TENDER NEWS
How other operators are faring HEARING regular news about which routes are won or lost by other London operators was one of the suggestions a number of colleagues raised in the recent staff survey. In this new column for Bus Talk we highlight just a few of the recent announcements. • Sullivan Buses has won the contract from London Buses to operate Route 298. The company will take over the route from Arriva London North on February 4, 2012. Single deck buses (5 PVR) will run from Arnos Grove station to Potters Bar. • Abellio London will take over the running of Route 455 from Arriva London South on March 3, 2012. The route runs between Purley, Old Lodge Lane and Wallington Station (10 PVR). • First London East has won the contracts for the W14, W15 and W16 from Arriva London North. The W14 goes from South Leyton to Woodford Bridge (10 PVR). The W15 goes from Hackney Central to Higham Hill (20 PVR). The W16 goes from Leytonstone to Chingford Mount (8 PVR). The new W15 and W16 contracts will begin in March 2012 while the W14 contract will begin on 25 February. • Arriva London North is to take over the running of W11 from First London East. Buses go from Chingford to Walthamstow (7 PVR). The new contract will start in March 2012. • From March 31, 2012 Arriva London North will take over Route 678 from Stagecoach East London. Buses go from Beckton to Stratford. • Arriva London North will lose Route 275 to Stagecoach East London in March 2012. Buses go from Barkingside to Walthamstow (10 PVR). • CT Plus is to gain Route 309 (Canning Town to Bethnal Green) from First London East in March 2012 (8 PVR). 6
BusTalk l August 2011
Proud day for apprentices WELL done to this year’s apprentices on the successful completion of their training. Pictured above are the third year apprentices, who transferred to the garages in July. Apprentice of the Year winners, pictured right with senior staff, are, from left, Harry Blaney (second year), Adrian Williamson (third year) and Matthew Fleming (first year).
New workshop on show at VIP launch
THE PROFILE of Camberwell garage’s new workshop was given a further boost this summer when it was chosen as the venue to launch complianceplus. The new compliance solution – a collaboration between CPT and Lloyd Morgan Group – is a proactive move towards bespoke vehicle inspection and quality assured maintenance systems. A number of senior people from the bus and coach industry were in attendance including Go-Ahead London MD John Trayner and group engineering director Phil Margrave.
Beverley Bell, deputy senior traffic commissioner, Steve Whiteway, CPT president, and Norman Baker, MP and parliamentary under-secretary of state for transport, also attended the event. Engineering manager Robbie Small said: “Camberwell was an ideal place to hold the launch and it was nice to be able to show off our new workshop. “Go-Ahead London already provides 95 per cent of its training in-house and already carries out quality vehicle inspection and maintenance standards, but we were pleased to host so many high-profile people connected with our industry.”
David returns to take on the top role David Brown has become Group Chief Executive of Go-Ahead following the retirement of Keith Ludeman on July 4. Most recently David was TfL’s managing director, surface transport – a role he had carried out for five years. Before joining Transport for London, David was chief executive of Go-Ahead’s London bus business from 20032006 and served as an advisor to the main Board. David said: “Go-Ahead is a great company. Before taking up the CEO role I had the time to visit
every operating company and see first-hand the effort and dedication of employees. “It was great to return and see so many familiar faces at Go-Ahead London. Go-Ahead London is a key part of the business and it is great to see how it has continued to develop and thrive. There is a real commitment to quality and a strong focus on local communities that really sets us apart from our competitors. As a business we are performing really well, and much of that is due to the quality of our people.”
David Brown.