Diamond chief quits role after six months - The Redditch Standard

Diamond chief quits role after six months

Redditch Editorial 23rd Sep, 2016 Updated: 18th Oct, 2016   0

Questions remain over the recent departure of Diamond buses’ fix-it man David Brundrit, who left the company last week only months after he pledged to turn it around.

Mr Brundrit, who replaced Chris Blythe in April, had pledged to shake off Diamond’s less-than-perfect reputation and told the Standard back in June: “We have got a lot of work to do, but I am confident we will get there. I think we can be on level with the best bus providers in the country.”

Mr Brundrit also said he wanted to implement changes to put customers first, including better driver training and striving to provide a regular, reliable bus service, with clean vehicles and smartly dressed, friendly drivers.

The Standard contacted Diamond to find out reasons for Mr Brundrit’s departure but bus bosses declined to comment.




Following Mr Brundrit’s departure, Councillor Joe Baker (Lab, Arrow Valley East) said: “I think it is very sad that Dave has gone because when he first introduced his plans for the company it really seemed like he would be the one to turn the company’s fortunes around.

“Whatever the reasons for his leaving, it is sad because the services really did seem to be making improvements during the time he was there.


“I hope that Diamond can find someone very quickly to step in and reassure bus users that their service will continue to improve.”

The company have had a turbulent past 12 months and in December 2015, Worcestershire County Council stepped in to negotiate an action plan in the wake of a number of reliability concerns with the bus provider, which is contracted to run non-commercial bus routes in the north of Worcestershire.

In January 2016, the company was issued a final warning to improve its services or face losing its licence and these County contracted services are now being closely monitored by the Council and have been improving.

Coun Marcus Hart, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Highways, said: “The County Council conducted a review of the services commissioned to Diamond buses and, following a prolonged period of monitoring, a small number of contracts were withdrawn. Since this time we have seen a decrease in complaints about the services that Diamond continue to provide.”

Redditch bus-users have also experienced significant problems with services throughout the year, most recently with direct concerns about passenger safety being reported to the Standard.

Over the past year, the company has undergone many changes, with new members of staff and new processes being introduced. However, the company declined to discuss its most recent staff shake-up.

The firm is yet to find a replacement, but Mr Brudnrit’s duties are being temporarily covered by other staff members.

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