Wellglade Group

[ceo of 741]

I often forget about the Harlequin too. Doesn't help that it's city centre terminus is some random back Street in an area of the city centre that I seldom visit. I have never seen a Harlequin bus in my life!

Same here

 

[43055]

Better still, remove harlequin entirely and increase the V3's frequency to half-hourly!

But then Derby to Littleover and Heatherton goes from 4 per hour to 2! The Harlequin is reasonably well used from when I have been on it.

Might as well get Notts and Derby to run the Harlequin. Probably doesn't help it going from Gower Street, which is a bit out of the way. I'm sure I saw a broken down 493 in the garage last week, and I seriously doubt there are any other spare buses.

It maybe out of the way compared to other routes but it is still close to Intu and other shops and normally you do end up stopping at the Aldi stop on Burton road as well.

 

[YX73OUB]

Unless theres an onslaught of new buses coming soon i’d doubt that many of the b7rles are going anywhere yet - it sounds like n&d will benefit from at least some of the 14 plate versas when they’re displaced from sixes and ex threes versas seem to be destined for trainers. Although some of the more problematic b7rle routes are showing their age definitely, comet and swift don’t seem to hold up too well. I’m surprised the skylink express and X38 don’t suffer more with their types of mileage

Nines could probably do with an upgrade but i’m not sure where those 4pot E200s would suit either, maybe my15?

No plans to replace the nines at all.

 

[derbybusdepot]

The bigger question is why do Trent not use notts and derby buses during the day when they are so short of buses? Surely that would be better than missing services out? They used to do this alot years ago, but seems very rare now for some reason - however it has still happened on the odd occasion which seems strange. Maybe double figures is the threshold.

Buses not running damages their reputation and potentially the viability of the services if it results in fewer people using them. I doubt many use the 6.2 now? It also increases complaints that have to be dealt with, from individuals and councils etc as well as taxi refunds.

Part of the problem seems to be all the funding, which has meant Derby needs to operate more buses, which they are not capable of at the moment. 2 extra on mickleover, 2 on swift and 1 on allestree. This has added to the problem of them being too overstretched. What is the point in funding a bus service that doesn't run half the time, or results in other service being cancelled?

 

[callum3490]

The bigger question is why do Trent not use notts and derby buses during the day when they are so short of buses? Surely that would be better than missing services out? They used to do this alot years ago, but seems very rare now for some reason - however it has still happened on the odd occasion which seems strange. Maybe double figures is the threshold.

Buses not running damages their reputation and potentially the viability of the services if it results in fewer people using them. I doubt many use the 6.2 now? It also increases complaints that have to be dealt with, from individuals and councils etc as well as taxi refunds.

Part of the problem seems to be all the funding, which has meant Derby needs to operate more buses, which they are not capable of at the moment. 2 extra on mickleover, 2 on swift and 1 on allestree. This has added to the problem of them being too overstretched. What is the point in funding a bus service that doesn't run half the time, or results in other service being cancelled?

They have been known to loan some but it may just well be that n&d or even tm can’t spare vehicles either

I think the general issue is that there are not enough spares to fulfil demand especially when you consider there are still routes like cotgrave, swift and my15 a branded vehicle down due to fires. Plus a lot of the less profitable routes are running on much older buses which are massively showing their age putting strain on the number of spares.

Couple that with the fact that a lot of trents routes run late into the evening/24hrs the higher mileage will demand more regular servicing taking vehicles off the road a day or so at a time - its just one big vicious circle

 

[derbybusdepot]

They have been known to loan some but it may just well be that n&d or even tm can’t spare vehicles either

I think the general issue is that there are not enough spares to fulfil demand especially when you consider there are still routes like cotgrave, swift and my15 a branded vehicle down due to fires. Plus a lot of the less profitable routes are running on much older buses which are massively showing their age putting strain on the number of spares.

Couple that with the fact that a lot of trents routes run late into the evening/24hrs the higher mileage will demand more regular servicing taking vehicles off the road a day or so at a time - its just one big vicious circle

Fully agree with that as a reason, but it is predictable and not an excuse for not running services.

They are geared up for running a fairly new fleet,and there was a gap of investment during covid leading to them having an older fleet than they are used to.

If they need more spare buses at Derby, they should get them. If you consistently fail to run registered services, or address the reason why you cannot run them, then you're not running a bus company properly.

