Topics

Reports are that First have acquired York Pullman and plan to run it as they do Ensign as a standalone operation with in the First group family.

I know that acquiring a business is different to investing in a current asset but one would have thought that maybe loving a hub you already own and looking at how you could expand that rather than acquire a new business. But never mind Worcestershire has a county council who'd rather support the car than better public transport.

As some on here know I work for Asda at the Redditch store.

Well I can confirm ASDA have asked Diamond to provide a free bus from the bus station to the bus shelter on Jinnah Road. So far since Monday Signature buses have been used. As far as I know it is every hour and leaves the store at about 5 past the hour and the last bus from the store is 17:05 which seems crackers as we close at 2200 so might want a slight tweak and a higher frequency to get a higher usage.

As some on here maybe aware since September changes in Redditch the service has gotten worse not better. This is in part to the confusing 47/48 route, confusing due to the fact there is a 47 short and 48 short that is only apparent if the display is programmed with the route. Secondly the 47/48 cover near enough the whole town, yes its not a city but it's a large town and we suffer from traffic problems from time to time. The idea is a good idea but in practice it needed the 55H and 56H left as it was coupled with the 47/48.
Diamond also need to improve reliability of the fleet in Redditch and the driver knowledge as people are getting feed up with drivers not knowing where they are going.

Yes the petition sounds a little extreme but when you don't see a bus for 1hr 30 mins have to send a son to first school on his own in a taxi so you can get to work it doesn't sound so extreme. Asda know in all there stores in the West Midlands where Redditch staff are training that Diamond Redditch isn't great. I have been late to work because of Diamond luckily Asda have been ok with it so far, people attending interviews and Magic have been late due to Diamond and Asda have not had a go at those people they have said get here as quickly as you can.

Be aware from the 2nd Feb 2015 there are some changes to fares in Worcestershire that are nothing to do with WCCs Connecta passes.

http://www.diamondbuses.com/news/ChangestoFaresintheWorcestershireArea_316.html

Some are going up some are frozen so look out.
This is for KR & RH mainly.

Dan

So yes the promised 350s to the Cross City are not happening. Nooooo the promise in the gunff was all wasted, the promise of so much by LM and what do we get 323s. Okay we are used to them but they have been on here now a while and why promise 4 car and 6 car trains if we are going to keep the 3 and 6.

I know its sounds as if I'm not happy about anything, don't get me wrong the increase from 30 to 20 mins is great, but the promise of new 4 car trains and not doing it is going to get on the wick of most in the town of Redditch and City of Litchfield. Its bad enough having a Diamond MPD to Brum but LM going back on there word as well, it could back fire.

Those on the Chase route yes I know you too have had the promise 350s but Xcity has had the promise for awhile or more to the point LM have staff who say things out of turn to press and our MP (Redditch's). Now I could be getting ahead of my self, one has done this before and, jumoed the gun and shot my foot. But if phase two of Xcity is Bromsgrove would I be right in thinking that the 350s are due then. My answer to that would be, why send a 350 to Bromsgrove more people live around Redditch the Grove station, people travel to Redditch from Bromsgrove to Brum........

any way rant over for now.

Ok so people can see what routes Diamond operate I thought it might be a good idea to give it a go. I say this as they have been posted but they are all over the shop sorry forum. So these are vaild from today if they change then post below giving the old route number id it changes with the new and if they gain a route add it and if they loose a route then post that too. If you can give the garage it works from it would help us all as Diamond run two 56's one in the West Mids and one in Worcestershire. If I have anything wrong at any of the garages please say and I'll change it.

KR - Kidderminster

2 - Kidderminster to Bark Hill
3 - Kidderminster to Areley Kings and the Walshes
4 - Kidderminster to Ferndale via Franche
4A - Fairfield to Kidderminster
5 - Kidderminster to Puxton Drive via Marlpool Lane
10 - Kidderminster to Spennells via Offmore
133 - Droitwich to Kidderminster
141 - Droitwich to Bromsgrove
292 - Kidderminster to Ludlow
294 - Kidderminster to Worcester via Burlish
295 - Kidderminster to Worcester via Wilden
302 - Brewdley - Worcester 6th Form College
303 - Kidderminster to Worcester
830 - Caunsall - Wolverley High School
831- Wolverley High School - Kidderminster
833 - Chaddesley Corbett - Wolverley School
S006 - Cuntnall Green - Droitwich High School
X3 - Areley Kings to Redditch

