Coach & Bus Week : Issue 1027

Wednesday March 14, 2012 Issue 1027 | ÂŁ2.95 www.coachandbusweek.com

COACH:

TECHNOLOGY:

megabus breaks new TomTom gets ringing ground into continental endorsement from European market p5 Coaches Excetera p24

BUS:

First agrees sale of North Devon ops to Stagecoach p6

INSIGHT:

Passenger Focus survey shows varying satisfaction levels p28

for recru i

Open days at Evobus stimulate coach trade

JOB ADV tment EVERY WERTS EEK

p20

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THIS WEEK

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

EDITORIAL Publisher Jonathan Taylor 01733 293240 jonathan.taylor@rouncymedia.co.uk Editor Gareth Evans 01733 293243 gareth.evans@rouncymedia.co.uk Industry Editor Meera Rambissoon 01733 293240 meera.rambissoon@rouncymedia.co.uk Technical & Minibus Editor Martin Cole 01733 293245, 07885 692144 martin.cole@rouncymedia.co.uk News Reporter James Day 01733 293244 james.day@rouncymedia.co.uk News Reporter Andrew Cream 01733 293240 andrew.cream@rouncymedia.co.uk Art Director Keith Simpson Contributors Richard Charnley, Gabriel Conway, Alan Payling

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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 Rouncy Media Ltd.

Fuelling a debate

L

ast Wednesday I was invited to take part in a debate about the cost of fuel on Taror’s Post, the popular lunchtime show on BBC Radio Cymru, the Welsh language radio Wales.

I flew the flag for the bus & coach industry and said how as part of part my job I frequently take photos of the prices at the pumps to illustrate price rises. I cited Shell in Porthmadog, which in January 2011 was selling unleaded at 122.9 and diesel at 127.9. It’s frightening how much it has increased in a year... However, an economist from Aberystwyth University said raising the price of fuel will not hit the economy. While we’re all entitled to our own opinions, I don’t know what pills he’s on. The Conservative MP who was also part of the discussion, was clearly following the party whip - no sympathy at all for industry, never mind society as a whole.

Trying to deflect criticism, he said the Welsh BSOG cut was decided by a Labour administration in Cardiff. I felt he failed

to answer my point about the fuel duty rise being a further hammer blow to our industry. He was also having none of it when I talked about inflation and how it hits EVERYONE in society. He said the funding had to come from somewhere etc. Sadly we ran out of time for me to ask the MP why the overseas aid budget remains so sacred... There’s always next time.

On a final perhaps more positive note, with just a week to go it’s timely to remind you about the Young Bus Managers Network conference, which takes place in Brighton on March 21/22. It’s being offered at the same price as last year’s event - just £144.50 +VAT for your place at the event, evening meal, refreshments and overnight accommodation on the Wednesday evening at the Lansdowne Place Hotel in the centre of Brighton. A nonresidential package is also available. Visit www. youngbusmanagers.org.uk. I look forward to seeing you there.

Gareth Evans Editor

CONTENTS 4

28

38

The latest from across the coach and bus industry in the UK

18

Results and reactions to second bus passenger survey in England

32

Jonathan Bray believes there is hope for bus funding after all

...From tourist attractions and events. Plus ideas for group visits

20

A ‘jaunty’ shot of Norfolk Green and First East buses in Kings Lynn

34

Employment Tribunals make important rulings on TUPE

The rundown on last week’s Evobus UK’s Spring Open Days

24

A look at two suppliers of bus & coach glazing products

36

A lighthearted look at the industry.

Plus Gareth’s Diary!

TomTom’s WORKsmart gets top marks after Coaches Excetera trial

New coaches for Leons, Anita’s and Browns - plus a hybrid for UNO

All the latest people moves from across the industry

News

Tour News

News Focus

Tom Tom to the top

Passenger Focus The Big Picture

Essential Guide Deliveries

pteg Column

41

Legal Update

62

Last Stop

63

People

For all the latest industry news and information, register with us online at:

www.coachandbusweek.com www.coachandbusweek.com

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4 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 14, 2012

news

“So the good news is, investment in transport is now seen as a fiscally respectable way of keeping the economy from stalling... ” Jonathan Bray

briefly Entries are now welcomed for the Annual Awards for Excellence from The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT). Categories relevant to the bus and coach sector include Passenger Transport, Young Manager of the Year, Environmental Improvement, Development of People, Transport Policy and Planning. For details, visit the awards section of the Institute’s web site www.ciltuk.org.uk or call 01536 740151.

The 1st Annual Transport Health and Wellbeing Conference is being held on Tuesday, April 24, at Hallam Conference Centre in London, with Norman Baker as keynote speaker.

The aim of the conference is to bring together transport and health policy makers, practitioners, and stakeholder groups to explore key challenges and explore ways of working together to deliver the objective of “Promoting Health through Transport”. The event is being organised by PTRC Training.

Visit www.ptrc-training.co.uk for more information. Any questions should be directed to Bini Kaur at bini.kaur@ptrc-training.co.uk Nexus has held a series of meetings with business and community leaders in Tyne and Wear to discuss proposals to change the way bus services are planned and delivered.

Nexus organised the Bus Strategy engagement meetings on behalf of Tyne and Wear Integrated Transport Authority (ITA) and the five local authorities. The ITA asked Nexus to look at the relative merits of a Quality Contracts Scheme, based on local franchising of bus services, or new Voluntary Partnership Agreements with operators, to see if they would bring improvements for passengers. Tobyn Hughes, Nexus director of customer services, said: “We have carried out an informal engagement programme to explain more about this important project. If we take these proposals further then we will carry out a full and detailed public consultation, involving the whole community, at the right time.” There is more information about the Bus Strategy at www.nexus.org.uk/busstrategy www.coachandbusweek.com

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pteg Column p38

Stagecoach set to acquire First’s North Devon operations The £2.8m sale, if approved, will include Barnstaple battleground and take place this summer FirstGroup has signed an agreement with Stagecoach to sell off its North Devon operations, pending approval from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), for £2.8m.

If the sale is approved, the transfer of operations under First’s Devon & Cornwall subsidiary to Stagecoach South West will take place in the summer and include approximately 30 vehicles, which operate on 10 routes in North Devon, First’s depot facility in Barnstaple and all staff of around

100 in their existing roles.

Barnstaple has been something of a battleground between the two groups, with Stagecoach running services from a Barnstaple depot since 2006. First said the decision “reflects our plan to keep the shape and size of our operations under review”. “Although these are difficult decisions, the actions we are taking now will help us to better position the UK Bus business for the future.

“Our decision is therefore a business-driven one and does not reflect on the effort, commitment or individual performance of the staff in North Devon. We will be fully supporting them as they transfer to

For a town in the heart of sheep farming country, the North Devon capital of Barnstaple is perhaps the last place one would expect head-to-head competition between two large operators

Inaugural CILT bus and coach lecture The Bus and Coach Forum of The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) is holding a Great Bus Debate which aims to debate how the industry should work to develop a vision for the future.

The issues which will be covered include the reductions to BSOG, the localism agenda and opportunities

like the 2012 Olympics.

Peter Hendy CBE, CILT(UK) president and commissioner, Transport for London and Giles Fearnley, MD, UK Bus division, FirstGroup Plc, will discuss and debate their visions for the future of the urban bus over the next 10 years at an event near the Olympics Park in Stratford on March 22.

The debate will form part of a ‘three in one’ forum event.

Attendees will go on an escorted tour of the Olympic Park followed by the launch of the 2012 UK Bus Awards.

their new employer.”

Commenting on the decision, Tim O’Toole, First chief executive, said: “The sale of our North Devon operations marks a further step in our programme to pursue selective asset and business disposals as part of our strategy to review the scope of our business as we position our UK Bus division for the longer term.

We remain focused on developing the opportunities which exist to transition to increased growth within our networks through investment in staff, systems, new vehicles and technology while retaining our strong cost discipline.”

Les Warneford, MD of Stagecoach UK Bus, said: “Stagecoach has a long tradition of operating high quality services for people in the southwest of England and attracting people out of their cars.

“We believe our acquisition of the North Devon business would deliver a more sustainable combined bus network for the long term. It would protect and improve services for the local community, help support future investment in better vehicles and offer good value fares for customers.”

Speaking at the launch of First’s new manifesto and localised approach, Giles Fearnley, First UK Bus MD, referred to an imminent disposal: “not a huge one” and one which “won’t surprise anybody when announced” (CBW1021).

Austin Birks, CILT Bus and Coach Forum chairman, said: “This is a rare and exciting event giving forum members and others the opportunity to take part in a lively debate about the future of their sector and to hear the views of two highly experienced bus industry professionals.”

The free event is being held from 1700 to 2100hrs on March 22.

For more information, ring 01536 740104 or email membership@ciltuk.org.uk quoting event code BCF004.

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Join the discussion on Twitter by following us at @cbwtweets and find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/coachandbusweek

NX MD tweets from UK coach tour National Express’ Coaches MD Andrew Cleaves has embarked on his second week-long coach tour of Britain this week to experience the company’s customer service first hand. He intends to meet customers and staff and will be tweeting his experiences as he goes.

Andrew will travel the length and breadth of National Express’ coach network including Lille in France, Liverpool, London and Kent. He believes it’s the only tour of its kind undertaken by the MD of a major transport business.

Andrew said: “I spend a lot of time visiting National Express locations around the UK, but it’s usually one journey at a time. I want to dedicate some quality time to travelling around Britain by coach to meet passengers and staff and travel on the service as our customers do. It’s so important to get the real experience.”

Andrew added: “I want to experience what’s great and what’s not so great about the service we offer to continue to build on our success. I am committed to addressing any issues I encounter but will also celebrate the examples of great customer service which I know I’ll see.”

Andrew Cleaves’ Twitter account can be followed @NX_MD

Andrew Cleaves is passionate about his work – something which was all too prominent in last summer’s Face to Face interview when he was pictured at Victoria Coach Station

megabus expands service to include continental Europe megabus.com, which has operations in the UK and North America, has plans to expand into continental Europe and establish a low-cost coach link between Paris, Boulogne, Brussels and Amsterdam.

The company is also set to provide new routes to these locations from Birmingham and Leicester, which travel through Milton Keynes, Coventry and London. The new network also offers overnight services and connections available on megabus. com from other locations in England – including Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield – as well as

Scotland and Wales.

Steven Stewart, director of corporate communications, informed CBW that no third party operators are involved and the network is managed from Stagecoach’s centrally-located depot in Rugby. £2.5m has been invested in a fleet of 10 new 49-seater two-axle 12.2m-long Plaxton Panther-bodied Volvo B9Rs, which will be equipped with free Wi-Fi and toilets.

Bookings for the new services through www.megabus.com opened on March 8, with the first services running from April 16.

£2.5m has been invested Fares are accompanied by a 50p booking fee, start at £1 and include the cost of crossing the Channel.

French and Dutch language websites trading in Euros are also set to be launched.

Sir Brian Souter, chief executive of Stagecoach Group, said: “megabus.com has already transformed inter-city travel in the UK and North America with

great value fares and high-quality coaches. Our new network in Europe will bring our brand to a huge new market at a time when everyone is looking to make their money go further. Whether you are a student heading off back-packing, a family looking for a low-cost holiday, or a tourist looking to see some of Europe’s great cities, fares from just £1 mean megabus. com offers unbeatable value. We are excited about taking megabus. com to the next stage and we’re sure it will be as popular in France, Belgium and the Netherlands as we’ve seen it be elsewhere.”

The new services look set to compete with National Expressowned Eurolines, which also offers competitive fares from the UK to continental Europe.

www.coachandbusweek.com

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news › BUSeS

27

Number of former London double-decker Plaxton President bodied Volvos acquired by EYMS

briefly First Aberdeen has introduced a new return ticket for March designed for passengers on its late night Friday and Saturday services.

Priced at £5, the fare is aimed at making it easier for passengers to get into the city centre and home again afterwards. The ticket, which can be purchased on any First service after 1800hrs from the driver, is valid for a return journey on any late night service on Friday and Saturday evenings.

It means customers can avoid the usual £3 flat single fare charged after midnight on their journey home. The operator re-launched its late night network in October 2011.

On Thursday, March 8, Xelabus launched its new X13 and X14 routes for the Southampton districts of Portswood, Bitterne Park, Chatwell Green, Mansbridge and Swaythling. The services provide a new off-peak link to the city centre. Eight councillors attended the launch, alongside His Worship the mayor and John Denham MP. The new Sainsbury’s store manager for Portswood was also in attendance. Phil Blair, company director for Xelabus, said:”We really do intend to put back a bus service for the community in the city and if this is successful we will be looking at other districts.”

Network Warrington will be operating a number of different demonstration buses over the next month in order to assess the features of the vehicles prior to ordering some new buses this year – the first is a Door Forward Wright Streetlite. MD David Squire explained: “We took a break from buying any new buses in the last financial year.

However, we are budgeting to buy a number of new buses this year. We’re looking for feedback from our customers, both positive and negative about these buses.

We’ll then discuss the comments received from both customers and our staff with the vehicle manufactures, before deciding which bus type will be best suited to our needs over the coming years.” www.coachandbusweek.com

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Fixed pot for Norfolk bus concessions £11m limit enforced on concessionary fares as council funding gap expected to rise to £4m Norfolk County Council (NCC) and local bus operators have agreed to cap the annual reimbursement for concessionary bus fares to just under £11m for the next two years.

Council officers said a fixed pot provides some stability when calculating how much is required to fund concessionary bus fares.

Last year, NCC took over responsibility for reimbursing bus operators for free travel by concessionary bus pass holders, but has been fighting ever since for more money to cover the cost.

The council last year had £7.2m to reimburse operators, but the cost of paying them was just over £10m, meaning the council had to provide an extra £3m to plug the gap for

2011/12. This figure is expected to rise to £4m for 2012/13.

The council has, through its Fair Fares campaign, tried to convince the government to provide extra cash to cover the shortfall.

A petition signed by 23,500 people was handed to transport minister Norman Baker last month.

While he ruled out a lump sum to help NCC, he agreed to investigate the way funding is calculated.

Graham Plant, NCC cabinet member for planning and transportation, said officers and bus operators deserved credit for the common sense approach: “The officers, particularly Tracy Jessop, the council’s assistant director of travel and transport services, have done a superb job.

“They’ve come up with an agreement which means we can look at the budgets with a bit more

Norfolk Green MD Ben Colson says the blame lies solely with the DfT

Reduced Connexions in Yorkshire Connexions Buses, the trading name of Harrogate Coach Travel, has announced it is to reduce the frequency of its core RiponBoroughbridge-York service due to the 20% cut in BSOG from April 30.

Craig Temple, MD at Connexions Buses, told CBW: “We’ve run on this

route since the establishment of the firm in 2002 and, from 20072011, ran a bus every hour. Half of these were subsidised by North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC), and the other half were provided commercially by us to augment the tendered service (guaranteed by us for the duration of the tender).

During this period, passenger numbers increased and customer satisfaction levels were very high.

“In April 2011, NYCC awarded the four-year contract to Eddie Brown Tours, but we persevered

certainty. With no cap we would have to keep dipping into money from elsewhere.”

Steve Challis, MD of Go-Ahead Group-owned konectbus, told CBW: “There are arguments for and against in any situation but here I think we have the best outcome we could hope for. Operators can always do with more money but this is a bad situation for Norfolk too. The real benefit for us is we now know where we are.”

Ben Calson, MD of Norfolk Green, was more critical. He said: “The proposed new cap is an improvement but is still short of the reimbursement level in 2010.

Meanwhile running costs and fuel prices have increased, while BSOG has been cut.

“The real problem is the withdrawal of the special allowance for tourist areas. We’re having the same problem as Cornwall, where a large amount of our concessionary passengers are visitors, and the DfT are not willing to properly fund tourist areas. The blame lies solely on the doorstep of the DfT.” To cut down on some of the costs for concessionary bus fares, NCC dropped an extra discretionary hour, which had been offered when the district councils were responsible for concessionary fares.

It means passes are now valid from 0930 to 2330hrs. However, an exception has been made for blind people and companions of disabled people, after an extra £51,000 was found to retain the extra hour for them. with our very marginal commercial operation. Sadly, the BSOG cut, and NYCC’s tender policy has resulted in us halving our service on school days, and the complete removal of it on school holidays.

“It hasn’t been an easy decision, but we can’t continue without some financial assistance,” added Temple.

He said routes 142/3 are the only services which run through 15 villages between Ripon and York, and have a regular clientele of elderly passengers who have no other method of travel.

12/03/2012 21:37

£2.8m

The amount for which First’s North Devon operations are to be sold to Stagecoach

27 ex London deckers for EYMS EYMS Group has become the latest operator to acquire a number of ex London double deck buses as part of its fleet replacement programme.

From Volvo Bus the firm has bought 27 Plaxton Presidentbodied Volvo B7s, which were new in 2002/3. Of these, 20 are being refurbished by Coach Parts Direct of Leyland, Lancashire and 22 are being converted to single door, retrimmed and modified to full DDA specification.

The other five have been refurbished and converted in the EYMS workshops to open-top format for use on Scarborough seafront services later this year, the company having sold to Estonia its existing five open-top double decks based on 1989 Volvo B10M chassis.

However, these five buses will retain their centre door, as lower deck capacity is not important and EYMS believes the move will speed up boarding and alighting, which often takes place simultaneously at each end of the seafront route.

EYMS chairman, Peter Shipp, said: “Fortunately due to very heavy investment in new buses since privatisation in 1987 we are well on the way to achieving the final DDA deadline at the end of 2016 and

10.4bn

March 14, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 7

The total number of trips made on North American public transport in 2011

these 27 buses will take us another big step towards this target.

“Like many operators, we are naturally wary of the costs and maintenance issues associated with Euro 6 and this big intake of second-hand buses will give us breathing space.

“Once all these refurbished buses are in service by May, we will have only 34 buses left in the Group which are not wheelchair accessible and I suspect that as the BSOG cut and the next fuel tax rise kick in,

further service cuts will regrettably take care of some of these. Many of the earlier lowfloor models will require upgrading to full DDA compliance and we will spread these modifications between now and December 2016.

“Four of the refurbished buses will go to Finglands where they will replace 1996 Volvo double deckers. The others will go to East Yorkshire’s fleet and replace Volvo double deckers dating mainly from 1994 to 1996.”

News6-7.indd 7

Industry share prices at the close of the Stock Exchange on Monday, March 12. 21st Century saw the greatest proportional rise while Optare experienced the biggest proportional drop.

Most figures obtained from www.iii.co.uk

313.10p

Price: Year High: 574.37p Year Low: 257.70p

285.60p

Price: Year High: 416.90p Year Low: 285.60p

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Price: Year High: 1540p Year Low: 1034p

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Price: Year High: 272.10p Year Low: 203.85p

One five Plaxton President-bodied Volvo B7s which have been converted to open top, sporting the bright new livery for the seafront fleet, using the fleet colours of burgundy and cream and based on a design submitted by a school pupil in Bridlington in the late seventies and used on much earlier EYMS open top buses

trent barton’s smartcard milestone Mango, the smartcard used by trent barton has reached a milestone following the announcement a quarter of all passenger journeys are paid for using the card.

Customers can pay in advance of their journey and entitling them to 25% off every single fare.

There are now more than 30,000 Mango holders across the region, making it one of the most popular travel-card schemes in the country.

Gillian Merron, chairman of Bus Users UK, recently joined trent barton staff and customers at a special event in Derby to celebrate an important milestone for the card initiative. “People in Derby are obviously really liking what mango

SHARE WATCH

263.85p

Price: Year High: 281.90p Year Low: 158.30p

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15.88p

Cutting a celebratory cake are trent barton MD Jeff Counsell, Gillian Merron and the firm’s Mr Mango mascot and commercial director Alex Hornby has to offer. The response so far has been fantastic,” she said.

Alex Hornby, trent barton’s commercial director, explained: “Whilst Mango is over three years

old, this pioneering payment and discount system is going strong, with nearly 6.5m journeys made by thousands of our customers since it was introduced.”

Price: ■ Year High: 16.60p Year Low: 5.75p

+5.10 on last week

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FTSE 100

5893

Price: Year High: 6,105 Year Low: 4,790

+18 on last week

www.coachandbusweek.com

12/03/2012 21:38

8 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 14, 2012

news › coaches

“We always do well at these sort of events. Over the years people have grown to expect good deals which sometimes stretch into the following week.”

Mike Beagrie Evobus UK

briefly Work to repair and refurbish Bridstow Bridge near Ross-on-Wye, which carries the A40 trunk road over the River Wye, was expected to start on Monday March 12 and should be completed by early September, subject to favourable weather conditions. The majority of the activity will take place between 0700 and 1900 on weekdays, and between 0800 and 1300hrs on Saturdays. To minimise the impact on drivers, lane restrictions will be in effect.

However, there may be a need to close the carriageway overnight at certain points during the scheme. The Highways Agency said diversions will be clearly signposted.

Resurfacing works on the A500 at Barthomley was due to start on Friday (March 9).

The work, which takes place on the southbound carriageway, is due to be completed in two weeks. All activity will take place between 2000 and 0600hrs to minimise disruption for road users. During the work, the southbound carriageway on the A500 will be closed overnight.

During the closures, drivers are advised to use the following route as a diversion. From the M6 roundabout at Junction 16, take the B5078, then the B5077, then the A5011 then take with A34 to re-join the A500 for all routes southbound. All diversions are clearly signposted.

