Does anyone know who who the outfit is?
They have acquired 3 ex Stagecoach Darts SLF/ALX200's from Ensign during October
Darts S929PDD / R935FOO / R823HCD : Discount Travel Solutions, Smethwick, W Mids.
Quote from: Winston on October 30, 2013, 07:53:10 PM
Does anyone know who who the outfit is?
They have acquired 3 ex Stagecoach Darts SLF/ALX200's from Ensign during October
Darts S929PDD / R935FOO / R823HCD : Discount Travel Solutions, Smethwick, W Mids.
Their address is
142 High Street
Smethwick
West Midlands
B66 3AP
No application on VOSA for an op license at that address though
142 HIGH STREET
SMETHWICK
WARLEY
WEST MIDLANDS
ENGLAND
B66 3AP
Registered as a company on the 09 Oct 2012, so they making slow progress whatever they are doing.
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on October 30, 2013, 07:59:58 PM
142 HIGH STREET
SMETHWICK
WARLEY
WEST MIDLANDS
ENGLAND
B66 3AP
Registered as a company on the 09 Oct 2012, so they making slow progress whatever they are doing.
Only director is a funding director, Mr Balkar Singh
Quote from: Tony on October 30, 2013, 07:57:31 PM
Quote from: Winston on October 30, 2013, 07:53:10 PM
Does anyone know who who the outfit is?
They have acquired 3 ex Stagecoach Darts SLF/ALX200's from Ensign during October
Darts S929PDD / R935FOO / R823HCD : Discount Travel Solutions, Smethwick, W Mids.
Their address is
142 High Street
Smethwick
West Midlands
B66 3AP
No application on VOSA for an op license at that address though
I'd clocked their address and was surprised to see they weren't based in Alma St
Quote from: Winston on October 30, 2013, 08:03:28 PM
Quote from: Tony on October 30, 2013, 07:57:31 PM
Quote from: Winston on October 30, 2013, 07:53:10 PM
Does anyone know who who the outfit is?
They have acquired 3 ex Stagecoach Darts SLF/ALX200's from Ensign during October
Darts S929PDD / R935FOO / R823HCD : Discount Travel Solutions, Smethwick, W Mids.
Their address is
142 High Street
Smethwick
West Midlands
B66 3AP
No application on VOSA for an op license at that address though
I'd clocked their address and was surprised to see they weren't based in Alma St
I think the guru is door2door running services for it's older users
Quote from: Dylan4579 on October 30, 2013, 08:16:21 PM
Quote from: Winston on October 30, 2013, 08:03:28 PM
Quote from: Tony on October 30, 2013, 07:57:31 PM
Quote from: Winston on October 30, 2013, 07:53:10 PM
Does anyone know who who the outfit is?
They have acquired 3 ex Stagecoach Darts SLF/ALX200's from Ensign during October
Darts S929PDD / R935FOO / R823HCD : Discount Travel Solutions, Smethwick, W Mids.
Their address is
142 High Street
Smethwick
West Midlands
B66 3AP
No application on VOSA for an op license at that address though
I'd clocked their address and was surprised to see they weren't based in Alma St
I think the guru is door2door running services for it's older users
Would they not still need an operators license?
Quote from: Winston on October 30, 2013, 08:18:39 PM
Quote from: Dylan4579 on October 30, 2013, 08:16:21 PM
Quote from: Winston on October 30, 2013, 08:03:28 PM
Quote from: Tony on October 30, 2013, 07:57:31 PM
Quote from: Winston on October 30, 2013, 07:53:10 PM
Does anyone know who who the outfit is?
They have acquired 3 ex Stagecoach Darts SLF/ALX200's from Ensign during October
Darts S929PDD / R935FOO / R823HCD : Discount Travel Solutions, Smethwick, W Mids.
Their address is
142 High Street
Smethwick
West Midlands
B66 3AP
No application on VOSA for an op license at that address though
I'd clocked their address and was surprised to see they weren't based in Alma St
I think the guru is door2door running services for it's older users
Would they not still need an operators license?
Would they?? it's not available to the public
PD1121581/1 - DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED, 8 ERNEST ROAD, SMETHWICK, B67 7LP
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Birmingham New Street Station
Finish Point: Birmingham New Street Station
Via: Sellyoak & Northfield
Service Number: 63E
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 03-FEB-2014
Other Details: Monday to Friday
Ooooooh!!! 63E I an only expect it'll either be to Northfield or Longbridge Island.
Fair play to them I can see a possible profit on that corridor especially when TWM are running to cock.
Do we think nbus will get accepted??
Looking forward to seeing some competiton on my local route where some money can be made. Good luck to them I say!!
Quote from: the trainbasher on December 10, 2013, 04:37:02 PM
Do we think nbus will get accepted??
I dare say..
..I wonder if Tony has the fleet list of DTS Ltd?
Is it crumbly darts or true competition?
Quote from: Liverpool Street on December 10, 2013, 07:23:57 PM
Quote from: the trainbasher on December 10, 2013, 04:37:02 PM
Do we think nbus will get accepted??
I dare say..
..I wonder if Tony has the fleet list of DTS Ltd?
Is it crumbly darts or true competition?
Ex Stagecoach darts, Presumably not meeting Centro's QSP so I suspect they will not be a frequent service
R823 HCD
R935 FOO
S929 PDD
Quote from: Liverpool Street on December 10, 2013, 07:23:57 PM
Quote from: the trainbasher on December 10, 2013, 04:37:02 PM
Do we think nbus will get accepted??
I dare say..
..I wonder if Tony has the fleet list of DTS Ltd?
Is it crumbly darts or true competition?
Its not the vehicles that are important really. Cheap buses bright livery and day returns and they should be ok. Though lots of ppl have nx passes on the br routes so the 50p ticket strategy would be a good one. Surprised theyre not goingffor yhe 97 though as the fact diamond lasted longer on there than the br should show it is more profitable. To be fair the br at one time had a lot more first buses diamond on two routes and then travel express plus thandi companies of which all seemed to do quite well. Looking forward to seeing them though!!
Thanks for the swift reply; Tony.
So, reading in other threads, technically they can't run then as the frequency with NX is more then every half an hour? Or isn't that how it works? Is it on a per company basis or total frequency with all operators?
In fact; scrap that - VIP got away with it so I expect its a per company basis.
Quote from: DiamondDart on December 10, 2013, 07:29:31 PM
Quote from: Liverpool Street on December 10, 2013, 07:23:57 PM
Quote from: the trainbasher on December 10, 2013, 04:37:02 PM
Do we think nbus will get accepted??
I dare say..
..I wonder if Tony has the fleet list of DTS Ltd?
Is it crumbly darts or true competition?
Its not the vehicles that are important really. Cheap buses bright livery and day returns and they should be ok. Though lots of ppl have nx passes on the br routes so the 50p ticket strategy would be a good one. Surprised theyre not goingffor yhe 97 though as the fact diamond lasted longer on there than the br should show it is more profitable. To be fair the br at one time had a lot more first buses diamond on two routes and then travel express plus thandi companies of which all seemed to do quite well. Looking forward to seeing them though!!
Well yes but I think there's more of an opportunity on the BR with the Concession cards; you wouldn't believe the volume of olduns on the BR.
Quote from: Tony on December 10, 2013, 07:27:00 PM
Quote from: Liverpool Street on December 10, 2013, 07:23:57 PM
Quote from: the trainbasher on December 10, 2013, 04:37:02 PM
Do we think nbus will get accepted??
I dare say..
..I wonder if Tony has the fleet list of DTS Ltd?
Is it crumbly darts or true competition?
Ex Stagecoach darts, Presumably not meeting Centro's QSP so I suspect they will not be a frequent service
R823 HCD
R935 FOO
S929 PDD
Didn't they come via Ensign and Discount Travel Solutions was at the time suggested to be some sort of church transport?
Quote from: Winston on December 10, 2013, 07:39:21 PM
Quote from: Tony on December 10, 2013, 07:27:00 PM
Quote from: Liverpool Street on December 10, 2013, 07:23:57 PM
Quote from: the trainbasher on December 10, 2013, 04:37:02 PM
Do we think nbus will get accepted??
I dare say..
..I wonder if Tony has the fleet list of DTS Ltd?
Is it crumbly darts or true competition?
Ex Stagecoach darts, Presumably not meeting Centro's QSP so I suspect they will not be a frequent service
R823 HCD
R935 FOO
S929 PDD
Didn't they come via Ensign and Discount Travel Solutions was at the time suggested to be some sort of church transport?
I suspect it has connections with a former Walsall operator. Need to investigate further.
This company is founded by an ex employee of Evergreen Coaches
The three Darts quoted by Tony are parked up in Evergreen's depot on Alma St where the main building used to be
Quote from: nitromatt1 on December 10, 2013, 07:46:23 PM
This company is founded by an ex employee of Evergreen Coaches
The three Darts quoted by Tony are parked up in Evergreen's depot on Alma St where the main building used to be
Yes, Mr Balkar Singh. But I suspect there are others involved as well
Quote from: Liverpool Street on December 10, 2013, 07:33:31 PM
Thanks for the swift reply; Tony.
So, reading in other threads, technically they can't run then as the frequency with NX is more then every half an hour? Or isn't that how it works? Is it on a per company basis or total frequency with all operators?
In fact; scrap that - VIP got away with it so I expect its a per company basis.
Quote from: DiamondDart on December 10, 2013, 07:29:31 PM
Quote from: Liverpool Street on December 10, 2013, 07:23:57 PM
Quote from: the trainbasher on December 10, 2013, 04:37:02 PM
Do we think nbus will get accepted??
I dare say..
..I wonder if Tony has the fleet list of DTS Ltd?
Is it crumbly darts or true competition?
Its not the vehicles that are important really. Cheap buses bright livery and day returns and they should be ok. Though lots of ppl have nx passes on the br routes so the 50p ticket strategy would be a good one. Surprised theyre not goingffor yhe 97 though as the fact diamond lasted longer on there than the br should show it is more profitable. To be fair the br at one time had a lot more first buses diamond on two routes and then travel express plus thandi companies of which all seemed to do quite well. Looking forward to seeing them though!!
Well yes but I think there's more of an opportunity on the BR with the Concession cards; you wouldn't believe the volume of olduns on the BR.
There are a fair few OAPs on the BR though. As you've driven the 61/63 and 97 though Liverpool Street, wouldn't you say the 97 was a bit busier as a route than the BR?
Quote from: DiamondDart on December 10, 2013, 08:14:39 PM
Quote from: Liverpool Street on December 10, 2013, 07:33:31 PM
Thanks for the swift reply; Tony.
So, reading in other threads, technically they can't run then as the frequency with NX is more then every half an hour? Or isn't that how it works? Is it on a per company basis or total frequency with all operators?
In fact; scrap that - VIP got away with it so I expect its a per company basis.
Quote from: DiamondDart on December 10, 2013, 07:29:31 PM
Quote from: Liverpool Street on December 10, 2013, 07:23:57 PM
Quote from: the trainbasher on December 10, 2013, 04:37:02 PM
Do we think nbus will get accepted??
I dare say..
..I wonder if Tony has the fleet list of DTS Ltd?
Is it crumbly darts or true competition?
Its not the vehicles that are important really. Cheap buses bright livery and day returns and they should be ok. Though lots of ppl have nx passes on the br routes so the 50p ticket strategy would be a good one. Surprised theyre not goingffor yhe 97 though as the fact diamond lasted longer on there than the br should show it is more profitable. To be fair the br at one time had a lot more first buses diamond on two routes and then travel express plus thandi companies of which all seemed to do quite well. Looking forward to seeing them though!!
Well yes but I think there's more of an opportunity on the BR with the Concession cards; you wouldn't believe the volume of olduns on the BR.
There are a fair few OAPs on the BR though. As you've driven the 61/63 and 97 though Liverpool Street, wouldn't you say the 97 was a bit busier as a route than the BR?
Well, obviously considering the 97 is every 4 minutes and BR every 5, the 97 would be busier. But there are other factors rather then pure passenger numbers. Anyway, if there were any profit on the 97 why did Diamond come off it?
Quote from: Liverpool Street on December 10, 2013, 08:44:38 PM
Quote from: DiamondDart on December 10, 2013, 08:14:39 PM
Quote from: Liverpool Street on December 10, 2013, 07:33:31 PM
Thanks for the swift reply; Tony.
So, reading in other threads, technically they can't run then as the frequency with NX is more then every half an hour? Or isn't that how it works? Is it on a per company basis or total frequency with all operators?
In fact; scrap that - VIP got away with it so I expect its a per company basis.
Quote from: DiamondDart on December 10, 2013, 07:29:31 PM
Quote from: Liverpool Street on December 10, 2013, 07:23:57 PM
Quote from: the trainbasher on December 10, 2013, 04:37:02 PM
Do we think nbus will get accepted??
I dare say..
..I wonder if Tony has the fleet list of DTS Ltd?
Is it crumbly darts or true competition?
Its not the vehicles that are important really. Cheap buses bright livery and day returns and they should be ok. Though lots of ppl have nx passes on the br routes so the 50p ticket strategy would be a good one. Surprised theyre not goingffor yhe 97 though as the fact diamond lasted longer on there than the br should show it is more profitable. To be fair the br at one time had a lot more first buses diamond on two routes and then travel express plus thandi companies of which all seemed to do quite well. Looking forward to seeing them though!!
Well yes but I think there's more of an opportunity on the BR with the Concession cards; you wouldn't believe the volume of olduns on the BR.
There are a fair few OAPs on the BR though. As you've driven the 61/63 and 97 though Liverpool Street, wouldn't you say the 97 was a bit busier as a route than the BR?
Well, obviously considering the 97 is every 4 minutes and BR every 5, the 97 would be busier. But there are other factors rather then pure passenger numbers. Anyway, if there were any profit on the 97 why did Diamond come off it?
Well tbf the fact that connect were on there could have caused the frequency it has as the nx response is always to up the frequency.
And god knows why diamond came off there they did well until the solos arrived and the brand identity was lost. If thedrivers had got ahead and not sat behind then they would still be on there. The 97 should not have been withdrawn nor the 17 but definitely the 37 as that was a dead duck! Didnt diamond plan to put deckers on there make it 24 hours to the airport before nx at one time?
Any more news reference Discount Travel Solutions on the Bristol Road?
PD1121581/2 - DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED, 8 ERNEST ROAD, SMETHWICK, B67 7LP
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Birmingham City Centre
Finish Point: Lockwood Road Northfield
Via: Harborne, California and Woeley Castle
Service Number: 29
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 01-APR-2014
Other Details: Monday to Friday (no service Sat/Sun or bank holidays). To operate 55 mins to hourly
Interesting...
Quote from: 4Q on January 30, 2014, 09:30:08 AM
PD1121581/2 - DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED, 8 ERNEST ROAD, SMETHWICK, B67 7LP
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Birmingham City Centre
Finish Point: Lockwood Road Northfield
Via: Harborne, California and Woeley Castle
Service Number: 29
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 01-APR-2014
Other Details: Monday to Friday (no service Sat/Sun or bank holidays). To operate 55 mins to hourly
Interesting...
Two buses being used then I bet. Of course the old times were 38minutes from City to Lockwood. I bet this Discount Travel thing will be similar. Indeed I'm drawing parallels with Diamond 16 vs. NXWM 16 times. With Diamond close to old TWM times
I have yet to see these on the Bristol Road considering it was supposed to be operative from the 3rd February 2014.
FAO: Discount Travel Solutions
To Whom It May Concern,
Does your company actually exist?
Have you any intention of driving a bus on the Bristol Road?
Kindest of Regards,
Quote from: Liverpool Street on February 21, 2014, 08:43:10 PM
FAO: Discount Travel Solutions
To Whom It May Concern,
Does your company actually exist?
Have you any intention of driving a bus on the Bristol Road?
Kindest of Regards,
Are they of the same ilk as City Line Travel?
What ever happened to this company? I presume they haven't stepped foot on Bristol Rd at all?
Quote from: Nathan on March 07, 2014, 09:41:49 PM
What ever happened to this company? I presume they haven't stepped foot on Bristol Rd at all?
You got it. And you expect the same fantastic service on the 29 also.
Quote from: Liverpool Street on March 07, 2014, 10:26:32 PM
Quote from: Nathan on March 07, 2014, 09:41:49 PM
What ever happened to this company? I presume they haven't stepped foot on Bristol Rd at all?
You got it. And you expect the same fantastic service on the 29 also.
Thanks for the info LS :) Maybe they have a fleet of invisible buses? ;)
Something strange about this company.
It was set up on the 09/10/12 with 2 directors, a Mr Balkar Singh and a Mrs Barbara Kahan. Strangely Mrs Kahan has currently 197 directorships and has resigned from 199 directorships & lives in North Finchley In London. All that and she was 82 at that time ! True to form, the second the company was set up (09/10/12) , Mrs Kahan resigned.
On the 01 Nov 13 A Mr Baljit Singh Atwal was appointed as company secretary & lives at 142 High Street Smethwick (the registered address of the Company)?
According to Company Check, no accounts have yet been submitted by the company?
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on March 07, 2014, 11:12:38 PM
Something strange about this company.
It was set up on the 09/10/12 with 2 directors, a Mr Balkar Singh and a Mrs Barbara Kahan. Strangely Mrs Kahan has currently 197 directorships and has resigned from 199 directorships & lives in North Finchley In London. All that and she was 82 at that time ! True to form, the second the company was set up (09/10/12) , Mrs Kahan resigned.
On the 01 Nov 13 A Mr Baljit Singh Atwal was appointed as company secretary & lives at 142 High Street Smethwick (the registered address of the Company)?
According to Company Check, no accounts have yet been submitted by the company?
