Hulley's of Baslow (Defunct)

[zkyx02]

That tweet isn’t traceable and nothing to say of issue.

What tweet? Screenshots from the ‘bus times’ discord below.

 

[SLC001]

Hulleys do seem to have operational issues or breakdowns of late as indicated on their Facebook page.

 

[zkyx02]

Hulleys do seem to have operational issues or breakdowns of late as indicated on their Facebook page.

They’ve been having these issues for atleast 2 years now, I believe they say ‘breakdowns’ but I believe it’s more likely down to driver shortages.

 

[bringiton]

That tweet isn’t traceable and nothing to say of issue.
As you say seems strange.

Likely these are through a rental company so might be something with that

This explains it slightly more.

Edit - didn't realise someone had already replied

 

[m79900]

Will anything be replacing them? That's very poor considering they're only a couple of months (a year and a bit in the case of 1) old.

 

[christopher]

Seems a bit suspect considering they would still be in warranty and Cummins are usually very good.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Some of the stops in Barlborough still have First signage on them

Er…some round Dronfield still have Mainline logos IIRC

 

[richw]

Post removed. Admin wish to discriminate as I can’t provide alternative text to the image due to my own disabilities. Apologies to Everybody else who may have found the info interesting,

 

[m79900]

What does this mean for Hulleys? It doesn't sound great tbh. Maybe they gave up the MMCs partly because they couldn't afford the lease.

 

[Trainman40083]

What does this mean for Hulleys? It doesn't sound great tbh. Maybe they gave up the MMCs partly because they couldn't afford the lease.

Maybe there will be another Wellglade acquisition, just like Littles.

 

[m79900]

Maybe there will be another Wellglade acquisition, just like Littles.

I could see it getting absorbed by High Peak/Centrebus, as they're very much in similar areas. It'd make sense.. (In my eyes anyway)

 

[Trainman40083]

If it was I could see it getting absorbed by High Peak, as they're very much in similar areas.

Or Notts and Derby

 

[37114]

What does this mean for Hulleys? It doesn't sound great tbh. Maybe they gave up the MMCs partly because they couldn't afford the lease.

Of course it maybe there was nothing wrong with the buses and instead of Hulleys handed them back to save costs in agreement with the lease company. Or the lease co weren't getting paid and reclaimed them.

 

[Scotrail88]

Of course it maybe there was nothing wrong with the buses and instead of Hulleys handed them back to save costs in agreement with the lease company. Or the lease co weren't getting paid and reclaimed them.

Comes back to my original response earlier that need to understand fill reasons and finance company likely involved.

Year end for insurance renewals is key for some companies and with premiums going up it’s the rush for cash.

That’s only an opinion but just need to await facts

 

[38291018]

Or Notts and Derby

I can't really see the notts derby name being used if wellglade aquire it as its nowhere near there main operation. If wellglade was to aquire it I could see it going under the TM umbrella (as 218 serves the area and in the past they have operated around the area mainly matlock) or using the hullys name like littles which i think is more likely for the short term atleast.

I could see it getting absorbed by High Peak/Centrebus, as they're very much in similar areas. It'd make sense.. (In my eyes anyway)

Although it's speculation if it gets aquired and who by but although wellglade could probably buy it which may complement them having a depot there for sixes/218 services, it would make more sence if highpeak aquired it for me too.

What does this mean for Hulleys? It doesn't sound great tbh.

I wonder if the hullys owners could predict situation which is why they aquired gocoach?

Go coach’s former own has regained control

So does this mean former owners are just running it again or are they buying/brought it back off hullys I'm assuming hullys still owns it and former owners are just running it?

Just curious may been mentioned before but does anyone have any rough estimates how much gocoach was brought for? Makes me wonder how they afford that and didn't help the business 1st such as moving out the area to chesterfield for example which I assume would be more profitable or mabey acquiring Gooch was a easy way out who knows.

 

[derbybusdepot]

Hopefully the vehicle changes will help reduce costs and keep it on a more stable track, both short and longer term.

I would think the operating area is not the best bus territory, with a lot of the demand unpredictable/ seasonal, and a difficult area to operate in. Obviously they have tried to tap into more lucrative parts with new routes, but that also comes at a huge cost and with risk.

Personally I can't see Wellglade, or anyone else taking it over.

 

[Goldfish62]

So does this mean former owners are just running it again or are they buying/brought it back off hullys I'm assuming hullys still owns it and former owners are just running it.

It's no longer owned by Hulley's.

 

[liamf656]

Maybe there will be another Wellglade acquisition, just like Littles.

