Hybrid technology isn’t for the faint hearted and, to date, has been confined to London and the big groups, notably Stagecoach. Yet, two smaller operators are seizing the moment. Are they mad? Taking risks of this nature requires a steady nerve.
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But, with the cost of diesel unlikely ever to go down, spreading the risk has become the name of the game. With the help of the Green Bus Fund and supportive local transport authorities, hybrids are now coming into reach, even for smaller operators. Well, those with the bottle, that is. Added to which, manufacturers are offering guarantees and reassurances. And you’ve got to get experience of hybrids sometime.
One of the two smaller operators is Johnson’s of Henley in Arden, Warwickshire. Famous for its white, yellow and blue Bova Futura coaches, Johnson’s was a recent finalist at the UK Bus Oscar Awards in the independent bus operator category. It didn’t win or even come in as runner up but just getting onto the shortlist after such a relatively short time in local service work is surely worth celebrating, particularly given the credentials of other shortlisted operators. And, this month, it won the routeONE excellence awards in the large coach operator category.
Its choice of hybrid is the Optare Versa, for Stratford-on-Avon’s park & ride and for service 222. Johnson favours Optares in its 30-40-vehicle bus fleet. It’s similar to that on show for First, at EBE10.
The other is Thames Travel of Wallingford, Oxfordshire. Whereas Johnson operates wholly subsidised services, Thames Travel runs a mix of commercial and supported mileage. Like Johnson’s, Thames Travel is hemmed in by larger neighbours but has grown its niche to become Oxfordshire’s third largest, alongside Stagecoach and The Oxford Bus Company. Both its neighbours either operate hybrids or plan to. Indeed, Stagecoach Oxford operates near identical ADL Enviro400Hs with BAe Systems technology, technology itself a winner in the Environment category at the recent UK Bus Awards.
So, why Johnson’s and why Thames Travel? Though smaller operators, look behind the company and you’ll find people displaying energy and drive. Peter Johnson is one such, at Johnson’s. And so is the managing director of Thames Travel, John Wright. If I have it right, few will now recall that Wright couldn’t wait for the deregulation starting pistol, to compete with Crosville from Wright’s then North Wales base. That saga ended abruptly in 1994, having nevertheless dealt something of a serious wound to successor Crosville Wales. The story comes good, though, with the smart and modern Thames Travel, from 1998.
Perhaps new hybrid technology will catapult both operators to the Bus Oscars 2011.
3 comments:
I believe that Decourcey in Coventry is another small operator to bite the bullet and go hybrid.
Re Johnsons, their credentials are stronger than you suggest when you say "just getting onto the shortlist after such a relatively short time in local service work is surely worth celebrating". They won Bus Operator of the Year (medium size fleets) in 2006 and Coach Operator of the Year at least twice (2003 & 2005), as well as a whole series of other accolades including training and employer of choice awards.
They are also members of the Guild of British Coach Operators (www.coach-tours.co.uk) of which I'm the Administrator.
Plus, both operate council sub routes, thus I dare say the council given them a wee helping hand,,
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