First Bus - Wyvern

[WyreForestShuttle]

From what I know, it's a commercial service running with next to nobody on board.

Last I heard, it's still a free market and the operator can withdraw commercial services. If this is such a big deal, maybe you should contact Worcester County Council. I'm sure if they deem it necessary, they'll put their money where their mouth is.

Worcestershire County Council are not responsible for the operation of this service. The operator did not give the statutory notice for the withdrawal of the service therefore replacement facilities could not be percured. Guidance has been given to operators of what they should do in the current emergency circumstances. Operators will be reimbursed at pre-emergency levels for the continued operation of key workers bus services. Other operators are continuing to serve the City unlike Rotala PLC.

[Steveminor]

I dont think the dft guidance had come out at the time the route was suspended.

[WyreForestShuttle]

I dont think the dft guidance had come out at the time the route was suspended.

The guidance was outlined in principle to operators before Rotala withdrew its routes from the First Worcester Crowngate Bus Station and finally published in full by the DfT on 3rd April

[Cedric]

The guidance was outlined in principle to operators before Rotala withdrew its routes from the First Worcester Crowngate Bus Station and finally published in full by the DfT on 3rd April

the 303 was suspened   onth 27th of  march

[WyreForestShuttle]

the 303 was suspened   onth 27th of  march

The guidance was outlined in principle to operators before Rotala withdrew its services from the First Worcester Crowngate Bus Station

[WyreForestShuttle]

First Worcester will today be running a reduced 'Monday-Friday' timetable
Tomorrow a reduced 'Saturday' timetable whilst on Easter Day & Bank Holiday Monday a reduced 'Sunday' timetable.
https://www.firstgroup.com/worcestershire/news-and-service-updates/coronavirus-covid19-service-information#easter

[Cedric]

The guidance was outlined in principle to operators before Rotala withdrew its services from the First Worcester Crowngate Bus Station

saying services you are wrong they only have the 303 that goes to crgwn gate. there is the 302 but that is a collage service and as they are shut it would not run  anyway

[WyreForestShuttle]

On this day 39 years ago the management of the Midland Red Omnibus Company Limited & National Bus Company met to finalise the formation the incorporation of Midland Red (West) Limited which became active on the 15th April 1981. The company continues to serve to this day City of Worcester and parts of Herefordshire & Worcestershire. My thanks to all involved in the company both past and those currently working for the company in these unprecedented times for the service they provide.

[Simon Dunn]

The guidance was outlined in principle to operators before Rotala withdrew its services from the First Worcester Crowngate Bus Station

What part of the guidance do you think we failed at?

[WyreForestShuttle]

Nigel Eggleton; Managing Director; of First Worcester has spoken to The Worcester Evening News about the company continuing to support key workers in this very difficult time in the City of Worcester and throughout its operating area of Worcestershire. Mr Eggleton also comments on how his company have acted fully on the DfT guidance given to maintain services for the benefit of its rural customers. The company should be applaud for maintaining its social responsibility to its customers in Worcestershire and should be thanked for continuing to operate its services into The Crowngate Bus Station and into The West Midlands on the 144 maintaining vital links.
https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/18374891.face-shields-bus-drivers-coronavirus-deaths/

[Trident 4194]

Nigel Eggleton; Managing Director; of First Worcester has spoken to The Worcester Evening News about the company continuing to support key workers in this very difficult time in the City of Worcester and throughout its operating area of Worcestershire. Mr Eggleton also comments on how his company have acted fully on the DfT guidance given to maintain services for the benefit of its rural customers. The company should be applaud for maintaining its social responsibility to its customers in Worcestershire and should be thanked for continuing to operate its services into The Crowngate Bus Station and into The West Midlands on the 144 maintaining vital links.
https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/18374891.face-shields-bus-drivers-coronavirus-deaths/

Are you forgetting that first wyvern have basically cut every route prior to this crisis?

