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I would guess that either Solus have handed the contract back, or TfWM have stripped it from them.

The new tender refers to performance issues, so most likely TfWM stripped it from them

Does anyone know how long Carolean have the contract for? Is it a completely new contract or does the length include the time Chaserider have operated it?

It's a new contract until October 2026 however there is a mutual termination clause if either party wishes to terminate it sooner

I thought the purpose of this topic was to discuss this new operator Carolean Coaches?

It's ironic that out of the handful of posts discussing the operational history of the new operator's owners, which you're objecting to, four have been authored by the forum owner!

Shazad Ali was the main man behind A2Z, he also went to Sovereign Coaches and is currently running 247 taxis in Willenhall

He also owns between 25% and 50% of Carolean Coaches

https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/14864489/persons-with-significant-control

Surname of the proprietor is the same, but can't see any other link

See Companies House and the Persons of significant control tab

Cost, at a guess.

Perhaps the provider is increasing their usage costs, and NX aren't prepared to absorb these any further.

(Nothing is ever truly 'free', someone is paying for it elsewhere!)

Or maybe the service is being used and abused by too many people, so by making it chargeable it is fairer on those who need to use it.

Oh well then clearly its not worth the cost of providing this service if passengers don't use it.

Most mobile phone contracts come with huge amounts of data allowance, and many people have 4G/5G phones with fast mobile data connections, so a 'limited' free Wi-Fi service probably isn't that appealing any more.

I can understand coaches and trains having free wi-fi for longer distance journeys, but I never really saw the point of this on local bus journeys.

Maybe now bus operators will realise that 'gimmicks' such as these aren't what attracts people to use buses after all!

They used to be very popular 10 years ago but in recent years as you point out, mobile data allowances are much more flexible now

Route News - Chaserider have acquired the 31 & 32 (Lichfield Circular) off diamond. Plus a random 830 to Hill Ridware

They're starting 8th January

Chaserider are operating peak time journeys only according to Staffordshire County Council. Diamond will continue operating during the daytime.

Mobico have released their 3rd Quarter Trading update:

- Profit recover will be slower than previously expected
- Preparing North America school bus unit for sale to reduce debt
- Closing down two NX Transport Solutions depots
- FY dividend suspended

https://tools.eurolandir.com/tools/Pressreleases/GetPressRelease/?ID=4389921&lang=en-GB&companycode=uk-nex&v=r2023

They are in real trouble - watch this space 

I'd also bring back the old Midland Red motorway express routes to Birmingham from places like Worcester, Shrewsbury, Nottingham, etc. It's a shame the driver regulations killed those routes off as they would need tachos these days.

More likely it was the introduction of ENCTS that contributed towards the demise of those types of routes

TfWM are issuing a tender to support the implementation of multi operator contactless fare capping. Better late than never I guess !

https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/e956bc08-fbed-4181-b7a0-e4dd69037e50

Any new updates

Service 45 has been retendered (early and late Mon - Sat journeys) and Sunday timetable following a commercial registration of the daytime service

5.5 hours is the legal maximum driving time without a break.

Potentially longer than this if operators follow the 8.5 hour rule

It seems they will be running the long gone Tamworth to Clifton Campville service (82, 84). Is this commercial or sponsored?

The 'school' journeys are sponsored otherwise its commercial

Just the 25 without including the 600? Or have they integrated the routes.

And imagine if Stagecoach win those routes on the other side of Walsall/Wolverhampton? They'll be needing to trundle up the a5 to get to them if they don't wish to take the motorway.

The 25 was being merged / butchered together with another South Birmingham route 

Couple maybe for some 35A tender work in Walsall which chase rider have rumoured to have won off diamond

Award confirmed here