To be fair GHA don't seem to bothered in terms of sticking to the rules so not meeting the seating requirement on a couple of workings wouldn't be a problem, of course it shouldn't happen but in practice it will. The moral of the story is that there needs to be a set number of spare ticket machines that can be swapped out as and when needed. It's a lot cheaper than having a number of spare buses sitting around the yard for most of there days.
Or fit these extra machines to specific vehicles at other depots which are sure substitute vehicles when the need arises.
(06/04/2016 17:08)Lynx Wrote: [ -> ]To be fair GHA don't seem to bothered in terms of sticking to the rules so not meeting the seating requirement on a couple of workings wouldn't be a problem, of course it shouldn't happen but in practice it will.
Indeed it's happened before when they decided to send one of the Connect 88 Versas to Shrewsbury before getting the Enviros to replace them, also Solos with less seats than the required capacity have appeared on the 200 and 289 routes - the 28 seater Solos are fine for those two routes so providing the correct size bus shouldn't be too difficult! Of course in an emergency a small bus is better than no bus but the number of times NA04 GHA appeared on the 289 suggests GHA had an emergency lasting months if they care about meeting the terms of the contracts.
The Connect88 Versa has lingered on at Shrewsbury depot for months for regular use on the 436. It has been running around with grime coated on it for months suggesting it hasn't visited Ruabon for a while (as do the Scanias). I travelled on the Versa last month and internally it needed a good clean, notable with the build-up on the window pillars, quite a shame Shrewsbury depot does not have any provision to keep a presentable fleet, a lot of the fleet looks unloved due to this.
On the other side of the coin I was quite impressed with Ruthin depot last month whilst using the X50/X52 services, looking at the depot they were cleaning some of the spare buses in the yard by hand and there was some pride in keeping it tidy looking.
Not having a pop at GHA with my comments, constructive criticism if nothing else.
Just to put Knutstransport, djb, lynx and Valandil minds at ease the new Ticketer ticket machines were not fitted last Sunday as planned as TfGM needed the installation team to visit another operator as a priority.
Although only 10 vehicles that regally operate into the TfGM area are being fitted with Ticketer machines the company has also purchased spare hand held versions of the machine, which work in exactly the same way as a fixed Ticketer so that if a bus with a Wayfarer TGX base plate is needed to be used on one of these services then a hand held machine attached to a plinth which fits the Wayfarer TGX base plate will be used.
In the next 18 months the company needs to replace its entire TGX system, however TfGM area services needed to be done as a priority to except the “get me there” travelcard and therefore the Ticketer option was taken.
The Ticketer ETM is a really good piece of equipment and has many excellent features, but there is also the launch of the new Parkeon Wayfarer 6 which has addressed many of the shortcomings of the Wayfarer TGX200 so to be honest we don’t know which machine will end up becoming the standard machine for GHA until we have looked at all the options.
Some of you have noticed in Notice & Proceedings that GHA Coaches have had an increase granted on both its Welsh & North Western traffic area operators licences.
This now means that the Bryn Melyn, Dobson Buses and Vale of Llangollen Travel operators licences are in the process of being surrendered and these limited company's will be dissolved and will no longer exist.
An application has been made to cancel the last Vale Travel local bus registration service 27 and re register it as a GHA Coaches service.
PC1038734/5 - THE VALE OF LLANGOLLEN TRAVEL LTD T/A VALE OF LLANGOLLEN TRAVEL LTD, UNIT 11, VAUXHALL INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, RUABON, WREXHAM, LL14 6HD
Cancellation Accepted by SN: Operating between Macclesfield Bus Station and Knutsford Bus Station given service number 27/27A/27B effective from 18-Apr-2016.
PC1098981/48 - G H A COACHES LTD, UNIT 11, VAUXHALL INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, RUABON, WREXHAM, LL14 6UY
Registration Accepted by SN
Starting Point: Macclesfield Bus Station
Finish Point: Knutsford Bus Station
Via: Macclesfield Hospital, Broken Cross & Chelford
Service Number: 27
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 18-APR-2016
Other Details: Monday to Saturday (except bank holidays)
So it looks like the last ever Vale Travel service will be the 17:30 Knutsford to Macclesfield on Saturday.
Noted Volvo B10BLE R217 HCD heading out of Oswestry this evening after completing duties on the 17:55 576 ex Shrewsbury. Has this duty now moved to Shrewsbury depot form Ruabon as suggestive could be heading light to Shrewsbury opposed to Ruabon from location seen?
Chris
Olympian N621 KUA was in Warrington Bus Station on Saturday (9 April) - not sure if it was in passenger service.
(11/04/2016 21:32)Bevan Price Wrote: [ -> ]Olympian N621 KUA was in Warrington Bus Station on Saturday (9 April) - not sure if it was in passenger service.
Seen again this morning but looked not to be in frontline use.