Just read this on network west midlands. Seems its going out to tender again.What sort of service did they manage on this route cos it seems they`re a bit hit and miss presently on other routes?.
I think they were running a decent service usually with YD02PZL 30214 I think. But if there was ever a breakdown forget it as they come all the way from tividale to repair it the service just goes to pot!
Diamond arent hit and miss-their services-especially Black Diamond run on time with good buses and great drivers!!
Quote from: rob@mdc on July 14, 2012, 11:56:05 AM
I think they were running a decent service usually with YD02PZL 30214 I think. But if there was ever a breakdown forget it as they come all the way from tividale to repair it the service just goes to pot!
Yes YD02PZO 30214 seem to always work the 007 but has been seen quite a bit on the 404E as of late and not sounded too good. 007 may be because diamond are leaving the service has seen the red and white darts and small mpd (red diamond ones). The 202 can be caught from Halesowen to Bromesgrove not sure how frequent these are now and wether the leather centro's still get used
Quote from: Peter123 on July 14, 2012, 06:44:30 PM
Diamond arent hit and miss-their services-especially Black Diamond run on time with good buses and great drivers!!
you`ve not read the comments referring to the 226 then peter? ;)
TBh Ive never caught the 226-Im going on my experience of them on other routes. Tho I like diamond I think muscling in on Hanson's 226 and then claiming them operating half the buses on it was good for everyone is a bit rich, tho talking of Hanson's the 004 doesnt seem to be doing especially well :(
Quote from: Peter123 on July 15, 2012, 01:57:35 PMtho talking of Hanson's the 004 doesnt seem to be doing especially well :(
That is the opposite to what I've seen...and I catch the route most Thursdays.
Quote from: Ash on July 14, 2012, 09:58:01 PM
Quote from: rob@mdc on July 14, 2012, 11:56:05 AM
I think they were running a decent service usually with YD02PZL 30214 I think. But if there was ever a breakdown forget it as they come all the way from tividale to repair it the service just goes to pot!
Yes YD02PZO 30214 seem to always work the 007 but has been seen quite a bit on the 404E as of late and not sounded too good. 007 may be because diamond are leaving the service has seen the red and white darts and small mpd (red diamond ones). The 202 can be caught from Halesowen to Bromesgrove not sure how frequent these are now and wether the leather centro's still get used
The 202 still runs every hour to and from Halesowen and Bromsgrove and it always sees 2 royale centro's on it, so people have this option. Maybe with the 007 being withdrawn the 202 could be increased to every 30 minutes as it is quite busy especially Saturdays and I've heard others saying it would be good to increase it but at the moment it never seems to run to it's timetable exactly and is always running around 5 minutes late when I see it and when it gets into Halesowen before time, it pulls out late so I think the timetable needs adjusting.
Quote from: Mike360 on July 15, 2012, 03:05:35 PM
Quote from: Ash on July 14, 2012, 09:58:01 PM
Quote from: rob@mdc on July 14, 2012, 11:56:05 AM
I think they were running a decent service usually with YD02PZL 30214 I think. But if there was ever a breakdown forget it as they come all the way from tividale to repair it the service just goes to pot!
Yes YD02PZO 30214 seem to always work the 007 but has been seen quite a bit on the 404E as of late and not sounded too good. 007 may be because diamond are leaving the service has seen the red and white darts and small mpd (red diamond ones). The 202 can be caught from Halesowen to Bromesgrove not sure how frequent these are now and wether the leather centro's still get used
The 202 still runs every hour to and from Halesowen and Bromsgrove and it always sees 2 royale centro's on it, so people have this option. Maybe with the 007 being withdrawn the 202 could be increased to every 30 minutes as it is quite busy especially Saturdays and I've heard others saying it would be good to increase it but at the moment it never seems to run to it's timetable exactly and is always running around 5 minutes late when I see it and when it gets into Halesowen before time, it pulls out late so I think the timetable needs adjusting.
Kind of underlines my point regarding reliability issues i think.
