Transdev Blazefield

[GusB]

Relatively nonsensical and unnecessary re-registrations.

Looking forward to seeing one on the road though, it's always hard to picture what they'll actually look like going off unbranded base liveries and teaser shots.

Why nonsensical? If you're doing a rebranding exercise and the budget allows for cherished plates, why not?

 

[158756]

Why nonsensical? If you're doing a rebranding exercise and the budget allows for cherished plates, why not?

Do the plates impact the rebranding at all? I very much doubt TDV means anything to most passengers, and whilst the buses aren't new they're surely not old enough to need to hide it.

 

[GusB]

Do the plates impact the rebranding at all? I very much doubt TDV means anything to most passengers, and whilst the buses aren't new they're surely not old enough to need to hide it.

Do people really not notice? Surely the whole point of obtaining cherished number plates is that people do actually notice. Why does Alan Sugar have AMS1, for example?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Do people really not notice? Surely the whole point of obtaining cherished number plates is that people do actually notice. Why does Alan Sugar have AMS1, for example?

It's an argument that's as old as the hills. Many coach firms put cherished plates on brand new vehicles, not just to disguise the age of old ones.

Is there a demonstrable, tangible benefit? Probably not. Does it stop thousands of people putting cherished plates on their cars? No. Does it cost much money? No

 

[Tetchytyke]

Why does Alan Sugar have AMS1, for example?

Vanity.

I don't see the point of cherished plates, but they're not expensive so it's no big deal.

 

[RustySpoons]

Why nonsensical? If you're doing a rebranding exercise and the budget allows for cherished plates, why not?

They aren't consecutive matching the fleet numbers, if that makes sense? Plus only one of them is a 'Y' plate, the rest 'T'.

Agree with you, if the budget allows then fair enough. On their own the plates may not be that much but when you add them all up I feel it's money that could be best spent elsewhere at the moment. Just my opinion!

It's a weird one though, the people who're more likely to realise what the plate signifies will already know it's a Transdev bus, even without 'TDV' on the plate. People who are none the wiser will still be none the wiser.

 

[northern506]

Going back to the ticketing on Flyer - just had a look at the ticketing and noticed something strange - it's cheaper to go from Harrogate to Leeds on the Flyer buses, on the A2 from Harrogate to the Airport, then A1 from the Airport to Leeds.

Would only be £24 a week if done this way, compared to £38 a week on the 36. Would probably take at least a half an hour longer, but something worth noting.

 

[Redmike]

I noticed on the WYIS fleetlist that B10BLEs 1014 and 1096 are to be painted into Blackburn Bus Company livery. These buses must be indestructible and they certainly are as comfortable to travel on as any other bus.

 

[RustySpoons]

Going back to the ticketing on Flyer - just had a look at the ticketing and noticed something strange - it's cheaper to go from Harrogate to Leeds on the Flyer buses, on the A2 from Harrogate to the Airport, then A1 from Harrogate to Leeds.

Would only be £24 a week if done this way, compared to £38 a week on the 36. Would probably take at least a half an hour longer, but something worth noting.

I wonder how many little anomalies there are like this, where different fare deals for different brands within the same company work out cheaper? That's still quite a substantial saving that may be useful to some people.

There was a weird one in Burnley up until a few years ago, where the direct bus between Nelson and Burnley was more expensive than a local service that ran round the houses a bit, but still only took an extra 5-10 minutes. That was only a 10p saving on a single fare though!

I noticed on the WYIS fleetlist that B10BLEs 1014 and 1096 are to be painted into Blackburn Bus Company livery. These buses must be indestructible and they certainly are as comfortable to travel on as any other bus.

Great news! Long live the B10!

 

[Andyh82]

They aren't consecutive matching the fleet numbers, if that makes sense? Plus only one of them is a 'Y' plate, the rest 'T'.

Agree with you, if the budget allows then fair enough. On their own the plates may not be that much but when you add them all up I feel it's money that could be best spent elsewhere at the moment. Just my opinion!

It's a weird one though, the people who're more likely to realise what the plate signifies will already know it's a Transdev bus, even without 'TDV' on the plate. People who are none the wiser will still be none the wiser.

