SPT Tendered Routes

[adrock1976]

I have noticed in the attachment above that the existing First Glasgow 89/90 has been renumbered 189/190.

This makes sense, as there is already an 89 that runs along Springburn Road to Kilsyth and would avoid confusion to the occasional traveller as they go in different directions. Also, having two or more totally different routes along the same section of road with the same number would not be allowed to happen in London.

 

[sannox]

The agenda item linked above includes that data. In summary as it stands only one of the proposed contract awards utilises an SPT vehicle, that being the 141. There will be four vehicles returning to SPT.

Its all the operators own apart from the 141, which will use an SPT one (its the second column from the right on this scteenshot)

Thanks for pointing that out. It will be interesting to see what vehicles they use. Do these ops have anything suited to stopping services?

 

[Stan Drews]

Thanks for pointing that out. It will be interesting to see what vehicles they use. Do these ops have anything suited to stopping services?

Operators wouldn’t normally procure a bus until a contract was actually secured, so I expect once they are actually informed officially of the award, they will put into action whatever plan they based their pricing on.

 

[Observer]

Operators wouldn’t normally procure a bus until a contract was actually secured, so I expect once they are actually informed officially of the award, they will put into action whatever plan they based their pricing on.

Hobson's have an Optare Solo they use for rail replacement, so it's likely going to get used for that.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/65618322@N02/50075099707/ from X303JGE

Kevin's also may have one but can't confirm. https://www.flickr.com/photos/quomaneastlothian/50555574481 from Robin Dickson

One photo said it belonged to SD Travel. https://www.flickr.com/photos/144694252@N07/50544515513/ from daniel yule

ARG Travel have two Solos as well for their 203 service, so it's not like they're ill-prepared either.

Hopefully mods are okay with the credits and image links otherwise please fix that for me.

Of course they would need to get a spare bus but I'm sure that can be done.

SPT in recent years are trying to have operators use their own vehicles rather than be supplied with SPT, which other than the Solos were well known for unreliability such as the Fiats, which was a major contention with some operators as they were liable for repairs which was a regular problem. Eventually SPT started buying Solos, and now they're not buying anything to give out, but selling them off to their contractors if they want them.

 

[lastbus]

Hobson's have an Optare Solo they use for rail replacement, so it's likely going to get used for that.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/65618322@N02/50075099707/ from X303JGE

Kevin's also may have one but can't confirm. https://www.flickr.com/photos/quomaneastlothian/50555574481 from Robin Dickson

One photo said it belonged to SD Travel. https://www.flickr.com/photos/144694252@N07/50544515513/ from daniel yule

ARG Travel have two Solos as well for their 203 service, so it's not like they're ill-prepared either.

Hopefully mods are okay with the credits and image links otherwise please fix that for me.

Of course they would need to get a spare bus but I'm sure that can be done.

SPT in recent years are trying to have operators use their own vehicles rather than be supplied with SPT, which other than the Solos were well known for unreliability such as the Fiats, which was a major contention with some operators as they were liable for repairs which was a regular problem. Eventually SPT started buying Solos, and now they're not buying anything to give out, but selling them off to their contractors if they want them.

The 205 contract comes with SPT buses. Kevin’s coaches do have an optare that gets used on schools however the 46 requires 2 buses and they will need a spare as well so he will need to buy 2 buses.

 

[Observer]

The 205 contract comes with SPT buses. Kevin’s coaches do have an optare that gets used on schools however the 46 requires 2 buses and they will need a spare as well so he will need to buy 2 buses.

In the tender list on the last page, the 205 bus proposed it says operator, current is SPT.

Also if you see at the bottom it has a number of how many SPT buses are getting utilised per all the contracts and it said 1 out for use, 5 to be returned.

 

[lastbus]

In the tender list on the last page, the 205 bus proposed it says operator, current is SPT.

Also if you see at the bottom it has a number of how many SPT buses are getting utilised per all the contracts and it said 1 out for use, 5 to be returned.

So it does apologies. ARG travel will need buses then as they use their solos on the 203 service.

 

[Stan Drews]

The 205 contract comes with SPT buses. Kevin’s coaches do have an optare that gets used on schools however the 46 requires 2 buses and they will need a spare as well so he will need to buy 2 buses.

The 46 actually needs 3 buses on Monday to Saturday evenings, unless they’ve accepted a reduced option.

 

[lastbus]

The 46 actually needs 3 buses on Monday to Saturday evenings, unless they’ve accepted a reduced option.

So it does.

 

[route101]

That 89 or 189 route, always found it odd that it went the old way around Mt Florida and long Carmunnock Road, the daytime 90 runs along Kings Park Road.