Resurfacing work is to be carried out on the southbound carriageway of the M1 near Barnsley. The work being carried out overnight to minimise disruption for drivers - will upgrade a 1.3km stretch of the M1 between junction 36 and junction 35A. The scheme was due to begin on March 12 and is due to be complete by Friday, March 23. It will require closure of the southbound carriageway between junction 36 and 35A plus closure of the southbound entry slip road at junction 36 between 2000 and 0600hrs Monday to Friday. Clearly signposted diversion routes will operate via the A61 and A616. www.coachandbusweek.com

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News Focus p20

Durham meets & greets coaches Local tourist destinations launch new coach meet and greet service for Durham Four of Durham’s most visited tourist destinations have joined together to offer a brand new meet and greet service for coaches, starting this month.

Durham Markets, Crook Hall and Gardens, Durham Cathedral and Durham University (represented by the World Heritage Site Visitor Centre) will offer the service for coaches between Monday March 19 and Saturday September 29, 2012, from 0930 and 1130hrs.

Building on the original service

which was launched by the Tourist Information Centre several years ago, the four destinations have agreed to work together to provide a representative on duty to meet and greet all arriving coaches at the drop-off point at the rear of Walkergate in the centre of Durham. The meet and greet representative will be on hand to provide visitors with maps of the city, details of any events on in the city that day and a food voucher for the driver.

Owner of Crook Hall and Gardens Maggie Bell said: “As a new visitor to the city, what could be more helpful than a friendly person to

Launching the new coach meet and greet service for Durham City Centre: Melanie Owen from the World Heritage site visitor centre, Michael Lightfoot from Durham City Coaches, Jayne Campbell from Crook Hall, Karen Wilkes from Durham Markets and David Holding CPT northern regional manager

Staff changes at TfL’s coaching unit As a result of a recent reorganisation within TfL, designed in part to make the organisation more efficient and streamlined, popular coach manager Darek Podwiązka is to leave his role at the Coach and Licensing unit on April 2.

“After eight years as TfL’s coach manger, I will be taking up an

exciting new role in the MD’s office and will be relinquishing my responsibilities as the coach lead within TfL. The coach responsibility will now sit within the Delivery Planning area of Surface Transport’s Planning directorate.

The Coaches unit will be part of the Public Transport and Road Network team, which is headed up by Joe Uzoka, senior delivery planning manager. The person appointed to be the new Coach lead is Rhys Millier who will work alongside Robert Hall.”

The Bus and Coach Licensing

meet you at the coach drop off and explain Durham’s geography and show you where to go? We are delighted to be a part of this initiative and hope that it will continue for many years to come.”

“This service is an invaluable way for us to extend a warm welcome to the group travel trade and encourage as many visitors into the city as possible,” commented Colin Wilkes, manager of Durham Markets. “The extra footfall generated by group travel has a welcome effect on businesses throughout the city centre, particularly during the summer months.”

“It is a great initiative, providing visitors with a welcome, a brief introductory overview, and a friendly face to answer a few questions about Durham. Our experience with the new World Heritage Site Visitor Centre shows a warm welcome makes all the difference, and has a significant impact on visitors’ impressions of Durham,” said Seif El Rashidi, Durham World Heritage Site coordinator.

“It is not every city which is able to offer such a useful service to arriving coaches,” said David Holding, regional manager of CPT Northern. “It is excellent to see four of Durham City’s most visited attractions working together for the benefit of all, and we wish them every success in establishing the new Meet and Greet service next month.” area, responsible for the granting of London Service Permits, will remain the responsibility of Peter Bradley, in his new role as head of consultation delivery. To ensure continuity, Peter has kindly agreed to stay on as chairman of the London Coach Forum. The two teams will continue to work closely together to ensure that engagement with the coach industry continues to evolve and develop.

Contact Rhys on 020 3054 2427 or email rhysmillier@ tfl.gov.uk

12/03/2012 20:56

March 14, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 9

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Torquay enjoys TV publicity thanks to ‘The Hotel’

The popular Oxford Tube service is operated using a dedicated fleet of impressive tri-axle Van Hool double decker coaches

Oxford Tube celebrates 25th birthday The Stagecoach-operated London to Oxford coach service, the Oxford Tube, celebrated its 25th birthday on Wednesday (March 7) by offering anyone who shared their birthday a free return ticket.

Passengers simply needed to show ID displaying their date of birth to travel.

From humble beginnings, Oxford Tube has grown over the last 25 years and now boasts a fleet of 87-seater double decker coaches, which make 80 trips a day, every 10 minutes, providing a 24-hour service.

Furthermore, Oxford Tube

passengers were offered birthday cake on their way into London.

Martin Sutton, managing director of Stagecoach in Oxfordshire, said: “We are delighted to be celebrating 25 years. The success of the Oxford Tube is due to all the drivers and the support team who keep the service running day after day.

Only through their hard work and dedication have we been able to build the Oxford Tube into the star it is today. I would also like to personally thank all our loyal customers for their support over the years.”

To mark the anniversary, Malcolm Crowe has written a book entitled ‘The Oxford Tube, an illustrated history’. The hardback, which covers the entire history of the Oxford Tube, was launched at the Oxford Bus Museum on Sunday (March 11).

Irizar UK’s open weekend on March 24-25 is the first time operators have been offered the opportunity to scrutinise the full range of Irizar DAF-powered integrals.

The event is being held at Irizar UK’s premises in Worksop, where five examples of the i6, i4 and PB coaches, accompanied by a range of Euro 4-compliant used vehicles, are to be on display for operators to

view and drive.

All the new coaches are DAFpowered; the i6 and i4 with the DAF PR 265 at 360bhp and the PB with the DAF MX300 at 408bhp. Irizar UK states all vehicles have been extensively tested in ‘real world’ scenarios to ensure an extended and reliable service life.

Ian Hall, sales director of Irizar UK, said: “To date our coaches have sold almost immediately and gone straight to the operators. In a sense we’ve been a victim of our own success. It’s great to finally have a the full range for test drive.”

Irizar UK open days

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Torquay coaching hotelier Mark Jenkins is enjoying celebrity status and an increase in business, due to Channel 4’s fly on the wall documentary, The Hotel.

One of his coaching hotels, the Grosvenor Hotel, located in the heart of Torquay’s Belgravia hotel district, was shown on the programme, and bookings have soared.

Mark is well known in the coach trade owning three popular coaching hotels. In addition to the Grosvenor Hotel, which he purchased in 2009, he owns the Inglewood Hotel next door and the Kistor Hotel on the opposite side of the road. The hotels are situated a short level walk from Torquay’s promenade and can cater for up to seven coach parties at any one time.

Mark said: “The programme’s done exactly what I hoped it would do for the hotel. It’s done marvels for Torquay. The beginning of every show and with the great footage out and about, it says Torquay is one of the top holiday destinations

for more than 100 years and home to some of the country’s finest hotels. With a total viewing of more than two million people, what better advertising could you get? I know there will be thousands and thousands more people staying in Torbay as a direct result of the programme.”

Mark is a member of the Torquay Hospitality Association (THA), a trade group which represents accommodation providers in south Devon, including a variety of coaching hotels.

The THA’s coach trade coordinator, Linda Hill, said: “Coach business enquiries have increased considerably since the Channel 4 programme went on air only last week. The THA’s office in Belgrave Road, Torquay was visited by a coach party of visitors touring in the UK who had been watching The Hotel. They asked if we could give Mark a ring and fix up a meeting with him. Mark was very happy to oblige and they had a cup of tea and biscuit with him.”

There’s no such thing as bad publicity. With a coach in attendance, Mark Jenkins, Paul Gbel and Linda Hill outside the Kistor Hotel www.coachandbusweek.com

12/03/2012 20:56

10 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 14, 2012

news

Epsom Coaches joins school trip safety scheme BUSK UK’s scheme aims to reassure parents and stop the culture of automatically picking the cheapest quote Epsom Coaches has joined a new scheme, Simply Safe, which aims to change the culture of how teachers hire coaches for school trips, as launched by child transport safety consultancy, BUSK UK. Simply Safe is a tool schools can use to gain a clear understanding in areas such as how many drivers should be provided on any one school trip and how often the coach is safety inspected and to get essential information without the need to ask questions.

BUSK UK said this is a must before the coach arrives through the school gate and full information about the transport hired should be given to parents before they sign along the dotted line for their child to participate in the trip. The scheme means free advice and information from BUSK on how to produce a School Transport Policy document covering all aspects related to the transportation of pupils and staff on school trips, seat belt policies, their enforcement and emergency planning which the youngest child can understand.

As a Simply Safe member Epsom Coaches now has a Safety Charter

Ride & Drive at Thomas Hardie

Deeside-based dealership Thomas Hardie Commercials is holding a ‘Ride and Drive’ Bus & Coach Event in conjunction with Volvo Bus next Thursday (March 29).

It runs from 1000 – 1700hrs and presents an ideal opportunity for local operators in and around the Northwest and North Wales to test drive a number of vehicles on the day, including new B9R & B13R coaches and a refurbished B7TL double decker.

Steve Francis, depot manager at Thomas Hardie Deeside and www.coachandbusweek.com

News10.indd 10

unique to it, outlining exactly what it will provide to schools and significant information to the school about its legal requirements when organising transport for children in its care and how to remain compliant and safe is a proactive approach for future trips.

BUSK’s Director Pat Harris said: “Too many schools obtain three quotes and just pick the cheapest.

For years this is how it has been done with many teachers not realising that, in fact, they should be taking account of more than just the cost. Should something go

The Simply Safe scheme teaches school staff about how Epsom’s vehicles are kept safe Volvo Regional Bus & Coach sales managers Duncan Crosby and Arthur Argyle will be on hand to meet operators and discuss the potential benefits of upgrading to the latest models. Also present will be representatives from Roadcrew, a division of Volvo UK, VOSA, Thomas Hardie Vehicle Solutions, Volvo Financial Services and Volvo Dynafleet.

The event will be taking place at Thomas Hardie Commercials Ltd, 23 Fourth Ave, Deeside Ind. Park, Deeside, Flintshire CH5 2NR. For further information, or to reserve your place at this event contact Andy Mageer by calling 07896 175565 or email amageer@ thardie.co.uk

wrong during the trip resulting in the death of a pupil, for instance, a court would want to know what criteria was used to source transport.

“A court is unlikely to accept the teacher or school had done everything reasonably possible if they tried to raise a defence that they did not understand the subject or that they selected a transport company by choosing the cheapest.”

“We are delighted to be part of Simply Safe, because all coach operators are not the same and this ensures schools can be confident the operator they place their trust in complies in all ways with the responsibility that teachers have to look after the welfare of their pupils,” said Steve Whiteway, commercial director of Epsom Coaches.

BUSK UK was set up in February 1993, mounting a high profile campaign resulting in changes to seat belt legislation requires coaches and minibuses to be fitted with safety belts when carrying children.

For more information about BUSK, visit its website at www. busk-uk.com and to access Epsom Coaches’ Safety Charter visit its website at www. epsomcoaches.com

Improvement guides for youths and operators Teenage campaigners from the British Youth Council (BYC) and National Children’s Bureau (NCB) met with transport minister Norman Baker on March 6 to discuss how bus services could be improved for young people.

Two guides, developed by pteg, NCB and BYC, have been launched – one to help the bus sector work with young people to improve services and one for young people on influencing operators to improve services.

Baker said: “I congratulate those involved in this excellent initiative.

The safe and confident use of buses helps instil independence and is vital in enabling access to employment and education.”

Baker urged the industry to address the needs of young people as 16 to 18 year olds are 13% less satisfied with bus services than the overall average of 85% (p. 28).

Jonathan Bray (pteg) said: “We have witnessed first-hand the passion, optimism and ideas young people have for improving the bus services they rely on. We are keen to work with the youth sector to give young people the tools to translate this enthusiasm into workable solutions, informed by a better understanding of how the transport sector works.”

Bus and coach registrations: February increase welcomed The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has released figures showing a ‘welcome life’ for the bus and coach industry in February.

The figures show: the total bus and coach sector grew significantly in February to 519 registrations, up 73.6%, with the year-to-date up 39.9%; registrations of purposebuilt buses and coaches rose 121.7% in the month and 72.6% for the first two months of 2012; and converted bus registrations were up 32.3% in February, and 8.7% for the year-to-date.

Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive, said: “Purpose-built bus and coach registrations more than doubled last month, underpinned by sustained demand for heavy buses and coaches as buyers continue to put new, reliable and fuel-efficient models into operation.

“The overall bus and coach sector also saw solid growth in February, growing almost 75% with the year-to-date up 40%. To maintain this momentum, it is vital the Chancellor uses this month’s Budget to shore-up business confidence by encouraging private sector investment.”

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MICHELIN Q&A

Ask the Michelin Man Can you please explain the benefits – if indeed there are any – of using nitrogen to fill tyres rather than air?

The bene/its depend upon your application and are less signi/icant in car tyres than they are in truck, coach and bus or earthmover, for example. In/lation pressure loss from tyres in service, even when in good condition, is inevitable since rubber is not completely impervious to the passage of air. It is said that Nitrogen reduces the rate of in/lation pressure loss from tyres in service. However, air is some 78% Nitrogen and the loss of in/lation pressure in a tyre in good condition is slow. Michelin advise that tyre condition and in/lation pressure should be checked at least once a month and before long journeys, regardless of in/lation pressure. Tyres should be in/lated using a dry in/lation medium but with correct procedures in place, the

in/lation medium does not in our opinion need to be Nitrogen for the majority of applications. Michelin has a speci/ic technical bulletin on Nitrogen in/lation and more information is available from the technical helpline or a Michelin technical manager.

We are currently looking at tyre contracts, do Michelin offer PPK or isn’t it something they would pursue?

Michelin do indeed offer PPK (Pence Per Kilometre) contracts for certain businesses. I suggest that you should contact the Michelin Fleet Solutions department for advice on the best solution for your tyre needs.

What products have Michelin introduced in recent years that has improved mpg performance and reduced CO2 emissions?

Michelin are continually developing low rolling resistance tyres for many applications, employing low rolling resistance rubber compounds and tread design and energy /lex casings. The Michelin Energy Saver car tyre range and the Energy SaverGreen truck, coach and bus tyres are examples, but all Michelin tyres are all designed with low rolling resistance, total cost of ownership and environmental matters in mind. Vehicle and tyre maintenance, in particular tyre in/lation pressure maintenance, has a signi/icant effect of fuel consumption and Michelin roadstaff and technical managers are trained to advise on this too.

Visit Michelin UK website or call the technical helpline for more speci/ic information relating to your application.

0845 366 1535 www.michelin.co.uk/atmm

12 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 14, 2011

news › financial

Daimler defies economic climate Manufacturing group announces second-best year of all time for vehicle sales Daimler Buses achieved its secondbest sales result ever in 2011, selling a total of 39,740 vehicles, 2% more than in 2010. This was achieved despite difficult sales conditions for complete buses. The only time sales were even higher was in 2008, when almost 40,600 units were delivered. Daimler Buses claims to be the world’s leading supplier of buses weighing more than 8.0 tons GVW. Worldwide sales of buses were 311,000, an increase of 2% largely due to a boom in Latin America while the bus market in Western Europe remained in a slump because of the financial and debt crisis. Market development was similarly negative in North America, which has also suffered from public sector budget constraints.

In Latin America, the division boosted sales of Mercedes-Benz chassis by 8% to 25,000 units. Sales were also buoyed by purchases made earlier than planned due to the introduction of the Euro 5 emissions standard in Brazil in 2012. Market share remained at a high level of around 43% in 2011.

Substantial increases were also posted in Mexico. Business was good in Turkey, where sales rose by 55% to the record figure of 1,100 buses.

Revenues down By contrast, Daimler Buses was unable to buck the downward trend in Western Europe and North America. Sales dropped in Western Europe by 17% to 5,900 vehicles and chassis. Sales of citybuses declined steeply as the public sector continued to be negatively influenced by budget restraints.

Only 600 buses were sold in North America, nearly a third less than in 2010. Budgetary constraints were also the defining factor in this market.

“In 2011 we kept pace with the global market as a whole,” says Hartmut Schick, head of Daimler Buses. “We captured an impressive 12% of the global market, which makes us the world’s number one bus supplier. More specifically, we clearly maintained our leading www.coachandbusweek.com

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Daimler claims its new Mercedes-Benz Travego has Euro 6 compliance position in the core markets.”

Daimler Buses’ revenues and earnings both declined in 2011. At €4.4bn (2010: €4.6bn), revenues were slightly lower than in the prior year. These figures are the result of two contrary developments.

Whereas the demand for chassis rose substantially, it dropped considerably for complete buses, which generate significantly more revenue per bus. This development therefore had an even bigger impact on earnings than on revenues, and EBIT declined from €215m to €162m. “2011 was clearly a chassis year, while the business with complete buses was very sluggish, particularly in Europe,” comments Schick.

Even though Daimler Buses’ return on sales dropped to 3.7% in 2011 (2010: 4.7%), the division’s target for 2013 remains at 6%.

“We have the right strategy, and we will systematically pursue it,” says Schick. A key element of this strategy is the GLOBE 2013 growth and efficiency offensive.

This “fitness program” will be rolled out at all locations and along the entire value chain. “We will leave no stone unturned and make sure that nothing is omitted,” states Schick.

One of the aims of this strategy is to more strongly interlink the European production network,

which has locations in Germany, Turkey, and the Czech Republic.

The two German bus plants in Mannheim and Neu-Ulm will remain an integral part of this network, which is why the division invested extensively there in recent years as well as in Hosdere, Turkey.

“GLOBE 2013 will further increase the competitiveness of the German locations. We are making Mannheim and Neu-Ulm sustainably fit for the future.

Daimler Buses is the only major bus manufacturer to remain faithful to Germany as a production location,” says Schick.

Gearing up for Euro VI As part of GLOBE 2013, Daimler Buses will exploit existing growth potential in its traditional markets and further expand its business operations into new ones. In response to the introduction of the Euro VI emissions standard, the division is launching a product offensive in the city bus segment as well as in the coach market.

Daimler Buses claims its Travego Edition 1 is the first Euro VIcompliant coach. “Our products precisely meet our customers’ wishes, and we will systematically exploit growth potential,” says Schick.

Big growth opportunities are

also offered by new markets such as India and China. After having introduced two travel coach models in India since 2008, Daimler Buses is now launching the first Mercedes-Benz citybus there. India is the world’s second-largest bus market, with a current volume of about 46,000 buses per year.

Experts predict this volume will grow to 80,000 units in 2020.

By then, the bus market in China is expected to increase from its current level of more than 100,000 units to around 150,000 units.

Daimler Buses is taking a multitrack approach in order to exploit the opportunities in China. The division will begin selling chassis in the country this year. In addition, Daimler Buses will talk with the Chinese company Foton about joint projects. Foton and Daimler are already co-operating in the truck sector. The two firms are partners in the joint venture company Beijing Foton Daimler Automotive Co. Ltd., which produces Auman brand medium-duty and heavyduty trucks in China.

Daimler Buses expects sales to be negatively affected by the introduction of the Euro 5 emissions standard in Brazil this year, whereas business will probably improve slightly in Western Europe.

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news › REGIONAL

NORTH

Arriva Yorkshire and the local parish councils announced the reintroduction of Sunday journeys on route 42, between Selby and York, and two extra journeys on Friday and Saturday evenings.

These journeys were originally withdrawn by North Yorkshire County Council in April last year following cuts which affected the whole county.

The Sunday service will run from April 1 for 12 months and the extra weekend journeys will operate from April 6 to September 29.

Cllr John Cattanach, district councillor for Cawood and Wistow on Selby District Council, said: “Reinstating the Sunday and Bank Holiday service has been a testament to partnership working.

All the parish councils along the route together with Selby’s Eastern CEF have provided funding. We now have a full year to increase passenger numbers. I’d like to thank Arriva for providing me with the detailed information on which to build a financial case to put before the parish councils. Yet again, the parish councils have backed me 100% in my negotiations.

I’m particularly pleased with the added bonus of the Friday and Saturday evening service coming back for the summer months. This shows we were right to underwrite the service last year and shows passenger numbers could be increased”.

Nigel Featham, managing director for Arriva Yorkshire, said: “We’ve worked closely with the local parish councils to do all we can to help keep these journeys.

The outcome is such great news for everyone involved.”

In an effort to raise the profile of the route and to thank those passengers using the service in April, cllr John Cattanach will be providing special prizes for Sunday users of the route.

The first of these prizes has been provided by Anthony Scott of the Black Swan at Wistow where the lucky passenger can chose between a three-course Sunday Lunch for two or a two-course Sunday lunch for four. Both of these meals will come with a complimentary bottle of house wine.

Anthony Scott commented: “I’m delighted to see the 42 back on a Sunday service and hope people will take the opportunity to use it to visit us, have a brilliant meal and www.coachandbusweek.com

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KEY

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

have no worries about drinking and driving.”

MIDLANDS

Opposition politicians have appealed for Northampton Borough Council to consider an alternative to demolishing Greyfriars bus station. The council plans to move the bus station to Bradshaw Street, Northampton, which is the currently occupied by the Fishmarket Gallery.

Cllr Sally Beardsworth, Lib Dem for Kingsthorpe, is set to put forward a motion at the next full council meeting calling for a public meeting on the decision.

Cllr Beardsworth said: “When the Liberal Democrats were running the council there was a clear majority in favour of expanding the Grosvenor centre and moving the bus station. The Liberal Democrats identified several sites the bus station could move to.

The Conservatives have selected the Fishmarket site, but have not really explained to people why.

Residents are clearly concerned about the size of the site and the facilities which will be available.

Local people need and want a first class bus interchange and we must make sure every avenue has been pursued to provide that.”

