I have seen 5 of Joe's Travel vehicles on the Outer Circle this week in Bearwood, Harborne and Dudley Road. 3 of them were empty, the other 2 had either 1 or 3 passengers on them. Is anybody actually using their buses?
It's the same on the 75/79 holding up the traffic flow!!!
Also usually 3 buses parked up in the lay-by
Near WBA ground at lunchtime
Quote from: Paul on June 07, 2012, 07:40:53 PM
It's the same on the 75/79 holding up the traffic flow!!!
Also usually 3 buses parked up in the lay-by
Near WBA ground at lunchtime
I would have thought that they're trying to get a bit more business on the 11, and will eventually withdraw the 75 and work on the 11. Think about it this way, there aren't any emission rules on the 11 as it doesn't enter the city :)
How come Joes Travel dont use West Brom bus station and drop off on the high street by St Michaels Church i guess its to do with centro
Quote from: thetruth on June 07, 2012, 08:03:34 PM
They don't want to pay the fees for using the bus station.
Towards Wednesbury they drop off on the ringway outside the metro stop which is of questionable safety.
No wonder they have been quoted in having low passenger usage as surely West Brom bus station is going to be where you pick up the majority of passengers
How frequently do they operate the 11 bcos I like those marshall darts they run on the route..
Quote from: Peter123 on June 07, 2012, 09:14:09 PM
How frequently do they operate the 11 bcos I like those marshall darts they run on the route..
I think that it is something like every 40 minutes.
Quote from: John-s-91 on June 07, 2012, 09:15:48 PM
Quote from: Peter123 on June 07, 2012, 09:14:09 PM
How frequently do they operate the 11 bcos I like those marshall darts they run on the route..
I think that it is something like every 40 minutes.
Yesterday I was in Acocks Green and saw one going clockwise, and about 10 minutes later, another one went by. The first one I saw from the front, and the second one I saw whilst in a shop. I don't know what happened there, or if they're timetabled like that.
Quote from: Ash on June 07, 2012, 08:06:51 PM
Quote from: thetruth on June 07, 2012, 08:03:34 PM
They don't want to pay the fees for using the bus station.
Towards Wednesbury they drop off on the ringway outside the metro stop which is of questionable safety.
No wonder they have been quoted in having low passenger usage as surely West Brom bus station is going to be where you pick up the majority of passengers
It's going to get even worse for them when the emission rules kick in and they can't even enter birmingham
There timetable seems odd as they seem to run all over the place but mostly around every 30 minutes with breaks in between. I don't use this operator except when it was the first 11 Bus to turn up so I got on it and there was only one other passenger but it was a speedy little Dart and even overtook two busy NXWM 11C'S which was great as it got to my destination quickly.
Quote from: thetruth on June 07, 2012, 08:09:46 PM
I suppose they've done an analysis of the money gained from not serving the bus station compared to the money lost from the extra passengers they could potentially pick up from the bus station.
Doubt it! ;D
They seem to run to there own timetable, whenever I've seen them... which usually just so happens to be whenever they notice a gap in the NXWM service... :o
Quote from: nx4737 on June 09, 2012, 03:57:44 AM
Quote from: thetruth on June 07, 2012, 08:09:46 PM
I suppose they've done an analysis of the money gained from not serving the bus station compared to the money lost from the extra passengers they could potentially pick up from the bus station.
Doubt it! ;D
They seem to run to there own timetable, whenever I've seen them... which usually just so happens to be whenever they notice a gap in the NXWM service... :o
They might as well run to their own timetable. No-one's gonna wait 40 minutes for a number 11
Quote from: 4504 on June 07, 2012, 10:25:17 PM
Quote from: Ash on June 07, 2012, 08:06:51 PM
Quote from: thetruth on June 07, 2012, 08:03:34 PM
They don't want to pay the fees for using the bus station.
Towards Wednesbury they drop off on the ringway outside the metro stop which is of questionable safety.
