Rotala Management - Questions & Answers

[tank90]

Hi Simon,

Would the 6 x 55 plate ex Transdev Yorkshire Coastliner B7TL's/Wright Eclipse Gemini's (single door format with coach seats) just taken in to stock at Ensign be of interest to Rotala?

Winston

Not just those, theres at least one E200 56 plate as well, would go down a storm with our Kiddy friends and those who use the X3 at peak times as the MPDs (dinky toys) are far too small!

I don't think Simon's a fan of E200's, Ensign have had 2 x 58 plate examples for sale ex Hanson's plus another ex Kent Top Travel, which have all since been sold during Feb to others

Fan or no fan, people have had enough of standing up on the bromsgrove highway and it will hurt diamond as they are getting called by some first in blue.

[winston]

Hi Simon,

Would the 6 x 55 plate ex Transdev Yorkshire Coastliner B7TL's/Wright Eclipse Gemini's (single door format with coach seats) just taken in to stock at Ensign be of interest to Rotala?

Winston

Not just those, theres at least one E200 56 plate as well, would go down a storm with our Kiddy friends and those who use the X3 at peak times as the MPDs (dinky toys) are far too small!

I don't think Simon's a fan of E200's, Ensign have had 2 x 58 plate examples for sale ex Hanson's plus another ex Kent Top Travel, which have all since been sold during Feb to others

Fan or no fan, people have had enough of standing up on the bromsgrove highway and it will hurt diamond as they are getting called by some first in blue.

We've said all along the X3 deserves/requires full size buses and MPD's aren't suitable

[tank90]

Hi Simon,

Would the 6 x 55 plate ex Transdev Yorkshire Coastliner B7TL's/Wright Eclipse Gemini's (single door format with coach seats) just taken in to stock at Ensign be of interest to Rotala?

Winston

Not just those, theres at least one E200 56 plate as well, would go down a storm with our Kiddy friends and those who use the X3 at peak times as the MPDs (dinky toys) are far too small!

I don't think Simon's a fan of E200's, Ensign have had 2 x 58 plate examples for sale ex Hanson's plus another ex Kent Top Travel, which have all since been sold during Feb to others

Fan or no fan, people have had enough of standing up on the bromsgrove highway and it will hurt diamond as they are getting called by some first in blue.

We've said all along the X3 deserves/requires full size buses and MPD's aren't suitable

Yes that is true, and each and everytime we have given Rotala ideal buys they have turned there nosies up at them. I hate to say it so publicly but, sometimes I wonder why I bother even trying to explain to other passenagers that they are trying there best when clearly they are not. If I were Rotala I would look at every bus on the market even going to ADL direct to see what part ex i could get for some of the clapped out darts for new E200s. I say this as India and africa are looking at cheap low floors and refurbs are useful to them.
I wouldn't not look at anything as it can help keep the mony rolling in.

[the trainbasher]

Hi Simon,

Would the 6 x 55 plate ex Transdev Yorkshire Coastliner B7TL's/Wright Eclipse Gemini's (single door format with coach seats) just taken in to stock at Ensign be of interest to Rotala?

Winston

Not just those, theres at least one E200 56 plate as well, would go down a storm with our Kiddy friends and those who use the X3 at peak times as the MPDs (dinky toys) are far too small!

I don't think Simon's a fan of E200's, Ensign have had 2 x 58 plate examples for sale ex Hanson's plus another ex Kent Top Travel, which have all since been sold during Feb to others

Fan or no fan, people have had enough of standing up on the bromsgrove highway and it will hurt diamond as they are getting called by some first in blue.

We've said all along the X3 deserves/requires full size buses and MPD's aren't suitable

Why don't Diamond do what first did and have boards run by both redditch and Kiddy...then. Redditch could hypothetically send a bigger bus out (either a e300/b7/MAN?)

[StourportSam]

Hi Simon,

Would the 6 x 55 plate ex Transdev Yorkshire Coastliner B7TL's/Wright Eclipse Gemini's (single door format with coach seats) just taken in to stock at Ensign be of interest to Rotala?

Winston

Not just those, theres at least one E200 56 plate as well, would go down a storm with our Kiddy friends and those who use the X3 at peak times as the MPDs (dinky toys) are far too small!

I don't think Simon's a fan of E200's, Ensign have had 2 x 58 plate examples for sale ex Hanson's plus another ex Kent Top Travel, which have all since been sold during Feb to others

Fan or no fan, people have had enough of standing up on the bromsgrove highway and it will hurt diamond as they are getting called by some first in blue.

We've said all along the X3 deserves/requires full size buses and MPD's aren't suitable

Why don't Diamond do what first did and have boards run by both redditch and Kiddy...then. Redditch could hypothetically send a bigger bus out (either a e300/b7/MAN?)

The ironic thing is its full and standing Kidderminster MPDs mainly in the week and half full if that Redditch Enviro 300s/Streetlights on Sundays!

[Simon Dunn]

Hi Simon,

Would the 6 x 55 plate ex Transdev Yorkshire Coastliner B7TL's/Wright Eclipse Gemini's (single door format with coach seats) just taken in to stock at Ensign be of interest to Rotala?

