Spottings & Jottings
Issue nr 43 - April 10th 2011
part 2 - Jottings - April 17th 2011
Visit the "OXFORD & CHILTERN BUS PAGE " Current archives from October 2002
If you wish to be included on a mailing list where I will
advise of any mid-week news please let me know
malcolmhc@aol.com
I hope everyone enjoyed part one of this issue and now on to part two which brings us fully up to date for issue 43.
I very much appreciate the continued support with
reports and pictures.
This part of issue 43 contains much information about the changes to services in our area following funding cuts from local county councils.
A theft from Carousel.
An unfortunate incident has occurred with Carousel involving a recently acquired RT. Someone has stolen the chassis and body plates which has upset Steve Burns greatly.
One wonders why people do this kind of thing which only serves to anger the owner and results in a very cooperative owner being less than welcoming to the enthusiast.
If anyone can help with this please let me know?
When readers take copies of pictures from the OCBP site
Some of the contributors to this site have noticed that their pictures are appearing on e-bay sites selling such things.
Needless to say this is a theft of copyright and one which I deplore!
I would not wish to have to watermark photographs, thereby making them unsalable as such but if this practice continues I shall be left with no alternative. I am sure this would detract from the pleasure so many of you get from the OCBP.
May I please ask readers to do two things?
1/ If you see any photos on sale please let me know and where they are appearing.
2/ If you are someone who has copied and sold photos please desist as this is theft and I will have to take legal action against anyone found doing so.
The site is free to all readers and I pay a price to publish the pages which is not passed on.
Please respect those freedoms and I hope I may not have to mention this matter again.
Oxfordshire Bus Enthusiasts Society
The Oxfordshire Bus Enthusiasts Society was formed in June 2010 and aims to
provide an informal monthly social meeting in Oxford for those with an
interest in buses. Meetings are normally held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month
and normally take the form of a picture show with local and guest
speakers. A small charge is made to cover the cost of hiring the function
room and this is usually around £1 per person per meeting depending on numbers.
Next meeting: 19th April 2011.
Showman's & Fairground buses by Andy Baker
Andy is from Cambridge
19.30pm - 21.30pm
Meetings are held in the upstairs function room at:
The Folly Bridge Inn
38 Abingdon Road
Oxford
OX1 4PD
Some limited parking at the back of the pub, also close to bus stops (frequent X3/X13 or 35 routes stop outside)
or a short walk from Oxford City Centre - For directions click HERE
A detailed programme of meetings can be found at the following link and we hope many of you will attend future meetings.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Finally and as always, my thanks to all who have contributed to this issue.
Malcolm Crowe - Editor - OCBP - April 16th 2011.
Oxon tender changes
Oxfordshire CC has made the details of the Oxfordshire tenders in the Thame
& Watlington area public from today with a few changes of operator. All
start on 6th June 2011.
Red Rose have lost routes 111, 123 and 124, they have additionally announced
that they will withdraw the commercially operated 275 between High Wycombe &
Oxford. This means Red Rose no longer run any public services in Oxfordshire
and is a further contract loss sustained by this company in recent months.
Note the 111 run by Z&S continues as this route is under contract to Bucks
CC and not part of the review.
Motts have lost the contract for 108/118 to Heyfordian and a reduced M1
service to Whites Coaches of Berinsfield. The the M1 as far as I know has
only ever been worked by Motts and their 'Yellow Bus' operations in the
past. Its withdrawn from Stokenchurch-Watlington which I believe Motts
continued to fit in with schools workings.
Arriva the Shires have won a bus working of work Mon-Sat on the new
121/123/4 plus new 120 service between Thame & Princess Risborough via
Chinnor (off peak) which is to be worked from Aylesbury. Additionally Line
40 has been declared fully commercial from this date and a 340 will be
introduced to cover some part route workings between Stokenchurch & Thame.
Most buses are removed from Towersey, except for a couple of peak diversions
and off peak extension of the 123 to Towersey.
Separately Stagecoach has not retained the
contract for service 600 (Thornhill-Hospitals) which pass to Oxfordshire’s
community services minibus operation along with sections of the 108/118 in
Headington which are not part of the new Heyfordian contracts.
From May, Oxford Bus is making commercial changes
to city routes as follows
Current 4/4A/B/C splits into two routes, Iffley
Road to be served every 10 minutes by new 3A (same route as Stagecoach 3)
whilst 4A/B/C continue to Botley and West Oxford as present, but are merged
with the 15 service to Wood Farm to provide new cross town links, as a
result the 15 service ceases to exist and will be numbered in with the 4
sequences.
At the same time Abingdon X3/13 loose X4 short
workings (renumbered X3) and X23 between hospital and Redbridge P&R via
London Road simply becomes an X13 in line with current service.
Summary of changes to subsidised services
in the
Effective from SUNDAY 5th June 2011
Line 40:- High Wycombe – Chinnor – Thame
Broadly hourly service maintained, operated by Arriva the Shires. Only
certain journeys will serve Towersey village but Towersey will also be
served by routes 120 and 123 (see below).
Service 101:- Oxford – Garsington – Watlington
A broadly hourly service maintained, operated by
Thames Travel Monday to Saturday between Oxford City Centre
Service 102:- Oxford – Horspath – Watlington
This Friday and Saturday evening service to/from
Oxford City is WITHDRAWN. Associated commercial evening
Service 103:- Oxford – Horspath – Wheatley – Great Milton - Little
Milton
Service 104:- Oxford – Horspath – Wheatley – Great Milton –
Cuddesdon /Denton
A broadly hourly service over the Oxford – Great Milton section will
continue to be operated by Heyfordian Travel
Mondays to Saturdays. Buses will then serve
either Little Milton (via the Haseleys) or Cuddesdon / Denton alternately
Services 105/115:- Wallingford – Dorchester – Berinsfield – Oxford
This route, which serves the villages off the
A4074 otherwise passed by the frequent express X39/X40 Wallingford –
An additional morning bus replacing the current
06.30 and 07.00 journeys from Wallingford will be run at 06.50
Service 106:- Oxford City – Science Park /Kassam Stadium –
Wallingford
Extended hourly Mondays to Saturdays from the
Kassam Stadium via Grenoble Road to the B480 then via Kings
Service 108:- Oxford City – Forest Hill / Stanton St. John / Beckley
– Oxford
Change of contractor from Motts Travel
to Heyfordian Travel but
timetable broadly unchanged. Service to Elsfield
Service 111:- Chalgrove – Haseley’s – Milton’s – Thame
Service WITHDRAWN due to low usage. Chalgrove /
Stadhampton retain an hourly bus service to/from Oxford
Little Milton and Little Haseley are served by
routes 103 whilst Great Haseley and Great Milton will still have a
Service 113:- Stanton St. John – Wheatley
Service WITHDRAWN due to low usage without replacement.
Service 115:- Wallingford – Dorchester – Berinsfield – Oxford
The existing commercial Thames Travel journeys at
06.30 and 07.00 Mondays to Fridays from Wallingford on service
Service 118:- Oxford – Beckley – Horton cum Studley – Oakley – Brill
Service to be operated by Heyfordian Travel, replacing Motts Coaches
(operates on
Service 120:- Thame – Chinnor – Princes Risborough
New Monday to Saturday shopping service
comprising two off-peak journeys serving Thame, Towersey, Chinnor and
Service 121:- Watlington – Chinnor – Princes Risborough
New Monday to Saturday service comprising one
lunchtime eastbound journey, operated in conjunction with the new
Service 123:- Thame Town Service
Retained as two round trips (as now) but
increased to operate Mondays to Saturdays. Route extended and revised to
Service 124:- Watlington – Tetsworth – Thame
Reduced to one trip in each direction but
increased to operate six days per week, Mondays to Saturdays. Will only
Service 125:- Watlington – Ewelme – Wallingford
Reduced to one morning trip in each direction due
to low usage and curtailed to operate on Mondays, Thursdays and
Service 138:- Wallingford – Dorchester – Berinsfield
Due to the withdrawal of the through off-peak
service on route 106 (see above) service 138 is reinstated on a short term
Service 275:- Oxford – Tetsworth – Stokenchurch – High Wycombe
This existing service comprising three journeys
each way on Monday to Friday is provided by Red Rose Travel on a
Service H2:- Headington Shops – Headington Quarry – Sandhills
Replacement free service to/from the Quarry area
replacing the diversion of certain 108/118 buses. This service will
Service M1:- Watlington – Nettlebed – Sonning Common – Reading
This existing service is modified to operate on
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday only and
withdrawn
Service W1:- Watlington – Lewknor Interchange – Chinnor (The
Watlington Connection).
