Marcus Fryer
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West Country Independents
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Whiteway215
Established Member
Abus were using AP53BUS on the ex First R2 Ralph Allen school bus this afternoon.
Quite impressed that most of the pupils were wearing their masks!
Quite impressed that most of the pupils were wearing their masks!
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I see that Bath Bus Company has registered a tour to replace the Rubicon one in Bristol from next March.
https://www.vehicle-operator-licens...registered-local-bus-services/details/563574/
https://www.vehicle-operator-licens...registered-local-bus-services/details/563574/
Flange Squeal
Established Member
- Joined
- 17 Jul 2012
- Messages
- 1,268
It was such a shame to hear Rubicon close earlier in the year. A recent article in Coach & Bus Week painted such a positive picture pre-Covid, with a now Euro VI fleet (although there were discussions to be had with the council about the planned Clean Air Zone judging vehicles on age rather than emissions, these being early-2000 vehicles with retrofitted technology). There were even plans to double the frequency to half-hourly, and they got great reviews on TripAdvisor.
-Colly405-
Member
Anyone know the latest on Turners Coachways' Devon base? Where it is, what work they do, etc.?
Off the back of the news that James Freeman is retiring next year, comes the news that BBC’s long time busman Martin Curtis is also retiring next year.
www.route-one.net
Martin Curtis to retire after 49 years in the industry - routeone
Bath Bus Company (BBC) Managing Director Martin Curtis is to retire in early 2021 after 49 years in the bus industry. He will be succeeded by Derek White, who will bring extensive experience including from two of the UK’s large bus groups. Mr Curtis began his career in 1972 with Bristol Omnibus...
www.route-one.net
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
Off the back of the news that James Freeman is retiring next year, comes the news that BBC’s long time busman Martin Curtis is also retiring next year.
Martin Curtis to retire after 49 years in the industry - routeone
Bath Bus Company (BBC) Managing Director Martin Curtis is to retire in early 2021 after 49 years in the bus industry. He will be succeeded by Derek White, who will bring extensive experience including from two of the UK’s large bus groups. Mr Curtis began his career in 1972 with Bristol Omnibus...
We're going to see quite a few of these senior guys retire in the next few years, and there might be a bit of a gap as fewer people entered the industry in the late 1980s. He's certainly earned his retirement
In a surprise move North Somerset coaches appear to have started bus services again, replacing First to Portishead!
https://bustimes.org/services/x4-bristol-pill-sheepway-portishead
I suspect somebody at Traveline has been on the alcohol hand cleaning solution again!
https://bustimes.org/services/x4-bristol-pill-sheepway-portishead
I suspect somebody at Traveline has been on the alcohol hand cleaning solution again!
South Brent.
Devonport high school contracts
Possibly some ivybridge too I think
Mainly silver Irizars being used.
-Colly405-
Member
Thanks. Do they have their own yard in South Brent, or are they sharing someone else's?
Sorry don’t know the exact location.
seen the job ad, and seen vehicles on their schools runs
Whiteway215
Established Member
According to PSV Circle news sheets for October Turner Coaches, Bristol have an additional operating centre from September at Morley Head Sawmill, Webland Lane, South Brent, TQ10 9LT.
Edit Google calls it MARLEY Head
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Marley head is the Paignton/Totnes/ Dartington junction on a38.
-Colly405-
Member
Helpful richw and Whiteway215; thanks.
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
You saying that Smiths were the operator and, for whatever reason, First et al have been drafted in? Is that a temp or permanent arrangement. Does the pdf reflect the routes that have been taken on?
I only know what’s in the school communication that FK, downs and westcountry are drafted in from tomorrow. That pdf looks about right from my knowledge of the area. Westcountry are a minibus operator so would fit into 112
smiths were the operator up until Tuesday. Doesn’t say if permanent or temporary.
Something like a covid outbreak at an operator could create temporary scenarios at the moment i would guess. On the other hand many operators are ceasing at present
DaveHarries
Established Member
Which may be what has happened here. The operator's website is live but their Facebook page was down when I checked just now.
Dave
-Colly405-
Member
The school website says this (as at Tuesday), which implies is it Covid-related, and not permanent...
Public Health England have advised that only students sitting within 2m of the driver on the 101-service last Thursday or Friday need to isolate. We believe we have spoken to all the relevant students and informed them of their isolation period (returning to school on the 19th November). All other students have been cleared to return to school tomorrow. If you have not been contacted directly and believe your child has sat within 2m of the driver on the 101 bus, please call or email us as soon as possible.
We are still working with the County Transport Team to source alternative transport whilst Smith's Coaches remain out of action. They have, however, confirmed that transport will not be available tomorrow (Wednesday), so if you can, please arrange your own transport. For students unable to physically get into school, they are expected to access their school work via Microsoft Teams, as per their normal timetable. Students have been shown how to do this, however, we have attached a help guide for your reference.
