TMS acquire Konnectbus

[Cambus731]

Transport Made Simple, best known as the parent company of Central Connect have reached an agreement with the Go-Ahead Group to acquire its Go East Anglia business. Go East Anglia operators Konectbus and Konectbuses will join Transport Made Simple’s existing operations, which operate under the Central Connect, Flagfinders and Simonds brands. The transaction is expected to be completed by 1 October

“Transport Made Simple has recently reached and agreement with the
Go-Ahead Group to acquire its Go East Anglia business. Go East Anglia operators Konectbus and Konectbuses will join Transport Made Simple’s existing operations, which operate under the Central Connect, Flagfinders and Simonds brands. The transaction is expected to be completed by 1 October

The acquisition will see Transport Made Simple’s fleet increase to 380 buses, coaches and minibuses, with a headcount of 800 team members. CEO of Go-Ahead Bus Matt Carney said: “We’re confident that Transport Made Simple will be great new owners for Go East Anglia. Bringing together Go East Anglia’s network with Transport Made Simple’s existing operations will create a stronger local presence, supporting future growth in services and connectivity for passengers and the community. We’re grateful to all our colleagues at Go East Anglia for their hard work and commitment over the years and wish them every success for the future.”

Transport Made Simple’s Group Managing Director Peter Nathanail added: “I’m delighted to welcome the drivers, engineers, cleaners and support staff from Go East Anglia into our team, and look forward to building on the excellent work that is already underway in delivering sustainable, high quality bus services across the region. Our focus is always on building strong relationships with local stakeholders, to ensure that we’re providing bus services which meet community needs.”

The operator says that there are no immediate changes planned to bus services as a result of this announcement, and customers should continue to refer to their local bus operator’s website for the latest timetable information and travel alerts.”

TMS acquires Go East Anglia - CBW

Transport Made Simple has reached an agreement with the Go-Ahead Group to acquire its Go East Anglia business. Go East Anglia operators Konectbus and Konectbuses will join Transport Made Simple’s existing operations, which operate under [...]

cbwmagazine.com

 

[alex397]

Interesting news! That’s quite a big expansion.

 

[stadler]

This is very surprising news! Did not expect that operation to get sold! The first time i have heard of Go Ahead selling off one of their operations. Especially surprising that a small company decided to buy them.

I wonder if the Konectbus and Konectbuses brands will continue. There is a lot of overlap with all of the Simonds routes and the one Flagfinders route. One very strange oddity is that the Norfolk and South Suffolk operation runs under the "Konectbus" name but the Essex and South Suffolk operation runs under the "Konectbuses" name. So perhaps they will simplify that.

I must admit that i had never even heard of the "Transport Made Simple" group before. I always thought Central Connect was an independent. Are they a proper big group like Arriva or First or Stagecoach etc? Or is it more like a Centrebus style group?

 

[Edvid]

I must admit that i had never even heard of the "Transport Made Simple" group before. I always thought Central Connect was an independent. Are they a proper big group like Arriva or First or Stagecoach etc? Or is it more like a Centrebus style group?

They're a small (to be medium?) group entity like Centrebus Group. They were also known as Vectare until quite recently.

 

[stadler]

They're a small (to be medium?) group entity like Centrebus Group. They were also known as Vectare until quite recently.

Ah so another small group. Certainly a big purchase for a group of their size. They seem to change their names a lot. I think they also used to be known as Trustybus but the name seemed to be dropped a few years ago.

 

[joieman]

Ah so another small group. Certainly a big purchase for a group of their size. They seem to change their names a lot. I think they also used to be known as Trustybus but the name seemed to be dropped a few years ago.

Trustybus was the trading name of Galleon Travel's bus operations. Trustybus had its name changed to Central Connect, before being sold to Vectare... who then decided to rename themselves to Central Connect. How confusing!

 

[Megafuss]

Konectbus/Go East Anglia has been the ugly ducking of Go Ahead Group for a while. They are probably glad to get rid.

Now they just need to sort out GNE

 

[Fox192]

What’s happening with the buses, sold to vectare or transferring elsewhere round go ahead

 

[cnjb8]

What’s happening with the buses, sold to vectare or transferring elsewhere round go ahead

I believe Vectare are buying the fleet as well, to be fair most of the fleet is not exactly new and mostly cast offs from other GoAhead companies

 

[Flange Squeal]

The first time i have heard of Go Ahead selling off one of their operations.

