Stagecoach North West Discussion

[Stonesourscotty]

There where 3 Other Interested Companies in Prestonbus.

3 of the other companies that wanted Prestonbus where Big Transport companies. First Transdev and Arriva. I Think Transdev would be doing a better job for the Preston consumer.

 

[KendalKing]

Plus way back in the 80s I think, Stagecoach were ordered out of Perth I think it was, after they set up several services in and around the surrounding area.

Not heard that one before, Stagecoach Group PLC can trace its roots back to a small self-drive rental business that was formed in Perth in 1976. A couple years later it included minibuses. In October 1980 Stagecoach started it first regular express service between Dundee and London. And the rest as they say is history.

 

[pickles]

~~~~~

 

[mbonwick]

Not at all really, SC would just go back to operating fewer services in Preston on the Ribble license.


Saw K787 DAO (20787) being driven south on the M6 earlier. Anyone any ideas where it was off to?

 

[KendalKing]

If Stagecoach were to lose Preston, how would that impact on the rest of SCNW?

If Stagecoach, were to lose Preston Bus, then all former Preston Bus vehicles (including those in storage at Lillyhall & Morecambe) and routes would have to be returned to Deepdale Road.

As for the impact on the rest of the North West, as mbonwick said this would have very little, if any impact. All that Stagecoach would do, is to transfer vehicles in from else where with-in the empire to replace any former Preston Bus vehicles.

The recent route enhancements to the out of town routes, would probably remain as these do not effect any the former Preston Bus routes.

 

[pickles]

~~~~~

 

[driver9000]

How would it work if Stagecoach were told to lose Preston Bus, would it continue under Stagecoach stewardship or would it need to be set up as a seperate concern for the purpose of the sale?

Nothing noted out of the ordinary today except the 3/3A in Preston was mostly former PB buses, also plenty of buses with their cooling fans roaring away in the hot weather

 

[mbonwick]

Well all of the SC services that were moved onto the Preston license would have to be moved back, leaving Preston Bus exactly as Stagecoach found it.

20787 had only the driver on it, and the display blank. It was quite far up the motorway - about J39, so it may have been coming back from Carlisle for attention.

 

[robertclark125]

Quote: Wrong in 1991, Stagecoach was ordered to dispose of Portsmouth Citybus, which it sold to Transit Holdings. Then in 1996, Transit Holdings was aquired by Stagecoach. So Stagecoach aquired Portsmouth Citybus for a second time.

Not quite. Portsmouth became Blue and Red Admiral, and this competed with Peoples Provincial. In 1996, First boguht Provincial, and then bought Blue and Red Admiral from Transit Holdings. This then gave them a monopoly of services in Portsmouth.

The odd thing is, the authorities ignored this, yet in 1991, said Stagecoach couldn't buy it. Makes you wonder eh?

 

[KendalKing]

Quote: Wrong in 1991, Stagecoach was ordered to dispose of Portsmouth Citybus, which it sold to Transit Holdings. Then in 1996, Transit Holdings was aquired by Stagecoach. So Stagecoach aquired Portsmouth Citybus for a second time.

Not quite. Portsmouth became Blue and Red Admiral, and this competed with Peoples Provincial. In 1996, First boguht Provincial, and then bought Blue and Red Admiral from Transit Holdings. This then gave them a monopoly of services in Portsmouth.

The odd thing is, the authorities ignored this, yet in 1991, said Stagecoach couldn't buy it. Makes you wonder eh?

Blue and Red Admiral were trading names of Portsmouth Citybus, does like Magicbus and Megabus are trading names of Stagecoach Group PLC.

Transit Holdings was never owned by the First Group, Stagecoach purchased Transit Holdings in February 1996.

Robertclark125, i do not know were you get your information from, but i was at a meeting early today, and i was told that a number of MAN's are due to be transferred from Fife to the North West in the coming months, to allow more routes to be convert to low floor operation.

