Yep. I expect the same to happen again. There are several examples of GSC doing this; they appear to think they are a law unto themselves in Dorset, and DCC let them do it and turn a blind eye.
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Dorset rover
- Thread starter johnnychips
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Yep. I expect the same to happen again. There are several examples of GSC doing this; they appear to think they are a law unto themselves in Dorset, and DCC let them do it and turn a blind eye.
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RailUK Forums
PH1121126/355 Registered (Short notice)
GO SOUTH COAST LTD
Route: Dorchester South Station to Blandford, West Street via Bere Regis
Service number: 187
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 24 Jul 2017
PH1121126/22 Registered (Short notice)
GO SOUTH COAST LTD
Route: BLANDFORD to WEYMOUTH KINGS STATUE
Service number: X12
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 24 Jul 2017
GO SOUTH COAST LTD
Route: Dorchester South Station to Blandford, West Street via Bere Regis
Service number: 187
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 24 Jul 2017
PH1121126/22 Registered (Short notice)
GO SOUTH COAST LTD
Route: BLANDFORD to WEYMOUTH KINGS STATUE
Service number: X12
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 24 Jul 2017
Mainline421
Member
Not for many years I'm afraid.
You sure about that? I've never seen any announcements of this being discontinued.
Mainline421
Member
The registration for First Wessex 12 is now showing as starting 3 September https://www.vehicle-operator-licens...registered-local-bus-services/details/505517/ while Damory Coaches say this is "...supported by Dorset County Council. These services will continue until further notice, pending a tendering exercise by Dorset County Council." https://www.damory.co.uk/news/school-public-services-dorset-county-council/ Good news for some, bad for others as it means the Saturday x12 service will continue till the end of the summer, but the later services and through Bere Regis to Weymouth services won't start for a while.
Do bus companies ever inform their customers about validity of tickets?
Even 15 years ago when First Explorers were also valid on W&D you would often come across drivers who would refuse to accept them.
It is pointless asking First as their customer services is in Norwich, they are clueless. Ask GSC and you will get an accurate answer.
Mainline421
Member
Good point.
I have a First leaflet from 2013 stating their Explorers are "also valid on most Damory Coaches and Wilts & Dorset services". The Wilts & Dorset website advertised their availability on First and Stagecoach until it was re-branded. I know Stagecoach South were still accepting W&D Explorers in 2015, haven't tried it on any other company since, but I imagine the reality will depend on the driver more than anything else. And yeah I know about First's Norwich based customer services, although I do have the number for Weymouth depot, not sure they would know about ticketing. I did ask GSC about it a while ago but they dodged the question and incorrectly claimed not to sell Explorers anymore (funny thing is next time I boarded a 'more' bus the driver said to the person in front me in the que "...No the only ticket you can get for that is an Explorer") I've purchased loads since.
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TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
This is a particular issue that has got worse in recent years. To show the state in the South West
Ride Cornwall does not appear on the First Kernow website AFAIK.
First West of England has a link though it's not exactly promoted, just some text "These tickets allow travel on almost any bus in the area of your choice, whether that's a First bus or one run by another operator. So they are perfect if you need to change buses and go to an area served by a different bus. You can buy tickets from the driver and Bristol, Bath, Weston or Avon options are available in different locations. To see all the details please visit http://travelwest.info/bus/fares/rider-ticket-information". This links you to the AvonRider and local variations. However, they ignore the Wiltshire Day Rover that they sell and participate in!
As I mentioned last week, the Cotswold Discoverer doesn't appear on the Stagecoach West website. Once again, they too fail to mention that they are involved in Wiltshire Day Rover
Stagecoach South West also fail to mention Ride Cornwall and Devon Day Ticket.
GSC do a bit better. Plymouth Citybus does mention Ride Cornwall, Skipper and Devon Day Tickets though not exactly promoted. Thamesdown (a relic of pre GSC though) does mention Wiltshire Day Rover and the Swindon DayRider - accepted on Stagecoach with whom they're competing!!!
Of course, the fact is that the large companies do not want to promote tickets that they only get a proportion of the revenue for. Sorry for getting all a bit FBB - mind you, if I were the full measure, I'd be wittering on about Sheffield and my bloody travel planning app!!
Can i buy a Ride Cornwall on it though?!
