Pete Edgar writes that DK57OPY has broken down at least three times in the end week of October, being replaced on Tuesday 30.10.12. with MPD dart Y843TGH.

On Thursday  01.11.12. MPD Y847TGH was out and about and finally Friday afternoon Dart Y803TGH saw service in High Wycombe.

All these buses operated on service 27 to Lance Way and Cotswold Way

Photo by Pete Cabin

Jottings

Arriva begins to operate four contracts in the Netherlands

12 December 2012

Leading European passenger transport operator Arriva has this week begun four new regional contracts in the Netherlands.

The contracts, which began on Sunday (9 December) include bus services in north and south west Friesland, including on the island of Schiermonnikoog; bus services in the country’s South Holland province, and the Achterhoek Rivierenland and Vechtdallijnen rail contracts.

In total Arriva is introducing nearly 400 new buses and 38 new trains to serve the contracts. The revenue, over the life of the contracts, is around €2.5bn. Some 1,800 new employees are transferring to Arriva.

The north and south west Friesland andSouth Holland bus contracts both operate for eight years with a further two-year extension option.

The north and south west Friesland contract was awarded by the Province of Fryslan, and involves the operation of 190 buses providing urban, inter-urban and rural services, which will complement Arriva’s existing bus and rail services in the province.

As part of the contract, Arriva will continue to operate its services on the island of Schiermonnikoog, where it is the sole operator.

The South Holland contract, including 230 new buses, adds to Arriva’s strong presence in the province where it already operates bus, rail and waterbus services within the Drechsteden, Alblasserwaard, Vijfheerenlanden and the Hoeksche Waard regions.

The rail element of the Achterhoek Rivierenland  contract also began this week, the bus element having begun in 2010. Services operate between Arnhem and Winterswijk, Zutphen and Winterswijk, and Tiel to Arnhem. The rail contract has a 10-year term with an option for a five-year extension. TheVechtdallijnen rail services - between Zwolle and Emmen - will be operated by Arriva until 2027.

Arriva is delivering real improvements in all four of these concessions. A network of new ticketing kiosks will help customers purchase tickets and travel cards. Timetables have also been overhauled and will offer customers more late-night journeys and more frequent services – for both bus and rail. In addition:

- For South Holland, each of the new low-emission buses is equipped with wi-fi and offers free transport for bikes; new timetables integrate the new bus services with existing multi-modal networks in the region and new travel shops have been opened.

- In north and south west Friesland, timetable improvements include better multi-modal connections in Leeuwarden, Heerenveen, Veenwouden, Outpost, Franker and Sneek. Arriva also offers free wi-fi on coach services and free bike transport.

- For Achterhoek Riverienland, passengers benefit from new trains with free wi-fi, and additional journey times in the early morning and late evenings on the Tiel to Apeldoorn services.

- New trains, limited stop services, additional services plus free wi-fi are some of the improvements to the Vechtdallijnen service.

David Martin, chief executive of Arriva plc, said: “These are important contracts which enable us to integrate many of our existing operations and offer a comprehensive service for customers".

Arriva UK Bus unveils first of 21 new carbon neutral buses

Arriva has unveiled the first of a new fleet of carbon neutral buses which will bring eco-friendlier travel to some of the European transport operators’ UK bus routes.

The bus, which was showcased at the Eurobus Expo 2012 show at the National Exhibition Centre this week, is part of a £4.2 million investment which will see the introduction of 21 MAN EcoCity gas powered buses into service.

The buses, which are powered by gas generated from landfill household waste, were purchased following a successful trial of the technology in the North West earlier this year.

The 21 buses will roll into service at the start of 2013 and will contribute to Arriva’s strategy to reduce the impact of its operations on the environment.

The gas buses are part of a wider £26.7million investment in new, environmentally-friendlier buses by Arriva UK Bus. This includes Europe’s largest ever order of 153 diesel-electric hybrid technology buses, which will be used both as part of Arriva’s Transport for London fleet and across its UK regional bus businesses.

Mike Cooper, managing director of Arriva UK Bus, said: “As one of the largest bus companies in the UK we are committed to leading the way when it comes to using technology to deliver solid benefits to our customers, the environment and our stakeholders.

“The buses have been specially designed for the UK market and, as they run on Bio-gas, provide a carbon neutral solution to the environmental challenges we face as a transport provider in the 21st century.

“The 21 new gas buses and our order of 153 hybrid vehicles is only one element of our strategy for reducing our environmental impact. We have also invested in technological solutions to improve driver efficiency, training to raise awareness amongst staff, and created an upgraded roll-out plan to improve the energy usage of our depots across the UK.”

Arriva already has substantial experience in Europe with gas buses operating in Scandinavia and the Netherlands.

The gas will be provided by members of the Gas Bus Alliance. This recently formed organisation aims to support vehicle makers, dealers and operators with advice on all aspects of running low-emission Compressed Natural Gas Vehicles. The GBA says that by bringing together expertise in a single alliance, it offers the transport sector one point of contact for CNG vehicle support.

