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First Group: General Discussion
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winston270twm
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Yes, I've seen it in the trade press
Has anyone seen any suggestions as to what First intend to do with Dagenham garage?
Presumably they didn't think it was worth the cost of keeping the garage open for the returns on just 1 route.
I'm guessing the employees will TUPE over to Stagecoach.
winston270twm
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Been doing a bit more digging Re: DDA requirements whilst the above is correct, I have also since been advised that there is another issue with early low floor buses in that some don't have the minimum clear width between the internal wheel arches required by DDA.
This is theoretically correct. Ditto the angle of the floor. However I have done DDA assessments on a variety of buses, and not found any to have width issues
winston270twm
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So, realistically other than those few extra fixtures & fittings, the DDA compliance dates generally boil down to providing a fully low floor fleet
The width quote came via an NXWM employee, so whether the B6LE/Wright, Volvo B10L/Wirght or Mercedes 0405N's will have any issues?
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Ensign have been advertising some ex Stagecoach B10BLE/ALX300 circa 1998 as 'Can be upgraded to full DDA standards', as far as I know most Tridents & B7TL double decks can be upgraded.
Ref the narrow wheelarch width issue, I wonder if this mainly affects Dart SLFs & B6BLEs i.e shorter narrow types more than the 'full size'.
I would be really interested to know exactly what vehicle types what can be upgraded to full DDA, can any members of the forum confirm exactly what from their personal experience?
Oh by the way, I know these vehicle will be 15+ years old come 01/01/2016 but if the cost of upgrading is as little as some posters imply, then 'the numbers crunch' for some operators.
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
This is the problem for people wanting a definitive answer....there isn't one.
You can probably say that the very oldest Solos (R/S reg - if they're still going) will have that problem re: wheel arches. Most full sized vehicles probably have no issue.
Most vehicles probably can be converted relatively simply though the expense (a bit more than £200) is more justifiable on some machines than others. Therefore, if First (for example) are looking at their fleet, spending on an S reg Dart isn't probably worth it whilst an Y reg B10BLE probably is.
Just like some class 20 (railway locomotives) suffer from having one cab bigger than the other?
KendalKing
Established Member
Wheel arches are NOT a problem on the Solo's, as the entrance doors are behind the front axle.
The biggest problems with solo's, is that there are that many internal layouts available.
TheGrandWazoo
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BestWestern
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The biggest problem with Solos is that some of them are as gutless as buggery and it's probably quicker to let your electric wheelchair take the strain!
I do rather like them though, a decent one is a nice drive
His mission is to attract car users on to the buses, and he has enthusiastically championed up market buses and close relationships with local authorities. We decided in 1995 that the car market must be our prime target, previously we were all chasing the bus market but Firstbus decided it needed to move away from this.
We wanted to set our product apart from that of our competitors with recognisable quality standards. No-one else has really done that yet. We wanted to offer the quality elements that would be recognised by car users, like double glazing, better heating and ventilation and better seats...........
Oh the optimism! Where did it all go wrong?!
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overthewater
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He never spent the money needed. He also never applyed this policy to all of firstbus.
winston270twm
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Additionally, Moir Lockhead was too focused on being the biggest but not necessarily the best in terms of service quality & provision / maintaining fleet renewal etc.
It all started to do drastically wrong when First Group overstretched by acquiring the debt ridden Laidlaw business in 2007, it's a good nothing every came of First Group's merger proposal to NX in 2009, otherwise they would have had even more debt to deal with
They didn't look further than the next quarter's results. A lack of long term planning and investment for the future. Terrible PR, poor publicity, website, use of modern technology and information as it would have cost money. Nevermind that it would increase passengers long term if they could use smartcards, apps on phones for timetables and prices etc.
Price rises constantly with various excuses which were contradicted when prices didn't drop e.g fuel increases blamed but when fuel went down 30% after 2007/8 prices didn't follow.
Price rises constantly with various excuses which were contradicted when prices didn't drop e.g fuel increases blamed but when fuel went down 30% after 2007/8 prices didn't follow.
Bad choice, Diamond are running Redditch and Kidderminster into the ground, I heard from a first driver - Worcester depot, that even though diamond have been cleared, that Rotala have been given a warning by the traffic commisioner.
overthewater
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Whats to Stop Rotala selling all of Diamond operations to someone else?
Tomonthetrain
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There is actually rumours that is planned...I'm not believing it however!
overthewater
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Throw enough darts and you might get one :P
winston270twm
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Trainbasher,
The RH & KR Diamond operation or the lot? Is Arriva linked to the rumours?
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If the operation is being so badly it would only be a matter of time before Whittle's expand in KR and others in Redditch
winston270twm
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Especially given the decision date had been put back three times.....
The new competitor on the 57 in Redditch from September may have helped Rotala's cause
tbtc
Veteran Member
I know I'm showing my age, but it did seem like an optimistic time - these newfangled low floor BLEs with individual seats (instead of benches), modern corporate colours (internally and externally), low floors... First seemed to be leading the way. Once.
robertclark125
Established Member
To think this is the same Sir Moir Lockhead, who is now in charge of the Scottish Rugby Union, and we still have no coverage of Scottish club rugby on TV in scotland.
winston270twm
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PD1107088/1 - HARDEEP KHAKH T/A CITY LINE TRAVEL, BRITANNIA WORKS, UNIT 2-3, 2-4 BRIDGE STREET SOUTH, SMETHWICK, B66 3DR
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Redditch Bus Station
Finish Point: Redditch Bus Station
Via:
Service Number: 57
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 26-SEP-2013
Other Details: Mondays to Saturdays.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
They were leading the way once... that's the problem they took their foot off the gas & eye off the ball! Their solution to falling passenger numbers was to hike fares...... another bad move!