Coach & Bus Week : Issue 1179

NORTH EAST QUALITY NEW INTERIM MANAGEMENT CONTRACT DECISION DELAY ARRANGEMENTS AT LOTHIAN

The Industry Leader

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ADVERTISING, MARKETING & EVENTS Your Editor is seen with the the group which he describes as ‘knowledge-hungry, inspirational individuals’

Advertising & Marketing Manager Ian Gillis 01733 293484 ian.gillis@coachandbusweek.com

Returning fire on Twitter

Senior Sales Executive Caroline Barnes 01733 293248 caroline.barnes@coachandbusweek.com Coach & Bus Market Co-ordinator Gemma Ireland 01733 293247 gemma.ireland@coachandbusweek.com

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f you’re familiar with Twitter, you may have noticed that Michael Dugher, Shadow Secretary of State for Transport and MP for Barnsley East is an enthusiastic user of that particular social networking platform. As I have written here previously, he strikes me as a �irebrand sort.

I am aware from off the record chats with friends that his campaigning under the banner of ‘#passengerpower’ has ruf�led feathers in numerous quarters – including local authorities and operators. His Twitter posts would purport to show his campaigning has become something of a self-ful�illing prophecy.

Last week however, someone from our industry clearly felt enough was enough. No longer was ‘Sticks and stone may break my bones but words will never hurt me’ going to remain the order of the day. Like several other industry friends, it was with interest that I observed the �ightback from the @stagecoachgroup account. It came in the wake of Mr Dugher’s comments in Parliament in which he cited the Stagecoach trading statement that proclaimed the new East Coast rail franchise would “signi�icantly enhance” its pro�its. Using the Twitter hashtag #FactsNotNoise, Stagecoach retorted: “Labour’s plans for buses: higher bus fares, worse services, higher tax bills.”

Another tweet read: “Stagecoach and other operator routes have

grown every year in past 4years v 24%cut in councilfunded services” and “Stagecoach has invested over £35m in 260+ new greener buses for Tyne and Wear in past 7 years.”

We would delighted to hear from the political parties about their plans for the industry after May 7. If you’re involved with one of them, please drop me a line – we will gladly make space for you to air your views. We want to remain non-partisan.

On a separate note, I was honoured to speak to a group of Arriva Yorkshire and North East managers in Leeds recently. The �irst talk I have given during my time on CBW, I put to use skills I learned alongside my father when I used to accompany him to give talks to WI groups as a teenager about the heritage railway we were then involved with. It reminded me how much I enjoyed giving talks. Being with a group of knowledge-hungry, inspirational individuals, I was in my element. I can’t commend Nigel Featham and the team in Arriva Yorkshire and North East enough for doing their utmost to enrich our industry’s talent – read all about it on p28 of this issue.

Gareth Evans Editor

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March 10 2015 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 3 09/03/2015 18:45

CONTENTS

16 20

NEWS FOCUS

The launch of a new next stop announcement app developed by Arriva, First and CPT

OPERATOR FOCUS

Commercial Manager Colin Farrant is up to the challenge as Go-Ahead London’s commercial unit takes on new responsibilities

28 32

Ticket to ride p20

CAREERS

A look at how Arriva Yorkshire and North East is furthering the experiences of its staff

FACE TO FACE

Lochs and Glens driver, Ross Henry, talks about his experiences working with the Scottish hotel and coach operator

46 36

INDUSTRY GUIDE

A look at suppliers of seating, flooring and vehicle interior products, geared towards giving passengers the most comfortable journey possible

49

RETROSPECTIVE

Bernie Waters, former Harris Bus General Manager, now a Driver Mentor at Abellio London’s Walworth Garage, reflects on his 48 years in the industry

OPEN PLATFORM

Sue Reynolds, Director of Development and Administration, LTOCA says Transport for London is wrong

Top Stories 6 l North East Quality Contract Scheme board is now expected to report by October, not May 8 l Coach and bus divisions both see significant passenger and revenue growth at National Express Group 10 l Jim McFarlane steps in as General Manager at Lothian Buses. Ian Craig remains CEO

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April 9, 2014 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 5

15/09/2014 09:25 09/03/2015 18:15

FTSE 100

NEWS

SHARE WATCH

B R I E F LY

6873

Index: Year High: 6,961 -58 last Year Low: 6,183 onweek

532.00p

Price: Year High: 542.50p Year Low: 374.10p

+3.00 on last week

100.80p

Price: Year High: 146.10p Year Low: : 98.55p

-4.80 on last week

2537.00p

Price: Year High: 2655.00p Year Low: 1813.00p

-61.00 on last week

North East Quality Contract decision delayed

● DAVID STRAHAN, CEO of Translink, has warned it could go out of existence unless it increases fares again or makes cuts to services.The company has confirmed it is considering around 150 redundancies as part of new cost-saving measures. Translink estimates a loss of £14m in 2014-15. The company stated it had wanted an (average) 10% rise in fares, but the minister responsible opted for less than 5%. Final details of costbacks and the effect on the number of bus and rail services had yet to be agreed as CBW went to press. ● THE LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE has published its second annual survey of ‘The Top 1,000 Companies to Inspire Britain.’ For the second consecutive year, Travel de Courcey has featured on the list, along with Reays Coaches of Wigton. The survey is produced by the London Stock Exchange in association with Lloyds Bank, the British Growth Fund and Cenkos and features the most dynamic and fastestgrowing businesses in Britain.

The top 1,000 companies are selected on a number of criteria including growth in revenue, profitability and employment.

Adrian de Courcey told CBW: “To be featured on the inaugural list last year was both a surprise and a great achievement.

For us to be included for the second consecutive year is very humbling, something we are all extremely proud of and testament to the dedication and hard work of every employee.”

Kevin Carr from Go North East felt the delay showed how difficult it is to argue the case for a quality contract scheme Nexus asks for more time to prepare a response, delaying the decision until the end of October The Quality Contract Scheme (QCS) board has con�irmed that oral evidence sessions into the proposed scheme will now take place in July, meaning the �inal report will be delayed.

The revised timetable means the �inal report is expected to be published by October 31, 2015, instead of May. The announcement follows a directions hearing in London on February 25, 2015, after Nexus asked for more time to prepare a response to the operators’ challenges to the proposed quality contract scheme. The QCS board agreed to postpone the hearings until July in the interests of fairness to all parties. The bus operators agreed that the hearing dates scheduled for March and April could not be ful�illed.

6 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 10, 2015 006_007_CBW1179_News.indd 6

The revised timetable leading to publication of the QCS board report is as follows: March 13: Nexus to submit written evidence and matters of issue in response to the QCS board and operators.

April 17: Rebuttal evidence from the operators is to be provided to the QCS board and the other parties.

May 15: Statements of agreed points and matters still at issue to be provided.

June 4: QCS board programming meeting (London).

June 26: Skeleton arguments to be submitted by all parties.

July 13-17: Oral evidence sessions.

July 20-24: Oral evidence sessions.

September 11: Written closing submissions.

Chairman of the QCS board, Kevin Rooney, has written to the Secretary of State for Transport to con�irm the board’s revised timetable.

Kevin Carr, Managing Director of Go North East, said: “Nexus has been working on its scheme for

almost four years, so it’s surprising that they need even more time to produce evidence to support it.

The thousand-page report to the North East Combined Authority last October seems not to have been enough.

“We have provided the Quality Contract Board with a considerable amount of expert evidence that we believe makes a compelling case for the quality contract scheme to be abandoned in favour of partnership.

A partnership could have been in place two years ago.

“This delay by Nexus causes yet more uncertainty for our passengers and staff.

“It also begs the question if a quality contract scheme on this scale can ever be made to work.”

A Stagecoach spokesman told CBW: “The delay in the process is solely at the request of Nexus.

Therefore, it is a matter for Nexus to justify the additional cost to taxpayers and bus operators, as well as the continued uncertainty.”

www.coachandbusweek.com

09/03/2015 18:39

342.20p

284.00p -7.50

Price: Year High: 303.80p Year Low: 213.40p

on last week

Price: Year High: 416.90p Year Low: 331.60p

Registrations growth continues

Bus and coach registrations grew 14.9% in February, reaching 409 units. For the year-to-date it is up 34.3% compared to the same period in 2014.

Again, the impact of those Wrightbus registrations noti�ication of which was delayed from 2014 is having an impact, but demand for converted buses and purposebuilt coaches is still helping fuel growth, increasing 22.9% and 40% respectively.

The late posting of registrations

by Wrightbus followed a misunderstanding after reporting mechanism changes.

“This second month of growth in 2015 is a positive indicator for the future stability of the bus and coach sector going forward,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive.

“However, due to the variable nature of the market, we will be watchful of how the sector develops over coming months.”

0.165p

+4.20 on last week

Price: Year High: 0.33p SAME last Year Low: 0.13p onweek

147.50p

54.50p

Price: Year High: 435.00p Year Low: 122.50p

Price: Year High: 61.75p +1.00 last Year Low: 50.00p onweek

Feb-15

Feb-14

YTD-15

YTD-14

WRIGHTBUS

23

33

232

42

ALEXANDER DENNIS

62

16

181

94

VOLVO BUS

32

27

48

97

OPTARE

5

24

27

52

MERCEDES

1

0

21

1

VDL

1

18

11

33

YUTONG

1

0

10

0

SCANIA

0

1

8

30

VAN HOOL

1

0

4

5

IRIZAR

1

0

4

3

KING LONG

3

3

3

5

NEOPLAN

0

0

2

14

MAN

0

0

2

4

OTHER IMPORTS

0

0

1

1

CAETANO

0

0

0

0

SETRA

0

7

0

22

IVECO BUS

0

0

0

3

130

129

554

406

Total buses and coaches

on last week

4.625p

Price: Year High: 6.88p -0.25 last Year Low: 4.25p onweek

Government to provide £11m for low emission vehicle innovation

REGISTRATIONS OF NEW PURPOSE-BUILT BUSES AND COACHES IN THE UK Marque

-7.50

The government has announced £11m of funding for low emission vehicle technology innovation.

The funding was announced alongside a £32m investment in chargepoint infrastructure for electric cars.

The funding will be provided to 50 organisations, ranging from small businesses to major universities, working together on 15 research and development projects.

It includes the development of a zero emission electric bus with hydrogen fuel cell range extender, expected to be a fraction of the cost of the current generation of hydrogen buses. Another project to benefit is a prototype zeroemission power and cooling system adapted from a liquid nitrogen powered engine that aims to reduce the CO2 emissions from refrigerated trucks and air-conditioned buses (led by Dearman Engine Company Ltd).

Stagecoach X8 transports 130k passengers in six months

Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire’s X8 service, which launched in September last year, has already ferried over 130,000 passengers between Liverpool and Chester’s major leisure and shopping hubs.

The X8 service covers a new route linking some of the region’s biggest shopping and employment hubs including Cheshire Oaks and Liverpool ONE. The route allows passengers to travel between the two cities in little over one hour and runs seven days a week, every 30

DRIVING LIC

ENCE

minutes from Monday to Saturday, and every hour on Sundays and bank holidays.

Elisabeth Tasker, Managing Director at Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire, commented: “When we launched the X8 service in September last year, we knew it would have an important role to play in connecting communities in Chester and Liverpool and enabling them to reach several key retail destinations.

“It’s great to see people responding so positively to

Elisabeth Tasker, Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire MD, with Chester MP Stephen Mosley

this new travel option, which is comparable to doing the journey by car but much more convenient and sustainable.

“We devised this new route to provide people with a new way of reaching some key shopping and leisure destinations and by offering a green, ef�icient and affordable means of travel, we are increasing visitor numbers to these centres – boosting footfall and revenue.

“We’re now welcoming on average over 21,000 people per month on this service.”

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March 10, 2015 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 7 09/03/2015 18:39

8

NEWS

Number of weeks that the Bus For Us next stop announcement app is being piloted by First and Arriva in Leeds

48

Number of years Bernie Waters has spent working in the coach and bus industry

National Express’ UK coach business has seen significant growth in profit over the last two financial years. JAMES DAY

National Express full year results Coach and bus divisions both see signi�icant passenger and revenue growth National Express Group’s full year results for the year ended December 31, 2014, have been released.

Group revenue increased 2% to £1.87bn on a constant currency basis, though it was down 1% on a reported basis (2013: £1.89bn) Group normalised operating pro�it increased by 4% to £193.1m on a constant currency basis; up £0.2m on a reported basis (2013: £192.9m) Passenger revenue in the group’s UK Coach division was up 4%, at an operating margin over 10%, while UK bus saw a 0.6% increase in commercial passengers and 2.8% increase in revenue.

UK Bus

UK Bus delivered a strong performance with revenue growth driven by a combination of

increased passenger volume and price in�lation.

Total revenue stood at £281.0m (2013: £273.4m) with like-forlike commercial revenue growth of 3%. In the West Midlands, commercial passenger journeys rose by nearly 1% in the year, whilst concession and other income increased by 3%.

Normalised operating pro�it was strong, with growth of 9% to £34.0m (2013: £31.2m), re�lecting both revenue growth and cost ef�iciencies. The operating margin has now risen to 12.1% (2013: 11.4%).

UK Coach

UK Coach saw pro�it growth of 36% since 2012 (£20.6m). Total revenue increased by 4% to £275.2m (2013: £263.5m). Core network revenue increased by 4%, with new partnership agreements and dynamic pricing achieving passenger volume growth.

This was supported by a strong performance at The Kings Ferry,

where revenue increased by over 20% as it successfully grew its contract hire business.

Normalised operating pro�it increased by 14% to £28.0m (2013: £24.5m) and operating margin showed a further increase following on from the strong gains in 2013, rising to 10.2% (2013: 9.3%).

Group Chief Executive’s review

Dean Finch, National Express Group Chief Executive, said: “National Express has made signi�icant progress over the past year. Every division is carrying more passengers and has grown revenue. We have successfully retained key existing contracts, recently won another two rail contracts in Germany and this month started operating our Bahrain bus contract. I am particularly pleased with our very strong cash performance, which has again exceeded our target.

“National Express has delivered a good performance in 2014 with

Group revenue up 2.3% on a constant currency basis and both statutory and normalised pro�it before tax also up on a constant currency basis by 10% and nearly 7% respectively. Our free cash generation remains very strong, again beating our target for the year and during the course of the year we have reduced net debt by over £80 million. We renewed a number of key concessions in the year and also successfully expanded our business into new markets.

“This performance demonstrates both the resilience and strength of our businesses. We have had to overcome signi�icant challenges from the �irst half of the year, especially poor weather in the US, strike action in Spain and signi�icant currency headwinds.

Together these challenging events reduced pro�its by £5m at the half year. To have recovered from this position and delivered such a strong second half of the year is a particularly pleasing result.”

FOR ALL COACH AND BUS FINANCE

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business finance ltd

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09/03/2015 18:50

1975

The year Colin Farrant began his career in the industry at London Country

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Cogent wins £360k refurbishment contract from First Cymru Family-owned Cogent Passenger Seating is celebrating with bus users from across South Wales thanks to an order placed by First Cymru to upgrade and makeover 90 vehicles in its fleet.

First Cymru’s £360,000 investment on almost half of its fleet follows on from the addition of 112 new vehicles in the past two years.

Cogent Passenger Seating, based in Swansea, is doing much of the interior remodelling and the contract was celebrated by a visit by Minister for Economy, Science and Transport, Edwina Hart.

Two extra jobs have been created by Cogent, which expects

to have changed the old moquette seats for new leather ones on the 90 buses by the end of the month.

Cogent, which was set up in 1996, employs 22 people.

Owner and Managing Director Roger Pownall said: “While we are busy supplying coach builders and convertors in the UK and Europe, as well as exporting to Hong Kong and Australia, it is marvellous to be chosen by First Cymru as a preferred supplier and especially nice to see our refurbishing displayed so well and abundantly.

“I can’t help smiling every time I see our seats in First Vehicles driving past and hope they give passengers a better journey experience.”

First Cymru Managing Director Justin Davies said: “We know our passengers will welcome the investment we’re making in our buses, understanding the benefits that it brings to them in terms of a more comfortable ride and nicer environment in which to travel.

But there is also a hidden benefit of this work too.

“By working with this local business we are contributing directly to the local economy, helping Cogent secure its position in the industry, while keeping this investment within Swansea.

“We’re pleased to be able to work with a firm that is both well known, trusted, and on our doorstep.”

Newbury New Year’s Day Running Day 2016

The Newbury running day aims to fill the void left by the King Alfred running day, which was held on New Year’s Day The Oxfordshire Bus Enthusiasts Society (OBES) says it has realised the huge gap left behind in the bus rally calendar by the demise of the popular King Alfred Running Day held in Winchester each year. In 2015 two buses belonging to OBES members took part in a small event based around Newbury which was well received.

The group is now organising a new running day event, called the ‘Icebreaker’ and is centred in the West Berkshire town.

The event takes place on January 1, 2016 and will feature a selection of preserved buses operating free

trips from Newbury Bus Station over former Newbury & District and Thames Valley routes into the countryside, providing an attractive backdrop to the vehicles in service.

Newbury was chosen because of access from major A roads and motorways, rail access from London and Reading and because there’s plenty of parking in the town centre for visitors. The organisers have said that Newbury is an attractive town with many other attractions in addition to the event itself, making it a great family day out too.

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Event programmes will go on sale later in the year, with more details about routes and times also being added to the society website www. oxbuses.webs.com The society is interested in hearing from vehicle owners and trade stand holders who wish to take part in the event. Contact can be made by calling 01235 413537 or by emailing newburybusevent@ outlook.com Formed in June 2010, the aim of the OBES provides monthly meeting with speakers covering a range of bus and coach related topics in the Oxford area.

Join the group

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Steady revenue growth at Stagecoach Stagecoach Group has published a trading update for the 40 weeks ended February 1.

Like-for-like revenue growth for the financial year to date in each of the Group’s main businesses is positive. In UK bus, regional operations saw 2.7% growth, while London saw 9.8% growth. UK Rail was up 7.6%, while the Group’s North American and Megabus operations saw a more modest increase of 1.9%. Virgin Rail grew by 6.7%.

UK Bus (regional operations) saw passenger volumes grow by 0.4%. Although growth in January was lower than in the previous months of the year, this was largely due to yearon-year variations in weather.

In London, revenue was lost in January as a result of a 24-hour strike by bus drivers affecting all major operators of Transport for London bus contracts. Excluding an uplift in contract prices to compensate for the cessation of Bus Service Operators’ Grant, revenue increased by 7.3%.

Since December 2014 in North America, there has been no significant change to the group’s expectation of operating profit. Like-for-like revenue growth of 1.9% for the nine months includes revenue growth of 10.3% at megabus.com. The rate of revenue growth is below that experienced earlier in the year reflecting the effect of the significant fall in fuel prices on demand for the services, particularly inter-city coach services, and lower revenue growth in December and January partly due to the effects of adverse weather conditions.

Quality mobile bus & coach engineers throughout the UK 01253 340565 www.wjftechnicalsupport.co.uk March 10, 2015 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 9 09/03/2015 17:33

NEWS › BUSES

Lothian Buses makes interim management changes Jim McFarlane steps in as General Manager, with Ian Craig remaining as CEO of Transport for Edinburgh Lothian Buses Chairman Tony Depledge has agreed a series of interim management arrangements to be put in place.

An interim General Manager, Jim McFarlane, joined Lothian Buses last week to lead the executive team there. All management responsibility for Executive Directors will now fall to the new General Manager.

Ian Craig will remain Chief

Executive of Transport for Edinburgh, with responsibility for the progression of the Group priorities. He will have ultimate responsibility for Edinburgh Trams while maintaining links to Lothian Buses through the new General Manager and other key staff.

Tony Depledge will remain as Chairman and current Senior Independent Executive Director John Martin will become Deputy Chairman. Both of these positions will continue on an interim basis.

Jim McFarlane said: “I come to Lothian Buses with an open mind and I want to reassure everyone at the company that I won’t be

10 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 10, 2015 010_011_CBW1179_News.indd 10

passing judgement on the issues that precede me.

“My role is to join this company to build new relationships, repair existing ones and, most importantly to stabilise a business

which, as a major employer and service provider, is a hugely valuable component of life in our Capital city.”

Tony Depledge, Lothian Buses Chairman added: “It has been

Arriva Southern Counties’ latest investment in Tunbridge Wells’ bus network saw the launch of six new 8.8m wheel-forward Wrightbus StreetLite Micro Hybrid buses to upgrade the Royal Tunbridge Wells Town Centre Bus Link that runs across the town from High Brooms to Rusthall.

The vehicles replace an equal number of 57-plate Enviro200s which are being cascaded to other duties in the town.

The buses are painted in Arriva’s lime green and dark blue livery used for hybrid, gas and electric buses. Inside they feature environmentally sourced leather Esteban seating and free on-board WiFi. The £840,000 investment by Arriva brings the total invested in new buses at its depots in Kent and Medway since last July to over £6m.

The latest StreetLites bring the total number in the Arriva Southern Counties’ fleet to 46, with the other 40 being of the more conventional door forward type and representing three different lengths – 10.2m, 10.8m and 11.5m – based at its depots

in Gillingham, Northfleet and Southend.

Arriva Marketing Manager, Richard Lewis, said: “We are delighted to once again invest in new buses for Tunbridge Wells and to have launched them at The Skinners’ Kent Academy which offers a bright, modern environment in which the students can study.

“Bus companies and academic establishments are important to each other and it was therefore appropriate to launch our buses at the academy.

“Like academic establishments, bus companies are embracing new technology and the new Arriva Bus App for smartphones and tablets puts a wide range of information at people’s fingertips.”

The Mayor of Tunbridge Wells, Cllr Julian Stanyer, said: “Not only do the new buses signify a huge vote of confidence in the town and its residents by Arriva, who have invested over £840,000 in the scheme, but also it will set a marker for other towns by introducing new technology with reduced carbon emissions and greater fuel economy.”

StreetLite Micro Hybrid fleet arrives for Arriva in Tunbridge Wells

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Jim McFarlane said he joins Lothian Buses with an open mind

an extremely challenging period for this company and it is my responsibility, and the responsibility of all board members, to steady the ship and ensure a sustainable position is achieved. These

Rainbow Routemaster

What has been called the world’s first ‘rainbow bus’ in passenger service launched on March 2 in London, as Transport for London (TfL) and Stagecoach London teamed up to celebrate and support diversity in the city.

TfL and Stagecoach London created the special rainbow design based on the symbolic rainbow flag to celebrate the people who live, visit and work in the city.

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measures will put structures in place to ensure that Lothian Buses can operate effectively during a phase of transition, while retaining a wider focus on the importance of Edinburgh’s integrated transport offering.”

Ian Craig, Chief Executive of Transport for Edinburgh, said: “I welcome the opportunity to continue in my role, driving the Transport for Edinburgh agenda forward, which has been my priority over the last two years.

With annual passenger numbers up six million extra journeys a year, an excellently integrated customer offer and a young but flourishing brand, the whole TfE Group is well placed to move on positively.

“I am keen to play my part and fit in with these new management arrangements that, amongst other things, will involve a newly defined role for the remainder of my time here. I am determined to use that time constructively and make a positive impact to the benefit of the city.”

The rainbow Routemaster will operate primarily on route 8 in London for a year

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Manchester city centre bus route improvements underway Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has started work on a package of changes to bus routes across Manchester city centre.

TfGM and Manchester City Council’s bus priority package is intended to significantly improve the quality, punctuality and reliability of bus services on 25 miles of key routes that run through the city and across Greater Manchester.

The scheme forms part of a co-ordinated three-year programme of works, known collectively as Grow, which aim to future-proof the city’s transport infrastructure.

Under the new scheme sections of Portland Street will be open for use by buses, cycles, taxis and emergency vehicles only. Buses will travel on a near continuous bus lane to Piccadilly. Access to buildings along Portland Street will be

The rainbow is wrapped on a red New Routemaster which will remain in operation for a year.

The bus will mainly operate on route 8, which runs between Bow Church and Tottenham Court Road, passing by famous landmarks such as St Paul’s Cathedral and Brick Lane.

The rainbow bus also marks the 10th anniversary of TfL’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) staff network group, OUTbound.

Leon Daniels, Managing Director of Surface Transport, said: “The rainbow bus is a great addition

maintained.

Some sections of roads will become one-way and Princess Street will become two-way. Upgraded bus stops will be introduced to improve accessibility.

General traffic will still be able to access all areas of the city, although the route used may be different.

Cllr Andrew Fender, Chairman of the TfGM committee, said: “Around a quarter of a million journeys are made in to the city centre every day and the number of people who visit the city is growing.

“We’re working to make sure the transport network supports this growth, continuing to make Manchester a vibrant and prosperous city.

“We’re making changes so that buses can travel into, across, and out of the city without being held up in general traffic.”

to the streets of London and is a wonderful way for us to celebrate diversity in this great city. It’s a fantastic commitment by Stagecoach to sponsor the wrapping of this bus.”

Martyn Loukes, Chair of OUTbound, said: “Following on from the fantastic success of the rainbow crossing last year, we wanted to create a new LGBT icon for London.

“What could be more iconic than a big red bus with the rainbow flag emblazoned on it, celebrating diversity and 10 years of our LGBT+ network at TfL.”

March 10, 2015 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 11 09/03/2015 15:10

NEWS › COACHES RO A D WATC H n THE M54 will be shut in both directions between 2100 and 0600hrs until May 13 between Junction 3 (Albrighton) and 5 (Telford). n THERE WILL BE AN OVERNIGHT closure of the A1 in both directions south of the Scotch Corner junction on March 21 and a 30-hour weekend closure of the A1 in both directions south of the Scotch Corner junction on March 28.

The first closure will begin at 2000hrs on the Saturday and end at 0600hrs on the Sunday.

The second extended closure will start at 1700hrs on the Saturday and end at 2300hrs on the Sunday. Southbound traffic will be diverted via the A168, A19 and A689. The Northbound diversion will be off the A1 at junction 49 and will rejoin at junction 60. n THERE WILL BE OVERNIGHT closures (2000 – 0600hrs) of the A14 in Northamptonshire between Junction 12 (Thrapston) and 13 (A605/A43) until May 3 to allow repairs to be carried out to the Nene Viaduct. Only one carriageway will be closed at a time although dates and direction of the closures will be dictated by the works found on inspection of the bridge. n THE M5 SOUTHBOUND will be shut overnight between Junction 7 (Worcester South) and 8 (Strensham service/ M50) until March 24 between 2200 and 0600hrs each night. n ON THE A5 at Pentrefoelas, near Betws-Y-Coed, Gwynedd, temporary traffic lights are in place until March 28. Traffic Wales said delays will be “slight”. n AS PART OF THE ‘smart motorway’ upgrade, the M6 is to be closed Southbound each night between Junction 12 (A5, Cannock) and 10A (M54) from 2200 until 0600hrs on March 19.

The Northbound carriageway will be closed overnight on Friday and Saturday March 20/ 21. n THE UPGRADING of the M62 between Junction 30 (Rothwell) and 32 (Castleford) in West Yorkshire is nearing completion.

megabus.com launches new Paris-Toulouse service ‘Outdated’ rules mean French domestic journeys take more than a year to gain approval to operate megabus.com announced on March 5 a new service linking Paris and Toulouse.

It is the first domestic service to be operated by megabus.com in France. It comes as the company, which has been expanding rapidly in mainland Europe, continues to press for changes to ‘outdated’ rules which for years have restricted scheduled coach travel within France.

There will be one overnight journey each day in each direction between Paris and Toulouse, with a journey time of around eight and a half hours. The service is part of the existing route which links London, Paris, Toulouse and Barcelona, but until now megabus. com has been prevented from carrying passengers who want to travel between Paris and Toulouse only.

Coach operators are still banned from operating domestic services

cities for education, employment, business or leisure activities.”

The French Government has begun the process to modernise the law and make it easier to operate inter-city coach services within the country. Legislation is currently being progressed through the French Parliament.

Edward added: “We support the steps being taken by the government to modernise the system. It is important that this legislation is passed without delay so consumers can benefit quickly.

Only by fully modernising the system will people in France enjoy the great benefits that coach travel offers and which can complement the rail network.

“Our experience in the UK has shown that having modern rules for coaches benefits all public transport. We have seen a growing number of people use coach services in the UK and at the same time we have had the fastest growing rail network in Europe. That is a great result for everyone and means people have access to even more greener public transport.”

Manns Travel under investigation

Gravesend-based Manns Travel is being investigated by Kent Police.

In a statement CBW was told: “Officers are making enquiries after receiving information about suspected uninsured vehicles.”

Manns Travel Ltd has an O-licence for 10 vehicles. Owens Coaches (Sidcup) Ltd at the same Enterprise House, Norfolk Road, Gravesend address also has an O-licence for 10 vehicles.

According to the DVSA website, Bakhtawar Singh Mann is a director of Manns, Jasbir Singh Mann the same as Owens.

However, the Company Check website lists Aaron Singh Mann as the current director of Owens, appointed on September 1, 2014 when Jasbir resigned.

Banjit Mann is listed as Transport Manager for both

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in France, unless special ‘cabotage’ approval is given. Even then, less than 50% of the seats sold can be used by passengers travelling between cities in France. The other seats must remain empty or be filled with those travelling from or to countries outside French borders.

Edward Hodgson, Managing Director of megabus.com, said: “People in France love our service, but until now they have been prevented from enjoying the benefits of our low-cost coach travel between towns and cities in their own country. You could travel all the way from Paris to London, but you were not allowed to travel from Paris to Toulouse. In 2015, that is a bizarre state of affairs.

“After spending more than a year pressing the authorities to allow us to offer a service, we are pleased we have finally been given approval. We aim to offer the lowest cost travel of any transport mode and we are confident this will open up travel to people on low incomes. It will also help the economy by making it easier to move between these two key

Manns Travel’s Gravesend depot. GOOGLE STREETVIEW according to DVSA. No one was answering either of the firm’s Kent phone numbers when CBW tried making contact.

