West Country Independents

[TheGrandWazoo]

This has appeared on the website of the Evenign Post. Not the most accurate of publications though I realise.
http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Wessex...vices-t-make/story-29371216-detail/story.html

Dave

A resurgent First has really battered Rotala. Last year, I cautioned about administering the last rites to Wessex but it is looking tough for them. In 2014, they had much of UWE sewn up; what a change.

 

[winston270twm]

A resurgent First has really battered Rotala. Last year, I cautioned about administering the last rites to Wessex but it is looking tough for them. In 2014, they had much of UWE sewn up; what a change.

Rotala have acquired another 2 x VDL/Gemini's ex Arriva London from Ensign during May, presumably for Wessex to join the others there bringing the total to 9. I assume Wessex must have plans for new / enhanced services come Sept to re-deploy the buses made redundant from the withdrawal of the 13 & 19 UWE services.

DAF DB250’s LJ03MVZ / LJ04LFF : Rotala plc.

 

[THarris123]

Rotala have acquired another 2 x VDL/Gemini's ex Arriva London from Ensign during May, presumably for Wessex to join the others there bringing the total to 9. I assume Wessex must have plans for new / enhanced services come Sept to re-deploy the buses made redundant from the withdrawal of the 13 & 19 UWE services.

DAF DB250’s LJ03MVZ / LJ04LFF : Rotala plc.

I still think they'll have a go at 3/4 and maybe even something like Bath-Bristol?

 

[diffywood]

I still think they'll have a go at 3/4 and maybe even something like Bath-Bristol?

there was talk last year they might take on the 376 route

 

[freetoview33]

Wessex never give things a fair chance! Like the One was every 10 min to Cribbs soon every 20 min to Henbury! Same happened with the 3, X40 and the Portishead to Cribbs services. At least First give things a little longer!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

there was talk last year they might take on the 376 route

That would be unlikely for a number of reasons. 3/4 would be much more likely

 

[Colly405]

Wessex never give things a fair chance! Like the One was every 10 min to Cribbs soon every 20 min to Henbury! Same happened with the 3, X40 and the Portishead to Cribbs services. At least First give things a little longer!

The One/One2 changes from 1st August are withdrawing the One from Cribbs. VOSA shows it as running as far out as Brentry roundabout, but S Glos Council website says it will run to Westbury, and every 10 mins (currently 20).

 

[winston270twm]

Wessex never give things a fair chance! Like the One was every 10 min to Cribbs soon every 20 min to Henbury! Same happened with the 3, X40 and the Portishead to Cribbs services. At least First give things a little longer!

It depends how much money the services were losing before the decision was made to cut them back / withdrawn them. Rotala can't afford to swallow losses indefinitely, they are a minow compared to the size of First Group.

It seems from comments on here that Wessex don't do themselves any favours with reliability & time keeping issues as well as competitive pressure from First.

I can't see Wessex just packing up & moving out, I think we'll see some new registrations pop up

 

[freetoview33]

It depends how much money the services were losing before the decision was made to cut them back / withdrawn them. Rotala can't afford to swallow losses indefinitely, they are a minow compared to the size of First Group.

It seems from comments on here that Wessex don't do themselves any favours with reliability & time keeping issues as well as competitive pressure from First.

I can't see Wessex just packing up & moving out, I think we'll see some new registrations pop up

Wessex did better on services that were new like the 13 (until First started the 48A)

 

[Marc]

Wessex did better on services that were new like the 13 (until First started the 48A)

13 was a good innovation which must have upset first enough for them to take serious action. 48a is an expensive thing to run from scratch!

i think wessex are focusing on the wrong things by going after the 1 and 2. duplicating what first already do is not going to win them many fans and just increses calls for regulation

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

13 was a good innovation which must have upset first enough for them to take serious action. 48a is an expensive thing to run from scratch!

i think wessex are focusing on the wrong things by going after the 1 and 2. duplicating what first already do is not going to win them many fans and just increses calls for regulation

Not exactly innovation as such from Rotala because it was part of the U Link network which was more a UWE initiative

Also, it is much easier to copy an established service than come up with something new so easy to see why they're competing on the 1/2

 

[matt_splat]

I hear wessex latest idea is a crazy one and could well see competition from first as well

 

[DaveHarries]

I hear wessex latest idea is a crazy one and could well see competition from first as well

Pray tell.

