2018 both began and ended, for me, with the deeply saddening loss of good friends. We lost Alan White of Midis to Midis in January and, just before Christmas, Chris Wales, who co-founded Coach Tourism Association (and much more besides), left another gap in our lives. Throughout the year, coach operators have had the ULEZ […]

Tomorrow’s World was the theme of this year’s CPT Coaching Conference. It saw a format shift compared to its previous incarnations, with this year’s event being a two-day affair. The first day included the CoachMarque Meeting, followed by the Coach Commission Meeting. After this, delegates had the chance to explore the One Stop Shop trade-stand […]

After almost 80 years in business, Spratts Coaches of Wreningham, Norfolk, is set to close at the end of December. Its owner, Christine Bilham, explained why: “Retirement; as simple as that. The children just don’t want to take it on.” She plans to sell the operation’s fleet of 11 coaches. “We’ve had several people show […]

Excel Conversions has gone into receivership with the loss of all jobs at the Doncaster factory. The converter – which was selling LDV-based minibuses for Pelican Engineering at this year’s Euro Bus Expo – was being touted for sale by co-director Peter Vernon this summer. It is now being administered by James Annerson, of Seneca […]

Rochester’s coach parking at Acorn Wharf closed on 10 December, with an alternative of seven bays in Whiffen’s Avenue, Chatham. The Acorn Wharf site has been earmarked for redevelopment. The public has recently been consulted regarding a proposal to build a 15-bay coach park in Curtis Way, Rochester. This is subject to planning permission. Coaches […]

The success story that is the Yutong TC9 has seen Pelican Engineering emerge into the coach industry from a background in trucks. If, four years ago, Sales Manager Bob Elliott had been set a target of 100 units a year, he’d probably have broken into a cold sweat, wondering if the Chinese midicoach would be […]

CPT sent out consultation documents to its members to fill in, gathering their opinions of the upcoming changes it plans. Proposals in the trade body’s consultation included staying in the current London headquarters until the lease on the site runs out, in which time it would review whether it would stay there. It has planned […]

BUSK, the organisation promoting the safe bus and coach transportation of children, has launched Claire’s Charter. The Charter is a series of points schools sign up to in order to demonstrate they take their safety duties seriously. It is aimed at highlighting to parents, schools, child associated groups and all volunteer drivers, the importance of […]