(17/09/2021 10:14)knutstransport Wrote: [ -> ]I wasn't meaning they had one Versa, I was meaning the Versa I saw.
If they recruited Diamond drivers who had been driving the routes recently then that would have reduced the amount of route learning they need to do!
I wouldn’t be too sure. They have some very bizarre inter-working at Goodwins.
1957 WSV 506 is now WSV 541 - Volvo B7/Wright
1974 FJ07 DLE is now WEZ 411 - Mercedes Sprinter/Mellor
(16/09/2021 14:29)knutstransport Wrote: [ -> ]Well it's not straight forward given that:
* Go Goodwins ran bus services as Go Goodwins.
* Then they rebranded them as Little Gem.
* Then they sold the bus operations to Diamond, meaning Diamond started using de-branded Little Gem buses.
* Then they started bidding for contracts again, most ones which they ran in the past and ones Diamond had been running.
While I mentioned the TfGM Versa being used by Little Gem in an earlier post, what I didn't mention is I saw it at the airport station and it was next to a bus in identical branding being used by Diamond and the Diamond driver was chatting to the Little Gem driver. Anyone would think the buses and drivers belonged to the same company at the same depot.
It also seems that they have 3 Solos in the fleet from 2007 and 2008, while D&G are using 3 former Go-Goodwins Solos from 2010 and two of their old Enviros from 2011, often on routes which go to Altrincham or Manchester Airport.
About the depots - could it be possible that diamond & little gem share a yard in eccles??? Little gem do have an eccles address so maybe that's happening.
Goodwins and Diamond depots in Eccles are across the road from each other
(20/09/2021 04:42)33109 Wrote: [ -> ]About the depots - could it be possible that diamond & little gem share a yard in eccles??? Little gem do have an eccles address so maybe that's happening.
Enviro200 MMCs YX20 OGV and YX20 OGW have been re-registered EP60 ODY and OA60 ODY.
(10/10/2021 16:18)ant17612 Wrote: [ -> ]Enviro200 MMCs YX20 OGV and YX20 OGW have been re-registered EP60 ODY and OA60 ODY.
Seems a strange one that. They aren't exactly hiding the age of the vehicle or swapping it for one that stands out as a Little Gem/Go Goodwins registration. In fact the GW in the removed YX20 0GW could stand for Goodwins.
They've done similar with ??60 ODY plates in the past. I guess it reads as EP GOODY & OA GOODY whatever that refers to
(10/10/2021 16:18)ant17612 Wrote: [ -> ]Enviro200 MMCs YX20 OGV and YX20 OGW have been re-registered EP60 ODY and OA60 ODY.
YX20 OGU has now joined them as LA60 ODY.
(11/10/2021 09:38)knutstransport Wrote: [ -> ]Seems a strange one that. They aren't exactly hiding the age of the vehicle or swapping it for one that stands out as a Little Gem/Go Goodwins registration. In fact the GW in the removed YX20 0GW could stand for Goodwins.
They are personalized registrations dedicated to family members Goody is clearly a nickname for Goodwin and the start of the plates is clearly their initials. The EP and OA ones are new plates to the company, the LA one used to be on a Vanhool Astromega.
(13/10/2021 19:51)ant17612 Wrote: [ -> ]They are personalized registrations dedicated to family members Goody is clearly a nickname for Goodwin and the start of the plates is clearly their initials. The EP and OA ones are new plates to the company, the LA one used to be on a Vanhool Astromega.
Doubt it's as obvious as you think. Note the earlier post saying many drivers working for other companies don't realise the buses running around saying Little Gem on the side belong to Go Goodwins. Even something like L136 EM wouldn't immediately stand out as a shortened version of Little Gem with some letters replaced by numbers.
I suggested in another thread the 64 reg Enviros in the D&G fleet had registrations relating to their former South Lancs Travel use but it turned out I was wrong as it was just coincidence that South Lancs ended up with buses with registrations starting SL.