Rotala Management - Questions & Answers

[tombzy]

We originally bid for funding for the numbers you set out above.  We didn't receive any funding for the Tividale or Preston vehicles.


Simon

Thats unfortunate.Personally suprised that tividale didnt recieve any funding though. 
I wonder what the tividale denning would be used on as there is only one would it just be used on the short 4 trips between west bromwich and walsall?

[TheKLT]

Hello,

I've got a few questions/concerns about the 356 service (Oldham-Ashton through the Saddleworth Villages) 

Since around the 2nd week of diamond running this service it hasn't served High Grove Road in Grasscroft, which means a viable community is being left without a bus service, now they are saying this is due to an Operational Issue, now how long are they are looking at till they will get a service resumed again?

Also, the fiats are too small for the 356s coming out of Oldham in the week, which is often meaning some people who are living up in the villages where the 356 only serves aren't being able to get on the service, but obviously they need to take in account it is a tight route, when Nexus ran it the strata's they used on it never had any issues however it seems the strata's are being prioritised onto the 385 which could probably take an MMC around it, while 356 struggles with them.

Also are they any more stratas due for the 356, or are the fiats new permanent vehicles?

Thank you.

[Westy]

On the screen inside its rotating through a few things and one of them was mentioning how the service is a rail replacement and will stop at specific rail stops

Simon - Also affecting 30926 this morning as well!

[Simon Dunn]

Hello,

I've got a few questions/concerns about the 356 service (Oldham-Ashton through the Saddleworth Villages) 

Since around the 2nd week of diamond running this service it hasn't served High Grove Road in Grasscroft, which means a viable community is being left without a bus service, now they are saying this is due to an Operational Issue, now how long are they are looking at till they will get a service resumed again?

Also, the fiats are too small for the 356s coming out of Oldham in the week, which is often meaning some people who are living up in the villages where the 356 only serves aren't being able to get on the service, but obviously they need to take in account it is a tight route, when Nexus ran it the strata's they used on it never had any issues however it seems the strata's are being prioritised onto the 385 which could probably take an MMC around it, while 356 struggles with them.

Also are they any more stratas due for the 356, or are the fiats new permanent vehicles?

Thank you.

We are at present short of "Mellor vehicles" in Manchester.  It is 6 in total.  At present this 6 vehicle gap is being plugged by some older Solo's and 2 New E200's in stock white.   4 of the vehicles are coming from re-assignment from another Bee Network operator and 2 are on order.  I am advised the impact on being short of these smaller buses is that this route is being diverted.  

I understand all this has been agreed and discussed with TfGM.   
 

[Simon Dunn]

Simon - Also affecting 30926 this morning as well!

Thank you.

We will pick this up.

[Wumpty]

Simon, just a thank you to your 57 drivers in Wednesfield area. The roads are very tight, fraught with poor parking and run past numerous schools, which I live by. All of them, without question, are courteous to other road users, and make concerted efforts to work with residents on congested roads, like Victoria Road. Please thank them for their attitude and approach. 

[900]

Another bus broken on the 63/64/65 again seems to keep happening often leaving routes that run every hour and people rely on them without a bus.

Isn't time to start looking for buses that arent 15 years old and ready to become tin cans and somthing that isn't them stupid vans...

[mranon]

Another bus broken on the 63/64/65 again seems to keep happening often leaving routes that run every hour and people rely on them without a bus.

Isn't time to start looking for buses that arent 15 years old and ready to become tin cans and somthing that isn't them stupid vans...

It's about time something was done, the older bigger capacity vehicles on these services are always breaking down, or we get a bread van which isn't suitable at certain times.

The previous operator was more reliable

[BK63 YWP]

Hello Simon 

There is a new build estate being built near cookley, on the plans for the estate, it states that there's plans for the 9A/C to be diverted through to serve the estate. 

Since the 25A will be soon extended to Kidderminster is there plans to get bus diverted in to the estate or have bus stop near to the park gate pub? 

[Simon Dunn]

It's about time something was done, the older bigger capacity vehicles on these services are always breaking down, or we get a bread van which isn't suitable at certain times.

The previous operator was more reliable

Thank you for your comments.  I will look at the lost mileage %'s, and reasons for breakdown.   

Why do you think smaller Mercedes are not suitable?   This is what the service specification provides for.   We have been acquiring these, because they are more cost efficient and have a lower life span.   

Franchising is expected.  There is no "residual value" agreement in place, in the event of Franchising that fleet will be transferred to the winning operator, so until this is clarified there will be limited fleet replacement.   

[Simon Dunn]

Hello Simon

There is a new build estate being built near cookley, on the plans for the estate, it states that there's plans for the 9A/C to be diverted through to serve the estate.

Since the 25A will be soon extended to Kidderminster is there plans to get bus diverted in to the estate or have bus stop near to the park gate pub?

A few years back, we worked with Worcestershire "WCC" to create an enhanced timetable for the 9 a/c and there was talk of re-routing the 125.  

I believe WCC will put in place a service, when the service reaches a level of occupancy.   

[900]

Thank you for your comments.  I will look at the lost mileage %'s, and reasons for breakdown. 

Why do you think smaller Mercedes are not suitable?  This is what the service specification provides for.  We have been acquiring these, because they are more cost efficient and have a lower life span. 

Franchising is expected.  There is no "residual value" agreement in place, in the event of Franchising that fleet will be transferred to the winning operator, so until this is clarified there will be limited fleet replacement. 

The mellors are fine for routes but the newer vans are not very good for space and seating

[Rachvince53]

Former Preston 21238 is tracking as being on Preston 19A and West Midlands 63/64/65.

[Simon Dunn]

Former Preston 21238 is tracking as being on Preston 19A and West Midlands 63/64/65.

The bus is in the West Midlands.

We have a Ticketer software patch coming through in the next few weeks.  The effect of which will fix the IP address for every bus, and make sure on an ongoing basis it is correct.

[Rachvince53]

Okay thanks.

Can I ask an unrelated question? What happens in an instance like this morning when the ticket machine isn't working and the driver is unable to issue tickets and doesn't take any fares?