Coach & Bus Week : Issue 1142

Bradford-based Autosound marks half a century of trading p26

Coach access arrangements change for Bruges p10

London Transport Museum reveals its £250,000 B-Type restoration

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Nottingham leads the way p16

MINIBUS this week...

● Bluebird launches Orion Lite ● Minis to Midis Tarus 500C Top-Line

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James Freeman to leave Reading Buses

How Thornton’s does it p20

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Wrightbus in Abu Dhabi

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

EDITORIAL Publisher Jonathan Taylor 01733 293240 jonathan.taylor@coachandbusweek.com Editor Gareth Evans 01733 293243 gareth.evans@coachandbusweek.com Features Editor Andrew Izatt 01733 293482 andrew.izatt@coachandbusweek.com Digital Editor James Day 01733 293244 james.day@coachandbusweek.com Art Director Ian Blaza Contributors Martin Cole, Jonathan Bray, David Bell, Tony Hunter, Steve Hodgson

ADVERTISING, MARKETING & EVENTS Advertising & Marketing Manager Ian Gillis 01733 293484 ian.gillis@coachandbusweek.com

One of the electric Versas for Nottingham was displayed on the Optare stand at last year’s Coach & Bus Live show

Groundbreaking stuff?

Assistant Advertising Manager Kerry Watson 01733 293488 Kerry.watson@coachandbusweek.com Senior Sales Executive Caroline Barnes 01733 293480 caroline.barnes@coachandbusweek.com

N

ottingham, which is no stranger to public transport innovation is breaking new ground. It’s set to become not only the British but European electric bus capital.

It puts the UK on the public transport map. It’s the sort of project which attracts fact �inding trips by the coach (or bus?) load.

Not surprisingly, it’s our cover story. As you will read on p16 in the report penned by my colleague Andy Izatt, by September 2015, a staggering 60 electric buses will be in service. It’s not stopping there either – for the city is bidding to convert all 500 commercial buses into so-called ‘Low Carbon Emission Buses.’

Almost half the funding has come from the council’s controversial Workplace Parking Levy (WPL). Like electric buses, that too was groundbreaking. Credit to Nottingham City Council, it appears to have used the WPL revenue for its raison d’etre – to promote alternatives to the private car. As we all know, those alternatives come at a cost.

On another bus note, which is also big news in this issue concerns the announcement that James Freeman is to move from Reading Transport.

Coming as a huge surprise move to many, his latest career step will take him away from a municipally-owned concern back into the world of the private sector plc. However, as some of you will be aware, James

Sales & Admin Executive Gemma Ireland 01733 293247 gemma.ireland@coachandbusweek.com Advertising Production June Barnard 01473 858761 june@adsproduction.co.uk

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www.coachandbusweek.com ISSN: 1351-3877 © 2014 Coach and Bus Week Ltd. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or system or in any means without the written permission of the directors. This is considered a breach of copyright and action will be taken where this occurs. This magazine must not be lent, sold, hired or otherwise disposed of in a mutilated condition or in any authorised cover by way, or by trade, or annexed to any publication or advertising matter without first obtaining written permission from the directors.

The opinions and views expressed by authors and contributors within Coach & Bus Week are not necessarily those of the Editor or its publisher Coach and Bus Week Ltd. xxxxxxxx p18 Passengers and revenue up 9% at National Express p7

Excelsior joins the Guild of British Coach Operators p11

xxxxxxxx p18

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Level crossing campaign p14 BVG orders VDL Citeas targets professional drivers p6

Electric Versas for York Park-and-Ride start p8

ON: NOTTINGHAM CITY TRANSPORT p8 ISSUE FOCUS

SPECIAL Buses to help improve services start to arrive in Malta

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Optare double deck launch Yorkshire manufacture’s latest edition completes bus range p16 p20

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MAN for the Euro 6 job Ian Manning retires

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We look at key areas of the business and talk to the people who make it happen

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is returning to his roots. He’s joining FirstGroup in Bristol.

With its notorious levels of traf�ic congestion and powerful cycling lobby (the home of Sustrans), Bristol is not somewhere for the faint-hearted – not to mention a local media which has historically attacked First at seemingly every opportunity and parochial local authorities. That said, it would be wrong not to recognise the efforts of the city council in trying to help buses, as I featured in my report on the Young Bus Managers Network (YBMN) conference held there about a year ago.

Indeed, it’s no exaggeration to say James has inspired many YBMN members, thanks to his tireless efforts to encourage the next generation. I’m sure FirstGroup graduate trainees will bene�it from his seemingly endless words of wisdom and depth of experience.

Looking at the wider signi�icance of the move, I can’t help but conclude it’s indicative of another milestone reached by Giles Fearnley and his team in turning round the once ailing tanker that was FirstGroup.

After all, I can’t imagine James going there if he thought it was all going to unravel…

Gareth Evans Editor

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The latest news, views, features, jobs, vehicles for sale AND MUCH MORE...

27/05/2014 18:31

June 18, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 3 16/06/2014 18:38

CONTENTS

16 20 26 28

ELECTRIC BUSES

Transport Minister Baroness Kramer visits the EcoHub in Nottingham

SUPPLIER PROFILE

Refurbishment specialists Thornton Brothers of Ashington

SUPPLIER UPDATE

50 years at Bradford-based coach and bus system supplier, Autosound

Cover Story...

Electric future for Nottingham p16

LEGAL NEWS

Carmel Coaches O-licence revoked at Public Inquiry

MINIBUS

37 38 44 48

Comment

A gradual upward trend in the market as there is growing confidence amongst customers

Minibus News

New products from Bluebird and Minis to Midis

Minibus Event 2014 Hampshire County Council hosts at Basingstoke

Euro 6 Minibus

Martin Cole visits EvoBus at Dortmund to see the latest range of OEMproduced minibuses

Top Stories

Regulars

6 l James Freeman to leave Reading Buses for First

06 News 08 Bus News 10 Coach News 12 Regional News 40 Big Picture 76 Last Stop 77 People

7 l Wrightbus International opens AbuDhabi office 8 l Cardiff Airport Express out performs rail alternative 8 l First East England to split long X1 route from July 27

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16/06/2014 19:10

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improve services Buses to help in Malta start to arrive

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Operator Awards

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April 9, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 5

13/06/2014 19:10 12:12 16/06/2014

NEWS B R I E F LY l RATING AGENCY Moody’s has maintained RATP’s AA1 scoring. It says that it’s justified because of the key role played

by RATP in maintaining public transport services in the Ile-deFrance, the institutional context and the constant improvement in its financial performance and productivity over the past five years.

James Freeman to leave Reading Buses as First reshuffles

l ORGANISERS OF THE SEVENTH annual Low Carbon Vehicle Event – LCV2014 – taking place on September 10 and 11, 2014 at Millbrook Proving Ground have announced attendees can register. Attendance is free of charge for the two day event and can be completed at www. cenex-lcv.co.uk. Tickets to the Low Carbon Vehicle Dinner, which is to be held at the Jury’s Inn, Milton Keynes can be purchased by contacting lcvsales@cenex.co.uk or by calling 01509 635 756. Last year, LCV2013 set a new record of attendance with over 1,950 delegates and 154 exhibitors. l THE STANDARD FARE for tourists to use the bus in Guernsey is no longer twice the price of the fare for residents. The fare for a single journey is now £1, and is considered the ‘first step’ in the move to trial a free bus service for 18 months, agreed as part of a recently approved transport strategy.

An Environment Department spokesman said: “The decision addresses the much publicised concerns expressed from various quarters.”

6 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 18, 2014 006_007_CBW1142_News.indd 6

Freeman is to take the role of Managing Director at First Bristol & West of England, while Paul Matthews is moved to West Yorkshire James Freeman is leaving Reading Buses where he’s CEO to join First as Managing Director for Bristol and the West of England.

Paul Matthews, who is currently Managing Director for Bristol and the West of England, has been appointed to the newly created Managing Director position in West Yorkshire. James takes up his new position at the end of September, with Paul moving following a handover period.

Managing Director of First UK Bus, Giles Fearnley said: “These are important appointments as we look to build upon our new localised, customer focused strategy and complete our line-up of local Managing Directors across the division.

“Paul Matthews has done a great job in Bristol and the West of England since early 2013 and I’m delighted he has accepted the position in West Yorkshire. Prior to joining First, Paul had tremendous experience in leading large bus operations for the Go Ahead Group and RATP Dev, and this will be invaluable as he takes charge in West Yorkshire and looks to further strengthen relationships with all our partners and stakeholders.

“I’m delighted that James Freeman will take over as Managing Director and build on Paul’s achievements. James has led the transformation of Reading Buses delivering record levels of customer satisfaction and

James Freeman held the position of CEO at Reading Transport for almost seven years passenger growth and has also led pioneering work on alternative fuels. In James we have recruited one of the bus industry’s star performers – our whole business will benefit from his experience.”

Paul said: “I am delighted to have been offered this opportunity to lead the West Yorkshire business through the next critical stage of its development and transformation and look forward to working with the team and our partners.

“I leave Bristol in a strong position, but there is so much more do be done. I am confident that James, working with the great team there, will be able to seize the many opportunities. In the meantime I will, of course, remain fully committed to Bristol and the West of England until the transition is complete.”

James said: “I have had a wonderful time at Reading Buses. We have created a topquality team here whose success has been measured in awards won, passenger satisfaction at record-breaking levels and best of all in the high regard that local

people have for the buses here and the people who operate them.

“My time at Reading Buses is the longest stint in one job of my bus industry career of almost 40 years. In the past seven years I have made many good friends here and learned that Reading is a very good place to be.

“While I feel no pressure to leave Reading, I feel that the time has come for a new challenge. For family reasons I need to go back to the West Country – so now I have the chance to return to Bristol where I started my first desk-based job in the bus industry as a grade 1b clerk way back in April 1975.

As a matter of fact I will be moving back to live in the very same road in Bath where I was born.

“The post of Managing Director of First Bristol & West of England is a significant career progression for me. Furthermore, it will be a great personal challenge to be responsible for so much of the public transport in the area where I was born and brought up.”

Chairman of Reading Buses, David Sutton, said: “We are very sorry to be losing James, of course, but we recognise that this is a unique opportunity for him, in both personal and professional terms, and we wish him all the best for the future.

“He has done a marvellous job for Reading Buses in his seven years with us, and the awards recently won by the company testify to this.

“We will now be seeking to appoint a successor who can build on all James’s excellent work and maintain the company’s position as an award-winning and innovative national leader.”

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16/06/2014 18:17

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Wright’s opens Middle East of�ice

Wright Group subsidiary, Wrightbus International has opened a permanent of�ice in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi. Headed

by Middle East Manager, Paul Brannigan, it will provide a springboard for the company’s business ambitions in the region. Wrightbus International already has operations in India, Singapore and Hong Kong in addition to its headquarters in Northern Ireland.

Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE and one of the fastest developing cities in the world, says Wright’s. Masdar City is a strategic government initiative powered entirely by renewable energy and provides a

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benchmark for sustainable working and living. It is recognised as the technological hub for the region and, with its location next to Abu Airport and just 40 minutes from Dubai, provides access to a wide regional catchment area.

Speaking at the of�icial opening, Wrightbus International Managing Director Damian McGarry, said: “Wrightbus is one of the world’s pre-eminent bus manufacturers and our new of�ices here in Masdar gives us the perfect platform to showcase our wide product range and extensive capabilities to the entire Middle Eastern market.

“Our of�ice is situated alongside other multinationals such as Mitsubishi, General Electric, Schneider, The International Renewable Energy Agency and Siemens, all of whom have also seen the long term bene�its which Masdar offers. More than 500 international delegations from government, business

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and academia visit each year giving us unmatched exposure in the region. As a dynamic research and development hub, Masdar is structured to encourage knowledge transfer, market intelligence and specialised expertise and is seen as a hive of innovation in the transportation sector.

“In addition, having the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, a graduate university focused on renewable energy and sustainability, on our doorstep will further allow us to develop our strength in the ‘cleantech’ sector which is worth $100bn in the MENA (Middle East & North Africa) region.”

Paul Brannigan said: “We plan to run a demonstration programme of our StreetLite range in the coming months, following on from the resounding success of our New Routemaster, which we showcased to public acclaim at the Bahrain Air Show in January.”

Masdar Chief Operating Officer, Mohamed El Ramahi (fifth from right) welcomes Wrightbus International Middle East Director, Paul Brannigan. Also pictured are Paul Fox, Charge d’affairs, British Embassy Abu Dhabi (third left), Managing Director of Wrightbus International, Damian McGarry (second right) and Anthony Mallows, Director of Masdar City

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Revised PSV vehicle test allocation times The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) commissioned a work measurement study of heavy goods and public service vehicle annual testing last year to ensure it has accurate and up-to-date timings.

With almost 80% of all annual tests now being conducted at Authorised Testing Facilities (ATFs), the study focused on work carried out at these locations, but also included observations at DVSA’s own test stations.

The work was carried out by the Department for Transport’s own in-house analytical consultancy (IHAC) and external engineers from Scott Grant Ltd. The time data covered all HGV, trailers and PSVs together with ATF by type: drive through, drive in – reverse out, and non-standard.

The DVSA will use the revised average test guide times for all tests booked after July 1, 2014. ATF operators can use the new times as a guide for scheduling and to plan test lane loading. However, each vehicle will still be given as long as possible to have a quality annual test. The impact this will have on businesses will depend on the mix of vehicles booked for the test.

All PSV vehicles saw their average guide times revised down. Vehicles with less than 24 seats have a new guide time of 45 minutes (down �ive minutes). For 24-49 seats, the guide time is 50 minutes without seatbelts (down 20) and 55 minutes with seatbelts (down 15). For large vehicles with 50+ seats, the guide time is 55 minutes without seatbelts (down 15) and 65 minutes with (down �ive).

June 18, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 7 16/06/2014 18:17

NEWS › BUSES

15

The seating capacity of the Euro 6 MercedesBenz Travel 65

8.6%

The rise in UK visiting coaches to t’Zand, Belgium in 2013

SHARE WATCH

Cardiff Airport Express performing well

Industry share prices at the close of the Stock Exchange on Monday, June 16. 21st Century saw the greatest proportional rise, while FirstGroup saw the greatest proportional drop.

Most figures obtained from www.lse.co.uk

Service is already seeing more use than the rail alternative, though some improvements are necessary

421.60p

Price: Year High: 471.00p Year Low: 374.10p

-8.30 on last week

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-7.80 on last week

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-127.00

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367.60p

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on last week

-15.10 on last week

-18.40 on last week

SAME on last week

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+0.85 on last week

FTSE 100

6,763

Index: Year High: 6,878 Year Low: 6,029

-115 on last week

8 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 18, 2014 008_009_CBW1142_News.indd 8

The new Cardiff Airport Express bus has made a good start in securing its share of passengers, according to an independent report.

The report, by Professor Cole of the University of South Wales, was commissioned by the Welsh Government to review the effectiveness of the new service. It found that the service, which has been operated by First Cymru, has achieved all that was expected of it despite a number of challenges.

Operational performance (reliability and timekeeping) was good, although peak vehicle requirement had to increase from �ive to six to cover operational dif�iculties.

The service started on August 1, 2013, which the report pointed out as being a ‘not ideal’ time to start an airport service, with high season coming to an end and most leisure travellers having already decided on their mode of

transport. With this in mind, the low season had an effective subsidy per passenger trip of £7.32, though this could fall to £4.04 once the summer high season is taken into account.

Although passenger demand is at its lowest in winter, the service attracted 4.7% of the landside travel market, signi�icantly ahead of the rail alternative. This amounts to a 7.2% share for public transport when combined with the 3% share held by the rail service via Rhoose to Cardiff International Airport.

Transport Minister, Edwina Hart said: “This service was introduced in response to public demand and passengers expect a fast, frequent public transport link between the city centre and an airport.

“I am pleased that this report recognises the need for this service. As with any new venture like this, monitoring and evaluation is key and this report is part of that process.”

The Minister has accepted some of the report’s recommendations including: ● A timetable that better re�lects

the airport �light schedule. The report found varying levels of demand and therefore the timetable will be changed to operate every 20 minutes during daytimes in the summer and every 30 minutes at other times; ● Research to identify key passenger markets for future growth; and ● Work to evaluate the bene�its of extra stops and revised routes.

The Minister continued: “Professor Cole has made a number of recommendations for improving the service in both the short and long term and I am minded to accept most of them.

“I have already asked the Vale of Glamorgan Council to begin the process of tendering for a revised service, to deliver some of those changes.

“I want to see Cardiff Airport thrive and having quality public transport links is vital to achieve that aim.”

The full report is available from http://wales.gov.uk/ topics/transport/aviation-home/ cdfair/cae/?lang=en

First East England to split X1 route First East England’s X1 �lagship route is to be split into two parts from July 27, 2014, reportedly due to the disruption caused by the Postwick Junction roadworks on the A47 east of Norwich.

The Norwich Bus Page reported that the splitting of the route means buses will operate from Peterborough to Norwich every 30 minutes, with another bus operating between Norwich and Lowestoft every 20 minutes. As a result of this, seven of the X1’s �leet of 22 high speci�ication Alexander Dennis Enviro400s will transfer to Caister Road depot and the current ‘X1 short’ journeys will be withdrawn.

The Peterborough-Norwich section of the route will be covered solely by King’s Lynn based drivers, whereas the Norwich-Lowestoft section will be covered by both Great Yarmouth and Lowestoftbased drivers.

It is currently unknown whether the changes are on a temporary basis while the Postwick roadworks take place, or whether they will become permanent.

With forthcoming changes, the X1 will omit Toftwood Estate,

First East England regards the X1 as its flagship route. One of the route’s dedicated vehicles is seen at Peterborough bus station which leaves Konectbus as the only option for locals.

A spokesman from First told CBW: “Due to the roadworks at Postwick, we have had to make a number of changes to the X1 service. The changes, which will take place from July 27, have been made for the bene�it of our passengers to ensure we run a reliable service, every 30 minutes from Peterborough to Norwich and every 20 minutes from Norwich to

Lowestoft. The journey will be split at Norwich.

“Regrettably, due to the above, we are unable to serve Toftwood during this time. The X1 is our �lagship service and we would like to reassure our passengers that we will continue to monitor the situation ensuring our customers receive the best possible service. While passengers will have to change buses at Norwich, through fares are still available.” www.coachandbusweek.com

16/06/2014 19:08

440

The number of staff working at National Express contractor Edwards

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Worcestershire Council no longer withdrawing entire bus subsidy Worcestershire County Council’s Cabinet has agreed plans for the future of subsidised bus services, which have been shaped by the views put forward during one of the largest consultations carried out.

Around 8,500 responses came back during the consultation, which took place between November 2013 and January 2014.

Originally a full withdrawal of the £3m used to subsidise bus services – usually the less popular or less well-used services – was proposed, but this has been reduced to £1.6m.

The responses received during the consultation showed essential shopping and education were among the main reasons people use subsidised buses and those in rural areas or offering access to health services were important.

In addition, almost half of the people that responded indicated they would be prepared to pay an increased fare to retain services.

A number of services that have previously received subsidies will operate on a commercial basis and those linking to schools, rural areas, health services and providing access to essential shopping areas will largely remain, with some change to frequency levels. Where appropriate and in line with the comments from the consultation, some fares will see a

modest increase.

The changes agreed will come into effect in September.

Cllr John Smith OBE, County Council Cabinet Member for Highways, said: “We stressed just how important it was for people to have their say during the consultation a few months ago. The feedback we received has shaped today’s decision on the future plans, which have changed considerably compared to what was first being considered. We have listened to what residents and businesses have told us. Once again, I’d like to thank everyone that took the time to get in touch and take part.

“The financial challenge the County Council is facing means we have to make tough decisions to ensure every penny we spend across all of our services is offering the best value for money. This is one such issue.

“Back in February we took a considered approach as we knew this important decision could not be rushed. Since then work on a thorough service-byservice review and discussions with operators have taken place.

The vast majority of passengers will now still be able to access public transport options, through both commercial and subsidised services, whilst at the same time, realising savings for the taxpayer.”

Epsom MetroCitys enter service

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TfL forges on with Cycle Safety Action Plan l Carrying out trials of detection equipment on London buses to help drivers be more aware of pedestrians and cyclists near their vehicles, which if successful could be rolled out across London’s bus fleet. TfL will also look to trial Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA), which would monitor and potentially restrict the top speed of buses; l Working with cycle manufacturers to improve how easy it is to see bicycles by building lights or retro-reflective equipment into bike frames; l Continuing to develop and deliver the Safer Urban Driving CPC course to help put more than 10,000 freight and fleet drivers a year through essential safety training; and l Doubling the number of adult cyclists receiving advanced skills training by creating a dedicated London Virtual Skills Hub. This will allow online booking of cycle training and advanced safety skills across London to attract more commuter cyclists to take up training.

Transport for London (TfL) has outlined a range of trials and initiatives which will begin later this year as part of the continuing work to make the capital’s roads safer.

The upcoming work, which will include making bicycles more visible and vehicle braking systems more responsive, forms part of TfL’s revised Cycle Safety Action Plan.

The fully updated London Cycling Design Standards, which inform the work of those designing cycling infrastructure in the capital, have also been published for public consultation.

One of TfL’s top priorities is to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on London’s roads by 40% by 2020.

The revised Cycle Safety Action Plan builds on the previous plan published in 2010, and contains 32 new actions which TfL, the police, London boroughs and all organisations involved in making cycling safer will work together to deliver.

New actions within the Plan include:

BUCKINGHAM 3 & 2 • Ideal for 3 & 2 configurations • Ergonomic design for maximum support, comfort and legroom • Tried & tested: fitted into many new coaches as OEM • Full range of legs and fitting options make the Buckingham ideal for upseating to 70+ seats

The first Optare MetroCitys for London, 12 buses for Epsom Coaches’ Quality Line operation, have entered service on Transport for London (TfL) tendered route S1, which has been extended from Banstead and Mitcham to also serve Lavender Fields. MetroCity is a specially developed version of the Versa for London. The first MetroCitys to enter service were four EVs for London United. They operate from Hounslow on route H98. Another two electric MetroCitys are expected to go to Arriva London at Croydon.

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• Lighter weight makes easier for installation Prime Passenger Seating Limited 7 Canalwood Industrial Estate, Chirk, Wrexham LL14 5RL Telephone: 01691 898 665 Fax: 01691 770 798 Email: johnm@primeps.com

www.primeps.com June 18, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 9 16/06/2014 19:08

NEWS › COACHES

Coach access changes in Bruges Zero-traffic city zone extended to include t’Zand Square and the Vrijdagmarkt Arrangements for visiting coaches to the popular Belgian tourist honeypot of Bruges have changed recently.

The city received more than 200,000 UK overnight visitors alone in 2013, 8.7% more than 2012 – and its visitor numbers rose 8.6% in 2013. Due to the very nature of the city’s popularity and in keeping with its medieval status, the city says it wishes to optimise the experience for both visitors and residents alike, and for some time has operated a no traffic policy in the city centre.

However, since May 15, the city zone has been extended to include t’Zand Square and the Vrijdagmarkt. This means coaches should use the designated coach park on Bargeplein, unless drivers are dropping off/picking up passengers directly from hotels.

Tourism Bruges advises that touring coaches will no longer be allowed to drop off at t’Zand, the place where coach drivers occasionally drop off visitors to the city. Drivers and operators are warned that the arrangements are being enforced by the police.

Bruges’ historic centre is a magnet for British tourists Bruges has a dedicated parking area which can accommodate up to 140 coaches, situated at the Bargeplein, Kanaaleiland.

It is open 24 hours a day and visitors can find amenities such as toilets, cash machines and a covered shelter in case of bad weather. The historic city centre

lies within easy walking distance and there is a regular De Lijn city bus service to the centre.

Parking charges for coaches will vary depending on the duration of stay in the city. At the time of going to press, 24 hours cost €25, while a stay of between four and 11 hours is charged at €20. A visit

less than four hours costs €13.

For more information, visit https://bezoekers. brugge.be/coaches. Operators can contact the car park management by sending an email to COV@interparking.com or call 0032 50 339030.

Whittles Offers KEMP Hospice day trips Whittle Coach and Bus has generously extended a kind offer of help to local charity KEMP Hospice, offering Wyre Forest patients and their families day trips to help improve their quality of life during difficult times.

General Manager of Whittle Coach and Bus, David Shipp, said: “We are delighted to support KEMP Hospice by making available, at no cost, access to empty seats on our day trips. I know from personal experience what a valuable service hospices, their staff and volunteers provide to ensure that patients are able to continue enjoying life as much as possible, as well as allowing the opportunity for their carers to get some well-earned rest during such a difficult time.

10 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 18, 2014 010_011_CBW1142_Coach News.indd 10

“After speaking with KEMP we felt that rather than making a monetary contribution we were in a position to give something a little different by offering patients, or carers, a lovely day out on a choice of our excursions that haven’t quite sold out and which would otherwise be operating with some empty seats.”

KEMP Hospice adult and child services are all provided free of charge, offering specialist care and support to patients, families and carers who are dealing with life limiting illness and bereavement, with the aim of maintaining their independence or supporting them to adapt to changing abilities so that they can live their lives to the full for as long as possible.

KEMP Hospice Fundraising Administrator Julie Hicks and David Shipp, General Manager of Whittle Coach and Bus Head of Care at KEMP Hospice, Sue Harrison, said: “We are very grateful for this kind offer from Whittles as it will enable bereaved families to enjoy a special day out.

