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Transport News Brief Week 21
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The latest news roundup from the SMMT.
First minister at Scottish Rewards
Alex Salmond, Scotland's first minister, will address the 15th Transport News Scottish Rewards presentation on Friday 7 November. Other speakers are Roger King, Road Haulage Association boss and Henk van Leuven, UK boss of Iveco, the main supporter of the annual champagne breakfast event at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Glasgow. Nominations for the 16 sponsored categories are "well up on last year and all 61 tables of ten have names against them," says Alistair Vallance, editor at Transport News.
More from Alistair Vallance on +44 (0)1 355 279 077 or info@kavpublicity.co.uk
September launch for UK Eurocargo
Iveco says it aims to launch its UK Eurocargo 7.5 to 18 tonne truck range this September. The move follows a recent international launch in Turin. "The new Eurocargo will arrive into a very buoyant truck market and one which has already seen our projected stock of the current model sold-out," says Andrea Bucci, Iveco's UK marketing director. The new trucks all get the automated EuroTronic transmission and Bucci says the firm will set prices for the new range soon, with Iveco dealers taking orders from June.
More from James Keeler on +44 (0)2 083 991 184 or jk@garnett-keeler.com
Thermo King spends on green R&D centre
Thermo King is to spend a 'substantial' amount on its research and design centre in Galway, Ireland, to make it the firm's centre of excellence for 'green' technology development. The Galway site is one of 11 for the firm around the world and serves customers across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The team in Galway has already developed industry-leading and environmentally-friendly projects that include a patented cryogenic cooling system and the new SLX trailer refrigeration units that use 20% less fuel.
More from Bram Robichez on +32 (0)2 714 57 59 or Bram_Robichez@eu.thermoking.com
More Allison auto options in new Iveco EuroCargo
Allison Transmission says its six-speed automatic gearboxes will be options on the new Iveco EuroCargo range. The firm says its transmissions give excellent manoeuvrability at low speeds, "crucial when driving in congested urban environments or loading bays," according to Larry Love, international marketing director for Allison. The firm says its auto boxes are popular in many applications but the distribution sector is fast becoming the leader.
More from Nick Bailey on +44 (0)1 295 277 050 or nick.bailey@m-eng.com
Six new Paragons for Alfa
Lancashire-based holiday tour firm Alfa Travel just took six more Plaxton Paragon coaches. They are air-conditioned 49-seaters on Volvo B12B chassis. The firm does 50% of its work with its own coaches and uses sub-contractors for the remainder. "I'm comfortable with this size of operation," says Alfa Travel's Neil McMurdy. "It works well for us. Our coaches are used almost exclusively on our own tours programme; we don't seek private hire work." The latest deal means the firm has 35 Volvo-based Plaxtons in its fleet, which does UK and Continental holidays.
More from Andrew Warrender on +44 (0)1 909 551 166 or andrew.warrender@plaxtonlimited.co.uk
Big deal on UK Motor Industry Directory
The SMMT's latest UK Motor Industry Directory is the vital and primary source of information about the companies and organisations that make up the UK motor industry today, containing profiles, data and contact details for over 5,000 firms in the UK. The price is now £25, down from £60 and SMMT members get a further discount, taking the price down to £15. You can e-mail an order to publications@smmt.co.uk or order on-line at www.smmt.co.uk
More from Katie Page on +44(0)2 073 441 663 or kpage@smmt.co.uk
Gong for Fiat Fiorino
Just over a week after going on sale in the UK, Fiat's new Fiorino van won the Best New Van award at the 2008 Fleet World Honours in London last week. Made at Tofas in Bursa, Turkey, the Fiorino is part of a joint venture between Fiat and PSA. Designed for busy urban work, it has a 610kg payload and 2.5m3 load volume.
More from Peter Newton on +44 (0)1 753 511 431 or peter.newton@fiat.com
Low-cost fuel economy
KPS Automotive Parts says its Hiclone fuel saving device works on cars, vans and trucks and can cut fuel consumption by between 10 and 20%. The firm says the stainless steel device fits in 15 minutes, has no moving parts and works for the life of the vehicle. "In the case of a Ford Transit van, as an example, two Hiclones are fitted in the air intake system," says Stephen Blake, commercial director. "Air drawn into the engine passes through them, improving the way it mixes with the fuel to give 10 to 20% better fuel consumption, better power and torque, quieter running and of course, lower emissions." KPS has the product on test with some big national fleets and has testimonials from others on its website www.hiclone.co.uk
More from Stephen Blake on +44(0)7 738 736 102 or sblake@kpsautomotiveparts.co.uk
Don't go there
Police intelligence points to a team of thieves targeting the A1, Great North Road, north and southbound in Lincolnshire and Leicestershire. Early on 13 May eight trucks were found with curtains slashed but nothing stolen. A patrol checking trucks in a lay-by at Bodkin Hall, Lincolnshire found two more had been attacked and a third had boxes around it that had obviously come from the truck. A Leyland Daf box van was parked next to it with keys still in the ignition. The police had obviously disturbed but didn't see the criminals. They did seize the box van. Local police advice to drivers looking for overnight parking is: "Don't go there."
