Coach & Bus Week : Issue 1049

Wednesday August 15, 2012 Issue 1049 | £2.95 www.coachandbusweek.com

COACH:

Plaxton Sporting Challenge open days sales event p8

FOCUS ON

INSIGHT:

Arriva's diversi�ication into non emergency PTS sector p24

PART ONE

Mike Cooper: the importance of communication

BUS:

Record-breaking number of entries for the UK Bus Awards p6

MINIBUS:

Nissan to compete for London cab market with NV200 p56

for recruitm

JOB ADVE ent EVERY WERTS EK

RECRUIT N

OW

p18

Cover2NEW.indd 1

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August 15, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 3

this week

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

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www.coachandbusweek.com ISSN: 1351-3877 © 2012 Coach and Bus Week Ltd. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or system or in any means without the written permission of the directors. This is considered a breach of copyright and action will be taken where this occurs. This magazine must not be lent, sold, hired or otherwise disposed of in a mutilated condition or in any authorised cover by way, or by trade, or annexed to any publication or advertising matter without first obtaining written permission from the directors.

Olympian tales

I

t would be easy for me to wax lyrical about the Olympics – or ‘high profile sporting event’, a term we and many other publications used to protect ourselves from the wrong side of the law after reading the multi-page media guidance. That however, is a rant in itself about the rights and wrongs of commercialism or protectionism, depending on which side of the fence you sit...

For example, I heard of one operator announcing on its social media presence that customers need not fear about the financial viability of the business as it’s fleet had been debranded while it was engaged on work for a ‘high profile sporting event’. The postings duly disappeared, doubtless fearful of repercussions from the paymasters.

Despite my frequent rantings in the office about the cost of the event, including that of the ‘legacy’ (debt), I must admit I did enjoy watching the diving, the mountain biking, and the 100m events. On

the former, I’ve heard a wealth of positive comments about the very slick operation at Hadleigh and how our industry did what it does best – moving people efficiently in comfort.

There have also been amusing stories of people attempting to board Oxford Tube coaches to reach Oxford Circus – some of which were kindly prevented by the friendly folks at TfL out on the streets doing their bit as customer information staff.

However, I’ve also heard less positive tales, some of which it would be unwise to talk about at this stage, such as how drivers were looked after and the actions of at least one individual when it came to ‘hospitality’.

What are your stories from the last couple of weeks? We’d be delighted to hear them – either on or off the record. As ever, we’re happy to listen here at CBW – usual caveats apply of course.

Gareth Evans Editor

CONTENTS 4

24

40

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

14

The story behind Arriva’s venture into patient and SEN transport

28

A Green Line Van Hool coach pictured at London’s Marble Arch

What’s happening across the country’s regions. Plus events diary

16

Arriva’s UK Bus Engineer Trainer Lloyd Mason talks about skills

30

Vauxhall Movano roadtested and a peek at Nissan’s eight-seater taxi

Part one of our Arriva coverage with the group’s history to date

18

The story behind Yorkshire’s UK Bus Awards winner Rita Kendrick

36

A lighthearted look at the industry.

Plus Gareth’s Diary!

Arriva’s UK Bus MD Mike Cooper discusses a range of current issues

A look at two of Arriva’s hi-tech partners – Trapeze and Parkeon

All the latest people moves from across the industry

News

Regional News

Arriva Introduction Face to Face

Diversification

Training Engineers Unsung Hero Technology

The Big Picture

45

Minibus

77

Last Stop

78

People

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

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

www.coachandbusweek.com www.coachandbusweek.com

Contents.indd 3

14/08/2012 00:05

4 | COACH & BUS WEEK | August 15, 2012

news

“Across the consumer industries I have worked in I have never seen customer satisfaction as high as it is in the bus industry.”

Mike Cooper Arriva UK Bus

briefly Craig Tilsley, suppliers of reconditioned diesel engines and components, has launched a new website, www.craigtilsley. co.uk. The Stoke-based company works on an exchange or out right sale basis and can also recondition or repair commercial diesel engines including: Cummins, DAF, Iveco, Leyland, Mercedes, Paccar, Scania, Tector, Volvo. Craig Tilsley also supplies new, reconditioned and second hand components with a range of crankcases, crankshafts, cylinder heads, camshafts, conrods, air compressor, water pumps, turbo charger, flywheels, injection pumps, injectors, pistons, liners, valves, bearings, gasket sets.

Greggs and Moto are to open a further 28 Greggs shops in motorway service stations across the country following the success of two shops opened earlier this year at Moto’s Lymm Services on the M6 in Cheshire, and Birch Services on the M62 in Greater Manchester. The trials set out to assess the size of the market for Greggs’ food within motorway services and also the viability of a franchise operation, which is new for Greggs.

It is with sadness and regret we advise that David Johnson, Secretary of the Leyland National Group and owner of ‘GLJ 681N’ passed away on Sunday at the tragically young age of 31.

He was widely described as a genuinely warm and likeable chap with a big smile who will be deeply missed by many. David attended this year’s AGM at the British Commercial Vehicle Museum, Leyland with his bus, generously bringing it up for the weekend from Hampshire and many members and enthusiasts who attended the weekend would have met him. A memorial group has been created on Facebook entitled ‘David Johnson 1981 – 2012 RIP’. Visit www.facebook.com/ groups/430993703620286/ Irvine Coaches ceased operating at the end of service on August 4. A number of its services are continuing under different operators, including Stuarts Coaches, Whitelaws, First Glasgow and JMB Travel. www.coachandbusweek.com

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Face to Face p18

Details emerge for Nexus’ planned Quality Contracts Broad frequencies announced and zonal fares to be introduced – but at a cost of around £100m per annum The North East Bus Operators’ Association (NEBOA) has warned taxpayers will be asked to underwrite Nexus’ Quality Contract (QC) plans.

It says the plans would force the public to cover any loses – around £100m a year for up to 10 years.

The PTE’s QC proposals include a zonal division matching the current Metro system, tickets based on Metro’s zone fares and a bus every 10 minutes on local services during the day between Monday and Saturday. Direct, longer-distance routes would have a minimum of one bus an hour.

Under the QC scheme, contracts would be handed out to operators for various routes.

Nexus has said the Government and local councils already invest around £60m a year in Tyneside bus firms.

Tom Dodds, secretary of NEBOA, said a voluntary agreement could guarantee service levels without costing taxpayers.

He said: “We have seen nothing in these proposals which could not be

met from a voluntary partnership.

“There is really nothing here that is innovative or different to what we can offer without going down the Quality Contract route. If we take the partnership option there remains no risk to the councils.

“There is at least a £100m a year risk to the people of Tyne & Wear under these plans.”

Bus firms have threatened legal action if councils go down the contracts route.

However, a Nexus spokesman said: “This document is a working draft and should not be read as our final or definite proposals.

We are using it to consult with bus companies, unions and neighbouring authorities.

“At the same time we are involved in a constructive dialogue with bus companies about an alternative partnership proposal.

“There is a revenue risk to be managed with a Quality Contract scheme, but we certainly know how to manage it and have done so with Metro for many years. The reward is a better bus service.”

At the start of this month Nexus asked local operators to help develop its QC proposals. It says it is continuing talks with NEBOA to develop a partnership.

Vehicles on some Nexus-sponsored routes already operate in the authority’s colours, as pictured here by Steve Hodgson. Under Nexus’ plans, this livery could become more commonplace

Cllr David Wood, Chairman of the ITA, said: “This work offers an opportunity to grow the local bus market over the long term, something which is good for local bus companies and their employees. But to get it right we need their input before plans can be finalised, which is why Nexus is asking bus operators and trade unions to give their views on a working draft.

“It is important to remember this is a parallel process and the ITA has asked to see detailed proposals for both a Quality Contracts Scheme and a partnership so that it can be fully informed about the options.”

Bernard Garner, Director General of Nexus, said: “We have developed a working draft for a Quality Contracts Scheme, and we are now asking bus operators, their employees and neighbouring authorities to help us make sure we have taken everything into account.

“Our effort to date has focused on making fares simple and affordable, and on increasing peoples’ access to frequent services. We believe what we have designed so far is affordable without needing extra public funds and meets the ITA’s policy objectives to grow passenger numbers and peoples’ ability to access bus services from where they live.

“We are evaluating two different options to improve bus services, and I am in regular contact with NEBOA to develop a partnership. NEBOA has put forward a discussion document which is a very good starting point for negotiation, with both sides committed to achieving a groundbreaking partnership.

“Members of NEBOA have held a constructive discussion with ITA members, so I look forward to a positive outcome from this piece of work.”

The ITA will hear a formal update on progress on the whole Bus Strategy Delivery Project at its September meeting.

14/08/2012 01:07

August 15, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 5

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

RHA calls for tougher penalties for tacho cheats

First has also recently introduced timetable changes to “better reflect the level of customer demand” on its service from London to the South Coast.

A Scania Irizar PB is seen near Bullied Way Coach Station on layover before working heading to the South Coast of England

First to axe Glasgow Greyhound service First has announced it is withdrawing its Anglo-Scottish overnight Greyhound coach service.

The final journey from Glasgow to London will run on September 29, while the last northbound trip will depart the following day.

Ronnie Park, MD of First Glasgow, told CBW: “Our night service linking London and Glasgow will stop at the end of September. The ongoing recession has had a detrimental effect on patronage, while the high price of fuel and other increasing costs have put added pressure on the service and regrettably it is no longer sustainable.”

The service became a Greyhound

First Manchester penalty reduced

First Manchester has won its appeal to reduce the penalty set in March

by Traffic Commissioner (TC) Beverley Bell for failing to comply with registered timetables.

The new penalty has been reduced from £285,000 to £213,750 and is calculated at the rate of £255 per vehicle, instead of

News4,5.indd 5

route in early 2011, after being acquired two years previously from East Kilbride-based independent coach operator Silver Choice.

The Glasgow Greyhound service differed from its fellow routes in that in place of Scania Irizar PBs, it was operated using ex First Cymru Plaxton Paragon-bodied Volvos.

With industry rumours rife about the future of the London to Portsmouth service, Marc Reddy, Regional Commercial and Business Growth Director (South West) said: “We’ve recently introduced a timetable change to Greyhound on the South Coast to better reflect the level of customer demand.”

Asked about the future of the Swansea to Cardiff coach service, which until its conversion to Greyhound in September 2010, was branded as the ‘Shuttle 100’, Mark replied: “Greyhound in South Wales is performing well and we continue to actively grow the market where possible.” £300 per vehicle set by the TC. His Hon. Michael Brodrick, Judge of the Upper Tribunal, Principal Judge for TC Appeals, said the TC failed to give sufficient credit for the steps being taken to improve reliability. He also stated the TC should have taken into account a TfGM monitoring exercise and that she failed to consider the extent to which the overall rate of noncompliance should be reduced to reflect non-compliance for which First had a reasonable excuse.

Full details of the appeal will appear in ‘Legal News’ in a future issue of CBW.

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has called for tougher action to be taken against professional drivers who falsify their driving records. Mandatory jail sentences are required to deter those who are tempted to cheat – backed by a new determination to detect and prosecute them through the courts, the RHA said.

“Falsifying driving records is planned in advance and is one of the most serious offences in road haulage,” commented RHA Chief Executive Geoff Dunning.

“Drivers do it because they can carry on driving for far longer than permitted under European Union safety rules, which are designed to protect themselves and others.

“They are putting lives at risk and they are undermining the livelihoods of drivers who comply with the law.

“This crime appears to be becoming increasingly more common. This may be due in part to increased economic pressures but the main reason is ineffective enforcement has increased the temptation to break the law.

Deterrence is not nearly strong enough in practice and that is why we are calling for mandatory custodial sentencing and tough, visible enforcement.

“We are calling on ministers at the Department for Transport (DfT) to take the lead. The DfT’s executive agency, VOSA (the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency), is the primary enforcement body but it must be adequately directed and resourced. Furthermore, others need to be involved, including the police, to support VOSA, and the Magistrates Association, along with the equivalent bodies in the devolved regions,” he concluded.

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14/08/2012 01:08

6 | COACH & BUS WEEK | August 15, 2012

2005

news › BUSeS

The year Arriva UK Bus Managing Director Mike Cooper joined the company

briefly Lothian Buses’ Doors Open Day event is on September 22 at its Central Depot - 55 Annandale Street, Edinburgh, EH7 4AZ. The event, entry to which is free, takes place between 1145 and 1600hrs.

Highlights on the day include: regular guided tours on an open top double decker bus; Scottish Cup Parade Bus and Scottish Cup Trophy; toppled bus recovery demonstration by George McPhies at 1430hrs; a display of new and heritage buses; driving simulators; kids Playbus and prize giveaways.

For details visit http://yourb.us/ Ntjo1q or call 0131 554 4494.

Stagecoach Yorkshire has introduced the Sheffield College Unirider for the 25,000 students who study at Hillsborough, Norton, Peaks and Sheffield City College. The pass means students can travel to lectures, the library and leisure facilities at a discounted rate.

From 98p a day, students with a valid Sheffield College student identification can use the Unirider ticket on most Stagecoach buses in the city and the Supertram.

Rupert Cox, Commercial Director at Stagecoach said: “We are delighted to extend this pass to Sheffield College following demand from the students.”

For the first time this year, Reading Buses is to operate special services to take people home at the end of the last night of the Reading Festival.

Services run to main destinations in Reading, including Whitley Wood, Northumberland Avenue and Kennet Island on the X5; the University, Lower Earley and Woodley on the X21; Southcote, Beansheaf and Calcot on the X26.

From early the next morning, at 0230hrs Monday, the scheduled shuttle service to and from Reading Station re-starts to feed Festival goers to their trains. In the meantime, Reading Buses begins its Festival timetable on Wednesday August 22 from 0850hrs with frequent shuttles operating for those arriving by train from Reading’s Old Bus Station.

For a simple £1 fare the buses will take visitors to the Festival site at Caversham Road/Richfield Avenue. www.coachandbusweek.com

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Record UK Bus Awards nominations Judging is now under way and the shortlist announcements are scheduled for September 27 Judging gets under way this week for the 2012 UK Bus Awards, and the judges are facing some tough decisions over the next few weeks, according to the scheme’s organisers.

“We’re once again delighted with the response in this, our 17th year,” said UKBA Chairman John Owen. “What with the economic situation and other issues pressing on management time, we were concerned about whether we’d get a good crop, but we needn’t have worried.”

The UK Bus Awards provide a level playing field, enabling competitors of all sizes and backgrounds to be considered on an equal basis by specialist judges in each Award category: over 40 experienced people will be participating in the panel meetings over the next three weeks.

The total number of nominations for this year’s contest is over 270 – already a new record for the competition, with nominations for the special award for Transport Heroes of the 2012 Games still to come. Nominations for this award opened on the night of the Opening Ceremony for the Games and will close on Friday October 5.

The UK Bus Awards will once again be held at London’s Park Lane Hilton

NEBOA ‘encouraged’ by South Yorkshire decision Bus operators in the North East of England say they have been ‘encouraged’ by the decision of the South Yorkshire PTE to reject a Quality Contract scheme in favour of a voluntary partnership agreement.

South Yorkshire’s ITA compared a Quality Contract option with a binding Voluntary Partnership agreement and concluded the agreement option provided greater benefits for the travelling public.

Tom Dodds, Secretary of

the North East Bus Operators’ Association (NEBOA), said: “Bus operators here remain firmly committed to providing a solid and binding voluntary partnership agreement, which we believe will provide the best possible solution for Tyne and Wear.

“Far from leaving services unchanged, the partnership agreement would see operators held to account for their commitments to services and new bus-to-bus ticketing deals for the public.

“The volume, quality and diversity of the entries we’ve received has once again impressed us enormously,” John added. “We’re particularly pleased with the responses to the Putting Passengers First, Making Buses a Better Choice, Innovation and Marketing Awards - proving decisively the industry continues to work very hard to improve its service to customers despite the recession.”

The contest for the four operating awards, culminating in the prize for UK Bus Operator of the Year Award, continues to be the most demanding contests, taking into account all aspects of an operating business, from customer relations to financial efficiency. “It’s going to be really tight this year,” commented John Owen, “and our mystery traveller checks on service standards will be more important than ever.”

The UKBA 2012 Shortlist Announcement & Luncheon will be held at the Tublines Auditorium, Canary Wharf, London on September 27.

The winners will be announced at the UKBA annual Presentation Ceremony at the London Hilton Hotel on November 20.

More details of the awards can be found on the 2012 UKBA website at www.ukbusawards.org.uk

“A partnership agreement could be in place in a matter of months, bringing benefits for passengers much sooner than a Quality Contract scheme could.

“We have been very encouraged by the decision of the politicians in South Yorkshire to support a partnership approach in Sheffield rather than a quality contract scheme. That partnership will attract a further £8.5m in government funding over five years, money which isn’t available to a Quality Contract scheme. If a similar partnership could be forged for Tyne and Wear, I believe it could be worth up to £20m for the county over five years – a substantial sum.”

13/08/2012 23:13

270

The total number of nominations for this year’s UK Bus Awards

Norfolk operators united on cheap fares for teens All major operators in Norfolk have agreed to offer young people aged 16 to 19 discounted bus travel with a new Young Person’s fare, cutting the cost of a ticket by up to 30%.

The agreement was brokered

by Norfolk County Council and is one of its Better Bus Area (BBA) improvements.

The new ticket is available across all the main operators from September 1.

Bus fare discounts for young people was one of the suggested measures which helped the authority secure £2.6m in BBA funding from the Government. The council will promote the 16-19 discounts, but bus companies have agreed to offer the lower fares for older teenagers even though no council subsidy is available.

Graham Plant, Cabinet Member for Planning & Transportation, said: “Cutting the cost of travel is consistently at the top of the list when young people are asked what could be done to help them in their daily lives. Cheaper bus travel will bring jobs, education and training

Arriva Midlands acquires Midland

Arriva Midlands announced it has reached an agreement to acquire the West Midlands operations and assets of ‘Midland’, formerly Choice Travel, the trading name of Liyell Ltd. Midland’s core services include a mix of commercial and supported local bus services. On completion of the transaction, expected to be in late September 2012, approximately 110 Midland employees will transfer to Arriva Midlands under the Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment (TUPE) regulations.

The financial considerations are

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August 15, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 7

£2.6m

The amount Norfolk County Council secured from the government in Better Bus Area funding

SHARE WATCH

Industry share prices at the close of the Stock Exchange on Monday, August 13. FirstGroup saw the greatest proportional rise while Optare experienced the biggest proportional drop.

Most figures obtained from www.iii.co.uk

316.10p

Price: Year High: 334.50p Year Low: 242.40p

Norfolk’s major operators have all agreed to offer discounted fares for 1619 year olds who are viewed as an increasingly important segment within easier reach – as well as opportunities for sport and leisure.

“We pledged to pursue bus ticket discounts for young people as a BBA measure, but the enthusiastic cooperation of bus companies has enabled it to be launched in September and across the whole county. Our original aim was to have it in place for the Norwich area by early next year, so this both sooner and better.”

Steve Wickers, Regional Commercial Director for First South East & Midlands, said: “I am delighted to extend the child discounts to 16 to 19 year olds on our services, making bus travel the preferred option for work, education and social journeys. We

Midland’s 61-strong fleet will operate under the Arriva brand not being disclosed.

Arriva Midlands plans to incorporate the 61 Midland buses into its fleet and operate them under the Arriva brand.

The operator is also retaining the Midland premises in Wednesfield.

All services currently registered by Midland will continue to operate under Arriva Midlands.

John Barlow, Arriva Midlands Finance Director, said: “Taking on the routes and services operated

hope the new Young Person fare will encourage more young people in Norfolk and Lowestoft to use their local bus service.”

Ben Colson, Managing Director of Norfolk Green, said: “Norfolk Green has been offering a 20% discount to young people aged between 16 and 19 for some years now and I feel that West Norfolk residents can be proud we have led the way on an issue which now has united support from Norfolk’s bus operators.

“Norfolk County Council has been keen to ensure young people right across the county all receive discounted travel to aid them in their daily lives and full credit to them for ensuring all the operators come on board.”

by Midland opens up a range of exciting opportunities for Arriva, from which we will be able to develop the business. We are very much looking forward to working with new and existing contractors to grow the business. Midland has an excellent standing and reputation and we look forward to taking that business forward as part of Arriva and welcoming Midland employees on board.”

David Reeves, Managing Director of Liyell, said: “Since buying Liyell in April 2005 we have steadily grown the Midland business to the size it is today. I am proud of what we have achieved and of the staff we employ.

I’m sure they will have a fulfilling future as part of Arriva. I would like to take this opportunity of wishing all of the staff the very best for the future and to offer them my sincere thanks for the hard work they have done for me and the company in the past. Thank you.”

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FTSE 100

5,831

Index: Year High: 6,103 Year Low: 4,791

+12 on last week

www.coachandbusweek.com

13/08/2012 23:13

8 | COACH & BUS WEEK | August 15, 2012

news › coaches

briefly Work is taking place overnight for 10 nights between August 17 and 27 to resurface the A47 between Guyhirn and Redmoor Lane roundabouts in Cambridgeshire.

The works will take place between 2000 and 0600hrs. During the works there will be no access to or from the A47 at its junction with Nettle Bank, Long Drove and South Brink Road, but access to properties fronting the A47 will be maintained at all times. A diversion will be in operation.

Upgrading of the overhead signals on the M42 J3a to J7 began on Monday (August 13) and lasts for 17 weeks, subject to weather conditions. The managed motorway section on the eastern side of Birmingham will still be in operation during the busy morning and evening periods. The overnight closures occur between 2100 and 0500hrs and are scheduled to only ever be in one direction – north or southbound – between a maximum of two junctions at a time.

1

Work is taking place between Biggleswade South Roundabout and the Black Cat island on the A1 in Bedfordshire, overnight for 12 nights between August 17 and 29 to resurface the carriageway. The works will take place between 2000 and 0600hrs.

