driving towards a greener future Asho eyland takes...
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driving towards a greener future L IVE 08 December 2017
Transcript of driving towards a greener future Asho eyland takes...
Ashok Leyland takes Optare stake to 98%
driving towards a greener future
live08 December 2017
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3December 2017
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Another momentous year is coming to a close. We now have a Bus services Act in place and a new tranche of directly-elected metropolitan mayors which could together have a significant impact on the shape of the bus industry outside London over the next few years.
nothing is certain yet, however, including how committed some of the directly-elected mayors are when it comes to flexing their newly-won regulatory powers.
What is becoming clearer is that some of the big challenges ahead for bus operators may have nothing to do with the sector’s own regulation; competition from other modes could be the real game-changer.
In this issue there are some brief highlights of a very comprehensive assessment of the taxi and Private hire Vehicle market conducted by the urban transport Group which contains some scary numbers. since 2015, there has been a 45 per cent growth in licensed PhVs in the West midlands, and a 78 per cent increase in London since 2013/14. the utG report estimates that on average there is now one PhV for every 100 peo-ple in London.
that level of concentration of taxi/PhVs and the emergence of the transportation network Companies such as uber and Lyft (although the latter has yet to land in the uK) changes the game entirely.
Bus operators cannot simply carry on regardless; we are in, or at least entering a new era. the pace of growth of the tech-led PhV market has enormous implications, and potentially a number of significant advan-tages when it comes to competing with buses, including the ability to achieve very high levels of vehicle utilisation and a rapid transition to driverless vehicles which are powered by electric drivetrains.
the utG report doesn’t suggest it has all the answers, but it does at least start to ask all the right questions. some of it might make uncom-fortable reading, but it is definitely worthwhile and if you have a moment or two over the coming weeks, I’d highly recommend it.
Getting ready for tech-led competitors
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4 December 2017
contents
06-13 newsAshok Leyland increases stake in Optare by converting loans to equity.
06-13 newsManchester hails new training and employment initiative for jobseekers.
06-13 newsLucketts Group expands with acquisition of Solent Coaches.
14-17 internationalMercedes-Benz plans launch of electric Citaro at next year’s Hanover show.
14-17 internationalAustralian order for eight Volvo hybrids.
18-21 peopleSteve Whiteway takes on ambassador role for Optare electric buses.
22-25 diaryBus Butlers get into spirit for Lancashire Day.
26-30 productAmminex wins Air Quality Award for its ASDS technology.
31-35 ticketingNew technologies driving the ticketing scene.
36-41 who buys whatLongstanding Volvo customer DJ Thomas Coaches takes two 9700 integrals.
36-41 who buys whatFirst Mercedes-Benz delivered to Thandi Coaches.
44-47 tourismJohnsons welcomes customers to Blenheim Palace as part of brochure launch event.
December 2017 5
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news
December 20176
Ashok Leyland takes stake in Optare to 98.31 per centHinduja Group company ashok Leyland has increased its stake in its uK subsidiary Optare plc by 23.20 per cent to 98.31 per cent by converting existing loans into equity.
“Optare is well known for its innovative bus designs and this is a reaffirmation of our group’s continuing commitment to mak-ing Optare a premier bus player in the uK,” says Vinod dasari, man-aging director, ashok Leyland. “in response to anticipated needs in the uK and overseas, Optare will
be investing extensively in the next generation of all-electric buses, utilising higher density batteries and delivering much improved range.
“These are expected to be posi-tioned by early 2018.”
john Fickling, Optare chair-man, adds: “The move secures the financial stability of the company towards long-term growth.”
Optare president, Graham Belgum says the future is positive for the uK based operation next year in spite of challenges in the
Metrodecker EV continues trials.
uK market. “The Metrodecker EV completed trials successfully with First York and First West York-shire recently, the first trials of a new fully electric double deck bus outside London,” says Belgum.
“We are also seeing significant developments in export with orders being secured in australia and new Zealand, including a major contract for 114 Metrocity buses for a major operator in new Zealand and several tenders under consideration in the Middle East.”
www.optare.com
news
7December 2017
Manchester scheme offers jobseekers route into training and employmentTransporT for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and First Manchester are launching a new sector Based Work academy, which offers par-ticipants a job interview, pre-employment training, license acquisition, work experi-ence and a guaranteed job on successful completion of the training as a bus driver in one of First Manchester’s four depots.
The Train, Learn, Drive and Earn (TLDE) scheme has been enhanced to a sBWa deliv-ery model, and has already helped 99 participants to secure employment since its 2003 launch. The scheme works with specific opera-
Andrew Fender, chair of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee.
tors, such as First Manches-ter, to better align jobseeker training to their organisational needs.
Under the training scheme participants will be able to get support with free travel to and from the training and the course will not affect their ability to claim any current benefits.
an open day was held on 20 november with training getting underway a week later.
“By working with specific operators such as First Man-chester, we are able to ensure that jobseekers are trained to a high standard, making them available for immediate employment,” says andrew Fender, chair of the Trans-
port for Greater Manchester Committee. “The roles are not just about driving, but often require extra skills like customer service and being aware of other road users like cyclists.
“The Train, Learn, Drive and Earn scheme already has an excellent track record of helping people back into employment and I look for-ward to hearing more stories of how it has changed peo-ple’s lives for the better.”
paul Townley, operations manager, First Manchester, adds: “Having joined the business over seven years ago, as a bus driver, I know first-hand how great this job can be for people looking for a new challenge. You’re very much your own boss, as once you’re in the driving seat, you’re in charge of your day.
“There’s also great devel-opment opportunities avail-able – as after 18 months of working as a driver, I was promoted to a supervisor position and following that moved onto a staff manager, service performance man-ager, through to today where I’m the operations manager.”
TLDE has been running since 2013 and is led by TfGM, with support from Jobcentre plus. It is currently funded by the Department for Transport’s Local sus-tainable Transport Fund.
www.tfgm.com
news
December 20178
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Lucketts Group acquires Solent Coaches as part of strategic expansionHaMpsHir E-BasEd Luck-etts Group is expanding with the acquisition of solent Coaches as part of long-term growth plans. Lucketts managing director Tony Lawman reports that the acquisi-tion of the ringwood-based solent operation adds 12 coaches to Luck-etts’ f leet of around 130 vehicles and provides a new strategic base for the company on the edge of the new Forest.
“at the start of the year we announced our intention to expand
geographically and solent Coaches fits into this plan perfectly,” says Lawman. “The company is fam-ily-owned like Lucketts, and its offering of coach hire, days out and school travel reflects our core business.”
as part of the acquisition, all 19 staff of solent Coaches will be taken on by Lucketts and Lawman advises that the company plans to grow the ringwood-based operation.
“it is very much business as
usual,” he adds. “The solent Coaches name will be retained and all booking and contracts will carry on as normal. But if extra coaches are needed we can call upon our extensive fleet.”
a sister engineering company will remain in the ownership of the skew family which set up solent Coaches and will con-tinue to be responsible for the maintenance of the ringwood-based fleet.
john skew adds: “Our coach business has given us much pleas-ure over the years. now, having taken it as far as we can, we feel it’s the right time to pass it on to a company that can grow it and take it to the next level whilst we concentrate on our engineering business. We’re so pleased that solent Coaches will be owned by another family business, which shares our visions and values for quality travel and looking after its staff.”
Lucketts currently employs more than 300 people and owns two other brands – Coliseum Coaches in southampton and Worthing Coaches – and also runs more than 100 journeys each day for national Express.
www.lucketts.co.ukLucketts takes over Solent Coaches operation.
news
9December 2017
Go North East wins planning approval for new Consett depotGo north East is relocat-ing its stanley depot after nearly 100 years in the town, to a new facility in Consett. The company has received planning approval from Dur-ham county council to build a new depot on Hownsgill Industrial Estate in Consett. The purpose-built 11,585 sq ft depot, designed by Go-ahead Group’s property team in conjunction with Gateshead-based architects shadbolt Group, will include a lean engineering facility to streamline processes and make vehicle maintenance more efficient, a full-recy-cling vehicle wash and spill-free refuelling system.
The current stanley depot, which sits on the site of a former ice-rink, is in major need of refurbishment. The move by Go north East is part of an investment programme, which in the past year has included £10million on vehicles.
scheduled to be completed in February 2019, £3.5million will be spent on building and fitting out the new depot which is on a 2.23-acre site.
“after nearly a century in stanley this planning approval marks a momentous occa-sion in Go north East’s history and we are excited to start breaking ground on the site in Consett,” says Kevin Carr, managing director, Go north
Kevin Carr, managing director, Go North East.
East. “We want all our team members to be proud to be part of Go north East and this depot will certainly give them something to be proud of.”
www.gonortheast.co.uk
New buses for X2 and Gold routessTaGECoaCH Merseyside, Cheshire, and south Lanca-shire has upgraded its fleet with an investment of more than £4million in 18 new buses.
The company operates over 400 buses across its three regions and is taking
its first buses which feature e-leather seats, tables, and LED reading lights on the X2 route from preston to Liver-pool via southport.
The investment will also see seven new Gold buses arriving on the 471 and 472 routes from Heswall to Liverpool. These buses feature hand-stitched Italian-designed leather seats, Euro 6 engines complete with stop-start technology, free wi-fi; and a new interior design which includes noise-reducing moquette fabric.
“stagecoach is committed to continually investing in our fleet – ensuring we deliver sus-tainable, comfortable, high-specification vehicles to our customers; providing them with a first-class experience,”
says rob Jones, managing director, stagecoach Mer-seyside and south Lanca-shire. “The new buses being introduced on the X2 route are a first for the business and we’re delighted to be launching them.
“The new features will also enable people to use their time on the bus more productively, should they choose to do so. We have installed LED reading lights and seat tables as well as free on-board wi-fi so pas-sengers can go online and connect with friends during the journey.
“We are also delighted to be increasing the number of Gold buses on our routes.”
www.stagecoachbus.com
Rob Jones, managing director, Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire.
news
December 201710
industry dataMarket pricesOperator Price High Low
FirstGroup 108 154 97
Go-Ahead 1590 2344 1442
National Exp. 368 383 332
Rotala 55 67 43
Stagecoach 176 227 151Closing prices on 05/12/17 plus 12 months high and low.
UK diesel price update pence per litreNorthern Ireland 121.1
Scotland 122.7Wales 122.4
North 122.2
North West 122.4
Yorks & Humbs 122.3
West Midlands 122.1
East Midlands 122.5
East Anglia 123.0
South East 123.2
South West 122.8Average weekly fuel prices for the UK by region, November 2017. Source: AA
European diesel price update pence per litre equivalentAustria 103
Belgium 115
Czech Rep 102Denmark 109
Estonia 109Finland 119
France 113
Germany 103
Greece 115
Netherlands 115
Hungary 103
Ireland 112
Italy 126
Luxembourg 93
Malta 105
Norway 138
Poland 96
Portugal 114
Spain 101
Sweden 126
Switzerland 123European diesel pump price sample November 2017 Source: AA
Reading Buses to take over Green Line 702
rEadinG Buses is expanding in the Thames Valley region with the operation of the Green Line 702 Bracknell, Windsor and London service. The move fol-lows the announcement by First that it is withdrawing from the route after the end of service on 23 december.
reading Buses will replace the service which covers Bracknell, ascot, Windsor, slough, Lang-ley and London Victoria from 27 december and will also be co-or-dinating a special service to run on Christmas Eve.
reading Buses says the route will operate as it does today, although London-bound jour-neys will run five minutes earlier than they do currently in order to provide better on-time arrival and turn-round time in London.
a new link from reading will be provided on early morning and evening journeys offering new weekday commuter services for customers in the reading area, serving stops from Blagrave street through to Cemetery junc-tion. at weekends these journeys will also offer leisure journey opportunities to Legoland, Windsor and London.