Mike Cooper added: “The improvements and investments Arriva is making now are just one step towards our overall objective of reducing the carbon footprint of bus travel while providing quality, reliable services for people who want to make greener travel choices. The future will see further investment to reinforce our commitment to a greener future, as we look to continue to lead the way in this increasingly important issue for the bus industry.”

The gas buses will be used as part of Arriva’s UK bus operations in the North East and North West of England.

STAGECOACH INVESTS £3.2M IN FLEET OF BRITAIN’S BIGGEST COACHES FOR MEGABUS.COM NETWORK IN UK

Stagecoach, on 2 November 2012, announced a £3.2m investment in a fleet of Britain’s biggest coaches as it continues to meet growing demand for its market-leading inter-city travel service megabus.com.

A fleet of 11 15m-long coaches equipped with free Wi-Fi will be delivered in December and introduced on megabus.com routes covering Scotland and England.

Megabus.com now covers around 60 locations across the UK and carries around 5 million passengers a year.

Manufactured by Scottish-based Alexander Dennis Limited, the Plaxton Elite i coaches have 75 seats, offering more than 20% extra capacity than a standard 15m vehicle and more luggage space.

They provide roll-on level access for wheelchair users and other passengers with disabilities, eliminating the need for a special lift, and also feature tinted double-glazing and a toilet.

The vehicles will operate mainly on two routes: Glasgow - Edinburgh - Newcastle - Sheffield – London; and Preston - Manchester – London. They may also be used on some London - Leeds and London - Exeter - Plymouth services.

Included in the order is a coach in a special metallic version of the megabus.com livery to mark the 10th anniversary of the budget service in 2013.

Ian laing, General Manager for megabus.com, said: “Demand for great value inter-city travel just keeps on growing, especially with the rising cost of owning and running a car and the further stretch on household budgets. These new state-of-the-art coaches will deliver more capacity on key routes we operate in the UK.

"We have worked closely with Plaxton over the past 10 months on developing this new model. It sets new standards of accessibility for our customers with impaired mobility, as well as offering great comfort all round. The new fleet will also provide even greener travel for our customers and a lower carbon footprint for our business."

The Elite i higher-capacity coach will deliver lower per passenger emissions than standard coaches. Powered by a 10.8-litre Euro 5 engine, the vehicle is based on a tri-axle Volvo B11RT underframe.

TRIPLE SUCCESS FOR GO-AHEAD AT BUS OPERATOR EXCELLENCE AWARDS

09 November 2012

Go-Ahead Group current and former staff were among the winners at this year's prestigious Route One Operator Excellence Awards.

Steve Prewett of Go South Coast won the Bus Engineer of the Year award, with the judges citing his deep passion for the performance of the entire business, his pride in the presentation of the company's buses and his focus on satisfying the customer.

Louisa Weeks, who until recently was Operations Director at Oxford Bus Company, won the Bus Manager of the Year award. The judges said Louisa is a "highly regarded senior transport professional who has enhanced an already well-earned reputation by taking forward a textbook example of partnership working with the local authority."

Go North East was also successful, winning the Innovation of the Year award for the Key Lifestyle, a flexible transport package which combines bus, car and travel discounts. The judges commented that the package was "especially appropriate in challenging times...It builds on growing concerns about the cost of car ownership while providing  an integrated solution that also saves passengers money."

David Brown, Group Chief Executive of Go-Ahead said: "Many congratulations to Steve and  Louisa who have been rightly recognised for their commitment in their respective fields.  I am delighted that Go North East's Lifestyle product was deemed a worthy winner too, with the company recognised for its innovation and its achievement in bringing together  in one product a wider choice of transport options for passengers ”.

Double awards success for Stagecoach

08 Nov 2012

• Stagecoach Manchester named Large Bus Operator of the Year
• Innovation award for megabus.com overnight sleeper coach

Transport operator Stagecoach is celebrating after its businesses scooped two top honours at the 2012 Route One Operator Excellence Awards.

Stagecoach Manchester was named Large Bus Operator the Year at the Birmingham ceremony last night (Wednesday 7 November) while the megabus.com overnight sleeper coach won the Coach Innovation of the Year honour.

Stagecoach Group was also shortlisted for the Green Award at this year's event and Stagecoach Manchester Engineering Director Peter Sumner was named as a finalist in the Bus Engineer of the Year category.

Winning the Large Bus Operator of the Year title, Stagecoach's Manchester operation was praised by judges for the consistent passenger growth it has achieved through continuing innovation, good customer service, vehicle presentation and the use of new technology. Stagecoach Manchester - which recently announced plans to acquire private operator Bluebird as well as FirstGroup's Wigan bus business - currently employs 1,850 staff and operates 630 buses, carrying around 100million passengers a year.

The company has increased passenger numbers by 24% over the past 10 years through a series of innovations including the introduction of smart ticketing, the use of hybrid-electric vehicles, the launch of new routes and the construction of a state-of-the-art, green depot at Sharston.

