Thought I'd start a separate thread for the joint Nx / Diamond services 31,32, 42, 43 & 43a, to save posting in 2 different places.
Any comments/observations etc for these services ONLY for this thread.
For now, no comments on the vehicle allocation, as it's obvious not all the vehicle's are ready for service.
I'll kick off with the following :
According to a comment on FaceBook, the first 32 from Lower Farm didnt run on Sunday at 904am, passengers having to wait for the 934am instead.
Both journeys,according to the timetable, were down as Diamond runs.
I went out this morning for the Nx 0640 32, arriving by me normally about 0648, but the previous Diamond 31 from Mossley arrived late instead.
(One of my fellow waiting passengers informed me that, that particular Diamond driver was a bit dopey.
I prefer to use the phrase 'Not exactly clued up'!)
The Nx 32 was observed following shortly behind.
Would it be a good idea for the first couple of weeks or so, for Nx & Diamond staff to be visible at strategic points on route, to advise, as at least one set of passengers let the Diamond go past, thinking they couldn't catch it?
How many buses are used on 31/32 by nx bus & diamond
Quote from: Solo1 on September 03, 2018, 07:17:38 PM
How many buses are used on 31/32 by nx bus & diamond
Don't know exactly how many, but I suspect the vehicle requirement has gone down for both operators, as there's no longer a 'main' NX service & 'duplicate' Diamond service!
(There's no 'busy' NX bus & no 'quieter' Diamond bus now, which came in useful!)
Quote from: Westy on September 03, 2018, 09:33:58 PM
Don't know exactly how many, but I suspect the vehicle requirement has gone down for both operators, as there's no longer a 'main' NX service & 'duplicate' Diamond service!
(There's no 'busy' NX bus & no 'quieter' Diamond bus now, which came in useful!)
I believe it is 6 each for the 42/43 & 8 each for the 31/32
This may be a stupid question but I haven't been keeping track of this. Does this mean that Diamond and NX combined will equal an every 3 min frequency on the 31/32 or is that just for NX and Diamomd have their own frequency still?
Quote from: MasterPlan on September 04, 2018, 06:43:35 AM
This may be a stupid question but I haven't been keeping track of this. Does this mean that Diamond and NX combined will equal an every 3 min frequency on the 31/32 or is that just for NX and Diamomd have their own frequency still?
Its every 3 minutes diamond and NX combined between Walsall and bloxwich
Every 4, alternating betweeen Diamond and NXWM on the 31 and every 10 on the 32 with Diamond running one an hour, having done the obvious thing - looking at Traveline.
Quote from: I love Walsall buses on September 04, 2018, 02:05:50 PM
Its every 3 minutes diamond and NX combined between Walsall and bloxwich
Quote from: mikestone on September 04, 2018, 03:35:30 PM
Every 4, alternating betweeen Diamond and NXWM on the 31 and every 10 on the 32 with Diamond running one an hour, having done the obvious thing - looking at Traveline.
You're both right and wrong, both operators provide 18 buses and our which is every 3-4 minutes
At least one Diamond vehicle can only display 302, unless the driver hit the wrong button when setting the destination display!
Quote from: Westy on September 04, 2018, 07:14:05 PM
At least one Diamond vehicle can only display 302, unless the driver hit the wrong button when setting the destination display!
I just saw that very odd
Which routes are next to get joint operated.
Quote from: Ginger66 on September 07, 2018, 07:49:25 PM
Which routes are next to get joint operated.
Guess we are have to wait and see probably none for a couple of years then probably the 29 lol imagine that
I do wonder, if this joint route venture does become a success, whether more routes might be duplicated. And by that I mean routes that aren't currently, like a diamond 17 to Tile Cross or something like that for example.
Quote from: MasterPlan on September 07, 2018, 08:14:17 PM
I do wonder, if this joint route venture does become a success, whether more routes might be duplicated. And by that I mean routes that aren't currently, like a diamond 17 to Tile Cross or something like that for example.
