Competition heats up between Transdev and Connexions

SCH117X · 8 Oct 2019

It seemsed an obvious error on the bus tracking web site https://bustimes.org/vehicles#11/53.9262/-1.5292 that X1s were showing up as going to Calcutt, looking now it says to Knaresborough but there was one of the realtime displays on Knaresborough Road this morning with X1 Calcutt on it.
Also noticed a timetable case on Skipton Road still with an X4 timetable in it - presumably no one believes a X4 will turn up; the stop seemingly is solely used by a school bus.

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SCH117X · 25 Oct 2019

Connexions have acquired a number of vehicles from the former Stagecarriage fleet; 15/16 year old ultra clean double deckers to upgrade their fleet include a Vamooz liveried one. No surprises that at least one red double decker is to receive a green rear for the X1 while they also describe one red/green X1 single decker as being prominently decorated with union flags so people know whose bus it is - unless they have decorated the front presumably intending passengers are supposed to be standing way back from the road edge to see what the back of the side of the bus has on it.

Alexbus12 · 25 Oct 2019

SCH117X said:
Connexions have acquired a number of vehicles from the former Stagecarriage fleet; 15/16 year old ultra clean double deckers to upgrade their fleet include a Vamooz liveried one.

That Stagecarriage Vamooz branded acquisition is quite amusing. Theres so much love between Transdev and Connexions :lol:

johntea · 30 Oct 2019

I read the other day Transdev have already had 1.5 million contactless transactions across the network since that was introduced, which seems a lot!

47550 · 31 Oct 2019

Was up in Transdev land this week and noticed the elderly Burnley B10Bs are still looking very smart and tidy. Not bad for around 18!years old. Shame they have the wrong price for the weekly tickets though - £15.50 rather than £16.50.

On the other hand the ex Rosso solos are looking very tired now.

What plans for replacements are there ? There are a lot of old buses knocking around in the fleet even excluding the schools deckers. Only a handful of new buses come into the fleet so far this year.

Also noticed Transdev have delayed filing their 2018 accounts - they would normally have been filed at the end of September.

aswilliamsuk · 31 Oct 2019

47550 said:
Was up in Transdev land this week and noticed the elderly Burnley B10Bs are still looking very smart and tidy. Not bad for around 18!years old. Shame they have the wrong price for the weekly tickets though - £15.50 rather than £16.50.

On the other hand the ex Rosso solos are looking very tired now.

What plans for replacements are there ? There are a lot of old buses knocking around in the fleet even excluding the schools deckers. Only a handful of new buses come into the fleet so far this year.

Also noticed Transdev have delayed filing their 2018 accounts - they would normally have been filed at the end of September.

There are six second-hand (2010/11) ADL E200s imminent for Rosso (to upgrade Rochdale local services) - and I suspect they will see off most of the Solos.

The 13 E20D for Blackburn route 1 are due later in the year, while judging on posts on the relevant Twitter the StreetDecks for CityZap are no longer coming after the issues at Wrightbus - which suggests that those new vehicles will be a few months away. That also must put in doubt the B5TL/Wright for Coastliner and Harrogate (2 or 3, and one, respectively).

TheGrandWazoo · 31 Oct 2019

aswilliamsuk said:
There are six second-hand (2010/11) ADL E200s imminent for Rosso (to upgrade Rochdale local services) - and I suspect they will see off most of the Solos.

The 13 E20D for Blackburn route 1 are due later in the year, while judging on posts on the relevant Twitter the StreetDecks for CityZap are no longer coming after the issues at Wrightbus - which suggests that those new vehicles will be a few months away. That also must put in doubt the B5TL/Wright for Coastliner and Harrogate (2 or 3, and one, respectively).

The Wrightbus administration has also seriously impacted Rotala and First delivery schedules plus the issue of getting parts/warranty work done is also affecting them and many other operators. Hopefully Mr Bamford will get things organised soon.

