99-770: Stagecoach South East is the trading name of East Kent Road Car Company Limited, a bus operator based in Canterbury ; it provides services in Kent and East Sussex , in South East England . It is a subsidiary of Stagecoach Group . Stagecoach has been operating in the Hastings area since its takeover of Hastings & District Transport in 1989; it made improvements to the Hastings bus network, in partnership with Hastings Borough Council and East Sussex County Council . Stagecoach acquired
198-444: A 1066 (originally 304/305) Stagecoach route to Tunbridge Wells from Hastings. The company also operates a number of high profile branded inter-urban services. Wave is the brand given to services along the south-east coast. The network is currently formed of seven routes, which form a coastal corridor between Eastbourne and Dover: Services are generally operated using Wave -branded Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC buses, although
297-473: A rigid chassis ) and articulated bus (or 'bendy-bus') the prevalence of which varies from country to country. High-capacity bi-articulated buses are also manufactured, and passenger-carrying trailers—either towed behind a rigid bus (a bus trailer ) or hauled as a trailer by a truck (a trailer bus ). Smaller midibuses have a lower capacity and open-top buses are typically used for leisure purposes. In many new fleets, particularly in local transit systems,
396-418: A summer camp . Schools often hire charter bus services on regular basis for transportation of children to and from their homes. Chartered buses are also used by education institutes for transport to conventions , exhibitions, and field trips . Entertainment or event companies may also hire temporary shuttles buses for transport at events such as festivals or conferences . Party buses are used by companies in
495-524: A 36A 3phase cable to feed into the chargers to provide 377V at 36A across 2x chargers. The batteries being a 26S2P in each pack. The first-generation electric Solo SR was fitted with a 100 kwh battery pack, giving a maximum range of 90 miles (140 km). First-generation electric Solo SRs were commonly distributed across rural towns in Scotland with funding from the Scottish Green Bus Fund, while
594-693: A chassis produced by another manufacturer. Transit buses used to be mainly high-floor vehicles. However, they are now increasingly of low-floor design and optionally also 'kneel' air suspension and have ramps to provide access for wheelchair users and people with baby carriages , sometimes as electrically or hydraulically extended under-floor constructs for level access. Prior to more general use of such technology, these wheelchair users could only use specialist para-transit mobility buses. Accessible vehicles also have wider entrances and interior gangways and space for wheelchairs. Interior fittings and destination displays may also be designed to be usable by
693-408: A common component of the wider package holiday industry, providing private airport transfers (in addition to general airport buses ) and organised tours and day trips for holidaymakers on the package. Tour buses can also be hired as chartered buses by groups for sightseeing at popular holiday destinations. These private tour buses may offer specific stops, such as all the historical sights, or allow
792-517: A converted bus as a command post while those in cold climates might retain a bus as a heated shelter at fire scenes. Many are drawn from retired school or service buses. Buses are often used for advertising, political campaigning , public information campaigns , public relations , or promotional purposes. These may take the form of temporary charter hire of service buses, or the temporary or permanent conversion and operation of buses, usually of second-hand buses. Extreme examples include converting
891-660: A fleet of new Otokar buses were being manufactured. These buses were eventually returned to the United Kingdom off lease in September 2015. The Solo Slimline saw frequent use on local bus services from Bray, County Wicklow operated by Finnegan Bray, with further examples operated throughout the rest of Ireland by Bus Éireann . Netherlands operator Syntus purchased 25 Solos in 2010. In 2015, Solo EVs were delivered to Karlstad in Sweden. In Hungary, Kapos Volán bought one, which
990-713: A fleet of six electric Solo SRs delivered to Stagecoach Highlands in 2015 for services in Inverness would receive battery pack upgrades that saw their range increased to a total 130 miles (210 km). Under Switch Mobility, the first six "next-generation" Solo SRs, with a maximum battery capacity of 135 kWh, were first delivered to Ulsterbus for use in Coleraine , with two of the six being allocated for Giant's Causeway shuttle services. The first 32 production Optare Solos entered service in Poole in 1998 with Wilts & Dorset , with
1089-458: A hybrid Solo was constructed, using a small diesel unit and an Eneco (now known as Traction Technology) battery propulsion unit. The Switch Solo is available in various lengths: 7.8 m (25 ft 7 in), 8.5 m (27 ft 11 in), 9.2 m (30 ft 2 in) and 9.9 m (32 ft 6 in) - all 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) wide. The chassis type code of the Solo denotes
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#17328557370521188-483: A hybrid drive system consisting of a Volkswagen 1.9-litre engine paired with an electric generator. This system was fitted to the Solo shells, which were sold to a handful of operators, and was also retrofitted to a First Manchester Solo first delivered in 2002. However, operational issues with the hybrid system, including high fuel consumption and engine noise, meant that most of these early hybrid Solos would be converted back to diesel power. Optare would later launch