No wonder they have been quoted in having low passenger usage as surely West Brom bus station is going to be where you pick up the majority of passengers
It's going to get even worse for them when the emission rules kick in and they can't even enter birmingham
I imagine they might place all the buses on the outercricle.
http://jcp.jobhits.co.uk/MECHANIC-PCV-DRIVER-id-BIH-33763
mm interesting
Whoever got that job needs some retraining I think! For the whole year so far one of the pointers has had a broken headlight, hardly any of the stopping lights work on the buses, M216 YKD has a speedo that doesn't work or move at all and I saw a Marshall broken down in Selly Oak earlier this week... ???
I have only ridden Joe's Travel on the Outer Circle once, it was M810 GFT or something like that, and I would have to say it is the most boring bus I have ever ridden!
I think they have about 1 interesting dart, the rest are generally boring! It doesn't help they never seem to thrash them, normally the competitors are the first to thrash the buses!
Quote from: trident4370 on June 29, 2013, 01:07:35 AM
I think they have about 1 interesting dart, the rest are generally boring! It doesn't help they never seem to thrash them, normally the competitors are the first to thrash the buses!
Yes, it's usually the small operators with the more 'fun' drivers but mine was a 'crawler' driver (as I call them) ;)
Quote from: nitromatt1 on June 29, 2013, 09:10:59 AM
Quote from: trident4370 on June 29, 2013, 01:07:35 AM
I think they have about 1 interesting dart, the rest are generally boring! It doesn't help they never seem to thrash them, normally the competitors are the first to thrash the buses!
Yes, it's usually the small operators with the more 'fun' drivers but mine was a 'crawler' driver (as I call them) ;)
The old white guy takes his old time :) but however got there faster than NXWM but the bus noise is so boring :P
I found this at AMPM due to the speed & layover points of NX if you go at a reasonable pace you just end up catching up with the bus in front & carrying very few passengers. I slowed the timetable right down & used to instruct drivers to go round the route slowly, it appeared the slower the driver the higher the takings. Does make for a really boring journey though no matter what bus your on.
I seem to remember a NXWM driver on the then 451 mention to someone that each driver's taking are recorded or something?
Back then they never used to be two 451's together, if the bus stops had nobody waiting they would park up for a few minutes. Now though they seem to always run in pairs
Quote from: vinh1000 on June 29, 2013, 09:45:40 AM
Quote from: nitromatt1 on June 29, 2013, 09:10:59 AM
Quote from: trident4370 on June 29, 2013, 01:07:35 AM
I think they have about 1 interesting dart, the rest are generally boring! It doesn't help they never seem to thrash them, normally the competitors are the first to thrash the buses!
Yes, it's usually the small operators with the more 'fun' drivers but mine was a 'crawler' driver (as I call them) ;)
The old white guy takes his old time :) but however got there faster than NXWM but the bus noise is so boring :P
Yes exactly! Were you a fly on the wall? ;D I did my regular journey between Bearwood and Winson Green in record time despite a slow driver, although the fact that it was an 11E to the Soho Road may have helped
Quote from: vinh1000 on June 29, 2013, 09:45:40 AM
Quote from: nitromatt1 on June 29, 2013, 09:10:59 AM
Quote from: trident4370 on June 29, 2013, 01:07:35 AM
I think they have about 1 interesting dart, the rest are generally boring! It doesn't help they never seem to thrash them, normally the competitors are the first to thrash the buses!
Yes, it's usually the small operators with the more 'fun' drivers but mine was a 'crawler' driver (as I call them) ;)
The old white guy takes his old time :) but however got there faster than NXWM but the bus noise is so boring :P
Nice chap he is
If that's the guy I think it is then he is nice, he used to drive one of the evening departures from Kings Heath (probably still does) and always waits for anyone!
Quote from: trident4370 on July 01, 2013, 09:59:27 PM
If that's the guy I think it is then he is nice, he used to drive one of the evening departures from Kings Heath (probably still does) and always waits for anyone!
I agree to this
Really nice as well since I use the service there and then
I've noticed this company has merry hill on their blinds, did they ever used to go there???
Quote from: Dylan4579 on October 19, 2013, 02:41:52 PM
I've noticed this company has merry hill on their blinds, did they ever used to go there???
Nope, unless the blinds are ex diamond as some of the darts are from diamond
they now have a new bus fitted with LED blinds
T201 AFM I believe it used to be owned by GRS?
