First Group: General Discussion

[Dfatcontroller]

ADL are placing EV400 "seed vehicles" with many of the major groups to try and gather orders, Arriva and NXWM have been mentioned but seen yesterday in Larbert running between the Larbert and Camelon factories was the seed vehicle for FirstGroup.
38600 - FB74ZEB: - https://flic.kr/p/2qhniuQ

 

[F Great Eastern]

Is the word 'demonstrator' now too old fashioned?

Have to say the livery and the bus are a good match though.

 

[Leedsbusman]

Is the word 'demonstrator' now too old fashioned?

No, but these are seed vehicles not demonstrators.

 

[mjc]

No, but these are seed vehicles not demonstrators.

For the uninitiated, what’s the difference?

 

[JD2168]

ADL are placing EV400 "seed vehicles" with many of the major groups to try and gather orders, Arriva and NXWM have been mentioned but seen yesterday in Larbert running between the Larbert and Camelon factories was the seed vehicle for FirstGroup.
38600 - FB74ZEB: - https://flic.kr/p/2qhniuQ

Due for Olive Grove in Sheffield with testing to occur on 51.

 

[JumpinTrainz]

I hope Glasgow see some considering we already have a predominant ADL fleet.

 

[Leedsbusman]

For the uninitiated, what’s the difference?

A demonstrator is a bus which a manufacturer makes available short term to a variety of operators. A seed vehicle is one produced at the manufacturers expense to the operator’s spec for evaluation over a longer period. First have had a number over the years - I recall the first Streetlite was a seed bus, the early Streetdeck likewise.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

A demonstrator is a bus which a manufacturer makes available short term to a variety of operators. A seed vehicle is one produced at the manufacturers expense to the operator’s spec for evaluation over a longer period. First have had a number over the years - I recall the first Streetlite was a seed bus, the early Streetdeck likewise.

There were FOUR seed Streetlites with First in 2012/3 that latterly were purchased, along with a Versa and a Solo SR

 

[Leedsbusman]

There were FOUR seed Streetlites with First in 2012/3 that latterly were purchased, along with a Versa and a Solo SR

Yes 47401 to 47404 initially which became 63038 to 41 when purchased

 

[Robertj21a]

There were FOUR seed Streetlites with First in 2012/3 that latterly were purchased, along with a Versa and a Solo SR

.....and even then they rarely sorted out the rattling emergency door on many Streetlites

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

.....and even then they rarely sorted out the rattling emergency door on many Streetlites

I remember traveling on 47404 from Bristol to Bath and can’t recall it rattling. Mind you, I’d been on a Gloucester Road pub crawl…

 

[JD2168]

Yes 47401 to 47404 initially which became 63038 to 41 when purchased

When the 13 plates were acquired after 63038-63041 had modifications made around the wheelchair & buggy bays. If you look at the interior panelling in this area you can see some of this.

 

[Stan Drews]

.....and even then they rarely sorted out the rattling emergency door on many Streetlites

I believe that is a feature on the Streetlite and not something that needs sorting!

 

[317 forever]

So you don't recognise that it actually worked... You remembered it!

Quite a few advertising agencies will employ the tactic that even if it annoys you, at least you noticed it. webuyanycar was one notable example but there's many more.

Sorry but that was after the Transgressing Travel era. That was under Moir's tenure - you can date that video very accurately in that the new promo font had been rolled out but the "Olympia" livery hadn't yet been introduced.

There were quite a few posts before the one I quoted. The times may as you say not match up, but ...

My point about the irony of the First transforming travel slogan remains.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

There were quite a few posts before the one I quoted. The times may as you say not match up, but ...

My point about the irony of the First transforming travel slogan remains.

I think you're getting the wrong end of the stick; I didn't defend that slogan - in fact, I said "transgressing travel" as that was one version used by First managers I knew!

My comment was about the views of the "cringeworthy video" as one poster described it, despite the fact that it clearly was memorable and that such a view ignores the tactic that ad agencies will often use annoying, cringy tactics to get you to remember things. I mentioned webuyanycar as one, another person cited. Go Compare.

 

[richw]

There were quite a few posts before the one I quoted. The times may as you say not match up, but ...

My point about the irony of the First transforming travel slogan remains.

They never did tell us how they were transforming travel, for good or bad?

