tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56375121658233676242012-02-27T09:00:13.092ZDorset Buses from Omnibuses, with a little Wiltshirebusingnoreply@blogger.comBlogger691100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-16795573740110219032012-02-27T06:59:00.008Z2012-02-27T06:59:00.304Z

The $64,000 question we posed last time is answered. Well, partly. And I wonder what managers at Towngate House make of a First service now operating through Hamworthy every hour.Last time, we pondered whether First was coming out of the cold as regards its relationship with Dorset council was concerned; and whether it would use peak college requirements to launch off-peak commercial services.

busingnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-81071600758820023552012-02-13T06:59:00.005Z2012-02-13T19:32:10.554Z

No white smoke from Dorset council yet as to the future of the deregistered Damory services initially cancelled but are now extended, commercially, till Easter. These, you may recall, include the significant 347/87 Poole-Dorchester via Lytchett Matravers & Bere Regis.Passengers on the 347/87 might already argue that the service is thin enough. What, though, might the future hold for them? A

busingnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-74384807202132636002012-02-06T06:59:00.003Z2012-02-06T07:38:16.209Z

Yellow Buses put up its fares, from 8th January. Perhaps not the best start to the new year but it had to be done, especially with BSOG reductions around the corner. Yellow Buses’ increases illustrate the perils of bus fare increases. Inflation in January was 4.2 per cent. There’s still a passenger expectation that fares should rise no faster than general inflation. The effect of a blanket

busingnoreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-25038923050696855532012-01-19T06:59:00.008Z2012-01-19T06:59:00.270Z

Over 40 comments on the post about Damory down registrations on the 347/87 & associated services, plus a couple that have spilled over elsewhere. And, confirmation has now appeared on VOSA. Except Dorset & Damory have agreed to extend the 347/87 to Easter (at no charge to Dorset, to give more time). These changes have certainly exercised people’s minds. Here’s a selection of comments:“It was

busingnoreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-22121715864176115902012-01-09T06:59:00.012Z2012-01-09T07:01:56.619Z

It depends upon the area, its make-up, demography and its local economy but evening services aren’t necessarily the sink that people make them out to be. Plenty of areas can withstand commercial evening services, if the corridor has what it takes. From this eveningThe urban area of Poole & Bournemouth is one such, especially as regards cross-conurbation services. One reason is the number of

busingnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-79387456668427529092012-01-04T06:59:00.008Z2012-01-04T07:25:45.435Z

Informed sources suggest that VOSA has received some interesting cancellations recently, down registrations that may in the process have incurred the wrath of a certain county council that has entered into a new style partnership. Nothing’s yet appeared on VOSA’s bus registration search, though.It would appear that Damory has, from mid-February, deregistering the 347/87 Poole-Dorchester (the last

busingnoreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-29961927531334788852011-12-29T06:59:00.014Z2011-12-29T07:05:01.469Z

Actually, it’s possible to summarise 2011 in 299 words fewer than the title suggests. The one word was “Damory”. Whether through problems with the Go South Coast subsidiary, the council, or both, July and September’s contract migration to Damory thrust local transport first into the media spotlight and then in front of councillors. “Chaos” seemed the watchword. Lessons learnt? More planning and

busingnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-25974599617640538732011-11-04T06:59:00.009Z2011-11-04T07:00:57.083Z

Here’s a local case study to accompany today’s main Omnibuses blog post.Bournemouth saw one of the first out-of-town shopping centres in the country. In the late 1960s, along came Woolco at the Hampshire Centre (when Castle Lane was actually *in* Hampshire). This was a super-sized Woolworths about three miles from the town centre. Here, F W Woolworth could expand its range considerably (and

busingnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-84986537984427624592011-10-13T06:59:00.006+01:002011-10-13T06:59:00.277+01:00

