Coach & Bus Week : Issue 1014

Wednesday November 30, 2011 Issue 1014 | £2.95 www.coachandbusweek.com

BUS:

Nexus wants Londonstyle regulation for the North East p4

AWARDS:

Results from this year's UK Bus Awards ceremony p24

COACH:

Dartford tolls frozen, Severn Crossing costs increase p9

REGULATION:

Insight from the Traf�ic Commissioners' Annual Report p38

for recru i

Grand Upgrade at Shearings

JOB ADV tment EVERY WERTS EEK

p34

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Here is your chance to experience a full cruise at a very special price.

Exclusively for you from Coach World and Coaches Etc. Prices starting at £399 for a balcony cabin for a full 7 days Mediterranean cruise on board MSC Flagship Splendida MSC Cruises continues to astound with its cutting-edge ʻFantasiaʼ class of cruise ships. After the success of MSC Fantasia we were immensely proud to introduce her sister, MSC Splendida, a cruise ship where technology and comfort are spectacularly combined. Futuristic, yet retaining its classic simplicity and elegance. A cruise ship that promises the ultimate cruise experience.

MSC Splendida also features 4 swimming pools, a squash court, a Formula 1 simulator and much, much more... there are 5 restaurants to chose from, and 13 bars, as well as a magnificent theatre where top class shows take place very night, a large casino and plenty of shops.

This trip gives you the chance to experience the luxury of a balcony cabin.

Balcony Cabin Outside with Balcony

All beds can be both single or double (on request). Spacious wardrobe. Bathroom with shower or tub.

Interactive TV. Telephone. Availability of internet connection by your own laptop (on payment). Mini bar and safe. Air conditioning. Size: approx 22 square metres.

Sailing Dates: 28th January 2012 sailing from Genoa Italy

25th February 2012 sailing from Genoa Italy

Ports en route: Genoa, Barcelona, at sea, Casablanca, Gibraltar, Valencia, Marseille, Genoa

Ports en route: Genoa, Barcelona, at sea, Casablanca, Gibraltar, Valencia, Marseille, Genoa

Prices including flight only £599 per person on the 28th January and £649 on the 25th February and this is unbelievable, but no single supplement !!!!!

Or travel by coach stopping en route in the magnificent Park Inn Macon Hotel, on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis for just £525 per person on 28th January and £569 on 25th February, or arrange your own flights and pay just £399 on 28th January and £439 on 25th February.

Theses prices are for a balcony cabin with either flights or coach travel included, and are amazing, so to book now before the cabins sell out please call Richard or Tasha on 0208 665 5561 or email Richard@coachesetc.com There is limited availability so please call us as soon as you can

There are also some free places for group organisers who meet the criteria so get a group together and get on board.

November 30, 2011 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 3

THIS WEEK

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

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Has Nexus got the right idea on Quality Contracts?

I

t was with considerable interest I learned last week about plans by Tyne and Wear transport authority Nexus for a quality contract. The cynic in me instantly jumps to the conclusion Nexus is being opportunistic – it’s seizing the opportunity of the Competition Commission’s investigation to get its hands on the local bus network.

There are however, a number of unanswered questions. Proponents of competition for the market - as opposed to in the market – usually cite the issue of competition as one of the reasons to go down that route. Smaller operators will, they claim, benefit from being free from the threat of aggression from a larger player. Yet it is understood the Nexus scheme will involve a single contract for the operation of all 340 routes. Yikes!

While the interests of smaller operators do not appear to be on the Nexus radar, tendering would clearly be restricted

to a large player with the necessary resources such as Arriva or Go-Ahead. Is this destined to be another Malta?

Bernard Garner, director general of transport executive Nexus describes the current deregulated market as “a complicated, confusing and wasteful mess with dozens of brands.”

I’m sure he’s not digging at Go North East there…

God help him if he ever travels further south into areas served by trent barton.

I know I have previously put my head above the parapet and proclaimed myself to be a ‘free marketeer’, but that is not to say I won’t allow the views of others to be expressed. Far from it – hence why I welcome pteg’s monthly column.

If anyone is interested in writing a column to balance pteg’s views, please contact me.

Gareth Evans Editor

CONTENTS 4

26

38

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

18

CBW looks at two of the leading suppliers of powertrains

36

An analysis of the Traffic Commissioners’ Annual Report

...From tourist attractions and events. Plus ideas for group visits

22

Viseon’s classy interior built for the Saudi Royal family, plus dignitaries

32

Pedro Abrantes questions the Competition Commission

All the latest vehicle deliveries in operators’ yards across the country

24

New Bharat’s impressive new Van Hool T916 Acron Volvo coach

34

A lighthearted look at the industry.

Plus Gareth’s Diary!

The results of the premier awards for the UK bus industry

Shearings tells CBW the steps it has taken to update the Grand Tourer

All the latest people moves from across the industry

News

Tour News Deliveries

Bus Awards Results

Essential Guide

Luxury Trolleybus The Big Picture

Premium Upgrade

Regulatory Report

43

pteg column

61

Last Stop

62

People

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

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

www.coachandbusweek.com www.coachandbusweek.com

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4 | COACH & BUS WEEK | November 30, 2011

NEWS

“The Competition Commission’s recent obsession with on-street competition is dangerous and largely misguided...”

Pedro Abrantes

BRIEFLY Thieves are targeting bus and haulage firms across East Yorkshire by stealing large amounts of diesel fuel from the vehicles. Humberside Police said organised gangs are thought to be responsible for more than a dozen incidents in recent weeks. Officers said even vehicles kept in secure compounds had been subjected to fuel theft. Police said they are advising firms to keep fuel levels to a minimum when vehicles are parked overnight.

Arriva Kent Thameside is putting up most of its fares from Friday (December 4). Single fares will increase by around 10p or 20p, with returns and most day, weekly and four-weekly savers also rising. The Swale Saver, formerly the Sheppey Plus Saver zone, will expand to cover the whole Sittingbourne zone as far as Faversham, while the Thameside Urban Saver will expand to include New Ash Green, South Darenth, Horton Kirby, Swanley, Crockenhill and Vigo. The Sheppey Saver will be renamed the Sheerness Saver.

London bus and Tube fares will rise by 6% in 2012, 1% less than previously thought.

Mayor Boris Johnson said extra funds from the Treasury will result in a smaller increase. Ken Livingstone, Labour’s London mayoral candidate, believes a 6% rise is still too much. He said: “It’s absolutely crucial to keep fares down.” Along with London’s Tube, train, boat and tram services, 2012 will see the bus service affected by the fare rise equivalent to the Retail Price Index (RPI) plus 1%. Some services may increase by more than 6%, while others will rise by slightly less.

Arriva Midlands has acquired eight new Optare Versas. The 38-seaters, due to enter service at Thurmaston Depot this week, will be used on routes 58/58A between Hamilton and Leicester City Centre.

The Versas will provide more seats per hour over the older and smaller capacity buses they are replacing.

Bob Hind, Arriva Midlands MD, said: “I’m delighted we have been able to make this significant investment in Leicester.” www.coachandbusweek.com

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pteg Column p43

Potential re-regulation for Tyne and Wear Nexus pushes plans for ‘London style takeover’ of bus powers in Tyne and Wear Tyne and Wear transport authority Nexus is looking to retake control of the conurbation’s bus network from private operators with the implementation of a Quality Contract (QC), in what is being hailed the biggest shake up of services since deregulation.

The motion comes after alleged complaints about the privately-run services, which Nexus says “take millions of pounds of taxpayers money while providing unreliable services, rising prices and leaving some communities with poor transport links.”

On Thursday (November 24) councillors were urged to vote plans through allowing a Londonstyle takeover of bus powers, returning responsibilities to the five Tyne and Wear councils. A report was put to councillors on the Tyne and Wear Integrated Transport Authority (ITA) Nexus detailing the failings of the present system, arguing a radical new scheme would provide better services and value for money.

The new scheme would see a single body deciding on routes, timetables and fares, with private companies providing services under a contract – similar to how Metro rail operations are run now

by German state-owned DB Regio.

The shape of things to come in the North East of England? Although operated by Go North East this Optare Solo SR carries Nexus livery, as pictured here by Steve Hodgson

pteg responds to CC’s findings over collusion In its formal response to the Competition Commission (CC)’s revelations on the scale of market fixing by major operators in the North East, pteg criticised the CC for “brushing aside” its own findings to leave a “weak set of remedies largely unchanged.” pteg says the CC’s report exposed evidence of operators in collusion.

It quoted a major operator telling another: “The offer I’m making is that from whatever date you agree to come to the party we will

do nothing that in any way causes you grief, and we will seek to implement changes to our mutual benefit.” pteg said: “We are surprised and alarmed by the casual manner in which the CC seems to have brushed aside what is significant evidence of market failure and has ruled out a more detailed investigation.

“Given the severe implications of these findings and the real risk they may be more widespread across

There would be single brand and fare structure, with prices set by the ITA and all income reinvested to support the whole network.

If the new proposals are approved, Nexus staff and councillors will develop a scheme which would see one large contract drawn-up to provide all public transport in Tyne and Wear, covering about 340 routes in the area.

Commercial services would be prevented from operating, ending the deregulated market which has been in place since 1986.

The report’s authors say passengers would be given a full consultation on changes to routes and a customer charter to guarantee standards of service.

Bernard Garner, director general of transport executive Nexus, said: “If we are going to save essential bus services from years of cuts, rising costs and falling passenger numbers, we need to think in a totally new way about how they are delivered.

“Commercial bus companies rely heavily on taxpayer income, but there is no body planning public transport to meet local needs and making sure it is delivered costeffectively.

“The result is a complicated, confusing and wasteful mess with dozens of brands, more than 100 ticket choices and some of our communities poorly served.” the reference area, we feel a more robust and detailed consideration of the problem and of remedial measures by the CC is warranted.” pteg director Jonathan Bray said: “It has taken the CC a long time to lift up a corner of the carpet to find out what’s really going on in the bus industry. Now they have done so, they have found an astonishing degree of ruthless and blatant market fixing to agree and defend local monopolies in the interests of profitability, not passengers.

“However, it’s almost as if these devastating findings are an inconvenience to the CC who seem determined to stick to a weak set of remedies.”

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November 30, 2011 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 5

CTA England Policy conference

Go North East is the latest operator to make use of refurbished articulated Mercedes Benz Citaros on one of its routes. The relatively new vehicles were recently retired from London and will run on the Citylink x66 route from Gateshead to Metrocentre. Running mainly on its own dedicated bus route, CentreLink X66 takes 10 minutes to travel between the two locations, with buses running every seven to 10 minutes. A 57-plate example is pictured here by Steve Hodgson. Go North East joins fellow GAG-owned operating companies konectbus and Brighton & Hove in utilising Citaros for the purpose for which they were intended – on high-frequency, high capacity services

Registration open for IRTE Skills Challenge 2012 Registration for the IRTE Skills Challenge 2012 has opened after Allison Transmission, Bridgestone, Halfords Trade, Knorr-Bremse and Shell FuelSave Diesel were confirmed as returning sponsors for the competition.

The competition has individual and operator categories and celebrates the often unsung contribution of technicians in the coach and bus industry.

Caption Ugit aut re pe acita cuptatempos moluptaturit re velles volum SOE chief executive Nick Jones said: “The IRTE Skills Challenge represents our key aims: to support, recognise and reward competence. Last year, thanks

to the support of our sponsors and the skills of competitors, the competition proved to be a great success, and displayed the competence of the entire sector to a

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the Community Transport Association (CTA) is holding its England Policy Conference on Thursday (December 1). The event includes a Parliamentary Reception in the House of Commons, hosted

by Louise Ellman, chair of the Transport Select Committee and MP for Liverpool Riverside.

The Policy Conference takes place in the RBS Auditorium at 280 Bishopsgate, London.

Speakers include transport minister Norman Baker, rural affairs minister Richard Benyon, Louise Ellman, shadow transport secretary Maria Eagle and Paul Maynard MP – introducing a private members bill to extend the Concessionary Travel Act to community transport.

Conference fee is £100 + VAT for CTA members, including afternoon tea at the Commons and transport to and from Bishopsgate – courtesy of HCT Group. wide and varied audience.

“The 2012 event promises to be even bigger and better.

Operators considering entering the competition are urged to register online before January 31, 2012.”

Once registered for the challenge, operators must submit and confirm all nominated competitor names by May 1, 2012.

There are no charges for entry to the IRTE Skills Challenge 2012, although operators will need to cover travel/subsistence costs.

Places are limited and operators are advised to apply early to avoid disappointment.

Contact SOE events manager Emma Thompson on emma.thompson@soe.org.uk, or find out more online at www. soe.org.uk/irteskills.

www.coachandbusweek.com

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6 | COACH & BUS WEEK | November 30, 2011

NEWS › BUSES

200

The number of participants at the last ALBUM conference

BRIEFLY Ticket rolls from John Groves Ticket Systems, with a seasonal message and a holly and bells pictorial theme, with texts such as “Merry Christmas and a happy New Year from your local bus company”, are ready for nextday dispatch, in small or multi-box quantity. Reasonable stock still exists for most machines, but early ordering is advised as these often sell out by early December. Email sales@jgts.co.uk or call 0208 830 1222.

Arriva the Shires is offering a ‘Kids go Cheap’ promotion over the festive period. From December 1, any child travelling with a fare-paying adult can travel for 50p for any single journey. The offer is valid after 0930hrs weekdays and all day weekends and bank holidays.

Stagecoach X4 route goes gold 13 new Gold-spec ADL E400 Scanias for flagship service Stagecoach Midlands unveiled a fleet of premium Gold buses to boost its flagship route through Northamptonshire on Friday.

The operator has invested £1.9m in 13 brand new ADL Enviro 400 Scanias which entered service on Saturday (November 26). The buses will operate on the X4 route, which runs from Peterborough and Milton Keynes via Oundle, Corby, Kettering, Wellingborough and Northampton.

Passengers can now enjoy the comfort provided by Lazzerini seats covered in Peterboroughmanufactured E-leather seats and free on-board Wi-Fi.

One of the ADL Enviro400-bodied Scanias is seen at the launch in Peterborough city centre on Friday The new fleet will be based at Stagecoach’s Kettering depot, which conveniently marks the halfway point on the X4 route. The new buses will replace 08-plate ADL Enviro 400-bodied MANs, which have been moved on to the X46 and X47 routes between Thrapston, Raunds, Wellingborough and Northampton.

Steve Burd, Stagecoach Midlands managing director, said it was important to continue investment despite uncertain economic times, especially since the route has seen a 7% increase in use in the last two years.

Mr Burd said: “These buses are really going to stand out on the roads. The reason we chose the X4 service is because it is one of our core routes in the county which is very successful.

“We took over the route 11 years ago and doubled passenger numbers by 2004. Times are tough but this investment is necessary.

If you put off investing you just cause more problems in the future.

We will need to get a few extra passengers to make our money back.”

Chris Wragg, team leader for transport planning at Northamptonshire County Council, said: “It’s great to see Stagecoach Midlands is continuing to invest in its services even in these hard economic times. It is helping us to achieve what the transport system needs in Northamptonshire.”

The introduction of the buses takes Stagecoach Midlands’ investment in the past year to beyond £5m.

According to Stagecoach, the X4 can trace its roots back to the mid 1980s when two longdistance cross-country routes were operated. The two-hourly X64 linked Corby with Northampton and Birmingham, while the X65 connected Peterborough with Corby, Kettering and Northampton.

At the dawn of the new Millennium, Stagecoach replaced the two routes with the commercially-operated X4. In 2010 the route benefitted from investment in low floor buses when ADL E400-bodied MANs replaced Alexander Olympians, which led to a patronage growth of 7%. Stagecoach said passenger numbers continue to rise.

“Stagecoach believes if a route is successful, it’s vital to invest and encourage growth. This investment forms part of our attempt to further increase ridership on the X4,” added Mr Burd.

The order follows the success of Wright Volvo B9TLs earlier this year www.coachandbusweek.com

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28/11/2011 23:10

£1.9m

The amount invested by Stagecoach Midlands into 13 brand new ADL Enviro 400 Scanias

Devon counts cost of tourist concessions Devon County Council is paying costs of £1m for people from outside the county using free bus passes in the tourism season.

A survey found during September, 21% of people using the free off-peak travel scheme for over 60s were not from the Devon local authority area.

The figure included 2% from Torbay and 1% from Plymouth, meaning 18% were residents from beyond the two neighbouring authorities.

The council wants the Government to help fund the £1m it costs for tourists using the concessionary bus passes. It currently receives £7m a year from

22

The number of new Volvos to be acquired

by Brighton & Hove Bus and Coach Company

the Government to run the scheme, which costs £12m in total.

Cllr Stuart Hughes, Devon CC cabinet member for transport, said: “The concessionary bus pass funding certainly doesn’t take into account visitor numbers from other areas.

“We welcome visitors and support the principles of enabling older and disabled people to travel to Devon by bus, because tourism and visitor spending is an essential part of Devon’s economy.

“But the findings of the new survey make it clear how much more demand we face in Devon, and the extra costs it adds to the scheme.”

The proportion of non-residents benefiting from free bus travel has risen from 9% in four years.

It is estimated, on average, nonresidents account for 10% of concessionary passengers over the year.

20% of journeys made using the concessionary bus fare passes during the tourist season on Devon’s buses were not local residents

Brighton & Hove order 22 new Volvos Brighton & Hove Bus and Coach Company will acquire 22 new Volvo buses over the coming months, including two hybrids.

Earlier this year the company upgraded route 6 and 7 to be operated by Wright-bodied double deck Volvo B9TLs, and following this, an order has been placed for similar buses to upgrade the firm’s route 1 next spring.

Two ex-demonstrator B5LH hybrid buses are also due to be

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November 30, 2011 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 7

delivered by the end of this year.

The company tried one on loan recently and both vehicles have now been made available to B&H after their demonstration duties are completed.

Roger French, managing director of Brighton & Hove, explained: “We are funding these ourselves thanks to a deal arranged by Go-Ahead on our behalf with Volvo.”

“The hybrids alongside 20 more Volvo double deckers will make a big impact when they’re in service during 2012. With 14 more ex-London Mercedes-Benz Citaro bendy buses also arriving soon, it will enable us to withdraw a significant number of older buses in the fleet,” he added.

Early discount for ALBUM conference ‘How to win friends and influence people’ is the theme of next year’s ALBUM (the Association of Local Bus Company Managers) conference and bookings have already been taken following the launch of the event website last week.

The conference is taking place on May 22 and 23 in North Lincolnshire next year and for the first time, an early booking discount is being offered until January 6 to avoid last-minute bookings, which last year meant a few delegates had to be accommodated at another hotel.

Several speakers have been confirmed, including Gillian Merron, chairman of Bus Users UK, Giles Fearnley, First UK bus MD, Andy Boulton, ADL hybrids programme manager and Nicola Tidy, Nottingham City Transport’s marketing director. Delegate fees and accommodation costs have been held at 2011 prices.

This year’s conference in May on ‘Empowering Our People’ was a roaring success, attracting some 200 participants to Wokefield Park.

“Things are progressing very well and although the website only went live on Wednesday, the first delegate bookings have already been received!” said conference organiser, Peter Shipp of EYMS Group.

All the 2011 conference sponsors have already signed up or expressed interest for next year and several previous exhibitors have also confirmed their attendance.

Peter Shipp added: “I welcome interest from any suppliers who may be interested. The support I am still receiving from manufacturers and suppliers is really encouraging and I hope we can attract some exhibitors next year as we have more stand space – and prices are very reasonable!”

The traditional Optare golf day takes place on Monday 21 May the day before the conference and anyone interested is asked to contact John Horn at Optare.

Bookings can be made at www.albumconference. co.uk which will be expanded as plans progress.

