Coach & Bus Week : Issue 1113

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THIS WEEK Coach & Bus Week, First Floor, 3 The Office Village, Cygnet Park, Forder Way, Hampton, Peterborough PE7 8GX Switchboard 01733 293240 Fax 0845 280 2927 Web www.coachandbusweek.com Distributed by COMAG

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www.coachandbusweek.com ISSN: 1351-3877 © 2013 Coach and Bus Week Ltd. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or system or in any means without the written permission of the directors. This is considered a breach of copyright and action will be taken where this occurs. This magazine must not be lent, sold, hired or otherwise disposed of in a mutilated condition or in any authorised cover by way, or by trade, or annexed to any publication or advertising matter without first obtaining written permission from the directors.

The opinions and views expressed by authors and contributors within Coach & Bus Week are not necessarily those of the Editor or its publisher Coach and Bus Week Ltd.

Down with the decorations?

I

t’s that time of year – the turkey and tinsel season. Christmas decorations will shortly adorn members of some coach and bus �leets – if they’re not already up. Of course, tinsel and baubles can be the source of controversy too.

On a slightly different but related note, I’ve recently been appointed as a member of the admin team on the Coach Driver’s Name & Shame forum on Facebook, which aims to share experiences and be a source of information for coach drivers – although several wellknown coach operators also play an active part in the forum.

Alas, last week a driver asked: “Is it true VOSA are stopping coaches and ordering the drivers to take down their Christmas decorations this year?”

Doing my bit for the forum, but also seeking to help you resolve any potential sensationalist-style canteen discussions, I put the question to VOSA. I also asked what would be VOSA’s advice to coach drivers and operators. The ever-ef�icient communications team responded: “VOSA will not be asking drivers to remove Christmas

CONTENTS

decorations in the general passenger area of the coaches. The only ones we would ask them to take them down are those which are obscuring the driver’s view of the road or mirrors. Although the decorations may look very seasonal, this can cause a very real danger.

“We would ask all drivers and operators of vehicles to keep their decorations in the general passenger space and not where there is a risk of them obscuring the view and endangering other road users.”

On a separate note, I hope you enjoy reading my Cardiff Bus artic refurbishment feature on p22. I would be delighted to hear from you if you’re breathing new life into your buses or coaches. At the risk of sounding too big-headed, my recent article on Plymouth Citybus’ new ADL E400s, which paid particular attention to specifying and developing brands, liveries and interiors, was well received. Indeed, there were calls from many of you for more in a similar vein – so I’ve now responded. Please let me know what you think.

Gareth Evans Editor

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The latest from across the coach and bus industry at home & abroad

14

An impressive new automated wheelchair securement system

30

A look at suppliers of ticketing and cash handling equipment

How operators are doing their bit in aid of this year’s Poppy Appeal

22

How the use of Somerstotalkare lifts is helping Johnson Bros Tours

32

A lighthearted look at the industry.

Plus Office Diary column

The story behind the refurbishment of the Baycar-branded Scania artics

A smart ex Hong Kong tri-axle Olympian in the Pulham’s fleet

All the latest people moves from across the industry

News

News Focus

Cardiff Bus refurbs

New from Q’Straint Case study: lifts Big Picture

Industry Guide

61

Last Stop

62

People

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November 13, 2013 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 3 11/11/2013 18:58

NEWS

TfL pilots 20% ‘chip fat’ biodiesel scheme Trial involves all vehicles operating from the Barking bus depot, which would normally use 3.7 million litres of regular diesel annually All 120 buses operated from Barking bus depot are being run on diesel made from used chip fat and other food waste.

The scheme was launched last week in a new pilot scheme spearheaded by the Mayor of London. The buses will now run on a B20 blend of 80% regular diesel and 20% biodiesel, an environmentally friendly fuel which will help cut carbon emissions of each bus by about 15%.

A total of 10 routes are served by the Barking depot where a new 50,000 litre storage tank has been installed to contain the blended biofuel which is mixed on-site.

A new Honeywell Enraf Fusion4 Microblender has been installed to ensure the accuracy and conformity of the blended product.

Standard diesel supplied by Prax Petroleum already contains a 7% biodiesel blend allowed under current EN 590 legislation. The biodiesel is supplied by Argent Energy.

London’s bus network is one of the largest in the world, carrying 2.3 billion passengers a year. Currently the 8,700-strong bus fleet uses around 250 million litres of fuel each year, with 3.7 million litres used by buses operating out of the Barking garage alone.

Matthew Pencharz, the Mayor’s Senior Advisor for Environment and Energy, said: “This is

L-R: Matthew Pencharz, Mike Weston from TfL and Mark Threapleton from Stagecoach London another example of the Mayor’s commitment to cutting carbon emissions and making our city’s transport even cleaner and greener. The Mayor has called for investment in a large scale biodiesel refinery in the capital and with London operating one of the biggest bus fleets in the world, this pilot is an important step in demonstrating to the UK’s biodiesel industry that there is a huge potential demand for it here.”

Mike Weston, TfL’s Director of Buses, said: “The introduction of buses powered by biodiesel on London’s roads is a significant development in our wider programme to continually improve the green credentials of the capital’s bus fleet. Using biodiesel recycles waste products, reduces carbon emissions and, we hope,

by successfully trialling it we will encourage other transport operators to consider using it too.”

Mark Threapleton, Managing Director for Stagecoach London, said: “Stagecoach was the first bus company to use 100% biofuel back in 2007 and we’re delighted to be at the cutting edge in the use of this cleaner, greener biofuel in London. We know from our use of bio-diesel that it has a number of environmental benefits. The fuel is derived from sustainable sources and contributes towards improving the environment in East London.

Sustainability is at the heart of our business and we are working hard to attract more people on to our greener, smarter bus services.”

Biodiesel is a renewable, cleanburning fuel made from used

cooking oil from the catering industry and tallow which is a residue from the meat processing trade. It is estimated buses running on biodiesel produce 15% less ‘well to wheel’ carbon emissions than an ordinary diesel-powered bus.

The biodiesel pilot is one of the many measures the Mayor has introduced to make London’s bus fleet more environmentally friendly. Other initiatives include operating zero emission hydrogen buses on Route RV1 between Covent Garden and Tower Gateway and delivering Europe’s largest hybrid bus fleet. Five hundred hybrid buses now operate on the capital’s roads, including the New Bus for London vehicles, with more being introduced in a rolling programme.

National Express trials concessionary coach discount in Southampton Southampton has been selected

by National Express as the pilot city for an affordable travel scheme which could be rolled out across the country.

The scheme enables senior concessionary bus pass holders to save money on coach travel.

The coach company has worked in close partnership with Southampton City Council and its My Journey initiative to bring forward the scheme, which launched on November 11 and sees anyone issued with a senior concessionary bus pass automatically entitled to a 20%

discount on coach fares.

Currently, approximately 30,000 people in the city hold a councilissued senior concessionary bus pass.

To take advantage of the discount, people have to state they have a Southampton senior concessionary bus pass over the phone or when booking online, or show it when purchasing coach travel in person at Southampton Coach Station, and the discount will be applied. All they then need to do is travel with their bus pass and have it for checking when boarding the coach.

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Tom Stables, MD of National Express UK Coach, said: “This is a pioneering project with Southampton City Council - the first of its kind in our 40 year plus history - and it puts the city ahead of the curve nationally with the increased provision of affordable travel for residents. Southampton is an important location to us as a business and we are delighted to be able to invest in the city to the benefit of its residents in this way. We hope the success of this scheme will herald its launch on a UK-basis.”

Southampton City Council

Leader Simon Letts said: “We have worked closely with National Express to bring this pilot off the ground. The good provision of affordable transport locally is something our residents care passionately about and we hope this partnership will offer a boost to both bus and coach travel.”

National Express run daily coaches from Southampton to destinations across the UK with around half a million passenger journeys taken every year to and from Southampton Coach Station.

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Privatisation ruled out in NI The Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson said the Stormont Executive has no intention of privatising rail and bus services in Northern Ireland.

Speaking after a report by the Regional Development Committee, which recommended private operators be allowed to tender for running services, Peter Robinson said it was important that people continued to get value for money when they use public transport.

Peter Robinson and North Belfast MP Nigel Dodds met members of the UNITE union at Stormont who lobbied politicians against the privatisation.

UNITE regional secretary, Jimmy Kelly, told the BBC: “We are proud of our service and we are here to protect it.”

DRD committee Chairman Jimmy Spratt criticised the reporting of leaks of the report saying it was ‘spurious’ to suggest it backed the privatisation of Translink.

Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy said he was against any suggestion that services should be put out to tender.

Mr Kennedy said: “The committee’s privatisation suggestion would inevitably result in widespread service cuts, something I am not prepared to support.

“I am disappointed with the quality and thrust of the report and therefore I cannot support it.”

FirstGroup loss reduced at half-year mark

First said wider economic conditions had affected the core market of its Greyhound division in America First has released its half yearly results, showing it made a pre-tax loss of £8m in the six months to the end of September, compared with a £20.6m loss in 2012.

Earlier in the year the group tapped investors for £615m via a rights issue and cancelled its dividend. In July, it faced a shareholder rebellion over executive pay at its AGM. First said economic conditions have affected the core market of its Greyhound division in America, although summer trends show positive signs. Like-for-like revenue decreased by 2.5% and revenue was $514.7m or £333.7m (2012: $532.6m or £337.3m).

Operating profit was $49.1m or £31.8m (2012: $54.5m or £34.8m) and US dollar operating margin was slightly lower at 9.5% (2012: 10.2%).

The group said there were early positive signs in its UK bus business as its transformation program is rolled out. Revenue was £490.7m (2012: £572.9m) during the period, although adjusting for

the disposals of London businesses and the London 2012 Games, passenger revenues on a like-forlike basis increased by 1.7%. As the group anticipated, operating profit decreased, to £17.3m (2012: £21.0m) and operating margin decreased to 3.5% (2012: 3.7%).

First said this expected decrease was the result of the absence of the disposal businesses and the one-off benefit of the London 2012 Games contract, as well as higher fuel costs and reduced central government funding, changes to pension service costs and autoenrolment.

The UK rail division recorded solid passenger revenue growth and operating performances.

Revenue increased to £1,395.2m (2012: £1,296.4m) and operating profit increased to £32.8m (2012: £23.8m). Like-for-like passenger revenues increased by 5.7% during the period.

Revenue from the First Student division was $1,029.7m or £666.4m (2012: $1,017.2m or £640.3m), 1.2% higher on a US

Dollar basis year-on-year due in part to the recovery of some operating days lost to severe weather from last year. Operating profit was $18.1m or £11.0m (2012: $10.8m or £5.2m), and US Dollar margins of 1.8% in the half were higher than the equivalent period last year (2012: 1.1%).

First Transit’s revenue increased to $630.8m or £408.7m (2012: $627.8m or £397.2m). After adjusting for the sale of FSS, US Dollar revenues increased by 8.8% from the same period last year. Operating profit was £31.4m (2012: £28.8m) and operating margin was maintained at 7.7% after adjusting for the sale of FSS. FirstGroup’s CEO Tim O’Toole said: “Although it is early days in our multi-year plan to improve our returns, resilience and growth prospects, we are seeing clear indications of progress.

“While there remains a significant amount to be done, we believe the foundations are now in place to deliver on our marketleading potential.”

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November 13, 2013 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 5 11/11/2013 18:06

140

NEWS

Number of vehicles in the Johnson Bros Tours fleet

Dublin Bus relief as 72% of SIPTU drivers vote against further strike action

Dublin Bus has lost €84m over the past five years, while government subvention has been reduced for 2014 Deal made after 12 months and �ive attempts to get staff to agree to cost-saving measures Drivers at Dublin Bus belonging to the SIPTU union have now voted overwhelmingly against taking further industrial action.

Of the 1,300 balloted, 72% were against taking strike action.

It has taken over 12 months of negotiation and �ive attempts to

B R I E F LY

● THE SOUTH WALES bus industry lost one of its respected professionals last week with the passing of Haydn Williams. He was the last Transport Manager for Bedwas & Machen UDC, Chief Engineer and later Transport Manager for Rhymney Valley DC Transport and lastly Managing Director of Inter Valley Link Ltd. Paying tribute, Glyn Bowen, said: “Unfortunately he was not well enough to attend the relaunch of the Cardiff Transport Preservation Group’s ex Bedwas & Machen bus in March this year but his name is proudly displayed on the side.

Another ‘character’ of the old bus industry is no more. RIP Haydn.”

get staff to agree to the cost-saving measures required in order to save €11.7m and remain a viable entity.

Another 1,200 drivers in the NBRU as well as other SIPTU workers had already voted to support the proposed measures.

“The acceptance of the cost reduction proposals by a majority of their colleagues in previous ballots indicated to bus drivers that any strike action would not

while government subvention has been reduced from €65m this year to €60.4m for 2014.

The immediate changes proposed by the company will come into effect on Sunday 17 November.

Dublin Bus is looking to build on this opportunity along with recent advancements in implementing real time information systems to ensure the company returns to �inancial stability.

Isle of Man rules out articulated bus option although extensve trials proved successful Following extensive trials with articulated buses on the Isle of Man, it has been decided not to pursue the option.

The trial proved successful in determining it was possible to operate the vehicles safely on key corridors. However, for a signi�icant switchover to artics it would require major investment in upgrading the infrastructure.

It was proposed a switch to articulated buses would improve ef�iciency with potential savings of around £300,000 per year.

Graham Cregeen Manx House of Keys, Minister for Community, Culture and Leisure said: “As I have said on many occasions,

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have the level of unity and support which would be required to successfully fend off the proposed cuts,” said SIPTU organiser John Murphy.

Dublin Bus welcomed the result, admitting the last few years had been dif�icult for employees who worked together to implement a number of cost cutting and change programmes. The company has lost €84m over the past �ive years,

public transport is facing very tough �inancial targets. I have also said we would explore all options for increasing ef�iciency and reducing cost before considering service reductions or price increases.

“The articulated buses were considered as one of many options to reduce the cost of providing public transport services in the Isle of Man. The opportunity was taken to demonstrate the potential and following the extensive trial and independent evaluation, the Council of Ministers has agreed it should not be progressed at the present time.

“The trial period proved articulated buses present no greater safety concerns for passengers or other road users than any other type of bus.

However, resources are not currently available to carry out the necessary work to modernise the island’s road infrastructure for public transport vehicles.

While this work is not essential immediately, it would be if articulated buses were to be introduced.

“The department is continuing to explore alternative options to deliver the level of savings required while still being able to deliver services.”

www.coachandbusweek.com

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25

Number of seconds it takes to secure a wheelchair using the Q-Straint Quantum

750

Number of buses which carried poppy logos at National Express West Midlands

Undercover police on West Midlands public transport People who misbehave or commit offences on West Midlands public transport run the risk of being apprehended by undercover of�icers with a new campaign launched on November 4.

Hundreds of posters carrying the message ‘Can you see me because I can see you’ are going up on buses and trains across the region. The campaign is aimed at raising awareness of the scores of undercover operations carried out each year by plain clothes of�icers from the Safer Travel Partnership.

Although crime is low on the network, the campaign sets out to deter would-be offenders and in particular those intent on committing antisocial behaviour.

Acting Sergeant Ben Westwood from the Safer Travel police team said “Deploying of�icers in plain clothes is a great way of seeing the behaviours of people we normally miss when in uniform.

“This tactic is a really good way of targeting crime and antisocial behaviour on the public transport network and when we need to act or intervene it always has a positive reaction from other

passengers on board. It is one of those tactics that does help to make people feel safer.”

The Safer Travel Partnership, which involves West Midlands Police, British Transport Police, bus company National Express, transport authority Centro and train operator London Midland, was set up seven years ago to combat and deter crime on the network. It uses a range of tactics including high visibility police patrols, special transmitters which ‘tap’ into live bus CCTV systems, the deployment of drugs sniffer dogs to check passengers and surveillance at crime hot spots.

However, many passengers are unaware undercover of�icers from the Safer Travel police team regularly ride the network posing as ordinary passengers.

Vice Chair of Centro, Cllr Kath Hartley, said: “Just because you can’t see a uniformed of�icer on board doesn’t mean the police are not watching you.

“We hope that reminding people about our undercover operations will make them think twice about acting inappropriately.”

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Industry share prices at the close of the Stock Exchange on Monday, November 11. FirstGroup saw the greatest proportional rise, while 21st Century saw the greatest proportional drop.

Most figures obtained from www.iii.co.uk

452.75p

Price: Year High: 471.00p Year Low: 300.80p

122.30p

Price: Year High: 183.03p Year Low: 90.30p

1630.50p

Price: Year High: 1746.40p Year Low: 1211.84.0p

257.50p

Price: Year High: 277.50p Year Low: 162.90p

Arriva service change plan for Southend Arriva is making changes to some of its bus services in the Southend, Rayleigh and Castle Point area with effect from November 17, bringing about a number of improvements across the area.

Service 1 will see an increase in frequency. Already running every 12 minutes for much of the day on Mondays to Saturdays, buses will be even more frequent at every 10 minutes.

This follows a £2m investment

by Arriva earlier this year in a �leet of 16 new buses on the road, speci�ically purchased for use on the service that it branded ‘the One’.

There will be some other changes to services in the Shoebury area, with the One terminating at the Renown instead of Blackgate Road at Shoeburyness and Services 7 and 8 being extended to Blackgate Road instead.

These buses will also run more frequently between Southend town centre and Shoeburyness, up from every 20 minutes to every quarter of an hour, and giving better links across the town from the Shoebury and Thorpe Bay areas to Southend Hospital.

Also in line for some

SHARE WATCH

352.75p

Price: Year High: 354.10p Year Low: 264.80p

0.275p

Price: Year High: 0.65p Year Low: 0.25p

57.50p

Price: Year High: 60.00p Year Low: 40.00p

on last week

+6.65 on last week

-54.00 on last week

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Synectics

Service 1 is seeing its frequency improved to every 10 minutes improvement are Services 4 and 4A between Southend, Southchurch, Great Wakering and Landwick, with some additional evening buses and a revised timetable.

Arriva’s Regional Publicity Manager, Richard Lewis, said: “We are delighted to increase the frequency of the One just months after we made a substantial investment in our Southend-based operation with new buses for the service.

“These latest timetable

+8.05

changes are part of an ongoing development of our network of routes in the area and we hope that not only will our existing customers bene�it from the improvements that we are introducing on November 17, but that people who have not used the bus for a while will give it a try for at least some of their journeys, especially in the run-up to Christmas when traf�ic levels increase and �inding car park spaces can be a frustrating and time-consuming experience.”