“We are really excited to be tak-ing over the long standing Berk-shire Green Line service which is part of a network that has been in operation since the 1930’s,” says Martijn Gilbert, chief exec-utive officer, reading Buses. “The Bracknell and Windsor to London route, together with our morning and evening exten-sions to and from reading, is a really good fit with our growing focus on the wider Thames Val-ley region as well as the reading travel-to-work area.
“The route offers a conven-ient link for London and slough bound commuters and visitors and workers in historic Windsor, including Legoland, as well as to Bracknell with its recently opened Lexicon shopping centre.”
reading Buses has confirmed that it is in dialogue with First to continue accepting all current season tickets until their expiry, and it will also accept contactless bankcards for on-board payment and a new app with live vehicle tracking and mobile tickets will also be introduced. it will also evaluate replacement vehicle options in the new year.
www.reading-buses.co.uk
Reading to take over route after First withdraws.
news
11December 2017
Airlink welcomes its one millionth passenger on Edinburgh Airport routeaIrLInK 100, operated by Lothian, has welcomed its one-mill ionth Edinburgh airport boarder for 2017. Lothian carries around 3,000 customers a day from the air-port into the city. With a team of 60 drivers and a fleet of 15 specially-designed vehicles, the route covers 20,000 miles per week.
“over the last few years, we have invested significantly in airlink 100, including a fleet of new low emission vehi-cles for the route and the latest contactless payment technology,” says nigel ser-afini, Commercial Director of Lothian. “We are delighted to hit this milestone in our opera-tion for 2017 and look forward
to continuing to provide a first class service for residents and visitors to our city.”
Gordon robertson, director of communi-cations at Edinburgh airport, adds: “We’ve worked closely with Lothian to provide reli-able and efficient bus services that make it as easy as possible to get to or from scotland’s busiest airport. recent invest-ment also means passengers are benefitting from things like live updates on their flights and contactless payment and these fantastic usage figures demon-strate the continued success of this route.”
Celebrating one millionth passenger.
airlink 100 provides Edin-burgh airport with a 24/7 operation and has 175,000 seats available per week; the equivalent to 333 jumbo jets.
www.lothianbuses.co.uk/airport
TransporT for London has awarded a £500,000 fund to six bus operators to develop new ideas that will improve safety across Lon-don’s bus network. The suc-cessful bids from the TfL Bus safety Innovation Fund were announced at the recent London Bus safety sum-mit which brought together industry professionals focus-ing on safety culture as part of TfL’s work to reduce the number of people seriously injured or killed on London’s bus network.
abellio, CT plus, Go-ahead, raTp, Tower Transit
TfL Bus Safety Innovation Fund supports trials across the bus network
and Metroline have all been awarded funding for their ideas for safety devices and to improve workplace behaviour. The initiatives include alarms to alert nearby pedestrians to approaching buses, sensors, acceleration limiters, psy-chometric testing and a joint project with London Cycling Campaign to introduce road user champions in depots.
The money will now be used to develop the winning ideas further. all the projects will run on a trial basis on selected routes starting from next year. If the trials are successful they will be considered for intro-
duction across the wider bus network following consulta-tion with unions and staff.
“We’re commit ted to improving safety on Lon-don’s roads and are working hard to improve the bus net-work,” says Val shawcross, deputy mayor for transport.
Leon Daniels, TfL manag-ing director of surface trans-port, adds: “Making the bus network safer and reducing road danger are key priori-ties for us and the mayor. We are pleased to have had so many innovative bids from our bus operators.”
www.tfl.gov.uk
news
December 201712
Park’s of Hamilton confirms record order for VolvosCOTLand’s largest independent coach operator, park’s of Hamil-ton, has placed a record order with Volvo Bus for 39 new vehicles, the largest in the company’s history.
The order is comprised of ten B11r jonckheeres, two of which will be used for corporate and football team work. in addition are ten B11r plaxton Elites, two B8r plaxton Leopard 70 seaters, and 17 B11r 6 x 2 specification vehicles, which are destined for national Express. all are set for delivery in the first half in 2018.
“This is a particularly excit-
ing order for us, from one of our longest standing customers, but it also marks the largest ever order we have received from a single operator in one go,” says james Hyde, retail sales director, Volvo Bus uK & ireland.
The livery for the new vehicles being supplied by Volvo to Park’s of Hamilton.
Michael andrews, director, park’s of Hamilton, adds: “We felt that Volvo offered the best range of chassis and bodywork combina-tions that would provide us with the flexibility we need.”
www.volvobuses.com
a new report from the urban Transport Group, ‘Taxi! issues and options for city region taxi and pri-vate hire vehicle policy’, has iden-tified the implications for cities of ongoing transformational change and growth in the taxi and pHV sector. The report also calls for a new approach to taxi and pHV policy to ensure a good service for users while also making sure the sector contributes to wider public policy goals around public safety, congestion reduction, economic inclusion and air quality.
The report establishes the scale of change and growth in taxi and pHV operations in urban areas including a 45 per cent growth in licensed pHV vehicles in the last two years alone in the West Mid-lands; and the fact that there is now one pHV for every 100 people in London; with the total number of pHVs in England increased by 70 per cent since 2005.
The report sets out the key ways
New report calls for strategic policy response to taxi and PHV growth
in which the taxi and pHV can contribute to, or hinder, wider public policy goals.
The report also considers the impact of taxi and pHV growth on the future viability of the bus, in the light of the data that shows bus services have been in long term decline outside London, and short term decline in London.
“Taxis and pHVs provide con-sumer choice and a means of getting from a to B when public transport isn’t available,” says dr
Clare Linton, author of the report and researcher at the urban Trans-port Group. “They are also a major source of employment. However, as the sector changes and grows the implications for a host of issues, including air quality, pub-lic safety and congestion, means that we need a far a more strate-gic approach at both national and local level.”
jonathan Bray, director, urban Transport Group, adds: “The cur-rent legal framework for the pHV and taxi sector is still based on an era when taxis were pulled by horses rather than summoned by apps. This can no longer be sustained.
“instead we need a new frame-work which will give transport authorities the ability to ensure a good and enforceable standard of service for users as well as a better deal for taxi drivers and operators who play by the rules.”
www.urbantransportgroup.org
Jonathan Bray, Urban Transport Group.
news
13December 2017
New officers provide transport securityGrEaTEr Manchester’s trans-port networks have been boosted with the addition of ten new police Community support Officers. The officers started last month and join the region’s Travelsafe part-nership, a multi-agency approach set up to tackle and reduce crime and antisocial behaviour on the region’s bus and tram networks.
The new officers will provide an increased staff presence on the net-works, particularly in the evening and at weekends.
The move brings the total of new pCsOs that have joined the Tsp unit since the summer to 30, with a further 20 set to join over the coming months.
in the summer, Metrolink operator Keolisamey Metrolink introduced 900 hours per week of additional security support onto the tram network when they took over the running of the uK’s larg-est light rail system.
“We promised to prioritise a greater staffing presence on the transport networks, particularly
in the evenings and on weekends, and the addition of these extra officers will complement the excel-lent work already being under-taken to keep the networks as safe as possible,” says deputy mayor for policing and crime Beverley Hughes. “The continuing expan-sion of the team should send out two clear messages; that anybody using Greater Manchester’s trans-port network should feel safe and
secure and that antisocial behav-iour will never be tolerated.”
a recent two-week crime crack-down included covert and overt patrols and operations and resulted in 56 arrests, 494 fines, 11 missing people being located, use of spe-cialist police units to deter crime and asB and recovery of outstand-ing fines from people previously caught travelling without a ticket.
www.tfgm.com
TfGM TravelSafe Partnership manager John Fryer; Aline Frantzen, managing director, KeolisAmey Metrolink; and deputy mayor for policing and crime Beverley Hughes with the ten new Travelsafe Partnership PCSOs.
New buses for Fife JET747 servicesTaGECOaCH East scotland has introduced six new buses to operate on the Fife to Edinburgh airport service. all six of the new vehicles will operate on the jET747 route, which links the east of scot-land with Edinburgh airport.
The jET747 route stops at Hal-beath park-and-ride, inverkeithing
rail station and Ferrytoll park-and-ride, en route to scotland’s busiest airport.
stagecoach increased the jour-ney frequency on the route in april this year, allowing customers to travel to Edinburgh airport up to every 20 minutes from Fife, to cater for increased demand for the route. The company has invested £1million in the six new alexander dennis, E200s which include more seats and more luggage space fol-lowing customer feedback.
“i’m delighted to welcome these six new buses into our East scot-land f leet, especially on our ever busy Edinburgh airport route,” says paul Thomas, managing director, stagecoach East scotland.
“These buses allow customers easy, hassle-free transport to Edinburgh airport, leaving the car behind they set off on their holidays, with passengers dropped off right out-side the terminal building.”
The new buses include leather seats, usB power sockets, air-conditioning, free wi-fi access, a large luggage hold and extra spac-ing between seating rows to allow smaller bags and cases to be placed in front of the passenger’s seat.
journeys from Fife to Edinburgh airport run 24 hours a day, with both Halbeath park-and-ride and Ferrytoll park-and-ride remaining staffed until midnight, but open to cars 24/7.
www.stagecoachbus.comNew JET747 buses
international Bus and coach news from around the world
14 December 2017
Norway’s all-in-one travel appFARA, in cooperation with Dat-aGrafikk, has developed a new travel app that combines route planning, real-time information and ticketing for Møre og Roms-dal in Norway.
“The new app makes it easier and more convenient for trav-ellers in Møre og Romsdal to choose public transport,” says Ørjan Kirkefjord, FARA man-aging director. “You can easily find the best route, buy tickets and receive real-time informa-tion with just a few clicks.”
Since its launch in July, the app has been downloaded more than 20,000 times. Møre og Romsdal is the first county in Norway that combines travel planning, real-time information and tick-eting in a single solution.
“The traveller gets infor-mation about the entire trip, including travel time and trans-fers between different modes of transport”, adds Toril Karlsnes Viken, ICT development and strategy, Department of Trans-port, Møre og Romsdal county.
The new app integrates FARA’s ticketing solution with Data-Grafikk’s existing travel planner, and Hogia has provided real-time information from PubTrans.
“With Hogia PubTrans, infor-mation is updated in one place for all platforms: travel planner, Internet, signs, bus stops and so on. This ensures effective han-dling and reduces the risk of errors, making it easier for trav-ellers to plan their journey”, says Mats Johansson, managing direc-tor, Hogia Communications.
