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…
WRIGHTBUS JOINS EARLY EXHIBITOR LINE-UP AS MOMENTUM BUILDS FOR EURO BUS EXPO With over 80 exhibitors already confirmed, the UK’s definitive coach and bus exhibition is set for another standout edition in November 2026. Wrightbus has joined the growing list of vehicle suppliers, becoming the tenth to commit to the UK’s leading coach and bus…
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…
Sole UK dedicated coach and bus trade show looks to a strong return next year Euro Bus Expo, the UK’s only trade show dedicated to the coach and bus industry, is seeing strong early exhibitor support ahead of its return to the NEC Birmingham on 3-5 November 2026. With around 16 months until the three-day…
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…
Euro Bus Expo Masterclass Sessions on Demand Missed a session? Euro Bus Expo 2024’s Masterclass sessions are now available on demand, giving industry professionals the chance to revisit expert insights, Innovation Challenge pitches, and key discussions from the show. Euro Bus Expo 2024 brought together industry leaders, innovators, and experts for three days of insightful…
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…
EURO BUS EXPO 2024: A PREMIER PLATFORM FOR INNOVATION AND COLLABORATION As the UK’s dedicated coach and bus industry exhibition, Euro Bus Expo 2024 united operators, local authorities, manufacturers, suppliers, and stakeholders to exchange ideas, unveil innovations, and build impactful business relationships. Praised as “the premium networking event for the bus and coach industry,” “a…
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…
VEV is building high-powered DC charging infrastructure for over 150 electric buses across four UK depots: Leamington, Nuneaton, Rugby, and Chesterfield. Solar power generation will be installed at Chesterfield, Leamington and Nuneaton, reducing reliance on the national grid with forecast lifetime savings over £1 million. The project supports Stagecoach’s decarbonisation strategy which involves acquisition of…
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…
We catch up with Donavon McKillen from TBC Conversions to find out more about their brand and exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo, on stands MP2 and MP3. Tell us a bit about your company? Founded in 2006, TBC Conversions is a leading vehicle manufacturer specialising in mobility, taxi and minibus, and specialist conversions. As a…
We catch up with Naomi Robertson from Jones Coach and Bus Sales to find out more about their brand and exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo, on stand V2. Tell us a bit about your company? Tell us about your company (up to 100 words) Jones Coach and Bus Sales is a forward-thinking dealership specialising in…
We catch up with Mark Williams from National Coach Network to find out more about their brand and exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo, on stand 357 Tell us a bit about your company? National Coach Network is the UK’s largest and fastest growing private hire network, with over 1,200 operators working with us nationwide. Combining…
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…
We catch up with Sandra Albers from MiX by Powerfleet to find out more about their brand and exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo, on stand 230 Tell us a bit about your company? MiX by Powerfleet, part of PowerFleet, is a global leader in AIoT-driven SaaS solutions for fleet operations across various industries, including public…
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…
We catch up with Halimah Mirza from Towergate Insurance to find out more about their brand and exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo, on stand 156 Tell us a bit about your company? Towergate Insurance are a leading independent insurance broker and risk management advisor in the UK with a strong presence in over 50 communities.…
Euro Bus Expo 2024 brings the UK’s bus and coach industry together, with 190 exhibitors, 75+ vehicles, and three days of expert-led insights on the future of transport. The UK’s largest coach and bus industry event, Euro Bus Expo, is just days away. Running from 12-14 November 2024 at the NEC Birmingham, this event brings…
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…
We catch up with Caroline Lawless from CitySwift to find out more about their brand and exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo, on stand 210 Tell us a bit about your company? Bus networks of all sizes use CitySwift’s Performance Optimisation Platform to solve problems with data. Operators and transport authorities use CitySwift’s insights, recommendations, and…
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…
We catch up with Lori Foster from Navaho Technologies to find out more about their brand and exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo, on stand 349 Tell us a bit about your company? Navaho has developed connected digital solutions for over 25 years, serving some of the most famous global transport networks. Navaho transport systems offer…
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…
We catch up with Pratheek Chappanda from Metric Tristarinc to find out more about their brand and exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo, on stand 236 Tell us a bit about your company? Metric Tristarinc is a leading provider of ticketing software and hardware solutions, specializing in the public transportation sector, with a strong focus on…
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…
Mike Newman, founder and Managing Director of b2me Tourism Marketing, has been at the forefront of travel trade engagement for over two decades. He is an expert in travel industry engagement and has worked with destinations across the UK on strategy and development of travel trade readiness. With a background that includes eight years as…
As the Director for England at Bus Users UK, Lydia Horbury is dedicated to ensuring that public transport serves as a vital lifeline for communities across England. Appointed in 2023, Lydia brings a wealth of experience from her background in marketing and public relations, which began in the transportation sector and advanced through senior leadership…
We catch up with Ben Salt from CVM World to find out more about their brand and exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo, on stand 466 Tell us a bit about your company? Since 2007 CVM World have been producing high quality Minibuses, Welfare Vans and specialist vehicles from our factory in the heart of Staffordshire.…
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…
“Control room teams need to respond quickly to any unexpected issues that may arise ‘on the day’ and having data in disparate platforms slows down the process, affects data integrity, and is prone to errors. Having worked with bus operators across the UK, EPM and Omnibus Solutions understand the importance of the control room in…
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…
We catch up with Michelle Nelson from Pelican Bus & Coach to find out more about their brand and exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo, on stand V6 Tell us a bit about your company? Pelican is the sole UK and Ireland importer and distributor of Yutong. Like many of our customers, Pelican is a fourth…
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…
We catch up with Robert Peel from Freeway Fleet Systems to find out more about their brand and exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo, on stand 259 Tell us a bit about your company? Freeway has been closely involved in the UK bus and coach sector since the 1990’s, continually developing their software to automate fleet…
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…
We catch up with Stacey Llewellyn-Price from Scania to find out more about their brand and exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo, on stand V17 Tell us a bit about your company? Scania aims to be the frontrunner in sustainable mobility. And we know that caring about the bigger picture requires putting a lot of effort…
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…
We catch up with Emma Meggs from Mosaiq by Snapper Services to find out more about their brand and exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo, on stand 198 Tell us a bit about your company? At Snapper Services, we believe that positive experiences for passengers and operators stem from exceptional digital design, which enhances usability, simplicity,…
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…
We catch up with Peter Flynn – Sales & Marketing Director from EVM UK to find out more about their brand and exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo, on stand V28 Tell us a bit about your company? Founded in 2009, EVM UK has evolved from an ambitious start-up into a leading provider of innovative minibuses…
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…
We catch up with Heikki Laine from WideSense to find out more about their brand and exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo, on stand 216 Tell us a bit about your company? WideSense is a cutting-edge startup spun out from the world-renowned Model Predictive Controls Lab at UC Berkeley, a lab with over a decade of…
We catch up with James Bowett from SPAL Automotive (UK) Ltd to find out more about their brand and exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo, on stand 486 Tell us a bit about your company? SPAL Automotive (UK) Ltd is the Worcester based sales and warehousing arm of Italian headquartered SPAL Automotive Srl designers and manufacturers…
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…
We catch up with Julie Hartley from Irizar UK Ltd to find out more about their brand and exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo, on stand V19 Tell us a bit about your company? Irizar UK is based in Nottinghamshire and is UK is the sole supplier of Irizar Integral coaches, powered by DAF, in the…
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…
We catch up with Simon Cubitt from VEV to find out more about their brand and exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo, on stand 397 Tell us a bit about your company? VEV helps organisations deliver on their carbon reduction ambitions with an end-to-end fleet electrification solution integrating across vehicles, charging infrastructure, power, and finance. VEV…
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…
Next month, the coach and bus industry will be out in force at Euro Bus Expo 2024 to explore the latest technologies, state-of-the-art vehicles, advanced equipment, and innovative business solutions driving the industry forward. Taking place over three days, from 12-14 November 2024 at the NEC Birmingham, Euro Bus Expo will deliver a comprehensive showcase…
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…