SHARE WATCH

Industry share prices at the close of the Stock Exchange on Monday, November 28. All companies dropped in share price this week: National Express saw the greatest proportional drop and BAE Systems the least. Most figures obtained from www.iii.co.uk

260.90p

Price: Year High: 574.37p Year Low: 257.70p

312.35p

Price: Year High: 416.90p Year Low: 305.36p

1220.0p

Price: Year High: 1540p Year Low: 1034.p

203.85p

Price: Year High: 272.10p Year Low: 203.85p

244.95p

Price: Year High: 257.70p Year Low: 158.30p

1.62p

Price: Year High: 6.75p Year Low: 1.62p

41.00p

Price: Year High: 43.50p Year Low: 24.90p

95.00p

Price: Year High: 99.57p Year Low: 66.86p

11.62p

Price: Year High: 16.60p Year Low: 5.75p

-1.20 on last week

-13.50 on last week

-28.50 on last week

-9.80 on last week

-4.00 on last week

+0.00 on last week

-1.00 on last week

+0.00 on last week

-0.26 on last week

FTSE 100

5313

Price: Year High: 6,105 Year Low: 4,790

+91 on last week

www.coachandbusweek.com

28/11/2011 23:11

8 | COACH & BUS WEEK | November 30, 2011

NEWS › COACHES

“The generic element we want to pick out for Grand Tourer is quality. Our tours now almost exclusively use four and five star accommodation.”

Ann Carpenter Shearings

BRIEFLY Users of the A590 near Greenodd in Cumbria are being advised a speed limit reduction and contraflow arrangement will be in place in December to allow safety work to take place. Work is taking place to install rock face netting at Barr End between Monday, December 5 and Friday, December 23. To allow the work to be carried out safely, a section of the eastbound dual carriageway will close with a contraflow in place on the westbound carriageway. The speed limit through the works and along the dual carriageway and single carriageway approaches to the works will be reduced to 40mph.

Essential maintenance work to replace bridge expansion joints on the A5223 at M54 Junction 6 (Ketley Interchange) westbound is expected to start on Monday December 5 and is scheduled to last four nights. Works will be carried out overnight between 2000 and 0600hrs. The western side of the M54 Junction 6 roundabout (A5223) will be closed each night from Junction 6 Ketley roundabout for the duration of the work and a diversion route will be clearly signposted.

Works at the north and south carriageways of the bridge carrying the M69 over the M6 at Junction 2, near Ansty, start on Monday, December 5 and are due to be completed by Friday, December 16, with works taking place overnight to minimise disruption for road users. While work takes place there will be some overnight closures of the M69 from junction 1 to Junction 2 of the M6. The northbound carriageway of the A46 will also be closed overnight from the A4600 Hinckley Road roundabout to the M69. Some overnight lane restrictions will also be in operation. Diversion routes will be fully signposted.

The A5 Nesscliffe Bypass in Shropshire will be closed overnight (2000 - 0600hrs) between the Felton Butler roundabout and the Wolfshead roundabout in both directions for resurfacing from Monday, December 12 until December 15. www.coachandbusweek.com

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Operator Update p34

Get your UKCA nominations in now Operators and their customers need to submit nominations for UK Coach Awards by December 9 Coach operators are urged to submit their nominations for the UK Coach Awards 2012 soon, as the December 9 deadline looms.

The awards ceremony is taking place on Thursday, April 19 at the Mercure Piccadilly Hotel in Manchester, with the short-list to be announced in February.

As announced when nominations opened last month, there is an expanded list of awards for 2012 which is designed to reflect excellence and good practice across a whole range of activities.

A cardinal principle of the scheme is that people who actually use the services are the ones who should

do the nominating. New categories for 2012 include Making Coaches a Better Choice and a Young Coach Industry Professional Award.

There are 21 awards in total and the categories are divided into the following groups: n Industry people n Coach operation n Management of coaching n Coach friendliness n Manufacturers and support service suppliers n Suppliers of services for coach passengers UK Coach Awards (UKCA) director Jamie Cash, told CBW: “Our goal is to raise awareness, recognise the hard work, dedication and professionalism of the diverse organisations and of the people involved in coach tourism.”

This year’s UK Coach Awards ceremony which took place on in April at the Manchester Piccadilly Hotel. The event returns to the same venue in 2012

Rabbies driver gains £2,600 award for unfair dismissal A coach driver who was sacked

by Edinburgh-based Rabbies Trail Burners after being given a single bad review on the Trip Advisor website has been awarded more than £2,600 by an employment tribunal.

David Marshall was deemed to be unfairly dismissed after being sacked in February following a three-day trip to Skye. The tribunal heard how he was due to take his

party to Eilean Donan Castle, Rossshire, in January this year, but after the castle was closed he decided to stop off at Inverness instead.

Marshall insisted he consulted everyone on board about going to the Highland capital. However, one of the passengers later posted a negative review on TripAdvisor claiming a number of the tour party were unhappy about the change. A manager at Rabbie’s Trail Burners

“The scheme is designed to recognise and reward excellence, original thinking and innovation,” he continued, explaining each award would be independently and impartially judged using objective criteria. “That way, we can promise that taking home a UK Coach Award really is a badge of achievement.”

The award categories cover the full range of services provided by and for coach operators and their passengers. There are prizes for industry people, for excellence in coach operation and management, in coach friendliness by attractions and local authorities. Suppliers of services for coach passengers, such as catering and venue ticketing, are recognised too, alongside manufacturers and support service suppliers.

Nominations can be submitted online via the UKCA website or using specially designed forms which can be downloaded from the site. The site also contains detailed criteria for each award category, plus news and information about current and previous winners.

Organisations which support the awards include the Coach Tourism Council, the CPT, the Group Travel Organisers Association and media partners Coach & Bus Week.

For further information about the awards and to submit your nominations, visit the UKCA website at www. ukcoachawards.co.uk

read this and confronted Marshall.

After a separate trip in January, it was also reported Marshall acted wrongly by parking in a lay-by and meeting a female friend after dropping off passengers.

The incidents led to him being questions by managers over the detour and in February, he was fired for gross misconduct.

Judge Rosie Sorrell said: “The tribunal found the claimant to be a credible witness who was consistent in the material aspects of his evidence and who was clearly distressed at the events which led up to his dismissal.”

28/11/2011 23:12

November 30, 2011 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 9

IN PARLIAMENT…

The Dartford Crossing carries about 150,000 vehicles a day

Severn toll to rise while Dartford Crossing on hold Tolls at the Dartford Crossing will not rise until after April 2012, roads minister Mike Penning has announced. However, charges on the Severn Bridges are set to rise to £6 from January 1.

In September, 11 Kent MPs wrote to the government to oppose the Dartford toll increases which were to have been introduced this month.

Penning said in his statement that a final decision on the future timing of toll rises will be announced early next year, as will a response to a consultation report.

The news has been welcomed by the Freight Transport Association (FTA), however it warned that the government’s final decision on the timing and scale of future rises must be proportionate and a serious commitment given to invest in reducing congestion for this key piece of infrastructure.

Malcolm Bingham, FTA’s head of road network management, said: “Today’s news will alleviate some pressure for those thousands of hard-pressed operators using this key piece of infrastructure every day. The proposed 60% hike is astronomical and comes at a time of massive fuel price pressure too. Such a hike is an especially bitter pill to swallow given that the bridge was paid off in 2003.

It was after this point that the toll, which was needed to pay off the bridge’s construction, should have been abandoned. Instead it was reinvented as a ‘road charge’ aimed at controlling congestion although, clearly this hasn’t worked.

“In our consultation we expressed the deep concerns of our members – who have no alternative

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but to use the crossing – about the abruptness of the proposed rises, which would equate to little more than a tax on business. It’s highly unlikely that this ready source of income for the Treasury is going to be scrapped entirely, but we would suggest any rise is focussed on cash charges rather than Dart-Tag users, who are more likely to be regular business users. In the meantime, we will continue to impress on the DfT why this ‘stay of execution’ should become a ‘reprieve’.”

In a recent survey, 87% of FTA members named the Dartford Crossing as Kent’s most costly congestion pinch point.

Meanwhile, in January, crossing the Severn Bridges will cost small goods vehicles and small buses £12.10 - a 60p increase - while heavy goods vehicles and buses will pay £18.10, an increase of 90p.

The Campaign Against Severn Tolls, has been calling for a freeze.

Members say the rise is “a bitter pill to swallow.”

A spokesman for Severn River Crossing (SRC) plc confirmed the new tolls would come into force on January 1, 2012. “SRC amends the tolls at the start of each new year in strict compliance with the Severn Bridges Act 1992,” he said. “The Act sets down the precise method and base prices for setting toll levels and the adjustment to next year’s toll levels, like this year, is in accordance with RPI (the Retail Price Index).

“The new toll levels are confirmed each year by a Parliamentary Order made in December which authorises SRC to adjust tolls to the revised levels.”

REGULATION Jonathan Reynolds (Stalybridge & Hyde, Labour) asked what the policy is on increased bus regulation in Greater Manchester.

Transport minister Norman Baker, (Lewes, Lib Dem) replied: “We encourage authorities such as Transport for Greater Manchester and bus operators to work in partnership. Such authorities also have powers to pursue statutory Quality Contracts and Quality Partnerships if appropriate. I intend to wait for the outcome of the Competition Commission inquiry into the local bus market outside London before deciding on the need for any changes to the regulatory regime.”

IMPACT OF CUTS Derek Twigg (Halton, Labour) asked what recent assessment has made of the potential effect of spending reductions for public transport on people with a low income.

Norman Baker replied: “Buses are most heavily used by those on the lowest incomes. No cuts were made this year to the subsidy paid to bus operators and the Government believe the 20% cut from April 2012 is manageable given the reductions to budgets elsewhere. The Government has made a commitment to providing free local bus travel for older and disabled people to ensure that no one who is older or disabled in England need be prevented from bus travel by cost alone. 40% of concessionary journeys are made by people with a household income of less than £10,000.

While there is no statutory obligation to carry out a formal assessment of the impact of spending decisions on people on low incomes, Ministers carefully considered this during the spending review process.”

CONCESSIONARY FARES Maria Eagle (Garston & Halewood, Labour) asked what funding has been allocated for the concessionary bus

fare scheme for each year of the spending review period; and how much was allocated in each year since the scheme’s introduction.

Norman Baker replied: “Since April 2011 all funding for the statutory travel concession in England has been provided by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) through Formula Grant. This block grant is unhypothecated so it is impossible to identify how much funding has been allocated to a local authority for a particular service such as concessionary travel.

Following the introduction of the England-wide scheme in April 2008, the DfT provided a portion of funding through a Special Grant to local authorities until March 31, 2011. The latter was £212m in 2008-09, £217m in 2009-10 and £223m in 2010-11.

DISABILITY CONCESSION Valerie Vaz (Walsall South, Labour) asked whether provision is in place to provide access to concessionary travel schemes for people who are unable to use scheduled public bus services as a result of disability.

Norman Baker replied: “Some community transport services provided under section 22 permits are already eligible. Local authorities can expand the offering on a discretionary basis.”

COMPETITION Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central, Labour) said: “The secretary of state will have seen the Competition Commission’s damning report on the bus wars around Newcastle. May I urge her not to leave bus transport in the north-east to market forces, but to work with local and transport authorities to ensure the people of Newcastle have the quality of bus services they deserve?”

Transport secretary, Justine Greening (Putney, Conservative) replied: “We are awaiting the final report, but I can assure you I’m well aware of the importance of buses to all local communities, including in Newcastle. I shall pay close attention to any strategies we develop in the light of the commission’s report.”

www.coachandbusweek.com

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10 | COACH & BUS WEEK | November 30, 2011

NEWS

Torotrak-AllisonTransmission joint project progresses Concept proven, timing to market could meet new legislation for commercial vehicle fuel economy Gearless traction drive company Torotrak PLC is progressing to the next stage in its programme with Allison Transmissions Inc for mid- to large-size commercial vehicles. The programme has proved the transmission’s required performance on concept hardware.

The next phase will develop prototypes of a fully representative production design.

Having completed an extensive process of knowledge transfer to Allison personnel, Allison Transmissions will lead the programme towards production while Torotrak provides ongoing specialist technical support and engineering consultancy.

Torotrak commercial director Jeremy Deering, said: “Torotrak has re-shaped its engineering delivery structure over the last six months to provide the most relevant support as programmes such as Allison’s move closer towards commercialisation.

Helping develop the production supply chain for important variable drive components, such as the discs, rollers and traction fluid, is as important to success as is the disciplined engineering staged approach and forensic attention to detail in planning. We are engaged with a number of suppliers with a

Pioneering website for System One

Manchester-based Studio North has designed, built and launched a new website for System One, the client facing brand of Greater Manchester Travelcards Limited (GMTL).

The Studio North team was tasked to create a ‘best in sector’ website, paying equal attention to customer experience, design (visual & verbal), build (technology) and marketing capability. The overall aim was to meet the demands www.coachandbusweek.com

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view to establishing relationships to support Torotrak licensees.”

The timing of the programme means Torotrak’s technology could be part of the CV industry’s response to growing legislative pressure to improve fuel economy.

In the US, new regulations from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency require heavy trucks to achieve fuel consumption and CO2 emissions savings of around 20% from the 2018 model year onwards.

Affecting vehicles built and sold in 2017, commercial vehicle manufacturers must move quickly to ensure they have solutions in place.

Torotrak chief executive Dick

Elsy, said: “Torotrak’s variable drive technology can help manufacturers improve CV fuel-efficiency and emissions. We know Torotrak technology is most effective at saving fuel in vehicles with stopstart duty cycles, a big part of the commercial vehicle market.

We have a proven technology with an appropriate timescale for introduction which can be implemented cost-effectively.”

Part of Torotrak’s strategy is to offer technology which can be implemented at a significantly lower cost and sit alongside more conventional transmission arrangements. Torotrak technology is being developed for use in a number of other vehicle systems to reduce CO2 emissions. The

A Torotrak transmission incorporated in a mechanical hybrid application and expectations of existing and potential users of public transport, to provide flexible purchasing options, with E-sales being the most important, and to attract new customers to the System One brand and product range.

Studio North built System One’s original website in 2006. This project saw the agency design and build the entire site, including an SQL e-retail platform which has been future-proofed in anticipation of possible smart ticketing changes in the future.

Nick Wright, director of Studio North, commented; “It’s been fantastic to pull the brand’s digital offering forward with online

The new System One Travel Cards homepage was designed by Studio North. The two firms have worked together for five years purchasing and I’m positive it provides a fantastic user experience. I look forward to seeing the results over coming months” Allie Johns, marketing consultant

company’s compact continuously variable transmission (CVT) is a key part of mechanical flywheel hybrid systems for cars and commercial vehicles. Work is underway with industry partners including Ricardo, Prodrive, Jaguar Land Rover and Optare in pre-competitive research projects to examine the viability of the technology for premium vehicles and buses.

Torotrak’s Rotrak joint venture is developing a variable supercharger to ensure more economical, downsized engines, which form a significant part of CO2 strategies, yet still provide the driveability car buyers expect. Testing of the system is underway at Torotrak and talks with vehicle manufacturers and Tier One suppliers are in progress.

“Torotrak’s technologies are based around the concept of simple variable devices to help recover and reduce waste energy or to enable more radical engine downsizing,” said Deering. “This is helping position Torotrak in new markets and we are currently engaged with a number of Tier One suppliers and vehicle manufacturers looking for ways to meet stricter environmental targets.”

The company’s commercial progress is reflected in its improved financial position. Its half-year results showed a cash balance of £8.8m, up from £8.3m in 2010, strengthened by a £3.5m licence payment from Allison Transmissions.

Torotrak continues to conduct extensive testing and evaluation work for an unnamed European truck and bus manufacturer and has an ongoing licence agreement with Tata Motors. for Greater Manchester Travelcards Limited said: “The System One brand is all about making public transport ticketing more accessible and flexible for people across the Greater Manchester region. We see the website as a key enabler of this.

The new site is showing positive signs in terms visitor numbers, engagement and conversions to registration and sales.

“All of this certainly bodes well as we go into 2012 with a key objective of continuing to develop our products and presence online.’

The new site is live now and can be viewed at www. systemonetravelcards.co.uk

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NEWS

Tougher Low Emission Zone standards next year Vehicle owners and operators urged to take action to clean up vehicles The operators of some 75,000 HGVs, buses and coaches and 72,000 larger vans and minibuses will have to take action to meet tougher standards. Transport for London (TfL) is calling on the owners and operators of the most individually polluting vehicles to take action now to avoid fines when new vehicle emissions standards come in to effect in January 2012.

The London Low Emission Zone (LEZ), introduced in 2008, has delivered real improvements to air quality in London by encouraging the most individually polluting vehicles to clean up their emissions.

It is the largest environmental zone in the world and operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year across most of the Greater London area.

The LEZ reduces the amount of particulate matter (PM) pollution - the very fine particles of soot which are emitted from exhaust pipes - preventing 28 tonnes of PM pollution from entering London’s air in 2008 - equal to saving 127 million km driven by a Euro III lorry (the same as 160 return trips to the moon).

Poor air quality has a major impact on health, affecting people with asthma, chest and heart conditions. It’s the poorest, the old, the very young and the sick who suffer most. In 2008 the GLA reported that poor air quality contributed to over 4,000 deaths in London. While there have been great improvements, London’s air quality remains a concern and further action is needed to meet legally required air quality standards and avoid potential fines from the EU estimated at hundreds of millions of pounds.

That is why, from 3rd January 2012, the LEZ will be changing.

Vehicles already affected by the LEZ will face tougher standards. Lorries (over 3.5t), buses and coaches (over 5t with more than 8 passenger seats), and other specialist heavy vehicles will be required to meet a Euro IV standard for particulate matter to drive within the LEZ www.coachandbusweek.com

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The regulations for LEZ compliance change in January 2012 - make sure your vehicles meet the new criteria before driving in London without paying a daily charge.

Lorries, buses and coaches registered as new on or after 1 October 2006 will already meet the LEZ standards from 2012. For the first time a LEZ standard will apply to larger vans and minibuses.

Larger vans (1.205 - 3.5t), minibuses (under 5t with more than 8 passenger seats) and other specialist vehicles will have to meet a Euro 3 standard for particulate matter in order to drive within the LEZ without paying a daily charge.

Vans and minibuses registered on or after 1 January 2002 will already meet the LEZ standards.

TfL estimates the changes to the LEZ will broadly double the impact of earlier phases in reducing harmful particulate matter pollution in the capital.

If your vehicle does not meet the new LEZ emission standards you

have a number of options: fitting an approved filter to existing vehicles. This can be the most cost effective solution particularly for operators with larger, heavier vehicles or anyone with a specially adapted or heavily customised vehicle. re-organising a fleet so that only vehicles which meet the emissions standards are used within the zone. replacing older vehicles with newer models which meet the relevant emissions standards.

A newer second hand vehicle can be the most practical way forward for van owners. There are manufacturer discounts available for anyone considering a new van (see website for more detail) renting a vehicle for short term or for very infrequent visits

converting vehicles to run on pure gas with a spark ignition paying the daily charge, though TfL would prefer everyone to meet the air quality standards.

Anyone choosing to fit an approved filter or new gas engine must have their vehicle inspected every year by the Vehicle Operator Services Agency (VOSA). VOSA will issue an annual certificate to confirm that your vehicle meets the LEZ standards and pass this information on to TfL automatically.

Some fitters also offer a certification service and so it is worth asking your supplier about this. It is important to fit only an approved filter, as otherwise you will not be able to obtain the correct certificate.

See the website for more details (www.tfl.gov.uk/lezlondon). TfL would prefer everyone to take action to make sure their vehicles meet LEZ standards rather than pay a daily charge or risk a fine.

The message is to act quickly as it can take several months to make any necessary changes. If your vehicle does not meet the LEZ standards, you will have to pay a charge each day it is driven within the LEZ. A charging day runs from midnight to midnight. For lorries, buses and coaches the charge is £200 per day, with a penalty of £1000 per day if the charge is not paid (reduced to £500 if paid within 14 days) For larger vans, minibuses and other specialist light vehicles, the charge is £100 per day, with a penalty charge of £500 per day if the charge is not paid (reduced to £250 if paid within 14 days).