“With support from our

Hospice at Home team, who will look after the patient, tired and strained carers will be able to enjoy a coach trip, giving them the much needed opportunity to take a few hours respite to relax and enjoy a change of scene.” www.coachandbusweek.com

16/06/2014 13:15

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Inverness coach bays reinforced The Highland Council has introduced new road traffic signs on the south side of Ardross Street, Inverness, which reinforces Traffic Order parking arrangements for coaches and HGVs on the street.

The new signage consists of white on blue parking ‘P’ signs, with “Coaches” signs that state: “1000 – 1700hrs maximum stay two hours” and another sign below which states: “Coaches & HGVs strictly prohibited at all other times.”

Cars are prohibited from parking on the south side of Ardross Street between 1000 to 1700hrs in the designated coach bays.

Motorists are being advised of the new signage as the Council has also made the police and city parking wardens aware of the enforcement.

“The council has put in place these parking arrangements and drop-off area on Ardross Street for tourist coaches, which we welcome to the city,” said Councillor Ian Brown, Leader of the City of Inverness Area.

“We have invested in this scheme as we recognise the significant importance of the tourism economy to businesses and the vibrancy and vitality they inject into the City.”

The south side of Ardross Street is adjacent to the Northern Meeting Park.

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P.C. Coaches stays loyal to Scania P.C. Coaches of Lincoln has this year placed a repeat order for three front-line Scania touring vehicles. The trio of coaches has been purchased due to the company’s expansion.

Supported by the firm’s local Scania dealer in Lincoln, the vehicles are on Scania GB’s comprehensive two-year repair and maintenance package, which gives the operator capacity to maintain other vehicles within the fleet.

All three vehicles have been specified from the relevant factories and comprise of two Euro 5 Scania K 400 EB4x2 chassis with Irizar PB bodywork and a Euro 5 Scania K 400 EB6x2*4 with OmniExpress 36 bodywork. The vehicles have Scania’s two-pedal Opticruise gearbox and do not require the use of AdBlue to meet Euro 5 emission levels.

The two Irizars were specified with 49 passenger seats, threepoint seatbelts, alloy wheels, full

Lucketts Travel Group passes audits

Lucketts Travel Group has had its commitment to ensuring it meets the highest of standards underpinned after passing the Guild of British Coach Operators and the Confederation of Passenger Transport’s Coach Marque audits, which are carried out every two years.

A P.C. Coaches Scania K 400 EB6x2*4 with OmniExpress 36 bodywork Bosch Professional Line audiovisual system, dark tinted glass and a centre washroom.

The Scania OmniEpxress 36 has been specified with 63 half-leather passenger seats, three-point seatbelts, a full Bosch Professional Line audio-visual system, reversing camera and a centre washroom.

Commenting on the new vehicles, P. C. Coaches owner Pete Smith said: “All our coaches are Scanias and have been for 15 years. Fuel consumption is always a concern from operators and we find Scania’s performance excellent, consistently returning 11 to 12 miles per gallon.”

“The next few years are going to be very exciting for Lucketts Travel Group,” said Joint Managing Director Ian Luckett. “They are going to be a challenge as we look to grow our business specifically in the area of private hire as well as building on our successful holiday business and ensuring we continue to be a market leader in the training and development of our drivers.

“We have a reputation for customer service, reliability,

investment and professionalism, and we’re delighted to have retained both membership of the Guild of British Coach Operators and Coach Marque. Achieving and exceeding the stringent criteria both organisations set has always been at the heart of what we do, and we will ensure this continues as we look to the future.

“We will also remain a firm with a family ethos at our heart – that is, after all the foundation the business has been built on.”

Edwards helping service leavers with guaranteed interviews Llantwit Fardre-based Edwards Coaches has pledged to offer guaranteed interviews to service leavers who are looking for driving jobs. Veterans simply need to meet minimum criteria, including holding a valid PCV license and, for safety reasons, live within an hour of the depot.

Whilst a guaranteed interview does not automatically mean a guaranteed job, it is hoped the chance to be interviewed professionally with constructive feedback, gives a valuable leg-up to ex-forces personnel, many of whom will not have had an interview since joining the forces.

A number of full-time roles are available and successful applicants will join a 440-strong team at www.coachandbusweek.com

010_011_CBW1142_Coach News.indd 11

Dave Smith and Dave Colton helped launch the initiative by Edwards.

PHIL VINTER/SPIRES MEDIA Edwards. Drivers will work on eight National Express routes including services to London, Heathrow and Gatwick.

The move follows a similar

commitment made by National Express, the first company in the country to sign the Government’s Corporate Covenant, which supports people who have served in

the Armed Forces so that they don’t faces disadvantages in civilian life.

Edwards already has numerous ex-forces personnel amongst its staff. Two of them, Dave Smith and Dave Colton helped launch the initiative. Dave Smith, 52, spent 23 years in the 1st Battalion Welsh Fusiliers before becoming a coach driver. Dave Colton, 56, joined the army at 17 and his time in service included tours in Germany and Northern Ireland, as well as time in Cyprus.

Edwards Coaches MD Jason Edwards said: “We’re committed to investing back in the communities in which we serve and we hope our guaranteed interviews scheme will offer local people who’ve served in the forces a welcome boost.

June 18, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 11 16/06/2014 13:15

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NEWS › REGIONAL WALES FOUR NEW SEAT BELTED Optares have joined the 30-strong fleet of buses at Lloyds Coaches in Machynlleth. The family-run firm has purchased an 11.1m and 11.7m Versa and two 9m Solo SRs to serve routes between Bangor, Aberystwyth, Tywyn and Newtown.

The Solo SRs are each expected to cover around 150,000 miles per annum, predominantly on rural routes, while the Versas will be used on out of town routes covering 200,000 miles each per year. Optare is taking four buses in part exchange, including the Tempo which the operator has had since 2005.

Lloyds Coaches chose a 115kW Mercedes Euro 5 engine with an Allison 2100 transmission and Rescroft CT Lite seating for both models. The Solo SRs are slim line models and have a seating capacity of 30, while the longer and wider Versa seat 44. All front facing seats are fitted with lap and diagonal seat belts. The vehicles are equipped with the latest Actia Telematics technology which tracks fuel consumption, driver performance, mileage, the number of stops the vehicle makes and its location. The vehicles are also fitted with Actia CCTV. Wyn Lloyd, who founded Lloyds Coaches in 2002, commented: “We looked at several buses, but chose Optare because it offered the best variety of engines and a comprehensive product support and aftercare service. We were attracted to the stylish design

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KEY

area, which it believes does not give a good impression of the city.

“The public rightly demand the best from the BBC”, said First Minister Carwyn Jones, who is confident this new state-of-theart headquarters will be on par with those in Glasgow, Salford and London.

“This development will at last give our programming teams the tools, the technology and the facilities to serve our audiences for decades to come.”

It is understood that the sale of the land will be concluded in the coming months, and will help fund the new development.

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

EAST

of the Solo SR and Versa. The demonstrator Versa which we trialled was very economical and reliable. Overall we were very impressed with Optare’s customer service.”

CARDIFF BUS STATION is preparing to undergo a major regeneration with the announcement that BBC Cymru Wales is to move its headquarters there in 2018.

The corporation’s current HQ in Llandaff will shut and staff will relocate to the new building in Central Square, partly due to the ageing infrastructure of the building.

The new 150,000 sq ft (13,936 sq m) building relies upon the wider Capital Square development around Cardiff Central railway station to progress as planned. The Capital Square project, delivered

by Rightacres Property, includes proposals to relocate the bus station.

As well as the existing BBC staff and services based at Llandaff, S4C has announced in principle that it plans to share some broadcasting services with the BBC at the new centre.

Cardiff Council Leader Phil Bale said the new building would fasttrack its plans for the bus station

A NEW MULTI-OPERATOR n ticket has been introduced in Aberdeen and surrounding

areas. The initiative involves Aberdeenshire Council, Aberdeen City Council and Nestrans and operators First Aberdeen, Stagecoach North Scotland, Bains Coaches, J&M Burns, Central Taxis (Aberdeen), Kineil Coaches, MW Nicoll Hirers (Laurencekirk) and Watermill Coaches.

Marketed as ‘Grasshopper,’ passengers can save around 15%, with day tickets costing £10.50 and weekly tickets £34.

This gives them access to the Aberdeenshire area, which encompasses Banchory, Dunecht, Echt, Ellon, Inverurie, Kemnay, Kintore, Newburgh, Newmachar, Newtonhill, Oldmeldrum, Stonehaven, Tarves and intermediate areas.

Doug Bain of Bains Coaches said: “The new Grasshopper ticket will make it easier for people to hop on and off buses without having to wait for the bus of a particular operator.”

Pictured here are: Managing Director of First Aberdeen Duncan

12 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 18, 2014 012_014_CBW1142_Regional News.indd 12

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Cameron; Douglas Bain Proprietor Bains Coaches; Managing Director of Stagecoach North Scotland; and Steve Walker, Chairman of Aberdeenshire Council’s Infrastructure Services Committee.

NORMAN ADAMS, ABERDEEN CITY COUNCIL.

ARRIVA is offering what it calls a ‘Summer Sizzler’ fare on its buses running along London Road between Hadleigh and Southend from June 8 through to the end of August.

The £3 maximum return fare will cut the cost of travel for journeys from Hadleigh and Leigh-on-Sea to and from Southend on routes 1 and 5, which between them, run eight times an hour on Mondays to Saturdays.

Arriva’s Regional Publicity Manager, Richard Lewis, said: “We have had to revise our fares in the Southend area from June 8 to keep pace with continually-rising costs since our last price review nearly two years ago.

“We are pleased to be able to offer a cap on the return fare along London Road to and from Southend which will offer good value for money, especially for those travelling from Hadleigh and we hope that people who might not have used the bus for a while will try it out for some of their local journeys, at the same time helping to reduce congestion and pollution in the area.

“Our range of day, weekly and four-weekly tickets allows unlimited travel on all our buses across the Southend, Rayleigh, Rochford and Castle Point area and these continue to give great value for money, with the added benefit that the more journeys people make, the more they save.”

CAMBRIDGESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has announced the details of parking charges at the city’s park and ride sites to much controversy ahead of the introduction of fees next month.

The charges received hundreds of objections, warning it would lead drivers to park into the congested www.coachandbusweek.com

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700622-1136-BAE_Layout 1 28/04/2014 17:24 Page 1

GREEN IS GO. AND GO.

The latest leap forward for the BAE Systems HybriDriveŽ propulsion system enables “virtual electric� zero-emission operations.

By combining the best features of on-route inductive recharging and K\EULG NQRZ KRZ +\EUL'ULYH SURSXOVLRQ V\VWHPV ZLOO SRZHU WKH ÀUVW clean-air bus truly capable of meeting the gruelling 18-hour shifts expected by bus operators – and it will do so while running up to 70% RI WKH WLPH HPLVVLRQ IUHH ZLWK WKH UHPDLQGHU DV D IXHO HIÀFLHQW K\EULG A massive step towards our vision of 100% emission-free buses in the UK. HybriDrive – delivering the zero-emission future of the bus – today. www.hybridrive.com

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NEWS › REGIONAL city centre or residential streets.

The county council said it needed to cover the five sites’ annual running costs, which stand at more than £1m.

The authority has confirmed that there will be a £1 charge for stays between one and 18 hours, with stays under an hour free for drop-offs and pick-ups, and for a collection of goods from John Lewis’ distribution centre at Trumpington.

Charges for longer stays are: £10 for between 18 and 24 hours; £20 for between 24 and 48 hours; and £30 for between 48 and 72 hours.

Tickets will be available from machines outside the buildings on the sites, with discounts for online or mobile purchases.

Number plate reading cameras will monitor who has paid, so there will be no requirement to display a ticket or go through a barrier.

More details of the system will be announced later, the council said.

MIDLANDS

FIRST POTTERIES has unveiled a new network of bus routes across North Staffordshire as part of a major service review.

The operator consulted with more than 1,200 passengers in the spring, and has now drawn up new timetables after agreeing to amend and introduce new routes across the city of Stoke on Trent.

Highlights include routes 21/21A through Trentham, which will now operate via Stoke-on-Trent railway station; new service 21B will be introduced to operate via Longton Road, in Trentham, serving a new bus stop at the Trentham Estate; and new service 17 will be introduced to serve the Sneyd Green area, including Ralph Drive.

All routes serving Longton Interchange will continue as previously. Route 1 towards Bentilee and Hanley will serve The Strand. Services 23/23A via Stoke Town will continue to operate their current route, serving both the town centre and Stoke station.

First spokesman Ady Culpin told CBW: “We are really pleased with the feedback and found the comments invaluable in helping us to determine what the final network would look like. We have listened to the comments made by many people and so the original proposal has changed to accommodate the demand of the majority of the bus users.”

The new network will take effect from Sunday, July 20 and full timetables will be available from Monday, June 23.

SCOTLAND TO CELEBRATE FATHER’S DAY, First offered dads free travel on its buses across Scotland – when accompanied by their children.

Dads were allowed to travel free in Glasgow, Clydebank, East Kilbride, Dumbarton, Kirkintilloch, Motherwell, Hamilton and a host of other towns and villages, when their son or daughter bought a FirstDay or Child FirstDay ticket from the driver. Dads received a free FirstDay ticket valid for the same area of travel.

First’s Commercial Director for Scotland, Kevin Belfield, said: “This initiative is our way of saying ‘Happy Father’s Day’ and encouraging children of all ages to get out and about with Dad and enjoy a day to remember.”

SOUTH EAST

READING BUSES’ sponsored open day – also known as the ‘family fun day’ – will take place on Sunday June 29, open from 1100 to 1600hrs and is free entry.

Reading Buses say the day will have activities for visitors of all ages, such as football games, ‘buses and ladders’, tombola and professional face-painting from sponsors Glitter and Sparkles. It will be similar to a summer feté type event but with a bus theme.

The open day continues to grow every year, and will feature a variety of stalls serving food and drink with a barbeque once again sponsored by Tilehurst Village Butchers Shop.

A myriad of buses will be on display, including vintage buses, with behind the scenes tours of Reading Buses’ control room and the popular engineering department. All profits will go to Reading Buses 2014 charity Launchpad.

“We are confirming more activities and attendees all the time and we hope we can get even more people through the doors than last year,” said Reading Buses Marketing Manager Jake Osman.

“We have a free shuttle bus that runs between our depot and the town throughout the day – and if it’s sunny, we usually have an open-topper.”

“We are extremely lucky this year to have the generous support of Alexander Dennis and Ticketer Ticketing Systems to whom we are extremely grateful. They have contributed so that the maximum amount of money can go to our charity of the year.”

14 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 18, 2014

012_014_CBW1142_Regional News.indd 14

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DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

The Routemaster 60 event takes place at Finsbury Park in London from July 12-13, 2014. Pictured is Stagecoach West’s RML2657

2014 n June 29 Reading Buses seventh annual open day Great Knollys Street depot 1100-1600hrs. 0118 959 4000 n June 29 Wessex Transport Society Bus Rally Ringwood, Hampshire. 01202 293245.

mikepenny.wts@gmail.com

n July 2 European Bus Forum 2014 Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester. www. europeanbusforum.com n July 5-6 North Norfolk Railway Bus Rally. Heritage bus service both days, transport festival on Sunday. Email bus@johnrstewart. co.uk for an entry form. n July 9 – 10 Ambulex trade show, Ricoh Area, Coventry, 01527 521 300 www.ambulex.com/ exhibition n July 12–13 Routemaster 60.

Finsbury Park, London. Organised by the Routemaster Association, the event will commemorate the 60th anniversary of the unveiling of RM1.

www.routemaster.org.uk

n July 20 Alton Bus Rally.

Anstey Park, Alton, Hants. www. altonbusrally.org.uk n August 31 Buses Festival.

Heritage Motor Museum, Gaydon.

10 – 1700hrs. Contact: michelle. withers@keypublishing.com n September 9 Association of Trainers AGM. Birmingham. 01797 344251 www.asot.org.uk/index.php/ asot/come-to-meet-us-menu n September 10-11 Low Carbon Vehicle Event, Millbrook,

Bedfordshire. 01509 635 750. www. cenex-lcv.co.uk n September 14 Bus & Coach Wales Merthyr Tydfil n September 14 UK Bus Driver of the Year 2014 Blackpool. bdoy@ btinternet.com n September 21 Showbus 2014.

Imperial War Museum, Duxford. www.showbus.com n September 25 - October 2 IAA Commercial Vehicle Show.

Hannover, Germany. www.iaa.de n October 28-31 International Bus and Coach Trade Fair Feria de Madrid Avda del Partenon, 5 28042 Madrid, Spain www.ifema.es n October 5 Bluebell Railway Vintage Bus Day. 01825 720800, visit www.bluebell-railway.com or email d.morgan52@btinternet.com n October 6–7 CPT Scotland Annual Conference. Cameron House Hotel, Alexandria. 0131 272 2150. www.cpt-uk.org n November 4-6 Euro Bus Expo Expo 2014 NEC Birmingham www. eurobusexpo.com n November 4 – 7 QV Associates Introduction to Bus & Crew Scheduling course. Birmingham.

01905 613527. http://qv-associates. com n November 18 – 21 QV Associates Route & Timetable Planning course. Birmingham.

01905 613527. http://qv-associates. com

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

www.coachandbusweek.com

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June 18, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 15

NEWS FOCUS › ELECTRIC BUS TECHNOLOGY

Electrifying Nottingham The first dedicated operating centre for electric buses in the country has been officially unveiled in Nottingham. It serves what is becoming the largest fleet of this type of vehicle in Europe as Andy Izatt reports Transport Minister Baroness Kramer joined Nottingham City Council (NCC) Portfolio Holder for Transportation and Planning Cllr Jane Urquhart last week to officially launch the extension of electric bus operation to the city’s Medilink service and the creation of a demonstration ‘EcoHub’ at the Queen’s Drive Park-and-Ride site. It includes the first dedicated operating centre for electric buses in the country as NCC progressively introduces 60 vehicles, the largest fleet in Europe.

The minister said: “There are great benefits to transforming bus travel in this way – pleasant journeys for passengers, improved air quality in our towns and cities and a boost for the local economy thanks to reduced congestion. By committing to making all of its buses electric, NCC is leading the way and is setting a great example for others to follow.”

Nottingham’s Electric Bus Partnership started in September 2012 with the introduction of four Optare Solo EVs on the free city centre Centrelink service supported by e.on and operated by trent barton. Part of a batch of eight, those buses have Enova drive

systems, Optare having progressed from the Siemens technology used in its prototype Solo EV and the vehicles used on the Durham Cathedral service.

Centrelink connects Victoria bus station north of the city centre with Broadmarsh bus station in the south and, part of the city’s Statutory Quality Partnership Scheme, is designed so commercial services not meeting the required scheme standard can terminate at those locations and passengers can transfer.

Since then the Electric Bus Partnership has further extended to include Locallink services and the high frequency Medilink Park-and-Ride service to Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC) and City Hospital which carry 1.4m passengers a year and are operated

by Nottingham Community Transport. There are currently 28 electric buses in operation. In addition to those original eight, there are nine nine-metre Optare Solo EVs with SR style bodies and 11 10.4m Versa EVs. Another 17 Solo EVs will be delivered by August.

Lithium Phosphate batteries in two packs of 26 are used in conjunction with a Magtec electric drive system that incorporates a P144 permanent magnet traction motor that Optare Deputy CEO and Chief Technical Officer Glenn Saint complemented for its efficiency.

Range is around 90 miles depending on duty.

Glenn made the key point

Fast charging can be completed in around two hours using APT Technologies Evolt 50kW DC rapid chargers 16 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 18, 2014 016_018_CBW1142_Electric Bus.indd 16

The Queens Drive operating facility has 27 overnight chargers and three daytime fast chargers that electric buses were now a commercial proposition. They’re not for every route, but selected duties where charge wouldn’t be depleted below 30-40% of battery capacity. That avoids unnecessary degradation and means the battery pack could outlast the life of the vehicle so no mid-life replacement required. While the cost of a Solo EV is around twice that of its diesel equivalent, payback would still be in around five years.

NCC is to fund another 15 buses to cover remaining contracted services by September 2015. It will own all 60 once they’re in service representing the largest electric bus fleet in Europe.

The drive-through electric charging operating base that has been established at Queen’s Drive Park-and-Ride site has 27 three-phase 15kW overnight

chargers and three daytime APT Technologies Evolt Rapid 50kW DC chargers. Fast charging takes around two hours but needs to be ‘balanced’ by overnight charging, which takes around six hours. A transformer converts an 11,000 volt supply to the site to 440 volts with a rating of 500kva that feeds through a substation to all the charging points.

Broadmarsh Bus Station has another 12 overnight charging points and one fast charger that were originally installed as a contingency. There are another 10 overnight points at Nottingham Community Transport’s Sherwood garage where there are also two fast chargers. Trent barton has four overnight points at its Manvers Street depot in Nottingham and one fast charger so there are 53 slow charging points and seven www.coachandbusweek.com

16/06/2014 16:12

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SHOWCASE PROJECT

PANEL Title: Copy:

Queen’s Drive Park-and-Ride EcoHub

fast chargers already in place. NCC plans to increase this by as many as 20 over the next year, Bulwell bus station being a likely site for some if not all of them.

Why go electric?

Nottingham has two Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) so introducing zero emission vehicles (apart from a small diesel-powered unit that heats the interior of the bus during cold weather) assists in providing air quality and reducing carbon emissions, along with corresponding reductions in noise. It has a strategic sustainability target to cut carbon emissions by 26% by 2020 compared to 2005 levels.

Analysis of operating figures from September 2012 to the present day indicates that, on www.coachandbusweek.com

016_018_CBW1142_Electric Bus.indd 17

average, the electric buses are travelling 1km (kilometre) per kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity consumed. Low Carbon Emission Buses (LCEB) purchased using the Green Bus Fund (GBF) are certified to produce at least 30% less carbon emissions than a Euro 3 diesel bus, so the savings are significant.

Electric power also offers the added bonus of regenerative braking providing additional charging of the batteries.

Vehicles are quieter in operation and induce less ground borne vibration.

At the rate of 1kWh of electricity consumed per km travelled the fuel savings compared with a comparable diesel bus, and including the 6p per km LCEB incentive, are around 85% for contracted services that have

not been eligible for Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) since January 1, 2014. A diesel bus would typically be using around 2.5kWh to travel 1km. Further savings come from lower maintenance costs and no liability for vehicle excise duty.

Almost half the funding for the electric bus fleet has come from NCC’s Workplace Parking Levy, the Green Bus Fund and Local Sustainable Transport Fund. The first 45 buses have cost nearly £10m with the remaining orders worth up to £3.2m due by March 2015. Charging points have cost around £500,000. The operating base at the Queen’s Drive Parkand-Ride site was partially funded by the government Plugged-inPlaces programme.

It’s hoped to further develop the current fast charging system

What was just the Queen’s Drive Park-and-Drive site first opened in 1993. Today three Park-and-Ride bus services run from it – Citylink 1 to the city centre, Medilink to Queen’s Medical Centre and City Hospital, and Eventlink to events at Trent Bridge.

Nottingham City Council (NCC) wants to encourage people to try multi-modal transport so they finish their journey to work on a hire bike, electric bus or walking. A travel centre at what is now called the EcoHub offers information on all modes and options, and can update travel passes and tickets.

In addition to having Europe’s largest electric bus demonstration scheme, the EcoHub offers cycle hire, secure cycle storage, cycle training, guided cycle rides, direct access to Trent Valley Way footpath and Big Track off road cycle tracks, electric mobility scooter trials, electric car sharing, a coach drop off and pick up point, riverside walks and fishing, recycling (bottles, paper etc) and an Asda delivery point.

NCC is seeking new opportunities, new partners and new funding for more sustainable transport demonstration activities.

They include electric car demonstration days, electric bike hire, electric bus Parkand-Ride to the city centre, electric ferry to Trent Bridge for sporting events, electric feeder buses to the new tram network and renewable energy creation from solar panel ‘car ports’. through collaboration between the suppliers and Optare. Glenn pointed out that availability and range could be extended by doubling on-vehicle fast charge capacity and/or increasing battery storage although the latter would reduce passenger standing capacity.

Due to problems and inaccuracies encountered collecting vehicle performance data by conventional means, a bus

June 18, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 17 16/06/2014 16:12

NEWS FOCUS › ELECTRIC BUS TECHNOLOGY logging and tracking project was commissioned to develop a new system to collect information on the performance of the vehicles (energy consumption, distance travelled etc.) using Radio-Frequency Identi�ication (RFID) tags on vehicles and charging equipment, and GPS trackers. Bespoke software has been commissioned to collate this and upload it to a web portal.

NCC will hold the licence to market this system.

Going forward

By September 2015 electric buses will run on all city contracted services, a network of 40 routes with seven million trips a year.

That will include the remaining Locallink routes and Citylink Park-and-Ride services currently operated by Nottingham City Transport.

The project is expected to make annual fuel savings of nearly £1m a year over the next three years.

Unlike many other local authorities in these times of austerity, that should enable Nottingham’s network of tendered services to be maintained without signi�icant cuts.

NCC hopes to utilise local and sustainably produced electricity from solar PV (Photovoltaics) panels at the Park-and-Ride sites during the day and the city’s waste incinerator at night. It says

Nottingham Community Transport (NCT): General Manager Ian Combellack, Fleet Manager Tony Oldham, Scott Johnson from Mansfield-based Redfern Travel which undertakes NCT’s maintenance, and HR & Facilities Manager Chris Wouldhave

Optare: UK Retail Sales Manager Tim Matthews, Deputy CEO and Chief Technical Officer Glenn Saint and UK Sales Director John Horn

the incinerator produces very competitively priced electricity compared with commercial rates giving a further cost saving. Its Carbon Emission Factor is 0.153kg CO2/kWh compared with 0.446kg CO2/kWh for National Grid supplied electricity.

