robertclark125
Established Member
Yes, it's that time of year, when I dish out the awards that the industry awards don't dish out, or dish out to the wrong people, or are scared to dish out. Some catergories are the same as last year, but others are different. Here's this years "winners".
The Missed Opportunity award - Transport Scotland, network rail, and Scotrail.
They jointly receive this award for failing to build platforms on the Fife Circle, where it passes Halbeath Park and Ride, which opened on 27th November. It would've made the site, with 1000 spaces even more useful and popular, and captured traffic coming off the A92. It would've also eased the parking pressure on Queen Margaret station.
To be fair though, in a newspaper article this week, TS are now looking at building platforms, so at least things are moving in the right direction. It's a pity they weren't there from the start.
The why didn't we think of that idea award - Firstgroup
They get this award for the decision to specify ALL new buses for the group to have leather seats. The likes of Stagecoach and Arriva are only using them on specific routes, wheras Firstgroup feel all passengers should benefit. I accept that some areas will get them sooner than others, but it amazes me it's took someone so long to actually specify leather seats in ALL new buses.
The worst excuse for failing to have information award - Lough Swilly
The irish operator gets this for the same reason Preston Bus got it in 2011. A mate was recently over there for a wedding, and couldn't find timetables. Staff at the firms depot said they didn't give them out as "folk might take them away". Why do Argos leave piles of catalogs in their shops then?
The "you're telling as much truth as a politician" award - Reays of Wigton.
The Cumbrian firm said their Cityhopper network was very successful in carlisle, carrying over 30'000 people a week. That was in October 2012. In January 2013, they announced they were withdrawing most of it, save for the 64 and 75, due to it being unsuccessful. Funny how it managed to lose so many passengers in 3 months.
The firm also gets the award for an incident where a passenger was quoted three different fares for the same journey on three different days.
The please stop interfering award - Office of fair Trading and Competition Commission.
Ever since the CC produced its report on Bus services in Britain, the OFT has taken a tougher line on takeovers. It's resulted in uncertainty, disruption, and frustration. For instance, is there any need for the OFT to investigate First's takeover of Finglands, or did they need to look at Rotala's purchase of some parts of First Midland Red (or whatever it was called). It was costly for the firms invovled, and led to uncertainty, especially for staff. Indeed, surely the OFT are the better judges to decide what to investigate, and not be told off the CC.
The successful express service award - Stagecoach East Scotland
Their successful City Connect network, based in Fife, has gained extra services and bigger vehicles, and the X7 from Dundee to Aberdeen is requiring duplication. Surely more journeys, services, and maybe bigger vehicles are what will come, but they get this award.
The where exactly can and can't we award - Stagecoach south Lancs and Merseyside, Blackpool Transport, Preston Bus
A holiday in Blackpool with a Blackpool transport pass resulted in this award. Some stagecoach drivers accepted the pass, others didn't. Some Preston Bus drivers did, others didn't. Blackpool Transport staff were giving out incorrect info as well. In fact, the pass was NOT valid on any other operators services.
To be fair, once the firms involved were e-mailed, all said they would put notices on staff noticeboards to remind them Blackpool Transport passes are only valid on Blackpool Transport buses and trams.
It's this confusion though which doesn't help passengers.
Most improved city network in 2013 - First Bristol
Having been criticised for many years, First has reduced fares recently, and seemingly improvements are now being made after years of decline. First is even engaging in dialogue with local authorities over improvements.
see what happens when local management get left to make decisions? There's a long way to go, but it's a very good start.
The stop your moaning award - The Big Lemon
The firm launched a new service from outer Brighton to the city centre recently. It only runs in the morning and afternoon peaks. I asked them why, showing them a copy of a Stagecoach Fife timetable for a university based service, which runs also during the day They said "we have a rival operator who would compete and students don't travel outwith peaks"
Stop moaning. You're competing with B&H buses in the peaks, creaming off passengers. It seems it's ok for you to compete but not for B&H to compete.
The "if we use the web so should you" award - Stagecoach Oxford and Stagecoach East Scotland
These two firms are using facebook and Twitter to provide updates and answer queries. It's a pilot trial, which has been ongoing for a couple of years. It's about time the rest of Stagecoach UK bus rolled it out.
The lifetime achievement award - Brian souter (stagecoach)
There may have been controversies over the years, but you cannot deny that this man has been forward thinking in the way Stagecoach has approached transport in its 33 years. In fact, just think how successful the SBG or NBC could've been under him.
Lastly, the keeping us informed of the stagecoach bus fleet - Michael Bonwick
Marvellous fellow, who every month, provides us with the latest Stagecoach UK bus fleetcards for each firm.
