Ashok Leyland takes Optare stake to 98%

Transcription

1 08 December 2017 li v e driving towards a greener future Ashok Leyland takes Optare stake to 98%

2 3 MONTHS FREE Commercial Vehicle Tracking Save on fuel and insurance costs Driver timesheet reports Full service support and warranty Free installation per month 12 Month Contract No Auto Renewal When passengers phoned up to ask where their transport was, we wanted to be able to tell them without phoning the driver. The Quartix system does everything we want and is very straightforward. Visit or call Ian Jenkinson Sheffield Community Transport Terms and conditions apply. See our website for details. Offer valid until December 20th with purchases of InfoPlus on 12 month contract.

3 comment Bus and Coach Professional is published by Plum Publishing Ltd Editorial Steve Rooney Advertising Jo James Sue Rooney Production Nigel Greenaway Contact address: Bus and Coach Professional Plum Publishing Ltd, Unit 4 Marshbrook Business Park Church Stretton Shropshire SY6 6QE Telephone: Every care is taken over the accuracy of material in Bus and Coach Professional but the publishers cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Views and opinions of contributors to Bus and Coach Professional are not necessarily those of the publishers who cannot accept responsibility for such contributions. Letters and articles may be submitted to the editor at the address above. Plum Publishing Limited 2017 Getting ready for tech-led competitors 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 people 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 advantages 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 uncomfortable reading, but it is definitely worthwhile and if you have a moment or two over the coming weeks, I d highly recommend it. RECYCLE Fully Licenced ELV site WANTED ALL TYPES OF BUS, COACH & MINIBUS Collection available throughout the UK Tel: / sales@sheltonmotors.co.uk Factory Bank, Horse Drove, Ramsey. Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE26 2RD Office hours 8am-6pm Monday-Friday December

4 comment contents news Ashok Leyland increases stake in Optare by converting loans to equity diary Bus Butlers get into spirit for Lancashire Day news Manchester hails new training and employment initiative for jobseekers product Amminex wins Air Quality Award for its ASDS technology news Lucketts Group expands with acquisition of Solent Coaches ticketing New technologies driving the ticketing scene international Mercedes-Benz plans launch of electric Citaro at next year s Hanover show who buys what Longstanding Volvo customer DJ Thomas Coaches takes two 9700 integrals international Australian order for eight Volvo hybrids who buys what First Mercedes-Benz delivered to Thandi Coaches people Steve Whiteway takes on ambassador role for Optare electric buses tourism Johnsons welcomes customers to Blenheim Palace as part of brochure launch event. 4 December 2017

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6 news Ashok Leyland takes stake in Optare to per cent Hinduja Group company Ashok Leyland has increased its stake in its UK subsidiary Optare plc by per cent to 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 making Optare a premier bus player in the UK, says Vinod Dasari, managing 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 positioned by early John Fickling, Optare chairman, 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 UK market. The Metrodecker EV completed trials successfully with First York and First West Yorkshire 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. Metrodecker EV continues trials. 6 December 2017

7 news Manchester scheme offers jobseekers route into training and employment Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and First Manchester are launching a new Sector Based Work Academy, which offers participants a job interview, preemployment training, license acquisition, work experience 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 delivery model, and has already helped 99 participants to secure employment since its 2003 launch. The scheme works with specific opera- tors, such as First Manchester, 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 Manchester, 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 Transport 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 forward to hearing more stories of how it has changed people 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 development opportunities available 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 manager, 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 Sustainable Transport Fund. Andrew Fender, chair of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee. December

8 news Lucketts Group acquires Solent Coaches as part of strategic expansion Hampshire-based Lucketts Group is expanding with the acquisition of Solent Coaches as part of long-term growth plans. Lucketts managing director Tony Lawman reports that the acquisition of the Ringwood-based Solent operation adds 12 coaches to Lucketts fleet 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 Lucketts takes over Solent Coaches operation. geographically and Solent Coaches fits into this plan perfectly, says Lawman. The company is family-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 continue to be responsible for the maintenance of the Ringwoodbased fleet. John Skew adds: Our coach business has given us much pleasure 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. Looking to lease a coach or bus? For good advice and a great deal call: mike.beagrie@closebrothers.com 8 December 2017

