Arriva's West-Mids Expansion

Badger · 24th May 2012, 12:40

Does anyone have any links or articles about it? It all seems to be going on in the background. I know they're taking over a lot of Midland and Diamond's routes.

They seem to have brought in a lot of new and nearly-new buses, mostly from Leicester.

I note they've also opened a new garage in Wednesbury. Are they planning something bigger?

Tomonthetrain · 24th May 2012, 17:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badger

Does anyone have any links or articles about it? It all seems to be going on in the background. I know they're taking over a lot of Midland and Diamond's routes.

The routes are all tendered routes - http://www.centro.org.uk/nmsruntime/...=7653&sID=4287 is your friend.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badger

They seem to have brought in a lot of new and nearly-new buses, mostly from Leicester.

http://wmbusphotos.com/Arriva/index.html is the West Bromwich fleet amongst other depots within Arriva Midlands.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badger

I note they've also opened a new garage in Wednesbury. Are they planning something bigger?

There are rumours that Arriva are looking at buying Rotala out. The depot is the old Petes Travel garage which is leased from GoAhead.

Ivo · 24th May 2012, 17:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tomonthetrain

There are rumours that Arriva are looking at buying Rotala out

Oh dear God - NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If I had a list of personal nightmare scenarios, this would be #2 on the list. One is a bunch of muppets who can't do anything right, and the other is a bunch of muppets who can't do anything right unless someone else does it for them (and even then they try hard to negate that help)...

Anything but that. Please!

N.B.: Apologies in advance to Kermit and friends if they are offended by my use of the term "muppets".

MCW · 24th May 2012, 21:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badger

Does anyone have any links or articles about it? It all seems to be going on in the background. I know they're taking over a lot of Midland and Diamond's routes.

They seem to have brought in a lot of new and nearly-new buses, mostly from Leicester.

I note they've also opened a new garage in Wednesbury. Are they planning something bigger?

they can bugger off nicking our buses. If they take too many away I will play merry hell with the idiots. we need more buses, not more being taken away.

Let me know if you get any DAF engined ELC Mylennium Lowlanders knocking about please, I like to keep a track of them for enthusiasts reasons.

overthewater · 24th May 2012, 21:58

I cant see Arriva buying them out, as there smallish company that could by some of the old First depots. If it did it would give them Preston.

Badger · 25th May 2012, 10:48

Thanks everyone.

The 63 is a surprise. It's my local bus, and I use it occasionally, but always seem to be the only person on it, not sure why Arriva would want it.

Quote:

they can bugger off nicking our buses.

I'm not sure how many, but the ones I've seen have been a couple of plaxton centros, a wrights gemini single, and quite a few dennis darts, all with Thurmaston printed on the side as the depot.

They also seem to be repainting the old cannock darts in the new livery, look much better.

MCW · 25th May 2012, 12:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badger

I'm not sure how many, but the ones I've seen have been a couple of plaxton centros, a wrights gemini single, and quite a few dennis darts, all with Thurmaston printed on the side as the depot.

They also seem to be repainting the old cannock darts in the new livery, look much better.

yeah I had noticed the Centro's simply because they are used on my localish route and haven't seen many of then recently.

We won't miss the darts... Lol

dvboy · 25th May 2012, 12:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badger

Thanks everyone.

The 63 is a surprise. It's my local bus, and I use it occasionally, but always seem to be the only person on it, not sure why Arriva would want it.

This is the same 63/64 that goes to Penn also? I am confused. The document says the contract is from 22nd April but I have been on a 63 since then, and it was Midland.

It does explain the Arriva bus I saw operating the 82 last week.

Also notice the document doesn't mention the 256 evening journeys going back to NXWM, so presumably that isn't Centro sponsored anymore.

Badger · 25th May 2012, 13:01

Yes, that 63/4. It's still Midland... the NWM website says the timetable is correct until 06/06/2012, but the 63 isn't mentioned in any of June's timetable changes, so really not sure.

24th May 2012, 12:40	#1
Badger Member Join Date: 16 Oct 2011 Location: Wolverhampton Posts: 614	Arriva's West-Mids Expansion Does anyone have any links or articles about it? It all seems to be going on in the background. I know they're taking over a lot of Midland and Diamond's routes. They seem to have brought in a lot of new and nearly-new buses, mostly from Leicester. I note they've also opened a new garage in Wednesbury. Are they planning something bigger? __________________ My pet project: Afar, free MMORPG

25th May 2012, 13:01	#9
Badger Member Join Date: 16 Oct 2011 Location: Wolverhampton Posts: 614	Yes, that 63/4. It's still Midland... the NWM website says the timetable is correct until 06/06/2012, but the 63 isn't mentioned in any of June's timetable changes, so really not sure. __________________ My pet project: Afar, free MMORPG

24th May 2012, 21:58	#5
overthewater Member Join Date: 16 Apr 2012 Posts: 797	I cant see Arriva buying them out, as there smallish company that could by some of the old First depots. If it did it would give them Preston.