trentbarton discussion

[Mugby]

Trent must regard the Derby - Burton corridor as their territory by right. After Blue Bus sold to the old Derby City Transport the services were eventually swapped with Trent for other routes, I think Trent gave them Melbourne and Swadlincote in exchange for the Burtons.
If I remember correctly, the X38 was a Trent initiative and the only reason Arriva was invited to take part was because they had a depot in Burton which could provide the first early morning departures from that end and perhaps the last evening departures from Derby terminating at Burton. That situation is no longer relevant as all Arriva operations on the X38 were transferred to Derby depot when Burton garage was sold off.

Trent must be regretting involving Arriva now and interesting times lay ahead. From my observations X38 does pretty well throughout the day and Trent may well take on Arriva to get the service back, just like they took on Stagecoach to get the Sunday service on 'The Nines' back - and won!

 

[liamf656]

Trent must be regretting involving Arriva now and interesting times lay ahead. From my observations X38 does pretty well throughout the day and Trent may well take on Arriva to get the service back, just like they took on Stagecoach to get the Sunday service on 'The Nines' back - and won!

RE the Nines, Trent had an advantage by running the daytime service on the Nines, so it would have been fairly easy to win. With the X38, it seems quite difficult who it will work out for until the changes begin, but at the moment Arriva seem to have the advantage of not only a higher frequency but running into Derby Bus Station

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 4 Aug 2024 ==

If I remember correctly, the X38 was a Trent initiative and the only reason Arriva was invited to take part was because they had a depot in Burton which could provide the first early morning departures from that end and perhaps the last evening departures from Derby terminating at Burton. That situation is no longer relevant as all Arriva operations on the X38 were transferred to Derby depot when Burton garage was sold off.

How does Stevensons fit into the history? As they also ran the X38 for a while in the 1980s and 90s, including buses from Derby to Burton, then Lichfield and Birmingham

 

[Robertj21a]

RE the Nines, Trent had an advantage by running the daytime service on the Nines, so it would have been fairly easy to win. With the X38, it seems quite difficult who it will work out for until the changes begin, but at the moment Arriva seem to have the advantage of not only a higher frequency but running into Derby Bus Station

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 4 Aug 2024 ==


How does Stevensons fit into the history? As they also ran the X38 for a while in the 1980s and 90s, including buses from Derby to Burton, then Lichfield and Birmingham

The Trent X38 seems to have suffered from a lack of sufficient buses (as on other TB routes) for rather a long time. Arriva has coped better and looks to have been taking a greater proportion of passengers on their jointly operated route.
When one party seems to be left to sort out the problems of the other operator it's not surprising that they eventually pull out of the joint agreement.
Arriva running the X38 looks to be the best solution for passengers and it would be sensible for Trentbarton to have a careful think of what they can actually still run properly these days. In 2024 it's certainly not the 'Really Good Bus Company'.

 

[Deerfold]

Trent must regard the Derby - Burton corridor as their territory by right. After Blue Bus sold to the old Derby City Transport the services were eventually swapped with Trent for other routes, I think Trent gave them Melbourne and Swadlincote in exchange for the Burtons.
If I remember correctly, the X38 was a Trent initiative and the only reason Arriva was invited to take part was because they had a depot in Burton which could provide the first early morning departures from that end and perhaps the last evening departures from Derby terminating at Burton. That situation is no longer relevant as all Arriva operations on the X38 were transferred to Derby depot when Burton garage was sold off.

Trent must be regretting involving Arriva now and interesting times lay ahead. From my observations X38 does pretty well throughout the day and Trent may well take on Arriva to get the service back, just like they took on Stagecoach to get the Sunday service on 'The Nines' back - and won!

And didn't take them on on the pronto. And withdrew.

There doesn't seem to have been a full report on what Arriva are planning.

Bus provider announces changes to Derby routes

Arriva is making changes to a number of its services in and out of Derby.

www.bbc.co.uk

The X38 Derby to Burton service will now pick up from Derby Bus Station as well as Victoria Street, but passengers will no longer be able to use Trent Barton tickets on board.

There's no mention of frequency changes, but it's clear the partnership between the two companies has broken down.

