project. “Whilst discouraged via signage and wheel vehicles other than buses is still possible.

by a gap, any vehicle which does access the ‘L’ beams becoming stranded on the track, causing the track to be shut whist the “A number of improvements have been to prevent unauthorised vehicles entering the tracks, including: additional signage, new

and stops/interchanges are permanent however, the routes which operate via the “Whilst being on a dedicated track, the exit

city, particularly during the morning peak period is therefore compromised. This issue is

keep their hands on the steering wheel and a watchful eye ahead, essentially the bus drives itself so to speak. The trip from end to end includes one station and two interchanges: Klemzig Station in Klemzig, Paradise Interchange in Campbelltown and Tea Tree Plaza Interchange in Modbury. The interchanges allow buses to enter and exit the busway and to continue on suburban routes, so passengers do not need to change. It’s claimed the busway is capable of carrying 18,000 passengers an hour, from the Adelaide CBD to Tea Tree Plaza

has minimised incidents of unauthorised vehicles entering the track. “Unlike train and tram tracks the installation

to Coburg in comparison. The sensation of speed and uninterrupted travel between such few stops is fantastic

of at grades crossing with other parts of the road network needs to be grade separated. Any intersection would necessitate the removal of the track (or guided busway), with buses to operate at 40km/h, the speed

and one starts to quickly fantasise about even longer distances that can be travelled this

services is there to stay. services are able to continue as buses can be rerouted to operate via the adjacent road network.” The disadvantages?

with the track.” On a recent trip, we got to sample the

ferrying hundreds of tired people back home from their city workplaces at pace a dream for many commuters? buses were used, but these days it looks like mostly Scania gear.

stops like another other bus, which seem to run on time and regularly enough – so any inconvenience of having to go up, into, or

and shows no sign of decline. In fact, the SA DPTI spokesperson says the current SA

onto a platform or station is removed. Pay for your ticket or swipe your travel pass on the electronic ticketing dooverlackie and it’s all systems go. Grab a seat and enjoy the ride. It meanders through the streets as per normal in

State Government recently announced in the

via a tunnel below Hackney Road into the CBD. Once complete, it will cut travel times by up to four minutes for the more than 22,000

front wheels help guide the bus between the tracks. And while drivers are encouraged to

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New Gear

Photography: John Kruger

SIXUAL HEALING

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It may not be etched in legislation in this country, but that hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stopped ACTION in Australia. Fabian Cotter grabbed a sneak peek.

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The Scania Euro6 will still use Custom CB80 bodies, sources reveal.

hile some may say it’s jumping the gun, others will commend the Australian Capital Territory Internal Omnibus Network (ACTION) for getting

progressively tightened over the past Australia’s commitment to harmonise with the vehicle standards developed by the United Nations wherever possible.”

got three going into Adelaide now as well as trial buses,” he said. “My understanding is the tender was just for Euro6 and we only tendered Euro6 because that’s the future and we were successful in gaining that.”

urban public transport service will be felt not only by the passengers but the local environment. Unless you’ve been a bussie living under a rock or an abandoned bus depot in the

so increasingly tighter engine emissions regulations are proposed, adopted and then enforced for all players in the commercial vehicle world to adhere to. And in light of the idea that bus travel is being encouraged so more people leave their

know that Euro6 engine technology has been par for the course in Europe for the

home, successive levels of Euro emissions standards have been readily – and some will say hastily adopted – to help fuel the

past few years and its arrival to Australia – legally required or not at this time – was

Well, at least cleaner travel, but the reality is

always to be as inevitable as death, taxes

depending on the correct service intervals used, Valentine explained they only elected to bring in two horsepower ranges, one for an articulated bus and one for a rigid bus – and these are the only ones they are bringing in to Australia. The reason is they

for both ACTION as the customer and better

every bit counts. “The contract would have been signed quick to point out, so these buses can run

made to look so good, aired at circa 3am most mornings. As the Federal Government will tell you, Australia has had road vehicle emission standards for new vehicles in place since the early 1970s and these have been

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manager, speaking exclusively to Coach & Bus

Asked what type of service intervals would be needed to accommodate that, he replied: “It depends on their [ACTION’s] operation. in Euro5s for 10 years, and even in Euro4s

before that, and those service intervals were slightly reduced, but that is by choice of the oil that is being used. Those buses

fuel, but they are just not getting enough traction because there is no funding, as in the fuel excise.”

doesn’t really make sense, but...”

was improved.