Quote from: Lukeee on October 20, 2013, 07:45:01 PM
Quote from: Dylan4579 on October 19, 2013, 02:41:52 PM
I've noticed this company has merry hill on their blinds, did they ever used to go there???
Nope, unless the blinds are ex diamond as some of the darts are from diamond
No it was a dart from the south somewhere
Quote from: OH25 on November 07, 2013, 07:09:55 PM
they now have a new bus fitted with LED blinds
T201 AFM I believe it used to be owned by GRS?
Might just be a loan, can't see Mr G parting with his newest buses already?
Quote from: trident4370 on November 07, 2013, 08:36:45 PM
Quote from: OH25 on November 07, 2013, 07:09:55 PM
they now have a new bus fitted with LED blinds
T201 AFM I believe it used to be owned by GRS?
Might just be a loan, can't see Mr G parting with his newest buses already?
Joes and GRS now share the same garage
Rode one of these on the 11 on Tuesday when there was a gap in NXWM's 11. Actually preferred it! It was pretty busy compared to the odd one or two, probably about 16 onboard, but due to the NXWM bus passes quite a lot of people didn't get on meaning a fairly gentle, relaxing trip. I like the fact the bus (plaxton pointer) had a decorated front cab with red "curtains."
Quote from: Tony on November 07, 2013, 08:41:00 PM
Joes and GRS now share the same garage
That explains that!
Quote from: Liberator9 on November 07, 2013, 09:33:12 PM
Rode one of these on the 11 on Tuesday when there was a gap in NXWM's 11. Actually preferred it! It was pretty busy compared to the odd one or two, probably about 16 onboard, but due to the NXWM bus passes quite a lot of people didn't get on meaning a fairly gentle, relaxing trip. I like the fact the bus (plaxton pointer) had a decorated front cab with red "curtains."
They do do surprisingly well when the NXWM 11s arent late or early. That pointer is I think the old guys bus? He has a clock and bin on there too if it's the one I'm thinking of.
Thats the one; nice guy the driver very friendly, patient and a careful driver.
Yeah he is actually pretty good!
Their 75E whenever I've tried to catch it never turns up!
Quote from: the trainbasher on November 14, 2013, 11:38:13 PM
Their 75E whenever I've tried to catch it never turns up!
It stopped ages ago ;)
Quote from: Dylan4579 on November 19, 2013, 08:43:46 PM
Quote from: the trainbasher on November 14, 2013, 11:38:13 PM
Their 75E whenever I've tried to catch it never turns up!
It stopped ages ago ;)
The one that is advertised on bus stops that the 11 comes off?
Quote from: Dylan4579 on November 19, 2013, 08:43:46 PM
Quote from: the trainbasher on November 14, 2013, 11:38:13 PM
Their 75E whenever I've tried to catch it never turns up!
It stopped ages ago ;)
Still runs, 5 morning journeys from Bilston to Handsworth & 5 return journeys on the evening.
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on November 19, 2013, 09:07:55 PM
Quote from: Dylan4579 on November 19, 2013, 08:43:46 PM
Quote from: the trainbasher on November 14, 2013, 11:38:13 PM
Their 75E whenever I've tried to catch it never turns up!
It stopped ages ago ;)
Still runs, 5 morning journeys from Bilston to Handsworth & 5 return journeys on the evening.
I passed 3 Joe's Darts out of service displaying 11E Soho Road between Darlaston and Carters Green on Monday evening between 6p.m. and 6.20 p.m. There's 3 not running back as 75E
T201 AFM on the 11C again today.
Quote from: trident4370 on November 26, 2013, 09:22:14 PM
T201 AFM on the 11C again today.
Been on the 11A/C most days, was also on the 11A today
Fair enough I have seen nothing but step darts for the last 2 weeks so wasn't aware :P
wonder if Joe's travel is lending /trying it out it pending buying some marshall low floor
Saw it today with blinds working saying not in service when it was with number 11 on paper
Saw 201 again today on an 11E duty, noticed they'd spelt it as "Accocks green"...