Cllr David Mackintosh, Conservative for Ecton Brook and leader of the borough council, said the council had looked at alternative sites but the Fishmarket

was the only viable option.

Cllr Mackintosh said: “The reason a lot of firms give for not locating in Northampton town centre is because they don’t have access. The relocation would help get more footfall in the town centre.”

Former Northampton MP Tony Clarke, now an independent county councillor, suggested the offices above Greyfriars be rented out for free in return for a company refurbishing them.

Mr Clarke said: “The council could look at things such as offering a company the space rent free on the condition that the tenant has to refurbish the offices. It is clear that it would cost £8m to refurbish the bus station while the other £21m would be refurbishing the office space above it and that is a totally separate issue. I don’t actually believe the £8m figure which has been predicted.”

However, cllr Mackintosh said it was not an option to offer the offices rent free in return for repair work as the council had an obligation under health and safety law to provide a safe premises.

EAST

The timetable of funding cuts for Cambridgeshire’s bus services has been approved.

The county council’s cabinet agreed the first buses to have their subsidies axed in September would be the Citi 7 between Whittlesford, Sawston and Saffron Walden, the

19 between Haverhill, Linton and Burrough Green, and the 101 between Saffron Walden, Duxford and Whittlesford.

The 16A between Great Thurlow and Cambridge and the 16 and 17 between Haverhill and Newmarket will also be affected by the first round of cuts. The council hopes community transport initiatives will be able to maintain the routes, or that bus companies can be persuaded to run the services commercially.

Cllr Steve Criswell, cabinet member for community infrastructure, said the existing subsidies were too expensive given the low passenger numbers on many routes and dial-a-ride services could meet residents’ needs more effectively.

Liberal Democrat spokeswoman cllr Susan van de Ven has warned of a “new era of rural isolation.”

Routes earmarked for the second round of cuts in April 2013 include the 106 from Ely to Cottenham, the 18 and 18A serving Comberton, Cambourne and St Neots, the Ely city circular, the 28 from Cambourne to St Neots, and the 196 from Cambridge to Fen Ditton and Waterbeach.

Subsidies for 51 routes will be axed by September 2014, with £1.5m available for community transport.

SOUTH WEST

First is set to introduce a new ‘customer promise’ in Bristol, Somerset and Avon from April 1, as part of a new customer charter which will enable bus users to claim against the firm if one of its buses leaves a defined timing point more than a minute early, more than 20 minutes late or if it fails to operate a journey at all.

Money back will be in the form of free travel up to the value of the original journey. The refund will only apply to fare paying passengers and concessionary pass holders will not able to claim through the scheme.

To support the launch of the scheme and to aid customers who wish to make a claim, First has produced travel claim forms, which will be available from travel shops and bus stations in the region, as well as from its website.

Regional commercial and business growth director, Marc Reddy, said: “In recent years we have seen increasing investment in transport in Bristol and the

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surrounding areas not least in projects such as the Greater Bristol Bus Network, which officially launches on March 15.

The improvements in bus priority measures, among other things, have meant we have been able to improve our service delivery and while we expect to see things improve even more as we feel the real benefits of the Greater Bristol Bus Network, we’re already starting to see the impact on travel patterns in Bristol with more people now willing to use the bus.”

Coincidentally, on April 1 the standard rate of Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) is being cut by 20%. First say the changes to BSOG will result in an 8.6p increase in cost, per litre of fuel. As such, the company has reviewed its fares in Bristol.

Transport minister Norman Baker visited Bournemouth to launch and try out the new smartcard ticket available for Wilts and Dorset buses. The new system offers customers the opportunity to buy discounted weekly and monthly saver period passes online.

The launch of the key will enable bus users to board any of the services by presenting the smartcard to the ITSO ticket machines. Network tickets can be used on the sister company’s

Aberdeen-based FirstGroup hosted its 75th Annual Dinner Dance at the Ardoe House Hotel, Aberdeen recently (February 16). The talking point of the evening concerned the kilt worn

by First Aberdeen’s commercial director, Joe Mackie. It is the only kilt in the world made with the FirstGroup tartan, and the Dinner Dance marked its first ever public appearance. Mr Mackie was awarded the kilt in recognition of having organised more than 40 of the 75 FirstGroup Dinner Dances.

Mr Mackie, who was said to be ‘thrilled’ with his new attire, said: “The kilt is great and is a wonderful gesture from FirstGroup.

It’s a real honour to be the only person in the world to sport a kilt with this unique tartan.”

FirstGroup chief executive Tim O’Toole said: “Joe deserves enormous credit not just for organising our annual dinners, but also for the incredible loyalty he has shown the company. Joe boasts more than 49 years service in various roles since joining what

March 14, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 15

Coach & Bus Week takes a look at the big issues where you live in our round-up of the regions. If you’ve got a local issue you would like us to cover, contact James Day at james.day@rouncymedia.co.uk.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Bluestar network in Hampshire.

David Brown, Go-Ahead Group chief executive, which acquired Wilts & Dorset in 2003, thanked Mr Baker for launching the new key system and said: “We know the key has proved popular where we have launched it at our other operations, including Brighton & Hove and Southern in Brighton and Go North East. The card replaces the paper versions and can be topped up online.”

Mr Baker said: “Smart ticketing is about making it easy, quick and simple for passengers – as at the end of the day we want to see more people using the bus. The key is a good start, giving passengers more choice and better offers.

“I know how frustrating it is to have to buy different paper tickets for separate journeys all within a couple of miles of one another.

That is why we are working with Go-Ahead and other operators to develop a system which meets the needs of travellers and which can be rolled out across all bus and rail services.”

Together with the concessionary passes issued by councils which use the same ITSO system, it is suggested that fewer cash transactions will help speed up boarding times and reduce delays at stops.

2012 n March 14-15 Best of Britain and Ireland (BoBi). Travel Trade Forum. NEC, 01926 834796. www. bestofbritainandirelandevent.co.uk n March 15 Volvo Bus social evening in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust’s Warwickshire Appeal.

Century Court House, Warwick. Pam Matthews 01926 414 553 or e-mail pam.matthews@volvo.com n March 18 Leyland National 40th Anniversary. Organised by the Leyland National Group, Nationals on static display and working in service. The British Commercial Vehicle Museum in Leyland. www.leylandnational group.co.uk n March 21-22 Young Bus Managers Network conference.

Lansdown Hotel, Brighton. For more details, email alex.hornby@ youngbusmanagers.org.uk. Visit www.youngbusmanagers.org.uk n March 31 ‘M&D and EK 60’.

Kent Showground on the A249 near Maidstone. www.arrivabus.co.uk/ MDEK60, contact mdekbusclub@ gmail.com n April 14 Paul S Winson Coaches Running Day. Loughborough and local area. www.busrunningday. co.uk, contact info@busrunningday. co.uk n April 19, 2012 UK Coach Awards. Ramada Jarvis Piccadilly Hotel in Manchester, 0870 900 1450. www.ukcoachawards.co.uk n April 19-21 Busworld Turkey.

Istanbul Expo Center, Turkey. www.busworldturkey.com/en/ index.html

was then Aberdeen Corporation Transport in 1963 as a parcel boy.

Incredibly throughout those 49 years, Joe has yet to record a day’s absence due to illness.”

He added: “The work Joe does for charity is just as impressive as his commitment to First.”

The 40th anniversary of the Leyland National bus will be marked this Sunday (March 18) with a special event at the British Commercial Vehicle Museum in Leylad, Lancashire. n June 22 CILT Wales National Transport Awards lunch. Cardiff City Hall. 01446 451227. www.ciltuk. org.uk/pages/regions/wales n August 3-5 Bedford OB GetTogether. South Cerney Airfield, Cirencester, GL7 5QB. Contact the organiser Tim Wootton by email on tim@tjcs.freeserve.co.uk. Visit http://www.bedfordob.com/ n August 27 The National Association of Road Transport Museums gala day. The Transport Museum, Wythall, near Birmingham. www.wythall.org.uk n September 6 Association of Trainers AGM. Steele Road, Wembley Julia@asot.org.uk 01797 344251 n September 8-9 UK Bus Driver of the Year, Blackpool. Call competition secretary Bill Holmes on 01303 251462. www.bdoy.co.uk n September 16 Showbus.

Imperial War Museum, Duxford, Cambridgeshire. www.showbus.com n September 20-27 IAA Commercial Vehicles. Hannover. +(00)49 30897842. www.iaa.de

n April 21-22 UK Coach Rally.

East of England Showground, Peterborough. 01753 631170.

www.coachdisplays.co.uk

n October 14 Midland Red Centenary of the Reintroduction of Motorbuses. The Transport Museum, Wythall, near Birmingham. www.wythall.org.uk

n April 24-26 CV Show. NEC, Birmingham. 01634 261262. www.cvshow.com

n October 18 CILT Annual Awards for Excellence Dinner. London.

01536 740104. www.ciltuk.org.uk

n May 22-23 ALBUM Conference.

– Forest Pines Hotel, near Brigg, North Lincolnshire.

www.albumconference.co.uk

n June 10 Barry Festival of Transport. Organised by Cardiff Transport Preservation Group, Barry, South Wales. postmaster@-ctpg. co.uk. www.ctpg.co.uk

n November 6-8 Euro Bus Expo.

NEC, Birmingham. 01926 834790. www.eurobusxpo.com n November 20 UK Bus Awards – provisional date. www.ukbusawards.org.uk

Do you have an event to promote? Send details to gareth.evans@rouncymedia.co.uk www.coachandbusweek.com

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16 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 14, 2012

news › TOURISM

20,000

Number of visitors attracted to Showzam! Festival hub in Blackpool

brIEfly The Royal Marines Museum gives visitors an insight into the history of the Royal Marines. Visitors can follow a recruit through training and on to deployment around the world, marvel at the medal collection and see a WWII home front kitchen.

Located in Southsea, Hampshire, the museum is open daily, 1000 to 1700hrs, except for Christmas Day. Group benefits (for parties of 10 plus) include a 10% discount on admission prices, free coach parking, free admission and complementary lunch for driver and group leader and a welcome talk. For bookings email info@ royalmarinesmuseum.co.uk Showzam!, Blackpool’s annual celebration of circus, magic and new variety, attracted over 20,000 visitors to its festival hub, Showzam! Central, this year.

Research collected at the festival implies Showzam’s appeal is increasing nationally, with coverage in national daily newspapers and an increase in visitor numbers from outside the area. The festival returns for its sixth year in 2013 from February 15 to 24, with the full line up to be confirmed later this year. For more information visit www.showzam.co.uk or call 01253 478222 Catalyst in Cheshire is an interactive science centre and museum devoted to chemistry and how the products of chemistry are used in every-day life. Schools can visit during term time to take advantage of a curriculum-based education programme, while during school holidays everyone can take part in special events and activities.

For groups of 20 or more Catalyst can offer sleepover sessions for scouts, brownies or other uniformed groups. Price includes supper, exclusive use of the galleries, sleepover in the glasswalled observatory, breakfast, a hands-on workshop and a film show in the interactive theatre.

The sleepover experience costs £25.00 per person. Standard group rates are £4.45 per adult and £3.55 per child/concession for groups of 10 or more. Free coach parking is provided. Visit www.catalyst.org.uk or call 0151 420 1121. www.coachandbusweek.com

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Experience the past of stunning Bodiam Castle Picturesque 14th-century structure can fill half a day Bodiam Castle is a National Trustowned 14th-century moated castle near Robertsbridge in East Sussex.

Built in 1385, it is one of the most famous and evocative moated castles in England.

The exterior is virtually complete with ramparts rising dramatically above the moat. Inside there are spiral staircases and battlements to explore, offering romantic views of the Rother Valley. While the

interior is ruinous, the remains are substantial enough to recreate a plan of the castle.

The Story of Bodiam exhibition gives an insight into the history of the area over the last 2,000 years.

There are also children’s discovery challenges available, plus seasonal trails and events.

The castle is located 13 miles from Hastings and 19 miles from Tunbridge Wells. There is parking for seven coaches, 400 yards from the entrance. Parking is £5 per coach, and must be pre-booked.

Bodiam Castle captures the imagination as well as any other famous fort

New season at butterfly park The Butterfly & Wildlife Park, located in Long Sutton between Spalding and Kings Lynn, provides visitors with an enjoyable and educational experience.

There are many attractions and facilities for all ages to explore and a number of special events take place throughout the year.

The tropical house is home to butterflies, reptiles and insects, while there is also a range of birds of prey and other animals.

The site is also home to an adventure playground, driving circuit, gardens and an orchard walk.

Opening times are 1000 to 1700hrs, between March 31 and September 2. Admission is £8.50

A 45-minute special interest tour is available giving groups the chance to learn more about the man who built Bodiam, Sir Edward Dallingridge, a former knight of Edward III. He built the castle not just to keep the French at bay in the Hundred Years War, but also to impress friends and enemies alike.

Visitors can witness the defensive aspects, entertainment purposes and hard commercial side of Edward’s grand project.

Group admission is £6 per person, and the tour costs an extra £1.50 each.

Opening days are daily until November 4, Wednesday to Sunday from November 7 to December 23 and December 29 and 30.

There is a tea room serving seasonal, local food and private rooms are also available if pre-booked.

A visit to the castle should take up half a day, so can be combined with a stop at nearby attractions 1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield, Great Dixter House and Garden or Herstmonceux Castle.

For more information email caroline.gill@nationaltrust. org.uk or ring 01580 831322.

Groups say tanks a lot

The park opens on March 31 adults, £6.50 children and £7.50 seniors, although discounts are available for online booking.

The tea room boasts a wide range of hot and cold food and has even been recognised by Fern Britton of Ready Steady Cook for its good food.

Events this year include Father’s Day Extreme Animal Handling on June 17 and Indiana Ted Zoolympics August 25 and 27.

W:www.butterflyandwildlife park.co.uk T:01406 363833.

The Tank Museum in Bovington, Dorset, offers 30% off standard admission prices to pre-booked groups of 15 plus. Adult group prices are £8, with £6 concessions and £5 for children. Groups are welcomed year round, with free coach and minibus parking. Guided tours are offered to groups of 20 or less, although multiple tours can be arranged for larger groups.

The museum’s signature show, Tankfest, returns June 30 to July 1, with prices held from 2010. The show claims to be the best display of historic moving armour in the world.

For more information visit www.tankmuseum. org/groups

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March 14, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 17

1385 8,000 Year National Trust-owned Bodiam Castle was constructed

Approximate size of the Terracotta army, hailed as the eighth wonder of the world

NTPL Matthew Antrobus

Centuries of history in a visit to Pickering

Pickering Castle is a motteand-bailey fortification in Pickering, North Yorkshire, dating back to the late 12th century.

Visitors can discover how it was used throughout the centuries, including its time as a royal hunting lodge, holiday home and a stud farm.

Visits should include the exhibition in the chapel, witnessing the extensive views of North Yorkshire countryside and discovering the King’s room.

The castle is open every day in July and August, and every day apart from Tuesdays and Wednesdays between April 1 and June 30 and in September.

There is a 15% discount for groups of 11 plus and free entry for the driver and group leader.

Coach parking is free and is situated 50 metres from the site entrance.

Visits could be combined with trips to nearby Whitby Abbey or Helmsley Castle for a full day in Yorkshire.

More at http://tinyurl. com/6u9g9o4 - for group bookings ring 01751 474989.

Over 50 horse-drawn carriages are displayed at the museum

Intimate house with carriage museum in Devon Arlington Court, near Barnstaple in Devon, is an intimate and intriguing Regency house, crowded with treasures.

It is also home to the National Trust Carriage Museum, which displays over 50 horse-drawn carriages.

Group admission is £7.90, although group tours cost extra.

These tours include an in-depth look at the carriage museum, a tour of the gardens and wider estate and an exploration of Arlington Court’s architecture and archaeology. They are available between March and

DEALS OF THE WEEK Terracotta Warrior Museum in Dorchester, Dorset, displays a small selection of the famous Terracotta army, now referred to as the eighth wonder of the world. The terracotta warriors were created by the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang di pronounced - Chin Shi Huang di. He conquered and united China from a collection of warring states to become its First Emperor.

He also built the Great Wall. 70,000 workers built his tomb, with his 3,000 wives and concubines following him to the grave. The 8,000 life-size clay figures were made to protect it.

A small group of the Terracotta Warriors has been specially replicated by the museum and conservation technicians in China.

diesel prices

Over 8,000 of the clay warriors were made, some of which are replicated at the museum The museum also contains a number of costumed recreations of the Chinese emperor and his uniformed officers.

Groups are welcome, with a minimum size of 10 to qualify for discounted rates. Adult group

October.

The estate is open between March 10 and November 4, and at weekends in November and December.

Parking is available for four coaches, 150 yards from the entrance. Extra parking is available for minibuses.

On-board welcomes and introductory talks can be provided on request.

Email arlingtoncourt@ nationaltrust.org.uk or ring 01271 850296.

tickets cost £4.99 each, with £3.99 pricings for students and seniors, while child admittance stands at £2.99. There is coach parking nearby in Dorchester town centre, along with a viable drop-off point around the corner from the museum on London Road. n Call 01305 266040 or visit www. terracottawarriors.co.uk Just a short way from central London, close to Bromley in Kent, lay the Chislehurst Caves - miles of dark mysterious passageways hewn by hand from the chalk, deep beneath Chislehurst. A guide can take visitors on a 45-minute lamp-lit tour, telling stories of Druids, Romans and Saxons. The tunnels are famous as a shelter during the Second World War, alongside the cave’s church, the druid altar and haunted pool within.

Pre-booked group tours of up to 40 people go into the caves

Cost per litre in pence: Great Britain Italy Sweden Greece Ireland Hungary Belgium France Netherlands Czech Republic Germany Portugal Austria Poland Spain Slovenia Luxembourg

142.80 142.21 140.93 133.35 130.31 127.58 126.51 125.83 123.72 123.67 121.52 121.52 117.98 116.74 112.32 111.81 104.21

holiday pound £1 will get you: Euro 1.19 Switzerland (Franc) 1.43 Norway (Kroner) 8.88 Hungary (Forint) 349.67 Czech Republic (Koruna) 29.20 Poland (Zloty) 4.89

at fifteen minutes past the hour from 1015 to 1515hrs. Groups can have their own private 45/50 minute tour at a 20% discount, minimum charge £80 (£50 OAP’s).

The minimum charge for children’s groups is £50 (£3 per child) with one free adult place per six children. Additional adults are charged a discounted price of £4 each. Groups should pre-book, as the caves cannot guarantee to cater for groups turning up on the day.

Evening tours start at 1930hrs and last for approximately 90 minutes. Start times are negotiable.

Cost is £10 per person (minimum charge of £300 per group) with a minimum of two weeks notice required. Meals, anything from a buffet to a three course meal in the Caves Restaurant, can be provided to follow your tour. n Visit www.chislehurst-caves. co.uk or call 020 8467 3264 for more information. www.coachandbusweek.com

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news › BUSINESS

Increase in business rates due in next week’s March Budget

briefly The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has called on chancellor George Osborne to use next week’s Budget on March 21 to cancel a planned rise in business rates in England. Despite the government continuing to limit spending, the BCC said Osborne has enough “wiggle room” to call off the 5.6% increase. The BCC also called for Osborne to double the amount of subsidies for firms taking on young adults. The BCC’s John Longworth said: “George Osborne faces one of the most challenging Budgets in recent years.

He has to pull out all the stops to boost British business by providing them with a Budget for growth.”

A surge in infrastructure investment is fuelling demand for engineers, sparking skills shortages in the industry, research by the Association of Professional Staffing Companies has shown. Engineering vacancies for permanent and temporary jobs have increased since the start of the year, especially in the energy sector, including oil and gas and renewables. A Department for Business spokesman said: “The Government funds a wide range of activities to encourage people from all backgrounds to consider careers in engineering. We’re committed to improving the information available for prospective students on the excellent employment prospects a career in the sector can offer.”

Business minister Mark Prisk has announced the Get Mentoring initiative to recruit 15,000 volunteer business mentors has now passed the halfway mark with more than 7,500 signed up.

Once trained, they will join 11,000 mentors already available through www.mentorsme.co.uk . 4,000 of the Get Mentoring volunteers have already been trained meaning there are now 15,000 mentors available through the portal. “The government is committed to making the UK the best place in the world to start and grow a business,” said Prisk. “We have already launched a new BusinessLink website to provide a comprehensive place for people to get the information they need to start a business and will be providing coaching opportunities.” www.coachandbusweek.com

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Stagecoach Manchester scoops green award The group won large business category of inaugural Greater Manchester Green Business Awards last week Stagecoach Manchester won the ‘Large Business’ category of the inaugural Greater Manchester Green Business Awards last Thursday (March 8).

The firm was awarded for its commitment to reducing carbon emissions and to recycling waste generated by the business, as

well as its internal programmes, designed to engage staff and encourage them to support the group’s environmental initiatives.

The awards, organised by the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, recognise local organisations which have placed environmental best practice at the heart of their business success.

Stagecoach Manchester fought off tough competition from five other local organisations, including the Trafford Centre and the

Pictured collecting the Large Business Award are Chris Bowles, Stagecoach Manchester managing director (second from left) and engineering director Peter Sumner (second from right)

Treasury spinning fuel tax figures, says RMI The Retail Motor Industry (RMI) has criticised the Treasury for spin over the controversial issue of the planned rise in fuel duty.

The Financial Times on February 24 stated: “Faced with a virulent media campaign and public protests at Westminster this month in favour of fuel duty cuts, the chancellor’s aides say he has provided more than £4bn to help motorists and cannot afford anymore.”

