The Hellaby-based dealership has diverse coach range
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Mentor hits a cash-flow problem
Independent coach dealership Mentor is engaged in talks with its banks and financial backers in an attempt to refinance the business after severe cash-flow problems. The Hellaby-based firm currently holds exclusive UK dealership rights for Neoplan, along with sales of new Beulas, Indcar, Irisbus Iveco, MAN, Noge, and Plaxton coaches. It is understood to have been hit by problems with the supply of new Neoplan coaches, not helped by the German manufacturer's decision not to offer the Cityliner, Skyliner or Starliner 2 in the UK market, leaving it with Tourliner as the only Neoplan product. In the absence of Starliner 2, customers for the now discontinued previous Starliner model have switched allegiance to other suppliers. Neoplan is now promising to sell Starliner 2 to the UK next year.
Also in this week's magazine:
TfL 'on track' with hybrid
Transport for London (TfL) plans to have 56 hybrid diesel-electric buses in operation in the capital by the end of the year. Trials are to last for up to five years to allow TfL and operators to assess the technological, economic and environmental implications. Judith Adams, Head of Press Desk, Surface Transport & Enforcement told routeone that the TfL's hybrid programme is on schedule. An additional 100 buses are planned to join the fleet by March 2010, 200 by March 2011 and 500 by March 2012 representing around 10% of the total bus fleet. From then on, we expect every new bus entering the fleet will be hybrid, at a rate of about 500 new buses each year, she says. There are over 8,000 buses in the London buses fleet.
Black country black
Diamond Bus routes 404B and 404H (West Bromwich-Blackheath/Merry Hill) were re-launched on Sunday (20 July) with improved services and 15 new buses, marking the start of a process that will encompass five routes. The first significant investment in the routes for more than 20 years, it marks the next stage in the development of the Diamond Bus network, since Rotala bought it from Go-Ahead earlier this year. The vehicles - 11 Wrightbus Eclipse and five ADL/Plaxton Centro - all use Volvo B7RLE chassis configured to meet EEV (Enhanced Environmental Vehicle) standards. They are also fitted with leather seats and CCTV. They will be followed shortly by another order for 17 more new buses to be introduced at the end of August and in the autumn.
Traction Technology placed into liquidation
Traction Technology (UK) Ltd, the trading arm of Traction Technology plc responsible for developing hybrid bus power units, is in creditors' voluntary liquidation. At an extraordinary general meeting, shareholders of Traction Technology plc, Traction Technology (UK) Ltd's holding company through Traction Technology Holdings Ltd, voted to cancel the admission of its share on the AIM market and the company ceased to be listed on 10 July. "There remain very limited cash resources available to Traction Technology plc at this point and consequently the Board of the company has decided to cease to provide funding to its operating subsidiary, Traction Technology (UK) Ltd with immediate effect," said the company in a statement.
DfT rejects VOSA plan
The Government has rejected proposals to hand over routine inspections of coach and bus fleets to the Freight Transport Association (FTA) to free VOSA examiners to carry out more complex investigations. But the haulier's trade association is continuing to talk to the Department for Transport about streamlining VOSA's systems to make the agency more efficient. North West Traffic Commissioner Beverley Bell recently praised VOSA inspectors for their persistence for their perseverance in uncovering the 'barefaced lies' of the directors and managers of rogue Manchester operators UK North and GM Buses who were jailed for falsifying drivers hours records
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