9 Go North East wins planning approval for new Consett depot Go North East is relocating its Stanley depot after nearly 100 years in the town, to a new facility in Consett. The company has received planning approval from Durham 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-recycling vehicle wash and spillfree 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 occasion 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. news 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. New buses for X2 and Gold routes Stagecoach Merseyside, Cheshire, and South Lancashire 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 Rob Jones, managing director, Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire. its first buses which feature e-leather seats, tables, and LED reading lights on the X2 route from Preston to Liverpool 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 sustainable, comfortable, highspecification vehicles to our customers; providing them with a first-class experience, says Rob Jones, managing director, Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire. 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 passengers 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. December

10 news industry data Market prices Operator Price High Low FirstGroup Go-Ahead National Exp Rotala Stagecoach Closing prices on 05/12/17 plus 12 months high and low. Reading Buses to take over Green Line 702 UK diesel price update pence per litre Northern Ireland Scotland Wales North North West Yorks & Humbs West Midlands East Midlands East Anglia South East South West Average weekly fuel prices for the UK by region, November Source: AA European diesel price update pence per litre equivalent Austria 103 Belgium 115 Czech Rep 102 Denmark 109 Estonia 109 Finland 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 123 European diesel pump price sample November 2017 Source: AA Reading to take over route after First withdraws. Reading Buses is expanding in the Thames Valley region with the operation of the Green Line 702 Bracknell, Windsor and London service. The move follows 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, Langley and London Victoria from 27 December and will also be co-ordinating a special service to run on Christmas Eve. Reading Buses says the route will operate as it does today, although London-bound journeys 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 Junction. At weekends these journeys will also offer leisure journey opportunities to Legoland, Windsor and London. We are really excited to be taking over the long standing Berkshire Green Line service which is part of a network that has been in operation since the 1930 s, says Martijn Gilbert, chief executive officer, Reading Buses. The Bracknell and Windsor to London route, together with our morning and evening extensions to and from Reading, is a really good fit with our growing focus on the wider Thames Valley region as well as the Reading travel-to-work area. The route offers a convenient 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 December 2017

11 Airlink welcomes its one millionth passenger on Edinburgh Airport route Airlink 100, operated by Lothian, has welcomed its one-millionth Edinburgh Airport boarder for Lothian carries around 3,000 customers a day from the airport 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 vehicles for the route and the latest contactless payment technology, says Nigel Serafini, Commercial Director of Lothian. We are delighted to hit this milestone in our operation for 2017 and look forward to continuing to provide a first class service for residents and visitors to our city. Gordon Robertson, director of communications at Edinburgh Airport, adds: We ve worked closely with Lothian to provide reliable and efficient bus services that make it as easy as possible to get to or from Scotland s busiest airport. Recent investment also means passengers are benefitting from things like live updates on their flights and contactless payment and these fantastic usage figures demonstrate the continued success of this route. news Celebrating one millionth passenger. Airlink 100 provides Edinburgh Airport with a 24/7 operation and has 175,000 seats available per week; the equivalent to 333 jumbo jets. TfL Bus Safety Innovation Fund supports trials across the bus network Transport for London has awarded a 500,000 fund to six bus operators to develop new ideas that will improve safety across London s bus network. The successful bids from the TfL Bus Safety Innovation Fund were announced at the recent London Bus Safety Summit which brought together industry professionals focusing 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 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, psychometric 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 introduction across the wider bus network following consultation with unions and staff. We re committed to improving safety on London s roads and are working hard to improve the bus network, says Val Shawcross, deputy mayor for transport. Leon Daniels, TfL managing director of surface transport, adds: Making the bus network safer and reducing road danger are key priorities for us and the mayor. We are pleased to have had so many innovative bids from our bus operators. December