1287-590: A hybrid electric Solo in 2010, this time featuring a Euro VI Mercedes-Benz OM904LA engine paired with a Siemens electric drive system, with Bluways battery capacitors mounted on the roof of the Solo body. This combination allowed for a power output of 130 kilowatts (170 hp) and a 30% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions compared to diesel Solos. On the original Solo body, the first ten Solo hybrids were exported to Arriva Malta in 2011, with further deliveries of Solo hybrids being made to Cumfybus of Southport and Uno of Hatfield . In March 2009, Optare launched
1386-627: A lot of controversy, with MPs criticising the secrecy surrounding the sale and blaming each other's parties for the state the Eastbourne Buses got into; the Liberal Democrats claimed that the Conservatives "failed to support Eastbourne Buses." There had also been criticism of the low price the company was sold at - revealed at £3.7 million, lower than the original report of £4 million - and criticism against Stagecoach, with one MP saying that
1485-648: A major manufacturer of buses in the US, was founded in Chicago in 1923 by John D. Hertz . General Motors purchased a majority stake in 1925 and changed its name to the Yellow Truck and Coach Manufacturing Company. GM purchased the balance of the shares in 1943 to form the GM Truck and Coach Division . Models expanded in the 20th century, leading to the widespread introduction of the contemporary recognizable form of full-sized buses from
1584-506: A maximum speed of 18 km/h (11.2 mph) and accommodated up to 20 passengers, in an enclosed area below and on an open-air platform above. With the success and popularity of this bus, DMG expanded production, selling more buses to companies in London and, in 1899, to Stockholm and Speyer . Daimler Motors Corporation also entered into a partnership with the British company Milnes and developed
1683-689: A new double-decker in 1902 that became the market standard. The first mass-produced bus model was the B-type double-decker bus , designed by Frank Searle and operated by the London General Omnibus Company —it entered service in 1910, and almost 3,000 had been built by the end of the decade. Hundreds of them saw military service on the Western Front during the First World War . The Yellow Coach Manufacturing Company , which rapidly became
1782-601: A new fleet of 24 Alexander Dennis Enviro200 MMC buses were introduced onto the Thanet Loop service which operates in a circular route on the Isle of Thanet. Stagecoach South East operates a mixture of local and interurban services across Kent and East Sussex. Bus services are provided in and around the towns of Canterbury, Ashford, Ramsgate, Margate, Folkestone, Dover, New Romney, Lydd, Rye, Tenterden , Northiam , Hawkhurst , Hastings, Bexhill-on-Sea, Pevensey and Eastbourne, as well as
1881-508: A number of these are currently being repainted into the new Stagecoach local livery. The Triangle was a high-profile branded service running in a circular route between Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay. Services are generally operated using Scania N250UD Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC buses in the Stagecoach local livery, which were formerly branded for the Triangle. However, the route
1980-679: A number of these are currently being repainted into the new Stagecoach local livery. Route 16, which operates between Canterbury and Hythe via Denton , Hawkinge and Folkestone, is part of the premium Stagecoach Gold brand. Services are operated using Scania N230UD Alexander Dennis Enviro400, with free WiFi and leather seats. A number of these buses are currently being repainted into the new Stagecoach local livery. Routes 8, 8A and 8X, which operate between Canterbury and Westwood Cross via Birchington-on-Sea and Margate, are branded as The Breeze . Services are operated using Breeze -branded Scania N250UD Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC buses, although
2079-456: A public transport operator that might maintain a separate fleet or use surplus buses, coaches, and dual-purpose coach-seated buses. Many private taxicab companies also operate larger minibus vehicles to cater for group fares. Companies, private groups, and social clubs may hire buses or coaches as a cost-effective method of transporting a group to an event or site, such as a group meeting, racing event, or organised recreational activity such as
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#17328557370522178-399: A separate luggage compartment under the passenger floor. Guided buses are fitted with technology to allow them to run in designated guideways, allowing the controlled alignment at bus stops and less space taken up by guided lanes than conventional roads or bus lanes . Bus manufacturing may be by a single company (an integral manufacturer), or by one manufacturer's building a bus body over
2277-399: A shift to low-floor buses is occurring, primarily for easier accessibility. Coaches are designed for longer-distance travel and are typically fitted with individual high-backed reclining seats, seat belts, toilets, and audio-visual entertainment systems, and can operate at higher speeds with more capacity for luggage. Coaches may be single- or double-deckers, articulated, and often include
2376-584: A similar manner to limousine hire, for luxury private transport to social events or as a touring experience. Sleeper buses are used by bands or other organisations that tour between entertainment venues and require mobile rest and recreation facilities. Some couples hire preserved buses for their wedding transport, instead of the traditional car. Buses are often hired for parades or processions . Victory parades are often held for triumphant sports teams, who often tour their home town or city in an open-top bus . Sports teams may also contract out their transport to
2475-516: A six-passenger motor carriage developed from the 1893 Benz Viktoria . Another commercial bus line using the same model Benz omnibuses ran for a short time in 1898 in the rural area around Llandudno , Wales. Germany's Daimler Motors Corporation also produced one of the earliest motor-bus models in 1898, selling a double-decker bus to the Motor Traction Company which was first used on the streets of London on 23 April 1898. The vehicle had
