January

• Fire damages buses at NatEx Walsall garage – A fire damages three buses at a National Express West Midlands’ Walsall garage,
  

  A TV campaign is launched to get people back onboard coaches

  including a 2005 Alexander ALX400-bodied Dennis Trident in the colours of Walsall Corporation Transport pre-1969.

• NCT’s Mark Fowles in New Years Honours List – Nottingham City Transport’s (NCT’s) former- MD, Mark Fowles, has been awarded an OBE for Service to Public Transport and Charity in the New Year’s Honours List.
• Jansen Travel ceases at short notice – Cumbria-based Jansen Travel ceases trading at short notice
• Coach TV campaign launches – A TV advert promoting the coach industry under the CPT-backed ‘Get Back On Board’ campaign airs.
• Iveco announces electric Daily base vehicle – CV manufacturer partners with sister companies to develop an electric version of its Daily model, aimed at vehicle converters.
• Plaxton restarts production in Scarborough – Alexander Dennis Ltd (ADL) is restarting production of Plaxton coaches at its Scarborough factory.
• NatEx/Stagecoach merger under investigation – An investigation of the merger between National Express and Stagecoach is being made by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

In the magazine:

• Switch Mobility to overhaul bus range – Switch Mobility CEO tells B&CB the company is looking to overhaul bus range.
• Safeguard Coaches and Farnham Coaches – overcoming challenges.

February

• Claribel sells bus business to Rotala – Diamond Bus, a subsidiary of Rotala, acquires the bus business and some assets from Claribel
  

  Travel Wright announces closure. Picture captured by David Cole

  Coaches.

• ‘End of an era’ as Travel Wright to close – Newark-based Travel Wright announces it is to close in early April.
• Investor takes over Redwing and John James Luxury Travel – Investment business REL Investment Management announces it has taken over South London and Kent operator Redwing Coaches, as well as John James Luxury Travel.
• FlixBus international routes returning – As international travel restrictions ease, FlixBus international routes to and from the UK return.
• Patronage figures averaging 78% of pre-pandemic levels – Numbers of fare paying passengers on buses reach 78% of pre-pandemic figures, according to industry think-tank The Ten Percent Club.
• ‘Worst year since records began’ for registrations – Registration figures for new buses and coaches in 2021 represented the ‘worst year since records began’, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and traders (SMMT).
• Keenan Coaches of Ayr enters liquidation – Ayr-based operator enters liquidation after over 60 years of business.

In the magazine:

• Pembrokeshire operator takeover planned by summer – An anonymous operator (which turned out to be Edwards Bros) is planned to be taken over by local council.
• Mayne Coaches in administration – Warrington operator continues operating despite being placed in administration.

March

• NatEx Stagecoach deal off as DWS bid accepted – Stagecoach has received a rival £595mn cash bid from German asset manager
  

  Fire destroys vehicles at Kev’s Coaches. Picture credit: West Midlands Fire Service

  DWS, scuppering a takeover offer by National Express for the Scottish bus operator.

• Minister announces PSVAR exemptions until 2026 – Baroness Vere, former-Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the DfT, announces home-to-school PSVAR will be derogated until 2026.
• Fire destroys 21 vehicles at Kev’s Coaches – A fire at Kev’s Cars and Coaches’ Bromsgrove depot destroys 16 buses and five coaches from fleet.
• Fuel crisis: coach operator goes live on BBC – Richard Bamber of Anthony’s Travel is featured on the BBC’s Politics Live explaining how the fuel crisis could cripple businesses.
• Wales sets out plan for nationwide bus franchising – Wales proposes to roll out centralised, national bus franchising and co-ordinate its councils to create a new bus network integrated with other public transport.

In the magazine:

• Cumbria’s newest operator prepares to tour – JD Coaches, Cumbria’s newest operator, prepares to kick off the tour season.
• Go Goodwins takes on Maynes Coaches – Maynes Coaches name remains despite operating under Go Goodwin’s O licence.
• Mellor reveals Sigma range – Manufacturer chooses Millbrook proving ground to show off its new smaller buses.

