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The legendary party bus run by a student that is leaving taxi drivers out of pocket

https://www.devonlive.com/whats-on/musi ... nt-2103675

Conrad Lewis launched the NightBus last year


Image: Devon Live

Run by a student for students, the party bus is making waves across Exeter filling the city's bars and clubs every night - and it's apparently leaving taxi drivers out of pocket.

The brainchild of third year economics student Conrad Lewis, NightBus Exeter runs five nights a week ferrying students from halls of residence around Exeter to the city's nightclubs.

When the clubs kick out and the late-night takeaways empty, the bus then takes students home again - all for the sum of just £2 per journey.

Frustrated with spending a chunk of his first student loan on taxis, Conrad, 21, came up with the idea after holidaying in Ibiza.


Image: Devon Live

"When I was a first year we were forced to have to walk into town which would take around half an hour or we would have to get a taxi," he said.

"You can end up spending a lot of money on taxis and they don't really suit students.

"Students don't like taxis and taxis don't tend to like students - it's the wrong sort of vibe.

"I went to Ibiza a few times and saw how there's a bus system there that takes people to and from the clubs.

"I thought - why wouldn't that work in Exeter?

"So halfway through second year I launched the bus and now things are really taking off.

"I bought the bus from up north and had it branded as the NightBus.

"Me and my dad went in 50/50 on the project and I'm completely hands on with the day-to-day running of it.

"Running the timetable, cleaning the bus and sorting out licences are all part of keeping the bus going every night.

"My dad is an accountant so he does the books but apart from that it's all me."


Image: Devon Live

Kept busy by running the NightBus, studying for a degree and playing football, Conrad got his first taste for making money when working as a City stock broker during his gap year.

"It's hard balancing everything especially as I play football for the university too but I seem to be doing alright so far," he said.

"The income is helping to pay for my time at uni and has funded several holidays.

"I worked as a stock broker during my gap year and that gave me a lot of experience around finance and business.

"It's a ruthless environment and you have to be able to sell in order to get by.

"At the time I was only 18 and the youngest person on the floor.

"I sent my CV is different firms in the City and one came back saying they didn't care what experience I had, as long as I could make money.

"I was told that I had two weeks to bring in £5k and in that time I managed £7k."

The NightBus starts from The Imperial pub on New North Road at 8.30pm following a route though Exeter's busy student areas and then into the city centre with drop-offs at nightclubs including Unit 1, Timpiece and Rosie's.

The bus runs every half an hour until 11.28pm, after which is reverses and takes people home. The last bus from the city centre leaves Rosie's and Fever at 2.55am.

Payment can be made either in advance or on the bus using cash or contactless payment.

"The aim is to expand to other universities and look at running buses in other cities," adds Conrad.

"I need to get my 2:1 first though, then I can focus on growing the businesses.

"During Freshers Week were carrying 1,200 students a night, it's a little quieter now but there are many people who use it.

"The taxis don't like me at all but what the bus offer is much better for students.

"There's a great atmosphere and it's a bit of a party bus as everyone heads into the city centre."


Image: Devon Live

Oh well, at least the taxi drivers won't have to endure that "great atmosphere"

It will end in tears.

One way or the other.

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IDFIMH

I wonder if this is operated as a regular licenced bu service? It's the first I've heard of it and there' been nothing in the bus trade press about it. As it runs to a regular timetable it must be a registered bus service and be fully wheelchair accessible.

It must be a licenced public service vehicle, I wonder if he has a licence, and driven by a pcv driver. If not, I'm sure the PSV offic in Leeds would be more than interested.

Also about 8 and a hlf hours driving, I wonder where the driver gets a break after 4 and a half hours driving? Maybe they use 2 drivers. I'd be interested to know.

from the description I would say a one man operation based in Exeter Devon but presumably he would have to be licensed to operate the service surely the local council would have done something if he wasn't ?

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

He does mention he deals with the license aspect of the business , so it does look like
he has done his homework.

Many people in the past have claimed to deal with the licensing aspect of an operation but have been found to be wanting on investigation.

I've sent the question to a friend who is the local area manager for the Confederation of Passenger Transport. He's sent me a lengthy email reply.

In a nutshell it is a licenced PSV operator, a limited company, running to a registered timetable. He agrees with me that unless there's 2 drivers, the driving hours would exceed the maximum period as there is no stand time, it's a continuous circular route. There also doesn't appear to be a nominated transport manager for the company, something to keep an eye on. I'm awaiting his permission to copy his email to here.

So, sorry chaps, it seems to be a legitimate business, open to all who want to pay the fare.

If he's making money watch the big buses put a bus on either side of him for a quid and wipe him out.

Be that as it may, but it will still end in tears.

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IDFIMH

"


Is it only for students ? I did know you could do that.

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!

You can't. a registered bus service, which this is, can be used by anybody. The service is nothing to do with the local council so they can't have any input on its operation. It is a commercial operation, much like most other bus routes in the UK. I've been reliably informed that stagecoach are unlikely to run a bus 2 minutes in front of it. It's aimed at a niche market.

However, if anyone wants to keep an eye on who is driving at what times, if there appears to be any irregularity regarding driving hours, then I'm sure the DVSA "grass line" would appreciate a report. 4 and a half hours maximum drive time then 45 minutes break, depot to depot or where ever the break is rostered.

Also the published timetable must be adhered to. the TC guidelines allows for 1 minute early departure from any timing point and up to 5 minutes late unless there's good reason i.e. traffic problems, roadworks etc that prevent the late running target to be achieved.

Also the published timetable must be adhered to. the TC guidelines allows for 1 minute early departure from any timing point and up to 5 minutes late unless there's good reason i.e. traffic problems, roadworks etc that prevent the late running target to be achieved.

someone ought to point that out to local bus companies round here some drivers absolutely tank it along the route if they can't see anyone waiting had to chase a bus once all the way to Carlby because it never stopped once running 10 minutes early by the time I managed to overtake it and get my passenger onto it

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Then take the bus details, report it to the Bus Compliance office at the DVSA Leeds office.

We are having major problems with a bus company round here. The regularly miss buses out completely. I have asked people to send me the details so that they can be forwarded to the TC.

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Grandad,