This is a guest post by Soton Bus. Omnibuses welcomes guest contributions.To try and redress some of the alleged Dorset bias, here's a post full of Hampshire bias : )Many bus services are being cut up and down the country, owing to cuts to council budgets left, right and centre. These cuts are now hitting Hampshire hard. Over the next three weekends, several phases of withdrawals are being

busingnoreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-8410016984758004852011-10-10T06:59:00.007+01:002011-10-10T06:59:00.368+01:00

This is a guest post by Countrybus. Omnibuses & the Dorset Bus Blog welcome contributionsBus wars and competition. Mainly things of the past, surely? After all, deregulation was 25 years ago now, as this blog and Buses magazine has reminded us this month. Back then, there were buses racing each other to stops in towns and cities around the country, competing for passengers in a kaleidoscope of

busingnoreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-46806257553697660062011-09-30T06:59:00.011+01:002011-09-30T07:21:29.619+01:00

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

busingnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-957691459952968952011-09-28T06:59:00.012+01:002011-09-29T21:14:59.244+01:00

The surprise news is that Go South Coast managing director Alex Carter has “stepped back”. It’s understood that he is “unable to fulfil his duties as GSC managing director” and that his former operations director Andrew Wickham will temporarily step in. Wickham will add Go South Coast to his current responsibilities at Plymouth Citybus. Though Wickham’s appointment is transient, we don’t yet know

busingnoreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-12429574083510350272011-09-19T06:59:00.007+01:002011-09-19T06:59:00.557+01:00

It seems like the Dorset tender change has given the press an opportunity to dine out. And some.As we enter the third week of the new school term, new stories are still springing up. You’d expect some disruption in any average September but here we have the added complication of a major change of contractor.Yet, both operators and their paymasters in Dorchester are beginning to see light at the

busingnoreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-4853143515952657202011-09-17T07:59:00.004+01:002011-09-17T07:59:00.458+01:00

A couple of comments under the recent post on the Yellow Buses new livery suggested that there should be a poll. We therefore asked your views. I’m not suggesting that the survey was scientific or represents the views of passengers. The result was interesting nonetheless.We asked whether people liked Seashells or not. More did than not, at just under half of all responses. About 30 per cent did

busingnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-31615748607906799272011-09-12T06:59:00.006+01:002011-09-12T07:05:10.647+01:00

Some day, I’ll manage to log, in detail, all the recent twists & turns in the competition between Wilts & Dorset and Yellow Buses. At any rate since the 2004 post-More and subsequent Yellow Buses’ sale announcement. Remember, for example, the Orange Circle? The 158/9/60 extensions? Some day...Meanwhile a week today, in something of a comeback, W&D ups the ante against Yellow Buses yet again,

busingnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-66114304706500623722011-09-09T06:59:00.005+01:002011-09-09T06:59:00.243+01:00

Yesterday, the Dorset Echo reported mass chaos on the Dorset council school transport system at the switchover from smaller operators largely to Go South Coast’ Damory Coaches.This was no small matter of teething problems, those expected little glitches that will always dog the system when contractors change. No, this was worse. But, unless I have heard incorrectly, the chaos was nothing to do

busingnoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-48931406858450516652011-09-05T07:00:00.000+01:002011-09-05T07:40:45.468+01:00

The big day dawns and if not today, then early this week, depending upon the individual school. For Dorset schools go back to a very different school transport landscape this week. And not just with the introduction of many more routes by Damory Coaches. Yellow Buses also has half a baker’s dozen worth of new Dorset council school routes. But it’s Damory that has scooped the most. It’s

busingnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-19309290730065172172011-08-20T06:59:00.007+01:002011-08-20T08:44:41.723+01:00

It’s one of the perils of using stock photographs, I suppose. Imagine my surprise at thumbing through yesterday’s Times newspaper to find on page 58 an advert for the Florida State University. Featured therein were four young Floridian students, three of whom have also featured in Yellow Buses’ printed and web publicity for the Glo (smart) Card (e.g. p.14 of the timetable). Nice to know that

busingnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-55478642354836451522011-08-06T07:00:00.005+01:002011-08-06T12:01:08.605+01:00