Imagine IGO and claribels on the 167/8
Quote from: MasterPlan on September 07, 2018, 08:14:17 PM
I do wonder, if this joint route venture does become a success, whether more routes might be duplicated. And by that I mean routes that aren't currently, like a diamond 17 to Tile Cross or something like that for example.
There use to be Diamomd and NX on the 17, but they withdrew it around the end of 2012/early 2013.
If it works I'd think the 40 would be a candidate.
Quote from: Jack on September 07, 2018, 08:19:54 PM
There use to be Diamomd and NX on the 17, but they withdrew it around the end of 2012/early 2013.
If it works I'd think the 40 would be a candidate.
or the 41 in West Bromwich I'm not sure if both NX and diamond run on it
Quote from: I love Walsall buses on September 07, 2018, 08:20:51 PM
or the 41 in West Bromwich I'm not sure if both NX and diamond run on it
NX haven't ran that for about 4 years, it's just Diamond.
Quote from: Jack on September 07, 2018, 08:22:14 PM
NX haven't ran that for about 4 years, it's just Diamond.
my mistake I didn't know that
I'd find it interesting to see how NX & Diamond would 'combine' (for lack of a better word) on the 16 or 50, with NX using double deckers & Diamond using singles
Quote from: I love Walsall buses on September 07, 2018, 08:20:51 PM
or the 41 in West Bromwich I'm not sure if both NX and diamond run on it
It's the 41 & 41A now (both hourly each). 41A was introduced last year to replace the 47A
Quote from: Sh4318 on September 07, 2018, 08:47:30 PM
I'd find it interesting to see how NX & Diamond would 'combine' (for lack of a better word) on the 16 or 50, with NX using double deckers & Diamond using singles
It's the 41 & 41A now (both hourly each). 41A was introduced last year to replace the 47A
The 94 would be the same - NX using deckers and Claribels using single deckers.
A pulsar would never be able to cope with some of the loads NX carry on the 94 at the moment.
@Tony did say further negotiations around the other routes would need to happen - routes chosen at the minute are where both operators are willing to put the same resources into the route.
Quote from: Tony on August 19, 2018, 09:50:28 AM
If you notice, the two routes being done are where both operators are willing to put exactly the same resources into the joint operation. In both cases this means savings in PVR for both operators.
There would need to be a lot more negotiations around the other routes being mentioned
Quote from: Jack on September 07, 2018, 08:19:54 PM
There use to be Diamomd and NX on the 17, but they withdrew it around the end of 2012/early 2013.
If it works I'd think the 40 would be a candidate.
I was just using a random route as an example. My point is as doing this saves on PVR on both sides it could open the possibility for new routes maybe on Diamond's end perhaps.
Quote from: MasterPlan on September 08, 2018, 06:43:47 AM
I was just using a random route as an example. My point is as doing this saves on PVR on both sides it could open the possibility for new routes maybe on Diamond's end perhaps.
How can it reduce PVR on both sides if it means one operator starting a new service?
4 corridor has not to be a candidate.
You guys do realise that it's not in NX's interest to do all this. Well not too much anyway as it weakens there Travelcard ticket.
On the other hand, if people can buy NX daysavers from competitiors running in partnership, why would people buy nbus day tickets.
Quote from: Tony on September 08, 2018, 08:50:38 AM
How can it reduce PVR on both sides if it means one operator starting a new service?
I never said that. I said the ones that have been done so far have.
Surely WA 4 has got to be a candidate ?
I don't think this scheme will last long personally.
Quote from: Westy on September 08, 2018, 02:34:14 PM
Surely WA 4 has got to be a candidate ?
Agree with the 4H and 4M if diamond would prepare to do the 4M aswell
Quote from: I love Walsall buses on September 08, 2018, 06:10:35 PM
Agree with the 4H and 4M if diamond would prepare to do the 4M aswell
What makes you think NX will be happy to give Diamond 4M working's?