In all seriousness the guard I bought mine off was very surprised someone was actually buying one, and whilst most First drivers accepted it a few he never seen one like it before (new train tickets) and were dubious when the new QR ticket scanner didn't like them.
johnnychips
Established Member
Thanks, so as it'll be pushing it to go to Brownsea Island, it might be worth a day/afternoon in Salisbury then...good pubs? Though actually I'd better check the Wheelers website before I get too excited
AFAIK Damory made a last minute decision to operate the existing timetable commercially (having previously announced that they had lost the X12 contract but would be running a "spoiler" service one journey each way). No idea why the last minute volte face, but GSC have previous form in doing this, and I wonder if they may have lost sufficient schools work to have spare drivers and vehicles sat doing nothing come September(unbelievably not all the Dorset schools contracts for 2017/18 have been announced to the public yet).
Time will tell but neither DCC nor GSC/Damory come out of the episode with much credit IMHO.
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
Simon Nicholas has interesting report on FHD forum.
Peter Philips
Member
- Joined
- 30 Jun 2016
- Messages
- 143
Dorset CC today confirmed:
Dorset County Council is to go back out to tender for a key bus service between Blandford and Dorchester.
In May, the county council announced the award of new contracts to run Dorsets subsidised public and transport services following a major procurement process.
As part of this, the council identified seven key town-to-town routes that it would continue to subsidise.
One of these routes, the X12/187 service between Blandford and Dorchester, was awarded to First Hampshire and Dorset.
However, prior to the new public services starting on Monday 24 July, a technical inconsistency was highlighted in the way the council had assessed the tenders for this contract.
As a result, the council contacted First and other companies to say it was withdrawing the contract and will re-run the tender process over the coming weeks.
In the meantime, the current operator, Go South Coast (Damory), has agreed to continue to run the existing X12/187 service on the same timetable until the new contract has been awarded.
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
DCC covering themselves in glory and not for the first time. Last day for Damory in many places tomorrow!
How after years of experience tendering bus services DCC could get it so wrong only they know.
These are the people who we should be able trust with our council taxes.
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
How after years of experience tendering bus services DCC could get it so wrong only they know.
These are the people who we should be able trust with our council taxes.
Especially in comparison to their neighbours in Wiltshire. Last day for a number of services today though
iantherev
Member
I understand it's a technical irregularity in the tendering process which meant it had to be restarted.
Peter Philips
Member
- Joined
- 30 Jun 2016
- Messages
- 143
It would be interesting to know exactly what it was & what led to it being discovered!
Mainline421
Member
DCC claimed to be introducing a "one school one operator" policy for school contracts. At the last moment (perhaps deliberately) Go South Coast argued this was in breach of that, as the 12 technically serves Dorchester Thomas Hardye School is what I've heard. According to the driver I had on the x12 on Saturday he expected the current situation to last "at least 3 months".
Mainline421
Member
Following the TheGrandWazoo's post thought I may as well add my my own trip report style post to accompany my photos on Flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/mainline421/ while I wait for them to upload. (titles descriptions etc. still to be added, photos now up)
After an early 5am start last Thursday, I waited in Salisbury for 0808 SWT service to Gillingahm wandering why on earth there was a once a day termination at Gillingham. Upon arrival at Gilligham I noticed there seemed to be only one other passenger who wasn't a school student which presumably explained that. Got a quick pic of a solo on the 158 (which has now been withdrawn) watched the class 159 revere at the signal, and then waited for the 309 to Sturminster Newton, which arrived as a Volvo B7TL. I purchased an Explorer off the driver who initially quoted the old price which I paid thinking Damory must have been exempt from the W&D increase, but was then asked for the extra 10p a long with where I was going to ensure I was on the right bus. Another Damory bus pulled up behind leaving a que of 3 bus all on services which are now gone, although thankfully the 309 has mostly been replaced by the new South West Coaches x2. Despite being double decker (having just some off a school run) this service was rather quiet with a total of 4 passengers throughout the whole route, arriving in Gilligham on time. Here I had about 15 minutes to spare before the 307 to Dorchester so I snapped a couple of pictures of the 'Railway Gardens' before returning to the stop with a flag on which all the services displayed had less than 2 days reaming before being axed. An Optare Solo arrived on the 307 and it departed for Dorchester, an enjoyable trip running fast down small rural roads and serving a large are which no longer has bus service. A foreign couple boarded in a village along the route, purchasing tickets with a high denomination note and seemingly unaware that the 307 would run for last time tomorrow, another passenger said they going to buy a car whilst in Dorchester because the bus was going!
