HCT Group in Administration (was Bristol Community Transport to cease trading)

[freetoview33]

They will use the Yatton has a train station card

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

They will use the Yatton has a train station card

As has Dursley!

I can't imagine that Yatton will be left without any bus service but it may not have one to Bristol Airport.

 

[Citistar]

So tagged on before and after a school contract - good for social distancing though!

Except it runs across school times. It might be worth considering that there are also the remnants of service 207, currently operated by Taylor's Travel (same Taylor as Ceri Taylor who now runs Applegates), which now look pretty superfluous with the 62 running through to Thornbury.

As has Dursley!

I can't imagine that Yatton will be left without any bus service but it may not have one to Bristol Airport.

Yatton is awkward because of it's layout and propensity for traffic every time a lorry driver passes wind on the M5. I think the only reason for the Clevedon service operating to Bristol Airport was because of the funding which is generated by the site, hence the plethora of previous short term services which have run to and from the airport for no real reason. The 54 had been generating significant passenger usage between Yatton and Clevedon, demonstrating there is tangible demand but it will never be truly commercially viable. The issue remains that the constant merry-go-round of changing the services to meet the funding (when there is any) has resulted in a truly ridiculous number of different services performing the link over the past 30 years. I can think of well over a dozen services which have done it - 54, 66, 88, 88A, 88C, 125, 128, 355, 360, 660, 661, 822, 823, X5, X7... What the route needs is stability and some long term commitment to it from the political leaders.

I suspect the Bristol solution will be a well hyped connecting service on the A370 at Cleeve which will only run for as long as the Bus Service Improvement Plan cash lasts before disappearing.

Isn't this fashion of short-termism in public funding marvellous? Much easier to blame the bus companies for trying to stay solvent.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Except it runs across school times. It might be worth considering that there are also the remnants of service 207, currently operated by Taylor's Travel (same Taylor as Ceri Taylor who now runs Applegates), which now look pretty superfluous with the 62 running through to Thornbury.

I had tried looking for times and in the absence of finding them, assumed it would be similar times for the commuters.

The 54 had been generating significant passenger usage between Yatton and Clevedon, demonstrating there is tangible demand but it will never be truly commercially viable. The issue remains that the constant merry-go-round of changing the services to meet the funding (when there is any) has resulted in a truly ridiculous number of different services performing the link over the past 30 years. I can think of well over a dozen services which have done it - 54, 66, 88, 88A, 88C, 125, 128, 355, 360, 660, 661, 822, 823, X5, X7... What the route needs is stability and some long term commitment to it from the political leaders.

Really cannot disagree with that. The constant upheaval of routes in that area, and securing random tranches of funding, have done nothing to develop patronage.

 

[father_jack]

Bristol City Council could at least remove or cover over the bus stop pole or shelter timetable displays, there was a nurse in Midland Road on Saturday evening who wouldn't believe me when I said the 506 was finished and she should go to Old Market and get a 24...

 

[GusB]

I have moved the airport service discussion to a separate thread:

Bristol Airport Bus Services

To be fair, why anyone would use public transport to Bristol Airport is beyond me anyway, the fares are astronomical. The Airport taking full advantage of bus station fees and contracting out the buses rather than letting commercial operators do their thing. Seems to be very much like Edinburgh...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[Hophead]

ITV reporting that HCT have sold off their Channel Islands operations as well now:

Libertybus in Jersey and CT Plus in Guernsey have been sold by their parent company, the HCT Group, for an undisclosed fee to Tower Transit.

https://www.itv.com/news/channel/2022-09-15/channel-islands-bus-companies-sold

 

[volvob12]

The Big Lemon, subject to licensing, are to take over the 505/6 & 515/6 based out of Long Ashton P&R from the 3rd October.