First to sell Kings Lynn operation to Norfolk Green
First East England Buses is to sell its King’s Lynn bus operation to Norfolk
Green, which is based in the town.
While the drivers will transfer to Norfolk Green,
surplus vehicles will be redeployed within the region.
First will continue to have an operating centre
within King’s Lynn to support its flagship X1 service, from Peterborough
through Kings Lynn, Norwich, Great Yarmouth and to Lowestoft.
In a statement
First said it “continuously reviews the performance and the prospects for
future development of its businesses within their local markets.”
First says it
“has also taken into consideration the impact of cuts in public funding” and
“reduction in the amount of money provided by local authorities for
concessionary passholders and for socially necessary bus services.”
First’s strategy is to focus on delivering further improvements to its X1 service. First believes that the town services more closely match the business objectives and plans of the local operator Norfolk Green.
National Express Group Plc (NEX) hired Goldman Sachs Group Inc. to advise the company as it tries to prevent the appointment of three board members nominated by Elliott Advisors, the U.S. hedge fund that’s its biggest shareholder, the Sunday Times reported, without saying where it got the information.
Elliott Advisors wants the bus and railway operator to adopt a new growth plan, to bring value from a Spanish unit that delivers a quarter of sales and evaluate a merger with Stagecoach Group Plc or FirstGroup Plc, a person familiar with the campaign said this week.
A National Express spokesperson, who declined to be identified, confirmed the appointment of Goldman as advisers.
16/03/2011
Stagecoach announced today (16 March 2011) a multi-million-pound investment in a
hi-tech eco-driving system for its bus operations in Scotland, England and
Wales.
From April, some 13,800 Stagecoach drivers will start using the GreenRoad system
to help reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions, improve passenger comfort
and cut the risk of accidents.
Stagecoach is targeting a 4% reduction in fuel consumption using the technology,
which is being rolled out on its fleet of 6,500 buses outside London. It is part
of the Group’s five-year sustainability strategy and follows a successful
12-month pilot programme in Cumbria.
A key element of the initiative will be an EcoDriver incentive scheme giving
employees the chance to earn “green points” that are converted into financial
benefits from a potential £900,000 annual bonus pot.
The GreenRoad 360 system uses a dashboard traffic lights-style system to provide
drivers with real-time feedback on their driving style, including speed,
braking, acceleration, lane-handling and turning.
Driving decisions are responsible for 90% of all accidents and up to 33% of fuel
spend, according to research by GreenRoad.
All Stagecoach drivers already undertake a Safe, Skilled and Fuel Efficient
Driving training programme as part of a Certificate of Professional Competence.
The GreenRoad system incorporates online reporting, analysis and coaching to
help drivers work with their managers to further improve their skills and
decision-making.
Stagecoach is also one of the first UK companies to use GreenRoad’s new engine
idling solution to further improve fuel performance. It is able to focus on
specific vehicles or trips to identify unnecessary idling based on agreed
thresholds. The sophisticated system is able to differentiate this from
unavoidable idling that occurs at traffic lights and junctions.
Les Warneford, Managing Director of Stagecoach UK Bus, said:
“We already invest
millions of pounds a year in driver training and new vehicles to offer our
customers greener, smarter travel and ensure our drivers provide passengers with
safe and comfortable journeys.
“We have worked closely with our employees and trade unions to develop a system
that is easy to use and will also reward excellent driving by our driving team.
It will help deliver further benefits for our customers, reduce wear and tear on
our vehicles, cut the cost of accidents, and help limit the impact of our
operations on the environment.”
Frank Llewellyn, Stagecoach National Liaison Committee Secretary for Unite,
said: "We've worked closely with Stagecoach and GreenRoad on ensuring we get the
right set-up for the system, which we believe can bring benefits to both the
company and drivers. As well as leading to better fuel economy and less
insurance claims, there is a good financial incentive for drivers, with the
potential to earn a Christmas bonus of up to £65."
Stagecoach conducted a pilot project for 90 drivers using 60 buses at its depot
in Barrow, Cumbria, from February 2010, which delivered improved fuel
consumption. At the same time, the average vehicle miles without an accident
rose from 29,400 to 58,000.
Aidan Rowsome, General Manager, GreenRoad Europe, said: “We started closely
working with Stagecoach three years ago. The company’s depot managers and
drivers have been instrumental in directing the development of the service with
feedback on features and ease-of-use.
“Stagecoach has invested much time and effort in evaluating various driver
safety options. Its due diligence and commitment to excellence will pay
dividends with a rigorous methodology for rolling out and using GreenRoad’s
service as well as union buy-in and a driver incentive programme.”
Stagecoach Group’s sustainability strategy is targeting an overall reduction of
8% in buildings CO2e emissions and a cut of 3% in annual fleet transport CO2e
emissions by April 2014. The company, which has already received the prestigious
Carbon Trust Standard, is investing £11million in a range of measures to improve
the performance of its bus and rail operations in the UK and North America.
It is leading the UK with the introduction of green hybrid electric buses, which
produce 30% less carbon emissions than standard vehicles. Around 120 hybrid
electric vehicles costing a total of nearly £33 million are either in service or
on order for Stagecoach bus networks across the UK.
Stagecoach Group is also working with other major public transport groups in the
UK on a major campaign to encourage people to make less use of cars and switch
to sustainable bus and coach travel instead. The Greener Journeys campaign is
targeting one billion fewer car journeys over the next three years. The target
could be achieved by switching one in 25 journeys by car to bus and coach,
delivering a huge reduction in carbon emissions.
TfL appoints Leon Daniels as MD Surface Transport
London’s Transport Commissioner, Peter Hendy has just announced that Leon
Daniels will be the new Managing Director, Surface Transport at Transport for
London (TfL).
Mr Daniels joins TfL from FirstGroup plc, where he is currently Customer Service
and Communications Director, UK Bus.
He will take up the post in late April and succeeds David Brown, who is leaving
TfL at the end of March to join The Go-Ahead Group plc to become its Group Chief
Executive, replacing Keith Ludeman who is retiring.
Hertfordshire Bus Strategy Consultation
A ten week consultation period has now started on the draft Bus Strategy, draft
Intalink Strategy, and the accompanying Strategic Environmental Assessment
Environmental Report. Your comments are invited on all 3 of these documents by 6
June 2011. Copies of all documents are available at
www.hertsdirect.org/ltp
and are also available for reference at Front
Reception, County Hall and in all Hertfordshire libraries. You are invited to
complete an online questionnaire for this consultation, which is available on
the consultation pages. Alternatively, please email any comments to
LTP3@hertscc.gov.uk,
or write to: LTP3 Comments, Hertfordshire County Council, CHN205, County Hall,
Pegs Lane, Hertford, SG13 8DN, by 6 June 2011.
French buy Bath Bus Company
RATP Dev UK Limited has bought 100% of the share capital of the Bath Bus Company
Ltd from Ensign Bus Ltd for an undisclosed amount.
RATP Dev UK Ltd is the UK subsidiary of RATP Dev part of RATP Group based in
Paris.
Bath Bus Company operates 30 vehicles on four open-top Citysightseeing
franchises in Bath, Cardiff, Eastbourne and Windsor as well as offering private
hire services using vintage buses.
Eighty-one 81 staff are employed by Bath Bus Company, including Managing
Director Martin Curtis.
Ensign Bus Chairman Peter Newman says: “We are delighted that Bath Bus Company
is joining RATP Dev. I am sure that they will continue to grow the business and
develop new markets, and I wish them every success for the future.”
Cyril Carniel CEO for Northern Europe for RATP Dev said:
“We are delighted that
Martin Curtis and his team will be joining RATP Dev as part of our development
plans for the UK."
