West Midlands-based Rotala has increased its overdraft facility with HSBC UK by £2.1 million to help mitigate the commercial impact of lockdown. Established in 2005, Rotala mainly runs bus services in the North West, Midlands and Greater London. It will use the funding to mitigate the effects of an expected uneven cash flow profile during […]
Henly-in-Arden-based Johnsons Coaches is devising a new service to get the region’s workforce safely back in operation. The operator has drawn up new social distancing guidelines for its fleet, which sees the capacity of its buses and coaches halved. The plan provides what it describes as a safer alternative to other forms of public transport […]
London’s buses are to begin returning to front-door boarding, with customers required to touch in with Oyster, contactless and concessionary cards. The move follows extensive work by a multidisciplinary team from University College London’s Centre for Transport Studies and Department of Civil, Environmental & Geomatic Engineering to assess the risks for drivers in their cabs […]
Those who spit on bus drivers or passengers are now more likely to face long jail sentences, transport and police bosses have warned. The act of spitting has moved to potentially being life threatening for victims following the coronavirus outbreak. The development comes after the recent death of a London ticket collector following an attack. […]
Coronavirus has impacted Stagecoach with commercial sales at its regional bus operating companies now at around 17% of prior year levels. However, Stagecoach Chief Executive sees a silver lining for buses in terms of increased focus on health and wellbeing. Since 3 April 2020, Stagecoach’s available liquidity has increased significantly due to positive cash flow […]
DVSA has issued annual test exemptions to heavy vehicles which are due to have their annual test in June 2020. Vehicles due for test in June will receive a three month exemption from needing an annual test. This applies to vehicles which received a three month exemption in March, as well as those with a […]
Jim Tweedie, MD of Moseley Distributors, has confirmed the dealership is soon to open again. The Airdrie-based business has retained a small staff, working every Tuesday and Thursday during the lockdown. The plan is to continue this until it is able to fully reopen. Jim hopes to bring back most of its staff within three […]
UK Bus Driver of the Year Association (BDoY) stalwart, Douglas Bailey MBE, has passed away, aged 79. One of BDoY’s longest-serving council members and a life-long busman, Douglas passed away peacefully at Marley Court Nursing Home Chorley on 15 May 2020, aged 79, his wife Helen at his side. Just a few weeks earlier, his […]