 

[Mr TrainGuy]

If they need more spare buses at Derby, they should get them. If you consistently fail to run registered services, or address the reason why you cannot run them, then you're not running a bus company properly.

Your problem here is, Langley Mill are only allowed to allocate a certain number of spares to one depot last I heard, and with sixes taking a lot of them up a lot of the time, unfortuanately other routes have to suffer the consequences. Maybe with the Versas being replaced, more spares will be freed up, meaning services are able to run more reliably. After the red arrow got new coaches, a lot of the issues disappeared on that, so maybe by replacing the sixes buses, this will happen again and can be able to focus their spares more on where they need them.

 

[derbybusdepot]

Your problem here is, Langley Mill are only allowed to allocate a certain number of spares to one depot last I heard, and with sixes taking a lot of them up a lot of the time, unfortuanately other routes have to suffer the consequences. Maybe with the Versas being replaced, more spares will be freed up, meaning services are able to run more reliably. After the red arrow got new coaches, a lot of the issues disappeared on that, so maybe by replacing the sixes buses, this will happen again and can be able to focus their spares more on where they need them.

Yes that is the problem, what is a sufficient number of spares on paper, doesn't match the reality. However when such a large amount of services are being dropped, surely something should be done even as a short term measure?

Making sure you have enough vehicles to run your services is part and parcel of running a bus company. Yes you get the odd breakdown, but you shouldn't be short of available vehicles for days on end.

 

[Trainman40083]

No plans to replace the nines at all.

The Nines Enviro 200MMCs have years of life left in them. Often see them parked at the side of the road at Little Kilburn awaiting recovery. I'd suggest all the Volvos, Solos and Versas would be replaced before the Nines

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Oct 2025 ==

Yes that is the problem, what is a sufficient number of spares on paper, doesn't match the reality. However when such a large amount of services are being dropped, surely something should be done even as a short term measure?

Making sure you have enough vehicles to run your services is part and parcel of running a bus company. Yes you get the odd breakdown, but you shouldn't be short of available vehicles for days on end.

But haven't they been saying they are short of buses since COVID? Over 5 years. That might suggest they can't afford spare buses. After all, bung the odd person who complains, a taxi refund. Argue the DD claim on the basis the bus might have run 40 minutes late, and they could have caught another bus. Even track your bus on Hugo so you might find one that is running. Anyway, you could also say they are not short of buses if you can over bus the X38, maybe even other routes. After all, that could have been a red spare. No joke, where I live, no-one actually expects a bus to turn up anymore, so makes alternative arrangements. You never know, someone might give Trentbarton a subsidy to run services they ran down.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Oct 2025 ==

The bigger question is why do Trent not use notts and derby buses during the day when they are so short of buses? Surely that would be better than missing services out? They used to do this alot years ago, but seems very rare now for some reason - however it has still happened on the odd occasion which seems strange. Maybe double figures is the threshold.

Buses not running damages their reputation and potentially the viability of the services if it results in fewer people using them. I doubt many use the 6.2 now? It also increases complaints that have to be dealt with, from individuals and councils etc as well as taxi refunds.

Part of the problem seems to be all the funding, which has meant Derby needs to operate more buses, which they are not capable of at the moment. 2 extra on mickleover, 2 on swift and 1 on allestree. This has added to the problem of them being too overstretched. What is the point in funding a bus service that doesn't run half the time, or results in other service being cancelled?

I was talking to a friend who lives on the edge of Mickleover about their route. They took have noticed far more people walking, especially older people who would travel free. When they asked them, they got the reply "I'm not waiting in the cold for a bus". It certainly is not unusual for 6 or 7 buses to be on that route.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Oct 2025 ==

Your problem here is, Langley Mill are only allowed to allocate a certain number of spares to one depot last I heard, and with sixes taking a lot of them up a lot of the time, unfortuanately other routes have to suffer the consequences. Maybe with the Versas being replaced, more spares will be freed up, meaning services are able to run more reliably. After the red arrow got new coaches, a lot of the issues disappeared on that, so maybe by replacing the sixes buses, this will happen again and can be able to focus their spares more on where they need them.

At one time, a figure of 10% spares was the norm, and I suspect Arriva actually regularly achieve that. Trentbarton might be nearer 20% and that does have serious cost implications. Over at Nottingham, there are at least two routes where an extra bus is added in before 10.00 and after saying 15.00, which may well allow for swap over for maintenance. You walk past Meadow Road or through the bus station, you do not see spare buses, more a queue of buses needing checking for faults.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Oct 2025 ==

I often forget about the Harlequin too. Doesn't help that it's city centre terminus is some random back Street in an area of the city centre that I seldom visit. I have never seen a Harlequin bus in my life!

