Go Ahead gets the Go Ahead

City Council to sell Plymouth Citybus

The controversial sale of a council-owned bus firm to a private company in Devon has been approved. A £20.2m bid by Go-Ahead for Plymouth Citybus was agreed at a meeting of the city council. A group of campaigners gathered outside waved placards and shouted "shame" as councillors went into the meeting. The Unite union fears the sell-off will lead to job losses and a reduction in routes, but the council said the money from the sale would go into services. The Conservative-controlled council said it was not equipped to run a bus service. Go-Ahead has promised to keep the same routes for six months and protect bus drivers' jobs for 12 months. During the three-hour meeting, Labour leader Councillor Tudor Evans said the council was underselling Citybus and told the meeting it was a "terrible deal for council tax payers". Council leader Vivien Pengelly said it was a good decision which would benefit the city and improve local bus services. "I am very pleased that councillors have made the right decision based on what will be best for people living in the city and public transport users," she said. "This was a tough decision to make and I'm proud that this city's politicians are mature and responsible enough, in the most part, to set aside our political agendas to ensure that we put the lives of Plymouth people first and foremost in the choices we make." The sale of Citybus, which will retain its name, will be completed on Tuesday with a formal handover and signing of the sale agreement. BBC Devon

Monday is a big day

The last gasp protest?     MORE than 100 people have taken part in a colourful rally protesting against the proposed sale of Citybus. Councillors, MPs, members of the Unite union and members of the public took part in the rally which led from the Hoe into the city centre on Saturday. Led by a bagpipe player rally members waved colourful flags and ‘honk to keep Plymouth Citybus public’ signs. Plymouth’s full city council is due to meet on Monday to decide whether to accept a £20.2million bid from the national transport giant Go-Ahead for its 100 per cent shareholding in Citybus. Among those at the rally was Labour councillor Eddie Rennie who said: “I’m weary of what might happen. “There are no guarantees over jobs in the long term. I also fear that routes could be scrapped.” Former councillor, Mike Wright, said: “What they are proposing is shameful.” Unite, the UK’s largest union, organised the rally fearing a sale could mean cuts in jobs and services. Earlier this month Plymouth City Council’s cabinet agreed to accept an offer for the authority’s 100 per cent shareholding in Citybus. This is Plymouth There does seem to be some doubt over the numbers present with most suggesting more like 60 actually attended this time. The weather would not have helped but at the same time 400 people turned up for a pillow fight in the City Centre! There is an impassioned plea by Luke Pollard, one of the main organisers of the protest against the sale of the Peoples Republic of South Devon. He is realistic about the hopes of winning: The truth is that we’re not winning the campaign to keep CityBus public. Not because the campaign isn’t popular – it is; not because our alternatives to privatisation are not costed and affordable – because they are; not because the people of Plymouth aren’t backing us – because they are…but because the Tory Council and Cllr Vivien Pengelly, the Council Leader, in particular are refusing to listen and they have the majority on the Council. Omnibuses take on it: Yesterday saw what some describe as a last gasp attempt at influencing Plymouth council before tomorrow’s crucial debate. Some say as many as 100 marched from Plymouth Hoe to the city centre to voice support for the status quo. Others say there was less than half that number present. It certainly was nowhere near the 25,000 people who’ve signed a petition to keep Citybus in public ownership. Nor was it the 5,000 people who elected to join the Facebook page. May be the weather had something to do with it. Or may be the campaign has run out of steam. More... I would be very surprised if I am not reporting that Citybus is being sold to Go-Ahead in my blog post tomorrow.

Further Reading Omnibuses: Running out of Steam?

