Preston Bus Tridents at Cannock

[Ash]

The only good thing I can say about those mcv evolutions were that they were powerful buses with excellent route branding for the 16 and 404E apart from that they were poor. Shame they went as they were new but I would rather travel on a black diamond cadet more room for the passenger.

[Discodave]

So this would mean all the buses in the signature branding and the 8 royale centros would merge to create another brand maybe with the leather hybrids.

And be shipped out of Tividale and more tat in its place as mentioned Diamond in the WM are losing out left right and centre may as well send the good stuff to where the money is made Wessex and Preston.

[Ash]

The problem with the royale diamond centro's and the signature buses is that they have these names on the head rests of the seats not that it would make much difference if they wanted to change the name on the exterior of the bus. I hope they don't move out of the West Midlands especially the citaro's as they are brilliant buses.

[Discodave]

I agree but diamond have just stopped caring hope they do not go as well.

[jc]

In regards to Solos on the X3 ... Its happened at least twice this week and this gives me reason to believe the 17:50 service from Redditch is booked to be a Solo.

Redditch lost a lot of First Drivers who simply haven't wanted to work for Diamond, over the years they have heard stories etc etc from the Diamond drivers and several have either moved to Worcester or another bus company.

On a positive note, Diamond have had an inspector in Redditch Bus Station all week and yesterday there were at least 3 Diamond staff around to help customers! This is more than First ever gave. Timetables on every stand in the Bus Station are now in the standard Diamond styling.

[tank90]

In regards to Solos on the X3 ... Its happened at least twice this week and this gives me reason to believe the 17:50 service from Redditch is booked to be a Solo.

Redditch lost a lot of First Drivers who simply haven't wanted to work for Diamond, over the years they have heard stories etc etc from the Diamond drivers and several have either moved to Worcester or another bus company.

On a positive note, Diamond have had an inspector in Redditch Bus Station all week and yesterday there were at least 3 Diamond staff around to help customers! This is more than First ever gave. Timetables on every stand in the Bus Station are now in the standard Diamond styling.

And leaflets in most buses, havent read one but have seen them.

[winston]

I agree but diamond have just stopped caring hope they do not go as well.

They also appear to have stopped trying as well....

[Ash]

I agree but diamond have just stopped caring hope they do not go as well.

They also appear to have stopped trying as well....

I agree partially with these comments and agree that certain aspects of the services/businesses need to change.

For example if diamond are offering cheaper return tickets compared to NXWM on the 4/4H/4M/16/40/50/301/401E and on the 226 not sure how much Hansons return is but I would be shouting about them, simple marketing advertise the return tickets on the bus as most services seem to see the same buses on each day. It's taking enough time but create one brand if it's diamond in the blue livery then stick by it but it has taken them several years to decide which colour to go for. Newer buses are being brought in gradually but large full sized darts are getting replaced with solo's and MPD's which is Ok for centro funded services but not for the 4 and 301. In terms of politeness I have found diamond drivers generally quite pleasant although like every company there's the ones that don't know what thank you is or any amenities of which the service goes past i.e schools, places of interest, hospitals etc. I was a big fan of the brands created nifty fifty, black country connection and shame most have now gone but I doubt even before Mr Dunn started Yourbus that we would have ended up with a diamond looking like trent barton.   

[arrifirststage]

I must admit to being no fan of Diamond but thank God they are no TrentBarton.
I cannot believe I can be the only person to loathe the black livery.........looks like a fleet of hearses,choose ONE livery (almost anything other than black) and stick with it.
From an operational point of view,could it be that Diamond would be better off consolidating in North Worcestershire and gradually withdrawing from Birmingham,Wolverhampton and Walsall.Surely,now Arriva have appeared on the scene it will be even more difficult to compete in these areas.
I could imagine a Diamond Bus Company with a compact area of Dudley,Stourbridge Kidderminster,Redditch etc being a more marketable and viable proposition than the present "try to serve everywhere" approach.

[winston]

I agree but diamond have just stopped caring hope they do not go as well.

They also appear to have stopped trying as well....

