Coach&BusWeek : Issue 1063

Wednesday November 21, 2012 Issue 1063 | £2.95 www.coachandbusweek.com

COACH:

AC Williams unveils extensive investment in expansion plans p8

CONFERENCE:

Northern Bus Summit 2012 – punctuality & ridership p18

Inside this week...

Minibus

BUS:

DfT statistics paint mixed picture for bus industry in the UK p6

MINIBUS:

The latest additions to EVM's vehicle range and EBE review p35

for recruitm

High Peak: a joint venture revealed

JOB ADVE ent EVERY WERTS EK

RECRUIT N

OW

p22

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tHiS WEEK

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

EDitORiAL Publisher Jonathan Taylor 01733 293240 jonathan.taylor@coachandbusweek.com Editor Gareth Evans 01733 293243 gareth.evans@coachandbusweek.com Technical & Minibus Editor Martin Cole 01733 293245, 07885 692144 martin.cole@coachandbusweek.com Features Editor Andrew Cream 01733 293482 andrew.cream@coachandbusweek.com News Reporter James Day 01733 293244 james.day@coachandbusweek.com News Reporter Alex Tyler 01733 293240 alex.tyler@coachandbusweek.com Art Director Keith Simpson Contributors Tim Deakin, Richard Charnley, Gabriel Conway, Alan Payling

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www.coachandbusweek.com ISSN: 1351-3877 © 2012 Coach and Bus Week Ltd. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or system or in any means without the written permission of the directors. This is considered a breach of copyright and action will be taken where this occurs. This magazine must not be lent, sold, hired or otherwise disposed of in a mutilated condition or in any authorised cover by way, or by trade, or annexed to any publication or advertising matter without first obtaining written permission from the directors.

The forgotten lifeline

I

’m glad I made the effort to attend last Thursday’s Northern Bus Summit. I would publicly like to thank the organisers. Getting such a large group of industry big-hitters together is no mean feat. The lunch and coffee was good too, thanks to Belmont’s sponsorship – not to mention the company. I was in my element catching up with many friends and making news ones.

Had there been time, I would have made a point in the morning Q&A session after Greg Lewis of Age UK showed a slide of a bus stop with a 0946hrs departure which ran on Tuesdays and Thursdays ‘only’ on the Isle of Wight. While I appreciate he was trying to maintain interest by using humour, I felt he failed to make the serious point about just how valuable such journeys are to the group of people he represents, particularly those in rural areas.

I pulled him to one side and attempted to politely explain they’re called market day services. Before I joined CBW I used to enjoy driving such journeys at Tanat Valley Coaches. It was like a coffee morning but without the drinks, i.e. very much a social occasion. As a driver I knew all my passengers by name. I would look out for them and help them with their

shopping – coaching with buses if you like. They would kindly show their appreciation with bars of chocolate and prior to departure, I would be fortunate to be given cream cakes and coffee.

Anyway, those ‘mere’ two trips a week are a lifeline.

Do you really need to go shopping more than twice a week? My grandmother is happy with her weekly visit to the local shop when she collects her pension. Out ‘in the sticks’ you can’t expect turn up and go services running at 10-minute frequencies.

Such services are far more attractive to the user than ones they have to book in advance. They can also be a more efficient use of resources if vehicle working diagrams can be put together properly. I used to take full bus/coach loads.

I also defended the at-stop information provided by Southern Vectis, which from personal experience I know is (or was when I was last there) an example of best practice which would ideally be rolled out across the country. Picking up on another point made at the summit, fares information was also displayed at the roadside – something I also pointed out to Greg.

Gareth Evans Editor

CONtENtS 4

22

35

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

14

An overview of trent barton and Centrebus’ joint venture High Peak

28

Minibuses at Euro Bus Expo and the latest additions to the EVM range

What’s happening across the country’s regions. Plus events diary

18

The supplier gives an overview of new tyre labelling legislation

32

A lighthearted look at the industry.

Plus Office Diary column

The highlights from last week’s bus conference in Manchester

A pair of Wright Gemini Volvos at King’s Cross – a B9TL & a B5LH

All the latest people moves from across the industry

News

Regional News

Northern Summit

Operator Profile Goodyear

Big Picture

Minibus

60

Last Stop

61

People

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

www.coachandbusweek.com

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4 | COACH & BUS WEEK | November 21, 2012

nEWS

“Working in an area like this its’s a case of striking a balance. You don’t want to let passengers down, but have to think of their safety.”

David Brookes Regional Operations Manager

BriEfly The Volvo Bus and Coach Sales Centre, Coventry, is holding two open days on Friday, November 30 from 0900 to 1700hrs, and Saturday, December 1 from 0900 to 1600hrs. Each day will offer test drives, “one off” on the day straight deal offers and the opportunity to speak at length with the Volvo sales team. Don Johnson, Volvo Bus Marketing Manager, said: “We’ve put together some really attractive packages together to offer our customers year end special deals. We’re looking forward to a very successful couple of days in Coventry.”

Every school bus used by the City of York Council could be fitted with a seat belt from next year, under changes being considered by the authority.

Currently half of the buses provided by the council do not have seat belts. The council said it would look into making it compulsory when contracts go out to tender in early 2013. York MP Julian Sturdy said he would be calling for the law on the issue to be changed. He said: “I think there’s an overriding picture here, should it be for City of York Council to look at, or should it be mandatory for all local authorities to have seat belts on all buses taking children to school.”

Greys of Ely has picked up the Business Website of the Year award at the Ely Standard East Cambridgeshire Business Awards held at Ely Cathedral. The judges said the Greys’ website was “clear and easy to navigate” and described the live vehicle tracking facility as “really state-of-the-art”.

Richard Grey, Managing Director, said: “A mobile version of the website was launched earlier this year and all of our vehicles were equipped with QR codes, which provide clients with information about vehicles. It has been an inspirational year for all the team at Grey’s and thanks to their hard work we continue to thrive in difficult times.” In April, Richard was named Coach Driver of the Year at the UK Coach Rally. Greys was also awarded Simply Safe accreditation from the UK’s leading child transport safety organisation, Belt Up School Kids (BUSK). www.coachandbusweek.com

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Operator Profile P30

Sumner to step down as Optare CEO Jim Sumner will be replaced on interim basis at end of December

by P G Nilsson and Glenn Saint Following a board meeting on November 14, Optare announced Jim Sumner’s decision to step down as Director and CEO with effect from December 31, 2012, to pursue other business opportunities.

He will be replaced on an interim basis by P G Nilsson, Ashok Leyland’s Head of International Business, along with Glenn Saint, Optare’s Chief Technical Officer, acting as deputy CEO. Mr Nilsson joined the board of Optare in March, having previously held positions at both Scania and MAN before joining Ashok in 2010.

Mr Sumner commented: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank my management team and all of the staff and employees who have worked incredibly hard to restructure and turn around the business.

“I am very proud of what has been achieved, such as moving from three factories to a new lower cost assembly facility, repositioning the business and establishing market leadership in low carbon single deck buses, putting the first electric buses into operation in the

Jim Sumner said he was leaving the position to pursue “other business opportunities

International award win for Alexander Dennis Ltd Alexander Dennis Ltd has been recognised for its achievements in international markets at the Scottish Council for Development and Industry International Awards.

Scotland’s International Awards, held in the Emirates Arena, home of the 2014 Commonwealth Games, recognise the global ambitions and successes of Scotland’s leading internationally-focused companies.

The Barclays Award for Outstanding International Achievement in Manufacturing was presented to ADL by former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright in recognition of the company’s international achievement in manufacturing.

In five years ADL has tripled its turnover to £500m. The manufacturer employs around 2,000 people at facilities in the

Colin Robertson, CEO of ADL, being presented with their award by former US Secretary of State, Dr Madeleine Albright UK, continental Asia and North America.

The company now assembles buses in China and is exploring new opportunities in Australia alongside established markets such as Thailand, Singapore, New Zealand and The Philippines.

Colin Robertson, CEO, said: “We are passionate about listening to our customers, understanding their

UK and winning our largest ever export order with the South Africa contract.

“I believe this is the right time for me to step down from the Board having completed the turnaround objectives we set out to achieve and secured Optare’s long-term future as part of Ashok Leyland.”

John Fickling, Chairman of Optare, said: “I wish Jim all the very best for the future. He has done an outstanding job in turning the business around from what was an extremely difficult position back in June 2009. We sincerely thank him for his unwavering leadership, clear direction and total dedication.

“I very much look forward to working more closely with Mr Nilsson whose international sales experience will be of great value to Optare. During his interim leadership the Board will have time to decide on a permanent appointment.” wants and needs – and building vehicles which make a difference, enhancing both the passenger experience and the bottom line of our customers. Our success is also a resounding vote of confidence in our skilled, Scottish engineers, who continually raise the bar and set the standard for the industry.”

Award partner, Ally Scott, Managing Director Corporate Banking, Barclays Scotland, said: “Alexander Dennis Ltd is an inspiring example of a business which has truly grasped the opportunities international trade offers.

“Through strategic acquisitions and joint ventures the company has implemented its ambitious globalisation strategy to impressive effect, tripling its turnover in the process.

“Manufacturing is a vital contributor to our economy and a sector in which Scotland has built a notable reputation. At a time when many of our traditional European export markets are stretched, commercially astute manufacturers like Alexander Dennis are making an impact in alternative markets.”

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November 21, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 5

Join the discussion on Twitter by following us at @cbwtweets and find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/coachandbusweek

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The premium package is priced at

With the November 21 deadline for free advertising passed, new annual operator packages for coachandbusmarket.com have been announced, dedicated to companies in possession of an operator licence.

The Market Unlimited package costs just £129 + VAT and allows you to upload unlimited online vehicle-for-sale advertisements for a year, with up to four 5cm (~2 inch) by one column adverts printed in the classified section of the print magazine per week for the duration.

The package includes three one-year digital subscriptions to coachandbusweek.com for staff at your company, usually valued at £39.95 each, and allows you to take advantage of half-price recruitment advertising in the magazine.

Another option is the Market Premium Unlimited package. This

Visit the website now at www.coachandbusmarket. com. For more information, call Jade Cassidy on 01733 293247

Jade Cassidy Sales Manager, classified ads and website

Change but not change at Volvo Loughborough Commercial Aftermarket Director.

“All the extensive range of services, our expertise, along with a full range of support for all Bus and Coach products, will still be available to our customers, and the Loughborough Body and Paint shop will continue to fully support our sales activities through Volvo Bus & Coach Centre at Coventry.”

The bus and coach parts operation at Loughborough, with its trade counter service, will continue

From December 1 the Body and Paint shop facilities at Loughborough become Volvo Truck & Bus Centre Loughborough (Body and Paint Shop) and operate as an integral part of its wholly-owned dealer Volvo Truck & Bus Centre East Anglia.

“While this is a change of name it is very much business as usual for all our Bus and Coach customers using the Loughborough facility,” explained Andy Kunze, Volvo Bus

£750

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Jade Cassidy has been appointed as Coach and Bus Market Sales Manager.

Jade’s role covers Coach and Bus Market in both print and digital forms, and she is the friendly first point of contact for any enquiries about advertising your vehicles, products or services.

Coachandbusmarket.com is the ideal platform for operators to sell their unused and unneeded vehicles.

to operate as part of the Volvo Bus business as Volvo Bus & Coach Centre, Loughborough (Parts).

All contact details for both the Body and Paint shop activity, and for Parts support will remain unchanged.

During the coming months Volvo Truck & Bus Centre East Anglia will also invest in further specialist equipment for the facility and extend the range of services offered to include Volvo Trucks, Truck all-makes and Light Commercial vehicle support as part of the overall development site in order to further enhance the services offered to their customers.

Jeffs Coaches rescued from BTG

Buyer found for Jeffs Coaches Deloitte, the administrators of Bowen Travel Group, have secured the sale of Jeffs Coaches.

Matthew Cowlishaw and Dominic Wong, partners at the business advisory firm, sold Jeffs Coaches on November 2, to an unnamed buyer.

The company retains its operating name, Jeffs Coaches. It will continue to run private hire school bus services, which resumed on November 5.

Cowlishaw said: “It has been our utmost priority to ensure minimal disruption to passengers – young people travelling to and from school. The sale is a fantastic result for all involved. Services have resumed with the majority of routes unaffected and operating from the same coach depot.”

Jeffs Coaches entered administration on October 25, with other Bowen Travel Group companies Bowen Travel; LF Bowen (trading as Bowens, Applebys and Yorks); York (Bros) Northampton; Bowen Travel Transport and Woottens Luxury Travel.

Contains 100% compliance Long lasting protection L

email: julia.davies@backhouses.co.uk www.coachandbusweek.com

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6 | COACH & BUS WEEK | November 21, 2012

nEWS › BUSeS

280

Number of buses in Brighton & Hove’s fleet; almost all of which are named after local deceased people

BriEfly The Irish National Transport Authority has approved a fare rise for Dublin Bus. Prepaid ticket prices and Leap Card fares will increase by an average of 7% and cash fares will rise by an average of 11%. The increase to cash and Leap Card fares will come into effect on Saturday, December 1 and the new pricing on prepaid tickets will come into effect “in the New Year,” Dublin Bus said.

As part of First’s revamped operations in Hampshire, the 17 and 18 circular services which have been run for 81 years have been replaced with a modernised route. In a farewell event, a 1984 Leyland National, a Routemaster and an ex Portsmouth Leyland PD2 were in attendance. The event attracted all ages after they were sent on their way from The Hard interchange by Deputy Lord Mayor of Portsmouth Cllr Lynne Stagg who said the route would be sorely missed.

As this issue of CBW went to press a Nottingham City Transport spokesman confirmed the company had placed an order for 10 non-specific ADL buses. Further details will be published as soon as they are available.

Council worker Susan McLaughlin has denied neglect after an elderly woman with dementia was left on a bus in Luton overnight contrary to Section 4 of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and will face trial early in 2013.

Government statistics confirm negative trends Annual statistics show there has been a drop in supported services and bus mileage while passengers have seen fare increases This year’s Annual Bus Statistics released by the DfT show bus mileage has decreased and average fares have increased in Great Britain over the last year, although the total number of bus passenger journeys has risen from 0.6% to 5.2bn.

The 2011/12 figures broadly show a continuation of recent trends, with patronage increasing in London and the south of England but falling elsewhere. Journeys in London now account for half of all bus passenger journeys in England.

Unsurprisingly, there has been a 2% drop in local authority-supported (rather than commercial) services in Great Britain outside London (from 23% to 21%).

The proportion was 21% in England outside London, 17% in Scotland and 30% in Wales.

In England outside London, mileage on supported services in non-metropolitan areas dropped by 10% this year, while supported mileage in metropolitan areas fell by an estimated 7% between 2010/11 and 2011/12.

Mileage on commercial services in England has remained broadly flat in recent years, but in 2011/12 was slightly (1%) higher than in the previous year 2010/11.

Responding to the new statistics,

Stephen Joseph, CEO of Campaign for Better Transport, said: “Central Government claimed its cuts in local bus funding would not affect services. That couldn’t be true and now we have the evidence.

We know it’s the young, the old and those without cars who are most likely to need a decent bus service. These figures show what these groups already know - in 12 months they’ve seen significant cuts in services and a 6.5% increase in ticket prices. This adds to the cost of living, makes it harder to access jobs, and increases isolation.

“Our concern is there’s more to come. These figures only show the impact of cuts on local authority supported services. In April this year there was a further 20% cut which we would expect to hit commercial services. That will show up in next year’s figures making them equally grim reading.”

Concessionary journeys made up 35% of all bus passenger journeys

London journeys now account for half of all bus trips in England

in Great Britain in 2011/12, compared with 32% in 2007/08.

In England outside London, the number of concessionary journeys has increased by 10% from 2007/08, with non concessionary journeys falling by 6% over the same period.

In England, the proportion of bus journeys which were concessionary in 2011/12 was lowest in London (33%) and slightly higher in metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas (both 36%), though over half the concessionary journeys in London are youth concessions.

Other stats for 2011/12 include: Local bus operators in Great Britain operated 53,000 public service vehicles, of which the majority (80%) were buses and the remainder coaches and minibuses.

69% of all buses in Great Britain were issued with a Public Service Vehicle Accessibility Regulations (PSVAR) accessibility certificate and a further 19% had low floor access (but no certificate).

In the UK, bus and coach driver wages are lower than the average for all occupations, with median gross weekly earnings in 2011 of £430 compared to £498 for all occupations.

There was an increase in bus fares of 6.5% in England (5.4% in London, 6.8% in metropolitan areas and 7.6% in non-metropolitan areas). The all items retail prices index increased by 2.8% over this period.

www.coachandbusweek.com

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19/11/2012 20:09

21%

Percentage of services in Great Britain outside London supported by local authority funding

Wilts & Dorset to sell two bus stations Wilts & Dorset has confirmed both the Salisbury and Amesbury bus stations will be sold, increasing the likelihood of the redevelopment of Salisbury’s Endless Street station, a goal of the Salisbury Vision project.

Ed Wills, Operations Director for the Salisbury Reds and Wilts & Dorset bus network, said the closure of both stations will have no impact on services and jobs as buses will use existing stops in the city centre and more modern office accommodation will be found for the Salisbury bus station team. No staff are based at Amesbury.

The fleet of 100 buses will continue to be parked and maintained by the company’s main depot at Castle Street.

Ed said: “Neither bus stations are essential to our services but as they age they are costing more to maintain and operate each year.

We believe this annual cost can be better used to provide bus services and the land could be put to much better use for the community and the local economy.”

None of the high frequency Salisbury Reds services use the bus station and less than 12% of overall passengers using their services in Salisbury access the bus station. Most of these customers are travelling on their inter-town services, which will use alternative stops in the city centre.

“We would rather preserve jobs and services than spend a fortune upgrading facilities that are being used by only a small number of our customers,” continued Ed. “Salisbury bus station, constructed in the 1930s, is riddled with asbestos and no longer offers a pleasant working environment for the 160 employees.

“Many major towns, including Bournemouth and Brighton, no longer have bus stations yet have thriving bus services. We believe that our customers travelling to and from Salisbury and Amesbury will not be inconvenienced in any way with the closure of these facilities.”

Wilts & Dorset says it will be consulting further with the local authorities and, provided purchases are agreed, they expect to vacate both bus stations by the summer of next year.

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November 21, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 7

Number of people now working for Granthambased bus and coach operator A C Williams

SHARE WATCH

Industry share prices at the close of the Stock Exchange on Monday, November 19.

Rotala remained consistent, while Optare saw the greatest proportional drop.

Most figures obtained from www.iii.co.uk

302.20p

Price: Year High: 367.50p Year Low: 248.95p

Optare has completed its 10,000th bus since the company was formed in 1985. The vehicle is a 2.35m wide Slimline version of the Solo SR. At 9.7m in length, it is equipped with Lazzerini 3840 Pratico seating and features Actia CCTV and Mobitec destination equipment. It is one of a fleet of 33 to be operated on Jersey by CT Plus. Jim Sumner, Optare CEO, said: “I am delighted we have reached this significant production milestone and have done it here in our new plant at Sherburn-in-Elmet.

“This superb new facility offers the potential to build buses at rates which were unprecedented in Optare’s past and as a result I expect it will take considerably less time to build the next 10,000.

“As evidenced by winning this order from the HCT Group, we are now geared up to build buses in larger fleet numbers while still retaining the flexibility to meet the needs of our traditional independent sector.”