Or Notts and Derby

I could see it getting absorbed by High Peak/Centrebus, as they're very much in similar areas. It'd make sense.. (In my eyes anyway)

I can't see anyone taking them over. After all, why would they? I certainly wouldn't with the issues they've had post-pandemic

 

[m79900]

I can't see anyone taking them over. After all, why would they? I certainly wouldn't with the issues they've had post-pandemic

Yes, but people would take on the assets and routes. It's true that it could be several

 

[derbybusdepot]

Yes, but people would take on the assets and routes. It's true that it could be several

But what if Hulley's is like a skinny turkey at Christmas? Unless it fattens up, what is it worth, especially if it eats a lot and doesn't grow, as go coach have realised?

 

[darloscott]

Of course it maybe there was nothing wrong with the buses and instead of Hulleys handed them back to save costs in agreement with the lease company. Or the lease co weren't getting paid and reclaimed them.

Knowing other operators that have faced similar issues with new ADL E200s I reckon there’s a bit of truth in engine mounts failing.
Who knows whether it’s a convenient excuse to rid themselves of expensive lease vehicles though…

 

[MotCO]

Just curious may been mentioned before but does anyone have any rough estimates how much gocoach was brought for? Makes me wonder how they afford that and didn't help the business 1st such as moving out the area to chesterfield for example which I assume would be more profitable or mabey acquiring Gooch (Go-Coach?)was a easy way out who knows.

I thought Hulleys were experiencing maintenance issues, and the owner of Go-Coach, Austin, was an engineer by background, and wanted to concentrate on that side of the business rather than the overall management. Hence Hulleys bought Go-Coach, and Austin started to sort out the engineering side, often by swapping buses between the fleets so that they could be maintained in Swanley. It seems as though Hulleys wasn't profitable and was beginning to drag Go-Coach down, hence the recent split.

 

[mayneway]

Seems strange. You'd have thought ADL would fix them, if, of course, that is the reason.

As others have said they are rentals and can be sent back at any time however they will be under warranty so certain work and repairs must be carried out by ADL. The issue is the wait time for ADL to come out and sort issues.

We had an E200 MMC go down with the ‘sensitive edge’ door issue. Reported to ADL and took them 9 days to turn up and sort, that’s 9 days a bus you’re paying for is out of action.

 

[tram21]

I've also noticed, despite continued driver issues, they've stopped recruiting for drivers. Previously there was a social media post advertising their vacancies, but nothing now, perhaps financial difficulties means they can't recruite any more staff.

Yes, but people would take on the assets and routes. It's true that it could be several

Maybe there will be another Wellglade acquisition, just like Littles.

I can see the operation being taken over by one or a few different operators. Some of the routes are doing very well and must be somewhat profitable. The 55 for example, I can see Stagecoach taking that as it is very popular. The 170, perhaps could be operated by TM Travel, combined with the 218 perhaps. Along with the 257.

The 272 would be just fully operated by First bus I would think.

Some routes are distinctly unprofitable, and would need to be operated by a community operator or have a better subsidy (which Hulleys do get) such as the 172 and 173.

 

[MotCO]

I've also noticed, despite continued driver issues, they've stopped recruiting for drivers. Previously there was a social media post advertising their vacancies, but nothing now, perhaps financial difficulties means they can't recruite any more staff.

Maybe it's a reaction to the increase in employer NI costs due from April (higher %age rate and lower kick-in threshold) (Does overtime attract NI?)

 

[Leedsbusman]

Maybe it's a reaction to the increase in employer NI costs due from April (higher %age rate and lower kick-in threshold) (Does overtime attract NI?)

It does attract NI - having fewer people working more hours costs more in NI than the other way as there is a £5k earnings threshold that it applies from (£9k now reducing in April).

 

[chessie]

I showed the attachment above from Go Coaches to a couple of Hulleys drivers today and they have stated that its the first they have heard, maybe they arent allowed to say anything or they genuinelly dont know? Either way it seems highly likely to me that something is going off behind the scenes but I suppose we will have to wait and see, I just hope its not as drastic as this will end with the demise of Hulleys.

As others have noted above if it does come to other operators taking on services, I can see the 55, 170, 257 (Sheffield - Ladybower section) and 272 being worth it but I would fear for the rest of the services without more subsidy being provided.

 

[m79900]

I would fear for the rest of the services without more subsidy being provided.

As far as I'm aware, all other routes are fully subsidised and contracted out by DCC, so would just be handed over to someone else, like routes were when Yourbus went bust.

 

[JKP]

As far as I'm aware, the 110/111 and 172 are fully subsidised and contracted out by DCC, so would just be handed over to someone else, like routes were when Yourbus went bust.

They would require retendering or short term contract awarded. Are all their other routes commercial?

 

[Robertj21a]

As far as I'm aware, all other routes are fully subsidised and contracted out by DCC, so would just be handed over to someone else, like routes were when Yourbus went bust.

High Peak might be interested.