ARRIVA ANNOUNCES RECRUITMENT OF MALTESE DRIVER INSTRUCTORS
Eight Maltese bus driver instructors who are among the first employees to have
been recruited by Arriva Malta, have received a framed certificate of
recognition and Arriva driver trainer badge. The driver instructors have
successfully gone through rigorous theory and practical training, and passed
their driving instructor tests with Arriva's driving instructor examiner Steve
Roberts, who is accredited by the Driving Standards Agency in the UK.
Keith Bastow, Managing Director of Arriva Malta, who made the presentation this
week, said he was genuinely proud of each and every one of the Maltese driver
instructors who had achieved a tremendous amount in the past month since they
started their training.
"Your task starts now with 700 drivers to train or retrain before 3 July, 2011,
when Arriva Malta starts providing public transport services in Malta and Gozo,"
Mr Bastow said. "This is a recognition of the effort you have put in and I am
pleased that you are now fully fledged Arriva Malta driver instructors."
In a reference to comments posted on various websites over the past few weeks,
Mr Bastow continued: "You need to start proving that the bloggers are wrong and
restore the pride of being a bus driver in Malta, capable of offering high
levels of customer care and driving safely." He also expressed his gratitude to
the seven driver trainers who had been seconded from Arriva UK to do this
initial training in Malta.
The theory part of the driver training included safety drills, and techniques in
eco-driving - for the efficient and environmentally friendly use of fuel - and
defensive driving. This was then put into practice in local driving conditions:
on the open road and in town centres like Hamrun and Msida, including roundabout
approach and how to stop safely on bus stops.
All the drivers said they found the training extremely useful because, although
all of them have many years, even decades, of driving experience, they were
given the opportunity to learn advanced driving techniques - the Arriva way -
from supportive professional drivers.
Part of the safety drill includes checking their bus both inside and out at the
start of the working day. "We were taught how to be aware of what is going on
around us on the road in order to be safer and avoid accidents," they explained
Although all neatly turned out, the driver instructors, Chris Aquilina, Ray
Aquilina, Michel Abou Haider, Charlie Buttigieg, Ennio Farrugia, Mario Mifsud,
Bartholomew Muscat and Joe Xuereb, are also looking forward to receiving their
Arriva Malta uniforms. "The uniforms will enable us to show the new face of
Maltese bus drivers and the professionalism we are determined to show every day
on our routes," they said.
They are enjoying a new-found team spirit which formerly as owner drivers many
of them lacked. Word is also getting around to their former colleagues on the
level of professionalism and the techniques they are learning, including
customer services training, with these colleagues being largely supportive of
this new development.
Given the technology on the buses, including CCTV cameras, the driver
instructors also feel safe and in a better position to deal with customers and
even situations like cars blocking bus stops, which will be caught on camera.
They look forward with optimism to the challenge of teaching prospective local
bus drivers and eventually to giving their services on the road within a big
company. "We are going to have to teach the theory and practice we have learned
to drivers who may have been driving for longer than we have, but we are still
confident that we are capable of doing it - the Arriva way," they said.
When asked to describe "the Arriva way", driving instructor trainer and examiner
Steve Roberts said, "Bus driver instructors are trained to a very high standard
for both driving and customer services, in line with the European syllabus for
driver training. That for us is the Arriva way."
Applications on hold as over 4000 seek work with Arriva in Malta
Due to an excellent response from the Maltese public to Arriva's recruitment
drive on the island, applications for all positions are being evaluated and
Arriva has decided to put a hold on accepting further applications at this time.
Arriva reports that 4,300 applications were submitted for the 920 jobs on offer
up to the end of February, both through the website and by post.
Arriva's expert recruitment teams will now evaluate all applications for driving
and operational support - where more than 700 people will be employed -
engineering; management; and professional, support and administrative positions.
Mr Bastow remarked: "We are extremely satisfied with the high level of interest
and applications we have received. We are currently evaluating all applications
and interviewing the most promising candidates to ensure the best people are
employed to deliver first class bus services in Malta and Gozo."
"At Arriva we pride ourselves on our high standards of service. We are committed
to significant investment in training to ensure employees are well supported and
able to deliver the best possible service to our customers."
Mr Bastow added, "We will launch a second round of applications for any posts
not filled in due course."
IKTAR MINN 4,000 JAPPLIKAW BIEX JAĦDMU MA' ARRIVA F'MALTA - IKTAR
APPLIKAZZJONIJIET SOSPIŻI GĦAL ISSA
Grazzi għal rispons eċċellenti mill-pubbliku Malta għall-inizjattiva ta'
reklutaġġ tal-Arriva f'pajjiżna, l-applikazzjonijiet għall-pożizzjonijiet kollha
qegħdin jiġu evalqati u għalhekk Arriva ħadet deċiżjoni biex ma tkomplix
taċċetta aktar applikazzjonijiet għal issa.
Skont Arriva, 4,300 applikazzjoni daħħlu għal 920 post sal-aħħar ta' Frar, kemm
permezz tal-websajt u bil-posta.
L-esperti fir-reklutaġġ tal-Arriva issa ser jevalwaw l-applikazzjonijiet għal
sewwieqa u sapport fl-operat - fejn aktar minn 700 persuna ser tiġi impjegata -
iġiniera; maniġġjar; u pożizzjonijiet professjonali, ta' sapport u
amministrattivi.
Keith Bastow, Direttur Maniġerjali ta' Arriva Malta, irrimarka: "Ninsabu
sodisfatti ħafna bil-livell għoli ta' interess u ta' applikazzjoni li daħħlu.
Bħal issa qegħdin nevalwaw l-applikazzjonijiet u nagħmlu intervisti mal-kandidati
li l-iktar jpromettenti biex niżguraw li nimpjegaw l-aħjar niex biex nagħtu
servizz ta' trasport publike f'Malta u Għawdex tal-għola kwalità.
"Aħna fl-Arriva kburin bl-istandards għoljin ta' servizz li noffru. Aħna
mġenjati li ninvestu b'mod sinifikanti fit-taħriġ biex niżguraw li l-impjegati
għandhom sapport tajjeb u jistgħu iwasslu l-aħjar servizz possibbli
lill-klijenti tagħna."
Is-Sur Bastow żied jgħid: "Niftħu t-tieni rawnd ta' applikazzjonijiet għal xi
pożizzjonijiet li baqgħu battala meta jkun xieraq."
Latest News: 100-DAY COUNTDOWN TO START OF ARRIVA SERVICES IN MALTA AND GOZO
Arriva today marks the start of the 100-day countdown to the launch of an
all-new public transport service in Malta and Gozo on 3 July 2011, with the
Managing Director of Arriva in Malta, Keith Bastow, announcing that preparations
are progressing well.
Among the progress updates, Mr Bastow reported that the manufacturing of the
King Long buses is proceeding to plan, with 125 12-metre buses and 49 nine-metre
buses currently being built in China.
In addition, Arriva has placed an order for 10 hybrid buses with Optare, a
respected UK bus builder. The Optare Solo hybrid buses are 8.8-metres long with
28 seats and a total capacity of 40 passengers. The 2.3-metre wide 'SlimLine'
model has been specified to best suit the challenges of the differing roads and
varying terrain in Malta and Gozo.
Eight of the hybrid buses will be used on three different routes in Malta,
including between the Blata l-Bajda Park & Ride and Valetta; the Three Cities
connecting to Paola; and a route linking Mater Dei Hospital, the University,
Lija, Balzan, Birkirkara, Attard and Ta' Qali.
Two hybrid buses will be used in Gozo, on three routes covering a Victoria city
service via the Gozo General Hospital and the Citadel; Victoria to Zebbug; and
Victoria linking with Xagħra, Santa Lucija and Kercem.
Mr Bastow commented: "Malta is going to benefit from cutting-edge technology in
these new hybrid buses, which produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions and harmful
pollutants, and have lower noise levels. The hybrid buses will help contribute
to better air quality for residents of Malta, and our sister island - fulfilling
its eco-Gozo qualities."