Optare’s Sales Director John Horn commented: “The Solo SR has again proved to be a real winner and given Optare an unrivalled lead in the midibus sector of the UK market. All 33 buses have been completed on schedule, with service dates commencing in January.”

1234.5p

Price: Year High: 1448.4p Year Low: 1074.0p

168.10p

Price: Year High: 256.20p Year Low: 167.10p

270.10p

Metrobus MD Alan Eatwell to retire Alan Eatwell, MD of Go-Ahead subsidiary Metrobus, is to retire next year after a 44-year bus career.

Alan took on the MD role at Metrobus in 2001. He joined the industry in 1969 as a fitter’s boy at the Carlyle Works of the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Company (Midland Red).

In 1974 he joined NBC’s senior management training scheme.

In 1987, there was the chance for Alan and a group of colleagues including Roger French to bid for the Brighton operations of Southdown, a company Alan had joined in 1978. He ultimately progressed to Assistant Chief Engineer.

In 1993 Go-Ahead acquired Brighton and Hove and Alan has since held roles including Group Engineering Director.

Alan said: “I’ve enjoyed a fantastic career with many proud moments. I have always aspired to achieve excellence in engineering

175.30p

Price: Year High: 344.00p Year Low: 175.00p

Price: Year High: 300.00p Year Low: 227.90p

0.58p

Price: Year High: 2.11p Year Low: 0.20p

Alan Eatwel pictured when he was interviewed by CBW in March 2012 and service quality. In my 20th year with Go-Ahead I can look back on the opportunities I’ve had to work with a fantastic team of people.”

David Brown, Group CEO for Go-Ahead, said: “Alan has played a crucial role in turning Metrobus into the huge success story it is today, overseeing growth both in the regulated London market and in the deregulated operations in and around Crawley.

“Alan has inspired his team to deliver an award-winning service, with the company achieving a 90% passenger satisfaction rate.

Alan’s extensive knowledge and experience will be missed.”

Alan will retire at the end of June next year.

44.50p

Price: Year High: 45.00p Year Low: 36.00p

77.19p

Price: Year High: 82.27p Year Low: 62.29p

9.00p

Price: Year High: 20.00p Year Low: 8.50p

-3.30 on last week

-12.65 on last week

-31.00 on last week

-2.70 on last week

-6.05 on last week

-0.05 on last week

+0.00 on last week

-2.50 on last week

-0.25 on last week

FTSE 100

5,674

Index: Year High: 5,966 Year Low: 5,128

-114 on last week

www.coachandbusweek.com

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8 | COACH & BUS WEEK | November 21, 2012

nEWS › coaches

BriEfly Work to stabilise the verge alongside the northbound carriageway of the M42 at junction 3a near Shirley, Solihull, began on November 19 and is expected to end on December 20. The work is being carried out between 2030 and 0530hrs [1930 and 0700 Saturdays, 2030 and 0800 Sundays]. There are signed diversions in place for motorists wanting to exit the motorway at junction 4.

Maintenance work on the wiring system on the M6 southbound between junctions 8 and 10a was due to start on November 19 and is due to be completed by December 28. Work will be undertaken from 2000 and 0600hrs. While it is underway, the hard shoulder and lane one will be closed at this location.

Bright future for A C Williams Lincolnshire operator expands holiday programme, invests in vehicles and maintenance and wins new school contracts A C Williams Coaches is benefiting from a successful 12 months following its take-over earlier this year.

The operator is reaping the benefits of major investment and increased staffing during 2012, helped by the announcement of more than £100,000 worth of new schools contracts won over the summer. Along with earlier wins, these have helped boost the total increase in contract work this year to over 35%.

Now, the Ancaster-based company

is launching an expanded 2013 holiday and excursions programme, with the company planning to triple its holiday division turnover in the next 12 months. Next year there will be 30 holidays available, including trips to the Italian Lakes, the Rhine Valley and Austria.

Owner and Executive Chairman Glen Pratt told CBW: “We have also got more innovative with day trips.

“We have really ramped up marketing and sales and we’re expanding out of Grantham and Sleaford to towns like Newark, Stamford and Melton.

“People are starting to notice us so the strategy is working.”

The company committed

Traffic signal refurbishment on the A49 at Eign Street, Hereford, was due to start on November 19, taking place overnight between 2000 and 0800hrs [2000 to 1000 Saturdays and 1800 to 0700 Sundays] and will take approximately six weeks to complete. Temporary traffic lights are in operation and local traffic diversions are in place. All closures will be signed in advance and a clearly signposted diversion route will be in place. More information is available from the Highways Agency on 0300 123 5000.

The final phase of gantry upgrade work for the M62 managed motorway scheme in West Yorkshire was due to begin from Monday, November 19. The work will take place on weeknights between junctions 28 and 29 until mid-December, requiring the closure of one carriageway at a time between 2000 and 0600hrs.

Overnight closures are required on most Saturday nights until midDecember between junctions 29 and 30 (Rothwell), from 2000 until 0900hrs. When these closures are in place, the diversion route is via the M1, A639 and A642. Work to construct the region’s first managed motorway between junctions 25 and 30 started in October 2011.

The scheme is scheduled to open to traffic in 2013-14. www.coachandbusweek.com

News8,9.indd 8

Owner Glen Pratt, centre standing, with the A C Williams team

First new Volvo for Three Star Coaches Three Star Coaches has recently received its first new Volvo coach – a B9R with Sunsundegui bodywork.

“I needed a coach which would offer real prestige and Volvo provides that,” explained Three Star Coaches owner, Colin Dudley. “They are the leading manufacturer in the market as far as I’m concerned in terms of vehicles and their excellent

aftermarket service.”

Although not their first Volvo coach, with four pre-owned vehicles, the B9R is their first new Volvo.

Colin added: “It offered all of the facilities and higher levels of quality we required and with the stylish Sunsundegui bodywork, it also has that all important curb appeal.

The new Volvo B9R Sunsundegui

£10,000 of investment to its maintenance workshop earlier this year to ensure the fleet runs at peak potential and has now invested a further £70,000 in four new vehicles to cope with the increased demand. These are two 53-seat Plaxton Premier Volvo B10Ms and two Dennis Dominators, all retrofitted with Euro 4 technology.

“We purchased the new vehicles from Ensign,” Glen explained. “We like Ensign and have got a good relationship with them.

“I am also a big fan of our four Scania Irizars. They are fantastic and they look brilliant.

“We keep all the vehicles in tip top condition. We’re actually looking for another Irizar – I think we can grow the coaching side of the business.”

Staff numbers have increased from 25 at the time of take-over to more than 30, with recruitment now underway for another full time marketing position at its HQ. Glen added: “We are exceeding targets across the board and now our sights are set on taking a much bigger share of the local market for holidays. We’re offering many new destinations and many more departure dates and pick-up points.

“Now we’re on an extremely strong financial footing, we’re attracting many contract customers and can offer additional benefits to our holiday and day trip customers. That includes a 100% commitment to the brochure price, as I’m personally guaranteeing there will be no fuel or currency surcharges and no credit card charges. It’s a tough time at the moment for everyone and we want to show how much we value our customers.”

“Jo Standbridge and the Volvo sales team gave us great support and allowed me to trade in an older vehicle.”

The new D9B 9.4-litre B9R, rated at 390hp and specified with the Volvo I-Shift gearbox, goes straight into active service. Colin continued: “The vehicle has been purchased for a developing our day trip programme. It has a busy schedule ahead and will be shortly heading off to the Isle of Wight on one of our three-day breaks.”

The B9R is fitted with 55 executive passenger seats, two TV monitors, CCTV, air-conditioning, WC, CD/DVD sound system and an onboard fridge.

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“We’ve seen 60% growth in Hull. It shows what can be achieved with a dynamic local authority and two bus companies.”

Sir Brian Souter

Travelstar tyre switch could save thousands Walsall-based Travelstar European expects to save thousands of pounds in running costs after becoming one of the UK’s first coach fleets to fit Michelin’s new 295/80 R 22.5 X MultiWay 3D tyres, following their UK launch in September 2012.

The company has implemented a programme to replace all existing tyres across its fleet – as wear dictates – and says the projected savings will come from increased tyre life over its previous brand, the elimination of uneven tread wear and improved fuel economy – after a Michelin Technical Manager assessed its vehicles and operation in detail and then calculated revised tyre inflation pressures.

Working in the evening, to avoid any costly downtime for the customer’s fleet, Michelin conducted a detailed tyre inspection and vehicle weighing

exercise which found numerous vehicles to be running tyres displaying abnormal wear. In order to optimise tyre performance, Michelin Technical Manager Steve Jones suggested an increase in tyre inflation pressures by some 15%. According to Michelin, this optimisation of inflation pressures can increase tyre life by up to 19%.

Similarly, inflation pressures impact on vehicle handling characteristics and the previously lower pressures would have increased tyre rolling resistance; thereby using more fuel.

Michelin weighed numerous vehicles and established bespoke tyre inflation pressures which suited the fleet’s operational profile.

Asan Fazal, a Director at Travelstar, said: “I was surprised with the pressures Michelin recommended at first, but we made the changes after seeing the irregular tyre wear we were experiencing. We are already noticing a positive change in tyre performance – the Michelin guys have been absolutely fantastic.”

For Fazal, another motivating

Travelstar European is a partner operator for National Express

New overnight coach parking available in Leicester To provide a warm welcome to group travel visitors to Leicester, Leicester Shire Promotions is working with the city’s largest visitor attraction, the National Space Centre, to provide overnight coach parking facilities for visiting groups and tours. The new

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arrangements are in response to increased interest in the city following the recent archaeological digs and the possible discovery of the remains of King Richard III. The agreement complements a range of support services for coaches and groups including

itinerary building, meet and greet services, discount tickets for attractions, theatres and a wide range of partner organisations.

Martin Peters, CEO of Leicester Shire Promotions, said: “The interest in groups visiting the city is growing, with more enquiries about exploring the city’s 2000 years of history. We have put in place steps to welcome more coaches interested in exploring the city.”

There will be a £10 fee for

factor for switching to the X MultiWay 3D was the tyre’s M+S and 3PMSF* markings which mean that the tyre provides excellent grip and traction in winter conditions.

“With the X MultiWay 3D we can run them all year round, put them on all the coaches, enjoy multiple benefits, and we get the peace of mind knowing we are fitting the best tyres on the market, too,” Fazal said. “It’s a win-win situation.”

Previously, Travelstar European was giving away its worn tyre casings to the supplying dealer.

Fazal said he has never been a believer in remoulded tyres because, in his experience, they have “only been another bit of rubber put onto an old casing.”

However, with Michelin, Fazal is interested in trialling the firm’s Four Lives policy, where the tyres are re-grooved, then comprehensively re-manufactured into Michelin Remix tyres, and then re-grooved again.

The new tyre deal will be serviced through ATS Euromaster, so the firm has swift access to Europe-wide 24/7 cover.

Both Travelstar European and Michelin plan to actively audit the savings made by the switch. overnight coach parking and spaces are available from 1600 to 0830hrs on the following day, with all coaches departing by 0900 at the latest. There will be 24 hour security on limited days, but parking is available every day.

Parking must be booked in advance by contacting the Visit Leicester team on 0116 299 4444 or email at info@ visitleicester.info

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nEWS

TC Aitken joins Scottish police to clamp down on mobile phone use Memorandum of Understanding signed so the TC will receive written notifications at the time of offence Police in Scotland and Traffic Commissioner (TC) Joan Aitken have joined forces to clamp down on the use of mobile phones by coach, bus and lorry drivers.

A clear link has been established between the use of mobile phones and other communication devices whilst driving and serious road crashes which cause severe injury or even death.

Deputy Chief Constable Tom Ewing for the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS) and the TC have signed a Memorandum of Understanding.

This formalises the process of Scottish Police Forces notifying the TC for Scotland of details of mobile phone offences committed by drivers of Large Goods Vehicles and Passenger Carrying Vehicles.

Scottish Police Forces will forward written notification at the time of the offence to the TC. The written notification will include: n Conditional Offer Number; n Driver’s name, address and date of birth; n Date and time of the offence;

n Location of the offence; and n Offence committed.

The offences currently covered by the MOU are: n Use of hand held mobile phone or device while driving; n Use of hand held mobile phone or device while supervising a learner driver; and n Not in proper control of a vehicle or having full a view ahead (This offence relates to drivers’ actions and can also be applied to use of a hands-free device where there is evidence that the driver does not have proper control of the vehicle).

With this notification, the TC will give consideration to further action against the driver and/or the company which may include the suspension of a LGV or PCV licence.

DCC Ewing of Fife Constabulary, who speaks on road policing for ACPOS, said: “The drivers of buses and lorries carry a huge responsibility to their companies and to other road users as they go about their daily business. The majority of these drivers are aware of these responsibilities and behave responsibly.

“The use of communication devices such as mobile phones is distracting and dangerous and the consequences of professional

Pictured during the launch at Lewes Bus Station are Bridget Millmore, Norman Baker, Roger French and Cllr Michael Chartier, Mayor of Lewes www.coachandbusweek.com

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drivers carrying passengers or large loads losing concentration could be catastrophic.

“We are determined to clamp down on such use and welcome the support of the TC and two industry leaders.”

Ms Aitken said: “Using a mobile phone - whether to take or make a call or text - is a road safety risk.

Too many road traffic accidents are happening because the driver was on a phone call or checking texts.

With professional drivers the risks can be greater given the weight of the vehicles and their loadings.

“Police officers can issue a financial penalty. My powers are

TC for Scotland Joan Aitken with Deputy Chief Constable Tom Ewing

New hybrid fleet for Brighton & Hove Norman Baker MP launched one of Brighton & Hove’s latest Wrightbodied Volvo B5L Hybrid buses on Friday (November 16).

The fleet of 11 buses will be used on cross-city route 7 between Hove and Brighton Marina as well as service 28 between Lewes and Brighton. They have been part funded by the Green Bus Fund (GBF). They join the pair purchased earlier in the year without GBF support.

Commenting on the launch, Roger French, MD, said: “We’re

different. I can suspend a driver’s licence entitlement to drive his or her lorry or bus. For some drivers this will mean they lose their job and how they support their families. It is that serious. I also look at why the driver was on the phone.

I want to get a message across to drivers’ families and friends and also to employers that the driver needs to concentrate on the job not on the phone.

“I hope drivers and their families will come to realise that the risk of mobile phone use is not worth taking. I don’t want to take professional drivers off the road or for them to lose their jobs or wages.

I want them to drive safely.

“Last year 223 professional drivers were called before the TC for driving offences which included mobile phone use”.

The launch of the MOU has been backed by First Bus and haulier the Malcolm Group.

Paul Thomas, MD of First Scotland East, said: “As a company we are committed to road and passenger safety, already having rigorous procedures in place. We welcome this agreement to assist in addressing this very serious issue and will continue to work with both parties going forward.” delighted to be introducing more ‘green’ buses and are looking forward to evaluating how they run on two busy routes with different characteristics – one route in the city with hills and lots of stopping and starting and one on a faster route between the city and Lewes.”

Joining Norman Baker and Roger French for the launch was Phil Fletcher and Neil Hearne from Volvo and Bridget Millmore, widow of Paul Millmore after whom the bus has been named. Paul was a great advocate of the South Downs becoming a National Park and many friends and supporters gathered to watch the bus being launched in his memory.

Almost all of Brighton & Hove’s 280-strong bus fleet is named after local deceased people who made a significant contribution to the area during their lifetime.

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Volvo Buses receives award for hybrid technology EBUS award acknowledges the firm’s developments in hybrid bus technology GERMAnY Volvo Buses has been awarded the international local public transport environmental award, EBUS 2012.

Volvo was awarded in the ‘hybrid bus’ category for the company’s developments in this area. The EBUS Award is initiated by the German “Forum für Verkehr und Logistik” (Community initiative of VDV and DEVK Insurance).

Innovative bus concepts which lead the way for the transition from diesel powered to electric buses were acknowledged at the ceremony in Cologne, Germany.

The EBUS Award is under the patronage of the Federal Minister for Transport, Dr. Peter Ramsauer.

The jury consists of renowned experts from transport companies, science and politics.

“We want to emphasise in particular the consistent, systemrelated revision and optimisation of all hybrid functionality, that leads to the excellent results of Volvo hybrid buses,” said jury member Dr. Ralph

Pütz, Professor for Commercial Automotive Engineering at the Landshut College of Technology.

“We are proud to accept this important environmental award for sustainable electrical local public transport concepts for our low floor city bus hybrid,” said Thomas Hartmann, Commercial Director of Volvo Buses Germany.

“For Volvo Buses this confirms we are on the correct strategic path with our ‘Green Efficiency’ hybrid

technology.”

The company has delivered nearly 1,000 Volvo hybrid buses all around the world up until now.

Volvo Buses is switching its entire low floor city bus programme to the low emission and low noise hybrid technology from 2014.

“With our hybrid buses, we make city traffic greener, quieter and more comfortable for people,” said Thomas Hartmann.

A hybrid Volvo 7900 on display at the Euro Bus Expo earlier this month

BBS takes Euro 6 Setras

GERMAnY BBS Brandner Bus Schwaben in Günzburg has added three Setra S 417 UL intercity coaches to its fleet. The triaxle Setra MultiClass 400s feature Euro 6 engines and propel BBS into a pioneering role in terms of the environmental compatibility of its regular services in the districts of Günzburg, Neu-Ulm, AugsburgLand and Unterallgäu.

“As a future-oriented company, we consider it self-evident we should have the latest bus technology in our fleet as standard,” said MD Josef Brandner.

“Our passengers can depend on being able to travel in the most environmentally compatible buses currently available on the market for this segment.”

The three S 417 ULs seat 61 passengers and are equipped with www.coachandbusweek.com

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67 Solaris Urbinos for Bulgarian resort Burgas BULGARIA The Bulgarian city of Burgas is renewing its bus fleet with the Solaris Urbino city bus.

Burgasbus, the city’s bus operator, placed a €15.5m order for of 67 Urbino city buses, which will be delivered by the middle of next year.

The new fleet for Burgas will comprise 39 12-metre Urbino CNG buses and 28 articulated vehicles with diesel engines. All will serve inhabitants as well as tourists visiting the city.

“On the highly competitive market for public transport vehicles, winning an order of this size is a great success. We are delighted to deliver our buses to Burgas. We will provide passengers with highest standards of comfort, which people across Europe have come to expect of Solaris buses and trams,” said Małgorzata Olszewska, Member of the Board for Sales and Marketing at Solaris Bus & Coach.

Solaris has been present in the Bulgarian market since 2010, when 30 trolleybuses were supplied by electric equipment partner Škoda Electric to the capital city Sofia.

Cummins meets US requirements

Three Setra S 417 UL intercity coaches have joined BBS Brandner Bus’ fleet the in-line, six-cylinder OM 470 engines from the newly developed MB Blue Efficiency Power engine series. They produce 265 kW (360 hp).

BBS Brandner Reisen GmbH offers a wide range of city bus and touring coach services.

BBS Brander Bus Schwaben is a family-run business with branch offices in Thannhausen,

Krumbach and Günzburg. The grandfather of the current MD, Josef Brandner, started the first regular bus services back in 1926.

Some years later, operations were expanded to include the first group travel services. Today, BBS Reisen Brandner GmbH operates 110 buses on public transport routes and offers an extensive range of individual and group travel services.

USA All of Cummins’ diesel and natural gas engines used in school buses will meet 2014 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) greenhouse gas (GHG) and fuel-efficiency standards a year ahead of schedule.