Quote from: Winston on September 08, 2018, 06:12:02 PM
What makes you think NX will be happy to give Diamond 4M working's?
What makes you think they wouldn't?
They are continuously looking for cost saving opportunities and PVR reduction.
Has Diamond ever operated a version of the 4M?
As a concept, limiting this to the 31/32 and 42/43 co-operation is the best outcome for now, in order to assess how things work out for both operators.
It would be foolish to try and rush together any other co-operations.
I would guess it may be six months to a year before any further developments happen, that should be enough time for both operators and TfWM to assess matters.
Quote from: Straightlines on September 08, 2018, 06:36:22 PM
What makes you think they wouldn't?
They are continuously looking for cost saving opportunities and PVR reduction.
It's not cost savings and Pvr reductions though, it would be revenue sharing.
Quote from: Winston on September 08, 2018, 06:56:06 PM
It's not cost savings and Pvr reductions though, it would be revenue sharing.
That's very debatable
Quote from: Straightlines on September 08, 2018, 07:12:26 PM
That's very debatable
Not in the case of the 4M which we were actually talking about.
The 42/43 & 31/32 have benefitted both operators through Pvr reductions & cost savings.
Quote from: Straightlines on September 08, 2018, 07:12:26 PM
That's very debatable
It's a TfWM idea not NXs if they wanted to reduce PVR they would have asked to do more of these co op routes.
I don't diamond were too thrilled with the idea.
@Simon Dunn how is new WM bus working well on the 42/3?
Quote from: Straightlines on September 08, 2018, 07:12:26 PM
That's very debatable
The first two have both resulted in PVR savings I think (both operators). It all sounds abit anti competive to me but I presume TFWM have carried out the relevant tests?
Quote from: metrocity on September 08, 2018, 07:21:27 PM
The first two have both resulted in PVR savings I think (both operators). It all sounds but anti competive to me but I presume TFWM have carried out the relevant tests?
You would assume so.
I understand the 4 was the initial route that this was looked at for a partnership, but they have ultimately moved on to the 42/43, 31/32. However, I bow to the superior knowledge of
@Winston as I clearly have no idea what I'm on about!
Quote from: Westy on September 08, 2018, 06:37:50 PM
Has Diamond ever operated a version of the 4M?
They operated it briefly when it was introduced at an hourly frequency
Quote from: Straightlines on September 08, 2018, 07:24:57 PM
You would assume so.
I understand the 4 was the initial route that this was looked at for a partnership, but they have ultimately moved on to the 42/43, 31/32. However, I bow to the superior knowledge of @Winston as I clearly have no idea what I'm on about!
I would assume nothing as far as TFWM is concerned
Quote from: Straightlines on September 08, 2018, 07:24:57 PM
You would assume so.
I understand the 4 was the initial route that this was looked at for a partnership, but they have ultimately moved on to the 42/43, 31/32. However, I bow to the superior knowledge of @Winston as I clearly have no idea what I'm on about!
The 4 was initially the corridor being looked at for co-ordinated joint operation. But as the topic of discussion related to Diamond operating on the 4M, I don't know why your getting your knickers in a twist, one day we may see you post something positive instead of all the negativity!
Quote from: Winston on September 08, 2018, 07:56:54 PM
The 4 was initially the corridor being looked at for co-ordinated joint operation. But as the topic of discussion related to Diamond operating on the 4M, I don't know why your getting your knickers in a twist, one day we may see you post something positive instead of all the negativity!
The 4 corridor both operate correct? The 4H corridor diamond offer 4 buses per hour nx 3 buses per hour. And diamond start earlier more frequently. The 4M corridor diamond could take up if tfwm offered? It's only the same as diamond extending to Dudley on the 42. I've heard that the 4/4H/4M will be operated by tfwm.