Wrightbus is a project partner.

NCC is keeping in touch with experience of inductive battery charging in Milton Keynes and its possible application in Nottingham.

A bid is also planned for funds from the Of�ice of Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) to become a demonstration city for the deployment and further expansion of electric-based low emission transportation. That would include a low emission zone and conversion of all 500 commercial buses to LCEB status.

An electric bike hire network via a Citycard smartcard scheme would be introduced and all hackney taxis using city centre ranks would be converted to electric or be electric hybrid.

A comprehensive car charging network encompassing on street, workplaces, car parks and Park-and-Ride sites would be developed. Further local electricity production would come from solar PV panels at Park-and-Ride sites and electricity produced from local waste incineration. ■

All NCT’s Optare Versa EVs have been equipped with Magtec electric drive systems

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June 18, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 19

SUPPLIER › THORNTON BROTHERS Brothers working together

Brothers George and Keith Thornton founded Thornton’s in Bedlington 35 years ago. They originally focused their business on truck refinishing – preparing truck cabs and chassis, refurbishment and painting. In an age when operators still painted rather than vinyled their fleets, they had contracts with, amongst others, Walkers Crisps and Morrisons. Keith particularly remembers 360 silver ‘barrel’ trailers that were repainted yellow for Shell.

The brothers later expanded into thirdparty vehicle recovery including work for the police. That led to a move into manufacturing a wide range of recovery bodies from six car transporters to small specification lifts and a factory was opened in Bedlington, where a 50-strong workforce produced up to four units a week.

An innovation was the T180 Rotator body, which had a platform that rotated through

Graeme Armstrong and Keith Thornton: Bus refurbishment has become a specialty

A gantry enables vehicles to be thoroughly prepared prior to painting

The one stop refurbishment shop Thornton Brothers provides a comprehensive vehicle refurbishment service that can also include collection and delivery. Andy Izatt has been to its Ashington, Northumberland base to learn more

L

ast week’s CBW highlighted the investment that Arriva is making in its operation in the North East of England and Ashington in particular where a new depot has opened.

As part of that investment, Ashington routes X21/X22 to Newcastle are being upgraded to Sapphire standard from July 27 using seven new and nine 57-plate Alexander Dennis Enviro400s.

Appropriately, the mid-life buses are being overhauled by another Ashington employer, accident repair and refurbishment specialist Thornton Brothers. Included in the specification are E-Leather covered seats with more legroom, 240v charging points, audio visual announcements, CCTV and free WiFi. Having the work undertaken by Thornton’s is an important endorsement of the talents and skills of local people, but the firm was selected first and foremost because it has a proven track record that’s nationally recognised. Its 20 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 18, 2014

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first refurbishments for Arriva in 2010 were a consignment of Plaxton Pointer Dennis Darts for Arriva Scotland West and there have been several contracts since for other group companies.

Regional Engineering Director for the North East John Greaves is happy to recommend Thornton’s services having used it to mid-life refurbish a range of vehicle types. Alexanderbodied DAF DB250s cascaded out of London have been among them. Conversion to single-door and preparation for a second life in the provinces is the type of work where the Ashington firm has been able to primarily, but not exclusively, make a name.

It is already familiar with Sapphire, having refurbished 10 Wrightbus-bodied Volvo B7TLs to that specification for Arriva’s Midlands Repair Centre at Derby last year. The buses were used for the second Sapphire conversion, Leicester routes 30 and 31a to Oadby, which were upgraded from June 29, 2013.

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16/06/2014 12:32

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180 degrees. The brothers hold the worldwide patent, but after 15 years of recovery body production, cheaper imports led to the decision to cease building around five years ago. Bozmac continues to manufacture the T180 in Australia while Dynamic is doing the same in the US. In 2005, Thornton’s moved its refinishing business to spacious purpose-designed premises on a five-acre site at the North Seaton Industrial Estate, Ashington. At 28,000 sq ft, the bodyshop is said to be the largest in the North East and incorporates three 22-metre paint ovens that can be split to make six and comfortably accommodate double-deckers and articulated buses.

Nexa Autocolor and AkzoNoble paints are used, Keith explaining that a 2-pack finish, machine-polished delivers a shinier finish. He believes that attention to detail is important, an example being the painting of metal hidden by window rubbers – something that even vehicle

Three 22-metre paint ovens can comfortably accommodate deckers and articulated buses

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manufacturers don’t always do.

A specially-erected gantry enables vehicles, whether double or single-deck, to be thoroughly prepared prior to painting. There’s also a fabrication shop, Josam laser alignment equipment and jig systems, steam cleaning and 22-metre shot blasting facilities. Olivine is used for shot blasting as Keith says it delivers a better finish.

Plenty of storage space for vehicles is available onsite and Thornton’s is located just off the A189 road with ready access to the A1 and A19.

Thornton’s is already familiar with Sapphire, having refurbished 10 Wrightbus-bodied Volvo B7TLs to that specification last year

At 28,000 sq ft, the bodyshop is said to be the largest in the North East

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To cater for growing demand, an extension to the bodyshop is planned next year. Once open, it’s expected to create an additional 10 jobs.

Just about the only thing that Thornton’s doesn’t do in-house is re-trim seats. For that it works closely with A&J in Birmingham and a Mercedes-Benz van with a Thornton’s fabricated body regularly shuttles between the two. For major mechanical work such as replacing a vehicle’s driveline, the firm works with Newcastle-upon-Tyne-based Smiles Engineering.

Thornton’s now employs 55 staff who can draw on a comprehensive range of bodyshop skills - everything from GRP and metal fabricating to welding, panel making and painting. There are also PSV fitters qualified to undertake MOT preparation and servicing.

Always keen to recruit local talent, good relations are maintained with Ashington College.

Monitor frames are just one of many items that can be fabricated in-house

Thornton’s is very much a family firm.

George’s wife Sharon and Keith’s wife Susan are directors and work in the business, as does George’s son Jason who’s employed in the workshop and Keith’s son Wayne, an electrician.

General Manager is Simon Dinsley, whose wife Deborah is Office Manager. Public face of the business is Sales/Marketing Manager Graeme Armstrong, an engineer by profession who previously worked for Cummins at Wellingborough. Graeme has been with Thornton’s for four years and his message to customers is simple. “We’ll tackle anything,” he said. “We’re the one stop refurbishment shop.”

Refurbishment track record

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What has been a progressive move into bus refurbishment started shortly after the current premises opened with a contract from Go North East to repaint Mini Pointer Darts in a base colour so that they could be used on the newly branded Doxford Dipper service. It was part of then Managing Director Peter Huntley’s strategy of developing branded routes and as it was rolled out across the fleet Thornton’s went on to refurbish and repaint over 200 buses for the operator.

It wasn’t just Arriva that joined the client list in 2010. There was a contract for First to refurbish

June 18, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 21 16/06/2014 13:13

SUPPLIER › THORNTON BROTHERS

One of the Ashington-based Arriva North East Enviro400s that are being refurbished for Sapphire routes X21/X22

Thornton’s refurbished the Platinum standard Wrightbus-bodied Volvo B9TLs for First Aberdeen

Collection and delivery service is provided using three Volvo tractor units hauling specially designed trailers

a batch of London Dennis Tridents that were being cascaded to Glasgow and that has been followed by a steady flow of repeat contracts since.

Notable was the conversion and fitting out of an East Lancs-bodied Volvo B7TL as a mobile training facility. That vehicle tours First companies around the country. Then there was a batch of 17 Alexander-bodied Dennis Tridents finished in Shuttle livery for First’s Olympic Games fleet. More former London Tridents refurbishments have followed and there have been other types from the capital as well – Mercedes-Benz Citaros for Berkshire

and sizeable number of Caetano Nimbus Dennis Darts that went to the Potteries.

Thornton’s was responsible for refurbishing the Platinum standard Wrightbus-bodied Volvo B9TLs that First Aberdeen launched on service 19 (Tillydrone – city centre – Culter) last November. Passengers benefit from Hanover real-time information systems, TV screens featuring 24-hour news updates, E-Leather covered seats and complementary WiFi provided by Icomera. Work has started on upgrading 11 Wrightbus-bodied Volvo B7RLEs that will operate on another Platinum route in Aberdeen.

Being able to provide transport has helped extend Thornton’s reach around the country and increasingly it’s possible to arrange return loads

22 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 18, 2014 020_024_CBW1142_Thornton Bros.indd 22

Equally high profile has been Hyperlink between Leeds and Bradford. Thornton’s part refurbished and deep cleaned all 17 Wright StreetCars for that route. A contract just completed has been the preparation of 35 Enviro400s, again cascaded out of London, which are now in service with First in Leicester.

The dual-door buses had no offside emergency exits so these had to be installed. Seats have been recovered in E-Leather.

Other clients include Transdev Blazefield, which had Wrightbus-bodied Volvo B10BLEs refurbished for Harrogate & District. The work included new floors, smoked glass screens, wood veneer ceilings, the installation of WiFi and a repaint into Harrogate Connect livery.

Wrightbus-bodied Volvo B7TLs used on the X43 ‘The Witch Way’ route by Transdev Burnley & Pendle have also been to Ashington for attention. www.coachandbusweek.com

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June 18, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 23

SUPPLIER › THORNTON BROTHERS RATP-owned London United turned to Thornton’s when it wanted 15 Scania OmniCity Double-Deckers part refurbished for continuing service in the capital. The last was nearing completion when CBW visited and similar work is now being undertaken on Enviro200s.

Although Thornton’s has been primarily working for major bus companies, Graeme emphasised that it’s there for bus and coach operators of any size. A Plaxton Prima-bodied Volvo B7R for Perryman’s Buses has received new flooring and a re-trim while an older Plaxton Volvo for another North East operator was onsite for assessment when CBW was being shown round.

The diversity of work undertaken is underlined by some of the projects depicted on Thornton’s office walls. There’s a picture of a renovated Ford Model T that required a radiator, new bonnet, wings, laminated windscreen and canvass roof to be fabricated and fitted.

Then there’s the complete refurbishment of a Rolls Royce once owned by King George V. It had spent 40 years in storage in America and before and after pictures show a remarkable transformation. As far as possible original materials were retained including the leather seat coverings.

Approved by Alexander Dennis and Wrightbus, accident repairs are another specialty and with that Josam alignment equipment available, that includes chassis straightening. It’s work that Keith likes to supervise personally. Possibly the most challenging repair to date has been that of a Caetano-bodied Scania owned by a National Express contractor. It had to be completely rebuilt from behind the front axle forward.

Some parts had to be fabricated including chassis sections because of difficulties sourcing replacements.

A fire appliance was being prepared for chassis straightening during CBW’s visit, work that will require the temporary removal of the body. Thornton’s is still happy to respond to truck sector customers and continues to serve several local operators.

One of 35 First London Enviro400s refurbished by Thornton’s for use in Leicester. DAVID BELL

A key aspect of Thornton’s ‘one stop’ customer service is a vehicle collection and delivery

10 Arriva Wrightbus-bodied Volvo B7TLs were refurbished to Sapphire standard last year. DAVID BELL

Collection and delivery

Inside one of the Arriva Sapphire Wrightbus-bodied Volvo B7TLs operating in Leicester 24 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 18, 2014 020_024_CBW1142_Thornton Bros.indd 24

service provided in-house using three Volvo tractor units hauling specially designed trailers built by Nooteboom in Holland. Combined, they represent a £0.5m investment.

Extendable to accommodate different size loads, two of the trailers can carry doubledeckers while the third can be loaded with a 20-metre articulated bus. Thornton’s sees this as an important minimum cost service that adds value to its customer proposition.

While buses operate reliably on stop start low speed route work, it can be a different story when they’re driven over long distances at sustained higher speeds.

The last thing a customer wants is a broken down vehicle far from base. Being able to provide transport has helped extend Thornton’s reach around the country and increasingly it’s possible to arrange return loads. n www.coachandbusweek.com

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SUPPLIER UPDATE › AUTOSOUND

Half a century of service Gareth Evans visits renowned Bradford-based coach and bus electrical specialist Autosound and learns about the firm’s latest products and emerging trends

“5

0 years is an achievement in itself,” enthuses Keith Ellis, as we sit down for a welcoming strong coffee.

First impressions count for a lot – and being my inaugural visit to the firm’s premises in Bradford, I’m instantly struck by the warm welcome. They represent what in my experience are typical Yorkshiremen – a truly friendly, yet professional crew, who are down to earth and seem to take the no nonsense approach. In short, they’re my kind of people.

I’m joined in the meeting room by Sales Director Lee Fergus, who together with Keith, runs the firm today. Shortly afterwards, Neil Millington, the company’s previous owner introduces himself. Very much a coachman at heart, with the accompanying wealth of tales to boot, few of which are printable, Neil maintains a collection of heritage coaches, cars – and a tractor (see ‘Last Stop’ on p76).

History

Formed in 1964, Autosound was created to supply the motor trade with car radios and associated products using a team of mobile installation engineers.

The firm’s original home in Otley was chosen due to low establishment costs and a central location for the Leeds, Bradford and Harrogate car dealerships. Over the next nine years, additional branches were opened in York, Leeds, Manchester, Bradford and Sheffield as the company attracted the retail market.

Smiths Industries, which was heavily involved in supplying the motor industry, purchased Autosound in 1974. Further expansion followed – including opening branches in such places as Nottingham, Liverpool and Oldham. While the trade installation service still accounted for 50% of its business, with the influx of Japanese cars, a growing number of which had factory installed products, this led to retail market growth.

Diversification saw such things as car alarms, electric windows and central locking added to the list of services offered.

With the threat of OE equipment, Autosound continually looked at other markets – including coaches and motorhomes.

A further break came in 1980 with the advent of coach deregulation. Operators looking to develop continental tours quickly realised that to relieve boredom on overnight journeys, video provided the ideal solution.

In 1985, Smiths Industries decided to withdraw from its automotive business and concentrate on its aerospace, surveillance and medical activities.

The company was offered to its management – Alan Burnell and Neil Millington completed the buy-out later that year.

When in 1995 it received an offer for its Lancashire-based shops, followed a year later for the remaining retail outlets, the directors decided to sell. Alan took early retirement, while Neil concentrated on the coach and service activities.

Keith Ellis, who had joined the company at the start of the bus and coach era, became his codirector.

The company concentrated on two activities

Service with a smile from Autosound’s current owners: Keith Ellis and Lee Fergus 26 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 18, 2014 026_027_CBW1142_Autosound.indd 26

from one location – in-coach entertainment and servicing audio equipment for Blaupunkt (bus and coach), Panasonic and Fujitsu (Toyota, Honda and Mazda). The service department expanded, employing at its peak eight bench engineers repairing on average over 80 units a day.

“While it may sound a lot, that figure equated to less than a 1% failure rate, bearing in the mind the number of Honda, Mazda and Toyota cars there are on the roads of the UK,” Neil explained.

The coach department, which was now the sole distributor for the Blaupunkt Professional range, developed its business around the vehicle manufacturers, dealers and key operators. To provide service and installation facilities further afield, a network of specialist dealers were appointed.

Many interesting projects were undertaken – and of course, continue to do so. They include marine installations for sightseeing submarines, class 175 and 180 trains for FirstGroup, headphone installation for Harrods and the short-lived British Coachways.

Autosound also undertakes work for football team coaches by the dozen – all of which want the latest equipment.

“I can recall the first ever PlayStation which was installed in a coach,” said Neil. “David Beckham asked for it when he was at Manchester United.”

By this stage, the senior director had completed 39 years’ service – and the firm was in good shape, with a young and enthusiastic management team. In 2004, Neil, by then aged www.coachandbusweek.com

16/06/2014 18:15

Autosound’s engineers tend to travel to operators and dealerships these days - it’s rare for coaches to visit the firm’s Bardford premises 55, took early retirement and sold his shares to Keith Ellis and Lee Fergus.

The business today

The company is now in a different form to when it was created 50 years ago. It focusses on two main markets – coaches and buses and other vehicles, comprising motorhomes and classic cars. The latter includes supplying modern radios with heritage-style fronts. As Lee put it: “The car may last 50 years but the radio certainly won’t.

However, at the same time it’s a shame to spoil the appearance of an otherwise restored vehicle with a modern looking radio.”

That said bus and coach remains Autosound’s core business, accounting for 75% of the firm’s work. The PCV part operates from its own unit on an industrial estate, with the classic cars and motorhomes element housed in a separate unit on the same site.

So what exactly does Autosound do? It supplies and fits a range of technology either for a vehicle manufacturer from new or retro-fits at the premises of a dealer or operator.

“We’re the UK distributor for Bosch ProfessionalLineradio, navigation and microphones,” explains Lee. “We’re also the distributor for Funtoro, which provides seat back media on demand.

Parrys International and Siesta Holidays are prime examples. You can connect to the internet, read your emails and display footage from the forward-facing camera – in addition to route www.coachandbusweek.com

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maps. On Parrys’ latest vehicles, there’s a hard drive on each coach. Parrys has got Freeview TV, a route map and a forward-facing camera on one channel. A film can be shown on the other channel. Siesta staff now manage all their own content.

“We tend to supply the equipment to, for example, Van Hool and they install it in the factory,” explains Keith.

“We do a lot of coaches using our field engineers. We supply Plaxton’s production line but don’t fit them. The nature of coaches is the equipment is higher-specification, such as Sky TV.” According to Lee, larger operators normally to have their own specialist staff on site, so Autosound staff tend not to go their premises.

“We tend to deal with smaller operators. We offer UK-wide coverage – not forgetting Ireland. We’ve got agents in Scotland (Cumbernauld, Glasgow), Dublin and Bristol.”

Autosound staff do however, visit dealerships – a prime example being its involvement with VDL Futuras at Moseley PCV. “We go to Pontefract,” explains Lee. “We do very little fitting here in Bradford anymore as it’s more cost effective for us to visit operators and dealers.

Our engineers go on-site using our fleet of vans.

“We also supply minibus dealerships, such as Connaught and Minis To Midis. A customer may say ‘We will have that vehicle but we want a reversing camera to be fitted’ – which is where we come in.

Other dealerships Autosound works with include Evobus, Caetano and Volvo.

Autosound supplies all the main bus manufacturers – namely Wrightbus, ADL and Optare. “We get a lot of orders from Wrights and ADL in kit form for their export sales,” explains Lee. “The market is changing with the increased use of next stop announcements. Our product is called EasyGuide. Mullanys of Watford has got a pair of ADL E400s for Harry Potter service going into service in the coming weeks. They’re fitted with our top end product, the Bosch Professional Line3. Two on-board PCs power a pair of highresolution DVI Bosch screens on the lower and upper decks. Typically these systems have been sightseeing vehicles. Fitted with GPS, the system is triggered at set points. It was a bespoke system for them.”

On that note, Lee enthuses: “We’re happy to help operators with anything they want, such as live TV news.”

Autosound also offers CCTV. “We’re doing more than ever. While we’re a small player in that segment, the market is increasing in size. An eight-camera CCTV system works out at £2,300 installed,” says Keith.

“For the future, connectivity will be key.

Manufacturers like Bosch recognise that.

Everyone now expects USB charging points as standard. As a result, we’ve introduced USB power converters for retro fitting. It removes the need for costly inverters. These typically cost £10 per unit – excluding installation.”

Lee says another trend is for products centred on driver safety. Autosound offers fatigue monitoring systems, both for retro and new fit.

“The fatigue system uses a camera to measure the way your eyes blink.

“We try to give customers a one-stop shop.

In the coming months we will be offering our own WiFi system for both retro and new fit. It’s a dual-SIM unit, enabling it to be used across international borders. It will be available from next month for both buses and coaches.

“A new product is the Virtual 360, which translates all-round CCTV cameras to give one view. It’s especially useful is the age of increasing concern of the safety of cyclists.”

Reflecting on the past 10 years, Keith says: “Things have gone very well. Our first year was decidedly hairy. It was when Plaxton went bust, but we got through it. We’ve widened the product range. We’ve got to offer customers what they want – if hadn’t done that, our turnover would be plummeted. Even with the recession, our turnover has remained steady. Last year was our best since 2008.”

Nine members of staff are employed, plus Keith and Lee. “We have hardly any staff turnover. I’ve been 23 years and Keith’s been 31 years,” says Lee. Keith rightly observes: “That’s one of our strengths – if you retain your staff, you don’t have to start again each time.”

Asked what the Autosound’s biggest strength is, Lee replies: “We’re truly independent. We’re not tied to anyone. Also, unlike bigger firms, there are no big structures to go through in terms of decision-making. We can respond quickly to a customer request. After all, we can’t afford to lose a customer.” n

June 18, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 27 16/06/2014 18:56

NEWS › LEGAL

Carmel Coaches and Hirethisbus.com see licences revoked Operator Tony Hazell and Transport Managers Tony and Michael Hazell are disqualified, though an appeal is being pursued. James Day reports Following sustained poor maintenance and O-licence disk lending, the licences for both Carmel Coaches and Hirethisbus. com have been revoked by Traffic Commissioner (TC) for the West of England, Sarah Bell. Carmel’s licence is due to end at midnight on July 31, while Hirethisbus.com had its licence revoked with immediate effect.

Carmel Coaches Director Tony Hazell was found to have lost his repute as operator and Transport Manager, disqualified from holding either position for 18 months from the date of Carmel’s licence revocation. His son, Michael Hazell, also lost his repute as Transport Manager and was disqualified for 18 months from the date of the decision.

A Carmel coach was recently involved in an accident where two passengers died (CBW1138). Tony Hazell has since claimed that the coach did not contribute to the accident, and Sarah Bell stressed that the incident had no bearing on her decision.

She said: “I am aware that shortly after the Public Inquiry (PI) concluded one of this operator’s coaches was involved in a fatal accident. I send my condolences to the bereaved and my heartfelt sympathy to all who have been impacted by this tragedy.

“At the same time, I make it clear that I have put that event from my mind for the purposes of this decision. The incident will be the subject of a rigorous investigation which will take some time to complete. There are numerous reasons why incidents happen and there can be ‘no-fault’ incidents. I cannot pre-judge the outcome of those enquiries and this decision should not be read so as to reflect any conclusion regarding the incident.”

Background

On February 16, 2013, Michael Hazell applied to increase the authorisation on his sole trader licence, Hirethisbus.com, from three vehicles to 12 vehicles. The substantial increase attracted a maintenance investigation by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) on April 20, 2013. The report was marked ‘unsatisfactory.’ The findings included the possible disc-lending between Hirethisbus.com and Carmel Coaches.

The directors of Carmel Coaches were Tony Hazell and his two children, Michael Hazell and Carolyn Alderton. The licence, issued on May 10, 2011, included two attached undertakings: l Drivers report promptly any defects that could prevent safe operation of vehicles, and any defects are promptly recorded in writing; and l Records are kept (for 15 months) of all safety inspections,

KEY POINTS

28 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 18, 2014 028_034_CBW1142_Legal News.indd 28

routine maintenance and repairs to vehicles, and made available on request.

Carmel was the subject of a maintenance investigation in January 2012. The TC issued a formal warning letter to it and its two nominated Transport Managers (Michael and Tony Hazell) because the two undertakings were not met. It was the subject of a further DVSA investigation on August 14, 2013, also reported as ‘unsatisfactory’ with the undertakings still not complied with, resulting in the call to PI. Just before the hearing, the TC was made aware by Carmel’s representatives of a possible unlawful arrangement when the operator took over part of North Somerset Coaches in Bristol. This was also considered at the PI. The PI commenced on March 20, 2014 and was adjourned part heard, reconvened and concluding on May 6, 2014. The operators,

Carmel Coaches, operated by Tony Hazell, had been issued a n formal warning in 2012 for unsatisfactory maintenance. It was subsequently found wanting on a number of occasions walk round checks were either not properly carried out, or n Driver action was not taken on defects found on regular occasions Hirethisbus.com, operated by Tony’s son Michael Hazell, was n seen to be lending O-licence discs to Carmel Coaches. Though ignorance was pleaded, it transpired that the practice had continued after the operators were informed that this was ‘probably illegal’

Michael Hazell was named as a Transport Manager for Carmel n Coaches, but claimed to have no recollection of ever having the role. This was despite the licence requiring two Transport Managers

when issued and Michael’s signature appearing on a form detailing this Since call up to the Public Inquiry, the operator had used consultn ants and put new systems in place to improve compliance, with limited success. Its MOT pass rate improved, but was still below the national average

Traffic Commissioner Sarah Bell found that she could not trust n either operator, Tony Hazell or Michael Hazell to be compliant in the future. She revoked both licences and disqualified both men from

acting as Transport Manager for 18 months. Tony Hazell was disqualified as an operator for the same period

directors and Transport Managers were all represented by Toby Sasse of Counsel, instructed by Stone King LLP.

Assurances of future compliance

The evidence presented by the Vehicle Examiner was not challenged. Carmel Coaches acknowledged that there had been real maintenance concerns since the licence was issued on May 10, 2011. Counsel submitted at the outset that there was an intention and willingness to be compliant but accepted there had been woeful failures. Carmel Coaches and Transport Manager Tony Hazell sought to assure that they could be trusted in future.

It was accepted that in addition, Carmel Coaches attracted three traffic compliance prohibitions for breaches of tachograph rules.

Further, it was accepted that the new Bristol operation is not compliant with the licensing regime but steps had been taken to regularise the position. Counsel acknowledged on a number of www.coachandbusweek.com

16/06/2014 15:32

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of maintenance which meets the required standards with PG9s being issued right across the board.

