The news article from 1991 including a very young and upset Brian Souter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McY5DFirXsg&feature=youtu.be
That's potentially 4 times Mr Souter has now been knocked back trying to get his hands on WMT/TWM/NXWM:
1. 1991 in favour of the ESOP bid, even though Stageocoach were the highest bidders
2. I understand Stagecoach & other bus groups made rival bids for WMT when it was announced they were merging with NX
3. Agreed a secondardy deal with CVC capital/Cosmens to buy NX's UK businesses if their takeover bid was sucessful
4. Stagecoach then approached NX direct with a merger proposal when the above bid collapsed when CVC pulled out
Will their be a 5th attempt in the future......?
It's an interesting video that. Obviously I'm glad Stagecoach didn't buy WMT otherwise there would be absolutely no small operators left whatsoever but I agree with him that the highest bidder should win in normal circumstances. What he's forgetting is that at the time, ESOP sales were allowed to be up to 10% less-correct me if I'm wrong. So of course their winning bid would have been lower...
Quote from: Winston on June 18, 2014, 08:55:11 PM
That's potentially 4 times Mr Souter has now been knocked back trying to get his hands on WMT/TWM/NXWM:
1. 1991 in favour of the ESOP bid, even though Stageocoach were the highest bidders
2. I understand Stagecoach & other bus groups made rival bids for WMT when it was announced they were merging with NX
3. Agreed a secondardy deal with CVC capital/Cosmens to buy NX's UK businesses if their takeover bid was sucessful
4. Stagecoach then approached NX direct with a merger proposal when the above bid collapsed when CVC pulled out
Will their be a 5th attempt in the future......?
What's your evidence for number 4?
Quote from: williamposh on June 26, 2014, 11:21:13 PM
Quote from: Winston on June 18, 2014, 08:55:11 PM
That's potentially 4 times Mr Souter has now been knocked back trying to get his hands on WMT/TWM/NXWM:
1. 1991 in favour of the ESOP bid, even though Stageocoach were the highest bidders
2. I understand Stagecoach & other bus groups made rival bids for WMT when it was announced they were merging with NX
3. Agreed a secondardy deal with CVC capital/Cosmens to buy NX's UK businesses if their takeover bid was sucessful
4. Stagecoach then approached NX direct with a merger proposal when the above bid collapsed when CVC pulled out
Will their be a 5th attempt in the future......?
What's your evidence for number 4?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/6456895/National-Express-rejects-1.65bn-merger-bid-by-Stagecoach.html
http://www.express.co.uk/finance/city/136100/Big-investors-divided-on-Stagecoach-bid-for-National-Express
http://news.stv.tv/scotland/133529-stagecoach-takeover-bid-of-national-express-halted/
At the same time NXWM buses were being repainted allover white / with only 'West Midlands' fleetnames & no mention of NX
Quote from: Winston on June 26, 2014, 11:30:33 PM
Quote from: williamposh on June 26, 2014, 11:21:13 PM
Quote from: Winston on June 18, 2014, 08:55:11 PM
That's potentially 4 times Mr Souter has now been knocked back trying to get his hands on WMT/TWM/NXWM:
1. 1991 in favour of the ESOP bid, even though Stageocoach were the highest bidders
2. I understand Stagecoach & other bus groups made rival bids for WMT when it was announced they were merging with NX
3. Agreed a secondardy deal with CVC capital/Cosmens to buy NX's UK businesses if their takeover bid was sucessful
4. Stagecoach then approached NX direct with a merger proposal when the above bid collapsed when CVC pulled out
Will their be a 5th attempt in the future......?
What's your evidence for number 4?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/6456895/National-Express-rejects-1.65bn-merger-bid-by-Stagecoach.html
http://www.express.co.uk/finance/city/136100/Big-investors-divided-on-Stagecoach-bid-for-National-Express
http://news.stv.tv/scotland/133529-stagecoach-takeover-bid-of-national-express-halted/
At the same time NXWM buses were being repainted allover white / with only 'West Midlands' fleetnames & no mention of NX
It was close...... Very close!