The Mayor recognises meeting LEZ requirements may mean additional costs for some operators, which is why he has already delayed the introduction of a LEZ standard for vans and minibuses by fifteen months to give people more time to prepare. The Mayor has also negotiated discounts on new vans and minibuses from several major vehicle manufacturers, and some filter manufacturers are also offering discounts. The Mayor and TfL want to make London a cleaner, greener, healthier city for everyone living and working in the Capital.

For more information on the LEZ, to check if a vehicle is affected, and to find out more about the available compliance options, call 0845 607 0009 or visit the LEZ website (www.tfl. gov.uk/lezlondon).

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Eberspächer Climate Control

Systems for new or existing vehicles Simple to use, effective in performance and reliable in operation, an Eberspächer climate control system is automatic temperature control at its best.

A WORLD OF COMFORT

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NEWS › INTERNATIONAL

Mercedes-Benz in-house show Thousands attend manufacturer’s biennial inhouse show as new Citaro and FleetBoard are unveiled GERMANY The manufacturer’s biennial in-house show attracts private bus and coach operators and public transport specialists from across Europe. Around 6000 visitors from over 20 countries attended this year’s Bus and Coach Show which took place between 17 to 20 November.

Alongside the interesting programme of events, customers were able to take a look at, find out about and experience the entire bus and coach product range from Mercedes-Benz, covering urban and rural-service buses with coaches for excursions or long distance tours – all of which were displayed in 3500 square metres of exhibition space.

An obvious star exhibit was the new Mercedes-Benz Citaro, the first low-floor bus to be available with ESP. The touring coach range also featured a Travego Edition 1 with a ‘futuristic’ drive system and another equipped with the claimed Euro 6 compliant engine.

“Visitors were able to test-drive

our entire product range during the Mercedes-Benz Bus and Coach Show. The highlight was undoubtedly our new Citaro”, says Roman Biondi, brand spokesperson for Mercedes-Benz buses and coaches at EvoBus GmbH. Another highlight was FleetBoard. Formerly, the fleet management system tailored specifically to the bus sector was called Omniplus BusFleet.

The telematics system for rural, touring and urban buses has been further developed and will in future be supplied by Daimler

FleetBoard GmbH. “Trust is good but, as fleet operators definitely know, transparency is better, and indispensable if you aim to manage a business cost-effectively. Together with Daimler FleetBoard GmbH we are therefore offering customers a bus-specific fleet management system,” says Angela TitzrathGrimm, head of sales, marketing and aftersales at Daimler Buses.

“We have more than ten years’ experience in commercial vehicle fleets. Our customers have come to appreciate – particularly when diesel prices are so high – the

The new Citaro was an undoubted star at the recent Mannheim exhibition

ability to substantially cut fuel consumption by using FleetBoard” added Markus Lipinsky, managing director of Daimler FleetBoard GmbH. The Mercedes-Benz Symposium got underway on the first day of the Mercedes-Benz Bus and Coach Show 2011 with four presentations relating to future mobility.

The presentation “Public transport in the context of the conflicting demands of government and business” given by Winfried Hermann, Baden-Württemberg minister for transport and infrastructure, was eagerly awaited by delegates.

“Through the Mercedes-Benz Symposium we aim to provide a forum to shape future mobility and to discuss together with customers and experts the kind of opportunities opened up for public transport. Thanks to the top-class participants, we also managed to fulfil these aims once again this year”, says Angela Titzrath-Grimm.

This year’s event was regarded as special as it marked the 125th anniversary of Karl Benz creating the first automobile and 115th anniversary since he created the omnibus.

Arriva wins Stockholm contracts

MAN to deliver 35 buses to Tallinna

SWEDEN Stockholm transport authority SL named Arriva as the winner of two rail and bus operating contracts.

One contract covers the operation of suburban rail, light rail and local bus services from August 20, 2012. A separate contract covers the narrow gauge Roslagsbanan and buses in Norrort from January 6, 2013.

The combined bus and rail contracts bid to encourage coordination. Arriva will be given incentive to grow ridership. SL anticipates the Arriva will exceed minimum service levels set out in the contracts.

The contracts are worth 7bn Swedish Krona over eight years, with a four-year extension option.

ESTONIA MAN Truck & Bus is to supply the Estonian capital’s Tallinna Autobussikoondise AS (TAK), with 25 Lion’s City LE buses and ten Lion’s City LE articulated buses.

The 35 new buses will complement the TAK’s current fleet of 330 vehicles. The 25 Lion’s City LE vehicles are three-door models, 12m long and equipped with 290bhp EEV diesel engines.

The articulated buses are Lion’s City low-entry models, 18.75m long and with 320bhp EEV engines. They are equipped with four double doors for fast passenger flow.

In preparation for their deployment in Tallinn, all the vehicles will be fitted with doubleglazing and special XL heating.

www.coachandbusweek.com

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POLAND Polish manufacturer Solaris has introduced a new model to its line up of low-entry buses. The articulated Urbino LE 18 features compressed natural gas (CNG) propulsion and expands the Solaris lowentry fleet to six vehicles. Solaris says the new model has been created to meet clients’ expectations and is in response to new market opportunities.

The vehicle is powered by a 234.8kW Cummins ISLG EEV 320 engine meeting EEV exhaust emissions standards. Eight roof mounted gas tanks contain up to 1712 litres of compressed gas. The prototype was equipped with a so-called Scandinavian specification package, including additional insulation of ceiling, side walls, and driver’s cab, effective heating systems and auxiliary heating, as well as comfortable STER seats with seat belts and headrests.

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NEWS › REGIONAL

SCOTLAND

An overhaul of Cumbernauld Bus Station near Glasgow has been proposed.

The amenity has attracted heavy criticism in recent years amid claims it gives bus passengers a poor impression of the town.

Now the public is being asked to contribute to a consultation process, giving them a say in the plans.

North Lanarkshire Council is in contact with a firm which transformed the nearby Craiglinn Roundabout, with a view to fully illuminating the bus station in a similar highly distinctive fashion.

Another firm which has lit up monuments in Glasgow city centre with coloured floodlights is also on board.

A spokesman for North Lanarkshire Council said: “We have engaged lighting designers Lightfolio and Bigg Design to develop lighting for Central Way at the main bus stops, to improve safety.

“Directional and ‘welcoming’ signage is also being installed at the bus stances.

“These proposals are part of a range of improvements planned for Central Way in Cumbernauld by the council and its partners.

“Displays in place at Cumbernauld College and Cumbernauld Library will run until Friday, November 25. A presentation and discussion on the proposals will also take place at the Cumbernauld Community Forum meeting on Tuesday, December 13.”

WALES

Swansea Council is offering school children under the age of 16 free bus travel, in a scheme which claims to be the first of its kind in Wales.

The offer will run from December 22 through to January 8, 2012, allowing 27,000 pupils to use any bus route in the city to travel wherever they like. If the £35,000 scheme is a success it may be repeated in the future.

Council leader Chris Holley who is also Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) spokesman on Europe, said he came up with the idea when travelling around the continent. The scheme was approved by Swansea Council’s cabinet and will be funded by the authority’s concessionary fund.

He said: “This is to help families with a lot of children who want to www.coachandbusweek.com

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EAST

KEY

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

come into the city centre to use facilities like the shops, leisure centres and Winter Wonderland.

“We are saying to all school children in Swansea under the age of 16 they can have free bus transport if they get a pass from school. They can operate their passes through the holiday period.

“We’ve spoken to some of the city centre businesses and to the manager of the Quadrant centre and they are absolutely over the moon about it. I’ve been to a number of countries in Europe and I’ve seen a number of these schemes working successfully.

“We will do it for the Christmas holidays and see how it goes. We will then re-evaluate it and see if we can do it any more.”

Wrexham is also introducing a scheme to boost trade where it will fund a half-hourly bus service around the town centre and pedestrianised areas, providing a link between the Eagles Meadow shopping centre, bus station, rail station and the high street.

It has been warmly welcomed by traders as a means to bring customers back to the high street after a serious drop-off when bus services stopped using the road a few years ago. Last month the council reintroduced free car parking in a bid to boost trade.

Traders said: “They do need to bring buses back. It’s a neglected part of town and used to be a lot busier.”

MIDLANDS

Northampton Borough Council cabinet unanimously agreed to contribute £3m towards the town’s new bus station at a meeting on Wednesday.

The funding will add to the £8m already earmarked for the project by the West Northamptonshire Development Corporation.

As previously reported, the scheme will see the station and Stagecoach depot at Grayfriars demolished and a new station built on the Fishmarket.

Borough council leader Tim Hadland, said spending the money was necessary and a new bus interchange was a vital part of plans to expand the Grosvenor Centre.

“The only guarantee we can give is if the bus station development doesn’t go ahead then the Grosvenor centre will not happen,” he said.

Legal & General which owns the Grosvenor Centre has now appointed a team to work on the project. A plan is due to go on display to the public in the spring.

Mr Hadland added: “There will be a central hub which will be indoors and the buses will be outside. That’s where the vast majority of departures will go from.

“The plan we have in mind will also include public toilets, seating, a café and a shop, although we can’t say yet at this stage what kind of shop will be going there.”

The final section of cycle and maintenance track for the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway has been completed.

A second firm of contractors, brought in by Cambridgeshire County Council to correct alleged defects in the work by BAM Nuttall, finished re-grading and asphalting the maintenance track between St Ives and Swavesey.

The work included lifting part of the track by as much as four feet to reduce the likelihood of flooding, which is routinely experienced in the Fen Drayton Lakes area for one month of the year.

The track’s completion is welcome news for the district’s cyclists, who had been barred from the stretch of the maintenance track since September for safety reasons.

There were several incidents of cyclists riding along the Busway itself to avoid the works.

Now, walkers, cyclists and horse riders will be able to travel along the full 16 miles of the Busway, and maintenance work can be carried out to the busway with minimum disruption.

SOUTH EAST

A new bus lane is being pencilled in by East Sussex County Council for the busy Kings Drive in Eastbourne.

The local authority teamed up with Eastbourne Borough Council and Stagecoach to push for the works, with further details to be released later this year, although a county council spokesman stressed the plans were in an early stage and lengthy public consultation would be staged before any decisions were finalised.

The consultation, described as “one of the biggest carried out in Eastbourne by this department”, will be based around a series of exhibitions, a social media blitz, and the more traditional approach of letters, surveys and information days.

The authority has also promised to work with the borough council and local bus firms before deciding on even the smallest details, including priorities at junctions and making sure there are better bus stops.

No timetable will be in place for the works until the consultation and planning process has run its course – which could take anything up to 18 months, but County Hall says it will “look to implement these

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measures with minimal impact on the flow of other traffic and related disruption to local businesses.”

SOUTH WEST

Police in Exwick are cracking down on ‘bus surfers’, youths who risk their lives by clinging onto the back of moving buses.

The recent trend has alarmed many local Stagecoach drivers, who are usually not aware the youths are there until informed by another driver, due to advertising blocking view through the rear window.

Drivers often face delays due to the youths, as they are forced to take all of the cash from onboard with them when they go to tell them to get off. They often face abuse when they do so.

A Stagecoach driver, who wished to remain unnamed, said: “It starts as soon as it gets dark. What they do is wait for us to slow down or stop and then jump on. It can be up to three or four youths surfing the bus at a time. We only find out

November 30, 2011 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 17

Coach & Bus Week takes a look at the big issues where you live in our round-up of the regions. If you’ve got a local issue you would like us to cover, contact Gareth Evans at gareth.evans@rouncymedia.co.uk.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

when a car stops and the driver tells us we’ve got kids hanging on.

It’s really dangerous and they’re obviously hanging on for dear life sometimes for up to a mile.

“When we do realise and are forced to stop and get off, it’s a massive hassle which causes a delay for our passengers, because we have to take out the cash with us.

“And then when we do tell them to stop we get a load of abuse from them – it’s a nightmare.

“Eventually someone’s going to end up hurt or killed. We are concerned about the welfare of these youths yet we are the ones who not only have to live with the cosequences but be under investigation as a result.”

Stagecoach condemned the surfers commenting: “Our drivers made us aware of this issue. Surfing is an extremely dangerous act and puts not only the surfers at risk of serious injury but can also endanger our staff, our passengers, other road users and pedestrians.”

2012 n January 1 King Alfred Bus Running Day. Broadway and bus station, Winchester. www.fokab.org.uk n January 14 CPT North Western Region Annual Dinner. Southport Theatre & Covention Centre. 1830 for 1900hrs – until late. Contact Phillipa Sudlow, CPT NW regional manager email phillipas@cpt-uk.org or call 01925 229497. n January 28 Excursions 2012.

Alexandra Palace, London. www. excursions.org.uk n February 4 Mid Anglia Coach Operators Association Dinner Dance. The Bedford Lodge Hotel, Newmarket. Contact Bridget Paterson on 01638 780066 or email sales@nealstravel.com n March 14-15 Best of Britain and Ireland (BoBi). Travel Trade Forum. NEC, 01926 834796. www. bestofbritainandirelandevent.co.uk n March 15 Volvo Bus social evening in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust’s Warwickshire Appeal.

Century Court House, Warwick. Pam Matthews 01926 414 553 or e-mail pam.matthews@volvo.com n March 18 Leyland National 40th Anniversary. Organised by the Leyland National Group, Nationals on static display and working in service.The British Commercial Vehicle Museum in Leyland. www.leylandnational group.co.uk n March 31 ‘M&D and EK 60’.

Kent Showground on the A249 near Maidstone. www.mdekbusclub.org,

contact mdekbusclub@gmail.com

A new express bus service linking Monmouth to Newport will be launched on December 5 by municipally-owned Newport Transport.

The X25 service, which will stop at Raglan and Usk, is the first express bus service of its kind in the area and will give commuters living in the three towns a viable opportunity to switch to public transport to get to and from work. As well as stopping at Newport Bus Station, the service will also call at Newport railway station.

Fares for the service start from just £3, with weekly and monthly passes also giving bus users unlimited travel on all of Newport Transport’s other services – including buses to Cardiff and Cwmbran. All X25 buses will feature air conditioning, complimentary newspapers, CCTV, low-level flooring and dedicated drivers. Concessionary pass holders will be able to use the bus service for free with a valid pass.

Scott Pearson, managing director of Newport Transport, said: “We felt it was important to provide a service of this kind for people living in Monmouth, Raglan and Usk because public transport opportunities such as the train or express buses to Newport and Cardiff do not exist there.

Pictured here are Scott Pearson, MD of Newport Transport; David Davies MP for Monmouth; bus driver Jeff Smith and local bus users, who helped unveil the X25 service which will be launched on December 5.

n April 14 Paul S Winson Coaches Running Day. Loughborough and local area. www.busrunningday. co.uk, contact info@busrunningday. co.uk n April 19, 2012 UK Coach Awards. Ramada Jarvis Piccadilly Hotel in Manchester, 0870 900 1450. www.ukcoachawards.co.uk n April 19-21 Busworld Turkey.

Istanbul Expo Center, Turkey. www.busworldturkey.com/en/ index.html n April 21-22 UK Coach Rally.

East of England Showground, Peterborough. 01753 631170. www.coachdisplays.co.uk n April 24-26 CV Show. NEC, Birmingham. 01634 261262. www.cvshow.com

The CPT’s Annual National Dinner will be held at the Hilton Park Lane hotel in London on the evening of January 26, 2012.

Transport Minister Norman Baker has accepted an invitation to attend as Guest of Honour n May 22-23 ALBUM Conference.

– Forest Pines Hotel, near Brigg, North Lincolnshire. www.album-bus.co.uk n August 3-5 Bedford OB GetTogether. South Cerney Airfield, Cirencester, GL7 5QB. Contact the organiser Tim Wootton by email on tim@tjcs.freeserve.co.uk. Visit http://www.bedfordob.com/ n August 27 The National Association of Road Transport Museums gala day. The Transport Museum, Wythall, near Birmingham. www.wythall.org.uk n September 8-9 UK Bus Driver of the Year, Blackpool. Call competition secretary Bill Holmes on 01303 251462. www.bdoy.co.uk n September 20-27 IAA Commercial Vehicles. Hannover. +(00)49 30897842. www.iaa.de n October 14 Midland Red Centenary of the Reintroduction of Motorbuses. The Transport Museum, Wythall, near Birmingham. www.wythall.org.uk n November 6-8 Euro Bus Expo.

NEC, Birmingham. 01926 834790. www.eurobusxpo.com n November 20 UK Bus Awards – provisional date. www. ukbusawards.org.uk

2013 n May 26-30 UITP Congress & Exhibition. Palexpo, Geneva. www.uitp.org. +(00)32 2673 6100. n October 18-23 Busworld Kortrijk. www.busworld.org

Do you have an event to promote? Send details to gareth.evans@rouncymedia.co.uk www.coachandbusweek.com

RegionalNews.indd 17

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18 | COACH & BUS WEEK | November 30, 2011

100,000

NEWS › TOURISM

Number of tickets sold in seven weeks

by Ghost the musical in Manchester

BRIEFLY VisitScotland has launched a dedicated travel trade website at VisitScotlandTravelTrade. com, offering the UK, Ireland and international travel industries information, inspiration and deals in Scotland. It will assist tour operators and agents to sell destination Scotland more effectively to clients. They will find more than 25 downloadable itineraries, e-brochures and maps, making it easy to plan all types of client breaks and holidays in Scotland. The travel trade can also learn more about VisitScotland’s marketing campaigns and opt-in to receive the specialised monthly e-newsletter.

The VisitScotlandTravelTrade. com website brings together a host of Scottish companies who have committed to special rates, discounts and commissions exclusively for the travel trade in one comprehensive directory.

A British Museum exhibit entitled ‘Professor Munakata’s British Museum Adventure’ is running until April 8, 2012. The character was created by manga artist Hoshino Yukinobu, and is one of Japan’s most famous manga characters. Hoshino was inspired after a visit to the British Museum in 2009 to work on a Professor Munakata mystery, set in the museum. The series continued for nine months, culminating in a final scene where the Rosetta Stone is placed in grave danger. Entrance to the museum is free, although guided tours are offered to groups at the cost of £9 per person (max 25).

The free outdoor photography exhibition Wild Planet opens on the Natural History Museum’s East lawn on March 23, 2012, running until September 30, 2012. It features 80 spectacular, classic shots from the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition on large panels with accompanying image and photographer information. For admission to temporary exhibitions in the museum itself, groups get 15% discount when booking online.

For more information call ticket enquiries on 020 7942 5725 or visit www.nhmshop.co.uk/tickets/ events-listing.html www.coachandbusweek.com

TourNews.indd 18

Monkee-ing around at the Manchester Opera House Music from famous 60s band in ‘Austin Powers-style’ family stage show Monkee Business the Musical is to be launched at The Opera House in Manchester on March 29, 2012. The show will run until April 14, 2012 before moving to the Glasgow Kings Theatre from April 17 to 21, 2012 and then on to Sunderland Empire from April 24 to 28.

The launch follows the phenomenal success of the world premiere of Ghost the Musical, and is a performance aimed at the whole family, featuring hit songs from the iconic band The Monkees set around an original story.

Monkee Business is premiering at the Opera House as part of Manchester Gets It First, Ambassador Theatre Group’s drive to make Manchester the UK’s official city for launching new musicals, a scheme which has won the backing of the city council.

Ghost the Musical was the first Manchester Gets it First show, with almost 100,000 tickets being sold during its seven-week run earlier this year.

With a cast of 20, a live band of

eight, fabulous costumes and sets, a madcap ‘Austin Powers-style’ plot featuring all new characters and a score packed with iconic hits of the swinging sixties, Monkee Business, from the producers of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Spamalot, will pay homage to both the crazy chaos of the Emmy Award winning TV series and the popular music of The Monkees.

Made instant world-wide stars

Monkee Business will feature colourful music from the 60s

Million Dollar musical for King of Swing Million Dollar Quartet, a musical celebrating the life of Elvis Presley, is running until January 14, 2012 at the Noël Coward Theatre in London.