“You’d like to think that would come because there are some companies out there pushing some good fuels,” he said.

the cards in future, but Valentine says everyone’s looking for fuel diversity, so that He says there’s a really good fuel

product from growing it for stock. “It’s such a clean and good looking

compressor is mounted separately to the engine, so that when the engine moves the compressor doesn’t – and they rely on some kind of a spring pulley to pick up the slack [of the belts], so they are always Valentine explained. “With this new system the compressor is directly mounted to the engine as far as movement goes, so if one moves the other does too and the wire rope takes up the tension. The belts never change adjustment! Once you set them right they should lessen vibration and lengthens the life of the belt.”

“...the tender was just for Euro6; we only tendered Euro6 - that’s the future.”

3 1 A fruitful partnership bringing Euro6 to Oz bus passenger

service for the first time. 2 Everyone is catered for. 3 Instrument cluster nice and easy to read. 4 Few would know that’s the latest Euro6 tech under there. 5 Drivers will love this workplace.

Cleaner-running buses mean happier trees. See? They look greener already.

4 5

1 “Getcha Euro6 motor running...

Head out on the highway...” 2 Open up and say ‘Ahhhh!’ 3 Scania 9.3-litre DC09 can run

100 per cent bio-diesel. And probably will in time.

BUS SPECS

“...these Scania buses can run 100 per cent bio-diesel if needs be.” Australia now,” Valentine said.

“ACTION has decided to take the lead in the introduction of Euro6 emission technology to

bus operator in Australia to place and order for improved, greener buses to keep Canberra’s air clean and reduce pollution, the company states. The 77 new buses will be rolled out from

“The Australian Federal Government is yet to announce a date for the introduction of Euro6 emission standards, underlining the progressive action of the ACT operator.”

most noticeably they produce minimal harmful pollutants. The Euro6 diesel buses produce

also completed a delivery programme for 33

MODEL: Scania K 320 UB 4x2 LB, Custom CB80 (body), 12.5m ENGINE: Scania Euro6 9.3-litre five-cylinder in-line, DC09 108/320 SCR only; XPI extra high pressure injection; diesel particulate filter. Power - 235kW@1900rpm; Torque 1600Nm@1050-1300rpm TRANSMISSION: ZF six-speed automatic with push-button DNR ZF retarder SUSPENSION: Air suspension all ‘round with kneeling function at front; Front and rear anti-roll bar WHEELS/TYRES: 295/80 R22.5 front and rear BRAKES: Disc brakes MISC.: ESP, daytime running lamps; Weight (max.) - 19100kg

the previous Euro5 engine models, it’s claimed. Yet perhaps most interestingly given what’s happened with Alexander Dennis pulling out of the company, Custom will still be making the

minimal harmful pollutants. They’ll help keep Canberra’s air clean and reduce pollution,” said

The buses will carry 48 seated passengers and 18 standing and have been designed “with a focus on passenger comfort and vehicle safety, company states. They will also be wheelchair accessible,

040 www.truckandbus.net.au

Australia to use these improved, greener buses. It’s a small part of making Canberra a leader in both environmental and health outcomes,” he said.

An MAN will save on fuel.

What you do with the money is up to you. Fuel is one of the biggest expenses in operating a bus in Australia. So if you are looking to save money, the

www.man.com.au

Evolve to MAN MAN128/CB

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Future Proof

ART OF INDUCTION The conundrum of how best to re-charge the batteries of modern electric bus prototypes is on in earnest. And while methods vary, induction charging doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just seem to lead the way â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it makes sense. Fabian Cotter reports.

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Wi-Fi communications aids in-bus telemetry and communicates with the main depot the status of energy levels.

Current is generated and heads toward the busâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s re-charge plate when lowered.

