Hulley's of Baslow

[liamf656]

Let's just say this.

If you have tomorrow or Monday free to go and ride Hulleys, I probably would.

This is a bit cryptic. Are you meaning the current routes that are out for tender, or do you suggest the company is closing after Monday?

 

[mangad]

This is a bit cryptic. Are you meaning the current routes that are out for tender, or do you suggest the company is closing after Monday?

Personally I don't think it's cryptic at all. The suggestion to me is clearly that Hulleys will not be running a service on Tuesday. Nothing to differentiate between commercial and tendered routes in the post.

Whether you believe it or not is another matter.

 

[Robertj21a]

Personally I don't think it's cryptic at all. The suggestion to me is clearly that Hulleys will not be running a service on Tuesday. Nothing to differentiate between commercial and tendered routes in the post.

Whether you believe it or not is another matter.

I have good reason to believe you, I think there is little time left for the company as a whole.
.

 

[tocguard]

This is a bit cryptic. Are you meaning the current routes that are out for tender, or do you suggest the company is closing after Monday?

By all accounts, DCC and a certain large operator have put some plans in place for Tuesday/Wednesday onwards . . .

If the owner can afford holidays that's one thing, but can they afford the time away from management? Forget drivers for a second, are there enough competent people to manage all aspects of the operation when he's away? That may include during sickness absences.

However it's quite possible to run a business from anywhere in the world - if you can trust competent managers and operative staff.

Matt Smalls has left last week, the customer service lady made redundant some weeks ago, I don't think there's anyone else left. There's also no knowledge at Baslow of an appointment of a second TM as per the inquiry requirement.

 

[peterblue]

By all accounts, DCC and a certain large operator have put some plans in place for Tuesday/Wednesday onwards . . .


Matt Smalls has left last week, the customer service lady made redundant some weeks ago, I don't think there's anyone else left. There's also no knowledge at Baslow of an appointment of a second TM as per the inquiry requirement.

A certain large operator based in Chesterfield? Or another one?

 

[Pyewipecarshed]

Where the main man got his money we can't know; there are many possibilities like inheritance, lottery win, profits drawn from another business or maybe remortgaged his home.

According to Gov.uk he is also a director of SCR Ticketing who oversee the South Yorkshire Travelmaster tickets. It's listed on a totally separate page to his five appointments related to Hulley's/Go Coach but I doubt there are many other Alfred Vincent Crofts born in July 1974 and active in the area.
Presumably this provides him with another income stream.

 

[Russel]

Look at Stagecoach in the Lake District or even the Sherpa network around Snowdonia...

If only it could be emulated in the Peak District.

 

[M60lad]

Considering the mention of a large operator from Chesterfield possibly taking on some or all of Hulley's work has this operator got enough spare O licences and vehicles to actually do so or will they acquire vehicles from elsewhere to operate the services?

 

[Pyewipecarshed]

Considering the mention of a large operator from Chesterfield possibly taking on some or all of Hulley's work has this operator got enough spare O licences and vehicles to actually do so or will they acquire vehicles from elsewhere to operate the services?

Assuming it's the large operator currently introducing a blue livery, SOES shows the Chesterfield depot with an allocation of 122 against an o-licence authorisation of 130 (for some reason Chesterfield is a separate o-licence).
The main o-licence for the Barnsley-based parent allows 370 vehicles as against a fleet total on Bustimes of 368 which includes the Chesterfield allocation, so plenty of wiggle room even if Bustimes is not accurate.
(Source for o-licences is Gov.uk website)

 

[m79900]

By all accounts, DCC and a certain large operator have put some plans in place for Tuesday/Wednesday onwards . . .

Where have you heard this? I understand if it's confidential.

 

[Teapot42]

According to Gov.uk he is also a director of SCR Ticketing who oversee the South Yorkshire Travelmaster tickets.
...Presumably this provides him with another income stream.

My understanding is that every company represented appoints a director, however this doesn't mean they (or the companies they represent) extract any revenue as a result.

 

[Killingworth]

My understanding is that every company represented appoints a director, however this doesn't mean they (or the companies they represent) extract any revenue as a result.

Correct.

 

[AWK]

My understanding is that every company represented appoints a director, however this doesn't mean they (or the companies they represent) extract any revenue as a result.

Not every company, but various companies have senior staff on the board of SCR Ticketing to represent all operators in the area.

It's an entirely unpaid role and essentially there for governance purposes.