Described by music icon Rod Stewart as “Rock ‘n’ Roll at its purest - a wonderful night out!”, the international hit musical depicts the true story of Sun Records founder Sam Phillips and the night his ‘million dollar quartet’ of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis played together for the first and only time.

As is to be expected, a variety of classic Elvis songs appear in the show, such as Blue Suede Shoes,

Elvis is one of four musical icons the show focuses on, as is Johnny Cash Long Tall Sally and Hound Dog, alongside other greats such as I Walk The Line, Great Balls of Fire and Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On. The cast play over twenty

by the famous 1960s TV series, The Monkees, made up of Manchester’s Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz, Peter Tork and Michael Nesmith, became one of most successful bands of their generation – at one time even outselling The Beatles and The Rolling Stones - releasing 121 songs on nine albums and influencing many future artists.

Many hit songs are featured, including the infamous tracks I’m A Believer, Last Train to Clarksville and Hey, Hey We’re The Monkees.

Howard Panter, ATG’s joint chief executive & creative director, said: “We’re delighted to be premiering yet another landmark new musical, Monkee Business, as part of our Manchester Gets It First campaign.

This major new stage musical will be packed with iconic hit songs from the Sixties, Austin Powersstyle zany humour, romance and adventure, which Manchester audiences will get to enjoy before anywhere else in the world.”

General admissions tickets range from £18.50-£45, although groups of 10+ are advised to call 0844 871 3038 for improved rates and information.

hit songs live each night with an infectious energy which has audiences dancing-in-the-aisles.

Productions of Million Dollar Quartet are playing simultaneously in London, New York and Chicago.

A North American tour launched in October 2011.

Special group discounts are available for groups of ten or more, which fall substantially below the usual £60 maximum ticket price.

Monday to Friday at 8pm and Thursday matinee at 3pm, tickets for best available Stalls or the Royal Circle seats sell for £29.50 (£22.50 for just best Royal Circle seats), with the group organiser going free.

Saturday seats cost £45. For school parties of 10 or more, seats are available for £19.50, with 1 teacher free per 10 pupils.

For more information on group rates call 0844 482

5100

28/11/2011 17:24

£1.4m

Approximate size of the lottery grant given to the National Museum of the Royal Navy

Stunning setting for castle of legends

Tintagel Castle, supposed birthplace of King Arthur, is a great touring destination for groups of all ages.

It is located on the North Cornwall coast, with dramatic views, fascinating ruins and a beachside café, making it an excellent location for a day trip, with an average visit length of two hours. Its history stretches back to pre-roman times.

Visitors should not miss the ‘Searching for Arthur’ introductory video, the rugged trail to the ‘island’ and the hidden tunnel underneath it. ‘Merlin’s Cave’ is also located nearby.

Coach parking for 9 vehicles is located 600 metres away in Tintagel village. Groups of 11 or more can benefit from a 15% discount, with free entry for the coach driver and tour leader. General admissions are set at £5.50 per adult and £3.30 for children ages 5 to 15. Concessions tickets are available for £5.00.

The group booking form can be found online at www.english-heritage.org.uk/ daysout/properties/tintagelcastle/groups-and-trade

50,000

Number of years since cave men inhabited the Wookey Hole cave system near Wells

An artists impression of improvements to the Portsmouth-based museum

Lottery grant boost for Portsmouth Naval museum The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has awarded the National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN) in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard just over £1.4m to create two new exhibitions.

They will tell the story of the Navy in the 20th and 21st centuries.

The project enables a 400% increase in the space available for naval exhibits since 1900. A new gallery will be added, giving NMRN the chance to create two exhibitions a year to showcase new collections, commemorate anniversaries and bring a changing attraction to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

Stuart McLeod, head of HLF for the South East, said: “This project has the potential to entertain,

DEALS OF THE WEEK Pantos on Strike, described as a “wonderfully disrespectful, irreverent and funny couple of hours,” returns to the Manchester Opera House from Wednesday, January 11 to Saturday, January 14, 2012.

The adults only pantomime stars writers and producers Jonathan Wilkes and Paddy McGuinness and premiered at the Opera House in November 2010. The show includes an exclusive song written

by Robbie Williams as well as the ‘world’s most offensive song’, so attendees are warned not to bring the children along.

A description of the show reads: “Panto land is in crisis! Evil King Foo has kidnapped Princess Crystal so all of your favourite

November 30, 2011 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 19

Only big kids are allowed at Pantos on Strike - the irreverent panto Panto characters have gone out on strike in protest. Who can save this fairy tale world and restore order in panto land? Step forward panto hero Jonny Wilkes and his less than enthusiastic side-kick

intrigue and delight. ” Dr Dominic Tweddle, directorgeneral of the NMRN, said: “Despite the remarkable achievements of the men and women of the senior service over the past 100 years, there has been no single exhibition in this country which tells their story.” Discounts of up to 20% are offered for groups of 15 or more. To benefit from this, a group must be booked at least ten days in advance.

Free entry is provided for coach drivers as well as a complimentary lunch.

Prices can be found online at www.historicdockyard. co.uk/tickets/group.php, or by calling 023 9283 9766

Paddy McGuinness to rescue the situation. The odds are stacked against them but with the help of Snow White, ‘Big Dick’ Whittington, a cross dressing dwarf and a whole host of other panto characters, they’ll try their best…” n Tickets range from £18.50 to £27.50, though groups of 10+ should call 0844 871 3038, as with Monkee Business, for further information.

Wookey Hole Caves in Wells, Somerset, has a VAT freeze in operation preventing price rises in the New Year, along with a 15% online discount.

The site features a wide range of attractions catering largely for children. The caves themselves are millions of years old and were inhabited by cave men 50,000 years ago. Divers still explore the flooded chambers and there are impressive stalagmites and stalactites throughout, along with

DIESEL PRICES Cost per litre in pence: Great Britain Sweden Belgium Italy Germany Ireland Netherlands France Czech Republic Greece Portugal Austria Hungary Spain Slovenia Poland Luxembourg

140.90 136.28 129.02 127.65 125.52 123.55 123.55 123.47 118.94 118.77 117.83 116.38 114.63 109.30 108.36 104.40 104.26

HOLIDAY POUND £1 will get you: Euro Switzerland (Franc) Norway (Kroner) Hungary (Forint) Czech Republic (Koruna) Poland (Zloty)

1.17 1.43 9.14 360.35 29.96 5.29

a supposed bottomless pit and a strange stone structure said to be a petrified wicked witch.

The site is also famous for its old Victorian paper mill. The earliest mill at Wookey Hole (for grinding corn) was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. By 1610 it was a paper mill, and to this day handmade paper is still made from raw cotton at Wookey Hole Mill, using original Victorian machinery.

A short film, “Wookey Hole – The Great Paper Trail”, is displayed upon entering the mill.

Award winning cave-aged cheese is also produced at the site.

Other attractions include life sized dinosaurs, pirate golf, a Victorian penny arcade, a mirror maze and the Wookey Hole Magic Circus. n Tickets are priced at £16 per adult and £11 for children aged 3-14, seniors and students with valid student ID. www.coachandbusweek.com

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20 | COACH & BUS WEEK | November 30, 2011

NEWS › BUSINESS

0.8%

The forecast for economic growth in 2012 by the British Chambers of Commerce

BRIEFLY The SMMT has called on the government to use this week’s Autumn Statement to deliver tangible changes to unlock private sector investment and support export-led growth, in a letter to chancellor George Osbourne. This includes to business rates, which for manufacturing sites are not internationally competitive, risking global investors favouring other countries in Europe and around the world, according to the SMMT. “The Chancellor must take this opportunity to position the UK as a prime location for manufacturing and incentivise private sector investment in R&D, skills and capital equipment,” said SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has cut its forecast for UK economic growth for the fourth time this year. It is now forecasting growth of 0.9% this year and 0.8% in 2012, and said growth will be “very weak” for the next two to three quarters.

Only two months ago, BCC had expected growth as high as 1.1% for 2011 and 2.1% next year. The BCC blamed the slowdown in part on the government’s austerity measures, as well as the crisis in the eurozone. The group said a recession will be avoided, but is calling on the chancellor, George Osborne, to take “bold measures” to improve infrastructure and help business and exporters.

Banking group Santander UK has launched a programme called Breakthrough to help the fastest growing businesses by making up to £200m of growth capital available to them. The initiative is aimed at companies with an annual turnover of up to £10m, which have a demonstrated history of high year-on-year growth in turnover, profit or employment.

Santander, whose headquarters are based in Bootle, says its growth capital loans can be used to fund initiatives such as new products, expanding overseas or recruiting new staff, or be used as an alternative to equity investment where business owners don’t want to relinquish a large proportion of the business they have built up in exchange for capital. www.coachandbusweek.com

BusinessNews.indd 20

FTA warns against £325m increase in fuel-tax bills 3p fuel duty increase planned for next year by chancellor George Osbourne The Freight Transport Association has warned chancellor George Osbourne against pressing ahead with a 3 pence per litre (ppl) fuel duty increase from January 1, 2012.

The FTA’s latest Quarterly Transport Activity Survey shows operators are more downbeat about business activity and freight volumes than at any time for the past two years. As well as facing weak levels of demand, operators must deal with near record diesel prices, which are close to the all time highs seen in April this year.

At that time the chancellor took the decision to cut road fuel duty by 1.0ppl, recognising the cost of fuel is a very difficult issue and a concern to many families and businesses across the country.

If the chancellor goes ahead with the fuel duty rise planned for January it will land industry with an annual bill of £325m. The FTA said this would lead to more redundancies, and more businesses pushed into financial difficulties, further damaging the economy.

Simon Chapman, FTA’s chief economist, said: “With the economy stalled, the imperative for the chancellor is to get the wheels of industry turning once more.

Industry relies on diesel to move goods around the country, with diesel costs representing over a third of the costs of transport. A hike in duty at this time leaves carriers with nowhere to go.

Higher costs can’t be passed on to customers, who are looking to reduce costs to offset lower levels of business activity.

“Nor will rate rises wash with consumers, whose disposable income has been progressively eroded by the steady rise in inflation. Trading conditions are still incredibly tough, especially for an industry with typically tight profit margins, and it simply doesn’t make sense for Government to make things tougher.”

The price of diesel has risen by over 13ppl (13.9%) in the last year, representing an additional cost to the road freight operating industry of £1.4bn.

Overall, commercial vehicle operating costs have risen by 6.2% in the last year while over the same period haulage rates have risen by 4.5%. As a result, profit margins, which are typically less than 3% in the haulage sector, have been under significant pressure.

Chapman concluded: “Business understands the need for the government to balance the books of the public accounts. However, the planned January rise would be an ill-judged triumph of short term gain over long term pain.

Industry will have no option but to look to 2012 as a further year of retrenchment. That means scaling back on capital investment, putting further downward pressure on real-term pay levels and laying staff off where business volumes are simply not there.

“As partners in the Fair Fuel UK campaign, we have amassed massive public and commercial support for a fairer deal on fuel duty. The chancellor’s Autumn Statement must encourage growth, support employment and alleviate pressure on businesses by committing to a fuel duty freeze throughout 2012.”

be as large as £40bn”.

“The government will underwrite the loans banks make to small businesses in order to cut the interest rates which small businesses pay,” he told BBC1’s The Andrew Marr Show. “That will help with their cash flow, that will help them retain their workforces, that will help them expand and invest.

“I think this is actually relatively low risk for the government, given the strength of our balance sheet and our low interest rates and the credibility we have got in the world,” he said.

CBI director general John Cridland said the scheme had the potential to make a real impact on business growth. “With the ability to be rolled-out immediately and offer small and medium-sized firms more and cheaper loans, this scheme will be warmly welcomed

by UK business,” he said.

John Longworth, the director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said it would be a “big shot in the arm” for the economy but added it was only a “first step” in ensuring firms had access to the credit they needed.

Meanwhile, a major £30bn building programme to help breathe life into Britain’s struggling economy was expected be announced by Osborne – but

The price of diesel has risen by over 13p per litre (13.9%) in the last year

Thumbs up for Osborne’s £40bn company loan scheme Business groups have welcomed the news that chancellor George Osborne is ready to underwrite up to £40bn in lending to cashstrapped firms.

Osborne said he would use every tool at his disposal to get the economy going again, without jeopardising the UK’s credit rating, in advance of his Autumn Statement this week.

The chancellor initially said £20bn would be made available to business through a new National Loan Guarantee Scheme “but this sits within an envelope which could

28/11/2011 23:04

4.7m

Number of UK businesses employing less than 50 people generating over 50% of the UK’s GDP

£100k

November 30, 2011 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 21

The average earnings a year of the majority of members of the Institute of Directors

Boardroom salary rises harm business reputation, says IoD The Institute of Directors (IoD) has attacked “unsustainable” rises in boardroom pay and called for changes to the current rules as it warned the reputation of business was being damaged by pay deals which were not linked to performance.

At the end of a week in which a report by the High Pay Commission (HPC) warned large pay deals were “corrosive” to the economy, Simon Walker, director general of the IoD, said: “The legitimacy of UK business in the eyes of wider society is significantly damaged by pay packages which are not clearly linked to the performance of a company.”

In a strongly worded submission to business secretary Vince Cable’s discussion paper on remuneration, Walker added: “The IoD has noted,

The current pace of increase in executive pay is unsustainable, says Institute of Directors director general Simon Walker the cost of constructing the new schools, roads and power stations will be partly met by further spending cuts.

Determined not to add to the deficit, the chancellor will have to make extra spending cuts to help raise £5bn of the proposed infrastructure investment. Other plans will be announced to build roads, bridges, public transport and telecommunications links and power stations, as well as to roll out broadband across the country.

Coinciding with Osborne’s statement, the independent Office for Budget Responsibility will cut its prediction for Britain’s economic growth in 2011 to around 1%, down from the 1.7% it forecast in March and 2.6% in June 2010.

BusinessNews.indd 21

with growing concern, the rapid rise in executive remuneration at the largest listed UK companies over the last 10 to 15 years. We are aware of the difficult challenges faced by remuneration committees in responding to a global market for executive talent. But the current pace of increase in executive pay is unsustainable.”

Walker called for shareholder votes on remuneration policies, currently advisory, to become binding and for greater diversity in boardrooms to increase “objective scepticism” about pay deals.

He also recommended voluntary discussions between employee representatives and remuneration committees and more information about the consultants used by the companies to help determine pay deals.

“Shareholders should also play a more active oversight role,” said Walker. “Remuneration committees should explore ways of engaging with employees on remuneration policy. This will be important in increasing the legitimacy of executive remuneration in the eyes of wider society,” he said.

The government, and particularly Cable, argue there is increasingly a consensus forming that boardroom pay deals are unacceptable and endorsed this week’s High Pay Commission report, which found executive pay had risen sharply at a time when average wages have risen threefold.

The government will underwrite the loans banks make to small businesses in order to cut the interest rates they pay, says George Osborne

Don’t stick to who you know but choose the right accountant for the job

BLOG of the week

HOW DO I CHANGE MY ACCOUNTANT?...SHOULD BE THE EASY QUESTION

It’s not wrong or hard to change accountant, says Michael Austin, the MD of Blue Dot Consulting, a firm of Chartered Accountants in South West London Mobile phones, banks, accountants - somehow it always seems easier to stay where you are than to change, even if you’re not getting the service or the value for money you expect. But this inertia could really hurt you and your business.

Accountants are not all the same.

Some of us specialise - for example in tax, insolvency and audit - and some are general practitioners.

We happen to specialise in accounting and financial management for businesses and this is reflected in our recruitment policy - we won’t hire anyone who has only worked in the accountancy profession.

What “specialisation” means for clients is they can choose an accountant who has the experience they need. But that’s not what always happens. People choose: n my uncle’s firm; n the one who is always at the weekly networking group; and n that nice chap from the golf club And these choices may be OK. BUT WHAT IF THEY’RE NOT? One of your most trusted advisers turns out not to be the best person for the job. Not necessarily because they’re doing a really bad job but perhaps just because they don’t know enough about what you really need at the moment.

The clearest example we see of this is the rubbish which is served up as management accounts by the

firm which relies on the standard reports from “top-selling, industry standard” accounting software and hasn’t a clue what information the MD and their team really need to run the business.

Choose the right accountant for the right job - and why not have more than one?

Times are strange, uncertain and, for many, just plain difficult at the moment so it serves all business owners and managers to stand back and ask what help they really need in their business and who are the best people to deliver what’s needed. And then go out and find those people and not feel it’s wrong to change.

Your accountant should be on the review list, like all other suppliers.

And if you have two financial issues, get two accountants or ask one to find the second. For example, we’re not auditors. So when one of our clients needs to be audited we’ll help them to find an auditor.

Once a decision has been made, changing accountant is very easy.

Because, as with a new bank or a new mobile phone company, the new guys do everything for you.

There’s a dance we do with the previous accountants, “professional clearance” we call it, and relevant historical records are passed over and that’s pretty much it. So don’t let inertia or a fear of the change process be reasons not to review whether your accountant is the right one for where your business is right now and where you expect it to be over the next few years.

Breaking up is not that hard to do! www.coachandbusweek.com

28/11/2011 23:04

22 | COACH & BUS WEEK | November 30, 2011

DELIVERIES

WILFREDA BEEHIVE COACHES LTD Wilfreda Beehive Coaches has received a Van Hool Acron T916 from Arriva Bus and Coach Sales.

The Van Hool is powered by a Paccar MX 340 engine with 462bhp meeting Euro 5 standards. This is coupled to a 12-speed ZF AS-Tronic automated transmission with manual drive mode.

The vehicle is configured with 57 Grande Luxe seats with leather headrest and trim.

For passenger comfort, there are a number of facilities available. An entertainment system is included with three LCD drop down monitors, able to display DVD, Sat Nav and images from the road ahead.

There is a centre sunken washroom, with a hot drinks machine on top and a fridge located to the centre of the stepwell.

Externally, the coach has near side pavement lights and is finished in black livery with lettering and Wilfreda Beehive’s logo depicted in a pale silvery-blue.

South Yorkshire based Wilfreda Beehive Coaches was established in 1949. Its services are primarily aimed at holidays, local businesses, schools and private hires.

The new Van Hool forms part of recent major investments in the fleet.

HIGHWAY COACHES LTD Highway Coaches Ltd of Heston, Middlesex, have taken delivery of a VDL Bova Futura FLD 120.365 PR integral 12m coach.

It is powered by a 365 bhp DAF PR Euro 5 engine, coupled to a ZF automatic transmission with hand controlled ZF Intarder.

Drivability is assisted by ASR traction control. The

FACT FILE

CHASSIS/BODY Van Hool Acron T916 ENGINE Paccar MX 340 462bhp Euro 5 TRANSMISSION 12-Speed ZF AS-Tronic SEATS 57 SPEC Touring SUPPLIED BY

Arriva Bus & Coach 01274 681144 www.arrivabusandcoach.co.uk

PARAMOUNT COACHES Two Plaxton Elite coaches, based on Volvo B9R chassis, have joined the fleet of Paramount Coaches, one of Malta’s leading coach operators. This brings to 15 the number of Plaxton coaches in the Paramount fleet, where they join Premieres and Excaliburs.

“I’m very impressed with the quality of the new Elites,” said Paramount Coaches’ leading man, Leo Grech, whose father founded the business over 65 years ago.

“They really do bring higher standards of comfort to our fleet, and are already being used on top-class tourism duties.

“Tourism is crucial to Malta’s economy and our

driver also benefits from a reversing camera.

The coach is configured as a 55 seater. The Create 100 luxury recliners are equipped with headrest flaps, moquette trim with piped seams and individual, adjustable footrests.

Specification also includes a radio/PA/CD system and saloon carpets. Futurair air conditioning manages climate control with additional winter protection and a Webasto pre-heater

writing, contrasting well with the dark tinted windows.

“We have always had good service from Plaxton over these many years,” added Mr Grech, “which is why we selected the Elites as our flagship touring coaches.”

Paramount Coaches has run services in Malta for 65 years. The company operates from a new purpose-built depot in the town of Mosta and in total runs 25 coaches, 15 minibuses and five taxis.

