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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2021 13:48:17 GMT
I would imagine Arriva Bus UK is core in its entirety - but I can certainly see more small chunks of it being broken off and sold - I am astonished that they still see a future in Guildford, for example, and I can see Go-Coach eating up the network from Sevenoaks to Tunbridge Wells and all towns and villages in between. Maybe, like with Cannock and Yorkshire Tiger, they will agree ad-hoc divestments if they get reasonable offers. Guildford could prove a case in point. Talking of Guildford.... No specific mention of a takeover - just an intention to close it. handsbusblog.wordpress.com/2021/10/05/arriva-propose-to-close-guildford/ |
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Post by SILENCED on Oct 8, 2021 21:42:46 GMT
I have seen it suggested that Arriva have already sold the land to developers, hence the need to shut down operations. |
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Post by SILENCED on Oct 10, 2021 10:33:31 GMT
On slightly more positive note for Arriva's home counties operations LOTS are reporting 14 x new Volvo B8RLE/ MCV EvoRa are due for Luton.
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Post by MetrolineGA1511 on Oct 10, 2021 18:48:19 GMT
On slightly more positive note for Arriva's home counties operations LOTS are reporting 14 x new Volvo B8RLE/ MCV EvoRa are due for Luton. Although still rather minimal, they are also purchasing 20 of their own buses for Merseyside (in addition to the Hydrogens ordered by Liverpool City Region). |
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Post by TNL33036 on Oct 14, 2021 15:36:44 GMT
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Post by twobellstogo on Oct 15, 2021 20:30:38 GMT
I knew Falcon were pretty ambitious, but this is very interesting. Will do a copy this post to the Surrey thread. |
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Post by capitalomnibus on Oct 17, 2021 1:22:17 GMT
In regards to Arriva's 500 there are only 3 B7TLs that are 51 plate but on the whole I'd agree. I think the ex 137 DWs get to scream along the A41 in 3rd gear  The B7TL's now wear UUI marks to hide their age. But last time I looked, the standard required was anything with a working engine, hence anything from Sprinter van to double decker  I didn't know MAX was history, but I hope things settle down a little more. I thought The Shires had gone, absorbed into Midlands, but it's still about  It seems Southern Counties and Midlands are co-parenting I'd like Arriva to do well, but if they start surrendering routes like in Guildford and many other places, it won't be good for them long term. I was behind EN16 on the 318 back on The Roundway, Tottenham this afternoon, the bus looks a state, having had a knock on the right hand side at the back with a corner section hanging on for dear life, the wheel arch trim is coming off and the engine is making a racket and was smoking a lot. I'm more surprised at TfL than Arriva for the state of these buses on the 318, but then TfL is broke too The usual tripe about the 318, if TfL were concerned they would have stepped in. If you feel that buses are that bad, then why do you not report it to the traffic commisioner? End of the day the buses are not brilliant, but they are are no way in the way you are describing them. Who gives a toot if is it smoking or not, probably down to worn valve stem seals, a common issue. |
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Post by capitalomnibus on Oct 17, 2021 1:24:54 GMT
not seen the list, but imagine countries where they only have a small presence I think in some countries like Portugal Arriva may have a majority shareholding in a bus operator, but not enough to completely take it over and rebrand it. DB's had issues where Arriva's work had duplicated their own in certain markets. Plus DB Schenker was losing money at the time. Factor in uncertainties brought by Brexit, the need to replace a lot of buses which should have been withdrawn but soldier on (see Aylesbury 500s ), decision on buying electric or hybrids next due to having to install infrastructure etc... Most of this was covered by Buses mag, which I doubt was speculation, but observation of a gradual decline over a few years. They could bounce back like First (I was in Weston Super Mare last week on holiday, and saw ex London B7TL's on LK53 plates, looking very smart in Badgerline livery), perhaps a move away from naff sub brands like MAX and Frequenta and a smarter livery rather than plain sky blue, or aging buses in Sapphire trim may help. Look at the presentation of Go Ahead buses across the UK, not everything has to be corporate blandness or falling to bits  If you think First are that much better than Arriva, you in for a big mistake. The fact First have declined within so many parts of the country and pulling out of London says it all. Said it so many times, First biggest problem is health & safety which they are more concerned about than running bus services. |
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Post by capitalomnibus on Oct 17, 2021 1:26:43 GMT
