I read that bean counters at KPMG have created the second edition of an Autonomous Vehicles Readiness Index (AVRI), gauging 25 countries readiness for AV technology. The automated safety systems which have arrived in the coach market already take vehicles just a leap of faith from being autonomous; it’s not hard to see that if […]
Bob McLeod, former Managing Director of Arriva Bus & Coach, has died, aged 68. Born in April 1950, Bob – christened Robert Johnstone McLeod – began his automotive life studying for an HND under a scheme run by motor dealership, Rootes. From there, he worked in car sales until joining the fleet sales unit of […]
The popularity of near-13-metre, two-axle touring coaches with 53/57 seats has been a feature of buying patterns in the last five years. For most coach operators, it seems, that’s an ideal capacity and length, and most marques now have a vehicle of the type in this highly competitive sector. However, two-axle, high-capacity coaches are always […]
Issues with suspension components on ADL Enviro300s have been raised during a Public Inquiry. First Glasgow was issued with a formal warning from the Traffic Commissioner after an accident on the Clydeside Expressway, in which the vehicle was found to have two broken rear spring anchor bolts. They were found not to have contributed to […]
NCB Motors of Wem, Shropshire, has been taken over by Lakeside Coaches of Ellesmere. The operator officially took over the company on 1 March 2019. Of NCB’s 15-strong fleet, Lakeside has taken the operator’s eight newest vehicles: a Volvo B9R-based Plaxton Panther, three Volvo B9Rs with Jonckheere bodywork and four Volvo B12-based Jonckheeres. The remaining […]
A Clean Air Zone (CAZ) proposed for Greater Manchester could see non-compliant buses slapped with a £100 daily charge. First Manchester has issued a statement saying it is disappointed in the additional taxation. The CAZ plan is part of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s (GMCA’s) ‘Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan’. The proposed Zone covers all […]
Richardsons Travel of Midhurst, Sussex, has gone into administration, having ceased operations. The operator went into administration with immediate effect. Bohunt School in Liphook, which the operator served continuously for 30 years, described the news as ‘sudden and unexpected’. At the time of going to press, alternative services for the significant majority of students to […]
ITT Hub has a new strategic event partner in the form of transport organisation Freight Transport Association (FTA). Innovation and Technology in Transport (ITT) Hub is a new two-day exhibition and conference to be held for the first time on 13 – 14 May 2020 (see issue 1518, 22 February 2019). It is designed to […]