Winners of the National Express Operator Awards have been announced at the Windmill Village Hotel in Coventry. Gloucester based Bennett’s Coaches won the overall Network Operator of the Year and the High Achiever Award, E Stott & Sons won the Best Fleet Award, while Julia Humby, also of Bennett’s, won the Driver of the Year […]
Bus technicians have been competing in the IRTE Skills Challenge in Bristol recently. The event is now in its fourth year and according to the organisers is growing steadily. It sees technicians from operators across the country showcase their abilities in a series of electrical, bodywork and mechanical tests. Some 60 technicians and apprentices from […]
King Long Italy, the Italian branch of the Xiamen King Long United Automotive Industry bus and coach builder headed by Stefano del Rosso, is currently undergoing a process that will see it acquire the ailing Italian manufacturer, BredaMenarinibus, according to press reports. Under the new deal, the Chinese concern will own the majority of the […]
An independent report has said the Cardiff Airport Express bus service is ‘providing the fast and frequent service to the city that passengers expect and has made a good start in securing its share of passengers’. The statement comes after criticism that bus service was running what the press described as a ‘ghost train’ during […]
Minibus converter, Mellor Coachcraft, has provided a mobile library for Shropshire Council. The company the local authority usually used to supply these vehicles had gone out of business. A chance conversation between Mellor’s Geoff Hudson and the council’s Commercial Vehicle Manager, Andy Maiden, set minds to work, not just on replacing the original vehicle but […]
CEO of Reading Transport Ltd, James Freeman, is to leave Reading Buses at the end of September. After almost seven years with the municipal concern, he is to take up the post of MD of First Bristol & West of England. He described the new role as ‘a significant career progression’ and a ‘great personal […]
However, the year-to-date figure remains up 4.1%. SMMT Chief Executive, Mike Hawes, said, ‘After a glut of new bus and coach registrations in April, the sector performed more modestly in May, down 3.3%. While the purpose built sector suffered a 27.7% reduction versus May 2013, converted bus registrations fared better with 31.9% growth. The positive […]
The terms of the deal were undisclosed. The transaction provides an exit for private equity firm 3i, which originally backed the merger of the business with Wallace Arnold in 2005, and Indigo Capital LLP. As part of the deal, the Group has also renewed its existing banking facilities with Lloyds Bank for a further two […]