David Urquhart ceases trading

https://www.davidurquhart.com/

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/nor...s-18209963

Boris Johnson set to reveal changes to coronavirus lockdown restrictions taking effect from Monday

Wonder if this will affect public transport

(Admins: Please move to appropriate thread if this is posted into the wrong one)

Sent from my iPhone XS using Tapatalk

Article suggests Tees Flex has taken on a secondary role as standby passenger transport services (final line):

https://www.transportxtra.com/publicatio...-collapse/

I suspect that the first lift in restrictions will be in shops allowed to trade, businesses that can operate with social distancing in place and ability to visit family. Apart from people getting to work, I can't see much change for public transport use.

This is what Stagecoach bosses think will be the 'new normal' as company plans for post-lockdown travel
A six-point plan has been drawn up by bus company Stagecoach over the future of services as the Government looks to outline how the country’s coronavirus restrictions will be eased.


https://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/tran...el-2845011

The document has now been released about how we will come out of lockdown after Boris addressed the nation!


OUR PLAN TO REBUILD: The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy


https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk...oQzMkcm66Y

Further to the guidance contained in the document above, the Transport Secretary is scheduled to make a statement in the Commons tomorrow.

Can't imagine there being too much development on what we have heard/seen already, but will allow the measures in place to be scrutinised by MPs.

(11 May 2020, 2:08 pm)S813 FVK wrote Further to the guidance contained in the document above, the Transport Secretary is scheduled to make a statement in the Commons tomorrow.

Can't imagine there being too much development on what we have heard/seen already, but will allow the measures in place to be scrutinised by MPs.

Mention of making transport services "Covid secure" which should be detailed tomorrow. Mention of going back to pre-Covid schedules 'as soon as possible' too presumably to provide enough capacity for those travelling. Would have to be huge revenue support to do that.

from bbc news

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-52621747

another interesting artical

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-52646034

Optare have started the process of re-opening the business with new policies and procedures in place to make a safe working environment for our colleagues.

https://twitter.com/Optaregroup/status/1...5007418368

Looks like Wrightbus are cutting 125 jobs due to Corona.

90 of those are agency workers so they're only really 'laying off' 35 employees. 
I find it a bit odd that they're not just furloughing the 35 but making them redundant, and I suppose those agency workers will still be able to get furloughed by the agency they work for.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-52759676

(21 May 2020, 10:15 pm)streetdeckfan wrote Looks like Wrightbus are cutting 125 jobs due to Corona.

90 of those are agency workers so they're only really 'laying off' 35 employees. 
I find it a bit odd that they're not just furloughing the 35 but making them redundant, and I suppose those agency workers will still be able to get furloughed by the agency they work for.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-52759676

Imagine it's more because of lack of orders etc so there isn't any need for them in the future. No point furloughing someone one if your going to just lay them off at the end anyway.

(22 May 2020, 10:51 am)Storx wrote Imagine it's more because of lack of orders etc so there isn't any need for them in the future. No point furloughing someone one if your going to just lay them off at the end anyway.

But you might as well take advantage of the fact the government will pay 80% of the wages. It's a win-win for the company and the employee. At least if they tell them they'll lay them off once the furlough scheme ends, they can look for other work in the mean time, or even start another job now and get both wages

(22 May 2020, 10:54 am)streetdeckfan wrote But you might as well take advantage of the fact the government will pay 80% of the wages. It's a win-win for the company and the employee. At least if they tell them they'll lay them off once the furlough scheme ends, they can look for other work in the mean time, or even start another job now and get both wages

That's what they probably are doing:
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2...-furlough/

Transport Secretary announces new measures to “keep passengers safe now and level up for the future”

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/trans...the-future

Bus company’s social media posts regarding face coverings seem to have gone down like a cup of cold sick. Wonder how many drivers are going to see passengers flick out their cigarettes as the bus pulls up only to be presented with the list of breathing illnesses they suffer from to be exempt.

(12 Jun 2020, 8:53 pm)James101 wrote Bus company’s social media posts regarding face coverings seem to have gone down like a cup of cold sick. Wonder how many drivers are going to see passengers flick out their cigarettes as the bus pulls up only to be presented with the list of breathing illnesses they suffer from to be exempt.

I genuinely feel sorry for the front line, customer facing staff. Being paid a pitance, yet having that responsibility placed upon them - on top of all of the other responsibilities that they have.

Genuinely expecting the 'the bus didn't stop' complaints to go through the roof over the next week or two.

I drove past National Holidays' garage at Washington yesterday afternoon. The garage was completely empty. Last time I passed in March there were approximately fifty coaches crammed into the yard. Its a real shame to see the end of this company, the holidays were excellent value.

