The page for enthusiasts in the Oxford Chilterns Area - News from you and news for you - pictures too  ~~~~   The page for enthusiasts in the Oxford Chilterns Area - News from you and news for you - pictures too  ~~~~   The page for enthusiasts in the Oxford Chilterns Area - News from you and news for you - pictures too  

News Page
Editorial & Features
published on 26th November 2008

Issue 279
(OBP-492)
Monday 5th January 2009
(next update week ending 17th January 2009)

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Please note that any comments made in this news page are those of the Editors' and in no way constitute 
any official points of view from the bus companies mentioned,  or indeed any other official body. 
As a news page we reserve the right to make valid comments as seen from an editorial point of view.

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Stagecoach Group plc – Interim results for the six months ended 31 October 2008

03/12/2008

Highlights

• Strong first-half results – adjusted earnings per share* up 29%
• Interim dividend increased by 33% to 1.8p per ordinary share
• Group in good shape to withstand challenging global economic conditions
• Strong balance sheet enabling further investment for growth
  • Continued targeted capital investment
  • Shortlisted for South Central rail franchise
• Challenging 2009/10 outlook in UK Rail
• UK Bus revenue still growing strongly - up 11.8% (like-for-like* growth 9.2%)
• Like-for-like* UK Bus passenger volumes up 4.1%: marketing, fleet investment, good value fares and concessionary fare schemes
• Growth in revenue and operating margin in North America
• UK Rail revenue up 50.7% (like-for-like* growth 8.2%)
• Virgin Rail Group poised for significant increase in services

*see definitions in note 25 to the condensed financial statements

Financial summary

Commenting on the results, Chief Executive, Brian Souter, said:

"We have achieved good growth in our bus and rail operations and the overall trading of the Group remains in line with our expectations for the year ending 30 April 2009. Rising consumer household bills, as well as increasing environmental awareness, are helping drive modal shift to our greener, smarter and good value bus and rail services. We are experiencing particularly strong demand for value-products in both bus and rail.

"The short to medium term outlook for our UK rail operations is challenging and in anticipation of a further deterioration in economic conditions, we are taking action now to ensure our rail businesses remain competitive. Our bus operations in the UK and North America are performing strongly and reporting good organic growth. We expect our bus businesses to continue to perform well through difficult economic conditions."

Stagecoach to buy 'bus war' rival

30 December 2008 

Preston Bus is set to be taken over by bitter rivals Stagecoach.

The companies, which were involved in a fierce dispute over routes until earlier this year, are understood to be on the brink of agreeing a buy-out.

Stunned Preston Bus employees were told of the move at a meeting at Deepdale Labour Club on Monday night.

The value of the proposed deal has not been revealed but www.lep.co.uk understands it was Preston Bus that approached Stagecoach about a takeover.

A final agreement will be signed if Preston Bus shareholders agree to the move. They have until January 22 to decide.

A deal would mean Stagecoach has a virtual monopoly on services in Preston.

After Monday's meeting, one driver said workers had been offered job security for the next two years if the deal goes ahead.

Another driver added: "It's sad but these are the times we are living in."

Chris Bowles, managing director of Stagecoach North West, said: "I can confirm that discussions have been held with regard to the acquisition of Preston Bus by Stagecoach.

"Those discussions may or may not lead to a deal, that is down to Preston Bus shareholders."

Managing director of Preston Bus Peter Bell said: "We had a good meeting. Staff and shareholders were told what was going on. It is the best way forward for everyone in reality."

Community leaders today branded the move a "sad day" for the city – and raised fears over Preston Bus staff jobs and possible fare increases.

Frank De Molfetta, a former Preston Bus employee who has worked in the bus industry for 40 years, said: "It is very sad indeed for the city of Preston and there are two things now: what kind of services are we going to get and what is the future for the staff?"

Regular bus passenger and Deepdale Councillor Terry Cartwright said: "Stagecoach has attacked Preston Bus for the past two or three years, coming on to the profitable routes like Gamull Lane and the Royal Preston Hospital."

Chris Dale, of passenger campaigners TravelWatch North West, said: "I think it is highly likely that fares will go up."

Preston Council sold Preston Bus to employees in 1993 and now only retains an interest in the pensions of those who were working for the company before then.

This is not the first time Stagecoach has tried to snap up Preston Bus, which employs 300. It had tried to strike a deal in 2006. Preston Bus rejected the approach, sparking a bus war.

More from Geoff Cunliffe on Stagecoach set to acquire Preston Bus 

According to today's Preston-based Lancashire Evening Post, shareholders of Preston Bus will vote on 22nd January whether or not to accept a takeover bid from Stagecoach (Ribble to you and me). 

Apparently, Stagecoach approached Preston in 2006 about a takeover but Preston Bus rejected the overture which sparked the bus wars in Preston which have been going on ever since. Now Preston Bus has approached Stagecoach. According to Manager Peter Bell, the takeover is the best way forward. Preston Bus is on record as saying, relatively recently, that they would never sell to Stagecoach. A week is a long time in politics! 

This raises the question of the future for the replica Royal Tiger body which Preston Bus are (were?) building for William Hunter and about which news has been non-existent for a considerable time.