Stu,
They will need to submit some dormant accounts for the period 10/2012 to 10/2013, but I believe you have 9 months from the end of the accounting period to submit them to companies house, so are therefore not yet overdue
Quote from: Winston on March 07, 2014, 11:18:12 PM
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on March 07, 2014, 11:12:38 PM
Something strange about this company.
It was set up on the 09/10/12 with 2 directors, a Mr Balkar Singh and a Mrs Barbara Kahan. Strangely Mrs Kahan has currently 197 directorships and has resigned from 199 directorships & lives in North Finchley In London. All that and she was 82 at that time ! True to form, the second the company was set up (09/10/12) , Mrs Kahan resigned.
On the 01 Nov 13 A Mr Baljit Singh Atwal was appointed as company secretary & lives at 142 High Street Smethwick (the registered address of the Company)?
According to Company Check, no accounts have yet been submitted by the company?
Stu,
They will need to submit some dormant accounts for the period 10/2012 to 10/2013, but I believe you have 9 months from the end of the accounting period to submit them to companies house, so are therefore not yet overdue
Winston
Thanks for that,had forgotten about the 9 months,
Stu
http://thecolemanexperience.wordpress.com/2013/04/06/sham-directors-dirty-money-and-the-british-virgin-islands-connection/
Quote from: bususer12 on March 08, 2014, 12:14:31 AM
http://thecolemanexperience.wordpress.com/2013/04/06/sham-directors-dirty-money-and-the-british-virgin-islands-connection/
And that does not surprise me. Disgusting corruption and anything to avoid paying out. Sickens me.
So is this a real operator or not as I'm sure I didn't see any of their vehicles on my jaunt down the Bristol Road today...
EDIT - Notice the registration is M-F only.
Quote from: the trainbasher on March 30, 2014, 02:01:14 AM
So is this a real operator or not as I'm sure I didn't see any of their vehicles on my jaunt down the Bristol Road today...
EDIT - Notice the registration is M-F only.
Doesn't exist.
S929 PDD was going up and down the Bristol Road today, first saw it in Selly Oak around lunchtime heading towards Northfield, then saw it later on Bristol Street heading into city
Only a few months late!
any timetable for this service
Quote from: Ex BC driver on April 15, 2014, 05:09:50 PM
S929 PDD was going up and down the Bristol Road today, first saw it in Selly Oak around lunchtime heading towards Northfield, then saw it later on Bristol Street heading into city
Thanks BC driver- gonna try them tomorrow!
Quote from: Ex BC driver on April 15, 2014, 05:09:50 PM
S929 PDD was going up and down the Bristol Road today, first saw it in Selly Oak around lunchtime heading towards Northfield, then saw it later on Bristol Street heading into city
That's the mystery ALX200 Dart I saw this afternoon on The Priory Queensway this afternoon. Light blue, with the remains of the multicolored people 'Rider' branding on the Windows from its Stagecoach days
Nice of them to put in an appearance...
Ooh
gotta look
lemme guess
paper route number?
no ticket machine working?
appears sparodically
It's on it's way into city right now, just seen it in Selly Oak, flip dot blinds in use and they are using a wayfarer graphics ticket machine
mmm
so is it just 1 bus then? as i presume no timetable anywhere yet
gotta go out and find it :P
I've only seen the one vehicle. The bus stops don't have them mentioned, just NXWM services
They exist! Cor blimey. Did manage to catch a ride with a very pleasant Sikh driver, top notch driving too. Got to Northfield in record time. Fair loadings as well considering it's their second day. I've changed my tone with these. Nice going.
Quote from: Liverpool Street on April 16, 2014, 05:23:51 PM
They exist! Cor blimey. Did manage to catch a ride with a very pleasant Sikh driver, top notch driving too. Got to Northfield in record time. Fair loadings as well considering it's their second day. I've changed my tone with these. Nice going.
I don't suppose the Dart, being ex Stage, has a Voith gearbox, does it?
Quote from: Matt on April 16, 2014, 05:40:36 PM
Quote from: Liverpool Street on April 16, 2014, 05:23:51 PM
They exist! Cor blimey. Did manage to catch a ride with a very pleasant Sikh driver, top notch driving too. Got to Northfield in record time. Fair loadings as well considering it's their second day. I've changed my tone with these. Nice going.
I don't suppose the Dart, being ex Stage, has a Voith gearbox, does it?
Doubt it... top quality allisson I reckon. Their driver is really nice as well hopefully they put another bus or so on there...
Quote from: DiamondDart on April 16, 2014, 06:47:30 PM
Quote from: Matt on April 16, 2014, 05:40:36 PM
Quote from: Liverpool Street on April 16, 2014, 05:23:51 PM
They exist! Cor blimey. Did manage to catch a ride with a very pleasant Sikh driver, top notch driving too. Got to Northfield in record time. Fair loadings as well considering it's their second day. I've changed my tone with these. Nice going.
I don't suppose the Dart, being ex Stage, has a Voith gearbox, does it?
Doubt it... top quality allisson I reckon. Their driver is really nice as well hopefully they put another bus or so on there...
I hope it's Voith, too many Allison Darts round here! They have two more Darts already as far as I know
Quote from: Matt on April 16, 2014, 07:02:27 PM
Quote from: DiamondDart on April 16, 2014, 06:47:30 PM
Quote from: Matt on April 16, 2014, 05:40:36 PM
Quote from: Liverpool Street on April 16, 2014, 05:23:51 PM
They exist! Cor blimey. Did manage to catch a ride with a very pleasant Sikh driver, top notch driving too. Got to Northfield in record time. Fair loadings as well considering it's their second day. I've changed my tone with these. Nice going.
I don't suppose the Dart, being ex Stage, has a Voith gearbox, does it?
Doubt it... top quality allisson I reckon. Their driver is really nice as well hopefully they put another bus or so on there...
I hope it's Voith, too many Allison Darts round here! They have two more Darts already as far as I know
Now they have finally put an appearance in I have put a fleetlist on the main site
http://wmbusphotos.com/Discount/fleetlist.html
Quote from: Tony on April 16, 2014, 07:21:28 PM
Quote from: Matt on April 16, 2014, 07:02:27 PM
Quote from: DiamondDart on April 16, 2014, 06:47:30 PM
Quote from: Matt on April 16, 2014, 05:40:36 PM
Quote from: Liverpool Street on April 16, 2014, 05:23:51 PM
They exist! Cor blimey. Did manage to catch a ride with a very pleasant Sikh driver, top notch driving too. Got to Northfield in record time. Fair loadings as well considering it's their second day. I've changed my tone with these. Nice going.
I don't suppose the Dart, being ex Stage, has a Voith gearbox, does it?
Doubt it... top quality allisson I reckon. Their driver is really nice as well hopefully they put another bus or so on there...
I hope it's Voith, too many Allison Darts round here! They have two more Darts already as far as I know
Now they have finally put an appearance in I have put a fleetlist on the main site
http://wmbusphotos.com/Discount/fleetlist.html
Aren't they ALX200s and not ALX300s Tony?
Well Spotted! Unless there are ALX300 bodied darts which I am not aware of?
Just took a PIC
S929 on 29
Spelt woley castle wrong on blinds but nevertheless
Nice Sikh driver though!
So they must have 1 bus on 63e 1 on 29 with 1 spare
Breakdown
R935FOO
@1530
Going up the Bristol rd by northfield fire station
Towards northfield extreme loss of power and
Then stopped when it reached the top blocking both
Lanes
Quote from: Nathan on April 16, 2014, 10:47:49 PM
Well Spotted! Unless there are ALX300 bodied darts which I am not aware of?
Correct. They were numbered in the 3xxxx range while at Stagecoach so are ALX 200 Dart SLFs. Unless DTS have made the chassis and body longer.
Only saw 1 of their buses at approx 1120 on 29
Didn't see the 63e one
here is another of the fleet of discount travel solutions https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanjack/14006391773/
here another of discount travel solutions https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanjack/14010109474/
Legals say discount travel soloutions unit 11-12 Anne rd Smethwick so vosa need
update their info
Any idea what times do their services run?
Quote from: the trainbasher on May 14, 2014, 04:29:44 PM
Any idea what times do their services run?
A couple of minutes before NX
Quote from: Matt on May 14, 2014, 04:31:03 PM
Quote from: the trainbasher on May 14, 2014, 04:29:44 PM
Any idea what times do their services run?
A couple of minutes before NX
Considering the frequency of buses on Bristol Road and route 29 it is inevitable that any competitor will run a few minutes before NX! With the number of vehicles they have they can only be running a 30 / 40 minute service at the very most.
Their timings aren't really a couple of minutes before NX on the Bristol Road, as the timetable has less time then NX, so it'll catch up with the NX bus in front.
Saw one of their darts on the 29 today and yesterday. No timetable for the 29 available on NWM. Never seen them on the BR
Their timetables on nwm website 29 runs hourly at 35 past each hour from Birmingham & 30 past from Northfield. 63 runs at different times but mainly 10 & 40 from Birmingham
@Steveminor Do you know if they intend to add more vehicles or if indeed the services have taken off?
The 63 isn't too bad but the 29 (as you'd expect) isn't doing as well. It's too early yet for him to talk about expanding. He wants too but "you have to walk before you can run"
Quote from: Steveminor on May 15, 2014, 09:09:10 PM
The 63 isn't too bad but the 29 (as you'd expect) isn't doing as well. It's too early yet for him to talk about expanding. He wants too but "you have to walk before you can run"
I'd personally suggest to him running as a 63E to Northfield as that is the busier bit of the route and enables you to up the frequency within existing resources...
The 29 is an interesting route choice to be honest, as I imagine you agree. It seems very busy in peaks and then off peaks it is mostly OAPs and a lot of pushchairs! Fair few travelcards on that corridor and from Harborne to Birmingham, you're kind of lost in a sea of new volvos, e400's and e200's. Plus it does seem lightly loaded during the daytime anyway...
Without expanding too fast, going all out on the BR could work. To think there was Diamond on there several times an hour, an extra 2 bph run by First, Travel Express, Thandi etc etc and those lot seemed to keep going on there for years with some decent loads, especially on Travel Express!
Public Inquiry (48653) to be held at The Public Inquiry Room, 38 George Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 1PL, on 05 June 2014 commencing at 10:30(Previous Publication:(2200)
)
PD1121581 SN
DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED
Director(s): BALKAR SINGH.
8 ERNEST ROAD SMETHWICK B67 7LP
PSV - S17 - Consideration of disciplinary action under Section 17 (The Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981)
PSV - S26 - Consideration of disciplinary action under Section 26 (The Transport Act 1985)
PSV - S111 - Consideration of disciplinary action under Section 111 (The Transport Act 1985)
Oh dear...
@the trainbasherAny idea what these offenses equate to in practice?
@DiamondDartPSV - S17 - Consideration of disciplinary action under Section 17 (The Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981)
Quote from: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1981/14/section/17Revocation, suspension etc. of licences.
(1)The traffic [commissioner] by whom a standard licence was granted shall revoke the licence if it appears to [him] at any time that the holder no longer satisfies the requirement to be of good repute, the requirement to be of appropriate financial standing or the requirement as to professional competence.
(2)Without prejudice to subsection (1) above, the traffic [commissioner] by whom a PSV operator's licence was granted may, on any of the grounds specified in subsection (3) below, at any time—
(a)revoke the licence;
[F3(aa)that any undertaking recorded in the licence has not been fulfilled;]
(b)suspend the licence for such period as [F4he directs]. . .;
F5(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(d)vary any condition attached under subsection (1) of section 16 of this Act to the licence, or attach to the licence (whether in addition to or in place of any existing condition so attached to it) any such condition as is mentioned in that subsection.
(3)The grounds for action under subsection (2) above are—
(a)that the holder of the licence made or procured to be made for the purposes of his application for the licence, or for the purposes of an application for a variation of the licence, a statement of fact which (whether to his knowledge or not) was false, or a statement of F6. . . expectation which has not been fulfilled;
(b)that there has been a contravention of any condition attached to the licence;
(c)that a prohibition under F7[M1section 69 of the Road Traffic Act 1988] has been imposed with respect to a vehicle owned or operated by the holder of the licence, or that the holder of the licence has been convicted of an offence under [section 71(1)(a) or (b) of that Act arising out of the contravention of such a prohibition];
(d)in the case of a restricted licence, that the holder no longer satisfies the requirement to be of good repute or the requirement to be of appropriate financial standing;
(e)that there has been since the licence was granted or varied a material change in any of the circumstances of the holder of the licence which were relevant to the grant or variation of his licence.
[F8(f)the licence is one in relation to which a direction given by a traffic commissioner under section 28(4) of the Transport Act 1985 (power when disqualifying a former licence holder to direct that certain other PSV operators' licences should be liable to be revoked, suspended, etc.) has effect]
(4)[F9A traffic commissioner] shall not take any action under subsection (1) or (2) above in respect of any licence without first holding [F10an inquiry] if the holder of the licence requests [F11him] to do so.
(5)Where [F12a traffic commissioner decides] to revoke a licence under this section, [F13he] may direct that the revocation shall not take effect for such period as appears to [F13him] reasonably required to enable the business carried on under the licence to be transferred to another person duly licensed to carry it on.
[F14(5A)Where a licence is suspended under this section, it remains in force during the time of its suspension subject to the limitation that no vehicles are authorised to be used under it.
(5B)A traffic commissioner who has suspended a licence under this section may at any time—
(a)cancel the suspension; or
(b)with the consent of the holder of the licence, vary the period for which it is suspended.]
(6)The provisions of Schedule 3 to this Act shall apply for the purposes of subsections (1) and (3)(d) above as they apply for the purposes of section 14(1) of this Act.
PSV - S26 - Consideration of disciplinary action under Section 26 (The Transport Act 1985)
Quote from: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1985/67/section/2626 Conditions attached to PSV operator's licence.
(1)Where it appears to a traffic commissioner, in relation to a person ("the operator") to whom he has granted or is proposing to grant a PSV operator's licence, that—
(a)the operator has failed to operate a local service registered under section 6 of this Act; or
(b)the operator has operated a local service in contravention of that section [F1or section 118(4) or 129(1)(b) of the Transport Act 2000;][F2or section 8(4) or section 22(1)(b) of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001][F3; or
(ba)the operator has failed to comply with section 138 or 140(3) of [F4the Transport Act 2000]]; or[F5; or
(bb)the operator has failed to comply with section 32(1) or 34(3) of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001;]
(c)the arrangements for maintaining the vehicles used under the licence in a fit and serviceable condition are not adequate for the use of those vehicles in providing the local service or services in question; or
(d)the operator, or any employee or agent of his, has—
(i)intentionally interfered with the operation of a local service provided by another operator;
(ii)operated a local service in a manner dangerous to the public; or
(iii)been guilty of any other serious misconduct (whether or not constituting a criminal offence) in relation to the operation of a local service; or
(e)a condition attached under section 8 of this Act to the operator's licence has been contravened;he may (on granting the licence or at any later time) attach to it either a condition prohibiting the operator from using vehicles under the licence to provide any local service of a description specified in the condition or one prohibiting him from so using vehicles to provide local services of any description.
(2)The commissioner may attach a condition to a PSV operator's licence under subsection (1) above, by reference to circumstances falling within paragraph (a) or (b) of that subsection if, but only if, it appears to him that the operator did not have a reasonable excuse for his conduct or that it is appropriate to attach the condition in view of—
(a)the danger to the public involved in the operator's conduct; or
(b)the frequency of conduct of the kind in question on the part of the operator.
(3)Where the effect of a condition attached to a PSV operator's licence under subsection (1) above is that the operator of a local service registered under section 6 of this Act is prohibited from using vehicles under the licence to provide that service, the traffic commissioner attaching the condition may—
(a)cancel the registration; or
(b)where the service is registered with another traffic commissioner, direct that it be cancelled.
(4)Where a direction is given under subsection (3)(b) above, it shall be the duty of the traffic commissioner with whom the service is registered to cancel the registration.
(5)Where it appears to the commissioner that—
(a)vehicles used under the licence (or under any PSV operator's licence previously held by the operator) have not been maintained in a fit and serviceable condition; or
(b)the operator has been involved in arrangements with any other operator for the use of each other's vehicles with a view to hindering enforcement of any requirements of the law relating to the operation of those vehicles;he may (on granting the licence or at any later time) attach to the licence a condition restricting the vehicles which the operator may use under the licence to vehicles specified in the condition.
(6)A condition attached to a licence under subsection (5) above shall—
(a)apply only to vehicles which have their operating centre in the traffic area for which the commissioner acts; and
(b)be in addition to (and not be taken as prejudicing in any way) any conditions attached to the licence under section 16 of the 1981 Act as to the maximum number of vehicles which the operator may at any one time use under the licence.
PSV - S111 - Consideration of disciplinary action under Section 111 (The Transport Act 1985)
Quote from: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1985/67/section/111Unregistered and unreliable local services; reduction of fuel duty grant.
@the trainbasherThanks very much for posting-very useful. Each section certainly seems to encompass a massive range of offenses!! I just find it strange they took so long to start operating and operation may appear to be patchy.
I also think the timetables are poor in terms of catering for the peak BR flows which must be where the money's at. And why no Saturday Operation? Sundays I can understand but Saturdays!! The BR is often very busy with shoppers off to town... Bizarre...
lol "Unregistered and unreliable local services; reduction of fuel duty grant."
Why do they still think they can run like the 80's again!
saw Discounts travels depot today from the tram 4 buses in there
Quote from: Solo1 on May 17, 2014, 09:51:43 PM
saw Discounts travels depot today from the tram 4 buses in there
Did they all look to be alx200 darts as the fleetlist on the site only shows 3?
any news on the PI today for Discount travel solutions
I think X179 CTG is on the 29, just heading to Northfield
Quote from: Ex BC driver on June 20, 2014, 11:56:01 AM
I think X179 CTG is on the 29, just heading to Northfield
Saw it
Blinds not working
X 179 CTG is a Plaxton MPD Dart, I had assumed it was an ALX. Electronic blinds working.
