Arriva Midlands

[Robertj21a]

Good to read some sensible comments. In my view Arriva has been doing rather well, and acting sensibly, for a while now. Perhaps Trentbarton should take note!!

 

[Russel]

Arriva Tamworth seem to have updated the LED displays, to show Merry Christmas... I have no idea if the bus sitting at the stop with doors open and engine running is in service or not, or what service!

Surley this nonsense has to go against some accessibility rule?

 

[1D54]

Yep, it's the same in Leicester. All very well wishing people the compliments of the season but when customers are waiting at a stop and a bus approaches and all they see is that how the hell are they supposed to know whether it is the service they are waiting for or not. Ridiculous!

 

[bringiton]

Good to read some sensible comments. In my view Arriva has been doing rather well, and acting sensibly, for a while now. Perhaps Trentbarton should take note!!

While maybe they have improved. Yet again this morning I had a cancellation, yet again when it was raining. Meanwhile I've not had a trent cancellation in a while, late sure... but not cancelled

 

[Russel]

Good to read some sensible comments. In my view Arriva has been doing rather well, and acting sensibly, for a while now. Perhaps Trentbarton should take note!!

I agree here, the network in Tamworth has been stable for a few years now with no major changes and the launch of a couple of new routes, the local routes have been dropped from every 10-12 minutes to mostly every 15 minutes over the last few years, but this matches demand, every 10 minutes was always overkill.

Yep, it's the same in Leicester. All very well wishing people the compliments of the season but when customers are waiting at a stop and a bus approaches and all they see is that how the hell are they supposed to know whether it is the service they are waiting for or not. Ridiculous!

It's annoying, they've just sensibly put the displays back into lower case after a month or so of having everything in capitals which made them much harder to read, now they pull this stunt!

Basic things such as displays should be left well alone, if they want to wish people a Merry Christmas, knock up some nice A4 posters and put them into some of the many empty display frames on the buses!

 

[zkyx02]

While maybe they have improved. Yet again this morning I had a cancellation, yet again when it was raining. Meanwhile I've not had a trent cancellation in a while, late sure... but not cancelled

What service?

 

[bringiton]

What service?

24, would of been the 10.20 departure from Derby bus station. Should of been SP DC bus so at first I thought it was just not showing up on bustimes but it was said cancelled on arrivas app too.

 

[zkyx02]

3565 & 3567 are both now withdrawn, both with missing TMs & Ops licences.

 

[Mollman]

Arriva Tamworth seem to have updated the LED displays, to show Merry Christmas... I have no idea if the bus sitting at the stop with doors open and engine running is in service or not, or what service!

Surley this nonsense has to go against some accessibility rule?

Stagecoach do it as well and I have seen people flag down a bus to ask the driver which service it is.

 

[1D54]

Wonder if there is a way for driver to disable it.

 

[Lewisham2221]

Wonder if there is a way for driver to disable it.

Nope, unless they've got a USB stick with a copy of the "non-Christmas" destination file on it

 

[Robertj21a]

Stagecoach do it as well and I have seen people flag down a bus to ask the driver which service it is.

It just needs the Xmas screen to change sooner - just 2-3 secs.

 

[bringiton]

It just needs the Xmas screen to change sooner - just 2-3 secs.

I tend to find companies like nct, who have quite a bit of useless information on their blind about usbs on board and fares, tend to have them alot shorter time than the actual route information

 

[Russel]

It just needs the Xmas screen to change sooner - just 2-3 secs.

What's needed is to leave destination screens well alone and not put nonsense messages on them.

 

[busspotter1]

Pray tell, what “cutting and merging routes to reduce operating costs” has been instigated by I Squared? Derby’s bus network is no more designed in Miami than it was in Berlin when Arriva PLC was owned by Deutsche Bahn.

About time somebody ruffled Mr Morgan’s feathers judging by the comments on the Wellglade thread about their horrendous lost mileage. I understand that Arriva repeatedly offered to Trent to take on their workings so they didn’t need to keep robbing buses from Mickleover, but Trent weren’t interested. No wonder Arriva stepped in to run the journeys Trent were regularly dropping.

Arriva Midlands got new 'upper' management a few months ago and are keen to turn the company around.
I did not say the route changes are being instigated from Miami - the new management are being incentivised to change things around by their superiors, who are in turn having pressure put on by management from I Square. A GCSE Business student could tell you that business decisions without any local knowledge would be a bad idea - these decisions are being done by the new Arriva Midlands management.