In 2008 Go-Ahead sold their Go West Midlands business (trading as Diamond) to Rotala, however they had only been running that for little over a couple of years since purchasing it rather than it being a longer established Go-Ahead operation like the East Anglia business made up of various purchases over the years.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

This is very surprising news! Did not expect that operation to get sold! The first time i have heard of Go Ahead selling off one of their operations. Especially surprising that a small company decided to buy them.

They did have have Go West Midlands which was the Birmingham Coach Co and then the purchase of Pete's Travel. However, it was losing a boatload so after about two years, they sold it to Rotala.

The sale of Go East Anglia is a huge step for TMS. There's 5 or 6 depots, and a couple of hundred vehicles. The Norfolk operations are in better shape in terms of both service delivery and fleet profile. The Suffolk/Essex ones are fairly shoddy with a lot of fairly careworn kit. They will have a bit to get on with in terms of sorting out the fleet but they have shown what they can do after the Galleon Travel purchase. It makes for an interesting contest between them and First.

 

[buslad1988]

This is very surprising news! Did not expect that operation to get sold! The first time i have heard of Go Ahead selling off one of their operations. Especially surprising that a small company decided to buy them.

I think the most interesting thing for me really is where did it all go wrong for Go Ahead in East Anglia?

Personally I believe its downfall began when they purchased Anglian Bus - which got whittled down to nothing. Before that the standalone KonectBus was a very well ran, respected operator with a core business. Tidy, modern fleet to boot too.

Hedingham/Chambers was a step too far for them. They were too separated from the core Norfolk business and required much investment and modernisation (which never materialised) hence the varied fleet and recent mass influx of retired Brighton stock.

Had the original plan for Go Ahead to buy Ipswich Buses gone ahead that would have bridged the gap between the operations and atleast given them the position of being the most prominent operator in one major suburb.

I had high hopes for Go East Anglia when you look at the likes of Go South Coast etc but the maths clearly did not stack up. The constant tinkering of routes and network changes added with an aging fleet, plus the loss of Norwich Park & Ride clearly all took their toll.

 

[Russel]

Konectbus/Go East Anglia has been the ugly ducking of Go Ahead Group for a while. They are probably glad to get rid.

You only need to look at some of the tat in the Hedingham fleet to see that. It's certainly the Go-Ahead dumping ground.

I regularly visit Clacton, the busses are very early 2000s!

 

[Dwarfer1979]

I think the most interesting thing for me really is where did it all go wrong for Go Ahead in East Anglia?

Personally I believe its downfall began when they purchased Anglian Bus - which got whittled down to nothing. Before that the standalone KonectBus was a very well ran, respected operator with a core business. Tidy, modern fleet to boot too.

Hedingham/Chambers was a step too far for them. They were too separated from the core Norfolk business and required much investment and modernisation (which never materialised) hence the varied fleet and recent mass influx of retired Brighton stock.

Had the original plan for Go Ahead to buy Ipswich Buses gone ahead that would have bridged the gap between the operations and atleast given them the position of being the most prominent operator in one major suburb.

I had high hopes for Go East Anglia when you look at the likes of Go South Coast etc but the maths clearly did not stack up. The constant tinkering of routes and network changes added with an aging fleet, plus the loss of Norwich Park & Ride clearly all took their toll.

The big issue was probably that it was never really a Go-Ahead type operation, they excel at more intensive work that can support the sort of quality investment and marketing spend that drives their businesses (though they are happy to do high volume contract packages like Cornwall which otherwise would involve business that doesn't suit them under a different contractual model). Konnectbus was pretty close, and is the part that has survived least damaged, and Anglian had a core that could have been made so, though it looks like the damage caused by the surgery to achieve it killed the patient, but Hedingham/Chambers never had a route network that suited their business model - it never really made sense as a purchase with what they ended up with (as you say Ipswich would have helped give a core more suited to their business model, they may have also had a hope to destablise First by arriving in the market which would also have given them access to a network more suited to their business model but were never able to have the effect to actually do this on the ground).

If you look at Go South Coast there has been major contraction in the rural aspects of the original businesses, particularly the rural western parts of Wilts & Dorset, but in terms of business development this was more than compensated for by the volume growth in the more intensive and urban areas (helped by other operators failing).