EDIT:

Arriva say https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/latest-news/changes-to-services-in-derby-aug-24

We're making some important changes to this route based on requests from our customers.

Arriva X38 buses will now run between Derby and Burton every 20 minutes. You'll be able to use the full range of Arriva tickets on every journey, and all journeys will track in real-time in the free Arriva UK Bus App.

In Derby, Arriva X38 buses will now arrive at and depart from Bay 10 at Derby Bus Station, giving better waiting facilities and connections to our Derby local network as well as continuing to pick up at Victoria Street on their way out of the City.

Single fares continue to be capped at £2, with Derby Spectrum and Derbyshire Wayfarer tickets accepted onboard Arriva X38 buses when/where valid. TrentBarton tickets will no longer be valid on Arriva X38.

The timetable linked above shows them running buses from Derby until 2.25 hours later than now Monday-Thursday but no intention to duplicate trentbarton's late services, so their services will end 5.5 hours earlier then trentbarton's current services on a Friday or Saturday night.

 

[Trainman40083]

Stevenson's of Burton was the original joint operator of the X38, which passed to Arriva, initially Burton then to Derby. If I recall from the 1970s, Trentbarton always expected (maybe more hoped) that Blue Bus Willington would sell to them, and there seemed to be horror when Blue Bus sold to Derby Borough Transport. The Melbourne/Swadlincote routes were actually swapped for Spondon /Ilkeston, if I recall, which enabled the Spondon Flyer. I don't recall the route Spondon, Kirk Hallam, Ilkeston being that frequent at the time, with most Ilkeston to Derby passengers using the Felix Stanley service, and to a lesser extent the Trent 120.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Aug 2024 ==

The final new Enviro 200MMC 329, YY24 GZZ in Mango livery, has entered service this morning on route 15 around Ilkeston. Just the six Mickleover buses, a D Mango spares fleet nos 326/327 to enter service now.

 

[Travelmonkey]

It is an Intresting times for Arriva "express" routes upping the war with Buslink to Tamworth & Trentbarton to Derby, as a ENCT holder I'm gonna be spoiled for choice on the X38, I do hope the incoming new mango spares get allocated to it, saw a solo on it recently that poor 11 plate must have been squeeling its way down the bypas,

 

[Trainman40083]

It is an Intresting times for Arriva "express" routes upping the war with Buslink to Tamworth & Trentbarton to Derby, as a ENCT holder I'm gonna be spoiled for choice on the X38, I do hope the incoming new mango spares get allocated to it, saw a solo on it recently that poor 11 plate must have been squeeling its way down the bypas,

Well new Enviro 200MMC fleet number 327 has started it's working life on Mickleover route today, so getting nearer.

 

[Davidsb3]

327 has had its first outing on Comets this afternoon covering for 748 last trip as it suffered tyre issues on the 1530 from Chesterfield

Plus 302 was my stead this morning for the begining part of ym shift today

 

[bringiton]

327 has had its first outing on Comets this afternoon covering for 748 last trip as it suffered tyre issues on the 1530 from Chesterfield

Plus 302 was my stead this morning for the begining part of ym shift today

Its now moved to v3 surprisingly

Lovely photo, was gonna try to get on some more of the villagers today but got caught up on other routes.

 

[joieman]

327 has had its first outing on Comets this afternoon covering for 748 last trip as it suffered tyre issues on the 1530 from Chesterfield

Plus 302 was my stead this morning for the begining part of ym shift today

Looks like they've brought back the illuminated front logos.

 

[43055]

327 has had its first outing on Comets this afternoon covering for 748 last trip as it suffered tyre issues on the 1530 from Chesterfield

Plus 302 was my stead this morning for the begining part of ym shift today

Probably the best time to be on the villager! Looks like Burton was a car park this afternoon. Thankfully I got a free trip out of this on 301 with the new announcements and screen working. To me the announcements seemed quiet with the engine noise and the screen doesn't seem to go onto the next stop all the time, i.e., sometimes it would do every other stop.

Looks like they've brought back the illuminated front logos.

Yes this have light up front logos. They almost blend into the yellow panel in the day.

 

[tram21]

To me the announcements seemed quiet with the engine noise

Who did the announcements? Is it the same as the Indigo/ i4 ones or like the Skylink ones?

