The X2 is the most direct route between Chester and Ellesmere Port , X8 comes out of Chester a completely different route and then operates via the retail mecca of Cheshire Oaks.
I seriously think the writing is on the wall for the none stagecoach journeys on the service 2 , but what maybe holding back Stagecoach is do they have enough Gold vehicles to cover the journeys that Arriva operate alongside the ones they presently use on the 2.
From the response I got from stagecoach they don't think they can replace arriva's part, not sure whether that is because of vehicle shortage or something written in to the partnership,
(24/03/2016 08:20)Turbostar Wrote: [ -> ]For Arriva to operate their current journeys on the X2 from Laird Street would incur more dead mileage than the current arrangement, so I can't see that happening realistically.
Given that Stagecoach drivers reckon that the X2 is quite a money-spinner, I wouldn't be surprised if the Arriva diagrams are taken up by an extra roster from Stagecoach Chester. It only needs 1 vehicle & would be more cost efficient for Stagecoach to run than Arriva.
Can't see it being cut to hourly - especially if it does make money.
I do wonder whether there might be an alteration upcoming that we haven't seen to reroute the service 1 or 2 off its present route between Chester and Ellesmere Port if the X2 gets dropped in its entirety.
(24/03/2016 16:34)chester285 Wrote: [ -> ]From the response I got from stagecoach they don't think they can replace arriva's part, not sure whether that is because of vehicle shortage or something written in to the partnership,
I can't imagine it would be down to lack of vehicles, but there could indeed be a clause in the QBP that prevents a direct replacement.
One suggestion:knock the X8 to hourly & extend the remaining X2 stagecoach diagrams to Liverpool.
Stagecoach Chester are still going to continue the X2 there's not plans to drop it!, I very much doubt that the 1 or 2 will be re-routed
(24/03/2016 17:40)wirralbus Wrote: [ -> ]I do wonder whether there might be an alteration upcoming that we haven't seen to reroute the service 1 or 2 off its present route between Chester and Ellesmere Port if the X2 gets dropped in its entirety.
Solos 47513 and 47516 have been re-registered TSV 779 (formerly allocated to 17176) and TSU 641 (formerly allocated to 17325) respectively
I think the main reason they wont replace Arrivas service is due to the fact the route doesnt bring in enough revenue to do that. The majority of users are pass holders. You get your normal Monday morning madness with the megariders, then after that, hardly any cash took.
(25/03/2016 02:00)PO59 MXJ Wrote: [ -> ]I think the main reason they wont replace Arrivas service is due to the fact the route doesnt bring in enough revenue to do that. The majority of users are pass holders. You get your normal Monday morning madness with the megariders, then after that, hardly any cash took.
I don't know the ins and outs of the situation with the X2, but just to mention that revenue from megariders is still revenue, so it should be chased after in just the same way that revenue from normal tickets is.
A greater level of service might bring in more revenue from more people buying megariders and/or normal tickets alike.
A service every hour on that service might be a turn off for some passengers who want that slightly faster run into Chester but find the service 2 loop via Hope Farm and associated roads to hard to bare .
The problem being should the service be reduced to once an hour, it gives the like of another operator which has recently been blasted for predatory competition the opportunity to come in a poach customers, but registering the route and offering a more frequent service!
(28/03/2016 17:47)wirralbus Wrote: [ -> ]A service every hour on that service might be a turn off for some passengers who want that slightly faster run into Chester but find the service 2 loop via Hope Farm and associated roads to hard to bare .