Bus and Coach Professional April 2020

April 2020

Issue 413

driving towards a greener future

Funding welcomed for bus operators

... but coach tour operators await PTR action

From generating data to driving business performance TomTom Telematics is now Webfleet Solutions

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comment Bus and Coach Professional is published by Plum Publishing Ltd

Editorial Steve Rooney steve.rooney@busandcoach.com

Advertising Sue Rooney sue.rooney@busandcoach.com

Contact address: Bus and Coach Professional Plum Publishing Ltd, Unit 4 Marshbrook Business Park Church Stretton SY6 6QE Telephone: 01694 731510 www.busandcoach.com

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Coach tourism crisis EVERYTHING has changed in a remarkably short time. All of us have had to adjust our working and home lives in a way that was unimaginable just a few weeks ago.

We have managed to get this issue of Bus and Coach Professional into print and distributed, although we understand that many of you may be working away from your normal base, so have also made it available online.

We have condensed this issue to make it more manageable to produce, but also because some of the regular content we prepared seems less relevant at this precise point in time. We do report on positive measures that have been taken by government, operators and local bodies to try and maintain a base level of bus networks in order to provide essential services for key workers.

I am acutely aware however, that some sections of the industry have so far received little help from government, in particular those whose primary, or only focus is coach tourism. These operators have had their business curtailed by government action and while they will benefit from the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for ‘furloughed’ workers, they continue to see significant cash disappearing from their business for ongoing overheads, and will struggle to maintain a viable business if the effective ban on their businesses goes on for many months.

What is making the situation worse for coach tour operators is the requirement within the Package Travel Regulations for them to refund customers in cash where tours have had to be cancelled. These rules were designed for an entirely different scenario and are clearly not fit for purpose at a time where governments across the world have imposed ‘lockdowns’ and banned ‘non essential travel’. Coach tourism trade bodies including CTA, CPT/BCH have been actively lobbying government for a temporary change to the regulations in concert with other key tourism organisations including ABTA, but as yet they are still waiting for a response.

There is a strong consensus backing the Government’s approach on lockdown, and support for many of the measures it has taken to support people and businesses through this, but withholding a perfectly sensible relaxation of regulations, which would help ensure there is a coach holiday sector left at the end of this crisis, is unforgivable.

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April 2020

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contents comment 5-12 news

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5-12 news

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international Brazilian city welcomes first bi-articulated Scania buses with Allison fully automatic transmissions.

23-26 engines & transmissions Engine and transmission manufacturers are continuing to develop new solutions for their bus and coach ranges.

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Stagecoach updates on COVID-19 impact on its businesses.

Free bus and tram travel for NHS staff in West Midlands during coronavirus outbreak.

New electric double-decks for Stagecoach Manchester.

people Ticketer appoints new CEO for FARA.

product Stertil Koni upgrades lifts for Go-Ahead Ireland and Courtney Coaches.

who buys what M&A Coaches expands Volvo fleet to meet extra demand.

@busandcoach_com Follow

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April 2020

news

ADL delivers rapid new fleet for Go Cornwall tendered service A LE X A ND ER D e nnis is providing 92 new buses to Go-Ahead Group subsidiary Go Cornwall Bus for a new tendered bus network.

Forty-four of the batch were delivered for the start of operation on the Transport for Cornwall network on Sunday 29 March, less than three months after it was announced by the county council as the new operator of all its tendered bus services.

A further 48 buses, including 17 Enviro400 doubledecks, will follow in coming months. These were initially expected by June but their completion may be delayed by the temporary suspension of production at ADL’s British manufacturing sites in response to government advice on social distancing.

The first ADL Enviro200 buses leave the Go Cornwall Bus depot to launch the new Transport for Cornwall network.

“Setting up the new Transport for Cornwall network in less than three months would have been a formidable task even without the impact of current events, but Go Cornwall Bus have fully risen to this challenge,” says Martin Brailey, ADL regional sales director

London & the South. “We are proud to have been chosen to provide the new fleet of buses, and our flexibility and ability to support customers’ requirements allowed us to have 44 of them ready in a matter of weeks.” www.alexander-dennis.com

TfL trials middle-door only boarding TRANSPORT for London is trialling middle-door only boarding on buses to protect bus drivers and to ensure that public transport is safe for staff and for critical workers who need to use it for absolutely essential journeys.

TfL has been working with Unite the Union and bus operators and has already actively discouraged passengers from sitting near the driver with signage and has recently added an extra layer of protection to the

April 2020

clear screen that separates the driver from customers to create a more complete barrier.

Middle-door only boarding could ensure that critical workers can continue to rely on London’s buses to travel, while ensuring that drivers, who have no option to change seats or move in the bus, can maintain social distancing while working.

The trial will assess how the change works in live operations and whether it causes any issues.

Claire Mann, TfL director of

bus operations, says: “London’s hard-working transport workers are making a heroic effort at the frontline of the fight against this pandemic, and it is only right we consider everything we can to protect them.

