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England Manager Capello opens the revamped Coach Station in Birmingham

23/12/2009 By Andrew Morgan Leave a Comment
£15 million revamp for Digbeth Coach Station is complete

£15 million revamp for Digbeth Coach Station is complete

Birmingham’s revamped Digbeth Coach Station was given the seal of approval from England Football Manager, Fabio Capello, who was the guest of honour at the grand opening last week. The Italian was joined by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, National Express staff and a handful of competition winners as the station was declared officially open last Friday.

A football manager may not be the obvious choice of person to open as bus station, but since National Express sponsor the England team, Mr Capello was asked to do the honours.

A few lucky competition winners got a private audience with the Capello where they had the chance to put their questions directly to him. The hot topic of the day seemed to the forthcoming football world cup due to take place in South Africa next year.

The new look coach station took two years to complete and cost a total of £15 million. The general consensus is that the new station is a vast improvement on the old site which had a reputation locally of being more like an old “greasy spoon” than a bus station. Now there is a whole host of modern shops, an information centre, and café, creating a far more welcoming impression than the previous station.

Digbeth Coach Station is now fully operational with the first coach services leaving last week.

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BM Coaches wins the title of Best Coach Hire Company in the South East

22/12/2009 By Kate L Owen Leave a Comment
BM Coaches

BM Coaches was named as the Best Coach Hire Company in the South East at the Transport Broker awards ceremony last Sunday. The title was presented to the firm which had consistently performed brilliantly over the last 12 months in the South East region.

BM Coaches was singled out from many other companies on the basis of its extensive fleet of top quality coaches, and their dedication to providing a superior standard of customer care. The other two operators nominated for the award were Glamour Travel and Bees Travel, both were very strong contenders for the trophy having put in a great deal of hard work throughout 2009.

But there could only be one winner, and this time round it was the turn of BM Coaches. The Middlesex based firm offers a professional coach hire service, providing travel to a wide range of destinations including the whole of the UK and Ireland, and as holders of International Operator Licences, BM also undertakes trips to all European destinations too. The company depot is conveniently located close to Heathrow so as to allow fast and easy access to the Airport, and also travel into central London.

With an excellent fleet of coaches including executive luxury vehicles and smaller well equipped minibuses, BM has a selection of vehicles to impress the best. With on-site engineers working at the company’s base, all coaches are maintained to the very highest level to ensure a high standard of service.

Coach Broker staff and customers have responded positively to their involvements with BM Coaches and the Transport Broker Awards were more than happy to reward this deserving company with a top title.

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National Express coach service comes to the rescue of stranded Eurostar passengers

22/12/2009 By Louise Williams 1 Comment
National Express provide extra coach services after Eurostar passengers are left stranded

National Express provide extra coach services after Eurostar passengers are left stranded

National Express have come to the rescue of stranded Eurostar passengers by laying on extra coaches for its London to Paris Eurolines coach service. The bad weather has played havoc with the Eurostar travel provider with the service resuming only this morning after a 3 day suspension.

The transport operator, National Express which provides both rail and bus travel, said it had been overwhelmed by demand for its seven and a half hour coach service between London and Paris. The 5 extra buses added each day during the travel disruption have provided 250 extra seats on the troubled route.

Eurostar services re-started today with the first train pulling out of London’s St Pancras station at 8 am with some 750 passengers onboard. The operator estimates they’ll be able to transport 26,000 people today, however there is reported to be a backlog of 75,000 travellers waiting to use the service. Those hoping to travel with Eurostar have been told to just turn up as there is no timetable as trains are leaving every hour.

With the disruption looking set to continue in the run up Christmas as more people seek to travel between London and Paris and as the backlog of passengers are cleared, the demand for National Express’ coach service looks set to continue.

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Passengers escape from Romford bus as it goes up in flames

22/12/2009 By Andrew Morgan 1 Comment

 

The number 294 Romford bus experienced an engine fire last Friday
The number 294 Romford bus experienced an engine fire last Friday

Passengers onboard the number 294 double-decker bus in Romford last Friday had to make a swift exit after the vehicle’s engine caught fire, spreading to the rest of the bus.

As the blaze, which started at the engine at the rear of the bus, caught hold both the upper and lower decks were engulfed in flames. Everyone onboard, including the driver and approximately 30 passengers, manage to escape from the bus without injury.