Thought I'd add my two cents since I'm pretty familiar with Merseyside Buses. I think a common theme I've seen in this thread is that Arriva's operations largely lack ambition and a direction. Well I can certainly say that's true for ANW. The B5LHs and E200EVs were impressive and popular new batches for Liverpool, but that's now 4-5 years ago. Since then no new buses have been acquired, whilst batches of 12-13-14 year old Commanders, Pulsar Eclipses and ALX400s are having the life squeezed out of them on a daily basis. ANW operate the majority of services in Merseyside, but you feel there's an air of neglect about the whole operation. Doesn't seem to be a plan to replace a significant amount of clearly ageing vehicles. In contrast, Stagecoach Merseyside replaced their entire double deck fleet in 2016-2018, acquiring mid life Enviro 400s from Oxford, the Coastliner 700 E400 fleet and purchasing an enormous batch of MMCs. Their Enviro 300s are due a replacement but are still in better condition than Arriva's single decks. I can certainly corroborate the dying off of any sort of branding, they operated Sapphire X1 (which they shifted off to MP Travel after the pandemic) and 79C, of which a mish mash of buses operate on at the moment, mostly those same 12 year old Pulsars suffered by the rest of the region. Also is the strange half-demise of the 500, of which its EcoCity buses were given to Runcorn, didn't even operate the route for at least a year during the pandemic, and now operate it on a reduced frequency with spare Gemini 2s. Common theme here is a simple lack of care. The main question or point I'm trying to make here is, What is the direction of Arriva? Where is the investment? Where is the plan? The people of Liverpool, and up and down the country, deserve better. I would say the fleet in Liverpool for Arriva is very modern, even some zero emission buses. I did not see Stagecoach fielding much newer buses, in fact many were the same age or even older. |
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Post by ServerKing on Oct 17, 2021 10:24:15 GMT
I think the ex 137 DWs get to scream along the A41 in 3rd gear The B7TL's now wear UUI marks to hide their age. But last time I looked, the standard required was anything with a working engine, hence anything from Sprinter van to double decker I didn't know MAX was history, but I hope things settle down a little more. I thought The Shires had gone, absorbed into Midlands, but it's still about It seems Southern Counties and Midlands are co-parenting I'd like Arriva to do well, but if they start surrendering routes like in Guildford and many other places, it won't be good for them long term. I was behind EN16 on the 318 back on The Roundway, Tottenham this afternoon, the bus looks a state, having had a knock on the right hand side at the back with a corner section hanging on for dear life, the wheel arch trim is coming off and the engine is making a racket and was smoking a lot. I'm more surprised at TfL than Arriva for the state of these buses on the 318, but then TfL is broke too The usual tripe about the 318, if TfL were concerned they would have stepped in. If you feel that buses are that bad, then why do you not report it to the traffic commisioner? End of the day the buses are not brilliant, but they are are no way in the way you are describing them. Who gives a toot if is it smoking or not, probably down to worn valve stem seals, a common issue. I am awaiting a response from the Traffic Commissioner as it goes I know it's a punishing route, and as it's hidden away in an area with high car and taxi use, it's not a priority. Bus use in general continues to drop for all operators, mainly due to Lockdown rules which kept many working from home etc. I have no real beef with the 318 as I am not a regular passenger. Even local buses are rarely used by me as I own a car and generally shop online or out of town like Blue water or Lakeside. If Arriva sort out their website, and perhaps introduce a smarter livery (First's liveries are eye catching, like Go Ahead's) things will no doubt improve. I am sure the flotation of the business either on UK or European markets will help things improve, but it must be hard for bus operators with the push for more electric buses, falling revenues and passenger numbers etc... |
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Post by LondonNorthern on Oct 17, 2021 10:39:20 GMT
I think in some countries like Portugal Arriva may have a majority shareholding in a bus operator, but not enough to completely take it over and rebrand it. DB's had issues where Arriva's work had duplicated their own in certain markets. Plus DB Schenker was losing money at the time. Factor in uncertainties brought by Brexit, the need to replace a lot of buses which should have been withdrawn but soldier on (see Aylesbury 500s ), decision on buying electric or hybrids next due to having to install infrastructure etc... Most of this was covered by Buses mag, which I doubt was speculation, but observation of a gradual decline over a few years. They could bounce back like First (I was in Weston Super Mare last week on holiday, and saw ex London B7TL's on LK53 plates, looking very smart in Badgerline livery), perhaps a move away from naff sub brands like MAX and Frequenta and a smarter livery rather than plain sky blue, or aging buses in Sapphire trim may help. Look at the presentation of Go Ahead buses across the UK, not everything has to be corporate blandness or falling to bits If you think First are that much better than Arriva, you in for a big mistake. The fact First have declined within so many parts of the country and pulling out of London says it all. Said it so many times, First biggest problem is health & safety which they are more concerned about than running bus services. They pulled out of Manchester & London due to them not making any money from the services IIRC |
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Post by capitalomnibus on Oct 17, 2021 23:43:56 GMT