They weren't working when I saw it in Harbourne yesterday
this is in routre one http://www.route-one.net/issues/545/index.html#/16/
Looking at it an almighty cock up
Quote from: Ex BC driver on June 20, 2014, 11:56:01 AM
I think X179 CTG is on the 29, just heading to Northfield
Seen again today followed by an ex stagecoach alx200 so clearly running to timetable at that point-not! Seemed to be carrying a decent load though to be fair though the alx200 behind was empty as they are pretty much always on the 29.
Quote from: DiamondDart on July 10, 2014, 08:24:09 PM
Quote from: Ex BC driver on June 20, 2014, 11:56:01 AM
I think X179 CTG is on the 29, just heading to Northfield
Seen again today followed by an ex stagecoach alx200 so clearly running to timetable at that point-not! Seemed to be carrying a decent load though to be fair though the alx200 behind was empty as they are pretty much always on the 29.
Parked up empty in Weoley Castle again today with the same driver...
Not a bad operator this. The 63 I was on earlier seemed to be doing ok-10 at one point but mostly OAP's. The ex Stagecoach alx200 was nice though-seats re-covered fairly recently, rode well, surprisingly few rattles etc. Saw another alx200 on the 29 as well.
The ex Cardiff bus does not have the blinds programmed however it is just awaiting a newly programmed controller and will be working from Monday
Public Inquiry (48653) to be held at The Public Inquiry Room, 38 George Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 1PL, on 04 September 2014 commencing at 10:30(Previous Publication:(2206)
Adjourned from 5/06/2014
PD1121581 SN
DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED
Director(s): BALKAR SINGH.
8 ERNEST ROAD SMETHWICK B67 7LP
PSV - S17 - Consideration of disciplinary action under Section 17 (The Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981)
PSV - S26 - Consideration of disciplinary action under Section 26 (The Transport Act 1985)
PSV - S111 - Consideration of disciplinary action under Section 111 (The Transport Act 1985)
In today's notices and proceedings...
Quote from: the trainbasher on August 08, 2014, 08:02:26 AM
Public Inquiry (48653) to be held at The Public Inquiry Room, 38 George Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 1PL, on 04 September 2014 commencing at 10:30(Previous Publication:(2206)
Adjourned from 5/06/2014
PD1121581 SN
DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED
Director(s): BALKAR SINGH.
8 ERNEST ROAD SMETHWICK B67 7LP
PSV - S17 - Consideration of disciplinary action under Section 17 (The Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981)
PSV - S26 - Consideration of disciplinary action under Section 26 (The Transport Act 1985)
PSV - S111 - Consideration of disciplinary action under Section 111 (The Transport Act 1985)
In today's notices and proceedings...
Oooh,! I shall bring the popcorn!
PD1121581/1 - DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED, 8 ERNEST ROAD, SMETHWICK, B67 7LP
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Birmingham New Street Station and Birmingham New Street Station given service number 63E effective from 30-Sep-2014.
PD1121581/3 - DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED, 8 ERNEST ROAD, SMETHWICK, B67 7LP
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Erdington 6 ways island
Finish Point: Solihull Railway Interchange
Via: Birmingham Airport, Chelmesley Wood Interchange
Service Number: 966
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 01-OCT-2014
Other Details: Monday to Friday, Excluding bank holidays
Didn't see any of the buses on monday
Quote from: Solo1 on August 12, 2014, 09:28:48 PM
Didn't see any of the buses on monday
They were out, and were again today, I see them on the video wall, just haven't managed to get out to photo the X-reg yet
Quote from: the trainbasher on August 11, 2014, 12:32:30 PM
PD1121581/1 - DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED, 8 ERNEST ROAD, SMETHWICK, B67 7LP
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Birmingham New Street Station and Birmingham New Street Station given service number 63E effective from 30-Sep-2014.
PD1121581/3 - DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED, 8 ERNEST ROAD, SMETHWICK, B67 7LP
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Erdington 6 ways island
Finish Point: Solihull Railway Interchange
Via: Birmingham Airport, Chelmesley Wood Interchange
Service Number: 966
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 01-OCT-2014
Other Details: Monday to Friday, Excluding bank holidays
Off the BR to the 966. Fair play. Lol
29 running 20 mins late 1150 from northfield
Quote from: Solo1 on August 13, 2014, 01:28:58 PM
29 running 20 mins late 1150 from northfield
& didn't c the 63's 1230 & 1250 didn't
Show up at Northfield
the dart on was out on 29 seen in northfield https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanjack/14722893738/
Quote from: Solo1 on August 13, 2014, 08:25:08 PM
the dart on was out on 29 seen in northfield
Every bus in his fleet is a dart!
Went past the depot on the tram 2 of the
buses were in the depot at 2.20 as at1730 all 4 were
in the depot
looks like they have brought a dart from thandi only got very quick look as tram was passing
Anyone know what happened at the PI with
Discount travel
Quote from: notices and proceedingsPublic Inquiry (48653) held at The Public Inquiry Room, 38 George Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 1PL on 04 September 2014 at 10:30(Previous Publication:(2209)
)PD1121581 SN
DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED
Director(s): BALKAR SINGH.
8 ERNEST ROAD SMETHWICK B67 7LP
- The operator does not satisfy the requirement for financial standing as it has sufficient finance for only 2 vehicles, not the 6 vehicles currently authorised;
- That the company's licence authorisation is curtailed from 6 discs to 2 discs with effect from 1st October 2014 under Section 17(1) and Section 14ZA(2)of the 1981 Act;
Under the provisions of Section 155 of the Transport Act 2000 the following grounds are made out-
(a) failed to operate a local service registered under section 6 of the Transport Act 1985,
(aa) failed to comply with the requirements of regulations made under section 6 (9)(i), (j) or (k) of the 1985 Act,
(b) operated a local service in contravention of that section or section 118(4) or 129(1)(b) of the Transport Act 2000,
(ba) failed to comply with a requirement imposed by virtue of section 134B(7)(c) of the Transport Act 2000 or
(c) failed to comply with section 138 or 140(3) of the Transport Act 2000
that a financial penalty of £300 is imposed (£50 x 6 discs) under Section 155 of the Transport Act 2000, which is to be made payable to the 'Secretary of State'. The fine is to be paid in full within 28 days and failure to do so goes towards the repute of the operator;
Public Inquiry (48653) held at The Public Inquiry Room, 38 George Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 1PL on 04 September 2014 at 10:30(Previous Publication:(2209)
)PD1121581 SN
DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED
Director(s): BALKAR SINGH.
8 ERNEST ROAD SMETHWICK B67 7LP
- The operator does not satisfy the requirement for financial standing as it has sufficient finance for only 2 vehicles, not the 6 vehicles currently authorised;
- That the company's licence authorisation is curtailed from 6 discs to 2 discs with effect from 1st October 2014 under Section 17(1) and Section 14ZA(2)of the 1981 Act;
wonder if he will withdraw 966 before it starts or the 29 service
I don't understand these decisions - clearly he wasn't straight about his financial standing, so cannot be a fit person to operate any business at all, yet alone a bus service.
I believe part of the problem with his financial standing is taking his fine into account.
From what I hear he is now trying to sell the company
So they've got X179CTG which is ex Cardiff 179 ....... I've also recently seen W171EAX around, which is ex Cardiff 171 - but I don't know who the local operator is. Does anyone know if 171 is also a Discount Travel vehicle?
Quote from: Ossie on October 03, 2014, 12:04:13 AM
So they've got X179CTG which is ex Cardiff 179 ....... I've also recently seen W171EAX around, which is ex Cardiff 171 - but I don't know who the local operator is. Does anyone know if 171 is also a Discount Travel vehicle?
if 171 is still in Cardiff livery then its Tamworth Bus & coach
Thanks for that, Solo. I can't recall what the livery was, unfortunately!
29 withdrawn from 1.10.14
Have they made an appearance on the 966 yet?
Quote from: Matt.N0056 on October 03, 2014, 07:47:34 PM
Have they made an appearance on the 966 yet?
Yes, I past one at the Clock garage when I was doing my driving assessment. Anonymous Metro I was driving definintely trumps an anonymous dart!
I can confirm sunny travel have completed the purchase of discount travel. The fleet remains the same & it is being kept & run as a separate entity.
Quote from: Steveminor on October 03, 2014, 07:59:44 PM
I can confirm sunny travel have completed the purchase of discount travel. The fleet remains the same & it is being kept & run as a separate entity.
Interesting news that Steve! It certainly seems Sunny are one of the stronger competing operators out there-I wonder if there's scope for acquiring any of the other competing operators? McGills certainly grew massively in Glasgow/Renfrewshire that way
Quote from: Matt.N0056 on October 03, 2014, 07:47:34 PM
Have they made an appearance on the 966 yet?
The other evening, while I was having a lift home from work, I saw what I can only presume was one of their Darts, on the Warwick Road in Greet; it was all plain blue, and definitely had an LED display, showing 'Sorry Not In Service', I can only assume it was heading back to depot after completing 966 duty.
They had previously tried to buy jobs travel but dropped out when they saw the state of the buses. There are one or two more they have approached but they will remain nameless at the moment. Unless they are successful.
Do sunny have any buses with hanovers?
Just one
Quote from: Steveminor on October 03, 2014, 07:59:44 PM
I can confirm sunny travel have completed the purchase of discount travel. The fleet remains the same & it is being kept & run as a separate entity.
Steve, when you say run as a separate entity, will Sunny run DTS on their current license with only the two vehicles allowed? Can the license reduction be reviewed now DTS has new owners / financial backing?
Other than the buses & equipment, what business are Sunny actually buying? With the 29 & 63E both being withdrawn & the 966 having only operated for a few days so far, surely it's too early to see if its going to be viable route. Would it not have been more cost effective for Sunny just to register on the former DTS routes and source their own extra buses?
My understanding is that the DTS licence can be increased once the tc is satisfied that they meet the financial standing. Obviously there is a time scale involved. Sunny had been looking at the 966 anyway & with the fact they were looking at purchasing other operators to increase their business portfolio DTS made sense & the price was right.
You have to remember that the owners of Sunny have several other business interests both in the UK & India. They have a lot of financial clout behind them.
You may ask why don't they have newer buses if they have so much money? Well it's simple you don't make money by spending it frivolously. They spend what they need when they need to. When on the 120 they didn't need to buy slfs & indeed the takings didn't warrant it. It's a different story now on the 71.
There are some interesting plans for DTS & indeed the whole group.
We may yet see a third bus company in their portfolio.
Quote from: Winston on October 05, 2014, 12:39:41 AM
Quote from: Steveminor on October 03, 2014, 07:59:44 PM
I can confirm sunny travel have completed the purchase of discount travel. The fleet remains the same & it is being kept & run as a separate entity.
Steve, when you say run as a separate entity, will Sunny run DTS on their current license with only the two vehicles allowed? Can the license reduction be reviewed now DTS has new owners / financial backing?
Other than the buses & equipment, what business are Sunny actually buying? With the 29 & 63E both being withdrawn & the 966 having only operated for a few days so far, surely it's too early to see if its going to be viable route. Would it not have been more cost effective for Sunny just to register on the former DTS routes and source their own extra buses?
Winston, could it be that the TC was looking at Sunny themselves and their number of licenses? And they have acquired DTS as a way of heading this off?
I wouldn't be atall surprised.
Quote from: Steveminor on October 05, 2014, 06:44:27 AM
My understanding is that the DTS licence can be increased once the tc is satisfied that they meet the financial standing. Obviously there is a time scale involved. Sunny had been looking at the 966 anyway & with the fact they were looking at purchasing other operators to increase their business portfolio DTS made sense & the price was right.
You have to remember that the owners of Sunny have several other business interests both in the UK & India. They have a lot of financial clout behind them.
You may ask why don't they have newer buses if they have so much money? Well it's simple you don't make money by spending it frivolously. They spend what they need when they need to. When on the 120 they didn't need to buy slfs & indeed the takings didn't warrant it. It's a different story now on the 71.
There are some interesting plans for DTS & indeed the whole group.
We may yet see a third bus company in their portfolio.
Thanks for the update Steve, I totally agree with the above statement, but there are also times when you have to
'speculate to accumulate' obviously within the spending constraints of the company concerned. Sunny will be forced to replace the steppers by the end of next year anyway and to be fair you can pick up SLF's for £5k & less anyway, so not exactly talking mega bucks.
It would be nice to see Sunny Travel & DTS adopt fleetnames on their vehicles, can we expect DTS or Sunny to introduce any new routes of their own or are they simply going to continue cherry picking the busiest NX routes?
Quote from: andy on October 05, 2014, 11:38:59 AM
Winston, could it be that the TC was looking at Sunny themselves and their number of licenses? And they have acquired DTS as a way of heading this off?
I wouldn't be atall surprised.
Andy, it's always possible. But I'm not aware of Sunny having any run-ins with the TC
Having more than one license gives you the flexibility if the needs arises.....
Firstly there is no issue re: the traffic commissioner & sunny travel & indeed they can increase the license should they wish. But as has been said having more than one company does give you a certain amount of flexibility in some instances. Let's be completely honest if they hadn't bought DTS then it would be another ceased operator by now.
I agree with the speculate to accumulate philosophy & I think it's obvious sunny are speculating now, there is a new livery & only one step dart left which is due to retire any week now "a shame as it really is a very reliable bus & is much sort after by the drivers." The point I was making is that with the takings on the 120 it would have been a complete waste of money to have updated the buses.
On the route front Sunny did try the park & ride in solihull for a while, it was partially successful & was only cancelled due to political reasons with solihull council. I won't say what they were but the council were being totally unreasonable with what they wanted so in the end lost what they had got.
At the moment sunny is pretty much stabilised on the 71 ( which is more a copy of clarinets route than nx as nx do not run through moored avenue). With DTS it's very early days yet & no one quite knows how the 966 will pan out. If it doesn't work as hoped there is another route already planned but yes it will be a head to head competition rather than new route.
The main problem with starting a brand new route is just how much money needs to be spent initially on advertising etc. Then there is how many buses are needed to make the frequency attractive to customers.
We do have several ideas on brand new routes but at the moment there isn't enough buses to make them work. This will change over the development of the group & will probably be under the third company if and when it is brought into the fold. But no not any time in the immediate future.
There are big big plans but only time will tell if they can be made viable plans.
So what you're saying Steve is we can look forward to more terminus occupation, wacky races and dangerous overtaking at bus stops, trip missing, creative timetabling, and all this probably on an already well serviced corridor rather than the offer of anything innovative or useful to the travelling public. I can't wait!
As I said Andy there are plans to innovate but these things take time money & buses just be patient. As for your other comments I won't stoop to comment on them.
Quote from: Steveminor on October 06, 2014, 06:38:00 PM
As I said Andy there are plans to innovate but these things take time money & buses just be patient. As for your other comments I won't stoop to comment on them.
It wasn't a personal thing, so no stooping required. I am speaking from my own experiences not just those of others.
Not sure if this has been mentioned however saw on of these vehicles on the 966 route on the chester road towards Erdington. Number display not working had a paper number sticker displaying 996, had a passenger on it. I found it sort of amusing lol.
Saw X179CTG heading away from Acocks Green up the Warwick Road this evening as I returned home on the 37. Was showing 'Discount Travel Solutions' on the LED display.
Noticed a dtsl bus with full blinds working driving around Solihull train station
X179CTG On 966 spotted at Birmingham airport 1500
it was nice to have a croeso on one their ex Cardiff X179CGT earlier (Mainly as it has bilingual interior stickers)
No good on the 966 then, where next?
PD1121581/3 - DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED, 11-12 ANNE ROAD, SMETHWICK, B66 2NZ
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Erdington 6 ways island and Solihull Railway Interchange given service number 966 effective from 05-Jan-2015.
PD1121581/4 - DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED, 11-12 ANNE ROAD, SMETHWICK, B66 2NZ
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Oldbury
Finish Point: Birmingham City Centre
Via: Cape Hill
Service Number: 87
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 05-JAN-2015
Other Details: Sundays only.
Quote from: Winston on November 14, 2014, 03:49:24 PM
No good on the 966 then, where next?
PD1121581/3 - DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED, 11-12 ANNE ROAD, SMETHWICK, B66 2NZ
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Erdington 6 ways island and Solihull Railway Interchange given service number 966 effective from 05-Jan-2015.
PD1121581/4 - DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED, 11-12 ANNE ROAD, SMETHWICK, B66 2NZ
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Oldbury
Finish Point: Birmingham City Centre
Via: Cape Hill
Service Number: 87
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 05-JAN-2015
Other Details: Sundays only.
They don't seem to be giving the services much time to settle down and pick up.
If you knew the figures for the 966 you wouldn't give it much time to settle down either
PD1121581/5 - DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED, 11-12 ANNE ROAD, SMETHWICK, B66 2NZ
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Chelmesley Wood
Finish Point: Birmingham City Centre
Via: Meadway
Service Number: 97
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 05-JAN-2015
Other Details: Monday to Friday, no bank holidays
Saw a 966 last night on hermitage road at about half 7. Looking at the timetable - it was 2 hours late...!
They are no longer in Anne Rd wonder if they have moved to b by sun y travel
Quote from: Solo1 on December 29, 2014, 09:54:40 PM
They are no longer in Anne Rd wonder if they have moved to b by sun y travel
Sunny travel drivers are driving for them aswell
It's actually a sunny travel driver that left to go to DTS before the sale. So he's gone full circle, well sort of.