Derriford Traffic Scheme Trial Run next week

Possible (Probable) Traffic Congestion at Derriford Hospital – 1, 2, 3 December 2009

A while back I gave details of road works due to install a new bus lane at Derriford Hospital which was then postponed at short notice. Today staff at Derriford Hospital were given details of a trial run planned for next week... Work on a £300,000 City Council scheme to create a new bus lane at Derriford Hospital which was due to start this month has been postponed. The scheme, part of the Northern Corridor public transport improvements, was due to start on the 16th November, but there have been concerns as to how the necessary traffic diversions would effect the running of such a large acute Trust. In order to assess whether the Trust can function with the necessary traffic diversions and management proposals, it has been agreed to trial these diversions in full on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd December 2009. The data gathered over these three days will be invaluable in ensuring that the traffic management plans actually put in place when the bus lane works commence in full, are the least likely to cause major disruption to the hospital and cause any delay to emergency vehicles. In order to undertake the three day trial the following major road diversions will be put in place: The road from the main entrance to Derriford Road mini roundabout (past the entrance to the old Hospital Residences) will become exit only i.e. NO traffic will be allowed to enter the site at the mini roundabout. The Council will have diversion signs in place. Entry to the hospital will only be via either the car park B/Emergency Department side of the site (off Derriford Road) or through Morlaix Drive (off Brest Road). Morlaix Drive will be controlled by traffic lights at all times. The entry and exit arrangements in car park A will be reversed to allow entry only via the entrance opposite car park B (currently the exit to car park A). This will mean that traffic will not be able to use ‘A’ as a short cut to get from one side of the site to the other. Also anyone entering car park A looking for a parking space or to stop at the parking office will have to then have to leave A and drive back around Derriford Road to access the site Nursery users and visitors to Kingstor House and the Rowans Building will not be able to access these areas via the Derriford mini roundabout but will have to follow the diversions in place. This will add time to these journeys especially during peak times. There will be on and off peak traffic lights in place at both hospital junctions along Derriford Road. All staff exiting from staff car park E must turn right and exit the hospital via Morlaix Drive. Bus inspectors will be in place to ensure buses do not double park and block the road outside the main entrance. A parking attendant will be on duty between 08:00 and 18.30 outside the main entrance to keep traffic moving and prevent cars, delivery vehicles and vehicles from causing a blockage in this area. Staff, patients and visitors should expect to experience congestion at peak times on all routes in and out of Derriford Hospital. Any staff coming from the north of the city are urged to use the recently improved George Junction Park and Ride and use the Target Travel’s service 60 to the hospital. Alternatively staff are encouraged to use either the Airport or Planned Care Centre Park and Ride schemes to prevent unnecessary journeys on site. Alternatively where possible staff should try and use the public transport to get to and from work during these works. For help in planning your journey go to PlymGo (www.plymgo.com) and Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 Once complete, the new bus lane will improve journey time and reliability for people using buses to the hospital as well as provide better pedestrian access. The Trust is absolutely committed to improving sustainable travel and journey times by bus and is looking forward to the completion of the new bus lane as soon as practically possible. I have produced this quick and dirty map to show the basic idea. I really hope that this does work as it is crucial to get the new bus lane in as soon as possible. It is good that they are being cautious and trialling this traffic management scheme before they go ahead with the full works. I can see a few issues which are likely to cause problems to begin with. I do like the line "Bus inspectors will be in place to ensure buses do not double park and block the road outside the main entrance" I am really not sure exactly how they are going to do this as there quite simply isnt the room for all the buses to stop at peak times. If all the bus stops are full are they just going to send a bus round again until there is space for it to stop? The other crucial part is going to be the timing of the traffic lights. If they get that wrong it will be chaos! I have always believed that a one way system would help, so it will be interesting to see if I am right. Once people get used to it I think it will help but I am sure the first day at least will be difficult. The other area I can see problems is Morlaix Drive which is very narrow but will remain two way traffic. The traffic lights there may just make things worse if they back traffic up too much. At least most of the traffic will be entering in the morning and leaving in the evening so it should be possible to get the lights set up correctly.It will also see more traffic trying to get out onto Derriford Roundabout from Brest Road. This is difficult at the best of times as often only one or two cars can get out at a time as it is. I am sure that it will be difficult for a few days but I do think it will be worth it if they can keep traffic moving enough to consider staring the new bus lane. It is certainly going to be fun on Monday!

Further Reading Plymothian Transit: Pain now - gain later? Plymothian Transit: Progress stalled Recommended Links Omnibuses: The Benefits of Deckers Leon Daniels: Its not easy being green A Transport of Delight: And then there were 11

Monday goes back to Sunday again

Extra Buses for Monday 28th December 2009 - Oh no there isnt!