SCH117X · 31 Oct 2019

johntea said:
I read the other day Transdev have already had 1.5 million contactless transactions across the network since that was introduced, which seems a lot!

Not really I would suggest - I only use cash these days when its absolutely necessary and heard a comment from the checkout operator in Aldi that no one uses cash these days.

RustySpoons · 31 Oct 2019

johntea said:
I read the other day Transdev have already had 1.5 million contactless transactions across the network since that was introduced, which seems a lot!

It depends what they're classing as a contactless transaction. It does seem a lot, but considering every depot (except Burnley) is set up for contactless payments, plus possibly including contactless transactions within the app it may not be far wrong.

Deerfold · 1 Nov 2019

RustySpoons said:
It depends what they're classing as a contactless transaction. It does seem a lot, but considering every depot (except Burnley) is set up for contactless payments, plus possibly including contactless transactions within the app it may not be far wrong.

Transactions within the app aren't contactless in that sense.

RustySpoons · 1 Nov 2019

Deerfold said:
Transactions within the app aren't contactless in that sense.

True... But Transdev have been pretty vague in the past when it comes to numbers for PR and advertising how amazing things are.

SCH117X · 12 Jan 2020

And things nearly turn a full circle - Connexions having started their war with Transdev by competing with them between Wetherby and Harrogate by offering a bus direct along the A661 rather than through Follifoot and Rudding Park now, whilst operating the latter under a NYCC contract, are now going to run all services that way when the A661 into Harrogate is congested (but still towards Wetherby on the A661) Presumably they will not be picking up and setting down on a commercially operated service on the route.
Source -NYCC latest service change details
X70 Harrogate - Wetherby Connexionsbuses 01423 339600 www.harrogatecoachtravel.com 24 February 2020
Amendment to route of journeys inbound to Harrogate when traffic is heavy, Journeys operating to Woodlands corner may divert via Follifoot and Rudding Park

Alexbus12 · 23 May 2020

Does Connexions operate any commercial routes? If so could someone tell me how many and which they are? Ta

leedslad82 · 23 May 2020

Alexbus12 said:
Does Connexions operate any commercial routes? If so could someone tell me how many and which they are? Ta

Im sure the x52 between ilkley and Harrogate is commercial and certain journeys on x70 between harrogate and Wetherby . Potentially the 412 between Wetherby and york. Think the council now run the none commercial ones via the villages

Stan Drews · 23 May 2020

Alexbus12 said:
Does Connexions operate any commercial routes? If so could someone tell me how many and which they are? Ta

If it starts with an X then it’s commercial, plus the 13 and 64, although not sure what, if any, agreement there is with First re the 64.

M60lad · 24 May 2020

Without going back pages in the thread why dont the owners of Transdev and Connexions (Harrogate Coach Company) like each other?

Stan Drews · 24 May 2020

M60lad said:
Without going back pages in the thread why dont the owners of Transdev and Connexions (Harrogate Coach Company) like each other?

Connexions is owned/run by a husband and wife team, and the ill-feeling largely relates to the circumstances surrounding the ’departure’ of the husband, and then the wife, from their employment at Blazefield in the early 00’s. The directors of Blazefield at the time have long since moved on, but that doesn’t appear to have made any real difference.

SCH117X · 24 May 2020

Also the initially Connexions running a half hourly service 5 minutes in front of the equivalent of Transdevs resulting in retaliatory actions by Transdev and that when Transdevs Harrogate operation was rebranded The Harrogate Bus Company Connexions buying that company name with the result that a number of Connexions vehicles carried it simply leading to confusion to visitors.

RustySpoons · 24 May 2020

Stan Drews said:
Connexions is owned/run by a husband and wife team, and the ill-feeling largely relates to the circumstances surrounding the ’departure’ of the husband, and then the wife, from their employment at Blazefield in the early 00’s. The directors of Blazefield at the time have long since moved on, but that doesn’t appear to have made any real difference.

There also seems to be a massive personality clash between Alex H and Craig T...

Neither company paints themselves in a particularly pleasant light at times though.

