Asset Alliance delivers operating lease for Ashcrofts' FlixBus GT12s
Two Yutong GT12 coaches delivered to Ashcrofts Mini Travel of Leigh have been facilitated by Asset Alliance Group via multi-year leases ahead of their deployment to FlixBus work on 1 August.
Ashcrofts will take on two routes for FlixBus between the North West and Yorkshire from that date. Procuring the coaches on operating lease has allowed the operator to minimise its capital outlay, with the option to offset rental payments against taxable profits as a business expense, Asset Alliance notes.
The supplier adds that operators taking vehicles via such an arrangement carry out repair and maintenance themselves, and then return or refinance them at the end of the lease term.
Ashcrofts Mini Travel Managing Director Chris Ashcroft describes that as “an affordable way to do things” and says that the approach has allowed the operator to grow. “The whole process with Asset Alliance Group was drama free. I cannot fault it,” he adds.
What Mr Ashcroft calls the “personal touch” of the supplier set its offer apart. “When I have dealt with finance companies in the past, they have typically only cared about your bank balance,” he continues.
“Asset Alliance Group was different. It took the time to visit, have a coffee, ask questions, and really understand the business before making a quick funding decision.”
Pelican Bus and Coach has supplied the GT12 pair in a further instance of both the model and the dealership recording success with FlixBus partner operators. Pelican and Yutong have devised a FlixBus-specific configuration for that product.
Each coach is a 53-seater that is PSVAR compliant, with power from the DAF MX-11 engine developing 449bhp coupled to a ZF EcoLife automatic gearbox.
Speaking about the finance agreement, Asset Alliance Group National Sales Manager Scott Burke says: “It has been a pleasure to deal with Chris, and I am delighted to have been able to facilitate these two new vehicles for Ashcrofts. The team and I wish him every success with the FlixBus services.”
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Bus Vannin connects all on-bus CCTV systems to Journeo Portal
Bus Vannin has connected all its on-vehicle CCTV systems to the Journeo Portal. The supplier says that will save time and money for the Isle of Man operator by making insurance claims and customer service queries easier, faster, and more efficient to manage.
The system allows verified users to reach footage and evidence in minutes rather than hours because it can be accessed remotely. The Journeo Portal also monitors the health of the CCTV, including individual cameras, to ensure that all is working as it should and thus eliminating the risk of evidence being lost.
Bus Vannin will not need to replace existing equipment on vehicles as the Journeo Portal works with a wide variety of cameras and recorders.
Speaking about the decision to go with Journeo, Head of Operations of Public Transport Services within the Department of Infrastructure at the Isle of Man Government Ian Bates says: “Connecting our cameras and DVRs to the Journeo Portal will be an enormous benefit to our CCTV analysts, helping them to resolve requests for footage much more efficiently.
“Whether it is to prove or defend an insurance claim, help a customer with an issue, or assist with a school transport enquiry, we can now simply connect directly to each vehicle, or download using wi-fi once the vehicle returns to the depot.
“The Journeo Portal helps us to provide best value to our community for the government’s investment in bus services.”
Journeo Business Development Manager Michael Rutherford adds that more operators continue to connect their CCTV infrastructure to the Portal. He notes that fleet size and existing CCTV system supplier are unimportant in that endeavour. “The Portal works with them all," says Mr Rutherford.
“The huge reduction in the amount of time needed to retrieve footage means that operators start to save money from day one, and the health monitoring feature means that they can rely on valuable footage always being there when it is needed.”
Nottingham City Transport orders 14 further Yutong battery-electrics
Nottingham City Transport has ordered a further 14 Yutong battery-electric single-deckers in the form of 11 E10 models and a trio of larger E12s. They will be supplied by Pelican Bus and Coach and delivered in early 2026.
When in service, the latest batch will take to 62 the number of Yutongs with the municipal operator. All are part-funded by a successful Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas bid led by Nottingham City Council and collectively they will allow the operator’s single-deck fleet to transition to entirely zero-emission.
24 Yutongs are already in the NCT fleet and a second tranche of 24 will follow early in 2025. Three members of the operator's leadership team recently shared experience of the first stage in its electrification journey with the opening batch of buses.
Head of Engineering Sean O’Sullivan adds that the first batch Yutong battery-electrics with Nottingham City Transport have performed well. “We have seen energy efficiency increase by 10% as we have undergone an extensive driver training course during the vehicles’ introduction into our operations,” he says.
“Passenger and driver feedback has been excellent, with extremely positive reaction to the customer-centric features that we implemented with Pelican and Yutong. The importance of having vehicles provided and supported by the same team was a key part of our decision.”
The latest order secured by Pelican for Yutong battery-electrics represents another layer of success for the dealership in that sphere, following recent major deals with both First Bus and Stagecoach.
Speaking about the additional Nottingham business, Head of Yutong UK Ian Downie says: “The NCT team challenged us to further develop a vehicle that built upon our tried, tested and proven technology.
“It was the first [customer] to require full colour destination screens, revised passenger information systems, swept handrails, and NCT-specified seats and flooring. This resulted in excellent passenger feedback on these features.”
The third tranche of NCT Yutongs will also come with the standard air-conditioning and what Mr Downie terms “industry-leading safety features,” including the Yutong Electrical Safety Standard.