High Wycombe’s Carousel Buses. There’s an interesting name. Sounds to me as if their services simply spin around and around getting nowhere fast. Yet, Go Ahead seems impressed enough to buy the 50-vehicle operator, a dozen years after Go Ahead left High Wycombe (Carousel’s base), selling the Oxford Bus Company’s Wycombe Bus to Arriva. Carousel, in turn, has developed a nice business in those same 12 years largely on the back of down registrations by Arriva. So, Go Ahead to Arriva; and then Carousel back to Go Ahead. A case of swings and roundabouts carousels, perhaps?
This demonstrates Carousel’s modern and purposeful livery that also fits in with new parent Oxford Bus. Photo c/o Eastleighbusman used under creative commons licence
So, who said that post-Competition Commission it would be more difficult to sell bus companies. First said so. Perhaps it depends on the company, the location and the prospects. And Go Ahead believes there’s still room for organic growth. Its chief executive refers to a strategy of acquiring well managed businesses that can provide a “solid basis for increasing passenger numbers”. But then again, they’re probably not alone. And it’s not as if Go Ahead’s been on a recent buying spree. True, its bought one company a year in each of the last three: Thames Travel; Konectbus; and Plymouth Citybus.
This image is probably not representative of competitor Arriva in High Wycombe but it does illustrate a rather nice adaptation of the original Arriva livery. Trent Barton is not the only Rainbow operators, it seems
The CE continues, “We are pleased to be taking on a bus company which prides itself on running a safe, reliable, affordable and customer focused service”. Sounds to me as if every bus operator should fit this particular bill. In theory. Carousel certainly isn’t that far off. Not all its buses are in the bright Plymouth-style two-tone red livery. But the age and even quality of the fleet is reportedly at least a match for competitor Arriva. Perhaps with Go Ahead’s muscle behind it, Carousel might be able to give Arriva a run for its money.
16 comments:
Another one bites the dust.How long before really are down to four.
@Anon 0848
But which four? (-:
Yesterdays VOSA registrations deregisted a number of Damory routes in the Dorchester area.
Who is next on the Dorchester carousel!
GoAhead now have 3 companies with very very similar liveries
Looks like a Ray Stenning livery to me, does anyone know if it is? Very smart, but I believe the logo is derived from the original London Country one, said at the time (early seventies) to be encircling London, with fields beyond.
Who said head to head competition is dead? Hope the competition commission are happy. Now can the rest of us get on with our businesses please?
Can I just point out that the photo used here although from my Plymothian Transit site is actually by "Eastleighbusman" used under creative commons licence. Thanks!
But what I can't work out is.... Which Carousel route/s is/are suitable for Go-Ahead's fleet of redundant bendies....?
;-)
Flippy
Anonymous said...
But what I can't work out is.... Which Carousel route/s is/are suitable for Go-Ahead's fleet of redundant bendies....?
;-)
Flippy
Send them to Uxbridge - it'll be worth it to annoy Boris . . .
Thanks Graham for the correction.
Busing said: "And it’s not as if Go Ahead’s been on a recent buying spree. True, its bought one company a year in each of the last three: Thames Travel; Konectbus; and Plymouth Citybus."
...and Coach House Travel. That wasn't a limited company - does it not count?
As a High Wycombe bus user I very much regret the end of the independent Carousel operation. Their operation is well run and has given Arriva The Shires some interesting competition. Their drivers are as smartly turned out as most of their buses, too. (and no, I don't work for them!)
geriatrix said...
"As a High Wycombe bus user I very much regret the end of the independent Carousel operation. Their operation is well run and has given Arriva The Shires some interesting competition. Their drivers are as smartly turned out as most of their buses, too. (and no, I don't work for them!)"
..and what do you expect to change? Has Go-Ahead wrecked Thames Travel, Konnect Bus or Plymouth CityBus?
I think, assuming long term that Go retain local identities that this is a positive outcome and a further opportunity to give Arriva a fair run for its money in Wycombe and the surrounding area. Carousel has built up a solid business on innovation and canny tendering - I think with Go behind it there are further expansion plans to oust Arriva from Wycombe which can only be a good thing for the customer.
First Bus have sold their Northumberland Park Garage and Routes to Go Ahead. The Transfer is expected to take place on the 28th Marh
Certainly turned into a buying spree now: Carousel, First Northumberland Park and Hedingham. Any more to come?
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