Quote from: richie on June 27, 2014, 12:27:13 AM
Quote from: Winston on June 26, 2014, 11:30:33 PM
Quote from: williamposh on June 26, 2014, 11:21:13 PM
Quote from: Winston on June 18, 2014, 08:55:11 PM
That's potentially 4 times Mr Souter has now been knocked back trying to get his hands on WMT/TWM/NXWM:
1. 1991 in favour of the ESOP bid, even though Stageocoach were the highest bidders
2. I understand Stagecoach & other bus groups made rival bids for WMT when it was announced they were merging with NX
3. Agreed a secondardy deal with CVC capital/Cosmens to buy NX's UK businesses if their takeover bid was sucessful
4. Stagecoach then approached NX direct with a merger proposal when the above bid collapsed when CVC pulled out
Will their be a 5th attempt in the future......?
What's your evidence for number 4?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/6456895/National-Express-rejects-1.65bn-merger-bid-by-Stagecoach.html
http://www.express.co.uk/finance/city/136100/Big-investors-divided-on-Stagecoach-bid-for-National-Express
http://news.stv.tv/scotland/133529-stagecoach-takeover-bid-of-national-express-halted/
At the same time NXWM buses were being repainted allover white / with only 'West Midlands' fleetnames & no mention of NX
It was close...... Very close!
That's what I thought, literally hours away.
I'm glad it never came off & NX managed to stay an independent group
It wasn't that close and that was not the reason the West Midlands only fleet names were applied
Quote from: williamposh on June 27, 2014, 06:09:17 AM
It wasn't that close and that was not the reason the West Midlands only fleet names were applied
Why were the 'West Midlands' only fleetnames applied at the same time then? Were the allover white buses also not related to the Stagecoach merger offer?
I overheard a conversation between what appeared to be Stagecoach management a short time after the deal fell through. Apparently Satgecoach had a lot of their people either out traveling the routes, or just observing the operations from street level, getting as much info from how TWM were doing things.
Uuuuuuuuuurrrrrgh just imagine the west midlands full of stagecoach livery. ...
@Bob it's better than the half bothered attempt we have now!!
Quote from: Bob on June 27, 2014, 11:56:21 AM
Uuuuuuuuuurrrrrgh just imagine the west midlands full of stagecoach livery. ...
And ADL buses...
Although we'd have the E400MMC sooner...and quite possibly the ex first wigan Gemini's...to replace some spectras. I think that magic bus would have been put in place on the 002 and both the Volvo b6s, Mercs and solos would have gone by now...
Quote from: the trainbasher on June 27, 2014, 01:34:45 PM
Although we'd have the E400MMC sooner...and quite possibly the ex first wigan Gemini's...to replace some spectras. I think that magic bus would have been put in place on the 002 and both the Volvo b6s, Mercs and solos would have gone by now...
We may also of also had cascaded MAN/ALX300's & Dart/ALX200's
Our a garage full of Megabuses
I was happy to see NX Group remain independent, I could still see the big five, becoming the big four in the future & potentially involving NX Group
@Winston I think Stagecoach would have constantly invested in the west midlands on a similar standing to Manchester.
As an aside I could see nx merging with stagecoach or go ahead in the future. Although Abellio would be an interesting option.
Depends on if a offer that nx found suitable and the shareholders agree...
Quote from: the trainbasher on June 27, 2014, 02:33:28 PM
@Winston I think Stagecoach would have constantly invested in the west midlands on a similar standing to Manchester.
As an aside I could see nx merging with stagecoach or go ahead in the future
@ the trainbasher possibly, but Manchester is a bit of an exception to the rule, if you look at a similar sized op which is one of Stagecoach's top earner i.e. North East they don't receive anywhere near the number of new buses that Manchester gets. To be fair, I don't think anyone could now argue that NX aren't now investing heavily in the West Midlands and that it looks set to continue for the forseeable.