We catch up with Neil Ebbs from MAHA UK to find out more about their brand and exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo, on stand 455 Tell us a bit about your company? MAHA is a premium workshop equipment manufacturer, one that is trusted by MOT and ATF centres, as well as maintenance and repair workshops…
Euro Bus Expo 2024 today announces the upcoming launch of Euro Bus Expo Connect, a new platform designed to enhance networking and maximise business opportunities for those planning to attend. This innovative tool will be available to registered visitors, allowing them to connect before, during, and after the event, which takes place at the NEC…
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…
As the coach and bus industry evolves, topics like sustainability and social value are becoming key considerations for operators aiming to win new government tenders. At this year’s Euro Bus Expo, Rachel Hughes, Director of Surbon Consulting, will present her insights in the session “Demystifying Social Value” on Thursday, 14 November, 2.15 – 2.25pm in…
We catch up with Charlotte Levine from Coach Hire Comparison to find out more about their brand and exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo, on stand 274 Tell us a bit about your company? More quote requests. More happy customers. More full-to-the-brim, smile-a-second trips for coach and minibus operators around the country. That’s our mission. Founded…
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,…
We catch up with Mark Baker – National Sales from Thornton Brothers Ltd to find out more about their brand and exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo, on stand 65 Tell us a bit about your company? From starting in a small wooden unit to now operating on its very own 5 acre site in Northumberland,…
“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…
Debuting on 13 November at Euro Bus Expo, the CPT Operator Forum will provide an interactive space for coach and bus operators to address key industry issues. Euro Bus Expo organiser, Diversified Communications, today announce a new development within its longstanding partnership with the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT): the CPT Operator Forum. Debuting on…
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…
As the world intensifies its efforts toward sustainability, public transport is at the forefront of the shift to greener travel. Buses and coaches play a vital role in reducing emissions and promoting environmentally friendly mobility. With the UK’s bus fleet now the youngest and cleanest it has ever been, and the industry increasingly focused on…
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…
The Euro Bus Expo speaker programme will offer crucial insights, innovative solutions, and strategies to navigate the evolving bus and coach industry. From 12-14 November at the NEC, Birmingham UK, industry leaders, policymakers, and experts will gather to address the most pressing issues and opportunities facing operators today. Day One – Tuesday 12 November…
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…
Registration has opened for Euro Bus Expo, the largest UK based coach and bus industry trade event, with less than 20% of stand space remaining. Returning to the NEC, Birmingham on 12-14 November, Euro Bus Expo promises to be a must-attend for operators, local authorities, community transport organisations, transport planners, and municipalities from across the…
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…
The advance of technology is greatly being felt in the coach and bus industry by both the customer and service provider. Nowadays, even the smallest of operators have branded apps, with live bus data readily available elsewhere too. UrbanThings has been at the forefront of this revolution, capitalising on the success of the popular, public-facing…
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…
Euro Bus Expo, the premier trade show for the coach and bus sector, returns to the NEC Birmingham on 12-14 November 2024. The show’s free-to-attend Masterclass Theatre serves as a dynamic platform for stakeholders to provide updates, present findings, share experiences, and explore solutions to industry challenges. A new approach to programme creation This year,…
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…
Diversified Communications announces its UK trade events will change to a biennial frequency from 2024 Following significant changes to the industry landscape over the last few years, organiser Diversified Communications has been reflecting on the most conducive model for its coach and bus trade events. Today it announces that Euro Bus Expo will be the…
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…
A triumphant return for Euro Bus Expo as it brings the bus and coach industry together after three years Visitors turned out in their thousands for Euro Bus Expo 2022, the bus and coach industry’s largest gathering in over three years, last week (1-3 November) – a show that visitors and exhibitors are calling the “most…
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…
We catch up with Liam Barber from IROAD UK to find out more about their brand and exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo, on stand C45 Tell us a bit about your company? IROAD is the world’s leading dash camera manufacturer with the highest number of car cameras sold world wide compared to any other global…
We catch up with Colin Paterson from Drivetech (UK) Limited , part of the AA Limited to find out more about their brand and exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo, on stand F20 Tell us a bit about your company? Drivetech helps companies to manage their driver risk and keep people safe at work. We help…
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…
We catch up with Sofia Vettori from Heliox to find out more about their brand and exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo, on stand E62 Tell us a bit about your company? Heliox – Powering a cleaner tomorrow Heliox provides world-class smart energy management solutions that are tailored and scalable within a fast-changing e-mobility landscape. We…
We catch up with Robert Peel from Freeway Fleet Systems to find out more about their brand and exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo, on stand T62 Tell us a bit about your company? Freeway Fleet Systems has been providing asset/fleet management software to the UK bus industry for more than 25 years. Today Freeway is…
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…
Safety expert Ardent Group has announced it will officially transition Forman Vehicle Services, its public vehicle specialist division, into the Ardent brand in a relaunch taking place at the Euro Bus Expo in November. Forman was acquired by Ardent Group in May 2019, providing Forman with the global infrastructure support and bolstered supply chain it…
Journeo is marking the return of Euro Bus Expo to showcase the latest innovations in transport technology, which help operators, authorities and hubs deliver smarter, safer and more sustainable services. These technologies have been combined into an interactive ‘connected transport experience’, showcasing the benefits and efficiencies integrated and open architecture solutions can provide. Visitors to…
Muirhead, a trusted supplier of Fine Scottish Leather to some of the world’s most respected passenger transport and aviation brands, will showcase its self-disinfecting ActiveHygiene technology at Euro Bus Expo 2022 in Birmingham next week. Developed to safeguard passengers and rebuild confidence after COVID-19, Muirhead’s ActiveHygiene leather with Polygiene Biomaster ViralOff® technology is a sustainable…
We catch up with Peter Ferguson from Prospective to find out more about their brand and exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo, on stand T63 Tell us a bit about your company? Prospective enables bus and coach operators to drive passenger growth and maximise fleet utilisation by synchronising individual service schedules and operational management with the…
Pride and Joy will be showcasing new sustainable uniforms ranges made from recycled materials at this year’s Euro Bus Expo. Jane Byrne, managing director of Pride and Joy and her team will be on hand to advise and assist operators in how to make their uniforms more sustainable using the very latest in recycled textile…
Flowbird has developed a unique ‘open ticket’ mobile platform that delivers a ‘one-app, one-account’ environment for integrated multimodal transport, active travel and ID-based subscriptions and passes. The Monapass app, developed by Flowbird for the Principality of Monaco, offers users access to ‘a mobility system in their pocket’ by enabling access to account-based ticketing, secure in-app…
TEK SEATING is exhibiting its quality range of bus and coach seats on stand D90 at this years’ Euro Bus Expo 2022. Established over 50 years, TEK is at the forefront of helping to protect drivers’ backs from the rigours of driving long hours. We offer a wide range of top quality, ergonomic, driver seats…
The recruitment and retention of mechanics is set to remain as a key challenge for garages and workshops in the following years, according to the Motor Ombudsman. More than two thirds of garages and workshops, accredited by the Ombudsman for the automotive sector, said their biggest challenge was recruiting a sufficient number of mechanics. To…
Euro Bus Expo sees the arrival of the Go-Digital Bus; a live-connected double-decker supplied by bus operator Go-Ahead Ireland. The bus will be the centrepiece of live demonstrations by exhibitors showing how bus fleet maintenance is benefiting from the latest digital technology. Located on stand T92, the bus is fitted with smart systems that monitor…
An unmissable three-day line-up awaits Euro Bus Expo visitors in just over one weeks’ time, as the flagship trade show for the bus and coach industry returns to the NEC Birmingham on 1-3 November. The free-to-attend event features hundreds of exhibitors offering all the products and services needed to run a PSV operation and has…
UrbanThings and Paragon ID will be exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo from 1st to 3rd November on stand T46! Our team will be giving demos of UrbanHub, our Mobility-as-a-Service platform, and Bus Checker, the UK’s largest independent bus times app. This will be an opportunity for all bus and coach professionals to discover how they…
The Zero Emission Zone debut at Euro Bus Expo this November will showcase a range of battery-electric coaches, buses and minibuses. The Zone, first launched at Coach and Bus UK in 2019, is delivered in partnership with ESP Utilities Group and electric mobility solution provider Enel X Ways. Confirmed exhibitors include: Alexander Dennis, which will…