A summary of the DTS/Sunny/Social Travel changes coming soon. Please correct if wrong, I didn't know if Social Travel had anything to do with Sunny group. Steve might know?
Sunny are still on 71, right.
Discount are on 966 but coming off it.
Discount set to start 87 on Sundays.
Discount starting 97 M-F.
Social Travel starting 72 Sundays.
Social travel running 97, presumably Mon-Sat?
Quote from: DiamondDart on December 30, 2014, 09:09:51 PM
A summary of the DTS/Sunny/Social Travel changes coming soon. Please correct if wrong, I didn't know if Social Travel had anything to do with Sunny group. Steve might know?
Sunny are still on 71, right.
Discount are on 966 but coming off it.
Discount set to start 87 on Sundays.
Discount starting 97 M-F.
Social Travel starting 72 Sundays.
Social travel running 97, presumably Mon-Sat?
Sunny are changing days they operate to Sun-Fri (new Sunday Service, not running Saturdays from this weekend
Social are Mon-Fri on 97
According to VOSA, Sunny & Social have the same Transport Manager, the only link I can find between the two
Quote from: Matt.N0056 on December 30, 2014, 10:06:56 PM
Quote from: DiamondDart on December 30, 2014, 09:09:51 PM
A summary of the DTS/Sunny/Social Travel changes coming soon. Please correct if wrong, I didn't know if Social Travel had anything to do with Sunny group. Steve might know?
Sunny are still on 71, right.
Discount are on 966 but coming off it.
Discount set to start 87 on Sundays.
Discount starting 97 M-F.
Social Travel starting 72 Sundays.
Social travel running 97, presumably Mon-Sat?
Sunny are changing days they operate to Sun-Fri (new Sunday Service, not running Saturdays from this weekend
Social are Mon-Fri on 97
Thanks for the info Matt. Odd choice not to run Saturdays as I'd have thought that was a better day than Sundays?
Unless NXWM frequency is sufficiently lower that loadings could be higher with them more out of the way... Not sure
It's unusual and a criticism often made about certain operators is cherry picking M-Sat journeys. Not true of this group, they're offering Sunday service!
Quote from: DiamondDart on December 30, 2014, 10:10:54 PM
Quote from: Matt.N0056 on December 30, 2014, 10:06:56 PM
Quote from: DiamondDart on December 30, 2014, 09:09:51 PM
A summary of the DTS/Sunny/Social Travel changes coming soon. Please correct if wrong, I didn't know if Social Travel had anything to do with Sunny group. Steve might know?
Sunny are still on 71, right.
Discount are on 966 but coming off it.
Discount set to start 87 on Sundays.
Discount starting 97 M-F.
Social Travel starting 72 Sundays.
Social travel running 97, presumably Mon-Sat?
Sunny are changing days they operate to Sun-Fri (new Sunday Service, not running Saturdays from this weekend
Social are Mon-Fri on 97
Thanks for the info Matt. Odd choice not to run Saturdays as I'd have thought that was a better day than Sundays?
Unless NXWM frequency is sufficiently lower that loadings could be higher with them more out of the way... Not sure
It's unusual and a criticism often made about certain operators is cherry picking M-Sat journeys. Not true of this group, they're offering Sunday service!
Would give Claribels a chance to claw back abit of lose revenue if this is the case.
Do Social Travel have their own fleet?
Quote from: DiamondDart on December 30, 2014, 10:10:54 PM
Quote from: Matt.N0056 on December 30, 2014, 10:06:56 PM
Quote from: DiamondDart on December 30, 2014, 09:09:51 PM
A summary of the DTS/Sunny/Social Travel changes coming soon. Please correct if wrong, I didn't know if Social Travel had anything to do with Sunny group. Steve might know?
Sunny are still on 71, right.
Discount are on 966 but coming off it.
Discount set to start 87 on Sundays.
Discount starting 97 M-F.
Social Travel starting 72 Sundays.
Social travel running 97, presumably Mon-Sat?
Sunny are changing days they operate to Sun-Fri (new Sunday Service, not running Saturdays from this weekend
Social are Mon-Fri on 97
Thanks for the info Matt. Odd choice not to run Saturdays as I'd have thought that was a better day than Sundays?
Unless NXWM frequency is sufficiently lower that loadings could be higher with them more out of the way... Not sure
It's unusual and a criticism often made about certain operators is cherry picking M-Sat journeys. Not true of this group, they're offering Sunday service!
When Sunny first started on the 71 it was mon-fri
There is only a half hour frequency on the NXWM 72 Sundays compared to the 15 min during the week plus Sunny's 12min 71E & Claribles 71E 20min which follow the 72 to Marston Green.
The Sunday frequency is quite a drop compared to the Mon-Sat 8min+ between Solihull & Tile cross provided by NXWM 71/2 & the 71E
As Steve has said on here before AMPM used to run a 15 min 71 between Solihull & Kingshurst, which was lost when they went. VIP have tried to compete against NXWM but didnt seem to pay off, probably due to tight running times.
Looking at timetables, Social & Sunny are providing a 15 min frequency together although the route will differ between Chelmsley Wood & Marston Green
Quote from: Matt.N0056 on December 30, 2014, 10:35:44 PM
Quote from: DiamondDart on December 30, 2014, 10:10:54 PM
Quote from: Matt.N0056 on December 30, 2014, 10:06:56 PM
Quote from: DiamondDart on December 30, 2014, 09:09:51 PM
A summary of the DTS/Sunny/Social Travel changes coming soon. Please correct if wrong, I didn't know if Social Travel had anything to do with Sunny group. Steve might know?
Sunny are still on 71, right.
Discount are on 966 but coming off it.
Discount set to start 87 on Sundays.
Discount starting 97 M-F.
Social Travel starting 72 Sundays.
Social travel running 97, presumably Mon-Sat?
Sunny are changing days they operate to Sun-Fri (new Sunday Service, not running Saturdays from this weekend
Social are Mon-Fri on 97
Thanks for the info Matt. Odd choice not to run Saturdays as I'd have thought that was a better day than Sundays?
Unless NXWM frequency is sufficiently lower that loadings could be higher with them more out of the way... Not sure
It's unusual and a criticism often made about certain operators is cherry picking M-Sat journeys. Not true of this group, they're offering Sunday service!
When Sunny first started on the 71 it was mon-fri
There is only a half hour frequency on the NXWM 72 Sundays compared to the 15 min during the week plus Sunny's 12min 71E & Claribles 71E 20min which follow the 72 to Marston Green.
The Sunday frequency is quite a drop compared to the Mon-Sat 8min+ between Solihull & Tile cross provided by NXWM 71/2 & the 71E
As Steve has said on here before AMPM used to run a 15 min 71 between Solihull & Kingshurst, which was lost when they went. VIP have tried to compete against NXWM but didnt seem to pay off, probably due to tight running times.
Looking at timetables, Social & Sunny are providing a 15 min frequency together although the route will differ between Chelmsley Wood & Marston Green
I see, good call on them competing on Sundays then but depends on whether NX have matched that to far lower passenger demand?
Should enhance Sunday service on that corridor though.
Are we assuming Social and Sunny are working together/part of the same group?
Quote from: DiamondDart on December 30, 2014, 10:44:11 PM
Quote from: Matt.N0056 on December 30, 2014, 10:35:44 PM
Quote from: DiamondDart on December 30, 2014, 10:10:54 PM
Quote from: Matt.N0056 on December 30, 2014, 10:06:56 PM
Quote from: DiamondDart on December 30, 2014, 09:09:51 PM
A summary of the DTS/Sunny/Social Travel changes coming soon. Please correct if wrong, I didn't know if Social Travel had anything to do with Sunny group. Steve might know?
Sunny are still on 71, right.
Discount are on 966 but coming off it.
Discount set to start 87 on Sundays.
Discount starting 97 M-F.
Social Travel starting 72 Sundays.
Social travel running 97, presumably Mon-Sat?
Sunny are changing days they operate to Sun-Fri (new Sunday Service, not running Saturdays from this weekend
Social are Mon-Fri on 97
Thanks for the info Matt. Odd choice not to run Saturdays as I'd have thought that was a better day than Sundays?
Unless NXWM frequency is sufficiently lower that loadings could be higher with them more out of the way... Not sure
It's unusual and a criticism often made about certain operators is cherry picking M-Sat journeys. Not true of this group, they're offering Sunday service!
When Sunny first started on the 71 it was mon-fri
There is only a half hour frequency on the NXWM 72 Sundays compared to the 15 min during the week plus Sunny's 12min 71E & Claribles 71E 20min which follow the 72 to Marston Green.
The Sunday frequency is quite a drop compared to the Mon-Sat 8min+ between Solihull & Tile cross provided by NXWM 71/2 & the 71E
As Steve has said on here before AMPM used to run a 15 min 71 between Solihull & Kingshurst, which was lost when they went. VIP have tried to compete against NXWM but didnt seem to pay off, probably due to tight running times.
Looking at timetables, Social & Sunny are providing a 15 min frequency together although the route will differ between Chelmsley Wood & Marston Green
I see, good call on them competing on Sundays then but depends on whether NX have matched that to far lower passenger demand?
Should enhance Sunday service on that corridor though.
Are we assuming Social and Sunny are working together/part of the same group?
As I say, the only link I see at the moment is the Transport Manager, but more might become apparent when they start operating!
The Transport manager is the owner of social travel & I write the timetables for Sunny DTS & social travel, that's the link.
Re Sunday 72 nxwm have the lower 30 min frequency & struggle to cope with the loads at times, a feature I noticed with Diamonds 71 when I decided to run the 71 every 15 mins with AMPM.
Not running Saturday was my idea, gives each companies engineers time to work on the buses etc so they got no excuse for poor reliability.
The 87 Sunday is a bit of a gamble but let's see how it turns out.
Oh & to answer the question Social travel have 2 super darts & an mpd.
Quote from: Steveminor on December 31, 2014, 10:29:44 AM
The Transport manager is the owner of social travel & I write the timetables for Sunny DTS & social travel, that's the link.
Re Sunday 72 nxwm have the lower 30 min frequency & struggle to cope with the loads at times, a feature I noticed with Diamonds 71 when I decided to run the 71 every 15 mins with AMPM.
Not running Saturday was my idea, gives each companies engineers time to work on the buses etc so they got no excuse for poor reliability.
The 87 Sunday is a bit of a gamble but let's see how it turns out.
Oh & to answer the question Social travel have 2 super darts & an mpd.
Will the new service on the 72 be offering a 15 minute service with the NXWM bus on a Sunday and actually benefit passengers or will it be timetabled to run 5 or less minutes in front of the NXWM bus and have absolutely no benefit to passengers apart from the opportunity to travel in a 15 year old Dart?
Quote from: Steveminor on December 31, 2014, 10:29:44 AM
The Transport manager is the owner of social travel & I write the timetables for Sunny DTS & social travel, that's the link.
Re Sunday 72 nxwm have the lower 30 min frequency & struggle to cope with the loads at times, a feature I noticed with Diamonds 71 when I decided to run the 71 every 15 mins with AMPM.
Not running Saturday was my idea, gives each companies engineers time to work on the buses etc so they got no excuse for poor reliability.
The 87 Sunday is a bit of a gamble but let's see how it turns out.
Oh & to answer the question Social travel have 2 super darts & an mpd.
Is the sunny 71 timetable on NWM correct then? There don't seem to be any short journeys to the radlys, but ones starting there to Solihull?
Also I see DTS are running a normal service opposed to a Saturday service, when they don't run.
Quote from: Steveminor on December 31, 2014, 10:29:44 AM
The Transport manager is the owner of social travel & I write the timetables for Sunny DTS & social travel, that's the link.
Re Sunday 72 nxwm have the lower 30 min frequency & struggle to cope with the loads at times, a feature I noticed with Diamonds 71 when I decided to run the 71 every 15 mins with AMPM.
Not running Saturday was my idea, gives each companies engineers time to work on the buses etc so they got no excuse for poor reliability.
The 87 Sunday is a bit of a gamble but let's see how it turns out.
Oh & to answer the question Social travel have 2 super darts & an mpd.
Thanks for the info Steve and best of luck, particularly on the 87/97. Will be good to see some competition back on core routes!
The nwm timetables are correct. DTS & sunny are both operating a normal service today NOT Saturday service like the others. This has paid off big time for the 71.
The short workings from Radley to solihull are to help the drivers get back on time after i identified a trait lately where buses were getting delayed & having to be adjusted quite regularly to get back on time. These journeys will now run dead from chelmsley to Radley and then back onto their original times.
Quote from: Steveminor on December 31, 2014, 10:29:44 AM
The Transport manager is the owner of social travel & I write the timetables for Sunny DTS & social travel, that's the link.
Re Sunday 72 nxwm have the lower 30 min frequency & struggle to cope with the loads at times, a feature I noticed with Diamonds 71 when I decided to run the 71 every 15 mins with AMPM.
Not running Saturday was my idea, gives each companies engineers time to work on the buses etc so they got no excuse for poor reliability.
The 87 Sunday is a bit of a gamble but let's see how it turns out.
Oh & to answer the question Social travel have 2 super darts & an mpd.
Can I be a pain and ask for the registrations, many thanks. I will be making time to make use of your services in the new year
To be honest I can't remember off the top of my head the 2 spds are s reg the mpd is x reg all ex Cardiff bus.
Sorry I can't help more but won't be long till you see them anyway.
Quote from: Steveminor on December 31, 2014, 09:02:51 PM
To be honest I can't remember off the top of my head the 2 spds are s reg the mpd is x reg all ex Cardiff bus.
Sorry I can't help more but won't be long till you see them anyway.
Thanks again :)
Any photos of social travel /timetable
Spd
For 72 timetable just look half way between nxwm buses
What aBout times for the 97 social travel & discount. Travel times
2 buses each so times are not clock face. Services run between pine square & city roughly ever 40 mins for each company.
Breaks are different though as DTS wanted buses back at base for lunch so their breaks are in city whereas social trave have their breaks in chelmsley wood
Quote from: Ashley on December 31, 2014, 07:09:38 PM
Quote from: Steveminor on December 31, 2014, 10:29:44 AM
The Transport manager is the owner of social travel & I write the timetables for Sunny DTS & social travel, that's the link.
Re Sunday 72 nxwm have the lower 30 min frequency & struggle to cope with the loads at times, a feature I noticed with Diamonds 71 when I decided to run the 71 every 15 mins with AMPM.
Not running Saturday was my idea, gives each companies engineers time to work on the buses etc so they got no excuse for poor reliability.
The 87 Sunday is a bit of a gamble but let's see how it turns out.
Oh & to answer the question Social travel have 2 super darts & an mpd.
Can I be a pain and ask for the registrations, many thanks. I will be making time to make use of your services in the new year
S301 SHB
S309 SHB
X183 CTG
Either the 1743 has left early or its very late as it's not left moor street in the 20 minutes I've been here!!
Quote from: the trainbasher on January 09, 2015, 05:59:17 PM
Either the 1743 has left early or its very late as it's not left moor street in the 20 minutes I've been here!!
NXWM currently have 24 buses on the 97/97A/97P, 23 of them are currently withing VOSA guidelines of -1+4 of timetable, the 24th is showing as 5m57s late, so it shouldn't be over 20 minutes late
929 suffered a broken hose at chelmsley and therefore that journey failed.
Ones just arrived in city not in service (the Alexander bodied one)
That will be him going back to garage after having the hose replaced
That's that for the 87
QuotePD1121581/4 - DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED, UNIT 3 BRIDGE STREET SOUTH, SMETHWICK, B66 3DR
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Oldbury and Birmingham City Centre given service number 87 effective from 05-Apr-2015.
Quote from: the trainbasher on February 06, 2015, 05:30:43 PM
That's that for the 87
QuotePD1121581/4 - DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED, UNIT 3 BRIDGE STREET SOUTH, SMETHWICK, B66 3DR
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Oldbury and Birmingham City Centre given service number 87 effective from 05-Apr-2015.
They don't give these services much chance to settle down before cancelling them.
Quote from: Matt on February 06, 2015, 05:47:51 PM
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on February 06, 2015, 05:45:32 PM
Quote from: the trainbasher on February 06, 2015, 05:30:43 PM
That's that for the 87
QuotePD1121581/4 - DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED, UNIT 3 BRIDGE STREET SOUTH, SMETHWICK, B66 3DR
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Oldbury and Birmingham City Centre given service number 87 effective from 05-Apr-2015.
They don't give these services much chance to settle down before cancelling them.
If it's a loss maker why carry on throwing money at it ?
True but you need to give it a good chance, are they just going to keep registering routes, give it a month to see if it does any good, then if not they deregister it.
With all due respect stu you don't know the revenue on the 87. If it is at a certain level then you can look at whether it will pick up or not. But if both buses aren't even carrying half the amount you expect off 1 then there is nowhere to go from there.
I never expected the 87 to be profitable but even I was shocked at how bad it is.
If you owned the company you wouldn't have kept it on this long. That I can guarantee
Quote from: Steveminor on February 06, 2015, 09:27:38 PM
With all due respect stu you don't know the revenue on the 87. If it is at a certain level then you can look at whether it will pick up or not. But if both buses aren't even carrying half the amount you expect off 1 then there is nowhere to go from there.
I never expected the 87 to be profitable but even I was shocked at how bad it is.
If you owned the company you wouldn't have kept it on this long. That I can guarantee
So what sort of research was carried out before they registered on the 87 or was it just pick a route and register it?
You can do as much research as possible but you never really know until the bus is running as to how much you will carry.
Off the figures taken with the research from my working out it looked just about break even. But when the buses hit the road the 2 buses together didn't even match the projections for one bus.
