Rotala / Diamond Bus (North West)

[cnjb8]

Following on from two Wright StreetDecks arriving at Preston, the first StreetDeck has arrived at Bolton.

What's the deal with no tree guards?

I noticed that as well.

A very unusual omission.

Especially seeing as the 23 route goes through parts where a tree guard should be necessary, and that's the flagship route the new Streetdecks will run!

I guess they'll be fitted at a later date?

 

[507021]

I guess they'll be fitted at a later date?

Tree deflectors are something that are usually fitted at the factory, and it doesn't look like there's any mounting points for one to be fitted at a later date.

 

[cnjb8]

Tree deflectors are something that are usually fitted at the factory, and it doesn't look like there's any mounting points for one to be fitted at a later date.

Ah, thank you

 

[507021]

Ah, thank you

No problem.

 

[darloscott]

Perhaps worth mentioning that Hallmark Heathrow have started running the 250 contract in Oxford this week with 3 of the HotelHoppa Streetlites moved to Bicester to operate it.

 

[Hardcastle]

I saw one of the Preston streetdeckers out on the 23 today very sleek & quiet but still with no tree deflectors fitted one wonders how long before one gets damaged.

 

[mic]

40721 and 40722 MX 20 HVG / HVH now in service at Bolton

 

[Urobach]

As is 40720 MX20KXM

 

[bussnapperwm]

Diamond have posted this on their WM Facebook page, 24 hours after announcing the service was to be suspended with only 5 days notice

Following our announcement to suspend service 228 Russells Hall Hospital to Kinver yesterday, a number of members of the public have expressed their concerns regarding the withdrawal of the service from next week.

The 228 has been operating at a financial loss for some time and in the current economic climate we are no longer able sustain this as a loss making commercial service. It currently receives no operating subsidy from any local councils and due to a huge decline in passengers, it is no longer a viable service for us.

In addition to this, recent heavy cuts in concessionary pass reimbursements by the local transport authority has forced us to take the hard decision to withdraw the service entirely.

We have now agreed with the local authorities concerned to extend the withdrawal date, however given that the service cannot be maintained in its current loss making position, unless a suitable funding agreement can be found the service will be cancelled in the coming weeks. It is hoped that this extended period will allow time for the local authorities to work with us to provide a solution that will work for both the passengers and our business needs.

The 228 service runs between Russells Hall Hospital, intu Merry Hill, Corbetts Hospital, Stourbridge and Kinver.

Simon Dunn on the wmbusphotos.com forum posted this comment when asked by a forum member about why local councillors were not consulted about the short notice suspension:

As an industry we are fortunate that the DfT and Central government policy is helping to support bus. They have set out that operators should be no worse off as a result of COVID and have introduced a number of policies for guidance. This guidance is being interpreted differently by different local authorities. TfWM have taken a different approach to every other local authority.

This different approach has effectively reduced the income to Diamond by £1 million and we simply need to balance our books and the 228 has no chance of getting anywhere near being viable. We are not a charity and services which aren't holding their own will be removed. Although we have at this point increased other services, this is were the demand supports this. I expect there will be other service reductions if demand does not increase substantially over the next few weeks, and these changes because of this £1 million deficit will need to happen at speed.

TfWM and Staffordshire are aware - the changes were thrown onto us less than 2 weeks ago, we immediately highlighted the impact of this. We have given time for them to respond but unfortunately as a result of no change in policy we have no choice to react quickly.

I for one hope TfWM and Staffordshire step in to protect the route as otherwise it gives Diamond to cut other vital services in the Black Country area that are needed.

 

[mic]

As is 40720 MX20KXM

acordding to the DVLA website there is no MX 20 KXM registered but i have seen a bus on photo with MX 20 KXP

 

[Urobach]

There's a photo of the bus on the north west bus scene Facebook group confirming the reg

 

[LancasterRed]

Been on the new Preston buses today, the ones without tree guards.

It brushed a tree. These buses won't last long.

 

[mic]

As is 40720 MX20KXM

seen photo of this on flicker now and checked againon DVLA still not registered and at least 2 others running round without fleet numbers

 

[jcf5561]

seen photo of this on flicker now and checked againon DVLA still not registered and at least 2 others running round without fleet numbers

They probably are registered and it's just taking a bit longer to show on the system due to the current situation. And running around without fleet numbers is a non issue.

 

[upasalmon]

I posted a suggestion that Rotala should trade Preston as DIAMOND BUS PRESTON, but for some strange reason it vanished Are we easily offended by someone with original ideas? I was hoping this site would be different and not resort to spiteful actions of a closed shop mentality.

 

[PR1Berske]

I use the Preston Bus 23 for work and, yes, those tree-guards are required. The long-running diversion away from treeless Plungington Road to tree-lined Brook Street won't end until next month, possibly a little later given one thing or another, and it only takes one serious clunk and they've had it.

 

[LancasterRed]

I posted a suggestion that Rotala should trade Preston as DIAMOND BUS PRESTON, but for some strange reason it vanished Are we easily offended by someone with original ideas? I was hoping this site would be different and not resort to spiteful actions of a closed shop mentality.

