Whittles

[winston]

@StourportSam

Diamond are still busier on the 3 though still?

Arguably that is worse and could get them in trouble. They seem to have been driver issues for a while now...

I'd say its about the same at the moment. Until this week just gone Whittle were being more reliable than Diamond, with nicer buses for passengers too. Diamond seem determined at the moment to flood the 3 with MPDs which isn't helping matters. Full darts have been making appearances though. Whittle 3s in comparison have been mostly ALX300s and 163 with Enviro 200s and 170/154/164/155/156 also making appearances.

I wait for the last 2a to bewdley last night  it did not show (good job for the last diamond 292 of the day) usualy while waiting there for the 2a there are several other whittles buses leave like 1,3, 7, and 15 leave but only saw a 1 leave, and the 125 was leaving bus station as I got there
, something  does not seam right,  several whittles drivers are  ex diamond drivers

It makes me wonder how much longer Whittle's will survive because with what I've read (above) it really doesn't put them in a very good light I'm afraid now should the worst ever happen (not saying it will or even could)  that is [they collapse] then it really will be a heartbreaking day for all involved

Whittle's can't collapse, they have a parent company i.e. EYMS Group. They could however be closed down or sold off by EYMS if losses were to increase due to driver shortages / missing journeys & reduce revenues

which is why EYMS sold Finglands  (I think) and they are closing a depot of there own at driffield  on the 2/6/14.

Stastically if EYMS did decide to axe Whittle's all together who would have the work (i.e. The routes) answers on a postcard to (Diamond Bus Company Ltd) and also as I think about it they [Diamond] would also gain the fleet which knowing Simon Dunn (albeit not personally) would probably withdraw most of them! & the coaches Whittle own well they would more than likely be moved to Long Acre (aka "Flights Hallmark") I really hope it doesn't come to that but I guess if it does we are powerless as is everybody else

If EYMS were to ever to put Whittle's up for sale, I doubt Diamond could buy them as that would give them a monopoly on Kidderminster town services, similar to the situation in Redditch where the takeover of First's operations were investigated by he Oft. If EYMS were to ever pull the plug on Whittle's which is unlikely, as it would cost them more to shut the business down than to sell it as going concern for a nominal amount. Diamond could win the WCC tenders currently held by Whittle's and are increasing competition with them, if Whittle's was ever shut down, no doubt Rotala would be more likely to draft in spares buses form elsewhere in the group 

[Westy]

@StourportSam

Diamond are still busier on the 3 though still?

Arguably that is worse and could get them in trouble. They seem to have been driver issues for a while now...

I'd say its about the same at the moment. Until this week just gone Whittle were being more reliable than Diamond, with nicer buses for passengers too. Diamond seem determined at the moment to flood the 3 with MPDs which isn't helping matters. Full darts have been making appearances though. Whittle 3s in comparison have been mostly ALX300s and 163 with Enviro 200s and 170/154/164/155/156 also making appearances.

I wait for the last 2a to bewdley last night  it did not show (good job for the last diamond 292 of the day) usualy while waiting there for the 2a there are several other whittles buses leave like 1,3, 7, and 15 leave but only saw a 1 leave, and the 125 was leaving bus station as I got there
, something  does not seam right,  several whittles drivers are  ex diamond drivers

It makes me wonder how much longer Whittle's will survive because with what I've read (above) it really doesn't put them in a very good light I'm afraid now should the worst ever happen (not saying it will or even could)  that is [they collapse] then it really will be a heartbreaking day for all involved

Whittle's can't collapse, they have a parent company i.e. EYMS Group. They could however be closed down or sold off by EYMS if losses were to increase due to driver shortages / missing journeys & reduce revenues

which is why EYMS sold Finglands  (I think) and they are closing a depot of there own at driffield  on the 2/6/14.

Stastically if EYMS did decide to axe Whittle's all together who would have the work (i.e. The routes) answers on a postcard to (Diamond Bus Company Ltd) and also as I think about it they [Diamond] would also gain the fleet which knowing Simon Dunn (albeit not personally) would probably withdraw most of them! & the coaches Whittle own well they would more than likely be moved to Long Acre (aka "Flights Hallmark") I really hope it doesn't come to that but I guess if it does we are powerless as is everybody else

If EYMS were to ever to put Whittle's up for sale, I doubt Diamond could buy them as that would give them a monopoly on Kidderminster town services, similar to the situation in Redditch where the takeover of First's operations were investigated by he Oft. If EYMS were to ever pull the plug on Whittle's which is unlikely, as it would cost them more to shut the business down than to sell it as going concern for a nominal amount. Diamond could win the WCC tenders currently held by Whittle's and are increasing competition with them, if Whittle's was ever shut down, no doubt Rotala would be more likely to draft in spares buses form elsewhere in the group

Is Kidderminster in the same boat as Cannock where it can realistically only support one operator?