2574-407: A special large vehicle licence above and beyond a regular driving license . Buses may be used for scheduled bus transport , scheduled coach transport , school transport , private hire, or tourism ; promotional buses may be used for political campaigns and others are privately operated for a wide range of purposes, including rock and pop band tour vehicles. Horse-drawn buses were used from
2673-639: A specially manufactured trailer bus . After the Second World War, manufacturers in Europe and the Far East, such as Mercedes-Benz buses and Mitsubishi Fuso expanded into other continents influencing the use of buses previously served by local types. Use of buses around the world has also been influenced by colonial associations or political alliances between countries. Several of the Commonwealth nations followed
2772-700: A stopped school bus in the process of loading or offloading children passengers. These school buses may have school bus yellow livery and crossing guards . Other countries may mandate the use of seat belts . As a minimum, many countries require a bus carrying students to display a sign , and may also adopt yellow liveries. Student transport often uses older buses cascaded from service use, retrofitted with more seats or seatbelts. Student transport may be operated by local authorities or private contractors. Schools may also own and operate their own buses for other transport needs, such as class field trips or transport to associated sports, music, or other school events. Due to
2871-426: A suburb of Nantes . A by-product of his mill was hot water, and thus next to it he established a spa business. In order to encourage customers he started a horse-drawn transport service from the city centre of Nantes to his establishment. The first vehicles stopped in front of the shop of a hatter named Omnés, which displayed a large sign inscribed "Omnes Omnibus", a pun on his Latin-sounding surname, omnes being
2970-400: A superior fleet. On 25 November 2008, it was announced that Stagecoach was the preferred bidder to purchase. A few days later, it was announced in local press that the takeover had cost £4 million. Stagecoach had run services in the town until late in 2000 before they were withdrawn; at the time of the announcement, it operated services to Hastings and Bexhill from Eastbourne. The sale caused
3069-694: A team bus, for travel to away games , to a competition or to a final event . These buses are often specially decorated in a livery matching the team colours. Private companies often contract out private shuttle bus services, for transport of their customers or patrons, such as hotels, amusement parks , university campuses , or private airport transfer services. This shuttle usage can be as transport between locations, or to and from parking lots . High specification luxury coaches are often chartered by companies for executive or VIP transport. Charter buses may also be used in tourism and for promotion (See Tourism and Promotion sections). Many organisations, including
Stagecoach South East - Misplaced Pages Continue
3168-441: A tour guide, although the driver or a recorded audio commentary may also perform this function. The tour operator may be a subsidiary of a company that operates buses and coaches for other uses or an independent company that charters buses or coaches. Commuter transport operators may also use their coaches to conduct tours within the target city between the morning and evening commuter transport journey. Buses and coaches are also
3267-401: Is a motor vehicle that carries significantly more passengers than an average car or van , but fewer than the average rail transport . It is most commonly used in public transport , but is also in use for charter purposes, or through private ownership. Although the average bus carries between 30 and 100 passengers, some buses have a capacity of up to 300 passengers. The most common type
3366-623: Is operating in Siófok . In Hong Kong , AMS Public Transport (Chinese: 進智公交 [ zh ] ) and Koon Wing Motor Limited (Chinese: 冠榮車行 [ zh ] ) respectively bought Optare Solo SRs in 2018 for trials on public light bus services, becoming the first low-floor public light buses operated in Hong Kong. In the United States, a left hand drive version of the Solo was sold from 2003 to 2005 by North American Bus Industries (which at
3465-401: Is powered by a Mercedes-Benz OM904LA engine , which produces 122 bhp (91 kW) or 147 bhp (110 kW) according to specification, and it is typically mated to an Allison 2000 automatic gearbox. Options of a Cummins ISBe 6-cylinder 185 bhp (138 kW) engine or a MAN engine later became available. There was also the option of a 4-speed Allison AT545 gearbox. In 2005
3564-471: Is sometimes staffed by promotions personnel, giving out free gifts. Campaign buses are often specially decorated for a political campaign or other social awareness information campaign, designed to bring a specific message to different areas, or used to transport campaign personnel to local areas/meetings. Exhibition buses are often sent to public events such as fairs and festivals for purposes such as recruitment campaigns, for example by private companies or
3663-470: Is the single-deck rigid bus , with double-decker and articulated buses carrying larger loads, and midibuses and minibuses carrying smaller loads. Coaches are used for longer-distance services. Many types of buses, such as city transit buses and inter-city coaches, charge a fare. Other types, such as elementary or secondary school buses or shuttle buses within a post-secondary education campus, are free. In many jurisdictions, bus drivers require