I popped to M&S to grab some lunch and then headed to Crossways on the 101, an Optare Solo which still seemed popular despite the fact it's route is largely covered by commercial First Wessex 5 upon arrival at the route wiated at a stop for 4 minutes after which I figured out the it actually went round the loop the opposite direction from which I had thought and this was actually my stop I got off, took a photo and walked to Moreton station seeing an American looking Co-Op on the way (small convenience store with large car park). Had a half hour wait at Moreton for the train to Wareham, so filmed a 444 pass through as SWT will be gone soon as well. Got a tone from the driver or so I thought but when my train arrived it did the exact same thing, realized there was W board. My ticket was thankfully accepted without quibble despite the unusual (though valid) route which meant I was using the return portion of the morning's ticket to travel between Moreton and Swanage! From Wareham I had a 37 and 33 top 'n tailing a 438 to Swanage on the new through service which to be honest beats an Optare Solo any day... Filled out a survey on board and then got to Swanage, filmed a 4MT leave and waited for the 44.
A Volvo B5TL MCV Evoseti on this one, fitted with the new contactless ticket machines which would have made a very rare ticket as these were introduced only 4 days before the 44 was cut, but I still had my Explorer. The 44 was an unusual route as despite receiving less than Solos worth of passengers it was entirely worked by double deckers to simplify maintainenece at Swanage depot. There were a few passengers despite the complete lack of stop timetable and the service having been removed the latest 'more' timetables. After a scenic journey I arrived at Worth Mattravers, the last time I done this journey it was a Palatine II! Since then it appears the pub has been replaced with a tea rooms. The bus left very quickly after arrival so I was unable to get the shots of the bus and the pond and that I wanted but still got some reasonable photos and then began the walk back to the 40 route snapping an old Wilts & Dorset bus flag used by the 44 earlier on the way. The 40 turned up around 10 minutes late and my Gillingham issued Damory Explorer was raising eyebrows by this point. The driver very quickly looked at the ticket and said "thank you" but then as I was about climb the stairs said "hang on" and asked me to come back presumably having realsied the ticket was still printed on an old ticket machine which have been replaced, after taking a long look at the ticket again he said "oh it's Damory they must have not... cheers" presumably GSC have chosen not to update Damory as most services will be gone next week. I then waited for the 50 to Bournemouth station which it turns out was the same bus and driver from the 44 earlier arriving on a 142 and then a train home.
Once again on Saturday a slightly later 6am start, found a "Duff" at the Co-Op outside Southampton Central (tasted terrible as it turns out but worth it for the can's souvenir value) and took an SWT stopping service to Salisbury. Shortly after Redbridge the guard entered the 1st class section (in which I was the only passenger) and said "all tickets please", I reached for my valid ticket, but he proceeded to walk straight past without stopping and despite walking past several times through the journey never did inspect my ticket which was rejected by the barriers at Slaisbury although I was let through by staff. I poured the remaining "Duff" down a drain and waited for Travel Dorset 20 to Blandford, a route which continue to exist as Damory with through Salisbury to Weymouth services reinstated, but will no longer run on Saturday's or be operated by DCC's Optare Versas.The driver seemed pleased to sell an Explorer, which to my surprise was priced differently from Go South Coast's. Also surprisingly this working actually seemed to be popular with gricers. Rain crepped it during the trip with large waves being caused by the bus. Arrived early into Blandord after probably the best bus journey form this week, filmed the Versa leave and waited for the x12 on to Weymouth. The driver didn't seem to recognize the DCC issued Explorer, but did seem to know what it was, this service was quite busy for a single decker with most seats taken and arrived into Weymouth a few minutes late owing to difficulties with a wheelchair boarding en-route. Saw the "Anger Over Bus Cuts" headline in the Dorset Echo.
o At this point I thought I could bash the Weymouth Wizzard from Dorchester back to Weymouth to use up the hour I had spare and so got a GWR timetable from the station but unfortunately there would have been -1 min to get from Dorchester South to West and so after finding a Dr Pepper Cherry Vanilla for only 99p (an even more impressive find than the Duff, I once paid £10 to get one of these from Texas) decided to film the HST arrive which it did 8 minutes late. I then took a, SWT 444 to Wareham where there was some sort of event going on and got the last ever 105/104 to Wool via Bovington, Wool, Durdle Door and Lulworth worked by a bus I last caught on the Citylink Southampton free bus. I boarded about 5 minutes before departure The driver at first cheerfully asked "That's not valid on here is it?" but was very easily persuaded that my DCC Exploerer was valid (though I think they thought it was a 'More' one.). Departure time got closer and closer no other passengers turned up and it eventually left with me as the sole passenger! Of all the routes I have caught maybe this is one that should have been cut, at least during the summer months when Lulworth is better served by the 30 and x55 and everyone else seems to have given up already, normally the last ever service get more passengers than usual! The bus went round many Bovington roads revering a couple of without anyone getting on which was a little awkward for some reason, (even though it was just following it's scheduled route) before eventually arriving at Wool where it paused a few minutes during which I was asked where I was going, to which I explained that I simply going round the loop and back to Wool station again. Eventually it went on to Lullworth with some good views on route but it had started raining raining heavily by this time, at Lulworth it picked up 1 tourist with a return ticket from the 30, the only other passenger during the 2 hour trip. I left at Wool while they discussed the bus cuts, filmed the departure and got a train to Poole where to end the day on a positive note I got the new 'morebus' 70 on it's 1st day, to Bournemouth station. The driver took a very long look at my DCC issued Explorer and eventually said "Ok" before admitting he had never seen one before, had the que not been behind me I might have explained it and how he won't see one again either but I didn't want to cause a delay. On the way I saw a "Yellow" Buses open topper on it's first day of service and then alighted at Bournemouth for a train home after one final photo.