You don't get enough credit for it Michael, so I hope this makes up for it!
That's the winners in 2013, see what you think.
The Missed Opportunity award - Transport Scotland, network rail, and Scotrail.
They jointly receive this award for failing to build platforms on the Fife Circle, where it passes Halbeath Park and Ride, which opened on 27th November. It would've made the site, with 1000 spaces even more useful and popular, and captured traffic coming off the A92. It would've also eased the parking pressure on Queen Margaret station.
To be fair though, in a newspaper article this week, TS are now looking at building platforms, so at least things are moving in the right direction. It's a pity they weren't there from the start.
The why didn't we think of that idea award - Firstgroup
They get this award for the decision to specify ALL new buses for the group to have leather seats. The likes of Stagecoach and Arriva are only using them on specific routes, wheras Firstgroup feel all passengers should benefit. I accept that some areas will get them sooner than others, but it amazes me it's took someone so long to actually specify leather seats in ALL new buses.
The worst excuse for failing to have information award - Lough Swilly
The irish operator gets this for the same reason Preston Bus got it in 2011. A mate was recently over there for a wedding, and couldn't find timetables. Staff at the firms depot said they didn't give them out as "folk might take them away". Why do Argos leave piles of catalogs in their shops then?
The "you're telling as much truth as a politician" award - Reays of Wigton.
The Cumbrian firm said their Cityhopper network was very successful in carlisle, carrying over 30'000 people a week. That was in October 2012. In January 2013, they announced they were withdrawing most of it, save for the 64 and 75, due to it being unsuccessful. Funny how it managed to lose so many passengers in 3 months.
The firm also gets the award for an incident where a passenger was quoted three different fares for the same journey on three different days.
The please stop interfering award - Office of fair Trading and Competition Commission.
Ever since the CC produced its report on Bus services in Britain, the OFT has taken a tougher line on takeovers. It's resulted in uncertainty, disruption, and frustration. For instance, is there any need for the OFT to investigate First's takeover of Finglands, or did they need to look at Rotala's purchase of some parts of First Midland Red (or whatever it was called). It was costly for the firms invovled, and led to uncertainty, especially for staff. Indeed, surely the OFT are the better judges to decide what to investigate, and not be told off the CC.
The successful express service award - Stagecoach East Scotland
Their successful City Connect network, based in Fife, has gained extra services and bigger vehicles, and the X7 from Dundee to Aberdeen is requiring duplication. Surely more journeys, services, and maybe bigger vehicles are what will come, but they get this award.
The where exactly can and can't we award - Stagecoach south Lancs and Merseyside, Blackpool Transport, Preston Bus
A holiday in Blackpool with a Blackpool transport pass resulted in this award. Some stagecoach drivers accepted the pass, others didn't. Some Preston Bus drivers did, others didn't. Blackpool Transport staff were giving out incorrect info as well. In fact, the pass was NOT valid on any other operators services.
To be fair, once the firms involved were e-mailed, all said they would put notices on staff noticeboards to remind them Blackpool Transport passes are only valid on Blackpool Transport buses and trams.
It's this confusion though which doesn't help passengers.
Most improved city network in 2013 - First Bristol
Having been criticised for many years, First has reduced fares recently, and seemingly improvements are now being made after years of decline. First is even engaging in dialogue with local authorities over improvements.
see what happens when local management get left to make decisions? There's a long way to go, but it's a very good start.
The stop your moaning award - The Big Lemon
The firm launched a new service from outer Brighton to the city centre recently. It only runs in the morning and afternoon peaks. I asked them why, showing them a copy of a Stagecoach Fife timetable for a university based service, which runs also during the day They said "we have a rival operator who would compete and students don't travel outwith peaks"
Stop moaning. You're competing with B&H buses in the peaks, creaming off passengers. It seems it's ok for you to compete but not for B&H to compete.
The "if we use the web so should you" award - Stagecoach Oxford and Stagecoach East Scotland
These two firms are using facebook and Twitter to provide updates and answer queries. It's a pilot trial, which has been ongoing for a couple of years. It's about time the rest of Stagecoach UK bus rolled it out.
The lifetime achievement award - Brian souter (stagecoach)
There may have been controversies over the years, but you cannot deny that this man has been forward thinking in the way Stagecoach has approached transport in its 33 years. In fact, just think how successful the SBG or NBC could've been under him.
Lastly, the keeping us informed of the stagecoach bus fleet - Michael Bonwick
Marvellous fellow, who every month, provides us with the latest Stagecoach UK bus fleetcards for each firm.
You don't get enough credit for it Michael, so I hope this makes up for it!
That's the winners in 2013, see what you think.
