A German battery technology company says it has set the bar for energy density with its latest lithium ion system. AKASOL, based in Darmstadt, near Frankfurt, is claiming 220 Watt hours per kilogram (Wh/kg) for its battery, beating the lithium ferrous phosphate (LFP) technology adopted by many bus manufacturers. In an exclusive interview with Bus […]
A bus strategy to pull the sector out of decline has been called for by the Government’s Transport Committee. The downturn for buses is being caused by a lack of co-ordinated Government policy and squeezed funding for local authorities, according to the Committee. It observed most parts of England saw bus use fall and hundreds […]
Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) has been acquired by NFI Group, North America’s largest and most diversified bus and coach manufacturer. ADL will retain its own brand and Chief Executive Colin Robertson and Chief Financial Officer, Michael Stewart, will continue to lead ADL. They will also be tasked with driving NFI’s international growth ambitions. The transaction […]
It’s in a picture-postcard location, right on the border between Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire, but the prompt for my visit to Taf Valley Coaches on that occasion wasn’t the scenery but a newly refurbished office. And now I’m back, this time for a new, purpose-built (indeed, Edwards-built) two-storey office block. That’s the headline, but much more […]
Research body, Transport Focus has called on the industry to better serve young passengers. The organisation quoted figures showing overall satisfaction for young bus passengers (16 to 18-year-olds) has risen to 80% (from 77% in 2017). However, it notes they remain the least satisfied group of passengers. Transport Focus has published a good practice guide […]
ADLs form the bulk of the latest fleet investment by Stagecoach Group, which sees it spend over £80m on 351 PCVs. The new vehicles are to be introduced in the 2019-20 financial year. Caetano Levantes on Volvo B11R chassis and Volvo B11RLE-based Plaxton Panoramas are included in the order. The 22 coaches are to go […]
New bus and coach registrations fell 32.8% in the first three months of this year, according to figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). There were 1,205 PCVs joining British roads during the period. Quarter one marked the ninth consecutive quarterly decline for the sector. Economic and political instability and […]
First Bus has teased us about a new venture it is launching in Edinburgh. The operator has created a new brand identity specifically for this, which is to be unveiled next month. The operator is keeping tight lipped about what exactly it is up to. MD for First Bus in Scotland, Andrew Jarvis, said: “It […]