Winston

Winston,

No we have no Double decker requirements.



Simon

[Simon Dunn]

Hi Simon,

Would the 6 x 55 plate ex Transdev Yorkshire Coastliner B7TL's/Wright Eclipse Gemini's (single door format with coach seats) just taken in to stock at Ensign be of interest to Rotala?

Winston

Not just those, theres at least one E200 56 plate as well, would go down a storm with our Kiddy friends and those who use the X3 at peak times as the MPDs (dinky toys) are far too small!

The E200 is too much money for what it is

[Simon Dunn]

Hi Simon,

Would the 6 x 55 plate ex Transdev Yorkshire Coastliner B7TL's/Wright Eclipse Gemini's (single door format with coach seats) just taken in to stock at Ensign be of interest to Rotala?

Winston

Not just those, theres at least one E200 56 plate as well, would go down a storm with our Kiddy friends and those who use the X3 at peak times as the MPDs (dinky toys) are far too small!

I don't think Simon's a fan of E200's, Ensign have had 2 x 58 plate examples for sale ex Hanson's plus another ex Kent Top Travel, which have all since been sold during Feb to others

Winston,

I don't think they are the best bus.  However, at the same time they are not the worst.

Ensign wanted more than I was prepared to pay for them


Simon

[Simon Dunn]

Hi Simon,

Would the 6 x 55 plate ex Transdev Yorkshire Coastliner B7TL's/Wright Eclipse Gemini's (single door format with coach seats) just taken in to stock at Ensign be of interest to Rotala?

Winston

Not just those, theres at least one E200 56 plate as well, would go down a storm with our Kiddy friends and those who use the X3 at peak times as the MPDs (dinky toys) are far too small!

I don't think Simon's a fan of E200's, Ensign have had 2 x 58 plate examples for sale ex Hanson's plus another ex Kent Top Travel, which have all since been sold during Feb to others

Fan or no fan, people have had enough of standing up on the bromsgrove highway and it will hurt diamond as they are getting called by some first in blue.

We've said all along the X3 deserves/requires full size buses and MPD's aren't suitable

Yes that is true, and each and everytime we have given Rotala ideal buys they have turned there nosies up at them. I hate to say it so publicly but, sometimes I wonder why I bother even trying to explain to other passenagers that they are trying there best when clearly they are not. If I were Rotala I would look at every bus on the market even going to ADL direct to see what part ex i could get for some of the clapped out darts for new E200s. I say this as India and africa are looking at cheap low floors and refurbs are useful to them.
I wouldn't not look at anything as it can help keep the mony rolling in.

The 54 plate Long darts have been left in Kidderminster for the X3, and other long buses have been left to operate on other services. 

Like I have previously said, not all markets can justify new buses. 

I am sure if you were buying a car or a house, you would only pay what you believed something was worth.  I believe I trade as many buses as anyone, so I think I have a good idea of market value of buses.



Simon

[Isle of Stroma]

Yes that is true, and each and everytime we have given Rotala ideal buys they have turned there nosies up at them. I hate to say it so publicly but, sometimes I wonder why I bother even trying to explain to other passenagers that they are trying there best when clearly they are not. If I were Rotala I would look at every bus on the market even going to ADL direct to see what part ex i could get for some of the clapped out darts for new E200s. I say this as India and africa are looking at cheap low floors and refurbs are useful to them.
I wouldn't not look at anything as it can help keep the mony rolling in.

It's a complete no-brainer really. Yes, routes such as the X3 are not suited to the MPD, but there simply isn't the revenue available at the Kidderminster end to justify suitable newish stock. In most cases, day tickets are cheaper than the West Midlands equivalent & there certainly isn't the same footfall available. Think about it, even if from day one Kidderminster had been completely restocked with brand medium/high capacity new stock, how much would have been transferred away by now to somewhere where it might have a chance of returning the investment?

I said it at the time, I still can't fathom what made Rotala go for Kidderminster (& Redditch for that matter), much less actually pay First for the privilege either.

[Simon Dunn]

Yes that is true, and each and everytime we have given Rotala ideal buys they have turned there nosies up at them. I hate to say it so publicly but, sometimes I wonder why I bother even trying to explain to other passenagers that they are trying there best when clearly they are not. If I were Rotala I would look at every bus on the market even going to ADL direct to see what part ex i could get for some of the clapped out darts for new E200s. I say this as India and africa are looking at cheap low floors and refurbs are useful to them.
I wouldn't not look at anything as it can help keep the mony rolling in.

It's a complete no-brainer really. Yes, routes such as the X3 are not suited to the MPD, but there simply isn't the revenue available at the Kidderminster end to justify suitable newish stock. In most cases, day tickets are cheaper than the West Midlands equivalent & there certainly isn't the same footfall available. Think about it, even if from day one Kidderminster had been completely restocked with brand medium/high capacity new stock, how much would have been transferred away by now to somewhere where it might have a chance of returning the investment?

