Recent content by 47550

I guess if WMCA sacked off franchising and ran it themselves then they would be open to a legal challenge from Mobico for forcing down the price of the business by threatening franchising and then acquiring it on the cheap.

I’m not surprised there is little investment in Wales and Cambridge as both are due to be franchised in the next few years. It was a similar situation in Manchester in the run up to franchising.

The accounts for Diamond Bus North West Ltd say that the vehicles are owned by Diamond (albeit being financed on hire purchase). I suspect there will be something in the franchise contract that allows TfGM to buy the vehicles at the end of the contract at an agreed price (I think I have seen...

My understanding is that most of the Tranche 1 Small Franchises (operated by Diamond Bus) are due to expire in March 2027. Presumably the procurement process is well underway by now. Does anyone have any idea when an announcement will be made on who will operate them ? Seems only 2 minutes...

True - there aren’t any British built options for coaches. I am puzzled how the Ember bid succeeded when the aims of the zebra fund include - supporting skilled jobs - maximising economic opportunities from the transition [to zero emissions] - supporting high value employment Also, to be...

What you seem to be suggesting is a public subsidy to remove competition..which as AFAIK not allowed under the Public Subsidy Control Act 1783962855 Not my area of expertise but in Manchester, TfGM have publicly stated that they want all new buses for the Bee Network to be British built. If...

Just passed 37113, 37119 & 37120 on the M6 heading north around Stafford - presumably on their way to a new home

Buslistsontheweb shows three unregistered BZL single decks owned by TfGM - entries shown below. Is this a mistake or are there three more BZLs in store somewhere ? BU26 Vo BZL YV3U1W126RA217708 MCV NB1716 B38F /2026 TfGM Intended as BD74WLG, BU25YXS and BU75WUT BU26 Vo BZL...

Why does Wigan need a new depot ? Current one is less than 20 years old and has plenty of space.

Route One is reporting that a location has been identified for the new depot in Stockport - at Heathside Park Road which is about two miles away from the current depot. All being well it will open in 2029. https://www.route-one.net/news/stockport-bee-network-electric-bus-depot-plans-move-forward/

Of course Bee Network services extend beyond the GM boundaries - Huddersfield in the east, Lymm in the south.

Centrebus have filed (eventually) their accounts for the year to April 2025. Overall they're very healthy financially with a 13% increase in sales to £48m and a big jump in operating profit from £4.7m to £6m. Splitting the results between the different businesses (from their respective...

I think I read somewhere that 75% of routes in Cheshire East are subsidised.

I think I read somewhere that the 20 Liverpool Hydrogen deckers are going to be converted to battery. They’ve done even less mileage than the Aberdeen ones ! Makes sense to do if they’re not going to see service and I can’t see any other operators buying them.

For now too small, but if TfGM have ambitions for a wholly zero emission fleet in the long term then the smaller depots will need to be electrified. That doesn’t really suit the small franchise model either where operators own their own depots as it wouldn’t be viable to incur the...