Buses for disposal
Page 13
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
-THOUGH the pool of secondhand coaches available in Britain is mg reducing, many public sector bus operators have a number of Tviceable buses awaiting disposal. Many of these vehicles have tars of life left in them and operators seem unlikely to realise their II value due to the numbers available and the fairly limited domes: market.
Some operators are also wary selling buses to competing )(gators in Britain for fear of em abstracting from their own )erations later. The demand for nv stage carriage buses is also !ling draMatically due to a )mbination of factors, includg reduced local Government )ending; the phasing out of Js grant and the recession. lere is also a feeling that the ut of good secondhand buses )uld damage the new bus marit potential.
One idea to overcome the glut buses awaiting disposal could 3 setting a secondhand vehicle gister as proposed by Currie Dntract Services of Heywood, mos. This proposes that a re gister of secondhand buses, coaches and other vehicles suitable for export be established and circulated to potential overseas vehicle buyers. With many operators knowing well in advance when their vehicles are to be replaced the buses in question could be placed on the list whilst still in service. This would enable their disposal to be arranged to coincide with the delivery of the replacements.
• Currie managing director Geoff Kerner believes that such a register would create a badly needed communications link between British operators and potential overseas buyers. He says that sales could be enhanced by providing support and advice on parts availability as well as training for the potential custorn er's staff.