The RMI said during the coalition government’s term of office, the net duty rise on fuel can be calculated at + 1.76 pence per litre (ppl). VAT has risen from 15% in 2010 from to 20% in January 2011.

“When these rates are applied to the increasing fuel prices it shows the government has already taken £4bn from the taxpayer,” said the RMI. The average UK retail fuel price was 121.6ppl for unleaded petrol and 123.1ppl for diesel May 12, 2010, while on March 7, 2012, unleaded petrol cost138.0ppl and diesel 145.1ppl.

The RMI said the Treasury will continue to benefit from this VAT “windfall” at the rate of £250m for every 5ppl rise at the pumps. It added a “perfect storm” of adverse

University of Manchester.

“Stagecoach Manchester takes its environmental responsibilities very seriously and winning this award is testament to the commitment of our employees at all levels in the company, in working towards our green targets,” said Chris Bowles, MD of Stagecoach Manchester.

“I am extremely proud of the dedication and hard work of the whole team over a sustained period, which has led to this fantastic award. We will endeavour to continue offering the most up-to-date vehicles and best service possible to our customers, while at the same time keeping the environmental impact of our operations to a minimum.”

Charlie Parker, lead officer of the Greater Manchester Environment Commission and chief executive of Oldham Council, said: “This was a very competitive category and the judges spent some time making sure they made the right decisions, as this is a new award run by Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce.

“Congratulations to the Stagecoach Manchester team who have invested heavily in improving the sustainability of their fleet and are doing their bit to reduce their carbon footprint.” factors have been ramping up wholesale prices with both petrol and diesel now hitting new highs every day, including: The EU agreeing to an embargo on oil supplies from Iran starting this summer; The pound sterling remaining weak against the US Dollar, “the global petro-currency”, meaning Brent crude oil at $124 per barrel has reached a record high in £ prices; Financial problems at Europe’s aging refineries potentially affecting local UK supply after PetroPlus, owner of Coryton refinery in Essex, filed for bankruptcy last December; and Asia and other emerging economies demand for crude oil continuing strongly.

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£1.50 60% The price per litre diesel could reach by Easter (RMI)

Small business firms which identified fuel as a major cost driver (FSB)

Small business confidence up, says FSB

Small business confidence has improved despite rising overheads and problems accessing finance, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has said.

The FSB’s ‘Voice of Small Business’ Index shows business confidence has bounced back from the record lows reported at the end of 2011. Overall the Index, which surveyed more than 3,000 FSB members, shows confidence rising for the first time in a year, with more than half of those surveyed aiming to grow in the 12 months ahead.

The survey shows considerable optimism about the scope for businesses expansion with a third of firms looking to increase capital investment plans. However, the findings also showed plans to expand could be under threat from rising overheads, weak customer demand and concerns over the cost and availability of finance.

The findings also showed: Two out of three small businesses considered the domestic economy to be a major obstacle to achieving their aspirations.

Fuel was identified by more than 60% of firms as a major cost driver, with upward cost pressures being seen from rent and “Treasury officials are trying to spin their way out of the current debate over fuel duty by suggesting they are giving £4bn back to the motorist by deferring previous duty increases” said Brian Madderson, RMI Petrol chairman.

“Given this volatile background, it is possible diesel prices could reach 150ppl and petrol 142ppl by Easter providing yet more “windfall” VAT revenue for the Treasury.

“The chancellor must use this extra fuel tax to cancel the planned 3.02ppl duty increase in his March Budget. This is due to be implemented from August 1 which with 20% VAT will push pump prices up by another 4.00ppl, causing more misery for struggling small businesses and motorists, especially in rural areas.”

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March 14, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 19

Government needs to set up US-style Small Business Administration, says John Walker, FSB national chairman labour costs too; More than one in five firms cite access to finance as a major barrier to growth, with 41% of loan applicants being refused.

John Walker, FSB national chairman, said: “It is a testament to the hard work and determination of the UK’s small firms that, in the face of rising costs and falling demand, they are still more confident and are looking to expand.

“The government must bolster this confidence by doing everything in its power to remove the barriers to growth. This means taking action against rising energy and regulatory costs. It means looking at the proposals the FSB has put forward to give small businesses realistic alternatives to bank finance. And it means putting small firms’ concerns at the heart of key government decisions through the creation of a US-style Small Business Administration.”

Pound sterling remaining weak against the US Dollar means crude oil at $124 per barrel has reached a record high in the UK, says the RMI

BLOG of the week

Websites: the four pillars of wisdom

There are four pillars of wisdom when it comes to websites – value, trust, usability and presentation.

Get these right and you will have an effective and engaging website which attracts more visitors, says Sonja Jefferson on www. businesszone.co.uk Value Does your website provide information which is of real value?

Once upon a time company websites were merely overdesigned, hype-filled brochures, pumped up with their own importance and bursting with impressive phrases such as “world class” and “cutting edge”.

This approach was supposed to wow customers into action. It worked for a time when we were web-green and gullible, but today they rightly expect more. We want value. We want to know how the sites we visit will help us solve our problems and achieve our goals.

Focus on customer problems. Tell your customers exactly how you help clients in their position.

Segment your customers. For each group, describe their business problems and say how you will solve them. Show the benefits you will bring. Make yourself useful.

Serve your customers with valuable content – educational articles, papers and resources.

Prove the value. Show that current customers have had success – provide case studies and testimonials that show the real benefit of what you do.

Trust Is this a bona fide firm, providing actual benefits to customers?

Trust and credibility are big issues on the web. How can you win the confidence of your visitors?

Here are a few ideas: Provide information on your people – your management team and key customer contacts. Show photos of real people so they know who they’ll be dealing with. Enable your customers to make contact with your team directly.

Use social media and provide links from your website, to show your firm is made up of real people with opinions, passion and expertise. Social media enables you

to connect with your customers.

Whether it is via a blog, Linkedin and Twitter or a combination of the lot, social media makes good business sense.

Keep your site up-to-date – provide fresh content, regularly updated. Provide testimonials.

Be approachable and genuine.

People like to do business with people. Communicate through your site and you’ll form a connection.

Usability Can I find my way around the site and get to the information I want?

Make your website easy to use.

Pay close attention to navigation – plan and organise your content carefully. If you’re redesigning your site, build a wireframe first.

Test your navigation with real customers. Give them a task and see how easy it is for them. Tweak the navigation accordingly.

Follow web conventions such as recognisable page names. Web layout has become standardised.

Write for the web: poor writing makes websites fail.

Design your home page carefully. This is where web usability usually succeeds or fails.

Make contact easy. Make your contact details very, very obvious.

Don’t make me think. If I have to think about it I’ll click away – to the competition.

Usability for all. Make sure your site is accessible to everyone, including the disabled – follow WC3 guidelines.

Presentation You’ll notice that presentation is fourth in the list. Colour schemes, branding and imagery are important of course, but must not be prioritised at the expense of usability and content.

Hire a professional web designer to make the site visually appealing: bad design can frighten customers away, good design adds interest and will help to draw them in.

Don’t overcomplicate things – make it interesting but also simple, consistent and free of clutter.

Pay attention to typography as well as graphics – ensure your content is easy to read. Avoid bloated design and splash pages. www.coachandbusweek.com

12/03/2012 21:35

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news focus › evobus spring open days

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Evobus Open House Event Coach & Bus Week’s editor Gareth Evans reports on Evobus’ Annual Spring Open Days, which were held last week, complete with the familiar warm welcome Evobus, the Coventry-based dealership which sells MercedesBenz and Setra products in the UK together with late used vehicles, held its Annual Spring Open House event on Wednesday and Thursday (March 7-8).

Visitors enjoyed the traditional warm welcome, with fresh coffee and cake, and a continental-style breakfast until 1100, followed by fish and chips for lunch until 1400hrs. www.coachandbusweek.com

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Alongside refreshments, visitors found some special ‘Catch of the Day’ deals across a varied range of used vehicles, some with added parts packages. The complete EvoBus team were on hand to answer any queries and together with staff from the Mercedes-Benz CharterWay Finance Team.

Hospitality was served in the recently opened meeting and dining area. Canteens have been merged to create an enlarged ground floor area, which can also be used to take customers in a nice informal setting. Taking pride of place inside was a very special visitor – a 1954 Mercedes Benz 300SL Gullwing car.

“We always do well at these sort of events,” explained Mike Beagrie, director of coach sales at Evobus UK. “Over the years people have grown to expect good deals which sometimes stretch into the following week.

“We’re doing a lot more with Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, which is better known as CharterWay. People are now realising that an operating lease offers a range of benefits to a business. It removes capital from the balance sheet, which leads to increased capital in a business and there are also steady costs going out. In five years’ time, an operator

can take a fresh vehicle. It’s a clean way of doing business.

“It’s not restricted to new vehicles – it’s also available on used.

For example, a 2006 Setra costs £1,733 per calendar month. All the operator has to do is find the first three payments, so they’ve got a decent coach on the road for five years for £1,733 a month.”

Stuart Bennett, fleet manager for CharterWay, told CBW: “We have been working with Evobus for many years to support large coach fleets and we are delighted to have an opportunity to roll out a new source of funding and leasing services to all Evobus customers.”

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Join the discussion on Twitter by following us at @cbwtweets and find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/coachandbusweek

2 1: Late used Setra line-up. The four ex Redwing examples seen here were displaying ‘sold’ signs; 2: Andrew Nixon of Evobus hands over the keys to Alan Ellison’s new Tourismo; 3: New vehicles in stock include Setra S415GT-HD, MercedesBenz Tourismo and Citaro; 4: Late used stock on display; 5: Part of the minibus display; 6: New Tourismo for Ellison’s; 7: Used coaches included ex Shearings examples.

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6 Vehicles on display included ex Redwing Setra S415GT-HDs, several of which were displaying ‘sold’ signs on the Thursday afternoon, together with a number of former Shearings Van Hool and Plaxton coaches. Awaiting despatch were several new Mercedes-Benz Tourismos, including those destined for Redwing and Addison Lee. Not to be forgotten was the lineup of minibuses, which included members of the Sprinter family, and the new full-size vehicles such as the Setra S415GT-HD and S416GTHD coaches and Mercedes-Benz Citaro bus.

“The message is there are some good and innovative deal to be had.

We’re here to do business. A lot of good business has been done in the last two days on both new and used vehicles,” added Mike.

After the event, it was revealed

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Diary dates: March is proving to be a popular month for dealers to hold Open Day events, so who’s next? saturday & sunday March 24-5: Plaxton Coach Sales, Anston, near Sheffield. Call 01909 551166.

Saturday & Sunday March 24-25: Irizar UK, Worksop, Nottinghamshire. Call 01909 500514.

Thursday March 29: Volvo bus and coach ride & drive event – Thomas Hardie, Deeside, Flintshire. Call 07896 175565.

just short of 20 vehicles had been sold over the two days, primarily used but also some new vehicles.

Asked for a verdict, Mike commented: “The first day was quiet but it definitely picked up on the Thursday. Visitors were certainly present to buy, which I believe was assisted by having the right promotions in place. They also came from a wide geographical area”

Ellisons’ new Tourismo On the Thursday, a brand new Mercedes-Benz Tourismo was handed over to Alan Ellison, from Ellison’s Coaches of Ashton Keynes, near Swindon - not to be confused with the similarly-named St Helens-based Ellisons Travel.

“I get on very well with Peter Knight and I dealt with Jonathan Prime’s father, Steve for many

years,” Alan Ellison told CBW. “It’s the second coach from Evobus and the second Tourismo. We’ve had no problems with it at all – its worked from word go.”

Ellisons is now its 68th year. “I ran it with my father for 40 years then he died and my three sons came in. Barry is a bus fitter, David is a car fitter and Trevor is the office boy,” added Alan.

The new coach carries the cherished number plate ‘SE12ELL’, as Alan explained: “Ever since we could have our own plates, each of our coaches has got a different family member on the number plate. This new Tourismo is Sarah.”

The vehicle is fitted with a Mercedes-Benz Powershift gearbox, 49/53 TSX seats with demountable toilet and all the features one would expect on board a Tourismo, such as two monitors.

www.coachandbusweek.com

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22 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 14, 2012

news › international

New transport venture for Stagecoach founder Sir Brian Souter’s new travel concept combines bus and ferry services to reduce travel times into Istanbul TURKEY Sir Brian Souter is set to launch a new travel concept in Turkey which has been described as “revolutionary” and combines express bus and ferry services.

IDObus.com, which launches March 22, aims to reduce journey times between Istanbul and cities around the Sea of Marmara by up to 40%, while internet-booked fares will start at just one Turkish Lira (40p).

Istanbul is one of the world’s most congested cities and a road journey from the city to Izmir can take between eight to 10 hours.

Sir Brian’s combined bus and ferry service will only take six and a half hours.

IDObus.com is the latest service to be launched by Istanbul Deniz Otobüsleri (IDO) – the company Sir Brian’s Scottish-led consortium was involved in privatising in an $861m deal in 2011.

Sir Brian said: “Life is just about to improve for commuters in and around Istanbul. IDObus.com will not only cut congestion in Istanbul, it will have a positive impact on the

MAN strengthens its position in Russia

RUSSIA MAN claims it was the no.

1 European commercial vehicles manufacturer operating in Russia for 2011, with sales of over 7,600 trucks and 220 buses.

Lars Himmer, head of the MAN sales region CIS and managing director of MAN Truck & Bus RUS, said: “Last year we saw clear signs of recovery on the Russian market.

Our range of products places us in the vanguard of the growing trend towards efficient and ecologically sound vehicle concepts and will enable us to continue strengthening our position there.” www.coachandbusweek.com

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environment, helping to reduce traffic pollution in the city.”

Four 450 seat ferries are to run from Istanbul across the Sea of Marmara to the Port of Guzelyali near Bursa. A fleet of buses will meet the ships and transport passengers on their onward legs to Balıkesir, Manisa and Izmir.

Each ferry is scheduled to operate 13 return trips across the Sea of Marmara with the service running from 0600 to 0000hrs. IDObus.com coaches run overnight to ensure passengers can arrive or depart whenever

necessary. Free internet access is provided on board the seabuses and coaches.

Sir Brian was in Istanbul on March 8 to launch IDObus.com which immediately generated huge interest in Istanbul and throughout the wider Marmara region.

Sir Brian concluded: “Going by today’s interest in IDObus.com, passengers love the concept of fast, inexpensive and hassle-free travel.”

Fares to Bursa start from one lira, Balikesir 13 lira, Manisa and Izmir from 22 lira

By land and sea with Sir Brian Souter’s IDObus.com At the end of 2011, MAN took two major orders in Russia.

In Wladiwostok, the city’s Administrative Council ordered 50 MAN city buses. The vehicles are being operated on the city’s regular service routes by municipal transport company VPOPAT-1.

LIAZ, a subsidiary of Russia’s biggest automobile company, GAZ Group, ordered 2,188 engines ranging from efficient diesels to natural-gas engines. The 12-18m citybuses equipped with these engines will operate Moscow’s local public transport system but bus services in St. Petersburg and other Russian cities will also be powered

by MAN driveline technology.

MAN Truck & Bus is investing around €25m in setting up its own production facility in St. Petersburg.

The St. Petersburg site is projected to produce approximately 6,000 vehicles a year.

Mercedes launch city bus in India INDIA After its entry into the longdistance inter-city bus segment, Mercedes-Benz announced the launch of its city bus. The 37-seater, low-entry bus is priced starting at nine million Rupees (£113,938).

The company launched the intercity bus in 2008 and it sold 150 vehicles last year.

Hartmut Schick, head of Daimler Buses, said: “India is seeing a rapid urbanisation, which is increasing the demand for mobility. Demand of customers is shifting towards more comfortable and attractive means of transport. We will participate in the growth of the Indian market by expanding our bus business. By

A123 Systems wins supply deal with India’s Tata Motors INDIA A123 Systems, the Watertown, Massachusetts-based manufacturer of lithium-ion battery packs, has announced a deal with Tata Motors to supply battery packs for its line of hybrid electric buses and other commercial vehicles. Tata Motors is India’s largest automotive manufacturer.

Jason Forcier, vice president of A123’s Automotive Solutions Group, said: “Strategically, this is very important for us since Tata has such a large global reach.”

As part of an overall strategy in A123’s business operations, the company has begun to re-employ the 125 workers it made redundant last year. By the end of June 2012, A123 intends to have hired back all of the 125 workers.

The lithium-ion battery packs being built for Tata employ A123’s new prismatic cell technology, which the company describes as being a much better packaging system due to its higher density and increased cost-effectiveness. The concept is claimed to seamlessly configure with Tata’s hybrid electric powertrain.

2020, India will comprise 20% of the world’s market and we will be ready for that.”

The 7200cc, 252hp buses are air-conditioned with automatic transmission, air suspension and disk brakes. The company has tested the bus in seven Indian cities over the last year.

MCV will build the bodies of the bus over Mercedes Benz chassis at the new integrated body-building facility located next to the Mercedes Benz plant at Chakan near Pune.

Since 1995, MCV has built over 15,000 buses for Mercedes-Benz.

The Jalandhar-based Sutlej Motors builds the bodies of the inter-city buses of Mercedes Benz for India and that arrangement is set to continue.

Most parts of the bus are sourced locally, but the company aims to increase the local composition over the next six months.

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551565-996-TomTom

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technology › tom tom worksmart

TomTom navigates to the top Telematics integrated into fleet management has risen to to the fore in recent years and is now considered essential - TomTom’s WORKsmart gets top marks after coach trial

T

omTom Business Solutions’ advanced suite of fleet management tools combining live satellite navigation and telematics for the commercial market has been creating a significant impression on users. Croydon-based Coaches Excetera has been trialling WORKsmart and quickly identified considerable advantages through greatly increased efficiency and huge cost saving potential and now can’t wait to adopt the system across its fleet.

Adam Smith, operations manager at Coaches Excetera, said: “We installed the TomTom system on board two of our coaches last autumn and we are extremely impressed by its performance and capability. It is very easy to use in comparison to other systems and the location and tracking element is rapid. We have been so impressed by the system we are looking at switching over to it completely as soon as our existing contract with a competitor expires. We find the whole system superior to everything else.

“Importantly, the drivers are very pleased with how easy the devices are to use – so we’ve encountered no negative feedback from anything related to the system. I have not had the time yet to get to grips with the data available under ‘Driving

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The TomTom PRO7150 unit mounts securely on dash or windscreen Left: Steve Francis, tour driver, Coaches Etc

Events’ which analyses driver behaviour and fuel consumption.

However, Richard Hill, our managing director, has been dealing with it and he is more than satisfied with the comprehensive information it provides.

“Our experience with less sophisticated systems suggests they are OK on recorded data. They fall down because it isn’t immediately available and it really shows up if customers call to ask where their coach is. It can be up to half an hour before the location information is updated. With TomTom’s WORKsmart it is available when you need it. Analysing the data from other systems is also very time consuming and can take a day to get through. I can’t find anything wrong with it at all – I wish I was

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selling it!“ According to Adam Smith, there is a definite need for operators to be looking at installing suitable telematics in their vehicles. He said all operators providing transport for the Olympics certainly need to have vehicle location and tracking under the terms of the contract. The information must also be available to the organisers/transport co-ordinators involved in the management of vehicles around the Games and they need to have log-in details.

Adam said: “A recent coach accident has led tour operator Interski to consider insisting on location and tracking on all its contracted vehicles. We get the feeling the David Urquhart operation is going to move along similar lines. I think we’ll see most major tour operators moving in this direction. Whenever there is a major incident of some kind there are many questions to be answered. Having immediate access to location and driving event data gives both coach and tour operator a lot of information about what was happening.”

One of the TomTom Pro 7150 Truck satellite navigation systems has been installed in the coach driven by Steve Francis, who has been voted Driver of the Year twice by tour operator David Urquhart.

This device has the facility to input vehicle length, height, width and weight which allows the system to plan routes around roads allowing clear passage, particularly avoiding bridges with either height or weight restrictions.

Steve said: “It’s an absolutely brilliant piece of kit. It’s never put me wrong by taking me down narrow lanes or put me in dangerous situations where I’ve had to back up a long way. I particularly like its routing which is based on live traffic information. It makes it easy to plan pick-ups accurately, all usually within two minutes of the estimated time of arrival and it gives me advanced warning of any hold-ups or congestion in addition to reminding me about when to take a break.

“It’s very fast at determining its initial location from start-up and doesn’t seem prone to signal drop-out except in long tunnels.

For instance, it goes off under the Dartford Crossing, although it shows your predicted position, but as soon as you emerge it is back online instantly. www.coachandbusweek.com

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technology › tom tom worksmart

Vehicle location and tracking is live so operators know exactly where their vehicles are at any time “I’ve learned to trust it and allow it to do the work. That’s what has let other systems down in the past.

I bought a very expensive system myself a few years ago and it got me in trouble because I trusted it. It cost me £500 but I threw it away and went back to relying on my maps. Another useful thing is its ability to provide hands-free communication with base.”

The basic system allows the operating base to send SMS text messages to the driver. The satnav unit in the cab translates and transmits this as a voice message.

For improved communication it can also make use of Bluetooth which allows hands-free voice communication between base and the driver.

Managing director Richard Hill said: “We have trialled it now for a few months and I find it to be a revelation. The information it

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“It’s an absolutely brilliant piece of kit.

It’s never put me in dangerous situations where I’ve had to back up a long way.

I particularly like its routing which is based on live traffic information.”

Steve Francis

provides is not only comprehensive but so accurate, the drivers have found it to be a very stable system and built for the professional rather than the consumer.