3762-516: Is the homes of celebrities , such as tours based near Hollywood . There are several such services between 6000 and 7000 Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles. In some countries, particularly the US and Canada, buses used to transport schoolchildren have evolved into a specific design with specified mandatory features. American states have also adopted laws regarding motorist conduct around school buses, including large fines and possibly prison for passing
3861-509: Is the largest operator of local tour buses, operating on a franchised basis all over the world. Specialist tour buses are also often owned and operated by safari parks and other theme parks or resorts . Longer-distance tours are also carried out by bus, either on a turn up and go basis or through a tour operator , and usually allow disembarkation from the bus to allow touring of sites of interest on foot. These may be day trips or longer excursions incorporating hotel stays. Tour buses often carry
3960-584: The East Kent Road Car Company in 1993 and operates many routes with different route branding. In early November 2008, local press reported that Eastbourne Buses was to be sold by the end of the year to either the Go-Ahead Group or Stagecoach Group. The employees' trade union, Unite , wrote to Eastbourne Borough Council to ask it to sell to the Go-Ahead Group because of work conditions and
4059-467: The Leyland National where the two are practically inseparable. Specialist builders also exist and concentrate on building buses for special uses or modifying standard buses into specialised products. Integral designs have the advantages that they have been well-tested for strength and stability, and also are off-the-shelf . However, two incentives cause use of the chassis+body model. First, it allows
Stagecoach South East - Misplaced Pages Continue
4158-822: The Triangle service between Canterbury and Herne Bay. On 23 July 2016, Stagecoach South East introduced new open-top route 69 in Thanet, operating between Ramsgate and Broadstairs. Two TransBus Trident Alexander ALX400 buses were converted to open-top to operate the service. On 5 December 2016, a fleet of 25 new Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC buses were introduced onto Wave routes 100, 101 and 102 between Hastings, Rye and Dover, via Camber , Lydd , New Romney and Folkestone. A further fleet of 12 new Scania N250UD Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC buses entered service on Wave route 99 between Eastbourne and Hastings in January 2018. In June 2019,
4257-526: The armed forces . Complex urban planning proposals may be organised into a mobile exhibition bus for the purposes of public consultation. In some sparsely populated areas, it is common to use brucks, buses with a cargo area to transport both passengers and cargo at the same time. They are especially common in the Nordic countries . Historically, the types and features of buses have developed according to local needs. Buses were fitted with technology appropriate to
4356-409: The visually impaired . Coaches generally use wheelchair lifts instead of low-floor designs. In some countries, vehicles are required to have these features by disability discrimination laws . Buses were initially configured with an engine in the front and an entrance at the rear. With the transition to one-man operation, many manufacturers moved to mid- or rear-engined designs, with a single door at
4455-582: The 'new' Optare unveiled the Solo – a completely restyled variant to celebrate ten years of the Solo as a new low-entry bus and was launched at the Euro Bus Expo 2008. It shared the same styling with the Rapta , which was launched at the same show. It sees the return of the flat side windows and roof as well as a steeper front end with an integral destination box. Proposed options include a full electric drive. However,
4554-415: The 1820s, followed by steam buses in the 1830s, and electric trolleybuses in 1882. The first internal combustion engine buses, or motor buses, were used in 1895. Recently, interest has been growing in hybrid electric buses , fuel cell buses , and electric buses , as well as buses powered by compressed natural gas or biodiesel . As of the 2010s, bus manufacturing is increasingly globalised , with
4653-478: The 1920s has been the diesel engine . Early buses, known as trolleybuses, were powered by electricity supplied from overhead lines . Nowadays, electric buses often carry their own battery, which is sometimes recharged on stops/stations to keep the size of the battery small/lightweight. Currently, interest exists in hybrid electric buses , fuel cell buses , electric buses , and ones powered by compressed natural gas or biodiesel . Gyrobuses , which are powered by
4752-530: The 1950s. The AEC Routemaster , developed in the 1950s, was a pioneering design and remains an icon of London to this day. The innovative design used lightweight aluminium and techniques developed in aircraft production during World War II . As well as a novel weight-saving integral design, it also introduced for the first time on a bus independent front suspension , power steering , a fully automatic gearbox , and power-hydraulic braking . Formats include single-decker bus , double-decker bus (both usually with
4851-417: The British lead and sourced buses from British manufacturers, leading to a prevalence of double-decker buses . Several Eastern Bloc countries adopted trolleybus systems, and their manufacturers such as Trolza exported trolleybuses to other friendly states. In the 1930s, Italy designed the world's only triple decker bus for the busy route between Rome and Tivoli that could carry eighty-eight passengers. It
4950-684: The M990, the Slimline is identified by having an SL-suffix in the chassis code, e.g. M780SL for a 7.8 m (25 ft 7 in) long version. The Optare Solo Slimline is a 25-seated low-floor bus to replace the Optare MetroRider . The compact size of an M780SL, with its seating capacity of 25, has made it a popular choice for replacing earlier-generation minibuses , such as the MCW Metrorider , and other van-based buses. In June 2006, Optare announced
