GHA Group (Bryn Melyn, Vale Travel + Others)

[DLG817]

RE: GHA Group (Bryn Melyn, Vale Travel + Others)
Today was the first day of operation by GHA of the former Arriva X94 Wrexham to Barmouth service. Following the withdrawal of Arriva from the commercial service Gwynedd County Council tendered the service for a six month contract and this was won by GHA. Unfortunately there was only a very short period (2 weeks) from confirmation of the contract until the beginning of the operation today. The service is initially being operated from Ruabon with quite a bit of dead mileage. It is believed that attempts are being made to find a suitable outstation and then two vehicles may be based in the Dolgellau area.

I did sample the service today and rode on the three vehicles utilised.

CA58GHA - Volvo B7RLE / Wright Eclipse Urban has just received the standard GHA (low floor) livery {previously line 9) and I understand will be a regular on the service. This bus appeared to be welcomed by passengers and drivers and managed to keep to time on a very difficult run with torrential rain and lots of standing water and delays. Photo - here

BA04GHA - Volvo SB120 / Wright Merit has also recently been given the standard livery (from Shuttle +). This also appeared to be a suitable vehicle for this service - it is equipped with quite comfortable seats. Photo - here

AA52GHA - Denis Dart SLF - was not what I was expecting as I had been informed the third vehicle would have been CA07GHA Volvo B7RLE / Centro. It did not appear popular with one or two passengers - whilst it was equipped with seat belts its Urban 90 plastic seats were not very comfortable for those travelling a distance. It also appeared to struggle and shudder when at top speed. Hopefully this will not be a regular. Photo - here

Ron