Oh dear - it seems that there has been another change to the Christmas services being provided by Plymouth Citybus. The latest versio is as follows: Thursday 24 December 2009 Normal Service** Friday 25 December 2009 NO SERVICE Saturday 26 December 2009 NO SERVICE Sunday 27 December 2009 Sunday Service Monday 28 December 2009 Sunday Service Tuesday 29 December 2009 Saturday Service Wednesday 30 December 2009 Saturday Service Thursday 31 December 2009 Saturday Service** Friday 1 January 2010 NO SERVICE Saturday 2 January 2010 Normal Service View full notice (PDF) Not sure why the change back to Sunday service for the 28th but I must admit I was surprised when it was announced. I am sure in the past they have operated special Bank Holiday timetables with extra runs added to the normal Sunday service between 10am and 4pm on selected routes. I have not seen a notice yet but I believe that First are also running standard Sunday services on the 28th. Northern Connect Taxifast still don't know what they are running!

Further Reading Plymothian Transit: Christmas is coming… Recommended Links Omnibuses: Optare Omnibuses: Hatchets Buried? Plymouth Local History: The State Cinema

The post Christmas Shopping Trip made easier

Extra Buses for Monday 28th December 2009

You may already have spotted the amendment to the post about Citybus Christmas services a few days ago but we can now give you confirmation of the extra services on 28th December: Most retail business within Plymouth are treating Monday 28th December 2009 as a normal working day. The Drake Circus shopping Centre and most of the major shops in Plymouth will be open as normal. It is expected to be the best retail day of the year with Plymouth City Centre being the place to be. Plymouth Citybus recognises this, so new for this year instead of operating the traditional Sunday Service on the 28th December we will be operating a Saturday level of service all day on the 28th December 2009. Our City Centre Travel Shop located on Exeter Street above the bus station will also be open all day on the 28th December. ©Terry Partridge View full notice (PDF) It will be interesting to see what First run on the 28th. We are still waiting to find out what Northern Connect Taxibus services are running over the Christmas period too as they don't normally run on Saturdays. The drivers are still waiting to find out too. This year they cover more areas than last Christmas so they would be missed a lot more!

Further Reading Plymothian Transit: Christmas is coming… Recommended Links Omnibuses: The Small Guy PRSD: Park and Ride Torbay

