Minibuses are replacing buses in parts of rural Wales

The local politicians of Flintshire have decided to substitute local bus services, predominantly used by the elderly around the rural country area, with new minibuses.

Councillors agreed that minibus vehicles provide a more sustainable form of transport for passengers after a funding cut to existing bus operators.

The use of the new minibus fleets is being viewed as significantly more efficient – matching the demand for the service as well as reducing emissions.

Funding for the changes to the transport system came from the Welsh government and the European Union. Over the last few years there has been a big push for the reduction of emissions across the EU with significant funding available to make this happen.

Timetables and schedules for the daily running of the minibuses have been organised to give students lifts to and from school as well.

As a result, more rural areas have seen a greater independence of both the elderly and the youth with a beneficial drop in associated fuel costs and emissions.

The use of minibuses – in replacement of the expensive, less sustainable larger buses – has ultimately worked to better the communities whilst producing an effort against global warming and potential climate change in the long-run.

Poppy Cabs – Rememberance Sunday 2018

London’s Taxis will again be giving up their time to provide a free taxi service from the following mainline stations:

 

  • Paddington
  • Marylebone
  • Euston
  • Kings Cross
  • Liverpool Street
  • Fenchurch Street
  • London Bridge Waterloo
  • Victoria Mail Line
  • Victoria Coach Station

Plus the following service clubs

 

  • Victory Services Club
  • Union Jack Club

 

The Taxi service will run between the stations and Admiralty Arch and will also be providing return journeys from Westminster bridge.

For a number of years this event has been very well supported by hundreds of London Taxis drivers giving up their Sundays to assist veterans and their family’s remembering those fallen in two world wars and later conflicts.

Marshals will be at hand to direct veterans from mainline stations into waiting Taxis. Quotax are pleased to support this event with a number of Staff and family members assisting with the Waterloo drop off.

Drivers can support the event by turning up from 8am onwards at any of the mainline stations or you can contact Mike Hughes on mike@mikehughes.org.ukplease also follow @poppycabs and @UCGUP where information will be posted throughout the day.

Dean Richardson Maintains Unbeaten Record

London Taxi Driver, Dean Richardson, won his first fight under new trainer Gary Logan on Saturday night, making it his 8th consecutive victory.

Richardson improved his record to 8-0 with 5 knockouts with a shut out 60-54 points victory over Arvydas Trizno from Lithuania.

The South Ruislip boxer used his height and reach advantage to good effect using long jabs before landing hard left hands through the guard. Trizno only occasionally fired back with hard hooks but was ineffective as they were defended well by Richardson.

The fight, which was held at Tottenham Green Pools and Leisure Centre, was the first that Richardson and Logan had worked on together. The improvements were evident and the pair plan to continue their success together as Richardson eyes a shot at the Southern Area title in 2019.

Dean Richardson Fight 13th October

London taxi driver and professional boxer, Dean Richardson, will be returning to the ring on October 13th in his 8th professional fight of his boxing career.

His first fight of the season will be held at Tottenham Green Leisure Centre on a show headlined by a clash between Kay Prosper and Danny Cassius Connor in an eliminator for the English title.

Currently 7-0 with 5 knockouts, Richardson is hoping to keep improving his record as he closes in at a shot for the Southern Area light middleweight title.

Tickets for Dean’s fight are priced at £35 Standing and £65 Ringside, and are available on 07702 887088.

Dean Richardson vs William-Warburton 8x3 Super Welterweight

Minibus Summer Driving Tips

Summer driving brings unique challenges to driving, more vehicles locally, children playing outside, more caravans, cyclists and motorcyclists. This all equates to journey times increasing and traffic jams becoming more likely.

Those who manage drivers must be aware of the issues and schedules should be planned accordingly. Planning journeys for the undoubted holiday traffic jams. There needs to be an increased focus on vehicle conditions and symmetric information provided to drivers on allergies preventing fatigue and minimising RSI- Repetitive strain injury.

Vehicle maintenance

Check coolant levels regularly throughout the summer.

Keep washer fluid full and additional bottles within the car or boot, to prevent minimised vision.

Check tyres for damage due to hot weather increasing the risk of a puncture.

Make sure there is a suitable tread depth of 1.6mm minimum for your car to avoid slippery road surfaces.

Ensure air conditioning is maintained to avoid fainting and a lack of concentration during driving.

Avoid the glare

Glare from the sun can cause road accidents due to the distraction and the reduced vision during trips wearing correct sunglasses can reduce the glare and keep drivers concentration up and their vision. If a driver requires prescription lenses their sunglasses should have the same prescription.

Some lenses will not be suitable for drivers as they don’t in adequate light or they will let in too much due to the limitations as a light transmission. They should not obstruct your periphery vision.

Warm Weather Fatigue

Drivers are more likely to feel fatigued in warmer weather. Tachograph controls will indicate when a commercial vehicle driver should take breaks but drivers without this must follow the upcoming recommendations.

Break a 3-hour journey with a 20-minute stop

Take regular breaks to refresh yourself preferably ever two hours for longer journeys

Avoid eating heavy before driving

Make sure you are wide awake and possibly drink coffee to keep your reactions to a normal speed

Allergy Time

Hay fever causes itchy and watery eyes decreasing vision and concentration, this can be a big distraction to drivers and even a millisecond of not looking at the road can cause fatal accidents. It is advisable to ask drivers who suffer from hay fever to follow steps to reduce the likelihood of an outburst.

Use non drowsy Antihistamines such as cetirizine

Dehydration can decrease awareness and even lead to fainting so always keep an extra bottle of water in your car.

