McLean’s Coaches of Airdrie has continued its favour of the Yutong brand with arrival of a further pair of GT12 models, supplied by Pelican Bus and Coach. The vehicles represent the newest iteration of the GT12. That has seen a modest facelift to deliver a ‘softer’ front, updating its looks and reducing aerodynamic drag and…

Kearney Group UK has taken delivery of a Scania K410 with Irizar i8 bodywork, supplied by Scania UK. It is a 13.2m example with 44 seats in a dark grey and burnt orange scheme with numbers embossed into the headrests, and matching curtains. A rear servery has been fitted by AD Coach Systems, where it…

Elizabeth Yule Transport of Pitlochry has introduced a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with an Altas Tourline S minicoach conversion, supplied by EVM UK. It has 16 reclining seats in a two-tone grey scheme with three-point belts, armrests at the aisle side, and matching curtains. USB charging and saloon air-conditioning have been specified along with a large drop…

Stantons of Stoke has celebrated its 12th anniversary with the purchase of a Mercedes-Benz Tourismo M/2. It is the first new full-sized coach delivered to the business and has been supplied by Daimler Buses UK. The Tourismo is named Lady Linda in honour of Managing Director Keith Stanton’s mother, and is finished in the Endon…

Hollinshead Coaches of Biddulph has taken delivery of two Scania K360s with MOBIpeople Premium 350 bodywork, supplied by BASE Coach Sales. They are each 12.5m long on two axles and have 74 Prime Buckingham seats to a 3+2 layout. PSVAR compliance has been specified, with that coming in part via a Hidral Gobel passenger lift…

Arriva Cymru has taken delivery of 11 new Alexander Dennis Enviro200 buses for its Wrexham depot and says that the procurement is part of a wider £15 million fleet investment across its business that will see 59 new buses arrive. The Wrexham batch are for cross-border route 1 between the town and Chester, where they…

Coach and minibus transport management platform Savari has enlisted Matt Hanson (pictured, left), co-founder of Proximity Coach Travel, to serve as a strategic partner under his The Coach Wizard consultancy guise. Mr Hanson will bring his knowledge of the coach sector and a strong network of operators to Savari. He will support the supplier as…

Specialist prefabricated vehicle pit manufacturer Premier Pits has been sold by founder and Managing Director Mel Burrell (pictured, centre) to David Myles (pictured, right) and Anuj Kapoor (pictured, left) as part of progression of Mr Burrell’s planned retirement. That has seen MBE Fabrications Ltd acquired by MBE Capital Private Ltd. The deal includes the Premier…

Euro Bus Expo 2026 is nearing a sell-out, with just two exhibition stands remaining and 49 businesses set to exhibit at the event for the first time. The UK’s largest coach and bus exhibition returns to the NEC Birmingham from 3-5 November, with more than 200 exhibitors and around 75 vehicles expected. The event will…

Acklams Coaches added its first zero-emission vehicle earlier this year in the form of a Yutong GTe14 battery-electric tri-axle, supplied by Pelican Bus and Coach. It comes with 563kWh of onboard energy storage and has completed a wide variety of duties for the Beverley operator. Those include round trips along the full length of the…

Consideration of staff wellbeing has advanced in leaps and bounds over the past two decades. The days of leaving problems at the door and ‘dealing with it’ are largely over, but more can still be done. That is one of the reasons why RHA developed its Wellbeing Charter, which was launched in July. It is…

Custom Denning has appointed Martin West as Head of Sales and Commercial, where he will drive the Australian brand’s presence in the UK coach and bus market. Mr West is the first addition to the Custom Denning team in the UK since the naming of Antony Goozee as CEO – Europe in July. The appointments…

Stagecoach East Midlands has put the first battery-electric buses into service from its depot in Hull. Initially 42 are being deployed, a number that will rise to 55 within a year. Of the opening tranche, 32 are Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV double-decks and 10 are Yutong E10 single-decks. The operator says that the electric buses will…

Volvo Bus UK and Ireland has completed the delivery of 72 BZL Electric battery-electric double-decks to Arriva London at its Tottenham depot. They represent a further phase of work on fleet and facilities renewal by Arriva as part of a £340 million investment by the group. Volvo will also supply 63 diesel B8RLE single-decks with…

Suppliers Microlise and Ferdia have partnered to bring together fleet management, telematics and compliance with coach booking and operational planning under a single system. They say that the collaboration will help coach businesses to tackle one of the sector’s biggest challenges in disconnected operations. To that they add how manual processes, spreadsheets and standalone systems…

Anderson Travel has invested almost £1 million in new vehicles in a move that parent First Bus says supports the continued growth of its specialist coach businesses. The upgrade involves two Mercedes-Benz Tourismo large coaches and three minicoaches on the Sprinter base that have been supplied by Temsa Sales UK. The quintet will provide greater…

Irizar UK has launched a dedicated domestic parts operation. It will provide operators of vehicles from the Spanish builder with a comprehensive range of genuine components, including for the Irizar ie range of battery-electric buses alongside diesel coach products. That will be complemented by specialist knowledge, improved availability and a dedicated customer service approach including…

Dhillon of London has added a further Yutong GT12, supplied by Pelican Bus and Coach. It joins previous examples of the type in the Southall fleet and was completed in the operator’s distinctive two-tone purple livery at the factory in China. Fitted are items including USB-A and USB-C charging points, 240-volt power sockets, wi-fi, and…

Centrebus operation Hulleys by High Peak has added a pair of Enviro200 buses, supplied by Alexander Dennis. Each is 8.9m long and has 30 seats. They are to the builder’s stock specification and are in use around the Alfreton, Crich and Matlock areas. Finish is in the cream and blue Hulleys livery that was revived…

Hodgsons Coaches of Barnard Castle has taken delivery of two Van Hool TDX27 Astromega double-decks, supplied by VDL Bus and Coach UK. They are built to a bespoke specification. Each has 83 Kiel Avance 1020 seats with three-point belts, a drinks machine, a fridge, a Shades Technics toilet, two tables in the lower saloon, and…

DL Jones of Pontrobert in Powys has added a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with an Altas Tourline S minicoach conversion to its fleet, supplied by EVM UK. The vehicle has 16 Sege premium seats in synthetic leather and with recline. Finish is in dark grey with lighter side flaps. The driver’s position is trimmed to match. Full-length…

Drury Holidays of Emberton in Buckinghamshire has taken delivery of a bespoke Mercedes-Benz Tourismo M/3, supplied by Daimler Buses UK. It has 48 seats within its 13m length. Each position has a drop-down table with a cup holder, while armrests, footrests and USB charging are included. A toilet is within the specification along with twin…

The Irizar i6S Efficient H2 FCEV hydrogen fuel cell-electric coach will be available for production in the first half of 2027 after a demonstrator entered passenger-carrying service with Alsa in the manufacturer’s home market of Spain. That vehicle is a second-generation hydrogen coach and follows the earlier proof-of-concept model that was shown at Busworld Brussels…

Six Wrightbus GB Kite Electroliner battery-electric single-deck buses have been ordered by Transport for Wales (TfW) in what are understood to be the first zero-emission vehicles from the Northern Irish manufacturer bought for service in the country. They are due to be delivered in 2027 for use on local services in Powys as part of…

Transport Made Simple business Central Connect has taken delivery of the first four of a seven-coach Yutong order in the form of two of the GT14 tri-axle and a pair of GT12s, all for FlixBus duties and supplied by Pelican Bus and Coach. The GT12 is an established sight in the scheduled network’s green livery,…

Lancashire minicoach and minibus dealership David Fishwick is continuing to grow its range by opening an exclusive partnership with Turkish converter Arobus for the supply of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter-based products. That will deliver what the UK supplier says is a range of such models to satisfy multiple use cases here. Higher-end offerings are within that, with…

Wrightbus under the ownership of Jo Bamford (pictured) has launched operations in Australia via what the Ballymena manufacturer calls a significant new chapter for its international growth strategy. That debut came on 15 July at the Australasia Bus and Coach Expo in Sydney. Unveiling was by British Consul General and Deputy Trade Commissioner Asia Pacific…

Volvo Group has begun building a 91,000 sq ft regional distribution centre (RDC) in Coventry as part of a £24 million investment in its UK and Irish service network. The manufacturer says the facility will improve parts availability, picking efficiency and first-time accuracy while providing additional capacity for its growing vehicle parc and expanding industrial…

Leicester City Council (LCC) has agreed to purchase a further 10 Yutong battery-electric buses for operation on contracted services by Centrebus. Around £4 million of government funding will go to the procurement, with the latest Yutongs to sit alongside 24 that are already owned by the city council and in use with multiple operators on…

Members of Pelican Bus and Coach and Yutong have attended a ground breaking ceremony to mark the start of construction on a new aftermarket parts warehouse. The 40,000 sq ft National Parts Distribution Centre will hold more than £7.5 million of Yutong parts when it opens, with capacity to more than double its stockholding as…

Irizar UK has delivered a significant number of new vehicles from its DAF powered integral range to Prospect Coaches over the past year, with more in build as part of ongoing fleet investment by the West Midlands operator. Of those supplied so far, 19 are i6S Efficient integrals for Prospect’s growing work on behalf of…

Dews Coaches of Somersham has maintained its fleet investment programme with the arrival of three Volvo buses with MCV bodywork to support its local service and private hire provision in Cambridgeshire. Two of the deliveries are B8RLE chassis with Evora single-deck bodywork that are employed on stage carriage work. The third is a B8L tri-axle…

Users of the Don’t Travel Empty and eCoachManager platforms have received access to Nexus, which is described as the coach industry’s first automated intelligence engine that will generate additional revenue by filling the otherwise empty leg of a round trip. Called “the automated profit engine” for coach by Don’t Travel Empty, it is said to…

Critical to the decarbonisation of vehicle classes including coach under the next Prime Minister is “substantial coordinated leadership” from the government and sectors involved, RHA Managing Director Richard Smith has said. He was speaking as the start of Net Zero Week on Saturday 4 July approached. The difficulty of moving commercial vehicle types such as…

The first Van Hool T-range coach to be completed in Leger Luxuria format has been delivered to Staffordshire operator Johnston Coaches. It is a T17 Astron equipped with seats that are to a 2+1 layout and completed with cream leather. Multiple tables are fitted along with a large centre kitchen, and each traveller gets a…

The Children’s Trust of Tadworth has welcomed a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with an accessible minibus conversion, supplied by EVM UK. It is custom-built for the charity, which provides a residential rehabilitation centre for children with brain injuries. Usage will be the provision of essential transport at the Trust’s national specialist centre in Surrey. Many extra specification…

Lochs Motor Transport, based in Leurbost on the Isle of Lewis, has added a further Alexander Dennis Enviro400 double-deck to its cruise ship transfer fleet. It follows others delivered in 2024 and 2025 and will be used on a shuttle service between a new terminal on Stornoway and the town centre, and school and private…

Australian coach and bus manufacturer Custom Denning has set out its stall for operations in the UK and Europe with the appointment of a Chief Executive Officer for the territory and acquisition of property in the East Midlands to service as headquarters for the continent. Antony Goozee took up the role of Chief Executive Officer,…

Rogers Coaches of Martley in Worcestershire has taken delivery of a further Scania K410NI with Touring bodywork, supplied by Scania UK. It is a tri-axle, 13.7m example with 59 seats in a black and grey scheme with half-leather trim, drop-down tables, and three-point belts. A centre sunken toilet is fitted along with an adjacent servery…

Irizar UK has been appointed strategic coach supply partner by the Go-Ahead Group. That will give its operating companies access to a comprehensive range of Irizar vehicles across multiple lengths and configurations, with the framework supporting a commitment of more than 90 coaches across an initial three-year period. Additional opportunities beyond that are anticipated as…

Grange Travel of Gravesend has added a pair of Van Hool TDX27 Astromega double-deck coaches to its fleet, supplied by VDL Bus UK. They are each 14.2m long and have 86 Kiel 1020 seats upholstered in leather. Three-point belts, carbon-effect armrests, USB charging and drop-down tables are part of that package. On the lower deck…

Lothian has taken delivery of its first current-generation Wrightbus battery-electric buses in the form of nine GB Kite Electroliner single-decks. The Edinburgh operator is putting them to work on route 36 between Ocean Terminal and Gyle Centre, converting it to zero-emission from diesel-electric hybrid. They represent an investment of £3.6 million and can each carry…

Bws Peris of Llanberis has taken delivery of a second Yutong TC9, supplied by Pelican Bus and Coach. The latest arrival is a next-generation TC9 and was bought following good performance from the initial example that arrived in 2025. It has 34 seats of a type shared with larger Yutong coaches in a black and…

Transdev Blazefield will return to the Passenger platform to power its customer-facing digital services after a period of working with an alternative supplier. The initial relationship between the two businesses began in December 2017 with the launch of Transdev Go, a single, integrated mobile app reflecting Transdev Blazefield’s multi-brand identity across Lancashire and Yorkshire. A…

Dews Coaches of Somersham has returned to Daimler Buses UK for a further Mercedes-Benz Tourismo. It joins multiple other examples of the type in the Cambridgeshire fleet. The latest arrival carries the operator’s green livery and comes with a cherished registration mark. It is a 12m example that has 53 seats finished in Luxline upholstery…

Research by fleet electrification specialist VEV has found that 78% of coach and bus drivers it questioned prefer piloting electric vehicles over diesel examples, with 87% citing reduced cab noise as the primary benefit. In addition, 67% of survey participants reported lower fatigue behind the wheel with an electric vehicle, while 65% said that they…

RHA has been named SME Business and Trade Association of the Year at the SME4Labour Excellence Awards 2026. It follows the same triumph in 2025. This year’s award was collected at the SME4Labour gala dinner at the London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square on 22 June. RHA was one of two winners in its category alongside…

Connexions Buses has taken delivery of a Volvo B8L with MCV EvoSeti bodywork. It is operating as part of the Connexions Coach-branded fleet and has been supplied by Volvo Bus UK and Ireland. The tri-axle arrival has 98 high-backed seats in a red-based scheme with three-point belts, and wood-effect flooring is fitted. It carries an…

