CPT’s Ride-and-Drive event returned to North Weald airfield in July, showcasing some of the industry’s latest coach, bus and minibus offerings
Many social events anchor the coach and bus calendar in place, and since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a strong desire to see them return to restore a sense of normalcy.
That was the prevailing sentiment when the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) London and South East Region’s Ride-and-Drive event returned on the evening of 24 July, after it missed two years in 2020 and 2022.
It was the ninth iteration of the social event, which began in 2012 under the guidance of Regional Manager for CPT London and South East and CPT East Midlands Karen Tiley, alongside former Chair of CPT Essex Robert Lodge, of Lodge’s Coaches.
Hosted once again at North Weald airfield in Essex’s Epping Forest, Karen and Robert report over 160 CPT members registered to attend to take the opportunity to test drive vehicles loaned by suppliers and manufacturers. This year, the event was promoted nationally, and attracted members from across England and Wales.
Key to the Ride-and-Drive social is, as in years prior, the opportunity to test out some of the latest models from manufacturers. With chassis shortages and lead times as they are throughout the industry, this year’s event was not free from the challenges nearly all dealers and suppliers have reported; but five manufacturers and suppliers attended with nine models that included coaches, buses and minibuses covering both conventional and electric drivelines. Companies present included Volvo Bus, Daimler Buses, EVM, Jones Bus and Coach Sales and Dawsongroup Bus and Coach.
EVM Director Peter Flynn says that, even with the current difficulties in meeting market demand, it’s important not to forget events like the CPT Ride-and-Drive. “We’ve been coming to this event for many years now, and have always found it a sociable event. But the ability for people to get in and drive the bus – people really do enjoy it. They get a feel for what it’s like, they get to talk to other operators as well, and for us it’s something we would always support. And we never leave here without new business – it’s always worked out quite well for us.”
EVM brought the largest complement of four vehicles. They included the E-Cityline, the extended version of its Electric Cityline low-floor minibus offering, fitted with 14 seats and a luggage cage (as opposed to the usual 18 seats) in preparation for delivery to Aberdeen airport. The standard electric driveline of 115kW/h battery gives a tested range of 193-194 miles.
Also on display from EVM was the luxury coach built Grand Tourer, based on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis, with 19 seats plus guide; the Cummins-engined AOS Grand Toro, fitted with 37 seats and an Alison gearbox, and neighbouring it the AOS Visigo, fitted with 39 seats and a ZF gearbox.
Each of those products has its own market niche, according to Peter, with the E-Cityline slated to provide a decarbonisation model for much of the country’s flexible transport. “At the moment over the last six or seven years, our diesel Cityline, which is a low-floor access Sprinter, has grown to be one of the most popular models, primarily through the growth of smaller service buses and the growth of flexible demand responsive transport.”
The Grand Toro and Visigo are both new models to the market from Anadolu Isuzu, added to the EVM range last year. The Grand Toro present came fitted with the Cummins ISB4.5 engine and fills a gap in the market that is currently filled by van conversions, according to Peter.
Other models present included a pair of Mercedes-Benz Tourismos, a Volvo BZL and MCV Evora, and a Noone Turas 900s.
Event origins
Robert Lodge explains the genesis of the event: “I became Chair of CPT Essex and one of the things it was talking about at a meeting was the fact the social it had every year – a sit down dinner – was getting less attendance, and we needed a revamp. I had spent a lot of time at the airfield doing different events, and I put it to CPT Essex to do an event where people could come and try manufacturers’ different vehicles back to back. A lot of people who came initially, and probably still do, might be undecided on Scania, Daimler or Volvo – but here they get to try them.
“It was also done as a way of having a social as well. The first one was a barbecue. We’ve evolved now to where we’ve got some good caterers in. It just grew from that, and prior to COVID-19, we could have up to 30 vehicles at the event.”
North Weald Airfield presents a “unique location” according to Robert, who praises its proximity to the M11 and M25 motorways. “We’re safe here – anybody can drive any vehicle. We haven’t got to worry about tachograph cards. It’s all private land. The hosts here have been very accommodating. We’re looking to keep them onside for next year.”
First time for everything
The event saw CPT CEO Graham Vidler take to the wheel of a coach for the first time, in addition to his first opportunity to attend a Ride-and-Drive event. While there were some concerns over manufacturers’ abilities to bring vehicles, he reveals CPT was confident about this year’s return. “In Karen Tiley, we have a wonderful friend of the industry, who has the contacts to know whether or not the event is a runner,” he says. “ Karen was confident we could make it a success; I shared that confidence, and it’s paying off.
“I’m really proud of what the team does in pulling this together and for CPT members it’s an opportunity to try out some new vehicles, to meet the CPT team and ask them any questions, and to meet old friends and new friends from across the industry.”
Graham concludes by suggesting CPT may look to hosting similar events elsewhere. “This is a great venue where we’ve worked for many years, we know the team here, and we know that it works here. But we’re always looking for other venues to bring the same benefits to members further north. We’d certainly consider that in future years.”