“We’ve already delivered many other enhanced safety measures and by trialling middle-door only boarding on buses we can gain the information we need to see if we can further improve safety on London’s buses.” www.tfl.gov.uk

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news

Free bus and tram travel for NHS staff in West Midlands during outbreak

NHS staff will get free travel on all buses and trams in the West Midlands as they go to work to battle the coronavirus pandemic.

Local bus operators and West Midlands Metro have teamed up to allow anyone working in our hospitals and frontline medical facilities to travel for free during the outbreak by showing their NHS pass.

Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street says: “We want to do as much as we can to support our NHS workers at this difficult time, and I am delighted that our bus companies and the Midland Metro have stepped up to offer free services.

“This is just a small way in which we can help all those people who, while many of us are safely staying

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at home, are going into busy hospitals to help save lives.”

NHS staff can show their work passes and travel for free on buses operated by National Express West Midlands, Diamond, Landflight and Claribel, Banga, Coventry Community Transport, Evergreen (Thandi), Johnsons, Kev’s Cars, Select Bus, Travel De Courcey and Walsall Community Transport as well as West Midlands Metro services.

Children of key workers travelling to school are also eligible for free travel on production of their personalised letter allowing them to continue to attend school during this period.

The free travel offer comes after Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), which is part of the West

Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), launched free shuttle bus services for NHS and social care staff serving key locations, by redeploying the ring and ride minibus fleet.

Ian Ward, WMCA portfolio holder for transport and leader of Birmingham City Council adds: “Our transport operators have really stepped up here, not only are they keeping buses and trams running all day they are now offering the NHS staff free travel.

“We are advising that only those making essential journeys, such as key workers, those collecting necessary food or medical supplies and those supporting the vulnerable use public transport at this time.” www.wmca.org.uk

April 2020

The new BYD ADL Enviro400EV: leading the charge.

Cleaner cities. Quieter streets. Zero emissions.

The BYD ADL Enviro400EV brings proven, full electric driveline technology to double decker buses. With high capacity BYD iron phosphate batteries, the BYD ADL Enviro400EV delivers a competitive range thanks to a lightweight aluminium body that also maximises passenger carrying capacity.

The partnership between BYD and ADL provides full infrastructure support from route analysis to site surveys, making sure electric buses glide smoothly into your fleet.

Visit www.evbus.co.uk to find out more.

news

West Yorkshire Combined Authority supports key worker bus timetable ​T HE West Yorkshire Combined Authority is combining its own financial resources with Government funding to commission a key worker bus timetable through the West Yorkshire Bus Alliance.

The Department for Transport is providing emergency funding to be managed in West Yorkshire by the Combined Authority which will oversee the bus service during the emergency and the recovery period afterwards.

In addition, the Combined Authority usually pays operators more than £6million per month to fund socially necessar y bus ser vices and concessionar y fare schemes.

It will continue to do so during the pandemic in spite of large falls in passenger numbers as local people heed the instruction to stay at home.

Through the West Yorkshire Bus Alliance, operators will agree to hold bus fares at current levels, make changes to timeta-

bles in partnership with the Combined Authority, observe social distancing and hygiene standards and provide reports with regularly updated information on how the network is operating.

The Government has set out a package of direct support for the bus industry in England, based on minimum continued service levels which will be reflected in the key worker timetable.

“The number of people using buses in West Yorkshire is only 10 per cent of usual levels which shows they are listening to instructions to stay at home but poses a massive challenge to the finances underpinning the network,” says Kim Groves, chair, West Yorkshire Combined Authority transport committee.

“We will continue to fund bus operators and work through the West Yorkshire Bus Alliance to commission the key worker bus timetable to ensure those who have to travel can do so and in a safe way that allows them to follow social-

Kim Groves, chair, West Yorkshire Combined Authority transport committee.

distancing guidelines,” adds Groves.

“It is also increasingly clear that the long-term impact of the pandemic on public transport will be significant and sustained.

I am committed to safeguarding the interests of West Yorkshire customers and businesses during this period and the recovery. We will need continued Government support to restore and strengthen the network when normality returns.” www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk

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news

Stagecoach updates on COVID-19 impact on its businesses

FURTHER to its announcement on 23 March, Stagecoach Group plc is today (3 April 2020) providing an update on the impact of COVID-19, the actions it has taken and the sector-specific support from Government.

In a statement on the impact of COVID-19 on its businesses, Stagecoach Group reports that commercial sales at its regional bus businesses is around 15 per cent of ‘normal’ levels, and vehicle mileage is around 50 per cent with plans to reduce that close to 40 per cent.

Stagecoach’s regional bus business has already furloughed a significant proportion of its staff as part of plans to furlough around 55 per cent of its bus drivers and engineering staff. Other employees have also been furloughed and fuel hedging has been reduced to take account of the reduction in regional bus mileage.

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The group reports that it has around £506million of available cash and undrawn, committed bank facilities and has reduced its previously planned 2020/21 capital expenditure from £105million of cash capital expenditure and £38million of new leases to£40million of cash capital expenditure and £20million of new leases.