12 news Park s of Hamilton confirms record order for Volvo The livery for the new vehicles being supplied by Volvo to Park s of Hamilton. Scotland s largest independent coach operator, Park s of Hamilton, 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 This is a particularly exciting 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. Michael Andrews, director, Park s of Hamilton, adds: We felt that Volvo offered the best range of chassis and bodywork combinations that would provide us with the flexibility we need. New report calls for strategic policy response to taxi and PHV growth A new report from the Urban Transport Group, Taxi! Issues and options for city region taxi and private hire vehicle policy, has identified 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 Midlands; 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 The report sets out the key ways Jonathan Bray, Urban Transport Group. 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 consumer 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 Transport 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, public safety and congestion, means that we need a far a more strategic approach at both national and local level. Jonathan Bray, director, Urban Transport Group, adds: The current 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 framework 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 December 2017

13 news New officers provide transport security Greater Manchester s transport 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 Partnership, 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 networks, 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 largest light rail system. We promised to prioritise a greater staffing presence on the transport networks, particularly 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. in the evenings and on weekends, and the addition of these extra officers will complement the excellent work already being undertaken to keep the networks as safe as possible, says deputy mayor for policing and crime Beverley Hughes. The continuing expansion of the team should send out two clear messages; that anybody using Greater Manchester s transport network should feel safe and secure and that antisocial behaviour will never be tolerated. A recent two-week crime crackdown included covert and overt patrols and operations and resulted in 56 arrests, 494 fines, 11 missing people being located, use of specialist police units to deter crime and ASB and recovery of outstanding fines from people previously caught travelling without a ticket. New buses for Fife JET747 service Stagecoach 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 Scotland with Edinburgh Airport. The JET747 route stops at Halbeath park-and-ride, Inverkeithing New JET747 buses rail station and Ferrytoll park-andride, en route to Scotland s busiest airport. Stagecoach increased the journey 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 following customer feedback. I m delighted to welcome these six new buses into our East Scotland fleet, 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 outside the terminal building. The new buses include leather seats, USB power sockets, airconditioning, free wi-fi access, a large luggage hold and extra spacing 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. December

14 international Bus and coach news from around the world Norway Norway s all-in-one travel app FARA, in cooperation with DataGrafikk, has developed a new travel app that combines route planning, real-time information and ticketing for Møre og Romsdal in Norway. The new app makes it easier and more convenient for travellers in Møre og Romsdal to choose public transport, says Ørjan Kirkefjord, FARA managing director. You can easily find the best route, buy tickets and receive real-time information 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 ticketing in a single solution. The traveller gets information about the entire trip, including travel time and transfers between different modes of transport, adds Toril Karlsnes Viken, ICT development and strategy, Department of Transport, 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, information is updated in one place for all platforms: travel planner, Internet, signs, bus stops and so on. This ensures effective handling and reduces the risk of errors, making it easier for travellers to plan their journey, says Mats Johansson, managing director, Hogia Communications. The app is available on both AppStore and Google Play. Australia Australian order for eight Volvo hybrids Volvo7900 Hybrid. Volvo Buses has received an order for eight hybrids for Australia, the largest order of its type to date in the country. Latrobe Valley Bus Lines in southeast Australia 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 service in The hybrid buses feature lowfloor 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 sustainable transport solutions and we are proud to be working on this project with Latrobe Valley Bus Lines, says David Mead, acting 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 December 2017

15 Bus and coach news from around the world international Australia Masabi in Australia s first mobile ticketing trial Mobile ticketing specialist Masabi is operating a twomonth trial in South Australia with the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure 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 providing gateway services to facilitate test payments linked to Commonwealth Bank of Australia. As part of the trial Masabi has deployed 15 VAL 100 onboard 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 cloudbased, mobile ticketing and fare collection platform which enables ticket purchase, display and inspection together with backend 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 Australian city. Adelaide recognises the global movement to create more responsive and more inclusive cities said Mike Rowe, vice president, Mastercard Australia. It s very fitting that mobile ticketing is being tested here first. Whether residents or visitors people are digitally connected, and smart city solutions get them on their way faster and easier. Masabi has offices in London, New York and Boston and investors include Mastercard and Keolis. Hungary Allison passes half million mark for 4000 Series Allison Transmission completed 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 emergency, distribution, coach and transit bus, and motorhomes. Allison began producing the 4000 Series transmission at its Indianapolis headquarters in To accommodate demand outside of North America, the company also began building the transmission at its facility in Szentgotthárd, Hungary in Allison fully automatic transmissions use Continuous Power Technology which is designed to smoothly multiply engine torque and deliver more power. Allison claims that its transmissions are highly regarded for overall economic value, demonstrated by residual values for Allisonequipped vehicles, compared to vehicles equipped with a manual, AMT or dual-clutch transmission. December