The London number on the Manns Travel website was ‘not recognised’.

In a statement, a spokesman for Kent County Council (KCC) told CBW: “KCC was notified that Manns and Owens Travel would not be operating any bus or coach services from the afternoon of Thursday March

4. To ensure all passengers would be able to travel from that afternoon onwards, staff at the county council’s public transport department have made arrangements with other operators to provide replacement services in the interim. All schools affected have been kept informed and we expect that those interim replacement services will continue until the matter is resolved.” www.coachandbusweek.com

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Maynes of Buckie invests in Alcolock interlocks Respected North of Scotland coach operator Maynes of Buckie is investing in the Alcolock V3 alcohol interlock system through Alcolock UK. Kevin Mayne told CBW: “Our experienced team will be working with Alcolock UK to learn the installation and maintaining process of the Alcolock V3 system.

“This will allow us to earn Alcolock dealership status in Scotland and also enable us to supply and support the product in the future. To start our vehicles, drivers will have to perform and pass a breath test. If the test is not passed, the vehicle simply does not start.”

Explaining the rationale, Kevin said: “Our company has had a random employee testing programme for a many years, but we felt with the new lower drink driving limit in Scotland we could do more to ensure our company always met the new laws.

“These new interlocks will be combined with other tougher

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Maynes is to equip six coaches with Alcolock devices initially safety measures including our current random checks.

“The first round of installations will cover six of our current fleet, and we are committed to equipping 100% of our fleet within the next few years.”

He added: “Safety is a priority and not an extra with our company. We pride ourselves in

using technology for the greater safety of our passengers. Last year we began our partnership with Navman Wireless to take care of our telematics system for our whole fleet and are proud to now to enter a new and exciting partnership with Alcolock UK further ensuring our company’s drive for safety.”

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Lucketts wins local paper award Lucketts Travel Group won the large business of the year accolade at the The News Excellence Awards, organised by the Portsmouth-based newspaper.

Great results, rapidly rising turnover, growing staff and a commitment to training were all factors picked out by the judges as reasons for the Farehambased firm standing out. Judges were also impressed by the fact the company has not lost sight of its ‘family ethos.’

Ian Luckett said: “Winning the award was a surprise. There was a lot of good people here and a lot of great companies.

Our company is a family business and it’s important to us we keep that family approach.”

Lucketts Travel, which is celebrating its 90th year in business next year, also has depots in Worthing and Southampton.

March 10, 2015 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 13 09/03/2015 18:39

NEWS › INTERNATIONAL

Berlin Scania double-decker delivered Two-axle bus is to be trialled in German capital over coming months GERMANY Scania has delivered its first new-generation Scania Citywide low-floor double-decker to Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG). The two-axle bus will be trialled over the coming months as the operator assesses its options before ordering more doubledeckers.

The 88-passenger capacity bus is 4.06m high and 10.9m long. Power comes from a 280bhp 6.7-litre DC07 engine, the Cummins ISB 6.7-litre that is now being offered as part of the Scania range.

The floor between the lower and upper deck is built using lightweight material and the staircase is moulded plastic. The lower deck has 19 fixed and five folding seats with two areas for special needs.

On the upper deck, passengers are offered 45 seats. The bus is also equipped with a lightweight manual wheelchair ramp.

Scania says it was given a free rein to design a bus that would

First new-generation Scania Citywide low-floor double-decker for Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) meet the highest passenger standards. The bus features a light and spacious interior concept with a glass ceiling in the front area of the upper deck as well as over the staircase. The airconditioning system is designed to provide an even and comfortable

National Express uses Omnibus

indoor climate. All seats have USB charging ports and there are also large 29-inch monitors to provide passenger information.

By the lower deck entrance, a passenger counting system displays the number of unoccupied seats on the upper deck doors

BAHRAIN National Express is adding OmniDAS and OmniSTOP to its use of Omnibus systems for its new venture launching in Bahrain in February 2015.

National Express Bus already uses OmniBASE, OmniTIMES, OmniMAP, Crewplan and OmniROTA in the UK. The contract for National The joint venture was awarded by the Bahraini Ministry of Transportation, Express’ joint venture, Bahrain and will initially see 141 new vehicles introduced Public Transport Company, to staff management and our wide ranging network was awarded by the Bahraini personnel record keeping. efficiently and accurately every Ministry of Transportation, and National Express uses will initially see 141 new vehicles day, ensuring we provide the the Omnibus planning and best possible service to our serve the capital Manama and scheduling tools to develop and customers.” inter-urban routes across the test operational scenarios, with The Bahrain Public Transport Kingdom of Bahrain. the wide range of reports being Company joint venture will Tim Reynolds, Operations and used to check the efficiency and be the first time that National Network Planning Manager effectiveness of the solutions Express has used the OmniSTOP for National Express Bus developed. Said Tim: “We can and OmniDAS modules.

International Division, said: “The compare present, planned and OmniDAS will link with the Omnibus planning tools and potential scenarios and we use BPTC staff identity card system, systems allow us to plan, test, each part of the system in a ensuring an integrated approach schedule, monitor and operate 14 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 10, 2015 014_015_CBW1179_International News.indd 14

to encourage travellers to move up. BVG particularly wishes to examine the passenger flow in the double-deck bus. “We will carry out extensive tests in the highly demanding daily Berlin traffic,” says Bus Director Martin Koller, BVG. different way across our business from partnership working, network planning, crew and vehicle scheduling to developing working rules and rotas that are in line with our staff expectations for well-being and safety excellence.”

The Omnibus software is also used in the National Express International Division to develop operational solutions for a mix of tender opportunities. “We are able to test the robustness of proposed overseas networks, comment on operational viability and conduct bid stage network reviews that highlight efficiency savings and directly input to our financial submissions” said Tim. “It is the best system currently on the UK market to manage our large and demanding operation.

We will be evaluating the performance of the new modules in the Bahrain environment and as new business opportunities emerge we will work closely with Omnibus to explore mutually beneficial opportunities and where appropriate expansion of the use of their systems.” www.coachandbusweek.com

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Otokar to supply Malta

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Van Hool to build fully electric Exqui.Citys

Otokar showed a right-hand drive Vectio C at Euro Bus Expo last November. ANDY IZATT MALTA Otokar is to supply 142 buses through its subsidiary Otokar Europe to CUNISA (Unified Concessions SA) the ALSA of Spain subsidiary that now runs Malta’s buses. The concession had been won by Autobuses Urbanos de León S.A, a subsidiary of ALSA and part of the National Express Group last year. The new contractor took over on January 8.

The buses will be 9.6m Euro 6 Vectio Cs, a medium-size lowentry two-door integral with a wheelchair ramp, automatic transmission and wheelchair ramp.

A subsidiary of Koç Group, Otokar has been trading since 1963. and has a factory on a 552,000m2 site in Sakarya. It employs 2,300 people. In 2014 it was the market leader in Turkey for the fifth consecutive year. Otokar Europe was established in Paris in 2011 to serve the European market.

New CEO for ManaBus.com

NEW ZEALAND Joining ManaBus. com as CEO is Sheryll Otway, currently General Manager of urban coach transport operator and Souter Holdings company, Howick & Eastern Buses.

Bill Rae, Chairman of Souter Holdings NZ, says that Sheryll will lead both companies. “Sheryll is a terrific operator, with vast experience,” he said. “She will take over from interim CEO Geoff Norman, who has done a great job readying ManaBus.com to enter the market and running the business for the past three months, post-launch. Geoff now returns to his day-job as CEO of Wellingtonbased urban transport and charter company Mana Coaches.

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Two fully electric Van Hool Exqui.Citys will operate in Hamburg on route M3 GERMANY Van Hool is to develop and produce two fully electric Exqui.Citys, which will be used in Hamburg, Germany. They are the first of their type to run 100% on electric power.

Both will be delivered early in 2016 for operation on route M3.

VHH (Verkehrsbetriebe HamburgHolstein AG) and Hochbahn, the two local public transport companies that jointly manage a fleet of around 1,500 buses, are striving to run exclusively emission-free buses by 2020.

The four-door, articulated Exqui.

Citys are 18.61m long, 2.55m wide and 3.5m high. They can transport up to 109 passengers (46 people sitting; 63 people standing).

“With the majority of its operations in the upper North Island, it has become clear that ManaBus.com needs to centralise its management and operations in Auckland. Bringing Sheryll into the team will provide our transport operations and customer service staff with great support and leadership that’s close by,” said Bill.

As General Manager of Howick & Eastern Buses, Sheryll has had responsibility for overall strategy and has led a team tasked with the day to day operations of the company. She has more than 16 years’ experience with the company, the last three as General Manager.

Bill added: “I am delighted to welcome Sheryll to her new role at ManaBus.com and at the same time thank Geoff for his outstanding work over the past 12 months.”

Charging the buses will take place overnight at the VHH depot in Schenefeld, Hamburg.

Throughout the day, it’s expected that 40-minute charging sessions will also be undertaken at Tiefstack and in Lurup either end of the route. A ‘pantograph’ will descend towards the charging points on the vehicle’s roof.

The buses will produce part of the energy they need themselves – whenever the vehicle brakes it creates electrical power that can be stored in the battery and re-used on the vehicle’s return journey.

Van Hool says that the Exqui.City combines the flexibility of a bus with the efficiency of a tram. The tram-buses have a very futuristic

design and provide a high-level of comfort with air-conditioning, low noise levels and soft lighting. They have optimum accessibility with a low step and easy access thanks to the four large entrance doors.

Operators have a range of options available to them for powering this type of vehicle. Exqui.City’s multi-power platform in both the 18m and the 24m versions forms the basis for the use of a range of environmentally-friendly power systems such as trolleybuses, hybrid systems, fuel cells or batteries. It is for those reasons that cities such as Metz, Barcelona, Parma, Geneva, Luxemburg, Malmö, Martinique and Bergen have all opted to use this vehicle.

HONG KONG Eminox has confirmed its involvement in a £3m project to reduce NOx pollution in Hong Kong. The scheme will see buses retrofitted with the latest in emission control technology to help make the former British colony a safer environment to live and work.

Hong Kong’s Environmental Protection Department (EPD) aims to upgrade 1,400 buses with retrofit Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology to dramatically reduce NOx. A pre-qualification programme is currently taking place, which has seen Eminox, as one of four suppliers, already retrofit 23 buses with SCR systems, effectively

achieving a full SCRT system.

The systems are delivering NOx reduction well beyond the 60% scheme requirement.

Steve Rawson, Head of Retrofit Engineering at Eminox, said: “We are delighted to be involved with such a high-profile international project to tackle on-street pollution in Hong Kong. By retrofitting the existing fleet of buses, we can improve air quality in an area which urgently needs attention – without the high costs associated with replacing an entire fleet.”

Following the pre-qualification programme, approved suppliers will be invited to participate in a large scale roll-out, to retrofit the remaining buses in 2016.

Eminox technology to reduce Hong Kong pollution

March 10, 2015| COACH & BUS WEEK | 15 09/03/2015 09:29

NEWS FOCUS › NEXT STOP ANNOUNCEMENT APP

Audio-Visual for smartphones James Day reports from the launch of a new next stop announcement app developed

by Arriva, First and CPT Audio-visual next-stop announcement systems on buses have become something of a political hot topic recently. Many operators have argued that the cost of implementing the system across entire bus fleets is prohibitive and does not make commercial sense.

However, the new app launched at the Jack Charlton Suite in Leeds United’s Elland Road stadium on Friday, March 6, offers a possible solution to the problem. Developed in partnership by First and Arriva, both of which operate in the city, alongside the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT), the app aims to give blind and partially sighted passengers the confidence to use a bus service without the danger of missing their stop and becoming isolated. It hopes to provide all of the benefits of an onbus audio-visual system, without costing close to £2,000 per vehicle to install.

The app, which was created by Rise Digital Media (Rise DM) and uses the company’s existing Bus For Us branding, took six months to develop and is entering an eightweek pilot period with First and Arriva’s services in Leeds.

Supported by CPT

Ian Morgan, Chairman of CPT, opened proceedings at the launch.

He said: “I’d like to start by saying a very special thanks to Robert Johnson from the Department for Transport’s buses and taxis division, along with his dog Vance, and Claire Randall and her dog Ben. Both of them have spent many many hours helping us create and develop this app and provided a lot of very good advice.

“The bus industry is totally committed to making all of its buses throughout the country as accessible as possible to everyone.

If you look at the fleet of buses we have across the country now, they are unrecognisable next to the buses we saw 15 or even 10 years ago.

“The vast majority are now

low floor, have bell pushes and handrails in convenient places and have ramps for wheelchairs, buggies and mobility scooters.

Many buses now have electronic destination displays, which give clearer information to customers, there are buses with free WiFi, USB charging ports, air-conditioning is now on many buses, double glazing, leather seats and smart ticketing.

“There are buses as well with audio visual displays, though probably not as many as we would like. We know how popular these facilities are. The buses with these sort of displays are commonplace in London, but London works on a very different funding system to the rest of us. Outside London, the operators themselves need to finance this equipment, which is extraordinarily expensive. With the greatest will in the world, it will be many years before every bus in the country has an audio-visual display.

“The industry challenged itself not long ago to see if there is a more simple solution, and that’s why we’re here today – because there is one.

“The app is simple, cost effective and can achieve nationwide coverage much more quickly. The app is audio-visual information in the palm of your hand.

“A lot of energy, time and money has been invested by FirstGroup and Arriva in putting this app together. There have also been a number of very testing sessions

with the RNIB to help us get to this point.

“We want to try and test every aspect of the app we possibly can.

We’ll then be able to start thinking

The app is initially only available on iPhone, though an Android version is in development. This is because the iOS operating system is perceived to have better accessibility features built in to it (the app makes use of the phone’s built in accessibility features for simplicity). The iPhone is also the most popular handset amongst the blind and partially sighted community, according to research by the app’s developers.

The user selects the route which

they are to travel on, along with a direction, and the stop they wish to get off at. The app brings up a list of stops on the route displayed similarly to a timeline. It then uses GPS to keep track of how far along the route the vehicle is. Once the vehicle is approaching the correct stop, it notifies the passenger (either through voice, vibration or on screen notification, depending on preference).

Users can adjust the frequency at which the app checks the

How it works

16 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 10, 2015 016_017_CBW1179_News Focus.indd 16

about rolling the app out across the nation as a whole, which will hopefully bring an end to visually impaired people missing their stops or getting off at the wrong stop.”

location on the route. Three options are offered – every 10m, every 50m and every 100m.

The longer the interval, the less draining the app is on the battery, though clearly the app will need to check regularly on an urban route where stops are close together.

The app can run in the background on a phone, allowing other apps to be used at the same time. This also means it is not necessary to have the phone in the hand during the journey.

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Guide Dogs: an app is not enough Guide Dogs argued that the app was no substitute for a talking bus system.

James White, Guide Dogs Talking Buses Campaign Manager, told CBW: “Technology has a crucial role to play in making transport more accessible. However, smartphone applications cannot replace the need for audio-visual next stop and final destination announcements.

“Smartphone technology has its limitations – it’s still not an option for those who can’t afford it or aren’t able to use it. There are also areas across the country without signal, and smartphone battery life is notorious short, which could leave someone stranded.”

Q&A session

(L-r) Claire Randall with guide dog Ben; Ian Morgan, Chairman of CPT; Paul Matthews, MD of First West Yorkshire; and Nigel Featham, MD of Arriva Regional Managing Director for Arriva Yorkshire, Arriva North East and Yorkshire Tiger

Assisted by passengers

Following on from Ian, Claire Randall addressed the group. She is a regular bus passenger and guide dog user in London, and therefore used to TfL’s next stop announcements, but she added that she travels a lot outside the capital. She had assisted the development of the app, apparently telling the developers to start from scratch at one point to ensure it properly catered for its audience.

She said: “There’s a lot of energy that goes into learning a bus route which you don’t have to if you can see where you’re going.

We’re fortunate to have mobile technology which gives us a lot more freedom.

“We’ve ended up with an app which to my mind enables people to have independence and not have to rely on other people to tell you www.coachandbusweek.com

016_017_CBW1179_News Focus.indd 17

when your stop is.

“I hope after the eight-week pilot we are able to roll this out and provide a solution which people have been looking for for a very long time.”

A result of partnership

On behalf of the operators who had invested in the app, Paul Matthews, Managing Director of First in Yorkshire, was next to speak.

He explained: “This app is about access and our operations are all about access. We share a common objective with the combined authorities of West Yorkshire in about trying to improve access, because of what that can do to bring about economic regeneration and improved social inclusion.

“We’re proud to have worked with those authorities just as we’re proud to work on a day to day basis with RNIB and other

partners like Guide Dogs to explore any ways of improving access on our services.

“This next stop app is the next step for us. It is part of a programme of work we’re trying to do to raise the game in terms of accessibility to public transport.

“We sometimes get accused of developing things and putting them out there because we think we know best. This app is testament to the fact that we actually collaborate with users to try and get something which is actually meaningful.

“This is quite a limited period of time for this trial and what we want to come out of it is a real positive discussion about whether what we’ve developed here is of significant value, how it can be enhanced and how it can take us onto the next stage of audio-visual technology.”

John Gallagher, a blind piano tuner and regular bus user who was present at the launch, asked how he would know whether he was on an Arriva or First bus where there is on-route competition.

Chris Nice from CPT responded: “The app doesn’t need to know which operator you’re travelling with, just the service you are on. If you’re in any doubt, ask the driver which service you are on, and then tell the app and it will load the information for you.”

John also highlighted that blind and partially sighted passengers are vulnerable to theft if they have their phones on show. He said he himself uses a M45 bluetooth-enabled earpiece which allows him to keep the phone in his inside pocket and still listen to updates from an app.

Scott James from Rise DM, explained that the route could be programmed in advance and the app can run in background on a phone, meaning it isn’t necessary to have the phone in front of you to make use of the app.

Another attendee, who didn’t provide his name, asked whether the system would work if the bus needs to take a diversion. Chris Nice explained that this had been tested and the app can cope with diversions if the operator receives enough notice and feeds it into the data, though for short-notice diversion the app would not work.

However, if a bus leaves a route and rejoins it further along, the app will recognise the vehicle’s new location.

March 10, 2015 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 17 09/03/2015 18:52

ADVERTORIAL

Airconco announce Hispacold dealership

A

s advertised in many issues of CBW last year and promoted on stand at the Euro Bus Expo 2014, there was a new exciting venture for Airconco Ltd with the announcement that we had become a UK Service & Parts Dealer for Internacional Hispacold S.A. Airconco has had a long dealer association with other leading brands such as Eberspächer Sütrak, Heavac, Sanz Clima, UWE and Webasto, our repute and commitment to those brands in stock availability and service support has not gone unnoticed

by Hispacold who saw us as an ideal partner to further their presence in the UK. The bulk of Hispacold’s systems are found on Irizar, Unvi and Beulas-bodied vehicles in the UK and although Airconco has been dealing with Hispacold parts for some years now, forging a direct partnership with Hispacold only has benefits to the UK market and those operators across the country who have vehicles with Hispacold systems fitted, many of which have been forced over the years to use truck dealerships to source parts quickly.

Through a stock investment approaching £100k we aim to more efficiently serve the UK market and assist any service enquiries nationwide. We are able to do this with our newly formed UK dealer network comprising of the very best coach/bus air-conditioning and heating specialists hand picked for their experience and excellent customer service.

Dealer locations and contact details are displayed on the adjacent page – or the map can also be downloaded from our website www.airconcoltd.com/ downloads.htm. Quick reference leaflets can also be posted out on request by contacting us by email or phone.

Co-ordinating the UK service issues at Airconco is a new appointment, Debbie Parsonson, who joined at the end of last summer as Service Administrator. Debbie’s important role is to support Service Manager Mark Bright with work / engineer / sub dealer scheduling, while also keeping customers updated on work progress.

Airconco has become a UK service and parts dealer for Internacional Hispacold SA

The training course was held at the new HQ which has a built-in training room One of the most important partnerships to develop since taking on the Hispacold product is with Irizar UK who are responsible for distributing and supporting the Integral ‘DAF’ chassis Irizar vehicles in the UK. Hispacold is 100% owned by the Irizar parent company in Spain. Any field issues reported to Irizar, are quickly passed on to Airconco, the nearest network engineer is then dispatched as soon as possible. Local agents are assigned certain customers by area, this is helping to forge relationships between customer and sub dealers.

The Hispacold Network is also here to provide aftercare and support customers with Scania chassis Irizar vehicles.

Although already vastly experienced, all UK network dealers and engineers attended a specially organised training week last November, we were pleased to host some new and

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Irizar UK delivered a new Irizar i6 for the practical elements of the course

old faces. The training course was held at our new HQ which has a built-in training room for such events, the training was carried out by Mr Leon Hispacold’s product support manager for many countries including the UK. Irizar UK also kindly delivered us a new Irizar i6 for the week at our workshop for the practical / product familiarisation elements of the course.

Throughout this winter we have been tweaking our Hispacold parts inventory to ensure that we have the best parts availability possible.

This includes investment in slower moving condenser and evaporator coils for most applications found in the UK, items such as these can be treated as ‘special order items’ and have lead times of several weeks, by stocking these we can reduce this to no longer than two days, or same day if the customer

wishes to collect. Higher value items such as Climate Control units are now stocked in more quantity, as well as significantly boosting stocks of fan motors, fan blades, speed controllers, blower motors and pollen filters.

As well as providing service support, the network also carries stocks of fast moving items for local availability, its always worth calling your nearest dealer first, they all have mobile support units carrying stock. Your local dealer is also there to take your parts orders directly, they are all supported by our warehouse in Manchester for items they don’t have immediate stock.

Contact information: Phone: 01706 399 322 (Please note new phone number). Option 1 Service Enquiries. Option 2 Parts Enquiries.

Email: Service Requests service@ airconcoltd.com. Parts Enquiries parts@airconcoltd.com

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OPERATOR FOCUS › GO-AHEAD LONDON COMMERCIAL UNIT

On the

right track T

hameslink, Southern and Great Northern (TSGN) is the Govia Thameslink Railway rail franchise that since September last year has been operating the Thameslink and Great Northern routes in and around London.

Formed in November 1996, Govia is a joint venture between Go-Ahead (65%) and Keolis (formerly Via GTI) (35%). From July 2015 the whole of the Southern rail network including Gatwick Express and jointly operated First Capital Connect Southeastern services will be added making this the largest rail franchise in the UK. Govia’s expansion has implications for GoAhead’s bus operating subsidiaries, particularly Go-Ahead London and its commercial unit run by Commercial Manager Colin Farrant.

Go-Ahead London comprises London General Transport Services, London Central Bus Company, Metrobus London, Docklands Buses and Blue Triangle Buses.

Under the terms of the TSGN franchise, the commercial unit, (part of London General), has taken over the high pro�ile 24-hour, seven day a week shuttle bus service linking Luton Parkway railway station and Luton Airport. What’s more, it’s now also responsible for providing cover for planned and emergency engineering work, potentially a massive commitment that will only grow when the franchise is extended.

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Go-Ahead London’s commercial unit is a diverse business that has just taken on new responsibilities that even by its own standards, represent a new departure.

Commercial Manager Colin Farrant is ready for the challenge as he explained to Andy Izatt and checked by Colin and his team, but it’s GoAhead’s intention that some of this work will be ful�illed in-house. The Luton-based operation is an obvious opportunity to develop as it’s strategically well placed for the M1 and M25 motorways.

Re�lecting the relatively long distances that rail replacement vehicles might have to travel, four mid-life coaches have been acquired.

Three are Plaxton Panther bodied Volvo B12Bs, the fourth a Jonckheere Mistral-bodied B12M previously operated by South Gloucestershire Bus and Coach Company, Tellings-Golden Miller and Pike’s Coaches, Andover. They’re being repainted and re-trimmed as appropriate and will have �leet numbers VC1-4. Two of the four will be based at Luton, the others at Northumberland Park, a depot taken over by London General from First London in March, 2012.

The �ive buses used on the Luton Airport shuttle by First Essex have also been purchased.

They will be refurbished and re-liveried later

this year, but discreet Thameslink branding has already been added. Notable is a Volvobased Wright StreetCar, but there are also three Wrightbus-bodied Volvo B7LA artics and a relatively rare two-door Wrightbus-bodied Volvo B7RLE. On paper they have �leet numbers LUT4, LUT1-3 and LUT5 respectively. Additional capacity comes from several London General LDP-class Plaxton Pointer Dennis Darts based at Luton and Northumberland Park.

Colin explained that it had made sense to purchase the First vehicles because they were �it for purpose and well maintained. Staff were familiar with operating them. There are no plans to run any Mercedes-Benz Citaro artics surplus from London service. He had three or four in his commercial �leet for a time, but they proved troublesome to operate if left standing for any length of time. Most of those that survive have been in storage now for years.

Parking for the Luton-based �leet has been arranged at Arriva The Shires depot with maintenance contracted to the Volvo Truck www.coachandbusweek.com

09/03/2015 09:18

This Volvo-based Wright StreetCar on the shuttle linking Luton Parkway with Luton Airport is now part of the GoAhead London commercial operation. ANDY IZATT and Bus Centre at Milton Keynes. However, it’s normal to see vehicles stabled at Luton Parkway to provide immediate capacity if required.

In line with Go-Ahead London and capitalwide Transport for London (TfL) contractor practice, Luton has been given a garage code. It’s LS for Luton Station, but those who share Colin’s sense of history will remember that this was also the code used by London Transport when it had a garage in the town. That was inherited by London Country, but closed in 1977.

All but one of the 28 staff employed by First on the shuttle service have been TUPE’d across to Go-Ahead London General and they continue to report to Operations Manager Steve Timms who held the same position with First. The exception wanted to leave anyway.

Colin and Steve are determined that the Luton operation’s reputation for quality service is not only maintained, but developed in line with the growing requirements of the Govia franchise. That will see the introduction of integrated smart ticketing on the shuttle service, a franchise requirement. The process of recruiting additional staff to cover the growing workload has already started.

Richly diverse business

Go-Ahead London’s commercial unit is best known for its longstanding involvement in some of the capital’s most high profile annual events.

Providing transport to and from the Wimbledon tennis championships, RHS Chelsea Flower Show and Epsom race meetings has been undertaken by it and London Transport before it for decades. Then there’s important events near London such as the biennial Farnborough International Airshow.

Colin specialises in developing long-term

Three long-wheelbase Enviro400s were delivered to the commercial unit last year. DAVID BELL relationships with the people involved with these events and he is meticulous with his planning to ensure that everything runs smoothly. Most of that planning he does himself, but there’s a small office-based team at Go-Ahead London’s No18 Merton High Street head office that give him their full support. A key member is Rail Replacement Manager Phil Seago who previously worked for First and was proprietor of entrepreneurial minibus operator, Flying Banana in Great Yarmouth before that.

“It’s important to protect your own interests, particularly when it comes to safety,” Colin explained. “We always do the very best we can

for clients and if there is a problem, we deal with it. They don’t want to worry about what the bus company is doing. It’s all about building personal trust with people. Never take anything for granted.

“I enjoy the planning and seeing it all come to fruition. Seeing it going well is very rewarding, but if we do lose business, it’s important to be resilient and go and find something else.”

Colin has an open mind on what that might be. Operating Park and Ride services has been explored and there’s always plenty of potential contract and private hire work to go after. The unit is also prepared to introduce its own route

PROFILE

About Colin Farrant Go-Ahead London Commercial Manager Colin Farrant started his career with National Bus Company (NBC)-owned London Country at its Reigate head office in 1975. London Country was London Transport’s former country area, transferred to NBC ownership in 1970. It was troubled times for the operator as it suffered severe staffing and vehicle shortages. Colin worked in the planning and scheduling office and describes the experience as a “good learning curve.” He said: “It was a great grounding for the industry and I look back on that time with affection.”

By the time London Country was split into four operating companies as a prelude to sale under National Bus Company privatisation, Colin had become Planning Officer North with responsibility for garages stretching from Windsor

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Go-Ahead London Commercial Manager Colin Farrant: ‘I have budgets to meet each year and this is a consistently profitable business’. ANDY IZATT in the west round north London to Romford in the east. After the split he was appointed Development Officer for London Country South West.

The proposed privatisation of London Buses was well-known by this time and Colin, like

several other colleagues from the London Country companies saw an opportunity to move across to work for the newly created London Buses business units. In 1989 he became Marketing Manager for London General Transport following an interview with its

then Managing Director, Keith Ludeman. Keith went on to become Go-Ahead Group Chief Executive. It was at London General that Colin took his PCV test in a DM-type Daimler Fleetline.

As he explained, the expectation at that time was that the London market would be deregulated, not franchised as actually transpired.

Consequently the focus for the new business units at the time was on creating a viable networks and exploring new commercial opportunities in what was a growing market. That’s how the idea of having a distinct commercial unit was born.

“Moving to London General was a big leap of faith,” said Colin. “I was involved in the commercial operation right from the beginning. It was created because management wanted to make their assets sweat. London is a vibrant place. It’s a faster moving environment and I’ve worked with some fabulous people.”

March 10, 2015 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 21 09/03/2015 09:18

OPERATOR FOCUS › GO-AHEAD LONDON COMMERCIAL UNIT HISTORY

Go-Ahead London commercial unit: How it developed There is a long tradition of London Transport undertaking commercial work, summer day trips to the coast and central London sightseeing work being just two examples. When the London Buses business units were set up in 1989 the private hire unit for southern London that was at Thornton Heath garage passed to South London Transport. That was acquired by Cowie in 1995, later becoming Arriva London South in 1998.

Although it would be 1994 before London General Transport was sold to its management and on to Go-Ahead two years later, it was quick to take advantage of the greater autonomy that came with being a separate business unit. Marking a clear change from London Transport vehicle purchasing, it bought 31 Northern Counties-bodied Volvo Citybuses for the newly won high profile route 133 (Liverpool Street – Tooting Broadway) contract. Six of the buses had coach seats so they could be additionally used on commercial work.