Assuming it's the large operator currently introducing a blue livery, SOES shows the Chesterfield depot with an allocation of 122 against an o-licence authorisation of 130 (for some reason Chesterfield is a separate o-licence).
The main o-licence for the Barnsley-based parent allows 370 vehicles as against a fleet total on Bustimes of 368 which includes the Chesterfield allocation, so plenty of wiggle room even if Bustimes is not accurate.
(Source for o-licences is Gov.uk website)

Chesterfield is a separate licence as it is in a different traffic area (Derbyshire comes under North West, Yorkshire under North East).

The number of O Discs can easily be increased if required but there will be sufficient spares as not all the vehicles on those lists are active, it will include some withdrawn stock.

It will be very easy for Stagecoach (sorry, a big operator in Chesterfield) to being in both vehicles and staff if needs be. They've a load of new EV deckers about to go on the road which will free up other vehicles, and could easily borrow a bus from each of the local depots (Barnsley, Rotherham, the 2 in Sheffield, Gainsborough, Mansfield, Worksop, Stockport etc) and borrow a couple of staff from each of thiae without causing any implications for those depots.

Let's see what next week brings. As usual, I hope those affected are able to find suitable alternative employment if they so wish quickly.

 

[Trainman40083]

They will always find new drivers If they offered realistic hourly rates.
I work for an op in Manchester and we have drivers who come from West Yorkshire and St Helens daily because of the good rates of pay.
I remember seeing posts from Hulley’s on drivers pages on Facebook and they seemed to be written with a bit of arrogance.

Rubbish hourly rates but a generous bonus if you work 6 days instead of 5 every week - just pay a better rate!


I drove in Manchester throughout Covid and then post Covid. Yes there was a lull when lockdown eased but as soon as the flat fares kicked in passenger numbers returned to very near normal.

I read data from Nottingham City and they were on about 90% of pre COVID numbers, other operators less. NCT were clear that they had not seen a switch from car drivers as a result of the £2 fare. So however you look at it, revenue will be lower than it would have been had it been near normal and costs are rather higher than they were. Manchester may well be seeing growth, that is not widespread, and certainly not in Hulleysland.

 

[Pyewipecarshed]

Not every company, but various companies have senior staff on the board of SCR Ticketing to represent all operators in the area.

It's an entirely unpaid role and essentially there for governance purposes.

Makes sense, I didn't know if it was paid or not but I figured if it was it might answer some of the periodic speculation regarding money!

t will be very easy for Stagecoach (sorry, a big operator in Chesterfield) to being in both vehicles and staff if needs be.

Yes, a big operator in the East Midlands who may or may not be related to the similarly big Chesterfield operator has a number of recently withdrawn vehicles at Scunthorpe and Grimsby which could be reactivated quickly if required.

As usual, I hope those affected are able to find suitable alternative employment if they so wish quickly.

Definitely!

 

[MotCO]

It will be very easy for Stagecoach (sorry, a big operator in Chesterfield) to being in both vehicles and staff if needs be.

I suspect vehicles will be the least of their problems - they could even take over the lease of Hulleys vehicles if needs be. I suspect the main problem will be drivers and route knowledge.

 

[Pyewipecarshed]

I suspect vehicles will be the least of their problems - they could even take over the lease of Hulleys vehicles if needs be. I suspect the main problem will be drivers and route knowledge.

Route knowledge might be an issue, but generally Sta... sorry big operator in Chesterfield... are able to scramble drivers from other depots and areas if required. Certainly if they have already spoken with DCC as suggested they will be able to tout for volunteers in any areas where they are not short of staff.

In advance I mean.

 

[AWK]

Route knowledge might be an issue, but generally Sta... sorry big operator in Chesterfield... are able to scramble drivers from other depots and areas if required. Certainly if they have already spoken with DCC as suggested they will be able to tout for volunteers in any areas where they are not short of staff.

In advance I mean.

Other operators will not be unaware of what is going on. I'm sure people from certain big operators will have already prepared route guidance materials (maps, written turn by turn instructions), got blind sets prepared ready to uploaded on to vehicles etc. I'm sure a lot has been going on behind the scenes for some time now as its becoming increasingly apparent it's a case of when not if...

I suspect vehicles will be the least of their problems - they could even take over the lease of Hulleys vehicles if needs be. I suspect the main problem will be drivers and route knowledge.

Highly unlikely. They'll use their own vehicles they know the condition and maintenance regime of rather than lease vehicles they know nothing about. That will also be much quicker to deploy rather than waiting for a leasing company to repossess their assets then negotiate lease terms.