RH - Redditch

26 - Stratford upon Avon to Redditch
50 - Redditch to Brockhill
51 - Redditch to Batchley
55 - Redditch to Crabbs Cross
55A -  Redditch to Crabbs Cross via Grangers Lane
55S - Studley Academy & Tudor Grange Academy Redditch to Redditch Bus Station
56 -  Redditch to Oakenshaw
56A -  Redditch to Oakenshaw via Grangers Lane
56S - Redditch Bus Station to Tudor Grange Academy Redditch
57 -  Redditch to Matchbrough via Woodrow
57A - Redditch to Matchbrough via Woodrow & Alexandra Hospital
58 - Redditch to Matchbrough via Churchill & Winyates
58A - Redditch to Matchbourgh via Churchill, Winyates & Alexandra Hospital
60 - Redditch to Matchbourgh via Addeydale & Winyates
61 - Redditch to Matchbourgh East
63 - Redditch to Bentley Close
64 - Redditch to Woodrow North
70 - Redditch to Astwood Bank
70A - Redditch to Imagination Street
142 - Marlbrook to Redditch
143 - Bromsgrove to Studley
145 - Redditch to Longbridge
146 - Birmingham to Redditch
148 - Astwood Bank to Alcester Schools
166 - Worcester to Stratford upon Avon
181 - Blackwell - St. Bede's RC Middle School
182 - Redditch to Lickey
183 - Redditch to Bromsgrove via Barnt Green
182 - Redditch to Alcester Schools
204 - Stratford upon Avon to Alcester Schools
247 - Evesham to Redditch
356 - Grafton Flyford to Worcester via Tibberton
357 - Droitwich to Worcester via Dunhampstead, Himbleton & Tibberton
358 - Droitwich to Worcester via Dunhampstead, Oddingley & Tibberton
551 - Pershore to Worcester
B1 - West Heath to NEW College Bromsgrove
C1 - Rubery to NEW College Redditch
C62 - Southcrest chapel contract
S57 - Washford Mill to St. Augustines RC High School
S69 - Birchfield Road to Ridgeway Middle School via Webheath
S70 - New End - Tudor Grange Academy Redditch
S75 - Greenland to St. Augustines RC High School
S77 - Ridgeway Middle School to Redditch
S91 - Webheath - Tudor Grange Academy Redditch
S93 - Yvonne Road - Tudor Grange Academy Redditch
S94 - Webheath - Tudor Grange Academy Redditch

NEW College is North East Worcestershire College
From 1st April 2014 Kingsley College will be known as Tudor Grange Academy Redditch this is why all services serving Kingsley College now show Tudor Grange Academy Redditch here.

TD - Tividale

002 - Weoley Castle to Merry Hill
4 - Walsall to West Brom
4H - Walsall to Hayley Green
23 - Wednesbury to Portobello
24 - Catshill to Waslsall Wood
26A - Wolverhampton to Stowlawn
33A - Walsall to Brownhills
40 - West Brom to Wednesbury
42A - Tipton to West Brom
42C - West Brom to Tipton
43 - West Brom to Bilston
54 - West Brom to Quinton
55 - Brandhall Interchange to Cape Hill
56 - Birimigham to Brownhills
65 - Woods Estate to Darlaston
67 - Wednesbury to Yew Tree Estate
80 - Moxley to Bilston
81 - WOlverhampton to Merry Hill
99 - Halesowen to Birmingham
122 - Oldbury to Bearwood
124 - Cradley Heath to Dudley
142 - Stourbridge to Halesowen
202 - Halesowen to Bromsgrove
205 - Kingswinford to Blackheath
226 - Merry Hill to Dudley
226W - Merry Hill to West Brom
243 - Dudley to Merry Hill
255 - Wolverhampton to Merry Hill
282 - Merry Hill to Gornal Wood
301 - Walsall to Mossley
303 - County Bridge to Bilston
326 - Bloxwich to Bilston
401E - Walsall to Yew Tree
530 - Wolverhampton to Rocket Pool