 

[Trainman40083]

327 has had its first outing on Comets this afternoon covering for 748 last trip as it suffered tyre issues on the 1530 from Chesterfield

Plus 302 was my stead this morning for the begining part of ym shift today

I did notice that 748 had a rest at Shirland. Earlier I noticed Solo 492 broken down at the end of Duffield Broadway (6.2). Then 483 on the V3 at Littleover. Later I heard Mickleover Enviro 200 fleet number 102 had several visits to A garage at Derby. Maybe they did not like the weather. As one Trentbarton driver once said to me. "I always go to the loo before a trip. I never know when I'll get the chance again"

 

[denton]

Its now moved to v3 surprisingly

Lovely photo, was gonna try to get on some more of the villagers today but got caught up on other routes.

Its now moved to v3 surprisingly

Lovely photo, was gonna try to get on some more of the villagers today but got caught up on other routes.

I bet the passengers could not believe their eyes when 327 turned up. They are normally fed a diet of Solos on the Cinderella route that is the v3.

 

[Davidsb3]

Probably the best time to be on the villager! Looks like Burton was a car park this afternoon. Thankfully I got a free trip out of this on 301 with the new announcements and screen working. To me the announcements seemed quiet with the engine noise and the screen doesn't seem to go onto the next stop all the time, i.e., sometimes it would do every other stop.

Yes this have light up front logos. They almost blend into the yellow panel in the day.

I always prefer doing the morning shifts on the villager route as it seems to always go a bit better than the evening shifts! But always prefer not doing any shifts that involve going to Burton at the moment due to the constant road works!

I did notice that 748 had a rest at Shirland. Earlier I noticed Solo 492 broken down at the end of Duffield Broadway (6.2). Then 483 on the V3 at Littleover. Later I heard Mickleover Enviro 200 fleet number 102 had several visits to A garage at Derby. Maybe they did not like the weather. As one Trentbarton driver once said to me. "I always go to the loo before a trip. I never know when I'll get the chance again"

483 had grinding brakes and 471 snapped its alternator belt as well, so having 327 in the evening brought some kind of reliability .

Who did the announcements? Is it the same as the Indigo/ i4 ones or like the Skylink ones?

The announcements for Derby based buses (E.g villagers, Mickleover etc) is done by one of our Lead drivers. But other routes based at different depots will use people from that depot.

 

[Trainman40083]

I always prefer doing the morning shifts on the villager route as it seems to always go a bit better than the evening shifts! But always prefer not doing any shifts that involve going to Burton at the moment due to the constant road works!

483 had grinding brakes and 471 snapped its alternator belt as well, so having 327 in the evening brought some kind of reliability .

The announcements for Derby based buses (E.g villagers, Mickleover etc) is done by one of our Lead drivers. But other routes based at different depots will use people from that depot.

Looks like "Old squeaky" Enviro 200MMC 101 may have given up at the Royal Hospital this morning too.

 

[denton]

Looks like "Old squeaky" Enviro 200MMC 101 may have given up at the Royal Hospital this morning too.

When will trent barton stop using the optare solos ,they are really poor and let the company down. They are on their last legs.

 

[YX73OUB]

The announcements are done by local volunteers from each depot, to give a local feel to it.

The illuminated front logos were present on the entire batch for Sutton last year.

Regarding the Solos it's amazing how popular they are with some, equally unpopular with others. Supposed it's like anything, down to individual tastes.

The Solos have certainly been good workhorses for Wellglade over the years.

 

[MCR247]

The announcements are done by local volunteers from each depot, to give a local feel to it.

The illuminated front logos were present on the entire batch for Sutton last year.

Regarding the Solos it's amazing how popular they are with some, equally unpopular with others. Supposed it's like anything, down to individual tastes.

The Solos have certainly been good workhorses for Wellglade over the years.

The older Solos were great, but the newer ones and the SRs never seemed to have that ‘oomph’ in the same way. Same with the Merc engines Versas. Personally, they should’ve switched to Cummins a lot sooner

 

[Robertj21a]

When will trent barton stop using the optare solos ,they are really poor and let the company down. They are on their last legs.