All Cummins commercial onhighway engines will meet new standards as of January 1. Using less fuel in the engine reduces CO2, which is the main GHG under this regulation. It is being done utilising today’s proven technology which means added reliability and dependability for school bus operators. Enhancing the fuel economy of the ISB6.7 and ISL9 will undoubtedly have a positive impact on school transportation budgets.

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nEWS › REGIONAL

SCOTLAnD

First Aberdeen drivers have been balloted on industrial action which may result in a strike during the Christmas period – existing legislation means any strike action would not happen until December.

Mike Flynn from Unite said: “We are having a workplace ballot. The company has put forward a deal and drivers are having the chance to vote on it.”

This will seem like a setback as it appeared last month a deal had been agreed.

Duncan Cameron, Director and General Manager at First Aberdeen, said: “We are looking forward to learning the result of the ballot later this week.”

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’d like us to cover, contact James Day on james. day@coachandbusweek.com.

by South Lancs Travel. The service carried an average of 8,116 people per month last year. It runs every 15 minutes and has had a 99.6% reliability rating since 2009.

Chair of the Bus Network and TfGM Services Sub Committee Cllr Mark Aldred said: “The Metroshuttle is an important part of Bolton’s public transport network.

We are pleased to provide two environmentally friendly buses to run on the route and I look forward to the new operator delivering the high quality of service passengers are already used to.”

KEY

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

EAST

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Nexus, the operations arm of the Tyne and Wear Integrated Transport Authority, has heard details of a partnership proposal aimed at improving local bus services.

The ITA last year asked bus companies to form a collective association and put together a proposal, based on a series of meetings and joint working between bus companies and Nexus.

Councillors on the ITA heard a detailed presentation from the North East Bus Operators Association (NEBOA) on November 9 as part of the Bus Strategy Delivery Project.

Cllr David Wood, Chairman of the ITA, said: “I am delighted representatives of the bus operators have agreed to continue the dialogue which the ITA initiated in its attempt to bring about bus services that meet the needs and aspirations of the travelling public in Tyne and Wear.”

Bernard Garner, Director General of Nexus, said: “We have held a series of constructive meetings with the Bus Operators’ Association since the ITA first invited it to work with us on a partnership proposal.

“This will be a chance for members to review the offer and see how far it meets their aspirations for affordable, sustainable and better services.”

Nine out of 10 journeys in Tyne and Wear are provided by private companies with the rest paid for

by Nexus using funds from local councils.

The ITA claims there is widespread acceptance the current system needs to be improved, with business leaders and politicians among those who have supported www.coachandbusweek.com

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the idea of change in an attempt to give passengers and taxpayers better value and a greater say in how services are planned.

In November 2011, the ITA instructed Nexus to prepare a draft proposal for a quality contract scheme and simultaneously explore with bus operators and district councils scope for developing quality bus partnerships as a possible alternative.

Sheffield newspaper The Star has reported that the number of people using the city’s bus services has risen by 17%.

First South Yorkshire said it had seen passenger numbers go up between April and September due to fare promotions and improvements, as well as the new Optio partnership with South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, Stagecoach and TM Travel.

The scheme allows passengers to use their tickets on all buses and has been extended to the whole of the Sheffield city region after a trial.

Stagecoach said it had also seen the number of Sheffield residents taking the bus rise dramatically.

Stagecoach Yorkshire Commercial Director Rupert Cox said: “After years of endemic decline among Sheffield operators, passenger numbers have grown dramatically for Stagecoach in Sheffield.

“Following major investment in vehicles, improved punctuality, value-for-money ticketing and new technology, passenger numbers

have grown from 6m to 16m for the period from 2006/7 to 2011/12.

“This growth has been among fare payers as well as concessionaires. Passenger journeys also show an increase of 2.5 million passengers over the previous 12 months.”

FirstGroup’s Stuart Butchers said fare reductions had been introduced on 23 routes in the city in the last three months.

The lower fares have now been extended to the whole of the First network in Sheffield.

He said: “Our successful trial of recent price cuts has led to significant passenger growth on some routes in the Sheffield area.

We have now rolled out these lower prices on our buses across the city, saving customers up to 40% on some tickets.

“As part of the new Sheffield Bus Partnership we are encouraging more people to use the bus.

“We now have a stable, extensive network, great value fares and are committed to developing our service standards.”

Bolton’s free town centre bus service Metroshuttle will continue for another year. People were previously urged to make use of the service or risk losing it.

The Metroshuttle, which is funded by Bolton Council and TfGM, operates from Monday to Saturday between 0900 and 1700hrs. It was previously provided by Maytree Travel but has now been taken over

Arriva has cut the price of its Family Day Saver ticket in the Southend, Rayleigh, Rochford and Castle Point area.

The price has been cut to £7 until December 31 and allows travel on all Arriva buses in the area.

Valid throughout the day for two adults and up to two children or for one adult and up to three children travelling together, the ticket gives unlimited access to Arriva’s services from Shoeburyness across Southend to Westcliff, Leigh, Hadleigh, Rayleigh, Rochford, Eastwood and Basildon.

Arriva’s Regional Publicity Manager, Richard Lewis, said: “We are very pleased to be able to reduce the price of our Southend Family Day Saver ticket to help people get around in the weeks leading up to Christmas and New Year.

“Shopping at Christmas can be very frustrating with traffic congestion and long queues for car parks to cope with, so we hope people will consider leaving the car at home and take the bus into town to do their Christmas shopping.

“The Saver ticket offers really great value and can be bought from bus drivers or even by using your mobile phone. The more you travel on our frequent services the more you save and you will be helping to reduce congestion and pollution at the same time.”

SOUTH WEST

Many of First’s services in Portsmouth, Southsea, Waterlooville, Paulsgrove, Gosport and Fareham changed on Sunday (November 18), with many old routes and service numbers replaced with entirely new ones.

The operator prepared for the changes by issuing 50,000 new timetables and 25,000 network maps and conducting

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16 | COACH & BUS WEEK | November 21, 2012

nEWS › REGIONAL

a substantial advertising campaign, amongst other things.

Talking before the first day of operation, Marc Reddy, Regional Commercial and Business Growth Director for First in the South West and Wales, said: “Preparing for this change has required significant effort from all parts of our business. Our network planners have been working hard to finalise all the routes and timetables, our marketing team has been working to design the new materials and ensure customers get the information they need and our operational team has been briefing our drivers and ensuring they know what they’re doing from day one.

“Where we have had feedback from customers, we have taken this on board. We have recognised that a small adjustment here or there could make a big difference to local people and we have made some additional changes. For instance we have added in some additional journeys into the timetables of

services 2 and 10 and we’ve added some additional route variations to route 6 to ensure people are able to travel easily between the Highlands area and Frosthole Crescent (both in Fareham), the local shops, Fareham Railway Station and Fareham town centre. We have also made a change to service 9 in Gosport to enable one early morning and evening journey from Rowner to travel via Bay House School to enable students to travel by bus more easily.

“We hope these last minute alternations will take effect from Sunday November 18 – along with the other changes, although in some cases this is subject to the approval of the Traffic Commissioner.

Customers who want to view the altered timetables for services 2, 6A/6B/6C/6D, 9 and 10, can do so online, while new, updated timetable booklets – reflecting the changes – are being produced at the moment and will be available to pick up from travel shops shortly.”

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Next year’s Commercial Vehicle Show is taking place between April 9 and 11 at the NEC in Birmingham

2012 n November 20-21 ATCO Winter Conference 2012. Local Government Association House, London, SW1. Will include AGM. www.atco.org.uk n December 15-16 Santa at the Oxford Bus Museum. 01993 883617. www.oxfordbusmuseum.org.uk

2013 n January 1 New Year’s Holiday Open Day. Oxford Bus Museum. 01993 883617. www. oxfordbusmuseum.org.uk n January 1 Annual King Alfred Running Day, Winchester.

Further information from www. fokab.org.uk k n January 24 CPT Annual Dinner 2013, Grange Tower Bridge Hotel, 45 Prescot Street, London E1 8GP. For further details, call 020 7240 3131 or visit www.cpt-uk.org n February 24-25 Coach Holiday Conference. Bristol Filton Holiday Inn. www.coachtourismcouncil.com

First Scotland East has rebranded and refurbished its Stirling Unilink Service, with WiFi provided for its student passengers. Since the launch of the upgraded buses, students are using the service, which now features a distinctive bright orange livery, in record numbers.

“We are very pleased with the work First has done to enhance the Unilink bus fleet,” said Michael Chambers, the University of Stirling’s Estates and Campus Services Marketing Manager. “The new branding has made quite an impact and the introduction of on-board WiFi is a great additional feature. We look forward to continuing to work closely with First to further encourage green travel to and from the Stirling campus.”

Operations Director of First Scotland East John Gorman said: “Users of the service, which operates between Stirling University and the city centre, benefit from one of the cheapest bus fares in Scotland. Despite the low fares, feedback from students suggests it’s the free WiFi on board that is proving most popular.

“I’m delighted we are attracting greater numbers than ever before. We’ll be working hard to ensure the good work continues.”

First’s Unilink Service operates between the city centre and Stirling University every 10 minutes during the day. Students can purchase a single ticket for £1, a return for £1.70 while a four week ticket, which provides unlimited use of the service, is £25.

n March 13-14 Best of Britain and Ireland (BoBi). Travel Trade Forum at the NEC in Birmingham. 01926 834796. www. bestofbritainandirelandevent.co.uk n March 20-21 UK Bus Awards Annual Conference. The conference is booked to take place in Fareham and will feature a visit to Hampshire’s Eclipse BRT project.

Further deatils in due course. www.ukbusawards.org.uk n April 6 South East Bus Festival 2013. Kent Showground, near Maidstone, Kent, brought to you by the organisers of ‘M&D 100’ and ‘M&D and EK 60’. www.facebook. com/southeastbusfestival n April 9-11 CV Show 2013. NEC, Birmingham. www.cvshow.com

n April 20-21 UK Coach Awards & UK Coach Rally. Alton Towers, Staffordshire. 01753 631170 www.coachdisplays.co.uk or www. ukcoachawards.co.uk n April 21 London Bus Museum Spring Gathering. Cobham Hall, Weybridge, Surrey. 01932 837994. www.londonbusmuseum.com n May 14-15 ALBUM Conference.

Belton Woods Hotel near Grantham, Lincolnshire. www.albumconference. co.uk n May 26-30 UITP Congress & Exhibition. Palexpo, Geneva. www.uitp.org. +(00)32 2673 610 n June 11-13 ATCO Summer Conference. Merseytravel HQ, Liverpool. www.atco.org.uk n June 16 Swansea Festival of Transport. Free to enter & attend. Call organiser Ashley Lovering on 07814958379 or email swanseatransport@aol.com. Visit www.ntfwswansea.co.uk. n July 21 Alton Bus Rally. Anstey Park, Anstey Lane, Alton, Hants. www.altonbusrally.org.uk n July 28 The Annual Peterborough Bus & Commercial Vehicle Rally. Sacrewell Farm (A47/A1 junction). All buses and commercials welcome. Free entry.

07828 754412 or 01462 626750k n September 22 Showbus 2013.

Imperial War Museum, Duxford. www.tshowbus.com n October 2-3 Coach & Bus Live 2013. NEC, Birmingham. www. coachandbuslive.com n October 18-23 Busworld Kortrijk. Kortrijk, Belgium. http://kortrijk.busworld.org/

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

www.coachandbusweek.com

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nEWS fOCUS › northern bus summit 2012

the event attracted a diverse audience from across the region – from operators large and small to transport authorities, stakeholders and suppliers

Patronage & Punctuality Coach & Bus Week’s Gareth Evans reports on some of the highlights from the Northern Bus Summit 2012, which took place in Manchester last week Seat occupancy was high and punctuality was carefully monitored by BBC North West’s popular Chief Reporter Dave Guest.

It wasn’t quite Green Road or Inspector Blakey, but a small red light on the lectern and cheerful introductions combined to ensure the smooth operation of a ‘must do’ event in the bus industry calendar at the Manchester Conference Centre. Tasty cuisine was also on offer – not to mention the invaluable networking opportunities. www.coachandbusweek.com

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NormaN Baker Like many of those in the room, funding was at the forefront of the Local Transport Minister’s mind: “I know it’s not been easy dealing with reduced BSOG, the general rise in fuel costs and the squeeze on local authority budgets. I intend to use the funding we do have to prime services.”

“I often think I get invited to these events for people to get money out of me,” he mused. “I’m keen on the Green Bus Fund.”

He went on to discuss the issue of young persons’ concessions. “It’s not easy but it’s something I’d like to make progress on,” he admitted.

IaN morgaN In the presence of Baker, the

current CPT Chairman, who is perhaps better known as the Deputy Chairman of Wellglade Group observed: “We’re fortunate to have a Minister who listens very carefully and does what he can. We have the same objectives. We’re delighted you survived the cabinet reshuffle.

“A year ago a lot of people predicted local bus services would be decimated.

“Smaller margins are not sustainable in the long term.

Everyone knows those operators who didn’t have the margin in the first place have gone.

“In my operations the revenue is flat lining. The plus side is we’re learning to be more creative - the upturn is on its way.

“Talking to a local manufacturer, he said he’d taken out the fat and designed new products. He said he’s now leaner, fitter and ready for the upturn. Most problems facing us in the bus industry are from the economic situation.”

Picking up on one of Baker’s points, Morgan said: “Most

operators recognise the need to bridge the gap between half and full fare. Young people feel it’s unfair – it’s probably why we get so much fare evasion.”

He then revealed a proposal for NEETS (Not in Education, Employment or Training) drawn up by the ‘Big Five’. “There will be a scheme, which is set to be announced soon. The plan is to offer free NEET fares in January.”

He concluded by pleading with Baker for “no more industry reviews.” “We want to continue working with government and local authorities. The secret of good partnership is not to worry about who takes the credit.”

SIr BrIaN Souter Sir Brian said he was not going to go over the familiar generic issues and instead would use GM Buses South as a case study.

“When we bought it in 1995, they were refurbishing Leyland Nationals – that’s not really a stategy. I thought our greatest challenge was the sky high single

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Join the discussion on Twitter by following us at @cbwtweets and find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/coachandbusweek fares. If you discounted, the business would go bust – it was barely making a contribution.”

Citing some impressive ridership statistics, he remarked: “If everyone in the Greater Manchester area had performed like us, there would have been growth across the board.

Average passenger growth over the last 10 years has been 2.4% - and it’s currently running at 3.6%.”

Sir Brian said it had been achieved through “successful partnership” with the local authority, which had delivered three of his key ingredient ‘four Ps’ – priority, parking and planning.

“Sadly bus Park & Ride has not yet been delivered. It’s fundamental to changing the perception of bus travel and de-stigmatising it,” he added.

“Our strategy has been to set the price of a week’s bus travel at a level comparable to fuel. We’ve also targetted students with the UniRider and increased market share through fares simplification.”

Turning to the product, he said the average age of the fleet was five years, making it one of the UK’s youngest, having benefitted from a £90m investment in fleet and depots over the last 10 years.

“We also do regular route relaunches – something we’ve learned from our mates at trent barton.

“Young people are fundamental to growth. Car insurance has rocketted – it’s been an opporunity for us. That means providing night buses too as we’ve had to match lifestyles.

“A successful company has to have organic growth, which satisfies the city. I hear people say Stagecoach Manchester has got special demographics but we’ve seen 60% growth in Hull. It shows what can be achieved with a dynamic local authority and two bus companies. Don’t believe the lie it can’t be done in the North of England,” he concluded.

ParTnershiP in OxFOrd John Disley from Oxfordshire County Council and Phil Southall, Operations Director at the Oxford Bus Company talked about the ‘Transform Oxford’ project.

“As Sir Brian said, park & ride has been a catalyst for Oxford – and we’ve also got his four Ps,” explained Disley. “While it all sounded all rosy, there was lots of conflict between buses and it became a hot topic politically.

Despite the importance of buses

NewsFocus_NWBS.indd 19

to the city, the mode had become a victim of its own success. Queen Street was chaotic. The scheme has been politicially driven but operators have embraced it – even if they did so reluctantly at first.”

Southall took up the story: “Why did we choose a Qualifying Agreement? We didn’t want to use a sledge hammer to crack a nut – unlike in other parts of the UK. It’s very much a light touch scheme and hence has been quicker and easier to implement.

“The result has seen the number of buses in the city centre fall by 25% while 50% of journeys to the centre are made by bus.

“It’s important to stress we remain in a competitive environment in Oxford. We could walk away at any time but why would we? The worse case scenario would then be the need to use another choice from the toolkit.”

Concluding, Southall said the QA was simple and straighforward.

Ticketing is more complex but it doesn’t have to have local authority involvement. The next steps will see the further development of the smartcard, such as using it to pay for car parking. There is also the city centre low emission zone, which will see 90% of buses meeting Euro 5 by 2014 and all buses by 2016.”

neTwOrk warringTOn David Squire, MD of Network Warrington and David Boyer from Warrington Borough Council presented details of their joint £4.65m Local Sustainable Transport Fund package.

“It’s roughly 50/50 capital and revenue,” explained Squire.

Between now and March 2015,

we’ve got to make our new east – west ‘connect 17’ route fully commercial. It was pump-primed by developers five to six years ago. It will benefit from new Optare Verasas and high-profile marketing.”

Local Transport Minister norman Baker gave his support to the event

ian Morgan pleaded for no more industry investigations or reviews

“Most operators recognise the need to bridge the gap between half and full fare. Young people feel it’s unfair – it’s probably why we get so much fare evasion.”

Ian Morgan Chairman, CPT

sir Brian souter made serious points in his familiar entertaining style

Mark YexLeY Arriva’s CPT President and Operations & Commercial Director at Arriva UK Bus discussed Arriva’s role in a high profile sporting event.

Delivered in a frank yet amusing way, Mark disscussed the trials and tribulations of running a depot with 500 coaches parked up at each night and the joys of dealing with clients for whom Drivers’ Hours Regulations were an alien concept.

BeverLeY BeLL The Senior Traffic Commissioner talked about working together on service standards in punctuality and reliability.

“My goal is to bring about change not only in operators but also for local authorities on the Statutory Guidance on Punctuality and Reliability. Clearly, there will be a formal consultation in due course,” she explained.

“What are the barriers to punctual and reliable services and what can be done to break them down? We are never going to be more than a minute early. However, serious consideration is being given to increasing the five minute late window.

“There is a clear definition in the document on what’s meant and expected of partnership working.

Operators will also have to indulge in self-monitoring. You currently do 5% but that’s auditing. It’s got to be more than that. Also, as an operator you cannot go running a contract on behalf of a transport authority if the timetable is unrealistic.

“Operators will need to be far more proactive. Local authorities have got away with it for far too long – you’ve got a statutory duty to monitor levels of congestion on roads. You need to inform bus operators of road works.”

She continued: “What do we expect from partnerships? We expect reports to be shared with the Traffic Commissioners. There will currently be no requirement to publish reliability data as doing so could lead to sensationalised stories in the local media – I don’t mean the trade press.”

“What are VOSA? An enforcement agency. The

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nEWS fOCUS › northern bus summit 2012

changes mean they will go from Traffic Examiner to Consultant – an interesting concept.

“What do you expect the TCs to do? We’re reasonable – we don’t just call operators to a PI. Sometime we see them in chambers, which means my office. It’s all recorded.