Wear sunglasses when the sun impair your vision while also keeping the pollen away from your eyes

Keep windows closed and use air conditioning to keep the vehicle cool

Provide vehicle purifiers to reduce pollen particles

The Country code

If your routes include rural areas it is better to know about the country code

Tractors can turn erratically and do not need indicators for daytime driving

Tractors have front loaders so the length of the vehicle could be more than you anticipate

Mud tracks left on the ground by tractors can be extremely slippery after rain, take caution.

Summary of key points

Driving in the summer can increase hazards that you may not notice, this can create unique challenges. It is recommended that managers raise awareness for these issues to avoid accidents.

Consider to plan your journeys to avoid the holiday jam and avoid the long queues.

Check that your sunglasses are suitable and with the correct prescription if need be.

Suggest to drivers without tachographs to take regular breaks and remind them about fatigue and the prevention of this.

Maintain your vehicle keeping it in the best shape to avoid controversy and potential danger to you and other drivers.

Monitor pollen count forecasts and work with drivers to ensure they can handle their hay fever.

London Taxi Driver Dean Richardson returns for his 7th Professional fight

London taxi driver, Dean Richardson, returns to the ring at York Hall, Bethnal Green for his seventh pro fight.

Having won his first five fights by way of knockout, he was taken the distance for the first time in his last outing where he won by unanimous decision against Jan Balog.

Richardson’s next fight, which is on 19th May, will be a step up as he is scheduled to fight in his first 8-round bout.  Due to the early stoppages, he has only gone a maximum of four rounds, despite one bout being scheduled for six.

Winning this bout will take Dean another step closer to a fight for the Southern Area Light-Middleweight Title, which he hopes will be within his next two fights.

Tickets are priced at £40 Unreserved Seating, £65 Ringside and £100 VIP and are available on 07702 887088 or if you wish to pay by credit/debit card, please go to bit.ly/IBT-DRichardson

2018 – Classic Truck and Commercial Vehicle shows for your diary

As we enter 2018 it is time to open up your new diaries and book some important dates for the year’s Classic Truck and Van shows.

Classic Truck shows are a great way to buy parts that you have been unable to get hold of, admire other people’s restorations, share stories and have a good time.

Further details for all of these shows can be found online and we always recommend giving the organisers a call as the details may change from time of going to press.

 

Classic and Commercial Vintage Show

Date: 9th June and 10th June 2018

Location:

British Motor Museum

Gaydon

Warwickshire

CV3J 0BJ

Details: Two day event featuring over 400 vehicles, pre commercial, majority being pre 1990. Large Autojumble selling spares, photos, models etc.

 

Cornwall Truck Show

Date: 21st and 22nd July 2018

Location: Stithian’s Showground

Stithians

Truro

Cornwall

TR3 7DP

Details: Large number of HGV Vehicles including; Old, New Custom, Vintage and Show Trucks.

There are also a number of trade stands and evening entertainment.

 

Classic Van and Pick-Up Show

Date: 5th August 2018 10:00 to 16:00

Location:

British Motor Museum

Gaydon

Warwickshire

CV3J 0BJ

Details: Been running for 4 years with a wide range of light commercial vehicles including; Pick-up trucks, Vans, Police Cars, Vintage Vans and more.

 

Barnard Castle Truck Show

Date: 4th and 5th August 2018

Location:

Streatlam Farm

Barnard Castle

County Durham

DL12 8TZ

Details: Event Includes; Vintege Trucks, Auto Jumble, Camping, Commercial Stands, Show trucks and more.

Dean Richardson Hears the Final Bell for the First Time in Career

London taxi driver, Dean Richardson, 22, was taken the full four-rounds by notoriously tough Jan Balog at York Hall, Bethnal Green on 16th February, where the South Ruislip boxer won by a score of 40-36. He now has a record of 6 fights with 6 wins, 5 of which coming by way of knockout.

Dean was in control for the whole contest over his Czech opponent and upped the pace in the final round, landing punishing body shots, to secure the win.

Also on the card, Light-heavyweight amateur world champion Willy Hutchinson got his 3rd win as a professional with a 6 rounder decision win and Olympic silver medallist Joe Joyce scored a first-round knockout to improve his record to 2-0 with 2 knockouts on the show which was promoted by David Haye’s Hayemaker Promotions.

Richardson is looking at boxing again on May 19th with further information to come.

Retro Truck Show 2017

Retro Truck Show 2017

The 9th and 10th September sees the 6th year of the Retro Truck Show. The show attracts over 350 of the best modern Classic Trucks from between the years 1960 to 2000.

Volvo, Scania and DAF as well as many other of the UK’s leading Truck Manufacturers will feature at the show.

There will also be a large indoor model show within the museum plus many trade stands. Other goods on sale include phots, models brochures etc.

Camping facilities are available including showers and toilets.

Quotax is one of the UK’s leading Classic truck Insurers, if you need cover to drive your vehicle to this event please do not hesitate to contact us. We are extremely competitive for Modern Classic Trucks and have a number of exclusive schemes.

Further details of the show can be found at: https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/events/retro-truck-show

Please call our Truck specialists on 0208 691 9691 if you would like a quote from our experienced team.

UK Petrol Price set to rise following Tropical Storm Harvey

The price of Petrol at the pumps is predicted to rise to its highest level in over 2 years following tropical Storm harvey.

U.S.A refineries on the Gulf coast have been shut down resulting in a surge of imported petrol. Port Arthur the US’s biggest refinery could be shut for over 2 weeks by flooding. Wholesale prices have risen 5% in the last week.

Petrol is set rise above the cost of diesel for the first time since June 2016. The storm has put approximately a quarter of the US refineries out of action.

The floodwaters have started to recede but it could be months before the crisis is fully over.