TfGM Bus franchising

[javelin]

That's good to hear. I always thought nine months mobilisation was too much of a rush. Hopefully lots of lessons there for Tranche 2.

The website is a TfGM thing, its development has little to do with awarding contracts and mobilisation. They've had years to sort out the website and app.

 

[Goldfish62]

The website is a TfGM thing, its development has little to do with awarding contracts and mobilisation. They've had years to sort out the website and app.

Sorry, I didn't read "website" in the original post!

 

[D9006]

how do operators make money on the bee network? or do they not?

As somone who completed a bid for franchised services all your costs from A to Z are in your bid, on the very last entry is a column for profit you want from it. So if you get A to Z right perhaps with a bit of small over calculating plus your profit you have asked, bingo the shareholders are guaranteed a return, regardless of bus being empty or full,

 

[317 forever]

Not strictly true (but we risk getting too far off topic) - just look at a motorway service station or a petrol station, whilst Spar stores have a big green plaque proclaiming who the franchisee is right by the front door! A lot of other businesses relegate it to inside the store.

As for Bee Network, there would be instances where I'd want to know who the operator is in order to contact them direct. If I had forgotten something vital (e.g. medical supplies), I'd want to ring them rather than contact TfGM and go around the houses just to end up in the same place.

I'd have liked to have known yesterday which routes in Bolton & Wigan were Go North West or Diamond. In many cases, the 4 or 5 digit fleet number gave the game away.

When I googled for example Diamond Bee Network I did get a route list via bustimes.org

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I'd have liked to have known yesterday which routes in Bolton & Wigan were Go North West or Diamond. In many cases, the 4 or 5 digit fleet number gave the game away.

I guess the question is WHY you'd have liked to have known?

If it's for some enthusiast reason, well fair enough. However, for most passengers, do they need to know? Or care?



Anyhow, for anyone who's interested, had my first trip out on the Bee Network (and some other bits) and here's my ramblings #741 https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/trips-by-bus-and-coach-your-reports.224583/page-25

 

[Tim33160]

Bustimes has lists of which vehicle belongs to which operator - and which routes are worked by which operator:
TfGM / Bee Network are responsible for all back office functions - so there is no operator information on the Bee Network timetable leaflets, available from racks at Bolton and Leigh bus stations - but not readily accessible at Wigan. Timetable leaflets are on line at https://tfgm.com/public-transport/bus/routes

• Bee Network - Diamond Bus North West
• Bee Network - Go North West
• Bee Network - Stagecoach Manchester
• Bee Network - Vision Bus

 

[Goldfish62]

Anyhow, for anyone who's interested, had my first trip out on the Bee Network (and some other bits) and here's my ramblings #741 https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/trips-by-bus-and-coach-your-reports.224583/page-25

Very interesting read!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Very interesting read!

Thanks - glad you enjoyed it. For @Leyland Bus, here's a few Wigan ones that looked pretty grubby and doubt it was one night's problem.

 

[Citibus]

The route branding on the older Streetdecks really needs removing, particularly around the front and entrance.

 

[323235]

https://tfgm.com/public-transport/bus/routes/364-stockport is working now.

Stotts have been having issues for a few months. Presumably they've lost drivers to Bee Network operators and are now struggling to recruit given the company has an unclear future. Would assume they're prioritising services in consultation with TfGM as some routes have been unaffected.
Perhaps they're waiting it out until the next wave of franchises are announced. Given the sizes of their school operation currently, you'd hope both Belle Vue and Stotts manage to bag something.

In theory Stotts could also win the Stockport small franchise of the 364, 375 and 385 services.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

The route branding on the older Streetdecks really needs removing, particularly around the front and entrance.

It'll happen when they get yellow'ed.
The route branding has never been strictly used anyway, they never stayed to their branded routes.

 

[Leyland Bus]

Thanks - glad you enjoyed it. For @Leyland Bus, here's a few Wigan ones that looked pretty grubby and doubt it was one night's problem.

View attachment 147355
View attachment 147356
View attachment 147357

Yeah I see what you mean, but they aren't as bad as Bolton's at least...

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

It'll happen when they get yellow'ed.
The route branding has never been strictly used anyway, they never stayed to their branded routes.

That will undoubtedly be the case but at least there was some chance of them being on the right route. Now there isn't, and they've managed to cover up the Diamond references (though the use of black transfers looks rather clumsy)

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Yeah I see what you mean, but they aren't as bad as Bolton's at least...

The road grime really shows on such a bright livery colour as yellow.

 

[Rod Harrison]

I was in Manchester the other day. It struck me that Birds could do a deal to sponsor the buses and advertise their custard. It's so bland and was nice to get back to a good range of liveries over past 30 years or so. I also thought that the area around the bus station was so scruffy.

 

[507021]

I was in Manchester the other day. It struck me that Birds could do a deal to sponsor the buses and advertise their custard. It's so bland and was nice to get back to a good range of liveries over past 30 years or so. I also thought that the area around the bus station was so scruffy.