The Voith Electrical Drive System (VEDS) is described by the manufacturer as being a lightweight, energy efficient modular product that offers a cost-effective route to electrification for both coach and bus models, primarily in new vehicles but also via retrofit. It is compatible with both battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell-electric power sources. VEDS is almost…
Pelican Bus and Coach has signed a new long-term agreement with Yutong capturing much of the remainder of the decade and it expects to supply around 250 vehicles from the manufacturer in 2023. That is further indication of the success of both brands in the UK passenger market. News of the extended collaboration was revealed…
Growth of the EVM range has been steady over recent years. Recently it entered the integral realm with a pair of larger AOS-branded midicoaches from Anadolu Isuzu: The Grand Toro and the larger Visigo. Likely to complement them later is the Novociti Volt battery-electric small bus. Those models join the existing products for which EVM…
EVM UK will show members of its newly added AOS-branded range at Euro Bus Expo alongside members of its mini- and mid-sized line-up. In a noticeable shift for the business, three of the eight vehicles to be displayed will be battery-electric models. In that zero-emission sphere, EVM will show an e-Cityline minibus; an Iveco Daily…
The new model Volvo 9700 coach (pictured) will be on display at Euro Bus Expo alongside a battery-electric BZL single-decker bus as part of a celebration of dealership Volvo Bus UK and Ireland’s 50th anniversary, it has confirmed. Bound for operator Halpenny Travel of Blackrock, Co Louth, the two-axle Volvo 9700 to be at Euro…
Pelican Bus and Coach will have its range of current Yutong coaches and buses on show at Euro Bus Expo, with the Castleford dealership’s Managing Director Richard Crump describing the event as “a celebration” of the industry. Within the indoor space will be a battery-electric TCe12 coach for Coatham Coaches; a mid-sized, rear-engined TC9 in…
Switch Mobility will show its heavyweight e1 battery-electric single-deck bus (pictured) at Euro Bus Expo as it evaluates whether the model will suit the UK market. It will be one of three zero-emission buses on the manufacturer’s stand at the trade show. The e1 debuted in left-hand drive form earlier in 2022. It will be…
The Masterclass Theatre speaker programme for Euro Bus Expo has been announced by event organiser Diversified Communications. Drawing expertise from a variety of segments, those individuals will talk about a wide range of industry-relevant subjects on all three days of the trade show, which will be held at the NEC Birmingham between 1-3 November. They will…
No fewer than 24 entries have been submitted by exhibitors at Euro Bus Expo to the Innovation Challenge. They will be showcased at the coach and bus industry’s leading trade show, which is to be held at the NEC Birmingham on 1-3 November. Each submission will be displayed in the Innovation Challenge Gallery. On Tuesday…
At Euro Bus Expo, BASE Coach Sales will launch the newly developed MOBIpeople Premium 350 coach, with the first built on a latest-generation Scania K 360 NB chassis. The 3.5m high, 12.5m long, two-axle coach sits alongside the existing Premium model. The main driver for the Premium 350 was demand for a high-specification model that…
School bus pass and ticketing platform ShuttleID has grown its reach to capture commuter services. The launch is accompanied by an offer of short-term, one-month contracts that the supplier says “will help operators to confirm service viability and get new routes off the ground.” ShuttleID believes that introduction of such transport provision is increasingly attractive…
We catch up with Christina Saunders from Jones Coach and Bus Sales to find out more about their brand and exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo, on stand J60 Tell us a bit about your company? Jones Coach and Bus Sales is the sister company of Llew Jones Limited, a private independent company founded over 50…
We catch up with Lori Foster from Navaho Technologies Ltd to find out more about their brand and exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo, on stand D21 Tell us a bit about your company? Navaho has been at the forefront of developing solutions for digital signage, IT management & network security for more than 20 years.…
We catch up with Carl Partridge from UrbanThings to find out about their brand and exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo, on stand T46 Tell us a bit about your company? UrbanThings is a mobility technology company based in London. We are proudly part of Paragon ID, leading provider of smart ticketing solutions worldwide. We exist…
We catch up with Iby Bakos-Tonner from Muirhead to find out about their brand and exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo, on stand C78 Tell us a bit about your company? Lasting passenger comfort with Muirhead sustainable high performance leather. Muirhead has been making fine Scottish leather for the global passenger transport industry for over 180…
Novadata displays a host of new transport training options, product and services, designed to help drivers, supervisors, managers and operators enhance their compliance and industry best practice. The company displays its improved standalone digital tachograph software, CT-TachoTEK, with greatly enhanced IT support; a new Driver CPC course; a thoroughly revised Digital Tachographs for Managers and…
We know that equality of access is central in the ethos of public transport. But what role can transport play in mitigating today’s cost of living crisis? Thousands of passengers benefited from the Great British Rail Sale earlier this year, and the government has just announced a £2 flat bus fare from January to March…
Leading technology provider Flowbird will be presenting its latest smart ticketing systems at Euro Bus Expo 2022 (NEC, November 1-3). Alongside innovations in ticketing, payments and mobile apps, the company will be demonstrating its latest back office ‘CloudFare’, a modular cloud-based platform facilitating network-wide management and analytics of both Flowbird systems and third-party applications through…
Three packed days of industry speakers, product launches and more A host of show highlights have been announced for Euro Bus Expo, the flagship trade show for the bus and coach industry, which returns to the NEC Birmingham on 1-3 November. The event will bring thousands of operators and local authorities together with over 200…
We catch up with Nikki Ball from Ticketer to find out more about the brand and exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo, on stand T76 Tell us a bit more your company? Ticketer Your innovative transit and data intelligence partner. Ticketer is a UK leading public transport ticketing software and information systems provider. From delivering cloud-based,…
We catch up with Julie Hartley from Irizar UK to find out more about the brand and exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo, on stand A10. Tell us a bit more your company? Irizar UK is based in Nottinghamshire and is UK is the sole supplier of Irizar Integral coaches, powered by DAF, in the United…
We catch up with Alison Mehew from Team Orca to find out more about JTT as a brand and exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo, on stand G19. Tell us a bit more your company? At JTT, we specialise in industrial cleaning solutions, supplying industry leading machinery for mobile bus washing! Our close partnership with manufacturer…
We catch up with Andi North from Mangopear Creative to find out more about the brand and exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo, on stand G21. Tell us a bit more your company? Hello! We’re Mangopear creative – a small but talented full service creative agency. We help leading brands & independent companies break the mould.…
We catch up with Rob West from Elydium to find out more about the brand and exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo, on stand T44. Tell us a bit more your company Founded in 2019, <a href=”https://elydium.co.uk/”>Elydium</a>designs and develops cloud-native software to assist in the digital transformation of passenger transport. We help passenger transport operators and…
We catch up with Sallyanne Burdon from Coachline Insurance Services to find out more about the brand and exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo, on stand D16. Tell us a bit more your company At Coachline we focus solely on achieving tailor-made solutions for your Coach, Minibus, Fleet and Business Insurance. We discuss your requirements and…
We catch up with Claudia Rusek from Accure Battery Intelligence to find out more about the brand and its presense at Euro Bus Expo, on stand T56. Tell us a bit more your company We are battery experts increasing the momentum towards zero emissions with battery analytics and cloud computing software. Our energy and mobility…
Volvo Buses and FlixBus reached agreement earlier in 2022 on a standardised coach specification, they have confirmed. The two parties say it will simplify the vehicle order process for the scheduled service provider’s partner operators through the creation of a trim level that “meets the demands of FlixBus for comfort and performance.” The specification will…
Smart bus platform Zeelo and electric fleet specialist Zenobe are working together to enable Zeelo’s network of operator partners to trial battery-electric vehicles, including the use of temporary charging infrastructure. The two businesses say that the approach will help to “drive an affordable and accessible transition” of private coach and bus transport towards battery-electric. The…
Equipmake will repower 12 Optare Versa EVs in the First York fleet via the removal of their original battery-electric driveline and installation of its own Zero Emission Drivetrain (ZED). Work on the first of those buses is underway and it is expected to return to service in November. Equipmake says the upgraded Optare Versa EVs…
If you’re looking to invest in a brake tester for your workshop, it’s not always easy to sort through your options. So to make things easier, we’ve put together a rundown of our two most popular bits of kit – the In-Ground Brake Tester, and the Mobile Brake Tester. But before we dig into the…
Better, greener, more connected transport Euro Bus Expo returns to the NEC, Birmingham on 1-3 November 2022. The premier bus, coach and mini vehicle exhibition is a must attend for local authorities. The industry showcase will bring together thousands of thought leaders, suppliers, manufacturers, operators, transport planners and strategy influencers. Each has a critical role…
In a year in which the global company celebrates its 200-year anniversary in transport textiles, Camira has signalled its commitment to remaining at the forefront of the industry with the introduction of the innovative Camira Print. Perfectly complementing the manufacturer’s renowned weaving capabilities, the launch expands its offering to encompass digital printing – providing customers…