Rest assured with the costs involved in registering and de registering a route no one in their right mind would just pick a route at random.
how well is the 97 doing with DTS compared to social travel
Quote from: Solo1 on February 07, 2015, 07:59:01 PM
how well is the 97 doing with DTS compared to social travel
errr can anyone tell the difference?
You shouldn't be sarcastic tony it is unbecoming of a man of your professionalism.
Super darts have a higher running cost than standard & mini darts therefore DTS break even is much lower than social travel.
It also seems that throughout the day there are slightly less groupings of 97s round DTS (whether this be luck or design I don't know)
Quote from: Steveminor on February 08, 2015, 08:21:01 AM
You shouldn't be sarcastic tony it is unbecoming of a man of your professionalism.
Super darts have a higher running cost than standard & mini darts therefore DTS break even is much lower than social travel.
It also seems that throughout the day there are slightly less groupings of 97s round DTS (whether this be luck or design I don't know)
I wasn't being sarcastic, ask anyone of the passengers on either company and see how many can tell you which company they are on.
Nearly every one will just be on 'the other buses', 'the private buses' or tell you the colour
Quote from: Tony on February 08, 2015, 08:57:06 AM
Quote from: Steveminor on February 08, 2015, 08:21:01 AM
Super darts have a higher running cost than standard & mini darts
Nearly every one will just be on 'the other buses', 'the private buses' or tell you the colour
Travel on the 97 (I rarely do these days, I try to avoid it like the plague if I can - regardless of operator) & you will encounter a wide variety of languages spoken by passengers & drivers alike. I'd like to bet however that I'm one of only a few of S301's passengers that can understand both of the languages on the internal posters ;)
But that can be said about every company even nx aren't referred to by name by some people they call them "the proper bus" as if anyone else were operating boats or something.
There are a few passengers that won't catch social travel but will catch DTS & vice versa.
The trouble I think comes from those companies that never had there own livery so a lot of people still expect if it's not in nx livery it could be anyone. But I'm sure you'd agree it's hard to confuse DTS livery with socials
Quote from: dave47549 (no longer NEL111P) on February 08, 2015, 09:18:20 AM
Quote from: Tony on February 08, 2015, 08:57:06 AM
Quote from: Steveminor on February 08, 2015, 08:21:01 AM
Super darts have a higher running cost than standard & mini darts
Nearly every one will just be on 'the other buses', 'the private buses' or tell you the colour
Travel on the 97 (I rarely do these days, I try to avoid it like the plague if I can - regardless of operator) & you will encounter a wide variety of languages spoken by passengers & drivers alike. I'd like to bet however that I'm one of only a few of S301's passengers that can understand both of the languages on the internal posters ;)
Does it still tell you which stop to get off for the sheep market?
Dave don't you know we bought the bus with you in mind lol.
You should see the mpd more dual language posters on there & a poster showing the Barry island network.
Quote from: Steveminor on February 08, 2015, 08:21:01 AM
You shouldn't be sarcastic tony it is unbecoming of a man of your professionalism.
Super darts have a higher running cost than standard & mini darts therefore DTS break even is much lower than social travel.
It also seems that throughout the day there are slightly less groupings of 97s round DTS (whether this be luck or design I don't know)
Not strictly true in all cases, there is SPD's at Oswestry that have extremely low running costs. Presumably down to good maintenance.
Quote from: Tony on February 08, 2015, 09:22:09 AM
Does it still tell you which stop to get off for the sheep market?
Dunno, I didn't read them all! I was only on for a 3 stop hop & at a time when historically NXWM 'buses are notoriously thin on the ground (15:10). My overriding impression of the SPD was that it was in need of an internal deep clean & that I'd have removed the posters if I had anything to do with it.
Quote from: Steveminor on February 08, 2015, 09:25:05 AM
Dave don't you know we bought the bus with you in mind lol.
You should see the mpd more dual language posters on there & a poster showing the Barry island network.
I could do with a refresher, the last time I went on a 'bus to
Ynys I Barri, it was red & had 'WESTERN WELSH' on the side!
How are the Cardiff Darts doing anyway?
Seem to see the SPDs pop up on eBay now and then (S319 SHB repainted is the latest), are they pretty solid or do they have their problems?
Both sailed through mot with minimal fuss & have proved reliable so far.
Quote from: Tony on February 08, 2015, 08:57:06 AM
Quote from: Steveminor on February 08, 2015, 08:21:01 AM
You shouldn't be sarcastic tony it is unbecoming of a man of your professionalism.
Super darts have a higher running cost than standard & mini darts therefore DTS break even is much lower than social travel.
It also seems that throughout the day there are slightly less groupings of 97s round DTS (whether this be luck or design I don't know)
I wasn't being sarcastic, ask anyone of the passengers on either company and see how many can tell you which company they are on.
Nearly every one will just be on 'the other buses', 'the private buses' or tell you the colour
Steve, with all due respect, as I'm sure you're a nice bloke......
But surely there comes a time where one has to just accept they're not really much good at this bus operating lark?
I've now lost count of the here today gone tomorrow (literally) outfits you've peddled even in the years since this forum started. Only a couple of weeks ago you were treating us to salivating grand plans for expansion of the extremely profitable 97 corridor only for your venture to disappear up its own backside yet again?
I think the car parks may be calling......but then I'm just a racist Tamworthian, like all the others of course ;)
There were some ideas of where to take the 97 but you have to have a solid foundation before building anything bigger & the amount of buses on the 97 was too much to bear for social travel at this time without risking the future of the company.
If I had run the 97 extension & it all failed then how stupid would that have looked.
It's all to do with business at the end of the day not to make enthusiasts happy. If that were the case there would be no end of people running buses in Cannock to make bob smile.
We must be doing something right though to expand from 6 step entry darts to 10 slfs across 3 companies (including buying a company that was about to go to the wall). Plus changing & updating the livery of Sunny travel all in the space of 36 months.
All this from a company that was on its knees & close to closure.
So scoff all you like but I don't think these guys have done to badly.
My main role does still remain in parking enforcement & I work with these guys specifically because I can see the potential in their business. If I didn't then I wouldn't bother.
I have always tried to be as open & honest as I can be on this forum as I have no reason to lie, so believe me when I say there are substantial long term plans & some route innovations planned. But finances must be on a sound footing first so as not to risk being a "here today gone tomorrow" outfit.
This whole thread is tl;dr.
However, from the odd sentence I managed to salvage, didn't you want to run your 97 to the Airport? Or maybe it already does. I have neither the time or patience to figure out whats going on with these "zaks" operators. (Thats what my local passengers used to call ALL 'foreign' bus operators)
@Tony - I did read your comments. I concur.
The bit I don't understand is why even attempt to run a service on the 97 with the amount of buses being run , this was always doomed to fail.
Surely there are lesser corridors that could be attempted or even better create a new service?
I went on both ALXs that DTS provided and the most amount of passengers I counted on them, a hand sufficed!
The one driver would be a prime candidate for Le Mans! I had to brace myself!!
If what I heard today is correct, and I am not posting it publicly until any registrations made are published, then it shows the intention is purely to 'milk' an existing operator and will not increase overall ridership on buses by a single passenger.
Discount are also coming off the 97 from 20 April and starting back on the 966 the following day, according to VOSA today.
Quote from: notepanel on February 27, 2015, 10:49:25 AM
Discount are also coming off the 97 from 20 April and starting back on the 966 the following day, according to VOSA today.
Sounds like a good strategy! Pull off one route because profitability is low, try another for a matter of weeks before pulling off before due to lack of profitability, then go back to plan A. I assume they'll pull off the 966 by June / July and the re-register on the 97!
The way things are looking they should have just joined Social Travel in their round adventure!
Quote from: fleetline6477 on February 27, 2015, 08:26:24 PM
Quote from: notepanel on February 27, 2015, 10:49:25 AM
Discount are also coming off the 97 from 20 April and starting back on the 966 the following day, according to VOSA today.
Sounds like a good strategy! Pull off one route because profitability is low, try another for a matter of weeks before pulling off before due to lack of profitability, then go back to plan A. I assume they'll pull off the 966 by June / July and the re-register on the 97!
It is far too easy for this sort of behaviour to go on, offering nothing to the travelling public. I live on the 966 route and will make it my business to keep Centro and VOSA well informed with any 'discrepancies'.
Perhaps trying some shorter length services so that there can be a more regular clockface frequency would be a better suggestion. Also, not a route which is already saturated with NX buses. Perhaps something like the 46 Birmingham - Perry Barr.
Another idea could be taking an existing route and doing a different variation of it, like the 50 but omitting Moseley and going express via Queensbridge Road & Balsall Common.
Finally, perhaps looking at routes which have been withdrawn by other operators and seeing if there is still demand for them. Hanson's have done wonders on the 004 and have built up a solid following on there. Maybe trying to introduce something like a new 21 or 44 services from Birmingham to Weoley Castle.
Quote from: sonic84 on February 28, 2015, 01:16:29 PM
Perhaps trying some shorter length services so that there can be a more regular clockface frequency would be a better suggestion. Also, not a route which is already saturated with NX buses. Perhaps something like the 46 Birmingham - Perry Barr.
Another idea could be taking an existing route and doing a different variation of it, like the 50 but omitting Moseley and going express via Queensbridge Road & Balsall Common.
Finally, perhaps looking at routes which have been withdrawn by other operators and seeing if there is still demand for them. Hanson's have done wonders on the 004 and have built up a solid following on there. Maybe trying to introduce something like a new 21 or 44 services from Birmingham to Weoley Castle.
Agreed, even the 006 could work
The 006 only needs 1 bus to get a decent 30 minute frequency out of it.
Admitted Green Bus tried it and withdrew after a few months, but Ludlows ran it very successfully for a number of years and so with a bit of marketing a persistence I am sure it could be successful again.
Another idea could be running the 19 from Hayley Green to Birmingham. The people of Hayley Green really need a direct link into the city centre especially since the 192 was cut short, even if only a peak time. The AM journeys had a lot of regular passengers so I am sure as long as it is given time to build custom it could be successful too.
Quote from: sonic84 on February 28, 2015, 01:16:29 PM
Another idea could be taking an existing route and doing a different variation of it, like the 50 but omitting Moseley and going express via Queensbridge Road & Balsall Common.
Balsall Common is a bit out of the way isn't it? :o
DTS Dart passed through Old Square 1823 Not in Service
Apparently they Are meant to have started back on the 966 today...has anyone seen them on there?
Quote from: the trainbasher on April 20, 2015, 12:47:16 PM
Apparently they Are meant to have started back on the 966 today...has anyone seen them on there?
On there yesterday and today
Noticed the other day that the MPD on the 966 displays Erdington via Birmingham
Quote from: Lukeee on May 12, 2015, 11:04:19 PM
Noticed the other day that the MPD on the 966 displays Erdington via Birmingham
Should read Birmingham Airport
anyone know what the changes are 2. PD1121581/6 - DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED, UNIT 3, BRIDGE STREET SOUTH, SMETHWICK, B66 3DR
Variation Accepted: Operating between Erdington, Sixways and Solihull given service number 966 effective from 01-Aug-2015. To amend Timetable.
Quote from: countryliner on November 28, 2015, 11:39:14 PM
Does anyone know what Discount Travel will do when the DDA compliance rules come in to place. I believe that Discount Travel have R935 FOO and S929 PDD (but i think that R823 HCD has left the fleet) which are probably not DDA compliant although i imagine that X179 CTG is probably DDA compliant. Will Discount Travel get any new vehicles or will they convert their Dennis Dart / Alexander ALX200 buses to become DDA compliant.
Yes they no longer have 823
Quote from: countryliner on November 28, 2015, 11:55:20 PM
@2206 Thanks. Do you know who R823 HCD got sold to. Did it get sold to a bus dealer.
It never got sold to a bus dealer
823 Went to Sunny Travel
then was On Loan to Social and was painted in white
It is now no longer in use
R823 is currently being canabalised at the depot & will see no further use. As for the other dts buses a plan to convert to dda is under way. However we may get a 53 plate mpd for dts as both the other brothers sunny travel & social travel are getting some.
Quote from: countryliner on November 29, 2015, 01:34:38 PM
@Steveminor - Thanks for the info. Do you know what the registration numbers of the new Discount / Social / Sunny MPDs are. And also do you know how many MPDs will each company be getting. Thank you.
Social - 2 03 plates MPD
Plus 1 X reg Dart.
Quote from: countryliner on November 29, 2015, 01:59:22 PM
@2206 - Thanks for the info. With the X reg dart - do you mean the one that Social Travel already have (X183 CTG) or do you mean that they are getting a new one. I do quite like MPDs - they are useful buses and are usually quite reliable.
No X512 UAT
KV03 ZFR is one of the 03 plate MPD
@countryliner which was on the 11 on Friday
Mpd NA52AWZ arrived this morning and is being prepared ready for painting.
@Steveminor - Thanks for the info. Will NA52 AWZ get painted in the same Discount Travel blue livery that X179 CTG was painted in to. Also will you be keeping the electric wheelchair ramp or will you be converting it to a manual wheelchair ramp.
I found a photo of NA52 AWZ on flickr taken a few days ago on 5/12/2015 at Ensignbus (bus dealers).
https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/routemaster2217/23006085124/in/search_QM_q_IS_NA52AWZ_AND_mt_IS_all_AND_w_IS_all_AND_s_IS_rec
It seems like this bus has been stored at Ensignbus ever since it left Go Ahead North East.
It will be painted in blue dts livery & the ramp has already been converted to a manual one.
@Steveminor - Thanks for the info.
Section 2.4 – Variation Applications Granted
PD1121581 SN
DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED
Director(s): KAMALDEEP SINGH.
UNIT 3, BRIDGE STREET SOUTH , SMETHWICK B66 3DR
Increased authorisation at existing operating centre: UNIT 3 BRIDGE STREET
SOUTH SMETHWICK B66 3DR ()
New authorisation at this operating centre will be: 6 vehicle(s),
@Adam 404 - That is interesting to hear. I wonder if Discount Travel will start any new bus routes or increase the frequency of their route 966 service.
Quote from: countryliner on December 31, 2015, 06:01:52 PM
@Adam 404 - That is interesting to hear. I wonder if Discount Travel will start any new bus routes or increase the frequency of their route 966 service.
I agree, I am intrigued to find that they will have more buses... They may well start Contract Hires possibly... We will have to see what 2016 brings for Discount Travel...
@Adam 404 - Yes i suppose they might start to do Private Hire and Private Contract work. I have seen from flickr photos that quite a few new buses (mainly MPDs) have arrived for Discount / Social / Sunny but i am not yet sure which ones are going to which operators. So yes i suppose we will have to wait and see what happens in 2016.
NA52 AWZ was on the 966 yesterday.
@2206 - That is good to hear that their new buses are entering service. Just out of interest did you see what other vehicle(s) were on the Discount Travel route 966 service as well.
Kv03zfn
@Steveminor - Thanks for the info. So have S929 PDD and R935 FOO been converted to DDA compliant so that they can continue in service or have they now been withdrawn.
They are both now withdrawn
@Steveminor - Thanks for the info.
@tphi12000 - Thanks for the info. However are you sure that it was on the 11C as this is operated by Social Travel not Discount Travel. Also are you sure that it was KV03 ZFS as i believe that this is with Sunny Travel not Discount Travel.
@tphi12000 - No worries. That is fine. With the five ex Abellio Surrey darts i see that the fleet lists that
@Tony has made lists KV03 ZFN with Discount and KV03 ZFR / KV03 ZFW with Social and KV03 ZFS / KV03 ZFU with Sunny. But i am guessing that Discount Travel / Social Travel / Sunny Travel might move their buses between operators regularly which might be why you saw KV03 ZFS on the Social Travel route 11C service.
Quote from: countryliner on January 08, 2016, 06:43:52 PM
But i am guessing that Discount Travel / Social Travel / Sunny Travel might move their buses between operators regularly which might be why you saw KV03 ZFS on the Social Travel route 11C service.
No they don't.
@2206 - Ok. I see. Thanks for the info.
PD1121581/6 - DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED, UNIT 3, BRIDGE STREET SOUTH, SMETHWICK, B66 3DR
Variation Accepted: Operating between Erdington, Sixways and Solihull given service number 966 effective from 16-May-2016. To amend Timetable wonder what the changes are
KV03 ZFN broken down at Chelmsley Wood Interchange today.
Looks like the 966 will have a extra bus on it from May 16th.
KV03ZFW on the 966 today, with fleet No04.KV03ZFN is No 01 and NA52AWZ is No 02.
Discount travel now appear to be operating 3 buses on the 966 not 2
Quote from: Steveminor on May 16, 2016, 09:28:36 PM
Discount travel now appear to be operating 3 buses on the 966 not 2
From today they are using 3 buses on it.
Do they give change ???
SN51SXU (I think) is on the 966 today.
From recent observations SN51SXU is now numbered 2 and NA52AWZ is numbered 3.
11A Birmingham Outer Circle.
https://www.vehicle-operator-licensing.service.gov.uk/search/find-registered-local-bus-services/details/501940/
Quote from: 2206 on April 13, 2017, 09:04:49 AM
11A Birmingham Outer Circle.
https://www.vehicle-operator-licensing.service.gov.uk/search/find-registered-local-bus-services/details/501940/
I wonder if they will accept the Return Tickets that Social Travel still sell on the 11C 8)
There is something wrong with that registration page - various information is missing and it says it was received and starts on 12 Apr 2017.
The 966 has been varied with effect from 10 Jul 2017, so I assume that is when the 11A actually begins:
https://www.vehicle-operator-licensing.service.gov.uk/search/find-registered-local-bus-services/details/501934/
Quote from: justlookingaround on April 15, 2017, 03:51:04 AM
There is something wrong with that registration page - various information is missing and it says it was received and starts on 12 Apr 2017.