On the government support announced recently, the group says: “Our transport services play a critical role in getting key workers, such as healthcare and other staff, to work during this crisis as well as ensuring people can access medical care, food and other essentials.

We are pleased that the UK, Scottish and Welsh governments have recognised this important contribution to the national effort and have announced specific support for the country’s bus networks.”

Martin Griffiths, Stagecoach

chief executive, says: “I am proud of the tremendous efforts and sacrifices of our people and the country’s healthcare workers during such a challenging and uncertain time.

“We are continuing to work hard to ensure Stagecoach comes through this difficult period well placed for the significant longterm opportunities that we still see for public transport.

“We would like to thank the respective governments and our local authority partners for their support through this very challenging period. It is welcome recognition of the importance of maintaining bus services at this time, and it will enable key workers to continue to travel to and from work, as well as ensuring communities can still access food, medical care and other essential services.” www.stagecoachbus.co.uk

April 2020

news

Government allocates £400million to keep England’s buses running ALMOST £400million has been allocated by the government to support bus services in England in the wake of COVID-19.

The funding package, agreed jointly with the bus industry, is designed to keep key routes running to provide transport for those who cannot work from home, including those travelling to jobs on the front line of the UK’s fight against Covid-19, such as NHS staff.

New funding of up to £167million will be paid over 12 weeks under the new Covid-19 Bus Services Support Grant. As a condition of the funding, bus operators will be required to maintain necessary services at a level which is sufficient to meet much reduced demand, but also to allow adequate space between passengers on board. This is expected to be up to 50 per cent of normal service levels.

Transport secretary Grant Shapps says: “We have been very clear during the outbreak that the best way to stop the spread of the virus and protect the NHS, is to stay at home if possible.

“Our buses are a lifeline for people who need to travel for work or to buy food – including our emergency services and NHS staff – and it’s absolutely vital we do all we can to keep the sector running.

“This multi-million investment will protect crucial local transport links across

April 2020

England, bolstering the sector and minimising disruption for passengers in the long term.”

Operator s will also be required to keep passengers informed about revised timetables to ensure that people know which services are running and when.

The Government has also promised that £200million of existing funding under the Bus Services Operators Grant will continue to be paid as normal even though not all services may run during this time.

This funding is usually paid according to fuel consumption, and so the Government’s commitment to pay this on pre-Covid-19 levels will help ensure that bus companies are able to benefit despite fewer fare-paying passengers travelling.

This is in addition to up to £30 million of extra Government bus funding, originally earmarked for starting new services, which will instead be paid to local authorities to maintain existing services.

CPT chief executive Graham Vidler adds: “Bus operators of all sizes across the country are providing an essential service at a time of national emergency, and we thank the thousands of staff doing an incredible job to keep routes running.

“This funding is designed to plug the gap between the costs of running essential routes and revenue currently being received, and will help the country through the outbreak by allowing critical journeys to continue.” www.gov.uk/dft

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news

Bus groups and campaigners welcome English bus emergency funding THE emergency funding to maintain bus services in England was welcomed by major bus companies and campaign groups.

Transport Focus and London TravelWatch Chief Executive Anthony Smith says: “Around half of bus passengers tell us that the bus is the only real means of transport available to them, so it is right that the Government has recognised the exceptional circumstances posed by coronavirus.

“Bus operators and transport authorities must keep services running for key workers and those who must travel for medical care and essential shopping. It is vital that services are protected so they can get back up and running as soon as this crisis is over.”

Paul O’Neil, Arriva managing director for UK Bus, adds: “The secretary of state’s announcement of support for operators means that we can continue to deliver this vital service up and down the country. It also means that we will be ready to gear up to a full network as quickly as possible when appropriate.”

Matthew Gregory, FirstGroup chief executive, says: “I am pleased that by working with the Df T, devolved government and local authorities, we are demonstrating that we are able to secure the necessary support to continue running bus services, recognising the unique and essential role they play in sustaining our local economies and communities.

“These arrangements will enable us to continue working closely with councils and our other local stakeholders to ensure that key workers can reach their destination, be it hospitals, supermarkets or distribution centres. When the present

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Transdev driver sends a message of thanks from The Keighley Bus Company.

restrictions on travel are over, we will be ready to work quickly to re-connect people and communities as the country emerges from the effects of the pandemic and a return to normality is sought. I want to express my gratitude and thanks to all our employees who are working so hard to keep buses going at this difficult time.”

Darren Shirley, chief executive, Campaign for Better Transport, says: “This funding should help ensure essential bus services are kept running to allow millions of key workers to keep doing crucial jobs around the country. Buses are the backbone of our public transport network and without them many people would be left stranded. This announcement should also mean households can remain isolated, but are not entirely cut off from shops and other vital services whilst helping retain a viable network for beyond the crisis.”

Claire Walters, Chief Executive of Bus Users is delighted that bus services are being recognised and supported by Government: “Buses have been a lifeline during the current crisis. They have ensured key workers get to where they are needed, and that people without access to private transport can make essential journeys to buy food and medication and to care for others.”