Rayhan’s Mini Bus and Coach Hire of Milton Keynes has taken delivery of a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with an X-Clusive minicoach conversion, supplied by EVM UK. It has 16 reclining seats with specially coloured adjustable headrests, the Mercedes-Benz badge within the backrest, and three-point belts. USB charging is present for each traveller, while the vehicle also…

Optibus has unveiled what it describes as the first AI agent designed specifically for public transport operations, with the technology intended to support planning, scheduling, dispatch and real-time service management. The software supplier says the new Optibus Agent is embedded throughout its platform and is designed to help operators and transport authorities make faster decisions,…

Bill Laidlaw has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer of Harris Group UK by Higer and Maxus importer Harris Group in a move that the Dublin business says will help it to deliver revenues of €1 billion by 2030. In that position Mr Laidlaw will lead all Harris Group UK operations, including Harris Truck and…

Passenger has worked with Arriva to deliver an overhaul of the operator’s customer-facing digital services capturing its seven bus operating companies in the UK outside London. The work encompasses mobile ticketing, data management, journey planning and real-time vehicle tracking through a customer app. Passenger notes how digital ticket access via mobile has been improved, as…

Power availability is the central consideration for bus operators electrifying fleets, with depot electrification projects increasingly shaped by grid capacity, legal processes and the need to plan charging requirements well ahead of vehicle delivery, according to VEV Business Development Manager Barry Keane. His comments come after the supplier completed depot electrification work for Kinchbus as…

More than 3,000 zero-emission buses are now in use on the Transport for London (TfL) contracted network, meaning that around one-third of the bus fleet in the capital has moved away from diesel. The ceremonial 3,000th such bus is a Wrightbus StreetDeck Electroliner battery-electric double-deck with Stagecoach London. It follows achievement of the 1,000 total…

D&E Coaches of Inverness has continued to invest in its fleet with the arrival of new diesel coaches and battery-electric buses from late 2025 into the opening months of 2026. The operator, which has been owned by The Highland Council since early 2025, has added seven Temsa coaches with 26-plate registrations in five HD13 models…

Aintree Coachline has introduced its first new Scania in the form of a K360NI with Touring bodywork, supplied by Scania UK. It is a 12.1m example with 53 seats, each in a black half-leather configuration with red piping, extra padding, three-point belts and USB-C charging points. Wood-effect flooring, a Webasto coolant pre-heater and dark tinted…

Fourteen BYD BD11 battery-electric double-decks will enter service with Arriva from its Blyth depot in Northumberland as part of a wider £37 million investment in the group’s operations in north east England. They are the first provincial specification examples of the BD11 built for a customer since introduction of the model in 2024. BYD is…

Ellisons Travel has received its first coaches from the Van Hool T range with the arrival of a pair of T17 Astron examples, supplied by VDL Bus UK and sales representative Robert White (pictured). They follow previous TDX21 Altanos into the St Helens fleet. Each has 57 Kiel 1030 seats in grey and cream real…

The Coach Travel Group used nine of its own depots and 43 partner operators to deliver a 144-vehicle transport programme in partnership with Zeelo at the LoungeFest event for staff of hospitality company Loungers. Held at Ragley Hall in Warwickshire on 8 June, the group was responsible for planning and managing transport arrangements, including pick-up…

Britannia Coaches of Dover has taken delivery of a latest-generation Yutong TC9 midi, supplied by Pelican Bus and Coach. It is the Kent operator’s first coach at its size and seats 37. Recommendation of the TC9 by others was an influence on the purchasing decision, which was handled for Pelican by Area Sales Manager Steve…

Little’s Chauffeur Drive of Glasgow has taken delivery of a pair of Mercedes-Benz Sprinters with Grand Tourer coachbuilt bodywork, supplied by EVM UK. They come as the operator celebrates its 60th birthday in 2026. The Grand Tourer twins are to a high specification, with exterior finish in the business’s trademark burgundy livery. Each has 16…

Irizar has revealed an Efficient development of its ie tram battery-electric bus, with the vehicle joining other coach and bus members of the Efficient range. The manufacturer says that the ie tram Efficient is “a completely new and renewed vehicle” that leverages extensive battery-electric bus knowledge gained since 2011 in more than 55 European cities…

The first battery-electric buses owned by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) will enter service imminently after installation of infrastructure to support them at the Stagecoach depot in Gillmoss was completed. Alexander Dennis has built 58 Enviro400EV double-decks for LCRCA, and Wrightbus has produced 50 StreetDeck Electroliners. They started to arrive in the city…

Centrad has launched a 360-degree panoramic intelligent driver assistance system that comprises a four-camera monitoring solution to eliminate blind spots, reduce incident rates, and lower the cost of insurance claims for commercial fleet operators. Called Centrad 360, it will provide coach and bus drivers with a real-time surround view. The product has been developed to…

Lothian Buses has placed an order for 60 further Alexander Dennis Enviro400XLB tri-axle double-decks built on the Volvo B8L chassis. As previously revealed by routeone when the order was at the discussion stage, they will be 12.8m long, slightly shorter than 78 B8L Enviro400XLB models already in service with the municipal operator. The latest batch…

Irizar has unveiled a second-generation of its i6S Efficient hydrogen fuel cell-electric coach. The vehicle will be used by Mobico Group subsidiary Alsa in Madrid over the coming months under what the manufacturer says are real-world conditions. The latest coach follows a first generation hydrogen i6S Efficient from Irizar that debuted at Busworld Brussels in…

The first battery-electric vehicles for the First Bus depot in Bath have been delivered as part of a wider ongoing electrification of the group’s West of England fleet. For repower, the opening examples of 27 previously diesel Wrightbus StreetDeck double-decks that are being converted to battery-electric by the OEM’s NewPower subsidiary have arrived in Bath.…

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has ordered a further 125 battery-electric buses from Wrightbus for the franchised Bee Network. The procurement is a mix of the double-deck StreetDeck Electroliner (pictured) and the single-deck GB Kite Electroliner. Those buses will follow 76 StreetDeck Electroliners that are in the process of delivery and 55 more electric buses…

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) has ordered 193 battery-electric vehicles from Wrightbus for its franchised Weaver Network in the region, which will commence rollout in mid-2027. Worth up to £100 million, the purchase captures double- and single-deck models from the StreetDeck Electroliner and GB Kite Electroliner ranges. Each will have twin wheelchair user spaces…

LibertyBus has adopted the TMComms Hub digital radio system from TransMach to deliver what the supplier says is “seamless and targeted communication” across the operator’s network on Jersey. Rollout follows an extensive period of development, testing and real-world operational trials. It enables operators to deliver voice broadcasts with precision and flexibility, whether to an individual…

Cardiff Bus has taken delivery of 20 Volvo B8RLEs with MCV Evora bodywork, supplied by Volvo Bus UK and Ireland. They have entered service on the municipal operator’s network of routes between Cardiff, Penarth, Dinas Powys and Barry, and are cited by the business as continuing its commitment to provide “modern, reliable, dependable high-quality public…

Delta Coaches of Billingham has taken delivery of a Scania K410NI with Irizar i8 bodywork, supplied by Scania UK. It is to Leger Luxuria specification, including the brand’s distinctive metallic blue and grey livery. Seats are in a 2+1 configuration with blue and cream trim and personal monitors, full-size or drop-down tables, magazine nets, footrests,…

Zenobē has funded 280 battery-electric buses for the Go-Ahead Group under a committed finance framework agreement (CFFA). The supplier says that will significantly cut the cost, complexity and execution of deployment of those vehicles across the group’s operations. Cited as the first of its kind in the bus industry, the CFFA provides Go-Ahead with a…

Mini and midi vehicle dealer and converter EVM UK and Ireland will stage a summer sales event at its Southwater base in West Sussex on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 June. Customers, operators and other industry contacts are invited, with those parties asked to pre-register to ensure sufficient catering and staff provision. On show will…

Richmonds Coaches of Barley has added its second Van Hool T16 Astron, supplied by VDL Bus and Coach UK. It follows an earlier example delivered in late 2025. The new coach has 53 Kiel seats in leather with diamond stitching. They come with drop-down tables, three-point belts, and USB charging points within the frame. Other…

Wil Travel of Dunfermline has introduced an Iveco Daily with coachbuilt Erener Revolution bodywork, supplied by EVM UK. It is to a luxury fit-out, including 16 seats in grey with red trim at a 2+1 configuration. Three-point belts, diamond stitching and armrests at the window and aisle sides are included, as are USB-A, USB-C and…

Introduction of a dedicated right-hand-drive hydrogen fuel-cell electric coach for the UK is being hampered by the country’s hydrogen ecosystem, executives from Irizar Group have said. The statement comes after the company detailed progress with the second generation of development on its fuel-cell electric coach prototype, which continues to target a 1,000km range for long-distance…

Wheelers Travel of Southampton has continued its fleet investment programme with the arrival of a pair of Mercedes-Benz Tourismo coaches, supplied by Daimler Buses UK. They seat 53 in Travel Star Eco fabric upholstery. Armrests, drop-down tables and USB charging are present at each position, while both vehicles have a centre sunken toilet. PSVAR compliance…

Mainline Coaches has added a further pair of Yutong vehicles to its fleet in the form of a GT12 full-size model and a latest-generation TC9 midi, supplied by Pelican Bus and Coach. Both will deliver tours and private hire services. The GT12 is a 53-seat example with a camera monitoring system, while the TC9 is…

Wrightbus will use the latest-generation Ballard FCmove-SC hydrogen fuel cell in its third-generation StreetDeck Hydroliner Gen 3.0 platform, with series production of the vehicle to start in 2027. That will continue a long reliance on Ballard fuel cells in Wrightbus hydrogen-powered buses. Ballard says that the FCmove-SC unit delivers enhanced efficiency, extended durability and a…

Harris Group, parent of the Harris Bus and Coach business that is bringing Higer vehicles to the UK and Ireland, has appointed Andrew Dickinson (pictured) as Marketing Director. Mr Dickinson joined Harris in 2025 as Head of Marketing. His expanded remit will see him join the senior leadership team as Harris Group continues to pursue…

Nottingham City Transport (NCT) has ordered a further 12 Yutong battery-electric buses from Pelican Bus and Coach. Five will be U11DD double-deck examples and seven are E12 single-deck models, complementing a large number of the latter already in use. The further order was confirmed at the 2026 ALBUM conference on 12/13 May in Blackpool. It…

Ticketer has been selected by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) to deliver automatic vehicle location (AVL), real-time information and ticketing technology services to the region’s franchised bus network after success in what the supplier says was “a rigorous procurement and consultation process.” It will provide the TK300 ticket machine as well as other…

Passenger Plus has added a further three Yutong GT12 models to its fleet, supplied by Pelican Bus and Coach. They follow what the operator says has been excellent performance from earlier examples of the type, and strong support from Pelican. The new arrivals are finished in the business’s silver and black livery. Each has a…

Yorkshire Rose Holidays has continued its favour of the Yutong marque with the purchase of a first GT14 diesel tri-axle, supplied by Pelican Bus and Coach. The new arrival follows earlier TC9 and GT12 deliveries into the Barnsley fleet. It matches those coaches in the operator’s distinctive light blue-based livery and has prominent Yorkshire Rose…

Jones Coach and Bus of Llanrwst has been appointed by Harris Bus and Coach as a partner to sell and support its Higer product portfolio. The Conwy business is a sister to coach operator Llew Jones. Its addition to the Higer network is part of what Harris Bus and Coach says is a “rapid UK…

Rising pressures on the road have highlighted the need for drivers to be given greater in-cab support, Centrad Managing Director Geoff Cross has said. Mr Cross – who is a former bus operator – believes that vocational drivers face increasing cognitive and physical strain. That significantly compounds risk “and underlines why in-cab safety technology must…

Irizar UK has officially inaugurated its new headquarters near Blyth, Nottinghamshire. The new premises were formally opened today (29 April) with a special event hosted with partners, customers and senior figures from across the Group. The facility builds on three years of record delivery volumes and serves as a statement of confidence in the UK…

Transport technology and consultancy specialist Velociti Solutions has completed the purchase of ASC Software, which it describes as a leading provider of fleet asset management products. The acquisition represents “an exciting development for customers, partners and employees of both organisations,” Velociti adds. Combining complementary expertise will enhance its capabilities across the transport and asset management…

Galloway Coach Travel has added a pair of Scania K410NI models with Touring bodywork to its fleet, supplied by Scania UK. They are to the recently-introduced 13.3m tri-axle configuration. Each seats 53. PSVAR compliance has been specified, with a passenger lift mounted over the tag axle and silver destination displays. Exterior finish is in white…

C9 Recruitment has established an office in Stockport, which the specialist transport staffing partner says will continue the growth of its reach among operators in the north of England. The premises are shared with consulting and project management company Crescar Associates. Opening on 23 April represented the culmination of a multi-year aspiration for C9 and…

Coach Options has added a Van Hool TDX21 Altano to its fleet, the second such vehicle to join the Rochdale operator. It has been supplied by VDL Bus and Coach UK. It has been delivered with 40 Kiel seats on the upper deck and five more in the lower area. All are in real leather…

Anderson Black Executive Travel of Bonnyrigg has introduced a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with coachbuilt Grand Tourer bodywork, supplied by EVM UK. It has 16 high-specification passenger seats in a grey finish with brown inserts, diamond stitching, and the Mercedes-Benz logo within the backrest. Two tables are fitted at the rear in a matching scheme, with that…

Chandlers Coach Travel of Westbury has taken delivery of a Mercedes-Benz Tourismo M/3, supplied by Daimler Buses UK. It is to range-topping Premium Plus Ultimate specification and has 53 seats in Voyage Ambassador half-leather trim. Armrests, extendable headrests, drop-down tables and cupholders complete the seat specification. USB charging points, a centre sunken toilet and a…

Zen Travels of Darlaston has taken delivery of a third new coach in as many years in the form of a Scania K410NI with Touring bodywork, supplied by Scania UK. It is a 60-seater and PSVAR compliant. Arrival of the tri-axle Touring takes the West Midlands operator’s fleet to nine. In addition to the three…