PD1121581/7 Registered
DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED
Route: Dudley Road, Summerfield Park to Dudley Road via Acocks Green/Perry Barr
Service number: 11A - Outer Circle Anti Clockwise
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 13 Jun 2017
PD1121581/6 Registered
DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED
Route: Erdington, Sixways to Solihull via Chelmesly Wood
Service number: 966
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 10 Jul 2017
Quote from: 2206 on April 19, 2017, 12:12:50 PM
PD1121581/6 Registered
DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED
Route: Erdington, Sixways to Solihull via Chelmesly Wood
Service number: 966
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 10 Jul 2017
So off the 966 to come back on it a few weeks later?
Quote from: Lukeee on April 19, 2017, 10:27:35 PM
So off the 966 to come back on it a few weeks later?
It's not being cancelled, it's just a variation. The new registration system doesn't explicitly separate variation applications from new registrations.
Quote from: Adam 404 on April 18, 2017, 05:14:04 PM
PD1121581/7 Registered
DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED
Route: Dudley Road, Summerfield Park to Dudley Road via Acocks Green/Perry Barr
Service number: 11A - Outer Circle Anti Clockwise
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 13 Jun 2017
wonder if its going to be placing jorneys for 966 on the 11
Quote from: Solo1 on April 20, 2017, 07:58:04 AM
wonder if its going to be placing jorneys for 966 on the 11
They've registered the full route, so it seems unlikely it would be.
Plus remember that DTS got a license increase to six discs so they are able to run both the 11A (probably the same amount of buses Social Travel does on the 11C) and the 966.
Just got to get a hold of a few new buses...more MPDs perhaps?
Quote from: Adam 404 on April 18, 2017, 05:14:04 PM
PD1121581/7 Registered
DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED
Route: Dudley Road, Summerfield Park to Dudley Road via Acocks Green/Perry Barr
Service number: 11A - Outer Circle Anti Clockwise
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 13 Jun 2017
Its only 2 week away now till they'll be operating the 11A, does anyone know how many buses they'll have on there, or know what times there journeys will operate at?
I belive 3 buses on 11a they have 4 buses in their livery sunny travel has 1 less bus on 71 from 4 june & so 1 bus might move to discount travel & thete is a white dart with either social or discount so that makes 6 buses but we will have to wait for timetable
11A Timetable is now on Traveline Midlands but is thinking it's NXWM!!
The 966 timetable from 10/6/17
https://journeyplanner.networkwestmidlands.com/Timetables/Download/cen_48966_%20_H_y11/9/Discount%20Travel%20Solutions_966/True
Quote from: the trainbasher on May 29, 2017, 03:48:40 AM
11A Timetable is now on Traveline Midlands but is thinking it's NXWM!!
http://www.travelinemidlands.co.uk/wmtis/XSLT_TTB_REQUEST?language=en&command=direct&net=cen&line=4811A&sup=%20&itdLPxx_direction=H&project=y11&outputFormat=0&itdLPxx_displayHeader=false&itdLPxx_sessionID=CEN_EFA03_16235024&lineVer=2&itdLPxx_spTr=2&itdLPxx_operatorCodeForTTB=NXB
The 11A starts operating from Tuesday, have they got any extra buses for it?
SJ53 AXG has been seen in the depot, but last pictured in white. Might have been repainted by now or is working for Social Travel.
Quote from: justlookingaround on June 11, 2017, 08:15:57 PM
SJ53 AXG has been seen in the depot, but last pictured in white. Might have been repainted by now or is working for Social Travel.
Thanks for the info, its not been on the 11C, so most likely not with Social Travel
KV03ZFW is on the 11A today, displaying 11C, a paper 11A is stuck over the 11C on the front and side destination display. The rear destination display was displaying 11C with nothing stuck over it.
Someone got on at the Elmdon Road stop on Yardley Road in Acocks Green, the driver told him he couldn't use a NX daysaver on there and its 50p with it, he then started to give the driver and passengers who told him to get of lots of abuse, telling them to step outside and he'd have a fight with them, he stood there for 5 minutes holding the bus up, said the problem is they shouldn't display 11A because he was told his tickets for all the 11A buses, then gave the driver more abuse and got of.
Was this a ex 333X passenger
SJ53AXG is on 11A/03 now in blue.
All buses are displaying 11A today.
Does anyone know what their number is for lost property?
Phoned 07711 030680, the number showing on Traveline and the only number I could find and whoever answered said he'd never heard of a Discount Travel and it was the wrong number.
try this one 08245352
:)
Quote from: Jordan on June 14, 2017, 06:56:51 PM
try this one 08245352
:)
That's the registered company number, not a contact telephone number.
Quote from: 2206 on June 14, 2017, 06:16:26 PM
SJ53AXG is on 11A/03 now in blue.
All buses are displaying 11A today.
what were the other buses on there
Quote from: Solo1 on June 14, 2017, 07:17:12 PM
what were the other buses on there
KV03ZFW was on 11A/01, not sure what was on 11A/02.
Quote from: karl724223 on June 13, 2017, 09:31:32 PM
Was this a ex 333X passenger
Ha Ha highly doubt he travelled from Darlo to The 11 Route
What buses are they using on 966 if 1 or 2 of the buses are on 11a
Quote from: Solo1 on June 15, 2017, 12:31:37 AM
What buses are they using on 966 if 1 or 2 of the buses are on 11a
3 buses on the 11A. 3 buses on the 966.
YT51 DZZ is another bus they have for the 11A now in DTS blue livery, ex Sunny Travel.
SJ 53 AXG is no 5, and YT 51 DZZ is no 6.
But do they have any spare buses in case of breakdowns, maintenance, etc?
Quote from: justlookingaround on June 16, 2017, 07:47:50 PM
But do they have any spare buses in case of breakdowns, maintenance, etc?
Here is the Social/Discount Travel spare bus
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1f/2008-07-15_Construction_wheelbarrow_at_Duke.jpg/1200px-2008-07-15_Construction_wheelbarrow_at_Duke.jpg)
Quote from: MW on June 16, 2017, 09:52:13 PM
Here is the Social/Discount Travel spare bus
Social Tracel have a spare bus, KV03ZDS and SK51AYC are out daily alongside Y371FJN.
So Y338FJN is the spare bus.
KV03ZFW is currently operating an 11E to the Soho Road (Untimetabled E journey) on its final 11A of the day on 11A/1. It passed Ward End, The Fox and Goose about 10 minutes ago.
Timetables being altered again:
PD1121581/6 Registered
DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED
Route: Erdington, Sixways to Solihull via Chelmesly Wood
Service number: 966
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 21 Aug 2017
PD1121581/7 Registered
DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED
Route: Dudley Road, Summerfield Park to Dudley Road via Acocks Green/Perry Barr
Service number: 11A - Outer Circle Anti Clockwise
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 21 Aug 2017
Quote from: justlookingaround on June 26, 2017, 03:06:17 PM
Timetables being altered again:
PD1121581/6 Registered
DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED
Route: Erdington, Sixways to Solihull via Chelmesly Wood
Service number: 966
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 21 Aug 2017
PD1121581/7 Registered
DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED
Route: Dudley Road, Summerfield Park to Dudley Road via Acocks Green/Perry Barr
Service number: 11A - Outer Circle Anti Clockwise
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 21 Aug 2017
According to the NWM Newsletter:
966 is being reduce to 1 round trip a day (Monday to Friday)
11A is having an extra vehicle introduced
Quote from: justlookingaround on June 26, 2017, 03:06:17 PM
Timetables being altered again:
PD1121581/7 Registered
DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED
Route: Dudley Road, Summerfield Park to Dudley Road via Acocks Green/Perry Barr
Service number: 11A - Outer Circle Anti Clockwise
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 21 Aug 2017
Another on September 5th.
https://www.vehicle-operator-licensing.service.gov.uk/search/find-registered-local-bus-services/details/505386/
KV03ZFW has gained route branding for the 11A. It was at Ward End, The Fox and Goose about 10 minutes ago.
Quote from: 2206 on August 14, 2017, 02:28:10 PM
KV03ZFW has gained route branding for the 11A. It was at Ward End, The Fox and Goose about 10 minutes ago.
If it's the same as the photo someones put of SJ53 AXG on West Midlands Transport facebook, I wouldn't exactly call it branding as such, more a modified Police Crime Scene tape!
Quote from: V89MOA on August 14, 2017, 04:28:28 PM
If it's the same as the photo someones put of SJ53 AXG on West Midlands Transport facebook, I wouldn't exactly call it branding as such, more a modified Police Crime Scene tape!
Its not readable from any sort of distance and you have to be stood next to it to read what the branding says. Personally I think I think its one of the worst brandings I have ever seen.
Quote from: 2206 on August 14, 2017, 04:52:04 PM
Its not readable from any sort of distance and you have to be stood next to it to read what the branding says. Personally I think I think its one of the worst brandings I have ever seen.
100% agree mate!
Service changes August and September 2017.
21st August.
- 966 reduced to 1 round trip a day. http://www.travelinemidlands.co.uk/wmtis/XSLT_TTB_REQUEST?language=en&command=direct&net=cen&line=48966&sup=%20&itdLPxx_direction=H&project=y11&outputFormat=0&itdLPxx_displayHeader=false&itdLPxx_sessionID=CEN_EFA03_62871819&lineVer=10&itdLPxx_spTr=10&itdLPxx_operatorCodeForTTB=DTS (http://www.travelinemidlands.co.uk/wmtis/XSLT_TTB_REQUEST?language=en&command=direct&net=cen&line=48966&sup=%20&itdLPxx_direction=H&project=y11&outputFormat=0&itdLPxx_displayHeader=false&itdLPxx_sessionID=CEN_EFA03_62871819&lineVer=10&itdLPxx_spTr=10&itdLPxx_operatorCodeForTTB=DTS)
- Additional bus placed on the 11A, 4 buses will be on the 11A.http://www.travelinemidlands.co.uk/wmtis/XSLT_TTB_REQUEST?language=en&command=direct&net=cen&line=4811A&sup=%20&itdLPxx_direction=H&project=y11&outputFormat=0&itdLPxx_displayHeader=false&itdLPxx_sessionID=CEN_EFA03_62841336&lineVer=3&itdLPxx_spTr=3&itdLPxx_operatorCodeForTTB=DTS (ftp://www.travelinemidlands.co.uk/wmtis/XSLT_TTB_REQUEST?language=en&command=direct&net=cen&line=4811A&sup=%20&itdLPxx_direction=H&project=y11&outputFormat=0&itdLPxx_displayHeader=false&itdLPxx_sessionID=CEN_EFA03_62841336&lineVer=3&itdLPxx_spTr=3&itdLPxx_operatorCodeForTTB=DTS)
4th September.
Improved, more regular 11A service. http://www.travelinemidlands.co.uk/wmtis/XSLT_TTB_REQUEST?language=en&command=direct&net=cen&line=4811A&sup=%20&itdLPxx_direction=H&project=y11&outputFormat=0&itdLPxx_displayHeader=false&itdLPxx_sessionID=CEN_EFA03_62841336&lineVer=4&itdLPxx_spTr=4&itdLPxx_operatorCodeForTTB=DTS (http://www.travelinemidlands.co.uk/wmtis/XSLT_TTB_REQUEST?language=en&command=direct&net=cen&line=4811A&sup=%20&itdLPxx_direction=H&project=y11&outputFormat=0&itdLPxx_displayHeader=false&itdLPxx_sessionID=CEN_EFA03_62841336&lineVer=4&itdLPxx_spTr=4&itdLPxx_operatorCodeForTTB=DTS) With a total of 6 buses on the 11A, with 22 complete journeys a day and 2 short journeys. Compared to the current 3 buses and 12 journeys a day.
DTS have a new bus, NA52AWY, its in plain white, got new LED destination displays and is in service with DTS on the 11A today. I think it operated the 13:08 from Summerfield Park and was terminating at Summerfield Park at 15:26, as thats about the time I saw it there. Its fleet number is 08.
I also saw a convey of 2 today, KV03ZFW and KV03ZFN on the 11A at Stockland Green at approximatly 16:45. First time i've ever seen that happen.
Bus no 08 was on the 11A today. I think the registration was NA 52 AXN, but am not sure. It was all white.
Quote from: Eric Shaw on September 22, 2017, 03:17:00 PM
Bus no 08 was on the 11A today. I think the registration was NA 52 AXN, but am not sure. It was all white.
Been with them for a few weeks now.
Quote from: 2206 on September 22, 2017, 04:45:14 PM
Been with them for a few weeks now.
Even has a picture on this very site! (http://wmbusphotos.com/Discount/NA52AXN.html)
Wonder what's with the allover white though, unless it was painted by the dealer before any sale was made.
When will the other white dart enter service Na52nxy
PD1121581/6 Registered
DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED
Route: Erdington, Sixways to Solihull via Chelmesly Wood
Service number: 966
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 31 Dec 2017
Quote from: 2206 on November 03, 2017, 07:23:35 PM
PD1121581/6 Registered
DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED
Route: Erdington, Sixways to Solihull via Chelmesly Wood
Service number: 966
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 31 Dec 2017
Seems odd to come back to this route
Quote from: Lukeee on November 05, 2017, 10:14:14 PM
Seems odd to come back to this route
It doesn't mean they're coming back onto the withdrawn journeys.
For some reason they currently still operate one journey a day in each direction, so this could just be a timetable change to those journeys, or something.
Quote from: 2206 on November 05, 2017, 10:51:13 PM
It doesn't mean they're coming back onto the withdrawn journeys.
For some reason they currently still operate one journey a day in each direction, so this could just be a timetable change to those journeys, or something.
I completely forgot about that one journey tbh, does it ever pick anyone up as it seems pointless to run one journey
KV03ZFN was at the Fox and Goose about 10 minutes ago operating an untimetabled 11E to the
Soho Road.
Quote from: 2206 on November 14, 2017, 05:39:04 PM
KV03ZFN was at the Fox and Goose about 10 minutes ago operating an untimetabled 11E to the
Soho Road.
t might of been on hire to Social travel
Quote from: Solo1 on November 14, 2017, 06:35:07 PM
t might of been on hire to Social travel
No.
I never said it was on the 11C, it was on the 11A.
Quote from: 2206 on November 14, 2017, 05:39:04 PM
KV03ZFN was at the Fox and Goose about 10 minutes ago operating an untimetabled 11E to the
Soho Road.
they run a 1732 service to Dudley rd so might of done a e instead
Quote from: Solo1 on November 14, 2017, 08:52:48 PM
they run a 1732 service to Dudley rd so might of done a e instead
Maybe, could have been an earlier journey that was late as well though, I suppose
PD1121581/8 Registered
DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED
Route: Clock Garage, Bromford Road to Solihull Centre via Chelmsley Wood
Service number: X12
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 15 Jan 2018
PD1121581/7 Registered
DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED
Route: Dudley Road, Summerfield Park to Dudley Road via Acocks Green/Perry Barr
Service number: 11A - Outer Circle Anti Clockwise
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 15 Jan 2018
Quote from: justlookingaround on November 21, 2017, 02:33:43 PM
PD1121581/8 Registered
DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED
Route: Clock Garage, Bromford Road to Solihull Centre via Chelmsley Wood
Service number: X12
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 15 Jan 2018
PD1121581/7 Registered
DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED
Route: Dudley Road, Summerfield Park to Dudley Road via Acocks Green/Perry Barr
Service number: 11A - Outer Circle Anti Clockwise
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 15 Jan 2018
Haha not into the City Centre? Soon they'll be running the route between Clock Garage & Sheldon 😂
I have a feeling that all these cowboys will launch onto the Outer Circle soon. Or even the Inner Circle.
Quote from: MW on November 21, 2017, 03:40:47 PM
Haha not into the City Centre? Soon they'll be running the route between Clock Garage & Sheldon 😂
I have a feeling that all these cowboys will launch onto the Outer Circle soon. Or even the Inner Circle.
The Birmingham zone is being extended to include the Inner Circle!
They should launch a low emissions zone just along the outer circle and X12 routes, see what they do then
Quote from: Kevin on November 21, 2017, 06:13:45 PM
They should launch a low emissions zone just along the outer circle and X12 routes, see what they do then
NXWM would be screwed as well. The 11 is Euro 3 operated.
KV03ZFN broke down at the top of Yardley Road/Stockfield Road morning just before the Swan at about 08:30 at the small roundabout.
I wander how long it was stook there as some cars were just about managing to squeeze past by driving on the pavement to get past. So I doubt 4660 behind would have been able to .
Spotted a dart today going to "Dudely Road" :o
http://www.travelinemidlands.co.uk/wmtis/XSLT_TTB_REQUEST?language=en&command=direct&net=cen&line=48966&sup=%20&itdLPxx_direction=H&project=y11&outputFormat=0&itdLPxx_displayHeader=false&itdLPxx_sessionID=CEN_EFA03_20133348&lineVer=11&itdLPxx_spTr=11&itdLPxx_operatorCodeForTTB=DTS
They're cutting the 966 back further I see, to Mondays Only from December 31st.
Why keep it operating?
Probably because the Tfwm Bill to remove the 966 number from all the bus stops is so high if they stop running altogether
Have they started the x12 yet?
Just seen this pic on flickr, it seems there displays show X12 "Click Garage" -
https://www.flickr.com/photos/151702431@N02/24878408607/
Well that didn't last long.