The 14-vehicle Marchwood Motorways’ unit dedicated to new Alton College contracts is to have its own Best Impressions’ livery. All but three of the former Reading Transport OmniDekkas under refurbishment at Hants & Dorset Trim will feature the new purple scheme. These will be ready ahead of the September start. The previous incumbent was Stagecoach with whom it’s understood the college was

busingnoreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-81964509581613373252011-08-03T06:59:00.009+01:002011-08-03T07:20:22.114+01:00

How are things in what is a wonderfully warm and in places crowded Dorset, a week and a half into the new bus contracts? The answer is probably better than expected but not without some troubles.The comments received under this post (there are 38) show mostly the negative impact of the changes. And operators might do well to take heed. Every complaint should be a lesson.PublicityBut there’s much

busingnoreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-27626735234243337602011-07-13T06:59:00.005+01:002011-07-13T18:43:24.605+01:00

It would seem that strategic moves by others now mean Yellow Buses has now given up any hopes of westward contract expansion, in and around Dorchester. And Shamrock is no longer with us but mercifully all its work was covered. What is emerging is a string of tactical moves that would not be out of place in the early days of motor omnibus expansion of the 1920s.One of the problems with Shamrock

busingnoreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-21233124865337768072011-07-12T06:59:00.004+01:002011-07-12T06:59:00.517+01:00

Shamrock, Damory & the Isle of Wight. Nothing stays still for long.Indeed, there’s almost too much happening at Go South Coast these days. It makes it very difficult to keep up. On the heels of considerable work in Dorset comes news that 14-vehicle Isle of Wight operator Wightrollers sold its book, trading name and 11 of its coaches to Go South Coast last Monday. GSC adds the coach brand to the

busingnoreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-17711818021986524592011-07-08T06:59:00.000+01:002011-07-08T07:32:50.249+01:00

Fair play to Shamrock’s web consultants, Mangopear, for keeping the public up to date as to the situation at Shamrock Buses. This at the very time that information is vital.As stated on comments yesterday on this site, the web designers had no official news and were simply trying to put together as much information as they could, from other sources. This is not only laudable, it should not go

busingnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-68088782290130458202011-07-07T06:59:00.007+01:002011-07-07T07:13:37.555+01:00

Shamrock Buses suddenly ceased trading yesterday afternoon, leaving hundreds of school pupils stranded at their schools. In a testament to the responsiveness of the bus industry in crisis, other operators made huge efforts to ensure pupils’ and passengers’ plight was limited, both then and from this morning. Yellow Buses, for instance, has stated that it will honour Shamrock bus passes till the

busingnoreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-77718018511444208102011-06-27T06:59:00.002+01:002011-06-27T07:11:33.300+01:00

As we eagerly await the full publication by Dorset council of its tender results, let’s take stock of a few things relating to this fascinating occurrence, as matters dribble into the public domain.There’s a delay in registration. Only four weeks now till the local bus service changes and virtually nothing I’ve seen’s yet appeared on VOSA’s website. Short notice it’ll have to be, then. I hope

busingnoreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-18019741755111264962011-06-20T06:59:00.013+01:002011-06-20T06:59:11.902+01:00

Interesting comments over the weekend regarding Dorset tenders. Much has yet to come out and we will no doubt have plenty to consider when it does. Patience, but then again there’s always been much speculation within the bus industry, from industry watchers and the informal community around it. It’s as if we cannot help ourselves. In the meantime, though, here’s some feedback on comments made: “

busingnoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-16112782059756853062011-06-18T06:59:00.025+01:002011-06-18T07:22:41.937+01:00