I said it at the time, I still can't fathom what made Rotala go for Kidderminster (& Redditch for that matter), much less actually pay First for the privilege either.

Dave,

Within the OFT report written about acquisition we make no secret of the fact, that we either needed to exit the market completely or consolidate the Diamond Bus business in Redditch and the First Bus business in Redditch into one.

First operated Redditch and Kidderminster as one unit, and therefore we acquired both businesses.  Since acquiring Kidderminster we have pleasently been surprised with what we have acquired, with the constraints that Worcestershire face it is difficult to understand how that impacts on our business however, we always try to act in a reasonable rational way and invest what makes sense.



Simon

[winston]

Hi Simon,

Would the 6 x 55 plate ex Transdev Yorkshire Coastliner B7TL's/Wright Eclipse Gemini's (single door format with coach seats) just taken in to stock at Ensign be of interest to Rotala?

Winston

Winston,

No we have no Double decker requirements.

Simon

Thanks Simon,

I was thinking along the lines of whether a busy single decker route @ Wessex could be upgraded to using those double deckers and allow B7RLE to be cascaded to Diamond or something? Or even if they would be suitable for Preston.

I think with the X3 issues, Diamond have moved in a higher proportion of larger Darts to Kidderminster of late, but I don't think the resources are being allocated to the busiest routes to match their capacities based on some of the more recent sightings.

[Isle of Stroma]

Dave,

Within the OFT report written about acquisition we make no secret of the fact, that we either needed to exit the market completely or consolidate the Diamond Bus business in Redditch and the First Bus business in Redditch into one.

First operated Redditch and Kidderminster as one unit, and therefore we acquired both businesses.  Since acquiring Kidderminster we have pleasently been surprised with what we have acquired, with the constraints that Worcestershire face it is difficult to understand how that impacts on our business however, we always try to act in a reasonable rational way and invest what makes sense.



Simon

Simon,

I appreciate that there was always going to be OFT involvement with the Redditch deal & that the outcome was never in doubt - merger of the two operations etc. The period of limbo before OFT ratification, along with uncertainty of future funding from Worcestershire (think what was happening with the 192/292, extra funding being available for additional summer services for two years, then abruptly nothing available for ANY service - along with a discussion at LA where two of us came to the conclusion that it was best for Buses & crew to lay over between services at Kidderminster during the Summer as it would lose less money than any alternate service use that we could think for them) that didn't scan for me.

I pitched an alternative strategy to Mo in 2012, when it was common knowledge that First wanted out of Redditch. That of using some of the numerous Darts that were redundant from LA & TE to register on all RH routes that Rotala weren't already involved in, even running for free until the registrations had commenced. Admittedly based on some quick back-of-fag-packet maths, the sums involved for a year of competition were a fraction of the eventual deal - & would have given a quick exit strategy had this not achieved the effect of removing First from the equation.

[Simon Dunn]

Dave,

Within the OFT report written about acquisition we make no secret of the fact, that we either needed to exit the market completely or consolidate the Diamond Bus business in Redditch and the First Bus business in Redditch into one.

First operated Redditch and Kidderminster as one unit, and therefore we acquired both businesses.  Since acquiring Kidderminster we have pleasently been surprised with what we have acquired, with the constraints that Worcestershire face it is difficult to understand how that impacts on our business however, we always try to act in a reasonable rational way and invest what makes sense.



Simon

Simon,

I appreciate that there was always going to be OFT involvement with the Redditch deal & that the outcome was never in doubt - merger of the two operations etc. The period of limbo before OFT ratification, along with uncertainty of future funding from Worcestershire (think what was happening with the 192/292, extra funding being available for additional summer services for two years, then abruptly nothing available for ANY service - along with a discussion at LA where two of us came to the conclusion that it was best for Buses & crew to lay over between services at Kidderminster during the Summer as it would lose less money than any alternate service use that we could think for them) that didn't scan for me.

I pitched an alternative strategy to Mo in 2012, when it was common knowledge that First wanted out of Redditch. That of using some of the numerous Darts that were redundant from LA & TE to register on all RH routes that Rotala weren't already involved in, even running for free until the registrations had commenced. Admittedly based on some quick back-of-fag-packet maths, the sums involved for a year of competition were a fraction of the eventual deal - & would have given a quick exit strategy had this not achieved the effect of removing First from the equation.

Dave,

In the public arena it states we paid £1.5 million for the business, we acquired 25 buses some with very little value admittedly, and 2 freehold properites.  I am more than happy that we achieved a deal which was in Rotala shareholders best interests.



Simon

[iamwilljh92]

Hi Simon,

Just wondering if you have any updates on the fates of..

1) 30428 - S405 JUA
2) 20851 - KU52 RYN
3) 30639 - YJ06 YPU

Are they returning to service if so when?

And also when is (20849, KU52 RYH) coming back to Kidderminster as I know you said it is and finally is when are (30445, T418 MNH / 30930, VX54 MUC / 30931, VX54 MUO) off for re-spray?

....And finally is (30439, W567 JVV) also coming back to Kidderminster?

I await your updates.

- Will