Stagecoach Manchester Managing Director Christopher Bowles said: "To be recognised by our peers is a reflection of everyone's hard work and dedication. We strive to ensure that our passengers receive the best possible service, which includes offering a greener, cleaner journey.

"We look forward to continuing our success in 2013 and further improving our service offering, which includes launching 40 more eco-friendly hybrid buses."

The sleeper coach, which is operated through the Scottish Citylink joint venture between Stagecoach and international transport group ComfortDelGro, scooped the Coach Innovation of the Year award after establishing itself as a successful new transport option for people travelling overnight between Glasgow and London.

The service was launched in October 2011 and offers fares between £1 and £40*. It provides a direct, non-stop service between the two cities and offers passengers a bunk bed as well as a seat for their journey. The sleeper coaches, which operate one journey in each direction every night, have been specially converted to provide 24 berths and 24 seats. Customers also benefit from free wi-if, as well as a duvet and pillow and refreshments during their journey.

The service has proved popular among passengers, and has operated at 95% capacity since it was launched. Stagecoach has previously announced that it is now working in partnership with Belgian manufacturer Van Hool on a new 15-metre sleeper coach vehicle which would see the vehicle fitted with 55 seats and tables for use during the daytime, with the potential to be converted into 41 bunks for overnight services.

megabus.com General Manager Ian Laing said: "Winning this award is great recognition for everyone involved with the launch of the sleeper coach. More and more people are choosing to travel long distance by coach and this service has shown that, by introducing a new and innovative transport option, it is possible to attract even more people on to greener, smarter coach travel. We are delighted to win this award and I would like to thank all of our staff for their hard work in making this concept a reality."

The Route One Operator Excellence Awards recognises and celebrates excellence among coach, bus and minibus operators across 16 award categories.

At last year's Route One Awards, Stagecoach won the Green Award alongside bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis. In addition, Stagecoach London Engineering Director Darren Roe won the Bus Engineer of the Year Award at the 2011 event.

Stagecoach Group launches Corporate App for Android devices

05 Nov 2012

Stagecoach Group has launched a dedicated version of its corporate app for Android devices.

The new app gives investors, analysts, media and other users quick and easy access to key information about the Group.

Developed by digital corporate communications experts Investis, the new free app follows those already available for iPhone and iPad.

The Stagecoach Group Media and Investor app can be downloaded from Google play here.

It gives users access to a range of corporate content, from the latest company news to financial information and investor presentations.

Android-optimized features include:

·         Detailed share price data

·         Latest news releases

·         Document library with download facility

·         Event calendar

·         Investor Relations contact information

Steven Stewart, Stagecoach Group Director of Communications, said: "The new Android app will open up our digital content to a wider audience. It will help investors, analysts, the media and other stakeholders stay informed anytime, anywhere."

Earlier this year, Stagecoach Group launched of a mobile version of its corporate website, www.m.stagecoach.com.

Stagecoach has also launched a corporate Twitter account, @stagecoachgroup, where the communications team is posting news, comment and images about the business and transport issues.

Stagecoach buys Chester and Wirral

Stagecoach subsidiary Glenvale Transport Ltd, is buying First’s commercial and bus networks in Chester, Wrexham and Birkenhead for £4.5m.

In the year to 31 March 2012, the acquired business had a £11.9m turnover, £1.7m EBITDA and a £600,000 operating profit - a 5% margin.

The deal includes 110 vehicles, 290 staff, the two owned depots at New Chester Road, Rock Ferry and Liverpool Road, Chester; plus a leased out-station at Wrexham.

The operations will become part of Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire, which carries 33m passengers a year and is led by Managing Director Elisabeth Tasker. It runs 300 buses and employs 900 staff

Stagecoach expects the purchase to be completed in December 2012 or January 2013.

First sells Wigan to Stagecoach for £12m

Photo: New plaque required: the opening of the new £6million Wigan bus depot by First last year, with Dave Alexander and (now senior) traffic commissioner Beverley Bell.

FirstGroup has sold its Wigan bus operations to Stagecoach for £12million. The sale is part of what First describes as the “repositioning” of its UK bus business and it follows a similar deal in North Devon in the spring, which Stagecoach backed out of when the Office of Fair Trading took an interest in the deal. 

Tim O'Toole, FirstGroup chief executive, says: "The sale of our Wigan bus business marks continued progress in our programme of selected asset and business disposals as we review the scope and scale of our UK Bus portfolio and reposition it for the longer term. With a clear focus we are working through a detailed plan to recover performance in our UK Bus division and equip the business to achieve sustainable growth and improved returns." 

The Wigan business operates 120 buses, employees 300 people and in the year to 31 March made an operating profit of £1.5million on turnover of £13.2million. Around 20 of the vehicles are owned by Transport for Greater Manchester, primarily for use on school contracts.

Stagecoach currently operates 630 buses in the Greater Manchester area, but mainly to the south of the city. The Wigan operation will become part of the Stagecoach Manchester business when the deal is completed in December. Stagecoach is informing the OFT of the deal, but notes that Wigan is a new area of operation for the company and that there should be no issues with competition. 