After an early 5am start last Thursday, I waited in Salisbury for 0808 SWT service to Gillingahm wandering why on earth there was a once a day termination at Gillingham. Upon arrival at Gilligham I noticed there seemed to be only one other passenger who wasn't a school student which presumably explained that. Got a quick pic of a solo on the 158 (which has now been withdrawn) watched the class 159 revere at the signal, and then waited for the 309 to Sturminster Newton, which arrived as a Volvo B7TL. I purchased an Explorer off the driver who initially quoted the old price which I paid thinking Damory must have been exempt from the W&D increase, but was then asked for the extra 10p a long with where I was going to ensure I was on the right bus. Another Damory bus pulled up behind leaving a que of 3 bus all on services which are now gone, although thankfully the 309 has mostly been replaced by the new South West Coaches x2. Despite being double decker (having just some off a school run) this service was rather quiet with a total of 4 passengers throughout the whole route, arriving in Gilligham on time. Here I had about 15 minutes to spare before the 307 to Dorchester so I snapped a couple of pictures of the 'Railway Gardens' before returning to the stop with a flag on which all the services displayed had less than 2 days reaming before being axed. An Optare Solo arrived on the 307 and it departed for Dorchester, an enjoyable trip running fast down small rural roads and serving a large are which no longer has bus service. A foreign couple boarded in a village along the route, purchasing tickets with a high denomination note and seemingly unaware that the 307 would run for last time tomorrow, another passenger said they going to buy a car whilst in Dorchester because the bus was going!
I popped to M&S to grab some lunch and then headed to Crossways on the 101, an Optare Solo which still seemed popular despite the fact it's route is largely covered by commercial First Wessex 5 upon arrival at the route wiated at a stop for 4 minutes after which I figured out the it actually went round the loop the opposite direction from which I had thought and this was actually my stop I got off, took a photo and walked to Moreton station seeing an American looking Co-Op on the way (small convenience store with large car park). Had a half hour wait at Moreton for the train to Wareham, so filmed a 444 pass through as SWT will be gone soon as well. Got a tone from the driver or so I thought but when my train arrived it did the exact same thing, realized there was W board
. My ticket was thankfully accepted without quibble despite the unusual (though valid) route which meant I was using the return portion of the morning's ticket to travel between Moreton and Swanage! From Wareham I had a 37 and 33 top 'n tailing a 438 to Swanage on the new through service which to be honest beats an Optare Solo any day... Filled out a survey on board and then got to Swanage, filmed a 4MT leave and waited for the 44. A Volvo B5TL MCV Evoseti on this one, fitted with the new contactless ticket machines which would have made a very rare ticket as these were introduced only 4 days before the 44 was cut, but I still had my Explorer. The 44 was an unusual route as despite receiving less than Solos worth of passengers it was entirely worked by double deckers to simplify maintainenece at Swanage depot. There were a few passengers despite the complete lack of stop timetable and the service having been removed the latest 'more' timetables. After a scenic journey I arrived at Worth Mattravers, the last time I done this journey it was a Palatine II! Since then it appears the pub has been replaced with a tea rooms. The bus left very quickly after arrival so I was unable to get the shots of the bus and the pond and that I wanted but still got some reasonable photos and then began the walk back to the 40 route snapping an old Wilts & Dorset bus flag used by the 44 earlier on the way. The 40 turned up around 10 minutes late and my Gillingham issued Damory Explorer was raising eyebrows by this point. The driver very quickly looked at the ticket and said "thank you" but then as I was about climb the stairs said "hang on" and asked me to come back presumably having realsied the ticket was still printed on an old ticket machine which have been replaced, after taking a long look at the ticket again he said "oh it's Damory they must have not... cheers" presumably GSC have chosen not to update Damory as most services will be gone next week. I then waited for the 50 to Bournemouth station which it turns out was the same bus and driver from the 44 earlier arriving on a 142 and then a train home.
