Page 14 - CTB N11 - 2015-03

SHOW PREVIEW
Coach & Bus Live - Preview
Systems, Nu-Track, O
& H Vehicle
Conversions, Taxi &
Bus Conversions, and
Rescroft. They’ll be
unveiling the latest developments in the
mini, midi and
accessible vehicle
sector – from bespoke
luxury builds and
community transport
vehicles, to safety and access equipment. It’s set to be the first port of call for local authority planners, operators, stakeholders and community transport providers looking to refresh their offering and provide improved passenger facilities.
Back by popular demand, the newly re-introduced Skills Test area (supported by Mercedes- Benz) will give visiting drivers the opportunity to test their skills behind the wheel of a range of the latest Mercedes-Benz products (the Skills Test is located in the outside area alongside the main hall).
Other returning show features include the Technology Zone – promoting tomorrow’s solutions today with its biggest ever display of smart technology, telematics, vehicle tracking and ticketing product providers. Whilst operators looking to expand their tours and day trip programme can discover a host of new attractions, destinations, booking agents and wholesalers, alongside the latest advances in tour booking and reservation software, in the Tourism with the Coach Drivers’ Club area (incorporating the Coach Drivers’ Club lounge).
MWSD Takes Wheel Safety Campaign to Coach & Bus Live
Motor Wheel Service Distribution (MWSD) is taking its wheel safety campaign to Coach & Bus Live 2015. The leading wheel supplier says it will place a major educational focus on the impending EU Roadworthiness Act, which became law in May 2014 and must be implemented by Member States by May 2017, and will positively affect the UK commercial vehicle industr y.
Following adoption by both the European Parliament and European Council the new law states ‘compatibility between parts and components, such as between wheels and wheel hubs, should be treated as a critical safety item and should be checked during roadworthiness testing’. Addition legislative text includes several visual wheel inspection prerequisites and
also that ‘wheel size, technical design, compatibility or type not in accordance with the requirements [laid down by type-approval at first registration or first entr y into service] and affecting road safety’ will be classed as a major defect.
It also brings into context a number of minimum essential requirements that need to be stipulated when purchasing wheels, and furthermore the key roles that will be played by fleet managers and product purchasers.
John Ellis, managing director of MWSD, said: “Experts at the EU understand the safety critical nature of CV wheels, and that vehicle safety is being impaired when there is a failure to mount fit-for- purpose wheels. The legislation also addresses inferior quality products which we know can lead to several safety issues.
Momentum continues to build for Coach & Bus Live 2015 – the essential domestic showcase for the UK’s coach, bus, mini/midi vehicle and passenger transport technology sectors, with the announcement that visitor registration is now live.
Taking place at the NEC Birmingham on 30 September and 1 October, Coach & Bus Live 2015 will connect over 6,000 key industry buyers and decision makers with 200 sector leading exhibitors. Representatives from Stagecoach, Abellio, Transport For London, Arriva, London United, Epson Coaches, Bakers Coaches, and Travel de Courcey are among the who’s who of visitors that have already pre-registered to attend. The event’s breadth of appeal is demonstrated by the range of products, services, technologies, and equipment on show for 2015. Building on the success of its last edition, which enjoyed a wealth of positive feedback, exhibition space is claimed to have been selling at a record rate – with the autumn show already 87% sold out. Event organiser Diversified Communications UK says that the strong exhibitor
uptake paints an encouraging picture of growing market confidence in the public transport sector.
Confirmed exhibiting companies to date, include Alexander Dennis, The Wright Group, Volvo, Irizar UK, Mercedes-Benz, Arriva Bus and Coach, Optare Group, BASE, Connaught PSV, The Moseley Group, Minis to Midis, Dawsonrentals, Unvi Bus and Coach, and Yutong.
“The support from the industry this year, as always, has been phenomenal,” says event director Helen Conway. “From exciting new show features to an exhibitor list, which reads like a who’s who of the today’s top suppliers, our 2015 line-up has already generated a lot of positive feedback from pre-registered visitors.”
Specialist show features
For 2015 the show’s miniPLUS Zone – ‘accessible Solutions supported by Rescroft’ – features leading names like EVM, Passenger Lift Services, Unwin Safety Systems, Euromotive Kent, GM Coachwork, London Hire, Mellor Coachcraft, NMI Safety
14 Commercial Tyre Business