 

[Leedsbusman]

There were quite a few posts before the one I quoted. The times may as you say not match up, but ...

My point about the irony of the First transforming travel slogan remains.

A slogan they stopped using around 2011!

 

[cam22]

This article shows a new First Bus logo;
https://busandtrainuser.com/2024/09/28/seen-around-25/
Will this be applied to the new ‘electric’ livery or will there be another new livery to go with this logo?

 

[hdennis13]

This article shows a new First Bus logo;
https://busandtrainuser.com/2024/09/28/seen-around-25/
Will this be applied to the new ‘electric’ livery or will there be another new livery to go with this logo?

The new "electric" purple livery applied to first electric buses has been applied to first diesel buses, just without any "electric" branding

 

[cam22]

I realise that it’s on electric and diesel vehicles. Was just wondering if the new first bus logo means another new livery or will it just be applied to this one?

 

[Volvodart]

I realise that it’s on electric and diesel vehicles. Was just wondering if the new first bus logo means another new livery or will it just be applied to this one?

The new logo is in the colours of this livery.

 

[cam22]

I was thinking that.. should just be able to apply it to the current livery.

 

[Volvodart]

Acquisition of Anderson Travel

Acquisition of Anderson Travel

otp.tools.investis.com

Acquisition of Anderson Travel
Released : 21.10.2024

FIRSTGROUP PLC






FirstGroup has acquired Anderson Travel, a highly experienced coach operator providing contracted school, private hire, mini coach and tour services in and around London

The operator has c.40 coaches of varying sizes with bases in central London and Heathrow

The acquisition will extend First Bus' operational footprint and forms part of the Group's strategy of targeted acquisitions to grow its share of the UK adjacent services market
FirstGroup plc (the `Group') is pleased to announce that it has acquired Anderson Travel, a central London based coach company comprising three trading entities, Anderson Travel Limited, Anderson Tours Limited and London Mini Coaches Limited.

Anderson Travel currently operates c.40 coaches of varying sizes in and around London from a depot near Tower Bridge in central London and a new, smaller depot near Heathrow airport. Operations include school and other private hire contracts in London, contracted mini coach operations around Heathrow airport, a day trip excursion programme aimed at international visitors run out of London daily, and a private group tour offering. For the year ended 30 June 2023, Anderson Travel reported revenues of £7.3m and EBIT of £1.0m.

Mark Anderson, the founder and majority owner of Anderson Travel, will continue to lead the day to day operations of the business as it is integrated into First Bus.

Graham Sutherland, FirstGroup Chief Executive Officer said:

"The acquisition of Anderson Travel, an experienced and profitable coach company, builds on our recent strategic acquisitions in the B2B and B2C coach market. We will continue to identify and assess opportunities to diversify and grow as we increase our share of the adjacent services market in the UK, where we see considerable opportunity for stable, long-term and value accretive growth."



The Group expects to report its results for the 26 weeks to 28 September 2024 on 14 November 2024.

 

[Goldfish62]

Acquisition of Anderson Travel

Acquisition of Anderson Travel

otp.tools.investis.com

Interesting.

 

[Volvodart]

Acquisition of Lakeside Group

Acquisition of Lakeside Group

Released : 25.10.2024

FIRSTGROUP PLC

Acquisition of LAKESIDE GROUP




FirstGroup has acquired Lakeside Group, a profitable, well-established Shropshire and Cheshire-based company that provides school, B2B and B2C private hire services, with a fleet of c.145 buses and coaches

Complementing the recent additions to the First Bus portfolio, this strategic acquisition will allow us to grow our coaching business and offers the potential to increase our presence in the West Midlands
FirstGroup plc (the ‘Group’) is pleased to announce that it has acquired Shropshire-based Lakeside Group (‘Lakeside’) comprising well recognised local brands Lakeside Coaches, Merediths Coaches and A. T. Brown Coaches.

Lakeside operates a fleet of c.145 buses and coaches of various sizes primarily from a central, owned depot in Ellesmere, Shropshire and from five smaller depots – one owned in Shrewsbury and the others leased - in Shropshire, Telford and South Cheshire.