I've used them before, those darts are pretty nippy, got from Bearwood to Harborne in 10 mins on one before
Quote from: Sh4166 on November 30, 2013, 01:02:51 AM
I've used them before, those darts are pretty nippy, got from Bearwood to Harborne in 10 mins on one before
Bearwood to Harborne takes 4-5 minutes with NX
Quote from: nitromatt1 on November 30, 2013, 09:34:45 AM
Quote from: Sh4166 on November 30, 2013, 01:02:51 AM
I've used them before, those darts are pretty nippy, got from Bearwood to Harborne in 10 mins on one before
Bearwood to Harborne takes 4-5 minutes with NX
It actually takes 10 minutes (from the stops I was using) and the timetable probably doesn't even take Bearwood/Anderson road traffic into account
Quote from: nitromatt1 on November 30, 2013, 09:34:45 AM
Quote from: Sh4166 on November 30, 2013, 01:02:51 AM
I've used them before, those darts are pretty nippy, got from Bearwood to Harborne in 10 mins on one before
Bearwood to Harborne takes 4-5 minutes with NX
Yes, if there's no traffic and the bus doesn't stop! ;)
I remember before looking at a printed timetable at an 11 stop in Bearwood, and where it shows the approximate journey times (based on the 1st journey of the day of course!), it showed that it was 5 minutes to get to Selly Oak! ;D
Its never took me 10 minutes on nx :/
Wonder how long before Joe's Travel have
low floor buses as most firms now have
low floor
An empty Joe's Travel on the 11A turned around in Harborne to pick up passengers on Green Lane waiting for an 11C to Bearwood, about an hour ago... And it was still a quicker journey than NX ;D
Quote from: Sh4166 on December 11, 2013, 04:36:56 PM
An empty Joe's Travel on the 11A turned around in Harborne to pick up passengers on Green Lane waiting for an 11C to Bearwood, about an hour ago... And it was still a quicker journey than NX ;D
Surely that shouldn't be allowed, a bus can't just leave the route its on to pick passengers up of another route. If every company started to do that we would have chaos.
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on December 11, 2013, 08:54:07 PM
Quote from: Sh4166 on December 11, 2013, 04:36:56 PM
An empty Joe's Travel on the 11A turned around in Harborne to pick up passengers on Green Lane waiting for an 11C to Bearwood, about an hour ago... And it was still a quicker journey than NX ;D
Surely that shouldn't be allowed, a bus can't just leave the route its on to pick passengers up of another route. If every company started to do that we would have chaos.
Makes money though... And those passengers had a shorter wait...
Quote from: DiamondDart on December 11, 2013, 08:56:20 PM
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on December 11, 2013, 08:54:07 PM
Quote from: Sh4166 on December 11, 2013, 04:36:56 PM
An empty Joe's Travel on the 11A turned around in Harborne to pick up passengers on Green Lane waiting for an 11C to Bearwood, about an hour ago... And it was still a quicker journey than NX ;D
Surely that shouldn't be allowed, a bus can't just leave the route its on to pick passengers up of another route. If every company started to do that we would have chaos.
Makes money though... And those passengers had a shorter wait...
True and does another operator out of money
Quote from: DiamondDart on December 11, 2013, 08:56:20 PM
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on December 11, 2013, 08:54:07 PM
Quote from: Sh4166 on December 11, 2013, 04:36:56 PM
An empty Joe's Travel on the 11A turned around in Harborne to pick up passengers on Green Lane waiting for an 11C to Bearwood, about an hour ago... And it was still a quicker journey than NX ;D
Surely that shouldn't be allowed, a bus can't just leave the route its on to pick passengers up of another route. If every company started to do that we would have chaos.
Makes money though... And those passengers had a shorter wait...
Maybe the TC will take a different stance!
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on December 11, 2013, 08:57:30 PM
Quote from: DiamondDart on December 11, 2013, 08:56:20 PM
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on December 11, 2013, 08:54:07 PM
Quote from: Sh4166 on December 11, 2013, 04:36:56 PM
An empty Joe's Travel on the 11A turned around in Harborne to pick up passengers on Green Lane waiting for an 11C to Bearwood, about an hour ago... And it was still a quicker journey than NX ;D
Surely that shouldn't be allowed, a bus can't just leave the route its on to pick passengers up of another route. If every company started to do that we would have chaos.
Makes money though... And those passengers had a shorter wait...
True and does another operator out of money
Think the "other" company in question do well enough as it is with their turnover figures...