The app is available on both AppStore and Google Play.www.fara.no
Norway
Australian order for eight Volvo hybrids Australia
VolVo Buses has received an order for eight hybrids for Aus-tralia, the largest order of its type to date in the country. latrobe Valley Bus lines in southeast Aus-tralia has ordered eight single-deck Euro 6 hybrid chassis from Volvo.
Based east of Melbourne, latrobe’s order follows a 12-month trial of a Volvo hybrid. The new buses will be bodied locally in Melbourne by Volgren, and will be delivered over the next three years, with the first three going into serv-ice in 2018.
The hybrid buses feature low-floor layouts to improve passenger access and safety, and will operate around the latrobe Valley. They will join existing Volvo Euro 6 diesel buses in the fleet.
“Volvo’s hybrid buses are part of our ongoing approach to sustain-able transport solutions and we
are proud to be working on this project with latrobe Valley Bus lines,” says David Mead, act-ing general manager, Volvo Bus Australia. “It’s great to see Public Transport Victoria and latrobe Valley taking the first step on the longer journey towards fully electric buses in the years to come.
“Whilst we have seen the technology run now in Perth, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide and Wollongong, this is the first time we have the government, an operator and our partners aligned to move forward on a project.”
Volvo Buses has sold more than 3,500 hybrids worldwide with the biggest markets being the UK, Colombia, Spain and Sweden.www.volvobuses.com
Volvo7900 Hybrid.
Bus and coach news from around the world international
15December 2017
Hungary
Masabi in Australia’s first mobile ticketing trial
Australia
MoBIlE ticketing specia l-ist Masabi is operating a two-month trial in South Australia with the Department of Plan-ning, Transport and Infra-structure to test the feasibility of smartphone-based payments on South Australia’s public transport network.
Masabi’s Justride is being tested by 50 DPTI employees on Adelaide city trams and South-link operated Hills and outer South Express bus services. In addition, Mastercard is provid-ing gateway services to facilitate test payments linked to Com-monwealth Bank of Australia.
As part of the trial Masabi has deployed 15 VAl 100 on-board ticket validation units in partnership with Access-IS, that
allow passengers to scan mobile tickets and provide DPTI with real-time usage data.
Masabi’s Justride is a cloud-based, mobile ticketing and fare collection platform which ena-bles ticket purchase, display and inspection together with back-end infrastructure for secure payments, ticket management, customer service, reporting and real-time analytics.
“More and more cities around the world are adopting our mobile ticketing technology, making journeys easier for passengers while also saving money and increasing efficiency for transport authorities,” says Brian Zanghi, CEo, Masabi. “Following on from successful deployments in cities such as New York, Boston,
los Angeles and london we are delighted to be demonstrating our technology in a major Aus-tralian city.”
“Adelaide recognises the glo-bal movement to create more responsive and more inclusive cities” said Mike Rowe, vice president, Mastercard Aus-tralia. “It’s very fitting that mobile ticketing is being tested here first.
“Whether residents or visi-tors – people are digitally con-nected, and smart city solutions get them on their way faster and easier.”
Masabi has offices in lon-don, New York and Boston and investors include Mastercard and Keolis.www.masabi.com
Allison passes half million mark for 4000 SeriesAllISoN Transmission com-pleted the production of its 500,000th fully-automatic 4000 Series transmission last month. The transmission series is used in applications including refuse, construction, fire and emer-gency, distribution, coach and transit bus, and motorhomes.
Allison began producing the 4000 Series transmission at its Indianapolis headquarters in 1993. To accommodate demand outside of North America, the company also began building the transmission at its facility in Szentgotthárd, Hungary in 2005.
Allison fully automatic trans-missions use Continuous Power
Technology which is designed to smoothly multiply engine torque and deliver more power.
Allison claims that its transmis-sions are highly regarded for over-all economic value, demonstrated
by residual values for Allison-equipped vehicles, compared to vehicles equipped with a man-ual, AMT or dual-clutch trans-mission. www.allisontransmission.com
international Bus and coach news from around the world
16 December 2017
USA
FlixBus plans US expansion.
FlixBus sets up Los Angeles team to plot US start-up
FlIxBUS, Europe’s fast-grow-ing coach network is planning to enter the US market. The company currently provides long-distance bus services in Europe covering 26 countries, and the US move would be its first expansion outside Europe.
“There is a huge change in the US-American mobility market – and we want to be part of it,” says André Schwämmlein, Flix-Bus founder and CEo. “our
technology and data-driven busi-ness model perfectly fits the mar-ket’s needs.”
An initial FlixBus team is pre-paring potential market entry from a base in los Angeles.
FlixBus was launched in 2013 in Germany following the liber-alisation of the national coach market.
Schwämmlein adds: “We are cooperating with regional SME bus companies that are respon-
sible for the daily operation of the bus f leet, while we develop the network, the technological platform and keep the relation-ship with the customers. our partnership model perfectly matches the American business culture as two entrepreneurial partners build a new business together. Many SME bus com-panies already show great inter-est in our idea.” www.flixbus.com
Bus and coach news from around the world international
17December 2017
Belgium
Countdown to zero emission buses for Mercedes-Benz Citaro
Germany
ToWARDS the end of next year, Mercedes-Benz promises the start of series production of its full-electric city bus based on best-selling Citaro.
“our city bus produces zero local emissions and is ultra-quiet through town”, says Hartmut Schick, head of Daimler Buses.
“The engineers are currently undertaking thorough testing of prototypes of the new bus under the toughest of conditions. As the technical concept, which involves a modular system for the power supply as well as opti-mised thermal management, makes clear: the Citaro with battery-electric drive will set a new milestone.”
Mercedes-Benz celebrated production of its 50,000th Citaro recently, and has also announced a Citaro hybrid and the full-electric versions.
As well as the possibility of charging it from a power socket at the depot, Mercedes-Benz can also supply the Citaro with additional optional recharging
solutions. The vehicle is powered by electric wheel hub motors at the rear axle, a system already used in the Citaro G BlueTec Hybrid.
one of the key features of the Citaro full-electric will be thermal management of the drive and cli-mate control systems, according to Mercedes-Benz. The thermal management is designed to reduce
energy consumption signifi-cantly and extends the range of the bus without enhancing the size of battery.
The electric Citaro will cel-ebrate its world premiere in September 2018 at the IAA Commercial Vehicles show in Hanover.www.daimler.com
Citaro electric to launch at IAA Hanover show in 2018.
THE Green-Zones App has been enhanced with new fea-tures, including overview maps and a free address search tool on Android and ioS. The app informs users about European environmental zones as well as the current entry rights and restrictions. The zones are now displayed on overview maps, and can also be seen at greater detail.
The apps developers point out that many Belgian cities have
Additional features for Green-Zones Appdecided to introduce environmen-tal zones, but have not been able to agree consistent entry regulations. For this reason, a variety of regula-tions appeared concerning vehicle types and periods of time when entering the environmental zones is allowed, which have been sum-marised in the Green-Zones app.
There are also new temporary zones in France which will be col-oured according to their status: orange in case of warnings, red in
case of urgent driving bans, to make it easier for users to rec-ognise. Also, in the near future, there will be the ability to receive alarms directly on a smartphone to warn of temporary driving bans.
The new search function provides a range of functions including identifying if a hotel is located within an environ-mental zone.www.green-zones.eu
people For all the latest vacancies visit – www.busandcoach.com
18 December 2017
Steve Whiteway.
Whiteway becomes Optare electric ambassadorSteve Whiteway, former manag-ing director of epsom Coaches, has taken on a new role as Optare ambassador to promote its electric bus technologies in London.
“We are delighted to welcome Steve on board; his extensive operating experience in the Lon-don area is highly valued and respected and will be invaluable in supporting Optare in its work with operators to implement more sus-tainable electric bus routes in and around the capital,” says Graham Belgum, Optare president.
Whiteway adds: “I am delighted to be working with Optare at what is an exciting time for both the manufacturer and the industry, making sustainable changes in bus travel to improve air qual-ity. Part of the worldwide Hin-duja group, Optare are investing extensively in the next generation of electric buses, with vehicles utilising higher density batteries currently in build. this combined with Optare’s advanced integral lightweight construction, is the perfect formula, delivering much improved range and reduced power consumption in a product developed and built entirely in the UK”.
the Metrodecker ev, Optare’s
electric double-deck bus, com-pleted trials with First York and First West Yorkshire recently and is set to start trials with Go-Ahead London before the end of the year.www.optare.com
Two commercial directors appointed at FirstFIrSt Bus has appointed two new commercial directors for its West Yorkshire and West of eng-land businesses. Martin Hirst and rob Pymm have joined First West Yorkshire and First West of eng-land, respectively, last month. Both directors have more than 20 years’ experience in commercial roles, with Hirst joining from Boots, and rob joining from DHL express.
Giles Fearnley, managing direc-tor, First Bus, says: “I am really delighted to welcome both Martin and rob on board and I know they
will be bringing new ideas and a fresh way of thinking as we trans-form our businesses, continuously improving our customer offer-ing and place our services at the very heart of the communities we serve.”
Hirst, adds: “I am delighted to be joining First Bus at such an exciting time, particularly in West Yorkshire and look forward to working with the team and local stakeholders to support the ambi-tion of doubling passenger num-bers in Leeds and delivering truly market leading services.”www.firstgroup.com
Greater Manchester transport chief is new EMTA presidenttrAnSPOrt for Greater Man-chester’s Chief executive has been appointed the new President of european Metropolitan transport Authorities, succeeding Wolfgang Schroll, current joint chief execu-tive officer of vienna-based trans-port authority verkehrsverbund Ost-region.
the appointment was confirmed at the recent eMtA conference, which was held in Manchester.
Founded in 1998, eMtA brings together 26 metropolitan trans-port authorities from across the continent, to enable the exchange of best practice, information, research and experience among members.
Martin Hirst
Rob Pymm.
Jon Lamonte.
For all the latest vacancies visit – www.busandcoach.com people
19December 2017
“I am delighted to have been named as president of this prestig-ious organisation, which carries within it a phenomenal amount of expertise and experience in the transport sector,” says Lamonte. “this has been demonstrated during our latest meeting here in Manchester, as we explored chal-lenging themes including integrat-ing transport with other public agendas, such as health and edu-cation.
“Hosting the event has also given us the opportunity to showcase the exciting progress we have made within our region, with growth and expansion of our infrastruc-ture and partnership working drawing favourable comments from association members.”
ruud van der Ploeg, eMtA general secretary adds: “We are all faced with similar issues and it is extremely useful to visit differ-ent regions, experience different transport networks and learn from each other to support the better-ment of public transport across the continent.
“It has been a great few days and I have been delighted to speak with fellow transport professionals and travel around Greater Manchester on what is a very impressive and integrated network.”
Lamonte joined tfGM in Febru-ary 2013 from his previous role as chief executive officer of tfL sub-sidiary tube Lines. Prior to this he held a range of senior roles in the royal Air Force and Ministry of Defence.www.tfgm.com
Daniel Caddick joins RoevilleDAnIeL Caddick has joined roeville as business development manager, following 12 years expe-rience as operations manager with InterChoice Holidays and Plati-num express Coaches.
