Classic Bus North West - Red Rocket Express

[WestCoast]

Not a smooth Lift Off for the Red Rocket, the service has been cut to four return journeys a day (two of them short Preston - Manchester runs).

 

[Y961 XBU]

And some of them on the Manchester end have not been running either as a mate of mine went to get it and it was a no show...

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I sincerely hope that such matters stated in the last postings are being carefully monitored by those with the power of sanction.

 

[extendedpaul]

There's also now a 2 4 1 voucher on the website ...

 

[northwichcat]

Interesting scenario. They are still apparently under investigation by the TC but have registered a number of bus services commercially to replace withdrawn services as a result of Lancashire CC bus subsides being reduced. So if they don't have their licences revoked routes will be saved.

 

[Bungle965]

Interesting scenario. They are still apparently under investigation by the TC but have registered a number of bus services commercially to replace withdrawn services as a result of Lancashire CC bus subsides being reduced. So if they don't have their licences revoked routes will be saved.

Could this be a plot of them to make sure that they do not have their licence revoked.
Sam

 

[Deerfold]

The Red Rocket website shows the service gave up after Christmas. I wonder if the Leigh Guided Busway people know they ate using one of their pictures. All the pictures on their website seem to show up elsewhere on the Web, with no credits from the operator.

 

[robertclark125]

Interesting scenario. They are still apparently under investigation by the TC but have registered a number of bus services commercially to replace withdrawn services as a result of Lancashire CC bus subsides being reduced. So if they don't have their licences revoked routes will be saved.

Normally in that in instance, if a licence is revoked, it won't happen immediately, but after a period of a few weeks, to allow other operators to make alternative arrangements.

However, there is the chance that IF the licence gets revoked immediately, another operator can make short notice arrangements with the TC, as Stagecoach done when Fishwicks of Leyland ceased trading.

 

[Volvodart]

http://www.fleetwoodtoday.co.uk/news/local/bus-firm-s-new-routes-set-to-start-monday-1-7825849

Bus firm’s new routes set to start Monday

10:19Thursday 31 March 2016


A Blackpool-based bus firm which is taking over key Fleetwood and Wyre routes lost because of cutbacks is ready to roll out the new service on Monday.

Catch 22 is replacing the old 84 bus which was a key lifeline for elderly residents in Larkholme.

Residents in Larkholme and Fleetwood organised a petition after hearing that Stagecoach was withdrawing its 84 bus from April, because County Hall was ending subsidies.

But from Monday next week, Catch 22 is extending its current 22 service, originally from Mereside to Cleveleys, and it will now include the old 84 bus route through Larkholme, Fleetwood and Freeport.

And Philip Higgs, director, of Catch 22, has announced that the newly created 24 bus will run between Cleveleys, Thornton and Poulton, covering other routes lost because of the cutbacks.

Mr Higgs said: “It is a great opportunity for us and for our passengers it will offer a regular service, replacing those that were going to be lost.”

The two bus information roadshow sessions were staged at Cleveleys Bus Station and the Larlholme shops on Wednesday.

Fleetwood campaigner Angela Patchett said: “It’s really good news the 84 routes have been replaced, particularly for elderly passengers.”

And Alan Marsh, who was involved in the Larkholme petition which gathered over 600 names in just three days, said: “It’s a fabulous conclusion to things,”

However, Mr Higgs insisted a seven year banning order from a transport inspector, handed out last year would not affect the plans.

He said: “We have a hearing in June and we will deal with that when it comes up.”

 

[northwichcat]

Normally in that in instance, if a licence is revoked, it won't happen immediately, but after a period of a few weeks, to allow other operators to make alternative arrangements.

However, there is the chance that IF the licence gets revoked immediately, another operator can make short notice arrangements with the TC, as Stagecoach done when Fishwicks of Leyland ceased trading.

Question is does anyone else want to run those routes commercially? Not all operators would want to take the risk, while some of the ones that would have already taken the risk with other routes so may not want to take on any more commercially until they've had a few months to assess their existing new commercial services.

 

[northwichcat]

Don't want to see where you're going? Take the Catch22 Bus: https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pA09Me31...DQTJ2CgPM7ACLcB/s1600/20160418_163136_001.jpg

 

[theblackwatch]

Don't want to see where you're going? Take the Catch22 Bus: https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pA09Me31...DQTJ2CgPM7ACLcB/s1600/20160418_163136_001.jpg

Oh dear!

Really must have a trip to Blackpool for a ride on the VR and Atlantean which seem to be regulars on the Zoo service.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

What is the current situation with Catch 22 and Classic Bus North West in terms of services currently available.

 

[WestCoast]

What is the current situation with Catch 22 and Classic Bus North West in terms of services currently available.

Still plodding away, but they've cut the southern section of the service 22 (Blackpool Town Centre - Mereside) and withdrawn the service 6 (Blackpool Town Centre - Grange Park). Their local services (22, 23, 24) are now concentrated in the north of Blackpool and in Wyre, replacing some of the links lost in recent LCC cuts. They also now run a seafront service (21) aimed at the tourist traffic, using some of their classic fleet too.

 

[fyldetrainfan]

Catch 22 currently operate:
21 - Seasonal service Cleveleys - St Annes via promenade, often with heritage vehicles
22 - now runs Blackpool town centre - Fleetwod
23 - Cleveleys - Thornton
24 - Cleveleys - Poulton

 

[theblackwatch]

Managed a ride on the VR on Friday, it was on the 21 service. It dates from May 1972, are there any other buses that age in regular service?