And to be fair, LS how can any operator hope to compete successfully within the rules?
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on December 11, 2013, 08:54:07 PM
Quote from: Sh4166 on December 11, 2013, 04:36:56 PM
An empty Joe's Travel on the 11A turned around in Harborne to pick up passengers on Green Lane waiting for an 11C to Bearwood, about an hour ago... And it was still a quicker journey than NX ;D
Surely that shouldn't be allowed, a bus can't just leave the route its on to pick passengers up of another route. If every company started to do that we would have chaos.
Probably not, I wasn't complaining though ::). I had been previously waiting for an NX 11, for about 20 minutes, only for 3 to turn up at once when I got off the Joe's Travel dart in Bearwood
Really want to do a full outer circle on a joes dart as haven't been on one in years. Is it Joes/Sunny/Travel Express that are the only companies still with them in the west midlands? Sorry probably wrong topic but didn't know where to post this as I'd quite like to know...
You'll have to be quick with sunny &express they're going fast
Quote from: Sh4166 on December 11, 2013, 11:39:22 PM
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on December 11, 2013, 08:54:07 PM
Quote from: Sh4166 on December 11, 2013, 04:36:56 PM
An empty Joe's Travel on the 11A turned around in Harborne to pick up passengers on Green Lane waiting for an 11C to Bearwood, about an hour ago... And it was still a quicker journey than NX ;D
Surely that shouldn't be allowed, a bus can't just leave the route its on to pick passengers up of another route. If every company started to do that we would have chaos.
Probably not, I wasn't complaining though ::). I had been previously waiting for an NX 11, for about 20 minutes, only for 3 to turn up at once when I got off the Joe's Travel dart in Bearwood
If I were Joe's I would just run a shuttle service between the main points around the circle, say 1 bus non stop between Harborne and Bearwood for example as that's the main time I use them
Quote from: wilmotm (Matt Wilmot) on December 12, 2013, 12:42:38 PM
Quote from: Sh4166 on December 11, 2013, 11:39:22 PM
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on December 11, 2013, 08:54:07 PM
Quote from: Sh4166 on December 11, 2013, 04:36:56 PM
An empty Joe's Travel on the 11A turned around in Harborne to pick up passengers on Green Lane waiting for an 11C to Bearwood, about an hour ago... And it was still a quicker journey than NX ;D
Surely that shouldn't be allowed, a bus can't just leave the route its on to pick passengers up of another route. If every company started to do that we would have chaos.
Probably not, I wasn't complaining though ::) . I had been previously waiting for an NX 11, for about 20 minutes, only for 3 to turn up at once when I got off the Joe's Travel dart in Bearwood
If I were Joe's I would just run a shuttle service between the main points around the circle, say 1 bus non stop between Harborne and Bearwood for example as that's the main time I use them
That is usually the case whenever I use Joe's ;)
When did Joe's travel buy the GRS marshall dart???
Quote from: Dylan4579 on December 15, 2013, 07:32:25 PM
When did Joe's travel buy the GRS marshall dart???
Not sure, but Mr GRS confirmed he had sold it to Joes when I spoke to him earlier this week
Quote from: Tony on December 15, 2013, 07:35:43 PM
Quote from: Dylan4579 on December 15, 2013, 07:32:25 PM
When did Joe's travel buy the GRS marshall dart???
Not sure, but Mr GRS confirmed he had sold it to Joes when I spoke to him earlier this week
Has he bought both of them
Quote from: Lukeee on December 15, 2013, 09:08:44 PM
Quote from: Tony on December 15, 2013, 07:35:43 PM
Quote from: Dylan4579 on December 15, 2013, 07:32:25 PM
When did Joe's travel buy the GRS marshall dart???
Not sure, but Mr GRS confirmed he had sold it to Joes when I spoke to him earlier this week
Has he bought both of them
Seen T202 out on 16 earlier this week so dont look like it
It looks like the blinds still work so wonders why they dont use em on 16
Joes have another low floor dart out on the 11 today. I think it was ex Diamond R404FFC, but not 100% on the registration
Quote from: Tony on December 16, 2013, 07:55:28 PM
Joes have another low floor dart out on the 11 today. I think it was ex Diamond R404FFC, but not 100% on the registration
Was it still in red diamond livery out of interest or was it the white one? Glad they have bought it as they're my favourite batch of buses...