I often see a Harlequin Solo when I am walk-up Traffic Street.. Heading off to the depot

 

[mainframe444]

Today….

No 6.2 before 10am.

4 buses instead of 5 on the Swift.

1 bus instead of 2 on the Harlequin

Another great day for The Really Good Bus Company.

Not.


M

 

[Omnidekkalover]

Better than yesterday to be fair.

Still doesn’t excuse some of the cancellations for a company that brands itself as the really good bus company.

 

[mainframe444]

Better than yesterday to be fair.

Still doesn’t excuse some of the cancellations for a company that brands itself as the really good bus company.

This is only a quick look at three routes, there may be others.

Seems they never manage a full daily service on all routes on a regular basis.

M

 

[bringiton]

Today….

No 6.2 before 10am.

4 buses instead of 5 on the Swift.

1 bus instead of 2 on the Harlequin

Another great day for The Really Good Bus Company.

Not.


M

Sixes are now full service, 495's been brought in to help on 6.2's. Then swift and HQ are down 1 bus each so derby is only missing 2 busses which ain't too bad now

735's transferred back to kinchbus, on the campus shuttle today

 

[Trainman40083]

Sixes are now full service, 495's been brought in to help on 6.2's. Then swift and HQ are down 1 bus each so derby is only missing 2 busses which ain't too bad now

735's transferred back to kinchbus, on the campus shuttle today

Looks like 495 may have been off for about two months.

 

[SSmith2009]

Sooner the volvos are released off the two the better it would seem.

it would be more logical to only send about 6 for refurbishment, utilising the others as floating de-branded spares for Derby (to help maintain services), then as one returns from refurbishment, one of the de-branded volvos goes for its refurbishment, this would also release a versa off the sixes to become a spare bus.

 

[Trainman40083]

Sooner the volvos are released off the two the better it would seem.

it would be more logical to only send about 6 for refurbishment, utilising the others as floating de-branded spares for Derby (to help maintain services), then as one returns from refurbishment, one of the de-branded volvos goes for its refurbishment, this would also release a versa off the sixes to become a spare bus.

Reminds me when earlier Volvos came off the TWOS and exactly that happened. Yellow buses on the Comet. I'm just helping out. But I expect them to just be parked up for weeks instead. I wonder when the Enviro 200MMCs will appear on the Twos. No doubt all at once.

 

[callum3490]

Your problem here is, Langley Mill are only allowed to allocate a certain number of spares to one depot last I heard, and with sixes taking a lot of them up a lot of the time, unfortuanately other routes have to suffer the consequences. Maybe with the Versas being replaced, more spares will be freed up, meaning services are able to run more reliably. After the red arrow got new coaches, a lot of the issues disappeared on that, so maybe by replacing the sixes buses, this will happen again and can be able to focus their spares more on where they need them.

I wouldn’t hang my hopes up too high on that, the red arrow replaced 9.5 year old vehicles with brand new plus a dedicated branded spare and another spare shared between it and flix duties.

The sixes are going to be replaced with circa 10 year old buses, any vehicle at that age and mileage is going to come with issues sooner rather than later (vs brand new anyway) - the b8s might be better suited to sixes than the versas but it’s still a demanding route that will take its toll on vehicles of any age

The versas probably werent as unreliable as what they are now when they were first cascaded onto sixes

 

[Trainman40083]

I wouldn’t hang my hopes up too high on that, the red arrow replaced 9.5 year old vehicles with brand new plus a dedicated branded spare and another spare shared between it and flix duties.

The sixes are going to be replaced with circa 10 year old buses, any vehicle at that age and mileage is going to come with issues sooner rather than later (vs brand new anyway) - the b8s might be better suited to sixes than the versas but it’s still a demanding route that will take its toll on vehicles of any age

The versas probably werent as unreliable as what they are now when they were first cascaded onto sixes

And we thought the Versas on the Sixes were better than the earlier batches.. They certainly shifted on Rapid One (albeit 850/851 now Mango spares).

 

[YX73OUB]

And we thought the Versas on the Sixes were better than the earlier batches.. They certainly shifted on Rapid One (albeit 850/851 now Mango spares).

They are a vast improvement on their Mercedes Benz engined counterparts trust me.

