15 August 2019

• New bus and coach registrations fall -29.4% in Q2, with 1,433 vehicles joining UK roads.
• Demand for both minibuses and double-deckers halves, down -50.0% and -45.1% respectively.
• Single-deck demand stabilises after a slow first quarter, up 6.6% to 757 units.
• Year-to-date registrations decline -30.8%, with Q2 marking the 10th quarterly decline.

New bus and coach registrations fell -29.4% in the second quarter of this year, with 1,433 joining British roads, according to figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Quarter two marked the 10th consecutive quarterly decline for the sector, as economic and political instability and uncertainty over Clean Air Zone plans continued to affect operator confidence.

Minibus registrations continued to see the most significant decline in demand, falling -50.0% to 491 units, while double deckers also suffered a fall, down -45.1% to 185 units. Single-deck registrations saw a slight improvement, up 6.6% to 757 units registered.

Year-to-date figures paint a similar picture, with demand in the first half of the year down -30.8%. Registrations of minibuses and double-decks fell significantly, dropping by -53.0% and -18.5% respectively. At the same time, single-decks recorded a 0.7% rise for the first time since 2015, with 1,179 registered in the first six months.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said,

A 10th consecutive quarterly decline for the UK bus and coach market is very concerning. While the cyclical nature of the market causes natural fluctuations, the current climate of political and economic uncertainty, exacerbated by confusion around differing local authority requirements for clean air zones, is affecting operators’ confidence and willingness to invest in the market. Getting more of the latest high-tech, low-emission buses on our roads has a vital role to play in improving local air quality, and we need the right business conditions to encourage fleet renewal.

14 August 2019

The mental health of those working in the commercial vehicle, transport and logistics sectors has become a big focus in recent years.

Much of this has been driven, of course, by a changing culture in wider society and by greater awareness and willingness to talk about mental health matters.

It’s becoming more important than ever for employers to take steps to protect the mental wellbeing of team members, if they are to avoid losing their best people.

The Driving Better Mental Health campaign launched at this year’s CV Show, aims to raise awareness of the importance of wellbeing of commercial vehicle drivers.

It concluded that playing chess was one of the best ways of relieving the pressures getting people to talk more frequently and openly about their feelings and concerns.

As part of its efforts to tackle issues such as loneliness and isolation – other factors which frequently have a negative impact on mental health – it offers drivers the opportunity to connect with others in their community over a short game of chess.

5asideCHESS is a Social Enterprise determined to reconnect people in a disconnected world through a short form game of chess, which can simply be used by experienced players and novices alike to connect and engage.

The 5asideCHESS team are currently part-way through a year-long UK tour on the Battling Suicide Bus, stopping at service stations throughout the country. They are promoting chess as a simple and effective way to get people back into the ‘Art of Conversation.’

David Footitt, a special ambassador for campaign supporter How’s My Driving?, said, “Research shows that maintaining good mental health is an important subject for us all. With the needs of the job, commercial vehicle drivers tend to be isolated for long periods of time and can lack the benefits of regular social interaction. Mental health can quickly suffer.”

He added, “Drivers can quickly strike up a game of chess wherever they take their stops and use the game as an opportunity to chat, re-ignite friendships and find new ones. ‘Drive Better Mental Health’ aims to introduce and promote the 5asideCHESS concept to the logistics industry and get people playing, talking and connecting.”

A new study released this week by Mercedes-Benz Vans confirms the need for initiatives like 5asideCHESS. The study asked 2,000 van drivers questions about their working practices and mental health.

Almost half of all respondents (47%) said they find it a continual struggle to ‘switch off’ from work once their day is done and that the ‘always on’ culture is putting them under increasing pressure, which many struggle to cope with.

Of the 2,000 respondents, 24% said they suffer with anxiety, 21% with depression and 23% with stress.

The average survey respondent said they are ‘uncontactable’ by work for just seven hours a week and an alarming 16% said they are alert to the pressures of work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with no respite.

After identifying levels of stress in the workplace, the Mercedes study looked at whether other activities, like sport and exercise could hold part of the answer to improving the mental health of those in the industry and relieving the stresses and pressures of their working lives.

More than two-fifths (44%) of those surveyed said sport, be that watching or participating, is their key outlet when trying to wind down from work, with football, rugby, tennis and golf the most popular choices.

Meanwhile, more than a quarter (26%) said regular exercise was crucial to them being able to unwind after a day behind the wheel.

Steve Bridge, Managing Director, Mercedes-Benz Vans UK, said, “Our previous Business Barometer report showed that almost a quarter (23%) of UK van drivers haven’t been to see their GPs at all in the last year. This means that mental issues, as well as physical, could be going unreported and unmanaged.

“And as we continue to highlight the importance of self-care awareness in the industry, we wanted to examine the link between mental health and one of the community’s most popular hobbies – sports.

“As a huge fan myself, I can say that football really is more than just a game – and as our new research reveals, it could even be essential to tackling mental health in the UK.”

14 August 2019

DHL Supply Chain is to invest a massive £90 million adding more than 1,000 new vehicles to its UK fleet in 2019.

The spending will see the contract logistics specialist add everything from tractor units to specialised rigids and multi temperature-controlled vehicles.

All will be equipped with the advanced safety features, including cameras, Microlise telematics and the latest engine technology.

Ian Clough, Managing Director, Network Logistics and Transport, UK & Ireland, DHL Supply Chain said, “Not only are we investing in our infrastructure to support our growth, but to signal our confidence in the contract logistics market in the UK.”

As part of DHL’s ongoing efforts to improve its sustainability and reduce the environmental impact of its operations, a number of the vehicles will run on liquefied natural gas.

14 August 2019

Alexander Dennis is expanding the UK’s widest range of low and zero emission buses with the new Enviro400ER Electric Range hybrid double deck bus.

Developed with BAE Systems, the Enviro400ER offers geofenced zero emission capability designed to meet local Ultra Low Emission Zones and zero emissions targets without the need for expensive charging infrastructure and without an impact on daily operational range.

The Enviro400ER can run for up to three miles in electric mode, with the exact distance depending on factors such as travel time and route profile. The vehicle utilises a 32kWh capacity energy storage system, comprising third generation lithium nickel manganese cobalt battery technology, as well as the same components as the latest generation Enviro400H hybrid bus. The battery does not need to be charged externally, avoiding costly infrastructure in depots or at termini.

Arthur Whiteside, Managing Director UK Sales at Alexander Dennis, said, “Our new Electric Range option offers a highly cost-effective way of introducing zero emissions capability with no need to change operational practices.”