G.H.A. Coaches

Originally posted by CX58EWW The ex-Chaloner's 23 (Wrexham-Summerhill) is moving to Solo operation next month after 19 years of operation by Mercedes Vario (H738TWB). Confirmed by the regular driver of the service.

A shame but at least progress. Im guessing they will be scrapping the Chaloners name then?

Originally posted by CX58EWW Not sure Josh. GHA have preserved the Vale and Bryn Melyn names after takeover, but it could be the end as Chaloner's were only a one-route, one-bus company.

Also the Vale and Bryn licences are current but Chaloner licence has been surrendered.

I have just seen the following article which raises some questions in my mind as to which are the new services. Can anyone help?

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business-news/business-news/2010/07/29/a-wrexham-coach-company-provides-more-services-in-cheshire-thanks-to-support-from-a-bank-55578-26952473/

Originally posted by ffpentre Just a reminder that there are actually two vehicles in the Challoner livery both used in operating service 23. In addition to the vehicle purchased with the original business (MB 811D H738TWB) there is also R3GHA a Vario (formerly Arriva NW&W 320 R110TKO). This is very much younger than other small capacity vehicles being used by the company and I cannot see this being disposed of at this time. It will be interesting to see what is in store for it and whether this is line for a livery change.

What I was told is 'the boss is sick of all the Mercs'. A large number are now life-expired so I guess they're getting unreliable and uneconomical to repair.

I will also be interested to see which Solo will be used. I would imagine it unlikely that a new vehicle would be involved and unless anyone can correct me I am not aware of any likely service changes that will create a spare vehicle. [/QUOTE]

I was also intrigued which Solos would be used. I presume it would be 2, likely the 'X', 'W' or '02' examples.

I think this move might have been triggered by Arriva's recent move to low floor, which has meant those with buggies have been paying the extra to avoid folding them. With this, GHA will get a lot of business back - they are considerably cheaper.

What I was told is 'the boss is sick of all the Mercs'. A large number are now life-expired so I guess they're getting unreliable and uneconomical to repair.

I will also be interested to see which Solo will be used. I would imagine it unlikely that a new vehicle would be involved and unless anyone can correct me I am not aware of any likely service changes that will create a spare vehicle. [/QUOTE]

I was also intrigued which Solos would be used. I presume it would be 2, likely the 'X', 'W' or '02' examples.

I think this move might have been triggered by Arriva's recent move to low floor, which has meant those with buggies have been paying the extra to avoid folding them. With this, GHA will get a lot of business back - they are considerably cheaper.

[/QUOTE]

I suspect the individual driver comments regarding the Mercs could be 'tongue in cheek', it doesn't necessarily reflect the current view of the owners but perhaps the manager who he reports to. I am sure there are many types in the fleet that certain members of the company are 'sick of', depending on reliability, fuel economy and in a drivers sense how nice the example is to drive.

From observation GHA are slowly cutting down the use of Mercs but that doesn't mean they are always happy to do so, i.e. the likes of the 60/65 have changed from solid Merc use to low floors due to revised tender requirements. Mercs compared to even the smaller low floor types such as Solos and MPD's are much cheaper on fuel and in business terms that's what they want to do, make the maximum profit from resources available. H738 TWB is a little old for a Merc perhaps but it has gone a good job since coming into the GHA fold, logically its time must be up very soon. I suspect the mention of a low floor will probably mean they may intend to operate a low floor example on it when possible but expect R3 GHA to be around for some time yet if only for limited backup use!

As for those with buggies. I hope they remember that low floor is not intended as their sole right to use but for wheelchair users, although the 'Buggy Friendly' advertising by some operators obviously is to attract the extra custom.

I saw that H78 CFV was floating around in use on Saturday.