Cityfox Bus

[Olympian]

What worries me more is...

A quick check of Companies House will reveal that Snowdonia is wholly owned by CityFox Group Ltd and therefore so is the 'O' licence. If your use of the word "used" is intended to infer that something underhand is going on, that moves the discussion into much more sinister territory. Opinions about what the Group does and how they do it are one thing, unsupported allegations of illegality are quite another.

Sorry to disappoint but my use of "used" was nothing more than because you're not currently using the licence (ie no operational vehicles) rather than alleging that you shouldn't be using it or anything as sinister as that.

On related matters, I'm told that my resignation and also a change of TM have been notified to the TC but it does often take them a few weeks to update the websites so that's just a matter of time.

Good, I didn't realise that they were so slow to update publicly available information like this.

Finally, if we're now trying to imply that because Rhys bought a company from someone who once sold a different company to someone who subsequently got themselves into trouble, this must mean that Rhys must somehow be connected to those people, that does seem to me pretty tenuous! Interestingly though, without trying too hard I can think of an exactly comparable situation involving at least one of the major PLCs, so at least Rhys will find himself in good company!

But if helps put people's minds at rest, I can safely say that I've never met, spoken to or had any dealings with the principals of GHA and I'm pretty sure the same is true for Rhys, and I doubt there is any part of the GHA business model that the Group would be looking to replicate.

I think the link was only being made because he was still listed online as being Snowdonia's transport manager nearly 3 months after he sold the company to Rhys. Personally I'm glad to hear that there's no longer any link after what happened with GHA etc.

 

[Olympian]

With regard to the O licence, I'm sure the licence was only granted just prior to the company being sold. I'm sure others will be able to investigate.

Yes indeed, the licence only appears to have been granted in June 2016:

PG1143169 SI
(2050)
SNOWDONIA TRAVEL LIMITED
Director(s): STEPHEN JOHN MORRIS.
TALGRAIG PENRHYNDEUDRAETH LL48 6RT
Operating Centre: UNIT B1-B3, BUSINESS PARK, FFORDD PENAMSER PORTHMADOG LL49 9GB
Authorisation:3 Vehicle(s).
Transport Manager(s): STEPHEN JOHN MORRIS
New Undertaking: Limousines and novelty type vehicles are not to be operated under this operator’s licence.. Attached to Licence.

 

[Bletchleyite]

We have never said we acquired Plymouth Taxis

If you didn't say that, and I certainly thought you did, you certainly gave that impression.

For the record, I admire such a young enterpreneur trying to find their way in what is a very competitive industry, and I wish you the best with it, and wish I had the guts at your age! However, I think you really need to learn the difference between marketing[1] spiel (talking things up) and being misleading. There is a fine line between the two, and while I believe you do not intend to mislead, you are still doing so.

Certainly, for example, I was under the impression that you had purchased the taxi company noted above, and that Snowdonia Travel/Splendour was an active coach company, who would, if I wished, hire me one of their own coaches tomorrow, not a broker.

You really need to pay attention to not giving false impressions of that kind, as at some point it will come back and bite you if you do. And that would be a real shame (genuinely, no sarcasm!)

[1] By the way, I really like the style of your publicity - it is modern, stylish, attractive, and unusually for the industry has those attributes without looking distinctively Best Impressions - not that there's anything wrong with Best Impressions designs, but they all have the same basic themes, and it's nice to see one that's different!

 

[6Gman]

If it helps move things along, I think there are three points that have been established beyond reasonable doubt:

1) Snowdonia Travel Ltd has had an 'o' licence for around three years but never engaged in substantive PSV operation
2) The company currently has one vehicle which is not being used
3) The website doesn't accurately reflect this (and as an aside I understand is being worked on for updating imminently)

Therefore continuing attempts to "prove" any of the above are - while entertaining - fairly superfluous.

Thank you for that clarification.

 

[nesw]

Yes, it may of been mentioned many times before, unlike yourself, I'm not glued to this forum.

And as mentioned before by Phil, it was assets and the right to operate that was acquired NOT the Ltd company.

We have never said we acquired Plymouth Taxis. Again, what that's got to do with CityFox Bus I don't know.

I don't want to stray into the realm of Taxi but http://webcache.googleusercontent.c...ncements/4593189120+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=uk

"09/03/2016 15:45 Acquisition of Bath Spa Taxi"

It appears that Rhys has removed the notices produced for this & Plymouth and contrary his thoughts I do have better things to do than search for it. Why is there always this tone of nastiness?

 

[Bletchleyite]

I don't want to stray into the realm of Taxi but http://webcache.googleusercontent.c...ncements/4593189120+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=uk

"09/03/2016 15:45 Acquisition of Bath Spa Taxi"

Cheers, I thought this was the case. Clearly I am not going mad.

