Coach & Bus Week : Issue 1155

Dave Parry tells it as it is p22

Battle of the hybrids at Millbook event p16

OPINION › Claire Haigh argues

for concessionary travel p30

KET.COM COACHANDBUSMAR BUYING THE NO.1 WEBSITEURFOVER HICLES AND SELLING YO VEHICLES FOR SALE p48-71

NEWS...

Reading Buses officially opens gas station – p8 THE LATEST INDUSTRY JOBS EVERY WEEK SEE PAGES 77-79

RATP Dev expansion

MINIBUS this week...

● EVM’s new Grand Tourer Sprinter from Car-Bus ● Focus on all the latest from PLS

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TD Tyres offer the range p28 Battlebus ready for tour p7

Tuesday September 16 2014 | Issue 1155 £2.95 | www.coachandbusweek.com

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Highways Agency Traffic Officers protect a broken down vehicle during the roadworks on the M1 in Bedfordshire during CBW’s ‘ride-out’ back in 2008

On the right road

I

was delighted on Tuesday when I received a note from the Highways Agency (HA) saying it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with National Express coaches. As you’ll read on p10 of this issue, the two organisations have agreed to work together to ‘improve the customer experience’ (I hate that phrase, so took it out of the story). It’s an eminently sensible thing to do. I for one find the HA’s traffic news webpage invaluable – I always check it on my iPhone before starting out on long haul. And Radio 2’s Sally Traffic keeps me up to date while behind the wheel – I just wish they would keep it to a fixed half-hourly interval throughout the day, although that’s another debate…

Tuesday evening, I heard more from the HA while watching the BBC2 documentary ‘The Motorway: Life in the Fast Lane’ documentary about the HA staff working the M6 in West Midlands. I posted about it on CBW’s Twitter and Facebook pages – and it would appear, not surprisingly, that a number of you also enjoyed watching it.

The HA staff really are the unsung heroes of our trunk road network.

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Please contact Josh on 07827 894441 or Head Office on 02476 363004

The behaviour of HGV drivers while the crews were putting down the cones for a road closure was utterly disgraceful. Truckers cut through an ever-shrinking gap at considerable speed as the last few cones were being dropped from the HA wagon before an exit slip road. I have witnessed idiotic car drivers do exactly the same just as an overnight closure was being implemented on the eastbound A14 at J7 (Kettering).

As Jason Stevens-Read rightly wrote on CBW’s Facebook page: “If it had been a PSV, all hell would have broken.”

The programme reminded me of a ‘ride-out’ I was privileged to do way back in 2008 when I shadowed an HA crew for an afternoon – evening shift. The beat covered by the patrol I accompanied was along the M1 near Luton while the widening works were underway. I had to sign a disclaimer to say my loved ones would not sue the HA in the event anything happened to me. Yes, being on the roadside really is that dangerous.

Gareth Evans Editor

Venues in Date Order…

• 29th & 30th August – King long Head Office, Coventry CV6 6JR. Off M6 Junction 3.

• 3rd September – Bell House Hotel, London HP9 2XE. Off M40 Junction 2.

• 10th September – Hilton Newport Hotel, Chepstow Road, Langstone, Newport NP18 2LX. Off M4 Junction 24, off the Coldra Roundabout.

• 17th September – Pavilions of Harrogate, Great Yorkshire Showground, HG2 8NZ • 19th & 20th September - Holiday Inn Express, Strathclyde Park, Hamilton Road ML1 3RB. Off M74.

All shows run from 09:30 to 16:30

September 16, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 3 15/09/2014 14:43

CONTENTS

16 22 28 30

NEWS FOCUS

All that was new and innovative at the Low Carbon Vehicle Event

FACE TO FACE Dave Parry tells it as it is from a coach operator’s perspective

Arriva Sightseeing goes to RATP Dev p6

SUPPLIER FOCUS

TD Tyres and how it responds to bus and coach operators

OPINION

Claire Haigh, Chief Executive of Greener Journeys on the bus pass dividend

MINIBUS

33 34 38 45

COMMENT

Resurgence for low floor minibuses with several manufacturers responding

NEWS

All the latest minibus deliveries to operators around the country

SUPPLIER

The brakes are off for both production and innovation at PLS

LEGAL

Minibus operators at Public Inquiry

Top Stories

Regulars

6 l RATP Dev buys the Original London Sightseeing Tour from Arriva, adding to its existing UK sightseeing operations

O6 l News 08 l Bus News 10 l Coach News 12 l Regional News 40 l Big Picture 76 l Last Stop

7 l Luxuria is a new design of coach interior for next year from Leger Holidays that seats a maximum of 31 7 l Dates for next year’s UK Coach Rally have been announced. It’s April 18 and 19 and the venue is again Alton Towers

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April 9, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 5

15/09/2014 19:01 09:25 15/09/2014

NEWS B R I E F LY l FIRST ABERDEEN’S Jonathan Welch won the final for the UK Bus Driver of the Year in Blackpool on Sunday. He was followed closely by Peter Mascall of First Cymru and First South West’s Phil Mcavoy.

RATP buys Original London Sightseeing Tour from Arriva

l THIS SATURDAY (September 20) JHM Butt staff will be taking part in a 10k Charity Walk to raise money for The Cystic Fibrosis Trust. They are taking donations through Virgin Money Giving, a not-for-profit organisation which will claim gift aid on the charity’s behalf.

You can donate at www. virginmoneygiving.com/team/ jhmbutt l LONDON BUS DRIVERS who are members of trade union Unite took part in a protest march to demand collective bargaining on Thursday (September 11).

They are calling for an end to salary differences between operators which can see pay differ from £17,000 to £25,000.

Unite said about 400 bus drivers had marched from Bressenden Place to Old Palace Yard in Westminster. John Murphy, from Unite said the average wage for a London Underground driver was about £40,000 and therefore a “reasonable” wage for a bus driver should be between £28,000 and £30,000. l FOLLOWING the announcement of the Scania Touring’s UK launch earlier this year, Scania (Great Britain) Limited’s bus and coach team has secured its first sales, with orders from Skills Motor Coaches Limited of Nottingham and Tranzcare Travel Limited of Manchester. Skills Motor Coaches has three units on order, scheduled for delivery in April 2015, with Tranzcare opting for one, which is due to enter service next June.

The Original London Sightseeing Tour is an Arriva subsidiary which operates 90 buses Move means the company now has sightseeing operations in each of the world’s three most visited cities RATP Dev has announced the acquisition of Arriva-owned The Original London Sightseeing Tour.

Commenting on the deal, RATP Dev Executive Board Chairman, François-Xavier Perin, said: “We are delighted to be acquiring this company which is an ideal component of our development strategy, in a sector boasting of high growth potential and in the United Kingdom.

“RATP Dev is very proud to be able to offer sightseeing circuits now in the world’s three most frequently visited cities: London, New York and Paris.

“This will further allow us to create synergies – not only

6 | COACH & BUS WEEK | September 16, 2014 006_007_CBW1155_News.indd 6

between The Original Tour and our other London operations, but also with our other sightseeing activities.

“We look forward to working with the existing management and staff of The Original Tour, whose expertise and experience are vital aspects of this company’s appeal to its customers and to our extensive international plans.”

The acquisition builds on RATP’s existing UK sightseeing operations in Bath, Cardiff, Eastbourne and Windsor (part of Bath Bus Company, acquired by RATP Dev in 2011). It also complements RATP Dev’s London bus operating companies – London Sovereign and London United.

Established in 1951, The Original London Sightseeing Tour is one of the major operators of the sightseeing sector in London. The company has a fleet

of 90 buses and operates three sightseeing circuits in the centre of London, along with three feeder routes for passengers from major rail terminals. Buses run every five to eight minutes during the peak season. The Original Tour carries over one million passengers each year.

The operation has a workforce of 200 in low season and employs up to 370 in the peak season.

The firm recently revealed it is actively targeting the Chinese market and has included Mandarin in its range recorded commentaries for the first time.

On that note, The Original Tour Managing Director Colin Atkins said: “We know the Chinese love London double-decker bus sightseeing tours and we are delighted to be able to provide them with a guide to all the historic sights they are passing.”

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B-Type ‘battle bus’ transformation The London Transport Museum’s newly restored B-Type bus has made its debut converted as a ‘battle bus’ in preparation for its tour of battle�ields in France and Belgium – all part of Transport for London’s Year of the Bus celebrations and commemorating the centenary of the start of World War One. Advertisements and signage have been removed, the windows boarded up and the bodywork painted into khaki wartime livery.

The restoration and conversion have been made possible as part

Leger announces new Luxuria coach for 2015

Escorted tour operator Leger Holidays has announced it will be launching a new design of coach next year, which it claims will be the �irst of its kind to be used by a holiday company in the UK. Called Luxuria, the coach will seat a maximum of 31 in rows of three, meaning signi�icantly wider seats and extra leg room.

Leger con�irmed there will be just the one VDL Futura 2 initially, although it said it “would rather not provide information on the operator side of things.”

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The B-Type made its public debut as a ‘battle bus’ last Friday outside the London Transport Museum

of a £750,000 Heritage Lottery Fund grant, which will also cover other activities including an apprenticeship and community

outreach programme. The project has also been supported

by London Transport Museum Friends and public donations.

The armchair-style seats, some facing into tables, also feature retractable calf rests, personal touch screen TVs, and plug and USB points so passengers can keep gadgets fully charged.

According to the brochure seen

by CBW, seating will be to ‘two plus one’ con�iguration, with single seats on the nearside. There will be two tables on the nearside, about half-way down. The screens on the face to face seats will be mounted on swing-out arms.

Ashley Dellow, Head of Retail Sales for Leger Holidays, said: “The coach is currently in production. We are the very �irst company in the UK to introduce this advanced style of coach for scheduled holidays and so this is

being made especially for us.

“The coach will be ready for the New Year and we’re already receiving a lot of enquiries, so we imagine places on Luxuria tours will go very quickly. It really will take coach travel to the next level of comfort.”

Luxuria is set to operate on a range of continental tours – including the Rhine & Moselle Valleys and ‘Fire & Ice – The Wonders of Sicily, Italy & Austria.’

Holidays from Leger travelling by Luxuria can now be booked, and will be available on selected tours from March 2015.

For more information about Leger Holidays, visit www.leger.co.uk

The VDL Futura 2 tri-axle coach is currently in production

London buses played a vital role in supporting Britain and her allies during World War One. More than 1,000 buses were commandeered by the War Department for service on the frontlines. Many of these were driven by the same men who had driven them in London. This was the �irst use of motorised transport in a war and the buses would travel in convoys at night, often of over 70 vehicles, to transport troops to the frontlines.

They would take fresh troops out and return with the sick and wounded, or men leaving the trenches for rest periods.

UK Coach Rally seat for 2015

The UK Coach Rally returns to April for 2015 – on the weekend of 18 and 19. Once again, it is being hosted by Alton Towers Resort.

As usual, the weekend starts on Saturday morning with the road run, taking in spectacular views of the Staffordshire countryside. On return to Alton Towers Resort, all drivers continue on to the driving tests, which carry on into the afternoon. The day concludes with the ever popular dinner dance in the Alton Towers Stateroom.

Sunday morning starts with the Concours d’Elegance, alongside the �inals for Coach Driver, Mini Coach Driver and Midi Coach Driver of the Year competitions. This is followed by the Director’s Challenge and culminates with the presentation to the winners.

Throughout the weekend manufacturers and suppliers will be on display. Special rates are available at the Splash Landings Hotel for participants.

Call the rally organisers on 01753 631170 or 07590 468035. Email info@ ukcoachrally.co.uk . Visit www. ukcoachrally.co.uk.

www.coachandbusweek.com

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September 16, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 7 15/09/2014 18:53

£3,900

NEWS › BUS SHARE WATCH Industry share prices at the close of the Stock Exchange on Monday, September 15. Go-Ahead saw the greatest proportional rise, while 21st Century saw the greatest proportional drop.

Most figures obtained from www.lse.co.uk

458.00p

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

120.30p

Price: Year High: 146.10p Year Low: : 110.90p

275.00p

Price: Year High: 2442.00p Year Low: 1585.00p

245.80p

Price: Year High: 307.70p Year Low: 242.50p

367.30p

Price: Year High: 401.40p Year Low: 321.40p

+13.00 on last week

-2.70 on last week

+103 on last week

-0.60 on last week

+7.30 on last week

0.195p

Price: Year High: 0.36p Year Low: 0.185p

58.50p

Price: Year High: 58.75p Year Low: 50.00p

375.00p

Price: Year High: 620.00p Year Low: 302.50p

5.25p

Price: Year High: 8.00p Year Low: 4.38p

+0.005 on last week

SAME on last week

+2.50 on last week

-0.25 on last week

FTSE 100

6806

Index: Year High: 6,878 Year Low: 6,338

+22 on last week

Reading of�icially opens fuel station Baroness Kramer is present at the opening of the £1m gas compression station, which will supply Reading Buses’ 34 gas powered ADL Enviro300SGbodied Scanias

In one of his last public duties as Reading Buses Chief Executive Of�icer before he leaves at the end of the month, James Freeman invited Transport Minister Baroness Kramer to unveil a plaque commemorating the opening of the operator’s new £1m gas compression station.

“The opening and the Minister’s visit is an amazing moment for me personally,” James told an audience of over 100 guests from the bus industry and representatives from the local community.

“When we decided to go gas, we took a risk and stepped outside our comfort zone big style. We wanted to celebrate the opening of our gas station a year ago, but

things took a great deal longer than expected. But it’s here now and running superbly.

“We have got into gas because we were looking for something that gives us a real edge in the commercial sense.

“In the UK, gas as a fuel is still very much in the shade. Given the fact that the diesel engine is beginning to become a public enemy, we thought gas as a fuel for buses was a really good way of making sure that buses continue to be part of people’s lives.”

James explained that at �irst gas had been brought in on a tanker every day, but now that the infrastructure is complete, gas is brought onto site from the mains running under the Great Knollys Street depot, compressed on site and put into storage tanks from which it is taken through to the fuelling station.

The compressed biomethane gas is supplied to Reading Buses by the Gas Vehicle Alliance who produce

90

The number of buses operated by The Original London Sightseeing Tour

9.6 million kgs a year. During the gas cleaning process, they collect the CO2, inject carbon neutral gas into the national grid and then dispense it into the buses from the new gas station.

Baroness Kramer, who arrived at Great Knollys Street in a gas bus, said: “This is a very big step forward.

“Reading has been so successful in going green and bus operators want lower running costs which is part of what you are seeing here today. This investment made in the �illing station is a major contribution to the town with a better service to customers and better air quality for the population of Reading as well.

“This will become a template for other bus companies to take on board.

“The people of Reading will bene�it from the fact that today I am announcing investment using the Green Vehicle Technology Fund to help councils adopt cutting edge technology and we are awarding Reading £360,000 which will see more than 100 local taxis running on compressed hybrid fuel.

“This is another achievement driven by the council and community and a cutting edge

Report: Cambridge Busway contract appropriate An independent report into the Cambridgeshire guided busway has concluded that the contract award was appropriate for the time.

According to the Cambridge News, the review was commissioned by Cambridgeshire County Council after the project was plagued by overspends, delays and faults, as well as a legal battle with building contractor BAM Nuttall.

An investigation by EC Harris Built Asset Consultancy found there was little fault with the original £84m contract agreed between the two parties, despite the problems.

Report author Bill Edwards said: “My overall conclusion is that the procurement process, the contract conditions and contract administration were appropriate for the time.”

However, in one of his recommendations he added: “The contract administration of major schemes should be undertaken by appropriately skilled and experienced staff.

“This may require engaging staff not currently employed by the

8 | COACH & BUS WEEK | September 16, 2014 008_009_CBW1155_News.indd 8

The sum raised for charity at Imberbus, which ran on August Bank Holiday Monday

The Cambridge Busway was delayed by over two years after a series of development problems procuring authority.”

The busway, which runs from St Ives to Cambridge, was tendered to cost £84m but has cost £148m so far, and was delivered more than two years behind schedule.

Cambridgeshire County Council’s Economy and Environment Committee Chairman, Cllr Ian Bates, said: “We welcome this report on the busway contract, which has been put together by an independent expert and was asked for by the then overview and scrutiny committee.

“It will now be for the economy and environment committee to look at its �indings.”

In a separate development,

thieves have caused damage to ticket machines on the busway after trying to steal cash.

The machines at Histon and Longstanton had recently been emptied earlier, leaving very little cash inside to take.

Due to the extensive damage and the dif�iculty in getting replacement parts, the facility to pay by cash at the machines has been removed. Passengers will still be able to pay by credit and debit card using the machines or with cash on the buses.

The Histon ticket machine was damaged on the night of September 1, and the Longstanton one around 0300hrs, on September 2.

Joseph Whelan, Head of Passenger Transport Services at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “We apologise for any inconvenience but this attack of vandalism has left us with no choice.

“While we would not encourage people to challenge these thieves, we would like to thank the passer-by that stopped them at Longstanton and gave chase. If anyone has any information please contact the Police.” www.coachandbusweek.com

15/09/2014 19:08

209,093

The number of penalty fares issued on London’s bus network since 2010, according to Robert Goodwill MP

Mobile Onboard announces ‘talking bus’ tech

(L-r) Martijn Gilbert, soon to be CEO of Reading Buses, James Freeman, current CEO of Reading Buses, Transport Minister Baroness Kramer and David Sutton, Chairman of Reading Buses RAY WILLMOTT approach that Reading has to keep down emissions and produce clean air.”

Alan Martin, Scania Manager Special Projects, said that since the introduction of 34 gas buses into Reading, its gas engine had been

further developed to meet Euro 6 standards to improve air quality.

Furthermore, Scania is investing in the design and development of double-deck gas buses which it hopes to launch towards the end of 2015.

Copthorne, West Sussex-based Southdown PSV is increasing its commercial bus network by integrating four former ‘closed door’ school routes.

“In addition we have changed our airport G4 service into local bus 40/50,” said MD Steve Swain. “We took this action as it became clear

that the hotel chain were going to withdraw funding so by changing the route we still offer an excellent service to and from the airport for hotel guests and in addition we are carrying passengers who are using the bus to get to work or to the shops.

“Finally we have taken on the former tendered 657 service commercially and renumbering it 357. It used to serve Reigate College twice a day. We now run it throughout the day as students start and finish at different times.”

Southdown PSV grows commercial bus network

Mobile Onboard has announced a new low cost ‘talking bus’ technology.

Branded as Beam Next Stop, it integrates with Mobile Onboard’s Beam on-bus WiFi units to provide passengers with a graphical next stop announcement system that can be accessed from their mobile device and/or large screens installed on the vehicle.

Mobile Onboard claims Beam Next Stop addresses the cost and time barriers operators face when considering the installation of a next stop announcement system on their fleet. Designed to integrate with Mobile Onboard’s Beam on-bus WiFi, the system can run directly from the Beam WiFi unit to mobile devices without any further hardware installation. Operators can choose to have additional screens fitted to vehicles using full colour, WiFienabled displays.

Running locally from Mobile

Onboard’s Beam WiFi units, Beam Next Stop can be accessed through the Beam WiFi portal on mobile devices without the need to download any apps or use mobile data. Both on mobile devices and large displays, the screens’ design focuses on accessibility for passengers with disabilities, featuring large text, a high contrast design and high quality audio.

Passengers who access Beam Next Stop from their mobile device can select a bus stop on the route giving them visual and audio updates plus vibrating alerts as they near their destination.

Matthew Poole, MD of Mobile Onboard, said: “Currently there is only a small percentage of buses in the UK fitted with audio-visual technology, but the cost of current solutions is a real barrier for operators.

“We believe Beam Next Stop combined with our Beam on-bus WiFi provides the ideal low cost technology, enabling more operators to install a talking bus solution that also offers passenger WiFi at the same time.”

Southdown PSV has added three former Isle of Man East Lancs-bodied DAF DB250s for route 357 which replaces tendered service 657

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008_009_CBW1155_News.indd 9

September 16, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 9 15/09/2014 19:08

NEWS › COACH

Highways Agency & NX to work together Memorandum of Understanding to ‘improve the customer experience’ for road users The Highways Agency (HA) and National Express (NX) coaches have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work together to share information about England’s network of motorways and A roads.

The agreement, signed between the two organisations last Tuesday (September 9), is the first of its kind between the HA and a commercial transport operator.

Graham Dalton, Chief Executive of the HA, signed the MoU with Dean Finch, Chief Executive of NX Group, at London’s Victoria Coach Station – the busiest coach terminal in the UK. Graham said: “England’s motorways and major A roads are a crucial part of our national transport system – used by a wide range of customers with varying needs. As we move towards becoming a governmentowned company, with additional responsibility and accountability on behalf of road users, it is important that we provide an even greater focus on our customers.

“We recognise that partnerships like the one signed today are vital if we are going to improve the customer experience for the millions of drivers who use our network every year.”

The agreement will see road

Plans unveiled for new Plymouth coach station

Design drawings have been released depicting what Plymouth’s new coach station could look like, the Plymouth Herald reported.

Major plans are in place to replace the current Bretonside coach station with a new terminal situated in place of the Mayflower West multi-storey car park. Artist’s impressions show a sheltered seven-space coach station – two more spaces for

Dean Finch of National Express with Graham Dalton of the Highways Agency, standing in front of a National Express coach and Highways Agency Traffic Officer vehicle at London’s Victoria Coach Station users’ journeys benefit directly. In practice this will herald: l Faster information sharing when incidents occur on the roads, enabling NX to add to knowledge of the issue and support the Highways Agency to deal with it as effectively and quickly as possible; l Earlier notification of incidents so NX can react more readily to divert coaches and keep them on track as necessary; and l Increasingly agile responses

by NX by improved forward planning around road works and improvements.

The Highways Agency will additionally benefit from the company’s 40-plus years of expertise in coach journeys and their real-time updates, sent from its coaches while out on the road. This will give the Agency an extra assessment tool regarding the reliability of journeys on its network.

intercity coaches than currently at Bretonside – with an indoor waiting area, a ticket office and a cafe.

A consultation was due to start on Tuesday, September 16, inviting feedback from the public on the plans.

The council has also confirmed that it has bought the adjacent Taylor Maxwell House, meaning there will be a direct thoroughfare leading passengers straight into Armada Way. Councillor Mark Lowry said the coach station relocation would see 200,000 visitors a year arrive in the West End of the city centre.

“What we have now is not welcoming to our visitors,” he said.

“We need to provide them with

modern coach facilities and this does exactly that.

“It will have real-time passenger information showing arrival and departure times, the coaches will be under canopies, and most importantly, it will be a safe environment indoors with CCTV and a help-point.

“We have had a number of criminal incidents at Bretonside in the past but the help point will be connected directly to the police station.”

Inner-city buses will not use the new coach hub, the council confirmed.

Cllr Mark Coker, responsible for transport, said he was in discussion with city bus operators who currently pick-up and drop-off at Bretonside about

10 | COACH & BUS WEEK | September 16, 2014 010_011_CBW1155_News.indd 10

Dean Finch said: “NX continually strives for excellence across all our operations and working in partnership with the HA will enable us to deliver a better service for the millions of customers who use our coaches every year, as well as supporting road users generally.

We have an unrivalled expertise in passenger transport and believe this offers unique insight that can be harnessed to the benefit of road users across the UK.” how they could change their services, which he said were at an early stage.

Cllr Coker said: “The city currently sees 25 arrivals and 32 coach departures a day.

“We will have two more bays at the new coach station and we have actively engaged with Megabus and National Express.

“At this stage we haven’t talked with them about additional services but, if there is the demand, then it allows us to cope with more coach arrivals.”

