East Anglia Bus Scene

[F Great Eastern]

There is a Yellow Plaxton coach that has appeared in their yard. This was seen yesterday on passing. Not sure if will be in fleet or it’s with their PSV Recycling LTD company.

523FN is down as being a white Volvo B8R based Plaxton coach on BusListsOnTheWeb with a manufacture date of March 2024, which suggests it's either a Panther or a Leopard.

The yellow one must be for onward sale.

 

[Flange Squeal]

Dan’s Coach Travel have posted on their Facebook page that a new service is to be announced shortly between Stowmarket, Cedars Estate and Stowupland. They are trying to encourage people to keep using their commercial shopper bus services. I was wondering if anyone knew what service is due to commence, who the operator is, and if it is commercial?

Around two years we had some ideas to register some bus services. Also at this time Suffolk County Council had to make several bus cuts in the area. So we stepped up to help all the areas affected.

Fast forward till now we have been running these services commercially for nealy two years. Which means other than the tiny amount we get from bus passes and the few fares that's all we make. We have always made it clear we don't make anything out of these but do them as we love our community.

Many of you will hear shortly of a new service being provided between Stowmarket-Cedars Estate-Stowupland. Which is good news for those in the area but sadly we haven't been offered any funding for our existing trips or asked if we would provide more. Some of these runs will overlap ours. Which is concerning.

We just ask our loyal passengers to keep coming with us. Help support your local company who have supported you when you were forgotten. Here's hoping it will not affect our numbers to much

Source: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/VS15Lpd6HJZZpKmG/?

 

[Volvodart]

Dan’s Coach Travel have posted on their Facebook page that a new service is to be announced shortly between Stowmarket, Cedars Estate and Stowupland. They are trying to encourage people to keep using their commercial shopper bus services. I was wondering if anyone knew what service is due to commence, who the operator is, and if it is commercial?


Source: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/VS15Lpd6HJZZpKmG/?

Per this link April 2024, it is First Bus "funded by UK Government"

Bus Timetable Updates

home.suffolkonboard.com

 

[buslad1988]

Dan’s Coach Travel have posted on their Facebook page that a new service is to be announced shortly between Stowmarket, Cedars Estate and Stowupland. They are trying to encourage people to keep using their commercial shopper bus services. I was wondering if anyone knew what service is due to commence, who the operator is, and if it is commercial?


Source: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/VS15Lpd6HJZZpKmG/?

Will be First’s new town service 87/87A announced today. Not sure why it’s a stand-alone service rather than being incorporated into the core Ipswich - Stowmarket timetable. It doesn’t enable through connections so hardly encouraging. A re-introduction of 88 variants and an express would have perhaps been more beneficial and create more use.

There are also many outlying villages being removed from the Suffolk bus network from the same date. The county council supported services 70A, 78 and 79 are being withdrawn.

See First website here:

Service Changes from 14th April 2024

We’re making some changes to our Ipswich Reds services from Sunday 14th April 2024. NEW! Stowupland Circular 87|87A New services providing a half-hourly daytime service on Monday to Saturdays between Stowmarket Town Centre, Cedars Park, and Stowupland.

www.firstbus.co.uk

Also announced is Ipswich Buses “new” hourly 8B to Bramford. Again also being introduced as a stand-alone service which isn’t incorporated into the town service 8 timetable despite being numbered like it is and is the same colour on the town network map. During the day an 8 and 8B are timetabled to operate one minute apart from Tower Ramparts.

See Ipswich Buses website here:

Introducing the 8B, a NEW bus service between Bramford and Ipswich | Ipswich Buses

www.ipswichbuses.co.uk

 

[_sSamuel]

Will be First’s new town service 87/87A announced today. Not sure why it’s a stand-alone service rather than being incorporated into the core Ipswich - Stowmarket timetable. It doesn’t enable through connections so hardly encouraging. A re-introduction of 88 variants and an express would have perhaps been more beneficial and create more use.

It is likely that First were reluctant to incorporate the new Stowupland extension into the existing 88, as I believe all current 88 workings are either school runs, or are interworked with them, thus making it rather difficult to add extensions to the route. Additionally, it is possible to connect through on the route. For example, 87s from Stowupland to Stowmarket arrive at Bury Street at :10 and :40, whilst 88s depart for Ipswich at :20 and :50. Whilst this is a 10 minute connection, it does avoid the risk of missing a connecting bus...

