It’s one thing to be sharp enough to spot an opportunity but quite another to sustain a business with it for three decades. That’s what Heavy Duty Parts has done ever since its inception, which saw a young entrepreneur, Kevin Booth, and the long experience of his business partner, Jack Miles, launch the company, at […]
The draft guidance for franchising under the Buses Bill, expected to be delivered soon, opens franchising to all local authorities but strongly endorses Enhanced Partnerships as an alternative, and includes options to operate within the franchised area. Currently, the franchising option is only available to Mayoral Combined Authorities*. Under the government’s new proposals, franchising will […]
Wrightbus revealed the latest stage of its hydrogen coach development at the Cenex Expo 2024 at Millbrook proving ground in Bedfordshire today and yesterday. The low carbon vehicle show hosted the first public outing of this demonstrator. Not only is the vehicle significant in being the company’s first hydrogen coach it has worked on, but also […]
There are few who would deny Bill Hiron is an industry veteran. If the extensive list of senior positions at bus companies since the ’80s doesn’t convince you of his eminence, then perhaps his recently awarded MBE for services to public transport will. Speaking to B&CB, the Stephensons of Essex Chief Executive and ALBUM Chair, […]
Dean Sullivan believes his difficult decision to drop TfL work may be a sign of things to come if franchising prevails, he told Bus and Coach Buyer. Sullivan Buses decided to withdraw from its TfL contracts to run 12 routes last week. The operator was the only remaining SME to run bus contracts for the […]
A celebratory event marking multiple anniversaries, including the IoTA’s 90th, hosted a compliance masterclass. Senior Traffic Commissioner, Richard Turfitt, took part in a two-way discussion on compliance with transport solicitor Laura Hadzik, Head of the Commercial Road Transport at legal firm JMW. During the pair’s presentation, the Senior Traffic Commissioner said there are far too […]
HMRC’s investigations into the Private Hire and Taxi service sector led to a consultation on how VAT should be levied on agency work. The knock-on effect of recent high-profile judgements is that VAT registered PHVOs in England & Wales would need to charge VAT on all PHV passenger fares to reflect these judgements. (HMRC will […]
The main character from the 1970s British sitcom On the Buses, a driver called Stan, was always trying to get off work with various hare-brained schemes. Hardly surprising, when you learn that during this era work-related health problems forced bus drivers from the era to quit driving long before retirement age, says guest contributor Roger […]