Four axed bus services saved by solar-powered operator

The Big Lemon runs its vehicles on sunshine and recycled cooking oil

www.bristolpost.co.uk

Four bus services cancelled when their operator ceased trading have been saved by the arrival of a transport firm with a solar-powered fleet. The 505, 506, 515 and 516 routes were axed when Bristol Community Transport shut down on August 26.

The firm recently announced that it was “no longer… in a position to deliver our community transport services in Bristol”, including its Dial-a-Ride and minibuses for groups, due to “the financial impact of the pandemic and the current surge in fuel and labour costs”.

Chief executive Lynn McClelland said in a statement: “We have tried to the very last minute to find an alternative operator for these services, but sadly, we have been unsuccessful, which means these services will now come to an end.” The 505 carried passengers between Long Ashton and Southmead, the 506 from Broadmead to Southmead, the 515 from Imperial Park to Stockwood and the 516 between Broad Walk and Hengrove Park.

But all four routes will be relaunched in October by incoming operator The Big Lemon, which won a contract to take over the services from the defunct BCT. The Brighton-based firm is a community interest company established to provide “affordable and environmentally sustainable” bus routes and also operates coach services.

The company began running all of its buses on recycled waste cooking oil from Brighton restaurants, but is now converting all of its vehicles to electric power, charged by solar panels on the bus depot’s roof. The transition is being funded by community bonds which have raised over £1.5 million to date.

A spokesperson for the Big Lemon said: "Subject to [our] licence being granted we will be running four services in Bristol from Monday, October 3. The Big Lemon is passionate about providing an excellent passenger experience on the buses and excited by the opportunity to launch in Bristol.

"Our drivers in Brighton are famous for the friendly and helpful service they provide, and we are really looking forward to bringing the same ethos to our services in Bristol." Fares will be in line with WECA requirements and will be announced prior to launch of the services.

Final talks with the Traffic Commissioner about the relaunch are now ongoing. Metro mayor Dan Norris was involved in bringing the green transport firm to Bristol. “As soon as the bad news came through that Bristol Community Transport was cutting all its buses, the West of England Authority got down to work to try to find a solution,” he said.

“There was always money on the table, and I promised we would leave no stone unturned. I am delighted these efforts have paid off for the 505, 506, 515 and 516 as well as 52, 511 and m1 services – this is a really, really positive step forward".

Cllr Tim Kent, Lib Dem councillor for Hengrove and Whitchurch Park Ward, said: “These are essential links which people rely on. The 515 links from Stockwood to South Bristol Hospital and the Skills Academy, while the 516 serves a large part of Whitchurch with no bus service.

 

[Callum15632]

The Big Lemon, subject to licensing, are to take over the 505/6 & 515/6 based out of Long Ashton P&R from the 3rd October.

Four axed bus services saved by solar-powered operator

The Big Lemon runs its vehicles on sunshine and recycled cooking oil

www.bristolpost.co.uk

Does anyone know if The Big Lemon will be offering free travel on the routes on the first day?

 

[M@verick]

The Big Lemon, subject to licensing, are to take over the 505/6 & 515/6 based out of Long Ashton P&R from the 3rd October.

Four axed bus services saved by solar-powered operator

The Big Lemon runs its vehicles on sunshine and recycled cooking oil

www.bristolpost.co.uk

So an operator without a valid licence in the operating area is taking over contracts - despite conditions of the contracts requiring the operator to hold a valid licence.

And that operator is proposing to use a council owned car park as its intended operating centre.

West of England Combined Authority (WECA) and Bristol City Council have driven out quality small local operators through complex tendering procedures that favour big operators. They have syphoned money to First for transport schemes linked to developments and now when it suits them they get a bus company in from Brighton to run the buses whilst clearly ignoring it's own procurement rules. It stinks.

 

[DaveLondon]

So an operator without a valid licence in the operating area is taking over contracts - despite conditions of the contracts requiring the operator to hold a valid licence.

And that operator is proposing to use a council owned car park as its intended operating centre.

