West Country Independents

[matt_splat]

I thought they'd had maintenance at Burnett anyway? They had a bay in the place at LBR.

I confess that I don't see too much of the Uni services to accurately gauge how Wessex are doing against First. However, from the few anecdotal views I've had, I'd say that First are winning that battle.

Wessex do have full busses from time to time.

They have only just got the new depot area at burnett i believe it took about two years to be finished and the builders left the job a few times. the new yard is down the bottom of burnett next to Bath Bus Company.

 

[THarris123]

I thought they'd had maintenance at Burnett anyway? They had a bay in the place at LBR.

I confess that I don't see too much of the Uni services to accurately gauge how Wessex are doing against First. However, from the few anecdotal views I've had, I'd say that First are winning that battle.

Of what I've seen too, First seem to be winning. Bendy buses full every morning in term time compared to about 5 people standing on B7s from Wessex doesn't exactly show Wessex doing well.

 

[matt_splat]

I notice this evening that the park and rides in bristol might change operaters in september?

a document online suggests

3 tenders were receved for brislington
2 tenders for the portway

also on the subject of tender routes.

It would seem that the 2s in Bath could go and be replaced by the 31 serving all stops from Lansdown to Milsom Street.

the 4s Bathampton end could be at risk

the 42 could lose its dial a ride style section where it goes off route if it results in a better bid from another operator at a lower cost.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I notice this evening that the park and rides in bristol might change operaters in september?

a document online suggests

3 tenders were receved for brislington
2 tenders for the portway

also on the subject of tender routes.

It would seem that the 2s in Bath could go and be replaced by the 31 serving all stops from Lansdown to Milsom Street.

the 4s Bathampton end could be at risk

the 42 could lose its dial a ride style section where it goes off route if it results in a better bid from another operator at a lower cost.

To be honest, the 2 would make a lot of sense. The 4 seems to give just a small service for a limited number of pensioners whereas most are served as well by the 265.

As regards Bristol P&R, surprised there's only two tenderers for the Portway. Thought you'd have First, Wessex and CT Plus

 

[freetoview33]

To be honest, the 2 would make a lot of sense. The 4 seems to give just a small service for a limited number of pensioners whereas most are served as well by the 265.

As regards Bristol P&R, surprised there's only two tenderers for the Portway. Thought you'd have First, Wessex and CT Plus

Question is which one hasn't put a bid in? Maybe Wessex (Due to lack of drivers) or maybe First (due to lack of money, they got Long Ashton back so maybe they are focusing on Brislington next as I guess that is more lucrative than Portway)

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Question is which one hasn't put a bid in? Maybe Wessex (Due to lack of drivers) or maybe First (due to lack of money, they got Long Ashton back so maybe they are focusing on Brislington next as I guess that is more lucrative than Portway)

That is indeed the question. However, the "why" is more perplexing as the business is steady work and whatever applies for one route is equally applicable for another!

 

[vicbury]

I notice this evening that the park and rides in bristol might change operaters in september?

a document online suggests

3 tenders were receved for brislington
2 tenders for the portway

also on the subject of tender routes.

It would seem that the 2s in Bath could go and be replaced by the 31 serving all stops from Lansdown to Milsom Street.

the 4s Bathampton end could be at risk

the 42 could lose its dial a ride style section where it goes off route if it results in a better bid from another operator at a lower cost.

Regarding the 2 in Bath it has been the plan for a long time to replace it with the 31 calling at all stops. Only issue might be late night journeys? I'm not sure when the 2 cuts off.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Regarding the 2 in Bath it has been the plan for a long time to replace it with the 31 calling at all stops. Only issue might be late night journeys? I'm not sure when the 2 cuts off.

No late journeys on the 2. Last one from Bath at 17:11 so using the 31 massively improves it for people as long as they are able to walk to the main road

 

[winston270twm]

the way things look it makes you wonder if wessex are in financial trouble at the moment.

How exactly would Wessex be in financial trouble? They are part of Rotala Group Plc, the Wessex business accounts for approx 20% of the group fleet

 

[DaveHarries]

I notice this evening that the park and rides in bristol might change operaters in september?

a document online suggests

3 tenders were receved for brislington
2 tenders for the portway

also on the subject of tender routes.

It would seem that the 2s in Bath could go and be replaced by the 31 serving all stops from Lansdown to Milsom Street.

the 4s Bathampton end could be at risk

the 42 could lose its dial a ride style section where it goes off route if it results in a better bid from another operator at a lower cost.

Wouldn't mind a read of that document: what is the link please?

Dave

 

[matt_splat]

the link is found - https://www.google.co.uk/?gws_rd=ssl#q=banes+bus+service+tender+changes+2016

 

[DaveHarries]

the link is found - https://www.google.co.uk/?gws_rd=ssl#q=banes+bus+service+tender+changes+2016

Thanks. I wonder who the bidders are. First & CT Plus would, I imagine, account for 2 of the bidders but I wonder who the 3rd one is for the Bath Road P&R.

Dave

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Thanks. I wonder who the bidders are. First & CT Plus would, I imagine, account for 2 of the bidders but I wonder who the 3rd one is for the Bath Road P&R.

Dave

That's the question, Dave but why would Wessex not put in a tender for both.

Perhaps it might be Wessex and CT Plus tendering? First may be struggling with drivers and/or depot space with Metrobus coming?

