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Post by MetrolineGA1511 on Oct 22, 2022 3:26:21 GMT
I cannot see Liz Truss resigning unless being forced out. Would you personally want to be know as the worlds biggest failure and shortest Prime MinisterShe seems to be the average height for a woman I think her reign of terror is coming to an end, at least by the end of the month. Not that The Crown is much of a reference, but there was an episode where the Queen seemed to hint that Churchill should hand over power to Anthony Eden when nearing the end of his time in power. King Charles has already said "Dear or dear", and he might say stronger things later on To the rest of the world observing, it's UK losing control. People want politicians to be boring and unnoticed, this is the Supply Teacher losing control of her classroom in a failing school. Expect more resigning tomorrow, and The Speaker has demanded an investigation into Truss and Coffey forcing people to vote under duress. I think more will distance themselves from this disaster and she'll run out of people to elect and may put it out to Tory members... If you are next to become Transport Secretary, please look into the issue with the 318 as Khan is asleep at the switch As he is asleep at the Switch, route 318 is unlikely to gain Optare buses.
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Post by MetrolineGA1511 on Oct 16, 2022 17:25:03 GMT
Waiting for Hunt's sacking in November. Ironic how he ran against her a few months ago and is now the chancellor I see the opposite, with some way Hunt taking over Truss. Sunak must be laughing his head now as she has had to revert to almost everything Sunak set out; it is a shame others did not see what he was saying was right. Well over 100 MPs agreed with Sunak and over 100 others did not vote for her either. Then 45% of party members did not vote for her. Alas, none of this was enough to prevent her becoming Prime Minister.
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Post by MetrolineGA1511 on Oct 16, 2022 12:38:21 GMT
As HT is due to lose routes 4, 91, 168 & 271 something may well move in. Route 263 could be an example. Admittedly PB already has electric kit and, having lost other work in recent years, may be better suited to keep route 263. Routes 31, 143 & C11 could be other candidates to move back into HT. The 210 would be a good option to move to HT too, or could even mothball KC? Though I could also see HT win some new routes to fill that space, such as the W3 (or looking further down the tender programme, maybe the 19 or 259?) As you say, I'm not sure the 263 will move, with a lot of spare capacity at PB too, following various losses including the 34/125/307. However, it seems likely that the 263 could take on the 271 contract, so might depend on where drivers are available? The N271 would likely be part of this contract too, but could easily remain separate at HT. I admit I forgot about route 210. It might be a more suitable return to HT than routes 143 or C11 for being in the middle of the route. I had rather liked the idea of a medium-term win of route 210 by Arriva at WN. However, after they almost certainly did not even bid for route 232 I doubt they would bid for route 210. Route 263 seems to be like routes 11, 78 & 349 for having undisclosed short-term extensions to factor in wider route changes, even though in this case it is not facing withdrawal.
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Post by MetrolineGA1511 on Oct 16, 2022 12:32:50 GMT
As there will be noticeably heavy losses at AF, maybe something will move in from a garage not losing any work. Admittedly the tender for route 265 has been gained and likely/certain to run from AF. Route 493 could move in for example. Wouldn't be surprised if PL closes if the 14/74 withdrawals go ahead. All of the 39/485/493 could be run from AF (though AL would also be an option for the 493), maybe even the 170 too? As a by-product of this, route 493 could move to AL and, if necessary, route 44 on to SW.
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Post by MetrolineGA1511 on Oct 16, 2022 9:50:13 GMT
I wonder if the 263 will be moved to HT to replace the 271 and as it gets its electrics. As HT is due to lose routes 4, 91, 168 & 271 something may well move in. Route 263 could be an example. Admittedly PB already has electric kit and, having lost other work in recent years, may be better suited to keep route 263. Routes 31, 143 & C11 could be other candidates to move back into HT.
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Post by MetrolineGA1511 on Oct 16, 2022 9:45:22 GMT
I’m sorry if you don’t mind me asking but when the 11, 12, 14, 74, 521 and D7 are withdrawn do you think that there will be a massive big reshuffle with the routes and the garages? As there will be noticeably heavy losses at AF, maybe something will move in from a garage not losing any work. Admittedly the tender for route 265 has been gained and likely/certain to run from AF. Route 493 could move in for example.