Quote from: Trident 4194 on September 08, 2018, 08:39:02 PM
The 4 corridor both operate correct? The 4H corridor diamond offer 4 buses per hour nx 3 buses per hour. And diamond start earlier more frequently. The 4M corridor diamond could take up if tfwm offered? It's only the same as diamond extending to Dudley on the 42. I've heard that the 4/4H/4M will be operated by tfwm.
He has a valid point.
I think though there is logic in keeping the concept on local routes like the 42/43 & 31/32 as a trial, perhaps the 40 would be a logical extension of that trial
Quote from: Kevin on September 08, 2018, 09:03:05 PM
He has a valid point.
I think though there is logic in keeping the concept on local routes like the 42/43 & 31/32 as a trial, perhaps the 40 would be a logical extension of that trial
Apologies if it has, I haven't seen personally but has it been confirmed anywhere as an actual 'trial'?
It is going to be very hard to revert back if it is actually a trial.
Quote from: Straightlines on September 08, 2018, 09:40:09 PM
Apologies if it has, I haven't seen personally but has it been confirmed anywhere as an actual 'trial'?
It is going to be very hard to revert back if it is actually a trial.
"Soft Launch" was the term used - whatever that means
Quote from: Winston on September 08, 2018, 06:12:02 PM
What makes you think NX will be happy to give Diamond 4M working's?
Well didn't diamond run it before but not the number 4M but another number
Quote from: I love Walsall buses on September 08, 2018, 11:36:22 PM
Well didn't diamond run it before but not the number 4M but another number
No, they began running between Walsall & Merry Hill when the 4M was introduced.
You may be referring to the 417, between Hayley Green & West Bromwich, Diamond essentially joined the 4 & 417 to create their version of the 4H
Quote from: Sh4318 on September 08, 2018, 11:51:38 PM
No, they began running between Walsall & Merry Hill when the 4M was introduced.
You may be referring to the 417, between Hayley Green & West Bromwich, Diamond essentially joined the 4 & 417 to create their version of the 4H
Oh ok thanks mate
It was originally 217 in bham coach days.
Quote from: I love Walsall buses on September 08, 2018, 11:36:22 PM
Well didn't diamond run it before but not the number 4M but another number
It is a commercial route solely operated by NXWM, they aren't going to just give away a portion of the revenue if there's nothing in it for them.
The current routes jointly operated resources were equally matched & both operators have benefitted from Pvr / Cost Savings which should mean they are more profitable.
Kind of relevant. For the last few weeks, the tickets issued on the Diamond 50 say West Midlands Bus and not Diamond. At least on the Sunday service operates out of Redditch.
Quote from: MW on September 09, 2018, 11:43:40 AM
Kind of relevant. For the last few weeks, the tickets issued on the Diamond 50 say West Midlands Bus and not Diamond. At least on the Sunday service operates out of Redditch.
With the driving I've done last week I've noticed it on various routes but not all the time. Some were printing it on Solihull's & some journeys on the 75...
Got to the Walsall 31 / 32 stop for approx 1330.
Nothing appeared until approx 1355, when a Diamond displaying 301 turned up.
I know theres a diversion in bound in Walsall(St Pauls Street closed!) but surely not to the extent of that sort of delay on a Sunday?
Quote from: Westy on September 09, 2018, 01:57:31 PM
Got to the Walsall 31 / 32 stop for approx 1330.
Nothing appeared until approx 1355, when a Diamond displaying 301 turned up.
I know theres a diversion in bound in Walsall(St Pauls Street closed!) but surely not to the extent of that sort of delay on a Sunday?
The NX 13:10 31 left 20 late at 13:30
The NX 13:35 32 left 19 late at 13:54
Does anyone know what typeface is used for the 'West Midlands Bus' logo text, and other branding?
Quote from: SL 16 YPN on September 08, 2018, 07:18:33 PM
It's a TfWM idea not NXs if they wanted to reduce PVR they would have asked to do more of these co op routes.