The X38 *was* a key profitable route for Arriva so they were keen to rack up more cash from that route and using the "TB weren't co-operating" as a cover. I also like how one of their directors said that Arriva has a 'proven track record for reliability' which is completely untrue. I invite you to go to the Derby Bus Station and ask for people's opinions on Arriva's alleged track record. You could be waiting 45min for a service which should have a 15min frequency during busy periods, when 90% of fare-paying passengers travel!

Also, don't expect any new buses coming to Derby. Arriva have committed to purchasing only new electric buses from 2024. Derby does not have any mass vehicle charging infrastructure, so will foresee older fleets cascading from elsewhere in the UK.

What major route deviations and cutting? The 1s already had 3 variations and now has more buses in the evening and Sundays with the 1b extension. The new 6 seems to cover the busiest section of the 5 and also compliments the 4 and 7 to almost double the number of buses via the Cavendish to Sinfin. The X38 change sounds like it was in the pipeline for a while.

Examples in Derby include:
- Messing with the 1/1A/... routes so they would qualify for bus funding - used to run down London Road, changed to Pride Park, now back via London Road. They introduced a 20min frequency on a Saturday (from 15min) which they backtracked on after it caused very crowded serves (which were in turn delayed). Remember how a director was saying they have a proven track record for reliability? Lmao!
- The 2B and 2C services were scrapped and instead merged with the 2 and 2A (reduces cost!). The journeys on the 2 and 2A are now way more crowded. Journey times outside of Derby are now much longer on the 2.
- The 5S was introduced on a Sunday which overrides with another route to save cost!

Then in Tamworth we have them competing with the new Buslink route - they changed the route and offered special tickets. Here we have a multi-million pound company bullying a small company which was launched in 2023. I remember when Yourbus competed with the 1/1A and 20s routes in Derby. - Arriva improved the service and decreased ticket prices to drive Yourbus out of business, eventually. After there was no more competition, Arriva's service went downhill and ticket prices shot up. Wow how strange!

And now considering the X65 and X66 competition as mentioned above, I'm sure Arriva's decision to increase their presence on the X38 is just them trying to do the right thing for the customers.

If.you need more info, I'll be happy to provide!

 

[Voyager 2953]

Arriva Midlands got new 'upper' management a few months ago and are keen to turn the company around.
I did not say the route changes are being instigated from Miami - the new management are being incentivised to change things around by their superiors, who are in turn having pressure put on by management from I Square. A GCSE Business student could tell you that business decisions without any local knowledge would be a bad idea - these decisions are being done by the new Arriva Midlands management.

The X38 *was* a key profitable route for Arriva so they were keen to rack up more cash from that route and using the "TB weren't co-operating" as a cover. I also like how one of their directors said that Arriva has a 'proven track record for reliability' which is completely untrue. I invite you to go to the Derby Bus Station and ask for people's opinions on Arriva's alleged track record. You could be waiting 45min for a service which should have a 15min frequency during busy periods, when 90% of fare-paying passengers travel!

Also, don't expect any new buses coming to Derby. Arriva have committed to purchasing only new electric buses from 2024. Derby does not have any mass vehicle charging infrastructure, so will foresee older fleets cascading from elsewhere in the UK.


Examples in Derby include:
- Messing with the 1/1A/... routes so they would qualify for bus funding - used to run down London Road, changed to Pride Park, now back via London Road. They introduced a 20min frequency on a Saturday (from 15min) which they backtracked on after it caused very crowded serves (which were in turn delayed). Remember how a director was saying they have a proven track record for reliability? Lmao!
- The 2B and 2C services were scrapped and instead merged with the 2 and 2A (reduces cost!). The journeys on the 2 and 2A are now way more crowded. Journey times outside of Derby are now much longer on the 2.
- The 5S was introduced on a Sunday which overrides with another route to save cost!

Then in Tamworth we have them competing with the new Buslink route - they changed the route and offered special tickets. Here we have a multi-million pound company bullying a small company which was launched in 2023. I remember when Yourbus competed with the 1/1A and 20s routes in Derby. - Arriva improved the service and decreased ticket prices to drive Yourbus out of business, eventually. After there was no more competition, Arriva's service went downhill and ticket prices shot up. Wow how strange!

And now considering the X65 and X66 competition as mentioned above, I'm sure Arriva's decision to increase their presence on the X38 is just them trying to do the right thing for the customers.

If.you need more info, I'll be happy to provide!

It’s the same down this way in Buckinghamshire; total lack of local knowledge and you can see it reflecting on the business. The competitors are getting busier and busier and the new route variations are getting more and more ridiculous. Not one customer or manager is ever consulted when these changes occur despite what the glossy publications say.

I have a wealth of information and pictures and videos that show the disastrous running of Arriva Midlands. The company is in desperate need of new management and people who actually know the areas they management. I find it astonishing how you can have an area manager so to speak who doesn’t know the area.