“I’m excited to join such a fan-tastically skilled team here at roeville, having worked with the
company as a customer myself for over 10 years now,” says Caddick. “this I feel gives me a much val-ued insight into how the business is perceived and has operated from a client perspective and I’m hoping to be able to use this to the ben-efit of our customers, present and future.”
Caddick will be focusing on relationships with existing cus-tomers in addition to new business opportunities.www.roeville.com
Apprenticeship successes at Go North EastGO north east has welcomed four new engineering team mem-bers following completion of its apprenticeship programme. After successfully completing the four-year programme, ross Dryden, Andrew Wrightson, richard Whit-taker and Jonathon Dodds have become fully-fledged engineering team members across three of the bus operator’s eight depots in the region.
run in partnership with Gates-head College, Go north east’s bus and coach mechanical engineering apprenticeship receives more than 500 applications for an intake of up to 10 apprentices each year.
Among the new apprentices are
James Young, 19 and Jak Watson, 20, who have joined Go north east’s f lagship riverside depot, while 18-year-old Aaron Jones, is based at Stanley depot, and coach-builder apprentice Luke Mitch-eson, from Peterlee is based at Saltmeadows depot in Gateshead.
Almost 90 per cent of Go north east’s engineering workforce started their careers as apprentices. the 256-strong team currently has 31 apprentices studying at varying levels of training.
All of Go north east’s new apprentices will spend one day a week training at Gateshead Col-lege’s £5.5million Skills Academy for Automotive, engineering, Manufacturing and Logistics based at team valley in Gateshead.
Colin Barnes, head of engineer-ing, Go north east says: “Go north east recognises apprenticeships as an important recruitment tool which helps to address the skills gap in the bus and coach indus-try, and across our region, while providing young people with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed.
“We are delighted to strengthen our engineering workforce with eight new team members and look forward to supporting them fur-ther in their future careers.”www.gonortheast.co.uk
James Young and Jak Watson.
people For all the latest vacancies visit – www.busandcoach.com
20 December 2017
TMD Friction appoints new UK distributor sales managertMD Friction has appointed Sue McKay as UK distributor sales manager for its commercial vehicle brands to help develop the compa-ny’s distribution network.
With almost 20 years’ experi-ence in the commercial vehicle aftermarket, McKay has experi-ence from roles held at roadcrew Solutions, a division of volvo Group UK, valeo, ArvinMeritor CvA and Unipart Commercial vehicles.
Her role will involve develop-ing key accounts and maintaining relationships with distributors, buying groups and independents for the company’s textar and DOn Cv brands.
“tMD Friction has established a renowned reputation for quality brake solutions under its textar and DOn brands for commercial vehicles,” says McKay. “While its Oe technology firmly puts tMD as a major player within the mar-ketplace, I do believe there is an opportunity to further expand and strengthen our distribution network, not only in the UK, but also across europe.”
robert Lightfoot, sales director eMeA, tMD Friction, adds: “Hav-ing worked within the Cv sector for almost 20 years, Sue brings a host of experience in both product
management and marketing that will help to elevate our Cv offer-ing globally. Sue’s appointment is part of a wider restructuring of our Cv division to expand our distri-bution network, whilst developing and maintaining our customer relationships.” www.tmdfriction.com
New Eminox managing director appointedeMISSIOn reduction special-ist eminox has promoted Mark runciman to managing director as the company enters its 40th year of business.
runciman has been operations director for two years and will take over from Andy Meakin, now chairman of eminox.
eminox says it is seeing a big increase in demand for its retrofit products due to London’s Ultra-Low emission Zone and the pos-sibility of further Clean Air Zones across the country.
“We have lots of opportunities coming up in 2018 in both retro-fit and with original equipment manufacturers,” says runciman. “the future is really bright for eminox, but that comes with its challenges.
“We want to be right on the front foot and on the front line. Great leadership is about bring-
ing people together and creating a team that’s bigger than the indi-viduals.”
Meakin adds: “Having worked with Mark for two years, he is dedicated to taking the company into its next phase of growth. Since joining the company two years ago, he has shown his passion and determination to make eminox the best company it can be.”www.eminox.com
Local business award for Steve WhitewaytHe epsom & ewell Business Awards bestowed its Outstanding Contribution to Business Award to epsom Coaches’ Steve Whiteway last month.
Hosted by transport secretary Chris Grayling, the awards aim to celebrate business excellence in the local community.
“We had a really good mix of winners again who are a great tribute to the depth and variety of the local business community in epsom & ewell,” says Grayling. “Congratulations to all the win-ners and runners-up for all their hard work and success.
Special congratulations to Steve Whiteway, it was fabulous to hon-our the career of such a respected business leader. I know he intends to continue to play an active role
Mark Runciman and Andy Meakin.
Sue McKay.
For all the latest vacancies visit – www.busandcoach.com people
21December 2017
in the business community, his expertise will no doubt be highly sought after.”
W h iteway joi ned epsom Coaches as a trainee driver in 1980 and in 1995 he was appointed a director, the first non-family member to join the
Long Service awards at Stagecoach South.
firm’s board since its creation in 1920.
He developed the business into a diverse operation with more than 150 vehicles and 400 staff and doubled its turnover in the last 10 years.
“What made epsom Coaches
StAGeCOACH employees from across Hampshire, Surrey and West Sussex have been recognised for their loyal service and com-mitment to passenger transport at a special ceremony. More than 20 members of bus company staff have clocked up a total of 650 years of long service between them.
the presentations were made by Stagecoach South managing direc-tor edward Hodgson who paid tribute to their great contribution: “the bus industry can require exceptional levels of commitment from those who work within it and we so value the contribution of all our employees across the business
special under Steve’s leadership was his approach to the com-munity,” adds Grayling, “often offering free transport to civic and charity events in the bor-ough, in fact rarely was there a borough event without support from epsom Coaches.”
Long service awards for Stagecoach South employees
and the support from their part-ners and families.
“Our Long Service Awards pro-vide a great opportunity for us to recognise the loyalty and devotion shown by our many long serving employees, who have all contrib-uted in helping us to shape and develop the company into one of the country’s leading bus opera-tors.”
Winchester-based bus driver nick Knight has clocked up 45 years of service, having joined Stagecoach predecessor Hants & Dorset in 1972.
Other notable milestones were made by Guildford-based Shaun
Broom, and Malcolm Simpson from Winchester who both cel-ebrated 40 years with the com-pany.
A special tribute was also made to the longest serving employee, John Clarke from Aldershot who has been driving buses for 48 years, and also to long serving employees who have recently retired; Jenny Harris, travel shop clerk at Alder-shot (after 53 years); bus drivers ron Cooper from Chichester (after 35 years) and Brian travis from Andover (after 30 years); and John Purslow, engineering manager from Worthing (after 29 years).www.stagecoachbus.com
diary Alexander Pemberton’s Diary
22 December 2017
Handprint bus launched in City of CultureStagecoach east Midlands has unveiled its ‘paint the town hull’ handprint bus, created by student Lauren Jones in honour of hull’s 2017 UK city of culture status. the handprint design was revealed at the Rose Bowl Fountain in hull with more than 60 local people attending to see their handprints displayed on the colourful bus.
three hundred local hull resi-dents, including BBc’s Face of hull, Kofi Smiles, contributed their handprints to the project. graphic design student Lauren Jones was responsible for the design, and was one of two winners of ‘Bus Strokes’, a project Stagecoach east Midlands launched with the hull School of art and Design at the beginning of the year.
two double-deck buses were designed and transformed to pay homage to the current ‘city of cul-ture’.
“We are delighted to be able to unveil this fantastic and unique bus and have so many local people
contribute towards the finished product,” says Michelle har-greaves, managing director, Stage-coach east Midlands. “It is such a unique concept that we hope all the residents of hull can enjoy whilst it
continues to service routes around the city.”
the handprint Bus is now in service and travels along routes throughout the city.
www.hull2017.co.uk
Hand print bus.
Double-deck bus for homeless in PortsmouthStagecoach South is support-ing a community project led by a local campaigner in Portsmouth to create additional shelter for the homeless in the city. Stagecoach South donated a Volvo olympian in March 2017 which has had a redesigned interior to provide accommodation for 12 including a kitchen, toilet and bunk beds.
on 26 November the bus was unveiled by project leaders Joanne Vines and Sammy ellen at Port-smouth Football club, before being relocated to its new home at St agatha’s church in the city.
www.stagecoachbus.com
Converted Volvo Olympian offering accommodation for city’s homeless.
Alexander Pemberton’s Diary diary
23December 2017
Newcastle bus inspector attends 10 Downing Street celebrationReVeNUe and audit supervi-sor at Stagecoach North east, Ian Mills, attended a ceremony at 10 Downing Street recently in his role as vice chairman of the British Busen Judo association. With nine clubs around Newcas-tle, gateshead and Durham, the members of the BBJa practise tra-ditional Japanese judo and Mills has volunteered for the organisa-tion for the past nine years.
the 39-year-old has been employed at Stagecoach North east’s Walkergate depot for 18 years, and is a 1st Dan black belt in Judo.
“alongside chairman Steve Makin, we were invited for a visit and photo shoot because of the work we and all the other staff do teaching Judo to children and Ian Mills at 10 Downing Street.
adults throughout the north east,” says Mills. “the BBJa was set up in 2001 by Steve Makin, Bca 9th Dan, who recently received a Brit-ish citizen award for his contri-bution to education in teaching traditional Japanese judo to both juniors and seniors.
“In 1977 Steve was photo-graphed outside number 10 and we wanted to recreate that picture to show our students what can be achieved through hard work and dedication, so I wrote to 10 Downing Street and informed them of what Steve had achieved and what our organisation does. I then received a phone call from Downing Street’s correspondence officer inviting us down to do a photoshoot.”
www.stagecoachbus.com
Burnley Bus Company backs Lancashire DayoN the day when Lancastrians celebrate the Red Rose county, Burnley Bus company’s team of ‘Bus Butlers’ were out and about serving free breakfasts to custom-ers.
Lancashire Day commemorates the day in the year 1295 when Lancashire sent its first elected representatives to parliament, in response to a call from King edward I to join what later became known as the Model Parliament.
the Lancashire Day Procla-mation is read out by town cri-ers throughout the county on 27 November to formally mark the occasion.
“We’re always proud of our Lan-cashire routes, but more than on any other day Lancashire Day is the time for us to celebrate all that’s magical about our wonderful Red Rose county,” says Burnley Bus company general manager Steve Burnley Bus Company’s ‘Bus Butlers’.
ottley. “our Bus Butlers served breakfast with a smile at Burnley bus station and on selected buses, to thank all our customers for their support and share this most spe-cial of days.”
Burnley’s buses have recently seen a £4.5million investment from parent company transdev in 30 new vehicles for its Mainline network.
www.visitlancashire.com
diary Alexander Pemberton’s Diary
24 December 2017
First drivers get to grips with sensory loss
FIRSt Bus drivers in Falkirk learned about sensory loss last month as local deaf and blind peo-ple helped them understand what it is like to use public transport without being able to see or hear properly.
organised by Forth Valley Sen-sory centre and the First Midland Bluebird team from the nearby depot in Larbert, a stand at Falkirk Bus Station was closed off so that drivers could experience sensory loss for themselves.