 

[buslad1988]

It is likely that First were reluctant to incorporate the new Stowupland extension into the existing 88, as I believe all current 88 workings are either school runs, or are interworked with them, thus making it rather difficult to add extensions to the route. Additionally, it is possible to connect through on the route. For example, 87s from Stowupland to Stowmarket arrive at Bury Street at :10 and :40, whilst 88s depart for Ipswich at :20 and :50. Whilst this is a 10 minute connection, it does avoid the risk of missing a connecting bus...

That makes some sense however it does seem lazy. This town service during the afternoon is more frequent than the main 88 - incorporating the extra bus into the core service could have maintained a better headway during the school times and potentially an express return service in the peaks (like X7 Felixstowe). Stowmarket is a growing town but the bus network feels disjointed; some kind of cross-town link might have been a better idea. No one likes having to change buses either! A direct link from Stowmarket/Needham Market to Anglia Retail Park and Asda would also provide new direct leisure links. Feels like there is so much potential for this government funding to have been better spent.

Likewise the Ipswich Buses 8B to Bramford could have been incorporated into the First 88 network instead to open up links to Claydon and onwards rather than just a small village to Ipswich (like the 89 did previously). It would have made the service more attractive and potentially viable in the longer term.

Or if the 8B must be Ipswich Buses atleast making it part of the town service 8 with an even headway and maybe to Ipswich Rail Station would have gained it some extra passengers to/from Bramford Road and be more beneficial. The new service doesn’t even call at the same stand at Tower Ramparts as the 8 - it’s just confusing! They should have called this new service 18.

 

[Kartenga]

Beestons Update

BUS 91R - Scania Omnidekka has come to Beestons and is being prepared for service for possibly Saturday this week. It's already repainted into white livery. I don’t know the original registration but there were two orange Mulleys Motorway deckers in the Beestons Yard.

 

[F Great Eastern]

Bus 91R is former OIL 2232 from Don Fraser Coaches of Holmeswood, believed to be originally on a 56 plate. This will replace the recently written off East Lancs Omnidekka YN03 DDA (previously also 523 FN)

It's fitted with seatbelts but manual destination blinds so Beestons are making some Mods to it to make it suitable for them before it entering service. It has the same high backed seats as 524 FN.

There will also be more news to follow in the days ahead.

 

[Magdalia]

I'm not sure if this discussion is the right place for this.

BBC News are reporting cuts to bus services in the Saffron Walden area, routes previously operated by Central Connect.

Buses in Essex and Hertfordshire abruptly withdrawn

The local council says it is coming up with new timetables after a bus company cancelled services.

www.bbc.co.uk

People living in a rural district said they have been left stunned after six bus services were taken off the road.
The routes are used mainly by people in Uttlesford, Essex, but also travel into Hertfordshire and Suffolk.
The operator Central Connect said it first told the local council in September that it was struggling to run the six routes.
Essex County Council (ECC) has drafted in other firms to operate "temporary timetables" following the news.
The local authority said Central Connect's actions were "disappointing".
Some of the people using the routes - the 301, 316, 318, 319, 320 and the 321- are school children.

 

[GusB]

I'm not sure if this discussion is the right place for this.

BBC News are reporting cuts to bus services in the Saffron Walden area, routes previously operated by Central Connect.

Buses in Essex and Hertfordshire abruptly withdrawn

The local council says it is coming up with new timetables after a bus company cancelled services.

www.bbc.co.uk

There is a thread discussing the issue here:

Central Connect (Vectare) withdraw tenders with no notice

Central Connect - owned by Vectare sine September 2023 - have announced a number of Essex County Council contracts will cease from this weekend. Their version of events is on their website at Vectare.co.uk. The Essex County Council response is on TravelEssex.com. It appears many journeys have...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[Magdalia]

There is a thread discussing the issue here:

Central Connect (Vectare) withdraw tenders with no notice

Central Connect - owned by Vectare sine September 2023 - have announced a number of Essex County Council contracts will cease from this weekend. Their version of events is on their website at Vectare.co.uk. The Essex County Council response is on TravelEssex.com. It appears many journeys have...

www.railforums.co.uk

Thanks. I tried to find an existing discussion by searching on Saffron Walden. But nobody in that thread actually mentioned the town served by all of the withdrawn routes!

Please move if you think it appropriate.