 

[Zakforbes4]

The 46 actually needs 3 buses on Monday to Saturday evenings, unless they’ve accepted a reduced option.

Aren't they only running the night ones to Queenslie?

 

[Stan Drews]

Aren't they only running the night ones to Queenslie?

Yes, that’s right. Hourly service, with a journey time each way of approx 75 mins = minimum 3 buses.

 

[Deerfold]

I have noticed in the attachment above that the existing First Glasgow 89/90 has been renumbered 189/190.

This makes sense, as there is already an 89 that runs along Springburn Road to Kilsyth and would avoid confusion to the occasional traveller as they go in different directions. Also, having two or more totally different routes along the same section of road with the same number would not be allowed to happen in London.

There's two service 460s registered that call at Golders Green Bus Station. Outside of London, Traffic Commissioners aren't generally allowed to adjudicate on route numbers.

 

[PaulMc7]

Would be interesting to see detailed passenger numbers for the services in the latest changes to see just how worth it running the services has actually been over the years. Feel like there's a lot of money forked out on fresh air when it comes to SPT tenders over the years

 

[Jordan Adam]

Would be interesting to see detailed passenger numbers for the services in the latest changes to see just how worth it running the services has actually been over the years. Feel like there's a lot of money forked out on fresh air when it comes to SPT tenders over the years

That's kind of the whole point. If the service was better used it wouldn't be supported in the first place.

Tendered/supported services are meant to cover for when a service isn't viable commercially due to low passenger numbers but is still vital to connecting certain areas.

 

[PaulMc7]

That's kind of the whole point. If the service was better used it wouldn't be supported in the first place.

Tendered/supported services are meant to cover for when a service isn't viable commercially due to low passenger numbers but is still vital to connecting certain areas.

That's kinda my point though. Are they that vital if they're not carrying anyone? Arguably no. Is there better things that money could be used for? Probably and that's why it would be interesting to know exactly what the passenger numbers are so these questions get answered

 

[GaryMcEwan]

The 89/90 were busy at night time when the bingo halls emptied at The Forge and Partick.

Night time services in Glasgow are a shadow of their former self. The frequency was good and even the night network covered large parts of Glasgow, Renfrewshire and South Lanarkshire.

 

[PaulMc7]

The 89/90 were busy at night time when the bingo halls emptied at The Forge and Partick.

Night time services in Glasgow are a shadow of their former self. The frequency was good and even the night network covered large parts of Glasgow, Renfrewshire and South Lanarkshire.

Yeah I absolutely agree with that. Night bus network has significantly fell apart since even I used night buses back from the city centre regularly even only 5/6 years ago

 

[route101]

The 89/90 were busy at night time when the bingo halls emptied at The Forge and Partick.

Night time services in Glasgow are a shadow of their former self. The frequency was good and even the night network covered large parts of Glasgow, Renfrewshire and South Lanarkshire.

I have noticed the services becoming quieter. I remember using the night bus N66 and used to take a good load to out through the Southside. Still about £25 quid cheaper than a taxi! Castlemilk has very frequent service during the day yet fails to have any night service now.

Low frequencies make it hard to commute. I don't fancy trying to connect from half hourly/hourly to the same frequency especially outwith the City Centre. Guess when you lower the frequency, service becomes unusable and passengers stop using it.

There needs to be stronger regulation in bus services in Glasgow, SPT are so weak.

 

[Observer]

Vandals put paid to bus route on key stretch between Motherwell and Bellshill

A key bus route has been re-drawn because vandals kept getting their kicks by throwing missiles at the oncoming vehicles.

www.motherwelltimes.co.uk

An incident involving the Bellshill-bound 209 service which took place on the evening of Monday, January 25 in North Motherwell proved to be the last straw after a windscreen was partially shattered in what was the latest in a series of incidents.
Thankfully there were no injuries nor did the bus collide with another vehicle, but regulatory group Strathclyde Passenger Transport said that it was left with no option but to take decisive action.
A spokesperson said: “This service will now terminate on Ladywell Road and will no longer serve The Loaning, North of Ladywell Street, Logans Road, Chesters Crescent and Watling Street.

"This decision was not taken lightly but is best to protect the staff and passengers for the time being.


"This will leave passengers with a 1.08-mile walk from the last stop on Ladywell Road to service 209’s original terminal on Watling Street. The walk will be longer for those living north of Watling Street."
A police spokesperson said: “This is a devastating blow for the community. Lanarkshire police prioritise keeping people safe and your local officers will continue to work with SPT partners to try and rectify this situation.
“If you'd like to provide any information regarding these incidents you can contact 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is anonymous.”
Meanwhile the partial withdrawal has sparked fury in the community.