LAC & ORD - Long Acre and Oban Road

16 - Birmingham to Hamstead
20, 21, 22 & 23 - Lichfield North Circular
25 - Erdington to Washwood Heath
27 - Maypole to Hawesley
30 - Solihull to Acocks Green
50 - Birmingham to Maypole
53 - Erdington to Smiths Wood
66A - Sutton Coldfield to Star City and Nechells
71 - Solihull to Sutton Coldfield
72 - Birmingham to Clocks Garage
82 - Solihull to Coventry
88 - Solihull to Balsall Common
96 - Acocks Green to Lyndon
98 - Small Heath to Ward End
99 - Acocks Green to Lea Villlage
108 - Birmingham to New Hall
424 - Perry Beeches to Birmingham
600 - Brookvale Park to Erdington
647 - Weoley Castle to Five Ways
650 (34) - Birmingham to Kings Heath
654A - Perry Barr to Hamstead
S2 - Solihull to Dorridge
S3 - Wythall to Hockley Heath
S4 - Solihull to Cheswick Green
S11 - Solihull Circular
S15 - Solihull Circular
X30 - Ansty Park to Coventry City Centre
X31 - Ansty Park to Coventry City Centre

As 05/04/2014 on www.diamondbuses.com

Today as i was heading up to Halesown (northbound) on the M5 near Frankley I saw two First Presidents being towed southboud, does anyone know where they were headed or came from. My guess would be Worcester. No fleet numbers or regs but they are in barbie 3 with First on the side and not blank or Diamond.

Sugar a time would have been helpful, it was around 16:15ish.

In short it would look like that First have been awarded the Hereford to Ross-on-Wye service via Hoarwithy, this service has had many numbers including 37, and now 44/44A. This is not to be confused with the 33 which is the main route from Hereford to Ross-on-Wye via the A49. At present both are run by Stagecoach, but the 44 isnt a popular service as it does seem to follow the old railway route near enough. I only know this from using the service when it was the 37 as my Nan lives on the route. So what buses should they use well solos and the jersey darts personally the J Darts as the are narrow because the lanes get narrow around Hoarwithy.
Just to add the 44A is in direct compertion with the 33. So is this First getting a fire in there belly and if so why can't Diamond!


http://midlandred.net/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl?m-1394197010/

Yes you read that right, Diamond are having a mobile app. Heres some info

"Finally, our new mobile app will be launching soon! Our app allows you to purchase your bus tickets through your mobile phone. Keep an eye out for further details next week!"

Taken from there facebook post

"Diamond Buses
There are lots of changes happening in Redditch next week...

From 23 February, there will be timetable changes on our 57 & 58 services to help improve reliability. We are also launching our 57A and 58A services which will both operate hourly to the Alexandra Hospital, 7 days a week!

The new 57, 57A, 58 & 58A timetable is available to download via our website -


Please be aware that there are a number of fare changes happening from 23 February. Details can also be found on our website.


Finally, our new mobile app will be launching soon! Our app allows you to purchase your bus tickets through your mobile phone. Keep an eye out for further details next week!"

So as its 2014 I thought I'd give a wee update on some of the repaints.

So as far as I know 1 ex FMR Dart is Blue. All the Enviro 300's in Redditch are Blue including the Three ex First as I have seen VX54 MTE in blue in the last few days whilst in Redditch Town Centre it was on the 57, i was out side the Halifax. 1 of the Red Diamond Volvos is in Silver, and is unlikely to go back to Red and will in time I'm sure be painted Blue. And buses that where in storage ie Darts from Long Acre are to being Painted blue for roles in Redditch and Kidderminster.
As 2014 goes on I am sure all Ex First buses will be blue, buy this time next year I would think most of the Red Diamond Liveried Buses will also be blue and some of the Black Diamond Fleet too.

To me it looks like it. They have already got rid of Evesham Garage, now alotments, then this year both Kidderminster (KR) and Redditch (RH), which only left First with Worcester (WR) and Hereford (HD). Now in the run up to sale First changed the ticket machines in Worcester and Hereford, leaving RH and KR on the older Wyvern Machines and at the same time WCCFS (Worcestershire County Council Fleet Services aka Whoosh) also changed there ticket machines. Now after looking at photos on here a similar pattern is forming, Leicester and Potteries are repainting buses MRW are not there are only a few in New colours and they have been delivered new and only one old Solo has had a repaint.

Like I said I think it is pretty likely First are going to get rid of WR and HD together but, 1 Stagecoach can have Worcester with no problems Hereford it could course a few problems as Stagecoach Gloucester Wyre & Dean and Wales run into Hereford. 2 NX would have no problems at all, but would they want half a network? 3 Whoosh, unlikely but still could if county wanted to. 4 Rotala the most likey to want to buy MRW to go with the other half they already have. 5 EYMS now silly as it sounds it could help Whittles. 6 Arriva now with them running Trains Wales and Hereford Railway Station in there control it could work for them. 7 Go-Ahead they have been around here before and may want to have a go again.

