Rotala Management - Questions & Answers

[Simon Dunn]

Hi Simon,

Could you tell me the status of 33027, as well as First loanees 69157, 69175 and 69186, please? Thanks in advance.

I don't know the current status of every vehicle.  However, 33027 is part of our operational fleet.  We have agreed to acquire a number of vehicles from First.  I believe 69157, 69175 and 69186 is within that list

[Simon Dunn]

How long do the B10 trainers have left in service at Bolton? And when their time comes to go into retirement, will you be accepting any offers for preservation or are will they go to scrap?
Thanks in advance.

The training vehicles really need ABS.  The B10's don't have this.  We havent made a decision yet.  However, we have acquired a number of the B7's left in the fleet and as the rest of the Street Decks arrive during 2021 we may redeploy some of the B7's as replacement training vehicles.


Simon

[Solo1]

How come you painted some buses that are now up for sale in North West tthanks

[Solo1]

When will the ex central buses versa be painted thank you

[Tony]

The training vehicles really need ABS.  The B10's don't have this.  We havent made a decision yet.  However, we have acquired a number of the B7's left in the fleet and as the rest of the Street Decks arrive during 2021 we may redeploy some of the B7's as replacement training vehicles.


Simon

For you information Simon, NX have now managed to get the secondary instructor brake on a B7RLE working fully in partnership with the main brake pedal including the ABS and EBS. Hartshornes are going to sell kits of parts for the conversion

[CX06 BJF]

I don't know the current status of every vehicle.  However, 33027 is part of our operational fleet.  We have agreed to acquire a number of vehicles from First.  I believe 69157, 69175 and 69186 is within that list

Thanks for your reply, Simon.

Hopefully I can catch up with 33027 soon, as it's the only Citaro which I haven't seen yet.

[WWH44L]

I don't know the current status of every vehicle.  However, 33027 is part of our operational fleet.  We have agreed to acquire a number of vehicles from First.  I believe 69157, 69175 and 69186 is within that list

Thanks for this update Simon. Are you able to say how many B7s you've acquired from First and which ones?

@WWH44L

28 ex First leased B7RLE/Wright have now been acquired to provide short-term cover for a delay in delivery of the final 39 x Streetdecks, now due April/May/June 2021.

They are as folows:

66895/66899/66900/66904-7/66914/66918/66919/66930/69139/69142/69145/69146/69149/69153/69156-59/69164-66/69175/69178/69180/69186.

[Westy]

When will the ex central buses versa be painted thank you

To add to that, how is general repainting anyway?

Is there any ex Ludlows still to be painted or are they all sorted now?

Regarding destination displays, was the problem I flagged ages ago with at least one ex Central vehicle, where it couldn't display certain routes, including the 326, ever resolved, or did you just swop that particular unit with one from a withdrawn vehicle?

[Simon Dunn]

For you information Simon, NX have now managed to get the secondary instructor brake on a B7RLE working fully in partnership with the main brake pedal including the ABS and EBS. Hartshornes are going to sell kits of parts for the conversion

Thank you

[Simon Dunn]

To add to that, how is general repainting anyway?

Is there any ex Ludlows still to be painted or are they all sorted now?

Regarding destination displays, was the problem I flagged ages ago with at least one ex Central vehicle, where it couldn't display certain routes, including the 326, ever resolved, or did you just swop that particular unit with one from a withdrawn vehicle?

I cannot remember a Ludlows not being in livery for some time.  Do you mean Hansons? 

If so, we are still working through the ex Central and Hansons buses

[Westy]

Yeah, Hanson's.

I was thinking of what I used to see in Bradford Place when I commuted from there on a regular basis.

(Haven't been in there since June, due to job change!)

[BD12TCJ]

The likes of Oldham and Rochdale have no links to the Trafford Centre. Going forward into next year, and with the hopeful recovery in bus patronage, would Diamond consider these locations for their expansion of the Eccles depot network?

[Simon Dunn]

The likes of Oldham and Rochdale have no links to the Trafford Centre. Going forward into next year, and with the hopeful recovery in bus patronage, would Diamond consider these locations for their expansion of the Eccles depot network?

As I am sure you know that GMCA has committed to consult the public on the future Control of Bus Transportation in Manchester.  Diamond as well as all the other operators in Manchester committed to increase the number of vehicles operating by 30, which would include starting new routes.  It is a fact that the Franchising proposal will increase cost to the tax payer.  Should this go ahead, which seems likely there is no motivation to start new services (which always lose money in the short term).

So our position will be heavily influenced by the Franchising decision of their Mayor.



Simon

[WWH44L]

Thanks for this update Simon. Are you able to say how many B7s you've acquired from First and which ones?

@WWH44L

28 ex First leased B7RLE/Wright have now been acquired to provide short-term cover for a delay in delivery of the final 39 x Streetdecks, now due April/May/June 2021.

They are as folows:

66895/66899/66900/66904-7/66914/66918/66919/66930/69139/69142/69145/69146/69149/69153/69156-59/69164-66/69175/69178/69180/69186.

Great update, appreciate it Simon

[Westy]

Hoping you can put my mind to rest Simon.

This morning's 326, don't know what happened, but the driver initially charged me for a £1.20 ticket ('Twirly') on my contactless, instead of a £3.20 Walsall Nbus. (He blamed the plastic screen!)

He did give me the correct ticket eventually & when I asked him about the incorrect ticket, he said it would be sorted & kept that ticket.

I can wait for my statement to come & check it was done correctly, but is there anything that can be done in the meantime?

(If NX Walsall Travelshop had been open last Saturday, this wouldn't have arisen in the first place. I do hope whatever problem caused the temporary closure has been rectified, for this Saturday?)