Realistically, NX merging with Stagecoach would create the largest amount of competition issues / may be potentially required to make a number of divestment as a result, as follows:
NX Coaches vs Megabus
NX Dundee vs Strathtay
NX Coventry vs Stagecoach Warwickshire
I would quite like to see NX merge with either First Group or Go-Ahead Group, a deal with First Group shouldn't have any issues in the UK, however, a combination of both their US school bus businesses may be a problem to get past the US competition authorities? I wouldn't want to see that happen
Go-Ahead group again would have no competition issues at all and I would quite like to see the Go-Ahead philosophy towards its own bus operations rubbing off of NX UK bus division, you would more than likely then get the 'Best Impressions' inspired livery you've all being longing for.....
I would like to see NX Group with a bigger UK bus division, but that is unlikely to happen without a merger with one of the above. Even bolt-on acquisitions seem unlikey after a deal wasn't concluded with First to buy RH & KR
First are a bit rubbish though...look at the state of the potteries! Neweat bus 7 yrs old and thats only recently been transferred in! Sure theyre about to get about 10 street#####es, wow...
Go ahead though. .different kettle of fish, local identities etc, although I disagree totally with privatisation of companies that belong to the people they've not done too bad in Plymouth
Quote from: Bob on June 27, 2014, 03:11:34 PM
First are a bit rubbish though...look at the state of the potteries! Neweat bus 7 yrs old and thats only recently been transferred in! Sure theyre about to get about 10 street#####es, wow...
Go ahead though. .different kettle of fish, local identities etc, although I disagree totally with privatisation of companies that belong to the people they've not done too bad in Plymouth
First Group have been struggling caused by years of poor HO office decisions/policies which included overstretching the group by acquiring Laidlaw & taking on so much debt. However, to be fair they are now slowly but surely starting to tackle their problems and things are starting to improve. Due to the size of the group they can't all be tackled overnite and not all areas improved at the same time and it is going to take time (another 3+ years) for First UK bus division to get close to where it once was. For me, First Group have some large urban / former PTE operations which are very attractive and share many similarities with NXWM i.e. Bristol, Glasgow, Manchester, South Yorkshire & West Yorkshire etc
Could arriva take them over? Maybe transfer a few nice old darts in? Lol
Quote from: Bob on June 27, 2014, 03:49:41 PM
Could arriva take them over? Maybe transfer a few nice old darts in? Lol
I was waiting for that.... :P
NXWM don't do Darts....
The only real overlap for a combination of NX & Arriva would be Arriva Midlands vs NXWM, I know which one I'd divest... & possibly ALSA vs Arriva Spain
Until around 12 months ago I would say that NXWM probably would have been better off with Stagecoach. But the investment in new vehicles, refurbishing the existing fleet (which looks cared for now), AVL and so on has changed the picture.
So NXWM is on the up, and so is First - although First have a way to go before it is in a financially good place, it seems. Go Ahead's star has gone down a bit recently. Stagecoach continues to perform well, but as Winston says has a substantial presence in the Coventry area.
I think NXWM is best off just as it is.
Quote from: Winston on June 27, 2014, 03:30:56 PM
Quote from: Bob on June 27, 2014, 03:11:34 PM
First are a bit rubbish though...look at the state of the potteries! Neweat bus 7 yrs old and thats only recently been transferred in! Sure theyre about to get about 10 street#####es, wow...
Go ahead though. .different kettle of fish, local identities etc, although I disagree totally with privatisation of companies that belong to the people they've not done too bad in Plymouth
First Group have been struggling caused by years of poor HO office decisions/policies which included overstretching the group by acquiring Laidlaw & taking on so much debt. However, to be fair they are now slowly but surely starting to tackle their problems and things are starting to improve. Due to the size of the group they can't all be tackled overnite and not all areas improved at the same time and it is going to take time (another 3+ years) for First UK bus division to get close to where it once was. For me, First Group have some large urban / former PTE operations which are very attractive and share many similarities with NXWM i.e. Bristol, Glasgow, Manchester, South Yorkshire & West Yorkshire etc
I haven't worked it out, but I suspect NXWM's and Stagecoach Manchester's average age will not be that different, specially at the end of this year with 100 new buses in the West Midlands. SM still have P, R & S reg buses in use, just the same as NXWM, infact they still have 2 'R' reg Spectras in use (sound familiar?) And at least NXWM is 100% low floor. Loads of V/W reg Tridents, so no difference their from NX's Presidents and when some local operators round here buy an S reg dart it is called knackered, yet SM still operate them!
