Benefit to operators of having a homogeneous fleet

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Some bus operators seem to like ordering lots of near-identical buses. For example, Stagecoach has hundreds if not thousands of Alexander Dennis Enviro series buses, and unless there is a specific need that ADL can't fulfill, they don't seem to order anything else.

On the other hand, operators like Blazefield seem to operate fleets from all the major manufacturers, presumably ordering each new batch from whoever they deem best valye at that particular time for that particular order.

Is that not less efficient when it comes to maintenance costs and driver familiarly etc.? Are there benefits that outweigh this? I know train operators are generally quite keen on having homogeneous fleets but buses may well be different.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Some bus operators seem to like ordering lots of near-identical buses. For example, Stagecoach has hundreds if not thousands of Alexander Dennis Enviro series buses, and unless there is a specific need that ADL can't fulfill, they don't seem to order anything else.

On the other hand, operators like Blazefield seem to operate fleets from all the major manufacturers, presumably ordering each new batch from whoever they deem best valye at that particular time for that particular order.

Is that not less efficient when it comes to maintenance costs and driver familiarly etc.? Are there benefits that outweigh this? I know train operators are generally quite keen on having homogeneous fleets but buses may well be different.

Fleet standardisation has advantages in the commonality of spares and driver familiarity. However, unlike the old days when parts were held in stock in depots etc, they can be obtained much more readily. Also, there is a fair amount of commonality in parts between different vehicle types.

Purchase price and whole life cost (i.e. fuel, frequency and cost of parts) is a greater consideration

 

[Simon75]

Arriva Shrewsbury are (or were 100%) Optare.

 

[Non Multi]

Some bus operators seem to like ordering lots of near-identical buses. For example, Stagecoach has hundreds if not thousands of Alexander Dennis Enviro series buses, and unless there is a specific need that ADL can't fulfill, they don't seem to order anything else.

So you're saying Brian Souter was keen on buying buses from er... Brian Souter's bus factory?

 

[Wolfie]

So you're saying Brian Souter was keen on buying buses from er... Brian Souter's bus factory?

That IS a surprise......

 

[507020]

On the other hand, operators like Blazefield seem to operate fleets from all the major manufacturers, presumably ordering each new batch from whoever they deem best valye at that particular time for that particular order.

I’m sure Transdev Blazefield operates buses from operators it has bought out e.g. Rosso or Yorkshire Tiger which are a mixed bag and has also exchanged vehicles with Warrington’s Own Buses. Some of its newer vehicles are still different types e.g. the 36 and Coastliner use Wright Gemini 3s but the WitchWay/CityZap Sky Class use ADL Enviro 400 MMCs in their longest length available.

 

[Wolfie]

I’m sure Transdev Blazefield operates buses from operators it has bought out e.g. Rosso or Yorkshire Tiger which are a mixed bag and has also exchanged vehicles with Warrington’s Own Buses. Some of its newer vehicles are still different types e.g. the 36 and Coastliner use Wright Gemini 3s but the WitchWay/CityZap Sky Class use ADL Enviro 400 MMCs in their longest length available.

With current logistics support then operating modernish acquisitions made through takeovers, perhaps unless there is a really good exchange offer on the table, is a bit of a no-brainer which allows the operator to compare various options. It may turn out that they got their initial choice wrong.....

 

[SCH117X]

Theres certainly issues with relaibility of the B5TL chassis on the Coastiner Geminis but the issue I suspect was more Wrights problems forcing them to look elsehwere. Largely the fleets are Wright/Volvo combinations and its generally smaller vehicles where variety has come with Optare products, Mellor Stratas for specific routes and ADL E200s

 

[northwichcat]

Probably depends whether the operator wants to buy new, second hand or both.

Arriva Shrewsbury are (or were 100%) Optare.

There's been reports from operators who have both 10.8m Enviro 200s and Metrocities that the fuel saving of using the Metrocity is huge, compared to the Enviro 200. Saying that Arriva do operate a number of old vehicles around the country, so they aren't solely looking at fuel economy.

 

[Brooke]

I can only answer from my time managing a haulage company.

For us, running a mostly Daf fleet: pricing power with manufacturer and dealer; influence with servicing dealer; familiarity of own maintenance staff and drivers with vehicles; fuel performance; commonality of equipment; consistent brand image to customers.

Why did we have a few others (Scania, Volvo): keep Daf dealer keen on price and service; benchmark performance in service; got a good deal on the day; inherited e.g. when taking over a contract.

 

[37114]

I can only answer from my time managing a haulage company.

For us, running a mostly Daf fleet: pricing power with manufacturer and dealer; influence with servicing dealer; familiarity of own maintenance staff and drivers with vehicles; fuel performance; commonality of equipment; consistent brand image to customers.

Why did we have a few others (Scania, Volvo): keep Daf dealer keen on price and service; benchmark performance in service; got a good deal on the day; inherited e.g. when taking over a contract.

Agreed, I look after a fleet of 600 vehicles from 3.5t Van's to 44t artics, We have 150 DAFs on order but go out to multiple vehicle providers each year for best quotes. Between the 3 makes that will make up the fleet for everything 7.5t upwards we will have enough commonality to avoid needing to train drivers on multiple types of vehicles but still enough tension to keep the manufacturers in their toes.