Review of the Year – 2022
We take a look back at some of the biggest news stories, developments and features in 2022
January
- Fire damages buses at NatEx Walsall garage – A fire damages three buses at a National Express West Midlands’ Walsall garage,
including a 2005 Alexander ALX400-bodied Dennis Trident in the colours of Walsall Corporation Transport pre-1969.
- NCT’s Mark Fowles in New Years Honours List – Nottingham City Transport’s (NCT’s) former- MD, Mark Fowles, has been awarded an OBE for Service to Public Transport and Charity in the New Year’s Honours List.
- Jansen Travel ceases at short notice – Cumbria-based Jansen Travel ceases trading at short notice
- Coach TV campaign launches – A TV advert promoting the coach industry under the CPT-backed ‘Get Back On Board’ campaign airs.
- Iveco announces electric Daily base vehicle – CV manufacturer partners with sister companies to develop an electric version of its Daily model, aimed at vehicle converters.
- Plaxton restarts production in Scarborough – Alexander Dennis Ltd (ADL) is restarting production of Plaxton coaches at its Scarborough factory.
- NatEx/Stagecoach merger under investigation – An investigation of the merger between National Express and Stagecoach is being made by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).
In the magazine:
- Switch Mobility to overhaul bus range – Switch Mobility CEO tells B&CB the company is looking to overhaul bus range.
- Safeguard Coaches and Farnham Coaches – overcoming challenges.
February
- Claribel sells bus business to Rotala – Diamond Bus, a subsidiary of Rotala, acquires the bus business and some assets from Claribel
Coaches.
- ‘End of an era’ as Travel Wright to close – Newark-based Travel Wright announces it is to close in early April.
- Investor takes over Redwing and John James Luxury Travel – Investment business REL Investment Management announces it has taken over South London and Kent operator Redwing Coaches, as well as John James Luxury Travel.
- FlixBus international routes returning – As international travel restrictions ease, FlixBus international routes to and from the UK return.
- Patronage figures averaging 78% of pre-pandemic levels – Numbers of fare paying passengers on buses reach 78% of pre-pandemic figures, according to industry think-tank The Ten Percent Club.
- ‘Worst year since records began’ for registrations – Registration figures for new buses and coaches in 2021 represented the ‘worst year since records began’, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and traders (SMMT).
- Keenan Coaches of Ayr enters liquidation – Ayr-based operator enters liquidation after over 60 years of business.
In the magazine:
- Pembrokeshire operator takeover planned by summer – An anonymous operator (which turned out to be Edwards Bros) is planned to be taken over by local council.
- Mayne Coaches in administration – Warrington operator continues operating despite being placed in administration.
March
- NatEx Stagecoach deal off as DWS bid accepted – Stagecoach has received a rival £595mn cash bid from German asset manager
DWS, scuppering a takeover offer by National Express for the Scottish bus operator.
- Minister announces PSVAR exemptions until 2026 – Baroness Vere, former-Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the DfT, announces home-to-school PSVAR will be derogated until 2026.
- Fire destroys 21 vehicles at Kev’s Coaches – A fire at Kev’s Cars and Coaches’ Bromsgrove depot destroys 16 buses and five coaches from fleet.
- Fuel crisis: coach operator goes live on BBC – Richard Bamber of Anthony’s Travel is featured on the BBC’s Politics Live explaining how the fuel crisis could cripple businesses.
- Wales sets out plan for nationwide bus franchising – Wales proposes to roll out centralised, national bus franchising and co-ordinate its councils to create a new bus network integrated with other public transport.
In the magazine:
- Cumbria’s newest operator prepares to tour – JD Coaches, Cumbria’s newest operator, prepares to kick off the tour season.
- Go Goodwins takes on Maynes Coaches – Maynes Coaches name remains despite operating under Go Goodwin’s O licence.
- Mellor reveals Sigma range – Manufacturer chooses Millbrook proving ground to show off its new smaller buses.
April
- BSIP funding announced – Thirty-one counties, city regions and unitary authorities are chosen for the Government’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) funding.
- UK Coach Rally – Normal service resumed – After missing two years due to the pandemic, the 66th UK Coach Rally, returns to
Blackpool seafront.
- PSVAR: medium term exemptions announced – DfT launches medium-term exemptions for PSVAR for rail replacement and home-to-school services.
- ROAD TEST: Who’s the fairest? – Neoplan’s 510hbp tri-axle Tourliner P20 is put through its paces.
- Gibson fleet up for auction – Having gone into liquidation, Renfrew-based Gibson Executive’s fleet is auctioned.
In the magazine:
- ZEBRA funding announced – The £198.3m Zero Emission Buses Regional Area (ZEBRA) scheme to provide 943 buses.
- ‘Exciting new beginning’ for Towlers – GDS Travel takes on Towlers Coaches.
- Grangeburn calls it a day – Joe Nolan, owner of Motherwell-based Grangeburn Coaches, decides to cease operating.
May
- Borders Buses launches Pingo on-demand service – Borders Buses launches Pingo, an on-demand, app-enabled bus service.
