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::Date: 2 June 2000

Ensignbus open-top operation moving into London

City Sightseeing's growth continues

by Frank Foster

Open-top operation City Sightseeing ( the Sightseeing company within Ensignbus) has applied for O-licences to go back into London operation - and is making headway in Bath and Dublin.

The company has applied for three hop-on, hop-off routes, one from London Zoo, one from Westminster Bridge and one from just off Russell Square, which would use a total of 25 vehicles.
Steve Newman, world-wide operations manager of City Sightseeing, said the routes were planned to start at Easter next year as there has been an agreement for the company to stay out for London operation for three yours after the sale of London Pride.

In our 30 March issue CBW reported how former London Pride owner Peter Newman planned to launch City Sightseeing in 50 cities worldwide and be in control of 500 vehicles.

Mr Newman said the nature of each operation would vary, some being new companies with their own fleet, others using local operators to run local operators to run existing vehicles or newly-converted vehicles, and some merely marketing and branding arrangements with an established operator. On the planned London operation, Steve Newman said: "Because of our past connections we have kept in touch with a lot of hotels and agents we could get selling our tickets, which means we'd already have a good market base from day one so we're confident we can make it work".

"There are a couple more cities coming on very shortly with some good operators also supplying a few drivers to various City Sightseeing members who are short of driving staff, so we are trying to make the City Sightseeing consortium a two-way thing where we're providing things to people now".

"In Dublin they have the vehicles showing the City Sightseeing on the side vinyls but not on the full livery as yet but that will follow."

Martis Curtis of Bath Bus Company said his company was the latest to launch the City Sightseeing livery, with the first repainted and refurbished vehicle now running.

"Bath Bus Company commenced its own tour bus operations in May 1997 in competition with Guide Friday, among others. Since then it has steadily increased its market share in Bath, using its own red and cream livery and the City Sightseeing name.

"Joining the Ensign-led City Sightseeing consortium is, therefore, a natural development of its tour business and gives our company a further advantage by establishing links to other operators and cities."