Hopefully the new owners carry out reviews similarly to what McGills and Go North East did recently.

Edit: I hope this post isn’t deleted as it’s not meant to cause harm but part of a genuine discussion of what is a failing company.

 

[Flange Squeal]

Then in Tamworth we have them competing with the new Buslink route - they changed the route and offered special tickets. Here we have a multi-million pound company bullying a small company which was launched in 2023.

I don't think you can really class the Tamworth to Lichfield situation as a big company bullying a small one. That is very much a case of small company Buslink choosing to start a competitive service over an established corridor, so it's only natural the incumbent Arriva would do something to defend their position.

 

[busspotter1]

It’s the same down this way in Buckinghamshire; total lack of local knowledge and you can see it reflecting on the business. The competitors are getting busier and busier and the new route variations are getting more and more ridiculous. Not one customer or manager is ever consulted when these changes occur despite what the glossy publications say.

I have a wealth of information and pictures and videos that show the disastrous running of Arriva Midlands. The company is in desperate need of new management and people who actually know the areas they management. I find it astonishing how you can have an area manager so to speak who doesn’t know the area.

Hopefully the new owners carry out reviews similarly to what McGills and Go North East did recently.

Edit: I hope this post isn’t deleted as it’s not meant to cause harm but part of a genuine discussion of what is a failing company.

It’s a good insight!

 

[Trainman40083]

I don't think you can really class the Tamworth to Lichfield situation as a big company bullying a small one. That is very much a case of small company Buslink choosing to start a competitive service over an established corridor, so it's only natural the incumbent Arriva would do something to defend their position.

Buslink and Stevensons both owned by the former director of Midland Classic.

 

[busspotter1]

I don't think you can really class the Tamworth to Lichfield situation as a big company bullying a small one. That is very much a case of small company Buslink choosing to start a competitive service over an established corridor, so it's only natural the incumbent Arriva would do something to defend their position.

How is a small company supposed to compete? A brand new route would require mass investment and would take a long time to get a ROI. Competing on an existing corridor with a slight variation is a good starting point - Arriva are the ones that changed their route and lowered price!

 

[Flange Squeal]

How is a small company supposed to compete? A brand new route would require mass investment and would take a long time to get a ROI. Competing on an existing corridor with a slight variation is a good starting point - Arriva are the ones that changed their route and lowered price!

So you're saying if a small company choose to muscle in on an established corridor, the big operator should not defend their existing business? If any company chooses to initiate competition then they have to expect a reaction and be prepared to deal with that. It's not Arriva's job to help someone trying to steal some of their business just because the competitor is small, and if they didn't react then they'd be criticised for not doing anything and displaying poor management and business sense! If you initiate competition then you have to be prepared for a fight, but the management of Buslink are experienced so will be well aware of that.

Buslink and Stevensons both owned by the former director of Midland Classic.

Yes... which doesn't change the fact they are a small operation with authorisations of 9 and 6 vehicles respectively.

 

[43055]

Examples in Derby include:
- Messing with the 1/1A/... routes so they would qualify for bus funding - used to run down London Road, changed to Pride Park, now back via London Road. They introduced a 20min frequency on a Saturday (from 15min) which they backtracked on after it caused very crowded serves (which were in turn delayed). Remember how a director was saying they have a proven track record for reliability? Lmao!
- The 2B and 2C services were scrapped and instead merged with the 2 and 2A (reduces cost!). The journeys on the 2 and 2A are now way more crowded. Journey times outside of Derby are now much longer on the 2.
- The 5S was introduced on a Sunday which overrides with another route to save cost!

Then in Tamworth we have them competing with the new Buslink route - they changed the route and offered special tickets. Here we have a multi-million pound company bullying a small company which was launched in 2023. I remember when Yourbus competed with the 1/1A and 20s routes in Derby. - Arriva improved the service and decreased ticket prices to drive Yourbus out of business, eventually. After there was no more competition, Arriva's service went downhill and ticket prices shot up. Wow how strange!

And now considering the X65 and X66 competition as mentioned above, I'm sure Arriva's decision to increase their presence on the X38 is just them trying to do the right thing for the customers.

If.you need more info, I'll be happy to provide!

I see the 1's more or less every day and they are busy and also very reliable (except at peak times) unlike the skylink which is regularly can see 2 running together. Over the last few weeks the traffic has seem to have got worse on London Road. The change where the 1B was introduced also makes things simpler by having all the circulars via London Road and the 1B via Pride Park which does run at a slightly different frequency at times.
I'm not sure how changing the 2/2A/2B/2C saved cost considering it is the same frequency except for the evenings. Anyway this was done before I Squared was involved.
The 5S is the old 5 but the with the new 6 only running Monday to Saturday the 5S was created so Sunny Hill was covered on Sundays as well.

