I've been reading the article on TfC in Coach & Bus Week. It is of course very much focussed on the operator perspective.
Summary of some of the main points:
- each tender was for one of 73 local bus routes (and 190 schools contracts), with three options for each.
- PCB submitted an additional alternative option which we now know to be operating everything, while subcontracting some work to keep independents in business.
- this reduced PVR by 27%
- base timetables provided by the council were improved upon by allowing better connections with bus and rail, and PVR was reduced by "making changes to longer layover periods".
- Livery and brand were discussed after the tender win. Cornwall Council wanted a TfL-style livery and did the detailed design work.
- TfC is owned by the council.
- all bidders were offered the option to partner with Corserv.
- the tender requirements were that all buses be Euro VI by 2024. This means that around a third of the fleet will need retrofitting.
- USB ports "at the front section" of the buses.
- currently around 30 drivers short.
- "we have had unjust reviews from people looking from afar.....it's not about painting the buses in four different colours and fitting them out with all the gizmos".
I'm sure there'll be some raised eyebrows elsewhere in the GoAhead empire at that last point, which also contradicts Richard Stevens shortly after winning the contracts.
Nothing at all mentioned about integration with the core commercial bus network in Cornwall.