Cannock Garage to be sold to D&G

[Kevin_Brum12]

Given the state the South Staffordshire operation has become under the stewardship of Arriva, D&G are taking on a mighty challenge.  This is a much bigger ask than putting on a few stickers on buses, a paint job and giving the staff some new uniforms.

    • It is pretty obvious that the entire fleet has to be replaced in order to reduce operating costs.  It is more expensive to run a fleet of life expired buses (and they are life expired) simply because of the frequency of breakdowns and the availability of parts.  And if a bus keeps breaking down, even if its book value is zero it is costing you revenue.

    • D&G need vehicles around the 7 year mark.   Second hand yes, but in much better condition than Arrivas wrecks and likely to need less work.  And as NXWM have shown, you can effectively create a "new bus" at a seven year overhaul.  To get those done quickly so a massive change in image and quality can be delivered and the dead hand of aquamarine banished?  Big ask.

    • The lack of entrepreneurship and marketing of the South Staffordshire network over the years by Arriva has led to reduced patronage.  You have to operate a decent service and sell it to the non-user and keep the passengers you've got. If you do not achieve that as a bus operator, you won't have a future.  The rot probably set in when Arriva transferred control of the operation to Leicester and gave up any interest in local branding, marketing and innovation.

    • The inference that Delta Way will close is a challenge.  The drivers there are now facing some tough choices.  A new firm taking over, questions about pensions and wages (although they will be covered under TUPE) and the possibility of a move to another depot.  There may be additional travel time to and from work.  It will be expected of course, but it does not make things easy.

    • A local authority (Staffordshire County Council) whose interest in buses has been close to zero compared to other authorities.  Whenever you get you go over the border on a bus the contrast is clear between the quality of the infrastructure provided by TfWM and the local councils in the West Midlands and Staffordshire, who seem to think a bus stop pole with a phone number and no info on whatsoever is OK.

So it is a toughie but they've got Julian Peddle and he is a smart cookie.  He has to go for a complete transformation in terms of quality. As Midland Classic have proved, it can be done but repairing 10 years of neglect and indifference is a massive task. 

[Bob]

Apparently theyre having around 40 of the 63 buses currently at Cannock. And the fleet is bad, really bad. 

Someone mentioned midland ran an 810 from Cannock. That was years ago i think, green and yellow Choice days, im sure it went to Codsall.

[ellspurs]

Apparently theyre having around 40 of the 63 buses currently at Cannock. And the fleet is bad, really bad. 

Someone mentioned midland ran an 810 from Cannock. That was years ago i think, green and yellow Choice days, im sure it went to Codsall.

Was that 810 in addition to the 810 from Wolverhampton to Telford? Or was the Wolves one numbered 888? I remember going from Wolves to Telford as a kid on a Choice bus, so late 90s.

[Bob]

Was that 810 in addition to the 810 from Wolverhampton to Telford? Or was the Wolves one numbered 888? I remember going from Wolves to Telford as a kid on a Choice bus, so late 90s.

Not a clue re Telford bus

[Westy]

Given the state the South Staffordshire operation has become under the stewardship of Arriva, D&G are taking on a mighty challenge.  This is a much bigger ask than putting on a few stickers on buses, a paint job and giving the staff some new uniforms.

    • It is pretty obvious that the entire fleet has to be replaced in order to reduce operating costs.  It is more expensive to run a fleet of life expired buses (and they are life expired) simply because of the frequency of breakdowns and the availability of parts.  And if a bus keeps breaking down, even if its book value is zero it is costing you revenue.

    • D&G need vehicles around the 7 year mark.   Second hand yes, but in much better condition than Arrivas wrecks and likely to need less work.  And as NXWM have shown, you can effectively create a "new bus" at a seven year overhaul.  To get those done quickly so a massive change in image and quality can be delivered and the dead hand of aquamarine banished?  Big ask.

    • The lack of entrepreneurship and marketing of the South Staffordshire network over the years by Arriva has led to reduced patronage.  You have to operate a decent service and sell it to the non-user and keep the passengers you've got. If you do not achieve that as a bus operator, you won't have a future.  The rot probably set in when Arriva transferred control of the operation to Leicester and gave up any interest in local branding, marketing and innovation.

    • The inference that Delta Way will close is a challenge.  The drivers there are now facing some tough choices.  A new firm taking over, questions about pensions and wages (although they will be covered under TUPE) and the possibility of a move to another depot.  There may be additional travel time to and from work.  It will be expected of course, but it does not make things easy.

   • A local authority (Staffordshire County Council) whose interest in buses has been close to zero compared to other authorities.  Whenever you get you go over the border on a bus the contrast is clear between the quality of the infrastructure provided by TfWM and the local councils in the West Midlands and Staffordshire, who seem to think a bus stop pole with a phone number and no info on whatsoever is OK.

So it is a toughie but they've got Julian Peddle and he is a smart cookie.  He has to go for a complete transformation in terms of quality. As Midland Classic have proved, it can be done but repairing 10 years of neglect and indifference is a massive task.

Pre pandemic, were Arriva keeping their own timetables in the stops up to date?

Suppose the best we can hope for is 'Chaserider', along with Select & NX, continue to keep them updated & not to cover up each other's information, especially on the Walsall corridor.

[PointerDart]

Pre pandemic, were Arriva keeping their own timetables in the stops up to date?

Suppose the best we can hope for is 'Chaserider', along with Select & NX, continue to keep them updated & not to cover up each other's information, especially on the Walsall corridor.

D&G have not had any timetables at bus stops in Stoke for whatever reason - I believe it is mostly, if not all, online. Whether Chaserider will be the same is another thing - quite possibly?

[Bob]

I think bringing back the Chaserider name is a really smart move. Lots of people will still be able to identify with it