[Cedric]

@StourportSam

Diamond are still busier on the 3 though still?

Arguably that is worse and could get them in trouble. They seem to have been driver issues for a while now...

I'd say its about the same at the moment. Until this week just gone Whittle were being more reliable than Diamond, with nicer buses for passengers too. Diamond seem determined at the moment to flood the 3 with MPDs which isn't helping matters. Full darts have been making appearances though. Whittle 3s in comparison have been mostly ALX300s and 163 with Enviro 200s and 170/154/164/155/156 also making appearances.

I wait for the last 2a to bewdley last night  it did not show (good job for the last diamond 292 of the day) usualy while waiting there for the 2a there are several other whittles buses leave like 1,3, 7, and 15 leave but only saw a 1 leave, and the 125 was leaving bus station as I got there
, something  does not seam right,  several whittles drivers are  ex diamond drivers

It makes me wonder how much longer Whittle's will survive because with what I've read (above) it really doesn't put them in a very good light I'm afraid now should the worst ever happen (not saying it will or even could)  that is [they collapse] then it really will be a heartbreaking day for all involved

Whittle's can't collapse, they have a parent company i.e. EYMS Group. They could however be closed down or sold off by EYMS if losses were to increase due to driver shortages / missing journeys & reduce revenues

which is why EYMS sold Finglands  (I think) and they are closing a depot of there own at driffield  on the 2/6/14.

Stastically if EYMS did decide to axe Whittle's all together who would have the work (i.e. The routes) answers on a postcard to (Diamond Bus Company Ltd) and also as I think about it they [Diamond] would also gain the fleet which knowing Simon Dunn (albeit not personally) would probably withdraw most of them! & the coaches Whittle own well they would more than likely be moved to Long Acre (aka "Flights Hallmark") I really hope it doesn't come to that but I guess if it does we are powerless as is everybody else

If EYMS were to ever to put Whittle's up for sale, I doubt Diamond could buy them as that would give them a monopoly on Kidderminster town services, similar to the situation in Redditch where the takeover of First's operations were investigated by he Oft. If EYMS were to ever pull the plug on Whittle's which is unlikely, as it would cost them more to shut the business down than to sell it as going concern for a nominal amount. Diamond could win the WCC tenders currently held by Whittle's and are increasing competition with them, if Whittle's was ever shut down, no doubt Rotala would be more likely to draft in spares buses form elsewhere in the group

Is Kidderminster in the same boat as Cannock where it can realistically only support one operator?

before EYMS purchased whittles and before first and MRW, whittles only had the the 125 and a few market day services in Kidderminster area 
they where just a coach operator  .  there was only one bus  operator in Kidderminster  that was Bmmo the good old friendly midland red   

[Cedric]

roadworks  on the  main Kidderminster stourport road have now finished so  the 3  delays should less now (the same goes for the diamond 3 and x3), while I  was in Kidderminster today took a look in the bus station and there was only one whittles bus parked there. and at that time of day there are usually 3 or 4 parked in the middle

[StourportSam]

roadworks  on the  main Kidderminster stourport road have now finished so  the 3  delays should less now

They've been set back up this morning and are still in operation, have been at work all day so not witnessed myself but gather they have caused some delays.

[StourportSam]

Just to update, 309 W409 JAT is still here and in East Yorkshire livery.

As an observation, 173, 174 and 176 all seem to be in use more regularly than 175.

[iamwilljh92]

Just to update, 309 W409 JAT is still here and in East Yorkshire livery.

As an observation, 173, 174 and 176 all seem to be in use more regularly than 175.

Yes mate I saw it today it makes wonder if they will eventually get it resprayed as for 175 I reckon they use it more as a spare "staff" vehicle tbh

[StourportSam]

Is Kidderminster in the same boat as Cannock where it can realistically only support one operator?

I would have said so.