Examples of the Higer V-10, V-12 (pictured, above) and V-14 Cummins-engined coaches have arrived in the UK ahead of deliveries commencing, with work to further grow the product range and support network also progressing, supplier Harris Bus and Coach has said. Each of those coaches, for which the respective model name represents nominal length in…

BYD will introduce a battery-electric coach to the UK later this year as part of a continuing diversification of its product offering, Commercial Vehicle UK Managing Director Frank Thorpe has revealed. Although specification and intended use case will be confirmed later, the manufacturer has hinted that the opening coach product may be followed by others.…

Hitchin operator Richard Taylor Travel has welcomed to its fleet the final VDL Futura FHD2 coach to be delivered to a UK operator. It was supplied by VDL Bus and Coach UK. And end to the long-lasting model comes ahead of the arrival of its successor the Futura 3, which made its debut in left-hand…

Scania UK is a further supplier to offer a PSV Accessible Information Regulations (PSVAIR) package for coach products. It has debuted on a Touring demonstrator, where it sits alongside compliance with the separate PSV Accessibility Regulations. The PSVAIR package uses equipment and expertise from Elite Vehicle Supplies and Hanover. It includes an additional ‘letterbox’ shaped…

Wheelers Travel is a further early customer for the next-generation Yutong TC9, having taken delivery of one of the new models from Pelican Bus and Coach. It has mood lighting, USB charging points and 240-volt power sockets, an ergonomic driver-focused cab area and more as part of a wholesale interior overhaul. Pelican UK and Ireland…

Nottingham City Transport (NCT) has increased its orders for battery-electric buses after agreeing the purchase of six Wrightbus StreetDeck Electroliner double-decks. They will sit alongside 13 Yutong U11DD next-generation models. All 19 are being part-funded by the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) and will operate from Parliament Street garage in Nottingham, where charging infrastructure…

Van Hool is firmly back in the coach market under VDL ownership with the T range. Available in two- or three-axle configuration, around 15 have been delivered here, and a good pipeline exists beyond that. All are built in North Macedonia, with scope for customisation coming through third-parties after arrival in the UK. The sports…

Andrew Blundell joined Irizar UK as Managing Director in early 2020, shortly before the world saw its biggest crisis in decades. Steering the wholly-owned subsidiary of Spanish manufacturer Irizar since then has not been easy, but from those difficult early days, the Nottinghamshire business is now on the up in a major way. There are…

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has taken delivery of four Mercedes-Benz Sprinters with Avantgarde minicoach conversions, supplied by EVM UK. They are for operational use in Gibraltar. EVM and the Ministry worked closely together on the specification of the Avantgarde quartet to meet MoD operational requirements while prioritising comfort and safety. Each seats 19 with…

Brighton and Hove Buses has launched its first battery-electric fleet members in the form of 16 Wrightbus StreetDeck Electroliner double-decks. They have been part-funded by £2.9 million from the second round of the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas fund that was awarded to Brighton and Hove City Council. The vehicles are for use on cross-city…

Registration for Euro Bus Expo 2026 has opened ahead of the UK coach and bus industry’s premier meeting place returning to the NEC Birmingham on 3-5 November. Maintaining its position as the sector’s leading opportunity to connect, learn, and see the latest vehicle displays, technology showcase and industry insights, the trade show is expected to…

UK bus manufacturers Alexander Dennis and Wrightbus are each part of separate projects that have been awarded grant funding for technology development. They will advance electric repower and autonomous driving, respectively. Alexander Dennis via its AD Repower venture in partnership with KleanDrive will receive money from the DRIVE35 Demonstrate programme. It falls under the Department…

Coach Services of Thetford has taken delivery of a further two Volvo B8RLEs with MCV Evora bodywork, supplied by Volvo Bus UK and Ireland. While they join earlier examples in the Norfolk fleet, the latest vehicles are the first 10.8m variants to be purchased. The existing models are all at 12m. Every new single-deck bus…

Don’s of Dunmow has taken delivery of a Van Hool TDX27 Astromega double-deck, supplied by VDL Bus and Coach UK. It is 14.2m long and that has 91 Kiel 1020 seats with three-point belts and USB charging points. A toilet is fitted on the lower deck and the vehicle also comes with a boiler, a…

Amble Coaches of Haydon Bridge in Northumberland has taken delivery of a Yutong GT14 diesel tri-axle, supplied by Pelican Bus and Coach. It has 61 seats in a grey scheme with burnt orange inserts. Each position comes with a USB-A and USB-C charging point, while 240-volt sockets are also included. Mood lighting and wi-fi add…

The Coach Travel Group is set to introduce the Freeway Fleet Systems fleet management platform across its constituent operations over the coming months, with Johnsons Coaches having already seen deployment of the product. Introduction of Freeway is part of what the business describes as an ongoing wider digital transformation programme. The platform will create “a…

Pelican Engineering Group has been named Headline Sponsor of the IRTE Skills Challenge for 2026. Its support will back the advancement of skills development across the UK coach and bus and HGV engineering sectors. The skills testing week for PSV will run from 1-4 June, and that for HGV on 20/21 August. A joint awards…

Ricky’s Travel of Millom has welcomed a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with an X-Clusive minicoach conversion to its fleet, supplied by EVM UK. It is a 16-seater, with those positions including aisle-side armrests, three-point belts, and diamond stitching. A glazed roof and wood-effect flooring have also been specified as part of a high-end configuration. Twin tables are…

Golden Green Travel of the Staffordshire Moorlands is among the first customers to receive a new-generation Yutong TC9 midi, supplied by Pelican Bus and Coach. It showcases the upgrades to the new model, which has succeeded the longstanding and highly successful original TC9 in the UK market. That includes what the dealership says is “a…

United Minibuses and Coaches has adopted the CenCount automatic passenger counter camera (APCC) from Centrad on one of its busiest services to lift operational efficiency, gain more accurate passenger data, and reduce the burden of manual counting on drivers. The Surrey operator has worked with Centrad for a long time. CenCount has been retrofitted to…

EVM has completed 500 deliveries of its Cityline low-entry minibus built on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with the supply of numbers 499 and 500 to Pontypool operator Phil Anslow Coaches. They are diesel models, but the accessible product is also available as the battery-electric e-Cityline. It is a compact vehicle that in diesel format has a…

The Hairy Coo has welcomed a further Yutong GT12 to its fleet, supplied by Pelican Bus and Coach. It is a PSVAR ready example and has been finished in the Edinburgh operator’s orange shade by Yutong at its factory. Arrival of the coach follows two previous GT12s that were delivered in white. 53 seats in…

S-Line Travel of Blackburn recently took delivery of three Mercedes-Benz Tourismo coaches, supplied by Daimler Buses UK. They are 12-metre, two-axle examples that have been built to what the dealership says is a bespoke specification. That includes 53 seats in Travel Star Eco upholstery and with drop-down tables and footrests. USB charging is part of…

Arriva has announced a £340 million investment that will see 809 new buses join its regional and London fleets and the refurbishment of more than 150 existing vehicles. Upgrades to the group’s property portfolio will also be made under the programme. Over half of the new vehicles will be zero-emission. 502 of those are for…

Woodall Nicholson – parent company of minibus specialists Mellor and Treka Bus – will turn its hand to the luxury transport sector under the Nicholson brand, with a range to include what it says are coach-style vehicles. Those products will span tourist to VVIP specifications. They will sit alongside coachbuilt limousines built on platforms from…

South Lanarkshire Council has taken delivery of 16 Treka Bus Mobility accessible minibuses, supplied by the converter in a significant upgrade to the local authority’s fleet. They are based on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and have been specified to support the council’s education transport services while also giving flexibility to serve a wider range of passenger…

The first completed example of the Volvo B13R with UNVI XL body is due off the production line soon ahead of a round of evaluation and testing, with UNVI having also commenced series manufacture of the model. Volvo Bus UK and Ireland announced the XL partnership with UNVI around a year ago. The 12.8m coach…

Harris Group has appointed Paul O’Malley (pictured) as Head of Communications across its automotive brands including Higer, for which it is the UK and Ireland supplier of the Chinese coach and bus manufacturer’s products. Mr O’Malley has three decades’ experience in the commercial vehicle communications field. He joins from automotive PR specialist Torque. Working as…

The first Wrightbus StreetDeck Electroliner battery-electric double-decks for Isle of Wight operator Southern Vectis have made their debut. They are the fruits of a successful bid to the second round of the Department for Transport (DfT) Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA 2) scheme by Isle of Wight Council, with 22 vehicles initially part-funded followed…

Battery-electric double-deck buses will enter squadron service in the Liverpool City Region soon after the first of more than 100 of those vehicles were delivered on 25 February. Driver training will start shortly ahead of the vehicles commencing revenue service in the coming weeks and months, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) says. It…

Brent Thomas Coaches of Tonypandy has taken delivery of its first vehicle from the Yutong stable in the form of a 61-seat GT14 tri-axle, supplied by Pelican Bus and Coach. It is completed in the operator’s customary metallic livery shade, which was applied after arrival in the UK. A 26-plate registration mark is affixed ready…

Applegates Coaches of Berkeley has received two Scania K320NI additions with MOBIpeople Explorer bodywork, supplied by BASE Coach Sales. They take to five the number of Explorers in the Gloucestershire fleet, with the first delivered in 2023. The newcomers include 74 Prime Buckingham seats and PSVAR compliance on a two-axle chassis. Hidral Gobel has supplied…

Richmonds Coaches of Barley has continued its fleet investment with arrival of a Mercedes-Benz Tourismo M/3, supplied by Daimler Buses UK. It was handed over in late 2025 and was the year’s third Tourismo for the Hertfordshire firm. The vehicle is a 13m, tri-axle Tourismo that is finished to the range-topping Premium Plus Ultimate specification,…

National Express Bus has partnered with SQE and Zenobē to overhaul how power is procured for the operator’s growing zero-emission fleet in a move that the parties say will cut costs, manage risk, and reduce emissions. The two-year collaborative agreement provides National Express Bus with an end-to-end power management solution for its battery-electric vehicles and…

Pelican Bus and Coach further grew the Yutong coach range here in late 2025 with the GT14 diesel tri-axle. It quickly gained traction; an opening batch of 15 were sold off-plan, and more are due in May and August. The GT14 is effectively an upscaled version of the successful GT12 two-axle. It also sits alongside…

LandFlight Travel Services has added a further Yutong GT12 coach to its fleet, which has been taken on a seven-year hire purchase deal with Asset Alliance Group and initially supplied by Pelican Bus and Coach. The latest GT12 follows 10 Alexander Dennis Enviro200 single-deck buses that Asset Alliance has placed with the Solihull operator over…

Harris Bus and Coach has added the Higer V-12 to the V-Series coaches that it is currently showing to operators, with one of those joining the shorter V-10 on a second edition of its Bus and Coach Ireland Roadshow that looks to repeat the strong orders generated by an earlier tour. The V-10 has already…

A report by public transport planning platform Optibus has revealed the significant impact that factors such as work scheduling and overtime can have on driver retention. The 2026 State of Bus Driver Retention in Public Transport, which is based on a multinational survey of 400 full-time bus drivers, researched how addressing issues like schedule predictability…

G-Line Holidays of Lytham St Annes has added a pair of Mercedes-Benz Tourismo coaches to its fleet, supplied by Daimler Buses UK. They are 12m, two-axle examples, with and each having 49 seats in Luxline upholstery. To that are added drop-down tables, footrests, and USB charging points. Further parts of the package across both coaches…

East Lothian Council has taken delivery of three Forveda Mobility minibuses built on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter base vehicle, supplied by EVM UK. Access is via the OEM passenger door and a three-stage step, while at the rear the original 270-degree doors are retained and a passenger lift is fitted. 16 seats with three-point belts are…

EVM will showcase members of its accessible minibus and small coach ranges to operators, local authorities and community transport organisations in Scotland on 24 and 25 February when it hosts a roadshow at the Doubletree by Hilton Glasgow Strathclyde in Bellshill. Six vehicles will be present, with Area Sales Manager Lorna Miller and Business Development…

Bee Network routes that use the Leigh Guided Busway will transition to battery-electric from May with a fleet of Wrightbus StreetDeck Electroliner double-decks, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has confirmed. Those vehicles form part of a wider procurement of 78 battery-electrics for first tranche operations centred on Bolton depot that are delivered by Go North…

Newcastle International Airport has taken delivery of a fourth Yutong airside battery-electric bus in an ABe14 supplied by Pelican Bus and Coach. Its arrival follows good performance from the previous three deliveries. The first of those went into service during 2021. The vehicles are contributing to the air travel hub reaching its 2035 net-zero carbon…

Grayway Coaches of Ince-in-Makerfield has added another Mercedes-Benz Tourismo to its fleet, supplied by Daimler Buses UK. The latest arrival is a tri-axle Tourismo M/3 model at 13m. It has been built to a bespoke specification and has 53 seats in Luxline upholstery along with a centre sunken toilet. Each position has a drop-down table…

MM Band Services of Burstwick in the East Riding of Yorkshire has taken delivery of a Van Hool TDX27 Astromega double-deck coach in left-hand drive, supplied by VDL Bus UK. To suit the bespoke application, it was handed over to the operator with little in the way of interior fitments ahead of conversion to ‘band…

Coach-sector technology provider Ferdia has reported triple-digit growth following its first full year in the UK market. The Norway-based business says take-up among operators of its cloud-based coach management platform has been rapid after taking a stand at Euro Bus Expo in 2024. After the appointment in 2025 of UK Country Manager Daniel Morton, Ferdia…

Ellie Rose Travel of Hull has welcomed its first new coach with the arrival of a Yutong GT12, supplied by Pelican Bus and Coach. It is in the operator’s all-over yellow livery and has the standard 53 seats along with wi-fi, USB and 240-volt charging points, mood lighting, and much else. Power is from the…

Harris Bus and Coach UK has selected Worksop for the location of its headquarters, with a showroom and office and support facilities due to open there in March. The premises will allow the supplier of Higer products to begin delivering its V-10, V-12 and V-14 coaches and Azure battery-electric buses into the UK. An initial…

