Foxton96
Hayward Coachlines No. 2011 in Foxton 29/1/2019
On a day that the temperature at Foxton Beach was 27 degrees Celsius at 3pm, the Auckland based Volvo B12B 54 seater coach viewed at the Foxton InterCity stop in Main St., snapped at around 4pm on Tuesday, 29 January 2019, too late in the day for a coffee at the Dutch Oven cafe or checking out the nearby DeMolen windmill which closes at 4pm.
Operator - Hayward Coachlines Ltd - Glenfield
Fleet Number - 2011
Registration - H2O11
Chassis Type - Volvo B12B
Chassis No. - YV3R8G1247A121774
Body Manufacturer - Kiwi Bus Builders
Body Date - 2008
Seating Codes - C54F
Notes - ex EKQ383.
Livery - Silver
Meanwhile, in an item of recent bus news....
BUS COMPANY WORKS LEGAL LOOPHOLE TO STAY ON ROAD AFTER 'RIDICULOUS' NZTA RULING
Stuff, December 31 2018
NZTA continues to have safety concerns about a Wellington bus company despite the High Court saying it is okay to operate.
The stoush between the Transport Agency meant Boss Transport - which runs NCS buses, including some of those replacing Wellington trains over the holiday break - jumped through a legal loophole for 18 hours so it could continue to operate after NZTA issued a cease-to-operate order.
Its owner, Malcolm Little, believed his company was being unfairly targeted by NZTA and the Police Commercial Vehicle Safety Team (CVST).
Infractions were as minor as some diesel splatter or a wrongly-coloured safety feature, he said.
Meredith Connell managing partner and NZTA regulatory compliance lead Steve Haszard said the agency had adopted "a tougher and more active approach to regulatory compliance and enforcement".
"We are addressing issues of non-compliance where public safety could be at risk, giving priority to the most urgent cases. Where suspension or revocation is necessary to ensure public safety, the Transport Agency is taking action."
NZTA stood by the safety concerns it had leading to it revoking the transport service licence from Boss Transport on December 20, he said.
Boss had applied for an injunction to allow it to continue to operate and had appealed NZTA's revocation.
On Christmas Eve, the High Court gave it an interim order allowing it to operate till February, when the case would go back to court for the full appeal to be heard.
But, between the cease-to-operate order and the High Court interim order, Boss Transport worked a legal loophole to continue to operate.
For 18 hours it leased its fleet to Auckland operator Kiwi Coaches meaning it could continue to operate under the Auckland operator's transport service licence.
Little, from Boss Transport, and Kiwi Coaches director Calvin West have each confirmed this happened. Both said Boss Transport was being unfairly targeted.
Little believed NZTA was concerned about the sudden expansion of its fleet.
One infraction was a little bit of diesel spray on the exterior of a tank, and another involved an inspector taking exception to the colour of a protective rubbery cover over a metal seat frame, he said.
A brand-new bus was ordered off the road because the inspector didn't approve of the tinted covering over an emergency exit. NZTA later confirmed it approved of the covering, Little said.
"It is totally ridiculous. NZTA are in total disarray. They are going above and beyond to make a point," he said.
Boss Transport began privately-run commuter services in places like Wainuiomata, Hutt Valley, and Porirua after seeing shortfalls in Wellington's July bus overhaul. It bought 33 NZ Bus buses to meet demand.
It also often runs train-replacement buses, which it is currently doing on Wellington lines, and runs charter services.
Ian Ladd, from train operator Transdev, said it contracted a number of bus operators for train replacements.
"Part of the requirements is that the operators and vehicles comply with the relevant transport regulations and safety standards," he said.
"We are unaware of any issues and would respond appropriately to any concerns if any were raised."
Inspector Kelly Ryan, from police CVST, said cases were taken on a case-by-case basis and police did not operate with any ill-intent.
"If we notice during inspections that there seems to be recurring issues with the same company or operator, we will meet with them to discuss the issues and assist them with solutions to prevent any further issues," Ryan said.
"It's about working together to keep everybody safe on our roads because road safety is everyone's responsibility.
"Our staff in CVST absolutely committed to doing their best every day to keep people safe on New Zealand roads and will continue to do so."
NZTA would not comment further while the appeal was pending.
SCHOOL STUDENTS STUCK FOR ALMOST TWO HOURS AFTER POLICE QUESTION BUS DRIVERS
By Damian George and Julie Iles
Stuff, January 28 2019
A group of school students on their way home to Wellington from a rowing regatta were stuck for more almost two hours after their bus drivers were questioned by authorities.
The students from Wellington College, Wellington Girls' College, and Samuel Marsden College were returning from the regatta in Cambridge when their buses were stopped in Ōtaki, about an hour north of Wellington, shortly after midnight on Monday.
Three bus loads of students were pulled over after police and a New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) representative questioned the drivers about over-working.
They also deemed one of the buses to be non-compliant, although operator NCS - run by Boss Transport - said it had yet to be told what the breach was.