At that time London General’s responsibilities included Victoria garage (closed in 1993) which provided buses to the Chelsea Flower Show, and from its local bases at Sutton and Merton, buses to the Wimbledon tennis championships so that work became, and continues to be a cornerstone of what was rapidly developing into a distinct commercial unit.

Another element was the Surrey County Council evening route tendered work that was already being undertaken by Sutton garage using part-time drivers.

Then there were those popular weekend seaside trips already mentioned and rail replacement work.

Commercial Manager Colin Farrant who was involved in the operation right from the start, explained: “We sent the Volvos all over the place. They even went as far as Bath and Bournemouth. We also coach-seated and repainted some Metrobuses and things started to develop from there.

One of the commercial unit’s Metrobuses, converted to open-top and painted in traditional General livery at the Derby in 1997. These buses were used alongside Volvo Citybuses. ANDY IZATT It was a process of evolution.

One opportunity would spin off another.

“The summer was our peak time while we built up winter work mostly with rail and Underground replacement commitments. We did a huge amount for the Jubilee Line extension through Westminster.”

The commercial operation became a separate cost centre within London General after privatisation. As is the case today, vehicle resources depended on what became available as a result of route tendering, but the unpredictability of the process could be a restraint as well, making it more difficult to plan longer term. It also influenced staff availability.

While it might seem more vehicles would be available at weekends when schedules were lighter, it wasn’t always that simple. Some routes that were crew operated with Routemasters during the week were OPO (One Person Operated) at the weekend, using up those

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spare buses.

“It did affect availability,” Colin recalled. “The fleet profile was different then. In the mid-1990s not all routes were tendered. The commercial unit has never really been entirely separate. We were the welcome lodger – a safety valve for the main operation.” He added that sometimes work had to be, and continues to be subcontracted.

Today TfL (Transport for London) contracts usually run for five to seven years with a possible extension of another five years. That creates opportunities to upgrade the commercial unit with vehicles that become available after the initial contract period.

Book values relative to resale values are all considerations as is the availability of work that would keep those vehicles otherwise employed.

London General’s first Managing Director Keith Ludeman once asked Colin if he wanted his vehicles painted in a special livery.

‘We were the welcome lodger – a safety valve for the main operation’

Colin decided against it because private hire customers expect a red London bus. To them the operator is not important – just that it’s a red London bus. Currently the London General scheme that predated the TfL edict on all red, is used, but some buses carry an attractive General heritage scheme.

“It’s always important to take the customer’s point of view,” Colin pointed out. “Be professional and give them what they want.”

In 1997 the commercial unit received its first new vehicles, a pair of Northern Counties Palatine II-bodied Volvo Olympians. Fleet numbers NV184 and NV187, they were part of an order for 27 buses destined for route 74 (Roehampton – Baker Street). Colin speaks very highly of those Olympians because of their high seating capacity and reliability. In later life several more joined the commercial unit.

It would be 2014 before it received more new buses – three long wheelbase, single-door Enviro400s with fleet numbers E281-3. They have a similar specification to vehicles delivered to another Go-Ahead subsidiary at around the same time, Plymouth Citybus.

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09/03/2015 09:19

if it spots the right opportunity. Then there are those very special challenges like the Invictus Games last year where it was possible to make buses available between other contractual commitments – an ideal arrangement.

London 2012 provided a wonderful forum for the bus and coach industry to show what it could do and the commercial unit played an important part. It’s contractual commitment to LOCOG (London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games) encompassed 120 vehicles drawn from Go-Ahead �leets across southern England. The 250 drivers required came from �leets nationally and all had to go through the accreditation and training process.

Another 40 vehicles and 100 staff were based at Weymouth for the sailing events held there.

“We worked very closely with Go South Coast,” Colin recalled. “Logistically it was a challenge, but it wasn’t just about me. A lot of good staff were involved and we enjoyed being part of such a major event. It was very successful and we’re very proud of what we achieved.

“The Govia rail franchise is another major opportunity. It’s a new set of people to contact and build personal relationships with. Whether you’re dealing with Go-Ahead people or people outside the Group, it’s all about those personal relationships.”

Ready to compete

No one is more aware of how competitive the commercial unit’s various markets can be than Colin, but with decades of experience, he has become adept at �ighting his corner and ensuring that resources continue to be ef�iciently used.

As well as its own Plaxton-bodied Volvo B7TLs, the commercial unit draws on the main fleet resource when necessary. ANDY IZATT The unit’s Epsom race day meeting services attract ‘on street’ competition from other operators that can be intense. Colin’s solution is to employ pavement conductors. Paper tickets are usually issued from books with the emphasis on selling price competitive returns. He actually has access to a variety of ticketing equipment ranging from old Gibson machines to modern electric handheld units.

“We’ll use anything we can that’s quick and reliable,” he said. “Sometimes when we hire out a Routemaster, the customer wants a conductor and we’re able to provide a ticket machine to suit.”

Ef�icient staf�ing is as important to pro�itability as the use of vehicles. The driver of the London

By Night Sightseeing Tour bus, a commercial service operated for years, doesn’t just do the evening tour. After midnight he or she will be on standby for rail replacement work.

The unit’s drivers normally work under EU drivers hours’ regulations. Because of that there are dedicated small rotas for them at Sutton, New Cross and Northumberland Park garages where staff otherwise work under domestic rules. At Rainham depot the rota works under domestic rules, but like colleagues on the other rotas, drivers are type trained for any vehicle.

New recruits are usually given six months to settle in because it’s important to �ind out if they like the variety of work. It’s very different to driving a TfL contracted route.

What Colin likes to nurture are small �lexible teams who are ready to respond to whatever is required. He is determined to maintain and develop that approach at Luton. “We don’t want

Routemasters are popular at a wide variety of events such as the Epsom Derby. This bus was sold last year. ANDY IZATT

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OPERATOR FOCUS › GO-AHEAD LONDON COMMERCIAL UNIT to strangle it with bureaucracy,” he explained.

“It wouldn’t be right to try and impose a big company mentality because we would end up destroying what we have acquired. It’s all about how you set up and the availability of staff. I want people to take responsibility for what they’re doing.”

Tailored fleet

While it draws on the vehicle resources of the main Go-Ahead London operation as and when they’re available, the commercial unit has its own dedicated fleet of around 30 buses based in the capital. The exact number fluctuates depending on regular work commitments.

Highest profile are five Routemasters, Colin pointing out that one of them, fleet number RM9, was actually the first production Routemaster into service in 1959. Its VLT9 registration is probably as valuable as the bus itself.

The other four are long-wheelbase RMLtypes. One, fleet number RML2318 is open top and painted in traditional London General livery. Demand for open toppers is a niche, but valuable market. They can earn very good money as grand stands at the Epsom racecourse Derby Festival for example, and it’s also all the year round work as they make ideal viewing platforms for Christmas illuminations.

Routemasters are usually open platform buses so DRM2516 is notable because it has rear passenger doors originally donated from an RMC-type Routemaster coach that had become a driver training vehicle. DRM2516 is actually the Routemaster that was previously RML2283.

The ‘real’ DRM2516 was doored in 1991 for a Dulwich Picture Gallery contract. However, when Euro 3 Cummins-Allison drivelines were being installed in sister vehicles 14 years later, it was deemed uneconomic to re-engine because corrosion had been found. The doors and other fittings were removed and reinstalled in RML2283. More modern hopper windows were

One of two Plaxton Volvo B7TLs that was hired to Partybus.co.uk by the commercial unit. ANDY IZATT also replaced by the traditional wind-down units that the bus would have had when new.

It was decided that RML2283, which reentered service in 2006 would be renumbered DRM2516 and given the WLT516 registration that had been carried by its predecessor. That had belonged originally to RM516, a standardlength Routemaster exported to Kenya in 1994. The real DRM2516 was sold, rebuilt and survives. Carrying its original RML2516 bonnet number and JJD516D registration, it’s now part of the Ghost Bus Tour fleet in London.

Work for the Routemasters varies from specialist private hires such as weddings to providing Wimbledon tennis and Chelsea Flower Show transport. Then there are Epsom Derby race meeting services, but the commercial unit is exactly that – commercial.

Three Northern Counties Volvo Olympians were reconfigured as convertible open-toppers. ANDY IZATT 24 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 10, 2015 020_026_CBW1179_GoAhead.indd 24

‘The commercial unit has its own dedicated fleet of around 30 buses based in the capital’ When it became apparent last year that the wedding market was saturated with Routemaster operators and there weren’t the same opportunities for work, two buses were sold. Routemasters, especially well maintained ones, are always in demand and command high prices.

Around half the commercial unit fleet are PVLclass Plaxton President-bodied Volvo B7TLs, one of which, PVL224 was converted to open top some time ago and is now in a special blue livery for the London By Night Sightseeing Tour.

Although the tour has been operated for years, blue is a recent innovation to make the bus stand out in a highly competitive environment.

Most of the PVLs have been refurbished with coach-style seats by Go-Ahead-owned Hants & Dorset Trim and several have been converted to single-door increasing seating capacity by three to 64. Digital destination equipment has been installed in many of the buses which are used on the full range of commercial unit commitments.

That’s everything from a service to a high profile sporting event to Surrey County Council and private school contracts.

The bus that operates Essex County Council school route 804 also works commercial local bus service 575 (Harlow – Romford) during the middle of the day. On Summer Tuesdays and Thursdays it has been extended to Southend.

While not part of the TfL network, routes like the 739 from central London to the Wimbledon tennis championships still require a London Service Permit. It’s the same for seasonal services such as the 773 (Kingston – Brighton) for any section that’s within the TfL area. www.coachandbusweek.com

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OPERATOR FOCUS › GO-AHEAD LONDON COMMERCIAL UNIT

Hired from Mistral for tours of the Queen Elizabeth II Olympic Park prior to the Games starting in 2012 was this Optare Solo. ANDY IZATT Service 772 (Dorking – Brighton) is another operated between school journeys during the summer. On Tuesdays and Thursdays only it operates as an unlicensed express service under EU regulations and tachograph rules.

Six PVLs have recently been hired to TfL to provide extra capacity on route 21 (Lewisham – Newington Green) while rebuilding work continues at London Bridge Station. While they may have been TfL compliance once, the buses certainly aren’t now, different ticket machines being another distinguishing feature.

But possibly the most unusual work was undertaken by PVL218 and PVL220 which were

In addition to the Plaxton Pointer-bodied Dennis Darts that are being used to support the Luton operation, one is based at Stockwell for a dedicated Tesco supermarket contract, but perhaps the most unusual is fleet number LPD35. Now an ancillary vehicle in the main fleet, it was converted into a mobile classroom with tinted windows, a sink and a generator. It’s a regular sight at the Epsom racecourse Derby Festival acting as a staff restroom.

Newest commercial unit vehicles are three long wheelbase Enviro400s, fleet numbers E281-3 delivered last year. Single-door buses with 77 Esteban Civic V3 seats, one is based at

hired to Partybus.co.uk for hen and stag nights, birthdays and corporate parties. That ceased when it became apparent that the vehicles could earn more on rail replacement work.

With the PVLs coming to the end of their lives, four are scheduled to be sold soon. Likely replacements from the main fleet are newer WVL-class Wrightbus Gemini-bodied Volvo B7TLs of which there are already two, WVL83 and WVL93 in the commercial unit. Both have been reconfigured as convertible open toppers

by Hants & Dorset Trim and are painted in traditional General livery. When they’re off, the roofs are stored at Camberwell garage.

Replacements might also be Scania East Lancs OmniDekkas of which there are three former Metrobus vehicles, fleet numbers 935-7, also now with the unit.

New Cross, another at Sutton while the third provides spare cover.

“They’re built to provincial specification, although they have London moquette and flooring” pointed out Colin about the Enviro400s. “As well as a payload advantage, they are capable of operating at higher speeds than the majority of our fleet. That makes them ideal on the M3 motorway going to the Farnborough Airshow and for evening rail replacement work. We’ve been doing a lot of that recently for Southern between Three Bridges and Brighton along the A23/M23.

They’re also popular with the JTB (Japanese Tourist Board) for central London tours.

“Having those buses helps when I’m talking to major customers. They’re high profile and show that we don’t just run old vehicles. We have

‘We can provide cover 24 hours a day, seven days a week if that’s what a customer wants, but if they use us they should expect to pay’

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definitely won work that we wouldn’t otherwise have because of them.”

Vehicles dedicated to the commercial unit are all fitted with tachographs and everything is LEZ (Low Emission Zone) compliant by virtue of the particulate traps that have been retrofitted or because they have Euro 5 engines.

Said Colin: “It’s essential that the flexibility of this operation is maintained. There are a whole range of circumstances that can impact on our ability to work – staff and vehicle availability as well as what garage space there is. It all has to be coordinated. Then there’s whether a bus can earn more on a TfL route than working for us. I’m here to make profit.

I have budgets to meet each year and this is a consistently profitable business. Last year was outstanding, partly because of a particularly big rail blockade (engineering work). We’re always interested in large contracts and major events. Although it can be quite intensive with long days, I enjoy it.

“We can provide cover 24 hours a day, seven days a week if that’s what a customer wants, but if they use us they should expect to pay. Sometimes you have to be able to react quickly. Then it’s all about credibility, but as I said before, it’s down to developing personal relationships. If I promise to do something, I will do my level best to make sure it’s going to happen. Every customer is important.

“From July I’ll be coordinating all of the (TSGN) rail franchise rail replacement work.

Because I’m also an operator, I can appreciate the issues facing our subcontractors. Most rail passengers don’t want to be on a rail replacement bus in the first place so we have to be as professional as possible and provide the best service we can. I’ll be working with rail companies more closely and I’m looking forward to it.” n www.coachandbusweek.com

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Swansea Coachworks New 16 seat Mercedes Sprinter with large boot and side lockers.

Used Mercedes Sprinter 311 16 seat luxury minicoach with brand new conversion

Full luxury interior, luggage racks, forced air ventilation, rack reading lights, double glazed windows, curtains, luxury reclining coach seats with armrest, full exterior body kit, full exterior re-paint.

The vehicle can also be used as a 13 seat with 4 tables (as per picture) as seats are on coach type tracking.

Mercedes Vario 618 19 seat with boot Based on the Mercedes Sprinter 516, we have designed a truly unique mini-coach. First of all we have added our coach style body extension to facilitate the luggage requirements, then we have created an interior capable of seating 16 passengers in extreme comfort but added the option of 4 tables, 2 double tables and 2 single tables.

Once again you decide what options you require from a vast list available and then pick your own colours to match your requirements.

One thing you can be sure about is that a Swansea Coachworks mini-coach stands out in a crowd.

Full luxury specification including leather seats, TV with DVD, rear table, air suspension and much more – please ring for further details.

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Putting Drivers and Operators together Operators Do you need experienced coach drivers for: British and continental touring?

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Schools abroad?

Edinburgh Tattoo drivers? www.coachandbusweek.com

Drivers Looking to join Just Coach Drivers ? we need copies of: Driving licence (both parts) Passport : Digital tachograph card CRB Driver CPC Card A completed registration form from our website

Tel: 0330 999 0009 March 10, 2015 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 27

CAREERS › ARRIVA YORKSHIRE & NORTH EAST

Nurturing industry talent Gareth Evans reports on how Arriva Yorkshire and North East is furthering the experiences of its employees – and also talks to both the firm’s senior managers and the highpotential individuals about their careers to date

T

he future’s bright, the future’s Arriva – to paraphrase a strapline formerly used by a well-known telecommunications firm. If you’re even a quietly ambitious sort, career development is vital. It was therefore encouraging to learn about the scheme started

by Arriva Yorkshire and North East to further the knowledge and experiences of its talent.

In early February I was invited to Leeds to give a talk to a group of senior managers and also those found to be of high-potential. I was part of a small line-up of speakers intended to further their understanding of the industry as part of what’s known within the firm as ‘The Discovery Agenda.’

“We’re fortunate to have some really good talent in our business – and there are strong programmes across Arriva that help to develop these individuals,” enthused Regional MD, Nigel Featham.

“What we want to do as a group is to add to this and work with our high-potential managers to create unique experiences that we will all benefit and learn from. The idea of this type of programme is to enhance the learning environment and develop our people by providing experiences, field trips and meetings to enrich their roles. It’s a two-way street too because we learn as well.

“Not only does it underline high-potential, it’s about senior managers personally taking time to mentor.

“It’s an informal way of working and over time, it will strengthen relationships.

“We’re underlining the fact Arriva nurtures talent – and that it’s a good place to further your 28 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 10, 2015

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career. It runs across the wider Arriva culture.”

Nigel continued: “As time goes by, we’ll see the benefits as they gravitate onwards and upwards in Arriva – and we are already seeing that with the promotion of Will and Matt for example (see p83).

“We are particularly grateful to PTEG Chairman Cllr James Lewis, John Henkel, Acting Director Transport at the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, and TAS director Chris Cheek and yourself for taking time out of your hectic diaries too – we really appreciate it. The reaction from our managers was great – they are grateful for people from outside Arriva

giving them their time. This is the talent of the future, who are doing some great work now.

“John Henkel and Cllr Lewis are leading some key industry debates, who explained their position. There’s something very inspiring about meeting personalities at the heart of national debates.

“I think the fact you talked about how the trade press worked and gave a valuable behind the scenes view is eye-opening. As they rise in the industry, influencing and persuading will increase in importance.

“Chris discussed statistics and how research can be used to show the economic impact of the www.coachandbusweek.com

09/03/2015 18:41

Matthew Ashton, Jon Croxford, Will Pare and Jessica Mills

bus industry on air quality management, access to employment and the level of investment in the economy and the return it generates. That’s something important to learn.

“He encouraged them to think about buses not just as a mode of transport but as part of the wider regional economy. He stressed the importance of well-informed debate. We also learned about how TAS works and what it can offer.”

As for the future, Nigel said: “We hope to do this three to four days a year. There are other people in the industry I feel would be good for them to talk to.” www.coachandbusweek.com

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‘Not only does it underline high-potential, it’s about senior managers personally taking time to mentor. It’s an informal way of working and over time, it will strengthen relationships’

Talent

The high-potential managers were a genuinely friendly crew, with their enthusiasm being alltoo apparent.

Among the two individuals present on the day who have joined the �irm via the Arriva UK Bus graduate scheme was Matthew Ashton.

“I applied for the graduate scheme as I was looking for something varied, which was not nine to �ive, but that was tangible and resulted in a good end product,” he said.

“I spent 15 months at Arriva Yorkshire, before going to Arriva The Shires’ (ATS) Aylesbury depot for seven months. While there, I was

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CAREERS › ARRIVA YORKSHIRE & NORTH EAST

Nigel Featham, John Rochford, Gareth Evans, Nick Knox, Julie Reynolds, Chloe Leach-O’Connell, Matthew Ashton, Jessica Mills, Jon Croxford and Will Pare involved with the upgrade to Sapphire standard of the 280 Oxford service, which was one of the first five routes to be done. We worked towards getting Investors In People and we became the first depot at ATS to gain it.

“At Aylesbury and upon my return to Heckmondwike, I gained experience on the engineering side. I spent time with the engineers, where I learned how to control costs.

I was part of the ‘Arri-va-vavoom’ programme, which was all about continuous improvement in engineering.

“There were different cultures at both places, which was a good thing as it meant my experience was enriched.

“When I returned to Arriva Yorkshire, I took the role of Depot Manager at Heckmondwike.

I’m now General Manager there. Operations Manager Rita Kendrick encouraged me a lot.

She’s very experienced and dedicated to what she does. It’s good to have a solid team behind you.”

Another graduate scheme member is Will Pare “Since I completed the graduate programme, I’ve gained a substantial role as Operations Manager at Stockton depot,” he said.

“There are 170 drivers and a PVR (Peak Vehicle Requirement) of 67 – there are 76 vehicles in the depot. The key is progression – how to keep it going. My current role is very hands on. We’ve all got different backgrounds.”

Will Pare: “I joined the graduate scheme in 2012 – a year after Matthew. I was in banking before that. I wasn’t quite a closet public transport enthusiast but I knew the different operators in a business way – rather than in terms of fleet numbers and such like.

“I was attracted to the sector because the bus industry was so hands-on. I’ve found Arriva is not afraid to test you. I was in retail banking, so there are similarities in being customerfocussed. It was very tough in that sector, so I felt it was time to broaden my horizons. I grew up in Ashby-de-la-Zouch – Arriva was my local operator. Funnily enough, I was offered a position in the North East.

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“Outside work, I’m a football referee. There are lots of parallels with work in that we get assessed by teams – like the key performance indicators.”

Jessica Mills, Marketing Co-ordinator, joined Arriva Yorkshire last year.

“I’m new to this industry,” she enthused. “My previous experience was in marketing in the business to business medical side at Johnson & Johnson.”

Asked why she went from Johnson & Johnson to buses, Jessica replied: “I was previously in business to business rather than consumer marketing. I really like the fact this is a public focussed role. Sometimes the bus industry can have a negative image. However, there is so much good work going on across the UK it is important that we are doing all we can to spread the word.

service businesses. It’s nice to know there are opportunities for us within the group.”

As for her future ambitions, Jess modestly said: “I am really enjoying working with Chloe, and I would like to progress my career within Arriva as she has.”

Like Jessica, Jon Croxford joined Arriva Yorkshire outside the graduate scheme. “I started with Arriva in January after more than six years with FirstGroup. My last role was as Operations Manager at Bramley depot. I had a great time but felt I needed a change of role and a fresh challenge.

“Leaving the industry was not an option.

Although Bramley was bigger – 500 drivers – my role as General Manager is different. I have overall accountability, including the whole budget – engineering, staffing and revenue. I’m also involved in everything I was in my previous role.

“There’s a different culture. The striking thing about Dewsbury is it’s family-like. There is real team spirit and an understanding to get it right.”

Why did Jon choose Arriva over any other operators? “I wanted to stay reasonably local.

Since I first developed an interest in the bus industry 10 years ago, Arriva has consistently improved in terms of its public image. While I knew nothing about its financial performance, I saw a marked improvement in service standards.”

Mentors

The firm’s senior managers were rightly proud of their team. Julie Reynolds, Head of Regional HR and Training at Arriva Yorkshire/North East remarked: “Will and Matthew joined the firm through Arriva’s graduate programme and we recognise that we need to continue to nurture this talent.

“We’ve wanted to do something to support graduates after they have completed the programme but we’re also making the most of the talent within our company. We wanted to broaden experiences. It’s great to do

‘You can do your day to day job but it’s important to reflect and learn experiences. It’s important to gain support and an insight into the industry – not just Arriva’ “The first project I worked on here was MAX 268 route launch. As a bus passenger I didn’t realise all that goes on – it’s really different to how I perceived it. It’s all about thinking outside the box – my future is definitely in marketing.”

Eager to learn, Jessica said: “You can do your day to day job but it’s important to reflect and learn experiences. It’s important to gain support and an insight into the industry – not just Arriva.

It was interesting to hear Councillor James Lewis and John Henkel’s thoughts. We’ve all got the same goal – to increase public transport usage but we sometimes differ in how we go about that.

“I’ve also enjoyed attending DB’s ‘Dialogue on the Future.’ DB is keen to understand how the Arriva team feels about DB. I’ve got to meet people from our rail and ambulance

things together as a group. Today’s title is ‘Understanding current industry debates.’ We’re going to try to meet quarterly.”

Chloe Leach-O’Connell, Head of Regional Marketing and Communications Arriva Yorkshire/Arriva North East agreed: “The mix of talent has opened up different experiences. As a mentor, we’re learning too – it’s exciting.”

Another mentor present was John Rochford, General Manager at Darlington. He said: “Will was at my depot for six months. I talk to him on a weekly basis. It’s about building on that. It’s an exciting opportunity for all.

“It’s a two-way process. We’re helping develop people. There can be entrenched attitudes and cultures in this industry. I’ve been in this industry for 22 years. It’s interesting to hear their perceptions and to learn from them.” n www.coachandbusweek.com

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FACE TO FACE › ROSS HENRY

Coach touring in

Scotland Ross Henry chats with Jade Smith about his experience as a coach driver with well-known Scottish hotel and coach operator, Lochs and Glens

A

fter work one day I went to Peterborough Extra Motorway Services to meet a Lochs and Glens coach on it’s way to Scotland. The service station was busier than usual, probably due to it being the half term.

After watching the coach empty I approached and asked for Ross Henry, the driver I would be interviewing. His colleagues joked with him that he was going to be too famous for them soon – proof of the friendly and humorous personalities of the drivers which I had heard so much about.

We tried to find a quiet space in a coffee shop in order to talk. Ross became more animated as the chat went on, clearly passionate about his career.

CBW How did you get into the industry?

Ross Henry (RH) I used to work for FirstGroup as a service bus driver and I just fancied a change of career. I saw one of the Lochs and Glens coaches as I was up north and I thought “I fancy doing that.”

I was only 22 so I was the youngest employee with Lochs and Glens at the time – there were four of us around the age of 22 – so it was a bit of a gamble for the management team to take me on, but seven years later I’m still here and I’ve proved that I can do the job to the best of my ability. I like the lifestyle and love the job in general.

CBW How have things changed since you first started in the industry?

RH My first coach was an 08-plate and I kept that for three years, then I got an 11-plate and I’ll get a new coach in June this year which will be a 15-plate. That one will be a new model as well – Lochs and Glens keep their coaches for around three years, sometimes four. I’ve got the oldest one in the fleet at the minute.

You wouldn’t think it was the oldest because they’re looked after to a very high standard. We as drivers have a certain job satisfaction when our vehicle is clean and the customers notice as well. That’s the standard of Lochs and Glens.

The company in general just keeps getting bigger. We had six hotels when I first started and they built a new hotel two years ago, Ardgartan, which is absolutely lovely. They’ve spent 32 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 10, 2015

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millions of pounds developing the land there and building the hotel which has attracted lots of new customers as well as repeat customers which we get a lot of. When you’re based in a certain area, for example I’m based in the Norfolk, Suffolk area, the customers come back and you’re on first name terms with some of them. It’s nice to recognise people who come on the coach and they know the quality of service that they’re getting.

RH I sat my test in a Leyland Tiger, a six-speed manual and that was through First Bus. The test was in Livingston which is between Glasgow and Edinburgh. When I passed my test I was 19 years old, and because I was under the age of 21 I was limited in my service work to a 35km radius around the depot. I was with First Bus for three years before I left and went to Lochs and Glens.

CBW Tell us about your current role.

hotel which varies every week. We’ll have a day or two off when we’re up there for legal reasons and one of our relief drivers will come in and take over. I’ll then take the group back home, stay overnight and then drive back up the next day with a different group and to a different hotel.

I’ve been on tour with my own vehicle for five years. I started off as a relief driver for two years, because you have to start there and work your way up. They give you the chance to take the tour on which involves a higher involvement as you’re away from home for a lot longer periods, but that was my choice and what I wanted to do.

We do our own commentary, so we have to learn a little bit about the areas and that makes the customers’ holiday a little bit more enjoyable and interesting.

I enjoy the travelling, and we’re in a different hotel every week in Scotland so I see wonderful parts of the country through all the different seasons. I essentially get paid to look at scenery which is fantastic!

RH I’m a Tour Driver which involves picking people up down south and driving them up to a

RH The journey north starts in the Norfolk area. I introduce myself to the passengers. The

CBW How did you take your test? What vehicle did you use?

CBW Describe an average week for you.

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09/03/2015 18:55

Inversnaid Hotel is one of Ross’ frequent destinations

‘I enjoy the travelling, and we’re in a different hotel every week in Scotland so I see wonderful parts of the country through all the different seasons. I essentially get paid to look at scenery which is fantastic!’ normal changeover place is Gedney which is the Anglia Motel Cafe on the A17, so I get on there, welcome the group, head up towards Ferrybridge services and have a legal break there. Then we continue across the A66 to Penrith which is a lovely route and then onwards towards Gretna Green. We stop at Gretna Green just over the Scottish border, and after that continue heading north towards Glasgow. We arrive at the hotel that night, the guests will get their dinner and entertainment that evening and then however long the holiday lasts we’ve got three, four or five days in Scotland with different day excursions. I’ll do some of them, but obviously I’ll have a day or two off, and then a relief driver comes in and he’ll take the same group that I’ve got for a couple of days. The system works very well and the customers are happy with it. www.coachandbusweek.com

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In the days I have off it’s nice to go home and see my two daughters. My oldest daughter is seven and the youngest is five, so they’re used to me working away from home since I started with Lochs and Glens. I started when my oldest daughter was six months old. On my days off I like to relax with my family. I do a lot of hill walking and fly-fishing in my spare time. I’m getting married in May this year, so I’ve been given a bit more time off which is fantastic and shows that the company realises we work hard.

CBW Whereabouts do you live?

RH I live in Falkirk which is a pretty good location from some of the hotels because when I’ve got a day off I have to go home in the car at night when we finish. The longest travel time is probably around two and half hours, which is

from Fort William to Falkirk. From the other six hotels it’s between an hour and an hour and a half. So when I finish work I clean the coach, get it all ready for the next day, jump in the car and head home.

CBW Do you drive all year round?

RH Yes. I get six weeks holiday a year. The company closes down in January for two weeks and that lets us get the 16 vehicles MOT’d and the hotels can do any small maintenance jobs like painting or decorating which they would rather do when there are no customers around.

When we have the shut down we go for a Driver CPC training day as well.

CBW Do you enjoy working for Lochs and Glens?

RH I love it. I just like all aspects of it. As a tour driver you’re sort of left to your own devices – you’re your own man when you’re out on the road. There’s very little stress because you know what you’re doing. Obviously, if you have any issues, Steve (Transport Manager) and Paul (Operations Manager) are only a phone call away and that’s when they stand in and help if

March 10, 2015 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 33 09/03/2015 09:20

FACE TO FACE › ROSS HENRY you need any advice or if there’s a problem with the vehicle.