First Bus has confirmed receipients of orders for 74 further battery-electric single-deck buses for its remaining fleets in Scotland. The BYD ADL partnership will build 50 Enviro200EV examples for First Glasgow’s Scotstoun depot. Pelican Bus and Coach will supply 24 Yutong E12 models to First Aberdeen. The latter will be the first vehicles from Yutong…
Pelican Bus and Coach will introduce a long-anticipated Yutong battery-electric double-decker bus to the UK in 2023, the dealership has confirmed. A seed right-hand drive, 10.9m example has been constructed and is currently under test in China to simulate one million kilometres’ utilisation. That bus will be exclusively used for development purposes and it will…
We catch up with Tamara Rashford from Geotab UK Ltd to find out about the brand and its presence at Euro Bus Expo, on stand T22. Tell us a bit about your company: We are Geotab: a world leader in the Internet of Things (IoT) and connected transportation, and the #1 global telematics provider for…
In launching its i6S Efficient, Irizar boldly described the newcomer as “the coach of the future.” Advancements throughout the model have reduced weight, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, and that is positioned alongside improvements to the driver and passenger experience. Irizar UK recently debuted the first right-hand drive i6S Efficient integral. The two-axle coach is…
The benefits of using bespoke push notifications to communicate with customers has been harnessed by Rise Digital Media. It has added the facility to its BusHub platform for operators and associated passenger apps and believes that it is the only coach and bus industry technology agency to offer such a service. That allows push notifications…
MiX Telematics, a leading global SaaS provider of connected fleet management solutions, is pleased to announce it will be attending Euro Bus Expo from 01-03 November at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, on stand T86 in the Technology Zone. MiX Telematics will be showcasing a number of new, strategic aspects of its SaaS platform…
We catch up with Sharan Chadha from MiX Telematics to find out about the brand and its presence at Euro Bus Expo, on stand T86. Tell us a bit about your company: MiX Telematics is a leading global provider of fleet management, driver safety and vehicle tracking solutions. Our products and services, designed for commercial…
We catch up with Emma Bell from ShuttleID to find out more about the ShuttleID brand and its presence at Euro Bus Expo, on stand A48. Tell us a bit about your company: ShuttleID founder, Chris Bell, has worked alongside transport operators over the past 16 years. On this journey, Chris discovered operators were in…
We catch up with Josh McCarthy from NotLost to find out about the brand and its presence at Euro Bus Expo, on stand T30. Tell us a bit about your company: We set out on the NotLost journey 5 years ago with a vision to disrupt an everyday issue, to improve the lives of diligent…
We catch up with Jasna Malec from eVersum mobility solutions GmbH to find out more about the brand and its presence at Euro Bus Expo, on stand H70. Tell us a bit about your company: With electric city buses and related infrastructure at the core of the modern public transport eco-system, eVersum designs, develops and…
We catch up with Quyen Dao from Zenobē to find out about the brand and its presence at Euro Bus Expo, on stand A34. Tell us a bit about your company: Beginning in 2017, Zenobē believes that a net-zero society is within reach. We are now market leaders in the UK, Australia and New Zealand,…
We catch up with Natasha Lear from Ardent to find out more about the Ardent Limited brand and its presence at Euro Bus Expo, on stand D26. Tell us a bit about your company: Ardent Group was founded in 1993 and has been protecting human life, business assets, and social safety ever since. Since our…
We catch up with Louise Taylor from SWITCH Mobility about their presence at Euro Bus Expo, on stand A50. Tell us a bit about your company: SWITCH is a next-generation electric vehicle company backed by over 100 years of experience. We are speeding up the switch to zero carbon mobility and our technologies and vehicles…
We catch up with Paul Rogers from Flowbird Transport Intelligence to find out about their presence at Euro Bus Expo, on stand T84. Tell us a bit about your company: Flowbird is a global business with a mission to make transport easier, safer and quicker for people to make better journeys, whatever the mode of…
We catch up with Jon Roper from Air Products Plc to find out about their presence at Euro Bus Expo, on stand C22. Tell us a bit about your company: Air Products is the world’s largest hydrogen producer, with over 60 years’ experience. We work across all facets of the hydrogen value chain – from…
Zeelo, the smart bus services company for organisations and specialists in finding and fulfilling demand from corporates and schools for coach services, are offering free coach transfers for Euro Bus Expo attendees. The exhibition is taking place at Birmingham’s NEC from 1 – 3 November 2022, with the service available across the three days. Zeelo…
Smart bus service company Zeelo will provide free coach transfers for attendees of Euro Bus Expo, to be held at the NEC Birmingham on 1-3 November. Zeelo and its partners will deliver the service each day of the show. Coaches will run from Brighton, Cardiff, Colchester, Liverpool, Portsmouth and York. Visitors to Euro Bus Expo…
Transdev Blazefield is overhauling its maintenance operation with the fleet-wide rollout out Freeway technology. The supplier’s platform will ultimately connect 700 mobile devices and a series of operational management systems to provide centralised control of the operator’s 550 buses. Freeway describes the software as “one of the most advanced digital systems in the UK.” It…
We catch up with Alan Farrelly from CitySwift to find out more about their presence at Euro Bus Expo, on stand T80. Tell us a bit about your company: Founded by Alan Farrelly and Brian O’Rourke, CitySwift is an Irish big data company powering bus networks across the world. Since its inception in 2016, CitySwift…
We catch up with Anna Fernandez from STRA S.A. to find out more about the Stratio brand and its presence at Euro Bus Expo, on stand T60. Tell us a bit about your company: Stratio is the World’s Leading Real-time Predictive Fleet Maintenance Platform. Our proprietary technology combines large-scale processing with the latest machine learning…
We catch up with Justyna Mazurek from Nunsys to find out more about the BatOnRoute – Mobility Solution brand and its presence at Euro Bus Expo, on stand T34. Tell us a bit about your company: BatOnRoute is a mobility solution that is targeted at schools, day- care centres, transport of employees and the on-demand…
Steve O’Neill has joined EVM to head its work with AOS Isuzu vehicles in the UK market. His appointment forms part of wider business expansion for EVM that has also seen the unveiling of a new brand and a move to larger premises in West Sussex. Mr O’Neill brings over 30 years’ coach industry experience…
Interest in the purchase of zero-emission coaches has seen a marked increase in 2022, sole supplier of the vehicle type Pelican Bus and Coach had revealed. The dealership, with the battery-electric Yutong TCe12 in its coach range, has several customer orders for the model in hand for delivery over coming months. It also has 10…
Members of the supply chain have responded positively to diversification of vehicle types and technologies that are provisionally in scope of the Scottish Zero Emission Bus (ScotZEB2) challenge fund. ScotZEB2 is set to capture zero-emission coaches and buses that are used on a wide range of work, including private hire and tourism-related duties, home-to-school transport…
The Yutong battery-electric bus range in the UK is to grow with the introduction of the mid-sized E9 model by dealership Pelican Bus and Coach. It will have a 14,300kg GVW within a length of 8.94m and a width of 2.42m, and come in two-door layout as standard with wheelchair user access at the centre.…
Alexander Dennis has revealed further details of its work to offer battery-electric buses that are fully designed and integrated in-house. Alongside a new small bus already outlined, it will introduce such a double-deck product. Both are to complement the existing BYD ADL Enviro200EV and Enviro400EV models, which will continue to be sold and supported. The…
The fleet maintenance software provider has tripled its income in the bus industry since first exhibiting in 2016. We speak to Freeway MD Patrick Tandy about how business has ‘blossomed’ Established in 1995, Freeway Fleet Systems helps fleet operators automate and digitise processes to reduce time-consuming workshop admin and maintain compliance efficiently. Freeway’s system eliminates…
Switch Mobility has continued to make headway in the Indian market for battery-electric buses with the debut of the EiV 22 double-decker. It has been designed and developed in India and will also be manufactured there. The air-conditioned, high-floor model has 231kW/h of energy storage. Switch claims that will give a range of up to…
Pelican Bus and Coach has further expanded its aftersales support for the Yutong brand. It has opened a 12,000ft2 national parts distribution centre close to its existing facilities in West Yorkshire and appointed Sam Williams to the role of Yutong Bus and Coach Parts Operations Manager as it homes in on achieving the marque’s 1,000th…
Transport textile manufacturer Camira has produced a short film to celebrate its long running partnership with Transport for London (TfL). The video comes as part of its ongoing series telling the story of its 200 years of heritage. It features an interview with Paul Marchant, Head of Product Design at TfL, who provides insight into…
Now in its 16th year, the bus and coach industry’s premier recognition scheme rewards excellence among operators and individuals. The finalists of the 2022 routeone Awards have been announced, revealing some of the most outstanding operators and people in the coach and bus industry. The Awards are only open to those who have been nominated…
A headline speaker has been confirmed for the opening keynote of the Masterclass Theatre on the second day of this year’s Euro Bus Expo, which is taking place at the NEC, Birmingham on 1-3 November. Baroness Vere, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department of Transport, will open the second day of sessions in…
This summer, Mistral Group celebrates its thirtieth year of business. From its roots as a small-scale Cheshire bus operator, the business has grown into a nationally recognised market leading brand in the industry, offering financing, rental and sales of new and used buses to a wide range of clients across the UK. Through a strategy…
