tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post4819169686381758884..comments2024-03-25T19:07:29.729+00:00Comments on Steve's Bus & Train Page: The Need To Know.Steve Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06852377706742868978noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-46867093840381702922018-12-20T20:42:23.817+00:002018-12-20T20:42:23.817+00:00X1 introduction dates back to circa 1997 - well be...X1 introduction dates back to circa 1997 - well before Alan Pilbeam - though he did a good job at the time in both companies.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-85085015841582116392018-12-20T10:10:50.103+00:002018-12-20T10:10:50.103+00:00Stagecoach pulls out of United States
Scottish-ba...Stagecoach pulls out of United States<br /><br />Scottish-based transport company Stagecoach has pulled out of the US. <br />The firm, which has its headquarters in Perth, has been running bus services in North America for 20 years, but has had to significantly write down the value of the operation. <br />Stagecoach has sold its North America division to a private equity firm for $271m (£214m).<br />It said it planned to concentrate on its bus and rail services in the UK.<br />Stagecoach had reported a £22.6m pre-tax loss for the six months to 27 October, driven by a writedown of £85.4m on its US division.East Anglian Bus Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02555951920166671431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-21606977288831357682018-12-19T11:56:19.209+00:002018-12-19T11:56:19.209+00:00The Future of Rural Bus Services
An interesting R...The Future of Rural Bus Services<br /><br />An interesting Report<br /><br />https://bettertransport.org.uk/sites/default/files/research-files/The-Future-of-Rural-Bus-Services.pdfEast Anglian Bus Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02555951920166671431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-67394438538303493202018-12-19T11:25:19.398+00:002018-12-19T11:25:19.398+00:00Bus travel: Fewer passengers as funding falls
Dis...Bus travel: Fewer passengers as funding falls<br /><br />Disruptions on England's rail network have been in the spotlight over the past year - but only 20% of all trips on public transport are on trains, although passenger numbers have been rising.<br />Buses are the most common mode of public transport, accounting for 60% of all trips.<br />But on the buses, passenger numbers are falling. <br />There were 9% fewer journeys on local bus services in Britain in the first three months of this financial year than in the same period a decade ago.<br /><br />Between September 2017 and September 2018 in London, fares rose by 0.4% - in the capital, buses are still public and regulated. <br />In other metropolitan areas in England where fares are left to the free market, there was an average 2.4% increase, while in non-metropolitan areas fares rose by 7.9%. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-50758032201717224442018-12-19T09:11:58.370+00:002018-12-19T09:11:58.370+00:00I do think some of the credit though for EC's ...I do think some of the credit though for EC's recovery should be shared: perhaps Alan Pilbeam (who I think introduced the X1 which I always think of as some sort of saviour) and after him, David Squires, if I have the names right? And I think Steve Wickers was the Commercial Manager/Director, throughout, too? As I said above, consistency matters (with the important caveat that provided it's the right sort of consistency!)<br /><br />But none of that takes anything away from Chris, who is the living proof of the old adage that the best manager is a good example. We all need a role model.smurfukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04812247601237248526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-32695869303385631212018-12-18T22:45:05.189+00:002018-12-18T22:45:05.189+00:00This comment has been removed by the author.smurfukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04812247601237248526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-54306001055634713952018-12-18T22:07:05.607+00:002018-12-18T22:07:05.607+00:00I did get a bit carried away and owe you Steve and...I did get a bit carried away and owe you Steve and especially Chris a big apology. But all I can say is that no offence was intended. I don't know Chris but even I know of his excellent reputation, even from far away. That's why I'd like to know how he does it, day to day! But of course I know it's his attitude. Any of us only understand the drivers, engineers (and indeed the passengers) if we get down amongst them. As we all keep on saying it's the detail that matters. Miracles don't happen with a magic wand, but come with hard, sustained work and attention to detail, and the little things that just make life that bit better.<br /><br />And yes there are decent managers in Essex too with their heart in the right place. But the difference in performance of the two units shows just what a good job Chris is doing, especially when everything is working against you as it is in the transport industry (rail too).<br /><br />Look at the historic legacy of both units - and I'm going back several decades, and both of them have a history of problems and underinvestment. EC has had a turnaround, and I too will give much of the recent credit to Chris, though admittedly they have had to ditch much of their former "empire", but who hasn't? If only First Group as a whole weren't so screwed up to have to do a Mrs. Hubbard act!