In what is seen as a less than good start for Giles Fearnley’s tenure as MD First UK Bus, First has lost all its Dorset work and gained none.With still very little officially from Dorset council on the tenders, those privy to Local Transport Today now have some official news. The areas in in pink have already been revealed via the Dorset Bus Blog.First has won nothing (and consequently

busingnoreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-30315850918734442882011-06-15T06:59:00.003+01:002011-06-15T06:59:00.252+01:00

Dorset’s big transport shake-up continues to make headlines. The whole thing’s been quite a long process, giving notice on everything and replanning the lot. It’s only now, though, that we start to hear the siren calls. Such a major change inevitably means some repercussions. But at least upping the quality score mechanism has resulted in a positive and saleable step change, even if this means

busingnoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-1724755175808405462011-06-14T06:59:00.008+01:002011-06-14T22:08:02.033+01:00

“And who knows. It wouldn’t take much to see operations touching West Sussex, a hop and a skip towards Brighton…”We left this dark hint when we posted on Go South Coast’s recent Dorset successes. (And, as further news of the Dorset retendering comes out, those successes are considerable.)Now, GSC can add achievements for student transport to Alton College. One journey starts in Sussex. This means

busingnoreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-13256763719024200522011-06-06T06:59:00.008+01:002011-06-06T07:09:42.972+01:00

Thursday was quite a busy day online for Dorset deregistrations. Why? See below. Mike Halford Mini Coaches deregistered its Bridport area local services. Coach House Travel deregistered its Dorchester town services (the operator may think this will go to Yellow Buses). Coach House retains the commercially operated Herrison service. Shaftesbury & District cancelled the 34 (Moorside/

busingnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-11376267611678987782011-06-01T06:59:00.016+01:002011-06-01T06:59:00.498+01:00

The shock news from Dorset is that none other than Veolia has won six years of contracts, to commence September 2011, for a total of £28mil.Yes, Veolia. This is not a word of a lie. But it isn’t quite what it seems. It’s for non-hazardous refuse & waste treatment and disposal services. Phew. That was close. Nevertheless…… today’s the day, however, when we expect to hear of significant changes in

busingnoreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-30362893877271617162011-05-28T06:59:00.003+01:002011-05-28T16:16:20.401+01:00

It’s a modern world after all and professionals should spend time in the present & on the future, not the past. I don’t fully subscribe to the Stenning Classic Bus view that we need to understand from whence we’ve come to know where we’re going. We can’t look back too often. Indeed, we shouldn’t. Not too often, anyway.So I do try to keep my sentimental thoughts under control. The nostalgia side

busingnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-47600842315338093432011-05-27T06:59:00.003+01:002011-05-27T06:59:00.796+01:00

Time was when Verwood Transport had West Moors to Bournemouth all to itself. Its V1 operated one return trip on Fridays only (and at one time also on a Tuesday). This was commercial, on the back of a school contract between Verwood and West Moors Middle School (first schools, middle schools, combined schools and grammar schools being a south east Dorset sort of thing).A Verwood VR in Bournemouth

busingnoreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-36986051425511915562011-05-26T06:59:00.012+01:002011-05-26T06:59:00.239+01:00

It all just goes to show that you don’t always get the full picture when you browse VOSA registrations on line. Sometimes, you get half the story. And herein lies a weakness—again. Quite often, the bad news comes well before the good. Or, in other words, you see negatives as proposed before you can view the balancing positives.This is exactly what’s happened in Bournemouth—again. On 9th May, at

busingnoreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-89284621424166464442011-05-03T06:59:00.011+01:002011-05-04T06:57:48.448+01:00

4th May update below in the colour pink Wilts & Dorset’s south Dorset coast weekday changes come into force today. There’s nothing spectacular as much is about improving punctuality though there are some points of interest.Take More. Buses between Poole & Canford Heath are no longer branded as More. This is a good move, as M5/M6 to the Heath previously only devalued one of Britain’s strongest

busingnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-59068130910235686012011-04-28T06:59:00.004+01:002011-04-28T06:59:00.493+01:00