Charles

I cycled past a fortnight ago or so Charles and there was about 30 coaches there

(12 Jun 2020, 8:53 pm)James101 wrote Bus company’s social media posts regarding face coverings seem to have gone down like a cup of cold sick. Wonder how many drivers are going to see passengers flick out their cigarettes as the bus pulls up only to be presented with the list of breathing illnesses they suffer from to be exempt.

Noticed a few passengers earlier when I was out not using them (some had them pulled down to their chin) when went out for a bit of spotting (I was using the car to get about)


Sent from my iPhone XS using Tapatalk

(18 Jun 2020, 2:11 am)TEN 6083 wrote Noticed a few passengers earlier when I was out not using them ( some had them pulled down to their chin ) when went out for a bit of spotting (I was using the car to get about)


Sent from my iPhone XS using Tapatalk

*just saying*


(disclaimer - some might find the screenshot a little rude)

I was out and about today and I was surprised by the amount of people who weren't wearing a mask properly, or simply took them off once they got to their seat. What makes me laugh the most is the people who will pull them down when they talk

As an asthmatic I can understand why some people can't wear them (I tried today and after about 5 minutes I had to take it off), but I'd imagine there are some people who will lie just to get out of wearing them

https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news...tagecoach/


We can't make passengers wear masks on buses, says Stagecoach


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

(19 Jun 2020, 12:21 am)TEN 6083 wrote https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news...tagecoach/


We can't make passengers wear masks on buses, says Stagecoach


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Well, they can.
It's a condition of travel, if you don't wear a face covering you don't get on. Simple as (unless you've got a valid reason)

Them saying they can't enforce it is like them saying they can't enforce passengers paying for their fares. I bet if someone just walked on the bus and sat down they wouldn't think twice before enforcing that condition of travel!

I do see aot of chin hammocks, out and about.

It's the hour each wY on a hot angel with a mask that deters me from a visit to Fenwick, at the moment.

(20 Jun 2020, 11:07 pm)BusLoverMum wrote I do see aot of chin hammocks, out  and about.

It's the hour each wY on a hot angel with a mask that deters me from a visit to Fenwick, at the moment.

I actually find the air conditioning on the StreetDecks to be extremely good, especially with the buses as empty as they are. Last year when it was really warm I got the X21 just to cool down before I bought my AC unit for the house.

(19 Jun 2020, 1:26 am)streetdeckfan wrote Well, they can.
It's a condition of travel, if you don't wear a face covering you don't get on. Simple as (unless you've got a valid reason)

Them saying they can't enforce it is like them saying they can't enforce passengers paying for their fares. I bet if someone just walked on the bus and sat down they wouldn't think twice before enforcing that condition of travel!

We can't enforce them, we're not police. We advise and remind them of the rules. I believe it was added to public health guidance but not conditions of carriage which makes all the difference. You'll probably not be surprised at those thinking it's ok to have a face covering on at boarding then take it off once seated.

(21 Jun 2020, 4:36 am)Stanleyone wrote We can't enforce them, we're not police. We advise and remind them of the rules. I believe it was added to public health guidance but not conditions of carriage which makes all the difference. You'll probably not be surprised at those thinking it's ok to have a face covering on at boarding then take it off once seated.

Going back watching the announcement, the transport secretary said "So, when more people return to the network, from 15 June onwards, they will be required to wear a face covering on our transport network. We’ll make these rules changes under the National Rail Conditions of Travel and the Public Service Vehicle Regulations for buses. This will mean you can be refused travel if you don’t comply and could be fined."
So the operators have every right to refuse travel to people who aren't wearing it.

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/t...-june-2020

I believe it was also said during the questions that operators should add it to their own conditions of carriage, although I can't be bothered to sit through the whole thing to find the exact quote!

(21 Jun 2020, 2:13 pm)streetdeckfan wrote Going back watching the announcement, the transport secretary said "So, when more people return to the network, from 15 June onwards, they will be required to wear a face covering on our transport network. We’ll make these rules changes under the National Rail Conditions of Travel and the Public Service Vehicle Regulations for buses. This will mean you can be refused travel if you don’t comply and could be fined."
So the operators have every right to refuse travel to people who aren't wearing it.

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/t...-june-2020

I believe it was also said during the questions that operators should add it to their own conditions of carriage, although I can't be bothered to sit through the whole thing to find the exact quote!

They may have said that, but they've given them no powers to enforce it, and I don't think they've actually told anybody else with the correct powers (council or police) to enforce it either.