557.50p

Price: Year High: 575.00p Year Low: 277.00p

6.62p

Price: Year High: 16.50p Year Low: 4.65p

+22.00 on last week

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FTSE 100

6,729

Index: Year High: 6,840 Year Low: 5,606

-41

on last week

November 13, 2013 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 7 11/11/2013 19:13

NEWS

Plaxton Leopard no heavier for Euro 6

The Plaxton Leopard was unveiled at Coach & Bus Live 2013 than that of the equivalent Euro 5 models.

“This is a massive achievement for us and possibly the first for any manufacturer,” said Plaxton Business Development Director, Kevin Wood. “To offer a Euro 6 vehicle with no weight increase over the Euro 5 equivalent is something which nobody had expected could be done but thanks to close collaboration with Volvo and our experience of building

lightweight structures, that’s exactly what we’ve achieved.”

The Leopard Euro 6 is based on the Volvo B8R platform which is a direct replacement for the previous B9R. Of almost 40 orders received, more than half call for the Euro 6 version, including 10 which are destined for the rental fleet of Dawson Bus and Coach and six for Babcock which form part of the requirements for the Ministry of Defence in 2014.

Volvo Coach Sales and Product Director, Ian Downie, added: “At Volvo we’ve always been conscious of our responsibilities to the environment and the B8R represents the new generation of Volvo coach platforms which can boast emissions levels we could only dream of, even just a few years ago. To have done all this with no weight penalty is a massive achievement which will offer our customers huge benefits.”

Hired or Fired was the challenge for two bus industry stalwarts at CILT’s Big Bus Debate on November 5 hosted by the institute’s Bus and Coach Forum.

Entitled ‘Passing the Baton – Towards 2035’ and in front of an audience of nearly 100 delegates, Sir Brian Souter, Chairman of Stagecoach and Roger French, former MD of Brighton & Hove, were each given 20 minutes to ‘sell’ their respective visions and experience to a specially chosen panel of young bus Roger French argued that high quality and managers. They each innovation in the bus industry is too patchy

set out their case in different ways on the challenges and opportunities facing the sector over the coming years.

Roger argued that high quality and innovation in the bus industry is too patchy and that the sector could do much better to get the operational basics right and meet customer needs. Sir Brian said commercial success was achieved through experience, having a strong vision, a clear chain of command and good anticipation of the market.

They both concurred that the role of technology in attracting new people to bus travel and retaining them as customers was key to the sector’s

future success.

Asked to summarise success in just a few words, they identified the key qualities as dedication, passion, innovation, and detail.

After a lively question and answer session, firstly by the three young bus managers and then by the whole audience, a ‘vote’ was held at which delegates were asked either to ‘Hire or Retire’ the two speakers.

The outcome was declared a dead heat in favour of hiring them.

Therefore, having thanked Roger and Sir Brian on behalf of the Forum, Austen Birks presented them both with a bottle of wine and a pair of slippers.

Euro 6 model is slightly lighter than its Euro 5 counterpart The new Plaxton Leopard has achieved zero increase in weight for Euro 6 models, the manufacturer claims.

With the first Euro 6 now fully certified, the weight compares favourably with the Euro 5 versions already in service, the actual weight on a like for like specification being slightly less

‘Passing the Baton’ at Big Bus Debate

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New Birmingham coach parking option West Midlands Special Needs Transport (WMSNT) has advised that it can accommodate up to 12 pre-booked coaches at its Park Road, Birmingham HQ and main depot where there are also drivers’ restroom facilities.

Operations Manager Des Rogers told CBW: “I’m aware there have been some coach parking problems in Birmingham, especially coming up to Christmas. We could accommodate up to 12 vehicles per day and would charge a fee of only £12, but all bookings would need to be pre-booked using my telephone number 07947 128501. Our site is only a mile from the city.”

110 of WMSNT’s 427-strong minibus fleet is based at Park Road, a four-acre former Birmingham City Council complex. WMSNT Holdings, a charitable company limited by guarantee with Companies House, is also a registered charity. It’s the largest operation of its kind in the UK and the fourth largest in the world.

Des Rogers: “We could accommodate up to 12 vehicles per day and would charge a fee of only £12.”

B R I E F LY l Q8OILS has introduced Q8 T860 S, a 10W-40 heavy duty diesel oil (HDDO) which has been formulated to meet Scania’s LDF-III specification using the manufacturer’s diesel engines meeting Euro 5 and 6 requirements. Q8Oils claims using its new engine oil will enable extended oil drain intervals to be used in Scania vehicles with Euro 5 engines (excluding Euro 5 DC 16 21) without DPFs and Euro 6 engines with. Although recommended for Scania’s 13 and 16 litre LDF-III engine oil specification Euro 6 engines fitted with a DPF, Q8 T860 S can also be used for normally aspirated or turbocharged heavy-duty engines in commercial vehicles and off-highway equipment many other specifications. For more information, visit www.q8oils. co.uk, email marketing@q8oils. com or call 0113 235 0555

Transaid Christmas e-card aims to raise £15k Possible reprieve

International development charity Transaid is hoping its popular Christmas e-card appeal will raise £15,000 in the charity’s 15th anniversary year.

Each Christmas the charity encourages the transport industry to spread festive cheer electronically, while donating to a worthwhile cause.

In return for their support, companies receive a tailored version of Transaid’s e-card personalised with their logo.

Their logo will also appear in Christmas advertisements in Motor Transport and Coach & Bus Week magazines.

All money raised from Transaid’s Christmas Appeal will help the charity continue to develop a number of projects in Africa, including those which help make roads safer, as road

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crashes continue to be the third biggest killer after HIV/AIDS and Malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Neil Rettie, who is currently on secondment from Stagecoach to run Transaid’s Professional Driver Training Programme in Tanzania, commented: “Road crashes are just needlessly wasting people’s lives. Therefore, we really do need the support of our colleagues and friends across the transport industry to make projects like the one I am running in Tanzania possible.”

Transaid’s Chief Executive, Gary Forster, added: “Raising £15,000 at the end of our 15th year would be a perfect end to 2013.

“This year’s e-card is really special and we hope all our supporters in the transport industry will enjoy sending it to their friends and family, and

know their support is helping Transaid continue with vital work across Africa.”

Transaid works by sharing skills and knowledge with local people to enable them to put in place and manage efficient transport systems.

To make a corporate donation, please contact Aggie Krasnolucka-Hickman on 020 7387 8136 or email aggie@transaid.org. To donate online visit www.justgiving. com/Transaid-TransaidChristmas-Appeal-2013 or donate up to £10 by text by sending a message to 70070, starting your message with -TRAN98 and the amount you wish to donate (i.e.

TRAN98£10). Visit Transaid’s website www.transaid.org.

for Aberystwyth

Arriva’s Unite representatives met with Mid and West Wales AM Joyce Watson last week, saying there was a possibility the firm would not close Aberystwyth depot if it could re-negotiate contracts for the area.

Arriva has already de-registered the three services which will cease to operate on December 21. The move means 46 jobs are under threat.

Arriva’s union representative Nigel Hughes explained routes had lost money over the last 18 months and smaller companies might have folded much earlier. He said: “Arriva wrote to the Welsh Government in August warning it was struggling, but did not receive a reply. It will be the end of an era if Arriva goes. As a company Arriva pays well, has a good pension scheme and an excellent health and safety policy.”

November 13, 2013 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 9 11/11/2013 15:59

NEWS › INTERNATIONAL

44 VDL vehicles for Swedish operator Byberg & Nordin VDL’s Citea LLE, chosen alongside Futura and MidEuro models for operation on regional services from the middle of next year Swedish operator implementing major expansion chooses a range of VDL products to meet requirements SWEDEN Byberg & Nordin signed a contract for 44 new vehicles with VDL Bus & Coach at Busworld Kortrijk. The order includes a batch of 27 FMD2 Futuras and is the �irst major order for the new model within the Futura family.

The order also includes four FHD2 Futuras, eight Citea LLEs and �ive MidEuros. All have been speci�ied with Euro 6 engines and will enter service in the Swedish county of Västernorrland in mid-2014. All the vehicles will be employed on public transport services.

“The tender requirements in Västernorrland were focused on emission reduction. VDL’s lightweight concept means a reduction of harmful emissions and also has a bene�icial effect on the operating costs. These were two key focal points in the preparation of our tender speci�ication. We are very pleased to be able to provide our customers on the regional lines a higher comfort level with the Futura FMD2,” said Tomas Byberg

CEO Byberg & Nordin AB. Rémi Henkemans, Managing Director VDL Bus & Coach bv, said: “This order once again con�irms VDL buses are gaining market share in Sweden. Our delivery of four models from the broad VDL product range demonstrates Swedish con�idence in the ‘Pro�it of Ownership’ of our buses. We are especially pleased we are able to meet the Swedish wishes with the new Futura model, the Futura FMD2.”

The 27 FMD2-129 Futuras for Byberg & Nordin are 12.9m long, powered by a Euro 6 DAF MX-11 240 engine (240 kW - 330 bhp), have a fully-automated ZF ASTronic gearbox and accommodate 49 passengers. The Futura FMD2 is registered as a Class 2 vehicle and, as such, meets the requirements of the Swedish public transport authority. They will be operated on the regional lines.

Designed as a versatile, pro�itable all-rounder it can be used for both charter and intercity transport service. The 1,250 mm �loor height provides easy entry and egress.

Like the FHD2, the FMD2 has a �lat �loor without any raised areas. VDL claims its low net weight, reduced

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fuel consumption, high passenger capacity, generous luggage space and low running costs combine to make the Futura FMD2 a highly pro�itable investment.

VDL says it made optimum use of the modular system around which the Futura range is built to create the new model. As with the FHD2, the unibody construction of the FMD2 serves as a safety cage.

The complete vehicle has a high stiffness which VDL believes is the most important factor for good driving characteristics. Despite the 20cm height difference compared to the Futura FHD2, the FMD2 has the same solid and robust appearance. The design differences have been kept to a minimum.

Combination order

The order also includes four FHD2139 Futuras. These feature Euro 6 DAF MX-11 320 engines (320 kW - 440 bhp) and a fully-automated ZF AS-Tronic gearbox. They are 13.9m long and can accommodate 57 passengers. These vehicles will serve the regional bus lines.

Bus service within the cities of Sollefteå and Härnösand will be provided by eight Citea LLE-120s (Light Low Entry). These buses are

equipped with Euro 6 Cummins ISB6.7 (187 kW - 255 bhp) engines and Voith DIWA.6 gearboxes. They have 37 �ixed seats, four folding seats on the wheelchair platform and space for around 43 standing passengers. The low unladen weight of the bus results in very favourable fuel economy, giving the Citea LLE a low emission footprint.

An additional advantage is its low-�loor construction between the entry and exit doors, making it optimally accessible for wheelchair users and passengers with baby buggies.

An additional �ive MidEuros, based on Euro 6 Mercedes-Benz Sprinters will be used as school buses.

Byberg & Nordin

Byberg & Nordin is a familyowned company, founded in 1925.

It is currently run by the third generation. Byberg & Nordin provides public transport, school transport, express and charter transport in central Sweden. The �leet currently consists of some 70 vehicles.

As of June 2014, the �leet will be expanded with the 44 vehicles from this order. www.coachandbusweek.com

11/11/2013 16:06

KLM to service BYD electric buses HOLLAND BYD Auto‘s contract to supply a fleet of 35 BYD ebus pure electric buses to provide airside services at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport has gained support. BYD has signed a 10-year contract with KLM Equipment Services (KES) to maintain the buses and associated chargers to BYD’s requirements.

BYD’s contract to supply the buses to Schiphol, announced

earlier this year, represented a major success for the company as it targets European bus and taxi operators with its purposedesigned ranges of fully electric buses and passenger cars. The involvement of KES as a reliable aftersales partner will ensure the buses at Schiphol are maintained in excellent condition ready to transport passengers between the terminal buildings and waiting aircraft.

BYD Europe’s Senior After Sales Service Manager Jan van Noort said: “Selling our ebus to the Schiphol authorities was a major accomplishment for us and we have chosen a first rate professional support partner to ensure they deliver trouble free passenger carrying service for the next decade. We are delighted to appoint KES as our service partner at the airport - and who knows it better than KLM?”

Intouro proving itself a versatile bestselling regional bus as 6,000th is delivered GERMANY Three Intouro rural-service buses were handed over to Willms Reinhold Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH at the Mannheim bus plant in October. One of them was the milestone 6,000th vehicle itself. Ralph Willms, Managing Director of Willms Reinhold Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH, received the symbolic key to the milestone vehicle from Rüdiger Kappel of the Mercedes-Benz Bus and Coach unit.

The raised-floor Intouro model is specially configured for inter-city transport, regular rural-service or school bus services and has only been built in this form since 2007. The 6000 units have been delivered in just six years of production – according to the manufacturer, this is clear evidence of the popularity of this economical rural-service bus, particularly in this price-sensitive segment of the market, where value for money, a high passenger capacity and constant availability at all times are key factors.

Willms Reinhold Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH feels the Intouro is well suited for use on school bus routes has ensured its vehicles are equipped accordingly.

With 51 seats each, a pram/ pushchair area opposite door two and a full-length grab rail, the three Intouros meet the demands of regular rural-service use. Seats are the Inter Star Eco (ISE) fully upholstered version with lap and diagonal seat belts, horizontal grab handles and backrests. The information system at the front, to the side and at the rear is based on clearly visible LED technology.

The 12.14m-long vehicles are powered by the Mercedes-Benz

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Ralph Willms gets the ceremonial key to the 6,000th Mercedes-Benz Intouro six-cylinder in-line OM 457 hLA 229bhpp engine, mounted horizontally. They feature BlueTec diesel technology and meet EEV even without a diesel particulate filter. ZF EcoLife six-speed automatic transmissions were specified.

The Mercedes-Benz Intouro succeeded the successful ruralservice variant of the MercedesBenz Conecto Ü in early 2007.

The Conecto had been built for the Turkish and eastern European markets since 1998.

The Intouro is manufactured at Hoşdere, near Istanbul, by Daimler’s subsidiary in Turkey, Mercedes-Benz Türk A.S. Built purely as a raised-floor model it makes direct use of the existing Mercedes-Benz modular system

for rural-service buses.

Willms Reinhold Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH is based in Neunkirchen-Seelscheid.

It was established in 1947.

Operating on behalf of local public transport operator Rhein-SiegVerkehrsgesellschaft, it provides local transport services in the Rhein-Sieg region and also in the Leverkusen area on behalf of Kraftverkehr Wupper-Sieg.

It is also responsible for the independently operated school bus services for NeunkirchenSeelscheid and Much.

With more than 50 fully qualified staff and a fleet of around 30 vehicles, the majority of them from Mercedes-Benz, the company transports an average of 14,000 passengers each day.

Thomas Built Buses sets production date for CNG Minotour

Thomas Built Minotour goes CNG USA Thomas Built Buses is further expanding its alternativepowered product with the pilot production of a ‘Minotour’ school bus fuelled by compressed natural gas (CNG). Official series production start is set for early 2014.

The new Type A CNG Minotour, converted by IMPCO Automotive, will utilise a GM 6-litre engine on the 4,500 series cutaway chassis.

The 30-passenger bus will utilise Type 1 CNG tanks with a 26 gasoline-gallon equivalent fuel capacity. It will be CARB-certified and exceed EPA 2010 emissions requirements.

“We debuted our very first CNG bus over 20 years ago,” said Kelley Platt, President and CEO of Thomas Built Buses. “Since then, we’ve put more than 2,000 CNG buses on the road and are proud to add the new CNG-fuelled Minotour to our family of alternative-fuelled buses.”

Thomas Built’s green vehicle lineup also includes the propanefueled Minotour and HDX CNG models. A propane-fuelled offering of the innovative Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner C2 bus will be available in early 2014.

The CNG Minotour will be converted at the IMPCO Automotive Union City facility, an ISO 9001-2008 certified manufacturing plant which produces on average 3,000 – 5,000 vehicle conversions per year. IMPCO Automotive is a division of Fuel Systems Solutions, which is a publically traded company on the Nasdaq Stock Market Inc. Minotour is the smallest bus made by Thomas Built and addresses requirements for up to 30 passengers. Its compact size gives it high manoeuvrability and it carries the same safety features and rugged engineering of the larger models.

Minotour meets and exceeds all Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for school buses. It can be built on Ford or GM chassis.

October 13, 2013 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 11 11/11/2013 16:06

NEWS › REGIONAL EAST DEMOLISHING Northampton’s bus station as part of a plan to redevelop the town centre will cost £4m, Northampton Borough Council said.

The work to dismantle Greyfriars station will begin in March after a new £7m interchange opens at North Gate.

The council said the demolition would open up an important town centre site for redevelopment. The work is expected to take 18 months to complete and will also require knocking down a large car park and offices.

Demolition would also enable the possible expansion of the nearby Grosvenor Shopping Centre, which the council is discussing with its owner Legal & General.

The council said refurbishing the Greyfriars, which costs £500,000 a year to run, would cost £30m.

Fixtures and fittings have already been stripped from the former office complex and parts of the overgrown roof garden have been cut down.

Northampton Borough Council leader, David Mackintosh, said: “Greyfriars is beyond repair.

“It has always been expensive to run and its demolition not only makes sense financially, it will also open up the site for further retail or associated development, breathing new life into this under-used area of the town.”

A CONTRACTOR has been chosen to demolish Bedford Bus Station.

After the building is destroyed it is anticipated construction work will start on the new station early in the New Year, the Borough Council announced last week.

The anticipated completion date for the new bus station building is Christmas 2014.

Mayor of Bedford Borough, Dave Hodgson, said: “The contract to demolish and replace Bedford bus station is a landmark moment. For far too long, the bus station has let our town centre down and that is why we have worked to put the funding together in defiance of the economic climate to make this happen for Bedford.

“This is a major project for our town centre which will create a brand new bus station building, vastly improved public toilets, new shopfronts, refurbished multistorey car park and a new surface car park on Greyfriars.

“Building work can now start early in 2014 and a new bus station for Bedford, which has been a pipe

KEY

MIDLANDS

dream for decades, can finally be realised.”

The redevelopment will cost £8.8m.

SCOTLAND

HUNDREDS OF DRIVERS are continuing to flout bus lanes rules in Aberdeen.

The latest figures show the numbers of fines being dished out rose from 2,634 in August to 2,820 in September. The rise slightly counteracts a sharp fall when cameras were introduced in the spring.