PD1121581/8 Cancelled
DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED
Route: Clock Garage, Bromford Road to Solihull Centre via Chelmsley Wood
Service number: X12
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 31 Mar 2018
PD1121581/9 Registered
DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED
Route: CHELMESLEY WOOD to SOLIHULL via RADLEYS
Service number: 72
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 30 Apr 2018
PD1121581/7 Registered
DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED
Route: Dudley Road, Summerfield Park to Dudley Road via Acocks Green/Perry Barr
Service number: 11A - Outer Circle Anti Clockwise
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 30 Apr 2018
PD1121581/7 Registered
DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED
Route: Dudley Road, Summerfield Park to Dudley Road via Acocks Green/Perry Barr
Service number: 11A - Outer Circle Anti Clockwise (11C)
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 30 Apr 2018
https://www.vehicle-operator-licensing.service.gov.uk/search/find-registered-local-bus-services/details/516543/
Are they going to start operating the 11C?
It would seem so, yes.
The N&P for this week also shows that in the notes, their 72 is to be an hourly service.
Saw NA52AWZ earlier heading down Franklin Road towards Mary Vale Road in Cotteridge past the park when I was walking home. Not sure what service this was supposed to be on (11A or 11C?) or even if the bus was being used by DTS but there was a passenger on the bus so appeared to be in service. Don't know if there was a problem between Cotteridge and Selly Oak or some dubious short cut was being made. Would have been around 16:10 I think.
Quote from: Cheese on March 16, 2018, 09:01:21 PM
Saw NA52AWZ earlier heading down Franklin Road towards Mary Vale Road in Cotteridge past the park when I was walking home. Not sure what service this was supposed to be on (11A or 11C?) or even if the bus was being used by DTS but there was a passenger on the bus so appeared to be in service. Don't know if there was a problem between Cotteridge and Selly Oak or some dubious short cut was being made. Would have been around 16:10 I think.
Its a DTS bus, it would have been on the 11A
New Timetables from April 30th are now on Traveline WM.
- 11A decreased from 3 buses to 2 buses.
- The 72 will use 1 bus.
http://www.travelinemidlands.co.uk/wmtis/XSLT_TTB_REQUEST?language=en&command=direct&net=cen&line=4811A&sup=%20&itdLPxx_direction=H&project=y11&outputFormat=0&itdLPxx_displayHeader=false&itdLPxx_sessionID=CEN_EFA03_39495303&lineVer=8&itdLPxx_spTr=8&itdLPxx_operatorCodeForTTB=DTS
http://www.travelinemidlands.co.uk/wmtis/XSLT_TTB_REQUEST?language=en&command=direct&net=cen&line=48072&sup=%20&itdLPxx_direction=H&project=y11&outputFormat=0&itdLPxx_displayHeader=false&itdLPxx_sessionID=CEN_EFA03_39334029&lineVer=1&itdLPxx_spTr=1&itdLPxx_operatorCodeForTTB=DTS
Discount have been using 03, NA52AWZ on the 72 all this week. RKT are using KXZ 4299 and ex Discount 08, NA 52 AXN which now has a piece of paper saying it is an RKT vehicle. Sunny have been using 103, but I think I saw 105 on Monday displaying route 72. This morning Discount 04, KV 03 ZFW left the Yew Tree at 0915 displaying 11C, but this is not shown on the timetables. It was running in the clockwise direction. Social are timetabled to have only one vehicle on the 11C.
Quote from: Eric Shaw on May 04, 2018, 06:34:26 PM
Discount have been using 03, NA52AWZ on the 72 all this week. RKT are using KXZ 4299 and ex Discount 08, NA 52 AXN which now has a piece of paper saying it is an RKT vehicle. Sunny have been using 103, but I think I saw 105 on Monday displaying route 72. This morning Discount 04, KV 03 ZFW left the Yew Tree at 0915 displaying 11C, but this is not shown on the timetables. It was running in the clockwise direction. Social are timetabled to have only one vehicle on the 11C.
Not likely to have been the Social bus as well if it was at 09:15, as if it was the Social bus it'd have to be either about 90 minutes late or an hour early. Timetabled to be at the Yew Tree at 07:51 and 10:19.
Something to do with the registration also showing 11C?
https://www.vehicle-operator-licensing.service.gov.uk/search/find-registered-local-bus-services/details/516543/
It definitely stopped to pick up passengers but I didn't see if anyone got on as I was behind it. I will try to check it again next Friday. It was not shown on the timetable at the Yew Tree stop.
Discount Travel Solutions are operating a Saturday Service on the 11C today.
So yes
@Eric Shaw they are operating the 11C.
I've seen 2 Discount Travel Solution buses on the 11C today, KV03ZFW was on Bromford Lane at Ward End, The Fox And Goose at 11:35 AM and KV03ZFN was on Bromford Lane at Ward End, The Fox and Goose shortly afterwards about 15 minutes later at about 11:50 - 12:00. Both were carrying passengers
Does anyone know why this service isn't on any of the timetable at the bus stops and isn't on Traveline WM - all that is on the Bus Stops and Traveline WM is the NXWM timetable and the Monday to Friday only Social Travel timetable which has a PVR of 1 (It was KV03ZFS when I saw it approximately a week ago)
KV03ZFN left the Yew Tree yesterday at 0929 on the 11C carrying quite a good load of passengers. It was not shown on the timetable but a bus was shown on the electronic screen to leave at 0934.
Wonder if they are running the times of the social travel on the 11
Probably not in the best mood to write a review about anything, but seeing as they don't have a website where I can log a complaint, I'll just have to vent on here.
DOESN'T THESE OPERATORS OFFER A PISS POOR SERVICE?!
I, along with a few others, have just been booted off their 11 at City Hospital because the driver was "running late". I mean I didn't expect much from the competitor, but the display was showing "11A Outer Circle", implying that it was going to do the full circle. What's more, the irony is that DTS arrived on time at the stop I caught it from! Sounds ficticious, I know.
Having alighted, the driver then continued to pull off a U turn outside City Hospital. Overall a poor show.
Quote from: CL on May 17, 2018, 12:11:05 PM
Probably not in the best mood to write a review about anything, but seeing as they don't have a website where I can log a complaint, I'll just have to vent on here.
DOESN'T THESE OPERATORS OFFER A PISS POOR SERVICE?!
I, along with a few others, have just been booted off their 11 at City Hospital because the driver was "running late". I mean I didn't expect much from the competitor, but the display was showing "11A Outer Circle", implying that it was going to do the full circle. What's more, the irony is that DTS arrived on time at the stop I caught it from! Sounds ficticious, I know.
Having alighted, the driver then continued to pull off a U turn outside City Hospital. Overall a poor show.
The 12:05 11A arrival at the City Hospital is timetabled to terminate there and the driver then goes on his lunch break.
Quote from: CL on May 17, 2018, 12:11:05 PM
Probably not in the best mood to write a review about anything, but seeing as they don't have a website where I can log a complaint, I'll just have to vent on here.
DOESN'T THESE OPERATORS OFFER A PISS POOR SERVICE?!
I, along with a few others, have just been booted off their 11 at City Hospital because the driver was "running late". I mean I didn't expect much from the competitor, but the display was showing "11A Outer Circle", implying that it was going to do the full circle. What's more, the irony is that DTS arrived on time at the stop I caught it from! Sounds ficticious, I know.
Having alighted, the driver then continued to pull off a U turn outside City Hospital. Overall a poor show.
put your complaint to tfwm stating times and bus reg number and a description of what has happened
Quote from: karl724223 on May 17, 2018, 08:27:10 PM
put your complaint to tfwm stating times and bus reg number and a description of what has happened
Cheers :) I don't know if i'll bother. I was in a foul mood at time of posting, and what's done is done. 🤷♂️ I'll keep it in mind for next time, though.
Social KV03ZFS was on the 72 last week. Has it transferred to Discount? SN51SXU was the phantom 11C on Friday, leaving the Yew Tree at 0915. The Social departure times are 0751 and 1019.
Quote from: Eric Shaw on June 10, 2018, 08:49:32 PM
Social KV03ZFS was on the 72 last week. Has it transferred to Discount? SN51SXU was the phantom 11C on Friday, leaving the Yew Tree at 0915. The Social departure times are 0751 and 1019.
DTS have 2 buses on the 11C as well as 2 on the 11A, despite no timetable being up on Traveline WM and the bus stops, social still have 1 bus on the 11C.
There's no timetable on Traveline WM for the Claribels 75 either as well.
YT51DZZ was broken down on a 11A parked up at Yardley Swan at about 08:15 this morning, it was still in the area displaying not in service going round the Swan Island and down the Coventry Road towards Small Heath at about 11:30.
SN51SXU was in the City Centre at 17:55 this evening.
It came down Jennens Road, round Masshouse Lane, Moor Street Queensway and up James Watt Queensway.
Still with only half of its 11 branding (after debranding).
Quote from: 2206 on June 21, 2018, 07:22:19 PM
SN51SXU was in the City Centre at 17:55 this evening.
It came down Jennens Road, round Masshouse Lane, Moor Street Queensway and up James Watt Queensway.
2Still with only half of its 11 branding (after debranding).
it does that to go to depot I've seen them a few times
Quote from: Solo1 on June 21, 2018, 07:47:41 PM
it does that to go to depot I've seen them a few times
I've seen Sunny and RK travel do as they come of the 71E/72, though whenever i've seen it they usually turn right at Rupert Street on Nechells Parkway, having come out of service from Chelmsley Wood via the
Washwood Heath Road, Fox and Goose, Kits Green Road and the Maccadown.
What s the coach that's parked at the old discount depot near booth st tram stop it's a red one
Are you aware if there is anything preventing buses using Bromford Lane this evening
@Tony?
After I got off KV03ZFN at the Old Bromford Lane stop on the 11A about 10 minutes ago in Ward End, instead of carrying straight on it went right onto St Margarets Road and Lindale Avenue, carrying passsengers in service, it certainly seems a very weird route to take. Or is he just using it to avoid traffic at the motorway bridge further down, the road seemed to be open from what I could see. If that's the case and the road is open, that's not very good at all in my opinion, whether or not there's an alternative NX service, as they are timetabled to use Bromford Lane not Lindale Avenue.
Quote from: 2206 on November 08, 2018, 05:10:10 PM
Are you aware if there is anything preventing buses using Bromford Lane this evening @Tony?
After I got off KV03ZFN at the Old Bromford Lane stop on the 11A about 10 minutes ago in Ward End, instead of carrying straight on it went right onto St Margarets Road and Lindale Avenue, carrying passsengers in service, it certainly seems a very weird route to take. Or is he just using it to avoid traffic at the motorway bridge further down, the road seemed to be open from what I could see. If that's the case and the road is open, that's not very good at all in my opinion, whether or not there's an alternative NX service, as they are timetabled to use Bromford Lane not Lindale Avenue.
I haven't been in Birmingham today, but I haven't had an email to say any 11 diversions in place
Quote from: Tony on November 08, 2018, 05:58:56 PM
I haven't been in Birmingham today, but I haven't had an email to say any 11 diversions in place
Thanks for the info, most apreciated.
Presumably he was taking some sort of short cut then, not very good in my opinion.
Quote from: 2206 on November 08, 2018, 06:45:33 PM
Thanks for the info, most apreciated.
Presumably he was taking some sort of short cut then, not very good in my opinion.
I like drivers who use a bit of initiative. The other day my social bus took a de tour round the back of harborne because there was queuing traffic. Didn't get very far ahead but still less frustrating for passengers if they are moving
I came through there earlier on the way back from erdington & traffic was at a virtual standstill, so it is quite likely the driver thought there was some kind of obstruction and tried a detour.
Quote from: Trident 4194 on November 08, 2018, 07:05:45 PM
I like drivers who use a bit of initiative. The other day my social bus took a de tour round the back of harborne because there was queuing traffic. Didn't get very far ahead but still less frustrating for passengers if they are moving
Illegal and far more frustrating for passengers waiting at the stops missed
Quote from: Tony on November 08, 2018, 08:33:32 PM
Illegal and far more frustrating for passengers waiting at the stops missed
This is a social bus, I would hardly say people leave their houses at a precise Time to catch a lovely dart. Especially with the blizzare timetabling
Quote from: Trident 4194 on November 08, 2018, 09:41:35 PM
This is a social bus, I would hardly say people leave their houses at a precise Time to catch a lovely dart. Especially with the blizzare timetabling
Not that many, but a select few actually do wait for it at the precise time. A couple will let the NX buses go past to get that specific bus, a couple were even still waiting for it when it turned up half an hour late one morning a few years back. They don't catch it because its a dart, probably more because its quiter than the NX bus.
07:37 Ward End - 08:04 Acocks Green seems to pick up the same crowd of people everyday.
No sign of the 16:57 11A from Ward End this evening.
It must have either not operated, ran more than 5 minutes early or over 20 minutes late.
Discount had a newer bus on the 72 today.xx54NUB. I could not get the rest of the number as I was driving past it at the time.
Photo of their new bus on photo links page
Quote from: Eric Shaw on November 22, 2018, 09:14:51 PM
Discount had a newer bus on the 72 today.xx54NUB. I could not get the rest of the number as I was driving past it at the time.
Searching around for a reg plate and NK54 NUB sounds plausible considering their "preference" for ex-Go North East stock nowadays.
I can confirm it is NK54NUB, I saw it again today. Also KV03ZFS was on the 11C, left the Yew Tree at 0907 this morning. This one seems to float between the companies in the group. It had RKT as the owner on a sticker in the window.
Quote from: Eric Shaw on November 23, 2018, 08:21:15 PM
I can confirm it is NK54NUB, I saw it again today. Also KV03ZFS was on the 11C, left the Yew Tree at 0907 this morning. This one seems to float between the companies in the group. It had RKT as the owner on a sticker in the window.
ZFS has moved between them, but it doesn't move between them very often, only when there is a change with the services/fleet.
eg - ZFS left Social when it became a 1 bus operation, which was sometime around the begining of 2018.
Presumably with the addition of the 54 plate, ZFS has now moved to DTS.
KV03ZFS on the 966 this morning.
Why do their services appear as real time and then dissapear without turning up on NWM app? Is it a fault? Social travel also have same issue it seems, highly annoying Monday when I ended up waiting 30 mins for an 11C, whilst both the social and discount buses counted down to due then disappeared
Quote from: Trident 4194 on December 05, 2018, 10:14:43 PM
Why do their services appear as real time and then dissapear without turning up on NWM app? Is it a fault? Social travel also have same issue it seems, highly annoying Monday when I ended up waiting 30 mins for an 11C, whilst both the social and discount buses counted down to due then disappeared
The Social/DTS buses/Sunny/RK/Claribel buses don't track, they just show the timetabled time - e.g the first Social Travel 11 of the day from the Fox and Goose just shows "07:39", on the RTI screen. It will disapear from the RTI screen at that time, whether or not the bus actually turns up.
Any tracking bus would be an NX bus.
This is on the RTI screens at stops - so if these are the Social journeys showing on the app, then I presume it is wrong.
Though what was your reasoning, for waiting for a bus that's timetabled approximately 30 - 40 minutes behind and not 100% guaranteed to turn up, in the first place, when the regular NX bus will probably get you to where you want to go in that time?
Quote from: 2206 on December 05, 2018, 10:19:37 PM
The Social/DTS buses/Sunny/RK/Claribel buses don't track, they just show the timetabled time - e.g the first Social Travel 11 of the day from the Fox and Goose just shows "07:39", on the RTI screen. It will disapear from the RTI screen at that time, whether or not the bus actually turns up.
Any tracking bus would be an NX bus.
This is on the RTI screens at stops - so if these are the Social journeys showing on the app, then I presume it is wrong.
Though what was your reasoning, for waiting for a bus that's timetabled approximately 30 - 40 minutes behind and not 100% guaranteed to turn up, in the first place, when the regular NX bus will probably get you there in that time?
They do display real time and it will have social travel or discount travel undermeath, so I know that it was meant to be a social or discount bus operating it. I don't think the real time works mind as I just said as the buses have a tendency to disappear if real time after they counted down. I had no alternative Monday night 5:45pm metchley lane there was no nx or other operator for 30 mins so I hadn't let any nx buses go by.
I have noticed this too, for at least a month now they have been showing up as "real time" and counting down on the NWM app, but then failing to materialize... It's definitely not a one off
@Trident 4194 , I don't think they are supposed to be but they are.
Driver of discount bus on 11C almost caused a crash. Decided he was going to round the outside of 4672 on the island before turning right onto the A4040 from harborne high street towards selly oak. Driver of 4672 beeping his horn continually for about 30 seconds, whilst both buses were stationary. Then the discount driver proceeded to drive at 10mph all the way to selly oak. What is the point?
Good to see they can't even spell Dudley road properly instead displaying Dudeley road.
Quote from: Trident 4194 on December 13, 2018, 09:01:30 PM
Good to see they can't even spell Dudley road properly instead displaying Dudeley road.
Sounds about right for a cowboy...
YT51DZZ was the weekly 966 yesterday.
Blue dart just turned left from hagley road onto Lordswood road, was still 10 mins late. Being driven very quickly
Variation to the 11A/11C from April 21st. Does anyone know whats changing?
https://www.vehicle-operator-licensing.service.gov.uk/search/find-registered-local-bus-services/details/530996/
Quote from: 2206 on November 08, 2018, 05:10:10 PM
Are you aware if there is anything preventing buses using Bromford Lane this evening @Tony?
After I got off KV03ZFN at the Old Bromford Lane stop on the 11A about 10 minutes ago in Ward End, instead of carrying straight on it went right onto St Margarets Road and Lindale Avenue, carrying passsengers in service, it certainly seems a very weird route to take. Or is he just using it to avoid traffic at the motorway bridge further down, the road seemed to be open from what I could see. If that's the case and the road is open, that's not very good at all in my opinion, whether or not there's an alternative NX service, as they are timetabled to use Bromford Lane not Lindale Avenue.
The same driver took the same unregistered route this evening on the 11A with passengers on, turning right of Bromford Lane at St Margarets Road
This seems to be soemthing he does most days, on his last journey of the day?
11C is withdrawn from the 21/04/19. looks like they'll be staying on the 11A though?
