Diamond Bus North West

[djb]

RE: Diamond Bus North West (formerly South Lancs Travel)

(30/07/2017 19:55)Dentonian Wrote:  Other groups are already struggling with that, and have concentrated on the 120 buses figure based on the existing 60 or so, plus this 18, making a shortfall of 122 to reach 200.That leaves two most likely candidates, but I will have to let you figure them out as such speculation is frowned on, with this Forum - unlike announcing TFGM tender results before they are approved, but that's another story.

What should be remembered though is that Franchising is unlikely to happen until the first half of the 2020s - if at all. Its no secret that Stagecoach in particular, are expected to spend big on legal challenges (after all, the customer will be paying), presumably to at least delay progress until the next Mayoral elections in May 2020.

The question is what will Rotala do with any major acquisition in the meantime? Surely, there is a "plan B" in case Franchising doesn't happen.

Without speculating too much, I think the key word in option A is capacity..... doesn't neccesarily imply the purchase will yield a total fleet of 200, merely in my opinion a depot capacity of 200. So leaves a lot open to wild speculation

To choose 2 operators not listed as an example - the purchase of stones, and arriva wythenshawe would probably yield a capacity of 200 but a group fleet of 100-150.

[robertclark125]

RE: Diamond Bus North West (formerly South Lancs Travel)
I think it's also worth noting that Rotala have identified an acquisition. But, that's not to say they will get it. They could be outbid by a rival.

[CX06 EBK (Administrator)]

RE: Diamond Bus North West (formerly South Lancs Travel)

(30/07/2017 19:55)Dentonian Wrote:  Other groups are already struggling with that, and have concentrated on the 120 buses figure based on the existing 60 or so, plus this 18, making a shortfall of 122 to reach 200.That leaves two most likely candidates, but I will have to let you figure them out as such speculation is frowned on, with this Forum - unlike announcing TFGM tender results before they are approved, but that's another story.

Dentonian, given this is a Merseyside based forum, with all of the admin teams based in that area only, without being alerted to any issues regarding this there is no way we could have possibly taken action. No speculation of any kind that can be damaging to any operator is tolerated and this is exactly what the report feature is for.

[ant17612]

RE: Diamond Bus North West (formerly South Lancs Travel)
The take over of 18 vehicles has been confirmed however I choose not to speak further about it until an announcement is made by the 2 companies towards the end of the month.

[Metroline1511]

RE: Diamond Bus North West (formerly South Lancs Travel)

(30/07/2017 21:04)robertclark125 Wrote:  Well, in the case of what will Rotala do, forgetting any major acquisition, one key thing to remember is, Rotala seem to be concentrating on the North west, and the West Midlands, whilst their Avon and Somerset operation, Wessex Connect, is doing fine in Bath, but struggling in Bristol. An acquisition in the North West could be funded by a sale of some, or all, of the Wessex Connect operation.

On another forum which I'm on, there is a thread entitled "Bristol independents and Wessex Connect". One recent topic on that thread has concerned Stagecoach opening an outstation in the Bristol area, to service a couple of routes it has won on tender, and a commercial route. The Wessex depot at Avonmouth is, apparently, undercapacity, and one or two folk, me included, have suggested that Stagecoach may seek to buy Wessex off Rotala.

Depending on the price, IF such a sale were to go ahead, and I stress IF, that could fund a purchase of an operation in the Greater Manchester area.

As I stress, it's a BIG IF.

Rotala also own Hallmark Coaches (including OFJ) in the Heathrow area. Their bus services are about to expand in September, partly through Abellio reducing their Surrey routes further.

[M60lad]

RE: Diamond Bus North West (formerly South Lancs Travel)
The takeover of said company must be one of the worse guarded secrets as it seems quite a few people know which company it is as a friend of mine let me know which company it was when I was in contact with them over the weekend

[T42 PVM (Moderator)]

RE: Diamond Bus North West (formerly South Lancs Travel)
Yes I think everyone knows and I agree it's been one of the worst kept secrets ever

[James Frisby]

RE: Diamond Bus North West (formerly South Lancs Travel)

(07/08/2017 19:33)Dentonian Wrote:  No. Everyone does NOT know.

Tfgm have let it out of the bag...the latest school timetables (for the 2017/18 academic year) are online, and they list the former 'Little Gem' routes as being run by Diamond Bus. Go Goodwins are also mentioned though, which I assume is the coach side.

[T42 PVM (Moderator)]

RE: Diamond Bus North West (formerly South Lancs Travel)
Well if anyone did not know then now they do! Probs be an official announcement in the next couple of days then

[ant17612]

RE: Diamond Bus North West (formerly South Lancs Travel)

(08/08/2017 15:40)T42 PVM Wrote:  Well if anyone did not know then now they do! Probs be an official announcement in the next couple of days then

Hand-over date is September 1st. 18 Buses believed to be transferring are; 16 Solo's (Presume Plates will be handed back): SCZ3842, SCZ3845, SCZ3858, SCZ3872, OCZ8832, OCZ8834, MW52PYX, B20AEG (YN03NDV), CAZ2625 (YN53YHJ), ADL200E (MX04VLW), 330GGX (CV55AXW), WEZ7837 (MX55WCY), 33EXG (YJ55YHR), R77WES (YJ56APK), FN07DHE, YJ59GGE. 1 Dart WSV533 (FB53GFY), and 1 Enviro200 YX66WDS. This leaves Solo's GOG3T (V406JTO), T3WES (V407JTO), WEZ9165 (X313CBT), WEZ7833 (Y61HBT) more than likely to be withdrawn and bound for a scrap yard. The Cadet WSV550 and Spryte WSV553 as well as the MMC's YX66WLH/WLJ and the School Bus Versa's & Vehixle's being retained by the coaching side.