From the higher levels down to the lower levels, everyone’s helpful and they’ll assist us in the best way they can. Ultimately we all do what we can to make the customer’s experience the best it can be.

CBW Any favourite journeys/destinations?

RH My own personal preference for scenery is the North West Highlands, so the Loch Awe hotel, Fort William and Loch Tummel. In Scotland as you go north west the scenery gets better and better, so my favourite day excursion would be either Royal Deeside or Isle of Skye. Of course it’s weather-dependant. Loch Ness and Inverness are beautiful as well.

CBW What are your least favourite journeys/destinations?

RH To be honest there aren’t any – all the day excursions are fantastic. On a personal note, my least favourites would probably be the local ones in my area because I know the roads and scenery so it’s not as interesting for me.

I love the variety.

One week you could be in city centres and small towns, and the next you could be in the remote Highlands, so there’s that variety which keeps us on our toes with the different roads.

You need to be able to adjust to narrow roads – there are a lot of them in Scotland, especially when we take one of our coaches up north.

The hardest road to negotiate in one of our vehicles would probably be the one down to the Inversnaid hotel because it’s a 15-mile singletrack road, and I mean single-track – it gets very narrow in places.

Sometimes you can meet other coaches on the road or tourists who take a bit of persuasion to move out your way. The local people know that we’re coming.

It does take a high level of skill to drive these coaches, not just on narrow roads. The level of responsibility that you have is huge – you’ve got to keep in mind that you’ve got 57 people sitting behind you.

CBW What is your favourite service station?

RH Ferrybridge or Wetherby services only because they tie in with the long journeys north and south so they are ideal for my tachograph break. They’re an easy reach from the locations we work from and are very nice places for the passengers to get off the coach as well. We like to do no longer than two and a half hours to make the journey as comfortable as possible. Clearly, we have an onboard toilet on the coach too.

One of my pet hates is lorries parking in coach bays because a lot of the elderly customers have dif�iculty walking. On one particular instance I had to park in the lorry park and the customers had to walk right across the car park to the service station and it was just ridiculous. The coach bays are nearer the service station for the elderly or disabled people so their access is easier.

We try our best to park as close to the service station as possible.

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CBW What is your favourite coach type to drive?

RH The vehicles we have at the minute are lovely to drive. I have a Volvo Jonckheere – that’s what Lochs and Glens mainly has as well as a few Van Hools, but they’ve gone back to the Jonckheere. In June I’ll get a new 15-plate coach – which will be on B11R rather than B13R chassis. I’m told the 11-litre engine has better fuel economy and power. I’m looking forward to driving it just to see the difference. My boss has already had a shot at it – he went over to Sweden last year and took a run around the test track and he said that they’re very good.

They’ll have top-of-the-range spec on the inside – TVs, toilets, fridges, tea and coffee machine, air-conditioning, comfortable seats and plenty of luggage space. They’ll also have a good sound system which we need for the commentaries so that everyone in the coach can hear us. All of this has been done for the passengers’ comfort.

CBW What is your least favourite coach type?

RH I don’t have a least favourite coach type, but my least favourite service bus to drive was a Dennis Dart, purely because of the build quality and the brakes in particular – you had to basically stand on the brakes to stop the bus.

It wasn’t that bad but if I was to pick one that would be it.

CBW What is your passenger age range?

RH There can be young kids aged eight, nine or 10 come on holiday for a week with their parents or grandparents.

The majority of the age range is between middle 40s to all the way up. I’ve had passengers that have been 95, 96 years old, and it’s really enjoyable to be able to chat with them – it makes the job more rewarding and makes their holiday a little more enjoyable. We’ve got to be friendly and approachable.

CBW Your most memorable tour?

RH The one that stands out the most would probably be in 2010 when the whole of the UK had the bad snow and ice. Inversnaid is a very remote hotel and the road is the 15-mile single track road that I mentioned. There was three feet of snow so we got stuck at the hotel for two days while we dug the coaches out, but the scenery was beautiful and it was exciting for the passengers – a whole different experience.

It was even more dif�icult than usual to drive down the 15-mile road.

I’ve got quite a few memorable tours – mostly in the summer time when the weather is good because the passengers enjoy it even more.

We’ve got loads of different characters who work with us and that makes the job more enjoyable. It’s good to have a sense of humour to have a laugh with your colleagues and your passengers as well.

CBW What makes a good coach driver?

RH When it comes to the driving side you’ve got to be constantly switched on – there is no

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09/03/2015 09:20

Inversnaid Harbour is beautiful in the winter

‘I’ve worked with Lochs and Glens for seven years and some other drivers have been here for 15 or 16 years and they’re still learning. It’s just one of those jobs where you’re always learning’

room for any error when you’re driving. You need to be smartly dressed as well, which Lochs and Glens is very big on. We have our own uniform, so you’ve got to look the part and smile.

You’ve got to be friendly, helpful and actually be interested in the job for it to have an effect on the customers. You’ve got to want to be there – you can’t just turn up and expect things to happen, you have to make the passengers’ holiday enjoyable, and a lot of people forget that it’s the coach driver that makes the holiday.

We are not just a driver to them – we are also their tour guide, we serve tea and coffee, we clean the coach and we’re with them for the majority of the holiday.

CBW Do you have any advice you would give to anyone wishing to follow your footsteps?

RH You’ve got to be prepared to start from the bottom and move up. I started at First Bus and worked my way up to where I am today. Service work is completely different to tour work with the hours, so you need to be aware of that.

You need to think about where you want to be in the future. When I started I was a relief driver and I wanted my own coach and that’s what inspired me to work harder and get up the ladder.

You’ve got to work hard and be willing to learn. In this job you’re constantly learning. I’ve worked with Lochs and Glens for seven years and some other drivers have been here for 15 or 16 years and they’re still learning. It’s just one of those jobs where you’re always learning.

There are a few people who think they know everything – but they don’t!

CBW What aspirations do you have for the future?

RH Just to keep doing what I’m doing to the best of my ability. I get a lot of job satisfaction when people come off at the end of the week and personally thank me, shake my hand and say “I’ve had a fantastic holiday.” I go away after they’re in the hotel and think 40-50 people just had a good time and a large proportion of that is down to me.

CBW Any �inal thoughts?

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RH I’d like to thank my boss, Steve Nicols.

When I �irst started as a tour driver he basically took me under his wing and showed me the ropes. Steve was a tour driver as well for many years but he made the step up to Transport Manager and he was a big part in my learning �ive or six years ago. Steve helped me with route planning, timing, stops, how long it takes to get from here to there and helping me with the history side of things for the commentary.

Also, Clive Harris and Peter Grieve – they are some of the mature students and I’ve learned a lot from them as well. They’re highly experienced and I’m gradually getting to that level. I’m still youngest in the company, so I �ind it awkward when some of the guys that have newly started ask me for advice because they’re older than me but it’s quite nice to be able to help them. ■

March 10, 2015 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 35 09/03/2015 09:20

INDUSTRY

GUIDE

SEATING, FLOORING & INTERIORS The stylish interior of a Ferqui Soroco from Connaught PSV. JAMES DAY

It’s the inside that counts This week’s Industry Guide looks at suppliers of seating, �looring and vehicle interior products, geared towards giving passengers the most comfortable journey possible

36 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 10, 2015 036_043_CBW1179_Industry Guide.indd 36

I

t’s important not to neglect the interior of coaches and buses.

While having a �leet which looks the part on the outside might help to attract new passengers, a comfortable, clean and stylish interior will go a long way to keep customers returning to use your services time and time again.

If a vehicle appears to be approaching the end of its useful life because of a worn interior, refurbishment can effectively extend it, delaying a �leet replacement. Many operators have had their high-pro�ile services renovated, making them appear as brand new vehicles once again. It’s something regular users are sure

to appreciate.

Choosing the right seating is important, too. Basic, robust seating is �ine for urban routes where passengers will only be on the vehicle for a few minutes, whereas more long distance routes should have seating which is comfortable to remain sitting on for an extended period of time.

Getting this wrong can either be needlessly expensive or fail to meet passenger expectations.

Improving safety is another concern. A vehicle destined for school transport can be worth upgrading with seat belts, for example, or a minibus which will frequently transport wheelchairbound passengers could have the necessary rails �itted. www.coachandbusweek.com

09/03/2015 12:16

PRIME PASSENGER SEATING

With its skilled and experienced workforce, Prime Passenger Seating (PPS) is set to continue its fast moving product development from its premises in Chirk near Wrexham in North East Wales.

Since its launch, the Buckingham seat has been adapted to the everchanging demands of the coach and bus markets. This extremely comfortable and versatile seat is suitable for installation in almost every type of bus and coach, from small minibuses up to 75-seater school transport coaches.

PPS has been particularly successful in supplying the Buckingham for installation in 70+ seater, 2+3 con�igured coaches, where its slim lines and contoured shape provide good support for the passengers with the maximum of legroom in this type of vehicle.

The Buckingham is manufactured in four standard widths from 400mm to 500mm per seat place and is supplied in one, two, three of �ive-place units. The Buckingham can be �itted with both two and three-point belts and is offered

with a wide range of accessories.

It can be speci�ied with a variety of legs to suit customer requirements with regard to tracks, �ittings and height.

The Buckingham has been tested to the latest requirements with regard to strength, seatbelt anchorages and �ire requirements and has been homologated on a range of coaches, including, Plaxton, Marcopolo, Irizar and Beulas. The company continues its development work with other bodybuilders.

PPS continues to develop this and other passenger seating and will shortly be offering a further enhanced range of trim options. It also offers a full range of drivers sun visors and night blinds to the bus and coach markets. The company’s location, near the A5 means it is well-placed to serve the needs of operators in both its native Wales and across the border in the English North West and Midlands.

T: 01691 898665 W: www.primeps.com

ABACUS TRANSPORT PRODUCTS Ramsey-based Abacus Transport Products is a one-stop shop for coach, bus, minibus and van seating, offering a wide range of different seating options which it has designed, developed, tested and built itself. It also offers other vehicle accessories, such as handrails, grab handles and footrests.

Established in 1984, the company celebrated its 30th anniversary last September and recently became UK distributor for family-owned Italian manufacturer Politecnica the following December. This development has allowed it to further expand its product range to include reclining seats.

Abacus will be marketing the full range of Politecnica seating, providing a complete sales and aftersales service. Some examples from the range are as follows: The Arco Classic is a simple and practical seat suitable for welfare and suburban public transport, which is also completely weatherproof and therefore suitable for open-top bus applications.

The Gran Rally combines a sporty look with great comfort, thanks to double-density poliurethanic foam.

The Relax GTV is best suited to middle distance coach or bus services of a few hours in length. It is characterised by a unique design in the stitching, which shapes double-density foam in channels to provide ventilation.

An example of the company’s own product is the Bodyguard 2000, which is available in single, double and triple format. It is ideal for school conversion to turn a coach into a 70-seater school bus, achieved by excellent pitch and seat weight.

Also, it’s easy to �it and having an external belt means it is easy to replace if there is damage to the seatbelt webbing.

The belt can be changed by any mechanically-minded person without the need to take the seat out and send it to a trimmer, saving time and cost.

T: 01487 710 700 E: f.riola@abacus-tp.com W: www.abacus-tp.com

BUCKINGHAM 3 & 2 • Ideal for 3 & 2 configurations • Ergonomic design for maximum support, comfort and legroom • Tried & tested: fitted into many new coaches as OEM • Full range of legs and fitting options make the Buckingham ideal for upseating to 70+ seats • Lighter weight makes easier for installation Prime Passenger Seating Limited 6/7 The Apex Centre, Clywedog Road South, Wrexham Industrial Estate, Wrexham LL13 9XS Telephone: 01691 898 665 Fax: 01691 770 798 Email: johnm@primeps.com

www.primeps.com www.coachandbusweek.com

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March 10, 2015 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 37 09/03/2015 12:16

INDUSTRY

GUIDE

SEATING, FLOORING & INTERIORS UNWIN SAFETY SYSTEMS

What connects Mercedes-Benz Minibus GmbH, Help for Heroes, Hong Kong riot police and pedigree dogs at the latest Crufts? Seating and �looring systems from Unwin Safety Systems, including Innotrax and the lockable HAL. Unwin’s Innotrax �looring was �irst designed for accessible vehicles, as Unwin’s main purpose has always been to help disabled people travel safely.

However, Innotrax’s continuous evolution and its many bene�its have attracted an ever-widening customer base, including major European manufacturers, such as Mercedes-Benz. Unwin’s �loorcutting service provides MercedesBenz’ minibus production line in Dortmund with a complete readyto-�it and cut-to-shape package.

Innotrax produces a level horizontal �loor, quickly and consistently, as sections click smoothly together. Traditional rails are mechanically �ixed into a vehicle �loor every 100mm, but Innotrax is glued and then requires only one �ixing per rail at the rear of the vehicle. Innotrax thus minimises intrusion into a vehicle �loor, a major bene�it given the complexity of what nowadays goes under a vehicle �loor.

Innotrax is fully tested to M1standard, while the newer Innotrax Flat Floor is fully tested to M2. Flat Floor is an increasingly popular choice for the MercedesBenz Sprinter, VW Crafter and Iveco Daily.

It looks like the traditional Innotrax �loor, but it’s bonded across �ive purpose-built and designed load-bearing aluminium sections and laid over cut-down wheel arches so as to maximise a vehicle’s useable space.

Rob Butcher, Unwin’s Director of Engineering, said: “Innotrax is a completely proven system. It’s very robust, easy to �it, reduces your labour time and helps you create a �loor quickly and easily. It gives enormous �lexibility with seating and layouts.”

Recent examples of Innotrax’s use in accessible transport include: ● 200 Renault Master minibuses for HC-One care homes across the UK. Two a day converted by Wilker UK, helped by Unwin’s �loorcutting service and certi�icated training; ● The 1000th minibus funded

by The Lord’s Taverners sporting charity for use by disabled youngsters, converted by Stanford Coachworks; ● A VW Crafter minibus

Innotrax requires a single fixing per rail at the rear of the vehicle

Innotrax produces a level horizontal floor, quickly and consistently, as sections click smoothly together provided by Help for Heroes for transporting injured troops at Headley Court, Britain’s main military rehabilitation centre; and ● Nine Peugeot Boxer minibuses, converted by Red Kite Vehicle Consultants for the national charity Vitalise. Vitalise provides about 5,000 respite holidays a year for people with disabilities, visually impaired people, and carers.

Projects without the need for wheelchair space include Vauxhall vehicles used by police forces throughout the UK. Hong Kong police have used Innotrax for several years in general-purpose travel minibuses and vehicles for riot control.

More unexpected uses include a growing market in dog-handling conversions, for people going to shows like Crufts who want their dogs transported in comfort and in style.

To give convertors greater choice, and to help meet more speci�ic �looring requests, Unwin’s vehicle�loor design and cutting service

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Unwin’s vehicle-floor design and cutting service supplies floors cut to shape and profile for ease of installation

supplies �loors cut to shape and pro�ile which can be swiftly and easily installed when they reach converters’ premises.

Unwin works closely with converters at all stages. Floor designs are developed on Unwin’s CAD system to meet the speci�ic requirements of the end user right through to the automated manufacturing process.

Gerry O’Connor, Unwin’s Director of Sales and Marketing, said: “Innotrax is also a system which is fully tested on a whole range of vehicles, and that’s especially important these days with Type Approval. We’ve tested it, we’ve veri�ied it and we stand behind it.”

Along with Unwin’s �loor-cutting service, Mercedes-Benz also use Unwin’s lockable HAL – short for Hand Actuated Lockable.

Gerry added: “HAL has unique functions and a unique design and people like its easy-to-use operation. It’s especially wellsuited for use in community transport.

“For example, we’ve supplied West Midlands Special Need Transport with HAL for dozens of vehicles because their drivers and operators are comfortable with its use.”

HAL is also popular with body builders; Courtside Conversions, for instance, �it HAL in most of their vehicles.

John Maskell, Managing Director of Red Kite, founded in 1982, said his company had always used Unwin products.

He explained: “We keep returning to Unwin because of the quality.

“They put aesthetics into the products and they’re functional, they’re good quality, they’re easy to handle and use.

“We buy our �loor system from them and having one manufacturer ties everything together for type approval. It’s fully certi�ied.”

T: 01935 827740 E: sales@unwin-safety.co.uk W: www.unwin-safety.com

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INDUSTRY

GUIDE

SEATING, FLOORING & INTERIORS CHAPMAN DRIVER SEATING

Euro Bus Expo in November 2014 was a huge success for Chapman Driver Seating. Two of the main products on display were their new height adjuster, the SideRiser 2 (SR2) and a seating comfort feature called ProBax. The improved features on the SideRiser 2 mean that the unit can be adjusted more quickly and features a linear scale so that the driver can easily remember their preferred settings. It is an extremely solid and robust unit and the height adjustment method has been radically redesigned.

The SideRiser 2 unit is currently on test at Millbrook and has already passed the cycle testing phase to prove the reliability and durability of the gears that operate the height adjustment.

These have passed over 20,000 cycles which equates to more than 10 years typical service life.

The �inal phase of testing will be started in the next few weeks to determine the safe working load with a target of 30st (190kg) being the benchmark.

PROBAX SEAT TECHNOLOGY

ProBax is a system of foam inserts incorporated directly within the seat base. The inserts are of a speci�ic geometrical design and are placed in a precise location within the existing cushion. This leads to a dramatically improved seated posture resulting in greater comfort levels.

ProBax effectively prevents the natural tendency of the pelvis to rotate backwards when sitting on most standard, foam-based seats. In this way the seat user

The Sideriser 2 should outlast a vehicle’s typical service life of 10 years

adopts a far more upright, natural and healthy posture even whilst seated. Natural human pelvic physiology means that ProBax is effective for 95% of the population.

Conventional seats allow the seat occupant to slump into a Kyphotic posture which places the spine in an unnatural ‘C’ shape.

This can cause a number of issues: 1) Removes the ability of the spine to support the weight of the head.

2) Leads to neck and back pain.

3) Reduces blood and oxygen �low and thereby decreases concentration levels.

4) Increases muscle fatigue, discomfort and �idgeting.

The ProBax system encourages a more natural “S” shaped curvature to the spine (Lordotic posture), greatly reducing back and neck pain and increasing

The Kyphotic, or C shape posture, can cause back and neck issues when sitting in the same position for long periods of time 40 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 10, 2015 036_043_CBW1179_Industry Guide.indd 40

comfort dramatically.

As the technology has been engineered for the Nova Urban seat, the foam can be easily retro�itted to most of the seats produced in the last 10 years which makes this a highly costeffective enhancement to the seat.

Both of these new seat features have already been speci�ied by two of the UK’s largest bus operators and trial seats are scheduled to be delivered to others during March with the aim to have trials completed by the summer.

As well as these two new products, Chapman also displayed two of its custom built of�ice seats at Euro Bus Expo. Manufactured to the same high standards as their bus driver seats and using many of the same components, these can now be ordered directly from Chapman – full product

The Lordotic, or S shape posture, is a more natural posture which ProBax seat technology helps drivers to adopt

ProBax technology can also be applied to office chairs details can be found on the company’s website.

ProBax can also be speci�ied, meaning of�ice based employees can enjoy the same comfort features as bus drivers!

Chapman Seating was founded in 1901 as A W Chapman Ltd by Mr Albert William Chapman. Chapman has now seen a new lease of life and the development of new products and improvements to some of the products dating back 50 years or more continues today. A concept of total focus on a limited range of products with an emphasis on service has seen the business rise again in the urban bus market.

T: 0845 838 2305 E: sales@ chapmandriverseating.com W: www.chapmandriverseating.com

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INDUSTRY

GUIDE

SEATING, FLOORING & INTERIORS BLACKPOOL DESIGN COACHBUILDERS Blackpool Design Coachbuilders (BDC) is a one stop shop specialising in vehicle design and conversions, refurbishment, paint and body repair, full interior retrims, vinyl wraps and event bus hire.

The company prides itself in giving clients a one stop shop service, delivering a quality product from concept to creation to suit the operator’s budget and exceeding its expectations.

From the company’s design of�ice and coach engineering works at Burton Road, Blackpool, it keeps alive the long tradition and worldwide reputation for the highest quality coach and bus building skills long associated with this area of the North West.

Linked with this tradition of �ine craftsmanship, BDC has an in-house team of highly professional and experienced engineering designers who use the latest computer technology and engineering design knowledge from the commercial vehicle industries.

Both BDC’s design team and

Recent user groups include managers undergoing computer systems training works team are fully skilled and experienced in working in traditional mild steel and stainless steel construction and GRP technology. GRP bus fronts, one piece bus roofs and other components are created in BDC’s workshops using moulds produced in-house.

Contact BDC for a free no obligation written speci�ication and design.

T: 01253 761300 E: enquiries@bda-ltd.co.uk W: www.bdc-uk.co.uk

BHI UK

BHI UK is a leading coach and bus seat belt installer.

BHI was established in 1996, born from the pending Seatbelt Regulations and quickly gaining its �irst contract with the renowned Kassborohrer Setra Coach Manufacturing Company based in Lincoln, accumulating respect within the coach and bus industry for quality and value.

BHI created a clear niche within the market place, due prominently, through its knowledge and the craftsmanship of its installations, gaining recognition and approval with the testing laboratory of the Motor Industry Research Association early in 1997.

The company was the �irst to gain a MIRA approved seatbelt installation test on Plaxton Supreme coaches and at the same time testing and approving the Duple Dominant installation. This was later followed by successful testing of various con�igurations of service seats (Dean type seats).

Understanding the need to have handrail protection to complement the seatbelt installation, BHI

designed and had handrail padding manufactured to increase the safety for the occupants within the vehicles.

Double-deckers with seatbelts are not the obvious option, but with the knowledge gained from testing and installing singledeckers, BHI proved once again what can be achieved, with the minimum of down time.

BHI carries large stocks of seat belts and �ittings either for replacement or whole vehicle �itments. It offers bulk quantity discounts and a next day service to the majority of the UK and two day service to the rest of the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

Rolling out the latest designs of handrail padding of all shapes and sizes, to be �itted within new and used vehicles, these products are a clear bene�it over comparative products having a much increased life expectancy. This is proving a must have for the industry.

T: 01522 689911 E: sales@ghiuk.com W: www.bhiuk.com

The One Stop Shop

• Vehicle Design & Conversions • Refurbishment Paint & Body Repair • Full Interior Re-Trims • • Vinyl Wraps T: 01253 761300 E: enquiries@bda-ltd.co.uk W: www.bdc-uk.co.uk

Burton Road, Blackpool FY4 4NW

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tel: 01522 689911 fax: 01522 689922 parts: graham@bhiuk.com installations: installations@bhiuk.com

www.bhiuk.com

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CAMIRA FABRICS

Last year signalled the start of a new era for Camira, as it changed the name of its transport sales division from Holdsworth to parent company Camira.

Part of the award winning Camira Group since 2007, the name change re�lects the company’s wider ranging product capabilities, encompassing not only moquette fabrics for seating, but high performance upholstery �lat cloths, leathers, vinyls and textile ancillary trims.

The company’s most recent product launches are Quantum, Vita and Folio.

Quantum is a stylish and chic new polyester moquette range suitable for bus and coach interiors. This stock backed collection comprises 36 eye-catching designs across a broad range of colours, many incorporating a textured yarn to give a three dimensional appearance. Unusual colour mixtures, together with trendfocused highlight colours provide a contemporary feel to the palette.

Custom developed over two

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Quantum is a moquette range incorporating a textured yarn years, Vita and Folio are high performance vinyls designed to �it the bill for optimum performance, safety and cleanability – providing a new line of defence in the most demanding environments. Vita is a leather-look vinyl, with a subtle

Vita is a leather-look vinyl available in 23 different colours

surface grain effect and full matt appearance available in a broad palette of 23 colours, designed to enhance and connect with other Camira products. Folio is a textured and metallic effect vinyl, exuding a hint of glamour and

industrial modernity. It comes in six modern, versatile, neutrally toned colourways.

T: 01924 490591 E: info@camirafabrics.com W: www.camirafabrics.com

March 10, 2015 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 43 09/03/2015 12:17

THE BIG PICTURE Heading into spring most coach operators will welcome the approaching season because of its earning potential, but winter does have some highlights, notably the Thursford Christmas Spectacular, which has become a big draw for the industry.

Kevin Jackson Travel of Ilkley is a rarity these days, a ‘one man band’, Kevin drawing on more than a quarter of a century’s experience ably supported by wife Elaine. A successful business means that Kevin’s coach, a Setra S416 GT-HD, was bought new and in its striking livery with personalised registration plate, was photographed by David Bell arriving at Thursford.

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09/03/2015 09:41

RETROSPECTIVE › BERNIE WATERS

Eastern National

Abellio

to

Gareth Evans talks to former Harris Bus General Manager, Bernie Waters, now a Driver Mentor at Abellio London’s Walworth Garage, who reflects on his 48 years in the industry

B

ernie Waters can trace his involvement with the industry back more than 50 years.

“I was offered a role as a junior in the traffic office at Eastern National’s Brentwood depot, but they didn’t want me to start until I was 16 – in the November,” he recalled.

“I left school in the April, so I joined a little coach firm which no longer exists – Arnold Coaches – where I cleaned vehicles both internally and externally on a part-time basis. I was kicking my heels to be honest.”

For Bernie, a career in the industry had been on the agenda for some time. He continued: “As early as I can remember, I’ve always had an interest in coaches and buses. My parents had no car, so we went on coach holidays. We had relatives in Yorkshire too, so we used to travel there by coach from Victoria Coach Station.

“Before the days of London Country, London Transport Country operated in Grays. The other company was Eastern National, which had a garage four miles from where I lived. The other major operator was Harris Coaches, which I eventually went to work.

“Aged 18, I became a conductor. You had to be 21 to drive in those days – that became my next step. I learned to drive a bus in a Bristol K doubledecker. Within 18 months, I applied, not thinking I would get it, to be a Driving Instructor. It helped because I had got a number of years’ service with the firm.

“In those days, Eastern National had its own coach fleet. I was doing instructing and some bus driving. At the age of 24 I applied to be a coach driver. Back then Eastern National, East Kent, Southdown and Maidstone & District ran coach tours and express services together.

“I recall my boss – Gerry Neville – telling me I needed to look after our passengers because they were paying £30 to go on a week’s tour, a little over a week’s wages back then. As a driver in November 1971, my wage was £21 a week.

I drove coaches for two seasons. The money was excellent but having young children, coach driving was not conducive to family life.

“I then progressed to Inspector, followed by Chief Inspector. In those days you had to run the buses – nobody worried about the money.”

Bernie spent time working at a well-known depot in the area. “I worked at Wood Green periodically, at a time when On the Buses was filmed. On a couple of occasions I drove a bus 46 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 10, 2015

046_047_CBW1179_Bernie Walters.indd 46

for the series. Like a lot of those TV shows, the scenes involving the family homes were filmed miles away – at Elstree studios.”

He then returned to the coach industry – albeit in management. “I left there in 1979 when I had three to four years with Elm Park Coaches as Traffic Manager. It was a good experience. Like a lot of family-run coach firms to this day, you mucked in.”

Harris Bus

“In late 1984, the opportunity came up to join Harris Bus as Traffic Manager. Oddly enough, the General Manager, John Wilson, had been my boss at Eastern National. Deregulation was fast approaching. That’s why I went there – they wanted to start operating local bus services. In August 1988 John left to be General Manager at Sovereign.

“I became General Manager of Harris Bus and Coach. At the time, the firm had only a small albeit quite profitable operation, which was made up of commercial services tied in with Essex County Council school contract work.”

Recalling the build up to deregulation, Bernie said: “On the first day of deregulation, we won six Essex County Council tenders. Harris being the firm that they were, bought brand new Volvo buses, whereas other operators used coaches.

It was felt at Harris that the job had to be done properly or not at all. October 26, 1986 was fast approaching – yet the new buses were only collected from Plaxton on the 25th.

“Our local service work continued for the next three years. We then got involved in a bus war with London Country North East. The usual thing happened – parallel routes were registered and we entered each other’s ‘territory.’ We used to hold weekly meetings internally to discuss losses.

They probably did the same.

“On Christmas Eve of 1989, the MD at London Country North East called me to ask if we could talk. To be honest, if he hadn’t done that, we would have called him. A gentlemen’s agreement was reached behind closed doors. Within three weeks we were asked if we wanted to buy London Country North East but we declined as we felt it would come with too much baggage.

We didn’t want to inherit a load of old Leyland Nationals and drivers with 30 years’ service.

While their hourly pay rate was less than ours, their terms and conditions made their employment costly.

“Supplemented by Route Managers for both

buses and coaches, I ran the operation. On the coach side, we operated services to Germany for the armed forces in partnership with two German operators and two UK operators – Grey Green and Colters Coaches of Glasgow.

“It was hard to manage as the services ran to obscure destinations – where the forces were based. Our UK partners withdrew, leaving us and the Germans. Eurolines eventually bought our operation out – that came after I left.

“I used to look after rail replacement too – in the ‘bad days’ of the London, Tilbury and Southend line. Not a day went by without an emergency callout. That said, if a train is cancelled these days, passengers have to wait – whereas in those days they’d get a bus out. Everyone from our company Chairman down used to drive.”

Back to the firm’s bus operations, Bernie recalled: “On the bus side, a very good customer for us was Lakeside Shopping Centre, which opened in October 1990. We ran the Park and Ride (P&R) service to the coach park and staff car park. Projections were made about visitor numbers – I must admit I found them hard to believe.

“On the first Saturday it opened, 80 coaches turned up. We had 10 vehicles on the P&R, but Lakeside management asked us to run extras as required. The following Saturday, 340 coaches turned up. We parked the extra coaches at our depot. We ran 25 buses on the P&R. Again, it was all hands on deck. We undertook a lot of related work for Lakeside, such as the popular fashion show.