Next door to the coach station will be a 102-space car park.

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15/09/2014 17:37

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Bakers Dolphin donates coach to Teenage Cancer Trust

Bakers Dolphin donated a coach to Teenage Cancer Trust so that young people with cancer from the South West of England could go on an exciting trip to Longleat Safari and Adventure Park.

The trip gave a much needed break from cancer treatment to the young people, aged between 13 to 24 years old, as well as providing a way of meeting others

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from the same age group sharing the same experience.

Amanda Harrington, Sales and Marketing Director of Bakers Dolphin said: “We have been supporting cancer charities this year with sponsorship of the prostate cancer Run For The Future event later this month and providing a coach for those raising money for Penny Brohn Cancer Care at the Moonwalk.

“Almost every family is touched by cancer and it can strike at any age. We were pleased to be able to help Teenage Cancer Trust by providing transport.”

Bridget Woodard, Teenage Cancer Trust Fundraising

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Manager, said: “We’ve been impressed with the incredible enthusiasm of Bakers Dolphin to support the vital work of our Teenage Cancer Trust Youth Support Coordinator and would like to thank everyone involved.

It was a great day out and a huge benefit to the young people who went to Longleat.”

Teenage Cancer Trust is a UK charity dedicated to improving the quality of life and chances of survival for young people living with cancer. The charity funds and builds specialist units in NHS hospitals and provides dedicated staff, bringing young people together to be treated by teenage

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cancer experts in a place designed especially for them.

Traditionally treated alongside children or elderly patients, young people can feel very isolated and rarely meet another young person with cancer. Teenage Cancer Trust says being treated alongside others of a similar age can make a significant difference to their entire experience. The charity wants to make this specialist support available for every young person, regardless of where they live.

Bakers Dolphin is one of the largest coach travel and holiday firms in the west. The company has an O-licence for 85 vehicles.

Nominations now open for UK Coach Awards 2015 The seventh annual competition for the UK Coach Awards (UKCA) has officially got underway, with an updated set of criteria, new promotional material and updated illustrations. Nominations are now open and can be submitted until December 5.

UKCA Chairman Allan Edmondson said: “The UK Coach Awards is the only national awards scheme dedicated solely to coach operators and their staff in all types of work.

“As with our hugely successful contest in 2014, our award categories reflect the diverse skills required to deliver high quality coach operations, not only through high-spec coaches and nice liveries, but also through excellent customer service. The right people really do make a difference and we are highlighting this again in our 2015 competition.

“The categories are designed to cover as broad a spread of activities as possible, and to

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The ceremony will take place at the Manchester Mercure Piccadilly Hotel offer everybody involved both recognition for their efforts and inspiration for the future Alan continued: “We’re therefore offering prizes for excellence in coach operation – with a special new contest for express services – and for a wide cross section of our people, including drivers, engineers, young professionals, customer-facing staff and support

personnel. Meanwhile a range of technical and professional awards aims to recognise and reward the skills needed to deliver a successful and growing business.”

For 2015, the awards are maintaining their strong emphasis on getting nominations from the customers – particularly group organisers and tour operators who actually use coaches and

know the operators and drivers who serve them best. However, the operating categories are once again open to self-nomination, as is done successfully for the UK Bus Awards.

Alan concluded: “This scheme is all about highlighting and extolling the skills, commitment and sheer hard work delivered every day by thousands of drivers, fitters, office staff and managers – all devoted to getting people where they want to go, giving them a safe and pleasant journey and a great time when they get there: we hope everybody will once again get on board with us.”

The Annual Presentation Ceremony will return to Manchester, taking place on Thursday, April 23, 2015 at the Mercure Piccadilly Hotel.

More information is available from the UKCA website at www.ukcoachawards. co.uk.

September 16, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 11 15/09/2014 19:05

NEWS › REGIONAL SCOTLAND FIRST SCOTLAND EAST has announced a reduction in the price of some single tickets by almost 30% and introduced two new zonal tickets.

Adult single tickets between Macmerry and Edinburgh have been cut by £1 to £2.50. Adult single fares linking Haddington with Edinburgh have been reduced to £3.50, a saving of 70p.

Child single fares have also been lowered: Haddington to Edinburgh has been reduced by 40p to £1.70, while Macmerry to Edinburgh is now £1.20, down 50p.

First Scotland East has also introduced two new zonal tickets.

A new FirstDay ticket between Macmerry Industrial Estate and Edinburgh offers unlimited travel for 24 hours for £5 for adults and £3 for children. Customers travelling between Artillery Park, Haddington and Edinburgh can purchase a new FirstDay day ticket costing £7 for adults and £3.50 for children.

John Gorman, First Scotland East’s Business Director, said: “At First Scotland East we are committed to improving our services and encouraging more people onto our buses. With the introduction of cheaper tickets, we’re confident that we can persuade more people to travel by bus and travel with First.”

MIDLANDS

AN INDEPENDENT SURVEY has shown a rise in passenger satisfaction by bus users in the West Midlands.

Figures released by Passenger Focus have shown that 88% of people spoken to over Spring 2014 were ‘satisfied’ by services in the region, a 4% increase on the same time last year.

Other key findings include increased satisfaction with waiting times (80%, up by 3%), information at bus stops (77%, a 4% increase) while 77% were happy with the cleanliness and condition on board the bus (up 9%).

Cllr Kath Hartley, Vice Chairman of Centro, said the improved results were a triumph for Partnership

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Plus, an agreement between Centro and National Express West Midlands (NXWM). Signed in 2013, it is a two year agreement which aims to introduce a range of passenger benefits from both parties, including new buses, improved information, cleaning, ticketing and easier to understand networks.

Cllr Hartley said: “The Spring Wave 2014 Bus Satisfaction Survey shows that the hard work undertaken by ourselves and NXWM under Partnership Plus is having an effect.

“I am delighted that passengers have voiced their satisfaction.

While there is always room for improvement, these findings show we are heading in the right direction.”

Peter Coates, MD of NXWM, said: “Earlier this year West Midlands buses were named as the country’s most improved so to see a further increase in customer satisfaction

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

SCHOOL CHILDREN have n been getting extra lessons about safe and considerate travel

on the buses, thanks to the Safer Travel Partnership.

Operation Hay is a Safer Travel Partnership operation which is run twice per year; at the start of the new school year and after the Christmas holiday.

In September it focuses on bus routes running near secondary schools, where youngsters are taught about what constitutes Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) on and off the bus.

Police officers and ASB workers from the partnership are visiting six schools in Birmingham and Solihull and plan to speak to more than 1,300 year seven and eight pupils this month.

Using a double-decker bus provided by Hockley, Birminghambased The Green Bus, which operates many school services around the West Midlands, year seven pupils were put through a variety of role-play scenarios where they had to identify what they thought could be classed as

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ASB and the effects it had on them and other passengers.

They also met National Express West Midlands bus driver Pete Rivers, who talked to them about his job and what it is like to be on the receiving end of abusive behaviour.

Reg New, Anti-social Behaviour co-ordinator for Safer Travel, said: “Very often anti-social behaviour can just be a result of natural high-spirits.

“Youngsters may not realise they

are upsetting other passengers so the role-play scenarios help them understand this.

“They also show how more blatant forms of ASB such as rowdy behaviour, swearing, smoking and graffiti disrupt and affect the safety of other passengers and the bus driver.”

As well as ASB, Operation Hay advises pupils on personal safety and encourages them to register electronic items such as mobile phones.

Quality mobile bus & coach engineers throughout the UK 01253 340565 www.wjftechnicalsupport.co.uk www.coachandbusweek.com

15/09/2014 14:58

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NEWS › REGIONAL is great.

“However these results are not the end of the road for bus improvements in the West Midlands, they just prove we are on the right track.

“Over the next 12 months we will be investing in hundreds of new buses, expanding our successful mid-route cleaning programme and building on our successful Safer Travel Partnership.”

David Sidebottom, Passenger Director of Passenger Focus, said: “Centro and NXWM have listened to what bus passengers say needs improving and are working together to implement these.

“Our Bus Passenger Survey asks passengers to rate the things that are most important to them and the real value of this work is its ability to drive change for passengers through being able to benchmark and compare services over time.”

SOUTH WEST

ANDOVER’S new bus station was officially opened on Wednesday, September 10 by Hampshire County Councillor Seán Woodward and Test Valley Borough Councillor Ian Carr.

The £3m building, now home to the bus station, Test Valley Community Services, Shopmobility and a new café, was completed in 12 months and will be operated

by Stagecoach. The new station has been funded from developers of new commercial and housing schemes in Andover.

The station has additional space for buses and coaches, new waiting and seating areas and electronic passenger information systems.

Hampshire County Council’s in-house team of architects, engineers, and quantity surveyors were involved in the design and construction phases.

Regional Managing Director for Stagecoach, Andrew Dyer said: “The new bus station will provide muchimproved facilities for passengers, including a secure, covered passenger lounge with seating area and electronic passenger information departure display.

“I hope passengers will agree the new bus station is a huge improvement on what was there previously and we hope it will encourage more people to travel by bus, and help to reduce traffic around the Town Centre.”

Cllr Seán Woodward, said: “Andover Bus Station is an excellent example of what can be achieved by working with our public and private sector partners.

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“During the planning stages, we asked local people what they would like to see in their new bus station, and I am very pleased with what has been achieved here. It reflects what the community wants to see in a bus station and is a fitting gateway to the town. The new facilities at the bus station will significantly improve bus travel in and around Andover, helping to reduce traffic in the town centre and therefore making it easier for everyone to get around.”

Councillor Ian Carr, Leader of Test Valley Borough Councillor, said: “As a borough council we are keen to help enhance our town centres, and I hope the new facility provides the modern and attractive gateway to the town that Andover and its residents truly deserve.”

EAST

A SERIES of drop-in sessions are to take place where bus users can have their say on various Fenland bus routes, the Wisbech Standard reported.

As part of the Cambridgeshire Future Transport programme, the 9 Chatteris to Ely, 33 March town service, 35 Chatteris to March, 46 Wisbech-Guyhirn-March, 56 Wisbech to March and 56 Manea to Benwick buses will be reviewed.

A review has already taken place of the 31 Peterborough to Ramsey bus, which passes through Whittlesey. Feedback criticised the lack of bus services in the evenings and at weekends.

Drop-in sessions are scheduled at Benwick Village Hall on October 28 from 1000-1200hrs, Manea Village Hall on October 28 from 1400-1600hrs, Wisbech library on October 30 from 1000 to 1200hrs and March library on November 19 from 1000 to 1200hrs.

NORTH

FIRST has donated £1,000 to the Leeds (West) Foodbank, the Yorkshire Evening Post reported.

First staff also stepped in to help with a food collection event for the charity at Asda in Pudsey.

The Leeds (West) Foodbank, which is run by a partnership of churches led by The Oak Church in Farsley, relies on donations of food and money to help feed local people in crisis.

Foodbank co-ordinator Angela Softley, said: “We rely on volunteers and the support of local business such as First and Asda. The donation

by First will go a long way to helping feed local people in crisis.”

14 | COACH & BUS WEEK | September 16, 2014 012_014_CBW1155_Regional News.indd 14

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DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Showbus takes place this Sunday at Duxford, Cambridgeshire

2014 n September 21 Showbus 2014.

Imperial War Museum, Duxford. www.showbus.com n September 25 Group Leisure Show Hall 8, NEC Birmingham. 01908 613323 http://leisureshow.com n September 25 - October 2 IAA Commercial Vehicle Show.

Hannover, Germany. www.iaa.de n September 27 Lothian Buses Doors Open Day Central Depot, Annandale Street, Edinburgh, EH7 4AZ 12 – 1600hrs http:// lothianbuses.com/our-community/ community/events n October 5 Amersham Running Day. Running Day based at car park, adjoining MET Station, King George V Road, Amersham on the Hill.

www.amershammotorbussociety. co.uk

n October 5 Bluebell Railway Vintage Bus Day. 01825 720800, visit www.bluebell-railway.com or email d.morgan52@btinternet.com n October 5 Oxford Bus Museum Bus & Classic Vehicle Rally & Running Day Station Yard, Long Hanborough,OX29 8LA. 01993 883 617. www.oxfordbusmuseum.org.uk n October 6–7 CPT Scotland Annual Conference. Cameron House Hotel, Alexandria. 0131 272 2150. www.cpt-uk.org n October 12 Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust Annual Open Day. Bridgeton Bus Garage, Broad Street entrance, Glasgow. www.gvvt.org n October 19 TransportFest 2014 London Bus Museum, Brooklands, Surrey. 01932 837994 www. londonbusmuseum.com n October 19 30 Year of Tracline Running Day Aston Manor Road Transport Museum, Shenston Drive, Aldridge, Walsall. 01922 454761. www.amrtm.org

n October 23-24 Young Bus Managers Network Conference Novotel, York www. youngbusmanagers.org.uk n October 26 Swansea Bus Museum Running Day. SA1 Business Park, Langdon Road, SA1 8QY. www.swanseabusmuseum. com n October 28-31 International Bus and Coach Trade Fair Feria de Madrid Avda del Partenon, 5 28042 Madrid, Spain www.ifema.es 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 UK Bus Awards Presentation Ceremony London Hilton Park Lane www.ukbusawards. org.uk n December 6-7 The Christmas Cracker Museum of Transport Greater Manchester Boyle Street, Cheetham.

0161 205 2122 http://gmts.co.uk

2015 n April 23 UK Coach Awards Ceremony Mercure Piccadilly Hotel, Manchester. 0870 900 1450. www. ukcoachawards.co.uk n May 3 – 4 Friends of King Alfred Buses Running Day Winchester www.fokab.org.uk n May 11 – 13 ALBUM AGM & Conference Carden Park Hotel, near Chester www.album-bus.co.uk n June 21 Welsh Coach Rally National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. For details, call Ashley Lovering on 07814958379.

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

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15/09/2014 14:58

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NEWS FOCUS › LOW CARBON VEHICLE EVENT 2014

Battle of the hybrids Competing hybrid technologies were the big theme at this year’s Cenex Low Carbon Vehicle Event at Millbrook Proving Ground, as James Day reports For the second year in a row, Cenex’s Low Carbon Vehicle Event (LCVE) benefited from glorious sunshine, completing its environmental themes. As before, upon arrival I was escorted to the press car park by a people carrier, security at Millbrook as tight as ever. The LCVE is one of the few times of the year that cameras are allowed into the proving ground, as most of the time it is used for top-secret vehicle development and testing.

It was immediately clear that the event was well attended, with queues to register and large crowds to navigate in order to get to the exhibitor’s stands. The event is now in its seventh year and seems to be growing from strength to strength.

Many of the big car manufacturers were represented – Peugeot, Toyota, Ford, BMW and Jaguar Land Rover to name but a few, along with some more niche performance vehicle manufacturers like Caterham, Tesla and Ariel Motor. The sheer number of different vehicles on site shows just how far low emission and alternative fuel technology has come, with so many manufacturers offering competing products. This level of competition can only be healthy and may finally be making the technology viable outside of government subsidy.

Of course, the buses were what I was at the event for, and there were plenty of interesting developments for our industry.

Gyrodrive electric flywheel hybrid (GKN) GKN was showcasing its new Gyrodrive – an electric flywheel hybrid system, onboard a Wrightbus Gemini Volvo doubledecker.

GKN estimate the Gyrodrive can achieve a payback on investment in four-six years

The Gyrodrive was on display inside a branded Wrightbus Gemini Volvo double-decker While the system is electrical, it doesn’t make use of any batteries, meaning expensive replacements are not necessary. In fact, the system is designed to last for the entire life of the vehicle (10-12 years) with minimal maintenance necessary. The system is also a fraction of the weight of battery systems, at approximately 115kg.

GKN also claims that the system is commercially viable without the aid of government subsidy.

GKN says the system is capable of making a return on the investment within three to four years, without the aid of subsidy. The full life cycle cost is lower than a battery system, and is less expensive and risky to recycle.

Vehicles with the system installed have the potential to be

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The two boxes which contain the GKN electric flywheel system are easily concealed beneath seating

Low Carbon Certified, meaning up to a 30% improvement in fuel efficiency is possible compared to a Euro III vehicle.

Another thing to notice is the size of the system. Packaged inside two small boxes, one containing the flywheel, within its own squeezeformed aluminium ballistic proof case; the other holding the inverters which transfer power between the flywheel and the motor, it can easily be concealed beneath a couple of sets of seats or anywhere else desired on the vehicle, without reducing the vehicle’s seating capacity at all.

How it works

The company says the system offers a highly efficient energy transfer back and forth between

the flywheel and the drivetrain.

In a bus application, the carbon fibre flywheel has no physical connection to the engine or drivetrain. Instead, an advanced GKN EVO motor/generator is fitted, which charges up the flywheel by harvesting some of the energy which would normally be lost as thermal energy during deceleration. Once charged, the flywheel reverses the process, spinning at up to 36,000RPM to release the stored energy to power the motor and drive the bus.

Fitting the system

Since the electric flywheel takes up such a small amount of space, it is easy to install on any vehicle, whether that be a new build or an older bus or coach. Paul Wyatt,

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Managing Director for GKN Land Systems, said that the company is working with one of the leading UK bus manufacturers to further integrate the technology into new vehicles. CBW understands it’s Alexander Dennis.

“We’ve made a large investment in our Telford facility, which has five bus conversion lines,” he explained.

“Installation takes place in two phases. First, we need to engineer a solution for the specific bus.

Although the system can be packaged for any vehicle, it takes a while to engineer this. Once this has been done, the installation can take place.

“Assuming the bus type is one we have engineered already, and some pre-work has been carried out, we can fit the system in around two days.”

Frank Thorpe, GKN’s Head of Bus Systems, added: “The market for these types of systems has been tainted by unrealistic performance claims, but this system has obvious selling points of small size, low weight, low cost and high

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packagability.

“Almost every hybrid which has been purchased in the UK has been purchased with the help of government subsidy. We’re not trying to create a mythical fuel saving figure. This is a genuine commercial proposition.”

Busisness developments

The system started life with the Williams Formula One team, who developed a KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) for the race circuit. It was then developed for other applications by Williams Hybrid Power.

Earlier this year, GKN acquired the entire issued share capital of Williams Hybrid Power from Williams Grand Prix Engineering.

While Williams had been developing the product, it had been using GKN technology to do so. GKN saw the potential of the technology and acquired the business to help take it forward.

“The acquisition was exactly what Williams needed – a partner to help it deliver,” said Frank, who

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had previously been working on the technology with Williams. “The market took a lot of comfort from the GKN takeover.”

Thanks to the acquisition, several hundred buses are expected to be fitted with the technology next year, many of which will likely go to Go-Ahead. Go-Ahead Group recently agreed a deal to fit 500 buses with the Gyrodrive system over the next two years, following successful trials in London.

Artemis – Hydraulic hybrid Euro 3

The second hybrid on display was a retrofitted Euro III single-decker Dennis Dart from Lothian Bus, brought to the event by Artemis Intelligent Power.

The bus had been retrofitted as a parallel hybrid with a hydraulic Digital Displacement system, used to capture braking energy and re-use it to help the engine burn less fuel. As well as retrofitting, the company is designing an OEM version for new Euro 6 vehicles.

The system is joint project between Alexander Dennis, Lothian Buses

AT THE AWARDS

LCVP awards – Reading Buses and BYD Europe impress judges The Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LCVP) Low Carbon Champions Awards winners were announced on Wednesday, September 9 at a packed gala dinner hosted by Cenex in Milton Keynes.

Best known for his role as Kryten in BBC’s Red Dwarf and presenting Channel 4’s Scrapheap Challenge, Robert Llewellyn was Master of Ceremonies, presenting the awards with nearly 300 industry peers and low carbon transport stakeholders in attendance.

The awards are currently in their fourth year.

LCVP Managing Director Andy Eastlake said: “These Awards recognise best practice, and outstanding leadership and innovation in cutting carbon from vehicles and fuels, as well

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as through other means.

“This year we had more, and higher quality, entries than ever before showing just how far and fast the whole low carbon road transport industry is now progressing, and how many individual stakeholders are contributing to the change.”

Awards relevant to the coach and bus industry are as follows: Low Carbon Heavy Duty Vehicle Manufacturer of the Year BYD Europe BV – Winner The judges said: “Backed by a wealth of international experience, BYD Europe’s vehicles demonstrate a real business case for their adoption and market growth potential. The very high reliability of the new powertrain system

has been demonstrated, providing a flexible approach to electric charging.”

Iveco UK – Highly commended Wrightbus – Highly commended

Low Carbon Vehicle Operator of the Year Reading Buses – Winner The judges commented: “Reading Buses’ was a particularly impressive entry demonstrating how the use of gas buses has brought additional benefits through reduced

air pollution emissions and noise. The company has made further commitments to lower the environmental impact of its day-today operation including initiatives to reduce energy consumption and waste generation.”

Tesco – Runner up Eddie Stobart Ltd – Highly Commended

Low Carbon Fuel Initiative of the Year Gasrec Ltd – Winner “Gasrec’s 85% growth in biomethane sales over 18 months is highly

impressive,” the judges said. “It has a scale of operation that is of national significance in helping to decarbonise the freight sector in the UK, and has brought together a highly influential industry group to disseminate results and galvanise action. Its efforts on driver and safety training were also impressive.

Commercial Group and the London Hydrogen Network Expansion Runner Up Gas Bus Alliance – Highly Commended

September 16, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 17 15/09/2014 17:44

NEWS FOCUS › LOW CARBON VEHICLE EVENT 2014 and Artemis. It is expected to save up to 14% on fuel consumption on typical urban bus routes, but only costs around £10,000 to add on to a vehicle.

The project has been supported

by Technology Strategy Board (now known as Innovate UK).

This results in a very impressive payback time of just two years of standard operation, even faster if the vehicle qualifies for subsidy by meeting the threshold to be classed as a low carbon emission vehicle.

However, the vehicle on display was more of a proof of concept than something which is expected to return to operation, and testing is very much ongoing.

An adaptable system

Artemis power transmissions come in a variety of shapes and sizes. As well as being fitted on buses, Artemis has developed systems that work on anything from BMW road cars to offshore wind turbines. Digital Displacement was developed by Artemis in an attempt to improve high-pressure oil hydraulic technology. Traditionally, hydraulic

Artemis has been working in partnership with Lothian Buses and Alexander Dennis to develop its hydraulic system

Artemis’ hydraulic system can be easily packaged within the engine bay

Andrew Latham, and Mun Keong Chang from Artemis Intelligent Power

About Artemis

IN DETAIL

Magtec – The electric double-decker resurfaces The retrofitted electric double-decker Dennis Trident which launched in York on September 3 (CBW1154) was present at LCVE, ferrying VIPs around Millbrook throughout the day.

If you didn’t catch the launch coverage last issue, here is a brief recap.

The vehicle is the first retrofitted electric double-decker bus in the world. The quality of the engineering involved means that it is lighter than it was before with its diesel engine and components, by about 200kg. Despite this, it still has a range of at least 75 miles, more than enough for its day-to-day service requirement, and can be fully charged overnight. The retrofit should reduce the vehicle’s operating costs

by about £20,000 per year, making a return on investment in three years.

Marcus Jenkins, Managing Director of Magtec, said: “It’s quite important that we came down here. Some Clean Vehicle Technology Funding went into making the retrofit on the electric doubledecker happen.

“What we’re interested in is looking at how the government can help

016_020_CBW1155_LCV.indd 18

support operators to take this technology forward.

“There are good commercial reasons to use this technology now, but operators still perceive some risk which means they may need some encouragement.

“The Cenex LCVS attracted its record attendance last year, as the low carbon vehicle industry remains a high priority for local authorities and governments around the world.