From the archives - accident at Saltash

Train accident at Saltash Station March 1905

Today we have this wonderful report on a train accident at Saltash Station 27th March 1905. The report gives a matter of fact view on what happened when engine 835 collided at low speed with its carriages injuring quite a few passengers. Below are just a few details from the report which can be viewed on the link below the article. It all points to a very different world to what we have now. Its hard to imagine nearly 200 workmen waiting for the 6am train to Plymouth these days! Finally we end with a photo from Derek Taits collection showing Saltash Station as it was at the time this accident occurred. SIR, I HAVE the honour to report, for the information of the Board of Trade, in accordance with the Order of the 5th April, the result of my inquiry into the circumstances which led to a collision on the 27th March 1905, between an engine and the carriages of a passenger train, at Saltash, on the Great Western Railway. In this case six four-wheeled coaches, forming the 6.15 am workmen's train from Saltash to Devonport, were standing at the down platform in Saltash Station, when the engine, when setting back for the purpose of coupling, struck them with considerable violence. The engine was a four-wheels-coupled, with trailing axle, tank engine, and was moving bunker first. It was fitted with brake blocks on the coupled wheels, operated by steam and hand power. All the wheels of the coaches were fitted with blocks actuated by the vacuum brake, which was in operation at the time the collision occurred. The coaches were filled with passengers, waiting for the train to start. Twenty-seven on these complained of injuries, but fortunately none were of a serious character. The damage to rolling stock was trifling. Saltash Station, the scene of this collision, is on the single line between Keyham and St Germans. There is the usual loop pair of lines for up and down traffic, and similar up and down platforms outside the running lines. The lines through the station are level. The immediate approach from the single line at the east end is on a falling gradient of 1 in 106. The distance from the eastern end of the standing coaches to the east end of the down platform was about 33 yards and from the same spot to the east end loop points about 60 yards. I was acting stationmaster at Saltash from 6 a m . on March 27th. The workmen's train is due from Plympton at 6.6 a.m. I was engaged booking passengers when this train arrived at 6.22 am., and after the train ran in I went round to the down platform, and after the workmen had entered the train I assisted in closing the doors. There were between 180 and 200 passengers in this train leaving for Devonport. I was at the west end of the train walking towards Royal Albert Bridge at the east of the station, when I saw the engine coming back to the train. When the engine was approaching the train at a distance of about 14 yards, it was moving at a higher speed than usual, and I became afraid there would be something the matter, but I could do nothing as the engine was then close to the coaches. The collision was very sharp, but it did not seem to me that the train moved much, as all the brakes were acting. Alfred Williams, fireman, states : I have been in the Company's employ about four and a half years, and a shunting fireman for eight months. I booked on duty at 2.50 a.m. on the 27th March for 3 a.m. engine turning. At 4.15 a.m. I started to prepare engine No. 835 to work the 5.15a.m. workmen's train. It would be about 4.55 a m . when I was engaged in filling the tanks. To make sure both sides were filled I had a lamp, and in addition put my hand in each side and felt the water, which was to the top of the tanks. My mate asked me if both sides were full and I replied "Yes." On the journey to Plympton we were detained 24 minutes at Tavistock Junction signals. When at Plympton I noticed the engine wasted a considerable quantity of water by priming; this, however, ceased when we left with the 5.40 a m. workmen's train. On arrival at Saltash our engine was detached and run back over the points, when I applied the hand brake and checked the engine without difficulty. We then ran ahead over the up line points; after these points had been turned we started back at a speed of about eight miles per hour towards the train. My mate only put on steam whilst the engine made a few revolutions, and as he shut off steam I applied the hand brake; The rail was slippery and consequently the brake took but very little effect. Seeing this my mate applied the steam brake ; the wheels then picked up, but the speed had been reduced to about four miles per hour, and at this rate we struck the train, causing damage to coaches and injuring several passengers. Whilst at Saltash, by the injectors failing to work, we discovered the tank was empty. The water must have been all used up on the journey as I am positive both tanks were full before we left Plymouth shed. I did not apply sand when the wheels picked up - it was my duty but I had not had time to think of it. I cannot explain why the hand brake should not have acted efficiently in stopping the engine at the east end of the station. View the full report HERE © Derek Tait. Saltash Station early 1900's The archived report comes from the excellent Railway Archives

Further Reading Plymothian Transit May 2008: Happy Birthday Saltash Station Recommended Links Omnibuses: Parallels Omnibuses: More from Phil Leon Daniels: Return to Dagenham Dock

Almost certain to Go Ahead

Citybus Sale to GoAhead - More detail given

From the City Councils own web site: Plymouth councillors are being asked to vote on whether to sell Plymouth CityBus to preferred bidder Go Ahead for £20.2 million at a Full Council meeting on 30 November. A report recommends that the Council votes in favour of the sale and outlines the deal on the table with preferred bidder Go Ahead, whose Brighton and Hove company recently won UK Bus Operator of the Year 2009. If accepted, the deal will be for all shares in Plymouth CityBus. The full commercial details of the potential sale are outlined in the report, explaining that Go Ahead wants to continue the Plymouth CityBus name and to invest in new buses to ensure low floor access for customers by March 2011. The report points out that the bidder has a long track record of operating stand alone companies that retain their local identity. Examples include Oxford Bus Company, Brighton & Hove Buses and Metrobus. Other agreements in the report include maintaining the school bus routes for a minimum period of three years as currently operated by CityBus and continuing the route network that has historically been run by CityBus for a minimum period of six months with no changes – thereafter the Council will be given 90 days notice of any proposed changes. The report outlines that there would be no compulsory redundancies for CityBus drivers for local bus services for the next 12 months, which is a guarantee very few employers can give in the current financial climate. Staff will be eligible to join the Go Ahead share save scheme. Go Ahead has confirmed it will continue to operate the engineering apprenticeship scheme. All city councillors now have ten days to consider how they will vote during the Full Council meeting on 30 November when the decision whether to sell Plymouth CityBus to Go Ahead will be debated. The full report is available on the City Council web site so just a few snippets that have caught my eye: Up to March 2008 all local authorities published statistics on the level of bus patronage within their local area. In the markets in which the Go-Ahead Group operated, bus patronage grew by 5.3%. during the four years to 31 March 2008; by comparison in Plymouth patronage grew by 3.6%. This statistic suggests that Go-Ahead do seek to encourage growth and patronage. The preferred bidder wishes to continue the name of the company and has provided outline details of a possible livery that it will use to refresh the fleet.  The bidder has a long track record of operating stand alone companies that retain their local identity. Examples include Oxford Bus Company, Brighton & Hove Buses and Metrobus. The report goes into a lot more details, which I will be following up on during the week. It is clear that the council plan to sell and its unlikely anything is going to stop it happening now...