Whitegate Travel of Northwich has welcomed a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with a Transfer 45 conversion to its fleet, supplied by EVM UK. It has 22 seats with three-point belts and folding armrests to the aisle. Each position is finished in black synthetic leather with diamond stitching. Access is via a manually sliding door with a grab…

Corbel of London is among further early recipients of the Yutong GT14 diesel tri-axle model, with two of the type having been supplied by Pelican Bus and Coach. The operator ordered those vehicles when the GT14 was at the development stage, with its confidence in the product coming via good earlier performance from the smaller…

Longstanding Van Hool buyer Richmonds Coaches of Barley in Hertfordshire has taken delivery of its first example of the T range in the form of a T16 Astron, supplied by VDL Bus UK. It is a 53-seater, with each Kiel position finished in leather with diamond stitching. Also included are padded sides along with three-point…

Volvo has announced high-capacity variants of its B8R coach with MCV Evotor body that will see the model gain a 12.8m variant that can carry up to 72 passengers in a 3+2 layout. Alongside it will sit a 59-seat option at 2+2, with dealership Volvo Buses UK and Ireland noting that the new variant of…

Whitbread Wanderbus of Bedfordshire has welcomed a new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with an EVM Cityline low-entry conversion. It is a 16-seater that can carry a further six standees. Each position is finished in synthetic leather with additional padding, while USB charging points are fitted at each row. The passenger entry is 120cm wide and has a…

Nottingham City Transport (NCT) is the first operator to be named as a customer for the updated Yutong U11DD battery-electric double-decker after it placed an order with Pelican Bus and Coach for 13 of the type. They will enter service in late-2026 and be full-height examples. The decision to go with the U11DD follows completion…

Eagles Coaches of King’s Lynn is among the first operators to take delivery of a new Yutong GT14, supplied by Pelican Bus and Coach. The opening examples of the 14m diesel tri-axle recently arrived in the UK and more will follow. That for Eagles Coaches is a 61-seat example with USB-A and USB-C charging points…

Importer Pelican Bus and Coach has outlined its high hopes for the Yutong GT14 tri-axle diesel coach after the first of those arrived in the UK, with that work paralleling an overhaul of the TC9 midi and an entrance to the Irish market for the wider Yutong range. The 14-metre GT14 sits alongside the battery-electric…

Harris Bus and Coach has shared further details of its work to cement a presence for Higer vehicles in the UK market, with plans coming together ahead of the arrival of the first 45 such coaches and buses in March 2026 via the subsidiary of Dublin-based importer and supplier Harris Group. Work on the Higer…

The first AOS Grand Toro II midicoach has arrived with UK and Ireland supplier EVM for testing ahead of a 2026 launch into the market for the latest variant of the popular mid-engined model. EVM has seen success with the existing Grand Toro, which couples a Cummins B4.5 engine and Allison automatic gearbox with a…

Ellisons Travel of St Helens has taken delivery of a Van Hool TDX21 Altano overdecker, supplied by VDL Bus UK. It is to Premier League football team specification. On the upper deck are 40 Kiel 1020 seats upholstered in leather and with three-point belts, while in the lower area are five more seats from the…

Luxury Minibus London has welcomed a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with coachbuilt Grand Tourer bodywork to its fleet, supplied by EVM UK. It is built on the 519CDi base vehicle and has a nine-speed automatic gearbox. Exterior finish is in obsidian black, complemented by a body kit and a chrome styling package. Inside, 19 reclining seats are…

The first Yutong GT14 tri-axle diesel coaches have arrived at dealer Pelican Bus and Coach, with the supplier reporting strong interest in the type from customers as it further grows its product range. In the full-size, high-floor field, the GT14 sits alongside the established two-axle GT12 diesel and the identically sized battery-electric GTe14 models from…

Alisons of Cambridge has taken delivery of a new Yutong GT12, supplied by Pelican Bus and Coach. It is finished in the operator’s metallic blue livery and has a grey-based interior scheme. Also part of the specification are the customary USB-A, USB-C and 240-volt power sockets, mood lighting, seats that include lateral adjustment, wi-fi, a…

Initial Higer V-Series coaches have been unveiled by dealership Harris Bus and Coach as it prepares to receive 37 vehicles from that range at three lengths as part of a 45-unit order from the Chinese marque for delivery to the UK in March 2026. Alongside those coaches will be eight Azure battery-electric buses. The V-Series…

Safety and surveillance solutions specialist for fleet operators CEN Group, which includes the Centrad brand, has purchased premises in Llanfair as part of its work to continue supporting customers in North Wales. The Old Llanfair Stores is currently empty but Managing Director Geoff Cross (pictured) says it “is the perfect site to establish a dynamic…

Reading Buses and its subsidiaries will roll out TransMach ticket machines across 285 buses from mid-November after what the operator describes as an extensive, year-long tendering process. That exercise considered the type of technology deployed, payment speeds, software flexibility, integration with other suppliers’ platforms, acceptance of contactless, tap-on, tap-off capping, barcodes and ITSO smartcards, delivery…

Entry to the coach segment by Wrightbus is positioned as a natural extension of its bus building activity, and for now the thinking around products captures two lines: the diesel-fuelled Contour, built by King Long in China, and a platform that will be designed and manufactured in-house and which will debut as a maximum-dimensions double-deck…

Transdev Blazefield operation The Keighley Bus Company has started to place a batch of 15 Mercedes-Benz eCitaro battery-electric single-decks into service on route 662 between that town and Bradford. The fleet of buses represents an investment of £6.6 million. Overall, the project including infrastructure has seen a spend of £4.5 million from Transdev Blazefield and…

Eavesway Travel of Ashton-in-Makerfield has taken delivery of its third Van Hool T range coach in the form of a T17 Astron super-high tri-axle. The new arrival is to full sports team and corporate specification and has been fitted out at AD Coach Systems. There are 40 Kiel 1020 seats finished in cream leather arranged…

Wrightbus business NewPower will carry out its first electric-to-electric repower project with the fitment of new drivelines to 28 Optare Metrodecker EV battery-electric double-decks operated by Metroline. That will see the buses processed at the NewPower plant in Bicester and replacement of existing axles, powertrains, and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems. OEM Kreisel batteries…

The Lincolnshire Callconnect network has seen a significant fleet upgrade with completion of the delivery of 10 new EVM Cityline low-entry minibuses built on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter base, supplied by EVM UK. They are working in Grantham, Horncastle, Lincoln, Louth and Spalding and are described by Lincolnshire County Council as representing a major upgrade on…

Falmouth operator OTS Bus and Coach has reported strong performance from an EVM eCityline battery-electric minibus and notes how the vehicle has built a strong case for further investment into zero-emission vehicles by the independent business. The eCityline project has been supported by a successful Cornwall Council bid to the second round of the Zero…

Pulhams Coaches is adding five new Irizar i6S Efficient integral vehicles as part of what the Cotswolds operator says is parent company Go-Ahead Group’s ongoing growth strategy for its coach businesses. Go-Ahead took ownership of Pulhams in 2023, which it has followed up with several more coach operator purchases. The five new vehicles represent an…

The first MOBIpeople Premium coaches built on the new-generation MAN RR8 chassis have been delivered to Travel Xpress as it continues a fleet investment programme. The Shipley operator has taken two such examples supplied by BASE Coach Sales. Each of the 12.5m vehicles is to a PSVAR ready configuration to allow for straightforward conversion to…

Wrightbus has shared further details of its hydrogen fuel cell-electric coach project that is expected to debut an opening vehicle within the coming 18 months. Scheduled services will be targeted first, with a high-capacity, maximum-dimension double-decker to launch the range. It will be 15m long and 4.2m high, with Head of Coach Sales Dave Porter…

Wrightbus will soon deliver the first examples of its next-generation StreetDeck Ultroliner diesel double-decker with Cummins power to Isle of Man operator Bus Vannin, which has committed to six of the type. They are the first new double-decks bought by the Isle of Man Government-owned operator since the pandemic. Each is powered by a six-cylinder…

Beewise Travel of Sheffield has taken delivery of a Yutong TC9 midi, supplied by Pelican Bus and Coach. It follows previous used examples of the type into the operator’s fleet, with the first joining in 2018. Good performance from those earlier vehicles has influenced the latest purchasing decision. The new coach is accessible to wheelchair…

Wrightbus will supply 39 of its Contour coach model to Irish operator Bus Eireann for use as school vehicles in the first confirmed order for the type, which is built by King Long. They have a bespoke specification to suit the application. Delivery will be completed in the first half of 2026. Each will have…

Hire purchase has proved its worth for Teulu Travel of Trealaw, which earlier in 2025 took delivery of a new Temsa HD13 coach on that basis via an agreement with Asset Alliance Group. It is the first collaboration between the two businesses and the Temsa has worked across the summer season, the Rhondda Cynon Taf…

EVM and Ilesbus are further major suppliers to confirm their places at Euro Bus Expo 2026, underlining strong demand for vehicle space ahead of the coach and bus industry’s leading trade show returning to the NEC Birmingham on 3-5 November 2026. The floorplan includes 18 vehicle display sites, a 14% increase on 2024. With just…

Johnson Brothers Tours of Worksop has taken delivery of two Irizar i6S Efficient integral coaches, supplied by Irizar UK. One of the arrivals is a 12.9m, two-axle vehicle that seats 53. It carries Just Go! Decals on a white base colour. A drinks machine has been installed adjacent to the courier position. The other addition…

Lee’s Coaches of Durham has added a further pair of Yutong GT12 models to its fleet, supplied by Pelican Bus and Coach. They follow two previous GT12s supplied to the operator earlier in 2025. The additional coaches are to support a busy tour programme. Each vehicle is to the customary GT12 specification including USB and…

Rainbow Line of East Ham has welcomed an AOS Grand Toro midicoach, supplied by EVM UK. It is a 37-seater and finished in iridium silver. The vehicle has a powered plug door with a three-stage step and a front-mounted Cummins B4.5 engine driving through an Allison automatic gearbox. Each passenger position reclines and is finished…

The VDL Bus Group identity was launched at Busworld, with that organisation capturing the VDL and Van Hool complementary brands. Described as an “integrated” company, it has brought together the former VDL Bus and Coach and VDL Van Hool operations. The latter was formed in 2024 when VDL purchased parts of the former Van Hool…

Irizar has launched an i3 Normal Floor battery-electric low-height coach that the builder expects to come to the UK in due course. The product debuts at Busworld in 12.2m, two-axle form, although Irizar says other lengths will follow. As shown, it has 528kWh of battery capacity using lithium iron phosphate chemistry, although other battery choices…

Yutong has shown a second-generation U11DD battery-electric double-deck bus that meets Transport for London requirements and will allow it to enter that market via compliance with the contracting body’s Bus Safety Standard. The vehicle is a development of the existing U11DD. It includes a flat floor in each saloon with improvements to the layout at…

VDL has unveiled its keenly awaited Futura 3 coach, which the Dutch builder has already said is due to debut in right-hand drive form during 2027. The new model made a first showing ahead of Busworld Brussels and maintains the outgoing Futura FHD2’s position in the premium field. VDL says it will deliver an up…

Driver training provider Realise and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) have agreed a four-year contract extension that will deliver what the supplier says is over 1,000 new recruits to coach and bus operators in the region. That agreement will see Realise continue to deliver the Route to Success driver training programme. It is fully…

The forthcoming VDL Futura 3 coach will be built in right-hand drive for the UK market, the builder has confirmed. A spokesperson for VDL Group has told routeone that sales of the new model are expected to begin in 2026 “so we can start delivering from 2027 onwards.” That position ends uncertainty over whether the…

A next-generation Yutong TC9 rear-engined midicoach will debut in the UK during Q1 2026, dealership Pelican Bus and Coach has revealed. The new model will incorporate overhauled exterior styling and what Pelican UK Coach and Truck Sales Manager Simon Collins says is an entirely new interior, including overhead racks. Within that is seating styled like…

Garelochhead Coaches has welcomed an Irizar i6S Efficient integral, supplied by Irizar UK. It is a 12.9m, two-axle example that has 57 i6 Plus seats trimmed in synthetic leather and with three-point belts and USB charging points. A centre sunken toilet is included along with wood-effect flooring. PSVAR compliance has been specified by Garelochhead Coaches…

First Travel Solutions has appointed Hannah Cattermer (pictured, second from right) as Business Development Manager. She joins the managed passenger transport services specialist from the First Bus business development team and brings extensive experience in bidding and proposals across sectors including healthcare, managed services, and transport. Appointment of Ms Cattermer completes a restructuring of the…

A new Chief Executive is to be appointed by Wrightbus after it announced that current postholder Jean-Marc Gales (pictured) will become Deputy Chairman from 1 December. Mr Gales has been credited for rapid expansion at the manufacturer, work that has seen it enter the battery-electric repower and coach fields under his leadership besides recording a…

Nigel Wood (pictured) has been named Strategic Advisor for Bus and Franchising by C9 Recruitment in the first of what the supplier says will be a series of such appointments. He has more than 30 years’ leadership experiences in the regulated transport sector. Senior roles have included Area General Manager at Go-Ahead London, Managing Director…

Velociti announces integration of CitySwift into Omnibus suite Velociti Solutions has completed the integration of the CitySwift Evolve platform into its Omnibus software. The timetabling module will be enhanced by the development, enabling operators to incorporate real-world data more quickly and efficiently, says the supplier. The integration will enable faster, more accurate and adaptable timetable…

Liverpool CR bus rapid transit gains prominence with Irizar trial Plans for bus-based rapid transit in the Liverpool City Region are being worked on at pace, with integration into a public transport network alongside conventional bus services that are to be franchised and trains viewed as being one of the keys to the project. That…

CPT and C9 Recruitment agree staffing commercial partnership The Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) has announced a commercial partnership with C9 Recruitment to support operator members in their workforce needs. Under the collaboration, CPT members can take advantage of an exclusive 10% discount (subject to terms) on C9 Recruitment’s service to help ease staffing pressures.…