Go ahead would be probably the only group apart from those outside the uk with a chance of a merger due to competition issue's.
Quote from: Justin Tyme on June 27, 2014, 05:57:28 PM
Until around 12 months ago I would say that NXWM probably would have been better off with Stagecoach. But the investment in new vehicles, refurbishing the existing fleet (which looks cared for now), AVL and so on has changed the picture.
So NXWM is on the up, and so is First - although First have a way to go before it is in a financially good place, it seems. Go Ahead's star has gone down a bit recently. Stagecoach continues to perform well, but as Winston says has a substantial presence in the Coventry area.
I think NXWM is best off just as it is.
Justin,
I disagree with who is currently favored between Go-Ahead & Stagecoach, Go-Ahead Groups shareprice is currently hitting new 52 week highs, whilst Stagecoach's share price appears to have peaked as is now falling back (for now at least)
The Motley Fool also favours Go-Ahead over Stagecoach, as Go-Ahead has recently upped its profit guidance & said that it will now beat market exceptions for the year, whilst Stagecoach have announced that they will meet market exceptions. Go-Ahead's shareprice has advanced since winning the TSGN rail franchise recently announced, The Motley Fool also Favour go-Ahead as a potential takeover target.
http://www.fool.co.uk/investing/2014/06/25/buses-railways-a-safe-investment-right-now/
(Article below)
Buses & Railways: A Safe Investment Right Now?
Do Stagecoach (LSE: SGC), Go-Ahead (LSE: GOG), FirstGroup (LSE: FGP) and National Express (LSE: NEX) offer meaningful upside these days?
Stagecoach ReportsStagecoach stock is bucking the trend of a declining market on Wednesday in the wake of decent full-year results — which, however, were nowhere as good as Go-Ahead's. "We have met our expectations for the year," Chief Executive Martin Griffiths said. That's not good enough.
Revenue and earnings came in broadly in line with expectations and they were only slightly higher than in the previous year. A 10% dividend hike doesn't really change the investment proposition. Based on trading multiples, operating profitability and growth prospects, Stagecoach stock looks expensive. Let's move on.
Go-Ahead Go-Ahead surprised the market last week, when it reported preliminary results for the year and raised its guidance. Driven by the performance of its rail operations, the bus and rail operator will continue to deliver growth, better profitability and solid earnings. Its stock is up 7% since preliminary results were announced.
Executives know how to manage expectations. The equity valuation of the company has been rallying since December, when Go-Ahead said it expected its full-year results to beat expectations. Will next time be any different? I doubt it will.
Furthermore, long-term upside resides in Govia, a joint-venture between Go-Ahead and France's Keolis that will operate the new Thameslink Southern and Great Northern franchise. Operations will start by the end of the year. The loss of the franchise was terrible news for FirstGroup, in particular, as well as for other Go-Ahead's rivals.
Go-Ahead has a solid balance sheet, which is unusual for bus and rail operators in the UK. Its one-year performance on the stock market reads +63%, while its dividend yield is in line with the market's. There is reason to believe that Go-Ahead could also become a takeover target. The allure of a take-private deal is obvious, although an M&A premium is not priced into its stock.
FirstGroup & National ExpressFirstGroup is in restructuring mode. Its debt pile has come down since last year, but management must do more to reassure investors. FirstGroup is a transport operator in the UK and North America; deeper focus on its geographical reach would help it improve efficiency, which means divestments shouldn't be ruled out.
A similar logic applies to National Express, which heavily relies on debt, just like FirstGroup, to finance its operations. FirstGroup and National Express are probably the less appealing investment propositions in the space, although their financials have improved in the last 12 months.
National Express rejected an approach from FirstGroup in 2009. In a way, they belong to each other, and if they managed to sort out their ailing capital structures first, a combination between the two would make lots of sense.
You can look elsewhere for greater returns if you don't fancy the risk profile of these four companies.