“The coach fleet reduced and the bus fleet increased – to the point where we ran 40 buses and 25 coaches. We’d been tendering for London bus work unsuccessfully for a number of years but in 1996 we won the tender for route 108.

Others followed. Another director joined the firm who was from outside the Harris family. “We

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09/03/2015 09:20

revamped the local bus fleet with new Optares – Spectra double-deckers for the 108 and Excels for our provincial work. The majority of other doubledeckers were made up of East Lancs-bodied Volvo and Northern Counties-bodied DAFs – but the vehicles were late arriving. We hired in six Leyland Atlanteans from Ipswich Buses.”

Bernie’s life changed when his wife became ill.

“I looked after her for four years. Fortunately, she got over it – and she’s now fitter that I am. I did some consultancy work.”

Abellio

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046_047_CBW1179_Bernie Walters.indd 47

Bernie continued: “One day my wife told me ‘you’re climbing the walls – you need a full-time job.’ I rang Walworth Garage fearing I would be far too old, yet I was welcomed with open arms.

I had been General Manager at Harris Bus for 17 years. The lady who interviewed me asked what I wanted to do. She told me she didn’t think driving was for me. Back then this company was still part of National Express Group (NEG). Because of my association with NEG at Harris Bus, people knew me. I lived at Upminster then, so Walworth was convenient.

“I became a driver, which I enjoyed. I am 64 now but to be honest, I don’t want to pack in work. We’ve got drivers in their 70s here.

“I am now a Driver Mentor and I also look after the Greater Anglia rail replacement work.

Because it’s out of London, we have a policy that drivers have to learn and sign for the route. We go as far as Colchester.”

Asked about the highlight of his time at Walworth, Bernie said: “That’s a tough one. I’ve been here six years now.

“Because I had held bigger positions than a driver and have been here for two years, I was overjoyed to be Driver of the Year within two years of being here.

“Another highlight was being Lead Driver on the Abellio team’s involvement with the Olympics – although it was Stagecoach’s contract. When Jon Batchelor came here two years ago, it was great.

That’s provided me with another reason to stay here. I really enjoy what I do. I get on well with all staff. I still enjoy driving.”

Asked what advice he would give to someone starting in the industry, Bernie replied: “Enjoy it.

I find it hard to identify with people who have no interest in the industry. I couldn’t just go to work for the money.

“I am what you might call ‘a professional enthusiast’ – but a line has to be drawn. The business always has to come first.”

On that note, he recalled: “At Harris Bus, when Southdown was acquired by Stagecoach, they had a clear out. I remember Frank Harris and I attended the auction – there were three Queen Mary PD3s for sale, but in return, they wanted a tractor unit for use as a recovery vehicle. Frank Harris did a deal for three of them. They were 1964 old B-reg buses. We used them on a college run and converted them to open-top in the summer for private hire. They were 30 years old by then. Harris Bus had not bought second-hand vehicles for years – I wasn’t popular.

“Similarly, I remember buying second-hand Alexander-bodied Olympians form Northampton Transport. It was on my head, but the difference was either increase or decrease the profit margin.” n

March 10, 2015 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 47 09/03/2015 19:08

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OPINION › SUE REYNOLDS LTCOA

A

m I paranoid? It was never fun running coaches in London, but now at every turn I feel that they are out to destroy me. I try to do the best for my customers only to find I cannot drop them off where they want to go – I leave groups with young children having to cross busy roads, and pensioners having to drag their suitcases up the road to get to the hotel. The congestion is getting worse and journey times are so much longer.

I have to obey Driver’s Hours Regs but even if I find somewhere to park, there is a 20-minute limit and I need 30. Now I am told I will be losing parking bays on the Embankment and that Nine Elms is to close. Don’t let me get started on the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)!

I am told that nearly 14,000 coaches enter the congestion charging zone a least once a month – many of these enter many times each month.

A massive 37,400 enter the zone at least once each year. With some 3,000 coach movements in London each day we carry 50m leisure and business customers into London every year and this contributes a massive £5bn to the capital’s economy.

Now, TfL is complaining that coaches are persistently blocking red-route bus stops. We are told there have been ‘37 incidents in the last few months’. I’m sorry: 3,000 coach movements every day and there have been 37 incidents over a few months. Just to get this clear – call it three months (it could be more) then we are talking about just 12 incidents a month spread over the entirety of London’s red-route bus stops, spread over 580km of London’s roads.

So, one incident every two and a half days – one incident for every 7,500 coach movements! An incident rate of 0.013%, or to look at it the other way a 99.987% success rate. Personally I call that pretty damn good! In fact, rather than suggesting we are persistently blocking bus stops, and given that on red-routes the bus stops are the only places where we may set down and pick up, I would say that coach drivers are persistently doing an excellent job of not blocking the bus stops or delaying the TfL services.

To be clear on a red-route the ONLY place a coach may set down or pick up is at a bus stop (as long as it is not a ‘local bus only’ stop) rather too many bus drivers are woefully ignorant of this fact. London’s bus drivers are under pressure to keep to strict timetables in increasingly difficult conditions. It is understandable that they get frustrated if coaches appear to be blocking their progress – particularly if nobody told them that the bus stop is where the coach is obliged to set down and pick up passengers. It was not the bus driver’s job to identify that activity was actually www.coachandbusweek.com

049_CBW1179_Opinion_Sue Reynolds.indd 49

TfL’s policy is wrong Sue Reynolds of respected St Albans-based coach operator Reynolds Diplomat and Director of Development and Administration at the London Tourist Coach Operators Association argues that contrary to a recent TfL memo which claimed coach drivers are abusing the ‘privilege’ of picking up and setting down at red route bus stops, there is in fact a 99.987% compliance rate

Reynolds Diplomat is a respected Hertfordshire-based operator taking place – the coach was just in the way!

This is a truly ill considered rule which leads to: l Tension and conflict between coach and bus drivers; l Delays and frustrations for bus drivers; l Delays to TfL bus services; l Conflict between coach drivers and their customers; and l Unhappy customers who can see ample space for the coach to safely stop outside their hotel or venue yet they have to walk long distances, frequently carrying their luggage, from bus stop to venue.

In 2013 the LTCOA engaged in discussion with Leon Daniels and TfL’s Surface Transport Team. We put forward the proposal that coaches be given the right to set down and pick up on redroutes at any location that is safe and does not cause an obstruction – not on bus stops. In other words, exactly as is permitted, and works very well, on routes with yellow lines, exactly as is permitted on red-routes for black cabs and G4S vehicles.

We had been given to understand that this proposal was being considered in a most positive light. Indeed, we were asked to list 20 locations at which this proposal might be trialled. Back in March 2014 at CPT’s Eastbourne dinner this

proposal was being lauded as a triumph and the new way forward.

Now in March 2015 like naughty school children, we are told there is no problem at these 20 locations and that we must ‘not abuse this welcome privilege’. It should be recognised that it takes time to count, check, seat and seatbelt large groups of passengers.

If there are coach drivers parking on red route bus stops then ticketing and enforcement will quickly and easily deal with the problem.

The very specific time pattern of these alleged offences suggests that these ‘offending’ coaches are not parked but are doing exactly what they are required to do – pick up and set down only at bus stops on red-routes. It is the policy that is wrong and is generating a situation in which coaches are obliged to stop at the locations which cause the greatest inconvenience and disruption to TfL’s bus services. At the specific locations identified, the offending coaches were probably with groups who were supporting London’s economy by visiting Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland, the Palladium, the Polka Theatre. At only two or three incidents per month – who knows?

Coaches are an essential and very valuable contributor to London’s economy. The coaching industry is a component of London’s economy which

is being disproportionately harshly treated by the latest cycle and ULEZ policy changes. On behalf of the London Tourist Coach Operators’ Association (LTCOA), I suggest that TfL realises that our proposal will help to keep bus stops free and services running well rather than offer the knee jerk ‘It’s the coach driver’s fault!’ n

About the LTCOA The LTCOA is a trade body run by coach operators for coach operators, which work to improve the lot for coaches, drivers and customers.

Members enjoy regular meetings where there are presentations from companies that may be able to help operators resolve issues and save money, where they meet like minded operators and their staff with the opportunity to discuss topical issues and problems. A monthly newsletter and website keeps members up to date with local news and specialist knowledge. For more details about membership, visit www.ltcoa.co.uk.

March 10, 2015 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 49 09/03/2015 18:25

PRODUCTS

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Green Urban and Leyland Bus Parts announce partnership Leyland Bus Parts, which supplies overseas bus fleets with spare parts, and Green Urban Technologies, a specialist manufacturer of retrofit Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF) and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) exhaust systems, have joined forces to combat vehicle emissions and transform cities worldwide by fitting clean exhaust systems into a number of buses.

The UK partnership currently has 23 trial vehicles in Hong Kong, each having a clean exhaust system fitted.

Initial results are beyond original predictions and have already resulted in further units being ordered.

The partnership has developed the ecoNOxt product together with logistical support to meet the requirements of local markets across the world. The products feature DPF and SCR solutions to reduce emissions from Euro 1, 2, 3 and 4 vehicles. This brings older design engines into the 21st Century for current emission standards. Significant reductions in black soot particulates (PM) and Nitrous Oxide (NOx) emissions are achievable for a fraction of the cost of a new vehicle or even a re-power exercise.

This gives added life to vehicles that may become obsolete due to their

current emission standards although they have many years of service life remaining.

The DPF reduces black soot particles by over 95%. These are trapped in a wall flow filter that is continuously regenerated to prevent blocking in normal bus operation. In addition, NOx is reduced using a specially developed retrofit SCR system (ecoNOxt,) which uses a urea additive (known as AdBlue in Europe).

Nigel Standley of Green Urban Technologies said: “We have always known we had great retrofit products and the bespoke engineering ability to provide customer solutions that can

be deployed on virtually any vehicle in markets world-wide.

“However, we don’t have the long standing relationships with the bus companies that Leyland Bus Parts have. Working together really opens doors for both companies.’’

Ian Lowe, Commercial Director at Leyland Bus Parts commented: ‘’The UK has a great heritage in vehicle production and excels at developing new product technology and solutions.

“It’s great to work with another UK company and provide what the customer requires to extend the service life of their fleet.’’

Optimum Oils saves London United £130k over five years Hornsby’s installs

Omnibus software

London United has a £20m budget for maintaining buses Of the 12 years Les Birchley has been Engineering Director of London United Busways, Q8Oils’ lubricants has been used by the operator, supplied by bus and coach specialist Optimum Oils.

“Oil is a long-term investment and part of a £20m budget spent maintaining buses; and Q8Oils produce high performance products that we can trust,” Les said.

Optimum provides a managed service, and has therefore been given access to London United Busways’ data and is in regular communication.

Optimum monitors the customer’s

stocks online so it knows usage and levels in the storage tanks.

“They also routinely maintain our stock. We don’t have to think about it,” Les added.

Q8 T 905 low SAPs synthetic engine oil greatly extends the oil drain periods and has provided a significant year-onyear saving of approximately £26,000, which equates to £130,000 over the five years of the contract, including the reduction in waste oil, filters and labour.

James Bayliss of Optimum Oils said: “Working with London United Busways

50 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 10, 2015 050_CBW1179_Products.indd 50

to switch to a synthetic Q8 lubricant has meant extending the drain interval therefore reducing the number of oil changes.”

He also added that Optimum Oils has many years technical and commercial competence in the bus and coach sector and provides direct services to talk to customers about different products, grades and other aspects of oil specification.

Optimum Oils is a British-based lubrication company established in 1997 by a group of specialists drawn from a major international oil company.

Hornsby’s of Scunthorpe has installed Omnibus bus scheduling and timetabling software OmniBASE and OmniTIMES. Nick Hornsby (Managing Director of Hornsby’s Travel) found that due to the sheer amount of data the operator was handling the prospect of making changes to its timetables and schedules was ‘enough to make a grown man cry.’

“Our business had grown to such an extent that making changes manually was taking far too long and involved too many errors” explained Nick.

“North Lincolnshire Council were already using OmniTIMES, so we could see that there would be synergies in adopting an Omnibus system.”

When road works were announced along a major route in to Scunthorpe, and Hornsby’s were faced with putting on extra buses to keep passengers moving, the decision was made to make the switch from a manual system to an automated one.

Traffic Manager, Craig Tuplin, said: “Omnibus helped us with the initial feeding in of data but everything was very straightforward and the system works better than we expected and it is very easy to make changes quickly and without errors – it just won’t let you make a mistake.”

Nick added: “The software has really exceeded our expectations with its flexibility and speed. We have been able to trim out excess time and make our operation more efficient. We really couldn’t do without it now.” www.coachandbusweek.com

09/03/2015 18:56

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FLUIDMASTER indicator Our ‘at a glance external’ fluid level

www.transporttravelclub.com

www.coachandbusweek.com

March 10, 2015 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 51

DELIVERIES

Have you taken delivery of a new vehicle and want to tell the world about it? Email all the details and pictures to james.day@ coachandbusweek.com

in association with

TOWER TRANSIT London operator Tower Transit has placed a significant order with Volvo Bus for 11 new B5LH doubledecker hybrid buses with Wrightbus Eclipse Gemini 3 bodywork.

The new 10.5m Euro 6 vehicles are built to TfL specification and were due to enter service on March 7, 2015. The new buses will operate regularly on the busy London 212 route, running between Walthamstow and Chingford.

Featuring Wrightbus’ Eclipse Gemini 3 bodywork styling, the Volvo B5LH provides much needed capacity on a busy London route with each vehicle able to carry up to 95 passengers at peak operating times.

The new buses will also be maintained on a Volvo Gold Service contract.

The B5LH features the Volvo D5K 240 four-cylinder 5.1-litre Euro 6 engine rated at 240hp with a maximum torque of 918Nm at 1200-1600rpm. Vehicle emissions comply with Euro 6 legislation and are cleverly

ARRIVA MIDLANDS

controlled using SCR and EGR technology. The bus also features the fully automated 12-speed I-Shift gearbox.

Phil Fletcher, Regional Sales Manager for Volvo Bus, said: “This is a significant 11 vehicle order from Tower Transit for TfL specification.

These new hybrid buses will be operating daily on a busy London route and we’re looking forward to seeing the results, particularly with regards to fuel economy.”

Alan Coney, Engineering Director for Tower Transit, said: “These buses represent a considerable investment in Volvo hybrid technology integrated with the Wrightbus Gemini 3 body that Tower Transit look forward to delivering a real quality product to our customer,

TfL, and the travelling public alike.

Tower Transit Group entered the UK market in June 2013. It was awarded its first TfL tendered routes in June last year and these 11 vehicles represent the company’s first doubledecker purchases since its arrival into the marketplace.

David Wright MP for Telford, Kuldip Sahota, Leader of Telford & Wrekin Council, Councillor Hilda Rhodes, Portfolio Holder for Transport, Council Officers, along with members of the public, were welcomed by the directors and staff of Arriva Midlands to the official launch of 14 new Wrightbus StreetLite Micro Hybrids.

Forming part of a £3.5m investment which has seen 25 new buses delivered to Telford over the course of the last month, the vehicles now operate on the popular route 44 linking Princess

BODY/CHASSIS: Wrightbus

StreetLite Micro Hybrid ENGINE: Cummins ISBE four

cylinder TRANSMISSION: Voith SEATS: 44 SUPPLIED BY: Wrightbus

028 2564 1212 www.wrightsgroup.com

BODY/CHASSIS: Volvo B5LH

Wrightbus Eclipse Gemini 3 ENGINE: Volvo D5K 240 4 cylinder 5.1-litre Euro 6 TRANSMISSION: 12-speed I-Shift SEATS: 62 SUPPLIED BY: Volvo UK Bus 02476 210250 www.volvobuses. com/bus/uk/en-gb

Golden Boy’s sister company is GB Fleet Maintenance, which works out of the purpose-built yard in Hoddesdon, and is an approved service agent for Irizar, among other vehicle marques.

“Apart from inspections every five weeks and regular servicing, the i6 has needed nothing,” said Paul.

FACT FILE

BODY/CHASSIS: Irizar i6

Integral

“The DAF-powered vehicle has delivered consistent economy – which has only improved as the engine had bedded in – and is a

52 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 10, 2015 052_CBW1179_Deliveries.indd 52

FACT FILE

FACT FILE

GOLDEN BOY COACHES Hertfordshire-based Golden Boy Coaches has added another i6 Integral coach to its fleet.

The 12.9m, two-axle vehicle joins one bought last year, and which has performed without any major issues on some challenging stop-start work through London.

“There have been no dramas at all with our first i6 from Irizar UK,” said Paul Murdoch. “When we bought it, we realised it was fantastic value for money and would help us keep our fleet age low. Currently, the average fleet age is 3.5 years.

Royal Hospital, Leegomery, Wellington, TCAT, Wellington New College, Oakengates, Telford Town Centre and Madeley.

Arriva said it is committed to making improvements to the route and is positive that its customers will see the benefits of travelling on the greener and cleaner buses.

hit with passengers. We’ve had nothing but positive feedback, so getting a second was not a difficult decision.”

The new i6 has 53 upgraded

PB seats, air-conditioning and a built-in vacuum cleaner. It has DAF’s new MX300 engine driving through a ZF AS-Tronic auto-change gearbox.

ENGINE: DAF MX300 TRANSMISSION: ZF AS-Tronic SEATS: 53 SUPPLIED BY: Irizar UK 01909

500514 www.irizar.co.uk

www.coachandbusweek.com

09/03/2015 19:12

p53_CBW_1179.qxp 09/03/2015 15:56 Page 1

M O C .

T E K R A M S COACHANDBULES FOR SALE

VEHIC

Contact Gemma Ireland

Tel: 01733 293247 Fax: 0845 280 2927 Email: gemma.ireland@coachandbusweek.com

GREAT VALUE FOR OPERATORS *NEW* EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS, FROM LLOYD MORGAN GROUP

UNLIMITED ONLINE vehicle adverts on coachandbus market.com

Up to 4 PRINT ADVERTS for vehicles for sale in Coach&BusWeek magazine

HALF PRICE RECRUITMENT ADVERTISING IN Coach & BusWeek magazine

3 ANNUAL DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS to coachandbus week.com

THE NO.1 WEBSITE FOR BUYING AND SELLING YOUR VEHICLES (Marketplace) - Copy Deadline - 12 noon Friday week prior to publication. (Main) – Booking and Copy Deadline 12noon Monday week of publication 2006 ADL East Lancs Esteem

2001 Alexander

2005 Bova Futura FHD 14.430XE Tri-Axle

63 reclining seats, leather headrest inserts, individual footrests, courier seat, curtains, air con, CD audio, video & monitor, double glazing, manual, intarder, Webasto.

2004 Bova Futura FHD 14.430XE Tri-Axle

63 reclining seats, leather headrests, individual footrests, courier seat, curtains, air conditioning, CD audio, wired for DVD, double glazing, manual, intarder, Webasto.

25 seats, automatic, air con, manual front and back destination, electric middle ramp, CCTV cameras, assault screen, LEZ compliant.

37 seated, new MOT, DDA.

£POA

£POA

£POA

£5,500 + VAT

Ventura Sales 01342 835206

Peakes Coaches – 07773 793239

Tel: 01823 653000 Moseley in the South

Tel: 01823 653000 Moseley in the South

2002 Bova Futura

1996 Caetano Optimo

2003 DAF DB250 Plaxton President

2003 DAF DB250 Alexander ALX400

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.

• MOT January 2015

• 18 seats

• Good runner 65 seats + 26 standees, DAF euro 1V / Voith, conversion to single door available.

£3,500 + VAT

65 seats + 26 standees, DAF euro 1V / Voith, conversion to single door available.

£13,500 + VAT – CHOICE

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

£13,500 + VAT – CHOICE

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

Southdown PSV 01342 711840 bussales@southdownpsv.co.uk

Southdown PSV 01342 711840 bussales@southdownpsv.co.uk

1998 DAF SB3000

1998 DAF SB3000 VanHool

1998 Dennis Dart ALX200

1999 Dennis Dart SLF

13 berths sleeper coach, static AC/heating, 240v, normal band bus stuff, towbar, MOT Feb 2015, good condition for age.

67 seats, 3 point height adjustable seat belts, CCTV, automatic.

37 seats or 33 plus 1 wheelchair, manual ramp, Cummins engine, Allison auto gearbox, power door, new MOT, very tidy.

33 seats, 19 standing and various combinations incl. wheelchair space, Hanover destination front side & rear, wheelchair ramp, fully DDA compliant with accessibility certificate, choice of 5, MOT May and July.

£40,000 + VAT

£9,500 + VAT

£19,000

£4,500 + VAT

£6,250 + VAT

01487 843333 / 07834 97751 david@sunfunholidays.co.uk

Smith & Sons – 01828 626262 info@smithandsonscoaches.co.uk

Drew Wilson Coach Sales 0141 248 5524

Andy.Bates@chalkwell.co.uk Tel: 01795 423982

1996 Dennis Lance

2004 Dennis Enviro 300 Service Bus

2006 DAF SB4000 VanHool Alizee T9

2003 DAF SB4000 VanHool Alizee T9

47 belted seats, excellent condition, long or new MOT, excellent reliability, choice of three vehicles, 2nd owner from new, ex Brighton and Hove.

44 seats, automatic gearbox, LED front, side & rear destinationm front manual ramp, DDA compliant, MOT until May 2015.

ZF auto, 51 seats + courier, centre sunken toilet, coffee machine, fridge, centre carpet and air conditioning, low mileage, available with 12 months MOT.

ZF auto, 42/49 seats + courier, rear mounted toilet and servery with fridge, luggage nets, seatback tables, carpets and air conditioning. Choice of 2, low mileage, MOT to February 2016.

£POA

£24,995

£105,000

£65,000

Peakes Coaches – 07773 793239

Ventura Sales 01342 835206

Dalesman Coaches - 01943 870228

Dalesman Coaches - 01943 870228

p54_CBW_1179.qxp 09/03/2015 14:17 Page 1

VEHICLES

Call Gemma Ireland Tel: 01733 293247 E: gemma.ireland@coachandbusweek.com 1999/2001 Dennis Tridents

58 plate Enviro 200

2003 Dennis Dart

Dennis ‘R’ Series Plaxton Panther

Cummins/Allison, Plaxton Pointer body, 47 seats with 45 belted, test 30th June 2015, immaculate throughout, spare gearbox also included.

53 reclining seats, 3 point seat belts, courier seat, plug entrance door, air con, radio/PA/CD audio, DVD and monitor, AS-Tronic intarder, LEZ compliant.

80/85 seats, Voith gearboxes, ISC Euro 3 engines, LEZ compliant, can be DDA with 78 seats, choice of 3.

Offers invited – need space for new vehicles!

£POA

From £14,000 + VAT

£52,500

Whitegate Travel Tel 01606 786833 / 07841 110426

Tel: 01823 653000 Moseley in the South

Steve Hayes – 0161 946 9255 steve.hayes@manct.org

Centaur Coaches

2006 Ford Transit 430E

Ford Transit 115 T430

29 seater, manual ramp, Hanover destination equipment all round, new MOT, in white, ready to go.

01322 625370 / 07957 162388

FORD TRANSIT 115 17 SEAT BUS OCT 2011 61 REG PSV, COIF AND TACHO ONLY 39K MILES READY TO WORK £13,950 + VAT

16 seats, side loading door, 3 point seat belts, rear emergency exit, radio/cassette, tachograph, MOT till Oct.

£5,495 + VAT

White, 17 seats, standard cab, LWB, just one previous owner, electric windows, CD player, central locking, finance available, 3 month/3,000 miles warranty.

£9,995 + VAT

www.staffordbuscentre.com Tel: 01785 811139 07803 222552 staffordbus@btconnect.com

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

WVC – 01784 256255

Ford Transit 17 seat minibus

2006 Ford Transit

2004 Ford Transit

2007 Iveco 45C14

16 seats, side loading door, 3 point seat belts, rear emergency exit, radio/cassette, tachograph.

16 seats, side loading door, 3 point seat belts, rear emergency exit, radio/cassette, tachograph MOT September 2015.

Excel conversion, 16 high back seats, 3 point belts, forced air, reading lights, power door, reverse camera, drop step, drivers locker, large boot, coach back end, Siemens digital tacho, test Jan 2016, private plate.

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

£5,495 + VAT

£4,950 + VAT

£14,950 + VAT

Whitegate Travel Tel 01606 786833 / 07841 110426

Whitegate Travel Tel 01606 786833 / 07841 110426

Whitegate Travel Tel 01606 786833 / 07841 110426

2009 Iveco Library Bus

2008 Iveco Eurorider Beulas Cygnus

2009 Iveco Plaxton Panther

£25,000 + VAT

Euro 5, superb example, as new, all keys and manuals, only 29,000 miles warranted, direct council, viewing on site in Manchester.

53 seats + courier, 3 point seat belts OR 49 reclining seats with ONE wheelchair position, wheelchair lift, fridge, continental door, cruise control, digital tacho, integral retarder, automatic.

ZF auto, 61 seats, Euro 5, A/C, 3 point seat belts, crew seat, reverse camera, huge locker space, Webasto, good condition, MOT April 2015.

£POA

£POA

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

Tel: 0161 223 3882 juliej@stoodley.co.uk

Tel: 01823 653000 Moseley in the South

01487 843333 / 07834 97751 david@sunfunholidays.co.uk

NEW Iveco Sitcar Voyager

2007 LDV Maxus LWB EHR 15STR

2008/08 LDV Maxus 3.5T 95 LWB (Euromotive) Welfare

2009 Levante

6 seater, internal AMF-Bruns chair lift, full tracking, Eberspacher, AVS, A/C, 103K.

£11,500

keith.cabincoaches@gmail.com

2002 Iveco Beaulas Automatic gearbox, air conditioned, twin monitors, DVD, toilet, boiler, fridge, 49 seats, Euro 3, MOT March 15.

£25,000 o.n.o.

25 seat luxury midi coach, Lazzerini reclining seats + courier + driver, air con, manual gearbox + retarder, double glazed tinted windows, with curtains, power door, radio/PA and CD, luggage space of 4 m3.

£POA

£4,995 + VAT

£6,495 + VAT

National Express specification, disabled access lift, Alcolock, automatic, reclining seats with leather trim, air con, washroom, powered lockers, radio & PA, air-suspension driver’s seat.

Moseley Distributors Ltd Tel: 01236 750501

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

B&L Coaches 0208 363 8572 or 07971 785390

Lewis Coaches Ltd 02476 449944

W reg MAN Noge

2009 MAN 18.400 Beulas Cygnus

2000 MAN VanHool EOS 90

2005 Mercedes Benz UNVI Esker Radia

Manual, 22 seats + courier, 3 point belts, air conditioning and large boot, excellent condition, low mileage and available with 12 months MOT.

37 seats, c/w rear toilet, recent full re-spray, 199,020kms, MOT June 2015.

14 seats + driver, digital tacho, 3 point seatbelts, headrests, side loading door, COIF at cost.

53 seat + crew seat, air con, sat nav, Astronic gearbox, new MOT, choice of 3.

£89,000 – 2 AVAILABLE

£16,950 o.n.o.

£89,950

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.

Call James 07903 089408 or John 07768 493335

Tel: 01202 741439 info@seaviewcoaches.com

£21,500

£32,500

Coachtraders – 01501 744000

Dalesman Coaches - 01943 870228

p55_CBW_1179.qxp 09/03/2015 16:25 Page 1

www.coachandbusweek.com 2008 Mercedes 813

Euro 4, 24 seats with 2 tables, air-con, power door, tow bar, Eberspacher heater and air suspension, year’s MOT.

VEHICLES 2010 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 515cdi

Mercedes Benz UNVI Touring

New Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 516cdi

UNVI Vega conversion, 16 seats, large d/g windows, A/C, saloon forced air, large boot space, deep drop boot, 190k miles, good condition, new test, can repaint at extra cost.

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.

19 seats, power door, panoramic d/g windows, in-dash A/C, saloon forced air, large luggage space, bulkhead and deep drop boot, 3 yr unlimited mileage warranty.

£26,000 + VAT

£24,950 ono + VAT

£POA

£POA

Hailstone Travel - 0845 388 3848

Coachtraders – 01501 744000

Coachtraders – 01501 744000

Coachtraders – 01501 744000

WANTED

2005 (55 reg) Mercedes Vario 814 LWB

• Late model coaches, up to 7 years old.

• Good quality, sensible mileage vehicles.

• From 29 seats up to 70 seats.

• Finance cleared and balance paid direct.

19 reclining seats, quality conversion, air-con, large boot, LEZ compliant Euro 4, 281,000km, FSH, owned from new, MOT Nov 2015.

1998 Mercedes Sprinter

2001 Mercedes 814D

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.

27 seats with 3-point belts, LEZ compliant, manual gearbox, MOT April 2015.

£3,000

£14,950 + VAT

Andy.Bates@chalkwell.co.uk Tel: 01795 423982

Kingdoms Tours Ltd 01884 252646 / 07702 626542

2000 Mercedes Vario 614

2005 Mercedes Sprinter 413 CDI

16 seat, air con, mood lighting, London compliant, PSV MOT, COIF, extended rear, huge boot, in superb condition, one owner, loads of history, alarm, reverse sensors etc, panoramic windows, ready to go staight to work.

24 seater, power door, private plate, manual, 3 point belts, low mileage, wood dash kit, very good condition, drives great, long PSV MOT, COIF.

£16,995 + VAT

Call 01236 750501 jim.tweedie@moseleydistributors.co.uk

2001 Mercedes 814D

27 seats with 3-point belts, RPC, manual, MOT April 2015.

Rainham Coach Co Ltd, Kent 01634 852020/07850 657653

1999 Mercedes Vario Plaxton Cheetah

29 seats, PSV MOT’d, drives well, manual gearbox, 3 point belts etc, bodywork straight but paintwork a little dull, original interior, may PX.

