Johnsons

[Kevin]

Johnsons just posted on Facebook that the bus operation has been acquired by Diamond 

[the trainbasher]

Johnsons 'Excelbus' Bus Services to be taken over by Diamond Bus Ltd.


Please note that Johnsons holidays, excursions, private hire and School service operations are not part of this agreement.


Peter Johnson, our Operations Director says, "As we look forward and consider the challenges of meeting the needs of air quality and environmental issues, through electric, and then hydrogen powered vehicles, we have decided that we must now focus on building our coach business in terms of holidays, day trips, private coach hire and school services.


Therefore, we have made the decision to sell our 'Excelbus' operations to Rotala PLC's subsidiary, Diamond Bus Limited.


This announcement brings to an end our involvement in local bus services, after nearly 23 years of operation. The deal includes 18 buses and other assets and is expected to be concluded on 29th May. This will increase Rotala's presence in Warwickshire and the West Midlands as the deal includes all bus services currently provided by ourselves, including the X20 Stratford – Solihull service, the 150 Redditch – Birmingham services and Stratford's Park and Ride services.


All our 'Excelbus' commercial and tendered work, plus most drivers and some operating staff will join the Diamond Bus West Midlands operation, working from Diamond's existing depot at Redditch. Simon Dunn, Rotala Chief Executive, says that the vehicles will rapidly be rebranded into the Diamond Bus livery. While the buses move to Diamond Bus, Johnsons will continue to operate 45 coaches and employ 180 staff under our existing long-established family brand name.


John Johnson, Commercial Director, adds, "We are proud to continue to offer the high-quality coach services Johnsons is known for. As an industry leader and multi-award winner we are committed to growing our coach business for the long term, and we look forward to continuing to provide a high quality and friendly service for our customers."


You'll be pleased to know that most of our bus drivers are being taken on by Diamond Bus, so although the name on the buses and the livery will be different, you will continue to see some familiar friendly faces at the wheel!


On behalf of all of us here at Johnsons, we would like to thank all our bus service customers, who have supported us over many years; your patronage and loyalty is very much appreciated. We hope that you will continue to travel with us until Sunday 29th May and that you will have no hesitation to travel with Diamond Bus from Monday 30th May onwards.


Finally, at this point in time as this sale is announced, we do want to offer our heart-felt thanks, to all of our bus drivers, whether long standing or those who have more recently joined us, for their great service, support and loyalty. Again, it is very much appreciated.

https://www.facebook.com/839463772769840/posts/5007743022608540/

[BBS]

Quite unfortunate to see Claribels and Johnsons go And taken by diamond. I do believe diamond can help the west midlands in growing though but its decreasing the amount of smaller operators to have tendered routes. 

[Gareth]

The times are as follows from Worcester:

9:00am
11:00am
1:00pm
4:30pm
6:30pm

Is there really any need for a service that has a three and half hour gap in the afternoon and every two hours at other times? Surely that can't be making any money or even providing a necessary service?

[Westy]

Interesting to note Johnsons on Twitter have posted (& had it retweeted by TfWm!), that due to driver shortage, that some journeys (mostly X20 & 150) won't be running today.

[metrocity]

Interesting to note Johnsons on Twitter have posted (& had it retweeted by TfWm!), that due to driver shortage, that some journeys (mostly X20 & 150) won't be running today.

Its been like that for weeks

[MW]

A number of drivers walked out following the sale announcement so it's worse at the moment.

Noticeably less Johnson's presence in Solihull yesterday too.

[bewdley5]

Have any johnsons vechicles   been transfered  to whittles  just seen   at least one  with no lettering  on the nearside and a school childrens symbol  in bottom conerer  of screen by the door .  (another stighting  one with lettering on offside}
as i am inside   and   when they went passed my place i saw going different ways  so can not say  if it was same vehiclr

[barry]

Current the following ex-Johnsons vehicles are working out of Kidderminster. Some are temporary loans...
Midi Coaches: LFL (permanent)
Midi Coaches: Yu Tongs - SVC, SVD
49 Seater Coach: Plaxton Volvo - NYA
53 Seater Coach: Plaxton Volvo - NYC

[bewdley5]

Would not supprise me if the volos will stop with whittles as there fleet is all volos
 i have seen a ford  painted  in whittles livery   is that ex johnsons

[Stu]

Diamond have announced that they will be taking over some Johnsons services early, from 9th May, to help them out with current 'operational difficulties'.

https://www.diamondbuses.com/news/johnsons-welcome/

Also note the 150 service is being curtailed to operate between Redditch and Kings Heath only.

[sonic84]

Diamond have announced that they will be taking over some Johnsons services early, from 9th May, to help them out with current 'operational difficulties'.

https://www.diamondbuses.com/news/johnsons-welcome/

Also note the 150 service is being curtailed to operate between Redditch and Kings Heath only.

Another long standing link going then, Birmingham to Redditch via Alcester Road

[Stu]

Another long standing link going then, Birmingham to Redditch via Alcester Road

It's not clear if this is just a short-term measure due to short notice.

But if people aren't using the route, 'fond memories' won't keep it going. Johnsons had already recently broken it up into the 64, 149 and 150 with frequency reductions. With Diamond already operating the 50, at least a link is being retained.

[MW]

Keeps the vehicle requirement to 2 buses rather than 3 I'd imagine.

Last time I looked at the 150, it's something like 62 mins each way. If they maintained an hourly frequency along the whole route without interworking with anything else, they'd have a bus sitting around for over half an hour, every hour. I'm pretty sure Johnson's had it interworking the 64 at one point.

Having said that, it can be timed to interwork the Diamond 50 to make things more efficient. Given the rumours that the 50 will be moving back to Tividale and the 150 being run out of Redditch, would make this unlikely to happen. 

[2206]

Is X20 not going to Meriden and Coventry anymore? Just the 89 in Catherine De Barnes and Hampton In Arden if thats the case then (I know Hampton In Arden has the train to)?
What is 20 Shirley to Stratford?