 

[YX73OUB]

According to Gov.uk he is also a director of SCR Ticketing who oversee the South Yorkshire Travelmaster tickets. It's listed on a totally separate page to his five appointments related to Hulley's/Go Coach but I doubt there are many other Alfred Vincent Crofts born in July 1974 and active in the area.
Presumably this provides him with another income stream.

II

My understanding is that every company represented appoints a director, however this doesn't mean they (or the companies they represent) extract any revenue as a result.

teapot is right to my understanding too.

 

[m79900]

Would it be posible for a big operator from Chesterfield to take on the Baslow garage as an outstation? It'd make more sense than having loads of dead mileage from Stoneg.. sorry, Chesterfield in the morning.

 

[Busoccultation]

Would it be posible for a big operator from Chesterfield to take on the Baslow garage as an outstation? It'd make more sense than having loads of dead mileage from Stoneg.. sorry, Chesterfield in the morning.

Ideal for a certain open top service running in the Peak District in the Summer, if they use Baslow as an outstation.

 

[Trainman40083]

Would it be posible for a big operator from Chesterfield to take on the Baslow garage as an outstation? It'd make more sense than having loads of dead mileage from Stoneg.. sorry, Chesterfield in the morning.

I remember when Chesterfield Transport took over Whites of Calver. But then people are presuming that Stage????? will be the company winning the work. Maybe others are better placed

 

[43055]

Ideal for a certain open top service running in the Peak District in the Summer, if they use Baslow as an outstation.

Maybe for some duties but others started/ended in Chesterfield/Sheffield as extensions to the normal route.

 

[Russel]

Where have you heard this? I understand if it's confidential.

Well, that confirms things...

 

[mayneway]

Route knowledge might be an issue, but generally Sta... sorry big operator in Chesterfield... are able to scramble drivers from other depots and areas if required. Certainly if they have already spoken with DCC as suggested they will be able to tout for volunteers in any areas where they are not short of staff.

In advance I mean.

Not really going to happen when drivers from various South Yorkshire and Chesterfield depicts are on long term loan to Manchester to prop things up there, not to mention the wales drivers, and the Scottish drivers…….

 

[Pyewipecarshed]

Not really going to happen when drivers from various South Yorkshire and Chesterfield depicts are on long term loan to Manchester to prop things up there, not to mention the wales drivers, and the Scottish drivers…….

Of course it can happen! A mate of mine worked for Stagecoach North East but did spells on loan to Cheltenham, Manchester and Lord knows where else. Possibly the Chesterfield and South Yorkshire drivers will be called back and replaced in Manchester by folk from elsewhere, or they'll be left in Manchester and drivers from other areas will learn and run the Hulleys routes. Stagecoach are large enough to cope... assuming they are the big operator in question of course lol

 

[m79900]

Well, that confirms things...

Eh? I think you might've misunderstood my post.

 

[AWK]

Would it be posible for a big operator from Chesterfield to take on the Baslow garage as an outstation? It'd make more sense than having loads of dead mileage from Stoneg.. sorry, Chesterfield in the morning.

No, as Hulleys don't own it either and my understanding is that the owner of the land will only rent it to Hulleys. It'll be sold off for housing I guess.

Of course it can happen! A mate of mine worked for Stagecoach North East but did spells on loan to Cheltenham, Manchester and Lord knows where else. Possibly the Chesterfield and South Yorkshire drivers will be called back and replaced in Manchester by folk from elsewhere, or they'll be left in Manchester and drivers from other areas will learn and run the Hulleys routes. Stagecoach are large enough to cope... assuming they are the big operator in question of course lol

Happens often. Several drivers from Yorkshire went on loan to Manchester when they got their first Bee Network contracts, drivers and buses from across Stagecoach have recently been down in Cheltenham for the races work, go up to Scotland when the golf is on, delivered the Olympics in London and so on. Plus you've the staff who are usually in the office with bus licenses who can do some driving turns. That's the advantage the big groups have, they can move their collective resources around as required

 

[Trainman40083]

With what has been said about Stagexxxxx situation, maybe it looks more rosy for a Wellglade offering.

 

[Man of Kent]

Would it be posible for a big operator from Chesterfield to take on the Baslow garage as an outstation? It'd make more sense than having loads of dead mileage from Stoneg.. sorry, Chesterfield in the morning.

No, as Hulleys don't own it either and my understanding is that the owner of the land will only rent it to Hulleys. It'll be sold off for housing I guess.

Digging around in the accounts on Companies House suggests that the Eades family retain ownership of the depot site, with Modeldart purchasing it by way of a mortgage. In the event of insolvency, it reverts to the Eades.