UK among tri-axle zero-emission Wrightbus StreetDeck prospects Wrightbus sees UK sales opportunity for its new tri-axle zero-emission StreetDeck double-deck bus platform in addition to core Far Eastern markets for that class of vehicle, it says. That was noted by CEO Jean-Marc Gales (pictured) when debuting prototype examples of the 6×2 bus that it says are…

Irizar ie tram electric artic to be trialled in Liverpool City Region An Irizar ie tram battery-electric articulated bus is to be route trialled in the Liverpool City Region. It is a further evaluation of bus rapid transit vehicles ahead of the rollout of that concept between the city centre, football stadia and Liverpool John…

Altro and Neomind’s Universal Bus concept wins London Design Award The Universal Bus collaboration between Altro Global Transport and German design house Neomind has won silver in the London Design Awards in the Conceptual Design in Mobility category. The win follows the concept’s debut at the recent Transport Design Forum. The Universal Bus showcases innovations that…

Ticketer rolls out tap-off readers in Lancashire BSIP project Ticketer has completed a project in partnership with Lancashire County Council and several bus operators to roll out tap-off readers for contactless fare payments. The local authority has worked with Ticketer since 2018, and the tap-off readers work was funded through its Bus Service Improvement Plan…

Tech and tools to keep your coach and bus fleet on the move Operators looking to avoid expensive outsourcing can reap dividends by investing in tools such as wheel alignment equipment and wash systems Behind every reliable coach or bus fleet is a well-equipped workshop working tirelessly to keep vehicles roadworthy, efficient, and compliant. Investing…

Transport Design Forum puts inclusivity at the heart of bus design Adherence to inclusive legislation is a natural desire for transport authorities and government bodies. Such legislation is a moving beast, and when it comes to accessibility, it can be difficult to cater to everyone’s individual needs. As PSVAR discourse sometimes shows, discussions on accessibility…

David Ogden Holidays celebrates 50 years as Scania Irizar arrives David Ogden Holidays is a further coach operator to celebrate a significant anniversary in 2025 as it marks 50 years in the industry. The St Helens business was founded by David and Joan Ogden (pictured above, left) in 1975 with a minibus. A birthday party…

TransMach to roll out new features for TM700 TransMach has unveiled a range of new features for its TM700 electronic ticket machine (ETM) that are designed to enhance driver safety and operational efficiency. The newly launched 5G-enabled ETM will be updated this summer with TransMach’s “real-time headway management” system. This enables drivers to see the…

C9 Recruitment announces reshaping of senior leadership team Transport and logistics industries staffing specialist C9 Recruitment has reshaped its senior leadership team. Alfie Rae (pictured, centre) is elevated to Chief Executive, with founder and previous postholder Sam Wharfe (pictured, right) moving to an Executive Chairman role. The change has been made to support and enhance…

Cardiff Bus upgrades Ticketer platform to use TK300 machines Cardiff Bus is another operator to upgrade its Ticketer platform by introducing the TK300 machine. In addition to deploying those units, the operator will benefit from Road Restriction Alerts, and further enhancements that Ticketer says are set to launch later in 2025. The TK300 has an…

German design house unveils ‘bus for everyone’ concept German design house Neomind has unveiled a concept for a “Universal Bus” that places inclusivity at the heart of public transport design (pictured). The concept was revealed at The Transport Design Forum 2025, held in London last week, hosted by coach and bus flooring manufacturer Altro, in…

First Travel Solutions delivers British Grand Prix shuttle service First Travel Solutions and partner operators successfully conveyed over 83,000 motorsport fans by shuttle service at the 2025 British Grand Prix across the weekend of 4, 5 and 6 June. That provision took attendees to and from the circuit and Bicester Heritage, Buckingham, Hinton Airfield, Milton…

NCT extends longstanding INIT ticketing partnership INIT will continue to supply contactless ticketing and vehicle location technology on board Nottingham City Transport (NCT) buses via a new six-year deal. The arrangement continues a 21-year partnership between the operator and the supplier, which has its UK headquarters in Nottingham’s Lace Market area. Account-based ticketing (ABT), enhancements of…

New platform Savari launches to streamline coach operations A new tech platform designed specifically for coach and minibus operators has launched this month. Operations tool Savari promises to address longstanding inefficiencies with a system “built by operators, for operators”. Features include seamless booking flows and real-time fleet oversight, aiming to give operators a more agile…

Distinctive Systems appoints new MD amid cloud platform expansion Coach and tour management software supplier Distinctive Systems has appointed Chris Whitehead as its new Managing Director. Chris, who has been with the company for over 25 years, succeeds his late father and company founder Mike Whitehead. Chris started in a support role before moving into…

Growing Through the Peaks: How C9 Recruitment Helps Operators Scale, Compliantly As the summer season approaches, the UK coach and bus industry enters one of its busiest — and most lucrative — times of year. But with opportunity comes pressure. School runs, private hires, coastal tours, rail replacement work, and festival shuttles all require one…

Mistral Specialist Vehicles: Targeting the accessible minibus sector Coach and bus vehicle and finance supplier Mistral Group has a new string to its bow: Mistral Specialist Vehicles. That business supplies accessible minibuses to customers including local authorities, operators and community transport organisations on medium- to long-term hire and it is also active in the patient…

Warrington’s Own Buses adopts Freeway digital fleet management Warrington’s Own Buses has overhauled its fleet management approach via a platform from Freeway Fleet Systems that accompanies transition of the operator’s vehicles to battery-electric power. Adoption of Freeway has seen a largely manual, paper-based system in the engineering department succeeded by the cloud-based platform, which was…

Lothian rolls out Freeway Fleet Systems technology Lothian is to use software from Freeway Fleet Systems to boost safety and reliability across its fleet of 730 buses. The solution from the supplier, which will be rolled out in three phases, provides an all-in-one solution to manage workshops, defects, stores, purchasing and compliance. The already-completed first…

Pelican Bus and Coach continues product, staff and support spend Pelican Bus and Coach continues to develop the Yutong product range here. 2025 will see the GT14 tri-axle diesel coach debut as a further range expansion in that field, while 2026 will witness a notable uplift in battery warranty coverage for zero-emission products. In the…

Ayats will offer three high-capacity models in the UK, with the Horizon double-deck and Spirit overdeck coaches on Scania chassis complemented by the Horizon Intercity interurban double-deck bus built on the Spanish manufacturer’s own underframe. A Horizon for Turners Coachways of Bristol was on hand at Euro Bus Expo. Sales Manager Ferran Stoka Vila says…

Irizar UK confirmed two major orders for DAF-engined integral coaches at Euro Bus Expo, with Prospect Coaches to receive nine units in 2025 as part of a multi-year deal and West Coast Motors to take eight more i6S Efficient examples. The agreement with Prospect Coaches leaves those nine initial arrivals as part of a longer-term…

The first BYD B12 battery-electric single-deck for the UK made its debut at Euro Bus Expo in the colours of Hertfordshire operator Uno. It sat alongside a BD11 battery-electric double-decker and a bare BD11 chassis. The Uno B12 is a two-door example and one of a number on order for use on a shuttle service…

The Karsan e-JEST battery-electric microbus made its UK debut at Euro Bus Expo, with EVM to act as the Turkish manufacturer’s supply partner here and in Ireland. Karsan promises a 12-seat, energy-efficient option for low-demand and demand responsive services with a claimed range of 210km. The e-JEST is 5.9m long, 2.1m wide and 2.8m high.…

Falcon Buses has become the first independent operator to order the next-generation Alexander Dennis Enviro200EV battery-electric single-decker. It has signed a deal with the manufacturer for 13 examples at 10.9m and with 37 seats. They will each have 400kWh of battery storage and are part of a successful bid led by Surrey County Council to…

The Coach Travel Group has ordered 42 Scania Touring coaches for delivery to constituent fleets from March 2025. Those coaches are a mix of two- and three-axle examples and all will be PSVAR compliant. The deal was announced on the second day of Euro Bus Expo at the NEC Birmingham on 13 November. It comes…

Irizar UK is moving ahead with the development of a new four-acre headquarters site near Blyth in Nottinghamshire built on what it says is a record year in 2024 and strong orders to 2026. Facilities there will include a showroom and coach handover facilities along with office accommodation and extensive coach parking. A planning application…

Euro Bus Expo saw a strong first day at the NEC Birmingham on 12 November. Around 190 exhibitors are on site until Thursday 14 November, with vehicles from small minicoaches and minibuses through to high-capacity coaches alongside a wide range of services, technology and other products being showcased. Among vehicles making a first showing are…

Supply of Ferqui small coaches in the UK will transition to EVM from Connaught PSV over the coming months with the pending retirement of Connaught Managing Director Steve Peach (pictured, second from left). EVM already supplies Ferqui products in Ireland. Managing Director Danny McGee (pictured, second from right) says that taking up the same responsibility…

Translink and Vix Technology have agreed a partnership that will see the supplier deliver audio-visual next-stop announcements across the operator’s bus fleet in Northern Ireland. The project represents a continuation of a longstanding partnership between the two bodies and is scheduled to launch in early 2025. It has potential to include up to 1,000 buses…

Workshop equipment specialist Totalkare has been recognised with a trio of accolades in the Best Companies 2024 rankings. That includes being named as the best manufacturing employer to work for in the UK. It was also placed number 30 on the best mid-sized company to work for in the UK roster, and number 20 on…

Transport infrastructure and vehicle security integration specialist Synectics Security has rebranded to Ocular Integration under new leadership. The change represents what the supplier says is its “independent and visionary focus on delivering the latest technical solutions for protecting buses, trains, stations, depots, terminals, ports and the people who use them.” Dublin Bus and Stagecoach are…

A refresh of the AOS Isuzu Grand Toro front-engined midicoach has been completed that dealership EVM UK hopes will allow already strong volumes for the cost-effective model to grow further under the Grand Toro 2 moniker. One of the first of those updated vehicles will be on the EVM stand at Euro Bus Expo at…

JHM Butt & Co Ltd have been your one stop shop for garage equipment and workshop tools since 1971. We are delighted to be showcasing our range of commercial garage equipment at Euro Bus Expo 2024. Between our staff, we have hundreds of years of experience with helping garages and commercial workshops operate, whether it…

As we settle into the final quarter of 2024, Director of EV Fleet, UK and Nordics Bradley Fox looks back on the year, the major advancements in electric bus technology, and the other elements that still have not fully evolved. With Euro Bus Expo almost here, Bradley also shares the topics and questions to make…

National Express may well return to Van Hool under VDL ownership for the TDX21 Altano to meet future needs for high-capacity coaches on its scheduled network, the business has said. 25 of those coaches were ordered from Van Hool early in 2024 for operation by Edwards Coaches and Selwyns Travel on National Express services, but…

Bennetts Coaches of Gloucester has added 10 new Caetano Levante 3A-bodied Scania K410 coaches to its fleet across recent months for National Express duties. £3.9 million of funding from Lombard has gone towards the procurement. They include the customary National Express fitments of leather seats, charging points, and wheelchair user access. The new Scania Caetanos…

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Local Transport Simon Lightwood will speak on the final day of Euro Bus Expo on 12-14 November at the Birmingham NEC, the show’s organiser has announced. The minister with remit for coach and bus will address visitors at the beginning of the session (10.15am) in the Masterclass Theatre at the…

The transport industry is always on the move, and keeping up means embracing new ideas, working together, and striving for excellence. That’s why we’re excited to share that (after a year’s hiatus) we’ll be attending Euro Bus Expo 2024! From 12-14 November in Birmingham, you can find us at stand 474, where we’ll be unveiling…

In partnership with Brian Noone Limited, Jones Coach and Bus Sales is delighted to showcase at Euro Bus Expo 2024. Celebrating the sale of the 1,000th coach from the luxury Noone Turas Mini and Midi Coach range, the teams from Brian Noone and Jones Coach and Bus Sales will be on hand to guide attendees…

Birmingham International Coaches has added a pair of Yutong GT12s to its fleet, supplied by Pelican Bus and Coach. They follow hot on the heels of two TC9 midis from the same manufacturer. The GT12s are in the customer’s metallic grey livery and to the model’s usual high standard. 53 seats are complemented by USB…

Asset Alliance Group is excited to be attending Euro Bus 2024 where we’ll be launching our new coach rental service. The new service goes live from 2025 and builds on the successful launch of our bus rental offer last year. Bus rental customers include Archway Travel, which used the service to add nine new 8.9…

D.tec International, a leading provider of innovative drug and alcohol testing solutions, is excited to announce its participation in the Euro Bus Expo 2024, taking place from 12th – 14th November at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. As a key player in transport and workplace safety, D.tec International will showcase cutting-edge technology, which is…

CVM World are pleased to be exhibiting at this year’s Euro Bus Expo, displaying our high-quality, versatile and class leading Minibuses. Visit Stand 466 where we will be displaying two of our vehicles, a best-selling Peugeot Boxer 17 seat wheelchair accessible Minibus and a Ford E-Transit electric Minibus. Both have been converted by CVM World…

“Two years since their last visit, National Coach Network is thrilled to announce its highly anticipated return to the Euro Bus Expo 2024, along with some new updates. With their stand now double the size, they can welcome more visitors and hold additional meetings with interested operators. As the premier event for the bus and…

Freeway Fleet Systems is a global provider of digital solutions for managing vehicles and assets and works seamlessly across different locations and on different platforms. Freeway’s software provides an all-in-one solution to manage workshops, defects, stores, purchasing and compliance. Enabling the transition to paperless digital working, Freeway interchanges freely with other systems to provide enterprise-wide…

The first Yutong U11DD battery-electric double-decker for First Bus arrived in the UK on 29 October. It is a precursor to 126 more as part of a 169-vehicle procurement that is part-funded by the second round of the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas scheme in England. That seed vehicle introduces several improvements to the U11DD…

Coach Services of Thetford has added a fifth Alexander Dennis Enviro400 double-decker bus to its fleet. The new vehicle is to a high specification and includes high-backed seats along with three-point belts, USB charging points, and wood-effect flooring. That approach means it can fulfil various uses as required by a coach and bus operator. Speaking…

