Xelabus Discussion (including Yellow Coaches and Eastleigh/Hampshire operations)

[Flange Squeal]

Given the 18, 33 and 36 were emergency tenders, I imagine these are up for longer-term renewal.

They were awarded for six months from 15th August, with More having stepped in briefly in the immediate aftermath of Yellow Buses ceasing.

 

[Mal]

Given the 18, 33 and 36 were emergency tenders, I imagine these are up for longer-term renewal.

As for the X4, the choice of X4A is puzzling given it will be a separate route and not a variation. Plenty of other numbers available!

I agree. Why not X3, X5 or X14? Seems strange to use 'A' for a seperate route.

 

[deconte]

They were awarded for six months from 15th August, with More having stepped in briefly in the immediate aftermath of Yellow Buses ceasing.

Interesting to see what happens on 15th Februar.

 

[nw1]

From 3rd January, the Xelabus website states that the X4 will be split, with the Eastleigh to Velmore section becoming a circular X4A Eastleigh - Velmore - Eastleigh. The timetables have not yet been formally published, but looking at BusTimes the X4A looks set to run hourly 0945-1445 with a 1545 terminating at Velmore.

It's odd how a lot of these routes only run in the middle of the day, and do not seek to capture the travel to work market. I guess they simply don't have the availability in the morning peak or around 1600 due to school journeys. Even still one might think that they could add in journeys around 1700, post-school, to capture commuters or afternoon shoppers returning home.

Not sure what the Saturday timetable is like, but certainly on Sats, with no school complications, 1545 is very early indeed for a last journey. Many people are out shopping beyond 1600, even in winter!

 

[Flange Squeal]

Not sure what the Saturday timetable is like, but certainly on Sats, with no school complications, 1545 is very early indeed for a last journey. Many people are out shopping beyond 1600, even in winter!

The official timetable for today's split of the X4 is now online and confirms that it is the same on Saturdays. The below link takes you to a PDF showing the X4 and X4A timetables

https://xelabus.info/uploads/22-23/september/X4.pdf

 

[darloscott]

It's odd how a lot of these routes only run in the middle of the day, and do not seek to capture the travel to work market. I guess they simply don't have the availability in the morning peak or around 1600 due to school journeys. Even still one might think that they could add in journeys around 1700, post-school, to capture commuters or afternoon shoppers returning home.

Not sure what the Saturday timetable is like, but certainly on Sats, with no school complications, 1545 is very early indeed for a last journey. Many people are out shopping beyond 1600, even in winter!

Looks very much to me like it is run with an additional bus in between schools dropping in at 0945 in Eastleigh and coming back out at 1545, presumably the 1540 X4A is supposed to be non-schooldays (& Sat) only unless a school bus drops in for one 10 min trip.
This is often the only way to make it pay these days to wrap it around existing contracts. The alternative would be to not run ant all.

 

[PhilStockley]

presumably the 1540 X4A is supposed to be non-schooldays (& Sat) only unless a school bus drops in for one 10 min trip.

Xelabus have multiple buses operating departures from Barton Peveril College (Chestnut Avenue, Eastleigh) between 1605 and 1615, for which a 1540 one way trip to Velmore is a convenient positioning move, so I think the timetable is correct.

 

[nw1]

Xelabus have multiple buses operating departures from Barton Peveril College (Chestnut Avenue, Eastleigh) between 1605 and 1615, for which a 1540 one way trip to Velmore is a convenient positioning move, so I think the timetable is correct.

I'm always a bit confused where Velmore is. Is it near Valley Park?

Looks very much to me like it is run with an additional bus in between schools dropping in at 0945 in Eastleigh and coming back out at 1545, presumably the 1540 X4A is supposed to be non-schooldays (& Sat) only unless a school bus drops in for one 10 min trip.
This is often the only way to make it pay these days to wrap it around existing contracts. The alternative would be to not run ant all.

Even still, it's a bit sad, given how Eastleigh-Chandlers Ford is a substantial urban area, that no-one can run a commercial-basis high frequency town service every 30 mins from say 0730 to 1830 these days.

Back in the 90s there were, IIRC, a quite substantial number of Eastleigh town services run by SBL using minibuses.

 

[PhilStockley]

I'm always a bit confused where Velmore is. Is it near Valley Park?

Immediately west of M3 junction 13, if you look on a map it’s essentially the triangle of Falkland Road, Belmont Road and Cox Row. ‘Good bus territory’ as the saying goes, but too small to support a high level of service on its own.

