(10/10/2023 12:30)Valandil Wrote: [ -> ]The new 10 service takes quite an interesting route and even serves Daresbury Sci Tech in the peaks!
https://bustimes.org/services/10-blackca...nterchange
Shame this information is only just becoming available.
And the information is missing all intermediate stops because the agent doing Howard's open data is clearly incompetent. Timing points only, good luck to everyone working out the invetween stops. Also there is now a great situation where in the morning, 3 buses leave Warrington Interchange for Daresbury Park within 13 minutes of eachother between the X30, 62 and new 10. Colossal waste of taxpayers money.
Seems they've now got a Solo and a Fiat bread van for the new contracts:
https://www.flickr.com/groups/1870297@N24/pool/
That type of Fiat bus didn't work well on the TfGM contracts around Altrincham. The drivers slowed down to around 5mph before crossing the rumble strips on Runger Lane and the vehicles still shaked quite violently!
Howard's bought 4 Solos a couple of months ago for Stagecoach North Scotland, 2 for service and 2xfor resale.
One, SV08FZR, was immediately sold to British Blue Tours of Tranmere, repainted all over grey, and re-registered to K99BBT. This has since been loaned back to Howard's in exchange for Scania F12HOW to remedy a coach shortage.
There's a viral TikTok circulating where a driver is telling a woman she's banned from the afternoon journeys on the 10 route for complaining about his driving, but is still allowed on if a driver called Rob is driving. A lot of comments on it telling her to refer the matter to the TC.
(06/04/2025 10:07)knutstransport Wrote: [ -> ]There's a viral TikTok circulating where a driver is telling a woman she's banned from the afternoon journeys on the 10 route for complaining about his driving, but is still allowed on if a driver called Rob is driving. A lot of comments on it telling her to refer the matter to the TC.
Seen it and it’s pretty disturbing! What’s worse is the driver says ‘the boss has said to refuse you travel’ - not the way for a business owner to respond to a complaint.
According to comments elsewhere the owner of Howard’s has in the past posted complainants full name and addresses on social media and dubbed them ‘moaners’.
(06/04/2025 18:43)Mayneway Wrote: [ -> ]According to comments elsewhere the owner of Howard’s has in the past posted complainants full name and addresses on social media and dubbed them ‘moaners’.
If that's true, any of those 'moaners' could submit a compliant to the ICO, and the fines could equate to more than the value of some of his vehicles.
I suppose it's not surprising though, given the allegations ex-drivers made regarding their pension contributions. They had some good professional drivers when they had the Cheshire East and Cheshire West contracts. It's a shame their employment termination wasn't handled the same way.
(07/04/2025 17:43)knutstransport Wrote: [ -> ]If that's true, any of those 'moaners' could submit a compliant to the ICO, and the fines could equate to more than the value of some of his vehicles.
I suppose it's not surprising though, given the allegations ex-drivers made regarding their pension contributions. They had some good professional drivers when they had the Cheshire East and Cheshire West contracts. It's a shame their employment termination wasn't handled the same way.
I don’t think the owner is a very nice person. Comes across as very arrogant. Apparently many of the drivers have a dislike to enthusiasts taking photos etc, yet the company has an enthusiasts Facebook page where the drivers post photos of their buses. It beggars belief.
I was a manager in retail for many years before jumping into the bus industry and met with several complaints in that time, and while natural instinct is to refuse to serve them, it’s better to look them in the eye and act professionally.
I remember under the previous registered business they converted a Volvo bus into a recovery vehicle and posted pictures of it all over the web. I seem to recall there were also some vehicles photographed with unusual destinations on the displays.