ShuttleID, the digital school bus pass platform, has launched a new package designed specifically for use with local authorities. The package includes a number of key features aimed at authorities and a no obligation 90-day free trial. The system provides e-ticketing, payments, service alerts, reporting, live vehicle tracking and boarding notifications in a single platform.…

Pelican Bus and Coach has appointed Steve O’Neill as Area Sales Manager for the South of England. The surprise announcement represents a return to the coach industry for Mr O’Neill, who joined it over 30 years ago. His CV includes leadership of Gillingham operator The Kings Ferry, during which time he oversaw the sale of…

The Yutong coach range in the UK will gain a tri-axle GT14 diesel model in 2025, importer Pelican Bus and Coach has announced. Confirmation of the GT14 follows strong customer feedback that such a coach would be welcome within the UK market, Pelican says. It has ordered a batch of 10 of the coaches and…

Smart ticketing solutions provider Ticketer has announced the sale of its eight billionth ticket, the milestone being reached on board an Arriva Merseyside bus. The ticketing, real-time information and fleet management specialist for coach and bus, which was set up in 2009, is being used by operators to serve millions of passengers per day. “Reaching…

Celtic Travel of Llanidloes in Powys has taken delivery of a Scania K360NI with Touring bodywork at 10.9m, supplied by Scania UK. It has 42 seats, each upholstered in a half-leather scheme and with lateral movement at aisle positions. Magazine nets and drop-down tables are also fitted along with USB charging points and a floor-level…

Digital school bus ticketing platform ShuttleID has launched a package that is specifically for use by local authorities (LAs). It includes various features aimed at those users and comes with a no-obligation 90-day free trial period. The move allows ShuttleID to support LAs across whole home-to-school service networks. A decision to expand into that market…

Plants Luxury Travel of Cheadle in Staffordshire has added a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Transfer 45 minicoach to its fleet, supplied by EVM UK. It is a 19-seater, with each position having a three-point belt and synthetic leather finish that includes diamond stitching. Folding armrests are to aisle sides and USB charging points are fitted. Entry is…

Anita’s Coaches of Stansted Airport has taken delivery of a Yutong TC9, supplied by Pelican Bus and Coach. It is a 37-seater with half-red leather upholstery. PSVAR readiness has been specified to enable straightforward future conversion to full compliance, including an additional door ahead of the rear axle. The operator’s distinctive metallic orange livery was…

A pair of part-built Van Hool T17 Astron coaches for Parrys International that have been marooned at the manufacturer’s former plant in Belgium are shortly to move to the VDL Van Hool factory in North Macedonia for completion. Those vehicles have been in limbo for around seven months. They have stood untouched since bankruptcy of…

Transport UK London Bus has seen the arrival of 12 Wrightbus GB Kite Electroliner battery-electric single-deckers that have been financed by Asset Alliance Group. The 10.9m buses each have 454kWh of energy storage and are on seven-year operating leases. They are in use on Transport for London (TfL) route R70 between Hampton and Twickenham and…

UNVI and dealership Coachtraders will use Euro Bus Expo to debut a new L24 front-engined midicoach on the DAF XB chassis at 16,000kg GVW. It will be built at 9.35m with a maximum of 35 seats or 37 in a more basic arrangement, and at 10.5m with space for 41 or 45 passengers. PSVAR compliance…

Torbay Minibuses of Brixham has taken delivery of a pair of Mercedes-Benz Sprinters with Cityline low-floor conversions, supplied by EVM UK. Each has 16 seats trimmed in synthetic leather with additional padding and plastic backs. Six standing passengers can also be carried. USB charging points are fitted along with a luggage drop-cage to the left…

Confirmation that the Van Hool T range of coaches will largely continue in production under VDL ownership has been received after several months of uncertainty. A new VDL Van Hool website and brochures with branding from both businesses show that the T15 Acron two-axle and T16 Astron and T17 Astron tri-axles remain on offer in…

Seven more Mellor small buses will enter service on the third tranche of bus franchising in Greater Manchester from January 2025, with Mayor Andy Burnham (pictured, centre) having recently visited the manufacturer’s plant in Rochdale to inspect those vehicles. They will join 21 Strata models on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter underframe that are already in service…

The Go-Ahead Group will deploy the CitySwift public transport performance programme across all its bus operating companies in the UK and Ireland after success at East Yorkshire Buses, Go North East and Oxford Bus Company. CitySwift’s platform uses what the supplier says is intelligent data processing to make timetables more efficient and maximises service reliability…

FlixBus UK has made no secret of its ambition to become the largest provider of scheduled coach services in the country. Despite beginning to sell for UK journeys as recently as July 2020 — in the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic — the travel tech company has grown rapidly to serve more than 70 destinations…

Pelican Bus and Coach South of England Sales Manager Phil Hodgson retired at the end of September, bringing down the curtain on a career that included introducing the Yutong brand to the UK and sealing a deal to supply the first battery-electric coach to be sold here. Mr Hodgson began his working life in 1960…

National Coach Network extended its lead generation platform’s new auto-quote system for coach hire across the UK from 17 October and says that the approach is “revolutionising” the way it works with clients and operators. Auto-quote was initially launched in March. So far over 250 operator partners are signed up, with 170 already using the…

Stotts Coaches of Milnsbridge has added its first Yutong coaches in the form of a pair of PSVAR compliant GT12s, supplied by Pelican Bus and Coach. Each is to the standard GT12 specification with 53 seats in half-leather and a centre sunken toilet. USB and 240-volt charging points are fitted. Power is from the DAF…

Pride and Joy will be presenting a selection of garments for bus drivers that reflect the growing demand for informal uniforms that combine comfort, without compromising on a smart corporate image. Featuring polo shirts, trousers, gilets and coats, Pride and Joy has road tested its collection, incorporating the latest sustainable fabrics and garment styles, to…

Heralding a first for the UK bus and coach sector, TransMach will be showcasing its innovative 5G-enabled durable ETM (electronic ticket machine) at Euro Bus Expo in November, which represents a major step forward in cost-efficient, flexible and secure onboard ticketing for bus operators. Having been in development during 2024 and currently undergoing field trials…

Aziz Coach Service of Birmingham has taken delivery of a DAF LF with Noone Turas 900s bodywork, supplied by Jones Coach and Bus Sales. It is a 37-seat example that additionally includes a courier position. Each passenger seat has diamond stitching and a three-point belt, while the trim level also includes USB charging points and…

With insurance premium going through the roof, Centrad believes its new AI-powered camera technology that it will unveil at Euro Bus Expo will offer operators a timely cost-saving solution. The advanced technology is designed to take a preventative approach to avoiding incidents, thus improving driver behaviour and reducing the number of insurance claims made. Centrad’s…

Tranzaura will soon add further innovations to its fleet maintenance app. CEO Shane Mann says those will help bus operators to optimise driver management and sustainability impact including via language translations, digital incident reporting, and driver duty cards. Full details will be revealed at Euro Bus Expo, to be held on 12-14 November at the…

Irizar UK has supplied 26 integral coaches for use by the Ministry of Defence via a multi-stakeholder deal. Babcock International managed the procurement via competitive tender, while Novuna Vehicle Solutions was selected as lease provider. 21 tri-axle 14m i6 integrals each with 59 seats and five 12.9m two-axle i4 integrals that each seat 51 make…

Passenger has added a personalised travel alerts feature to its white-label mobile app. The product is used by more than 40 bus operators across the UK to sell tickets and provide customer information. The tech company says that the personalisation aspect helps to keep passengers informed without being overwhelmed with notifications. The alerts – delivered…

Alexander Dennis battery-electric buses have achieved 97% grid-to-wheel charging efficiency under testing performed by Zemo Partnership. Such a level of efficiency forms part of the manufacturer’s focus on total cost of ownership (TCO) for its battery-electrics, which also leans on those buses’ low energy consumption. Alexander Dennis says that its next-generation Enviro400EV double-decker has at…

EVM UK is thrilled to announce our participation at the Euro Bus Expo 2024, where we will be exhibiting a diverse range of vehicles designed to cater to various sectors within the passenger transport industry. We’ll be showcasing a broad selection of models, some of which have received exciting new makeovers, making them more appealing…

“MiX by Powerfleet, a global leader in AIoT-driven fleet intelligence solutions, is set to showcase its latest innovations at Euro Bus Expo 2024, including Powerfleet Unity, Vision AI, and MiX Fleet Manager. These advanced platforms are designed to transform the way bus and public transport fleets operate, delivering improved safety, efficiency, and sustainability. Powerfleet Unity:…

“Intelligent transport system specialist Journeo is using Euro Bus Expo to highlight the pivotal role connected technology plays in enabling people to confidently choose sustainable transport options.Featuring an immersive experience at stand 120, visitors will get first-hand experience of how a single software platform can unite data, solutions and journeys across buses, trains, trams, stops,…

“Intangles’ predictive AI systems alerts fleet operators to vehicle issues before a vehicle fault code is triggered. This creates substantial savings in operating costs by improving fuel efficiency, reducing downtime, decreasing maintenance costs, and often results in cheaper repairs. Intangles, a young but already very well established and heavily backed tech company, has developed a…

“Coach Hire Comparison is set to transition to an automated pricing system, moving away from the current method where operators manually submit quotes for individual customer requests. This change comes after a significant six-figure investment, positioning the company for more streamlined and efficient service. The website, which connects customers with over 250 independent minibus and…

Westway Coaches of West Molesey has taken delivery of the first privately-operated Yutong U11DD battery-electric double-decker to be supplied by Pelican Bus and Coach. It continues an established relationship between the two businesses, with Westway having been the first purchaser of battery-electric coaches from Pelican in 2019 when it took the first of several Yutong…

Delivery of new Van Hool coaches to UK buyers has restarted amid growing suggestions that VDL – which purchased parts of Van Hool’s coach and bus business out of bankruptcy in June – will continue production of more models from that range than had been expected. Woods Coaches of Tillicoultry has received an EX trio,…

Yutong has reached the milestone of 200,000 zero-emission vehicles having been delivered, which the world’s largest coach and bus manufacturer says was achieved less than 25 years after the first of those was placed into service in 1999. Of that total, over 500 have been placed into the UK. Dealership Pelican Bus and Coach is…

Aston Manor Coaches of Birmingham has added a first Yutong to its fleet in the form of a TC9 midi, supplied by Pelican Bus and Coach. It is a PSVAR compliant 34-seater with a factory-fitted rear toilet. Trim is a half-leather, black and red scheme. The coach includes the standard fitments of USB and 240-volt…

AMb Travel of Ashford in Kent has added a pair of Mercedes-Benz Sprinters with Elegance conversions to its fleet, supplied by EVM. Both carry 16 passengers, with seats having recline, three-point belts, aisle-side folding armrests, and artificial leather upholstery. Above are luggage racks with passenger service units on the undersides. The minicoaches are also equipped…

Leading global bus pump manufacturer, Vogelsang, is pleased to showcase its popular products for the first time at this year’s Euro Bus Expo. The RoadPump Eco will be demonstrated by the Vogelsang team on stand 113, alongside the CollectingMax trolley and BusPlug. “This is our first time at Euro Bus Expo, and we’re pleased to…

A need for comprehensive planning by coach and bus fleets embarking on the battery-electric shift has been illustrated by Nottingham City Transport (NCT), which is rolling out 62 such Yutong E10s and E12s at its Trent Bridge depot. Trent Bridge is one of two operating centres for the municipal operator. It is walkable from the…

Evolution of the midicoach market over the past decade has led to growing prominence of rear-engined models. But driveline at the front remains the layout for several popular products in that field, including the AOS Grand Toro, which is supplied by EVM and built in Turkey by Anadolu Isuzu. Among buyers is Coastal Coaches of…

Aquarius IT has added a customisable driver welfare and safety check into its Aquarius app. It says that provides a simple tool for line managers to assess and record driver information during safety spot checks to make sure that staff are fit, healthy, and safe to drive and work. In a similar manner to all…

15 Journeo real-time bus stop displays that are solar powered have been installed in remote communities in the Scottish Borders Council area. They utilise Journeo’s e-paper technology and have significantly reduced cost of installation compared to cabled units, the supplier notes. That saving has come via the lack of civils work required and removal of…

Star Coaches of Batley has taken delivery of a Yutong GT12, supplied by Pelican Bus and Coach and finished in the West Yorkshire operator’s award-winning metallic blue livery. It was handed over in a special ceremony where three generations of the Dabhad family – owners of Star Coaches, which was founded in 1982 by Ibrahim…

Whites St Albans has taken delivery of a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with coachbuilt Noone Turas 500s bodywork, supplied by Jones Coach and Bus Sales. It has 19 seats to a high specification and delivers what the dealership says is “absolute comfort.” Each position is upholstered in synthetic leather with diamond stitching, padded shoulder sections, three-point belts,…

Peter Hogg of Jedburgh in the Scottish Borders has added two more Enviro200 buses to its fleet, built and supplied by Alexander Dennis. One is a 9.7m 34-seat example and the other is a 10.8m variant with 40 seats. They have been manufactured at Alexander Dennis’s Scarborough factory to what is describes as a bespoke…

McLean’s Coaches of Airdrie has continued to invest in its fleet operated on behalf of Scottish Citylink with the delivery of four Yutong GT12 models, supplied by Pelican Bus and Coach. The PSVAR compliant vehicles represent an investment of £1.3 million. Each has a cherished registration mark and the four are in use on Saltire…

Fylde operator Archway Travel has taken delivery of nine new Alexander Dennis Enviro200 single-decker buses and a single used example for its first venture into local service operation. The new vehicles have been supplied on five-year rental arrangements by Asset Alliance Group, while the used bus has been funded by the same supplier on a…

Over 150 bus shelters across the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council area have been upgraded with new CCTV cameras. 100 more locations will follow across coming months as part of a bus stop safety upgrade. The equipment is supplied and maintained by Journeo. It is what BCP Council describes as “uniquely installed in existing…

Lochs Motor Transport, based in Leurbost on the Isle of Lewis, has taken delivery of the first three of five Alexander Dennis Enviro400 double-deckers that are to join its fleet. Handover of that initial trio was completed recently at the builder’s plant in Scarborough. They are the first double-deckers ever to operate on Lewis and…

