Transpora Group

[ainsworth74]

As a reminder of the Forum Rules contributors must not defame another person or organisation so I would ask that people exercise some caution in how critical they are being of the subject of this thread unless they are able to provide some evidence to back up any claims they may make.

Many thanks

 

[T646863]

Anyone after some context about some of the things in here you can read about the infamous CityFox group which ran and claimed to run a variety of taxi, bus, feeder shuttle and (er?) nightclub services.

Cityfox Bus

Just to try and get some fresh sense into the Cityfox discussion, thought I'd create a thread where we can discuss the bus business, rather than the taxi business so much. If Rhys/Phil or anyone else can confirm - what is the new night service they have planned and will there be any day...

www.railforums.co.uk

Grab some popcorn, it’s a long and thrilling read…

There was also the Ovvio Group. Traces here: https://www.facebook.com/pg/OvvioGroup/posts/

 

[father_jack]

There are whispers in the company I keep of "transport services" between current and forthcoming night clubs of Bristol being provided by the Altonian company mentioned above. I indeed have noticed one of their vehicles being driven way too fast and parked illegally in the Old Market area of the city...............

 

[richard13]

I have been on the Companies House website and looked up the companies mentioned on the Transpora website.

Transpora is owned by Charlie Butler (aged 22) with Philip Hicks (aged 55) and Rhys Hand (aged 27) as directors. Its registered address is serviced offices.

The brands marketed by Tranpora have a common link in Mr Philip Hicks, the owner of Altonian Coaches (Eastleigh?), Coastliner Buses (Blackpool) and Londoner Buses.

Rhys Hand was possibly made redundant from HCT considering the financial state of their Yorkshire operations (now ceased trading) with which he was involved. I had an interesting day in Newport, South Wales when Foxstar was actually operating and competing with Newport Bus. Foxstar didn't make sense, but visiting the town and riding Newport Bus made for an interesting day out.

 

[father_jack]

Transpora Group are operating the 52 as of today. Here we go............

m1 change of operator and bus services 52, 53, 54, 55, 62, 505, 506, 511, 515 and 516 no longer operating - Travelwest

This page was last updated on 30/09/2022 at 10:29am. Latest updates Service numberUpdate52Transpora Group are operating service 52 as of 12th September,

travelwest.info

SERVICE NUMBER	UPDATE
52	Transpora Group are operating service 52 as of 12th September, to the same route and timetable.

 

[Marcus Fryer]

Transpora Group are operating the 52 as of today. Here we go............

m1 change of operator and bus services 52, 53, 54, 55, 62, 505, 506, 511, 515 and 516 no longer operating - Travelwest

This page was last updated on 30/09/2022 at 10:29am. Latest updates Service numberUpdate52Transpora Group are operating service 52 as of 12th September,

travelwest.info

This afternoon Transpora were using former Bristol Community Transport E200MMC 1329 (YX19 ONS). Looked very smart.

 

[GusB]

As there have been further developments, the thread has been reopened. Please bear this post in mind when replying:

As a reminder of the Forum Rules contributors must not defame another person or organisation so I would ask that people exercise some caution in how critical they are being of the subject of this thread unless they are able to provide some evidence to back up any claims they may make.

Many thanks

 

[Dren Ahmeti]

Transpora is back(?) in Bristol.
They have seemingly purchased a few vehicles from CT Plus/Dawson - as weirdly Bristol Community Transport have not yet declared bankruptcy (unlike CT Yorks), but rather have just stopped operating.

They've taken over the operation of the 52 from HCT Group, and are seemingly operating out of the Bristol Coach Park (by the Fruit Market in St Phillips) - with the O-Licence of Altonian Coaches Ltd seemingly being used (as no photos are available where the legals are visible).

A lot of seemingly-ies here, as no information is currently available on the Traffic Commissioner's website to support this - as this was all done under short-notice procedures.

