Sector skills council for the bus and coach industry, People 1st, has entered administration. People 1st is the skills and talent management sector skills organisation for hospitality, retail, passenger transport, travel and tourism in the UK. It has led the development work on the new apprenticeship standards and is the External Quality Assurance (EQA) body […]
Clay Cross independent G & J Holmes is pulling out of local services later this month, as managing director Nigel Holmes starts winding down for retirement. After 23 years, all Derbyshire County Council service contracts have been surrendered, and only coaching, school contracts and a Tesco contract will remain. Town services in Matlock and Clowne, […]
Before pulling into Marshalls’ headquarters in the pleasant Nottinghamshire village of Sutton-on-Trent, a pristine Optare Solo from its fleet passed by. Although the weather was wet and there was no shortage of mud on the roads, it was impressively clean. It was a small thing, but noticeable and it made a positive impression. As Paul […]
Concern has been raised over the lack of communication between the government and the PCV industry over changes made to bus service regulations. The Public Service Vehicles (Registration of Local Services) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 came into force on 24 April and apply only to England. A key change is to the notice period to start […]
Irizar is to expand its UK bus team with the appointment of Shaun Millar and Gradyn Thompson. They join Strategic Advisor Mike Weston. Mike Weston, previously the Director of Buses at TfL, is providing strategic support to Irizar. Shaun Millar has been appointed as Business Development Manager – Bus at Irizar UK’s e-mobility division. He […]
Optare is to supply 94 Solo buses to the Roads and Transport Authority of Dubai. The deal is valued at circa £18m. Optare will supply 8.5m-long Solos featuring Cummins Euro V engines, air conditioning, onboard wifi and USB charging sockets. The buses will seat up to 24 passengers with additional standing capacity. They are due […]
Spearheading Lothian Motorcoaches’ fleet of 18 vehicles are five new 14-metre tri-axle Plaxton Panther 3’s, liveried in charcoal grey. The bespoke coaches have 61 seats in a charcoal version of Lothian’s unique moquette. They are backed by three fully refurbished Van Hool Acrons in the same livery and specification, and for shorter transfers from, for […]
Almost 50 of the country’s top operators fielded their finest drivers and coaches for this year’s UK Coach Rally – a spectacle which even drew the gaze of Blackpool’s party animals. Now in its 64th year, the rally was the star of the seafront, with the vehicles assembled in the shadow of Blackpool Tower. As […]