I don't diamond were too thrilled with the idea.
@Simon Dunn how is new WM bus working well on the 42/3?
I am not sure what the question is. We are operate a dfferent route, to a lower PVR. It is early days. There are some teething issues. I think both operators buses look good.
Think some more education of the travelling public is needed.
While on the 11a this evening(See the late running thread for that one!), I got talking to this woman.
Turned out she lived in the Dudleys Fields area & used either the 70 or 31.
She only had a NX pass.
I told her she could use that pass on the Diamond 31, but she wasn't aware!
Quote from: Westy on September 12, 2018, 09:19:20 PM
Think some more education of the travelling public is needed.
While on the 11a this evening(See the late running thread for that one!), I got talking to this woman.
Turned out she lived in the Dudleys Fields area & used either the 70 or 31.
She only had a NX pass.
I told her she could use that pass on the Diamond 31, but she wasn't aware!
A lot of people aren't aware I Over heard this man saying he's been waiting fifteen minutes for a diamond to come and then a bus station surpervisor said you can get on any bus to Mossley or lower farm with whatever bus pass or ticket you've got and he said I wish drivers or the website would inform you then I thought there was plenty of notices everywhere on websites on the buses even on the bus station stand so what a bad excuse
Quote from: I love Walsall buses on September 12, 2018, 09:35:17 PM
A lot of people aren't aware I Over heard this man saying he's been waiting fifteen minutes for a diamond to come and then a bus station surpervisor said you can get on any bus to Mossley or lower farm with whatever bus pass or ticket you've got and he said I wish drivers or the website would inform you then I thought there was plenty of notices everywhere on websites on the buses even on the bus station stand so what a bad excuse
Because lots of people don't look on the website or read the notices - the person you mentioned and the one
@Westy mentioned more than likely haven't looked at the website or read the notices so they are unaware.
I imagine they are also so used to the drivers saying they can only use there pass on certain buses in the past, that they haven't tried to get on the other bus so they haven't realised.
Quote from: 2206 on September 12, 2018, 09:38:28 PM
Because lots of people don't look on the website or read the notices - the person you mentioned and the one @Westy mentioned more than likely haven't looked at the website or read the notices so they are unaware.
I imagine they are also so used to the drivers saying they can only use there pass on certain buses in the past, that they haven't tried to get on the other bus so they haven't realised.
You have got a point there
Don't know how noticeable it is during the day when both operators seem to operate fairly frequently, so people would wait for a certain operator(God knows why obviously!), but the early mornings & evening services would be more noticeable, for example the last 31 to Mossley at 2315 was an NX operation, but is now Diamond, while the last 32 to Lower Farm is still NX!
Someone at Diamond have let slip that the 40 is the next route.
So I had some passengers try and board my (Diamond) 50 on Sunday using NX daysavers. I told them that they're not valid only to be accused of "chatting shit" and that you can apparently use both NX and Diamond tickets on any of the operators vehicles. Looked at there tickets and they actually had some sort of Walsall daysaver which I presume they'd have purchased on the 51/X51, and I'm presuming they're referring to the 31/32 routes.
So there's people who think you can catch any Diamond bus with a NX daysaver now.
Quote from: MW on September 18, 2018, 12:11:44 AM
So I had some passengers try and board my (Diamond) 50 on Sunday using NX daysavers. I told them that they're not valid only to be accused of "chatting shit" and that you can apparently use both NX and Diamond tickets on any of the operators vehicles. Looked at there tickets and they actually had some sort of Walsall daysaver which I presume they'd have purchased on the 51/X51, and I'm presuming they're referring to the 31/32 routes.
So there's people who think you can catch any Diamond bus with a NX daysaver now.
So presumably you being someone who doesn't care about rules or enforcement just let them get away with it?
Quote from: Kevin on September 18, 2018, 07:09:48 AM
So presumably you being someone who doesn't care about rules or enforcement just let them get away with it?
Has he?