Even still, it's a bit sad, given how Eastleigh-Chandlers Ford is a substantial urban area, that no-one can run a commercial-basis high frequency town service every 30 mins from say 0730 to 1830 these

Agree, but the problem is it’s a sprawling area of low density, relatively high income households often with multiple cars on the drive. It takes a long time to join all the dots in any meaningful way. Southampton has the retail offer and Winchester has good employment and is attractive as a centre, so the market splits three ways and as a result those willing to pay high fares go north and south. Eastleigh is mostly attractive as a destination for concessionary passholders so income is thin even with a full bus. I think the economics were marginal even with minibus costs, so nowadays very difficult to make anything work, so understandable that Xela have focussed their efforts in the way they have.

 

[nw1]

Immediately west of M3 junction 13, if you look on a map it’s essentially the triangle of Falkland Road, Belmont Road and Cox Row. ‘Good bus territory’ as the saying goes, but too small to support a high level of service on its own.

Ah ok, thanks, that area - the area which you enter via Westfield Road and has all those roads named after counties. I know where you mean - I have to admit I thought it was further west, the other side of Bournemouth Road - probably because there's a Velmore Road in that direction.

It's one of those names I first noticed around 1989/90 on SBL timetables but didn't really know where it was - Chandlers Ford was a bit of a blur to me at that time and I couldn't tell apart Velmore, Valley Park and Hiltingbury. I think Hiltingbury was the first that I located, I was still a bit unsure of Valley Park until around 1997 (when I first walked through the area) - and always been puzzled by Velmore until now!

I seem to remember the late lamented SBL 45 from Southampton served many of these more outlying bits of Chandlers Ford, and then worked through to Eastleigh as another service (possibly the 44). Ironically back in 1989 or 1990 the frequency down the Avenue within Southampton, every 15 mins with the 45 and 47, was better than it is now!

Agree, but the problem is it’s a sprawling area of low density, relatively high income households often with multiple cars on the drive. It takes a long time to join all the dots in any meaningful way. Southampton has the retail offer and Winchester has good employment and is attractive as a centre, so the market splits three ways and as a result those willing to pay high fares go north and south. Eastleigh is mostly attractive as a destination for concessionary passholders so income is thin even with a full bus. I think the economics were marginal even with minibus costs, so nowadays very difficult to make anything work, so understandable that Xela have focussed their efforts in the way they have.

Yes fair enough, I probably thought Eastleigh would be the go-to destination for casual and non-specialist shopping as it's just down the road.

 

[WibbleWobble]

I've been sent this which was posted on the Yellow Buses Enthusiasts group on Facebook.

(I'm not a member, it's a private group so can't link - but posted it as it is the only way I could post a source! Mods, if this is an issue, then please feel free to amend appropriately).

 

[scosutsut]

I've been sent this which was posted on the Yellow Buses Enthusiasts group on Facebook.

(I'm not a member, it's a private group so can't link - but posted it as it is the only way I could post a source! Mods, if this is an issue, then please feel free to amend appropriately).

Local rag running a similar line

THE company which took over Yellow Buses’ school services and three routes for the general public is withdrawing from the services next month.

Xelagroup, which bought the Yellow Coaches name last year, has blamed rising costs for the decision to hand back the contracts to BCP Council.

Thirty staff running its Dorset operations have been offered alternative jobs at its Eastleigh depot.

Xelagroup had won contracts to run the council-subsidised 18, 33 and 36 public buses as well as routes to schools.

Its green vehicles carried the slogan “Your Yellow service going green”.

Philip Blair, commercial manager for Xelagroup Limited, said: “Xelabus had taken over the former Yellow Bus council-tendered services 18, 33 and 36 after the company collapse and this was only for six months and then the routes would be re-tendered so they have in essence come to an end.

"Operating costs have dictated the decision to withdraw from the area and schools that have been served will finish on Friday, February 3.

“All staff have been offered alternative employment at our Eastleigh depot from the closure date and we have already had a number expressed an interest in transferring.”

The 18, 33 and 36 buses serve areas including Broadstone, Canford Heath, Kinson, West Howe, Christchurch and Southbourne, and are also used by students travelling to schools including St Edward’s, Parkstone Grammar, Magna Academy and Avonbourne Academy.

They were run for a short while by Morebus after Yellow Buses went into administration last August, but BCP Council then decided to award a six-month tender to Xelagroup.

Morebus is “monitoring the situation”.

Broadstone councillor Vikki Slade said: “I want to see that the 18 is picked up and in particular that the Broadstone 'loop' is protected.

"It’s the only bus that goes beyond the Broadway and out into the housing. That allows a lot of elderly people who live a mile or so further away from the high street to access the bus network. I’ve fought for it before and I shall fight for it again."