5049-497: The Solo such as the curved front windscreen and the unusual chassis layout, with the front wheels ahead of the doorway, were retained. Another new unusual feature to the Solo SR is the lack of a destination box on the standard model. However, Optare offers this as an option to individual customer specification. In January 2012, Optare announced that the facelifted Solo SR would replace the standard Solo for both UK and export markets, with
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#17328557370525148-513: The Solo was also first offered with LED -type rear lights, as opposed to the standard rectangular clusters. Seating capacities range from 25 for an M780, 29 for an M850, 33 for M920 and 37 for an M990. A narrow-bodied version named the "Slimline" was launched in 2004 with the first examples entering service in August. It is 2.33 m (7 ft 8 in) wide, and identifiable by small rear wheel wheelarch extensions. Available across all lengths except
5247-662: The Stagecoach South East fleet consists of 439 buses. Around 2006, new Optare Solo and Alexander ALX300s were introduced on the local Hastings Arrows routes for better connectivity throughout Hastings and St. Leonards . They were replaced on 19 April 2012, following the introduction of Alexander Dennis Enviro200 Darts . On 22 January 2012, 11 new Alexander Dennis Enviro400 -bodied Scania N230UDs were introduced on The Wave 99 that runs between Hastings and Eastbourne via Bexhill and Pevensey Bay. On 19 April 2012, 23 new Alexander Dennis Enviro200 Darts were introduced on
5346-522: The UK's trade association for the bus, coach and light rail industry, the three-day event offers visitors from Europe and beyond the chance to see and experience the very latest vehicles and product and service innovations right across the industry. Optare Solo The Switch Solo (formerly sold as the Optare Solo ) is a low-floor minibus / midibus with one or two doors manufactured by Switch Mobility in
5445-681: The UniBus service, in partnership with The University of Kent . The network is formed of two routes, the Uni1 and Uni2 , which connect Canterbury city centre with the university campuses. Stagecoach also operates a demand-responsive service called Stagecoach Connect in Aylesham and Whitfield . Stagecoach South East currently operates services from six bus depots and one outstation across Kent and East Sussex: Bus A bus (contracted from omnibus , with variants multibus , motorbus , autobus , etc.)
5544-418: The United Kingdom since 1998. The Solo name is a play on its low-floor status, the manufacturer marketing its vehicle as having an entrance that is "so low" from the floor, namely 200 mm (8 in) with kneeling suspension. In January 2012, Optare announced the end of production for the original Solo design with a modified Solo SR taking over. The original innovative design, featuring a front axle ahead of
5643-483: The all-electric version of the Solo, the Solo EV . The vehicle's top speed is limited to 90 km/h (56 mph). Since the summer of 2013, the vehicle uses a high-efficiency MAGTEC P180 Permanent Magnet Motor-Gearbox rated at 150 kW and powered by two banks of Valence lithium-ion phosphate batteries . The two packs work in parallel and provide 307 V with a total capacity of 92 kWh. In November 2008
5742-456: The arrival of another Solo model – the Solo SE . At just 7.1 m (23 ft 4 in) in length, it is the shortest Solo offered, and is capable of seating 23. It also uses a single-piece entrance door as an option. This is a variant of the Slimline – hence it is 2.33 m (7 ft 8 in) wide, but noticeably the rear track has been reduced compared to previous Slimline models, eliminating
5841-606: The benefits achieved on the Tempo SR design, which reduced both weight and cost and further improved fuel economy. After having been stopped following Switch Mobility's repositioning towards manufacturing zero-emissions vehicles , production of conventional diesel Solo SRs was restarted in October 2023 when the Stagecoach Group announced the purchase of 70 buses, 60 of them being Euro VI diesel Solo SRs, to replace its older buses within
5940-689: The bi-articulated bus or tram-style buses such as the Wright StreetCar and the Irisbus Civis. Buses and coach services often operate to a predetermined published public transport timetable defining the route and the timing, but smaller vehicles may be used on more flexible demand responsive transport services. Buses play a major part in the tourism industry. Tour buses around the world allow tourists to view local attractions or scenery. These are often open-top buses , but can also be regular buses or coaches. In local sightseeing , City Sightseeing
6039-465: The bus with displays and decorations or awnings and fittings. Interiors may be fitted out for exhibition or information purposes with special equipment or audio visual devices. Bus advertising takes many forms, often as interior and exterior adverts and all-over advertising liveries. The practice often extends into the exclusive private hire and use of a bus to promote a brand or product, appearing at large public events, or touring busy streets. The bus
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#17328557370526138-417: The buyer and manufacturer both to shop for the best deal for their needs, rather than having to settle on one fixed design—the buyer can choose the body and the chassis separately. Second, over the lifetime of a vehicle (in constant service and heavy traffic), it will likely get minor damage now and again, and being able easily to replace a body panel or window etc. can vastly increase its service life and save
