McLean's Coaches lifts Scottish Citylink Yutong GT12 fleet by four
McLean’s Coaches of Airdrie has continued to invest in its fleet operated on behalf of Scottish Citylink with the delivery of four Yutong GT12 models, supplied by Pelican Bus and Coach.
The PSVAR compliant vehicles represent an investment of £1.3 million. Each has a cherished registration mark and the four are in use on Saltire Cross routes capturing Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, and Perth. They join a GT12 already in use on those services.
53 seats are fitted to each coach along with USB charging points, drop-down tables, and reading lights. Power is from the customary DAF MX-11 engine developing 449bhp driving through a ZF EcoLife automatic gearbox.
Speaking about the delivery, McLean’s Coaches Director Andrew McLean says: “All four coaches have been well received by passengers and our driving staff.
“We strive to provide excellence in all that we do, ensuring that passenger comfort is of the highest quality. This investment signifies our commitment to our partnership with Scottish Citylink and the thousands of passengers that the coaches carry every day across these routes.”
Scottish Citylink Managing Director Simone Walsh has welcomed the further investment. She adds that the provider is “constantly improving our services and network.” In addition to the GT12s, a battery-electric Yutong TCe12 is also employed on Scottish Citylink work.
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Archway Travel enters bus service work with nine-strong new fleet
Fylde operator Archway Travel has taken delivery of nine new Alexander Dennis Enviro200 single-decker buses and a single used example for its first venture into local service operation.
The new vehicles have been supplied on five-year rental arrangements by Asset Alliance Group, while the used bus has been funded by the same supplier on a hire-purchase agreement.
They have been put to work on Lancashire County Council contracted services 74 and 75 between Archway’s hometown of Fleetwood and Preston. Managing Director Sam Archer says that the venture “could be a real gamechanger for our business” and that Asset Alliance was “the first call I made” after notification of the tender win.
Seating 30 passengers, the new buses are each 8.9m long and have a Voith automatic gearbox along with Alexander Dennis SmartSeats. Fylde Villager branding is carried on a bespoke livery, while contactless payment is offered and an app for passengers has been developed.
Mr Archer adds that starting with new buses from the get-go was seen as important by Archway Travel. “Via the rental option, Asset Alliance Group was able to deliver the vehicles quickly,” he continues.
“We sourced one used vehicle from another operator, but we wanted the majority of the service fleet to be new as it gives you that reliability and peace of mind. The two routes are quite rural, going through lots of country lanes, so we needed buses we could rely on.”
Asset Alliance has worked with Archway for some time. National Sales Manager Scott Burke says that the supplier takes pride in assisting the family-owned Fleetwood operator in going from strength to strength.
“It was a pleasure to be able to work with it again on this latest deal, marking a significant moment in Archway’s history," adds Mr Burke.
The business engaged in a major recruitment process for the new services, with Mr Archer having recently commented how important a strong company culture has been in that exercise.
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Journeo CCTV equipment fitted at bus stops in BCP Council area
Over 150 bus shelters across the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council area have been upgraded with new CCTV cameras. 100 more locations will follow across coming months as part of a bus stop safety upgrade.
The equipment is supplied and maintained by Journeo. It is what BCP Council describes as “uniquely installed in existing real time information screens” in shelters. Such an approach provides a cost-effective solution and will reduce antisocial behaviour and make bus travel safer, the local authority adds.
The bus stops where the CCTV has been installed are the busiest in the council’s area. Poole bus station (pictured) has also benefitted from the equipment. There it has been integrated into 14 new electronic passenger information displays that provide accurate departure information.
High-definition footage from the new cameras is live streamed to the local authority’s CCTV control room, with continuous recording. An earlier consultation had identified a need for enhanced CCTV alongside a uniformed presence on buses from Transport Safety Officers. Bus Service Improvement Plan funding is going towards the work.
Those Transport Safety Officers were introduced earlier in 2024. They travel across key routes on the BCP bus and rail network, interacting with people and dealing with any incidents of antisocial behaviour as part of that wider scheme.
BCP Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy Cllr Andy Hadley says of the cameras: “We are working closely with our local bus operators to significantly improve bus services across the BCP area.
“This forms part of our commitment to transform travel by encouraging more people to take environmentally friendly options like the bus or train. Reducing antisocial behaviour at Poole bus station and at our bus shelters plays an important part in this.
“Our residents want to feel safe when they travel, and these new CCTV cameras will hopefully encourage more people to leave their cars at home and take a sustainable option instead, which has the added bonus of reducing congestion on our roads.”
As the dominant operator in the BCP area, Morebus has supported the security-related work. Managing Director Andrew Wickham adds: “We want those travelling with us to feel safe and comfortable while onboard, at bus shelters, and at Poole bus station.
“The bus stop cameras and state-of-the-art equipment installed at the bus station – with its dual purpose of providing live information and CCTV monitoring – will go a long way to achieving this.
“Our excellent partnership with BCP Council has gone a long way to facilitating these latest additions, and we will continue to work together to achieve our joint aim of easing congestion and improving air quality across the region.”