 

[F Great Eastern]

Two Triaxle Volvo B7L MCV EvoSeti deckers have been delivered to Beestons of Hadleigh.

They are in a silver based livery apparently on private plates, haven't seen them yet.

Enviro 400 MMC YX23 OSM is due to leave the fleet any day.


EDIT

2x Beestons Volvo B8L MCV EvoSeti 12.8m with 98 seats.

I believe there are the first of their type in the UK, the ones with Sanders are a shorter model.

MUN56N

Things I wasn't expecting see today - a brand new tri-axle decker with a Suffolk operator. Brand new (registered 5 days ago) MCV Evoseti bodied Volvo B8L with Beestons of Hadleigh.

www.flickr.com

MUN59N

And then a second one appeared! So Beestons have two new MCV Evoseti bodied Volvo B8Ls - the first brand new tri-axle deckers for a Suffolk operator I think? The registrations reflect the owners name of course.

www.flickr.com

 

[Flange Squeal]

I don’t think that this has been mentioned yet, but Awayadays has ceased operations following the death of David McMaster. A post on their Facebook says that Ensignbus have taken on the fleet and private hire bookings.

COMPANY UPDATE ‼️

Following the sad passing of Awayadays operator David McMaster in 2023, the Awayadays company is no longer in a position to run its tours and private hire. However, some very good news is that we have now secured the services of Ensignbus to operate bookings on our behalf using the original Awayadays bus fleet supported by their own buses where needed - effective April 2024.

Ensignbus is a trusted, large scale operator who we have always had the pleasure of working closely with. Please contact us for private hire requests (email [email protected]) - we’d love to help transport you and your guests. Perfect for weddings, parties, wakes, school visits, proms and more.

Please note the City Sightseeing Open Top Tour in Norwich has been suspended until further notice.

www.awayadays.com

Source: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/ZYQMS3cH1pgjqQHm/

The East Norfolk Bus Blog has published photos showing the fleet (Routemaster CUV 191C and City Sightseeing open tops Plaxton President T40 NRW/X589 EGK and Leyland Olympian G520 VBB) at Ensignbus’ premises.

Norwich Sightseeing Tours Cease​

After more than twenty years of providing tourists and locals trips around the fine city, Norwich's Sightseeing Tours have ceased their services immediately.



Following the passing of Awayadays and City Sightseeing Norwich operator David McMaster, the service is no longer able to run tours and private hire. In its time the group provided free vintage bus rides at Christmas raising money for charity.



Meanwhile some of the existing fleet has transferred to Ensignbus at Purfleet where photos of them were taken by Mark Doggett. Private bookings using the original fleet will still be available but will now be operated by a separate company - Norfolk Vintage Bus Hire



My thanks to Mark for the use of his photos

Roy

Source: https://eastnorfolkbus.blogspot.com/2024/04/norwich-sightseeing-tours-cease.html?m=1

This obviously means the Norwich City Sightseeing service is not operating, with the official website saying “Product temporarily unavailable”. It’ll be interesting to see if another operator will take it on, particularly with the vehicles now being in the hands of First Group through the Ensignbus division. I’ve not personally seen the tour to know what patronage is like, but Awayadays have been running it for some time now so it must be fairly well established?

 

[buslad1988]

I’ve seen photos on Flickr (links below; courtesy parkandride2007) that Ipswich Buses appear to have acquired atleast two Enviro 200’s from Nottingham City Transport. YX63GXS/Y.

IB - YX63 GXS (Ipswich, Bibb Way) 22-04-2024 (1)

Explore parkandride2007's 15088 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

IB - YX63 GXY (Ipswich, Bibb Way) 22-04-2024 (2)

Explore parkandride2007's 15088 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

Does anyone know if anymore are due? Or if indeed any new orders have been placed this year? The fleet is looking rather elderly now in places (particularly double decks) even more noticeable with Firsts influx of Streetdecks in the last 18 months.

Ipswich/Suffolk also seems to be lagging behind in the switch to electric. In its heyday Ipswich Buses were usually always one of the first operators to pioneer new technology and vehicle developments. It’s looking like they’ll be the last municipal to make the change to alternative fuels.

Almost a year in from the introduction of the new MD (Dan Bassett) not much appears to have changed from the outset. I was hoping by now to have seen a wide-scale network review and for him to have put his Reading stamp on the company with a (much needed imo) new livery and branding.