April

• BSIP funding announced – Thirty-one counties, city regions and unitary authorities are chosen for the Government’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) funding.
• UK Coach Rally – Normal service resumed – After missing two years due to the pandemic, the 66th UK Coach Rally, returns to
  

  UK Coach Rally returns

  Blackpool seafront.

• PSVAR: medium term exemptions announced – DfT launches medium-term exemptions for PSVAR for rail replacement and home-to-school services.
• ROAD TEST: Who’s the fairest? – Neoplan’s 510hbp tri-axle Tourliner P20 is put through its paces.
• Gibson fleet up for auction – Having gone into liquidation, Renfrew-based Gibson Executive’s fleet is auctioned.

In the magazine:

• ZEBRA funding announced – The £198.3m Zero Emission Buses Regional Area (ZEBRA) scheme to provide 943 buses.
• ‘Exciting new beginning’ for Towlers – GDS Travel takes on Towlers Coaches.
• Grangeburn calls it a day – Joe Nolan, owner of Motherwell-based Grangeburn Coaches, decides to cease operating.

May

• Borders Buses launches Pingo on-demand service – Borders Buses launches Pingo, an on-demand, app-enabled bus service.
• Irizar launches new i6S Efficient – Irizar launches its all-new i6S Efficient, which achieves a 30% reduction in drag coefficient, up to 13% fuel and emissions savings, ‘live’ predictive maintenance and video mirrors
  

  Irizar launches new i6S Efficient

• Arrival Bus takes next step towards roll-out – Electric bus offering, Arrival Bus, achieves EU certification and receives European Whole Vehicle Type Approval (EUWVTA).
• PCV registrations grow 45.2% – Registrations of new buses and coaches grew 45.2% in the first quarter of 2022, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
• Electric Metrodeckers grounded following fire – As a precautionary measure, Switch Mobility requests its electric Metrodeckers to be taken out of service while checks are made following a fire at Potters Bar Bus Garage.
• FirstGroup evaluating takeover offer – FirstGroup announces it is evaluating a takeover offer from private equity firm, I Squared Capital Advisors (UK) LLP.
• Stagecoach to make £20m London acquisition – Stagecoach to acquire Kelsian Group’s Tower Transit east London bus operations and depot at Lea Interchange for £20m.

In the magazine:

• Johnsons sell bus business to Rotala – Diamond Bus take over Henley-in-Arden operator’s bus services.
• Anger as Eurotunnel restricts coach bookings – Booking system for popular crossing closed for summer.

June

• Switch reveals new e1 electric bus – Switch Mobility’s first 12m electric bus designed for the European market is to be revealed.
  

  Switch reveals new e1 bus

• Martijn Gilbert to leave Go North East – Restructuring at Go-Ahead Nort East sees MD, Martijn Gilbert, leave for First Group’s Lumo and Hull Trains operations.
• Go-Ahead agrees takeover offer – Go-Ahead reaches agreement with Kinetic and Globalvia Inversiones for a recommended cash acquisition.
• ADL opens museum and R&D centre – Alexander Dennis Ltd opens new Trident House facility in Farnborough.
• Pelican building new £2.1m showroom – Work starts on a £2m showroom, offices and workshop in Castleford.
• Bus passengers down 31% – Government figures paint grim picture.

In the magazine:

• Europe’s best go head to head – Bus Euro Test trials take place.
• Stagecoach to make London acquisition – Stagecoach makes offer to acquire Tower Transit’s east London operations based at the Lea Interchange depot.
• 50 years of National Express – Operator marks half century
• Classy chassis – Scania’s chassis range upgraded.