Under the Land Transport Rule, bus drivers are not allowed to work shifts of more than 14 consecutive hours, including breaks and work outside of driving.
Boss Transport owner Malcolm Little said police told two of the drivers they were in danger of exceeding that limit if they continued on to Wellington, so the company decided to replace them.
It also sent a different bus to replace the one deemed to be non-compliant.
But Little said the drivers would have been well within the legal limit if they had not been stopped for so long in Ōtaki.
Even allowing for the delay, they would still probably have made it to Wellington in time, but the company did not want to take any risks, he said.
"[Police] made a mistake. They haven't added up the hours correctly."
Wellington Girls' College Rowing Club head Jo Hodgkinson said the two-hour stop had left the students "rather shattered" when they eventually arrived into Wellington.
Wellington College Rowing Club president Sophie Haslem said her son, who attends the school, arrived home at 3.30am.
She had been told by parents on the trip that police and NZTA had threatened to "pink-sticker" one of the buses because of a problem with its compliance certificate.
The bus was eventually deemed to be "road-worthy" but by that stage it was too late for the driver to continue, she said. "All the boys were half asleep at that point."
In December, NZTA issued a cease-to-operate order to Boss Transport following several alleged infractions.
The company applied for an injunction and the High Court ruled it could continue to operate until February, when it will appeal NZTA's decision.
Haslem said Boss Transport had looked after the schools for five years without incident, but they would probably switch to Tranzit for future events.
An NZTA spokeswoman confirmed three buses were stopped overnight on Sunday, but could not provide any further details.
"When they were spotted by a unit they were running late and it was assessed the drivers had exceeded their legal working hours.
"Police stopped the buses and requested new drivers for the safety of the passengers."
NZTA regulatory compliance lead and Meredith Connell managing partner Steve Haszard said the agency had developed a tougher and more active approach to regulatory compliance and enforcement.
NZTA revoked the Transport Service Licence of Boss Transport Limited (trading as NZ Coach Services) on 20 December 2018, based on a range of safety concerns and non-compliance issues, Haszard said.
"Boss has applied for an injunction to allow it to continue to operate and has appealed the Transport Agency's revocation decision.
"On 24 December 2018, the High Court granted an interim order allowing Boss to operate on conditions until February 2019 when the matter will next be before the court.
The NZ Transport Agency stood by the safety concerns alleged in the notice of proposal and would oppose the Boss application to have the revocation overturned, he said. - A story which appeared in the Dominion Post 29/1/2019.
www.stuff.co.nz/national/110208972/school-students-stuck-...
Hayward Coachlines No. 2011 in Foxton 29/1/2019
On a day that the temperature at Foxton Beach was 27 degrees Celsius at 3pm, the Auckland based Volvo B12B 54 seater coach viewed at the Foxton InterCity stop in Main St., snapped at around 4pm on Tuesday, 29 January 2019, too late in the day for a coffee at the Dutch Oven cafe or checking out the nearby DeMolen windmill which closes at 4pm.
Operator - Hayward Coachlines Ltd - Glenfield
Fleet Number - 2011
Registration - H2O11
Chassis Type - Volvo B12B
Chassis No. - YV3R8G1247A121774
Body Manufacturer - Kiwi Bus Builders
Body Date - 2008
Seating Codes - C54F
Notes - ex EKQ383.
Livery - Silver
Meanwhile, in an item of recent bus news....
BUS COMPANY WORKS LEGAL LOOPHOLE TO STAY ON ROAD AFTER 'RIDICULOUS' NZTA RULING
Stuff, December 31 2018
NZTA continues to have safety concerns about a Wellington bus company despite the High Court saying it is okay to operate.
The stoush between the Transport Agency meant Boss Transport - which runs NCS buses, including some of those replacing Wellington trains over the holiday break - jumped through a legal loophole for 18 hours so it could continue to operate after NZTA issued a cease-to-operate order.
Its owner, Malcolm Little, believed his company was being unfairly targeted by NZTA and the Police Commercial Vehicle Safety Team (CVST).
Infractions were as minor as some diesel splatter or a wrongly-coloured safety feature, he said.
Meredith Connell managing partner and NZTA regulatory compliance lead Steve Haszard said the agency had adopted "a tougher and more active approach to regulatory compliance and enforcement".
"We are addressing issues of non-compliance where public safety could be at risk, giving priority to the most urgent cases. Where suspension or revocation is necessary to ensure public safety, the Transport Agency is taking action."
NZTA stood by the safety concerns it had leading to it revoking the transport service licence from Boss Transport on December 20, he said.
Boss had applied for an injunction to allow it to continue to operate and had appealed NZTA's revocation.
On Christmas Eve, the High Court gave it an interim order allowing it to operate till February, when the case would go back to court for the full appeal to be heard.
But, between the cease-to-operate order and the High Court interim order, Boss Transport worked a legal loophole to continue to operate.
For 18 hours it leased its fleet to Auckland operator Kiwi Coaches meaning it could continue to operate under the Auckland operator's transport service licence.
