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Post by JUNIOR26 on Mar 15, 2024 20:24:18 GMT
As someone who lives on the W9 and uses the service on a near daily bases. I am very relieved the contract is being terminated, the service quality is beyond abysmal. My hopes are someone more competent can take them on Metroline, Arriva? I think we're more likely to win both routes along with the 299/389/399.
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Post by southlondon413 on Mar 15, 2024 20:34:19 GMT
As someone who lives on the W9 and uses the service on a near daily bases. I am very relieved the contract is being terminated, the service quality is beyond abysmal. My hopes are someone more competent can take them on Metroline, Arriva? I think we're more likely to win both routes along with the 299/389/399. If Metroline were to win them all, presumably out of PB then I’d assume the either the 134 or 263 could go to HT?
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Post by JUNIOR26 on Mar 15, 2024 20:45:13 GMT
I think we're more likely to win both routes along with the 299/389/399. If Metroline were to win them all, presumably out of PB then I’d assume the either the 134 or 263 could go to HT? There's plenty of room at PB to accommodate all the routes without anything having to move out.
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Post by capitalomnibus on Mar 15, 2024 21:01:48 GMT
They do. Much of the stuff goes on behind the scenes. Even schedules are drafted, route tests are done for some extensions long before consultations even open Well yes of course that has to happen! The point I was making was nothing is official on the public facing side until it’s announced and things can and do change. It was surprising that Dean made such an announcement on a social media site platform. Maybe because he is fedup like many within the industry at the crap being done by TfL as it is ever more being used by Khan as his plaything
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Post by capitalomnibus on Mar 15, 2024 21:03:47 GMT
Maybe he was hoping to keep the revised 549/W14 contract but TFL have decided to terminate it early. I know in the past he had been outspoken when not agreeing with a TFL decision. Dean is easily the most transparent of the bus company managers in London. Each to their own although as an enthusiast it is insightful. He's also not exactly TfLs biggest fan recently! And indeed has stated his intention to come off TfL work. Other managers at other operating companies share the same sentiment, just they cannot publicly go out and say that as they are not binded by various company rules unlike Dean. Internally they all know TfL is practically not fit for purpose.
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Post by TB123 on Mar 15, 2024 21:07:18 GMT
Dean is easily the most transparent of the bus company managers in London. Each to their own although as an enthusiast it is insightful. He's also not exactly TfLs biggest fan recently! And indeed has stated his intention to come off TfL work. Other managers at other operating companies share the same sentiment, just they cannot publicly go out and say that as they are not binded by various company rules unlike Dean. Internally they all know TfL is practically not fit for purpose. Oh of course they are. I know when John Trayner was MD of GAL he had a period of being more outspoken about some of the decisions from TfL. I suppose Dean has nothing left to lose now so will speak his mind regarding TfL.
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Post by Connor on Mar 15, 2024 21:12:19 GMT
enfielddispatch.co.uk/enfield-bus-routes-rank-among-least-reliable-in-london/ This is the best news I've heard this year. It's well known at the garage that it has been terribly run. Our 231 drivers, on some duties are required to take the 298 to Cockfosters, then the Piccadilly Line to Turnpike Lane....the 298 is rarely on time or doesn't turn up.I hear of regular occurances where only one driver is on the route. Personal experiences of regularly waiting 45 mins for a bus at Potters Bar Station before giving up and taking my car to Cockfosters instead. From an enthusiast point of view, it's bittersweet. I remember when Sullivans took over from Arriva (back in 2011) and being impressed by the shiny new AE's and how reliable the service was. Then the wide variety of vehicles found on the route over the years, I have fond memories of the lovely ALX6/TPL927/PDL26 and the ELV's making appearances on it.
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Post by yunus on Mar 15, 2024 21:18:16 GMT
If Metroline were to win them all, presumably out of PB then I’d assume the either the 134 or 263 could go to HT? There's plenty of room at PB to accommodate all the routes without anything having to move out. Could they be won on a Diesel contract?
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Post by TB123 on Mar 15, 2024 21:19:10 GMT
enfielddispatch.co.uk/enfield-bus-routes-rank-among-least-reliable-in-london/ This is the best news I've heard this year. It's well known at the garage that it has been terribly run. Our 231 drivers, on some duties are required to take the 298 to Cockfosters, then the Piccadilly Line to Turnpike Lane....the 298 is rarely on time or doesn't turn up.I hear of regular occurances where only one driver is on the route. Personal experiences of regularly waiting 45 mins for a bus at Potters Bar Station before giving up and taking my car to Cockfosters instead. From an enthusiast point of view, it's bittersweet. I remember when Sullivans took over from Arriva (back in 2011) and being impressed by the shiny new AE's and how reliable the service was. Then the wide variety of vehicles found on the route over the years, I have fond memories of the lovely ALX6/TPL927/PDL26 and the ELV's making appearances on it. It's a real shame, as you mention when they first got back into TfL in the early 2010s they were a really good quality little outfit. Smart buses and excellent performance. Indeed when they ran the 383 back in the 2000s it was the best performing TfL route I seem to recall reading. I've heard one issue they've had is recruiting drivers and engineers and as a result they are reliant off agency staff. Whilst I'm not one to tar them all with the same brush like some, clearly that isn't sustainable and it's gonna be harder to build a level of quality like with permanent, lower-turnover staffing. Uno dosen't seem to have had quite the same issues, also being a small operator though has got the backing of the University. Interesting to note. I love how they offer discounted degrees as an employee benefit (regardless of one's views on tuition fees), I think that's a great policy.