<br /><br />As a passenger, or more often now an "if only" passenger - my frustration with Essex is clear. They probably came to First with more investment, and in the Lockhead years that was largely stripped away. They weren't the only ones of course. And they have probably never recovered. And the more recent history probably doesn't inspire too much confidence either, so Steve has a unfortunate legacy (putting it politely) to deal with. Essex might be near London, but it isn't London. Miracles don't come easy. EC got their big changes over and done with and have had the benefit of consistency for a number of years now, Essex are only a few months in to any sort of recovery. As with comedy, the timing is important. Now with all the uncertainty is a poor time to try and make any big changes.<br /><br />Essex has the twin devils of Met levels of congestion without a Council with the Met will to do anything about it. In fact I suspect they are more of a hindrance than a help - just try and get a decision out of them on anything, even less a sensible one. That's always been the same too; to many residents the County Council are a (sick) joke, and always have been. (The same is often true in Suffolk, Norfolk, and Cambs - where they have a phrase for it: Clowncil).<br /><br />The sad thing (as I tried to allude to - too crudely) is that I suspect Chris like many senior managers has to try and undo the damage done further up the hierarchy, but that's true everywhere. Still kudos. When it seems that everyone else (among the big boys) is heading in the wrong direction; it's a real credit that Chris has EC, it appears, heading in the right direction. And overall it's working. It shows just how hard it is. <br /><br />The cold comfort is that I don't think anyone else would do any better with the present Essex network either. It's just too darned much to handle, but as we know changing anything in the UK is one heck of a struggle; and as with everything the longer we leave it, it just gets harder and harder, until perhaps it becomes virtually impossible. smurfukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04812247601237248526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-63295390264465736392018-12-18T21:16:07.629+00:002018-12-18T21:16:07.629+00:00You will notice that only anonymous comments are r...You will notice that only anonymous comments are removed. Put a name to it, be identifiable and you'll get more respect. Act like a troll you'll be treated like one. Steve Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06852377706742868978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-49276561295131812352018-12-18T20:04:46.859+00:002018-12-18T20:04:46.859+00:00OK you brave anonymous people making personal crit...OK you brave anonymous people making personal criticisms without knowing the facts, a bit of clarification is required <br /><br />Firstly no pun intended, Chris Speed has nothing whatsoever to do with First Essex. His remit is Norfolk and Suffolk. The only connection Norfolk & Suffolk has with First Essex is they share an MD, Steve Vickers who I understand spends most of his time in Essex.<br /><br />First Norfolk & Suffolk is making money, and keeping to engineering budgets. Chris is also one of the more approachable blokes 8n the industry, and thinks the world of his staff He has overseen many improvements to staff conditions and facilities especially in Norwich You may remember the tragic incident in Wisbech earlier in the year when an X1 ploughed into the side of an artic, killing the driver and a passenger, as well as leaving 4 with life changing injuries There were numerous reconstructions to try to ascertain what happened, and Chris insisted 9n driving the bus, so none of the deceased driver's colleagues had to<br /><br />When I was considering closing this blog it was Chris Speed who dragged me into a pub in Great Yarmouth and told me to carry it on, as he needed the type of criticism I gave. I have never forgotten that, and never will.<br /><br />When I started the blog I was accused of being anti First. I wasn't there was just lots to criticise Since then I have watched Chris turn things around to the extent there is so little to criticise I'm now accused of being biased towards them. <br /><br />So enough of the personal attacks. Get facts right before making snide comments, please. Steve Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06852377706742868978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-17538467627268171682018-12-18T19:58:24.986+00:002018-12-18T19:58:24.986+00:00Actually I did it not Steve
Actually I did it not Steve <br />suffolkraiderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04352527625849770984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-6419749018280866012018-12-18T19:53:31.656+00:002018-12-18T19:53:31.656+00:00Steve might as well ban all comments if he decides...Steve might as well ban all comments if he decides to see something he doesn't like.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-14252266496776732972018-12-18T13:05:59.388+00:002018-12-18T13:05:59.388+00:00There must be some odd jobs .There must be some odd jobs .Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-56048666704600760022018-12-18T10:26:02.739+00:002018-12-18T10:26:02.739+00:00No wonder engineering budgets are always overspent...No wonder engineering budgets are always overspent, and run out well before the end of the financial year!!!smurfukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04812247601237248526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-37915333126814500512018-12-18T08:08:56.314+00:002018-12-18T08:08:56.314+00:00What a grand title - no doubt with the salary to m...What a grand title - no doubt with the salary to match!