More from PC Andy Round on +44 (0)2 476 516 246 or truckpol@avcis.pnn.police.uk
Don't go here either
"We have been advised by an industry sponsor that truckers should avoid using the Risby Truck Park and café, which apparently used to be called Deputy Dog's Truckstop, at junction 41 on the A14 near Saxmundham in Suffolk," says PC Andy Round at Truckpol. "There have been two high value losses from trailers parked at this site in the last few weeks."
More from PC Andy Round on +44 (0)2 476 516 246 or truckpol@avcis.pnn.police.uk
Tyre change to cut costs by 10%
Dextra Lighting is changing its 26 strong truck fleet to Michelin tyres and expects the move to cut its annual tyre bill by up to 10%. ATS Euromaster will progressively replace the fleet's tyres with Michelin XZE tyres. They will then follow Michelin's Four Lives tyre policy, with ATS running a routine including regrooving, remoulding, and then regrooving again to deliver top mileage, performance and economy. ATS will also do routine inspections to ensure maximum tyre life and road safety, helping to protect Dextra's O-licence. The firm is the biggest privately owned lighting maker in the UK.
More from James Keeler on +44 (0)2 083 991 184 or jk@garnett-keeler.com
Automatic ride and drive day
Allison Transmission wants operators and owner-drivers to drive the latest Allison auto-box equipped trucks and buses. The firm's ride and drive event on Thursday 5 June at the Millbrook Proving Ground, Bedfordshire "is an ideal chance to try the transmissions over a range of road types, speeds and gradients." Invitations are on first-come first-served basis with registration details at www.weshareyourview.com "The Ride and Drive day follows our successful 'we share your view' seminars," said Larry Love, international marketing director for Allison. "They showed the benefits and low life-cycle costs that automatic transmissions can deliver."
More from Nick Bailey on +44 (0)1 295 277 050 or nick.bailey@m-eng.com
Aisle-Master means 30% more storage
Car care supplier Tetrosyl just got a fleet of eight Aisle-Master articulated forklifts. The firm will use them in the handling and storage of its leading brands like CarPlan, T-Cut, and Triplewax at its new warehouse near Manchester. Configuring racking around the manoeuvrability of the Aisle-Master and cutting aisle-widths gave Tetrosyl a 30% increase in storage capacity. "The trucks do exactly what the Irish manufacturers promised, with no hitches whatsoever," says Barry Rennie, site manager. "Powerful batteries mean they cope easily with an intensive 24/7 operation, handling over 7,000 pallets a week to process over 1,700 deliveries."
More from Steve Surridge on +44 (0)7 725 642 472 or info@aisle-master.com
Scouse scum nicked
In an operation centred on Aylesbury, Thames Valley Police recently arrested three men from Liverpool for their part in a £20,000 tobacco robbery. The thieves, thought to be responsible for similar offences throughout the UK, attacked a driver and locked him in his truck cab. Fortunately he was able to alert the police, leading to the arrests and the recovery of the stolen cigarettes. All three men were charged and two remanded in custody.
More from PC Andy Round on +44 (0)2 476 516 246 or truckpol@avcis.pnn.police.uk
Search for fundamental powers
The British Transport Advisory Consortium of Commercial Vehicle Operators (mercifully, Btac for short) plans to measure the 'fundamental powers' trucks need to overcome rolling resistance and aerodynamic drag. It will run these tests and others on petrol-electric and diesel-electric hybrid cars, vans and trucks as part of its weekend fuel economy event on 28 and 29 June. The aim is to establish reliable data to guide policy on fuel economy and emissions reduction. "Although not open to casual observers, this event has proved a focal point for fleet engineers since 1981," said Gordon Spooner, Btac secretary, adding that there is still room for a couple of entries and for a limited number of observers. This year's event will be at the Motor Industry Research Association proving ground off the A5 near Nuneaton.
