Diamond Bus East Midlands (was Midland Classic of Burton)

[SubToBloxOrDai]

I read this, but am not sure how accurate it is? Is the route being scrapped to the airport altogether or just the early and late trips? It's not very clear from the article (or not to me anyway) and there doesn't appear to be any mention of changes elsewhere yet.

Still plenty of time for the combined authority to find the funding from it's deep pockets.

changes to bus services Staffordshire's council site seems to state that it's all services from the 30th August

 

[YX73OUB]

I read this, but am not sure how accurate it is? Is the route being scrapped to the airport altogether or just the early and late trips? It's not very clear from the article (or not to me anyway) and there doesn't appear to be any mention of changes elsewhere yet.

Still plenty of time for the combined authority to find the funding from it's deep pockets.

That's a good point, DBD. There does seem to be things occurring out there to provoke the CA into action.

The article is messy.

Does anybody know if there will be any further changes to school services this upcoming academic year 26/27?

 

[markymark2000]

There does seem to be things occurring out there to provoke the CA into action.

An awful lot of greed with Rotala of late. They used to be the rescue firm for services being cut, and now West Midlands they are losing tenders all over the place. Preston Bus in self destruct mode, and East Midlands making cuts every other week (and doing so in such a random way that it screams of incompetence. Why not propose changes all on the same dates like everyone else). The way that Diamond are going, I'd love to see the back of them. They're doing irreversible damage to local bus network with their current ways.

 

[capitalpotter]

An awful lot of greed with Rotala of late. They used to be the rescue firm for services being cut, and now West Midlands they are losing tenders all over the place. Preston Bus in self destruct mode, and East Midlands making cuts every other week (and doing so in such a random way that it screams of incompetence. Why not propose changes all on the same dates like everyone else). The way that Diamond are going, I'd love to see the back of them. They're doing irreversible damage to local bus network with their current ways.

Go full circle in a few years when buslink take on their work lol

 

[markymark2000]

Go full circle in a few years when buslink take on their work lol

Bus Link is a poor man's Midland Classic though.
So much of the good stuff from Midland Classic is missing from Bus Link.

 

[YX73OUB]

Bus Link is a poor man's Midland Classic though.
So much of the good stuff from Midland Classic is missing from Bus Link.

They always seem pretty smart from what I've seen

 

[38291018]

I suppose if they keep gaining work, overtime it will become more like what was Midland classic and not poor man's Midland classic as they will be able to afford a few newer buses

 

[markymark2000]

They always seem pretty smart from what I've seen

More in terms of the online stuff. When you're on the bus they seem ok, but social media is nil, they have a poorly advertised website which has no fares information on it bar the fact they are in the £3 cap. Dismal pre journey information essentially. The actual bus journeys on Bus Link have been ok but, the experience overall (pre, during and post journey) is still a more budget offering.

 

[YX73OUB]

More in terms of the online stuff. When you're on the bus they seem ok, but social media is nil, they have a poorly advertised website which has no fares information on it bar the fact they are in the £3 cap. Dismal pre journey information essentially. The actual bus journeys on Bus Link have been ok but, the experience overall (pre, during and post journey) is still a more budget offering.

I see your points here Mark actually - marketing and branding used to be such a brilliant plus of midland classic - so it would be good to see this side replicated with Buslink.

 

[BULLSAREMAGIC]

I suppose if they keep gaining work, overtime it will become more like what was Midland classic and not poor man's Midland classic as they will be able to afford a few newer buses

I think corners have to be cut to keep costs low to win tenders in a competitive market with little scope for new commercial services other than the costly business of trying to undermine existing operators, hence an elderly fleet however smartly turned out

 

[Trainman40083]

Airport bus through Derbyshire cut after lack of support, says firm

Diamond will be scrapping part of the Airway 9 bus route after a loss of funding, it says

share.google

Looks like the 9 is being cutback to run between Ashby and Burton only - removing the airport section.

I can't help thinking that operators may cut back marginal routes into the EMCCA area so they get a subsidy to run them.

 

[swinny1990]

If it goes ahead 30th August

 

[BusLink61]

I suppose if they keep gaining work, overtime it will become more like what was Midland classic and not poor man's Midland classic as they will be able to afford a few newer buses

They’ve got newer buses - four Solo SR’s and two Streetlites. Most of their work is schools anyway having gained them from Diamond.

 

[Mollman]

I can't help thinking that operators may cut back marginal routes into the EMCCA area so they get a subsidy to run them.

That only works for so long until the money runs out. Local Authority Bus Grant is a fixed sum for three years with no adjustment for inflation etc. so at some point even the present supported network could become unaffordable.

 

[Trainman40083]

That only works for so long until the money runs out. Local Authority Bus Grant is a fixed sum for three years with no adjustment for inflation etc. so at some point even the present supported network could become unaffordable.