“Magtec is at the forefront of the

The electric decker provided VIP tours around Millbrook throughout the event

18 | COACH & BUS WEEK | September 16, 2014

systems have the best power to weight ratio available for the job, but have been unsuitable for many markets because of low part-load efficiency and poor controllability.

The company says its technology provides variable-displacement hydraulic pumps and motors which have all the strengths of traditional hydraulic machines, but are superior in terms of energy efficiency and controllability. This is achieved with solenoid activated vales, controlled by a fast-acting microprocessor. The Digital Displacements machines are efficient at all load levels and have ultra-fast response to computer control.

“We have a huge amount of patents behind the technology,” said Andrew Latham, Research and Development Engineer at Artemis.

“It’s standard hydraulic equipment we are using, nothing exotic. For hybrid vehicles like this to take off there has to be a business case.

“We’re working with ADL on this project. There will be much more freedom for packaging the system on a new OEM vehicle.”

latest research and development and the bus launch in York was positively received. This is a great opportunity for local authorities and specialists in low carbon technology to experience riding on the bus themselves, before it goes into service within the next few weeks.

“We hope this will show other local authorities and bus operators the improvement in passenger ride quality which can be achieved by fitting electric drive train systems to existing vehicles, as well as lowering costs and emissions. It is a winwin situation.”

As well as the electric decker, Magtec was showcasing the Lightning GT supercar, which is powered by the company’s technology.

One of the cars was taking people for rides around Millbrook’s banked circuit throughout the day.

Artemis is a company which spun-out from fluid-power and renewable energy research at the University of Edinburgh in 1994. It is still largely an R&D company and as a result has grown quite slowly, although it does have around 45 staff members now.

The business moved out of the University in 2008, to new premises in Loanhead, just outside Edinburgh. It was acquired by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in 2010, largely for the potential to replace the conventional gearbox of large offshore wind turbines with a Digital Displacement hydraulic transmission.

In 2012, the company opened a new 1,000 square metre lab with a 30 tonne overhead crane and a 4 MW test-rig drive system. The extra space has allowed Artemis to develop products for markets outside of offshore wind, including the hydraulic hybrid bus seen at LCVE.

Wrightbus’ mechanical flywheel hybrid Wrightbus was highlighting the potential of KERS in its vehicles.

The system, which was shown on a retrofitted Euro 5 Wrightbus StreetLite single decker from Arriva in Kent, was developed in a collaborative project with Flybrid

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NEWS FOCUS › LOW CARBON VEHICLE EVENT 2014 Automotive (part of Torotrak Group), Arriva, Voith DIWA Transmissions and Productiv, partially funded by Innovate UK (formerly the Technology Strategy Board). The system harvests energy from the vehicle’s braking systems.

The high speed flywheel helps to decelerate the bus, storing energy which is then used to accelerate the vehicle, saving fuel by reducing the engine power required.

The prototype bus is part of a long term project to test the in-service reliability of the technology and evaluate its commercial viability.

Currently, the system is for Euro 5 retrofits, although in the long term it will be part of new hybrid builds. 25 of the systems are due to be fitted to vehicles belonging to a range of operators in the near future.

More long-term value

Flybrid claimed that the system has half the payback time of a battery electric hybrid, a quarter of the cost and a third of the weight. The KERS technology is also more efficient than batteries, since energy is stored in kinetic form, rather than being transferred through electric and chemical storage only to be converted back to kinetic form.

Because there is no high voltage equipment, it is cheaper and easier to service and maintain. There are further hidden savings too, such as reduced brake wear, because the flywheel can be used to help decelerate the vehicle.

The system will also last for the full life of the vehicle, or about 1,000,000km (620,000 miles) and uses equipment which should be familiar to most mechanics, with no special training required.

The aim for this technology is to achieve a 15% fuel saving, which would achieve a five year payback on the likely incremental cost.

This is achievable subsidy free,

The electric motor used in Magtec’s converted double-decker. The space and weight saved is easy to see

Arriva is one of several partners involved in the development of Flybrid’s KERS system

Brian Donohoe, Programme Manager, and Jon Hilton, The Flybrid mechanical flywheel system. The flywheel is Product Development and Sales Director, both of Torotrak housed within the cylindrical part of this block, towards with the Arriva bus the left of the picture and with the sort of subsidy which has previously been available the payback time could be as low as two years, which Torotrak believes is the fastest payback available on the market. The company said that because the system is mechanical, it is also more suitable for resale.

Doug Cross, Chief Technical Officer for Flybrid, said “We believe that resale wise it’s a much more attractive proposition.”

“More than half of the operators we have spoken to think a five year payback is a sensible length of time,” said Jon Hilton, Torotrak Product Development & Sales Director.

“Electric systems are not as green as you might think when you consider that they cannot be resold.

Our system will last for the life of the vehicle, and because it is a parallel system it can easily be taken

20 | COACH & BUS WEEK | September 16, 2014 016_020_CBW1155_LCV.indd 20

off, leaving just a conventional bus.”

Andrew Simpson from Wrightbus said: “Flybrid KERS offers unbeatably quick operator payback in our market space – and its agile team has been great to work with.

“We believe we have something here which makes sense without subsidy. We could do with a subsidy in the early years when we’re not making many, but when we’re producing 1,000s a year the price will be much lower.

“One of the problems with producing hybrids has been that the price of the metals involved hasn’t come down as expected. However, this system doesn’t use any exotic materials.”

Torotrak Traction Drive Transmission Technology

In addition to the KERS system, Torotrak offers two variants of the toroidal traction drive system

– the CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) and the IVT (Infinitely Variable Transmission) which can be installed alongside the KERS system and are suitable for Euro 5 and Euro 6 and all engine configurations.

Both can replace the main drive transmission to offer full torque from a standing start, and are designed to allow the engine to operate at the most efficient point possible at all times. By moving through the transmission ratio range in a smooth and continuous movement, Torotrak says high loads and associated inefficiencies in the engine are minimised. The company claims the smoothing of demand on the engine can improve fuel economy by as much as 20%.

“In the longer term, the two technologies may well merge, but for the time being they are two different parts,” said Jon Hilton.

“We will look at integration in the future.” n www.coachandbusweek.com

15/09/2014 17:45

p21_CBW_1155 15/09/2014 16:19 Page 21

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September 16, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 21

FACE TO FACE › DAVE PARRY

Coaching heart FROM THE

Gareth Evans talks to Dave Parry of Parrys International, who heads the high-pro�ile West Midlands-based coach tour operator renowned for its high standards and attention to detail

T

walk into a hotel, I feel it straight away. I enjoy hings were on a knife edge right seeing the satisfaction of our customers on a until the end. Once we decided we tour. were not going to shut down, it was “Things are always changing – people move all systems go,” said Dave Parry as around. I am one of the few ‘originals’ left he re�lected on the events of almost now. At the same time, we’ve got to encourage 18 months ago, when the UK coach industry younger people.” came close to losing one of its well-known On that note, Dave revealed names. he is doing his bit to bring Anyone who knows Dave AT A GLANCE new blood into the industry. is only too aware that he Name Dave Parry “Our latest drivers are now lives and breathes coach Organisation Parrys International in their early 20s and started touring. Removing him with us at the age of 15 in from the industry would be Age 66 Contact 01922 414576 the garage. They have gone akin to the BBC dropping www.parrys-international.co.uk through our apprenticeship its �lagship News at Ten programme. As part of that, programme. Therefore, we put them through the PCV test. the announcement of the �irm’s closure and its “We’ve also got three girls in the of�ice subsequent revitalisation became an industry currently doing an apprenticeship. We start talking point – and continues to be so. them off as Saturday staff and they are then offered full-time roles if we feel they are Shut down suitable. They can become couriers and can also “I had a virus at the beginning of last year. I undertake their PCV driving test. While they came off a cruise and felt unable to work seven may not become full-time drivers, possessing days a week. I’ve never felt like that before,” he the licence allows them to help out if required said. with driving.

“The virus lasted �ive months. I lost a lot of “It’s my sporting background – I want team weight. I announced we were going to sell the players. We want to encourage our own younger business piecemeal. However, my Business players who we have trained from scratch. I Manager at the bank informed me that the think it’s the way all operators are going to have difference between selling it as a going concern and piecemeal was £2m. I made some enquiries, to go.”

In something which will strike a chord with which resulted in three potential buyers coming many operators, Dave remarked: “Recruitment forward. One went to the wire – but �inal is the largest problem – fewer people want agreement could not be reached. to work unsociable hours. It’s tough – it’s an “Therefore, I decided to continue. As a result, ongoing thing.”

I had to invest heavily again. I spent £4m on Training at Parrys doesn’t just stop with new nine new coaches alone. I also had to buy new telephone and IT systems. After all, there was no recruits or the Driver CPC either. “We’ve got 10 girls in next week doing courier training. We’re point in investing in them previously.” giving them training mid season to address any issues and keep things fresh.

Team player “We also do weekly garage meetings, which “I go out on the road so I can see what needs to include topics such as health and safety. It’s be updated. I’m constantly gaining insight. If I 22 | COACH & BUS WEEK | September 16, 2014 022_026_CBW1155_Parrys.indd 22

partly a sign of the times. When you should be dedicating time to furthering your business, you’re forced to ensure paperwork is up to scratch. All meetings are minuted and actioned.”

With a man whose heart is very much in what he does, Dave enthused: “I currently drive a lot. What happens out on the road and word of mouth is our future business. As long as we’ve got the right standards, we will retain repeat business – as well as attract new clients.

“The crew is vital too. That’s why I put two crew members on each tour in the form of a driver and a hostess or two drivers. It’s good for safety too.

“A nice group onboard makes a crew’s life easy, yet an awkward customer must be dealt with immediately – and the crew need to support each other.

“I ask the crew to text me daily, even a short message just to let me know it’s going smoothly.

We will always get last-minute problems.”

Belgian bother

Dave has recently found his coaches on the receiving end of bad treatment at the hands of the Belgian police. What’s more, he claims the actions which have taken place in the Hasselt

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15/09/2014 17:35

Dave feels the Starliner has got ‘wow’ factor both inside and out

‘I go out on the road so I can see what needs to be updated. I’m constantly gaining insight. If I walk into a hotel, I feel it straight away’ area – have been caught on CCTV, although the footage has not been shown to CBW. So what exactly is Dave’s problem? “Being stopped aggressively with passengers on board,” he replied.

“On a Sunday in early August, a plain unmarked car pulled one of our coaches over with passengers onboard.

“We pride ourselves on running a compliant operation. The relief driver’s information is on the waybill, but of course, when he leaves the coach at services, and the main driver takes over, the relief driver is no longer present when the coach is stopped. It’s all recorded as it should be. The main driver just has to record how he got to the services.

“Quite frankly, the Belgian police are rear end holes. They could not find anything and threatened to fine us €1,800. They also www.coachandbusweek.com

022_026_CBW1155_Parrys.indd 23

interviewed our passengers. There was no politeness – they were aggressive. Ironically, the passengers were travelling on a Belgian-made coach. You see coaches from other parts of Europe blatantly speeding, yet they don’t seem to get pulled over.”

Dave highlighted another disturbing action by the Belgian officers. “The police breathalysed our driver at 1600hrs. When the driver pointed to the Alcolock, it cut no ice with the police – something I find highly disturbing. Why was the driver breathalysed at all when Alcolock is a recognised device?”

“Fortunately, we’ve got it all on CCTV. In the end, some passengers got off the coach and remonstrated with the police for delaying them for 35 minutes. The ordeal caused so much unnecessary safety risk as the driver was shaken by it all.

“The Belgian police are pursuing a vendetta against us. They told us they would be looking out for Parrys coaches in future – that too is on CCTV. “We’ve got eight-camera Synectics systems with sound. The technology is especially effective around the front of a coach. Synectics’ technology is invaluable to us. It protects us against malicious claims and our crews from allegations. You can’t deny it. I think CCTV will be a standard fit on every sort of vehicle in the very near future.”

Back to the Belgian difficulties, Dave perhaps understandably said: “I was due to go to the Van Hool factory shortly, but I’m now unsure. We’ve spoken to CPT in an attempt to clarify our rights with regards to delaying our passengers for so long when there was no outcome. It belittles our industry.

“All incidents have taken place in the same area – Hasselt – near Genk. That may point to a local police area issue. I’ve noticed some Polish coaches seem to go north and then back towards Aachen.

“Having tried lobbying the police, politicians and even Van Hool, the only way is to make a personal protest by not buying Van Hool. I’m in

September 16, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 23 15/09/2014 17:35

FACE TO FACE › DAVE PARRY

Van Hool is the best product for Parrys, according to Dave regular contact with my MP. I follow up anything which impacts on the business. It’s pity there are not a few more of us who do that.

“One of our suppliers has written to the Belgian Tourist Minister after the last occasion and was told the police had written down that we did not object – something which is categorically untrue as it’s on CCTV.”

Rudesheim

Located on the banks of the Rhine in Germany, Rudesheim is a popular and delightful place.

Since last year, however, there have been problems accessing the town and Parry’s dropoff point. Back in May, things came to a head when a vital access route to a coach park was partly coned off.

“We found that without warning, the access to the top coach park, which is our main drop-

off and pick-up point, had become extremely difficult for our coaches to negotiate, with the risk of damage to our €500,000 value coaches.

“We have been using the Hotel Felsenkeller for over 30 years, and having had the drop-off facility withdrawn, we then had the problem of not being able to get near the hotel to drop off our luggage, and indeed for our clients to walk to the hotel.

“In addition to this, we were told that our pre-planned first arrivals for the Rudesheim Christmas Market had to be cancelled, due to a town ruling and a religious Sunday.

“Rudesheim is another town which used to be packed with coaches from the UK – but not now.

We put money into the economy – we sponsor the annual wine festival.

“I spoke to the Mayor’s office and the Mayor.

They’re working hard to resolve things. They’ve

‘Passport control at Calais remains a time-consuming affair. I know the border control staff have got to do their job but I would like to see things streamlined’ 24 | COACH & BUS WEEK | September 16, 2014 022_026_CBW1155_Parrys.indd 24

told me it comes under the Land (State) of Wiesebaden. Parking has been reinstated – even though there’s a terrible diversion to reach it, via narrow, residential streets.”

Other Continental experiences

Asked about any bad experiences in other mainland European countries, Dave replied: “Touch wood, we’ve not had any problems in France recently. I know some operators fell foul of the VAT rules in Germany by booking though a tour wholesaler, but we don’t use them, so it was never a problem for us. I don’t think many coach operators realise the tax implications of Germany. It’s always been like that. We use Germany for overnight stops.

“I gave serious consideration to dropping our overnight stops in Belgium, but concluded it would be a case of cutting my nose to spite my face.”

Dave added: “Passport control at Calais remains a time-consuming affair. I know the border control staff have got to do their job but I would like to see things streamlined.

We shouldn’t have to inconvenience our passengers by for example, making them walk off and back onto the coach. That said, it’s still

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Drivers Hours

“Drivers Hours legislation is horrendous as it takes me hours to ensure we’re compliant,” said Dave.

“Drivers can’t do a two-night weekend and then a Monday to Friday tour. Our job is doing seven to eight day tours – yet we can’t.

“No other industry would tolerate it. A bus driver in London can work 13 days on the trot and a school teacher can endure the stress of the classroom all day and then drive to London in a minibus – it’s crazy. Yet if one of our drivers gets behind the wheel of one of our minibuses for a mere 20 minutes, one day’s work has gone.”

He added: “Touch wood, we’ve never had a tachograph offence – it’s almost ironic given how time-consuming it is. That’s how we’ve lost operators from the industry – financial matters plus administration become too great a burden.

It’s also about having enough staff and running a seasonal business. At a time when you should be earning money in the peak, you have to turn away work. The earning capacity is taken away from coach operators.

“Having to swap drivers part way through a tour is hugely disruptive for all concerned.

That’s a safety risk – a driver alone for two days, wanting to pass the time as quickly as possible can turn to drink.”

New coaches?

Are any new coaches likely to join the fleet in the near future, and if so, what type?

“We’re going to order again in a small way for next year,” responded Dave.

“The oldest coach is currently 2012-registered.

I tend to keep them for three seasons. As for our next purchase, MAN is a problem as the Starliner is not going to be available at Euro 6.

The MAN engine will also no longer be available in Van Hools. Therefore, I’ve been looking at Van Hool. There is an option for a Scania-powered a big advantage for the coach industry that passengers don’t have to go through stringent airport-style security checks and treated like sheep.”

One issue which is of concern is the Go Box in Austria, a device which collects tolls for using the motorway network by means of on-board units.

“I’ve written to several people now. Austria has always encouraged coach tourism. Each vehicle has to have its own Go Box, which ties up funds. If anything goes wrong with the Go Box with the result that it doesn’t pick up, you’re fined €286 and pulled over. My argument is that there are now fewer coaches then ever from the UK going to Austria. That is not only down to costs but the policing. It’s infuriating as overseas coaches can come to the UK unhindered.

Indeed, they’re effectively exempt from the London LEZ. “This is all administration. Slovenia has introduced a new system where we’ve had to register our business there.

“In France the tolls are high. It costs €600 to drive down to the south of France. And in Paris, you’ve got to know the system, such as prepaying for parking.” www.coachandbusweek.com

022_026_CBW1155_Parrys.indd 25

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version or we could change suppliers and have a DAF Van Hool or have one of the last Starliners.

“At the moment we’ve ordered a Starliner. It remains to be seen if we get a Van Hool and in what form. The Belgian police are also a factor to consider.

“We can no longer have Setra and we can’t buy a Tourismo which meets our specification, such as extra tanks, a galley and additional storage.

“Our specification works for us and all of a sudden, it will be withdrawn. Personally, I feel Van Hool is the best product for our business but the Starliner has got ‘wow’ factor both inside and out. I will try to get the Starliner to stay in the UK to act as a marketing tool.”

Tour trends

“We have dipped on European tours but we’re now on the up again. The exchange rate has made a huge difference. There are fewer players in market, so that’s helped us too. We’ve now introduced pick-ups on the way south. For the first time ever, we’ve released our 2015 brochure online now. Our planning is better than ever.

“German tours have gone especially well this year and last year the Rhine tours were all packed. Our Bavarian tours were popular too. I don’t think many Britons know what Germany has to offer and the quality which is available.

I feel the two nations are more alike than anywhere else in Europe – and they also share interests. I’m gutted I’ve not been able to make it to Rudesheim wine festival this year as I’ve had to drive a UK tour.”

Asked what the most popular UK tour destination is, Dave replied: “It used to be London but that market has plummeted. It’s no longer a huge sell. The London theatre market used to be key, especially during the fringe months. Everything goes in fads.

“We thought Coronation Street would be a sell out. While it did ok, it’s certainly not been a

Dave is keen to encourage new blood into the coach industry – and hence offers apprenticeships.

Some of the results of his successes can be seen here at the 2014 UK Coach Rally September 16, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 25 15/09/2014 17:35

FACE TO FACE › DAVE PARRY sell out. I think it probably became available too late. Downton Abbey remains very popular and Doc Martin in Cornwall is popular too.

“We do go to traditional places, but at the same time, it’s important to look for new destinations. We’ve got to �ind short breaks too. We’ve introduced Hampton Court – and Brooklands is popular too.”

Being based in an area which can reach North, South and Mid Wales with relative ease, Dave said: “We have had a good run on Wales.

The Hilton at Cardiff is a great hotel. We keep putting the odd Welsh tour in the brochure but they don’t seem to have taken off yet. Never say never, as the crystal ball is not always right.

It’s important to be �lexible in this sector of the industry. The coach �leet has to be kept moving.”

On the subject of Hilton hotels, Dave remarked: “At a Hilton recently, they called us while our coach was en route to say there had Access to the top coach park at Rudesheim had been made extremely difficult for coaches to get through been a water leak, with the result there was no year, which is great for our clients as we’re water. Therefore, it was agreed we would divert “I would also like to see facilities provided for dependable. We’ve had good loads too. to another Hilton. Their staff were proactive to coaches. Water is not available in many places “If something’s doing well, we will insert extra help us.” these days. They want coaches but don’t want dates – like we did at the Edinburgh Tattoo. That to provide facilities. You get parts of Germany As for north of Hadrian’s Wall, he said: “I think was a traditional favourite, which died to death a lot of people have struggled on Scotland, yet where you are not allowed to wash coaches and then resurrected itself this year. we’ve increased the number of tours running in the street. It’s fair enough – but then there “With our vehicles, we’ve got the keep the up there. That said, what we offer is inclusive, so is nowhere to do it. It requires pressure from wheels rolling.” that probably makes a difference.” other operators.

At a time when the mainstream media is not “The RDA does a good job in mainland Europe. short of stories about our fallen forefathers, We’ve got to offer increased levels of comfort Wishlist Dave revealed the �irm is not running First and facilities to our customers. We’re not cheap What would Dave like to include in his ‘wishlist’ World War tours. “We went to Ypres in January anymore. Budget airlines are our competitor. to assist the coach industry? but there is no particular demand.”

Facilities for crews need to improve too. For “There’s an image of coach travel which is Looking at the bigger picture, he said: example, they can’t be forced to sleep in a not always helpful. For example, a hotel built “Running circa 550 tours this year, so a fair bit broom cupboard above the kitchen extractor without coach bays – until they want the of homework has go into that. A programme fan or the bar. business. The same can be said of schools. of weekly tours is easier to manage as you can “The job needs more respect. An airline pilot Coaches seem to be an afterthought. keep running it but individual tours are far sits at the front in full uniform and yet nobody more time-consuming. sees him – but people look down on coach “We’ve cancelled just two or three tours this drivers.” ■ The Neoplan Starliner has got the ‘wow’ factor

26 | COACH & BUS WEEK | September 16, 2014 022_026_CBW1155_Parrys.indd 26

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15/09/2014 17:35

p27_CBW_1155 15/09/2014 15:44 Page 27

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September 16, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 27

SUPPLIER › TD TYRES

The personal tyre service James Day speaks to Adam Fletcher at the head of fast-growing TD Tyres about the rapid yet personal service the company provides

T

D Tyres has had something of a meteoric rise. Launching the business about a decade ago, Adam Fletcher managed to develop it from a single-man business to a company turning over millions of pounds a year, and it is still growing at a signi�icant rate.

Adam said he has been in the tyre industry for about 25 years, having started off doing casing collections – picking up old scrap tyres from garages. After a while, he spotted a gap in the market for coach and bus operators, and started TD Tyres about 10 years ago.

“Nobody was looking after them and supplying tyres which they could �it themselves,” Adam explained. “A lot of these companies have mechanics in their garages who are perfectly capable of �itting tyres themselves, but they couldn’t �ind anyone who would just drop tyres off for them at the right prices.”

Meteoric growth

TD Tyres was de�initely a business with humble beginnings, as Adam explained.

“I started off by buying tyres from a wholesaler and then going around all of the coach companies in a van and selling out of the back of it.

“We soon got too big for that, so we set up a little of�ice and started buying from different wholesalers. We provided a service to the coach companies where they could buy four tyres and 28 | COACH & BUS WEEK | September 16, 2014 028_029_CBW1155_TD Tyres.indd 28

Falken is one of TD’s best selling brands and wheel rims are one of the many ancillary items which TD sells

have free delivery.

“We’ve grown from that now. We have our own brands, across the full spectrum of budget, midrange and premium tyre products, all of which we bring in ourselves.

“When the company started it was just myself, but now we’ve grown and have people on the road, along with two of us in the of�ice and some accounts people. We have the one of�ice premises and a warehouse. The turnover of the business is now about £3m.”

As well as achieving that, the company has grown by about 30% each year for the last three years.