Ive been on the 004 a total of 15 times since the launch and there have never been more than 4 ppl on the bus at any one given time
Quote from: Peter123 on July 15, 2012, 05:09:32 PM
Ive been on the 004 a total of 15 times since the launch and there have never been more than 4 ppl on the bus at any one given time
I agree as when I've seen or been on the 004 not many people are on it. I have boarded the bus from Harborne to Halesowen and have seen no more than 6 people on it with it usually only 3-4 and they usually get off in Quinton and don't travel to Halesowen as I've been to Halesowen on two occasions where I've been the only person on board from four dwellings school. I don't know how popular it is from Halesowen and Merry Hill.
Between Halesowen and Merry Hill it varies-where it copies the 002, it isnt popular and it isnt popular even through places such as Lye. Glad you agree-it isnt busy at all
Any news on this route? I reckon Hansons would give it a go. Would love to have the full 007 to Merry Hill back though that would be very unlikely now with of course the 217 covering the old 007 part from Halesowen to Merry Hill. Diamond really have no success with the 007 it seems as this is their second time on it now, frequently changing since Ludlows was ridden of. :(
The 007 is a contract, so Diamond have deregistered it in light of the fact that it is up for retender...
Quote from: Peter123 on July 15, 2012, 06:18:28 PM
Between Halesowen and Merry Hill it varies-where it copies the 002, it isnt popular and it isnt popular even through places such as Lye. Glad you agree-it isnt busy at all
Agree here
Been on the whole route in the middle of the day and only myself LOL :P
This is the same as 123 Blue Diamond from PB>MH it is generally only busy from MH to Blackheath though this service i think is subsidised by Centro
Wonder who will take up 007 now ..
Status Cancelled
Operator Name DIAMOND BUS COMPANY LTD
Service Number(s) 007
Start Point Halesowen Bus Station
Finish Point Bromsgrove
Service Type Normal Stopping
Date Received 27-JUN-2012
Effective Date 01-SEP-2012
TAOs covered by route West Midland Traffic Area
Local Authorities covered by route CENTRO<BR>Worcestershire County Council
Worcestershire CC Website confirms that it is being re-tendered:
http://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/cms/bus/travel-news.aspx
But it seems strange if this tender had come to the end of it's normal term. If that had been the case then a new contract would have been awarded well in advance to give adequate time for the new operator to give the 56 days notice.
Quote from: D10 on July 29, 2012, 09:35:29 PM
Worcestershire CC Website confirms that it is being re-tendered:
http://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/cms/bus/travel-news.aspx
But it seems strange if this tender had come to the end of it's normal term. If that had been the case then a new contract would have been awarded well in advance to give adequate time for the new operator to give the 56 days notice.
Yeah cause searched 007 and no new record of the new tendered company at all and as you say normally well in advance such as NXWM submit theirs at least 2 months
Tender done last week.You can register a service inside the normally required 8 weeks with a letter of support from the tendering authority,which will be accepted by the traffic commissioners to make sure there is no break in service.
I think Diamond are going to get a good hiding when tenders come up for renewal I know its about price but lookat what Arriva have done, got quite a bit of work from them and run new buses on them too. If Arriva impress Centro I see a lot of work coming there way and diamond being hurt. A lot of diamonds work is still tendered and NXWM are giving a good fight on the routes diamond compete on and the way they do not keep to timetable a kicking from VOSA is not far away too.
Diamond dont want especially tendered operations. Their commercial routes do perform well-the 50, 16 etc we are talking about diamond bus not blue diamond who dont really have much of a future in my view-theres no money in tendered bus operations so arriva may get lots of work but it might not actually be that profitable. Diamond will do better in Redditch when first eventually withdraw so if I were them id-expand red diamond if and when first go, close down blue diamond bus operations, keep signature work at long acre with flights coaches and the nat ex contracts. Put all this onto one enlarged diamond bus company license. Withdraw diamond bus company from tendered work and focus on expanding commercial routes that are doing well with branded buses. Thats how you would gain success. And then... if you wanted a tendered bus operation, use long acre and cheap darts there. But trying to focus on the commercial is no bad decision-perhaps it would then dispel the myth that diamond run routes for OAPs that are pointless, go all round the houses etc. Diamond have got a strong set of commercial routes that has been rationalised and seems set to continue doing well in the future.