Work has started to install new traffic lights, replace road signs, road markings and lay a new anti skid surface at the A45 Festival Island near Coventry. The project is expected to be completed in late September. All activity will take place between 2000 and 0600hrs. While the works are underway, the entry and exit slip roads to the roundabout will be closed at various points, together with some lane closures.

Repairs to sections of the M55 in Preston, Blackpool and Kirkham began Monday.

The nine-day scheme involves overnight works between 2000 and 0600hrs. Lane and slip road closures are in effect. Diversions are signposted and while work is underway a 50mph speed limit is in place. www.coachandbusweek.com

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Summer sunshine boosts Plaxton ‘Sporting Challenge’ open days Contract vehicle stock sold before event. Demand for execs takes Plaxton by surprise Two days of glorious sunshine last Wedneday and Thursday provided just the environment to attract customers to Plaxton’s Anston Sales Centre for the Sporting Challenge event and yielded a welcome boost

in sales for the company.

In what Mick McElhone, General Manager - Retail Sales, described as “challenging trading conditions in the coach market,” the Sporting Challenge theme was particularly appropriate.

Visitor numbers were slightly down on last year but by close of play on Thursday sales of over £1m

had been recorded with further enquiries to be followed up. Mick is confident this number will grow significantly in the next few days.

“The last few weeks have seen a noticeable increase in customers looking to upgrade their fleets”, Mick explained, “so we’ve tried to give them some options to help them. The interest free finance

13/08/2012 22:07

“Bad weather brings its challenges. I recall getting stuck at Queensbury – it was windy and telephone lines had got wrapped round my wheels...”

Rita Kendrick

August 15, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 9

Face to Face p36

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3

4

5

8 offer on late model vehicles has been a particular talking point and there are several ongoing enquiries related to this. We’re looking to attract desirable mid-range vehicles in particular, so by offering the facility to trade in several vehicles, customers have an easy route to cover the deposit required and we can replenish our sales stock as a result.”

New coach sales over the course of the campaign included two Panthers, an Elite and a Cheetah.

Used coach sales were confirmed on a 2009 Elite 14m; a 2006 Profile and a number of Volvos with Jonckheere, Plaxton, Van Hool and Caetano bodies.

“It’s been an interesting year for us,” Mick concluded. “The market is challenging everybody but the

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results of the last few weeks have been extremely encouraging and with further opportunities in the pipeline, we can look forward with renewed optimism.”

Plaxton’s Marketing Manager, Andy Warrender, said it had proved very difficult judging which vehicle specification would be the most suitable for the event. He explained: “We felt with the timing of the open days well ahead of the return to school there would be strong interest in contract vehicles.

We began preparing a number to ensure there were plenty on offer but we had so many enquiries we’d sold most of them before we had the chance to show them.

“With such a response, we pulled out all the stops to create a few more and since then demand has

dried up and everybody just seems to be looking for execs.”

Plaxton provided refreshments all day for visitors and the move across the road to the new site ensured the huge array of vehicles, a mixture of new and pre-owned stock, could be well-spaced to provide easy access and better viewing.

Pre-owned vehicles included some recent high specification coaches such as Plaxton’s flagship Elite and an ex-Weavaway Van Hool T917. There were plenty of mid-range and moderately priced Panthers, Van Hools and Jonckheere Mistrals. The show special, a dated Van Hool Alizee Volvo B10M, still looked more than capable of earning its keep and was being offered at £18,500.

1: Something for everyone – a huge array of late pre-owned coaches.

2: Marked down as the ‘show special’ was this Volvo B10m Van Hool Alizee for £18,500.

3: A new ADL Enviro200. 4: Almost something of a rarity – a Caetano Enigma-bodied Volvo. 5: Ex Grant Palmer Plaxton Primo midibuses.

6: Plaxton’s flagship Elite. 7: New Cheetah minicoaches with stainless steel bodyframes. 8: Customers enjoying the sun and taking time for a good browse around the stock

www.coachandbusweek.com

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10 | COACH & BUS WEEK | August 15, 2012

news

Bluestar Bus and UniLink get fleet-wide WiFi £4.5m of funding used to upgrade 115 vehicles in Bluestar’s fleet, with 28 vehicles to be refurbished The entire Bluestar and Uni-Link single and double deck bus fleet is now equipped with WiFi thanks to £4.5m worth of funding gained in April, 2012 by Transport for South Hampshire from the Department for Transport’s Better Bus Area initiative.

The engineering team at Bluestar’s Barton Park Depot dedicated over 460 man-hours to install the specialist equipment on the 115 buses operated on both networks in Southampton and surrounding area.

Councillor Mel Kendal, Chairman of Transport for South Hampshire at Hampshire County Council, congratulated the Barton Park engineering team for ensuring the benefits of the funding had been so quick to reach customers using the bus services.

“This is good news for the networks’ bus users. The purpose of the funding is to improve the quality of bus travel. WiFi will make travelling more appealing to the growing majority of passengers who use smartphones and other

WiFi-equipped technology when on the move.”

Ed Wills, Operations Director for Bluestar and Uni-Link which run under contract with the University of Southampton, believes the company is the first major operator to fully equip WiFi fleetwide and said there is a clear capital incentive to do so. He told CBW: “Passenger feedback has been really positive.

We wanted to make sure we got a good install. Coverage is better if the aerial is installed on the

Barton Park Depot dedicated over 460 man hours installing WiFi equipment aboard 115 single and double deckers for Bluestar and Uni-Link

National Express supports employees chosen charities A number of charities have recently benefited from the National Express Employee Charity Panel.

Donations include £500 for homeless ministry charity Anesis, £450 for The Stroke Association and £250 for Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

Natalie Masterson of NX Coventry, secured funding for Anesis. She said: “Anesis runs a soup kitchen near the bus station.

I have seen many frantic people queuing for basic food supplies. The numbers of families and individuals reported as homeless in the city has soared by 25% in the last year.”

The Coventry travel shop team recently appealed to every National

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roof rather than internally. Under Better Bus Area Fund we gained additional funding to install LED lighting and to refurbish 28 vehicles to a high spec. Next stop and audio announcements are also planned along with an RTI system from Vix. Customers benefit from fast communication regarding services across the networks, easier online payment of travel through key cards and may work or be entertained while travelling in safety and comfort of one of our buses.”

Express employee to donate one item of food towards the ‘Waste Not Want Not’ campaign and generated a large quantity of food for Anesis.

Natalie added: “These donations really helped support our local community and I am delighted the NX Employee Charity Panel donated £500 towards Anesis.”

Diane Woollaston, a Driver Trainer at NX West Midlands, organised a ‘big slim’ event for drivers and was delighted her support for The Stroke Association was recognised by the Employee Charity Panel, raising the total of her fundraising efforts to almost £900.

Diane said: “We displayed

information around the garage to help educate drivers on the signs of stroke and how to reduce risks.

It was the perfect opportunity to promote health awareness and healthy eating. The big slim helped some of our drivers lose weight and the sustained demand for healthier options in our canteen proves drivers will choose the healthier option if it is available.”

Pat Sharman, a cleaner at NXWM’s West Bromwich garage, gained support for Birmingham Children’s Hospital from the Employee Charity Panel, raising the total of her fundraising efforts to over £6,000.

Pat said: “We are hoping the money raised will go towards giving others the expensive gift of life. What we have raised is just a small drop in the ocean. However, all these small drops count.”

First Aberdeen’s Engineering Director Jon Eardley said the firm’s recycling commitment is ongoing

First: 86% recycling record First Aberdeen has set a new recycling record with 86% of its entire waste being recycled.

The engineering team recycles batteries, mixed alloys, glass, steel, plastics, fluorescent light tubes, cardboard, waste oils and fluids.

Meanwhile the ‘Bus Presentation Team’ recycle the waste which is left behind by customers, such as papers, magazines, cans and plastic bottles.

Jon Eardley, Engineering Director, said: “As part of our ongoing Depot Transformation programme, we implemented a new strategy in November 2011 enabling our engineering and bus presentation teams to recycle waste effortlessly.

Recycling is now a good habit and my colleagues do it without thinking.”

He continued: “I’m thrilled with the results. We are reducing our carbon footprint, helping the environment and saving money.

First Aberdeen is now the best performing large single depot and is one of the three best performing companies in FirstGroup’s bus division – which has more than 70 depots across the UK.” Jon stressed First Aberdeen’s commitment to improving its recycling record will continue. He added: “We are looking at how we can improve with further waste segregation.

“Ultimately our aim is to reach 100%. We are also looking at how far our materials have to travel to get to us and how far our waste travels when it leaves First Aberdeen, with a view to further reducing our overall carbon footprint.”

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12 | COACH & BUS WEEK | August 15, 2012

news › international

KMB awarded OHSAS18001 Following in the footsteps of UK operators, safety systems stepped up HONG KONG The Operations Division at KMB (Kowloon Motor Bus) has been awarded the Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series (OHSAS) 18001 Certificate by the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency, the first franchised bus company in Hong Kong to receive the certification.

To more effectively manage the safety risks of bus operations and monitor the performance of occupational health and safety, KMB started to establish a fit-for-purpose safety management system based on OHSAS18001 in January 2011.

A series of safety management training courses has been provided for to thoroughly inform staff on management strategy and procedures of the system, which was fully implemented in January this year. KMB adopted a “Plan-DoCheck-Act” (PDCA) approach, which aims at continual improvement in safety performance in all aspects as well as the enhancement of frontline staff awareness of occupational health and safety issues. Risk management is emphasised as a key element to ensure safety risks are controlled to levels appropriate to the nature of its bus operations.

Edmond Ho, KMB’s Managing Director, said: “KMB has held ISO 9001 certification since 1999.

In addition to upholding high

DB Regio orders 150 Mercs & Setras GERMANY Daimler Buses has closed a major order for more than 150 buses from German state rail operator-owned DB Fleet Management GmbH. Beginning in 2013, the Mercedes-Benz and Setra brand urban and intercity buses will be gradually delivered to Germany’s largest bus operator.

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NewsIntl.indd 12

standards of quality management, safety and occupational health have always been our primary concern. Achieving the certification represents a milestone in the company’s endeavours to enhance its safety performance.”

Based on OHSAS18001, KMB has introduced effective risk control in areas such bus cab design and improved driver training. A 90-minute training programme has been developed to boost defensive driving skills and awareness. This

includes a film on bus fire drills to strengthen drivers’ handling of emergency incidents. Drivers are also required to adopt defensive driving as a habit.

KMB has consolidated the safety guidelines and procedures of various depots and departments into a comprehensive safety handbook for more effective management and implementation.

Maintenance staff have not be forgotten – a ’Job Hazard Analysis’ (risk assessment) has been set up to help them identify, manage and monitor their risk control measures, which are in turn distributed to each relevant staff member.

KMB has also introduced its ‘Priority Seats’ scheme, which is due to be finished by the year end.

Electric buses for Vienna AUSTRIA Wiener Linien is introducing 12 electric buses into the Vienna’s public transport network to replace diesel-powered buses. The Italian 40-seater Rampini-built buses will enter service in the autumn and their numbers expanded if the scheme proves successful.

Just like the trams, the buses will be connected to current collectors to charge the batteries quickly. “The overhead cables have the advantage that charging is quick, automatic and can be done without having to plug anything in,” said Dominik Gries, spokesman for Wiener Linien.

The new buses will be fully charged within 15 minutes. Overnight the buses will also be able to fully charge for the day ahead. The vehicles will also be fitted with regenerative braking, which the operator claims will reduce the power needed by around 20%.

TransLink’s successful offer

KMB operates a large fleet of Volvo buses with a variety of bodywork in regional and urban operations.

The buses for DB Regio Bus are to be equipped with EEV-compliant BlueTec SCR diesel engines.

Interestingly, DB has not opted for Euro 6. Daimler Buses will manufacture all of the vehicles within its flexible production network consisting of EvoBus plants in Mannheim and Neu-Ulm. “We’re delighted about this major contract,” said Till Oberwörder, Head of Marketing, Sales & Aftersales at Daimler Buses. “The order confirms that even in tough economic times our customers want our high-quality

and environmentally friendly buses..”

Most of the vehicles are first and second-generation low-floor buses with two or three doors and a length of 12 und 18 metres. Each bus will have four priority seats for elderly or disabled passengers.

DB Regio Bus manages Deutsche Bahn’s regional and urban transport business, which encompasses a network of 22 bus firms and more than 70 holdings in municipal operators and cooperatives throughout Germany.

Around two million passengers ride the buses of DB Regio Bus each day.

AUSTRALIA A month after introducing Southern Queensland’s revised Go Card scheme of ‘nine trips get one free’, the state’s government is claiming a boost in public transport usage.

The TransLink network, which runs Go Card recorded 500,000 free trips just four weeks into the revised scheme – Australasian Bus & Coach magazine reported .

Transport Minister Scott Emerson said declining public transport affordability had been embraced by passengers. “All passengers have saved almost $2m in fares since June 25, delivering real cost of living relief,” he explained.

“We are restoring confidence in our public transport network by improving the affordability, reliability and frequency of public transport.”

During the January-to-March quarter, affordability of public transport dropped to an all-time low in Queensland – 45% on trains and 51 and 53% on buses and ferries.

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14 | COACH & BUS WEEK | August 15, 2012

news › REGIONAL

NORTH

Changes to bus services on several York routes have been unveiled at a public meeting.

Residents and commuters were invited to join local bus providers and City of York Council transport officials at York Explore to discuss the alterations.

First has proposed changes to tackle unreliability on several routes including services 12 and 13.

The operator wants number 12 to run from Foxwood to Monks Cross, still operating every half-hour, and the number 13 to go from Copmanthorpe to Haxby West Nooks, but operating only once an hour.

In addition, the number 11 from Bishopthorpe to Ashley Park in the Stockton Lane area would no longer go on a loop through the streets of South Bank, but take a direct route down Bishopthorpe Road.

However, the council was looking at the tendered network to see how it could pick up in areas such as this which were losing out. Councillor Merrett said improvements to reliability would be welcome but he would be disappointed at any reduction in service frequency.

Green Councillor Andy D’Agorne said any cuts in services ran counter to attempts to encourage people to travel by public transport rather than by car.

A First spokesman said: “We are currently working with the council to look at ways to deal with reliability issues on certain tendered routes in York. These proposed service changes will help to alleviate some of these issues and therefore will benefit the vast majority of our customers in York.”

Passengers in Greater Manchester could soon be using smartphone ticketing on buses, trams and trains.

The system works in a similar way to airline tickets, where passengers present a bar code on their mobile phone screen instead of carrying a paper ticket.

Government cash has been provided to help fund the project.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is also looking at ways to improve passenger information, including sending real-time journey details to mobile phones.

TfGM Chief Executive David Leather said: “This is something which is possible as I know airlines are doing it. At the moment, it’s not being used in any land transport operation in the UK but it won’t prohibit us from using the www.coachandbusweek.com

RegionalNews.indd 14

KEY

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

technique. You can use the same chip on a phone as you can on a card.” TfGM is currently finalising arrangements with contractors for a smartcard.

Plans to introduce them on the Metrolink system have already been drawn up and could be in place next year. Operators are already planning to introduce smartcards for use across local transport networks.

MIDLANDS

Passengers in Derby may soon find out when their next bus is due just by holding up their mobile phones to new signs.

The latest technology, funded through £2.1m from the Better Bus Area Fund, is being installed on several routes in Derby and could be extended across the network towards the end of the year.

The first routes to be fitted with the new signs are the 42/43 and 44/45 services to Alvaston run

by Arriva. trent barton is introducing them on some routes, starting with the Sixes and the Allestree buses.

Derby City Council is installing the signs, which use the Near Field Communication technology, to give direct access to the Traveline website when a phone is placed within touching distance of the signs. Passengers then receive information on when their bus is due.

Others without smart phones

can text the bus stop’s unique code, shown on the sign, and receive a prompt text with the arrival time of the next three buses.

Keith Myatt of Arriva Midlands said: “We welcome the introduction of new technology to provide quick and easier access to local bus times and routes.”

Alex Hornby, Commercial Director at trent barton, said: “We’re pleased to see the city council concentrating the recent award of government funding on projects designed to enhance the overall customer experience.”

SOUTH EAST

Metrobus is introducing a commercially-operated Sunday service on its route 400 from September 2.

Route 400 links Caterham, Godstone, Bletchingley, Nutley, Redhill, East Surrey Hospital, Salfords, Gatwick Airport, Crawley and East Grinstead.

Initially the service promises a two-hour frequency but Metrobus has stressed it will be very much a case of ‘use it or lose it’.

Additional later journeys are being timetabled for Caterham to Redhill and Cateham to East Grinstead on weekdays.

Nick Hill, Commercial Manager at the Go-Ahead Group-owned firm, said: “Since we introduced the 400 in September last year, many passengers asked if we could add a Sunday service and we are pleased

to now be doing so.”

Also in September, routes 526 and 527 will transfer from Southdown PSV to Metrobus. They are to be re-routed to serve Gatwick South, City Place and Lowfield Heath, providing a new link to these places from West Green, Charlwood and Smallfield.

Route 270, which currently operates hourly between East Grinstead and Haywards Heath, extends to Brighton, including the Royal Sussex County Hospital and Burgess Hill. Hitherto subsidised by West Sussex County Council, Metrobus will take it on commercially.

Routes 271 and 273 will provide a regular hourly service from Crawley to Brighton, a major improvement on the current service which only operates every two to three hours. Route 271 will also run via Burgess Hill, providing a new much-requested link between there and Crawley.

Nick added: “Currently subsidised by WDespite the difficult economic climate and reductions in council funding, we are still improving many of our routes including a significant enhancement to the Brighton service.”

Reading (The Royals) Football Club’s promotion to the Premiership places huge demand on Reading Buses. Every time there is a home match the operator is required to supply more than 30 buses over and above its Peak Vehicle Requirement.

“Each home match is a major logistical exercise to bring together buses and drivers both from our own fleet and the associated Newbury and District operation,” explained James Freeman, Reading Buses CEO. “There is a major direct link from Reading Station and town centre to and from the stadium which by itself uses up to 20 buses for a busy match when a lot of away fans arrive by train.

“Five more buses run a park and ride service from Shinfield Park and the rest provide a carefully worked out network of routes from all over the greater Reading conurbation.”

“One benefit is that we buy match tickets for the drivers so they can watch the match as well.

“Of course, this means there is no shortage of volunteers. But we have to keep running the main service as well so it is all hands to the pump on home match days,” Mr. Freeman added.

13/08/2012 15:11

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’d like us to cover, contact James Day on james. day@coachandbusweek.com.

SOUTH WEST

Torbay is again hosting a seaside bus rally with about 30 buses, several of which spent some of their working lives in the locality.

It takes place on Sunday September 2 in the Shedden Hill car park which has been exclusively reserved for the vintage buses and pedestrians only during the event.

Buses attending include several former Devon General open-toppers, including an AEC Regent dating from 1934 and a recently restored 1997 Volvo single-decker which was originally used by Stagecoach.

The event is being organised by the Devon and Dorset Group of bus enthusiasts in partnership with Torbay Council and Stagecoach.

This is therally’s fourth year and organiser James Pratt is confident this year’s will be the best yet.

He said: “ People love to have the chance to come along and see

the static display of historic buses, and we plan on running several free bus services to give visitors the chance to ride in these wonderful character-filled vehicles.

“Retired buses should not be consigned to museums, and as bus enthusiasts we are pleased to give people an opportunity to see them out and about and to have the chance to ride on them once again.”

A souvenir programme is available, including photographs and information about the vehicles, and there will be a timetable giving details of the free bus trips.

Councillor Robert Excell, Torbay Council’s Executive Lead for Safer Communities and Transport, said: “It is an extremely popular event, with some wonderful opportunities for photographers, so I would encourage people to come along and have a great time.”

For more details, visit www. torbayvbrd.co.uk.

August 15, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 15

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

The Llangollen Railway Classic Transport Weekend is being held in Llangollen, Denbighshire over the weekend of August 25-26

2012 n August 25-26 Llangollen Railway Classic Transport Weekend. Llangollen, Denbighshire LL20 8SN. 01978 860979. www.

llangollen-railway.co.uk

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 9 Amberley Bus Show. Amberley Museum and Heritage Centre, West Sussex. www.amberleymuseum.co.uk

More than 40 members of a youth string orchestra travelled all the way from Slovakia to Aberdeen by bus for a performance in this year’s 40th celebrations of Aberdeen International Youth Festival (AIYF). AIYF brings more than 10 days of top class performances from around Scotland and the rest of the world. Musica Iuvenalis from Slovakia performed a verse from the national anthems of all the participating countries in this year’s festival at a welcome ceremony at the city’s Music Hall. In recognition of their extraordinary efforts First Aberdeen, provided an open top bus so that the Slovakian orchestra could enjoy the final leg of their journey. As they travelled to the Music Hall the orchestra delighted crowds by performing from the top deck.

Joe Mackie, First Aberdeen’s Commercial Director, had the honour of driving the open top bus. He said: “We’re delighted to be part of such a fantastic festival. When we heard about the Slovakians’ journey, we wanted to ensure their final leg would be memorable – they certainly entertained a few Sunday morning onlookers as we drove through the city centre.” Stewart Aitken, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of AIYF said: “It is wonderful First Aberdeen provided this transport in recognition of the orchestra’s fantastic efforts to get here. We have had great support from First Aberdeen this festival season in what is an important and prestigious year for us and the city.”

n September 10-11 CPT Scotland Annual Conference. Crieff Hydro Hotel, Perthshire, PH7 3LQ. Call CPT Scotland on 0131 2722150 or email conference2012@cpt-uk.org 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 September 22 Open House event at Leyton and West Ham Garages. 020 7055 9600. pr.london@stagecoachbus.com n October 14 Midland Red Centenary of the Reintroduction of Motorbuses. The Transport Museum, Wythall, near Birmingham. www.wythall.org.uk

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

01536 740104. www.ciltuk.org.uk n October 21 The Very Best of London Buses. Brooklands, Surrey.

Featuring 50 years of Routemaster buses. London Bus Museum. www.londonbusmuseum.com n October 23 CPT Coaching Conference. Volvo HQ, Warwick.