The first Irizar i6S Efficient integral has arrived in the UK and was quickly dispatched on the first part of dealership Irizar UK’s summer roadshow. That will see the vehicle displayed to operators from the north of Scotland to Devon as the Spanish manufacturer bids to capitalise on what it described at launch as “the…
Telecommunications group Sky is working with Alexander Dennis, BYD, Cobra Corporate Services and Dawsongroup Bus and Coach to introduce eight BYD ADL Enviro200EV battery-electric buses to its staff and visitor shuttle services in Edinburgh and London. Cobra will operate the vehicles on Sky’s behalf. It has chosen Dawsongroup Bus and Coach’s fully supported contract hire…
The latest generation of the Wheely-Safe wheel loss detection system has become one of the first products to be recognised by DVSA via the award of its DVSA Recognised label. In the format accredited by DVSA, Wheely-Safe combines brake and hub temperature monitoring with an intelligent tyre pressure warning system. DVSA introduced the DVSA Recognised…
We catch up with Horsham-based vehicle manufacturer EVM to find out more about sustainability and innovation in the coach and bus industry. Plus, which vehicles they will be showcasing at Euro Bus Expo. Company name: EVM UK Year founded: 2010 Headquarters/location: Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex Main products: Luxury, Electric, Community Transport Can you tell us…
Equipmake has dispatched a single-deck battery-electric bus with its modular driveline to Buenos Aires. It follows the completion of testing of the Agrale MT17.0LE vehicle in the UK and will see the commencement of in-service trials in the Argentine capital. Within the bus is the same Equipmake drivetrain that the OEM will use in the…
Totalkare has grown in recent years from being a supplier of vehicle lifts to one that is now active across multiple types of workshop equipment. That, combined with an ongoing strategy for growth, has seen the supplier treble its product sales in value terms and double its service-related turnover. 20 mobile technicians are now active…
Euro Bus Expo will host the popular Innovation Challenge for the first time at this year’s show at the NEC Birmingham on 1-3 November. Having debuted at Coach & Bus UK in 2019, the Challenge brings together the most significant product and service developments from across the industry and gives visitors the opportunity to quickly…
New feature celebrates the best new products and services driving the sector forward The Innovation Challenge will make its Euro Bus Expo debut at the NEC Birmingham on 1-3 November. Bringing together the most notable product and service developments from across the industry, it gives visitors the opportunity to quickly and easily discover what’s new…
Don Fraser Coaches of Rufford, Lancashire has added the first Irizar integral to its fleet in the form of a 10.8m i6S, supplied by Irizar UK. It has 41 i6 Plus seats with synthetic leather inserts, drop down tables, magazine nets and footrests. A double USB charging point is at each seat pair, while entertainment…
Irizar has continued its delivery of highly customised coaches for niche markets with the supply of an i6S built on a Mercedes-Benz chassis to the Kuwait Fire Force. The vehicle will carry high ranking officials and those from the Ministry of the Interior on special occasions. It is a 12.2m model built on a Mercedes-Benz…
Hunters Executive Coaches of Tullibody had taken delivery of the first of two new Plaxton Panthers to join its fleet in 2022. The coach is built on a Volvo B8R chassis and it has been supplied by Alexander Dennis. 53 seats are fitted along with a centre sunken toilet. Other passenger amenities include USB charging…
Weardale Travel has taken delivery of an Irizar i6S integral. It is the fifth coach to be supplied to the Bishop Auckland operator by Irizar UK. The new tri-axle is 13.2m long and it has 53 i6 Plus seats that come with synthetic leather headrests, panels and piping, drop down tables, footrests, magazine holders and…
Van Hool will make its newly unveiled A range of zero-emission single-deck buses available in the UK market, a spokesperson has confirmed. The modular platform has been launched in battery-electric format, and the manufacturer will follow that with hydrogen fuel cell-electric power. A trolleybus variant completes the line-up, which will be available at nominal lengths…
Eavesway Travel has taken delivery of a customised, built to order Yutong TC9 midicoach in what represents conquest business for both supplier Pelican Bus and Coach and the Yutong marque. The TC9 has been produced to the Ashton-in-Makerfield operator’s specification by Yutong, including paint finish and its 26 cream leather seats with blue trim. Two…
The first Scania Irizar i6S Efficient for the UK market has been revealed by the chassis manufacturer. In addition to debuting the new, lighter body in right-hand drive form, it utilises Scania’s next-generation coach chassis. Relatively minor alterations have been made to the driveline of the new underframe, which adopts a revised nomenclature; the first…
Barnes Coaches of Swindon has taken delivery of a 12.9m, two-axle Irizar i6S integral, supplied by Irizar UK. The coach carries 53 passengers in i6 classic seats that are trimmed in synthetic leather and which come with three-point belts and drop-down tables. Entertainment is from a Bosch Smart Series radio, CD and PA system with…
Mistral Group’s sales team has been reorganised after the business announced a number of promotions among its staff. Freddie Fuller has been appointed National Retail Sales Manager, while Andrew Biggs has become National Sales Manager of the recently announced The Bus Shop, of which he led development. Amy Duckworth has meanwhile been named Regional Sales…
CoachMarque has long been accepted as one of the coach industry’s premier accreditation schemes. Overseen by the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT), it is currently undergoing work to ensure that it continues to act as a useful business development tool and resource for its members. Roland Eglinton, Managing Director of Kent operator Chalkwell, chairs CoachMarque.…
One of the world’s leading independent global bus manufacturers, Alexander Dennis (ADL), will offer its engineering training members unsurpassed workshop facilities from its new site at Trident House in Farnborough. Following shortly after the ADL-sponsored IRTE Skills Challenge testing week in Bristol, where coach and bus apprentices and technicians compete on practical and theoretical tasks…
Pelican Bus and Coach has commenced work on a new showroom, office and workshop facility in Castleford to support the continued growth of the Yutong brand in the UK. The project coincides with Pelican’s recent signing a new long-term distribution agreement with Yutong. It represents an investment of £2m. Once complete, the 20,000ft2 premises will enable…
Optibus has debuted its Operations module, which it says is “the first real-time, cloud native solution for mitigating driver staffing challenges and optimising depot operations.” It is the newest product in Optibus’s portfolio and enables operators to quickly detect and prevent service disruptions that arise from driver and vehicle challenges and to continue the smooth…
Camira is to launch a heritage collection of 20 designs from its archives to celebrate the 200th anniversary of its involvement in transport textiles. Designed to pay homage to the company’s history while complementing modern transport interiors, the collection includes designs originating from the company’s past under Holdsworth Fabrics, updated with new colourways that reflect…
Alexander Dennis (ADL) has announced a new brand identity to emphasise “agility and innovation” as it continues on the journey towards zero-emission mobility. The changes include new logos for the ADL and Plaxton Brands and a new visual identity across “all brand touchpoints”. The manufacturer says the new identity shows that the company is “at…
App and website provider Passenger has introduced a flexible, recurring ticket payment app capability for bus operators and local authorities to accommodate the growing prevalence of hybrid working. The subscription element allows customers to automatically purchase tickets on a recurring basis, either for themselves or as a gift for others. Operators may also create bespoke…
Switch Mobility has unveiled its all-new Switch e1 battery-electric single-decker. The 12m bus is designed specifically for the mainland European market and it will deliver a claimed range of around 390km from 389kW/h of onboard energy storage. Prototypes of the Switch e1 are being built at the OEM’s Sherburn in Elmet factory in Yorkshire, but…
National Coach Network (NCN) has opened a partnership with fuel company BP that it says will allow coach operators “to benefit from a range of exclusive discounts and benefits.” It is open to NCN members and comes with an introductory incentive of £30 cashback when £60 of fuel is purchased, an offer that runs to…
A charity open day at the Gillingham depot of National Express Transport Solutions (NETS)-owned The Kings Ferry on 21 May saw a donation of £600 made to Help for Heroes, NETS’ chosen charity for 2022. In addition to raising money for the armed forces charity, the event was intended to raise awareness and also to…
Totalkare has launched its TK-BM65 product, which combines brake tester, wheel play detector and vehicle inspection capabilities into one compact unit. A demonstration example of the TK-BM65 was on the Totalkare stand at the CV Show in mid-May. The supplier says that it “will suit operators and repair specialists alike” and that it is particularly…
TBF has introduced an online membership application process, which the transport sector charity says makes joining “even easier.” The development means that it takes “just a few minutes” to submit the necessary information, TBF says. Once approved, the new member will be issued with a membership number and invited to set up their own unique…
54% of coach operators believe that a zero-emission coach would need a range of over 250 miles for them to have confidence to invest in such technology. That is according to a response from the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) to the government’s call for evidence on setting an end date for the sale of…
Scania UK has promoted Mark Oliver to the role of Bus, Coach and Power Solutions Sales Director. He succeeds Martin West, who left the business in March, and brings 27 years’ experience with Scania to the position. Mr Oliver’s career with Scania UK began in 1995 as an apprentice instructor. He later held titles including…
Blackpool Transport has extended its use of Ticketer electronic ticket machines (ETMs) with the deployment of Ticketer Handheld units across its tram fleet. They complement, and offer the same capabilities as, the fixed Ticketer machines used on the municipal operator’s buses. Ticketer worked closely with Blackpool Transport to develop the hand-held product. Those in use…