“On a recent press trip to Holland I was amazed at how well it worked, we took a coach load of operators and press to visit Floriade in Holland with Stena Line and we watched it in real-world operation, it was just brilliant it gave us a very efficient journey.

“The data it provides back to base is comprehensive, easily read and I found it easy to use.

“The tracking was very accurate as well. It saves me money in phone calls to drivers asking where they are and enables me to tell clients exactly where their coach is and its ETA. “I can’t find enough words to describe how well this new system works and I would without

hesitation recommend it to all coach operators out there. It’s a ‘must have’ and a real bonus for any coach operator.”

WORKsmart explained

The heart of any satnav system is the mapping – which needs to be extremely accurate and up to date.

TomTom provides daily updates on mapping through its ‘Map Share’ community and releases fully updated versions of its map four times a year.

Whereas some satnav systems employ maximum speed limits to calculate driving times, TomTom’s ‘IQ Routes’ technology interrogates a database of real driving times to calculate the fastest route for the time of day taking account of traffic lights, roundabouts and other obstacles along the way to provide a realistic estimated time of arrival.

HD Traffic gathers accurate

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March 14, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 27

Join the discussion on Twitter by following us at @cbwtweets and find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/coachandbusweek

Steve Francis (left) with operations manager Adam Smith traffic information for major and rural roads to ensure journeys are not disrupted by unexpected delays. Research indicates drivers can avoid traffic jams while travelling 16% fewer miles and spending 18% less time on the road. Independent testing and inspection organisation TÜV SÜD named HD Traffic as the best live traffic information service available in 2010.

WEBFLEET lets operators monitor position, progress and ETA of all fleet vehicles on a digital map, along with local traffic conditions for each route. For deliveries or service providers it means controllers can always identify the nearest available driver for a task.

They can also see where traffic may cause unacceptable delays and make any arrangements necessary to keep the customer happy.

TomTom’s WORKsmart is

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designed for dispersed fleets and more closely aligned to coach operation. It allows operators to maximise the utilisation of mobile resources because drivers will always be following the ‘smartest’ route from one place to the next.

WORKsmart-Track provides valuable data about the fleet vehicles and dispersed workforce.

This can show proof of delivery or compliance with working time directives. It can provide working hours data for tax purposes, track the location of a vehicle over the last 90 days or plot a snail trail of the route it took. It can also compare speed, mileage and fuel use over time to see where savings can be made. It generates comprehensive reports covering a range of criteria – such as journey times, trip reports and private mileage. Reports can be produced in different ways to suit different tasks – including conversion to .PDF format or incorporate a CSV file of timesheet data with payroll applications to save time and money on administration.

From a ‘green’ perspective it provides at-a-glance information on driving style, speed, carbon footprint and idle time of every vehicle which means any necessary action can be taken to improve driver safety, save fuel, minimise risks and reduce carbon footprint. All reports can be sent automatically via e-mail to remote management if required.

As WORKsmart-Time links directly with the tachograph an

All you need for complete control and efficient fleet management

accurate, real-time record of each driver’s working hours can be produced. This information allows managers to monitor working patterns, manage overtime and control costs. Because it can integrate with payroll and billing systems it reduces time spent on administration.

Work allocation is also simplified.

In-cab devices use simple, intuitive touch-screen technology and drivers just press on an icon to register personal, commuting or business mileage. Management can use the data to verify the hours each driver has worked and monitor working patterns to identify cost-cutting opportunities. The information can integrate the data with billing systems to create fully transparent invoices.

As the information from the digital tachograph can be viewed in real time from an office PC, management can see at a glance who is resting, who is still at the wheel, and who has enough driving time remaining to complete the next job.

Improved safety

WORKsmart-Safety is claimed to assist drivers in keeping their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.

All TomTom PRO navigation devices feature advanced lane guidance to help with navigating tricky junctions, text-to-speech software for spoken job instructions and messages, and voice recognition for inputting addresses – which means fewer distractions, lower stress levels and shows a duty of care towards the safety of passengers.

Drivers get real-time reminders to encourage safer driving whenever a notifiable driving event, such as harsh steering, sudden braking or speeding is registered.

Active Driver Feedback flashes an alert on the TomTom PRO screen.

In the office, the OptiDrive function records and represents the driving events with green, yellow or red icons, depending on the severity.

Managers can decide in seconds if intervention is required.

WORKsmart-Safety also takes live odometer data from the vehicles. It can be imported into the maintenance scheduling programmes enabling management to determine the precise service requirements for each vehicle.

For more information visit http://business.tomtom. com/en_gb/solutions/

www.coachandbusweek.com

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28 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 14, 2012

insight › Bus passenger survey

85%

Overall passenger satisfaction across 23 areas of England outside London

A joint approach to improving passenger satisfaction Bus passenger champion Passenger Focus published the results of its second bus passenger survey at a briefing in London last week. Two years on from the first survey, partnership-based responses to customer feedback are in full flow. Coach and Bus Week’s Meera Rambissoon reports

P

assenger Focus (PF) published its second ever and expanded Bus Passenger Survey at a briefing in London last week, where operators and pteg welcomed the validity, independence and value of the research. While overall passenger satisfaction has remained strong and steady at 85% (84%, 2010), specific areas such as punctuality and value for money still need attention.

Following the first survey, published in July 2010 (CBW944), which covered 14 areas, the new survey sheds lights on the views of what more than 21,000 passengers think about various aspects of their journey, both on the bus and at stops, in 23 areas in England outside London during autumn 2011.

The research found wide disparities across all areas, with passengers’ ratings of satisfaction and value for money varying dramatically between different operators and services within the same area.

PF said a statistic the bus industry needs to take action to improve came from the antisocial question, which revealed almost one in five bus passengers have felt worried or uncomfortable by the behaviour of another passenger/ passengers. Dissatisfaction amongst young people was also highlighted by the results and by transport minister Norman Baker, speaking at the briefing.

On the positive side, improvement, benchmarking and partnership working were www.coachandbusweek.com

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three strands emanating from the research and highlighted by speakers. “The aim is to use the results to improve and change,” PF passenger director, David Sidebottom told CBW. One PTE even used the results to back its bid for the Better Bus Areas funding. “It’s more than just numbers: it’s about action.”

Equally, the idea is to provide a comparative benchmark in which to encourage more consistency across services. Anthony Smith, PF chief executive, said: “Passengers are telling us while some of their bus journeys are good there is not always consistency within a particular area. Bus passengers should be able to get on any bus in their area and be sure they will receive a satisfactory service. More work needs to be done. This report helps transport authorities and

The industry needs to improve the satisfaction ratings of youngsters, says minister Norman Baker

bus companies in these difficult economic times to target valuable resources.”

Colin Foxall, PF chairman, welcomed the survey becoming more widely adopted, with increased survey sizes purchased by five of the six PTEs, First UK Bus north division and National Express. GoAhead has also committed to using PF’s survey as a measure of its bus passengers’ experience.

“The reception has been welcome and work sponsored by various authorities and operators has enabled more research,” he said. “Having done the research, we are working with organisations to understand what it means.

“We are bringing groups together, bringing bus companies together, bringing bus companies and local authorities together and bringing user groups together.”

The nuts and bolts

Data was collected via a selfcompletion questionnaire asking passengers aged 16 or above to rate the journey’s experience, including the bus stop environment, punctuality, ‘on bus’ comfort, the standards of the bus driver, together with overall journey satisfaction and value for money ratings.

A representative set of bus routes within each area was drawn up based on a listing of every scheduled journey of every route and a process to account for varying levels of passenger turnover for different route lengths. Services running between 0600 to 2200hrs, seven days of the week, excluding school transport, were selected.

The recently signed Coventry Voluntary Multilateral Agreement between five operators, Centro, Coventry City Council and PF has a passenger satisfaction study written into it, says PF’s David Sidebottom (far left) The 23 areas within which the he survey was conducted cover approximately two thirds of bus passenger journeys and include all six metropolitan county areas (PTEs), a broad mix of unitary, county and city authorities, including two informal groupings of unitary authority areas, and a range of bus operators. Ratings are based on substantial sample sizes - greater than 150 – with larger sample sizes specified for PTEs and the two informally grouped areas.

Key findings

OVERALL SATISFACTION The proportion of passengers satisfied overall with their bus journey varied across areas from 79% to 91% (averaging 85%) being very or fairly satisfied and in PTE areas, ranging from 81% to 91%. Operators in Nottingham City and Tyne and Wear, led the pack with 91% satisfaction, while the comparatively lowest scores were 81% in the West Midlands and 79% in Stoke-on-Trent.

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21,000 56% Minimum number of passengers who gave their views to Passenger Focus

March 14, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 29

Average passenger satisfaction on value for money limited impact averaging 3%.

There were also three factors relating to bus: ‘time it took passengers to board/ pay for tickets’ affecting 22% of journeys on average; followed by ‘the bus waiting too long at stops’ averaging 8%; and ‘the bus driver driving too slowly’ averaging 6%.

BUS STOP & INFORMATION There was a wide variation in what is provided at bus stops across the surveyed areas. Provision of ‘shelter’ at stops averaged 77%, and seating averaged 61%. The provision of information was generally lower; electronic displays were present in 22% of journeys on average, timetables averaged 75%, and information on fares averaged 6%.

PROFILE The profile of passengers showed a wide variation across the areas on key attributes: the proportion travelling on fare paid tickets ranged from 49% to 76% (averaging 64%); the proportion who say they have a disability ranged from 17% to 29% (averaging 21%); and those who have no access to private transport ranged from 24% to 40% (averaging 33%).

FREE VERSUS FARE-PAYER The difference in overall satisfaction between free pass holders and fare payers shows free pass holders were unsurprisingly more satisfied, but not universally, with area figures ranging from 89% to 95% (averaging 92%); and fare payers less satisfied and ranged from 72% to 90% (averaging 82%).

VALUE FOR MONEY Passenger satisfaction with value for money ranged from 39% to 68% (averaging 56%) across the areas surveyed and within PTE areas ranged from 51% to 65%.

Nottingham scored best with 68% followed by Kingston Upon Hull with 66% while the lowest scores were in the West England Partnership (43%) and Leicester (39%). “The old perennial value for money, where scores are not quite so good is one area we are keen to explore more,” said Ian Wright, PF’s head of research. 16-34 year olds “are not massively happy”, he added, with a third unsatisfied with value for money.

PUNCTUALITY Passenger satisfaction with punctuality ranged from 64% to 81% (averaging 72%). The figures amongst PTEs ranged from 64%

PassFocus.indd 29

Movements since 2010

PF passenger director David Sidebottom at the survey briefing to 77%. East Sussex (81%) and Nottingham (80%) scored highest while Durham (65%) and West Midlands (64%) scored lowest.

ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR The proportion of passengers who said they experience behaviour which “caused them to worry or make them feel uncomfortable” during their journey ranged from 6% to 18% (averaging 11%).

JOURNEY LENGTH Passengers reported a number of factors affecting the length of their journeys. Three of these concerned road conditions: ‘congestion’ affected 22% of journeys; ‘road works’ 11%; and weather had

Since publishing its first survey of 2009 wave of research, PF has been working with transport authorities and operators to improve poor performance on factors such as passenger perception of anti-social behaviour, customer service, driver attitude and highways issues affecting punctuality and reliability.

“We want to be useful,” explained Foxall. “There’s no point in producing an academic report – we want to achieve things on passengers’ behalf.”

Sidebottom added: “Operators are using the evidence to train drivers and enable them to become more ambassadorial for their business and are working with transport authorities on cleanliness.

“There are tangible things which this research can affect, but it will be equally interesting to see how it stirs the debate. Some of the debate between operators and authorities can be quite toxic at times and we are trying to say the passengers’ view is ‘king’ in all this and try to steer away from things which can be distracted by politics or particular commercial activities.”

One example of passenger

feedback, partnership and action on the ground, Sidebottom said Merseyside, Stagecoach, Arriva, Merseytravel PTE and three district councils were working together on multi-operator ticketing and joint timetabling. “While it is not a gold-plated service by any stretch of the imagination, levels of satisfaction with the journey, bus stop, time waiting and punctuality are all significantly higher – which passengers recognise.”

Congratulations and a plea

Norman Baker commended GoAhead, First’s north bus division, Travel West Midlands (TWM) and the PTEs for their involvement in PF’s research. He said an average score of 85% for overall satisfaction, with the highest satisfaction score 91%, was a “tribute to the industry”.

Baker said Centro and TWM have teamed up to fund research and data examined so far is being used to improve punctuality, perceptions of anti-social behaviour and customer service, with a target of 2% improvement every year.

“This type of partnership working is essential to achieving reliable and punctual bus services.” He said the Department for Transport’s (DfT’s) bus punctuality working group, including PF, industry, local authorities and Traffic Commissioners has developed guidance to help punctuality and reliability levels through joint working.

Equally, Baker stressed the importance of improving the end-to-end journey for passengers, on which he has held round-table discussion between stakeholders.

For example, research showing dissatisfaction on interchange between Cambridge rail station and bus services has led to action from the council and operators, with better signage now in place.

However, Baker renewed his plea to the industry to better address the needs of young people, comparing the average 85% overall satisfaction with 72% satisfaction from 16 to 18 year olds. “I want to help the bus industry and I’ve spent my time in office trying to do so because it’s important to us to get more people on buses, for which we need a successful, vibrant industry. But I look to you to help me in return: not enough is being done to address the needs of young people and make sure they are attracted to the bus – they www.coachandbusweek.com

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insight › bus passenger survey

are the passengers of the future. It’s more difficult to attract them when they’re 21 upwards.” More needs to be done to give young people better information about fares and discounts, he urged, and a new guide backed by the DfT, has been produced on how the bus sector can work with young people to improve their experience (see p10).

Wanting to end on a positive note, Baker concluded: “I don’t want to encourage you to be complacent but I think you can be generally very pleased with the results. The fact it is independently produced by PF gives a stamp of approval, which is better than a stamp you give yourselves. Somebody else says you are doing well so I think you can go forward with confidence. You are getting most things right.”

Drilling down the data

The body of data can now be cut in different ways and an online analysis tool will be available to enable anyone to “drill down further” into the data across different demographics, for example, or to look at the views of disabled passengers on a particular route.

“For the real number crunchers out there, we still provide the data on SBSS,” said Wright. Analysis can also be done to identify factors critical to having satisfied passengers. PF is using the survey to look at issues most in need of attention - which might identify the need for more detailed research – and improvements will then be monitored.

“Value for money for young people is one such example needing attention. As such, PF will be working with DfT on the rollout of smart ticketing and produce a toolkit for monitoring results.”

Variations within areas

Commenting on the level of variation punctuated by the results, Sidebottom and Wright said the contrast is not just between different areas or operators or between PTEs and counties but within areas themselves. “It would be our goal really to bring the stragglers up to nearer the top performers,” said Wright, who pointed out nearly 20% difference in satisfaction between fare-paying and non-fare paying customers.

Sidebottom said the difference between First and Stagecoach in Manchester and Yorkshire, for example, was marked, with Stagecoach coming out more

favourably.

Substantiating Baker’s comments on young people, Wright said: “There is a very clear picture here.

Satisfaction overall with the journey is much lower amongst in the younger age groups, with about one in ten 16-34 year-olds dissatisfied with their bus journey and if you isolate out the 16-18 year-olds, the picture becomes even starker.” A third of 16-34 year-olds were also dissatisfied with value for money.

Industry reactions

GILES FEARNLEY FirstGroup Speaking at the launch and welcoming the minister’s support and presence, Giles Fearnley, managing director of First Bus, said: “I think it’s a real testament to this work that since Christmas, there’s been a real anticipation for it. Not only do we want to know how we’re doing but how we’ve done against previous years and against our colleagues out there.”

He said the research showed eight out of ten of First’s customers were satisfied with their most recent bus journey.

“Yes we have satisfaction results which other industries would die

Overall Satisfaction

Area Overall satisfaction

(very or fairly satisfied)

Nottingham City Tyne and Wear PTE Dorset East Sussex Surrey Bournemouth & Poole Lancashire Norfolk Merseyside PTE South Yorkshire PTE Kingston Upon Hull Leicester City Tees Valley Group* Staffordshire West Yorkshire PTE Hertfordshire Transport for Greater Manchester West England Partnership** Durham Essex Northamptonshire West Midlands PTE Stoke-on-Trent

91% 91% 88% 88% 88% 87% 87% 87% 86% 86% 85% 85% 85% 85% 85% 84% 84% 84% 83% 83% 83% 81% 79%

for but I don’t believe any operator in this industry is complacent.

If we’re going to succeed and go forward, we’ve got to better these results year on year on year.”

Fearnley said: “First’s new manifesto, ‘Better Journeys for Life’ is trying to say ‘everything we’re doing in the business internally and externally is all about the customer experience first.

Having met with PF to review and compare its results with the average, he said: “We went away realising just where we need to improve. We are putting action plans into operation around our business to ensure we get above the average. My O-level maths does remind me not everyone can be above an average but I’m sure every operator wants to be in that position and this is a great marker for us judge ourselves against.”

Praising the independent aspect of the research, Giles said the ‘real prize’ was partnership working between operators and authorities towards ‘jointly improving scores.’

Martin Dean Go-Ahead Dean, Go-Ahead business development managing director,

Punctuality

Area Overall satisfaction

(very or fairly satisfied)

East Sussex Nottingham City Tyne and Wear PTE West Yorkshire PTE Bournemouth & Poole Norfolk South Yorkshire PTE Staffordshire Dorset Lancashire Tees Valley* Merseyside PTE Surrey Kingston Upon Hull Transport for Greater Manchester Essex Hertfordshire Leicester City West England Partnership** Stoke-on-Trent Northamptonshire Durham West Midlands PTE

81% 80% 79% 77% 76% 76% 75% 75% 74% 74% 74% 73% 73% 72% 71% 70% 69% 69% 69% 68% 66% 65% 64%

highlighted the instinctive nature of the bus industry and welcomed PF’s research validation. “There is a role for instinct – to understand your local market and to drive forward your policies. It’s also very important to have this backed up by really, really good research.”

Also commending the independent nature of the work, Dean said the group did its own mystery shopper work across all of its bus and rail operating companies, which they “probably would not have publicised”. Having consulted with PF, the group has committed to producing its own research.

“There are risks. You don’t always get the answer you want but on balance it is worth it,” said Dean. As a result of feedback so far, concerns over Southern Vectis single fares perceived to be too high have been addressed with the introduction of a carnet ticket through the rollout of its ‘key’ smart card. In Tyne and Wear, people weren’t aware of the value fares being offered by GoAhead, so the group has “spent a lot of time” making sure publicity and buses advertise them.

“There are real, tangible, not always huge, initiatives which come

Value for Money

Area Overall satisfaction

(very or fairly satisfied)

Nottingham City Kingston Upon Hull South Yorkshire PTE East Sussex Tyne and Wear PTE Tees Valley* Transport for Greater Manchester Bournemouth & Poole Surrey Dorset Lancashire Merseyside PTE West Yorkshire PTE Norfolk Northamptonshire Stoke-on-Trent West Midlands PTE Essex Staffordshire Hertfordshire Durham West England Partnership** Leicester City

68% 66% 65% 64% 63% 62% 60% 59% 58% 57% 57% 56% 56% 51% 51% 51% 51% 50% 50% 47% 46% 43% 39%

* and ** informally grouped areas. * Tees Valley comprises: Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesborough, Redcar & Cleveland, Stockton-on-Tees borough councils. ** West England Partnership comprises: Bath and North East, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire councils.

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Join the discussion on Twitter by following us at @cbwtweets and find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/coachandbusweek as a result of the surveys which PF have done and which we have taken.”

Commenting on the regulatory framework of bus services, Dean said: “I totally agree with David Sidebottom – customers want outputs rather than inputs but what this does show is the level satisfaction with the partnership approach we’ve adopted at the moment is high.”

David Young pteg Speaking on behalf of pteg, David Young, director of customer experience at South Yorkshire PTE said. “PTEs are contributing towards the funding of this research because we think it adds real value to the industry and we want to encourage it to continue to happen because it does provide, better than any awards ceremony, an even, consistent approach to understanding the differences across the country and can help us learn from different areas where there are pockets of excellence.

“People can come to PTEs and say ‘you seem to have that cracked – show us what you’re doing with local operators’ – that’s the real value. There is nothing else like this in the country.”

However, he added: “Even with 86% satisfaction in South Yorkshire, I know there are more customers putting off other people by not recommending the bus to their family, colleagues and friends.

We also know there is falling bus patronage and therefore, it’s fundamentally important we embrace the challenges this layer of detail adds, if we are going to have a long-term sustainable industry.

“The key message from this research is not one party in this room can solve it – it is everybody and every organisation represented.”

Young said the impact PF’s 2009 research has “directly influenced what is being delivered on the ground in partnership”. For example cleaning and the removal of graffiti in South Yorkshire has taken people’s perception of bus stops from 77% to 81%. “Little measures like this which can make a big difference to people’s perception.

Let’s take the challenge which some of these statistics give and turn it into reality,” he urged.

Two bus corridors in Sheffield have also been introduced as a result of customer feedback, “not around what I think is best – I might

PassFocus.indd 31

(Left to right) Anthony Smith, PF, David Young, SYPTE, Martin Dean, GoAhead, Giles Fearnley, First and Colin Foxall, PF at the survey launch have an opinion but I’m not every customer,” said Young. “The same is true of our local bus operators, with whom we’ve worked in partnership to respond to criticisms made and the challenges laid down by our customers.

“By introducing changes in response to what our customers have been telling us we have not only got more people who are now recommending the bus to their friends, family and colleagues, but we’ve seen 5% growth in patronage on one corridor and 2% on the other against a background of three quarters of a percent reduction.

