18 | COACH & BUS WEEK | May 8, 2013
news › REGIONAL
‘key’ smartcard. Since the card was launched in 2010, more than 100,000 people have signed up and nearly half of the firm’s journeys are made using it. The centre at 44/45 High Street will support the company’s existing outlet at Debenhams in Magdalen Street. Oxford East MP Andrew Smith cut a tape at an official opening ceremony as part of Catch The Bus Week. Andrew Morison, Commercial Manager of Oxford Bus Company, said: “More and more people are switching to the key and before too long half the journeys made on our buses will be made using it. “When you add in the number of passengers using other smartcards, like the concessionary bus passes, the majority of transactions won’t involve cash. “This makes a significant difference to the time it takes for people to join a bus at a stop and has a major impact on journey times. “Our existing travel centre in Debenhams is very successful but the new facility will make it easier for commuters and city centre workers to renew their key products before they start work.”
LONDON
Transport for London (TfL) has begun consulting on proposed changes to local bus services in Hackney town centre during the trial closure of Mare Street (Narrow Way). This is currently used by southbound buses. The trial closure is part of Hackney Council’s wider plans to attract more visitors and customers to the area. The trial is expected to last until early in 2014. The proposed changes would affect 13 routes in the area. Regarding bus stops, the Narrow Way stop would be replaced by a stop on Amhurst Road opposite Hackney Central Station, existing stop K in Amhurst Road for north or westbound buses would be relocated about 70 metres further along Amhurst Road and a new southbound stop would be installed on Dalston Lane. TfL is seeking public feedback on these proposals; the closing date for comments is Thursday, May 30. Changes would be introduced from Saturday, June 15, subject to feedback from the consultation and to the completion of associated enabling works. Consultation documents can be www.coachandbusweek.com
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DATES FOR YOUR DIARY found at https://consultations.tfl. gov.uk/buses/narrow-way Stagecoach London has relaunched the ‘Spirit of London’ bus which was damaged in an arson attack last year. The newly refurbished vehicle has undergone significant repair work at a cost of around £60,000 to return it to operation following the attack. The bus was originally launched in October 2005 to replace the double deck bus destroyed in the London 7/7 bombings. Despite the damage, Stagecoach took the decision to repair the bus rather than replace it, due to the symbolic importance of the vehicle. The re-launch, which took place at the London Bus Museum in Weybridge on Sunday (April 21), was attended by Stagecoach London Managing Director Mark Threapleton, TfL Managing Director of Surface Transport Leon Daniels and George Psaradakis, the driver of the original bus on July 7, 2005. Mark Threapleton said: “The upper deck of the bus was almost completely burnt so it has taken a lot of work to get it back into service. However, there was never any question of us retiring the bus – we have always been committed to refurbishing it to ensure it remains a fitting tribute to the 13 people who lost their lives when the original bus was destroyed in 2005.” Leon Daniels said: “It’s good news for London that this bus will be back on the road after refurbishment. The decision to introduce a vehicle to replace the one destroyed in 2005 was an important one which meant a lot to the victims’ families and to the people of London. “We are very pleased that it will be back in service carrying passengers again soon.” George Psaradakis said: “I would like to thank Mark Threapleton very much for giving me the opportunity to take part in the re-launching of the Spirit of London. When I was told what had happened to the Spirit of London I was truly sad but, looking at the vehicle after its restoration, all the sadness I felt then has now been offset with happiness. “My congratulations go to Stagecoach for the restoration of the bus, I am very proud to be working for them.” The bus will operate on route 55 in East London, between Leyton Green and Oxford Circus, and will be based at Leyton garage.
The Annual Peterborough Bus & Commercial Vehicle Rally, which is free to enter, takes places at Sacrewell Farm on Sunday, July 14
2013 n May 12 First in South Yorkshire Sheffield Centenary Bus Rally. Olive Grove depot will be open to the public, with modern & heritage buses on display. www.firstgroup. com/ukbus/south_yorkshire/ n May 14-15 ALBUM Conference. Belton Woods Hotel near Grantham, Lincolnshire. www.albumconference. co.uk n May 26-30 UITP Congress & Exhibition. Palexpo, Geneva. www.uitp.org. +(00)32 2673 610 n June 2 Clacton Bus Rally & Running Day, Clacton Factory Outlet, Essex. Classic and current vehicles. Entry forms & more details available at http://www. colneestuarypb.co.uk/ n June 11-13 ATCO Summer Conference. Merseytravel HQ, Liverpool. www.atco.org.uk n June 16 Peak Park Preserved Bus Gathering. Rowsley South Station, Peak Rail Heritage Railway, nr. Matlock, Derbyshire. www. chesterfield123.org.uk n June 16 Swansea Festival of Transport. Free to enter & attend. Call organiser Ashley Lovering on 07814958379 or email swanseatransport@aol.com. Visit www.ntfwswansea.co.uk.
II Court, Sussex Street, Winchester. To book onto the event or for further information contact passengertransportprojects@hants. gov.uk n July 14 The Annual Peterborough Bus & Commercial Vehicle Rally. Sacrewell Farm (A47/ A1 junction). Free entry. 07828 754412 or 01462 626750 n July 21 Alton Bus Rally. Anstey Park, Anstey Lane, Alton, Hants. www.altonbusrally.org.uk n September 7-8 Bus Driver of the Year Final. Blackpool. Call 01303 251462. www.bdoy.co.uk n September 8 Bus & Coach Wales 2013. Rhyd y Car Leisure Centre, Merthyr Tydfil n September 9-10 CPT Scotland Annual Conference. Crieff Hydro Hotel, Perthshire. Visit www.cpt-uk. org or call CPT Scotland on 0131 272 215 n September 10 Association of Trainers AGM. 1400hrs, Wembley. For details call 01797 344251. n September 22 Showbus 2013. Long Marston Airfield, Warwickshire. www.showbus.com n October 2-3 Coach & Bus Live 2013. NEC, Birmingham. www. coachandbuslive.com
n June 30 Ringwood Bus Rally. Scenic rides and memorabilia stall. For details call the Wessex Transport Society on 01202 293245. www. wessextransportsociety.co.uk
n October 20 Oxford Bus Museum Bus & Coach Vehicle Rally. 01993 883 617. www.oxfordbusmuseum. org.uk
n July 5 Hampshire County Council Public Bus Supplier Engagement Morning. Elizabeth
Send your event details to gareth.evans@ coachandbusweek.com
07/05/2013 15:00