Diamond East Midlands (formerly Midland Classic)

[Wumpty]

Wonder if he has to ask his neighbours to open his window in the place he lives in 😂

Stop it LOL!

[Westy]

These buses that are being discussed, are these the Mercedes Sprinters that Tividale also has, as I'm not a fan of those either.

Why sometimes they get put on the 326, god knows, as they are cramped, especially if you've got bags with you.

The Solos (both lengths!) are the best buses in the main for that route, in my opinion.

[Wumpty]

These buses that are being discussed, are these the Mercedes Sprinters that Tividale also has, as I'm not a fan of those either.

Why sometimes they get put on the 326, god knows, as they are cramped, especially if you've got bags with you.

The Solos (both lengths!) are the best buses in the main for that route, in my opinion.

The inference is that, as Buslink has decent buses (see my post about fleet age), that Diamond have NO decent buses (some of which were acquired from Midland Classic, the new owners of Buslink - go figure!).

The post isn't restricted to one bus type, although the original spat started with a bus on their 22 route which has a Sprinter illesbus i-City operating this morning.

[Isle of Stroma]

The inference is that, as Buslink has decent buses (see my post about fleet age), that Diamond have NO decent buses (some of which were acquired from Midland Classic, the new owners of Buslink - go figure!).

The post isn't restricted to one bus type, although the original spat started with a bus on their 22 route which has a Sprinter illesbus i-City operating this morning.

My review (of the Sprinter/Ilesbus combo) from my first journey on one back in March:

"Surprisingly good actually, only point of concern (from a pax POV) is the lack of grab poles by the entrance."

Yes, I also made the standard cheap 'Johnnycab' reference to them, but I've found them since to be pleasant enough ways of getting from A to B. The grab pole layout (to me at least) is an issue - you're left perching on the step until the thing stops as there's nowhere to hold on to in the 'low floor' area.

I really only have the one point of criticism with them - that bloody blue interior lighting after dark. It's as if you're in a mobile 'cruising hotspot' public convenience! 

[Wba_lad]

The inference is that, as Buslink has decent buses (see my post about fleet age), that Diamond have NO decent buses (some of which were acquired from Midland Classic, the new owners of Buslink - go figure!).

The post isn't restricted to one bus type, although the original spat started with a bus on their 22 route which has a Sprinter illesbus i-City operating this morning.

You are moaning burton have no decent buses yet rotala have just invested in some new sprinters. They are also having some brand new electric buses. And for the shiny paint work it's not as easy as just send all the buses for paint. When you send a bus for paint it's a bus less for service slowly one by one they are being repainted it's not like when diamond brought Johnson's or claribels out midland classic was a whole depot which all the buses was needed for service slowly they have been getting newer buses and buses painted. What you have to think is what Simon will probably be thinking too is it worth painting a bus which potentially may not be staying within the group. And another thing is would you rather buses go for paint and have buses missing for service (worse case scenario) the enviro 400s have started to be painted now. You've had some enviro 200s repainted some metro city's. Only thing really is the Scanias which some have been listed for sale.  

[Wumpty]

You are moaning burton have no decent buses yet rotala have just invested in some new sprinters. They are also having some brand new electric buses. And for the shiny paint work it's not as easy as just send all the buses for paint. When you send a bus for paint it's a bus less for service slowly one by one they are being repainted it's not like when diamond brought Johnson's or claribels out midland classic was a whole depot which all the buses was needed for service slowly they have been getting newer buses and buses painted. What you have to think is what Simon will probably be thinking too is it worth painting a bus which potentially may not be staying within the group. And another thing is would you rather buses go for paint and have buses missing for service (worse case scenario) the enviro 400s have started to be painted now. You've had some enviro 200s repainted some metro city's. Only thing really is the Scanias which some have been listed for sale. 

I'm not moaning - @Mkinson2224 is!

You're also preaching to someone with 30 years in and around public transport and logistics so fully aware of your points.

The comparison, if you read carefully, is to dispel the myths of a "decent bus" and how people's skewed opinion can cloud the facts, and that the non-decent buses run by Diamond came from the former fleet who now own Buslink.

Don't let the facts get in the way of a good post!

[twbc99]

You are moaning burton have no decent buses yet rotala have just invested in some new sprinters. They are also having some brand new electric buses. And for the shiny paint work it's not as easy as just send all the buses for paint. When you send a bus for paint it's a bus less for service slowly one by one they are being repainted it's not like when diamond brought Johnson's or claribels out midland classic was a whole depot which all the buses was needed for service slowly they have been getting newer buses and buses painted. What you have to think is what Simon will probably be thinking too is it worth painting a bus which potentially may not be staying within the group. And another thing is would you rather buses go for paint and have buses missing for service (worse case scenario) the enviro 400s have started to be painted now. You've had some enviro 200s repainted some metro city's. Only thing really is the Scanias which some have been listed for sale. 

Personally I didn't want to see Midland Classic go but understand that times change. It is good to see Diamond investing in Burton with most of the decker's replaced and the new sprinters but would like to see the remaining fleet that is due to stay painted as only 10 vehicles have been done in about 3 years.

[TheMidlandsTransportGuy]

You are moaning burton have no decent buses yet rotala have just invested in some new sprinters. They are also having some brand new electric buses. And for the shiny paint work it's not as easy as just send all the buses for paint. When you send a bus for paint it's a bus less for service slowly one by one they are being repainted it's not like when diamond brought Johnson's or claribels out midland classic was a whole depot which all the buses was needed for service slowly they have been getting newer buses and buses painted. What you have to think is what Simon will probably be thinking too is it worth painting a bus which potentially may not be staying within the group. And another thing is would you rather buses go for paint and have buses missing for service (worse case scenario) the enviro 400s have started to be painted now. You've had some enviro 200s repainted some metro city's. Only thing really is the Scanias which some have been listed for sale. 

And They are currently repainting the E400s, 40524 is one of them currently being repainted 

[Stu]

How come you not transferred any Solo to burton?

I don't know why you keep trying to argue with Simon, he has already said that Burton has a surplus of vehicles and some will be moved out, therefore there is no need to transfer any more in!

[twbc99]

I don't know why you keep trying to argue with Simon, he has already said that Burton has a surplus of vehicles and some will be moved out, therefore there is no need to transfer any more in!

Must of been a lot surplus as 31422 and 31424 have been removed from the bustimes fleet list as well.

[Mkinson2224]

Must of been a lot surplus as 31422 and 31424 have been removed from the bustimes fleet list as well.

31424 was smashed up in a RTA the other week and was written off apparently.

[EastMidlandsenthusiast]

Must of been a lot surplus as 31422 and 31424 have been removed from the bustimes fleet list as well.

31422 has been transferred to Kidderminster depot 

[B7RLE]

You don't need training on a Solo

Drivers and mechanics(?) have to be familiar with the vehicle type.

[Tony]

Drivers and mechanics(?) have to be familiar with the vehicle type.

In addition, there's also a big extra cost in operating one odd vehicle in the fact that the stores needs to stock all the spare parts associated with that vehicle type

[twbc99]

Custom Denning 39007 BX25 GNY has just started tracking on the 9.

https://bustimes.org/vehicles/mdcl-39007