It is an unacceptable situation that the roadside PG9 rate is now 47%.

“It is also unacceptable for vehicle FJ04ESG to be presented for PG9 clearance and to be issued with a PG9 AC for all three breaking systems being below C&U requirements.

“The figures show that even after two investigations into the condition of the fleet, the mechanical condition of the vehicles has worsened.”

Problems persist

occasions that it was clearly open for the TC to take regulatory action, even of the most serious kind, and none of the evidence provided sought to condone or gloss over what had happened.

Michael Hazell was called up as a former joint Transport Manager for Carmel Coaches. However, he stated that he did not believe he had been the nominated Transport Manager ‘at any time,’ albeit that he had been joint Transport Manager on his father’s previous entity licence.

In relation to Michael Hazell, trading as Hirethisbus.com, he confirmed he wanted to surrender his sole trader licence and focus all his time on Carmel Coaches.

He had already resigned another Transport Manager post held by him. Carmel Coaches and Michael Hazell acknowledged at the hearing that having taken legal advice, the arrangement between the two operators in relation to the use of Hirethisbus.com discs by Carmel Coaches had been unlawful but they sought to assure it had been done at all times believing it to be lawful. www.coachandbusweek.com

028_034_CBW1142_Legal News.indd 29

Prolonged maintenance issues

The maintenance investigation carried out at Carmel Coaches on August 14, 2013 arose because of the links with Hirethisbus.com and an ‘S’ marked prohibition issued in March 2013. Several unsatisfactory matters were found; no notified service interval was on file, walkround check sheets were scattered and incomplete, with action not recorded, mileages missing, records missing and repeat defects reported.

The operator had received 10 prohibitions since the last investigation in January 2012, including three issued as part of the August 2013 fleet inspection.

The prohibitions indicated failures across the maintenance system, including quality of fitters’ work and the effectiveness of driver walk round checks.

Tony Hazell responded to confirm the Vehicle Examiner’s advice had been received and implemented, with workshop staff sent on a three day MOT preparation training course. The

letter concluded: “We are confident these measures will result in an improvement in our vehicle standards.”

In his addendum report dated March 19, 2014, the Vehicle Examiner carried out a review of the roadside encounters and PG9 clearance presentations since his visit in August 2013. He confirmed that the operator has been encountered 15 times and issued with six immediate prohibitions and two delayed prohibitions, two of which were ‘S’ marked. In particular, vehicle FJO4ESG had its record book examined which showed that, of three defects on the PG9, an ABS defect had been reported eight times, a jammed emergency exit had been reported twice and a tyre defect was in the report for that day. A delayed prohibition was issued as recently as March 5, 2014, to vehicle YN05VRW due to defects to two obligatory seatbelts and the emergency break glass hammer missing.

The examiner concluded: “It is obvious that there is no one area

The operator’s maintenance records were checked by the examiner immediately prior to the hearing commencing on March 20, 2014. He checked the vehicle files for the eight vehicles which had been prohibited since his last report. 50% of inspection intervals had been exceeded and on three records, the certificate of road worthiness was not signed off.

There were examples of drivers listing many different defects, with safety critical matters not recorded as remedied when they were. There was no evidence to show assessments had been made to determine whether work was needed. The examiner concluded there was no discernible improvement since August 2013 and no sign that records were being properly reviewed and quality checked.

Another addendum report was received from the examiner dated May 1, 2014. He conducted a further review of the encounters with the operator both at roadside and at annual test. The operator had indicated that the MOT pass rate had recently improved, but the assessment by the examiner was that the MOT failure rate had increased from 40% to almost 50%. In addition, the operator had been the subject of seven roadside enforcement encounters since March 20, at which two PG9s had been issued. Both took place on April 24, following the disembarking of children at a school bus check.

The Examiner looked at the current maintenance records for the two prohibited vehicles immediately before the case reconvened on May 6, 2014.

In relation to vehicle ECZ9139, the immediate prohibition was for ‘suspension unit deflated, adversely affecting the system, offside axle 2, both units completely deflated.’ As the wheel

June 18, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 29 16/06/2014 15:32

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NEWS › LEGAL was not touching the ground properly braking was likely to have been impaired. A preventative maintenance inspection had taken place on April 17, with no mention of the defects found a week later.

The vehicle was noted as ‘vehicle off-road’ on a driver defect sheet on April 2 after the third reporting of a suspension defect, but no action was recorded and there was also nothing to indicate the offroad dates. There was also nothing on the daily check sheet. There were also a number of defects on the previous driver walk-round check sheets with no remedial action noted.

In relation to vehicle FJ06BNZ, the delayed prohibition was for ‘levelling valve not performing its function, but appears unlikely to affect vehicle control, suspension constantly adjusting height.’

There were two advisory items for headlamp issues and excessive ‘free’ play at the steering wheel with early rectification advised.

The Examiner accepted that the levelling valve was not a safety critical defect but was evidence of system failure. On March 5, 2014, the vehicle had new airbags fitted but there did not appear to be any investigation into the cause of that defect or the advisory matters.

Some recent driver defect sheets did have rectification work signed off but not all of them. Of particular disquiet was a defect sheet dated March 22, which included ‘door opens when moving’ with no note of remedial action.

coachandbusweek

Hilditch, a long-established senior executive and former CPT Chairman, was also assisting from the start of April 2014 (though he attended the PI on March 20).

Carmel produced an action plan, but at the time of the PI, Michael Hazell had not gone through it with Tony Wood. Mr Hilditch had seen the action plan and while there was nothing particularly wrong with it, said it needed to be more joined up. Mr Hilditch’s main task was to take a strategic overview, make recommendations on the systems and find a full-time competent Fleet Engineering Manager.

presented by the operator. The first time pass rate was 75%, not 84.6% as suggested. While a marked improvement, this was still below the national average of 80%.

Tony Hazell acknowledged since the start of March 2014, two vehicles had failed their MOT which was particularly disappointing because they had been prepared externally. He said he saw the appointment of a fleet manager as a key factor towards compliance and would give them appropriate resource and authority. Mr Hilditch was working ‘virtually full-time’ across both depots and would continue to

Tony Hazell highlighted a new driver defect reporting system – an explicit procedure which all drivers had been instructed on while receiving refresher training during the week of the PI on March 20. There was also a new system in the workshop. Before an MOT, all vehicles would have the full DVSA multi-check. There was also a new re-torque procedure.

When the differing views in relation to the MOT pass rate were examined, it transpired that the Vehicle Examiner reviewed the position from January 2014, while the operator invited the TC to look at a smaller snapshot, March 3, 2014 to April 30, 2014, to reflect more recent changes. When scrutinised, the improvement since March 3, 2014 was not as originally

assist until the fleet engineer was recruited, although recruitment had been challenging since the call-up to PI. There were now two chief fitters, one at Northlew and one at Exeter, both working full-time in the workshop and no longer driving, save in relation to those duties. Tony Hazell and Mrs Alderton had undertaken the twoday CPC refresher on April 7, 2014.

‘There is an absence of the enquiring mind needed for effective management.

In fact, that seemed to be the case across the business’

30 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 18, 2014

028_034_CBW1142_Legal News.indd 30

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The Carmel Coaches maintenance systems were inadaquate

Operator’s evidence

Carmel Coaches accepted it had plainly breached the undertakings on the licence in substantial ways.

There had not been appropriate quality standards implemented, which was extremely serious. The thrust of the evidence was to show that the operator and Transport Manager could be compliant in future. Additional Transport Managers and resources would be made available if required for the licence to survive.

The TC noted that all seven fitters had been trained in the DVSA standards in relation to MOT preparation. The training was booked prior to the 2013 DVSA investigation and took place a few days later. Carmel also engaged the services of Tony Wood, a former DVSA Senior Vehicle Examiner to assist in auditing. Although a conversation took place ‘late in 2013,’ he was not formally engaged as a consultant until late February 2014. Likewise, Christopher

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Michael Hazell

Michael Hazell obtained his Standard National CPC around 2005, passing the international module last year. When asked why he had not done the refresher training on April 7, 2014, he said the training for the Onternational part of the CPC lasted three days and therefore he felt he had

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sufficiently fresh knowledge. When questioned, he acknowledged the course was geared to the differences involved in international work and of limited use as a refresher. Prior to the DVSA investigation, he said he was doing little auditing and checking, but claimed he had changed to be much more involved including doing recorded gate checks. A weekly maintenance report was prepared and was seen by Michael Hazell before going to Tony Hazell.

While he and his father had investigated the prohibitions of April 24, Michael Hazell accepted that his interrogation of the records was not sufficiently robust. In relation to ECZ9139, he acknowledged that the driver should have noticed the defect and the records reviewed did not go back far enough. As for the FJ06BNZ prohibition, he issued a written warning to the driver but did not cover all aspects of the failings. The TC expressed disquiet at his recommendation that the driver undergo retraining when the driver attended the refresher training a couple of weeks previously, instead of reviewing the training.

In relation to the ABS light issues, Michael Hazell assured that an ABS diagnostic kit had been purchased and he would work closely with Mr Wood and Mr Hilditch.

The TC’s assessment of Michael Hazell was: “There is an absence of the enquiring mind needed for effective management. In fact, that seemed to be the case across the business.”

Carolyn Alderton then gave evidence. The TC stated that of the three directors, “she was by far the most convincing.” In relation to the Carmel operations in Northlew and Exeter, her involvement was clearly defined and recorded and did not involve the day to day transport operations – the other two directors were tasked with that side of the business. She committed to greater scrutiny across the business, should the licence continue.

On May 6, 2014, Mr Hilditch gave evidence. He said he had been honest with the operator as to where the problems laid and had demonstrated a positive reaction to the criticism. Efforts had been made since the last hearing but considerable work remained.

Finding against operator inevitable

“It is inevitable that I make a formal finding that the operator

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NEWS › LEGAL is in breach of its maintenance undertakings,” the TC said.

“The breaches are serious and long standing. Counsel was candid throughout the proceedings and maintained a realistic approach.

The history and the current records speak for themselves.

“The licence was only issued in May 2011, but the operator has received numerous prohibitions.

Between May 10, 2011 and November 15, 2013 the vehicles were prohibited for brake related defects on six occasions. Between November 15, 2013 and March 14, 2014, brakes were featured seven times.

“On April 24, 2014, two vehicles were prohibited at the roadside. By

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drivers for not doing effective checks when since January 2012 the operator and Transport Manager have failed to address the criticism of their own performance by producing a proper audit trail.

“There are examples of weekly maintenance reports for the Exeter depot, but even a cursory glance finds them wanting. The vast majority of the defects have no rectification marked against them on this schedule either.”

Disc Lending

In relation to the lending of discs between Carmel Coaches and Hirethisbus.com, the TC was told that the discs had been used to assist Carmel. Hirethisbus.com

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were notified by solicitors that the arrangement was probably unlawful but that a second opinion was forthcoming. Rather than ceasing the arrangement, the operators made a positive choice to carry on and use a disc until after the conference with Counsel.

Tony Hazell acknowledged that was a grave error of judgement on their part.

In his witness statement Michael Hazell stated: “I would not have allowed this to happen had I thought it illegal.” This is not supported by the vehicle examiner’s report arising from his April 2013 investigation. At no time did Mr Hazell tell the examiner that some of the vehicle

It is trite to criticise drivers for not doing effective checks when since January 2012 the operator and Transport Manager have failed to address the criticism of their own performance by producing a proper audit trail. this date the operator said it had implemented its refresher training and enhanced systems. On April 30, 2014, R467GGR failed its MOT. “The operator’s approach to improving compliance was at best fragmented and pedestrian. The fitters received training in August 2013 and that is to be commended, but the lack of improvement was left unchecked for too long. The driver defect reporting issues have still not been effectively addressed despite a warning in 2012 and further input from the vehicle examiner. The assistance of Mr Wood was only sought in February 2014 and the majority of steps were taken after the call in letter. While there has been some improvement in the first time MOT pass rate there are still real issues.

“The simple fact is that walk round checks and quality checking of preventative maintenance are key to compliance and essential for road safety. Even on May 6, 2014 this remained wanting.

The revised system wasn’t fully implemented, despite assurances.

There is evidence of gate checks which indicate better quality walk round checks, but I cannot be sure in light of the issues not reported by drivers on April 24.

Since the hearing on March 20, the driver defect sheets for the two most recently prohibited vehicles identify eight defects for which no remedial action is shown and are not signed off. It is trite to criticise

had not traded in its own right for years. Once aware this wasn’t lawful, they stopped and offered the Hirethisbus.com licence for surrender.

The TC pointed out to the operator that one of the vehicles displaying a Hirethisbus.com disc received a roadside prohibition on March 5, 2014. After questioning, it became clear that prior to the issue of that prohibition, the operators

explaining his lack of records.

The lack of candour is wholly unacceptable from any operator or Transport Manager.”

Transport Manager role neglected

Michael Hazell did not believe he had been the nominated Transport Manager for Carmel Coaches ‘at any time’ since the licence was issued in May 2011.

When the form he had signed in October 2010 was produced, he said that before the business was incorporated, it had been him and his father as Transport Managers, but he did not recollect being a joint Transport Manager for this licence. The TC said if he had never fulfilled the role, the grant of the licence had occurred on a false declaration – namely that there would be two Transport Managers to look after the business with 40 discs.

The TC said: “I expressed very real concern that he lended his name as a Transport Manager until he was removed in 2012 as a result of his failure to respond to the EU Regulations exercise on this licence.

“Counsel implied that Michael Hazell had still fulfilled the role despite not being aware he had it. I do not find that compelling. A contract for the Transport Manager role was lodged in Leeds signed by both Mr Hazells, which included the number of hours to be worked and operating centres he was responsible for.

Michael Hazell claimed he had no recollection of having the Transport Manager role at Carmel Coaches

32 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 18, 2014 028_034_CBW1142_Legal News.indd 32

encounters may be because he had lent discs to Carmel Coaches.

“If Michael Hazell was so sure that the use of the discs was lawful, then I would have expected him to tell the examiner of the arrangement,” the TC said.

“At the time of the visit in 2013 Michael Hazell had not operated vehicles himself for years and therefore mentioning the lending of discs was the only way of

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The licence clearly stated he was a nominated Transport Manager.

If he had ever undertaken the role, it’s reasonable to expect him to remember.

“While it may be that during the application process there was a change of mind, they have failed to meet the statement of intent.”

The new Bristol operation

Mrs Alderton wanted to buy part of North Somerset Coaches once her café was sold. The timing was not as desired and therefore she first nominated herself as a Transport Manager on the North Somerset Coaches (NSC) O-licence, though it was not NSC operating the vehicles.

As soon as she was made aware that was unlawful, Carmel Coaches operated part of the business out of a Bristol operating centre – not on its licence. Once it became apparent that might not be lawful either, the TC’s office was notified, days before the PI. The TC was asked to find that the operator had not done anything to mislead and had thought what it was doing was lawful.

The TC said: “I do accept the genuineness of this evidence. I do so mainly because Tony Hazell still did not fully understand the problems that remained even at the hearing and I have already found Mrs Alderton to be a credible witness.”

Traffic Commissioner’s conclusion Making her decision, the TC said: “Counsel repeated on a number of occasions that all parties acknowledged they must satisfy me on integrity first and thereafter competence. I was asked to accept that they were not intentionally misleading or dishonest and there had been no falsification.

“The continued use of a Hirethisbus.com disc in March

Tony Hazell said he stood by the operators’ safety record and found the findings harsh 2014 when lawfulness was in doubt, the lack of veracity by Michael Hazell on the subject with the vehicle examiner in 2013 and the failure to meet the statement of intent on the licence application that there would be two Transport Managers, leaves me with grave doubts as to both Tony and Michael Hazell’s judgement and integrity.

“In light of the woeful failures which remained as recently as May 6, 2014, on balance Carmel Coaches, Tony and Michael Hazell are not capable or competent to operate the necessary systems to ensure vehicles remain roadworthy. They are found wanting to such an unacceptable degree, even after copious amounts of advice and support from DVSA, a warning from me and help from the commercial sector. I do not trust they will operate vehicles in a roadworthy condition in future. Repute and professional competence are lost for Carmel Coaches, Michael Hazell as an operator and both

The Traffic Commissioner couldn’t trust the operator to be compliant in future 34 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 18, 2014 028_034_CBW1142_Legal News.indd 34

Tony and Michael Hazell as Transport Managers.

“In my judgement, conduct since 2012 up to and including May 6, 2014 leaves me with no reasonable or appropriate alternatives but to find that their O-licences must be revoked and find loss of repute in relation to each. It is an outcome that is absolutely necessary to protect the legitimate commercial vehicle industries.

“This is a case of systematic non-compliance allowed to persist. The potential for harm by this disregard for road safety and the unfair competition over a sustained period means it is entirely appropriate and proportionate that Carmel Coaches, Tony and Michael Hazell are removed from the industry for a period which sends a deterrent message. It is important for the legitimate industry to see that firm action is taken.”

For the most part, Carolyn Alderton escaped the wrath of the TC. “On May 6, 2014, I granted Mrs Alderton application for a sole trader licence for five vehicles,” the TC continued.

“I was satisfied that whatever else my decision was to be it would not prevent the grant. She was a credible witness and I was satisfied she could operate a small fleet.

“However, I remind Mrs Alderton that she is tainted by her involvement with Carmel Coaches and its lost repute. Her father and brother cannot and must not assist her in this new venture.”

Carmel Coaches to appeal

Tony Hazell described the report and the decision as ‘harsh.’ He said he is hoping to be granted an appeal and stressed that the company is allowed to carry on trading pending the outcome of the appeal.

Speaking to the Exeter Echo, he said: “We are planning to appeal as we feel that the punishment is disproportionate to the offence. We have been in business for 30 years and this is the first time we have had a PI. “In that period no passenger has ever been injured until the recent tragedy in Looe. The vehicle involved in that crash was inspected by a group of 10 experts and they found no defects that caused or contributed to the accident.

“We have a fleet of 50 vehicles and these inspections have been carried out over a number of years.

The impression that we have an unroadworthy fleet is simply not true. I stand by our safety record, which I say is reasonable over a 30 year period. I didn’t agree with many of the findings.

“If we cannot operate we cannot employ anyone and the welfare of our staff is of paramount importance. We will do our best to stay in business so they can maintain employment.

“We are not some rogue operator.

We are a hard working family business which has been around for 30 years. The Looe tragedy had a devastating effect on all of us, but we are not a cowboy operator trying to cut corners.” n www.coachandbusweek.com

16/06/2014 15:32

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699493-1142-EVM 16/06/2014 13:45 Page 1

MINIBUS The essential read for Minibus Operators

June 2014

Ford’s new Transit was a welcome addition to the line-up at Hampshire County Council’s Minibus Event 2014 in Basingstoke last week

Improving outlook

T

he gradual upward trend in the minibus market seems to be continuing as the majority of suppliers are saying they detect growing con�idence among operators and their order books have been extending as a result. Some had expected the resurgence was due to a �lurry of orders to get Euro 5 and Euro 5+ compliant vehicles ahead of the introduction of mandatory Euro 6 standards. However, this does not seem to have had a detrimental effect on forward ordering – despite the inevitable price

www.coachandbusweek.com

037_CBW1142_MINIBUS_Opener.indd 37

hike attached to the new technology. While this indicates greater stability for converters and coachbuilders it must be remembered the majority had been forced to slim down their operations. Full order books at this time do not actually indicate a return to pre-recession production levels.

Mercedes-Benz has announced the arrival of its new Vito – a fully revised platform for Euro 6. It looks set to get its �irst public airing at the IAA Exhibition in Hanover this September. The industry press is being invited to preview the new model in late July – so reviews can be expected in August. Ford’s new Transit with Trend interior speci�ication was on show in 15-seat form at Basingstoke last week. For a factory produced vehicle it seems a very tidy and comfortable option for anyone wanting a multi-purpose minibus with a little extra to enable it to operate on private hires. There remains a Base speci�ication model as a cheaper alternative – but this too represents a strong improvement over previous Transit incarnations, particularly in terms of standard levels of equipment.

Martin Cole MINIBUS Editor

June 18, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK MINIBUS | 37 16/06/2014 18:48

MINIBUS › NEWS

Bluebird Orion goes Lite Accessible vehicle can be driven by car drivers, even those who passed their test after 1997 so long as the vehicle is not used for hire and reward Scarborough-based Bluebird Vehicles is introducing a new version of the Fiat Ducato-based low-floor Orion called the Orion Lite.

Externally identical to the standard model, which normally weighs in at around five tonnes, ‘Lite’ is a 16-seat vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of 4,240kg. Because it’s wheelchair accessible with a ramp, it can be driven by car drivers, even those who passed their test after 1997 so long as the vehicle is not used for hire and reward.

Wheelchair accessible vehicles with a GVW of over 4,250kg would require a D1 licence for post 1997 drivers and couldn’t be driven for hire and reward by those who obtained their car licence prior to that. For nonwheelchair accessible minibuses the upper GVW limit is 3.5 tonnes.

“By stripping back all the nonessentials we can offer you this

The Fiat Ducato-based Orion Lite joins the Orion and Orion Plus already available from Bluebird super-lightweight coachbuilt vehicle that’s ideal for community transport groups or anyone with volunteer drivers as it requires no further qualifications or training to drive,” says Bluebird.

“A standard UK driving licence covers most people to drive under their B entitlement (Cat A if before 1990).”

Removable seats facilitate different saloon configurations that can accommodate up to four wheelchairs. However, Orion Lite specification options will reflect the limits imposed by

the GVW criteria. Prices for a manual transmission vehicle will start from £63,000, £64,500 for an automatic. A comprehensive warranty covers the first 100,000 miles or three years.

The first Orion Lite has just gone into production and is expected to be completed around the middle of July. While it has a customer’s name against it, it will initially be used as a demonstrator.

While a final decision on the choice of seating has still to be made, Rescroft CT Lites are a likely choice.

Bluebird remains committed to developing its rear-engined 32-seat Pegasus low-floor midibus. With a GVW of seven tonnes, it will be 9.1m long and 2.35m wide. An integral cromweld structure will be under treated and sealed for corrosion protection. Power will come from a three-litre engine driving through a ZF automated gearbox.

Further details are on the Bluebird Vehicles website at www.bluebirdvehicles.com

Two EVM Elegance Sprinters for Clarecastle coaches Clarecastle Coaches of County Clare, Ireland, has taken delivery of two Euro 6 Elegance Sprinters direct from EVM’s conversion facility in Kilbeggan.

Both vehicles are based on Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 516 Cdi with 163bhp engines and six-speed manual gearboxes. Each has 22 EVM Comfort seats with fixed backs, three-point seatbelts, armrests to the aisle side and are trimmed in moquette with virtual leather head panels. Original

rear doors were retained and lightweight luggage partitions supplied, along with a drop boot, to allow the creation of luggage space.

Towbars were also fitted.

The original hinged front passenger doors were also kept, plus the factory-fitted windscreen and side glazing. EVM installed its own three-stage entry step unit for passenger entry.

Full length, brushed aluminium, luggage racks complete with strip lighting and blue LED night lights

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Each Sprinter carries 22 comfort seats plus individual passenger service units containing reading lights and adjustable air ducts were also installed. In-dash air-conditioning

plus saloon heating with a heater booster was also provided.

Clarecastle also opted for Mercedes-Benz Sound 20 Radio/ CD systems with saloon speakers integrated in passenger service units. The units are Bluetooth ready. Both vehicles have PA systems with multiple microphone points. External enhancement included Elegance body side skirts, colour-coded bumpers, side moulding and front grille with EuroLiner wheel trims.

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Robinson of Shetland chooses EVM Robinson of Shetland recently took delivery of a Euro 6 Elegance from EVM. It is based on a MercedesBenz Sprinter 516 Cdi featuring a 163bhp engine and six-speed manual gearbox.

Equipped with 19 EVM Executive reclining seats, complete with three-point seatbelts and folding aisle-side armrests, it can quickly be transformed into a 16-seater and a lightweight partition installed to create a large luggage area. The rear two rows of seating are fitted on quick-release mounts.

They were trimmed in Epengele moquette with leather headrests.

It also features a new EVM plug-type electric entrance door with manual emergency release and exterior key lock facility – plus EVM’s integrated three-stage entry step with LED strip lights and stainless steel inserts.

Two full length luggage racks stretch the length of the saloon.

They incorporate full length strip lighting with switchable colours plus individual passenger service units with forced air. EVM stepped,

Haines takes its first Soroco

Haines Minicoaches of Leatherhead has acquired its first coachbuilt 16-seater Ferqui Soroco from Connaught PSV. Based on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 515 Cdi, it is fitted with reclining seats, air-conditioning, MP3 player, double-glazing, curtains, powered entrance door and a large coach-style rear luggage boot.

Ian Haines said: “We decided to try a coachbuilt model for our latest purchase as all our previous 16-seaters have been conversions.

“We feel the coachbuilt bodies are less prone to developing cracks in the paintwork and generating rust bubbles – which can only help us to gain higher residual values on what we buy. I’m very impressed by the quality of the Soroco.”

Operating for 20 years, Haines Minicoaches is a family-run business originally from Banstead but now in a dedicated facility

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curved double-glazed saloon side windows in privacy grey were installed in the original apertures.

Climate control relies on the Mercedes-Benz in-dash airconditioning with forced-air ventilation ducted through the racks to the passenger service units. A heater/booster unit was installed in the saloon. Robinson also selected a Mercedes-Benz Sound 15 head unit with SD Card input, saloon speakers and a PA system with multiple microphone points.

External enhancements included colour-coded side skirts, wraparound rear bumper and EVM’s Chrome pack.