<br /><br />But what does he do all day then? The hard (sic) graft is done in the depots, and customer service is farmed out to Leeds. Wiping the bosses ****?smurfukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04812247601237248526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-57926402771725703632018-12-17T12:50:19.026+00:002018-12-17T12:50:19.026+00:00Is the final stopping point All Saints Green? ...Is the final stopping point All Saints Green? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-84272734417464677852018-12-16T15:24:38.937+00:002018-12-16T15:24:38.937+00:00Quite frankly I'm envious of the rest of the c...Quite frankly I'm envious of the rest of the country which has such good services that we can afford to engage in petty squabbles over this and that! To have a defender we have to have something worth defending in the first place.<br /><br />So, I'll be blunt. Here the obvious explanation has to be true, though it still pains me to acknowledge it: that First (well actually, it's not for no reason they're known to the locals as Worst) Essex behave like cowboys, because that is precisely what they are: the local management and drivers are cowboys, doing as they please and out of the control of First's regional and national management, who are powerless to do anything about it. It's no surprise that every successive management for at least the last 20 years has given up on them, and that they are left with a fleet scraped together from everyone else's rejects. It is quite understandable with their reputation why nobody else wants anything to do with them, either; and why any decent staff who make the mistake of falling in with this bunch leave, as quickly as possible.<br /><br />Let's face it. None of them has the guts to deny it, or any evidence to back that up, do they?smurfukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04812247601237248526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-66107816007415544412018-12-15T10:08:51.396+00:002018-12-15T10:08:51.396+00:00Chris Speed, Head of Operations and Engineering at...Chris Speed, Head of Operations and Engineering at First Eastern Counties has confirmed to me there are no plans to withdraw the X2 from the bus station. Steve Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06852377706742868978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-73560342314984840392018-12-14T20:42:40.575+00:002018-12-14T20:42:40.575+00:00Apologise for what exactly? Apologise for what exactly? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-66461531481316512472018-12-14T19:54:52.048+00:002018-12-14T19:54:52.048+00:00Well this time next year I can either apologise fo...Well this time next year I can either apologise for my false information, or you can apologise to me. It will be interesting to see which way it goes Steve Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06852377706742868978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-4033002136072812792018-12-14T17:55:01.837+00:002018-12-14T17:55:01.837+00:00"Certainly the X1 Enviros are being replaced&..."Certainly the X1 Enviros are being replaced" I'll believe it when I see it, Steve. As your post earlier this year states "The X1 will be getting new buses this year as they will be 5 years old...". Have you not given a timescale for a reasons? When will they be replaced? 2 years time? I have some news too! There will be no presidents in Norwich at some point in the future. First haven't even conformed an order for new buses for the X1. Is this the same source as your GEA information?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-65011156020273672122018-12-14T14:46:18.245+00:002018-12-14T14:46:18.245+00:00Don't worry. The bus management fanboys are en...Don't worry. The bus management fanboys are endemic on the web. Usually led by the accountants. I wonder why??smurfukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04812247601237248526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-71615932949137063262018-12-14T12:53:10.972+00:002018-12-14T12:53:10.972+00:00Interesting to see the X2 and it's many not s...Interesting to see the X2 and it's many not so express variations is pulling out of Norwich Bus Station in the New Year according to the registration changes . Let's hope a forward thinking company uses the spare capacity this change will free up .Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-69375297067857736632018-12-14T12:38:06.700+00:002018-12-14T12:38:06.700+00:00Confused, is the better word.
I'm naive enoug...Confused, is the better word.<br /><br />I'm naive enough to think that all the bus companies are trying to do their best by the passengers BUT some of them seem to be their own worst enemies by making the job much harder than it is already!<br /><br />The waste of drivers goodwill, and testing passengers' patience beyond any reasonable limit doesn't make me happy . . . no. But sad and disappointed rather than angry. It's so unnecessary with a bit of forethought.smurfukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04812247601237248526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-39761757979287547772018-12-14T11:53:44.755+00:002018-12-14T11:53:44.755+00:00Sorry, Smurf, are you saying you're happy or n...Sorry, Smurf, are you saying you're happy or not?? Only there's some on here who start throwing the toys out the pram if a bus company is criticised, so just wanted to clarify.... Steve Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06852377706742868978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-42841588889285902092018-12-14T11:49:49.221+00:002018-12-14T11:49:49.221+00:00Trained in what, precisely? Trained in what, precisely? Steve Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06852377706742868978noreply@blogger.com