Travel Express / Lets Go

[Mayfield]

There are 14 vehicles on bus times of which 10 are in use today

[Rachvince53]

There are 14 vehicles on bus times of which 10 are in use today

Thanks. I know that the last time they were up a restriction was placed on the number of buses they could operate along with certain route restrictions I think. I believe this is the third time (at least)  they've been up before the authorities. 

[PhageyMcPhage]

Travel Express don't have 15 operational vehicles as far as I'm aware as a previous enquiry stated they could only operate eight vehicles. As for the contract services, they operate service 303 as mentioned plus the interworked services 63/64/65. They run commercial journeys on services 1 and 11 plus positioning journeys on the 3 and 529.

The TC guidance is on how many vehicles your licence is for not the actual fleet size.

Looking on Bus Times now Lets Go have 10 vehicles tracking.

[CKD]

There are 14 vehicles on bus times of which 10 are in use today

13 should be in use today. 4 buses are needed to maintain the 15 minute Saturday service on the 1 but they only have 1 bus out !

[Rachvince53]

13 should be in use today. 4 buses are needed to maintain the 15 minute Saturday service on the 1 but they only have 1 bus out !

Not unusual. Mondays especially are notorious for having only one bus on the 1 (plus the bus used on the 303 during the main daytime). One driver told me they have to run the full contract services even if it means pulling a bus and driver off a commercial service (ie the 1 or 11) as otherwise they don't get paid. Not sure if that's true.

[D10]

Not unusual. Mondays especially are notorious for having only one bus on the 1 (plus the bus used on the 303 during the main daytime). One driver told me they have to run the full contract services even if it means pulling a bus and driver off a commercial service (ie the 1 or 11) as otherwise they don't get paid. Not sure if that's true.

Well yes, standard practice with tender contracts. You're getting paid to run the service after all, so if a journey doesn't run, you don't get paid for that journey,

[justlookingaround]

Not sure how a part time tm will impress the T/C as both existing tm's have been suspended for a minimum of three years. a part time tm will not be enough to fulfill the conditions of the license

It will likely be used as part of an appeal though. Hopefully a report of the inquiry appears soon.

[Rachvince53]

It will likely be used as part of an appeal though. Hopefully a report of the inquiry appears soon.

The written report was published yesterday, 5th June 2024. It can be accessed by searching for "travel express revoked " on the web.

[MW]

The wriiten report was published yesterday, 5th June 2024. It can be accessed by searching for "travel express revoked " on the web.

They are looking for a new Transport Manager for their new licence application.

[fleetline6477]

Any news on an alternative operator for the tendered service, 63/64/65 and 303?

[Rachvince53]

Any news on an alternative operator for the tendered service, 63/64/65 and 303?

Not yet. As its a short notice requirement, it may be a question of who can provide short notice cover prior to a full tender being issued as happened with iGo. 

[Tony]

It isn't a short notice tender. It was put out to operators almost as soon as the PI was announced and the winner has been notified (I don't know who it is)

[BlackCountryBusSpotter]

Any news on an alternative operator for the tendered service, 63/64/65 and 303?

Fairly certain Diamond operated them before wouldn't be surprised If they run them, can't picture NX even wanting them. Carolean might have put in a bid but they only 4 Buses they would need more. I think it will likely be Diamond

[Rachvince53]

Fairly certain Diamond operated them before wouldn't be surprised If they run them, can't picture NX even wanting them. Carolean might have put in a bid but they only 4 Buses they would need more. I think it will likely be Diamond

Yeah I was thinking the same, as Diamond did operate them before. I though Carolean might take on the 303 as it only needs one bus. As you say, can't imagine NX wanting them. The other possibility is Select or Chaserider but I don't think either have the buses or drivers. 

[justlookingaround]

He can try and get another license all he wants but I can't see it being approved again. He always goes back to his old ways!