Sunday Best: Dennis Lance at Bretonside

First 61008 June 2005

©AecRegent 61008, Bretonside, Plymouth, June 2005 If you click on the photo and visit his flickr page you will see the comments that these buses didn't really last that long with FDC and rarely appeared in Plymouth in that time. The did occasionally do the X80 and I remember a few occasions catching them on the 7. I always liked the look of these buses but by the time I got to ride on them they were well past their best and didnt give a brilliant ride. I seem to remember the drivers moaning about them a lot too.

Further Reading AEC Regent on Flickr Omnibuses: Christmas, Fares & Boxing Day TGP Projects October 2007: Dennis Lances on the move Recommended Links TGP - Terry is getting wet TGP - and then he goes to bideford TGP: Some days are better than others Plymouth Local History Remember the 1970s when there was actually something decent to watch on the telly? We all used to love Dad's Army then

Small print

Citybus Sale to Go-Ahead: the small print

In a programme of investment, Go-Ahead will reduce the average age of the bus fleet from nine to eight years by March 2011. Step entrance vehicles will be eliminated from frontline services by March 31, 2011. Go-Ahead do have a good reputation of keeping up with fleet investment, but it has to be said that prior to the council putting the company on the market and the subsequent extra services put on by First, Citybus were likely to have achieved this target on their own, or at least get pretty close to it. The recent low floor double deckers were planned to rid the fleet of the older step entrance double deckers, whereas many of them seem to be hanging around on school services. It is clear that a few of the older step entrance Darts and Volvo B6s have also been placed back into service as Citybus have taken on extra routes themselves.Of course it is also possible that Go-Ahead could transfer low floor buses from elsewhere within the group in the same way that First do. Staff will be eligible to join the Go-Ahead share-save scheme. Citybus's engineering apprenticeship scheme will continue. If, within 30 years, Go-Ahead sells the Milehouse depot or grants a long lease on the site, or there is a change in use, the council will receive a percentage of any profit. It is good to see that Milehouse is protected to some extent at least, although the actual percentage has not been released, nor I guess is it likely to be. The final section concerns drivers: There will be no compulsory redundancies of local bus drivers for 12 months "for reasons within the company's control". As has already been asked - what happens in 12 months time? In reality it is highly unlikely that Go-Ahead will be looking to reduce the number of drivers in any big way. If they do look to cut back on some services then the chances are they can loose staff through natural wastage normally. Of course this guarantee, for what its worth, only includes drivers. As is often the case, back room admin staff / management will be feeling most at risk in all of this. My thoughts are with them at the moment, as quite a few staff where I work find themselves 'at risk' at the moment for various reasons - it does not make for a happy work environment.

