Transdev Blazefield

[RustySpoons]

Meanwhile, over the other side of the Pennines things aren't looking good at all for Rosso.

Greater Manchester bus operator cancels more than 800 services in just one week as they battle staff shortages

Passengers in Greater Manchester are at the losing end of a bus operator’s battle with staff shortages - with more than 800 journeys cancelled in just one week. Rosso, which runs routes predominantly in the north of the conurbation, axed 837 services between April 25 and May 1.

A spokesman for Rosso (Rossendale Transport Limited), a subsidiary of Transdev Blazefield, said they had operated 'at least 80 per cent' of their journeys last week, adding: "Which we apologise to our customers for - this falls far from our usual standards. It indicates the strength of the challenge our industry faces in terms of recruitment.

Pathetic excuse. If you're already having major issues with recruitment you don't take on a load more services. You'd have thought after the debacle with the Ribble County services they wouldn't make the same mistake again.

 

[Andyh82]

What do you mean by ‘Ribble Country debacle’, that network being fully integrated into the Transdev commercial network is much more high profile and visible now than when it was operated invisibly by a mixed bag of plain white Optare Solos. Which I would have thought was a positive for the long term viability of the network?

I’m not sure who instigated the Rochdale improvements but they are generally enhancements of existing services rather than just straight tender wins. They’ve given up/lost a load of TfGM schools at the same time in any case resulting in some of the grey Enviro 400s transferring to Burnley depot so I don’t think the PVR has actually changed.

 

[SCH117X]

And no one actually knows the drivers shortages is actually wholly due to vacancies when their could be excessive numbers off sick due to Covid (1 in 23 apparently now or not quite 2 pasengers on a full B7RLE)

 

[RustySpoons]

What do you mean by ‘Ribble Country debacle’, that network being fully integrated into the Transdev commercial network is much more high profile and visible now than when it was operated invisibly by a mixed bag of plain white Optare Solos. Which I would have thought was a positive for the long term viability of the network?

Yeah that's the positive side of things, as are the improved timetables. But they won that work without enough drivers too. Quite a lot of services didn't run in the early days whilst drivers were shipped in from Keighley and Harrogate to cover. Despite some Pilkingtons and Holmeswood drivers TUPEing over to Transdev a lot of them have since left.

I’m not sure who instigated the Rochdale improvements but they are generally enhancements of existing services rather than just straight tender wins. They’ve given up/lost a load of TfGM schools at the same time in any case resulting in some of the grey Enviro 400s transferring to Burnley depot so I don’t think the PVR has actually changed.

They've acquired a load of E200s from NCT (correct me if I'm wrong) for the extra work they've taken on, so despite losing a bit they've still increased the PVR.

 

[Ashly_Jethro]

It'd be resolved by the operator being taken to court or the Traffic Commissioner.

Not if it’s industry wide. I doubt they’d take on every (or almost every) bus operator in the country

 

[markymark2000]

I’m not sure who instigated the Rochdale improvements but they are generally enhancements of existing services rather than just straight tender wins. They’ve given up/lost a load of TfGM schools at the same time in any case resulting in some of the grey Enviro 400s transferring to Burnley depot so I don’t think the PVR has actually changed.

The key difference here though is a number of drivers like just doing schools and so anyone who is a 'schools' driver will jump to another firm. Also, a full daytime service uses more drivers than schools over the course of the day.


What I don't get is why are some firms so insistant on cancelling a shed load of trips rather than hiring drivers from smaller operators. Not so long ago, a number of people used to work at 2 operators. 1 for the schools then go to another for service work between schools. If an operator, say Stotts for arguments sake, had a schools driver who wanted some work during the school run, Transdev pay Stotts the drivers wage plus 10% and the driver then goes 'on hire' to Transdev for a few hours (likely on a set duty covering one or two routes). Transdev get some trips covered, Stotts earn some extra revenue and a driver gets extra work and pay. Everyone wins. Only down side is the driver is much more limited in what they can do but is it not better to have 4 restricted drivers than it is to have lots of cancelled trips and any fines which may come with it.

 

[Deerfold]

Not if it’s industry wide. I doubt they’d take on every (or almost every) bus operator in the country

Ah, a cartel? I think there's a body that deals with that sort of thing.

Not to mention the massive reputational damage from illegally (whatever you think of the law) not carrying pensioners doing their shopping - I think that could generate a lot of bad publicity.