They haven't had enough buses, of any type, at times recently. It's only the new deliveries that have eased their situation.
How many buses have been withdrawn versus the new ones in service ?

 

[Trainman40083]

The announcements are done by local volunteers from each depot, to give a local feel to it.

The illuminated front logos were present on the entire batch for Sutton last year.

Regarding the Solos it's amazing how popular they are with some, equally unpopular with others. Supposed it's like anything, down to individual tastes.

The Solos have certainly been good workhorses for Wellglade over the years.

I have to say that personally, I find the Solos preferable to the smaller Enviro 200MMCs. Seems to be less rattles, more air circulation through deeper windows etc.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 Aug 2024 ==

I mentioned "old squeaky" earlier today. In this picture we have that bus, fleet number 101 to the right receiving attention from a fitter. To the left we have 314, the first of the batch that will replace them The new buses show a darker pink than the old. My picture, over the fence

 

[YX73OUB]

The older Solos were great, but the newer ones and the SRs never seemed to have that ‘oomph’ in the same way. Same with the Merc engines Versas. Personally, they should’ve switched to Cummins a lot sooner

Again it's down to personal preference I suppose but my memories of the older Solos and attempting to climb George's Hill in Calverton and Glapwell Hill with a full load are still vivid!

 

[Davidsb3]

Regarding the X38 situation

As of the 31st of August we are going every 15 mins.

 

[joieman]

Regarding the X38 situation

As of the 31st of August we are going every 15 mins and the starting point will move to Corporation Street but the stop at Victoria Street will be staying. It will also be running later and starting earlier and also remaining the current limited stop unlike arriva adding more.

The extra PVR will be covered by recently displaced B7s (X3) but that's only temporary. There future plans to rebrand and refurb.

Looks like a looming bus war!

 

[Trainman40083]

Regarding the X38 situation

As of the 31st of August we are going every 15 mins and the starting point will move to Corporation Street but the stop at Victoria Street will be staying. It will also be running later and starting earlier and also remaining the current limited stop unlike arriva adding more.

The extra PVR will be covered by recently displaced B7s (X3) but that's only temporary. There future plans to rebrand and refurb.

A problem for the X38 has always been, it goes from the far side of Derby. For many people, it is too far to walk and they use other, easier to access modes

 

[Andy Pacer]

A problem for the X38 has always been, it goes from the far side of Derby. For many people, it is too far to walk and they use other, easier to access modes

Arriva from the bus station will give better connectivity. Not sure what the extra Arriva stops are that are mentioned in a previous post.

 

[Trainman40083]

Arriva from the bus station will give better connectivity. Not sure what the extra Arriva stops are that are mentioned in a previous post.

Some years ago, I went to catch the bus from outside the Royal Hospital in Derby, to come back into the City Centre...I had some news that I did not expect to hear, which was bad... The display at the bus stop kept changing but no bus of any type appeared.. Big gap in the Mickleover. My ideal was a bus that would stop in Osnabruck Square right in front of the Allestree bus. A Trentbarton X38 turned up and I flagged it down. The lady driver clearly didn't want to stop. She came out with "we don't pick up here, it is a premium fare" I just replied "I really don't care, I just want a bus. Anyway I've maxed out on my Mango card". I really didn't care. A bus on the move was of more value than a higher fare. I don't know what the view is of travel between Derby and the Royal; whether it is discouraged. The good news is, that kind of interaction has never ever happened again in 5 years. I now get a taxi, door to door.

 

[liamf656]

Regarding the X38 situation

As of the 31st of August we are going every 15 mins and the starting point will move to Corporation Street but the stop at Victoria Street will be staying. It will also be running later and starting earlier and also remaining the current limited stop unlike arriva adding more.

The extra PVR will be covered by recently displaced B7s (X3) but that's only temporary. There future plans to rebrand and refurb.

Is there a source for this?

 

[zakky1.0]

Is there a source for this?

It’s been posted on Blink (internal social media) so will just have to wait for the official announcement from Trent.

 

[Trainman40083]

Sixes Versa 841 looks to have been rebuilt and came back into service yesterday (Friday).

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Aug 2024 ==

It’s been posted on Blink (internal social media) so will just have to wait for the official announcement from Trent.

Blink? Sounds like if you blink, some miss it .