16 international Bus and coach news from around the world USA FlixBus sets up Los Angeles team to plot US start-up FlixBus, Europe s fast-growing 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 business model perfectly fits the market s needs. An initial FlixBus team is preparing potential market entry from a base in Los Angeles. FlixBus was launched in 2013 in Germany following the liberalisation of the national coach market. Schwämmlein adds: We are cooperating with regional SME bus companies that are responsible for the daily operation of the bus fleet, while we develop the network, the technological platform and keep the relationship with the customers. Our partnership model perfectly matches the American business culture as two entrepreneurial partners build a new business together. Many SME bus companies already show great interest in our idea. FlixBus plans US expansion. 16 December 2017

17 Bus and coach news from around the world international Germany Countdown to zero emission buses for Mercedes-Benz Citaro 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 optimised 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 Citaro electric to launch at IAA Hanover show in 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 climate control systems, according to Mercedes-Benz. The thermal management is designed to reduce energy consumption significantly and extends the range of the bus without enhancing the size of battery. The electric Citaro will celebrate its world premiere in September 2018 at the IAA Commercial Vehicles show in Hanover. Belgium Additional features for Green-Zones App The Green-Zones App has been enhanced with new features, 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 decided to introduce environmental zones, but have not been able to agree consistent entry regulations. For this reason, a variety of regulations appeared concerning vehicle types and periods of time when entering the environmental zones is allowed, which have been summarised in the Green-Zones app. There are also new temporary zones in France which will be coloured according to their status: orange in case of warnings, red in case of urgent driving bans, to make it easier for users to recognise. 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 environmental zone. December

18 people For all the latest vacancies visit Steve Whiteway. Whiteway becomes Optare electric ambassador Steve Whiteway, former managing 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 London area is highly valued and respected and will be invaluable in supporting Optare in its work with operators to implement more sustainable 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 quality. Part of the worldwide Hinduja 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, completed 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. Martin Hirst Two commercial directors appointed at First First Bus has appointed two new commercial directors for its West Yorkshire and West of England businesses. Martin Hirst and Rob Pymm have joined First West Yorkshire and First West of England, 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 director, First Bus, says: I am really delighted to welcome both Martin and Rob on board and I know they Rob Pymm. will be bringing new ideas and a fresh way of thinking as we transform our businesses, continuously improving our customer offering 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 ambition of doubling passenger numbers in Leeds and delivering truly market leading services. Jon Lamonte. Greater Manchester transport chief is new EMTA president Transport for Greater Manchester s Chief Executive has been appointed the new President of European Metropolitan Transport Authorities, succeeding Wolfgang Schroll, current joint chief executive officer of Vienna-based transport 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 transport authorities from across the continent, to enable the exchange of best practice, information, research and experience among members. 18 December 2017

19 For all the latest vacancies visit people I am delighted to have been named as president of this prestigious 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 challenging themes including integrating transport with other public agendas, such as health and education. 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 infrastructure 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 different regions, experience different transport networks and learn from each other to support the betterment 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 February 2013 from his previous role as chief executive officer of TfL subsidiary Tube Lines. Prior to this he held a range of senior roles in the Royal Air Force and Ministry of Defence. Daniel Caddick joins Roeville Daniel Caddick has joined Roeville as business development manager, following 12 years experience as operations manager with InterChoice Holidays and Platinum Express Coaches. I m excited to join such a fantastically 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 valued 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 benefit of our customers, present and future. Caddick will be focusing on relationships with existing customers in addition to new business opportunities. Apprenticeship successes at Go North East Go North East has welcomed four new engineering team members following completion of its apprenticeship programme. After successfully completing the fouryear programme, Ross Dryden, Andrew Wrightson, Richard Whittaker 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 Gateshead 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 and Jak Watson. James Young, 19 and Jak Watson, 20, who have joined Go North East s flagship Riverside depot, while 18-year-old Aaron Jones, is based at Stanley depot, and coachbuilder apprentice Luke Mitcheson, 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 College s 5.5million Skills Academy for Automotive, Engineering, Manufacturing and Logistics based at Team Valley in Gateshead. Colin Barnes, head of engineering, 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 industry, 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 further in their future careers. December