The AA motoring organisation called on the city council to help drivers keep out of trouble.

Head of public affairs Paul Watters said: “The council should be using data intelligently to find out where people are getting caught because beefed-up signage could help.”

SOUTH EAST

COUNCIL OFFICIALS in Oxford say they are looking at saving up to £2m by withdrawing free school buses for some pupils – months after postponing similar plans.

Oxfordshire County Council has announced it wants to hold a series of talks with members of the public over the plans as it aims to make £61m of savings to its overall budget. At the moment, all pupils can get a free bus to school in their catchment area – even if there are closer schools they could go to.

Earlier this year, the authority caused unrest by charging eligible

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the reduction of traffic congestion in the summer school holidays helped contribute to this good outcome, the results also show the benefits of us rescheduling several services in September to improve their performance.

“The results would have been better still had it not been for two days in early September when emergency road repairs in Fleming Way and the closure of the M4 eastbound caused exceptionally heavy traffic congestion in the town centre.”

SCOTLAND NORTHERN IRELAND REP OF IRELAND NORTH WALES MIDLANDS EAST LONDON SOUTH EAST SOUTH WEST

parents up to £584 a year if they did not send their child to the nearest school. Now, after carrying out a review in the wake of the backlash, it said it is not sustainable for pupils to benefit from free buses when there are closer schools instead.

The authority said some pupils who live close to two schools could still benefit from free transport if they do not necessarily go to the closest establishment.

Cllr Melinda Tilley said: “The reason we are looking at travel areas is because there are some anomalies where the nearest school is one no-one has ever gone to and there is no association with it.”

The new plans would also see a rise in the cost of concessionary fares for school pupils and post-16 students not entitled to free buses.

Under the council’s new plans, it will set up travel areas within which eligible youngsters can still go to a local school of their choosing for free.

SOUTH WEST

FROM JUNE 30 to September 28, Thamesdown Transport operated 99.82% of its scheduled mileage, against a target of 99.80%.

Its punctuality during this period was 94.88%, against a target of 95.00%.

Paul Jenkins, Thamesdown’s Managing Director, said “I’m pleased to say we met our reliability target in this quarter, and came very close to our punctuality target as well. While

BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL has made a u-turn on bus lane fines.

Hundreds of motorists and taxi drivers complained, claiming warning signs in the new ‘bus only’ areas were unclear and once they had realised their mistake could only head back by performing dangerous u-turns.

The council announced a major climbdown with an end to the multiple fines. Now anyone caught driving on the bus-only routes will face one £30 penalty, which rises to £60 after 14 days. The change will benefit motorists and cabbies fined since November 1.

Cllr Tahir Ali, said: “From November 1, any motorist activating multiple trigger points during a bus lane offence will receive just one penalty charge notice for the part of that journey covering the lane.

“If any motorist then commits another offence at a later time, it will be dealt with by another fresh PCN, with multiple triggers within a journey again not leading to multiple PCNs being issued.”

The authority has not yet calculated how many motorists have been fined since the busonly scheme came into force on September 3, yet a spokesman said the figure could run into the ‘high hundreds’.

Cllr Ali said the November 1 date had been set at the approval of the RMT union, which represents 700 cabbies in the city.

During a meeting at the Council House yesterday, Mr Ali told delegates from the RMT that the bus-only road scheme would be reviewed in January.

The bus lane restrictions are in place on Moor Street Queensway, The Priory Queensway and Bull Street as part of a new public transport interchange.

ARRIVA MIDLANDS has partnered with Centro to launch a new

www.coachandbusweek.com

11/11/2013 16:07

Join the discussion on Twitter by following us at @cbwtweets and find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/coachandbusweek dedicated bus route serving the Westfield Merry Hill Shopping Centre.

The 310, running via Russells Hall Hospital and Brierley Hill, incorporates the existing 610 route between Wednesbury and Dudley, and the Centro funded 327 service from Willenhall to Wednesbury.

The 310 timetable offers half-hourly departures between Wednesbury and Westfield Merry Hill, Monday to Saturday daytimes along with hourly departures between Willenhall and Wednesbury.

Keith Myatt, Regional Marketing Manager for Arriva Midlands said: “As we approach the busiest time of year for shopping we are pleased to announce launch of the 310 service, which offers a reliable and efficient way for people to access the wide variety of stores available at the Westfield centre in Merry Hill.

“We are always striving to improve our routes and timetables to meet the needs of our passengers, and we really believe that by introducing the 310

service, we will be allowing many more people across the Black Country area the chance to make the most of the facilities on their doorstep.”

A promotional £2 day return fare is available between Dudley Bus Station and all points through to Westfield Merry Hill from to November 30, 2013.

Cllr Bryan Cotterill, who represents Dudley on Centro, said: “This route will provide important links to key destinations in Dudley such as Merry Hill and Russells Hall Hospital, as well as boosting the number of buses travelling to these places.

“Making sure our passengers have the connections in place to get to places of work or to do shopping can play an important role in not only moving people around but also supporting our region’s economy.”

The 310 takes a slightly different route in Darlaston to the existing 327 service, operating along Pinfold Street and Wolverhampton Street, offering an improved service for the Herbert’s Park Area.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Next year’s Bus Driver of the Year Final takes place on Blackpool’s North Shore on September 14 when a closely fought contest is anticipated

2013 n November 19 UK Bus Awards.

London Hilton Hotel Park Lane.

www.ukbusawards.org.uk

n November 27 ATCO Winter Conference & AGM. Local Government House, Smith Square, London. www.atco.org.uk n December 7 Ensignbus Christmas Vintage Bus Running Day on routes X55 and X81.

Call 01708 86 56 56. Visit www. ensignbus.com

2014 n January 1 Friends of King Alfred Bus Running Day. Winchester.

Free bus rides & transport enthusiasts bazaar. www.fokab.org.uk n January 1 Oxford Bus Museum New Years Day & free vintage bus rides. 01993 861 617. www. oxfordbusmuseum.org.uk n January 23 CPT Annual Dinner.

The Grange Tower Bridge Hotel, London. 020 7240 3131. www.cpt-uk.org n January 25 Excursions 2014 Alexandra Palace, London www.excursions.org.uk

PUDSEY BEAR will be touring the North East this week (November 11-15) with BBC weather presenters raising money for this year’s Children in Need appeal.

Go North East has supplied Pudsey with his very own bus which will take him to venues all over the north east and Cumbria. Wrightbus Geminibodied Volvo B7TL 2964 (‘NK06JXC’) has been adorned with special vinyls.

Pudsey and his crew are selling copies of the 2014 Look North Weather Calendar in aid of Children in Need.

The tour was launched in the market town of Hexham, Northumberland, which will be playing host to Pudsey’s Party on Friday, November 15. Mayor of Hexham, Cllr Terry Robson and Go North East MD Kevin Carr were on hand to give Pudsey a proper send off.

Kevin Carr said: “We were pleased to support Children in Need as part of our centenary celebrations. Go North East has been part of everyday life since 1913 and has a long tradition of supporting our region.” www.coachandbusweek.com

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n February 1, 2014 LTCOA Dinner Dance The Royal Garden Hotel, Knightsbridge. Call Sue Reynolds on 07932 158999 or email ltcoa@btinternet.com n March 4–7 QV Associates’ course Introduction to Bus & Crew Scheduling. Birmingham. 01905 613527. www.qv-associates.com/

qvcourses.htm

n March 18-19 Young Bus Managers Network Conference.

Reading. www.youngbusmanagers. org.uk

n March 25–28 QV Associates’ course Route & Timetable Planning Birmingham. 01905 613527. www.qv-associates.com/qvcourses. htm n April 5 South East Bus Festival.

Kent Showground, Maidstone. www. facebook.com/southeastbusfestival n April 10 UK Coach Awards.

Mercure Piccadilly Hotel, Manchester. www.ukcoachawards.co.uk n April 29-May 1 The Commercial Vehicle Show NEC, Birmingham.

01634 261262 www.cvshow.com n May 10-11 UK Coach Rally.

Alton Towers. 01753 631170. www.coachdisplays.co.uk n May 12-14 ALBUM Conference.

Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh. www.album-bus.co.uk n July 12–13 Routemaster 60.

Finsbury Park, London. Organised by the Routemaster Association, the event will commemorate the 60th anniversary of the unveiling of RM1. www.routemaster.org.uk n July 20 Alton Bus Rally.

Anstey Park, Alton, Hants. www. altonbusrally.org.uk n September 10-11 Low Carbon Vehicle Event, Millbrook, Bedfordshire. 01509 635 750. www. cenex-lcv.co.uk n September 14 UK Bus Driver of the Year Final. Blackpool. www. bdoy.co.uk n September 21 Imperial War Museum, Duxford. www.showbus.com n September 25 - October 2 IAA Commercial Vehicle Show.

Hannover, Germany. www.iaa.de

Send your event details to gareth.evans@ coachandbusweek.com

November 13, 2013 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 13 11/11/2013 16:07

NEWS FOCUS › POPPY APPEAL 2013

Lest we forget Coach & Bus Week’s Gareth Evans finds out what coach and bus operators around the UK are doing to support the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal 2013

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www.coachandbusweek.com

11/11/2013 16:17

W

e’re all familiar with the iconic red poppy logo of the Royal British Legion – and long may it be so. We at Coach & Bus Week thought we would highlight some of the ways bus and coach operators are doing their bit to support those who have served

their country.

Asked how operators who may be tempted to support the appeal next year should go about it, the Legion’s press office said operators should get in touch through corporatepartnership@ britishlegion.co.uk. After all, it is no great secret that the poppy is a closely-guarded emblem, so

cannot be freely used. The press office urged operators to visit www. britishlegion.org.uk or call 020 3207 2100.

Back to this year’s poppy appeal, National Express UK Coach has been driving forward a major package of support for The Royal British Legion to mark the UK’s Remembrance Period (October 23 – November 12) and its partner operators have been out in force to back the campaign.

As part of this, the firm has been offering free travel to people attending the Legion’s Break Centres in Southport and Weston super Mare.

The centres, which offer serving and ex-service personnel and their families the chance for a much needed holiday, support thousands of people every year and the partnership enables the Legion to cut down on their travel costs.

National Express, which is of course famous for its red, white and blue coaches has also ensured vehicles operating on its network have featured an extra splash of red in support of the Legion – having adorned them with the Legion’s iconic poppy logo.

The move makes National

the Royal British Legion by putting poppies on the coaches and I’m looking forward to driving mine to the airport to demonstrate that we back the men and women in the forces. As an ex-serviceman I wear my poppy with pride because I know first-hand about the sacrifices my friends and colleagues make day in day out for their country.”

Tony Parkin from Silverdale of Nottingham, who drives the 450 service to London said: “National Express is driving forward its support for the British Legion and it is a real honour to feature the Legion’s poppy logo on my coach, which is already attracting attention.”

Peter Spence, from RATP-owned Selwyn’ of Runcorn, who drives the 060 as well as routes to London said: “I’m so proud that National Express is visibly supporting the Poppy Appeal and I’m looking forward to showing off my coach with its bright red poppy decals. I wear my poppy with pride because I really value the sacrifices our brave servicemen and women have made and it’s great to work for an employer that also shares my values.”

Tom Stables, Managing Director

“National Express is driving forward its support for the British Legion and it is a real honour to feature the poppy logo”

Travel de Courcey’s Kimron Musa: “I’m really pleased that National Express is showing its support”

www.coachandbusweek.com

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Express the first national passenger transport organisation to feature the iconic poppy logo on its entire fleet. In doing so it hopes to help drive forward awareness around the Remembrance period, as well as the work done by the Legion.

Indeed, the coach poppies have been spotted up and down the land. In the time they are in service between October 23 – November 12, the poppies will have been seen by millions of people across the country, travelling an estimated four million miles on the National Express network.

Operators including Silverdale, Travel de Courcey and Selwyn’s have all been proudly displaying their poppies with drivers from each of these operators chosen as the regional faces of the campaign.

De Courcey driver Kimron Musa, who drives the 210 and 777 services from Birmingham to Gatwick and Stansted airports said: “I’m really pleased that National Express is showing its support for

National Express UK Coach said: “The Royal British Legion’s poppy logo is an incredibly powerful symbol which instantly evokes the enormous sacrifice made by the armed forces and their families both past and present. It’s a real honour to carry the poppy on our coaches and we hope in doing so to play our part in promoting the Legion’s work far and wide and I would like to thank our operators for their efforts.”

Chris Simpkins, Director General The Royal British Legion said: “It’s fantastic to have a great British company such as National Express put their weight behind The Royal British Legion in such an attention grabbing way and we hope that the coaches will encourage people to reflect on how they might like to mark the Remembrance period.”

National Express’ support for the Legion marks the latest chapter in a wide-ranging package of initiatives rolled out by the plc to show its support for the armed

November 13, 2013 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 15

11/11/2013 16:17

NEWS FOCUS › POPPY APPEAL 2013

Tony Parkin from Silverdale drives the 450 to London

NCT bus named in honour of Warrant Officer Sean Upton

Stagecoach West showed its support by livering a bus that will be used to educate children about the poppy appeal

Peter Spence from RATP-owned Selwyn of Runcorn lent his support

Stagecoach London’s two Alexander Dennis Enviro400s were amongst 10 Transport for London contrcated buses that received a special poppy design 16 | COACH & BUS WEEK | November 13, 2013 014_021_CBW1113_Armistice.indd 16

forces, veterans and forces families.

As part of its military support package National Express also offers guaranteed interviews to service leavers, the UK’s largest travel discount for serving personnel at 60% off standard fares and extra annual leave for staff in the Reserve Forces.

Passengers who booked coach travel online between October 23 and November 12 were given the opportunity to add £1 to their coach ticket, all of which was donated straight to the Legion.

The news comes after National Express’ West Midlands (NXWM) bus operation also unveiled the world-famous poppy logo on its vehicles.

NXWM teamed up with The Royal British Legion to become the first company in the region to wear a poppy for Remembrance Day 2013. The perator has put poppies on 750 of its local vehicles and, on November 5, the West Midlands own Poppy Day, it commendably allowed veterans to sell poppies onboard its key commuter services.

Peter Coates, Managing Director of NXWM said: “Around one million people catch a bus in the West Midlands every single day and we hope that they will join us in

supporting The Royal British Legion and buy their poppies on board.

“We are proud to be joining forces with The Royal British Legion to honour those who risked and gave their lives defending our country.”

Claire Rowcliffe, Midlands Regional Fundraising Manager for The Royal British Legion said: “It is great that National Express West Midlands has chosen to support The Royal British Legion by allowing the sale of poppies on their services and placing poppies on their buses.

This will allow our collectors to sell more poppies and make it easier for people to support The Royal British Legion on the way to work.”

Another one of our ‘big group’ operators which has contributed much this year is Stagecoach Group – who’s bus and rail operating companies have been helping to support the Poppy Appeal.

Last week the firm helped staff and customers honour and remember Service personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty. A range of activity has been planned across the Group’s bus, rail and tram businesses.

On rail, armed forces personnel or veterans were able to travel free of charge on the South West Trains and East Midlands Trains www.coachandbusweek.com

11/11/2013 16:18

Matt Kitchin, Southern Vectis General Manager and Paul Coyne, Bluestar and Unilink Operations Manager handing over a cheque for £500 to Archie Parsons and Clare Peppiatt of the Royal British Legion with members of 106 Regiment Royal Artillery outside Southampton Guildhall services between November 6 and 8. Stagecoach said the move would help serving and former Servicemen and women travelling to London from across the UK to take part in London Poppy Day last Thursday (November 7). Rail employees who have previously served in the Armed Forces were also invited to wear their own military decorations while at work on Thursday. Military personnel also carried out collections at selected stations served by both train operating companies.

At Stagecoach Supertram in Sheffield, every tram was fitted with a giant poppy at each end to represent the donation made by the company to the charity.

Stagecoach UK’s bus operating companies also had much activity planned, including: l Stagecoach UK Bus has made a “large donation” to provide poppies for its 23,000 staff, including megabus.com employees, across Scotland, England and Wales who choose to wear one. l Stagecoach West has worked in partnership with its local Poppy Appeal to design a ‘Poppy Bus’ for Gloucester. During 2014 the ‘Poppy Bus’ will be exhibited at many schools and colleges as an www.coachandbusweek.com

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integral part of The Royal British Legions’ programme of education commemorating 100 years since the start of the ‘Great War’. l Stagecoach South West and Stagecoach Yorkshire have both donated advertising space on their buses to help promote their local appeals. l Two Stagecoach London buses have also been specially decorated in poppy-themed livery to mark the annual London Poppy Day events. The vehicles concerned are both ADL Enviro 400s – fleet no.10182 (‘SN63JWK’) and 10196 (‘SN63NCA’), which are allocated to Leyton and Plumstead Garages respectively.

The buses have been in service on routes 53 (Plumstead Garage – Whitehall) and 55 (Leyton – Oxford Circus) from south-east and east London into the centre of London. As a mark of respect for Remembrance Day, Stagecoach bus drivers were asked to observe the two-minute silence, if safe to do so, on Sunday and Monday, November 10/11 at 1100hrs.

Stagecoach Group Chief Executive Martin Griffiths said: “We’re pleased to be-able to support such a worthy cause in this way. Some of our staff have served in the armed

forces and many have Service personnel among their family and friends. We want to play our part in remembering those who were lost in action and pay tribute to the sacrifices that were made, and continue to be made, by our servicemen and women around the world.”

Transport for London teamed up with six of its contractors to rap 10 buses in a special poppy design

24. Travel on the buses was free with passengers able to make donations to the national Poppy Appeal.

This year marks the 90th year of the London Transport Old Comrades Association who marched alongside the armed forces and laid a wreath at the Cenotaph in the Remembrance Sunday parade on Sunday. The 48 men and women were led by

“We want to play our part in remembering those who were lost in action and pay tribute to the sacrifices” to mark their support for London Poppy Day. As well as Stagecoach London they were supplied by Metroline, Arriva London, Abellio, Tower Transit and Go-Ahead London, carrying the livery for two weeks culminating on Monday, November 11.

Also operating that day were two heritage Routemasters, one of which was Transport Commissioner Sir Peter Hendy CBE’s own bus, on routes 211 and

former Territorial Army driver and retired London Underground Emergency Planning Manager, Bob Lawrence.

First’s largest bus operating company, First Glasgow, did its bit to support the 2013 Scottish Poppy Appeal by adorning each of its buses with a large vinyl poppy.

