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RE: JH Coaches of Birtley
(15 May 2022, 3:15 pm)wibblejunior wrote Saw Thirlwell's YM03 EPA on the A1 today, but noticed that it's fleetnames have been removed (at least on the driver's side) - can anyone confirm whether it's still with this operator or if it's moved on to someone else?
Owned by CGL Travel of Birtley!

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JH Coaches of Birtley
(03 Jun 2022, 11:35 am)missedbus wrote LT02ZZJ/L-O with Plaxton President bodies are now also for sale through the same agent.


This follow’s the news that JH Coaches have lost all their double-deck Nexus Miscellaneous Works contracts, only retaining five single-decks from the batch of 86 contracts available.

I assume they will keep a small number of the red dual-door Volvo B7s for the Sunderland AFC Park & Ride.


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RE: JH Coaches of Birtley
(03 Jun 2022, 12:34 pm)Dan wrote This follow’s the news that JH Coaches have lost all their double-deck Nexus Miscellaneous Works contracts, only retaining five single-decks from the batch of 86 contracts available.

I assume they will keep a small number of the red dual-door Volvo B7s for the Sunderland AFC Park & Ride.


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Why they lost all double deck work. And what would that works contract be. Like scholar
RE: JH Coaches of Birtley
(03 Jun 2022, 12:34 pm)Dan wrote This follow’s the news that JH Coaches have lost all their double-deck Nexus Miscellaneous Works contracts, only retaining five single-decks from the batch of 86 contracts available.

I assume they will keep a small number of the red dual-door Volvo B7s for the Sunderland AFC Park & Ride.


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That's a shame

Did Stagecoach etc gain or loose many contracts?
Ooo Friend, Bus Friend.
RE: JH Coaches of Birtley
(03 Jun 2022, 7:33 pm)Aaron21 wrote Why they lost all double deck work. And what would that works contract be. Like scholar

Because they didn't tender a low enough bid.

They only appear to currently run schools and the 701 in Sunderland.
RE: JH Coaches of Birtley
(03 Jun 2022, 8:49 pm)omnicity4659 wrote Because they didn't tender a low enough bid.

They only appear to currently run schools and the 701 in Sunderland.
Perhaps JH Coaches put the right tender price in, but other operators put in ones that are, in reality, too low?
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JH Coaches of Birtley
(04 Jun 2022, 8:04 am)busmanT wrote Perhaps JH Coaches put the right tender price in, but other operators put in ones that are, in reality, too low?


I think that’s the story the independent operators will tell!

In reality, larger operators were always going to be more successful in this round - they already had a large number of Euro 5 buses (which obtained extra quality marks), they already had contactless ticket machines (which most independent operators had to buy), and, importantly, their fuel prices are hedged, and this is therefore reflected in their tender price.

The fact the larger operators’ prices are all broadly similar suggests it is about the right price for them.


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RE: JH Coaches of Birtley
(04 Jun 2022, 5:07 pm)Aaron21 wrote Do they still have the contract area to run metro replacement
Once JH have sold all their double decks they won’t be able to do Metro replacement
RE: JH Coaches of Birtley
(04 Jun 2022, 9:30 am)Dan wrote I think that’s the story the independent operators will tell!

In reality, larger operators were always going to be more successful in this round - they already had a large number of Euro 5 buses (which obtained extra quality marks), they already had contactless ticket machines (which most independent operators had to buy), and, importantly, their fuel prices are hedged, and this is therefore reflected in their tender price.

The fact the larger operators’ prices are all broadly similar suggests it is about the right price for them.


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And thus shows the issue with the tender process…fuel costs being the killer here.