Quote from: Peter123 on July 30, 2012, 02:49:11 PM
Diamond dont want especially tendered operations. Their commercial routes do perform well-the 50, 16 etc we are talking about diamond bus not blue diamond who dont really have much of a future in my view-theres no money in tendered bus operations so arriva may get lots of work but it might not actually be that profitable. Diamond will do better in Redditch when first eventually withdraw so if I were them id-expand red diamond if and when first go, close down blue diamond bus operations, keep signature work at long acre with flights coaches and the nat ex contracts. Put all this onto one enlarged diamond bus company license. Withdraw diamond bus company from tendered work and focus on expanding commercial routes that are doing well with branded buses. Thats how you would gain success. And then... if you wanted a tendered bus operation, use long acre and cheap darts there. But trying to focus on the commercial is no bad decision-perhaps it would then dispel the myth that diamond run routes for OAPs that are pointless, go all round the houses etc. Diamond have got a strong set of commercial routes that has been rationalised and seems set to continue doing well in the future.
Sounds like a good idea
Blue Diamond routes ive been on barely get any passengers (though the 123 can be an exception as was full when I went on today)
56 is a great route too! :D
Quote from: vinh1000 on July 30, 2012, 06:44:00 PM
Quote from: Peter123 on July 30, 2012, 02:49:11 PM
Diamond dont want especially tendered operations. Their commercial routes do perform well-the 50, 16 etc we are talking about diamond bus not blue diamond who dont really have much of a future in my view-theres no money in tendered bus operations so arriva may get lots of work but it might not actually be that profitable. Diamond will do better in Redditch when first eventually withdraw so if I were them id-expand red diamond if and when first go, close down blue diamond bus operations, keep signature work at long acre with flights coaches and the nat ex contracts. Put all this onto one enlarged diamond bus company license. Withdraw diamond bus company from tendered work and focus on expanding commercial routes that are doing well with branded buses. Thats how you would gain success. And then... if you wanted a tendered bus operation, use long acre and cheap darts there. But trying to focus on the commercial is no bad decision-perhaps it would then dispel the myth that diamond run routes for OAPs that are pointless, go all round the houses etc. Diamond have got a strong set of commercial routes that has been rationalised and seems set to continue doing well in the future.
Sounds like a good idea
Blue Diamond routes ive been on barely get any passengers (though the 123 can be an exception as was full when I went on today)
56 is a great route too! :D
Thankyou!! Tho I forgot about the 123.....
123 is tendered is`nt it?
But for smaller companies like Diamond tendered work is important as it gives a regular, guaranteed income and work. You mention routes such as the 50 and 16 but these are highly competitive routes with little scope for future expansion, commercial work is fine if you are the dominant operator but if you exist mainly on competing routes, it's very risky for smaller companies to focus purely on commercial services as the returns are not guaranteed. I mean how many routes have Diamond and its predecessors gone on and then come off in the past because the returns weren't there? Tendered routes will remain important for them in the future.
But they have rationalised their commercial routes and they are left on the best ones. And there is room for expansion eg 404H and trialling new routes and brands and theyd still have the redditch commercial routes. Diamond could even set up another company to focus on tendered stuff while they focus on commercial-tendered work tho has little return, requires bad vehicles and you have to run the routes no one wants, giving your company the perception of being a low quality business no one uses. Contrast this with Hanson's and Claribel's-remember it is not always about expansion-you can be happy to be small and make returns and diamond have some strong commercial performers which would be better if tendered operations were not occupying time etc. And many of the commercial routes are pretty safe-the 16's been running nearly 30 years!!
