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Goodwill's fears over coach firm - COMMENT ON THIS STORY
SCARBOROUGH'S MP Robert Goodwill has written to National Express to ask why its operators are increasingly turning to foreign-built coaches ahead of their British counterparts.
Mr Goodwill believes the move has played a part in the current struggles of famous Scarborough coach builders Plaxton.
Last month it was revealed that around 75 of the Eastfield-based manufacturers' 500-strong workforce could be made redundant, with the company blaming a drop in demand and "continued uncertainty in the coach market".
A points-based system has been used to decide which employees are to be let go. Workers' sickness records, skill level and productivity were taken into account, with the scores being decided by managers.
The majority of National Express services are contracted to local bus and coach companies.
Mr Goodwill said: "As I understand it, a coach that runs from Bristol to Edinburgh, for example, would be run by a company which would operate as a franchisee of National Express. But National Express has certain stipulations.
"It is obviously Plaxton's single biggest customer and I have written to National Express asking it to look at its policy.
"There are a lot of foreign coaches made in Spain which are operating now. Most people would probably have no idea what type of coach they are travelling on but I am a 'coach spotter', and if Plaxton is out of favour then I want to get to the bottom of it. There may well be a simple reason."
In February, the Evening News reported how around 20 jobs could be lost after the company revealed it was considering redundancies. Last year the manufacturer scrapped Friday morning working for employees, who were informed the shifts would end for at least two months.
Mr Goodwill added: "I think many operators would opt for a Plaxton coach given the choice. It may be more expensive up front but would be more cost-effective and retain a higher resale value.
"I would like to arrange a meeting with National Express to find out why it decided another type of vehicle should be used and why it is promoting foreign-built coaches - particularly when there is the new Plaxton Elite coach which is state of the art."
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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