Two eight-metre Bluebird minibuses with a total capacity of 20 (12 seated and
eight standing) have also been ordered. "These will be used for short trips
within Valletta and are also equipped with wheelchair access," Mr. Bastow added.
In the area of recruitment, over 4,300 applications have been received and,
until applications are reviewed, Arriva has put a hold on accepting further
applications for management, head office, administrative and support roles.
"Appointments to these positions, and the re-opening of any positions not
filled, will be announced in due course," Mr Bastow said.
The recruitment process for bus drivers has been re-opened for new applicants.
Existing bus drivers with a Licence D or those new to the industry that hold a
driving licence and are interested in training as a bus driver, are invited to
apply. Driver recruitment open days are being held today and on Monday at
Arriva's Training Centre at Ta' l-Ibraġ.
Mr Bastow went on to give details of the €10 million technology contract signed
with Venice-based engineering and technology expert Thetis to supply and
maintain the Arriva fleet management and passenger information systems over the
next 10 years. The custom-made systems include Real Time control of the buses
from a central control room, Real Time Passenger Information feeds and displays,
electronic ticketing, video surveillance, and barrier and ticket management at
the park & ride sites.
"Arriva is currently marking the sites of the new bus stops around Malta and
Gozo, with installation work due to start shortly," Mr Bastow said.
"We are also
preparing several depots where buses that are not in service, for example at
night, will be housed and maintained."
Further developments and progress anticipated in the coming weeks includes the
launching of new professional driver uniforms, the arrival of the bus fleet as
its production is completed, further recruitment and training advancements, and
more technology systems information and the benefits for passengers.
Mr Bastow also commented on Arriva's commitment to providing the Maltese public
with as much information as possible to make the transition to the new service
easy and attractive. Information that will be provided ahead of starting
operations on 3 July will include guidance on how to use the new transport
system, route maps, service and timetable information, bus stop and interchange
locations, information on ticket types, and where and how to buy tickets.
A range of information channels will be used, including a customer service call
centre which will be launched in due course, information packs sent to all
houses on the island, Arriva representatives visiting towns and villages to talk
to people, advertising and providing updates on the company's website. Mr Bastow
said further announcements on all of these areas will be made in due course, and
those interested should register for alerts on Arriva's website -
www.arriva.com.mt.
Steve Roberts, chief trainer and examiner, accredited by Transport Malta and the
UK Driving Standards Agency, who has been seconded from Arriva in the UK, gave
an update on driver training. Nine Maltese driving instructors have been
successfully trained and have achieved driving instructor qualifications,
accredited by Transport Malta.
"The theory training comprised of safety drills, eco-driving techniques,
defensive driving and customer care," Mr Roberts said,
"whilst practical
training to Arriva's high standards covered safe manoeuvres, including
roundabout approach, junctions and bus stops, observation and signals, how to
conduct daily safety checks before each bus goes into service and instructional
techniques." He went on to introduce some new members of the Maltese training
and driving team.
Big hole
at Thornhill repaired
Mike Bennett
writes "I seem to have forgotten to send you the photos I took out at Thornhill P&R on
Thursday February 24th. I don't there is much to explain - except that it was
mid-afternoon. The photos tell the story. As the weather was fine, but quite
chilly, the passengers were waiting in the building as usual, and only coming
out when their coach was imminent. You will probably know when the work was
finished - it was certainly back to normal by Tuesday March 8th.
Developments in Hertfordshire by Andrew Morgan
Sullivan Buses are starting a new commercial route 330 (every half hour between 9:00 and 14:00, Monday to Friday) on 28th march between Welwyn Garden City bus station to St. Albans, St Peters Street via Ludwick Way, Woodhall shops, QE2 Hospital then following Arriva 301 route to St. Albans. They are planning on using RML 2428 or another RML if unavailable on the first day and then to use ALX 1-5 (Alexander bodied Tridents) as the regular buses. However any other double decker or single decker will fill in (I think the route will require three buses per day as per the uno 601).
I hope to be out on the first day to go on the new service and take pictures.
Then the next day for day two of new uno 712 route. Then on 1st march I am
planning on going over to Borehamwood to get pictures and go on Sullivan buses
new 11 plate Enviro 200s AE4 and AE5.
I will try and send you some pictures. The new uno route 700 to Stansted Airport is a Herts CC contract which
has been won from Centrebus but the 635 part between Hatfield and Stevenage is a
commercial route.
Andrew Morgan
22 February 2011
Arriva plc, one of the UK’s leading bus operators, today confirmed it has placed
£70 million of orders for its UK bus business which will see more than 400 new
buses come into service during 2011. The orders build on the significant fleet
renewal and growth by the group in recent years bringing the total in UK bus
fleet investment to £250m since 2008.
The investment will mean passengers across the UK will see new or newer buses on
the roads in all of Arriva’s operating areas, including London. The new buses
will further increase the proportion of accessible low-floor vehicles in the
company’s UK bus fleet, which reached 86 per cent in 2010, making bus travel
more accessible to more people.
Arriva has improved the environmental performance of its services through the
use of EcoManager, a dashboard-mounted fuel-saving system, now installed across
all UK bus operations. Passengers have also noted improvements in the
cleanliness and condition of Arriva’s buses in an independent survey of UK bus
customers.
Mike Cooper, managing director – Arriva UK Bus, said:
“This order demonstrates
our commitment to further improving the reliability and standards of our bus
services for our customers. Together with our operational performance record,
the commitment to maintaining investment will give our local authority partners
added confidence to do business with us.
“New investment and the bus refurbishment campaign being rolled out across the
business help us meet the quality service standards our customers have told us
they expect and value. Bus travel offers great value for people, especially with
recent VAT increases and fuel price hikes. We hope this investment will
encourage more people to give the bus a try.”
Arriva’s sightseeing business in the capital, The Original Tour, will take
delivery of 16 new open-top buses. The investment will play an important role in
building upon the popularity of the sightseeing tours. The order also features
20 hybrid double deckers for London which will operate on route 73 from
September 2011.
All new buses will feature Euro V engines, CCTV and EcoManager as standard and
easy-access low floor entry.
Notes:
Arriva places £2m Malta hybrid order with Optare
·
Arriva Malta has ordered 10 Solo hybrid buses from Optare, costing £2m.
·
They will be the first hybrids supplied by Optare without government green bus
fund subsidy, and its first overseas order for hybrids.
·
Arriva, which has won the contract to run the bus services in Malta and Gozo,
starts operations in July 2011.
·
The 8.8m, 28-seater Solos, to be used in Valletta (the island's capital) will be
the 2.3m wide 'SlimLine' model, to cope with the many narrow streets. Their
specification includes air-con, LED destination displays and CCTV.
The power pack is a Mercedes-Benz 904LA, 130 kW (174 bhp), Euro 5 engine and a
Siemens hybrid system, using ultra-capacitors.
Optare's Chief Executive Jim Sumner says:
“As well as local people, many
thousands of tourists who flock to the island from across Europe will also enjoy
the experience of riding on them. As such, they will showcase Optare’s hybrid
technology to an international market.”
22/03/2011
Transport group Stagecoach is to trial a new ‘intelligent’ lighting system at
bus depots across the UK as part of its commitment to reducing carbon emissions.
The Perth-based company is installing the new system – which uses movement
detectors to determine the amount of light required – at six UK bus depots in
Ayr, Glasgow, Nuneaton, Leamington Spa, Gloucester and Chichester.
The lights, which are supplied by Contrac Lighting, automatically switch off
when they are not required. In addition, when switched on, they also
automatically dim to the required lighting level, dependent on the amount of
natural light available.
Based on previous trials, it is expected that the system could reduce the energy
consumption used on lighting at the six depots by around 40% as a result of the
‘intelligent’ nature of the technology. This would produce an annual saving of
more than 373,000kilowatts per hour (KWh) and save almost 230 tonnes of CO2
over the course of a year.
The new lights are to be installed at all six depots within the next three
months. If the results prove successful, the system will be rolled out to all
depots across Stagecoach’s UK Bus division.
Managing Director of Stagecoach UK Bus, Les Warneford said:
“We are working hard
to become a more sustainable business. As well as our investment in greener
vehicles, cleaner fuel and improved recycling, new technology such as this is
vital if we are to further reduce our carbon footprint as a business.