On Saturday, I noted LX51FNJ in use on the route - shown as untaxed on the DVLA website, so I hope they'd actually taxed it in the previous few days!

 

[Robertj21a]

Managed a ride on the VR on Friday, it was on the 21 service. It dates from May 1972, are there any other buses that age in regular service?

On Saturday, I noted LX51FNJ in use on the route - shown as untaxed on the DVLA website, so I hope they'd actually taxed it in the previous few days!

Presumably, the VR won't be in public service in 2017.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Presumably, the VR won't be in public service in 2017.

14 day exemption?

 

[jp4712]

On Saturday, I noted LX51FNJ in use on the route - shown as untaxed on the DVLA website, so I hope they'd actually taxed it in the previous few days!

Tsk tsk, not taxed since the end of January...

Meanwhile in the latest NWTA Nots & Procs:

Section 5.1 – Notice of Public Inquiries to be Held
Public Inquiry ( 53251) to be held at The Royal Courts of Justice,
Court 31 - West Green Building,
The Strand,
London, WC2A 2LL, on 07 November 2016 commencing at 10:30(Previous
Publication2731)

PC1067540 SI
CATCH22BUS LTD
Director(s): DAVID HUGHES, PHILIP HIGGS.
BRINWELL ROAD GARAGE BLACKPOOL FY4 4QU
PSV - S17 - Consideration of disciplinary action under Section 17 (The Public
Passenger Vehicles Act 1981)
PSV - S28 - Consideration of disciplinary action under Section 28 (The Transport Act 1985)
PSV - Sch.3 - Consideration of Transport Managers Repute under Schedule 3 (The Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981)
PSV - S26 - Consideration of disciplinary action under Section 26 (The Transport Act 1985)
PSV - S155 - Consideration of a financial penalty under Section 155 of the Transport Act 2000

 

[jp4712]

Duplicate post deleted

 

[Y961 XBU]

The result of the Public inquiry

Public Inquiry (72875) held at The Royal Courts of Justice,
Court 31 - West Green Building,
The Strand,
London, WC2A 2LL, on 7 November 2016 commenced at 10:30 (Previous Publication2731))
PC1067540 SI
CATCH22BUS LTD
Director(s): PHILIP HIGGS, DAVID HUGHES
BRINWELL ROAD GARAGE, BLACKPOOL, FY4 4QU
S17 - Licence revoked with effect from 18 January 2017.
S28 - Philip Higgs disqualified with effect from 18 January 2017 for a period of 12
months.

 

[jp4712]

http://www.commercialmotor.com/news...medium=dlvrit&utm_campaign=FACEBOOK_|_News_CM Meanwhile, an appeal has been lodged.

 

[Mr Manager]

For those who have not seen the Video here it is. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFVZ3IAlnrU

 

[the101]

What do they say about pick your battles carefully? Publicly embarrassing Beverley Bell is never going to end well.

 

[randyrippley]

Hopefully thats the end of his company and the bunch of wrecks he calls buses.

 

[Mugby]

So will the operations come to an end on 18 January 2017 or will they be allowed to continue whilst the appeal is pending?

 

[Y961 XBU]

I would think the company will close, Phillip Higgs will be saying its business as usual so he dont lose Customers and Drivers, Dont forget GHA was in the papers saying services would improve and they went under the following day..

 

[Bletchleyite]

I see two things here.

I have no time for "cowboy" bus operations nor those who do not take their responsibilities seriously as an operator (noting, of course, that I don't know enough about this operator to have any idea if this applies to them or not).

However, equally, in my view the Traffic Commissioners should not be able to withdraw a licence just because someone has highlighted one of them committing road traffic offences in a YouTube video (admittedly committing some offences himself in surveying them, e.g. over 70mph on the motorway).

That goes dangerously into the territory of "upset the Government and you lose", which is more than slightly corrupt and cannot be encouraged. If he is convicted of a criminal offence, for example harrassment, which may be relevant, fine if that is a listed reason for disqualification, but without an offence I don't see any reason this should be pursued in this way as some form of summary justice.

As for the Traffic Commissioner, just like Police Officers one aspect of having a road-safety enforcement job is that you yourself have to be whiter than white, as it were, with regard to your own road use. So I think she has, allegedly, discredited herself by, as he pointed out, committing several offences in one journey. I think making that public, assuming it was indeed her car, is totally fair game, and she needs to reconsider how she drives if this is genuine.

Edit: FWIW, if the Police are able to do so on the strength of the video (and they have done similar ones before), I hope they prosecute both of them for the road traffic offences each allegedly committed during the video.

 

[the101]

I have no time for "cowboy" bus operations nor those who do not take their responsibilities seriously as an operator (noting, of course, that I don't know enough about this operator to have any idea if this applies to them or not).

It certainly does apply to this operation, which has been fodder for the trade press's legal pages on a number of occasions.

There is a lot about the 'incident' with the video that has not been revealed in public that, I am sure, has had a bearing on the decision to use it as a stick by which the TCs can beat Higgs with. If he doesn't end up facing criminal charges over it, he will be very fortunate.

 

[Bletchleyite]

It certainly does apply to this operation, which has been fodder for the trade press's legal pages on a number of occasions.

There is a lot about the 'incident' with the video that has not been revealed in public that, I am sure, has had a bearing on the decision to use it as a stick by which the TCs can beat Higgs with. If he doesn't end up facing criminal charges over it, he will be very fortunate.

If he does, so should she, as the video appears, assuming it is her, to be clear evidence of a number of serious motoring offences.

Two wrongs don't make a right. If both have committed offences, both should be prosecuted.