VIP

[Matt.N0056]

looking at the timetable on traveline i think they may be, although i wasnt so sure at first. According to their timetable VIP depart Solihull Station at 13:46, 16:57 and 18:29 (the other times - 05:52,06:22,06:47,21:14,22:15,23:15 - I believe are tendered journeys)

[fleetline6477]

Thanks for that, it was the 1346 departure I saw and no sign of any other vehicles going the other way as far as Chelmsley Wood.

[Matt.N0056]

I've just had another look at the timetable and they should actually be departing Solihull Station at 10:46, 11:14, 22:15, 23:15 on a Saturday (i forgot it was Saturday) so it seems they are running to the weekday timetables? I was in Solihull today and also saw the 1346 bus and one returning down Rowood drive at around 1650. The closest time to that according to the timetable would be 1621 (weekday service) 

[PM]

I saw VIP yesterday on the 636 in the mid-afternoon-didnt know they ran then??

[Stu]

Worth pointing out that as of today, VIP have withdrawn their 101 service.

[vinh1000]

Worth pointing out that as of today, VIP have withdrawn their 101 service.

Seen it today running in red livery
Any idea the date of withdrawal? It wasn't a good route anyway most of the time running empty with the same driver
Re:99 they seem to be running it at random times of the day was on one and driver asked if all passengers were going to the QE which we were so got off and ran not in service all the way back to birmingham then ran back to halesowen normal service

[Stu]

Interesting, there was a query on FixMyTransport regarding VIP's 101 service, and Centro seemed to think this ended on 22nd July!

http://www.fixmytransport.com/campaigns/curious-with-the-101-bus-route-in-th

[vinh1000]

Interesting, there was a query on FixMyTransport regarding VIP's 101 service, and Centro seemed to think this ended on 22nd July!

http://www.fixmytransport.com/campaigns/curious-with-the-101-bus-route-in-th

And seen it again today same driver
Guess they running without Centro Subsidy

[fleetline6477]

VIP are still running 101 service there now seem to be 2 buses on there. They are operating the same route as NX in Birmingham City Centre, the journeys I've seem do seem to be carrying a decent number of passengers - more than half full yesterday around 1.20 and 5.20.

[j_rp_wright]

Speaking to a VIP driver(coaches) while we were both parked up at Carding Mill Valley. He was telling me his boss doesn't give him holiday pay and it's all cash in hand work.. Another 'dodgy' operator! Though he told me they keep there vehicles clean to avoid the ministry getting on their backs!

[j_rp_wright]

As a company I've been told by a driver that he doesn't pay them holiday pay and it's all cash in hand work.... When the boss actually pays them!! Dodgy operator!!

[MW]

As a company I've been told by a driver that he doesn't pay them holiday pay and it's all cash in hand work.... When the boss actually pays them!! Dodgy operator!!

Just because the drivers are paid cash in hand, it doesn't mean the service is terrible. Stop rabbiting on about rubbish.

[Tony]

As a company I've been told by a driver that he doesn't pay them holiday pay and it's all cash in hand work.... When the boss actually pays them!! Dodgy operator!!

Just because the drivers are paid cash in hand, it doesn't mean the service is terrible. Stop rabbiting on about rubbish.

Oh I am sorry Michael I don't know if VIP pays cash in hand or not, so I am making no accusations here, but I presume you don't know what being paid cash in hand means.

Any operator who pays his drivers cash in hand is definately a dodgy operator on the basis that it is illegal. It comes under the description of tax avoidance

[Lukeee]

They seem to be all over the place on the 101, running to there own times, also the LED displays on one of the 02 plate MPDs today just displayed 424 with fuzzy orange lines.

[j_rp_wright]

Like tony said avoiding tax, and I was told this by a driver who wants out of this sham! I told him to get back into nxwm!