www.central-connect.co.uk
They are carrying on with other work in the area though, routes around Leicester, some school work and flixbus. I assume the 90 wasn't making enough.
Looks like about 8/9 vehicles worth?
Maybe Littles. But who knows what tendering might throw up. But the Ockbrook is basically a minibus working..16 seater. Sometimes like the one arriving into Derby at 10.00, full. One bus operation.
Odd how the 2X/2N are going as the journeys run onto/off the NovusDirect and the Sunday 20/21.
They were always a bit strange 'dead mileage' routes though when they diverted off the dead mileage route so much. It should have been faster rather than focussing on connecting everywhere (ie why bother going around Quorn and needlessly duplicating over the Kinch 2, and given the times and frequency, you aren't going to get passing trade there either). Also ridding these may help their punctuality/reliability stats as often the 2X/2N given almost daily, at least one trip run early, terminates early, or misses a section of the route.
The 2X originally ran outside of the operating window of the 2 back when it extended to/from Leicester and ran more substantially than recent iterations.
The withdrawal of the Nottinghamshire Network is down to operational difficulties related to depot, not financial performance, NCT have themselves stated the route has been stabilised by CC and left in a 'good place'.
Had me thinking. The last time I used the bus on that route, it was a Gash half cab
There is a long history here. Gash ran for many years,and without subsidy. They fell into bad times and were bought out by Lincolnshire RC who ran it as route 50. In turn, they pulled off following intense minibus competition by Pathfinder, who ultimately were bought out by NCT, who ran the route as Pathfinder 90. NCT ceded to Marshalls who in turn gave over to Vectare as it then was, and now going back to NCT. So choice of number 90 and the Pathfinder brand recollects former history with NCT. Why not commercial? Historically it was as 50 mins journey each way= 2 buses. Stretched running times made it 3 I.e. a 50% cost hike. Improved end to end rail and highways diluted patronage, whilst two RAF sites along the way closed (Syerston and Newton) . Thus costs up, patronage down, both by significant amounts. Taking over a local route in Newark and recent diversion through new areas of Bingham is not enough comeback to balance this. Note that the frequency of the new 90 is less, with no additional 92s or evening village variations.
A further update to the changes has been posted on their website (https://www.central-connect.co.uk/east-midlands-important-update)
While I'm not a big fan of the group, I think it was great to see how they handled the original announcements over the closure of the depot. Very early announcements and gave lots of time for people to prepare alternatives, without the rumour mill.
Retendering of the 9/9A was probably delayed because of the Christmas break - most government and local government closes down for two weeks
Not that ideal the way they went about ending the 92 early...
I would guess alot of drivers have already left, so probably have no choice but to drop something.
Looks like my original opinion on the whole TMS/Central Connect/Vectare group (whatever they want to call themselves this week) was correct, and I am now kicking myself for daring to give this poor outfit a chance. I wrongly thought that they were improving, so thank you for that information.
They should have planned ahead for that and deregistered the services earlier. In almost all instances of closing a depot or division, you end up short staffed on the last days and needing to cut services early. You can't just give up operating services 3 weeks prior to the official cancellation date on the registration, and the traffic commissioner would say the same. You should be getting agency drivers in or something to try and protect against this stuff.
Some of the replacements, particularly of the 93, was all a bit last minute in the end. The council were hoping for commercial replacement but there were no takers for that option after some negotiation so it had to go out for tender but with Christmas in the middle that delayed the process so they weren't put out until the New Year. Tender awards were only about a week ago and I understand the LC9 registration hasn't actually gone off yet for one as it is still waiting on the return of paperwork from one of the Local Authorities it passes through.
Don't think people realise that most of the public sector closes down from 23rd Dec until about 5th Jan
I note that details were released by Centrebus and CallConnect last week though and Central Connect could have updated details on their website sooner to give people that little bit more notice.
The Centrebus details went up on Friday afternoon, which was the moment the final timetable was released (something went up on BODs earlier but the service details changed after and wasn't the timetable actually registered) so anything getting to Central Connect and them putting the details up by Tuesday is pretty impressive - particularly as most operators would at best just tell you who the replacement operator was (or given the timescales for these changes would probably just tell you to contact the council). The fact that Central Connect are updating the information as they get it (& in most cases the information will come via the council or even what they spot on the internet like you or I) is to be commended in this case.
Ideally you wouldn't fail to run any services, but better to not run 1 service, than miss random trips on all services over the course of the last few weeks. The 92 will not be replaced, probably because so few use it, probably the two reasons it was chosen to be dropped first. As you say it is unavoidable that they would be short staffed in the final weeks of operating.
Agreed. On balance to be commended.
I'm sorry but why are you trying to justify and make excuses for an operator who is failing to operate a service in line with the registration? It was almost certainly going to happen (as happens with most other depot closures). Nothing stopped them formally withdrawing the 92 or one of the tenders slightly earlier so that they could have resources available for other routes.
I didn't say it was unavoidable?
Isn't that what has happened with the 92?
Slight correction - Leicestershire’s FoxConnect DRT service took the distinction of being the county’s first cashless service. Novus will be the first scheduled service in the county to do so.