Who knows?? I did read the document and couldn't see a decision/award date (or did I just miss it?). Appendix A was interesting - always crucial to ensure a P&R is consistent with sexual orientation requirements........

 

[matt_splat]

i wonder if the Brislington Park and Ride may of been of interest to a more local company?

e.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

i wonder if the Brislington Park and Ride may of been of interest to a more local company?

e.

I did cross my mind that an operator with an existing presence on the Bath Road might be interested....

 

[winston270twm]

That's the question, Dave but why would Wessex not put in a tender for both.

Perhaps it might be Wessex and CT Plus tendering? First may be struggling with drivers and/or depot space with Metrobus coming?

Who knows?? I did read the document and couldn't see a decision/award date (or did I just miss it?). Appendix A was interesting - always crucial to ensure a P&R is consistent with sexual orientation requirements........

It sounds as though First & Wessex are struggling for sufficient drivers

Is CT Plus's only work in Bristol the current Bendi-bus operated Park & Ride routes?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

It sounds as though First & Wessex are struggling for sufficient drivers

Is CT Plus's only work in Bristol the current Bendi-bus operated Park & Ride routes?

CT Plus also do a lot of staff transport for Southmead NHS Trust

You begin to wonder if more outbasing of vehicles might be required to expand the driver pool?

 

[freetoview33]

I have seen CTPlus drivers on First services suggesting they were short. The more I think about it. I think First is most likely not to have bid for Portway. But then again Wessex have never actually won the park and rides. NCP won it and sub contracted out to Wessex. So who knows one of the bidders could be someone totally random.

 

[1905 Group]

Noted in Eastville's yard today, a new purchase from First Hampshire and Dorset, Palatine 2 Olympian P244 UCW. Currently still in First livery but soon to be sprayed yellow, so if you want a final photo of it in First livery then you'd better hurry! Also there were usuals, Olympian Palatine 1s R621/2 MNU, Olympian Palatine 2 971 CYB (S670 AAE), B10M Palatine F310 MYJ, B12M VanHool WA56 ENL, B12BT VanHool SN09 AZP, the two B12BT Berkhofs and the Leyland Panther Cub hidden in the shed.

 

[winston270twm]

I have seen CTPlus drivers on First services suggesting they were short. The more I think about it. I think First is most likely not to have bid for Portway. But then again Wessex have never actually won the park and rides. NCP won it and sub contracted out to Wessex. So who knows one of the bidders could be someone totally random.

I would have thought that Wessex would be fairly keen to gain the Park & Ride contracts, it may help to fill some of the void from lost tendered work & UWE service reductions generally due to competition from First. I guess it may depend on vehicle type's being specified etc this time around.

 

[1905 Group]

It seems CT Plus have lost the two P&R contracts to First Bristol, to be operated from Hengrove depot with E400MMCs. 903 is staying with First until Metrobus happens...

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I would have thought that Wessex would be fairly keen to gain the Park & Ride contracts, it may help to fill some of the void from lost tendered work & UWE service reductions generally due to competition from First. I guess it may depend on vehicle type's being specified etc this time around.

It's interesting to know if they tendered. Assuming the incumbent (CT Plus) tendered for both, and obviously First did, then Wessex can't have tendered for the Portway P&R (which is actually pretty close to their depot). Curious :?

 

[winston270twm]

It's interesting to know if they tendered. Assuming the incumbent (CT Plus) tendered for both, and obviously First did, then Wessex can't have tendered for the Portway P&R (which is actually pretty close to their depot). Curious :?

Unless it was CT Plus that hadn't tendered for both? I personally would have liked to have seen Wessex gain them to give their Bristol op's in boost in the face of increased pressure from First. But wasn't to be.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Unless it was CT Plus that hadn't tendered for both? I personally would have liked to have seen Wessex gain them to give their Bristol op's in boost in the face of increased pressure from First. But wasn't to be.

I did say that I'd assumed that CT Plus would've tendered for both as incumbent.

If Wessex didn't tender for both, that would be a major surprise.

 

[matt_splat]

the Brislington Park and Ride might have been perfect for say RATP or ABUS

 

[freetoview33]

CTPlus might not of tendered due to the need for EuroVI buses and the costs involved

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

CTPlus might not of tendered due to the need for EuroVI buses and the costs involved

Possibly but surely not a big issue assuming that they'd lease? I mean, they managed to go into Jersey and they operate in London.

 

[freetoview33]

I aware the Jersey buses are owned by the jersey government and just operated by ct with dda looming for deckers I can't imagine leases are going cheap.

 

[matt_splat]

if you talk to wessex staff or listen to some wessex staff they do seem worried about things at wessex towers.....

i'd be interested to see the position in Bath with the 12s and 20s in the future.

Talking to a first driver today and wessex might not be in good books with the uni of bath at the moment if you go up to the uni and take a look at a new ditch that has been created by a wessex bus you will see why.

I was told that ABus had put a tender in for the 904, now for the 902 and 904 of course we know First was one of the bidders but i wonder if wessex was the second i think it's more likely to be CT Plus or maybe it could have even been RATP i'm sure they would like to pick up a little more work in the area.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I aware the Jersey buses are owned by the jersey government and just operated by ct with dda looming for deckers I can't imagine leases are going cheap.

Not certain why DDA will have any impact on leasing charges?