 

[robertclark125]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Hampshire_&_Dorset

That entry mentions that in 1996, First bought Red and Blue Admiral from Transit Holdings. The rest was sold to stagecoach. I never said First boguht Transit Holdings, just that First boguht a part of it.

As mentioned, it gave First a virtual monopoly in Portsmouth, and so I can't see where the issue is with Stagecoach and Preston Bus. Last year, stagecoach Fife boguht Rennies, giving it a virtually monopoly in the Dunfermline and West Fife area, and the OFT didn't bother their a**e

 

[Dallamlad]

It may be that all these organisations are taking an interest because there was no much hype both before the takeover (bus wars) and then controversy when they took over. Everybody is aware these days that SC are slowly taking over the industry and some see it as a monster that needs to be controlled (bit poetic but you get the idea lol) Anyway I doubt SC will loose PB to be honest.

PJ52 LXL was on the 435 to Lancaster Infirmary yesterday. Was odd seeing a plain white solo in Lancaster lol.

 

[mbonwick]

Who does PJ52 LXL belong to?

 

[Dallamlad]

KLCH

http://www.paulsbuses.fpic.co.uk/p58539728.html

 

[mbonwick]

Ah, they must have it in on hire then.....bit more upmarket for them anyway!

 

[Dallamlad]

Yeah its great that the have one. Hope they get a few more in the future. Those Mercs they have are really scruffy and the company image/brand needs changing. My GF knows the Manager of the company and he was saying that when his father ran it it was a big successful company with a lot more vehicles then they have now and more of a presence in the area. But I think they have fallen on hard times. They secured some more school routes this year which is good

Out of the 6 709's Stafford Bus Centre took there is only one left. However it does say more on the way.

 

[KendalKing]

News Release

28 May 2009

STAGECOACH/PRESTON BUS MERGER

Competition Commission invites evidence

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has referred the completed acquisition of Preston Bus Limited by Stagecoach Bus Holdings Limited to the Competition Commission (CC).
The CC has been asked to decide whether the acquisition may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the UK.
Prior to the acquisition, Preston Bus Limited provided local bus services in Preston and South Ribble, while Stagecoach is one of the largest bus and coach companies in the UK, with operations in over 100 towns and cities.

The CC is expected to report by 12 November 2009.

The CC would like to hear from all interested parties, in writing, by 19 June 2009. To submit evidence, please email Stagecoach.Preston@cc.gsi.gov.uk or write to:

Inquiry Manager
Stagecoach/Preston Inquiry
Competition Commission
Victoria House
Southampton Row
LONDON
WC1B 4AD

Notes for editors

1. The CC is an independent public body, which carries out investigations into mergers, markets and the regulated industries.

2. The Enterprise Act 2002 empowers the OFT to refer to the CC completed or proposed mergers for investigation and report which create or enhance a 25 per cent share of supply in the UK (or a substantial part thereof) or where the UK
Victoria House Southampton Row London WC1B 4AD Press enquiries 020 7271 0242 Facsimile 020 7271 0177
info@cc.gsi.gov.uk www.competition-commission.org.uk
turnover associated with the enterprise being acquired is over £70 million.

3. The CC has a 24-week period in which it is required to publish its report, which may be extended by no more than eight weeks if it considers that there are special reasons why the report cannot be published within that period.

4. Further information on this inquiry, including the terms of reference and other key documents, as well as on the CC and its procedures, including its policy on the provision of information and the disclosure of evidence, can be obtained from the CC website at: www.competition-commission.org.uk.

5. Enquiries should be directed to Rory Taylor or John Park on 020 7271 0242 (email: rory.taylor@cc.gsi.gov.uk or john.park@cc.gsi.gov.uk).

 

[cainebj]

PX08 CTU went past me at 1450 ish yesterday, heading towards LL on the A595, showing "Sorry Not In Service", driver not wearing uniform.
can't remember the rest of the LL related stuff from yesterday lol. one of 04 reg solo's was around in Workington.

in Carlisle yesterday:
20738 started on 75, then 33162 came on, then 34071, then 20738.