It is likely to be R404FFC as that was with little gem manchester who leased it and then they folded so it is likely to have returned along with R530YRP to the west midlands
Quote from: DiamondDart on December 16, 2013, 08:19:00 PM
It is likely to be R404FFC as that was with little gem manchester who leased it and then they folded so it is likely to have returned along with R530YRP to the west midlands
Yes, that's the one, still had little gem on the side, in Diamond livery, definately an FFC
Quote from: Tony on December 16, 2013, 08:34:53 PM
Quote from: DiamondDart on December 16, 2013, 08:19:00 PM
It is likely to be R404FFC as that was with little gem manchester who leased it and then they folded so it is likely to have returned along with R530YRP to the west midlands
Yes, that's the one, still had little gem on the side, in Diamond livery, definately an FFC
Know its off topic but little gem was a really interesting company that started but seemed to fold without trace. I assumed it would be this one as the others have been off the road ages now... Hopefully Joe's buy R530YRP as well as that's a brilliant bus as well
It's a pity they don't operate a more frequent service, still it will be nice having Proper darts on my route now, always loved the crusaders at Diamond! The ex Brighton and Hove ones are knackered.
Quote from: trident4370 on December 16, 2013, 09:23:30 PM
It's a pity they don't operate a more frequent service, still it will be nice having Proper darts on my route now! The ex Brighton and Hove ones are knackered.
Like GRS and travel express, Joe's are upping their quality; good luck to them I say-competing on the 11 is definitely brave
tbh They do alright on the 11.
Quote from: trident4370 on December 16, 2013, 09:23:30 PM
It's a pity they don't operate a more frequent service, still it will be nice having Proper darts on my route now! The ex Brighton and Hove ones are knackered.
I'm quite a fan of those darts, not the best. But they're quite nippy :) - albeit this is helped by the amount of people waiting at bus stops with NXWM bus passes/daysavers ;)
Quote from: trident4370 on December 16, 2013, 10:03:09 PM
tbh They do alright on the 11.
I'm glad and looking forward to going on them tomorrow!
Quote from: Sh4166 on December 16, 2013, 10:12:17 PM
I'm quite a fan of those darts, not the best. But they're quite nippy :) - albeit this is helped by the amount of people waiting at bus stops with NXWM bus passes/daysavers ;)
One of the Pointers is quite good, but most are just bags of nails :P I guess it depends on the driver as much as the vehicle to be fair, but they are tired inside and out though!
Quote from: Tony on December 16, 2013, 08:34:53 PM
Quote from: DiamondDart on December 16, 2013, 08:19:00 PM
It is likely to be R404FFC as that was with little gem manchester who leased it and then they folded so it is likely to have returned along with R530YRP to the west midlands
Yes, that's the one, still had little gem on the side, in Diamond livery, definately an FFC
Saw it today, and I can confirm it was R404FFC, in Little Gem livery.
While I was waiting for the NXWM 11A to go to Stechford, a Joes 11 turned up a few minutes before, and picked up a nice loading, even if most were OAPs.
Quote from: Stu on December 19, 2013, 03:33:27 PM
Quote from: Tony on December 16, 2013, 08:34:53 PM
Quote from: DiamondDart on December 16, 2013, 08:19:00 PM
It is likely to be R404FFC as that was with little gem manchester who leased it and then they folded so it is likely to have returned along with R530YRP to the west midlands
Yes, that's the one, still had little gem on the side, in Diamond livery, definately an FFC
Saw it today, and I can confirm it was R404FFC, in Little Gem livery.
While I was waiting for the NXWM 11A to go to Stechford, a Joes 11 turned up a few minutes before, and picked up a nice loading, even if most were OAPs.
Isn't that where most of their income comes from? Concessionary cards etc
Quote from: Liverpool Street on December 19, 2013, 03:47:09 PM
Isn't that where most of their income comes from? Concessionary cards etc
Quite possibly, but at least they're picking up passengers. Saw another one earlier while waiting for the 37 to Solihull, displaying 11E Soho Road, and that was quite full.
