tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post4953379539068807847..comments2024-03-29T08:14:43.839+00:00Comments on Public Transport Experience: Tales fom Taunton - an Update.fatbusblokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06833340546527596517noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post-75860013551115979962014-03-10T20:29:58.858+00:002014-03-10T20:29:58.858+00:00Poor old Mr More Confused..... ;)
Speaking as som...Poor old Mr More Confused..... ;) <br />Speaking as someone born and bred in 'the Buses of Somerset' operating patch (albeit served hourly) I am impressed with the bold, new image for First's hitherto unloved operation. <br />10-11 years of remote management will take some undoing, but it is very visible evidence of intent to do something with what they have, like Stagecoach realised 12-13 years ago. Look what it's done for Stagecoach, although they've missed an opportunity to get a monopoly in Taunton by failing to capitalise on their Cooks operations, which with Webberbus tacked on would have made for a very well backed operation. <br /><br />Now that First has this new identity and new set of values in place, it needs to be followed through in the implementation. First has had some very good ideas in its time but they've been sorely let down in their implementation, through having a too remote from the front management team. <br /><br />A new brand for what have traditionally been an unloved and overlooked part of the business is something that will encourage the long serving staff who are still there to go the extra mile with the customers - if First gets this right and goes the distance with it, Webberbus will have a massive problem on their hands. <br /><br />I really hope this is the turning point for First's Somerset operations - the money is there to be made and the work there to be regained if the right relationships are cultivated and the brand rolled out as fully intended. The new livery is one of Best Impressions' better efforts too - the dark green hides the dirt of which there's a fair bit around Somerset. Once the whole fleet is rolled out, and they spend something doing the interiors (which are sorely due an upgrade, even if they're old buses) they will have an operation to be proud of, as will the staff, and the positive will be a business that increases its income, contains its costs and might turn a profit, something not possible at the thinner outposts because First has thrown so much work away.<br /><br />Maybe Mr More Confused might find himself returning to implement these changes? Whilst I will admit to not being his biggest fan and he is a very divisive figure, there can't be any doubt that Southern Vectis is a good quality operation, and that is due in part to his vision and that of the team still there. <br />Perhaps his legacy from his time is the little things that do matter that he focused on? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post-91407252011504836912014-03-10T08:02:38.872+00:002014-03-10T08:02:38.872+00:00Are you referring to FBB or a regular columnist wh...Are you referring to FBB or a regular columnist who keeps trying blogging but now writes not a lot for PT having run out of ideas. I dunno, I'm More Confused than ever!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post-1013563125505726982014-03-09T16:14:27.992+00:002014-03-09T16:14:27.992+00:00Or maybe too many days and too little of any subst...Or maybe too many days and too little of any substance to blog about. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post-3900538426657540662014-03-09T08:41:56.093+00:002014-03-09T08:41:56.093+00:00Oh dear, sounds like a case of too many consultant...Oh dear, sounds like a case of too many consultants and not enough do-ers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post-43903008985339172102014-03-07T18:55:58.486+00:002014-03-07T18:55:58.486+00:00Southampton actually not Bristol. We've done a...Southampton actually not Bristol. We've done a lot and we have much more to do. And no, it won't all happen overnight but it will happen. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com