TfGM Bus franchising

[johncrossley]

It peaked in London in 2008/09 and 11 years later, had declined to less than 82% of that figure.

But we were comparing against before privatisation. I can't open that file at the moment. What is the change in London per capita since 1985?

As regularly mentioned on here, London's bus subsidy was virtually wiped out before Covid, hence service cuts. Obviously before privatisation subsidy was huge as it was in the other major conurbations but costs were so high that subsidy didn't translate into good service.

 

[GusB]

Please stay on topic. The subject of the thread is not London. I understand that some people may wish to draw comparisons between the two areas and that's fine, but posts discussing only the situation in London are off-topic and should be taken elsewhere.

 

[Leyland Bus]

For those who maybe interested, 40764 is the latest repaint into Bee Network yellow at BN depot, with 40796 the next one in.
Repaints are also starting at outside contractors from this week too.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

At present, the yellow school buses being a specifically different shade to other liveries is a good idea. What are the plans for school bus livery when this new bus franchising comes into being?

 

[pokemonsuper9]

At present, the yellow school buses being a specifically different shade to other liveries is a good idea. What are the plans for school bus livery when this new bus franchising comes into being?

Most school buses aren't even run by the yellow buses. The only ones I'm aware of location-wise are sitting by Middlebrook Stadium.
The school bus routes have been franchised, as the rest of them have (as far as I'm aware) and so will likely be operated by the same buses as the rest of it.
Currently people who travel by school bus just have to read the number on the front as if it was any other bus (or if it's a coach there's usually a piece of paper in the front, or it's obvious due to companies). I doubt it'll change in September, except the buses will be yellow.

The list of routes to be run by Rotala from Eccles has been leaked on Facebook

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This post shows some school bus routes to have been set out as part of other contracts, although I do notice a decent few not on that list as well, which I assume have to have gone to Go North West.

 

[andrewbowden]

Most school buses aren't even run by the yellow buses. The only ones I'm aware of location-wise are sitting by Middlebrook Stadium.
The school bus routes have been franchised, as the rest of them have (as far as I'm aware) and so will likely be operated by the same buses as the rest of it.

TfGM used to treat yellow bus services differently - they had their own season tickets and until recently pupils needed to be "registered" to use it. They've stepped back from that now, so the yellow buses are the same as any other school bus.
Belle Vue have a fleet of yellow buses used for their school bus services, and other school related services. Sometimes see one of their vehicles near my house, by with "SWIMMING BATHS" on the display.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Belle Vue have a fleet of yellow buses used for their school bus services, and other school related services. Sometimes see one of their vehicles near my house, by with "SWIMMING BATHS" on the display.

I think that these are the ones that I have seen in recent times.

 

[ic31420]

Has Diamond (Bolton Bury) taken a load of the new double decker buses with them?

We'd become used to the nice new buses but in recent weeks we've seen tons of 14plate single deck Mercedes and this morning's 474 was a SD 55 plate Preston Rotala Depot rattle fest.

A couple of neighbours were asking how this is an improvement from Burnham.

 

[WWH44L]

For those who maybe interested, 40764 is the latest repaint into Bee Network yellow at BN depot, with 40796 the next one in.
Repaints are also starting at outside contractors from this week too.

Thanks for the update. Do you know how many a week they are planning to do? Let’s hope the outside contractors paint the light clusters black too

 

[Leyland Bus]

Has Diamond (Bolton Bury) taken a load of the new double decker buses with them?

We'd become used to the nice new buses but in recent weeks we've seen tons of 14plate single deck Mercedes and this morning's 474 was a SD 55 plate Preston Rotala Depot rattle fest.

A couple of neighbours were asking how this is an improvement from Burnham.

The franchise hasn't started yet, so nothing to do with Burnham or TfGM at present.

Rotala did transfer several Streetdecks to Tividale abit back so it might be that that you are noticing.

Thanks for the update. Do you know how many a week they are planning to do? Let’s hope the outside contractors paint the light clusters black too

There are currently 3 away for spraying at Reed Commercials in Blackburn, not sure of the numbers but will find out.

The interiors are also meant to be being upgraded at some point, with new floors, double buggy bay/wheelchair bay and repositioned stanchions.

 

[ic31420]

The franchise hasn't started yet, so nothing to do with Burnham or TfGM at present.

Rotala did transfer several Streetdecks to Tividale abit back so it might be that that you are noticing.

That's sort of what I was getting at...

If it was Rotala/diamond I'd be transferring all my good new assets out of Bolton and into my depots and fleets I'd be keeping. Leaving the depot I'm losing with a fleet of life expired bangers or stuff needing heavy maintenance.

 

[WibbleWobble]

If it was Rotala/diamond I'd be transferring all my good new assets out of Bolton and into my depots and fleets I'd be keeping. Leaving the depot I'm losing with a fleet of life expired bangers or stuff needing heavy maintenance.

Because Rotala has agreed to sell the "new" assets into an asset pool, from which franchisees (so I assume most of which will be for Go Ahead) will buy the allocated vehicles.

 

[Goldfish62]

Because Rotala has agreed to sell the "new" assets into an asset pool, from which franchisees (so I assume most of which will be for Go Ahead) will buy the allocated vehicles.

Yes, and 60 Volvo B8/MCV Evoras have been ordered for the work won by Rotala in the first tendering round.

 

[Leyland Bus]

As promised, further repaint updates.