Adam is expecting that trend to continue.

“We basically sell between 1,400 and 1,800 tyres per month now.”

One stop shop

The premium tyres which the company generally keeps in stock consists of Continental, UniRoyal (which Adam described as a brilliant premium tyre) and Bridgestone, while Falken is a standout mid-range brand and one of the company’s best-selling tyres.

Budget tyres are still of a good quality standard and include brands like Torque and Goodride.

However, this is by no means an exhaustive list.

“We can get tyres in which are in oddball sizes too,” Adam said. “We pride ourselves on

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getting any tyre that anybody wants.” While the company may offer to �ind any tyre for an operator, it will still only sell good quality tyres, nothing cheap and nasty.

TD Tyres makes a similar amount of revenue from each type of tyre. About 50% of its sales are budget tyres, 30% are midrange and 20% premium. Adam explained that it’s an even split of operators buying each, and operators tend to buy different tyres for different work. Budget tyres tend to be used for school contracts, since it is short distance work at a relatively low rate.

If operators are doing longer distance work they tend to go with the midrange tyres, or if they’re doing continental work (where tyre regulations, particularly in cold weather, can be more strict) or long distance touring they tend to use the premium tyres.

This balanced business represents a demand shift in the last year, since budget tyres used to be more dominant and make up more than half of sales. A healthier economy and the fact more and more businesses are sticking with the midrange tyres after trying them out has led to budget options making up a smaller proportion

‘When you call TD Tyres you always speak to the same person,’ Adam stated. ‘It’s a more personal service, not a call centre. Our people know what they’re talking about’

Aftersales with a difference The 24 hour tyre breakdown service provided by TD Tyres covers both the UK and Europe.

Any operator which has an account with the company can use it, and is only charged if and when they use it.

“In the UK we aim to get to you within an hour,” Adam said. “Again, it is always the same person who answers the phone when operators call in, so again it’s a personal service. There are no problems, they haven’t got to go through a call centre or anything like, we just put them straight through to the breakdown man who sorts it out for them.

“We have a network of subcontractors which we outsource that work. We ring around everybody that we can get to and they sort it out for us.

“It’s not a vast part of the

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028_029_CBW1155_TD Tyres.indd 29

TD Tyres keeps a range of tyres in stock, but prides itself on being able to track down just about any type of tyre for its customers business. It’s there to help our customers out. It’s not something which we make money on; it’s just a service which we provide. Operators need something that’s is going to cover them if they have a breakdown.

“It’s not available for everybody to use, only for people who have set up an account with us and buy tyres

from us and needs somebody to do that for them. It’s like an aftersales service.

“Callouts on the service are quite rare. We get maybe 20 calls per month from over 2,000 coach and bus operators which we have on our books. It’s not a major part of the business, it’s just something which is there if operators need it.”

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TD Tyres’ stand at the last Commercial Vehicle show. TD Tyres has been exhibiting at both the CV Shows and NEC coach and bus shows to raise its presence, and the commercial vehicle market is a new frontier for the company. However, it is still very much secondary to coach and bus tyres of sales.

“We also offer all the consumables that go along with tyres,” Adam added. “This includes anything from valves through to spare wheels and puncture repair products. We’re a one stop shop now.”

As well as the products which TD Tyres sells, the company also offers a 24-hour breakdown tyre service, along with tyre disposal.

A personal service

TD Tyres is very much a personal service. Its website is mostly there as a rough reference point and overview of the company, so the customer can quickly see what it does. It’s always better to call the business for the best deal, and for advice on the tyre which works best for the job in question.

“When you call TD Tyres you always speak to the same person,” Adam stated. “It’s a more personal service, not a call centre. Our people know what they’re talking about. We know which tyres are good for what application.

“It’s the personal touch that we deal with.

We can always �ind whichever products our customers want.

“We know tyres, we know what works and what doesn’t. We’ve been to China and worked out which are the best factories to use over there to get the quality we want.

“However, we can still source any tyre that anybody wants. If we don’t have it in stock already we’ll �ind it for the customer.

“We provide a next day delivery service across the whole of the UK and have customers in every county.

‘This stops operators from needing to keep tyres in stock and helps to keep their business quite lean. They only have to spend money when they desperately need to. If the operator needs tyres to be there the next day, they will be there the next day.” ■ Visit the TD Tyres website at www.td-tyres. co.uk or call 01684 560029

September 16, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 29 15/09/2014 14:16

OPINION › CLAIRE HAIGH

The bus pass dividend Claire Haigh, Chief Executive of Greener Journeys stresses the importance of maintaining concessionary bus travel for older and disabled people and says that KPMG research shows the scheme pays dividends to society as a whole Concessionary bus travel for older and disabled people delivers real and significant economic and social benefits, new research has found.1 Taking away the bus pass could cost the UK economy considerably in excess of £1.7bn a year due to a decline in volunteering and poorer health and wellbeing amongst older people.

Importantly, the groundbreaking research – conducted by KPMG LLP and commissioned by Greener Journeys – confirms the bus pass delivers a huge range of wider benefits to the UK’s society and economy. Using official Department for Transport (DfT) guidelines, it found that for every £1 spent on the bus pass, over £2.87 of benefits were generated, high value for money according to official DfT guidance2.

The study reveals the scheme enables older and disabled people to have fuller and more efficient access to the services they need, and to take part in activities that would not be affordable without the free bus pass. This freedom to travel has a wide range of multifaceted and quantifiable social, economic and environmental benefits, including that older people: l Can contribute more actively as volunteers. If the concessionary scheme were to be taken away, some £297m worth of annual volunteering benefits could be lost; l Are more physically active, resulting in improved health and wellbeing with knock on benefits

SOURCES

for health services. These benefits are worth an estimated £458m annually; l Make fewer journeys by car, meaning our air is cleaner and our roads are safer and less congested.

Together these benefits are worth an estimated £175m a year; and l Underpin and improve the rest of the bus network. When more people use the bus, operators need to provide additional services, making buses more frequent. If the concessionary scheme were to be taken away, some £447m worth of benefits to other bus users could be lost.

However, a number of important benefits the bus pass brings to the economy and wider society are difficult to quantify and therefore not fully statistically recognised in the report, meaning the actual overall boost to the UK economy

‘It found that for every £1 spent on the bus pass, over £2.87 of benefits were generated’ will be significantly higher than £1.7bn annually. Key areas which would require additional analysis to calculate the overall benefit include that older people: l Feel less lonely and isolated, something crucial to good mental health and well-being, with significant benefits for health services. Research has shown that loneliness is a comparable risk factor for early death as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and is worse for older people’s health and wellbeing than obesity and physical inactivit;3 l Are more able to look after children and care for others. Older people overall provide estimated

1 Research conducted for Greener Journeys by KPMG LLP: The costs and benefits of concessionary bus travel for older and disabled people in Britain, September 2014

attachment_data/file/267296/ vfm-advice-local-decisionmakers.pdf

2 www.gov.uk/government/ uploads/system/uploads/

4 www.royalvoluntary service. org.uk/Uploads/Documents/

3 www.campaigntoend loneliness.org/threat-to-health

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benefits of £34bn in social care and £2.7bn in child care every year4; l Shop more on their high streets, increasing retail and commercial activity. Overall the value of spending by older people to the economy is estimated at over £76bn per year5; and l Can travel independently, delivering savings on patient, social services and community transport.

The study also found that if the scheme were to be abolished, £152m in tax revenues would be lost annually, with older people being forced to switch from spending on taxed goods and services to untaxed bus travel.

Overall, the scheme is extremely popular, with four out of five of those eligible taking up bus passes, and central to facilitating a large number of bus trips – across Great Britain more than 1.2bn

more active – in family life, in their communities, as well as physically and mentally. Such activity is vitally important for health and wellbeing, for strong family networks, and, crucially, for local communities and the economy, with vital sectors such as volunteering heavily reliant on older people to survive.

It is absolutely crucial that the next Government, and its successors, safeguard the concessionary travel scheme. Any cuts to funding would mean the UK not only loses out on billions of pounds of economic benefits, but that older people would be isolated from society and their communities.

Provided the scheme has the funding that it needs, the UK will have a stronger economy, a society in which everyone can take part and a cleaner environment. n

trips were taken by 12m pass holders in 2012/13. According to Passenger Focus research, there is also overwhelming public support for the scheme, with 95% of passengers agreeing that older and disabled people should be entitled to a free bus pass.6 The benefits are also more likely to go to those on low or moderate incomes and those without access to a car.7 With the UK population over 60, and therefore those eligible for a free bus pass continuing to rise, the benefits to the UK’s society and economy will grow concurrently.

Our research clearly demonstrates that the bus pass means older people are much

gold_age_ecconomic_2011.pdf

5 www.royalvoluntaryservice. org.uk/Uploads/Documents/ gold_age_ecconomic_2011.pdf 6 Passenger Focus, Englandwide national concessionary bus travel: The passenger

perspective, 2010 7 Age UK research shows that the vast majority of eligible older people with an annual income which is less than £15,000 own a bus pass and that older people without access to a car are

About Green Journeys

Greener Journeys is a campaign dedicated to encouraging people to make more sustainable travel choices. It aims to increase the value of bus and coach travel in stimulating economic growth, reducing congestion and CO2 emissions and enabling access to jobs, retail, leisure and vital services.

Launched in 2009, Greener Journeys is a coalition of Britain’s leading bus companies and other supporters including Transport for London, RAC Foundation, Passenger Focus, Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT), Passenger Transport Executive Group (PTEG), and Campaign for Better Transport. Its primary funders are bus companies Arriva, FirstGroup, Go-Ahead and Stagecoach

twice as likely to hold a bus pass and five times as likely to use it frequently www. ageuk.org.uk/Documents/ EN-GB/For-professionals/ Transport/12.03.23%20 ID200274%20Getting%20 out%20and%20about%202012. pdf?dtrk=true

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The essential read for Minibus Operators

September 2014

MINIBUS Low�loor minibuses - is a resurgence now possible?

L

ow�loor minibuses have always been regarded as an ideal concept for easy access, convenience and as the way forward in enabling those who are less ambulant to retain a higher degree of independence and dignity. In practice, the desire for the concept was always sti�led by the capital costs, as �inance departments reasoned they got more in material terms by sticking with conventional minibuses equipped with lifts or boarding ramps.

Every few years there seems to be a resurgence of interest in low�loor minibuses, with another happening right now, so perhaps this latest �lurry of interest will be the spark to ignite a new market.

EvoBus has supplied a number of its Sprinter City 45s to Rotala and Avis. While these are for niche operation at airports, they are repeat orders and have obviously stood up to the demands placed upon them. A batch of City 45s is also going to Dawsonrentals – which has clearly spotted a requirement in the market – and another has been supplied to the Cuckmere CT operation. It is not Cuckmere’s �irst low�loor minibus and highlights the value of such a vehicle to the people it serves.

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EVM has reported considerable interest in its new low�loor Sprinter concept and Mellor Coacraft has con�irmed similar reaction to its newly acquired Orion and Tucana models which were originated by Bluebird Vehicles.

While for many years they were viewed as expensive by comparison with a small midibus – such as an Optare Solo or the Mini-Pointer Dart, their continued production by VDL Bus & Coach and Mercedes-Benz has given far greater credence to their place in the market, particularly since the price of fuel began to escalate. This was underlined last year when Berlin’s principal operator bought 50 Sprinter 77s to run on main routes in the city at off-peak times to reduce fuel consumption. It was so successful that the operator ordered a further 35. Maybe this time the low�loor minibus will develop a more sustainable market which can promote further growth and attain a level of sales which would mean its production costs could be reduced.

Martin Cole MINIBUS Editor

September 16, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK MINIBUS | 33 15/09/2014 14:48

MINIBUS › NEWS

A touch of Elegance for Travellers Choice

19-seater minicoach joins fleet of well-known North West of England coach operator

The bright interior individual passenger service units.

Stepped, curved double-glazed saloon side windows, tinted in privacy grey were installed and the original front windscreen retained.

In-Dash air-conditioning and a Mercedes-Benz saloon air-conditioning system in a roof cowling provide a pleasant passenger environment and forced air ventilation is ducted through the service units. A saloon heater booster as also fitted.

Travellers Choice opted for a Sound 15 head unit with saloon speakers and a PA system with

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Connaught PSV has supplied a new Ferqui-built Soroco to Lathkill Coaches of Matlock, Derbyshire.

It is based on a Mercedes-Benz 516 CDI and equipped with 19 reclining seats, air-conditioning, doubleglazing, curtains, power door, boot and towbar.

Lathkill Coaches is a familyrun operation which has been established for 50 years. It operates three coaches – the new 19-seat Soroco, a 33-seat Marlin and a full-sized 50-seat coach.

It caters for school trips, general private hires and runs its own day excursion and holiday programme.

Mainline’s new X-Clusive

The smooth lines of EVM’s exterior styling

The Travellers Choice has taken delivery of an EVM Elegance based on a Euro 6 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 516 Cdi with a 163bhp engine and six-speed manual gearbox.

It is equipped with 19 reclining EVM Club 100 seats, trimmed in moquette with head and side panels. The rear four units are on quick release fittings to allow the installation of the lightweight, removable rear partition and creation of additional luggage space.

The original hinged passenger and rear doors were retained and a moulded three-stage entry step with LED strip lighting installed. Two full-length brushed aluminium luggage racks provide additional storage and incorporate strip lighting and blue LED night lights plus

New Soroco for Lathkill Coaches

multiple microphone points. The system is Bluetooth ready.

EVM’s colour-coded X-Clusive body moulded side skirts, bumpers, side moulding and front grille were also selected.

The Travellers Choice is a family business founded in 1872 in Silverdale, Lancashire, by Robert Shaw – in the days of the horse and cart. It is now one of the largest family owned and run coach operators in the northwest with a fleet of over 80 vehicles dedicated to providing high quality services. The company now operates from depots in Carnforth and Dalton in Furness.

Mainline Travel, of Evanstown, near Tonyrefail South Wales, has taken delivery of an EVM X-Clusive.

Based on a Euro 5 MercedesBenz Sprinter 516 Cdi it has a 163bhp engine and a sevenspeed 7G-Tronic gearbox.

The vehicle’s specification includes a coach windscreen, electric plug-type entrance door, tinted, double-glazed side windows, coach rear with drop boot, Webasto air-conditioning, saloon heater booster and full length luggage racks.

Passengers are accommodated on 16 Brusa Crete reclining seats upholstered in real leather.

Interior trim is also leather finished, including interior window cappings.

Saloon speakers were installed along with a DVD player, recessed 15-inch monitor and PA system with multiple microphone points. The system is Bluetooth ready.

EVM’s X-Clusive body moulded side skirts, colour coded bumpers, side moulding and front grille were specified – plus EuroLiner wheel trims.

The vehicle also benefits from a large rear boot, making it ideal for all touring work in comfort and style.

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Dhillon goes X-Clusive

Sprinter City 45s for Heathrow duties Rotala has taken delivery of two Euro 6 Lowfloor Sprinter City 45s for its shuttle services at Heathrow Airport.

Operating under the Flights Hallmark brand, the two Sprinters are aimed at streamlining the existing services.

Supplied by Mercedes-Benz Minibus Sales at EvoBus (UK), they are equipped with Eco Star seating and can accommodate up to 22 passengers. They feature destination displays, bus stop signalling system, payment table, mechanical folding ramp and a host of lowfloor accessibility features.

Both Sprinter City 45s are

The two vehicles prior to despatch from Evobus in Coventry powered by Euro 6 Mercedes-Benz OM 651 95kW engines coupled with 7G-Tronic PLUS automatic gearboxes.

The two Sprinter City 45 vehicles complement the existing five Mercedes-Benz Citaro buses purchased by Rotala in 2010.

Anthony’s Travel gains an accessible EVM Avantgarde Runcorn-based Anthony’s Travel has acquired a new accessible EVM Avantgarde. Based on a Euro 6 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 516 Cdi, it features a 163 bhp engine and seven-speed 7G-Tronic automated gearbox.

Retaining the original windscreen, front entrance and rear doors, its is configured for up to 19 passengers. Seven of the seats have quick release fixings and are mounted on tracking in order to create space for two wheelchairs. A Ratcliff Palfinger underfloor passenger lift ensures easy access.

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For even greater flexibility, the operator specified a removable lightweight partition which allows the new minicoach to be used as a 15-seater with a separate, spacious luggage compartment and boot.

Seats are Brusa Crete 110 with reclining backrests, three-point seatbelts and armrests to aisle sides. They are trimmed in Epengele moquette with leather headrest panels.

Eberspacher saloon airconditioning supplements the in-dash system and the customer also opted for a Sound 20 radio

upgrade plus a PA system and a DVD player with 17-inch dropdown monitor.

Additional equipment includes an inverter to provide four double 240v sockets, and Alcolock UK V3 unit, Synectics CCTV and Genius Telematics – in addition to You Track vehicle locator and reporting system.

Stepped, curved double-glazed side windows were installed and tinted in privacy grey.

EVM’s colour-coded body moulded side skirts, front spoiler and grille were also selected – and a set of EuroLiner wheel trims.

Dhillon of London has bought an EVM X-Clusive Sprinter equipped with 16 seats. It is based on a Euro 6 Mercedes-Benz 516 Cdi with a 163bhp engine and a seven-speed 7G-Tronic automated gearbox.

The new vehicle features a coach windscreen, panoramic glass roof, electric plug-type entrance door, tinted double-glazed side windows and a coach rear with full-depth drop boot. Two full-length, brushed aluminium luggage racks provide additional storage and incorporate strip lighting, blue LED night lights and individual passenger sets.

Eberspacher saloon airconditioning and heater booster support the In-Dash airconditioning system.

A Mercedes Benz Sound 15 Radio/SD/USB system with saloon speakers was specified alongside two 19-inch monitors recessed in the roof at the front and rear with a DVD player incorporated in dash. A PA system with multiple microphone sockets was also installed.

Brusa Crete 110 reclining seats were selected and they feature three-point seatbelts, folding arm rests to aisle side, integral handles and are upholstered in two-colour real leather. Six of the seats have seat back tables. Single and double table units were supplied to allow a conference configuration.

External features also include EVM’s X-Clusive colour-coded front bumper spoiler with integrated daytime running lights, body moulded side skirts, wrap around rear bumper spoiler side mouldings and front grille with EuroLiner wheel trims .

Avis repeats order for Mercedes-Benz Sprinter lowfloor City 45

Avis Car Hire has added half a dozen Euro 6 Low Floor MercdesBenz City 45s to what is already a strong Mercedes-Benz fleet.

Having previously purchased six Euro 5 Sprinters in 2011, Avis has selected the revised Euro 6 Sprinter City 45s to improve the already robust and highly accessible service provided by previous Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

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The Sprinters provide high levels of comfort for up to 14 passengers with saloon air-conditioning, LED lighting, a mechanical folding ramp, lowered floor with single step access, destination displays, bus stop signalling system, ParkTronic proximity systems, premium radios and drivers’ suspension seats.

They are powered by 163bhp

Euro 6 Mercedes-Benz OM 651 engines coupled to 7G-Tronic-Plus automatic gearboxes.

Safety features on the Sprinter City 45s include full three-point seatbelt installation, an electronic stability program and Start-Off Assist. They were supplied by Mercedes-Benz Minibus Sales at EvoBus (UK).

Avis, which is regarded as one

of the most influential car hire businesses in the industry, has been a regular award winner.

Last year it took the 2013 World’s Leading Car Hire award for the tenth consecutive year. With a motto of ‘We Try Harder,’ Avis strives to provide a superior customer experience through maximum convenience, comfort and punctuality.

September 16, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK MINIBUS | 35 15/09/2014 14:47

MINIBUS › NEWS

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Mixed EVM trio for Omega Travel Two Elegance and one Avantgarde vehicles for tour operator

Omega Travel, part of Omega Travel Group, with divisions in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh and China specialising in flights, tours and tailor-made holidays, has taken delivery of three EVM minicoaches – two Elegance and one Avantgarde. All are based on Euro 6 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 516 Cdi platforms with 163bhp engines and six-speed manual gearboxes.

The new vehicles are all equipped with 16 Executive 110 reclining seats upholstered in two-colour real leather while the Avantgarde model includes two tables and a rear conference area. They also retain original windscreens plus hinged

Omega Travel has specified a lxurious interior passenger and rear doors. Curved double-glazed side windows tinted in privacy grey were also installed.

Lightweight rear partitions separate the saloons from full

depth drop boots with half-height luggage shelves and full length, brushed aluminium luggage racks provide extra storage space. These feature strip lighting and blue LED night lights with

individual passenger service units.

In-Dash air-conditioning, forced air ventilation, saloon heater boosters and Mercedes-Benz saloon air-conditioning systems were also specified.

Bluetooth ready Sound 15 Radio/CD and PA systems and saloon speakers were chosen for all three vehicles, but the Avantgarde also has a DVD player with screens front and rear.

Colour-coded X-Clusive body moulded side skirts, bumpers, side moulding and front grille plus EuroLiner wheel trims were also added. There is also a black frame across entry doors on non power door model.

Omega Travel Group was established in 1965 and operates under multiple brand names: Omega Travel; Far East Travel Centre; Budget Travel; TravelSky. co.uk; and Chinese Travel Shop.

Galvins upgrade £1m EVM order with Elegance from Rabbie’s Galvins of Dunmanway, County Cork, Ireland has acquired a 16seat Elegance from EVM’s sales office in Kilbeggan. It is based on a Euro 6 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 516 Cdi with a 163bhp engine and a six-speed manual gearbox.

It retains original windscreen, passenger and hinged rear doors and has a saloon partition with full-depth drop boot plus full-length parcel racks in brushed aluminium with strip lighting, blue LED night lights and passenger service units.

Curved double-glazed side windows were tinted in privacy grey.

The seats are 16 Brusa Crete 110 recliners with three-point seatbelts, folding arm rests to aisle side and finished in two-colour real leather. A courier seat with a tip-up base was also included.

Galvins opted for Elegance body moulded side skirts, colour coded bumpers, side moulding and front grille plus chrome-backed mirrors and EuroLiner wheel trims.

Rabbie’s Tours has taken delivery of 15 EVM Elegance minicoaches in a deal claimed to be worth £1m.

Based on Euro 6 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 516 Cdis, with 163bhp engines and six-speed manual gearboxes they are all 15 seaters.

They retain the original hinged passenger entry doors, rear doors and windscreens.

Lightweight partitions separate the saloons from their luggage areas which feature drop boots with half-height shelving. Each vehicle has full length brushed aluminium luggage racks with strip lighting and blue LED night lights plus individual passenger service units.

Large framed, curved doubleglazed saloon side windows with privacy grey tint were selected along with leather finished interior window capping.

In-Dash air-conditioning and forced air ventilation is supplemented by Mercedes-Benz

36 | COACH & BUS WEEK MINIBUS | September 16, 2014 034_036_CBW1155_Minibus News.indd 36

An order for 15 minicoaches is particularly noteable saloon air-conditioning and heater boosters.

Bluetooth ready Sound 15 Radio/ CD systems, saloon speakers and i-Pod input socket were specified plus PA systems with multiple microphone points and hands-free capability.

Saloons accommodate 15 Brusa Crete 110 reclining seats with three-point seatbelts, folding armrests to aisle sides and are upholstered in two-colour real leather. A courier seat with twin

folding armrests and tip-up base is also included in each vehicle.

Body moulded skirts, colour coded bumpers, side moulding and front grille complete the package.

Rabbie’s Trail Burners of Edinburgh has been delivering specialist small group tours since 1993 and developed a reputation for quality. Widely known throughout the industry, the company bases its tour operations from Edinburgh, Glasgow, London and Dublin.