The BYD Alexander Dennis (ADL) partnership has delivered its 1000th zero-emission battery-electric vehicle (BEV). The anniversary vehicle is a BYD ADL Enviro400EV, part-funded by the Scottish Government and delivered to Stagecoach Bluebird in Aberdeen. It represents the last of 22 BYD ADL Enviro400EVs part-funded by the Scottish Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme, and precedes a further…
Scottish independent McGill’s has renewed its partnership with UK public transport app and website provider Passenger amid the launch of a new website. The partnership will continue for another three years. The pair previously collaborated on the McGill’s app, which was launched in October 2018. The new website brings public transport data to desktops, including…
Grant Palmer is the latest member of the coach and bus industry to be accredited as a member of the Earned Recognition (ER) scheme by DVSA. The achievement follows what the Flitwick-based, 40-bus firm says is “considerable investment” in updating its systems and technology to ensure that it met the standards required by ER. Every…
The first Scottish Bus Week is being held between Monday 23 and Sunday 29 May as a celebration “of all that the bus can do for us in Scotland.” In addition to highlighting the benefits that the mode brings to health, the environment, the economy and a fairer transport system, Scottish Bus Week will also…
Optibus has launched Ridership Insights, which it says will enable the visualisation and analysis of patronage data directly on a map during network planning. The tool will allow planners to view ridership KPIs on a route, segment or stop level with boarding and alighting data for each stop, or filter by time and date range.…
Go-Ahead Ireland has commenced work with Freeway Fleet Systems to build a core asset management system built around the supplier’s software. The IT integration programme will “transform” the business’s oversight of its fleet, plant and equipment and deliver comprehensive insight into the costs of running them. Through an initial implementation in late 2018, Freeway has…
Warwickshire County Council (WCC) is to use Omnibus’s cloud-based platform to plan and publicise bus services and deliver on a commitment to improve journey information for customers. It comes after the provision of better publicity information was identified as a “priority measure” in WCC’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP). Omnibus’s OmniSTOPdesign timetable publicity software will…
The fight for talent “is real” and employers with diverse and modern approaches are best placed to win it, Alexander Dennis Group Human Resources Director Rachel Smith told ALBUM conference delegates at the group’s recent gathering. That extends to both recruits that are already progressing their careers and those that are entering at apprentice and…
Increasing the energy density of batteries is a “primary focus” of bus manufacturers in the battery-electric segment, Alexander Dennis Group Engineering Director Chris Gall (pictured) told the ALBUM conference on 28 April. Mr Gall – who joined ADL in 2021 – also notes that in addition to energy density, predictability of battery performance is a…
With promised reductions in fuel consumption and emissions of up to 13%, Irizar’s lighter and more aerodynamic i6S variant was unveiled last week. Is this another game-changer for the industry? Irizar has unveiled its new i6S Efficient, a vehicle it describes as “the coach of the future.” The newcomer takes the established i6S model and introduces…
Switch Mobility has provided an update on its progress after celebrating its one-year anniversary on 8 April 2022. Since its formation in April last year the company has placed 300 vehicles on the road and boasts an order book for over 650 buses, with another 1,200 “in the pipeline”. Collectively they have clocked up some…
School bus pass and ticketing platform ShuttleID is offering free live vehicle tracking for twelve months with the purchase of one of its school ticketing packages in May. In addition to tracking, the free upgrade from ShuttleID also provides operators with real-time ticket scanning data within a single system. The Live add-on, which launched earlier…
Irizar has revealed the i6S Efficient, which it says is “the coach of the future.” The newcomer takes the established i6S model and introduces a slew of improvements to deliver a like-for-like weight reduction of 950kg and a reduction in fuel consumption and emissions of up to 13%, the OEM claims. The i6S Efficient retains…
McGill’s Buses has ordered a further 41 Yutong battery-electric buses. They will be part-funded by phase one of the Scottish Zero Emission Bus (ScotZEB) challenge fund and take to 96 the number of Yutong zero-emission buses with the operator. Of those on order, 10 will be the 10.9m E10 model and the remaining 31 will…
Operators working with Zeelo have been reassured that it will remain business as usual after the firm is acquired by Swvl, a global provider of transformative tech-enabled mass transit solutions. Definitive agreement was reached between the two companies in late April and completion of the deal is expected in May. Swvl is already active in…
Commercial vehicle funding specialist Asset Alliance Group has strengthened its coach and bus division with two appointments. Scott Burke (pictured) has joined as National Sales Manager, while Jane Roberts has been named Sales Support Manager. Ms Roberts will manage the coach and bus sales process and provide what Asset Alliance describes as “dedicated focus and…
Coach operator Park’s of Hamilton has chosen Optibus planning, scheduling and rostering, and operations software to increase its fleet efficiency and improve driver retention. The Optibus package replaces manual planning and scheduling. Its purchase follows research by the operator into how it could grow efficiency across the business. Manual errors have been eliminated and visibility…
Equipmake has debuted the first bus to receive its battery-electric repower package in the form of a Volvo B5LH double-decker. It was shown at the ALBUM conference in Blackpool on 26-27 April. The former Preston Bus vehicle dates from 2013 and was built as a diesel-electric parallel hybrid. It now has the same electric driveline…
Fuel duty applied to diesel used by coaches should be cut to the same 11.1ppl rate as incurred by the rail industry, the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) has said. That call was directed at Chancellor Rishi Sunak in a letter from Head of Policy Alison Edwards in late April. Diesel consumed by coaches is…
Freeway Fleet Systems has integrated Wheely-Safe wheel security and tyre pressure monitoring into its fleet maintenance platform. It will deliver what Freeway calls “vital intelligence” to help improve the safety of coaches and buses by assisting with the prevention of wheel failures and tyre degradation. Wheely-Safe’s unit detects the onset of wheel loss before detachment.…
Switch Mobility has announced an investment of over £300m in the UK and India as part of its work to become “a market leader” in zero-carbon segments, including battery-electric buses. That money is expected to create over 4,000 skilled jobs across both countries and it will see a technical centre in Warwick open in June.…
Stagecoach has begun on-road testing for the CAVForth autonomous bus pilot in Scotland in preparation for the service’s first passengers later this year. Testing will take place over the next two weeks in partnership with Fusion Processing, Alexander Dennis and Transport Scotland. It comes after successful depot-based trials, track testing and virtual simulation to “fine…
Extended driveline warranty support from WMS Group will form a key part of a five-year operating lease package offer on new Temsa coaches from Temsa Sales UK. WMS Group will provide insurance-based driveline coverage in years three, four and five to complement the manufacturer’s warranty. It will also handle any associated administration services aligned with…
Switch Mobility will shortly unveil a new battery-electric product, initially for left-hand drive European and Asia Pacific markets, that it says is expected to be “the lightest widely available 12m zero-emission bus in the market.” A right-hand drive version will follow later. The new model will debut at the BUS2BUS show in Berlin on 27…
The Confederation of Passenger Transport has launched CPT Training, a flexible new compliance solution delivered by Lloyd Morgan Group On 31 March the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) and Lloyd Morgan Group (LMG) launched CPT Training at Trentbarton’s head office in Heanor, Derbyshire. CPT Training is the newest proposition to develop skills and support compliance…
Mistral Group has appointed Paul Fairbanks as Regional Sales Manager for the Wales, Midlands and South West England region. He joins Mistral with over 25 years’ experience in the car and light commercial market and was previously Dealer Principal for the Griffin Mill chain of dealerships in South Wales. Commenting on the appointment Mistral Group…
Alfa Travel’s coach operating division, Alfa Coaches, has cut driver infringements by more than 50% after choosing TruTac in its quest to achieve Earned Recognition (ER) status. Alfa Coaches began using TruTac for compliance procedures around five years ago, using its Tacho Analysis and Daily Checks products, which have been developed in partnership with the…
Martin West (pictured, left) has been named Group Commercial Director by Alexander Dennis (ADL). He joins after a long career in coach and bus with Scania (Great Britain) and will add “substantial experience” to ADL’s sales, commercial, business development and marketing functions, the NFI Group subsidiary says. Mr West’s appointment will allow ADL Group Operations…
Freeway Fleet Systems has achieved ISO 27001 (information security) and ISO 9001 (quality management) certifications, demonstrating the company’s compliance with internationally recognised standards. It means Freeway adheres to the latest information security best practice, providing peace of mind to customers whose data is in Freeway’s hands, and that the supplier’s services – which includes fleet…
Trade body RHA has unveiled the specially liveried Irizar i6S integral that it will use as part of National Coach Week, which begins on Friday 1 April. The vehicle has been loaned to RHA by dealership Irizar UK. It will be utilised for a short period by an operator in the South East before moving…
The Yutong battery-electric single-deck bus range is “best in class” in terms of energy efficiency, potential range and charging efficiency, supplier Pelican Bus and Coach has said after testing work at UTAC Millbrook on an E12 was undertaken in March. Validation of Pelican’s statement was undertaken via the Zemo Partnership-accredited Ultra Low Emission Bus testing…