Transdev CEO Alex Hornby says: “This welcome announcement will help us protect our bus network, and will ensure that our colleagues can carry on helping key workers to travel to and from work, while protecting thousands of jobs across England’s bus industry.” www.transportfocus.org www.arrivabus.co.uk www.firstgroup.com www.bettertransport.org.uk www.bususers.org www.transdevbus.co.uk

April 2020

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international New agreement between Irizar and Scania Deutschland

IRIZAR has signed a collaboration agreement with Scania Deutschland to offer its IrizarScania range of coaches to the German market. With this agreement, Irizar hopes to strengthen its position in the inter-urban buses and coaches sectors by making a wide range of vehicles available to the premium segment, including the

Bus and coach news from around the world

Irizar i8, i6S and i6 models and the suburban Irizar i4 model.

Irizar coaches will be exclusively sold in Germany through Scania’s distribution network, which already offers an extensive portfolio of services, 17 specialised technical centres and a network of more than 150 licensed workshops, in addition to a recently-created used buses centre. Spare parts will be supplied by the Scania Parts Centre in Belgium and a warehouse in Bremen created to stock

spare parts for Irizar vehicles.

“We are channelling our efforts so that we continue to consolidate our positioning in Europe in the near future,” says Rafael Sterling, CEO of Grupo Irizar.

“Germany has always been a strategic market for Irizar, and there’s no doubt that this IrizarScania collaboration will allow us to offer our German clients great value in terms of products and services.”

www.irizar.com

Brazilian city welcomes first bi-articulated Scania buses with Allison transmissions

Sao Paulo operator Viação Cidade Sorriso has reported positive results from its earlier purchase of Brazil’s first six Scania biarticulated buses, which run in the southern city of Curitiba. The buses are 27m-long, have a 250 passenger capacity and feature Allison fully automatic transmissions. These are the first Scanias for a market dominated by Volvo.

“The arrival of a new option to the city of Curitiba brings us the flexibility of choice, which is beneficial for both company and users,” says Alaor Morais, operations director, Viação Cidade Sorriso.

“The most interesting thing about the Scania/Allison partnership is that we really believe in this new project. We are confident that this is just the beginning of a highly

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successful project.”

The buses were evaluated over an extended period along the same routes as the incumbent models.

The bi-articulated buses are equipped with a Caio body and 360hp engine with 1,850Nm of torque. The front-engine location increases space for passengers and allows more accessibility between the three bus sections. The vehicles have an 8x2 configuration, with a loading capacity of 43.5tonnes.

Viação Cidade Sorriso has worked with Allison for more than 30 years. The Allison B 516 six-speed fully automatic transmission with retarder is compatible with the high torque of the engine and provides easy maintenance and low operational cost. Its architecture ensures the optimal

gear is always selected, as well as generating higher average speeds and reducing travel time.

According to the company, among the advantages of the Scania bi-articulated buses is the ease of mechanical access to the front engine. The new buses work on the North-South line between Santa Cândida and Capão Raso and transport an average of 90,000 passengers per 10-hour day. The new buses are replacing older models at the end of their service life.

“In this initial phase of operation, the bi-articulated buses will be limited to running an average of just 5,500km per month as they are brought on board and we make occasional adjustments,” adds Morais.

www.allisontransmission.com

April 2020

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green

OUR PICK OF THE LATEST ENVIRONMENTAL DEVELOPMENTS IN THE BUS AND COACH SECTOR

New electric double-decks launched for Stagecoach Manchester

STAGECOACH has launched Greater Ma nchester’s f irst double-deck electric buses in a £16.5million investment. The 32 electric buses operate on the 111 and 43 routes connecting Manchester city centre, Manchester Airport, five hospitals and three universities.

The zero-emission buses can travel 190 miles on a single

charge and the new e-buses will save 2,208t of CO2 a year compared to the existing fleet, as well as improving local air quality.

“The introduction of the new electric double-deck buses is a significant milestone in the history of transport in Greater Manchester and represents one of the biggest single investments in electric buses anywhere in Europe,” says Elisa-

beth Tasker, managing director, Stagecoach Manchester. “We are very proud to have worked in partnership with the mayor Andy Burnham, Transport for Greater Manchester and other key organisations to secure the investment needed to roll out the first electric double decker buses for this region.” www.stagecoachbus.co.uk

Electric bus boosts SEC drive for accessibility AN EP14 electric bus from ePowerTrucks has been introduced at the Scottish Events Campus. The 14-seater bus is equipped with a ramp for wheelchair accessibility, and has a 40-mile range which is enough for a full shift at the SEC. “We operate a shuttle service between the three venues on our campus, using two old style golf buggies,” says Robin Cassidy, SEC customer experience coordinator.

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“However, it wasn’t cost-effective, wasn’t always pleasant in inclement weather and one of the buggies was becoming less reliable.

