First Manchester

[Winston]

RE: First Manchester

(05/06/2019 14:47)gilesbus1 Wrote:  The Vantage tender wasn't what you think, or so I understand, the tender is losing money at the moment, but after a certain stage it goes into Profit from what I understand, and is carrying good numbers, unlike many other Bolton services, it would be worth having, even if just that it might be able to put you forward as a keen and preferred bidder next time based on the fact that you've run it successfully for x number of years.

Also the vehicles there will allow fleet modernisation elsewhere after 5 years maybe in house, as I understand the 25 Hybrid vehicles were purchased by First on behalf of TfGM rather than owned by them, the forthcoming Electric vehicles however will be owned by TfGM, therefore you could use the 25 Hybrids to replace a proportion of the Bolton fleet in about 21 months time, which will no doubt be welcome there. No doubt they will be used to see off ageing Volvo B7RLE's.

Yes, the contract is losing money, big money, as I understand it, it doesn't matter what the passenger loadings are like, as it's not First that receive the revenue, that's the problem it's an operating contract. I've heard that it's not worth taking on the Vantage contract unless a break clause on the current contract can be negotiated to exit early or re-negotiate early, hence my earlier comments.

As Manchester will be going Euro 6, most of the depot fleets will either need replacing or upgrading. The Hybrids are high spec, I understand that the new electrics will only free up 5 Hybrids for use elsewhere, but that plan may change depending to who & when Bolton is sold.