Streetdecks 40721/811/3 are away for spraying. 40796 is currently being treated in the paintshop at BN with 40751 being prepped currently and will be the next one in.

 

[WWH44L]

As promised, further repaint updates.

Streetdecks 40721/811/3 are away for spraying. 40796 is currently being treated in the paintshop at BN with 40751 being prepped currently and will be the next one in.

Fab, thanks for the update. Always good to get first hand info.

 

[Leyland Bus]

Fab, thanks for the update. Always good to get first hand info.

I believe some of the ones going away are going to Loughborough for paint and interior mods... I'll keep my eyes open for their return.

 

[winston270twm]

Yes, and 60 Volvo B8/MCV Evoras have been ordered for the work won by Rotala in the first tendering round.

There are no longer any Volvo B8RLE/MCV Evoras on order, the order has since switched to ADL, but the 60 new buses will not start arriving until early 2024. An interim fleet will operate Tranche 1 Franchise routes from Sept 2023.

That's sort of what I was getting at...

If it was Rotala/diamond I'd be transferring all my good new assets out of Bolton and into my depots and fleets I'd be keeping. Leaving the depot I'm losing with a fleet of life expired bangers or stuff needing heavy maintenance.

Rotala are retaining 25 of the newest Streetdecks acquired for Bolton (21 plates), 18 are already in the West Midlands (13 x Tividale, 5 x Redditch), some of the older B7RLE's are acting as paint floats whilst the Streetdecks are receiving Bee Network livery.

 

[Goldfish62]

There are no longer any Volvo B8RLE/MCV Evoras on order, the order has since switched to ADL, but the 60 new buses will not start arriving until early 2024. An interim fleet will operate Tranche 1 Franchise routes from Sept 2023.


Rotala are retaining 25 of the newest Streetdecks acquired for Bolton (21 plates), 18 are already in the West Midlands (13 x Tividale, 5 x Redditch), some of the older B7RLE's are acting as paint floats whilst the Streetdecks are receiving Bee Network livery.

Thanks for the excellent update!

I'd also be surprised if all the 50 BYD E400EVs are ready for September, let alone the chargers connected to the mains.

 

[Leyland Bus]

Afternoon,
Quick repaint update, 40751 has now been completed and released back into traffic, I have attached before and after pictures below.

This has been replaced in the paintshop by 40821.

40710 is due to depart for Blackburn this afternoon to be yellowed!

HTH.

Pictures show Diamond Streetdeck before repaint in Jubilee livery and after, outshopped into Bee Network livery.

 

[WWH44L]

Afternoon,
Quick repaint update, 40751 has now been completed and released back into traffic, I have attached before and after pictures below.

This has been replaced in the paintshop by 40821.

40710 is due to depart for Blackburn this afternoon to be yellowed!

HTH.

Pictures show Diamond Streetdeck before repaint in Jubilee livery and after, outshopped into Bee Network livery.

Thanks for the update and photos.

 

[ic31420]

Saw one of the repaints this morning, it appears theyre just masking up the lamp lenses. The one I saw had yellow paint around the edges of the stop and tail lamp lenses.

 

[Goldfish62]

Saw one of the repaints this morning, it appears theyre just masking up the lamp lenses. The one I saw had yellow paint around the edges of the stop and tail lamp lenses.

If they use whoever Metroline use then the buses will just be big yellow blobs.

 

[Leyland Bus]

Saw one of the repaints this morning, it appears theyre just masking up the lamp lenses. The one I saw had yellow paint around the edges of the stop and tail lamp lenses.

It's not surprising, they have a tendency to break easily. We don't remove items if it's not necessary.

 

[chopperman21]

Thanks for the excellent update!

I'd also be surprised if all the 50 BYD E400EVs are ready for September, let alone the chargers connected to the mains.

Picture have shown the first one? departing the factory in Falkirk yesterday, 4 months to deliver 50 buses is probably achievable?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I was on the bus from Farnworth to Manchester yesterday and saw two of the repainted yellow buses in service during the journey.

 

[Leyland Bus]

I was on the bus from Farnworth to Manchester yesterday and saw two of the repainted yellow buses in service during the journey.

They're growing in numbers now...

I can also confirm, after getting the nod this morning, that 40821 will be the first bus repainted into a "revised" Bee Network livery. Should it get the go ahead, I'll post pics when it's done.

 

[cnjb8]

Picture have shown the first one? departing the factory in Falkirk yesterday, 4 months to deliver 50 buses is probably achievable?

First one has been registered as LG23FBN

 

[WWH44L]

They're growing in numbers now...

I can also confirm, after getting the nod this morning, that 40821 will be the first bus repainted into a "revised" Bee Network livery. Should it get the go ahead, I'll post pics when it's done.

Interesting! Are you able to tease what the changes may be?

 

[Leyland Bus]

Interesting! Are you able to tease what the changes may be?

Colour... but not necessarily in the way you'd be thinking!

It's got to be viewed and approved once done and I'm still waiting for the paint to arrive!

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

Colour... but not necessarily in the way you'd be thinking!

It's got to be viewed and approved once done and I'm still waiting for the paint to arrive!

Given that you are obviously on the inside on this topic can you comment on the fact that Bee Network yellow, notwithstanding the colour of Metrolink's trams, appears to be very similar to that used on Berlin's buses, a fleet that includes plenty of double-deckers.