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Post by capitalomnibus on Aug 2, 2024 23:30:33 GMT
I was always taught in business to never burn bridges with major customers. Whether or not Sullivans were hard done by TfL, I have no insight. But to cease operations at such short notice and publicly air grievances whilst simultaneously offering such a poor service on existing routes is not a good look. Even if TfL did offer opportunities for SMEs to win business, the way Sullivans have thrown their toys out of the pram makes it very difficult for TfL to ever work with them again. Surely if the economics were not right, Sullivans had the option to hand back the contracts and put their TfL work up for early as many other operators have done recently? Hopefully other operators are found for the remaining uncovered routes in time for tomorrow. Passengers deserve better. Definitely, for a while the comments made by Dean on things such as TfL not willing to help smaller operators even when Uno have bidded for TfL work themselves and even Ensign who stepped up to run school extras during covid on behalf of TfL and various opeators, then at one point he said something about Sullivan not willing to invest on electric buses for TfL work has just shut the doors on bidding TfL work in the long term. Ensign who refused to bid for any TfL work who sited too much red tape says it all. This was years ago and they have stuck to their word. |
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Post by capitalomnibus on Aug 2, 2024 23:33:20 GMT
Aren't we being a bit harsh on Dean and the company? Notice states TfL are falling short of 200k a month on payments, with such a small business their reserves have probably blown by covid, he probably had to make cuts to maintenance etc and wass possibly in a place where the company cant afford to repair some vehicles, as seen with the scrappage of 2017 StreetLites. I guess he put profits over people rather than the other way round Are you having a laugh? How on earth do you expect them to be making profit when they have been financially squeezed. |
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Post by ThinLizzy on Aug 2, 2024 23:33:20 GMT
"Back in the day" Blue Triangle would probably have been parachuted in, along with First Capital to take over the routes. As it's School Holiday time, perhaps Uno could step in to assist. I have to say, whilst its sad to see an operator leave London, Sullivans haven't exactly covered themselves in glory in recent times in terms of service delivery, vehicle presentation etc. Not all of that is TfLs fault. I agree, but I cannot blame Sullivans entirely. A lot of it is down to TfL and the buck ends with Khan and his political games. The pinch has been felt by large operators also, hence routes being thrown back, lack of bids for many routes. Also operators not bothering to bid for routes they already operate when it comes to tender renewal. Around 10+ years ago TfL were bringing back the style of London Transport from the 80's with vehicles looking excellent that put many of the large operators to shame. Now it is the complete opposite. They cannot get the staff or pay the wages as other companies. A lot of backroom staff has left the industry as well as drivers going into HGV and other high profile delivery click & collect companies. It was a matter of when this was going to happen as I expected it in June. I think the backroom staff issue is something that is affecting a lot of transport companies. Like you, I have a good number of years experience working in transport, but a lot of the "old boys/girls" who brought with then 30 years experience in supervisory roles, scheduling etc are now retiring or have retired from the industry. Whilst these people can be replaced, you can't pay for or train experience. Anyway, back to Sullivans, Uno have published a "skeletal" timetable for the 298 on their Facebook page. Think it's been a long evening/night for the planners and scheduling people at various companies across London trying to get everything in place as soon as possible. |
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Post by Red Dragon on Aug 2, 2024 23:38:44 GMT
DS54 is the last bus out, running on the 298.
The last two 217s each way look not to be running, as both of the buses out are headed for SM.
