Part of the community: Carolyn, Elaine, Barry, Jeff and Andrew
Current Issue
Welsh family pride
If you take the scenic route from Chester to Corwen you might pass through Pontybodkin. It's one of those delightful Welsh villages that quietly, and without much fuss, just gets on with life. It's a philosophy that could equally apply to Four Girls Coaches, an established coach operator whose base in the centre of the village is in the old post office yard. The first thing that strikes the visitor is the line up of gleaming coaches, each looking resplendent in the operator's blue livery. No brand spanking new vehicles here, but an assortment of coaches that exude the care and attention of an operator who clearly understands what matters. But first things first, why 'Four Girls'? "In 1976 my parents, Llewellyn and Barbara Davies, came into an inheritance," says Carolyn Thomas, one of the 'Girls' currently running the company.
Also in this week's magazine:
Economic realism
The 34th CPT Scotland Conference may have been planned in the full knowledge - that ways and means of achieving sustainable growth in the wake of a recession can never be easy, but - this failed to prevent Brian Souter from presenting an impassioned - case for private sector investment supported by pro-public - transport government action. Held at the Crieff Hydro, Perthshire, the conference first heard from Scotland's Finance Minister John Swinney MSP before an open debate, prompted by a six-strong panel that included the Stagecoach Chief Executive who was soon firing on all cylinders when asked about the success of collaboration with the public sector. He said: "It's quite flaky at the moment."
Hams Travel escapes
Sussex coach operator Hams Travel escaped any action against its PSV O-licence for breaches of the drivers' hours and tachograph regulations - after South Eastern & Metropolitan Traffic Commissioner Philip Brown was told that senior partner and nominated Transport Manager Donald Ham would no longer play any active part in the day-to-day operation of the business. Donald, John, Paul and Patricia Ham, trading as Hams Travel, of The White House, London Road, Flimwell, Wadhurst, Sussex, had been called before an Eastbourne Public Inquiry.
Nat Ex sells Digbeth
As part of its 'self-help' measures to raise much-needed cash for the business and reduce its £1bn debt mountain, National Express Group (NEG) has concluded a £15m (plus VAT) 'sale-and-leaseback' deal on its Digbeth, Birmingham, coach station with New York-based investment firm W.P. Carey International (WPCI), which has a $10bn global investment portfolio. The deal was under discussion before the present informal takeover bid by the Cosmen family and CVC Capital Partners was made. The news comes as NEG agreed to a second extension to the 'put-up or shut-up' deadline for a formal takeover bid to be made.
Showcoach at Showbus
With more than 500 entries, Showbus at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford has grown into a significant event for the industry as well as enthusiasts. A growing number of family-owned businesses showcase their vehicles and this year three dealers were represented, Blue Ribbon Coach Sales, Moseley in the South and Plaxton. Then there are some of the operator restorations that stole the show. The routeone team was there.
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