A correspondent has been doing some research into the Wigan fleet which looks like this:
 
·         9 Dennis Arrows P and R
·         10 Olympians P and R
·         10 Volvo B9TL 07-plate (the newest buses there)
·         13 Dart SLF all R
·         21 Optare Excel all P and R
·         22 Volvo B10BLE R and S
·         13 Volvo B7RLE 05 and 55-plate, 1 06 plate (newest saloons)
·         20 assorted TfGM school buses, including the extremely dodgy new Versas.
 
Basically 100 buses, all but 23 of which are utterly life-expired. The 19 deckers will surely be dealt with by cascades from Ashton and Hyde Rd of 06/56-plate E400s, which are due to move away anyway, I’d say that would be near immediate. That leaves need for some newer Darts, this shouldn’t be a huge problem, it’s the 43 salons that need urgent attention, starting with the Excels which are surely among the worst buses ever designed? So suspect there will be two blocks of E300s delivered with about 12 months between them.
 
Mid life B7RLEs are getting reasonable values so wonder if First will buy them back? Saying that if theres other First stock coming Stagecoach’s way that may make them a bit less non-standard. 

Lost coach concessions to hit NEx profits

National Express has warned that the loss of £15 million of annual concessionary coach travel income will have an impact on the group's profits this year. 

In an interim management statement covering the third quarter of 2012 the company notes: “This has been a difficult year for the UK Coach business. The withdrawal of the government’s concessionary scheme has severely affected the affordability of travel for our senior citizen passengers, with a million fewer concessionary journeys expected in 2012.

“To offset this, we have invested in our network, adding new routes and frequencies, with non-concessionary revenue on the express coach business up 1 per cent year-to-date. With intense price competition on competing rail journeys, we have discounted fares through the summer, driving stronger non-concessionary volume growth, up 4 per cent year-to-date and fully offsetting the concessionary passenger shortfall for the first time in September. Olympic-related contract work also benefited the third quarter; however we expect the majority of the £15 million annual concessionary income loss to impact profit in the current year.”

NatEx says that ridership on its UK Bus business is stable, with commercial revenue up 3 per cent in the year to date.

Budapest bus contracts strengthen Arriva’s Hungarian presence

Hungarian bus operator VT Transman, a joint venture between Arriva and Videoton Holding, has won two eight-year bus contracts operating across Budapest, Hungary’s capital city.

The contracts are the first to be awarded on a new tender basis by Budapesti Közlekedési Központ. They will begin to operate from 1 May 2013 and include the potential to extend for a further two years. The services will operate in the North Pest area of the city. Revenue from the contracts will be €29 million a year.

The contracts add to VT Transman’s presence in Hungary where it provides regional, urban and contracted bus operations, currently with 225 buses and 450 employees.

Passengers will benefit from an investment in excess of €40 million in 150 new Mercedes Citaro buses for the contracts, consisting of 12 metre and articulated vehicles. All vehicles will feature passenger information systems, air conditioning and infotainment.

Combined, the contracts will see Arriva and Videoton operate an additional 11.5 million kilometers a year and employ an additional 500 people. The contracts will operate from the existing depot and a new depot in Budapest.

Dominic Palleschi, director - Eastern Europe, at Arriva, said: “These are the first contracts of their kind in Budapest. They allow the transport authority to provide an upgraded, modern fleet for its passengers, significantly improving the travel experience.

“The Hungarian transport market is opening to competitive tender and we are well positioned to work closely with the client body and to advise as they establish the best solutions for their local transport needs.”

The contracts will begin on 1 May 2013 in a phased introduction over a three-month period.

Arriva entered the Hungarian bus market in 2008 where VT Transman is the country’s largest private sector bus operator. It has been operating sub-contracted services in Budapest since 1999.

The contract wins strengthen Arriva’s presence in mainland Europe where it operates a range of passenger transport services in 11 countries in addition to the UK.

Baker announces Green Bus Fund No. 4

An extra £20m is being made available for the Government’s Green Bus Fund, Transport Minister Norman Baker announced on the first morning of the Euro Bus Expo show at the NEC.

And, in a second boost for low carbon buses in England, Mr Baker launched a toolkit to allow local authorities and bus operators to make informed decisions on investing in carbon cutting buses.

The £20 million funding will part fund 300 buses, according to Mr Baker. It will be the fourth round of the English Green Bus Fund, bringing the total support for this initiative to £95 m since its launch.

The additional funding has been found from an underspend in the Department for Transport’s budget and those wishing to buy green buses will be apple to apply for the round four support this financial year. Mr Baker promised that details on the bidding process and eligibility will be published soon on the department’s website.

Optare CEO quits

Optare CEO and Director Jim Sumner is leaving the AIM-listed plc on 31 December.

Making the surprise announcement, Optare says: “Jim now feels that the time is right for him to move on and pursue other business interests.”

The Board has started the search for a replacement.

