robertclark125
Established Member
The second year of me running this alternative awards scheme, that dishes out the awards that they're either too scared to hand out, or too scared to accept, or too humble to accept. So, lets see this years categories and winners.
The Mr halfwit of a passenger who doesn't care about health and safety award - Well, this goes to the man who lost his rag with Preston Bus on twitter, after three of their vehicles pulled out of the stands at the bus station, and he then ventured onto the concourse to try and get on board. He was refused, and then took to twitter to vent his splein (and a lot more) to Preston Bus, who, correctly, stood their ground.
To be fair, he did later apologise to preston Bus for this, and the firm has drawn a line under it, but that man wins the award.
The award for the poorest excuse for not giving out information - Lough Swilly
The irish firm, which has not bought a new bus for over 20 years, came up with the same excuse to a mate from Dublin, that Preston Bus gave to some friends of mine last year. On that occasion, PB won the award, this time, it goes over the Irish sea. And the excuse? They don't give out timetables as folk might take them away.
As I said last year, why do Argos leave piles of catalogues in their shop fronts?
Using a very unsuitable vehicle on a school contract award - Prentice Westwood
The west calder firm gets it for a fife school contract needing 60 seats. They sent out a minibus, with 23 seats one afternoon, which had to do three trips. You have to wonder at the mentality of some folk.
Keeping enthusiasts informed on the forum award - Mbonwick
He keeps us up to date with all at Stagecoach UK bus with his regular fleetcards, and it's about time his work was appreciated. Well done Michael
The what a shambles (rail) award - Department of transport/WCML franchise
enough has been said of this mess, which only adds fuel to the fire of those calling for the railways to be renationalised.
The what a shambles (bus) award - West Lothian Council/EM Horsburgh
The complete and utter mess with the tendering of ALL local bus services in west lothian has made press headlines, and has a thread all of its own on another forum. Rather than tender only routes in one area one year, and another the next, like what Fife has been doing since 1986, West Lothian Council put the whole lot out in one go. The result was first lost a lot of work to the likes of EMH, who also gained work from Prentice Westwood.
This is where the chaos comes in. Timetables not ready, and the rules state buses no older than a 51 plate, have dot matrix display, and MUST give change.
EMH are not giving change, and are seemingly now cancelling work, as they've took too much on. So, work has to be tendered again.
And west lothian council wonders why less folk are using the bus?
Giving it a go and making an ever bigger success of it - Stagecoach Fife
They've increased the frequency of the 99 between St Andrews and Dundee to every 10 minutes, and so retain the award they won last year.
Why did you have to stick your nose in award - OFT/Competition Commission
This is for the issue that led to Stagecoach pulling out of the purchase of First's Barnstaple depot, then first pulling out of the area, and stagecoach registering routes, leaving First's employees wondering if they'd have a job. Nice one guys.
Keeping passengers informed and carrying on as best they can award - Stagecoach East Scotland/Lothian Buses/Preston Bus/Stagecoach in Lancashire
The latter two get it for their efforts during the Preston Guild, the first two for keeping their passengers informed better than anyone else of the delays due to the tram works in the Scottish capital.
The what's the point award - Blackpool Transport
They have a route map, available online, but it's not in their timetable booklets for tourists. Why?
Lifetime achievement award - Roger french
The retiring MD of Brighton and Hove bus and coach has well and truly earned this award, and his retirement. If only there were more like him.
The Mr halfwit of a passenger who doesn't care about health and safety award - Well, this goes to the man who lost his rag with Preston Bus on twitter, after three of their vehicles pulled out of the stands at the bus station, and he then ventured onto the concourse to try and get on board. He was refused, and then took to twitter to vent his splein (and a lot more) to Preston Bus, who, correctly, stood their ground.
To be fair, he did later apologise to preston Bus for this, and the firm has drawn a line under it, but that man wins the award.
The award for the poorest excuse for not giving out information - Lough Swilly
The irish firm, which has not bought a new bus for over 20 years, came up with the same excuse to a mate from Dublin, that Preston Bus gave to some friends of mine last year. On that occasion, PB won the award, this time, it goes over the Irish sea. And the excuse? They don't give out timetables as folk might take them away.
As I said last year, why do Argos leave piles of catalogues in their shop fronts?
Using a very unsuitable vehicle on a school contract award - Prentice Westwood
The west calder firm gets it for a fife school contract needing 60 seats. They sent out a minibus, with 23 seats one afternoon, which had to do three trips. You have to wonder at the mentality of some folk.
Keeping enthusiasts informed on the forum award - Mbonwick
He keeps us up to date with all at Stagecoach UK bus with his regular fleetcards, and it's about time his work was appreciated. Well done Michael
The what a shambles (rail) award - Department of transport/WCML franchise
enough has been said of this mess, which only adds fuel to the fire of those calling for the railways to be renationalised.
The what a shambles (bus) award - West Lothian Council/EM Horsburgh
The complete and utter mess with the tendering of ALL local bus services in west lothian has made press headlines, and has a thread all of its own on another forum. Rather than tender only routes in one area one year, and another the next, like what Fife has been doing since 1986, West Lothian Council put the whole lot out in one go. The result was first lost a lot of work to the likes of EMH, who also gained work from Prentice Westwood.
This is where the chaos comes in. Timetables not ready, and the rules state buses no older than a 51 plate, have dot matrix display, and MUST give change.
EMH are not giving change, and are seemingly now cancelling work, as they've took too much on. So, work has to be tendered again.
And west lothian council wonders why less folk are using the bus?
Giving it a go and making an ever bigger success of it - Stagecoach Fife
They've increased the frequency of the 99 between St Andrews and Dundee to every 10 minutes, and so retain the award they won last year.
Why did you have to stick your nose in award - OFT/Competition Commission
This is for the issue that led to Stagecoach pulling out of the purchase of First's Barnstaple depot, then first pulling out of the area, and stagecoach registering routes, leaving First's employees wondering if they'd have a job. Nice one guys.
Keeping passengers informed and carrying on as best they can award - Stagecoach East Scotland/Lothian Buses/Preston Bus/Stagecoach in Lancashire
The latter two get it for their efforts during the Preston Guild, the first two for keeping their passengers informed better than anyone else of the delays due to the tram works in the Scottish capital.
The what's the point award - Blackpool Transport
They have a route map, available online, but it's not in their timetable booklets for tourists. Why?
Lifetime achievement award - Roger french
The retiring MD of Brighton and Hove bus and coach has well and truly earned this award, and his retirement. If only there were more like him.
On the flip side though, well done for mentioning Mr French. He deserves the recognition.
used to run the 100 group of bus services. MacEWAN ALSO SCOOPS THE TITLE FOR BIGGEST EPIC FAIL TO TAKE A GOVERNMENT HANDOUT WHEN THEY FAILED TO TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF GREEN BUS HANDOUT TO FULFILL THERE CONTRACTED COMMITMENT TO UPGRADE THE 100 GROUP FLEAT!