 

[plebb11]

I do hope they rebrand the entire southern operation as either

east anglia connect
east of England connect

the depot in the northern operation as

East Midlands connect

 

[SSmith2009]

I do hope they rebrand the entire southern operation as either

east anglia connect
east of England connect

the depot in the northern operation as

East Midlands connect

IMO keeping the KonectBus name would be better as it's a brand name people know but update the livery to match other central connect/TMS operations.

Not bad for an operation started in Loughborough.

 

[65477]

IMO keeping the KonectBus name would be better as it's a brand name people know but update the livery to match other central connect/TMS operations.

Not bad for an operation started in Loughborough.

Living in the Chambers & Hedingham area they would be much better off dropping Konnectbus as the name is associated with the poor service since the 1st September changes. The local Facebook pages are full of complaints. Since the relaunch I, in Halsted, Sudbury and Colches I have only seen one reliveried bus.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

The big issue was probably that it was never really a Go-Ahead type operation, they excel at more intensive work that can support the sort of quality investment and marketing spend that drives their businesses (though they are happy to do high volume contract packages like Cornwall which otherwise would involve business that doesn't suit them under a different contractual model). Konnectbus was pretty close, and is the part that has survived least damaged, and Anglian had a core that could have been made so, though it looks like the damage caused by the surgery to achieve it killed the patient, but Hedingham/Chambers never had a route network that suited their business model - it never really made sense as a purchase with what they ended up with (as you say Ipswich would have helped give a core more suited to their business model, they may have also had a hope to destablise First by arriving in the market which would also have given them access to a network more suited to their business model but were never able to have the effect to actually do this on the ground).

If you look at Go South Coast there has been major contraction in the rural aspects of the original businesses, particularly the rural western parts of Wilts & Dorset, but in terms of business development this was more than compensated for by the volume growth in the more intensive and urban areas (helped by other operators failing).

There are, naturally, other considerations too. We have to look at the landscape at the time - it was 2010 (Konectbus) and 2012 (Anglian, Hedingham and Chambers) so they probably thought that it was a good bridgehead against ailing FirstBus opcos, which I'm sure is what you alluded to in "destablisation". Certainly in Eastern Counties post 2012, you then had a reinvigorated local OpCo that then responded by winning tenders and expanding commercially. Less so in Essex where Harwich, Braintree and Clacton all closed though only in the latter was there any sizeable opportunity for Go Ahead to step in (and that's a rather deprived, seasonal and low margin operation).

Also, wouldn't be the first acquisition of an independent that failed in the corporate world in terms of margin expectations, internal compliance etc.

 

[overthewater]

I do wonder if Go-ahead were also seeing what else they could grab, I'm surprised Stagecoach brought Norfolk Green and not Go-ahead in 2013, that could have been a game changer, and if Go-ahead had got hold of Network Colchester that again could have made all the difference. Hopefully the new owners will be able to not create too much cuts overall.

 

[buslad1988]

I’d be amazed if Transport Made Simple were not actively putting in offers to Arriva for both Colchester and Southend… aswell as approaching Ipswich Borough Council for Ipswich Buses.

The fact that Go Ahead had recently put the time and effort into recasting their network, relaunching names etc they wouldn’t have wasted the time, energy (and albeit minor) cost involved… so whatever offer got put down on the table must have been substantial for them to snap it up so quickly!

 

[greenline712]

Stagecoach bought Norfolk Green from Ben Colson, who had been a senior manager at Stagecoach prior to starting NG from scratch. As we now know, Stagecoach in Norfolk didn't do so well, and only lasted about 5 years.

In a further twist, GoAhead bought Konect in 2013, which was run by Julian Patterson; formerly a manager at First Eastern Counties. After a specified period away from the business, he set up Coastal Red buses, trading as Lynxbus, in Kings Lynn and commenced competing with Stagecoach on the Kings Lynn - Hunstanton route.

So it could be said that, if GoAhead hadn't bought Konect, Lynx would never have started, and Stagecoach might still be in Norfolk!! {Yes, I know that the 505 runs (just) in Norfolk, but my point still stands!}. I hope I've got that right . . . this industry can be very incestuous sometimes!!

 

[ACBest]

At the time, I remember hearing that Stagecoach deliberately paid over the odds for Norfolk Green to effectively prevent Go-Ahead from purchasing it and encroaching on their territory. How true that may be, I don’t know…

 

[ChrisPJ]

Hope those TMS people have proper funding in place and aren’t over expanding too quick. They will need deep pockets to get some newer buses in pretty fast.

 

[Simon75]

So how many depots/outstation will there be and where ?
Also would they get rid of East Midlands, and just run in Hertfordshire and East Anglia ?