The bus operator will this week help employees and passengers honour and remember Armed Service personnel who have

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NEWS FOCUS › POPPY APPEAL 2013 lost their lives in the line of duty, and support those who have served and need help today.

Many former servicemen and servicewomen are employed by the bus company, one of Glasgow’s largest employers.

First Glasgow’s recentlyappointed Engineering Director, Kenny Dickson (37) from Motherwell, served as a Royal Navy of�icer in the Submarine Service.

He spent most of his military career on Vanguard class submarines working on the UK’s continuous at sea deterrent programme.

Kenny explained why the company got involved: “At First Glasgow, we are committed to supporting our local communities and are pleased to be able to support this year’s Scottish Poppy Appeal in this way.

“By displaying poppies on the front of our buses we are helping to raise awareness of the Scottish Poppy Appeal. As an ex-serviceman myself it is a very worthy cause which is very close to my heart.

I recognise the importance of remembering all those who have served in the armed forces and to support the vital work of Poppyscotland Kenny added: “Our buses are wearing their poppies with pride.”

First actively recruits leavers from all the armed forces and recognises the talent and leadership skills which are developed through a military career.

After serving almost 20 years with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, repairing armoured military vehicles, ex-army of�icer Wendy Findlay (43) from Stepps, joined First Glasgow

as �leet engineer in October 2012.

“I think it’s very important for a big company like First to show some support for the Scottish Poppy Appeal at a local level. Our poppy initiative is an effective way of achieving that,” she said.

Alex McGuinness (62), a First bus driver and formerly a private in the Queen’s Own Highlanders, wears his poppy with pride. Alex commented: “My family and colleagues actively support all those serving, and who have served, in the Armed Forces. It’s great to see our buses �itted with a poppy, I know it

to Poppy Scotland.

Commendably, First Glasgow employees who have previously served in the Armed Forces were encouraged to wear their own military decorations while at work on Monday.

Further east, throughout November Lothian Buses is supporting this year’s Poppyscotland Appeal by promoting the charity on its services.

As part of its Edinburgh Poppy Day, the Edinburgh Military Wives Choir Group performed a special

“As an ex-serviceman myself it is a very worthy cause which is very close to my heart. I recognise the importance” will be appreciated by many of our passengers.”

Poppyscotland’s Head of Marketing Fraser Bedwell welcomed the bus company’s initiative: “It’s great that First Glasgow is supporting the 2013 Scottish Poppy Appeal by �itting special poppies to its buses. I’m sure First’s customers will be pleased to see the company supporting a cause that means so much to so many people.”

Buses running on the popular 38 service between Newton Mearns and Easterhouse were among the �irst to display the vinyl poppies carefully positioned at the front of the vehicle.

The bus company has also made poppies available for sale to its 2,700 staff and is making a donation

concert at St Andrew Square with Sarah Boyd, Lothian’s Head of Operations – Bus, who is a member of the group. Sarah joined the choir over a year ago and rehearses every Tuesday evening. Her husband is currently serving with 2 SCOTS regiment based in Penicuik.

Lothian Buses also �ixed poppy vinyls to the side of its bus �leet.

Meanwhile, renowned Scottish independent Prentice of Haddington was proud to help Poppyscotland launch this year’s campaign by providing free transport throughout the day for Edinburgh Military Wives Choir and the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, who were performing at The Mound in Edinburgh.

Ross Prentice told CBW: “For many years we have put stickers on

our coaches to show our support but after a suggestion from one of our drivers last year we made larger poppies in house and �itted these to all our �leet.

“We made the poppy vinyl ourselves – as we do for all our vinyls. We were granted permission

by Poppyscotland. Magnetic poppies are not suitable for coaches, so vinyls are the answer.

“They raised over £13,000 in Edinburgh last Friday from collection tins. It makes it worthwhile when you know you’ve done your bit.”

Further south, this year’s Poppy Appeal for both Nottinghamshire County and Nottingham City is being symbolised by a moving, visually-striking beacon which has been travelling in and around the city, encouraging people to donate to this worthy cause.

Nottingham City Transport’s (NCT) ‘Poppy Bus’ – a white Scania OmniDekka, covered in brilliant red poppies – will operate on routes across Nottingham until the end of November, and feature the Poppy Appeal’s slogan ‘shoulder to shoulder with all who serve’.

The bus chosen to be liveried in the Poppy Appeal’s distinctive branding is �leet no.959, named ‘Sean Upton’ in honour of the son of retired NCT driver Jack Upton.

Local hero Warrant Of�icer Sean Upton of the

Nine of the 10 poppy branded London buses

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NEWS FOCUS › POPPY APPEAL 2013

Prentice was proud to help Poppyscotland by providing free transport 5th Regiment Royal Artillery sadly died in an explosion while he was on foot patrol in the Sangin district of Helmand Province in July 2009.

“We feel honoured to be able to show our support for this important appeal,” said NCT’s Marketing Manager, Anthony Carver-Smith.

“Hopefully, by being in operation on routes around the city, our Poppy Bus will play a big part in raising awareness of the Royal British Legion and all the help it gives to our servicemen and women and their families.”

As well as having collection buckets in the Travel Centre, NCT has also been supporting local organisers by offering its cashcounting facilities for the donations collected throughout the city.

Janet Baker, the local County Poppy Appeal Co-ordinator, expressed her thanks to NCT: “The Poppy Bus will help us bring our message home to thousands of people and I’m sure will impact on donations enormously. Offering their cashcounting facilities will also be a huge help, making it much easier, quicker and safer to bank the appeal’s final total. We’d really like to thank NCT for such generous support.”

NCT also offered free travel to all service personnel in uniform for Remembrance Day Weekend – between November 9 and 11.

RATP-owned Yellow Buses observed a two-minute silence on

both and Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day as a mark of respect for Britain’s war heroes.

Drivers who were on the road on Sunday, November 10 and Monday 11 were asked to stop their buses at the nearest request stop – or safe parking area – at 1100hrs for the silent tribute.

Some of the drivers who are veterans themselves and wore their medals. As in previous years, the 150 vehicles in the Yellow Buses’ fleet have been be displaying poppies. Andrew Smith, Finance Director of Bournemouth-based Yellow Buses, said: “We are proud to show our support for these annual acts of remembrance in recognition of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.”

Andrew was joined by exparatrooper Kevin Conroy, Standard Bearer of the Winton and Moordown Royal British Legion, at the company’s Bournemouth headquarters for a short ceremony marking this year’s appeal.

Kevin said: “We are very grateful to Yellow Buses who have been supporting us in this way for many years.”

Also on the South Coast of England, Go South Coast, parent company to Bluestar based in Southampton and Southern Vectis, based on the Isle of Wight has made a donation of £500 to this year’s Royal British Legion poppy appeal.

“We are proud to support the Royal British Legion and highlight the commitment they show to the appeal”

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Andrew Smith (Yellow Buses) with ex-paratrooper Kevin Conroy One of Southern Vectis’s Scania OmniCity double-decker buses, fleet number1104 (‘HW08AOT’) has been liveried to support the poppy appeal fundraising on the Isle of Wight. The livery is made of the poppy design with a photo of 81 year old David Mosling, who served in the RAFC (now the Royal Corps of Transport) as an ambulance driver and is now Vice-Chairman of the Newport & Carisbrooke Royal British Legion.

The specially-branded poppy bus was made available to provide transport for veterans attending this year’s Festival of Remembrance at Southampton Guildhall on the

evening of November 8, free of charge by the bus operator.

Meanwhile Bluestar buses, which can be seen throughout Southampton, have been wearing large poppies on their front to show support for the poppy appeal.

Andrew Wickham, Managing Director for Bluestar and Southern Vectis said: “We are proud to support the Royal British Legion and highlight the commitment they show to the poppy appeal each year.

Many of our buses have poppies on them and we are delighted to donate £500 in support of the Armed Forces and their families.”

November 13, 2013 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 21 11/11/2013 16:18

FLEET UPDATE › CARDIFF BUS ARTICS

An articulate refurbishment

Coach & Bus Week’s Gareth Evans �inds out about what’s gone into the refurbishment Cardiff Bus’ four-strong �leet of Baycar-branded Scania OmniCity bendy buses

T

remainder of the refurbishment ime certainly �lies, we has been completed at Hants are often told – and & Dorset Trim’s premises in it’s no exaggeration Operator: Cardiff Bus Eastleigh, Hampshire. to say that is true for Fleet: 220 “Hants & Dorset have been very Cardiff Bus’ bendy Contact: 029 2066 6444. good to deal with. We’re highly buses – for seven years have www.cardiffbus.com impressed with the standard of passed since the high-pro�ile work,” said Gareth. buses �irst entered service in the “Hants & Dorset was also Welsh capital. responsible for refurbishing our Darts. The While the bendy �leet is allocated to two artics have been turned around in three weeks. distinct corridors, the 06-plate articulated Upon return, apart from the engine, it’s looks, Scania OmniCitys branded for the �lagship smells and feels like a new bus.

Baycar service have recently bene�itted from a “The work involves light panel repairs, mid-life overhaul. repainting, re-covering of the seats and new Signi�icantly, the artics have also become the squab, cushion and headrest foams �itted. The �irst members of Cardiff’s �leet to be �itted with Baycar logo has been printed and embossed on audio-visual technology, more of which later. the headrests. After all, it’s pointless paying to Asked why the Baycars are being refurbished, Gareth Stevens, Business Development Manager have the seats re-covered while retaining the worn foam beneath. at Cardiff Bus replied: “It’s quite simply the fact “The buses also bene�it from a deep clean they had been in service since 2006, so it was and attention to areas identi�ied. Some of the time for a mid life overhaul. existing joins in the �loor have been re-welded “We’ve got a policy of buying new for the to prevent ingress.” next two years. Alongside that is work already Dave Clack, General Manager at Hants & done on 90 of our Darts over the last three Dorset Trim took up the story. “To really years, which is now complete. They are set to highlight the excellent work done on the be withdrawn over the next three to four years. refurbishment, the lighting has been upgraded The non-refurbished examples are those which to LED. We’ve �itted Invertec replacement LED will be replaced imminently. We’re now about tubes. to start on our other artics – the four Baycars “It’s improved the lighting by at least 25%. being the �irst to be refurbished.”

Also, the old halogen bulbs used above the door and in the cab have been replaced with highThe task in hand While the mechanical work has been carried out powered LEDs. “We see LEDs as the way to go. It’s a way of in-house at Cardiff’s Sloper Road workshop, the

At a glance

New squab, cushion and headrest foams were fitted and the seats recovered

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The Scania OmniCity artics were first introduced in 2006. All pictures: Tudor Thomas

The Baycar brand has benefitted from a complete refresh

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November 13, 2013 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 23 11/11/2013 19:24

FLEET UPDATE › CARDIFF BUS ARTICS

Baycars are fitted with audio-visual next stop announcement technology improving the customer experience – LEDs make interiors look so much cleaner and brighter. Of course, all this also contributes to reduced maintenance.”

The four Baycars have retained their Esteban Civic seats and have been re-upholstered in E-Leather, as opposed to moquette. Why? “It’s a flagship service – we wanted to give it an uplift,” replied Gareth.

“The Baycar serves a number of key institutions, including the Welsh Government.

The service also carries a high proportion of tourists. As a result, the the welcome notice on the cab door is multi-lingual, featuring the top nine languages, which include German, Dutch, French and Spanish.

As discussed earlier, the Baycars have been fitted with Hanover’s Audio-Visual (AV) next stop announcement system in both English and Welsh. However, they are not the first bi-lingual AV-fitted buses in Wales – that honour fell to Arriva Buses Wales for its Wrexham – Chester premium Saphire-standard service.

“The AV system works fine – we’re very

About Baycar

The Baycar service was introduced in 2006 to connect the city centre to the old docklands area, which had been redeveloped to create Cardiff Bay. Frankly, the area had been transformed from an undesirable to a prime entertainment and retail area, firmly on the tourist trail.

Services run from around 0600 until 2330hrs Monday to Saturdays (from 0800 on Sundays and Bank Holidays). Buses run every 10 minutes Monday to Friday daytimes, every 15 minutes Sat and Sun daytimes and every 20 minutes Monday to Friday late evenings.

The core service operates runs from the Wales Millennium Centre to the northern city centre. The route is extended during Monday to Friday peak times so that the north of the route runs through Cathays Park (the Civic Centre) and the south of the route extends to Porth Teigr.

Fares on the service are £1.70 for a single, or £3.40 for a return.

The route leaves Cardiff Bay and then circles

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Internal vinyls promote the operator’s range of tickets including the app

pleased with it,” remarked Gareth.

Indeed, he revealed: “All our new vehicles are going to be so fitted. We’re unsure whether we’re going to retrofit it as part of our refurbishment programme but it’s definitely been specified on our next batch of 30 new buses which will be launched on November 22. The vehicles include both Mercedes-Benz Citaros and ADL Enviro200s. In due course our fleet will be 100% AV bi-lingual.”

Mechanically, the refurbishment has “not been huge – more gentle TLC,” according to Gareth.

“We do the annual turntable overhaul but apart from that, they’re great buses.”

The brand

The Baycar brand itself has also benefitted from a complete refresh.

“It’s still blue but it’s a different shade,” explained Gareth. “Ray Stenning came up with the brand originally and we’ve worked with him ever since. He not only produces great stuff, he’s also very good to work with.”

Ray took up the story: “The artics were the

the city centre anti-clockwise, returning south to towards Cardiff Bay. On Friday and Saturday nights and during events at the Millennium Stadium, only the eastern and northern parts of the city centre are served due to road closures. In this case, the Baycar service terminates in the city centre at Greyfriars – rather than continuing down Kingsway and St. Mary Street.

Amongst the landmarks and attractions served are the castle, the Norwegian Church and the Wales Millennium Centre.

Gareth Stevens commented: “We’ve seen growth on the Baycar. The bay has become increasingly popular for events such as the International Food Festival, which brings in thousands of visitors. Being a largely straight route, bendys are just the tools for the job.

“We work closely with the Waterfront partners. As a result, we get good lead times for forthcoming events, which allows us to match supply with demand. They see us as an enabler.”

brainchild of former MD David Brown. With Cardiff being a European capital city, he felt the use of artics where appropriate would help to give it more of a European appeal. I felt it was a great idea – routes 17/18 had heavy loadings – artics were perfect. The Baycar really took off.

“It’s now time for a refresh of the brand. We felt it was important that it was seen as part of the Cardiff Bus network now – where as originally it was felt it should be a distinct, high-profile service. It’s still meant to be both but it shouldn’t be too different to the Cardiff Bus livery. It’s now got more synergy with Cardiff Bus livery. I think in practice people were unsure if they could use Cardiff Bus tickets on the Baycar.

“When it came to the external livery, we felt the old Baycar wasn’t shouting as much as it could do, so we’ve now beefed it up to sell itself better while still retaining the style and taste.

It’s certainly freshened up the vehicles – they were in need of a repaint.”

Turning to the interior, Ray said: “Cardiff Bus wanted to use E-Leather on the Baycar. We helped specify it in terms of colours. When they use leather, some people go overboard on contrasting colours, which can end up looking garish. Keeping the colours simple, plain and discreet is key to perpetuate the enhanced product offering.

“Seemingly odd little things can add an air of quality. On these seats, twin stitching has added in contrasting colours.”

Next stop?

Plans are well advanced for the next vehicles to be refurbished, as Gareth explained: “Our artics operate for up to 20 hours a day. Our other artics are planned for refurbishment during 2014. They will start losing their red livery in place on the standard Cardiff Bus livery.

“Once they’re done, we will probably move onto the original rigid OmniCitys – the 06-plates.

That should see them to the end of their lives.”

Useful contacts l Best Impressions T: 020 8740 6443 W: www.best-impressions.co.uk

l Hants & Dorset Trim T: 02380 644200 W: www.hantsanddorsettrim.co.uk E: dave.clack@hdtrim.co.uk www.coachandbusweek.com

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PRODUCT FOCUS › MOBILITY

Quantum: O wheelchair securement from Q’Straint Martin Cole looks at the new automated equipment from Q’Straint which won an innovation award at Busworld Kortrijk

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ne of the biggest barriers for disabled people when it comes to using public transport is wheelchair securement. Many say they just do not feel safe – largely because unsecured wheelchairs are prone to falling over sideways when cornering forces are encountered. There are adequate securing methods using proprietary restraints but these are best suited to specialist wheelchair transport in the community transport or dial-aride sector as they require some knowledge to attach correctly and someone to actually attach them - and they have to be stored somewhere when not in use.

With the growth of an ageing population and its requirement for mobility there has been a huge expansion in the number of electric wheelchairs and scooters which provide users with a greater element of freedom and independence than ever before, but often they are difficult to secure with restraint systems and they are heavy. If they topple over when a bus is forced to swerve or it corners sharply, usually there is often nothing other than

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11/11/2013 16:15

The whole process of securing a wheelchair takes just under 25 seconds. Quantum’s clamping force of 50 lbs is sufficient to prevent lateral or sideways movement a single vertical stanchion to prevent it and the occupant from being seriously injured. Also, any standee passengers in the vicinity could suffer injuries. The consequences could be lengthy and costly litigation.

In most instances the driver would be held responsible for ensuring the wheelchair passenger is securely installed. This is one of the key reasons the underlying attitude of many is they don’t even want to allow these passengers aboard and there are plenty of instances where buses just drive past stops where a wheelchair user is waiting. There is clearly a conflict as any company would state it does not discriminate against wheelchair users, yet drivers are not supposed to leave their seats and leave any cash unattended – either to deploy a manual ramp or spend time securing a wheelchair – or as we hear now, arguing with passengers who already came on board with a buggy and don’t wish to

move from the buggy/wheelchair bay.

Drivers are also under pressure to maintain scheduled arrival times – a five minute delay to sort out issues between passengers and then adequately install a wheelchair passenger is not ideal in a busy city environment where frequencies may only be three minutes.

In order to alleviate some of these problems there has to be a major attitude change.

However, some of them can be addressed by automation. Nothing yet exists with sufficient reliability to answer the boarding ramp automation. A powered bookleaf ramp could be an accident or potential injury waiting to happen and slide-out ramps have proved notoriously unreliable due to insufficient use, corrosion or the accumulation of dirt and grit.

However, inside the vehicle things are looking favourable. The newly developed Quantum from Q’Straint is a major step forward in wheelchair

securement and it operates automatically with only a single button press required to activate the mechanism. Essentially the system is designed for use in any mainstream bus, light rail, tram or rail system and can securely clamp any wheelchair without the need for outside intervention.