Little, from Boss Transport, and Kiwi Coaches director Calvin West have each confirmed this happened. Both said Boss Transport was being unfairly targeted.
Little believed NZTA was concerned about the sudden expansion of its fleet.
One infraction was a little bit of diesel spray on the exterior of a tank, and another involved an inspector taking exception to the colour of a protective rubbery cover over a metal seat frame, he said.
A brand-new bus was ordered off the road because the inspector didn't approve of the tinted covering over an emergency exit. NZTA later confirmed it approved of the covering, Little said.
"It is totally ridiculous. NZTA are in total disarray. They are going above and beyond to make a point," he said.
Boss Transport began privately-run commuter services in places like Wainuiomata, Hutt Valley, and Porirua after seeing shortfalls in Wellington's July bus overhaul. It bought 33 NZ Bus buses to meet demand.
It also often runs train-replacement buses, which it is currently doing on Wellington lines, and runs charter services.
Ian Ladd, from train operator Transdev, said it contracted a number of bus operators for train replacements.
"Part of the requirements is that the operators and vehicles comply with the relevant transport regulations and safety standards," he said.
"We are unaware of any issues and would respond appropriately to any concerns if any were raised."
Inspector Kelly Ryan, from police CVST, said cases were taken on a case-by-case basis and police did not operate with any ill-intent.
"If we notice during inspections that there seems to be recurring issues with the same company or operator, we will meet with them to discuss the issues and assist them with solutions to prevent any further issues," Ryan said.
"It's about working together to keep everybody safe on our roads because road safety is everyone's responsibility.
"Our staff in CVST absolutely committed to doing their best every day to keep people safe on New Zealand roads and will continue to do so."
NZTA would not comment further while the appeal was pending.
SCHOOL STUDENTS STUCK FOR ALMOST TWO HOURS AFTER POLICE QUESTION BUS DRIVERS
By Damian George and Julie Iles
Stuff, January 28 2019
A group of school students on their way home to Wellington from a rowing regatta were stuck for more almost two hours after their bus drivers were questioned by authorities.
The students from Wellington College, Wellington Girls' College, and Samuel Marsden College were returning from the regatta in Cambridge when their buses were stopped in Ōtaki, about an hour north of Wellington, shortly after midnight on Monday.
Three bus loads of students were pulled over after police and a New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) representative questioned the drivers about over-working.
They also deemed one of the buses to be non-compliant, although operator NCS - run by Boss Transport - said it had yet to be told what the breach was.
Under the Land Transport Rule, bus drivers are not allowed to work shifts of more than 14 consecutive hours, including breaks and work outside of driving.
Boss Transport owner Malcolm Little said police told two of the drivers they were in danger of exceeding that limit if they continued on to Wellington, so the company decided to replace them.
It also sent a different bus to replace the one deemed to be non-compliant.
But Little said the drivers would have been well within the legal limit if they had not been stopped for so long in Ōtaki.
Even allowing for the delay, they would still probably have made it to Wellington in time, but the company did not want to take any risks, he said.
"[Police] made a mistake. They haven't added up the hours correctly."
Wellington Girls' College Rowing Club head Jo Hodgkinson said the two-hour stop had left the students "rather shattered" when they eventually arrived into Wellington.
Wellington College Rowing Club president Sophie Haslem said her son, who attends the school, arrived home at 3.30am.
She had been told by parents on the trip that police and NZTA had threatened to "pink-sticker" one of the buses because of a problem with its compliance certificate.
The bus was eventually deemed to be "road-worthy" but by that stage it was too late for the driver to continue, she said. "All the boys were half asleep at that point."
In December, NZTA issued a cease-to-operate order to Boss Transport following several alleged infractions.
The company applied for an injunction and the High Court ruled it could continue to operate until February, when it will appeal NZTA's decision.
Haslem said Boss Transport had looked after the schools for five years without incident, but they would probably switch to Tranzit for future events.
An NZTA spokeswoman confirmed three buses were stopped overnight on Sunday, but could not provide any further details.
"When they were spotted by a unit they were running late and it was assessed the drivers had exceeded their legal working hours.
"Police stopped the buses and requested new drivers for the safety of the passengers."
NZTA regulatory compliance lead and Meredith Connell managing partner Steve Haszard said the agency had developed a tougher and more active approach to regulatory compliance and enforcement.
NZTA revoked the Transport Service Licence of Boss Transport Limited (trading as NZ Coach Services) on 20 December 2018, based on a range of safety concerns and non-compliance issues, Haszard said.
"Boss has applied for an injunction to allow it to continue to operate and has appealed the Transport Agency's revocation decision.
"On 24 December 2018, the High Court granted an interim order allowing Boss to operate on conditions until February 2019 when the matter will next be before the court.
The NZ Transport Agency stood by the safety concerns alleged in the notice of proposal and would oppose the Boss application to have the revocation overturned, he said. - A story which appeared in the Dominion Post 29/1/2019.
www.stuff.co.nz/national/110208972/school-students-stuck-...