 

[markymark2000]

Hope those TMS people have proper funding in place and aren’t over expanding too quick. They will need deep pockets to get some newer buses in pretty fast.

It is rather interesting that for a tech startup from 2 28 year old uni students, somehow they have so much money to keep buying/leasing so many brand new buses and they have expanded so quickly over so many areas (including buying multiple operators). And for such expansion over the past 5 years (they only really started in Covid), something seems fishy, unless they are a 'typical tech firm' and are similar to Flix and Uber etc and make a loss short term and then pull in the money when they dominate and have got rid of any competition.

 

[Jim James]

It is rather interesting that for a tech startup from 2 28 year old uni students, somehow they have so much money to keep buying/leasing so many brand new buses and they have expanded so quickly over so many areas (including buying multiple operators). And for such expansion over the past 5 years (they only really started in Covid), something seems fishy, unless they are a 'typical tech firm' and are similar to Flix and Uber etc and make a loss short term and then pull in the money when they dominate and have got rid of any competition.

Had this been planned for some time? It was a little strange that when they all become Konect Bus they went to a Blue livery pretty much the same as Central Connects when the bulk of their fleet was in the Chambers/Hedinghan livery

TMS probably now have a surplus of garages and TMS will be looking to take costs out

I suspect the Konect garage at Sible Hedingham is at most risk, little chance of route expansion and not well locate for the routes it serves

The garages TMS has in that area are Sudbury(Konect), Sible Hedingham (Konect) Halstead (Flagfinder), Braintree(Fllagfinder)

 

[Mollman]

It is rather interesting that for a tech startup from 2 28 year old uni students, somehow they have so much money to keep buying/leasing so many brand new buses and they have expanded so quickly over so many areas (including buying multiple operators). And for such expansion over the past 5 years (they only really started in Covid), something seems fishy, unless they are a 'typical tech firm' and are similar to Flix and Uber etc and make a loss short term and then pull in the money when they dominate and have got rid of any competition.

They sold the software side to Faria in July (so no doubt got quite a bit of cash there) and had a restructure in August which brought in Alex Carter which hopefully brings experience and focus
https://cbwmagazine.com/vectare-sold-to-faria-education-group/

The Faria Education Group says it is pleased to announce its acquisition of school transport specialist Vectare, a strategic partnership which it says marks a significant milestone for both organisations and represents a shared commitment to improving education through integrated, forward-thinking digital solutions.

https://transportmadesimple.co.uk/article/maybe-another-three-here/

Alex Carter, previously a Non-Executive Director, will take on the role of Operations Director ensuring that we continue to achieve operational excellence as our growth continues. Alex is a respected figure in the UK transport sector, with more than 40 years’ experience in bus operations, strategic planning, and consultancy, including serving as Head of Transport Operations for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

So how many depots/outstation will there be and where ?
Also would they get rid of East Midlands, and just run in Hertfordshire and East Anglia ?

Not being funny here @Simon75 but if you want to find out, just google Konectbus fleetlist https://www.ukbuses.co.uk/fleet/goeastanglia.pdf and it will tell you. Or if you want more detail, just do an operator search on the VOSA site?

Also, why would they get rid of East Midlands?

It is rather interesting that for a tech startup from 2 28 year old uni students, somehow they have so much money to keep buying/leasing so many brand new buses and they have expanded so quickly over so many areas (including buying multiple operators). And for such expansion over the past 5 years (they only really started in Covid), something seems fishy, unless they are a 'typical tech firm' and are similar to Flix and Uber etc and make a loss short term and then pull in the money when they dominate and have got rid of any competition.

Perhaps ask them their funding? Rather than alleging something "fishy", it may be that a) they have access to family funds or b) more likely, they are being funded by private equity, as you alluded to

EDIT: I'd forgotten about the sale they made but @Mollman is right to mention that this will bring in funds.

The garages TMS has in that area are Sudbury(Konect), Sible Hedingham (Konect) Halstead (Flagfinder), Braintree(Fllagfinder)

They also have Clacton and Kelvedon

Had this been planned for some time? It was a little strange that when they all become Konect Bus they went to a Blue livery pretty much the same as Central Connects when the bulk of their fleet was in the Chambers/Hedinghan livery

The dark blue was also very much Konectbus house colours. The application is totally different as is the lighter accent blue. I mean, why bother doing anything if you're in the midst of selling up?