 

[cnjb8]

I’ve seen photos on Flickr (links below; courtesy parkandride2007) that Ipswich Buses appear to have acquired atleast two Enviro 200’s from Nottingham City Transport. YX63GXS/Y.

IB - YX63 GXS (Ipswich, Bibb Way) 22-04-2024 (1)

Explore parkandride2007's 15088 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

IB - YX63 GXY (Ipswich, Bibb Way) 22-04-2024 (2)

Explore parkandride2007's 15088 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

Does anyone know if anymore are due? Or if indeed any new orders have been placed this year? The fleet is looking rather elderly now in places (particularly double decks) even more noticeable with Firsts influx of Streetdecks in the last 18 months.

Ipswich/Suffolk also seems to be lagging behind in the switch to electric. In its heyday Ipswich Buses were usually always one of the first operators to pioneer new technology and vehicle developments. It’s looking like they’ll be the last municipal to make the change to alternative fuels.

Almost a year in from the introduction of the new MD (Dan Bassett) not much appears to have changed from the outset. I was hoping by now to have seen a wide-scale network review and for him to have put his Reading stamp on the company with a (much needed imo) new livery and branding.

I believe all the withdrawn E200s with NCT are sold so no more are due at this moment

 

[paulprentice]

I’ve seen photos on Flickr (links below; courtesy parkandride2007) that Ipswich Buses appear to have acquired atleast two Enviro 200’s from Nottingham City Transport. YX63GXS/Y.

IB - YX63 GXS (Ipswich, Bibb Way) 22-04-2024 (1)

Explore parkandride2007's 15088 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

IB - YX63 GXY (Ipswich, Bibb Way) 22-04-2024 (2)

Explore parkandride2007's 15088 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

Does anyone know if anymore are due? Or if indeed any new orders have been placed this year? The fleet is looking rather elderly now in places (particularly double decks) even more noticeable with Firsts influx of Streetdecks in the last 18 months.

Ipswich/Suffolk also seems to be lagging behind in the switch to electric. In its heyday Ipswich Buses were usually always one of the first operators to pioneer new technology and vehicle developments. It’s looking like they’ll be the last municipal to make the change to alternative fuels.

Almost a year in from the introduction of the new MD (Dan Bassett) not much appears to have changed from the outset. I was hoping by now to have seen a wide-scale network review and for him to have put his Reading stamp on the company with a (much needed imo) new livery and branding.

Agreed on the fleet age profile and the contrast with the First fleet, which looks very impressive. I'm sure those ex-Nottingham E200s have been looked after, but emission free they're not.

On the eve of a future government that might look more kindly on traditional municipal ownership, I suspect the likes of Ipswich Buses are awaiting the opportunities that might come from fleet renewal that have evaded them so far. Labour-run councils like Ipswich don't tend get the funding for improvements that others have had although I'm sure someone will point out the exceptions!

I also remember the pioneering alternative fuel experiments in the 1990s and at one point there was even talk of reintroducing trolleybuses under Barry Moore's inspirational leadership. Battery power is now very much with us and it only needs the stroke of a ministerial pen to convert Ipswich into an electric bus town.

On the other hand, as reported in several other places already, Suffolk could be about to get 150 hydrogen-powered buses to serve Sizewell C construction, equal I think to both the First Ipswich and Ipswich Buses fleets, which could have a transformative effect in a relatively short space of time. Interesting times.

 

[buslad1988]

In a coup for First Eastern Counties they’ve become an official partner for newly promoted Ipswich Town Football Club. See article below:

TOWN PARTNER WITH FIRST BUS

undefined

www.itfc.co.uk

The Club is excited to be partnering with First Bus.

First Bus become an official Club Partner on a multi-year agreement, initially running to the end of the 2026/27 season.

As part of the new partnership, First Bus will also be offering Town fans free Park & Ride travel to and from selected home games from their sites at Martlesham and Copdock.

This should bring a huge boost to the commercial Park & Ride service - there even appeared to be duplicates running for the match yesterday which is something I haven’t seen since the days when Ipswich Buses ran the service.

The partnership appears to be taking effect already; with special Park & Ride and Stowmarket Swift 88 services running tomorrow (Bank Holiday Monday) for the parade. Obviously being a Sunday service these services would not normally operate.