Why would you bother running anything with little to no commercial revenue when you can ditch it and then pick it up the work from a small local operator from your friendly local council? Perhaps even run the service with buses the local taxpayer had already paid for? Yaaaay
Wistfully stuck in the 90s
RE: JH Coaches of Birtley
It does seem a bit rich, lamenting the economies of running an independent bus company as just one of those unfortunate things, when the past year has demonstrated that both GNE and ANE would have been stuffed without being able to call upon the services of the likes of JH coaches as well as Stanley travel and A-line.
RE: JH Coaches of Birtley
(06 Jun 2022, 8:21 am)BusLoverMum wrote It does seem a bit rich, lamenting the economies of running an independent bus company as just one of those unfortunate things, when the past year has demonstrated that both GNE and ANE would have been stuffed without being able to call upon the services of the likes of JH coaches as well as Stanley travel and A-line.
Aye, the irony isn't lost here.
'Illegitimis non carborundum'
RE: JH Coaches of Birtley
I've noticed the space used alongside the old AEI Cables site in Birtley is more or less empty now.
The deckers which were seemingly used for spares seem to be the only things left now.
'Illegitimis non carborundum'
RE: JH Coaches of Birtley
(08 Jun 2022, 6:27 pm)Andreos1 wrote I've noticed the space used alongside the old AEI Cables site in Birtley is more or less empty now.
The deckers which were seemingly used for spares seem to be the only things left now.
They are parked at rear of site, I believe due to vandalism
RE: JH Coaches of Birtley
(25 Jun 2022, 7:45 pm)ifm001 wrote 82 timetable in Bustimes

Gateshead to Columbia via QE Hospital and Birtley.
Well that is going to fill up /s. 


Wonder what's going to run on it, also another limited stop service between Wreckton - Gateshead. It has tight turn around time too of only 1-2 mins in each direction
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JH Coaches of Birtley
(25 Jun 2022, 7:56 pm)Unber43 wrote Well that is going to fill up /s. 


Wonder what's going to run on it, also another limited stop service between Wreckton - Gateshead. It has tight turn around time too of only 1-2 mins in each direction


I would assume JH will allocate 2x WF Streetlites?

I’d imagine that they have provided a very competitive price for this contract in lieu of losing all their double-deck Nexus school contracts to Go North East, Arriva and Stagecoach.


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RE: JH Coaches of Birtley
(26 Jun 2022, 1:47 am)Dan wrote I would assume JH will allocate 2x WF Streetlites?

I’d imagine that they have provided a very competitive price for this contract in lieu of losing all their double-deck Nexus school contracts to Go North East, Arriva and Stagecoach.


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So they've lost over 50-60 contracts to GNE/SCNE/ANE where are they going to get the vehicles from and the drivers
RE: JH Coaches of Birtley
(26 Jun 2022, 3:32 pm)Unber43 wrote So they've lost over 50-60 contracts to GNE/SCNE/ANE where are they going to get the vehicles from and the drivers
They already have buses (StreetLite WF) and will have loads of drivers with losing the contracts (plus some driver from GNE CLS Depot might want to work for JH)
RE: JH Coaches of Birtley
(26 Jun 2022, 4:12 pm)busmanT wrote They already have buses (StreetLite WF) and will have loads of drivers with losing the contracts (plus some driver from GNE CLS Depot might want to work for JH)
I think they might have meant where will GNE/ANE/SNE get the drivers and buses from by gaining lots of contracts.
RE: JH Coaches of Birtley
(26 Jun 2022, 4:17 pm)Jack Gill wrote I think they might have meant where will GNE/ANE/SNE get the drivers and buses from by gaining lots of contracts.
Ah!

Vehicles
ANE - new vehicles arriving soon which will allow older buses to be used on contracts
SNE - plenty spare buses across the country
GNE - buses saved with service cuts and from London

Drivers - who knows!!
TUPE applies if the drivers wish to move with the contracts https://www.gov.uk/transfers-takeovers
RE: JH Coaches of Birtley
(25 Jun 2022, 7:45 pm)ifm001 wrote 82 timetable in Bustimes

Gateshead to Columbia via QE Hospital and Birtley.

Has now appeared on VOSA

PB1049268/323
New JIM HUGHES COACHES LTD 82 Barmston Court, Washington Gateshead Interchange
Ooo Friend, Bus Friend.
RE: JH Coaches of Birtley
(29 Jun 2022, 8:34 pm)ASX_Terranova wrote Hopefully it sees decent use, any estimates on fares?

Hopefully Nexus come to an arrangement over fare acceptance, otherwise those using it to connect to other services are going to be severely out of pocket and will end up looking at other options - i.e. the car.
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