Blackpool MD to join Stagecoach 

Blackpool Transport Managing Director Steven Burd is appointed as the new Stagecoach Warwickshire Managing Director, and will take up his post ‘early in the new year’.

He has been MD at Blackpool Transport since 2002, where he has managed and developed a successful and respected company.

He began his career as a National Bus Company management trainee in 1980, and worked in South Wales, United Counties, Eastern Counties, Southern National, Eastern National and Thamesway. From 1992 to 1994, he was Stagecoach Cumberland Operations Director, then Arriva North East Commercial Director, until he joined Blackpool Transport.

Stagecoach UK Bus Managing Director Les Warneford says: “Steven brings with him extensive knowledge, experience and a successful record, and I am pleased to welcome him back to Stagecoach.”

He succeeds Phil Medlicott, who has taken up the position of Managing Director of Stagecoach’s Kent and Hastings business.

Revised services in the Bledlow-High Wycombe area

SERVICE CHANGES 104

With effect from MONDAY 5^th JANUARY 2009, bus services from Ibstone, Radnage, Cadmore End and Wheeler End will be revised. 

A new service 104, to be run by Red Rose Travel, will replace services 101, 102 and 103. It will run everyday, Mondays to Fridays, to High Wycombe bus station.  There is no Saturday or Sunday service. 

This new service will leave Ibstone at 1012, Radnage at 1028, Cadmore End at 1041 and Wheeler End at 1045.  The return journey will leave High Wycombe at 1400. 

Services 101, 102, 103 are withdrawn and there will no longer be a service to Marlow, although connections can be made in High Wycombe with frequent services to Marlow and Henley. 

As part of these changes, there will no longer be any services to the Hambleden Valley, including Turville, Fingest and Frieth, following consistently low usage from these areas. 

Revised fares will also be in operation from this date. 

SERVICE CHANGES 105

With effect from MONDAY 5^th JANUARY 2009, bus services from Bledlow Ridge, Bledlow, Saunderton and Bradenham will be revised. 

Services 105 & 106 will continue to run into High Wycombe daily, Monday to Friday, but the timetable will be revised. Red Rose Travel will now run these services. There will be no Saturday or Sunday service. 

There will continue to be departures from High Wycombe bus station at 1700 and 1745. 

Passengers from Saunderton and Bradenham should be aware that there is also a service 321 which runs through the villages at 0905 and 0909 respectively, and will arrive in High Wycombe earlier than the first 106 bus. 

Return tickets purchased on the 321 will be valid on the 105 and 106. 

Revised fares will also be in operation from this date. 

National Express crash driver jailed

A coach driver has been jailed for five years and banned from driving for three years, for causing a crash on the M4/M25 slip road on 3 January 2007, that killed three passengers and seriously injured dozens more.

Phillip Rooney, 49, of Carluke, Scotland, was sentenced today. He pleaded guilty at Oxford Crown Court to three counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

The court heard that Mr Rooney, driving a Parks of Hamilton Neoplan Skyliner on National Express service 592 to Aberdeen, was making a safety announcement, while negotiating the 40mph bend at 55mph.

The coach clipped a barrier and Rooney tried to correct its path by steering away but lost control. The vehicle skidded around and began travelling sideways before striking a crash barrier and toppling onto its side.

An investigation found that taking the bend at any speed over 45mph would be dangerous and posed a serious risk to the vehicle becoming unstable and the driver losing control.

Salter’s Steamers

I read a most pleasant article on this company which operates cruises on the Thames and still has many older boats in use. When the warmer days come this would make a nice change from riding on buses and trains. 

http://www.salterssteamers.co.uk/

Depot pictures 

Keith Shayshutt writes "In answer to your plea for more photos of local depots I attach three photos I took of the Arriva depot at Garston, Watford yesterday. There's one of the entrances at each end and one overall one."

That ex Hull Scania at Excel Stansted by Alistair Liddle

I note with a great deal of interest the photograph of the Ex Hull Scania of Excel Stansted in the current page and the thing that jumped out at me was the paint job, a copy of Lothian's Airport Express livery perhaps?

TVAC of Leyland from Pete Maguire

TVAC based in Leyland have been making low-floor community buses in recent years.  As they have now gone into liquidation I was wondering if you knew of anybody/company who operates them in service as I would like to see one and get some pictures. 

Pictureview

Some changes within the Terravision operation have seen this coach, which I believe once was in Terravision livery, given Excalibur livery.
It is however still on Terravision work but in the coming summer who knows?

Gavin sent this picture of a VDL double deck coach from Hayton's on a National Express 540 working into London Victoria.

They are out there, a recent picture at Stansted of a VOSA-HMC check on vehicles at the airport.

Luton Bus Station that was and now is seen through the lens of Matt Robinson.

The influx of Polish migrant workers to the UK created a demand for capacity met by Orbis, a Polish operator, in the above scenario
of a direct service to Stansted from West London.

London goes green - pictures by Gavin Francis.

Westbus is a well known company in the UK and operate this Volvo seen at Luton by Gavin Francis.

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