West of England Combined Authority (WECA) and Bristol City Council have driven out quality small local operators through complex tendering procedures that favour big operators. They have syphoned money to First for transport schemes linked to developments and now when it suits them they get a bus company in from Brighton to run the buses whilst clearly ignoring it's own procurement rules. It stinks.

They have applied for an operator licence which, if granted, will enable them to operate from 3 October. One of their Electric Higers was in Bristol last week. Unlike Transpora everything should be in place with appropriate managers and declared operating centre.

 

[Marcus Fryer]

They have applied for an operator licence which, if granted, will enable them to operate from 3 October. One of their Electric Higers was in Bristol last week. Unlike Transpora everything should be in place with appropriate managers and declared operating centre.

If they intend to operate the same level of service as Bristol Community Transport did they will need about 10 buses and I guess about 30 drivers trained up for the routes. They have two weeks to sort that out.

 

[busestrains]

The Big Lemon, subject to licensing, are to take over the 505/6 & 515/6 based out of Long Ashton P&R from the 3rd October.

Four axed bus services saved by solar-powered operator

The Big Lemon runs its vehicles on sunshine and recycled cooking oil

www.bristolpost.co.uk

It really baffles me why a tiny little independent based in Brighton wants to run buses in the Bristol area. I am not very optimistic about these plans especially as from my experience of their Brighton bus services they are an unprofessional cowboy operator (i mentioned more about this in the Bristol Airport thread) and i am not sure expanding is a good idea. I feel sorry for the people of Bristol if they decide to put their cheap Chinese rubbish (aka Higer Steed buses) on these routes. So i wonder if this will basically be an outstation operation with buses regularly returning to Brighton every week. It sounds like they do not have a proper depot and are just using a car park so i suppose they will have to but that is a very long distance especially for electric buses.

 

[GusB]

So i wonder if this will basically be an outstation operation with buses regularly returning to Brighton every week. It sounds like they do not have a proper depot and are just using a car park so i suppose they will have to but that is a very long distance especially for electric buses.

Do you have any facts on which to base these assumptions?

 

[busestrains]

Do you have any facts on which to base these assumptions?

I do not have any facts. They are just assumptions and guesses. On their application it says that Long Ashton Park & Ride is their operating centre. There is certainly no bus depot there. So it appears to be an operation run from a car park. If so they will need to return to Brighton for maintenance. But i suppose we will see once the operation starts.

 

[820KDV]

At the risk of upsetting our Moderator, details will have to be sparse due to confidentiality, but I have been on the edge of discussions between Big Lemon, one of our local small operators, a local passenger group and ourselves as Local Transport Authority.

Big Lemon are keen to expand the operation of electric buses, well outside their traditional area, with the local community, and in partnership with small local bus companies for whom electric is seen as yet another imminent complication for their operation. Not that these operators are against environmentally sound operation, but it is such a huge unknown. A sharing of knowledge is therefore very important. Big Lemon have noted that many smaller bus companies operate from small industrial units, often surrounded by vast "sheds" which offer the potential to locate solar panels to generate electricity for the buses. Its not really in the small bus operator's skill set to be able to negotiate with, possibly national, companies running their business in these huge sheds. The community involvement comes from funding the additional initial costs of electric buses, often through bonds with a "feel good factor" rather than a financial return. The town they were looking at in our area is very keen on environmental issues, and as we were discussing possibilities I wondered if the local town council might come on board by converting their vehicles to electric and share the infrastructure cost, or whether the local retailers could club together and buy an electric van for deliveries around town and Big Lemon really took the ideas on board. Not buses, not core business for them, but they immediately saw the potential for the wider package as a way of promoting green public transport.

Now, I take the potential concerns regarding Bristol, but I wouldn't be surprised if Big Lemon already had some sort of relationship with an operator in the area. It might not be the huge step which it, at first, appears. As I hope the preceding paragraph shows, Big Lemon think a bit differently. I'm not saying whether its approach is right or wrong, nor am I saying regulatory requirements can be ignored, but I for one will be waiting, and seeing, before judging.