Until one is located, Non-Executive Director Per Gustav Nilsson will become interim CEO. Mr Nilsson “has considerable experience in the industry,” says Optare, having been MD of Scania CIS, followed by four years as MD of MAN Russia.

Glenn Saint will continue in his role as Chief Technical Officer and also act as deputy CEO.

In a statement Optare says: “Jim joined the Board in June 2009 with the objective of managing the turnaround of the business. 

“From a challenging position, the Board believes that all the principal objectives of that turnaround have been substantially achieved in terms of restructuring, new factory investment, low carbon product developments and refinancing.”

Chairman John Fickling says: “Jim has done an outstanding job in turning the business around from what was an extremely difficult position in June 2009. We sincerely thank him for his unwavering leadership, clear direction and total dedication.” 

Stagecoach expands megabus.com North American network to California and Nevada

• Budget coach brand to run out of eight new locations
• Network now covers 120 destinations in United States and Canada
• Expanding low-cost coach service has now created more than 1,000 new jobs

Stagecoach Group announced today (28 November 2012) that it is expanding the North American network run by its market-leading budget coach operator megabus.com to the major states of California and Nevada.

New express coach services will start running from 12 December to eight new locations in the two states, which have a combined population of around 40 million people, with fares starting from $1.

Bookings are being accepted at www.megabus.com from today, with all fares priced at $1 during the first week of travel from 12 to 19 December.

Services will cover Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, Calif., Riverside, Calif., Las Vegas, Sparks/Reno, Nev., Sacramento, Calif., and San Jose, Calif.

The expansion means more than 120 destinations are now covered by megabus.com in the United States and Canada. It comes only six months after Megabus.com launched a new network of routes in Texas.

More than 80 new jobs will be created with megabus.com’s expansion into Nevada and California, bringing to more than 1,000 the total new employment opportunities created by the company since it started services in North America in 2006.

Dale Moser, President and COO of megabus.com in North America, said: "We’ve seen impressive growth across North America. As well as helping connect people across the United States and Canada, we've also created hundreds of new jobs. We are confident that our 21st century double-decker buses with Wi-Fi and power outlets, combined with our outstanding prices, will prove popular with people in California and Nevada."

Megabus.com has also partnered with Clean Air-Cool Planet, a national non-profit organisation that works to reduce carbon emissions and help create a sustainable environment. For every new Facebook friend and Twitter follower added on 28 November, megabus.com will donate $1 to Clean Air-Cool Planet.

More than 22 million customers have travelled with megabus.com in North America since April 2006. Customers can travel on state-of-the-art, green-certified double-decker buses, which are wheelchair accessible and have free Wi-Fi, power outlets, seatbelts and toilets.

In the UK, megabus.com now covers around 60 locations and carries around 5 million passengers a year. Earlier this month, Stagecoach announced a £3.2m investment in a fleet of Britain’s biggest coaches to meet growing demand for its market-leading inter-city travel service.

A fleet of 11 15m-long coaches equipped with free wi-fi will be delivered in December and introduced on megabus.com routes covering Scotland and England. Included in the order is a coach in a special metallic version of the megabus.com livery to mark the 10th anniversary of the budget service in 2013.

megabus.com has also recently launched new European websites to make it easier for people to book its cross-Channel services. The new French and Dutch language websites trade in Euros, making it even easier for passengers from across the Channel to grab a bargain coach ticket.

Stagecoach launched the network of low-cost coach services from the UK to Continental Europe in April this year, running daytime and overnight coach services between its main hub in London and destinations in France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Visit www.megabus.com for additional information about the service, schedules, arrival and departure times and fares.

Blackpool update by Geoff Cunliffe 

The season draws to an end…. 

In the days leading up to the end of the season, a few items have been highlighted at Blackpool. First, Coronation tram 304 eventually made it to Beamish on 11th. October. Last year, a Marton Vambac with two motors ran there and apparently there were concerns about its high current consumption. Wonder what they made of 304 with its four motors? As an aside, Beamish managed to scrape a corner panel of 304 in an argument with a replica Northern 1913 Daimler bus.  

On a weekly basis throughout the season, there have been copious complaints in the local paper that there were not enough of the new trams running, leading to excessive gaps between the cars and, when one arrived at your stop, it was crowded to the gunnels with scant chance of you being able to board. One is tempted to say they have been victims of their own success, but why has nobody reacted to the problem? 

Having spent the season saying “it’s a learning curve”, with the modified Balloons (i.e. fitted with wider, plug type doors for the new loading platforms) hidden away at the back of the old depot, it was announced that, at the end of the season, they would be operating in service to supplement the Flexities for half-term week. This happened for the week commencing 29th. October, with about five in service each day, much to the relief of angry and frustrated potential travellers who had taken to the parallel buses instead. 

The Balloons mostly ran from the Pleasure Beach to Little Bispham,- a curious northerly destination given the track at Bispham has been relayed at least twice to cope with the turning of short-working trams. Some bunching did occur but sensible decisions about even shorter workings were taken to correct this as much as  possible. 