“We will also continue to promote the many benefits – both environmental and
financial - of bus travel to help attract even more people on to our greener,
smarter services.”
The installation of the new lighting system is the latest in a string of
measures being taken by Stagecoach to reduce its carbon footprint as a business.
The Group has launched a sustainability strategy and is investing £11million in
a range of measures to meet its environmental targets. The Group is targeting an
overall reduction of 8% in buildings CO2 emissions and a cut of 3% in
annual fleet transport CO2e emissions by 2014. It follows a reduction
in the carbon intensity of its UK businesses of 5.7% in the three years to 30
April 2009.
It is estimated the five-year programme, from 2009-10 to 2013-14, will save a
total of nearly 150,000 tonnes of CO2e, with the Group’s annual
emissions reduced by around 40,000 tonnes CO2e by April 2014.
Last year, Stagecoach Group was awarded the prestigious Carbon Trust Standard
after taking action on climate change by measuring and reducing its carbon
emissions. Stagecoach is the first Scottish-based transport group - and one of
only two listed UK public transport operators - to have achieved the stretching
carbon reduction benchmark. It covers all of the Group’s bus and rail operations
in the UK.
At its UK Bus division, Stagecoach has also recently installed new lighting
controls at four depots which use low energy lighting but did not previously
have a control system in place. The recently installed system – which is
manufactured by Setsquare – automatically turns the lights off when they are not
required and has so far reduced energy usage by an average of 10% at the
Chesterfield, Walkergate, Ashton and Hyde Road depots.
The Group has also cut annual heating energy consumption at the UK Bus division
by around 35% in the past three years following the introduction of a hi-tech
energy management system at more than 100 sites in Scotland, England and Wales.
Stagecoach also recently announced the introduction of a similar ‘intelligent’
lighting system at six stations across its South West Trains network.
First to place £160m bus orders
First UK Bus is to order £160m of new vehicles – comprising 955 single and
double-decker buses - over the next two years from ADL and Wrightbus (on Volvo
chassis). The first buses will enter service from next month.
The orders include 200 buses to transport people to London for the 2012 Olympic
Games, and is one of the largest ever made to UK-based manufacturers, says
First.
The order also includes 40 hybrid double-deckers, part funded by the
Government’s ‘Green Bus Fund’, for Leeds, Manchester and Glasgow.
First will also invest a further £4m over two years to refurbish and ‘cascade’
buses to other parts of its business, thus improving the quality of its vehicles
throughout the UK.
“Our bus order is good news for customers, good news for British industry and in
particular the transport sector,” says First UK Bus MD Giles Fearnley.
“The effect of our £160m investment will help safeguard and create jobs in the
UK. It demonstrates our confidence in the marketplace and reinforces our
commitment to provide high quality services to our customers.”
29/03/2011
Stagecoach Group’s market-leading budget coach operator megabus.com is expanding
its Pittsburgh service in North America to cover nine additional cities in the
United States and Canada.
megabus.com offers daily, express coach travel for as low as £1 in the UK and
from $1 in North America.
From 11 May, residents in Pittsburgh will be able to use megabus.com to travel
to Akron, Ohio; Buffalo, N.Y.; Cincinnati; Cleveland; Columbus, Ohio; Detroit;
Erie, Penn.; Toledo, Ohio and Toronto. Booking are being accepted from today at
www.megabus.com for May 11
and beyond.
megabus.com will offer multiple daily departures from its arrival and departure
location under the David L. Lawrence Convention Center just north of the
intersection of 10th St and Penn Avenue.
A new service from Boston to Secaucus, N.J. also starts running tomorrow (30
March). It will offer six trips a day from South Station to the New Jersey city,
which is located within 10 miles of New York City and Newark.
The latest expansion means megabus.com will serve 15 cities from Pittsburgh, the
budget coach operator’s sixth hub in North America. megabus.com currently offers
services from Pittsburgh to Camden, N.J.; Harrisburg, Penn.; New York;
Philadelphia; State College, Penn and Washington D.C.
Dale Moser, President and Chief Operating Officer of megabus.com in North
America, said: "We are delighted to be expanding further to deliver greater
travel value to the residents of the Pittsburgh area and the surrounding cities.
People are continuing to turn to megabus.com for affordable travel and to make
their dollar go further."
More than 9 million customers have travelled with megabus.com in North America
since the launch in April 2006. megabus.com coaches offer free Wi-Fi, power
outlets and restrooms. They provide excellent fuel economy and environmental
performance, and are "Green Coach Certified".
Last year, megabus.com in North America won the Leading Provider of Outstanding
Car Rental and Bus Deals category at the 2010 Travelzoo awards for the second
year in a row.
Visit www.megabus.com
for
additional information about service, schedules, arrival and departure times and
fares.
Stagecoach Group is in the running for two top honours at the 2011 Business
Green Leaders Awards.
The Perth-based transport group has been named as a finalist in the Company of
the Year category, while Group Chief Executive Brian Souter has been shortlisted
as Leader of the Year at the awards ceremony to be held in London on 7 July.
Stagecoach is nominated for its commitment to becoming a more sustainable
business. Under the leadership of Brian Souter, the company has launched a
sustainability strategy and is investing £11million in a range of measures to
meet its environmental targets. The Group is targeting an overall reduction of
8% in buildings CO2 emissions and a cut of 3% in annual fleet
transport CO2e emissions by April 2014. It follows a reduction in the
carbon intensity of its UK businesses of 5.7% in the three years to 30 April
2009.
It is estimated the new five-year programme, from 2009-10 to 2013-14, will save
a total of nearly 150,000 tonnes of CO2e, with the Group’s annual
emissions reduced by around 40,000 tonnes CO2e by April 2014.
Brian Souter has been shortlisted for his commitment to environmental
improvement. His drive towards improved business sustainability and his
commitment to creating new, innovative transport links are behind Stagecoach’s
advanced environmental strategy.
Brian Souter is also a member of the Scottish Government’s 2020 Delivery Group
which aims to ensure that all sectors of Scotland's economy and civic society
contribute to achieving the country’s Climate Change Delivery Plan.
He said: "It’s great to be recognised for the work we are doing in trying to
become a more sustainable business. Our aim is to reduce the impact of our own
business on the environment as well as helping people lead greener lifestyles by
switching from the car to smarter bus and rail travel."
Last year, Stagecoach Group was awarded the prestigious Carbon Trust Standard
after taking action on climate change by measuring and reducing its carbon
emissions. Stagecoach is the first Scottish-based transport group - and one of
only two listed UK public transport operators - to have achieved the stretching
carbon reduction benchmark. It covers all of the Group’s bus and rail operations
in the UK. "
Among the measures Stagecoach has already taken to reduce its carbon footprint
is the introduction of a hi-tech eco-driving system, by Green Road, which is
expected to reduce fuel consumption across its UK bus fleet by 4%. The company
is also leading the UK with the introduction of new green hybrid electric buses,
which produce 30% less carbon emissions than standard vehicles.
In addition, Stagecoach introduced the UK’s first Bio-buses in Kilmarnock which
operate on 100% bio-fuel made from used cooking oil and other food industry
by-products. The project also allows customers to exchange their used cooking
oil for discounted bus travel. The scheme has reduced CO2 emissions
from the vehicles by 80%, saving 2450 tonnes of carbon and more than 2million
passengers have used the Bio Buses since the project was introduced. More than
70 tonnes of used cooking oil has been recycled at East Ayrshire Council’s
recycling plant since the start of the scheme.
The Group has also introduced a series of measures to reduce carbon emissions at
its rail franchises. At South West Trains, the company is investing £2.2 million
in a major regenerative braking project to save energy on more than 200 of its
trains. The technology returns electricity to the third rail system, allowing
trains in close proximity to draw on the electrical supply. The initiative is
conservatively expected to save enough energy to power more than 3,500 UK homes
for an entire year.
At East Midlands Trains, the introduction of an innovative fuel additive – the
first of its kind in the UK - has demonstrated a 4.4% improvement in fuel
economy. In addition, East Midlands Trains recently launched an innovative
energy-saving engine standby mode which could reduce enough carbon to take the
equivalent of 705 cars a year off the road*. The technology means that when a
train is stood still within a station for more than seven minutes, it will
automatically go into Energy Saving Mode which shuts down virtually all the
engines, thereby reducing carbon emissions.