July

• Scottish NSG Plus funding extended – £25.7m more goes into electric bus pot
• Wrightbus opens careers office – Bus builder grows workforce as orders return
• Oxford Bus Company prepares for EBs – charging structure utilises substation
• Bus carryings down 31% – first quarter of 2022 shows loadings still woeful
• Mellor announces German/Austrian deal – distribution centres in Europe established
• Adventure Travel takes on Easyway routes – Vale of Glamorgan routes transfer
• Tech uncertainty holds back ZE coach – CPT Coach Taskforce says more certainty needed
• Arriva drivers walk out in North West – GMB pay talks falter for large area of buses
• Mervyns Coaches hit 40 years – Anniversary sweet for Hampshire operator

In the magazine:

• 

  Sir William Wright CBE passed away

  MOTs of 28 buses expired – Public inquiry highlights Warrington’s Own Buses engineer’s failings

• Baroness Vere in the witness box – Lords’ committee hearing examines record
• Volvo reveals 9000 upgrades – Swedish launch for ‘new’ 9700 and 9900 coaches
• £2 fare cap rumoured – Press reports suggest government scheme
• Mellor gets first orders for Sigma –new electric bus range sold in UK and Europe
• Connexions at 20 – Rally and running day mark anniversary
• Tributes flow for William Wright – founder of Wrightbus, Sir William Wright, sees passing marked
• 100^th year for Worth’s Motor Services – Stuart Jones tracks long history of Oxfordshire company

August

• Yellow Buses in administration – Post-Covid bus passenger carryings cannot cover costs
  

  Yellow Buses closes

• Stagecoach reaches deal over Falcon and megabus – new relationship amid ComfortDelGro joint venture
• Rotala acquires Midland Classic – Burton operator added to portfolio
• HCT drops Yorkshire services – registrations handed back as former CT faces ‘challenges’
• Leopards back in stock – Plaxton production allows restock at Anston
• RHA briefs Liverpool on coaches – ‘Better understanding’ the aim as trade body talks to council
• Pelican Yutong builds new parts division – growing bus fleet prompts huge expansion at Castleford

In the magazine:

• Lamberts Coaches in liquidation – Beccles-based company cites lack of government support among reasons
• Woodstones’ i4 shows versatility – West Midlands operator pleased with ‘does everything’ Irizar
• Elcock Reisen gets 13 Tourismos – huge post-pandemic order
• Arrival halts bus programme – Electric innovator hits funding problem for development
• Dereham Coachways closes – another operator out of business
• Goldwings Executive takes off – Heathrow firm seeing growth
• ‘Split route was a single service’ – 50km rule in doubt after TC’s Stagecoach Devon decision
• Bus funding extension welcomed – Schapps announces new tranche
• Alpine hits 50^th year – North Wales operation takes David Cole through its long history of successes

September

• Stagecoach goes EB at Perth and Inverness – all-electric plan for city operations
  

  Manchester orders ADLs for Bee Network

• Abellio to be bought out – new UK operation to buy back from Dutch owners
• ADL announces new home-built electrics – BYD partner continues though ADL to build in-house
• Whitelaws explains challenges to minister – Scots bus and coach operation highlights inflation
• Kleanbus unveils repower to electric – diesel bus conversions now available
• Sarah Boyd takes MD role at Lothian Buses – replaces Nigel Serafini
• FirstBus places £81m Wrights order – confidence in bus builder shown with 193 buses
• National Express coach teams with Uber – App now allows users to book journeys
• McGills buys First Scotland East – acquisition transfers 550 staff and 200 buses
• North East Coach Travel fire – colleagues pull out all the stops to aid stricken operator
• TfGM Bee Network to get 50 ADL ‘deckers – huge order for in-house-designed electrics
• Tower Transit buys HCT Channel Isles’ op – troubled HCT sells off more of its business
• First sells off Greyhound properties – sale marks end of group’s USA activities

In the magazine:

• DVSA pushing for BODS on school buses – operators baffled, as bus users turn up at depots for a ride
• Jervis Coaches gone – Port Talbot operator ceases trading
• OB collection for sale as a business – Dr Mark Sleep’s heritage fleet is looking for new owners
• Shuttle Buses sold to own staff – employee buy-out deal created by owners
• Hofman to take reins of Wrights from Atwal – new CEO headed for Ballymena builder at year-end
• David Morris: Obituary – we mark the passing of a bus industry legend
• Irizar i6S Integral road tested – super-frugal coach comes into the spotlight
• New base, new brand – EVM takes on Anodolu Isuzu products and moves to Crawley
• Raising the game – Pelican Yutong building new showroom and parts operation

October

• 

  Southgate and Finchley mark 60 years

  Volvo and Flixbus tie-up – development agreement signed off

• Stagecoach drivers snap up to three Bus Driver of the Year awards
• Equipmake repowers First Optares – 12 vehicles in first tranche to go electric
• Newcomer Vectare takes on Ting DRT – Stagecoach relinquishes operation
• Coach is the greenest – government research shows coaches are greener than any other transport
• London route gets opp charging – the 358 Metrobus service gets Jema pantographs

In the magazine:

• BODS may not apply to schools – lawyer believes avoiding registration is possible
• Big Lemon takes on HCT Bristol services – collapsed HCT operations taken over
• Equipmake creates new bus – Repower specialist has electrified a demo bus in Buenos Aires
• Southgate & Finchley at 60 – established operator celebrates major milestone

November

• Aircoach buys Airporter – First-owned company in Ireland gets another express coach op
  

  Euro Bus Expo returns, with Equipmake launching a re-powered New Routemaster

• Wrightbus gets 100-bus order – huge order to go to Northern Ireland’s Translink
• Go-Ahead orders 20 ie trams from Irizar – 12m buses are a first for the UK
• City Sightseeing Glasgow gets StreetDecks – £4.5m order with ZEBRA support gets 10 electric open-tops
• Show was a stunner – Euro Bus Expo review with all the vehicles at the exhibition
• Go-Ahead buys Dartline – three decades of independence ends as Exeter operator joins group
• Mellor gets conquest export order – Sigma range ordered by Swedish operator
• Coach driver shortage higher than bus – 15% of coach team missing versus 9% of the bus drivers
• ITT Hub back for 2023 – transport tech exhibition back at Farnborough

In the magazine:

• Cambridge calls for bus guidance – traffic overhaul leads to city asking for guidance systems
• Spotlight on Leons – top-flight operator keeps it simple to maintain quality
• BODS raised in Stagecoach public Inquiry – services shown not running were running
• Van Hool unveils new T series coaches – TX/EX split gone as Begian manufacturer consolidates range
• Whippet of Cambridge scores electric ‘first’ – only privately-funded all-electric service takes shape
• Blackpool Transport triumph – UK Bus Awards starred the independent operator

December

• New Levante IIIa on trial – National Express putting Caetano coach through its paces
  

  The new Levante IIIA was announced to go on trial

• City Red to leave Southampton – First pulls out of south coast city
• Aberfeldy Motor Services closes door – owners end 47-year history to take retirement
• CPT meets Minister over driver crisis – Roads Minister Richard Holden agrees shortage is a priority
• REL has inquiry decision overturned – angel investor company puts TC Nick Denton in the spotlight
• Daimler targets electric coaches – German manufacturer expects working vehicles by end of decade
• Anger grows over Cambridge coach charge – proposal incurs wrath of local coach operators
• 130 operators join £2 fare scheme – government initiative gets widespread support
• Coach Tourism Association gets record numbers – event sees highest attendance since formation

In the magazine:

• Cambridge plan will charge coaches – city’s proposals to oust cars will include a £50 charge for all coaches
• Van Hool T series in detail – we visit Belgium to get up close and personal with coach range
• Back from the brink – Wrightbus growing fast after insolvency takeover
• Grant Palmer in good shape – Bedfordshire independent faces down the challenges