 

[DaveLondon]

It really baffles me why a tiny little independent based in Brighton wants to run buses in the Bristol area. I am not very optimistic about these plans especially as from my experience of their Brighton bus services they are an unprofessional cowboy operator (i mentioned more about this in the Bristol Airport thread) and i am not sure expanding is a good idea. I feel sorry for the people of Bristol if they decide to put their cheap Chinese rubbish (aka Higer Steed buses) on these routes. So i wonder if this will basically be an outstation operation with buses regularly returning to Brighton every week. It sounds like they do not have a proper depot and are just using a car park so i suppose they will have to but that is a very long distance especially for electric buses.

A lot of assumptions there. I assume you are aware of why the Higer Steeds were chosen and what other options were actually available to them (I do) so to call them Chinese rubbish is neither an accurate or professionally based comment. They are a CIC which makes them rare. Your assumption that the vehicles will return to Brighton each week is, I understand, ill informed as they are making local arrangements.

I am not local to Brighton so cannot comment on your suggestion they are "unprofessional cowboy" - I have ridden on one of the Higers recently and they make an interesting ride with the operator exhibiting many professionally competent aspects.

It should be borne in mind that a new Operator Licence has been applied for this operation - it is not just an outstation of Brighton.

However, time will tell

Many of the routes operated by Bristol Community Transport and about to be withdrawn by First had no expressions of interest at all by anyone to operate them. The arrival of Altonian on one had no competrition and a former stage service operator is about to return on two other routes. Interesting but worrying times but certainly Big Lemon is one of the more interesting.

David

 

[busestrains]

At the risk of upsetting our Moderator, details will have to be sparse due to confidentiality, but I have been on the edge of discussions between Big Lemon, one of our local small operators, a local passenger group and ourselves as Local Transport Authority.

Big Lemon are keen to expand the operation of electric buses, well outside their traditional area, with the local community, and in partnership with small local bus companies for whom electric is seen as yet another imminent complication for their operation. Not that these operators are against environmentally sound operation, but it is such a huge unknown. A sharing of knowledge is therefore very important. Big Lemon have noted that many smaller bus companies operate from small industrial units, often surrounded by vast "sheds" which offer the potential to locate solar panels to generate electricity for the buses. Its not really in the small bus operator's skill set to be able to negotiate with, possibly national, companies running their business in these huge sheds. The community involvement comes from funding the additional initial costs of electric buses, often through bonds with a "feel good factor" rather than a financial return. The town they were looking at in our area is very keen on environmental issues, and as we were discussing possibilities I wondered if the local town council might come on board by converting their vehicles to electric and share the infrastructure cost, or whether the local retailers could club together and buy an electric van for deliveries around town and Big Lemon really took the ideas on board. Not buses, not core business for them, but they immediately saw the potential for the wider package as a way of promoting green public transport.

Now, I take the potential concerns regarding Bristol, but I wouldn't be surprised if Big Lemon already had some sort of relationship with an operator in the area. It might not be the huge step which it, at first, appears. As I hope the preceding paragraph shows, Big Lemon think a bit differently. I'm not saying whether its approach is right or wrong, nor am I saying regulatory requirements can be ignored, but I for one will be waiting, and seeing, before judging.

That is interesting to hear. Thank you for the further information on this. I was wondering why a small independent from Brighton was interested in the Bristol area. So that is interesting to know. It seems the Big Lemon have changed a lot from when they first started. They used to mainly compete with Brighton & Hove on the busy frequent University routes but seem to have changed to focus on local less frequent council routes and electric buses recently. Their new Bristol operation shall certainly be an interesting one to watch.