Quantum’s base unit, which only has a small footprint, bolts to the floor. The compact housing contains electric drives, one for the 90 degree rotation of the aisle-side arm – or blade – and a linear electric drive which draws

Quantum + back support = a total transit package

the arms inwards to exert a clamping force on the wheelchair. The system exerts a maximum pressure of 50lbs (22.6kg) which is sufficient to prevent any lateral or sideways movement. The whole process of securing a wheelchair takes just under 25 seconds. To ensure absolute safety for those in the proximity of the Quantum, it issues an audible and visual warning when it has been activated. The aisle-side arm has a flashing LED strip running around the perimeter. If it encounters any obstruction it halts the movement of the arm. It will try

Quantum integrates with safety interlock systems and cannot be activated unless the brakes are applied ensuring safety for the occupant and other passengers

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PRODUCT FOCUS › MOBILITY

Wheelchair users can access the bay far more easily as there is no need for a vertical stanchion - they are securely clamped, safe and comfortable

Blades move inwards to clamp any wheelchair

Flashing LED lighting warns as Quantum activates www.coachandbusweek.com

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to continue its action three times. If by then the obstruction has not been cleared, the Quantum stops and alerts the bus driver to the problem via the dashboard linked display. Release is equally simple – press the button and process reverses.

Intelligent electronics also come into play with the clamping arms. Should the user not have aligned the wheelchair correctly when reversing into position, the Quantum applies an equal amount of pressure to each wheel. The arms constantly monitor the pressure they are exerting using current sensing, should a jolt to the vehicle cause the wheelchair to move the system recognises the drop in pressure and automatically readjusts itself.

Quantum is also designed to be fully integrated with a safety interlock system, the unit can only be operated with the interlock brakes applied, and the bus driver is informed the Quantum is in use via the dashboard display.

Managing Director Andy Cumming said: “There was significant interest in Quantum shown by bus manufacturers and operators visiting Kortrijk for the Busworld exhibition.

It is extremely attractive because it does not require anyone to assist the wheelchair user in making themselves secure. It also means there is no need to provide a vertical stanchion as a means to try and prevent a wheelchair falling sideways into the aisle. In effect these only serve to make it more difficult for them to reverse into the bay and align themselves correctly.

“An awful lot of thought and development has gone into Quantum. We believe we have got it right It’s been on trial for a year with a small and selected number of operators in the USA and the feedback we’ve had from operators

and their passengers has been extremely encouraging.

“As can be clearly seen in our promotional video, passengers are happy because they have their independence and the additional safety is giving them the confidence to make more use of public transport.”

Quantum adds 40 kgs of weight to a vehicle and takes up a small amount of space but it does appear to open up a market sector which is growing rapidly. Higher numbers of elderly people who are less mobile are going to require safe modes of transport and they need to be catered for. The welcome spin-off is the huge benefit to those with disabilities who don’t have a choice about using wheelchairs – powered or otherwise. It allows them to integrate with society much more easily and gives them the freedom to function with far less reliance on others.

From an operator perspective, Quantum removes the onus on the driver of ensuring wheelchair securement. It also largely removes the worries attached to wheelchair occupants or other passengers being injured and is likely to act as a means to show duty of care and reduced risk to passengers which could potentially reduce insurance costs – as has been the case with CCTV and driver behaviour monitoring systems.

Q’Straint has not yet issued a price for Quantum but it is the sort of capital expenditure item operators can remove from vehicles they are disposing of and reinstall them in new ones. n

For further information contact Q’Straint on 01227 773035 or visit the website at www.qstraint.com

November 13, 2013 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 29 11/11/2013 19:27

CASE STUDY › SOMERSTOTALKARE/JOHNSON BROS TOURS

Maintaining high standards Martin Farrow writes about how Somerstotalkare is working with renowned independent Johnson Bros Tours to help drive forward the operator’s growth

F

gone wrong, the service support has been excellent.

“In fact they’re so robust that some of the original lifts are still in operation today alongside the latest cable-free lifts we purchased earlier this year.

“Senior members of the Somerstotalkare team, including directors, have always been on hand to offer help and advice, providing us with the equipment that best suits our needs.”

Now his company operates seven sets of cable-free lifts from the Hallesowen-based firm and eight sets of cabled lifts across three depots – one in Mansfield, Nottingham and the other in Worksop. Somerstotalkare also supplies a range of ancillary equipment that include engine scissor tables as well as axle stands.

The depots operate around 18 hours a day, from 0600hrs to midnight, servicing and repairing between 35 and 50 vehicles per week at each garage.

“It’s very intense in the workshops and the lifts are in constant use,” Scott continued.

“The cable-free lifts have proved particularly effective as they can be moved around as needed and the fact there are no cable’s greatly reduces the risk of trips and other SOMERSTOTALKARE: accidents.

“We’ve also been impressed by the Somerstotalkare has been supplying heavy length of time the duty vehicle lifts to the UK market for over 30 lifts can operate years, selling more than 6,000 sets of mobile lifts between charges, to customers ranging from multi-national operators to usually more than independent workshops. two weeks, which In addition Somerstotalkare offers a range of ancillary helps to keep the equipment, comprehensive operator training, after workshops running sales care and services and an array of financial smoothly.” options to suit every kind of business, providing The workshop has the ultimate and total quality solution for become so efficient that all your heavy duty vehicle lifting the company now offers MOT requirements. testing, repairs and servicing rom rock band tour buses to NHS vehicles, a renowned independent coach and bus operator is keeping them on the road with the help of Somerstotalkare (sic), the wellknown supplier of heavy duty vehicle lifts.

Founded more than half a century ago, Johnson Bros Tours remains a family-run bus and coach firm but it has diversified into a wide range of activities thanks to a commitment to engineering excellence.

In 1999 it took over a wellknown coach holiday company, Redfern Travel, during a period of growth which has seen the company’s own fleet expand from 19 vehicles in 1994 to more than 140 today.

Throughout this period, for the past 30 years in fact, the company has relied on equipment supplied

by Somerstotalkare to keep its buses and coaches on the road throughout the year.

Scott Johnson, Engineering Director at the company explained: “We’ve always used lifts from Somerstotalkare, as we’ve always found them to be reliable and, on the rare occasion something has

DID YOU KNOW?

30 | COACH & BUS WEEK | November 13, 2013

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“The lifts are in constant use,” said Engineering Director Scott Johnson www.coachandbusweek.com

11/11/2013 18:43

From rock band tour buses to NHS vehicles, Somerstotalkare helping to keep them on the road

Scott Johnson: “We’ve always used lifts from Somerstotalkare”

The depots operate around 18 hours a day, from 0600hrs to midnight

Johnson’s operates seven sets of cable-free lifts and eight cabled lifts www.coachandbusweek.com

030_031_CBW1113_Somers.indd 31

to other transport operators alongside the work it carries out on its own mixed fleet of vehicles which includes buses and coaches from a wide range of manufacturers – such as VDL Bova, Irizar, Van Hool and Plaxton.

They also help to keep a number of heritage coaches and buses on the road, including Johnson’s own Bedford VAL – the same type as the one featured in the film, The Italian Job – a Bedford OWB, Volvo and also a range of buses used by rock and pop acts as they tour the UK and Europe.

Scott said: “In recent years the business has really grown and Somerstotalkare has helped to keep the workshops running at capacity as we’ve expanded our operation.

“Now we hold contracts with a variety of both public and private sector organisations, including the NHS, local authorities and private bus companies and the lifts are

playing a vital role in keeping them on the road.”

James Radford, Sales Director at Somerstotalkare, said he was delighted to be working so closely with a company which is proving that diversification and efficiency is the secret to success in a difficult economic climate.

“That Johnson Bros Tours/ Redfern Travel have prospered and grown so dramatically in recent years highlights the fact that businesses which respond quickly to a changing marketplace and the requirements of customers continue to prosper.

“We are pleased to have been able to play our part in its success by delivering lifting solutions that are flexible enough to meet the demands of such busy workshops with level of reliability and service support that enables the company to continue to meet the expectations of its many customers.” n

November 13, 2013 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 31 11/11/2013 19:29

THE BIG PICTURE China Light & Power in Hong Kong bought 15 Alexander RH-bodied Leyland Olympians in 1992. The 12-metre, tri-axle Cummins-powered buses had dual-purpose seats for 101 and were used as staff buses. Kinch Coaches of Minety near Swindon bought seven in 2009.

They were shipped via Japan and Singapore to minimise transportation costs. A distinctive look came from single-piece GRP front panels to a design originally developed for Greys of Ely. Following contracts changes two buses were sold to Pulham & Sons Coaches of Bourton-onthe-Water, which only started running doubledeckers last year. David Bell took this picture of one of them, now more than 20 years old, but smartly finished in Pulham’s eye-catching livery.

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11/11/2013 14:46

INDUSTRY

GUIDE

TICKETING & CASH HANDLING

Just M ticket the

This week’s Industry Guide focuses on ticketing and cash handling, looking at the various innovative ways which operators can approach ticketing and how businesses may improve their handling of cash to increase ef�iciency

34 | COACH & BUS WEEK | November 13, 2013 034_040_CBW_1113_Industry guide.indd 34

odern day ticketing and cash handling is more than just tills and simple printers.

Everything is about issuing tickets and dealing with coins and notes as quickly as possible, keeping stop dwell time to a minimum and reducing time taken to keep track of accounts.

Ticketing machines are now coming with many different types of systems built in to keep them useful as ticketing technology evolves. Handhelds are now as powerful as those based permanently on the vehicle, making them ideal for one off services or replacement buses. With several potential directions for ticketing to go in, whether it’s mobile ticketing

using visual recognition or Near Field Communication, smartcard systems or contactless bankcard payment, having a machine which can do it all means operators need not worry about whether the path they choose is going to be the best in the future.

While many forms of smart ticketing seem on route to eliminate cash handling on buses altogether, it’s unlikely that this will happen in the near future. With this in mind, using the latest cash handling devices can help regular payments to keep up with the smart payment methods which are becoming increasingly common.

Is it necessary to waste hundreds of working hours counting change when a machine can sort, count and bag all of it for you? www.coachandbusweek.com

11/11/2013 18:40

PARKEON

Parkeon continues to lead the way in ticketing, fleet management and real time technologies, setting the pace through customer-driven innovations that add value to bus operators around the UK. The company’s most recent developments have been around Real Time Information (RTI), in partnership with Cloud Amber to deliver a world-first in over-theair location tracking of buses and integration with traffic control systems. This has been made possible using the in-built mobile data and GPS location functionality of Parkeon’s Wayfarer200 ticketing platform to improve the scope and accuracy of RTI while reducing system cost, complexity and maintenance requirements.

In addition, Parkeon has recently won significant ticketing technology projects, including Edinburgh’s tram, Blackpool Transport, Newport Transport and the Worcestershire-wide contract – all of which augment the company’s leadership position in the UK bus market.

The company is also actively engaged in rolling out highly

www.coachandbusweek.com

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Yellow Buses’ Glo card scheme, in partnership with Parkeon, has been extended to include user-friendly options such as online top-ups innovative smart ticketing projects, notably in partnership with Arriva Bus UK, which has adopted Parkeon technology for the Arriva Connect Card, and is now working on extending the benefits of real time data across its customer communication channels.

Parkeon Transit’s MD Owen Griffith said: “Behind Parkeon innovation is continuous investment in R&D and a team which includes some of the best engineering minds in the industry.

What sets us apart is our ability to

work closely with our customers to deliver end-to-end solutions having our teams located in the UK means we are able to understand their specific requirements and be responsive to their needs.”

Newport Transport is to become one of the first bus operators in the country to take direct control of its Real Time Information system, with Parkeon and Cloud Amber driving real time communication across its fleet of buses - and with customers - via architecture built into the Wayfarer200 ticketing

platform.

Fifteen independent bus operators and passengers across Worcestershire will shortly be benefiting from an entirely new ticketing system, with Parkeon installing the Wayfarer200 to meet their concessionary and commercial ITSO requirements.

Parkeon is rolling out the complete ticketing system for Edinburgh tram, with ticket vending machines, platform validators and hand-held terminals dual-reading both ITSO cards and the Lothian Buses’ Ridacard.

Parkeon’s award-winning partnership with RATP Yellow Buses in Bournemouth has seen the Glo card scheme extended to include user-friendly options such as online top-ups from a fully responsive website.

Blackpool Transport has chosen Parkeon to deliver its next generation fare collection system on both bus and tram networks, including the a commercial smartcard that will utilise the area’s PayPoint retail base.

T: 01202 339 339 W: www.parkeon.co.uk

November 13, 2013 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 35 11/11/2013 18:40

INDUSTRY

GUIDE

TICKETING & CASH HANDLING MOBILE ONBOARD

My Mobile Tickets is on course in its goal to become the de-facto mobile ticketing solution in the UK as it launches with another bus operator this month.

This makes it the most popular and fastest-growing choice for transport operators up and down the country looking to offer mobile and e-ticketing to its customers.

The constantly expanding service is now available on partnered bus networks across the UK from the South Coast and Surrey to the Midlands, North Wales and North West of England, allowing passengers to buy tickets online and use their mobile phones as their ticket.

My Mobile Tickets is a zerohardware investment mobile ticketing service which allows passengers to sign up in seconds, buy their tickets online and download them directly to their mobile phone. Passengers can also buy tickets on-demand using an SMS text messages when they decide they want to travel, or by scanning a QR code at the bus stop or from print media – something other solutions do not offer as standard.

The system allows the purchase of practically any type of ticket, including season tickets, fixed term tickets and multi-trip ‘carnet’ tickets, with no requirement to download a native app onto the phone, which means it works with most modern smartphones and is a credible alternative to smartcards.

Allowing passengers to purchase their ticket by credit or debit card, PayPal or by Direct Debit not only offers them convenience and choice, but also significantly minimises cash handling for the operator. On one network, Velvet Bus in Hampshire, between 30% and 50% of their ticket sales in any one month are purchased online through the My Mobile Tickets system.

Mobile Onboard, the company behind My Mobile Tickets, is also launching a range of simple products to support its mobile ticketing network, including lowcost fixed and handheld mobile ticket validation and revenueprotection devices, as well as Agent Kiosk, a tool to help organisations such as schools, colleges and travel shops to issue mobile tickets to large numbers of passengers.

For a low set-up charge, My Mobile Tickets enables operators to get a foothold into the emerging, fast moving world

Mobile Onboard provides both m-ticketing and WiFi to Velvet Bus

Mobile Onboard’s new ticket validator seen at Coach & Bus Live

An advert for My Mobile Tickets, seen on board an Abellio Surrey bus of mobile commerce now, while complimenting their existing ticketing methods. No additional equipment is needed, but if required, Mobile Onboard’s powerful m-commerce platform has the ability to integrate directly with operators’ back-end systems at real-time, and their in-house

36 | COACH & BUS WEEK | November 13, 2013 034_040_CBW_1113_Industry guide.indd 36

team is available to help with these integration projects at any level.

Mobile Onboard’s new validation tools were on display at Coach & Bus Live 2013.

The new Beam Validator offers sub second scanning and validation of the QR codes used

by My Mobile Tickets. This QR

code decryption gives the service some solid revenue protection, which was seen as one of its few drawbacks.

The validator can instantly recognise if a ticket is valid, expired or has been tampered with, still keeping boarding times to a minimum.

Also on show was the latest Beam WiFi box – the Beam BW200. The new device can support eight times as many concurrent WiFi connections as the previous Beam BW-116 unit, up to 128, more than any coach or bus is ever likely to need. It also supports up to three modems, two Ethernet connections, multiple SSIDs for web traffic and a media server module for infotainment.

In addition to this, Mobile Onboard also showcased its AgentKiost, a companion management console for My Mobile Tickets. The web based system has been designed to give operators more control over their My Mobile Tickets account, ‘while prodiving more opportunities for mobile ticket sales through its easy to use features.’

The console include user management, ticket issuing and fell data reporting.

T: 08432 899897 E: contact.us@ mobileonboard.com W: mobileonboard.com

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INDUSTRY

GUIDE

TICKETING & CASH HANDLING ETMSS

ETMSS Ltd has been a part of the ticketing industry for more than 10 years.

The business has been built on recommendation and reputation; its ethos is service, quality and price.

ETMSS supplies a range of products and services. Ticket rolls, support for Wayfarer 3 machines and travel card wallets is just a small selection of what the firm offers to its customers.

The company can take care of the ticketing requirements of any operator.

Since self-praise is no recommendation, ETMSS asked some of its customers for their thoughts on the service which it provides.

Michelle, of Bracknell-based Courtney Coaches said: “The cost of the ticket rolls supplied by ETMSS was far less than we where previously paying and the quality was far superior, speed of delivery from point of order is always excellent, the service is second to none.”

“We have been using ETMSS since day one,” said Beestons of

Hadleigh. “Since those early days, we have built an extremely close working relationship with all the team.”

“Despite severe pressure, and high demands from us they have always delivered – on time and on budget.

“Such is the level of customer care, support has always been offered, even during the evening and on weekends.

“For Wayfarer 3 assistance, advice, support, maintenance and consumables, ETMSS is an exceptionally difficult firm to match.”

David Stuart, of Norwich-based Norse Commercial Services, commented: “When we were using Wayfarer 3 ticket equipment, ETMSS provided us with exemplary aftermarket support which proved invaluable on many occasions.”

The operator is now using Ticketer, for which ETMSS has supplied the ticket rolls used in the machines.

T: 0844 800 9299 E: info@etmss.com (request call back)

38 | COACH & BUS WEEK | November 13, 2013 034_040_CBW_1113_Industry guide.indd 38

TRANSMACH

TransMach Systems is a leading ticketing solution provider for the independent bus and coach operators. The company offers end-to-end ticketing solutions, from specifying, installing and providing personal help desk support.

TransMach is Parkeon’s authorised distributor for the Wayfarer 200 ITSO solution. It offers the Wayfarer 200 ITSO system to independent bus operators at an affordable cost and provide quality service and personal help desk support. The Wayfarer 200 ticketing system is ITSO v2.1.4 and RTIG 1.1 certified and meets the requirements set by the local authorities. Other features include 2 way driver messaging, automatic stage update and real time vehicle tracking.

The Wayfarer 200 is an all-inone and driver friendly ticket machine. The comprehensive back-office software suite gives full flexibility to the bus operators.

By acquiring the Wayfarer 200 ticketing system, the bus operators can take advantage of the 10% BSOG uplift.

