Tranche 2 awards have been announced covering sub-area B (Oldham, Manchester, bits of Salford and Tameside).
In summary:
- Stagecoach wins all 3 ‘big’ contracts – retaining Middleton and gaining Queens Rd and Oldham with their 349 buses, 947 staff, 87 routes.
- Diamond wins Oldham Small – 2 routess (~6 buses and 15 staff)
- First win both Rochdale Smalls – 40 buses
- A mightily complicated ‘simplified’ anybus+tram day ticket replacing the System 1 equivalent to be introduced – price for anybus and any zone tram remaining the same.
Change, as we know, can be unsettling.
GNW MD, Nigel Featham
Diamond Executive Director Bob Dunn: “We are pleased to have been awarded a further franchise within Greater Manchester. This franchise contract will operate alongside the previous seven awarded in tranche one, and we look forward to further success in tranche three. We are looking forward to meeting our new customers and colleagues in Oldham early next year.”
Go North West MD Nigel Featham: “The decision is made and there is nothing we can do to change it. We should bear in mind that TfGM’s plan to introduce a franchised network to the region is not only a massive policy undertaking, it’s also a complicated logistical challenge; whatever we may think of individual depot decisions, a true picture will only emerge once all the pieces fall into place. Change, as we know, can be unsettling. Looking to the future, our priority will be to ensure business as usual, right up to the moment the depot transitions to a new operator.”
Managing Director of Stagecoach Manchester Lee Wasnidge: “We are extremely proud to have been chosen for these contracts and are looking forward to providing exceptional bus services to customers across North Manchester. We have a fantastic team who have a proud history of serving the communities in Greater Manchester, and we are honoured to be entrusted with the responsibility of delivering reliable and high-quality services whilst maintaining crucial transport links for the people in our region.”
“We are looking forward to working in partnership with the Mayor, Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Transport for Greater Manchester to implement planned improvements for customers on the Bee Network. Our shared goal is to deliver outstanding service, create a more sustainable future, develop stronger communities, and build a brighter future for our region. To the dedicated staff currently working at the depots that will be operated by Stagecoach, we extend a warm welcome. We want to assure you that we value your contribution and are committed to ensuring a smooth and positive transition. We will work closely with your current employers to support you throughout this process.”
To the dedicated staff currently working at the depots that will be operated by Stagecoach, we extend a warm welcome.
Stagecoach MD, Lee Wasnidge
In other news, I think the replacement of the single System 1 anybus+anytram ticket costing £7.80 (£9.50 peak) with 6 zonalised tickets is hardly ‘the move to a simplified fare structure’ they advertise!
David vs. Goliath?
It would appear so far in this process that the local, quality independents have been massively overlooked – on the scale of the Hubble space telescope. All 4 of the operators announced in tranche 1&2 have parent companies with FTSE listings so have a bit more financial grunt in this match.
Take Vision, for example. A quality local firm of which I haven’t heard a single bad word said about them. Quite a sizable operation with 101 buses and 84 routes (as listed on Bustimes). They’ve lost nearly everything they have in Manchester in round 1, and will hopefully be able to stave off closure and make the out of area or schools work pay (the separate GM schools awards are something I haven’t been keeping my eye on). Couldn’t the two T1 small contracts left over after Diamond won their full 7 be awarded to them? Instead it was lumped in with the 2 GNW awards.
In Oldham, will Stotts be able to win any work in tranche 3? I thought their work would’ve been in T2 but only 2 ‘Oldham small’ routes were given in a sole award – no word yet on which 2 routes they are.