Further details will be published in due course. Call CPT on 020 7240 3131. www.cpt-uk.org n October 24-25 Trapeze UK User Conference 2012. Radisson Hotel, Manchester Airport. 08445 616771. www.trapezegroup.co.uk n November 6-8 Euro Bus Expo.

NEC, Birmingham. 01926 834790. www.eurobusxpo.com n November 15 CPT Northern Bus Summit. Manchester Conference Centre. Details from contact CPT NW Regional Manager Phillipa Sudlow on phillipas@cpt-uk.org. n November 20 UK Bus Awards London Hilton Park Lane. www.ukbusawards.org.uk n November 20-21 ATCO Winter Conference 2012. Local Government Association House, London, SW1. Will include AGM. www.atco.org.uk

2013 n January 1 New Year’s Holiday Open Day. Oxford Bus Museum. www.oxfordbusmuseum.org.uk n January 1 Annual King Alfred Running Day, Winchester. Further information from www.fokab.org.uk

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

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GROUP PROFILE › ARRIVA

Arriva Part 1 Coach & Bus Week’s Editor Gareth Evans sets the scene for the first part of the in-depth look at Arriva, which includes an interview with UK Bus Managing Director Mike Cooper and a look at Arriva Transport Solutions, the latest key addition to the firm’s business portfolio

Arriva:

a brief history

W

elcome to the first part of the in-depth look at Arriva.

As with our examinations of both Stagecoach and the Go-Ahead Group, we’ve tried to cover fresh ground. A prime example is Arriva Transport Solutions (ATS) – the first time this part of the business has been featured in a trade journal.

ATS is the firm’s current effort of diversifying its business – into non-emergency patient transport and special educational needs transport. Using its existing skills and financial integrity, together with the expertise acquired from Wardles and Ambuline, Arriva is pioneering ‘big group’ involvement in this field. Indeed, testimony to the scope of the two markets is the fact, according ATS Managing Director Jonathan May, it could be equal to that of Arriva’s UK bus

PART ONE

Despite not changing to the Arriva name until 1997, the multinational firm can trace its roots back to 1938, when T.S Cowie opened a second-hand motorcycle shop in Sunderland, trading as T. Cowie Ltd. In 1948 the business was re-launched by Tom Cowie, the founder’s son, with £1,000 in savings. The Cowie name became famous in the motorcycle industry in the 1950s, helped by deals set up to sell Italian Vespas.

By 1961, due to a number of rival business takeovers, the company had showrooms in Newcastle, Sunderland, Durham, Stockton, Bradford, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

The business became a PLC in 1964 and moved into car sales after the collapse of the motorcycle market. The shift to a PLC released much-needed cash and the firm grew and moved into many new areas, which included the purchase of a bank in 1969 for £160,000.

Later that year the company linked up with a major finance house, Mercantile Credit, which bought more than 42% of its stock.

In 1972 Cowie Contract Hire was formed which by the 1980s was the largest of its kind in the UK. The business continued expanding throughout the 1970s, moving south to the Midlands.

A Wright VDL sporting Arriva’s familiar corporate colours in Chester Cowie also built up an automobile financing business, called Red Dragon Securities. By the middle of the decade Cowie had raised its annual sales to more than £18m.

The firm made its first move into the bus industry in 1980 with the acquisition of Grey-Green.

Under Cowie ownership GreyGreen became one of the first private operators to run London bus services after the process of privatisation began.

Four years later, the Hanger Group was acquired which included Interleasing, a large vehicle leasing business. These purchases helped to double turnover to over £200m.

Bus sales dealership Stanley Hughes (Holdings) Limited (later Arriva Bus and Coach Ltd) was

acquired in 1988, while in 1992 the company attempted to purchase Plaxton, but the bid was ultimately unsuccessful, with Cowie taking only 47% of shares by the deadline.

In 1993 Tom Cowie left T. Cowie plc afer differences of opinion with other board members, although he remained its Life President. Tom Cowie died in January this year.

Over the next few years, further bus acquisitions followed. The biggest, British Bus Group plc in 1996, made the business one of the largest bus operators in the UK. Cowie paid £282m to up its share of the UK bus market to 16.5%.

Incorporated into British Bus was Green Line Coaches, which remains a familiar sight.

The company changed its name to Arriva in 1997 and brought

together over 140 transport brands under that name. In the same year the firm acquired its first mainland European business – Unibus Holdings in Denmark, which also had bus operations in Sweden.

It also purchased the Original London Sightseeing Tour and its fleet of 81 double-decker buses for £5m.

A year later the company acquired two Dutch companies, Vancom Nederland and Veonn & Hanze, making Arriva a major operator of inter-urban commuter coach services in the country.

In 1999 there was further expansion in Denmark with its acquisition of Bus Danmark. It also acquired two bus firms in northwest Spain –Mercancias Ideal Gallego and Transportes Finisterre.

Arriva also began operating bus and rail services in Friesland, the Netherlands, in a joint venture.

The firm announced its repositioning to focus on passenger transport in the UK and mainland Europe. The group’s contract hire, motor retailing and vehicle rental businesses were sold.

In 2000 Arriva entered the UK rail market. It also acquired MTL’s bus operations in Merseyside.

In the same year the company entered the Portuguese bus market with the acquisition of AmiTransportes and Abilio da Costa Moreira in north-west Portugal.

The next year saw Arriva expand even further in Denmark with

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operations.

Reflecting a theme which is very newsworthy at present, Arriva’s UK Bus Managing Director Mike Cooper talks about partnerships with local authorities and PTEs – not to mention communication with employees.

We’ve also looked at what I regard as an oft forgotten yet vital cog in our industry – engineering.

Lloyd Mason, Engineer Trainer, has talked with passion about the IRTE’s Skills Challenge, Arriva’s own internal skills challenge and generally about the challenges faced by maintenance staff. He’s the sort of individual who drives our industry forward.

We’ve also looked at Trapeze, which is responsible for most of the technology behind Arriva’s m-ticketing and Parkeon, which

of course, is renowned for its Wayfarer system.

Back to people, Rita Kendrick, Operations Manager at Arriva Yorkshire’s Heckmondwike depot has enjoyed her inaugural ‘Face to Face’ interview. She was crowned the ‘Unsung Hero’ at last year’s UK Bus Awards. Memorably, she produced her own cash bags at home when she was unable to obtain some from a supplier.

Last but by no means least, CBW’s ever-popular ‘Big Picture’ serves as a reminder of the contribution coaches make to Arriva. The Green Line-operated triaxle Van Hools are a familiar sight in London Victoria, not to mention on the M1 to Luton Airport.

On a final note, I’d like thank everyone at Arriva for letting us have access and time to prepare this super-feature. More interviews and ground-breaking features will appear in part two in the coming weeks.

position in a number of countries including Spain (acquisition of two Madrid-based companies – school contract and private hire operator Esfera and coach operator Autocares Fray Escoba), the Czech Republic (acquisitions of Bosak Bus and Osnado Spol), Germany (acquisition of majority stake in bus and rail company Osthannoversche Eisenbahnen AG), Italy (joint venture with Ferrovie Nord Milano Group; acquisition of 49% of Italian bus operator SPT Linea) and Denmark (acquired the country’s second-largest bus operator Veolia Scandinavia).

The year also saw Arriva win the Hoeksche Waard and Goeree Overflakkee bus contract, operating to the south of Rotterdam, and a Stockholm bus contract.

The company was awarded the UK’s most geographically extensive rail franchise, CrossCountry.

2008 was also full of activity.

For the UK, Arriva acquired Tellings Golden Miller Group.

The operator also entered the Hungarian and Slovakian bus markets with the acquisition of Interbus Invest, the holding company of Eurobus Invest.

Furthermore, it acquired Spanish bus operator Empresa de Blas y Cia S.L. and its subsidiaries of Madrid.

In 2009, Arriva won the Achterhoek Rivierenland bus and rail tender in Gelderland, Netherlands. Bus operations began in 2010.

There was a lot of activity for the firm in Polish rail operations in 2010, with Arriva PCC becoming fully owned by the company and changing its name to Arriva RP and the awarding of a 10-year contract in the Kujawsko Pomorskie region.

As part of a consortium, the company was awarded a 10-year contract to operate bus services in Malta and Gozo. Services started in July 2011.

In August of 2010 Arriva was acquired by Deutsche Bahn. It was subsequently delisted from the London Stock Exchange.

Last year Arriva’s German operations were sold, completing the undertakings given by Deutsche Bahn to the European Commission.

Businesses operated by Deutsche Bahn outside of Germany became part of Arriva. These include Chiltern Railways, London Overground Rail Operations, Tyne and Wear Metro, Pan Bus (Denmark), Östgötapendeln and Botniatåg (both Sweden).

Towards the end of last year the firm doubled its Swedish operations with a major 12year contract win, awarded by transport authority Storstockholms Lokaltrafik.

In March this year Arriva completed the sale of its Scotland West operations to McGill’s Buses.

In April, Arriva Nederland won two major contracts, collectively worth €1.2m.

In his three years as UK Bus MD, Mike Cooper has been a keen advocate of m-ticketing the acquisition of Combus, the country’s largest bus operator.

In 2002 the company bought Autocares Mallorca SL and Donate Amenguel Ramis SL of Mallorca.

It also acquired a 51% stake in Transportes Sul do Tejo, the major operator of scheduled bus and coach services to the south of Lisbon in Portugal (increased to 100% in 2003). Furthermore, it became the largest private sector bus operator in Italy with its acquisition of SAB Autoservizi, operating services to the east of Milan.

As well as taking full control of Transportes Sul do Tejo, 2003 also saw Arriva take 100% control of the joint venture bus/rail operations in Friesland which started in 1999, renaming it Arriva Openbaar Vervoer NL. It continued its Dutch expansion by winning a contract to operate services in Groningen and Drenthe, which lasted until December 2009.

That year also saw Arriva commence a new 15-year rail franchise serving Wales and the border countries – Arriva Trains Wales/Trenau Arriva Cymru.

Arriva entered the German rail market in 2004 with its acquisition of Prignitzer Eisenbahn Gruppe.

It also purchased 76.9% of Regentalbahn AG from the state of Bavaria. In the same year the operator acquired 49% of Societa Autoservizi, F.V.G S.p.a in Italy.

Furthermore, the firm acquired

Danish bus firm Wulff Bus A/S. It became Copenhagen’s biggest bus operator with a 40% market share.

The company added German buses to its ever-growing portfolio in 2005 with the acquisition of Sippel Group, one of the country’s largest privately-owned bus firms.

Closer to home, Arriva acquired Blue Bus and Coaches of Bolton.

Back in Italy, the operator bought 80% of Italian bus operator SADEM, which runs in Piemonte and Valle d’Aosta. It also increased its stake in Societa Autoservizi to 60%.

Additionally 2005 saw Arriva win a six-year contract to operate buses in Waterland, north of Amsterdam.

2006 was a busy year, especially outside the UK. It acquired Münsterland-based bus operator Verkehrsbetriebe Bils KG, a 21.5% stake in Barraqueiro Group SGPS SA of Portugal, Czech bus operator Transcentrum Bus s.r.o, a 35% stake in Trieste Trasporti in Italy and an increased stake in Regentalbahn AG, from 76.9% to 100%.

In the UK, Arriva purchased Milton Keynes-based Premier Buses, trading as MK Metro Ltd. Contract wins included a 12-year contract to run buses and trains in Holland between Dordrecht and Geldermalsen. An 80% stake in north-east German bus operator Neisseverkehr GmbH was also acquired.

Another hectic year followed in 2007. The company strengthened its

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FACE TO FACE › MIKE COOPER

NAME: Mike Cooper AGE: 49 POSITION: Managing Director, Arriva UK Bus CONTACT: 0191 520 4000 www.arrivabus.co.uk

Building bridges in the bus industry Coach & Bus Week’s Andrew Cream talks to Arriva UK Bus Managing Director Mike Cooper about his leadership skills, how the company is run, relationships with PTEs and his views on Quality Contracts

I

t’s always refreshing to find out that the person who heads up a nationwide operation is friendly, down-to-earth and good-humoured.

However, it shouldn’t come as a surprise. Mike Cooper finds relationships tremendously important, both inside the organisation and externally, so being approachable is something which comes naturally to him.

We met at Arriva’s offices in London, just a three-minute walk from Kings Cross railway station, so I wasn’t able to sample how the Olympics have affected the capital’s public transport.

Arriva’s London HQ is modern and inviting, if a little characterless.

But Mike made up for the building’s lack of charm. He was grateful for the meeting and was happy to take his time and explain things in detail.

We covered a range of topics, with Mike being relatively open throughout, although he may have held back his true feelings once or twice. At the end of the day, he’s a professional, and having come from a commercial background, his responses are naturally articulate and deliberate.

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CBW: How has UK Bus changed under your leadership?

Mike Cooper: When I joined, David Martin [current Arriva CEO] and Bob Davies [former CEO], hoped I would bring something different to the role.

As I came from outside the bus industry, I think I bring a more objective view. I think energy is really important and I hope I have brought some of that. Also, I think I have brought some confidence.

When you start a new job, you have to be realistic about what you can do. I gave myself 90 days on arrival to lay down a plan. When an organisation has a new leader people expect change so you have an obligation to move relatively quickly. But conversely, I needed to be close enough to understand and talk to people. I needed to hear people’s views and opinions.

I have got a talented leadership team who have helped me. Within the team there is a blend of skills which works well. There is healthy conflict, but it’s an open culture and we have a bit of fun as well.

I have a lot of respect for those within the bus sector. I’m also very impressed with people skills within the industry.

I don’t think it was a huge

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Mike Cooper believes he has brought an objective view to the company

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FACE TO FACE › MIKE COOPER

Mike Cooper: a brief history

Mike explained that Deutsche Bahn does not want to homogenise Arriva risk to take me on [with no previous experience in the industry] because of the calibre of the MDs we have at each region. Saying that, I wasn’t in the mould – for example, I can’t schedule like they do. Hopefully I bring something different.

I think we are more strategic as a company now. I believe a balanced stakeholder view is very important, as well as shareholder and customer satisfaction, satisfaction among employees and the view in which we are held by local authorities. They have all gone in the right direction.

When I joined, the company was in pretty good shape, but maybe it needed a sharper commercial focus.

CBW: How are decisions made within the company? For example, fleet buying and fare setting.

MC: With regards to fleet buying, MDs pitch to me in the context of DDA, revenue growth and patronage growth. We have a monthly leadership team meeting so it’s pretty consensual. I then sell any pitches up the line to David Martin and Deutsche Bahn (DB).

We have guidance for setting fares at national level but the decision is mainly on the MD. However, we do help with analysis and pointers. You get outstanding www.coachandbusweek.com

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results when you have a balance of challenge and support.

It’s not healthy if people get defensive – it’s important to promote trust and openness.

CBW: How important is continuing to develop and grow during these difficult economic times?

MC: It’s all about balance and targeting growth. We’ve invested in certain areas; new buses, marketing campaigns and opening a number of new depots for example, but we’re not investing everywhere – we’ve also had to close depots.

It is important to continue to invest. We’re focusing on improving our productivity and efficiency.

CBW: Do you take influence from your counterparts in Arriva subsidiaries in different countries?

MC: Absolutely. I was in Portugal not long ago and their maintenance software is cutting edge. It was written in-house. I’m keen we learn from that and I would like to bring it over to the UK. There are some fantastic things we should import into the UK, including some impressive scheduling software in Europe.

We’re also talking to DB about price elasticity analysis.

We’re taking ideas across but

not as much as we should be. But people are busy – we don’t have people who have the job role of just picking up new ideas.

CBW: How do you feel Arriva compares to other operators when looking at what customers want?

MC: If you’re competing head to head then comparing yourself to other operators is important.

Otherwise why look over your shoulders worrying what your competitors are doing. Focus on customers and ask what they want.

We have made continuous improvements year on year with customer satisfaction.

CBW: How has technology developed within Arriva recently and what plans do you have?

MC: We were the first bus operator in the world to offer mobile ticketing on the whole network. However, mobile ticketing isn’t going to appeal to everybody. We are monitoring EMV (Europay, MasterCard and VISA; a global standard for inter-operation of smartcards) technology coming through and it’s key to stay on top of that. I think there will be a number of platforms the consumer will demand in the future, including smartcard schemes.

Mike Cooper studied Economics at Newcastle University. After graduating, he took up a Price Waterhouse Coopers traineeship in Switzerland, before entering on an ICI graduate training scheme in 1987. He held various management positions in ICI Dulux, whilst gaining an MBA from Cranfield School of Management.

In 1996 he joined Thomson Holidays, or TUI as it’s now known, and ran its direct sales business for four years.

Mike joined easyJet as Commercial Director in May 2000, just before it was going to float on the stock market. It floated in November of that year.

He joined Arriva on May 16, 2005. His first role was slightly different to his current one – Managing Director of UK Regional Bus, heading up the financial and operational performance of all of UK Bus apart from London. In February 2009, Mike assumed his current role of Managing Director for Arriva UK Bus. He said: “I had five great years at easyJet. I left my position there as I felt I needed a change. I had a couple of offers – one was more travel related and the other one was at Arriva.

“I haven’t looked back. With regards to moving industries, when you join [a new industry] you have a hazy view of it. But actually, the bus industry is very similar to the airline industry. You need to provide a reliable and predictable travel experience and do it with a smile on your face.”

“I’ve learnt not to be prescriptive. Just because something worked well at easyJet or at TUI doesn’t mean it’s going to work at Arriva. The industry context and the cultural context can be very different.”

Mike Cooper

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FACE TO FACE › MIKE COOPER

In terms of development, I meet with Parkeon for example once a year, although we have user groups which are more active. They can tell Parkeon if a project didn’t quite work perfectly and what needs changing.

We have a couple of technology guys in-house. What’s crucially important about them is that they know both the technical side and commercial applications.

In other areas, the TOCs [train operating companies] are developing customer databases which we are learning from.

DB is well resourced. We can use those resources and welcome that but the key is not to slow down.

CBW: In your last interview with CBW you said not much has changed since the Deutsche Bahn takeover. Is this still the case?

MC: At my level little has changed; we still have four or five board meetings a year, we produce a five-year plan and budget which we have to deliver.

The finance guys have had a demanding time as the financial reporting has changed. If they ‘DBise’ us they lose value. They bought us because we were different.

We haven’t got the same absolute autonomy but little has changed. They get the fact that we are different – they don’t want to homogenise us.

CBW: You were involved in the Competition Commission’s review of competition in the local bus market – what are your views on its recommendations?

MC: They could have proposed remedies that fundamentally changed the market; for example price capping or divestment programmes – none of which they chose to do.

Some of the changes are very sensible while some are untested.

It probably wasn’t a necessary exercise. They couldn’t get their minds around, if operators are making money, why isn’t there more competition? This is a mature industry. If we add competition, both parties will lose significant amounts of money.

CBW: There has been a lot of animosity towards Quality Contracts. What are your views?

MC: It would be unique in Europe for a regime to move from a deregulated market to a franchised world. People are trying to change the rules of the game. www.coachandbusweek.com

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But politics could prevail.

Objective assessment of stakeholder satisfaction and value for money pre- and post-Quality Contracts could be lost in the mix.

Across the consumer industries I have worked in I have never seen customer satisfaction as high as it is in the bus industry. I don’t see excessive profit taking. So, why change?

I wasn’t in the industry in the ‘bad old days’ but now it is professional. Look at Passenger Focus’ research which was utterly objective. It’s really very good.

CBW: Do you see Quality Partnerships as a viable future?

MC: I think it’s win, win, win. The customers benefit from a better regulated timetable, operators benefit – they can use their resources as cost effectively as possible and local authorities can demonstrate real added value.

We have a good relationship with PTEs and from independent research which has been conducted we have had a lot of positive feedback from PTEs and local

authorities.

Informal partnerships also work very well. Either way, it’s about trust - if both parties have trust then that’s the critical ingredient.

If they can sit down and say what they want to achieve then they can put down a plan.

CBW: Where does Arriva UK Bus stand on green issues?

MC: Over the long term consumers will expect added environmental consciousness from public transport providers. But in the short term we are under a lot of financial pressures.

However, between September 2011 and March 2013 we are investing close to £50m in

“Every day we carry 2m people on our buses so we affect a lot of lives. We need to make people conscious of that.”

Mike Cooper

Above: Arriva has continued invested in depots. Below: In terms of fleet buying, local MDs pitch in terms of DDA, revenue and patronage growth

environmental initiatives. This includes green buses, energy saving, renewable waste and rain harvesting. We can also tap into DB’s expertise.

We don’t have a specific team dedicated to green issues but Ian Tarran, Arriva Bus Engineering Director, is well-versed in this area.

CBW: What are your proudest achievements since joining Arriva?

MC: I can split that into the tangible and intangible. The tangible is: we have four stakeholder groups – shareholders, customers, employees and local authority partners. The metrics we laid down show the demonstrable improvements opposite these groups year on year. I am proud of that. The intangible is that Arriva is a more confident place since I arrived. In terms of success, we have set targets and we have delivered them.

CBW: Have you learnt from any mistakes during your career?

MC: One thing which springs to mind is that we have a small team at the centre of the company. When I started we spent too long nuancing stuff at the centre instead of getting it on the table for the MDs to see. It was a classic case of people getting anxious; they felt excluded.

Following feedback, our team is now working pretty well.

I’ve also learnt not to be prescriptive. Just because something worked well at easyJet or at TUI doesn’t mean it’s going to work at Arriva. The industry context and the cultural context can be very different.

But people are the same, get a team behind a vision and you can make something quite special. Most importantly, don’t take yourself too seriously at the end of the day!

CBW: Any other words?

MC: There can obviously be tensions between operators and PTEs, especially on the back of the Competition Commission findings and the Quality Contract agenda.

I want local authorities and PTEs to know that Arriva has set out a strategy with them at the heart of it.

This isn’t bullshit – this is important. It’s about building meaningful relationships and doing stuff together.

Finally, every day we carry 2m people on our buses so we affect a lot of lives. We need to make people conscious of that.