A lot of assumptions there. I assume you are aware of why the Higer Steeds were chosen and what other options were actually available to them (I do) so to call them Chinese rubbish is neither an accurate or professionally based comment. They are a CIC which makes them rare. Your assumption that the vehicles will return to Brighton each week is, I understand, ill informed as they are making local arrangements.

I am not local to Brighton so cannot comment on your suggestion they are "unprofessional cowboy" - I have ridden on one of the Higers recently and they make an interesting ride with the operator exhibiting many professionally competent aspects.

It should be borne in mind that a new Operator Licence has been applied for this operation - it is not just an outstation of Brighton.

However, time will tell

Many of the routes operated by Bristol Community Transport and about to be withdrawn by First had no expressions of interest at all by anyone to operate them. The arrival of Altonian on one had no competrition and a former stage service operator is about to return on two other routes. Interesting but worrying times but certainly Big Lemon is one of the more interesting.

David

Maybe the Big Lemon has improved so i will give them a chance and see how this new operation in Bristol turns out. Maybe they have improved recently.

I am not aware of why those chose the Higer Steed buses or what options were available to them. I do not know much about the inside workings of this company.

When i first went on their Higer Steed bus it ended up having some faults and breaking down. Then another Higer Steed was sent out to rescue us and then ended up developing faults and breaking down too. Eventually an Optare Solo SR came to rescue us for the second time. So i had two Higer Steed buses break down within less than an hour. So you can probably imagine why i have a very bad first impression of them. With two buses developing faults on the same day it does not appear to be the most reliable bus. They also feel quite cheap and are too cramped inside. Although on the positive side they do have quite comfortable seats

It is just from my personal experience they have not been the most professional operator. I have seen a driver skipping parts of the route out. I have seen a driver terminating early on the last journey. I have seen a driver running over thirty minutes late so they could do their weekly shop in the supermarket during their five minute break time. I have seen a driver who do not know how to issue certain simple basic tickets. I have seen a driver who think it is okay to smoke cigarettes onboard the bus because it is raining outside. I have taken eighteen journeys with the Big Lemon in total and about half of them i have experienced some sort of unprofessional service.

But i shall certainly watch this with interest. It shall be interesting to see how this operation develops. I wonder if they will look to expand further in Bristol in the future.

 

[RELL6L]

So an operator without a valid licence in the operating area is taking over contracts - despite conditions of the contracts requiring the operator to hold a valid licence.

And that operator is proposing to use a council owned car park as its intended operating centre.

West of England Combined Authority (WECA) and Bristol City Council have driven out quality small local operators through complex tendering procedures that favour big operators. They have syphoned money to First for transport schemes linked to developments and now when it suits them they get a bus company in from Brighton to run the buses whilst clearly ignoring it's own procurement rules. It stinks.

I would look at it slightly differently - and controversially - if the reports are to be believed WECA and Bristol City Council have indeed driven out small operators and favoured First - and in return First are stiffing them and the local population by providing a grossly inadequate service and withdrawing potentially viable services in the knowledge that there isn't anyone (Stagecoach are in an even worse position for driver numbers) to replace them. In the case of the 126 complicated by the fact that some of the route is in Somerset.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

In the case of the 126 complicated by the fact that some of the route is in Somerset.

With the 126, part of the route is Somerset but it shared with North Somerset Council who aren't part of West of England Combined Authority (WECA). Unlike the other Counties that Used to Be Avon (CUBA), North Somerset go it alone and don't we know it!

 

[Snow1964]

At the risk of upsetting our Moderator, details will have to be sparse due to confidentiality, but I have been on the edge of discussions between Big Lemon, one of our local small operators, a local passenger group and ourselves as Local Transport Authority.

There is a public report, the Chairman’s report of Bradford-on-Avon Town Council Transport committee

13 Chairmans Report
(i) Continuing discussions with The Big Lemon electric bus operator. Three potential sites have been identified for bus storage and charge. The chair visited the green breather day on June 18th 2022 in Frome, and visited an E-bus the Big Lemon used in Brighton. A survey of potential bus use is planned for late summer/autumn. Routes could include Winsley, Westwood and Holt. further discussions ongoing with The Big Lemon, Westbury TC, Frome TC, option 24/7 and Wiltshire Council.