A special re-charge plate lowers from the bus at designated stops.

hen it comes to new technology and who does it

the cliches come thick and fast when the

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;This custom-made charging concept ensures a maximum battery life and an uninterrupted operation.â&#x20AC;?

1 1 This cut-away image shows

how each -recharging stops has to be set up to work. 2 Passengers are largely none the wiser as to what’s happening underneath at stops. 3 The cities in the trial are proud of their achievements and publicly advertise it so.

THE BIG PICTURE As a leading rail technology provider, Bombardier has a clear vision of the cities of tomorrow. It envisages cities “where all vehicles are electric and where mass transit vehicles do not alter the landscape but seamlessly integrate to provide quiet and emissionfree urban mobility”. With the PRIMOVE portfolio, Bombardier is paving the way for transport operators and vehicle manufacturers to make an easy and

convenient transition to electric mobility for all electric vehicles – from trams and buses to trucks and cars. The start of passenger services with the first PRIMOVE electric bus in Braunschweig proves this vision has matured from an innovative idea to reality, the company states. In 2014, the city of Mannheim in south-western Germany is also testing two electric buses equipped with contact-less recharging

technology for the next year on line 63. An extension of the trial is possible, depending on results. The vehicles quickly recharge by induction at each stop, without any connection - an answer to the problems of electric vehicles’ range. Inspired by new technology that allows smartphone users to recharge their phones without connecting them to a power supply, bus manufactures have been working on a similar

technology for recharging electric buses. “We want to test this technology on a busy urban line to demonstrate its suitability for everyday use,” said a representative of the Mannheim transport operator. The Mayor of Mannheim, Christian Specht, hopes this is just a first step. “We are preparing the ground for other lines in Mannheim and the Rhein-Neckar metropolitan region.”

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“Inspired by new technology that allows smartphone users to recharge their phones.”

Aside from the livery advertising otherwise, you’d never know this was an electric bus out on the road. No overhead wires or structures, either.

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The Lowdown

Photography: Fabian Cotter

TRAINING DAY

Knowledge is power and while many companies use that to keep customers in the dark to ensure long-term service work, others have taken steps to school clients in whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what of its products. Fabian Cotter visited Asia Motorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; new training facility in Sydney, recently. www.truckandbus.net.au 047

outube is a wonderful thing. Even with the god-awful annoying advertisements at the start of nearly each video these days (does anyone actually not click the ‘skip to continue’ button?) there’s a stack of cool ‘How To’ clips on there to keep tinkers’ minds happy between bopping to the beat of their favourite songs.

are looking in to. This ‘understanding’ also helps people better evaluate the costs of repairs by a professional, no doubt, if in the event they realise they are way out of their depth and can’t do it themselves, or even worse if they had a go and completely ballsed it up. Hey, it happens. Even to the best of us. Not mentioning any names.

service call-outs required – as few as they may be anyway – and just getting customers more involved in general.

toaster to learning about advanced knitting

and UBC-Chiron product – has recently

Edwards, our technical service support guy; we were sending him up to our the headquarters in Korea to do training courses, then we started sending him up with a few of our customers. But the problem we found is that up there they

to cooking gourmet grub you never thought possible, rendering your three meals a day of

opened up a new on-site training centre for its customers to better inform them about their

would be inviting people from all over the place, The Philippines, Vietnam, other countries.”

Coco-Pops a thing of the past. Yet perhaps most important for viewers of these fantastic DIY resources is not necessarily the doing of the task but the information of how to do it – a better appreciation of how and why things work, what could be wrong

or diagnose any minor problems should they arise and, in turn, enhance its product support and service structure. Whereas many of the bigger bus manufacturers and importers have a widespread service network around the country,

they were Korean instructors, so we resolved

knowledge is invaluable to those who take a keener interest in whatever topic or subject they

well save themselves and their customers time and money by helping to reduce the number of

Edwards was then tasked with putting

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1 Everything works on ‘the board’, to help

educate about Daewoo bus diagnostics.

2 Training participants listen intently.

t guru 3 Asia Motors Technical Service Suppor Luke Edwards explaining stuff.

