Review of the Year 2015

[PM]

As the final hours of 2015 draw in, I thought it'd be interesting to do a summary of some of the main bus events of the year. I'll kick off with a few then feel free to add!

Western Greyhound's failure after the sale of Liskeard operations to Plymouth Citybus. First Kernow stepped up to the plate to offer an improved, integrated replacement network of key routes and it signalled the next phase in their transformation plan that's also seen more modern vehicles arrive throughout the year.

Meanwhile, parts of First didn't seem to be doing as well. Plymouth, Hereford, Bracknell and Newcastle under Lyme all went as First's turnaround plan continued, growth in the stronger areas coupled with investment but lack of return in certain areas. First Bristol saw big patronage growth, bits of FSE were back in profit and buses were becoming blue again, Glasgow was back up to near double digit margins.

Stagecoach expanded into Plymouth (well, ish) and had a steady year.

Arriva saw a fair few more Sapphire and MAX relaunches, including expansion of MAX outside of Yorkshire and the North East. Network Colchester began to be integrated into the group.

National Express continued its investment and launched its new livery and Platinum concept plus continuing expansion into German rail market.

Go Ahead did the same and seemed relieved when North East QC on/off, on/off debate finally reached its conclusion as a "no". Its Norfolk and Suffolk operations were chopped back a fair bit while revenue growth in NE was reported as being slow.

Rotala expanded with the purchase of SLT and its rebrand as DBNW, plus integration of some ex Whittle's bus work adding to the Kidderminster network. WM routes were enhanced (002/4H/142), started (29) but changed (42). 

Any other big events?! Feel free to add :D

[2206]

Whittles withdrew all there bus routes in January 2015 and closed -
Diamond, Central Buses and Coniston Coaches took over there routes.
The Coach Side of the company was sold to Johnsons.

In May 2015 Silverline lost the 36 to Diamond, the S10 then became Silverlines only public bus service.

GRS closed down and withdrew the 11A and 11C in August 2015.

[PM]

Travel Express another one to go...

[winston]

Fishwicks go to the wall

Yourbus removed from NX coach work

Excelsior Coaches no longer operate NX coach work

NE quality contracts

[PM]

Yourbus launched on the Y4, but found the tram start competing against flagship Y36. All the original 2011 Citaros went to Rotala.

I guess Rotala winning Stratford area work is fairly significant as well plus Long Acre closing and Tividale expanding. Not to mention the launch of theOne and news of OFJ acquisition at the end of the year/start of 2016 really /Wings operation being acquired in the summer. That was after the BA contracts had been lost at Heathrow in 2015.

Arriva Midlands upping the successful 110, plus changing Cannock/Stafford routes and timetables very regularly throughout the year. Hopefully 2016 more stable as yet more WM commercial routes eg 9/530 were axed in 2015.

Leven Valley on Teesside another company to withdraw from local bus work in 2015.

First York got into a mini bus war with Transdev on university work

First Cymru called time on ftr

Wasn't Heartlands another to go off bus work in 2015?

All in all, a very interesting year! :D

[2206]

Wasn't Heartlands another to go off bus work in 2015?

Yes. They closed down.

[Ashley 60171]

Yes. They closed down.

Wasn't it a license revoke that ended Heartlands?

[2206]

Wasn't it a license revoke that ended Heartlands?

Yeah. I think it was.

[Trident 4194]

Farewell day for Mercs k b6,b10, spectra replaced with crap

[karl724223]

Farewell day for Mercs k b6,b10, spectra replaced with crap

expensive crap