|
|
Post by capitalomnibus on Feb 8, 2023 10:05:25 GMT
I can see why they've decided this is the moment to sell up: Ensign has always been genuinely independent and the increased involvement of local authorities combined with a more difficult financial climate seems like a natural moment to stop. Not the first time they've sold! I do wonder whether, unlike Ensign, First might use it to consider a re-entry to the London market. I'm sure TfL would appreciate another East London bidder. I can’t see First going for tendered work again in London, although the company we see today is on the surface very different from a decade ago. In the sense that this a smaller more UK focused business with a more devolved management structure. I’ve always found it a stark comparison in the sense that as rival Go Ahead got more structured and less devolved First went more devolved and less structured but I digress. I can though see First as using Ensign as a springboard to the more lucrative RRP market in London. Companies like Abellio seem to do quite well off it and Purfleet is well placed for RRP across London being practically on top of the M25. It’s an interesting purchase for them so I’m intrigued to see where it goes. One of the reasons why Ensign never bothered with London is too much regulation from TfL. I would also suspect many other companies have not bothered and withdrew from London as it needs a lot of contracts for a favourable gain. |
|
|
|
Post by kmkcheng on Feb 8, 2023 10:52:17 GMT
I can see why they've decided this is the moment to sell up: Ensign has always been genuinely independent and the increased involvement of local authorities combined with a more difficult financial climate seems like a natural moment to stop. Not the first time they've sold! I do wonder whether, unlike Ensign, First might use it to consider a re-entry to the London market. I'm sure TfL would appreciate another East London bidder. Can’t see that happening. Their Slough operations are also across the border on the west side of London and they have no interest in TfL services. |
|
|
|
Post by kmkcheng on Feb 8, 2023 10:54:32 GMT
First will be back in London! (Well mainly for the Spurs shuttle but it's nice to see) First never left London entirely and they still have their Slough services that enter London at Uxbridge and Heathrow |
|
|
|
Post by WH241 on Feb 8, 2023 10:58:53 GMT
Small in the scheme of things but wonder if the Southend 68 will carry on? As the heritage buses are not included I assume that part of Ensign will carry on trading? Pehaps they will run the service?
|
|
|
|
Post by M1104 on Feb 8, 2023 11:48:35 GMT
And maybe one day First London will be making a come back. Is Stagecoach and Arriva still up for sale? Out of interest Abellio was supposed to be in a transition of selling its UK operations to management from late 2022 but I don't know what the status is on that (seems to have all gone quite on that, baring in mind the ongoing strikes). |
|
|
|
Post by VPL630 on Feb 8, 2023 11:50:56 GMT
and no one thought buying a fleet of Streetdecks was suspicious?
Seriously a shame, I bet some TOC's aren't happy as I can't see First group allowing all the E-Rail to carry on without risk assessments etc etc
|
|
|
|
Post by snowman on Feb 8, 2023 12:22:12 GMT
I must say I’m mighty shocked, didn’t see this coming at all. Didn't see First buying it either. but not surprised it was being sold as the brothers than own it must be close to retirement, and lots of independents get sold when owners retire. Edit, just checked directors at companies house, and Peter Newman was born Jan 1940, so older than I thought, Ross is 52 |
|
|
|
Post by joefrombow on Feb 8, 2023 12:25:00 GMT
Small in the scheme of things but wonder if the Southend 68 will carry on? As the heritage buses are not included I assume that part of Ensign will carry on trading? Pehaps they will run the service? Maybe they will establish a separate unit or bring back the Town and Country operation they had pre 2007 similar to the London Bus Company like Blue Triangle did I can't see them fully leaving the Industry but either way very sad but I guess it is just getting harder and harder as a small independent business to carry on plus the electric revolution will see used bus sales drop off a cliff . Mainly though I feel sorry for the staff working for a friendly easy going company to a another number at a national company and the customers of Thurrock to go from a nice local business that genuinely cares about the services they provide and the customers to just revenue for shareholders. They have have even covered the 100 a few times when First have failed to send a last bus off there own backs for free with the spare bus on more than one occasion of that isn't going above and beyond then I don't know what is , all that is going to change very very sad indeed . Ensign took a network that was failing when Arriva had main control of the area and pulled out in 2007/8 and have transformed it into the thriving network that exists today props to the management and all the staff . |
|
|
|
Post by vjaska on Feb 8, 2023 12:53:34 GMT
As others have said, sad to hear and you do wonder what will happen to the overall quality of the services in Thurrock. I’m hoping with them retaining the heritage vehicles and now looking for a new site to house those in, that the excellent annual running day they put on isn’t disappearing too
|
|
|
|
Post by joefrombow on Feb 8, 2023 13:46:59 GMT
and no one thought buying a fleet of Streetdecks was suspicious? Seriously a shame, I bet some TOC's aren't happy as I can't see First group allowing all the E-Rail to carry on without risk assessments etc etc Risk Assessments ? How does that work for a Rail Replacement ? |
|
|
|
Post by joefrombow on Feb 8, 2023 13:52:11 GMT
Small in the scheme of things but wonder if the Southend 68 will carry on? As the heritage buses are not included I assume that part of Ensign will carry on trading? Pehaps they will run the service? Confirmed on FB from Ensign that Route 68 is part of the sale . |
|
|
|
Post by astock5000 on Feb 8, 2023 14:07:51 GMT
Well that somewhat came as a shock! Once past that initial reaction I can see why Ensign might feel now to be the right time to sell, though First expanding in the area and taking on the dealership seems more of a surprise.
Yes, hopefully Ensign's vintage fleet can continue successfully in a similar way to Blue Triangle's becoming London Bus Company.
|
|
|
|
Post by ThinLizzy on Feb 8, 2023 14:14:17 GMT
It's a real shame Ensign have sold to First, but I guess it's a reflection of where the industry is now post pandemic.
However, Ensign have sold their local services before (the old 324 and 348) to Town & Country buses then made a comeback a few years later.
Don't think we'll be seeing First back on London contracts any time soon
|
|
|
|
Post by ThinLizzy on Feb 8, 2023 14:15:01 GMT
and no one thought buying a fleet of Streetdecks was suspicious? Seriously a shame, I bet some TOC's aren't happy as I can't see First group allowing all the E-Rail to carry on without risk assessments etc etc I just thought they were getting them cheap after they purchased the ones Arriva rejected |
|
|
|
Post by WH241 on Feb 8, 2023 14:15:33 GMT
Small in the scheme of things but wonder if the Southend 68 will carry on? As the heritage buses are not included I assume that part of Ensign will carry on trading? Pehaps they will run the service? Confirmed on FB from Ensign that Route 68 is part of the sale . Where abouts was this?There are so many posts floating about on the various FB pages. |
|