Ipswich Services | Ipswich Town FC Parade 6th May

Ipswich town centre Monday 6th May 2024 Ipswich Town FC have won their spot in the Premier League and will celebrate with a parade on Monday, 6th May, the bank holiday. Route diversions The Ipswich Town FC parade to celebrate promotion to the Premier League will mean several diversions...

www.firstbus.co.uk

Monday 6th May 2024

Ipswich Town FC have won their spot in the Premier League and will celebrate with a parade on Monday, 6th May, the bank holiday.

Route diversions

The Ipswich Town FC parade to celebrate promotion to the Premier League will mean several diversions within the town centre, these are detailed below. All diversions will be in place from start of service until 14:00.

Service 4 Bixley – Ipswich town centre

Inbound - Usual route until St Helens Street then Grimwade Street, Fore Street, Salthouse Street, Key Street, College Street, Star Lane, Turrett Lane into Old Cattle Market STAND M.

Outbound –from Old Cattle Market into Dogs Head Street, Upper Brook Street and then usual route.

This service will not serve Tower Ramparts during the diversion

Service 65 Woodbridge- Ipswich

Service 66 Martlesham - Ipswich

Services 75/77 Felixstowe – Ipswich

Inbound - Usual route until St Helens Street then Grimwade Street,

Fore Street, Salthouse Street, Key Street, College Street, Star Lane, Turrett Lane into Old Cattle Market

Outbound – usual route from Old Cattle Market

Service 66 will terminate at Old Cattle Market and will not serve the rail station during the diversion.

Additional services

Additional services will be operating on

88 Stowmarket – Ipswich

800 Ipswich Park and Ride - FREE on 6th May 2024

Park and Ride services will operate to and from Stand L at Old Cattle Market.

Please see below timetable for additional services. Please note that these services are subject to change based on traffic conditions on the day.

What’s surprising is Ipswich Buses themselves not teaming up with the football club in some way; especially as their head office is just across the road! I do recall a time they offered ticket holders £1 singles to/from matches but this has long gone.

 

[GusB]

Please remember to add a quote from any external sources that you refer to. This is required by forum rules.

Thanks

 

[F Great Eastern]

In a coup for First Eastern Counties they’ve become an official partner for newly promoted Ipswich Town Football Club. See article below:

TOWN PARTNER WITH FIRST BUS

undefined

www.itfc.co.uk

This should bring a huge boost to the commercial Park & Ride service - there even appeared to be duplicates running for the match yesterday which is something I haven’t seen since the days when Ipswich Buses ran the service.

The partnership appears to be taking effect already; with special Park & Ride and Stowmarket Swift 88 services running tomorrow (Bank Holiday Monday) for the parade. Obviously being a Sunday service these services would not normally operate.

Ipswich Services | Ipswich Town FC Parade 6th May

Ipswich town centre Monday 6th May 2024 Ipswich Town FC have won their spot in the Premier League and will celebrate with a parade on Monday, 6th May, the bank holiday. Route diversions The Ipswich Town FC parade to celebrate promotion to the Premier League will mean several diversions...

www.firstbus.co.uk

What’s surprising is Ipswich Buses themselves not teaming up with the football club in some way; especially as their head office is just across the road! I do recall a time they offered ticket holders £1 singles to/from matches but this has long gone.

The Parade is using a couple of Ensignbus Ayats Bravo open toppers.

https://twitter.com/leehyde30/status/1787376692765307225

Not sure which ones.

 

[SW Buses]

I’ve seen photos on Flickr (links below; courtesy parkandride2007) that Ipswich Buses appear to have acquired atleast two Enviro 200’s from Nottingham City Transport. YX63GXS/Y.

IB - YX63 GXS (Ipswich, Bibb Way) 22-04-2024 (1)

Explore parkandride2007's 15088 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

IB - YX63 GXY (Ipswich, Bibb Way) 22-04-2024 (2)

Explore parkandride2007's 15088 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

Does anyone know if anymore are due? Or if indeed any new orders have been placed this year? The fleet is looking rather elderly now in places (particularly double decks) even more noticeable with Firsts influx of Streetdecks in the last 18 months.

Ipswich/Suffolk also seems to be lagging behind in the switch to electric. In its heyday Ipswich Buses were usually always one of the first operators to pioneer new technology and vehicle developments. It’s looking like they’ll be the last municipal to make the change to alternative fuels.