Quote from: Tony on June 27, 2014, 06:13:52 PM
Quote from: Winston on June 27, 2014, 03:30:56 PM
Quote from: Bob on June 27, 2014, 03:11:34 PM
First are a bit rubbish though...look at the state of the potteries! Neweat bus 7 yrs old and thats only recently been transferred in! Sure theyre about to get about 10 street#####es, wow...
Go ahead though. .different kettle of fish, local identities etc, although I disagree totally with privatisation of companies that belong to the people they've not done too bad in Plymouth
First Group have been struggling caused by years of poor HO office decisions/policies which included overstretching the group by acquiring Laidlaw & taking on so much debt. However, to be fair they are now slowly but surely starting to tackle their problems and things are starting to improve. Due to the size of the group they can't all be tackled overnite and not all areas improved at the same time and it is going to take time (another 3+ years) for First UK bus division to get close to where it once was. For me, First Group have some large urban / former PTE operations which are very attractive and share many similarities with NXWM i.e. Bristol, Glasgow, Manchester, South Yorkshire & West Yorkshire etc
I haven't worked it out, but I suspect NXWM's and Stagecoach Manchester's average age will not be that different, specially at the end of this year with 100 new buses in the West Midlands. SM still have P, R & S reg buses in use, just the same as NXWM, infact they still have 2 'R' reg Spectras in use (sound familiar?) And at least NXWM is 100% low floor. Loads of V/W reg Tridents, so no difference their from NX's Presidents and when some local operators round here buy an S reg dart it is called knackered, yet SM still operate them!
You tend to find that although Stagecoach put large quantities of new E400's in to Manchester, they also cascade out a number of E400's that are only a couple of years old for other subsidiaries.
Come the end of 2015 once the next 175 buses have been delivered & older buses withdraw, NX will have a very modern fleet, with a even lower average age than at present. By then all buses will also be in one livery and the refurb program may be on to early NX liveried buses than weren't refurbished
Quote from: Winston on June 27, 2014, 07:46:28 PM
Justin,
I disagree with who is currently favored between Go-Ahead & Stagecoach, Go-Ahead Groups shareprice is currently hitting new 52 week highs, whilst Stagecoach's share price appears to have peaked as is now falling back (for now at least) ...
Winston,
I am happy to be corrected. Some months ago I had seen reports that the operational performance of some Go-Ahead companies had gone backwards, hence my comment, but things can't be bad with those sorts of financial results.
Quote from: Justin Tyme on June 27, 2014, 10:48:44 PM
Quote from: Winston on June 27, 2014, 07:46:28 PM
Justin,
I disagree with who is currently favored between Go-Ahead & Stagecoach, Go-Ahead Groups shareprice is currently hitting new 52 week highs, whilst Stagecoach's share price appears to have peaked as is now falling back (for now at least) ...
Winston,
I am happy to be corrected. Some months ago I had seen reports that the operational performance of some Go-Ahead companies had gone backwards, hence my comment, but things can't be bad with those sorts of financial results.
Justin,
It's only been in the last month since Go-Ahead announced they had been awarded the TSGN franchise (23/5) & their pre-close trading update release (19/6) where they said rail profits would be ahead of their previous expectations. Go-Ahead have also set themselves a target to achieve £100 million operating profits from their bus division by 2015/16, so they will need to deliver. There is also the chance of further acquisitions as Go-Ahead only has nett debt of circa £70 Million
I agree with what Tony and Winston have said about Stagecoach. Yes, Manchester has new buses but newish buses tend to be cascaded out and many so-called star fleets operate fleets with quite old MAN/alx300's, dart/alx200's and even step entry vehicles.
Certainly in the North East, yes, Newcastle and Sunderland have new vehicles but much of the Teesside operations seem to be run by S and T reg unrefurbed MAN's which look pretty tired and looking inside, clearly haven't had their seats re-covered in a long time.
Go-Ahead and First seem to be on the up but Stagecoach has a patchier fleet than you might imagine...
And the West Midlands could have ended up with step entrance buses with service numbers on bits of paper in the windscreen. Oh sorry that is what I have just photographed actually happening
Quote from: Tony on June 28, 2014, 03:36:13 PM
And the West Midlands could have ended up with step entrance buses with service numbers on bits of paper in the windscreen. Oh sorry that is what I have just photographed actually happening
Here is said Olympian, Quality?
http://wmbusphotos.com/StagecoachUC/16695.html
If some of the other operators were operating a bus like this they would be called cowboys!