Diamond 30924 branded for 42 / 43 in Walsall Hatherton Road this evening.
Whether it was on 31/32's or a different route I dont know.
Quote from: Westy on September 20, 2018, 06:06:46 PM
Diamond 30924 branded for 42 / 43 in Walsall Hatherton Road this evening.
Whether it was on 31/32's or a different route I dont know.
When I saw it it was on a 32 at about 16:00
So is that the first off route branded bus on these joint routes then?
Quote from: Westy on September 20, 2018, 08:35:05 PM
So is that the first off route branded bus on these joint routes then?
I think so with the WMB liveried vehicles on WMB routes. However a couple of WMB liveried vehicles have got off route today with 2125 being on WA70A and 814 being on WB5. There has been a couple of route branded buses on WMB routes too, with a 51 branded E40D being on the 31 the other day.
Simon told me that there's 11 buses painted into the new livery out of 13 another One supposed to be done tomorrow and added there's 5 buses for the 42/43 and 7 for the 31/32 there will be unusual allocations tomorrow as the the 31/32 buses will start to be branded and will be rotated between the buses so expect some unusual allocations for the next week or so
Quote from: Michael Bevan on September 20, 2018, 08:41:34 PM
I think so with the WMB liveried vehicles on WMB routes. However a couple of WMB liveried vehicles have got off route today with 2125 being on WA70A and 814 being on WB5. There has been a couple of route branded buses on WMB routes too, with a 51 branded E40D being on the 31 the other day.
There was a red Wmb on the 11 / 11a today.
4606 on the 32 this morning - can all Walsall buses issue the relevant Diamond tickets?
Quote from: mikestone on September 24, 2018, 02:01:19 PM
4606 on the 32 this morning - can all Walsall buses issue the relevant Diamond tickets?
Yes, all company ticket machines are capable of issuing every possible ticket from every garage. What they can issue on the day depends on the running board number entered by the driver
https://www.networkwestmidlands.com/ways-to-travel/bus/changes-to-services-301-302/
What should be available.
Please note for a few days, Service 32 is departing from Stand H at St Pauls, while they do some work on the usual stand!
Quote from: Westy on September 24, 2018, 05:40:39 PM
https://www.networkwestmidlands.com/ways-to-travel/bus/changes-to-services-301-302/
What should be available.
Please note for a few days, Service 32 is departing from Stand H at St Pauls, while they do some work on the usual stand!
To do with some cracks on the floor paths
Quote from: I love Walsall buses on September 24, 2018, 07:30:39 PM
To do with some cracks on the floor paths
Is it? How do you know this?
Quote from: Dom on September 24, 2018, 11:23:18 PM
Is it? How do you know this?
why what is it to do with then
Think you will find they are doing the bus station up they have do e stands a-c
What is the C02 emissions like on the joint routes 31/32, 42/43 since the new improved service compared to previous opetations.
Are NX eventually branding their own vehicles, that are on the joint routes, seeing Diamond has already started doing theirs?
Quote from: Westy on September 30, 2018, 12:47:19 PM
Are NX eventually branding their own vehicles, that are on the joint routes, seeing Diamond has already started doing theirs?
Probably when they have painted all of them I don't know how many are supposed to be painted
Also yesterday at 20:00 the 32 came and a man dropped beer out of his bag and spilt all down the bus the whole bus stunk of beer then he got of at Stafford street saying he got on the wrong bus,at lower farm the driver said I'm carrying on until my shift is over when he gets back Walsall at 21:15
Any chance of someone at Nx having a look at the board that includes the 640am from Lower Farm, as most mornings, it ends up standing room only by the time it gets to Walsall.
I think it needs a double decker.
