I have watched several episodes of BBC TV drama, Don’t Forget the Driver, but I am disappointed that it is a stereotypical view of the coach industry. It may make good comedy, but sets us back years. Enough said! To ensure we don’t forget the driver, I have been reviewing several school contracts coming up […]
Having established the basic headings of direct costs and overheads, it is now time to determine the amounts applicable to each, to build up a complete costing picture. Firstly, establish the core information Mileage (garage to garage) 55 miles per day Driver pay hours (right through) 07.30 to 16.30 (including sign on and sign off […]
It is important to break down the types of private hire and decide the best strategy to maximise profitability. I look at private hire, like this. Special occasion Individuals wanting occasional hire are not likely to be repeat customers, and they will have no idea how much it costs to hire a coach; therefore, they […]
With the direct costs calculated for the school contract example (B&CB 21 June), there now comes the thorny issue of the ‘overhead.’ This can mean different things to different people, and how much of the overhead should be charged to each individual job is not an exact science. You may recall, I regard overhead as […]
When it comes to transport, particularly mass public transport, the industry’s long-term vision should be shaped by embracing and supporting new, sustainable energy sources, says Luxfer Gas Cylinders. While diesel buses still have their place – if they meet Euro VI standards – other technologies have to be explored and considered. The Government’s ‘net zero […]
Few organisations are likely to be fully compliant by 25 May 2018 (especially as some key guidance is yet to be published and the Data Protection Bill is yet to pass through parliament). However, the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office) has indicated that those who fail to engage with the GDPR by the implementation date will […]
My final foray into the world of influencing opinion formers takes us into the heart of each local area; mixing with those dedicated people who are the backbone of local business and community groups usually working on as voluntary basis with no thought of financial reward. These aren’t the politically-inspired councillors, bureaucracy-loving council officers, elusive […]
If you’ve got over the shock of reading my last two columns suggesting you invest time in attending relevant meetings of your local council to get to know and ultimately influence the key people who make decisions affecting your business, guess what?… I’m about to suggest even more meet-ups with influential people. This time I’m […]