GHA Group (Bryn Melyn, Vale Travel + Others)

[Depotosw]

RE: GHA Group (Bryn Melyn, Vale Travel + Others)
The 576 Oswestry to Shrewsbury (the last Shropshire service operated out of Ruabon depot) has seen some variety of late. Cheshire Connect livery Solo YJ54 ZYE has been featuring a lot with Volvo B10BLE R838 PRG (in GO NE red base livery still) as well as a Vale Travel livery / branded Solo with the reg YJ60 KBN (or something like that).

I was travelling to work via bus today from Oswestry to Shrewsbury so with R838 PRG operating the 576 at 07:05 I thought I would give a Shropshire Day Ticket a go, allowing me to connect to either the 96 or 436 at Shrewsbury onwards to the Business Park. It was quite nice to see one of the former Bryn Melyn drivers operating the service, very much knowing his regular passengers too.

[YN05 WKE]

RE: GHA Group (Bryn Melyn, Vale Travel + Others)

(03/03/2016 09:50)Depotosw Wrote:  The 576 Oswestry to Shrewsbury (the last Shropshire service operated out of Ruabon depot) has seen some variety of late. Cheshire Connect livery Solo YJ54 ZYE has been featuring a lot with Volvo B10BLE R838 PRG (in GO NE red base livery still) as well as a Vale Travel livery / branded Solo with the reg YJ60 KBN (or something like that).

I was travelling to work via bus today from Oswestry to Shrewsbury so with R838 PRG operating the 576 at 07:05 I thought I would give a Shropshire Day Ticket a go, allowing me to connect to either the 96 or 436 at Shrewsbury onwards to the Business Park. It was quite nice to see one of the former Bryn Melyn drivers operating the service, very much knowing his regular passengers too.

I did not know Ruabon operated Shrewsbury routes thought they had a depot up that way

[Depotosw]

RE: GHA Group (Bryn Melyn, Vale Travel + Others)

(03/03/2016 09:57)E208 WBG Wrote:  I did not know Ruabon operated Shrewsbury routes thought they had a depot up that way

Ruabon until recently operated the 501, 576 and 96 which interworked, the 436 was operated from day one from Shrewsbury depot, I believe the delay moving the 96 and 501 was due to building up driving staff levels at Shrewsbury.

[knutstransport]

RE: GHA Group (Bryn Melyn, Vale Travel + Others)

(02/03/2016 16:08)Dentonian Wrote:  DK09 ENW is/was the regular performer on the 200 (Wilmslow-M'cr Airport-RVP). However, this might have changed with an appparent timetable change last weekend. The original registration forwarded to TFGM seemed to have an error involving the last two round trips, but despite this being raised with ECCC about a month ago, we never received a correction/clarification, so I don't know if Bus Stop publicity at the Airport or along Ringway Road to/from Moss Nook is entirely accurate. Just getting our excuses in first (lol). Probably too many fingers in the pie with this service, as the subsidy is split between ECCC, National Trust, MAplc and TFGM.

The timetable on the GHA site shows the 16:56 from Wilmslow station going to the visitor park in the winter only: http://www.ghacoaches.co.uk/wp-content/u...Daily.pdf, while the one on the Cheshire East site shows it going to the visitor park except during winter. I suspect the latter is correct.

The new contract requires a 25 seater vehicle to be used. I understand GHA were given the contract for 7 years, I imagine that will include break clauses.

Quote:The contract will be awarded for either 3, 5 or 7 years with the option to extend - the values given in this notice are only estimates (based on 7 years) and take into account the maximum length of time this contract could be awarded for - the Authority gives no guarantee or warranty or makes any representation as to the accuracy of any indicative volumes or as to the value of the work during the contract period.
Estimated value excluding VAT: 318 405 GBP
4)Indication about different date for duration of contract or starting/completion
Duration in months: 84 (from the award of the contract)
5)Additional information about lots
Lot No: 3 Lot title: N53052
1)Short description
Route start: Manchester Airport, route end: Wilmslow. Minimum vehicle seating capacity: 25 vehicles and drivers required for further information on whether wheelchair accessible vehicle or/and escorts are required please see schedule document via ‘The Chest‘ website. Possible route variation - should this happen updated information will also be provided via ‘The Chest‘ website.

I wouldn't be surprised if the old contract was for a 25 seater as well. NA04 GHA (24 seater) has made regular appearances on the 289 in the past despite the contract specifying 28 seats, while SN03 DZZ (30 seater) shouldn't have replaced one of the Versas on the 88 route prior to the Enviros arriving as the contract required 35 seats, while SN03 DZZ was branded for the 88 route it should have only ever operated the morning peak extra (under the old pre-GHA Gold timetable) except in an emergency.

[knutstransport]

RE: GHA Group (Bryn Melyn, Vale Travel + Others)

(03/03/2016 21:34)Dentonian Wrote:  Ironically, there was a notice at the Airport stand, advising that the 1456 & 1656 round trips would be cancelled today, due to Staff shortage. Not sure how they managed to man the 1556 round trip, though - if they did!

Possibly a driver who had come off another route worked the 1556 and had to take a mandatory break before continuing, or they cancelled a working on another route to prevent 3 services in a row being cancelled?

[DK09 GXY]

RE: GHA Group (Bryn Melyn, Vale Travel + Others)
Saw R226 HCD on the X9 today

[T42 PVM (Moderator)]

RE: GHA Group (Bryn Melyn, Vale Travel + Others)
Well thats that...

PC1098981/27 - G H A COACHES LTD, UNIT 11, VAUXHALL INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, RUABON, WREXHAM, LL14 6UY
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Northwich and Warrington given service number 45 effective from 29-Apr-2016.

[telf23]

RE: GHA Group (Bryn Melyn, Vale Travel + Others)

(04/03/2016 12:32)T42 PVM Wrote:  Well thats that...

PC1098981/27 - G H A COACHES LTD, UNIT 11, VAUXHALL INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, RUABON, WREXHAM, LL14 6UY
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Northwich and Warrington given service number 45 effective from 29-Apr-2016.

I thought the 45 was performing well though?

[Lynx]

RE: GHA Group (Bryn Melyn, Vale Travel + Others)

(04/03/2016 17:13)telf23 Wrote:  I thought the 45 was performing well though?

Usually 15-25 passengers a working easily. It's silly GHA had such a good foothold on Warrington and now it's all gone down the pan. I'm personally very disappointed but it's about time as you can't seriously run a service the way GHA have been doing. Safe to say NW have won this war (again), more of a battle however.

[knutstransport]

RE: GHA Group (Bryn Melyn, Vale Travel + Others)
I wonder where the Metrocities will go. Personally I think it would be a good idea to not designate them to any routes and to use them as cover for the GHA Gold/T3 buses when required or on any suitable service if all the GHA Gold/T3 buses are available.