Alexander Dennis will continue the rollout of what it terms “a global zero-emission vehicle platform” through an initial batch of 10 battery-electric Enviro500EV tri-axle double-deckers for Hong Kong operator KMB. The order represents ADL’s first zero-emission double-deck business in the Asia Pacific market. It will see vehicle delivery during 2023. The OEM will fully integrate…
Provision of bus priority measures enjoys strong public support, research conducted on behalf of the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) has shown. The work captures England outside London, Wales and Scotland. It shows that more than three times as many people support bus priority as oppose it, a ratio that rises to four to one…
Switch Mobility has held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the beginning of construction of its new manufacturing facility in Valladolid, Spain. Dheeraj Hinduja, Chairman of Switch Mobility, laid the foundation stone of what is the manufacturer’s first production site in continental Europe. Construction proper is set to commence in earnest within the next 12 months,…
Carmarthenshire County Council has ordered eight Yutong E12 battery-electric buses for the electrification of TrawsCymru route T1 between Aberystwyth and Carmarthen. They are expected to be delivered before the end of 2022 and will be supplied by Pelican Bus and Coach. Work on charging infrastructure for the new fleet is already in hand. Pelican says…
Freeway Fleet Systems and Wheely-Safe have joined forces to integrate wheel security and tyre pressure monitoring into Freeway’s fleet maintenance platform. The development will add intelligence to help prevent tyre degradation and wheel failures on coaches and buses. Wheely-Safe’s offering includes what is believed to be the world’s first in-motion driver alert system for wheel…
Mistral Group has launched a new dedicated website for used vehicle sales called The Bus Shop. The site lets operators view and buy stock formerly used on Mistral’s rental fleet. The Bus Shop will act as a home to late registered ex-rental fleet vehicles built by Alexander Dennis at what Mistral describes as “affordable pricing”…
Leeds independent Squarepeg Buses has chosen omnibus cloud solutions for its scheduling and operations. The company, which has a peak vehicle requirement of 13, will use Omnibus for timetabling, vehicle scheduling, rostering, mapping, depot allocation, and data sharing after it said it needed software to “work smarter” in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Says…
The Fflecsi demand responsive minibus product in Wales has welcomed its first zero-emission vehicle after an EVM e-Cityline battery-electric minibus was placed into service on an extension of the concept to Ruthin in Denbighshire. Denbighshire County Council operates the 16-seater in-house under the brand Fflecsi Trydan, or Fflecsi Electric. In Ruthin, Fflecsi has replaced three…
Caution continues to dictate the future of new coach sales in the UK, but as operator bookings strengthen, optimism grows for spring Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) statistics recently revealed that 2021 was the worst year on record for new UK coach and bus registrations. But conversations with dealers in the UK show…
Decarbonisation is the biggest challenge that the coach industry will face in coming years. It is also one that has minimal to non-existent clarity attached thus far. While a single zero-emission coach model has been available in the UK for some time, and will inevitably be followed by others, considerations loom large around infrastructure and…
School bus pass and ticketing platform ShuttleID has worked with vehicle tracking and fleet management specialist Pinpointers to release a guide to saving fuel with technology, in particular on school services. The guide looks to ways in which the technology can optimise fuel usage and provides tips on how operators can use tech to become…
Transport for London (TfL) has awarded NotLost, lost and found software, with the contract to replace and streamline its lost property system. TfL wanted a new system that would make logging and finding lost property more efficient, reduce paperwork and increase the number of items returned to their customers, says NotLost. Alex Horne, Co-Founder and…
Stagecoach UK Bus Managing Director Carla Stockton-Jones will be keynote speaker at the next Young Bus Managers Network conference, which is to be held in Cardiff on 6-7 April. Ms Stockton-Jones will look at the bus industry’s present and future in her address on 7 April, while the previous day’s after dinner speaker will be…
DVSA will introduce a local appeal process for disputed heavy vehicle annual test results on 28 February. It will include coaches and buses within its scope and enable operators to ask DVSA to review part of a test or a test result without having to lodge a statutory appeal to the Secretary of State for…
First Berkshire has unveiled a specially decorated bus to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year. The reliveried Euro VI Wrightbus StreetLite is being utilised on route 8, which passes Windsor Castle on its way between Slough and Heathrow Airport. The livery has been designed by First Berkshire’s marketing team in collaboration with design agency Best…
Centurion Travel has revealed that it has seen a reduction in administration time by using tachograph and compliance software from TruTac, which is helping it to pursue Earned Recognition (ER) status. The Radstock-based operator started to digitalise its tachograph operations in 2019 through TruTac’s TruAnalysis passenger transport specific PSV tachograph analysis reporting system. The process…
Zeelo will guarantee what it says are “minimum-value, long-term contracts” to operators in the UK that engage with its commitment to switch all vehicles used on Zeelo’s behalf in developed markets to net zero-emission by 2030. It says that contracts with operators will be supported by partnerships with vehicle OEMs and importers, and charging and…
Freeway Fleet Systems has partnered with software company Stratio to bring predictive maintenance technology to the UK coach and bus market. Stratio’s platform uses artificial intelligence (AI) to process live data gathered from vehicle sensors, which is then integrated with Freeway’s proven fleet maintenance system. Together they provide real-time information of on-the-road vehicle performance and…
Berkshire-based coach and bus operator Rowgate group, which incorporates independents Fernhill Travel, White Bus and Baileys Coaches, has chosen Omnibus for its timetabling, scheduling and allocations. The partnership brings digitilisation of processes to White Bus, and Omnibus’s cloud-based depot allocation system, OmniDAS, to all three of the group’s operators. According to Omnibus the partnership gives…
Ipswich Buses has launched a new website that has been developed and built in partnership with industry technology firm Rise Digital Media. The mobile-friendly site provides users with simple and instant access to the latest service information, timetables, live vehicle tracking, journey planning, news and other items. Speaking about the development, General Manager Steve Bryce…
Alexander Dennis (ADL) and BYD have confirmed that their partnership is to supply 130 zero-emission double-deck buses to National Express and Zenobe in Coventry as part of the city’s successful bid to become the country’s first all-electric bus city. The buses will enter service in early 2023 and will be supported with parts for a…
Ticketer is working with Palisis, a technology provider of sales and operations solutions for the transport and tourism industry, to help make local coach and bus services more accessible to visitors that are unfamiliar with an area. Ticketer’s platform will integrate with Palisis, and it will allow operators to choose which tickets they make available…
Irizar UK can now offer ex-factory PSVAR compliance on new two-axle, 70-seat variants of the i4 integral coach. The development has come after the Spanish manufacturer undertook further work to remove weight from the low-height model. In such a configuration, a Masats wheelchair user lift is mounted within the steps of a 1,100mm-wide centre door.…
There is a pressing need for operators of services in England outside London that are within scope of the Bus Open Data Service (BODS) to comply with its requirements for fares, timetables and vehicle location. The Department for Transport (DfT) through its data analytics partner has made clear that there is now an expectation for…
Equipmake has repowered a Wrightbus New Routemaster with a battery-electric driveline, with the vehicle making its debut at Euro Bus Expo. The zero-emission package, which includes 400kW/h of battery storage and the supplier’s HTM 3500 400kW electric motor, is expected to deliver a range of 150 miles. It is fitted to a New Routemaster that…
The Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) has announced the launch of its new membership service, CPT Training, which is to be delivered in partnership with Lloyd Morgan Group. CPT Training will offer CPT members training services at discounted rates. It is expected to launch in early Spring 2022 and will include Transport Manager Certificate of…
Euro Bus Expo organiser Diversified Communications UK has announced early details of this year’s principal coach and bus industry trade show, which will be held at the NEC Birmingham on 1-3 November 2022. Heralding a return after a three-year break, Euro Bus Expo will have an anticipated 270 exhibitors in attendance. It will major on…
After a three year wait, the bus and coach industry is eagerly anticipating the return of its principal trade show, Euro Bus Expo, taking place at the NEC Birmingham on 1-3 November. The major exhibition, which needs no introduction to the industry it serves, is set to return with a renewed vigour and spotlights on…
First Potteries is to reintroduce the Mainline brand to buses in North Staffordshire in a collaborative approach between the operator, flooring specialist Altro, Best Impressions and Bus and Coach World. It will see the identity applied to 25 refurbished Wrightbus StreetLites. Work on those buses is scheduled to be completed by Bus and Coach World…
The Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) has announced it will run an industry-wide recruitment initiative next month to help tackle the current driver shortage. Between 21-27 February the trade body will work with coach and bus operators to run open days and local recruitment drives in order to bring more drivers into the sector. Members…
Ritchies of New Zealand has adopted Omnibus’s cloud-based depot allocation solution, OmniDAS, across its main depots. OmniDAS will be used with planning and on-the-day driver and vehicle allocation processes to improve efficiency, cost management and collaborative working. “We are confident that our depot controllers will gain valuable operational efficiencies which have been experienced in the…