4 It would be worse if it were made out of

LEGO, but it still took months to make.

was 5 Just in case people forgot the training

about buses, one was wheeled in for display.

was building a dedicated on-site area for it, which the company has successfully done. It’s comfortable and perfect for their needs. by inviting all our customers; we don’t charge them for the training at all – all we ask them then look after them and accommodate them

business, but Campbell says they will be looking to include more of the chassis side in future.

They were able to supply participants will all of the same information and materials as found

and we’ve talked to them about incorporating the body side with the chassis side using our facility and they are looking to do a service on their side. We’ll also talk to other body builders as well, who may want to take advantage of it.

‘board’ displaying all the electronics and chassis componentry systems laid out clearly on it. The system overall is working very well for

“Currently geared mainly to the chassis side of the business.” overnight if it is more than a one-day course, then get them back to the airport to go home,”

To date the programme has been very successful according to reports and sometimes about [the cause] of it, so the last thing they are going to do is pick up the manual and look

lot of technical information and a soft copy if they want, but I think they get that anyway.” he added. Currently the new training facility is geared

30 guys all up wanting to do a two-day course, phone and they ring us and we’d end up trying a lecture room in that city at one of the leading with Edwards to conduct proceedings there.

the red light is before they ring us and they

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UNDER THE BOARD WALK know how to better cope with it. Or they ring and they know where the problem is and so collectively we can get it sorted faster. It has saved us a lot of time.”

supplying dedicated attention and information to each participant, according to Campbell.

There many be some operators that choose found that customers can better look after their product, says Campbell. to customers, though. The company also invites, free of charge, service operators who may be local to the customer, and or who the customer always sends their bus-servicing work to, so that they also know how to better service the Daewoo chassis product. holding the training scheme as a whole in good stead. The training programme started mid 2013 and is run every three months or so, the company conducting its third session at the time Coach & Bus magazine visited the facility recently. The a week, as training 30 people at once would not have been an ideal number in terms of

course, but Campbell says their objective was merely to make available such a scheme for those that do want to do it.

way’ etc and others can talk with each other about common situations or ideas.” Past participants seem happy with the happy to receive constructive criticism and feedback, it’s only all been positive says Campbell.

customers is on to a winner.

“...gives us the credibility with customers they will be looked after.”

Asia Motors marketing director Bruce Campbell is suitably chuffed with the new training facility.

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The display board showing all the componentry is the centrepiece of the training and was pieced together here in Australia by Asia Motors. The board is the same type as used in Korea, so once the company resolved that it needed one, Asia Motors decided to make one and bought all the components from the Koreans. Arriving in multiple big boxes, Edwards got to work sorting it all out and putting it all together over a few months. It is a complete Daewoo bus system that covers all the models Asia Motors supplies – and it works, literally! It lights up, beeps and makes your toast if needs be. No, just joshing on that last point, but maybe it’s something that might be on future models we hope. Mmmmm toast! “It’s definitely saving us and operators time when and if something goes wrong. The simplest thing is often the most horrible thing out in the field. It should help us all more easily trace and rectify any faults faster,” he said. “We’ve definitely noticed a decline in calls to us over minor things. But these, to operators, when a light comes on might be seen as something major and a concern to them, so they think ‘what’s this light on? Should I still be driving the bus?’ It’s helped making them feel not left in the dark and it shows we are on top of it,” Campbell said. “A lot of these buses are being run in really remote areas, they come from all around for the courses, so something like this training helps in the initial stages of a problem. If they can’t fix it we usually send someone to be there within 24 hours to solve it,” Campbell said. “We sold a lot of buses into the mining sector of Western Australia and before this programme we would send Luke there often to fix the simplest fault. He once flew there and merely tightened a fan belt in 10 minutes, then rang us to organise an earlier flight back,” he explained. “That was a $1500 exercise to get him over there...” “This training gives us the credibility with customers that they will be looked after,” he said.

Interview

60mins with...

Neil Bamford Higer Australia CEO

Higer is among the better known Chinese bus builders on the planet and a unique joint venture with European Scania has seen its quality controls and reputation further enhanced. In Australia, its sales remain solid each year, so we caught up with current WMC Group CEO Neil Bamford recently. Fabian Cotter reports. www.truckandbus.net.au 051

&B: Gâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;day, Neil. Welcome to Coach & Bus magazine. Neil, can you tell us a bit about yourself

industry? NB:

C&B: NB:

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“...we’re looking forward to launching our

C&B:

NB:

the city bus category later this year.”

from.