- Irizar launches new i6S Efficient – Irizar launches its all-new i6S Efficient, which achieves a 30% reduction in drag coefficient, up to 13% fuel and emissions savings, ‘live’ predictive maintenance and video mirrors
- Arrival Bus takes next step towards roll-out – Electric bus offering, Arrival Bus, achieves EU certification and receives European Whole Vehicle Type Approval (EUWVTA).
- PCV registrations grow 45.2% – Registrations of new buses and coaches grew 45.2% in the first quarter of 2022, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
- Electric Metrodeckers grounded following fire – As a precautionary measure, Switch Mobility requests its electric Metrodeckers to be taken out of service while checks are made following a fire at Potters Bar Bus Garage.
- FirstGroup evaluating takeover offer – FirstGroup announces it is evaluating a takeover offer from private equity firm, I Squared Capital Advisors (UK) LLP.
- Stagecoach to make £20m London acquisition – Stagecoach to acquire Kelsian Group’s Tower Transit east London bus operations and depot at Lea Interchange for £20m.
In the magazine:
- Johnsons sell bus business to Rotala – Diamond Bus take over Henley-in-Arden operator’s bus services.
- Anger as Eurotunnel restricts coach bookings – Booking system for popular crossing closed for summer.
June
- Switch reveals new e1 electric bus – Switch Mobility’s first 12m electric bus designed for the European market is to be revealed.
- Martijn Gilbert to leave Go North East – Restructuring at Go-Ahead Nort East sees MD, Martijn Gilbert, leave for First Group’s Lumo and Hull Trains operations.
- Go-Ahead agrees takeover offer – Go-Ahead reaches agreement with Kinetic and Globalvia Inversiones for a recommended cash acquisition.
- ADL opens museum and R&D centre – Alexander Dennis Ltd opens new Trident House facility in Farnborough.
- Pelican building new £2.1m showroom – Work starts on a £2m showroom, offices and workshop in Castleford.
- Bus passengers down 31% – Government figures paint grim picture.
In the magazine:
- Europe’s best go head to head – Bus Euro Test trials take place.
- Stagecoach to make London acquisition – Stagecoach makes offer to acquire Tower Transit’s east London operations based at the Lea Interchange depot.
- 50 years of National Express – Operator marks half century
- Classy chassis – Scania’s chassis range upgraded.
July
- Scottish NSG Plus funding extended – £25.7m more goes into electric bus pot
- Wrightbus opens careers office – Bus builder grows workforce as orders return
- Oxford Bus Company prepares for EBs – charging structure utilises substation
- Bus carryings down 31% – first quarter of 2022 shows loadings still woeful
- Mellor announces German/Austrian deal – distribution centres in Europe established
- Adventure Travel takes on Easyway routes – Vale of Glamorgan routes transfer
- Tech uncertainty holds back ZE coach – CPT Coach Taskforce says more certainty needed
- Arriva drivers walk out in North West – GMB pay talks falter for large area of buses
- Mervyns Coaches hit 40 years – Anniversary sweet for Hampshire operator
In the magazine:
-
MOTs of 28 buses expired – Public inquiry highlights Warrington’s Own Buses engineer’s failings
- Baroness Vere in the witness box – Lords’ committee hearing examines record
- Volvo reveals 9000 upgrades – Swedish launch for ‘new’ 9700 and 9900 coaches
- £2 fare cap rumoured – Press reports suggest government scheme
- Mellor gets first orders for Sigma –new electric bus range sold in UK and Europe
- Connexions at 20 – Rally and running day mark anniversary
- Tributes flow for William Wright – founder of Wrightbus, Sir William Wright, sees passing marked
- 100th year for Worth’s Motor Services – Stuart Jones tracks long history of Oxfordshire company
August
- Yellow Buses in administration – Post-Covid bus passenger carryings cannot cover costs
- Stagecoach reaches deal over Falcon and megabus – new relationship amid ComfortDelGro joint venture
- Rotala acquires Midland Classic – Burton operator added to portfolio
- HCT drops Yorkshire services – registrations handed back as former CT faces ‘challenges’
- Leopards back in stock – Plaxton production allows restock at Anston
- RHA briefs Liverpool on coaches – ‘Better understanding’ the aim as trade body talks to council
- Pelican Yutong builds new parts division – growing bus fleet prompts huge expansion at Castleford
In the magazine:
- Lamberts Coaches in liquidation – Beccles-based company cites lack of government support among reasons
- Woodstones’ i4 shows versatility – West Midlands operator pleased with ‘does everything’ Irizar
- Elcock Reisen gets 13 Tourismos – huge post-pandemic order
- Arrival halts bus programme – Electric innovator hits funding problem for development
- Dereham Coachways closes – another operator out of business
- Goldwings Executive takes off – Heathrow firm seeing growth
- ‘Split route was a single service’ – 50km rule in doubt after TC’s Stagecoach Devon decision
- Bus funding extension welcomed – Schapps announces new tranche
- Alpine hits 50th year – North Wales operation takes David Cole through its long history of successes
September
