Annoucement

In the light of the Anonymous comment of 1544 on 28th August, I thought I ought to clarify that that my post entitled “No News is Bad News?” was designed to highlight as many of the positives as I could that have resulted from Alex Carter’s leadership at Go South Coast. I trust it was not the original post that caused the 1544 commenter, or anyone else, to take offence. This was not the intention.

It’s still regrettable that Go Ahead leaves it to the local press to speculate as to the reasons for Carter “stepping back”. If it really was the Dorset school bus situation, the press needs to speak with remaining GSC employees who will tell them (as they have me and, yes, I have spoken with more than one) that the situation has stabilised and was never as bad as the media made out in the first place.

There are those who feel this site & Omnibuses is biased towards Wilts & Dorset. There are those who feel that it leans towards Yellow Buses. May I say that I try to maintain a proper sense of balance in whatever I write. I don’t always get it right.

But with this aspiration for balance in mind, I would ask that readers consider the following as a reflection of what I have seen and experienced since the school terms started, and it is this: while there will be those who lament the passing of contracts from smaller operators, my own observations indicate that GSC has generally executed its increased responsibilities well. There’s the odd slip (e.g. mismatched O-licence disk & legal lettering; yes, serious enough) but I have to say that I am generally impressed by the way GSC has managed and supervised itself during the past three or so weeks. There’s a positive culture and attitude and its managing director has taken a lead on this. You’d expect nothing less.

There’s also the *occasional* vehicle that’s not been turned out quite as clean as it should (e.g. bodywork grime behind the rear wheels but never filthy) but that aside, all its vehicles, new & older, are a credit to the operation. The bought in coaches look fresh in their white (though some, of course, are in former owners’ liveries). I understand that there’s been at least one, possibly two, Bristol VRs in school service, though I haven’t seen any out. If so, these vehicles are very good for their age and I am sure they are only a stopgap. After all, Damory has up to 18 months to renew its contract fleet.

Finally, whether you’ve worked with or against Carter, all who have dealings with him will conclude that he is nothing other than the consummate industry professional.