“We wanted to invest in a vehicle with more passenger carrying capabilities and which was enclosed, and this one suited our needs perfectly and within budget.

Our new service has dramatically improved our shuttle service between venues. As an electric

vehicle it is quiet, provides a smooth ride and has zero exhaust emissions.”

The 5m-long EP14 bus is designed for large sites such as theme parks, resorts, industrial facilities, stadia, rail stations, caravan parks and airports. It has a maximum range of 40 miles and can handle gradients of up to 20 per cent. www.epowertrucks.co.uk

April 2020

people

For all the latest vacancies visit – www.busandcoach.com

Ticketer appoints new CEO for FARA

TICKETER has appointed Solveig Ellila Kristiansen as CEO of FARA following its acquisition of the Norwegian ticketing company last year. As FARA CEO, Solveig will lead the expansion of FARA and Ticketer technology to advance the company’s international expansion.

Solveig combines engineering expertise and commercial experience, and her career includes a number of high-level roles in international IT companies, including being General Manager for Dell Norway and Iceland.

“I am excited to join FARA, an international Trondheim-based company with a strong track record in making public travel easy,” she says. “With increasing environmental challenges, public transport is becoming an increasingly important solution. In addition, passengers’ expectations are increasing with a demand for real-time information and account-based ticketing.”

Following Solveig’s appointment to head up FARA, Ørjan Kirkefjord, former CEO, will move into a new role, focusing on sales, innovation and customer satisfaction in the Nordics. www.ticketer.com

Mark Threapleton set to retire from Stagecoach

STAGECOACH reports that Mark Threapleton will retire from his position as chief operating officer later this year. Threapleton started his career in the public transport sector in 1976 with South Yorkshire PTE and joined Stagecoach in January 1995 as operations director in South East London and has gone on to have a 25-year career with the company.

In 1996 he became operations director for the newly acquired south Manchester business, and in 2000 he moved to operations director for the company’s UK Bus division. He went on to become managing director for Stagecoach Manchester and subsequently led the London business, which operates services on behalf of Transport for London.

Threapleton was appointed managing director for Stagecoach operations in England and Wales in 2017 and has been Stagecoach chief operating officer since July 2019.

He will formally retire in September 2020, with a phased transition from May. Stagecoach chief executive Martin Griffiths says: “Mark is a highly respected senior executive in the UK bus industry and a highly regarded member of our team.” www.stagecoachgroup.com

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The latest products and services for the bus and coach sector

Starter Pack for tyre pressure monitoring OPERATORS of buses, coaches, trucks and industrial plant can benef it f rom W heely-Sa fe’s advanced tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) at a special introductory price, with a new starter pack.

The technology is designed to combat the 87 per cent of commercial vehicle breakdowns which are tyre-related – costing businesses millions of pounds each year in downtime and reduced tyre life.

The Starter Pack costs £149.95 + VAT and is limited to one per fleet.

It comprises 10 TPMS sensors, which replace the tyre valve caps and auto-pair with the solar-powered in-cab receiver and booster, which can be installed within minutes, according to Wheely-Safe.

The TPMS sensors alert the driver to a 15 per cent drop in pressure, or an increase in pressure of 30 per cent. There is an enhanced

alert at 24 per cent drop in pressure, or in the event of fast leakage.

The same sensors also monitor the temperature of the air inside each tyre, and warn the driver should this exceed 100ºC – often the sign of an impending blowout.

The Starter Packs include a hand-held sensor reader, allowing the user to obtain tyre pressure readings in a matter of seconds.

Based on Wheely-Safe’s modular approach, the system can be upgraded to incorporate its wheel security system, providing fleets with in-motion alerts to detect the onset of wheel loss before detachment. The wheel security sensors also monitor the temperature of the braking mechanism, with an in-built onboard heat sensor which sends alerts if a brake or hub issue is detected.

07773 317730 / 07972 899523 www.wheely-safe.com

Stertil Koni upgrades lifts for Go-Ahead Ireland and Courtney Coaches GO-AHEAD Ireland has increased its number of Stertil Koni heavy duty vehicle lifts with the purchase of a 25-tonne capacity Skylift to support workshop operations at its Dublin depot.

Go-Ahead Ireland’s Ballymount depot in Dublin opened in July 2018 and operates 24 routes in the Outer Dublin Metropolitan Area. The business has a team of over 450 colleagues - based at Dublin and Go-Ahead Ireland’s second depot in Naas, Co. Kildare - who ensure the smooth travel of over five million passengers annually.

Following the successful use of 12 sets of Stertil Koni 7.5-tonne wireless mobile column lifts at the Dublin and Naas depots since 2018, the new 25-tonne capacity heavy-duty Skylift SKY250-10

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ensures greater flexibility within the Dublin workshop.

Stertil Koni has also supplied three sets of wireless mobile column lifts as part of upgrades to the Bracknell workshop of Courtney Coaches which operates a fleet of more than 60 buses and coaches comprising Volvo, Scania, Mercedes, Optare and ADL vehicles, both single- and double-decks. www.stertilkoni.co.uk

Ticketer and Passenger cooperate to extend live bus tracking TICKETER and Passenger have joined forces to provide bus tracking in a UK-wide collaboration.

