There was always a slight nag that the boasts about all these far flung places we supposedly had loads of views from, were actually the gasroom viewing via VPNs.
"Deutsche Bahn AG (DB) and I Squared Capital have signed an agreement for the sale of the whole of Arriva Group, including all of its operating businesses across 10 European markets, to I Squared, a leading global infrastructure investment manager. The transaction is expected to complete in 2024, subject to the customary closing conditions, including the approval of the DB Supervisory Board and the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport of the Federal Republic of Germany."
Chiltern Railways, part of Arriva, has been struggling in recent years to meet the previous very high service standards it used to give. Their Twitter account reveals no end of operating problems, technical (often signalling), rolling stock and staffing, although the frequent idiots on the line is not their fault. It has the third oldest average age of rolling stock amongst GB train operators, at 28.9 years -
I sense that opening the service to Oxford has really stretched them. In April this year, the operation of Phase 1 of East-West Rail, Oxford to Bletchley/MK, was added to the Chiltern Railways contract. That service is due to open sometime between December 2024 and September 2025, a rather wide timescale. It is extraordinary that a new line will be opened but not electrified. I think I read it will use second hand diesels from West Midlands Railway.
I read on one of the Facebook sites that Frank Adams granddaughter who comes over from London and doesn’t drive won’t be able to get to mid week games.
On the subject of Chiltern Railways, this is possibly a sign of how much the penny-pinching by Arriva has worn down the person who programmes the on-board displays at least.
I would just caution people to be careful about blaming the club for the situation with Arriva as I have spoken to someone who was directly involved with the company on behalf of the club and they paint a very different story to the assumptions being made by some posters.
This isn't a rumour without basis/substance/impact though. The match day bus has been cancelled, no alternative arrangement has been provided, no decent explanation given.
I’m hoping to be able to phone my 90 year old former home game passenger later today to give him good news about the bus situation tomorrow. He lives just above the station, a very short walk to the pick up point.
The cancellation of the service obviously isn’t a rumour but the reasons being posted as to why it was cancelled certainly are. I’ve read that Arriva ‘called the Couhigs bluff’, ‘money hasn’t been paid when it should have done’, ‘not paying suppliers on time is a sign of a business in trouble financially’, and even ‘if anything were to epitomise contempt for both the fan base and the local business community, it could be this.’ If anyone has evidence that these claims are true I would be interested to hear it, otherwise rumours is exactly what they are.
All of those rumours may be far from the truth - we don't know - but when the club just goes 'that's it, no more bus service' without giving any kind of indication as to why, how do you expect people to react?
Agree with you completely, however when the granddaughter of the man who gifted us our previous ground is saying that she won’t be able to attend matches, highlighting the difficulties that fans who travel by train will face, it sort of flags that there’s an issue affecting fans that needs to be sorted out quickly.
The bus company went first to say it was coming to an end, the club put our a statement saying they are still in negotiations and looking at other options.
Fair enough to be upset if it is cancelled or isn't available for a game but that hasn't actually happened yet.
Wycombe Wanderers remain in discussions with alternative transport providers following the conclusion of its partnership with Arriva, and hope to finalise plans in the near future for a new matchday bus service.
In the meantime, supporters are advised to make use of Arriva’s regular number 4 service which departs High Wycombe Bus Station at 10 minutes past each hour (up to 18:10), dropping off at the end of Hillbottom Road at 20 minutes past each hour (up to 18:20).
The number 2 bus runs between High Wycombe Bus Station and the Hour Glass pub, within walking distance of Adams Park, with a service approximately every 15-20 minutes, with the last service for midweek fixtures departing the Hour Glass at 22:13.
Just hope anyone who isn't the sharpest on their feet is relying on that 10.13 service half a mile from the ground if there's any decent injury time added on.
Shambles that the club have to pay anyway. It's PUBLIC transport, they are supposed to be run for the benefit of the public. The early finishing of the buses out of Wycombe no doubt has a negative effect on the environment and local business too.
The last bus back home (Hazlemere) on Saturday was at 21:33, about two hours early IMO
I believe it was Aviva who made the first announcement, not the club. To answer your question: I expected certain people to react just as they did and blame the club, and I expected the majority to act just as they did and not jump to conclusions.
Comments
I think Deutsche Bahn might survive, even if we haven't paid them.
There was always a slight nag that the boasts about all these far flung places we supposedly had loads of views from, were actually the gasroom viewing via VPNs.
Paying suppliers on time according to the agreed terms of business is a first principle of business. Even if it’s in Teng or bit coin.
Not doing so is also an early sign of a business that's in trouble financially.
All is not well with Deutsche Bahn.