FACT FILE

aim at is to give visitors to the islands a first-class experience. The Elites will help us to continue to do just that.”

The Plaxton Elites are the first vehicles of their kind to go to Malta brand new, where coaches are typically

bought second hand.

The air-conditioned Elite B9Rs are 12.8m long and powered by Volvo’s low-emission D9B engine, coupled to an I-Shift automated transmission.

The two vehicles contain 49 GTV seats with contrasting

leather headrests and a centre sunken washroom with offside continental for quick boarding and alighting, along with an emergency exit to the offside rear.

The vehicles’ impressive exteriors are finished in a white livery with gold vinyl

CHASSIS/BODY Plaxton Elite/ Volvo B9R ENGINE Volvo D9B TRANSMISSION Volvo I-Shift SEATS 49 SPEC Air-conditioning SUPPLIED BY

Plaxton 01909 551166 www.plaxtonlimited.co.uk

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

www.coachandbusweek.com

www.coachandbusweek.com

Deliveries.indd 22

28/11/2011 23:02

November 30, 2011 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 23

Have you taken delivery of a new vehicle and want to tell the world about it?

Email all the details and pictures to cbwinbox@ rouncymedia.co.uk

installed. Side and rear windows are dark dinted and double glazed.

The vehicle is finished in Highway Coaches’ bronze metallic livery with vinyl lettering.

Highways has been in coaching for approximately 20 years, establishing the current company five years ago. Although the fleet has been recently expanded and updated, Highways still prides itself as a family run business, offering customers a personal service.

FACT FILE

CHASSIS/BODY VDL Bova Futura ENGINE 365bhp DAF PR Euro 5 TRANSMISSION ZF automatic SEATS 57 SPEC Touring SUPPLIED BY

Moseley South 01823 653000 www.moseleysouth.co.uk

INTRODUCING

WOODS COACHES South Yorkshire operator Woods Coaches of Barnsley has received a new Van Hool Alicron T915 from Cleckheaton-based dealer Arriva Bus and Coach.

It is equipped with a Paccar PR 360 bhp Euro 5 engine and ZF Ecolife sixspeed automatic gearbox with Intarder.

The vehicle contains 51 reclining seats with leather headrest and trim, a floor mounted toilet and washroom, fridge and hot drinks machine, a 19 inch drop down LCD screen, DVD player and Sat Nav system.

Independent front suspension provides the coach with a noticeably smooth ride. Double glazed windows and air conditioning are also fitted to the vehicle,

V

Woods Coaches family members taking delivery of a new Van Hool T915 Alicron from Arriva Bus & Coach as a standard for the Woods Coaches fleet.

The vehicle is finished in white livery, with yellow writing and yellow and blue details.

Based on Rotherham Road, Barnsley, the Wood family has been running coaches for 40 years and pride themselves on the quality of the coaches they

operate.

Ken Wood told CBW: “The new vehicle has everything you could ever need from an executive coach, and we’re particularly impressed with the fuel economy we’re getting out of it so far. Our VDL SB4000 does nine mpg, while the new Van Hool manages 12.

“It’s the first vehicle of this

e olution

build we’ve bought and it’s definitely a different animal.

We’ve not quite got the hang of it yet, but it’s very impressive. We’ll be using it as a general touring coach on our own tour program.”

Woods Coaches provides door to door tours across the UK and continental Europe, claiming to offer a friendly family service with baggage handling and without ‘annoying pickups’ once the coach has set off.

FACT FILE

CHASSIS/BODY Van Hool Alicron T915 ENGINE Paccar PR 360 bhp Euro 5 TRANSMISSION 6 Speed ZF Ecolife SEATS 51 SPEC Touring SUPPLIED BY

Arriva Bus & Coach 01274 681144 www.arrivabusandcoach.co.uk

• NEW GENERATION • NEW DESIGN • NEW IMAGE

DESIGNED TO LEAD. BUILT TO L AST.

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UK BUS AWARDS › RESULTS

Celebrating a vibrant bus industry The bus industry burst at its seams to celebrate its talents at the 16th UK Bus Awards on Tuesday in London The winners were announced for the 16th annual UK Bus Awards at a glittering lunchtime ceremony at the Hilton Park Lane on Tuesday, November 29 - the day chancellor George Osborne announced his Autumn Statement.

As a result, the UKBA’s regular host Stephanie Flanders was busy with her day job as BBC economics editor but BBC TV news presenter for BBC1 and the BBC News Channel Jane Hill made her first appearance and did an admirable job, with prizes handed out by the ever-enthusiastic Bus Users UK chair, Gillian Merron.

Transport minister Norman Baker also addressed the industry and presented the first award of

THE WINNERS Awards for Industry People CHRIS MOYES MEMORIAL AWARD FOR TOP NATIONAL BUS DRIVER Winner: Trevor Owen Stephensons of Essex Runner Up: Ian Grebby Trent Barton Highly Commended: n Paul Ferry - Arriva North East n Jane Greenacre - First South Yorkshire n Tony Horler - Oxford Bus Co n Stephen O’Hara - Lothian Buses n Kevin Wood - Trent Barton ENGINEER OF THE YEAR sponsored by the Institute of Road Transport Engineers Winner: John Bickerton First UK Bus Highly Commended: James Wood - First Manchester

the night – Putting Our Passengers First, which was swept up by trent barton. The operator also won the Marketing Excellence Award, for its campaign on the red arrow route “red instead.”

The prestigious Operator of the Year award, sponsored by Belmont International and QBE Insurance went to the municipal operation in Swindon - Thamesdown Transport, who received a double accolade, picking up the Top Shire Operator award as well. Meanwhile, Top Indepdent Operator was scooped

by Reays Coaches.

Stagecoach picked up the Environment award, adding to the catalogue of green awards the operator has received in recent months. Stagecoach additionally won the award for Top Express Coach Operation, with its renowned high frequency Oxford Tube service.

YOUNG MANAGER OF THE YEAR sponsored by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Winner: Ben Wakerley - First London Runner Up: Andrew Edwards - First Bristol Highly Commended: n Graeme Leslie Stagecoach Bluebird n Sarah Anderson Stagecoach East Scotland UNSUNG HEROES AWARD sponsored by Carlisle Support Services Winner: Rita Kendrick - Arriva Yorkshire Commendations for Outstanding Service: n Rick Halsall - Arriva North West n Malcolm Morgan - First Hampshire & Dorset n Arthur Pearson - Oxford Bus Company AWARD FOR SERVICES TO THE BUS INDUSTRY Roger French OBE - Brighton

Arriva scooped the Innovation award for its new m-ticketing system built around smart phone cameras and QR codes. Rita Kendrick, from Arriva Yorkshire, picked up the Unsung Heroes award.

The charismatic UK Bus Awards chairman and former CPT president John Owen said: “The industry’s original and most prestigious awards scheme continues to go from strength to strength. The Hilton is full again and we have beaten our record with over 260 entries competing for this year’s 21 awards.

“We are delighted the transport minister, Norman Baker MP, can be here again on what is most certainly a very busy day in the house, to say a few words, and to present our Putting Passengers First award. The entries for this award alone demonstrates the

& Hove Bus and Coach Company

Technical and Professional Awards ACCESSIBILITY: THE CLAUDIA FLANDERS MEMORIAL AWARD sponsored by The TAS Partnership and Guide Dogs Winner: Nottingham City Council - Linking the Journey Runner Up: The National Star College - LIFT Highly Commended: n National Express West Midlands - Disability Consultation n The City of Edinburgh Council - Talking Bus Stops n Transport for Greater Manchester - Callaghan House Project THE EUREKA! AWARD FOR MARKETING INITIATIVES sponsored by CBS Outdoor Winner: East Yorkshire Motor Services - Petuaria Express Runner Up: Plymouth

Citybus - Dennis Dart Project Highly Commended: n Brighton & Hove Integrated Bus and Train Travel Made Simple n Stagecoach West - Route 66 n Centro - The ‘Theo’ Summer Campaign n First Manchester - Change Your Spots MARKETING EXCELLENCE AWARD Winner: Trent Barton - red arrow - red instead Runner Up: Stagecoach UK Bus - StagecoachGold Highly Commended: n Stagecoach Yorkshire Creating Passenger Growth in Sheffield n Reading Buses - Ticketing Initiatives n Stagecoach West - Greener Journeys n Stagecoach East Kent The Canterbury Triangle MAKING BUSES A BETTER CHOICE Winner: Transdev Blazefield

- Route 36 Ideas in Action Runner Up: Heathrow Airport - Free Travel Zone Highly Commended: n Reading Buses - Taking Premier Routes to the Next Level n North Somerset Coaches Nailsea and Blackwell Local Bus n Stagecoach Bluebird - Jet 727 n National Express - Safer Travel Partnership n Metro (WYPTE) - Smaller Bus Stations Programme n City & County of Swansea - Swansea Bus Station PUTTING PASSENGERS FIRST Winner: Trent Barton Putting Passengers First - A Customer Obsessed Culture Runner Up: Arnold White Estates and partners - Dash Direct, Leighton Buzzard Highly Commended: n Arriva North East - Quorum Business Park - A Partnership for Growth n Stagecoach UK Bus -

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many places where significant numbers of car users are being attracted to good bus services - and overall we’ve again been hugely impressed by the commitment to quality and innovation shown by the industry and its partners.”

Commenting on the health and resilience of the industry, John said: “Of course difficult times make innovation and creativity even more important – and we’ve had that this year in spades. Inevitably, the increasing quantity and quality of entries does make winning, or even getting to the final, that much more difficult. Entries which would have won a few years ago struggle to get shortlisted today.

“Such strong competition underlines the exceptional achievement of those who have made the final stages. This may be little consolation to those who haven’t, but it does genuinely mean that everybody shortlisted should view themselves as a winner, an achievement to celebrate and an opportunity for good publicity – and hopefully an inspiration to others to emulate the best.

“In our 16 years, we’ve seen a

Operator of the Year and Top Shire Operator: Thamesdown

CitylinkGold n Centro - Walsall’s Voluntary Multilateral Agreement n Lothian Buses - Customer Service ENVIRONMENT sponsored by Heathrow Airport Winner: Stagecoach Group - UK Bus Sustainability Strategy Runner Up: FirstGroup UK Bus - The DriveGreen Programme Highly Commended: n First London - The Hydrogen Fuel Cell Project & Lea Interchange Depot n Johnsons Coach & Bus Travel and partners - Electric Bus Trial n Stagecoach in Oxfordshire - Introducing Electric Hybrid Buses to Oxford n Transport for London West Ham Bus Garage Special Commendation: Oxford Bus Company Environmental Policy and Practice

INNOVATION sponsored by Alexander Dennis Winner: Arriva UK Bus m-ticketing Runner Up: Reading Buses - New Tickets for the New Decade Highly Commended: n Centro - Centro’s Smartcard Initiative n Norfolk County Council NCC’s EBSR Success Story n Stagecoach Group StagecoachSmart n Yellow Buses - Operator Journey Planner

TOP NATIONAL BUS DEPOT sponsored by PSV Glass Winner: Nottingham City Transport - Gotham Runner Up: Stagecoach South West - Torbay Highly Commended: n Stagecoach West Scotland - Kilmarnock n Transdev Blazefield Burnley

Operating Awards

TOP CITY OPERATOR sponsored by BAE Systems Winner: Lothian Buses Runner Up: Nottingham City Transport Highly Commended: n Arriva Merseyside n Stagecoach Manchester

TOP EXPRESS COACH OPERATION sponsored by Volvo Winner: Stagecoach in Oxfordshire - Oxford Tube Runner Up: Stagecoach East Scotland - Fife Express Operation Highly Commended: n Stagecoach East – X5 n First UK Bus - Greyhound UK

TOP SHIRE OPERATOR sponsored by Ticketer Winner: Thamesdown Transport Runner Up: Yellow Buses Highly Commended: n Western Greyhound n Stagecoach East Midlands n Stagecoach South n Stagecoach West n Reading Buses

growing level of commitment to quality bus services. The results are there for all to see - in the memorable successes achieved for public transport in London, and in a whole range of superb examples in the current deregulated environment outside the capital.”

A beacon of such achievement – Roger French OBE and managing director of Brighton & Hove Bus and Coach Company – was celebrated with the award for services to the bus industry, whose hard work and dedication has been an inspiration to the industry for nearly 25 years.

Summing up, John said: “Our mission is to recognise, reward and inspire – to recognise best practice in our industry, to reward those who deliver it, and in my view most importantly, to inspire others to emulate that best practice.

“Today we reward. Let us celebrate the industry’s champions – people, projects and organisations who deliver excellence to our customers.”

Next week’s issue of Coach and Bus Week will feature pictures and quotes from Tuesday’s event.

Subscribers to CBW will have received their free UKBA 2011 Souvenir Brochure with this issue.

TOP INDEPENDENT OPERATOR sponsored by Scania Winner: Reays Coaches Joint Runners Up: Ipswich Buses, and DRM of Bromyard Highly Commended: n Johnsons Coach and Bus Travel n Courtney Coaches UK BUS OPERATOR OF THE YEAR sponsored by Belmont International and QBE Insurance Winner: Thamesdown Transport Runner Up: Lothian Buses

London Awards LUKE REES-PULLEY CHARITABLE TRUST AWARD FOR TOP LONDON BUS DRIVER sponsored by Transport for London Winner: Gary Jones - London United Busways (Fulwell) Joint Runners Up: John

Anderson - Epsom Coaches Group: Quality Line (Epsom), and Yvette Tomlin Stagecoach London (Catford) Highly Commended: n Ray Purcell - Arriva London (Tottenham) n Stephen Appiah - GoAhead London (Merton) n Dalmar Ibrahim - Abellio London (Camberwell) n John Gibbs - Arriva London (Norwood) n Frank Tumfo - Stagecoach London (Leyton) LONDON BUS GARAGE OF THE YEAR sponsored by Transport for London Winner: Lea Interchange, First London Runner Up: Epsom, Quality Line (Epsom Coaches Group) Highly Commended: n Clapton, Arriva London n Putney, Go-Ahead London n Hounslow Heath, London United Busways n Cricklewood, Metroline www.coachandbusweek.com

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eg

ESSENTIAL GUIDE

› POWERTRAIN

A

Rapid response to assist customers and minimise vehicle downtime is an essential element of the Cummins aftermarket support network

Fighting back against fuel prices As Europe continues its crackdown on emissions with more and stricter LEZs, and fuel prices soar, it’s time for the engineering industry to step up with some solutions. Coach & Bus Week looks at what the leading suppliers of bus and coach powertrains are doing to help www.coachandbusweek.com

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s fuel costs soar, coach and bus operators look to manufacturers and suppliers to soften the blow with more economic drivelines. Torn between a choice of two, an operator looking to buy a new coach or bus will, more often than not, side with the one promising the better MPG. Likewise, when giving a vehicle a second or third life, be it with an engine, exhaust system or transmission upgrade, products and services promising lower running costs are big attractions for operators. In a world where everyone is battling to appear ‘green’, if this can be done while saving money, it’s a win/win for the industry.

ENGINES AND NATIONWIDE SERVICE SUPPORT FROM CUMMINS

With an estimated 30,000-strong population of Cummins-powered vehicles operating on the UK’s roads every day, Cummins provides its customers with comprehensive

support on its products for a wide range of bus and coach applications.

Cummins provide an extensive range of new and exchange engines for all leading bus and coach applications. With considerable expertise of over 30 years serving the bus and coach industry, Cummins has developed a series of engines renowned for their dependability.

Bus and coach operators benefit from exceptional performance and low running cost, with the strong reliability they have come to expect from a Cummins engine.

The ISBe and ISCe product range is unique to Cummins, with no other manufacturer able to offer the same design benefits. These engines provide equipment manufacturers with an extremely cost effective power plant, backed by the renowned dependability of the Cummins B and C engine platforms.

At Euro 5, the Cummins ISBe engine incorporates a new electronic control module with a higher capacity and faster processing capability. This manages the requirements of the Euro 5 On-Board Diagnostics (OBD Stage 2) which ensures

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ESSENTIAL GUIDE

› POWERTRAIN

the vehicle remains emissions compliant. This also controls the upgraded common rail fuel system to maximise engine performance and has enabled further reductions in engine operating noise. Ratings for bus and coach applications have been extended (4 cylinder producing 185ps, 6 cylinder producing 285ps), which are a match for the most demanding Urban Bus duty cycles, delivered from the best power to weight ratio engines in the market.

Key benefits of the ISBe Euro 5 engine include lower emissions, increased fuel efficiency which produces lower CO2 emissions, lower noise, and more torque and power for bus and coach applications.

To date, Cummins has recorded another modest improvement in fuel economy from Euro 4 to Euro 5, without reverting to complex and expensive Variable Geometry or Compound Turbocharging, which then offsets the increased Adblue use due to higher dosing.

This means the cost of ownership remains the same.

Cummins chose Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) as the right technology for Euro 4, as it also meant few installation changes were required for the move to Euro 5. This has minimised engineering requirements and provided long term design installation stability for vehicle manufacturers.

The Cummins ISBe already has an excellent reputation for reliability and fuel economy in bus and coach operation. Its common engine platform, with four and six cylinder variants, easily meets the requirement for midibuses, large single deckers, coaches and double deckers.

The engine’s latest design characteristics have enabled Cummins combustion engineers to drive down particulates to the levels which meet the ‘Enhanced Environmentally-friendly Vehicle’ (EEV) requirements. The integrated Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system, designed in-house

by Cummins Emissions Solutions, easily reduces engine NOx to the required Euro 5 level.

Cummins’ ISBe Euro 5 engine is the answer to the latest emissions and environmental legislation and surpasses the performance and durability aspirations of the UK passenger transport industry.

Rigorous testing has proved the Cummins class leading ISBe will now meet the EEV emissions www.coachandbusweek.com

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levels across all ratings without the need for additional particulate filtration, delivering further environmental and cost benefits to vehicle manufacturers and operators. Cummins is therefore offering a dual path to meet the EEV emissions levels, either with or without a DPF. For contracts which do not specify additional DPF fitment, the ISBe5 engine with SCR after-treatment certified to EEV is the most cost effective.

Cummins remains at the forefront of diesel engine technology, developing cost effective low emission solutions for vehicle manufacturers. Operators can benefit from a minimal impact to maintenance and running costs while knowing they can happily specify the most stringent Emissions which can also open the door to lower vehicle taxation (i.e.

Reduced Pollution Certificate) on their new vehicles entering service.

Cummins provides full aftermarket assistance on all Cummins products across the UK and Ireland, including specialist advice and technical support. It can deliver world class service support including engine service, repair, overhaul, and re-power. In addition, Cummins offers a complete range of genuine Cummins parts and engine consumables including oil, coolant and filters.

Cummins offer a wide range of service and repair options which can be carried out either at a specified location, such as a customer’s own premises, or at one of Cummins own specialist Service Centre workshops based at key regional locations across the country.

With a nationwide fleet of over 100 mobile service engineers, Cummins’ highly skilled service professionals have the capability, expertise and experience to support you, wherever you may be. They provide a service that is fast and responsive, flexible and convenient, and minimises

Cummins offers comprehensive backup and support nationwide

Voith’s DIWA transmissions now benefit from Sensotop technology equipment downtime and costs.

Cummins delivers quality service and repairs which are carried out by fully trained Cummins engineers, giving you reassurance and peace of mind that the work undertaken will meet the highest standards for quality and your need for reliable, dependable performance.

Cummins also offers a range of fixed price service and repairs options on Cummins engines fitted into buses and coaches, including engine health check, overhaul, and supply and fit.

When you buy or operate a Cummins-powered bus or coach, you are buying into the best nationwide support network available today, where service comes as standard.

T: 08705 329202, E: cduksales@cummins.com W: www.cummins.com

VOITH TURBO Voith’s DIWA 823 midibus automatic transmission technology is now becoming more widespread in UK applications thanks to its exclusive inclusion in the Wrightbus Streetlite – both wheel back and wheel forward versions. The same unit is also available as an option in ADL Enviro200s and is the preferred option for Stagecoach.