The Wyis fleetlist lists all the flyer buses as Y plate

 

[northern506]

I wonder how many little anomalies there are like this, where different fare deals for different brands within the same company work out cheaper? That's still quite a substantial saving that may be useful to some people.

There was a weird one in Burnley up until a few years ago, where the direct bus between Nelson and Burnley was more expensive than a local service that ran round the houses a bit, but still only took an extra 5-10 minutes. That was only a 10p saving on a single fare though!



Great news! Long live the B10!

I think if I was travelling between Harrogate and Leeds, and the connections worked out okay I'd definitely be willing to do that for the £14 saving.

From Ramsbottom-Manchester on the Red Express from what I remember the GM Saver day ticket is cheaper than the single fare - not exactly the same thing, but definitely an anomaly.

 

[Deerfold]

I think if I was travelling between Harrogate and Leeds, and the connections worked out okay I'd definitely be willing to do that for the £14 saving.

From Ramsbottom-Manchester on the Red Express from what I remember the GM Saver day ticket is cheaper than the single fare - not exactly the same thing, but definitely an anomaly.

I doubt many will - as well as the longer journey time there's only one an hour to/from Harrogate compared with 4-6 an hour on the 36 during the day. And of course that £38 ticket allows you to travel via the Airport too.

 

[SCH117X]

The WYIS fleetlist is on the ball -
238 Y8TDV
239 T9TDV
241 T11TDV
242 to 277 T2TDV to T7TDV
278 T18TDV

Make those T regs Y regs

 

[Roilshead]

I doubt many will - as well as the longer journey time there's only one an hour to/from Harrogate compared with 4-6 an hour on the 36 during the day.

That's a possible 19min wait at LBA towards Leeds and a possible 59min wait at LBA towards Harrogate (I haven't checked times) . . . those shelters at LBA can feel quite exposed/cold in winter as the rain/snow/fog blows in over The Chevin - I'd be inclined to retreat into the terminal building, but I don't think you can do that at the present time as there seems to be a Covid-19 screening tent erected in front, so that only those travelling can actually enter the terminal.

 

[cnjb8]

Why nonsensical? If you're doing a rebranding exercise and the budget allows for cherished plates, why not?

They aren't consecutive matching the fleet numbers, if that makes sense? Plus only one of them is a 'Y' plate, the rest 'T'.

Agree with you, if the budget allows then fair enough. On their own the plates may not be that much but when you add them all up I feel it's money that could be best spent elsewhere at the moment. Just my opinion!

It's a weird one though, the people who're more likely to realise what the plate signifies will already know it's a Transdev bus, even without 'TDV' on the plate. People who are none the wiser will still be none the wiser.

Because the vehicles are under five years old so don't need to hide their age. Why are they spending money on unnecessary cherished plates when Alex Hornby says passenger numbers are down 30% (probably got the percentage wrong but I think it was that)

 

[Andyh82]

I’ve just had a look and plates like this cost £166 each, which for a business is petty cash

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Because the vehicles are under five years old so don't need to hide their age. Why are they spending money on unnecessary cherished plates when Alex Hornby says passenger numbers are down 30% (probably got the percentage wrong but I think it was that)

Many coach firms but private plates on brand new kit; didn’t Stagecoach put similar on their brand new Oxford Tube coaches and Oxford bus put OXF plates on brand new coaches and nearly their entire bus fleet?

It’s a minimal cost (for arguably a minimal benefit) -certainly not material in terms of profit or loss esp on a new contract

 

[cnjb8]

Many coach firms but private plates on brand new kit; didn’t Stagecoach put similar on their brand new Oxford Tube coaches and Oxford bus put OXF plates on brand new coaches and nearly their entire bus fleet?

It’s a minimal cost (for arguably a minimal benefit) -certainly not material in terms of profit or loss esp on a new contract

But those weren't registered like that when there was a pandemic and a sudden income shortage. Yes Blazefield can rely on the deep pockets of Transdev, but I think that money could be put to better use.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

But those weren't registered like that when there was a pandemic and a sudden income shortage. Yes Blazefield can rely on the deep pockets of Transdev, but I think that money could be put to better use.

The sum involved is less than £1000 - in the cosmic scheme of things, it’s nothing.