Blackpool
and Preston by Geoff Cunliffe
I thought it was time I gave you a local update since a few things seem to be
happening.
Margaret and I last went up to Fleetwood before Christmas and reported on the tram track renewal taking place (S.& J. 36, November 1). Whilst things have moved on, I must say I was surprised how much still appears to need doing. True the track in Bold Street has now been laid, and the access platform for the alighting stop at the end of the run is now taking shape.
Work is under way in Pharos Street on the final leg of the circuit which brings
the trams back to North Albert Street. The street track is being laid with a
membrane at each side of the running rail for sound deadening purposes and also
to minimize negative earth return leakage to nearby mains and telephone
services.
Access platforms have been partially constructed on both sides of North Albert
Street for tram stops.
Once the track work has been completed, the overhead in Fleetwood has to be
renewed with thicker gauge copper to cater for the higher consumption of the new
Bombardier cars.
Working back southwards towards Blackpool, there are several pockets of work
including Ash Street Fleetwood, Rossall, Thornton Gate (where the sidings are
now covered in tarmac as a works base) and Cleveleys together with the Orion
Curve. The Broadwaters Crossing at the Fleetwood Road has been closed but may be
open again now. The entire section between Gynn Square and Talbot Square is
being relayed. The Talbot Square track now incorporates points for a future
extension of the system up Talbot Road to the proposed Talbot Gateway
Interchange and Development. This will bring trams back to Talbot Road for the
first time since 1936 when the old Layton route was converted to bus operation.
The renewal of the track just north of Talbot Square behind the Metropole Hotel
has removed the country’s last, original ‘Tram Pinch’ (see your old Highway
Code) as the new layout has relocated the tram tracks alongside the sea side
pavement to try to ease the difficult intermixing of trams and road traffic at
this point.
The work between Talbot Square and Gynn Square is causing traffic problems, and
separate work outside the Tower has closed the Promenade entirely there until
July!!! Documentation about the road closures is unhelpful in that it is
inaccurate stating, for instance, that the section between Talbot & Gynn Squares
is currently open only to northbound traffic whereas it is actually open for
southbound traffic.
So much work is under way this winter that it is difficult at first to see what
will be done in next winter’s closure. Given the first of the new trams is
expected for trial, testing and training purposes during this coming summer, it
may be that this will show up much tweaking that will need to be done here and
there.
Incidentally, transponders are now required on trams to work the traffic lights
at Manchester Square as well as those at Little Bispham and some other
crossings further north. This means some of the heritage fleet will be confined
to the depot for the year until the Centenary cars are (quickly) withdrawn
following the introduction of the new Bombardier units, thus freeing up
additional transponders.
Another problem for Blackpool Transport’s buses is that the railway bridge in Lytham Road has, at long last, been confirmed as being too weak to carry buses and they have to do a diversion to avoid this. The issue has been a long-running debate, although Blackpool’s huge, ‘Balloon’ double deck trams used to happily rumble over it in the good old days.
Ever thought of visiting Tram Sunday in Fleetwood? This year might be a good
year to do so. It is on 17 July and is being organized by the local Chamber of
Trade. The significance of this year’s event is that Blackpool Transport has
said it will have to review its involvement once the new tram service is
introduced in 2012, and without their wholehearted support as the event has
received up to now, it will be a shadow of its potential self.
Just a quick update on a couple of things in Lancashire.
1. Preston Bus
Rotala are making their presence felt. There is a new sign outside the Deepdale
Road depot, although the rest of the notices remain unchanged except that the
Stagecoach name has been shabbily taken off the top!
Some attractive vehicles are coming out of the paint shop. They seem initially to be the single deck East Lancs-bodied Scanias for the 16 to Farringdon Park, and have a very appealing PB logo towards the rear.
2. Blackpool trams
On 6th November 2011, the last day of the Blackpool Illuminations,
the traditional Blackpool Tramway system will close for ever. After five winter
months of further infrastructure renewal and modification, the new Blackpool
Tramway/Light Rail system will start operating at Easter 2012 with a fleet of
sixteen new Bombardier units, and this will be a very different tramway with
emphasis on maintaining the through service from Starr Gate to Fleetwood every
ten minutes throughout the year. The use of Blackpool’s own heritage fleet (what
remains of it) and visiting trams will be severely restricted.
To celebrate the end of 126 years of operation of “proper” trams, there will no
doubt be many events. One of the first to be announced is that the magazine
Tramways Monthly has hired twin-car
set 672/682 between 11am and 5pm for operating special trips along the
Promenade. Whilst some details have yet to be fixed, tickets at ten pounds each
may be reserved at
www.tramways-monthly.com/tram-tours-2011
There appear to be no plans to retain any of the twin-car sets in Blackpool so
this will be their last year in service. They are, as you will remember, made of
driving cars from the 1930s EE railcoaches pulling identical-looking Metro-Cammell
trailer bodies mounted on Maley & Taunton trucks from 1958. No doubt the cynics
will say it may be as well to retain a couple of sets just in case, given that
nothing seems to have performed as well as the mid 1930s stock over the years!
The accompanying photograph shows the set, clearly trailer leading, heading south near Manchester Square on the Promenade last September.
The Fylde Tramway Society also proposes to hold an End of Season Tour which will
also celebrate the passing of the traditional Blackpool Tramway into history.
Details have yet to be confirmed but, if you are interested, keep checking their
web site
http://www.freewebs.com/fyldetramwaysociety-blackpool/endofseasontour.htm
The two twin-car sets mentioned above are the only ones fitted with traffic light transponders, now necessary to operate the Manchester Square traffic lights to leave the depot and to operate various others along the route. Cars without these gadgets cannot be used in 2011. A further number will become available with the withdrawal of the Centenary class cars at the end of this year.
Mention of the Fylde Tramway Society also reminds me to plug their Annual
Convention on 29th.April-2nd. May. There is a FREE film
show, bus tour of the tramway upgrade works and Promenade Tram Tours, although
Cabin is likely to be the furthest point north which can be reached by tram at
that time as the trackwork at Bispham is being relayed, for the second time, to
give a longer third track. Again details are on their web site:-
http://www.freewebs.com/fyldetramwaysociety-blackpool/convention2011.htm
It had been hoped that once track works in Fleetwood have been completed, the “proper” cars would be able to return to The Ferry terminus for a final season but it is looking as if this will be pretty unlikely. Some of the work may have been completed incorrectly with part of the new track laid in Lord Street reportedly being up to one foot too high! Maybe because of this, Blackpool Transport is hinting that the end of the reserved track at the start of Fleetwood main street, the Ash Street junction, will be the likely terminus for 2011. On the other hand, at least the crossover by the Library in North Albert Street has been relayed.
There is quite a lot of discussion about the new trams, claiming they are over
specified, over complicated, too heavy, both physically and on electrical
consumption and the scheme seems uncomfortably similar to the introduction of
the Vambac controlled Coronation class of cars in 1953 which nearly bankrupted
the undertaking. Talk of maintaining a ten minute service of 100-seater cars
throughout the year does seem to be an over-provision but the undertaking will,
no doubt, respond that many aspects of the operation have yet to be finalized
and we should not speculate too much at this stage. Let us hope they are right
and that history will not repeat itself.
06/04/2011
Government figures published today (Wednesday 6 April) confirmed that Stagecoach
Group is leading the way on investing in new greener buses using
state-of-the-art hybrid electric technology.
Transport Minister Norman Baker is to visit Stagecoach's operation in Oxford as
the Department for Transport confirmed that a total of 542 vehicles have been
bought through the Government’s Green Bus Fund in England. More than 20% of them
have been purchased by Stagecoach – the biggest investment in low carbon buses
outside London.
Also today, Stagecoach announced it is to spend a further £3.8million
introducing an additional 20 Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 electric hybrid
vehicles in Manchester, with a support package of £1.8million from the Green Bus
Fund.