Quote from: Tony on June 28, 2014, 08:20:49 PM
Quote from: Tony on June 28, 2014, 03:36:13 PM
And the West Midlands could have ended up with step entrance buses with service numbers on bits of paper in the windscreen. Oh sorry that is what I have just photographed actually happening
Here is said Olympian, Quality?
http://wmbusphotos.com/StagecoachUC/16695.html
If some of the other operators were operating a bus like this they would be called cowboys!
I'm pretty sure I also saw this bus parked in Pool Meadow on Monday in the same state - if not there was definitely an Olympian with a piece of paper in the windscreen!
Quote from: Tony on June 28, 2014, 08:20:49 PM
Quote from: Tony on June 28, 2014, 03:36:13 PM
And the West Midlands could have ended up with step entrance buses with service numbers on bits of paper in the windscreen. Oh sorry that is what I have just photographed actually happening
Here is said Olympian, Quality?
http://wmbusphotos.com/StagecoachUC/16695.html
If some of the other operators were operating a bus like this they would be called cowboys!
It looked in a sorry state when you photographed it two years' ago in Northampton!!
As for if a First bus looked like this!!
Quote from: DiamondDart on June 28, 2014, 08:41:51 PM
Quote from: Tony on June 28, 2014, 08:20:49 PM
Quote from: Tony on June 28, 2014, 03:36:13 PM
And the West Midlands could have ended up with step entrance buses with service numbers on bits of paper in the windscreen. Oh sorry that is what I have just photographed actually happening
Here is said Olympian, Quality?
http://wmbusphotos.com/StagecoachUC/16695.html
If some of the other operators were operating a bus like this they would be called cowboys!
It looked in a sorry state when you photographed it two years' ago in Northampton!!
As for if a First bus looked like this!!
Surely, they shouldn't have to put buses out in that state on a Sat. At best it should be confined to schools or better still scrapped!
Quote from: Tony on June 28, 2014, 08:20:49 PM
Quote from: Tony on June 28, 2014, 03:36:13 PM
And the West Midlands could have ended up with step entrance buses with service numbers on bits of paper in the windscreen. Oh sorry that is what I have just photographed actually happening
Here is said Olympian, Quality?
http://wmbusphotos.com/StagecoachUC/16695.html
If some of the other operators were operating a bus like this they would be called cowboys!
Arriva have done exactly that in Cannock numerous times Tony! Remember S629 KHN? That didnt have a working blind fir months? There was an mpd the other week on 33s also..
Quote from: Tony on June 28, 2014, 08:20:49 PM
Quote from: Tony on June 28, 2014, 03:36:13 PM
And the West Midlands could have ended up with step entrance buses with service numbers on bits of paper in the windscreen. Oh sorry that is what I have just photographed actually happening
Here is said Olympian, Quality?
http://wmbusphotos.com/StagecoachUC/16695.html
If some of the other operators were operating a bus like this they would be called cowboys!
Leamington & Stratford Garages don't really seem to bother with sorting their blinds out anymore, N809 DNE & N139 AET immediately spring to mind there, with N139 AET actually being caught out by a VOSA inspector in Pool Meadow! They don't seem to bother swapping the old units for newer ones or bother fixing them for ages if they stop working.
Rugby's 22841 spent Wednesday going round on the 63 & 64 routes with "Hong Kong" stuck showing on the blind
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1427320537548504&l=dc07b190aa
Nuneaton once had a case with 34628 showing "448" on the blind on one of the via points, rather than "48" on all the others.
You don't normally tend to see Nuneaton's buses in much of a state as their gaffer is very fleet proud and would blow a gasket if he ended up with some of the other states you see around the country! He just spent £58k getting two Transbus Darts that Northampton claimed were "ready for service" up to a standard where they could actually be used in public! To say that it didn't go down very well was an understatement!
Even 34494's blind was fixed quickly and that was an intermittent fault where half the LEDs would blank as it drove along, presumably a loose connection not helped by the constant vibrations from road movement.