I agree that small is sometimes better and a company like Claribels has shown that with quality focused on a few services. However, I don't think its a one size fits all either because Diamond's network is spread over a much wider area than Claribels or similar companies so they need a larger network of services, which is where tendered work is important. Also, the 16 must be good for them but equally over those 30 years Nat Ex West Midlands and its predessors have also run the 16 route to a high frequency so must likewise be doing alright off it too, so again I'd say where is the scope for expansion?
I think Diamond should increase the frequency of the 202 service to every 30 minutes with the 007 withdrawal and possibly extend it from Bromsgrove to Redditch.
I find Black Diamond Services very good and most are well used, the 404E, 002, 202, 16, 56 and 50 are routes which they are more successful at and should concentrate there newer, better buses on these routes which the 404E and 16 need.
And 401e, 417 and 410 and 59 also need good buses. The rest is pretty rubbish-what do we reckon the PVR of these routes combined is?
What do people think is the most successful and least successful of the Black Diamond network?
As in routes or companies? In terms of Rotala midlands, Flights Hallmark Coaches, Signature and Black Diamond Commercial. Id shut red diamond and use the buses elsewhere because redditch is hardly bus town is it!! Id shut Blue Diamond and get rid of diamonds tendered routes
I meant routes so I should have made myself more clear.
I agree Blue Diamond is pretty rubbish with buses running late and tatty ones and getting rid of tendered routes would be OK so they could concentrate on making commercial routes successful and really they should have on entire network with one branding black diamond.
The PVR of the 417 is 5 which I know.
The 404E lately is not even seeing the crusaders on the service any more today there were red diamond darts, a swift branded dart, solos and an all over white diamond dart as well as a couple of newly repainted black diamond pointers. The black diamond network in West Bromwich is very popular services like 401/2/404E and 410 are very well used not so much the 417 although uses the centro's. The 301 is very popular in Walsall along with the 401E. Diamond need new investment but will this come when the sandwell bus review happens.
Most of the commerical services diamond run have been ran by companies that diamond brought up for years as petes travel ran the 404E as their first commerical route and soon after the 401/2 and 401E and the 410 was ran by the birmingham coach company from early 1990's and ludlows with the 002/417 and similar with the other services by diamond like the 16/50/301 and blue diamonds 97 which was petes travel before
Cheers for the info on the 417 Mike-seems higher than I expected tho I do believe you... I hope like Ash that investment comes with the Sandwell bus review and investment could come from the ex Red Diamond fleet-the volvos etc. I agree-diamond's commercial routes are good performers, blue diamond is rubbish-expected more ppl to disagree with me about closing blue diamond etc but it seems not. I tell you-diamond would do better if we ran it! Tho I would like to work for rotala in the future
Quote from: Ash on July 30, 2012, 11:30:17 PM
The 404E lately is not even seeing the crusaders on the service any more today there were red diamond darts, a swift branded dart, solos and an all over white diamond dart as well as a couple of newly repainted black diamond pointers. The black diamond network in West Bromwich is very popular services like 401/2/404E and 410 are very well used not so much the 417 although uses the centro's. The 301 is very popular in Walsall along with the 401E. Diamond need new investment but will this come when the sandwell bus review happens.
Most of the commerical services diamond run have been ran by companies that diamond brought up for years as petes travel ran the 404E as their first commerical route and soon after the 401/2 and 401E and the 410 was ran by the birmingham coach company from early 1990's and ludlows with the 002/417 and similar with the other services by diamond like the 16/50/301 and blue diamonds 97 which was petes travel before
So what routes have the Wright Crusaders on as I only saw one on the 404E today and the 417 did have one that struggled terribly up Mucklow Hill and only had myself and 2 other people on it and and when catching another 417 back all the way from West Brom to Halesowen it on it ran virtually empty with 1 other person on it to Blackheath and then 3 people to Halesowen so it could be reduced to every 30 minutes. It is meant to arrive in Halesowen at 2:45 but got to 2 stops before at 2.36 so waited at least 7-8 minutes at a bus stop which was rather annoying.