For those not local, Bradford-on-Avon, Winsley, Westbury, Frome are all on First Discover network (based in Bath), and Faresaver buses (of Chippenham) also run some services in the area

2022_23 Sustainable Travel Committee

Shared with Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

So clearly bus storage / operating sites are being looked at in South East of West of England combined authority area.

 

[Citistar]

Why are town councils wasting their time investigating routes which already exist? Not only would duplicating existing services be a complete waste of resources at a time when they are already scarce, but this fawning over Big Lemon is completely disrespectful to the providers who are already engaged in operating them. As with so many of these projects, it appears to be being pushed forward by people who have no interest or regard for what already exists, they just want to destroy it and replace it with their vision of something better.

 

[Dai Corner]

Why are town councils wasting their time investigating routes which already exist? Not only would duplicating existing services be a complete waste of resources at a time when they are already scarce, but this fawning over Big Lemon is completely disrespectful to the providers who are already engaged in operating them. As with so many of these projects, it appears to be being pushed forward by people who have no interest or regard for what already exists, they just want to destroy it and replace it with their vision of something better.

"Our electric buses won't pollute the streets of your town and any profits we make are invested in the community" is pretty strong selling points, true/realistic or not.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Why are town councils wasting their time investigating routes which already exist? Not only would duplicating existing services be a complete waste of resources at a time when they are already scarce, but this fawning over Big Lemon is completely disrespectful to the providers who are already engaged in operating them. As with so many of these projects, it appears to be being pushed forward by people who have no interest or regard for what already exists, they just want to destroy it and replace it with their vision of something better.

Got to remember that this is very much the Frome way - always achingly pious! For the local authorities, and you've experience of them, it's an easy win in terms of being "greener" without having to disadvantage a single car user! With the Bristol and Bath clean air zones, I guess that is also rather attractive.

Not really relevant (as it relates to Wiltshire) and from the Option 24/7 website was quite interesting

Option 24/7 and the Melksham Transport User Group will have an electric bus (from The Big Lemon of Brighton) in Melksham on Saturday, 17th September, 2022, for route testing.

We are inviting you to take a ride on the bus and see what the future may bring to the town.

Melksham Bus Route 16 will serve

Melksham Railway Station -->
Supermarkets -->
Town Centre -->
Residential Areas -->
Local Centres -->
Surgeries -->
New Developments -->
Industry -->
Hotel -->
Police Station​

On 17th, the bus will leave Melksham Station shortly after the arrival of trains at 10:00 and 11:30 (from Swindon and Chippenham) and at 14:30 (from Trowbridge and Westbury). It will also leave from Melksham Market Place at 10:15, 11:45, 13:45, 14:45 and 15:45. RSVP by email to [email protected] to book a seat. Please let us know:
1. Which service (from the Market Place or Station) you would prefer to ride on.
2. Whether you will be bringing a guest or coming alone.

---

Our proposal for the near future (what we are testing) is for a scheduled public bus service to run hourly from the Railway Station via the Town Centre, Sandridge Road, East Melksham, Pathfinder Way and the Bowerhill and Hampton Park Industrial Areas to the Police Station, with the bus to arrive at the railway station to connect to and from trains, and to serve the industrial areas just before and after work (shift) times. There will be extensions to Asda and to Berryfield.

Please note:
* Journeys on 17th will only pick up passengers at the Market Place and Railway Station
* Pre-booking necessary and capacity limited.
* There will be more space available on afternoon journeys.
* We will endeavour to run on time, but please bear in mind these are test journeys
* Test journeys include extra stops and will be slower than routine service.

