Big Bus (UK) take over City Explorer

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The Inspector
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Big Bus (UK) take over City Explorer

Post by The Inspector »

Big Bus which was founded in London in 2001 are the new owners of City Explorers Sydney, Brisbane and Darwin operations.
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Ben O
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Re: Big Bus (UK) take over City Explorer

Post by Ben O »

When did takeover occur? And has the accreditation changed on the vehicles?
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Re: Big Bus (UK) take over City Explorer

Post by The Inspector »

In the last few weeks.

No change to the accreditation as yet.
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Linto63
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Re: Big Bus (UK) take over City Explorer

Post by Linto63 »

Big Bus signage began to appear in Sydney about a month ago, City Sightseeing Pty Ltd still appears as the accredited operator.
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Re: Big Bus (UK) take over City Explorer

Post by The Inspector »

Linto63 wrote:Big Bus signage began to appear in Sydney about a month ago, City Sightseeing Pty Ltd still appears as the accredited operator.

I know, l work for them, 1st bus to be done was in 2nd to last week of October while l was away in Canberra
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Re: Big Bus (UK) take over City Explorer

Post by Andy O »

Big Bus itself was only taken over itself last year from the original owners by an investment company.
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Re: Big Bus (UK) take over City Explorer

Post by Swift »

There must be a buck in it. I wonder if they have acquired Citysightseeing operations in other cities around the world?
Curious, are the MCWs still used nowadays or strictly as spares?
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Re: Big Bus (UK) take over City Explorer

Post by burrumbus »

I would suggest that the City Explorer operation in Sydney is very profitable.New investments in the Ankhui double deckers show that.
You only need to check the pax loadings around the city,paticulary on fine days to see the excellent loadings carried.And in spite of Sydney's traffic,my observations show the service is very reliable.Slower timetables on a tourist service sure help !!
I know Big Bus Co have an open topper operation in New York City.I understand at least 3 companies compete there.
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Re: Big Bus (UK) take over City Explorer

Post by Fleet Lists »

Swift wrote:There must be a buck in it. I wonder if they have acquired Citysightseeing operations in other cities around the world?
The Sydney and the other operations taken over by Big Bus had been split from City Sightseeing for some years now.
See http://fleetlists.busaustralia.com/nat.php?info=CSE which is now somewhat out of date.
Original post in this thread refers to them as City Explorers and not City Sightseeing.
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Re: Big Bus (UK) take over City Explorer

Post by Swift »

burrumbus wrote: I know Big Bus Co have an open topper operation in New York City.I understand at least 3 companies compete there.
Cheers.
No wonder these foreigners wanted the Sydney one. No competitors.
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Re: Big Bus (UK) take over City Explorer

Post by burrumbus »

For swift I reckon the answer to your question is yes.
For Fleet Lists,the company name and accreditation of the Sydney operation is City Sightseeing Pty.Ltd.So far a new accreditation hasn't appeared suggesting the owners of Big Bus have purchased the shareholdings in City Sightseeing Pty.Ltd.The interesting thing is the other three City Sightseeing operations in Australia were retained.
For some more info on Big Bus Company check out eng.bigbustours.com/
They operate in 18 different cities on 3 continents.
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Re: Big Bus (UK) take over City Explorer

Post by burrumbus »

Sorry Big Bus Co have indeed purchased the Brisbane and Darwin operations as well.
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Re: Big Bus (UK) take over City Explorer

Post by Fleet Lists »

Sydney has always retained the City Sightseeing accreditation even though over recent years they have not operated under that name as they were officially no longer part of City Sightseeing. Probably it has not been worth changing the accreditation. From a company structure point of view they may have retained the City Sightseeing Pty Ltd name.
The Inspector may be able to clarify this.
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Re: Big Bus (UK) take over City Explorer

Post by burrumbus »

Thanks Lourie.No change in accreditation,or company name has occurred to date.As you say The Inspector will no doubt be able to update us if this happens.
The Brisbane operation runs under the City Sightseeing Pty.Ltd company.The Darwin operation is operated by Darwin Explorer Pty.Ltd.
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Re: Big Bus (UK) take over City Explorer

Post by boronia »

Changing the ownership of a business does not necessarily require a change to that business name.
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Re: Big Bus (UK) take over City Explorer

Post by Andy O »

Its also interesting to note Merlin Entertainment have recently bought a share in big bus. They run various attractions around the world including sealife and madame tassauds. Having recently travelled on the new York operation I can say Big bus were by far the most popular to operate, had a 10 minute wait with constant line of buses when we travelled
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Re: Big Bus (UK) take over City Explorer

Post by OLYMPIAN »

Fleet Lists wrote:
Swift wrote:There must be a buck in it. I wonder if they have acquired Citysightseeing operations in other cities around the world?
The Sydney and the other operations taken over by Big Bus had been split from City Sightseeing for some years now.
See http://fleetlists.busaustralia.com/nat.php?info=CSE which is now somewhat out of date.
Original post in this thread refers to them as City Explorers and not City Sightseeing.
It was a split from Ensignbus and City sightseeing worldwide

CS used to be a joint between Ensignbus and a Spanish consortium
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Re: Big Bus (UK) take over City Explorer

Post by Linto63 »

441 TV.8178 noted today repainted in Big Bus' maroon and cream livery.
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Re: Big Bus (UK) take over City Explorer

Post by The Inspector »

Linto63 wrote:441 TV.8178 noted today repainted in Big Bus' maroon and cream livery.

Today was 441's 4th day on the road in that livery, 446 is the next bus currently being done.
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Re: Big Bus (UK) take over City Explorer

Post by The Inspector »

Tomorrow, Monday the 10th is the last day of the Brisbane Explorer, on Tuesday l will be driving one of the 3 Ankais back to Sydney.

The last 2 MCW Super Metro buses in the Sydney fleet (428 & 429) will depart Sydney tomorrow morning on a 6 day road trip to tbeir new home in Darwin.
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Re: Big Bus (UK) take over City Explorer

Post by Linto63 »

Noticed Mk1 MCW (320) TV.8607 soldering on today in Sydney, possibly living on borrowed time with the 3 Ankais returning from Brisbane.
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Re: Big Bus (UK) take over City Explorer

Post by Bus Suggestions »

I would think that Big Bus has taken over operations in Perth. And I did see the MCW running yesterday (and no Ankais)
I'd post any important, bus-related links I had, but they're outdated anyways.
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Re: Big Bus (UK) take over City Explorer

Post by Swift »

Linto63 wrote:Noticed Mk1 MCW (320) TV.8607 soldering on today in Sydney, possibly living on borrowed time with the 3 Ankais returning from Brisbane.
No farewell tour? These brought much needed personality to Sydney's dull bus scene.
I'm guessing 8607 no longer has the BMAC tail lights.
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