For heavier full-sized single deck buses or double deckers, Voith’s larger DIWA 5 is the most recent development and like the 823 model offers high reliability and therefore low operating costs.

In addition to integrated diagnostics capability, through Voith’s ALADIN and Diwagnosys systems, these transmission systems can now benefit from

SensoTop technology which allows them to adjust to driving styles and local topography in order to achieve higher levels of efficiency.

SensoTop is a gear shifting programme which allows all gear-shifting points to be adapted automatically to the prevailing route and current load condition.

The software continually monitors and manages all the transmission’s functions, the load on those systems, demand from the driver etc. An accelerationdependent gear-shifting program (BASP) monitors a simple and maintenance-free topography sensor in the electronic control unit. This combination quickly and accurately provides the information needed for the stepless adaptation of the gear-shifting speeds to the topography. Voith believes the system has potential for reducing fuel consumption by a further 7%.

In order to save more fuel, DIWA transmissions also feature ANS which automatically shifts into neutral when the bus is at standstill.

With the development of the topography-dependent gearshifting program SensoTop, Voith is taking one significant step further.

Under consideration of the load condition, SensoTop optimally adapts the gear-shifting speeds to the prevailing topography – on ascending routes, to precisely the power needed by the driver, on descending routes, to the technically possible minimum.

And this is indeed an area, where potentials can be opened up which had previously been closed to existing gear-shifting programs.

T: +49 7321 37-0 E: info.voithturbo@voith.com W. www.voith.com

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VEHICLE INTERIOR › VISEON LT20

Viseon build VIP trolleybus for Saudi Royal Family Viseon builds the opulent equivalent of our own Royal Train in a trolleybus exclusively for the use of the Saudi royal family, dignitaries and VIPs on the trolleybus network at King Saud University in Riyadh www.coachandbusweek.com

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T

he world´s first articulated trolleybus with exclusive VIP facilities is shortly to be delivered. The articulated bus with real wood floor, leather covered ceiling and comfortable leather seats is part of an order from the King Saud University, Riyadh for twelve Viseon LT20 trolleybuses acquired for the newly-erected educational facility to deliver a locally emission-free and extremely quiet passenger transit system.

Viseon says it has completed the project, from prototype to batch completion, in the record time of only 18 months.

“Viseon has not only

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Viseon shows what can be done when adequate passenger seating is not an issue. Top right: Futuristic LT20 styling. Bottom right: Fixed tables

demonstrated it can innovate at tremendous speed with its new models and developments. The dispatch of the twelve trolleybuses to Saudi Arabia proves we are also able to carry out demanding projects efficiently and to the full satisfaction of the customer,” explained managing director Joachim Reinmuth.

The LT trolleybuses developed

by Viseon are already setting new standards in public transportation through their extraordinarily dynamic design, which has been completed by drive technology optimised for electrical operation of the 19.50m vehicles. The cherry on top of the cake for Viseon is a special articulated bus equipped with VIP facilities, which will transport

ViseonVIPtrollybus.indd 31

future members of the Saudi royal family and prominent guests around the university campus.

Stepping through one of the two rear doors leads to a plush interior with a dark, real wood floor made from fine smoked oak with fine aluminium streaks designed to provide a comfortable living room feeling. The wheel housing superstructure is composed of root wood, with railings and decoration in stainless steel. The saloon has 17 deep upholstered Kiel leather seats and the ceiling is sumptuously covered with fine, hand-sewn leather.

A small kitchen with a fridge and five flat-screen monitors with a 55 centimetre (21.5 inch) screen size, which will be served by a multimedia system, complete the list of

“Stepping through one of the two rear doors leads to a plush interior with a dark, real wood floor made from fine smoked oak designed to provide a comfortable living room feeling.” amenities. A glass wall covers the entire width of the bus and divides the driver’s workplace from the passenger area.

Like all of the other eleven vehicles in this order, the VIP bus

also provides a recently developed ventilation concept with a highly efficient air conditioning system, which has a total 66 kilowatt cooling power for the passenger space alone. The driver has access to a separate air conditioning system with seven kilowatt cooling capacity. Another special feature of the vehicles for Saudi Arabia is constituted by a curtain of air descending onto the doors, which prevents the influx of hot air from outside when the door is open.

By the time of the university’s inauguration in February 2012, the construction of the entire 11 kilometre wire network will have been completed and all twelve Viseon LT20 trolley buses will be in operation.

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THE BIG PICTURE

This attractive brand new Van Hool T916 Acron-bodied Volvo B13BT tri-axle coach has joined the fleet of New Bharat Coaches this season.

Based in Southall, West London, the family-run operator was founded in 1977. While the firm’s work comprises private hire and school contracts, it also operates a service to and from the Midlands up to three times a day and to Yorkshire once a day. New Bharat is no stranger to investing in its fleet, with a new coach typically entering the fleet every year – often from Taunton-based dealer Moseley in the South, of which this vehicle is a prime example. While the coach features 57 Grand Lux reclining seats, with impending Disability Discrimination Act legislation in mind, provision has been made for the retro fitment of a wheelchair cassette lift within front overhang.

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OPERATOR UPDATE › SHEARINGS GRAND TOURER

Grand Tourer on the up Coach & Bus Week’s Gareth Evans talks to Shearings about the evolution of its Grand Tourer premium product and the increase in quality

S

hearings is stepping up its programme of European premium escorted tours following a record rise in sales and continued strong demand for more luxurious holidays among the company’s core over-55 customer base.

The firm has seen a 73% increase in year-on-year sales for its Grand Tourer escorted tours and resort stays, which include luxury holiday experiences in Morocco, Eastern Europe, Greece and Spain.

Caroline Brown, commercial director for Shearings said: “The strength of our 2011 sales for luxury breaks is further evidence that premium holidays are maintaining their position despite the difficult economic environment.

“The over-55s market is proving to be particularly resilient, continuing its spending on holidays in both revenue and volume terms, while other markets have struggled.

“Our new collection provides

Anne Carpenter is the project manager for Shearings www.coachandbusweek.com

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a great opportunity for agents to boost their sales to this lucrative market and demonstrates how we are continuing to evolve our product range to meet the changing tastes of the over 55s.”

Shearings’ Grand Tourer coach holidays travel on the most up-todate gold liveried Setra S416 GT-HD coaches, giving its passengers extra legroom and panoramic views.

Shearings’ Home Connect door-todoor pick-up service is included free of charge.

Grand Tourer holidays by air include a free “meet and greet” service at the UK departure airport plus a free Lounge Pass and free Shearings Assist luggage tracking.

The hotels, mostly four and fivestar standard, have been carefully selected, many based on the positive feedback from customers.

Destinations include Malta, Germany, Russia and Scandinavia, with prices starting at £779 for a nine-day Classic Germany tour.

Caroline added: “Certain tours are performing particularly well, notably the stunning Grand Tour of Spain, which has increased by more than 115% in passenger carryings.

We are also seeing strong bookings for Classic Germany and Great Eastern Cities.”

Perhaps of further interest in what is widely regarded to be the current economic downturn, the launch of the Grand Tourer brochure follows the release of Shearings 2012 UK & Ireland, Europe & Worldwide, Ocean and River Cruise brochures and forms part of its biggest ever collection of products.

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OPERATOR: Shearings PRODUCT: Grand Tourer LOCATION: Wigan CONTACT: 0844 874 8181 www.shearings.com/grandtourer

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OPERATOR UPDATE › SHEARINGS GRAND TOURER New Grand Tourer in detail

“We’re trying to take hold of Grand Tourer. From a company like us, there is an expectation that a premium product is right up our street,” explained Anne Carpenter, project manager. “We tested the water in March this year with a 32-page standalone brochure. It’s now doubled in pagination and the distribution has also been increased.”

The new brochure features four main product types, the first of which are touring holidays by coach, which are nine 17-day tours.

Air links are now being offered on some of them, so customers who want to avoid the overland travelling sections can do so.

The second type is resort based.

These tours may have a single or two resort bases, so customers are not constantly packing and unpacking their case but they still get a host of included and optional excursions.

A prime example of the third product is the Treasures of Ancient Greece, a tour which takes in the sights but also includes three nights at a beach resort. “It’s the best of both worlds,” explained Paul Twist, PR and communications executive at Shearings.

It could be argued Shearings has responded to the needs of the market here. For example, it caters for a couple, one of which likes to explore while the other enjoys relaxing on the beach, providing a happy medium.

Other tours available include the Treasures of Morocco and Southern Spain and the scenic Pyrenees and Catalonia.

The fourth type of tour is the more specialist tours, such as Grand Veron Opera Spectacular in Italy.

Among the new tours this year is the Black Forest and Lindau Island, a twin resort stay.

“Customers get to try their hand at local traditions, such as making a gateau the proper Germanic way and glass blowing,” explained Anne. “Another is the True Taste of Andalucia, an eight-day air holiday.

It’s really taking customers to where they otherwise wouldn’t go – i.e. off the beaten track.”

Paul said, “That tour really immerses customers in local culture.”

“It’s something people want,” added Anne. “They’ve told us they want something different. This is evidence of how the market is www.coachandbusweek.com

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The generic element Shearings wants for the Grand Tourer is quality evolving.”

Anne continued: “The generic element we want to pick out for Grand Tourer is quality. Our tours now almost exclusively use four and five star accommodation, so we’ve really pushed things up. For example, one of the new tours, the Emerald Explorer, stays exclusively in five star hotels. We’ve targeted hotels we know enjoy an excellent reputation and we’re also taking customers to new attractions such as the new visitor centre at Giants Causeway.”

While the use of four and five star accommodation is an obvious element of a premium segment, other features include access to lounges on ferries, which as Anne rightly said, “Gives a more relaxing start to a holiday”.

Tours on offer range from 17-day coach tours to resort based breaks

Shearings: factoids

Wallace Arnold first introduced the innovative ‘Grand Tourer’ concept in 2001. For a supplement, holiday travellers could experience additional comfort features including more legroom, leather seats, and a multi-track sound system. Such was its success that the idea of segmenting the market was soon adopted by other UK tour operators.

Shearings Group operates a total of 135 Setra coaches, making it the UK’s largest fleet and just over half of Shearings’ total fleet.

Perhaps reflecting changing market trends, Shearings has seen a 73% increase in year-onyear sales for Grand Tourer.

Shearings Holidays is part of Shearings Group, which employs over 3,000 staff and comprises Shearings Holidays, National Holidays, Caledonian Travel, a chain of 50 holiday hotels under the Bay and Coast & Country brands, and eight Wallace Arnold Travel shops.

Shearings scooped four awards in the latest British Travel Awards (BTAs), being named Best Tour Operator to Central and Northern Europe, Specialist Best Escorted Tours Operator, Best Independent Tour Operator to The Italian Peninsula & Malta and UK/ Domestic Holiday Company of the Year.

Another development is that door to door transfers are now included as standard, as Anne explained: “From a coaching point of view, our Home Connect pickup service is now included.

Another new element of that is we’re offering it from selected post codes in the South East of England, something which we didn not previously offer.

“Furthermore, where it was available, a charge was applicable but door to door pick ups are now available as standard. Again, it’s part of that service and attention to detail.

“Customers also receive a complimentary welcome drink at their main stay and resort accommodation.”

Not to be forgotten is the air holiday options available on some Grand Tourer itineraries.

“Again, we’ve increased the quality of the hotels we use, the holidays are culturally rich and a free meet and greet service is included, which helps ensure a smooth departure. We want to get people’s holidays off to a smooth start,” explained Anne. “Customers also receive free access to lounges at airports, getting them away from the hustle and bustle.”

The risk of the nightmare scenario of luggage going missing has been minimised, as Anne explained: “Also included is Shearings Assist, a complete luggage service. Customers get their luggage scanned and a third party company tracks them. You hope it never happens but the service is provided for peace of mind.”

Paul added: “It’s more than just a baggage service – it’s a 24/7 helpline which deals with any issues which may arise, such as taxi numbers at a given resort or exchange rate queries.

Conclusion

I couldn’t help agreeing with Anne when she concluded on the Grand Tourer: “There is definitely a market for it - people have got money but they want value for money.”

Similarly, Paul was keen to stress: “It’s about recognising that the over 50s market is not all the same.

Grand Tourer is largely aimed at the younger end of the age groups.”

Not wishing to promote Grand Tourer as a product solely aimed at the younger end of the market, Anne commented: “We also have slower paced resort holidays available.”

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38 | COACH & BUS WEEK | November 30, 2011

TRAFFIC COMMISSIONERS’ REPORT

Report spotlights legal concerns Coach & Bus Week’s Gareth Evans casts his eyes over the Traffic Commissioners’ Annual Report for the year 201011 to find some telling insights – ranging from the work to establish their future to issues such as Section 19/22

I

nternal uncertainties and external realities sum up this year’s Traffic Commissioners’ Annual Report. As ever, the document makes interesting reading, providing an invaluable insight into the lives of our industry regulators.

The economic reality of having to deliver more with less resource appears to have been compounded by internal changes over the governance of the Traffic Commissioners (TCs).

Put simply, there appears to have been something of a battle over maintaining the independence of the TCs – continuing the separation of the judge (TC) from the prosecution (VOSA).

North Eastern area

Tom Macartney Being issues which remain of particular concern to Macartney’s area, it comes as no surprise that he focuses on impounding illegal PSVs – in addition to Section 19/22 permits, a matter on which he is lead commissioner.

Having last year expressed his dismay at the lack of impounded vehicles in the North Eastern Area, specifically in the area of unlicensed PSVs, Macartney says it “was therefore heartening” to note that in 2010- 11, he held hearings for the return of three separate PSVs. “On each occasion, the hearings had been complex and detailed, with numerous witness statements and evidence being given by VOSA staff. This culminated in the refusal to return two of the impounded vehicles and the withdrawal by www.coachandbusweek.com

TCreport.indd 38

the applicant for the third. The applications for the two vehicles which had their return refused were appealed against by the applicant to the Upper Tribunal, but at the time of writing, no date had been listed for the hearing.”

While he acknowledges it’s encouraging VOSA has “focused its attention on the extension of the powers detailed in the Local Transport Act 2008 (which in essence allows PSVs to be impounded),” Macartney says “there is still a lot of work for VOSA to do in this area, as I have no doubt there are numerous PSVs on the roads which are regularly being operated illegally.”

“I would actively encourage VOSA to do all it can to dedicate resources to this vitally important task, which directly contributes to safer roads for all users, as well as ensuring a level playing field for compliant operators,” he adds.

Macartney also warns of the importance for continuation of licences. “It still concerns me that a number of operators, whose

Tom Macartney discusses the ‘hot’ industry topic of Section 19/22

business and livelihood are dependant upon the licence, still allow it to lapse.”

Turning to the matter of driver conduct, this was the first full year in which Macartney took responsibility for considering all vocational licences held by HM Armed Forces in Great Britain, in addition all civilian drivers within the North Eastern Traffic Area.

“The police and other enforcement agencies continued to provide regular information on non-endorsable driving convictions and I am grateful for this. I considered 89 cases, the majority of these being the holders of a PCV licence, where it was necessary for me to consider their fitness on the grounds of the conduct of the holder as a driver.”

Turning to the controversial area of Section 19/22 permits, Macartney says it has “continued to be the subject of complaint.”

“These complaints were made to me by reputable operators at industry functions and trade association gatherings, as well as by letter and by e-mail,” he says.

“They registered complaints of unfair competition and unsafe practice. The complaints did seem to be well founded, but they had not been supported by evidence which would result in a full investigation at public inquiry. The Action Group which was set up did not deliver evidence which would allow me, as Lead Traffic Commissioner on this subject, to carry out a public examination of the issues and to determine the validity of the concerns, weighed against the legislation which allows holders

The Traffic Commissioners stand united for a rare team photo: Sarah Bell, Tom Macartney, Joan Aitken, Philip Brown, Beverley Bell, Nick Jones and Richard Turfitt of section 19 and 22 permits to operate. I await evidence of the concerns which were continually put to me, but until I receive this I am unable to take any further action on the matter. This is a pity, as reputable charities and community transport organisations would also like clarification on the subject, being well aware of the grounds and volume of complaints which had been levelled against them. The new system for issuing Section 19 bus permits had been in operation for two years and all permits are now time limited, whereas they were issued for life previously. There were 184 standard permits, 22 large bus permits and 6 community bus permits issued by the TC this year. Local authorities issued 201 standard permits and 356 were issued by designated bodies.”

Macartney laments the loss bus

28/11/2011 23:31

November 30, 2011 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 39

service performance.”

“Budgetary constraints remain tight and there is an ever increasing pressure for me to undertake as much of the public inquiry work as I can. But the harsh reality is there is simply too much to do within the time and resources allocated,” she concludes.

SOUTH EASTERN & METROPOLITAN AREA (SEMTA)

compliance officers. “This was a consequence of a cut in funding, but the impact will be that the reliability and punctuality of bus services throughout England and Wales will no longer be monitored and reported upon, as used to happen in the past. This is particularly disappointing as the punctuality and reliability of local bus services had improved dramatically in the last decade as a direct result of the work of the bus compliance officers reporting to traffic commissioners.

I am proud the bus industry has provided a much better service to the public as a consequence. I remain committed to doing all I can to encourage poorly performing operators to do better, but a different way of doing business and ensuring their compliance will have to be determined.”

North Western Area

Beverley Bell Poignantly, Bell has dedicated her report this year to Sarah Dalton “whose tragic and untimely death in September 2010 came as a shock to all who knew her personally and

TCreport.indd 39

professionally.”

Bell says “Operators are still failing in their maintenance systems and procedures, drivers’ hours rules and tachograph regulations are still being abused – either through ignorance or deliberate actions, transport managers are still not fulfilling their statutory responsibilities – drivers are still not being trained, educated and disciplined properly by their employers and many bus services are still not being run to an acceptable standard.”

Of note is that while the numbers of goods operators is approximately ten times that of PSV operators, Bell says the issues facing the PSV industry and the regulator, take up as much time as the goods industry.

Like her fellow TCs, Bell hits out at the changes to bus compliance monitoring. “I have not been enthusiastic to the change in VOSA’s approach to ensuring operators run punctual and reliable services but despite this I will do all I can to call poorly performing operators to account and to ensure that all stakeholders play their part in

In Philip Brown’s absence, Beverley Bell has seen her role expanded

“Drivers are still not being trained, educated and disciplined properly by their employers and many bus services are still not being run to an acceptable standard.”

Beverley Bell

Tom Macartney, Acting Traffic Commissioner Macartney begins by paying tribute to the hard work of his staff, having had to cope with the “failing health of the full time TC, who is currently on special leave as a result.”

According to Macartney, Standard International licence holders rose by 28%, although the number of discs in issue for international operators declined.

“This is perhaps explained by smaller operators with fewer vehicles moving into international operation,” he says.

“However, public inquiries to consider action against operators for failing to run services in accordance with their registered timetables increased from two to seven, with four incurring a financial penalty under Section 155 of the Transport Act 2000.

The 2010-11 statistics on bus and coach operators paints a confusing picture, with increases in licensed operators and discs in issue but a drop in new entrants to the industry.”

Continuing his writing from his North Eastern Area, he says: “It was gratifying to note VOSA increased the number of impoundings of illegally operated vehicles from one to five. It is hoped this trend will continue as it provides reassurance to the compliant industry that ‘cowboys’ will not be tolerated.”

Western Traffic Area

Sarah Bell Bell begins her report with “Secretary of State, this has been another challenging year.”

She welcomes the move towards a consensus between the TCs, the DfT and VOSA on the necessity for a Framework document to reflect our various roles and responsibilities. “I am grateful to my colleague Richard Turfitt who has prepared the first draft,” she says.

Bell says the Framework is necessary because the recent modernisation work “has been

www.coachandbusweek.com

28/11/2011 23:31

40 | COACH & BUS WEEK | November 30, 2011

TRAFFIC COMMISSIONERS’ REPORT

frustrated by a communications block and there remains a need for junior officials, the Senior Traffic Commissioner’s Secretariat (such as it remains) and VOSA to gain a better understanding of the TCs’ role as a specialist regulatory tribunal and independent licensing authority. TCs remain committed to transparency and accountability but it needs to be done in a way which does not undermine independence.”

