This forum topic is provided for the benefit of asking direct questions to Simon Dunn regarding Rotala bus operations and services.
If you have a pertinent question to ask, please do so here, and Simon will respond when he is able to. General customer service related enquiries should of course continue to be sent through the appropriate channels.
West Midlands: https://www.diamondbuses.com/west-midlands/contact-us/
Worcestershire & Warwickshire: https://www.diamondbuses.com/worcester-warwickshire/contact-us/
Note to other members: this is not a general 'chit-chat' area, so any answers or replies you may post here yourself may be removed by the forum moderators and admins, in order to keep this topic 'clear' for Simon to answer.
Really glad that you have joined the forum Simon-great to have a member of rotala on here to answer our questions etc. I understand your initial reluctance but thanks for responding to the points!
2) It is good that you aware of having too many smaller buses and I am glad that you intend to address this-though isnt K126URP still in service? It was recently as really enjoyed a ride on it!!
The vehicle was removed from service on 1st September 2013.
3) Understand this entirely but just think that an already well run and successful route could be further improved
4) Yes probably because people are buying it up to avoid the fact that soon buses will be more expensive euro6 buses And yes, i imagine the investigation made fleet changes a bit of an issue
There is capacity before Euro 6, in all bus builders at present. As you say, the investigation delayed investment.
5) great news about the three centros and does make sense to standardise long acre on centros and send the only eclipse 2 there to wessex. though not so sure about solos for redditch-more small buses are definitely not needed there!! The enviros were a good buy though in my opinion and maybe rotala could look out for more of these?
We need to revise our plan with regards the buses that originally came from Wessex. That being the 07 plate Centro's. I am not sure I know which Enviro's you mean.
6) To my knowledge these buses are DDA compliant!!
Not quite. They are missing an interlock. This would not cost much, and we will fit it to the buses in service. The ones currently missing from service, we need to review and evaluate.
Good news about the netowork review but it doesnt seem to have every redditch bus route actually on it which is a shame
I have looked at the marketing material, and I cannot see any Redditch Bus route missing. It certainly wasn't our intention
9) to be honest, with regards to the 192 I would only like it to be reinstated on entusiasts grounds-i understand it is probably not financially viable
10) Great and about point 11 all I would say here is that the new buses gets it wrong again-tonnes of mistakes in this magazine recently and the quality seems to have gone downhill or is that just me that thinks that?
Thanks for answering these points but just a couple more
Can withdrawal dates for the cadets/KS03 solos be given?
Not at present
Also, how long do you think rotala will keep W567JVV, the AKW darts and the SVV and JUA and MNH darts-just interested as I like them and need to photo a couple more
We have lost a number of Centro tenders from October. We need to assess what we need on going, this has not happened yet.
And the same with the first darts and presidents-where are they being stored and when will some be withdrawn from service and also could I email rotala seperately about a depot visit to photo some of the withdrawn stuff. Is that ok?
They are being stored between Redditch and Kidderminster. Depots visits are not a problem, and you should contact dave.russell@rotala.co.uk (he is away for 2 weeks from Yesterday). A number have been withdrawn, a number will exit when either we have a buyer or we acquire the buses to replace them.
Love the new style rotala branding eg for summer sale!! Next time, could this be put by the entrance to buses or at the bottom of the windscreen to advertise it a bit more?
Thanks very much for reading this and best of luck with improving diamond buses in the coming months
If you have a pertinent question to ask, please do so here, and Simon will respond when he is able to. General customer service related enquiries should of course continue to be sent through the appropriate channels.
West Midlands: https://www.diamondbuses.com/west-midlands/contact-us/
Worcestershire & Warwickshire: https://www.diamondbuses.com/worcester-warwickshire/contact-us/
Note to other members: this is not a general 'chit-chat' area, so any answers or replies you may post here yourself may be removed by the forum moderators and admins, in order to keep this topic 'clear' for Simon to answer.
Really glad that you have joined the forum Simon-great to have a member of rotala on here to answer our questions etc. I understand your initial reluctance but thanks for responding to the points!
2) It is good that you aware of having too many smaller buses and I am glad that you intend to address this-though isnt K126URP still in service? It was recently as really enjoyed a ride on it!!
The vehicle was removed from service on 1st September 2013.
3) Understand this entirely but just think that an already well run and successful route could be further improved
4) Yes probably because people are buying it up to avoid the fact that soon buses will be more expensive euro6 buses And yes, i imagine the investigation made fleet changes a bit of an issue
There is capacity before Euro 6, in all bus builders at present. As you say, the investigation delayed investment.
5) great news about the three centros and does make sense to standardise long acre on centros and send the only eclipse 2 there to wessex. though not so sure about solos for redditch-more small buses are definitely not needed there!! The enviros were a good buy though in my opinion and maybe rotala could look out for more of these?
We need to revise our plan with regards the buses that originally came from Wessex. That being the 07 plate Centro's. I am not sure I know which Enviro's you mean.
6) To my knowledge these buses are DDA compliant!!
Not quite. They are missing an interlock. This would not cost much, and we will fit it to the buses in service. The ones currently missing from service, we need to review and evaluate.
Good news about the netowork review but it doesnt seem to have every redditch bus route actually on it which is a shame
I have looked at the marketing material, and I cannot see any Redditch Bus route missing. It certainly wasn't our intention
9) to be honest, with regards to the 192 I would only like it to be reinstated on entusiasts grounds-i understand it is probably not financially viable
10) Great and about point 11 all I would say here is that the new buses gets it wrong again-tonnes of mistakes in this magazine recently and the quality seems to have gone downhill or is that just me that thinks that?
Thanks for answering these points but just a couple more
Can withdrawal dates for the cadets/KS03 solos be given?
Not at present
Also, how long do you think rotala will keep W567JVV, the AKW darts and the SVV and JUA and MNH darts-just interested as I like them and need to photo a couple more
We have lost a number of Centro tenders from October. We need to assess what we need on going, this has not happened yet.
And the same with the first darts and presidents-where are they being stored and when will some be withdrawn from service and also could I email rotala seperately about a depot visit to photo some of the withdrawn stuff. Is that ok?
They are being stored between Redditch and Kidderminster. Depots visits are not a problem, and you should contact dave.russell@rotala.co.uk (he is away for 2 weeks from Yesterday). A number have been withdrawn, a number will exit when either we have a buyer or we acquire the buses to replace them.
Love the new style rotala branding eg for summer sale!! Next time, could this be put by the entrance to buses or at the bottom of the windscreen to advertise it a bit more?
Thanks very much for reading this and best of luck with improving diamond buses in the coming months