Recommended Links TGP Archive 4 (Southsea) Omnibuses: Quality Contracts? TGP Archive 5 London Darts Omnibuses: Benefits of Bendies

Christmas is coming…

Christmas Period Services for Plymouth Citybus

Plymouth Citybus have announced their Christmas services: Thursday 24 December 2009 Normal Service** Friday 25 December 2009 NO SERVICE Saturday 26 December 2009 NO SERVICE Sunday 27 December 2009 Sunday Service Monday 28 December 2009 Sunday Service  NOW A SATURDAY SERVICE Tuesday 29 December 2009 Saturday Service Wednesday 30 December 2009 Saturday Service Thursday 31 December 2009 Saturday Service** Friday 1 January 2010 NO SERVICE Saturday 2 January 2010 Normal Service Download PDF As usual services will be finishing early on the 24th and 31st December with the last services on each route as follows: Service & Dep Time Last Journey Details 5 19:00 Royal Parade – Elburton Village 5 19:22 Elbuton Village – Royal Parade 5A 19:30 Royal Parade – Elburton Village 5A 20:00 Elburton Village – Royal Parade 8 20:05 Royal Parade – Torridge Way 8 20:21 Torridge Way - Royal Parade 9 19:35 Royal Parade – Torridge Way 9 19:44 Torridge Way - Royal Parade 16B 19:40 Royal Parade - Holly Park 16B 20:08 Holly Park - Royal Parade 20 19:45 Royal Parade – Plympton Ridgeway 20 20:14 Plympton Ridgeway - Royal Parade 21 19:10 Royal Parade – Steer Park 21 19:36 Steer Park - Royal Parade 23 19:40 Royal Parade – Mount Gould 23 19:50 Mount Gould - Royal Parade 24 20:10 Royal Parade – Mount Gould 24 20:17 Mount Gould - Royal Parade 26 20:00 Royal Parade – Saltash Pillmere 26 20:16 Saltash Pillmere – St Budeaux Square 28B 19:50 Royal Parade - Derriford Hospital 28B 19:43 Derriford Hospital - Royal Parade 29 20:10 Royal Parade - Derriford Hospital 29 19:26 Derriford Hospital – Royal Parade 34 20:00 Royal Parade - Derriford Hospital 34 19:45 Derriford Hospital - Royal Parade 35 19:25 Royal Parade – Ham Green 35 19:39 Ham Green - Royal Parade 40 19:35 Royal Parade – Southway 40 19:58 Southway Ranco - Royal Parade 41 20:05 Royal Parade – Southway 41 20:28 Southway Ranco – Crownhill Inbound 43 20:00 Royal Parade – Lakeside Drive 43 20:20 Lakeside Drive - Royal Parade 44 19:43 Barbican Leisure Park – Whitleigh Green 44 20:09 Whtleigh Green - Royal Parade 46 19:20 Royal Parade - Derriford Hospital 46 19:08 Derriford Hospital - Royal Parade 46A 19:50 Royal Parade - Coombe Park Lane 47 19:35 Royal Parade - Derriford Hospital 47 19:20 Derriford Hospital - Royal Parade 47A 20:14 West Park Shops - Royal Parade 51 19:40 Royal Parade – Steer Park 51 20:05 Steer Park - Royal Parade 50A 20:05 Royal Parade - Derriford Hospital 50A 19:48 Derriford Hospital - Royal Parade 62A 19:45 Royal Parade - West Park Shops 62A 20:14 Coombe Park Lane - Royal Parade

On Camera Plymouth OCO 511

So much has changed...

From Lady Wulfruns collection. One for the Plymouth purists. Another acquired slide, but one that is sadly beginning to deteriorate, so a good time to commit it to the digital archives. No date or location on the slide, but I'm sure someone will be able to recognise where PCT No111, a 1958 vintage MCCW bodied Leyland PD2/40, OCO511 is parked in this view. As is often the case on Flickr it does not take long for additional information to be added: This is Fore Street in Devonport, the then terminus of the 33. This is now a pedestrian precinct. Woolies closed many years ago as they all will be soon. A classic shot of a bygone era. The guess is that must be from the early 1970's. For many other fantastic photos from all over the country - the Lady has a well deserved fan club!