The problem is it’s not in the public domain. As a TC, when you hold a PI in a large town where it rains a lot, you get a lot of letters from the public.”

She said in future fines will be reserved for serious breaches. As for the timescale, Bell said: “The TCs will be looking at it again in January, a re-draft will follow, after which there will be a formal consultation, so we’re looking at the summer.”

In her familiar style, she ended on an amusing note: “If you’ve enjoyed my presentation, I’m Beverley Bell, but if you haven’t, I’m Sarah Bell.”

DaviD Brown “The bus remains the main form of public transport in the North – people are obessed with heavy and light rail.

“We need to ensure the bus industry is quick to take advantage of new and wider policies on smart travel, sustainability and economic growth. However, we can’t wish the fact the story of the bus in urban areas in recent decades has been one of mainly decline – and the funding climate is not encouraging.

Empty platitudes about partnership won’t change that. Instead we need to redouble our efforts to get the best outcomes from the available funding through using the tools in the Local Transport Act 2008 as best meets the local circumstances and needs.”

Ending on perhaps something of an amusing note, he concluded: “Someone told me the definition of partnership is the suspension of mutual hatred in the perusal of gaining greater funding.”

JoHn HEnkEl West Yorkshire PTE Metro’s Director of Passenger Services kicked up his presentation in predictable fashion – giving background to the reasons for a Quality Contract.

“Between 2001 and 2011, the population increased but bus patronage declined by 11%, while 2006/7 and 2010/11, adult cashpaying passengers fell by 18%, child concessionary users declined 13%. By contrast, English National www.coachandbusweek.com

NewsFocus_NWBS.indd 20

Mark Yexley discussed lessons from high profile sporting event

Beverley Bell revealed some of what may become the norm in 2013

David Brown, SYPTE & PTEG Chair

“We need to ensure the bus industry is quick to take advantage of new policies on smart travel, sustainability and economic growth.”

David Brown SYPTE & PTEG

Metro’s Dr John Henkel

Concessionary Fare users rose by 33%.

He cited FirstGroup’s pre close trading statement from September 29, 2010, which read: “While the trading environment… remains challenging, we continue to take action to reduce costs and manage our local networks, and where necessary reduce mileage in line with passenger demand. These actions will enable the business to deliver a robust operating margin performance.”

This, he said, was a prime example of a “short-term measure hitting long-term growth.”

Citing Arriva’s evidence to the Competition Commission, he said there was no loyalty to buses in the same way as “other products.”

The extract read: “If passengers believed a bus arriving at a bus stop would safely take them to their destination, they would not show loyalty to any particular bus company. In local bus markets, brand advantage was largely irrelavant.”

Explaining some of reasoning for the persual of the QC agenda, Henkel said: “Our issue is not with our partners – it’s the model. We’ve done partnerships for a long time, but they’ve not delivered. However, had we not done partnerships, the decline would have been far worse. Of that decline, one operator has not lost any passengers while another has lost 20%. If we could choose our best performing operator, we could have had a different result, but that’s the in the past.”

“If I was a bus operator in West Yorkshire, I would feel the same – I would fight the QC plans. We have the same objectives but disagree on the methods. Fortunately to date, discussions have remained amiable.”

Henkel concluded: “The partnership option is not dead.

We care more about year-on-year growth and the environment is far more important than politics. Our members have said they will look at it all but we mustn’t do so for too long – the decline must be halted.”

afTErnoon PanEl The panel comprised David Squire, Beverley Bell, John Henkel, David Brown, Mark Yexley, supplemented

by Bernard Garner, Director General at Nexus and Richard Soaper, Strategic Development Director of First’s North Region.

Having been brought up in Tyne

& Wear, David R Boden of East Yorkshire Council said he certaintly did not have fond memories of the “old days.”

Garner responded: “In parallel with the QC, we’re working on a partnership. We will evaluate them and go from there.”

David Brown added: “A QC outside London doesn’t mean you have to buy what London wants, such as fares and frequency. If we went to the government and asked for five times the amount they’re currently funding, we know the answer – and likewise for lower fares. What we’re asking for is delivering more with the same funds.”

Contiunally referring to his much-admired Scandinavian model, Henkel said one of the ways to achieve growth is punctuality.

However, Stagecoach North East MD Phil Medlicott asked: “Should you not at least look at voluntary quality partnerships?”

Garner responded: “In one area of Tyne & Wear where two major operators run, we spent 18 months trying to introduce a multi-operator ticket. It gave us a hint of the response. As David Brown said, it’s about achieving what people want.

We have worked in partnerships – but the legisaltion allows us to use other tools.”

Explaining the reason why the QC is so contentious from an operator’s point of view, Yexley said: “The starting point is so different. In London and Scandinavia we know what the market looks like when we start. I’d much rather move away from the nuclear option. It would be tragic if we got involved in a bun fight over QCs.” Richard Soaper said “times are changing” – and not just because of the economy. “Our experience recently has been more positive.

The market is now more sensitive to price – we’ve seen a correllation between lower fares and increased usage. The way the city views buses has changed too – they now value organic growth.”

Ray Wilkes, Bus Users UK directed a point at Henkel. “You acknowledged Transdev as the best operator but even they can’t operate on time because of the lack of bus priority measures. I completely disagree with the claim you’ve done partnerships.”

However, Henkel responded: “Ray, you know it’s true. We’re not a highway authority. We can’t make traffic regulation orders.”

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OpErAtOr prOfilE › high peak buses

Scaling new heights Tim Deakin speaks to Centrebus’ David Brookes about the newlyformed High Peak bus company, a joint venture between two operators – trent barton and Centrebus

B

uses in the northern part of the scenic Peak District have altered markedly over the recent past, primarily thanks to one of the industry’s foremost smaller providers. Having taken on the operations of two wellestablished and highly respected names in the area, Leicester-based Centrebus is far from finished in its quest to bring efficiencies to the High Peak network.

Centrebus, which already operated in a number of areas along the M1 corridor, began its current march into north Derbyshire and east Cheshire during 2007. At that time it purchased long-established Bowers Coaches of Chapel-en-leFrith and expanded this presence during April 2012, cementing a joint venture with the Wellglade group to take on day-to-day control of subsidiary trent barton’s Dove Holes depot.

The two operations are in the process of being amalgamated under the High Peak Buses brand and Centrebus’s trademark orange, white and blue livery will be adopted by the majority of the fleet. As stand-alone undertakings they displayed little in the way of similarities, so why make one single entity out of two existing good ones? “trent barton had good commercial services in the area, and wasn’t reliant on subsidy,” said Centrebus’s Regional Operations Manager David Brookes. “The network at Bowers was the other www.coachandbusweek.com

HighPeak.indd 22

way around. Most of what we were doing there was supported. It was felt that by putting the two together we would reap the benefits of having some stronger commercial work as well as the subsidised routes. We haven’t got all our eggs in one basket now.”

During his discussion with CBW, David made it clear that first and foremost High Peak Buses is a joint venture between the two parties, and explained the make-up of its board of six directors is split equally between Wellglade and Centrebus representatives. “Top level decisions, such as capital expenditure, are made jointly,” he explained. “However, day-to-day operations and the commercial side of the business are run solely by Centrebus.”

One result of the Leicester-based company’s handling of garage-level management and supervision is that an increased administrative requirement will be necessary at the new operation. “trent barton has quite a centralised system in terms of admin,” David continued.

“Centrebus is more local; it’s handled at depot level. More work will be done on site, such as cash counts, cash reconciliation and wages.”

Efficiency drive

Regardless of this, Centrebus has one clear priority in the name of cutting overheads and gaining efficiencies: consolidate High Peak’s 50-bus, 100-employee operations on one site. Currently vehicles and people are remarkably spread out.

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Join the discussion on Twitter by following us at @cbwtweets and find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/coachandbusweek The former trent barton depot in Dove Holes will remain, but the three former Bowers premises a couple of miles away in Chapel-enle-Frith will cease to be operational bases, although one will be retained short-term as a contingency.

To accommodate its soon-togrow role, Dove Holes garage is currently receiving considerable investment. David showed a newlydug pit within the workshops, complete with adjacent ‘rolling road’ brake testing equipment, also installed recently. Additional depot space is to be created through relocating stores to new cabinets behind the existing shed, and parking arrangements will be re-jigged to permit an expanded allocation.

Another less easily surmounted challenge also came as part and parcel of amalgamating the

Above: High Peak operates rural as well as urban services. Left: Centrebus’ David Brookes two businesses, one which has taken some considerable work to harmonise: staff terms and conditions. “There was a mismatch.

We’re looking to have two pay rates: one for [two trunk routes], which include a lot of antisocial hours, and then we’ll have the rest,” David explained.

“Things have been the same here for a long time. When we purchased Bowers, our ethos was ‘if it isn’t broken, don’t try to fix it.’ So we left a lot how it was. 18 months after we took the company over, we introduced rotas. Before that it was just one man, one duty.

“Up the road at Dove Holes, it’s been the two trunk services along with a couple of other bits for 20-odd years. The pay offer has been a challenging process. There have been negotiations with both representative of Unite. If we’re operating from one site we want everybody to have the same unpaid

HighPeak.indd 23

break lengths, sign-on times and all the other little things which could otherwise cause friction.

“We really want to integrate the staff and make it clear we are one company: High Peak Buses. We’ve got a new uniform and a new identity for the area and we want that to feed through to the people working for us,” he continued. “We want them to go out with smiles on their faces and enjoy what they’re doing.”

David was keen to pay tribute to drivers from both sides of the equation in equal measure. “In rural areas everybody knows everybody,” he explained. “Drivers have their regular passengers and we find with ex-Bowers staff we get very few complaints. We have a very good set here. They’re good with customers and the former trent barton employees are exactly the same.”

In that vein he noted the amount of work which has been put in to ensure the latter’s customer service skills meet the standard for which the Wellglade subsidiary is renowned. Indeed, during CBW’s visit their qualities were put on show unexpectedly. One driver had misread his late shift start time by two hours, which on a busy Friday afternoon and with the school peak approaching could cause a serious headache.

Duty controller Gail Marshall was in the unenviable position of having to sort the problem out, and while drivers were shuffled and arrangements made at a moment’s notice no member of staff affected was heard to complain. One driver, on an extended two-hour meal break, offered himself to the controller’s office unprompted and indicated he would be happy to cut short his lunch to assist.

Round-the-clock

Although the Peak District is a rural area, its position between the Greater Manchester and East Midlands conurbations means its main artery, the busy A6, is served by a pair of longer-distance services, which at the same time also provide local links. Both are former trent barton undertakings now in High Peak Buses’ hands.

Looking first at Skyline, the brand name for service 199, we see a route which has a scope of service enviable almost everywhere else. The first bus leaves Dove Holes garage at 0340hrs (0330 on Sundays) bound for Manchester Airport, with the

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OpErAtOr prOfilE › high peak buses

High Peak runs a variety of different services across the Greater Manchester, Peak District and East Midlands areas evening’s last working not arriving back until well after midnight the following morning. Southern terminus is Buxton, three miles south of the depot.

Skyline is operated with a batch of Wright Solar-bodied Scania L94s which will retain the majority of their trent barton-created branding.

“Very early in the morning it’s people going to catch flights from the airport,” explained David.

“Coming back it will be employees there who’ve just finished night shifts. Airport staff can buy season tickets there.”

Intending passengers may additionally pay off-bus at Stepping Hill Hospital south of Stockport, also served by Skyline.

The only true long-distance, limited-stop service operated by the new company is Transpeak, which runs from Manchester to Derby by way of Stockport and Buxton and a host of smaller Peak District towns and villages in between. When inherited from trent barton this was, despite its interurban nature and lengthy running time, handled with a fleet of mid-life Optare Excel low-floor single-deckers.

“Since we became High Peak Buses we’ve replaced all of the front-line Excels,” David said.

“They’re all Scanias now; the oldest is just a few years young.

We’ve used Scanias in a lot of other Centrebus locations and found them very reliable. Those on Transpeak are OmniCitys.

“They’re less fuel efficient than

the Excels were. But our main objective was to improve reliability.

That was what we wanted to do when we first started – get a heavier, more reliable vehicle. The Excels were well-maintained and clean but they were a lightweight bus running a very arduous route.”

The acquired OmniCitys are in the process of receiving Transpeak’s existing two-tone green livery in order to carry on the service’s strong brand, which as with Skyline was created under trent barton’s watch.

Whilst such a route may, on the face of it, seem to lend itself to operation with coach-type vehicles David described how the service’s passenger demographic, particular during the summer tourist season, mitigates against that.

“In terms of reliability a coach

would be ideal,” he said. “But in terms of the people we’re carrying, a coach and its steps would see it taking a lot longer for them to get on and off. We have people with buggies because we do carry local passengers en route. We also carry a lot of OAPs who come to the Peak District.”

A significant change has already come to Transpeak, however. A stretch formerly operated between Derby to Nottingham, David noted, “wasn’t as busy as we might like,” and so was dropped during November.

“We reviewed it and unfortunately that was the decision we reached. It just wasn’t paying for itself.” He continued by mentioning a likely through ticketing arrangement to be put in place, which will

David Brookes: a brief history

David Brookes is a product of First’s graduate training programme, having joined the group after completing of his degree in aerospace with business at Salford University. This saw him spend a year’s industrial placement with Airbus at its Broughton plant in North Wales.

David began his indoctrination into the bus industry with a 12-month secondment to First Potteries, followed by six months in Huddersfield. He then took up the position of Operations Manager at Worcester before moving on to a similar role at Chester & Wirral.

In March 2010 he joined Centrebus and is currently responsible for both High Peak Buses and its operations in West Yorkshire. “We’d just opened Elland when I arrived,” he explained.

“Then we moved into Leeds during the April when we won some tendered work. We started there with a PVR of ten and 30 drivers.

Now it’s 91 drivers.”

David spends one or two days a week at High Peak Buses but is in communication with the various operational bases there every morning.

Centrebus’ trademark livery is being adopted by the majority of the fleet

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OpErAtOr prOfilE › high peak buses

allow Transpeak passengers to use trent barton’s frequent Red Arrow service between Derby and Nottingham. “It’s been agreed in principle,” he said.

Becoming domesticated

Another development put in place with Transpeak was its alteration from one through service to four separate registrations (TP1 to TP4). From a passenger’s point of view nothing is different; they stay on board the same vehicle and purchase one ticket. But in altering the scope of Transpeak’s drivers’ regulations from EU to domestic hours, the change has brought efficiencies to the business.

“It gives a lot more flexibility with drivers,” explained David.

“It also takes away a lot of the administration work to do with tachographs and maintenance of the units. Once you’ve driven on EU hours you can’t go back to domestic, of course. It gives us the flexibility of being able to utilise drivers better, and cuts down on administration.”

This transition towards running the operation entirely under the less restrictive hours regulations has presented an opportunity to inter-work driving duties between Transpeak and Skyline. “There was a little bit of resistance to that in the first place,” David said. “Now they might do trip on Transpeak and then an airport and back [on Skyline], which is three hours. That creates a nice duty.”

One further innovation has been trialled on Transpeak during the summer, the allocation of a doubledecker to one of the service’s workings. “As a rule the terrain in this area doesn’t suit them,” he continued. “There are overhanging trees, low bridges, that sort of thing. However the 0950 service from Derby to Manchester was duplicated during summer months as there was a lot of tourist trade on that journey.

“So we brought in a doubledecker to run it instead of allocating a duplicate. That’s what it came for and it stays on that working. Now summer has gone we probably won’t need it, so we’ll have to make a decision as to whether it stays year-round or not.”

The excellent vantage point provided by the East Lancsbodied Scania N94’s upper deck when passing through such an area of natural beauty as the Peak District was an unintended www.coachandbusweek.com

HighPeak.indd 26

Above: Skyline is operated with Wright Solar-bodied Scania L94s. Below: Transpeak drivers’ regulations have changed from EU to domestic hours

A new maintenance pit at Dove Holes garage consequence, but proved popular amongst travellers. Nevertheless, a move towards entirely doubledecking the service is not under consideration.

Derby outstation

Wellglade’s low-cost Notts & Derby subsidiary assists the Transpeak operation. “We have four drivers based in Derby, staff who worked for trent barton and transferred

to us. They sign on with Notts & Derby. Should we need it, defects there are handled by trent barton’s engineering department. We have a good relationship.” Holiday cover is provided by a handful of Notts & Derby’s own staff.

Four buses are also operated under subcontract to Notts & Derby on work carrying students to Derby University’s Buxton campus. Low mileage vehicles, these are Volvo B10Bs carrying Notts & Derby’s livery, although they belong to High Peak Buses. “They’re great,” David enthused. “Very, very reliable.

They’re a good, heavy bus and do the job they need to do.”

Cheshire work

The heart of High Peak’s network is its local services within north Derbyshire. These include Buxton town work and a pair of routes from the town to Ashbourne.

Glossop, New Mills and Marple are also well served by the routes and buses which came with the Bowers purchase five years ago.

Perhaps an equally interesting part of the operator’s portfolio is its growing presence in Cheshire.

“Most of that work was tendered, but now we’ve registered it commercially,” explained David.

“We see that as the way forward.”

Three Cheshire East Councilowned VDL SB120s which were employed on these duties have been handed back and replaced by High Peak’s own Optare Solos.

“We scaled back some of the routes there to take a bit of the cost out, to make them profitable in a commercial sense,” he continued.

“I wouldn’t say we’re specifically targeting Cheshire, but we’re certainly not looking to wind down what we’re doing there. If more opportunities came up we’d definitely pursue them.”

Buses run across from Derbyshire to Cheshire via the famous Cat & Fiddle, a colloquial name for the exposed A537 between Buxton and Macclesfield.

They go either ‘dead’ or as positioning journeys on service 58, which observes a largely hourly timetable during the day.

This can pose a problem during winter as following snowfall it is not uncommon for the road to be blocked for sometimes days at a time.

“Every operator in this part of the country suffers from the same problems,” David explained. “If the Cat & Fiddle is closed we have to send buses the long way round to Cheshire.” And “long way round” means exactly that; instead of their normal 12-mile journey over the hills buses are diverted via Greater Manchester. “The only other option would be to not run there for the full day.”

Regardless of the determination to operate come what may, very occasionally exceptional weather may mean only one course of action is viable. “The past winter was difficult at times, and there were a couple of instances when we had to ground buses,” he recalled. “When you work in an area like this it’s a case of striking a balance. You don’t want to let your passengers down, but at the same time you’ve got to think of their safety and that of your staff,” David said. But in a part of the world where customers and employees alike are largely of the hardy type, such a measure is rare in the extreme.

David summed up: “As someone said to me recently, the three most important parts of running a bus service are reliability, reliability and reliability. And we really focus on that.”

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November 21, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 27

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InSIgHt › tyre labelling

Tyre labelling becomes mandatory Goodyear hosts a MIRA event to show some of the differences operators are going to experience through selecting tyres under new labelling legislation

F

rom the beginning of November it has become mandatory for tyre manufacturers to adhere to the new European requirements for labelling new tyres.

Essentially, each tyre carries a sticker displaying the grades it achieves and is designed to allow customers to see at a glance how the tyre can be expected to perform in key areas of wet grip, drive-by noise and fuel economy.

Any tyres produced before July 1, 2012 are exempt from the legislation, spare tyres are not included in the requirement and nor are remoulds, studded tyres, racing tyres or tyres made specifically for vintage vehicles.