Almost a year in from the introduction of the new MD (Dan Bassett) not much appears to have changed from the outset. I was hoping by now to have seen a wide-scale network review and for him to have put his Reading stamp on the company with a (much needed imo) new livery and branding.

There, so far, appears to be little ‘transfer’ of the innovative Reading thinking brought to IB that you may have thought may have come forward with the new MD. I suppose a year on, maybe those innovations have been tempered by finances and politics - inside and out?

 

[buslad1988]

There, so far, appears to be little ‘transfer’ of the innovative Reading thinking brought to IB that you may have thought may have come forward with the new MD. I suppose a year on, maybe those innovations have been tempered by finances and politics - inside and out?

It’s almost at though he was only brought in to be a care taker type manager to keep things afloat.

If his stamp/innovations aren’t being allowed to progress; be it for fear of change from the board of directors and councillors or an un co-operative local authority then he may simply get bored and walk away. There’s only so long you can do a job with your hands tied.

 

[F Great Eastern]

Vectare have bought Simmonds out, another independent gone

https://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/ve..._lcf1YCHQ5aiN7M65vR60Bs3FqRp0QYgv6n9tRgwAFbR/

Vectare has acquired Simonds of Botesdale, a bus and coach operator with a heritage of 96 years of operation.

Simonds, which is based in Diss, on the Norfolk/Suffolk border, operates home to school, private hire and rail replacement services, alongside tours and day excursions and a small network of local bus services. The business will remain operationally separate from existing Vectare/Central Connect and Flagfinders operations.

One thing about that article seemed strange to me though

“I’m thrilled to see Vectare taking over at Simonds” – Niki Park, Head of Passenger Transport at Norfolk County Council

It seems very odd that a council make any comment at all, let alone the fact they are saying they are thrilled to see one of their local operators taken over by a non local operator. I'm not sure why it's their place to comment on it to be honest? Do the council have some ownership links with either company? If not then it doesn't sit right with me.

 

[buslad1988]

It seems very odd that a council make any comment at all, let alone the fact they are saying they are thrilled to see one of their local operators taken over by a non local operator. I'm not sure why it's their place to comment on it to be honest? Do the council have some ownership links with either company? If not then it doesn't sit right with me.

I was rather surprised by that quote as well. If it was the case that Simonds was about to go under and Vectare saved them I’d understand but otherwise it seems misplaced. Norfolk certainly haven’t been following the situation between Vectare and Essex County Council!

It will be interesting to see where they take the business; especially when it says they are looking to expand and refresh the local bus network. They only run a handful of council tenders around South Norfolk into Norwich and Ipswich?

First and Coach Services have all the main interurban routes well provided for. Go-ahead seem to tick along nicely running on a shoe string and independents do everything else inbetween.

 

[Cesarcollie]

I was rather surprised by that quote as well. If it was the case that Simonds was about to go under and Vectare saved them I’d understand but otherwise it seems misplaced. Norfolk certainly haven’t been following the situation between Vectare and Essex County Council!

It will be interesting to see where they take the business; especially when it says they are looking to expand and refresh the local bus network. They only run a handful of council tenders around South Norfolk into Norwich and Ipswich?

First and Coach Services have all the main interurban routes well provided for. Go-ahead seem to tick along nicely running on a shoe string and independents do everything else inbetween.

Dramatic expansion very quickly rarely has a happy ending unfortunately ……….

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Rather than going under or questions on council ownership, it might be that the two directors are 66 and 71 years of age, and they've been looking to retire. Rather than winding up operations (and reducing the number of contractors available to the council), they've been able to sell?

I do agree with @Cesarcollie that rapid expansion (and over many geographic areas) is difficult to manage successfully.

 

[M803UYA]

I was rather surprised by that quote as well. If it was the case that Simonds was about to go under and Vectare saved them I’d understand but otherwise it seems misplaced. Norfolk certainly haven’t been following the situation between Vectare and Essex County Council!

It will be interesting to see where they take the business; especially when it says they are looking to expand and refresh the local bus network. They only run a handful of council tenders around South Norfolk into Norwich and Ipswich?

First and Coach Services have all the main interurban routes well provided for. Go-ahead seem to tick along nicely running on a shoe string and independents do everything else inbetween.

From what Vectare put out it seemed that trust between them and Essex had completely broken down. Having had to deal with Essex in a past life I can see why such a statement would be put out.