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MINIBUS › PASSENGER LIFT SERVICES

Production area where drilling, milling and bending operations are carried out on lift components

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Passenger Lift Services

PLS is already reaping the bene�it of improved ef�iciency due to its recent move. The brakes are off for both production and innovation – as Martin Cole discovered when talking to MD Adam Beck and CEO Mike Simmonds

P

becoming Technical Director, said: “The move assenger Lift Services (PLS) has has been highly bene�icial. We were of�icially become one the major established installed here on May 1 and are already manufacturers of passenger lifts bene�iting from a leaner and more ef�icient with a broad range of products operation. to suit multiple markets. It rose “The whole operation had outgrown our to prominence in the early 1990s marketing previous capacity and we had the PLS Access range been operating from three of under�loor lifts for AT A GLANCE sites – which wasn’t good minibuses and took major Organisation PLS logistically. It meant product steps forward by working Location Wednesbury, West had to be moved backwards closely with National Midlands and forwards between each Express, Caetano and Contact 0121 552 0660 of the facilities and was costly Plaxton on developing www.passengerliftservices.co.uk in both time and transport.

Magic Floor front access Each facility had its own lifts for coaches. machinery and fork lift trucks, for instance. We have kept the best equipment New site and sold off what we no longer need.

Having made a couple of moves in recent “Now we have a single site with a logical years, the last one in 2008, the company product �low line and the only movement has now relocated to a large factory in of components offsite is for galvanising and Smethwick where all its operations can be painting. We are hoping to build a paint booth contained under one roof. Newly appointed here with powder coating capability in the Managing Director Adam Beck, who joined the company 20 years ago and led its research near future.

“In addition, we seemed to spend an and development department, eventually

The new PLS factory in Smethwick

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15/09/2014 10:48

THE BIG PICTURE EVM has unveiled the Grand Tourer, a joint collaboration with bodybuilder Car-Bus in Spain to produce a coachbuilt body on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. EVM has been looking for a coachbuilt addition to its range for some time and the 20-seater with 2.5 cubic metres of luggage capacity has EVM’s distinct body styling options. Four have been sold with the first, the vehicle pictured, going to Grange Travel of Gravesend in Kent. The operator, built up over the past 11 years through repeat custom and referrals, continues to be committed to exceeding its customers’ needs and expectations. “It was important that whatever partner we chose met the same strict production quality standards that we demand at our own factory,” said EVM’s Danny McGee about the new vehicle. “Our customers were looking for something to sit above our 19-seat models and the Grand Tourer fits the bill perfectly.”

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15/09/2014 10:48

MINIBUS › PASSENGER LIFT SERVICES inordinate amount of time on the phone, constantly updating and chasing things up. It’s a huge relief to have the whole team together again.”

Indicating a line of welding booths along the back wall, Adam said the difference between the new factory and the first one, which was an old Victorian building, was tremendous. “There are three times the number of transparent roof panels than the recommended minimum – so it is very light and easy to see in here. The welding bays have Mig or Tig welders. At the first factory, the total electrical input was only 100 amps – so to weld there, even with only one Mig welder meant we had to shut down all other operations in order to operate the welder. Now we have all these bays and they don’t cause any delays to production elsewhere.

“I’m beginning to move all the welding over to Tig. It is slightly slower and more expensive but the penetration is better and the finished welds are neater and cleaner – so there is no need to spend time cleaning up the welds and it works out at much the same cost for a better finish.”

A ‘clean room’ has been established for pre-filling of pumps with hydraulic fluid. This prevents any spills and eliminates mess in the production area while avoiding any chance of contamination. Hydraulic hoses are made up onsite as there are many variations in length due to the vast difference in installations between vehicle makes and models.

An adjacent research and development area not only works on innovating new product, it continually evaluates and tests everything to ensure overall reliability. All new lift models and variants are put through a cycle of 20,000 operations. Typically this equates to around five years of work in a busy accessible transport minibus operation and at least 15-20 years for coach installations. Practical modifications or new developments are also trialled with local mobility service operators before being marketed.

The department has been extremely busy in recent times, adapting lifts to comply with IVA type approvals. Adam said: “There is a lot of very similar legislation around the world but they all have different requirements so we do our best to develop the products to meet all the necessary market requirements.

We are effectively working towards a global standard. IVA legislation required the rear lifts to have a step to ease exit during an emergency evacuation. We’ve made ours with a fold down step so it can provide two steps. It’s gone down very well. Where stretcher lifts are required in bariatric ambulances the lift capacity had to be increased to 500kg. This has been adopted right across the range and means we are a long way ahead of the competition in terms of capacity.

Our main competitors are still limited to 350kg.

While it is more than the standard requirement for a wheelchair passenger and an attendant,

Managing Director Adam Beck and CEO Mike Simmonds

The new PLS coach lift designed to fit in a ski locker has been developed for VDL Bus & Coach

The fold down rear step arrangement developed

by PLS for IVA compliance

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The R & D department where products are subjected to tests of 20,000 operating cycles

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less, we cannot be sure they would be reliable enough over the working life of the product. Our switches and electrical connections and sensors are all sourced in Germany and the hydraulic pumps are built in the UK, the hydraulic fittings come from Italy. We will continue to ensure our lifts use the best available components to offer the highest level of reliability. We also monitor any warranty issues very closely so if something appears to be causing problems for customers we can address it with a quickly engineered modification.”

Mobility Networks

The factory layout the weight of electric wheelchairs continues to rise – so if the minimum requirement is increased we are already there without further modification or development. It’s about constant innovation and striving to be better.

You can’t afford to stand still.”

Another major benefit of additional space is the ability to accommodate vehicles up to full-sized coaches quite comfortably. Adam said: “From a practical point of view, it is now much easier. For instance, we’ve just had the new Ford Transit here and been able to sort out all brackets for installing underfloor lifts to ensure a perfect fit.”

Coach lifts

An exciting new product for coaches is a highly sophisticated cassette-style lift for coaches which will sit in the ski-locker space above the rear axles. It has been developed in conjunction with VDL Bus & Coach and will be shown publicly at the IAA exhibition in Hannover in September.

The challenge for PLS in developing coach lifts was in creating a lifting mechanism which still relied on as many of the standard components as possible. This was achieved by using two standard hydraulic rams on either side still within the confines of cassette system slim enough to fit in the space. Adam pointed out coach applications were notoriously difficult, not so much because of the height but for the clearance between the lift and the body sides. Some coaches with virtually flat, vertical sides presented little problem but those with a curvature to the side needed additional clearance and the longer reach required has a considerable effect on lifting capacity.

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038_043_CBW1155_MINIBUS_PLS.indd 43

While this new lift is a very clever engineering development in itself, it also proves to be a ground breaking step forward in technology. It has its own on-board computer linked to eight sensors which measure and record every aspect of the lift’s operation. If it detects a fault or finds the oil pressure has dropped – due to a leak or low oil level – it can report to PLS via Bluetooth or e-mail. PLS can then alert the customer of any potential problem and suggest the specific lift is either checked or serviced.

Service and support

Currently, service and back-up is handled in the UK by a team of seven specialists located strategically to offer an acceptable response time to any customer issues. In wider markets this is more difficult to achieve and Adam pointed out PLS was having to send personnel into Europe and even out to Gibraltar to deal with what are often very minor issues.

A reporting system detailing exact faults or indicating when preventive maintenance might be appropriate certainly makes sense in many applications.

Product assembly takes place in three specific stages and the procedures at each work station take an hour and a half to complete. Staff are moved around from time to time to vary their work and give them experience of all assembly procedures.

Adam said: “Flowline efficiency is a prime factor for us because we insist on trying to provide the best product we can. Stainless steel bolts, for instance, are expensive – but they don’t corrode and remain serviceable. The electric motors are built in the UK and while we could undoubtedly source a Chinese substitute for £50

The new factory covers 29,000 square feet and has a further 3,500 square feet of mezzanine flooring split into two sections at either end of the building. Some of this is used by staff as the area to eat lunch or take breaks and the rest is taken up by products being handled by the Mobility Networks organisation – of which PLS has become a part.

Mobility Networks is the brainchild of PLS Chief Executive Officer Mike Simmonds and is aimed at providing a one-stop-shop for manufacturers, converters or organisations seeking vehicle access and passenger restraint systems for all kinds of transport – public or private.

Mike said: “After I stepped down at Q’Straint I was mulling over some possibilities for a new enterprise and, after consultation with many of the contacts I’ve made from around the world, decided on Mobility Networks. The idea is basically to be a one-stop-shop for anyone seeking to improve access or install passenger restraint systems into any form of transport.

“One of the largest problems faced by many specialist converters in other countries is the lack of significant volumes of business. It is not unusual for the minibus converter to also have a business delivering the milk or providing a laundry service. Consequently they struggle to buy sufficient product to keep the price competitive. Essentially this is where Mobility Networks can step in as a central supplier to the large number of smaller customers by ordering the larger quantities necessary.

“It’s still very early days but Mobility Networks has been widely welcomed. We’ve just acquired the specialist supplier and support organisation in Germany, TMN Europe, while others may join in the near future. We can supply anything from passenger restraints to lift systems and doors.

We’ve also been looking closely at a new kind of bonded flooring which we think has great potential.

“While I was busy setting this up the opportunity to take over the reins at PLS arose.

It seemed ideally suited and well-timed. I’m really looking forward to the new challenge and developing Mobility Networks into a major supplier for OEMs, vehicle builders and converters around the world.” n

September 16, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK MINIBUS | 43 15/09/2014 14:51

703253-1151-GM Coaches 14/08/2014 15:33 Page 1

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MINIBUS › LEGAL NEWS

Sowerby Minibus Travel appeal dismissed Appellant’s excuse of post repeatedly not being received is dismissed, and the licence revocation decision stands Stephen James Beattie, trading as Sowerby Minibus Travel, made an appeal against the decision of the Traffic Commissioner (TC) for the North East of England, Kevin Rooney, to revoke his restricted PSV O-licence, on the grounds that a statement of fact made when applying for the licence had not been fulfilled and the appellant was no longer of good repute.

Stephen Beattie did not attend the hearing on July 23, 2014, and was not represented, but the tribunal was aware of this beforehand and took the necessary steps to ensure it had all of the information it needed.

After considering the facts, the appeal was dismissed by the tribunal on August 26, 2014.

Background

Stephen Beattie was the holder of a restricted PSV O-licence authorising one vehicle.

The licence was granted on January 16, 2012. One of the undertakings given by him when the licence was issued was that he would attend a PSV restricted seminar within 12 months of the licence being granted.

In an undated letter to the tribunal, the appellant said he called the TC soon after the licence was granted to ask how he could get on a seminar. He was given a date by VOSA but failed to attend.

In November 2013, a second letter was sent to the appellant giving him another date for attendance but once again he failed to attend. Afterwards,

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045_046_CBW1155_MINIBUS_Legal News.indd 45

messages were left on his telephone asking him to contact VOSA, but no response was received.

On March 24, 2014, the Office of the Traffic Commissioner (OTC) wrote to the appellant, by first class post and recorded delivery, to all known addresses.

The letter stated that the TC had been informed of the failures and that no response had been received. It indicated that the TC was considering revoking the licence and went on to offer Mr Beattie the opportunity to make representations in writing before April 14, 2014 and/or request a Public Inquiry (PI) by the same date, and warned that if no request was made by April 14, the licence would be revoked.

The appellant claimed he replied on March 28, explaining that towards the end of 2013 he was in

in advance of the hearing. The OTC expressly stated that no correspondence had been received by them from the appellant in the period since the grant of the licence.

On April 27, the OTC wrote to Mr Beattie telling him that the licence had been revoked on the grounds that a statement of fact had not been fulfilled and that he was no longer of good repute.

On May 28, the appellant filed a notice of appeal. He stated that he was not sure what he was appealing against because he felt that he had complied with all that he had been asked to do.

Considerations

The evidence before the TC was that the appellant had been sent two invitations to PSV restricted seminars and that he had failed to attend either of them. In addition,

‘We accept that letters do go astray from time to time but it seems unlikely that so many letters would have in a relatively short period of time’

hospital and unable to attend the seminar. He asked his wife to write to the OTC to explain this and that as far as he was aware, the only invitation to a seminar was the one received in the latter part of 2013. He expressed a willingness to attend the next seminar.

Since the appellant requested that the tribunal hear and determine the appeal in his absence, the tribunal sent a number of questions to the parties

the evidence indicated that he had failed to respond to telephone messages inviting him to phone back following his failure to attend.

As far as the TC was concerned, there was a further factor namely that he was not aware of any reply to the OTC’s letter of March 24, 2014.

The appellant’s case is that he only received one invitation to a seminar, namely the one

issued towards the end of 2013, that he was unable to attend on that occasion because he was in hospital and that he did respond to the invitation and to the letter of March 24, 2014.

Given that the condition was that the appellant should attend a seminar within 12 months of the grant of the licence in January 2012, the appeal considered that it was unlikely that the first invitation to attend a seminar would have been delayed until the end of 2013, i.e. well after the 12 month time limit had elapsed.

Michael Brodrick, Judge of the Upper Tribunal, said: “In our view the probability is that the appellant was sent an earlier invitation.

If he is right then not only did this invitation not arrive but, in addition, two letters sent to the OTC failed to arrive. We accept that letters do go astray from time to time but it seems unlikely that so many letters would have in a relatively short period of time.

“When we take into account the evidence that unsuccessful attempts were made to contact the appellant by phone and that he failed to respond to messages requesting him to ring back, the most probable explanation is that the appellant is simply not good at administration in general and communication in particular.”

Decision

Michael Brodrick continued: “Even if we assume that the contents of his appeal are correct and that he did provide an explanation for his failure to attend the seminar at the end of 2013, it seems to us that the TC would have reached the same conclusion.

“For these reasons, we are not persuaded that the decision of the TC was plainly wrong. The appeal is dismissed.

“If the appellant wishes to continue to operate under a restricted O-licence he must apply for a new licence. He should be prepared to satisfy the TC that he can provide an address at which he can rely on correspondence being received, that he will respond promptly to the OTC and/or DVSA and ensure that letters sent are dated and fully and correctly addressed.” n

September 16, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK MINIBUS | 45 15/09/2014 14:46

MINIBUS › LEGAL NEWS

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Licences revoked after noncompliant collaboration Another operator sees its licence revoked for abusing its restricted O-licence After a conjoined Public Inquiry (PI), two operators had their licences revokes. Traffic Commissioner (TC) for Scotland Joan Aitken found that the administration of each was in unacceptable condition to the point that VOSA had no idea what was going on, and the TC was exasperated by yet another operator which said its principal occupation was not minibus operation, when it was.

Background

Ian’s Coaches Ltd has held a restricted PSV O-licence since December 13, 2007. The sole director is Ian Sommerville. In January 2013, the operator applied to increase authorisation to two vehicles but that did not reach the stage of being granted.

Following an adverse report from a VOSA Traffic Examiner concerning Ian’s Coaches and another restricted PSV operator, William Murray, operating as MacMurs Tours, who had authorisation for one vehicle, the two operators were called to a conjoined PI. The PI was held on April 24, 2014 in Edinburgh.

The Public Inquiry

Ian Sommerville was present and represented by Mr Anderson, though William Murray was not present. DVSA was represented

by Traffic Examiner Ms J Leslie assisted by Traffic Examiner Mr B Wardrop.

At the outset of the PI, Mr Anderson said that his client accepted that the rules on drivers’ hours and tachographs and the keeping of records were not followed. Further, it was conceded that there was no paper trail of money paid to drivers or between the two operators. There was also

no dispute in relation to VOSA’s analysis of vehicles used. The only issue was the suggestion that the operator was using two vehicles at the time. The operator’s position was only one vehicle was ever operated which required a disc and on other occasions the work was subcontracted to William Murray and/or did not require a licence.

The evidence became very detailed as to who was using what vehicles when and with which operator’s discs, at what seating capacity and for what purposes.

“By the end of the PI, I remained doubtful as to whether the operator, which is a limited company and not a private individual, had a principal occupation other than operating these minibuses between the company and Mr Murray,” said the TC. “I required proof of entitlement to a restricted O-licence. The PI was adjourned to allow for that and for closing submissions.

“The post PI analysis by the operator and his financial advisers demonstrated that its principal occupation is PSV operating and thus the operator did not qualify to hold a restricted licence. It was stated that an application for a standard national PSV O-licence would be made immediately, an external Transport Manager would be secured and that Mr Sommerville would seek that qualification in future.

“The operator continued to deny using two vehicles. It was admitted that the record keeping was deficient and there was oversight.

Consideration of evidence

The TC continued: “The VOSA report makes for unhappy reading.

Messrs Sommerville and Murray were difficult to deal with and I am in no doubt that they operated in the way they did to suit themselves and to maximise the use of three vehicles. Ian’s Coaches had only one disc so was required to engage in the arrangements with the William Murray discs.

“I am in no doubt that Mr Sommerville had access to two discs and operated two vehicles, with two discs at times. To find otherwise would be to go against the very obvious intertwinings between the two men’s endeavours and Mr Murray’s dependence on Mr Sommerville.

“The record keeping was as atrocious as I have seen in my time as TC and served to make it almost impossible for VOSA to know what was going on. I am not prepared to give operators such as these the benefit of doubt.

“My suspicion that Ian’s Coaches did not fulfil the criteria for a restricted licence has proved correct. Yet again, I encounter an instance of gross abuse of the holding of a restricted O-licence. This offends against fair competition and operator repute. I cannot ignore this.

“There has yet to be a new

‘Yet again, I encounter an instance of gross abuse of the holding of a restricted O-licence. This offends against fair competition and operator repute. I cannot ignore this’

46 | COACH & BUS WEEK MINIBUS | September 16, 2014 045_046_CBW1155_MINIBUS_Legal News.indd 46

Advice has been taken from Mr Reape of MVC and Mr Somerville had undertaken Driver CPC courses.”

application from the operator.

Given the serious failures in respect of the licence undertakings, the pattern of intertwined operating with Mr Murray and operating without the correct class of licence, I cannot be as merciful as Mr Anderson in his courteous submissions requests.

“I will show mercy by not disqualifying the operator or its director given the eleventh hour engagement of professional advice by the operator’s director.

“Given that the operator no longer fulfils the criteria for a restricted licence, there has to be revocation of the licence. The operator has had the benefit of running on the wrong criteria of licence for some time. The licence will be revoked with effect from 2359hrs on August 24. This is on the grounds of breach of the licence undertakings and material change in that the operator no longer meets the criteria for a restricted licence. The operator and director are warned as to their repute.”

William Murray

William Murray chose not to attend the PI, saying in a letter that, due to unforeseen financial difficulties, he would surrender his licence. He stated that for the nine years he had been operating, he worked as a sole trader and had never collaborated with other firms, apart from carrying out occasional sub-contracted work.

“I declined to accept surrender,” the TC said. “He should have attended the PI such that this statement could be scrutinised.

Quite frankly, I do not believe him.

“I am going to revoke his licence on grounds of lack of finance, material change and failing to meet the licence undertakings. I have considered disqualification but will hold back. However, should Mr Murray ever again seek an O-licence, that application will be considered at PI. n

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2011 Bova Futura Classic FHD

12m, 49 seats, ZF auto, sat-nav, centre toilet, power continental door, A/C, 2 monitors, radio/PA, CD, DVD, on-board vacuum, Euro 4, MOT March 2015.

New Bova Futura 2 FHD

Euro 6, ZF auto, 57 Vogel reclining seats + courier, fresh water centre, sunken WC, continental door, double glazing, air con climate control, 3 point belts, two flat screen monitors, radio/PA, CD, DVD, hot water boiler, fridge, alloy wheels and drivers bunk.

2005 Mercedes 814D Vario Indcar

25 seats, power door, radio/PA, large boot, MOT May 2015.

2009 Bova Futura FHD

Automatic, 53/55 seats, centre sunken toilet, centre continental door, radio/PA, DVD, 2 monitors, boiler and fridge, MOT May 2015.

£POA

£POA

£POA

£POA

Moseley Distributors Ltd Tel: 01236 750501

Moseley Distributors Ltd Tel: 01236 750501

Moseley Distributors Ltd Tel: 01236 750501

Moseley Distributors Ltd Tel: 01236 750501

2002/02 Mercedes Sprinter 413 CDI UVG Treka

2002 (52) Mercedes 814 Vario Plaxton Beaver 2

2008/08 LDV Maxus 3.5T LWB (Euromotive)

16 seater, welfare/accessible, COIF, automatic, power door, tacho, PLS, one owner from new.

29 seats with lap & diagonal belts, automatic, 203,000km, MOT Aug 2015, PLS underslung chair lift. Choice.

7 seats, internal chairlift, full tracking, all seats on Unwin quick release, 1 owner and genuine low miles, side loading door, bonded windows.

£6,495 + VAT – CHOICE OF 8

£11,950 + VAT

£6,495 + VAT

BNL Coaches 0208 363 8572 / 07971 785390

BNL Coaches 0208 363 8572 or 07971 785390

BNL Coaches 0208 363 8572 / 07971 785390

New EVM Sprinter X-Clusive

Euro 6 Low Floor Sprinter

New EVM Sprinter

Mercedes Benz Sprinter

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

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

17 high back seats in Automotive trim, 3 point seat belts, Euro 6, manual gearbox, metallic silver, saloon sliding door, air-con, colour coded bumpers and trim, 3 year Mercedes Benz UK warranty.

6 speed manual gearbox, white, manual door, luggage racks with individual passenger service units, double rear doors, saloon air-con, parking sensors, 16 seats finished in moquette, 3 pt seat belts, saloon lighting, 138,800 miles.

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£40,000

£19,500 +VAT

EVM Direct – 0845 5205160

EVM Direct – 0845 5205160

EVM Direct – 0845 5205160

EVM Direct – 0845 5205160

48 | COACH & BUS WEEK | September 16, 2014

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p49_CBW_1155 15/09/2014 15:48 Page 49

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VEHICLES

2002 Scania Irizar K114

Due to fleet replacement, we have the following vehicles for sale:

Ford Transit 17 seat minibus

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

Volvo B12B Plaxton Paragon - I-Shift Gearbox 2007 (Euro IV): 5 x 49/53 seats £88,000 + VAT 2008 (Euro V): 6 x 49/53 seats £99,000 + VAT

All are well maintained, low mileage examples (approximately 62,000km per annum) with reclining seats, 3 point seat belts, air conditioning and demountable toilet with hot/cold water boiler and fridge (unused additional seats to increase seating to 53 included in price). Owned by us from new and used on our own holiday programme. All over cream.

Price includes new MOT. Sorry no part exchange facilities!

Immaculate condition throughout, in-dash air conditioning, recent new clutch and flywheel.

NOW £37,000

£11,500

To view contact Neil McMurdy - Alfa Travel on 01257 248003 (Direct Line)

Kingdoms Tours Ltd 01884 252646 / 07702 626542

keith.cabincoaches@gmail.com

Volvo B10M

Volvo B10M

Volvo B10M

Volvo B7R

55 seats, two available. £POA

53 seats, several M reg coaches available. £POA

57 seats. £POA

55 seats. £POA

Howard Snaith - 01830 520609 howardsnaith@btconnect.com

Howard Snaith - 01830 520609 howardsnaith@btconnect.com

Howard Snaith - 01830 520609 howardsnaith@btconnect.com

Howard Snaith - 01830 520609 howardsnaith@btconnect.com

Luxury VW Crafter

2009 Mercedes 0816 Sitcar Beluga 2

2006 (56) Autosan Eagle 1012T

2006 Volvo B12M

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

67 seats, 3 point belts, air don, destination front side and rear, digital tachograph, Webasto, wheelchair tracking and side door (no lift fitted), new Allison auto gearbox fitted last year, will have MOT to Oct 2015.

