Something New—local, national & international

National The most interesting article in yesterday's Sunday Times was about married couples who live apart but stay together. It seems living in the house next door to or the flat above your spouse is good for your relationship. Hmmm. A case of "Knock three times on the ceiling if you want me…" The second most interesting article was a snip about the forthcoming launch by First of a National Express- and Megabus-busting UK Greyhound express coach operations, initially between London and both the midlands and Oxfordshire (so it said), with rumours afoot about Hampshire, too (which the article didn't mention). Mirroring Megabus and the US Greyhound Bolt Bus offshoot, the formula will attract younger travellers, with wi-fi and fares starting at £1. Two years after First bought Greyhound and nearly a year after rumours of Greyhound operating in the UK, First has finally faced the situation and will start services from next month. The fleet is expected to be modest initially and to use Greyhound's famous though innocuous grey(ish), one step beyond white. In other Sunday Times news, there's further evidence that recession-hit travellers are trading down, as easyBus' Luton, Stanstead & Gatwick routes reported a 25 per cent increase in business in the year to June 2009. No doubt First Group will wish to capitalise on this burgeoning travel market lower cost sector.

Local 2009 multi-award winning and Rotala Group Diamond Bus will in three weeks start its Worcester operation. This includes two commercial services against incumbent First, on the back of successful Worcestershire council tenders. Diamond claims it will create up to 60 new jobs, though the loss of contracts elsewhere may result in redundancies. Commercial routes will be to Dines Green & Henwick Park, operated by First currently at frequent intervals and every 15 minutes respectively. Diamond relaunched in Redditch services over a year ago as Red Diamond and entered Droitwich in April at the same time as operating more in Redditch, again following success at tender. During both launches, it majored on the re-establishment of a "well respected operator with red buses", evoking memories of National Bus and before that BET giant Birmingham & Midland Motor Omnibus Company. In truth, Midland Red as it was known, was never quite as well respected as our literally rose tinted specs made out. The necessary withdrawals associated with the passing of profitable urban routes to the West Midlands PTE left Midland Red struggling and unpopular. The vehicles Diamond Bus operates in Redditch indicate that it is far from a lower cost operation. 12 of 20 were new. AIM listed Rotala continues to turn things around and is showing good profitability.

International

Meanwhile, in the face of Megabus computation and a lacklustre performance, American Greyhound is undergoing something of a transformation. The first of 102 Prevost X3-45 50-seat tri-axle coaches now operate out of New York. They offer improved seat pitch, wi-fi and power outlets in an attempt to attract a younger demographic. Meanwhile, under First, Greyhound has subtly redesigned its logo and brand identity using blue, less grey and no white, and is investing $60mil in termini modernisation. Greyhound, meanwhile, launched Bolt Bus in spring 2008 as its cheaper brand, modelled on Megabus.