Messages

surprised there Wasn't there a report in the local rag at the time.

As Stu told me if it ay on twitter or social media it doesn't get reported for example 1846 crash on Atlee Road, a Stabbing in King's Hill Park in Darlaston on May 4th that prompted an Air Ambulance to be called. It was only speculation on local Facebook there had been stabbing it has since been confirmed it was. Although I would have expected something like this to be all over social media 

I note with interest from that article the following:
Now I'm under the impression that the main reason why bus services are being heavily subsidised (through central Government funding streams that are allocated to the WMCA/TfWM) is because the Government pretty much destroyed the bus industry in 2020 with the introduction of the Covid pandemic lockdown. (Whether you agree or disagree with the actions taken is a whole other kettle of fish)

Bus usage had been in some decline prior to 2020, and following the end of pandemic restrictions, while usage has been increasing, passenger numbers are still not quite what they were.

In the same period of time, inflation has increased, along with energy and fuel costs, yet bus fares steadfastly remained the same, until last year.

The talk is of "taking back control" of bus services, but I think the reality is that no matter whether they stay as commercially-operated or publicly-operated, there will still need to be subsidy support, or there will have to be an inflation-matching fare increase (ie, "huge") just so that revenues can match operating costs.

What I think we will likely see as well is a reduced network of bus services, with those that currently rely on subsidy being withdrawn and replaced with 'demand-responsive transport' (DRT) schemes instead. Which sound like great ideas on paper, but actually end up costing more to operate, with the only beneficiaries seeming to be the tech companies selling and providing the software and apps to run them, but are nothing more than glorified taxi services.

It's also interesting that Andy Street began the commissioning of this report in 2023, which will be published in July 2024, and I dread to think how much this has already cost the taxpayer. Andy Street starts this, and Richard Parker will take all the credit.

He also hasn't actually addressed reliability yet which he did during the Campaigning especially when he was stood in front of the 529's at Walsall Bus Station. Andy Street at least promised to fix the infrastructure although let's not forget he is part of the reason reliability is terrible. Metro Works here there and everywhere. He had the chance to stop stuff like the Perry Barr Flyover being removed he didn't the Council who did that are now bankrupt. The Tram isn't the solution franchising isn't the solution. Leave things as they are and then like the trains if NX reliability becomes some bad then take them over and let someone else take over there routes and garages or run it by TFWM just like The trains in Wales and Scotland are being run by there government. But first let's try and get BMW Man out of his BMW onto the bus. Let's try and get roadworks to be done overnight. You could maybe speak to the bus operators to see what more they could do in your opinion maybe do surveys come back to NX and Rotala and say look the residents of town X want you to provide a bus service to Hospital Y and so on. If NX state they can't do it give Rotala the chance don't however franchise them. There is a reason why some places aren't served or some routes are tendered there wouldn't be enough money in it commercially for a man who claims he was of Bussiness I don't see how Richard Parker doesn't get that. Even I do for example I want the 79 to return to Birmingham but will it no should it no. Why There is the Tram on most of the Route. NX would have to spend more money getting more buses and drivers and training them. The route would take nearly 2 hours, the reliability would be awful and NX wouldn't make there money back. We can't have buses everywhere as there isn't demand really for that 

Yes 641 had an accident not expected to be on the road anytime soon, from what I've been told it's got to wait for parts from Egypt.

Ah right makes sense was just wondering why the E200 wasn't on the 36 or 35A and then SN64CVM could have been on the 35A as I know the E200 has done the 36 before 

I don't know where fleet number 6 has come from when they don't even have a fleet number 5 yet 😂.

Also does anyone know what's happened to fleet number 1 it hasent been out for a while well ever since they got ticket machines.

Unless there was a mistake that should be the 5th veichle unless they have a fifth but not a ticket machine for it yet. It is usually this one and AS09PAN on the 19 the other two E200's haven't been out in a while on the 19 presumably there spare I think bus 1 didn't have an assault screen which is needed on the 19

No they don't New Cross hospital has a very basic service through the hospital with a very confusing route, buses going to Walsall follow a different route than the buses going into Wolverhampton, the frequency is only every 30 mins. The 59 is a very frequent service but quite a long walk from the bus stops, especially if you have mobility issues.

The 39 serves the Manor every half an hour to, you have the 69 and maybe the 9 serving New Cross, coming back the 39 stops opposite the Manor the 38 used to stop at the Manor but it has the 36 to Walsall every half hour to

Not really sure why he seems to think Buses mostly by NX don't serve Schools, Colleges or hospitals NX always has a route that serves or goes near. The public do have or used to have a say on services. NX did consultations. If he wants the network to be improved first get rid or cowboy operators like Let's go from my experience and others. NX do a great job it ay perfect but It is brilliant. Some people don't have last Buses at between 10PM and 2AM or even 24hr like some routes they have a last bus between 3/5PM and 7/9PM

Fair enough is 4959 being repaired or is it going for Scrap

1804 has transferred,  but 4696 is just an odd short term loan cover, not a replacement for 4959

I meant on loan 4696 is a loan replacement as I wouldn't expect one Gemini just to transfer to Walsall. Otherwise they would have only 6761 and WA are short of Double Deckers so that was I expecting 4696 to be the loan replacement of 4959

1804 has also now transferred to Walsall this could also be a replacement.

Yes i would say it is. 4696 is a loan replacement for 4959 and 1804 and 1887 replace 1846 

1881 seems to be making some sort of squeaking noise braking and idling sound like a loose belt or something in the engine. Can always tell when 1881 is on the 39 as it squeaks when braking 

SN64CVM on the 36 the other B8 is on the 35A so the usual E200 that is usually on the 35A is elsewhere today

They've gained one, 1887 has returned (assuming) as a replacement for 1846.

1887 was a long term loan to WB with 1860 1860 came back first 1887 presumably yes to replace 1846, 4696 might be on loan to cover for 4959 

Stagecoach Optare and E200 along with a few other E200's and other Buses on the National and Local News as the Labour Party Mayors met in Wolverhampton at an engineering training place. 

4698 the E400 demo was seen in Darlaston earlier 

I see far too many 'near-misses' where drivers fail to 'give-way' at junctions or roundabouts.

Most drivers do get away with it (just about) by racing out of a junction, but it only takes a slow-moving car to protrude too far across the give-way lines to cause an accident and collision.

You only have to look at the damage caused to that electric bus when a car pulled out into the bus lane on Small Heath Highway in front of it.

True either way we know that WA have lost an Omnilink