tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post376921689026394135..comments2024-03-25T19:07:29.729+00:00Comments on Steve's Bus & Train Page: Ensignbus Running Day 2018Steve Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06852377706742868978noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-21968987690696821202018-12-18T07:59:34.664+00:002018-12-18T07:59:34.664+00:00Perhaps it's what we have to expect when the m...Perhaps it's what we have to expect when the management horizon doesn't extend beyond carrying out HQ's orders and doing the essential paperwork to keep the TC bureaucrats off their back - and the all-important bottom line. As the depots are told: "just get on with it, we don't want to know - but watch the bottom line". Customer service is farmed out to Leeds; so it's not their job, either.<br /><br />Blockhead's disastrous reign ended over a decade ago. But the message doesn't seem to have got through to East Anglia yet.smurfukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04812247601237248526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-28735874275008013352018-12-10T12:49:58.729+00:002018-12-10T12:49:58.729+00:00It was the same in Dereham a few Sundays ago the...It was the same in Dereham a few Sundays ago the XL couldn't use the normal town centre stops.There was absolutely no information available to were the alternative stops are located . Drivers flagging each other down to pass on the information , do the office staff have there ears to the ground or just heads in the sand? . The various roads had signs up notifying of the closure so it is hardly rocket science .Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-81916576027527340372018-12-09T17:33:56.989+00:002018-12-09T17:33:56.989+00:00Just had to comment: compare and contrast with the...Just had to comment: compare and contrast with their "competitor" (that's a joke if ever there was one). For all of the last week, there was a pending Sunday town centre road closure in one of our major towns, and passengers were asking about the bus stop changes, every day. The Twitter team in Leeds were doing their best, but could get no answers. Sunday comes round and they try again, the Twitter team eventually reply they can get no answer post 4pm.<br /><br />As a knowledgeable customer pointed out at 4pm on a Sunday the ghost "control team" (the word deliberately in inverted commas - they'd doubtless find the proverbial in a brewery impossible) would all be comfortably at home, unlike their passengers. The only staff "on duty" would be drivers and on-call mechanics to deal with breakdowns.<br /><br />What went wrong? Well, actually nothing. It's normal.<br /><br />Lets be blunt, the Managing Director doesn't care as long as his sums add up any old how; and so no-one else does either. It really is about time the Operator concerned was stripped of its licence. Nothing else will improve matters. Nobody at First cares two hoots (or even one).smurfukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04812247601237248526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-1786174472102105112018-12-06T16:06:55.603+00:002018-12-06T16:06:55.603+00:00You read my mind! I was going to say that busmen c...You read my mind! I was going to say that busmen can do the accounts, as well as running the buses; but accountants can't run buses.<br />But, sadly, some firms don't have any alternative. Think pension liabilities (and other legacy debts). Our foolish past usually finds a way of catching up with us! It's not even always our fault. Ensign (and many others) avoided that fate. Good judgement as well as necessity, which is often the harbinger of good luck.smurfukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04812247601237248526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-42182250342765729352018-12-06T13:23:33.819+00:002018-12-06T13:23:33.819+00:00Handy to see the timetable on the screens while h...Handy to see the timetable on the screens while having refreshments in Brentwood , you didn't have to rush your meal . A great day out . Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-48578537022444776842018-12-06T09:34:17.828+00:002018-12-06T09:34:17.828+00:00Great report Steve. I remember my first Ensign run...Great report Steve. I remember my first Ensign running day in 2013 a really enjoyable event. Always said I would go again but never have gotten round to doing it!!eastnorfolkbushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16324171503879244065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-89912099084136413852018-12-05T17:23:59.305+00:002018-12-05T17:23:59.305+00:00This comment has been removed by the author.smurfukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04812247601237248526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-55562348515226302322018-12-05T14:29:38.324+00:002018-12-05T14:29:38.324+00:00Absolutely. It is also worth noting that busmen ru...Absolutely. It is also worth noting that busmen run Ensign, not accountants.<br /><br />Steve Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06852377706742868978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-75228067588297728402018-12-05T11:47:59.962+00:002018-12-05T11:47:59.962+00:00Thanks, Steve. It's posts like this that make ...Thanks, Steve. It's posts like this that make the blog, especially for those of us unable to get out and about as much as we'd like!<br /><br />Endorse comments about Ensign! It proves,again:<br />1. Enthusiasm is infectious. (And sadly, the reverse is true too).<br />2. Size matters. No, not how much; but doing what you do best, and then doing it to the very best of your ability.<br /><br />When will we ever learn? It's not just the fish that rot from the head. It's the boss what makes it, or breaks it.smurfukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04812247601237248526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-16604706543444512332018-12-04T20:16:55.836+00:002018-12-04T20:16:55.836+00:00They are a credit to the industry and show many ot...They are a credit to the industry and show many others up. Steve Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06852377706742868978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-29573073963023970592018-12-04T20:04:27.975+00:002018-12-04T20:04:27.975+00:00Not only were there an amazing variety of vehicles...Not only were there an amazing variety of vehicles to choose from, it was the attention to detail that was noticeable. All buses had proper blinds specially made, and Ensign had not only posted timetables at major stops, they had also managed to show the times on the Passenger Information Screens at Lakeside. I'm sure we could all mention operators who can't manage that for "ordinary" services! SEV 777noreply@blogger.com