 

[M803UYA]

What I don't get is why are some firms so insistant on cancelling a shed load of trips rather than hiring drivers from smaller operators. Not so long ago, a number of people used to work at 2 operators. 1 for the schools then go to another for service work between schools. If an operator, say Stotts for arguments sake, had a schools driver who wanted some work during the school run, Transdev pay Stotts the drivers wage plus 10% and the driver then goes 'on hire' to Transdev for a few hours (likely on a set duty covering one or two routes). Transdev get some trips covered, Stotts earn some extra revenue and a driver gets extra work and pay. Everyone wins. Only down side is the driver is much more limited in what they can do but is it not better to have 4 restricted drivers than it is to have lots of cancelled trips and any fines which may come with it.

Good idea in theory, but in practice harder to work with. Most bus operators have employment contracts which prevent their employees working for other companies. The normally used excuse is the working time directive. As regards hiring out drivers, that's an interesting idea. I wouldn't assume every school bus driver seeks in between work - some do, but a number do not. The job is the preserve of the part timer who varies in age. Some are semi-retired or actually retired.
In my case I'm under 40, and I'm not interested in working in between, but I can be persuaded to work an odd weekend here or there!
Earlier generations of Blazefield management had an enlightened approach to their operations. They had no interest at all in schools contracts, or in tendered service work, or marginal services. These were considered to be the preserve of the likes of Harrogate Coach Travel, Pilkingtons and other small operators.
That meant they took no interest in the commercial corridors which Blazefield considered their own - as they were far too busy running contracts and infrequent services instead. Of course, if those smaller operators wandered onto a commercial corridor they soon found out why that wasn't a good idea Whether or not this approach is relevant today is open to discussion. But if it was adopted some of these driver availability issues might be avoided, as might some of the competitive issues often discussed here.

 

[RustySpoons]

...Earlier generations of Blazefield management had an enlightened approach to their operations. They had no interest at all in schools contracts, or in tendered service work, or marginal services. These were considered to be the preserve of the likes of Harrogate Coach Travel, Pilkingtons and other small operators.
That meant they took no interest in the commercial corridors which Blazefield considered their own - as they were far too busy running contracts and infrequent services instead...

That's a good point. At one point Burnley & Pendle at least had no school contracts and very little in the way of tendered services. Tyrer Bus used to run a couple of evening town services that B&P ran during the day - Towneley and Bleak House if memory serves me correctly - and they left the smaller companies alone to do their own thing.

Lancashire United used to have a bit more of a battle on it's hands, with Pilkingtons, M&M Coaches and Blackburn Transport all competing on the direct Accrington to Blackburn route. In a somewhat ironic twist of fate there's no service at all on that corridor anymore.

---

Looks like the average annual earnings have dropped.... Down to £25k now from £28k.

@burnleybuses Twitter...

We're hiring sweet packers, librarians, mortgage advisors, delivery drivers... and café workers like Steve.

• average annual earnings £25k
• We teach you to drive a bus Paid-for training & qualification
• Free travel & loads more perks

 

[Ashly_Jethro]

In a somewhat ironic twist of fate there's no service at all on that corridor anymore.

I believe they call it “sods law”

It’s a shame really. X41 should never have been re-routed. If ramsbottom were so ardent on having a service themselves, they should’ve created a route for Rosso to run. The direct x41 to Accrington would take £600 just on the school run. Hopefully they see the light before we loose the service completely…

 

[RustySpoons]

I believe they call it “sods law”

It’s a shame really. X41 should never have been re-routed. If ramsbottom were so ardent on having a service themselves, they should’ve created a route for Rosso to run. The direct x41 to Accrington would take £600 just on the school run. Hopefully they see the light before we loose the service completely…

Glad it's not just me that thinks that way! Leave the X41 as it was and run a new, direct, limited stop route from Rammy into Manchester.

I worked out at the time that an hourly service from Ramsbottom, through Bury and Whitefield and then into Manchester via Prestwitch even using very slack timings could be run with three buses. Perfect for the then redundant MancZaps, with a spare. Always thought the Red4 was largely a waste of time.

 

[markymark2000]

Good idea in theory, but in practice harder to work with. Most bus operators have employment contracts which prevent their employees working for other companies. The normally used excuse is the working time directive. As regards hiring out drivers, that's an interesting idea. I wouldn't assume every school bus driver seeks in between work - some do, but a number do not. The job is the preserve of the part timer who varies in age. Some are semi-retired or actually retired.