“So if you do listen to your customers, if you do rise to the challenge, you can make a difference – that’s why this research is so valuable. Let’s really use it and exploit it.”

SIMON POSNER CPT Welcoming the results, Simon Posner, chief executive of CPT UK, said: “We are delighted Passenger Focus’ expanded survey finds passengers across the twenty three areas covered are happy with the services they get. We know how important punctuality is to our passengers and are pleased the survey highlights this. As operators we are constantly looking at ways to ensure our services are on time.

But we cannot do this alone.

“Many of the areas with the highest customer satisfaction rates have built their success through working in partnership with local authorities and transport executives by identifying local solutions for tackling traffic congestion and enabling the operators to improve – even further – on our punctuality rates.

“While we are delighted with

overall satisfaction rates ranging up to 91% in places like Tyne & Wear and Nottingham, it is particularly good to see the percentage of those very dissatisfied with our services was so low - ranging from 2% in Dorset and East Sussex to a height of just 4% in Essex and Hertfordshire. Operators are always looking for ways to improve the services they provide and this survey will help deliver this.”

Looking forwards

PF will look to spread and increase the use of the survey across the industry. Indeed, a strong message was ‘the more authorities and operator get on board and fund research, the better.’ “This report is an example of the way we want to work in the future, funding our activities without looking directly to government and we hope this way of working will become the norm in the future,” said Foxall.

“We want this to be an annual programme of work, we want this to be the established benchmark of satisfaction across the industry, we want to do this with greater contribution and engagement from operators and authorities and we want to make this a national picture outside of London,” commented Sidebottom.

The immediate next steps will be to pick up the results with the various authorities and operators, to see how they are used and how they are making a difference to passengers. Work for PF’s 2012 wave of research will start in autumn, for which planning will commence later in the year.

To view a copy of Passenger Focus’ survey, visit www. passengerfocus.org.uk

Scores by Operator Only operators with minimum sample size needed (150+) were logged in PF’s results. Most operators did not reach the minimum sample size except for a few exceptions such as NCT and EYMS; as their results are in a specific area, they have been omitted here. The following results come from ‘weighted’ values and PF has issue the following caveat: The survey represents passenger journeys made. Thus each authority area result is weighted to represent the number of journeys made within the area. So, the results below for each operator will be dominated by the passenger scores the operator receives from those authority areas which have larger journey numbers, e.g. Arriva is dominated by its results from passengers within the PTEs rather than e.g. Surrey, because of the volume of passenger journeys made in the PTEs. The survey covered authority areas, which make up two thirds of journeys in England outside London, and is not a full picture of operators’ services within PF’s remit area.

Overall Satisfaction Operator Overall satisfaction

(very or fairly satisfied)

Go-Ahead Stagecoach Arriva First National Express

90% 86% 85% 83% 80%

Punctuality Operator Overall satisfaction

(very or fairly satisfied)

Go-Ahead Stagecoach Arriva First National Express

81% 74% 71% 70% 63%

Value for Money Operator Overall satisfaction

(very or fairly satisfied)

Stagecoach Go-Ahead Arriva First National Express

63% 63% 53% 50% 50%

www.coachandbusweek.com

12/03/2012 23:14

32 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 14, 2012

THE BIG PICTURE Kings Lynn Bus Station offers a number of different vantage points for the photographer, benefitting from a circular layout, which not only assists in getting different angles, but also enables full advantage to be taken of varying lighting conditions. Norfolk Green’s Optare Solo ‘YJ09LBE’ and First Eastern’s Wright Eclipse Geminibodied Volvo B9TL ‘AU58ECJ’ were caught on camera late on the afternoon of Saturday, March 3 by Coach & Bus Week editor Gareth Evans, in his trademark ‘jaunty’ angle style. The Solo is branded for the award-winning and popular Coasthopper (sic) service, which operates along the scenic North Norfolk coast, from Kings Lynn all the way along to Cromer.

Meanwhile, the Eclipse Gemini is branded for the long-distance inter-urban X1 Peterborough to Great Yarmouth service. It runs via Kings Lynn and Norwich, a route which at around 100 miles long, can almost certainly claim the title for the longest service operated using low floor buses in the UK. It is understood the service continues to be run on a commercial basis and can without doubt be regarded as a remarkable survivor.

www.coachandbusweek.com

BigPicture.indd 32

12/03/2012 20:43

March 14, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 33

www.coachandbusweek.com

BigPicture.indd 33

12/03/2012 20:43

34 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 14, 2012

eg

ESSENTIAL GUIDE

› GLASS

The Big Screen Ignoring minor damage to a windscreen can result in quite a headache for an operator and should a windscreen need replacing all together the vehicle needs to be back into service as fast as possible.

This week’s Essential Guide looks at glass suppliers which can help, whether you need the windscreen replacing or maintaining

M

inor damage to a windscreen can quickly turn into a major problem, but fixing it doesn’t have to involve calling a professional or a visit to the garage. Esprit can supply operators with their own repair tools, saving lots of money and time without compromising the strength of the windscreen.

For those occasions where the damage is out of an operator’s control, Reglaze offer a 24/7 service with an excellent record for going the extra mile to make sure damage is repaired as quickly as possible to keep your fleet on the road.

performance to the glass. This is a major saving in cost and downtime compared to replacement.

Chips are repaired by injecting a liquid acrylic resin into the damaged glass. The resin is then cured with long wave ultra violet light, restoring the strength of the glass. The vehicle can be washed or driven immediately afterwards.

Tinted glass, heated windscreens and top band colour areas can be repaired in the same way, as the colour or heating element comes from the undamaged PVB interlayer of laminated glass (older toughened windscreens do not

chip, but shatter into thousands of pieces) with the resin picking up the colour in exactly the same way as the glass would have before.

Esprit’s roots are in the coach and bus industry, which was its original market. However the Esprit windscreen repair system was soon in demand from all sections of the automotive industry. Firstly approved by Ford of Europe, other major manufacturers followed suit.

The Esprit windscreen repair system is under constant development with new materials and equipment to ensure Esprit is always at the forefront in

windscreen repair technology.

Esprit has a newsletter, ‘The Way Ahead,’ available on its website tracking these changes.

The Esprit windscreen repair system is also used in motor sport, being the repairer of the Harrods and the West McLaren teams for the 1996 World GT Endurance Championship. It was also part of the G-Force Porsche GT1 team in 1998. Esprit are currently working with GT teams at all the major meetings in Europe and the USA. T: 0800 432 0982 F: 01782 565766 E: sales@espritws.com W: www.espritws.com

ESPRIT

REGLAZE

Established in 1981, Esprit is one of the leading manufacturers and suppliers of windscreen repair tools and equipment throughout the world. The Esprit windscreen repair systems have passed BS 251:1994 and AS/NZS 2366.2.1999 standards testing.

With an Esprit system, stone chips and short cracks can be repaired in under 30 minutes and for less than £2 in materials. The function of the repair is to stop the damage spreading (to stop the small chip becoming a large crack) and to restore over 90% of the original cosmetic/optical

Reglaze is a specialist supplier and installer of replacement glass to the coach, bus, horsebox, motorhome and rail industries. Having been in the business for over 25 years, Gary Blackmore and his team truly understand the demand within the industry.

Reglaze is committed to helping customers 24/7 in the UK & Europe. The company holds a huge range of stock which helps Reglaze deliver ‘same day service’ in most cases. Stock is reviewed each day and re-ordered where required.

The preferred supplier to Reglaze is Carlyle Glass, which the firm

www.coachandbusweek.com

EG.Glass.indd 34

Reglaze travelled to Austria on short notice to aid a stricken coach

12/03/2012 20:50

March 14, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 35

Replacing a windscreen need not be a pain, quite literally, thanks to Reglaze and Espirit

cites as reliable, having depots in Manchester and Birmingham and operating a delivery service 24/7, meaning the company are never without glass.

Reglaze aims to provide a ‘same day quality service’ 100% of the time, an aim which has been achieved so far. Reglaze has a vast wealth of knowledge in both glass and installation, and asks operators to call with any queries.

Reglaze was established in 2003 and since August 2011 has been independently owned by Gary Blackmore, based in Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire.

Reglaze said customer needs are the priority, aiming to be the preferred specialist glass installer for the coach and bus industry.

“No matter what time of day, what day of the week we will answer your call and give you a true price & ETA for any cover within UK or Europe. Your call does not go through to a call centre - it is directed to our quality fitting management team who will take a

note of all your requirements and aim to come back to you within 30 minutes.”

In February, a Reglaze customer had an accident in Innsbruck, Austria, where a post had pierced the windscreen. The call came through to Reglaze on the Saturday afternoon and within 30 minutes Reglaze had priced the job, setting off on Sunday morning to Austria with one of the mechanics from Llew Jones Coaches.

Steve Jones, proprietor of Llanrwst-based Llew Jones Coaches, said: “One of our coaches was involved in a minor accident in Austria which rendered the vehicle (an Iveco Beulas Cygnus) unroadworthy as it needed a new windscreen and some minor bodywork. We had used Reglaze for the first time on the previous Thursday for another vehicle, finding their service to be very helpful and efficient, so we contacted them again for advice on how to deal with the screen in Austria. I was called back within

minutes by Gary, the owner, who told me he would go out personally as soon as required (even offering to repair the bodywork).

“Gary arranged to collect a screen Sunday morning and drove to Austria with one of my maintenance staff to repair the coach. They arrived by Monday morning and it was back on the road by Tuesday. This saved us thousands in replacement coaches, with the group leader also very impressed by the way the issue was dealt with.

“I cannot praise Reglaze enough; nothing was too much trouble for them. Service and a can do attitude like this is now very difficult to find in the coach industry. I am very glad to have found a firm we can trust and make difficult situations like these much easier to deal with. We will certainly be using Reglaze for our glazing requirements in future.”

T: 01274 870 919 E: sales@reglaze.co.uk W: www.reglaze.co.uk

UK & European Cover

For all your glass replacement needs

• • • • • • • • • •

Quality & Service first time – why compromise?

24 hours, 365 days, fast & friendly service Quality workmanship 24 hours access to large glass supply No call centres – straight through to experienced staff member Competitive pricing Now Recruiting Coach & Customer accounts upon request Bus Fitters – please view Repairs & filming our website Insurance work covered Over 50 years combined experience Replacing glass on coaches, buses, trains, horse boxes, boats, trams, motorhomes, plant and agricultural equipment & much more

PLEASE CALL TODAY FOR A QUOTE OR EXPERT ADVICE – OUR PHONES ARE MANAGED 24 HOURS, 365 DAYS A YEAR

Contact us on 01274 870919

sales@reglaze.co.uk www.reglaze.co.uk www.coachandbusweek.com

EG.Glass.indd 35

12/03/2012 21:39

36 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 14, 2012

DELIVERIES

ANITAS Anitas Coach and Minibus Hire has a new 13m VDL Bova Futura FHD 127.365PR from Pontefract-based Moseley PCV. The vehicle is powered by a DAF PR265 365bhp engine, coupled to a ZF 5HP604 automatic gearbox.

The Futura contains 53 seats, all with leather

headrests, flanks, squabs and piping. A Blaupunkt Professionaline multimedia system is included, featuring TV and DVD player. A microwave, fridge and water boiler are all on board, powered by a 1500W inverter, along with air conditioning. A centre demountable toilet is also featured.

The firm’s striking orange livery is complimented by Durabrite alloy wheels.

The vehicle is covered by a Bovacare extended warranty and is the same model as a 10-plate already owned by the family-run operator.

Anitas visited the factory to design both vehicles, choosing the moquettes and features to put their own stamp on each. The company celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, with a crest placed on the foremost passenger windows.

The new coach will cater for small contracts, private hire and weddings.

BROWNS COACHES BASE Coach Sales has supplied Browns Coaches of South Kirkby with a new Beulas Spica-bodied MAN A91 executive, replacing a previous 07-plate 53-seat Beulas Cygnus-bodied Iveco.

Powered by a 360bhp MAN EGR engine, coupled to a ZF Ecolife automatic

FACT FILE

Chassis/body VDL Bova

Futura FHD 127.365PR (integral)

Engine DAF PR265, 365BHP Transmission ZF auto Seats 53 Spec Touring Supplied by

Moseley PCV 01977 609000 www.moseleycoachsales.co.uk

UNO Uno has taken delivery of two new Optare Solo diesel electric hybrid buses, which were due to start service on Wednesday, March 14.

The Solos are powered by Mercedes-Benz OM904LA Euro 5 four-cylinder turbo diesel 4.25 litre engines with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) through use of re-agent.

The vehicles are equipped with Wabco PAN17 dual circuit air disc brakes with anti-lock braking system, a ZF 8090 power assisted steering gear and Albion F36 2 bag air suspension with leading taper leaf springs and Panhard rod.

The vehicles were purchased with the assistance of Green Bus Funding from the Department

gearbox, the coach has 53 reclining seats with threepoint seatbelts.

A Blaupunkt entertainment system is included, with dual monitors, DVD player and PA system. A Hispacold climate control system and Webasto heating system maintain climate control. A centre sunken toilet and a drinks machine are also on board.

Passenger windows are double glazed and tinted.

Network St Albans initiatives and clean air strategy.

Jim Thorpe, managing director of University Bus Ltd & Uno Buses Ltd, said: “Uno Buses is pleased to introduce these Optare Solos, the first hybrid buses the company has bought, into the fleet. We look forward to improved fuel consumption, lower emissions and increased passenger comfort for our customers in St Albans in the years to come.”

FACT FILE

for Transport (DfT) and support from Hertfordshire County Council.

Internally, the Solos carry a sealed, slip-resistant floor covering system and flush fitting step nosings with yellow inserts, colour contrasting with floor

covering. Seats are individual moquette trimmed with tubular steel frames and ABS backs. There is modular interior saloon lighting running front to rear on both sides with adjustable light level.

An EcoDrive telematics

system is included with a TFT display for driver assistance. The driver’s seat is fully adjustable with air suspension.

Wheelchair access is via a folding ramp.

The buses will be used in St Albans as part of the

Chassis/body Optare Solo Engine Mercedes-Benz

OM904LA Euro 5 4.25litre Transmission N/A Seats 29-37 Spec Local bus Supplied by

Optare 0113 264 5182 www.optare.com

For all the latest industry news and information, register with us online at:

www.coachandbusweek.com

www.coachandbusweek.com

Deliveries.indd 36

12/03/2012 20:48

March 14, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 37

Have you taken delivery of a new vehicle and want to tell the world about it?

Email all the details and pictures to cbwinbox@ rouncymedia.co.uk

Adrian Griffith, general manager at Browns Coaches, told CBW: “We’re more than happy with Beulas vehicles, but this is the first MAN we’ve bought.

“Everybody around us seemed to have one so we thought we’d give it a try – so far so good. The vehicle will be used for general private hire. It’s off to Italy this week.”

Browns was established in 1976, and the new coach joins a fleet of vehicles with sizes ranging from 14 to 57 seats.

FACT FILE

Chassis/body MAN A91/

Beulas Spica Engine MAN 360BHP Transmission ZF auto Seats 53 Spec Executive Supplied by

BASE Coach Sales 01772 425355 www.basecoachsales.co.uk

LEONS OF STAFFORD Leons Travel Group in Stafford has received two new 13.2m Van Hool T917 Altanos.

They are powered by MAN D2676 LOH 27 480bhp engines with ZF-AS-Tronic 12 AS 2301 gearbox.

Each vehicle is identical but for a slight difference in the colouration of the vehicle’s Grande Lux leather seats – one with black and grey, the other black and red.

The 57 reclining seats feature embroidered headrest inserts and three-point seat belts.

A Blaupunkt Multimedia system incorporating three monitors, DVD player, digital TV and a satellite navigation system provides entertainment. Passengers also have access to a centre sunken toilet and washroom,

water boiler and fridge.

A rear-mounted out-swing reversing camera, activated when an indicator is turned on and reverse gear selected, assists the driver in reversing safely.

The vehicle is finished in the standard Leons Holidays red livery with yellow logo, which combined with the double glazed and tinted windows makes it a striking, professional looking coach

sure to turn a few heads.

Andrew Douglas at Leons Travel said: “Almost our entire fleet consist of Van Hool vehicles with MAN engines.

The vehicles have excellent fuel economy and we don’t need to concern ourselves with Adblue.”

They went into operation on March 9, with both going on tour immediately. One of the vehicles left for France, while the other embarked on

a five-day tour to Folkestone.

Leons Travel Group offers a number of five-day coach holiday deals, mostly to seaside areas such as Bournemouth, Blackpool and Folkestone. In Europe, they visit the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and the Mediterranean area. The operator also has deals linking up with cruise ships serving the Baltic and St Petersburg, Canary Islands and a Madeira, Portugal and Spain cruise.

FACT FILE

Chassis/body Van Hool T917 Altano Super Highliner (integral) Engine

MAN D2676 LOH 27 480bhp Transmission ZF AS-Tronic Seats 57 Spec Touring Supplied by

Moseley PCV 01977 609000 www.moseleycoachsales.co.uk

www.coachandbusweek.com

Deliveries.indd 37

12/03/2012 20:48

38 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 14, 2012

pteg column › jonathan bray

Spend a little time on… bus Although small-scale measures such as bus priority are losing out to bigger transport spend such as HS2, there are some trends which could help the bus funding cause, says pteg director Jonathan Bray, including an evidence base for the value of bus investment and the devolution of funding and powers to cities and city mayors.

With the economy looking somewhat fragile, there has been renewed focus from government on growth, jobs and the role both transport and the cities can play in promoting it. Both should be good news for buses - but at present the sector is some way off being able to take full advantage of it.

So the good news is, investment in transport is now seen as a fiscally respectable way of keeping the economy from stalling. However, although the Autumn Statement upped projected spend on transport, there are clear winners and losers.

The biggest winner since the election is National Rail (where spending will be higher than it was before the election). As usual London hasn’t done too badly. The two biggest losers are national roads and local transport outside London (which supports capital investment in bus - such as bus priority). Buses have also done badly out of the big cuts to local government funding (which supports tendered services). Having said that, Norman Baker has fought the buses corner valiantly in terms of the ‘could be worse’ BSOG cut and by parcelling up chunks of the DfT’s current underspend and sending it in the bus industry’s direction.

There’s another spending trend which doesn’t help the bus - in the current scramble to find schemes for generating growth ‘Big is beautiful’ and big and brand new is even lovelier. Think HS2. The bread and butter of gradually building up a city’s transport capacity through measures like bus priority doesn’t quite give off the breathless and excitable buzz the government is seeking to dazzle voters with. So although transport spending gets a tick in the box for growth – the bus isn’t looking like one of the biggest beneficiaries.

Despite this, there are some trends which might help. Cuts in bus services (most prominent in the shires and counties) have kept their political profile up via rural Conservative MPs – a constituency with obvious clout these days. Plus, the remaining holes in the evidence base for investing in the bus are also being filled in time for the next Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) via a major programme of work on which pteg and Greener Journeys are collaborating.

Unlike the last CSR - when HM Treasury asks www.coachandbusweek.com

PtegColumn.indd 38

Measures like bus priority do not give off the breathless and excitable buzz as HS2 the government is seeking to dazzle the voters with, says Jonathan where the evidence is for investing in buses and bus infrastructure – this time we will have it.

Urban buses could potentially also benefit from another strand of policy thinking which is the devolution of powers and funding on transport – particularly to the major cities which are now seen as the engine room for wider economic growth outside London. Already DfT is consulting on devolving major capital scheme funding. The next big milestones includes decisions on BSOG devolution and what role PTEs will play on local rail services. The largest cities are also discussing wider ‘city deals’ with Cabinet Office over what government might give them in terms of bespoke arrangements on funding and powers which would lead to direct benefits for the particular circumstances of that city. The referenda on city mayors in May will also lead to greater focus on transport – as transport, the economy and law order are likely to dominate mayoral debates in the same way they have in London. What does this mean for the bus? In the short term full implementation of the Transport Management Act to allow local transport authorities to take over the enforcement of moving traffic offences (including abuse of bus lanes) is on a number of cities’ requests to government. Looking longer term, devolution is usually good news for transport

in cities as whenever you devolve there is more political focus on transport and more investment as a result. London and Scotland both illustrate the point. Whether buses will benefit fully from devolution remains to be seen, as the loudest voices in the industry seem to see devolution as more of a threat than an opportunity – given the potential implications for BSOG, and for the full use of all the tools in the Local Transport Act 2008. There are shrewder but quieter people in the industry who can see the potential which devolution brings. It will be interesting to see if more of them break cover in the year ahead.

Jonathan is director of the pteg support unit. His background is in both transport campaigning and transport policy.

He was one of the founders of the campaign against the national road programme in the early nineties and later led the campaign against rail privatisation. He has also worked for the Campaign for Better Transport on a range of sustainable transport issues.

Jonathan was appointed as assistant director of pteg in 2003 and director in 2008.

12/03/2012 21:41

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March 14, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 41

LEGAL update

In association with

Employees offered franchise work after TUPE transfer potentially fair Transfer of staff under TUPE would have them believe their positions were secure - not so In Meter U Ltd v Ackroyd and ors the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has held where, after a Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) transfer, the transferee dismissed transferring employees and offered them work as franchisees, it could argue it had an economic, technical or organisational reason for the dismissals entailing changes in the workforce, making the dismissals potentially fair despite their connection to the transfer.

The EAT decided ‘workforce’, for this purpose, does not include individuals providing their services through sub-contracted franchise companies.