Colman's Mustard and Lipton Ice Tea spring to mind as well. The opportunities are endless!

 

[JD2168]

Thanks - glad you enjoyed it. For @Leyland Bus, here's a few Wigan ones that looked pretty grubby and doubt it was one night's problem.

View attachment 147355
View attachment 147356
View attachment 147357

Unfortunately that is the problem with having buses in a light coloured livery during the winter months. Stagecoach Local livery will have the same problem along with First’s Urban livery with the white front.

Those vehicles in the pictures look pretty clean compared to some I saw with Globe Coaches in Barnsley last week, some of which you would struggle to see out of the window.

 

[WatcherZero]

Indeed, roads being gritted due to frost.

 

[domcoop7]

Indeed, roads being gritted due to frost.

They've been dirty since Franchising started. Someone up-thread indicated it was because Diamond took their bus wash equipment when they vacated the depot!

 

[WatcherZero]

Yeah but when the roads are being gritted and especially when you get slush is when buses get really dirty.

 

[HSTEd]

Does anyone know when the 150 Bus swapped over to Diamond?
It's rather annoying for me because its not useless to me because I only have a Stagecoach bus pass.

Does anyone know if Stagecoach is planning on abandoning the routes on the Oxford Road corridor in advance of Jan 2025?

 

[Djb1]

Does anyone know when the 150 Bus swapped over to Diamond?
It's rather annoying for me because its not useless to me because I only have a Stagecoach bus pass.

Does anyone know if Stagecoach is planning on abandoning the routes on the Oxford Road corridor in advance of Jan 2025?

The 150 daytime went to diamond in October 2022. Apologies I can’t add a link to verify.

 

[Mollman]

Does anyone know when the 150 Bus swapped over to Diamond?
It's rather annoying for me because its not useless to me because I only have a Stagecoach bus pass.

Does anyone know if Stagecoach is planning on abandoning the routes on the Oxford Road corridor in advance of Jan 2025?

I am not sure why they would as the Oxford Road corridor is very busy. If they don't win at least one of the large franchises in phase 3 it would be bad for their reputation and relationship with TfGM to just walk away.

 

[mangad]

I am not sure why they would as the Oxford Road corridor is very busy. If they don't win at least one of the large franchises in phase 3 it would be bad for their reputation and relationship with TfGM to just walk away.

Don't think tranche 3 will make much difference as they already have won some franchises. Who is to know for sure, but it's hard to imagine any operator doing anything other than tweaking of commercial routes until the Bee Network comes in. Timetable changes, perhaps the odd service will be deemed no longer commercially viable. That sort of thing.

 

[Tim33160]

The 150 daytime went to diamond in October 2022. Apologies I can’t add a link to verify.

Stagecoach still operate the Evening and Sunday service on 150

https://www.manchestereveningnews.c...ster-news/full-list-bus-services-set-25348393

Current timetable https://assets.ctfassets.net/nv7y93...e4243e7f7df47a177b3e78a4c9/150_23-SC-0510.pdf

 

[stait.john]

Interesting to see Stagecoach now advertising for drivers for Oldham Depot from March but starting at other depots initially.

Bus Driver

Salary £16 per hour £17.80 per hour on weekends £20 per hour on Bank holidays £1,200 welcome bonus for PCV holders (t&c's apply) Plus optional overtime Join the UK's Number 1 bus company today. We are looking for qualified bus drivers and PCV holders to join our team immediately. Ready to take...

stagecoach.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com

And First advertising for drivers for Rochdale Depot ready for March too.

First Bus Careers

First Bus

careers.firstbus.co.uk

 

[Tim33160]

In a first for Wigan and Bolton, the Bee Network is running services on Boxing Day and New Years Day on services:
Tues 26 Dec Special buses will run on these services:
Bee Network 8 Bolton, 10 Wigan, 10 Manchester, 20, 22, 36, 37, 126, 132, 163, 362, 471, 501, 534, 575, 582, V1, V2.
https://tfgm.com/winter-travel/christmas-operating-times click on bus dropdown

Go North West is not running its usual non-franchise area services from Queens Rd on these days

 

[HSTEd]

Is there any particular reason they aren't selling annual bus passes for the franchised bus services?

I currently use an Annual Stagecoach ticket, and switching to 28-day tickets is going to be rather annoying.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Is there any particular reason they aren't selling annual bus passes for the franchised bus services?

I currently use an Annual Stagecoach ticket, and switching to 28-day tickets is going to be rather annoying.

There is an annual CountyCard including rail, but I expect sales are extremely low due to the large lump sum.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

There is an annual CountyCard including rail, but I expect sales are extremely low due to the large lump sum.

That type of annual pass which also includes rail travel is bound to be dearer than an annual Stagecoach bus-only pass of the type mentioned by the previous poster.