Edit: sorry, that's Bath not Plymouth. My confusion.

 

[Olympian]

I don't want to stray into the realm of Taxi but http://webcache.googleusercontent.c...ncements/4593189120+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=uk

"09/03/2016 15:45 Acquisition of Bath Spa Taxi"

It appears that Rhys has removed the notices produced for this & Plymouth and contrary his thoughts I do have better things to do than search for it. Why is there always this tone of nastiness?

This has since been changed to "09/03/2016 15:45 Acquisition of assets of Bath Spa Taxi".

 

[PhilStockley]

Sorry to disappoint

No no, I'm sorry to have misinterpreted. My apologies!!!

 

[RhysHand]

I don't want to stray into the realm of Taxi but http://webcache.googleusercontent.c...ncements/4593189120+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=uk

"09/03/2016 15:45 Acquisition of Bath Spa Taxi"

It appears that Rhys has removed the notices produced for this & Plymouth and contrary his thoughts I do have better things to do than search for it. Why is there always this tone of nastiness?

Why are you such a lier?

There were NEVER any notes or annocuments posted regarding Bath Spa Taxis as someone has already pointed out on the Snowdonia Travel forum. As you'll note, when annoucements are posted if they don't have 'ltd' after the name it means we've not acquired the Ltd company but the assets (many organisations do that).

Again, there were NEVER any notes posted regarding Plymouth because as we have said a million times, we've not acquired nothing in Plymouth. So please stop telling lies.

There is a tone of nastiness (towards you anyway) because your very repetitive and boring and let's be VERY clear regardless of what you say, this is personal !!!

 

[embers25]

I do have better things to do than search for it. Why is there always this tone of nastiness?

If you have better things to do then do those things as certainly to me it seems like a personal vendetta dragging up old things to try to justify your continued vendetta against Rhys and it is getting very old. If you want nothing to do with him then ignore this thread and other Cityfox ones rather than constantly trying to stoke the fire and then saying you have better things to do or that you don't care and don't hold a grudge when your posts clearly show otherwise. I repeat..we get it you want them to fail and its personal to you but you and your pals on here really need to grow up and stop the continued attacks. I mean you are so busy and clearly never want to use Cityfox and yet still find time to call them in Plymouth and Bath even though you had no intention of travelling...pretty childish really. You questions Rhys' maturity and then do the things you do, very immature!

 

[nesw]

Why are you such a lier?

There were NEVER any notes or annocuments posted regarding Bath Spa Taxis as someone has already pointed out on the Snowdonia Travel forum. As you'll note, when annoucements are posted if they don't have 'ltd' after the name it means we've not acquired the Ltd company but the assets (many organisations do that).

Again, there were NEVER any notes posted regarding Plymouth because as we have said a million times, we've not acquired nothing in Plymouth. So please stop telling lies.

There is a tone of nastiness (towards you anyway) because your very repetitive and boring and let's be VERY clear regardless of what you say, this is personal !!!

I'm certain that my eyes aren't that bad and I'm sure a copy will turn up somewhere. I don't want to discuss Taxis as it's not in the scope of this forum but calling me a lier is wrong. It's obvious that you've made changes to the websites and social media to change certain things as other posts have mentioned. Last word on Taxis, there is a logo that you produced "Bath Spa taxi is changing to Cityfox. "

https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TB839Toi...PwvVi1mvuhfqBEgCLcB/s1600/screenshot.1009.jpg

That's not personal, it's fact. As far as I'm concerned that's the end of the matter.

 

[nesw]

If you have better things to do then do those things as certainly to me it seems like a personal vendetta dragging up old things to try to justify your continued vendetta against Rhys and it is getting very old. If you want nothing to do with him then ignore this thread and other Cityfox ones rather than constantly trying to stoke the fire and then saying you have better things to do or that you don't care and don't hold a grudge when your posts clearly show otherwise. I repeat..we get it you want them to fail and its personal to you but you and your pals on here really need to grow up and stop the continued attacks. I mean you are so busy and clearly never want to use Cityfox and yet still find time to call them in Plymouth and Bath even though you had no intention of travelling...pretty childish really. You questions Rhys' maturity and then do the things you do, very immature!

You are entitled to your opinion. It's not my reputation that's being damaged further but dishonesty and passing off is wrong, others have agreed.

 

[randyrippley]

..........As you'll note, when annoucements are posted if they don't have 'ltd' after the name it means we've not acquired the Ltd company but the assets (many organisations do that).

