October 2016 Tenders

[Stuharris 6360]

I have enquired with NX regarding the 81 on Sundays, and am awaiting a response. A query was brought up on my Facebook page, regarding the withdrawal of the Sunday evening journeys. The documents that TheTrainbasher provided here do show that the tender specification didn't include these journeys. Yet NX have announced on their website, and shown in their new timetable, that there will be evening journeys on Sunday.

I suspect one of two things:
1) NX are in error, and there won't be any Sunday evening journeys on the 81
2) NX will be operating Sunday evening journeys on the 81 'out-of-contract', ie commercially.

Sadly i suspect it will be option 1, can't see NX taking on commercially a service that Network West Midlands won't subsidise because of poor patronage.

I wonder in future how many contracts will be let without Sunday evening services, certainly services on Sunday evenings are getting quieter and quieter.

[Westy]

Suppose if you're lucky & live near a core route, you're ok?

For example on Boxing Day(I know, but using it as an example, it was normal Sunday daytime service, but in Walsall, the only evening journeys after 7pm, that were operated were the 301/302, the 4, the 529 & the 51.

[Stuharris 6360]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-37691160

[winston]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-37691160

Full annual bus statics document:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/561060/annual-bus-statistics-year-ending-march-2016.pdf

[Dom]

Sadly i suspect it will be option 1, can't see NX taking on commercially a service that Network West Midlands won't subsidise because of poor patronage.

I wonder in future how many contracts will be let without Sunday evening services, certainly services on Sunday evenings are getting quieter and quieter.

Late night Sunday trips are happening, they're on the running boards.

[Stu]

Late night Sunday trips aew happening, they're on the running boards.

Thanks for confirming for me better than my response from NX did. They replied to my email with a PDF copy of the new timetable after some woman tried to call me at work who couldn't/wouldn't answer my question about whether those journeys were being commercially operated.

[Alex]

Both the 71 & 77 were still being operated by their previous operators today, thought the changeover date was today?

[John]

Both the 71 & 77 were still being operated by their previous operators today, thought the changeover date was today?

Diamond were on the 71 in the daytime today, but I did see a NX 71A in Sutton around half 5 this evening

[2206]

Both the 71 & 77 were still being operated by their previous operators today, thought the changeover date was today?

NX have won the evening tender. Diamond still have the Sunday daytime one.