And so, after thawing out the cheque book, I have been off again on a little spending spree to pander to my hobby of changing the fleet every five minutes!
Two more Dennis Darts enter the fold (N464 TPR and N468 TPR), this time with East Lancs bodies.
One of these will replace L101 HHV, destined soon to make its final journey, and the other because why buy one when you can have two at twice the price!
Myself and Glyn drove the pair back from Bournemouth (Transdev Yellow Buses) today at a sedate pace!
I may also have forgotten to mention that we have sold F705 BAT to Ebley Coaches who, in their own individual style, have not bothered to paint it or remove the vinyls!
Thursday, 19 February 2009
Snow & Grit
Now that I have calmed down I feel able to write about the battle that we have been fighting against mother nature. For anybody who cannot guess the result, we lost!
Snow in Gloucestershire generally only appears in quantities that hinder rather than prevent bus operation but, for what seems like the most part this month, we became a late morning/early afternoon bus operator! This applies to what I shall now refer to as the week of unpleasantness at the beginning of the month. Even where routes did operate it was not always possible to access all of the villages - Frampton Mansell, Sapperton and Miserden being obvious examples.
The gritting of the roads all but ceased during this particular week as, aparently, grit could not be delivered to the distribution depots due to high demand! This lead to the interesting situation of gritting only taking place on 'A' roads when we needed it most. Only route 54 benifitted in part from this arrangement!
Gritting has been a 'hot topic' locally during January as freezing temperatures and the consequent appearance of ice caused us nearly as much difficulty as the snow. Particular problems with the road between Frampton Mansell and Sapperton, which during winter months remains sheltered from sunlight, was avoided on occasions and claimed a victory against us when it captured the 128 service at 0800 and refused to let it pass until around 1100! With the aid of the local constabulary and the 54A service, the passengers were able to complete their journey.
The upshot of the gritting debate was the publicising of the policy that no bus route in Gloucestershire is prioritised nor is likely to be in the near future!
My earlier reference to 'having calmed down' refers to the lack of takings for the week of unpleasantness. Not a good week for Cotswold Green! We may have saved on fuel but not on wages or standing costs (rent, insurance etc) so a little financial pain has been experienced! Not to worry though as we are now catching up and will be firmly back on track by the end of the month!
Snow in Gloucestershire generally only appears in quantities that hinder rather than prevent bus operation but, for what seems like the most part this month, we became a late morning/early afternoon bus operator! This applies to what I shall now refer to as the week of unpleasantness at the beginning of the month. Even where routes did operate it was not always possible to access all of the villages - Frampton Mansell, Sapperton and Miserden being obvious examples.
The gritting of the roads all but ceased during this particular week as, aparently, grit could not be delivered to the distribution depots due to high demand! This lead to the interesting situation of gritting only taking place on 'A' roads when we needed it most. Only route 54 benifitted in part from this arrangement!
Gritting has been a 'hot topic' locally during January as freezing temperatures and the consequent appearance of ice caused us nearly as much difficulty as the snow. Particular problems with the road between Frampton Mansell and Sapperton, which during winter months remains sheltered from sunlight, was avoided on occasions and claimed a victory against us when it captured the 128 service at 0800 and refused to let it pass until around 1100! With the aid of the local constabulary and the 54A service, the passengers were able to complete their journey.
The upshot of the gritting debate was the publicising of the policy that no bus route in Gloucestershire is prioritised nor is likely to be in the near future!
My earlier reference to 'having calmed down' refers to the lack of takings for the week of unpleasantness. Not a good week for Cotswold Green! We may have saved on fuel but not on wages or standing costs (rent, insurance etc) so a little financial pain has been experienced! Not to worry though as we are now catching up and will be firmly back on track by the end of the month!
Friday, 23 January 2009
Busy Busy
I know it has been a long time since I posted and have been reminded by several people recently and so to redress the balance I begin the long process of catching up with recent events!
The fleet has not changed much except for accident damage to L101 HHV and L118 HHV causing them to remain out of service for some time. L118 HHV is booked for surgery within the next couple of weeks but L101 HHV could take a bit longer!
To cover for the absence of the Northern counties twins we have had to resort to hiring a vehicle from Next Bus Vehicle Rentals otherwise known as Faresaver! We have hired a Mercedes Vario which has changed identies from V251 BNV to PSV 444, back to V251 BNV and now T436 EBD.
We have aquired another Mercedes minibus (N969 NAP) but this was bought as a non runner and will gradually disappear as it donates various parts to its sisters!