The usual tripe about the 318, if TfL were concerned they would have stepped in. If you feel that buses are that bad, then why do you not report it to the traffic commisioner? End of the day the buses are not brilliant, but they are are no way in the way you are describing them. Who gives a toot if is it smoking or not, probably down to worn valve stem seals, a common issue. I am awaiting a response from the Traffic Commissioner as it goes I know it's a punishing route, and as it's hidden away in an area with high car and taxi use, it's not a priority. Bus use in general continues to drop for all operators, mainly due to Lockdown rules which kept many working from home etc. I have no real beef with the 318 as I am not a regular passenger. Even local buses are rarely used by me as I own a car and generally shop online or out of town like Blue water or Lakeside. If Arriva sort out their website, and perhaps introduce a smarter livery (First's liveries are eye catching, like Go Ahead's) things will no doubt improve. I am sure the flotation of the business either on UK or European markets will help things improve, but it must be hard for bus operators with the push for more electric buses, falling revenues and passenger numbers etc... Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I think the livery First has is poo. The old one with the willow leaf was much better. As for Stagecoach new livery, it is a joke and a major let down compared to the one introduced in 2000. The new livery is more about the logo than a livery in itself. The new Arriva livery is much better than the other two imo. The website I cannot really comment about as I do not use it, the intranet is much better, but guess it is done by someone else. As for the livery, I do not think it makes much difference for the majority of customers, we have had operators with some very nice liveries and fresh new buses and still end up ceasing trading. |
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Post by ServerKing on Oct 18, 2021 15:12:31 GMT
I am awaiting a response from the Traffic Commissioner as it goes I know it's a punishing route, and as it's hidden away in an area with high car and taxi use, it's not a priority. Bus use in general continues to drop for all operators, mainly due to Lockdown rules which kept many working from home etc. I have no real beef with the 318 as I am not a regular passenger. Even local buses are rarely used by me as I own a car and generally shop online or out of town like Blue water or Lakeside. If Arriva sort out their website, and perhaps introduce a smarter livery (First's liveries are eye catching, like Go Ahead's) things will no doubt improve. I am sure the flotation of the business either on UK or European markets will help things improve, but it must be hard for bus operators with the push for more electric buses, falling revenues and passenger numbers etc... Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I think the livery First has is poo. The old one with the willow leaf was much better. As for Stagecoach new livery, it is a joke and a major let down compared to the one introduced in 2000. The new livery is more about the logo than a livery in itself. The new Arriva livery is much better than the other two imo. The website I cannot really comment about as I do not use it, the intranet is much better, but guess it is done by someone else. As for the livery, I do not think it makes much difference for the majority of customers, we have had operators with some very nice liveries and fresh new buses and still end up ceasing trading. True... London EasyLink had a nice livery, like Harris Bus did, and Express Motors in Wales. I don't mind the simplified sky blue livery, but some have been lasy and just stuck new Arriva logo vinyls over old Interurban livery ratehr than send the bus for repaint. I saw this a lot in Stevenage. I'm sure things are slowly changing for the better, let's see what new CEP Mr Cooper does, I think he came from Yodel before. Yodel know all about marketing and brands, so I'm sure things will improve  |
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Post by capitalomnibus on Oct 19, 2021 0:34:57 GMT
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I think the livery First has is poo. The old one with the willow leaf was much better. As for Stagecoach new livery, it is a joke and a major let down compared to the one introduced in 2000. The new livery is more about the logo than a livery in itself. The new Arriva livery is much better than the other two imo. The website I cannot really comment about as I do not use it, the intranet is much better, but guess it is done by someone else. As for the livery, I do not think it makes much difference for the majority of customers, we have had operators with some very nice liveries and fresh new buses and still end up ceasing trading. True... London EasyLink had a nice livery, like Harris Bus did, and Express Motors in Wales. I don't mind the simplified sky blue livery, but some have been lasy and just stuck new Arriva logo vinyls over old Interurban livery ratehr than send the bus for repaint. I saw this a lot in Stevenage. I'm sure things are slowly changing for the better, let's see what new CEP Mr Cooper does, I think he came from Yodel before. Yodel know all about marketing and brands, so I'm sure things will improve Mike Cooper would be in a similar boat to outgoing CEO Manfred Rudhart. Never met Mike yet, but Manfred was a very nice guy and was very interested on how all departments were getting on. The biggest problem is the purse strings been heavily controlled by DB and I feel he did a lot for the company which could have been made to be flushed down the toilet. |
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Post by N230UD on Oct 20, 2021 19:54:49 GMT
Northfleet-based routes 306/308 have been cancelled from 31st October 2021. A historic former Maidstone & District route between Gravesend and Sevenoaks.
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The B7TL's now wear UUI marks to hide their age. But last time I looked, the standard required was anything with a working engine, hence anything from Sprinter van to double decker 
It seems Southern Counties and Midlands are co-parenting 