Quote from: 2206 on March 27, 2019, 04:49:00 PM
11C is withdrawn from the 21/04/19. looks like they'll be staying on the 11A though?
Or is that another mistake from NWM?
There are new timetables showing on traveline WM valid from the 21/04/19, showing for both the 11C and 11A. That show all the Social journeys will now be operated by DTS as well as the existing DTS journeys.
This is an observation, feel free to disagree.
When I've seen Discount Travel buses, am I correct in thinking the drivers don't have uniforms? I haven't seen any uniforms on the 11 services.
It just feels cowboy-ish. It's not the most important thing, but a uniform represents the company. It also shows that a company means business. When North Birmingham Busways started, I thought their bus colours and uniforms were very smart.
If you can't even provide uniforms for your driver, are you really committed to the industry?
I could be wrong and I am a person who will listen to all views about this, for or against.
Quote from: Stephen Parry on April 07, 2019, 06:24:33 PM
This is an observation, feel free to disagree.
When I've seen Discount Travel buses, am I correct in thinking the drivers don't have uniforms? I haven't seen any uniforms on the 11 services.
It just feels cowboy-ish. It's not the most important thing, but a uniform represents the company. It also shows that a company means business. When North Birmingham Busways started, I thought their bus colours and uniforms were very smart.
If you can't even provide uniforms for your driver, are you really committed to the industry?
I could be wrong and I am a person who will listen to all views about this, for or against.
They don't. My own point of view, is I'm not really bothered what the driver is wearing (uniform of no uniform), I don't think the majority of passengers would be as well. As long as the bus turns up and gets me where I need t go. I suppose it might make them look a bit more unproffessional though.
On the 11 most people probably wouldn't know who "Discount Travel Solutions" are either (unlike NXWM), they'd probably be known as the "blue bus", or the "other bus", or something like that.
The 11A frequency is something like a 30 minute gap, then a 90 minute gap), then a 30 minute gap. And a big gap when the drivers have there breaks at around midday. (There is a few more journeys on the 11C with the extra bus). I'm not sure their timetable realy shows they mean business either. Most would probably only get on them if they turned up first, I don't think any more than a handful of people would ever wait for them. Meenwhile NXWM operate every 8 minutes all day.
Quote from: Stephen Parry on April 07, 2019, 06:24:33 PM
This is an observation, feel free to disagree.
When I've seen Discount Travel buses, am I correct in thinking the drivers don't have uniforms? I haven't seen any uniforms on the 11 services.
It just feels cowboy-ish. It's not the most important thing, but a uniform represents the company. It also shows that a company means business. When North Birmingham Busways started, I thought their bus colours and uniforms were very smart.
If you can't even provide uniforms for your driver, are you really committed to the industry?
I could be wrong and I am a person who will listen to all views about this, for or against.
My opinion for what it is worth. A bus companies drivers are there public face, and a uniform should be worn, I would even go as far as saying that it should be in the law that a uniform is worn. If a bus pulls up and the driver is wearing a pair of jeans and a t shirt, you are not sure who he is to start with. Is he actually a driver or is he just someone the company has found at short notice to drive the route and (worst case scenario) doesn't have a PCV licence at all.
Not so expensive to buy a pack of shirts and a few pairs of trousers out of a supermarket.
That goes for other small operators or us it more important to have buses out then smart uniform
Loads of companies supply smart Polo Shirts with logo's onb them for a very reasonable cost, so there is no reason why every bus company, large or small should'n't kit their drivers out smartly.
1 in wolves has black polo shirt with the name in yellow
Quote from: Solo1 on April 08, 2019, 08:02:05 AM
1 in wolves has black polo shirt with the name in yellow
Banga? I'm sure I've seen their drivers wearing branded polos before.
Thanks for your views, people.
As stated, I don't feel it's the most important thing, but I think a uniform nicely represents a company and makes each driver a representative. I'd say the same about the airline industry. I don't feel the need to see taxi drivers in uniforms as each driver is self-employed; while they do represent an operator (e.g. T.O.A.), it's pretty much a solo job.
I think a company that makes an effort to have good buses (and ones that are cleaned regularly), not make spelling errors for its destinations and provide uniforms is showing its passengers that it takes its business seriously.
Driver on the last 11A of the day is up to his usual things tonight.
Telling passengers he won't be going all the way down Bromford Lane and taking the normal line of route telling passengers already onboard who wanted the stops he is missing out where taking his short cut (who'd already paid to get on) that they have to get off and "wait for the big bus".
KV03ZFN was the bus.
What's his justification pertaining to that? Why is he doing it?
Quote from: Stephen Parry on April 11, 2019, 05:23:17 PM
What's his justification pertaining to that? Why is he doing it?
Seemingly so he can skip out traffic on the route.
Though it is illegal and he shouldn't be doing it.
I do not mean to offend anyone here who may work for Discount Travel, but I have never rated them as an operator. And I have heard a few complaints about them over time.
I'm all for the small operator. I caught some Pete's Travel buses when I was young - and felt that they were a great operator. I also thought the 104X service by North Birmingham Busways was a very professional service with drivers who were very friendly.
I just don't rate Discount Travel Solutions. For anyone here who may work for them, I know a wageslip is important and every person, no matter their profession, has a mouth to feed, but I do wish they'd provided a better service.
Quote from: Stephen Parry on April 11, 2019, 05:41:30 PM
I do not mean to offend anyone here who may work for Discount Travel, but I have never rated them as an operator. And I have heard a few complaints about them over time.
I'm all for the small operator. I caught some Pete's Travel buses when I was young - and felt that they were a great operator. I also thought the 104X service by North Birmingham Busways was a very professional service with drivers who were very friendly.
I just don't rate Discount Travel Solutions. For anyone here who may work for them, I know a wageslip is important and every person, no matter their profession, has a mouth to feed, but I do wish they'd provided a better service.
All this talk of people on here saying oh people are about to lose their jobs, be sensitive etc (in reference to both this operator and igo) is a load of bollocks. Those routes are going somewhere else, and so will the positions for drivers needed.
I think you'll find that every single employee, driver at least, of these operators will be able to work for one of the many other operators in the West Midlands fairly sharpish. NX, Diamond & Decourcey to name a few, who'll all bite your hand off to join them.
DTS 966 route has been removed from bus stops.
RK Travel and Discount Travel Solutions have cancelled the 72 service from the end of the year.
PD2000904/1 Cancelled
RAJWINDER KAUR
Route: Chelmesley Wood to Solihull via Radleys
Service number: 72 ()
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 31 Dec 2019
PD1121581/9 Cancelled
DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED
Route: CHELMESLEY WOOD to SOLIHULL via RADLEYS
Service number: 72 ()
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 31 Dec 2019
RK Travel have registered the 11 and a variation to the DTS service from January 2020. So looks like the buses taken of the 72 will be going onto the 11.
https://www.vehicle-operator-licensing.service.gov.uk/search/find-registered-local-bus-services/details/540338/
https://www.vehicle-operator-licensing.service.gov.uk/search/find-registered-local-bus-services/details/540311/
I shall miss them on the 72. They seem to have been performing better recently and at least provide a bit of variation on the route, which otherwise seems to be all crimson Geminis.
DTS being called for a public inquiry
Public Inquiry (80555) to be held at The Public Inquiry Room (Birmingham), B15 1PL, 38 George Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, on 19 December 2019 commencing at 14:00 (Previous Publication:(2420)) Previous hearing on 22 October 2019 was adjourned. PD1121581 SN
DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED
Director(s): KAMALDEEP SINGH MANN
UNIT 3, BRIDGE STREET SOUTH, SMETHWICK, B66 3DR
S17 - Consideration of disciplinary action under Section 17 (The Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981)
S26 - Consideration of disciplinary action under Section 26 (The Transport Act 1985) S28 - Consideration of disciplinary action under Section 28 (The Transport Act 1985) Sch.3 - Consideration of Transport Managers Repute under Schedule 3 (The Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981)
Quote from: NXWMFAN1105 on November 21, 2019, 06:33:50 AM
DTS being called for a public inquiry
Public Inquiry (80555) to be held at The Public Inquiry Room (Birmingham), B15 1PL, 38 George Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, on 19 December 2019 commencing at 14:00 (Previous Publication:(2420)) Previous hearing on 22 October 2019 was adjourned. PD1121581 SN
DISCOUNT TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LIMITED
Director(s): KAMALDEEP SINGH MANN
UNIT 3, BRIDGE STREET SOUTH, SMETHWICK, B66 3DR
S17 - Consideration of disciplinary action under Section 17 (The Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981)
S26 - Consideration of disciplinary action under Section 26 (The Transport Act 1985) S28 - Consideration of disciplinary action under Section 28 (The Transport Act 1985) Sch.3 - Consideration of Transport Managers Repute under Schedule 3 (The Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981)
What did he do?
https://bustimes.org/services/11a-birmingham-outer-circle-anticlockwise-2?date=2020-01-07
https://bustimes.org/services/11a-birmingham-outer-circle-anticlockwise-3?date=2020-01-07
New Timetables for DTS/RK Travel 11A and 11C are now on bus times.
The timetable looks strange as it looks like DTS and RK Travel have timetabled a bus to run directly infront of each other on the 07:40 and 09:55 trips.
As it seems to show:
DTS will have bus leave Summerfield Park on the 11A at 07:40, 09:53, 13:20 and 15:35. While RK Travel will have a bus leave Summerfield Park at 07:40, 09:55, 13:06 and 15:45 on the 11A.
DTS have removed their 11A service as of tomorrow according to network west midlands site
Quote from: Jack D on February 03, 2020, 08:21:03 AM
DTS have removed their 11A service as of tomorrow according to network west midlands site
Removed with immediate effect, it states.
RK Travel 11A timetable will still operate.
Saw KV03ZFW on the 11C at Ward End this morning.
Still operating with only part of its 11 Branding still remaining.
https://www.route-one.net/legal/licence-cut-and-fine-for-discount-travel-solutions/
QuoteLicence cut and fine for Discount Travel Solutions
The operator has been fined and had its O-Licence cut by two vehicles after timetable and maintenance issues
Vehicle maintenance and local service timetable problems have resulted in the O-Licence held by Smethwick-based Discount Travel Solutions being cut from six vehicles to four and it being ordered to pay a financial penalty of £1,200 by Traffic Commissioner (TC) Nick Denton.
In September 2014, the O-Licence was cut from six to two vehicles on financial grounds and the company fined £300 for local bus service timetable problems. The authorisation was restored to six vehicles in October 2015.
The TC said that Traffic Examiner (TE) Robert Lees had monitored the company's local services following a complaint from a passenger.
Observations were taken on six different days in July 2019. Of the 28 journeys observed, eight failed to run at all; six were more than one minute early; and eight were more than five minutes late.
The company's response was that around seven of the journeys had experienced unusually heavy traffic; five non-compliant journeys had been caused by some kind of vehicle malfunction; two were caused by a driver being taken ill; and in seven cases the driver had no excuse.
Vehicle Examiner (VE) Austin Jones had reported that there was a higher than average prohibition rate, 37% over the past two years, as opposed to the national average over the same period of 17%.
There was a high MoT failure rate of 40%, with failures for multiple items on each occasion. All the failures had included brake system failures.
For the company, Murray Oliver said that it had increased the number of service checks it made.
Recent figures showed a much lower level of non-compliance than that found by the TE. Ticketer machines which monitored early and late running in real time were to be installed in its vehicles.
The troublesome 72 and 11A routes were to be discontinued, with three vehicles, all Ticketer equipped, remaining in service on the 11C route. The company had also tightened its procedures.
The main reason for the high level of non-compliance was the heavy and unpredictable nature of the traffic on the very long and complex 11 route.
Vehicles were now given safety inspections at four-week intervals rather than the previous five.
Vehicles were now being given two pre-MoT inspections by different providers rather than just one.
Undertakings were given that vehicles would be given safety inspections at least every four weeks and that roller brake tests would be carried out at least every 12 weeks.
In imposing the financial penalty, the TC said that he had some sympathy with the difficulty experienced by operators in practice in adhering to timetables on long and busy routes like the 11.
He had also borne in mind that the passengers tended to be less inconvenienced by an operator's failure to run to time on a route with multiple alternative operators who provided a frequent service.
Of the journeys observed by the TE, six ran more than one minute early, for which heavy traffic was clearly not an excuse.
Three were caused by a fault with the vehicle, which was also within the company's control, as it was expected to send out vehicles on service which were capable of completing the journey without breaking down.
There was also the fact that the company was fined in 2014 for non-compliant running and it did not seem to have made any lasting improvements in the meantime.
The company's prohibition and MoT failure rates were unacceptably high. Consequently, the TC was cutting the number of vehicles as he needed to be sure that it could operate compliantly at its current service levels before adding to its fleet again.
Full report at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/discount-travel-solutions-ltd
DTS has Ticketer machines? That's news to me!
Quote from: MW on March 03, 2020, 06:16:13 PM
DTS has Ticketer machines? That's news to me!
Yep, had them for a few weeks now, see them tracking on bustimes.org. This is one of the reasons why I think TfWM has had something to do with the introduction of ticketer machines across the regions operators as Discount would probably have still been using TGX200's as well as many other operators.
Quote from: NXWMFAN1105 on March 03, 2020, 08:08:08 PM
Yep, had them for a few weeks now, see them tracking on bustimes.org. This is one of the reasons why I think TfWM has had something to do with the introduction of ticketer machines across the regions operators as Discount would probably have still been using TGX200's as well as many other operators.
It makes so much sense for any operator (even the shit operators) to be able to accept contactless these days.
Wonder what's worth more; the machines or their buses lmao
Since I was there when they purchased some of those buses I can quite comfortably say it's the machines lol
One of the White RK Travel darts out on the Discount Travel 11C just now. Not sure which of the two it was.
But I just tried to find the RK Travel 11A timetable on Traveline WM and Bus Times and its gone. Have they ceased operation temporarily or permanently?
Its tracking on Bus Times as KV03ZFN it seems as well. Which is one of the blue ones.
I believe RK have suspended their service during lockdown
RK travel where running at least one journey on the 11A 2 weeks back
Quote from: Steveminor on February 04, 2021, 07:59:07 PM
I believe RK have suspended their service during lockdown
Thanks for the info.
Quote from: Lukeee on February 04, 2021, 08:27:38 PM
RK travel where running at least one journey on the 11A 2 weeks back
They were yes, a full timetable I think, I think they must have stopped recently.
The suspended service as of last friday
Another cowboy off the road!!
Has Discount started operating again only as on the WMN site the 11C is mentioned again bring operated by them?
Quote from: Bus Man K2 on March 14, 2021, 09:48:59 AM
Has Discount started operating again only as on the WMN site the 11C is mentioned again bring operated by them?
yes
Quote from: Solo1 on March 14, 2021, 10:26:38 AM
yes
Thanks for that...when did they re-start operating it then?
Quote from: Bus Man K2 on March 14, 2021, 10:28:52 AM
Thanks for that...when did they re-start operating it then?
Only period of time they stopped for was April to August/September last year,
RK Travel stopped recently, wander if they'll ever come back.
Quote from: 2206 on March 14, 2021, 01:05:27 PM
Only period of time they stopped for was April to August/September last year,
Oh Right... I thought they had totally gone!! 😁 How wrong I can be...
Quote from: 2206 on March 14, 2021, 01:05:27 PM
RK Travel stopped recently, wander if they'll ever come back.
Yes that's a question but not for this thread!! 😁
SJ53AXG on Washwood Heath Road, Ward End displaying 966E this evening.
A route that ceased to operate a few years back. Must have just come off the 11C.
With NX splitting the 11 from the 4th July, it will be interesting to see if discount will do the same or will they continue to run the full circle.
KV03ZFW parked up right outside the Nursery on Bromford Lane, Ward End this morning. Might have broken down there on its first trip of the day I guess.
New 11A/11C timetable on Traveline WM from 3rd August 2021.
What it seems to suggest is they are changing the route to run from Erdington all the way round through Ward End, Acocks Green, Kings Heath, Selly Oak, Bearwood to City Hospital and Handsworth Wood, Grove Lane where they will terminate at one of the 2 depending on the journey. And then go back round the other way.
No longer serving the Perry Barr area.
On NK54NUB this morning I noticed its got a list of all the destinations in the display, various 11A/11C/11E destinations.
Then at the bottom of the 11's its got.
28 Great Barr via Erdington Six Ways.
28 Small Heath via Erdington Six Ways.
28E Erdington Six Ways.
Strange they have these on there, as they've never ran it.
There was a plan to do them before I left
Discount Travel Solutions have now ceased trading.
Vehicles stopped tracking at the end of service on Friday 29th July 2022, likely their last day.
I was on a 4H yesterday at Birchley Island in traffic a Transit minibus pulls up alongside the bus I was on and sellotaped to the (inside) side door window was a piece of paper with the same legal address on which Discount have/had I wonder if this new company which was "Friends Travel Ltd" is anything to do with them (i.e. trading under a new guise), seems strange that this "new" company have the same address unless of course they shared a yard with Discount
Quote from: hlliwmai on August 31, 2022, 04:24:11 PMI was on a 4H yesterday at Birchley Island in traffic a Transit minibus pulls up alongside the bus I was on and sellotaped to the (inside) side door window was a piece of paper with the same legal address on which Discount have/had I wonder if this new company which was "Friends Travel Ltd" is anything to do with them (i.e. trading under a new guise), seems strange that this "new" company have the same address unless of course they shared a yard with Discount
Not the same company.
https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/09651681/
Only thing in common is that Kamaldeep Mann was a director of Friends Travel until August 2018.
Noticed today they still have several darts parked up in the yard off Rolfe Street over a year after finishing service.
Presumably these will be scrapped eventually?