Manchester bus franchising

[Michael]

RE: Manchester bus franchising

(23/12/2022 16:28)SF07 Wrote:  Rotala have announced that they've agreed to sell their Bolton depot to GMCA for usage for the Bee Network next year but will continue to operate existing services there until September. Diamond Bus will move their existing Eccles depot to a bigger depot nearby.

Go-Ahead Group have said that they've won the big two contracts, running 55 routes with 308 buses in Bolton and Wigan. It's likely they'll run from Diamond's Bolton depot and possibly the Stagecoach depot in Wigan. Diamond Bus say that they're unhappy to not win a large franchise contract but respect the decision. They'll gain 60 new buses next summer for use on the Bee Network and they'll be bidding to win contracts in the Bury, Rochdale and Oldham areas next year.

https://newsroom.go-ahead.com/news/go-ah...-and-wigan
https://www.diamondbuses.com/news/dbnw-g...ng-awards/

Anybody any idea who has won the 9 small franchise's that were up for grabs

[Michael]

RE: Manchester bus franchising

(23/12/2022 17:21)Michael Wrote:  Anybody any idea who has won the 9 small franchise's that were up for grabs

Sorry have just read rotala have got 7 of them

[Y458 KNF]

RE: Manchester bus franchising

(23/12/2022 16:28)SF07 Wrote:  Rotala have announced that they've agreed to sell their Bolton depot to GMCA for usage for the Bee Network next year but will continue to operate existing services there until September. Diamond Bus will move their existing Eccles depot to a bigger depot nearby.

Go-Ahead Group have said that they've won the big two contracts, running 55 routes with 308 buses in Bolton and Wigan. It's likely they'll run from Diamond's Bolton depot and possibly the Stagecoach depot in Wigan. Diamond Bus say that they're unhappy to not win a large franchise contract but respect the decision. They'll gain 60 new buses next summer for use on the Bee Network and they'll be bidding to win contracts in the Bury, Rochdale and Oldham areas next year.

https://newsroom.go-ahead.com/news/go-ah...-and-wigan
https://www.diamondbuses.com/news/dbnw-g...ng-awards/

I wonder if Rotala will keep the StreetDecks for Preston & the Midlands as it seems a big waste of money to sell them on after not having them long

[acocker96]

RE: Manchester bus franchising
So the intention is to buy up every existing depot and their fleets and then allocate them to the franchisee winner, who must then buy said vehicles?

[Walton 46]

RE: Manchester bus franchising
With these changes, what will happen to cross-boundary routes e.g. the 375/385 Southport-Wigan?

[Michael]

RE: Manchester bus franchising

(23/12/2022 22:00)Walton 46 Wrote:  With these changes, what will happen to cross-boundary routes e.g. the 375/385 Southport-Wigan?

They will continue to operate cross border services with a permit to operate in greater Manchester

[Mrboo]

RE: Manchester bus franchising

(23/12/2022 21:34)acocker96 Wrote:  So the intention is to buy up every existing depot and their fleets and then allocate them to the franchisee winner, who must then buy said vehicles?

And mmm Surely they are on finance So can DNW sell them without making a big loss on them and would the likes of Go ahead be happy to take on finance on for buses that are 2nd hand and so no warranty?

[Barney]

RE: Manchester bus franchising
Initially at least, these successful bids will simply be a continuation of current established routes. Does anyone know what routes they are and whether the frequency and hours of operation have changed or will they also remain the same?

[Mrboo]

RE: Manchester bus franchising
Wonder what the plan is for drivers of Tyler's and Vision as if they endup moving routes to Eccles for diamond that going to be a long way for drivers. Who don't drive there own cars same for depot staff.

[Mayneway]

RE: Manchester bus franchising

(24/12/2022 06:17)Mrboo Wrote:  Wonder what the plan is for drivers of Tyler's and Vision as if they endup moving routes to Eccles for diamond that going to be a long way for drivers. Who don't drive there own cars same for depot staff.

Vision drivers were given letters yesterday saying they will be TUPE’ing over to diamond north west at a new depot that will be built in Eccles. Vision mention they are badly disappointed to have not won the smaller contracts.