I understand there is a pool of about nine modified Balloons available, all of which performed pretty well although one developed a brake compressor problem. Those available were 700, 707, 709, 711, 713, 718, 719, 720 (which sustained door damaged some time ago) & 724. 

All in all, the use of these extra cars was considered to be a success, again leading to many questions as to why it had taken so long for this sensible action to be taken. Even so, there was the occasional complaint that even more could have been used in service except that there weren’t enough suitably qualified drivers! 

Right at the end of the season, Flexity 002 returned to Blackpool, having been back in Germany for warranty work for many months.  

And so, on the 5th. November, the season officially finished, the illuminations were switched off and schools went back. The Flexities adopted the first version of the winter’s timetable, which is available to download at

http://www.blackpooltransport.com/LRTSGFW.aspx

Also significantly, it is now a year since the proper Blackpool trams ceased, after 126 years.

To say the first season of the new Bombardier cars has been a success would not be true because, as I have mentioned frequently, there have been a massive number of complaints that there were not enough of the new trams in service. Residents and visitors alike have both used the local paper to vent their wrath on Blackpool Transport which seems to have failed to realize the fundamental principal that the trams should be run for the convenience of their passengers,- not the crews or the schedulers.

As the pressure comes off the system for a while, the track gangs are already out and about checking for any work which is required. There are also some strange tram movements with some of the older vehicles appearing at the new Starr Gate depot, although nobody seems to have discovered why at this stage. Both attached pictures are courtesy of the Buses, Train, Traction Engine and Tram blog at

http://busestractionengines.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/heritage-trams-at-starr-gate.html

and are reproduced with their permission.

Blackpool out of season is a very different place - you might even find a free seat on a tram now!

Update for end of the year

Announced on 7th. December is an arrangement to try to persuade motorists to use the trams as a Park-and-Ride facility. You can use the Gynn Square car park or South Promenade on-street parking bays between Starr Gate and Manchester Square after 10am for 20p all day. That is cheaper than the usual ridiculous on-street parking charge of £1 per hour which is used to “encourage” visitors during the summer season. A family tram ticket at £5 (normally £9) will give all day travel on the trams but not buses. The offer runs until 4th. January

Also today, a photograph showing Balloon tram 701 fitted with a snowplough sat in the old depot in readiness for nature’s worst. Next to it is Balloon 717 still in heritage livery. Although not obvious from the photograph, reproduced from the Buses Train Traction Engine and Tram Blog at http://busestractionengines.blogspot.co.uk/ (reproduced with permission), 701 is fittingly painted yellow like the Council utility vehicles frequently used to keep our roads open.

 8th. December, 2012:-

The Santa Specials, run by BTS using the Prarie Train, have not had a good start. The tram set runs from the Pleasure Beach to Little Bispham loop and back. It is timed to run at 10am, 11.30am and 2pm. The first run had no passengers and the second attracted only one family. It is suspected that the fact you have to book in advance doesn’t help. You can always visit the Santa Express website at http://www.blackpooltransport.com/westerntrain.aspx for more details. Later it was reported that the second weekend of operation was also vey poorly patronized. 

10th. December, 2012:-

Flexity 002 has returned to use, five weeks after it returned from Bombardier in Germany where it has received upgrades, modifications and, allegedly, considerable warranty work. It was on driver training duties this afternoon and went as far north as Bispham, pausing for some while on the centre track there before returning south. This is the point which used to be used for turning short workings although they now appear to run on to Little Bispham with its full turning loop. 

Other sad news to filter through is that the tram museum proposed for the former Copse Road, Fleetwood depot looks to have fallen through due to the withdrawal of promised  money by the local Council. Clearly this leaves a question mark over the future of the trams which the Friends of Fleetwood Trams have acquired. Storing preserved buses can be difficult enough but at least they can move under their own power. Storing a tramcar is a very different ball game. However, a mole has leaked to me that there is an alternative proposal which is subject to an embargo. I’ll let you know as soon as I do. 

17th. December, 2012:-

Although not Blackpool news, many bus services on their way to or from the town pass through the iconic Preston Bus Station. It has been announced today that it is to be demolished, despite a long campaign to save it. It was built in 1969 and was designed by my late cousin, the architect Keith Ingham. At that time, it was the largest in Europe. It is 171m, long, has nine levels and contains 1,100 car parking spaces. 

It has been said that the cost of revamping it could be as high as £23m, but cynics will remember how inflated the possible cost from British Rail for repairing the Ribblehead Viaduct on the Settle-Carlisle line some years ago. That particular area of Preston is due for a complete revamp but their grand bells-and-whistles scheme fell apart last year as proposed, big-named tenants for the refurbished shops pulled out. The only ray of hope is that the Council has said it will talk to any potential investor interested in the building - and one, anonymous one has already come forward.

 
Tram 700 in its renewed guise being launched at Starr Gate.

Route 24 in London

On Saturday 10th November LRT Rte 24 transferred from being operated by Go Ahead to Metroline.