Also on the 417 was 3 Royales and a Hybrid Versa.
They certainly shouldn't put optare solo's on the 404E route which can get really busy as I was on one today that had a few people standing (20540).
Theres always one crusader an ex Oxfor one on the 50
And one on the 16...
Quote from: Mike360 on July 31, 2012, 04:26:36 PM
Quote from: Ash on July 30, 2012, 11:30:17 PM
The 404E lately is not even seeing the crusaders on the service any more today there were red diamond darts, a swift branded dart, solos and an all over white diamond dart as well as a couple of newly repainted black diamond pointers. The black diamond network in West Bromwich is very popular services like 401/2/404E and 410 are very well used not so much the 417 although uses the centro's. The 301 is very popular in Walsall along with the 401E. Diamond need new investment but will this come when the sandwell bus review happens.
Most of the commerical services diamond run have been ran by companies that diamond brought up for years as petes travel ran the 404E as their first commerical route and soon after the 401/2 and 401E and the 410 was ran by the birmingham coach company from early 1990's and ludlows with the 002/417 and similar with the other services by diamond like the 16/50/301 and blue diamonds 97 which was petes travel before
So what routes have the Wright Crusaders on as I only saw one on the 404E today and the 417 did have one that struggled terribly up Mucklow Hill and only had myself and 2 other people on it and and when catching another 417 back all the way from West Brom to Halesowen it on it ran virtually empty with 1 other person on it to Blackheath and then 3 people to Halesowen so it could be reduced to every 30 minutes. It is meant to arrive in Halesowen at 2:45 but got to 2 stops before at 2.36 so waited at least 7-8 minutes at a bus stop which was rather annoying.
Also on the 417 was 3 Royales and a Hybrid Versa.
They certainly shouldn't put optare solo's on the 404E route which can get really busy as I was on one today that had a few people standing (20540).
I got on the same solo today on the 404E and was half full and the darts heading towards Walsall in the other direction seem to have high loadings. I was on a cadet it was 30216 on the 417 and i think i could have walked up Mucklow hill faster and again like you said was about 5 on board. Drivers complained allegedly about the centro's on the 404E about the tight turns around Caldmore so were taken off even though it was centro operated for along time before the mcv's. The 404E just sees a mixed bag of buses on it now and doesnt surpise me people were standing up on the solo i have seen the full sized darts rammed in the day time. I would think the cadets are on the 301 and 401/2 and 410 with the regular buses off those services on the 404E. There were also a few black diamond darts that normally stick to the 59 on the 404E so could have swapped around vehicles.
Does the 59 get busy? Remember that tho centros used to do the 404E in the past-some of these were the smaller MAN ones-I know the longer mans-801/6 and the volvos did go on the route but it was these that were less manoeuvrable. Ideally, they should buy some secondhand wright commanders and cadets as these would suit their network. Glad diamond do well on 404e-do nxwm get that busy? Why are diamond successful on this route?
Quote from: Peter123 on July 31, 2012, 06:27:33 PM
do nxwm get that busy?
They do, sometimes leaving Walsall when I'm on the 404, people are standing in the aisle.
The centros that used to get used on the 404E were 802-5 and 4 from 807-11. I think 801/6 were used on the 202/4 services then. The royale centros get used regulary on the 404E on sundays along with the versa's. The 404E always seems to be well used monday and saturday and have proved a sucess since introducing evening and sunday services which i think is the only black diamond service (commercial) they operate 7 days a week daytimes and evenings as the 301 doesnt have a sunday evening service. NXWM seems to do well but Tony mentioned about a six minute frequency service not making a profit or something along those lines so please dont quote me on that not saying its the 404 it could be any NXWM 6 minute frequency service. NXWM 404 can somtimes bunch up together causing gaps in the service and this is where diamond takes advantage. Often a diamond 404 daytime service can stop at nearly every stop picking up passengers depeding on wether a nxwm bus is in front hence solos do not have the capcity for this.