Therefore, the dismissal of employees to be replaced by franchisees did involve a change in workforce numbers, as case law requires for an economical, technical or organisational (ETO) reason to be valid. MU Ltd provided electricity meter reading services.

Its business model was to tender for meter-reading contracts and then sub-contract the work to individual meter readers, who provided their services through their own independent limited companies.

Thus, MU Ltd did not actually employ any meter readers under

contracts of employment. When MU Ltd won retendered meter-reading contracts from two companies who employed meter readers, the employed meter readers transferred to MU Ltd under the 2006 TUPE Regulations. MU Ltd explained its business model to these transferred employees and offered them the opportunity to set up individual companies to work under its franchise arrangement.

The majority refused and MU Ltd dismissed them for redundancy.

The dismissed employees brought claims of unfair dismissal under Regulation 7. They argued their dismissals were for a reason connected to the transfer, which, under Regulation 7 (1)(b), would render them automatically

EAT says it is fair to replace ‘employed’ staff with franchised sevices

Do staff transfer under TUPE if they “go with the work”?

In deliberating whether there has been a service provision change under Regulation 3 (1) (b) of TUPE 2006, is it sufficient to say that employees will transfer if, simply, they “go with the work”? According to the EAT in Eddie Stobart v Morman they do not. There needs to

unfair unless they were for an ‘economical, technical or organisational’ reason entailing changes in the workforce.

Two different tribunals upheld the claims of the two different groups of employees. They had regard to the court of appeals decision in Berriman v Delabole Slate Ltd, which establishes for an ETO reason to entail ‘changes in the workforce’ it must entail changes in numbers or job functions of the workforce. The tribunals took a purposive approach, assuming it must have been the intention of the EU Acquired Rights Directive, which TUPE implements, to include a wider class of persons than just ‘employees’ in the term ‘workforce’.

The tribunals took this term to

be analytical distinction between an organised grouping of employees (TUPE, Regulation 3 ((3) (a)), on the one hand and, on the other, whether employees are assigned (Regulation (4 (1)) to it. Stobarts are a warehousing and logistics service provider. It had 35 employees at

Backhouse Jones acts for clients in the private and public sector, both national and international operators from one to several thousand vehicles. Backhouse is absolutely “industry specific”. Whilst the company can trace its heritage to 1819 it only represented its first Road Transport Operator in 1930. The explanation for this is that the

one site in Nottinghamshire servicing at least five clients. The contracts reduced to two, the principal one relating to customer A. Stobarts subsequently closed the site and a new operator picked up customer A’s work. Stobarts took the view in which all employees engaged wholly or 50% on customer A’s work should transfer to the new service provider. The EAT maintained it is necessary to identify an organised grouping

include all persons working in the employer’s business, whether as employees, franchisees or otherwise.

This being so, there was no change in the workforce’s number following the transfer - MU Ltd required the same number of meter readers, it was simply proposing to alter their status. The tribunals therefore rejected MU ltd’s ETO reason and found the dismissals automatically unfair. MU Ltd appealed.

The EAT overturned the tribunal’s findings of unfair dismissal. It noted neither the TUPE Regulations nor the Directive defines the word ‘workforce’.

However, it observed all possible definitions refer to individuals - i.e. people, employees or workers - and common sense suggests it does not include limited companies. The tribunals had therefore erred in holding the view franchises were included in MU Ltd’s workforce.

Since they decided there was no change in the workforce based on the premise that a change from engaging employees to using corporate franchisees to carry out meter reading work was not a reduction in the workforce, the decisions in each case would have to be set aside. The EAT accordingly allowed the appeal and remitted the claims for the tribunals to determine the fairness of the dismissals. of employees in advance of the question of which employees were assigned to it. Here, the employees were “organised” as to their shifts, not as to a particular customer. A paradigm example of an organised grouping of employees would be where there was a particular client “team” dedicated to the client. Such was not the case here and therefore the EAT concluded the employees were not assigned or principally engaged on the particular contract.

first transport act was only introduced in 1930 n The Independent Chambers Guide 2009 describes Backhouse Jones Limited as a specialist company with a national reputation for “first class strength, experience and understanding of the transport industry”. n Contact 01254 828300. Visit www.backhousejones.co.uk www.coachandbusweek.com

LegalUpdate.indd 41

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42 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 14, 2012

COACH&BUSMARKET – the place to buy and sell

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£45,500 +VAT NOW £41,000 +VAT

£69,950 +VAT NOW £66,950 +VAT

Call Dougie at Haggis Adventures on 0131 554 9192

2002 - Setra 315 GTHD

48 seat executive, MOT due Feb 2013, tow bar, good condition, Euro 3, used mainly on tours, coach hoover system

1994 - Bova Futura 70 seats school conversion MOT due February 2013 £28,000.00 plus VAT ono

£65,000.00 plus VAT ono

01672 562238 info@pewseyvalecoaches.co.uk

Telephone Jade Cassidy on 01733 293247 or email jade.cassidy@rouncymedia.co.uk

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March 14, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 43

1998 R Dennis Dart SLF 10.2m Plaxton Pointer 35 seats.

Hanover LED. Choice £4,500 each

01293 518307

To advertise on these pages for as little as £30 just call 01733 293247

2002 Dennis Dart SLF 8.8m Marshall DDA compliant, power ramp, 25 seats/50 capacity Euro 3. Choice

2010 MAN Neoplan Tourliner 400bhp, 49 recliners, centre sunken toilet, air-con, fully loaded, 1 year’s MoT, low mileage, plain white exterior ...........................................................................£155,000+VAT 1995 Volvo B10 Caetano Algarve just been converted to 70 seat coach with Cogent seats, 1 year’s MoT .....................................£25,000+VAT 1993 Scania VanHool Alizee Super High K113 Triaxle 7 speed comfort shift, air-con, 48 retrimmed recliners, centre sunken toilet, TV, DVD, excellent condition for year ....................................£13,500+VAT

Telephone 01290 550365 or Mobile 07736 490200 Milligans Coach Travel, Scotland

SHELTON MOTORS – RAMSEY, CAMBS

WANTED ALL TYPES OF BUSES AND COACHES FULLY LICENSED ELV SITE # WANTED FOR BREAKING AND EXPORT ORDERS # IMMEDIATE PAY AND COLLECTION # SINGLE OR FLEET PURCHASES Tel: 01487 813156 (9 until 5 Mon - Fri only) Mobile: 07831 349760 Email: sales@shelton-motors.co.uk

WANTED # WANTED # WANTED # WANTED

WANTED # WANTED # WANTED # WANTED

# WANTED # WANTED # WANTED # WANTED # WANTED # WANTED # WANTED #

# WANTED # WANTED # WANTED # WANTED # WANTED # WANTED # WANTED #

Get Results AdvertiseyourCoach orBushereforaslittle as£30.00 aweek!

Phone Jade Cassidy on 01733 293247 or email: jade.cassidy@rouncymedia.co.uk

Fiat Ducato

2005 (55) Caetano Optimo V

17 seats, 23,000 miles, reliability 100% £15,500 + VAT o.n.o.

Luxury 26 seats + courier, white, manual, tacho, 3 point seatbelts, CD + PA, forced air, power door, Euroliners. Very good condition, new MOT, 194,000 miles. £34,000 + VAT ono

Call 01227 742909 (Kent)

01494 532 777

FREEDESIGNFREEWEBADFREEFULLCOLOURFREEDESIGNFREEWEBADFREEFULLCOLOUR

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Ensig n

DOUBLE DECK E 1997/8 VOLVO OLYMPIANS Seatbe exampleslted no available w

LEZ

LEZ

COMPLIANT

COMPLIANT

Volvo engines, Euro 2, 78 seats, converted to single door, new COIF, tyres included, UK registered ready to work.

2 0 0 4 /5 S C A N I A K 1 1 4 A N D 12 4’ S

1 99 9 / 2 00 0 T / V / X R E G D EN N I S T R I D EN T S

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

1998 D ENN IS JAV ELIN

ZF 6 speed manual, Plaxton Premiere 320, 70 seats.

ZF automatics, Irizar PB bodies, 49 leather seats, toilets, air-con, £53,500. (pic YN04GPX)

1998 R R EG VOLVO O LY MPIA N

2006 OPTARE SOLO’S

Slimline, Mercedes engines, 23 seats, long MOTʼs.

ZF automatic, 74 seats, dual door, CONVERTIBLE open topper, so can still be used in the Winter! One only.

1 9 9 5 M R E G D E N NI S DR AGO N S

1 99 8 D AF S B 300 0

ZF automatic, Plaxton Premiere 350, air-con, 57 seats.

Cummins/Voith gearboxes, Duple Metsec bodies, recent floors and 92 coach seats.

2 0 01 DDA CO MP LIA NT D E N N I S D A R TS

Plaxton Pointer 2 dual door bodies, 31 seats, CCTV, particulate traps fitted, LEZ 2012 compliant, only £6,500 each plus tyres (£375)

2 00 1 Y R E G D A RT SL F ’ S

Cummins/Allison, LEZ compliant for 2012 with traps to Euro 4, CCTV, Alexander ALX200 bodies with either 30 seats and 2 doors or 34 seats converted to single door, ramps, DDA certified and compliant. 10.8m 37 seaters now available.

OPEN TOP BUSES A SPECIALITY - B

Juliette Close, Purfleet Industrial Pa Telephone 01708 865656 Fax: 01708 864 Visit our website for current sto

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g nbus

K ER SPECIALIST 1993 L R EG VO LVO OLYMP IAN

GREAT VALUE DENNIS DARTS!!!

Northern Counties low height body, Volvo engine, long MOT.

2 001 Y REG DENNIS DART M P D ’S

Plaxton Pointer 2 bodies, 29 seats, LEZ compliant post 2012 with traps, DDA compliant, long MOTʼs.

1998-2000 S / V / W reg Darts with Plaxton Pointer 2 bodies, 31 seats, dual door, DDA compliant, exhaust traps fitted so reduced tax, huge choice at an unbelievable £4,500 each plus VAT and tyres (£400).

2 0 0 3 M AN 1 4 2 2 0

Hanover LEDʼs, East Lancs Myllenium body, 39 seats.

2 0 0 3 MA N 1 1 . 2 2 2 0 ’ S

Euro 3, ZF automatics, 35 seats, East Lancs Myllenium bodies.

2005 55 PLATE VOLVO B12B

I Shift, Sunsundengui body, 49 seats, centre toilet, air-con.

1999/2000 DENNIS TRIDENTS

Cummins/Voith, LEZ compliant with traps, Plaxton President bodies, 62 seats or 70 when converted to single door.

1998 DENNIS DART

Cummins/Allison, East Lancs body, 33 seats.

1996 VOLVO B10M

6 speed ZF manual, Van Hool T8 body, 48 seats with centre sunken toilet, very tidy.

2 0 0 7 M AN 1 4 . 2 2 0

£7000 just spend on recon engine, MCV Evolution body, 40 seats, DDA, Hanover LEDʼs.

1 9 9 5 N R E G SC A N I A L 1 1 3

Voith automatic, East Lancs body, 49 dual purpose seats just retrimmed, supplied with new MOT.

2006 VOLVO B6’S

ZF automatic, SLF, Wrights bodies.

- BRITAIN’S BIGGEST BUS DEALERS

rial Park, Purfleet, Essex, RM15 4YF 708 864340 e-mail: sales@ensignbus.com ent stock at www.ensignbus.com

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553368-1027-Pembridge

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NEW PRE-REGISTERED FORDS

New Ford Transit 17 seat 4.3ton 135ps minibus. From £20,595 + VAT

OTHER MAKES

FORD TRANSIT MINIBUSES

(11) 2011 Ford Transit 9 seat Shuttle Bus, twin side loading doors, large rear luggage area, delivery miles only £16,995

(10) 2010 Ford Transit 17 seat M/R 140PS with air-con, tacho, COIF/PSV £17,995 (05) Ford Transit 17 seat 2.5 diesel 115ps, high back seats with three point belts 25,000 miles only £8,750 (53) 2003 Ford Transit 17 seat 2.4 td minibus, high back seats with three point belts, tacho, air-con, COIF/PSV £6,995 (03) Ford Transit 3.5 ton 15 seat minibus, 2.4 tdi, high back seats with three point belts £2,995 (52) 2003 Ford Transit 17 seat 2.4tdi, tacho, towbar, high back seats with three point belts, COIF/PSV £6,495

LDV MINIBUSES

(57) 2007 LDV Maxus 15 seat minibus, high back seats with three point belts £7,495

(03) 2003 LDV Convoy Maxi XLWB 17 seat mini-coach, 2.4 Tdi, front entry drop step, luggage racks, rear heating, wide aisle, rear row of seats removable, New PSV £6,495

OTHER MAKES

New Peugeot Boxer 16 seat 3.5 ton and 17 seat wheelchair accessible minibuses, 2.2 diesel 120ps, six speed gearbox, LEZ COMPLIANT from £23,500 + VAT (09) 2009 Renault Master 16 seat minibus, tacho,high back seats with three point belts, 35,000km £15,650

(07) 2007 Peugeot Boxer 17 seat 3.5 ton minibus, 2.2 diesel, high back seats with three point belts, rear row of seats on tracking, 18,000 miles only £10,495

WHEELCHAIR ACCESS

(08) Renault Master LWB 3.5 ton, 2.5 tdi, six seats, fully tracked floor, inboard Ricon Clearway lift, one owner from new, 40,000 miles £16,750 (07) 2007 Volkswagen Crafter 8 seat 2.2 diesel inboard lift, fully tracked floor, rear heating, 48,000 miles £13,995

(57) LDV Maxus LWB 9 seats tracking to take two wheelchairs, inboard lift, 49,000 miles, £9,995

(54) 2005 Renault Master 13 seat wheelchair access minibus, inboard Ricon lift, fully tracked floor, rear heating, electric side step, 56,000 miles £8,995

(03) 2003 Fiat Doblo SX 1.9 diesel, low floor, four seats plus one wheelchair, lightweight ramp, 45,000 miles £3,495

New Renault Master 17 seat LM35/ 2.2di 125ps, six speed, satnav, tacho, fully tracked floor with removable seats £21,995

(53) 2003 Mercedes Vito 108 cdi 2.2 diesel, 6 seats, low floor with lightweight ramp, tracking for two wheelchairs £5,995

(10) 2010 Renault Trafic 9 seat LL29, twin side loading doors, air-con, alloys, tail gate, 50,000 miles £11,995

Y 2001 Renault Mascot 2.8 diesel, 16 seat wheelchair accessible minibus, front entry drop step, fully tracked floor to take five wheelchairs, under floor lift, rear heating, COIF/PSV £7,750

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%

554114-1023-Eastwoods

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2003 DENNIS JAVELIN PLAXTON PROFILE Registered Dec 2003, double glazed tinted glass, Cummins 275 engine, 6 speed manual gearbox, 49 seats, toilet & washroom, ready for immediate use, MoT tested, 120,000 miles, choice of two. £P.O.A

Straight from MOD

VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER

Dec 07, low mileage, 7 seats, quick release tracking for wheelchair use. £12,500 + VAT

MERCEDES VARIO 612

1998, 20 new seats, wheelchair lift on wheel tracking, 20 new seats.

Choice of 6.

TRADE SALE OR SEPARATE

06 MAN EVOLUTION

14/220, 37 seats, SLF automatic, wheelchair ramp, superb condition throughout, fully MoT’d. £45,500 Part exchange considered

1995 DENNIS JAVELIN PLAXTON PREMIER HIGHLINER 53 recliner seats, 290 Cummins, automatic, continental door, toilet, full years MoT, must be seen. £POA + VAT £19,500

BERKOF RADIAL 1998

53 seats, seats, Cummins 53 Cummins 300 300 engine, ex ex council, engine, council, manual box, box, air cond, manual cond, MoT, veryMoT, low mileage, full years very low mileage, super condition. super condition. £POA £19,500

02 LDV

Minibus with 12 seats, long MOT, wheelchair lift and very clean.

£P.O.A.

CAETANO (SALVADOR) 1998

57 seats, in white, Cummins 245 engine, MoT Sept 2012, very clean vehicle. £19,500 + VAT

1996 DENNIS JAVELIN

10 metre, new MoT, 41/47 seats, 220 Cummins, 6 speed box, new stretch panels, repainted.

Choice of 2. £POA + VAT

BMC AIRPORT BUS

32 seats, 220 Cummins, new MoT this week.

QUICK SALE WANTED.

£15,000

1996 VOLVO PLAXTON PREMIER HIGH LINER

B10 engine, 14 months test, 70 seats, tinted double glazing with curtains & continental door, must be seen. £POA

554114-1023-Eastwoods

6/2/12

19:21

Page 2

IVECO SERVICE BUS

67 seats (moquet), new 2006, only 12,000 miles since new, Vihixel body, auto gearbox, air-con, MOT full year, LEZ, must be seen, superb condition.

£65,000 + VAT PX considered.

PLAXTON PARAGON 48 reclining seats plus courier seat, air-con.

£49,500 + VAT

03 MERCEDES VARIO

With wheelchair lift, 13 seats, low mileage.

£12,000 + VAT

1995 PLAXTON PREMIER

B10 engine In excellent condition throughout MOT

£16,000 +VAT

02 SETRA

Model S-315 GT HD, 6 cylinder MAN engine, manual 6 speed gearbox, 49 seater, full air conditioning, many extras, full year MOT

£45,000 + VAT

Part exchange considered

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50 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 14, 2012

DENNIS DART PLAXTON POINTER 1996 P REG SUPER LOW FLOOR, FITTED WITH 39 SEATS WITH SEAT BELTS, RECENT RE-TRIM, NEW TACHOGRAPH AND FULLY REPAINTED £6950 OR £5950 UNPAINTED ALSO 1999 T REG POINTER II AS ABOVE (NO TACHO) £9950

View all stock online: www.staffordbuscentre.com Email: martin@staffordbuscentre.com Tel: 01782 791774 Mobile: 07803 222552

2004 Optare Solo M920 33 seats, Mercedes engine, Allison automatic gearbox, MOT Nov 2012, direct local authority. Fitted with all new aluminium side panels repainted in Diamond white.

Additional options include electronic destination and repaint into your livery if required £27,950

2002 Mercedes 814D Vario 4.2 litre turbo diesel, 5 speed manual gearbox, 31 bus seats fitted, Ready to work. £11,950

1996 Dennis Dart Plaxton Pointer SLF 37 seats. In daily use. Vehicle has been recently repainted. (number plate and electronic destination not included). £6,000

2003 Mercedes 814D Vario 33 seat coach. 5 speed manual gearbox.

Three point seatbelts, boot, luggage racks. £23,450

1997 (but you’d never know) Marshall Capital Dennis Dart One previous owner from new, well maintained example direct from municipal bus company. Retrimmed seats.

Tinted glass. £9,950

1997 Mercedes 814D Plaxton Beaver 33 seat with belts, Allison automatic gearbox, both vehicles MOT to Sept 2012. Ageless plate fitted.

Choice of 2. 1 with 'urban' bus seats and the other with retrimmed bus seats. £4,950

1999 Mercedes 814D Vario Repanelled as required, repainted in diamond white, 33 coach seats fitted, 2 point retractable seatbelts, long MOT. £14,950 + VAT

2004 Mercedes 814D Vario 4.2 litre turbo diesel, 5 speed manual gearbox, 31 bus seats, extensively repanelled July 2011, including new stretch panels and new skirts. Ready to work.

Price to include skirt in your choice of colour. £14,450

1997 Marshall Capital, Dennis Dart

1999 Mercedes 814D Vario 4.2 litre turbo diesel, 5 speed manual gearbox, 33 bus seats fitted with retractable lapbelts.

Ready to work. In daily use. Photo shows typical bus.

Choice available. £9,250

1998 Mercedes 814D Vario Plaxton Beaver II 4250cc turbo diesel intercooled engine, Allison automatic gearbox, 29 retrimmed bus seats. Retractable lapbelts. Part exchange to clear. £4,450

One owner from new, well maintained example direct from municipal bus company. Tinted glass. £6,950

DON’T FORGET OUR BUS RENTALS Short and long term hire available on any of these vehicles, ask about ‘Rent to Buy’ as well !

Nextbus Ltd, Chippenham, Wiltshire Tel - 01249 462462 - 24 Hr Mobile - 07590851477 www.next-bus.co.uk email - sales@next-bus.co.uk

553329-1027-Connaught

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Mini Coach Sales

BRAND NEW MERCEDES OPTARE TORO 32 high back seats, A/C, D/G, forced air, reading lights, power door, large boot.

2010 10 REG IVECO 50c15 IRISBUS 16 high back seats, 3 point belts, luggage racks, power door and under-floor wheelchair lift.

BRAND NEW MERCEDES OPTARE SOROCO 19 high back reclining seats, 3 point belts, A/C, D/G, forced air, reading lights, power door, large boot.

PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT OUR B RA N D N E W WE B S IT E : www.connaughtpsv.co.uk

BRAND NEW MERCEDES BENZ 513CDI EVM CLASSIC 19 high back seats, 3 point belts, luggage racks and A/C.

2008 58 REG MERCEDES BENZ 1022L SITCAR MARLIN 33 high back reclining seats incorporating leather headrest inserts, armrests and seat back tables, A/C, double glazing, fridge and power door.

2007 07 REG FORD TRANSIT 14 seats, 3 point belts.

2006 06 MERCEDES 814D PLAXTON CHEETAH 33 high back seats, 3 point belts, forced air, reading lights D/G, power door.

2006 06 REG MERCEDES BENZ 413 CDI SPRINTER 16 seats, 3 point belts, forced air, reading lights, large luggage boot.

