Diamond Bus North West

[winston]

DBNW have won a number of awards at today's UK Bus Awards ceremony, pretty impressive turnaround after the initial problems that followed Rotala's acquisition of Bolton Depot from First Group:

Gold Winner - Top City Operator
Silver Winner - UK Bus Operator of the Year
Bronze Winner - Mick Branigan - Engineer of the Year

Also one for Preston Bus:

Silver Winner - Top National Bus Driver - Darren Dalton

https://www.facebook.com/UKBusAwards

[markcf83]

DBNW have won a number of awards at today's UK Bus Awards ceremony, pretty impressive turnaround after the initial problems that followed Rotala's acquisition of Bolton Depot from First Group:

Gold Winner - Top City Operator
Silver Winner - UK Bus Operator of the Year
Bronze Winner - Mick Branigan - Engineer of the Year

Also one for Preston Bus:

Silver Winner - Top National Bus Driver - Darren Dalton

https://www.facebook.com/UKBusAwards

Well done to Simon and all his staff at Bolton. 

[winston]

https://www.passengertransport.co.uk/2022/12/go-ahead-set-for-gm-bus-franchise-success/

[MW]

https://www.passengertransport.co.uk/2022/12/go-ahead-set-for-gm-bus-franchise-success/

What does this mean for Bolton depot, and the large batch of Streetdecks?

[Tony]

What does this mean for Bolton depot, and the large batch of Streetdecks?

Depot and Streetdecks will both be purchased by TfGM and leased to GoAhead

[winston]

Depot and Streetdecks will both be purchased by TfGM and leased to GoAhead

TfGM will only be acquiring the existing depots at the most. But there are no contractural or legal obligations for operators to either sell their depots to TfGM or their vehicles to new the operator. 

Operators will own their own fleets & it's up to the incumbent operator what if anything they want to sell. 

[Rachvince53]

Also Diamond have won some work according to the article and presumably will bid for work for the second and third group of services. It depends upon whether there's enough to make the depot sustainable.  

[WWH44L]

Noticed 33019 is back in service. Doesn't sound too healthy though. Can hear it a mile off hoovering along.   

[Steveminor]

Last year Diamond Bus North West supported a TV series called 'No Place Like Home', One of our vehicles was used to travel along our 471 route for part of the programme. The episode will air on Channel 5 on Wednesday 11th January at 9pm, if you would like to watch.

[Rachvince53]

It has been revealed in the press that Diamond North West are to cease operating a number of commercial services later this spring ahead of the takeover of Bolton depot by Go North West. GfWM has said it will look at whether the services can be subsidised to keep them running until the new franchise starts in September. Diamond have stated its unlikely they will accept a subsidy.

[winston]

It has been revealed in the press that Diamond North West are to cease operating a number of commercial services later this spring ahead of the takeover of Bolton depot by Go North West. GfWM has said it will look at whether the services can be subsidised to keep them running until the new franchise starts in September. Diamond have stated its unlikely they will accept a subsidy.

Services 21, 163, 520, 561, 562 and 575 are proposed to be withdrawn.

Services 8, 36, 37, 524 and 582 will each be reduced from every 12 to every 15 minutes.

[Rachvince53]

Services 21, 163, 520, 561, 562 and 575 are proposed to be withdrawn.

Services 8, 36, 37, 524 and 582 will each be reduced from every 12 to every 15 minutes.

This is despite a pledge by GfWM before the franchises were announced that there would be no changes to services beforehand. 

[winston]

This is despite a pledge by GfWM before the franchises were announced that there would be no changes to services beforehand.

TfGM don't control those services yet, they are still commercial, therefore, operators can still do what they see fit as regards services changes. There's nothing stopping TfGM replacing them with subsidised services, that said how easy it will be to find another operator to provide them for only 5 months is debatable. 

Vision Bus are also withdrawing their 527. 

[Rachvince53]

TfGM don't control those services yet, they are still commercial, therefore, operators can still do what they see fit as regards services changes. There's nothing stopping TfGM replacing them with subsidised services, that said how easy it will be to find another operator to provide them for only 5 months is debatable.

Vision Bus are also withdrawing their 527.

Unless Go North West are prepared to take over those or some of the services early, I agree that it's not going to be easy.  

[winston]

Unless Go North West are prepared to take over those or some of the services early, I agree that it's not going to be easy. 

It also depends when TfGM take ownership of DBNW Bolton Depot