More from Gordon Spooner on +44 (0)7 788 185 806 or secretary@btac.co.uk
Seko expands Dubai office
Seko says growing demand has prompted it to expand its Dubai office. The firm offers global supply chain logistics, IT and transport. Its new Dubai office is close to both Dubai and Abu Dhabi Airport and the Jebel Ali Seaport. The firm has nearly 90 offices worldwide.
More from Geoff Martin on +1 (0)847 570 9100 or jim@jdmandassociates.com
More Volvo FL sleeper options
Hatcher says it has produced another sleeper variant. The new conversion is for the Volvo FL day cab and creates two separate sleeping areas. The cab is extended by 700 mm to take one bunk behind the seats with a second bunk in the cab roof, which has been increased by 900 mm.
Inside there are ample storage facilities for two sets of personal belongings. The conversion also comes with reading lights and space for a night heater, which Hatcher can fit. Optional extras include a microwave oven, a sunroof and aerodynamic aids.
More from Richard Lawrence on +44 (0)1 728 638 543 or rl@splash.uk.net
More rail freight please
The Freight Transport Association has a new four-page booklet about rail freight and its importance for the UK economy. The FTA wants more rail freight over the next 30 years as both containerised imports and road congestion continue to grow. "Rail freight is a key part of the UK supply chain, helping improve economic efficiency for manufacturers, retailers and traditional bulk trades," says the FTA. "Freight trains cut the impact of the supply chain in the UK and each extra container train can take 50 trucks off Britain's roads." Rail freight is up 66% since the mid-1990s, used by big firms including Argos, Asda, Corus, Marks & Spencer and Superdrug.
More from Geoff Dossetter on +44 (0)1 892 552 255 or gdossetter@fta.co.uk
Meachers goes 100% Iveco
Following a delivery of 20 new Euro 5 Iveco Stralis 6x2 twin-steer tractor units, the Meachers Group is operating a 100% Iveco fleet from its Southampton depot. The new trucks join 30 similar models and will do some 160,000km a year on a 24/7 operation. They will tow 13.6m Lawrence David curtainside trailers to deliver anything from packaging to bottled drinks, nationwide. Local dealer Hendy Van and Truck won the business and has each truck on a three-year contract hire deal with Iveco Capital. "Turn the clock back three years and we had never operated an Iveco vehicle," says Richard Lambourne, a director of Meachers Group, "but following a really successful three month trial we have been steadily replacing our entire Southampton fleet."
More from James Keeler on +44 (0)2 083 991 184 or jk@garnett-keeler.com
New sales boss for training firm
Richard Hill is the newly appointed sales director for Peak Performance, which says it is the UK's leading provider of work-related driver risk assessment and training.
More from Chris Wakley on +44 (0) 2 074 948 050 or cwakley@automotivepr.com
New communications boss for FTA
The Freight Transport Association says Jo Tanner will be its new communications director. She will report to James Hookham FTA managing director, policy and communications and starts her new job in July. Tanner succeeds Geoff Dossetter, who retires at the end of September.
More from Geoff Dossetter on +44 (0)1 892 552 255 or gdossetter@fta.co.uk
Bus simulator for Denmark
Thales says it will deliver its first bus and coach driving simulator, called BUS3000, in partnership with Helsinki-based STC. The Finnish firm has already developed and delivered three bus-driving simulators for customers in Belgium and Finland. The new simulator will go to Danish training outfit TSU in the autumn. Thales says BUS3000 meets the European directive EU 2003-59 on driver training and will help experienced drivers meet the need for continued training when the directive becomes law. In the meantime, it will help train beginners and uses only six tonnes of oil equivalent a year, compared to 64 for a training vehicle.
More from Mark Rouson on +44 (0)1 293 742 029 or mark.rouson@thalesgroup.com
Another gong for Lombard
Lombard Vehicle Management has won its third major award in six months - the Fleet Management Service Award in the 2008 Van Fleet World Honours. The Van Fleet World Honours are presented annually to vehicle makers, service companies and people who have, in the opinion of the judges, "achieved the highest possible level of excellence in their sector".
More from Mark Carbery on +44 (0)1 832 272 179 or mark.carbery@longshoreconsultancy.com
And finally
New Scientist's Feedback column reports that reader Jack Harrison spotted a sign on the M25 London orbital motorway announcing a junction eight miles ahead, adding "Travel time 8 minutes". Accompanying it was another sign specifying a speed limit of 40 miles an hour.