A publicity photo (by Rhys Hand) is attached below, taken at Hengrove Park:


and the provisional timetable is as follows:



Travelwest are showing the 52 as running from today:

 

[-Colly405-]

Transpora is back(?) in Bristol.
They have seemingly purchased a few vehicles from CT Plus/Dawson - as weirdly Bristol Community Transport have not yet declared bankruptcy (unlike CT Yorks), but rather have just stopped operating.

They've taken over the operation of the 52 from HCT Group, and are seemingly operating out of the Bristol Coach Park (by the Fruit Market in St Phillips) - with the O-Licence of Altonian Coaches Ltd seemingly being used (as no photos are available where the legals are visible).

A lot of seemingly-ies here, as no information is currently available on the Traffic Commissioner's website to support this - as this was all done under short-notice procedures.

A publicity photo (by Rhys Hand) is attached below, taken at Hengrove Park:
View attachment 120685

and the provisional timetable is as follows:
View attachment 120686


Travelwest are showing the 52 as running from today:
View attachment 120687

I can confirm from sighting that the legals on former Bristol Community Transport 1329 (YX19 ONS) are those of Altonian.

 

[Dren Ahmeti]

I can confirm from sighting that the legals on former Bristol Community Transport 1329 (YX19 ONS) are those of Altonian.

Likewise

 

[father_jack]

The Bristol Post is on the case.

Bus service connecting south Bristol with city centre is saved

The 52 route was revived just ten days after it was axed

www.bristolpost.co.uk

A bus service linking south Bristol with the city centre, axed when its operator ceased trading, has been relaunched. Previously run by Bristol Community Transport, the 52 route will now be operated by Transpora Group.

The service connecting Bristol Community Hospital to Cabot Circus stopped on 2 September, when BCT was “forced to make the decision to cease operations” due to “the financial impact of the pandemic and the current surge in fuel and labour costs”.Routes affected include the 53, 54, 55, 62, 505, 506, 511, 512, 515 and 516, as well as the 52. But the last of these was restarted just ten days later, after Transpora Group stepped in to take over. The revived service includes stops at Bedminster Down, Bishopsworth and Hengrove Park, and runs to the same timetable.

Vehicles have been leased from BCT and some of the drivers have been retained by Transpora, which also operates minibuses and sightseeing tours in London, the Midlands and the South West.

The operator offered one day of free travel for passengers on the 52 route, including free drinks and snacks, to celebrate its relaunch. Charlie Butler, Transpora’s service delivery supervisor, tweeted that the new 52 had seen “higher than anticipated” passenger numbers and received “great customer feedback”.

Cllr Tim Kent, Lib Dem councillor for Hengrove and Whitchurch Park Ward, liaised with the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) on Transpora’s behalf. “The 52 is an essential service linking people to the hospital and the city centre,” said Cllr Kent.

Tea and buns then before the ticket machines were working and when many Doris's and Ada's never knew it was back on and the "support" of a local councillor.

The prosecution rests.

 

[M@verick]

The Altonian licence doesn't have a listed transport manager or anywhere in Bristol as an operating centre. Hardly a reputable start to this new venture.

 

[father_jack]

Bristol City Council had no bidders for the work.

 

[fgwrich]

The Altonian licence doesn't have a listed transport manager or anywhere in Bristol as an operating centre. Hardly a reputable start to this new venture.

The address provided oddly is that of a Chartered Accountants in Chandlers Ford.

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

goo.gl

 

[Marcus Fryer]

This afternoon Transpora were using former Bristol Community Transport E200MMC 1329 (YX19 ONS). Looked very smart.

Transpora are also using similar YX19 ONR. I didn’t manage to read the legal lettering.

 

[Marcus Fryer]

Transpora are also using similar YX19 ONR. I didn’t manage to read the legal lettering.

The legal lettering on YX19 ONR is also for Altonian Coaches. Transpora are also running a third E200MMC - YX68 URF. I think this came to them direct from the CT Plus Yorkshire company?

 

[JD2168]

The legal lettering on YX19 ONR is also for Altonian Coaches. Transpora are also running a third E200MMC - YX68 URF. I think this came to them direct from the CT Plus Yorkshire company?

YX68 URF last in use with Powell’s on the X20 between Barnsley & Doncaster in a 2 tone blue livery with zip branding.