Indeed, she stresses: “Transparency should not be mistaken for petty bureaucracy.”

On local services, Bell says the figure for flexible bus registrations, received and accepted was twice that of last year. The number of PIs for non compliance nearly doubled with an almost parallel increase in action taken on licences. The number of PIs on the timeliness of local services changed little compared to last year.

However, she says “The effect of the demise of bus compliance officers may impact on this figure next year but I await passing judgement until I see if the new regime proposed by VOSA for an education led regime is a success.”

On correspondance, she says “This year has also seen a marked increase in the number of requests pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act 2000.”

Scottish Traffic Area

Joan Aitken Aitken speaks frankly of the internal reorganisation: “There are many means whereby the independence of regulators may be threatened but I highlight two. One is insidious and could be described as a form of passive bullying – if you do not conform you will be abolished, but always whispered through a messenger or obliquely there. The other is where the statements or actions by others do not constitute a direct order to a regulator to act in a particular way but create a perception the regulator is controlled by those others.”

However, she adds: “I was most grateful to your director general who met with traffic commissioners in March and gave the clearest of assurances that you value and support the independence of TCs”.

Aitken expresses concern about bus compliance monitoring, describing how until recently VOSA employed between four and six bus compliance officers, the main funding coming from Scottish www.coachandbusweek.com

TCreport.indd 40

In this context VOSA has moved from having an area manager for Wales to having South Wales managed from Bristol, with North Wales separately managed from Merseyside. My concern about Wales being a mere adjunct of West Midlands is very real.”

Jones also express his concern for the future of the TCs. “Having viewed VOSA’s strategic plan it appears the organisation sees its role as managing traffic commissioners and restricting our work to sitting in public inquiries and dealing with electronic submissions.

“How this affects my ability to adhere to the principles of the Hampton Report and with the Compliance Code is a curious anomaly. As VOSA often appears at hearings and is sometimes a formal party to proceedings, it is an interesting development.”

West Midland Traffic

Nick Jones has maintained his firm but down to earth approach (above) while Joan Aitken remains a no nonsense sort (below) Government.

“Decisions taken in England in respect of the monitoring of punctuality and reliability and the purposes of the Local Transport Act 2008 have impacted on Scotland and as the year ended I was, and I am still, uncertain about the delivery of bus compliance monitoring in Scotland.”

On driver conduct, Aitken says: “Most of the Scottish police forces now report to my office instances of mobile phone fixed penalties imposed on vocational drivers. Traffic police know the dangers of the distractions from mobile phone use and I hope the experience of drivers who find their entitlements suspended will seep into the general consciousness of drivers and employers and we will see a reduction in such dangerous activity.”

Welsh Traffic Area

Nick Jones Ever passionate about his work and the areas he covers, Jones says: “Previous reports have commented that operator licensing in Wales is increasingly run as a mere adjunct of the West Midland Traffic Area.

“Driver conduct – most of the Scottish police forces now report to my office instances of mobile phone fixed penalties imposed on vocational drivers.”

Joan Aitken

Nick Jones Jones discusses the economic effects on his work: “There was less work generated by VOSA examiners who were fewer in number and are unable to investigate to the extent that used to be the case. This is of course part of the challenge facing the public sector and in attempting to do more with fewer resources by concentrating on what only Government can deliver, I recognise VOSA has endeavoured to be more intelligent in its targeting.”

Ever with both feet firmly planted on terra firma, Jones recognises: “Raw statistics rarely tell a true story. In the event of a query over maintenance, finances will inevitably be raised for a public inquiry as there is often a link between neglecting maintenance and financial difficulties. Similarly where an operator is called to public inquiry over issues which relate to potential illegal trading and finances, there will often be a reference to maintenance even if there is a single prohibition in the case history. The profile of my work had shifted as a result of the economic downturn and an increasing number of operators were facing financial difficulties.

Too often I find a limited company goes into administration but the former directors continue to trade despite the lack of authority.”

However, he assures us: “Where I find such a practice, I have revoked and made orders of personal disqualification.”

28/11/2011 23:31

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PTEG COLUMN › PEDRO ABRANTES

November 30, 2011 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 43

Heading in TWO lines here please two lines heading The CC myopic obsession with on-street competition risks doing more harm than good for passengers – but will this pave the way for Quality Contracts?

Transport authorities and bus operators have often been at polar opposites when it comes to the Competition Commission’s on-going investigation. However, there is one point on which we all seem to agree - the CC’s recent obsession with on-street competition is dangerous and largely misguided. What’s more, it risks getting in the way of high-end partnerships and could take us back to the Wild West of the late 80s. But is there a chance this could pave the way for Quality Contracts?

Despite its earlier recognition that “headto-head competition tends towards instability, the closer the competition between operators becomes” the CC’s latest position isn’t entirely surprising. In reality, there was always a risk it might revert back to the safe and comfortable haven of perfectly competitive markets. This is the norm for most typical consumer products, say cornflakes, where there’s a permanent threat of competitors coming along and offering a similar product at a lower price. Retailers will put the competing products on their shelves and consumers will logically buy the cheaper one, placing pressure on the incumbent to review its offer.

The problem is bus services are a tad more complex than cornflakes. Critically, they’re perishable which means that they can only be purchased at very specific points in time. Many passengers will arrive at a bus stop at the same time every day and will expect to board the first bus which shows up. The decision to wait around for another bus or to adjust the timing of a journey increases the non-monetary cost incurred by passengers. At the same time, if a bus turns up immediately after a preceding service it will find very few passengers to pick up. We have shown in our response to the CC’s report that for these reasons, new entry into an existing corridor at evenly spaced intervals between the incumbent’s services is very likely to be loss making, even where the incumbent is earning substantial profits.

This means that there is a very strong incentive on a new entrant to run its services immediately ahead of the incumbent’s timetable.

In turn, the incumbent will respond by adjusting the departure of its services and this process will continue until one of the operators decides

PtegColumn.indd 43

Evidence from Oxford suggests Qualifying Agreements can be used to offer a better service

“Without timetable coordination, unfettered on-street competition will lead to operators losing money and passengers getting a less reliable and more expensive service.” to withdraw from the market. Typically, the operator with the deepest pockets survives.

The all too familiar by-products of this process, observed most clearly in the post-deregulation period, are an irreversible loss of demand due to network instability, short-term losses to operators (eventually leading to higher fares) and an increasingly concentrated market where the law of the jungle dictates who survives.

In a sense, the CC is right – profits have never been lower than in the post-deregulation period.

But paradoxically (and this is something the CC probably struggles to understand) this has not resulted in a better outcome for passengers.

In the five years following deregulation, bus patronage in the metropolitan areas declined by a quarter despite a substantial increase in bus-kms. Without some degree of timetable coordination, unfettered on-street competition will lead to operators losing money and passengers getting a less reliable and more expensive service. Regrettably, the CC report has also raised serious doubts over highend partnerships, the type of measure with the potential to achieve a more efficient and sustainable outcome in the context of onstreet competition. Evidence from Oxford and Merseyside suggests that where competition

has developed, Qualifying Agreements can indeed be used to offer a better and cheaper product to passengers, albeit requiring a degree of regulatory oversight from local transport authorities.

So will the CC be successful in delivering more on-street competition? And how will local transport authorities respond?

If the CC’s remedies achieve its stated objective, this could well take us back to the bus wars of the late 80s. Ironically, this would put increasing pressure on LTAs to bring in SQPs or Quality Contracts, the types of remedy which the CC has been so keen to avoid. If, on the other hand, the remedies have little or no impact, then this may act to strengthen the case for Quality Contracts and we may well see new proposals coming forward. Following the publication of the CC’s report, we have already seen announcements from Nexus and WYPTE which seem to show a growing resolve.

On the other hand, the CC’s ambivalence over partnerships could lead to a growing sense of frustration amongst LTAs as operators become increasingly reluctant to participate in fear of the competition authorities. The recent findings on tacit coordination in the North East and the Wirral are only likely to compound these fears.

The effect could be to force some LTAs to move towards Statutory Partnerships and possibly Quality Contracts.

So it seems possible that the CC’s myopic obsession with on-street competition could end up back firing and eventually pave the way for a more regulated market. I only wish they would have worked this out before repeating the same mistakes of the past. In the meantime, expect turbulent times ahead.

Pedro Abrantes is the resident Economist at the Passenger Transport Executive Group (pteg) and Visiting Lecturer at the Institute for Transport Studies, University of Leeds where he was previously Lecturer in Public Transport. In his current role, Pedro has been closely involved with a number of on-going policy and technical debates on public transport funding, investment appraisal, concessionary travel and transport regulation. While at ITS Leeds, Pedro took a leading role in the most comprehensive meta-analysis to date of UK values of time for the DfT. Pedro has previously worked at MVA and at a University in Portugal. www.coachandbusweek.com

28/11/2011 17:28

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44 | COACH & BUS WEEK | November 30, 2011

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GREAT VALUE DENNIS DARTS!!!

Northern Counties low height bodies, Volvo engines, good selection with long MOTs.

2001 Y REG DENNIS DART MPD’S

Plaxton Pointer 2 bodies, 29 seats, LEZ compliant post 2012 with traps, DDA compliant, long MOTʼs.

1998-2000 S / V / W reg Darts with Plaxton Pointer 2 bodies, 31 seats, dual door, DDA compliant, exhaust traps fitted so reduced tax, huge choice at an unbelievable £4,500 each plus VAT and tyres (£375).

2008 ADL ENVIRO 300 SCHOOLBUS

Cummins / ZF, SLF, Euro 4, 55 seats, Hanover LEDʼs all round.

Cummins / Allison World Series gearbox , Pointer 2 body, 41 seats.

ZF auto, Van Hool body, 49 seats with centre toilet and door, only one available.

ZF automatic, Plaxton Excalibur body, 49 seats, NSR toilet, air-con, MOT 05/12.

£7000 just spend on recon engine, MCV Evolution body, 40 seats, DDA, Hanover LEDʼs.

Mercedes engine, 27 seats, 25 with 3 point belts, Hanover LEDʼs, long MOT.

2004 OPTARE SOLO

Euro 4, Cummins/Allison, MCV body, 9m, 32 seats.

1999 V REG DENNIS DART MPD’S

Mercedes engines, Slimlines, 2.34m wide, 7.8m long, 24 seats, Hanover LEDʼs.

Price reduced to £27,000

1998 S REG DENNIS DART SPD

2000 W REG VOLVO B10M

Cummins/Allison, Plaxton bodies, 8.8m, 29 seats.

2003 VOLVO B12B

2007 MAN 14.220

2007 DART MPD

2006 OPTARE SOLO’S

- BRITAIN’S BIGGEST BUS DEALERS

rial Park, Purfleet, Essex, RM15 4YF 708 864340 e-mail: sales@ensignbus.com ent stock at www.ensignbus.com

000000-1005-Fishwick

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THIS WEEK’S SPECIAL OFFERS...

550598-1014-Pickrell

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H.W. PICKRELL

MINIBUS AND WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLES

Gardiners Lane North • Crays Hill • Billericay • Essex • CM11 2XE Tel: 01268 521033 • Mobile: 07860 894331 • Fax: 01268 284951

Email: sales@hwpickrell.co.uk - www.hwpickrell.co.uk

Finance available on all vehicles (subject to status) Written details on request.

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINI BUSES

07 REG RENAULT MASTER MM33 2.2TD

Manual gearbox, high roof, O & H conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, 7 high back seats plus 1 x w/chair, Eberspacher heater, air con, Unwin tracked floor, Ricon tail lift, 21,435 miles.

07 REG RENAULT MASTER SL33 2.2TD

Manual gearbox, high roof, O & H conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, 6 high back seats plus 1 x w/chair, air con, heater, Unwin tracked floor, Ricon tail lift, 22,166 miles.

09 REG 2009 IVECO 753416 EUROCARGO

58 REG FORD TRANSIT 430 JUMBO 24 DIESEL

Manual, LWB, PAS, factory conversion, tacho, electric windows, cruise control, side loading door, 17 high back seats with seat belts, ex local authority, very nice spec, only 80,341 kms (49,000 miles).

06 REG MERCEDES VARIO 814

Manual gearbox, LWB, PAS, tacho, Mellor coach conversion, electric power door, fold out low entry step, 32 high back removable seats, Eberspacher, PLS underfloor t/ lift, ex local authority, COIF'd, only 84,000 kms.

2005 54 REG IVECO 50c13 IRIS BUS 2.8 TURBO DIESEL

Manual, LWB, PAS, factory conversion, electric windows, cruise control, low front entry slam door, 16 high back seats with all age seat belts, full air con, ex- local authority, COIF, new PSV MOT, only 80,341 kms.

Euro 5, automatic transmission, electric windows, Brittipp steel dropside tipper, tow bar and electric, amber light bar, one owner, 39,791 kms only, MOTʼd June 2012.

58 REG PEUGEOT EXPERT TEPEE 1.9 HDI

Manual 5 speed gearbox, PAS, CD player, air con, twin side loading doors, 2 high back seat in rear plus single passenger seat front, cut out floor, fold down ramp, metallic silver, 25,756 miles.

10 REG VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER TDI

Manual, low roof, LWB, luxury conversion, PAS, twin side loading door, AVS side step, 8 luxury leather high back seats, air con, removable table in rear, Unwin tracking, Braun tail lift, 7,675 miles.

2004/05 54 REG MERCEDES SPRINTER 416CDI AMBULANCE

LWB, Macneillie van conversion, SLD, 2 rear high back seats, Ferno Falcon stretcher & locks, stretcher lift, blue light bars and siren, very high spec, low miles 65-85,000 miles only, choice of 8.

06 REG RENAULT TRAFFIC SH28 2.2 TD

05 REG MERCEDES SPRINTER 411 CDI

2008 57 REG RENAULT TRAFFIC LH29 2.2 TD

08 REG RENAULT MASTER MM33 2.2 TD

Manual gearbox, SWB, high roof, SCW conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, 6 high back seats, Unwin tracking, air con, Eberspacher heater, Ricon tail lift, 33,204 miles.

Manual gearbox, LWB, PAS, O & H conversion, side loading electric power door, AVS electric step, 14 high back removable seats, Eberspacher, PLS underfloor t/tift, ex NHS.

Automatic, high roof, LWB, SCW conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, 8 high back seats, Unwin tracking, tinted windows, full air front & rear, Eberspacher heater, Ricon tail lift, only 9,000 miles.

Manual gearbox, high roof, o & H conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, 6 high back seats plus 2 x w/chair, Eberspacher heater, air con, Unwin tracked floor, Ricon tail lift, 36,831 miles.

56 REG RENAULT MASTER MM33 2.2TD

06 REG VOLKSWAGEN LT35 2.5 TD

08 REG RENAULT MASTER MM33 2.2TD

05 REG RENAULT MASTER LM33 2.2TD

Manual gearbox, high roof, Warner bus conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, 5 high back seats plus 3 x w/chairs, Unwin floor, Ricon tail lift, 26,972 miles.

Manual gearbox, MWB, high roof, SCW conversion, side loading door, manual side step, 10 high back seats plus 2 x w/chair, heater, Unwin tracked floor, Ricon tail lift, 45,531 miles.

Manual gearbox, high roof, O & H conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, 6 high back seats plus 2 x w/chair, Eberspacher heater, air con, Unwin tracked floor, Ricon tail lift, 36,831 miles.

Manual gearbox, high roof, O & H conversion, PAS, side loading door, electric side step, 13 high back seats inc driver, Eberspacher heater, full air con, Unwin tracked floor, Ricon tail lift, 43,306 miles.

06 REG RENAULT MASTER SM33 2.2TD

58 REG PEUGEOT EXPERT TEPEE 19 HDI

56 REG IVECO DAILY 40c12 IRIS BUS 2.3 TD

57 REG RENAULT MASTER LM39 2.5 TD

Manual gearbox, high roof, O & H conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, 6 high back seats plus 1 x w/chair, Eberspacher heater, air con, Unwin tracked floor, Ricon tail lift, 21253.441 miles.

Manual 5 speed gearbox, PAS, CD player, air con, twin side loading doors, 2 high back seat in rear plus single passenger seat front, cut out floor, fold down ramp, metallic silver, 12,389 miles.

Manual gearbox, LWB, PAS, side loading door, AVS electric step, 12 high back removable seats, PLS underfloor t/ lift, ex local charity, tacho fitted, 47,827 kms only.

Tiptronic auto gearbox, high roof, PAS, LWB, side loading door, AVS side step, 14 high back seats, Unwin tracked floor, Ricon tail lift, full air con & Eberspacher heating, only 49,936 miles.

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Mini Coach Sales

BRAND NEW MERCEDES OPTARE TORO 32 high back seats, A/C, D/G, forced air, reading lights, power door, large boot.

BRAND NEW MERCEDES OPTARE SOROCO 19 high back reclining seats, 3 point belts, A/C, D/G, forced air, reading lights, power door, large boot.

BRAND NEW MERCEDES 813 VARIO 24 high back seats, 3 point belts, forced air, reading lights, power plug door, luggage boot.

2009 09 REG MERCEDES BENZ 515 SPRINTER AUTO 16 high back seats, 3 point belts, forced air, reading lights, A/C front and rear, power door and large luggage boot.

2008 58 REG MERCEDES BENZ 1022L SITCAR MARLIN 33 high back reclining seats incorporating leather headrest inserts, armrests and seat back tables, A/C, double glazing, fridge and power door.

2007 07 REG FORD TRANSIT 14 seats, 3 point belts.

2006 06 MERCEDES 814D PLAXTON CHEETAH 33 high back seats, 3 point belts, forced air, reading lights D/G, power door.

2006 06 REG MERCEDES 814D VARIO 24 high back seats, 3 point belts, forced air, reading lights and large boot, analogue tacho.

2005 05 REG MERCEDES 413 CDI SPRINTER 16 seats, 3 point belts, forced air, reading lights, large luggage boot.

BARGAIN BUS STOP 2002 52 REG RENAULT 10 SEATS + RAMP 2005 55 REG MERCEDES 814D VARIO PLAXTON CHEETAH 29 high back seats, 3 point belts, forced air, reading lights, D/G, power door and large boot.

2003 03 REG MERCEDES 413 CDI SPRINTER 16 high back seats, 3 point belts, luggage racks.

2001 51 REG RENAULT 8 SEATS + RAMP

Steve Peach Tel: 01302 770863 Mob: 07836 551020 Email: steve@connaughtpsv.co.uk

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HEATONS MOTOR CO. WIGAN 01942 864222 THE NORTH WEST’S PREMIER MINIBUS SALES, SUPPLYING NATIONWIDE FOR OVER 40 YEARS WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

OF 5

08 PEUGEOT BOXER WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

08 IVECO IRIS BUS WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

PSV’d 05 IVECO 50C14 only covered 44,000 miles, one council owner, 16 highback passenger seats with 3 point belts, powerdoor front entry, Euroliners, totally immaculate inside and out, 12 months PSV test, ready to work £9,995

55 IVECO 50C13 IRIS BUS 16 highback passenger seats in moquette, 3 point belts, complete flat floor, powerdoor front entry, plant on glass, complete flat floor, external PLS fully automatic tailift, lots of Unwin tracking, showroom condition inside and out, excellent value £11,995

16 highback Cogent seats, all quick release, from 20,000 miles, saloon heater, full Cant rail, full panoramic tinted windows, Powerdoor front entry with low step, external fully automatic PLS cassette tailift, euro 4, full air conditioning, totally showroom condition £22,995

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

04 MERCEDES VARIO 814 XLWB fitted with 10 highback seats would up seat to 28 or 2 seats plus 8 w/chairs, complete flatfloor, external PLS fully automatic tailift, powerdoor front entry, automatic transmission, an excellent example, COIF’d, tremendous value £12,995

OF 5

54/05 MERCEDES SPRINTER 413 CDI UVG coachbuilt, choice of 2, low miles, 10/16 highback seats, complete flat floor, external PLS cassette tailift, powerdoor, front entry, Triptronic transmission, one council owner, will come with 12 mths PSV test. Where can you find these?

