Scarlet Band Motors
Scarlet Band Motors
Surprised they didn't keep them all. Perhaps they found the solos better suited for the work they have. Thought the versas might have replaced the enviro 200s being non standard in the fleet. I know they are newer but they are shabby and tired. They have been good workhorses though.
(24 Jan 2022, 5:57 pm)123456 Surprised they didn't keep them all. Perhaps they found the solos better suited for the work they have. Thought the versas might have replaced the enviro 200s being non standard in the fleet. I know they are newer but they are shabby and tired. They have been good workhorses though.Versas were purchased because the council supposedly wanted bigger buses on service 58, when that was withdrawn there wasn't really anywhere for them to suitably be allocated to and nothing that needed the extra capacity apart from the 108/109.
(24 Jan 2022, 5:57 pm)123456 Surprised they didn't keep them all. Perhaps they found the solos better suited for the work they have. Thought the versas might have replaced the enviro 200s being non standard in the fleet. I know they are newer but they are shabby and tired. They have been good workhorses though.Versas were purchased because the council supposedly wanted bigger buses on service 58, when that was withdrawn there wasn't really anywhere for them to suitably be allocated to and nothing that needed the extra capacity apart from the 108/109.
The latest vehicles to leave the fleet for scrap on Friday 25th February are YJ55 YGG, one of the original Solos acquired for Durham Park & Ride, and NT05 NBM.
Scarlet Band to operate to reduced timetables from Monday 10th October.
111/112/115
These will be reduced to operate every two hours from Monday.
108/109
The Willington end journeys will alternate between Oakenshaw and Wear Valley View Estate. Journeys currently serve both* Oakenshaw and Wear Valley View but this has proved unsustainable with increasing passenger numbers and road traffic. The whole evening service after the 1735 departure from Bishop Auckland is regrettably suspended due to the driver situation.
*was unaware they were even doing this, timetables online suggests they were doing what they're supposedly doing from next week although had noticed late running whilst I've been in Bishop Auckland.
It’s a shame as that’s another independent gone then and a well established one at that. The question is what gone wrong at the company because 10 year ago it seemed a well run company but the last 3 or so years it seems to have been mismanaged. I hope all staff get jobs elsewhere then.
As for the remaining contract services they have I can see Weardale possibly picking up a few round the Bishop Auckland, Sedgefield areas. As for the remaining work then that could be interesting.
(11 Oct 2022, 9:47 am)col87 It’s a shame as that’s another independent gone then and a well established one at that. The question is what gone wrong at the company because 10 year ago it seemed a well run company but the last 3 or so years it seems to have been mismanaged. I hope all staff get jobs elsewhere then.I think the staff who are bus drivers won't have any trouble getting a job.
(11 Oct 2022, 9:47 am)col87 It’s a shame as that’s another independent gone then and a well established one at that. The question is what gone wrong at the company because 10 year ago it seemed a well run company but the last 3 or so years it seems to have been mismanaged. I hope all staff get jobs elsewhere then.I think the staff who are bus drivers won't have any trouble getting a job.
(11 Oct 2022, 4:44 pm)Unber43 I think the staff who are bus drivers won't have any trouble getting a job.
Had expected this to happen following rumours they had lost the park and ride contract.
As a passenger who has to endure their poor operation in the park and ride contract, it's good they have lost it. There's been buses missing/ not turning up since before Brexit and covid.
As for his letter blaming drivers who have left it must have been for a good reason as theirs obviously 2 sides to that.
The fleet has gone to the dogs in the last 5 years. No care for presentation or even a single livery. It lists drivers coming up to retirement as a reason. A cynical person would say it's convenient the company is folding before the drivers get their full amount. I am
Sure the owner will have a nice retirement at his place in Spain whilst his drivers have to funds other ways of keeping their families.
Would be interesting to know which services they had won and are now handing back. Judging by that letter the Cathedral Bus and maybe the 42 as well as the 61/62.
I asked someone at the council and he said they're scrambling to find cover for the services Scarlet Band won, as most operators are at capacity.
Obviously 1 of the larger contracts referred to in the letter that they lost is the Durham Park and Ride, I reckon the other is the 84/85/95/96 which have been awarded to Weardale. (Also worth noting the 74/83 will be staying with Hodgsons).
Unless a replacement is found for the 52 and 61, the pensioners of Whitesmocks are going to be left with nothing.
(11 Oct 2022, 6:35 pm)peter Would be interesting to know which services they had won and are now handing back. Judging by that letter the Cathedral Bus and maybe the 42 as well as the 61/62.
I asked someone at the council and he said they're scrambling to find cover for the services Scarlet Band won, as most operators are at capacity.
Obviously 1 of the larger contracts referred to in the letter that they lost is the Durham Park and Ride, I reckon the other is the 84/85/95/96 which have been awarded to Weardale. (Also worth noting the 74/83 will be staying with Hodgsons).
![[Image: 2b07d29fd60bae83c10a45f4993899ca.jpg]](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20221011/2b07d29fd60bae83c10a45f4993899ca.jpg)
(11 Oct 2022, 6:35 pm)peter Would be interesting to know which services they had won and are now handing back. Judging by that letter the Cathedral Bus and maybe the 42 as well as the 61/62.
I asked someone at the council and he said they're scrambling to find cover for the services Scarlet Band won, as most operators are at capacity.
Obviously 1 of the larger contracts referred to in the letter that they lost is the Durham Park and Ride, I reckon the other is the 84/85/95/96 which have been awarded to Weardale. (Also worth noting the 74/83 will be staying with Hodgsons).
(11 Oct 2022, 7:45 pm)Dan The attached shows what they won/retained.
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(11 Oct 2022, 7:45 pm)Dan The attached shows what they won/retained.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
(11 Oct 2022, 7:52 pm)Unber43 The 6 never terminates at Bishop Auckland so wouldn't that be adding a de-tour to the route?
(11 Oct 2022, 7:52 pm)Unber43 The 6 never terminates at Bishop Auckland so wouldn't that be adding a de-tour to the route?
(11 Oct 2022, 7:45 pm)Dan The attached shows what they won/retained.I don't know how true it is but I heard that Gateshead Central had won the Durham Park and Ride
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(11 Oct 2022, 7:45 pm)Dan The attached shows what they won/retained.I don't know how true it is but I heard that Gateshead Central had won the Durham Park and Ride
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
(11 Oct 2022, 7:52 pm)Unber43 The 6 never terminates at Bishop Auckland so wouldn't that be adding a de-tour to the route?
(11 Oct 2022, 7:52 pm)Unber43 The 6 never terminates at Bishop Auckland so wouldn't that be adding a de-tour to the route?
I would be surprised if the length of tender and vehicle expectations weren't given in the initial tender process. Seems he's tried to undercut other bids and then tried to hold the council over a barrel regarding the duration of the tender and left himself short
Feel so sorry for his employees getting barely 3 weeks notice. I hope they all manage to find alternative employment. .
![[Image: 0b8523eb2b87dd9db63815209075f62f.jpg]](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20221011/0b8523eb2b87dd9db63815209075f62f.jpg)