“Many of our centre users are public transport users and they rely heavily on bus services to get around town, do shopping, meet friends and family or simply visit our centre each week, so mak-ing sure they have the best possi-
ble journey is really important to them, us and First Midland Blue-bird,” says Forth Valley Sensory centre manager Jacquie Winning.
“things have moved on a lot in the last few years and buses have become much more accessible. things are still not perfect though and it is great that First Midland Bluebird is continuing to educate and train staff to make sure all communities in the area receive the same high standard of serv-ice.”
Drivers wore special ‘simula-tion glasses’ to replicate different eye conditions and sight loss, and donned headphones to reduce their hearing and allow them to try to lip read ‘deaf ’ customers.
Larbert depot operations man-
ager Jason hackett adds: “First Midland Bluebird is always look-ing for new ways to improve serv-ices and make sure our drivers have the best possible training. We have a number of processes in place already to assist disabled customers, whether they have a sensory loss or not and experi-ences like this really help people understand just how much more difficult it can be to do things oth-ers take for granted.
“Boarding a bus is a good exam-ple of this and we want to ensure our drivers do everything neces-sary to assist customers and make their journey as easy as possible, by following just a few simple steps.”
www.forthvalleysensorycentre.orgwww.firstgroup.com
Left to right: Kenny Burt (Larbert staff manager); Gordon McNeil with guide dog Riley; Jacquie Winning (Forth Valley Sensory Centre manager); Jason Hackett (Larbert operations manager); and Errol Grant with guide dog Piper.
Alexander Pemberton’s Diary diary
25December 2017
Retired Midland Metro trams up for auctionFoRMeR Midland Metro ansaldo t69 trams are to be auctioned by transport for West Midlands. the original Midland Metro tram fleet was mothballed in 2014 and will be sold in an e-auction in January.
the trams were used on the Midland Metro between Birming-ham Snow hill station and Wolver-hampton city centre between 1998 and 2014 and were phased out fol-lowing the introduction of Urbos 3 trams now in use on the network. the trams have been in storage at a depot in Long Marston, Warwick-shire, since their retirement.
“they’ve got more than a few thousand miles on the clock but in their time the t69 trams were excellent servants for the Mid-
T69 trams at the Midland Metro tram depot in Wednesbury.
Leyland Atlantean to star at South East Bus FestivalNext april’s South east Bus Fes-tival is using the 60th anniversary of the Leyland atlantean as its key theme. over a production run of 28 years more than 15,000 chassis came out of the Leyland factory, the vast majority bodied as dou-ble-decks but with a small number of single-decks and some chassis also sold to places such as Bagh-dad, Manila, Stockholm, Sydney and New York.
It is hoped to bring together a large number of preserved atlante-ans at the bus festival to form a spe-cial display marking the diamond anniversary of the chassis.
this year’s South east Bus Fes-tival was the best-attended of the seven held so far, with 139 buses and coaches on display and it is hoped that more will be at Kent Showground on Saturday 7 april next year.
It will again be part of Kent Show-ground’s heritage transport Show which includes 800 cars, commer-cials, tractors and motorbikes.
“It doesn’t seem nearly seven years since we organised our cel-ebration of the centenary of the Maidstone & District bus company, but, from that initial event, the South east Bus Festival has devel-
oped and continues to grow,” says co-organiser Richard Lewis.
“We normally get a very wide range of chassis and body types, liv-eries and ages of vehicles to appeal to enthusiasts who have very varied interests within our hobby and we hope to have even more at the 2018 festival.
“We are keen to represent the current transport scene and always welcome entries from current bus and coach operators, with a number of companies now com-ing along each year to show off their newest vehicles. these give a good comparison with the many lovingly-restored vehicles that date back to the early years of the last century and to show how bus and coach travel has evolved from sim-ple beginnings to the sophisticated vehicles of today.”
Full details of the event are shown on arriva’s website, including a list of buses and coaches entries.www.arrivabus.co.uk/southeast-bus-festival
Record crowds at 2017 festival.
land Metro,” says Roger Lawrence, WMca lead member for trans-port. “they are mostly still serv-iceable so the auction is a good chance for someone to get them-selves a bargain.”
there are 15 trams up for auc-
tion, each with a capacity of up to 156 passengers.
there is no reserve on the trams but bidding will be in increments of £100 and each will be sold as seen.
www.wmca.org.uk
product The latest products and services for the bus and coach sector
26 December 2017
Air Quality Award for Amminex’s ASDS technologyAmminex has been awarded a 2017 national Air Quality Award in the innovation category for its ASDS solution which removes nOx from diesel engines.
The ASDS technology, Ammo-nia Storage and Delivery System, promises an improved way of dis-tributing the chemical needed for removing nOx emissions from diesel exhaust.
The national Air Quality Awards is a yearly initiative from UK-based airqualitynews.com.
“i am honoured that our ASDS technology has been recognised as an innovative and effective approach to reducing nOx emis-sions,” says Amminex’s Lars Ting-gaard Johannesen. “The people living in UK cities have a right to clean air, and in parallel to elec-trification, we can deliver fast and cheap.”
Amminex claims that retrofit-ting a city bus fleet with ASDS will remove 30 per cent more nOx, three times faster, at three per cent
of the cost of replacing the f leet with electric buses.
“Traditionally, nOx emissions have been worst in slow, congested traffic,” adds Tinggaard Johan-nesen. “Unfortunately, this is exactly where the nOx emissions hurt the most, since more people are affected in densely populated areas. By keeping the SCR catalyst on the vehicle active at all times, ASDS can make a major difference in cleaning the air we breathe in city centres.”
The technology is already fitted to 300 buses in Copenhagen and so far 70 buses in London have been upgraded with ASDS technology under TfL’s nOx abatement pro-gramme. Together with retrofit partner eminox, Amminex also plans to provide the ASDS solution for the upcoming Clean Air Zones across the UK.www.amminex.com
Amminex wins National Air Quality Award.
Brigade’s award for innovation that makes electric vehicles saferBRigADe electronics UK has won an innovation Award at the noise Abatement Society 2017 John Con-nell Awards, held at the House of
Commons. The award is in recog-nition of Brigade’s ‘Quiet Vehicle Sounder’ which uses broad band technology to improve the safety
Brigade presented with Innovation Award.
of electric vehicles, overcoming the problem of silent vehicles pre-senting a hazard to pedestrians.
easier for pedestrians to locate than pure tone sounders, and only heard in the danger area, the broad band sounders react to the ambi-ent background so are not invasive and dissipate quickly, according to Brigade.
“nAS congratulates Brigade on its ground-breaking electric car sounder innovation which will help protect pedestrians as well as the aural environment,” says glo-ria elliott, noise Abatement Soci-ety chief executive.www.noiseabatementsociety.com
The latest products and services for the bus and coach sector product
27December 2017
All-Michelin price-per-vehicle contract for Courtney BusesCOURTney Buses has switched to an all-michelin policy on a price-per-vehicle (PPV) contract to increase the efficiency of its fleet and reduce fuel costs. The Brack-nell, Berkshire-based operator has adopted michelin’s eFFiTiReS solution across its 60-strong fleet of single- and double-deck buses, each of which covers an average 40,000 miles per year on urban routes.
Courtney Buses previously took a non-specific approach to tyre selection and fitting, but says it is already seeing the rewards of its new tyre management package provided by michelin.
“i wanted a managed tyre policy because it caused a major headache having to do all the vehicle checks ourselves,” says malcolm Venn, engineering manager, Courtney Buses. “The nature of running a busy urban bus f leet means we typically see lots of kerbing dam-age, plus we’re always working hard to ensure tyre tread depths don’t fall below our minimum standard between one inspection and the next.
“now we have a f leet-wide
monthly inspection by michelin solutions technicians who have the expertise to say whether a tyre will last till the next inspection or needs to be replaced immediately. As part of the contract, michelin solutions will fit all new and remix tyres to our fleet.
“Also, at the end of each month i’ll receive an analysis report from michelin solutions on tyre wear – including any mechanical prob-lems identified as causing tyre wear. This will help us to make fully-informed management deci-sions based on the data we’ve col-lected.”
Describing the switchover to the michelin solutions-managed
deal as “seamless”, Venn adds that Courtney Buses’ three-year PPV deal is believed to be the first of its kind in the bus and coach industry for michelin solutions, with most operators traditionally opting for price-per-kilometre/mile (PPK/PPm) agreements.
“The major benefit of PPV to us is that we know exactly what our tyre costs are going to be per month, per vehicle,” adds Venn. “That makes our financial plan-ning much easier. not to mention the fact we’re expecting to see sav-ings on fuel, thanks to the lower rolling resistance of moving to a premium michelin fitment.”www.michelin-solutions.com
Courtney Buses switches to Michelin.
New Camira guide designed to inspireTexTiLe supplier Camira, has launched a new Transport Design Directions guide developed spe-cifically for bus and coach interi-ors with solutions and applications for translating design concepts for 2018 and beyond.
The guide features three themes aimed at generating new ideas for future interior transport schemes and to bridge the gap between cre-ative and practical solutions, offer-ing combinations of fabric finishes and materials.
The three design themes: Soft gradations, Tactile illusions and Colour experience bring different
concepts and ideas, combining tex-tures, materials and colours while showcasing the latest fabrics from Camira. The guide considers the complete transport interior, and not just how the upholstery fabrics might work, but how all the mate-rials work together.
“This is a first for Camira and a really exciting step for the bus and coach market,” says Ciara Crossan, Camira design manager for trans-port. “The Design Directions guide has been developed and researched by our product development team, alongside trend consultant Sally Angharad, and provides a resource
for our customers when thinking about a new bus or coach interior design.
“We have carefully curated these themes, taking inspiration from everything around us and then applying it by offering practi-cal solutions which can bring the theme to life in transport.”
Transport Design Directions features Camira’s stocked ranges including moquette, f lat-woven, vinyl and leather as well as made to order capabilities, showing its newest collection of wire-woven fabrics. www.camirafabrics.com
product The latest products and services for the bus and coach sector
28 December 2017
New TruTac ‘Daily Checks’ app
CPT and TruTac launch ‘Daily Checks’ appCPT and TruTac formally launched the new ‘CPT Daily Checks’, a first-use and daily walk-round check app designed for the bus and coach industry at the CPT annual Coaching Conference held at Volvo, Warwick last month.
CPT Daily Checks is designed to allow drivers to record and report at the touch of a button (on mobile or tablet) any vehicle defects iden-tified either prior to a bus or coach entering service or at a later point during the day. The paperless sys-tem also offers drivers an option to submit supporting photographic evidence and explanatory notes for any defect.
The accompanying back-office system provides designated per-sonnel with instant access to each vehicle’s full walk round main-tenance history program, which includes details of reported defects,
actions taken and information on who is responsible for carrying out any required maintenance and repairs. The system also contains a full log of the times, dates and places that defects were reported along with support provided.
The CPT Daily Checks’ Com-pliance management System com-plies with all regulations as well as DVSA guidance on inspections and service maintenance records.