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DIVERSIFICATION

A new direction Coach and Bus Week’s James Day and Gareth Evans visit Jonathan May at Arriva Transport Solutions to find out more about the operator’s venture into the realm of non-emergency patient and special needs transport

A

fter arriving in Leeds early in the day and burning some time snapping ever-needed images of buses on the streets of Leeds city centre, we meet Jonathan May, UK Managing Director of Arriva Transport Solutions, at the Arriva offices in the city centre. Jonathan’s office provides a good view - a bus interchange on the road below, but it is quite bare. “As we have operations running across the UK I’m quite nomadic in my role, which is why my office is so empty,” he explained. “When I am here though it’s easy for me to see when buses miss changeovers just by looking out the window.”

Jonathan first entered the industry on a FirstGroup senior management graduate scheme.

He was Managing Director in York and Bradford, before becoming FirstGroup’s Bid Director for the rail division. He moved to Arriva in 2007, where he started as Regional Managing Director for the North East.

“I’ve been in the bus industry for 15 years now,” he said. “It makes me feel old thinking about it, even though I’m still relatively young.”

vehicles which are essentially taxis, to stretcher-carrying vehicles with blue lights and sirens on board.

“Our biggest competitor with NEPT is the NHS itself, which runs 70-80% of services,” Jonathan said.

“The market is under pressure from austerity so the NHS is looking at different ways of providing patient transport. It’s quite a fragmented market too – there’s not really a ‘big five’ like in the bus industry. Most of the ‘large’ operators are still quite small and there are a large number of independent operators.

“With NEPT, the first thing we had to do was to agree whether it was in scope. We needed to establish how to go from our established bus and train operations to become a provider of these services.

“The market requires a complete change in mindset. You need specialist knowledge and have to plan a thousand journeys per day, some of which you are aware of in advance but many of which are required on the same day. People are also discharged from hospital at short notice so you need to be

prepared for that.”

Certainly the NEPT market is a challenging one which cannot be approached in the same way as bus operation. There are no real set timetables and certain special needs transport journeys require more thought, such as those carrying patients with autism which benefit from having the same driver consistently. There are many issues like this which may not be considered without experience in the market.

Jonathan added: “There’s also the eligibility factor. You have to ensure people are entitled to travel, which is something the NHS hasn’t always enforced as a reduction in the number of journeys can result in a loss of funding.”

Breaking into the market

Arriva’s entry into the market was eased through partnerships and acquisitions of companies who were already in the industry.

One such acquisition was Stokeon-Trent based Wardles, which

Non Emergency Patient Transport

Arriva Transport Solutions has a dedicated team lead by Jonathan under the umbrella of Arriva UK Bus, with Jonathan reporting to Mike Cooper.

The core business for Arriva Transport Solutions is NonEmergency Patient Transport (NEPT). The market requires vehicles with a variety of different purposes, from four to nine-seater

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Arriva.ATS.indd 24

Jonathan May, Managing Director of Arriva Transport Solutions

ran local bus services as well a Special Educational Needs (SEN) contracts. Jonathan said: “The Wardles acquisition allowed Arriva Transport Solutions to develop a model which it could grow from. A lot of the market is about understanding what’s already being done.

“Another strand to the business which we’re going to focus more heavily on in the next six to 12 months is working with local authorities on adult social care and SEN. While Wardles was a small acquisition, again it has given us experience, especially in the SEN market. We learned that you need primarily carers first and that

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When it comes to NEPT, carers are at least as important as drivers

individual users have individual needs.

“Our core skills are from local bus operation, such as scheduling, which compliments Wardles’ specialist knowledge.”

Another example is Ambuline, a family-run business which had been in operation for around 50 years in the West Midlands. Arriva Transport Solutions partnered with the company and later acquired it.

“It became clear we lacked the skills in house to cover all the clinical elements of NEPT services, so we looked for a partner,” Jonathan explained. “Ambuline had been in the business for 30 years, operated 10 contracts

Arriva.ATS.indd 25

across the West Midlands and had approximately 100 vehicles plus 200 staff on its books.

“However, the most important aspect of the acquisition was the management teams. They brought necessary skills and expertise into the business and had a great track record for meeting bidding criteria.

We could pair this with the financial might of Arriva and its parent company Deutsche Bahn to start bidding for contracts.”

Arriva Transport Solutions won what was the biggest NEPT contract to be offered at the time, from the East Midlands Ambulance Service. The contract is worth £40m over five years and is

Family-run Abuline was acquired by Arriva Transport Solutions in June 2012, following a partnership with the operator www.coachandbusweek.com

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DIVERSIFICATION

extendable to seven years. Not an insignificant amount of business, as Jonathan put it. “In the East Midlands we had 14 weeks to find eight operating centres and build and equip 130 vehicles. You’re not just talking about fitting leaflet racks – they need to be plumbed for gas and air and fitted with defibrillators. There’s also the TUPE process to go through.”

The operator also bid on contracts in Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, Northamptonshire and Leicestershire, with the bids for the two largest, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, going through.

Arriva started running these contracts on July 1. Currently the operator is bidding on NEPT contracts in Wales and looking at opportunities in Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall, as well as the North West Ambulance Service.

“We’re not bound by our geographical footprint when it comes to bidding for contracts in this industry,” Jonathan stated.

“We have a strong bidding pipeline and the opportunity for growth in this market is huge. In less than 12 months we’ve moved to a position where we have 300 vehicles and £25m turnover per annum.

“We’ve quickly established ourselves as one of the largest private operators. We use three regional control centres which take

approximately 20,000 calls per month and employ the best part of 350 staff. We recently invested £6m in around 135 vehicles.”

A separate strand

Patient transfer requires a huge variety of different vehicle specifications

Arriva Transport Solutions: support systems

There has been some scope for technological investment in the business.

To help improve efficiency, Arriva Transport Solutions invested in the GPS vehicle tracking system Masternaut, which is used to plan journeys in real time and plan vehicle movements.

Jonathon said: “The system allows us to track driver behaviour and assess whether they are driving in a sustainable way, as we do with our bus operations.”

Arriva Transport Solutions also use a system called Cleric for SEN and NHS ran NEPT services. From initial call, it determines if patients are eligible to travel and their requirements (if a driver and escort are required, for example). The information is then distributed to staff using Blackberry mobile phone handsets, allowing flexibility on the day. The system also enables the operator to send SMS messages to landlines and mobiles and inform where there are changes and delays.

Ambuline operated approximately 100 vehicles and employed around 200 staff www.coachandbusweek.com

Arriva.ATS.indd 26

Although on paper it may be part of Arriva UK Bus, Jonathan said it is important Arriva Transport Solutions operates separately.

“It would be really easy to have the NEPT vehicles park up in Thurmaston, since the ambulance depot is three quarters of a mile away, but it’s important they are distinct businesses,” Jonathan explained. “There’s a danger of competition in depot maintenance.

We don’t want a situation where engineers have a bus and an ambulance which both need putting back on the road and have to choose one or the other to work on.

“Of course, if an ambulance needs to refuel it can stop at a bus depot should it pass one. There’s no tension between the two.

“You can’t run SEN or NEPT as a bus operator. We’re working to develop products which sit somewhere between a bus and taxi service and looking to identify an overlapping area. We’ve developed a number of specific vehicles, some seated and some with stretchers, with easy-to-clean surfaces inside.”

“That said, we are using vehicle procurement teams. Because we’re a big business we’re able to influence production schedule and hence mobilise faster. Our suppliers understand our future ambitions.”

Jonathon said the company wasn’t looking at branching out further, as there is plenty of potential in the markets with which it is already involved.

“I’m keen to stress it’s the two markets we’re interested in. We see ourselves as an outsourcing partner with the ability to add value and do more for less. We’re committed to the marketplace – it’s a really exciting growth opportunity. When you think in terms of opportunity, the SEN and NEPT markets combined are the same size as our current UK Bus operations.

“We have no interest in blue light work. Non-emergency transport is a large enough market for us at the moment.”

It’s plain to see that Jonathan is enjoying taking Arriva’s influence into this new market and he is very optimistic about the businesses potential. “It’s good fun. It’s great to be in a business which is growing,” he concluded.

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TRAINING › SKILL DEVELOPMENT

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I

t’s clear from our hourlong chat that Lloyd Mason has a passion for his job.

As Engineer Trainer for Arriva UK Bus, he provides support to the company in terms of training and development, mainly focusing on engineers.

He was also pivotal to the conception of the IRTE Skills Challenge. The competition tests the skills of bus and coach technicians throughout the country and is held at the S&B Automotive Academy in Bristol over three days. It is organised by the IRTE – a professional sector of the Society of Operations Engineers (SOE).

Lloyd explained how the competition came about: “In 2008 I attended a meeting down at the SOE office in London. I pitched the idea of national skills event based on our own Arriva model.

“They thought it was a good idea but due to the economic downturn they weren’t prepared to go ahead straight away. Last year was the first time it took place.

“The event stemmed from my idea and I received a special award for it.”

The Challenge

Engineering teams representing operating companies are split into three main disciplines – body, mechanical and electrical. This year there were 14 teams (up from five in its inaugural year) from companies such as Arriva, Wilts & Dorset, trent barton, Go-Ahead and Ipswich Buses.

The participants have to do practical tasks covering a number of disciplines.

Lloyd helped explain in more detail: “The body guys for example have to make a wheel arch panel for a vehicle. They are judged on working safely, to specification and being able to complete the task in the correct fashion.

“The time element is an added pressure, on top of the pressure of competing.”

“For the other areas it’s a

Arriva.LloydMason.indd 29

Above: Engineer Trainer Lloyd Mason. Left: An Arriva engineer at the IRTE Skills Challenge similar story,” Lloyd continued.

“Electricians face tasks like tracing electrical problems in circuits. To make sure it’s a level playing field, electricians do not use diagnostics.

They must be able to follow a circuit diagram and record resistance and voltage, as well as diagnose what the faults are.

“Mechanics are set tasks they would have done throughout their career.

“This year there was an apprentice category. We took volunteers from our apprenticeship scheme who wanted to represent the company. We had two teams but with the response we got we could have had four or five.”

With nine extra teams than last year, the future of the IRTE Skills Challenge is looking bright.

“The hope is that it will continue to grow,” Lloyd added. “There is a diverse range of participants – this year the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers were represented.

“Essentially, this is for the bus and coach industry. The IRTE Skills Challenge allows engineers to compete on a national scale. It’s not yet a truly national event but it will gain in stature.”

The Arriva Model

Quite simply, Lloyd got the idea for the IRTE Skills Challenge from Arriva’s own internal skills challenge. In terms of

IRTE

Training the technicians and meeting the challenge

Coach & Bus Week’s Andrew Cream talks to Lloyd Mason, Engineer Trainer at Arriva Bus, about the IRTE Skills Challenge, the ever-changing world of engineering and training and development within the company

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TRAINING › SKILL DEVELOPMENT

Above: The Arriva team at the IRTE Skills Chalenge. Below: Lloyd Mason accepting an award on behalf of Mechanical Apprentice Tom Hubbard. Lloyd also received a special award for his part in setting up the event

Lloyd’s path to the present

Lloyd’s route to where he is now is not particularly conventional, although unsurprisingly his career started as an engineering apprentice in the days of regulated services – at Carlyle Works in Edgbaston, Birmingham.

He explained what it was like to be in employment at that time: “It was seen as a job for life; employees didn’t leave. I was thinking, this is where my career ends.”

But then the government threw a spanner in the works. “Then deregulation came along,” Lloyd continued. “Central engineering workshops became obsolete as companies started doing their own repairs.

“I was made redundant, but I was fortunate. I got another job with a private operator.”

From working on the shop floor, he progressed to supervisor and www.coachandbusweek.com

Arriva.LloydMason.indd 30

management roles within the industry.

Lloyd then took some time out of the bus sector. He held managerial positions at a Kwik Fit branch and a CV bodybuilder before obtaining a role in the transportation department at Birmingham City Council.

From an engineering background, getting into training is a bit of a leap. Lloyd explained: “I got into training by accident. I was doing a bricklaying evening course at a college and I started talking about day jobs with a member of

“The importance of basic training and understanding systems will never go away. It will always be required.”

Lloyd Mason

staff. I told them I had trained as a vehicle electrician.

“They needed an electrician to train people at the college and the next thing I knew I was doing part time teaching in the evenings.”

Lloyd gained his adult training qualification while at the college.

Then as luck would have it, he saw a vacancy for his current role.

He added: “It was a chance to do something I was enjoying and give something back to the industry.

“I joined Arriva in 2006 and the role is constantly evolving. Nothing stays the same.”

Lloyd is involved with engineers at all levels, but it’s not the only string to his bow. “I can, and do, assist with recruitment,” he said. “I have an input into the apprentice scheme itself, making sure they have support and that they are developed and supported throughout.”

According to Lloyd, his role compares favourably to jobs he’s had in the past. “I enjoy what I do,” he added. “I get personal satisfaction from it. I know this sounds corny but it changes people’s lives.”

One of Lloyd’s first tasks at Arriva was as part of a bus mechanical training

IRTE

preparing for the event, having your own version to hone your skills is ideal. “Participating in Arriva’s internal skills challenge is as good a training as any,” Lloyd agreed. “They can get a feel for it if you like; having to complete tasks in a competitive environment. It’s a trial run – and we ensure our competition is challenging.”

Arriva’s internal event is perhaps more important to the company than the IRTE competition.

Lloyd said: “We consider our internal skills challenge to be important on a number of levels to develop individuals. It provides us with the opportunity for engineers to get together and meet colleagues.

“Contestants meet the evening before the event. There is a relaxed atmosphere. People can share stories and get to know each other.

“The competition is a development trial – it enables us to get a snapshot of where our engineers are with their abilities.

It gives us important information for the future and what areas we need to target. There is a serious benefit to be gained. It benefits the individuals and the company.”

The Arriva skills challenge is sponsored each year by manufacturers and suppliers. As well as sponsoring the event, they also provide equipment and prizes.

This year Voith Transmissions supplied a faulty gearbox for the competition and the winners are being taken to Voith’s engineering site in Munich.

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32 | COACH & BUS WEEK | August 15, 2012

TRAINING › SKILL DEVELOPMENT

The IRTE Challenge is based on Arriva’s own model. The internal event is a great chance for engineers to prepare for the multi-operator competition

Apprentices

Arriva’s apprentices attend a course at City College Coventry. “It’s a fantastic facility and provides ideal training,” Lloyd enthused.

In the fourth year of the apprenticeship scheme, trainees spend time in an external centre. Scania, for example, puts together an advanced fourth-year training programme for Arriva’s apprentices. At Scania’s training centre apprentices are exposed to more advanced diagnostics training.

“The training is not specific to Scania vehicles,” added Lloyd. “It is generic and they cover all areas.”

Keeping up-to-date

With new vehicles with advanced and cutting edge technology reaching the bus and coach industry regularly, engineers have to be on top of their game in order to keep up-to-date with the changes. Lloyd explained how Arriva deals with these changes: “If a new vehicle comes into Arriva there is a process whereby the manufacturer will come into a depot with familiarisation training.

It would include basic training like the layout of the vehicle and where components are.

“New vehicles are a challenge and I am involved with their www.coachandbusweek.com

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integration.”

The electrics are one of the biggest challenges. ”Different manufacturers have their own diagnostic tools,” Lloyd added. “For example, a vehicle with a Volvo chassis and a Wrights body will come with two different diagnostic kits. This is a challenge for the PCV industry – we have to have different tools to deal with different systems.

It’s a costly exercise as we need extra training for engineers on top.

“But we are having to rise to it. There’s no going back with technology now.”

“With Euro 6 coming out next year, part of my remit is to identify the training availability for our team,” he continued. “On a personal level, I see my development key as well. If there are training opportunities, I attend them. It would be difficult to do the job if I did not keep up the pace as well.”

Adapting accordingly Despite the constantly evolving working world, Lloyd maintains he and the company do not get

overwhelmed.

He said: “It’s not hard; the challenge is to make sure we are aware of what is happening and to anticipate what is coming.

“The industry is also changing with the integration of electronics into bus and coach. So, the kind of apprentices we need is changing, reflecting what is happening in the industry.

“In fact, I was part of an industry working party which decided something different needed to be done regarding the training of apprentices in this country.

“We decided we needed a fourth category of apprentice to reflect the change – mechanical engineering apprentice. This is now offered by a number of colleges, City College Coventry being one of them. Arriva is starting to recruit too.

“The change reflects the vehicle designs; we need apprentices with the skills. It’s an example of trying to keep the pace.”

Another example of change within engineering is the increasing use of laptops for diagnostic

purposes. While Lloyd believes it is important to have apprentices with the potential to use this equipment efficiently, he doesn’t underestimate the basics.

“The importance of basic training and understanding systems will never go away. It will always be required,” he said. “If you strip away the electrics from modern vehicles you are left with one which will do same basic things vehicles did 20 or 30 years ago.

“But yes the computer and laptop will become more important, so we are looking for apprentices with these skills.”

Arriva puts all potential apprentices through a selection process in order to assist with the decision-making. Candidates are tested in a number of areas including numerical, IT and English.

If they pass these sections, they are invited back to do practical assessments. This includes a test of dexterity and identifying and handling tools. From there, those shortlisted are invited back for an interview. Lloyd commented: “It’s an extensive and rigorous programme but it’s paid dividends.”

He also pointed out the academic level of applicants is improving.

“Applicants didn’t used to be very academic but there has been a shift; it helps to be academic,” Lloyd added. “People now see engineering apprenticeships as a way to develop themselves and receive training.”

Finding the time

Lloyd explained how another project he helped conceive was converting an out-of-life vehicle into a mobile training school.

Kitted out with an air breaking system, an electrical diagnostics board, projector, computer, seats and tables, the vehicle can hold six trainees at a time.

“With this vehicle we are able to take it out the locality to provide training for engineers around the country,” Lloyd said.

The problem with training engineers, he explained, is being able to get them out of work.

“The day goes on. The company obviously has to stick to its daily operations – we need these engineers to keep the business on the road. The aim is to minimise disruption while training. It’s easier to have one person, myself, coming and spending time in a locality and individuals can come from the surrounding area.”

IRTE

programme. It involved recruiting semi-skilled individuals, like fuelers, on a six-month course. He added “The idea was that we would have an individual who could do basic tasks in the depot.

“I still come across ex-bus mechanics, as I call them, who are still in jobs which I helped them get through developing them.

“I am an NVQ assessor as well.

One of my candidates who achieved a Level 2 NVQ won a Go Skills national award for NVQ achiever of the year.

I had a hand in that – it is satisfying.”

Lloyd is based in Arriva’s Derby depot, but he travels to wherever training is required: “From Scotland [before operation was sold to McGills] to Southend and anywhere in between.”

He has even had the opportunity to work with Arriva subsidiaries in Europe, carrying out training in Portugal, Denmark and Sweden.

Lloyd commented: “It’s challenging as they don’t speak the language. But it works very well with an interpreter. Plus, they do understand some English. It’s a strange experience delivering training sessions like that.”

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FACE TO FACE › RITA KENDRICK

NAME: Rita Kendrick AGE: 60 POSITION: Operations Manager, Heckmondwike depot CONTACT: 0844 800 4411 www.arrivabus.co.uk

Yorkshire’s Unsung Hero Coach & Bus Week’s Gareth Evans talks to Rita Kendrick Operations Manager at Arriva Yorkshire’s Heckmondwike depot, who won the Unsung Heroes awards the UK Bus Awards 2011, and who has spent 35 years in the industry

R

ita Kendrick is every bit the unsung hero. She’s down to earth and extremely modest.

She quietly gets on with whatever needs doing at any particular moment.

Rita‘s appearance as an award winner put an admiring smile on many at last year’s UK Bus Awards ceremony when it was announced how, faced with a lack of cash bags, she made her own at home.

“We were short of cash bags and we couldn’t get any soon, so I made them myself at home,” she explained – as if it as if it were the natural thing to do - completely without hesitation.

Perhaps therefore, it may come as no surprise, it is said Rita is seen as something of a mother figure to many of the drivers.

UK Bus Awards:

“Yes that’s right. I know their families – their children and grandchildren,” she smiled.

Career

Asked why she chose a career in the bus industry, Rita replied bluntly: “To get a mortgage.”

She added: “The bus industry was in the family. I lived close to Waterloo depot in Huddersfield at the time. My then husband worked there too, while my brother and sister were also drivers. These days, my daughter’s a Driver and my son-in-law’s an Engineer – all at Heckmondwike.

“One of the beauties of this job is you take your own bus out on time, do the job right and you’re left alone – that’s what I tell people when they come for interview.”

In a comment which seems most sincere, Rita said: “I won’t ask anyone to do anything I won’t do

unsung hero

This category is presented annually to one or more individuals who perform junior or middle management roles in the industry and are known for their hard work, loyalty and devotion to duty. In many cases, the ‘Unsung Heroes’ are those who keep the wheels turning against all the odds. No transport operator can do without such people – even though they often slave away for years with no recognition, except for their own satisfaction in a service delivered and a job well done – whether they work for an operator or council.

Above all, the ‘Unsung Hero’ is someone who demonstrates the

Rita is presented with her trophy at the UK Bus Awards 2011 by Paul Cullinan and Gillian Merron importance of ensuring services are delivered for the passenger and for the local community.

At Arriva Yorkshire’s Heckmondwike depot, Rita Kendrick is entrusted to lead the business and take responsibility for the operation of 60 buses and 150 staff. She has been with

myself. I won’t rest either – I like to get things done.”

Back to her career, she said: “I started at the old National Bus Company-owned Yorkshire Traction at Waterloo depot in Huddersfield as a Conductress. I then became a Crew Driver.”

Rita recalled a Conductor who always seemed to disappear at termini – his whereabouts seemed to remain a mystery. He got left behind on at least one occasion, before being picked up on the following journey.

“When crew operation was dispensed with, we called them ‘One Manners’ – there was none of this ‘political correctness’ in those days,” she continued.

