Howarth praises industry support

Arson is suspected in one of the biggest fires to hit a UK bus operator in the last two decades. The fire at Western Greyhound started  in the early hours of Monday 13 May and destroyed 35 vehicles, one-third of the company’s fleet, including 14 of its 19 double-deckers.

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23 May 2013 | UK

Howarth praises industry support

Arson is suspected in one of the biggest fires to hit a UK bus operator in the last two decades.

21 May 2013 | UK

No dividend from First as profits slump

Profits at FirstGroup for the year to 31 March have dropped, as the group announces its preliminary results and plans to raise £615million to “remove the constraints of the current balance sheet”.

21 May 2013 | UK

£3million fleet for Thanet Loop

A fleet of 27 new ADL Enviro200s has been introduced to Stagecoach's Kent fleet to upgrade the Thanet Loop which serves Margate, Ramsgate and Broadstairs.

20 May 2013 | UK

“Militant agenda” strike looms

Barring any last-minute agreement, bus drivers on the Isle of Man are expected to start a 12-day strike on Saturday (25 May).

20 May 2013 | International

Plug-in 75 per cent saving

A Volvo plug-in hybrid is entering trial service in Gothenburg this month, the first of three for the city.

20 May 2013 | International

Arriva takes Veolia business

French transport group Veolia Transdev has sold its Central Europe business to Deutsche Bahn for an undisclosed sum.

Latest vehicle deliveries

Six OmniExpress coaches for Hodges Hodge’s Coaches of Sandhurst has taken delivery of the first two of a batch of six new 57-seat 12. Issue 310

Macpherson adds automatic Tourismo Derbyshire operator Macpherson Coaches has added a new Mercedes-Benz Tourismo to its fleet. Issue 310

Long light Versa for Newbury & District Newbury & District is the first small operator to take delivery of the 11. Issue 310

First UK compact Scanias for City Circle The first 10. Issue 309

Plaxton/Volvo the best deal for Alpine For Alpine Travel of Llandudno taking delivery of another high-specification Plaxton Panther-bodied Volvo continues the process of fleet standardisation. Issue 309

Warranty wins Angela’s business Angela Coaches of Southampton has taken delivery of three new Neoplans - two Tourliners and a flagship Starliner for its Angela Holidays operation. Issue 309

Product news

Responsive websites from Roeville As ever more holiday seekers turn to the internet to book their coach holidays and day excursions, Roeville is continuing to making further advances in e-commerce technology for coach and tour operators. Issue 310

Success for BLADE at CV Show Somerset-based Koller Engineering reports a very positive response from last month’s CV show. Issue 309

New home for Connaught PSV Doncaster dealer Connaught PSV has moved into new premises, and looks forward to welcoming customers old and new to come and have a look around. Issue 309

Grayson to set up subsidiary Grayson Thermal Systems is opening a new subsidiary business in Poland as the company celebrates its 35th anniversary this month. Issue 309

Stagecoach renews commitment to Envirox Stagecoach has signed a new three-year agreement with Energenics, while reporting that the use of Envirox over the past eight years has achieved a 5 per cent annual reduction in fuel consumption and associated emissions and cut CO2 emissions from its bus fleet in the UK by more than 188,000 tonnes. Issue 305

Super fast 4G for Buzzline commuters Kent-based Buzzlines has installed the latest 4G technology on its Folkestone to London commuter coach. Issue 305

Features

Misfiring politicians, inspiring leaders If there were any Labour-leaning delegates among last week’s ALBUM conference audience, shadow transport minister Yvonne Fovargue will probably have lost their votes. Issue 310

Howarth praises industry support Arson is suspected in one of the biggest fires to hit a UK bus operator in the last two decades. Issue 310

Ease of entrance Opting for electric rather than pneumatic door actuation on modern buses is making increasing sense, contends Alan Lockwood, UK agent for Tamware. Issue 310

Scottish bid for regulation Just when you think that talk of bus re-regulation is finally fading away, up it pops again. Issue 309

People in the news

First chairman to step down FirstGroup chairman MARTIN GILBERT has announced his intention to step down. Issue 310

Changes for SYPTE The South Yorkshire PTE will be jointly managed by two directors following the move to Merseytravel, the Merseyside PTE, by director general DAVID BROWN. Issue 310

New faces at Stagecoach Midlands There have been a number of appointments across the operations of Stagecoach Midlands. Issue 310

Matthews for Volvo role PAM MATTHEWS has been promoted to marketing manager at Volvo Bus UK and Ireland. Issue 310

Award for Gavaghan JACQUI GAVAGHAN, Reading Buses performance director for the last four years, has been named ‘Woman of the Year’ in the FTA Everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards. Issue 310

New boss for Scania GB CLAES JACOBSSON, currently senior vice president financial services for Scania, has been appointed managing director of Scania Great Britain from 1 September. Issue 310

Coach tourism news

Gilbert’s former home welcomes coaches Set in 40 acres of historic woodland and formal gardens, the Grade II-listed Grim’s Dyke country house hotel in Harrow Weald, north west London is the former home of Sir William Gilbert of the world famous Gilbert & Sullivan operetta partnership. Issue 310

New Brittany Ferries route to Le Havre Brittany Ferries has launched a new cross-Channel route from the south coast port of Portsmouth to Le Havre in Normandy. Issue 310

Plenty to explore on heritage line Groups of 16 or more pre-booked adults or senior citizens can obtain discounted travel on England’s longest heritage railway. Issue 309

Llangollen line restored to glory The Llangollen Railway line sits on the track bed of the former Ruabon to Barmouth route which was closed by the infamous Doctor Beaching in the 1960s. Issue 309

Tantalising tastes at Gloucester Quays Gloucester Quays Outlet at Gloucester’s historic docks hosts a food market on the first weekend of every month from 10am on Saturdays and 11am on Sundays. Issue 309

Guided tours of Wedgwood for groups Set in beautiful parkland just 10 minutes from junction 15 of the M6, a day out at Wedgwood offers a wonderful variety of activities for groups to choose from. Issue 309