From the implementation date of the new legislation tyre retailers are required to inform customers of compliance. Labels must be attached to all new tyres, be clearly visible and accompanying information must be printed on or be stapled to an invoice.

Labels resemble those commonly seen on white goods which indicate, for example, how efficient a washing machine is. Coloured bars, ranging from green to red (grades A to G – although the D grade is not used in tyres fitted to medium vans/minibuses) show just where the tyre scores on fuel efficiency (rolling resistance) and its wet grip (safety) capability. Below the scale www.coachandbusweek.com

Goodyear.indd 28

is a space for the decibel reading.

Under wet grip the A rating signifies the shortest stopping distance and F indicates the longest distance.

For rolling resistance the A rating denotes the most fuel efficient tyre and F – the least efficient.

A glance at the label doesn’t offer any technical details but it allows a customer to view what the selected tyre offers in those three areas and to compare it with any other similar products on offer. A tyre bearing a label which displays a B B rating alongside a noise rating of 72dbA may have an alternative from the supplier which is rated C A with 74dbA. The C rating, indicating higher rolling resistance, may mean it sacrifices fuel efficiency for greater grip (indicating it may not have the same level of durability either – but some may deem extra grip makes them safer). The A rating shows the tyre has the top rating for wet grip and is likely to be a safe and reliable performer in winter. The higher noise rating of 74dbA is a likely consequence of higher grip level and may not be the best choice for overnight operation such as deliveries in urban areas.

It may also mean on buses or coaches the increased noise adds to passenger discomfort.

Traditionally, low rolling resistance and higher durability which promote fuel efficiency and improved ‘green credentials’ have been linked with lower grip.

Manufacturers have been at pains

Top: The launch presentation.

Above: An example of an AA-rated tyre label

“A glance at the label allows a customer to view what the selected tyre offers in three specific areas.”

to develop tyres which offer greater fuel economy while still providing adequate grip levels for safe operation and braking. Much of this is down to the tread pattern design combined with tyre compound formulation. For low rolling resistance the tread blocks need to be firm and not move around as this generates heat which increases contact friction and therefore increases rolling resistance. Tyre companies have worked on ways to restrict tread block movement without compromising the requirement for safe grip.

A potential downside of labelling concerning some manufacturers is for those with tyres struggling to compete in terms of grade achievement they could be encouraged to reduce the tread depth on new tyres. It may mean these tyres, under test, will suffer less tread block movement and produce less noise. While it allows manufacturers to achieve the required standard the customer then suffers with products which won’t last as long.

Goodyear’s developments

The Goodyear Marathon Coach tyre

After the presentation on labelling – informing the audience what it actually is, what it means and how it will affect customers, Goodyear outlined its newest developments for the marketplace including its first ever dedicated coach tyres.

These are the Goodyear

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Marathon Coach and Goodyear Ultra Grip Coach winter drive tyre.

A survey Goodyear recently commissioned revealed 89% of interviewed bus and coach fleets see rising fuel costs as the main challenge in the road transport sector.

It also showed cost per km was the most important aspect operators look for in tyres generally, with 64% of participants listing this as top priority or very important.

Second was fuel efficiency / rolling resistance (62%), with mileage coming in third (58%). Comfort and wet grip followed with 54% and 48% respectively.

The company claims its new Goodyear Coach tyre ranges meet the needs of European coach operators and offer excellent all round performance and label grades.

The Marathon Coach is an all position tyre for year-round use.

It is characterised by a unique asymmetric design, which offers excellent even wear and mileage with a high comfort level.

According to Goodyear, uneven tyre wear has been a serious problem for tyres on modern coaches, resulting in reduced tyre life – largely due to increased use of full independent suspension which tends to wear inside shoulders faster. The asymmetric design, which Goodyear has developed specifically for the Marathon Coach tyre, addresses this problem.

The Ultra Grip Coach is a specific winter drive tyre with enhanced

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snow traction. This tyre aims to benefit coaches which operate in areas such as the Alpine regions, where icy roads are common and sudden snow falls can cause serious delays. The tread design and width are claimed to deliver excellent grip and traction in winter conditions alongside low noise levels, which mean enhanced customer comfort.

The new Goodyear Coach tyres feature a combination of technologies called TravelMax. These technologies include Silefex tread compound, an asymmetric design and latest carcass designs.

TravelMax is a key element in the all-round performance these tyres offer. A further advantage offered by both tyres is an increased load carrying capacity in the 295/80R22.5 size resulting in a load index of 154, which represents 3750 kg.

Although Goodyear has been a major tyre supplier to the coach industry for many years, these are the first dedicated coach tyres

offered by the company. Trials of both tyres have demonstrated their excellent performance and customer satisfaction. The new designs and the importance of the TravelMax technology particularly reflect modern coach designs and the sophisticated independent suspensions featured on most topline vehicles today.

“We are excited about the positive feedback we have received from the operators who have been testing our new Marathon Coach and Ultra Grip Coach tyres,” said Boris Stevanovic, Marketing Director Truck Tyres, Goodyear Dunlop EMEA. “Our recent survey confirms the performance criteria we have been concentrating on in the development of these tyres meet the demands of operators.”

Customer trials

Before introducing the new tyres to the market, Goodyear ran customer trials on the Goodyear Marathon

Rolling resistance demo- Goodyear vs leading competitor tyres

Summary: Tyre labelling is here and, to some extent, it spells an end to the hype or marketing which may persuade some customers one brand is significantly better than another.

As people are now familiar with the labelling on white goods they can see at a glance how the tyre has been rated and are likely to trust the label as being accurate.

Some customers have expressed concern over pricing and believe a familiar product they use and are happy with might suddenly gain an A rating for economy and attract premium price increases. Others felt the noise rating was generally superfluous as drive-by noise, they believed, was more to do with the road surface condition.

For operators working on contracts or providing services to government establishments, the tenders increasingly seek proof of ‘green credentials’ and the tyre rating is another means to satisfy the requirements if they carry top ratings for fuel economy.

The system is set to remain in place four years. During this time legislators will look at commercial reaction and the system’s functionality before implementing any changes or adding criteria to the current rolling resistance, wet grip and noise factors.

If nothing else, it will give operators a bargaining chip in gaining some work where the customer sees low rolling

Coach tyres for nearly two years, involving six different European coach companies between 2010 and 2011. A total of 28 vehicles were involved in these trials.

Goodyear also carried out customer trials of the Goodyear Ultra Grip Coach tyres. The trials involved a total of 15 coaches in different European countries with five operators.

Practical demonstration

To provide a practical demonstration of the low rolling resistance capability of Goodyear tyres a pair of identical tractor units was used – one equipped with Goodyear and the other with tyres from a leading competitor. The audience witnessed a number of runs where both vehicles travelled side by side at 50km/h. At a predetermined point they were put into neutral and allowed to coast to halt. Each time the Goodyear-shod truck travelled considerably further than its counterpart.

To demonstrate wet grip, the trucks were accelerated to their limited speed approaching the wet track section and at a set point applied the brakes hard to stop as quickly as possible. This was repeated a number of times and again showed similar results – the Goodyear-shod truck stopped regularly 20-25 yards shorter than the competitor. We were assured the tyres selected from the competitor range were the recommended equivalent and tyre pressures were identical to ensure a fair result.

resistance and higher fuel efficiency as important and in line with caring for the environment. On the other hand – it also allows the operator to promote vastly superior wet grip level as being arguably far safer for their passengers and other road users – and maybe even potentially less costly than trying to save a litre of diesel over every 100km.

With current developments aimed squarely at meeting top ratings in each category the tyre manufacturers can at least be seen, at a glance, to have a product meeting certain requirements and in due course it is likely AA-rated tyres with low noise will emerge and deliver the best of both worlds. www.coachandbusweek.com

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PRODUCTS

readinG benefits froM oMnidas switCh Reading Buses claims to be reaping the rewards of improved operating efficiencies after switching its depot allocation system to Omnibus using the OmniDAS system.

OmniDAS was developed and tailored by a team of programmers and project managers from Omnibus working in conjunction with Reading Buses to create a bespoke programme to meet their needs.

Reading Buses has already reported improved efficiencies and increased productivity by using OmniDAS. The decision to update the old system was made in order to improve efficiencies and support a growing business need. After exploring the market extensively, Reading Buses selected OmniDAS because of its modular aspect and

the ability of Omnibus to tailor the system to fit Reading Buses’ unique requirements.

The OmniDAS system can provide real-time driver and vehicle management applications using five interacting modules to manage all core aspects of depot allocation – personnel, time and attendance, crew allocation, vehicle allocation and driver information. The system is designed to allow organisations to focus on service provision without having to worry about time consuming administration.

OmniDAS is now being used by many aspects of Reading Buses’ operation, including schedulers, allocations officers, on the day controllers, driver performance managers and the personnel department. Each user required one day of training. The company plans to extend the software’s usage into the engineering department.

Reading Buses is a long standing

email martin.cole@coachandbus week.com to get your new product or service in the spotlight

Omnibus customer, using many other Omnibus solutions, which all now link with the OmniDAS system.

Jacqui Gavaghan, Performance Director for Reading Buses, said: “We thought upgrading our system would be a large undertaking as we have complex T&Cs for our employees, plus an extensive pay grade system, but OmniDAS was more than capable of managing all the levels of complexity and the switchover was extremely smooth. Our teams worked very well together and the Omnibus developers really understood our business. They were very responsive to our requirements and the whole thing was project managed extremely well. We got exactly the system we wanted and we have improved our efficiencies as a direct result.” for further details ring Carol Crichton or Michael Meilton on 0161 6833100 or email at carol. crichton@omnibus.uk.com or Michael.meilton@omnibus.uk.com

hard drives eliminate data loss during an incident. In addition to internal cameras, the T800 is configured to support forward facing and reversing cameras and external cameras mounted on the sides of the Optare Solos.

“Synectics CCTV is vital to the safety of our drivers, passengers and vehicles,” said Mandy Worstencroft, Operations Manager, Courtney Coaches. “The T800 DVR gives us more cameras externally, so we can have a better understanding of how accidents occur, showing the point of impact and damage to vehicles.

As well as front and rear cameras, we wanted to see vehicle side views in respect of other road users and where we are in relation to the road.”

west lake’s K.K. singh with Vaculug Md tim hercock and fleet sales director dave alsop

Contact synectics Mobile systems on 01253 891222, email mobile.sales@synx.com and visit www.synx.com/mobile

Visit www.tachodisc.co.uk or email sales@tachodisc. co.uk. Call tachodisc on 01925 283328.

Courtney Coach Group has selected synectics’ eight-camera CCtV system

Courtney CoaCh Group Chooses syneCtiCs CCtV for new optare solos Courtney Coach Group has chosen Synectics CCTV for its new Optare Solo SRs. A new user of Synectics T800 CCTV systems, the company selected the eight-camera CCTV to improve external monitoring of the vehicle and other road users.

In total, Courtney Coach Group has ordered 11 Optare Solo SRs, comprising 10 equipped with T800 DVRs and an 11th vehicle with a X200 DVR variant. The CCTV systems are being fitted at Optare in Leeds.

The T800 enables real-time frame capture at high resolution across all eight cameras, ensuring split second incidents are not missed. Extremely reliable, the DVR’s shock resistant

taChodisC launChes android app Tachodisc has launched the first Android app so drivers can check the start and end time of a period of duty to help Daily Rest compliance.

The ‘RestAssured’ app has been developed by Tachodisc as one of the biggest misinterpretations of Drivers’ Hours Law is still Daily Rest, which when taken incorrectly is recorded as an infringement and could lead to possible fines, explained Karen Crispe, Tachodisc’s MD. “We pride ourselves on finding innovative ways of using our experience to deliver beneficial products and services. As millions of drivers own Android phones, it makes sense to use app technology to help solve what is a continuing compliance issue. From their mobile phone, drivers can now quickly and easily calculate Daily Rest,” said Karen.

The app works by drivers inputting their start and end times of duty and the ‘Daily Rest Taken’ box will immediately indicate the appropriate duty end times for a reduced rest and regular rest period. It will also show drivers the earliest start time for their next period of duty based on a reduced rest and regular daily rest.

The RestAssured app is available for £5.95. Search ‘Tachodisc’ on the Google Play store from an Android phone. For non-Android users, there is a ‘paper’ version, priced at £9.95.

VaCu-luG appointed sole uK distributor for west laKe tyres Vacu-Lug has been appointed as the sole UK distributor for all West Lake TBR (Truck and Bus Radial) tyres, which sees a total of nine new product lines added to the VacuLug portfolio. Spanning a variety of operation types and with a choice of 17.5”, 19.5” and 22.5” rim diameters, West Lake tyres are suitable for drive and steer axle applications for light, medium and heavy commercial vehicles.

“We are delighted to add West Lake to our growing range of tyres and tyre fleet management services,” said Vacu-Lug MD Tim Hercock.

“West Lake manufactures a quality product to the highest environmental standards and we are delighted to be able to offer this cost-effective brand to the UK’s transport operators.”

the ‘restassured‘ android app

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THE BIG PICTURE

What’s this then? The Wright Grand Prix? Joking aside, this pair of well turned out Wrightbus Gemini-bodied Volvos was caught on camera in the Autumn morning sun by CBW Editor Gareth Evans on London’s Euston Road outside King’s Cross Railway Station on Wednesday, October 10. Passing on the left is Arriva’s ‘LJ11EFP’ (or HV44 to use it’s London fleet number), a B5L Hybrid, as it works route 73 to Stoke Newington.

Picking up passengers on the right is WVL328, which is registered ‘LX59DCZ’. This bus differs from its counterpart in that it’s a conventional diesel-powered variant, i.e a Volvo B9TL. The GoAhead London Central-operated vehicle is pictured working service 63 to Honor Oak, via Peckham.

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INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS SPRINTER 516 X-CLUSIVE (16)

SPRINTER 516 AVANTGARDE (19)

SPRINTER 516 ELEGANCE (20)

SPRINTER 516 ELEGANCE (17)

SPRINTER 516 CLASSIC (22)

SPRINTER 516 SHUTTLE (16)

EVM UNIT 1 MANOR GATE, MANOR ROYAL, CRAWLEY, RH10 9SX. Tel: 01293 520542 Danny McGee 07749 103203

www.evmdirect.co.uk

minibus The essential read for Minibus Operators

November 2012

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What will replace the Vario?

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n undercurrent of uncertainty seemed to surround quite a few people at the Euro Bus Expo, dealers, coachbuilders and visitors alike, who seek a suitable replacement for the Mercedes-Benz Vario.

Daimler is not taking it to Euro 6 so production will end before the 2014 implementation date.

Manufacturers like Plaxton plan to forward order as many as they can, but this ties up capital and whatever they obtain will have to be registered before the derogation runs out. Some think the larger Sprinters with 22-seat capacity come close enough to cover the smaller 614/615D sector for 24-25 seats but they don’t have a hope of approaching the more popular 29-33 seat province of the popular 814/815/816Ds. Alan White (Minis to Midis) feels the situation

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could favour the return of the Toyota Optimo.

Some feel the BMC Nifty offers a practical solution for the larger sector while others feel the Daimler association with Mitsubishi could start to see Canter models fall into the gap.

Finding an alternative will be difficult. Despite Vario’s cumbersome nature it has been a reliable workhorse. Attempts to challenge its supremacy failed dismally – two of note were the Cannon - a single bodying by Leicester Carriage Builders in the 90s, plus the proposed importation of a Hyundai which was stamped on politically by the big manufacturing groups. martin Cole Editor

CONTENTS 36

minibuses at EBE

A review of some of the coachbuilt and converted vehicles plus ancillary products on show at Birmingham’s Euro Bus Expo exhibition at the beginning of November

38

News

Hybrid minibuses join the school bus fleet operated by Sheffield County Council.

HCT and CEO Dai Powell win top awards for social enterprise

40

EVm widens its range

New entry-level conversions including a versatile 22-seat Sprinter Classic and a compeletly new 16-seat LWB Sprinter Shuttle

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NEWS fOCUS › Euro Bus Expo

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Minibuses at the NEC exhibition Martin Cole talks to minibus dealers, coachbuilders and converters about Euro Bus Expo One of the main surprises for most visiting the exhibition would have been the swift split between Minis to Midis and UNVI – which had seemed to be a very successful partnership. The result has been a switch to bringing in coachbuilt vehicles from Turas, currently imported by Irish dealer Brian Noone – the Mercedes-Benz Vario 800 model appearing on the stand in Golden Boy livery and one of Noone’s in PaddyWaggon colours.

The Turas 800 is available with

up to 33 Fainsa or Politecnica seats, a large luggage boot, roofmounted air conditioning and the usual wide-ranging specification options associated with high-end minicoaches. A smaller Turas 500 Sprinter with an extended body is due to appear next year with up to 19 seats and a large coach boot.

Also joining the Minis to Midis line-up is the range of conversions from Paramount – formed by former KVC staff. There are three model ranges: Travelrider; Trend; and Ambiente. These encompass a wide variety of specification options from entry-level shuttles to full executive minicoaches. Minis to

Midis proposes majoring on the 16seat entry level model Examples of these could be seen on the nearby CHS stand – the second UK dealer for Paramount.

Additionally, while Mini to Midis has maintained its Toyota Optimo agency with Caetano UK, this has been an ‘extremely quiet’ product for some time. However, the new CS700 model, with styling closely related to the full-size Levante, has resurfaced in the marketing material and is a possible option for those seeking new vehicles previously the province of the smaller 22-25 seater Vario. As Vario is due to be withdrawn completely as Euro 6 comes in there is going to be a significant gap in the market.

Currently, Mercedes-Benz has made no announcements about any replacement.

Alan White, MD of Minis to Midis, said: “We’ve had a great response.

The Turas 800 benefits from

being a fresh approach and use of modern composite materials. They have been able to target weight reduction without compromising the structural integrity of an existing bodyframe.

“We had 11 orders in the book before the show and seven more confirmed over the three days.

There have been a lot of strong enquiries too. I’ve a week’s worth of appointments in Scotland next week – not traditionally my territory!”

Another newcomer was the 16seat Optare Bonito. Built entirely

by Plastisol in Holland it features a composite body structure mated to a Fiat Ducato Maxi front scuttle.

The single leaf side entrance is not really wide enough to encourage access for wheelchairs. The standard option comes with twin rear doors and a fold-out boarding ramp but Optare can supply it with a bus-style one-piece back.

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5

7 Bluebird MD Rob Miller said the show had been very productive.

One operator had agreed to take the show example Orion on a demonstration and buy it subject to it performing in service. He was also pleased to have received strong Orion enquiries from New Zealand, Australia and Hong Kong in addition to a high number of UK operators and local authorities.

Stanford Coachworks reported multiple orders and enquiries including four sales of its prestigious Monaco conversion of the Sprinter. The Monaco on show, specially produced for Ruskin Private Hire, had been specified to emulate the styling within the Aston Martin DBS – which appeared alongside to assist in promoting a James Bond theme. Also shown was a wheelchair accessible Sprinter for hire specialist Burnt Tree. The Ruskin Sprinter was the 5,000th

6 1: Euromotive’s Iveco Daily.

2: Bluebird’s 22-seater Orion Plus based on a Fiat Ducato Maxi.

3: Golden Boy’s new Turas 800 based pm a Mercedes-Benz Vario.

4: GM Coachwork displayed Peugeot Boxer. 5: Optare launched its new Bonito based on a Fiat Ducato Maxi. 6: A Mercedes-Benz Vario-based Sitar Beluga 3 for Anderson of London. 7: Abacus Tubular Prodoucts unveiled its new M2-tested Avante seat.