“I then became a Rota Clerk at Dewsbury, followed by promotion to Inspector and later to Depot Clerk. I came to Heckmondwike as a Rota Clerk. I was subsequently

Rita is passionate about her work and colleagues. Indeed, it seems her family diesel in the blood...

the firm and its predecessors for over 35 years. By her example, Rita has had a huge impact in leading the depot which has become recognised as a beacon of excellence in the Arriva group and across the country.

Whilst never taking centre stage, she is always there in the background and it is her hard work which has given Heckmondwike such a consistent and stable platform from which to shine.

Judges were hugely impressed by numerous examples of Rita’s dedication and commitment, one in particular when a supplier failed to deliver promised driver cash bags. She organised the purchase of the material and, on her sewing machine at home, she made 150 bags, complete with tab and ring.

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appointed Traffic Manager.

The name was then changed to Operations Manager. I’m, still here.

I’ve worked with many General Managers and a few Managing Directors.”

Highs & lows

Citing one of the more challenging times in her career, Rita said: “Everyday brings its challenges.

Heckmondwike depot was on the verge of closure at one point. This was in the days before the ‘Polish & Promote,’ (more of which in Part 2 of the Arriva superfeature).

“The highlight was undoubtedly the UK Bus Awards. I didn’t think I’d win it. It was very emotional. A number of former directors were also present, including Phil Stone, who’s now at Arriva North West.”

“I remember the text message I received from my husband, which read: ‘I knew you could do it.’ He’d already got it saved in his draft folder,” she smiled.

“Another highlight was taking my PSV test in Barnsley in 1978 in an old Leyland PD2 half cab.

It was very tough – there was no power steering. I remember on one occasion standing up to get the bus round a corner.

I’ve also driven on pre-selects.

I drove one, for a friend, from Manchester to Harrogate on the Trans Pennine Rally.”

Recalling some of the memorable occasions in her career, Rita said: “Bad weather brings challenges.

I remember once getting stuck at Queensbury – it was very windy and telephone wires had got wrapped round my wheels. There were no radios in those days – I had to walk and find a phone box.

“On another occasion, when I worked at Yorkshire Traction, the bus had to climb Kirkburton towards the Sovereign with snow on the ground.

Passengers refused to believe we could climb the hill. I asked them to sit over the back wheel and bounce up and down to give us some adhesion. It worked too.”

Asked whether she gets behind the wheel these days, Rita replied: “If we’re short of a driver, I’ll send out an Inspector and I’ll man the traffic office. I don’t go out driving.

“However, we do go for a ride out on the buses to Bradford and Leeds.

It’s also cheaper and easier to attend meetings using the bus.”

The ever modest, Rita concluded: “I just get on with it. It’s all part of my job,” before adding, “It’s not just me, it’s the team here.” www.coachandbusweek.com

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TECHNOLOGY

Arriva’s M-Ticketing was designed with reduced stop dwell time in mind and passed the three million journey mark in May this year

Gearing up for the future James Day takes a closer look at some of Arriva’s technological partners and how the company is looking ahead

B

ack in January, CBW published a feature on Arriva’s M-Ticketing success story following its triumph at the 2011 UK Bus Awards.

Since then the system has gone from strength to strength, passing the three million journey mark in

www.coachandbusweek.com

Arriva.Tech.indd 36

May. However, Mike Woodhouse’s vision would not have been possible without the backing of technological partnerships which helped design and establish the application and its supporting back office software.

Arriva also has a long standing partnership with fare collection technology company Parkeon

and is investing in ‘future proofed’ machines, to help the operator keep pace with the rapid advances in ticketing technology.

Trapeze

Trapeze has been in the bus and coach industry for over 20 years and is a provider of technology systems and services. It is responsible for providing back office software for a large number of major bus operators.

Trapeze first started working with Arriva in 2007, when the operator was trialling M-Ticketing on the Kent Fastrack route between Gravesend and Dartford. The mobile ticketing system is the key focus of Trapeze’s partnership with Arriva, although the firm does also provide Arriva’s route scheduling system.

Larry Breen, Business Development Director, told CBW: “M-Ticketing has been really really good so far. The service’s adoption rate has been ahead of expectations and M-Ticketing journeys are well

beyond three million now. Growth continues to be on an upward curve and is doubling or tripling year on year. I’m optimistic this growth rate will continue.

“Passenger feedback has been very positive. Once people try the service, they love it and say they wouldn’t go back to paper tickets.”

Development on M-Ticketing is ongoing, as the mobile phone market isn’t slowing down.

Trapeze usually releases two to three updates per year with upgrades including new designs and anti fraud features, as well as improvements to how the system works away from the public eye.

“Public and media focus tends to be on the handset but there is a full enterprise suite behind it.” Larry said.

“We have to ensure to software works with as many phones on the market as possible. The vast majority of internet enabled phones are supported at the moment and smartphones are our focus since they have the highest

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TECHNOLOGY

adoption rate. However we don’t want to exclude anyone who isn’t into the latest gadgets, so more standard phones are supported as well.

“Smartphone users are getting more interested in utility applications rather than just games and web browsing. They’re becoming more and more tech savvy.”

Concept Data Technologies (CDT) specialised in the developments of conventional and over-the-air download of applications for mobile phones, with expertise in mobile ticketing and payment systems. The firm was responsible for designing the Arriva M-Ticketing app and was acquired by Trapeze on October 7, 2011.

“As a business we’re perpetually looking at the evolving global business landscape of mobile technology.” Larry explained. “With CDT, we chose to go for a strategic acquisition instead of building our own infrastructure from scratch.

“CDT continues to evolve and we have integrated it within the Trapeze network. The acquisition has allowed us to develop the Trapeze travel companion app.”

Larry is anticipating that the M-Ticketing system will soon need to be updated to cater for approaching NFC technology.

“NFC is the next big step and will ultimately take over from the current system. It isn’t the standard yet because not all systems are compatible with ITSO requirements and standards.

“The infrastructure to support NFC is getting there and should be ready in the next 12-18 months.

NFC can be implemented in a number of ways and multiple parties are involved, including the operators themselves, handsets, mobile phone operators and payment companies. It will take time to get the infrastructure right for all involved and there’s ITSO to address too.”

Parkeon

Parkeon is the preferred provider of on-vehicle ticketing technology for Arriva UK Bus and the operator is exploring ITSO architecture and smarter payment methods through its partnership with the fare collection technology company.

Parkeon’s Wayfarer200 is the fourth generation ETM specified by Arriva and supports the roll-out of ITSO smart card systems and GPS and mobile data networks.

It could also provide a valuable www.coachandbusweek.com

Arriva.Tech.indd 38

Above: Mike Woodhouse, Marketing Manager for Arriva UK Bus and Larry Breen, Business Developement Director at Trapeze, with the 2011 UKBA for Innovation. Below: The ‘future proofed’ Wayfarer200 ticket machine

building block for the future through its ability to handle multiple ticketing types and standards, including Near Field Communication (NFC) and Europay Mastercard Visa (EMV) technology, both of which Arriva is evaluating.

While NFC allows communication with devices at short range, EMV enables small cash payments to be made instantly through bank cards without using a chip and pin.

Gary Wilson, Systems Manager for Parkeon in the UK, said: “Arriva is joining up the ITSO ‘dots’ to create a truly smart picture of future bus transportation. Indeed, the concept of smart is moving beyond concessionary travel, with more and more operators launching commercial schemes and making interoperability a reality in many parts of the country.”

“We value the expertise of partners, such as Parkeon, who have invested hugely in the underlying architecture which delivers the benefits of ITSO to operators and their customers.”

Mike Woodhouse Marketing Manager, Arriva UK Bus

M-Ticketing:

Inspiring major customer registration

Arriva was the first bus company in the world to launch a national mobile ticketing system and secured a return on investment in just six months.

Arriva’s M-Ticketing system was the winner of the UK Bus Award for innovation on November 29, 2011. After 18 months of development which commenced in 2006, the system was trialled in Kent on the Fastrack network between Gravesend and Dartfort. It was discovered that the original barcode system wasn’t cost effective, due to the expense of installing bar code scanners across its entire fleet, and wasn’t as effective as hoped at reducing dwell time.

Instead, Arriva’s M-Ticketing took a visual, low-tech form. It was released across the Arriva fleet, excluding London contracts and Park & Ride service, on November 17, 2009. A PayPoint system was also released allowing passengers to top up credit on the app via a PayPoint terminal.

From the system’s release through to the end of 2011, more than 60,000 registered for the service. The one million journey mark was reached in June, 2011, and two million by the end of the year. The three million mark was passed at the end of May, 2012.

A feature on Arriva’s M-Ticketing can be found in CBW1019, released on January 18, 2012.

The Wayfarer200 sends GPS tracking and vehicle information data directly into the Real Time Information (RTI) back office system through the use of its inbuilt GPS and GPRS technologies.

The communication protocol used is defined by the Real Time Information Group (RTIG) and Parkeon and Arriva are the first to pioneer this transmission method in the UK. This is said to reduce cost, complexity and ongoing maintenance of traditional RTI systems, while providing improvements in both reliability and accuracy.

Mike Woodhouse, Marketing Manager at Arriva UK Bus, said: “We value the expertise of partners, such as Parkeon, who have invested hugely in the underlying architecture which delivers the benefits of ITSO to operators and their customers.

“ITSO is key to our future plans since it has the potential to realise the vision of an integrated public transport network.”

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THE BIG PICTURE

To the man on the street, this coach appears to have nothing at all to do with Arriva. It is reasonable to assume this is due to management rightly recognising the power of the Green Line brand in London and the Home Counties. Green Line services are run by both Arriva and First.

The jewel in the crown is route 757, which links London Victoria with Luton Airport, via Marble Arch, Brent Cross and the M1. The 757 is operated using a fleet of dedicated Van Hool T917 Acron tri-axle coaches. Fleet no.4377, ‘YJ58FJX’ is pictured by CBW Editor Gareth Evans on the afternoon of Tuesday, July 31. Negotating the busy traffic light-controlled junction at Marble Arch, the coach makes an impressive sight as it turns from Oxford Street into Park Lane before terminating on Buckingham Palace Road. The popular tourist attraction of Marble Arch lies behind the photographer, while the Tube station is out of shot to the left.

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www.coachandbusweek.com

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INSIGHT › STRATEGY

Looking at the Big Picture Arriva UK Bus Managing Director Mike Cooper explains to Andrew Cream how employees are made aware of the company’s aims and objectives

A

rriva’s awardwinning Big Picture is the operator’s method of illustrating its current strategy so its employees fully understand the targets and objectives of the business.

The strategy was conceived at the height of the credit crisis in 2008 and 2009. In a time when austerity measures were commonplace, Arriva UK Bus decided it needed to have a strategy in place to help map out future plans.

This was devised, but Arriva realised that in order for it to work effectively, the company’s 19,000 employees needed to be fully briefed.

Mike Cooper, Arriva UK Bus Managing Director, explained: “Our employees didn’t know the strategy. We wanted to help people understand what their role was in the company and how they could help us move in the right direction.”

Instead of boring presentations they opted for a more hands-on approach, with focus groups, question and answer sessions and cue cards. The heart of explaining

the strategy though is the roadmap.

Quite confusingly for CBW readers, along with the other accompanying literature and posters, collectively it is called Arriva’s Big Picture, due to the name of the company behind it – Big Picture Learning.

Mike added: “We wanted to get something with a bit of life in it, rather than death by PowerPoint.

This method hasn’t previously been done in public transport. B&Q has done it before – in fact we used the same company to help us develop this.

“Generally corporate strategies

The Roadmap:

according to Arriva’s corporate brochure

The Big Picture is an innovative employee programme centred around the graphic of a roadmap, which is used in interactive workshops.

The roadmap helps our people understand our business strategy, our focus on customers and stakeholders, and how they can effectively contribute to our success.

Employees are split into groups to learn about Arriva’s goals and aims www.coachandbusweek.com

Arriva.Roadmap.indd 42

are quite stale and boring. This method appeals to all people.”

It’s all well and good having a unique way of communicating the company’s plans to employees, but does it work?

“Every other year we ask our employees if they understand what Arriva is trying to achieve are and where we’re heading,” Mike said.

“Before we introduced the Big Picture, 34% of employees said they understood. Now that has doubled to 68%.”

How it works

In each depot across the country, employees are split up into groups of eight and take part in a threehour interactive session facilitated by the local manager.

Mike said: “They are split up with people they know. It makes it less threatening and more involving.”

To explain the roadmap and the logic behind it, one has to start in the top left hand corner of the chart.

Here Arriva’s history is illustrated, albeit in a simplified fashion.

There is an illustration of a Cowie motorbike along with the names of operations Cowie acquired, like British Bus, Luton & District and Derby City Transport.

Accelerate along the map and you come across some storm clouds. These represent the adverse conditions affecting operators today; passenger numbers, public spending and costs, for example.

Further along the road you hit some roadworks and a VOSA vehicle – more factors bus companies have to consider.

There is then a junction with four possible routes. Going anticlockwise from right to left, these are labelled: 1) Creating growth in our core business; 2) Strengthening our operating efficiency; 3) Becoming the partner of choice for local

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Above: A selection of the Big Picture material. Left: The training team at Arriva’s Wakefield depot. Below: People and Change Director Jo Humphries authorities; and 4) Creating additional non-core growth.

Managers spend time going through each different area with employees in depth. “We explain to employees how important they are for us to progress along these roads,” Mike explained. “It creates some understanding as to why these things are important for the business. They can also see how the strategy is working.”

Along road 1) there is what Mike called a “virtuous circle”. This explains how growth in passenger numbers leads to growth in profits, which in turn leads to extra funds, improved service and ultimately, more growth in passenger numbers.

Employees are asked how they can do better and what they can do to help the virtuous circle.

Road 3) is important for Arriva, Mike explained: “Something which separates Arriva from other operators is that we naturally feel happy in partnerships. Part 3 is natural for us.”

The roads rejoin after further illustrating each point - before it snakes off into the sunset.

There are also a number of other undesirable conditions highlighted on the map, including cars parked in bus lanes and skips in the road.

Amusingly, Roadmap shows a bus in a highly recognisable rival livery named ‘Second Bus Company’ being towed away.

While this all may seem fairly contrived and superfluous, the fact is it works, highlighted by the survey results cited above.

Employees are given a thorough sense of the whole company, what it wants and how it wants to get there.

Other parts of the Big Picture include ‘Behaviours Scorecards’ where staff can rate how well

Arriva.Roadmap.indd 43

Arriva is doing in a number of areas, including customer focus, innovation and trust; and posters emphasising what customers find most important.

How it was developed

Jo Humphries, Arriva Bus People and Change Director, was the driving force behind the roadmap.

Arriva worked with skilled artists in order to create the map. The company also involved trade unions very early to get their input.

The roadmap prototype was then trialled on drivers who said how it could be improved.

Longevity

Mike believes despite the strategy being a few years old and the roadmap itself being two years old, it is still relevant.

He said: “The tougher economic climate has increased the relevance.

The Big Picture is bang on for our current objectives. We measure ourselves against those objectives.

It’s the right framework.”

Visit www.bigpicturelearning.com for more on the company behind the Big Picture.

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minibus The essential read for Minibus Operators

August 2012

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Black cab battle ensues

N

issan’s planned entry to London’s black cab market is obviously spurred by the apparent success currently being achieved by extensivelymodified Mercedes-Benz Vito people carriers to meet Hackney Carriage Private Hire regulations.

Vito taxis offer far greater efficiency and much lower emissions than the traditional cabs and have aided in improving the image of taxi operation – due in part to the practical adaption of the product and partly to it carrying the three-pointed star on the bonnet. Nissan has already made great strides in this market with taxi operation in Tokyo and it is now a keen contender in New York. The latest releases from Mercedes-Benz say the Vito taxi is currently enjoying a 40% share of the London cab market.

Nissan will be aiming to emulate this with the NV200 – so, depending on customer reaction, it

suggests taxi wars will move from the taxi ranks to the showroom floors with both manufacturers vying for top slot.

The NV200 has modified front steering enabling it to meet the required turning circle whereas the Vito incorporates a fully-engineered modification (produced in Coventry) which allows the rear wheels to steer to achieve the same goal. As a result, it is likely the Vito will carry a much higher price. Both vehicles offer distinct advantages over traditional black cabs and also have emission-free electric versions in reserve – the Vito E-Cell and e-NV200 – so it seems the gloves are now off!

Martin Cole Editor

CONTENTS 46

News

The first hybrid minibus in England joins Coniston-based Bluebird Tours. CT Plus to operate Jersey services from 2013

48

Passenger Restraints

The technicalities of safe passenger restraint examined by Q’Straint

50

First Drive: Movano Euro 5 Vauxhall’s off-the-shelf Movano minibus is now available - we test the 17-seat manual version

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Nissan NV200 London Taxi Nissan begins an assault on the private hire sector with its own London-spec ‘Black Cab’

UNIVERSAL, SIMPLE, SAFE. Wheelchair Passenger Safety Solutions. t: +44 (0)1227 773035 e: info@qstraint.co.uk www.qstraint.com 0060QS.newcorpstripadv1.indd 1

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news

53.3

The mpg figure which Nissan claims its new NV200 can achieve

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The approximate fleet size of Inverness-based D&E Coaches

Ashwoods Automotive delivers first hybrid minibus in England Bluebird Tours of Coniston positive about “uncomplicated system” for Lake District minibus tours Ashwoods Automotive has supplied its hybrid technology to a 17-seater Ford Transit which has been delivered to Bluebird Tours of Coniston. It is aimed at promoting eco-friendly tours in the Lake Distict. It is the first to be supplied in England although the company says it has already delivered some in Scotland.

Harry Kilgour, founder and owner of Bluebird Tours, said: “We have been running the minibus for several weeks now and both the drivers and our passengers are very impressed. It’s an uncomplicated system, doesn’t require any extra maintenance and is reducing our diesel spend and fuel use while also lowering our greenhouse gas emissions.”

The Ashwoods Hybrid Drive was launched in 2008 and has since been up-fitted to hundreds of Ford Transit panel vans and chassis cabs.

New Renault Master for Bromley MSS

Maureen Bayliss, Lady Chairman of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Bromley and Tony Tucker, Transport and Premises Manager, took delivery of a new Renault Master from David Hardacre of Stanford Coachworks at the Northlands Day Centre.

The Euro 5 compliant 2.3ltr long wheelbase Renault LM35 features a six-speed manual gearbox and offers spacious 6ft headroom.

It has been affectionately called ‘Dennis’ after ex-footballer Dennis Wise. Each of the MSS minibuses

The hybrid drive technology is claimed to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 15-25%.

The system is entirely selfpowered by storing energy every time the vehicle slows down, then transferring it to the wheels via an electric motor. Unlike some other hybrids or electric vehicles, it never needs plugging into a charging point therefore operators don’t have to worry about the battery

going flat.

David Balchin, Head of Sales at Ashwoods said: “Bluebird Tours is a great example of how our hybrid technology not only saves on fuel and emissions but is a highly effective marketing tool in the burgeoning green tourism industry.”

Ashwoods Automotive is based in Exeter and its hybrid system has already won a number of industry

Bluebird Tours offers bespoke tours for up to 16 passengers is named after someone who has a close association with the charity.

Mr Wise amongst other sports athletes along with Steve Frankham of Frankham Consultancy Group have been beneficiaries to the charity for over 10 years.

Its specification includes five passenger seats and nine lengths of Unwin semi-recessed low profile foor tracking and one detachable seat to allow transport of four wheelchair passengers. The detachable seats are on transit rollers with NMI legs and feet.

All seats comply to M1 testing with safety head restraints, all age seat belts and Ambla incontinence upholstery.

Additional safety and support features include high visibility

yellow textured handrails, practical width rear and side entrances, an automatic sliding side step and non-slip Taraplus flooring with high visibility edging. Rear access is via a Ricon S2036 inboard wheelchair lift complete with automatic bridge plate, hand rails and a bespoke platform width of 32 x 51 inches.

“The minibus conversion was a base vehicle we already had in stock with a convenience pack upgrade,” explained David Hardacre, Stanford Coachworks Sales and Marketing Executive.

“It included Renault ‘In Dash’ air conditioning, rear reverse sensors and one-touch driver’s electric window.”

Eberspacher climate control provides comfortable temperature

awards. It has been supplying the technology aboard vehicles for many high profile customers including Royal Mail, Environment Agency and Transport for London.

It is the sole supplier of hybrid vans into Transport Scotland’s Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Support Scheme and the Department for Transport’s Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Programme in England.

The company also offers custom development for: n Electric and hybrid drive train integration n Mechanical and electromechanical design n HEV and EV prototype design and manufacture n Simulation modelling and testing n Vibration analysis and vibration testing n Design of custom embedded systems For more details, visit ww.ashwoods.org. Also check out www.bluebird-tours. co.uk

levels for passengers along with LED lighting, night lights and audible reverse warning.

Bromley MS Society is one of 300 national branches operated by volunteers and local staff, which provide invaluable emotional and practical support to sufferers of MS. The Northlands Day Centre offers financial help and local information, charitable and social events.

The new Renault will be used to transport members to and from the Day Centre and local trips. Over 40 people are due to take a summer trip to the seaside in July in which ‘Dennis’ will be assisting.

Call Stanford Coachworks on 01375-676088. Visit www.stanfordcoachworks.co.uk

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10542

The ISO standard for wheelchair tiedown and occupant restraint systems

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

New Cheetah is Rainham Coach Co’s first Plaxton

The Rainham Coach Co. of Gillingham, has taken delivery of its first Plaxton coach – a newgeneration Cheetah with a stainless steel body frame.

Partner David Graham said he was pleasantly surprised by the new vehicle: “It is the first time we have looked at buying Plaxton.

We went to the open weekend and liked what we saw, 29 seats plus courier and luggage capacity would do the job for us. Comparing what was available on the market, we felt the Cheetah offered us good value with the right price, specification and availability. We’ve not looked back since.”