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Post by capitalomnibus on Aug 2, 2024 23:41:26 GMT
I never rated Sullivan as a TFL company anyways and I'm glad that all these routes will have new companies. Their maintenance is by far the worst in the whole of London when you look at first impressions and initial attractions, it is not pleasing to the public. I've seen many times where the blinds for the 298/299/389/399/W9 were broken all the time. So for me good riddance and glad TFL have cut ties with them. Interesting to see what happens tomorrow. By the way the only sympathy I have with Sullivan is the drivers. Many of them gonna find themselves stranded for now in short notice. Hopefully they'll find now routes soon. Hardly so, many of them would get jobs elsewhere on Sullivans non TfL work or go to other London operators via TUPE if they do not want to stay with Sullivans. |
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Post by Red Dragon on Aug 2, 2024 23:48:23 GMT
And that's all folks - DS54 arrived at Arnos Grove station at 0047, the last Sullivan's bus in TfL service.  |
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Post by capitalomnibus on Aug 2, 2024 23:49:33 GMT
From Dean on Facebook: After a discussion with TfL this afternoon, we have decided to withdraw from all TfL contracts effectively from Close of Traffic tonight. I have been concerned for sometime about TfLs ability to ensure that the remuneration for their contracts keeps pace with the costs of service delivery. As the country recovered from Covid we saw a significant spike in inflation and a rise in traffic congestion. As a result we were looking for investment and a suitable cost adjustment to counter the effects on our customers, staff & business. Theres more details on this in my press release which I will post in due course. We have enjoyed working in London, but in a recent meeting with TfL they made it very clear that Sullivan Buses were an unwelcome partner in the delivery of services in London. Its now so severe that we can no longer ignore the message. We will continue with Commercial - and we will grow Commercial. I have missed many opertunites along the way as a result of perhaps being too focused on TfL work. My heart is in all three (TfL, Rail & Commercial) but they all need to be sustainable and of course you need to feel 'included'. Sadly with TfL of late we have felt very excluded. I wonder if this means they will also withdraw from TfL rail replacement work? They have not been gaining as much rail work over the past 2 years. They tend to be used as sub contractors more. |
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Post by ThinLizzy on Aug 2, 2024 23:52:51 GMT
And that's all folks - DS54 arrived at Arnos Grove station at 0047, the last Sullivan's bus in TfL service. Have to ask Does anyone know if it was showing the correct blinds?  |
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Post by vjaska on Aug 2, 2024 23:54:10 GMT
Any update on who is running the 327? It's the only regular route still without an operator IIRC?
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Post by SouthLondoner468 on Aug 2, 2024 23:56:54 GMT
Any update on who is running the 327? It's the only regular route still without an operator IIRC? Funnily enough, I thought this would be the first and easiest route to confirm an operator for, yet it’s the last one which hasn’t been confirmed |
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Post by VMH2537 on Aug 3, 2024 0:02:05 GMT
On a serious note, does anyone know what will the service be on the routes? Many are only aware of the 298 having what it seems operating for '12 hours a day with irregular intervals'?
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Post by vjaska on Aug 3, 2024 0:03:05 GMT
Any update on who is running the 327? It's the only regular route still without an operator IIRC? Funnily enough, I thought this would be the first and easiest route to confirm an operator for, yet it’s the last one which hasn’t been confirmed TBH, so did I  . I'm hoping it's Metroline purely just so the old arrangement of 491's inter working with the 327 returns like under Go-Ahead & Arriva - beyond that, not really fussed |
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Post by vjaska on Aug 3, 2024 0:03:47 GMT
On a serious note, does anyone know what will the service be on the routes? Many are only aware of the 298 having what it seems operating for '12 hours a day with irregular intervals'? 389 & 399 have no service until further notice is what I've seen in an earlier post here and also over on the Facebook groups |
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Post by ADH45258 on Aug 3, 2024 0:10:10 GMT
So far we have: Route 549 to Stagecoach London | Garage: TBC Route W9 to Stagecoach London | Garage: TBC Route 299 to Go-Ahead London | Garage: NP Route 399 to Go-Ahead London | Garage: NP Route 389 to Go-Ahead London | Garage: NP Route 217 to Arriva London | Garage: AR - Using ex-W3 Enviro 400s. Route 298 to UNO | Garage: HF Route 327 TBC and School routes TBC. Best place for both 549 and W9 would b Walthamstow Avenue not too far from either of its terminuses Only thing is, space will be needed at AW when the W12 gets rerouted (and PVR increased), so depends on how long the emergency contract is for. Limited options now of routes to move south with charging infrastructure at AW for various routes - maybe the W16 could go to LI temporarily if needed? Or the W5 back to HK once it gets electrified? TFL will probably be keen to get the W9's new tender awarded quickly (and same with the 327), and maybe even negotiate for an earlier start date. I certainly doubt Stagecoach would be interested in running the W9 in the long term. AW is well placed to run the 549 as you say, but it might make sense to run from LI considering much of the route will be replaced by the W14 (so could help with driver familiarity)? |
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Post by moz on Aug 3, 2024 0:10:24 GMT
Having moved from driving in London to driving in Kent these buses most definitely do not have a 'peaceful retirement'. Most routes down here have 60mph sections and they're timed to suit, any ex-London stuff falls apart within months unless the engine governors are ripped out and the system remapped.
Moz
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