Rotala's censorship is a joke.

I use the Preston Bus 23 for work and, yes, those tree-guards are required. The long-running diversion away from treeless Plungington Road to tree-lined Brook Street won't end until next month, possibly a little later given one thing or another, and it only takes one serious clunk and they've had it.

Ah, good, you know exactly where it is. Between myself and Berske we can agree something's going to happen.

I wouldn't be averse to this becoming a permanent route change, or at least a route change involving running down Brook Street. Plungington Road is in a terrible state and Brook Street has now become arguably the most important interchange outside of the Preston CBD. The only issue being the turn onto Blackpool Road and then Plungington Road being dangerously sharp...

 

[markymark2000]

To be fair, on most decker routes, councils are told to cut trees back so the branches don't hit the buses. I know this can only go so far since branches do keep growing but in general, they are cut back so hopefully it won't cause too many issues.

 

[randyrippley]

To be fair, on most decker routes, councils are told to cut trees back so the branches don't hit the buses. I know this can only go so far since branches do keep growing but in general, they are cut back so hopefully it won't cause too many issues.

It was usually the council owned bus company that did it using open toppers..........now where's the Preston municipal bus company gone?

 

[markymark2000]

It was usually the council owned bus company that did it using open toppers..........now where's the Preston municipal bus company gone?

I disagree here. A lot of councils do still cut down trees on double decker routes. Not sure if the bus companies pay something towards that but I believe a lot of councils do it if you ask and report the problem areas.

 

[randyrippley]

Must say the more I see of these new Preston buses the less I like them
The bodywork with the external strengthening strips looks like a lashup, the paint styling is unsympathetic to the bus design, while the blue paintwork just looks flat and airfix-kit quality
Just my view, but to me they're a big aesthetic failure

 

[swifty]

Does anyone know what the deal is with KV02 USN (Julia) at DBNW? An ex London open top Trident seems an odd purchase for them, even more odd with the previous operators logo applied as the name of the bus!

 

[northern506]

Does anyone know what the deal is with KV02 USN (Julia) at DBNW? An ex London open top Trident seems an odd purchase for them, even more odd with the previous operators logo applied as the name of the bus!

I’m not sure - if it’s just for fun then it’s disgraceful considering the service they are providing at the minute, especially on TFGM tenders.

They’ve managed to repaint and convert a trident to open top, yet there are still Stratas going around in full Preston Bus/Ribble Valley livery - and to add to that the amount of drivers taking the incorrect route on the 18/217 is nothing short of a disgrace. The route learning is obviously non existent.

And not to mention buses still going around with no working destination blinds! Clearly the priorities aren’t correct if they are focusing on open top buses and not on route learning, customer service or general maintenance.

I honestly thought First Manchester were bad, but Rotala are possibly one of the worst operators I have ever come across.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

They’ve managed to repaint and convert a trident to open top,

Just a repaint. Was converted a few years ago but a puzzling purchase

 

[northern506]

Just a repaint. Was converted a few years ago but a puzzling purchase

Ahh, I thought it was a ex-Preston bus one for some reason- cheers.

Even still it’s baffling considering they don’t operate any tourist services - and arguably have bigger problems to solve!!

 

[mic]

Boltons new streetdecks up to 40741 according to bus times also 32306 now in fleetlivery 20401 to 3 moved to Preston also someone on slf dart thread was asking what the score was with 33027 does never seem to have been in service

 

[LancasterRed]

They’ve managed to repaint and convert a trident to open top, yet there are still Stratas going around in full Preston Bus/Ribble Valley livery - and to add to that the amount of drivers taking the incorrect route on the 18/217 is nothing short of a disgrace. The route learning is obviously non existent.

Bold to assume Rotala care about that kind of thing.

The rollout for new Preston Bus liveries has been going on for far too long. Route learning less of an issue but timetabling absolutely atrocious. Some of that falls to the county council who Blackpool Transport are furious with.

 

[northern506]

Bold to assume Rotala care about that kind of thing.

The rollout for new Preston Bus liveries has been going on for far too long. Route learning less of an issue but timetabling absolutely atrocious. Some of that falls to the county council who Blackpool Transport are furious with.

It’s even worse because they are going around in Preston Bus/Ribble Valley livery on Diamond Services in Greater Manchester. Very unprofessional.

And yes, I believe the timekeeping issues were why they lost quite a few of the Lancashire Contracts, potentially earlier than planned too?

 

[KendalKing]

I believe the timekeeping issues were why they lost quite a few of the Lancashire Contracts, potentially earlier than planned too?

Lancashire CC, timetabling leaves a lot to the imagination. When they allow/give a subsidised service 71-minutes off peak, and only 59-minutes at peak time! to complete the journey.

 

[carlberry]

Lancashire CC, timetabling leaves a lot to the imagination. When they allow/give a subsidised service 71-minutes off peak, and only 59-minutes at peak time! to complete the journey.

If somebody then bids on that, then they're accepting those times. It's no good complaining after the deal has been done!