More from www.newscientist.com
Alex Salmond, Scotland's first minister, will address the 15th Transport News Scottish Rewards presentation on Friday 7 November. Other speakers are Roger King, Road Haulage Association boss and Henk van Leuven, UK boss of Iveco, the main supporter of the annual champagne breakfast event at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Glasgow. Nominations for the 16 sponsored categories are "well up on last year and all 61 tables of ten have names against them," says Alistair Vallance, editor at Transport News.
More from Alistair Vallance on +44 (0)1 355 279 077 or info@kavpublicity.co.uk
September launch for UK Eurocargo
Iveco says it aims to launch its UK Eurocargo 7.5 to 18 tonne truck range this September. The move follows a recent international launch in Turin. "The new Eurocargo will arrive into a very buoyant truck market and one which has already seen our projected stock of the current model sold-out," says Andrea Bucci, Iveco's UK marketing director. The new trucks all get the automated EuroTronic transmission and Bucci says the firm will set prices for the new range soon, with Iveco dealers taking orders from June.
More from James Keeler on +44 (0)2 083 991 184 or jk@garnett-keeler.com
Thermo King spends on green R&D centre
Thermo King is to spend a 'substantial' amount on its research and design centre in Galway, Ireland, to make it the firm's centre of excellence for 'green' technology development. The Galway site is one of 11 for the firm around the world and serves customers across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The team in Galway has already developed industry-leading and environmentally-friendly projects that include a patented cryogenic cooling system and the new SLX trailer refrigeration units that use 20% less fuel.
More from Bram Robichez on +32 (0)2 714 57 59 or Bram_Robichez@eu.thermoking.com
More Allison auto options in new Iveco EuroCargo
Allison Transmission says its six-speed automatic gearboxes will be options on the new Iveco EuroCargo range. The firm says its transmissions give excellent manoeuvrability at low speeds, "crucial when driving in congested urban environments or loading bays," according to Larry Love, international marketing director for Allison. The firm says its auto boxes are popular in many applications but the distribution sector is fast becoming the leader.
More from Nick Bailey on +44 (0)1 295 277 050 or nick.bailey@m-eng.com
Six new Paragons for Alfa
Lancashire-based holiday tour firm Alfa Travel just took six more Plaxton Paragon coaches. They are air-conditioned 49-seaters on Volvo B12B chassis. The firm does 50% of its work with its own coaches and uses sub-contractors for the remainder. "I'm comfortable with this size of operation," says Alfa Travel's Neil McMurdy. "It works well for us. Our coaches are used almost exclusively on our own tours programme; we don't seek private hire work." The latest deal means the firm has 35 Volvo-based Plaxtons in its fleet, which does UK and Continental holidays.
More from Andrew Warrender on +44 (0)1 909 551 166 or andrew.warrender@plaxtonlimited.co.uk
Big deal on UK Motor Industry Directory
The SMMT's latest UK Motor Industry Directory is the vital and primary source of information about the companies and organisations that make up the UK motor industry today, containing profiles, data and contact details for over 5,000 firms in the UK. The price is now £25, down from £60 and SMMT members get a further discount, taking the price down to £15. You can e-mail an order to publications@smmt.co.uk or order on-line at www.smmt.co.uk
More from Katie Page on +44(0)2 073 441 663 or kpage@smmt.co.uk
Gong for Fiat Fiorino
Just over a week after going on sale in the UK, Fiat's new Fiorino van won the Best New Van award at the 2008 Fleet World Honours in London last week. Made at Tofas in Bursa, Turkey, the Fiorino is part of a joint venture between Fiat and PSA. Designed for busy urban work, it has a 610kg payload and 2.5m3 load volume.
More from Peter Newton on +44 (0)1 753 511 431 or peter.newton@fiat.com
Low-cost fuel economy
KPS Automotive Parts says its Hiclone fuel saving device works on cars, vans and trucks and can cut fuel consumption by between 10 and 20%. The firm says the stainless steel device fits in 15 minutes, has no moving parts and works for the life of the vehicle. "In the case of a Ford Transit van, as an example, two Hiclones are fitted in the air intake system," says Stephen Blake, commercial director. "Air drawn into the engine passes through them, improving the way it mixes with the fuel to give 10 to 20% better fuel consumption, better power and torque, quieter running and of course, lower emissions." KPS has the product on test with some big national fleets and has testimonials from others on its website www.hiclone.co.uk
More from Stephen Blake on +44(0)7 738 736 102 or sblake@kpsautomotiveparts.co.uk
Don't go there
Police intelligence points to a team of thieves targeting the A1, Great North Road, north and southbound in Lincolnshire and Leicestershire. Early on 13 May eight trucks were found with curtains slashed but nothing stolen. A patrol checking trucks in a lay-by at Bodkin Hall, Lincolnshire found two more had been attacked and a third had boxes around it that had obviously come from the truck. A Leyland Daf box van was parked next to it with keys still in the ignition. The police had obviously disturbed but didn't see the criminals. They did seize the box van. Local police advice to drivers looking for overnight parking is: "Don't go there."