The new Cheetah features Politecnica reclining seats with three-point seat belts and a matching courier seat. They are upholstered in blue patterned moquette complimenting the blue interior trim and contrasting with cream curtains. Entertainment is provided by a dash mounted radio/ CD/PA system and passenger appeal is enhanced by climate control based on a roof mounted

D&E Coaches choose the new Cheetah

D&E Coaches of Inverness has acquired a pair of the latest Plaxton Cheetahs from Anston-based Plaxton Coach sales.

“The Cheetah is probably the best vehicle in this size range available today and the body is British built,” said Director Donald Mathieson. “We also get the benefit of Plaxton’s responsive after sales service which is important in our location. They have been really well received by our customers, our drivers like them and we are benefitting from their fuel economy.

New CT for Forest of Dean

The Cheetah looks the part in the firm’s distinctive livery Thermo-King air conditioning unit.

The Cheetah is based on a Mercedes-Benz Vario O.816D 8.5m chassis featuring the 156bhp OM904LA SCR Euro5 engine. It has a six-speed manual gearbox.

The body was finished in white and carries The Rainham Coach Co’s distinctive branding.

The family-run firm was founded

by David and Christine Graham in 1987 as a development of their taxi business. The growing coach operation relocated to premises in the centre of Gillingham following the sale of the taxi business. The firm identified a niche market in the provision of mini and midicoaches to a wide variety of clients. Today,

with David and Christine’s son Richard as General Manager, the company runs 22 vehicles offering between eight and 41 seats from two locations in Gillingham, the majority of them on MercedesBenz chassis. The new Cheetah has replaced a 24-seater and is already working hard on a wide variety of work with the focus on quality private hire, holiday feeders and contracts.

David said he was impressed by his first experience of a Plaxton.

“We are pleased to have added a British product to our fleet, the standard of finish is very good and we’ve found Plaxton to be good people to deal with.”

D&E’s modern fleet is well-known for its appearance Customers particularly like their comfort and stability of ride. “ The new Cheetahs feature 29 Politechnica GTV reclining seats with three point seat belts together with a matching courier

seat. The seats are tastefully trimmed in shades of grey with leather insert headrests and piping complimenting the grey interior trim and curtains. Entertainment is provided by a dash mounted

A new Community Transport (CT) service has been started in the Forest of Dean.

With effect from Monday August 6, Forest Community Transport began running lower cost public transport to replace conventional local bus routes 705, 707, 708 and 709.

The service is being operated by voluntary organisation Lydney Dial A Ride in partnership with Gloucestershire County Council.

It connects villages directly to Chepstow and Coleford where onward connections can be made to Gloucester. It can be used by anyone.

County Councillor Chas Fellows, Cabinet Member for Economy and Environment, said: “In rural areas particularly, there is not enough demand for a traditional timetabled service but there is still a need for public transport to help get around.

We’ve listened to what local people have told us and we’ve worked hard to find a solution which fits.”

For more information about the new service, visit www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/ communitytransport.

radio/CD/PA system and passenger appeal is enhanced by climate control based on a roof mounted Thermo-King air conditioning unit.

The Vario O816D 8.5m chassis features a 156bhp OM904LA SCR Euro5 engine which utilises Bluetec SCR technology to achieve lower emissions and has a six speed manual transmission. Both vehicles carry a white based livery with distinctive D&E Coaches branding.

Donald Mathieson formed D&E Coaches with a single vehicle in 1996. The family firm subsequently saw steady growth which given it a significant presence in the north of Scotland. It now operates 45 buses and coaches from modern premises in Inverness.

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safety › occupant restraints

A critical point for passenger safety Maximising wheelchair passenger safety is a serious and complex matter, yet it can be ensured in M1 and M2 vehicles using simple principles. Victoria HodkinsonGibbs, Technical Manager for Q’Straint explains how an occupant restraint secured at a third-point above the shoulder makes all the difference

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ll fleet managers, vehicle purchasers and accessible mini-bus drivers understand they have a ‘duty of care’ to their less able passengers. Wheelchair and occupants restraints are seen as essential equipment to ensure passengers remain stable when in transit, however the dynamics of why certain systems deliver higher levels of safety can remain a mystery. Q’Straint only recommends three-point occupant belts. These have a lap belt which is securely fixed at two points to the vehicle floor and a shoulder belt, which may be secured to the side wall of a vehicle above and behind the passenger’s shoulder. Other manufacturers give the option for the shoulder belt to be fixed not at the wall but at floor level. This type of restraint raises two very serious safety issues Q’Straint believes cannot be underestimated, as any M2 vehicle crash test footage will dramatically illustrate.

If the shoulder belt is secured at the floor, there is an increased risk for the occupant who would experience serious spinal or neck injury in an accident as the shoulder belt pulls the passenger down, compressing the torso into the seat of the wheelchair. It has been proven in tests with a

floor anchored shoulder belt, a wheelchair can be subjected to much higher vertical loading in the event of a Road Traffic Accident which may also cause structural collapse of the wheelchair itself.

Furthermore, this type of restraint simply does not meet internationally established and recognised safety standards.

Similar seat belt systems were banned in cars 40 years ago for a very good reason. They simply were not effective and could cause levels of injury which could just as easily be avoided. The ISO standard 10542 for wheelchair tie-down and occupant restraint systems, which is the ‘golden rule’ for safety testing, stipulates: occupant belts must be secured above the shoulder and any floor mounted securement will not comply. This third point anchorage can be achieved either

Testing shows shoulder restraints secured at a third point above and behind the passenger’s shoulder greatly reduces risk of injury

A Q’Straint QRT Max restraint configuration with above-theshoulder anchorage – essential for optimum passenger geometry

The Q’Straint QRT range delivers the most universal and easyto-use wheelchair passenger safety systems available

via a cant rail attachment for flexible arrangements suitable for transporting several wheelchair passengers or a fixed single point on the vehicle body. Thankfully, this solution is neither costly nor complicated and results in the belt being effective against forward movement without any downward pressure on the passenger’s spine. This is the same type of arrangement found in the front or back of any standard domestic car sold over the last few decades.

Optimum passenger geometry is absolutely critical in the event of an accident. Bearing in mind less able passengers may have restricted mobility or postural issues, it is even more essential for lap and shoulder belts to provide maximum protection and safety. When using a floor-mounted passenger restraint during impact, the upper body tends to rotate forwards about the waist, resulting in a high head excursion and in some cases contact with the legs. This movement is followed by rapid recoil as the passenger moves back into the wheelchair which can result in extension of the neck as manual wheelchairs do not encompass headrests. A 30mph head-on collision may not be considered to be a severe accident, however this event can deliver over 20G of impact force, which could result in major injuries or possible fatalities.

So in conclusion, the solution is simple. Choosing wheelchair restraints systems from Q’Straint, which only encompass 3-point secured occupant belts, is a must for operators wishing to ensure maximum safety for their minibus passengers.

Without these configurations, the safety of wheelchair occupants, surrounding abled-bodied passengers and the driver will always be compromised along with a heightened risk of litigation.

For further information on wheelchair passenger restraints or specialist accessible vehicle engineering support, contact the Q’Straint team on Tel: 01227 773035 Email: info@qstraint.co.uk Web: www. qstraint.com

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FIRST DRIVE › VAUXHALL MOVANO EURO 5

It’s Versatile It’s Capable It’s a Vauxhall

Tinted glazing compliments Movano’s styling to create greater kerb appeal

Martin Cole test drives the new Euro 5 Movano 17-seater from Vauxhall, which proves it can hold its own against other off-the-peg minibuses

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he official Vauxhall Movano minibus has been a long time in gestation.

We saw the first Renault offering at the CV Show in April 2011 and the Vauxhall version made its first appearance at the CV Show this April. So what is so different as it would cause a full 12 months gap? Both vehicles share the same platform and visually, apart from the grille and the badging, there is not much to distinguish one from the other.

No-one in the press office of either concern can give any real insight into why it has been so long in development or why the Movano should only appear 12 months after the Master. Having now driven both it is quite clear, apart from the obvious difference in model build specification (automated gearbox on the Master along with extensive fabric trim), there isn’t anything obvious at all.

The new Movano for this evaluation was a long wheelbase version with the mid-height roof – designated L3H2 – generally the most popular option for minibus conversions. It incorporates a dual seat beside the driver in the cab area and the saloon has 14 individual seats all certified to M1. They are mounted on raised

flooring platforms which give the effect of creating a sunken gangway – although it is only at the original floor height. The rear two seat rows can be placed on rails and their quick-release mountings allow them to be removed quickly and easily to create additional space for luggage if required.

An automatic slide-out step is positioned beneath the nearside sliding saloon entrance to ease boarding and alighting. A handrail is attached to the floor, just ahead of the first nearside passenger seat. While this would also make a suitable mounting for a decency screen – this has been omitted from the specification. A central roof hatch lets some welcome light into the saloon as the side glazing is tinted and with dark grey/charcoal seat fabric and black flooring it does mean the interior has a very sombre and formal feel to it. Lightcoloured fabric for the headlining goes some way to offsetting this.

Despite the dark nature of the saloon the environment is quite comfortable. The seats offer reasonable spacings and generous legroom, are offset to provide better access, allow good view through the side windows and overhead racks contain loudspeakers for the audio system plus reading lights. The offside parcel shelf runs the full length of the saloon while

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FIRST DRIVE › VAUXHALL MOVANO EURO 5

Above: Interior lacks visual stimulation but is comfortable and spacious. Above right: Simple, practical dash layout differs from its Renaullt counterpart the shorter nearside unit runs from the rear doors to finish level with the rear of the entrance door aperture.

An optional sliding rear window can provide additional ventilation.

Movano’s cab area provides a pleasant driver environment with plenty of adjustment on the seat and height adjustment of the steering wheel. The driver’s seat is comfortable and incorporates an adjustable lumbar support.

Vision from the cab is excellent and electrically adjustable (and heated) mirrors ensure all drivers can quickly set them to their preferred position for seeing behind. The driver’s side mirror has a wide angle reflector to improve the view of any vehicles trying to overtake.

The whole dash area is where the main visible difference occurs between the Renault Master and Vauxhall’s Movano. The centre console area housing the digital

tachograph, radio/cd player, heating/ ventilation/air-con and switch bank are completely different. The steering wheel is different too – in its spoke arrangement. With these differences being largely cosmetic they have no particular bearing on function. Everything the driver needs is there and falls readily to hand. Additional stalks below the steering wheel provide remote fingertip control for the audio system functions and cruise control/speed limiter.

Three power ratings of the same 2.3-litre engine are available – 100bhp, 125bhp and 146bhp.

On the Road

It’s become quite commonplace to remark on how quiet the Euro 5 engines are – this is also true of the Movano. The engine displays very similar characteristics to all its counterparts too – it pulls very

Above: No decency screen as standard; Automatic slide-out step

strongly and cruises at its maximum permitted speed at little more than 2,000rpm. The six-speed manual gearbox is comfortable to use, requiring little effort and feels very positive. Due to its quiet nature, Movano’s gear shift indicator, which appears in the visual display screen, proves useful in determining the best time to change gear and achieve best levels of fuel economy.

The automated Tecshift gearbox is an option.

Steering and handling are very good, as are the brakes which also have plenty of feel. From previous experience the roadholding was also very good but due to the miserable wet weather and a busy work schedule the same week the Movano was delivered I had little opportunity to experiment with it. Being a designated passenger vehicle it is equipped with ESP. Thanks to the rain I can quite confidently state it did not leak!

Summary

The Movano appears to be a comprehensive and capable package as a general purpose people transporter. It offers reasonable comfort alongside certified passenger safety and will adequately fill the needs of many customers. For meeting mobility requirements and carriage of wheelchairs it is less suitable.

The raised seating platforms and sunken aisle would not provide a suitable floor for safe manoeuvring of wheelchairs.

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Above: Sturdy racks with integral passenger sets. Below: Added safety from reflectors in rub strips. Above right: The 2.3l engine offers 100, 125 or 146bhp SPEC FILE

n Digital tachograph n Speed limiter (62mph) n M1 Type Approval standard for all rear seatbelt anchorages n Driver’s airbag n Inertia-reel lap and diagonal seatbelts n Electronic Stability Programme-plus (ESP-plus) with traction control n Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) n Remote control central door locking with two, two-button keys and automatic locking Interior n Height-adjustable steering wheel n Mobile phone storage with adjacent 12-volt accessory socket n CD/MP3 CD player/stereo radio/aux-in/ integrated display/four 15-watt speakers (CD 10) n Steering column mounted audio controls n Driver’s seat adjustable for height, cushion angle, reach and rake n Dual front passengers’ multi-function office bench seat n Slip-resistant floor covering n Individual saloon lighting n Full-height interior side mouldings

Exterior n Electrically operated front windows n Foldable electrically adjustable/heated door mirrors (wide-angle on driver’s side) n Electrically operated sidestep n Nearside sliding side-access door n Side-protection mouldings n Tinted glass n Glazed rear doors (90°/180° opening) n 16-inch steel wheels with 225/65 R 16 tyres

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vehicle launch › nissan nv200 london taxi

Nissan eyes London taxi market Martin Cole reports on Nissan’s London Taxi spec NV200, which is claimed to be more fuel efficent and environmentally considerate than the current ‘black cabs’

N

issan has targeted London’s ‘black cab’ market and its 300,000 daily users with a special version of its NV200.

The NV200 London Taxi will offer significantly reduced CO2 outputs compared to current taxi models and aiding the achievement of the Air Quality strategy for London. An all-electric e-NV200 concept is also set to undergo trials in the Capital.

Mayor Boris Johnson is said to have joined disability groups and the London Taxi Drivers’ Association in welcoming the launch of the Nissan NV200 London Taxi.

Taxi versions of the NV200 are already popular in Tokyo and it has also been chosen as the exclusive New York City ‘Taxi of tomorrow’.

The NV200 London Taxi joins an exciting global Nissan vision for the private hire industry.

Nissan already has a place in the Capital’s taxi history – its 2.7-litre TD27 diesel engine was chosen for the traditional LTI FX4 ‘Fairway’ black cab, which introduced improved speed, reliability and efficiency to the London cabbie’s daily drive. The same engine also featured in the Fairway’s successor, the TX1.

Steve McNamara, General Secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association, said: “Nissan already has a great footing in the

London taxi market – the 2.7-litre diesel featured in some of the early taxis was one of the greatest engines ever put in a cab. From what I’ve seen of the 200 London Taxi, it ticks all the right boxes.

It’s important it looks like a cab, is comfortable with good ingress and egress and is reliable. If the fuel consumption figures are as promised, it will be a big seller.”

Designed from the inside out for the well-being of passengers, drivers and even other road users, the NV200 London Taxi is claimed to be more efficient and more environmentally considerate than current ‘black cab’ models, while delivering more comfort, space and convenience for occupants. A particular focus was also placed on providing for passengers with mobility issues.

Alan Norton, from Assist UK, said: “Assist UK is proud to be associated with Nissan in the development of an accessible taxi to meet the needs of all

“Subject to final testing, including a crash-test, the dieselpowered Nissan NV200 aims to receive full London Taxi certification later this year.”

disabled people. We have had the opportunity to bring together experts from all fields of disability to work with designers to ensure the vehicle will work for all of their transport needs. The work is ongoing and future refinements are planned after the initial launch, as many ideas have been discussed and are currently undergoing development. We congratulate Nissan for its initiative and wish it every success with its project.”

Nissan’s NV200 London Taxi – set to change the face of the capital’s cabs

Built for purpose

The taxi version of the NV200 Taxi is based on the company’s multi-purpose NV200 compact van – already and award-winning model including International Van of the Year. It was launched at end of 2009 and has been introduced to 40 countries, selling over 100,000 units worldwide.

The Nissan NV200 London Taxi comfortably seats five adults – three on a rear bench with two on rearfacing, fold-down seats. The front passenger seat has been removed to create space for luggage.

A stand-out feature is the taxi’s sliding passenger doors, which were developed for easy open and close. They are also much safer for pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles because they do not swing out to create a potential obstruction.

The diesel version of the Nissan NV200 London Taxi is expected to be competitively priced below

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the new TX4 – the London Taxi Company’s current model - and will be available through a designated ‘specialist’ Nissan dealer.

Nissan’s NV200 also delivers significantly improved running costs than traditional London cabs.

The model’s frugal 1.5 dCi 89 HP Euro 5, six-speed manual drivetrain achieves 53.3mpg on a combined cycle meaning an almost 50% fuel saving over the most efficient TX4, with its combined cycle figure of 35.3mpg.

Fuel costs account for around 10% of taxi driver overheads. Over the course of a year, NV200 London Taxi drivers would spend around 50% less – about £700 – on fuel than TX4 drivers.* The Euro 5 engine emits up to 138g/km of CO2, compared with 209g/km from the ‘greenest’ TX4 model. As a relevant simulation, if all of London’s licensed taxis were replaced with the NV200 London Taxi, there would be a CO2 reduction across London of 37,970 metric tonnes per year – the equivalent of planting 10,000 acres, or two Congestion Charge zones, of trees every 12 months.

Harmful NOx and PM (particulate) gases on which authorities are seeking particular improvement in ‘clean air’ legislation, would be reduced by an estimated 135 metric tonnes and 20 metric tonnes per year.** An all electric version could have an even bigger impact on London’s air quality. Having been the first car manufacturer to mass produce a 100% electric family car with its Nissan LEAF, Nissan has a wealth of experience and expertise to contribute towards successful operation of an all-electric e-NV200 London Taxi. With running costs estimated to be around one fifth of a conventional, diesel-powered Hackney Carriage it is likely to be popular with drivers too.

Discussions with all the stakeholders will continue to try and make an e-NV200 a realistic proposition by increasing investment in charging infrastructure.

Subject to final testing, including a crash-test, the

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vehicle launch › nissan nv200 london taxi

diesel-powered Nissan NV200 aims to receive full London Taxi certification later this year.

The extensive modifications to the standard NV200 ensure the model fully conforms to the regulations set in the TfL London Taxi Conditions of Fitness. These include being able to accommodate a wheelchair passenger and achieve a 25ft (7.6m) turning-circle – a legal requirement for all Hackney carriages, said to originate from the small roundabout in front of the famous Savoy Hotel on The Strand that taxis needed to round in one manoeuvre.

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, said: “Improving air quality in London is one of the most important challenges I face. Having taken the significant step of introducing the first age limit for taxis in London, I am absolutely delighted manufacturers are stepping up to the plate and responding to the challenge I set in my air quality strategy to reduce taxi emissions and improve efficiency. I look forward to when a fully competitive model comes to market.”

Andy Palmer, Executive Vice President of Nissan, said: “Nissan is proud to be delivering a 21st FACT FILE

WHEELBASE 2.72m Vehicle Height 1.86m vehicle length 4.4m vehicle width without mirrors 1.89m vehicle width with mirrors 2.1m turning circle 7.6m engine displacement 1.5l no of cylinders 4 14my estimated combined fuel economy 53mpg engine power (HP/kW) 89/66 Torque (lb-ft/Nm) TBA co2 138g/km nox 0.22* Particles 0.016* driven axle Front

*Exact specifications will not be known until further testing is carried out; figures based on estimates and specification figures of existing NV200 van

Above: Spacious and comfortable. Below: Modified steering system

Other notable vehicle features:

n Increase in front wheel articulation to meet the 25ft (7.6m) turning circle requirement n New front direction indicators installed n A specially developed ‘Taxi’ sign approved by the PCO, clearly visible both by day and night n Step or slope options for the rear sliding door access, for ease of passenger access n A 1.2m2 glass roof so that passengers can enjoy the view above the cab, as well as around it n A part-glazed bulkhead between the driver and passenger compartment, accommodating rear-facing seats with seatbelt attachments n Front passenger seat removed for extra luggage space n Rear seats on sliders, for flexibility of load and rear cabin space; especially useful for wheelchair access n Fixation points incorporated into the floor/bulkhead to enable tie-down of a wheelchair n Separate lighting controls for driver

and passengers; the passenger control switch is within easy reach of wheelchair passengers; floor-level lighting fitted to each passenger door n Heating and ventilation system for driver and passengers, with independent controls; the passenger control switch is within easy reach of wheelchair passengers n Current TfL LTPH regulations for construction and licensing of motor taxis for use in London: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/ assets/downloads/businessandpartners/ taxi-conditions-of-fitness.pdf n *The calculations below assume all London taxis are current TX4 model. In reality a large percentage will be older and less fuel efficient.

TX4: 233,600,000 taxi miles per year / 35.3mpg (TX4 Combined Cycle Economy) = 6,617,563 gallons n 6,617,563 gallons x (143.6ppl * 4.55 = £6.53 av. Cost per gallon diesel) = £43,212,686 NV200 London Taxi: 233,600,000 taxi miles per year / 53.3mpg (NV200 Combined Cycle Economy) = 4,382,739 gallons

century vision for one of London’s most iconic vehicles. The ‘black cab’ is as much a part of the London landscape as Big Ben and while there will always be a place for that familiar silhouette, the Nissan NV200 London Taxi focuses as much attention on its interior as the exterior – a better experience for drivers and passengers.”

He continued: “The design process was exhaustive and will be further improved. In addition to ensuring drivers would be comfortable spending extended hours behind the wheel, we’ve considered every user – there are no specific customer profiles in the back of a London cab. Adults, children, business professionals, foreign visitors, disabled travellers – they’re all potential customers.

We’ve even considered those who might never get inside the taxi but will benefit from features such as the model’s lower CO2 emissions or the un-obstructing sliding doors.

“The Nissan NV200 is a global taxi, launching in the biggest and brightest cities in the world.