A BCP council spokesperson said: “After Yellow Buses collapsed, Xelabus agreed to take over services 18, 33 and 38 for a period of six months until a new longer-term tender for those services was completed. Xelabus will continue operating these services until February 14.

“The council is currently completing a retendering exercise for a new operator for these services from February 15, and an announcement will be made shortly on this.

“In addition, Xelabus entered into private agreements with some schools to provide pupil-exclusive buses, and with St Peter's School to operate commercial bus services which align with the school's start and end times. These contracts end on February 3 and March 15 respectively.

"There is the opportunity for the schools in question to negotiate with alternative operators and potential options for pupils that include use of the wider local bus network, rather than dedicated school buses, will be explored with operators in the coming weeks.”

SOURCE: https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/23231705.amp/

 

[BenS123]

I honestly can't think of any bus company other than morebus who will tender for the 18, 33 and 36 but we'll see. I get the impression morebus will want those routes but I believe some of Yellow Coaches' school bus operations could be a bit more challenging for morebus to want to pick up, and if they do pick them up we'll see their rather high school bus fares make an appearance

 

[Deerfold]

Local rag running a similar line



SOURCE: https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/23231705.amp/

It seems a little worrying that Xelabus say they're finishing on the 3rd, but the council think they're finishing on the 14th.

 

[M803UYA]

It seems a little worrying that Xelabus say they're finishing on the 3rd, but the council think they're finishing on the 14th.

Perhaps that's when the money runs out? Whilst it's an anonymous posted rumour, there are some interesting comments on this blog post pointing to cash flow issues or some concerted cash flow management at Xelabus.

Of course, drivers about to lose their jobs tend to find alternative employment before they lose their jobs, so we might see random services being dropped.

Whilst the company say they took on no vehicles, there were a number of Volvo B9TLs bought from Ensign to operate the routes, half which have quietly returned from October onwards and been resold. The minibuses and coaches which arrived have moved on. The Minibuses went to Parnell of Honiton and the coaches were back at Irizar.

 

[ChrisPJ]

I wouldn't normally put much trust in the comments on that blog but my bus driver mate who works in Southampton reckons that Xela are indeed circling the drain at the moment. Problems arising from over expansion apparently.

 

[Flange Squeal]

I wouldn't normally put much trust in the comments on that blog but my bus driver mate who works in Southampton reckons that Xela are indeed circling the drain at the moment. Problems arising from over expansion apparently.

Their Twitter page is certainly quite the log of driver shortages and, perhaps more commonly, vehicle failures. Although I guess at least they're being honest and publishing them. Their PD3 heritage vehicle, BUF 272C, has appeared on eBay (see here), being sold "as lack space".

 

[M803UYA]

Their Twitter page is certainly quite the log of driver shortages and, perhaps more commonly, vehicle failures. Although I guess at least they're being honest and publishing them. Their PD3 heritage vehicle, BUF 272C, has appeared on eBay (see here), being sold "as lack space".

It's very normal for the owners of the company to flip preserved vehicles by selling them on ebay. Quite a few of their 'preserved' vehicles have gone onto useful new lives as burger bars and restaurants abroad after boredom sets in.

 

[341o2]

Article in Bournemouth Echo

Services to Lytchett Minster, Parkstone Grammar School and Cranborne School will be withdrawn from Friday, January 13.

Then on Friday, February 3, services to Parkfield School will end followed by Twynham School and Highcliffe School on Friday, February 10.

https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/23248134.xelagroup-gives-update-school-bus-services-bcp/

 

[M803UYA]

Xelabus have posted the following on their website, which shows how they're winding down the Bournemouth operation over the next two months. The February and March dates might line up with half terms, or they may not.

From https://www.yellowcoaches.co.uk/news

Statement from XelaGroup Management regarding Yellow Coaches Ltd​

12 Jan
Following six months trial of operating local bus services 18/33 and 36 in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole areas it has been decided that the company no longer wishes to provide the services after the six month tender period expires on 14th February 2023. BCP council will be seeking alternative arrangements for customers who use these services.

School Services provided by Yellow Coaches will also be withdrawn over a period of time and last days will be as follows:
Friday 13 January 2023
Lytchett Minster School
Parkstone Grammar School
Cranborne School

Friday 3 February 2023
Parkfield School

Friday 10 February 2023
Twynham School
Highcliffe School

Friday 17 March 2023
St Peters School*

• Anyone who has purchased a period ticket date of expiry continues beyond the 17 March 2023 may get a refund on any unused portion. Please contact 02380 644715 in the first instance. But return the pass after the 17 March 2023 With full name and address to:

Customer Services
Xelagroup Limited
Barton Park Estate
Chickenhall Lane
Eastleigh
SO50 6RR

 

[richard13]

Lytchett Minster School Newsletter today says that Damory buses will take over the Yellow Coaches routes 740 & 741 from Monday.
Newsletter link

Half Term is 11-19th Feb - last day 10th, first back 20th

 

[baza585]

Xelabus have posted the following on their website, which shows how they're winding down the Bournemouth operation over the next two months. The February and March dates might line up with half terms, or they may not.

