Max Power Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 I have to say that we do have a great bus service for a small island. The buses themselves are clean, comfortable and well equipped, the drivers seem pleasant enough and in general I'd say the service is a credit to the island. The only concern to me is, can we afford it? We seem to be replacing buses at a constant rate, which I suppose makes sense in that we sell on our older fleet while there is still a relatively good value in them and before they begin costing us money in repairs and depreciation? It seems that we have just spent c.£2m on renewing the fleet's older vehicles, including purchasing the last remaining old model Mercedes double deckers which are being discontinued. I'm not sure on the benefits of this, would the newer model be a better bet or is this to maintain the replacement cycle? My feeling is that, in view of the enormous expenditure, the taxpayer should be better informed as to the benefits or otherwise and the details should not be hidden under the blanket of 'commercial confidentiality!' If this was a private company, the shareholders would want to be assured, I don't see why we can not be assured! http://www.iomtoday.co.im/article.cfm?id=59786&headline=Just how many more minibuses do we need?§ionIs=NEWS&searchyear=2021 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asitis Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 Why do we keep buying Mercedes ? its almost as if there is something going on we are not aware of ? 1 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AcousticallyChallenged Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 2 minutes ago, asitis said: Why do we keep buying Mercedes ? its almost as if there is something going on we are not aware of ? Well, assuming there's nothing dodgy going on, it's probably far easier and cheaper to have all of your maintenance across one brand. You don't have to train on diagnostics across manufacturers. You'd also get a much better deal on them if you're a regular buyer. You should see how cheap BMWs are for police. I've heard that it would in some cases be cheaper to have a fleet of only BMWs in the police forces in the UK, but everyone would kick off about the police using BMWs as panda cars. The real telling part would be the cost of ownership of new vs old buses, including the costs of breakdowns and so on, versus the depreciation of a new fleet of Citaros. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellanvannin2010 Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 5 minutes ago, AcousticallyChallenged said: Well, assuming there's nothing dodgy going on, it's probably far easier and cheaper to have all of your maintenance across one brand. You don't have to train on diagnostics across manufacturers. You'd also get a much better deal on them if you're a regular buyer. You should see how cheap BMWs are for police. I've heard that it would in some cases be cheaper to have a fleet of only BMWs in the police forces in the UK, but everyone would kick off about the police using BMWs as panda cars. The real telling part would be the cost of ownership of new vs old buses, including the costs of breakdowns and so on, versus the depreciation of a new fleet of Citaros. In Government, unlike the private sector, cost of capital is free, maintenance is not. So it seems to be cheaper to knock a house down and build new than to paint it 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoymouse Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 I think a higher resell value was a big reason for originally choosing Mercedes and also cheaper to buy them in silver rather than fleet colours. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Non-Believer Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 13 minutes ago, AcousticallyChallenged said: The real telling part would be the cost of ownership of new vs old buses, including the costs of breakdowns and so on, versus the depreciation of a new fleet of Citaros. Particularly given that Nick Black recently revealed that BV/DOI are now an accredited Mercedes repair facility with (quote) "huge discounts on spare parts". Therefore we should have the ability to extend our fleet's life as regards economic viability. We should be able to keep them going for a lot longer without the excessive expenditure which is the usual kiss of death/write off for a vehicle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nom de plume Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 24 minutes ago, asitis said: Why do we keep buying Mercedes ? its almost as if there is something going on we are not aware of ? Wasn’t it alleged that somebody who makes the decisions here has a close family member who’s a Mercedes commercial vehicles dealer? 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Duck of Atholl Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 I agree with the OP. We do have a good service and our buses are well looked after an maintained. I don't think they get particularly heavy usage and so I am bemused as to why we are buying more. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheTeapot Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 Bus Heaven is better than Bus Hell 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kopek Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 They're not good service if they throw you head over heels if you stand up before the Bus has stopped!!! ....and then you have to wait 5 mins for it to stop rocking! You could play Marbles on the old buses? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quilp Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 12 minutes ago, Kopek said: You could play Marbles on the old buses? Is that where you lost yours..? 1 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kopek Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 Yes, tho yours fitted quite well! Na Na etc....😃 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nellie Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 2 hours ago, Annoymouse said: I think a higher resell value was a big reason for originally choosing Mercedes and also cheaper to buy them in silver rather than fleet colours. Mercedes also come with a high intial purchase price, and high cost of spares. A also believe there are 5 or 6 recently withdrawn Citaros, hidden in a hanger at Jurby, as they are currently unsaleable. It would be interesting to see the economics of cancelling the new order for next year (saving 6 x £200k) and restoring those to service, until the market improves. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Helmut Fromage Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 (edited) 2 hours ago, Nom de plume said: Edited January 4, 2021 by Mr Helmut Fromage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asitis Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 8 minutes ago, Nellie said: Mercedes also come with a high intial purchase price, and high cost of spares. A also believe there are 5 or 6 recently withdrawn Citaros, hidden in a hanger at Jurby, as they are currently unsaleable. It would be interesting to see the economics of cancelling the new order for next year (saving 6 x £200k) and restoring those to service, until the market improves. Please do not introduce any common sense into the bus vannin agenda it will spoil the thread LOL 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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