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Post by JUNIOR26 on Mar 15, 2024 21:22:57 GMT
There's plenty of room at PB to accommodate all the routes without anything having to move out. Could they be won on a Diesel contract? Don't really see any point, better off awarding them with electrics which is what I can see happening regardless of the operator.
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Post by ThinLizzy on Mar 15, 2024 21:25:13 GMT
enfielddispatch.co.uk/enfield-bus-routes-rank-among-least-reliable-in-london/ This is the best news I've heard this year. It's well known at the garage that it has been terribly run. Our 231 drivers, on some duties are required to take the 298 to Cockfosters, then the Piccadilly Line to Turnpike Lane....the 298 is rarely on time or doesn't turn up.I hear of regular occurances where only one driver is on the route. Personal experiences of regularly waiting 45 mins for a bus at Potters Bar Station before giving up and taking my car to Cockfosters instead. From an enthusiast point of view, it's bittersweet. I remember when Sullivans took over from Arriva (back in 2011) and being impressed by the shiny new AE's and how reliable the service was. Then the wide variety of vehicles found on the route over the years, I have fond memories of the lovely ALX6/TPL927/PDL26 and the ELV's making appearances on it. It's a real shame, as you mention when they first got back into TfL in the early 2010s they were a really good quality little outfit. Smart buses and excellent performance. Indeed when they ran the 383 back in the 2000s it was the best performing TfL route I seem to recall reading. I've heard one issue they've had is recruiting drivers and engineers and as a result they are reliant off agency staff. Whilst I'm not one to tar them all with the same brush like some, clearly that isn't sustainable and it's gonna be harder to build a level of quality like with permanent, lower-turnover staffing. Uno dosen't seem to have had quite the same issues, also being a small operator though has got the backing of the University. Interesting to note. I love how they offer discounted degrees as an employee benefit (regardless of one's views on tuition fees), I think that's a great policy. Does make you wonder- If Uno can attract drivers If Uno can source second hand buses for school contracts If Uno can run a good standard of service Why couldn't Sullivans?
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Post by kmkcheng on Mar 16, 2024 0:09:54 GMT
Does make you wonder- If Uno can attract drivers If Uno can source second hand buses for school contracts If Uno can run a good standard of service Why couldn't Sullivans? The big difference with regards to driver recruitment is the hours of operation. So far, UNO have gone for routes that have working hours more attractive in recruitment and also more in line with their Herts work. The last 383 finishes at Barnet before 9pm and there’s no Sunday work. School work can get finished by around 5pm. Compare that with the mainstream Sullivan TfL routes that are 7 day and finish past midnight.
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Post by ADH45258 on Mar 16, 2024 1:04:23 GMT
Does make you wonder- If Uno can attract drivers If Uno can source second hand buses for school contracts If Uno can run a good standard of service Why couldn't Sullivans? The big difference with regards to driver recruitment is the hours of operation. So far, UNO have gone for routes that have working hours more attractive in recruitment and also more in line with their Herts work. The last 383 finishes at Barnet before 9pm and there’s no Sunday work. School work can get finished by around 5pm. Compare that with the mainstream Sullivan TfL routes that are 7 day and finish past midnight. I suppose you could then argue though that Metroline's Potters Bar garage (very close to SM) manage fine with a variety of different operating hours, including night routes. While Metroline is a bigger company, PB is quite far from any of their other garages, so I doubt any drivers would want to move to/from there.
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Post by RT3062 on Mar 16, 2024 6:21:25 GMT
It's a real shame, as you mention when they first got back into TfL in the early 2010s they were a really good quality little outfit. Smart buses and excellent performance. Indeed when they ran the 383 back in the 2000s it was the best performing TfL route I seem to recall reading. I've heard one issue they've had is recruiting drivers and engineers and as a result they are reliant off agency staff. Whilst I'm not one to tar them all with the same brush like some, clearly that isn't sustainable and it's gonna be harder to build a level of quality like with permanent, lower-turnover staffing. Uno dosen't seem to have had quite the same issues, also being a small operator though has got the backing of the University. Interesting to note. I love how they offer discounted degrees as an employee benefit (regardless of one's views on tuition fees), I think that's a great policy. Does make you wonder- If Uno can attract drivers If Uno can source second hand buses for school contracts If Uno can run a good standard of service Why couldn't Sullivans? I think there might be a number of factors pay isn't the best also location isn't the greatest.south mimms isn't the easiest of places to get to without a car. Then reliability of vehicles was a problem too only having.i can only speak for a few years ago but having such a wide variety of fleet wasn't helping with availability of buses and waiting for parts etc.its a shame really as there were some really decent people there that wanted to do well
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Post by DT 11 on Mar 16, 2024 7:45:16 GMT
enfielddispatch.co.uk/enfield-bus-routes-rank-among-least-reliable-in-london/ This is the best news I've heard this year. It's well known at the garage that it has been terribly run. Our 231 drivers, on some duties are required to take the 298 to Cockfosters, then the Piccadilly Line to Turnpike Lane....the 298 is rarely on time or doesn't turn up.I hear of regular occurances where only one driver is on the route. Personal experiences of regularly waiting 45 mins for a bus at Potters Bar Station before giving up and taking my car to Cockfosters instead. From an enthusiast point of view, it's bittersweet. I remember when Sullivans took over from Arriva (back in 2011) and being impressed by the shiny new AE's and how reliable the service was. Then the wide variety of vehicles found on the route over the years, I have fond memories of the lovely ALX6/TPL927/PDL26 and the ELV's making appearances on it. Wow is it really that bad. I’m surprised TFL have not got involved and removed the services from them.
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