From https://www.yellowcoaches.co.uk/news

Hmmmm.

Given morebus are limited for space and have to play their part in the expansion of Bluestar services in Southampton, I wouldn't blame them if they cherry picked the services they felt they could run as Xelagroup give them up.

Meanwhile National Express has a huge depot in Bournemouth massively underused.

Omnishambles has never been a more appropriate word!

Hopefully some part of Xela will survive.

 

[Megafuss]

Hmmmm.

Given morebus are limited for space and have to play their part in the expansion of Bluestar services in Southampton, I wouldn't blame them if they cherry picked the services they felt they could run as Xelagroup give them up.

Meanwhile National Express has a huge depot in Bournemouth massively underused.

Omnishambles has never been a more appropriate word!

Hopefully some part of Xela will survive.

It's companies like Xela that give independents a bad name!

 

[BenS123]

Quite a poor show from Xelabus here with a very ambigious message not communicated well. For example, Parkstone Grammar School were informed yesterday(!) about the route ending today, but Poole GS (also on the route) were not informed

Overall, there was not enough notice given for this especially as this particular route is committee-run, is it likely that this could mean a breach of contract?

 

[Titfield]

Quite a poor show from Xelabus here with a very ambigious message not communicated well. For example, Parkstone Grammar School were informed yesterday(!) about the route ending today, but Poole GS (also on the route) were not informed

Overall, there was not enough notice given for this especially as this particular route is committee-run, is it likely that this could mean a breach of contract?

Yes poor indeed. Not that this justifies it but if a business is losing (considerable) sums of money on part of its operation then once the decision to close that part of the business has been taken, the temptation to close it very quickly to stem the overall loss is virtually irresistible. They may also have feared that drivers leaving the business without warning may have rendered their ability to operate services for a greater length of time simply too doubtful / risky.

I have sympathy for anyone whose business (or part of) gets into difficulty like this. The reality is that there are no good solutions other than hoping that someone else can come in and take up the work with the minimum of disruption. Once things start going wrong there can be no stopping them and it becomes a nightmare.

 

[M803UYA]

Quite a poor show from Xelabus here with a very ambigious message not communicated well. For example, Parkstone Grammar School were informed yesterday(!) about the route ending today, but Poole GS (also on the route) were not informed

Strange, given the 'bus marketing' background of the company. You'd think people marketing bus services would be on top of communication and exemplar in such matters.....

 

[richard13]

The people directing Xelabus have changed in recent years. (From Companies House Info)

Philip Blair setup and owned Xelabus in 2010 and his son (I presume) Gareth Blair was also a director.
Philip retired in 2017 as a director at the age of 65. Karl Smith was appointed as a director at that time, but resigned 2 years later.

The ownership of the company transferred from Philip to Gareth Blair in March 2021.

Gareth Blair created Xela Group Ltd in July 2021, which took over his ownership of Xelabus in March 2022.

So Philip's company is now Gareth's and the expansion into Seaview Coaches and Yellow Coaches has been in Gareth's ownership.

***

As I noted above Go-Ahead South Coast are using Damory as the unit to pick up at least part of the operation (routes 740/741 from 16/1)

 

[WibbleWobble]

@richard13 said:
As I noted above Go-Ahead South Coast are using Damory as the unit to pick up at least part of the operation (routes 740/741 from 16/1)

You mean 940 and 941

Lytchett Minster School

Lytchett Minster School is a comprehensive school, with about 1,400 students aged 11 to 18, and 100 teachers, in Lytchett Minster, just outside Upton, 4 miles from Poole, Dorset, England. The school u..

lytchett.org.uk

The school has chartered two coaches from Damory Coaches to transport students to and from school on specific routes, plus our school minibuses are used for smaller groups of students. Please contact Mrs Hooper or Mrs Moore at the school on 01202 622413 or email [email protected]
Route 940: Hamworthy – Turlin Moor – Sandy Lane – School
Route 941: Ashley X – Bournemouth Road – Alder Road – Herbert Ave – Ringwood Road – Fleetsbridge – Creekmoor – Upton – School

 

[ReeceD1993]

X9 and X10 to be withdrawn as of the end of March 2023.

Mod note: Source required, please.

 

[BenS123]

Could it be realistic to assume Xelabus are "on their way out"?