The route dates from 1910 when it ran between Hampstead Heath and Victoria and in August 1912 was extended to Pimlico. These termini have remained unchanged to the present date making it the oldest unchanged bus route in London.

The 24 was selected to be the first Central London route using front entrance rear engine buses with the introduction of the XA class in 1965.

It was also the first Central London route to be awarded to a private company under the tendering process when on the 5th November 1988 Grey Green took over the route using Alexander bodied Volvos.

Metroline originally ran the route from November 2002 to November 2007 and in 2006 it became the first operator to use the Enviro 400 on a Central London route. The 24 was then lost to Go Ahead before being regained this month.

Trips & Events

Caribbean 2012 by Andrew Webb

The pictures relate to a trip to the Caribbean during Summer 2012. 

Public transport in Barbados is provided by three different organisations, all centered on the island's capital of Bridgetown.
 
The government owned Barbados Transport Board runs services using a fleet of Mercedes O500s with either Busscarr Urbanuss bodies or, as illustrated here Marcopolo Torino bodies.  Smaller buses appear in the form of Hino Roadrunners.  Many of the services leave from the central bus station, the departure gate corresponding with the the service number!

Private operators have joined together to operate in a similar way to Malta and run a selection of midibus sized vehicles in a yellow livery with blue relief.  A Hino Roadrunner is pictured here on the edge of Bridgetown.

Finally taxi vans ply the roads, picking up passengers on demand.  Known locally as "ZRs" (after their registration series) they are invariably Japanese minibuses.

The beautiful volcanic island of St Lucia holds little in the way of interest to bus enthusiasts.  The service is centered on the capital Castries and operated by Japanese minivans.   The services did, however, appear to be managed by a rather larger (and more distant) authority, if the bus stops were to be believed!

Bus services on Antigua are provided by owner drivers.  Services are centered on the capital of St John's, arriving and departing from a bus station on the edge of the CBD.  Drivers are restricted to one route, indicated by a small route number in the windscreen (about the size of a tax disc).  Timetables work in one of three ways:

1. The bus leaves when it is full
2. The bus goes when the driver is ready
3. The bus goes covers the route as many times as possible in a day.

Which operating schedule is followed depends on what the driver wants to do!

Routes follow the main roads, with frequent pauses and / or diversions (often in reverse) along side roads to pick up intending passengers as and when they are spotted.
 
Most vehicles are once again Japanese minivans typified by BUS289 parked in a side street in St John's The "20" in the windscreen is the permit allowing it to be used on route 20.  Some more interesting vehicles are used.  Pictured laying over in St John's bus station is a vehicle manufactured by ACME in Barbados, this used on route 22. The largest and most luxurious vehicle used is this Chinese manufactured Higer preparing to depart St Johns for Coolidge.

Finally, a very pleasant surprise.  Close to the hotel I discovered a fish and chip shop, in a Bristol Lodekka! Inevitably marketed as a "traditional London bus" it is now the static home to Shell's Fish and Chip restaurant at Sugar Ridge Depot, Valley Road.  A visit one morning found very friendly staff who were happy for me to explore the bus, but who knew little of its history.  Apparently it is one of two imported by Alan Stamford, now in jail for fraud.  Internet research suggests one is now in use as a mobile bank, whilst this chip shop would appear to be former Bristol Omnibus C7037 205NAE.

Mike Walker visits the Looe Branch and sees steam and old buses

Railmotor, GWR 93, was built in 1908 but converted to a conventional push-pull trailer in 1934 - It has been restored by the guys at Didcot 121112 M Walker

As promised a few images from the Railmotor event on the Looe branch yesterday. In the event two buses were used in case of overcrowding although most chose to use their cars to get to the few photos spots along this picturesque but deeply wooded branch (me included!). The two were the advertised  WN 137, FJ8967, which I'm told is a 1933 Bristol H5G with 1942 Bristol body and 420, 270KTA, a 1960 Bristol SUL4A. The latter brought back memories of the old TV (ex-WN) SUS's on the 18 as I had to follow it up the hill out of Sandplace at little more than walking pace - just like following up Quarry Woods out of Bisham!

Western National 137 FJ8967 at Liskeard 121112 M Walker

 
Western National 420 270KTA at Liskeard 121112 M Walker

The shots were all taken in the yard at Liskeard station as that was the only opportunity I got - the Railmotor being the prime target and a few shots of that at Terras Crossing and Looe are include in case you want to show your readers what all the fuss was about.

 
Railmotor, GWR 93, was built in 1908 but converted to a conventional push-pull trailer in 1934 - It has been restored by the guys at Didcot 121112 M Walker

The Railmotor, GWR 93, was built in 1908 but converted to a conventional push-pull trailer in 1934. It has been restored by the guys at Didcot and the 0-4-0 vertical boilered steam engine is all-new. After some initial problems, a vacuum brake glitch at Terras on the first Looe-bound run, and stalling on the climb from Coombe Junction back up to Liskeard on the first return run because some clown had left the handbrake partly applied (!), it all went quite well and both FGW and the GWS appeared well pleased with events. It will be repeated next weekend in lieu of last weekend  (3rd Nov) when it had to be cancelled because the diesel which was to haul it from Bodmin to Liskeard broke down at Westbury on its way from Southall. Mark Hopwood, FGW MD, said he'd left West Coast Railway's management in no doubt of the calamitous consequences he'd bring down on them if the fouled up this week! His closing words to me yesterday were: "we must do this again".