But who ever buys MRW will have to spend money and a fair bit as they didnt want to sell to many of the RH fleet to Diamond so are they going to do the same again, most proberly yes. Will it happen in 2014? If the right offer is made yes, will it be March no its more likely going to June/July time or even September.

And lastly does First have a reason to sell MRW yes, First Midland Red West worked as Four depots due to the fact that they were linked by routes. 143/144/145/146/247/551/550/ linked Redditch with Worcester and Kidderminster then on to Hereford. Since the sale of RH and KR the amount of people using linking routes has dropped ie 144/550/551 as if you fail to get the right ticket you can run the risk of paying £12. First where slow they should have seen if WCC would have aloud them to take on the 350 as this would have given them people traveling from Redditch to Worcester, or even going on a commercial basis thus giving them this market.

Ok so after this essay my point may have gotten lost, but I do think by 2015 FMRW and MRW will be lost for ever.

As some people may know the New 63 plate Streetlites have entered service in Redditch today on routes 51/55(A)/56(A) one on each route. I must say they do look good and if the road surface is smooth (a rare thing in Redditch) the ride is good, but as the roads (Plymouth Road) they become bouncy. I problem I did have was some of the seats as I'm 6ft 1inch with long thighs it was crampt but then in other parts of the bus it was fine. One other downside was the lack of opening windows, this will be more of a problem in the summer as personal hygine of some Reddonians lacks and a bus can get hot.
But that is in the future and for now they are good and they work well, they look better than the dinky darts and would also be good on the 61 and the 70(A) but anything longer then I think they would become more uncomfortable. But all I can say is keep up with new buses and introducing all your plans as it will rake in the money.

They have a start date for Redditch and a timetable that will mean Diamond wont need to worry to much.

http://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/chym/FileHandlers/BusServiceTimetable.pdf?ID=1673

Not sure where they are going to lunch from 12:12 to 12:45 tho as they cant stay in the bus Station and plus they are going to take 27 minutes to do a round hmm, Diamond take 30 Minutes so either theres speeding or fudging. Either way I'll stick to Diamond as im sure £1.50 would be slightly unbeatable to say the least too.

http://coachandbusmarket.com/dealers/arriva-buses/

I know ive posted this elsewhere but this is clearer on what Rotala need to buy from them. As the topic surgests I think they should buy the Centros and pulsars off arriva and the Temsa Avenue to replace some of the short wheel based darts and solos. now most of these need to come to the midlands for one reason the midland fleet is a large fleet with knackered buses and needs more money spent on it to get passangers back.
The TAs would be good for Kidder as they need some larger buses for the 300 303 292 also the centro would be good for tividale.

Diamond users will be aware that there week passes no longer come in wallets due to the rise in cost from the surpplier so they surrgest using your wallet if it has a clear panel, condom wallets or a clear card holder.

Does any one know what has happened to this fine MRW Bus?
I know she was bought from First and was in 2008 out and about but that is some time ago (5 years). I did hear the rumour she was to go back into the MRW Cream Red and Black Livery but there seems to be nothing about her any where.

Yes thats right TPE (Trans Pennie Express) are using LM (London Midland) Class 350 units to train there drivers. Now when I read this I was shocked, for the simple reason LM don't really have the trains to do that surely? and if they do why have routes been upgraded to 350s.
Now after reading this in Rail it made sense why some of the Cross City Line 323s have lost the City on the side. That got me thinking that the 323s may be going to cover some of the 350s while they are away with TPE.

Well the OFT have ruled that Euro Tunnel can no longer run the ferries for MyFerryLink as they would "have a to large a market Share" but the French have ruled the ferries can not be sold till 2017 at the earliest.
So this begs the question what the heck are the OFT going to do.
I say this as it has to be sorted by the end of the month due to the fact there are non DDA single decker buses and to make sure a new operator or Diamond can get buses to replace them the oft need to get a move on. Personally I don't care who runs what as before Petes Travel the only operator for years was Midland Red West and the town did well. Any way enough of my grumbles.

I hope the window got shut or he was only cleaning the wheels as I wouldn't have wanted to drive it after lol

http://wmbusphotos.com/stagecoachMR/34822.html

Is it me or does some of Stagecoach's fleet seem alittle out dated. I say this as there are 04 plates and 06 plates with out fold out ramps. I thought they were standard after 2000 or have a I missed something major?

Answers on a post card lol