To help bus users over the coming weeks, the companies will roll out Passenger’s Live Buses capability to all Ticketer customers. Live vehicle tracking on Passenger apps and websites will show travellers exactly where buses are on interactive maps, as operators adjust timetables around key workers’ needs.

Passenger CEO Tom Quay says: “Scheduler teams are under huge pressure right now to make complex timetable adjustments and get the data published into every IT system that needs it. Given the unprecedented number of changes taking place, operators simply cannot update their real-time systems quickly enough.

“It is imperative that travellers can rely on getting the most accurate information possible. Showing the physical location of a bus in apps and websites is the best way to provide confidence that the bus is on its way.”

Ticketer will help automate the integration process by enabling vehicle monitoring (SIRI-VM) feeds for operators who would otherwise use a combination of timetable data and bus stop monitoring to update their feeds.

John Clarfelt, Ticketer CEO. “Now, more than ever, it’s important for key industry alliances to form, to work together to put the needs of our operators first. Allowing operators to show bus locations on their apps will help key workers and those making essential journeys during these difficult times.” www.ticketer.com

April 2020

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The latest products and services for the bus and coach sector

product

NCT renews contract with Passenger

NOTTINGHAM City Transport has renewed its contract with Passenger, three years after first launching the app in 2016.

“Passenger, and our partnership with them, is very much an essential service to us” says Anthony Carver-Smith, NCT marketing manager. “Over 20 members of the team here at NCT use the Passenger system every day to communicate with customers via our mobile apps and websites, so we see the benefits of their products in so many of our daily tasks.

“In challenging times, when things change ver y quick ly, whether it is because of severe weather or a public health emergency we know we can rely on Passenger. We are able to quickly and easily manage information and interact with our customers via their secure platform. The value of that is huge and we know is instrumental in keeping our services and users moving”.

NCT reports a dramatic change in the way that its customers interact with and pay for its services.

“The way people interact with buses is changing – has changed – and Passenger’s role in that transition is undeniable,” adds CarverSmith. “It speaks volumes that we’re willing to work with a company that’s hundreds of miles away from us to implement this technology. And that’s because, despite the distance, Passenger works fast, remains in constant communication and is simply the best multiplatform supplier working in the bus industry today.”

www.nctx.co.uk

Omnibus aims to maintain ‘business as usual’ for customers AS we go through these unprecedented times, we just would like to keep our loyal customers, updated.

Omnibus is keen to reassure all its customers that it is always there to help. Managing director Peter Crichton says: “Our robust business continuity plans have been activated and we are committed to maintaining all our services as we adapt to this unprecedented situaApril 2020

tion. We’d like to reassure our customers that our customer support service is operating normally.”

In order to comply with current government guidelines, the entire Omnibus team is working remotely, ensuring both the wellbeing of our staff at this difficult time as well as the continued smooth operation of the business.

We’re very proud of how quickly

our team has adapted to this new working situation and how everyone has pulled together.

“Our development work continues as usual, ensuring that development work goes on uninterrupted. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions, for schedules related advice, assistance or consultancy.” www.omnibus.uk.com

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Engines & Transmissions

Continuing to innovate with diesel and alternatives Engine and transmission manufacturers are continuing to develop new solutions for their bus and coach ranges.

W

Steve Banner reports

HAT with National Express Group pledging not to buy a ny more die se l buse s for its UK operations, and the world's first hydrogenpowered double-deckers set to appear in Aberdeen shortly, one might be forgiven for concluding that the diesel engine is dead. Clearly its prospects are by no means rosy - but it is not finished yet.

Engine development is continuing apace, with Cummins among those manufacturers leading the charge.

Last year it announced that it had come up with diesels certified to Phase-D of Euro VI, which came into force on 1 September. The B4.5, B6.7 and L9 engines with a 150hp to 400hp power spread for bus and coach applications are being built at the company's Darlington, County Durham plant after a two-year development and test programme.

More stringent than its predecessors, Phase-D focuses on achieving lower NOx emissions during low-speed urban journeys and when vehicles are started from cold.

In addition to verification in an emission test cell, compliance with Phase-D requires on-highway testing to see how an engine performs in the real world. Cummins says that such testing carried out on buses powered by its products has indicated a 25 per cent cut in NOx output compared with the Phase-A engines which appeared when Euro VI April 2020

was introduced back in 2015.

Cummins has been able to achieve Phase-D without any physical alterations to its products or the emission control equipment they employ.

"To achieve Phase-D we focussed on the emission control logic and developed a new algorithm for the management system," explains Cummins director, on-highway business Europe, Ashley Watton. "By refining and retesting the software over a two-year period we were able to avoid making any hardware changes to the engines or their exhaust aftertreatment."