North Motherwell community activist Scott Symington said: “These are serious and dangerous actions that could have caused a nasty accident. The people who are doing this should take a good look at themselves. People who depended on this bus service are now left without a lifeline for getting up to the town. Hopefully now the Police can find those responsible and charge them.”
Meanwhile Councillor Paul Kelly said he was “appalled” and added: “The actions of a small minority are punishing the majority of the community, some who will now need to walk over a mile to get home.
“I have asked for a meeting with SPT and the Police to discuss how we work to get this bus route reinstated safely.”

 

[Observer]

As of yesterday, SPT are supplying free shuttles to the Ravenscraig Vaccination Centre.

http://www.spt.co.uk/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/vac-1-publicity-timetable.pdf Motherwell Train Station – Ravenscraig Vaccination Centre Circular operated by United Coaches

http://www.spt.co.uk/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/extended-vac-2-publicity-timetable.pdf Central Way, Cumbernauld – Ravenscraig Vaccination Centre operated by Kevin's Coaches

 

[route101]

As of yesterday, SPT are supplying free shuttles to the Ravenscraig Vaccination Centre.

http://www.spt.co.uk/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/vac-1-publicity-timetable.pdf Motherwell Train Station – Ravenscraig Vaccination Centre Circular operated by United Coaches

http://www.spt.co.uk/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/extended-vac-2-publicity-timetable.pdf Central Way, Cumbernauld – Ravenscraig Vaccination Centre operated by Kevin's Coaches

Do you need proof of vaccination to travel on these services?

 

[Stan Drews]

Some SPT owned vehicles, that recently returned from use with McGill’s, have found new homes.

Optare Solo’s YJ09OUU and YJ13HNR were sold to Stuart’s of Carluke.
Optare Solo YD63VFF was sold to McNairn’s.
Mercedes Sprinter BJ15UVP was sold to JMB.

 

[Glasgowbusguy]

The 46 registration is still not showing unless I am missing something

 

[AlexanderPS]

Some SPT owned vehicles, that recently returned from use with McGill’s, have found new homes.

Optare Solo’s YJ09OUU and YJ13HNR were sold to Stuart’s of Carluke.
Optare Solo YD63VFF was sold to McNairn’s.
Mercedes Sprinter BJ15UVP was sold to JMB.

Also McColls have Optare Solo YJ13HNP and SD Travel have Solo MX14FUV.

 

[christopherrfc]

REPORT (spt.co.uk)

Of the 17 individual advertised contracts, it is proposed to award 13 at this stage with a total contract value of £2,272,628.11 as detailed in Appendix 1. This will result in an annual increase of £36,258.73 to the subsidised bus budget when compared to the current annual contract value, whilst noting that contract W031F1 has now been awarded on a gross cost basis, expected to yield a net overall total contract value decrease of circa - £30,000.

It is also noted to the Committee that advertised contract 2835M which provides an early morning, Monday to Friday journey as service 88C, between Kilsyth and Glasgow, will not be renewed due to its acquisition on a commercial basis from July 2021 by First Glasgow.This will result in annual savings of £5,429.84 to the subsidised bus budget


Whilst this initial set of contracts due for renewal represents an increase in costs compared with the current position, and a likely net cost saving, it should be noted that the prices submitted for the remaining contracts were considered excessive. With that in mind, those contracts not recommended will be re-tendered in an effort to achieve a more satisfactory outcome.

latest tenders

 

[Observer]

Some interesting results there.

A newcomer is this PVT Transfer company, never heard of them but seemingly they do exist....on a restricted license (16 seats maximum, up to two buses only).

Vehicle Operator Licensing - GOV.UK

www.vehicle-operator-licensing.service.gov.uk

 

[Stan Drews]

Some interesting results there.

A newcomer is this PVT Transfer company, never heard of them but seemingly they do exist....on a restricted license (16 seats maximum, up to two buses only).

Vehicle Operator Licensing - GOV.UK

www.vehicle-operator-licensing.service.gov.uk

The majority of contracts seem to be changing hands.

 

[Observer]

It's not surprising to be fair. Private hire is going to take a long time to come back to normal. Guaranteed income with contracts for schools or service, who would say no? As long as they're prepared and able to do them.

 

[sannox]

Some interesting results there.

A newcomer is this PVT Transfer company, never heard of them but seemingly they do exist....on a restricted license (16 seats maximum, up to two buses only).

Vehicle Operator Licensing - GOV.UK

www.vehicle-operator-licensing.service.gov.uk

Interesting. The 103 seems to change tenderers often.