6237-420: The company has effectively been "given away for nothing." However, it was revealed that Go-Ahead had bid much lower at £2.85 million, so the council had to sell to Stagecoach to serve the taxpayer due to the £1.2 million difference in bids, despite the union's calls. In January 2009, Cavendish Motor Services were bought by Stagecoach Group; subsequently, it announced redundancies for Cavendish staff. The company
6336-472: The company's depot in Ramsgate in an act of arson. In October 2013, the company was placed in liquidation and most routes were taken over by Stagecoach, on behalf of Kent County Council. Until July 2017, Stagecoach operated National Express coach routes 007, 021 and 022, which were then taken over by The Kings Ferry . East Kent had operated services from Kent to Victoria Coach Station since 1932. As of 2022,
6435-505: The controlled alignment at bus stops and less space taken up by guided lanes than conventional roads or bus lanes . Guidance can be mechanical, optical, or electromagnetic. Extensions of the guided technology include the Guided Light Transit and Translohr systems, although these are more often termed 'rubber-tyred trams' as they have limited or no mobility away from their guideways. Transit buses are normally painted to identify
6534-610: The cost and inconvenience of removing it from service. As with the rest of the automotive industry , into the 20th century, bus manufacturing increasingly became globalized, with manufacturers producing buses far from their intended market to exploit labour and material cost advantages. A typical city bus costs almost US$ 450,000. Transit buses , used on public transport bus services , have utilitarian fittings designed for efficient movement of large numbers of people, and often have multiple doors. Coaches are used for longer-distance routes. High-capacity bus rapid transit services may use
6633-402: The costs involved in owning, operating, and driving buses and coaches, much bus and coach use comes from the private hire of vehicles from charter bus companies, either for a day or two or on a longer contract basis, where the charter company provides the vehicles and qualified drivers. Charter bus operators may be completely independent businesses, or charter hire may be a subsidiary business of
6732-415: The customers to choose their own itineraries. Tour buses come with professional and informed staff and insurance, and maintain state governed safety standards. Some provide other facilities like entertainment units , luxurious reclining seats, large scenic windows, and even lavatories. Public long-distance coach networks are also often used as a low-cost method of travel by students or young people travelling
6831-633: The demonstration. Max Schiemann opened a passenger-carrying trolleybus in 1901 near Dresden , in Germany. Although this system operated only until 1904, Schiemann had developed what is now the standard trolleybus current collection system. In the early days, a few other methods of current collection were used. Leeds and Bradford became the first cities to put trolleybuses into service in Great Britain on 20 June 1911. In Siegerland , Germany, two passenger bus lines ran briefly, but unprofitably, in 1895 using
6930-508: The development of the trolleybus concept. Sir William first proposed the idea in an article to the Journal of the Society of Arts in 1881 as an "...arrangement by which an ordinary omnibus...would have a suspender thrown at intervals from one side of the street to the other, and two wires hanging from these suspenders; allowing contact rollers to run on these two wires, the current could be conveyed to
7029-425: The diesel generator. A battery electric variant of the Solo SR first debuted in 2012. Equipped with a Enova Systems P120 electric drivetrain as well as a water-cooled 15.2 kW on-board charger capable of reaching full capacity in six hours, using dedicated charging this could be reduced to less than 2 hours but the caveat being it only charges to 90% using dedicated Chademo chargers. On board charging requires
7128-441: The entrance door, gained a Millennium product award, along with a Queen's Award for Enterprise , in 2000. The Solo is an integral midibus (as opposed to a separate chassis and body) built in a modular design, with steel frame and fibreglass panels. Detailed analysis and computer modelling of the design and any impacts of stresses it would see in service were undertaken by finite element analysis firm Analysis by Firth . It
7227-510: The far east has led to the adoption of high capacity long multi-axle buses , often double-deckers while South America and China are implementing large numbers of articulated buses for bus rapid transit schemes. Euro Bus Expo is a trade show , which is held biennially at the UK's National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. As the official show of the Confederation of Passenger Transport ,
7326-503: The first of 190 Solo SRs for Cape Town 's MyCiTi bus rapid transit system. These were supplied as knock-down kits and assembled locally, entering service in the city from March 2013. In New Zealand, Reesby Buses imported nine Solo M880s to operate in Rotorua . In Australia, Optare Solos have been purchased by SkyBus , Transdev Melbourne and Ventura Bus Lines in Melbourne and
7425-931: The fleet. The first of these were delivered in mid-2024, with the order being increased to 118 SRs in July 2024; Solo SRs from this order were delivered to Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire , Stagecoach Manchester for Bee Network franchised bus services, Stagecoach South for services in Andover , Stagecoach South Wales and Stagecoach West Scotland . As of 2024, the Centrebus group ordered 2 brand new SRs, of which entered service during August 2024, under High Peak . The diesel-electric hybrid single-decker bus had room for 53 passengers; its configuration can be changed to provide seating for up to 34 passengers plus one wheelchair with additional standing room. Its peak power demands are met by batteries that are recharged on-board by
