MidlandRed.net

https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/info/ ... demand_wod

Here is the Diamond Bus BOD marketing website service starting today Monday 19 July 2021;
https://www.diamondbuses.com/news/bromsgrove-on-demand/

Note that it costs £2-50 per journey and that buses are only bookable using an APP, the driver will not accept payment. That in itself is a retrograde step for the likes of your's truly who doesn't use a mobile phone. Not only that, it also means that those most likely to need a door to door service i.e. the old and disabled must pay for the privilege despite having a valid concessionary pass. At £5 for a short return trip, it might be a better option for those with money to spend ordering a taxi which in the light of Covid would preclude having to mix with a possible twelve other passengers. Also, if it works (and my cynical mind thinks not) then it might well take the slim number of passengers away from struggling existing Bromsgrove stage carriage services with obvious long term effects to viability and reduced frequencies.

Nicely posed photo on the Diamond site link , thats £7.50 in fares then . . . . . .

I find it slightly worrying that WCC have chosen DIAMOND to run this service !

Diamond may have tried very hard in the last 2 or 3 years to provide a good service in Worcestershire, but as an enthusiast, I would not be happy if First pull-out, and Diamond take-over !!

The two minibuses on the service look smart , only seen them parked up on Church Street behind Asda as yet .

The local press suggest that initial patronage has "exceeded expectations" .

You mean that they have had 2 passengers?

bmmoboy wrote: ↑

21:17 Saturday 21st August 2021

You mean that they have had 2 passengers?

I guess that is more passengers than before the service was introduced.

...... and BSIP !!!

https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/news/ ... estershire

"Looking good" for operators and passengers, - once there are enough drivers !!

I know there are some pitfalls and negative posibilities and outcomes to comment on, but for now, I shall keep my fingers crossed !

Presumably First will stay as the main operator in South Worcestershire, and earn extra income by cooperating fully with the county council, and a suitable new site for the WR depot will be found soon !

At least one advantage (in my opinion) of privatisation (1986 +) is that a commercial core of operations / work has evolved and become well established, so that should leave First in the position to tell the county council when extra vehicles and extra drivers would be needed for extra services,
but otherwise, First ( - with it's economies of scale) may be able to tender competitively for some extra work using existing vehicles.

Likewise, the other, smaller operators (with enough drivers !) will be able to tender.

Plenty of scope for comments and conjecture here !! ..........

Sorry, I thought it was April Fool's day today...............