Call for bus makers, fleet managers and transport engineers to work together 23 February 2011

Bus makers and operators must work together, with engineering design and technician licensing, if the industry is to achieve impending EU targets.

That's the view from the IRTE (Institution of Road Transport Engineers) and Passengerfta (the PCV division of the Freight Transport Association).

"The pressure is on the passenger industry to meet deadlines, whether they are in meeting Euro 6 emissions targets or in providing 'fully accessible' vehicles," says Lawrie Alford, strategic business manager for Passengerfta.

"The need for manufacturers to think maintenance when producing new vehicles is clearly a huge concern for operators," he adds.

Commenting on last week's London bus and coach conference (organised by the IMechE, IRTE and Passengerfta), Alford says: "What came through very strongly at the conference was how imperative technician licensing is for the industry, and how the market leaders are doing a fine job of leading by example."

Nick Jones (pictured), CEO of the SOE (Society of Operations Engineers – the umbrella engineering institution behind IRTE), says: "Within the evolving PCV sector, it is important that bus manufacturers, operators and the entire industry work together in order to meet and exceed public and government expectations."

The conference looked at the maintenance of passenger carrying vehicles, the design of lighter vehicles and included a presentation about the design of the new bus for London from Wright Bus.

Author
Brian Tinham

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