Dave

 

[freetoview33]

I hear wessex latest idea is a crazy one and could well see competition from first as well

Bristol - Weston-super-Mare (via Bath)? haha

 

[matt_splat]

Bristol - Weston-super-Mare (via Bath)? haha

First also don't operate the route at the moment

 

[THarris123]

Bristol - Weston-super-Mare (via Bath)? haha

I know you're only joking but it is probably something that Wessex have thought of!

 

[freetoview33]

First also don't operate the route at the moment

Care to indulge?
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I know you're only joking but it is probably something that Wessex have thought of!

Like Webbers Minehead - Yeovil service! haha

 

[matt_splat]

Care to indulge?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Like Webbers Minehead - Yeovil service! haha

one more clue then it's a route in Bath currently First don't also operate on but they might well do as well in the future.

 

[Class 33]

I would like to see Wessex Connect come up with more original services in Bristol, including parts of the city which currently have no bus service atall and/or parts that have an infrequent service. Rather than duplicating yet more of First's services.

 

[freetoview33]

one more clue then it's a route in Bath currently First don't also operate on but they might well do as well in the future.

Is it a route which is currently served by another operator currently?

 

[carlberry]

I would like to see Wessex Connect come up with more original services in Bristol, including parts of the city which currently have no bus service atall and/or parts that have an infrequent service. Rather than duplicating yet more of First's services.

It isnt going to happen! There are companies that do/have done this (North Somerset, Abus, Citistar, Somerbus for example) but it takes a long time, its very slow and needs staff and management that are dedicated to it. (Plus the local authorities supporting it as well). Wessex don't appear to be that kind of company.

 

[matt_splat]

Is it a route which is currently served by another operator currently?

it sure is

 

[freetoview33]

Abus 42? Odd Down - RUH?

 

[matt_splat]

Abus 42? Odd Down - RUH?

so i'm told yes we will see how it goes and what happens

 

[freetoview33]

so i'm told yes we will see how it goes and what happens

So what is the future of the 20? As the route isn't too different

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

So what is the future of the 20? As the route isn't too different

Half of the route isn't covered. More pertinently, you could replace the 42 with much of the 20!

 

[matt_splat]

i'm not sure on the full extend other than wessex have some wacky idea

 

[winston270twm]

I would like to see Wessex Connect come up with more original services in Bristol, including parts of the city which currently have no bus service atall and/or parts that have an infrequent service. Rather than duplicating yet more of First's services.

But the Wessex commercial services which compete with existing First services are also bringing with them lower fares for First's passengers in the form of 'Star Fares'. The same can't be said for First's duplication of the existing Wessex 13 service with their 48A offering.
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Rotala have acquired another 2 x VDL/Gemini's ex Arriva London from Ensign during May, presumably for Wessex to join the others there bringing the total to 9. I assume Wessex must have plans for new / enhanced services come Sept to re-deploy the buses made redundant from the withdrawal of the 13 & 19 UWE services.

DAF DB250’s LJ03MVZ / LJ04LFF : Rotala plc.

They've also acquired LJ04LDN making 3 extra & 11 now in total (I can't add up). They're numbered 40208-40211 respectively.

Rotala Plc have this Thursday announced a placing to raise £2.4 Million before expenses via the issue of new shares.

£800k of the funds raised will be used to re-develop/expand two Diamond WM depots at Tividale & Redditch.

The remainder of the funds raised will be used to make Bolt-on acquisitions to existing businesses, hopefully that may include Wessex. They also have unused banking facilities to fund acquisitions on top.

http://m.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/mobile/news/detail/12848472.html

 

[THarris123]

Cancellation from CT coaches of 2 in Bath just gone through VOSA - as of 4th Sept.

 

[diffywood]

full detail of changes to bus routes in July and August in Bristol on travelwest website

http://travelwest.info/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/bus-service-changes-july-aug-2016.pdf