Two fire crews were alerted and the road around the bus was closed for approximately an hour as the fire fighters fought to extinguish the blaze and clear the scene of debris. This caused congestion in the area as traffic built up.

A replacement bus was dispatched to collect the stranded passengers as quickly as possible.

The Romford bus was part of the East London Bus Group (ELBG). The operator has experienced 4 bus fires, including this one, however it is reported that there is no link between all of the incidents.

Dave Flower, who is a former employee of ELBG, heard about the bus fire from a friend who was a witness, he described what happened saying: “The driver pulled up about two metres short of the stop.” He added, “Someone tried to put it out with an extinguisher but it seemed to make it worse. It went up really quickly.”

A spokesman for the ELBG confirmed that a full investigation would be carried out to determine the cause of the fire, adding that the problem could “not be tied down to one fault.”

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Investigation underway after a double-decker school bus has its roof torn off

21/12/2009 By Andrew Morgan 1 Comment
School bus loses roof after colliding with low railway bridge

School bus loses roof after colliding with low railway bridge

An investigation has been launched after a double-decker bus carrying 52 school children from a primary school in Nottinghamshire collided with a railway bridge in Leicester partially tearing off its roof.

Several children onboard and two adults were treated at a nearby hospital for cuts and bruises, however all onboard escaped without sustaining major injures.

The school pupils from Cantrell Primary School in Bulwell were on their way to the New Walk Museum in Leicester when the accident happened. As well as the pupils, several teachers were onboard the bus at the time along with a several parents.

The owner of the bus company, Mike Rogers of AOT Travel, said he was at a loss to explain why the drive took the route he did under a 12ft 3inch railway bridge. He added that the driver was experienced and was driving a vehicle with which he was familiar. Mr Rogers confirmed that a full internal investigation is underway to determine what went wrong. He added that the company would do all it could to help with the inquiry and that their “hearts and thoughts are with the children involved and their families.”

The police questioned the driver following the accident but he has not been arrested.

A spokesman for Leicestershire police said: “The investigation is in early stage, and officers are looking into events that led to the collision.

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460 Mercedes-Benz coaches ordered ahead of the South Africa World Cup

20/12/2009 By Louise Williams Leave a Comment
460 Mercedes-Benz coaches ordered for the South Africa World Cup

Autopax Passenger Service have made an order of 460 coaches to Daimler Buses ahead of the South Africa World Cup 2010. The long distance South African coach operator is expected to take delivery of the first batch of coaches as early as the end of December, with the final delivery being made by April next year.

An East London plant will play an integral part in the manufacturing of the new coaches with many of the parts of the vehicles being sent to the UK plant to be assembled. The facility currently has approximately 50 employees and received a €1 million investment recently, part of which was used to increase the size of the workforce.

The coaches will be manufactured to the very highest standard with every care taken to provide a comfortable ride for passengers. All 52 and 61 seater coaches will be fitted with seat belts as standard. Each coach will have air conditioning installed, plus entertainment equipment including a DVD and MP3 player with monitors and a microphone facility.

The head of Daimler buses admitted he is “delighted” with the contract to supply the coaches, adding, “It shows what a great reputation Mercedes-Benz buses have worldwide and how much confidence our customers have in them. At 460 vehicles, Daimler Buses is delivering by far the largest number of coaches for upcoming top-events in South Africa.”

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Isle of Man trials a bendy bus

19/12/2009 By Tracy Wilcox 1 Comment
Isle of Man trials bendy bus for two weeks

Isle of Man trials bendy bus for two weeks

Transport officials on the Isle of Man are trialling a bendy buses on its busiest route with a view to introducing the vehicle permanently, should it prove successful.

A bendy bus formerly used on the London bus network has been loaned to the Isle of Man by Arriva. The bus is due to become part of the bus route in the area for a two week period, during which, transport officials will access the reaction to the bus, and its performance and compatibility with the transport routes on the Isle of Man.

It is hoped that the introduction of the bendy bus will help ease passenger congestion during peak times. The single-deck vehicle can carry 149 passengers, compared to the 80 passenger capacity of a traditional double-decker bus. Often the operator has to run two buses to cope with demand when school children use the route, with the bendy bus, the authorities believe just one bus will suffice.

It is also believed that the single-deck vehicle will be more convenient for passengers carrying luggage such as suitcases or those with prams and small children as there are no stairs to climb, unlike the double-decker vehicles.