TheGrandWazoo · 24 May 2020

RustySpoons said:
There also seems to be a massive personality clash between Alex H and Craig T...

Neither company paints themselves in a particularly pleasant light at times though.

In all fairness, there is a marked difference in terms of social media. Craig Temple is prone to going off on one, as he did recently. Alex Hornby doesn't.

It is fair to say that there have been several provocative moves from both sides. There was the 965 episode in Otley (that can be interpreted in different ways depending on your allegiance, if any), Transdev registering against the X52, and various commercial registrations against Transdev by CX. Neither firm can take the moral high ground in that respect - they are as bad as each other.

The one singular area that personally grates with me is the CX "we're local" and putting the union jack on vehicles, and constantly referring to the foreign ownership of Transdev; seems almost like patriotism bordering on xenophobia. It may just be me but I find it a little distasteful.

The irony is, of course, that Transdev is the incumbent, direct successor to Harrogate Road Car (est 1906) via West Yorkshire RCC and Harrogate and District and has a depot in the town, whereas CX is the insurgent and is based nearer York.

Stan Drews · 24 May 2020

Worth remembering that the Connexions/Blazefield ‘issue’ predates the acquisition by Transdev by several years, and the arrival of Alex H by over a decade!

RustySpoons · 24 May 2020

TheGrandWazoo said:
The one singular area that personally grates with me is the CX "we're local" and putting the union jack on vehicles, and constantly referring to the foreign ownership of Transdev; seems almost like patriotism bordering on xenophobia. It may just be me but I find it a little distasteful.

What gets me there is that CX used to brand their buses as Harrogate Coach Travel, which they did away with in favour of Connexions. I don't think 'Harrogate' featured on any of their buses until they decided they were more local than the existing local operator...

RustySpoons · 24 May 2020

CX's Twitter page is... interesting.

twitter.com/connexionsbuses

Stan Drews · 24 May 2020

RustySpoons said:
CX's Twitter page is... interesting.

twitter.com/connexionsbuses

Fairly certain that’s a fake account, as they came off Twitter some time ago as they weren’t keen on the comments they seemed to get. I’m sure if you trawl this thread you’ll find the specific timescale.

Swimbar · 24 May 2020

RustySpoons said:
CX's Twitter page is... interesting.

twitter.com/connexionsbuses

They only post on Facebook

SCH117X · 24 May 2020

Stan Drews said:
Worth remembering that the Connexions/Blazefield ‘issue’ predates the acquisition by Transdev by several years, and the arrival of Alex H by over a decade!

Not sure that's correct, the real issue arose when Connexions started operating a Wetherby-Harrogate service in 2011, well after the sale of Blazefield. Before the only issue that may existed would have been Connexions winning NYCC tenders for the Ripon-Boroughbridge-York services and if anything the aggrieved party was Arriva with them operating as Selby & District.

RustySpoons · 24 May 2020

Swimbar said:
They only post on Facebook

Not ideal for the majority of people who don't know that.

Swimbar · 24 May 2020

RustySpoons said:
Not ideal for the majority of people who don't know that.

If you compare the posting dates on their Facebook page with the rogue Twitter page it's fairly obvious

RustySpoons · 24 May 2020

Swimbar said:
If you compare the posting dates on their Facebook page with the rogue Twitter page it's fairly obvious

I'm not saying it isn't to those in the know. A prospective passenger who has stumbled across that Twitter feed looking for service updates will be none the wiser.

Stan Drews · 24 May 2020

SCH117X said:
Not sure that's correct, the real issue arose when Connexions started operating a Wetherby-Harrogate service in 2011, well after the sale of Blazefield. Before the only issue that may existed would have been Connexions winning NYCC tenders for the Ripon-Boroughbridge-York services and if anything the aggrieved party was Arriva with them operating as Selby & District.

They have certainly ruffled a few feathers over the years, but see post #1307 re the animosity with Blazefield.

Competition heats up between Transdev and Connexions

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