M803UYA
Member
More observational knowledge of the area really. First do the bus work and the likes of Berrys stick firmly to coach work. Since their early 1990s adventures onto Taunton town services they've not gone into scheduled bus operation in a big way. There's been the odd route here/there tying up a vehicle or two but they're school contract/private hire/express coach focused. Ridlers and Redwoods do the same type of work - Ridlers do local bus work in Minehead but it ties up a single vehicle.I didn't want to say. But yes, I understood that at least one other large group bid for the contract, despite assertions otherwise on this thread.
Sale of the whole BoS operation to Stagecoach pending?
Note that the FSW/South Head of Ops is moving to Stagecoach early next year.
Interesting this other group, Dartline does come into Taunton on the 20, and drivers on those terms and conditions wouldn't earn as much as Plymouth Citybus drivers.
Going back to Cawlett days, Taunton was the strongest of the Southern National depots with its compliment of work. The only three decent commercial corridors emanated from there. The 21 kept Bridgwater going, but that's now under Taunton and many of the transferred drivers have departed elsewhere. Ridlers has been a beneficiary according to former colleagues who've also started there.
In a sale situation - with Bridgwater's unique work and Yeovil's work, there'd be around 10 buses chopped off the current vehicle requirement which would want someone else to replace. All the rest could feasibly run from Taunton. With the 54 it's been tried before and they reverted to some Yeovil based workings.
Guess we shall find out in due course.