Recommended Links Bus World Photography However three Olympians were tried but they didn't find favour here and all including No.173 seen here at Milehouse were initially sold to Stevenson's of Uttoxeter... TGP Archive 3 Leon Daniels: Lord Mayors Day Highton Ridley: Christmas prize draw Omnibuses: Eastleigh Progress

Thinking aloud

What is more unknown is what GA's response to the competition in Plymouth will be

Over the weekend there was an interesting, and I think, quite significant report on This is Plymouth. UNION chiefs have reacted with relief after the bus, rail and air operator Go-Ahead was named as the top bidder to buy Plymouth Citybus. "I'm relieved that Go-Ahead has been chosen over some of the other companies," Andy Gibbons, chairman of the Citybus branch of the union Unite, said last night. "There were a lot of bids to start with, and some of them were more scary than others. "From the very limited information I have, I would say that we may have found a way to move forward." Mr Baskerville said: "We are still evaluating the latest news. Without knowing the details of the bid I don't know exactly where all this is heading. I have asked for an urgent meeting with the people at Go-Ahead. "Now we know who we are dealing with we can take a more objective line, but we still haven't got any information. There is no meat on the bone." Although the Union has made it clear that they prefer the option of keeping Citybus in council ownership, and will therefore continue to fight for this, they do see Go Ahead as a company that they feel they can work with. Without knowing exactly who else bid, apart from GoAhead, Stagecoach and The John Preece consortium, it is hard to imagine any other bidder getting such a cautiously positive reaction. The final decision in the fierce debate over whether to sell Citybus, which is 100 per cent owned by Plymouth City Council, is set to be made at a meeting of the full council on November 30. I dont know of anyone who expects the council not to sell. Unless the bid is well below expectations I cant see any other outcome from the meeting. I did ask what other readers thought and I did get some interesting comments.In particular I thank my anonymous contributor for a very well argued two part contribution which can be seen IN FULL HERE but I will bring out a few of his (?) points... NO SALE - this was claimed to be the preferred option from employees and management UNTIL FDC started their competing services... I too feel that this is a crucial point. My own choice before any of this started was that Citybus should remain a council owned company. Citybus was doing ok. The system was working, First and Citybus were getting on ok. There was competition for local contracts and the council were getting a dividend. All that changed when the council announced they were thinking of selling the company. It was pretty clear to everyone (including First) that First would not be allowed to buy Citybus. Since all of this started we have seen Stagecoach being ordered to sell Preston Buses which pretty much confirms that assumption. The last thing that First would want is to see Citybus being sold to someone like Stagecoach who are already competing with First in North Devon. The extra routes registered by First in Plymouth were clearly meant as a warning that First would not just sit back and watch this happen. It is to the credit of local management that this competition has been done in a dignified manner rather than an all out 'bus war' as happened twenty years ago. It seems highly likely that based on past experience in North Devon, and South Devon an extremely aggressive approach (by Stagecoach) would have been taken in Plymouth against FDC and to some extend Target. Whilst this would have seen cheap fares for passengers in the short term, the end result would be reduced journey opportunities and increased fares. I am sure this is exactly what First were thinking too! GA have a proven track record of allowing local companies autonomy to get on with it. Look at Brighton and Hove (Bus operator of the year), and Southern Vectis as a couple of examples. For us enthusiasts the fact that Citybus wont disappear into a national brand image is always going to be seen as a good thing. GoAhead thinking is very different to all the other big groups in this respect. Transdev also seems to favour strong local identities but it seems that they are heading towards a merger with Veolia who favour the big national corporate image even on their dustcarts. The big question is of course - what happens next? What is more unknown is what GA's response to the competition in Plymouth will be. On that we can only guess but I believe an all out war to be unlikely. This is a big question. I don't suppose for one minute that GA will come in all guns blazing and seek an all out fight with First. Over the last twenty years we have seen ebbs and flows in operation by both Citybus and First. Some times First seem to have the upper hand and then it changes and Citybus seem to gain. I dont think we can expect any major changes in operation by either First or GA/Citybus in the first few months of GA ownership. Finally the contribution ends with one statement which I think everyone can agree with... it will be interesting to revisit this page in twelve months time to compare predicted outcomes with what transpires to be the actual outcomes. . One final contributor asks a question which caught me by surprise... why does everyone slate first all the time this blog is and has always been very pro anything other than First. I didn't think I had been so anti-First as this? There was a time a few years ago when I felt, and indeed expressed on several occasions, that the company was poorly run. The condition and appearance of the fleet was appalling. The arrival of Marc Reddy saw a massive change in that aspect as I have mentioned on many occasions. As a passenger I also welcome the extra Ugo routes, and indeed am a regular on the 15, rarely catching the Citybus 50 these days. Nationally though, First do not have a good image, and they do seem keener to cut back operations than the other of the large groups.