Three days to Wilts & Dorset’s network changes of 1st May 2011 and from that date, W&D is offering a guarantee of a low floor bus on all its Bournemouth & Poole routes. If your journey ain’t by an accessible bus, you can get a refund. Bluestar has offered such a guarantee since 2010. Let’s look at W&D’s in a little detail.W&D should be more than confident that it will be able to meet this

busingnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-89744141793980922011-04-01T06:59:00.015+01:002011-04-01T06:59:00.183+01:00

... and a most welcome one at that. Amid the interest in Sunday daytime enhancements and earlier Monday to Friday journeys from 2nd May at Wilts & Dorset, let’s not forget the most significant summer change that takes place on and from 23rd May: the welcome reintroduction of a bus service from Bournemouth to Southampton.This would be noteworthy in itself but it’s doubly so given that the service

busingnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-68151441037858309342011-03-28T06:59:00.018+01:002011-05-29T23:34:38.382+01:00

The Wilts & Dorset More-liveried Volvo B7RLE/Wrightbus Urban Eclipse repainting programme has almost reached the half-way stage. It will soon be the norm to see more “Get More” More 2-liveried vehicles in their newer, brighter, lighter Celeste-ish blue than not.At the Bus & Coach Show 2004, the industry got its first chance to see More, to everyone’s admirationAs we begin to say goodbye to “

busingnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-87418794321699040562011-03-05T06:59:00.002Z2011-03-05T06:59:00.200Z

Since news of RATP Dev’s takeover of the Bath Bus Company emerged on Wednesday afternoon, it would appear that this modest operator is RATP Dev’s first UK operation. Or so it’d be nice to think. Spot the difference. Aside from the logos, check the Photoshop job on the shirt pocket and epauletFor it wasn’t till the following day that RATP Dev announced the long-awaited transfer-in of Transdev

busingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-65518540095665357202011-02-28T06:59:00.011Z2011-02-28T07:42:07.167Z

Today is the first day in earnest of Wilts & Dorset’s new X5, the latest of its so-called “cross country” routes established as a sub-brand in November 2011. Not that the X5’s actually new, it’s just nicely repackaged, again as through Salisbury-Swindon. Indeed, perhaps this is the start of a new confidence in longer distance W&D services after the cull of January 2008 when W&D perhaps needlessly

busingnoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-26267808288796566782011-02-14T06:59:00.006Z2011-02-16T06:51:07.022Z

After our foray into Canford Heath, in Part 2 of our review of the phenomenally successful More sub-brand we look at the heartland services M1 & M2.The revolution started a few weeks later than planned, from 12th December 2004. Right up against Christmas but better than in January. Back then, Wilts & Dorset’s More operated every five minutes each, the M1 between Poole & Bournemouth only and the

busingnoreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-91507860999164272022011-02-10T06:59:00.007Z2011-02-10T18:10:47.711Z

Transdev Yellow Buses’ 1,308 Facebook followers each have an opportunity this afternoon to join TYB managers for an online bus surgery.Marc West, planning & schedules manager, Mark Keighley, business development manager and Jenni Wilkinson, head of marketing will be available live between 1400 and 1600.This is probably not the first online bus surgery but it’s certainly one of them. It represents

busingnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-74493040292859942442011-01-31T07:00:00.006Z2011-01-31T07:01:20.957Z

In about five hours, Transdev Yellow Buses will launch its brand new journey planner. We tested it to see how it performed, alongside that for Traveline South West.You couldn’t tell easy & straightforward journeys apart. Both Travelinesw and TYB gave the same results though, on occasion, there were naturally Wilts & Dorset alternatives offered by Travelinesw.We then made matters a little

busingnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-63992115616875622652011-01-10T06:59:00.023Z2011-01-30T22:53:45.935Z

