Arriva has invested £1.1m in six new double deckers for its 101 service between Gillingham, Chatham, Davis Estate and Maidstone. These buses are to a high specification and will run under the ‘Sapphire’ brand with upgraded interiors that feature E-leather seating, power and USB points, free on-board wi-fi and audio-visual displays. They will be launched […]
Early this year we took a first look at Volvo’s right hand drive Euro6 coach products when we carried out an evaluation of the three-axle B11R with the company’s own 9700 coachwork (B&CB issue 1261, 31 January 2014). Traditionally, volume sales of the marque’s chassis have been in combination with the range of models from […]
First Aberdeen has unveiled a new fleet of 26 Wrightbus Micro-Hybrid Streetlites that represent an investment of £4.3m. They are for use on its 3 and 23 services, which have been renamed Sunshine Service 23 and Thistle Service 3. The new buses come equipped with leather seats, free wi-fi and extra room for wheelchairs and […]
Volvo is to officially launch its new 7900 Electric Hybrid at Germany’s IAA Commercial Vehicles in September. Its plug-in technology reduces fuel consumption and carbon dioxide by up to 75%, compared to a conventional diesel bus. Total energy consumption is reduced by 60%. Three Volvo Electric Hybrids have run in a field test in Gothenburg […]
CPT says the industry is ‘surprised’ at a report from the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR), which has called for a return to a regulated transport system. The study focuses on the differences between bus services in London and elsewhere, as well as the relationship between public and private stakes in rail services. It […]
Transport for London (TfL) is to trial inductive charging technology on up to four extended range diesel electric hybrid buses in east London from next year. The Alexander Dennis Enviro400H buses will be fitted with special technology enabling on-board batteries to receive a charge boost at bus stands at either end of Stagecoach operated route […]
Until fleets become completely reliant on electricity or some other form of alternative propulsion, which is not likely to be for some time to come, liquid fuels and how to handle them will remain massively important to operators. Chris Peat delved into this area, contacting companies to get an insight into trends and technology in […]
The latest new vehicle added to their range of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter based models by EVM the specialist vehicle converters, is a low floor, directly wheelchair accessible model called the Community. I recently visited EVM’s Horsham, West Sussex premises to inspect and drive the prototype of the new model. I began by asking Sales Director of […]