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Post by allentc on Feb 8, 2023 14:17:20 GMT
That's a real surprise. First's strategy over the last couple years seems to have been to withdraw from anything and everything so to see an acquisition is unusual.
I wonder will the other London operators feel comfortable selling their used buses to First owned Ensign? Then again I suppose it comes down to what they are offered for the vehicles. If a good price they'll sell to anyone. Go-Ahead owned Hants & Dorset Trim Shop I suppose are an example with the likes of Arriva happy to send their buses there to be refurbed.
Pretty sure this will mark the end of the "Ensign Monthly Sales Updates" as the corporate bigwigs in First will not see the point in anyone spending time putting the list together. Its only because the Newman's are enthusiasts that we are lucky to have such an update.
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Post by galwhv69 on Feb 8, 2023 14:32:51 GMT
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. On Ensigns Facebook page, comment on the post sharing the CBW post
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Post by ThinLizzy on Feb 8, 2023 14:47:58 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 . First have put quite a lot into their summer services in recent years, like the Jurrasic Coaster in Weymouth and such like. Hopefully they'll make a similar effort with the 68
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Post by busoccultation on Feb 8, 2023 17:10:05 GMT
When I heard this elsewhere this morning for about few seconds in my mind, hang on this is too early for the certain thing that happens in April I wasn't expecting First to purchase Ensign at all seeing First Group generally tends to sell their ''unfavourable'' operations over the years to other buyers than acquiring existing businesses and for me its certainly sad news seeing Ensign is one of those operators who take pride on their services and go the extra mile on absolutely everything on the road as well as on social media, especially First Essex don't have a great reputation on the service they provide out of most First Bus divisions across the country.
That said, I wish all the best for the current Ensign employees and I hope First do replicate the same effort with the Southend 68 open top as they have done in South West with the various open top Coaster services.
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Post by ADH45258 on Feb 8, 2023 17:14:54 GMT
I wonder is First might keep the ensignbus brand for the bus sales side of the company (with only the passenger services rebranded as First)?
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Post by vjaska on Feb 8, 2023 17:21:52 GMT
Confirmed on FB from Ensign that Route 68 is part of the sale . First have put quite a lot into their summer services in recent years, like the Jurrasic Coaster in Weymouth and such like. Hopefully they'll make a similar effort with the 68 I hope so especially as I knew someone who helped with the set up of the 68 with Go-Ahead and both they and Ensignbus did an excellent job with the route.
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Post by T.R. on Feb 8, 2023 19:23:49 GMT
Wow, wasn’t expecting that. In my experience Ensign provide excellent service here with a very friendly crew — hopefully First will be able to keep it going post-sale.
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Post by joefrombow on Feb 8, 2023 21:26:37 GMT
I wonder is First might keep the ensignbus brand for the bus sales side of the company (with only the passenger services rebranded as First)? Hopefully they keep Ensign as a separate entity similar to the other rail companies they have , but very doubtful although I do think it could be a separate unit to First Essex as Thurrock isn't a part of Essex although it's in Essex , maybe First Thurrock.
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Post by ServerKing on Feb 9, 2023 1:19:55 GMT
They should bring back Thamesway as a sub brand We may still see First in London for rail replacement work, surprised to see this sudden acquisition as they seemed to be on the decline in Essex (selling a chunk of work to Go Ahead (Chambers / Hedingham) around Clacton), this will give them most of South Essex again. Will they keep Ensignbus as a stand alone brand or will it be absorbed into First Essex?
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Post by ServerKing on Feb 9, 2023 1:24:04 GMT
I wonder is First might keep the ensignbus brand for the bus sales side of the company (with only the passenger services rebranded as First)? Hopefully they keep Ensign as a separate entity similar to the other rail companies they have , but very doubtful although I do think it could be a separate unit to First Essex as Thurrock isn't a part of Essex although it's in Essex , maybe First Thurrock. I doubt there's any Unitary Authority banana skins to catch First Essex out regarding Legal addreses
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Post by ThinLizzy on Feb 9, 2023 7:57:04 GMT
They should bring back Thamesway as a sub brand We may still see First in London for rail replacement work, surprised to see this sudden acquisition as they seemed to be on the decline in Essex (selling a chunk of work to Go Ahead (Chambers / Hedingham) around Clacton), this will give them most of South Essex again. Will they keep Ensignbus as a stand alone brand or will it be absorbed into First Essex? I've got a feeling it will be absorbed into First Essex, maybe with a "Thurrock Shuttles" brand similar to Basildon. The current owners of Ensign may want to keep the brand for their Heritage operation
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Post by wirewiper on Feb 9, 2023 10:19:45 GMT
A lot of the reports mention a "B2B" segment of the operation - what does B2B mean in this context?
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Post by SILENCED on Feb 9, 2023 10:46:47 GMT
A lot of the reports mention a "B2B" segment of the operation - what does B2B mean in this context? Assuming Business to Business as it suggested things such as Rail Replacement
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Post by kmkcheng on Feb 9, 2023 10:49:20 GMT
A lot of the reports mention a "B2B" segment of the operation - what does B2B mean in this context? Assuming Business to Business as it suggested things such as Rail Replacement Probably applies to their bus resale and refurbishment part of the business
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Post by MetrolineGA1511 on Feb 11, 2023 9:34:38 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. I have heard the joke about First being the new Go-Ahead and Go-Ahead the new First. It was always odd that GY was part of London Country, split from the rest of LC by Eastern National. It is therefore tidier for the former Arriva commercial services to join First Essex rather than Arriva.
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