As CASIO’s authorised partner, TransMach offers the CASIO IT9000 all-in-one portable solution for satellite tracking, journey planner, paper tickets, smart cards, validating web booking and accepting Chip & Pin card payments. The IT-9000 features a lithium-ion battery (operating period of around 20 hours), integrated high speed thermal printer, NFC (smart card) reader and writer, barcode reader with high speed and accuracy, GPS and HSDPA – capable 3G with high speed data transfer and high memory capacity.

TransMach offers the IT-9000 with a complete bespoke solution with web based back-office system.

The firm will soon be launching its mobile application for iPhone & Android devices to enable passengers to view bus arrival times at their choice of bus stop.

This facility will enable bus/ coach operators to attract more passengers to use their services.

T: 01202 339 339 E: sales@transmach.co.uk W: www.parkeon.co.uk

www.coachandbusweek.com

11/11/2013 18:41

TICKETER

It has been a busy time for the innovative ETM supplier, Ticketer, which has been busy expanding both its product portfolio and its customer base.

Ticketer is committed to providing its customers a solution which enhances income, rather than drains it. It has taken a revolutionary approach, delivering a fully hosted solution where the ETMs communicate in real time via low-cost mobile networks with the hosted back office, eliminating the need for any depot infrastructure – all an operator needs is a web browser to monitor and manage their ETMs. Complementing its modular ETM, which can be installed on vehicles in a variety of ways, is the new Ticketer Handheld. This new product has been designed by Ticketer from

www.coachandbusweek.com

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the ground up as a fully-fledged ticket machine, not simply a cut-down version of one. As such, all the functionality which can be found in its fixed units is present here; ITSO smartcard reading capability, GPS location tracking (live and historical), two-way driver messaging and more, all being driven through the same easy-to-use interface as can be found in their fixed units.

The handheld is managed and reports to the same back office, so operators

The new Ticketer Handheld machine

can run mixed fleets secure in the knowledge that all Ticketer kit is fully interchangeable.

And the product expansion does not stop at the handheld, Ticketer will shortly be releasing its new schedule adherence feature, which does not only report on live adherence to timetables to the traffic office or on mobile browsers, but will also feed this information back into the ETM, letting the driver know whether they are late, or more importantly, early, on each and every stop.

The hosted Ticketer back office is designed for ease of use – the company believes that operators should have the ability to run their operations without requiring major technical expertise to extract maximum value from their ETMs. This ease of use principle is adhered to throughout the system, extending to the configuration of ITSO smartcards. To date the introduction of a card scheme has been a daunting task for operators – requiring complex configurations in order for the ETM to accept or top-up cards. Not so with Ticketer which has removed the technical

complexity of how the smartcards are configured leaving the operator to decide on the ‘what’, not the ‘how’.

This ease of use is evidenced in recent deployments, where a Ticketer solution is now featuring in an increasing number of multi-operator commercial ITSO schemes currently being introduced across the UK. However, Ticketer is keen to open this opportunity to all its operators and deliver innovative ITSO card schemes while insulating operators from the technical complexities. To assist further in that aim, Ticketer is introducing a card bureau service early in 2014 that allows even the smallest operator to deliver its own ITSO card scheme without any ITSO knowledge or expensive infrastructure.

2014 looks to be an exciting year for Ticketer and its customers, with a raft of innovative functionality still to be introduced.

T: 020 3195 8800 E: info@ticketer.co.uk W: www.ticketer.org.uk

November 13, 2013 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 39 11/11/2013 18:41

INDUSTRY

Features List 2013/2014

GUIDE

Below is the complete list of this year’s CBW issues showing current scheduled dates for Industry Guides. Dates are subject to change.

TICKETING & CASH HANDLING NETHANS

Nethans Limited is the only designer and manufacturer of currency sorting equipment in the UK. It applies over 40 years of experience to provide a time saving service, manufacturing the most reliable coin counting systems available, and works with its customers to provide equipment which fits their requirements exactly.

All Nethans products are compatible with the Euro and come complete with a full range of accessories.

Nethans manufactures cash handling equipment and supplies and maintains a wide variety of coin and note non-stop counting and sorting equipment. Despite it being unique as a manufacturer of such products in the UK, all of its products are available at very competitive prices.

The equipment features simple operation, large volume trays, multiple counting modes, nonstop count/sort and batching, self calibrating mode, high speed and accuracy, state of the art electronics, multi-currency,

network to PC option and printer options, amongst many other features.

If operators find that sorting and counting money is time consuming, then Nethans can supply a machine to solve the problem at an affordable price. The company can also recondition machines. If you are about to upgrade your current sorter / cash counter or are looking to automate cash handling for the first time, phone, fax or email Nethans for a free demonstration and a trial of its products.

Nethans’ machines can count, sort and bag 5,000 pounds worth of coins within one hour, and include foreign and dud coin recognition.

The firm offers nationwide after sales service to all its customers.

All of its coin sorter / cash counters are supplied with a full 12/36 month manufacturer’s warranty.

They’re supported by its own factory engineers, as well as service providers located all around the UK. T: 0845 164 5030 E: info@coinsort.org W: www.coinsort.net

Cash handling slowing you down?

Nethans manufacture cash handling equipment and supply and maintain a wide variety of coin and note non-stop counting and sorting equipment at very competitive prices.

If you find that sorting and counting money is time consuming then we can supply a machine to solve your problem at an affordable price; also we do recondition machines.

Our coin sorter machine System CS630 can count, sort and bag £5,000 worth of coins within one hour; also foreign & dud coin recognition.

We offer full 12/36 months warranty and on site maintenance with guaranteed response times.

Contact us today and see how we can provide a tailor made, cost efficient cash handling solution for your organisation.

Coin Sorters/Counters | Note Counters/Sorters | Cash Counters

0845 164 5030 info@coinsort.net www.coinsort.net www.cashcounter.net

40 | COACH & BUS WEEK | November 13, 2013 034_040_CBW_1113_Industry guide.indd 40

2013 Issue

Issue Date

1114 1115 1116 1117 1118

November 20 November 27 December 4 December 11 December 18

2014 1119 1120 1121 1122 1123 1124 1125 1126 1127 1128 1129 1130 1131 1132 1133 1134 1135 1136 1137 1138 1139 1140 1141 1142 1143 1144 1145 1146 1147 1148 1149 1150 1151 1152 1153 1154 1155 1156 1157 1158 1159 1160 1161 1162 1163 1164 1165 1166 1167 1168 1169

Product Focus Feature Repairs & Refurbishment Fuel Management & Emission Control

January 8 Passenger Comfort & Entertainment January 15 Vehicle Presentation January 22 January 29 February 5 Telematics February 12 Training & Safety February 19 February 26 March 5 Engines & Transmissions March 12 Seating, Flooring & Interiors March 19 March 26 April 2 Digital Technology April 9 GARAGE Equipment April 16 April 23 April 30 May 7 Tachographs May 14 Fuel Management & Emission Control May 21 May 28 June 4 Ticketing & Cash Handling June 11 Repairs & Refurbishment June 18 June 25 July 2 Glazing & Entry Systems July 9 Vehicle Presentation July 16 July 23 Training & Safety July 30 August 6 Engines & Transmissions August 13 Security & Insurance August 20 August 27 September 3 Rental Leasing & Finance September 10 Seating, Flooring & Interiors September 17 September 24 October 1 Digital Technology October 8 Garage Equipment October 15 October 22 October 29 November 5 Fuel Management & Emission Control November 12 November 19 November 26 December 3 Ticketing & Cash Handling December 10 Repairs & Refurbishment December 17 December 24

Senior Sales Executive Caroline Barnes 01733 293248 caroline.barnes coachandbusweek.com

Booking deadline Space should be booked no later than two weeks in advance

www.coachandbusweek.com

11/11/2013 18:41

THE MARKET FOR VEHICLES, PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

x4 coaches Riddler’s sellsretires p8 as Proprietor

OW RECRUITN

ITMENT FIRST FOR RECRU WEEK JOB ADVERTS EVERY

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over prestigiousdral Stanley Travel takes to Durham Cathe electric bus route p6

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Up to 4 5X1 PRINT VEHICLE SALES ADVERTISEMENTS per week in Coach&BusWeek magazine

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HALF PRICE RECRUITMENT ADS in Coach&BusWeek magazine

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3 ANNUAL DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS to coachandbusweek.com

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1 ANNUAL PRINT SUBSCRIPTION to Coach&BusWeek magazine

edentials Impeccable cr p10

UNLIMITED ONLINE vehicle for sale advertisments on coachandbusmarket.com

✔ * Excluding VAT. MARKET PREMIUM UNLIMITED price is UK only

Proterra electric bus support p12

Sir Brian invest for the future 1_Cover.indd

001_CBW111

1

s

Deadline for vehicle and classified advertisements in the magazine is 1200hrs Monday.

28/10/2013

18:21

Contact your friendly coachandbusmarket Manager Jade Cassidy via phone, email or fax Tel: 01733 293247 f: 0845 280 2927 e: jade.cassidy@coachandbusweek.com 041_CBW1113_CBM Cover.indd 41

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2008 Temsa Safari HD

2000 Iveco Eurorider Beulas Stergo E

7HO

102,000 miles, 53 seats with belts plus crew seat, automatic gearbox, double glazing, air con, carpet, curtains, Staybrite aluminium wheels, radio, 2 monitors, PA, LEZ compliant Euro 4.

£87,500

2003 Neoplan Starliner

37 leather seats around tables, Sky TV/DVD entertainment system, 7 screens, toilet, kitchen, sockets throughout, manual 4 over 4. £39,995 + VAT

Steve 0161 775 0800/07445 266345 operations@travel-master.co.uk

Volvo B12B Van Hool

ZF auto, 14 berth sleeper, Euro 4 LEZ, static AC/heating, 240v, normal band bus stuff! MOT March 2014, good condition.

£25,000 + VAT

Telephone: 01487 843333

1 ) 0 5 0 4

" / %

' 6

$ 0 0 6 3

" 4

4 5 " / % " 3 %

0 /

"

7 & ) * $ &

' 0 3

4 " &

" % 7 & 3 5 * 4 & .& / 5 4 1998 Mercedes Benz 814 Alexander

Automatic, 27 seats, 3 point belts, power door, perfect for school/private hire, good offers considered.

£8,995 + VAT Call Karl at Whitegate Travel Tel: 01606 786833 Mobile: 07841 110426

51 seat executive, centre toilet, air con/ climate control, power lockers, 8 speed manual gearbox, MOT till March, excellent condition, drives superb.

£14,950 + VAT ovno

Castleways – 01242 603715

Llew Jones – 07795 347476 or steve@llewjones.com

2006 MAN 14.220 SLF MCV Evolution 11.2m

07 Ford Transit

40 seats + 21 standees, DDA compliant, Hanover LED. Direct off lease from a major operator. £32,500 + VAT Southdown PSV 01342 711840 email: bussales@southdownpsv.co.uk www.southdownpsv.co.uk

88,000 miles, one charity owner, 16 highback passenger seats in moquette, power door front entry, Hanover digital destination, 12 months PSV test, totally immaculate inside and out.

2009 MAN Plaxton Centro

2000 Volvo B10M Plaxton Panther

38 blue moquette seats, Mobitec LED destination equipment, one year’s MOT. Offers over £45,000

£13,995

Heatons Motor Company 01942 864222

49 seats, PA system, DVD player, climate control, toilet, continental door, water boiler, p/plate, not subject to LEZ, recent re-trim. £24,000 + VAT

Andy Shaw – 0131 554 5413

Steve 0161 775 0800/07445 266345 operations@travel-master.co.uk

2003 Optare Solo

2001 Volvo B10M Berkhof Axial

Mercedes engine, one owner, good condition and tyres, low mileage 392,955, 29 seated 20 standing, full diptact space for one wheelchair, tested June 2014, taxed end of October 2013. £17,500 o.n.o.

50 reclining seats, TV/DVD, PA, fridge, hot drinks servery, air con, Webasto, alloy wheels.

Last coach remaining. £23,750 + VAT

BD23 5BS – 01756 753123

Snowcoach Holidays 01727 866177 / 07831 612125

Telephone Jade Cassidy on 01733 293247 or email jade.cassidy@coachandbusweek.com 42 | COACH & BUS WEEK | November 13, 2013

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ALFA TRAVEL HAVE FOR SALE DUE TO FLEET REPLACEMENT Dennis Plaxton R Series

Luxury VW Crafter

2001 MAN Neoplan

Cummins 420, AStronic gearbox 2004: 3 x 53 seats £40,000 plus VAT

Volvo B12B Plaxton Paragon Easyshift gearbox, LEZ compliant 2006: 2 x 53 seats £79,000 plus VAT All are well maintained, low mileage examples (approximately 62,000km per annum) with reclining seats, 3 point seat belts and air conditioning. Owned by us from new and used on our own holiday programme. All over cream. Price includes new MoT. Sorry no part exchange facilities!

To view contact Tom Smith, Operations Manager, on 08451 305777

1999 Mercedes 412D

2007 Scania K340/ Caetano Levante

16 removable seats, or 6 wheelchairs, 5 speed manual, external wheelchair lift, tachograph fitted, very clean condition, MOT June 14. £3,495 + VAT

Choice of 2, 49 leather reclining seats, ZF automatic gearbox and retarder, Hanover front, side and rear destinations, WC, air conditioning, PLS magic lift, low mileage, recently refurbished and can be used on National Express network until June 2016.

Chalkwell Coach Hire 01795 423982 andy.bates@chalkwell.co.uk

£80,000 + VAT each

2009 (09) Iveco Daily

yourbus – 01773 714013

2011 Vauxhall Vivaro 12 seat minibus

2007, 16 seats, A/C, DVD, microphone, 135,000 miles, 7 months MOT, excellent condition.

£21,000

12 months MOT & tax, full tank of fuel, one owner driver for the last 5 years, 49 seater, toilet, aircon, drivers bunk, alloy wheels, just refurbished, 2 new 22in Samsung LED monitors, black-out windows, TV tuner, DVD system all fitted 8 months ago, good mpg, 3 new air bags, new belts, hoses and interior LED lights just fitted, 600,000km, based in Glasgow.

£28,000 + VAT

Slick Rides – 07823 770978

Contact Gary – 07930 377051

2009 (59) Iveco Daily

2004 Iveco Beulas

16 passenger seats with 3 point belts, front entrance with lowered entry step, extra large boot, panoramic windows, parcel racks with reading lights and blown air, interior lighting with dim facility, CD sound system, tested until 30 September 2014.

Auto, 49 seat executive coach, WC, DVD, A/C, drinks boiler, fridge, etc, in exceptional condition for age, MOT July 2014.

£21,995 + VAT Call Karl at Whitegate Travel Tel: 01606 786833 Mobile: 07841 110426

Tel 01249 742000/07717 768315

£39,000 ono + VAT - Possible P/X

1994 Volvo B9M Berkof Excellence

1997 Dennis Javelin UVG S320

Good solid engine and gearbox, tidy bodywork, MOT till April 2014, 37 recliners, loads of legroom and a rear toilet.

53 seat coach with crew seat, manual gearbox, fully belted, MOT August 14. £8,750 + VAT

16 passenger seats with 3 point seat belts, front entrance with lowered entry step, extra large boot, panoramic windows, parcel racks with reading lights and blown air, interior lighting with dim facility, CD sound system, tested to June 2014.

Full COIF with 8 months PSV/MOT, taxed until December, digital tachograph, 6 speed gearbox, 3 rear seats can be removed (ensuring space for luggage),1 owner vehicle.

£21,995 + VAT Call Karl at Whitegate Travel Tel: 01606 786833 Mobile: 07841 110426

AFJ Travel – 07947 152763

£14,000 Milligans Coach Travel 01290 550365

Chalkwell Coach Hire 01795 423982 andy.bates@chalkwell.co.uk

2005 Optare Solo M950 SLF 9.5m

VOLVO B12B

2003 Setra 315 GTHD

2002 Bova Futura • Air con • Toilet • DVD • Monitor x 2 • Eminox euro 4 • 49 seats • Green cloth • Long MOT

£50,000 + VAT

L.J. Edwards – 07974 369570

£13,250 + VAT o.n.o.

33 seats + 17 standees, Mercedes engine, Hanover LED. £32,000 + VAT – CHOICE OF 3 Southdown PSV 01342 711840 email: bussales@southdownpsv.co.uk www.southdownpsv.co.uk

375,604 miles, PSV 25/4/13, taxed 31/3/13, full service history.

£120,000

Contact William on 07733 914050

49 seat with retractable belts, low mileage, seat back tables, footrests, centre toilet, power door, air con, webasto, cool box and boiler 2 x monitors and DVD, radio cassette, LEZ exhaust, great drive.

£53,500 + VAT ono

Paul Watson Travel paul.watson9@btconnect.com

Telephone Jade Cassidy on 01733 293247 or email jade.cassidy@coachandbusweek.com www.coachandbusweek.com

November 13, 2013 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 43

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2003 Alexander Dennis Enviro 300 SLF 12m

44 seats + 27 standees, DDA compliant, 12 months MOT. £27,500 + VAT Southdown PSV 01342 711840 email: bussales@southdownpsv.co.uk www.southdownpsv.co.uk

1996 Volvo Olympian

2009 Setra 416GTHD

2011 Irizar PB

June 2009, 49 seats, toilet/servery, 2 DVD screens, Euro 5.

December 2011, 59 seats, toilet/servery, 3 DVD screens, Euro 5.

Converted to an open top bus, Cummins engine, Voith automa c gearbox, 78 seats, MOT Jan 2014.

POA

Warrington Borough Transport 01925 634296 I.Parker@networkwarrington.co.uk

1998 Volvo B10M Caetano Enigma

1984 Leyland Tiger Van Hool Alizee

49 seats with retractable belts, monitor, DVD, radio, cassette, taxed and tested, has air-con but needs re-gas + belts, needs t.l.c. but good motor.

COI MOT until May 2014 and taxed until end of March 2014, finished in white with very nice red interior, 53 belted seats, window blinds, a very clean and tidy coach.

£150,000

£190,000

Buzzlines Travel - 01303 261870

Buzzlines Travel - 01303 261870

2003 Volvo Plaxton Panther

2006 (56) Volvo B12B Plaxton Panther

53 seats, blue multi-colour interior, air con, LCD screen, rear toilet, LEZ compliant.

49 seat executive, DDA 1 front entrance, PLS wheelchair lift, air con, full leather recliners, rear N/S floor mounted toilet, Euro 4 LEZ compliant, sold with new MOT.