Robinson Transport is based in Weisdale, on the West of Shetland. Its origins date back to 1930 when Jackie Robinson and Davie Morrison started a general merchant store. As well as running the shop, Robinson and Morrison also did some private vehicle hire in the local area.

With the unfortunate passing of Davie Morrison in 1945, Jackie was

joined in the business by his wife Mimie. In 1948 they were awarded the local school contract which is still operated today.

During the 1950s their elder sons Melvyn and Ian joined the business which continued to grow and it benefited especially during the 1970s with the advent of the Shetland oil boom.

When Jackie passed away in 1985, Melvyn and Ian were joined in the business by their younger brother Graham.

During the next 18 years, the private hire side of the business increased and in 2004, Graham took it over, renaming it Robinson Transport.

Today, the varied fleet consists of vehicles seating from four to 43 passengers, employed on a wide range of duties including school contracts, private hire, stage carriage and incoming tours.

Graham Robinson said competitive pricing, quality of build and ability to deliver on time were his reasons for choosing EVM.

Haines has opted for a coachbuilt this time at Leatherhead which allows undercover parking for all 12 vehicles. It also has office space, a fully-equipped workshop and driver facilities. The largest vehicles are a pair of 26-seater Toyota Optimos, two Varios and a Riada. The company operates

school contracts, works transport, day trips and private hires with some occasional continental visits for groups.

Call Haines Minicoaches on 01737 360203. Visit www.hainesminicoaches.co.uk

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Noone Turas 500C TopLine launched

Minis to Midis, the Doncasterbased mini/midicoach dealer and agent for Brian Noone Ltd in Great Britain, has announced the addition of a new top specification model to its Sprinter conversion range.

The new Turas 500C Top-Line features as standard a powered plug door, coach rear with extra large dropwell boot, upgraded ‘panorama plus’ double-glazing with increased interior window apertures to improve passenger comfort and visibility, plus Bosch CAD 12 entertainment system, which includes a DVD player, fold down monitor and PA. A 40-litre coolbox is also standard and plush seating comes courtesy of upgraded Brusa Create 110 coach seats featuring extra padding, side flaps, piping and trimmed in real Orion leather. A moquette/leather combination can be specified if preferred, as can a number of options including executive tables, WiFi and USB charge sockets.

Maximum seating is 16. The first example, based on the dealer’s last Euro 5 516 cdi chassis, is about to be delivered to Angel Executive Travel of High Wycombe.

Director Alan White told Minibus: “The Top-Line is a development from our popular Turas 500C Hi-Line model which features panoramic double-glazing with curved inner apertures. It also reflects the level of specification being requested by customers purchasing the conversion range as an alternative to the highly successful Turas 500 coachbuilt model launched in 2013.

“Customers can of course choose their own specification to order or select from our existing build programme.”

For those requiring a lower level luxury specification the dealer offers its M-Line model with up to 22 seats.

For more information call Minis to Midis on 01302 833203 or visit www. ministomidis.com

June 18, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK MINIBUS | 39 16/06/2014 13:17

THE BIG PICTURE The London Transport Museum, which supplied this picture, unveiled its newly restored London General B-Type in Covent Garden Piazza last Thursday (June 12). It’s all part of Transport for London’s Year of the Bus celebrations and marking the centenary of the start of the First World War. The public will have only a limited number of opportunities to admire the bus before its transformation into a war time ‘battle bus’ in September, after which it will embark on a tour to the battlefields of France and Belgium to commemorate the sacrifices made by so many, including drivers, mechanics and other transport workers. The restoration has cost £250,000, made possible by a grant of just over £750,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, further funding from the London Transport Museum Friends and public donations.

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16/06/2014 12:33

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New Iveco Daily launched in Italy

While Iveco claims 80% of the Daily components have been redesigned, it retains its familiar look Package of improvements include longer wheel bases and reduced rear overhang The third generation of the Iveco Daily was launched in Italy earlier this month. The manufacturer claims 80% of its components have been redesigned, while it retains its traditional ladder frame chassis to retain its inherent sturdiness and durability whilst providing maximum flexibility for bodybuilders on chassis cab models.

The range of chassis cab models is claimed to be the largest on the market, with gross vehicle weights ranging from 3.3 to 7 tonnes, wheelbases from 3,000 to 4,750 mm and total vehicle lengths of up to 6,190 mm. The new 4,100 mm wheelbase and single-wheel

Lingfield’s Euro 6 Sprinter Lingfield Minibus Hire of Surrey recently took delivery of a Euro 6 Classic Sprinter from EVM. Seating 22, Comfort seats, the Classic is based on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 516 Cdi with a 163bhp

version allows a 4,500 mm bodybuilding surface. Load carrying capacity of up to 4,700 kg can be achieved on the largest model. Maximum load on front and rear axles is also at the top of the category. The 146bhp engine on twin-wheel versions is a 2.3-litre unit with variable geometry turbocharger, improving payload capacity by more than 60kg, while offering enhanced fuel consumption and lower emissions.

New Daily Minibus models built in the Suzzara factory in Italy cover three categories: l Daily Line - the most versatile version, ideal for interurban routes or as a school bus. It is available in three different lengths with two types of doors, different passenger layouts, seats up to

22 passengers and comes with specific optionals such as a wheelchair ramp. l Daily Tourys – a touring bus version similar to a grand tourism vehicle in terms of comfort and style. The ‘family feeling’ between this version and the range of large tourism buses from Iveco Bus is even more evident. The vehicle features all new floor and ceiling trim and features LED lights and individual climate control vents. l Daily Citys – exclusively designed for transport in small urban and suburban areas.

Also available as a CNG version, the vehicle features a double central door and a rear door with wheelchair access thanks to a dedicated ramp. l Daily Pop – a school bus dedicated to the Italian market.

engine, coupled to a 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic gearbox.

Unusually for Classic models, it was specified with an electric plug-type passenger entry door, featuring manual emergency release and exterior key lock facility and EVM’s integrated threestage entry step with LED strip lights and stainless steel inserts.

Full length luggage racks on either side of the gangway offer storage for luggage and include strip lighting with switchable colours, plus individual passenger service units with forced air.

Lingfield opted for original glazing with privacy grey tint.

Mercedes-Benz in-dash and saloon air-conditioning were

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Another EVM X-Clusive for Whites St Albans-based Whites Coaches has taken delivery of a new 11-seater Euro 6 EVM Sprinter X-Clusive VIP. Based on a Mercedes 516 Cdi, it includes VIP seats, upholstered in real leather, three-point seatbelts, armrests, with cushioned tops, seat-back tables, adjustable headrests and a rising cushion when the seat is reclined. A power inverter supplies AC plug points plus DC charging points.

EVM installed its plug-type electric entry door with manual emergency release and exterior key lock facility alongside its integrated three-stage entry step and wood-effect flooring material throughout the saloon. The rear drop boot offers around three cubic metres of luggage space and full length racks either side of the saloon provide extra storage.

Mercedes-Benz in-dash airconditioning is combined with a Webasto air-conditioning unit for the saloon which is ducted through the luggage racks to the passenger service outlets. Convector saloon heating is mounted on the side walls with heater booster.

Whites also opted for a Parrot Asteroid Smart Multimedia head unit with saloon speakers.

Drop-down 17-inch screens were positioned at the front and rear. The system also allows multiple Bluetooth connection. A reversing camera uses the Parrot display screen to assist the driver when reverse gear is selected.

A PA system, Freeview TV and a Moovera M310 Gateway for WiFi were also installed.

Two fridges are fitted, a large under-dash unit in the front passenger footwell and a ‘pull out’ unit in the rear conference area.

installed, along with a heater booster for the saloon. The customer also chose the Sound 15 head unit with SD Card input and saloon speakers, a PA system with multiple microphone points, a DVD player plus a drop down monitor.

External enhancements included colour-coded side skirts and mouldings and a chrome pack.

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699951-1142-Eberspacher 11/06/2014 08:37 Page 1

MINIBUS › BASINGSTOKE SHOW

Minibus Event 2014 H

A strong and varied programme of training sessions and seminars, combined with a supporting trade exhibition was hosted by Hampshire County Council in Basingstoke on June 11. Glorious weather ensured delegates could make the most of both indoor and outdoor displays.

Martin Cole went along to see what was there

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ampshire County Council’s Minibus Event 2014 attracted strong support from converters, coachbuilders, leasing specialists and support industry suppliers.

As with all such events where delegates are engaged in the seminars and training sessions geared around community transport, exhibitors faced periods of sparse attention, followed by flurries of intense activity during scheduled breaks for refreshment and at lunchtime.

Indications from most of the exhibitors suggested growth in customer confidence and full order books for some time ahead – while there was some concern over vehicle

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Mellor Fiat Ducato 14-seat easy access lowfloor bus

Oughtred & Harrison Sprinter

Red Kite Peugeot Boxer in schoolbus configuration availability, owing to the roll-out of new models which become widely available later this year and the rapidly dwindling stock of current models.

Oughtred & Harrison showed its current medium wheelbase Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 516 Cdi demonstrator which largely features original factory-supplied equipment – such as the electric sliding side entrance door, automatic entry step, tinted windows and luggage racks.

Additional features were Webasto saloon air conditioning, a PLS Access-lite underfloor lift incorporating rear step and a cage for stowing passenger restraint equipment. This model also came with the 7G-Tronic automatic gearbox.

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EVM brought along its lowfloor Sprinter 516 Cdi first seen at the NEC last year. Since its public debut, it has been returned to Holland, where the lowfloor mid-section was developed, awaiting the installation of the official, typeapproved Euro 6 exhaust aftertreatment system which has been specially developed for converters and coachbuilders who make modifications to the original base platform and would need alterations to the standard system – such as re-routing – which is no longer allowed under type-approval emissions legislation.

EVM’s Danny McGee said it would shortly be embarking on a busy demonstration programme and it had sparked considerable

interest due to its comparatively low price. The lowfloor section offers a single step entry of 270mm and a manual folding boarding ramp ensures easy access for wheelchairs. This model is fitted with Politecnica seating – 13 in the rear raised section, two with fold-up bass in the lowfloor area and another tip and fold seat unit directly opposite the powered sliding entrance door.

Red Kite showed two Peugeot Boxers converted to school minibus specification.

Although not in accessible form, the 16-seat example was equipped with floor tracking and could be configured to accept a single wheelchair if necessary. Two lightweight

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MINIBUS › BASINGSTOKE SHOW

EVM lowfloor Sprinter

Gowrings Mobility Vauxhall Movano

Mellor Coachcraft Sprinter Accessible

to Gowrings, the Vivaro had become an extremely popular offering for PTS services and the current shortage of Vivaro models, until September when the new one enters production, was causing long waiting lists.

Vapor Ricon displayed a Volkswagen T5 fitted out as a demonstration rig which had a fully automatic internal rear lift, a side mounted passenger lift and a front passenger seat which can exit the cab area, turn and lower to the floor.

Sales & Marketing Executive Michael Dickinson said the company was busy expanding its portfolio of products to provide converters or buyers with a one-stop-shop for all their requirements. This included tested and certified flooring systems, passenger restraints and seating – to include fixed, reclining and tilt and fold options, plus a selection of lightweight boarding ramps.

Vapor Ricon has also come up with a patented system to speed the installation of bonded glazing – called the ‘Three-Minute Window.’

It is supplied as a kit of four brackets which secure the glass in place and takes just three minutes to fit. Kits are available to suit all bus and coach applications and come with a sheet of anti-graffiti film to cover the inside surface.

The system allows vehicles to rapidly re-enter service after the new glass is installed – avoiding the usual three to four hours curing time.

GM Coachwork showed its 13-seat Peugeot Boxer fitted with Braun internal passenger lift – as seen at the CV Show earlier this year. It could be configured to accommodate two wheelchairs.

A manual drop-down step arrangement was installed at the side entrance.

Stanford Coachworks brought along its 19seat Sprinter 516-based Monaco ‘Sensory Bus’ which was in London Hire livery and also first seen at the CV Show.

aluminium boarding channels were supplied to provide access. A sliding side door with an automatic entry step provided saloon entry for ambulant passengers and tinted glazing fitted. It could be configured for up to four wheelchairs in accessible specification with a rear passenger lift of the customer’s choice.

A 14-seat example alongside was said to be proving highly popular with schools and other private organisations as it weighed-in at below 3.5t and could be driven without the need for a D1 licence.

Treka Bus displayed its cavernous Treka Van, a 16-seat conversion with a raised flat floor capable of accepting up to six wheelchairs.

Based on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 516 it features a flat raised floor and PLS underfloor lift. Treka Bus said it was now producing four

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of these a week alongside two of its coachbuilt Treka 16 models and had full order books until January 2015.

Mellor Coachcraft had two vehicles on display with a Fiat Ducato lowfloor easy-access bus and the 16-seat Sprinter Accessible – the latter being used by London Hire to promote its contract hire and services. The 14 seat Ducato features a lowered Al-Ko chassis which offers a single step entrance through a wide door aperture and double doors at the rear enable simple wheelchair access using a lightweight folding platform.

Gowrings Mobility presented two Vauxhall conversions – a Movano featuring a Braun internal lift and a Vivaro capable of accommodating two wheelchairs or up to four passengers in the saloon. According

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Trend specification interior on Ford Transit Seats were on NMI quick release fittings, allowing rapid reconfiguration to seat three passengers and accept up to six wheelchairs – or anywhere in between. Wood-effect flooring, a carpeted entrance area and soft-trimmed interior with LED mood lighting and brushedsilver textured handrails all combined make an aesthetically pleasing environment. A PLS underfloor lift was also fitted.

Euromotive opted to display an Iveco Daily 50 C 15 equipped with a powered plug-type entry door and a raised flat floor to maximise wheelchair space.

TBC (Taxi & Bus Conversions) which recently moved into a new production facility in Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, exhibited a 16seat Maxi-wheelbase Volkswagen Crafter CR50 equipped with Rescroft CT-lite seats, Eberspacher climate control system and full length parcel racks which can be supplied with basic or lockable aircraft-style locker doors.

The demonstration model featured a Braun passenger lift, NMI lockable seat fixings and a modified stepwell creating three entry steps.

Factory fitted glazing was used. TBC said the vehicle was proving highly attractive to potential customers and had been almost permanently on demonstration since it appeared at Coach & Bus Live 2013.

Courtside Conversions brought along a Peugeot Boxer it had supplied to the local authority for community services in Slough and a Ford Transit built for leasing specialist Aptiga. Courtside is working with Aptiga to provide customers with attractive lease/hire options.

The Ford Motor Company was a late entry to the event, having just finished putting together its in-house 15-seat Transit. It was not an accessible model, although these are in the pipeline. The new Transit has been completely

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Gowrings Mobility presented two Vauxhall conversions

GM Coachwork Peugeot Boxer

Vapor Ricon front passenger seat

revised from front to back and, in Trend, rather than Base format, presents a much more attractive interior than previous examples and vastly improved seating comfort.

Accessible versions of the Transit will, however, only have limited applications owing to the manufacturer’s decision to use the cant rails for ducting airflow and other on-board services. It means cant rail fixings for specialist passenger restraint systems will be difficult or even impossible to achieve.

Supporting the vehicles on display was an indoor exhibition area of trade stands. New products on show included quickly adjustable front wheelchair tie-downs from Unwin Safety Systems. Technical Advisor Bob Appleyard said the OF03 was almost universal in its application and a main benefit was its rapid and highly adjustable operation which did not rely on the foot fixing being installed in exactly the same position in the floor tracking.

Also new and of some interest was the BeamMini from Mobile Onboard – a simplified WiFi system suited for application on minibuses, minicoaches passenger shuttles and taxis.

Beam-Mini has been configured to deliver high performance without the added cost attached to larger systems which cater for much higher numbers of users – and at under £200 is a significant saving, around 70%, against the investment required for alternatives which are designed to cater for 80-100 passengers.

As on-board WiFi is attributed to being one of the key elements triggering increased passenger growth on buses the price tag seems to make it a necessary part of the specification. Mobile Onboard said it had recently seen significant demand for such a product through enquires from educational establishments. Beam Mini comes with a lifetime guarantee and 24/7 support via on-site engineer or e-mail helpdesk to ensure trouble-free operation. n

June 18, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK MINIBUS | 47 16/06/2014 18:00

MINIBUS › VEHICLE LAUNCH › MERCEDES-BENZ EURO 6 MINIBUS

Mercedes-Benz Euro 6 minibus range Martin Cole visits the EvoBus plant in Dortmund to view the new Euro 6 range of OEM-produced minibuses

I

t’s now 14 years since the former Kassbohrer Setra plant at Dortmund began producing official OEM minibuses.

Two years previously, in 1998, EvoBus bought a 49% in the Karl Koch GmbH business which had been building lowfloor minibuses based on the Sprinter platform. In 2000 it was moved to the Dortmund plant and began building a range of vehicles using the technical expertise of the manufacturer and using common components, already proven in larger bus and coach production, to create a dedicated, high quality option with full factory support for customers. The Karl Koch GmbH concern became wholly-owned by EvoBus in 2004.

There are now four main product lines, each capable of meeting a wide range of customer specifications and requirements, combining a mixture of panel van conversions and specialist coachbuilt models to suit specific sectors. The lines include: Sprinter Mobility, for accessible transport which can be equipped with flat floors, passenger lifts and quickly removable seating to create wheelchair spaces; Sprinter Transfer, a general people-mover suitable for inter-city travel and a wide range of duties; Sprinter City, a small bus with lowfloor access suited to urban or rural applications; and the high specification Sprinter Travel, equipped

The door opening and closing mechanism

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with luxury seating from the flagship Travego coach and a large rear boot.

While the facility is a part of the Daimler organisation, it operates independently by purchasing its base vehicle stock direct from the van or chassis cab manufacturing plants and the majority of its components through the bus or coach divisions. The end products are fully supported throughout the EvoBus network and a growing number of commercial vehicle dealerships, particularly in the UK, where many of these have been training staff and are beginning to sell the products direct.

Minibuses from the plant are currently sold in 40 different markets around the world and beginning to enjoy considerable success in Australia, Eastern Europe, Turkey, India, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. Following the downturn in the market due to recession, 2013 saw Mercedes-Benz Minibus increase its market share from 5% to 10%. The UK market is a significant target as it remains the largest in the world for minibuses. Last year there were around 3,400 registrations in a market which is only just beginning to recover.

New products

With a revised Sprinter range accompanying the move to Euro 6, it has brought a number of new challenges. The most significant of these

Sprinter's 163bhp Euro 6 engine compartment

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Sprinter Transfer, the general specification inter-urban passenger shuttle has been developing an exhaust system which would be compliant with the regulations. The standard system developed for the Sprinter vans was able to make use of the traditional run of pipework under the vehicle and exiting at the rear. Under type approval, this cannot be modified in any way in order for it to retain its compliance as the necessary pressures to achieve homogeneous AdBlue injection must be maintained.

For the Sprinter City lowfloor vehicles, the pipe run needs to exit close to the cab area and to the side. It required a completely new system to be developed, tested and certified to achieve the necessary certification. Any third party body builder producing a lowfloor Sprinter will need to use this new system in order to achieve compliance and design their vehicle to

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accommodate it.

The new vehicles were also around 40kg heavier due to Euro 6 – so considerable thought has gone into areas of weight reduction to compensate and either retain or improve the gross vehicle weight.

Many components have been made lighter and new materials used in the interior. Honeycomb structures have been used in the roof which accommodates vents for air-conditioning, a new glass-roof option for some models and new luggage racks and passengers sets have been added.

Independent tests on the new range shows a significant improvement in fuel consumption, which is reduced by 12.5-17.5% combined with much lower emissions. Much of the improved performance comes from the availability of

the new 7G-Tronic automatic transmission, new rear axle ratios and the new engines offer longer service intervals which further reduce the overheads and whole life operating costs.

Base vehicles arriving at Dortmund are allocated to the customer and stripped of original parts which would interfere with the build process. These are assigned to a specific cart and those original parts refitted to the same vehicle at the appropriate stage. Depending on the specification from the customer, new wiring harnesses are created with any necessary connections – to accommodate CCTV, lighting, air conditioning, destination equipment and any other additions.

Conversions which end up as Mobility or Transfer models progress down two lines on one side of the plant while the coachbuilt City

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MINIBUS › VEHICLE LAUNCH › MERCEDES-BENZ EURO 6 MINIBUS

Wide double-doors at front and rear have manual fold boarding ramps and Travel models occupy two lines on the other side.

City versions undergo the radical change as they require a complete chassis revision with a low boarding area behind the cab area, wide enough to accept 1,200mm double doors and a manually folding boarding ramp, plus further modification at the rear to accommodate the air suspension – particularly so on the longer 77 version which has a tri-axle assembly added to give it increased weight capacity and a kneeling capability. The floor is forced to rise over the rear wheels and drops again afterwards at the rear. This is achieved using a curved floor to eliminate the need for steps.

Seating installed in the City models is the same as used in the Citaro buses.

Just like the large bus and coach products, all the steel framework involved in the construction process is given catephoric anti-corrosion treatment to ensure longevity.

The paintshop works to exacting standards, offering a broader range of colours and has the ability to apply liveries with a high quality finish. Underbody protection is applied by hand with specific attention paid to any seams and areas which may have been affected by the bodybuilding or conversion process.

Factory-fitted air-conditioning for all the minibus range is identical except for the capacity. There is a choice of an 8.0kW unit or and 11kW unit – depending on the vehicle size or customer requirement.

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SprinterCity 77 floor layout rises and falls with no steps

Test drives

Owing to a restricted schedule it wasn’t possible to test drive all the models and to undertake the factory tour. The first to become available was a 19-seater Transfer which had a standard passenger entrance door combined with an automatic boarding step and an automated open/close facility operated by a single push button on the dash. This featured the 7G-Tronic automatic gearbox and the 163bhp Euro 6 engine.

The route incorporated quieter parts of

Dortmund, around the factory, fast flowing traffic on major roads, a section of Autobahn and some congested inner city driving to give a varied experience. In all situations the Transfer was completely at ease. It was quiet, responsive and capable with no hint of a rattle at any stage, even over city sections affected by current roadworks and traffic calming measures.

Steering was light and positive, the brakes showed no sign of grabbing and its handling and roadholding were a delight.

There was excellent vision from the driving

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16/06/2014 13:17

p51_CBW_1142 16/06/2014 16:53 Page 51

DRIVEN BY PERFECTION Minibus conversions have been at the heart of GM Coachwork for over 25 years providing accessible minibuses to a wide range of clients including schools, charities, councils, sports clubs, NHS Trusts and community transport associations. Call us today for a no-obligation estimate.

W gmminibus.co.uk T 0845 0760962 www.coachandbusweek.com

June 18, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 51

MINIBUS › VEHICLE LAUNCH › MERCEDES-BENZ EURO 6 MINIBUS

The Travel 65 position – which is also more comfortable thanks to the suspended, multi-adjustable seat and both rake and reach adjustment on the steering column. The outgoing five-speed automatic gearbox was difficult to find any fault with and the new seven-speed unit is even smoother – effecting changes much more quickly and these are just as imperceptible. The slightly higher top gear, in conjunction with a new rear axle ratio, reduces engine revolutions at cruising speed and contributes much to improved fuel consumption.

Passenger seats were the Inter Star units which come from the Tourismo range. They offered a high level of comfort and sufficient legroom. Luggage racks provided some stowage space but there was only limited space for luggage in the coach-style rear.

Sprinter City 77

The lowfloor 6.8t Sprinter City 77 represents a significant feat of engineering to create a small citybus with low entry boarding through double doors at the front and rear. Based on a chassis cab which has been seriously modified to accept a tandem axle and retain a relatively low gangway throughout requires considerable work. Available width and the need for a dedicated wheelchair space means seating is somewhat limited, although there is a high standee capacity which means it can make a useful short-hop citybus. Its downfall is the price tag, circa £100,000 which, when compared to the cost of a typical small 8.5 – 9.0m midibus seems totally disproportionate as it has only 10 fixed seats and two tip-up units in each of the flat floor areas.

The model has begun to sell in some sectors of the bus industry. Berlin operator BVG took a

52 | COACH & BUS WEEK MINIBUS | June 18, 2014 048_052_CBW1138_MINIBUS_Feature.indd 52

The flagship Travel 65 uses Travel Star Xtra seating from the Travego coach sufficient power to pull away from stops and quickly merge with traffic and the all-round independent air suspension ensures a firm but comfortable ride.

Sprinter Travel 65

A front end view of the Travel 65 batch of 25 to evaluate its practicality and lower running costs during off-peak periods where services need to be retained but passenger numbers decrease significantly. BVG reasoned there was little point running 12 and 13m citybuses in the off-peak periods because of their relatively high fuel consumption and emission levels. The results were sufficiently positive for the company to place a repeat order for this year which it has acquired on a fouryear lease. 12 have been supplied to an operator in Avignon, France, for a similar purpose. It can also potentially make rural routes more cost effective and sustainable.

All the City range uses the 163bhp Euro 6 engine and the new 7G-Tronic automatic gearbox which has proved sufficient for all applications. They are also fitted with an electro-magnetic retarder which has a multiposition stalk on the dashboard and also has the first retardation stages linked through the brake pedal to reduce wear on brake pads and discs.

Alloy wheels are fitted to reduce overall weight.

Despite its 8.7m length, the City 77’s 1.993m width and relatively short 4.1m wheelbase means it is easy to manoeuvre in traffic. It has

Topping the range from Dortmund, the 7.72m Travel 65 is based on the Sprinter 519Cdi with a V6 diesel engine just shy of 3.0 litres which delivers 190bhp and a massive 440Nm of torque between 1,400-2,400rpm.