This latest order means that, in the past year, the Perth-based company has
placed orders for 142 state-of-the-art hybrid electric vehicles, at a cost of
£26.9million. The buses will to go into service across the country, delivering a
30% cut in carbon emissions compared to standard vehicles.
Stagecoach has committed to invest £23.5million in 123 of the new buses for
England, with a further £11million of funding coming from the Green Bus Fund,
cementing its place as the UK’s leading operator of hybrid diesel electric
vehicles.
A total of 26 vehicles are now in operation in Oxford with a further 30 already
serving passengers in Manchester. In addition, in October last year, Stagecoach
announced an order for an additional 47 state-of-the-art vehicles, of which 26
will go into service in Newcastle and 21 will operate in Sheffield by March
2012.
Furthermore, in Scotland, Stagecoach has ordered 19 hybrid vehicles, at a cost
of £3.4million, to go into service in Perth and Aberdeen, following an award of
around £1.8million in support funding from the Scottish Government’s Green Bus
Fund. The new Enviro 350 hybrid vehicles will also be manufactured by ADL and
are expected to go into service in the summer of 2012.
Stagecoach UK Bus Managing Director Les Warneford said:
"We are committed to
investing in greener vehicles, and the Government’s Green Bus Fund has assisted
us in being able to introduce 142 of the greenest buses available into our
operations in England and Scotland.
"However, with the help of our local authority partners there are also other
ways we can help make bus travel even more environmentally friendly. For
example, bus priority measures in towns and cities are vital if we are to reduce
the carbon emissions of vehicles and make bus travel a more attractive option
for passengers.
"We provide good value, high-quality travel for our customers – by working
together to make towns and cities more bus friendly, we can make our services
even more reliable and punctual to encourage more people to use greener, smarter
public transport."
Stagecoach is taking a series of measures to reduce its carbon footprint as a
business. The Group has launched a sustainability strategy and is investing
£11million in a range of measures to meet its environmental targets. The Group
is targeting an overall reduction of 8% in buildings CO2 emissions
and a cut of 3% in annual fleet transport CO2e emissions by 2014. It
follows a reduction in the carbon intensity of its UK businesses of 5.7% in the
three years to 30 April 2009.
It is estimated the five-year programme, from 2009-10 to 2013-14, will save a
total of nearly 150,000 tonnes of CO2e, with the Group’s annual
emissions reduced by around 40,000 tonnes CO2e by April 2014.
Last year, Stagecoach Group was awarded the prestigious Carbon Trust Standard
after taking action on climate change by measuring and reducing its carbon
emissions. Stagecoach is the first Scottish-based transport group - and one of
only two listed UK public transport operators - to have achieved the stretching
carbon reduction benchmark. It covers all of the Group’s bus and rail operations
in the UK.
6:59pm
Four people were injured and one possibly trapped in
a bus crash in Oxford on
Thursday 31st March 2011
The bus crashed into a bus stop and ended up in a garden of a property in
Banbury Road,
Summertown.
Police and ambulance crews were on the scene and a police spokesman said seven people were on the bus at the time of the crash at
about 5.50pm.
She said four people were injured. The extent of their injuries is not known but
it is not believed to be be life threatening.
The spokesman said police received unconfirmed reports one person was trapped.
Two cars were also believed to have been involved in the crash - a black Audi A4
and a silver Audi TT.
The road was closed for a time.
I have some pictures from Hugh Jaeger to hand showing what had happened.
Low price
offer for Oxford Citaro model
John Marsh
Trips
Marcus Lapthorn
Surprisingly, there is inadequate provision of public transportation systems
with buses being pretty thin on the ground, apart from in Havana and railways in
sad decline. The suppliers of trains and other vehicles is reflected in the
political alignments that the Cuban government have adopted over many years. So
with railway engines for example, one can find examples of UK, USA, Russian,
Iranian, Czech and now Chinese locomotives. In many cases these are no longer in
use as the Cuban government cannot obtain supplies of spare parts.
As buses are so scarce a large proportion of the population have to resort to
standing on streets, hoping that a car or lorry will stop to pick them up and
take then onward to their place of work or home. Apparently there is a law that
requires car owning residents of Cuba to stop and pick people up and at busy
intersections police are on hand to enforce this law. The population seem very
relaxed and get on well with one another and there is a very low level of crime,
as the penalties for offenders are severe.
Vehicles that are used for transporting the public range from pony and trap, to
lorries, to adapted lorries and diesel buses.
I have selected a number of photographs for your consideration and will be
sending them to you in batches of five. If you would like to see my shots of
railway engines then I will gladly oblige as they are absolutely amazing!
Malta visits 2011
From
Mike Penn
Having just come back from a week in Malta I thought you might like these photos
of buses all originally from operators in the Oxford area.. I know that you have
published a photo of DBY 349 (ex HFC 413) before but as the route buses now have
only three more months to run I thought the time was opportune. In some of the
photos you can see in the background the works going on to build a new bus
terminus in the former layover area just outside the city walls of Valletta.
DBY 349 was new to City of Oxford as HFC 413 in 1939, an AEC Regal with Weymann
body. It received a new Barbara body in 1960.
DBY 467, FBY 708/807 are Bedford YRQs with Marshall bodies and were new to AWRE,
Aldermaston as HGM 613/4/6N.
DBY 343 is a Duple bodied Bedford YRQ new to Reliance Newbury as UJB 726N
FBY 737 is a Duple bodied Bedford YRQ new to Reliance Newbury as HGM 822N
EBY 521, FBY 673 are Duple bodied Bedford YLQs new to Reliance, Newbury as OAN
962/3R
FBY 747 is a Plaxton bodied Bedford YRQ new to Carterton Coaches as ABW 183J
From
Neil Gow
Seeing you had a picture of a Malta bus on the site recently, here's one with a
real Oxford connection. DBY 349 has a locally built body by Barbara in 1960, but
the chassis underneath is that of former City of Oxford AEC Regal HFC 413
(sister of preserved HFC 410). The picture was taken at Mosta in February 2011
by Stephen Gow.
Don't be fooled by the Commer and Leyland Tiger Cub badges it displays. The
Maltese owners love their badges and will put anything they can get hold of on
their vehicles. Although it probably does have a Leyland 400 series or possibly
Cummins engine by now.
A day out
with John Hammond
A few weeks ago a friend of mine asked me to transport him and some friends to a
wedding aboard his preserved bus. The party went from Biggleswade to Cambridge
for the wedding, as I had a bit of time to kill during the day I took my camera
and headed off to Cambridge to see what was happening with the bus network as I
had not visited Cambridge recently. This bus was preserved Leyland
Olympian/Alexander R type D384 XRS which was new as a dual door bus to Bluebird
Northern in Aberdeen. Many of these buses were transferred by Stagecoach to
United Counties at Bedford and they spent many years based at Bedford depot, my
friend acquired the bus because he drove it regularly as a school vehicle until
it was withdrawn. I had also driven it and sister vehicles many times in the
past and it didn't take long to feel at home in it again.
Attached are some of the pictures showing the variety of buses in operation, although Stagecoach is dominant they have a number of different liveries on buses, local operator Go Whippet of Swavesey also provide an interesting mix of vehicles.
IMGP2839 - AE10 BWV is one of the ADL E400 double deckers used to increase
capacity on Citi routes in Cambridge.
MX07 OWU is an ADL E200 owned by Meridian Line of Bassingbourn and is
seen at work on tendered service 31
AJ58 PZZ is an ADL E200 owned by Stagecoach and used on Cambridge
citi routes.
IMGP2862 - H14 WCL is a Scania L94/Wright with Whippet Coaches
FE51 RBU is an East Lancs bodied Volvo B6LE with Whippet Coaches
AE53 TZK is a Transbus Trident with President body, one of a batch
new to Stagecoach in Cambridge.
AE59 EHP is a Volvo B7/Plaxton Centro owned by Whippet and in Busway
livery, although the busway is still not open!
Stagecoach run a commercial P&R service in Cambridge with buses
branded for each route colour,
the spare buses are grey and one is seen here,
showing the variety of P&R liveries.
IMGP2894 - W992 BDP is the Volvo B6 new to Chiltern Queens, this also operated
for a time with Thames Travel and is now in the Go Whippet fleet.