C&B: future? NB:

C&B:

NB:

C&B:

NB:

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Higer Australia commands a great deal more attention for Higer China.â&#x20AC;? C&B:

NB:

energy sources. electronic braking systems, electronic

commands a great deal more attention for

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LOOKING TO THE

FUTURE I N V E S T M E N T I N T H E N E W D A E WO O T R A I N I N G C E N T R E D E M O N S T R AT E S O U R C O M M I T M E N T TO DA E W O O B U S O P E R ATO R S I N A U S T R A L I A . OFFERING BENCHMARK QUALITY, PROVEN DW3539/0614_FPC

RELIABILITY & SENSATIONAL VALUE.

daewoobuses.com.au | 02 9603 2900

We Want

Photography: Trendy and Dime websites, Japan

SPACE INVADER 056 www.truckandbus.net.au

How do you get more tourists to use a coach to see the cool attractions of the city they visit? Simple. Make the coach an attraction itself, perhaps. In Japan that’s just what one company did. And you know what? It just might work. Fabian Cotter reports.

ou could just imagine the hybrid

cacophony of soundtracks from all the Hollywood blockbusters dealing with space – Star Wars, Star Trek, Apollo 13 … heck, even Abbott and Costello Go To Mars – resonating in your head as you approach this very cool ‘spacecraft’. Well, okay, it’s not a spacecraft per se, but Tokyo, Japan, has gone way beyond the call of duty to make a bus look like one. Yes, that’s right. A bus. A coach to be exact. A Hino Selega it looks like. Fully decked out on the outside to look like a funky, cool space rocket – but that’s only the beginning. And there’s more than Step aboard what’s known as a ‘Star Fighter’ and, once past the partitioning curtain, passengers are visually treated to what looks like the inside of a space shuttle – kind of. The aircraft-look coach interior smacks you in the face with its professional accounts most children and adults would totally love. The idea was simple enough. Why not make long coach travel more an ‘experience’ rather than just a ‘journey’ - but in a way far removed from just playing decent latest-release movies on a TV screen that actually works, or to ensure the carpet’s been vacuumed and the dunny’s pretty clean. Make the actual bus an attraction itself. inter-city overnight trips, but can also be tours, according the to company. Tokyo’s Shinjuku to the awesome, NASA-like Tsukuba Space Center (any other trips are usually just within Tokyo). The seats are aircraft style with in-built screen at the back of each headrest, nothing

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new there. But perhaps the coolest addition for the full astronaut experience is each seat armrest housing its own joystick controller – ideal for playing computer games on the screen ahead of you. And they are not some cheap and cheerful ‘two-dollar shop’ ones, either. The Mad Catz Cyborg joysticks are proper ergonomic and stylish ones, so in no way detract from the spacecraft theme inside. After an introductory video in true Japanese anime style welcomes passengers aboard, they can get game playing while under a stunning celestial ceiling display projected up above. The cabin while the coach journey is under way and while it’s all a little gimmicky – who cares? You don’t get onto a bus like this every day and is perfect your earning you bragging rights on facebook from your friends once you start Such a transport experience wouldn’t be without its detractors, though. Common criticisms might include the annoyance of not being able to take such a long journey and have windows to look out of – there are none, just video screens countersunk into the walls and accentuate the ‘manned space vehicle’ feel. Plus some more serious observers may wonder about the bus. All fair points, mind you. But perhaps they are missing the point.

The longest route - to the Space Camp - is apparently about an hour, so it might not be that bad without windows. But if you are hard-core claustrophobic that might be another story. And we can’t really tell what kind of wheelchair being an ‘aircraft’ maybe it’s got usable ‘sick bags’ if you really need to chunder from down under. Hey, you never know... Yet the point is Willer Travel has successfully taken the idea that not only should coach and bus travel be exciting and engaging, but also … bus on planet Earth can get. Instead of the coach merely being a mode of temporary transport to get people from their A to B, why not make it part of their overall experience, too? Something else they can take to be chock-a-block photo albums once back home. Hmm... Perhaps it is certainly an idea or option for some operators to consider because there’s a stack of ‘themes’ to tap into and arguably loads more people who would want to travel on such a coach to experience it who would never have done so if it was just a ‘regular’ trip to do. A way to increase and maximise both tourist gimmick to get you noticed a bit more out on the street? Either way, if done right, it couldn’t do much harm.