£8,000 + VAT – MAY PX

£12,500 + VAT

£14,950 + VAT

£10,750 + VAT

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

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

Andy.Bates@chalkwell.co.uk 01795 423982

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

2002 Mercedes Beaver 2

NEW Mercedes Atego Indcar Next

33 seater, auto, 3 point belts, racks, boot, drives well, new tyres, brakes etc, in good condition, very nice interior, wood dash, etc, may PX.

Available in two weights 10 tonne / 4 cyl engine (33 passenger seats) and 12 tonne / 6 cyl engine (33-37 passenger seats), power doors, air con, radio P/A, CD.

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

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

2002/02 Mercedes 814 Vario Plaxton Beaver 2

2003/03 Mercedes Sprinter 413 CDI UVG Treka

29 seater, automatic, tacho, big MOT, power door, 283k miles.

17 seater, welfare/accessible, Sprintshift, front entry, power door, COIF, tacho, MOT, 160,000kms, very good all round order.

£11,950 + VAT

£7,450 + VAT

B&L Coaches 0208 363 8572 or 07971 785390

B&L Coaches 0208 363 8572 or 07971 785390

New Mercedes Benz Sprinter Grand Tourer

2009 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 515

7 speed G Tronic auto, power door, panoramic saloon side windows and windscreen, powered elevating boot door, large boot and side lockers, 19 leather seats + driver + courier, air con.

Manual gearbox, 252,000 miles, white, manual entry door, double rear doors, large drop boot, full draw curtains, 16 moquette seats, air con front & rear, luggage racks.

£POA

£25,000 + VAT

EVM Direct – 0845 5205160

EVM Direct – 0845 5205160

£13,999 + VAT

£POA

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

Moseley Distributors Ltd Tel: 01236 750501

Mercedes Benz Sprinter 516 CDI

2008 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 515 CDI

Automatic, metallic silver, power door, privacy double glazing, coach rear end, 16 leather seats, in-dash & saloon air con, MOT till June, 177K miles.

Auto gearbox, saloon heater, 10 leather seats, tables, in-dash & saloon air con, EVM bodystyling, MOT till April 2015, 130,000 miles.

£36,500 + VAT

£20,000 + VAT

EVM Direct – 0845 5205160

EVM Direct – 0845 5205160

1995 Mercedes 711

2006 Mercedes 815 Unvi Riada

24 seats, power door, private plate, COIF PSV MOTd until July, drives well, 3 point belts, boot, etc, good runner, pretty good condition.

29 seats with 3 point belts.

£2,999 + VAT

£39,000

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

Smith & Sons – 01828 626262 info@smithandsonscoaches.co.uk

p56_CBW_1179.qxp 09/03/2015 14:22 Page 1

VEHICLES

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

2009 Mercedes Benz Sprinter Minicoach

2012 Mercedes Benz Sprinter

2009 Mercedes Sprinter 311 MWB

2000 Neoplan Starliner N513 Tourer

16 moquette seats, automatic, manual entry as well as saloon sliding door, luggage racks, full drawn curtains, double rear doors, monitor/DVD.

Auto, graphite grey, power door, panoramic roof & windows, privacy glass, coach rear end, large drop boot, 16 leather seats, 15in monitor + DVD player, Euroliners, 3 point seat belts, air con front & rear, 100,000 miles, coolbox, MOT Oct.

57,828 miles, 8 highback passenger seats, lots of Unwin tracking, SLD with cassette step, external Ratcliffe fully automatic cassette tailift, totally showroom condition inside and out, excellent value.

60 leather seats, comfort shift, resprayed, PSVD & seatbelt cert, toilet with hand dryer, sink, 3 x TVs, satnav, DVD, fridge, air con, electric sunroof, alloys.

£27,500 + VAT

£47,500 + VAT

£16,995 + VAT

£24,000 NO OFFERS

EVM Direct – 0845 5205160

EVM Direct – 0845 5205160

Heatons Motor Co 01942 864222

Call Carl on 00353 86857 0885

2009 (58) Optare Versa

Mercedes Benz UNVI Cimo

Optare Tempo Dual Door Bus

2003 Renault Master

10.4m, 34 seats + 22 standees.

Atego chassis, air suspension, 33 seats with 3 point belts, courier seat, air con, double glazed, radio/CD/PA, large luggage capacity, new test.

Ex London Transport, 28 seats, 48 standing, lowering suspension, wheelchair ramp, air con, electronic destination, LED lighting, full 12 months test.

Rohill Kestrel body, 14 seats or 6 wheelchairs, ramp at rear doors, MOT April 2016.

£52,000

£29,995

Mayfair Coaches - 0207 603 1111

Priority Hire – 01905 821843

Andy.Bates@chalkwell.co.uk Tel: 01795 423982

£38,500 + VAT – CHOICE

Southdown PSV 01342 711840 bussales@southdownpsv.co.uk

£2,750 + VAT

2010 Renault Master LWB 7HO

32,655 miles, 8 highback passenger seats with 3 point belts, lots of Unwin tracking, SLD with cassette step, climate control, automatic transmission, Ricon internal fully automatic tailift COIF’d, totally showroom condition inside and out

£12,995 + VAT

Heatons Motor Co 01942 864222

2009 Scania K340EB Caetano Levante

2001 Scania L94UB Wright

Reclining seats, air con, washroom/toilet, ZF manual, CD/radio/PA, CCTV, reverse camera, double glazed, curtains, alloy wheels, full service history, front PLS wheelchair lift.

44 seats, automatic ZF gearbox, LED front, side & rear destination, front manual ramp.

£POA – CHOICE OF 9

£12,995

Lewis Coaches Ltd 02476 449944

Ventura Sales 01342 835206

2002 Scania Irizar K114

2005 Scania Irizar PB K114

Scania Irizar Century K114

1996 Scania Irizar Century

49 seat executive, WC, AC, 7 speed C-Shift, MOT 21/5/15, excellent condition.

ZF auto, 13.2m tri axle, LEZ compliant, new MOT, 53 part leather seats, centre sunken toilet, 2 x TVs & DVD, immaculate condition.

53 seats (no toilet), ZF auto, 480,000 km, good tyres, good condition, ready for work, LEZ Eminox exhaust, recent service. Sale due to purchase of another coach.

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.

NOW £37,000

£59,950 o.n.o. + VAT

£46,000

£17,500 + VAT

Kingdoms Tours Ltd 01884 252646 / 07702 626542

Tryers Coaches 01257 480979 sales@tyrerscoaches.co.uk

Cabin Coaches Tel: 07725 252402

Drew Wilson Coach Sales 0141 248 5524

2006 Scania K114 Irizar Century

2002 Scania VanHool K124

2013 Scania Irizar i6 • 12.5 metre • 53 seats • Toilet • Air conditioning • DoFR March 2013 • MoT March 2016 £POA

Talisman 01206 252472

Automatic, 49 seats + courier + driver, centre sunken WC, continental door, air con, radio P/A, CD player, wired for monitor and DVD, double glazing & curtains, new MOT.

49 seat executive, WC, AC, 7 speed C-Shift, MOT 30/9/14, excellent condition.

£POA

NOW £39,000

Moseley Distributors Ltd Tel: 01236 750501

Kingdoms Tours Ltd 01884 252646 / 07702 626542

p57_CBW_1179.qxp 09/03/2015 14:23 Page 1

www.coachandbusweek.com 1992 Setra 215 HD

53 seats, MAN engine, MOT Nov 2015.

VEHICLES 2001 Setra 315 GTHD

2003 Setra 315 GTHD

49 seats, full exec, Merc V8, LEZ compliant, MOT Apr.

49 recliner seats with retractable belts, DVD + 2 monitors, centre toilet, centre power door, boiler + dash fridge, air con, Eminox exhaust for London 2015, Mercedes engine & gearbox, good condition, test until September 2015.

49 seats with courier and toilet in excellent condition and finished in white. All have long tests and are ready to go.

With private plates, they look like new – choice of 5.

2008 Setra 415GTHD Euro 4

£5,000 ono

£28,000 ono

£35,000 + VAT o.n.o.

£95,000 + VAT each or offers for 2 or more

Call Ken – Belle Coaches 01728 830414/07887 898425

Call Ken – Belle Coaches 01728 830414/07887 898425

07730 486708 paul.watson9@btconnect.com

Chiltern Travel 07768 215058 tboorman@outlook.com

2011 61 plate Sitcar Marlin

New EVM Sprinter Classic

2005 Sunsundegai

2002 52 Plate Super Pointer Darts

33 seat + guide, finished in Moquette and leather, carpeted, A/C, PA & DVD, MOT Oct 2015, 123k kms

22 comfort class seats, auto gearbox, power entry door, double rear doors, in-dash and saloon AC, saloon heater, 3 stage entry step, luggage racks.

Full executive specification, ZF automatic, based on Volvo B12M, 49 reclining seats, moquette trim, crew seat, air con, sunken mid WC, DVD, radio & PA, air-suspension driver’s seat.

£85,000 + VAT

Grange Travel – 01474 357743 info@grange-travel.co.uk

2001 Y Reg Tridents

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

42 seats, DDA compliant, Cummins ISB engines, Voith gearboxes.

£POA

£60,000 – 4 AVAILABLE

£POA

EVM Direct – 0845 5205160

Lewis Coaches Ltd 02476 449944

EnsignBus – 01708 865656

2011 Vauxhall Vivaro Combi LWB Tecshift

2008 VDL Futura FHD 127.365

2010 VDL Futura FHD 127.365PR

Very well maintained, massive boot via lift up tailgate rear, bodywork in very good condition for mileage.

53 reclining seats, courier seat, plug entrance door, double glazing, air con, radio/PA/CD audio, DVD and monitors, centre toilet, water boiler, fridge, continental exit, Webasto, reverse camera, cruise control, digital tacho, retarder, automatic.

53 reclining seats, seatback tables, courier seat, plug door, double glazing, air con, radio/AP/CD audio, DVD & monitors, centre sunken toilet, water boiler, fridge, continental exit, Webasto, reverse camera, cruise control, digitacho, retarder.

£11,995 + VAT

£POA

£POA

EnsignBus – 01708 865656

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

Tel: 01823 653000 Moseley in the South

Tel: 01823 653000 Moseley in the South

2009 Bluebird Tucana

Volkswagen Crafter

2011 VW Crafter CR50 TDI L MAXI H-R

58 reg Volkswagen Crafter x2

12 seats (plus driver) removable for access to wheelchair points, 2 owners from new, automatic, double side entrance, full height rear doors, side and rear ramps, lowering rear suspension, tacho, climate control, alloys, Cant tracking, rear storage.

Silver metallic, 9 seats, standard cab, LWB, just one previous owner, electric windows, air conditioning, side loading door, tinted glass, large storage area to the rear, warranted miles, 3 month/3,000 mile warranty, new service and MOT. Choice of 3.

16 seats, front entry, luggage racks with blown air and reading lights, show curtains and large boot area.

White, 2461cc, auto gearbox, wheelchair accessible, underfloor tail-lifts, FSH, long MOTs.

£13,500

£17,995 + VAT

Lakelands Hospice 01536 747755

FROM £18,000 + VAT

£28,495 + VAT

£13,995 + VAT

WVC – 01784 256255

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

Steve Hayes – 0161 946 9255 steve.hayes@manct.org

2013 Volkswagen Transporter

2005 Volkswagen

2011 Volkswagen Crafter

2006 Volvo B12M

8 seats, manual gearbox, air conditioning, 3 point inertia seat belts, plain silver with no previous livery.

Low floor disabled access vehicle, suitable for wheelchairbound and able bodied passengers.

16 seats finished in moquette, manual, white, large boot, double rear doors, panoramic windows, curtains, emergency exit in saloon, 63,500 miles.

I-shift, LEZ compliant, Hanover LEDs, 12.8m, 50 seats, air-con, servery and toilet, 3 point belts thoughout.

£21,500

£6,000 – 2 AVAILABLE

£27,500 + VAT

£POA

Ventura Sales 01342 835206

Lewis Coaches Ltd 02476 449944

EVM Direct – 0845 5205160

EnsignBus – 01708 865656

2004 Volvo B12B

1998 Volvo VanHool B10M

Volvo B10M Jonkheere

1993 Volvo B10M VanHool

53 seats with lap belts.

70 seats, 3 point height adjustable seat belts, CCTV.

Manual, new MOT, TV & DVD, air conditioning & Webasto,48 seats, rear floor mounted toilet, immaculate condition.

49 seats, air-con, long or new MOT, v.g.c., not ex-National Express.

£39,500 + VAT

Peakes Coaches – 07773 793239

£20,000 o.n.o. + VAT

Tryers Coaches 01257 480979 sales@tyrerscoaches.co.uk

£8,000

£15,000

Smith & Sons – 01828 626262 info@smithandsonscoaches.co.uk

Smith & Sons – 01828 626262 info@smithandsonscoaches.co.uk

p58_CBW_1179.qxp 09/03/2015 14:24 Page 1

VEHICLES

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

1998 Volvo B10M Enigma

1998 Volvo B10L/ Alexander Ultra

2001 Volvo B10M Berkhof Axial

2000/2001 X/Y Reg Volvo B7TLs

50 reclining seats, TV/DVD, PA, fridge, hot drinks servery, air con, Webasto, alloys. Last one remaining.

49 recliner seats with retractable belts, DVD + monitor, centre toilet and door, Volvo engine, ZF gearbox, test until August 2015.

43 seats (39 belted), ZF auto, other seat-belted Volvo service buses available due to fleet upgrade.

£12,500 + VAT o.n.o.

£9,500 + VAT

£23,750 + VAT

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

07730 486708 paul.watson9@btconnect.com

Call 01691 780212 or visit www.tanat.co.uk

Snowcoach Holidays 01727 866177 / 07831 612125

EnsignBus – 01708 865656

2003 (53) Volvo B12M

Volvo B12B Sleeper

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

ZF auto, 14 berth sleeper, Euro 4 LEZ, static AC/heating, 240v, alloy wheels, normal band bus stuff! MOT June 2015, good condition for age.

NOW £44,000 – MAY CONSIDER PX

£19,500 + VAT

01884 252646 / 07702 626542 Kingdoms Tours Ltd

2008 Volvo B7RLE/ Plaxton Centro

45 seats (42 belted), ZF auto, 2 available, 1 MOT’d until Dec 15, 1 MOT’d until Feb 16.

Available due to fleet upgrade.

FROM £20,000 + VAT

2003 Volvo B12M Jonckheere Euro 3

2008 Volvo B7

48 x 3 point belted seats + crew, air con, saloon mounted WC, rear continental door, MOT November 2014.

Euro 5, 43 seats, 30 standing, DDA, RPC, Esteem bodied buses. Choice of 4.

01487 843333 / 07834 97751 david@sunfunholidays.co.uk

£POA – NO REASONABLE OFFER REFUSED

Nigel McCree - 07817 542113

Heritage Coaches Tel Russell – 01403 711238

1999 Volvo B7R Plaxton Prima

1999 Volvo B6BLE/ Wrights Crusader

2011 Volvo B9R Plaxton Panther

37 seats (recent refurb), ZF auto, MOT until April 2015.

Available due to fleet upgrade. Destination blind not included in sale.

Automatic, 12.8m, 61 seats + courier + driver, power entrance door, 3 point belts, leather headrests + piping, rear continental door, radio P/A, CD player and air con, LEZ compliant, MOT Sept,157,519km.

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.

£78,500 + VAT

£55,000 + VAT

£25,000 + VAT

£9,500 + VAT

£POA

Call 01691 780212 or visit www.tanat.co.uk

Drew Wilson Coach Sales 0141 248 5524

Call 01691 780212 or visit www.tanat.co.uk

Moseley Distributors Ltd Tel: 01236 750501

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

1994 Volvo B10M Plaxton Premier 350

Volvo B12B Plaxton Paragon - I-Shift Gearbox 2007 (Euro IV): 5 x 49/53 seats £69,000 + VAT 2008 (Euro V): 4 x 49/53 seats £84,000 + 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!

49 reclining seats, lap retractable belts, toilet, ZF auto, tachograph, power door, aisle carpet, radio/ CD, air con, newly retrimmed seats, repainted white.

CHOICE OF 2 – £9,000 + VAT

Drew Wilson Coach Sales 0141 248 5524

1997 Volvo B12R Jonckheere Monaco

71 reclining seats including lap belts, courier seat, powered centre entrance door, air con, radio/PA/cassette, DVD and monitors, toilet, servery unit, fridge, Telma retarder, cruise control.

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

2005 Jonckheere Mistral Volvo B12B

13 metre, 53 retrimmed seats with 3 point belts and centre toilet, air con, will be supplied with new MOT.

£51,000 + VAT

Chiltern Travel 07768 215058 tboorman@outlook.com

Volvo B10M

Volvo B10M

Volvo B10M

53 seats, several M reg coaches available.

55 seats, two available.

57 seats.

£POA

£POA

£POA

£POA

Tel: 01823 653000 Moseley in the South

Howard Snaith - 01830 520609 howardsnaith@btconnect.com

Howard Snaith - 01830 520609 howardsnaith@btconnect.com

Howard Snaith - 01830 520609 howardsnaith@btconnect.com

Volvo B7 Optare Esteem

2006 Volvo B12M Berkoff

VOLVO OLYMPIAN ALEXANDER BODY 1998 WITH PVT PLATE FITTED WITH 78 SEATS WITH BELTS MOT AUG 2015 READY TO GO £9,950 + VAT

Euro 5 – RPC, 43 seats, 30 standing, fully DDA compliant, choice of 4 available – would do a bulk deal.

£78,500 & VAT

Round & About – 01293 852032

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

£79,000

01884 252646 / 07702 626542 Kingdoms Tours Ltd

www.staffordbuscentre.com Tel: 01785 811139 07803 222552 staffordbus@btconnect.com

702678-1179-Moseley Dist.qxp 09/03/2015 12:52 Page 1

704845-1179-Ensign.qxp_Layout 1 09/03/2015 12:46 Page 1

Ensig DOUBLE DECK 2002 52 PLATE SUPER POINTER DARTS

2006 MERCEDES VARIO 814 32 seats with 3 point belts, manual, LEZ compliant, rear wheelchair lift, very low mileage, COIF, long MOT.

42 seats, DDA compliant, Cummins ISB engines, Voith gearboxes.

2002 DENNIS DART SLFs 10.7m, Cummins ISB Euro 3 engines, Allison gearboxes, airport spec.

2002 02 PLATE DENNIS TRIDENT

2005 OPTARE SOLO M920 33 seats, Mobitrch LED’s, Mercedes engine, DDA compliant.

2001 Y & 51 PLATE VOLVO B7TLs

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

Volvo Euro 3 engines, Voith gearboxes, 80 seats non DDA or 76 seats DDA, LEZ compliant.

2001 MINI POINTER DART

2004 54 PLATE OPTARE SOLO

8.8m, 29 seats, DDA and LEZ compliant.

2007 OPTARE SOLO M880 28 seats, Mobitech LED’s, Cummins engine, DDA compliant.

1999 V REG DENNIS TRIDENTS Alexander ALX400 bodies, Cummins C series engines, Voith gearboxes, 80 seats.

Mercedes engine, M920, 33 seats Hanover destination, DDA compliant.

2002 DENNIS DARTS Cummins Euro 3 / Allison, Plaxton Pointer bodies, dual door, 30 seats, DDA and LEZ compliant, can be converted to single door.

ABS fitted – ideal driver trainers

1998 R REG VOLVO B10M Voith automatic, 48 DP seats, long MOT.

OPEN TOP BUSES A SPECIALITY -

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

704845-1179-Ensign.qxp_Layout 1 09/03/2015 12:46 Page 2

nbus

K ER SPECIALIST 2005 54 PLATE DENNIS DART SLFs

1999 V REG DENNIS TRIDENTS Cummins C series engines, Voith gearboxes, Plaxton President bodies, 75 seats.

Cummins ISB Euro 3 engines, Allison gearboxes, Plaxton Pointer bodies, 37 seats.

1999 T REG DENNIS TRIDENTS Cummins C series engines, ZF gearbox, East Lancs bodies, 74 seats, long MOT’s

1999 T REG DENNIS TRIDENT Cummins C series / Voith gearbox, East Lancs convertible open top, 78 seats.

2007 ENVIRO 200 Cummins Euro 4 , Voith gearbox, East Lancs body, 9.4m, 26 seats, DDA and LEZ compliant.

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.

2001 & 2002 DENNIS TRIDENTS ISC Euro 3 engines, DDA and LEZ compliant, Alexander ALX 400 bodies, 62 seats dual door or can be upseated and converted to single door.

2000 X REG VOLVO B7TLs Euro 2, LEZ compliant, Plaxton President , CCTV, dual door 62 seats or single door 74 seats. £9,000 + VAT

1998 S REG VOLVO OLYMPIAN Volvo Euro 2 engines, 76 seats, ZF gearboxes, part open top.

2001 Y REG TRIDENTS Cummins C series engines, Voith gearboxes, Plaxton President bodies, 78 seats. £18,000 + VAT

1996 VOLVO B10MA ARTICULATED COACHES

2003 DENNIS TRIDENTS Voith gearboxes, Alexander ALX 400 bodies, can be 76 seat DDA or 80 seats non DDA, these can be seatbelted.

- BRITAIN’S BIGGEST BUS DEALERS ZF automatics, 71 seats.

Park, Purfleet, Essex, RM15 4YF 8 864340 e-mail: sales@ensignbus.com t stock at www.ensignbus.com

p00_CBW_1179 Blythswood.qxp 09/03/2015 16:06 Page 1

705802-1174-Moseley Atego.qxp 31/01/2015 08:19 Page 1

Mercedes Atego Indcar Next

10 tonne version – 33 passenger seats + driver + courier 12 tonne version – 37 passenger seats + driver +courier Now taking orders for Summer delivery

MOSELEY (PCV) LTD Elmsall Way, Dale Lane South Elmsall Pontefract West Yorkshire WF9 2XS

Tel: 01977 609000 Fax: 01977 609900 enquiries@moseleycoachsales.co.uk www.moseleycoachsales.co.uk

701915-1179-DrewWilson.qxp 09/03/2015 13:24 Page 1

DREW WILSON coach sales

2000 MERCEDES HISPANO 49 seats, semi auto, lap retractable belts, centre toilet, forced air heating, reading lights, TV monitor, 542,190kms, new MOT. POA

1998 DENNIS JAVELIN PLAXTON PREMIERE 320 57 coach seats, Cummins engine, MOT March, 417119kms, radio cassette, 6 speed ZF manual gearbox, power door, double glazed, tinted windows, tidy retrimmed interior. £9,950 + VAT

2004 FORD TRANSIT 15 seats, 3 point belts, manual., radio.

2010 AYATS BRAVO DOUBLE DECKER 83 seats plus crew seat, 2 side entry doors, carpets, UK COIF, toilet, fridge, TV/DVD, servery, AS Tronic gearbox.

POA

£190,000 + VAT

2000 DENNIS JAVELIN CAETANO ENIGMA 53 seats, lap retractable belts, luggage racks, reading lights, forced air heating, curtains, manual.

2004 OPTARE SOLO 18/20 seats plus 2 wheelchairs, wheelchair ramp, 3 point seatbelts, automatic, tacho, Mercedes engine, choice of 2.

£12,000 + VAT

2002 IVECO MAXIM 29 coach seats, lap retractable belts, crew seat, power door, manual gearbox, forced air, reading lights, curtains, radio cassette.

POA

1997 SCANIA IRIZAR CENTURY 51 reclining seats, toilet, lap retractable belts, crew seat, comfort shift, double glazing, tinted windows, power door, air con, repainted in white, tidy condition, 199,039kms. £7,500 + VAT

2001 SCANIA K124 IRIZAR CENTURY 51 reclining seats, lap belts, air conditioning, manual gearbox, double glazed, tinted windows, repainted white, new MOT, alloys, good tyres, very good condition. £25,000 + VAT

2004 VOLVO B12M PLAXTON PANTHER 55 reclining seats + crew seat, 3 point belts, curtains, aisle carpet, forced air heating, reading lights, luggage racks, manual., power door, re-trimmed seats. £43,500 + VAT

1998 MERCEDES 0404 HISPANO CARROCERA 49 seats + crew seat, lap belts, luggage racks, TV monitor, centre toilet, reading lights, forced air heating, automatic.

2006 MERCEDES VARIO 814D OPTARE NOUVELLE SR 29 coach seats, 3 point seatbelts, large boot, air con, luggage racks, forced air, power door, new MOT, genuine 22,6000 km, absolutely mint condition inside and out, PX considered. £32,000 + VAT

1998 MERCEDES CHEETAH 32 seats with 3 point belts, luggage racks, curtains, aisle carpet, forced air heating, reading lights, power door, CD player, walnut dash. £15,000 + VAT

1995 VOLVO B10M CAETANO ALGARVE II 70 seats, 3 point belts, manual gearbox, lap retractable seatbelts, luggage racks, floor vents, reading lights, radio/CD, new MOT. £19,000 + VAT

1995 VOLVO B9M VAN HOOL ALIZE 38 reclining seats, rear floor mounted toilet, manual, double glazed, tinted windows, power door. New MOT, rear servery, air conditioning. £9,950 + VAT

1999 DENNIS JAVELIN PLAXTON PREMIER 350 51reclining seats, lap belts, centre toilet, boiler and servery, 6 speed ZF gearbox, luggage racks, forced air, reading lights, power door, very tidy, 843,751kms, new MOT. POA

1999 MERCEDES BEAVER 2 31 bus seats, lap belts, luggage holder, manual, power door.

1996 DAF SB220 PLAXTON TITANIUM 47 dual purpose seats, 20 standing, NO WHEELCHAIR, reversing camera, tachograph, MOT 11/08/2015.

POA

1998 SCANIA IRIZAR INTERCENTURY 55 seats with belts, comfort shift, double glazed, air conditioning, CD player, crew seat, can be made to 70 seats, MOT May 2015. £9,950 + VAT

2010 MERCEDES CHEETAH 33 coach seats, 3 point belts, tinted and double glazed panoramic windows, power door, forced air heating, reading lights, Euroliners, repainted white, boot, side locker, new MOT. £80,000 + 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, new test, new retrim, repainted in white. £3,500 + VAT

2002 TOYOTA OPTIMO 23 reclining seats, power door, analogue tacho, radio/cassette, luggage racks, forced air heating, reading lights, MOT’d. £9,500 + VAT

2006 OPTARE SOLO WIDE BODY 29 seats, 1 wheelchair, wheelchair ramp, Allison 2000 auto gearbox, front and rear destination.

£17,500 + VAT

2003 VOLVO B12M JONCKHEERE MISTRAL 50 leather coach seats, manual, 3 point belts, curtains, rear toilet, CD/radio, monitor, forced air heating, reading lights, power door. £37,000 + VAT

POA

£7,500 + VAT ono

£29,950 + 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

702765-1179-Coachtraders.qxp 09/03/2015 13:25 Page 1

p66_CBW_1179.qxp 09/03/2015 16:28 Page 66

The

Stafford Bus Centre Specialist Bus & Coach Sales FORD TRANSIT FACTORY 16/17 SEAT BUS 59 reg with 38K miles, tacho, new COIF and PSV MOT £12,950 Various PSV Transits 57-61 reg available

MERCEDES SPRINTER 616 CDI 56 & 06 reg 24 seats and full DDA spec 1 and 2, manual gearbox, very rare £18,950

ADL ENVIRO 300 2006 56 REG. SLF BUS - dual use options, with 60 x 3 point belted seats, LDuse on bus services or SO school contracts.

