INTRODUCTION
ALBUM was formed on 8th October 1984 at a time when the reorganisation and deregulation of the bus industry was under political consideration.
The membership was drawn from local authority and PTE undertakings and the membership was on a personal basis rather than company membership.
The intention was to allow those professionals in the bus industry to offer a personal opinion on relevant matters without being constrained by the political views of their employing authorities.PRESENT DAY MEMBERSHIP
The current membership in the main comprises Directors and Senior Staff of municipally owned and independent bus companies.
Membership is by invitation but expressions of interest by eligible individuals are welcomed. There are clear guidelines to membership in that new members from the large bus operating groups are excluded , staff from operators less with less than 30 buses but with a record of high quality operations will be invited at the discretion of the Executive.
Currently there are currently around 140 members and the annual subscription is £10 due on 1st January .
CONFERENCE
Each Spring ALBUM holds a business conference at which there is very strong support from the manufacturers and suppliers involved with the bus industry.
The 2014 conference will be hosted by Lothian Transport in Edinburgh from the 12th - 14th May. Booking details will be available in the autumn. For 2015 Warrington Borough Transport will be hosts.
RETIRED MEMBERS
We also have a retired members section, which publishes a quarterly newsletter and has an annual reunion. Contact John Owen for further details.
OBJECTIVES
These days the objective is to provide a networking opportunity for bus managers who are in similar circumstances from which any lobbying and responses to consultation documents may then be made.
ALBUM does not exist to compete with the Confederation of Passenger Transport UK (CPT) but recognises that as CPT represents both bus and coach operators some of their responses may be less strong in representing the bus operator views to satisfy their membership. As a result ALBUM is in a position to put forward the exclusive views of bus operators.
ALBUM OFFICERS & CONTACTS
Chairman - James Freeman, Reading Transport Ltd, Great Knollys Street, Reading. RG1 7HH
Secretary - Thomas Knowles, 41 Redhills, Eccleshall, Staffs. ST21 6JW. Telephone 01785 859414
Treasurer & Finance Directors Group - Matthew Parkes, Rossendale Transport
Traffic Committee - Dave Astill, Nottingham City Transport
Engineering Committee - Kenny Hawkins, Thamesdown Transport
Marketing Group - Nicola Tidy, Nottingham City Transport