However the reaction from locals has been mixed. Some have expressed concern over the size of the vehicle and fear it may cause disruption for other road users as the vehicle is 18 metres long, making it difficult to overtake. Others have complained that although the bus has the capacity to carry 149 passengers, this does not mean there are 149 seats onboard, and instead many passengers will be forced to stand.

No decision has been made as to whether the buses will be introduced full time.

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Dhillon of London wins Best Coach Hire Company in London

15/12/2009 By Kate L Owen 1 Comment
Dhillon of London named Best Coach Hire Company in London at Transport Broker Awards

One of the most fiercely contended coach categories of the night was won by top transport operator, Dhillon of London. With several excellent firms in the London area vying for the title of Best Coach Hire Company in London, Dhillon beat off serious contenders including Travel Partners, Buzzard Minibus Hire and White Knight Private Hire to pick up the award at last weekends Transport Broker Awards ceremony.

Founded back in the 1970’s under the name Bharat Travel Ltd, the company changed its name to Dhillon of London back in 2005 after being mistaken for other businesses using a similar name. Under the new re-branded name, Dhillon has gone from strength to strength running a top quality fleet of coaches from their base on the outskirts of London.

All of the company coaches, which range in size from 71-seater double-decker coaches to 33-seater mini coaches, are kept on site at the firm’s depot which is conveniently located just minutes from Heathrow airport. Dhillons also enjoy great road links to several major motorways including the M4, M25 and the M40 enabling easy access into London city centre.      

As an approved agent of Coach Broker, Dhillon of London undertake a large number of jobs every year through us. Feedback from our customers is always positive as Dhillons take every care in providing expert drivers with no less than 5 years experience, and maintaining their vehicles to the very highest level with the use of their in-house mechanical team.

Travel with Dhillons, the best coach operator in London, the next time you plan a trip to the capital or beyond.

Unfortunately Dhillon of London were unable to attend the awards ceremony in Cardiff to collect their award due to a family tragedy. Coach Broker would like to extend our best wishes to all at Dhillons in light of the recent sad event.

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Bees Travel scoop Best Minibus trophy at the Transport Broker Awards

15/12/2009 By Kate L Owen Leave a Comment
Bees Travel win the award of Best Minibus at top industry event

Bees Travel win the award for Best Minibus at top industry event

Bees Travel’s 16-seater Executive Mercedes won them the Best Minibus Awards at the ceremony last Sunday at the annual Transport Broker Awards. The night was held to reward and celebrate the best of the best from the world of travel with the highest achievers, such as Bees Travel, being rewarded for their great success over the past 12 months.

The company, which operates in the Milton Keynes and London area, beat off competition from BM Coaches and Wombwell Travel to pick up the gong for Best Minibus. Bees Travel pride themselves on keeping an immaculate fleet, and this was recognised by the award.

The winning minibus is often used for days out to Ascot Races, airport transfers, theatre trips and corporate events. The travel firm has depots in Borehamwood, Luton and Enfield although they will undertake work to any destination in the UK, and will even travel as far afield as Europe.

 The vehicle is a favourite with Coach Broker customers, many of which report back to staff to praise the service they received onboard the executive minibus. With reclining seats, air conditioning, video/DVD players and screen, plus a CD stereo and PA system, this minibus offers passengers a truly relaxing and luxurious ride.

If you’re searching for minibus hire, travel onboard an award-winning vehicle courtesy of Bees Travel.

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British Airways strike disruption set to cause sudden demand in Coach hire industry

15/12/2009 By Andrew Morgan Leave a Comment

British Airways strike set to cause increase in Coach Hire demand

This week it was announced by union bosses that all British Airways cabin crew plan to strike from the 22nd December until 2nd January. The action, a response to recent changes to working conditions, is due to cause wide-spread disruption amongst travellers during one of the busiest periods of air travel this year.

Union members voted nine to one in favour of the strike which is being branded as irresponsible by British Airways executives. The struggling airliner can ill afford such devastating action at a time when it is making widespread losses.

The union has claimed they are keen to continue negotiations in regards to the action but the likelihood is that many thousands of passengers will be left disappointed and desperate for alternative arrangements.

Unfortunately, with such short notice, many will be unable to find an alternative airliner and will have to turn to other transport methods such as Coach or Minibus hire to ensure that they and their party arrive at their destination on time. Coach Broker, one of the largest coach hire companies, recently announced a sizeable increase in demand as a result of the announcement of strike action as customers strive to keep their holiday plans on track.

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