At this year's Busworld Turkey exhibition Cummins unveiled Euro VI Phase-D 2.8-litre and 3.8-litre F Series diesels. With power outputs of from 129hp to 188hp, they are suitable for installation in mini- and midi-coaches.

The way in which their combustion and aftertreatment systems have been designed means that they do not have to be fitted with exhaust gas recirculation. Their architecture is simpler as a consequence, and cooling demands are lower.

While continuing to make its engines more environmentally-friendly, Cummins is acutely aware that diesel's role as a power source is set to diminish as the years roll by. As a consequence it has been working on alternatives.

Busworld Turkey saw the company display its Next Generation Battery Electric System. It includes continued page 24

 

➜

23

Engines & Transmissions

a new low-profile battery just 150mm in height designed to help buses comply with low-floor requirements for easier passenger access.

"As electric vehicles gather momentum in the public transport sector, designing batteries with faster charging and a longer range will be a breakthrough technological shift, and doing so in a form that meets regulatory requirements and at a competitive price is a vital step for the industry," says vice president of electrified power, Julie Furber.

Also featured at the show was the new Cummins Integrated e-Drive, which combines the motor, transmission and inverter into a single package designed to reduce weight.

Returning to diesel buses and their powertrain requirements, ZF's latest EcoLife 2 automatic transmission is said to be capable of delivering fuel savings of up to 3 per cent and has a stop-start capability. The global giant is developing major components for electric buses too.

"Diesel still has a place for a period of time, but the future is going to be fully electric, and zero emission is our goal," says head of commercial vehicle, UK and Eire, David Wakeling.

The company has come up with a package that includes its CeTrax electric central drive plus its AVE 130 electric portal axle which it says can be dropped into existing platforms without the need for them to undergo major structural changes. Cetrax can handle power outputs of up to 402hp and torque of up to 4,400Nm. Now with a 6,500sq m workshop area, ZF Services UK's Centre of Competence in Nottingham has been busy putting its own technicians and those who work in its service partner network through high-voltage training. At the same time it is continuing to ensure that bus and coach operators

24

who rely on its conventional transmissions receive the aftersales support they need, says Wakeling.

"We do a lot of remote health checks on vehicles using their telematics and we're tracking our products for up to eight to ten years," he reports.

"That means we can see the sort of failures that occur, and can learn from them.”

The knowledge gleaned can influence future designs.

"When we connect to a bus or coach everything goes back to a cloud-based German database," Wakeling observes. "The days when we took a bag full of spanners out to a vehicle have gone."

Like ZF, Allison has realised the advantages of having an electric powertrain available which can be slotted into existing chassis without the latter having to undergo extensive modifications. Its ABE Series integrates dual electric motors, oil coolers, pumps and all the related electronics.

Again like ZF, it has an electric axle in its product portfolio.

"E-axles are highly-integrated and compact, leaving room for other equipment," observes Allison's chief commercial officer, electrification, Alexander Schey. "Furthermore they are energy source agnostic, meaning that they are perfectly suited for battery-electric, fuel cell, and rangeextended hybrid vehicles.”

Last year the company purchased AxleTech's electric vehicle systems division, which specialises in electric axles. It also bought Vantage Power, thereby acquiring its electric vehicle propulsion expertise.

Elsewhere, Voith has developed an electric drive which has been installed in three Solaris Urbino 12 continued page 26

➜

April 2020

OUR SUPPORT. AT THE HEART OF YOUR BUSINESS. We invest as much in our service & parts capability as we do our engine technology to ensure maximum reliability and the highest possible uptime for your fleet. So, if you’re looking for the very best in performance and long-term value, the choice has to be genuine Cummins parts.

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Engines & Transmissions

buses operating in Germany. Powered by 340kW electric motors, the vehicles have a range of up to 125 miles says the manufacturer.

The package is scheduled to go into series production in mid-2021 says Voith UK sales and marketing manager, John Domigan, and the company is talking to a number of bus builders about offering it.

"We could hopefully be seeing it in the UK," he says.

At the same time Voith is continuing to develop its conventional DIWA bus automatic gearbox. A new version has been introduced - the DIWA NXT - with an optional 48v mild hybrid system available.

"The new box should be here in the first quarter of 2021, although that will of course depend on the impact of the coronavirus outbreak," Domigan says.

The latest DIWA will feature an optional extra overdrive gear, which he hopes will help Voith make inroads into the coach market.

Amid all the talk about alternative fuels, it should never be forgotten that buses and coaches are expensive assets that can remain in service for many years, and may pass through the hands of three or four operators before being scrapped.

An environmentally-correct mid-life makeover could involve replacing an engine and gearbox with an electric motor and a battery pack. However it is an expensive exercise, and one which may be difficult to justify if it involves a vehicle which has already seen several years of service.

Rather more appealing to some operators suggests Allison is to keep the engine but retrofit the bus with a more up-to-date automatic box as a key plank of the makeover.

Last year it published the first results of a 15-month ongoing trial of an ADL Enviro200 operated by Go-Ahead London which had been retrofitted with Allison's xFE transmission hardware

26 

and FuelSense 2.0 software.

