Tram Troubles : Trading Troubles

Replacement Buses Rag Bag

Back in the days when Stagecoach operated South West Trains and painted their units in bright distinctive liveries, their Hampshire company has a fleet of buses in SWT livery to match the trains.

Some of them had been repatriated from Hong Kong. Thus, the overall image was maintained, despite the frustration of disruption.

What might you expect to see on tram replacement services in Sheffield now that the mayoral authorities the trams? 

Apparently, anything with a wheel at each corner. 

The contractor has to move his buses all the way from Wakefield. Do drivers have to travel, or are casual people recruited from Sheffield?

The pale blue one, seen here at the Herdings bus turning circle ...

... which was once with First on the York Park and Ride! 

It did get a dark blue paint job.

There is no need to investigate the ancestry of this decker ...

... also snapped in the Herdings turning circle. But you would not immediately spot this livery ...

... as being ex London. For that you need the reg. Number and the Internet!

This rather gloomy grey Merc ...

... was once a more cheerful maroon with YourBus ...

... briefly an intruder in Derby and Nottingham. Shopaholics will spot the frontage of John Lewis ...

... occupying the footprint of part of the former Nottingham Victoria station. 

But the best historic timeline applies to this bus.

Previously it wore a plain yellow yellow for the ailing Bournemouth Transport 'Yellow Buses' business ...

... but, even further back it was with Bus Vannin (that's Isle of Man to ye and me!) ...

... with an obviously "furrin" registration plate.

Now, were fbb running Supertram, and were he planning the consequences of digging up a huge section of track, he would want his replacement bus services to look reliable and confidently professional.

A multi-coloured collection from the queue for the scrapyard does NOT inspire confidence in the hearts and wallets of the paying customer.

Negative house points are awarded to Travel South Yorkshire and a dunce's cap for big cheese Oliver Coppard.

Must do better!

Thanks to Sheffield correspondent, Roy, for pictures of the replacement vehicles.

The End Of Yorkshire Buses

It sounds dramatic, and it is for a small company mainly involved in tendered work. This was its on-line announcement ...

... and a full text version.

It is with a truly heavy heart that we share this news.

After much thought and consideration, the continued rise in costs which includes fuel and many other significant increases has made it no longer sustainable for us to continue operating. This has not been an easy decision, and it is one we have fought hard to avoid however with further cost increases forecast on the horizon the decision has had to be made sooner rather than later.

From the very beginning, Yorkshire Buses has been about more than just transport. It has been about community, connection, and the people we have had the privilege to serve every single day.

We want to take this moment to sincerely thank each and every one of you, our passengers, nurses, supporters, staff, and partners and the rest for your loyalty, kindness, and support over the years. Your encouragement has meant more to us than words can express.

To our incredible team, past and present, thank you for your dedication and hard work. You are the heart of everything we have done.

While this chapter is coming to a close, we will always be grateful for the journey we have shared together.

Thank you for being part of our story.

As is often the case with this sort of business, the company has operated a variety of routes in West Yorkshire over recent years.

These have included a vintage open topper!

Likewise, the fleet has been varied. Here are two versions of allocation on service 61/61A, small ...

... and larger.

Here is a timetable extract for the 61/61A.

The 116 and 212 are hourly and more main line in character.

One operation over the border in Doncaster was the Sunday service on Arriva's 51.

Currently, West Yorkshire Metro is scurrying around trying to find alternative operators.

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A huge part of all four gospels deals with the last week or so of Jesus' life. So much challenge and encouragement is packed in to well over one third of the written account. So it's all important.

So we have seen triumph (of a sort, Palm Sunday); anger at the corruption of God's House, anguish at the future that was waiting for both the temple and Jerusalem (both destroyed in AD70).

The foolish virgins (better word, bridesmaids) who wuere locked out of God's eternity because they were not ready.

But from now on things become very personal.

A woman (unnamed in Matthew's account) poles expensive ...

PERFUME

... over Jesus' head. She is rehearsing the anointing of his body for burial, a self sacrificing act of worship and commitment.

True commitment to God (to Jesus if you like - both are the same) is what makes a difference.

But sometimes that commitment is beyond us.

What is missing here ?

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Next book review blog : Fri 3rd April