It was recently discovered that Leamington's 57/58 plate Solos are in a worse condition than Nuneaton's 04 plate ones, it has been said that the 04 plates are due for replacement at the end of the year by some new stuff, said to be short Enviro 200s.
Does Centro have any sort of control over fare prices within their borders? Operators in South Yorkshire apparently have to ask Travel South Yorkshire's (SYPTE's) permission before they can raise fares, hence Stagecoach & First being so cheap up there (60 or 70p max Child fare up there).
Quote from: Bob on June 27, 2014, 11:56:21 AM
Uuuuuuuuuurrrrrgh just imagine the west midlands full of stagecoach livery. ...
Buses on the Stratford Road would have looked something like this
http://wmbusphotos.com/Stagecoach/24003.html
(without the third axle, bus Stagecoach Omni single decks are quite a rare breed)
Quote from: Bob on June 29, 2014, 11:14:23 AM
Quote from: Tony on June 28, 2014, 08:20:49 PM
Quote from: Tony on June 28, 2014, 03:36:13 PM
And the West Midlands could have ended up with step entrance buses with service numbers on bits of paper in the windscreen. Oh sorry that is what I have just photographed actually happening
Here is said Olympian, Quality?
http://wmbusphotos.com/StagecoachUC/16695.html
If some of the other operators were operating a bus like this they would be called cowboys!
Arriva have done exactly that in Cannock numerous times Tony! Remember S629 KHN? That didnt have a working blind fir months? There was an mpd the other week on 33s also..
As well as First Wyvern's Enviro 200s when they first arrived
16683 made it to Willenhall last Wednesday with paper card in windscreen too.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/92409298@N06/7zLun2
Quote from: JoNi on July 26, 2014, 07:52:50 AM
16683 made it to Willenhall last Wednesday with paper card in windscreen too.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/92409298@N06/7zLun2
What would happen regarding with fare collection if say Stagecoach began to operate in the West Midlands. Would they continue with the fare box or would they reintroduce change giving which presumably the unions would hit the roof about??
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on July 29, 2014, 09:54:27 PM
Quote from: JoNi on July 26, 2014, 07:52:50 AM
16683 made it to Willenhall last Wednesday with paper card in windscreen too.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/92409298@N06/7zLun2
What would happen regarding with fare collection if say Stagecoach began to operate in the West Midlands. Would they continue with the fare box or would they reintroduce change giving which presumably the unions would hit the roof about??
I would imagine they would stick to the cash vaults as it would be cost too much time, money and effort to remove all the cash vaults, fit cash trays and brackets for the cash tins as well as converting all the assault shields to accommodate the trays, then there's all the drivers having to adjust to the change.
That's not to say that it wouldn't happen, just that it'd just be trillions times easier if they kept it how it is now, and I imagine they would see it the same way, even before all the drivers grab their torches and pitchforks!
Quote from: Ally on July 30, 2014, 01:07:58 AM
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on July 29, 2014, 09:54:27 PM
Quote from: JoNi on July 26, 2014, 07:52:50 AM
16683 made it to Willenhall last Wednesday with paper card in windscreen too.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/92409298@N06/7zLun2
What would happen regarding with fare collection if say Stagecoach began to operate in the West Midlands. Would they continue with the fare box or would they reintroduce change giving which presumably the unions would hit the roof about??
I would imagine they would stick to the cash vaults as it would be cost too much time, money and effort to remove all the cash vaults, fit cash trays and brackets for the cash tins as well as converting all the assault shields to accommodate the trays, then there's all the drivers having to adjust to the change.
That's not to say that it wouldn't happen, just that it'd just be trillions times easier if they kept it how it is now, and I imagine they would see it the same way, even before all the drivers grab their torches and pitchforks!
Also what is now NX WM has always had vaults as my mum remembers in the 60's and early 70's when using buses on the Cov Rd that the NX buses you didnt get change and Midland Red you did. So in my mind why change something that has been that way for so long and shops in some areas are happy to give you change and or cash back in a way to make it easier to use the bus if you're not local.
With Swift NX ought be able to get rid of virtually all cash collection.