Thank you to all parents/carers who managed to change their plans last minute to get their children in today without the majority of buses running. As soon as we have more information about services for the rest of the week, we will update you.
www.liskeard.cornwall.sch.uk
Public Health England have advised that only students sitting within 2m of the driver on the 101-service last Thursday or Friday need to isolate. We believe we have spoken to all the relevant students and informed them of their isolation period (returning to school on the 19th November). All other students have been cleared to return to school tomorrow. If you have not been contacted directly and believe your child has sat within 2m of the driver on the 101 bus, please call or email us as soon as possible.
We are still working with the County Transport Team to source alternative transport whilst Smith's Coaches remain out of action. They have, however, confirmed that transport will not be available tomorrow (Wednesday), so if you can, please arrange your own transport. For students unable to physically get into school, they are expected to access their school work via Microsoft Teams, as per their normal timetable. Students have been shown how to do this, however, we have attached a help guide for your reference.
Thank you to all parents/carers who managed to change their plans last minute to get their children in today without the majority of buses running. As soon as we have more information about services for the rest of the week, we will update you.
Update on School Transport for Students who Normally Catch a Smith's Bus - Liskeard School & Community College
News and pictures from Liskeard School and Community College
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
The school website says this (as at Tuesday), which implies is it Covid-related, and not permanent...
Public Health England have advised that only students sitting within 2m of the driver on the 101-service last Thursday or Friday need to isolate. We believe we have spoken to all the relevant students and informed them of their isolation period (returning to school on the 19th November). All other students have been cleared to return to school tomorrow. If you have not been contacted directly and believe your child has sat within 2m of the driver on the 101 bus, please call or email us as soon as possible.
We are still working with the County Transport Team to source alternative transport whilst Smith's Coaches remain out of action. They have, however, confirmed that transport will not be available tomorrow (Wednesday), so if you can, please arrange your own transport. For students unable to physically get into school, they are expected to access their school work via Microsoft Teams, as per their normal timetable. Students have been shown how to do this, however, we have attached a help guide for your reference.
Thank you to all parents/carers who managed to change their plans last minute to get their children in today without the majority of buses running. As soon as we have more information about services for the rest of the week, we will update you.
Update on School Transport for Students who Normally Catch a Smith's Bus - Liskeard School & Community College
News and pictures from Liskeard School and Community College
Thanks both.
Appears that it was a Smiths driver testing positive with Covid. 16 pupils on the bus are self-isolating. Here's hoping that they are all ok
I'd imagine that Smith's other drivers are self isolating, and I hope they're ok too, but that there's no staff to cover the work?I assume this is a bit more for FK to fit in at Bodmin depot? FK are doing well to find all these drivers and vehicles to cover all their core operations plus all the extras on top.
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TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
One hopes that they aren't too ill and make a full recovery.
Despite the challenges for coach operators, Centurion Travel in Radstock have a new Irizar coach YT70EWE, parked outside the depot today.
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Citistar
Member
The new Centurion Irizar is a PSVAR spec one, intended for plenty of railway work in the near future (and carries a pretty exhausive list of destination displays for such work too).
In other news, i've published a new post on The Citistar Column about North Somerset Council's apparent plans for world domination.
In other news, i've published a new post on The Citistar Column about North Somerset Council's apparent plans for world domination.
freetoview33
Established Member
I did see a 505 the other day at Southmead Hospital, totally empty both ways, it is a shame 505 used to do alright before the lockdown.
Also the next timetable change is in February, so a nice period of no changes!
Also the next timetable change is in February, so a nice period of no changes!
Marcus Fryer
Member
- Joined
- 27 Dec 2014
- Messages
- 735
Bath Bus Company have Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 demonstrator YX19 ONU on hire at present.
Citistar
Member
Readers of this thread may be interested in my most recent blog post: Borders and Behaviour, How not to procure local bus services.
https://citistar.wordpress.com/2021/02/18/borders-and-behaviour-how-not-to-procure-bus-services/
https://citistar.wordpress.com/2021/02/18/borders-and-behaviour-how-not-to-procure-bus-services/
Thanks for taking the time to write up your thoughts. There are many people that are looking forward to a brave new world where councils have complete control over bus services!
It's particularly annoying as a user, but not at all surprising, to see the Avon Rider issue mentioned as it's something my local council (South Glos) handles the same way then blames the operator for not joining after the contract has been issued without the requirement. The same council then does press calls to the local rail stations bleating about a lack of integrated transport!
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
An excellent read. I have to say, I feel your pain.
Working with the public sector, the rules on procurement are so one sided, I'm sure people would be shocked to know the truth. Yes, there has to be accountability to the taxpayer. However, the lack of any sort of partnership ethos is compounded by a lack of knowledge, data, understanding etc. To address this, they go down the line of contracts that are so onerous, with penalties to boot.
So what do you do.... in the absence of decent information and the inability to mitigate risk? You simply build cost in and so the public procurement game fundamentally fails.
And that's before you get into the local political considerations so a return to regulation.....? Careful what you wish for.