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/business/2023/oct/14/its-the-same-daily-misery-germanys-terrible-trains-are-no-joke-for-a-nation-built-on-efficiency
Just announced:
"Deutsche Bahn AG (DB) and I Squared Capital have signed an agreement for the sale of the whole of Arriva Group, including all of its operating businesses across 10 European markets, to I Squared, a leading global infrastructure investment manager. The transaction is expected to complete in 2024, subject to the customary closing conditions, including the approval of the DB Supervisory Board and the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport of the Federal Republic of Germany."
https://news.arriva.co.uk/news/deutsche-bahn-signs-agreement-to-sell-arriva-group-to-i-squared
Chiltern Railways, part of Arriva, has been struggling in recent years to meet the previous very high service standards it used to give. Their Twitter account reveals no end of operating problems, technical (often signalling), rolling stock and staffing, although the frequent idiots on the line is not their fault. It has the third oldest average age of rolling stock amongst GB train operators, at 28.9 years -
https://www.orr.gov.uk/search-news/orr-stats-reveal-oldest-train-fleets-great-britain
I sense that opening the service to Oxford has really stretched them. In April this year, the operation of Phase 1 of East-West Rail, Oxford to Bletchley/MK, was added to the Chiltern Railways contract. That service is due to open sometime between December 2024 and September 2025, a rather wide timescale. It is extraordinary that a new line will be opened but not electrified. I think I read it will use second hand diesels from West Midlands Railway.
Three days to go still no deal
I read on one of the Facebook sites that Frank Adams granddaughter who comes over from London and doesn’t drive won’t be able to get to mid week games.
shambles
I know it's not an ideal situation - and it needs fixing - but the club did post a list of alternative bus routes to use in the meantime.
I'm far more concerned about the possibility that we couldn't afford to pay them.
Am sure there'd be volunteers to pick her up and lift her in for the midweeks from the fan base.
Or just get a taxi with other fans?
On the subject of Chiltern Railways, this is possibly a sign of how much the penny-pinching by Arriva has worn down the person who programmes the on-board displays at least.
https://x.com/RussWWFC/status/1715824222126149896?s=20
I would just caution people to be careful about blaming the club for the situation with Arriva as I have spoken to someone who was directly involved with the company on behalf of the club and they paint a very different story to the assumptions being made by some posters.
Paid and then assurances that any damage that'll be done by away fans would be covered
Makes you worried that they have been given the East-West rail line to manage and maintain
The club could always issue a statement to clarify things if they feel they have done nothing wrong and don't want rumours swirling.
If the club responded to every rumour that swirls around social media there wouldn’t be enough hours in the day!
I heard a scurrilous rumour that there are only 24 of them
This isn't a rumour without basis/substance/impact though. The match day bus has been cancelled, no alternative arrangement has been provided, no decent explanation given.
I’m hoping to be able to phone my 90 year old former home game passenger later today to give him good news about the bus situation tomorrow. He lives just above the station, a very short walk to the pick up point.
The cancellation of the service obviously isn’t a rumour but the reasons being posted as to why it was cancelled certainly are. I’ve read that Arriva ‘called the Couhigs bluff’, ‘money hasn’t been paid when it should have done’, ‘not paying suppliers on time is a sign of a business in trouble financially’, and even ‘if anything were to epitomise contempt for both the fan base and the local business community, it could be this.’ If anyone has evidence that these claims are true I would be interested to hear it, otherwise rumours is exactly what they are.
What's a Georgian billionaire's money for if not to pay for the fan buses?
if he was a proper Georgian, we'd have Sedan Chairs from the station.
Just from the school car park would do for me.
All of those rumours may be far from the truth - we don't know - but when the club just goes 'that's it, no more bus service' without giving any kind of indication as to why, how do you expect people to react?
Agree with you completely, however when the granddaughter of the man who gifted us our previous ground is saying that she won’t be able to attend matches, highlighting the difficulties that fans who travel by train will face, it sort of flags that there’s an issue affecting fans that needs to be sorted out quickly.
That didn't happen though, did it?
The bus company went first to say it was coming to an end, the club put our a statement saying they are still in negotiations and looking at other options.
Fair enough to be upset if it is cancelled or isn't available for a game but that hasn't actually happened yet.
From the Bolton preview:
Bus service
Wycombe Wanderers remain in discussions with alternative transport providers following the conclusion of its partnership with Arriva, and hope to finalise plans in the near future for a new matchday bus service.
In the meantime, supporters are advised to make use of Arriva’s regular number 4 service which departs High Wycombe Bus Station at 10 minutes past each hour (up to 18:10), dropping off at the end of Hillbottom Road at 20 minutes past each hour (up to 18:20).
The number 2 bus runs between High Wycombe Bus Station and the Hour Glass pub, within walking distance of Adams Park, with a service approximately every 15-20 minutes, with the last service for midweek fixtures departing the Hour Glass at 22:13.
Just hope anyone who isn't the sharpest on their feet is relying on that 10.13 service half a mile from the ground if there's any decent injury time added on.
Shambles that the club have to pay anyway. It's PUBLIC transport, they are supposed to be run for the benefit of the public. The early finishing of the buses out of Wycombe no doubt has a negative effect on the environment and local business too.
The last bus back home (Hazlemere) on Saturday was at 21:33, about two hours early IMO
I believe it was Aviva who made the first announcement, not the club. To answer your question: I expected certain people to react just as they did and blame the club, and I expected the majority to act just as they did and not jump to conclusions.