Indeed.

 

[SubToBloxOrDai]

Apparently the 9 has been saved thanks to EMCCA

UPDATE ON DIAMONDS BUS 9 SERVICE

Thank you to the many constituents who got in touch with me regarding plans to cut the Diamond Bus no.9 Service between Ashby and East Midlands Airport. I know how important this route is for people working at East Midlands Gateway, especially those without access to a car.

I'm delighted that Claire Ward - East Midlands Mayor (EMCCA) has now secured an agreement to keep the service running. The new agreement will see the service continue unchanged until April 2027, with work underway to find a new operator in the long term.
Thanks you to my parliamentary colleagues Samantha Niblett MP and Jacob Collier MP as well as our Ashby councillors and, of course, Mayor Claire for their hard work to protect this vital service.

Facebook link from an MP

 

[capitalpotter]

Apparently the 9 has been saved thanks to EMCCA


Facebook link from an MP

Who could run this for a smaller profit margin? Buslink?

 

[BusLink61]

Confirmed by Simon the remaining short Scania Irizar i3’s have been sold.

ADL E200MMC 20643 has arrived at Burton along with Optare Solo 20737 as short term loans till around 20th August when their PVR drops.

 

[swinny1990]

Confirmed by Simon the remaining short Scania Irizar i3’s have been sold.

ADL E200MMC 20643 has arrived at Burton along with Optare Solo 20737 as short term loans till around 20th August when their PVR drops.

What they being replaced with ?

 

[Johnhayworth21]

What they being replaced with ?

More Custom Denning electrics expected.

 

[swinny1990]

More Custom Denning electrics expected.

Cool do we know whos brought the i3s?

 

[BusLink61]

Cool do we know whos brought the i3s?

Dawson group have 30985/87/89. 30990 is at Ventura coach sales according to: https://wmbusphotos.com/Fleetchanges/Rotala.html

I’ve heard that the other short i3 sold previously (30986) is used on a farm which is quite surprising!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I’ve heard that the other short i3 sold previously (30986) is used on a farm which is quite surprising!

Not that surprising. There’s a lot of buses used for moving farm workers about in Cornwall, Kent and Tayside

 

[BusLink61]

Not that surprising. There’s a lot of buses used for moving farm workers about in Cornwall, Kent and Tayside

Surprising to me given their coach appearance and high spec, it would benefit more on urban work or an express service personally.

 

[capitalpotter]

Surprising to me given their coach appearance and high spec, it would benefit more on urban work or an express service personally.

Said many times before that they'd be ideal on chaseridersc826/8 74 routes

 

[derbybusdepot]

Said many times before that they'd be ideal on chaseridersc826/8 74 routes

I think although reliable, they are likely quite expensive to run, and more difficult to get spare parts for with them not being very common. That will put most operators off. Quite new to be used on a farm I would think, but have heard the same. That one left last year though I believe and was the only one that sold. It will be interesting to see where they end up. I'm sure they will go if the price is low enough.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I think although reliable, they are likely quite expensive to run, and more difficult to get spare parts for with them not being very common. That will put most operators off. Quite new to be used on a farm I would think, but have heard the same. That one left last year though I believe and was the only one that sold. It will be interesting to see where they end up. I'm sure they will go if the price is low enough.

Funky machines but thirsty which is probably why Diamond want rid. Parts also an issue.

 

[capitalpotter]

I think although reliable, they are likely quite expensive to run, and more difficult to get spare parts for with them not being very common. That will put most operators off. Quite new to be used on a farm I would think, but have heard the same. That one left last year though I believe and was the only one that sold. It will be interesting to see where they end up. I'm sure they will go if the price is low enough.

Scanias have always been more thirsty than a Volvo. I know that chaserider wouldn't of bought them for the reasons you mentioned, I was just thinking in an ideal world they'd be perfect

 

[43055]

At this rate there will be nothing left for Diamond to cut. The 12 basically becomes the 12E all day from 31st August leaving Yoxall and Kings Bromley without a bus.

Service Updates | Diamond Bus

www.diamondbuses.com

Changes to Services 12 & 12E 05/08/2026 16:30:03​

From 31st August 2026​

From 31st August there will be changes to Services 12 & 12E

Early & late 12E Service will no longer be operated and Service 12 will no longer serve Yoxall and Kings Bromley. Unfortunately due to low patronage, these sections of route are no longer viable for us to continue to operate.

Diamond will continue to operate regular daytime services between Burton & Lichfield via Branston, Barton, Alrewas & Fradley on Service 12. There will be no changes to the X12 Express service to Lichfield.

New timetable and route information can be downloaded here

 

[YX73OUB]

It's very sad to see further work being reduced