8: Sightseeing-specification Sprinter with retractable roof system

conversion by Stanford Coachworks and Burnt Tree’s was the 5,001st.

The Ruskin Monaco was based on a Sprinter 513 Extra Long Wheelbase with automatic gearbox and rear extensions to incorporate the coach rear end. Stitched leather upholstery and trim was used for the interior. It also included bonded panoramic windows, 16 Grand Rally Politecnica seats, Eberspacher air conditioning, side skirts and full audio system with TV. All orders for the exclusive Monaco are accompanied by an Aston Martin Driving Day Experience at Silverstone.

The Burnt Tree Sprinter’s features included an automatic gearbox, front entry, SCW M2 tested flat floor system, 15 removable Phoenix seats, Eberspacher climate control, heating and air conditioning and an internal rear PLS wheelchair lift.

Other minibuses at the show

8 included some unusual sightseeing versions of Mercedes-Benz Sprinters with retractable roofs which are available through Omnibus Trading. Sharing the Rescroft Seating stand were Mellor Coachcraft – with a coachbuilt Sprinter ostensibly used by London Hire, NMI and Rescroft to demonstrate the new CT Space folding seat (written about in the last issue). Also there were Nu Track, Euromotive and GM Coachwork.

Plaxton showed its newgeneration Cheetah in Lucketts livery – which will be the subject of a road test, hopefully in the next Minibus issue and there were also an example of the Sitcar Beluga 3 from Moseley Group and the VDL MidCity lowfloor Sprinter.

UNVI agent Brian Ferguson of Coach Traders said there had been some strong enquiries for new vehicles and the firm had around

30 leads to follow up in the next few weeks. One sale confirmed at the show was for a Vega GT 16-seater with tables which was sold to Maynes of Buckie. Brian claimed Coach Traders had just finished a highly successful year, given the state of the market, having sold 39 new vehicles and over 20 used. He said the new UNVI model, due in January, would add further appeal to the range.

Abacus Tubular Products launched its new slimline and stylish fixed seat called the Avante.

Tested to M2 it is aimed squarely at providing lightweight, comfortable seating for the CT sector. The unit has been designed for ease of installation and re-upholstering while the moulded body is highly resistant to vandal attack. Integral hand holds are incorporated into the design and the seat belt retractor fits unobtrusively beneath the seat base.

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NEWS

Sheffield invests in hybrid minibus fleet A fleet of green eco-friendly minibuses aimed at cutting carbon emissions and reducing fuel costs are serving the Special Schools in the Sheffield area.

Sheffield City Council has invested in six hybrid minibuses – the largest fleet of its type for a local authority in England.

The 16-seat minibuses are providing home-to-school special needs transport – such as Bents Green Special School. The authority estimates over their working lives, the vehicles will see a 17% reduction in both fuel costs and carbon emissions, saving the authority thousands of pounds in the process.

Funding was granted through the Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Programme (DfT) and the vehicles were supplied by Ashwoods Automotive.

Cllr Jack Scott, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “These greener buses will reduce fuel costs at a time of rising prices and they will also help the environment, which is massively important to us.

The award-winning Ashwoods Hybrid drive technology used in the buses reduces fuel consumption

Dai Powell and HCT Group gain top awards

HCT Group is celebrating the award of two major prizes at the 14th UK Social Enterprise Awards held at Lord’s Cricket Ground last week.

Dai Powell, CEO of HCT Group, was named Social Enterprise Leader of the Year. Dai became CEO of HCT Group in 1993 when the organisation’s operations were focused on east London and it had

and CO2 emissions by 15-25%. The system is entirely self-powered; it stores energy every time the vehicle slows down then transfers it to the wheels via an electric motor. Unlike other hybrids or electric vehicles, it never needs plugging into a charging point - and operators don’t have to worry about the battery going flat.

Sheffield City Council bought the vehicles through the Department for Transport’s Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Programme (LCVPP). This initiative aims to help

public sector bodies in England and Wales to procure and assess 500 Ashwoods Hybrid vans and minibuses. The DfT provides a grant of £3,430 per vehicle. When coupled with the fuel savings the vehicles provide, this means the hybrids will actually reduce Sheffield’s fleet costs.

Ashwoods had already supplied more than 130 hybrids in 2010 and 2011, to a range of organisations in England, including the Environment Agency and Coventry Council.

Thanks to LCVPP support, Sheffield City Council is employing half a dozen fuel-efficient hybrid minibuses for use on special school transport a turnover of £202k. Over the past five years, HCT Group has sustained an impressive 20-25% annual rate of growth. Since 1993 the organisation’s turnover has grown from £202k to £28.6m in 2011/12.

It has a fleet of over 410 vehicles, around 680 employees and delivers well over 13m passenger trips each year and is now one of the UK’s best known social enterprises.

The profits generated from the operation of its commercial contracts, awarded by transport commissioning agencies and public authorities, are invested in supporting HCT Group’s vision of social justice and making public

Dai Powell collects HCT Group’s prize at the 2012 UK Social Enterprise Awards transport available to all. It does this by providing a wide range of community transport services, as well as training and employment

Sprinter Travel 45 for Bakers Gloucestershire-based Bakers Coaches has taken delivery of a new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Travel 45 which joins the company’s fleet of 19 vehicles.

MD Michael Baker said: “I was looking to purchase a new 16-seater but wanted a 100% factory-built vehicle as the EvoBus Bumper-to-Bumper warranty provides us with a one-stop-shop solution with a single point of contact in case anything should need attention or after-sales support. It will be used for private school work and private hires.”

The 7.4m Sprinter Travel 45 features a 2.1litre Mercedes-Benz OM 651 DE22 LA 120kW Euro 5 engine with a fully automatic transmission. Its specification also includes cruise control and a range of safety features including ESP, Brake Assist and EBS. It is equipped with 16 Travel Star Sprint passenger seats which feature three-point seatbelts. The minibus also comes with a Radio Audio 20 system with two-way front loudspeakers.

The new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Travel 45 purchased by Bakers Coaches was supplied by Mercedes-Benz Minibus Sales at EvoBus (UK). opportunities aimed at long term unemployed people in the areas where it operates.

HCT Group’s transparent reporting of its social impacts, within its annual social impact report, was also recognised with the receipt of the Evidence of Impact award.

Dai Powell said: “I’m thrilled the hard work and dedication of our team has been recognised.

We passionately believe our social enterprise business model is a better way of doing business and serving our local communities. It also enables us to deliver better bus services for our passengers.”

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vEHIClE lAUNCH › Entry-lEvEl EvM

EVM widens its options Martin Cole talks to EVM’s Peter Flynn about the new entry level Sprinter conversions with basic seating options from 16 to 22 passengers

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s could be clearly seen at the recent industry exhibition at the NEC, EVM continues to aim its products at the higher end of the minicoach sector, however two surprise options now join the range and created a lot of interest from visiting operators.

One of these, a 22-seat Sprinter Classic shown in Wings of London livery, turned a lot of heads. EVM’s new Sales & Marketing Manager, Peter Flynn, said: “Loads of people had a look round the new Classic model, put a head inside and saw what they thought was a 16-seater.

They turned to leave saying it was no different to what they already ran. You then point out it has 22 seats and the quickly went for another look.

“Some people had become convinced versions of the extralong wheelbase Sprinter with 22 seats were cramped and only suitable as a school minibus. What we’ve done with this is install comfortable slim seating which provides an acceptable seat pitch and turns the 22-seater into a very practical general purpose option.”

The other newcomer, which is joining Hertfordshire’s Golden

Boy, is a 16-seat entry level LWB Sprinter Shuttle with few frills.

Peter said: “This isn’t something we’ve previously attempted but we are very pleased with the response. There are a number of options to suit different budgets, but we wanted to keep the price as attractive as possible so have kept it simple. The most basic version sells for around £36,000 on a LWB Sprinter 516 with an automatic gearbox. We can install luggage racks, privacy glass, DVD player and monitor, air conditioning and bumper and skirt kits if required – pushing the price towards £42,000.”

EVM has specifically targeted the Sprinter with the 4,250kg chassis for the basic models as it allows the full complement of 16 passenger seats while allowing a driver with an ordinary D1 licence to drive it in ‘not for hire or reward’ situations.

It therefore automatically becomes a suitable option for schools or charity organisations.

Both of these options are covered under Whole Vehicle Type Approval which EVM has achieved for all its Sprinter-based conversions.

The Classic model in Wings of London livery features a plug type power operated entrance door which reveals a three-step entrance with a horizontal

The 22-seat EVM Classic is great for shifting people with minimal luggage

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VEHIClE lAUNCH › entry level evm

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2 top step edge instead of the typical angled to step. This modification is possible because EVM relocates the battery instead of working around it. Three steps also means there is no need to fit an electric step. The step edges are illuminated with LEDs and the show model had an illuminated step riser displaying the operator name with a ‘welcome aboard’ notice. This feature proved highly attractive to show visitors and a lot of demand for upgrades from existing customers who want it installing in their vehicles. Handrails either side of the entrance are well positioned

3 to promote safe, secure entry or egress.

The Brusa seating is attractive and comfortable, featuring aisleside arm rests and is upholstered in wine and grey leather. Selecting moquette or another fabric for upholstering the seats brings price reductions depending on the material chosen. There is no boot space but luggage racks are installed with full length strip lights and LED night lights. In the event of a smaller party booking with some luggage to transport, it would be necessary to remove the rear four seats – which is a simple enough

7 operation through the original rear van doors. However, operators will need to be conscious of weight as with the full 22 seats aboard there is only a spare 47kg to play with.

Headlining and interior trim is the standard Mercedes-Benz fitting and ABS mouldings installed in glazed vans built in the Dusselforf factory. This model also has a DVD player installed with a recessed drop-down screen at the front of the central aisle and has both the in-dash and saloon air conditioning systems installed in factory-built vehicles.

Peter Flynn added: “Our 22 seat

Sprinter now has new appeal. Over the last two years people regarded it as an entry level school bus and now with some care full planning new seating options, weight reduction and EVM plush interior and exterior styling, the Sprinter Classic 516 will fit perfectly within any small luxury range of minicoaches. This is now a very practical minicoach with passenger appeal.

“The Sprinter Shuttle 16 seat is exactly what is. It provides 16 seats in the award winning Mercedes Benz chassis with EVM’s carefully thought out three-stage

www.coachandbusweek.com

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November 21, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK MINIBUS | 43

FACT FILE

SHUTTLE (Standard Specification)

n Sprinter Shuttle by EVM n Sprinter 516 LWB 4250kg GVW n Base colour in white n Manual gear box n Front door entry with EVM three stage entry step with illuminated step edging. n 16 Reclining seats with three point belts and arm rest to aisle side. n Original Mercedes Benz heat insulated glass. n Roof Lining, window surrounds and lower side panels By Mercedes Benz n Grab rails and modesty panels. n Entry Level price £36,000 + Options chosen CLASSIC 22 (Standard Specification)

n Sprinter Classic by EVM n Sprinter 516 Extra -LWB 5000kg GVW n Base colour in white n Manual gear box n Front door entry with EVM three stage entry step with illuminated step edging. n 22 Fixed back seats with three point belts and arm rest to aisle side. n Original Mercedes Benz heat insulated glass. n Roof Lining, window surrounds and lower side panels By Mercedes Benz n Grab rails and modesty panels. n £42,500 + Options.

8 1: Leather Brusa seats offer good comfort. 2: Powered door option adds refinement. 3: Full-length parcel racks are sturdy. 4: Darktinted bonded glazing enhances the appearance. 5: Illuminated personalised entrance steps.

6: Drop-down DVD monitor recessed in roof lining. 7: MercedesBenz factory-fit air conditioning.

8: The EVM Shuttle 16-seater.

9: Standard entrance with door extension and loweed stepwell needs no added electric step.

10: Spacious layout for 16 reclining seats entry steps, grab rails, Mercedes Benz-like seats finished in virtual leather and Sprinter cloth. This is a back-to-basics 16-seat Sprinter for operators who are not looking for high-end minicoaches with large boots but want to step up from the Ford of Fiat factorybuilt type of minibus. Operators, Schools, Nursing Homes, Rental Companies should give this model consideration when next purchasing mini coaches.”

Pleased with people’s response at the exhibition, Peter said: ”You never really know the final outcome of a show for some time but we

OpTIONS AvAILABLE ON BOTH MOdELS

9 sold two on the stand and have a good number of strong enquiries to pursue over the coming weeks.”

Warranty

Both models are covered by a threeyear Mercedes Benz UK Unlimited mile warranty and matched by EVM three-year conversion warranty plus the option of extending both warranties to five years or 625,000 miles - whichever comes first.

Finance

As all EVM vehicles are supplied

by Mercedes Benz UK they are offered with a wide range of finance

10 options from Mercedes Benz Financial Services. Options range from Hire Purchase to Contract Hire, PCP / Agility, Finance Lease or Operating Lease.

Repair and Maintenance

Customers can take out an R+M Contract (Repair and Maintenance) covering the vehicle from one to five years which can include all maintenance and service along with the required ministry inspections.

This is a monthly cost and is fixed for the period of the chosen contract.

n In dash A/C from Mercedes Benz n Saloon A/C from Mercedes Benz n Saloon heater from Mercedes Benz n Automatic gear box n Metallic paint n Privacy glass n Black frame painted around saloon glazing to give the impression of panoramic windows n Full length luggage racks with strip lights and LED night lights n Recessed fold down monitor and DVD player n Body moulded Plug type power door with extra high top n Personalised illuminated back lit entry step n Painted bumpers and mouldings n EVM body moulded styling n EVM front bumper spoiler with integrated fog lights n Leather finished seats

www.coachandbusweek.com

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p45_CBW_1063

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November 21, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 45

U P

B E W F S U J T F

P O

U I F T F

Q B H F T

G P S

B T

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D B M M

1995 Van Hool DAF SB 3000 Executive

Manual gearbox, rear toilet, coffee machine and video.

Overhauled in our workshop.

Tested to June 2013.

£12,000

Any inspection or trial.

Further pictures by email if required.

Possible part exchange for 16 to 24 seater coach.

Woods Coaches Barnsley Tel. 07976 923313

2007 56 Reg ADL Enviro 200 Prototype

28 seats, 40 standing, built as demonstrator for London with flat floor front to back and extra doors at rear. Phone for more details.

£19,950.00

For more information visit

www.staffordbuscentre.com Tel: 01782 791774/07803 222552

Passenger and Commercial Vehicles Recovery Dismantlers Parts Sales

Dennis Pointer Dart Mk2 x 130

...then 50 come along at once.

Due to a major influx of new vehicles, we are selling a number of ex-TWM service buses.

They’re in great condition for their age and have been maintained to a very high standard.

There are currently 50 vehicles available, all stored at our site for viewing.

Although mainly Volvo, Scania and Optare single deck, there are some double deck buses also available.

All will be sold with 12 months MOT and repaint if required.

Please call for more details. Finance and rental packages available.

Volant PVS Ltd, Beecham Business Park, Northgate, Aldridge WS9 8TZ T: +44 (0)1922 457003 volantpvs.co.uk

2010 MAN BEULAS 71 seats, LEZ, Gloryeuro5 + EEV, WC, climate control, hot drinks, amazing luggage capacity, fantastic condition, MOT 31/10/2013, fully DDA, only 149,000km, sale due to fleet restructure £248,000 + VAT

2009 RENAULT 16 reclining seats, TAWE, perfect for airports, takes 20 big suitcases, A/C, TV, DVD, hot drinks & fridge, 3 point belts, overhead racks, great on fuel, 166,000kms, front entry, sale due to fleet restructure £22,500+VAT

Tel: 01787 477 701 Email: info@coachcompany.co.uk

All spares available includes engine, gearboxes, seats, etc.

Call: 01226 727769 Mobile: 07912 103497 Email: geoff-ripley@btconnect.com www.geoff-ripleysbuscoachsales.com

1 ) 0 5 0 4

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UNVI RIADA GT -2008 Mercedes-Benz 0816 Vario chassis with rear air suspension, 29 passenger seats with 3pt lap and diagonal seat belts, courier seat, dark tint double glazed windows, air con, radio/CD & PA system, DVD player and monitor, full draw curtains, large boot space and side lockers. Full service history. £57,950 + VAT Call Dougie at HAGGIS Adventures on 0131 554 9192

Telephone Jade Cassidy on 01733 293247 or email jade.cassidy@coachandbusweek.com

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Ensig DOUBLE DECK 1999 T/V REG DENNIS TRIDENTS

LEZ

COMPLIANT

Cummins/Voith, LEZ compliant with traps, Plaxton President bodies, 62 seats dual door (£13,000) or 70 when converted to single door (£16,000).

Cummins/Voith, LEZ compliant for 2012 with traps to Euro 4, CCTV, Alexander ALX400 bodies, DDA compliant or upseated to 80 seats.

1999/2000/2001 V/X/51 PLATE DENNIS TRIDENTS

Cummins / Allison, Wrights Cadet body, ramp, wheelchair space, Hanover LED’s, CCTV, 39 retrimmed individual seats, from our own fleet and very tidy.

2000 DAF SB120

1999 T/V REG DENNIS DART SLF’S

Caetano Compass bodies, 39 seats, ramps.

Volvo Euro 2 engine, ZF gearbox, Northern Counties body, 78 seats.

1997/98 VOLVO OLYMPIAN

2000 W REG MINI POINTER DART

9.9m, 2 door, 62 seats, DDA and LEZ compliant, large choice.

ZF automatic, LEZ compliant, Van Hool T9 body, 53 seats.

Cummins / Allison, 8.8m, 29 seats.

2001 DENNIS TRIDENTS

2001 Y REG DAF SB3000

LEZ

COMPLIANT

2001 Y REG DENNIS DARTS

Plaxton Pointer 2 bodies, 10.1m , Cummins Euro 2 engines, DDA, 31 seats, CCTV, particulate traps fitted, LEZ compliant, only £6000 each plus tyres.

2005 MINI POINTER DART Cummins Euro 3, Allison automatic, 8.8m, 29 seats, new MOT.

OPEN TOP BUSES A SPECIALITY -

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

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nbus

K ER SPECIALIST ZF automatic, Plaxton Premiere 320 body, 53 seats, exhaust trap fitted, LEZ compliant.

1998 R REG DAF SB3000

1998 R REG VOLVO B10BLE’S

Plaxton Pointer 2 bodies, 9.4m, Cummins Euro 3 engines, 32 seats, DDA, CCTV, particulate traps fitted, LEZ compliant.

2002 02 DENNIS DARTS

Euro 3 Cummins engines with traps, Marshall bodies, 8.8m, 25 seats, DDA and LEZ compliant.

2002 DART SLFs

Cummins L10 / ZF, Alexander RH body, 78 seats with retractable belts, MOT Oct 2013, tacho.

1992 LEYLAND OLYMPIAN

2002 52 PLATE VOLVO B7TL’S

Voith automatic gearboxes, SLF, Alexander ALX300 bodies, 44 seats and 27 standing, heavy duty low floor buses. They can also be converted to be DDA compliant.

2002 02 PLATE DENNIS TRIDENTS

Euro 3 Cummins engines, DDA compliant , Plaxton President bodies, Hanover LED’s, 67 seats converted to single door or 62 seats as dual door.

Cummins Euro 4 engine, 10.8m, 37 seats, DDA and LEZ compliant.