20 people For all the latest vacancies visit Sue McKay. TMD Friction appoints new UK distributor sales manager TMD Friction has appointed Sue McKay as UK distributor sales manager for its commercial vehicle brands to help develop the company s distribution network. With almost 20 years experience in the commercial vehicle aftermarket, McKay has experience from roles held at Roadcrew Solutions, a division of Volvo Group UK, Valeo, ArvinMeritor CVA and Unipart Commercial Vehicles. Her role will involve developing 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 marketplace, 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: Having 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 offering globally. Sue s appointment is part of a wider restructuring of our CV division to expand our distribution network, whilst developing and maintaining our customer relationships. New Eminox managing director appointed Mark Runciman and Andy Meakin. Emission reduction specialist 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 possibility of further Clean Air Zones across the country. We have lots of opportunities coming up in 2018 in both retrofit 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 bringing people together and creating a team that s bigger than the individuals. 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. Local business award for Steve Whiteway The 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 winners and runners-up for all their hard work and success. Special congratulations to Steve Whiteway, it was fabulous to honour the career of such a respected business leader. I know he intends to continue to play an active role 20 December 2017

21 For all the latest vacancies visit in the business community, his expertise will no doubt be highly sought after. Whiteway joined Epsom Coaches as a trainee driver in 1980 and in 1995 he was appointed a director, the first non-family member to join the firm s board since its creation in 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 Long service awards for Stagecoach South employees people special under Steve s leadership was his approach to the community, adds Grayling, often offering free transport to civic and charity events in the borough, in fact rarely was there a borough event without support from Epsom Coaches. Long Service awards at Stagecoach South. Stagecoach employees from across Hampshire, Surrey and West Sussex have been recognised for their loyal service and commitment 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 director 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 and the support from their partners and families. Our Long Service Awards provide a great opportunity for us to recognise the loyalty and devotion shown by our many long serving employees, who have all contributed in helping us to shape and develop the company into one of the country s leading bus operators. Winchester-based bus driver Nick Knight has clocked up 45 years of service, having joined Stagecoach predecessor Hants & Dorset in Other notable milestones were made by Guildford-based Shaun Broom, and Malcolm Simpson from Winchester who both celebrated 40 years with the company. 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 Aldershot (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). December

22 diary Alexander Pemberton s Diary Handprint bus launched in City of Culture Stagecoach 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 residents, 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 Culture. We are delighted to be able to unveil this fantastic and unique bus and have so many local people Hand print bus. contribute towards the finished product, says Michelle Hargreaves, managing director, Stagecoach 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. Double-deck bus for homeless in Portsmouth Stagecoach South is supporting 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 Portsmouth Football Club, before being relocated to its new home at St Agatha s Church in the city. Converted Volvo Olympian offering accommodation for city s homeless. 22 December 2017

23 Alexander Pemberton s Diary Newcastle bus inspector attends 10 Downing Street celebration Revenue and audit supervisor 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 Newcastle, Gateshead and Durham, the members of the BBJA practise traditional Japanese judo and Mills has volunteered for the organisation 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 adults throughout the north east, says Mills. The BBJA was set up in 2001 by Steve Makin, BCA 9th Dan, who recently received a British Citizen Award for his contribution to education in teaching traditional Japanese judo to both juniors and seniors. In 1977 Steve was photographed 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. diary Ian Mills at 10 Downing Street. Burnley Bus Company backs Lancashire Day On 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 customers. 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 Proclamation is read out by town criers throughout the county on 27 November to formally mark the occasion. We re always proud of our Lancashire 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 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 special of days. Burnley Bus Company s Bus Butlers. Burnley s buses have recently seen a 4.5million investment from parent company Transdev in 30 new vehicles for its Mainline network. December