If, and it's a big IF, the weather forecast for next Sunday is for blitzing blue skies (it was for yesterday, but wasn't) I might hop on 1C05 (with my FGW pass it doesn't cost me) and use the vintage bus to get to spots and have another go. That way I might get some shots of 137 on the road - it's a "real" bus, I can't get so enthusiastic about the SU. 

Pictureview

London Interlude and variety

Go London WVL118 overall IPod 261112 G Francis

LG E228 in full IPod wrap 111211 G Francis

Abellio 9543 r C2 overall for IPod 261112 G Francis

Arriva DW250 r 38 overall for Hangzhou China 261112 G Francis

London United TLA15 Overall for Thailand 311012 G Francis

 
Arriva LT1 r 38 Victoria 191112 M Crowe

Arriva LT4 r 38 Victoria 191112 M Crowe

Arriva LT5 r 38 Victoria 191112 M Crowe

First RM1562 which for some reason has had its fleet number changed to RM39862 191112 M Crowe

Arrival from Romania

 
TransMarian Skyliner arrival in London from Romania 1 271012 M Crowe

Other interesting vehicles

Omega YN55PXA was NEx C009 then based at Birmingham now seen at Oxpens 101112 G Francis

Incident at Stansted 061212 G Francis

Surprise Leyland still in revenue service.
Regal Busways ex-Hedingham Leyland Lynx J295TWK on route 5 at Stansted on 141212 by G Francis

Regal Busways H263GEV 1204 seen at Stansted 061212 G Francis

New to Docklands Transit !
Regal Busways N414MBW acquired from Stagecoach in 2009 seen at Stansted 081212 G Francis

J L Coaches from High Wycombe seen at Victoria.

Seen at Binders Yard, High Wycombe

Binders Yard ex Jersey J1942 121112 G Francis

Binders Yard ex COMS 332 - 332RJO seen on 121112 by G Francis
and in earlier times (1970s) outside the Cowley Road depot..

Routemaster variety at Binders Yard on 121112 by G Francis

Another Jersey bus, J46655, a Bristol LH made into a converted seaside runabout. Gavin Francis.

YBK338V at Binders Yard on 121112 last seen in February 2011 -  G Francis

Links & Publications

Thames Valley - final part now available

THE FINAL VOLUME IS NOW AVAILABLE,

SO ORDER YOUR COPY AT THIS OFFER PRICE WITHOUT DELAY!

RETAIL PRICE £25

ORDER NOW FOR £20+ £3 p&p

This final installment of the 4-volume 800-page history of the Thames Valley Traction Co. Ltd. brings the story to its conclusion on the last day of 1971.

All route developments and changes to the fleet are fully detailed, along with special appendices for the service vehicle fleet, garages and out-stations, a route map, garage allocations and working arrangements.

Profusely illustrated with 548 monochrome half-tone illustrations and a full-colour section of 45 photos, this provides a very comprehensive history of this interesting decade, including the numerous secondhand vehicles acquired during those years. Demand will be high, so

order now from: Paul Lacey, 17 Sparrow Close

Woosehill, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG41 3HT

If you are local and wish to collect please call me on 0118 979 4097 and arrange a suitable time, but no casual callers please!

&

Newbury & District History now available

Paul Lacey has now released his long awaited history of Newbury & District.

The book covers the whole history of this fascinating company which although based in Newbury was seen in Oxford, Harwell and many surrounding areas.

A Guy Arab on the Oxford service and seen at Gloucester Green.

Its coaches were often hired by South Midland who ran between Oxford & London and there was quite a lot of interchange between the fleets, when both owned by Red & White.

The company ran from 1932 until 1951 but its memory lingers on within Newbury and recent changes there reflect this.

The book is exceptionally well researched and contains many photographs plus memories and fleet lists of the company and its constituents.

One of the constituent companies was Denham's.

Apart from the archaic Leylands, the company ran some AEC Regals after the war.
These were rebodied with ECOC/ECW bodies purchased from North Western Road Car, Stockport via dealers.
They had been new in 1936 on Bristol Jo5G chassis which were rebodied with Brush bodies in 1946 to a similar design.
Your Editor must have travelled on one of these buses, when in NWRCC service, as a small boy.
They would have doubtless run on service to Highclere, now well known as the house is featured in Downton Abbey.

The cover price is £25.00 but you can get the publication at a special price of £12.50 + £3.00 post and packing for OCBP readers.

Just mention OCBP when ordering from:

Paul Lacey,
17 Sparrow Close
Woosehill
Wokingham
Berkshire RG41 3HT.