PHONE FOR SPEC AND PRICE DENNIS DART CAETANO CUTLASS. Step entrance with 38 LD contracts etc. £3,450 SOschool seats and 3 point belts. Ideal 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 413D SPRINTER 2004 04 REG. Extra long body D boot, COIF and long OLheight with 16 seats and hugeSfull MoT. £11,950

66 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 10, 2015

VEHICLES AVAILABLE FOR SHORT AND LONGER TERM HIRE

www.staffordbuscentre.com Tel: 01785 811139 07803 222552 staffordbus@btconnect.com MERCEDES 814D VARIO PLAXTON BEAVER 2 2002 52 reg 28 seats on tracking destination, etc £10,950

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

VOLVO OLYMPIAN ALEXANDER BODY 1998 PP 78 seats with belts, August test, ready to work £9,950

FORD TRANSIT T430 2009 high roof, COIF and PSV test, 16/17 seat with underfloor tail lift and tracking, rare to find this spec £11,950

MERCEDES 814 VARIO PLAXTON BEAVER 2 2004 54 REG. Fitted with 20 seats on tracking, and up to 10 wheelchairs, SOLDgearbox, power door, PSV, COIF and MoT, manual destination etc. long wheel base so could go to 32 seats. £14,950 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 D L seats, ideal for schools SO £9,450 DAF PLAXTON PREMIER 1996 PP. Fitted with 55 seats, automatic gearbox, new MOT upon sale £9,950

VW CR50 WITH STANFORD CONVERSION 2007 07 REG. Very expensive and high spec conversion by Stamford who are recognised as the best in the industry, fitted with 14 high back seats with 3 point belts, Palfinger Hideaway tail lift and capacity to carry up to 9 passengers and 2 wheelchairs, it has only covered just over 60k miles from new and is in outstanding condition, all paperwork and spare keys, ready to go £17,950 OPTARE SOLO M850 2000 W REG. One remaining with 23/25 coach seats with ramp, DDA etc £4,950 VDL SB180 2010 59 REG Cummins 6 ISB engine with MCV Evolution body, only 20k miles £POA

www.coachandbusweek.com

706431-1179-Ventura.qxp 06/03/2015 08:31 Page 1

703478-1179-Ben Weaver.qxp 09/03/2015 15:01 Page 1

BEN WEAVER PSV

PSV

PSV

D L O

S 2007 07 MERCEDES 816 33 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE BUS 4.25 turbo diesel, 5 speed manual gearbox, silver, cerificate of initial fitness, analogue tachograph, PSV, Ratcliffe underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for 10 wheelchairs, electric b-fold front door, 172,000 kilometers/107,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months MOT or PSV, fully serviced to RTA standards, 1 month nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 23,995 + VAT

2010 10 PLATE FIAT DUCATO MAXI 40 3.0 JTD 160PS KSF FREEDOM STEP ENTRY LOW FLOOR WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS 3.0 turbo diesel 160ps euro 5 engine, semi automatic, 1 local authority owner from new, rear air suspension to allow easy access for wheelchairs, COIF for 16 passengers, PSV, digital tacho, fold out rear access ramp, low entry side step, tracking for up to 6 wheelchairs, full size side entry door, panoramic glass, 49,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 22,495 + VAT

2006 06 PLATE MERCEDES BENZ 616CDI SPRINTER LOW FLOOR ACCESSIBLE SERVICE BUS 2.7CDi turbo diesel 160ps engine, 6 speed automatic, double electric front access plug entry doors, rear emergency exit door, fold out wheelchair access ramp, low floor with tracking for upto 3 wheelchairs, COIF for 15 seated plus 1 wheelchair or 13 seated plus 3 wheelchairs, analogue tachograph, PSV tested, ex local authority owned, 166,000 miles, very good condition supplied with 12 months PSV, fully serviced to RTA standards, 1 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £17,995 + 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 £ 16,495 + VAT

PSV

2004 54 MERCEDES 814 PLAXTON BEAVER 2 33 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 £ 13,495 + VAT

PSV

2003 03 MERCEDES VARIO 814 33 SEAT WELFARE BUS 4.25 turbo diesel, 5 speed manual gearbox, currently yellow, waiting for white respray, Certificate of Initial Fitness for 30 seats, currently fitted with 28 seats, analogue tachograph, PSV, Ricon underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for 10 wheelchairs, electric bi-fold front door, Leicester Carriage Builders conversion, 230,000 kilometers/144,000 miles, very good condition, supplied with 12 months MOT or PSV, fully serviced to RTA standards, 1 month nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 12,495 + 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

PSV

2008 08 PLATE NEW SHAPE MERCEDES SPRINTER 311CDI LWB 11 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS 2200 CDi turbo diesel 110ps, 6 speed manual gearbox, white, Frank Guy conversion, Ricon internal rear wheelchair lift, tracking for 3 wheelchairs plus 8 passengers, uplift skylight, CD player, electric mirrors, currently fitted with 10 passenger seats but 4 more can be added to make 14 passengers, 172,000 miles but looks and drives like 72,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 13,295 + 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, 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

2005 55 PLATE MERCEDES BENZ 614 VARIO 20 SEAT MINICOACH Onyx conversion, analogue tachograph, certificate of initial for 19 passengers, PSV’D, electric plug front entry door, coach style velour seats, overhead luggage racks, large boot, uplift skylight, waiting for full respray, can be painted into any colour of your choice, supplied with 12 months PSV, fully serviced to RTA standards, 1 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 10,995 + VAT

PSV

2006 55 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER T5 16 SEAT WELFARE BUS WITH COIF TACHOGRAPH AND PSV Bluebird Tucana conversion, 2.5 TDI, white, automatic, COIF for 15 passenger seats or 5 wheelchairs plus 2 seated, PSV, analogue tacho, air con, gross vehicle weight 3800 kgs so can be driven without a D1 licence, fold out rear wheelchair ramp, tracking for up to 5 wheelchairs, electric front entry, LEZ compliant, 1 ex local authority owner, 81,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 9,495 + VAT

BEN WEAVER commercIals

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 £ 13,295 + VAT

2007 07 PLATE IVECO DAILY 50C15 AUTOMATIC FRONT ENTRY WHEELCHAIR MINIBUS 3000cc turbo diesel, automatic, COIF, digital tacho, PSV, electric front entry plug door with fold out step, Ricon internal rear wheelchair lift, tracking for 6 wheelchairs, flat floor, fitted with 10 seats but additional seating can be added, remote central locking, electric windows, CD player, LEZ compliant, ex local authority owned, 76,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 12,995 + VAT

PSV

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

2007 57 PLATE IVECO DAILY 45C15 9-16 SEAT FRONT ENTRY WHEELCHAIR MINIBUS 3000cc turbo diesel, white, digital tachograph, electric front entry plug door with fold out step, Access under floor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for 5 wheelchairs, currently fitted with 12 seats but additional seating can be added to make into 15 passenger seats, CD player, LEZ compliant, ex charity owned, 106,000 kilometers/65,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 11,995 + VAT

PSV

2005 05 MERCEDES VARIO 814 16-24 SEAT WELFARE BUS 4.25 turbo diesel, 5 speed manual gearbox, Frank Guy conversion, green, Certificate Of Initial Fitness for 16 passengers, analogue tachograph, PSV, PLC Access underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for 8 wheelchairs, electric bi-fold front door, fold-out side access step, 169,000 kilometers/105,000 miles, ex local authority owned, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to RTA standards, 1 months parts and labour warranty £ 10,495 + VAT

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 £ 9,995 + VAT

PSV

PSV

2005 55 PLATE VOLKSWAGEN LT46 16 SEAT WELFARE FRONT ENTRY MINIBUS 2.5 TDI White, 5 speed manual gearbox, analogue tachograph, manual front entry plug door, Ricon internal rear wheelchair lift, tracking for 6 wheelchairs, 3 foldaway seats, currently fitted with 8 passenger seats bus 7 more can be added to make into a 15 passengers seat bus, 1 ex local authority owner, LEZ compliant, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 9,495 NO VAT

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 £ 8,495 + VAT

2005 05 PLATE VOLKSWAGEN LT46 16 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS 2.5 TDI, white, Ratcliffe underfloor rear wheelchair lift, fully tracked throughout, tracking for up to 6 wheelchairs, COIF, PSV, electric plug side entry door, analogue tacho, LEZ compliant, 66,000 miles, one local authority owner from new, very good condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 month nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 8,495 + VAT

Gower Street, Sheffield, S4 7JW Tel: 0114 275 7076

www.minibuses.co

703478-1179-Ben Weaver.qxp 09/03/2015 15:02 Page 2

commercials PSV

2006 55 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER T5 16 SEAT WELFARE BUS WITH COIF, TACHOGRAPH AND PSV Bluebird Tucana conversion, 2.5 TDI, COIF for 15 passenger seats or 5 wheelchairs plus 2 seated, PSV, tacho, air con, gross vehicle weight of 3800 kgs so can be driven without a D1 licence,rear wheelchair ramp, tracking for up to 5 wheelchairs, electric front entry, LEZ compliant, 166,000 miles, fitted with 7 passenger seats but 8 more can be added, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour £ 8,295 + VAT

PSV

2004 54 PLATE IVECO DAILY 65C15 25 SEAT WELFARE BUS WITH TACHOGRAPH COIF AND PSV 2800cc turbo diesel, white, Access underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for up to 8 wheelchairs, currently fitted with 22 passenger seats, 2 more can be added, analogue tacho, Certificate of Initial Iitness for 22 passengers, PSV, overhead luggage storage 1 local authority owner from new 93,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 1 month nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 7,995 + VAT

PSV

2003 53 PLATE MERCEDES SPRINTER LWB 313CDI WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS 2.2 CDI turbo diesel 130ps, silver, Ricon internal rear wheelchair lift, tracking for up to 5 wheelchairs, LEZ compliant, 132,000 miles, supplied with 12 months MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 1 month nationwide parts and labour warranty. £ 6,595 NO VAT

PSV

2003 (03) IVECO DAILY 65C15 23-25 SEAT WELFARE BUSES Analogue tacho, PSV, COIF for 22 passengers, PSV, 2800cc turbo diesel, white, Access underfloor rear chairlift, tracking up to 8 wheelchairs, 1 local authority from new, excellent condition, 12 months PSV and MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 1 month nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 6,295 +VAT

PSV

2003 03 PLATE IVECO DAILY 65C15 12-24 SEAT WELFARE BUS WITH TACHOGRAPH COIF AND PSV 2800cc turbo diesel, white, Access underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for up to 8 wheelchairs, currently fitted with 12 passenger seats plus drivers companion 10 more can be added to take 22 passengers, analogue tachograph, COIF for 22 passengers, PSV, 1 local authority owner from new, 215,000 kilometers/134,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 1 month nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 5,795 + VAT

2002 02 PLATE (ON PRIVATE REG) MERCEDES SPRINTER 411CDI 17 SEAT MINIBUS/MINICOACH 2.2CDi turbo diesel, 5 speed manual gearbox, silver, certificate of initial fitness, analogue tachograph, PSV, overhead storage with reading lights and forced air, curtains, sunroof, CD player, 313,000 miles, good condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 1 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 6,495 + VAT

PSV

2004 53 PLATE FORD TRANSIT 17 SEAT WELFARE MINIBUS White, 2.4 turbo diesel 125 p,s 5 speed manual gearbox, UV Modular conversion, Certificate of Initial Fitness for 12 passengers, PSV, Access underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for up to 6 wheelchairs, electric plug front entry door, 1 ex local authority owner from new, LEZ compliant, 133,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 1 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 6,295 + VAT

PSV

2003 53 PLATE FORD TRANSIT 11 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS White, 2.4 125ps turbo diesel, Certificate of Initial Fitness for 10 passengers and 2 wheelchairs, PSV, Ratcliffe internal rear wheelchair lift, tracking for 2 wheelchairs, 82,000 miles, very good condition, supplied with 12 months PSV/MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 1 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 5,795 + VAT

PSV

2006 06 REG IVECO DAILY 40C14 13 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS 3000cc turbo diesel 140ps, 6 speed manual gearbox, white, COIF for 12 passengers, analogue tacho, current PSV expires 3rd April 2015, tracking for 4 wheelchairs, Ricon underfloor rear wheelchair lift, LEZ compliant, fold out side door, access step, 4200kgs gross vehicle weight so can be driven without a d1 licence, 151,000 kilometers/94,000 miles, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 3 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 6,795 + VAT

PSV

2004 54 PLATE FORD TRANSIT 16 SEAT WELFARE MINIBUS White, 2.4 turbo diesel 125 ps, 5 speed manual gearbox, Chassis Developments conversion, Certificate of Initial Fitness for 15 passengers, PSV, analogue tachograph, Access underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for up to 6 wheelchairs, electric plug front entry doo,r 1 ex local authority owner from new, LEZ compliant, 100,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 1 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 6,495 + 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 £ 5,995 + VAT

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 £ 6,795 + 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, Certificate of Initial Fitness for 15 passengers, PSV, analogue tachograph, Access underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for up to 6 wheelchairs, electric plug front entry door, 1 ex local authority owner from new, LEZ compliant ,79,000 miles, excellent condition, supplied with 12 months PSV or MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 1 months nationwide parts and labour warranty £ 6,495 + VAT

PSV

2004 53 PLATE IVECO DAILY 65C15 16 TO 23 SEAT WELFARE BUS WITH TACHOGRAPH COIF AND PSV 2800cc turbo diesel, metallic light blue, Access underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for up to 8 wheelchairs, currently fitted with 10 passenger seats, 6 more can be added to take 22 passengers, analogue tachograph, COIF, PSV, 214,000 kilometers/134,000 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 £ 5,995 + 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 £ 5,695 + 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 £ 5,295 + VAT

2003 03 REG IVECO DAILY 45C13 11 SEAT FRONT ENTRY LONG WHEEL BASE WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS 2800cc turbo diesel white, white, Access underfloor rear wheelchair lift, tracking for up to 6 wheelchairs, tachograph, LEZ compliant, currently fitted with 11 seats but can be made upto 17, 200000 kilometers, 124000 miles, supplied with 12 months MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 1 month nationwide parts and labour warrantry £ 4,095 + VAT

2001 Y REG LDV CONVOY 17 SEAT HIGH ROOF MINIBUS Ford 2.5 diesel engine, Ford 5 speed manual gearbox, white, very very good condition for its age, last owner has had this bus since 2002, MOT’d until 6th October 2015, 77,000 miles. £ 1,695 NO VAT

PSV

2002 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER 2.5TDI LWB 9 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS 2.5 turbo diesel, blue, Ricon internal rear wheelchair lift with fittings for 1 wheelchair, twin side loading doors, just had the following engine work carried out by ourselves due to water pump failure: new water pump, both timing belt kits replaced, new head gasket and head bolts fitted, eplaced camshaft and 3 valves, previously supplied by ourselves, very good condition, supplied with 12 months MOT, fully serviced to Good Garage Scheme standards, 1 month warranty CASH PRICE £ 4,695 NO 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 £ 4,395 + 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

706940-1179-Scania.qxp 09/03/2015 14:48 Page 1

SScania (Great Britain) Limited, Claylands Avenue, Worksop, Nottinghamshire, S81 7DJ

2009/10 ‘59’ SCANIA OMNICITY DOUBLE DECK BUSES AVAILABLE NOW FROM LESS THAN £50 PER DAY*

• Capacity 87 (41 upper deck, 22 + 1 wheelchair lower deck and 23 standees) • Automatic wheelchair ramp • Euro 5 • ZF automatic • Currently TFL spec but conversion to single door spec with extra seats available • Choice of vehicles

OPTION 1 - SALE PRICE

OPTION 2 - 5 YEAR CONTRACT HIRE

££85,000.00

£1,450.00

converted and painted price.

pcm

*Based on a 5 year contract hire at £1,450pcm - subject to status To view the rest of our stock please visit our website www.scania.co.uk/usedbuscoach

£

ALSO IN STOCK

2013 '13' Scania K360 4x2 Irizar i-6. 53 seats, toilet, Euro 5, 2-pedal Opticruise, aircon, TV/DVD, i-pod connection, excontract hire, choice of vehicles. £199,000 2013 '13' Scania K360 4x2 Irizar Century. 49 seats, toilet, Euro 5, 2-pedal Opticruise, aircon, TV/DVD, i-pod connection, excontract hire. £185,000 2012 '61' Scania K400 4x2 Irizar i-6. 49 seats, toilet, Euro 5, 2-pedal Opticruise, aircon, TV/DVD, i-pod connection. £155,000 2012 '61' Scania K360 4x2 Irizar Century. 49 seats, toilet, Euro 5, 2-pedal Opticruise, aircon, TV/DVD, i-pod connection, excontract hire. £150,000 2011 '61' Neoplan Tourliner 6x2 14m. 61 seats, TV/DVD (3 monitors), aircon, Euro 5, ZF AS-Tronic. £155,000

2010 '10' Scania K380 4x2 OmniExpress 36. 51 seats, toilet, Euro 4, Opticruise, aircon, TV/DVD. £135,000 2009 '09' Scania K340 Irizar Century. 49 seats, ZF automatic, toilet, TV/DVD, aircon, Euro 4. £115,000 2008 '08' Scania K380 6x2 Irizar Century 14m. 61 seats, toilet, Euro 4, Opticruise, Wheelchair lift, aircon, TV/DVD. £110,000 2005 '05' Iveco Beulas Midistar 9m. 35 seats, toilet, aircon, ZF 6-speed, TV/DVD, Euro 4 (Eminox). £45,000

COMING INTO STOCK SOON: 2010 Scania CN230 OmniCity 12m single deck service buses.

42 seats, ZF auto, Euro 5, ex-contract hire.

Contact James Morgan on 07795 350814 or 01909 533102. Alternatively, contact your local area representative: • • • • •

James Morgan Jamie MacIntosh Dale Ogg Richard Sear Lee Wale

London and South East North and North West North East, Scotland and Northern Ireland South West and South Central East and West Midlands and North Wales

07795 350814 07974 403312 07974 403305 07739 628732 07974 403309

p71_CBW_1179.qxp 09/03/2015 14:36 Page 71

Nigel McCree

2005 Optare Solo M780SL • Merc power • 21 belted seats (3pt) • 16 Standees.

• Wheelchair floor tracking to take more than 1 wheelchair • MOT 02-05-2015

£26,000 + VAT ovno Tel: 01805 938036 Mob: 07817 542113 Email: nigel@nigelmccree.com Insurance Insurance Stock updated weekly on the website:

www.nigelmccree.com SHORT OF CASH? RE-FINANCE YOUR VEHICLES WITH US – CALL 07808 856390

VUgYWcUW\gU`Yg#Wc#i_ www.coachandbusweek.com

March 10, 2015 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 71

706682-1177-Connaught.qxp_Layout 1 23/02/2015 15:11 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 Atego Ferqui F5 34, 36 or 38 high back seats, 3 point belts, air conditioning, double glazing, reading lights, power door, curtains, large boot. Orders now being taken.

D L O

S 2011 Mercedes 516 CDi Sprinter Auto 16 high back reclining seats, 3 point belts, AC, forced air, reading lights, curtains, large boot.

Choice of 3.

2010 Mercedes 516 CDi Soroco 16 high back seats, 3 point belts, AC, DG, forced air, reading lights, power door and large boot.

Last available for March delivery - Brand New Mercedes 516 CDi coach-built Ferqui Soroco 16 high back seats, 3 point belts, AC, DG, curtains, power door, large boot, metallic paint.

D L O

S

2010 Mercedes 515 CDi Soroco 19 high back seats, 3 point belts, AC, DG, forced air, reading lights, power door, metallic paint and boot.

D L O

S 2009 Mercedes 515 CDi coach-built Ferqui Soroco 16 high back seats. 3 point belts, AC, DG, curtains, power door, large boot.

2008 58 Reg Mercedes 816 Unvi Riada 29 high back seats, 3 point belts, AC, forced air, reading lights, power door and large boot.

2008 Iveco 40C12 16 high back seats, 3 point belts, forced air, reading lights, curtains, drop step, coach back end.

D L O

S 2007 57 Reg Mercedes Soroco 16 high back leather trimmed seats, 3 point belts, AC,DG, forced air, reading lights, power door, large boot.

2006 56 Reg Mercedes 413CDi Soroco 16 high back seats, 3 point belts, AC, forced air, reading lights, curtains, power door & large 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

707081-1179-Heatons.qxp 09/03/2015 15:34 Page 1

www.heatonsmotorco.co.uk THE NORTH WEST’S PREMIER MINIBUS SALES, SUPPLYING NATIONWIDE FOR OVER 40 YEARS WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

07 MERCEDES SPRINTER 311 CDI MWB

PSV’d

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

2012 IVECO 50C17 IRISBUS

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

Only covered 55,378 miles, 8 highback passenger seats, lots of Unwin tracking, SLD with cassette step, PLS fully automatic Clearway tailift, totally showroom condition inside and out. £11,995 LEZ

09 IVECO MELLOR COACHBUILT 8/16 highback passenger seats, complete flat floor,full length Cant rail, PLS fully automatic internal Clearway tailift, power door, front entry, unmarked metallic paintwork, excellent value. £14,995

PSV’d

LEZ

09 IVECO MELLOR COACHBUILT

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

PSV’d

59 PLATE PEUGEOT BOXER MWB

PSV’d

LEZ

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

09 PLATE RENAULT MASTER MWB

57 MERCEDES SPRINTER 309 MWB

PSV’d

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

LEZ

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

PSV’d

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

Covered 57, 828 miles, 8 highback passenger seats, lots of Unwin tracking, SLD with cassette step, external Ratcliffe fully automatic cassette tailift, totally showroom condition inside and out, excellent value. £16,995

Phil 07715 231694 Wayne 07818 031725

Only covered 40,653 miles, features 16 highback passenger seats, lots of Unwin tracking, SLD with cassette step, external Ratcliff fully automatic cassette tailift, totally showroom condition inside and out. £18,995 LEZ

06 MERCEDES VARIO 814

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

Only covered 42,696 miles, 16 highback passenger seats, Unwin tracking, SLD with side step, external fully automatic tailift, digital tacho, full carpetlined, good quality conversion totally showroom condition inside and out excellent value. £19,995 LEZ

Tel: 01942 864222

07 PLATE MERCEDES SPRINTER 515 CDI

PSV’d

LEZ

PSV’d

LEZ

09 PEUGEOT BOXER LWB

LEZ

59 PLATE MERCEDES SPRINTER 515 LWB

16 highback passenger seats, lots of Unwin tracking, SLD with cassette step, external PLS fully automatic cassette tailift, tacho, COIF’d, one owner from new. £17,495

Only covered 48,295 miles, 8 highback passenger seats, lots of Unwin tracking, external fully automatic cassette tailift, SLD with cassette step, stunning unmarked silver metallic, represents good value for money. £15,495 LEZ

Only covered 46,000 miles, full electric pack, totally showroom condition inside and out, will come newly COIF’d and with 12 months PSV test. £11,995

09 MERCEDES SPRINTER 311 MWB

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

59 MERCEDES SPRINTER 513 CDI

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

58 PLATE FORD TRANSIT

16 highback passenger seats on Unwin tracking, only covered 86,250 miles, powerdoor front low step entry, panoramic tinted windows, PSV tested, ready to work. £7,995

Only covered 34, 308 miles,11 highback seats with 3 pointbelts, lots of Unwin tracking, SLD with cassette step, Rolac ramp with air suspension, automatic transmission, totally immaculate in everyway. £14,995

LEZ

Unmarked stunning silver metallic, features 8 highback passenger seats, lots of Unwin tracking, M1 tested Innotrax flooring, full carpet-lined, SLD with electric side step, external Ratcliffe fully automatic tailift, good quality conversion, totally showroom condition inside and out.

LEZ £11,995

16 highback passenger seats on Unwin tracking, powerdoor front low step entry, external fully automatic cassette tailift, Plant on panoramic tinted windows, one council owner from new, COIF’d, PSV tested, excellent condition inside and out. £8,995 LEZ

59 PLATE RENAULT MASTER LWB

Only covered 49,913 miles, features 8 highback seats, lots of Unwin tracking, Ricon internal fully automatic Clearway tailift, twin SLDs with cassette steps, totally showroom condition inside and out. £15,495

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

LEZ

05 IVECO IRISBUS 50C13 MINIBUS

Only covered 48,000 miles, lots of Unwin tracking, 8 highback passenger seats, Ricon internal fully automatic Clearway tailift, SLD with cassette step, full electric pack, stunning silver metallic, excellent value. £14,495

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

£29,995

06 IVECO IRIS BUS

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

Covered 70,436 miles, complete flat floor, 8/16 highback passenger seats all on Unwin tracking, full length Cant rail, PLS fully automatic internal tailift, powerdoor front entry, unmarked metallic paint, looks and drives superb giving excellent value for money. £14,995 LEZ

Only covered 3,036 mls, yes only, totally totally like new in every possible way, excellent spec, featuring 12 highback seats on NMI quick release, lots of Unwin tracking, complete flat floor, power door, side entry, automatic transmission, external PLS fully automatic cassette tailift, panoramic plant on tinted windows, stunning silver metallic

PSV’d

Only covered 98,000 miles, 24 highback seats with 3 point belts, lots of Unwin tracking, PLS fully automatic internal Clearway tailift, powerdoor front low step entry, tacho, excellent UVG Modular coachbuilt body, PSV tested, showroom condition inside and out, excellent value. £16,995 ALL PRICES PLUS VAT

We guarantee quality vehicles, right prices, no pressure sales. Come and have a coffee while you browse at your leisure. Junction 23, M6 or 20 miles from Manchester/Liverpool airport

p74_CBW_1179.qxp 09/03/2015 16:29 Page 74

The

Stafford Bus Centre Specialist Bus & Coach Sales FORD TRANSIT FACTORY 16/17 SEAT BUS 59 reg with 38K miles, tacho, new COIF and PSV MOT £12,950 Various PSV Transits 57-61 reg available

MERCEDES SPRINTER 616 CDI 56 & 06 reg 24 seats and full DDA spec 1 and 2, manual gearbox, very rare £18,950

ADL ENVIRO 300 2006 56 REG. SLF BUS - dual use options, with 60 x 3 point belted seats, LDuse on bus services or SO school contracts.

PHONE FOR SPEC AND PRICE DENNIS DART CAETANO CUTLASS. Step entrance with 38 LD contracts etc. £3,450 SOschool seats and 3 point belts. Ideal 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 413D SPRINTER 2004 04 REG. Extra long body D boot, COIF and long OLheight with 16 seats and hugeSfull MoT. £11,950

VEHICLES AVAILABLE FOR SHORT AND LONGER TERM HIRE

www.staffordbuscentre.com Tel: 01785 811139 07803 222552 staffordbus@btconnect.com MERCEDES 814D VARIO PLAXTON BEAVER 2 2002 52 reg 28 seats on tracking destination, etc £10,950

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

VOLVO OLYMPIAN ALEXANDER BODY 1998 PP 78 seats with belts, August test, ready to work £9,950

FORD TRANSIT T430 2009 high roof, COIF and PSV test, 16/17 seat with underfloor tail lift and tracking, rare to find this spec £11,950

MERCEDES 814 VARIO PLAXTON BEAVER 2 2004 54 REG. Fitted with 20 seats on tracking, and up to 10 wheelchairs, SOLDgearbox, power door, PSV, COIF and MoT, manual destination etc. long wheel base so could go to 32 seats. £14,950 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 D L seats, ideal for schools SO £9,450 DAF PLAXTON PREMIER 1996 PP. Fitted with 55 seats, automatic gearbox, new MOT upon sale £9,950

06 (06) VOLKSWAGEN LT46 WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE 16 SEAT INC DRIVER 56K MILES U/F LIFT COIF/PSV. £16,995 + VAT

2012 (12) FORD TRANSIT 17 SEATS 80,449 KMS COIF/PSV £14,995 + VAT

2012 (12) NISSAN PRIMASTAR SE 9 SEAT SEMI AUTO MINIBUS LWB 64,000 MILES P.O.A

09 (59) MERCEDES SPRINTER 513 CDI 17 SEATS WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE DESTINATION BOARD U/F LIFT 80K MILES £27,995 + VAT

2006 (06) MERCEDES SPRINTER TREKA 17 SEAT W/CHAIR ACCESSIBLE 74000 MILES COIF/PSV FITS 6 W/CHAIRS £17,995 + VAT

2005 (05) MERCEDES SPRINTER 416 CDI SPRINTSHIFT 17 SEAT INC DRIVER LEATHER SEATS LARGE BOOT LUGGAGE RACKS DROPWELL BOOT COIF/PSV P.O.A

VW CR50 WITH STANFORD CONVERSION 2007 07 REG. Very expensive and high spec conversion by Stamford who are recognised as the best in the industry, fitted with 14 high back seats with 3 point belts, Palfinger Hideaway tail lift and capacity to carry up to 9 passengers and 2 wheelchairs, it has only covered just over 60k miles from new and is in outstanding condition, all paperwork and spare keys, ready to go £17,950 OPTARE SOLO M850 2000 W REG. One remaining with 23/25 coach seats with ramp, DDA etc £4,950 VDL SB180 2010 59 REG Cummins 6 ISB engine with MCV Evolution body, only 20k miles £POA

07 (07) IVECO 40C15 WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE 9 SEATS INC DRIVER U/F LIFT £9,500 + VAT

(06) VW LT35 WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE, 16 SEATS INC DRIVER, INBOARD LIFT 80K MILES, COIF/PSV CHOICE OF 2 £16,995 + VAT

NEW MERCEDES SPRINTER TOURLINE 519CDI • ALTAS CONVERSION • 17 SEAT MINICOACH • DOUBLE GLAZED WINDOWS • FULL AIR CONDITIONING • POWER DOOR LOW ENTRY STEP

P.O.A. (PONTYPOOL) LTD

2011 (61) FORD TOURNEO 9 SEAT MINIBUS 49,350 MILES WHITE £15,350 + VAT

MULTIPART & LDV/MAXUS PARTS STOCKISTS

Tel: 01495 757111 Mob: 07850 739446 (Haydn) or visit our website www.minibussales.biz to view the above stock 74 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 10, 2015

www.coachandbusweek.com

707166-1179-Eurotaxis FP.qxp 09/03/2015 12:45 Page 1

07970 096 262 2005 Volvo B12M VanHool Alizee T9

D L O

2000 Mercedes Setra S315 GTHD

New MOT, 49 seat executive coach with DVD, A/C and 2 screens, LEZ and automatic, 527k kms.

MOT May 2015, manual gearbox, 48 seats, centre toilet, 706k kms.

£59,995

£17,995

S 2003 Mercedes Setra S315 GTHD

2003 Mercedes Setra S315 GTHD

1 years MOT, 48 seats, LEZ compliant, manual gearbox, centre toilet, DVD screens, 756k kms.

48 seats, LEZ, MOT November 2015, manual gearbox, 401k kms.

£27,995

£27,995

2005 Mercedes Setra S315 GTHD

2004 Volvo B12B Sunsundegui Sideral

LEZ, auto gearbox, A/C, LEZ, 48 seater, MOT August 2015, 659k kms.

LEZ, auto gearbox, MOT Sept 2015, 2 flat screens, centre toilet, A/C, 515k kms.

£45,995

£32,995

2003 Volvo B12B Sunsundegui Sideral

2004 Mercedes Setra S415 HD

LEZ, manual gearbox, MOT Sept 15, centre toilet, 2 flat screens, 464k kms.

MOT Apr 15, 680k kms, 48 seats, LEZ automatic gearbox.