Safe, comfortable, efficient and convenient – a step forward for providing transport which is good for users and other city inhabitants.”

n 4,382,739 gallons x (143.6ppl * 4.55 = £6.53 av. cost per gallon of diesel (Jan-Jun 2012)) = £28,619,285 n Overall difference = £43,212,686 £28,619,285 = £14,593,401 per year. n Individual drivers = £14,593,401 / 22,000 = £663 per year. n **Assuming an average CO2 emissions figure of 240g/km for current taxi models – based on automatic transmission outputs – and 139g/km for the 1.5dCi NV200 5-speed manual, there would be an estimated annual reduction of 37,970 metric tonnes of CO2. n Assuming an average NOx emissions figure of 0.50g/km for current taxi models – based on automatic transmission outputs – and 0.14g/km for the 1.5dCi NV200 5-speed manual, there would be an estimated annual reduction of 135 metric tonnes of NOx. n Assuming an average PM (particulates) emissions figure of 0.056g/km for current taxi models – based on automatic transmission outputs – and 0.001g/km for the 1.5dCi NV200 5-speed manual, there would be an estimated annual reduction of 20 metric tonnes of PM10.

www.coachandbusweek.com

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August 15, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 59

COACH&BUSMARKET – the place to buy and sell

To advertise on these pages for as little as £30 just call 01733 293247 Due to fleet replacement, we have the following vehicles for sale: Dennis Plaxton R Series Cummins 420 2004: 5 x 53 seats 2005: 2 x 53 seats Volvo B12B Plaxton Paragon: 2006: 2 x 49/53 seats with WC All are well maintained, low mileage examples (approximately 62,000km per annum) with long MoT, air conditioning and AStronic/Easyshift gearboxes. Owned by us from new and used on our own holiday programme. All over cream.

Priced to sell at £47,000 (04 reg), £57,000 (05 reg) and £92,000 (06 reg) plus VAT. Sorry no part exchange facilities!

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

2000 OPTARE SOLO

9.2 mtr with Mercedes engine, 33 seats with wheelchair and buggy space plus 20 standing with 31 newly installed seatbelts (forward facing), full repaint in any fleet colour, ready for schools, good choice.

£13,950.00

Order now for September

For more information visit

www.staffordbuscentre.com Tel: 01782 791774/07803 222552

COACH&BUSMARKET

Looking for a great deal to sell your vehicles?

Contact Jade Cassidy now for details of our current offers : 01733 293247 jade.cassidy@rouncymedia.co.uk Coach & Bus Week – the only paid-for weekly magazine in the bus and coach industry – there’s no comparison!

...then 50 come along at once.

Due to a major influx of new vehicles, we are selling a number of ex-TWM service buses.

They’re in great condition for their age and have been maintained to a very high standard.

There are currently 50 vehicles available, all stored at our site for viewing.

Although mainly Volvo, Scania and Optare single deck, there are some double deck buses also available.

All will be sold with 12 months MOT and repaint if required.

Please call for more details. Finance and rental packages available.

Volant PVS Ltd, Beecham Business Park, Northgate, Aldridge WS9 8TZ T: +44 (0)1922 457003 volantpvs.co.uk

2003 Ford Transit 410

Coach build body, taillift, powerdoor, 65,000 miles Class 5 MOT For more information visit

£5450

www.staffordbuscentre.com Tel: 01782 791774/07803 222552

Passenger and Commercial Vehicles Recovery Dismantlers Parts Sales

Dennis Pointer Dart Mk2 x 130 All spares available - includes engine, gearboxes, seats, etc.

Call: 01226 727769 Mobile: 07912 103497 Email: geoff-ripley@btconnect.com www.geoff-ripleysbuscoachsales.com

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

553180-1049-Ensign:Layout 1

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Page 1

Ensig DOUBLE DECK 1999 T/V REG DENNIS TRIDENTS

LEZ

COMPLIANT

Cummins/Voith, LEZ compliant with traps, Plaxton President bodies, 62 seats dual door (£13,000) or 70 when converted to single door (£16,000).

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

1999/2000 T/V/X REG DENNIS TRIDENTS

Cummins / Allison, Wrights Cadet body, ramp, wheelchair space, Hanover LED’s, CCTV, 39 retrimmed individual seats, from our own fleet and very tidy.

2000 DAF SB120

1999 T/V REG DENNIS DART SLF’S

Caetano Compass bodies, 39 seats, ramps.

1999 V REG MERC 814 VARIO

Volvo Euro 2 engines, ZF gearboxes, Northern Counties bodies, 78 seats.

1997/98 VOLVO OLYMPIANS

Manual, Marshall body, 32 seats, MOT 03/13.

1995 M REG DENNIS DRAGON

2000 X REG VOLVO B7LA ARTIC

Cummins/Voith gearbox, Duple Metsec body, recent floor and 92 coach seats.

LAST ONE

120 capacity, new MOT on sale, last one remaining.

2001 DDA COMPLIANT DENNIS DART

Plaxton Pointer 2 dual door body, 31 seats, CCTV, particulate trap fitted, LEZ 2012 compliant, only £6,500 plus tyres (£400). LAST ONE

1999 DENNIS TRIDENTS

Cummins/Voith, Alexander ALX 400 bodies, 63 seats or 70 as single door.

OPEN TOP BUSES A SPECIALITY -

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

553180-1049-Ensign:Layout 1

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12:12

Page 2

nbus

K ER SPECIALIST ZF automatics, Plaxton Premiere 320 bodies, 53 seats, exhaust traps fitted, LEZ compliant.

1998 R REG DAF SB3000’S

2000/2001 X REG DENNIS SUPER POINTER DARTS

ZF automatic, Plaxton Premiere 320, 70 seats with 3 point belts, LEZ Euro 4 compliant.

1994 PP VOLVO B10M

I-Shift, Plaxton Panther body, 49 seats, air-con, toilet, re-sprayed white, supplied with new MOT.

2005 VOLVO B12B

Euro 3, ZF automatics, East Lancs bodies, 37 seats, full DDA, Hanover LED’s, long MOT’s.

2002 VOLVO B6BLE’S

Cummins 160 engines, Voith gearboxes, 35 seats as dual door, or 43 seats as single door.

Euro 4, Wrights Gemini body, dual door, 68 seats.

LAST ONE

2007 VOLVO B9TL

1988 SUPER METROBUS OPEN TOPS

1988 VOLVO D10M’S

ZF auto’s, Alexander bodies, 84 seats.

Re-engined with Cummins ISB Euro 3 engines, Voith gearboxes, 63 seats upstairs.

ZF automatic, Plaxton Excalibur body , 49 seats with rear toilet, air-con.

2000 W REG VOLVO B10M

1999 S REG SUPER POINTER DART

2001 X REG DENNIS DART MPD’S

1994 M REG DENNIS JAVLIN

25 seats, ramps, good MOT’s.

11.3m, uprated engine and Allison World Series gearbox, 41 seats.

6 speed ZF manual gearbox, Plaxton Premiere 320 body, 70 seats with 3 point belts.

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

553368-1048-Pembridge

6/8/12

17:00

Page 1

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 (11) 2011 Ford Transit 15 seat 3.5 ton, 2.4tdi engine 115ps, tacho, 10,000 km £17,500

SOLD

(10) 2010 Ford Transit 17 seat M/R 140PS with air-con, tacho, COIF/PSV £17,995 (59) 2009 Ford Transit 17 seat 2.4tdi 115ps, tacho, air-con, 15,000km only £17,495 (

SOLD

(56) Ford Transit 17 seat 2.4tdi 115ps, high back seats, electric windows, central locking, 66,000 miles, FSH, COIF/PSV £9,995

LDV MINIBUSES

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

OTHER MAKES

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

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 (07) Peugeot Boxer 3.5 ton 17 seat minibus, 2.2 diesel with three point seat belts, 28,000 miles, COIF/PSV £10,495 2006 (55) Vauxhall Vivaro, 7 seat, wheelchair tracking, inboard electric lift, easy clean floor, 55,000 miles £7,995 2003 (53) Peugeot Expert Taxi 7 seat 2.0ltr diesel, tracking for one wheelchair, lightweight ramp, easy clean floor, 50,000 miles only £4,495 no VAT

SOLD

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

(09) 2009 Renault Master 16 seat minibus, tacho,high back seats with three point belts, 35,000km £15,650

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

New Renault Master 17 seat LWB LM39dci 126 Minibus, tacho ONLY £20,350

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

(07) 2007 Peugeot Boxer 3.5 ton 17 seat minibus, high back seats, rear two rows of seats on tracking, 33,000 miles COIF/PSV £9,500

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 £6,495

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%

556029-1048-Bowen

6/8/12

13:09

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679502-1049-Heatons

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The North West’s Premier Minibus Sales, supplying nationwide for over 40 years

LEZ

LEZ

LEZ

Wheelchair Accessible

Wheelchair Accessible

Wheelchair Accessible

58 FORD TRANSIT

57 MERCEDES SPRINTER 515

58 VAUXHALL MOVANO

52 VOLKSWAGEN LT 46

LWB 17 seat factory minibus, covered 70,000 miles, full electric pack, digital tacho, totally totally showroom condition inside and out £12,995

Only covered 20,000 miles, fitted with 16 highback Restcroft seats, lots of Unwin tracking, SLD with cassette step, external Ratcliffe fully automatic tailift, good quality O&H conversion, totally totally like new choice of 2 POA

LWB covered 41,000 miles, 8 highback passenger seats, lots of Unwin tracking, Ricon internal fully automatic tailift, totally showroom condition, SLD with cassette step £16,995

8/10 highback seats plus wheelchair spaces, Ricon internal fully automatic tailift, choice of 2 £4,995

PSV’d

LEZ

LEZ

LEZ

LEZ

Wheelchair Accessible

Wheelchair Accessible

Wheelchair Accessible

Wheelchair Accessible

08 VAUXHALL MOVANO

06 VOLKSWAGEN LT 35

09 RENAULT MASTER

06 MERCEDES SPRINTER 413 CDI

LWB covered 60,000 miles, 8 highback seats, lots of Unwin tracking, Ricon internal fully automatic tailift, SLD with cassette, step totally immaculate POA

MWB covered 30,000 miles, 8 highback passenger, seats lots of Unwin tracking, SLD with cassette step, Ricon internal Clearway tailift, showroom condition inside and out POA

MWB, covered 49,000 miles, 5/8 highback passenger seats, SLD with cassette step, Ricon internal tailift, totally showroom condition inside and out. £14,995

LWB, 15 highback passenger seats, power side door, lots of Unwin tracking, external cassette tailift, LEZ compliant, will come with 12 months PSV test, excellent condition inside and out £14,995

LEZ

LEZ

Wheelchair Accessible

Wheelchair Accessible

LEZ LEZ

Wheelchair Accessible

58 RENAULT MASTER

09 FORD TRANSIT 110 TREND

05 MERCEDES SPRINTER 311 CDI

LWB, covered 46,000 miles, unmarked, silver metallic, 8 highback passenger, seats lots of Unwin tracking, Ricon internal Clearway tailift, SLD with cassette step. Where do you find late model vehicles like this – excellent value £16,995

MWB covered 25,000 miles, twin SLDs, full electric pack, totally immaculate inside and out £11,995

MWB, front low step entry, fitted with 8 highback passenger seats, lots of Unwin tracking, good quality conversion, external cassette tailift, totally showroom condition £9,995

TO REA W DY OR K

06 MERCEDES SPRINTER 316 CDI LWB, full automatic transmission, 8 highback passenger seats plus wheelchair spaces, Ricon internal fully automatic tailift, lots of Unwin tracking, Unwin Innotrax m1 flooring system, front low step entry with cassette step, air conditioning, LEZ compliant, totally immaculate in everyway £12,995

PSV’d

PSV’d

LEZ

LEZ

LEZ

Wheelchair Accessible

Wheelchair Accessible

Wheelchair Accessible

Wheelchair Accessible

54 MERCEDES VARIO 614

04 MERCEDES SPRINTER 413CDI

56 RENAULT MASTER

09 RENAULT MASTER

With 15 highback passenger seats, complete flat floor, powerdoor front entry, external PLS tailift, analogue tacho, fully colour coded, totally immaculate in every way, low miles, excellent value £10,995

Plaxton Pronto coachbuilt ,16 highback passenger seats, covered 49,000 miles, Powerdoor low step front entry, external cassette tailift, air conditioning, will come with 12 months PSV test POA

LWB 9 highback passenger seats, covered 46,000 miles, lots of Unwin tracking, Ricon internal tailift, SLD with side step, m1 Unwin Invatax floor, totally unmarked, silver metallic £11,995

LWB, PTS spec, covered 41,000 miles, 8 highback passenger seats, Ricon internal tailift, lots of Unwin tracking, SLD with cassette step, totally totally immaculate, LEZ compliant, choice of 2 £16,995

LEZ

LEZ

PSV’d

Wheelchair Accessible

Wheelchair Accessible

Wheelchair Accessible

07 MERCEDES SPRINTER 515

2011 VAUXHALL MOVANO

02 MERCEDES VARIO 814

2010 FORD TRANSIT

Covered 40,000 miles, 16 highback passenger seats, external Ratcliffe cassette tailift.

LWB, 9 seat, covered 23,000 miles, latest shape, lots of Unwin tracking, Ricon full length stretcher tailift, totally like new POA

Mellor Coachcraft coachbuilt, covered 71,000 miles, one council owner, automatic transmission, 32 high back passenger seats all on Unwin tracking, 3 point belts, powerdoor front entry, external PLS cassette tailift, very very clean and original, PSV tested, 97k miles £13,995

LWB, highroof, 17 seat factory spec minibus, digital tacho, showroom condition inside and out, LEZ compliant, above average miles but fantastic value at £14,995

LEZ

Tel: 01942 864222 • WWW.HEATONSMOTORCO.CO.UK ALL PRICES PLUS VAT We guarantee quality vehicles, right prices, no pressure sales. Come and have a coffee while you browse at your leisure.

Junction 23, M6 or 20 miles from Manchester/Liverpool airport.

679470-1049-Dawsons

9/8/12

08:17

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p66_CBW_1049

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66 | COACH & BUS WEEK | August 15, 2012

!

!

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!

!

#

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#

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)

*

+

$

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.

2009 09 REG FORD TRANSIT

15 seat factory bus with only 9K miles, tacho, COIF applied for

ÂŁ14,250

For more information visit

www.staffordbuscentre.com Tel: 01782 791774/07803 222552

2000 OPTARE SOLO

9.2 mtr with Mercedes engine, 33 seats with wheelchair and buggy space plus 20 standing with 31 newly installed seatbelts (forward facing), full repaint in any fleet colour, ready for schools, good choice.

ÂŁ13,950.00

Order now for September

For more information visit

www.staffordbuscentre.com Tel: 01782 791774/07803 222552

/

0

!

!

!

COACH&BUSMARKET

Looking for a great deal to sell your vehicles?

Contact Jade Cassidy now on :

01733 293247 jade.cassidy@coachandbusweek.com Coach & Bus Week – the only paid-for weekly magazine in the bus and coach industry – there’s no comparison!

679504-1049-Sanders

13/8/12

12:44

Page 1

Sanders Coaches Ltd, Hempstead Road, Holt, Norfolk NR25 6ER

Due to loss of contract and fleet upgrade the following vehicles are for sale:

2000 SETRA 315

2000 SETRA 315

Air conditioned, Euro 3, full exec, 49 seats, MOT 29/11/2012 £30,000

Air conditioned, EURO 4, full exec, 49 seats, MOT 27/01/2013 £30,000

1997 DENNIS PLAXTON 350

1997 MERCEDES PLAXTON COACH

1996 MERCEDES PLAXTON BUS

Air conditioned, 57 seats, MOT 17/10/2012, choice of 2 £20,000

6 speed, economical, owned from new, 32 seats, MOT 12/02/2013, choice of 2 £8,000

Seat belted coach seats, bus spec, 31 seats, MOT 29/05/2013, choice of 2 £5,000

1997 DAF OPTARE DELTA

1997 DENNIS PLAXTON 350

Auto, high capacity bus, 53 seats + 21 standing, MOT 14/12/2012, choice of 2 £7,500

Air conditioned, retrimmed, 57 seats, MOT 11/11/2012 £21,000

1991 DAF MB VANHOOL Ex Robinsons, good condition for year, 51 seats, MOT 28/12/2012 £12,500

1996 DENNIS PLAXTON 320 Ours from new, 57 seats, MOT 28/08/2012, choice of 2 £19,000 1996 DAF IKARUS BUS Auto, single step entry, bus/blinds, 51 seats + 20 standing, MOT 17/04/2013, choice of 4 £5,000 1995 DAF IKARUS BUS Auto, single step entry, bus/blinds, 49 seats + 24 standing, MOT 01/11/2012 £5,000 1995 DAF SB3000 VANHOOL Auto, air conditioned, retrimmed 2011, 49 seats, MOT 25/03/13 £25,000 1990 DAF MB VANHOOL ex Robinsons, good condition for year, 57 seats, MOT 04/12/2012, choice of 2 £10,000 1988 DAF MB VANHOOL ex Robinsons, good condition for year, 55 seats, MOT 02/02/2013 £8,000 1987 DAF MB PLAXTON 350 55 seats, MOT 02/04/2013 £8,000

All vehicles maintained to highest level - private plates to be retained - prices plus VAT

Apply to Mr Paul Sanders - Sanders Coaches Ltd - 01263 712800 Email paul@sanderscoaches.com Photos can be emailed if required

p68_CBW_1049

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68 | COACH & BUS WEEK | August 15, 2012

MAYPOLE COACHES COACH OPERATORS FOR OVER 50 YEARS DUE TO RESTRUCTURING HAVE THE FOLLOWING VEHICLES FOR SALE: Belted, S/D con, tacho, Eminox, Euro 4, driver air con, 60 mph, 12 mths MOT £16,000 + VAT

81 SEATS VOLVO OLYMPIAN

Eminox exhaust, air con, 60 mph, 12 mths MOT, £11,500 + VAT

74 SEAT BELTED

As above £10,000 + VAT

74 SEATS WITHOUT BELTS

1994 VOLVO B10M JONCKHEERE DEAUVILLE

Retrimmed 2 yr ago, 12 mths MOT, 51 seats with belts, toilet, DVD/monitor £12,500 + VAT

1993 VOLVO B10M VANHOOL T8 BODYWORK

12 mths MOT, toilet, DVD/monitor, 49 seats with belts £11,000 + VAT 63 seats, ZF auto, 3 point belts, 12 mths MOT, tacho £5,500 + VAT

1992 LEYLAND LYNX

60 coach seats 3 point belts,Cummins/ Allison, 12 mths MOT, tacho, radio £5,900 + VAT

1996 BLUEBIRD BUS

Tel: 0151 547 2713 or 07802 235778

COACH&BUSMARKET Looking for a great deal to sell your vehicles?

Photos and

FULL COLOUR

as standard on all vehicle for sale advertisements!

Contact Jade Cassidy now on :

01733 293247 jade.cassidy@coachandbusweek.com Coach & Bus Week – the only paid-for weekly magazine in the bus and coach industry – there’s no comparison!

555525-1049-Connaught

13/8/12

18:31

Page 1

Mini Coach Sales

BRAND NEW MERCEDES FERQUI TORO 28/32 high back seats, A/C, D/G, forced air, reading lights, power door, large boot.

BRAND NEW MERCEDES FERQUI SOROCO 16/19 high back reclining seats, 3 point belts, A/C, D/G, forced air, reading lights, power door, large boot.

BRAND NEW MERCEDES BENZ 513CDI EVM CLASSIC 19 high back seats, 3 point belts, luggage racks and A/C.

2010 60 REG VOLKSWAGON T-PORTER T30 SE140 TDI LW 8 seats, air con, cruise control, PAS, Power windows, 5 speed manual diesel, metallic paint.

2008 08 MERCEDES BENZ 311D SPRINTER 16 high back seats, 3 point belts, forced air, reading lights, brand new conversion LEZ compliant.

2006 55 REG MERCEDES 814 PLAXTON CHEETAH 33 high back seats, 3 point belts, forced air, reading lights, curtains, power door and boot, in silver.

2005 55 REG MERCEDES 614 VARIO 24 high back seats, 3 point belts, forced air, reading lights, power door and boot.

2005 05 REG MERCEDES 413 CDI SPRINTER 16 high back seats, 3 point belts, forced air, reading lights, re-trimmed interior, large boot, LEZ compliant.

2005 05 REG MERCEDES 814D VARIO PLAXTON CHEETAH 33 high back reclining seats, 3 point belts, auto gearbox, A/C, D/G, forced air, reading lights, power door and boot.

2001 51 REG TOYOTA CATEANO OPTIMO 5 22 high back seats plus courier, lap belts, forced air, reading lights, curtains, power door and boot.

2000 W REG MERCEDES 412D SOROCO 16 high back seats, forced air, reading lights, curtains, power door and large boot.

1999 MERCEDES 814D VARIO PLAXTON CHEETAH 33 high back seats, 3 point belts, forced air, reading lights, curtains, power door and boot.

Steve Peach Tel: 01302 770863 Mob: 07836 551020 Email: steve@connaughtpsv.co.uk www.connaughtpsv.co.uk

679458-1049-Pickrell

13/8/12

16:14

Page 1

H. W. PICKRELL MINIBUS AND WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLES

Gardiners Lane North • Crays Hill • Billericay • Essex • CM11 2XE Tel: 01268 521033 • Mobile: 07860 894331 • Fax: 01268 284951

Email: sales@hwpickrell.co.uk - www.hwpickrell.co.uk Finance available on all vehicles (subject to status) Written details on request.

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINI BUSES For latest stock arrivals follow @h_w_pickrel

2009 09 VAUXHALL MOVANO LM39 2.5TD

60 REG FORD TRANSIT T430 JUMBO 125BHP 2.4TD

54 REG M ERCEDES SPRINTER 411 CDI

2008 58 REG VAUXHALL MOVANO L M39 2.5TD

Manual, high roof, PAS, LWB, Wilker conversion, side loading door, AVS side step, 10 high back seats fully tracked floor, Ricon tail lift, Eberspacher heater, window blinds, ex NHS, 36,351 miles.

High roof, Minibus Options conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, 15 high back seats, Eberspacher heater, Unwin tracked floor, Ratcliff underfloor tail lift, only 16,682 miles.

Tiptronic gearbox, Euromotive PSC bus conversion, front entry slam door with low entry step, 16 x high back removable seats, Eberspacher, ex local authority, COIF'd, tacho fitted, only 66,780 kms.

Manual, high roof, PAS, LWB, O & H conversion, side loading door, AVS side step, 8 high back seats + driver, Unwin tracked floor, stretcher, Ricon tail lift, piped oxygen, Eberspacher heater, 48,441 miles.