£60,000 + VAT o.n.o.

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

NOW £65,000

Tel: 01823 653000 Moseley in the South

Rhodri Evans 01267 237584 or 07748 637362

01884 252646 / 07702 626542 Kingdoms Tours Ltd

2003 (53) Volvo B12M

2000 Dennis Dart Plaxton Pointer

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

NOW £44,000 – MAY CONSIDER PX

37 seats with seat belts, good working condition for age, MOT June 2015, in daily use. £4,500 +VAT ono

01884 252646 / 07702 626542 Kingdoms Tours Ltd

Travelsure 01668 219291 / 07919 215905

2006 Volvo B12B Caetano Levante

1998 Volvo B12B Plaxton Premier 350

49 seats, automatic gearbox, air conditioning, toilet, LEZ compliant, wheelchair accessible.

51 seats, automatic gearbox, air conditioning, fixed toilet, ABS, LEZ compliant, 973,866km, MOT Nov.

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

£21,000

Slick Rides – 07823 770978

WANTED MERCEDES COACHES 1999 to present year,16 to 35 seats, finance settled, with or without MOT, accident damage etc.

CONTACT TIM FOR AN IMMEDIATE DECISION

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2005 Indicar Iveco Euro Cargo

29 seats plus courier, manual gearbox, ABS, air conditioning, tinted windows, MOT March.

1999 MAN Neoplan

48 seats, nanual gearbox, fixed toilet, courier seat, air conditioning, LEZ compliant, MOT October.

£POA

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Ventura Sales 01342 835206

Ventura Sales 01342 835206

Ventura Sales 01342 835206

Ventura Sales 01342 835206

www.coachandbusweek.com

September 16, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 49

p50_CBW_1155 15/09/2014 15:48 Page 50

VEHICLES

Call Gemma Ireland Tel: 01733 293247 E: gemma.ireland@coachandbusweek.com

1996 Scania Irizar Century

1994 Volvo B10M Plaxton Premier 350

1999 Volvo B7R Plaxton Prima

67/70 seats, luggage racks, curtains, 3 point belts, reading lights, power door, double glazing, ZF automatic gearbox, DVD monitor, tinted windows, Telma Retarda, air conditioning, underfloor lockers.

49 reclining coach seats, lap retractable belts, N/S/R floor mounted toilet, ZF auto, tachograph, power door, aisle carpet, radio/CD, air con, newly retrimmed seats, curtains, new repaint in white, double glazed.

70 re-trimmed coach seats, 3 point seat belts, luggage racks, forced air ventilation, reading lights, 6 speed manual, Telma retarda, 174,969 kms, radio/ cassette, excellent condition.

09 Reg Ford Transit T350

£17,500 + VAT

CHOICE OF 2 – £9,000 + VAT

£25,000 + VAT

6 speed manual, high roof, PAS, side loading door, 8 highback seats, Unwin floor system, electric side step, Eberspacher, Ratcliff underfloor tail lift, 15,600 miles only.

Drew Wilson Coach Sales 0141 248 5524

Drew Wilson Coach Sales 0141 248 5524

Drew Wilson Coach Sales 0141 248 5524

H.W. Pickrell – 01268 521033

2006 (06) Mercedes Sprinter 413 CDI

2000/2001 X/Y Reg Volvo B7TL’S

2006 BMC Falcon

2001 Y Reg Tridents

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

40 seats, low floor bus, Cummins engine, MOT January 2015, ideal vehicle for school bus conversion, in daily use. £11,950 +VAT ono

Lowered front entry, extended rear, one owner from new, huge boot separate from passengers,12 months MOT, forced air, wood dash, electric windows and mirrors, COIF, below average mileage.

£14,750 + VAT – WILL P/X

01404 47502/07790 966667 parnell-coaches@supanet.com

P.O.A.

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

Why pay more for less.

FROM £18,000 + VAT

EnsignBus 01708 865656

Travelsure 01668 219291 / 07919 215905

New EVM Sprinter X-Clusive

New EVM Sprinter Classic

New EVM Sprinter Classic

New EVM Sprinter Avantgarde

Automatic, Plug type power door, coach back boot door, large drop boot, in dash and saloon A/C, 16 executive class seats, 2 saloon tables, panoramic roof, double glazing, monitor 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.

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

6 speed manual gearbox, Plug type power door, double rear doors, drop boot, in-dash A/C, saloon A/C, 19 Club Class seats in moquette, 3 point belts, panoramic double glazing, body styling.

EnsignBus 01708 865656

£POA

POA

POA

£POA

EVM Direct – 0845 5205160

EVM Direct – 0845 5205160

EVM Direct – 0845 5205160

EVM Direct – 0845 5205160

1998 Volvo Caetano Salvador

2007 Ford Transit T430 ELWB

2003 Mercedes Sprinter 413 CDI

2008 Iveco Beulas Cygnus

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.

17 seats with lap and diagonal belts, 6 speed manual gearbox, ABS, PAS, radio/CD, digital tacho, air con, electric front windows & mirrors, remote central locking, COIF/PSV.

17 seats with lap and diagonal belts, 5 speed manual gearbox, ABS, PAS, radio/CD, analogue tacho, front entry lowered step, tow bar, coach style rear with dropwell boot, COIF/PSV.

£14,500 + VAT o.n.o.

£9,995

£10,495

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

Autoservice Pontypool Ltd 01495 757111

Autoservice Pontypool Ltd 01495 757111

Tel: 01823 653000 Moseley in the South

2007 Volvo B12B’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.

Euro 5, automatic, 12m, front wheelchair lift, Hanover LED’s, converted and certified with 70 seats and 3 point belts, only 3 available. £80,000 EACH

EnsignBus 01708 865656 50 | COACH & BUS WEEK | September 16, 2014

POA

POA

8 passengers plus driver (COIF for 14 seats), front entrance with lowered step, 3 point seat belts, large tinted panoramic windows, MOT Sept, tax Oct 2014.

REDUCED – NOW £3,000 incl VAT

Tel: 01823 653000 Moseley in the South

Tel: 01823 653000 Moseley in the South

Tel: 0121 788 8848 Marsden PTS Ltd www.coachandbusweek.com

p51_CBW_1155 15/09/2014 15:49 Page 51

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VEHICLES

2000 MAN VanHool EOS 90

Mercedes Benz UNVI Touring

48 reclining seats plus courier, WC/washroom, double glazed windows, forced-air ventilation, radio/CD and PA system, clean condition, MOT Jan, 640,000 kms.

Atego chassis, air suspension, 41 Esteban Ergos seats with 3 pt belts, in Holdsworth moquette, courier seat, air con, double glazed, radio/CD/PA, large luggage capacity, new test.

£21,500

£POA

Coachtraders - 01501 744000

2001 MAN Neoplan

Mercedes Benz Sprinter 516 CD Unvi Vega GT

Mercedes Benz Sprinter 516 CDI Unvi Vega LUX

18 passenger seats, air conditioning, double glazing, manual or automatic gearbox option, radio/CD/PA system with microphone, large rear luggage boot plus side locker, reversing camera.

16 passenger seats, air con, double glazed large panoramic windows, large rear luggage boot, radio/CD/PA system with microphone, manual or automatic gearbox, electric powered entrance door.

£POA

£POA

Coachtraders - 01501 744000

Taylors Coach Sales Tel: 01638 780010

Taylors Coach Sales Tel: 01638 780010

2006 Scania Irizar Century

1995 Scania K113 VanHool Alizee

Mercedes Benz UNVI Touring

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.

Atego chassis, air suspension, 37 Esteban Ergos seats in moquette, courier seat, AAAirbus air con, double glazed, fridge, radio/CD/PA, DVD & monitor, MOT April 2015.

Contact Gary – 07930 377051

£90,000 + VAT Milligans Coach Travel 01290 550365

£17,000 Milligans Coach Travel 01290 550365

Coachtraders - 01501 744000

2001 Renault Master Rohill

2003 Mercedes Vario 614D

2002 Volvo B7R Plaxton

Mercedes Benz Vario 814

16 seats with three point belts, 6 removeable seats with tracking for wheelchairs, manual entry ramp, low floor with kneeling facility, destination blind, Webasto, 5 speed manual, radio/cassette, tacho, used daily, MOT Dec.

15 removable seats, or 6 wheelchairs, 5 speed manual, external wheelchair ramp, tachograph fitted, very clean condition, MOT May 2015.

28 seats with 3pt belts, bonded glass, luggage racks with mahogany effect edges, forced air, reading lights and adjustable air vents, coach style rear with deep drop boot, KVC body styling kit, test March 2015.

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.

£25,000 + VAT

£POA

£2,700 + VAT

£5,100 + VAT

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

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

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

PAB Tours – 0113 320 0780 ant@pabtours.com

Coachtraders - 01501 744000

2008 58 reg Renault Master LM39 DCI 100

2006 56 reg Mercedes Sprinter 311 CDI

2006 56 reg Ford Transit 100

Mercedes Benz Sprinter 516 CDI Unvi Vega EX

A very well presented minibus in standard layout. The interior is easy to keep clean with wipe down hard wearing surfaces. 16 passenger seats, comes with COIF and digital tacho. £7,995 + VAT

A very clean and tidy 16 passenger seat vehicle that has had only one owner as a minicoach.

Features front entry, DVD playback system, luggage racks with blown air and reading lights. £18,495 + VAT

Direct from the MOD, comprehensive mechanical history, excellent condition,16 full size passenger seats with 3 point seat belts. Comes complete with COIF. Digital tacho can be fitted at cost. £8,495 + VAT – CHOICE OF 2

19 passenger seats, air conditioning, double glazed panoramic windows, large rear boot, radio/CD/PA system, manual or automatic gearbox option, electric power door.

UK Minicoaches – 01902 631507 sales@ukminicoaches.co.uk

UK Minicoaches – 01902 631507 sales@ukminicoaches.co.uk

UK Minicoaches – 01902 631507 sales@ukminicoaches.co.uk

Taylors Coach Sales Tel: 01638 780010

1993 Volvo B10M Plaxton Premier

2002 Scania VanHool K124

2003 Mercedes Benz Setra

1988 DAF MB230 Plaxton

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.

£22,000

£POA

49 seats, automatic, good condition for year, removable vinyls, choice of 3, only one remaining. £8,950

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

NOW £39,000

£40,000 + VAT o.n.o.

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

0113 320 0780/0035 386 8138165 Anthony ant@pabtours.com

Kingdoms Tours Ltd 01884 252646 / 07702 626542

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

PAB Tours – 0113 320 0780 ant@pabtours.com

www.coachandbusweek.com

September 16, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 51

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VEHICLES

Call Gemma Ireland Tel: 01733 293247 E: gemma.ireland@coachandbusweek.com 2002 52 reg Volvo B12B Jonckheere Mistral 50

2009 Iveco Beulas

7HO

ZF auto, 53 seats, air-con, monitor, radio, fridge, alloy wheels, RPC/LEZ compliant, MOT February 2015, taxed Sept 2014, good condition.

£28,000 + VAT

55 seats on 2 axles, LEZ Compliant, 12.7m, 1 owner since new, full exec, MOT March 2015, in daily use, choice of 2. £78,500 +VAT ono

Diamond Coaches 01243 870010 / 07711 868976

Travelsure 01668 219291 / 07919 215905

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

2006 Transit Tourneo

2004 Dennis Tridents

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

Cummins ISC Euro 3 engines, LEZ compliant, DDA compliant, Alexander ALX400 bodies, dual door 67 seats or single door 77 seats.

26 reclining seats, 3 point seat belts, 6 speed manual, forced air vents, power door, luggage racks, CD player, MOT Sept 2015.

£POA

£26,500

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

EnsignBus 01708 865656

Lakeside Coaches - 01691 622761

E: gemma.ireland@coachandbusweek.com

2006 56 plate ADL Enviro School Bus

New Optimo CS700

2008 Optare Versa 10.4m

Hailstone Travel Ltd 0845 388 3848

2007 Optare Solo SE 7.8m

27 seats, Mercedes engine, CCTV, Hanover destination.

2007 Toyota Optimo Caetano

Euro 5 engine, manual gearbox, reclining seats, courier seat, 3 point belts, Eberspacher, power door, radio/CD, PA, large boot, side lockers.

£30,000 + VAT

£35,000 + VAT

£76,950

Henderson Travel 01698 713007 or 07803 002603

Henderson Travel 01698 713007 or 07803 002603

Tel: 01302 833203 sales@ministomidis.com

38 seats, free 12 months Driveline warranty. £42,500 + VAT – CHOICE Southdown PSV 01342 711840 email: bussales@southdownpsv.co.uk www.southdownpsv.co.uk

2006 Volvo B12M Plaxton

2004 Mercedes Sitcar Beluga

2009 Citroen Relay 35 HDi 120 LWB

2005 Mercedes Vario 614 SWB

29 seater plus courier, arm rests, seat belts and reclining seats, A/C, entertainment/PA system, excellent example of year.

14 seats, manual gearbox, ABS, PAS, Radio/CD, electric front windows & mirrors, satnav, Eberspacher, electric side loading door, Unwin tracked floor, Ricon inboard wheelchair lift.

15 seats with lap and diagonal belts, 5 speed manual gearbox, PAS, power plug door, Unwin tracked floor, offside emergency door, part exchange to clear.

53 reclining seats, 3 point belts, air con, WC, TV etc, PLS lift, tracking for 4 wheelchairs, MOT Oct, this coach can be painted in to your livery.

£87,500 + VAT o.n.o.

Tel Adrian – 07717 768315

57 belted seats, Cummins engine, CCTV.

£POA

£POA

£OFFERS

Cannon Bus 07436 536259 wcannon@btconnect.com

Autoservice Pontypool Ltd 01495 757111

Autoservice Pontypool Ltd 01495 757111

52 | COACH & BUS WEEK | September 16, 2014

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VEHICLES

2003 Volvo B12M Jonckheere Euro 3

Ford Transit 3.5 Ton

Ford Transit 115PS

Ford Tourneo GLX

48 x 3 point belted seats + crew, air con, saloon mounted WC, rear continental door, MOT November 2014. £POA – NO REASONABLE OFFER REFUSED

15 seats, dual passenger seat, COIF, remote central locking, LEZ compliant, side loading door.

17 seats, side loading door, 5 speed gearbox, anti-lock brakes, power assisted steering, twin rear wheels, driver’s airbag, low miles.

9 seats, CD player, dual passenger seat, fully air-conditioned, heated windscreen, digital tachograph, remote central locking.

£5,995

£7,495

£7,495

Nigel McCree - 01509 502695

M4 Minibuses - 01249 247424

M4 Minibuses - 01249 247424

M4 Minibuses - 01249 247424

Ford Transit 430 115PS

2004, Dennis Dart

2006 Optare Solo 8.8m

1999 Volvo Olympian Alexander

28 seats, Cummins engine, Look CCTV, Hanover destination.

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

High roof, 4100kgs, radio/CD player, digital tachograph, LEZ compliant, 6 speed gearbox.

28 seats + 19 standees, 9 metre service bus, MOT October 2014.

£10,495

£16,950 + VAT

M4 Minibuses - 01249 247424

Buzzlines Travel - 01303 261870

2002 Bova Futura

2002 Iveco Beaulas

DAF engine, air conditioned, twin monitors, DVD, toilet, boiler, fridge, Eminox-LEZ, 49 seats, green cloth trim, manual gearbox, ready to go, MOT March 2015.

£40,000 + VAT

£25,000 + VAT

£POA

Henderson Travel 01698 713007 or 07803 002603

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

1995 Dennis Dragon Dominator

1996 Caetano Optimo

Automatic gearbox, air conditioned,

• 18 seats

twin monitors, DVD, toilet, boiler, fridge,

• MOT January 2015

49 seats, Euro 3, MOT March 15.

£25,000 + VAT

93 seat double deck bus, automatic, imported 1998, for sale at Manheim Auctions, Colchester CO7 7DX, Monday, 15th September at 11.00am.

£POA

• Good runner

£3,500 + VAT

L.J. Edwards Coach Hire 07974 369570 / 01323 440622

L.J. Edwards Coach Hire 07974 369570 / 01323 440622

Manheim Auctions Tel: 0844 502 3001

L.J. Edwards Coach Hire 07974 369570 / 01323 440622

Setra 315

DAF SB3000 Plaxton Premier 320

2007 Scania PB

Mercedes 814 Beaver 2

6 speed manual, 49 seater executive, MOT April 2015, LEZ, Eminox system. £32,000

ZF automatic gearbox, 53 seats, lap belts, double glazed, in-swing power door, seats have dootrests, curtains, ZF intarder. £15,000

49 seater executive, MOT April 2015, this vehicle has been owned by us from new. £95,000

31 seats, 3 point belts, new MOT, choice of 2. £POA

Williams Coaches 01874 622223

Williams Coaches 01874 622223

Williams Coaches 01874 622223

Williams Coaches 01874 622223

1995 Volvo Sleeper Coach

1998 DAF Sleeper Coach

2002 Ayats Bravo 1

2003 MAN Neoplan Starliner

14 bunks, ZF auto, static A/C heating, 240v, TV’s, DVD, Playstation, toilet, towbar, good condition, MOT June 2015, Euro 4 exhaust.

13 bunks, 14 seats, static A/C heating, 240v, TVs, DVD, Playstation, toilet, towbar, good condition, MOT Feb 2015.

16 berth sleeper, static A/C heating, 240v, TVs/DVD, Playstations, fridges, usual sleeper bus extras, LEZ compliance, MOT July 2015, good condition.

51 new seats, A/C, TV/DVD, toilet, walk-in kitchen, towbar, good condition, MOT May 2015.

£18,995 + VAT

£13,500 + VAT

£34,500 + VAT

£34,500 + VAT

Telephone: 01487 843333 david@sunfunholidays.co.uk

Telephone: 01487 843333 david@sunfunholidays.co.uk

Telephone: 01487 843333 david@sunfunholidays.co.uk

Telephone: 01487 843333 david@sunfunholidays.co.uk

www.coachandbusweek.com

September 16, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 53

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VEHICLES 58 plate Renault Master

Call Gemma Ireland Tel: 01733 293247 E: gemma.ireland@coachandbusweek.com 2010 Toyota Optimo V

2008 Toyota Optimo V

2002 52 reg Mercedes 814D Vario Beaver 2

S Manual gearbox, grey cloth interior, 3 point belts, side entry door to rear 14 seats, factory glazing, radio/CD, digital tachograph, towbar with electrics.

Manual, digital tacho, 3 point belts, air con, power door, radio/CD, PA, Fainsa Gala reclining seats, courier seat, large boot, side locker, LEZ compliant.

Manual, analogue tacho, 3 point belts, air con, power door, radio/CD, PA, reclining seats, courier seat, large boot, side lockers, LEZ compliant, reverse camera.

Owned from new with 33 highback coach seats with three point seats belts, destination equipment, manual gearbox, interior luggage racks and rear luggage boot, power door, MOT Dec 14.

£7,995

£39,995

£29,995

£16,750 + VAT

Tel: 01302 833203 sales@ministomidis.com

Tel: 01302 833203 sales@ministomidis.com

Tel: 01302 833203 sales@ministomidis.com

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

1994 Scania Irizar Century K113

1997 Scania Irizar Century K113

2009 VW Transporter

2 x 1999 Scania L94 Irizar

53 seats, 7 speed comfort shift, MOT 20/04/2015, private plate – excellent condition.

53 seats, 7 speed comfort shift, MOT 20/04/2015, owned by us from new – full service history, excellent condition.

T32 130, 2.5TDI, 6 speed manual gearbox, air-con, CD player, semi high roof, side loading door, 2 rear seats with grey leather throughout, lowering suspension for rear folding ramp, tracking and winch fitted, only 35,196 miles, MOT June 2015.

MOT May 2015 & March 2015, 49 seats with belts and toilet, ZF automatic.

These coaches are in good condition.

£8,000 + VAT

£12,000 + VAT

£9,995 + VAT

£16,500 + VAT ono

Peter Smith on 07768648514 or email pete@pccoaches.co.uk

Peter Smith on 07768648514 or email pete@pccoaches.co.uk

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

E&M Horsburgh Brian Martin on 01506 433251

2008 Mercedes Sprinter

2000 Volvo B10M Plaxton Panther

2007 Volvo B12B Plaxton Panther

LWB, 10 soft leather reclining seats, automatic executive, power sockets, dark tinted windows, huge luggage area, DVD player.

49 seats, PA system, DVD player, climate control, toilet, continental door, water boiler, not subject to LEZ, recent re-trim, sale due to fleet replacement.

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

!

£POA

£POA

£POA

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

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

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

2003 53 PLATE IVECO DAILY IRIS 40c13

2008 58 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER T5 15 SEAT WELFARE BUS

2005 05 PLATE FORD TRANSIT XLWB HIGH ROOF 17 SEAT MINIBUS

2011 Mercedes ! ! !

Sprinter 516 CDI

2

!

Stanford coach works, 16 reclining seats, air conditioned, automatic gearbox, large boot,!

MOT June 15. ! £29,500 ! !+ VAT ! ! !

Buzzlines Travel - 01303 261870 ! ! ! ! ! !

2004 !54 PLATE ! ! MERCEDES SPRINTER 413CDI 17! SEAT WELFARE 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 .

Bluebird Tucana conversion, 2.5 TDi, automatic gearbox, COIF, digital tachograph, gross vehicle weight of 4100 kgs so can be driven without a D1 licence, fold out rear wheelchair ramp, tracking for up to 5 wheelchairs, electric front entry doors with fold out wheelchair ramp, reversing camera, LEZ compliant, 69,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Sheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour.

2.4 115ps turbo diesel blue, Access underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for up to 5 wheelchairs, COIF, analogue tachograph, PSV, power assisted steering, remote central locking, overhead cab, luggage tray, side loading door, Access step, 215,000 kilometers/ 134,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty.

!

2200 CDI turbo diesel 130ps, 6 speed Sprintshift automatic gearbox, white, UV Modular conversion, Ratcliffe underfloor rear wheelchair lift, fully tracked, tracking for upto 6 wheelchairs, COIF, PSV, LEZ compliant, CD player, 82,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty.

£6,995 + VAT

£12,495 + VAT

£7,995 + VAT

£10,995 + VAT

Ben Weaver Commercials 0114 275 7076

Ben Weaver Commercials 0114 275 7076

Ben Weaver Commercials 0114 275 7076

Ben Weaver Commercials 0114 275 7076

Renault Master

2009 (58) Mercedes Sprinter

2010 Ford Transit T280 Trend

2010 Ford Transit

8 high back passenger seats, 75,901 miles, lots of Unwin tracking, SLD with electric side step, external fully automatic cassette tailift.

34,000 miles, PSV, choice of 9 – just arrived, in totally immaculate condition, genuine ultra low mileage.

9/11 passenger seats, 35,912 miles, SLD with cassette step, external PLS fully automatic tailift, full electric pack, totally showroom condition inside and out.

8 high back passenger seats, 19,243 miles, lots of Unwin tracking, internal Braun fully automatic tailift, SLD with cassette step, COIF’d, PSV.

£6,995 + VAT

£POA

£13,995 + VAT

£18,995 + VAT

Heatons Motor Co 01942 864222

Heatons Motor Co 01942 864222

Heatons Motor Co 01942 864222

Heatons Motor Co 01942 864222

54 | COACH & BUS WEEK | September 16, 2014

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p55_CBW_1155 16/09/2014 10:58 Page 55

over 1,500 vehicles for sale online are your vehicles among them?