Rather than going under or questions on council ownership, it might be that the two directors are 66 and 71 years of age, and they've been looking to retire. Rather than winding up operations (and reducing the number of contractors available to the council), they've been able to sell?

I do agree with @Cesarcollie that rapid expansion (and over many geographic areas) is difficult to manage successfully.

Vectare is primarily a bus operation that does some coaching work whereas Simonds is the opposite. But clearly there's potential to expand the bus side?
I wonder if Sizewell C has a bearing on the sale - as in expansion opportunities although that's 30 miles distant.

 

[buslad1988]

Vectare is primarily a bus operation that does some coaching work whereas Simonds is the opposite. But clearly there's potential to expand the bus side?
I wonder if Sizewell C has a bearing on the sale - as in expansion opportunities although that's 30 miles distant.

Other than starting competition I can’t see how they can expand that much? The operating area isn’t great bus territory all they can really do is bid for more tenders as and when they come up - the trunk routes to Ipswich/Norwich you simply cannot compete with the train service. Even First struggle on the Stowmarket to Ipswich corridor because of this.

Ipswich Park & Ride has been commercial for a number of years and I don’t think Norwich is due for renewal any time soon? But with established big players they’d need to go in hard (as presumably they did in Essex when they won Chelmsford Park & Ride).

Specialist Passenger Solutions I believe already have a contract for Sizewell C? Some white streetlites have appeared in First’s Lowestoft/Great Yarmouth garages for this. Plus the rumoured hydrogen buses.

 

[borage]

Ipswich Park & Ride has been commercial for a number of years and I don’t think Norwich is due for renewal any time soon? But with established big players they’d need to go in hard (as presumably they did in Essex when they won Chelmsford Park & Ride).

The Norwich Park & Ride *is* due for renewal

[...]
Norfolk County Council wishes to enter into a contract for (1) the provision of frequent bus services from the 5 Norwich Park and Ride sites to Norwich city centre. (2) Park and Ride site management and maintenance for 6 sites and (3). Management of Norwich bus station and information desk including maintenance and security.The Council expects this procurement to be issued as one procurement but with 3 lots. Bidders will be able to apply for one lot or more than one.
[...]

but probably not relevant.

I thought it was an interesting coincidence (probably just a coincidence) that Sanders has a Norwich depot now (space for 12 coaches):

A leading Norfolk coach company is set to open a Norwich depot, following an off-market deal to buy a site on Bessemer Road in the south of the city.

Holt-based Sanders Coaches has bought the 0.65 acre site, which includes a 10,000 sq ft building, after a long search for suitable premises, and with the help of Norwich-based property services firm Arnolds Keys.

“A Norwich depot is a key part of making our operations more efficient, and enabling us to expand – but we were finding it difficult to find the right site,” said Charles Sanders, managing director of Sanders Coaches.
[...]

 

[buslad1988]

The Norwich Park & Ride *is* due for renewal

Well that is interesting! Now this purchase potentially appears to make more sense then. It’s quite a bold move though and a big risk as there’s no guarantees they’ll get anything.

Go-ahead I’m sure will fight hard to keep hold of the contracts they’ve held for 15+ years. I know they still have a sizeable network other than the P&R contract however it must underpin the core business and will be lucrative to them.

First from the outset don’t appear to have been too interested in Norwich P&R for a number of years although did pick up a couple of University contracts last year? It’s if they have the appetite (and garage space) to try for it again. They also already have a Travel Shop on Castle Meadow and other than the excel/Coastlink don’t operate much else out of Norwich Bus Station anymore?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Well that is interesting! Now this purchase potentially appears to make more sense then. It’s quite a bold move though and a big risk as there’s no guarantees they’ll get anything.

Go-ahead I’m sure will fight hard to keep hold of the contracts they’ve held for 15+ years. I know they still have a sizeable network other than the P&R contract however it must underpin the core business and will be lucrative to them.

First from the outset don’t appear to have been too interested in Norwich P&R for a number of years although did pick up a couple of University contracts last year? It’s if they have the appetite (and garage space) to try for it again. They also already have a Travel Shop on Castle Meadow and other than the excel/Coastlink don’t operate much else out of Norwich Bus Station anymore?

I suspect that First will have a real tilt at Norwich P&R, and they pick up the Costessey to UEA park and ride service a couple of years ago? As you say, it probably underpins the Go Ahead business so removing that would impact the viability of the whole business.