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From what I have read, it looks like National Express are looking to takeover Stagecoach!

https://dailybusinessgroup.co.uk/2021/09/national-express-in-talks-to-acquire-stagecoach/#:~:text=National%20Express%20has%20confirmed%20that%20it%20is%20negotiating,Express%20ordinary%20shares%20for%20each%20Stagecoach%20ordinary%20share.

If a PLC takes over another operator they announce it to the stock exchange and shareholders.

National Express have not made any such announcements, so have not taken over anybody

By the looks of it @Tony , because Johnson coaches are now taking part in the pre-packaged coach holidays on the National Express website, people are assuming that National Express have taken over Johnsons.

Blackpool seem to be having similar both Bus driver and tram driver/conductor shortages as well.

On both Friday and Saturday, promenade bus service 1 was cancelled and bus passes were valid on trams, plus other services were running at a reduced service as well. Trams are being operated with just 1 conductor which at bust times can lead to a lot of people going unticketed.

I read this when I got Ian's weekly Bus News on Friday and the first thing I did was to check this page becauuse I knew if it was true then it would be a major topic of conversation. What I found was nothing. so I assumed it was wrong and didn't think about it again.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-58585495

604 and 1 other were out on the 242 today!

4476 PB-WB
4442 WN-withdrawn
(4484 currently at AG is a loan covering for the non-appearance of 4502)

@Tony IS 4442 withdrawn, people on Facebook saying that it has now been MOT'd?

I think Tony knows what he's doing, plus don't forget the 7 is going to Wolverhampton.

sorry if I have missed a reply, but what will the 7 interwork with now its going to Wolverhampton?

Just a timetable change, Evening shorts between Stourbridge and Wynall will no longer run

@Steve3229vp thanks for that, strange it hasn't been mentioned in the changes.

Isn't there a route change for the PN7?

https://www.mylondon.news/news/north-london-news/london-buses-2-fake-boris-21237919

The pair of Wrightbus SRM's have now been withdrawn - known by enthusiasts as "Fake Boris Buses", these are identical to the NBLs from the from though omit the rear platform and have no opening windows.

Sorry but the article is totally wrong, some of them are currently being prepared to be used on the X140 and 698 from next month as per the new contract.

Route learning for the 7?

I saw it going around Pedmore Fields with several drivers on it, so must be route learning.

Is 2063 on loan to PN by any chance?

LBSL intends to enter into new contracts for the following routes with the operators listed below:

Route             Current Operator               New Operator                PVR          Vehicles
70                 London United                  London United                  19       Existing electric single deck
135               Docklands Buses               Tower Transit                   15        Existing hybrid double deck
217               Sullivan Buses                   Sullivan Buses                  11       Existing diesel double deck
617               Sullivan Buses                   Sullivan Buses                   2        Existing diesel double deck
629               Sullivan Buses                   Sullivan Buses                   1        Existing diesel double deck
678         Stagecoach East London         Tower Transit                    4        Existing hybrid double deck
733                        n/a                            Tower Transit                  15        Existing hybrid double deck

The hybrid and diesel vehicles detailed above will meet Euro VI emissions standards. Route 733 is a temporary service operating during the planned 17 week closure of the Bank Branch of the Northern Line.

The above contracts will commence on the following dates:

15th January 2022: Route 733.
2nd April 2022: Routes 617, 629 & 678.
21st May 2022: Route 135.
4th June 2022: Route 217.
25th June 2022: Route 70.

Hi Simon,

125 liveried bus 32221 has had no working front destination display for a while now, was causing a bit of confusion when I rode it today. If they are having problems repairing it, couldn't they put the route number in the front window?

Stuart