24 diary Alexander Pemberton s Diary First drivers get to grips with sensory loss 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. First Bus drivers in Falkirk learned about sensory loss last month as local deaf and blind people helped them understand what it is like to use public transport without being able to see or hear properly. Organised by Forth Valley Sensory 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 making sure they have the best possible journey is really important to them, us and First Midland Bluebird, 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 service. Drivers wore special simulation 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 manager Jason Hackett adds: First Midland Bluebird is always looking for new ways to improve services 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 experiences like this really help people understand just how much more difficult it can be to do things others take for granted. Boarding a bus is a good example of this and we want to ensure our drivers do everything necessary to assist customers and make their journey as easy as possible, by following just a few simple steps December 2017

25 Alexander Pemberton s Diary diary Retired Midland Metro trams up for auction Former 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 Birmingham Snow Hill station and Wolverhampton city centre between 1998 and 2014 and were phased out following the introduction of Urbos 3 trams now in use on the network. The trams have been in storage at a depot in Long Marston, Warwickshire, 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 Festival Next April s South East Bus Festival 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 double-decks but with a small number of single-decks and some chassis also sold to places such as Baghdad, Manila, Stockholm, Sydney and New York. It is hoped to bring together a large number of preserved Atlanteans at the bus festival to form a special display marking the diamond anniversary of the chassis. land Metro, says Roger Lawrence, WMCA lead member for transport. They are mostly still serviceable so the auction is a good chance for someone to get themselves a bargain. There are 15 trams up for auction, 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. This year s South East Bus Festival 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 Showground s Heritage Transport Show which includes 800 cars, commercials, tractors and motorbikes. It doesn t seem nearly seven years since we organised our celebration of the centenary of the Maidstone & District bus company, but, from that initial event, the South East Bus Festival has developed and continues to grow, says co-organiser Richard Lewis. We normally get a very wide range of chassis and body types, liveries 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 coming 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 simple 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. Record crowds at 2017 festival. December

26 product The latest products and services for the bus and coach sector Air Quality Award for Amminex s ASDS technology Amminex 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, Ammonia Storage and Delivery System, promises an improved way of distributing 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 emissions, says Amminex s Lars Tinggaard Johannesen. The people living in UK cities have a right to clean air, and in parallel to electrification, we can deliver fast and cheap. Amminex claims that retrofitting 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 fleet with electric buses. Traditionally, NOx emissions have been worst in slow, congested traffic, adds Tinggaard Johannesen. 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 programme. Together with retrofit partner Eminox, Amminex also plans to provide the ASDS solution for the upcoming Clean Air Zones across the UK. Amminex wins National Air Quality Award. Brigade s award for innovation that makes electric vehicles safer Brigade Electronics UK has won an Innovation Award at the Noise Abatement Society 2017 John Connell Awards, held at the House of Commons. The award is in recognition of Brigade s Quiet Vehicle Sounder which uses broad band technology to improve the safety of electric vehicles, overcoming the problem of silent vehicles presenting 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 ambient 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 Gloria Elliott, Noise Abatement Society chief executive. Brigade presented with Innovation Award. 26 December 2017

27 The latest products and services for the bus and coach sector product All-Michelin price-per-vehicle contract for Courtney Buses Courtney 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 Bracknell, 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 fleet means we typically see lots of kerbing damage, 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 Courtney Buses switches to Michelin. 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 problems identified as causing tyre wear. This will help us to make fully-informed management decisions based on the data we ve collected. Describing the switchover to the Michelin solutions-managed New Camira guide designed to inspire 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 planning much easier. Not to mention the fact we re expecting to see savings on fuel, thanks to the lower rolling resistance of moving to a premium Michelin fitment. Textile supplier Camira, has launched a new Transport Design Directions guide developed specifically for bus and coach interiors 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 creative and practical solutions, offering combinations of fabric finishes and materials. The three design themes: Soft Gradations, Tactile Illusions and Colour Experience bring different concepts and ideas, combining textures, 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 materials 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 transport. 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 practical solutions which can bring the theme to life in transport. Transport Design Directions features Camira s stocked ranges including moquette, flat-woven, vinyl and leather as well as made to order capabilities, showing its newest collection of wire-woven fabrics. December