Did you pick up the mention during the Christmas Trivia Quiz 2010 of the sixth anniversary since Wilts & Dorset’s “More” branded launch on 12th December 2004? It might be one further month on but...This autumn was also the fifth anniversary of More deservedly winning the first Bus Marketing Campaign section of the 2005 UK Bus Awards. More’s appearance kick-started a transformation of the

busingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-92212548047074003212010-12-26T07:59:00.000Z2010-12-26T07:59:00.129Z

... Boxing Day.We’ve said it before but it’s worth repeating: today has become one of the biggest shopping days of the year, even busier that New Year’s Day. This year could be busier still, with VAT on the rise and a certain pent up need for shopping, thanks to pre-Christmas winter weather. Boxing Day used to be a family day and it’s actually a sad indictment of our consumer culture that it is

busingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-80616897285708841072010-12-24T06:59:00.007Z2010-12-24T07:04:02.180Z

Operations lost and found, Mark Self, late of Roadliner, seems to be back, at Shoreline Travel near Bournemouth. The local coaching scene has been the poorer for his top-level absence. And who knows what now may happen at Shoreline…Once of the respected and longstanding Sea View Coaches of Poole, Self formed Roadliner in 2001 and grew the business quite rapidly, gaining a reputation, an award and

busingnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-316928448386876862010-12-06T06:59:00.014Z2010-12-06T07:19:22.351Z

They say that the only safe way to obliterate your past comments on Facebook is to change your name & identity...It’s at times like these—snow and the utter ignorance of some people here in England—that you really do want to emigrate. Facebook—Greek to me Today’s Omnibuses post looks at the seamier side of Facebook, with a focus on north east England. But my research has shown there are many

busingnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-72177846580463740192010-11-30T06:59:00.012Z2010-11-30T07:38:13.706Z

There wasn’t really too much wrong with the old website. Wilts & Dorset has nevertheless updated it and, like last time, in tandem with a recent Transdev Yellow Buses refresh.And pretty good the new W&D site looks, too. For the first time, you sense that each element of W&D’s territory is treated equally, even though there’s a bit of a give-away underneath the snazzy front page schematic map—the

busingnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-63564092867667676882010-11-22T06:59:00.007Z2010-11-22T06:59:00.137Z

Those of us corporately responsible for commercial matters may recall original websites. We thought our early end results were the height of sophistication. Yet, back then, we didn’t really understand their usefulness. We spent time and energy debating what they were for exactly (or not, as the case may be). Were early websites a place to find information? To offer gimmicks & competitions? To

busingnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-87408935397773734892010-11-09T06:59:00.007Z2010-11-09T07:05:27.168Z

The publication of VOSA’s cancellation acceptance yesterday regarding Travelguest t/a Dorset Sprinter’s X5 seems to signal the end of the lime for Dorset Sprinter, Dorset’s only named local bus service provider operating other than in Dorset.Dorset industry watchers will recall it all started with the aborted Bournemouth-Weymouth 274, proposed during the high summer of 2009. This lasted but a

busingnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-75233329493188987442010-10-18T06:59:00.009+01:002010-10-18T07:30:25.711+01:00

Bournemouth council is considering siting a town centre bus station on the car park ocupying Hants & Dorset’s famous former bus station. This is a subject that has become engulfed in local politics but let’s look at it from an operational viewpoint. Do we need a bus station?No, we Don’t The site was useful in 1976 as there were far more buses to lay over and park up. Things change and Wilts &

busingnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-84557170393517464272010-10-14T06:59:00.000+01:002010-10-14T07:06:24.743+01:00

For those of you reading this in Dorset or elsewhere in that general area, Traveline South West’s changed. An equally smart front page cannot hide some behind the scenes alterations that seem a little odd.Gone, for instance, are those useful, zoomable maps introduced in April 2009 that once showed stop by stop detail so helpful for visitors or those unfamiliar with an area. They tended to offer

busingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-74986919286311860202010-08-21T06:59:00.001+01:002010-08-21T08:45:49.061+01:00

