The remaining Leeds Geminis that were used in the 2012 Olympics (362xx series) all seem to be heading to South Yorkshire.There's quite an influx of new vehicles currently into Leeds and Bristol. I wonder if this will provide Kernow's Geminis early in the new year.
Suspect the requirements of various LEZs will see them in various places rather than Kernow. Expect more of the late model B7TLs tbhThere's quite an influx of new vehicles currently into Leeds and Bristol. I wonder if this will provide Kernow's Geminis early in the new year.
Cornwall Council’s One Public Transport System for Cornwall came a step closer today as Cabinet (18 December 2019) agreed to secure a new 8 year contract to deliver a network of Council subsided local bus routes with reduced fares for passengers and more cleaner, greener buses.
Local bus services are a vital lifeline for our residents to be able to travel for work and education, for shopping and for leisure. The Council subsidises 73 bus routes to connect communities and as a viable alternative to taking the car. These bus routes would not otherwise be provided by bus operators as they are not commercially viable.
Awarding the contract is the next stage in the One Pubic Transport System for Cornwall project which is delivering upon its objectives to improve public transport and provide a seamless integrated public transport network for Cornwall.
Cornwall Council cabinet portfolio holder for transport Geoff Brown said:
“We know that good public transport is important to our residents. Our priority is to make sure that these routes are safeguarded and that passengers who use the bus routes subsidised by the Council get the best possible service. Many people rely on these bus routes for work, for getting to hospital appointments and to go out to see friends and family. Rest assured that they will continue and improve under this new contract.”
“When awarding the new 8 year contract for delivering the subsidised bus network from April 2020, we took into account how we can increase the use of lower emission vehicles and encourage more people to use public transport in line with our commitment to tackle the climate emergency. We also looked at ticket pricing, the possibilities around increasing the frequency of buses and the quality of the vehicles – all of which will play a part in encouraging residents to use public transport and move away from using cars.”
Geoff adds: “We’re also planning to introduce a 4 year pilot scheme to reduce fares and encourage more people to use buses. Earlier this year, the government awarded Cornwall a £23.5m funding package for a “Reduced Bus Fares” pilot to support the Council’s ongoing commitment to improving bus travel for residents. We’re planning to introduce a scheme in May 2020 which will significantly reduce the cost of bus travel by establishing town zones and capping the cost for making multiple journeys within these zones. Ultimately we want to deliver an integrated SMART ticketing system for bus, rail and ferry to make it as easy and convenient as possible for residents and visitors to use all forms of public transport.”
Cabinet members also agreed on which company will be offered the contract to operate the Truro Park and Ride for the next eight years from April 2020. They also agreed that the Council will look again at who will deliver some of the school bus services from April 2020.
For contractual legal reasons, the successful bidders can’t be announced until 10 days have passed following the notification of this decision to the successful bidder and the other companies who have tendered for the contracts.
Story posted 18 December 2019
So with all this being said, is anything going to be done about the 47 routes in the evenings through Carharrack as it’s not helpful for residents who work in town and don’t drive, that there isn’t any service after 6pm?The new tender contracts press release from council yesterday doesn’t give much away except mention of being new greener buses...
https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/council...s-contract-is-awarded-for-vital-bus-services/
Yes, to be clear what I meant was that these new buses would provide the planned cascade of older buses to Kernow.Suspect the requirements of various LEZs will see them in various places rather than Kernow. Expect more of the late model B7TLs tbh
What's curious is that it refers to "contract" singular. I'm wondering whether this means that all the routes have been awarded in bulk to one operator. On the other it could just be poorly worded.The new tender contracts press release from council yesterday doesn’t give much away except mention of being new greener buses...
https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/council...s-contract-is-awarded-for-vital-bus-services/
What's curious is that it refers to "contract" singular. I'm wondering whether this means that all the routes have been awarded in bulk to one operator. On the other it could just be poorly worded.
Bit odd that they're waiting until the standstill period ends before announcing the successful bidders. It's not a legal requirement to do so: TfL and DfT both announce awards "subject to standstill".