 

[Trainman40083]

They are a vast improvement on their Mercedes Benz engined counterparts trust me.

I can see why operators didn't go for the MAN engined versions.

 

[derbybusdepot]

They are a vast improvement on their Mercedes Benz engined counterparts trust me.

Are the mango spare versas at Sutton quite reliable?

 

[Trainman40083]

Are the mango spare versas at Sutton quite reliable?

I'm sure they are always available to replace an Enviro 200MMC at short notice. But are the Enviro 200MMCs quite reliable? I guess more so than the Versas they replaced etc

 

[YX73OUB]

Are the mango spare versas at Sutton quite reliable?

2 out of the 4 off today but on the whole very much so.

They regularly end up on long bus boards (all 3 of the 90 boards are 12 hours, one being 15 hours) and they'll often be used at night.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Oct 2025 ==

I'm sure they are always available to replace an Enviro 200MMC at short notice. But are the Enviro 200MMCs quite reliable? I guess more so than the Versas they replaced etc

The nines are going through engine campaigns at the moment but have worked hard - the route has gone from strength to strength since the solos were replaced as I have mentioned on here several times.

The 6 pots on the threes have indeed been very reliable on what is a very difficult route indeed, main reasons for them being off has been warranty based roof repairs, body damage and software issues.

Having said all that I was very, very, very much a fan of the 3 B8s and couldn't volunteer quick enough to pick them up when they were ready and often had the pleasure of them - out of choice.

 

[Trainman40083]

2 out of the 4 off today but on the whole very much so.

They regularly end up on long bus boards (all 3 of the 90 boards are 12 hours, one being 15 hours) and they'll often be used at night.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Oct 2025 ==


The nines are going through engine campaigns at the moment but have worked hard - the route has gone from strength to strength since the solos were replaced as I have mentioned on here several times.

The 6 pots on the threes have indeed been very reliable on what is a very difficult route indeed, main reasons for them being off has been warranty based roof repairs, body damage and software issues.

Having said all that I was very, very, very much a fan of the 3 B8s and couldn't volunteer quick enough to pick them up when they were ready and often had the pleasure of them - out of choice.

Now, if I recall. And it is 10 years ago. At least one of the Twos Volvos arrived with a local F* 65 plate, but changed to a Birmingham (Volvo issued). plate before they entered service.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Oct 2025 ==

2 out of the 4 off today but on the whole very much so.

They regularly end up on long bus boards (all 3 of the 90 boards are 12 hours, one being 15 hours) and they'll often be used at night.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Oct 2025 ==


The nines are going through engine campaigns at the moment but have worked hard - the route has gone from strength to strength since the solos were replaced as I have mentioned on here several times.

The 6 pots on the threes have indeed been very reliable on what is a very difficult route indeed, main reasons for them being off has been warranty based roof repairs, body damage and software issues.

Having said all that I was very, very, very much a fan of the 3 B8s and couldn't volunteer quick enough to pick them up when they were ready and often had the pleasure of them - out of choice.

Roof repairs? Reminds me of the Tempo SRs. Trouble is, all these warranty repairs are an avoidable cost by ADL. Right first time, every time.

 

[YX73OUB]

Now, if I recall. And it is 10 years ago. At least one of the Twos Volvos arrived with a local F* 65 plate, but changed to a Birmingham (Volvo issued). plate before they entered service.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Oct 2025 ==


Roof repairs? Reminds me of the Tempo SRs. Trouble is, all these warranty repairs are an avoidable cost by ADL. Right first time, every time.

As were the software issues with the interior lights... the left turn steering lock is a problem too and to be pedantic steering wheels arriving some with the new ADL logo and some with the old one.. but yes, still a dramatic improvement on what they replaced & the need for them was desperate to say the least.

It has been great watching the service grow as a result.

 

[Volvo142]

Looks like 495 may have been off for about two months.

And it was off again after only a couple of trips....

 

[ceo of 741]

It looks like 146 is doing its first ever trip in the i4 to derby I’m loving the new livery

 

[Trainman40083]

And it was off again after only a couple of trips....

The Sixes Versa didn't last much longer

 

[ceo of 741]

The Sixes Versa didn't last much longer

That’s versas for you broke down and plastic pieces of poo held together with sweat blood and glue

 

[Trainman40083]

That’s versas for you broke down and plastic pieces of poo held together with sweat blood and glue

Well, this Versa clearly lost interest, earlier .