Carlisle today:
34686 and 34071 on 75.
20175 was around on something that it isnt usually on.
Citi Branded PX05 EKN was on Silloth 38.

LL stuff today:
20768 on 300, which was full, very hot, and there was a screeching kid behind me from Carlisle to Aspatria! guessing they're low on DD's with digi tacho's again.
47060 on Moorclose Circular 50.
40651 and 42562 on Harrington & Seaton routes, so must be low on LF's again.
20757 went out on 300 as well.

 

[Stonesourscotty]

Ribble Valley Solo on the 113 to Wigan last Night.

 

[cainebj]

47617 on 30.
40013 on Workington Town Services with a dead display and incorrect destination boards in windscreen (the incorrect one being "Harrington 46". on a sunday, a different route is operated under "Brierydale 46B")
20759 and 20768 on 301.
52628 on X5

 

[KendalKing]

The road works in Main Street, Warton are causing some traffic problems, with the buses which normally operate between Carnforth and the Yealands via Millhead and Warton, being diverted via the A6 and Borwick Lane. Borwick Lane is not the best of roads in which to take a bus down, espically with low arched bridge.

Services effected 55, 55B, 430, 435, D3, L1, and varies school services.

 

[mbonwick]

Didn't know the 55 served the Yealands any more?

 

[KendalKing]

Didn't know the 55 served the Yealands any more?

The 55 runs to the Yealands in the Evenings and on Sundays only.

Plus 0640 55 Lancaster - Silverdale, which returns as 55A to Ripley School on School days.
1515 55B Ripley School - Silverdale, which returns empty.
1640 & 1710 55 Lancaster - Silverdale, and return.

Now that the schools are back today, it be interesting to see what Battersby coaches do, as there highliners are to tall for the bridge in Borwick Lane.

 

[cainebj]

been told that CE could be fitting their Leyland Olympians with reduntant Bright Techs.
this is due to them not having correct information when being used on passenger service (they apparently still have Morecambe's blinds in them, and either show "SCHOOLS" or "NOT IN SERVICE" or are blank).
42025 (Marshall Master bodied 814D) may be fitted with LED as it currently has roller blinds.

 

[mbonwick]

I thought the CE Olympians had flip dots/brite techs already so surely they could be reprogrammed?

Onthe back fence at Morecambe depot today were: 17012 (top deck sheeted over fully), 11091, Plaxton Dart, a Lancaster 170xx Trident, a Solo, and A 33 MRN (ex-PB Olympian)

 

[cainebj]

47616 on 50.
47023 on 51.
33167 and 33169 were on Harrington & seaton.
47060 was brought into Workington at 1545 to run Harrington 46.
20761 on 300 so guessing still low on DD's!!!
52628 on one of X services.
40445 on annexe with dead display and no destination boards.

forum member rosswatson spotted one of the Jonckheere coaches run dead back to the depot earlier today, along with one of the Enviro 300's!

 

[KendalKing]

This morning on Kendal Town services were 14259, 20774, 34217, & 47056.
This afternoon on Kendal Town services were 33164, 33165, 34217, & 47056, with 20712 & 20776 doing a couple of trips before going on afternoon schools.
16332, 16339, 16655, 18279, & 18280 all made appearances on the X35 today.
18324 on 755 this morning.

 

[Dallamlad]

14199 failed at the bus station this morning leaking diesel all over the place. Conductor called Morecambe but they had no deckers free so Kendal sent out 18372 as a replacement.

20750 was on D6 this afternoon and surprisingly nobody was left standing up!

I assume CE Leyland Olys are the ones they received from Morecambe last year in which case they will only have roller blinds. Seeing as they were only meant to be used on school anyway this wouldn't have been a problem but obviously if they are used on public services it is an issue.

 

[mbonwick]

Yes, cainebj pointed out the J regs to me, I'd forgotton them and thought Carlisle just had K regs

Not good about 14199, especially as its not long out of refurb - I don't think it would be diesel though, more likely just coolant.

 

[Dallamlad]

The driver seemed to think it was diesel but yes could have been coolant.