I can't see the council awarding contracts based on the majority of the existing fleet anyway, so it would need to go regardless.Near enough the entire Summercourt travel bus fleet is on eBay at present. Suggested to me they may well have lost bus work. I believe all of their bus work is tenders
I can't see the council awarding contracts based on the majority of the existing fleet anyway, so it would need to go regardless.
I saw Regal Busways Enviro 200 651 earlier just outside Treliske with reg RIL 3157 and having looked it up, it’s formerly SN10 CAU. Would this have anything to do with Travel Cornwall?Near enough the entire Summercourt travel bus fleet is on eBay at present. Suggested to me they may well have lost bus work. I believe all of their bus work is tenders
I saw Regal Busways Enviro 200 651 earlier just outside Treliske with reg RIL 3157 and having looked it up, it’s formerly SN10 CAU. Would this have anything to do with Travel Cornwall?
Yes, the wording instantly struck me as well. However it also wouldn't surprise me if it was simply a poorly written press release.especially where it mentions greener cleaner vehicles.
I maybe misinterpreting it, but the way it’s written implies one operator has taken the lot, as singular words are used rather than plural when mentioning A operator.
Right, having had a look at the cabinet meeting papers it does indeed appear that all routes have gone to one operator, who has also picked up 71 of the school routes.Yes, the wording instantly struck me as well. However it also wouldn't surprise me if it was simply a poorly written press release.
I can see it being a First or GoAhead win. But can First provide Euro 5 or 6 buses to Kernow, maybe GoAhead could. Also, First is predominantly Kernow whereas GoAhead is just Plymouth a one or two routes in Cornwall. Why didn't they split the contracts to suit operators and therefore passengers?Right, having had a look at the cabinet meeting papers it does indeed appear that all routes have gone to one operator, who has also picked up 71 of the school routes.
The award is based on Euro 5 and 6 buses only and features some service improvements.
It can surely be only one of two operators, either of which would probably require outstations in the parts of the county that they don't currently serve.
Public sector tenders have to be evaluated on the principle of "the most economically advantageous tender", ie best value for money. This has to stand up to potential legal challenge. Packaging together multiple bids can achieve big cost savings. It is therefore possible that the successful bidder was extremely ambitious and effectively made the council an offer they couldn't refuse.I can see it being a First or GoAhead win. But can First provide Euro 5 or 6 buses to Kernow, maybe GoAhead could. Also, First is predominantly Kernow whereas GoAhead is just Plymouth a one or two routes in Cornwall. Why didn't they split the contracts to suit operators and therefore passengers?
Yes that makes sense.Public sector tenders have to be evaluated on the principle of "the most economically advantageous tender", ie best value for money. This has to stand up to potential legal challenge. Packaging together multiple bids can achieve big cost savings. It is therefore possible that the successful bidder was extremely ambitious and effectively made the council an offer they couldn't refuse.
First time I’ve seen it.it’s been in their yard for several months
probably require outstations
Public sector tenders have to be evaluated on the principle of "the most economically advantageous tender", ie best value for money. This has to stand up to potential legal challenge. Packaging together multiple bids can achieve big cost savings. It is therefore possible that the successful bidder was extremely ambitious and effectively made the council an offer they couldn't refuse.
Why no way, given the council's relationship with First and the investment they've funded? Who's it going to be otherwise? Can only be GoAhead, or at a stretch Stagecoach who have the readily available resources.There’s no way it’s not going to be First winning the contract. Surely?!
I would not bet against it, whatever the odds. Actually, I'd be amazed if it wasn't First. They do, of course, have a track record of overbidding and then walking away from their contracted terms a couple of years before their due end, saving themselves a hell of a lot of money. I'm talking train franchises, of course, but leopards and spots comes to mind. Also, First and Cornwall Council already seem to have a mighty cosy relationship.There’s no way it’s not going to be First winning the contract. Surely?!
I agree.I would not bet against it, whatever the odds. Actually, I'd be amazed if it wasn't First. They do, of course, have a track record of overbidding and then walking away from their contracted terms a couple of years before their due end, saving themselves a hell of a lot of money. I'm talking train franchises, of course, but leopards and spots comes to mind. Also, First and Cornwall Council already seem to have a mighty cosy relationship.