Statistic taken on friday 5th august 2014

great vaule

for operators

dealers

VEHICLES AVAILABLE FOR SHORT AND LONGER TERM HIRE

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

View our latest arrivals on www.staffordbuscentre.com FORD TRANSIT FACTORY 16 SEAT BUS Choice of 56/57/59 reg all hand picked with low mileage, all with COIF applied for so ready for PSV work FROM £8,950

BMC 1100FE SCHOOL BUS

56 and 07 reg 55 seats but only 10 mtr length, can carry 1 x wheelchair + 49 seats, Cummins 4ISB engine, Alison gearbox.

FROM £19,950 CHOICE

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 CAETANO CUTLASS. Step entrance with 38 seats and 3 point belts. Ideal school contracts etc. £3,450 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 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 seats. £14,950

S OL D

S OL D

www.coachandbusweek.com

VDL SB180 EVOLUTION 2009 59 reg SLF bus currently fitted with 25 belted bus seats and 2 x wheelchair pens but could be re seated with extra seats, only covered 27,000 kms from new £49,950

ADL ENVIRO 300 2002 reg Currenty fitted out as exibition/classroom, very low miles, very good condition, see website for details £17,950

MERCEDES 413CDI PLAXTON PRONTO 2006 56 reg 16 seat coachbuilt accessible PSV bus, choice of 2 with low miles £16,950 or rent for £350 per week (4 weeks min)

PLAXTON PRIMO/ ENTERPRISE BUS Nov 2006 56 reg Super low floor midi bus, DDA spec with ramp, plain white and long MOT, strictly a trade sale at this crazy price, come and have a drive £15,450

MERCEDES SPRINTER 313CDI 2011 11 REG 16 seat, new conversion, PSV, COIF and MoT, low miles £23,950

MERCEDES 413D SPRINTER 2004 04 REG. Extra long body with 16 seats and huge full height boot, COIF and long MoT. £11,950 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 £4,950

IVECO DAILY 45 15 LWB HIGH ROOF 2005 55 REG. 16 seats wheelchair accessible with power door, new MoT £5,950 DENNIS DART PLAXTON SUPER POINTER. 47 fully belted seats, ideal for schools £9,450 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 OPTARE SOLO M850 2000 W REG. One remaining with 23/25 coach seats with ramp, DDA etc £4,950 OPTARE SOLO SLIMLINE 7.8M 55 REG. Mercedes engine, 21/23 seats with 3 point belts, new paint etc £POA VDL SB180 2010 59 REG Cummins 6 ISB engine with MCV evolution body, only 20k miles £POA

S OL D

S OL D

September 16, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 55

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Ensig

DOUBLE DECK E 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

These buses can be seat-belted

LEZ COMPLIANT

Cummins ISC Euro 3 engines, LEZ compliant, DDA compliant, Alexander ALX400 bodies, dual door 67 seats or single door 77 seats.

2004 DENNIS TRIDENTS

1995 VOLVO OLYMPIANS

Cummins L10 / ZF, Alexander low height bodies, new MOT’s.

8.8m, 29 seats, Cummins Euro 4+ engine, Hanover LED’s.

2002 02 PLATE DENNIS TRIDENTS

2001/2002 51/02 PLATE DENNIS DARTS

2009 ENVIRO 200

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

Cummins ISB Euro 3 engines, Allison gearboxes, 10.7m, 37 seats.

2001 SUPER POINTER DARTS

6 speed ZF manual, Plaxton Premiere 350 body, 57 seats, long MOT.

1998 VOLVO B10M

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

70 SEATS

2007 VOLVO B12B’s

Euro 5, automatic, 12m, front wheelchair lift, Hanover LED’s, converted and certified with 70 seats and 3 point belts. £80,000 each Only 3 available.

8.9m, 26 seats plus 3 tip-ups, long MOT.

2007 ENVIRO 200

2009 OPTARE SOLO M920

33 seats, Mercedes engine, Mobitech LED, long MOT.

OPEN TOP BUSES A SPECIALITY - B

Juliette Close, Purfleet Industrial Pa Telephone 01708 865656 Fax: 01708 86 Visit our website for current sto

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nbus

K ER SPECIALIST 2001 Y REG DENNIS DART

Cummins / Allison, DDA and LEZ compliant, 25 seats, long MOT, from our own fleet.

2001 Y REG TRIDENTS

2004 54 PLATE DENNIS DART MPD

£18,000 + VAT

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

Cummins ISB Euro 3 engine, 8.8m, 29 seats.

2010 OPTARE SOLO SLIMLINE

Cummins Euro 5 engine, 28 seats, Mobitec LED’s. 8.8m long slimline, long MOT.

8.9m, 29 seats, Mobitech LED’s, Euro 5.

2010 ENVIRO 200’s

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.

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. £9,000 + VAT

Volvo Euro 2 engines, ZF gearboxes, Alexander ALX300 bodies, 44 seats, DDA compliant and certified.

1998 VOLVO B10BLE’s

2005 NEOPLAN SKYLINER

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

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

p58_CBW_1155 15/09/2014 16:18 Page 58

Nigel McCree www.crystalscoaches.com chris@crystalscoaches.com Tel: 01622 872302 Mobile: 07968 444555 Ford Tourneo 2006 8 seats, 72,000 miles, immaculate, air con, one owner, FSH, silver with grey interior, choice of three vehicles £6,000 + VAT

Renault Master LM35 2008 Wheelchair accessible, 75,000 miles, air con, Ricon tail lift, white with grey interior £10,450 + VAT

Ford Transit LWB 2007 Wheelchair accessible, 40,000 miles, FSH, choice of two vehicles, nlue with grey interior £12,000 + VAT

Ford Transit 2007 15 seats, 112,000 miles, full Ford service history, choice of two vehicles, white with grey interior £5,800 + VAT

VW LT35 Tdi 2006 Wheelchair accessible, 64,000, miles, one owner, FSH, choice of four vehicles, white with grey interior £7,800 + VAT

VW Movano 2004 Wheelchair accessible.

97,000 miles, FSH, Ricon tail lift, White with blue interior £6,450 + VAT

Part exchange welcome – viewing by appointment please Crystals Coaches Ltd. Hale Street, East Peckham, Kent TN2 5HL

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.

Direct from SHEARINGS HOLIDAYS fleet with full service history.

£POA – NO REASONABLE OFFER REFUSED

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

Kingdoms Tours

2002 Scania Irizar K114

2002 Scania VanHool K124

• 49 seat executive • WC • A/C • 7 speed C-Shift • MOT 21/5/15 £43,000 £37,000

• 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 58 | COACH & BUS WEEK | September 16, 2014

www.coachandbusweek.com

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BEN WEAVER PSV

02 51 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, analogue tachograph, sunroofs, ex local authority owned, 150,000 kilometers/94,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 1 month nationwide parts and labour warranty REDUCED WAS £ 5,495 + VAT NOW £ 4,495 + VAT

2004 54 MERCEDES 814 PLAXTON BEAVER 2 29 SEAT WELFARE BUS 4.25 turbo diesel, 5 speed manual gearbox, yellow/green, COIF, analogue tachograph, PSV, Ratcliffe underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for 10 wheelchairs, electric bi-fold front door, destination boards, 492,000 kilometers/307,000 miles, VGC, supplied with 12 months MOT or PSV, fully serviced to RTA standards, 1 month nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 15,995 + VAT

PSV

2002 02 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, fully tracked, tracking for upto 6 wheelchairs, analogue tachograph, LEZ compliant, CD player, 109,000 miles, excellent 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 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, fully tracked, tracking for upto 6 wheelchairs, COIF, PSV, LEZ compliant, CD player, 112,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 1 months nationwide parts and labour warrnty £ 7,495 + VAT

PSV

2003 53 PLATE IVECO DAILY 65C15 16 TO 23 SEAT WELFARE BUS WITH TACHOGRAPH COIF AND PSV 2800cc turbo diesel, metallic light green, Access underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for up to 8 wheelchairs, currently fitted with 16 passenger seats, 6 more can be added to take 22 passengers, analogue tachograph, COIF, PSV, overhead luggage storage, 132,000 kilometers/82,000 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 £ 6,995 + VAT

LEZ

2007 56 MERCEDES BENZ 813 25 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE WELFARE BUS 4.25 turbo diesel, Blutec 4 engine, 6 speed manual gearbox, white, Excel conversion, digital tachograph, Ratcliffe underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for 6 wheelchairs, electric plug front entry door, 119,000 kilometers/74,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months MOT, fully serviced to RTA standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 17,495 + VAT

PSV

2003 03 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, fully tracked, tracking for upto 6 wheelchairs, COIF, PSV, LEZ compliant, CD player, 112,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 1 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 8,995 + VAT

2008 57 PLATE VOLKSWAGEN CRAFTER FRONT ENTRY WELFARE BUS 2461cc TDI turbo diesel 161ps, 6 speed automatic gearbox, white, rear air conditioning, underfloor rear wheelchair lift, fully tracked, tracking for upto 6 wheelchairs, digital tachograph, electric front entry plug door, AVS electric side entry step, CD player, electric mirrors, rear blinds, currently fitted with 13 seats but 8 more can be to make 21 seats inc driver, 92,000 kilometers/57,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 18,995 + VAT

PSV

PSV

2008 58 PLATE FORD TRANSIT XLWB JUMBO HIGH ROOF 11 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS 2.4 turbo diesel 115ps, 6 speed manual gearbox, frozen white, tracking for up to 5 wheelchairs, currenlty fitted with 8 passenger seats but can be made up to 16 passnger seats, 65,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 13,995 + 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 £ 6,695

2008 08 PLATE NEW SHAPE MERCEDES SPRINTER 515CDI 17 SEAT FRONT ENTRY WELFARE BUS Fitted with 8 passenger seats but will take 24 passnger seats, 2200 CDI turbo diesel 150ps, automatic gearbox, rear air conditioning, UV Modular conversion, Ratcliffe underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for upto 6 wheelchairs, COIF for 16 passenger seats, digital tacho, PSV, electric front entry plug door, AVS electric side entry step, CD player, 71,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 19,995 + VAT

BEN WEAVER commercIals

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 £ 6,995 + VAT

PSV

PSV

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 £ 6,695 + VAT

PSV

2007 57 PLATE IVECO DAILY 50C15 AUTOMATIC FRONT ENTRY WHEELCHAIR MINIBUS 3000cc turbo diesel, automatic gearbox, COIF, digital tacho, PSV, electric front entry plug door with fold out step, Access underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for 6 wheelchairs, flat floor, currently fitted with 10 seats but additional seating can be added to make into 16 passenger seats, LEZ compliant, ex local authority owned, 53,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 14,295 + 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 £ 5,495 + VAT NOW £ 4,995 + VAT

2004 53 PLATE IVECO DAILY IRIS 50C13 15 SEAT FRONT ENTRY WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS 2.8 turbo diesel, 6 speed manual gearbox, white, analogue tachograph, panoramic glass, electric front entry plug door, Ricon underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for upto 6 wheelchairs, currently fitted with 14 passenger seats but 1 more can be added to make into a 15 passenger seat bus, 184,000 kilometers/115,000 miles, very good condition, supplied with 12 months MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 1 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 6,795 + VAT

2005 55 VW TRANSPORTER T5 15 SEAT WELFARE BUS WITH COIF PSV Bluebird Tucana conversion, 2.5 TDI, metallic blue, automatic gearbox, certificate of initial fitness, PSV, gross vehicle weight of 4100 kgs so can be driven without a D1 licence, fold-out rear wheelchair ramp, tracking for up to 5 wheelchairs, electric front entry doors with fold out wheelchair ramp, alloy wheels, LEZ compliant, 166,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour £ 8,995 + VAT

PSV

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 £ 5,795 + VAT NOW £ 5,195 + 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 £ 5,995 + VAT

PSV

2004 54 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, fully tracked, tracking for upto 6 wheelchairs, COIF, PSV, LEZ compliant, CD playe,r 82,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warrnty £ 10,995 + VAT

Gower Street, Sheffield, S4 7JW Tel: 0114 275 7076 www.minibuses-for-sale.co.uk

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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 £ 7,695 + 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 £ 7,995 + 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 £ 8,995 + 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 £ 8,795 + VAT NOW £ 8,495 VAT

PSV

2005 05 PLATE VOLKSWAGEN LT35 LWB HIGH ROOF 17 SEAT MINIBUS 2.5 TDI, green, COIF, analogue tachograph, PSV, LEZ compliant, 125,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 5,995 + 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 £ 6,895 + VAT

PSV

2007 07 PLATE IVECO DAILY 50C15 AUTOMATIC FRONT ENTRY WHEELCHAIR MINIBUS 3000cc turbo diesel, automatic, COIF, digital tachograph, PSV, electric front entry plug door with fold out step, Access underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for 6 wheelchairs, flat floor, currently fitted with 10 seats but additional seating can be added to make into 16 passenger seats, LEZ compliant, ex local authority owned, 121,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 11,795 + VAT

2001 Y REG LDV CONVOY 13 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS 2.5 Ford turbo diesel engine with Ford gearbox, dark red, electric front entry plug door, Ratcliffe underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for 3 wheelchair plus 5 seated, certificate of initial fitness, MOT'd December, 110,000 miles, part exchange to clear, good condition £ 1,995 + VAT

PSV

2007 57 PLATE IVECO DAILY 50C15 AUTOMATIC FRONT ENTRY WHEELCHAIR MINIBUS 3000cc turbo diesel, automatic, COIF, digital tachograph, PSV, electric front entry plug door with fold out step, Access underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for 6 wheelchairs, flat floor, currently fitted with 10 seats but additional seating can be added to make into 16 passenger seats, LEZ compliant, ex local authority owned, 83,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 13,795 + VAT

2004 04 PLATE FORD TRANSIT 17 SEAT WELFARE MINIBUS 2.4 turbo diesel 125 ps, 5 speed manual gearbox, Chassis Developments conversion, COIF, 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 REDUCED WAS £ 7,195 + VAT NOW £ 6,995 + VAT

PSV

2004 04 PLATE FORD TRANSIT 17 SEAT WELFARE MINIBUS White, 2.4 turbo diesel 125 ps, 5 speed manual gearbox, Chassis Developments conversion, COIF, PSV, Access underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for up to 6 wheelchairs, 1 ex local authority owner from new, LEZ compliant, currently fitted with 8 seat seats but more can be added to make up to 16 passenger seats, 144,000 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

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 £ 5,295 + VAT

PSV

2007 57 PLATE IVECO DAILY 50C15 AUTOMATIC FRONT ENTRY WHEELCHAIR MINIBUS 3000cc turbo diesel, automatic, COIF, digital tachograph, PSV, electric front entry plug door with fold out step, Access underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for 6 wheelchairs, flat floor, currently fitted with 10 seats but additional seating can be added to make into 16 passenger seats, LEZ compliant, ex local authority owned, 66,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 13,995 + VAT

PSV

2007 07 PLATE IVECO DAILY 50C15 AUTOMATIC FRONT ENTRY WHEELCHAIR MINIBUS 3000cc turbo diesel, automatic, COIF, digital tacho, electric front entry plug door with fold out step, Access underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for 6 wheelchairs, fitted with 9 seats but additional seating can be added, remote central locking, electric windows, CD player, LEZ compliant, ex local authority owned, 100,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 12,495 + VAT

PSV

2007 07 PLATE NEW SHAPE MERCEDES SPRINTER 515CDI 21 SEAT FRONT ENTRY WELFARE BUS 2200 CDI turbo diesel 150ps, automatic gearbox, rear air con, UV Modular conversion, Ratcliffe underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for upto 6 wheelchairs, COIF, tacho, electric front entry plug door, AVS side entry step, 13 seats but 8 more can be added, 98,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 18,495 + VAT

PSV

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 £ 5,495 + VAT NOW £ 4,995 + VAT

PSV

2005 55 PLATE MERCEDES SPRINTER 416CDI 16 SEAT FRONT ENTRY WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS 2200 CDI turbo diesel 160ps, 6 speed Sprintshift automatic gearbox, red, Access underfloor rear wheelchair lift, fully tracked, tracking for upto 6 wheelchairs, 107,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 11,495 + VAT

PSV

2004 04 PLATE FORD TRANSIT 17 SEAT WELFARE MINIBUS White, 2.4 turbo diesel 125 ps, 5 speed manual gearbox, Chassis Developments conversion, COIF, PSV, Access underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for up to 6 wheelchairs, 1 ex local authority owner from new, LEZ compliant, currently fitted with 11 seat seats but more can be added to make up to 16 passenger seats, 151,000 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 £ 5,395 + 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

2007 07 PLATE IVECO DAILY 50C15 AUTOMATIC FRONT ENTRY WHEELCHAIR MINIBUS 3000cc turbo diesel, automatic, COIF, digital tachograph, PSV, electric front entry plug door with fold out step, Access underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for 6 wheelchairs, flat floor, currently fitted with 10 seats but additional seating can be added to make into 16 passenger seats, LEZ compliant, ex local authority owned, 97,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 12,495 + VAT

PSV

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 £ 6,995 + VAT

703535-1155-Moseley 15/09/2014 16:54 Page 1

BUS & COACH

IN THE SOUTH LTD.

2010 SCANIA K360 OMNI EXPRESS - AUTOMATIC & EEV EMISSION LEVEL 51 reclining seats with 3 point seat belts, leather headrests inserts, Individual footrests & seat back tables, courier seat, powered plug entrance door, double glazed side windows, AIR CONDITIONING, rear floor mounted toilet compartment, continental exit with powered exit door, radio/PA/CD audio system, DVD player with front monitor, water boiler at courier side, dash mounted fridge, reverse camera, curtains, integral retarder, automatic transmission, alloy wheels, digital tachograph.

2008 IVECO EURORIDER BEULAS CYGNUS - AUTOMATIC & EURO 4 EMISSION LEVEL 53 reclining seats with 3 point seat belts OR 49 reclining seats with ONE wheelchair position, courier seat, plug entrance door, double glazed side windows, AIR CONDITIONING, near side wheelchair lift & access, radio/PA/CD player, DVD & monitor, dash mounted fridge, O/S rear continental exit with powered door, powered luggage compartment doors, curtains, driver’s safe, cruise control, digital tachograph, integral retarder, automatic transmission.

2007 KASSBOHRER SETRA S415HD - MERCEDES POWER - LOW MILEAGE 48 reclining seats with contrasting upholstery, leather headrests, individual footrests & magazine nets, courier seat, tinted double glazed side windows, AIR CONDITIONING, radio/PA/CD audio system, centre sunken toilet, continental exit with powered door, DVD & 2 motorised monitors, navigation system, dash mounted fridge, water boiler, curtains, parallel lift luggage locker doors, Webasto, digital tachograph, retarder, manual transmission.

BOVA FUTURA FHD 14.430XE ‘MAGNUM’ TRI-AXLE INTEGRAL - 13.7MTR 63 reclining seats including leather headrest inserts & individual footrests, courier seat, curtains, FUTURAIR AIR CONDITIONING, radio/PA/CD audio system, video player & monitor, double glazed side windows, panelled rear, manual transmission, intarder with hand control, Webasto.

Summerfield Avenue, Chelston Business Park, Wellington, Somerset, TA21 9JF

www.moseleysouth.co.uk Follow us @MoseleySouth on /moseley south

Telephone (01823) 653000 Fax: (01823) 663502 Email: sales@moseleysouth.co.uk

703535-1155-Moseley 15/09/2014 16:55 Page 2

BUS & COACH

IN THE SOUTH LTD.

2011 IVECO EURORIDER PLAXTON PANTHER - AUTOMATIC / EURO 5 EMISSION LEVEL /13MTR - CHOICE OF VEHICLES 61 reclining seats with 3 point seat belts, leather headrest pads, individual passenger footrests, courier seat, Plug entrance door, double glazing, AIR CONDITIONING, radio/PA/CD audio equipment, DVD system coupled to drop down monitor, panelled rear, Webasto heater, wired for CCTV, curtains, carpets, reverse camera, retarder.

2011 VDL BOVA FUTURA FHD 127.365PR - AUTOMATIC / EURO 5 EMISSION LEVEL / 12.7MTR - CHOICE OF 2 VEHICLES 53 Reclining seats with lap seat belts, full leather upholstery with contrasting leather headrest pads, individual passenger seatback tables & footrests, courier seat, Plug entrance door, double glazing, AIR CONDITIONING, radio/PA/CD audio equipment, DVD & twin monitors, Webasto heater, curtains, carpets, reverse camera, retarder.

2004 SCANIA K124 IRIZAR PB - AUTOMATIC / EURO 4 (PM) EMISSION LEVEL / 12.8MTR - TEAM COACH 34 reclining seats with 3 point seat belts, full leather upholstery, seating around 8 tables, courier seat, Plug entrance door, double glazing, AIR CONDITIONING;, radio/PA/CD audio equipment, DVD system coupled to four monitors, Webasto heater, rear servery with microwave, food warming cabinet, large fridge, hot & cold water supply & storage, inverter providing 240v power supply with landline provision, centre sunken toilet, continental exit with powered exit door; vacuum system, dark tint foiled windows, curtains, reverse camera, retarder.

2002 VOLVO B12M JONCKHEERE MISTRAL - NEW IN STOCK 51 reclining seats with lap seat belts, individual passenger footrests, courier seat, Plug entrance door, double glazing, AIR CONDITIONING, centre sunken demountable toilet, continental exit, radio/PA/cassette audio equipment, reverse camera, Eminox exhaust system.

Summerfield Avenue, Chelston Business Park, Wellington, Somerset, TA21 9JF

www.moseleysouth.co.uk Follow us @MoseleySouth on /moseley south

Telephone (01823) 653000 Fax: (01823) 663502 Email: sales@moseleysouth.co.uk

702756-1154-Coachtraders 08/09/2014 14:00 Page 1

702534-1153-Connaught_Layout 1 01/09/2014 14:08 Page 1

Brand New coach-built Mercedes 516 CDi Euro 6 Ferqui Soroco 19 high back reclining seats, 3 point belts, AC, DG, reading lights, power door, tow-bar and boot.

Brand New coach-built Mercedes 519 CDi Euro 6 Ferqui Soroco 16 leather high back reclining seats, 3 point belts, AC, DG, reading lights, DVD system, power door, large boot, metallic paint.

Brand New coach-built Mercedes 516 CDi Euro 6 Ferqui Soroco 16 high back reclining seats, 3 point belts, AC, DG, reading lights, power door, and large boot.

2013 62 Reg Mercedes 516 CDi Sprinter 16 high back seats, 3 point belts, forced air, reading lights, AC, large boot, low mileage, graphite metallic paint, balance of manufacturer’s warranty.

2013 Mercedes 516 CDi Soroco 16 high back leather seats, 3 point belts, AC, DG, DVD system, power door, large boot, metallic paint, balance of manufacturers warranty.

2011 Mercedes 516 CDi Sprinter 19 high back seats, 3 point belts, forced air, reading lights, drop step, coach back end, low mileage.

D L O

S 2007 57 Reg Mercedes Soroco 16 high back leather trimmed seats, 3 point belts, AC, forced air, reading lights, power door, large boot.

2007 56 Reg Iveco 45C14 16 high back seats, 3 point belts, forced air, reading lights, curtains, reversing camera, power door and boot.

2006 06 Reg Ford Transit 16 seats, 3 point belts, long test.

2006 56 Reg Mercedes 413CDi Soroco 16 high back seats, 3 point belts, AC, forced air, reading lights, curtains, power door & large boot.

2003 03 Reg Mercedes 814D Vario Plaxton Cheetah 33 high back seats, 3 point belts, forced air, reading lights, power door and boot.