2006 06 REG IVECO 40c12 16 high back seats, 3 point belts, forced air, reading lights and power door.

2003 03 REG MERCEDES 413 CDI SPRINTER 16 high back seats, 3 point belts, luggage racks.

1999 V REG MERCEDES 814 BEAVER 33 high back seats, 3 point belts, power door, 12 months test.

Steve Peach Tel: 01302 770863 Mob: 07836 551020 Email: steve@connaughtpsv.co.uk

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52 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 14, 2012

All EVM Chassis come with 3 Years Mercedes Benz UK Unlimited mileage warranty (not importer or 3rd party warranty)

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SDRC0ACHhelp

March 14, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 53

“Assisting the Coaching Industry”

2 x 1990 Volvo B10M Manual Plaxton Paramount 3500 57 Seaters With Courier Seat, Long Test, Brand New Re-Trim & NEW Sprayed White £8,500.00 + VAT

1996 Dennis Javelin Manual Berkhof Excellence 2000 53 Seater With Courier Seat, Tested Till June, But Will Supply New Test & NEW Spray White £7,500.00 + VAT

OFFERS INVITED

L A I C SPE OFFER!

COACH&BUSMARKET

Picture & Text

5x1 £30

t C on t a c Jade Cassidy

293247 01733roun cymedia.co.uk

jade.cassidy@

2008 Mercedes 613D Oynx Manual, LEZ 4, Minicoach 24 Seats, AIR CON, Long MOT & London LEZ Euro 4 £38,000.00 + VAT

1995 Volvo B10M Auto Plaxton Premier 350 53 Seat Standard Exec, Level Floor, Mounted Toilet, NEW Retrim & Spray, Long MOT, Mint! £16,000.00 + VAT

READY FOR START OF SEASON Volvo B10M Plaxton Premier 320 Automatics Brand New Converted 70 Seat Coaches, New Seats & Spray, Certified And Ready To Go……

www.SDRcoachhelp.com 24 Hrs 0844 576 3300 1 x 1993, £18,500.00 + VAT 1 x 1994, £22,500.00 + VAT

1 x 1995, £26,500.00 + VAT 2 x 1997, £29,500.00 + VAT

Hunnable Industrial Estate, Toppesfield Road, Gt Yeldham, Essex CO9 4HD

p54_CBW_1027

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54 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 14, 2012

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For further details and viewing in Chertsey, please call Mark or Danny on 07979 295668

p55_CBW_1027

12/3/12

14:02

Page 1

March 14, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 55

COACHES & BUSES WANTED FOR AUCTION for our UK & Commonwealth buyers Our main interest is equipment available due to Retirement or Fleet Reorganisation.

All equipment would be marketed worldwide through our Special Auction Events Team.

See our website history for people we have worked for.

For further information please call Malcolm Harrison on 01630 674326 or email malcolm@malcolmharrison.co.uk MALCOLM HARRISON AUCTIONS

1998 VOLVO B10M PLAXTON PREMIERE 350

Merc V8/AsTronic box, 75str, white ext/blue int, air con, drinks, fridge, ski box, 160,000 miles since factory engine, MoT Oct 2012, Eminox fitted to Euro 4, RPC for reduced road tax (£190 P/A), very good condition, low mileage coach. Ideal people mover for the Olympics. £109,000 + VAT ono

NEOPLAN SKYLINER 2003

70 SEATS NEW CONVERSION including 3 point belts, new flooring, full interior retrim including racks, sides, roof etc. New MOT till March 2013. ZF manual gearbox, newly repainted 2 pack white. Looks and drives superb.

A credit to any fleet.

£29,950 + VAT o.v.n.o.

Contact Steve on 07795 347476 or 01492 640320 (North Wales)

1 - 7.8SE 23str with seat belts and semi coach seats, digi tacho, radio, approx 142,000 miles. MoT June 2012 £49,500 + VAT ono 2 - 7.1SE 23str approx 195,000 miles, MoT May 2012 £47,500 + VAT ono Both vehicles Euro 4 Mercedes engines, white exterior/blue interior, Hanover destination, vgc.

2 OPTARE SOLOS 2007

Tel: 01296 398300 Motts Travel, Buckinghamshire

Filler NEW copy

10/3/12

09:30

Page 1

3 WEEKS 4 WEEK FREE

BUY GET A

PRICES INCLUDE :

TH

• Design Service • Web Advert • Full Colour

WHEN YOU ADVERTISE IN

COACH&BUSMARKET T E K R A M S U B & nd sell a H y u C b o A t e CO – the plac

7 1733 29324 0 ll a c t s ju £30 as little as r o f s e g a p e on these To advertis

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TO BOOK YOUR ADVERTISEMENT CONTACT:

JADE CASSIDY

£30

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£90

col 15cm x 1

£70

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01733 293247 jade.cassidy@rouncymedia.co.uk

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VEHICLE SALES | PRODUCTS & SERVICES | MARKET | VEHICLE SALES | PRODUCTS & SERVICES | MARKET | VEHICLE SALES | PRODUCTS & SERVICES

p57_CBW_1027

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March 14, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 57

ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS &SERVICES AUDIO &VISUAL

BUILDINGS

HEATING

CHECKPOINTS

HEAVY DUTY STEEL BUILDINGS

Bus Workshops - Secure Storage Supplied any width, any length Building to BS5590 - Doors high enough for Double Deckers - Finance available For further information phone

TO PURCHASE CHECKPOINT/DUSTITE loose wheelnut indicators or to locate your nearest stockist:

BLUELINE BUILDINGS 01709 578333 anytime

www.checkpoint-safety.com

Tel: 01524 271200

BUSESWANTED

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

www.thhs.co.uk

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

DENNIS PARTS

SHELTON MOTORS RAMSEY, CAMBS LICENSED ELV CENTRE

ALL BUSES & COACHES WANTED Tel: 01487 813156 (9 - 5, Mon - Fri) Mobile: 07831 349760 Email: sales@shelton-motors.co.uk

WANTED # WANTED # WANTED # WANTED

WANTED # WANTED # WANTED # WANTED

# WANTED # WANTED # WANTED #

Passenger and Commercial Vehicles Recovery Dismantlers Parts Sales

Don’t forget to mention that you saw it advertised in

Dennis Pointer Dart Mk2 x 100 All spares available - includes engine, gearboxes, seats, etc.

Call: 01226 727769 Mobile: 07912 103497 Email: geoff-ripley@btconnect.com www.geoff-ripleysbuscoachsales.com

# WANTED # WANTED # WANTED #

ENGINES

COIN DISPENSERS

C oi n D is pe n s e r s

Crewe Engines Ltd MERCEDES ENGINE SPECIALISTS

WE ALSO RECONDITION ALL MAKES OF BUS & COACH ENGINES

Direct from the UK’s No.1 since 1975 Call now for a quote or more information

Quick change coin dispensers Buy direct from manufacturer Also spares and repairs T T S

RANSPORT

ICKET

ERVICES

Phone: 01600 750650 Email: ttservices@tiscali.co.uk www.ticket-machines.co.uk

01270 526333

Federation of Engine Re-Manufacturers

www.creweengines.co.uk

VOLVO - CUMMINS - SCANIA MAN - DAF - IVECO FULL FITTING FACILITIES

p58_CBW_1027

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58| COACH & BUS WEEK | March 14, 2012

ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS &SERVICES CRAIG TILSLEY

ENGINES

Tel: 01782 791524 or 01782 791527

Fax: 01782 791316

Moorfields Industrial Estate Cotes Heath, Stoke-on-Trent ST21 6QY

Suppliers of Reconditioned DAF MAN MERC, VOLVO SCANIA, GARDNER LEYLAND, CUMMINS ENGINES CYLINDER HEADS CRANKSHAFTS CRANKCASES CAMSHAFTS PUMPS ETC

SEATING

59 VAN HOOL ACRON COACH SEATS

Complete with seat belts, blue, recent retrim, sale includes all interior matching panels Very good condition – £1,250 + VAT o.n.o.

Call 07880 931388 or 07801 897663 CoachChoice Ltd, Hudley House, 22 Hickman Road, Bilston, Wolverhampton WV14 0QW

Don’t forget to mention that you saw it advertised in ERGONOMIC SEATING SPECIALISTS

GLAZING Email: sales@reglaze.co.uk Tel: 01274 870919 www.reglaze.co.uk

For all your glass replacement needs • PLEASE CALL TODAY FOR A QUOTE OR EXPERT ADVICE • OUR PHONES ARE MANAGED 24 HOURS, 365 DAYS A YEAR • NO CALL CENTRES • • • • • • • • • •

24 hours, 265 days, fast & friendly service UK & European Quality workmanship Cover 24 hours access to large glass supply No call centres – straight through to experienced staff member e rvice first tim Competitive pricing Quality & Se ise?

Customer accounts upon request om pr m co – why Repairs & filming ys!

24x7 - 365 da Insurance work covered Over 50 years combined experience Replacing glass on coaches, buses, trains, horse boxes, boats, trams, motorhomes, plant and agricultural equipment & much more

Full range of Static, Mechanical and Air Suspension seats available for Coaches, Service Buses, Vans and Trucks

Prices from £150+VAT

REGISTRATIONS

(No carriage charges)

G £750 20 HXT 44 NXA ALZ 303 BIG 177 ECR 767 IIG 62 IIL 36 JUI 808 RXI 85

SPEEDY REGISTRATIONS CO LTD G ‘Buy with confidence – CNDA Member’

£350 £99 £99 £50 AJZ 459 HIG 5651 MNZ 1195 AXZ 5648 JBZ 484 HIG 5652 ONZ 1180 AXZ 5649 JHZ 939 IIG 7764 REZ 3379 CRZ 8394 LLZ 949 IIG 7765 RUI 2119 CXZ 4470 MKZ 686 JIG 1575 SEZ 4324 CXZ 4471 PDZ 818 JIG 1576 SUI 2171 DRZ 7321 PXI 494 KIG 1902 SUI 2172 DRZ 7322 RBZ 131 KIG 1903 TJZ 1116 IFZ 8428 YIB 303 MJZ 6749 TJZ 1119 IFZ 8429 We Buy for Cash, also Part Exchange

£50 JIG 2903 JIG 2904 KIG 2285 KIG 2286 RNZ 1127 RNZ 1128 TUI 5716 TUI 5717 TUI 5718

Tel: (028) 6638 7124 Fax: (028) 6638 7771

Millwood, Lisbellaw, Co. Fermanagh, N. Ireland BT94 5HQ

Registration Numbers for sale:

PFK 473 YRK 631 On retention documents transfer paid.

Registration Number for sale:

C4 STS On retention document transfer paid.

£1,000 each no VAT

£5,000 no VAT

Potters Bar Coach Hire 01707 652706 anytime

Potters Bar Coach Hire 01707 652706 anytime

12 Murray Place, Righead Ind Est, Bellshill ML4 3LP Tel: 01698 845352 • Fax: 01698 844325 Email: TScottco@aol.com

Getyourbusiness noticed!

AdvertiseyourProducts &Serviceshere foraslittleas£30.00 aweek!

Phone Jade Cassidy on 01733 293247 or email: jade.cassidy@rouncymedia.co.uk

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March 14, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 59

ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS &SERVICES TRIM

TICKETING

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

Getnoticed!

AdvertiseyourProducts &Serviceshere foraslittleasÂŁ30.00 aweek!

Phone Jade Cassidy on 01733 293247 or email: jade.cassidy@rouncymedia.co.uk TYRE EQUIPMENT

TRAINING

Driver CPC Farrow Training UK Ltd

Driver CPC Training available in West Midlands, Worcestershire and Shropshire at a time and place to suit you.

Get Legal - Get Trained www.trainingforcpc.com Tel: 07970 853663

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ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS &SERVICES TYRES

• Tyre fitting machine now available •

MARCH SPECIALS 205/75R 205/75R 215/75R 215/75R 245/70R 265/70R 265/70R 275/70R

17.5 BUDGET STEER 17.5 BARUM STEER 17.5 BUDGET STEER 17.5 BARUM STEER 19.5 BUDGET STEER 19.5 BUDGET STEER 19.5 BARUM STEER 22.5 BUDGET STEER

£102.00 £132.00 £99.00 £132.00 £128.00 £136.00 £185.00 £175.00

Remould and premium tyres price on request Free delivery on 4 tyres or more We have more tyres in stock – please give us a call for quotes

275/70R 275/80R 295/80R 295/80R 315/80R 315/80R 11R22.5 305/75R

www.tdtyres.com

22.5 BARUM STEER 22.5 BUDGET STEER 22.5 BUDGET STEER 22.5 MIDRANGE 22.5 BUDGET STEER 22.5 MIDRANGE BUDGET STEER 24.5 GOODYEAR NEW

£245.00 £190.00 £178.00 from £245.00 £198.00 from £255.00 £175.00 £550.00

ew Number N 01684 560029 Adam : 07841 239411 Mark : 07545 735303 All prices subject to VAT and availability.

VEHICLE SPARES

Passenger and Commercial Vehicles Recovery Dismantlers Parts Sales OUR SERVICES: • • • • • • • • • •

Recovery

Refurbishment Testing

Repairs

Engine/gearbox rebuilds Fault finding

Buying & selling vehicles

DISMANTLING/SPARES: • • • • • •

Reconditioned engines Reconditioned gearboxes Engine spares Windows

Windscreens Seats

Trevor Wigley & Son Bus Ltd

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

Export to foreign markets Repairs

Finance repossession and storage

CALL: 01226 727 769 Bus sales: www.geoff-ripleysbuscoachsales.com Geoff Ripley, Boulder Lane (off Shaw Lane), Carlton, Barnsley S71 3HJ

Mob: 07912 103 497 or 07711 750 434 Fax: 01226 727 607 Email: geoff-ripley@btconnect.com

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

www.twigley.com

March 14, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 61

Seen something funny? Send it to gareth.evans@rouncymedia.co.uk, fax 0845 2802927 or write to: Last Stop, Coach & Bus Week, 3 The Office Village, Cygnet Park, Forder Way, Hampton, Peterborough PE7 8GX

Monday: Press day. We’re all present and correct. The usual friendly office banter is alive and well, which means we remain calm and focus on the task in hand.

Tuesday: Leave Peterborough at lunchtime.

To save the extortionate train fares in the evening peak, drive to Cockfosters Tube station. Enjoy a warm welcome when I interview Go-Ahead Group CEO David Brown at the firm’s HQ in Victoria, London. The filter coffee is good too.

Evobus was encouraging visitors to fish for a deal at this year’s Annual Spring Open Days in Coventry. After standing around in the cod all day, trawling for a good deal, one would hope to net a bargain. Of course, this is no plaice for puns. The ‘Catch of the Day’ deals were seen in windscreens across a range of used vehicles in an attempt to hook potential customers. More on last week’s Evobus open days can be found on page 20-21.

Driver commended for handling dif�icult customer East Yorkshire Motor Services (EYMS) has commended one of its drivers after he went out of his way to diffuse a potentially volatile situation.

Dilbert

While working the 180 service, driver S Parry noticed an 18-month-old child was not having an enjoyable bus experience and, in the mother’s words, “was being a nightmare”. Mr Parry decided to stop the bus, go to a bakery and bring back three gingerbread men for the child and two siblings.

The husband applauded the driver in a tweet to Victoria Brown, EYMS’s customer relations officer.

He said: “They behaved after that.

Wow. If that doesn’t restore your faith in human nature, nothing will!

That’s made my day.”

Victoria sent a memo to Mr Parry saying: “It is very pleasing to receive such correspondence and certainly made me smile. Such feedback enhances our reputation for being a quality operator and it encourages people to continue using us.

“Therefore, on behalf of the company, I would like to express our appreciation for your excellent skills which you demonstrated on this occasion.

“In recognition of your efforts, a copy of this commendation will be placed on your personal file. Well done, and thank you once again.”

Wednesday: Andrew is on his maiden overseas CBW trip with BASE to visit the Tata Hispano and Beulas factories.

Spend the day in the office writing up my David Brown interview, in between a mound of other tasks.

Take part in a debate about the cost of fuel on BBC Radio Cymru, the Welsh language radio Wales (see p3 Editorial).

Thursday: Tapping away and ensuring items are ready for Keith to design, get a call from Mike Beagrie asking whether I’ve forgotten about the Evobus open day, which I’m ashamed to say I had. After ‘mild expletive fest’, tell him I should be there in just over an hour.

Once there, the usual banter ensues – I feel like I’m catching up with a load of mates. Also enjoy a chat with Alan Ellison, who accompanied by his spoilable dog Spike and a friendly driver, is picking up a new Tourismo.

Friday: After a hectic morning in the office, leave at lunchtime to visit my NHS dentist 150 miles away in Welshpool. Enjoy a good run – until I hit the A458 west of Shrewsbury. Those who speed through 40mph limits, yet brake down to 20 on the corners, which can safely be taken at 45, are out in force. My dentist gives me a clean bill of health & I’m back out of there within 15 minutes. This weekend I’m moving a step near 30 – argh…

www.coachandbusweek.com

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RECRUITMENT

New groups and tours sales manager on UK tour Legacy Hotels and Resorts’ new groups and tours sales manager John Barnett has embarked on a personal tour of the UK. John has visited six hotels within the group’s portfolio so far – the Legacy Royal Victoria Hotel in Llanberis, the Legacy Falcon Hotel in Stratford, the Legacy Cardiff International Hotel in Cardiff, the Legacy Plymouth International Hotel in Plymouth, the Legacy Rose and Crown Hotel in Salisbury and the Legacy Botleigh Grange Hotel & Spa near Southampton.

John’s travel itinerary will complete the remainder of his visits to Legacy Hotels in the next few weeks as he settles into his new position at the group. John

Florida Coaches operations manager to run marathon

John Barnett has been appointed groups and tours sales manager at Legacy Hotels and Resorts was previously account manager at SeaFrance for 11 years dealing with coach groups and tour operators.

“I’m looking forward to bringing additional tours and group business to our hotels which target this market as well as individuals who plan their own trips around the country,” said John. “I am enjoying visiting each of our venues and I feel we have a great deal to offer groups and tours businesses.”

Florida Coaches operations manager Murray Dean, and his son James, are raising money for Asthma UK by participating in the London Marathon on April 22, 2012.

CBW asked Murray if he was confident that he could achieve his goal.

“Absolutely” he said, “though of course my son will run it faster because he’s young and quick and I’m old and fat.”

Murray, who has suffered with asthma all his life and has nearly died on two occasions due to his condition, is no stranger to the 26-mile marathon and has been in training since last December.

“For the last 2 years I’ve actually walked the marathon in about nine hours, and there are people who are running it in 10,” explained Murray, “so I thought, bugger this, if

that’s the case I could jog it in six.”

“I thought I would be able to manage,” he added, “it just seemed an obvious time to give it a go and I’ll be able to help someone in the process.”

Murray has been with the Essexbased firm for four years but has been in the industry his whole life. Though the staff at Florida Coaches are said to be taking the mickey, they and others have been supportive of Murray and his endeavour.

“There has been a lot of support with people giving what they can. Between us we hope to raise £4,000, so there’s still a fair way to go at the moment,” Murray concluded.

For further details and to donate visit www. justgiving.com/murray-dean

Dynamic Purchasing System for Public Bus Contracts There is a new opportunity for suppliers who are interested in Public Bus Contracts to join Hampshire County Council’s Dynamic Purchasing System.

The system is 100% electronic and will be ran through our web based portal called In-tend.

An indicative tender to join the Dynamic Purchasing System is now live, you will need to complete this by early April to be entered onto the system.

Please see link below for our corporate tendering system in-tend.You will need to register on In-tend as a supplier and then search for current contracts. https://in-tendhost.co.uk/hampshire If you would like further information please contact: Clare Foxton: clare.foxton@hants.gov.uk Or email: passengertransportprojects@hants.gov.uk

www.hants.gov.uk www.coachandbusweek.com

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Deadlines Booking: Monday 5.00pm Full artwork: Monday 5.00pm

Contact Ian Gillis 01733 293484

ian.gillis@rouncymedia.co.uk

Your First Choice for Recruitment

‘Team Daniel’ join Somerstotalkare Somerstotalkare, supplier of heavy duty mobile vehicle lifting equipment, has announced the appointment of two new members to its area sales team.

Daniel Hair previously worked for Veolia as a business development executive. He will be managing the North East region.

Daniel Stanton joins the company as a sales executive for the Midlands following sales and service roles at an electrical wholesale company.

James Radford, sales & marketing director at Somerstotalkare said: “The recent appointments are key to the growth and continued success of the business. Daniel Stanton will be contacting Midlands based customers to update and supply the latest service packages from Somerstotalkare. Daniel Hair will be in regular contact with all our existing and potential

customers in the North East region increasing sales of our S6 range of mobile vehicle lifts and the latest addition to our range, the STKare Vega Parallelogram, along with service packages for all equipment” Daniel Hair said: “This role offers a great opportunity to grow customer numbers in the North East with an established company known as a market leader.”

Coach & Bus Week’s well-established recruitment portfolio attracts candidates across sales, marketing and management, delivering not just quantity but quality candidates, providing exceptional value for money.

In addition to our unrivalled print-based product, at no extra cost recruitment adverts are also automatically placed online at www.coachandbusweek.com, where they remain on view until a position’s closing date.

Coach & Bus Week and www.coachandbusweek.com combine to create the ultimate recruitment solution, guaranteeing your vacancy is seen by every jobseeker that matters from sales agents to board level.

Hair will manage the North East

To get your vacancy seen by quality candidates, call Ian Gillis on 01733 293484 or email ian.gillis@rouncymedia.co.uk

www.coachandbusweek.com

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