Switch Mobility has shared further details on its planned manufacturing and technology centre in Valladolid. It has confirmed it will be built on a greenfield site in the Soto de Medinilla area. The 140,000m² site has been selected from numerous locations within the Castilla y Leon (Castile and León) Region of Spain. The facility will…
School bus pass and ticketing platform ShuttleID has launched a driver app that delivers live vehicle tracking and real-time ticket scanning data within a single system. Following a successful trial with several operators, the LIVE add-on is now available to those that “want to develop or maintain direct relationships with schools and customers, offering the…
Journeo has announced that Nottingham City Transport (NCT) is the first UK bus operator to retrofit the supplier’s digital Camera Monitoring System (CMS) to its fleet in place of conventional wing mirrors. The company has marked the retrofit as a watershed moment for the technology and the 21st Century solution, as it allows operators to…
MAN will shortly debut OptiView rear-view cameras and adaptive cruise control (ACC) ‘stop and go’ functionality on its Neoplan Tourliner coach line-up in the UK. The OEM’s dealership here says that the optional systems form part of work to further improve efficiency and safety on the Tourliner. Both packages will be fitted to a demonstrator…
Ilesbus UK has expanded its low-floor range with the introduction of the I-City Max. It is built on a front-engined Iveco Daily underframe and can carry a maximum of 32 seated passengers with provision for up to two wheelchair users. The coachbuilt new product builds upon the existing low-floor I-City, which uses the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter…
Volvo has celebrated production of 200,000 coach and bus chassis at its Borås plant in Sweden. The landmark underframe is a member of the BZL battery-electric bus range, one of over 50 models that Borås has manufactured for global markets since 1977. Borås is Volvo Buses’ industrial hub for chassis production. The OEM claims that…
On 9 December Mellor unveiled its new Sigma range of battery-electric vehicles. Size and weight reduction is at the heart of its design What does 60 years of knowledge in the lightweight bus market look like when put towards a disruptive new design? routeone was able to find out in December 2021, when the veil…
Production of Plaxton coach models is restarting at Alexander Dennis’s Scarborough factory sooner than anticipated after a rebound in customer demand. “Coach production stopped in summer 2021 once existing orders had been fulfilled and sufficient stock had been built up to tide us over,” says a spokesperson. “We had then expected the break to last…
Merseytravel, the transport delivery arm of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, has chosen Omnibus’s cloud-based solution for its timetabling and scheduling software. The agreement extends the operator’s partnership with EPM Group. Together they have already deployed ETM DAS, a contract management solution, and EPM Insights, an interactive analytics platform. ETM DAS monitors the performance…
The Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) has revealed a refreshed brand that will make its public debut on Monday 10 January with the launch of an industry-wide television campaign to promote coach travel christened Get Back on Board. CPT says that the updated brand “will help the organisation to deliver on its values and priorities,…
Real-time information for Blackpool Transport and Stagecoach buses serving the Fylde resort’s town centre is now being provided by a large display. Along with the accompanying software system, it has been installed by Journeo and forms “an insight into the potential of the technology,” says Blackpool Council, which plans to expand real-time bus information provision…
Achieving longer-term visibility of heavy vehicle test availability for Authorised Testing Facilities (ATFs) and operators alike is something that DVSA is “keen to look at” as part of ongoing work around the Heavy Vehicle Testing Review. Writing in a blogpost, Head of Vehicle Policy and Engineering Neil Barlow says that one way to help achieve…
Euro Bus Expo organiser Diversified Communications UK today confirms that the event has regrettably been postponed until 2022. The organiser has made the difficult decision to reschedule Euro Bus Expo for a further 12 months following consultation with its show partner, exhibitors, and visitors. The major UK-based showcase for the coach, bus and mini…
Euro Bus Expo organiser Diversified Communications UK today confirms that this year’s event has regrettably been postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. The UK’s only dedicated trade show for the coach, bus and mini vehicle sector will now be held on 26-28 October 2021 at the NEC Birmingham. The coach and bus industry…
Visitor registration is now open for Euro Bus Expo 2020. Europe’s biggest bus and coach event taking place this year is preparing to host over 270 exhibitors, showcase 130 vehicles and welcome 9,000 attendees from around the world to the NEC Birmingham over 3-5 November.
8,950 attendees from 50 countries – including senior executives from Abellio, Arriva, City Sightseeing, First, Go-Ahead, National Express, Megabus, Metroline, RATP Dev, Tower Transit, Stagecoach and Transdev – some of the UK and Europe’s biggest bus and coach operators – were packing the aisles at Euro Bus Expo last week.
Video highlights from a fantastic first day >>>
The bus and coach industry was out in force at the NEC Birmingham over 30 October to 1 November – checking out what’s new and next at Euro Bus Expo. Here’s some highlights from the show…
Euro Bus Expo 2018 – Europe’s biggest bus and coach event of the year – opens at the NEC Birmingham today (9.30am, Hall 5). Thousands of bus and coach operators will be in attendance to discover what’s new and next in the vibrant passenger transport sector. Today’s visitors will be among the first to see…
Promising ‘something for everyone’, Euro Bus Expo – the biggest international trade fair for the bus and coach industry in 2018, returns to the NEC Birmingham next week. The three-day event (doors open at 9.30am on Tuesday 30 October)
Key decision makers from Arriva, City Sightseeing, First, Go-Ahead, National Express, Megabus, Metroline, RATP Dev, Tower Transit, Stagecoach and Transdev – some of the UK and Europe’s biggest bus and coach operators – have confirmed they’ll be heading to Euro Bus Expo at the NEC Birmingham later this month.
The bus and coach industry will be out in force at the NEC Birmingham later this month – checking out the latest vehicles (from a record-breaking 130 on display), technology, equipment, accessories and business solutions launching onto the European market at Euro Bus Expo.
The Go-Ahead Group, Transport for London, Transdev Blazefield, Grey’s of Ely, Stephensons of Essex, and Lucketts Travel are just some of the leading bus and coach operators gearing up to appear in the Master Class Theatre at this month’s Euro Bus Expo; which takes place at the NEC Birmingham on 30 October to 1 November.…
The countdown to Euro Bus Expo continues with the release of its online exhibitor list for 2018, including details of the 28 companies heading up the event’s ever-popular Technology Zone. Over 9,000 key industry buyers and decision makers are expected to attend across three days (30 October to 1 November), with the NEC Birmingham set…
Euro Bus Expo – Europe’s biggest bus, coach and minibus trade event taking place this year – returns to the NEC in Birmingham (UK) in the autumn. Established as the leading international trade fair for the bus and coach industry in 2018, over 9,000 attendees will pack the aisles over 30 October–1 November to discover…
Europe’s biggest bus and coach event of the year facilitates multi-million pound orders 18 expert speakers, 120 vehicles, 291 exhibitors, nearly 9,500 attendees, and multi-million pound orders – that’s the headline figures from this year’s Euro Bus Expo, which won rave reviews from across the passenger transport sector last week. The three day biennial show,…
If you weren’t able to attend the show yesterday, there’s still plenty of great content to enjoy on the third day of Euro Bus Expo 2016. Today’s Master Class Theatre highlights include (in running order): The Bus Services Bill: Andrew Jones, MP, transport minister for Buses, Department for Transport Expanding the low emission bus market in…
Euro Bus Expo 2016 – Europe’s biggest bus and coach event of the year – opened at the NEC Birmingham today. Thousands of visitors were in attendance to discover what’s new and next in the vibrant passenger transport sector. The biennial event, which runs until 3 November, features nearly 300 exhibitors representing every link of…
Tuesday 1 November marks the return of Euro Bus Expo – the biggest European trade event for the bus and coach industry this year. Opening at 9.30am at the NEC Birmingham tomorrow, the three day show will bring together thousands of bus and coach operators, local authorities and stakeholders with 291 leading exhibitors. For 2016,…
The bus and coach industry will be out in force at the NEC Birmingham next week – checking out the next wave of vehicles, technology, equipment, accessories and services launching onto the European market at Euro Bus Expo 2016. Millions of people across Europe rely on using buses and coaches every day. In the UK,…
The Go-Ahead Group, Nottingham City Transport, trentbarton, Reading Buses, FirstGroup and National Express are just some of the leading bus and coach operators gearing up to appear in the Master Class Theatre at next month’s Euro Bus Expo, taking place at NEC Birmingham on 1-3 November. Running throughout the three day event, Euro Bus Expo’s…
A first look at new vehicles, accessories, equipment, technology & services at this year’s show. With the full exhibitor line up now confirmed, Euro Bus Expo 2016 – the essential European showcase for the bus and coach industry, has released its exhibitor show highlights for 2016. Returning to the NEC Birmingham on 1-3 November for…
The Bus Services Bill, Brexit, devolution, and smart ticketing – some of the biggest challenges facing the bus and coach sector – will feature prominently in Euro Bus Expo’s 2016 Master Class Theatre programme. Taking place at the NEC Birmingham on 1-3 November, the show’s speaker line-up already includes leading industry players like Mark Fowles,…
Euro Bus Expo 2016 – the essential European showcase for the bus and coach industry, returns to the NEC Birmingham on 1-3 November with its biggest edition yet. Supported by the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) trade association, the free-to-attend three day biennial event will feature nearly 300 sector leading exhibitors representing every link of…