POA

CH OI CE

MWB only covered 15,000 mliles, Monarch conversion, twin SLDs, side steps, lots of Unwin tracking, Ricon internal fully automatic tailift, stunning silver metallic, showroom condition inside and out, tailift certificate and ministers approval certificate. £17,995

CH OI CE

PSV’d

PSV’d

PSV’d

54 MERCEDES VARIO 614 with 15 highback passenger seats, complete flat floor, powerdoor front entry, external PLS tailift, analogue tacho, fully colour coded, totally immaculate in every way. low miles, excellent value, ready to work £12,995

08 RENAULT TRAFFIC LWB highroof, covered 30,000 miles, lots of Unwin tracking, SLD with cassette step, internal fully automatic tailift, automatic transmission, air conditioning, excellent value £13,995

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

05 RENAULT MASTER MWB, covered 34,000 miles, lots of Unwin tracking, Ricon internal tailift, SLD with cassette step, totally showroom condition inside and out, excellent value, choice of 6 - 54, 05, 56, 07 & 09 From £9,495

54 PLATE IVECO 50C13 IRIS BUS 16 highback passenger seats, 3 point belts, full air conditioning, panoramic tinted windows, front low step entry, one owner, looks excellent, excellent drive, excellent value, 12 months PSV test, ready to work, choice of 5 From £9,995

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

PSV’d 54 RENAULT MASTER 7 high back seats, only covered 28,000 miles, lots of Unwin tracking, Ricon internal fully automatic tail lift, side loading door with side step, showroom condition £9495

08 IVECO 40C12 good quality Iris Bus conversion, covered 60,000 miles, one local authority plant on, panoramic windows, 16 highback passenger seats, 3 point belts, full air conditioning, Euroliners, totally showroom condition inside and out £16,995

55 CITROEN DISPATCH only covered 15,000 mliles, Ricon internal fully automatic tailift, 3 seats plus wheelchair, twin SLDs, special electric seat, totally showroom condition inside and out £4,995

02 VOLVO B7R PLAXTON PREMIER One family owner, automatic, 53 highback reclining seats plus courier with lap belts, air conditioning. Very genuine coach. New stock £29,995

Let us take the stress out of the purchase of your next minibus, leaving you to concentrate on running your business.

1, PSV tested. 2, Tacho fitted. 3, Finance options if required – 36, 48, 60 months low deposits, etc. Details on request. 4, Delivered to your premises. 5, Tail lift certificates.

Where can you find one of the largest stock of wheelchair accessible/conventional minibuses? Ready to work, combining this with over 50 years of experience in the industry. Just one friendly phone call to Wayne or Philip will simplify your job.

HEATONS MOTOR CO. WIGAN

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.

52 Bickershaw Lane, Abram, Wigan, Lancashire WN2 5PL

Tel: 01942 864222

SEE ALL OUR STOCK ON OUR WEBSITE www.heatonsmotorco.co.uk

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2003 DENNIS JAVELIN PLAXTON PROFILE Registered Dec 2003, double glazed tinted glass, Cummins 275 engine, 6 speed manual gearbox, 49 seats, toilet & washroom, ready for immediate use, MoT tested, 120,000 miles, choice of two. £P.O.A

Straight from MOD

VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER

Dec 07, low mileage, 7 seats, quick release tracking for wheelchair use. £12,500 + VAT

MERCEDES VARIO 612

1998, 20 new seats, wheelchair lift on wheel tracking, 20 new seats.

Choice of 6.

TRADE SALE OR SEPARATE

06 MAN EVOLUTION

14/220, 37 seats, SLF automatic, wheelchair ramp, superb condition throughout, fully MoT’d. £45,500 Part exchange considered

1995 DENNIS JAVELIN PLAXTON PREMIER HIGHLINER 53 recliner seats, 290 Cummins, automatic, continental door, toilet, full years MoT, must be seen. £POA + VAT £19,500

BERKOF RADIAL 1998

CAETANO (SALVADOR) 1998

53 seats, Cummins 300 engine, ex council, manual box, air cond, full years MoT, very low mileage, super condition. £POA £19,500

57 seats, in white, Cummins 245 engine, MoT Sept 2012, very clean vehicle. £19,500 + VAT

MERCEDES VARIO

1996 DENNIS JAVELIN

1998, fitted 5 cylinder engine, 20 new seats, wheelchair lift, low mileage, manual box, full MOT, nice clean bus.

£ 9,500 + VAT

10 metre, new MoT, 41/47 seats, 220 Cummins, 6 speed box, new stretch panels, repainted.

Choice of 2. £POA + VAT

BMC AIRPORT BUS

32 seats, 220 Cummins, new MoT this week.

QUICK SALE WANTED.

£15,000

1996 VOLVO PLAXTON PREMIER HIGH LINER

B10 engine, 14 months test, 70 seats, tinted double glazing with curtains & continental door, must be seen. £POA

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IVECO SERVICE BUS

67 seats (moquet), new 2006, only 12,000 miles since new,Vihixel body, auto gearbox, air-con, MOT full year, LEZ, must be seen, superb condition.

£65,000 + VAT PX considered.

PLAXTON PARAGON 48 reclining seats plus courier seat, air-con.

£49,500 + VAT

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Quality Coach Sales

November 30, 2011 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 57

Southdown PSV 01342 711840 www.southdownpsv.co.uk

TAKING ORDERS NOW FOR MARCH 2012

LOOK! 2000 (W/X) SEAT BELTED REFURBISHED LOW FLOOR DOUBLE DECKER

1997 Volvo B10 Plaxton Premier 320 Fully refurbished, 57 or 70 seats. Choice of trim. Fully re-painted in your choice from 3 colours.

From £18,000 - £30,000 + VAT

1995-1998 DAF SV 3000 Plaxtons + VanHools

www.SDRcoachhelp.com 24 Hrs 0844 576 3300 53 seats with air conditioning, LEZ and Euro 4 Kits From £20,000 + VAT

• • • • • • • •

Volvo B7TL SLF Plaxton President ZF automatic 5 speed transmission 74 seats (69 belted) + 14 standees Fully DDA compliant for 2017 & beyond LEZ compliant with RPC certificate New digital destination equipment CCTV system Single colour re-spray £49,995 + VAT – choice

Prices plus VAT @ 20% Part exchange possible. Finance available subject to status - please call for details

Southdown PSV Silverwood Snow Hill Copthorne West Sussex RH10 3EN

Are you in the South of England and looking to upgrade or convert your vehicle to meet the January 2012 Low Emission Zone?

We may be able to help…

Close Asset Finance

Close Asset Finance are specialist commercial vehicle financers and are able to offer operator solutions to help comply with the new Low Emission Zone (LEZ) regulations.

• Flexible Finance available for new and used vehicles (subject to status) • Release equity for existing fleets to help pay LEZ conversion costs (subject to status) • Stock of Euro 3 vehicles available with the option to finance LEZ conversion costs Talk to us NOW - Don't leave it too long to comply with LEZ regulations…

DAN HADDON on 020 8339 7341 - dhaddon@closeasset.co.uk CHRISTINE CLARK on 020 8339 4823 - cclark@closeasset.co.uk

www.closeasset.co.uk

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58 | COACH & BUS WEEK | November 23, 2011

London United Busways Ltd

AVAILABLE NOW

CLEARANCE SALE – Don’t miss this opportunity to pick up a bargain Dennis Dart Plaxton Pointer 2 SLF 10.7m Single door 35 Seated 25 Standing T/V reg (1999) LEZ compliant Look CCTV system Manual ramp, Cab Air con, From £9,999.00 + VAT + Tyres (£250)

Dennis Dart Plaxton Pointer 2 SLF 10.7m 31 Seated 27 Standing T/V reg (1999) LEZ compliant Look CCTV system, Power ramp, Cab Air con, Single door conversion available.

From £4,999.00 + VAT + Tyres (£250)

Dennis Dart Plaxton Pointer 2 SLF 10.2m 27 Seated 30 Standing V reg (1999) LEZ compliant Look CCTV system Power ramp, Cab Air con, Single door conversion available From £4,500.00 + VAT + Tyres (£250)

Contact Joseph Sage 0208 400 6680 Email Joseph.sage@lonutd.co.uk

TEMSA SAFARI HD Full Stainless Steel

12.2mtr, Paccar 360hp, ZF auto gearbox, 53 rec seats with 3 point belts, Sutrak A/C, boiler, fridge, centre toilet.

01274 681144

Gomersal, Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, BD19 4BJ Email: busandcoachsales@arriva.co.uk Web: www.arrivabusandcoach.co.uk Bus and Coach

take a test drive today

2002 (02) Dennis Dart Marshall

10.2 metres long, purpose built from Marshall factory. Very low mileage – 23,000 kms.

This is a super low floor bus with a fold-out ramp so no access issues, there is centre spot lighting, auxiliary heating and a quiet-run diesel generator, the interior is spotless and suitable for a multitude of uses.

Will come with a new MOT.

£14,950.00

View all stock online: www.staffordbuscentre.com Email: martin@staffordbuscentre.com Tel: 01782 791774 Mobile: 07803 222552

p58_CBW_1013_CoverPage copy

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PROMOTION

LARA

020 8320 1351 lara.odumosu@rouncymedia.co.uk

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60 | COACH & BUS WEEK | November 30, 2011

ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS &SERVICES CRAIG TILSLEY

AIR-CONDITIONING

ENGINES

Suppliers of Reconditioned

DAF MAN MERC, VOLVO SCANIA, GARDNER LEYLAND, CUMMINS ENGINES CYLINDER HEADS CRANKSHAFTS CRANKCASES CAMSHAFTS Tel: PUMPS Works: 01782 791524 Moorfields Ind. ETC 01782 791527 Est. Cotes Heath, Fax: 01782 791316

BUILDINGS

Stoke-on-Trent ST21 6QY

HEATING

Heaters • A/C Equipment Blowers • Motors Radiators • Silicone Hose Ducting • Wiper Equipment Gas Struts

Tel: 01993 849522 Fax: 01993 706920 Email: sales@thhs.co.uk

www.thhs.co.uk

UNIT 9 NIMROD BUSINESS PARK DE HAVILLAND WAY, WITNEY OX29 0YG

CHECKPOINTS

HEAVY DUTY STEEL BUILDINGS

Bus Workshops - Secure Storage Supplied any width, any length Building to BS5590 - Doors high enough for Double Deckers - Finance available For further information phone

TO PURCHASE CHECKPOINT/DUSTITE loose wheelnut indicators or to locate your nearest stockist:

BLUELINE BUILDINGS 01709 578333 anytime

www.checkpoint-safety.com

Tel: 01524 271200

ENGINES

Crewe Engines Ltd

Getyourbusiness noticed!

AdvertiseyourProducts &Serviceshere foraslittleas£30.00 aweek!

To book your slot contact Ian on 01733 293254 or email ian.gillis@rouncymedia.co.uk INSURANCE

MERCEDES ENGINE SPECIALISTS

WE ALSO RECONDITION ALL MAKES OF BUS & COACH ENGINES Direct from the UK’s No.1 for 30 years

REGISTRATIONS

VOLVO - CUMMINS - SCANIA MAN - DAF - IVECO FULL FITTING FACILITIES

G £750 20 PXV 60 NJX 70 NNX 70 PXA 90 PXL PJZ 88 RJZ 66 RJZ 77 SJZ 22

SPEEDY REGISTRATIONS CO LTD G ‘Buy with confidence – CNDA Member’

£350 £99 £99 £50 ACZ 686 CXZ 2228 MNZ 1195 AXZ 5617 AJZ 484 CXZ 2229 ONZ 1171 AXZ 5618 CJZ 323 HIG 7331 REZ 3379 BXZ 7175 JBZ 484 HIG 7332 RUI 2117 BXZ 7176 KBZ 737 IFZ 2270 SEZ 7608 CRZ 8340 KCZ 505 IFZ 2271 SUI 8847 CXZ 2231 KDZ 929 KIG 1901 SUI 8848 CXZ 2232 NUI 636 KIG 1902 TJZ 1108 DRZ 5651 SBZ 515 MJZ 6749 TJZ 1109 DRZ 5652 We Buy for Cash, also Part Exchange

Tel: (028) 6638 7124 Fax: (028) 6638 7771

Millwood, Lisbellaw, Co. Fermanagh, N. Ireland BT94 5HQ

£50 DRZ 5653 IIG 8223 JIG 9401 JIG 9402 KIG 1321 KIG 1322 KIG 1323 TUI 1522 TUI 1523

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November 30, 2011 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 61

ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS &SERVICES SEATING

SNOWCHAINS

URBAN

SERVICE

COACH

SERVICE

HAND RAIL PADDING

G Hand Rail Padding G Next Day Delivery G Seat Belt Installations G Double Deckers Seat Belted G Seat Belt Supplies Securon Amsafe/Safetex Fasching ISRI Reflex Schneeweis Orion MCF GWR Fainsa Vogle Keil Politecnica Esteban + many more

ACCESSORIES

Parts Hotline - Graham White graham@bhiuk.com 01522 689911 Email: info@bhiuk.com

www.bhiuk.com

Fax: 01522 689922

The UK’s No1 Seatbelt Installers

TRAINING

TRIM

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

VEHICLE SPARES

Passenger and Commercial Vehicles Recovery Dismantlers Parts Sales OUR SERVICES: •

Recovery

•

Testing

• • • • • • • •

Refurbishment Repairs

Engine/gearbox rebuilds Fault finding

Buying & selling vehicles

DISMANTLING/SPARES: • • • • • •

Reconditioned engines Reconditioned gearboxes Engine spares Windows

Windscreens Seats

Trevor Wigley & Son Bus Ltd

TW FULLY LICENSED END OF LIFE VEHICLE CENTRE TW REDUNDANT AND SCRAP VEHICLES TAKEN TW PROFESSIONAL, EFFICIENT SERVICE TW ALL REQUIREMENTS CATERED FOR TW VARIOUS SPARES AVAILABLE TW CONTACT US FOR FULL AVAILABILITY

Export to foreign markets Repairs

Finance repossession and storage

CALL: 01226 727 769 Bus sales: www.geoff-ripleysbuscoachsales.com Geoff Ripley, Boulder Lane (off Shaw Lane), Carlton, Barnsley S71 3HJ

Mob: 07912 103 497 or 07711 750 434 Fax: 01226 727 607 Email: geoff-ripley@btconnect.com

Call 01226 723147 Night Service 01226 716479 Fax 01226 700199 Email wigleys@btconnect.com

www.twigley.com

62 | COACH & BUS WEEK | November 30, 2011

Seen something funny? Send it to gareth.evans@rouncymedia.co.uk, fax 0845 2802927 or write to: Last Stop, Coach & Bus Week, 3 The Office Village, Cygnet Park, Forder Way, Hampton, Peterborough PE7 8GX

Al�ie the bus driver is a big hit for Arriva Arriva Buses employed an unusual driver this year to promote their Summer Campaign of ‘More Jolly for Less Lolly’ with fantastic results.

Alfie the Bus Driver, along with his companion Lolly, toured the UK throughout the summer months as the new friendly faces of Arriva to promote the Family Saver Tickets, which allowed families to hop on and off Arriva services all day.

The costume characters, which Arriva says have proved to be tremendously popular with customers of all ages, were designed to give the firm’s bus website some warmth and personality and to ultimately drive traffic to the Arriva site.

David Shadbolt, marketing manager for Arriva UK Bus said: “Alfie the Bus Driver was created to personify the Arriva values of dependability and helpfulness, and like our real bus drivers, he is warm and friendly.

“He is certainly eye-catching and our customers, children and adults alike, love him. In helping to promote the Family Saver Ticket, we hope that Alfie has persuaded parents to think of the bus as a better way to travel, both in terms of value and choice.”

Alfie was originally introduced online as the face of Arriva for customer enquiries. The ‘Ask Alfie’ section of the website provides customers with an intelligent response system to answer their questions, improving the service they receive.

Alfie and Lolly will be continuing their tour of the UK, making guest appearances at future Arriva events.

Dilbert

Monday: Press day. The editorial corner of the office is noticeably quiet – Meera is holidaying in Cornwall and designer Keith is working remotely. That said, with Martin and I in the office, banter certainly does not grind to a halt. James is his usual enthusiastic self too.

Alfie the Bus Driver poses for the camera on an Arriva Buses Wales MPD

Tuesday: Interview a new recruit in the afternoon, before tapping away at a feature and making a start on some of the regular sections of CBW. Wednesday: A full day in the office working on the UK Bus Awards (UKBA) brochure and CBW. While round at my in laws for a birthday meal, watch a programme on BBC1 about the reintroduction of conductors on buses. For the realist in me, it makes my blood boil, but that’s another story. On a lighter note, I spot Brighton & Hove’s ever-friendly Mike Cheesman on board RML2317.

Thursday: An ‘up against it’ sort of day. Drop my fiancée off at work before spending a couple of hours working on a feature at home while a new front door is fitted.

Once in the office, work on the UKBA brochure and CBW.

When the Daily Telegraph reported Stagecoach CEO Brian Souter’s plans to bid for Edinburgh airport, we couldn’t help but chuckle in the CBW office when we noticed the advert alongside the story – which was none other than Mr Megabus. Was it deliberate or purely coincidental? That remains a mystery but it appears someone at the Telegraph has a sense of humour…

Friday: A hectic day in the office managing the production of this issue and dealing with urgent correspondence. Fire off my last email at 1120hrs before popping into town to attend the launch of Stagecoach’s Gold buses 15 minutes later. Enjoy the company of the friendly crews from Stagecoach East and Midlands – in addition to former colleagues of my brother in law at Peterborough City Council’s transport team. Once I’m back at my desk, the new recruit confirms his intention to accept our offer of employment – watch this space. Catch up with designer Keith early in the evening. A weekend of CBW, DIY & spending time with my fiancée beckons in Peterborough.

www.coachandbusweek.com

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RECRUITMENT

DEADLINES Booking: Monday 5.00pm Full artwork: Monday 5.30pm

November 30, 2011 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 63

CONTACT Harley Denham 01733 293249

harley.denham@rouncymedia.co.uk

Arriva the Shires sprout charity taches for Movember Staff from Arriva the Shires took part in Movember this year, joining Backhouse Jones in raising awareness for men’s cancer.

During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on

A variety of moustaches were grown across a variety of workers, including office staff, drivers and mechanics

thousands of men’s faces in the UK and around the world, the aim of which is to raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and other cancers which affect men.

Rob Petrie from Arriva the Shires, said: “This is the first time we have taken part in Movember and we really wanted to help raise awareness of the campaign and highlight the issues which can affect men’s health.

“Over 15 of us took part and we had all different shapes and sizes of moustaches in the depot, from the very fluffy, to the full on 70’s style moustache. It has been great fun, although I think our wives will be happy when the month comes to the end.

“Next year, we hope to get more people involved and also raise a lot of money.”

general managers

Salary circa £50k - £65k + pension

Various Locations CT Plus is part of the HCT Group, an award-winning social enterprise, operating commercial and community transport services CT Plus is expanding as we win new contracts. We are now looking to recruit General Managers who will be willing to re-locate, if necessary, within Great Britain to manage new service areas.

The successful candidates will have a strong career record in the passenger transport sector, demonstrating excellent management and operational abilities, with the determination to build on our reputation for quality service delivery.

Reporting to the Chief Operations Officer, the General Managers will be accountable for all commercial, financial and operational matters relating to the successful delivery of services. The successful candidates will have the ability to innovate and achieve growth in their geographical area. The post holders will possess excellent interpersonal skills and have the ability to influence at all levels.

Closing date for completed application forms is 10:00, 19 December 2011. Interviews will be held in London on 12 January 2012 If you wish to have an informal discussion, please contact Jon McColl, Chief Operations Officer, on 020 7608 8955.

For an application pack, please email susandixon@hctgroup.org website: www.hctgroup.org

www.coachandbusweek.com

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