2007 07 PLATE ENVIRO 200

2001 Y REG MINI POINTER DARTS

Plaxton Pointer 2 bodies, 8.8m, Cummins Euro 2 engines, DDA, 25 seats, CCTV , particulate traps fitted, LEZ compliant.

2002 52 plate Volvo B7TL’s, Euro 3 with particulate traps, LEZ and DDA compliant, Alexander ALX400 bodies, 67 seats converted to single door or 62 seats as dual door.

Cummins / Allison, Alexander ALX200 bodies, 9.2m, 27 seats, DDA and LEZ compliant.

2001 Y REG DARTS

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

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NEW PRE-REGISTERED FORDS New Ford Transit 17 seat 4.3ton 135ps minibus. From £20,595 + VAT

FORD TRANSIT MINIBUSES (12) 2012 Ford Transit 17 seat minibus 2.2tdci 135ps, tacho, 2300 miles only, ex-demo in silver, COIF/PSV £20,695

(11) 2011 Ford Transit 9 seat Shuttle Bus, twin side loading doors, large rear luggage area, delivery miles only £16,995

(11) 2011 Ford Transit 15 seat 3.5 ton, 2.4tdi engine 115ps, tacho, 10,000 km £17,500

(59) 2009 Ford Transit 17 seat 2.4tdi 115ps, tacho, air-con, 15,000km only £17,495

(57) 2007 Ford Transit 17 seat 2.4TDi 100ps, six speed gearbox, tacho with 16,000 miles, COIF/PSV £11,995

LDV MINIBUSES (57) 2007 LDV Maxus 17 seat, high back seats with three point belts, twin side doors, COIF/ PSV, silver £7,500

(05) 2005 LDV Convoy 2.4tdi 17 seat minibus, high back seats with three point seat belts, COIF/PSV tacho £4,995

OTHER MAKES

D

(09) 2009 Renault Master 16 seat minibus, tacho,high back seats with three point belts, 35,000km £15,650

SOL

OTHER MAKES New Peugeot Boxer 16 seat 3.5 ton and 17 seat w/chair accessible minibuses, 2.2 diesel 120ps, six speed gearbox LEZ COMPLIANT From £23,500 + VAT New Renault Master 17 seat LWB LM39dci 126 Minibus, tacho ONLY £20,350

(55) 2005 Peugeot Boxer 3.5 ton 17 seat minibus 2.8 diesel, with three point seat belts, tow bar, removable seats to rear, 77,000 miles £6,995 (06) 2006 Volkswagen Transporter 9 seat minibus, 85PS, rear tail gate, twin side loading doors, 112,000 miles £7,995 (56) 2006 Peugeot Boxer 3.5t on 17 seat minibus 2.8 diesel, high back seats with three point belts, 33,000 miles £8,995

WHEELCHAIR ACCESS (57) LDV Maxus LWB 9 seats tracking to take two wheelchairs, inboard lift, 49,000 miles, £9,995

(07) 2007 LDV Maxus 13 seat wheelchair accessible minibus, under floor lift, space for two wheelchairs, electric side step £8,495

(06) 2006 Vauxhall Vivaro 1.9 cdti 9 seat, inboard lift, tracking for 2 wheelchairs, 45,000 miles £8,995

D

(03) 2003 Fiat Doblo SX 1.9 diesel, low floor, four seats plus one wheelchair, lightweight ramp, 45,000 miles £3,495

SOL

Y 2001 Renault Mascot 2.8 diesel, 16 seat wheelchair accessible minibus, front entry drop step, fully tracked floor to take five wheelchairs, under floor lift, rear heating, COIF/PSV £6,495

Tel: 01633 485858 Mobile: 07866 443304

Contact Graham Thatcher – email: sales@minibussales.co.uk

Pembridge House, The Park Business Centre, Plough Road, Goytre, Penperlleni, Nr Usk, South Wales NP4 0AL – 10 minutes from M4 motorway. Viewing by appointment only Finance Contract Hire and Finance Lease Available. We deliver Nationwide. All vehicles prepared to VOSA standard COIF/PSV specialist

All above prices are subject to VAT @ 20%

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05 (55) FORD TRANSIT 350 17 SEAT MINIBUS 115PS £7,495

09 (59) FORD TRANSIT 17 SEAT MEDIUM ROOF 115PS TACHO COIF/PSV 30,000 MILES £16,495

09 (59) FORD TRANSIT 17 SEAT MEDIUM ROOF MINIBUS 140PS TACHO COIF/PSV 30,000 MILES £16,995

MULTIPART & LDV/MAXUS PARTS STOCKISTS

(PONTYPOOL) LTD

P.O.A.

• ALTAS CONVERSION • 17 SEAT MINICOACH • DOUBLE GLAZED WINDOWS • FULL AIR CONDITIONING • POWER DOOR LOW ENTRY STEP

NEW MERCEDES SPRINTER TOURLINE 519CDI

Tel: 01495 757111 Mob: 07850 739446 (Haydn) or visit our website www.minibussales.biz to view the above stock

06 (55) MERCEDES SPRINTER 413CDi TREKA BUS W/CHAIR ACC 97000KMS COIF/PSV £17,995 CHOICE

09 (58) FORD TRANSIT 100T 300M 9 SEAT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS £14,995

2008 (57) VOLKSWAGEN CRAFTER CR35 W/CHAIR ACCESSIBLE 29,000 MILES COIF/PSV £20,495

12:50

2006 (55) LDV CONVOY ELWB MINI COACH 17 SEATS 90PS EXCEL CONVERSION COIF/PSV TACHO £9,950

07 (07) LDV MAXUS W/CHAIR ACCESSIBLE 4 SEAT INBOARD LIFT UNWIN TRACKING £12,495

19/11/12

05 (05) VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER T30 104 TDi WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE MINIBUS £8,995

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2003 Mercedes Sprinter

52 | COACH & BUS WEEK | November 21, 2012

1999 T Reg Dennis Trident

East Lancs body, extra long wheelbase and fitted with 78 seats and still DDA compliant, single door (never been twin door), would re-seat to between 80-90 seats and could be belted – 4 available

• Wheelchair accessible • 15 seater

£17,950.00

For more information visit

www.staffordbuscentre.com Tel: 01782 791774/07803 222552

Low mileage, 92,800kms, wheelchair accessible (rear underfloor cassette lift) with 15 seats or 10 plus 3 wheelchairs. Superb mechanical condition, calibrated analogue tachograph.

MOT till September 2013.

£5,500

The Street Earsham NR35 2TZ Tel: 07825187488

56, 57, 58, 59 & 11 Reg Ford Transit Factory Minibuses 15 and 17 seaters, PSV and Class 5 Choice of 10 For more information visit

www.staffordbuscentre.com Tel: 01782 791774/07803 222552

49 reclining seats, Manual, LEZ compliant, A/C, W/C, CD, Radio, DVD, 2 Monitors £40,000

Mercedes Touro

65 reclining seats, Automatic, A/C, W/C £40,000

Jonckheere Mistral, MAN

49 reclining seats, AS Tronic gearbox, LEZ compliant, A/C, W/C, CD, Radio, DVD, 2 Monitors £95,000

31 reclining seats, Manual, LEZ compliant, A/C, W/C, CD, Radio £68,000

61 reclining seats, AS Tronic gearbox, LEZ compliant, A/C, W/C, CD, Radio, DVD, 2 Monitors £120,000

65 reclining seats, One Shift gearbox, LEZ compliant, Disabled access, A/C, W/C, CD, Radio, DVD, 2 Monitors £125,000

MAXI 3, Iveco

Neoplan Euroliner, MAN

Plaxton Panther, MAN

Plaxton Panther, Volvo

Contact Daniel Gillison dan@applegates.co.uk 01453 810314

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November 21, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 53

V d PS ste te

2011 11 REG FORD TRANSIT

6 T F

P V S

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P G G F S

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15 seat factory bus, PSV, COIF and tacho, 20K miles, ready to go

£16,450

For more information visit

www.staffordbuscentre.com Tel: 01782 791774/07803 222552 1999 V Reg Mercedes 814D Vario Plaxton Beaver 2

31 bus seats with belts, new paint and test, Allison auto.

&RQW DF W

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£9,950.00

For more information visit

www.staffordbuscentre.com Tel: 01782 791774/07803 222552

681388-1063-Pickrell

H. W. PICKRELL

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Page 1

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 For latest stock arrivals follow @h_w_pickrell

10 REG RENAULT MASTER LM39 2.5TD

06 REG IVECO DAILY 50c13 IRIS BUS 3.0

58 REG IVECO DAILY 50c13 IRIS BUS 3.0

06 REG FORD TRANSIT 430 JUMBO 2.4 TDCI

Manual, high roof, PAS, LWB, new conversion, side loading door, AVS side step, 14 high back seats, AMF m2 fully tracked floor, full air con, Ricon tail lift, tacho fitted, only 46,750kms.

Manual gearbox, high roof, PAS, LWB, tacho, power front entry door, 16 rear high back seats, Unwin tracked flat floor, Eberspacher climate control, underfloor PLS tail lift, COIF, 67,671 kms.

Manual gearbox, high roof, PAS, LWB, tacho, power front entry door, 16 rear high back seats,Unwin tracked floor, Eberspacher heater, destination board, underfloor Ratcliff tail lift, COIF, 63,371 miles.

Manual gearbox, high roof, PAS, LWB, tacho, side loading door, side step, 11 rear high back seats, full Unwin tracking, Eberspacher heater, underfloor Ratcliff tail lift, 31,813 miles.

2008 58 REG VAUXHALL MOVANO LM39 2.5TD

07 REG RENAULT MASTER LM35 2.5TD

09 PEUGEOT EXPERT TEPEE 1.9 HDI

06 REG MERCEDES SPRINTER 411 CDI

Manual, high roof, PAS, LWB, O & H conversion, side loading door, AVS side step, 8 high back seats + driver, Unwin tracked floor, stretcher, Ricon tail lift, piped oxygen, Eberspacher heater, 48,441 miles.

Manual, high roof, PAS, LWB, O & H conversion, SLD, AVS side step, fitted with rear air con, 4 high back seats, Falcon stretcher, lowering suspension, cheesewedge ramp, piped oxygen, Eberspacher heater, 67,433 miles.

Manual 5 speed gearbox, PAS, CD player, air con, twin side loading doors, 2 high back seat in rear, double passenger seat front, cut out floor, fold down ramp, blue metallic silver, alloy wheels, 14,932 miles.

Auto gearbox, LWB, PAS, Frank Guy conversion, n/s full height electric power door, 16 high back removable seats on NMI quick release, Eberspacher, PLS underfloor tail lift, ex local authority, COIF’d, 103,080 kms.

06 REG RENAULT MASTER SL33 2.2TD

07 REG RENAULT MASTER LM39 2.5TD

2009 59 REG VAUXHALL VIVARO SL28 2.0 TD

09 REG IVECO 65c15 IRIS BUS 3.0

Manual gearbox, low roof, O & H conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, 4 high back seats plus 1 x w/chair, Eberspacher heater, Unwin tracked floor, Ricon tail lift, 17,491 miles.

Auto gearbox, coach built body, KFS conversion, PAS, side loading door, low side step, 15 high back seats plus driver, full air con, Webasto, Unwin tracked floor, lowering air suspension and ramp, 44,087 miles only.

Manual gearbox, low roof, O & H conversion, PAS, twin side loading door, side step, 4 high back seats plus 1 x w/chair, modified low floor, electric winch & fold out ramp, 15,491 miles.

Automatic, tacho, LWB, PAS, Mellor body, power door, low entry, only 8 seats but space for upto 24 high back removable seats, climate control, Unwin tracking, Ricon internal tail lift, very low 16,000 kms.

08 REG FORD TRANSIT 430 JUMBO 2.4TDCI

2008 57 REG VAUXHALL VIVARO LH28 2.0 TD

54 REG MERCEDES SPRINTER 413 CDI UVG TREKA

07 REG RENAULT MASTER MM33 2.5TD

Manual gearbox, high roof, PAS, LWB, tacho, side loading door, AVS side step, 13 rear high back seats, Unwin tracked floor, Eberspacher heater, air con, underfloor Ratcliff tail lift, tacho, 53,946kms.

Manual gearbox, hi roof, O & H conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, 5 high back seats plus 1 x w/chair, Eberspacher heater, Unwin tracked floor, Ricon tail lift, 30,280 miles only.

Auto gearbox, LWB, PAS, climate control, n/s/f electric power door, 16 high back removable seats on NMI quick release, Eberspacher, PLS underfloor tail lift, ex local authority, COIF'd, 104,180 kms.

Manual gearbox, high roof, Warnerbus conversion, PAS, side loading door, side step, sat nav, 6 high back seats plus 1 x w/chair, Webasto, Unwin innotrax floor, Ricon tail lift, 14,300 miles only.

07 REG FORD TRANSIT 100 350 2.4 TDCI

2008 57 REG RENAULT MASTER LM39 2.5TD

09 REG PEUGEOT BOXER 330 2.5 TD

08 REG FORD TRANSIT 430 JUMBO 2.4 TDCI

Manual, MWB, high roof, PAS, DL conversion, side loading door, AVS side step, 8 high back seats, fully Unwin tracked floor, Eeberspacher heater, Ricon tail lift, 28,779 miles.

Manual, high roof, PAS, LWB, SCW conversion, side loading door, AVS side step, 10 high back seats, Unwin tracked floor, Ricon tail lift, ex local authority, 27,478 miles.

Manual, LWB, semi high roof, Atlas Bus conversion, side loading door, step, 16 x high back seats plus driver, exlease, only 19,675 miles. s.

Manual gearbox, high roof, PAS, LWB, tacho, side loading door, electric side step, 11 high back seats, Unwin tracked floor at rear, Eberspacher heater, underfloor Ratcliff tail lift, tacho, 34,955 miles.

07 REG VOLKSWAGEN CRAFTER CR50 UVG TREKA

57 REG FORD TRANSIT 115 T350 2.4

08 REG RENAULT MASTER LM35 2.5 TD

06 REG RENAULT MASTER SM33 2.2TD

Auto gearbox, climate control, n/s/f electric power door, 16 high back removable seats on NMI quick release, Eberspacher, PLS underfloor tail lift, ex local authority, COIF'd, 81,280 kms.

Manual gearbox, LWB, high roof, Advanced conversion, SLD with electric step, 14 x high back seats plus driver, back row of seats removable, full air con, Eberspacher heater, elec windows & mirrors ex charity, 15,084 miles,

Manual gearbox, high roof, O & H conversion, PAS, side loading door, AVS side step, 13 high back seats plus driver, Unwin tracked floor, Ricon internal tail lift, 33,175 miles only,choice of two.

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.

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November 21, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 55

2002 (52 reg) Optare Solo M850 Mercedes engine, 27 seats 23 with belts, currently undergoing body prep and paint.

£17,950

For more information visit

www.staffordbuscentre.com Tel: 01782 791774/07803 222552

2010 Van Hool 14.04 Astron T917 MAN - EURO 5 ONLY ONE COACH AVAILABLE UNTIL 2014

DARTLINE 2x2005 Optare Solos

9.2 m, 33 seats, Mercedes engines, approx. 220,000 miles, good order throughout, more pictures if required, new MOT’S £32,500 + VAT (Discount if both taken)

2002 52 Reg Mercedes Sprinter 413D

UVG body, 16 seats + wheelchair, PSC and tachograph, low mileage for year

£8,450.00

For more information visit

www.staffordbuscentre.com Tel: 01782 791774/07803 222552

2008 Temsa Opalin

Auto, 35 seat midicoach, air-con, large boot, side lockers, approx. 195,000 kms, LEZ compliant, MOT Exp May 2013 £70,000 + VAT

2003 Renault Master SL28 Dci

5 passenger seats,1 removable seat on centre track, N/S sliding door, double rear doors, approx. 55,000 miles, MOT (Class 4) Exp August 2013 £3,000

Contact Simon on 01392 872900

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56 | COACH & BUS WEEK | November 21, 2012

Kinglong Scotland

Kinglong XMQ6130 Tri Axle 57 plus 1 plus 1, luxury recliners, Cummins Euro V 10.1 litre, ZF Astronic box, DVD, 3 screens, PA, CD, W/C, A/C, drivers bunk Only £229,950 + VAT Kinglong XMQ6127 47/49 luxury recliners, Cummins Euro V 8.9 litre, ZF auto box, DVD, monitors, A/C ,W/C, CD, radio, fridge.

Only £179,950 + VAT

Kinglong XMQ6900 35/31 plus W/C, Cummins Euro V 6.7litre, ZF auto box, A/C, DVD, CD, monitors, PA etc Only £134,950 + VAT Kinglong XMQ 6800 31 luxury recliners, Cummins Euro V 207BHP, Allison World Series auto (manual options), A/C, DVD, monitors, PA, CD, radio etc etc ...

Only £109,950 + VAT BMC Karisma 35 luxury recliners, Cummins 250 BHP, ZF auto box, DIG, DVD, monitor, A/C, fridge Only £109,950 + VAT

Dennis Dart Super Pointer 45 seats with belts, Tacho, Euro4 with RPC/LEZ, ready to go

£13,950

For more information visit

www.staffordbuscentre.com Tel: 01782 791774/07803 222552 N Reg Bluebird American School Bus 60 seats with 3 point belts, Cummins engine/Allison gearbox

£5,950

Also 2000 W Reg at

£12,000.00

For more information visit

www.staffordbuscentre.com Tel: 01782 791774/07803 222552

BMC Midilux (Nifty) 27 luxury leather recliners, A/C, DVD, monitor, etc etc, enough luggage space for 2 cases per head Only £68,950 + VAT

USED STOCK AVAILABLE NOW!!!!!

2011 BMC Karisma as above, low mileage - POA 2010 BMC Nifty as above - POA 2012 Ex Demonstrator Kinglong 9 metre service bus, 23 plus 4 plus 1 plus 22 standees - POA 2004 BMC Falcon service bus - POA 92 Leyland Tiger - long MOT/tax, 55 seats, great workhorse for schools, vgc - POA

Used, nearly new stock available

Authorised stockist Kinglong parts and glass.