A Bournemouth father of a 14-year-old thinks it’s contradictory. You need to show a passport (or other proof) to take advantage of a Transdev Yellow Buses’ Glo17 youth concessionary smartcard but you can’t present your passport to the driver to get the same discount.So, off he went to the Echo. But let’s put this into perspective. Birth certificates and passports are not ideal documents to wave

busingnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-78760803778514934622010-08-06T06:59:00.001+01:002010-08-21T14:59:15.546+01:00

As the single decks on Wilts & Dorset’s More M1 and M2 cross-conurbation services are progressively repainted and deep-cleaned, it’s exceedingly gratifying to hear that these services have achieved a 100 per cent ridership increase since the new services were launched in December 2004. And this (apparently) does not include More M5 & M6 (Poole-Canford Heath).Mind you, the W&D press release which,

busingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-29568582543051842692010-08-01T06:59:00.000+01:002010-08-20T22:51:29.808+01:00

Note the use of colour on the timetables for joint service X43. Which helps passengers more?First’s colour coding by direction of route irrespective of days of the week; or Wilts & Dorset’s colours to denote days of the week irrespective of direction of route? In the good-old-bad-old days, wiser men than me advised against placing any code on a timetable that might cause confusionDouble decks

busingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-12591559523878564532010-06-21T06:59:00.000+01:002010-06-21T06:59:00.187+01:00

Here’s an example of what the bus industry is up against regarding local media. And, more interestingly, here we have an example of a newspaper editing its online content to suit itself.Shame on you all at the Echo. Under your Saturday morning headline of “Wilts & Dorset Bus Crashes through Poole’s St George’s Hotel” was the most cynical and patently over-exaggerated piece of journalism I’ve read

busingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-53344240055404460372010-06-17T06:59:00.002+01:002010-06-17T07:04:14.040+01:00

Stagecoach is to enter Salisbury today. That’s what this media report says but not everything is as it seems! Click to enlarge image.

busingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-82008414358338690652010-06-12T06:59:00.000+01:002010-06-12T06:02:52.216+01:00

They’ve lasted a fair old time, haven’t they? This week has seen the final withdrawal of Wilts & Dorset’s last Optare Metrorider minibus, from Salisbury. So it is that another generation of buses passes—the end of the step entrance minibus.The Metrorider has served W&D well. Its impact should never be minimised. Given the part it has played, I’m not aware of anyone seemingly morning its departure

busingnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-25413348340524663052010-06-08T06:59:00.004+01:002010-06-08T07:05:20.489+01:00

To whom do you write if you’re unhappy about a timetable change? Though people forget that (a) we don’t provide a taxi service and (b) ours is a *commercial* industry, the first step is usually nevertheless to their councillor. Well, one Julie White of Bear Cross near Bournemouth decided to go straight to the top, David Cameron, according to the Echo. Ms White’s connection from Bear Cross to the

busingnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-91752102033825160462010-06-08T06:58:00.000+01:002010-08-20T22:55:12.064+01:00

Exiling former ops director Andrew Wickham to Plymouth has given Go South Coast MD Alex Carter an opportunity to reshuffle.Wickham’s job had grown significantly since his appointment and from Monday is now split into two. There are two points of interest and both will raise the odd eyebrow: who’s been appointed and their spread of duties. “Stylish coach hire” indeed, from Damory. This is a Scania

busingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-29527477747994705292010-06-07T06:59:00.003+01:002010-06-07T07:06:13.885+01:00

Those with an interest in Dorset should scroll down to the next post, on Transdev, Tempos and timetables…Transdev Yellow Buses is no longer prepared to let Wilts & Dorset’s *evening* More M1 operate at the same frequency along the Charminster Road and on to Castlepoint. Henceforward, TYB’s evening 3 will operate four per hour to More M1’s two.Add TYB 5 from Bournemouth as far as Alma Road and

busingnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-25854097707363642092010-06-05T07:00:00.007+01:002010-06-05T08:41:21.534+01:00