Its coachbuilt body width of 1.993m allows the installation of 15 Travel Star Xtra seats, as used in the Travego coach which are a full 450mm wide.

Equipped with a 7G-Tronic automatic gearbox and rear air suspension, it is ultra-smooth and the power delivery is remarkably ‘civilised’ under normal use and is responsive when there is demand for power to overtake slower vehicles. It features a powered plug-type entry door and an optional courier seat beside the driver which can be tilted forwards to facilitate boarding.

The large rear boot offers two cubic metres of luggage space and full length racks are generously deep to cater for additional items.

On the road, the Travel 65 behaves impeccably and gives excellent driver feedback. Passenger comfort levels are extremely high and the equipment level is generous. Optional extras include saloon air conditioning, refrigerator, BiXenon headlamps, reversing camera and audio/ DVD system.

EvoBus in Coventry is currently offering Sprinter Mobility 23 and 45 models, City 35 and 65, Transfer 34, 45 and 55, plus the Travel 45, 55 and 65.

Call 024 7662 6000. Visit www.evobus.co.uk

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Ford Transit 430 Jumbo

VW Transporter T32 130

Iveco Daily 45c14 Iris Bus

Renault Traffic LH29

2.2TD, 6 speed gearbox, tacho, high roof factory conversion, PAS, side loading door,16 high back seats plus driver, fully tracked Unwin floor, PLS underfloor tail lift, ex charity, only 41,777 miles.

LWB, 2.5TDI, 6 speed manual gearbox, air con, CD player, semi high roof, side loading door, 5 high back seats in rear, double passenger seat + driver, lowering suspension with fold down ramp, Unwin tracking, electric winch, 49,185 miles.

3.0, 6 speed gearbox, high roof, PAS, LWB, tacho, power front entry door, 16 rear high back seats (17 seats in total), Unwin tracking, Eberspacher heater, underfloor Ratcliff tail lift, COIF to take up to 5 wheelchairs, choice of 2.

2.5TD, manual gearbox, high roof, O & H conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, high back seats, fully tracked Unwin floor, Ricon tail lift, 33,164 miles only.

P.O.A.

P.O.A.

P.O.A.

P.O.A.

H.W. Pickrell – 01268 521033

H.W. Pickrell – 01268 521033

H.W. Pickrell – 01268 521033

H.W. Pickrell – 01268 521033

2002 (52) Mercedes 814 Vario Plaxton Beaver 2

2003 (52) Iveco Daily 45c13 Iris Bus

LDV Maxus 3.5T 95 LWB

Fiat Ducato 160 Multijet

29 seats all with lap diagonal belts, auto, 203,000 kms, MOT till August, PLS underslung chair lift.

10 seats with PLS chairlift, front entry, fully length floor tracking, all seats on quick release, bonded glass, COIF/PSV, tacho.

7 seats, AMF-Bruns internal chairlift, full tracking on Unwin quick release, Euromotive built, 1 owner, low miles, side loading door.

17 seats, 80,000 miles from new, 1 owner, front and rear aircon, luggage racks, armrests, Bluetooth, 6 speed manual, COIF/PSV, tacho.

£9,995 + VAT

£3,995 + VAT

£6,495 + VAT

£11,495 + VAT

BNL Coaches 0208 363 8572 or 07811 848548

BNL Coaches 0208 363 8572 or 07811 848548

BNL Coaches 0208 363 8572 or 07811 848548

BNL Coaches 0208 363 8572 or 07971 785390

2004 04 PLATE DAF LF45 WELFARE BUS

2006 06 PLATE MERCEDES SPRINTER 413 CDI FRONT ENTRY MINIBUS

New EVM Sprinter Classic

2012 EVM Sprinter 516 Avantgarde

6.0 litre turbo diesel 180ps, automatic gearbox, 40 seats plus driver and companion, tracking for 4 wheelchairs, electric folding access door, electric windows, 147,000 kilometers/91,000 miles, very good condition, supplied with 12 months MOT, serviced to FTA standards .

WAS £18,495 + VAT – NOW £16,995 + VAT

16 seats + driver, automatic, hinged entry door, double rear doors, in-dash and saloon A/C, saloon heater, privacy glazing, PA system.

16 seats, auto, power door, large drop boot, coach rear end, panoramic windows, monitor and DVD, Euroliners, Mercedes Benz warranty, 6 new tyres.

POA

£52,000 + VAT

Ben Weaver Commercials 0114 275 7076

2200 CDI turbo diesel 130ps, 6 speed sprintshift automatic, 17 seats, air con, UV Modular conversion, Ratcliffe underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for upto 6 wheelchairs, COIF, tachograph, CD player, 107,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty. £14,995 + VAT

Ben Weaver Commercials 0114 275 7076

EVM Direct – 0845 5205160

EVM Direct – 0845 5205160

2008 58 PLATE VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER T5 WELFARE BUS

2006 56 PLATE VOLKSWAGEN LT46 16 SEAT MINIBUS

Mercedes Benz Sprinter 513 CDI

Euro 6 Low Floor Sprinter

2.5 TDI auto, 15 seats, COIF, digital tacho, gross vehicle weight for 4100 kgs so can be driven without a D1 license, tracking for up to 5 wheelchairs, electric front entry doors with fold out wheelchair ramp, reversing camera, LEZ compliant, 81,000 miles, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty.

2.5 TDI, Ricon internal rear wheelchair lift, tracking for up to 3 wheelchairs plus 5 seated, twin side loading doors with near side AVS electric access step, digital tachograph, COIF, LEZ compliant, 101,000 miles, very good condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty.

16 seats + driver, LWB, 6 speed manual, electric entry step, in-dash aircon, 3 year Mercedes Benz warranty, optional extras available.

22 mixed between seating/standing/wheelchair, sliding 120 cm entry door, multiple drop box combinations are available for luggage storage.

£11,995 + VAT

WAS £10,995 + VAT – NOW £10,495 + VAT

Ben Weaver Commercials 0114 275 7076

Ben Weaver Commercials 0114 275 7076

£33,000 + VAT

POA

EVM Direct – 0845 5205160

EVM Direct – 0845 5205160

Telephone Gemma Ireland on 01733 293247 or email gemma.ireland@coachandbusweek.com 54 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 18, 2014

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p55_CBW_1142 16/06/2014 14:19 Page 55

2003 Dennis Trident Alexander

63 seats: £12,000 + VAT – CHOICE 72 seats + refurb package: £25,000 +VAT Full details on request.

Southdown PSV 01342 711840 email: bussales@southdownpsv.co.uk www.southdownpsv.co.uk

2002 Scania Irizar K114

2008 Optare Versa 11.4m

2000 Dennis Dart SLF Plaxton Pointer 10.1m

49 exec, W.C., A.C., 7 speed C-Shift, MOT 21/5/15, excellent condition.

38 seats, DDA compliant, Mobitec LED. £55,000 + VAT – CHOICE Southdown PSV 01342 711840 email: bussales@southdownpsv.co.uk www.southdownpsv.co.uk

40 seats + 15 standees, belts fitted to all seats. £5,950 + VAT Southdown PSV 01342 711840 email: bussales@southdownpsv.co.uk www.southdownpsv.co.uk

NOW £37,000

Kingdoms Tours Ltd 01884 252646 / 07702 626542

2009 Mercedes 0816 Sitcar Beluga 2

2000 Mercedes Sprinter Treka Coachbuilt

Noge Catalan

1993 K reg DAF / Bova

25 leather trimmed seats with lap belts, courier seat, power plug door, air con, audio & DVD, fridge, drivers door, drivers electric window, reverse camera, digital tacho, Telma retarder.

POA

16 seats with 3 point belts, white, power door front entry, external automatic tail lift, tracking, 12 months MOT. Surplus to requirements.

Sensible offers considered

53 belted recliners with footrests and seat back tables, ZF Astronic Auto, recent MOT, LEZ compliant, DVD + 2 screens, air-con, dashbroad fridge, WC, water boiler, Euroliner wheel trims. Choice of 4 similar vehicles.

70 seats, lots of new parts, taxed and MOT’d and in daily use.

Tel: 01823 653000 Moseley in the South

Stanley Travel 01207 237424 / 07768 126136

£80,000

£12,000

Centaur Coaches 01322 625370

Manns Travel – 07796 695675

Luxury VW Crafter

2002 Mercedes Sprinter 413 CDI

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

£21,000

Slick Rides – 07823 770978

2008 Volvo B12B Plaxton Paragons

I-Shift gearbox, reclining seats, 3 point belts, air con, demountable wc, hot/cold water, fridge, owned from new and used on our own holiday programme, low mileage examples (approx 62,000km per annum), well maintained, all-over cream, price includes new MOT.

6 AVAILABLE – £99,000

Alfa Travel – 01257 248003

2006 Volvo B12M

16 seats with 3 point belts, white, panoramic double glazed glass, external automatic tail lift, tracking, 12 months MOT. Surplus to requirements.

Sensible offers considered

Contact Gemma Ireland T: 01733 293247 F: 0845 280 2927

51/53 seat executive, WC, AC, auto, Berkoff LEZ, MOT 12/11/14, excellent condition.

NOW £65,000

Stanley Travel 01207 237424 / 07768 126136

E: gemma.ireland@coachandbusweek.com

2003 (53) Volvo B12M

2003 Neoplan Starliner

2007 Volvo Plaxton Panther B12B

51/53 seat executive, WC, AC, Berkoff, LEZ, MOT 12/11/14, excellent condition.

NOW £44,000 – MAY CONSIDER PX

38 seats, leather seats around tables, Sky TV, DVD entertainment system, 7 screens, toilet/washroom, kitchen with fridge and microwave, sockets throughout coach, automatic, merc engine.

65 seats, WC, front w/chair lift, A/C, 3 point belts fitted, ZF auto, inspection welcome, ready for work, sale due to fleet replacement.

01884 252646 / 07702 626542 Kingdoms Tours Ltd

£37,500 + VAT

Steve 0161 775 0800/07445 266345

01884 252646 / 07702 626542 Kingdoms Tours Ltd

£75,000 + VAT

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

Telephone Gemma Ireland on 01733 293247 or email gemma.ireland@coachandbusweek.com www.coachandbusweek.com

June 18, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 55

p56_CBW_1142 16/06/2014 14:17 Page 56

2005 LDV Convoy

Front entry coach built, large panoramic windows, wood dash, Euroliner wheel trims, very tidy inside and out,12 months MOT, this is the intercooled high power model, drives superb, low mileage.

£5,500 – MAY PX

Parnells Coaches 01404 47502/07790 966667

2009 Iveco Daily

16 moquette seats with 3 point belts, white, manual, single panoramic privacy glazing, forced air, wheelchair tracking, right hand emergency door, reading lights and air vents, 90,000 miles, very clean.

2000/2001 X/Y Reg Volvo B7TL’S

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

Why pay more for less.

FROM £20,000 + VAT

2008 Mercedes Sprinter Executive

10 seats + driver, DVD stereo system, air con, tables, inverter, leather seats, huge luggage space, black tint rear windows, very good, clean condition, LEZ, ready for work.

£18,000 + VAT

2001 Y Reg Tridents

Cummins C series engines, Voith gearboxes, Plaxton President bodies, 78 seats.

Why pay more for less.

FROM £18,000 + VAT

EnsignBus 01708 865656

Steve 0161 775 0800/07980 600597 operations@travel-master.co.uk

New EVM Sprinter X-Clusive

New EVM Sprinter Classic

New EVM Sprinter Avantgarde

16 executive seats in leather+ driver, automatic, power door, coach back boot, in-dash and saloon A/C, panoramic windows, monitors and DVD.

22 seats + driver, automatic, power door, double rear doors, privacy glass, in-dash and saloon A/C, saloon heater, 3 stage entry step, luggage racks.

19 seats + driver, 6 speed manual, Plug type power door, double rear doors, drop boot, in-dash AC, saloon AC, 3 point belts, panoramic double glazing.

EnsignBus 01708 865656

£18,000 + VAT

POA

POA

POA

EVM Direct – 01293 852025

EVM Direct – 0845 5205160

EVM Direct – 0845 5205160

EVM Direct – 0845 5205160

1998 Volvo Caetano Salvador

2005 05 Reg VW LT35 95 TDi LWB

2008 08 reg Mercedes Sprinter

2008 Iveco Beulas Cygnus

16 seats, drives well, low mileage, 5 gears, front entry, non-PSV, CD player, skylight, MOT April 2015.

Newish conversion, 12 months PSV, taxed, COIF, 5 speed box, panoramic tinted windows, CD player.

£14,500 + VAT o.n.o.

£4,900 – MAY PX

£POA – MAY PX

49/51 rec seats, 3 point belts, courier seat, auto, power plug & continental doors, air con, double glazing, audio & DVD, reverse camera, powered luggage lockers, floor mounted toilet, low mileage.

POA

01833 660471 / 07730 486708 paul.watson@btconnect.com

01404 47502/07790 966667 www.parnell-coaches.com

01404 47502/07790 966667 www.parnell-coaches.com

Tel: 01823 653000 Moseley in the South

2003 Volvo B7TL’s

1997 Volvo B12R VanHool Astrobel

2004 Mercedes OC500 18.36 Touro

Iveco Daily

Auto, 71 reclining seats, twin courier seat, driver & crew doors, centre powered entrance, double glazing, air con, audio & DVD, servery with boiler & fridge, toilet, n/s & o/s doors to luggage compartment.

49 reclining seats with armrests, seat back tables, & footrests, courier seat, Plug entrance door, double glazing, air con, CD & DVD, drinks machine & fridge; centre sunken toilet, continental exit, digital tachograph, manual transmission, retarder.

8 passengers plus driver, front entrance with lowered step, 3 point seat belts, large tinted panoramic windows, flat floor with lots of tracking, 2.8ltr diesel manual, 2 fire extinguishers + first aid kit, 113,000 miles, MOT Sept, tax Oct 2014.

POA

POA

NOW £4,200 including VAT

Tel: 01823 653000 Moseley in the South

Tel: 01823 653000 Moseley in the South

Tel: 0121 788 8848 Marsden PTS Ltd

49 reclining seat with seat belts, mid toilet, centre door, monitor + DVD, radio + cassette, courier seat, tax and tested, fitted with air con but needs belts and re-gas.

Euro 3 engines, DDA and LEZ compliant, Plaxton President bodies, 65 seats 2 door or up to 78 seats single door.

POA

EnsignBus 01708 865656

Telephone Gemma Ireland on 01733 293247 or email gemma.ireland@coachandbusweek.com 56 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 18, 2014

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p57_CBW_1142 16/06/2014 13:23 Page 57

2001 MAN Neoplan

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

D L SO

53 plate Mercedes Cheetah

2003 Volvo B12M VanHool Euro 3

2005 DAF VanHool

29 passengers plus courier seat, tax till August, MOT till June, large boot, low emission exhaust fitted. £26,000 + VAT

49 belted seats + crew, retrimmed seats & side panels, air con, monitor, radio/PA, saloon mounted WC, rear continental door, MOT November. £39,999 + VAT

48 seater executive, air con, rear mounted WC, very good condition, tested until October 2014. £78,000 + VAT

Contact Gary – 07930 377051

Hailstone Travel Ltd 0845 388 3848

2004 Volvo B7RLE Wright Eclipse

2006 Scania Irizar Century

£25,000 + VAT

Nigel McCree - 01509 502695

Shaw’s Coaches Tel: 01977 661214

1995 Scania K113 VanHool Alizee

1997 Dennis Javelin GX300 Berkhoff Axial 53 seats Manual New respray in white New screen Engine fault and misted side bays, taken in PX.

Auto, one year’s MOT, 49 seats: new 70 Cogent seats on order and the conversion will be carried out shortly, so pick your own trim.

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

Offers + VAT to clear

yourbus – 01773 714013

£100,000 + VAT Milligans Coach Travel 01290 550365

£21,000 Milligans Coach Travel 01290 550365

Llew Jones – 07795 347476 or steve@llewjones.com

2003 Mercedes Benz Setra

Volvo Olympian open top bus

2002 Volvo B7R Plaxton

2003 Volvo B12M Jonckheere Euro 3

49 seat with belts, 2 monitors, DVD, centre toilet, centre power door, cool box + boiler, leather headrests inserts, seat back tables, foot rests, good tyres, 6 speed ZF, LEZ box, tax and test ready to work.

This year’s allocation sold.

Please check back in the Autumn.

53 seats plus courier, automatic, A/C, used only on tour work, removable vinyls, seat belts, available with new test. £39,000 Call Anthony Kelly

01833 660471 / 07730 486708 paul.watson@btconnect.com

Bath Bus Company 01225 330444

PAB Tours – 0113 320 0780 ant@pabtours.com

48 x 3 point belted seats + crew, air con, saloon mounted WC, rear continental door, MOT November, option 53 or 55-seater with WC removed. £36,000 + VAT – CHOICE

1993 Volvo B10M Plaxton Premier

2002 Scania VanHool K124

2007 Scania K340/ Caetano Levante

1988 DAF MB230 Plaxton

53 seats, automatic, very good condition for year, currently in dry storage, additional vehicle also available. £2,750

£65,000 + VAT each

PAB Tours – 0113 320 0780 ant@pabtours.com

45 seats, full DDA, ZF automatic gearbox, MobiTec destination, Cyberlyne CCTV with audio recording, choice of four.

£35,000 + VAT

£40,000 + VAT o.n.o.

49 seats, automatic, good condition for year, available with new test, removable vinyls.

Choice of 3. £11,995

49 exec, W.C., A.C., 7 speed C-Shift, MOT 30/9/14, excellent condition.

NOW £39,000

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

PAB Tours – 0113 320 0780 ant@pabtours.com

Kingdoms Tours Ltd 01884 252646 / 07702 626542

yourbus – 01773 714013

Nigel McCree - 01509 502695

Telephone Gemma Ireland on 01733 293247 or email gemma.ireland@coachandbusweek.com www.coachandbusweek.com

June 18, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 57

p58_CBW_1142 16/06/2014 15:11 Page 58

LDV 400 Convoy LWB

1999 Volvo Olympian Alexander

7HO

Concept conversion, COIF for 17 seats with 3 point belts, 5 speed gearbox, double rear doors, front entry door, exterior cassette tail lift, Class 6 MOT till Apr 2015, taxed till end Sept 2014, very tidy inside and out, one of 4 minibuses owned from new with full service history. £2,695

78 seats + 13 standing, automatic, limited to 90 Kph, seatbelts throughout, ideal for school trips and contract hire, Hannover displays.

£14,000 + VAT

Davian Coaches - 0208 807 1515

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

1998 Mercedes Sprinter

2004 Iveco Beulas

15 seats, front entry, Mellor conversion, MOT 16/5/14, very good condition, with tail lift.

£ 3,700

1998 Iveco 40 / 10 15 seats, front entry, MOT 22/8/14, very good condition.

£ 2,500

1995 Iveco 49 / 10 19 seats, front entry, power door, MOT 13/1/15, very good condition.

£ 3,000 Kingdoms Tours Ltd

01884 252646 / 07702 626542

Auto, 51 seat executive coach, WC, DVD, A/C, drinks boiler, fridge, etc, in exceptional condition for age, MOT July 2014.

£34,500 ono + VAT

Tel 01249 742000/07717 768315

2002 MAN 24.400 Tri Axle

1999/2000/2001 V/Y Reg Dennis Tridents

2006 Transit Tourneo

49 seat executive, manual, centre toilet, climate control, DVD, MOT Feb 15, taxed July, drives superb, excellent condition, real head turner.

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

Why pay more for less.

FROM £18,000 + VAT

Contact Gemma Ireland T: 01733 293247 F: 0845 280 2927

9 seater, tax till Jan, will have new MOT, 190,000 miles, runs well, front and rear air-con, tow bar. £3,500 + VAT

EnsignBus 01708 865656

E: gemma.ireland@coachandbusweek.com

Hailstone Travel Ltd 0845 388 3848

2003 Mercedes Cheetah

2007 (57) MAN 18.360 Noge

2003 Alexander Dennis Enviro 300 SLF 12m

£19,950 + VAT ono – PX considered

Llew Jones – 07795 347476 or steve@llewjones.com

2013 Ford Transit 300

MWB, 8 x M2 seats with diagonal belts + driver, 6 speed gearbox, front air con, PAS, radio/CD, twin side load doors, silver metallic, mesh cage partition from luggage area, balance of manufacturers warranty. £16,995

Autoservice Pontypool Ltd 01495 757111

D L SO

29 passengers plus courier seat Tax till March MOT till February Large boot New clutch and turbo. £24,000 + VAT

Hailstone Travel Ltd 0845 388 3848

51 seats + WC, DVD, two screens, A/C, MOT & tax, low mileage, one owner.

£75,000 ono

Manns Travel - 07796 695675

44 seats + 27 standees. £22,000 + VAT Southdown PSV 01342 711840 email: bussales@southdownpsv.co.uk www.southdownpsv.co.uk

Telephone Gemma Ireland on 01733 293247 or email gemma.ireland@coachandbusweek.com 58 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 18, 2014

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700211-1140-Ventura 02/06/2014 14:43 Page 1

698896-1142-Ensign_Layout 1 16/06/2014 12:55 Page 1

Ensig DOUBLE DECK 2000/2001 X/Y REG VOLVO B7TL’s

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

From £18,000

LEZ

COMPLIANT

Cummins/Voith, LEZ compliant with traps to Euro 4, CCTV, Alexander ALX400 bodies, DDA compliant or upseated to 80 seats. From £17,000

1999/2000/2001 V/Y REG DENNIS TRIDENTS

2006 OPTARE SOLO M920

2006 55 PLATE VOLVO B7TL’s

ZF automatics, Wrights Gemini bodies, 69 coach seats, air-con, DDA, long MOT’s.

31 seats, Mercedes engines, DDA compliant.

2002 02 PLATE DENNIS TRIDENTS

1999 T/V REG DENNIS TRIDENTS

Cummins ISC Euro 3 engines, Plaxton bodies, DDA and LEZ compliant, 78 seats.

Cummins / ZF, Plaxton bodies, 62 seats, DDA and LEZ compliant.

2001 SUPER POINTER DARTS

2009 OPTARE SOLO M850

Mercedes engine, Euro 4, 26 seats, Mobitech LED’s, DDA.

2001 Super Pointer Darts, Allison gearboxes, 11.3m, 41 seats.

2003 VOLVO B7TL’s

Euro 3 engines, DDA and LEZ compliant, Plaxton President bodies, 65 seats 2 door or up to 78 seats single door.

Cummins ISB Euro 3 engines , 10.7M, 37 seats, new MOT, Hanover LED’s

2002 DENNIS DARTS

2009 OPTARE SOLO M920’s

33 seats, Mercedes engines, Mobitech LED’s, long MOT’s.

OPEN TOP BUSES A SPECIALITY -

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

698896-1142-Ensign_Layout 1 16/06/2014 12:56 Page 2

nbus

K ER SPECIALIST 1983 LEYLAND OLYMPIAN

Gardner 6LXB / Hydracyclic, 77 seats, half open top, new MOT.

2001 Y REG TRIDENTS Cummins C series engines, Voith gearboxes, Plaxton President bodies, 78 seats.

Cummins ISB Euro 3 engines, Plaxton Pointer bodies, 2 door, can be converted to single door, 30 or 36 seats, DDA and LEZ compliant, 10.2m, ABS, long MOT’s.

2002 DENNIS DARTS

Euro 5, automatic, Plaxton Panthers, 12m, air-con, being converted to 70 seats, front wheelchair lift, Hanover LED’s.

2007 VOLVO B12B’s

Mercedes Euro 4 engines, 9.2m, 33 seats.

2009 OPTARE SOLO

2001/2002 DENNIS TRIDENTS

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

£18,000 + VAT

2003 03 PLATE DENNIS TRIDENTS

Cummins ISC Euro 3 engines, DDA and LEZ compliant, 2 door 62 seats or can be single doored and upseated.

2000 X REG VOLVO B7TL’s

Euro 2, LEZ compliant, Plaxton President , CCTV, dual door 62 seats or single door 74 seats.

SLF, ZF gearboxes, Wrights bodies, 44 seats, long MOT’s.

1998 VOLVO BN10BLE’s

89 seats, air-con, toilet, MAN engine, ZF gearbox.

2005 NEOPLAN SKYLINER

1996 VOLVO B10MA ARTICULATED COACHES ZF automatics, 71 seats.

2009 WRIGHTS HYBRIDS

65 seats, dual door, can be converted to single door, latest Wrights hybrid drive, brand new battery pack, cooling pack, and Cummins Euro 5 engine, body upgraded to Gemini 2, over £100k spent on upgrade.

COMPETITIVELY PRICED

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

p62_CBW_1142 16/06/2014 17:29 Page 1

701729-1139-Santander 21/05/2014 15:56 Page 1

QUALITY BUSES AND COACHES TO LEASE OR BUY WITH FLEXIBLE FINANCE OPTIONS Wide choice of funding available on a range of vehicles

2009 Scania CN230UB Omnicity SLF 12m ■ Ex Rental Fleet, LEZ Compliant, High Back Bus Seats, 36 Seats, 31 Standees, 1 Wheelchair, Tip up Seats, Automatic Gearbox, DDA Complaint, Wheelchair Ramp, LED Destination, Mot 2014, Choice of 14, Due off hire May – June.

Rental or Purchase Options

FUELLING BUSINESS AMBITION

o

Call: Steve Moult on 0161 7476012 / 07753 712 444 or Russell Moon on 07809 493 139 Email: steve.moult@santander.co.uk Web: www.santanderusedassets.co.uk UK businesses only. Over 18, subject to status. Telephone calls may be recorded for security, quality and training purposes. All rentals are subject to VAT. Rental prices quoted assume an annual mileage allowance of 55,000 miles and rental period of 36 months.

