GHA Group (Bryn Melyn, Vale Travel + Others)

[DLG817]

RE: GHA Group (Bryn Melyn, Vale Travel + Others)
Latest arrival is Solo YJ06YSE - a M880 version - it was new in July 2006 to Henderson, Hamilton who was the last operator. It is currently being prepared for service and may enter service in its white livery.

A new arrival for Bryn Melyn is BX07OOH - a BMC 110FE B55FL which has come from Enterprise, Peterborough (596) (via Stafford Bus). It will replace one of the 60 seater BMC's BX54VUB which has now joined the GHA fleet and is working a new school contract in Macclesfield.

Volvo B10M-62 Berkhof Axial 50 R979PRD (ex Rennies Dunfirmline) has now been given the GHA coach silver livery and is now working from Winsford

Re-registered is Solo MX56AAZ which has received the registration BA56GHA which was originally borne by the now scrapped VDL / Centro which was severely damaged by fire earlier this year. Solo BA56GHA is still a regular vehicle operating the Ellesmere Port local services.

A withdrawal from Winsford is Bova Futura M272SBT which is to be scrapped.

Sadly Solo M850 - AA02GHA - is now withdrawn following a RTC last month. It is likely to be scrapped soon.

DAF SB220 / ALX300 - R457KWT - has been sold and is now with W E Jones in Anglesey.

Perhaps a surprising withdrawal is DAF SB220 / Northern Counties Prestige - R397XDA. This vehicles and sister R396XDA joined the fleet from S M Coaches in Harlow in 2011. The latter example never managed to see service despite been given fleet livery. Both are being sold. (Believed to be Ripley Barnsley. It is also thought that UYM551 (M404EFD) Scania N113CRL / East Lancs (ex Arriva Midland 3504) will be going to the same dealer.)

Ex London Volvo B7TL / President W471WGH has finally seen service and is currently working from Tarvin. Latest ex London President arrival Y188NLK has seen service still in in its red livery. Among other duties It has worked the S1 Pen Y Pass service. The other recent arrival Y166NLK has yet to see service.

Not seeing service with GHA was Volvo B6BLE / Wright Crusader T629SOA which arrived from Berwyn, Trevor (via Plaxtons) in August and was immediately put up for sale on Ebay and is believed to have been sold to an operator in Plymouth.

Two DAF SB3000 / VanHool Alizee vehicles which arrived in a damaged state and thought may be for spares are actually being repaired at specialist workshops - R997FNW (B19DAF) ex Adams Tours, Walsall and 264CHX ex Heritage Tours, Partridge Green, West Sussex. Both will become 70 seater coaches.

In the last report it was indicated that Dennis Dominator / East Lancs ex Dobsons decker G627EKA was about to be withdrawn. This vehicle may now actually see some further service with the company.

There has been a change of personnel near the top of the organisation. Stuart Hyslop who was the Chief Executive has retired. Stuart entered the Bus industry on 1st January 1973, as a conductor for Rotherham Corporation, and later went on to be a crew bus driver, and an OMO driver for the same company. Through the years Stuart has worked for many bus companies and has held various managerial positions, such as General Manager Borough of Darlington, Chairman & Managing Director Darlington Transport Co.Ltd and Divisional Manager Stagecoach Kingston-upon-Hull. Before joining GHA Stuart was Managing Director of Chester City Transport. Stuart has been replaced by Stephen Bryce who it is understood will hold the title of General Manager. Stephen has come from Dunn Motor Traction Ltd (Yourbus). He has previously also been the Operations Manager with Diamond Bus Company.

It has previously been reported that the frequency of the Connect 88 service Altrincham to Knutsford is to double and four new Enviro 200's are on order. These will receive special branded livery. The new service is due to start on 27th October.

As well as retaining contracts for the currently opertated Nantwich services - additional contracts have been won in the East Cheshire area - including the 8A (Wistaston Green - Crewe - Sydney - Elm Drive), 42 (Congleton to Crewe), 78 (Nantwich - Sandbach - Scholar Green) and the 90/91/92 (Congleton services). These services will transfer to GHA on 27th October. It is anticipated that next year new buses may be acquired for all of these services.

Ron