VIP

[Lukeee]

Good to see Diamond back on the 424, looks as though Long Acre will have a but of work with the 424 and the 650. Also did VIP Operate the Sunday 71 commercially, or will Diamond run that along with the evenings.

[Matt.N0056]

Good to see Diamond back on the 424, looks as though Long Acre will have a but of work with the 424 and the 650. Also did VIP Operate the Sunday 71 commercially, or will Diamond run that along with the evenings.

They did operate the 71 commercially, but cancelled it in August? and won the emergency tender for it.

[PM]

Really glad diamond have won the tenders. Hopefully its the start of the end for VIP

[Nathan4775]

So what will happen to the drivers/buses at VIP

[vinh1000]

Hey all :-)

Seen a VIP out of depot today and in city and they got a new route on the blinds

3 - Acocks Green via Yardley Wood Road

[Stu]

Hey all :-)

Seen a VIP out of depot today and in city and they got a new route on the blinds

3 - Acocks Green via Yardley Wood Road

They did used to operate some early morning 3 journeys, but I think they were only as far as Yardley Wood.

If they're starting commercially on this route, seems a strange choice.

[trident4370]

I lived in Yardley Wood when they were "operating" the early journeys and I never saw a single VIP bus!

[Matt.N0056]

I lived in Yardley Wood when they were "operating" the early journeys and I never saw a single VIP bus!

Didn't NXWM register them commercially or something as I remember VIP winning the tender but also 'loosing' it before they were meant to start?

[trident4370]

I lived in Yardley Wood when they were "operating" the early journeys and I never saw a single VIP bus!

Didn't NXWM register them commercially or something as I remember VIP winning the tender but also 'loosing' it before they were meant to start?

I don't really remember exactly what happened tbh but I know a VIP bus never worked the route! It could be that because they won so many contracts they didn't have enough buses to take on all the work so refused the 2/3 although your theory sounds much more probable!

[Matt.N0056]

I lived in Yardley Wood when they were "operating" the early journeys and I never saw a single VIP bus!

Didn't NXWM register them commercially or something as I remember VIP winning the tender but also 'loosing' it before they were meant to start?

I don't really remember exactly what happened tbh but I know a VIP bus never worked the route! It could be that because they won so many contracts they didn't have enough buses to take on all the work so refused the 2/3 although your theory sounds much more probable!

Just done a search on VOSA, the 2/3 were cancelled on the 22nd April, the date I believe they were meant to start. The outcome of tenders on CENTRO website says NXWM won the tender, although I do remember VIP winning it at first, so I don't know exact what happened there. Just read the outcome of tenders again and it appears it was a commercial registration by NXWM

[trident4370]

All I can say is, let's be thankful they never operated it! :P

[Gareth]

Is this a record? On the 72 tonight. Depart City Centre exactly 22.52. Arrive at Saltley Gate just before 22.56. Just over 3 1/2 mins!

[Kevin]

So I'm confused... Is the 99 a tendered route of an evening? Cause I saw a vip bus at half 9 last night going through the uni

[Kevin_Brum12]

So I'm confused... Is the 99 a tendered route of an evening? Cause I saw a vip bus at half 9 last night going through the uni

It is tendered on an evening (from memory the journeys operating after 19:30) and all day on Sundays.  Centro have just officially confirmed on BBC WM that VIP's tenders have been revoked, their last journeys will be on Saturday evening and new operators will be in place with effect from Sunday 10th November.

[Kevin]

So I'm confused... Is the 99 a tendered route of an evening? Cause I saw a vip bus at half 9 last night going through the uni

It is tendered on an evening (from memory the journeys operating after 19:30) and all day on Sundays.  Centro have just officially confirmed on BBC WM that VIP's tenders have been revoked, their last journeys will be on Saturday evening and new operators will be in place with effect from Sunday 10th November.

Ah ok, thought they had already stopped running