PRESS RELEASE
30/03/2007
NEWS FROM UK: 13 brand new single decker buses have been purchased by Veolia Transport Cymru that will service contracts awarded by Rhonda Cynon Taf and a newly designed network based around Pontypridd.
Veolia Transport Cymru is the amalgamation of six bus and coach businesses that were acquired by Veolia Transport over the last two years. These businesses were chosen for their excellent reputation as well location in Wales, positioned in Cardiff Swansea, Pontypridd, Barry and Newport. The businesses are Bebbs Travel (the first company acquired in 2005), Pullman Coaches, Longs, Hawkes, and most recently Shamrock Travel (incorporating Thomas of Barry) acquired just 5 months ago.
This £1.3 million investment in vehicles demonstrates Veolia’s determination to make improvements to current bus services in Wales, as well as acknowledging its permanent residency.
The Deputy Managing Director of Veolia Transport Cymru, said: “Ongoing investments and improvements to the services we provide to our customers play a crucial part in encouraging the use of public transport. Joining our Welsh businesses together under one name and providing new vehicles for our customers, shows our commitment to raise the level of service standards in the country. We are here to stay and here to serve, and believe our customers in Wales will soon begin to see a difference in their bus services.”
The new buses will run principally from the Pontypridd depot to various destinations throughout South Wales including Cynon, Rhondda Valleys, Cardiff and Swansea.
Representatives from bus manufacturers MCV and Plaxton attended an informal event at Margam Park to officially hand over the new buses to Veolia.
The 13 buses present were:
• 6 x MCV Evolution
• 5 x Plaxton Centro on VDL SB200
• 2 x Plaxton Primo
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Notes for editors:
- Veolia Transport is part of Veolia Environnement, a global organisation that provides public services in water, waste disposal, energy and transport to 225 million people across the world.
- Veolia Transport is Europe’s No.1 operator of public transportation with over 61 thousand employees working in operations in 25 countries
- Worldwide, Veolia Transport serves 5,000 municipalities and operates 28,000 vehicles of which 83% are local and long distance buses, 12% light rail systems, metros and trains, 4% taxis and 1% boats)