The fleet has not changed much except for accident damage to L101 HHV and L118 HHV causing them to remain out of service for some time. L118 HHV is booked for surgery within the next couple of weeks but L101 HHV could take a bit longer!
To cover for the absence of the Northern counties twins we have had to resort to hiring a vehicle from Next Bus Vehicle Rentals otherwise known as Faresaver! We have hired a Mercedes Vario which has changed identies from V251 BNV to PSV 444, back to V251 BNV and now T436 EBD.
We have aquired another Mercedes minibus (N969 NAP) but this was bought as a non runner and will gradually disappear as it donates various parts to its sisters!
Wednesday, 26 November 2008
The Empire Grows
More success in the competitive tendering process means more routes!
I had bid on a schools service between Frampton Mansell and Cirencester which I proposed to start in Minchinhampton and number it 128. I received the call to say that our bid was successful and started to make plans for its introduction in January. I was then tactfully informed that this was an emergency tendering arrangement and that it starts on Monday! Note to self: read documents properly in the future and do not assume anything!
I also put in a bid to operate route 278 between Tetbury and Malmesbury. I knew this was a short notice arrangement and that it starts next Wednesday. It only runs two days per week and fits nicely inbetween a school bus!
I had bid on a schools service between Frampton Mansell and Cirencester which I proposed to start in Minchinhampton and number it 128. I received the call to say that our bid was successful and started to make plans for its introduction in January. I was then tactfully informed that this was an emergency tendering arrangement and that it starts on Monday! Note to self: read documents properly in the future and do not assume anything!
I also put in a bid to operate route 278 between Tetbury and Malmesbury. I knew this was a short notice arrangement and that it starts next Wednesday. It only runs two days per week and fits nicely inbetween a school bus!
Its Quads!
The cheque book fell into my hands today with disastruous consequences! Once I have this little book in my hand and a writing implement (pen, pencil or crayon) money tends to disappear from the company bank acount at an alarming rate! I am sure these two events are somehow connected.
The result of this lack of security was the arrival of another Dennis Dart (M94 WBW) and the purchase of L720 JUD. Our collection of larger darts has now increased to four.
M101 WBW has been repainted into fleet colours and fitted with a new LED destination kit and should be in service on Monday. M94 WBW will head to the painters on Friday evening!
The result of this lack of security was the arrival of another Dennis Dart (M94 WBW) and the purchase of L720 JUD. Our collection of larger darts has now increased to four.
M101 WBW has been repainted into fleet colours and fitted with a new LED destination kit and should be in service on Monday. M94 WBW will head to the painters on Friday evening!
Friday, 21 November 2008
Another Family Member
And so my enthusiasm for updating the fleet bears fruit again!
M101 WBW joins the fleet. Another Dennis Dart with Plaxton bodywork. H886 LOX has been sold for preservation to John Potter and now resides with the Stroud RE Group collection in rural Gloucestershire. It left the yard last Friday to begin its new life.
We can now afford to buy vehicles with larger capacity as the PSV seating capacity restriction in Stroud town centre is about to be lifted! HURRAH!
In other news, our bids to operate some St Peter's School buses appears to have been unsuccessful but we have a bid in for another service to the Cirencester schools which has more of a chance of being successful. We also are in line to operate route 278 (Tetbury to Malmesbury) from the beginning of December. Should have that confirmed early next week!
M101 WBW joins the fleet. Another Dennis Dart with Plaxton bodywork. H886 LOX has been sold for preservation to John Potter and now resides with the Stroud RE Group collection in rural Gloucestershire. It left the yard last Friday to begin its new life.
We can now afford to buy vehicles with larger capacity as the PSV seating capacity restriction in Stroud town centre is about to be lifted! HURRAH!
In other news, our bids to operate some St Peter's School buses appears to have been unsuccessful but we have a bid in for another service to the Cirencester schools which has more of a chance of being successful. We also are in line to operate route 278 (Tetbury to Malmesbury) from the beginning of December. Should have that confirmed early next week!
Tuesday, 28 October 2008
Photo Number 6 - P637 ARN
The Metrorider. Before the fitting of its new wheels and some vinyls. Already a hit with some after its first outing yesterday afternoon! If this overwhelming enthusiasm continues then I cannot see why this vehicle will not be with us for some time to come!
Tuesday, 21 October 2008
The Changing Of The Fleet
Again I cannot resist the temptation to buy more vehicles. The age profile of the fleet improves a bit more with the latest purchases!
New in is our first (and probably only) Optare Metrorider P637 ARN from Lancashire United ( a part of the Transdev group) and another Dennis Dart L720 JUD from Chepstow Classic Buses. I am hoping that another Scania will follow soon as F705 BAT is due for withdrawl at the end of the week! H886 LOX is also not long for this world (at least in service) and should be out of the fleet by mid November.