£25,995

£42,995

www.eurotaxis.com

p76_CBW_1179.qxp 09/03/2015 15:47 Page 76

FOR SALE DUE TO FLEET REPLACEMENT MERCEDES-BENZ UNVI ESKER RADIA 2005 Manual, 22 seats + courier, 3 point belts, air conditioning and large boot, excellent condition, low mileage and available with 12 months MOT. £32,500

chris@crystalscoaches.com Tel: 01622 872302 Mobile: 07971 000111

S

D L O

S

D L O

Renault Master PCV 2006

Renault Master LM35 2008

15 seats, 69,500 miles, automatic, one previous owner

Wheelchair accessible, 75,000 miles, air con, Ricon tail lift, white with grey interior

£8,250 NO VAT

£10,450 + VAT

Ford Transit LWB 2007

Citroen Relay 2006

Wheelchair accessible, 40,000 miles, FSH, choice of two vehicles, blue with grey interior

Wheelchair accessible, 17,500 miles, one previous owner, MOT Apr, Eberspacher heater, Ricon tail lift

£12,000 + VAT

£8,500 + VAT

VW Movano 2004

VW LT35 Tdi 2006 Wheelchair accessible, 64,000, miles, one owner, FSH, choice of four vehicles, white with grey interior

Wheelchair accessible. 97,000 miles, FSH, Ricon tail lift, White with blue interior

£7,800 + VAT

£6,450 + VAT

Wheelchair accessible vehicles wanted immediately. Cash settlement Part exchange welcome – viewing by appointment please Crystals Coaches Ltd. Hale Street, East Peckham, Kent TN2 5HL

DAF SB4000 VAN HOOL ALIZEE T9 2003 ZF auto, 42/49 seats + courier with rear mounted toilet and servery with fridge, luggage nets, seatback tables, carpets and air conditioning, low mileage, MOT’d to February 2016. £65,000 – CHOICE OF 2 DAF SB4000 VAN HOOL ALIZEE T9 2006 ZF Auto, 51 seats + courier with centre sunken toilet, coffee machine, fridge, centre carpet and air conditioning, low mileage, and will be available with 12 months MOT. £105,000

For further details please ring 01943 870228

Dalesman Coaches

2004 Volvo B12B • 49 seats • Air-con • Long or new MOT, • v.g.c., not ex-National Express

£39,500 + VAT

2001 Alexander • 37 seated • New MOT • DDA

£5,500 + VAT

Tel: 01495 740184 Mobile: 07773 793239 76 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 10, 2015

www.coachandbusweek.com

707138-1179-Moseley South.qxp 09/03/2015 13:27 Page 1

BUS & COACH

IN THE SOUTH LTD.

Available from April/May 2015

The all new “Indcar Next” Luxury Midi Coach 12 Tonne Automatic or Manual 10 Tonne Automatic or Manual Call us for further details of specification options & availability

2010 SCANIA K360 OMNI EXPRESS AUTOMATIC & EURO EEV EMISSION LEVEL • 51 Reclining seats • 3 point seat belts • Seat back tables • Individual footrests • Courier seat • Rear floor mtd toilet • Continental exit • Powered door • Radio P/A CD audio

• DVD & monitor • Fridge & boiler • Double glazing • AIR CONDITIONING • Reverse camera • Alloy wheels • Retarder • Digital tacho

2008 IVECO BEULAS CYGNUS AUTOMATIC & EURO 4 & W/CHAIR ACCESS • 53 Reclining seats • 3 point seat belts • Courier seat • Power plug door • Double ºglazing • Air conditioning, • Radio/CD/PA • DVD & monitor

• Dash mounted fridge • WHEELCHAIR LIFT N/S (seating reduced to 49) • Rear continental exit with powered door • Retarder • Digital tachograph

2008 VDL BOVA FUTURA FHD 127.365PR AUTO (EURO 5) • 53 Reclining seats • Leather headrests • Courier seat • Double glazing • AIR CONDITIONING • Centre sunken toilet • Continental exit • Water boiler & fridge situated at toilet top

• Audio & DVD • Twin monitors • Reverse camera • Digital tacho • Retarder • Cruise Control • Auto transmissION • Retarder • Digital tacho

D L O

S 2006 VOLVO B12BT BERKHOP AXIAL 100 ‘I’ SHIFT - EURO 4 PM • 72 Reclining seats • Lap belts • Seat back tables • Courier seat • Powered door • Crew door • Double glazed • AIR CONDITIONING • Radio/PA/CD • DVD & monitors • Toilet compartment

• Servery with fridge • Hot & cold water • Blaupunkt sat-nav • Ski box • Drivers bunk • Alloy wheels • Luggage racks • Integral retarder • Cruise control • Digital tachograph • Eminox exhaust

Summerfield Avenue, Chelston Business Park, Wellington, Somerset, TA21 9JF

2005 MAN 12.220 - BEULAS MIDI STAR - E 8.75MTR - MANUAL • 37 Reclining seats • Leather headrests • Courier seat • Plug entrance door • Double glazing • AIR CONDITIONING

• CD audio equipment • DVD & Monitor • Powered locker doors • Drivers door • Reverse camera • Retarder

www.moseleysouth.co.uk @MoseleySouth

/moseley south

1998 DENNIS JAVELIN BERKHOF RADIAL L.E.Z COMPLIANT • 53 Reclining seats • Courier seat • Plug entrance door • Double glazing

• Audio equipment • Manual transmission • Dinex CRT exhaust system

Telephone (01823) 653000 Fax: (01823) 663502 Email: sales@moseleysouth.co.uk

p78_CBW_1179.qxp 09/03/2015 14:38 Page 78

Southdown Bus Sales- 01342 711840 www.southdownpsv.co.uk

2002/3 DAF DB250 PLAXTON PRESIDENT & ALEXANDER ALX400 65 seats – choice

Options Available – £POA

• Daf PE 9.2 litre euro 3 engine • Voith D851.3 gearbox • Plaxton President body • 65 seats + 26 standees • DDA compliant • Fitted with CCTV cameras • Long MOT • £13,500 + VAT

• Conversion to single door • Up-seated to 72 + 19 standees • Full Re-trim • New floor covering • Retractable lap belts on ALX400 • Repainted into your livery • Hanover LED Destination • All changes certified by DVSA • New COIF & DDC certificate • New MOT • Finance available – subject to status To discuss your requirements please call

01342 711840

• • • • • • • •

Daf PE 9.2 litre euro 3 engine Voith D851.3 gearbox Alexander ALX400 Body 65 seats + 26 standees DDA compliant Fitted with CCTV cameras Long MOT £13,500 + VAT 01342 711840 Viewing by appointment please

Southdown PSV Silverwood Snow Hill Copthorne West Sussex RH10 3EN

Heathrow based commercial vehicle superstore Up to 50 buses always in stock – prices start from £4,995 Contact: 01784 256 255 www.wheelsvancentres.co.uk

VAUXHALL MOVANO MWB 2.3 9 seats, wheelchair lift, one owner £21,995

10 reg VW CRAFTER CR50 5T 2.5 TDI 16 seat, wheelchair lift, 54,000 miles £22,950

MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 15 seat, wheelchair ramp, 103,000 miles £19,995

CHO

ICE

20 MERCEDES-BENZ ATEGO 1523L Mobile library, one council owner from new £11,995 78 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 10, 2015

MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 413 CDI 17 seat, air conditioning, semi-auto £19,995

OF

FORD TRANSIT 17 seaters – choice of 20 From £7,995 www.coachandbusweek.com

p79_CBW_1179.qxp 09/03/2015 14:27 Page 79

HEAVY DUTY STEEL BUILDINGS

BUILDINGS

CLOTHING

• Bus Workshops • Secure Storage

• Supplied any width, any length • Building to BS5590 • Doors high enough for Double Deckers

• Finance available

BLUELINE BUILDINGS 01709 578333 anytime Phone for further information

Stock supported range of shirts, suiting, softshells, fleeces, PPE, outwear and footwear Next day delivery available on stock items

sales@uniformexpress.co.uk www.uniformexpress.co.uk 01295 709774

ENGINES

E & E Potts Ltd

DIESEL ENGINE RECONDITIONER

Specialists in Cummins, Perkins, Caterpillar, Mercedes Commercial, Volvo, MAN, DAF, Scania.

CHECKPOINTS

EXHAUSTS

LEZ BOXES FOR SALE 1 x USED EMINOX LEZ EXHAUST BOXES USED FOR SIX MONTHS 2012.

CLEANED/RECONDITIONED. TO FIT A BOVA FUTURA. With full fitting kit or can be fitted while you wait! £3,000 each + VAT PARNHAMS COACHES LTD Contact Ray 07747 071071

HEATING

GARAGE EQUIPMENT

With over 50 years in the Engine business, E&E Potts are renowned for the efficiency of our Engines. Our Engineers have over 80 years of combined Diesel Engine building experience.

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 www.coachandbusweek.com

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

March 10, 2015 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 79

p80_CBW_1179.qxp 09/03/2015 14:29 Page 80

CLASSIFIEDS

Call Caroline Hallam Tel: 01733 293488 E: caroline.hallam@coachandbusweek.com

ENGINES

GARAGE EQUIPMENT REQUIRED

THE CUMMINS ENGINE SPECIALISTS PARTS & SERVICE DIVISION

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 Tel: 01782 791524 or 01782 791527 Fax: 01782 791316

Email: info@craigtilsley.co.uk www.craigtilsley.co.uk

Suppliers of Reconditioned DAF MAN MERC, VOLVO SCANIA, GARDNER LEYLAND, CUMMINS ENGINES CYLINDER HEADS CRANKSHAFTS CRANKCASES CAMSHAFTS PUMPS ETC

Moorfields Industrial Estate, Cotes Heath, Stoke-on-Trent ST21 6QY

5(48,5(' ONE 7 TONNE PRO LIFT COLUMN OR FULL SET CONSIDERED Please Contact Silver Fox Bus Co. Ltd. on 01895 257557

PARTS

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:

GARAGE EQUIPMENT

COMMERCIAL GARAGE EQUIPMENT

VOSA AUTHORISED TESTING FACILITY Commercial Garage Equipment Midlands Ltd (CGE) are one of the main providers of ATF Lanes to the CV Market

Braking • Steering • Suspension Chassis Components • Transmission Filtration • Engine • Electrical Lubricants • Consumables

ATF lane includes: - CAD drawing - Civil work - Brake tester approved for all classes - Prefabricated steel pit - Headlight tester - Play detectors - Radius plates - Pit jacks / jacking beams - Optional class 4 / 7 testing - Gas & smoke analyser

EXPRESS PARTS DELIVERY

Master Part | Portland House | Dukeries Industrial Estate | Worksop | Notts | S81 7BQ

REFURBISHMENT

Above: Various stages of completion of an ATF Lane at Aldridge Transport, Launceston

Other equipment supplied: - Commercial scissor lifts - Galvanised commercial scissor lifts - HGV 4 post lifts - Brake testers - MOT bays (all classes) - Prefabricated steel pits - Inspection pits - Gas & smoke - Jacking beams - Car lifting equipment - Column lifts - Civil work with drawings - Leasing & finance available T: 01386 244758 M: 07538 218194 E: sales@commercialgarageequipment.co.uk W: www.commercialgarageequipment.co.uk

80 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 10, 2015

THE ONE STOP SHOP SPECIALISING IN:

• Vehicle Design & Conversions • Refurbishment • Paint & Body Repair • Full Interior Re-Trims • Vinyl Wraps

Caroline Hallam T: 01733 293488 F: 0845 280 2927 E: caroline.hallam@coachandbusweek.com

T: 01253 761300 E: enquiries@bda-ltd.co.uk W: www.bdc-uk.co.uk Burton Road, Blackpool FY4 4NW

www.coachandbusweek.com

p81_CBW_1179.qxp 09/03/2015 14:30 Page 81

www.coachandbusmarket.com TRANSMISSIONS

ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES TRAINING

TRIM

Shelley Transmission Services Limited We stock the full range of gearboxes and differen#als of all makes and models, including Volvo, Mercedes, ZF, DAF, Iveco, MAN, ERF, Scania, Fuller, Rockwell, Eaton – all in stock.

ALL MAKES OF STEERING BOXES IN STOCK!

Repair service available for pumps and rams.

RECONDITIONED AND NEW PROPSHAFTS, BRAKE CALIPERS All propsha components and CV joints for all vehicles including plant and farm machinery.

FREEPHONE: 0800 652 0901 www.shelleytransmission.co.uk sales@shelleytransmission.co.uk

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

TRAINING

Specialist vehicle Inspection training with optional IRTEC If you would like further information please call 01543 897505

Visit our website: www.lloydmorgangroup.co.uk

VEHICLE SPARES

WANTED

Trevor Wigley & Son Bus Ltd

TW FULLY LICENSED END OF LIFE VEHICLE CENTRE

16 seater, luxury minicoach, air con, mood lighting, London compliant, PSV MOT, COIF, extended rear, in superb condition, one owner from new, drives excellent, loads of history, alarm, reverse sensors etc, top spec vehicle, panoramic windows,

WANTED: MERCEDES COACHES

TW REDUNDANT AND SCRAP VEHICLES TAKEN TW PROFESSIONAL, EFFICIENT SERVICE TW ALL REQUIREMENTS CATERED FOR TW VARIOUS SPARES AVAILABLE TW CONTACT US FOR FULL AVAILABILITY

Call 01226 723147 Night Service 01226 716479 Fax 01226 700199 Email wigleys@btconnect.com

www.twigley.com www.coachandbusweek.com

1999 to present year, 16 to 35 seats, finance ready to go staight to work. £14750 settled, with or without MOT, accident damage, etc. – IMMEDIATE DECISION

Call Tim 01404 47502 or 07790 966667 Email: parnell-coaches@supanet.com

March 10, 2015 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 81

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

NEWS › XXXXXX

Coughing bus stop

1

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

The 2015 UK Coach Awards takes place in Manchester on April 23

2015 ■ March 17-20 QV Associates’ course Route & Timetable Planning Birmingham. 01905 613527. www.qv-associates.com/

qvcourses.htm

Hot on the heels of last week’s story on this column about a loo and sink being installed in a Surrey bus shelter, comes this gem from north of the border.

Scotland’s first ‘coughing’ bus shelter has been installed in Ayr – according to BBC News.

People waiting at the stop can hear the sound of a man coughing before a woman is heard urging people to visit their GP if they, or someone they know, has had a cough for three weeks or more.

The shelter has been placed in Sandgate, in Ayr’s town centre. Run by the Scottish government’s Detect Cancer Early campaign, the project aims to raise awareness of a cough as a key sign of lung cancer.

The bus shelter also bears the image of a man coughing, alongside the campaign’s strapline “Don’t get scared, get checked”.

Dr Hugh Brown, NHS Ayrshire and Arran’s Primary Care Cancer Lead, welcomed the “great opportunity” provided by the shelter “to explain to people the potential significance of a cough when they’re least expecting it.”

He said: “One reason patients are often diagnosed late is that they are unaware of the symptoms of lung cancer. It’s probably nothing to worry about, but it could be a sign of lung cancer. The disease can develop slowly over a number of years and often causes no pain. It is much more treatable than it used to be, but being switched on to the symptoms and acting quickly to have them checked by a GP are crucial – you won’t be wasting anyone’s time.”

In the CBW office, we wondered who has coughed up for the special shelter.

How will it be kept clean? A bit of spit and polish? Hmmm...

■ March 18-19 Young Bus Managers Network Conference Nottingham. www. youngbusmanagers.org.uk ■ March 25-27 Busworld Asia Suzhou International Expo Centre, China. www.busworld-asia.com

■ April 14-16 CV Show 2015 NEC Birmingham 020 7630 2102. Email enquiries@cvshow.com www.

■ June 28 Wessex Transport Society Bus Rally Lorry park, Ringwood, Hants. Contact Mike Caldicott 01202 293245 or email mikepenny.wts@gmail.Com

www.facebook.com/southeast busfestival

cvshow.com

■ April 18-19 UK Coach Rally Alton Towers Resort, Staffordshire 01753 631170. www.ukcoachrally.co.uk ■ April 19 Spring Bus and Coach Gathering (formerly Cobham Rally). London Bus Museum. 01932 837994 ■ April 23 UK Coach Awards Mercure Piccadilly Hotel, Manchester. www.ukcoachawards. co.uk

com.

082_CBW1179_Last Stop.indd 82

■ June 14 Wilts & Dorset Centenary Event, Guildhall Square, Salisbury www.salisburyreds.co.uk/ service-updates/wilts-dorsetcentenary-celebrations/ .

■ June 21 Welsh Coach Rally National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. For details, call Ashley Lovering on 07814958379.

■ April 26 Delaine Buses Heritage Running Day 01778 422866. www.delainebuses.

82 | COACH & BUS WEEK | March 10, 2015

■ June 7 Southdown Centenary Rally Southsea Common www.southdown100.co.uk

■ March 28 South East Bus Festival Kent Showground

■ April 26 Keighley double depot open day Transdev Keighley Depot and Keighley Bus Museum. www. keighleybus.co.uk www.kbmt.org. uk

Simon Barnett spotted this bus in Ipswich promoting Anchor Cheddar. The livery makes the bus appear to be a huge cheese sandwich. We at CBW like this idea, even though it may be a little cheesy…

■ May 11-13 ALBUM AGM & Conference Carden Park Hotel, near Chester www.albumconference2015. com

■ August 2 Thames Valley 100 Celebrating the centenary of the start of bus services between Reading and Maidenhead by the forerunners of the Thames Valley Traction Company. www.tvagwot.org.uk ■ August 23 Buses Festival Heritage Motor Museum, Gaydon.

01780 755131 www.busesfestival. com ■ September 5-6 UK Bus Driver of the Year National Final Blackpool. www.bdoy.co.uk ■ September 9-10 Cenex Low Carbon Vehicle Event Millbrook Proving Ground, Bedfordshire www.

cenex-lcv.co.uk

■ September 30-October 1 Coach & Bus Live 2015 Halls 19 & 20, NEC, Birmingham www. coachandbuslive.com

■ May 2-4 Llandudno Transport Festival Bodafon Fields, Llandudno, North Wales. info@llantransfest. co.uk; www.llantransfest.co.uk

■ October 16-21 Busworld Kortrijk Kortrijk, Belgium http:// kortrijk.busworld.org

■ May 3-4 Friends of King Alfred Buses Running Day Winchester www.fokab.org.uk

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

www.coachandbusweek.com

09/03/2015 18:58

M O C .

S B O J S U COACHANDB in association with

THE LATEST RECRUITMENT

Contact Ian Gillis Tel: 01733 293484 Email: ian.gillis@coachandbusweek.com

DEADLINES Booking: Monday 5.00pm Full artwork: Monday 5.00pm

VACANCIES

To view these and more of latest industry jobs visit www.coachandbusjobs.com

Arriva Yorkshire management team

KEY FT Full-time PT Part-time TEM Temporary APP Apprentice

Drivers Part Time Coach Drivers, Driver, PT, Edinburgh, City Circle UK Part Time Coach Drivers, Driver, PT, Hayes, City Circle UK Coach Drivers, Driver, FT, Edinburgh, City Circle UK Coach Drivers, Driver, FT, Hayes, City Circle UK Trainee Bus Drivers, Trainee Driver, FT, London, London United Bus Drivers, Driver, FT, London, London United D1 licenced driver, Driver, FT, Paris, Express Airport Transfers (UK) Ltd Coach and Bus Drivers, Driver, FT, Lincoln, P C Coaches of Lincoln Ltd London Bus Drivers, Driver, FT, London, Metroline Casual Chauffeur Drivers for Titan Travels VIP Home Departure Service, Driver, PT, Wales, Titan Transport PCV Coach Driver, Driver, FT, Hayes, City Circle UK Limited Bus Driver, Driver, FT, Hertfordshire, UNO Coach Drivers Wanted, Driver, FT, Westonsuper-Mare, Bakers Dolphin

engineers/Mechanics Fleet Engineer, Engineering, FT, Epsom, London United Air-Conditioning Engineer, Engineering, FT, Iver, Falcon Coachworks Fire Suppression Engineer, Health & Safety, FT, Iver, Falcon Coachworks Engineers, Engineering, FT, London, Metroline HGV Mechanic, Engineering, Tem, Kent, WJF Technical Support HGV Mechanic, Engineering, Tem, Oxfordshire, WJF Technical Support HGV Mechanic, Engineering, Tem, Yorkshire, WJF Technical Support HGV Mechanics, Engineering, Tem, Oxford, WJF Technical Support PSV Mechanics, Engineering, FT, East Lyng, WJF Technical Support PSV Mechanics, Engineering, Tem, Birmingham, WJF Technical Support

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Engineering Supervisor, Engineering, Tem, Birmingham, WJF Technical Support PSV Mechanics, Engineering, Tem, London, WJF Technical Support PSV Mechanics, Engineering, Tem, Manchester, WJF Technical Support HGV Mechanics, Engineering, Tem, England, WJF Technical Support PSV Electrician, Engineering, Tem, Leicester, WJF Technical Support PSV Electrician, Engineering, Tem, Birmingham, WJF Technical Support Engineering Manager, Engineering, FT, London, Go-Ahead London

Management Head of Safety and Risk, Health & Safety, FT, Twickenham, London United Fleet Procurement Manager, Purchasing, FT, London, Go-Ahead

operations Driving Instructors (PCV), Operations, FT, London, London United Traffic Manager, Operations, FT, Sittingbourne, Chalkwell Coach Hire & Tours Head of Commercial, Operations, FT, Wakefield, Arriva Yorkshire Communications Officer, Operations, FT, London, Metroline Training Development Officer, Operations, FT, London, Metroline CPC holder/transport manager, Operations, PT, South West Wales,

senior Management Operations Co-ordinator, Senior Management, FT, Hayes, City Circle UK Operations Manager, Senior Management, FT, Hayes, City Circle UK General Manager, Senior Management, FT, Hayes, City Circle UK Service Delivery Manager, Senior Management, FT, London, GoAhead London Operations Director, Director, FT, Warrington, Network Warrington

Mark Fenwick, Jon Croxford, Kim Purcell and Matthew Ashton Arriva Yorkshire has announced a number of new additions to its depot management team.

Kim Purcell joined the company as General Manager at Wakefield Depot on March 2, 2015. Kim was first introduced to Arriva through the graduate scheme, where she progressed within roles at Arriva North East, Arriva Scotland and internationally with Arriva Malta.

Like Kim, Matthew Ashton joined Arriva through the graduate scheme in 2011, then in 2013 he spent time on secondment at Aylesbury depot in Arriva the Shires. Shortly afterwards,

Matthew became General Manager at Heckmondwike Depot working for Arriva Yorkshire where he will now be extending his current responsibilities to include General Manager at Selby.

Jon Croxford, General Manager at Dewsbury Depot, entered the bus industry in 2008 and has recently joined Arriva from a strong background within First Group.

Completing the line-up is Mark Fenwick, General Manager at Castleford Depot, Mark has been with Arriva since 2013, and has a wealth of experience within the bus industry.

Johnson brothers’ marathon run In a bid to raise money and awareness for their chosen charities, The Shakespeare Hospice and The Children’s Trust, John Johnson and his brother Bob from Johnsons of Henley-in-Arden have signed up to attempt to break a Guinness world record for the ‘Fastest Marathon in a two person costume.’

John and Bob have both completed the famous London Marathon before, sometimes fast – sub three hours – 10 years ago; and sometimes in fancy

dress.

Bob’s latest ‘daft idea’ is for he and John to pair up and go for this Guinness Book of Records attempt in a two-person costume. The pair plan to run the Marathon in a two person canoe with their legs sticking out underneath. This year’s race takes place on Sunday, April 26.

The pair want to raise at least £5,000 for their two chosen charities.

Visit http://tinyurl.com/qde6ym4

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CONTACT Ian Gillis T: 01733 293484 E: ian.gillis@coachandbusweek.com

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London Opportunities City Circle was founded in 1999 and from our initial 6 vehicles we have grown to operate a fleet of 58 and employ nearly 100 employees across 3 sites in London and Edinburgh.

This growth is due to our company ethos of always providing the highest levels of service to our incoming tourist and corporate customers. Our intention is to continue with this philosophy in order to substantially grow the business over the next 2 years.

We realise that the people in our business have got us to where we are today and now need to recruit additional like-minded individuals to achieve our future ambitions. Phase I is to recruit the best people within the industry who flourish under the challenge of aspirational growth, and we now invite applications for the following positions.

Phase II will include newly developed roles within all areas of our company. In advance of these roles being published we would like to invite expressions of interest from dynamic experts stating their achievements to date in their chosen fields and how you would add your professional flare and expertise to the business.

General Manager Applicants will have experience of dealing with the day to day operation whilst ensuring quality control and customer service levels are maintained. The role will be responsible for managing all aspects of service delivery, customer focus awareness, compliance and staff under your control.

The business needs a General Manager who will not be afraid to question and challenge performance; bring change management experience from both an operations and commercial perspective. This role is a highly visible commercial appointment and one that will offer autonomy and scope to a creative individual who is a natural leader with an obvious entrepreneurial flair and comfortable in a client facing role.

Operations Manager Applicants will have experience of dealing with the planning, organising, coordinating the day to day operation whilst ensuring quality control and customer service levels are maintained. The role will be responsible for scheduling the drivers and vehicles whilst ensuring and improving the performance, productivity, efficiency and profitability of the business through the provision of effective methods and strategies.

The successful candidate will ensure full compliance of EU driver and working time directive regulations and hold or plan to obtain national and international CPCs.

Operations Co-ordinator We are looking for an enthusiastic individual with experience of assisting in the planning, direction and coordination of the day-to-day operation 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.

All roles require proactive, effective and resilient organisers accompanied with strong people skills and the ability to lead.

To be part of this exciting opportunity then please send your CV and covering letter detailing your current remuneration package to recruitment@citycircleuk.com or HR Department, City Circle UK Limited, West London Coach Centre, North Hyde Gardens, Hayes, Middlessex, UB3 4QT.

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March 10, 2015 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 85 09/03/2015 18:36

GET YOUR VACANCY SEEN

BY QUALITY CANDIDATES

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With our combined print, digital and online packages at one all inclusive price Contact: Ian Gillis T: 01733 293484 E: ian.gillis@coachandbusweek.com

Traffic Manager Chalkwell Chalkwell Coach Hire and Tours is looking for an experienced Traffic Manager to join our family business in Sittingbourne. Chalkwell operate a large number of private hire coaches to UK and Europe, local bus services, commuters services and school services.

Responsibilities: • To ensure the smooth and effective running of all Traffic office activities, including the working productivity of all Traffic personnel • Provide hands on day to day management of the Traffic Supervisor team reporting directly to the Operations Manager.

• Show leadership and commercial awareness in a fast moving environment.

• Be self-motivated and provide motivation to staff in the pursuit of agreed objectives.

• Ensure the planning of vehicles is cost effective and all vehicles and drivers are scheduled correctly in line with customer requirements.

• Ensure drivers are compliant with Road Transport (Working Time) Regulations 2005 and EU and Domestic Drivers' hours Regulations, and all vehicles are operated within DVSA regulations.

• Provide a can do attitude to customers ensuring that a high level of customer service is delivered at all times including telephone responses times.

• Liaise closely with all departments and in particular the vehicle workshop and private hire team ensuring sufficient information is provided between departments and shifts.

• PSV License with DCPC required for this post.

• Effectively manage all driving and support staff, ensuring adequate cover at all times.

The remuneration package will be commensurate with the individual’s experience and ability.

All applications will be dealt with in confidence. Please send a CV and covering letter stating current salary to: Andy Bates CMILT, Chalkwell Coach Hire and Tours, 195 Chalkwell Road, Sittingbourne Kent ME10 1BJ or email Andy.Bates@chalkwell.co.uk.

Closing date 18th March 2015.

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More jobs available online – see our website

Newport Transport promotes new senior fleet engineer

EYMS dedicates bus in memory of driver

Mike Diez (right) stands inside one of Newport Transport’s buses with Operations Director Morgan Stevens Newport Transport has appointed a new Senior Fleet Engineer to its ranks.

Mike Diez, who has worked in the bus and engineering industry for more than 30 years, joined Newport Transport in the 1980s. He will be in charge of a fleet of more than 100 buses operating across 50 services and covering an area of more than 250 square miles throughout South East Wales.

He will also be in charge of Newport Transport’s newly improved MOT centre as well as its specialist engineering Contract Maintenance Division.

The MOT Centre performs thousands of MOTs, services and repairs every year for car owners across the City

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of Newport and has recently been improved with investments in new diagnostic and repair technologies. It also features a VOSA test lane.

In total Mr Diez will be in charge of a team of more than 25 specialists engineers and support workers.

He said: “This is a very exciting opportunity for me and one in which I am looking to use my experience and expertise to help improve and grow the departments I am responsible for.

“Newport Transport has one of the region’s leading team of specialists engineers and in managing this professional team we will continue delivering a first-class fleet of buses

for the region as well as providing specialists engineering services for companies with vehicle stocks of their own.”

Scott Pearson, Managing Director of Newport Transport, said: “Mike is an astute and experienced engineering professional with multiple years of experience at managerial level already within the company.

“This new role gives him the opportunity to support our efforts in Newport Transport not only becoming one of the UK’s leading bus operators, but also a engineering centre of excellence for other companies with vehicle stock to benefit from.”

A dedicated EYMS driver who died suddenly last year has had a bus named in his memory, the Hull Daily Mail has reported.

The family of Stanley “Paul” Sainsbury have said he would be proud after the gesture by his former employer. The bus bearing his name was revealed at the Withernsea depot on March 2.

EYMS chairman and Chief Executive, Peter Shipp, said: “We were all extremely saddened by Paul’s premature death, and his popularity in the area was well demonstrated by the large number of people at his funeral.

“I was very willing to agree to their request to name a bus in his memory. We have done the same for three other employees who have unfortunately died while working for us and it is only fitting that we honour Paul’s service to EYMS in the same way.”

Paul’s widow, Michelle Sainsbury, of Patrington, said: “Paul would be really proud of this moment.

He wouldn’t have been expecting anything like this.

“The whole family’s proud of him and what he achieved.

“He worked for the company for almost 20 years.”

Paul died in October last year, aged 49, after suffering a blood clot. When not working on the buses, he was passionate about his love of classic motorbikes, and was always working on a new project.

He was also a retained firefighter, initially at Withernsea and later at Patrington.

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704389-1162-Guide Dogs 31/10/2014 10:36 Page 1

Audio visual announcements are essential to make buses truly accessible for all. Are you on board with Guide Dogs' campaign for Talking Buses?