Diamond Bus - Discussion

[NXWM Spectra]

Well Travel Express already operate on the service between Wolverhampton and Tettenhall and do quite well especially at Peak time. It probably wouldn't work as even the NX 1 is quiet in the daytime. Tbh there was complaints that the 59H was withdrawn and was handy for Hospital workees

The buses are quite busy, but most don't pay.

[Trident 4609]

Well Travel Express already operate on the service between Wolverhampton and Tettenhall and do quite well especially at Peak time. It probably wouldn't work as even the NX 1 is quiet in the daytime. Tbh there was complaints that the 59H was withdrawn and was handy for Hospital workees

The buses are quite busy, but most don't pay.

Especially on the 529 ;)

[Lukeee]

The only way VIPake money as they're paid to do it. VIP make their money through the private work. Of which is of a high volume.

I can't see NX doing more on the 99 then it does now. Even with a Centro payout I don't think it'll be financially viable. VIP rarely get a decent passengers load for early / late runnings. Just from personal checks and its not gospel.

Yeah and the fact that they are not that legit so they cut corners and keep costs low. They dont seem to be winning any more routes which is nice but why pick the 99 to compete on? Not that busy, long route-surely a quick turnround on a route in a poorer area would make them more money? No I cant see NX doing much more-surprised to see it even upgraded with new e200 darts.

Think they picked the 99 to compete on as they run a 'day centre' contract (or something like that) so run the 99 around that and they already operate it on evenings and sunday so it helps build a presence on the route.

[sonic84]

I'd like to know why loadings on the 99 seem quite poor.  When it was the 636 running every 15 minutes Quinton Stag - University, it was very busy, particularly between Harborne High Street and Four Dwellings.  When it was extended to Halesowen as the 636H, it was still popular, and once Diamond curtailed the 004 to run Halesowen - Harbone only, they lost all their passengers to the 636 eventually withdrawing completely.

It would be interesting to know, what has gone wrong.

[Sh4318]

I'd like to know why loadings on the 99 seem quite poor.  When it was the 636 running every 15 minutes Quinton Stag - University, it was very busy, particularly between Harborne High Street and Four Dwellings.  When it was extended to Halesowen as the 636H, it was still popular, and once Diamond curtailed the 004 to run Halesowen - Harbone only, they lost all their passengers to the 636 eventually withdrawing completely.

It would be interesting to know, what has gone wrong.

Could be because the 98 also covers University to Birmingham? I've never personally seen it with poor loadings, but I would imagine Harborne - Halesowen is the busiest part of the route

[Ash]

I noticed today that the old 529E route branding has been removed completely from T443/7EBD as both were seen on the 4 today.

[PM]

I noticed today that the old 529E route branding has been removed completely from T443/7EBD as both were seen on the 4 today.

Better get a picture of 443 tomorrow then as Ive only got it with the branding-though 447 has been debranded for quite a while i think

[Ash]

I noticed today that the old 529E route branding has been removed completely from T443/7EBD as both were seen on the 4 today.

Better get a picture of 443 tomorrow then as Ive only got it with the branding-though 447 has been debranded for quite a while i think

Yeah I couldn't remember which one had the branding removed ages ago, but when I saw both of them from the far side there was no branding which should be the same on the near side of the bus. There was a bit of a mix match of buses today on the 4 so made a good variety.

[PM]

I noticed today that the old 529E route branding has been removed completely from T443/7EBD as both were seen on the 4 today.

Better get a picture of 443 tomorrow then as Ive only got it with the branding-though 447 has been debranded for quite a while i think

Yeah I couldn't remember which one had the branding removed ages ago, but when I saw both of them from the far side there was no branding which should be the same on the near side of the bus. There was a bit of a mix match of buses today on the 4 so made a good variety.

So were these two on the 4 along with S397HVV and presumably some cadets and eclipses? Any other more unusual buses on there?

[Ash]

30205-7/11/18, 30426,30432/30434/30438, 30486, 30834, 30940-3 were the 15 buses on the 4 service today

[PM]

30205-7/11/18, 30426,30432/30434/30438, 30486, 30834, 30940-3 were the 15 buses on the 4 service today

Thanks for the info Ash.
This kind of illustrates the point Ive made before-10 buses originally meant to be for the 4, 7 actually arrived and of these about 2+ every day arent on the route.

[nitromatt1]

I noticed today that the old 529E route branding has been removed completely from T443/7EBD as both were seen on the 4 today.

T443 EBD has been debranded very recently, I noticed it on Saturday in Walsall (on the 301) with the branding quite scruffily etched off (still clearly visible), but I saw it only a couple of days or so before, with the branding still fully present

[PM]

30205-7/11/18, 30426,30432/30434/30438, 30486, 30834, 30940-3 were the 15 buses on the 4 service today

Was on 30426 this morning on the 4H where it was being absolutely thrashed as always on that route and there was quite a strong smell of diesel fumes or oil or something but fortunately I was on my own on the bus so just opened every window to get rid of the smell-still cant be a good sign

[Ash]

30205-7/11/18, 30426,30432/30434/30438, 30486, 30834, 30940-3 were the 15 buses on the 4 service today

Was on 30426 this morning on the 4H where it was being absolutely thrashed as always on that route and there was quite a strong smell of diesel fumes or oil or something but fortunately I was on my own on the bus so just opened every window to get rid of the smell-still cant be a good sign

Yeah that's the normal smell for this bus, also on the 4/4H/4M were the 7 b7rle's has to be one of the first times all 7 have worked on the 4 on the same day. 30825 was also on the service for the second day running with only 3 cadets on the 4 these being 30201/5/11.

[PM]

30205-7/11/18, 30426,30432/30434/30438, 30486, 30834, 30940-3 were the 15 buses on the 4 service today

Was on 30426 this morning on the 4H where it was being absolutely thrashed as always on that route and there was quite a strong smell of diesel fumes or oil or something but fortunately I was on my own on the bus so just opened every window to get rid of the smell-still cant be a good sign

Yeah that's the normal smell for this bus, also on the 4/4H/4M were the 7 b7rle's has to be one of the first times all 7 have worked on the 4 on the same day. 30825 was also on the service for the second day running with only 3 cadets on the 4 these being 30201/5/11.

It should be looked at though as it was vile and must mean something is badly wrong. The suspension and gearbox on this one are knackered as well. And all 7 werent on there today-6 were and 30834 was on the 002 and yeah as you say 30825 was on the 4H mostly. Quite a few darts on there as well-one crusader, V391/377 SVV, S397HVV and one other one Ive missed out...