Diamond Bus North West

[gilesbus1]

RE: Diamond Bus North West

(11/07/2019 23:00)Winston Wrote:  As far as I'm aware Rusholme is still only leased by First Manchester, I understand the Fingland's family still own the depot.

It may make perfect operational sense for First, but as I understand it, Atherton depot will be retained for the time being under Rotala and effectively mothballed whilst they wait to see when Vantage is to be re-tendered etc

They will struggle with vandalism then as its in a poorly lit area, so having it vacant is a recipe for vandalism. In any case would it not just by simpler at the end of the day to run Vantage for Rotala out of Bolton again were you've a bigger potential staff resource and the workshops to deal with vehicles that are specialist and complicated?

I effectively think though with Vantage the fact that FirstGroup is being sold, they will not be able to last the timetable of the contract if they cannot sell it on, as presumably First West Yorkshire were it will be managed from will be sold very quickly due to its profitably, therefore meaning it can't be managed from anywhere effectively. The tenders they have separate to Vantage at sometime will come to an end and it can't be possible to place a bid to operate them profitably when the base is so far away from Bolton, even Oldham is closer theoretically to operate them from. So those contracts will be lost by First. Suspect now Vision Bus is in an excellent position to win work around Bolton as Diamond's overheads will be much higher and Vision's a lot lower. Like First Manchester its likely Diamond now will start to lose work considering there higher overheads of wages, fuel and staff, they have no possible way of reducing them seeing it has to start lending vehicles from FirstGroup and then commence a heavy vehicle replacement plan, so they will like First mainly just end up operating commercial work within Bolton itself, the Wigan work will find its way to Stagecoach over time, seeing as its closer to Leigh and has half a garage vacant at Wigan and has workshops that are as big as Bolton's if not bigger. Also routes like the 132 were not abandonded by Stagecoach but by First so if the dead mileage from Eccles kills it, I am sure Stagecoach will be happy to take them on.