Wednesday 15 February 2012

Financial MOTives

Following the closure of our local VOSA Testing Station in Gloucester, we have been forced to find an alternative location for our MOT tests.

Buses require a class 6 MOT test and so for us it has always been nessecary to go to a VOSA facility. However, in response to the closure of our nearest VOSA facility, we have the option of two private facilities that are actually closer! Both of these testing facilities are on the premises of large haulage firms and are only a couple of miles apart!

We have now sent three of our vehicles to the C M Downton's facility at Moreton Valence and, I am very glad to say, that all three have passed with flying colours!

The closure of our local VOSA facility has left us with additional costs as there is a lane fee to pay in addition to the MOT test fee. Another way of reducing the odds of actually making a profit! We have no real choice in this matter as the nearest official VOSA sites are now at either Calne or Avonmouth and so the additional fuel cost exceeds the difference in fees.

On the up side, when booking a new test you actually get to speak to a real person who actually works at the site not a call centre miles away!

Tuesday 7 February 2012

Before And After - R448 LGH

I do like a bargain! After a trip to UK Bus Dismantlers at Bromyard to see one bus that was for sale, I found another one that I liked more. The original viewing was a run of the mill ex Veolia 1996 Dennis Dart which, on first inspection looked quite tidy. A closer look revealed some issues around the rear windows and so I quickly decided that this was not worth the bother and anyway its MOT was shortly due to expire.
We needed an engine for L310PSC and a suitable donor was about to face the cutting torch so a quick deal was done (yet another Veolia vehicle). Whilst briefly inspecting this engine in situ, something caught my eye!
Hidden at the back of the yard was this little gem! I admit that on the outside it looks like a bit of a wreck, but it was easily restorable and Low Floor! An offer was made and so job done.
UK Bus Dismantlers has recently purchased a large number of vehicles from Veolia, who have been either closing down or selling off their bus operations in recent times. There are many operators both large and small who have benifited from such a large supply of vehicles, mostly Low Floor, being available.
Our new dart had some new panels and a repaint and is somewhat transformed into the vehicle pictured below: -
The seats have now been retrimmed and she is off for an MOT test on Tuesday. If all goes well, and after a couple of days of local testing, this shiny bus will find itself on the 881 route between Cirencester and Tetbury.