How long is it now since Birkenhead did a full scale route revision , think that with Impera becoming established now is the time that there could be some route casualties like the 411 and use the vehicles to consolidate elsewhere .
(26/07/2013 18:34)wirralbus Wrote: [ -> ]How long is it now since Birkenhead did a full scale route revision , think that with Impera becoming established now is the time that there could be some route casualties like the 411 and use the vehicles to consolidate elsewhere .
Suspect the 418/419 may also face "revision".
The 17 Avon and the 418/419 Arriva could find there way into some form of Bus Partnership in the long term .
Though somewhere along the line the present Saturday 117 will probably have to change into a 17 .
Therefore you then have a co-ordinated service over the core sector .
There are changes to the 410, 437, 464, 432/3 from September, but only times surprisingly, which means the 411 is still being annihilated by Impera
It doers seem as though arriva's 411 is just going through the motions
Arriva are in a difficult position.
They can play the long game, and do nothing, watching to see if Impera eventually vanish or their frequent revisions to services put passengers off, in which case, Arriva have only lost a few quid in the short term. It's a gamble though, because the few quid builds up in the long term. If they concede a route to an independent, it may well give the independent more ambition on other routes, which eventually could lead to a bus war.
If Arriva go all out on bus revisions they may be weary of their revisions causing more passengers to move to other operators, it may also give Stagecoach the perfect opportunity to launch their own attack, citing "improvements on the Wirral across all operators".
I don't think anyone wants to make the first move yet.
Avon, Impera, Arriva & Stagecoach would be one hell of a bus war.
It's going to come down to contracted services IMO.
Anyone know when the 118/119 contract is due for renewal?
If memory serves me right that has just been retained the 118/119 last year.
(26/07/2013 18:42)First Class Wrote: [ -> ] (26/07/2013 18:34)wirralbus Wrote: [ -> ]How long is it now since Birkenhead did a full scale route revision , think that with Impera becoming established now is the time that there could be some route casualties like the 411 and use the vehicles to consolidate elsewhere .
Suspect the 418/419 may also face "revision".
I really hope Arriva use their initiative and make the 418/419 serve New Brighton instead of Birkenhead & Woodside, and let the 492/495 serve Woodside to replace the link. Its so annoying living on the Beechwood and having no Wallasey Link during the day. Even more annoying having 5 buses going to Birkenhead (47, 98, 418/419, 492, 495)
Think when the service was rerouted to Woodside it actually produced a net saving of one vehicle , you get Birkenhead Park - Woodside quicker than you can get Birkenhead Park - Seacombe or New Brighton.
Which route would you take beyond Liscard is another question that would need to be answered , there is a few .
4200, 4201 and 4205 all on the 432/433/437's yesterday.
4515, 4507 and 4520 all on the 410's
4503 made an appearance on the 118 last night.