 

[CBlue]

Considering that a repaint alone can cost upwards of £1k, personalised licence plates are a drop in the ocean

 

[RustySpoons]

Another thing to bear in mind regarding the plates is that the costings for the airport services will have more than likely been worked out pre-covid, so the potential refurb costs (including number plates) will have been worked out prior to putting in their bid/tender and in the grand scheme of things (am I right in thinking they've got the services for at least 5 years) the cost will be minimal.

Whilst it may add a couple of thousand pounds onto a refurb project, spread that cost over the expected life cycle of the brand and it doesn't work out that expensive. The 'TDV' plates could be stuck on any bus in the future too, not just tied to one specific brand. The MancZap plates on the other hand can't really be used again as they wouldn't 'work' on any other route/brand.

It's not something I would do, I'd put the money towards advertising the actual service, something a number plate can't do, but that's just me!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

It's not something I would do, I'd put the money towards advertising the actual service, something a number plate can't do, but that's just me!

Indeed. I don't see the need for private plates on vehicles but it's a personal choice.

Perhaps it's a decision to hide the fact that rather than brand new vehicles, they've had a couple of years bouncing around the Pennines?

 

[philthetube]

Back to fares, it used to be possible, though frowned upon, to buy a ticket from Barnoldswick to the stone trough, Kelbrook and get off at Earby, which was higher fare.This was frowned on by drivers.

I have no idea if this is still possible as local fares are not available of the Transdev app, though the route still runs.

I wonder if you are within the law short tripping on a bus and also if Transdev could do anything to prevent it, other than put up the fare.

 

[duncombec]

Indeed. I don't see the need for private plates on vehicles but it's a personal choice.

Perhaps it's a decision to hide the fact that rather than brand new vehicles, they've had a couple of years bouncing around the Pennines?

Indeed, there are any manner of possibilities. One that entered my mind was perhaps a variant (or otherwise lower) tender bid on the basis of not using new vehicles, but well-refurbished, age-disguised vehicles.

 

[Deerfold]

Aren't Transdev are still getting new vehicles for this service, with these being a temporary measure?

 

[RustySpoons]

Aren't Transdev are still getting new vehicles for this service, with these being a temporary measure?

I'm not sure. The original Tweet from AH when it was announced they had won the tender was along the lines of 'investment in a new fleet will follow'.

It's quite ambiguous really. Considering Transdev were going to bring their own vehicles in that could be considered a new fleet, as it's a different fleet than is running at the moment.

I did think there'd be a possibility that the Versas would be a temporary measure until a brand new fleet was acquired, then they'd head over to Lancashire to see off the remaining B10s, although as time goes on I'm starting to think the Versas will be around for a while yet.

 

[Andyh82]

Aren't Transdev are still getting new vehicles for this service, with these being a temporary measure?

I doubt it. It’s far too much effort for a temporary measure

There was a vague tweet when they won the contract, but I’m sure that was either before or very early in the lockdown, so if there was a suggestion there would be new buses I doubt there will be now.

We’ve already got the situation of Transdev ramping up how great the new services will be for heading to the airport at a time when there is no bugger going!

 

[Ashly_Jethro]

I noticed on the WYIS fleetlist that B10BLEs 1014 and 1096 are to be painted into Blackburn Bus Company livery. These buses must be indestructible and they certainly are as comfortable to travel on as any other bus.

Those two were there only ones that didn’t have a proper mid-life refurb, still using the original seating and flip-dot side and rear boards etc. So they’re definitely due an overhaul.

 

[Bantamzen]

Only just stumbled across this thread & realised that my local service (737) is being taken over by Transdev & being rebranded as the A3. I am kind of hoping if they make a good job of it that they expand services along similar routes, it was only a decade or so ago when we had up to 6 buses an hour running along Otley Toad out of Shipley, now we have just the one.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Only just stumbled across this thread & realised that my local service (737) is being taken over by Transdev & being rebranded as the A3. I am kind of hoping if they make a good job of it that they expand services along similar routes, it was only a decade or so ago when we had up to 6 buses an hour running along Otley Toad out of Shipley, now we have just the one.

Did they used to leapfrog each other......?