No, 100% agree that it's not all drivers who want the extra work but some may and that may be enough to significantly improve the amount of cancellations. 1 driver could cover a lot of cancellations. I know there are firms with spare drivers too during the week, all day, not just between schools. That firm is probably in the minority but there are drivers out there, they just don't want to do permenant service work. Work with these firms and drivers, work out their limitations (as in, the driver only wants 1 day per week on service work) and while it isn't great, even if it's a few hours 1 day per week. It keeps everyone moving and as it's hiring a driver, they don't pay more than they need to. Also working time directive could arguebly be put on the main employer who is 'hiring out' his staff for the few hours.





Another bit of Transdev news, they are moving their depot to Rawcliffe Park and Ride taking over the building which is currently a 'vehicle maintenance and storage yard' for York Pullman.

New bus depot approved for York

yorkmix.com

A new bus depot has been approved for York’s green belt.

It will occupy a vacant site on Shipton Road in Rawcliffe. This has previously been used as a vehicle maintenance and storage area for York Pullman Bus Company.

City of York Council has now granted Transdev permission to turn it into a bus depot.


“The proposal is to use the existing main building for the storage and maintenance of buses, with the smaller building used as a facilities’ building, providing washing, changing, WC and canteen facilities for workers on the site,” planning documents state.

“The applicant, Transdev Blazefield, needs to re-locate from its current site within York, due to the local authority allocating the site for housing.

“Numerous sites were checked for suitability with only this one providing the required space and proximity to the bus routes it will serve. The proposed site easily allows for the change of use and space within it for the intended purpose as a bus depot.”


The site is on York’s Green Belt. The report says: “The site resides in the green belt and the proposal serves to re-use buildings on site that are of substantial construction, therefore resulting in no discernible harm to the openness of the green belt above what already exists on site.”

About 35 people will be employed at the site, and therefore it would support the local economy, City of York Council development management officer Alison Stockdale wrote in a report.

“The proposed bus depot use would be very similar in character to the existing vehicle maintenance yard and as such there is not considered to be any impact on openness or Green Belt purpose.”

The council has approved the plan with five conditions.

 

[LiIo75]

Glad it's not just me that thinks that way! Leave the X41 as it was and run a new, direct, limited stop route from Rammy into Manchester.

I worked out at the time that an hourly service from Ramsbottom, through Bury and Whitefield and then into Manchester via Prestwitch even using very slack timings could be run with three buses. Perfect for the then redundant MancZaps, with a spare. Always thought the Red4 was largely a waste of time.

Sounds very much like the express 90 that GMbuses had, and died a death under firstbus.

 

[dodecahedron67]

No, 100% agree that it's not all drivers who want the extra work but some may and that may be enough to significantly improve the amount of cancellations. 1 driver could cover a lot of cancellations. I know there are firms with spare drivers too during the week, all day, not just between schools. That firm is probably in the minority but there are drivers out there, they just don't want to do permenant service work. Work with these firms and drivers, work out their limitations (as in, the driver only wants 1 day per week on service work) and while it isn't great, even if it's a few hours 1 day per week. It keeps everyone moving and as it's hiring a driver, they don't pay more than they need to. Also working time directive could arguebly be put on the main employer who is 'hiring out' his staff for the few hours.





Another bit of Transdev news, they are moving their depot to Rawcliffe Park and Ride taking over the building which is currently a 'vehicle maintenance and storage yard' for York Pullman.

New bus depot approved for York

yorkmix.com

For clarity, Shipton Road is NOT Rawcliffe P&R.

It’s behind the P&R and is quite ironic considering First have the P&R contract for at least the next few years

 

[markymark2000]

For clarity, Shipton Road is NOT Rawcliffe P&R.

It’s behind the P&R and is quite ironic considering First have the P&R contract for at least the next few years

It is behind the P&R but as a locator for other members, it's quite easy for people to find. If you say Shipston Road, that's a long road if you don't know where the York Pullman depot is (As I didn't)

 

[JetBlast]

That's a good point. At one point Burnley & Pendle at least had no school contracts and very little in the way of tendered services. Tyrer Bus used to run a couple of evening town services that B&P ran during the day - Towneley and Bleak House if memory serves me correctly - and they left the smaller companies alone to do their own thing.

Lancashire United used to have a bit more of a battle on it's hands, with Pilkingtons, M&M Coaches and Blackburn Transport all competing on the direct Accrington to Blackburn route. In a somewhat ironic twist of fate there's no service at all on that corridor anymore.

---

Looks like the average annual earnings have dropped.... Down to £25k now from £28k.

@burnleybuses Twitter...


View attachment 114107

On those wages it's hardly a surprise they can't find enough drivers.

 

[RustySpoons]

On those wages it's hardly a surprise they can't find enough drivers.