More from PC Andy Round on +44 (0)2 476 516 246 or truckpol@avcis.pnn.police.uk
Don't go here either
"We have been advised by an industry sponsor that truckers should avoid using the Risby Truck Park and café, which apparently used to be called Deputy Dog's Truckstop, at junction 41 on the A14 near Saxmundham in Suffolk," says PC Andy Round at Truckpol. "There have been two high value losses from trailers parked at this site in the last few weeks."
More from PC Andy Round on +44 (0)2 476 516 246 or truckpol@avcis.pnn.police.uk
Tyre change to cut costs by 10%
Dextra Lighting is changing its 26 strong truck fleet to Michelin tyres and expects the move to cut its annual tyre bill by up to 10%. ATS Euromaster will progressively replace the fleet's tyres with Michelin XZE tyres. They will then follow Michelin's Four Lives tyre policy, with ATS running a routine including regrooving, remoulding, and then regrooving again to deliver top mileage, performance and economy. ATS will also do routine inspections to ensure maximum tyre life and road safety, helping to protect Dextra's O-licence. The firm is the biggest privately owned lighting maker in the UK.
More from James Keeler on +44 (0)2 083 991 184 or jk@garnett-keeler.com
Automatic ride and drive day
Allison Transmission wants operators and owner-drivers to drive the latest Allison auto-box equipped trucks and buses. The firm's ride and drive event on Thursday 5 June at the Millbrook Proving Ground, Bedfordshire "is an ideal chance to try the transmissions over a range of road types, speeds and gradients." Invitations are on first-come first-served basis with registration details at www.weshareyourview.com "The Ride and Drive day follows our successful 'we share your view' seminars," said Larry Love, international marketing director for Allison. "They showed the benefits and low life-cycle costs that automatic transmissions can deliver."
More from Nick Bailey on +44 (0)1 295 277 050 or nick.bailey@m-eng.com
Aisle-Master means 30% more storage
Car care supplier Tetrosyl just got a fleet of eight Aisle-Master articulated forklifts. The firm will use them in the handling and storage of its leading brands like CarPlan, T-Cut, and Triplewax at its new warehouse near Manchester. Configuring racking around the manoeuvrability of the Aisle-Master and cutting aisle-widths gave Tetrosyl a 30% increase in storage capacity. "The trucks do exactly what the Irish manufacturers promised, with no hitches whatsoever," says Barry Rennie, site manager. "Powerful batteries mean they cope easily with an intensive 24/7 operation, handling over 7,000 pallets a week to process over 1,700 deliveries."
More from Steve Surridge on +44 (0)7 725 642 472 or info@aisle-master.com
Scouse scum nicked
In an operation centred on Aylesbury, Thames Valley Police recently arrested three men from Liverpool for their part in a £20,000 tobacco robbery. The thieves, thought to be responsible for similar offences throughout the UK, attacked a driver and locked him in his truck cab. Fortunately he was able to alert the police, leading to the arrests and the recovery of the stolen cigarettes. All three men were charged and two remanded in custody.
More from PC Andy Round on +44 (0)2 476 516 246 or truckpol@avcis.pnn.police.uk
Search for fundamental powers
The British Transport Advisory Consortium of Commercial Vehicle Operators (mercifully, Btac for short) plans to measure the 'fundamental powers' trucks need to overcome rolling resistance and aerodynamic drag. It will run these tests and others on petrol-electric and diesel-electric hybrid cars, vans and trucks as part of its weekend fuel economy event on 28 and 29 June. The aim is to establish reliable data to guide policy on fuel economy and emissions reduction. "Although not open to casual observers, this event has proved a focal point for fleet engineers since 1981," said Gordon Spooner, Btac secretary, adding that there is still room for a couple of entries and for a limited number of observers. This year's event will be at the Motor Industry Research Association proving ground off the A5 near Nuneaton.