28 product CPT and TruTac launch Daily Checks app CPT 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 identified either prior to a bus or coach entering service or at a later point during the day. The paperless system also offers drivers an option to submit supporting photographic evidence and explanatory notes for any defect. The accompanying back-office system provides designated personnel with instant access to each vehicle s full walk round maintenance history program, which includes details of reported defects, The latest products and services for the bus and coach sector 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 Compliance Management System complies with all regulations as well as DVSA guidance on inspections and service maintenance records. We are proud to have worked closely with our commercial partner TruTac over the past nine months during the development and launch of this new system, New TruTac Daily Checks app says CPT technical executive John Taylor. The app is easy to use and makes drivers first use and periodic walk round checks, and the subsequent reporting of any defects, a simple and effective process. We have a range of app packages 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. Pennine Pump & Tank supports Diamond with Eccles refuelling Following 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 experience in the petroleum industry and extensive knowledge of Rotala s other sites, Pennine Pump & Tank recommended that Dia- 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 disruption, 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 transportation 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. Relocation of fuel tanks for new Manchester operation. 28 December 2017

29 Get CPT Daily Checks Now! TYPES OF ASSET FUNDING: HIRE/LEASE PURCHASE FINANCE LEASE OPERATING LEASE REFINANCE CPT Daily Checks and daily check App. Discounts for CPT Members!* Features DEPENDABLE PARTNERS FLEXIBLE SOLUTIONS Call or Visit for more information watch your business grow to advertise in this space call Jo on December

30 product The latest products and services for the bus and coach sector Act now on ULEZ, Eminox warns coach and bus operators Coach 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 retrofit 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 London LEZ, according to Eminox. For the current LEZ, a simple bolt-on Diesel Particulate Filter, New Milton Keynes HQ for Scania Retrofitting option to meet ULEZ. such as the Eminox Continuously Regenerating Trap, for a few thousand pounds has allowed vehicles to travel freely within the zone. More than 30,000 vehicles were retrofitted to meet the requirements of the LEZ, and CRT was the leading retrofit choice, according 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 operators can either invest significantly to replace older vehicles with new Euro 6 models; upgrade existing vehicles with Euro 6 emission 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 Accreditation Scheme, a certification scheme for manufacturers and retrofit emissions reduction technologies, 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. Kier has been appointed to develop Scania (Great Britain) Limited s new UK headquarters and support centre in Milton Keynes. The proposals will see Scania remain on the site, where the company 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 complete next summer. Once the new building is complete, Kier will demolish the existing facilities. The new HQ building will be a steel-framed Artist s impression of new Scania HQ structure with composite metal deck upper floor and roof. Internally, the building is mostly open plan, with dedicated meeting and conference rooms, and the threestorey open atrium will include a feature staircase. Scania currently employs more than 230 people in Milton Keynes and is a key employer for the town; maintaining its staff is one of the main reasons the company wanted to remain in Milton Keynes 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 commitment to both our industry and the area in which we are based, says Claes Jacobsson, managing director, Scania (Great Britain) Limited December 2017

31 Ticketing Technology driving ticketing options New technologies continue to generate new approaches to bus and coach ticketing. Steve Banner reports More and more bus operators are incorporating contactless payment in their ticketing 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. December 2017 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. continued page 32 31

32 Ticketing 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 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-toend 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 continued page December 2017

33 Multiple payment options: Cash ITSO Contactless EMV mtickets Call us: December

34 Ticketing Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester mayor promotes smartcard system. 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 preloaded 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. 34 December 2017

35 Ticketing 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 revenuegenerating 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. Contact ETMSS Ticketer Swift users can now collect top-ups online. December

36 who buys what Volvo a firm favourite with Welsh operator The latest bus and coach deliveries Longstanding Volvo customer, DJ Thomas Coaches, has taken delivery of two new integral Volvo B11R 9700 vehicles as the latest additions to its growing fleet. The family-owned company, 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 Gibson. 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 chassis 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 operator which has been in business since Initially offering coach hire services, in 2011 the company launched a coach holiday business and now operates an international tour programme December 2017