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Post by MetrolineGA1511 on Oct 15, 2022 22:27:16 GMT
So, we could have route 115 retained by GA using existing EHs, but route 5 awarded to Arriva and route 15 back to Stagecoach. Yes! The operator of the 15 would have to make sure they could source enough buses from other routes for the N15 and have enough buses for the morning run out on the 15. In theory the LTs on route 15 could move from GA to Stagecoach - possibly WH this time - reversing their 2017 move. Space permitting, I'd quite like to see route 5 at GY, but DX may be more likely.
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Post by MetrolineGA1511 on Oct 15, 2022 22:17:14 GMT
I personally think there will be a big shake up in the next batch of tenders in east London. I can see a few shock results and do think DX will live on and make some surprises gains. I think the 5,15 and 115 group will end up being split between operators next time around. Considering the crosslinks in place, and the 15's substantial PVR cut, I wonder if the N15 might be moved to be part of the 5's contract instead for the next tender? Would particularly make sense if the 5/15 were to end up at different operators. It's definitely possible since other groups of routes have been split up, such as the 68/468/X68. I could perhaps see the 115 retained with the current EHs available - but the 5 and/or 15 could be lost, with LTs making it a more level playing field. Particularly with a number of Stagecoach garages well located, and even potential competition from Arriva at AE/DX. So, we could have route 115 retained by GA using existing EHs, but route 5 awarded to Arriva and route 15 back to Stagecoach.
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Post by MetrolineGA1511 on Oct 15, 2022 15:51:36 GMT
If current political news is too depressing to stomach, why not instead watch a mini series On Prime? Earrings of Power started in September I can detect a feeling of Radar Love by Liz Truss for Jeremy Hunt. This is because she is wearing a Golden Earring.
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Post by MetrolineGA1511 on Oct 15, 2022 15:32:37 GMT
I imagine it was between Arriva, HCT, Stagecoach and event Tower Transit depending on when the tender went in. So probably was actually hotly contested but looks like a straight battle between Stagecoach and Arriva because of the sales of HK, AW and LI.
Really would be interesting to know who actually really won the bid.
I said this before that the 26 (obviously before the consolidations) is probably the only full time TfL route that could have attracted seven operator bids. Abellio at QB, Arriva at AE, Go Ahead at SW, HCT Group at HK, Metroline at HT/KC, Stagecoach at BW/WH and TT at LI. Obviously that’s changed now but minus the two that have gone there’s still potential for five bids. Although once it is diverted to Victoria, RATP from S would be less unsuitable. The dead mileage would have been little if any greater than route 226 from X. Admittedly they would have been hard placed to win route 26 with so many other operators closer to the route.
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Post by MetrolineGA1511 on Oct 15, 2022 10:31:23 GMT
For anyone not aware, NHS booster jabs bookings for age 50-64 opened earlier this morning, 65 and up could already book Booked mine, plenty of availability Monday I received an odd letter on Wednesday from the NHS inviting me to arrange my booster due to my age or pre-existing condition. I had to guess a possible condition because it never came up before. Admittedly they exaggerated my age a bit but that might been a clerical error. Anyway, when I entered my correct details online I was not accepted, but yesterday some were displayed for me. As it is, to avoid this year's booster waning prematurely, I prefer to wait until November, the same month I had my booster last year.
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Post by MetrolineGA1511 on Oct 15, 2022 10:19:09 GMT
Great result for Stagecoach retaining the 26. I can imagine that was a hot contest. To keep Go Ahead away from that route was brilliant. Keeping Arriva away was more of an achievement, as it passes Ash Grove where Arriva have a lot of spare space.
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Post by MetrolineGA1511 on Oct 15, 2022 10:15:41 GMT
(This is satire, don’t worry!) (but would equally be cool) I think the iBus announcement on the 182 should go from “one eight two to Harrow Weald, Oxhey Lane” to “one eighty-two to Harrow Weald Oxhey Lane” Would pay some good tribute to blink-182 in line with their reunion and upcoming tour All the small things mean a lot to us enthusiasts
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Post by MetrolineGA1511 on Oct 15, 2022 10:14:45 GMT
The 60 should be renamed the 459 and the 259 should be extended to Euston, so that all 59 routes link to each other I have to admit that when route 60 was introduced I felt it logical having routes 59 & 60 associated with the Streatham/Croydon area.
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Post by MetrolineGA1511 on Oct 15, 2022 4:13:13 GMT
Emergency substitutions aren't great when trailing 5 nil in the 83rd minute. The game is already lost Liz Truss could also wear a Yellow Buses sweatshirt
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