7524-545: The front or multiple doors. The move to the low-floor design has all but eliminated the mid-engined design, although some coaches still have mid-mounted engines. Front-engined buses still persist for niche markets such as American school buses, some minibuses, and buses in less developed countries, which may be derived from truck chassis, rather than purpose-built bus designs. Most buses have two axles , while articulated buses have three. Guided buses are fitted with technology to allow them to run in designated guideways, allowing
7623-489: The length – M780 corresponds to 7.8 m, M850 to 8.5 m, and so forth. However, the Cummins-powered Solos required extra rear bodywork in order to accommodate the larger engine, which increased the overall length by 0.3 m (1 ft). This is reflected in the chassis code, so a Cummins-powered Solo was coded M810, M880, M950 or M1020. Along with the launch of the 9.9 m (32 ft 6 in) model,
7722-410: The local Hastings Arrow routes. On 31 October 2014, a fleet of ten new Scania N230UD Alexander Dennis Enviro400 buses were introduced to upgrade route 16 between Canterbury and Hythe to Stagecoach Gold operation. In April and May 2016, a large fleet of new Scania N250UD Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC buses were introduced onto routes 8, 8A and 8X between Canterbury and Westwood Cross and onto
7821-568: The local climate or passenger needs, such as air conditioning in Asia, or cycle mounts on North American buses. The bus types in use around the world where there was little mass production were often sourced secondhand from other countries, such as the Malta bus , and buses in use in Africa. Other countries such as Cuba required novel solutions to import restrictions, with the creation of the "camellos" ( camel bus ),
7920-512: The male and female nominative, vocative and accusative form of the Latin adjective omnis/-e ("all"), combined with omnibus , the dative plural form meaning "for all", thus giving his shop the name "Omnés for all", or "everything for everyone". His transport scheme was a huge success, although not as he had intended as most of his passengers did not visit his spa. He turned the transport service into his principal lucrative business venture and closed
8019-774: The mill and spa. Nantes citizens soon gave the nickname "omnibus" to the vehicle. Having invented the successful concept Baudry moved to Paris and launched the first omnibus service there in April 1828. A similar service was introduced in Manchester in 1824 and in London in 1829. Regular intercity bus services by steam-powered buses were pioneered in England in the 1830s by Walter Hancock and by associates of Sir Goldsworthy Gurney , among others, running reliable services over road conditions which were too hazardous for horse-drawn transportation. The first mechanically propelled omnibus appeared on
8118-443: The momentum stored by a flywheel , were tried in the 1940s. United Kingdom and European Union: United States, Canada and Mexico: Early bus manufacturing grew out of carriage coach building , and later out of automobile or truck manufacturers. Early buses were merely a bus body fitted to a truck chassis. This body+chassis approach has continued with modern specialist manufacturers, although there also exist integral designs such as
8217-524: The need for wheelarch extensions on the rear of the bus. Optare also produced a 7.8 m (25 ft 7 in) long version of the SE. The first SE built, the former Optare demonstrator, entered service with Regal Busways, of Essex , in September 2006. The company has since acquired a further four examples. Optare first experimented with a hybrid electric variant of the Solo in 2005, supplying Solo body shells for Dutch utility company Eneco , who had developed
8316-1101: The operator eventually taking delivery of 85 Solos to replace its fleet of Optare MetroRiders. Arriva , FirstGroup , Go-Ahead Group , Stagecoach Group , Wellglade Group , Translink in Northern Ireland, and Travel West Midlands made subsequent orders, with all having operated large fleets. Solos have been operated by Transport for London operators Arriva London , Quality Line , Metrobus and Travel London . A fleet of 33 Solo SRs are also operated by LibertyBus in Jersey . In 2011, Arriva Malta purchased ten Optare Solo Hybrids for some of its routes in Malta and Gozo . These were passed on to Malta Public Transport in early 2014 after Arriva pulled out from Maltese bus operations, but their use declined and, after summer 2015, they sporadically appeared in summer 2016 and summer 2017 before being withdrawn. Between 2014 and 2015, Malta Public Transport leased 23 Optare Solo SRs from United Kingdom lessor Dawsonsrentals as temporary cover while
8415-448: The operator or a route, function, or to demarcate low-cost or premium service buses. Liveries may be painted onto the vehicle, applied using adhesive vinyl technologies, or using decals . Vehicles often also carry bus advertising or part or all of their visible surfaces (as mobile billboard ). Campaign buses may be decorated with key campaign messages; these can be to promote an event or initiative. The most common power source since
8514-599: The plan of producing the Solo was dropped afterwards. The new product met with a poor market response and never made it beyond the prototype stage. In October 2007, Optare unveiled the Solo SR at the Coach & Bus Show. It is a completely-restyled version of the Solo drawing styling features from the Versa , such as the curved side windows and sweeping roof (with the destination screen and air conditioning unit underneath). Some features of