Once again on Saturday a slightly later 6am start, found a "Duff" at the Co-Op outside Southampton Central (tasted terrible as it turns out but worth it for the can's souvenir value) and took an SWT stopping service to Salisbury. Shortly after Redbridge the guard entered the 1st class section (in which I was the only passenger) and said "all tickets please", I reached for my valid ticket, but he proceeded to walk straight past without stopping and despite walking past several times through the journey never did inspect my ticket which was rejected by the barriers at Slaisbury although I was let through by staff. I poured the remaining "Duff" down a drain and waited for Travel Dorset 20 to Blandford, a route which continue to exist as Damory with through Salisbury to Weymouth services reinstated, but will no longer run on Saturday's or be operated by DCC's Optare Versas.The driver seemed pleased to sell an Explorer, which to my surprise was priced differently from Go South Coast's. Also surprisingly this working actually seemed to be popular with gricers. Rain crepped it during the trip with large waves being caused by the bus. Arrived early into Blandord after probably the best bus journey form this week, filmed the Versa leave and waited for the x12 on to Weymouth. The driver didn't seem to recognize the DCC issued Explorer, but did seem to know what it was, this service was quite busy for a single decker with most seats taken and arrived into Weymouth a few minutes late owing to difficulties with a wheelchair boarding en-route. Saw the "Anger Over Bus Cuts" headline in the Dorset Echo.
o At this point I thought I could bash the Weymouth Wizzard from Dorchester back to Weymouth to use up the hour I had spare and so got a GWR timetable from the station but unfortunately there would have been -1 min to get from Dorchester South to West and so after finding a Dr Pepper Cherry Vanilla for only 99p (an even more impressive find than the Duff, I once paid £10 to get one of these from Texas) decided to film the HST arrive which it did 8 minutes late. I then took a, SWT 444 to Wareham where there was some sort of event going on and got the last ever 105/104 to Wool via Bovington, Wool, Durdle Door and Lulworth worked by a bus I last caught on the Citylink Southampton free bus. I boarded about 5 minutes before departure The driver at first cheerfully asked "That's not valid on here is it?" but was very easily persuaded that my DCC Exploerer was valid (though I think they thought it was a 'More' one.). Departure time got closer and closer no other passengers turned up and it eventually left with me as the sole passenger! Of all the routes I have caught maybe this is one that should have been cut, at least during the summer months when Lulworth is better served by the 30 and x55 and everyone else seems to have given up already, normally the last ever service get more passengers than usual! The bus went round many Bovington roads revering a couple of without anyone getting on which was a little awkward for some reason, (even though it was just following it's scheduled route) before eventually arriving at Wool where it paused a few minutes during which I was asked where I was going, to which I explained that I simply going round the loop and back to Wool station again. Eventually it went on to Lullworth with some good views on route but it had started raining raining heavily by this time, at Lulworth it picked up 1 tourist with a return ticket from the 30, the only other passenger during the 2 hour trip. I left at Wool while they discussed the bus cuts, filmed the departure and got a train to Poole where to end the day on a positive note I got the new 'morebus' 70 on it's 1st day, to Bournemouth station. The driver took a very long look at my DCC issued Explorer and eventually said "Ok" before admitting he had never seen one before, had the que not been behind me I might have explained it and how he won't see one again either but I didn't want to cause a delay. On the way I saw a "Yellow" Buses open topper on it's first day of service and then alighted at Bournemouth for a train home after one final photo.
Last edited:
HerstonHalt
New Member
- Joined
- 26 Jul 2017
- Messages
- 3
Nice rumour but not correct. All of the remaining tendered public transport routes serve secondary schools, and in a number of cases the operator will be different to the main school contractor for that school. South West Coaches will also serve Thomas Hardye on the route from Sherborne. There is nothing in the new tendering model that precludes that.
The problem with the X12 is exactly as the Dorset County Council press release says it is. A 'technical inconsistency', or in other words a mistake on their part when evaluating the tenders.
Peter Philips
Member
- Joined
- 30 Jun 2016
- Messages
- 143
Anyone know when the results of the new tendering round for the 12 will be announced - presumably it would be ideal to have the new route in place for the start of the Autumn school term as school flows are incorporated?
When the result is published I don`t know, but have been told whoever gets it it is to start on Monday 4th September.
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