“...game playing while under a stunning celestial ceiling display projected up above.”

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GROUND CONTROL TO MAJOR TOM Willer Travel Inc., Japan, offers travel and tourism services through reservations of highway bus, highway tour bus, transit bus, ferry, railway, airlines, hotels and other tourism facilities. It was established on May 24, 1994 and has 70 million yen

in capital and annual sales of 12.3 billion yen (as of 2012), it’s stated. Its president/CEO is Shigetaka Murase and it has 39 employees (as of March 2014). Its main office locations are at Nakanoshima, Kita-Ku, Osaka City, Japan and in Tokyo at Konan, Minato-Ku, Tokyo City.

4 1 2 3 4 5

It looks more like the top of R2D2’s head, but sets the interior’s tone early. You can’t miss this bad boy out on the street. 10, 9, 8, 7... Best-looking refreshments bar we’ve seen in ages. But where are the bloody Cheezels? There’s a fleet of these Hino Selegas running around Tokyo apparently. ‘On like Donkey Kong!’ Decent-enough-sized screens and comfy seats. Result!

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IVECOBUS50463

By Fabian Cotter

Gadgets on the go

We’ve scoured the globe for all the latest gadgets and gizmos for when you are on the go.

Garmin Tactix The idea of a smartphone in the shape of a watch might be all the rage right now with the Samsung Galaxy Gear doing the rounds, but for those wanting a traditional watch with a hint of funkiness then you might want to have a sniff at the Garmin Tactix. Okay, so if it’s from Garmin it might have a smidgen WHAT? WHO? HOW MUCH? CONTACT?

more funkiness than you may actually need, but if you are an ‘outdoorsy’ type then it’s ideal. Featuring a GPS, obviously, there’s also a barometer, digital thermometer, a three-axis compass, altimeter - and with the ability to store up to 1000 way-points you might just want to get lost just to test it out.

Garmin Tactix Garmin $549 RRP www.garmin.com

Mophie Juice Pack When you are on the go these days you’ll be gutted if you forget to take your phone and that’s because you get the impression some of us needed them more than air. For those still doing the duckface from holding their breath, high data usage means your phone sucks a heck of a lot of battery power and there’s WHAT? WHO? HOW MUCH? CONTACT?

nothing worse that watching the last bars of juice linger on when you can’t get to a power point. Portable power is the go and the Mophie Powerstation is perfect for that. Fitting into your pocket, it’s light enough to not be too much of a hassle and should save you when you need juice most.

Juice Pack Powerstation Mophie $89.95 RRP www.mophie.com

Oakley Airwave There’s still time to hit the powder this ski season, but that doesn’t mean you need to be totally technologyless while you are hitting the slopes. The Oakley Airwave ski goggles not only look cool, they also pack a powerful punch featuring built-in heads-up display with GPS and Bluetooth technology. For those wanting to use them to improve their skiing skills, get this – its sensors WHAT? WHO? HOW MUCH? CONTACT?

will give you jump analytics for distance, height and airtime instantly, or speed and vertical data for each run. And if you are a hacker and not fussed about better skiing then kick back and perve anonymously while controlling a music playlist, or track your mates on the slopes, or use the pre-loaded maps. Attached to your smartphone it can act as a heart rate readout.

Airwave Goggles Oakley $799.95 RRP www.oakley.com

HIGER’S NEW SCHOOL BUS RANGE

There’s a Higer for every class Higer has a wide range of 28 to 57 seat school buses designed specifically for local conditions. Best-in-class components and standard safety features – including ABS, ASR, lap sash seat belts and reversing camera on every model – ensure maximum safety, comfort and class-leading reliability. Combine this with an extensive dealer and service network and a five year warranty* and it’s easy to see why more people are getting on board with Higer. For more information and a free test drive, call your nearest Higer dealer on 1300 850 206 or visit higer.com.au *Optional 3 year driveline warranty extension available (5 years total). Conditions apply.

