I suppose someone may accuse me of being anti-disabled (I' m not), but overcrowding was an almost inevitable consequence of Governments requiring all buses to become low floor. Before DDA, we had (for example) Leyland National & Bristol RE single deckers with up to 53 seats. These have been replaced by more complex, more expensive buses, rarely having more than about 45 seats, and often only around 35 to 40 seats. In my opinion, it would have been cheaper to provide free, on-demand transport for every wheelchair user than to insist that every bus became low floor. But no, the vast majority of the travelling have to suffer just so that wheelchairs can access any bus, even though only a tiny proportion of bus journeys ever carry a wheelchair user.
(26/10/2012 19:46)Bevan Price Wrote: [ -> ]I suppose someone may accuse me of being anti-disabled (I' m not), but overcrowding was an almost inevitable consequence of Governments requiring all buses to become low floor. Before DDA, we had (for example) Leyland National & Bristol RE single deckers with up to 53 seats. These have been replaced by more complex, more expensive buses, rarely having more than about 45 seats, and often only around 35 to 40 seats. In my opinion, it would have been cheaper to provide free, on-demand transport for every wheelchair user than to insist that every bus became low floor. But no, the vast majority of the travelling have to suffer just so that wheelchairs can access any bus, even though only a tiny proportion of bus journeys ever carry a wheelchair user.
Fair point about the buses now having less seats due to the wheelchair space but to be fair it gives people in wheelchairs more freedom to get out rather than calling dial-a-ride and having to hope that something was available. The leyland nationals had 49 seats and 24 standing and coped with a big load. Not sure its really fair to blame over-crowding solely on the wheelchair issue though.
(26/10/2012 17:28)Southernsofty Wrote: [ -> ] (26/10/2012 10:54)ste Wrote: [ -> ]Stagecoach acknowledge that there is a bunching problem on the 20/21 and at the moment it is virtually run by entirely new vehicles with a mix of 59-12 plates on there. SO if Stagecoach need to replace vehicles would it not be a business idea to remove a 20/21 from the timetable, increase capacity by making the route completely double deck and then sending the enviros to replace the outgoing buses in the depot. Now I don't know figures but as a group surely that would then allow the Darts from Preston to go else where meaning another depot doesn't need to lay out cash, Gillmoss will not need to replace Darts in the future reducing costs, and by taking two buses out the timetable that would surely help to offset some of the extra cost a double decker costs compared to the new singles they keep buying. I can understand costs being an issue but at the same time the 20/21 at times are turning passengers down thus turning money down. If you are a paying passenger in Walton going to town and get refused by the 21 with the 345 behind then thats money gone to Arriva, think about how much that could happen x by 300 odd days of operation over say 5 years and the extra costs for deckers wont seem as much. As it is going I can see the County Road corridor becoming a QBP of sort as the 5 minute frequency isn't working and unless you reduce that bunching is inevitable, only the other day on County Road I seen 5 20/21 in a row, the first one separated by what looked to be an Arriva 345.
Arriva tried singles with the 79 and refused til they were blue in the face to put deckers on the route, but in the end seen sense and put them on, brand new at that - with competition along the whole of the route. Surely a better service will result in more passengers which results in better turn overs.
Don't suppose there's an outside chance that any Enviro 300s from the current order could be heading to Merseyside?
Just found out my speculation is misplaced, 11 Enviro 300 due at Cambridge.
Sorry but I am going to be the one calling you anti disabled. That is a ludicrous claim. Why should the disabled people not be allowed the freedom everyone else is? Yes it creates less seats, yes buses become more expensive but its not as if these companies make small profits! What next people of a different colour skin on the same bus leading to overcrowding? We are in 2012 and low floor buses have been round for well over a decade, also Titans had the middle door in them, just like a wheelchair spec. Also if a wheelchair is not there people can actually stand in that space.
Nice to see the late 500s (or 50 if you believe the rear destination) carrying around lots of fresh air. Those journeys were really needed, nice to see the Dart SLFs be too big for a route for once.
Proves Arriva were right the withdraw the evening journeys although it's not as if there aren't any other alternatives - yet another waste of contract money as per the 501.
i did the 500 last year for the last few runs and i think we took about 20 people from 7Pm till 1am
I do wonder how long the Merseytravel 500 will operate for .
The problem with having a stand alone journey is that people will not realise the service is running.
Mind you Stagecoach getting money for old rope for the service , is the inward service an 82 or 86 to LSP , then empty to Liverpool airport.
Solo on the 82 This morning , couldn't iD it However
(29/10/2012 09:15)Neoplan N4009 Wrote: [ -> ]Solo on the 82 This morning , couldn't iD it However
Possibly rostered for the 500 later - just a thought!