Wrightbus has chosen Totalkare T8DC cable-free mobile column lifts for deployment at its NewPower facility in Bicester, where existing diesel buses are being repowered to battery-electric. Six lift sets form part of Wrightbus’s strategic investment into NewPower. According to the garage equipment specialist, that is “testament to the robust performance of Totalkare’s solutions, tailored to…

Durham (pictured) and Northallerton are the latest destinations to be awarded Coach Friendly status by the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT). Regional Manager (North of England) Andrew McGuinness formally presented Durham with its certificate on Monday 12 August, while that for Northallerton will be handed over on Wednesday 14 August. They take to around 30…

Ely operator Greys has taken delivery of an Irizar i6 integral, supplied via a new partnership between Irizar UK and Dawsongroup Bus and Coach. It is a 12.9m example and among the first i6 integrals delivered with overhauled front and rear styling to bring the model into line with other coaches in the Irizar range.…

OMC Global of Eynsham in Oxfordshire has added an AOS Grand Toro midicoach to its fleet, supplied by EVM. It is a 37-seater. Each position is finished in leather and comes with recline, USB charging and a three-point belt. Folding armrests on the aisle side are also fitted, while wood-effect flooring is part of the…

The first Irizar ie tram battery-electric bus for Fastrack bus rapid transit services in Kent Thameside has been delivered ahead of the contract for that network being taken up by Go-Ahead London. 28 of those buses are on order, with Go-Ahead to commence a 15-year contract to operate the Thameside Fastrack services in November. All…

Mistral Group is another vehicle supplier to stress the importance of CCTV fitment to coach and bus fleets, highlighting its partnership with Centrad in that work. Centrad supplies and fits six- and eight-camera systems to Mistral vehicles to deliver comprehensive coverage. The sale, lease and finance specialist says that adoption of CCTV on vehicles has…

Pelican Bus and Coach has started work to increase the size of its Yutong-specific National Parts Distribution centre in Castleford. When completed, that expansion will take the existing building to 25,000 square feet. The dealership says that such growth will significantly uplift its holding of Yutong parts and allow up to £8.5 million worth of…

McGill’s Bus Group has invested in the Customer Resolution Centre product from EPM Bus Solutions. Designed specifically for the bus sector, the platform speeds response times by providing complete visibility of the operating environment. That enables customer service teams to manage queries efficiently, says EPM. Customer Resolution Centre aggregates data from wider group systems to…

Rabbie’s Tours has completed procurement of 26 Mercedes-Benz Sprinters with Elegance minicoach conversions for the 2024 season, supplied by EVM. Each has 15 seats trimmed in synthetic leather and with aisle-side folding arm rests. A courier position is also fitted, while the driver’s seat is finished in real leather. The OEM hinged passenger door is…

Woods Travel of Bognor Regis has added an Irizar i6 integral to its fleet, supplied by Irizar UK and Dawsongroup Bus and Coach under a new arrangement between those two businesses. It is a 12.9m example and among the first i6 integrals built with revamped styling at the front and rear to bring the model…

Zeelo has reached the milestone of delivering over 10 million passenger journeys by coach and bus since formation. The supplier now provides over 500,000 passenger trips per month across multiple countries, supporting corporate, education and shift-based clients. Such is the technology-based shared ride platform’s scale of growth, it notes that while four-and-a-half years were required…

The 20 Alexander Dennis Enviro400FCEV hydrogen fuel cell-electric double-decker buses owned by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) are expected to see more intensive use soon after a supply of green hydrogen was secured. Those buses debuted in 2022, with service entry from 2023. They are split equally across Arriva Merseyside and Stagecoach Merseyside,…

Irizar UK and Dawsongroup Bus and Coach have embarked on a relationship that will see the dealership and the rental, hire and leasing specialist jointly supply integral coaches from the Spanish manufacturer. Ely-based Greys and Woods Travel of Bognor Regis are the first operators to benefit from the agreement, with each taking an i6 integral.…

Mainline Coaches of Gilfach Goch has added another Yutong TC9 to its fleet, supplied by Pelican Bus and Coach. It follows multiple previous examples of the midi to the Rhondda Cynon Taf operator and is finished in the business’s customary metallic green livery. 34 seats in a black and orange, half-leather trim configuration are fitted…

Richard Taylor Travel of Hitchin has taken delivery of the last of 30 special edition Scania Irizar i6S Efficient Treinta models, supplied by Scania UK. It is a two-axle, 12.9m example built on a K360NI chassis and with 53 seats. The coach is named Miss Jade in recognition of Operations and Accounts Manager Jade Taylor,…

Alexander Dennis has revealed the first member of its latest-generation battery-electric bus range that is to Transport for London (TfL) specification in an Enviro400EV double-decker. It is a demonstrator and will be made available to operators later this year after completion of homologation and certification. A TfL-specification Enviro100EV battery-electric small single-decker will follow “shortly,” and…

Stanley Travel of County Durham has taken delivery of its first Yutong GT12, supplied by Pelican Bus and Coach. It is the operator’s third coach from the Chinese marque and follows a pair of earlier TC9 midis. The new arrival was painted in metallic grey at the factory, and it will gain branding for Palmer…

Two Yutong GT12 coaches delivered to Ashcrofts Mini Travel of Leigh have been facilitated by Asset Alliance Group via multi-year leases ahead of their deployment to FlixBus work on 1 August. Ashcrofts will take on two routes for FlixBus between the North West and Yorkshire from that date. Procuring the coaches on operating lease has…

Bus Vannin has connected all its on-vehicle CCTV systems to the Journeo Portal. The supplier says that will save time and money for the Isle of Man operator by making insurance claims and customer service queries easier, faster, and more efficient to manage. The system allows verified users to reach footage and evidence in minutes…

Nottingham City Transport has ordered a further 14 Yutong battery-electric single-deckers in the form of 11 E10 models and a trio of larger E12s. They will be supplied by Pelican Bus and Coach and delivered in early 2026. When in service, the latest batch will take to 62 the number of Yutongs with the municipal…

Welcome back to Switched On, a series of articles helping operators to reduce the lifetime costs of running electric coaches and buses. This month, we sit down with Sean O’Sullivan, David Conway and Anthony Carver-Smith of Nottingham City Transport to get their perspective on going live with an electric fleet having recently celebrated 750,000 passengers…

Ellisons Travel of St Helens has added two more Irizar i8 integrals to its fleet, supplied by Irizar UK. Their arrival takes to 20 the number of i8 integrals delivered to the Merseyside operator since the model’s launch in 2016, and to over 40 the total number of Irizar integral coaches supplied across the same…

Vehicle CCTV specialist Centrad has called for pedal monitoring cameras to be required on all new buses across the country. If adopted, the step would follow a Transport for London (TfL) mandate for such equipment on new buses and its more recent adoption by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), also on new buses. Centrad acknowledges…

S&B Automotive Academy has elected to purchase a set of Totalkare vehicle lifts after being impressed with those units initially loaned by the supplier for the IRTE Skills Challenge. They are thus now a permanent fixture in the training centre. Purchase of the T8DC column lifts forms part of modernisation work of S&B’s offering. Their…

Time and money spent in a workshop is a key business consideration for any operator. When you’re looking to maximise the time your coach or bus is on the road, making sure you have the latest tools and equipment to enhance efficiency and safety is crucial. We consider four suppliers which have leading products to…

East Ayrshire Council has taken delivery of 10 Mellor Orion accessible minibuses, each built on the Fiat Ducato base vehicle. They will be operated by Coalfield Community Transport of Cumnock and mark what the manufacturer says is “a significant upgrade” on the previous fleet, which was purchased in 2019. The Orion is a fully low-floor…

Compass Travel has partnered with UrbanThings to launch a new app and website. The platform will give passengers of the independent bus operator, which has 101 routes in Sussex and Surrey, access to real-time updates, mobile QR ticketing, and journey planning. Dynamic maps displaying live bus locations, travel alerts, plus ticket purchase and download options…

Stagecoach London is the first bus operator in the capital to order Alexander Dennis next-generation battery-electrics after concluding a deal for 24 Enviro100EV small single-deckers and 17 Enviro400EV double-deckers. They will be delivered in early 2025. The Enviro100EVs will seat 21 to Transport for London (TfL) specification within an 8.5m length and have 354kWh of…

BASE Coach Sales and Centrad are celebrating almost a decade of working together on the fitment of CCTV systems to vehicles supplied by the Lancashire dealership by highlighting the ever-increasing importance of such equipment on insurance coverage. The relationship began when BASE was recommended to Centrad, which has an extensive record of working with coach…

First Bus has ordered 169 Yutong battery-electric buses from dealership Pelican Bus and Coach. They form part of four successful local authority (LA) bids to the second round of the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA 2) scheme in England. Notably, 127 of them will be the U11DD double-decker, with the remaining 42 being E10…

Alexander Dennis (ADL) has confirmed an order of 244 buses from Stagecoach, which the operator says is the biggest it has received yet for zero-emission vehicles. The order, supported by the second-round of the government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas scheme (ZEBRA2), covers three models of ADL’s next-generation integral battery-electrics. It includes 54 Enviro200EV in…

The first 10 repowered Big Bus Tours electric buses have entered service in London, courtesy of Zenobe financing. The agreement has financed the repowering of the 10-year-old diesel buses with a 328kWh battery and powertrain by Equipmake as well as the associated charging infrastructure. A further 10 repowered buses will be put on the road by…

Electronic ticket machine supplier TransMach has built on its longstanding work with bus operators by supplying 90 hand-held TM920 Pro devices for use by conductors on the South Yorkshire Supertram. Arm’s length company South Yorkshire Future Trams operates that network on behalf of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), it having recently been taken…

Six years ago, Totalkare was solely a supplier of column lifts to commercial vehicle workshops. But strong and ongoing growth ever since has turned it into a one-stop shop that can fully fit out those premises with garage equipment through the addition of multiple other lines to its range. Upscaling of product and market reach…

The Temsa Sales UK dealership expects further growth after recently delivering its 150th new coach from the Turkish manufacturer in little more than two years, Director Andy Garratt has said. His comments follow the decision by him and fellow Director Kevin Procter to sell four coach operating businesses to the Go-Ahead Group. They continue to…

Scania would offer the Touring coach with a liquid biogas/liquid natural gas (LBG/LNG) powertrain in right-hand drive format for the UK market if that new variant was sought by a customer here, it has confirmed. The manufacturer already has strong experience with biogas in bus applications. The Touring variant can run on either LBG or…

Xplore Dundee’s FLY coach service between Dundee and Edinburgh Airport is benefiting from a trial of a Yutong GTe14 battery-electric coach, which is on loan from Pelican Bus and Coach. Driver Gareth Almond took control of the launch journey, in which Cllr Lynne Short, Dundee City Spokesperson for Culture, Sport and History, as well as…

Reading Buses will receive 24 latest-generation Enviro400EV battery-electric double-deckers as part of a 53-vehicle order placed with Alexander Dennis. The Enviro400EV fleet and its associated infrastructure are part-funded by a successful bid by Reading Borough Council to the second round of the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas fund. It was allocated £4.7 million. The operator…

Zenobe, a leading supplier of charging infrastructure, has partnered with Select to make use of 20 used batteries to provide clean power for construction sites. The battery units, which will each supply 150kwh of energy, will be used as greener alternatives to diesel generators by the subsidiary of Laing O’Rourke. The temporary power sources will…

Commuter and school transport specialists Zeelo has announced booming ridership figures for its partnership with Tesco’s distribution centre in Goole. The transit tech revealed that patronage for the staff service, which is operated by Les Holland Coach Travel, had grown by 672% over the past two years. A recent survey of its users conducted by…

Cuckmere Buses of East Sussex has returned to EVM for another Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with a low-entry Cityline conversion. It seats 16 and can accommodate six standees. Access is via a Masats double-leaf door, the opening for which includes a fold-out ramp. Tracking is within the low-floor area and a luggage cage is provided. Panoramic double…

Canadian public transport agency BC Transit has ordered a further 29 Enviro500 tri-axle double-deckers from Alexander Dennis. The deal represents a continuation of longstanding collaboration between BC Transit and Alexander Dennis and its predecessors, with the corporation having purchased its first double-deckers in 2000. The new Enviro500s will continue a replacement programme for older double-deckers…

Falcon Buses of Byfleet has taken delivery of a further six Alexander Dennis Enviro200s. They have been supplied by the vehicle manufacturer in partnership with finance solutions provider Dawsongroup Bus and Coach. All are branded for route 461 between Kingston-upon-Thames and St Peter’s Hospital in Chertsey. It was relaunched with an improved timetable during April…

Committed to achieving this ambitious goal by 2030, Zeelo has already witnessed significant progress, with 10% of its UK clients making the switch to electric fleets. This milestone underscores the critical role of operator partnerships in driving the industry towards a greener future. The Power of Collaboration Zeelo’s strategy revolves around fostering strong partnerships with…

Coracle Coaches of Carmarthen has taken delivery of an Irizar i6 integral, supplied by Irizar UK in partnership with Mistral Bus and Coach. It is a 12.9m PSVAR compliant example, with a Masats lift and Hanover silver LED destination displays. 53 seats with three-point belts, footrests, USB charging points and drop-down tables are fitted. A…

BYD has presented what it calls a “viable” battery-electric offering in the shape of its BD11 double-decker bus, which was launched for the London market today. The BD11, the Chinese giant’s first complete bus for the UK to be launched in 10 years, is set to be in operation in the capital within the next…

JG Travel Group and its operator partners Alpine Travel of Llandudno and Hunters Coaches of Leeds have taken delivery of the first vehicles for the JG Explorer concept. Both are Scania K410NI models with Irizar i6S Efficient bodies. They will quickly be followed by three more for Crosskeys Coaches of Folkestone, Prospect Coaches from Stourbridge,…

Trentbarton has adopted EPM and Omnibus cloud technology to drive operational efficiency, including EPM’s new Control360 solution. That is what the supplier says is an industry first fully integrated live operations platform for improving service delivery. Control360 brings together information from individual systems, providing users with what EPM calls “an all-in-one operations platform to efficiently…