The blackheath to Oldbury section is generally not busy hence the 417 seems to struggle but between Walsall and Oldbury the 404 can be very busy both diamond 404E and NXWM 404
So glad diamond do well on 404E-they should extend to Merry Hill-that would be a good idea. Maybe they should transfer 802-5 back onto 404E from the 50 and use darts on the 50 which is more lightly used. Or, if they wanted luxury buses on the 404E-treat 802-5 to a refurb into royale spec-then you get mini royales. They need some bigger buses than solos clearly.....or up the frequency..It would be great if the diamond one made a profit and nxwm didnt -on one of their own routes!! Maybe an operator can break the NXWM dominance
I think if the 404E never had the mcv's for the service then it would have been unlikely that the 002 and 50 would have recieved the centro's branded for them when they were taken off the 404E. Surely rotala has to try some new services or upgrade existing services in the west midlands as if you look at the wessex red fleet they have the ex diamond centro's, omnilinks, geminis and tridents
They should upgrade existing ones and try out again on 64/9/87/120/74 etc with free buses like on 301-thats probably why they are successful on the route now
Quote from: Mike360 on July 31, 2012, 04:26:36 PM
Quote from: Ash on July 30, 2012, 11:30:17 PM
The 404E lately is not even seeing the crusaders on the service any more today there were red diamond darts, a swift branded dart, solos and an all over white diamond dart as well as a couple of newly repainted black diamond pointers. The black diamond network in West Bromwich is very popular services like 401/2/404E and 410 are very well used not so much the 417 although uses the centro's. The 301 is very popular in Walsall along with the 401E. Diamond need new investment but will this come when the sandwell bus review happens.
Most of the commerical services diamond run have been ran by companies that diamond brought up for years as petes travel ran the 404E as their first commerical route and soon after the 401/2 and 401E and the 410 was ran by the birmingham coach company from early 1990's and ludlows with the 002/417 and similar with the other services by diamond like the 16/50/301 and blue diamonds 97 which was petes travel before
So what routes have the Wright Crusaders on as I only saw one on the 404E today and the 417 did have one that struggled terribly up Mucklow Hill and only had myself and 2 other people on it and and when catching another 417 back all the way from West Brom to Halesowen it on it ran virtually empty with 1 other person on it to Blackheath and then 3 people to Halesowen so it could be reduced to every 30 minutes. It is meant to arrive in Halesowen at 2:45 but got to 2 stops before at 2.36 so waited at least 7-8 minutes at a bus stop which was rather annoying.
Also on the 417 was 3 Royales and a Hybrid Versa.
They certainly shouldn't put optare solo's on the 404E route which can get really busy as I was on one today that had a few people standing (20540).
Seen a Wright Crusader on the 56.
Really!! Crusader on the 56-I thought they used more luxury buses on that route-dont get me wrong I like crusaders/cadets but still!!
I saw 30207 on the 56 last week it depends on the time of day you see them on there if its peak time at around 5 its not that rare any other time it is. They have tried all those services mentioned and withdrawn off them. The service i would try if i was diamond would be the 246 stourbridge to dudley.
In other words, Black Country services they seem to do better on-or they could try to buy Hanson's!! No, but maybe the X96, 246 could be successful. Anyone have any info on what the 404B was??
Pity. Thought 404B would have been a useful link-do we think theyd be successul on the 246, 276 or X96?
Quote from: Peter123 on August 01, 2012, 03:40:27 PM
Pity. Thought 404B would have been a useful link-do we think theyd be successul on the 246, 276 or X96?
Peter the answer would be NO. 246/x96 carry an awful lot of students so all have travelcards,so they would`nt use them.NXWM would also up frequency to limit the chances.276 only really carries on some of the route and you can guarantee pensnett would do all they can to protect that section.
Quote from: Peter123 on August 01, 2012, 03:40:27 PM
Pity. Thought 404B would have been a useful link-do we think theyd be successul on the 246, 276 or X96?