I agree partially with these comments and agree that certain aspects of the services/businesses need to change.

For example if diamond are offering cheaper return tickets compared to NXWM on the 4/4H/4M/16/40/50/301/401E and on the 226 not sure how much Hansons return is but I would be shouting about them, simple marketing advertise the return tickets on the bus as most services seem to see the same buses on each day. It's taking enough time but create one brand if it's diamond in the blue livery then stick by it but it has taken them several years to decide which colour to go for. Newer buses are being brought in gradually but large full sized darts are getting replaced with solo's and MPD's which is Ok for centro funded services but not for the 4 and 301. In terms of politeness I have found diamond drivers generally quite pleasant although like every company there's the ones that don't know what thank you is or any amenities of which the service goes past i.e schools, places of interest, hospitals etc. I was a big fan of the brands created nifty fifty, black country connection and shame most have now gone but I doubt even before Mr Dunn started Yourbus that we would have ended up with a diamond looking like trent barton.

Ash,

The day returns are only targeted / benefit cash paying passengers, the majority of regular travellers/commuters will buy a bus pass which works out cheaper daily, more often than not it will be an NXWM pass. The guy responsible for the marketing & designing the various brands also left Diamond around the same time. I suspect Scott Dunn's hands were tied by Rotala HQ

[Cedric]

I must admit to being no fan of Diamond but thank God they are no TrentBarton.
I cannot believe I can be the only person to loathe the black livery.........looks like a fleet of hearses,choose ONE livery (almost anything other than black) and stick with it.
From an operational point of view,could it be that Diamond would be better off consolidating in North Worcestershire and gradually withdrawing from Birmingham,Wolverhampton and Walsall.Surely,now Arriva have appeared on the scene it will be even more difficult to compete in these areas.
I could imagine a Diamond Bus Company with a compact area of Dudley,Stourbridge Kidderminster,Redditch etc being a more marketable and viable proposition than the present "try to serve everywhere" approach.

I agree with you there  are quite a few people who love to go to Stourbridge , Merry hill, and  Dudley , I know whittles do
a Stourbridge service but that is via Norton, there are people in Blakedown   Hagley   who love a service  to those places
also the people from Kidderminster  would love a direct service to Birmingham. and limited evening an sunday services     

[the trainbasher]

 it don't matter what happens in the first few weeks of the Redditch and Kidderminster takeover whilst everyone is trying to get things set up. Its understandable. People need to realise that there is bound to be a few teething problems whilst it is being sorted out but the end product when those teething problems are sorted out, diamond could end up being a force to be reckoned with, that being a good thing.

[Discodave]

it don't matter what happens in the first few weeks of the Redditch and Kidderminster takeover whilst everyone is trying to get things set up. Its understandable. People need to realise that there is bound to be a few teething problems whilst it is being sorted out but the end product when those teething problems are sorted out, diamond could end up being a force to be reckoned with, that being a good thing.

A voice of reason. I have a 50/50 view of diamond they are good on some services like the 301/4 and most in west brom but vehicle allocations on good paying routes is dire and the fleet replacements they have had have gone elsewhere and replaced by small solos which are basically crap except on tendered routes.  I hope Diamond do well in there new areas and yes give them a chance I have seen too many slagging them off on their FB page moments after they very first started.  Maybe in about 3-6 months then a view of how things are going would be fairer then say a year a better picture of hows things are could be said.  With regards to Arrivas takeover more of a view is given as they have failed with chase so now trying a second time you would expect them to have learned but only time will tell.

[Cedric]

it don't matter what happens in the first few weeks of the Redditch and Kidderminster takeover whilst everyone is trying to get things set up. Its understandable. People need to realise that there is bound to be a few teething problems whilst it is being sorted out but the end product when those teething problems are sorted out, diamond could end up being a force to be reckoned with, that being a good thing.

I realise what you are saying.  I was  only suggesting some  things   which  I thought where missing bus wise in the Kidderminster area and  where diamond might  jump in before anyone else does  ,

[StourportSam]

people from Kidderminster  would love a direct service to Birmingham. and limited evening an sunday services   

Yes please!