£59,950 + VAT ovno

£15,500 + VAT ono

£4,500 + VAT

Paul Watson Travel paul.watson9@btconnect.com

Country Bus Devon Tel Nick on 01626 833668

Arriva Bus & Coach 01274 681144

Llew Jones – 07795 347476 or steve@llewjones.com

2003 DAF SB4000 Ayats Atlantis

1998 Volvo B10M Berkhof Axial 50

2007 Mercedes 819 Plaxton Cheetah

2003 Volvo Jonckheere B12M Mistral 50

49 seats, WC, aircon, six speed ZF manual gearbox, first reg 14/04/98, MOT 07/03/14, only one previous owner

29 seats, 310,000 miles, air con, reclining seats, extremely large luggage capacity, used on feeder and tour work only, 2 owner drivers from new, 22 miles to the gallon, 160 HP chipped to 190, internally very good condition.

53 passenger seats, 12 months MOT, 527,071kms, interior & exterior in excellent condition, vigorously maintained (records available).

£19,950

£49,995

New Horizon Travel: 01206 255255

Greenfields Travel – 01709 891444

53 seat executive, ZF Auto, 380 hp, air con, underfloor toilet, DVD (2 screens), power lockers, MOT till March, real eye catcher.

£29,950 + VAT – PX welcome

Llew Jones – 07795 347476 or steve@llewjones.com

POA

£39,950 + VAT ono Star Coaches Limited Martin 07831 265804 Adam 0121 350 5555

Telephone Jade Cassidy on 01733 293247 or email jade.cassidy@coachandbusweek.com 44 | COACH & BUS WEEK | November 13, 2013

www.coachandbusweek.com

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2005 (55) MAN 14.220 MCV Evolution

40 seat SLF service bus, newly repanelled and repainted, 12 months MOT to October 2013, Hannover LED destination, excellent condition, drives superb.

Page 45

1995 Scania K113 VanHool Alizee

Mercedes 814D Euro Coach

2003 Mercedes Citaros

Converted this year to 70 seater using Cogent seats with 3 point belts, tea machine, TV/DVD.

PSV 12/5/13, taxed 30/4/13, full service history.

Llew Jones – 07795 347476 or steve@llewjones.com

£27,500 Milligans Coach Travel 01290 550365

£58,000

38 + 34 standees, LEZ complaint, full DDA, dual door, Hanover LEDs, CCTV, in good condition, very low mileage (240,000 – 260,000 km), 1 year’s MOT. Choice of 6 (5 x 53 plate and 1 x 03 plate). £40,000 each + VAT

Contact William on 07733 914050

yourbus – 01773 714013

1997 Volvo Olympian open top bus

2008 MAN Auto Ayats

Setra 315 GTHD

2001 Salvador Caetano

51 seat full executive, owned from new, choice of 2, real head turner, used on tour programme, low mileage @ 240,000kms, a lot of coach for the money, looks great and great value at just...

6 speed manual, 49 seater executive, MOT April 2014 (LEZ, Eminox system).

£25,950 + VAT ovno

Alexander Dennis body, P reg, 75 seats, fitted with a PA system, new MOT on purchase.

Only 2 remaining.

Bath Bus Company 01225 330444

£39,000

70 seats + driver and crew with 3 point belts, 3+2 config, auto, air-con, good runner, inspection welcome, ready for work. £40,000 + VAT

Williams Coaches 01874 622223

Steve 0161 775 0800/07445 266345 operations@travel-master.co.uk

2005 Setra 315GTHD

2002 Iveco Beulas Stergo

£82,500+VAT - P/X considered

Tel: Adrian on 07717 768315

1999 Mercedes Benz 814 Plaxton

• Automatic

27 coach seats with 3 point belts, perfect for school bus and private hire, MOT till April 2014, manual with power door and private plate.

£8,995 + VAT Call Karl at Whitegate Travel Tel: 01606 786833 Mobile: 07841 110426

2004 Mercedes Benz Optare Solera

39 reclining seats, air conditioning, owned from new, MOT until September 2014.

1 ) 0 5 0 4

" / %

' 6

$ 0 0 6 3

" 4

4 5 " / % " 3 %

0 /

"

7 & ) * $ &

' 0 3

4 " &

" % 7 & 3 5 * 4 & .& / 5 4

2003 Bova Futura • Air con • Toilet • DVD • Monitor x 2 • Full exec spec • Eminox euro 4 • 49 seats • Green cloth • Manual • Long MOT

P.O.A.

£55,000 + VAT

Lakeside Coaches - 01691 622761

L.J. Edwards – 07974 369570

• Air con

LEZ

COMPLIANT

• Toilet

49 seat exec, toilet, boiler, cooler, DVD, 2 x monitors, Mercedes engine, A/S Tronic gearbox, intarder, air conditioning, Webasto, alloy wheels, owned & maintained by us from new, repaint by arrangement. Choice of 2.

£62,500

• Monitor x 2 • Non LEZ • Long MOT

£30,000 + VAT

Clarkes of London Call Andy Nixon – 020 8768 9612

L.J. Edwards – 07974 369570

2003 Neoplan Starliner

1999 Dennis Dart SLF

38 leather seats around tables, Sky TV/DVD entertainment system, 7 screens, toilet, kitchen, sockets throughout, automatic. £39,995 + VAT

Steve 0161 775 0800/07445 266345 operations@travel-master.co.uk

COID and MOT until May 2014, painted blue and white with blue seats which were retrimmed approx 2 years ago, a reliable and well maintained vehicle, choice of two sister vehicles available.

£5,000 + VAT o.n.o

Country Bus Devon Tel 01626 833664/07872 839530

Telephone Jade Cassidy on 01733 293247 or email jade.cassidy@coachandbusweek.com www.coachandbusweek.com

November 13, 2013 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 45

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2 x 2003 SETRA 315 GT-HD

1992 Leyland Lynx

2002 Volvo B12M Plaxton Paragon

2008 Optare Solos

Cummins L10 engine, ZF gearbox.

Sold for spares – 2 available.

12.2 long, wheelchair accessible, ZF auto, 53 seats + loo, side lift, retrimmed 2012, good condition. £35,000

Merc Euro 4 engines, Mobitech LED’s, one M880 28 seats and one M950 31 seats.

07802 235778 / 0151 547 2713

Lewis Travel – 020 8858 0031

EnsignBus 01708 865656

2006 Transit Tourneo

1999 Mercedes Optare Solo M850

Scania Omnicity TFL DD

2001 Mercedes Benz Soroco

9 seater, air con, alloy wheels, electric windows/mirrors, radio/CD, FSH, 74,000 miles, immaculate, choice of 2, viewing in London.

26 + standees, automatic box, DDA compliant with Mobitec display, 8 camera CCTV system and Traffilog tracking and diagnostics fitted.

MOT to March 2014.

£7,250 + VAT – PX considered

Ex-rental, Euro 4, 22 seats lower, 41 upper deck, 1 x wheelchair, 25 standees, Voith auto, air-con, wheelchair ramp, DDA compliant, Mobitech destination, CCTV, single door option, repaint option, MOT 2013, choice of 9.

£8,500

PURCHASE OR RENTAL OPTIONS

Crystals Coaches Ltd 020 8960 8800/07971 000111

Bakers Dolphin 01934 422400 or 07788 101631

Santander Used Assets 07753 712444

2008 Mercedes Sitcar Marlin 1022

1992 Leyland Lynx

LEZ compliant, 49 seaters with toilet, fridge, drinks, air-con, DVD, all usual extras, good clean condition, long MoTs, taxed. £48,000 + VAT each ONO

Tel : 07771 561 060

More pics : www.bluebirdcoaches.com

33 seats + guide + driver with 3 point belts, finished in moquette, double glazing, A/C, radio/CD/PA, full draw curtains, aisle carpet, fridge, saloon heater, 4.5m2 luggage storage.

POA

Offers invited for engine & gearbox or bus

Cummins L10 engine, ZF gearbox.

Sold for spares – 2 available.

Offers invited for engine & gearbox or bus

1 ) 0 5 0 4

" / %

' 6

$ 0 0 6 3

" 4

4 5 " / % " 3 %

0 /

"

7 & ) * $ &

' 0 3

4 " &

" % 7 & 3 5 * 4 & .& / 5 4

07802 235778 / 0151 547 2713

2003 (03) Mercedes 814 Plaxton Cheetah

2006 Transit Tourneo

2008 MAN 14:240 MCV Evolution

9 seater, SWB, low roof, air con, alloy wheels, electric windows, mirrors, radio/CD, FSH, 74,000 miles, MOT May, immaculate.

Choice of 2, viewing in London.

43 seats + 22 standees, auto box, 3 point belts, DDA compliant with Mobitec display, 8 camera CCTV system,Traffilog tracking & diagnostics, well maintained with long MOT, 4 available.

Lewis Travel – 020 8858 0031

16 seats with belts, curtains, luggage racks, analogue tacho, radio and large boot – nice condition, MOT August 2014. £6,500 + VAT

Glen Valley Tours – 01668 281578

Now in stock and available for a fast delivery

EVM Direct – 0845 5205160

Automatic, 25 reclining seats, LEZ box, table, air conditioning, good condition. £25,000 + VAT

POA

16 full size coach seats with three point belts, rear double and single on quick release, skirt kit and front bumper modification, luggage racks with integrated blown air and reading lights, curtains, roof hatch/sunroof, digital tachograph, COIF, wheeltrims and driver’s lockers. £28,995

UK Minicoaches – 01902 631507

£7,250 + VAT – PX considered

£47,500

Crystals Coaches Ltd 020 8960 8800/07971 000111

Bakers Dolphin 01934 422400 or 07788 101631

1998 (R) Plaxton Premier

46 seats with rear toilet & servery, wheelchair lift, most seats on quick releases, takes upto approx. 10-12 fixed chairs, drives really well, tested to Jan. £12,000

Lewis Travel – 020 8858 0031

Telephone Jade Cassidy on 01733 293247 or email jade.cassidy@coachandbusweek.com 46 | COACH & BUS WEEK | November 13, 2013

www.coachandbusweek.com

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2006/7 Scania K340 Caetano Levante

49 seats, rear floor mounted WC, automatic gearbox, air conditioning, DDA compliant

To arrange a viewing call 07760 771285

www.coachandbusweek.com

November 13, 2013 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 47

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Ensig DOUBLE DECK 2010 ENVIRO 300 Cummins ISC Euro 5 engine, 12m, DDA, 44 seats, Hanover LED’s.

LEZ

COMPLIANT

1999/2000/2001 V/Y REG DENNIS TRIDENTS

Cummins/Voith, LEZ compliant for 2012 with traps to Euro 4, CCTV, Alexander ALX400 bodies, DDA compliant or upseated to 80 seats.

2005 NEOPLAN SKYLINER’S

2001 Y REG DENNIS DARTS

13.8m, MAN engines, 89 seats, toilet, air-con.

DDA, Cummins / Allison, Alexander ALX200 bodies, 8.8m, 27 seats.

2000/2001 X/Y REG VOLVO B7TL’S

1999 DENNIS TRIDENT

Cummins / Voith, Alexander ALX 400 lowheight body, 84 seats, LEZ compliant.

80 seats, Voith gearboxes, Euro 2 engines with traps, or full Euro 3 with traps, Plaxton President bodies, can be DDA with 78 seats.

1999 VOLVO B7TL’S

2008 OPTARE SOLOS

SWB, CCTV, particulate traps so LEZ compliant, Plaxton President bodies, dual door 62 seats or single door 71 seats.

Merc Euro 4 engines, Mobitech LED’s, one M880 28 seats and one M950 31 seats.

2000 VOLVO B7TL’s

ZF gearboxes, single door, 82 seats fully seated or 80 seats as DDA compliant, supplied with new MOT and COIF, new batch just arriving.

2010 VOLVO B7RLE’S Volvo Euro 5 engine, 12m, DDA, 45 seats, Hanover LED’s.

OPEN TOP BUSES A SPECIALITY -

Juliette Close, Purfleet Industrial Telephone 01708 865656 Fax: 01708 8 Visit our website for current s

681335-1113-Ensign:Layout 1

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nbus

K ER SPECIALIST 2004 DENNIS DARTS

2010 VOLVO B7R

Cummins ISB Euro 3 engine, Allison gearbox, Caetano bodies, 24 seats, 8.8 m, DDA.

ZF automatic, Euro 5, Plaxton Profile body, air-con, 53 seats, very low mileage, new MOT.

2008 SCANIA OMNICITY N230UD

64 seats, 2 door, Euro 4, can be converted to single door 75 seats.

2003 SCANIA OMNICITY CN94UB

2 door, Euro 3, ZF automatic, 37 seats, 12m, DDA.

2004 MERCEDES CITARO 12m, Euro 3, DDA, 42 seats.

2006 VOLVO B12B’S

Caetano Levante bodies, DDA compliant with lifts, 49 seats, toilet, air-con, recent re-trims, LEZ compliant.

2008 VOLVO B7RLE

Volvo Euro 5 engine, Optare Esteem body, 12m long, 43 seats, Hanover LED’s, low mileage.

2001/2002 DENNIS TRIDENTS

51 and 02 plate, Cummins Euro 3 ISC engines, LEZ, Plaxton President bodies, can be DDA, single door and 78 seats, or dual door 67 seats.

2009 ENVIRO 200

1997 DAF SB3000

Manual gearbox, Van Hool body, 53 seats.

2007 VOLVO B9TL

Cummins engine, Allison gearbox, 8.8m, 29 seats, Hanover LED’s.

Euro 4 Volvo engine, Wrights Eclipse Gemini body, 68 seats or 74 converted to single door.

2008 PLAXTON PRIMO

1998 R REG VOLVO OLYMPIANS

Euro 4 Cummins engines, 8.5m long, 28 seats, DDA, £24,000.

Volvo Euro 2 engines, ZF gearboxes, East Lancs bodies, 72 seats.

- BRITAIN’S BIGGEST BUS DEALERS Park, Purfleet, Essex, RM15 4YF 8 864340 e-mail: sales@ensignbus.com t stock at www.ensignbus.com

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FORD TRANSIT MINIBUSES (12) 2012 Ford Transit 17 seat minibus 135ps air-con, tacho, COIF/PSV £19,995 (12) 2012 Ford Transit 9 seat Shuttle twin side loading doors 18000 miles £12,995 (10) 2010 Ford Transit 17 seat minibus 2.4 diesel, six speed gearbox, tacho, 55,000 km £13,495

D SOL

(07) 2007 Ford Transit 17 seat minibus 2.4 diesel, six speed, one owner, 64,000 miles, FSH, COIF/PSV £9,950 + VAT (56) 2006 Ford Transit 17 seat minibus, high back seats with three point belts, COIF/PSV £8,995 (02) 2002 Ford Transit 2.4 diesel 3.5 ton, automatic gearbox, 8 seats, inboard Ricon wheelchair lift, rear heating, tracking to take 3 wheelchairs, overhead lockers £5,995

OTHER MAKES

New Peugeot Boxer 16 seat 3.5 ton and 17 seat w/chair accessible minibuses, 2.2 diesel 120ps, six speed gearbox LEZ COMPLIANT From £24,750 + VAT

(60) 2010 Renault Master 3.5 ton GVW 17 seat minibus, 2.3 diesel, six speed manual, high back seats, tacho, 38,000kms, sat-nav £15,995

(56) 2006 Peugeot Boxer 3.5 ton 17 seat LWB minibus, 2.8 diesel, high back seats with three point seat belts, 19,000 miles only £9,450 (56) 2006 Peugeot Boxer 3.5t on 17 seat minibus 2.8 diesel, high back seats with three point belts, 33,000 miles £8,995

OTHER MAKES

(54) 2004 LDV Convoy 17 seat school minibus, internal racks, roof rack, tachograph, 51,500miles, FSH £4,995 Renault Master 17 seat 2.8 diesel mini coach, full under floor luggage large boot, tachograph, COIF/PSV £5,995 + VAT

WHEELCHAIR ACCESS

(62) 2013 Citroen Berlingo Automatic, 8,000 miles only, low floor, lightweight ramp, electric reals, high spec £12,850

(11) 2011 Renault Master 17 seat 2.3 diesel six speed, tachograph, fully tracked floor inboard lightweight ramp, 37,000 kms £16,995 (06) 2006 Vauxhall Vivaro 1.9 cdti 9 seat, inboard lift, tracking for 2 wheelchairs, 45,000 miles £8,995 (57) 2007 Renault Master MWB 2.5TD 6 speed, tracking for two wheelchairs, in board lift, aircon, rear heating, 35,000 miles, one owner £12,495 (07) 2007 Fiat Doblo 1.4 petrol, 11,500 miles only, five speed manual, three seats plus wheelchair space, low floor, lightweight ramp, electric reals, air-con £6,995

D L O S

(05) 2005 Fiat Ducato 20ltr diesel SWB 6 Seat wheelchair accessible minibus, Unwin fully tracked floor to take two wheelchairs, lightweight fold out ramp, electric winch £3,995

(54) 2004 Renault Master 3.5 ton 2.5 Diesel, five speed manual gearbox,12 seats, tracking to take two wheelchairs, inboard lift, rear heating, low entry side step £6,995

(53) 2003 Renault Master SWB 2.3 diesel, inboard Ricon lift,tracking for two wheelchairs, electric side step £5,995

Contact Graham Thatcher – email: sales@minibussales.co.uk

Tel: 01633 485858 Mobile: 07866 443304

Pembridge House, The Park Business Centre, Plough Road, Goytre, Penperlleni, Nr Usk, South Wales NP4 0AL – 10 minutes from M4 motorway. Viewing by appointment only

Finance Contract Hire and Finance Lease Available. We deliver Nationwide. All vehicles prepared to VOSA standard COIF/PSV specialist

All above prices are subject to VAT @ 20%

682251-1113-Ventura

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698697-1111-Stafford

4/11/13

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FROM £9,950

£12,450

POA

VOLVO OLYMPIAN ALEXANDER 1996 P REG 74 seats with belts + 12 standing test expired hence £5,450

MERDECEDS 413CDI SPRINTER 2007 REG Uvg treka body, 16 seats or upto 6 wheelchairs, low miles and PSV tested £21,950

£13,940

MERCEDES 413 D SPRINTER 2004 REG Extra long body with 16 seats and huge full height boot, COIF and long MOT £13,950.00

£8.950 DENNIS DART PLAXTON MPD 1999/2000 WITH 29 SEATS AND UP TO 24 STANDING, DDA COMPLIANT, LARGE CHOICE INCLUDING MANY “SPD’S” DUE SOON FROM MAJOR BUS COMPANY, CAN BE PAINTED, BELTED ETC ORDER YOURS NOW FROM ONLY £4950 INC TYRES

p53_CBW_1113

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Wednesday November 28, 2012 Issue 1064 | £2.95 www.coachandbusweek.com

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November 13, 2013 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 53

699005-1113-Arriva

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698440-1113-Connaught

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Mini Coach Sales

BRAND NEW MERCEDES BENZ FERQUI SOROCO 19 high back seats, 3 point belts, A/C, D/G, forced air, reading lights and boot.

