Phil Stockley of TM Travel fame and previously of Velvet bus , has resurrected his former brand as Velvet Fox.
As you maybe aware the Public transport experience blog has been looking at the "operations" of the various "Fox" businesses in the Bristol area & today's post http://publictransportexperience.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/the-greyhound-and-fox-part-3.html appears to have upset Mr. Stockley and he has given a robust reply in the comments section.
"To see this blog stoop to such a highly personalised attack on a young guy trying to make his way in business is distressing and I really wonder what you hope to achieve.
If you're building up to the dramatic conclusion that CityFox doesn't run an extensive network of bus services in Bristol, I'll spoil your fun by confirming that indeed it doesn't, nor does it claim to.
Just for fun i've just waded through a year of CityFox's Facebook posts and can't see a single reference to running any bus service in Bristol other than Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
Indeed, somewhere in the middle of it all is the announcement of the decision not to run buses under the KernowFox brand, due to the uncertain regulatory position in Cornwall - hardly a rash or irresponsible decision and saving you the need for any investigative journalism from your team of 'correspondents'.
So City Fox doesn't presently have a vast fleet of buses or routes, and doesn't make any claim to do so. Who does this harm, to warrant such a vindictive attack?
What CityFox does have in abundance is taxis. They don't all have logos on the side - taxis very frequently don't - but that doesn't mean they don't exist.
Spend a few hours in Bristol in particular and you will see plenty of Cityfoxes running about. But bear in mind there are a thousand taxis on the streets of Bristol so don't be surprised when the ranks aren't full of foxes.
As for Velvet Fox, well of course no-one knows what it's about. We set it up less than a month ago, and since when has it been a requirement for new companies to announce their commercially sensitive plans just to keep the spotters happy?
As you and your commenters have observed, Rhys has been doing a lot of work with me at TM recently on marketing projects and updating the brand image and even redecorating the depot and other projects behind the scenes, and the results have been first class.
I am proud to be associated with Rhys and the CityFox team. When you actually bother to get to know him rather than joining the ranks of haters trying to take cheap potshots, you find someone who is driven, determined and ambitious, but also keen to learn and improve. I am proud to stand side by side with him and will do everything I can to help him make the amazing contribution to the world of transport that I know he will make.
Such a personal assault is unwarranted and does you no credit.
Phil"
Make of it as you will.
As you maybe aware the Public transport experience blog has been looking at the "operations" of the various "Fox" businesses in the Bristol area & today's post http://publictransportexperience.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/the-greyhound-and-fox-part-3.html appears to have upset Mr. Stockley and he has given a robust reply in the comments section.
"To see this blog stoop to such a highly personalised attack on a young guy trying to make his way in business is distressing and I really wonder what you hope to achieve.
If you're building up to the dramatic conclusion that CityFox doesn't run an extensive network of bus services in Bristol, I'll spoil your fun by confirming that indeed it doesn't, nor does it claim to.
Just for fun i've just waded through a year of CityFox's Facebook posts and can't see a single reference to running any bus service in Bristol other than Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
Indeed, somewhere in the middle of it all is the announcement of the decision not to run buses under the KernowFox brand, due to the uncertain regulatory position in Cornwall - hardly a rash or irresponsible decision and saving you the need for any investigative journalism from your team of 'correspondents'.
So City Fox doesn't presently have a vast fleet of buses or routes, and doesn't make any claim to do so. Who does this harm, to warrant such a vindictive attack?
What CityFox does have in abundance is taxis. They don't all have logos on the side - taxis very frequently don't - but that doesn't mean they don't exist.
Spend a few hours in Bristol in particular and you will see plenty of Cityfoxes running about. But bear in mind there are a thousand taxis on the streets of Bristol so don't be surprised when the ranks aren't full of foxes.
As for Velvet Fox, well of course no-one knows what it's about. We set it up less than a month ago, and since when has it been a requirement for new companies to announce their commercially sensitive plans just to keep the spotters happy?
As you and your commenters have observed, Rhys has been doing a lot of work with me at TM recently on marketing projects and updating the brand image and even redecorating the depot and other projects behind the scenes, and the results have been first class.
I am proud to be associated with Rhys and the CityFox team. When you actually bother to get to know him rather than joining the ranks of haters trying to take cheap potshots, you find someone who is driven, determined and ambitious, but also keen to learn and improve. I am proud to stand side by side with him and will do everything I can to help him make the amazing contribution to the world of transport that I know he will make.
Such a personal assault is unwarranted and does you no credit.
Phil"
Make of it as you will.