Santander Corporate & Commercial is a brand name of Santander UK plc, Abbey National Treasury Services plc (which also uses the brand name Santander Global Banking and Markets) and Santander Asset Finance plc, all (with the exception of Santander Asset Finance plc) authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Our Financial Services Register numbers are106054 and 146003 respectively.

In Jersey, Santander UK plc is regulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission to carry on deposit-taking business under the Banking Business (Jersey) Law 1991. Registered office: 2 Triton Square, Regent’s Place, London NW1 3AN. Company numbers: 2294747, 2338548 and 1533123 respectively. Registered in England. Santander and the flame logo are registered trademarks.

Santander UK plc is a participant in the Jersey Banking Depositor Compensation Scheme. The Scheme offers protection for eligible deposits of up to £50,000. The maximum total amount of compensation is capped at £100,000,000 in any 5 year period. Full details of the Scheme and banking groups covered are available on the States of Jersey website (www.gov.je) or on request.

p64_CBW_1142 16/06/2014 15:31 Page 64

Call for details on our website conversions, upseating, refurbishment, and change of use conversion. Also vehicles available for hire short and long term.

www.staffordbuscentre.com email: martin@staffordbuscentre.com Telephone: 01782 791774 Mobile: 07803 222552

View our latest arrivals on www.staffordbuscentre.com DENNIS DART PLAXTON POINTER "MPD" 2001 Y reg, 29 seats with new 3 point belt installation, wheelchair ramp in step so DDA, Eminox exhaust to Euro 4 LEZ/RPC

Choice of 4 £9,950

MERCEDES 814D VARIO PLAXTON BEAVER 2

2004 54 reg LWB fitted with 20 high back coach seats on tracking but could take 32 if recertified, will take upto 10 wheelchairs, also has accessibility cert, re painted and long MOT

£14,950

DOUBLE DECKERS VOLVO OLYMPIAN ALEXANDER BODY 1996 N REG. 78 seats with belts, long or new MoT, one repainted white, currently taxed so ready to work.

FROM £7,750 SINGLE DECKERS ADL ENVIRO 300 2006 56 REG. SLF BUS - dual use options, with 60 x 3 point belted seats, use on bus services or school contracts.

Phone for spec and price DENNIS DART PLAXTON MINI POINTER “MPD” Y REG. 29 seats, DDA destination equipment. Choice of 4 (Euro 4 and beltable) £6,950 DENNIS DART CAETANO CUTLASS. Step entrance with 38 seats & 3 point belts. Ideal school contracts etc. £3,450

64 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 18, 2014

OPTARE SOLO M850 2000 W REG 2 with coach seats and 1 with bus seats All with ramp for DDA etc All at £6,000.00

DENNIS TRIDENT ALEXANDER ALX400 LWB 13ft 10in low height, 84 seats, wheelchair space, fold out ramp in entrance, can be belted. £POA

FORD TRANSITS 15-17 seats, available for short term rental. Rent for one week, month or year. Up to you. Always available. Phone for details IVECO 45/15 2005 55 REG. 16 seats, power door, powerful 3.0 ltr engine. £7,950 MERCEDES 413D SPRINTER 2004 04 REG. Extra long body with 16 seats and huge full height boot, COIF and long £11,950 MoT. MERCEDES 814 VARIO PLAXTON BEAVER 2 2004 54 REG. Fitted with 20 seats on tracking, and up to 10 wheelchairs, PSV, COIF and MoT, manual gearbox, power door, destination etc. long wheel base so could go to 32 £14,950 seats.

SO

LD

OPTARE SOLO M780 SLIMLINE 55 and 06 reg fully repainted into plain white From £27,950

FORD TRANSIT 17 SEAT FACTORY BUS March 2009 09 Reg Only 17,000 miles from new, 6 speed gearbox, electric windows, tacho, etc, COIF booked. £12,750

VW LT 46. Extra long wheelbase and super low floor, currently only 8 seats but could be 16-20 seats or make superb accessible camper. CHOICE OF 2 FROM £5,500 IVECO DAILY 45 15 LWB HIGH ROOF 2005 55 REG 16 seats wheelchair accessible with power door, new MoT £6,950 DENNIS DART PLAXTON SUPER POINTER 47 fully £8,950 belted seats, ideal for schools DAF PLAXTON PREMIER 1996 PP Fitted with 55 seats, automatic gearbox, new MOT upon sale £9,950 MERCEDES 814D VARIO 2004 04 REG 32 high back seats 3 point belts manual gearbox £14,450 MERCEDES SPRINTER 313CDI 2011 11 REG 16 seat, new conversion, PSV, COIF and MoT, low miles £23,950

www.coachandbusweek.com

701915-1142-DrewWilson 16/06/2014 16:55 Page 1

DREW WILSON coach sales

1996 VOLVO B10M JONCKHEERE DEAUVILLE 53 recliners with belts, power door, ZF manual gearbox, double glazing, tinted windows, carpets and curtains, recent respray, 716,699kms. £17,500 + VAT

1996 VOLVO B10M KONCKHEERE DEAUVILLE 51 recliners with belts, crew seat, ZF manual gearbox, rear floor mounted toilet, boiler, fridge, curtains, luggage racks, reading lights with forced air ventilation, tinted windows. £17,500 + VAT

2006 MERCEDES CHEETAH 33 seats, 3 point belts, Telma retarder, power door, luggage racks, reading lights, forced air ventilation, purmo heating, mileage 355,340kms, MOT May 2015. £45,000 + VAT

1999 DENNIS JAVELIN CAETANO CUTLASS 70 cogent seats with belts, 6 speed ZF manual, power door, luggage racks, forced air, reading lights, ccTV system fitted, 330,000 kms, one owner, new test. £21,500 + VAT

MERCEDES 408CDI LWB MINIBUS KVC CONVERSION Manual gearbox, power door, large boot, fridge, dVd player, two monitors, only 1 owner since new, 120,000 kms genuine mileage, new paint in white. £15,000 + VAT

2001 VOLVO B10M CAETANO ENIGMA 51 reclining seats, toilet, curtains, air con, ZF auto, 990,150kms, double glazing, radio cassette, pa, sunroof, luggage rack, reading lights, power door, MOT January. +VAT

2007 MERCEDES UNVI RIADA LUXURY MINIBUS 16 full leather recliners, power door, carpets, curtains and tables, radio, cd equipment, excellent condition. £31,000 + VAT

2002 SCANIA VAN HOOL ALIZEE T9 49/53 recliners with belts, crew seat, air con, luggage racks with reading lights, carpets and curtains, ZF auto box, reconditioned engine fitted, very tidy condition. £35,000 + VAT

2001 MERCEDES CHEETAH 33 seats, 3 point belts, air suspension, Telma retarder, power door, luggage racks, forced air ventilation, tinted glass, purmo heating, mileage 347,332kms, MOT October.

POA

2007 MERCEDES PLAXTON BEAVER 3 33 high back seats with 3 point belts, power door, luggage racks, side wheelchair ramp, manual gearbox, MOT till November £33,000 + VAT

2008 MERCEDES 816D PLAXTON CHEETAH 29 coach seats with 3 point belts, double glazed, air con, large boot, power door, 6 speed manual, dVd/cd/radio/ pa, new/paint, LEZ compliant, new MOT, 293,718 kms. £75,000 + VAT

2000 VOLVO B10M CAETANO ENIGMA 49 recliners plus crew seat with belts, power door, recent retrim, overhead luggage rack with reading lights, ZF manual, centre sunken toilet, MOT till september. £22,000 + VAT

MERCEDES 518D ESKER TOURING 41 seats plus crew, lap belts, reading lights, power door, radio cassette/cd, dVd/monitor, analogue tacho, air con, Euroliner wheel trims, immaculate condition. £45,000 + VAT

2010 (60) VOLVO B12B PLAXTON PANTHER 49/53 reclining seats, centre toilet, crew seat, I-shift gearbox, radio/cassette, 2 x dVd / monitors, large/wide entrance door, 178000km, air con, MOT september. £145,000 + VAT

2004 OPTARE SOLO MERCEDES ENGINE 27 seats, wheelchair accessible, destination equipment, power door, auto, on sale due to fleet upgrade. also available 2005, 2006 & 2007, some with belts. also slimline model available. £20,000 + VAT

2007 VOLVO B12B VAN HOOL ALIZE T9 I -shift, 49/53 fully demountable executive coach, 1 owner from new, excellent condition,340,359 kms, MOT October.

2004 SETRA S315 GT-HD ZF as-tronic, full luxury executive, leather headrests, seat back tables, magazine nets, clean and tidy.

CHOICE OF TWO £54,950 + VAT

2002 IVECO EURORIDER BEULAS STERGO 'E' ZF automatic gearbox, 53 recliners, crew seat, air-con, 3-point belts, double-glazed, power plug door, curtains, wheel trims, MOT till November. £37,000 + VAT

2008 BMC KARISMA ZF automatic gearbox, 35 recliners, crew seat, air-con, 3-point belts, double-glazed, power plug door, curtains, front carpet, digital tacho, LEZ compliant engine. £49,500 + VAT

2009 MERCEDES TOURISMO automatic tiptronic gearbox, 53 recliners, crew seat, centre continental door, air-conditioning, 3-point belts, doubleglazed, power plug door, carpet, curtains. £115,000 + VAT

2001 DENNIS DART SLF Max capacity 65, power door, new MOT, Hanover front, rear and side destination, manual wheelchair ramp, all seats in good condition, very clean and tidy, choice of 2.

WITH BELTS £7,500 WITHOUT BELTS £5,000 + VAT

2003 SCANIA IRIZAR CENTURY 49/53 recliners with belts, rear sunken toilet, hot water boiler, power door, air con, aircraft lockers, ZF auto gearbox, reading lights, long MOTs, choice of 3 available. £35,000 + VAT

DAF IKARUS 70 cogent seats with three point belts, power door, crew seat, freshly re painted into white, ZF automatic, long MOT, ideal school bus. £17,500 + VAT

IVECO INDCAR MAXIM 11 29 seats with belts, courier seat, cd/pa system, curtains, large boot, tinted windows.

£119,950 + VAT

£17,000 + VAT

CHOICE OF OVER 350 VEHICLES • OPEN 7 DAYS 08.00-18.00

CHECK OUT NEW WEBSITE AT WWW.DREWWILSON.CO.UK Tel/Fax: 0141 248 5524 • Mob: 07764 200444 • Email: drew@drewwilson.co.uk Mob: 07827 325474 • Email: graham@drewwilson.co.uk

701473-1140-Ben Weaver 02/06/2014 16:58 Page 1

BEN WEAVER PSV

2005 05 PLATE FORD TRANSIT 17 SEAT WELFARE MINIBUS Red, 2.4 turbo diesel 125 PS, 5 speed manual gearbox, UV Modular conversion, certificate of initial fitness, PSV, analogue tachograph, Ratcliffe underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for up to 6 wheelchairs, electric plug front entry door, 1 ex local authority owner from new, 52,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 8,995 + VAT

2005 55 PLATE VOLKSWAGEN LT46 16 SEAT EXTRA LONG WHEELBASE WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE SERVICE BUS 2.5 TDI, white, power front entry double doors with fold out wheelchair ramp, tracking for up to 3 wheelchairs plus 11 seated, certificate of initial fitness, PSV, analogue tachograph, panoramic glass, coach style seats, rear boot, overhead storage shelves, LEZ compliant, 285,000 kilometers/178,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 month nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 9,495 + VAT

PSV

2005 55 PLATE FORD TRANSIT MWB 9 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS 2.4 90ps turbo diesel, white, Ratcliffe underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for up to 3 wheelchairs, electric windows, power heated door mirrors, power assisted steering, remote central locking, AVS side door access step, overhead cab luggage tray, 25,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 8,995 + VAT

PSV

2004 54 PLATE FORD TRANSIT XLWB HIGH ROOF 17 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS 2.4 115PS turbo diesel, silver, Access underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for up to 5 wheelchairs, COIF, analogue tachograph, power assisted steering, remote central locking, overhead cab luggage tray, side loading door access step, 106,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 8,495 + VAT

2004 04 PLATE FORD TRANSIT 17 SEAT WELFARE MINIBUS White, 2.4 turbo diesel 125 ps, 5 speed manual gearbox, Chassis Developments conversion, certificate of initial fitness, PSV, Access underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for up to 6 wheelchairs, 1 ex local authority owner from new, LEZ compliant, 92,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 7,195 + VAT

2004 04 IVECO DAILY 35S12 13 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS 2300cc turbo diesel, light blue, Ratcliffe internal rear wheelchair lift, tracking for up to 3 wheelchairs, 21000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 month MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 1 month nationwide parts and labour warranty, no VAT to pay £6695 NO VAT

PSV

2006 06 PLATE MERCEDES SPRINTER 413CDI 17 SEAT FRONT ENTRY WELFARE MINIBUS 2200 CDI turbo diesel 130PS, 6 speed Sprintshift automatic gearbox, air conditioning, UV Modular conversion, Ratcliffe underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for upto 6 wheelchairs, COIF, analogue tachograph, CD player, 171,000 kilometers/107,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 14,995 + VAT

2005 05 PLATE FORD TRANSIT 17 SEAT WELFARE MINIBUS Red, 2.4 turbo diesel 125 PS, 5 speed manual gearbox UV Modular conversion, certificate of initial fitness, PSV, analogue tachograph, Ratcliffe underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for up to 6 wheelchairs, electric plug front entry door, 1 ex local authority owner from new, 116,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 7,995 + VAT

PSV

PSV

2003 53 PLATE FORD TRANSIT 17 SEAT WELFARE MINIBUS White, 2.4 turbo diesel 125 ps, 5 speed manual gearbox, chassis developments conversion, certificate of initial fitness, PSV, Access underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for up to 6 wheelchairs, 1 ex local authority owner from new, LEZ compliant, 101,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 6,795 + VAT

PSV

2003 53 PLATE IVECO DAILY IRIS 40C13 15 SEAT FRONT ENTRY WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS Analogue tachograph, certificate of initial fitness, PSV, 2.8 turbo diesel 6 speed manual gearbox, white, panoramic glass, front entry door, Ratcliffe underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for upto 6 wheelchairs, LEZ compliant, 166,000 kilometers 103,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 1 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 7,295

2003 03 REG IVECO DAILY 40C13 16 SEAT FRONT ENTRY WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS 2800cc turbo diesel, electric plug entry door, Ratcliffe underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for upto 5 wheelchairs, analogue tachograph, 4200 kgs gross vehicle weight can be driven without D1 licence, LEZ compliant, 148,000 kilometers/92,000 miles, finished in white, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 1 month nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 6,295 + VAT

2004 53 PLATE IVECO DAILY IRIS 45C13 17 SEAT FRONT ENTRY WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS Analogue tachograph, certificate of initial fitness, PSV, 2.8 turbo diesel, 6 speed manual gearbox, white, front entry door, Ratcliffe underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for upto 6 wheelchairs, 189,000 kilometers/118,000 miles, very good condition condition, supplied with 12 months MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 1 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 6,995 + VAT

2002 52 PLATE FORD TRANSIT 15/17 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS White, 2.4 turbo diesel, can be made into a 17 seater by adding 2 rear seats, Ratcliffe underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for up to 5 wheelchairs, fold out side access step with twist out access grab handle, Advanced Vehicle Builders conversion, LEZ compliant, 148,000 miles, very good condition, supplied with 12 months MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 1 month nationwide parts and labour warranty REDUCED WAS £ 5,995 + VAT NOW £ 5,795 + VAT

2004 54 PLATE FORD TRANSIT 17 SEAT WELFARE MINIBUS White, 2.4 turbo diesel 125 ps, 5 speed manual gearbox, Chassis Developments conversion, certificate of initial fitness, PSV, Access underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for up to 6 wheelchairs, 1 ex local authority owner from new, LEZ compliant, 95,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 7,495 + VAT

PSV

2004 54 PLATE FORD TRANSIT 17 SEAT WELFARE MINIBUS White, 2.4 turbo diesel 125 ps 5 speed manual gearbox, Chassis Developments conversion, certificate of initial fitness, PSV, Access underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for up to 6 wheelchairs, 1 ex local authority owner from new, 103,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 7,295 + VAT

PSV

2004 04 PLATE MERCEDES SPRINTER 311CDI 17 SEAT LWB TRAVELINER 2.2CDI turbo diesel, white, analogue tachograph, certificate of initial fitness, PSV, alloy wheels, LEZ compliant, 161,000 kilometers, very good condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 7,995 + VAT

PSV

2003 03 PLATE VOLKSWAGEN LT46 13 SEAT FRONT ENTRY WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS 2.5 TDI, white, Ratcliffe underfloor rear wheelchair lift, currently fitted with 12 passenger seats, 4 more can be added to take 16 passengers, fully tracked throughout, tracking for up to 6 wheelchairs, tachograph, 72,000 kilometers/45,000 miles, very good condition, supplied with 12 months MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 1 month nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 6,695 + VAT

BEN WEAVER commercIals

2004 04 IVECO DAILY 45C11 16 SEAT FRONT ENTRY WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS White 2800cc turbo diese,l 6 speed manual gearbox, Ricon internal rear wheelchair lift, tracking for up to 4 wheelchairs, LEZ compliant, ex local authority owned, 147000 kilometers 92000 miles, very good condition, supplied with 12 months MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty REDUCED WAS £ 6,295 + VAT NOW £ 5,995 + VAT

2002 52 PLATE VOLKSWAGEN LT46 16 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS 2.5 TDI, white, Ricon underfloor rear wheelchair lift, fully tracked throughout, tracking for up to 6 wheelchairs, certificate of initial fitness, PSV, analogue tachograph, panoramic glass, LEZ compliant, 226,000 kilometers/141,000 miles,1 local authority owner from new, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 1 month nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 6,495 + VAT

PSV

2006 56 PLATE VOLKSWAGEN LT46 16 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS 2.5 TDI, white, Ricon internal rear wheelchair lift, tracking for up to 3 wheelchairs plus 5 seated, fully tracked, twin side loading doors with near side AVS electric access step, digital tacho, certificate of initial fitness, PSV, LEZ compliant, 101,000 miles/161,000 kilometers, very good condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 10,495 + VAT

Gower Street, Sheffield, S4 7JW Tel: 0114 275 7076 www.minibuses-for-sale.co.uk

701473-1140-Ben Weaver 02/06/2014 16:58 Page 2

commercials PSV

2005 55 PLATE IVECO DAILY IRIS 45C13 13 SEAT FRONT ENTRY WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS Analogue tachograph, electric front entry plug door with low access step, Ricon internal rear wheelchair lift, tracking for upto 4 wheelchairs, 189,000 kilometers/118,000 miles excellent condition, supplied with 12 months MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 8,495 + VAT

2005 55 PLATE IVECO DAILY IRIS 45C13 13 SEAT FRONT ENTRY WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS Certificate of initial fitness, analogue tachograph, PSV, electric front entry plug door with low access step, Ricon internal rear wheelchair lift, 166,000 kilometers/103,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 8,795 + VAT

PSV

2006 06 PLATE VOLKSWAGEN LT46 13 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS 2.5 TDI, silver, Access underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for up to 3 wheelchairs, electric plug side entry door with electric access step, digital tachograph, certificate of initial fitness, PSV, LEZ compliant, 104,000 miles, very good condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 9,495 + VAT

PSV

2002 02 PLATE IVECO DAILY IRIS 40C13 17 SEAT FRONT ENTRY WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS 2.8 turbo diesel, 6 speed manual gearbox, white, certificate of initial fitness, analogue tachograph, PSV, panoramic glass, electric front entry plug door, Access underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for upto 6 wheelchairs, LEZ compliant, 150,000 kilometers 95,000 miles, very good condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 1 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 5,695 + VAT

PSV

2006 06 PLATE VOLKSWAGEN LT46 17 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS 2.5 TDI, white, Ratcliffe underfloor rear wheelchair lift, fully tracked throughout, tracking for up to 6 wheelchairs, AVS side door access step, 92,000 miles, very good condition, supplied with 12 months MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty REDUCED WAS £ 9,495 + VAT NOW £ 8,995 VAT

2005 05 PLATE IVECO DAILY 35S11 9 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS 2300cc 16v turbo diesel, white, Ricon internal rear wheelchair lift, tracking for up to 1 wheelchair more can be added if required, Stanford conversion, 95,000 miles, very good condition, supplied with 12 month MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 month nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 5,995 + VAT -

2002 02 PLATE VW LT46 16 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS 2.5 TDi, white, Ricon underfloor rear wheelchair lift, currently fitted with 6 seats, fully tracked throughout, tracking for up to 6 wheelchairs, certificate of initial fitness, PSV, analogue tachograph, panoramic glass, 299,000 kilometers/187,000 miles. 1 local authority owner from new. excellent condition. supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 1 month nationwide parts and labour warranty, photo taken prior to valeting REDUCED WAS £ 5,695 + VAT NOW £ 5,495 + VAT

2004 04 PLATE IVECO DAILY 65C15 WELFARE BUS WITH TACHOGRPAH COIF AND PSV 2800cc turbo diesel, currently fitted with 16 passenger seats, will take upto 22 passenger seats, access underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for upto 8 wheelchairs, 157,000 kilometers/98,000 miles, very good condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 1 month nationwide parts and labour warranty REDUCED WAS £ 7,995 + VAT NOW £ 7,495 + VAT

2004 04 PLATE DAF LF45 40 SEAT BUS PLUS DRIVER AND CO DRIVER Automatic gearbox, white, 6.0 litre turbo diesel 180ps, Ratcliffe underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for 4 wheelchairs, electric side entry folding door, electric windows, 147,000 kilometers/91,000 miles, supplied with 12 months MOT, fully serviced to FTA standards, very good condition REDUCED WAS £ 17,495 + VAT NOW £ 16,995 + VAT

2006 55 PLATE FORD TRANSIT 15 SEAT MINIBUS 2400cc turbo diesel, white, analogue tachograph, electric front windows, remote central locking, electric door mirrors, towbar with butterfly step, 101,000 kilometers 63,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty REDUCED WAS £ 6,495 + VAT NOW £ 5,995 + VAT

2007 07 PLATE IVECO DAILY 40C15 11 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS 3000cc turbo diesel, white, Access underfloor rear wheelchair lift, 4200 kgs gross vehicle weight, can be driven without d1 licence, remote central locking, electric windows, CD player, LEZ compliant, 106,000 miles with full service print out, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 9,495 + VAT

2003 03 REG IVECO DAILY 45C13 11 SEAT FRONT ENTRY LONG WHEEL BASE WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS 2800cc turbo diesel white, white, Access underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for up to 6 wheelchairs, tachograph, LEZ compliant, currently fitted with 11 seats but can be made upto 17, 200000 kilometers, 124000 miles, supplied with 12 months MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 1 month nationwide parts and labour warrantry REDUCED WAS £ 5,795 + VAT NOW £ 5,695 + VAT

PSV

2004 54 PLATE FORD TRANSIT 17 SEAT WELFARE MINIBUS White, 2.4 turbo diesel 125 ps, 5 speed manual gearbox, Chassis Developments conversion, certificate of initial fitness, PSV, Access underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for up to 6 wheelchairs, 1 ex local authority owner from new, 103,000 miles excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 7,295 + VAT

2002 02 IVECO DAILY 45C11 11 SEAT FRONT ENTRY LWB WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS White, 2800cc 6 speed turbo diesel, analogue tachograph, ratcliffe underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for up to 6 wheelchairs, seats can be added to make into a 17 seater, LEZ compliant, 26,000 kilometers/16,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 1 month nationwide parts and labour warranty, no VAT to pay £ 7,295 NO VAT

2004 54 PLATE FORD TRANSIT 17 SEAT WELFARE MINIBUS White, 2.4 turbo diesel 125 ps, 5 speed manual gearbox, Chassis Developments conversion, certificate of initial fitness, PSV, Access underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for up to 6 wheelchairs, 1 ex local authority owner from new, 103,000 miles excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 7,295 + VAT

PSV

2005 54 REG IVECO DAILY 65C15 WELFARE BUS WITH TACHOGRPAH COIF AND PSV 2800cc turbo diesel, metallic silver, will take upto 22 passenger seats, currently fitted with 6 passenger seats, Access underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for upto 8 wheelchairs, electric side enrty soor with fold out access step, CD player, 200,000 kilometers, very good condition,supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty REDUCED WAS £ 8,295 + VAT NOW £ 7,795 + VAT

02 52 IVECO 50C13 17 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE WELFARE BUS 2.8 turbo diesel, white, Frank Guy conversion, Access rear wheelchait lift, tracking for upto 6 wheelchairs, COIF, analogue tachograph, sunroofs, 163,000 kilometers/102,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 1 month nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 5,495 + VAT

PSV

2002 02 MERCEDES VARIO 614 21 SEAT FRONT ENTRY WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS 4300 turbo diesel manual engine, Access underfloor rear tail lift, tracking for 6 wheelchairs, 232000 klms/145000 miles, finished in white, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 1 month nationwide parts and labour warranty REDUCED WAS £ 6,695 NO VAT

2006 06 PLATE FORD TRANSIT LWB HIGH ROOF 11 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS WITH TACHO 2.4 90PS turbo diesel, white, Ricon internal rear wheelchair lift, tracking for up to 3 wheelchairs, currently fitted with 5 passenger seats but can be made upto 10, digital tacho, electric windows, power heated door mirrors, remote central locking, 63,000 kilometers, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty REDUCED WAS £ 8,495 + VAT NOW £ 7,995 + VAT

All vehicles supplied with 12 months MOT/PSV, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards and 1–3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty

2003 52 PLATE MERCEDES SPRINTER 413CDI 17 SEAT FRONT ENTRY WELFARE MINIBUS 2200 CDI turbo diesel 130ps, 6 speed Sprintshift automatic gearbox, white, UV Modular conversion, Ratcliffe underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for upto 6 wheelchairs, COIF, analogue tachograph, electric front entry plug door, LEZ compliant,155,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 1 month nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 7,495 + VAT

p68_CBW_1142 16/06/2014 13:30 Page 68

Southdown PSV - 01342 711840 www.southdownpsv.co.uk 2008 ADL ENVIRO 200 SLF 38 seats. £47,000 + VAT

2000 DART PLAXTON SLF 40 seats with belts. £5,950 + VAT

2008 OPTARE VERSA SLF 38 seats. £55,000 + VAT - Choice

SOLD

2003 TRIDENT SLF ALEXANDER 63 seats £12,000 + VAT - Choice 72 sts + refurb package £25,000 + VAT

2003 ADL ENVIRO 300 SLF 44 seats. £22,000 + VAT

2003 OPTARE SOLO SLF 26 seats + belts £19,950 + VAT

SOLD

Southdown PSV Silverwood Snow Hill Copthorne West Sussex RH10 3EN

Low mileage vehicles for sale

Scania CN94UB Omnicities

Scania L94UA Articulated Buses

42 seats 51 to 54 reg Contact for prices

59 seats Y to 54 reg Offers invited

12m Dennis Trident

9.2m Optare Solos

94 seats Y reg, DDA compliant £25,000

33 seats, V reg Easily converted to gain Accessability Certificate Offers invited All prices plus VAT & Tyres if required

For further information or to arrange a purchase please contact Adam at Nottingham City Transport on 0115 9766712 or adam.zapasnik@nctx.co.uk 68 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 18, 2014

www.coachandbusweek.com

p69_CBW_1142 16/06/2014 13:29 Page 69

Pennine Motor Services 2003 DENNIS DART PLAXTON 37 seats, 10.7 metre, DDA, two available.