The organiser of Euro Bus Expo at the NEC Birmingham on 12-14 November, Diversified Communications, has for the first time invited applications to speak in the Masterclass Theatre at the industry’s leading trade show. Stakeholders including operators, suppliers, industry bodies and government officials can participate in eight themes: investing in our people, fleets of the…

Optibus has partnered with Snapper Services in a move designed to offer operators improved data analysis. The link-up integrates the Optibus planning and scheduling suite with Snapper Service’s Mosaiq Insights, a transportation analytics platform. According to the partners, the collaboration will allow operators and local authorities the ability to “visualise complex data sets easily, implement…

Local authority (LA) and other social transport minibuses are an ideal vehicle class to make the zero-emission shift if funding is in place: They often cover low mileages and have downtime for charging. For London Hire, which works in that field via its rental and vehicle-plus-driver operations, battery-electric is also developing into areas including demand…

Sweyne Coaches has taken delivery of two Mercedes-Benz Sprinters with coachbuilt Mellor Strata bodywork for use on the Goole and Howden Hopper pilot. They have been supplied by Mellor with facilitation via leasing and rental provider Asset Alliance through its rental fleet. The minibuses will improve connectivity in the area by delivering transport between Goole…

Stephensons of Essex has ordered five Alexander Dennis Enviro400 double-deckers. They represent the first of the type on the manufacturer’s own underframe for the operator and will join other examples of the Enviro400 on Scania chassis in its fleet. Each of the buses will have 86 seats and be fitted with USB charging points. Alexander…

Barnes Coaches has continued its relationship with Irizar UK with the purchase of a 14m, tri-axle i6 integral. The coach is PSVAR compliant and seats 61. It follows 12 other Irizar integral coaches into the Swindon fleet. The newcomer is a super-high variant and provides each passenger with moquette seat trim and synthetic leather inserts.…

Temsa Sales UK expects to register 100 new coaches from the Turkish brand this year and says that it continues to develop and introduce “small but noticeable improvements” to the MD9, HD12 and HD13 models sold here. Of that total, around half will be the 13m, two-axle HD13. 35 are due to be the slightly…

Amport and District Coaches of Andover has taken delivery of a further Irizar i6S Efficient integral, supplied by Irizar UK. It is a 12.9m, two-axle 53-seater and follows an earlier similar example delivered in 2023. The newcomer has magazine nets, footrests, drop-down tables and USB charging points in the seating area along with three-point belts.…

Alexander Dennis, one of the world’s largest manufacturer of double-deck and lightweight buses, and the leading manufacturer of coaches and buses in the United Kingdom, has returned as a premium sponsor for the 2024 edition of the IRTE Bus and Coach Skills Challenge. Alexander Dennis is leading the transition to zero-emission mobility with a wide…

EVM has delivered the first PSVAR compliant example of its AOS Grand Toro front-engined midicoach. The vehicle has gone to Fylde operator Coastal Coaches, which has a second on order. The dealership previously confirmed that PSVAR versions of both the Grand Toro and the larger AOS Visigo were in hand. An initial compliant Visigo is…

Finance provider Mistral Bus and Coach has announced delivery of two Yutong E10 electric buses to CT4N. The vehicles, sourced by Pelican Bus and Coach, will be used by the Nottingham-based charitable trust on its SEGRO East Midlands Gateway shuttle service. The service operates for employees across the 700-acre development every 10 minutes between 0500hrs…

Alexander Dennis has delivered the first example of its in-house battery-electric bus range to a UK customer with the arrival of an Enviro400EV with Stagecoach in Oxfordshire. The bus is the first of 55 for the operator that are part-funded by a successful bid by Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) to the first round of the…

Alexander Dennis has upped the warrantable energy throughput for the traction battery packs fitted to the Enviro100EV and Enviro400EV next-generation buses in a move that it says draws “on the versatility of NMC cell chemistry.” When either model is equipped with 354kWh of battery capacity, the warranted energy throughput – which includes regeneration – can…

It goes without saying; the realm of mobility is evolving at an unprecedented pace. For coach and bus operators, remaining ahead in the 21st century requires embracing digital transformation. As the heartbeat of urban and suburban transportation, operators play a pivotal role in connecting communities and facilitating seamless transport. Another key player facilitating this evolution…

Blackpool Transport has switched to a new paperless system for engineers’ checks from Freeway Fleet Systems. The operator, which has a fleet of 103 buses and 18 trams, will equip engineers with tablets to replace hand-written job cards and inspection sheets. Using the software, management will be able to see the status of the fleet…

Scania UK and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) have agreed a three-year partnership that will involve the commercial vehicle supplier working with the charity on fundraising activities and continuing its support in other areas. The agreement will see Scania UK and RNLI become strategic partners in a move that Scania UK Managing Director Chris…

As a company committed to excellence, innovation, and advancing the standards in Fleet maintenance, Freeway will play a key role at the much-anticipated 2024 IRTE Bus and Coach Skills Challenge. As a returning sponsor, Freeway will be introducing a digital inspection module, which strongly aligns with the IRTE Skills Challenge core values of: Upskilling competitors:…

Ardent has introduced what the supplier says is an innovative induction hearing loop system called ClearConnect. It enables deaf users of scheduled coach and bus services to receive information including next stop announcements and driver communications direct to their hearing aids, satisfying Accessible Information Regulations requirements where appropriate. The system has been trialled with Brighton…

Alexander Dennis has taken a further order for its battery-electric Enviro500EV tri-axle double-decker in the United States, with California agency Foothill Transit returning for 12 more of the type. They will be members of the manufacturer’s latest generation battery-electric range and complement two earlier pilot buses that were delivered in 2021. The new examples will…

TransMach has named Kirsty Darby (pictured) as Sales Account Manager. Her appointment comes as the smart ticketing and contactless solutions provider targets growth and looks to the deployment of a what it says is a “revolutionary” anti-fraud tool. Ms Darby joins from Ticketer and brings over 15 years’ experience in transport customer support and data…

Alexander Dennis has taken an order from Washington state agency Sound Transit for 33 examples of its latest-generation Enviro500EV battery-electric double-decker. The agreement represents a first order for that vehicle type in the United States, although a handful of previous-generation Enviro500EV models were sold there. The Sound Transit examples will be delivered in 2026. They…

Transport technology business Zeelo has purchased Kura, a specialist in home-to-school services and safeguarding software. The deal represents Zeelo’s first bout of expansion by acquisition. Combined, the two entities will have over 220 corporate and education customers and more than 450 coach and bus operator partners that collectively transport 40,000 passengers daily. Zeelo has moved…

Silver Fox Coaches of Renfrew has taken delivery of a 12.9m, 57-seat Irizar i6 integral, supplied by Irizar UK. Each passenger benefits from a three-point seatbelt and the coach also comes with USB charging points and a centre sunken toilet. The i6 integral has been specified in PSVAR ready condition to protect residual values. That…

Robert Gwynn has been appointed Strategic Development Manager by Asset Alliance Group as the funder looks to grow its deployment of alternatively fuelled vehicles. Mr Gwynn joins from Volta Trucks, where has was Policy and Public Affairs Manager. He brings experience of policy analysis and lobbying campaigns in the transport industry, and with Asset Alliance…

Reptons Coaches of Bookham in Surrey has added its first current-style Alexander Dennis Enviro200 single-decker bus. The 10.8m example joins three examples of the earlier-generation Enviro200, along with multiple examples of Plaxton-bodied coaches in both the operator’s front-line fleet and its heritage line-up. Finished in Reptons’ customary blue and cream livery, the new Enviro200 has…

PHVC Minibus Leasing and Fleet Suppliers has appointed Carl Sandalls as Managing Director as part of a leadership restructure. The Hampshire-based business has announced its former MD, Paul Huxford, will transition to the role of Founder and Chairman. Mr Sandalls will step up from the role of Sales Director, which will be now be filled…

Shiel Buses of Fort William has taken delivery of an extra-long wheelbase Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with an Avantgarde minicoach conversion, supplied by EVM. It has 16 passenger seats that are finished in black and white leather and with three-point belts. The Mercedes-Benz logo is part of each, and armrests are fitted to aisle positions. USB charging…

The new Turas 900s in DAF LF-based, PSVAR compliant form will “set a new benchmark in the industry for wheelchair accessible midicoaches” at Euro Bus Expo, importer Brian Noone has said. It will be exhibited on a joint stand occupied by Noone and Jones Coach and Bus Sales. Visitors will be able to compare 33-seat…

Nottingham City Transport (NCT) has placed its first order for battery-electric buses in the form of 12 Yutong E12s. They are expected to enter service from Trent Bridge depot in late 2023. Ordering the Yutong fleet forms the first vehicular procurement in a £34m project that was awarded £15.2m from the Zero Emission Bus Regional…

Continued recovery in the demand for new coaches has seen Alexander Dennis and Volvo commit to an initial 60-strong stock batch of Plaxton Leopard and Plaxton Panther models. They will be available for delivery from Q1 2023 and all will be mounted on B8R chassis. Further stock builds may follow later in 2023, the businesses…

Jones Coach and Bus Sales and the associated Llew Jones Coaches business have continued to open parts, sales and service units at their base in Llanrwst. The work forms part of ongoing expansion at the England and Wales dealership for products from the Noone Turas range of small coaches and the Rosero Connect low-floor midibus.…

Software-as-a-Service provider Tranzaura is developing its digital maintenance platform that captures drivers’ walk-round checks and unplanned maintenance into one that includes central management of all maintenance – planned and unplanned – in a single system.  The supplier says that its platform is already going from strength to strength in the London bus market. It accounts…

Managed transport service provider First Travel Solutions has appointed Katie Johnson to the newly created position of Business Operations Director.  Ms Johnson joins from E.ON Energy, where she spent 14 years in senior operational and strategic roles including change leadership, digital operations and customer services. With First Travel Solutions she will be focused on improving…

Mellor will debut a further member of its Sigma battery-electric bus range – the 8m Sigma 8 – at Euro Bus Expo, which will be held at the NEC Birmingham between 1-3 November.  The Sigma 8 is part of a line-up that extends from 7-12m and which Mellor indicated at the time of launch would be introduced…

Ticketing platform for home-to-school and commuter services ShuttleID has released a free driver app to help operators in England achieve compliance with Bus Open Data Service (BODS) requirements.  The app submits vehicle location data to BODS and it is freely available as part of the ShuttleID ticketing package. The driver selects the appropriate service and…

In a long-awaited move, Irizar e-mobility and Go-Ahead London have confirmed that 20 ie tram single-deck battery-electric buses along with related charging infrastructure are due for delivery soon to convert Transport for London (TfL) route 358 to zero-emission. They will enter service in 2023 and be charged via two 450kW inverted pantograph-based units placed at…

Switch Mobility’s vehicles at EBE demonstrate where it has come from… and where it is going Switch took the opportunity to present its future, present and past at Euro Bus Expo (EBE) from 1-3 November, with the presence on the stand of its e1, Metrocity and Solo products. The primary focus was Switch’s opportunity to…

Strong leadership and BSIP buy-in from operators has helped Derbyshire County Council secure £47m Managing Director of Trentbarton and Kinchbus Jeff Counsell, and Deborah Oddy, Head of Transport and environment at Derbyshire County Council, came together at the Masterclass Theatre at Euro Bus Expo on 2 November to discuss how they managed to secure £47m…

Big data can make a difference in passenger lives, but must be ‘structured and useable’ Ember Core Founder Keith Bradbury, Zipabout Chief Technology Officer Daniel Chick, and General Manager, EMEA at Optibus Dave Joshua were hosted by Confederation of Passenger Transport Cymru Director Josh Miles to discuss how big data can deliver better services for…

Interest in National Express Transport Solutions high as operator aims to scale network National Express Transport Solutions (NXTS) was at Euro Bus Expo recruiting for a wide variety of coaching work that it is seeking to sub-contract out to partner operators. Its ambition is to scale its own businesses while enriching its coach operator partners.…

Michael Kent of Enel X reveals that partnership working is the starting point of success for depot electrification Enel X and its connection provider, Independent Distribution Network Operator ESP Utilities Group, show partners of Euro Bus Expo and providers of on-site charging for the Zero Emission Zone, were present at their stand to showcase charging…

e-Shuttle autonomous-ready electric shuttle bus makes its UK debut at Euro Bus Expo Austrian EV manufacturer eVersum was present at Euro Bus Expo to showcase the e-Shuttle, a battery-electric shuttle bus for inner-city and airport use that can be specified in an autonomous-ready version, up to level four. Designed in-house, with an integrated electric drive…

Newport Transport has become the first UK customer to commit to the forthcoming Yutong battery-electric double-decker bus, now known as the U11DD. The South Wales municipal signed an order at Euro Bus Expo for two examples to be delivered in mid-2023.  In completing the deal, Newport Transport has taken to 50 the number of Yutong…

Northern Ireland operator Translink says it is in the process of completing a full-fleet rollout of Wheely-Safe technology across its 1,400 coaches and buses. The product, which received an Innovation Challenge Gold Award at Euro Bus Expo in early November, is an in-motion wheel loss detection system that combines brake and hub temperature monitoring with…

Over 6,000 households which have no access to a car in Gloucester now have access to buses on demand. A new on-demand bus service, ‘The Robin’, launched in mid-October, offers rural residents in the Forest of Dean and Cotswolds new access to public transport. The new service will serve over a hundred small towns, villages…

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s earned recognition scheme has launched a new module to help apply for membership of The Guild of British Coach Operators. The new module will provide earned recognition Public Service Vehicle (PSV) operators with the opportunity to join over 20 of the UK’s top coach companies in the prestigious Guild…

Roeville continues to make great strides in the Bus and Coach world with its market leading cloud-based application – PHCloud. This innovative private hire booking and contract management product continues to evolve and provides a welcome alternative to the traditional and more expensive desktop based alternatives. Incredibly feature-rich and completely state of the art, PHCloud…

The project has been used to validate the future corridor of opportunity charging points planned for London.   The United Kingdom has approved the implementation of a corridor with opportunity charging points for electric city buses throughout the country. In this sense, and in order to validate in advance the operation of this future corridor, the…