Evergreen Coaches

[Steveminor]

The tender also went out well before the pandemic

[Pat]

Would it need to meet Euro6 though? The 28A route doesn't go into the Clean Air Zone.

Or is Euro6 a condition of any TfWM tenders?

The 303 in Bilston doesn't go into a clean air zone, but Travel Express had to purchase new vehicles that met euro 6 standards when they won the contract a few years back.

The tender also went out well before the pandemic

So they've had sufficient time to source a suitable vehicle.

[Tony]

But when was the route put out to tender?  If it was only a few weeks ago, then I can understand but if it was before the lockdown, then the company surely would've had enough time to obtain a suitable vehicle.  And if they didn't have a vehicle that was suitable for the contract, why did they bid for it in the first place?

NXWM ordered E014 and E019 many months ago, but cannot get them because they are stuck in premises. You do realise these times are extremely hard for businesses.

[Pat]

NXWM ordered E014 and E019 many months ago, but cannot get them because they are stuck in premises. You do realise these times are extremely hard for businesses.

I understand that it is difficult for businesses, but if the tenders were put out well before the pandemic then I can't see why they haven't obtained a new vehicle.  I understand that the buses used on the 53 are rentals, so they'd likely have done the same for the 28A in which case, they wouldn't have had to wait as long for a new bus to be manufactured

[winston]

I understand that it is difficult for businesses, but if the tenders were put out well before the pandemic then I can't see why they haven't obtained a new vehicle.  I understand that the buses used on the 53 are rentals, so they'd likely have done the same for the 28A in which case, they wouldn't have had to wait as long for a new bus to be manufactured

You're assuming that the likes of Dawson Rentals & Mistral are still open for business. As demand for rentals will have been vapourised due to most operators having large portions of their own fleets parked up doing nothing, they may well have furloughed their staff & closed up during lockdown.

[Pat]

You're assuming that the likes of Dawson Rentals & Mistral are still open for business. As demand for rentals will have been vapourised due to most operators having large portions of their own fleets parked up doing nothing, they may well have furloughed their staff & closed up during lockdown.

I'm not assuming they're open now.  It's obvious that they aren't.  I'm assuming they were open for business before the lockdown, when the tender was put out, in which Evergreen could have sourced a vehicle.

[2206]

I'm assuming they were open for business before the lockdown, when the tender was put out, in which Evergreen could have sourced a vehicle.

I have no idea on what basis the contract was awarded.  However, if the contract requires Euro 6 TfWM normally allow a period of time for this requirement to be fulfilled.

Do all tenders need euro 6 vehicles? As the 25 uses Solo as well - 20058 today and I presume these are not euro 6?
Could it be that the 28A tender doesn't require euro 6?

[Pat]

Do all tenders need euro 6 vehicles? As the 25 uses Solo as well - 20058 today and I presume these are not euro 6?

It may have had a trap fitted, in which case it would meet the emission standards.

[Tony]

I understand that it is difficult for businesses, but if the tenders were put out well before the pandemic then I can't see why they haven't obtained a new vehicle.  I understand that the buses used on the 53 are rentals, so they'd likely have done the same for the 28A in which case, they wouldn't have had to wait as long for a new bus to be manufactured

So, You go to Dawson Rentals in Fberuary and say to them " I need a bus from 27th April" They say yes you can have this, it will be £600 per month. No-one in there right mind would pay that extra £1,200 to have a bus sat doing nothing for 2 months, you agree to take delivery around the 23rd April, then oh dear 23rd April you cannot get your bus.

[winston]

So, You go to Dawson Rentals in Fberuary and say to them " I need a bus from 27th April" They say yes you can have this, it will be £600 per month. No-one in there right mind would pay that extra £1,200 to have a bus sat doing nothing for 2 months, you agree to take delivery around the 23rd April, then oh dear 23rd April you cannot get your bus.

Tony, we're wasting our time, trying to justify it to someone that knows better.

[Pat]

So, You go to Dawson Rentals in Fberuary and say to them " I need a bus from 27th April" They say yes you can have this, it will be £600 per month. No-one in there right mind would pay that extra £1,200 to have a bus sat doing nothing for 2 months, you agree to take delivery around the 23rd April, then oh dear 23rd April you cannot get your bus.

Tony, we're wasting our time, trying to justify it to someone that knows better.

Right, I understand things clearer now.  I apologise if you feel that I came across as "someone who knows better," I just wanted to find out clearly why they hadn't sourced another vehicle.   

[winston]

Do all tenders need euro 6 vehicles? As the 25 uses Solo as well - 20058 today and I presume these are not euro 6?
Could it be that the 28A tender doesn't require euro 6?

Not all yet, only new tenders - existing tenders may still be specified as Euro 5 & below. Just depends what they are & where they serve i.e. within AQPS zones.

[Tony]

Not all yet, only new tenders - existing tenders may still be specified as Euro 5 & below. Just depends what they are & where they serve i.e. within AQPS zones.

Operators put in different bid prices depending on what vehicle they intend to use.
Dawsons etc will be charging a premium on any euro 6 vehicle, so anyone hiring a bus will need to be including this
The routes NXWM won on euro 6 included the price of fitting the trap spread over the 3 years

[Jack D]

What bus is the 28A operated with?

[2206]

What bus is the 28A operated with?

Still being operated by the red Omnicity. X21BUS.