GHA Group (Bryn Melyn, Vale Travel + Others)

[Mayneway]

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

(17/09/2016 08:51)knutstransport Wrote:  I think GHA wrongly thought as Network Warrington were a council owned business they would be vulnerable in the current environment and didn't expect them to continue running hourly services between Northwich and Warrington if there was competition.

They did copy a lot of the dirty tactics Stagecoach have used in the past:
1. Using buses in liveries which looked like they belong to their rival i.e. the plain red Wright Renowns replaced by the red Metrocities.
2. Timetabling services to run just ahead of their rival.
3. Blocking bus stands to try and prevent their rival picking up passengers.

The only difference being GHA didn't manage to force Network Warrington off the route or force them to sell the business - which was often the end outcome Stagecoach achieved.

I agree to a point but GHA would have been daft to assume Network Warrington were vunerable. Although there at 'arms length' from the council recent reports have suggested he council is happy to bail them out.

I think most bus operators over the years have used similar tactics not just stagecoach and certainly on Manchester, stagecoach only attacked if they were attacked first.

Could it be argued that GHA wernt in a financial position to buy a company as big as network Warrington? Don't forget their tax bill was alledgedly the result of several years unpaid tax so although they looked like they were doing well, they possibly wernt as sound as people thought.

[knutstransport]

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

(17/09/2016 12:30)Mayneway Wrote:  I think most bus operators over the years have used similar tactics not just stagecoach and certainly on Manchester, stagecoach only attacked if they were attacked first.

There's a lot of small bus operators who aren't big enough to attempt a bus war. Stagecoach got a reputation of those type of tactics long before they acquired GM Buses South and their approach in Manchester has been different. For instance, Magic Bus (offering cheaper tickets than standard Stagecoach) haven't disappeared despite competitors like UK North disappearing but in other areas the non-Stagecoach branded operator (which was Stagecoach) had brand new buses which went to another area once the competition appeared and older Stagecoach branded buses and higher fares were introduced.

Quote:Could it be argued that GHA wernt in a financial position to buy a company as big as network Warrington? Don't forget their tax bill was alledgedly the result of several years unpaid tax so although they looked like they were doing well, they possibly wernt as sound as people thought.

But that didn't stop them acquiring additional buses (including brand new ones) which they couldn't afford! It seemed they thought they could take out more and more loans without worrying about the consequences of the amount of debt or their credit rating.

[LJ51 DDA]

RE: GHA Group (Bryn Melyn, Vale Travel + Others)
Volvo B7R Plaxton Profiles FN09AMX, FN09APY and DA04GHA (FJ04ESN) and Optare V1110 Optare Versa MX58KZF are with Sanders Coaches, Norfolk.

[quahogbuscompany]

RE: GHA Group (Bryn Melyn, Vale Travel + Others)
There's another viewing day at Ruabon on 20th September for the latest auction of GHA stock. The auction is set to end on 22nd September so should see some more vehicle movements. The Public Enquiry with the Welsh Traffic Commissioner for GHA is also set for the 20th September in Welshpool.

[LJ51 DDA]

RE: GHA Group (Bryn Melyn, Vale Travel + Others)
Just come across this on Flickr Alexander Dennis 8.8M Alexander Dennis Pointer 2 CA05GHA looking rather lovely with its new operator Grant Palmer Limited - https://flic.kr/p/LWjAcL

[motormayhem1]

RE: GHA Group (Bryn Melyn, Vale Travel + Others)
That looks rather smart in that livery.

[RedPanda]

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

(19/09/2016 19:02)motormayhem1 Wrote:  That looks rather smart in that livery.

Still retains it's GHA number plates and it's Welsh dragon

[T42 PVM (Moderator)]

RE: GHA Group (Bryn Melyn, Vale Travel + Others)
Glad to see the former GHA Managers have been banned from operating Bus companys

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wa...s-11912785

[Garsty]

RE: GHA Group (Bryn Melyn, Vale Travel + Others)
Results of the Public Enquiry are in with both looking at bans from holding an operating license and a further inquiry into 'New GHA' happening:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north...s-37416167

Edit: Was posting same time as T42 PVM

[mikestone]

RE: GHA Group (Bryn Melyn, Vale Travel + Others)
According to vosa "new GHA" doesn't have a transport manager and two disqualified directors!