R130 EVX is a Volvo Olympian, the type still in use around Cambridge
on routes out to some neighbouring towns like Royston or Longstowe.
IMGP2935 - MX07 BBU is an Optare Solo with Ely based Freedom Travel, they run a
contracted service in Cambridge.
AE51 VFW is a Dennis Trident/Plaxton President and is with
Stagecoach, it was new to Cavalier Contracts of Long Sutton
and provided
throughout the Cambridgeshire 'Key Routes' contracts, when Cavalier got taken over
by Stagecoach, it joined the fleet.
D384 XRS is seen in a layby on the western side of Cambridge between
trips to ferry around the wedding party.
It carries the livery of its last
owner, Springfield Bus & Coach of Warrington.
V183 DDE is a former Transdev London Volvo B7/ALX400 now with Go
Whippet.
A few pictures taken on a brief visit to Bicester North Station last weekend,
there is a lot of Chiltern Line rail replacement taking place at the moment so
visiting coaches can be seen. In addition, the three new Wright Streetlite buses
were out on the Bicester Village contract and I saw all three examples in
service.
BJ03 JGX, a Mercedes Tourismo coach of Minibus Executive Travel of
Watford.
SN58 EOO of Arriva The Shires at work at Harrow on the Hill on
Metropolitan Line replacement services.
W3 FTG now with Corbel Coaches of West London ex Flights Travel Group of
West Midlands.
N8 SHS of Nash's Coaches of Smethwick
ET07 MTT of Mott's performing a U-turn at the station.
History & Discussion
The Leyland Royal Tiger Cub -
by
Mike Bennett
I got thinking earlier today about the query Malcolm and I raised when the
Leyland Royal Tiger Cub name was mentioned at the last meeting of the
Oxfordshire Bus Enthusiasts Society.
Chris Maxfield, in his very interesting talk about the buses of Malta,
showed us photos of buses with just such a Leyland chassis name on the front
badge.
I could not remember that
chassis name so I have made some investigations ….
I started by questioning Wikipedia, but no reference to the name Royal Tiger Cub
was found.
However, on checking
with Google the following blog came to light, and clears up some points.
http://middx.net/aec/bb/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=386
The Leyland Royal Tiger (PSU1) was introduced in the early 1950s as a heavy
weight coach chassis, but following the Suez Crisis and the rise in fuel prices,
operators considered it to be too heavy and thirsty.
So Leyland designed the Tiger Cub (PSUC), considerably lighter and with a
smaller O.350 engine.
This model
went on to sell many thousands bodied as both buses and coaches – but only to
the then current legal maximum length of 30 ft.
When this length was increased to 36 ft the Leopard chassis (PSU3) was
introduced, a development of the Tiger Cub with an O.600 engine. A 30 ft Leopard
was available as an L1.
It seems that, at 33.5 ft bodied, the Royal Tiger Cubs (RTC1) were really an
intermediate length Leopard, (so less heavily built than a Royal Tiger) -
between the L1 at 30 ft and the PSU3 at 36 ft.
They were built mainly for export - so perhaps they kept the Royal Tiger
part of their name that was already much better known in the overseas markets
where that model had sold in much larger numbers, probably because of their
inherent greater strength to cope with the less well developed roads.
However Doncaster Corporation bought 10 RTC1/1s with manual gearboxes in 1965,
and 10 RTC1/2s with pneumocyclic gearboxes in 1967.
The Ian Allan British Bus Fleets booklet from 1965 quotes the first batch
as being modified PSUC Tiger Cub chassis with Leyland O.600 engines, and a
length of 33.5 ft.
They had Roe
B45D bodies.
The second URL leads to a 1994 video recording onboard one of the 10
Doncaster RTC1/1 buses, at that time preserved.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7id4HYRcmAY
So it appears that the Royal Tiger Cub badges on the fronts of certain buses in
Malta are probably genuine. My apologies to Chris Maxfield !
http://middx.net/aec/bb/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=386
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7id4HYRcmAY
Week off from Jeffs, as it's half term, and are really quiet, so looking back
through some old slides.
Four for you to look at, all from 1977 was it that long ago.
156BRB, taken out on route,
note the '70's concession to air conditioning!
LXD433K, a former Court Line vehicle, taken over by United Counties after the
parent company went into liquidation, again taken in Luton
Classic Bristol, Coach bodied MW GRP262 takes up service at Hitchin garage.
Enjoy the nostalgia, I hope to scan more slides in the near future.
From Tom Pike
I to lived close to the Warwickshire/Glos (at that time but went to Shipston
school) border and my father drove for Barry’s. With ref to the Meon Valley
thing, it was Meon that had financial trouble and Barry’s took them on,
gradually phasing out the Meon Valley name. David’s' memory of the coaches is
spot on. After Barry died, the company was left to his daughters to run and
eventually folded due to financial reasons. It was not amalgamated or anything,
just dispersed, and the ground sold off for development.
I would be grateful if anyone has any pictures of Barry’s'.
I suspected Barry's took Meon Valley on and that the reason not long before
Barry's folded at least some vehicles had legal lettering along the lines of
Barry's Coaches ( t/a MVCL )
Pool Meadow
Moreton-in-Marsh
was due to Barry's holding two operators licences.
Sadly I have no photo's of Barry's or Meon Valley, just my memories.
If you still have his details I am happy for you to pass my email to Tom.
Depending on the era maybe I knew his father.
As always your time dedicated to the site is appreciated.
From
Marcus Lapthorn
The old fire engine that was previously housed at the Long Hanborough bus museum has moved to Faringdon fire station. Apparently it has come here for engine repairs which seems somewhat puzzling as this fire station is only manned by volunteers!
The photo was taken by Al Cane.
Concession
passes
There have been changes to the issuance of Concession Passes from April 1st when the County councils have taken over responsibility for their control from District Councils. This caused much concern in some areas, when the new passes did not arrive until after April 1st. I was told that government regulations did not allow the councils to issue the passes in good time!!!
From 1st April, any holder of an Oxfordshire County Council
disabled or concessionary pass or a holder of such a pass issued by the
District or City Councils, is entitled to free travel from 0900 on Monday to
Friday [anytime weekends and PHs].
NEW CHANGES TO CONCESSIONARY PASSES
Bucks County Council are now issuing the new Concessionary Passes which will be
valid from 1st April 2011.
Most people will have received their passes by this date but for those that
haven’t we are asking that you allow them to travel until 18th April
2011. We have been requested to allow a two week amnesty in order for those
eligible to receive their new passes.
Any person presenting a concessionary pass after the 18th April 2011
not in date should be charged a full fare to travel.
Buses in
the Landscape
From
Andrew Cowell
I am a regular reader of your excellent website and being brought up in Reading
but now living in Derby I find it a good way of keeping up with the bus scene in
the area.
I've attached a photo I took today which I hope you can use in your 'Buses in
the Landscape' feature. It features a Bowers (of Chapel-en-le-Frith) Optare
Solo on the 13:00 Glossop-Buxton service 61 taken near Whaley Bridge. Fernilee
reservoir and the Goyt Forest can be seen in the background.
Keep up the good work and hopefully I will be able to contribute again in the
future.
Morris Travel YJ59NPY in a very wet Llandovery Market Place one Saturday night
in February
First Darts at Cymmer near Maesteg. This is a regular interchange with up to
four buses meeting in the middle of nowhere!
Stagecoach N519XER seen in Wood Street, Stratford on Avon
Diamond Bus Solo seen in Feckenham between Alcester and Droitwich
Johnson’s Millenyium on the market day service from Moreton-in-the-Marsh to
Banbury. Seen in Moreton High Street.
The latest issue of the PSV Circle fleet list for Berks & Oxon has landed on my desk courtesy Ken Mackenzie, our local Editor of this publication.
It is most impressive, with colour photographs of excellent quality and fleet lists covering many aspects of PSV operation in the two counties.
At £9.00 I must recommend this book to readers who will find it most useful.
It can be obtained from the PSV Circle at Unit 1R, Leroy house, 436 Essex Road, London N1 3QP or via their web site at psv-circle.org.uk