BRAND NEW MERCEDES BENZ FERQUI SOROCO 16 high back seats, 3 point belts, A/C, D/G, forced air, reading lights and boot.

MORE PHOTOS AND DETAILS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE:

2011 61 REG MERCEDES 513 CDI TRANSFER 16 high back seats, 3 point belts, A/C, parking sensors, side entry with automatic step, luggage space.

www.connaughtpsv.co.uk

2008 57 REG MERCEDES 613D VARIO 24 high back seats, 3 point belts, AC, forced air, reading lights, power door and boot.

2007 07 REG MERCEDES 814D VARIO MELLOR 33 high back seats, 3 point belts, forced air, reading lights, power door and boot.

2007 07 REG MERCEDES 515 CDI SOROCO 19 high back seats, 3 point belts, AC, DG, reading lights, power door, boot, silver metallic.

2006 06 REG MERCEDES 416CDI SPRINTER 16 high back leather trimmed seats, 3 point belts, 2 tables, AC, forced air, reading lights, coach back-end and boot.

2006 56 REG MERCEDES 413CDI SOROCO 16 high back seats, 3 point belts, AC, forced air, reading lights, power door and large boot.

2004 53 REG MERCEDES 413CDI SPRINTER 16 high back seats, 3 point belts, AC, reading lights, power door, new repaint into white.

2002 02 REG MERCEDES 416 CDI SOROCO 16 high back seats, 3 point belts, AC, power door, large boot.

2010 59 REG MERCEDES 515 CDI TRAVEL 45 16 high back reclining seats, 3 point belts, A/C, forced air, reading lights, DVD, power door & power step, coach rear, auto.

Steve Peach NEW Tel: 01405 814064 Mob: 07836 551020 Email: info@connaughtpsv.co.uk www.connaughtpsv.co.uk

p56_CBW_1113

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Page 56

49 reclining seats, manual, Euro 4, A/C, W/C, sat nav, DVD, 2 monitors

Setra ÂŁ69,000

31 reclining seats, manual, LEZ compliant, A/C, W/C, CD, Radio

MAXI 3, Iveco ÂŁ40,000

65 reclining seats, automatic, A/C, W/C ÂŁ30,000

49 reclining seats, AS Tronic gearbox, LEZ compliant, A/C, W/C, sat nav, reverse cam, DVD, 2 monitors ÂŁ95,000

61 reclining seats, AS Tronic gearbox, LEZ compliant, A/C, W/C, reverse cam, DVD, 2 monitors ÂŁ110,000

65 reclining seats, One Shift gearbox, LEZ compliant, disabled access, A/C, W/C, reverse cam, DVD, 2 monitors ÂŁ110,000

Jonckheere Mistral, MAN

Neoplan Euroliner, MAN

Plaxton Panther, MAN

Plaxton Panther, Volvo

For more information call Applegates Coaches on 01453 810314 www.applegatescoaches.com

Back to School Special

Sprinter 513 Cdi LWB 131 bhp. r 6OLGLQJ VLGH GRRU ZLWK (OHFWULF HQWU\ VWHS r 6HDWV 'ULYHU r ,Q 'DVK $LUFRQ r 6DORRQ $LUFRQ Optional Extra’s: r %RG\ &RORXUHG %XPSHUV r /XJJDJH UDFNV r %RG\ 6W\OH 3DFN r :KHHOFKDLU OLIW 2SWLRQ Contact.

Danny: T.(01293)852040 M.(0774)9103203 Peter: T.(01293)852025 M.(0771)5473354

56 | COACH & BUS WEEK | November 13, 2013

www.coachandbusweek.com

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VUgYWcUW\gU`Yg#Wc#i_ www.coachandbusweek.com

November 13, 2013 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 57

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ADVISORY SERVICES

If you would like further information please call 01543 897505 or visit www.lloydmorgangroup.co.uk

Vehicle Inspection & Maintenance Compliance Services

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• Supplied any width, any length

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• Finance available Phone for further information

BLUELINE BUILDINGS 01709 578333 anytime CHECKPOINTS

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For the time you need it.

Bus and Coach

01274 681144

busandcoachsales@arriva.co.uk www.arrivabusandcoach.co.uk

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HEATING

FLEET SALES

FUEL SAVING

RETIRING Heaters • A/C Equipment Blowers • Motors • Radiators Silicone Hose • Ducting Wiper Equipment • Gas Struts

Tel: 01993 849522 Fax: 01993 706920 Email: sales@thhs.co.uk

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UNIT 9 NIMROD BUSINESS PARK DE HAVILLAND WAY, WITNEY OX29 0YG

or

‘Stop Fuel Theft’

CHANGING

• Prevents access to tank, while allowing unrestricted filling

YOUR FLEET?

Contact Malcolm Harrison Auctions

01630 674326

auctions@malcolmharrison.co.uk

• Prevents trash being put into tank

MALCOLM HARRISON AUCTIONS

PARTS

• Wide range to suit most coach and bus fuel tanks

Contact JBL Mechanical Engineers Green Fields • Stanton • Shrewsbury • Shropshire SY4 4LR

Tel: 01939 251 351 • Fax: 01939 251 051 Mobile: 07831 332 913

• Full UK coverage • Same day local delivery

INSURANCE

• Next day national delivery • Official Irizar part distributor • All manufacturer parts supplier • Fast, efficient & 24/7

Tel: 01909 511349 www.master-part.co.uk

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The ABC of Parts Support Over 17,000 parts lines directly from stock.

Next day delivery as standard.

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SEATING

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BUCKINGHAM 3 & 2 • Ideal for 3 & 2 configurations • Ergonomic design for maximum support, comfort and legroom • Tried & tested: fitted into many new coaches as OEM • Full range of legs and fitting options make the Buckingham ideal for upseating to 70+ seats • Lighter weight makes easier for installation Prime Passenger Seating Limited 7 Canalwood Industrial Estate, Chirk, Wrexham LL14 5RL Telephone: 01691 898 665 Fax: 01691 770 798 Email: johnm@primeps.com

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SIGNWRITING

trim

COACH TRIMMERS LTD

Supplying the Bus and Coach Industry with quality seat retrims and interior refurbishment.

Full floors re-laid and centre gangways.

Collection and delivery service anywhere in the UK, seven days a week.

Email: info@eastgate-coachtrimmers.co.uk Web: www.eastgate-coachtrimmers.co.uk

Tel/Fax: 01751 472229 TRAINING

Sign Writing Services • School Signs – Hard Back with Suckers, Magnetic or Stick-on • Legal Lettering, Stickers, Notices & Signs • Full Colour Latex Vinyl Printing & Design Service • Vinyl Livery Cut & Posted ready to apply

Tel: 01884 290818 Mobile: 07583 334455 www.kjsupport.co.uk

VEHICLE SPARES

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TW FULLY LICENSED END OF LIFE VEHICLE CENTRE TW REDUNDANT AND SCRAP VEHICLES TAKEN TW PROFESSIONAL, EFFICIENT SERVICE TW ALL REQUIREMENTS CATERED FOR TW VARIOUS SPARES AVAILABLE TW CONTACT US FOR FULL AVAILABILITY

Call 01226 723147 Night Service 01226 716479 Fax 01226 700199 Email wigleys@btconnect.com

www.twigley.com

60 | COACH & BUS WEEK | November 13, 2013

www.coachandbusweek.com

Seen something funny? Send it to gareth.evans@coachandbusweek.com or write to: Last Stop, Coach & Bus Week, 3 The Office Village, Cygnet Park, Forder Way, Hampton, Peterborough PE7 8GX

Ensign’s true Mini Bus James was shown this rather unique vehicle on a visit to Ensign Bus’ Pur�leet premises last week, tucked away amongst various vehicles for sale and prized heritage gems.

Although it is clearly styled on the Routemaster, the ‘bus’ is barely six feet tall and while it does carry two decks, it technically isn’t a bus at all.

Ensign Bus Operations Director Ross Newman built the ‘Mini Routemaster’ for his two daughters using a 1963 British Leyland Mini, hence the name.

It might look like a model or fairground attraction of some kind but it is actually MOTed and fully roadworthy. The vehicle is licensed and insured as a mini, allowing it to be driven without a PCV licence as it is technically a car. Ensign has also assigned the �leet number ‘MRM1,’ for Mini Route Master 1, and it carries the registration ‘BNK217A’.

The Mini Routemaster can often be seen being driven around Ross’ home town of Southend, whether by himself or his wife, usually with a number of young passengers enjoying a ride on the open top deck.

Monday Press day. The familiar hectic day.

Tuesday Drop my car off for its service and MOT. Spend the day working remotely, which I always find productive as I don’t get any unwanted interuptions, enabling me to focus on writing. That said, I do enjoy a long overdue catch up with a West Midlands operator over the phone.

Wednesday A day in the office writing. Ring around to find out what operators are doing for armistice. Several also respond to our Facebook and Twitter postings too.

Maynes get onboard with Movember This year Maynes Coaches of Buckie, Moray, have registered a team of 15 to embrace the moustache and get on board with Movember.

Kevin Mayne, from the renowned Scottish operator, told CBW: “Our drivers, engineering team and directors can all be seen doing their bit for men’s health. We hope the levels and type of support behind the combined efforts of our team will play a vital role

Dilbert

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in helping achieve our vision of having an everlasting impact on the face of men’s health.

“We have also added moustaches to our �leet of coaches for a limited time to promote the cause throughout the month and are offering a prize for the best picture of a Maynes Movember coach spotted out and about - with special thanks to Ed Lamont Signs who has kindly donated the coach moustaches and signwriting.”

Kevin added: “The whole Maynes team is backing our Mo Bro adventure. Our admin team is even getting in on the act by supporting the guys their own way – see the picture on our facebook page.”

To donate to this important cause, and help Maynes’ team raise as much as it possibly can, search the Movember website for maynescoaches team page.

Alternatively, visit http:// uk.movember.com/team/1285037

Thursday Rise early to head to Gloucester, but my plan of beating the traffic is foiled when I hear there is a smash on the M6 near Corley Services, so divert via the A46. I’ve learned that when the overhead signs state ‘accident’ it means lengthy delays – they seem to just put ‘congestion’ if it’s a smaller shunt. Enjoy a warm welcome at Bennetts Coaches for an ‘Operator Profile’ feature, before heading to the Stagecoach depot to snap this week’s cover shot. Driver Paul Haughton, who positions the bus, is full of enthusiasm. Indeed, the same goes for the other staff at the depot, including engineering team member Neil and his colleague who’s name I didn’t catch but hails from Rhymney and is on the staff development programme. Drive home on a high – it’s very much one of those ‘feel good’ days.

Friday A manic day in the office working against the clock.

Complete my armistice ‘News Focus’ piece. Late in the day, my good friend Andrew Sherrington calls for a quick chat. He runs his presentation to the Friends of King Alfred Bus Group past me. I agree to supply him with some pics and also remind him of some details of stages earlier in our careers at Tanat Valley Coaches and Travel West Midlands. Happy days…

November 13, 2013 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 61 11/11/2013 19:30

HASSLE-FREE DRIVERS? Hire coach drivers when you need them.

No holiday, no absence, no NI – pay only for the hours you need them for.

We keep your wheels turning while your drivers are resting.

Call Del Haggerty Just Coach Drivers Ltd 07950 292939 www.justcoachdrivers.com

we require a

Commercial & Operations Manager

Do you aspire to make a difference?

We need a leader who can continue with the development and growth of the changing face of Damory buses.

3URIHVVLRQDOO\ DQG ZLWK FRQÀGHQFH \RX will deliver Damory into the commercial market whilst continuing the excellent partnership with the local authority.

Damory is a varied and interesting EXVLQHVV ZLWK VLJQLÀFDQW RSSRUWXQLW\ to expand and develop the portfolio of services throughout Dorset.

The right person will need a blend of both commercial and operational attributes alongside people skills to take this exciting challenge forwards.

An attractive salary and relocation package is on offer.

Please apply with a CV and covering letter explaining why you would be able to make a difference, by post to Diana Wilks, Human Resources Manager Go South Coast Towngate House 2-8 Parkstone Road Poole BH15 2PR or email your application to diana.wilks@gosouthcoast.co.uk

by Friday 6 December 2013

RECRUITMENT & PEOPLE DEADLINES Booking: Monday 5.00pm Full artwork: Monday 5.00pm CONTACT Ian Gillis T: 01733 293484 E: ian.gillis@coachandbusweek.com

Fiona Kerr appointed MD of First Glasgow First Glasgow has appointed Fiona Kerr as its new Managing Director – and Kenny Dickson, previously the company’s Engineering Compliance Manager, has been promoted to Engineering Director.

Fiona, who was formerly the Regional Finance Director for FirstGroup’s Scottish bus operations, said: “My priority is to encourage more people to use our buses. We’ve invested almost £25m in 151 brand new buses in the last 12 months alone, and have successfully introduced a brand new network, simpliCITY, which is providing our customers with better, more frequent bus services.

We’ll be increasingly customer focused as we make our services even more attractive to persuade more people to travel by bus.”

Regional MD for FirstGroup’s Scottish Bus Division, Neil Barker, said: “Fiona knows First Glasgow well and her determination, �lair and passion for customer service are a perfect �it to lead

Fiona Kerr the company into a new era.

With Fiona as MD, First Glasgow passengers can be con�ident services will continue to improve.”

Born and raised in Paisley Fiona, 35, began her career with PwC in Glasgow, qualifying as a Chartered Accountant before joining its corporate �inance team.

She later moved to John Menzies plc as Group Financial Controller, before becoming Regional Finance Director for FirstGroup’s Scottish Bus Division in 2010. She lives in the west end of Glasgow with her husband and two young children.

W O N T I U R C RE

FIRST FOR RECRUITMENT JOB ADVERTS EVERY WEEK

TESTIMONIAL

“

Many thanks for assisting with the vacancy that we placed in Coach and Bus Week.

We had a very good response to our advertisement for a Fleet Engineer and we have now employed a prime candidate into the position who is very qualified and fits the business model.

”

Mark Bowden, Director– Galleon Travel

DIDATES

GET YOUR VAC ANCY SEEN BY QUALIT Y CAN

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Full Colour as standard vacancies posted to www.coachandbusweek.com/jobs n Details of all vacancies posted to our Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin pages n

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Contact Ian Gillis – Tel: 01733 293484 Email: ian.gillis@coachandbusweek.com 62 | COACH & BUS WEEK | November 13, 2013 062_063_CBW1113_Peopl_Recruitment.indd 62

FREE!

www.coachandbusweek.com

11/11/2013 18:42

MD

In association with

First Cymru takes on new engineering apprentices First Cymru is taking on four new young recruits as engineering apprentices at its Port Talbot and Swansea bus depots.

The apprentices, all aged between 17 and 20 years old, started in their positions at the beginning of October and have started fully funded four year full-time apprenticeships. After their training is completed it is expected that many of them will stay on, perhaps to become the company’s engineering managers of the future.

The candidates are, trainee coach builder David Davies (17), fitter Jay Edwards (20), electrician Sally-Anne Sheldon (19), all from Swansea, and electrician Michael Conahan (19) from Neath.

Competition for the four apprenticeships was stiff, with First having received 445 applications.

Manchester Business School will provide the on-going training and education for the apprentices: It is already First’s educational institution of choice with many of its current staff and engineers receiving training there already.

The apprentices will attend classes at Manchester University (of which Manchester Business School is a part) six times each year for

around a week at a time.

Clare Dalton, First’s Staff Manager for Swansea, said: “I’m pleased to welcome all of our bright and switched-on new staff, who are now settling in well.

“Often, once they have joined the business, we find that our young engineers stay with us for a long time so it’s great to get new people and train them as we need to from the beginning. In fact, many of our current engineering managers started their careers as apprentices with First Cymru and have stayed with us ever since.”

Justin Davies, First Cymru’s

Andrew Tyldsley has been appointed to the new role of Head of Commercial at Go North East.

Andrew, who lives in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, will be responsible for all commercial, marketing and customer service activity and will report directly to Managing Director Kevin Carr.

Andrew was previously Commercial

Manager, having joined Go North East in 1995 when the company acquired OK Motor Services of Bishop Auckland. His career in the bus industry began in 1977 when he became a conductor in his native Manchester. Andrew is well known throughout the industry and is a member of the Omnibus Society’s northern branch committee.

The new apprentices started work with First Cymru in early October MD, said: “As one of the key local firms in the area, we’re proud to be taking on these young apprentices to join our team. Youth unemployment is a big concern for everyone at the moment – it’s important for young people to be given the right opportunities to develop themselves and their future prospects. Taking on these new recruits is part of First’s longterm aim to involve more local young people in the business. With a mixture of hands on learning and employment, an apprenticeship is a great way to make that transition from education to the work place.”

New Head of Commercial at Go North East

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Andrew Tyldsley

Giti Tire looks online with newly created e-commerce role

Giti Tire has appointed Neil Hendry to the newly created role of Internet Strategy and E-Commerce Manager - Europe.

Based at the company’s UK headquarters in Sandbach, Cheshire, Neil is responsible for the development of a coherent web and social media strategy to maximise internet presence throughout the continent.

Reporting directly to Richard Lyons, Managing Director Europe, he will also look at the implementation of possible e-commerce with partner dealers and customers to grow market share in each individual country.

With over 10 years experience in the digital industry, Neil joins from Canadean Custom Solutions, the flagship business information and market research brand for Progressive Digital Media, where he held the title of Managing Director. He has also previously held senior roles at Datamonitor and Michelin.

Lyons said: “Giti Tire has three key brands in Europe - GT Radial, Primewell and Runway - and the development of each requires the right people and a specific web strategy in each country to reach and assist dealers and customers.

To deliver this brief requires an excellent individual, and Neil fits the bill.

“This role is a strategic management position in an organisation committed to growth through the continuous development of its people, products and processes. I will utilise all my skills to make a tangible difference to the efficiency, results and profitability of the company.”

November 13, 2013 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 63 11/11/2013 18:42

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