More that they were already committed to doing a rebrand to get rid of the Hedingham/Chambers brand and then TMS came along with an offer to good to refuse.

 

[Jim James]

Not being funny here @Simon75 but if you want to find out, just google Konectbus fleetlist https://www.ukbuses.co.uk/fleet/goeastanglia.pdf and it will tell you. Or if you want more detail, just do an operator search on the VOSA site?

Also, why would they get rid of East Midlands?

Perhaps ask them their funding? Rather than alleging something "fishy", it may be that a) they have access to family funds or b) more likely, they are being funded by private equity, as you alluded to

EDIT: I'd forgotten about the sale they made but @Mollman is right to mention that this will bring in funds.

They also have Clacton and Kelvedon

The dark blue was also very much Konectbus house colours. The application is totally different as is the lighter accent blue. I mean, why bother doing anything if you're in the midst of selling up?

More that they were already committed to doing a rebrand to get rid of the Hedingham/Chambers brand and then TMS came along with an offer to good to refuse.

They also have the Simond garage in Diss

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

They also have the Simond garage in Diss

Indeed - it's all readily available info.

Operating centre	Vehicles	Trailers
7 JOHN GOSHAWK ROAD, RASHES GREEN INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, DEREHAM, NR19 1SY, GB	70	0
HEDINGHAM OMNIBUSES, 2 STEPHENSON ROAD, GORSE LANE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, CLACTON-ON-SEA, CO15 4XA, GB	55	0
HEDINGHAM OMNIBUSES, 14 BRUNEL ROAD, CLACTON ON SEA, CO15 4LU, GB	8	0
CHAMBERS, MEEKINGS ROAD, SUDBURY, CO10 2XE, GB	32	0
HEDINGHAM OMNIBUSES, 215-217 HIGH STREET, KELVEDON, COLCHESTER, CO5 9JT, GB	25	0
HEDINGHAM OMNIBUSES, WETHERSFIELD ROAD, SIBLE HEDINGHAM, HALSTEAD, CO9 3LB, GB	26	0
COACH SERVICES LTD, 1A HOWLETT WAY, THETFORD, IP24 1HZ, GB	1	0
10 ANSON ROAD, NORWICH, NR6 6ED, GB	30	0

Plus the existing TMS

Operating centre	Vehicles	Trailers
GARDNER TRAVEL, MAIN ROAD, RETTENDON COMMON, CHELMSFORD, CM3 8DZ, GB	9	0
THE BUS AND COACH HUB, ROBERT WAY, WICKFORD, SS11 8DD, GB	8	0
SWAFFHAM RUGBY CLUB, NORTH PICKENHAM ROAD, SWAFFHAM, PE37 7QX, GB	2	0
21 JUBILEE DRIVE, LOUGHBOROUGH, LE11 5XS, GB	15	0
3 CONDOR COURT, EAGLE BUSINESS PARK, HARRIER WAY, YAXLEY, PETERBOROUGH, PE7 3WL, GB	12	0
Galleon Travel, Start Hill Road, Stansted, CM22 7DW, GB	32	0
6 MAPLE RIVER INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, RIVER WAY, HARLOW, CM20 2DP, GB	20	0

Operating centre	Vehicles	Trailers
NORTH WEALD AIRFIELD, MERLIN WAY, NORTH WEALD, EPPING, CM16 6HR, GB	10	0
START HILL ROAD, STANSTED, CM22 7DW, GB	20	0
6 MAPLE RIVER INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, RIVER WAY, HARLOW, CM20 2DP, GB	25	0

Operating centre	Vehicles	Trailers
ROSWALD HOUSE, OAK DRIVE, DISS, IP22 4GX, GB	50	0

Operating centre	Vehicles	Trailers
UNIT 1, UPPER SAXONDALE BUSINESS PARK, HENSON LANE, CROPWELL BUTLER, NOTTINGHAM, NG12 2LE, GB	10	0

Operating centre	Vehicles	Trailers
THE BUNGALOW, THE OLD DAIRY, MEADOW LANE, LONG EATON, NG10 2FE, GB	12	0

Operating centre	Vehicles	Trailers
267 COGGESHALL ROAD, BRAINTREE, CM7 9EF, GB	16	0
LITTLE STUBLEYS FARM, SUDBURY ROAD, HALSTEAD, CO9 2BB, GB	16	0
14 STATION ROAD, KELVEDON, COLCHESTER, CO5 9NP, GB	9	0