For someone like me, who only has an NXWM Faresaver, means the next 11 is less likely to be ram packed! ;D
They were doing well on there today that's for sure. R404FFC was on there-nice to get on an ex diamond short crusader again to be honest. Full from kings heath to bournville with a lot of oaps but with some cashpayers. One question though for Tony or someone else knowledgable about this: can an operator charge £3.90 for an nbus? The driver was extremely polite, helpful and friendly and I think the low floor darts could help them enormously on there.
Quote from: DiamondDart on December 19, 2013, 08:17:59 PM
They were doing well on there today that's for sure. R404FFC was on there-nice to get on an ex diamond short crusader again to be honest. Full from kings heath to bournville with a lot of oaps but with some cashpayers. One question though for Tony or someone else knowledgable about this: can an operator charge £3.90 for an nbus? The driver was extremely polite, helpful and friendly and I think the low floor darts could help them enormously on there.
He will still have to pay Centro the going rate, not sure how much commission there is on selling these at the moment
Quote from: Tony on December 19, 2013, 08:34:56 PM
Quote from: DiamondDart on December 19, 2013, 08:17:59 PM
They were doing well on there today that's for sure. R404FFC was on there-nice to get on an ex diamond short crusader again to be honest. Full from kings heath to bournville with a lot of oaps but with some cashpayers. One question though for Tony or someone else knowledgable about this: can an operator charge £3.90 for an nbus? The driver was extremely polite, helpful and friendly and I think the low floor darts could help them enormously on there.
He will still have to pay Centro the going rate, not sure how much commission there is on selling these at the moment
That's interesting so they would just be lowering their commission as opposed to anything else. To be fair, this person got on and wanted a daysaver and so was going to get off and then the driver said he could do an anybus ticket for the same price. Tbh joe's seem a good company and I really enjoyed today's trip on one of their buses. It's nice to see someone trying out a route that isn't a traditional target for competition eg 50, 16, 17, 97, 94, 63 etc
Quote from: Tony on December 19, 2013, 08:34:56 PM
Quote from: DiamondDart on December 19, 2013, 08:17:59 PM
They were doing well on there today that's for sure. R404FFC was on there-nice to get on an ex diamond short crusader again to be honest. Full from kings heath to bournville with a lot of oaps but with some cashpayers. One question though for Tony or someone else knowledgable about this: can an operator charge £3.90 for an nbus? The driver was extremely polite, helpful and friendly and I think the low floor darts could help them enormously on there.
He will still have to pay Centro the going rate, not sure how much commission there is on selling these at the moment
Wasn't that what AMPM were supposedly doing?
Quote from: DiamondDart on December 19, 2013, 08:17:59 PM
They were doing well on there today that's for sure. R404FFC was on there-nice to get on an ex diamond short crusader again to be honest. Full from kings heath to bournville with a lot of oaps but with some cashpayers. One question though for Tony or someone else knowledgable about this: can an operator charge £3.90 for an nbus? The driver was extremely polite, helpful and friendly and I think the low floor darts could help them enormously on there.
This should cause a problem because the driver's cash and the total amount registered from ticket sales won't tally, unless driver's are actively told to do this and assuming such checks are in place.
I was meant to post this a few days back
I saw two of their buses together both were in service at about 8am in Bearwood
very off timing ???
Quote from: OH25 on January 15, 2014, 06:46:05 PM
I was meant to post this a few days back
I saw two of their buses together both were in service at about 8am in Bearwood
very off timing ???
On a service like the 11 there will always be bunching-NX do it and run as 11E's to get things back on track.
This has been going on for years-BaMMOT recreated famous outer circle bunching with standards in October. It was happening then and is happening now and unfortunately the effect is heightened for a smaller company without expensive AVL equipment.
I have seen three together before now although one did turn around randomly and start the reverse journey, while the other 2 carried on to Acocks Green. Rare but it does happen, I've also seen 2 turn up at the King Edward School together before now at 3:20, 11s were all held up hence the grouping, there hadn't been an NX for ages and both darts left with standing loads!