ClimateFest (on 17th September) which this demonstration and route testing was scheduled to coincide with has been postponed to 2nd October, and the Melksham Transport User Group and Option 24/7 will be there too, to promote and answer your questions on public transport. We understand and agree the reason for postponing ClimateFest; our route testing proceeds, in muted form.

 

[jammy36]

"Our electric buses won't pollute the streets of your town and any profits we make are invested in the community" is pretty strong selling points, true/realistic or not.

Yes, they seem like strong selling points to those who want to be seen to tick the right boxes, but - as you say - how true/realistic are such promises...? The failure of Bristol Community Transport suggests all is not always rosy with the community interest company route.

What often end up lost/forgotten unfortunately in local government decision taking are the myriad of local operators who didn't just "invest profits" in the local community but were part of the fabric of that community - socially and economically. These local owners lived locally, spent locally and contributed locally. They weren't distant shareholders, but local families... such is progress.

 

[ChrisPJ]

ITV reporting that HCT have sold off their Channel Islands operations as well now:



https://www.itv.com/news/channel/2022-09-15/channel-islands-bus-companies-sold

Is that it for HCT then? Unless there’s any other community transport operations in the London area that are still on the go?

 

[GusB]

Is that it for HCT then? Unless there’s any other community transport operations in the London area that are still on the go?

It would appear so:

HCT Group ceases trading and enters administration - routeone

HCT Group ceased trading and entered administration on Friday 23 September, bringing an end to the 40-year social enterprise.

www.route-one.net

HCT Group ceased trading and entered administration on Friday 23 September, bringing an end to the social enterprise after it “ran out of road.” Neville Side, Martha Thompson and Mark Thornton of BDO LLP have been appointed joint administrators of the business.

The collapse followed a period of turmoil for HCT. Since early August it had seen the sudden closure and subsequent entry into administration of its Yorkshire operations, the sale of Transport for London contracted work to Stagecoach, the closure of its business in Bristol and the disposal of operations on the Channel Islands to Kelsian Group.

Writing on LinkedIn, former HCT Group Communications Director Frank Villeneuve-Smith says that the organisation “has been rocked by multiple challenges” that date as far back as difficult trading before COVID-19 and which had been compounded by a surge in costs and the financial impact of the pandemic period.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

It would appear so:

HCT Group ceases trading and enters administration - routeone

HCT Group ceased trading and entered administration on Friday 23 September, bringing an end to the 40-year social enterprise.

www.route-one.net

Interesting that it says that it wasn't the ownership model that brought it down.

That's probably not strictly true. The pressures on costs and revenue are obviously a factor as with every other operator. It felt that they just had an agenda for growth at whatever price. Moreover, those pesky bean counters and managers (that many enthusiasts seem to blame for every ill) weren't in sufficient numbers or with sufficient strength to provide the correct level of oversight (see the systems hack, and the poor financial reporting). Can't help thinking that were it to have had less of a community aspect and more commercial, many of the hard decisions would have been taken earlier.

 

[Citistar]

Interesting that it says that it wasn't the ownership model that brought it down.

That's probably not strictly true. The pressures on costs and revenue are obviously a factor as with every other operator. It felt that they just had an agenda for growth at whatever price. Moreover, those pesky bean counters and managers (that many enthusiasts seem to blame for every ill) weren't in sufficient numbers or with sufficient strength to provide the correct level of oversight (see the systems hack, and the poor financial reporting). Can't help thinking that were it to have had less of a community aspect and more commercial, many of the hard decisions would have been taken earlier.

It was also insanely top-heavy with the expense of a full PLC management structure to run a few regional operations - a bit like the Parson Street depot in Bristol which i don't think ever looked more than a quarter full at most. I would suggest that if the operating companies had been somewhat better managed, monitored and perhaps kept on a tighter leash, they would have stood a better chance of survival?

 

[Anthony ross]

Maybe appointing a CEO who knew how to run a bus company would have a made a difference and not someone who had no idea what they where doing