As a rule, companies or businesses which are operating by normal standards of financial probity do NOT do that. Any takeover is normally clearly stated to be either a full takeover of the target company, or a stock and assets purchase.
Announcing a stock and assets takeover in the way you have is highly unusual, is bound to raise questions, and to me at least raises issues of honesty.

 

[GRAHAMJ]

Phil, Snowdonia Travel was granted an O Licnec in June of last year ? Not three years ago as stated. and so the alternative facts continue.......
https://www.vehicle-operator-licens...432114dd5a1589fa981555&text[search]=SNOWDONIA

 

[PhilStockley]

Fair enough. I stand corrected. I should have checked before posting. If your point about 'alternative facts' is meant to imply that I have deliberately misled anyone then I very strongly resent that - that has never been my style.

 

[SWTH]

But surely you have to accept that much of the information published about Cityfox doesn't match or is inaccurate?

I'm not in any way suggesting you are lying, however to a vaguely interested bystander there is a lot of information out there that doesn't tie up, especially to someone with a feel for how the industry works. For example, I have my own small business where I am available as a 'driver for hire'. Would I work for Cityfox if requested? Sadly at the moment I would have to say no, given the uncertainty over the company.

Again, I am not accusing anyone of lying, however I am trying to explain how many people perceive Cityfox.

 

[Olympian]

Some welcoming news is that the "Home" and "About Us" sections of the Splendour Coaches website have now been updated to be much more realistic about what the company currently does. Hopefully the "Areas covered" sections will follow in due course.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Some welcoming news is that the "Home" and "About Us" sections of the Splendour Coaches website have now been updated to be much more realistic about what the company currently does. Hopefully the "Areas covered" sections will follow in due course.

Yeah. This in particular: "Your vehicle will be operated by Snowdonia Travel Ltd or CityFox Taxis Ltd on behalf of Splendour South West." is of course false. Well, it could be operated by CityFox Taxis Ltd, but not the other one.

It would also improve the look to realise that "its" and "it's" are not the same thing.

 

[GRAHAMJ]

I have to say the Splendour site is now much less misleading. Thanks.

 

[PhilStockley]

To a vaguely interested bystander

If a vaguely interested bystander has found this thread and made it through eight pages, I'm definitely buying them a beer!

I am trying to explain how many people perceive CityFox

Thanks for that, but somehow I think I may have already got the faintest inkling of that On a more serious note, I knew all that before I ever met Rhys - the evidence is not hard to find. But as I've said before, having met him, spoken to him and understood his drive, and having some time on my hands after leaving Wellglade, I decided to see if I could do something to help him rather than joining the massed ranks of those who seem to prefer to just keep smacking him back down and rubbing the past in his face!

it could be operated by CityFox Taxis Ltd, but not the other one.

Why on earth not? Snowdonia has a valid Operator's Licence and could very easily operate vehicles at just a day or two'a notice if the circumstances were right, so it seems perfectly in order to me to reflect that capability.

 

[nesw]

If a vaguely interested bystander has found this thread and made it through eight pages, I'm definitely buying them a beer!



Thanks for that, but somehow I think I may have already got the faintest inkling of that On a more serious note, I knew all that before I ever met Rhys - the evidence is not hard to find. But as I've said before, having met him, spoken to him and understood his drive, and having some time on my hands after leaving Wellglade, I decided to see if I could do something to help him rather than joining the massed ranks of those who seem to prefer to just keep smacking him back down and rubbing the past in his face!



Why on earth not? Snowdonia has a valid Operator's Licence and could very easily operate vehicles at just a day or two'a notice if the circumstances were right, so it seems perfectly in order to me to reflect that capability.

The recent evidence has stacked up & whilst accusing me of lying, he has been caught out. It's not the past & others that knock him down but a continuous replay of the past using slightly different ideas. This , together with a threats to those who confront him could be said to demonstrate that Phil's influence on him has been minimal so far. All I can say is that Rhys must tell a convincing story over a pint & the company directors I've chatted with appear to take him as seriously as I do. If only he'd learn, stop playing the victim and concentrate on one business idea at a time

 

[Blackpudding]

The recent evidence has stacked up & whilst accusing me of lying, he has been caught out. It's not the past & others that knock him down but a continuous replay of the past using slightly different ideas. This , together with a threats to those who confront him could be said to demonstrate that Phil's influence on him has been minimal so far. All I can say is that Rhys must tell a convincing story over a pint & the company directors I've chatted with appear to take him as seriously as I do. If only he'd learn, stop playing the victim and concentrate on one business idea at a time

What happened to it 'being the end of the matter' or can't you leave the bone alone!!