- Stagecoach goes EB at Perth and Inverness – all-electric plan for city operations
- Abellio to be bought out – new UK operation to buy back from Dutch owners
- ADL announces new home-built electrics – BYD partner continues though ADL to build in-house
- Whitelaws explains challenges to minister – Scots bus and coach operation highlights inflation
- Kleanbus unveils repower to electric – diesel bus conversions now available
- Sarah Boyd takes MD role at Lothian Buses – replaces Nigel Serafini
- FirstBus places £81m Wrights order – confidence in bus builder shown with 193 buses
- National Express coach teams with Uber – App now allows users to book journeys
- McGills buys First Scotland East – acquisition transfers 550 staff and 200 buses
- North East Coach Travel fire – colleagues pull out all the stops to aid stricken operator
- TfGM Bee Network to get 50 ADL ‘deckers – huge order for in-house-designed electrics
- Tower Transit buys HCT Channel Isles’ op – troubled HCT sells off more of its business
- First sells off Greyhound properties – sale marks end of group’s USA activities
In the magazine:
- DVSA pushing for BODS on school buses – operators baffled, as bus users turn up at depots for a ride
- Jervis Coaches gone – Port Talbot operator ceases trading
- OB collection for sale as a business – Dr Mark Sleep’s heritage fleet is looking for new owners
- Shuttle Buses sold to own staff – employee buy-out deal created by owners
- Hofman to take reins of Wrights from Atwal – new CEO headed for Ballymena builder at year-end
- David Morris: Obituary – we mark the passing of a bus industry legend
- Irizar i6S Integral road tested – super-frugal coach comes into the spotlight
- New base, new brand – EVM takes on Anodolu Isuzu products and moves to Crawley
- Raising the game – Pelican Yutong building new showroom and parts operation
October
-
Volvo and Flixbus tie-up – development agreement signed off
- Stagecoach drivers snap up to three Bus Driver of the Year awards
- Equipmake repowers First Optares – 12 vehicles in first tranche to go electric
- Newcomer Vectare takes on Ting DRT – Stagecoach relinquishes operation
- Coach is the greenest – government research shows coaches are greener than any other transport
- London route gets opp charging – the 358 Metrobus service gets Jema pantographs
In the magazine:
- BODS may not apply to schools – lawyer believes avoiding registration is possible
- Big Lemon takes on HCT Bristol services – collapsed HCT operations taken over
- Equipmake creates new bus – Repower specialist has electrified a demo bus in Buenos Aires
- Southgate & Finchley at 60 – established operator celebrates major milestone
November
- Aircoach buys Airporter – First-owned company in Ireland gets another express coach op
- Wrightbus gets 100-bus order – huge order to go to Northern Ireland’s Translink
- Go-Ahead orders 20 ie trams from Irizar – 12m buses are a first for the UK
- City Sightseeing Glasgow gets StreetDecks – £4.5m order with ZEBRA support gets 10 electric open-tops
- Show was a stunner – Euro Bus Expo review with all the vehicles at the exhibition
- Go-Ahead buys Dartline – three decades of independence ends as Exeter operator joins group
- Mellor gets conquest export order – Sigma range ordered by Swedish operator
- Coach driver shortage higher than bus – 15% of coach team missing versus 9% of the bus drivers
- ITT Hub back for 2023 – transport tech exhibition back at Farnborough
In the magazine:
- Cambridge calls for bus guidance – traffic overhaul leads to city asking for guidance systems
- Spotlight on Leons – top-flight operator keeps it simple to maintain quality
- BODS raised in Stagecoach public Inquiry – services shown not running were running
- Van Hool unveils new T series coaches – TX/EX split gone as Begian manufacturer consolidates range
- Whippet of Cambridge scores electric ‘first’ – only privately-funded all-electric service takes shape
- Blackpool Transport triumph – UK Bus Awards starred the independent operator
December
- New Levante IIIa on trial – National Express putting Caetano coach through its paces
- City Red to leave Southampton – First pulls out of south coast city
- Aberfeldy Motor Services closes door – owners end 47-year history to take retirement
- CPT meets Minister over driver crisis – Roads Minister Richard Holden agrees shortage is a priority
- REL has inquiry decision overturned – angel investor company puts TC Nick Denton in the spotlight
- Daimler targets electric coaches – German manufacturer expects working vehicles by end of decade
- Anger grows over Cambridge coach charge – proposal incurs wrath of local coach operators
- 130 operators join £2 fare scheme – government initiative gets widespread support
- Coach Tourism Association gets record numbers – event sees highest attendance since formation
In the magazine:
- Cambridge plan will charge coaches – city’s proposals to oust cars will include a £50 charge for all coaches
- Van Hool T series in detail – we visit Belgium to get up close and personal with coach range
- Back from the brink – Wrightbus growing fast after insolvency takeover
- Grant Palmer in good shape – Bedfordshire independent faces down the challenges