They replaced an Allison T 2100 box and firstgeneration FuelSense leading to a fuel saving of up to 7.13 per cent. The across-the-seasons average saving was 4.37 per cent.

"This is a realistic and rigorous trial on the roads of one of the world's biggest cities," says Go-Ahead London engineering director, Richard Harrington.

"We've been interested to see how operators can choose their own balance between fuel economy and performance through configuration of the transmission software, and we've been impressed by the fuel savings too."

"We're handling a number of inquiries about this retrofit package and we're currently undertaking another trial with a Midlands-based operator," says Allison area director, UK and Ireland, Ashley Brooks.

The Midlands exercise involves an Optare Solo used on mixed urban/rural work. "We're seeing better results from it than we did from the London trial, but the trial isn't finished yet," says Allison's UK bus and coach market development manager, Jade Noble.

Allison's retrofit programme should pay for itself within a year, she believes.

While interest in electric buses is undoubtedly rising in London and in some of the major provincial cities, many operators elsewhere in the country believe they have from five to ten years before they need to make the switch says Noble.

"Despite the growing interest in non-diesel alternatives there are a lot of buses out there that have a lot of life left in them," Brooks says. "They are not going to be replaced overnight, for cost reasons if nothing else, and can be driven much more cleanly with an xFE transmission while reducing their total cost of ownership.

"It's an easy way for fleets to reduce their overall CO2 emissions."

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The latest bus and coach deliveries

who buys what

Four new Stratas for McColls latest SPT contracts BASED in Dumbarton, McColl’s Travel has taken delivery of its first four Strata low-floor buses from Mellor, following four new contracts to supplement its existing work for the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport. The new Stratas will operate ‘dial-a-bus’ contracts for McColl’s in Inverclyde and West Dunbartonshire.

The company currently operates around 40 vehicles, serving schools and private coach hire as well as local bus routes.

“We’d heard good things about the Mellor Strata low-floor bus and decided to arrange a trial when it became clear we would need to expand our fleet”, says McColl’s managing director Liam McColl. “We were immediately impressed by the economy and the performance of the Strata, the vehicles are very reliable and a perfect size for these new contracts.

They have already proven to be very popular with

both drivers and passengers alike, and it’s likely we’ll look to Mellor again the next time we need to expand our fleet.”

Able to accommodate up to 22 passengers, the Strata range is built on the Mercedes Sprinter chassis. www.mellor-coachcraft.co.uk

KB Coaches take delivery of new Tourliner P10 KB Coaches, Gloucester’s leaders in luxury travel, has taken delivery of a new MAN Neoplan Tourliner P10 coach. Joining the KB Coaches fleet, which includes 11 other MAN coaches, the new P10 is a 13.1m coach with MAN D26, 420hp engine and ZF fully-automatic EcoLife gearbox.

The coach features a centre toilet, climate con-

trol air-conditioning, drinks machine, fridge, three-point seatbelts, Eberspacher pre-heater, two DVD screens, double-tinted side windows, carpets and curtains, seat-back tables, leather-effect headrest and piping and USBs to all passenger seats.

The driver has a multi-function steering wheel, heated mirrors and windscreen, automatic headlights and wipers, heated driver’s seat, satellite navigation, reversing camera and a centre door camera.

“We have a number of MAN Neoplan coaches and Base MAN vehicles on the fleet,” says Andy Frances, Managing director, KB Coaches. “They offer great value for money and are very cost effective and efficient to run.

“Our clients like the well-appointed layout and the nice touches, such as three-point seatbelts, USBs to all seats and air-conditioning.”

With more than three decades experience KB Coaches operates private hire, tours and excursions and airport transfers. www.mantruckandbus.co.uk

April 2020

29

who buys what

The latest bus and coach deliveries

M&A Coaches ups Volvo fleet for extra demand

M&A Coaches of Ballyragget, County Kilkenny has increased its Volvo fleet with a new Volvo B11R with Jonckheere bodywork. M&A Coaches is a family-owned and operated business with 25 vehicles in its fleet, of which around two-thirds are Volvo.

In addition to private hire and school services, the company operates a number of public transport routes within the Leinster province.

M&A Coaches’ majority Volvo fleet is mainly comprised of integral B11R 9700s, and the latest coach is its first B11R with Jonckheere JHV2 bodywork. We have recently taken on a lot more tour and charter work as well as student transportation and needed a new vehicle primarily for these tasks,” says owner and director Michael

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Dowling. “There are quite a few Volvo B11Rs with JHV2 bodywork operating in the locality and we have received some very good feedback from other coach companies in terms of the overall styling, plus interior features that ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience for passengers.

“We have had good experience of the B11R chassis, with its excellent operational performance and the fuel economy it provides, which is a key consideration for our business.”

M&A Coaches has been established for more than 30 years with Michael Dowling now joined by his two daughters Emma and Sharon, who are the latest generation of the family to be involved in the running of the business. www.volvobus.co.uk

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