In what is thought to be a first for public transport, First in the West of England has started accepting Bristol Pounds as payment for travel on its buses. Any change owed will be paid where possible in Bristol Pounds, although it is most likely to be tendered in sterling. Passengers will also be able […]
It has been reported that the Finnish coachwork manufacturer, Lahden Autokori, which builds the OmniExpress range under contract to Scania, filed for bankruptcy on 11 September with debts of around EUROS10m. Finnish press reports cite a decision by Scania to transfer production of the OmniExpress to Poland with effect from July 2014 as the reason […]
Watford based Mullany’s Coaches has received a pair of 9.7m Optare Solo SRs for use on local services. Each of the buses has 37 Ster seats, a fold out wheelchair ramp and a Mercedes-Benz OM904LA 154bhp engine matched to an Allison 2100 Series five-speed automatic transmission. Mullany’s Coaches General Manager, Tim Rampling, said, ‘We chose […]
Taw & Torridge Coaches Ltd from Devon has received two VDL Futura FHD2 129.365PR coaches. Their power comes from a 361bhp Paccar Euro5 engine coupled with ZF automatic transmission. Features include 53 Vogel Conturo seats, ABS and ASR traction control, an air conditioning system, a centre sunken toilet, two fridges, a water boiler, a reverse […]
Diss based Simonds has taken delivery of two MCV bodied Volvo B7RLEs, both resplendent in the operator’s CountryLink livery. Power for them comes from a Volvo Euro5 290hp engine matched to a ZF Ecolife six-speed gearbox. They are specified with 44 Vogel seats, an eight camera Synectics CCTV system and Hanover LED destination equipment. GreenRoad […]
Stagecoach founder, Sir Brian Souter, has taken a stake in what is considered one of the UK’s most successful solicitor firms. His Souter Investments business, together with JZ International (JZI), has acquired a 60% shareholding in Winn Solicitors Ltd, On Hire Ltd and On Medical Ltd (Winn Group). Members of both JZI and Souter Investments […]
Cambridgeshire County Council has come under fire from Stagecoach recently following its decision to introduce a parking fee on the county’s park and ride sites. The operator claimed the £1 a day charge will penalise greener travel and called it a ‘stealth tax’ on bus passengers. Council officers admit that the plan is likely to […]
In its full year results for the 12 months ended 29 June 2013, Go-Ahead reported strong trading in its bus business, with good progress towards its £100m bus profit target. Its overall results were slightly ahead of management expectations. At group level, its revenue amounted to £2,571.8m (2012: £2,423.8m). Its operating profit was £102.5m (2012: […]