1999 S Reg Mercedes 814 Plaxton Beaver 33 seats, 3 point belts, power door, manual gearbox, new test.

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

701915-1155-DrewWilson 15/09/2014 16:22 Page 1

DREW WILSON coach sales

2003 MERCEDES VARIO 614D 24 coach seats, 3 point belts, luggage racks, forced air ventilation, reading lights, large drop well boot, curtains, aisle carpets, manual, slam door, new paint, 418,273 kms. £19,500 + VAT

1998 VOLVO OLYMPIAN Alexander Body, Volvo engine, Voith automatic gearbox, 78/81 seater, power door, front destination, tacho, seatbelts.

1999 DENNIS PLAXTON MINI POINTER 29 seats 17 standees 1 wheelchair, ramp, Cummins engine, Allison auto box, power door, current test.

£8,000 + VAT

1994 VOLVO B9 BERKHOF EXCELLENCE 37 recliners with belts, crew seat, toilet, recent re trim, recent paint in black, power door, ZF manual gearbox, luggage racks with forced air, reading lights. £POA

1994 TOYOTA CAETANO OPTIMO 3 GL 22 coach seats with belts, power door, manual box, new paint in white, current Mot.

2002 MERCEDES SPRINTER CDI 16 seats. Luggage racks, cd player. Manual. Slam door.

Lovely condition.

2007 57 WRIGHTS GEMINI 2 68 leather seats, single door, CCtV cameras, Volvo B7tL engine - Euro 4, Voith automatic gearbox, low mileage.

£6,000 + VAT

£6,000 + VAT

£89,500 + 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

2000 DENNIS TRIDENT ALEXANDER ALX400 85 dual purpose seats, fully seat belted and certified, Cummins engine, Voith automatic, single entry front door, super low floor, DDA, very good condition, LEZ compliant. £17,000 + VAT

2002 DENNIS DART MPD PLAXTON MINI POINTER 29 seats, 17 standees, 1 wheelchair, wheelchair ramp, 107,424 miles, Cummins engine, Allison auto, FSR LED destination, retrimmed interior, power door, tidy condition, Mot’d. £10,000 + 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. £69,000 + 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. £20,000 + VAT

2007 ADL ENVIRO 200 29 seater with 17 standees or 26 seater with 17 standees plus 1 wheelchair, automatic, power door, front, side and rear destination, DDA compliant, wheelchair accessible. £55,000 + VAT

1998 DENNIS JAVELIN PLAXTON PREMIERE 320 57 coach seats, Cummins engine. Mot March 2015, 417,119kms, radio cassette, 6 speed ZF manual gearbox, power door, double glazed, tinted windows, tidy retrimmed interior. £15,000 + VAT – PX CONSIDERED

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.

FROM £20,000 + VAT

1999 VOLVO B10M PLAXTON PREMIERE 350 49/55 recliners with belts, ZF manual, air con, Eminox LEZ fitted, reduced pollution certificate, power door, recent paint into white, tested till March 2015. £19,000 + VAT

2004 SETRA 49 seat executive, DVD, toilet, recent new clutch, Mot Nov, 560,000kms, in plain white, all round very good condition. £POA

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 £7,000 WITHOUT BELTS £4,500 + VAT

2005 MERCEDES VARIO 814D 24 seats + crew seat, KVC conversion, manua, 241285 kms, 3 points belts, rear boot, fully trimmed interior, full body skirt kit, immaculate condition. £24,000 + VAT

2003 MAN AYATS ATLANTIS 49/53 recliners with seat belts, crew seat, centre sunken toilet, hot water boiler, air conditioning, continental door, power door, ZF auto gearbox. £29,000 + VAT

2006 MERCEDES BEAVER 2 814D 33 coach seats, automatic, luggage racks, 3 point seatbelts, power door, tail lift, Purmo heating, destination front, side and rear. £29,950 + VAT

1989 VOLVO B10M VAN HOOL 57 seats with lap retractable belts, luggage racks, reading lights, forced air heating, manual, crew seat, power door.

121,446kms. £3,500 + VAT

2002 IVECO INDCAR MAXIM 11 29 seats with belts, courier seat, CD/PA system, curtains, large boot, tinted windows.

1996 VOLVO B10M PLAXTON PREMIERE 350 51 reclining coach seats, lap belts, offside rear toilet, servery, fridge, 6 speed ZF gearbox, radio cassette, reversing camera, cctv, forced air, reading lights, tidy condition, current Mot. £9,950 + VAT

£21,000 + VAT

£6000 + VAT

CHOICE OF OVER 350 VEHICLES • OPEN 7 DAYS 08.00-18.00

CHECK OUT OUR 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

p67_CBW_1155 15/09/2014 16:17 Page 67

VEHICLES AVAILABLE FOR SHORT AND LONGER TERM HIRE

www.staffordbuscentre.com email: martin@staffordbuscentre.com Telephone: 01782 791774 Mobile: 07803 222552 View our latest arrivals on www.staffordbuscentre.com

MERCEDES SPRINTER 313 CDI 2011 11 REG

90K MILES, WITH NEW CONVERSION TO MAKE A 16 SEAT NEW MINICOACH CONVERSION TO A QUALITY USED VAN COIF + 12 MONTHS PSV MOT MINI COACH, FRONT ENTRY, INTERNAL LUGGAGE RACKS, 16 COACH SEATS ON TRACK CAN HAVE TACHOGRAPH FRONT IF REQUIRED, COIF AND ENTRY,LUGGAGE RACKSMOT, DRIVERS LOCKER, NON SLIP FLOORING MUST BE SEEN, CHOICE OFTACHOGRAPH BLUE OR RED INTERIOR NEW INSTALLATION

FROM £23,450.00 £25,450.00

OTHERS IN BUILD SO CHOOSE YOUR COLOUR

For further information please call

01634 377 577

www.thekingsferry.co.uk Jan 03 Castrosusa Body Scania N94 Chassis £18,000 35 seats, 629,241km, MOT expiry 29th March 15, non-LEZ compliant.

Sep 01 VanHool Elizee T9 Scania K124 Irisbus Indcar Maxim II Ford Iveco CC80 E18 MP

£29,000 49 seats with belts, toilet, fridge, hot drinks machine, air-con, DVD player and screen, automatic.

£18,500 29 seats, MOT Expiry 19th June 2015. DVD player, air con, manual gearbox.

Feb 03 Berkhof Axial 100 Scania K114

Feb 03 Berkhof Axial 100 Scania K114

£87,500 74 seats with belts, toilet, fridge, hot drinks machine, aircon, DVD player and screen, automatic.

£87,500 74 seats with belts, toilet, fridge, hot drinks machine, air-con, DVD player and screen, automatic.

For further information please call

www.coachandbusweek.com

01634 377 577

Part of

September 16, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 67

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2002 (12) FORD TRANSIT 135 PS 17 SEATS 17,500 MILES P.O.A.

2007 (07) IVECO 40C15 12 SEATS WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE IN WHITE 107,250 MILES £10,495

2012 FORD TRANSITMEDIUM ROOF COIF/PSV 17 SEATS 23,000 KMS £17,995

07 (57) FORD TRANSIT 85 T280S WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE 8 SEATS INBOARD LIFT FULLY TRACKED FLOOR £9,450

2013 (62) FORD TRANSIT 135 PS 07 (07) FORD TRANSIT 85 T280S WHEELCHAIR ACCESS 8 SEATS INC DRIVER 85,270 MILES £9,450

NEW MERCEDES SPRINTER TOURLINE 519CDI • ALTAS CONVERSION • 17 SEAT MINICOACH • DOUBLE GLAZED WINDOWS • FULL AIR CONDITIONING • POWER DOOR LOW ENTRY STEP

P.O.A.

17 SEATS 03 (53) MERCEDES SPRINTER 413 CDI 17 SEAT CREST CONVERSION LUGGAGE RACKS COIF/PSV £10,750

16,120 MILES P.O.A.

(PONTYPOOL) LTD

MULTIPART & LDV/MAXUS PARTS STOCKISTS

Tel: 01495 757111 Mob: 07850 739446 (Haydn) or visit our website www.minibussales.biz to view the above stock

VUgYWcUW\gU`Yg#Wc#i_ 70 | COACH & BUS WEEK | September 16, 2014

www.coachandbusweek.com

698956-1155-Pembridge 15/09/2014 16:21 Page 1

FORD TRANSIT MINIBUSES

OTHER MAKES

(61) 2012 Ford Transit 16 seat minibus 2.4 COIF/PSV, 4,500 miles only £15,995

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

(12) 2012 Ford Transit 9 seat Shuttle twin side loading doors 18000 miles £12,995

Mercedes Sprinter 511 cdi 17 seat minibus, 65,000 miles with FSH, COIF/PSV £11,995

OLD

(10) 2010 Ford Transit 17 seat minibus 2.4 diesel, six speed gearbox, tacho, 55,000 km £13,495

S

(58) 2008 Ford Transit 17 seat minibus 2.4 diesel with six speed gearbox, 16,000 miles FSH £10,495

D L O S

(56) 2006 Ford Transit 17 seat minibus, high back seats with three point belts, COIF/PSV £7,995 (02) 2002 Ford Transit 2.4 diesel 3.5 ton, automatic gearbox, 8 seats, inboard Ricon wheelchair lift, rear heating, tracking to take 3 wheelchairs, overhead lockers £5,995

OTHER MAKES

D L O S

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

(13) 2013 Renault Trafic LL29 Sport 9 seat, sat-nav, Bluetooth, six speed, 29,831 miles £16,950 (60) 2010 Renault Master 3.5ton 9 seat 2.3 diesel six speed, sat-nav, Bluetooth, tachograph, fully tracked floor, inboard lightweight ramp, 40,000 miles £15,995 (58) 2008 Renault Master MWB 2.5TD 6 speed, tracking for two wheelchairs, in board lift, aircon, rear heating, low entrance step, 62,000 miles, one owner £9,995

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

(07) 2007 Fiat Doblo 1.4 petrol, 11,500 miles only, five speed manual, three seats plus wheelchair space, low floor, lightweight ramp, electric reals, air-con £6,995

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

(06) 2006 Iveco Daily Iris Bus 16 seat, 2.8 litre, six speed, front entry drop step with power door, fully tracked floor, full power under floor tail lift, rear heating, 65,000 mile £10,995

(60) 2010 Renault Master 9 seat Shuttel 2.3 diesel six speed, large boot, sat-nav, Bluetooth £10,495

(05) 2005 Citroen Dispatch 1.9 diesel, five speed manual, four seats plus wheelchair, low floor with lightweight ramp, 57,000 miles £4,495

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

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

D L O S

Tel: 01633 485858 Mobile: 07866 443304

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

Pembridge House, The Park Business Centre, Plough Road, Goytre, Penperlleni, Nr Usk, South Wales NP4 0AL – 10 minutes from M4 motorway. Viewing by appointment only Finance Contract Hire and Finance Lease Available. We deliver Nationwide. All vehicles prepared to VOSA standard COIF/PSV specialist

All above prices are subject to VAT @ 20%

p72_CBW_1155 15/09/2014 15:44 Page 72

AUDIO & VIDEO

CHECKPOINTS

ENGINES

THE CUMMINS ENGINE SPECIALISTS PARTS & SERVICE DIVISION

BUSINESSES WANTED

Wanted

Bus & Coach Businesses

• 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

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

72 | COACH & BUS WEEK | September 16, 2014

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

CRAIG TILSLEY Suppliers of Reconditioned Tel: 01782 791524 or 01782 791527 Fax: 01782 791316 Email: info@craigtilsley.co.uk www.craigtilsley.co.uk

Moorfields Industrial Estate Cotes Heath, Stoke-on-Trent ST21 6QY

ENGINEERING SERVICES

DAF MAN MERC, VOLVO SCANIA, GARDNER LEYLAND, CUMMINS ENGINES CYLINDER HEADS CRANKSHAFTS CRANKCASES CAMSHAFTS PUMPS ETC

HEATING

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

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

www.thhs.co.uk UNIT 9 NIMROD BUSINESS PARK DE HAVILLAND WAY, WITNEY OX29 0YG

www.coachandbusweek.com

p73_CBW_1155 15/09/2014 15:45 Page 73

www.coachandbusmarket.com

ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES GARAGE EQUIPMENT

ENGINES

E & E Potts Ltd

DIESEL ENGINE RECONDITIONER

• ATF Lanes • MOT Bays • Vehicle Lifts • Brake Testing Equipment • Column Lifts • Inspection Pits • Repair and 6 Monthly Service Inspections Tel: 01386 244758 Mobile: 07538 218194 www.commercialgarageequipment.co.uk Email: sales@commercialgarageequipment.co.uk

Specialists in Cummins, Perkins, Caterpillar, Mercedes Commercial, Volvo, MAN, DAF, Scania.

GLASS & WINDOWS

All Engines are Dynamometer and Smoke Emissions Tested.

Full Engines, Long Engines and Short Motors Available.

Cylinder Heads, Blocks, Crankshafts, Camshafts, Pistons, Turbochangers, Gaskets and Bearings always in stock.

Call us today on 0161-737-4666 Email: eepottsltd@aol.com Engine House, New Thomas Street, Salford, M6 6WF

LICENCE CHECKS

Driver Licence Checks

DRIVING LICEN

CE

If you would like further information please call 01543 897505

Visit our website: www.lloydmorgangroup.co.uk

Contact Kerry Watson T: 01733 293488 F: 0845 280 2927 E: kerry.watson @coachandbusweek.com

www.coachandbusweek.com

September 16, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 73

p74_CBW_1155 15/09/2014 15:45 Page 74

CLASSIFIEDS

Call Kerry Watson Tel: 01733 293488 E: kerry.watson@coachandbusweek.com

PARTS

SEATBELTS

Formed in 2011 to support the UK’s PSV & CV operators with parts from Market leading OEM brands from World Wide renowned manufacturers

We offer a comprehensive all makes parts program in:

Braking • Steering • Suspension Chassis Components • Transmission Filtration • Engine • Electrical Lubricants • Consumables EXPRESS PARTS DELIVERY

Master Part | Portland House | Dukeries Industrial Estate | Worksop | Notts | S81 7BQ

SECURITY

TRANSMISSIONS

THE CLUTCH & FLYWHEEL ONE-STOP SHOP Call: 01274 877322 Email: sales@truckfixclutches.com www.truckfixclutches.com Contact Kerry Watson T: 01733 293488 F: 0845 280 2927 E: kerry.watson @coachandbusweek.com

74 | COACH & BUS WEEK | September 16, 2014

www.coachandbusweek.com

p75_CBW_1155 15/09/2014 15:46 Page 75

www.coachandbusmarket.com

ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

TRIM

TRAINING

COACH TRIMMERS LTD

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

Full floors re-laid and centre gangways.

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

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

Tel/Fax: 01751 472229

High quality bus & coach retrims

blackpool trim shops

With over 45 years expertise, we guarantee to beat any other quote.

cts

Whalley Centre for Transport Studies

CPC Management Courses

We have sets of Plaxton Premieres and VanHools for sale.

“Everyone knows someone who has done their training at Whalley”

Tel: 01254 248177

Call us on 07968 717115 or email us at: sales@blackpooltrimshops.co.uk

vehicle spares

Clitheroe, Lancashire info@whalleytransportstudies.co.uk

www.whalleytransportstudies.co.uk

wheels

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

WHEELS TIA Wheels for your supply of Truck & Bus Steel wheels and Forged Alloy wheels With 20 yrs worth of experience in the wheel industry, we provide a broad range of sizes, hold large stocks, can offer next day service, all TUV certified and all meet European standards of ETRTO & EUWA.

Size range from 17.5” to 22.5” STEEL AND ALLOY Speedline forged compete with lightest weights in market.

TW CONTACT US FOR FULL AVAILABILITY

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

www.twigley.com www.coachandbusweek.com

Units B2-B4, Halesfield 8, Telford TF7 4QN Tel: 02921 432116 Email: sales@tiawheels.co.uk September 16, 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

Monday: Press day runs relatively smoothly.

Tuesday: A stressful day in the office. My 13-amp fuse comes close to blowing but an ‘air break’ and coffee save the day.

Wednesday: A hectic day working against the clock on feature writing. Nip back to the house around midday to accept our new sofa delivered from M&S. The guys take the utmost care and are friendly with it – highly recommended. Try to beat tiredness with coffees in the afternoon. Mid evening, fall asleep on the new sofa, as does our cat Tabbies, who’s on my lap, and wake up at 2200hrs. Yikes – I’m turning into an old man.

Thursday: Another busy day in the office editing other people’s work and commissioning freelance contributions for the weeks ahead. Call around friends newshounding. Enjoy a catch up with an independent operator friend, who fills me in on some ‘gen.’ A friend in a ‘Big Five’ operator gives me some ideas for future features. In the evening, drive to the local tip with more of our recently demolished old garden shed.

Friday: Continue ringing around for news. Colleagues laugh when I try to speak to a media contact for a motorway services chain.

I’m put through to someone with a Merseyside accent, who rolls off a spiel which sounds like an answerphone, so I ask: “Are you a real person or are you a machine?” I curse when it then hangs up, so drop the firm an email. Feel Sarah & I have earned some beers in the evening.

First Aberbean giveaway As Aberdeen welcomed students back to the city for the start of the new academic year, pubs, clubs and shops were stocking up for the inevitable extra demand.

However, the demand for baked beans may have been curbed slightly after First Aberdeen said it was giving away more than 2,000 First branded tins as part of its welcome for students to the Granite City.

At the University of Aberdeen’s freshers fare First gave away more than 1,000 tins, with a further 1,000 tins to be distributed at Robert Gordon University’s (RGU) freshers fair later in the month.

First Aberdeen’s Marketing Assistant, Rachael Gordon, said: “Having just graduated from RGU in the Summer I know very well how important tins of baked beans are to students.

They certainly seemed to dominate my diet during my four years as a student.

“Giving away baked beans we thought would be a great idea and help promote our student tickets which offer great value for money. We expect our heavily discounted £300

academic ticket (normal price is £350), which offers unlimited travel across our network from just over £1 a day, in particular to be really popular at freshers fares.

“And, following huge demand, students are now able to purchase

student ‘m-tickets’ via the ‘First Bus Mobile Tickets’ app and use their mobile phones as bus tickets.

By using m-Ticketing students need no longer worry about losing their bus ticket or having the correct change – all they need is their mobile phone!”

Stop top art exhibition As part of Year of the Bus, Transport for London (TfL) has teamed up with Annin Arts Gallery to launch the second ‘bus stop top’ exhibition.

Multi-award winning American fine art and contemporary photographer David LaChapelle is the latest artist to have his work exhibited in this innovative way during London Fashion Week.

‘Land Scapes’ is LaChapelle’s first public exhibition in London, and will feature 10 images on the top of 10 bus stop shelters along the Strand from September 12-22.

Land Scapes is a series of work from David’s fine art collection. Each image depicts colourful, glowing scenes of landscapes, using handcrafted scale models constructed from everyday objects such as hair curlers, drinking straws and tin cans.

76 | COACH & BUS WEEK | September 16, 2014 076_CBW1155_Last Stop.indd 76

Rachael Gordon, First Aberdeen’s Marketing Assistant.

The top decks of London buses are the best place from which to see the artwork The images are uniquely positioned on the roofs of bus stop shelters – providing top deck bus passengers with exclusive access to LaChapelle’s work for free.

Leon Daniels, TfL’s Managing Director of Surface Transport, said: “Public exhibitions are a great way of making art available to everyone. As part of

Year of the Bus we are delighted to be able to offer international works of art to our passengers for free as they travel through London on our bus network.”

George Annin, Director of Annin Arts Gallery, said: “LaChapelle is one of the most iconic photographers of our time.

His influence on popular culture is undeniable.”

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15/09/2014 17:46

Commercial Officer Salary – dependent upon experience Cardiff Bus is a major provider of bus services within the Cardiff area, with over 600 employees and 220 vehicles. A rare and exciting opportunity has arisen to join our Commercial and Marketing team as a Commercial Officer.

Working for the main provider of public transport for the city of Cardiff you will be charged with planning our buses and drivers in the most efficient and practicable manner as well contributing to the overall development of our services.

You will need to have an understanding of how the bus industry works and demonstrate a high level of accuracy in your work. You will need to be enthusiastic, energetic and always look to further improve in the work you do. IT skills are a necessity and if you have experience in using the Omnibus Systems suite of software that would be an advantage, but if not we can train you to do so.

Working in this team is exciting and varied - you will work with colleagues on a wide range of commercial and marketing tasks.

A competitive salary is offered subject to qualifications and experience.

For an informal discussion call Gareth Stevens, Business Development Manager, on 02920 787747 or email gstevens@cardiffbus.com.

Please go to our website to download an application pack at www.cardiffbus.com or request a pack from lrees@cardiffbus.com.

The closing date for applications is the 15th October, 2014.

BUSES

Based in Mertsham, Surrey we are looking for experienced personnel in two key job roles:

GENERAL MANAGER

£attractive

A senior role with accountability for delivering the business strategy at a large bus garage; leading and motivating the operational management and supervisory team; liaising with key stakeholders, and responsible for all aspects of site safety.

OPERATIONS MANAGER

£attractive

Managing all the day-to-day operations of a large bus garage and leading the team there, with a key focus on engaging and motivating our people and working in conjunction with engineering colleagues to deliver a consistently excellent service to our customers.

For both roles you will need to hold the management CPC qualification, be an excellent communicator, have a good knowledge of the passenger transport industry with a passion for customer service, and demonstrate sound business acumen.

Initially please send a CV by email to operation@busesetc.com stating your current remuneration package.

Or call 07500 049061 and speak to Richard.

Please write, enclosing a curriculum vitae to: Paul O’Callaghan Service Delivery Director Stagecoach in Oxfordshire Horspath Road, Cowley, Oxford, OX4 2RY

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These vacancies are due to internal changes and immediate starts will be offered to the right candidates.

If you feel this is the job for you please get in touch now.

September 16, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 77 15/09/2014 18:44

NEWS › XXXXXX

Operations Co-ordinator London As a result of organic growth and our continued expansion plans we are inviting applications for a Co-ordinator to join our Operations team based at our Heathrow office.

We are looking for a professional and enthusiastic individual who has 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

78 | COACH & BUS WEEK | September 16, 2014 077_079_CBW1155_People_Recruitment.indd 78

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15/09/2014 18:44

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

GET YOUR VACANCY SEEN

BY QUALITY CANDIDATES With our combined print, digital and online packages at one all inclusive price Contact: Ian Gillis T: 01733 293484 E: ian.gillis@coachandbusweek.com

Coach & Bus Week, First Floor, 3 The Office Village, Cygnet Park, Forder Way, Hampton, Peterborough PE7 8GX

REQUIRES A

FEATURES WRITER As we continue to develop and strengthen the editorial content of Coach & Bus Week magazine and its digital products and services, we’re now looking to recruit a Features Writer with a hard-working, inquisitive and personable character.

An interest in the bus, coach and minibus industries along with photography, IT and social media skills would be clear advantages. But what’s important is the ability to analyse, communicate effectively and write accurately to deadlines.

The ideal candidate should have at least a two-year record as a writer.

Remuneration will be based on experience.

To find out more and to send your CV please contact Editor, Gareth Evans on 01733 293243 or e-mail gareth.evans@coachandbusweek.com

DANS LUXURY TRAVEL Daytours • Excursions • Coach Hire

Scheduling Operations Assistant/ Traffic Manager (CPC and Experience Essential) Must have a full PSV driving licence. Good rates of pay and conditions. East London area.

Apply to Dan Brown, Managing Director 0208 505 8833 info@dansluxurytravel.com

www.coachandbusweek.com

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