 

[Russel]

Then in Tamworth we have them competing with the new Buslink route - they changed the route and offered special tickets. Here we have a multi-million pound company bullying a small company which was launched in 2023.

So, what do you suggest Arriva do?

They can't roll over and do nothing in the face of competition, that's not how business works.

For the record, the Buslink route is not a new route, it's a duplicate of the established Arriva X65 with a slight deviation at the Lichfield end and it's not the first time it's been tried, Central Buses gave it a go around 10 years ago...

On the subject of the Buslink X66, I refuse to use it, I've tried it a couple of times and the temperature of their buses is suffocating.

 

[busspotter1]

So, what do you suggest Arriva do?

They can't roll over and do nothing in the face of competition, that's not how business works.

For the record, the Buslink route is not a new route, it's a duplicate of the established Arriva X65 with a slight deviation at the Lichfield end and it's not the first time it's been tried, Central Buses gave it a go around 10 years ago...

On the subject of the Buslink X66, I refuse to use it, I've tried it a couple of times and the temperature of their buses is suffocating.

This discussion started with me pointing out that from a consumer POV, Arriva are making unfriendly changes.

Competition is always good for the consumer as it usually lowers prices and provides better overall value. As you mentioned, I fully expect Arriva to "retaliate" by offering a more competitive product, if there is a competitor in the area.

My point of unhappiness is that the improved service disappears as soon as the competition gives up - ticket prices go up and service goes downhill. I witnessed this first hand when Yourbus competed with Arriva in Derby.
FYI - when Yourbus competed with Arriva, Arriva launched the F1 service in MAX spec. and refurbished selected omnicities with leather seats and eventually USB power. This meant that some vehicles had leather seating and USB power ports were rolled out gradually. As soon as the competition disappeared, the F1 service was dropped (those MAX spec. vehicles were then re-allocated elsewhere within the Group), and less attention was given to vehicle allocations. The USB ports were not maintained (as they got vandalised over time) and eventually removed. Oh yeah, the cheap ticket prices (which were released on routes where there was Yourbus competition) also disappeared.

 

[Russel]

This discussion started with me pointing out that from a consumer POV, Arriva are making unfriendly changes.

Competition is always good for the consumer as it usually lowers prices and provides better overall value. As you mentioned, I fully expect Arriva to "retaliate" by offering a more competitive product, if there is a competitor in the area.

My point of unhappiness is that the improved service disappears as soon as the competition gives up - ticket prices go up and service goes downhill. I witnessed this first hand when Yourbus competed with Arriva in Derby.
FYI - when Yourbus competed with Arriva, Arriva launched the F1 service in MAX spec. and refurbished selected omnicities with leather seats and eventually USB power. This meant that some vehicles had leather seating and USB power ports were rolled out gradually. As soon as the competition disappeared, the F1 service was dropped (those MAX spec. vehicles were then re-allocated elsewhere within the Group), and less attention was given to vehicle allocations. The USB ports were not maintained (as they got vandalised over time) and eventually removed. Oh yeah, the cheap ticket prices (which were released on routes where there was Yourbus competition) also disappeared.

You suggested Arriva are bullying Buslink, I don't see this, I see them reacting to competition to protect their business, which any company in any industry would do as standard.

So, in what way are Arriva 'bullying' Buslink?

 

[43055]

Derby's 3736 has been repainted. It was in the original Sapphire livery.

 

[Russel]

How long are the ex-Manchester E300s going to be around?

I'm sure I read somewhere that when they arrived in Dec 23 that they were only staying until their MOT's expired.

The few in Tamworth are in a disgraceful state.

 

[CN12 AWU]

3006 onwards are still in use and expected to move to Arriva North East, this in turn is said to see some Stockton Streetlites move to Laird Street. Wythenshawe final month is now, the probable thing to leave play out before anything else changes.

Will these Streetlites get painted in Mersey Metro livery like the new E200's that Birkenhead just got?

 

[K219UHA]

Will these Streetlites get painted in Mersey Metro livery like the new E200's that Birkenhead just got?

Highly doubtful, as the Stockton ones and inherited ones from Redcar were refurbished and repainted in recent years.

 

[CN12 AWU]

Highly doubtful, as the Stockton ones and inherited ones from Redcar were refurbished and repainted in recent years.

I heard that all buses in Merseyside and any recent transfers to Merseyside would be repainted in Merseytravel Livery