£7,000 + VAT

2002 DENNIS DART PLAXTON 37 seats, 10.7 metre, DDA, five available.

£6,500 + VAT

2001 DENNIS DART PLAXTON 37 seats, 10.7 metre, DDA, two available.

£5,500 + VAT

2000 DENNIS DART PLAXTON 39 seats, 10.7 metre, three available.

£2,000 + VAT Most with long MOTs and Hanover LEDs Pennine Motor Services, Skipton, North Yorkshire

01756 795515 www.coachandbusweek.com

June 18, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 69

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Kingdoms Tours

2002 Scania Irizar K114

• 49 seat executive • WC • A/C • 7 speed C-Shift • MOT 21/5/15 £43,000 £37,000

2002 Scania VanHool K124 • 49 seat executive • WC • A/C • 7 speed C-Shift • MOT 30/9/14 £45,000 £39,000

2006 Volvo B12M 2003 (53) Volvo • 51/53 seat exec B12M • WC • A/C • Auto • Berkoff LEZ • MOT 12/11/14 £79,000 £65,000

• 51/53 seat exec • WC • A/C • Berkoff LEZ 12/11/14 £52,500 £44,000

ALL COACHES ARE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION INSIDE AND OUT. PRICES REDUCED TO SELL – NEW COACHES ARRIVING

Kingdoms Tours Ltd 01884 252646 / 07702 626542 Call for details on our website conversions, upseating, refurbishment, and change of use conversion. Also vehicles available for hire short and long term.

www.staffordbuscentre.com email: martin@staffordbuscentre.com Telephone: 01782 791774 Mobile: 07803 222552 View our latest arrivals on www.staffordbuscentre.com

MERCEDES 413CDI PLAXTON PRONTO

2006 56 REG 16 SEAT COACHBUILT ACCESSIBLE PSV BUS NEW MINICOACH CONVERSION TO A QUALITY USED VAN COIFLOW + 12 MONTHS CHOICE OF 2 WITH MILES PSV MOT

£16,950.00 FRONT ENTRY,LUGGAGE RACKS 16 COACH SEATS ON TRACK

DRIVERS LOCKER, NON SLIP FLOORING OR RENT FOR £350TACHOGRAPH PER WEEKINSTALLATION NEW OTHERS IN BUILD (4 weeks minimum)SO CHOOSE YOUR COLOUR £25,450.00

70 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 18, 2014

www.coachandbusweek.com

Walls of Vehicles FP 16/06/2014 17:54 Page 1

FOR MORE INFORMATION YOU CAN CONTACT GEMMA IRELAND AT GEMMA.IRELAND@COACHANDBUSMAKET.COM 01733 293247

p72_CBW_1142 16/06/2014 17:06 Page 72

Elite Travel Service Unit 12, Adwick Business Park, Adwick Park Court Adwick le Street, Doncaster DN6 7HD

PROFESSIONAL COACH CONVERSIONS ON NEW AND USED VEHICLES • Professional conversions carried out to customer specification.

• New and used vehicles converted.

• Fully compliant for type approval as passenger carrying vehicle.

• Conversion to any make or model.

• Specialists in luxury mini-coach conversions.

• Vehicles always available.

In association with

MINICOACHES ALBION HOUSE 16–18 ALBION STREET WILLENHALL WEST MIDLANDS WV13 21NJ TEL: 01902 631507 FAX: 01902 630791

Call today for more details of vehicles going into build or near completion. Used stock always available.

TEL: JOHN WORGAN 01302 721304

AUDIO & VIDEO

• Audio / PA systems • Video-on-demand systems • Monitor & DVD systems • Hands-free mobile phone kits • Reversing cameras and sensors • Multi or single language systems • CCTV • Alarms, tracking and cruise control • SkyTV systems • GPS commentary systems UK and Ireland Distributor

www.autosound.co.uk Tel: 0044 (0)1274 688990 Unit 4, Lister Street, Dudley Hill, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD4 9PQ

AV EQUIPMENT

CMS BRADFORD - WEST YORKSHIRE

Coach Multimedia Systems

AUDIO/VISUAL/SECURITY SYSTEMS, LCD/LED MONITORS, DVD/HDD PLAYERS, REAR VIEW CAMERA SYSTEMS, MICROPHONES, CCTV, DIGITAL/SATELLITE SYSTEMS, USB CONNECTIVITY ALL SYSTEMS PROFESSIONALLY INSTALLED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE OF THE UK WITH 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE

Phone: 07933 47 48 48 Email: Andy.Baxter@coachmultimediasystems.co.uk www.coachmultimediasystems.co.uk

HEAVY DUTY STEEL BUILDINGS

BUILDINGS

• Bus Workshops • Secure Storage

• 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 BUSINESSES WANTED

WANTED

Bus & Coach Businesses

2003 Volvo B12M Jonckheere Euro 3 48 x 3 point belted seats, 1 crew, air conditioned, saloon mounted w/c, rear continental door, MOT November 2014. £36,000 + VAT CHOICE Option to 53 or 55 w/c removed.

Nigel McCree Mobile: 07817 542113 Office: 01509 502695 or Nev Simpson Mobile: 07814 716149 Email: nigel@nigelmccree.com Insurance Stock updated weekly on the website:

www.nigelmccree.com

SHORT OF CASH? RE-FINANCE YOUR VEHICLES WITH US – CALL 07736 850375

72 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 18, 2014

Contact Kerry Watson T: 01733 293488 F: 0845 280 2927 E: kerry.watson@coachandbusweek.com

• Are you Retiring • Losing Money • Need Investment, or • Just Had Enough We have Interested Buyers, Cash Investors Waiting Reply, in con)idence, to: PO Box 490, Scarborough YO11 9FF

www.coachandbusweek.com

p73_CBW_1142 16/06/2014 17:09 Page 73

fleet sales

CHECKPOINTS

GARAGE EQUIPMENT

RETIRING or

CHANGING YOUR FLEET?

Contact Malcolm Harrison Auctions

01630 674326

auctions@malcolmharrison.co.uk

• ATF Lanes • MOT Bays • Vehicle Lifts • Brake Testing Equipment • Column Lifts • Inspection Pits • Repair and 6 Monthly Service Inspections

MALCOLM HARRISON AUCTIONS

Tel: 01386 244758 Mobile: 07538 218194 www.commercialgarageequipment.co.uk Email: sales@commercialgarageequipment.co.uk

CRAIG TILSLEY Suppliers of Reconditioned

ENGINES

Tel: 01782 791524 or 01782 791527 Fax: 01782 791316

Email: info@craigtilsley.co.uk www.craigtilsley.co.uk

DAF MAN MERC, VOLVO SCANIA, GARDNER LEYLAND, CUMMINS ENGINES CYLINDER HEADS CRANKSHAFTS CRANKCASES CAMSHAFTS PUMPS ETC

Contact Kerry Watson T: 01733 293488 F: 0845 280 2927 E: kerry.watson @coachandbusweek.com

Moorfields Industrial Estate, Cotes Heath, Stoke-on-Trent ST21 6QY

THE CUMMINS ENGINE SPECIALISTS PARTS & SERVICE DIVISION

INSURANCE

D.I.E.S.E.L. LIMITED OFFER A VAST RANGE OF SERVICES FOR ALL TYPES OF CUMMINS ENGINES FREE TECHNICAL ADVICE AND SUPPORT FULL OR 3/4 BUILT RECON ENGINES COMPETITIVE & COST EFFECTIVE SERVICE REPAIRS FIXED PRICE ENGINE REPAIRS/OVERHAULS COMPREHENSIVE PARTS STOCK – NEW AND USED ON SITE REPAIRS FULL ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTICS CONTACT US TODAY FOR ALL YOUR CUMMINS REQUIREMENTS TELEPHONE UK: 01708 859625 FAX UK: 01708 857630 EMAIL: SALES@DIESEL.UK.COM

ENGINES

MAN VOLVO CUMMINS SCANIA DAF ETC

www.coachandbusweek.com

GARAGE EQUIPMENT SPECIALISTS

garage equipment

Experts in Commercial Garage Equipment www.bwsequip.co.uk BWS (0117) 9530381

REGISTRATIONS

£750 80 HXE AXZ 17 BCZ 85 JXI 38 KIG 80 LAZ 87 RUI 46 SJZ 90 UKZ 40

£350 AXZ 171 CRZ 434 GUI 636 IAZ 949 MCZ 232 SBZ 949 VIW 979 XKZ 545 YIB 252

£50 EXZ 4341 EXZ 4342 GRZ 4750 GRZ 4751 HRZ 5823 HRZ 5824 HRZ 5825 KIG 7220 KIG 7221

Buy with confidence – CNDA Member We buy for cash, also Part Exchange

£50 LIG 9730 LIG 9731 LIG 9732 MIG 6241 MIG 6242 MIG 6243 RFZ 1685 RFZ 1686 RHZ 1470

£50 RHZ 1471 SFZ 5793 SFZ 5794 SHZ 2901 SHZ 2902 SNZ 7181 SNZ 7182 SNZ 7183 TNZ 4452

£50 TNZ 4453 TUI 9881 TUI 9882 UUI 4312 UUI 4313 UUI 4314 VJZ 8551 VJZ 8552 VJZ 8553

Tel: 028 6638 7124 • www.speedyreg.co.uk Millwo od, L isbellaw, Co. Fermanagh, N. Ireland B T94 5HQ

June 18, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 73

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REPAIRS

SEATS & TRIM

P C R COMMERCIAL BODY W ORKS • 15M & 5M COMPLIANT SPRAY BOOTH • INSURANCE APPROVED • REPAIRS AND PAINTWORK • REFURBISHMENTS • METALLIC AND PEARL FINISHES 01507 523980 / 07733 885582 paulclarkrepair@aol.com paulclarkrepair.co.uk HORNCASTLE, LINCOLNSHIRE

TRAINING

All aspects of coach interior re-trim carried out to a high standard at competitive prices!

Tel: 01253 696033 info@westcoasttrim.co.uk Burton Road, Blackpool FY4 4NW

Contact Kerry Watson T: 01733 293488 F: 0845 280 2927 E: kerry.watson@coachandbusweek.com

Driver CPC Periodic Training

TRAINING

If you would like further information please call 01543 897505

Visit our website: www.lloydmorgangroup.co.uk

Transport Managers CPC Course – New & Refresher New Operators Course Drivers CPC

Venue: West Thurrock, Essex or we can come to you

01708 867564 info@wright-training.com 74 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 18, 2014

TRIM

High quality bus & coach retrims

blackpool trim shops

With over 45 years expertise, we guarantee to beat any other quote.

Call us on 07968 717115 or email us at: sales@blackpooltrimshops.co.uk

TRANSMISSIONS

VEHICLE CHECKS

Shelley Transmission Services Limited

QUALITY APPROVED PRODUCTS, FAST DELIVERY

We stock the full range of gearboxes and differen#als of all makes and models, including Volvo, Mercedes, ZF, DAF, Iveco, MAN, ERF, Scania, Fuller, Rockwell, Eaton – all in stock.

ALL MAKES OF STEERING BOXES IN STOCK!

Repair service available for pumps and rams.

RECONDITIONED AND NEW PROPSHAFTS, BRAKE CALIPERS

All propsha components and CV joints for all vehicles including plant and farm machinery.

FREEPHONE: 0800 652 0901 www.shelleytransmission.co.uk sales@shelleytransmission.co.uk

ESSENTIAL PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE SUPPLIES

DRIVERS DAILY DEFECT BOOKS, MAINTENANCE WALL PLANNERS, SAFETY INSPECTION PADS, TACHOS, DRIVERS WALLETS ETC. CALL ORDERLINE: 01329 280280 Email: info@wardint.co.uk

DRIVER CPC PERIODIC TRAINING AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE

Ward International Consulting Ltd 70 Marks Tey Road, Fareham, Hants PO14 3UR www.wardint.co.uk

www.coachandbusweek.com

p75_CBW_1142 16/06/2014 17:58 Page 75

TYRE EQUIPMENT

VEHICLE SPARES

Passenger and Commercial Vehicles Recovery Dismantlers Parts Sales OUR SERVICES:

•

•

•

•

• •

• • •

•

DISMANTLING/SPARES:

Recovery

Refurbishment

Testing

Repairs

Engine/gearbox rebuilds

Fault finding

Buying & selling vehicles

• • •

•

•

•

Reconditioned engines

Reconditioned gearboxes

Engine spares

Windows

Windscreens

Seats

Export to foreign markets

Repairs

Finance repossession and storage

CALL: 01226 727 769 Bus sales: www.geoff-ripleysbuscoachsales.com Geoff Ripley, Boulder Lane (off Shaw Lane), Carlton, Barnsley S71 3HJ

Mob: 07912 103 497 or 07711 750 434 Fax: 01226 727 607 Email: geoff-ripley@btconnect.com

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

Contact Kerry Watson T: 01733 293488 F: 0845 280 2927 E: kerry.watson@coachandbusweek.com www.coachandbusweek.com

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

www.twigley.com

June 18, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 75

In association with

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

A charming tractor with a bus connection

Monday: The familiar manic press day, where we’re very much up against the clock. As always, good-natured friendly banter keeps us on form, enabling us to get the job done.

Tuesday: A busy day in the office working on two features and arranging visits for the coming weeks. Also catch up on admin.

Wednesday: Rise early to tap away on CBW, and go into the office after an appointment.

Crack on with material for this issue and also make further progress on a feature for a future issue.

Thursday: James mans the pumps in the office and Andy attends the launch of the electric buses in Nottingham, while I head up the A1and M62 to Bradford. Enjoy a warm welcome at Autosound. I’m full up with cold and truthfully, don’t feel on form at all, but sick days are never an option for me.

Nevertheless, I come away happy.

Friday: A hectic day in the office.

Our internet connection plays up in the morning, before dying. An engineer is summoned. It turns out a key component has failed.

I send Andy and James to tap away at home once they’ve done all they can as the remainder of their work depends on internet access. We keep in touch via text and phone. I however, stay on in the office with designer Ian to complete page corrections and proofing. My emergency plan kicks into action for Monday – the internet doesn’t look like it will be back up before then.

The Leyland tractor forms a charming part of Neil Millington’s heritage vehicle collection Over the years, a plethora of quirky and often tenuous vehicles, people and animals (remember the sunbathing hens?) have graced this column – but we can’t recall off hand ever having carried a tractor story.

However, in the best tradition of this page, the tractor is not just any tractor – it’s an easily overlooked piece of history in its own right – with a bus connection to boot.

New to Charles H Roe in Leeds, Optare’s predecessor, the tractor spent its entire working life as a tug, towing chassis from the chassis park to the bus assembly plant. The delightful

The new BFG (Buses For Giants) service Residents of Rowley Fields, Leicester, have had difficulty reading a bus timetable, primarily because it is – or at least was – seven foot up a lamppost.

Howard Parker, who spotted the sign, was quoted in the media as saying the position of the timetable was “useless.”

“I am about 5ft 9in and have good

76 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 18, 2014 076_CBW1142_Last Stop.indd 76

machine was purchased, restored and licensed by its current owner, Neil Millington, in 2008/9.

“There were two tractors. We obtained both of them via different routes. We restored them and sold the larger one,” explained Neil.

“This one sits nicely in the collection and performs a not too dissimilar role

to what it did originally.”

For the record, the machine is a Leyland model 154, built in 1974.

Registered ‘ANW 705M,’ it is powered by a 1500CC engine.

eyesight,” said the 62-year-old. “But I find it hard work to see the bus times.

“You would have to be seven foot tall not to have to crane your neck. I don’t know how anyone smaller than me or with worse eyesight is going to be able to see any of the information. It doesn’t make sense at all.”

Howard spotted the timetable when he was helping to cut the hedge at the church in the street.

“It sounds as if someone has pushed the timetable up the lamppost,” said

spokesman for Arriva Midlands Keith Myatt, who acknowledged that the firm has had problems with people moving timetables up lampposts before.

“I shall send out a team to reposition it at a more sensible height and tighten the brackets to make it more difficult to move in future.”

We at CBW trust the rectification work will not be too much of a tall order…

Arriva Midlands’ friendly roadside publicity team are certainly in pole position. Over to you.

www.coachandbusweek.com

16/06/2014 18:52

BUSES

Based in Merstham, Surrey we are looking for the following staff:

Engineer

A vacancy has arisen for an experienced engineer to join the team at Buses Etc to become a key part of our service delivery team.

Reporting to the general manager your duties will include all aspects of vehicle repair and maintenance together with the supervision of the maintenance staff including control of the workshop premises.

We are looking for an experienced professional engineer and someone who is passionate and detailed in their approach. We operate a large fleet and this position is an important position in our expanding team.

Mechanics

Buses Etc need to recruit experienced coach and bus mechanics, working in a modern workshop based in Merstham in Surrey. You will be able to demonstrate the required skills to ensure our fleet maintains its high standards of vehicle maintenance

Bus drivers

Are you an experienced bus driver, then we have long term permanent positions available in our Merstham depot, you will need a current CPC and be reliable and used to working shift patterns .

In return we offer a competitive salary and benefits along with a great working environment For all of the above vacancies please call 07500 049061 or email your CV to operation@busesetc.com

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

Dilax announces new senior retail appointment Global provider of people counting technology DILAX has announced the appointment of Neil Harrison as Sales Director. He will be responsible for the developing relationships with new and existing customers and building market share in the retail sector across the UK and Ireland.

Neil Harrison brings over 15 years’ experience in sales and managing global accounts and joins direct from Chubb Fire & Security, where, as Business Development Manager for National Accounts, his responsibilities included providing new technology solutions such as video analytics, EAS/RFID and people counting to major retail clients.

“Neil has an impressive sales track record and understands the importance of building strong customer relationships and helping retailers to better understand consumer behaviour,” said Nigel Fountain, Managing Director of

Operations Co-ordinator London

Neil Harrison DILAX UK. “We are delighted to announce this appointment and look forward to working closely with him to identify new business opportunities in the retail sector and meet our ongoing strategies for growth.”

Founded in 1988, Neil joins a global provider with over 100 employees based at offices in the UK, Canada, Germany, France, Spain and Switzerland.

As a result of organic growth and continued expansion we are inviting applications for two Operations Co-ordinator positions at our office in London (Heathrow).

We are looking for professional and enthusiastic individuals who have previous experience within the bus & coach industry.

You will assist in the planning, direction and coordination of the day-to-day operation of the organisation by handling the logistics and supervision of the driving team. We are seeking applicants who would like to develop their skills in this hands-on role to drive forward our commitment to customer service.

In return we will offer you access to continuous personal development to achieve your full potential accompanied by industry leading rates of pay and a generous company pension scheme.

Please send your CV and cover letter detailing your current remuneration package to recruitment@citycircleuk.com or alternatively send to HR Department, City Circle UK Limited, West London Coach Centre, North Hyde Gardens, Hayes, Middlesex, UB3 4QT. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

www.coachandbusweek.com

069_071_CBW1142_People_Recruitment.indd 77

June 18, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 77 16/06/2014 19:11

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

TM

Travel

Based in Haslingden - attractive salary

Engineering Manager

Based at our busy Haslingden Depot, you will be responsible for the efficient, cost effective maintenance and presentation of a fleet of 110 vehicles. You will also be responsible for a maintenance team of approximately 40 staff.

As part of the industry leading Wellglade Group, TM Travel operates a fleet of around 70 buses on local services throughout South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire.

your local buses

Engineering Manager

As a forward thinking service orientated Transport Engineer, you recognise that our business is not just about repairing buses: it's about making services available to satisfy our customers through our engineering team at Haslingden; it's about sustaining a preventative maintenance program and first time repair process calmly, without fuss and within an agreed budget.

Your track record is vital and ideally you will already have five years' maintenance experience.

If you believe you have the necessary skills and experience to take on this challenging role, then please submit your CV to: Catherine Wallwork Human Resources Manager Rosso Knowsley Park Way Haslingden, Lancashire BB4 4RS Or via email: catherine.wallwork@rossobus.com The closing date for applications is 27th June 2014

A vacancy has arisen for an experienced Engineer to join our management team at TM Travel.

The company is going through an exciting period of change, driving up quality standards and financial performance, delivering friendly reliable services while keeping tight control of our costs.

Reporting to the Group Chief Engineer you will take responsibility for all aspects of fleet management. This will include vehicle provision, repair and maintenance together with supervision of maintenance staff and control of the workshop premises. You will also be responsible for the effective enforcement of the company's health and safety policy within the workplace.

We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic individual who can communicate effectively and be part of a dedicated team in delivering our services – day in, day out.

We will offer an attractive and competitive salary – dependent upon experience and qualifications.

Please send your application together with a full CV to: Steve Davy, Group Chief Engineer, trentbarton, Mansfield Road, Heanor, Derbyshire DE75 7BG or email sdavy@trentbarton.co.uk Closing date: 27th June 2014

Book one week, get a second week

Get your vacancy seen by quality candidates

half price and a third week

free!

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

Contact Ian Gillis 01733 293484 ian.gillis@coachandbusweek.com 78 | COACH & BUS WEEK | June 18, 2014 069_071_CBW1142_People_Recruitment.indd 78

www.coachandbusweek.com

16/06/2014 19:11

CIPD award recognition for Arriva Arriva North East and Arriva Yorkshire were awarded the Change Management Project of the Year award for ARRI-VA-VAVOOM at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Awards held at the Gateshead Hilton.

The ARRI-VA-VA-VOOM strategy has been introduced to tackle key areas within engineering functions. It was recognised that to improve engineering performance and deliver on the company’s objectives a culture change was needed that involved every engineer across the region.

Engineers are at the heart of the business and it was deemed crucial that they understand the influence they have on the final Arriva product that is delivered to passengers.

Catherine Attwell, judge and CIPD Executive Officer, said: “The quality of applications has been outstanding with many success stories all deserving recognition. The superb level and

quality of entries also shows how professionals in the North East are passionate about people and passionate about there place of work.

Bath City Sightseeing has been declared ‘Operator of the Year 2013’ at City Sightseeing’s annual conference held in Malaga in southern Spain.

The tour was compared with over 100 other City Sightseeing tours worldwide before being selected as the winner.

Martin Curtis, Managing Director of RATP Dev subsidiary Bath Bus Company, which operates Bath City Sightseeing, said: “Our staff work tirelessly

to ensure the highest standards are maintained – this award is dedicated to them.

“The award is thoroughly deserved by our hard working staff in every section of the company and we are very proud of this great – and unexpected – achievement.

“With on-going expansion including a growing Bristol Airport service, employee numbers have been steadily increasing over recent years.”

We’re keen to broaden the editorial coverage to reflect what you think.

If you have something that you would like to see included, whether it be an article, news story, or considered opinion, please let us know.

The magazine is only as good as its readers and we’d be delighted to hear from you.

Head of Engineering Arriva North East Colin Close was presented the award

by Carsten Staetr, CEO Cintra HR and Payroll Services

Bath City Sightseeing is best

www.coachandbusweek.com

069_071_CBW1142_People_Recruitment.indd 79

Have you got something you would like to say or appear in Coach & Bus Week?

“It’s no surprise that our judges have had an extremely tough job in deciding the winners.

Congratulations to Arriva North East and Yorkshire on their win.”

Contact Editor Gareth Evans, Tel: 01733 293243 or email: gareth. evans@ coachand busweek.com

Martin Curtis (left), MD of Bath Bus Company receives the award in Malaga

June 18, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 79 16/06/2014 19:11

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