56 REG RENAULT MASTER MM33 2.5TD

2008 57 REG RENAULT MASTER LM39 2.5TD

07 REG FORD TRANSIT T430 JUMBO 2.4TD

2008 57 REG VAUXHALL VIVARO LH28 2.0 TD

Manual gearbox, high roof, Warnerbus conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, sat nav, 6 high back seats plus 1 x w/chair, air con, Unwin Innotrax floor, Ricon tail lift, 14,300 miles only.

Manual, high roof, PAS, LWB, SCW conversion, side loading door, AVS side step, 10 high back seats, Unwin tracked floor, Ricon tail lift, ex local authority, 27,478 miles.

Semi high roof, Van Tech conversion, PAS, SLD, electric AVS side step, 14 rear high back seats, double passenger, air con, tacho, Unwin tracked floor, space for 2 x w/chairs, PLS underfloor tail lift, only 31,416 kms.

Manual gearbox, hi roof, O & H conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, 5 high back seats plus 1 x w/chair, Eberspacher heater, Unwin tracked floor, Ricon tail lift, 30,280 miles only.

2004/05 54 REG MERCEDES SPRINTER 416CDI AMBULANCE

09 REG RENAULT MASTER MM33 2.5TD

2012 UN REG IVECO DAILY 45C IRIS BUS 3.0TD

06 REG RENAULT MASTER SM33 2.2TD

LWB, Macneillie van conversion, SLD, 2 rear high back seats, Ferno Falcon stretcher & locks, stretcher lift, blue light bars and siren, very high spec, low miles 65-85,000 miles only, choice of 8.

Manual gearbox, high roof, Warnerbus conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, 7 high back seats plus 1 x w/chair, full air con, Webasto, Unwin Innotrax floor, Braun tail lift, 27,087 miles only.

Agile gearbox, high roof, PAS, LWB, front power door, 16 high back CT seats, m2 tested fully tracked flat floor, roof vent, new Ratcliff tail lift, new conversion.

Manual gearbox, high roof, O & H conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, 6 high back seats plus 1 x w/chair, Eberspacher heater, air con, Unwin tracked floor, Ricon tail lift, 21253.441 miles.

53 REG MERCEDES SPRINTER 416 CDI

60 REG RENAULT MASTER SM 33 2.5TD

56 REG RENAULT MASTER MM33 2.2TD

2009 59 REG VAUXHALL VIVARO SL28 2.0 TD

4x4 ambulance, LWB, Wilker box body conversion, full air con/climate, side loading door, 3 high back seats, Falcon stretcher, PLS stretcher lift, very high spec, one owner ex Air Force, only 25,950 kms.

Manual gearbox, high roof, Advance conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, 6 high back seats plus 2 x w/chair, heater, air con, Unwin tracked floor, Ricon tail lift, 2,060 miles only.

6 speed gearbox, high roof, Warnerbus conversion, PAS, twin side loading doors, side step, 8 high back seats plus 1 x w/chair, Eberspacher air con & heater, Innotrax Unwin floor, Ricon tail lift, 31,813 miles.

Manual gearbox, low roof, O & H conversion, PAS, twin side loading door, side step, 4 high back seats plus 1 x w/chair, modified low floor, electric winch & fold out ramp, 15,491 miles.

07 REG RENAULT MASTER MM33 2.5TD

07 REG RENAULT MASTER LH35 2.5TD

57 REG FORD TRANSIT T300 125BHP 2.5 TD

60 REG FORD TRANSIT T430 JUMBO 2.4TD

Manual gearbox, high roof, Warnerbus conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, sat nav, 6 high back seats plus 1 x w/chair, Webasto, Unwin innotrax floor, Ricon tail lift, 14,300 miles only.

LWB, hi roof, multi purpose office/comms unit, PAS, SLD with AVS side step, awning, 3 x workstations, amber light, bars front and rear, overhead storage lockers, heating, generator, microwave, tv, only 1,500 miles.

6 speed gea box, high roof, SCW conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, 10 high back seats plus 2 x w/chair, Eberspacher heater, Unwin tracked floor, Ratcliff underfloor tail lift, only 29,682 miles.

Manual gearbox, high roof, factory bus conversion, side entry slam door with low entry step, 16 x high back seats plus driver, ex local authority, only 6,900 miles.

06 REG RENAULT MASTER LM 35 2.5TD

06 REG RENAULT MASTER MM33 2.2TD

09 PEUGEOT EXPERT TEPEE 1.9 HDI

06 REG RENAULT MASTER SL33 2.2TD

Manual, PAS, LWB, PTS ambulance conversion, SLD, 6 rear high back seats, Ferno stretcher locks, Ricon stretcher lift , Eberspacher heater, Unwin tracking, exNHS, 36,100 miles only.

Automatic gearbox, high roof, SCW conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, 7 high back seats plus 1 x w/chair, Eberspacher heater, Unwin tracked floor, Ricon tail lift, 11,831 miles.

Manual 5 speed gearbox, PAS, CD player, air con, twin side loading doors, 2 high back seat in rear, double passenger seat front, cut out floor, fold down ramp, blue metallic silver, alloy wheels, 14,932 miles.

Manual gearbox, low roof, O & H conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, 4 high back seats plus 1 x w/chair, Eberspacher heater, Unwin tracked floor, Ricon tail lift, 17,491 miles.

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Loveden Travel

2 x DAF SB3000 WS Plaxton Prima 320

ZF auto, 53 reclining seats, with Eminiox Euro 4 kits, short MOT, can supply new test, excellent condition £18,000.00 ONO + VAT

1991 Dennis Dominator 78 seats, Cummins L10 engine, ZF auto gearbox.

1990 Alexander R Series Bodied Leyland Olympian 82 seats, Gardner engine, ZF auto gearbox.

1995 Volvo B10M Plaxton Premier 350

ZF Auto, 49/53 exec certified, plain white, new trim, really nice coach £15,000.00 ONO + VAT

1992 Volvo B10M Manual Plaxton Premier 350

57 seater, brand new trim, 7 upseat, sprayed white, ready to go £13,000.00 ONO + VAT

2 x 1996 70 Seater Plaxton Premier 320

Volvo B10M ZF chassis, available September 2012 £28,000.00 + VAT CALL FOR DETAILS

01268 795763

1990 Alexander R Series Bodied Leyland Olympian 81 seats, dual door, Cummins L10 engine, ZF auto gearbox, choice of 2

Asking price £6,000 each.

Loveden Travel, 16 North Road, Leadenham, Lincoln LN5 0PG Call 01400 273838 or email lovedentravel@hotmail.com

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2006 MAN NEOPLAN EUROLINER

I 49 seat exec I Air con I Centre toilet I Long MoT

I Auto

OFFERS INVITED Finance Packages Available. Vehicles for sale on behalf of operator or finance house Call Mike Austin for more information

07834 810907 or 0121 711 7237

1999/2000 Dennis Trident Alexander ALX 400 V and X reg, long wheelbase, EURO 4

For more information visit

www.staffordbuscentre.com Tel: 01782 791774/07803 222552 OPTARE SOLO 2000 reg, Mercedes engine, 31 seats with new belt installation, DDA spec, new paint and test. Order now for September

ÂŁ13,950

For more information visit

www.staffordbuscentre.com Tel: 01782 791774/07803 222552

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2005 Ford Transit 410

Factory minibus, fitted with 14 moquette h/b coach seats, COIF, tacho and new PSV, 120,000 miles

£5950

For more information visit

www.staffordbuscentre.com Tel: 01782 791774/07803 222552

S ALL

OLD

ADL ENVIRO 200 58/09 REG 29 seats Choice of 4

2000 OPTARE SOLO

9.2 mtr with Mercedes engine, 33 seats with wheelchair and buggy space plus 20 standing with 31 newly installed seatbelts (forward facing), full repaint in any fleet colour, ready for schools, good choice.

£13,950.00

Order now for September

For more information visit

www.staffordbuscentre.com Tel: 01782 791774/07803 222552

2005 MAN 14.240 MCV EVOLUTION SERVICE BUS

From £59,950

For more information visit

www.staffordbuscentre.com Tel: 01782 791774/07803 222552

COACH&BUSMARKET Looking for a great deal to sell your vehicles?

Buy 3 weeks get a 4th week

FREE!

Contact Jade Cassidy now on :

01733 293247 jade.cassidy@coachandbusweek.com Coach & Bus Week – the only paid-for weekly magazine in the bus and coach industry – there’s no comparison!

40 seats, NEW MOT TO MAY 2013, repanelled and repainted 2 pack white, engine overhauled, Hanover LED destination gear, drives fantastic, superb condition.

£26,500 + VAT o.v.n.o.

Contact Steve on 07795 347476 or 01492 640320 (North Wales) DENNIS DART PLAXTON POINTER SLF

P reg with 29/32 seats, recent retrim, metallic silver, new test.

£5,950

For more information visit

www.staffordbuscentre.com Tel: 01782 791774/07803 222552

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COACH&BUSCLASSIFIED AUDIO &VIDEO

CHECKPOINTS

TO PURCHASE CHECKPOINT/DUSTITE loose wheelnut indicators or to locate your nearest stockist:

Tel: 01524 271200 www.checkpoint-safety.com

Contact Jade Cassidy now for our current offers 01733 293247

CRAIG TILSLEY Suppliers of Reconditioned

ENGINES

Tel: 01782 791524 or 01782 791527 Fax: 01782 791316 Email: info@craigtilsley.co.uk www.craigtilsley.co.uk

Moorfields Industrial Estate Cotes Heath, Stoke-on-Trent ST21 6QY

GARAGE EQUIPMENT

Mobile Column Lifts

HEAVY DUTY STEEL BUILDINGS

BUILDINGS

FREE

• Bus Workshops • Secure Storage

Set of Axle Stands when you purchase your Mobile Columns

• Supplied any width, any length

• Building to BS5590

• Doors high enough for Double Deckers • Finance available Phone for further information

BLUELINE BUILDINGS 01709 578333 anytime

COACH&BUSCLASSIFIED

Looking for a great deal to promote your products & services?

Contact Jade Cassidy now for details of our current offers : 01733 293247 jade.cassidy@coachandbusweek.com

Coach & Bus Week – the only paid-for weekly magazine in the bus and coach industry – there’s no comparison!

DAF MAN MERC, VOLVO SCANIA, GARDNER LEYLAND, CUMMINS ENGINES CYLINDER HEADS CRANKSHAFTS CRANKCASES CAMSHAFTS PUMPS ETC

JHM Butt & Company Limited Sales: 01302 718226

www.buttsequipment.com equipment.com

GARAGE EQUIPMENT SPECIALISTS

Experts in Commercial Garage Equipment

www.bwsequip.co.uk BWS (0117) 9530381

HEATING

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

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 e? is Customer accounts upon request om – why compr ys!

Repairs & filming 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

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COACH&BUSCLASSIFIED INSURANCE

COACH&BUSCLASSIFIED

REGISTRATIONS G

SPEEDY REGISTRATIONS CO LTD G ‘Buy with confidence – CNDA Member’

£690 CXZ 50 JFZ 40 PBZ 16 RNZ 10 TBZ 19 TJZ 44 TJZ 50 TUI 20 UXI 70

£350 £99 £99 £50 AJZ 262 DXZ 1150 MJZ 6749 CXZ 4473 IBZ 484 HIG 5338 MNZ 1195 CXZ 4474 KBZ 505 HIG 5339 ONZ 1180 DFZ 4693 LBZ 171 IIG 2278 REZ 3369 DRZ 8551 RBZ 696 IIG 2279 RUI 2117 DRZ 8552 RDZ 989 JIG 8894 SUI 8836 ERZ 1643 SBZ 171 JIG 8895 SUI 8837 JFZ 8393 VIW 242 KIG 5113 TJZ 1116 JFZ 8394 XJI 474 KIG 5114 TJZ 1119 JIG 8491 We Buy for Cash, also Part Exchange

Tel: (028) 6638 7124 Fax: (028) 6638 7771

Millwood, Lisbellaw, Co. Fermanagh, N. Ireland BT94 5HQ

TICKETING

£50 JIG 8492 KFZ 3733 KFZ 3734 KIG 6631 KIG 6632 RNZ 2144 RNZ 2145 TUI 7074 TUI 7075

Looking for a great deal to promote your products & services?

Contact Jade Cassidy now for details of our current offers : 01733 293247 jade.cassidy@coachandbusweek.com

Coach & Bus Week – the only paid-for weekly magazine in the bus and coach industry – there’s no comparison!

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COACH&BUSCLASSIFIED TRAINING

VEHICLE SPARES

Passenger and Commercial Vehicles Recovery Dismantlers Parts Sales OUR SERVICES: •

Recovery

•

Testing

• • • • •

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• • •

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Engine/gearbox rebuilds Fault finding

Buying & selling vehicles

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Reconditioned engines Reconditioned gearboxes Engine spares Windows

Windscreens Seats

Export to foreign markets Repairs

Finance repossession and storage

CALL: 01226 727 769

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

DISMANTLING/SPARES:

Bus sales: www.geoff-ripleysbuscoachsales.com Geoff Ripley, Boulder Lane (off Shaw Lane), Carlton, Barnsley S71 3HJ

Tel/Fax: 01751 472229

Mob: 07912 103 497 or 07711 750 434 Fax: 01226 727 607 Email: geoff-ripley@btconnect.com

TYRE EQUIPMENT

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

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

www.twigley.com

August 15, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 77

Seen something funny? Send it to gareth.evans@coachandbusweek.com, fax 0845 2802927 or write to: Last Stop, Coach & Bus Week, 3 The Office Village, Cygnet Park, Forder Way, Hampton, Peterborough PE7 8GX

Birthday boy bus treat Nottingham City Transport (NCT) did its bit for the future of the industry recently when ‘bus mad’ Hashim Khalique from Gedling received a special surprise for his fifth birthday. One of the awardwinning operator’s buses came to his house to pick him up for an exclusive tour of Parliament Street Garage.

Hashim’s mum contacted NCT to ask if he could have a look around the HQ, as he’s been a huge fan of the buses from a very early age.

Impressed by young Hashim’s avid bus enthusiasm, NCT was happy to go one better and pick up him and his family from their front door. The bus even had Hashim’s name listed as the destination – much to the five-year-old’s delight.

NCT Marketing Manager Anthony Carver-Smith was bus driver / tour guide for the day and was very pleased to show the excited little boy the inner workings of Nottingham’s principal bus operator.

“We invited Hashim to hop on board some of our newest buses, see first-hand how the buses operate in the garage and have a look at our hi-tech AVL system in the control room. We even let him adjust buses on the system,” said Anthony.

Hashim and his birthday bus After an extensive tour of the garage, followed by a further drive around the city in his favourite mode of transport, Hashim and his family were safely delivered back home.

“I was blown away by how much Hashim knew about our buses and routes,” added Anthony. “This fellow bus-mad little boy is definitely an NCT driver in the making.”

We at CBW commend such gestures. Not only are they good PR,

but in our Gareth’s experience, such memories will forever stay with the youngster involved and only serve to strengthen the his enthusiasm.

While not bus-related, Gareth can remember with fondness as a ‘nipper’ being invited to visit the footplate at the Llangollen Railway and having lumps of coal put in his bucket and spade at the Bala Lake Railway.

Happy days…

network of roads for buses.

According to a study led by Prof Robert Mair, of Cambridge University, there would initially be two tunnels – one starting at Castle Hill and the other running under

Coldham’s Common. There would be a station near Drummer Street and an intermediate stop at The Grafton shopping centre. A third tunnel could link to Cambridge railway station. However, the idea appears to takes no account of the city’s low-lying terrain – and we all know what that means…

Cambridge bus underground?

Tunnel vision seems to be all the rage in Cambridge after plans for an underground bus transport system resurfaced last week. The £190m project was first unveiled in 2008, and envisaged a subterranean

Dilbert

Monday: Press day. A lady from a different part of the world calls for a long departed colleague – it sounds like a scam as she claims she owes ‘me’ £3k for Payment Protection Insurance.

Despite being under the pressure of deadlines, I decide it’s the perfect time for some light office entertainment and put her on speaker phone. I erupt into one of my character voices and I keep moving her away from her point.

Despite anticipating she will hang up, the lady carries on. My colleagues laugh their socks off.

James rightly observes: “She must be the most patient woman on earth.” Finally, after three and a half minutes, I end the call in my own unique way. All good fun.

Tuesday: I’m shattered and feel in desperate need of a holiday – although it will be some weeks till I can squeeze one in.

Wednesday: A busy day in the office subediting pages and getting copy and pics to Keith for design.

Thursday: James & I leave Peterborough at 0600hrs. Enjoy a smooth, trafficfree journey to Leeds. Grab a coffee & bacon roll before taking a load of stock pics of Tetleys, First and Arriva. We interview Jonathan May of Arriva Transport Solutions.

Use the time in between meetings to introduce James to the everfriendly crew at Arriva Bus & Coach (dealer), where we catch up over coffee and banter. James also sees my reputation as a caffeine addict at first hand. Enjoy a further warm welcome from the friendly crew at Arriva Yorkshire’s Heckmonwike depot. I’m on my usual form. MD Nigel Featham describes the occasion as “one of our memorable media interviews.”

Friday: A hectic day in the office writing and sub-editing material. In an attempt to lessen the burden for Monday, don’t leave until early evening. www.coachandbusweek.com

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RECRUITMENT

Turner joins First Bus First UK Bus has appointed Paul Turner as its new Business Development Director in its North Region.

Paul Turner, aged 38, joins First from the TAS Partnership where he has worked for the past 12 years, including two years as a Director.

He is a specialist in network design, partnership working, transport organisation and structure, team building and management. Paul started his career in the industry at Blackpool Transport Services as a bus driver and tram conductor.

Paul, who is married with two children, said: “It is an exciting opportunity to join First in the North of England as the business is currently undergoing a transformation. In the autumn we will begin to see the introduction of a new fleet of buses which as part of its commercial strategies will

New Financial Controller for GiTi Tire

Having moved into consultancy, Paul Turner is returning to bus operations transform First’s operations across Yorkshire and Greater Manchester.”

TAS Managing Director Adrian Grant commented: “We’ll be sorry to lose Paul after such a long period, but we offer our warmest congratulations to him on his appointment. As well as reflecting his own considerable talent and abilities, we believe

this opportunity is the result of the training and inspiration he received with us, not least working in his early years closely with our founder, the late Peter Huntley.

Paul has made a major contribution to the growth and success of TAS over the last 12 years, for which we are most grateful. We shall all miss him.”

GiTi Tire has appointed Gillian MacRae as Finance Controller for Europe.

Gillian is responsible for the planning, monitoring and management of company business plans, with an initial focus on UK and German markets across truck and bus brands, namely GT Radial and Primewell.

Reporting directly to Richard Lyons, Europe Managing Director, she will also have general management responsibilities in sales, purchasing, stock control, cash flow and financial reporting.

Gillian has over 20 years panEuropean financial experience and joins from Budenberg 4B Group where she was Group Finance

www.coachandbusweek.com

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Deadlines Booking: Monday 5.00pm Full artwork: Monday 5.00pm

Director. She previously worked for Futura Creative as Financial Controller.

Richard Lyons said: “To achieve our targets we have to have the right people in key positions, and Gillian is a fantastic addition to our management team. Her experience will prove invaluable as we gain volume share in mature markets and achieve breakthroughs in emerging countries.”

Gillian MacRae

Contact Ian Gillis 01733 293484

ian.gillis@coachandbusweek.com

New MD for Stagecoach North East Stagecoach North East has appointed Phil Medlicott as its new Managing Director (MD) after the recent retirement of John Conroy.

Phil, 50, joins from Stagecoach South East where he was MD. He has worked for Stagecoach for over 12 years, during which time he was also MD at Stagecoach Midlands.

Phil began his career in the industry at the age of 21 as a bus driver for National Bus Companyowned Crosville, following in the footsteps of his father who was also a bus driver. From there he worked his way up, taking on the roles of Inspector, Controller, and Operations Manager before moving on to hold a number of senior management positions in London and the south, joining Stagecoach in 2000 as Operations Director.

“Advertise all your recruitment vacancies the affordable way; book a series of three adverts; buy one week, get the second week half price and have a third week on us… yes, that’s free! Your vacancy will be seen in the print and digital editions, and online at www.coachandbusweek.com/ jobs. This amazing offer ends on September 28, 2012, so don’t delay, contact me, Ian Gillis, on 01733 293 484, or via email: ian.gillis@coachandbusweek.com”

RECRUITNOW

WITH

August 15, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 79

Phil Medlicott was previously MD of Stagecoach South East During his time at Stagecoach South East, Phil was hailed as the driving force behind doubling bus use in East Kent in less than a decade, with growth 10 times the UK average. Initiatives to get more people back on the bus included increasing the frequency of popular routes, improved travel information at bus stops and introducing

simpler, easy to understand bus networks.

Phil said: “John managed the firm extremely well and I’m delighted to be stepping into the role and building on the achievements to date. I look forward to overseeing ongoing investment in the company and working in partnership with local authorities.”

Operations Manager

Up to £40k

As one of the UK’s fastest growing holiday companies we are looking for an experienced industry professional to lead our busy operations team which encompasses a growing UK and European holiday programme by coach, air and cruise.

Based in the Glasgow office you be responsible for all aspects of the busy operations team which will include all aspects of strategic planning, day to day operational activity and customer service delivery. This challenging position is a newly created role and will involve collaborating with other managers to measure and deliver a quality service whilst managing / deploying systems to ensure the efficient running of entire operation.

The ideal candidate will have the minimum of five years experience within a tour operational environment and be fully customer focused, have the ability to lead and motivate a growing team and be able to work effectively under pressure bringing solutions to sometimes difficult daily operational challenges.

To apply for this position please send your CV with a covering letter by e-mail to harriet.boyle@glentonholidays.com or post your application to: Harriet Boyle, Glenton, 30 Gordon Street, Glasgow G1 3PU www.coachandbusweek.com

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