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…
DetailsManaged 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…
DetailsMellor 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…
DetailsTicketing 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…
DetailsIn 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…
DetailsSwitch 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…
DetailsStrong 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…
DetailsBig 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…
DetailsInterest 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.…
DetailsMichael 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…
DetailsThe 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…
Detailse-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…
DetailsNottingham 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…
DetailsNewport 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…
DetailsContinued 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…
DetailsJones 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.…
DetailsOver 80 mini, mid- and full-sized vehicles to suit applications across the coach and bus sector will be on show at Euro Bus Expo at the NEC Birmingham between 1-3 November, organiser Diversified Communications has confirmed. That line-up of vehicles will sit alongside hundreds of exhibitors offering products and services and a seminar programme in…
DetailsNorthern 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…
DetailsOver 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…
DetailsThe 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…
DetailsRoeville 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…
DetailsThe 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…
DetailsSafety 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…
DetailsJourneo 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…
DetailsMuirhead, 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…
DetailsPride 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…
DetailsFlowbird 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…
DetailsTEK 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…
DetailsThe 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…
DetailsEuro 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…
DetailsAn 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…
DetailsUrbanThings 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…
DetailsThe 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…
DetailsEVM 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…
DetailsThe 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…
DetailsPelican 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…
DetailsSwitch 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…
DetailsThe 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…
DetailsNo 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…
DetailsAt 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…
DetailsSchool 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…
DetailsThe 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…
DetailsPelican 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…
DetailsGrowth 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…
DetailsNovadata 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…
DetailsWe 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…
DetailsLeading 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…
DetailsThree 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…
DetailsVolvo 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…
DetailsSmart 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…
DetailsEquipmake 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…
DetailsIf 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…
DetailsIn 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…
DetailsFirst 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…
DetailsPelican 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…
DetailsIn 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…
DetailsThe 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…
DetailsMiX 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…
DetailsSmart 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…
DetailsTransdev 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…
DetailsSteve 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…
DetailsInterest 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…
DetailsMembers 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…
DetailsThe 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.…
DetailsAlexander 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…
DetailsSwitch 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…
DetailsPelican 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…
DetailsTransport 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…
DetailsThis 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…
DetailsThe 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…
DetailsTelecommunications 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…
DetailsThe 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…
DetailsEquipmake 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…
DetailsTotalkare 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…
DetailsEuro 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…
DetailsDon 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…
DetailsIrizar 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…
DetailsHunters 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…
DetailsWeardale 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…
DetailsVan 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…
DetailsEavesway 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…
DetailsThe 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…
DetailsBarnes 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…
DetailsMistral 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…
DetailsCoachMarque 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.…
DetailsOne 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…
DetailsPelican 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…
DetailsOptibus 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…
DetailsCamira 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…
DetailsAlexander 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…
DetailsApp 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…
DetailsSwitch 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…
DetailsNational 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…
DetailsA 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…
DetailsTotalkare 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…
DetailsTBF 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…
Details54% 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…
DetailsScania 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…
DetailsBlackpool 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…
DetailsThe 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…
DetailsScottish 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…
DetailsGrant 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…
DetailsThe 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…
DetailsOptibus 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.…
DetailsGo-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…
DetailsWarwickshire 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…
DetailsThe 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…
DetailsIncreasing 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…
DetailsWith 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…
DetailsSwitch 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…
DetailsSchool 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…
DetailsIrizar 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…
DetailsMcGill’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…
DetailsOperators 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…
DetailsCommercial 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…
DetailsCoach 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…
DetailsEquipmake 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…
DetailsFuel 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…
DetailsFreeway 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.…
DetailsSwitch 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.…
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