5 31s running together right at 13:00 ran together until bloxwich where two of them had 31E bloxwich and one even changed into a 32 at bloxwich but got into Walsall 5 minutes late even though before changing onto a 32 he was ontime
Quote from: I love Walsall buses on November 02, 2018, 10:29:54 PM
5 31s running together right at 13:00 ran together until bloxwich where two of them had 31E bloxwich and one even changed into a 32 at bloxwich but got into Walsall 5 minutes late even though before changing onto a 32 he was ontime
Are those roadworks causing much hassle in Leamore?
There was 2 32s running together in bloxwich probably to do with that but still
5 31s arriving in a convoy is ridiculous
30970 was displaying 301/302 all day today also on until midnight
Quote from: I love Walsall buses on November 03, 2018, 11:39:16 PM
5 31s arriving in a convoy is ridiculous
What do you expect them to do? Fly over the roadworks and traffic
Quote from: John on November 04, 2018, 08:37:07 AM
What do you expect them to do? Fly over the roadworks and traffic
Maybe he expects inspectors or control staff to turn buses to maintain an even headway and restore the service. Over the last ten years, bus companies have spent a fortune on sophisticated ticket machines costing thousands of pounds each which include telemetry. Supervisors should know instantly the location of every bus. If this costly technology is not used for this purpose, why was it purchased?
Quote from: Tiptonian on November 04, 2018, 11:58:58 AM
Maybe he expects inspectors or control staff to turn buses to maintain an even headway and restore the service. Over the last ten years, bus companies have spent a fortune on sophisticated ticket machines costing thousands of pounds each which include telemetry. Supervisors should know instantly the location of every bus. If this costly technology is not used for this purpose, why was it purchased?
So when 5 buses, all with passengers on are stuck in a queue at some temporary traffic lights please explain what a controller is supposed to do?
The bus station Inspector at Walsall will always sort out bunching at the first opertunity, but there is the added complication here that an NX Inspector cannot alter a Diamond bus
Quote from: Tony on November 04, 2018, 12:21:28 PM
So when 5 buses, all with passengers on are stuck in a queue at some temporary traffic lights please explain what a controller is supposed to do?
The bus station Inspector at Walsall will always sort out bunching at the first opertunity, but there is the added complication here that an NX Inspector cannot alter a Diamond bus
If Walsall bus station was the first opportunity, then fair enough, but it seems to indicate that, despite the sophistication and cost of telemetry, the situation could not be managed any better than it could in past times prior to its adoption, and that contradicts a big selling point of the Init (and other telemetry enabled) ticket machine systems. Maybe this reflects the limited powers that controllers and inspectors are granted by higher management? I do not know the current situation, but I do know it has changed a lot over the years. I appreciate the problem of it being a joint service, especially if one operator tries to correct the service and the other doesn't. However, no bus enthusiast, not even one who is eleven years old, would expect a bus to fly over roadworks and traffic. Only passengers expect that!
Quote from: Tiptonian on November 04, 2018, 03:52:23 PM
If Walsall bus station was the first opportunity, then fair enough, but it seems to indicate that, despite the sophistication and cost of telemetry, the situation could not be managed any better than it could in past times prior to its adoption, and that contradicts a big selling point of the Init (and other telemetry enabled) ticket machine systems. Maybe this reflects the limited powers that controllers and inspectors are granted by higher management? I do not know the current situation, but I do know it has changed a lot over the years. I appreciate the problem of it being a joint service, especially if one operator tries to correct the service and the other doesn't. However, no bus enthusiast, not even one who is eleven years old, would expect a bus to fly over roadworks and traffic. Only passengers expect that!
I've done controlling, your attitude is that it is as simple as putting buses back on time with even gaps
It's not as simple as that. As well as waiting passengers facing a big gap in service you have to think of passengers already on the bus. If you've got a bus coming down a route out of time what happens to the existing passengers already on the bus you turn short. What happens if that driver is due to come off at Walsall Bus Station? Where do you physically turn a bus. If you put a bus back on time, but that driver has one more journey to make and got to go through the delay again he will be late coming off again, now if he is due to take another bus over after a short break you have a bus standing with no driver.