I cannot bear to part with H843 NOC or H886 LOX and so I am trying to negotiate some secure storage for them until I decide what to do!
New in is our first (and probably only) Optare Metrorider P637 ARN from Lancashire United ( a part of the Transdev group) and another Dennis Dart L720 JUD from Chepstow Classic Buses. I am hoping that another Scania will follow soon as F705 BAT is due for withdrawl at the end of the week! H886 LOX is also not long for this world (at least in service) and should be out of the fleet by mid November.
I cannot bear to part with H843 NOC or H886 LOX and so I am trying to negotiate some secure storage for them until I decide what to do!
Sunday, 12 October 2008
Another One Bites The Dust
And so it is a sad farewell to another Carlyle Bodied Dart. H887 LOX has now made its final journey to the great bus depot in the sky (well, actually a scrapyard in Barnsley but I prefer the poetic version!).
After months of sitting in the corner, quietly donating parts to other vehicles, the opportunity of creating more parking space could be avoided no longer. It was the last vehicle remaining in the former Ebley Bus colour scheme (not sorry to see the back of that).
The reign of the Carlyle bodied darts is now coming to an end. Already H887 LOX and H889 LOX have journied to Barnsley, H843 NOC is delicenced and sits out of action in the corner soon to be joined by H886 LOX. I am still hoping to keep one but not in active service, purely as a preservation project!
Ebley Bus did have another one of these darts (H142 MOB) but this went to Barnsley some time before the company was sold.
After months of sitting in the corner, quietly donating parts to other vehicles, the opportunity of creating more parking space could be avoided no longer. It was the last vehicle remaining in the former Ebley Bus colour scheme (not sorry to see the back of that).
The reign of the Carlyle bodied darts is now coming to an end. Already H887 LOX and H889 LOX have journied to Barnsley, H843 NOC is delicenced and sits out of action in the corner soon to be joined by H886 LOX. I am still hoping to keep one but not in active service, purely as a preservation project!
Ebley Bus did have another one of these darts (H142 MOB) but this went to Barnsley some time before the company was sold.
Friday, 10 October 2008
The Day The Earth Stood Still
A title from one of my favourite old sci-fi movies and also a good description of the beginning of the new school year where an otherwise stable bus network can descend into chaos!
The problem, as always at this time of year, is passenger numbers. We carry many students to school who, because of their parents choice of schools, are not entitled to a bus pass or dedicated school transport. There is no way of knowing how many new students will travel, how many will change from one form of transport to another or which route(s) will begin to burst at the seems!
Early indications showed that Cirencester Deer Park School would be up and Thomas Keble School would be down. If this became reality, then a simple switch of resources and problem solved. Every year, no matter where I have worked, I find that it can never be that simple!
Cirencester Deer Park School's numbers travelling were up! so that's one point to me! However Thomas Keble Schools numbers were static with the exception of route 5 which shot up by about a third! The terrain this service negotiates means that it has been difficult to find a bus small enough to go round the route but big enough to carry the required number of passengers! I believe I have found one and so should be able to sort that one out by half term. I am hoping to go and pick it up on Monday!
So that is one of the many issues that have stopped me from attending to the important business of updating the blog. Look out for more posts that I intend to publish over the next week or so including the following subjects:
The problem, as always at this time of year, is passenger numbers. We carry many students to school who, because of their parents choice of schools, are not entitled to a bus pass or dedicated school transport. There is no way of knowing how many new students will travel, how many will change from one form of transport to another or which route(s) will begin to burst at the seems!
Early indications showed that Cirencester Deer Park School would be up and Thomas Keble School would be down. If this became reality, then a simple switch of resources and problem solved. Every year, no matter where I have worked, I find that it can never be that simple!
Cirencester Deer Park School's numbers travelling were up! so that's one point to me! However Thomas Keble Schools numbers were static with the exception of route 5 which shot up by about a third! The terrain this service negotiates means that it has been difficult to find a bus small enough to go round the route but big enough to carry the required number of passengers! I believe I have found one and so should be able to sort that one out by half term. I am hoping to go and pick it up on Monday!
So that is one of the many issues that have stopped me from attending to the important business of updating the blog. Look out for more posts that I intend to publish over the next week or so including the following subjects:
- our new pet duck
- fleet changes
- more school route tales of woe
- two new drivers
- fuel duty rebate
- the night bus
- fuel
- Stroud Town Centre
- return of the squirrel
and I am sure many more!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
