Newsletter - June 2008 

GOOD NEWS (1):  New Acquisitions 2007

Another two, brand new Volvos to add to our all Volvo Fleet. For the technically minded they are B12M’s to the new 12.8 metre permissible length. One is a “standard” 57 seater and the other a 53 seater “Executive” with a rear, floor mounted, toilet / washroom. Because of extra length, seat spacing is not compromised, being the same as our 49 seater “Executives” and gives a remarkable 20% increase on legroom of our previous maximum capacity 57 seaters.

These vehicles will command a “pro-rata” small premium on price to reflect the increased seating capacity and popularity amongst groups who habitually run to full capacity.

GOOD NEWS (2)

BAD NEWS (1):  Fuel Prices

Everyone will be well aware that fuel prices have increased way beyond what could have been reasonably expected only a few months ago. In our 30+ years of operation we have seen sevaral massive fluctuations in fuel prices but only on one previous occasion have we contemplated the neccessity of a "fuel surcharge" on existing bookings.

While some economic forecasters predict a continued climb, others are more sanguine and predict that the "speculative bubble" will burst, sooner or later. Rather than apply significant increases to our prices generally, we are proposing the following course of action, which we believe, is the most eqitable to all parties.

All existing bookings are being reviewed a fortnight before travel and the fuel price cost at the time of quoting / booking compared with the current cost. This detailed calculation for your journey will be sent to you only when the increase in the cost of fuel to perform your booking is such a significant proportion of (or exceeds) our reasonable profit margin. Please nore: we will only be INVITING you to make a CONTRIBUTION; it will NOT be a DEMAND!

Customers makiing a NEW BOOKING, will be given the fuel price on which the price has been calculated as a reference point to any future surcharges, OR, in the case of a retrenchment in prices, an actual reduction in the price of hire calculated. We will also provide a simple calcluator setting out the relation to mileage vs price increase to give the size of any possible Surcharge or rebate.

We trust everyone will consider this both fair and entirely transparent.

BAD NEWS (2) / GOOD NEWS (3):  The London “LEZ” (Low Emissions Zone)

Ken’s latest wheeze; if your lorry or coach does not meet Euro 3 or Euro 4 standards on emissions by next summer, you will have to pay £200.00 PER DAY to enter any of the London Boroughs (basically within the M25), and there are an awful lot of coaches (virtually anything over six years old) who will not meet the standard without expensive modification. These will not be available for hire to go into London and with supply drastically reduced, prices are bound to rise significantly for those that can enter London without the surcharge. THE GOOD NEWS?  ALL OUR VEHICLES ARE POST 2001 AND THEREFORE EXEMPT FROM THE £200.00 CHARGE! BOOK WHILE WE STILL HAVE AVAILABILITY OR DON’T GO TO LONDON!