[Simon Dunn]

Nigel Eggleton; Managing Director; of First Worcester has spoken to The Worcester Evening News about the company continuing to support key workers in this very difficult time in the City of Worcester and throughout its operating area of Worcestershire. Mr Eggleton also comments on how his company have acted fully on the DfT guidance given to maintain services for the benefit of its rural customers. The company should be applaud for maintaining its social responsibility to its customers in Worcestershire and should be thanked for continuing to operate its services into The Crowngate Bus Station and into The West Midlands on the 144 maintaining vital links.
https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/18374891.face-shields-bus-drivers-coronavirus-deaths/

I am sorry.  When are you going to answer the question I asked?

[WyreForestShuttle]

Nigel Eggleton; Managing Director; of First Worcester has spoken to The Worcester Evening News about the company continuing to support key workers in this very difficult time in the City of Worcester and throughout its operating area of Worcestershire. Mr Eggleton also comments on how his company have acted fully on the DfT guidance given to maintain services for the benefit of its rural customers. The company should be applaud for maintaining its social responsibility to its customers in Worcestershire and should be thanked for continuing to operate its services into The Crowngate Bus Station and into The West Midlands on the 144 maintaining vital links.
https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/18374891.face-shields-bus-drivers-coronavirus-deaths/

The article published in The Worcester Evening News clearly states First Worcester approach to the published  DfT guidance & also clearly explains Rotala decision to withdraw its commercial service 303 which it is perfectly entitled to do before the DfT guidance was officially published whilst Grant Shapps reminded all operators to do thier upmost to provide services that local authorities consider are required therefore as a commercial service Rotala may withdrawn any service however Grant Shapps also wrote to all members of the industry confirming that DfT will contiue to pay BSOG to all English operators "on the basis of estimated service levels before the outbreak" to maintain vital services throughout England. First Worcester & Rotala from the article appear to be trying to match supply with demand for which both operators should be commended for in such difficult times.

[Simon Dunn]

The article published in The Worcester Evening News clearly states First Worcester approach to the published  DfT guidance & also clearly explains Rotala decision to withdraw its commercial service 303 which it is perfectly entitled to do before the DfT guidance was officially published whilst Grant Shapps reminded all operators to do thier upmost to provide services that local authorities consider are required therefore as a commercial service Rotala may withdrawn any service however Grant Shapps also wrote to all members of the industry confirming that DfT will contiue to pay BSOG to all English operators "on the basis of estimated service levels before the outbreak" to maintain vital services throughout England. First Worcester & Rotala from the article appear to be trying to match supply with demand for which both operators should be commended for in such difficult times.

Prior to removal of the service, we had not carried a single person on the service across all journeys for 3 days.  We discussed the service provision with WCC. 
WCC were prepared to support the service in the short term, but as the service was not carrying anyone - we felt we would remove and see if we received any adverse reaction from key workers. 
To date - we have not had any contact.  Diamond Bus is engaged with key stakeholders about all changes, and under government guidance are not allowed to make changes without Local Authorities agreement.

Hence my question - following your criticism, of what have we done wrong?

[WyreForestShuttle]

It is to be appreciated that both Nigel Eggleton of First Worcester through his interview with the Worcester Evening News & now from the Managing Director of Rotala subsidiary Diamond Bus Ltd on giving a full frank explanation of  the rationale between his companies operation of its commercial service 303 & Worcestershire County Council on this thread I am happy to acknowledge that both companies are operating their services to the best of their abilities whilst following the direction of DfT guidance published on 3rd April & sincerely acknowledge that both companies are operating to as full capacity as possible at this current time of difficulties and regret any confusion in the interpretation of the DfT guidance provided and welcome fully the clarification of socially necessary services for key workers by the Managing Directors. Whilst it is regrettable that some key workers in parts of Worcestershire do not have a public bus service it is clear that some services are unfortunately unsustainable even with support via the BSOG and in line with the DfT guidance which appears to be followed following clarification from the Managing Directors some services are simply unsustainable which I acknowledge. I thank both companies Managing Directors for fully clarifying the criteria for the continued operation of services under DfT guidance. We owe a debt of gratitude to both companies for the continued operation of its services in this difficult time.