More from Gordon Spooner on +44 (0)7 788 185 806 or secretary@btac.co.uk
Seko expands Dubai office
Seko says growing demand has prompted it to expand its Dubai office. The firm offers global supply chain logistics, IT and transport. Its new Dubai office is close to both Dubai and Abu Dhabi Airport and the Jebel Ali Seaport. The firm has nearly 90 offices worldwide.
More from Geoff Martin on +1 (0)847 570 9100 or jim@jdmandassociates.com
More Volvo FL sleeper options
Hatcher says it has produced another sleeper variant. The new conversion is for the Volvo FL day cab and creates two separate sleeping areas. The cab is extended by 700 mm to take one bunk behind the seats with a second bunk in the cab roof, which has been increased by 900 mm.
Inside there are ample storage facilities for two sets of personal belongings. The conversion also comes with reading lights and space for a night heater, which Hatcher can fit. Optional extras include a microwave oven, a sunroof and aerodynamic aids.
More from Richard Lawrence on +44 (0)1 728 638 543 or rl@splash.uk.net
More rail freight please
The Freight Transport Association has a new four-page booklet about rail freight and its importance for the UK economy. The FTA wants more rail freight over the next 30 years as both containerised imports and road congestion continue to grow. "Rail freight is a key part of the UK supply chain, helping improve economic efficiency for manufacturers, retailers and traditional bulk trades," says the FTA. "Freight trains cut the impact of the supply chain in the UK and each extra container train can take 50 trucks off Britain's roads." Rail freight is up 66% since the mid-1990s, used by big firms including Argos, Asda, Corus, Marks & Spencer and Superdrug.
More from Geoff Dossetter on +44 (0)1 892 552 255 or gdossetter@fta.co.uk
Meachers goes 100% Iveco
Following a delivery of 20 new Euro 5 Iveco Stralis 6x2 twin-steer tractor units, the Meachers Group is operating a 100% Iveco fleet from its Southampton depot. The new trucks join 30 similar models and will do some 160,000km a year on a 24/7 operation. They will tow 13.6m Lawrence David curtainside trailers to deliver anything from packaging to bottled drinks, nationwide. Local dealer Hendy Van and Truck won the business and has each truck on a three-year contract hire deal with Iveco Capital. "Turn the clock back three years and we had never operated an Iveco vehicle," says Richard Lambourne, a director of Meachers Group, "but following a really successful three month trial we have been steadily replacing our entire Southampton fleet."
More from James Keeler on +44 (0)2 083 991 184 or jk@garnett-keeler.com
New sales boss for training firm
Richard Hill is the newly appointed sales director for Peak Performance, which says it is the UK's leading provider of work-related driver risk assessment and training.
More from Chris Wakley on +44 (0) 2 074 948 050 or cwakley@automotivepr.com
New communications boss for FTA
The Freight Transport Association says Jo Tanner will be its new communications director. She will report to James Hookham FTA managing director, policy and communications and starts her new job in July. Tanner succeeds Geoff Dossetter, who retires at the end of September.
More from Geoff Dossetter on +44 (0)1 892 552 255 or gdossetter@fta.co.uk
Bus simulator for Denmark
Thales says it will deliver its first bus and coach driving simulator, called BUS3000, in partnership with Helsinki-based STC. The Finnish firm has already developed and delivered three bus-driving simulators for customers in Belgium and Finland. The new simulator will go to Danish training outfit TSU in the autumn. Thales says BUS3000 meets the European directive EU 2003-59 on driver training and will help experienced drivers meet the need for continued training when the directive becomes law. In the meantime, it will help train beginners and uses only six tonnes of oil equivalent a year, compared to 64 for a training vehicle.
More from Mark Rouson on +44 (0)1 293 742 029 or mark.rouson@thalesgroup.com
Another gong for Lombard
Lombard Vehicle Management has won its third major award in six months - the Fleet Management Service Award in the 2008 Van Fleet World Honours. The Van Fleet World Honours are presented annually to vehicle makers, service companies and people who have, in the opinion of the judges, "achieved the highest possible level of excellence in their sector".
More from Mark Carbery on +44 (0)1 832 272 179 or mark.carbery@longshoreconsultancy.com
And finally
New Scientist's Feedback column reports that reader Jack Harrison spotted a sign on the M25 London orbital motorway announcing a junction eight miles ahead, adding "Travel time 8 minutes". Accompanying it was another sign specifying a speed limit of 40 miles an hour.
More from www.newscientist.com
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