BCC / Diamond Bus have tried the current 246 route in the past, they used to operate the full Walsall - Stourbridge route via Dudley
The 404B was a waste of time as the 417 covers the exact same route, what would be good is extend the current 404E to Oldbury from West Bromwich probably only need 2 extra buses adding onto the PVR as the 404E pvr is 8 it used to be 10 tho.
If 8 buses are needed for the 404E then Hybrid Versa's should be used on this route and the 56 should have the Royale Centro's put back on it.
Then the 417 should have the Wright Crusaders back on like they used to because those are certainly fine for capacity and once the diversion has finished so they're not going up Mucklow Hill.
The versa's were especially ordered for the 56 i believe, thought as there hybrid buses the 404E is quite a stop start service along with the 301 so would be very useful for both services as fuel consumption would be better.
Quote from: Ash on August 01, 2012, 10:39:44 PM
The versa's were especially ordered for the 56 i believe
Nope. Although not the original plan, they were earmarked for another route within the Midlands.
Quote from: NEL111P on August 02, 2012, 12:32:47 AM
Quote from: Ash on August 01, 2012, 10:39:44 PM
The versa's were especially ordered for the 56 i believe
Nope. Although not the original plan, they were earmarked for another route within the Midlands.
What other route was they for, it was just on the facebook page diamond bus quoted to be using the new versa's on the 56 and 301 services so just took it from here these were the 2 services they were destined to be used on.
Quote from: Ash on August 02, 2012, 12:46:55 AM
Quote from: NEL111P on August 02, 2012, 12:32:47 AM
Quote from: Ash on August 01, 2012, 10:39:44 PM
The versa's were especially ordered for the 56 i believe
Nope. Although not the original plan, they were earmarked for another route within the Midlands.
What other route was they for, it was just on the facebook page diamond bus quoted to be using the new versa's on the 56 and 301 services so just took it from here these were the 2 services they were destined to be used on.
What is on the facebook page is correct, i.e. they will typically be used on those routes. But they were neither ordered, nor originally intended for those two routes - or for any other Black Diamond route.
Ok thanks for the info NEL111P its just when you mentioned there were earmarked for another route I wondered which one you was on about. Its good to see them on other diamond services aswell as on the 56 as i thought the 56 suited the centro's well in terms of capacity may be swapping the versa's and centros around on the 56 and 417 would be a good idea as the 417 never gets busy enough to need so a high capacity bus in seating.
Diamond seem to have reduced the number of polish drivers they have and the number of female drivers seems to have increased slightly, may be this is not true and due to the drivers being moved round it has given a inaccuarate view.
Quote from: Ash on August 02, 2012, 07:09:33 PM
Diamond seem to have reduced the number of polish drivers they have and the number of female drivers seems to have increased slightly, may be this is not true and due to the drivers being moved round it has given a inaccuarate view.
Ive noticed there are more of them specifically on Blue Diamond and less on Black Diamond now
Still poles most seem to be on the 301 as they go to mossley and return Not in service via broad lane and missing out bloxwich never run the full route when they are on screwing up one of there better routes just sack em all
Quote from: Peter123 on July 31, 2012, 06:27:33 PM
Does the 59 get busy? Remember that tho centros used to do the 404E in the past-some of these were the smaller MAN ones-I know the longer mans-801/6 and the volvos did go on the route but it was these that were less manoeuvrable. Ideally, they should buy some secondhand wright commanders and cadets as these would suit their network. Glad diamond do well on 404e-do nxwm get that busy? Why are diamond successful on this route?
The 59 can get busy at times but most people use the NXWM 59
Quote from: Trident 4609 on August 03, 2012, 12:51:03 PM
Quote from: Peter123 on July 31, 2012, 06:27:33 PM
Does the 59 get busy? Remember that tho centros used to do the 404E in the past-some of these were the smaller MAN ones-I know the longer mans-801/6 and the volvos did go on the route but it was these that were less manoeuvrable. Ideally, they should buy some secondhand wright commanders and cadets as these would suit their network. Glad diamond do well on 404e-do nxwm get that busy? Why are diamond successful on this route?