“We are proud to have worked closely with our commercial part-ner TruTac over the past nine months during the development and launch of this new system,”
Pennine Pump & Tank supports Diamond with Eccles refuellingFOLLOWing Rotala’s recent £1million part-share takeover of go goodwins, Pennine Pump & Tank has installed new refuelling facilities at the newly-branded Diamond Bus depot in eccles, manchester.
With over four decades of expe-rience in the petroleum industry and extensive knowledge of Rota-la’s other sites, Pennine Pump & Tank recommended that Dia-
Relocation of fuel tanks for new Manchester operation.
says CPT technical executive John Taylor. “The app is easy to use and makes drivers’ first use and periodic walk round checks, and the subse-quent reporting of any defects, a simple and effective process.
“We have a range of app pack-ages available to suit bus and coach operators of all sizes. Over a third of our members use CPT Tacho Analysis and we are expecting the same high levels of demand for CPT Daily Checks.”www.cpt-uk.orgwww.trutac.co.uk
mond Bus could make savings by re-using and relocating equipment from one of their other depots in Redditch.
The operation required the 25,000-litre fuel storage tank to be disconnected from its original position in Redditch and moved from inside the bus depot to a safe loading position outside. in order to minimise traffic disrup-tion, work started inside the depot
at 3am. Pennine Pump & Tank’s team of engineers secured the area and then used skates to roll the tank along the ground to a suitable position outside.
A specialist Hiab vehicle was then able to prepare and safely upload the tank for transporta-tion to eccles. The tank was lifted, loaded and off down the motorway before 6am, and installed at eccles before lunch.
The operation was successful and the upgrade has improved the refuelling capabilities at eccles, according to Pennine Pump & Tanks.www.penninepump.co.uk
December 2017 29
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product The latest products and services for the bus and coach sector
30 December 2017
Act now on ULEZ, Eminox warns coach and bus operatorsCOACH and bus operators need to prepare for the early introduction of London’s Ultra-Low emission Zone on 8 April 2019 as there will not be a ‘quick fix’, warns Carlos Vicente, international business development manager for eminox. London mayor Sadiq Khan has confirmed that the new ULeZ will take effect 17 months earlier than originally planned, to help reduce roadside pollution in the capital.
“Although it may seem like a long time away, the start of the ULeZ is sooner than you think and with only a handful of approved suppliers, like eminox, able to ret-rofit heavy-duty vehicles to euro 6 standards, it’s best to get enquiries in early,” says Vicente.
The emissions requirements for ULeZ are euro Vi ‘real-world’ standards, so the technology required to retrofit to the new standard is significantly more complex than for the current Lon-don LeZ, according to eminox.
For the current LeZ, a simple bolt-on Diesel Particulate Filter,
Retrofitting option to meet ULEZ.
such as the eminox Continuously Regenerating Trap, for a few thou-sand pounds has allowed vehicles to travel freely within the zone. more than 30,000 vehicles were retrofitted to meet the require-ments of the LeZ, and CRT was the leading retrofit choice, accord-ing to eminox. However, these vehicles will not be compliant for the new central London ULeZ.
ULeZ will initially be a much smaller area, covering the same section as the congestion zone, but the mayor has stated that he will consult on expanding the zone to
cover all of greater London.To avoid paying a daily charge
when entering central London, heavy-duty vehicles will need to meet euro Vi standards. This charge is different to the T-charge, which ULeZ is set to replace, and has been set at £100 per day.
eminox advises that fleet opera-tors can either invest significantly to replace older vehicles with new euro 6 models; upgrade exist-ing vehicles with euro 6 emis-sion reduction technology such as eminox SCRT; or reorganise fleets to only use compliant vehicles in ULeZ.
Retrofitting existing vehicles must use technology approved by the Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accred-itation Scheme, a certification scheme for manufacturers and retrofit emissions reduction tech-nologies, providing not only ULeZ compliance but also meeting the requirements of Clean Air Zones that could be introduced in almost 30 other cities around the UK.www.eminox.com
New Milton Keynes HQ for ScaniaKieR has been appointed to develop Scania (great Britain) Limited’s new UK headquarters and support centre in milton Key-nes. The proposals will see Scania remain on the site, where the com-pany has been based for 36 years.
The current site houses a t-shaped office facilities building and car park, and Kier is adding a new, 54,754 sq ft, three-story HQ along with a 4,718 sq ft facilities building, with work due to com-plete next summer.
Once the new building is com-plete, Kier will demolish the existing facilities. The new HQ building will be a steel-framed
structure with composite metal deck upper f loor and roof. inter-nally, the building is mostly open plan, with dedicated meeting and conference rooms, and the three-storey open atrium will include a feature staircase.
Scania currently employs more than 230 people in milton Key-nes and is a key employer for the town; maintaining its staff is one of the main reasons the company wanted to remain in milton Key-
nes and redevelop its space instead of relocating.
“As one of the UK’s leading commercial vehicle suppliers and one of the longest established companies in milton Keynes, this development reconfirms our com-mitment to both our industry and the area in which we are based,” says Claes Jacobsson, managing director, Scania (great Britain) Limited.www.scania.com
Artist’s impression of new Scania HQ
Ticketing
31December 2017
New technologies continue to generate new approaches to bus and coach ticketing.Steve Banner reports
Technology driving ticketing options
continued page 32 ➜
More and more bus operators are incorporating contactless payment in their t icketing systems with an eye to speeding up boarding times.
earlier this year, Ticketer announced that it was supplying
Go-Ahead with eTMs (electronic Ticket Machines) with a fully-integrated ITSo/eMV (europay, Mastercard and Visa) card reader able to handle contactless payments. They are being used by oxford Bus, oxfordshire's Thames Travel and Buckinghamshire's Carousel Buses.
The technology chosen has the potential to handle London-style pay-as-you-go capped ticketing, with fares calculated and – most importantly – capped in the back office rather than by the bus' eTM.
The capping scheme used in London allows travellers to make a number of journeys in a single day, but limits the total amount they pay for their travel.
"each time you make a journey, you are charged a fare," Transport for London explains. "once the total cost of all your fares reaches a certain amount you won't have to pay for any more journeys for the rest of the day."
The system is able to help mitigate the increased transaction costs operators face as a consequence of introducing contactless payments by aggregating multiple transactions made by the same customer into a single debit to their account.
In developing the scheme Go-Ahead and Ticketer have worked with Littlepay, which focuses on developing micro-payment processing services.
Passengers can use smartphones with Apple Pay or Android Pay to meet the cost of their journey instead of plastic if they so wish.
Says Phil Southall, managing director of the three Go-Ahead subsidiaries: "our research has told us that customers expect contactless to do more than just replace their existing cash ticket. They want the back office to select the best-value tickets for them, based on their own journey patterns.
"We've therefore invested in the development of a solution which over time will much better meet their needs," he adds. "This is just the first step."
Arriva customers in the North east are going contactless using technology developed by Parkeon. reading Buses too has embraced contactless, with Ticketer's help.
"It's the final piece of our digital ticketing strategy which includes the use of Qr barcodes on paper tickets, with readers installed on the buses," says reading Buses chief executive Martijn Gilbert. "This cuts down the amount of waiting time as people simply get their tickets scanned as they board rather than waving them at the driver.
"our smartphone app has integrated journey planning, live bus tracking and mobile tickets all on one platform, which again uses barcode technology," he adds.
Ticketing system specialist Masabi believes that using mobile phones as the ticketing medium is one of the keys to speeding up boarding times, citing research that shows that it can cut the time taken per passenger by up to nine seconds.
Ticketing
32 December 2017
continued page 34 ➜
on the face of it that seems scarcely worth bothering about – until you remember that if ten passengers are boarding then the bus could be stationary for a minute-and-a-half longer than it needs to be. "every second that a bus is parked at a stop while the driver collects fares is time that it is not transporting people to where they want to go," says Masabi chief executive officer and president Brian Zanghi.
Masabi has been busy rolling out mobile ticketing at rotala subsidiary Preston Bus, with the Lancashire operator hoping to cut bus dwell time by as much as 50 per cent by 2020.
Passengers making use of the service have to download the Preston Bus app to their Apple or Android smart phone. They can then select from the company's full range of tickets – daily, weekly and 28-day – which are paid for using a credit or debit card.
The virtual ticket is then stored in the customer's phone and shown to the driver when boarding. "employing technology can remove the hassles that we know are associated with using cash to pay for tickets and the knock-on delays that can cause," says Preston Bus managing director Bob Dunn.
The operator still accepts cash payments of course.
While Masabi may not be as well-known in the
UK as Ticketer, Parkeon or INIT, its Justride end-to-end mobile ticketing technology has been deployed in New orleans and Boston in the USA, Athens in Greece and London.
Customers contemplating using their smartphone to prove their entitlement to travel may fear they will have to go online in order to show their ticket; and will find to their horror that for some reason they are unable to do so.
"Bad coverage has always been the number one complaint of mobile phone users everywhere," says Masabi co-founder ed Howson. "Despite the evolution to 4G and the prospect of 5G, the problem is not going to go away.
"Networks are getting more bandwidth but coverage still isn't universal.
"However we allow offline activation, which means that once you have your ticket on your phone you won't need to make an internet connection in order to use it."
So does all this emphasis on smartphones mean that plastic is dead? Not yet; smartcards look likely to be around for some time to come.
earlier this year the robin Hood operators Group made up of Nottingham council plus bus companies operating in and around the city launched the Under
December 2017 33
Call us: 020 3195 [email protected] www.ticketer.co.uk
Multiple payment options: • Cash • ITSO • Contactless EMV • mTickets
Ticketing
34 December 2017
19 Pay As You Go (PAYG) ITSo smart card. It is an extension of the adult robin Hood PAYG
card, an e-purse using a capping system that was introduced just over 12 months previously. It allows unlimited trips on buses run by multiple operators and includes the city's tram network.
The Under 19 plastic is issued at travel centres as proof of age is required. However it can be topped up at any of the 113 robin Hood ticket vending machines in the scheme area.
Smart ticketing and contactless technology specialist INIT has worked closely with the robin Hood Network, and with National express in the West Midlands. "We're one of the few companies able to provide end-to-end implementation of variable-fare eMV payments for Visa and Mastercard as well as Android and Apple phones," says INIT UK managing director Jens Mullak.
elsewhere, thousands of travellers can now use a single smart card for all their journeys on any tram or bus in Greater Manchester. It is the latest phase in the development of Transport for Greater Manchester's ITSo get-me-there smartcard system.
Buying smart card top-ups online is all very well
but they then have to be applied to the piece of plastic concerned. Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) now has 120 devices sourced from 21st Century Technology typically positioned at bus stops which allow travellers with Swift Pay-As-You-Go smartcards to collect top-ups bought on the Network West Midlands web site.
All the customer has to do to update the card is have it scanned by the device's reader.
TfWM revamped the Swift ITSo card last spring, adding new ticket options and additional sales outlets.
21st Century can also offer off-bus vending machines that will do everything from dispense pre-loaded smart cards to print out paper tickets. It has 22 in service in various locations on the south coast and in the West Country.
All the foregoing might suggest that cash has disappeared from buses completely. Not so; while its role may have diminished, drivers take coins and notes amounting to thousands of pounds countrywide every day of the week, and specialist companies continue to promote their cash-handling equipment.
Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester mayor promotes smartcard system.
Ticketing
35December 2017
Suzohapp for example was exhibiting at last october's Coach & Bus show and busy promoting products such as the Scan Coin K2 banknote counter. It can handle up to 1,000 notes a minute.
Nor is the humble paper ticket dead. eTMSS has been in the industry for 17 years and continues to supply thermal ticket rolls, press-seal ticket wallets and emergency ticket books not to mention drivers cash boxes and coin dispensers. It also offers a complete range of storage facilities and bespoke printing solutions to suit varied needs and budgets, pre-printed rolls with company logo and revenue-generating advertisements or promotions.
But what happens to ticketing longer-term? Masabi is now talking about MaaS; Mobility as a Service.
Head of marketing James Gooch, points out that we live in an increasingly-connected world that embraces everything from smartphones and laptops to cars and even the humble toaster in your kitchen. "A digital revolution is taking place and public transport and the way passengers consume services are not immune to the change that is happening," he says.
MaaS means that travellers will be able to access almost any type of transport, both public and private, through one payment service and app.
"The service will plan your optimal route across all modes to provide the best journey possible using everything from trains to autonomous cars," says Gooch. The modes of transport selected could also include buses, trams, taxis and even bicycle hire.
Schemes working somewhat along these lines have been deployed in Germany and Finland, and multi-modal ticketing solutions that allow passengers to switch from subway trains and trams to buses and back are of course already available; but it is still early days for full-blown MaaS programmes, stresses Gooch. If they can be made to work efficiently however then increasing numbers of city dwellers may conclude that there is no point in owning a car; and that has to be good news for the bus business.
Swift users can now collect top-ups online.
ETMSS0844 800 9299www.etmss.com
Ticketer020 3195 8800www.ticketer.co.uk
ConTaCT
who buys what The latest bus and coach deliveries
36 December 2017
Volvo a firm favourite with Welsh operator
Longstanding Volvo customer, dJ thomas Coaches, has taken delivery of two new integral Volvo B11R 9700 vehicles as the latest additions to its growing f leet. the family-owned com-pany, based in neath, purchased the new 57 seat coaches to meet the requirements of additional contracts and tour operations.
“We have been extremely happy with previous Volvo 9700s which have performed well on our tour programme where we require coaches we can rely on,” says dJ thomas director Lee gib-son. “the 9700 meets all our requirements and this convinced us to specify Volvo once again.
“our drivers like the vehicle because of the handling and the accessibility of the dashboard
controls. the 9700 is a stylish and aesthetically pleasing coach and we know that the B11R chas-sis offers excellent fuel consumption.
“Volvo’s Wales and West dealer in swansea provide us with superb back-up and support. We’ve dealt with the Volvo team over a period of 15 years, so we have built up a great trust and understanding.”
dJ thomas Coaches is a family owned opera-tor which has been in business since 1954. ini-tially offering coach hire services, in 2011 the company launched a coach holiday business and now operates an international tour pro-gramme.www.volvobus.com
The latest bus and coach deliveries who buys what
37December 2017
Volvo graduates with the University of Wolverhamptonthe University of Wolverhampton has taken delivery of five Volvo B5tL double-deck buses with Wrightbus gemini 3 bodywork.
transport and travel Co-ordinator for the Uni-versity of Wolverhampton, Chris Robinson, says: “We were looking for buses that would offer stu-dents a more comfortable and reliable journey to and from university. our campuses are spread out across telford, Wolverhampton and Walsall, so it is important for us to be able to offer students a frequent and dependable service.
“the B5tLs that we have leased are easily accessible for wheelchair users and are fitted with UsB ports, free wi-fi and CCtV, allowing every student to make the most of their travel time between campuses. Furthermore, the University of Wolverhampton prioritises sustainability and
we recognise that the Volvo chassis and its euro 6 engine will deliver lower emissions and offer a more fuel-efficient journey.”
Phil hudson, retail bus and coach sales man-ager, Volvo Bus, adds: “We are delighted that the University of Wolverhampton has specified the Volvo B5tL following recommendations from within the bus and coach industry. they have selected the Volvo gold Contract for preventative maintenance and repairs, which offers peace of mind when vehicles are on a busy route where reli-ability is key.”
the University of Wolverhampton has a total enrolment of approximately 24,000 students who study across three campuses in the West Mid-lands.www.volvobus.com
who buys what The latest bus and coach deliveries
38 December 2017
HeadingNew Plaxton Leopard for John C Keir
FaMiLy-RUn John C Keir, based near huntly, on the border between Moray and aberdeenshire, has introduced a new Plaxton Leopard to its fleet which provides a range of services including pri-vate hire, school contracts, day trips and excur-sions in the north of scotland.
the new coach is a 12.2m Volvo B8R with ZF automatic transmission and has air-conditioning throughout, 57 Brusa extended seats finished with leather sports trim, wood-effect f looring, driver support system, Led running lights and Webasto pre-heater, plus a Bosch radio and Pa system.
“as a business we have been serving the local community in huntly, Moray and aberdeen-shire for 75 years and during that time we have established a reputation for reliability and always putting our customers first,” says director george Keir. “the Leopard is a welcome addition to our fleet, providing both style and a touch of luxury. its track record speaks for itself and i’m confident it will make a big contribution to the wide variety of services we provide both locally and elsewhere in scotland”. www.alexander-dennis.com
The latest bus and coach deliveries who buys what
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39December 2017
HeadingAnother Irizar for Chambers Coaches
aFteR 18 months of service from an irizar i6 inte-gral coach, northern ireland operator Chambers Coaches has added a second i6 to its fleet. the latest 12.9m vehicle has 57 PB seats and is powered by a daF MX-11 271 369 hp engine driving through a ZF ecolife automatic transmission.
the coach also features passenger footrests, three-point seat-belts, privacy glass and Bi-Xenon headlamps.
“We also run chassis-built vehicles with irizar bodywork, but the integral coaches with daF engines are noticeably quieter and better on fuel,” says a Chambers spokesperson. “they deliver a better passenger experience.”
Finished in its yellow livery, Chambers’ 18-strong fleet operates from Maghera, and undertakes tour, corporate and sports team work throughout the British isles for a variety of up-market clients.
a typical Chambers tour will involve pick-ing-up incoming tourists in London for tours that incorporate england, scotland and the island of ireland, but cruise-liners calling into Belfast Port are also an important part of the Chambers port-folio, as are sports teams visiting Ulster.
“With our client base, it’s very important for us to have vehicles that look the part,” adds Cham-bers. “We keep our coaches for between eight and 10 years, and it’s vital to us that the oldest ones are of the same standard as the newest. if a respray or a retrim is required, then that is what they get.”
While under warranty, the new irizar i6 inte-grals will be maintained by local daF dealer tBF thompson, but the remainder of the f leet is serv-iced in-house.www.irizar.co.uk
39
who buys what The latest bus and coach deliveries
40 December 2017
Nine Mellor Tucana IIs delivered to HCT
Plaxton Panther joins Abbey Coaches fleet
MeLLoR has delivered nine new tucana ii low-floor buses to social enterprise transport group hCt for use on dial-a-ride services for tfL in London. this order follows one for six vehicles of the same specification that were delivered in september 2017 and have been deployed for use on special education needs services in the London boroughs of hammersmith and Wandsworth.
the tucana iis were selected by hCt to meet
its requirement for low-floor buses which are eas-ily accessible for sen passengers. Built on the Volkswagen t6 chassis, the buses were purchased by dawsons, which in turn has leased them to hCt.
“We needed a vehicle with a fully flat, low floor design that would be able to meet the requirements of our sen passengers,” says steve Perks, group engineering director, hCt. “the Mellor tucana ii has proved excellent in terms of the design and layout as well as offering excellent performance and reliability. in addition, last year we took deliv-ery of six Mellor iveco based vehicles which have also performed extremely well, so we have com-plete confidence in our new fleet additions.”
the tucana iis are configured to carry up to 14 seated passengers or three seats and four wheel-chairs. in addition to a sliding side door, there are two manual rear doors which provide access to a fold-out ramp. Phoenix Blenheim shuffle seats with all-age seatbelts and Webasto climate control provide passenger comfort and safety.www.mellor-coachcraft.co.uk
aBBey Coaches, based in thorn-liebank, glasgow, has introduced a new Plaxton Panther to its grow-ing fleet of vehicles operating across central scotland and beyond. the latest model is a 12.8m 57-seat, executive coach, complete with cen-tre demountable toilet, fridge, full air-conditioning, entertainment and CCtV systems, real-time tracking and telematics.
the new Volvo B8R with i-shift transmission will operate across a wide range of activities including airport transfers, corporate hire, day trips, custom and bespoke tours, school outings, sports events and local authority contract work.
“We have a long and successful relationship with Plaxton having operated their coaches for the best part of 20 years,” says graeme Walker, who runs abbey Coaches along with his mother Christine. “the Panther is ideal for our type of
business. it can tackle a vast array of jobs and has a reliability record that is second to none. Combine that with a quality, luxury finish and it ticks all the right boxes.” www.alexander-dennis.com
The latest bus and coach deliveries who buys what
December 2017 41
First Mercedes-Benz coaches for Thandi
LanaRKshiRe based Whitelaw’s has intro-duced a further four low-carbon certified euro6 enviro200s. all of the new vehicles are 10.8m 41-seat models with e-leather high-back seats and safety belts, 10-camera synectics CCtV systems and t1600 recorders, plus wood-effect f looring and Mobitec Led destination equipment.
the enviro200s are powered by Cummins isBe 180Ps four-cylinder engines with Voith d824.6 gearboxes.
the new additions join four similar adL buses delivered earlier this year, while a further two identical vehicles are about to go into service with the Lanarkshire fleet, taking Whitelaw’s total low-carbon enviro200 intro-ductions in 2017 to 10.
“in 2015 we set the objective of having all our service routes in Lan-arkshire supported by low-carbon, high-specification vehicles within two years,” says sandra Whitelaw, managing director. “We are well
on target to achieve that with a total of 22 LCeB enviro200s set to be running by mid-november.
“the public have responded well to our exten-sive investment programme. they clearly enjoy cleaner, greener buses that are stylish, reliable and contribute to a better environment.” www.alexander-dennis.com
BiRMinghaM-Based, family-run thandi executive Coaches have made their first Mer-cedes-Benz purchase with the delivery of two tourismo M coaches built to touring specifica-
tion. the latest additions join the company’s expanding f leet as it starts a new continental touring programme.
the two new tourismo M’s seat 55-57 passengers in travel star eco upholstery, and passengers benefit from arm-rests, foot-rests, fold-out tray tables and air-con-ditioning. dual 19” LCd displays paired with a Bosch audio/visual system and pre-installations for 4g wi-fi are also included.
