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Post by john on Aug 13, 2017 0:19:05 GMT
Ensign, last I heard, won't do TfL work. Not the market that they're after or even interested in apparently. Things can always change though
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Post by joefrombow on Aug 13, 2017 2:14:40 GMT
Ensign, last I heard, won't do TfL work. Not the market that they're after or even interested in apparently. Things can always change though We can always hope I liked what they did with the ex Arriva VLA's with Ensign/London livery they had on the Overground replacements but of course they wouldn't be able to do that livery if they re-entered , would be good to see though IMO one of the Best company's out there , they have good social media use , A friendly feel and good turned out clean buses . Failing that the original Blue Triangle under Roger Wright wouldnt mind seeing them make a return .
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Post by redexpress on Aug 13, 2017 2:23:22 GMT
Don't Rotala own one of the businesses running services for SCC into Kingston or am I confused again? There are rumbling rumours that Rotala are on a buying spree including something based at Heathrow after they made an Alternative Investment Market announcement recently. They've just bought Hansons who run in the West Midlands. otp.investis.com/clients/uk/rotala/rns/regulatory-story.aspx?cid=182&newsid=900596Yes - they own Hallmark, who have been expanding their Heathrow operations considerably over the past couple of years, including a number of Surrey bus routes. They already run the SCC-contracted 458 into Kingston and will shortly be adding the 461 (commercially, in competition with Abellio) and 555/557 (SCC contract). They've also bought Wings Luxury Travel, who of course used to run a few TfL bus contracts before they sold the bus side of the business to TGM. It wouldn't be a surprise if they were to use one of these operations to enter the TfL market.
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Post by twobellstogo on Aug 13, 2017 10:20:47 GMT
Don't Rotala own one of the businesses running services for SCC into Kingston or am I confused again? There are rumbling rumours that Rotala are on a buying spree including something based at Heathrow after they made an Alternative Investment Market announcement recently. They've just bought Hansons who run in the West Midlands. otp.investis.com/clients/uk/rotala/rns/regulatory-story.aspx?cid=182&newsid=900596Yes - they own Hallmark, who have been expanding their Heathrow operations considerably over the past couple of years, including a number of Surrey bus routes. They already run the SCC-contracted 458 into Kingston and will shortly be adding the 461 (commercially, in competition with Abellio) and 555/557 (SCC contract). They've also bought Wings Luxury Travel, who of course used to run a few TfL bus contracts before they sold the bus side of the business to TGM. It wouldn't be a surprise if they were to use one of these operations to enter the TfL market. I wonder if Hallmark have put a bid in for the soon to be announced 216 and various K routes... As for new entrants to TfL tendering, most of my favourites have been mentioned already (Ensignbus, Go Coach, London Bus Company/Roger Wright, Hallmark), but for another leftfield suggestion, how about Falcon Coaches, who are doing an excellent job with SCC 514/515? Would like to see more Uno operated TfL services too.
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Post by snoggle on Aug 13, 2017 10:33:10 GMT
Ensign, last I heard, won't do TfL work. Not the market that they're after or even interested in apparently. Things can always change though The Newmans have expressed their view about TfL work on another forum. Things have only got worse with TfL since then. I think hell will freeze over before Ensign considered taking on regular TfL contracted work. Yes they've done some RRS work but some of that was as a sub contractor to Arriva (GOBLIN RRS). The only time they take a lead on TfL stuff is strike day cover where I suspect they earn a lot of money which they are happy to take.
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Post by Dillon95 on Aug 13, 2017 12:10:36 GMT
Go Coach with some R routes around Orpington.
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Post by redexpress on Aug 13, 2017 12:26:00 GMT
As for new entrants to TfL tendering, most of my favourites have been mentioned already (Ensignbus, Go Coach, London Bus Company/Roger Wright, Hallmark), but for another leftfield suggestion, how about Falcon Coaches, who are doing an excellent job with SCC 514/515? Would like to see more Uno operated TfL services too. I reckon Falcon might be a bit too "new" to be considered for TfL work at this stage. Maybe one for the future, if they stick around. TfL will want any new entrant to be an established, financially secure outfit - they've burned their fingers too many times with the likes of Harris, DTS etc. But I'd like to see it happen, mostly so that the Tellings-Golden Miller name can make yet another re-entry into the London market! I'm slightly surprised that Uno haven't managed to add to the 383. The admin work involved in dealing with TfL is quite intensive, which is what deters lots of smaller operators from entering the market, and I wonder whether a small 3-bus contract is worth the hassle. Of course I don't know whether they've chosen to stick to just the one contract or whether they've tried and failed to add more work. For one thing, they're competing with Sullivan, who are seemingly winning everything they go for at the moment. In any case, with the way TfL operations are micro-managed and homogenised these days, it doesn't really matter who's running the buses. Those Uno buses on the 383 could be anybody's. I expect any new entrant to the market will be encouraged to use the TfL standard interior, as CT Plus and Sullivan have done, so even that little bit of individuality will be gone.
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Post by sid on Aug 13, 2017 17:44:29 GMT
Ensign as already mentioned although they are seemingly not interested at the present time.
Southlands Travel of Swanley, the 233 perhaps or maybe even the 321?
Go Coach, one of the R routes or maybe the 261 or 336?
Reading Transport, the 81? Unlikely I would think.
Golden Tours of Alperton? They don't seem to have the best of reputations but the area could do with some more competition.
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Post by Paul on Aug 13, 2017 21:15:20 GMT
Go Coach, one of the R routes or maybe the 261 or 336? Given the amount of school work Go Coach operate, including a pair of services out of and into Orpington, I wonder if they might dip their toe into TfL work by looking at the 638, 654 or 664? Or possibly even the Wilmington Schools services? Sorry, can't remember the number!
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Post by vjaska on Aug 13, 2017 22:48:45 GMT
Go Coach, one of the R routes or maybe the 261 or 336? Given the amount of school work Go Coach operate, including a pair of services out of and into Orpington, I wonder if they might dip their toe into TfL work by looking at the 638, 654 or 664? Or possibly even the Wilmington Schools services? Sorry, can't remember the number! Are they on the approved TfL operators list?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2017 23:43:43 GMT
I don't get the impression Hallmark are aiming for TfL work.
There is a clamour for private hire work around Heathrow presently. Transdev have just bought CCH based there.
I'd like to see Transdev come back , Go Coach Hire and Seaford & District make an entry
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Post by londonbuses2018 on Aug 14, 2017 9:55:57 GMT
1. Buses Excetera 2. Biz Bus 3. Courtney Buses 4. Avis (Which is a car rental company could be a possible future company for TFL) 5. National Express (Not Abelio London) 6. Easybus 7. Transcity 8. NCP Challenger 9. More of UNO Bus Services.
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Post by Alex on Aug 14, 2017 13:05:30 GMT
Southern Transit Would be a bit of a dead run from Shoreham though.....
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Post by redexpress on Aug 14, 2017 15:52:09 GMT
The Big Lemon - they could run their Solar-powered Solos on the K1 through the Sunray Estate ... or maybe they'd prefer the 462 to Limes Farm.
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Post by busoccultation on Aug 14, 2017 17:15:02 GMT
The Big Lemon - they could run their Solar-powered Solos on the K1 through the Sunray Estate ... or maybe they'd prefer the 462 to Limes Farm. Anyway I'm quite happy with Stagecoach running the 462 and its Enviro 200 MMC lol.
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