The 59 can get busy at times but most people use the NXWM 59
problem is NXWM go to the station Diamond do not they may get more custom if they did if they could get some slots
Any news on the 007? Wasnt this supposed to have been sorted out last week or the week before? Or is it being totally withdrawn now?
Didnt realise diamond dont use the bus station at Wolverhampton for the 59 service i agree with disco dave using it im sure would attract more custom, what type of vehicles are used on the 59 now cause it used to be the black diamond darts such as X639AKW, W448DOP.
30801 was once on the 59
Still no details sadly :(
007
Halesowen – Romsley – Bromsgrove – The Oakalls
Service retendered. No planned change to timetable but final details still awaited
Only thing Im happy about is the extension of 50a (though can spark competition ;P)
50A (Green Bus)
Redditch – Wythall – Maypole - Birmingham
New hourly service between 7am and 5pm on Mondays to Fridays and 9am and 4pm on
Saturdays. Route identical to Service X50, operated by Johnson's.
Quote from: Ash on August 03, 2012, 05:21:03 PM
Didnt realise diamond dont use the bus station at Wolverhampton for the 59 service i agree with disco dave using it im sure would attract more custom, what type of vehicles are used on the 59 now cause it used to be the black diamond darts such as X639AKW, W448DOP.
They used to but then some months later stopped.
I usually see Solos, all over white Darts or Black Diamond Darts on there.
Just mentioning about evening services i saw a black diamond hybrid leave on the 301 from Walsall with about 5 people leaving around 20:25 on whilst on the 404E the 20:24 left with about 15 people on and the nxwm which just leaves after that was very full and the dart which then passed me on the 404E heading to Walsall in Caldmore had around 10 people on at 20:40, not sure if these are good loadings but suppose this is just the amount of people that start from the terminus and im sure more people will be picked up towards the destinations.
Quote from: vinh1000 on August 03, 2012, 06:16:07 PM
Still no details sadly :(
007
Halesowen – Romsley – Bromsgrove – The Oakalls
Service retendered. No planned change to timetable but final details still awaited
Central Buses have won the tender to operate the 007, a new registration has appeared on VOSA today
PD1021409/54 - CEN GROUP LIMITED, UNIT 14A, TAMEBRIDGE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, ALDRIDGE ROAD, PERRY BARR, BIRMINGHAM, B42 2TX
Registration Accepted by SN
Starting Point: Halesowen
Finish Point: Oakalls Estate
Via: Romsley
Service Number: 007
Service Type: Normal Stopping/Hail & Ride
Effective Date: 03-SEP-2012
Other Details: Monday to Saturdays, no service bank hols
Quote from: Ash on August 03, 2012, 05:21:03 PM
Didnt realise diamond dont use the bus station at Wolverhampton for the 59 service i agree with disco dave using it im sure would attract more custom, what type of vehicles are used on the 59 now cause it used to be the black diamond darts such as X639AKW, W448DOP.
i see solos on the 59 but there have been more darts on there this week.
Quote from: Winston on August 08, 2012, 05:07:08 PM
Quote from: vinh1000 on August 03, 2012, 06:16:07 PM
Still no details sadly :(
007
Halesowen – Romsley – Bromsgrove – The Oakalls
Service retendered. No planned change to timetable but final details still awaited
Central Buses have won the tender to operate the 007, a new registration has appeared on VOSA today
PD1021409/54 - CEN GROUP LIMITED, UNIT 14A, TAMEBRIDGE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, ALDRIDGE ROAD, PERRY BARR, BIRMINGHAM, B42 2TX
Registration Accepted by SN
Starting Point: Halesowen
Finish Point: Oakalls Estate
Via: Romsley
Service Number: 007
Service Type: Normal Stopping/Hail & Ride
Effective Date: 03-SEP-2012
Other Details: Monday to Saturdays, no service bank hols
Interesting
That's good i guess but imagine the mileage to get there and back :P