What is an acceptable wage for a driver?

The messages from Transdev on what they pay are very inconsistent, and judging by how many new recruits have left already it doesn't look like they're getting a good deal still.

 

[Swimbar]

What is an acceptable wage for a driver?

The messages from Transdev on what they pay are very inconsistent, and judging by how many new recruits have left already it doesn't look like they're getting a good deal still.

Their young 18 year old driver from Keighley, Kraish, has now jumped ship to Connexions Buses!

 

[Andyh82]

Talking about Connexions, they have at very short notice reduced a lot of services this week

Timetable changes from 16th May 2022 - Connexions Buses

Due to the ongoing driver shortages that the bus industry is suffering from, we’ve had to make some difficult decisions in order to try and operate all services that we publish. This means that the 781, 923 and 412 will operate Monday to Friday only (no Saturday Service) Super13 becomes an...

www.connexionsbuses.com

Most services on Saturdays are either withdrawn or reduced, and the X52 no longer runs to Ilkley

So there must also be a driver shortage there as well

 

[Swimbar]

Current Transdev adverts for drivers are totally inconsistent.
Team Pennine - starting pay £10.10 rising to £10.45 per hour.
Keighley - starting pay £9.50 rising to £10.
Coastliner- starting pay £12.95 per hour.

Not surprised they cannot get drivers when Supermarket and Warehouse opportunities all seem to start at over £10

 

[WY Bus Spotter]

Their young 18 year old driver from Keighley, Kraish, has now jumped ship to Connexions Buses!

Interesting! He is a top driver and very friendly with passengers.

Connexions have 'The better bus company' written on their destination screens, but when I have used their buses I've found drivers not wearing any sort of consistent uniform, drivers with earphones in, drivers who pay absolutely no attention to you getting on as if you don't exist.

(There are SOME nice drivers though).

'The better bus company' alright...

 

[Andyh82]

Current Transdev adverts for drivers are totally inconsistent.
Team Pennine - starting pay £10.10 rising to £10.45 per hour.
Keighley - starting pay £9.50 rising to £10.
Coastliner- starting pay £12.95 per hour.

Not surprised they cannot get drivers when Supermarket and Warehouse opportunities all seem to start at over £10

That’s because they are all separate companies with different pay and conditions. There may be different conditions behind the headline hourly rate

 

[JetBlast]

What is an acceptable wage for a driver?

I don't know. But when I was 16 in my first job back in the late 2000's I was paid that...

 

[Goldfish62]

Current Transdev adverts for drivers are totally inconsistent.
Team Pennine - starting pay £10.10 rising to £10.45 per hour.
Keighley - starting pay £9.50 rising to £10.
Coastliner- starting pay £12.95 per hour.

Not surprised they cannot get drivers when Supermarket and Warehouse opportunities all seem to start at over £10

Transdev Blazefield doesn't make a lot of money. Its margins have always been pretty low. We await the latest accounts which are now two months late and counting being filed with Companies House.

The financial results generally suggest there's not much scope to improve driver pay and conditions without changing other aspects of the business model.

 

[RustySpoons]

Their young 18 year old driver from Keighley, Kraish, has now jumped ship to Connexions Buses!

Wasn't too happy about being paraded around the media or all the fuss about him being the youngest driver, preferring to get along with doing his job instead.

 

[northernchris]

Interesting! He is a top driver and very friendly with passengers.

Connexions have 'The better bus company' written on their destination screens, but when I have used their buses I've found drivers not wearing any sort of consistent uniform, drivers with earphones in, drivers who pay absolutely no attention to you getting on as if you don't exist.

(There are SOME nice drivers though).

'The better bus company' alright...

To be fair Keighley have some appalling drivers too, they seem to allocate the worst of them on to the Shuttle.

 

[158756]

I don't know. But when I was 16 in my first job back in the late 2000's I was paid that...

No 16 year old in Burnley is being paid anywhere near 25k. They might be having a hard time attracting qualified drivers in the current climate, but compared to any other job in the area it doesn't look bad at all.

 

[JetBlast]

No 16 year old in Burnley is being paid anywhere near 25k. They might be having a hard time attracting qualified drivers in the current climate, but compared to any other job in the area it doesn't look bad at all.

I know at least 1 who is…

 

[Deerfold]

I know at least 1 who is…

Then they're doing much better than the vast majority there.

 

[JetBlast]

Then they're doing much better than the vast majority there.

It doesn’t really matter. My point is the wage is low and achievable relatively early in one’s career. So why would someone take that amount of money for a job that isn’t easy..