Proud sponsors of

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Working Wheels

Kangoo Attitude Renault’s latest Kangoo is a versatile workhorse that doubles as a passenger van. Geoff Paradise tries one out.

olden started it with the Combo, a half-car half-van device that was excellent in its day. Things, however, have moved on and these small vans aren’t that small anymore but they aren’t big either. The Renault Kangoo is available as a short wheelbase van, or a long wheelbase Maxi van, or a Maxi Crew van, both of which have an extra 384mm over the SWB model. In terms of engines and power ratings the larger Kangoos rely on a very perky 1.5-litre turbodiesel that cranks out 81kW and 240Nm, while the shorter version is powered by a 1.6-litre petrol engine that is rated at 79kW and 148Nm. Maxi and Crew although a Renault spokesman

VAN SPECS

said an automatic is coming. The petrolspeed manual, or a four-speed automatic. Renault claims the diesel-powered vans use only 4.7L/100kM on the combined cycle test whereas the petrol model uses 7.7L/100kM. We drove the Maxi Crew van recently and from the get-go were impressed with the throttle response and performance of the turbodiesel. It may be only 1.6 litres and only produce 81kW, but it nips along far quicker than it has a right too. One suspects some judicious that’s the name of the game and it plays it really well. Naturally, there are limitations on how much cargo and payload it can carry, but with the

will take objects as long as 2.88m. Leave the seat in position and the capacity is reduced to 1.3 cubic metres. The short wheelbase petrol model can accommodate three cubic metres of freight and a maximum payload of 611kg.

the car’s life and it should be noted service intervals are every 12 months or 15,000kM, which reduces downtime for those who use the van in a commercial operation. Prices start at $19,990 for the shortie petrol model and top out at $27,990 for the Maxi Crew. These prices do not include any onroad costs.

Whatever you can do Kangoo can do better implies Renault.

MODEL: Renault Kangoo ENGINE: 1.5-litre turbodiesel. Power – 81kW, Torque – 240Nm; 1.6-litre petrol engine. Power – 79kW, Torque - 148Nm TRANSMISSION: Six-speed manual (Maxi and Crew); Five-speed manual, or a four-speed automatic (petrol).

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064Money Matters

Paul Clitheroe FIND LOST SUPER? IT’S EASY AS...

“When it comes to money matters it’s tempting to take a ‘live for the moment’ approach.”

Paul Clitheroe is a founding director of financial planning firm ipac, chairman of the Australian Government Financial Literacy Board and chief commentator for Money magazine. Visit www.paulsmoney.com.au for more information.

Transporting Australia Please visit

www.kinglong.com.au for more information

Call or email us for further information NSW, QLD & NT

VIC, ACT, TAS

SA & WA

Anthony Fisicaro

Stephen Long

Chris Cordia

Graham Weekley

Regional Sales Manager m. 0409 488 834 e. stephen@hvagroup.com.au

Regional Sales Manager m. 0438 040 411 e. chris@hvagroup.com.au

Regional Sales Manager m. 0417 160 483 e. graham@hvagroup.com.au

National Sales Manager m. 0400 968 106 e. anthony@hvagroup.com.au

130-132 Freight Drive Somerton VIC Australia 3062 t. (03) 9305 2299 f. (03) 8339 0265 e. info@hvagroup.com.au CAB-HVA-0814-SD

AUSTRALIA’S BEST SELLING BUS IS NOW EVEN BETTER

With Up to

Top Selling Bus in its class for

10 years*

25 Seats

Including the driver’s, Rosa has up to

4 more than Coaster

Sat nav with 3 years maps and Reverse Camera As STandard

To find out why more people choose Rosa, call 1300 429 134 or visit fuso.com.au *Rosa is Australia’s top-selling bus in its class for the last ten years based on Vfacts sales volumes 2004-2013. Fuso is distributed by Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific Pty Ltd ACN 004 411 410.

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