 

[RhysHand]

The recent evidence has stacked up & whilst accusing me of lying, he has been caught out. It's not the past & others that knock him down but a continuous replay of the past using slightly different ideas. This , together with a threats to those who confront him could be said to demonstrate that Phil's influence on him has been minimal so far. All I can say is that Rhys must tell a convincing story over a pint & the company directors I've chatted with appear to take him as seriously as I do. If only he'd learn, stop playing the victim and concentrate on one business idea at a time

You have told lies.

There is no playing the victim as you point out, so I don't know where you've made that up from. I've just pointed out (as have others) that you are repetitive and very very boring.

Also, lets be clear, the only person I am accountable to in terms of business performance is the shareholders (me). Although (as I have said many times) I have made mistakes, I am very happy with the performance of the business.

On another note, you clearly are so interested in me and my business so why not pop to Bristol and come and meet me and see for yourself?

 

[ChrisPJ]

Thought you said you would never post here again Mr Hand.

 

[Colly405]

Please, please, please..
This really is getting boring now.

Some on here have no time for Rhys. We know that.
Some on here are determined to find fault in anything he or Phil do or say. We know that too.
If that is you, anybody, we get it. No need to keep on about it.
Rhys may even say that some of the things he's done in the past he wouldn't do again? Who knows?

Can we possibly keep this thread (and the other one) on track, and if you want a conversation that is just about slating Fox group, why not set up a new thread that the rest of us can just ignore?

And for clarity, I've no links with Rhys in any way...

 

[Bletchleyite]

Why on earth not? Snowdonia has a valid Operator's Licence and could very easily operate vehicles at just a day or two'a notice if the circumstances were right, so it seems perfectly in order to me to reflect that capability.

That's a good point - it could hire a vehicle to operate itself. But a more likely scenario is to "wet hire", no? So stating that it *will* be operated by one of those two companies is misleading; most likely it won't.

 

[RhysHand]

That's a good point - it could hire a vehicle to operate itself. But a more likely scenario is to "wet hire", no? So stating that it *will* be operated by one of those two companies is misleading; most likely it won't.

We could quite easily go and buy a coach this afternoon if we wanted.

The company if it wishes has the ability to go and acquire a vehicle or several. With the current taxi fleet replacement plan about to start in Bristol, it maybe a case that we decide to acquire an additional vehicle in that order for Snowdonia. For example two of my 8 seater transporters are about to be withdrawn and sold. The company may take the view that we can keep them, transfer them to Snowdonia Travel Ltd ownership, brand them and use when needed.

No offence, I appreciate what your saying, but in the bigger picture? All coach operators will have terms and conditions, in those it'll say that vehicles maybe outsourced if we can't meet requirements. So I think the whole 'misleading' phrase is getting a little over used.

 

[RhysHand]

Thought you said you would never post here again Mr Hand.

I'll do whatever I need to do to protect the interests of my business by posting where I feel necessary.

 

[Bletchleyite]

We could quite easily go and buy a coach this afternoon if we wanted.

The company if it wishes has the ability to go and acquire a vehicle or several. With the current taxi fleet replacement plan about to start in Bristol, it maybe a case that we decide to acquire an additional vehicle in that order for Snowdonia. For example two of my 8 seater transporters are about to be withdrawn and sold. The company may take the view that we can keep them, transfer them to Snowdonia Travel Ltd ownership, brand them and use when needed.

Fair enough.

No offence, I appreciate what your saying, but in the bigger picture? All coach operators will have terms and conditions, in those it'll say that vehicles maybe outsourced if we can't meet requirements. So I think the whole 'misleading' phrase is getting a little over used.

It is to some extent a personal bugbear - I like to know who I am doing business with, and I don't like the business being outsourced from under me. It is a common practice, of course, but it is one I have personally no time for. The example I most dislike is of the several companies who put their branding onto the likes of AO (Appliances Online) to apparently widen their range. I have no issues with AO and have used them several times, and indeed I highly recommend them if you are in the market for keenly-priced white goods. But if I think I'm dealing with another company, I don't appreciate the wool being pulled over my eyes.

Or as another, I dislike the way codeshares are marketed in the airline industry. The idea is solid, but they tend to hide who is actually operating the flight a bit. For example Flybe codeshare with BA - and the former have quite a different approach to operations, punctuality and general service from the latter.

What Splendour at present is is a coach broker with a view to expanding into operation. That's fine, but to me that's what it should compete in the market as.

 

[Marc]

What Splendour at present is is a coach broker with a view to expanding into operation. That's fine, but to me that's what it should compete in the market as.

most coach brokers are dishonest about how services will be provided. theyll all have anonymous pictures of coaches on the front page and bury the true nature of their business deep within the words. just do a net search for any uk city with coaches afterwards and see how many are actual recognized operators in that city in the results, in contrast to how many are faceless brokers with a pobox address.