 

[RustySpoons]

They're recruiting for drivers for their Coastliner operation - I do wonder if this operation irks Transdev somewhat?

@Coastliner_Bus says...

GRAND IN YOUR HAND
Drive with us, keep the wheels turning, wow customers and we’ll put a grand in your hand for joining!
We pay a competitive salary, performance bonus & offer discounts on our benefit app.
To apply drop us an email coastlinerbuses@transporagroup.co.uk

The £1000 joining bonus seems to be a common theme now with various companies.

Also looks like their London sightseeing operation is getting closer to operating.

@TransporaGroup says...

Join our #London team as a Driver or Customer Assistant and be part of something truly special! Head to: http://transporagroup.co.uk/careers for info and to apply.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

They're recruiting for drivers for their Coastliner operation - I do wonder if this operation irks Transdev somewhat?

I don't see why it would. It's not in their sphere of operations, there's no danger of confusion, and it's not an uncommon use of a geographic term - Arriva has a Coastliner in North Wales, whilst Stagecoach has the famed 700 Coastliner in Sussex.

 

[markymark2000]

Also looks like their London sightseeing operation is getting closer to operating.

Confirmed starting 15th October.

https://twitter.com/RhysHand/status/1574025078634954754

Really proud of our @TransporaGroup London team who are @theshowbus showing off some of the buses we’ll be running on heritage route service A from 15th October in the Capital.

 

[Marcus Fryer]

YX68 URF last in use with Powell’s on the X20 between Barnsley & Doncaster in a 2 tone blue livery with zip branding.

It’s been repainted into the same colours as the two ex Bristol Community Transport vehicles.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

It’s been repainted into the same colours as the two ex Bristol Community Transport vehicles.

Three vehicles seems a lot just for the 52. Assume other plans are afoot.

 

[Marcus Fryer]

Three vehicles seems a lot just for the 52. Assume other plans are afoot.

Bustimes.org lists a fourth bus - YX21 RPV. Agree they must have expansion plans!

 

[Dren Ahmeti]

Bustimes.org lists a fourth bus - YX21 RPV. Agree they must have expansion plans!

I've seen a photo of an Aviva shuttle bus running with a Transpora bus, seemingly taking the contract from Stagecoach.

 

[Russel]

They're recruiting for drivers for their Coastliner operation - I do wonder if this operation irks Transdev somewhat?

I wouldn't blame them if it did, given the logo is almost an exact replica...

Have a look at the top left of the Transdev Coastliner website below.

Transdev Coastliner Website

But then it's just the same as Aldi ripping off well know brands.

 

[GusB]

I wouldn't blame them if it did, given the logo is almost an exact replica...

Have a look at the top left of the Transdev Coastliner website below.

Transdev Coastliner Website

But then it's just the same as Aldi ripping off well know brands.

It's somewhat difficult to make a decision as to whether one logo is a replica of another unless you post both side-by-side. Would you be so kind as to do so? Thanks

 

[Russel]

It's somewhat difficult to make a decision as to whether one logo is a replica of another unless you post both side-by-side. Would you be so kind as to do so? Thanks

Here we go, font style very similar and both having the swish above the word Coastliner, albeit at opposite ends.

Transdev on the left, Transpora on the right.

 

[GusB]

Here we go, font style very similar and both having the swish above the word Coastliner, albeit at opposite ends.

Transdev on the left, Transpora on the right.

Thank you!

Oh dear, they do look remarkably similar

 

[rcro]

I've seen a photo of an Aviva shuttle bus running with a Transpora bus, seemingly taking the contract from Stagecoach.

The Aviva shuttle stopped in June due to working from home (WFH) killing demand.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Thank you!

Oh dear, they do look remarkably similar

Well, the "swish" is a stylised wave and makes sense for a Coastline. Here's Stagecoach's though it is a Best Impressions creation.


I know this is Transpora but Mr Hand has got extensive form in appropriating intellectual property - the FoxStar branding in Newport was very reminiscent of the branding for the Wessex Star/Wessex One services of his former employer, Rotala.