[StourportSam]

This photo (not mine) shows the 2AC combination I described the other day...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/119887357@N03/14020588700/in/photolist-nmXbxW-nmX9UA-nmXeuN-nDdUsU-nFcwxn-nF6smt-nCW4Ez-nCVaS9-nmre8f-nAGPGs-nmf3qn-nmeKVQ-nmecgb-nmeceN-nAEW25-nAEW1J-nm2mga-nkP24g-nC5fNY-nC1qwc-nC1wsF-nE5sr6-nE5xGM-nC5i87-nCi2UY-nkNCw1-nkNMYj-nCifUB-nkNSrz-nkNF5D-nC1xjF-nE4422-nC1LvS-nCbntb-nkFj4d-nkFj1h-nA6FxG-nC6gW9-nBMAYv-nku6tY-nzFRJw-nBJCV6-nkf4Qn-nBJphy-nkeQsx-nzG1Yd-nkeo6V-nzEZiG-nkakDX-nBDs3o-nzzfJo

[111 Roughley]

I think that Diamond could buy Whittles at some point. The OFT report on Redditch naturally found that there was a substantial lessening of competition, but at the end said that because the market in Redditch was worth only £2-3m, it was below the £3m point where a reference to the Competition Commission was normally justified. Why they did all the work analysing the different routes in Redditch is a mystery when they must have known that at the start. http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/mergers_ea02/2013/Diamond_Bus.pdf
As the Kidderminster market is smaller than Redditch, there's a deal to be done. I can't see what's in it at present for EYMS, as Whittle is isolated.

[winston]

163 Y214 HWJ on the 3 today.

:O Wtf I thought that had gone :O

And me Will as it is down on EYMS official fleetlist as allocated to hull, Might just be back while something has gone up there for some work done ,
perhaps 309 has gone up there for a repaint you.

Maybe Cedric but maybe it never left and maybe it ain't going to...

Will, 163 did originally leave Whittle's for a while at least, it is pictured here in Hull on 14.4.14
https://www.flickr.com/photos/78232101@N08/13857920784/in/pool-1045857@N21/

[nitromatt1]

I was hoping to find 163 on the 3 this afternoon, but alas, three Volvos, 174/5/6. Is it still "oot and aboot"?

[iamwilljh92]

163 Y214 HWJ on the 3 today.

:O Wtf I thought that had gone :O

And me Will as it is down on EYMS official fleetlist as allocated to hull, Might just be back while something has gone up there for some work done ,
perhaps 309 has gone up there for a repaint you.

Maybe Cedric but maybe it never left and maybe it ain't going to...

Will, 163 did originally leave Whittle's for a while at least, it is pictured here in Hull on 14.4.14
https://www.flickr.com/photos/78232101@N08/13857920784/in/pool-1045857@N21/

Yes, I know I read it on Twitter plus I've been told by EYMS via Twitter that it's with Whittle for the forseeable

[Cedric]

163 Y214 HWJ on the 3 today.

:O Wtf I thought that had gone :O

And me Will as it is down on EYMS official fleetlist as allocated to hull, Might just be back while something has gone up there for some work done ,
perhaps 309 has gone up there for a repaint you.

Maybe Cedric but maybe it never left and maybe it ain't going to...

Will, 163 did originally leave Whittle's for a while at least, it is pictured here in Hull on 14.4.14
https://www.flickr.com/photos/78232101@N08/13857920784/in/pool-1045857@N21/

Winston I am glad  you posted the picture of 163  in hull  showing   that it did  go up there post edited due to error on eyms website  which
I asked them if it was right or wrong the 163 had gone back as there site was showing and had a reply ,and there site amend  to show 163 still here on loan

[StourportSam]

163 Y214 HWJ on the 3 today.

:O Wtf I thought that had gone :O

And me Will as it is down on EYMS official fleetlist as allocated to hull, Might just be back while something has gone up there for some work done ,
perhaps 309 has gone up there for a repaint you.

Maybe Cedric but maybe it never left and maybe it ain't going to...

Will, 163 did originally leave Whittle's for a while at least, it is pictured here in Hull on 14.4.14
https://www.flickr.com/photos/78232101@N08/13857920784/in/pool-1045857@N21/

Winston I am glad  you posted the picture of 163  in hull  showing   that it did  go up there post edited due to error on eyms website  which
I asked them if it was right or wrong the 163 had gone back as there site was showing and had a reply ,and there site amend  to show 163 still here on loan

162 (Y213 HWJ) has definitely gone back to Hull so there's no reason why 163 (Y214 HWJ) won't eventually go [again] either.
Perhaps it was for sentimental reasons - 162 was an EYMS vehicle straight after purchase from Connex whereas 163 was always Whittle since (I think) about 2007.