Power is delivered by an oM 470, 290kW engine, coupled to a 6-speed ZF ecolife automatic gearbox. the safety specification includes Lane departure Warn-ing system, active emergency Braking system and three-point
seatbelts. the new tourismo M’s delivered to thandi executive Coaches were supplied by Mer-cedes-Benz Coach sales at evoBus (UK). www.daimler.com
Whitelaws continues low-carbon investment
42 December 2017
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Wednesday 20 May 2015 | 65
tradersuppliers | To advertise call 01733 405740 | Booking deadline Friday, 12 noon
PARTS
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REFURBISHMENT
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Tel: 01733 405730 | Fax: 01733 405745Email: [email protected]
Daniel LunnSales Manager
Steven BlackSenior Sales Executive
Dan RobertsSales Executive
Jade CassidySales Executive
trader suppliers iss590 v2.indd 65 19/05/2015 09:03
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December 201744 coachtourismprofessional.co.uk
News
Innovative new film highlights story of salt
A new virtual reality film has been launched to promote Cheshire’s Lion Salt Works Museum near Northwich. Featuring new virtual reality technology the film, ‘Salt’, is viewed through a
special headset and aims to interpret the former workers’ lives, bringing together two storylines in a series of dance sequences.
“This is a thrilling new interpretation of personal and community life at the Lion Salt Works,” says Councillor Louise Gittins, cabinet member for communities and wellbeing, Cheshire West & Chester Council. “It is a bold move to interpret the emotional landscape of the place through dance and yet it works.
“We are very grateful to the Arts Council England’s Museum Resilience Fund for making this possible by funding this project and for the support of Arts&Heritage for helping our staff bring the idea into reality. This film is a perfect fit of form and function and I am delighted that the museum has had this opportunity to try something really unusual and different.”
The film comprises two parts, entitled ‘Industry’ and ‘Moments’. The first concentrates on the gruelling physical, six-day a-week work involved in producing salt over huge salt pans; the second looks at relationships among the workers at the
Scene from virtual reality film.
Lion Salt Works. It explores the contrast of intimate moments with the physical toil. The fully-immersive pieces were produced by dancer and choreographer, Martin Hylton in collaboration with the museum and Cheshire Dance, who were supported by three local dance groups.
Visitors to the exhibition will be provided with a virtual reality headset to view the dance piece which is set inside a salt pan. Dancing in water, representing the brine used in the salt making process, dancers capture the physicality of the manufacturing process while bringing Lion Salt Works Museum’s heritage to life.
One of the last four historic open-pan salt-making sites in the world, the Lion Salt Works Museum opened in 2015 after a four-year £10million restoration to tell the story of salt through interactive displays including a sound and light show.
www.westcheshiremuseums.co.uk
ETOA wins sustainability award
European tourism association ETOA has been awarded the ‘Golden Experience’ award for sustainable tourism, presented at the International Mayor's Forum in Seville.
The award for Sustainable Tourism is granted to a local government agency or institution whose work contributes to creating sustainable destinations and new tools for tourism innovation. ETOA was recognised as the sector’s active voice in tackling the innovations and challenges posed in the 21st century.
ETOA country representative for Spain, Jorge
Traver, and head of policy and strategy, Tim Fairhurst, attended the event to accept the award.
“It is a great privilege for ETOA's work to be recognised by this award at the Mayor's forum among colleagues from four continents,” says Fairhurst. “That we are in Seville for the ceremony is very special for us as it is one of the growing network of destinations that are ETOA members. How cities remain sustainable - appealing and viable places in which to live, work and visit - is, above all, a matter for their communities and those they elect to govern them.”
www.etoa.org
December 2017 coachtourismprofessional.co.uk 45
Tour operators
Johnsons welcomes customers to Blenheim to mark brochure launch
To celebrate the launch of its summer 2018 Door to Door Holiday brochure, Johnsons Coach Travel took 400 clients, to Blenheim Palace for the day. The event gave Johnsons an opportunity to
meet customers face-to-face and treat them to a day out at the palace, with its Baroque architecture, landscaped parkland and stunning formal gardens.
Johnsons’ Summer 2018 brochure features more than 200 departures between April and October 2018 including 40 new tours or itineraries including active traveller holidays, holidays to Scotland, Ireland, Europe and a 27-day escorted ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ tour of New Zealand.
Clients were split into two groups to present the programme, and were welcomed to the Blenheim Palace with coffee and biscuits and had the chance to chat to Johnsons’ hoteliers who included Brend Hotels, Maritim Hotels, Q Hotels, Best Western Hotels, Marriott Hotels, HF Holidays, Silverfern, Travelsmith, Warner Leisure Hotels, Travelsphere, Thwaites, and Norman Allen.
John Johnson and Wendy Moore presented the
new programme with a trivia quiz complete with prizes. There was also a charity raffle, in aid of Johnsons’ charity of the year, Acorns Children’s Hospice with a total of £650 raised.
Clients were then free to explore the palace and wander through the state rooms to see the oil paintings, tapestries, statues, china and elaborate gilt frames.
Blenheim was the birthplace of Winston Churchill, and there is a Churchill Exhibition dedicated to the life, work, paintings and writings of the prime minister.
“This was a great event, it’s always great to meet our clients face to face and explain the new holidays we have planned for the summer and hear their feedback and comments,” says John Johnson, commercial director.
“We would like to say a big thank you to the staff at Blenheim Palace, and our hotel suppliers for supporting our event. A great day was had by all.”
www.johnsonscoaches.co.uk
Brochure launch event at Blenheim.
December 201746 coachtourismprofessional.co.uk
Attractions
Leeds Castle has been awarded Coach Friendly status by the Confederation of Passenger Transport. The award is granted to attractions and destinations across the country that understand the
needs of coach companies and their passengers, and offer the best facilities, access and information for coach drivers.
Open all year, Leeds Castle offers a seasonal programme of activities including falconry displays, punting on the moat, themed tours of the castle and walks with one of the gardeners. There are also new specialist talks for groups to pre-book covering a
Coach Friendly at Leeds Castlevariety of fascinating topics.
For almost 900 years Leeds Castle, set within 500 acres of Kent parkland, has attracted crusaders and kings, courtiers and queens, witches and villains, world statesmen and icons of the silver screen. It is located near Maidstone in Kent just off junction 8 of the M20 and is one hour’s drive from London. The grounds open at 10am daily and the castle is open from 10.30am.
Group rates for 2018/19 are - non-guided: adults £15.75, concessions £14.75; and guided: adults £19.75, concessions £18.75.
www.leeds-castle.com/groups
VisitBritain unites partnership to promote England’s Heartland
VisitBritain has announced a partnership with Birmingham and the surrounding areas to promote more of England’s regions to overseas visitors. The three-year partnership is a joint initiative with
Birmingham Airport, the West Midlands Growth Company, Shakespeare’s England and Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire.
The organisations will market Birmingham and the surrounding areas to a global audience, aiming to boost bookings, and promote direct flights to the area. In the first year, the partnership will focus on the US market.
“Tourism is one of the UK’s most valuable export industries, worth £127billion annually to the economy,” says VisitBritain commercial director Carol Dray. “Increasing regional connectivity not only makes it easier for visitors to see more of Britain, the West Midlands and the Peak District, it boosts economic growth, and helps keep us an attractive destination in this fiercely competitive global market.”
West Midlands Growth Company director of marketing and communications Emma Gray adds: “Birmingham and its surrounding areas have become increasingly popular tourist destinations, attracting some 1.5 million international visitors in 2015.
Midlands organisation Heartlands campaign.
“By working in partnership with our destination partners we will be in an even stronger position to attract more visitors to the region, increasing economic development and growth. We look forward to capitalising on the opportunities and benefits that this initiative will bring to the tourism industry in the future.”
The US is Britain’s most valuable inbound visitor market and also one of its largest. Latest figures from VisitBritain show that there were 1.9 million visits from the US to the UK in the first six months of this year, a 31 per cent increase on the same period last year. Visitors from the US spent £1.8billion between January and June this year, a 28 per cent increase on the same period last year.
www.englandsheartland.com
December 2017 coachtourismprofessional.co.uk 47
Marketing
More than 60 travel trade and industry suppliers from across the UK took part in a showcase of why Britain is a key destination to buyers from
across China at VisitBritain’s annual Destination Britain China event. The three-day trade event, this year held in partnership with British Airways and Visit Wales, took place in Guangzhou, China, from 21-23 November with more than 3,500 business appointments arranged.
In attendance were UK suppliers including hotels, retailers, visitor attractions, tour operators and local destinations from across Britain aiming to do business with 75 buyers from 13 cities across China.
“China is the most valuable outbound tourism market in the world and a huge opportunity for Britain,” says VisitBritain director Patricia Yates. “This event gives UK travel suppliers and local destinations the chance to get their tourism products and services in front of top buyers from China and to forge valuable business connections.”
Promoting Britain's destinations to Chinese group visitors
Destination Britain China has been running since 2009 and is a flagship event in VisitBritain’s annual trade event calendar. As well as doing business with top travel buyers in China, delegates at this year’s event heard about the latest international travel trends, what the UK is doing to attract more international visitors and attended seminars on product development.
Britain has seen record-breaking growth from China in the first half of 2017. From January to June this year there were 115,000 visits from China to the UK, up 47 per cent on the same period last year, with visitors spending £231million, up 54 per cent.
Visitors from China are some of the UK’s highest spenders, they also stay longer and travel more widely. In 2016, Chinese visitors spent, on average, £1,972 during their visit, more than three times the all-market average. They visited the UK for an average of 20 nights in 2016, compared to an all-market average of seven.
VisitBritain has ambitions to double spend from Chinese visitors to £1 billion annually by 2020.
www.visitbritain.org
Irish Ferries 2018 schedule features new Cruise Ferry W.B. Yeats
Irish Ferries has confirmed its 2018 sailing schedule, incorporating the capacity offered by its new €144million cruise ferry W.B. Yeats.
The new ferry, currently being built in Germany, is expected to weigh 55,000 tonnes,
making it the largest to operate on the Irish Sea.W.B. Yeats will sail between Holyhead and Dublin
from mid-September 2018, delivering additional capacity for 1,885 passengers and crew and 1,200 vehicles per crossing, onto the busiest ferry route between the UK and Ireland.
Onboard facilities on the new ship will include a Club Class lounge with direct passenger access from the car decks, à la carte and self-service restaurants, a cinema, a shopping mall, a choice of bars and
lounges and an outside promenade deck. There will also be 441 cabins, including luxury suites with private balconies.
Before going into service on the Holyhead to Dublin route, W.B. Yeats will be used to supplement high season capacity between Ireland and France. After her maiden voyage on 6 July 2018, the new ship will provide a cruise style travel experience, sailing between Dublin and Cherbourg throughout the summer.
In a further schedule change, the high-speed Dublin Swift catamaran, which crosses between Holyhead and Dublin in one hour and 49 minutes, will provide a summer-only service in 2018.
www.irishferries.com
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Mercedes-Benz Tourismo & Tourismo M stock available for immediate deliveryFresh new interior upholsteries available.Contact your area sales manager for details.
Marcus Watts 07798 820070 Director Mercedes-Benz SalesJonathan Prime 07730 620279 General Manager Coach SalesPhill Cowdery 07831 135477 North West & North WalesLee Hake 07887 830727 London & South EastDavid Hobson 07798 814850 North & ScotlandJames Kay 07725 960373 East, East Anglia & South YorkshireGary Owen 07753 856052 South West, Wales & West MidsNeil Gladstone 07768 594484 NI & ROI