37 The latest bus and coach deliveries who buys what Volvo graduates with the University of Wolverhampton The 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 University of Wolverhampton, Chris Robinson, says: We were looking for buses that would offer students 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 manager, 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 reliability is key. The University of Wolverhampton has a total enrolment of approximately 24,000 students who study across three campuses in the West Midlands. December

38 who buys what New Heading Plaxton Leopard for John C Keir The latest bus and coach deliveries 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 private hire, school contracts, day trips and excursions 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 flooring, 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 Aberdeenshire 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 December 2017

39 The latest bus and coach deliveries Another Heading Irizar for Chambers Coaches who buys what After 18 months of service from an Irizar i6 Integral 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 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 picking-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 portfolio, as are sports teams visiting Ulster. With our client base, it s very important for us to have vehicles that look the part, adds Chambers. 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 integrals will be maintained by local DAF dealer TBF Thompson, but the remainder of the fleet is serviced in-house. Why smart people buy Compak Parts December 2017 Genuine OEM quality parts, made for purpose Compak OEM parts cost less thank you think! Unrivalled availability - One-stop-shop Optimum delivery times - inc VOR Technical expertise & support Continuous and rigorous development testing For complete peace of mind:- Tel: douglas.park@compakramps.com 39

40 who buys what Plaxton Panther joins Abbey Coaches fleet The latest bus and coach deliveries Abbey Coaches, based in Thornliebank, Glasgow, has introduced a new Plaxton Panther to its growing fleet of vehicles operating across central Scotland and beyond. The latest model is a 12.8m 57-seat, executive coach, complete with centre 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. Nine Mellor Tucana IIs delivered to HCT Mellor has delivered nine new Tucana II lowfloor 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 easily 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 delivery of six Mellor Iveco based vehicles which have also performed extremely well, so we have complete confidence in our new fleet additions. The Tucana IIs are configured to carry up to 14 seated passengers or three seats and four wheelchairs. 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 December 2017

41 The latest bus and coach deliveries First Mercedes-Benz coaches for Thandi who buys what Lanarkshire based Whitelaw s has introduced 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 flooring 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 introductions in 2017 to 10. In 2015 we set the objective of having all our service routes in Lanarkshire supported by low-carbon, high-specification vehicles within two years, says Sandra Whitelaw, managing director. We are well Birmingham-based, family-run Thandi Executive Coaches have made their first Mercedes-Benz purchase with the delivery of two Tourismo M coaches built to Touring specification. The latest additions join the company s expanding fleet as it starts a new continental touring programme. The two new Tourismo M s seat passengers in Travel Star Eco upholstery, and passengers benefit from arm-rests, foot-rests, fold-out tray tables and air-conditioning. 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 Warning System, Active Emergency Braking System and three-point seatbelts. The new Tourismo M s delivered to Thandi Executive Coaches were supplied by Mercedes-Benz Coach Sales at EvoBus (UK). Whitelaws continues low-carbon investment 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 extensive investment programme. They clearly enjoy cleaner, greener buses that are stylish, reliable and contribute to a better environment. December

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44 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. 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 coachtourismprofessional.co.uk December 2017

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-alifetime 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 Brochure launch event at Blenheim. 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. December 2017 coachtourismprofessional.co.uk 45

46 Attractions Coach Friendly at Leeds Castle 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 variety 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 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 threeyear 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 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 coachtourismprofessional.co.uk December 2017

47 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 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. Marketing 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 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 allmarket average of seven. VisitBritain has ambitions to double spend from Chinese visitors to 1 billion annually by 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 December 2017 coachtourismprofessional.co.uk 47

48 A Daimler brand Mercedes-Benz Tourismo & Tourismo M stock available for immediate delivery Fresh new interior upholsteries available. Contact your area sales manager for details. Marcus Watts Director Mercedes-Benz Sales Jonathan Prime General Manager Coach Sales Phill Cowdery North West & North Wales Lee Hake London & South East David Hobson North & Scotland James Kay East, East Anglia & South Yorkshire Gary Owen South West, Wales & West Mids Neil Gladstone NI & ROI