Joe's Travel has a repair van
SJ03 LUD
it was dealing with a bus on City Road the other day
Latest fleet additions
Dennis Dart SLF/Alexander ALX200 R612SWO
Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer MPD V390HGG
PD1080270/1 - JOE'S TRAVEL LTD, 5 LAVENDER CLOSE, WALSALL, WS5 4ST
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Bilston, Oxford Street and Birmingham given service number 75E effective from 28-May-2014.
It's never come whenever I've waited for it.
I understand from an ex-Joe's driver, driving for GRS today on the 246 that Joe's has ceased to operate because they were not making money on the 11 but are planning a comeback on some other route/s.
Asuming they must of come off it then very recently, saw 1 on there last week, mind you they were never to busy on there
If they were doing as badly as they say, who paid for the low floor darts... The loadings I saw daily were respectable, perhaps if they hadn't been undercutting themselves on the Nbus tickets!
Quote from: trident4370 on April 14, 2014, 10:13:13 PM
If they were doing as badly as they say, who paid for the low floor darts... The loadings I saw daily were respectable, perhaps if they hadn't been undercutting themselves on the Nbus tickets!
I think one of the low floor darts came from GRS so might return to them, the loadings did seem to vary although it was mostly pensioners
Buses up for sale, obviously not going to be a "comeback" at this stage.
http://coachandbusmarket.com/ads/bargain-dennis-marshall/
Thought they might of sold them back to GRS travel (well, at least the Marshall and possibly the Wrights dart)
Quote from: Lukeee on May 02, 2014, 11:16:58 PM
Thought they might of sold them back to GRS travel (well, at least the Marshall and possibly the Wrights dart)
Yeah same Luke-I thought exactly the same, especially given as GRS are said to soon be expanding...
The thing is, the Marshall dart really isn't even cheap.
GRS have now acquired V390HGG and the fuel line issues are being worked on. GRS also wanted the Marshall back, but as Joe's are trying to sell it for the same price as they bought it for, GRS refused to have it back!
Quote from: baker_06 on May 04, 2014, 11:06:21 AM
GRS have now acquired V390HGG and the fuel line issues are being worked on. GRS also wanted the Marshall back, but as Joe's are trying to sell it for the same price as they bought it for, GRS refused to have it back!
Ha that's interesting. Hopefully Joes acquire the crusader dart as thats the best of the lot imo.
Did V390 HGG Ever make it into service with Joe's as I have never seen it out?
Quote from: DiamondDart on May 04, 2014, 11:40:38 AM
Quote from: baker_06 on May 04, 2014, 11:06:21 AM
GRS have now acquired V390HGG and the fuel line issues are being worked on. GRS also wanted the Marshall back, but as Joe's are trying to sell it for the same price as they bought it for, GRS refused to have it back!
Ha that's interesting. Hopefully Joes acquire the crusader dart as thats the best of the lot imo.
I agree, R404 FFC is a great bus and given its age it was in good condition too internally.
Quote from: trident4370 on May 04, 2014, 11:55:07 AM
Did V390 HGG Ever make it into service with Joe's as I have never seen it out?
Quote from: DiamondDart on May 04, 2014, 11:40:38 AM
Quote from: baker_06 on May 04, 2014, 11:06:21 AM
GRS have now acquired V390HGG and the fuel line issues are being worked on. GRS also wanted the Marshall back, but as Joe's are trying to sell it for the same price as they bought it for, GRS refused to have it back!
Ha that's interesting. Hopefully Joes acquire the crusader dart as thats the best of the lot imo.
I agree, R404 FFC is a great bus and given its age it was in good condition too internally.
I'm biased but hopefully they do acquire it....It has ramps too.
It would be nice for it to remain within the West Midlands, and if GRS are getting ready to expand it'd be ideal for them. I guess it all boils down to 2 factors, 1 how much they want for it, and 2 what condition is it in mechanically.
PD1080270/2 - JOE'S TRAVEL LTD, 5 LAVENDER CLOSE, WALSALL, WS5 4ST
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Handsworth, Bolton Road and Handsworth, Bolton Road given service number 11C effective from 03-Jul-2014.
PD1080270/3 - JOE'S TRAVEL LTD, 5 LAVENDER CLOSE, WALSALL, WS5 4ST
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Handsworth, Rookery Road and Handsworth, Bolton Road given service number 11A effective from 03-Jul-2014.