8613-871: The police, not for profit , social or charitable groups with a regular need for group transport may find it practical or cost-effective to own and operate a bus for their own needs. These are often minibuses for practical, tax and driver licensing reasons, although they can also be full-size buses. Cadet or scout groups or other youth organizations may also own buses. Companies such as railroads, construction contractors, and agricultural firms may own buses to transport employees to and from remote job sites. Specific charities may exist to fund and operate bus transport, usually using specially modified mobility buses or otherwise accessible buses (See Accessibility section). Some use their contributions to buy vehicles and provide volunteer drivers. Airport operators make use of special airside airport buses for crew and passenger transport in
8712-516: The roads of Great Britain for 30 years, the Locomotive Act 1861 imposing restrictive speed limits on "road locomotives" of 5 mph (8.0 km/h) in towns and cities, and 10 mph (16 km/h) in the country. In parallel to the development of the bus was the invention of the electric trolleybus, typically fed through trolley poles by overhead wires . The Siemens brothers, William in England and Ernst Werner in Germany, collaborated on
8811-529: The same designs appearing around the world. The word bus is a shortened form of the Latin adjectival form omnibus ("for all"), the dative plural of omnis/omne ("all"). The theoretical full name is in French voiture omnibus ("vehicle for all"). The name originates from a mass-transport service started in 1823 by a French corn-mill owner named Stanislas Baudry [ fr ] in Richebourg,
8910-547: The secure airside parts of an airport. Some public authorities, police forces, and military forces make use of armoured buses where there is a special need to provide increased passenger protection. The United States Secret Service acquired two in 2010 for transporting dignitaries needing special protection. Police departments make use of police buses for a variety of reasons, such as prisoner transport , officer transport, temporary detention facilities, and as command and control vehicles . Some fire departments also use
9009-449: The standard design being withdrawn from sale. The Solo SR was then available in 7.2 m, 7.9 m, 8.9 m and 9.6 m variants, all available in the Slimline (2.35 m wide) version. 8.9 m and 9.6 m models are available in the wider 2.5 m body width. All 2012 Solo SRs feature curved side glazing and high specification interiors allowing up to 37 seats in the longest derivative. Some of the bodywork components had been redesigned to take advantage of
9108-496: The streets of London on 22 April 1833. Steam carriages were much less likely to overturn, they travelled faster than horse-drawn carriages, they were much cheaper to run, and caused much less damage to the road surface due to their wide tyres. However, the heavy road tolls imposed by the turnpike trusts discouraged steam road vehicles and left the way clear for the horse bus companies, and from 1861 onwards, harsh legislation virtually eliminated mechanically propelled vehicles from
9207-511: The time owned Optare) as the 30-LFN. Major purchasers were American Eagle Airlines and Miami-Dade Transit . NABI 's sale of Optare coupled with poor sales led to its discontinuation from the US bus market. In 2010, four Solos were purchased by Israeli operator Dan Bus Company . A fleet of 94 air-conditioned Solo SRs were also purchased by the RTA in Dubai in 2018. In 2012, Optare began delivering
9306-518: The tram-car, and back again to the dynamo machine at the station, without the necessity of running upon rails at all." The first such vehicle, the Electromote , was made by his brother Ernst Werner von Siemens and presented to the public in 1882 in Halensee , Germany . Although this experimental vehicle fulfilled all the technical criteria of a typical trolleybus, it was dismantled in the same year after
9405-537: The world. Some companies such as Topdeck Travel were set up specifically to use buses to drive the hippie trail or travel to places such as North Africa. In many tourist or travel destinations, a bus is part of the tourist attraction , such as the North American tourist trolleys , London's AEC Routemaster heritage routes , or the customised buses of Malta, Asia, and the Americas. Another example of tourist stops
9504-457: Was an independent bus and coach operator providing regular bus services in and around Thanet , Kent. The company's services, either fully or partly funded by Kent County Council , operated regularly in Margate, Westgate , Broadstairs , St Peters , Ramsgate and surrounding villages: Birchington , Acol , Manston , Minster & Monkton . In March 2012, six of their buses were set alight at
9603-469: Was debranded and split into four different routes: the 400, 401, 600 and 601, while route 6 was rebranded into the 602 and 603. Stagecoach South East also operate the Canterbury Park & Ride service on behalf of Canterbury City Council . Buses operate frequently from Canterbury city centre to three Park & Ride sites at Sturry Road, Wincheap and New Dover Road. Stagecoach South East operates
9702-801: Was then merged with Eastbourne Buses and rebranded Stagecoach . On 13 May 2009, the Office of Fair Trading announced that it was referring the purchase of Eastbourne Buses and Cavendish Motor Services by Stagecoach to the Competition Commission . Although the provisional decision found that the acquisitions had substantially lessened competition, the Competition Commission cleared the purchase in October 2009 after deciding that Cavendish would have chosen either to reduce its services substantially or even to close its operations altogether following Stagecoach's acquisition of Eastbourne Buses. Eastonways
9801-499: Was unique not only in being a triple decker but having a separate smoking compartment on the third level. The buses to be found in countries around the world often reflect the quality of the local road network, with high-floor resilient truck-based designs prevalent in several less developed countries where buses are subject to tough operating conditions. Population density also has a major impact, where dense urbanisation such as in Japan and
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