Tel: 01651 872864 24-hr Mobile 07769719252 Email: kinglongscotland@yahoo.co.uk Station Yard, Oldmeldrum, AB51 0EZ

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November 21, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 57

HEAVY DUTY STEEL BUILDINGS

BUILDINGS

• Bus Workshops • Secure Storage

• Supplied any width,

any length • Building to BS5590 • Doors high enough for Double Deckers • Finance available Phone for further information

BLUELINE BUILDINGS 01709 578333 anytime BUSINESS LINES

HEATING

ENGINES

THE CUMMINS ENGINE SPECIALISTS PARTS & SERVICE DIVISION

D.I.E.S.E.L. LIMITED OFFER A VAST RANGE OF SERVICES FOR ALL TYPES OF CUMMINS ENGINES FREE TECHNICAL ADVICE AND SUPPORT FULL OR 3/4 BUILT RECON ENGINES COMPETITIVE & COST EFFECTIVE SERVICE REPAIRS FIXED PRICE ENGINE REPAIRS/OVERHAULS COMPREHENSIVE PARTS STOCK – NEW AND USED ON SITE REPAIRS FULL ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTICS CONTACT US TODAY FOR ALL YOUR CUMMINS REQUIREMENTS TELEPHONE UK: 01708 859625 FAX UK: 01708 857630 EMAIL: SALES@DIESEL.UK.COM

GARAGE EQUIPMENT SPECIALISTS

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

Wheel Nut Indicators and Retainers

++44(0)1524 44(0)1524 2271200 71200 www.checkpoint-safety.com ENGINEERING SUPPORT

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

Experts in Commercial Garage Equipment

www.bwsequip.co.uk BWS (0117) 9530381

Mobile Column Lifts FREE

Set of Axle Stands when you purchase your Mobile Columns JHM Butt & Company Limited Sales: 01302 718226

www.buttsequipment.com equipment.com

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New Van & Bus Parts Cummins 5-9 B series Short Engine ESN 29111177 Druk 0032serx

Cummins L10 Short Motor Daily Spare Wheels 22-75 16C

Pirelli New

Diggi Techo 1

Drivers Suspension Seats New £250+VAT

Ducato Front Passenger £175+VAT

Fiat Ducato Rear Doors Old Model

Gramma Air Seats New

Gramma Paddle Change Seats New

Iveco Daily Mirrors £50+VAT Each

Iveco Daily Rim Continental Vanco 195-75R-16C 107-105R Tyre

Iveco Daily SLD £250+VAT

Iveco Daily Wings £35+VAT

Leyland GB397,390

MB Sprinter 616 Axel part no A9053500300

MB Sprinter VW LT Doors old model £150+VAT

MB Vario 24 Volt Wiper Motors £35+VAT

MB Vario Bumpers £75+VAT

MB Vario Headlamps £35+VAT

New MB Vario Parts

New Sprinter Spare Wheels Continental Vanco Winter 235 65 R16C Tyres

New Transit Spare Wheels Continental 215 75 R16C Eco Tyres

Nissan 2-7 TD New

Peugeot Boxer Relay Fiat Ducato Doors £300+VAT pair

Renault Master Rear Mavano Doors £300+VAT Pair

RUD Matic Snow Chains

Sprinter & Crafter Wings £35+VAT

Toyota Landcruiser V8 20 inch Alloys Dunlop 285 50 R20 Unused

tTansit Millennium Bus £750+VAT

Transit Minibus Seats Unused

Transit Millennium Doors £125+VAT

Transit Tourneo Seats Unused £500+VAT

Vauxhall Astra Mk2 Convertible Bodyshells

VW Crafter Mercedes Sprinter Front Doors £200+VAT

ZF 16S-109

www.cabmasters.com ZF Astronic 12-AS-1930-TD

01706 211 838

ZF S6 36-2 Gearboxes ZF Reman

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November 21, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 59

REGISTRATIONS G £690 CEZ 75 DNZ 45 JXI 62 MXI 42 OXI 76 PEZ 58 TUI 18 TUI 19 VIB 92

TICKETING

TRAINING

Almex Ticket Machine

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

£350 £99 £99 £50 ACZ 727 DXZ 1150 LIG 1220 CXZ 4470 AJZ 262 FRZ 1411 LIG 1222 DXZ 2267 CEZ 979 HIG 5338 MJZ 6749 DXZ 2268 KBZ 181 IIG 2278 MNZ 1195 ERZ 6181 RBZ 696 IIG 2279 REZ 9451 FRZ 1516 SBZ 171 JIG 9298 RUI 2117 FRZ 1517 VIW 979 JIG 9299 SUI 8836 JFZ 8261 WJI 848 KIG 6556 SUI 8837 JFZ 8262 XJI 474 KIG 6557 TJZ 1119 KIG 8781 We Buy for Cash, also Part Exchange

Good working order, spare ticket rolls and instruction booklet included.

£50 KIG 8782 LIG 1621 LIG 1622 LIG 1623 RNZ 9198 SNZ 2273 SNZ 2274 TUI 7991 TUI 7992

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

Millwood, Lisbellaw, Co. Fermanagh, N. Ireland BT94 5HQ

£400 plus VAT

All enquiries to 01227 742909

REPLACEMENT LEZ EXHAUSTS

(Kent)

Direct Replacement LEZ Exhaust Systems Typical 2-4 Hour Install 2 Year Standard Warranty Unique Maintenance Modules - Keep your Vehicle on the Road Passive and Active Systems available - Suitable for all Drive Cycles For your Regional Agent or Further Information, Contact Tom or Brian on :- 01768 480111 or sales@greenurban.co.uk

VEHICLE SPARES

Trevor Wigley & Son Bus Ltd

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TW FULLY LICENSED END OF LIFE VEHICLE CENTRE TW REDUNDANT AND SCRAP VEHICLES TAKEN TW PROFESSIONAL, EFFICIENT SERVICE TW ALL REQUIREMENTS CATERED FOR

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Call 01226 723147 Night Service 01226 716479 Fax 01226 700199 Email wigleys@btconnect.com

www.twigley.com

60 | COACH & BUS WEEK | November 21, 2012

Seen something funny? Send it to gareth.evans@coachandbusweek.com, fax 0845 2802927 or write to: Last Stop, Coach & Bus Week, 3 The Office Village, Cygnet Park, Forder Way, Hampton, Peterborough PE7 8GX

Ryder Cup winner visits First Group HQ European Ryder Cup winning golfer Paul Lawrie dropped into FirstGroup headquarters on King Street, Aberdeen, earlier this month to chat with staff about his incredible Ryder Cup victory and sign copies of his autobiography ‘An Open Book’.

FirstGroup has been one of Paul’s sponsors since 2007 and its logo features on Paul’s right sleeve. First has also been a major supporter of the ‘Paul Lawrie Foundation.’

Earlier this year, First confirmed it will continue its sponsorship of the former Open Champion in 2013.

Paul said: “It is great to be back at First; the support it has provided over the years for both the Paul Lawrie Foundation and myself has been excellent and I’m delighted First will be behind me in 2013.”

FirstGroup Marketing Manager Avril Gill said: “Paul’s autobiography is an excellent Christmas present and our staff were delighted to have the opportunity of meeting Paul and getting a signed copy of the book.”

Paul Lawrie with Marketing Manager Avril Gill

Dilbert

Even the dreadful British weather didn’t keep these from being left behind

It’s raining umbrellas at Yellow Buses Bournemouth-based Yellow Buses has revealed its varied and sometimes bizarre collection of lost property.

Forgetful bus passengers have left on-board belongings such as crutches, a tattoo kit, a number of hearing aids, a set of bongo drums and even a set of divorce papers.

Other items left on the firm’s fleet of 148 buses and coaches in the last year included a tape deck, printer and a bag of coat hangers.

The most common things left on the buses were mobile phones, with 276 handed in during the last 12 months. This was closely followed by 124 umbrellas. It is the highest number of brollies ever handed in to the operator in one year.

Jenni Wilkinson, Head of Marketing for Yellow Buses, said: “We always try and reunite lost property with the owners, but if we

can’t then we make sure the items are put to good use.

“For example, phones go to help support the air ambulance and any shoes go to the Variety Club, which raises money for sick children.

“Any textiles we send to BCHA, a local housing and social care support provider, as well as the Lewis-Manning hospice in Poole.

“All other items are donated to the Lewis-Manning charity shop. All glasses left behind and not claimed we send to the charity Mission for Vision.

“We’ve never had divorce papers left behind before and we like to think that someone changed their mind and the couple got back together.

“Phones are the most common thing left behind and there were a lot of umbrellas handed in this year and I think that was because of all the rain we’ve had.

“With over 14 million journeys each year, it probably isn’t too surprising that some things get left behind, but if we can’t reunite the item with the owner then at least it will do some good locally.”

Sunday: Andrew here. In preparation for part one of our First super feature, I head down to London Euston to get the famous Caledonian Sleeper Train to Aberdeen. After a pleasant couple of hours in the train lounge, enjoying a couple of beverages to help me sleep, I retire to my berth. The First Class cabin (courtesy of FirstGroup), is comfortable and spacious.

However, it’s not the easiest mode of transport to sleep on.

Monday: After an intermittent short sleep, I arrive in Aberdeen. I don’t feel particularly sprightly but a freshen up in the First Class lounge helps me out. Plus, the cold Scottish air soon wakes me up. I meet the Group’s PR Manager Niall Dowds and we head to HQ to meet Commercial Director Joe Mackie, Group Marketing Manager Avril Gill and Engineering Director David Liston. We then jump on the train to Glasgow where I meet Regional Commercial Director Kevin Belfield, Glasgow MD Ronnie Park and Regional MD Neil Barker. It’s an enjoyable and informative day.

My sleeper train home isn’t until 2335hrs, so Niall and I take a few hours in the evening to talk about business, football and music.

Tuesday: Arrive back in Euston around 0700hrs. Before returning back to Peterborough from Kings Cross I take advantage of Euston’s First Class lounge. I could certainly get used to free croissants and tea for breakfast. Due to a very busy Monday and two nights with little sleep, I head home to rest.

Wednesday: Back in the office, we carry on with production for this week’s issue. Also consider ideas for forthcoming features.

Thursday: James and I split our time between news for this week’s magazine and getting ahead on next week’s super feature. Gareth enjoys an interesting day at the Northern Bus Summit.

www.coachandbusweek.com

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RECRUITMENT

DEADlINES Booking: Monday 5.00pm Full artwork: Monday 5.00pm

November 21, 2012 | COACH & BUS WEEK | 61

CONTACT Ian Gillis 01733 293484

ian.gillis@coachandbusweek.com

New MD for Cardiff Bus

Stagecoach appointments to steer commercial growth

Cardiff Bus has announced the appointment of Cynthia Ogbonna as its new Managing Director.

Cynthia has been with the company since 2004 in the role of Finance & Administration Director and the appointment signifies Cardiff Bus’ first female Managing Director in its 110 year history.

Cynthia is a chartered Management Accountant of 20 years plus, with an MBA from Cardiff Business School, Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and also a Chartered Company Secretary with extensive experience in Finance, IT, Human Resources and Corporate Administration including pensions/ legal corporate matters.

Chairman, Cllr Ben Thomas said: “I am thrilled Cynthia was successful throughout the selection process. She fought all the way through, displaying the drive and

Stagecoach Group has made two senior appointments aimed at targeting commercial growth opportunities in the public transport sector.

Alistair Smith (55) currently Group IT Director, has been appointed to the wider role of Director of Commercial and IT. The expanded brief will continue his focus in recent years on Group investment in new technology, particularly in retail and distribution, to maximise their commercial potential. In his new post, Alistair Smith will retain responsibility for IT across the Group.

Joining Stagecoach in 1999, Alistair became Group IT Director in May 2000. He built a cost-effective IT function to support the Group as it operated in the UK and overseas markets in Hong Kong, Sweden, New Zealand and North America.

Most recently, he has established

Cynthia Ogbonna, Cardiff Bus MD resolve needed for this position.

She has the backing from the staff within the company and I look forward to seeing how Cardiff Bus reacts to this in the coming months” Cynthia said: “I’m passionate about Cardiff Bus, its employees and the role it plays in the daily lives of customers and citizens of this city. I am very proud to lead such a great organisation. My vision is to create an efficient and valuefor-money bus operation which will rival the best in the UK.”

the Group’s leading position in smart ticketing in the UK. Stagecoach has also confirmed the appointment of Stephanie Rivet as Head of Commercial. Reporting to Alistair Smith, she will support the Group’s commercial development across its different divisions in the UK and North America.

Stephanie (37) joins Stagecoach from Virgin Rail Group (VRG) where she has been Director of Revenue Management. She joined VRG in 1999 and helped double the number of passengers using Virgin Trains. Stephanie has taken a leading role in several rail industry advances, such as fares simplification, the development of yield management solutions and new ticketing, such as print at home and mobile. Over the last two years, Stephanie has played a key part in VRG’s West Coast franchise bid.

SERVICE DELIVERY DIRECTOR

TGM Group is part of Arriva’s UK Bus Division and operates a diverse portfolio of bus, coach, airport and aviation services across the UK, with the majority of these being based in the south east.

In strengthening our senior management team an opportunity has been created for a qualified and experienced engineer to join the team based at Heathrow. The new role will cover operational and engineering aspects of the business, with the successful candidate having full accountability for engineering performance and maintenance of a fleet of 470 vehicles, while also overseeing the performance of some 1000 staff who deliver our operations across our 9 UK sites.

Applicants will need to demonstrate a proven track record of managing multi-site operations and must demonstrate a progressive career in successfully initiating change to maximize business efficiency and profitability.

Other key responsibilities include:• Leading depot teams to deliver continual improvement in operational KPI’s • Managing engineering processes and standards in vehicle maintenance • Compiling and delivering budgets and forecasts • Developing commercial engineering and service opportunities Reporting to the Managing Director, the successful applicant will be highly organised and task orientated, whilst being able to lead, develop and motivate their people. They will work closely with our operations, commercial and financial teams to achieve key performance objectives whilst delivering improvements in service quality, efficiency, customer satisfaction and profitability.

Interested applicants should apply in writing with a CV and covering letter, to include their salary expectations, to: Ms Sim Gupta – Group HR Manager, Building 16300 Electra Ave, London Heathrow Airport, Hounslow, Middx, TW6 2DN. Email applications to sim.gupta@tgmgroup.co.uk Closing Date for Applications is 30 November 2012.

www.coachandbusweek.com

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RECRUITMENT

Three new Bus Compliance Officers for Wales Bus Users UK has announced the employment of three full-time Bus Compliance Officers (BCOs) for Wales. The roles will cover monitoring bus services and reporting on performance.

Michael Anderson will cover Bridgend, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire, Swansea and Powys; Nesta Jones will cover Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey, Wrexham and north Powys; and Sian Thomas will cover Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Newport, RhonddaCynon Taff, Torfaen, Vale of Glamorgan and south Powys.

Although the BCOs are employed

by Bus Users UK in Wales, their posts are supported financially by the Welsh Government to help Bus Users UK represent the interests

of passengers and to work more effectively with operators, local authorities and others to improve bus services and facilities.

Carl Sargeant, the Welsh Government’s Minister for Local Government and Communities, said: “I am pleased to be supporting the effective scrutiny of public funding in support of bus services throughout Wales.

“All three BCOs bring a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to their roles, along with a keenness to work with bus operators and local authorities in an effective partnership.”

Margaret Everson, Senior Officer for Wales, said: “I welcome the appointment of the BCOs which will add considerable weight to our team’s capabilities in improving the bus passenger’s experience of public transport in Wales.”

DEADlINES Booking: Monday 5.00pm Full artwork: Monday 5.00pm

CONTACT Ian Gillis 01733 293484

It is envisaged the BCOs will monitor local bus and Traws Cymru services, working with local authorities to help ensure those services comply with the details operators have registered with the Traffic Commissioners.

The aim is not to catch out operators, but to help them identify where services could be improved.

The Confederation of Passenger Transport in Wales - representing bus operators - welcomes the Welsh Government support for this compliance activity - as do the local authorities and the Public Transport Users’ Committee.

Duties will include recording the timeliness of bus services at timing points; identifying if bus stops are fully accessible and have up-to-date information; travelling on buses to monitor the quality of driving and whether the route taken complies with the service registration; monitoring and auditing concessionary bus journeys; monitoring and auditing funding support for the bus

industry; promoting best practice in handling and investigation of complaints and providing a more joined up approach to representing the interests of bus passengers generally.

Commenting on the appointments, Traffic Commissioner Nick Jones said: “Advising and educating bus operators is essential to encourage an effective and efficient bus network. But it is also important to monitor how bus services are performing and, where necessary, to identify those cases where Traffic Commissioners are required to use their powers to address failings, for example in safety or reliability or punctuality.

“I am delighted Wales is to benefit from three BCOs who will play key roles in improving services for passengers.”

The three BCOs will be based in their area of work but the Welsh Government has ensured there is an office facility available for them to use in Brunel House in Cardiff.

ian.gillis@coachandbusweek.com

Staff Manager

Driving Standards Manager

Based in Beddington (Croydon) Attractive Salary and Benefits package

Based in Twickenham Attractive Salary and Benefits package

We are currently advertising a vacancy for a Staff Manager for our Beddington depot.

We are currently advertising a vacancy for a Driving Standards Manager for Twickenham depot. The successful applicant will assist the Operations Manager and depot to be responsible for all matters related to driving standards and their effective and efficient management and control to meet TfL and company requirements.

The successful applicant will assist the Operations Manager and depot to be responsible for all matters related to staff and their effective and efficient management and control to meet TfL and company requirements, ensuring staff quality at its highest standards.

You will maintain Company Standards by means of training, disciplinary and other procedures, ensuring that the Company rules are adhered to by drivers and other staff.

You will investigate all accidents and incidents involving the Company’s vehicles and take appropriate action with staff and where necessary liaise with the Intervention Team as appropriate.

You will work with colleagues in achieving the annual driver costs budget and associated action plans and monitor and manage staff sickness and attendance.

You will ensure all accidents e.g. road or personal injuries and employer liability are recorded and investigated. You will investigate and make sure Customer Complaints are internally being responded to in a timely manner as appropriate.

Further details of the role are included in the role profile / job description which can be obtained by email from Karen.morrison@abellio.co.uk.

Further details of the role are included in the role profile / job description which can be obtained by email from Karen.morrison@abellio.co.uk.

Applications by way of a C.V. and covering letter clearly detailing your experience, knowledge and suitability for the role are to be forwarded by email to Karen.morrison@abellio.co.uk or post to:

Applications by way of a C.V. and covering letter clearly detailing your experience, knowledge and suitability for the role are to be forwarded by email to Karen.morrison@abellio.co.uk or post to:

Karen Morrison HR Co Ordinator, Silverthorne Road, Battersea, London, SW8 3HE

Karen Morrison HR Co Ordinator, Silverthorne Road, Battersea, London, SW8 3HE

Closing date for applications:

Closing date for applications:

Wednesday 28th November 2012 Abellio is an equal opportunities employer

www.abellio.co.uk

Join the team where your skills and experience will be respected.

Wednesday 28th November 2012 Abellio is an equal opportunities employer

www.abellio.co.uk

Join the team where your skills and experience will be respected.

www.coachandbusweek.com

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“Advertise all your recruitment vacancies the affordable way; book a series of three adverts; buy one week, get the second week half price and have a third week on us… yes, that’s free! Your vacancy will be seen in the print and digital editions, and online at www.coachandbusweek.com/jobs.

This amazing offer is extended to the end of the year, 2012, so don’t delay, contact me, Ian Gillis, on 01733 293 484, or via email: ian.gillis@coachandbusweek.com”

RECRUITNOW

WITH

Managing Director Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company

Brighton & Hove Buses is at the heart of the local community.The company operates a modern bus fleet and provides the local service for customers in the city of Brighton and Hove and the surrounding area. Its fleet of 281 buses and coaches delivers well over 47 million passenger journeys a year through the efforts of 1,175 employees.

This is a unique and fantastic opportunity for an experienced, high quality candidate to build upon a strong legacy and who has the ability to inspire an award-winning team to even higher levels of innovation, quality and partnership working.

The Managing Director of Brighton & Hove will report directly to the Go-Ahead Group Chief Executive.

Responsibilities will include all commercial, financial and operation matters relating to the successful running of the bus company. Candidates will possess the energy and passion to deliver excellent customer service through a strategy of effective marketing and high operational standards. Go-Ahead operates a devolved management structure and the successful candidate will have significant autonomy in order to innovate and grow the business.

The role is based at the company’s headquarters in Hove.

To apply, please e-mail your CV and a covering letter to Val Proctor, Group HR Director at Go-Ahead. e-mail: val.proctor@go-ahead.com Closing date 23rd November 2012 buses.co.uk go-ahead.com

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