Sometimes it's actually better to leave a bus getting later and later so the driver eventually just misses a complete round trip out
On the subject of Nx not being able to control a Diamond bus, surely TfWm,as it was their idea for a joint service, ought to be supplying a member of staff to manage the route?
Nx have route managers for certain routes don't they, I seem to recall.
Quote from: Westy on November 04, 2018, 10:16:19 PM
On the subject of Nx not being able to control a Diamond bus, surely TfWm,as it was their idea for a joint service, ought to be supplying a member of staff to manage the route?
Nx have route managers for certain routes don't they, I seem to recall.
I've seen network West Midlands staff down walsall
Quote from: I love Walsall buses on November 04, 2018, 10:18:47 PM
I've seen network West Midlands staff down walsall
They dont 'route manage' as such, do they?
Aint they there for enquires & fining operators who stay too long on a stand?
Quote from: Westy on November 04, 2018, 10:21:06 PM
They dont 'route manage' as such, do they?
Aint they there for enquires & fining operators who stay too long on a stand?
And put posters on stands due to the refurbishment
Nice to see the 32 back at its proper stand.
Ex Central vehicle on the 31 tonight.
Quote from: Westy on November 05, 2018, 06:34:45 PM
Nice to see the 32 back at its proper stand.
Ex Central vehicle on the 31 tonight.
30966
Diamond drivers are supposed to accept Nx branded Daysavers arent they?
If so
@Simon Dunn might be interested to know that the driver of the 31 that departed Walsall around 1645 wouldnt accept mine & my brother's DS's!
(For the record, one was a standard Nx bus ticket version, while the other was an Nx branded 'scratchcard' version!)
Quote from: Westy on November 10, 2018, 04:51:24 PM
Diamond drivers are supposed to accept Nx branded Daysavers arent they?
If so @Simon Dunn might be interested to know that the driver of the 31 that departed Walsall around 1645 wouldnt accept mine & my brother's DS's!
(For the record, one was a standard Nx bus ticket version, while the other was an Nx branded 'scratchcard' version!)
Yes - they should. Did you get the fleet number?
Quote from: Simon Dunn on November 12, 2018, 05:11:08 AM
Yes - they should. Did you get the fleet number?
Sorry I didnt.
(It was a non white driver though!)
We caught the Nx behind.
What's the reason for not all NX Walsall WMB vehicles to not have the 31/32 branding on?
(Think all Diamonds have the branding?)
No branding available currently, or is it something to do with the current repainting programme?
Quote from: Westy on December 01, 2018, 10:59:22 PM
What's the reason for not all NX Walsall WMB vehicles to not have the 31/32 branding on?
(Think all Diamonds have the branding?)
No branding available currently, or is it something to do with the current repainting programme?
All diamond do have the branding I think once 2127 is done they will probably brand the ones which will not
Quote from: Westy on December 01, 2018, 10:59:22 PM
What's the reason for not all NX Walsall WMB vehicles to not have the 31/32 branding on?
(Think all Diamonds have the branding?)
No branding available currently, or is it something to do with the current repainting programme?
There is branding on some of the NXWM vehicles
Quote from: Tony on December 02, 2018, 10:14:07 AM
There is branding on some of the NXWM vehicles
With respect, that is why I said not all NX vehicles have the branding.
Noticed the 'little darlings' are already bored tonight, by hanging around the Derby Street stop & when the bus stops, prevent it from leaving by pressing the button!
Any news on any further joint routes? . Some time ago the WB40 was rumoured.
Quote from: 37351ml on January 28, 2019, 01:24:52 PM
Any news on any further joint routes? . Some time ago the WB40 was rumoured.
I believe they're evaluating how well the current routes work before deciding if they're gonna proceed with any other ones.
2132 not on 31/32 duties currently.
Yesterday, on Brownhills, today on Dudley.
Interesting to note both companies using standard liveried vehicles on the 31 & 32.