Some of Transdev Yellow Buses’ latest seven Tempos are beginning to filter into service ahead of tomorrow’s changes that require another modest increase in the weekday PVR, the second such increase since the beginning of May. Interesting tweaks that bring with them a stunning new version of its timetable. TYB really has publicity all buttoned up.Four years in and TYB’s latest version continues

busingnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-18600158156035425062010-05-20T06:59:00.005+01:002010-05-20T07:41:35.951+01:00

Perhaps it’s the lack of passenger support, perhaps the cost of fuel. May be it’s reliability problems as there’ve been several reported issues with its vehicles. It could be that it’s to do with a land dispute that threatens to close the firm’s garage parking. Or it could be other service commitments.For whatever reason, industry watchers have till last operation on 9th July to ride what is

busingnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-71225484401569153362010-05-09T07:59:00.001+01:002010-05-09T08:22:19.217+01:00

“We know about buses. Nothing will change. There are no plans to change the name or to cut routes. We’re not planning to put up prices and want to provide a reliable service to everyone.” So said a RATP Dev spokesman on Friday, in the Bournemouth Echo, regarding RATP’s take-over of Transdev Yellow Buses. Indeed, it could easily be said that RATP Dev knows a great deal about buses. It operates the

busingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-24221443622745393132010-05-05T06:59:00.004+01:002010-05-30T18:06:26.563+01:00

So that at least explains why Transdev Yellow Buses has registered spoiler new hourly service 40 between Bournemouth, Boscombe, Hengistbury Head and Christchurch, to start on 29 May 2010. TYB faces a new challenge the week before in the shape of “new” open top service 12, operated by Discover Dorset.Discover Dorset will operate hourly from Bournemouth via Boscombe Pier to Hengistbury Head. It’s

busingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-42938911164168442312010-05-03T06:59:00.002+01:002010-05-04T21:08:22.105+01:00

How things change. It wasn’t so long ago that the Wilts & Dorset service between Poole and Kinson enjoyed a half-hourly service. This, the 161, extended hourly to Ferndown and West Moors and had been on this broad timetable since great change of 1978. Beforehand, though the service didn’t serve Kinson, the former Hants & Dorset 26 was very similar.Even the thinning of June 2007 that saw the 161

busingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-9851161935544843602010-04-19T06:59:00.000+01:002010-04-18T21:32:36.339+01:00

We asked you whether you really minded Dorset posts on the Omnibuses Blog. This followed a number of gentle comments on the February 2010 readers’ survey, stating that the OB could on occasion be too Dorset focused.I believe that it is less so than it once was. We ran the Dorset survey on Sunday and Monday last week. We estimate that about a fifth of regular readers took part, so thank you. You

busingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-14720984606954009732010-04-18T06:59:00.000+01:002010-04-18T21:44:16.237+01:00

Dorset is no longer a dirty word on Omnibuses, following our recent attitude survey. The overwhelming majority of those who responded—over 99 per cent—were content with once-in-a-while Dorset posts The most surprising thing about the Echo’s brief interview with Greyhound’s Alex Warner was the reporter’s northern accent. I somehow expected a soft Dorset burr to introduce Greyhound’s westward

busingnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5637512165823367624.post-37034566821670514782010-04-10T06:59:00.001+01:002010-04-10T08:46:19.574+01:00

The irrepressible Mark Self is back, if not quite at the helm, then certainly as the First Mate. For this week saw the official (low-key) relaunch of the Rossmore Flyer, now that it’s back in Self’s capable hands. The new incumbent is Dolphin Coaches, whose operations manager is him-Self, again presiding over England’s most interestingly-named bus route, the Monkey’s Hump & Heavenly Bottom

busingnoreply@blogger.com1