Further Reading Omnibuses SEP 09: Go South x 2 Omnibuses SEP 08: Go Ahead—Five Years On   Recommended Links Omnibuses: Omnibuses meets Phil Stockley PTOTPA: Cremyll Ferry

Now its your turn!

Now that the news has had time to sink in - what do people think?

Just twenty four hours ago this blog gave the news that Go Ahead was the preferred bidder for Plymouth Citybus. I wasn't the first to announce the news but I did beat This Plymouth / The Evening Herald who only announced it Friday afternoon! I have just had a look through the comments left on This is Plymouth and there does seem to be quite a positive attitude to those that have some experience of Go Ahead. Most negative comments are really about the fact that the company is being put up for sale in the first place rather than against Go Ahead itself. I don't think there was any doubt that the City Council would sell the company so most people see it as a done deal now. So what do readers of this blog think? Leave a comment and let us know! My thoughts? well, if the company has to be sold, and I can see the arguments that it should be, then Go Ahead is probably the best company that it could have gone to. I am still surprised that Stagecoach didn't get it, but am glad that it wont disappear into a corporate fleet that all looks the same, even if it is a good corporate image. I am also glad that it isn't First, as although I have a very strong regard for the local management and how they have turned things around in Plymouth at least, I am less impressed with First as a national company who seem more determined to cut back operations to the core than the other groups do. I guess its easy to look on other operators elsewhere with rose tinted glasses as you generally mainly see the positive aspects of operation as an enthusiast, such as new buses, and impressive liveries etc, and less of the route cutbacks which usually only get local coverage. Look back through the Omnibus Blog posts over the past couple of years or so and you will see examples where Go Ahead are not getting such positive press. This is nothing against Go Ahead, but more a symptom of how passengers still see bus services as a public service which should be there for the few occasions when they need them, and not a private enterprise where national businesses make money out of us. We accept this is the case for almost any other 'public' services but we still expect buses not to be run for profit! Click the leave a comment button below and let us know what YOU think!

Go Ahead for Plymouth

Go-Ahead Group has beaten off competition from Stagecoach to become the preferred bidder for Plymouth CityBus

Go-Ahead Group has beaten off competition from Stagecoach to become the preferred bidder for Plymouth CityBus. Completion is subject to final due diligence and full council approval, expected at the end of November. Owned by Plymouth City Council, it operates 173 buses and 11 coaches from a large freehold depot in the centre of Plymouth, and carries 14 million passengers a year. Go-Ahead Chief Executive Keith Ludeman says: “We are very pleased to have been selected as the preferred bidder and are now working closely with Plymouth City Council to complete the deal. “Plymouth CityBus has an excellent reputation and fits well with our strategy of investing in high quality bus companies in urban areas which then maintain a strong local brand and high degree of autonomy to ensure close links to local customers and other stakeholders.”  Go Ahead Official News Release © Elsie Esq (Creative commons) As I posted last night Brighton & Hove are the UK Bus Operator of the Year, beating Western Greyhound. They certainly know a thing about promoting their services and have shown a willingness to keep strong local identities. Assuming the sale does proceed then it all bodes well for Plymouth Citybus. I am sure there will be more to say on this over the comings weeks!

Further Reading Plymothian Transit: Citybus for sale Plymothian Transit: Council conspiracy or cock up? Plymothian Transit: Infamous Five Plymothian Transit: Citybus Sale: Latest Plymothian Transit: The final stages? Recommended Links Omnibuses: No Surprise There, Then Leon Daniels: UK Bus Awards