The majority of Lakeside’s revenue is derived from school and private hire contracts, with the remaining revenue coming from tours, a small local bus operation (under contract to Shropshire County Council) and B2B operations. The business has grown significantly over recent years, both organically and inorganically, and has retained strong levels of profitability. For the year ended 31 March 2024, Lakeside delivered revenues of c.£12.5m and EBIT of c.£2.5m.

Neal Hall, the Managing Director of Lakeside, will continue to manage the business on a day-to-day basis going forward. Gareth Davies, the owner of Lakeside, will continue to lead the business and will join First Bus to support the ongoing development of its wider coaching strategy.

The acquisitions we have made in recent years, in line with our stated strategy to grow and diversify the First Bus portfolio, now represent combined annualised revenues of c.£100m and EBIT of c.£13m and we continue to evaluate a pipeline of organic and inorganic growth opportunities.


Graham Sutherland, FirstGroup Chief Executive Officer said:

“The acquisition of Lakeside, a profitable business with excellent growth potential, builds on our recent acquisitions in First Bus. The addition to our portfolio will not only grow our position in adjacent services, but it will also allow us to enter new regions which is key to the overall First Bus strategy.”

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Acquisition of Lakeside Group

Acquisition of Lakeside Group

Interesting that after buying Ensignbus and York Pullman (that could be considered as bolt-ons to existing First operations), the next two are much more out of area.

As an aside, it's also interesting to see how the industry is changing. In the 1980s/1990s, the bus groups were busy shedding coach operations. IIRC, Brian Souter was very critical of a former NBC operation (was it Pilgrim Coaches?) that was part of the Hampshire Bus purchase as there was little commercial acumen or assessment of cost/revenue. I remember First having some larger coach ops with substantial NatEx workings (Badgerline, Western National, SWT, Midland Red Coaches) that they incrementally walked away from. Think the reasoning was coaching was lower margin (esp NX) and required significant capital investment. How the circle turns!!

 

[Delenn]

Interesting that after buying Ensignbus and York Pullman (that could be considered as bolt-ons to existing First operations), the next two are much more out of area.

As an aside, it's also interesting to see how the industry is changing. In the 1980s/1990s, the bus groups were busy shedding coach operations. IIRC, Brian Souter was very critical of a former NBC operation (was it Pilgrim Coaches?) that was part of the Hampshire Bus purchase as there was little commercial acumen or assessment of cost/revenue. I remember First having some larger coach ops with substantial NatEx workings (Badgerline, Western National, SWT, Midland Red Coaches) that they incrementally walked away from. Think the reasoning was coaching was lower margin (esp NX) and required significant capital investment. How the circle turns!!

To be honest, I think it is to do with franchising. If they have their service bus operations removed from them, they still have a business.

 

[Tim33160]

FIRST BUYS LAKESIDE, ELLESMERE.​

FirstGroup announced the acquisition of Lakeside Group on Friday, a bus and coach operator based in Shropshire and Cheshire.

The FTSE 250 passenger transport operator said Lakeside, which operates under local brands including Lakeside Coaches, Merediths Coaches and AT Brown Coaches, manages a fleet of around 145 vehicles.

It focuses primarily on school and private hire contracts, along with some tours and local bus operations.

FirstGroup said the acquisition would complement its existing portfolio and support its strategy to expand its coaching business, particularly in the West Midlands.

https://www.hl.co.uk/shares/stock-m...stgroup-buys-shropshire-bus-operator-lakeside

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

To be honest, I think it is to do with franchising. If they have their service bus operations removed from them, they still have a business.

That is undoubtedly a consideration for First with vulnerability in West and South Yorkshire especially. Even if they were successful in securing franchises (and let's face it, they're not franchises - they're operating contracts), the margins will be lower whilst the B2B coach market now provides better margins than local bus in any case.

It was just a wry observation on how things have changed.

 

[47550]

That is undoubtedly a consideration for First with vulnerability in West and South Yorkshire especially. Even if they were successful in securing franchises (and let's face it, they're not franchises - they're operating contracts), the margins will be lower whilst the B2B coach market now provides better margins than local bus in any case.

It was just a wry observation on how things have changed.

First haven’t got a great track record in winning franchise tenders. They haven’t won much in Manchester, sold their London operations a long while ago and watch Go Ahead win in Cornwall and Dublin. So not surprising they are looking at other revenue streams.