(02/07/2016 10:09)Owl Wrote: [ -> ]Stagecoach were approached by MMU to set the service up when they closed their Didsbury campus, and transferred to Birley Fields. They did so because students who had started their courses at Didbury and had accomodation in that area could claim they were disadvantaged by the move.
You are correct to say that loadings are very poor, and it will be interesting to see if the subsidy (and the service) continue in the next academic year, as if my sums are correct, the students who started at Didsbury will have finished this year. There has already been a reduction in the route for this academic year.
You are just correct about the calculation as Birley campus opened (majorly incomplete) September 2014, therefore the people who were inconvenienced by the move would now have finished, or are into the final year. However, those doing a four year course and started in 2013 would still require the bus next year, and due to the shocking cost of Birley Fields accommodation, many 'new' students who started at Birley are moving to areas such as Fallowfield and Rusholme, and will take the 141 if it continues to run.
The cost of a 'house' at Birley Campus is currently £140 ppw (originally £127 when incomplete) and is set to rise. The average cost of a student house in South Mancheser with bills is around £90-100 ppw depending on the number of students involved in the lease.
(02/07/2016 10:28)Dentonian Wrote: [ -> ]I wonder if a pair of AZ examples have transferred there, given their lack of use (off-peak) there. Reports on this thread about regular Enviro400 use on the 183, and my own (albeit very occasional) recent obs of Enviro200s rather than MANs on 345 would suggest this is a likely scenario. Next allocation list is due in a few days so it might reveal the answer.
Talking of which, where are we up to regarding MMCs entering service at AZ? I have 10578-87/90-4 in service, with 10588/9/95/6 prep'd and delivered to AZ. 10597 also arrived at Hyde Road some days ago, but has not been confirmed as reaching AZ yet.
Then there are the ones reported at Hyde Road a fortnight ago. These are now confirmed as part of the second batch for Manchester (early?), but fleet numbers are yet to be confirmed and certainly no suggestion of them being prep'd for service. Maybe they are being stored whilst HE engineering staff concentrate on Magic Bus conversions
Pic on Facebook in the Stagecoach Enthusiasts group of 10612 in service on the 203 yesterday, registered SN16OWP.
HTH
BLOTW show that SN16OWG/H/J, I noted at HE two weeks ago, are now 10606/7/8 respectively.
Apologies for miss reporting these earlier, but I did so in good faith. Sometimes its just best to wait & see!!!
Pete
(03/07/2016 15:47)Dentonian Wrote: [ -> ]There seems to be a lot of confusion over this second batch. I can't divulge full details, but I am assured none of 10598-608 had reached Ashton by yesterday. Indeed, some hadn't even been delivered. As mentioned above 10612 has quickly entered service at HE, and I understand it has been joined by 10611 (SN16 OWO), but these are the only two of the second batch to start earning their keep. SN16 OWK is almost certainly 10609.
I have just seen 10610 on the X57 in Moss Lane Bramhall at about twenty five past six heading towards Manchester.
Magic bus Enviro400 on the 74
(03/07/2016 18:08)Dentonian Wrote: [ -> ]I should have clarified; 10611/2 were the only two in service as of yesterday. I don't suppose you noted the registration of 10610?
Sorry no.I was going the other way. I saw the 16 and my eyes darted quickly up and saw the 10610.
And then it was gone....
OK, so regs of the later MMCs known so far;
10595 SN16 OUL
10596 SN16 OUM
10597 SN16 OUO
10598 SN16 OUX
10599 SN16 OUY
10600 SN16 OUZ
10601 SN16 OWA
10602 SN16 OWB
10603 SN16 OWC
10604 SN16 OWD
10605 SN16 OWF
10606 SN16 OWG
10607 SN16 OWH
10608 SN16 OWJ
10609 SN16 OWK
10610 SN16 OWM
10611 SN16 OWO
10612 SN16 OWP
10613 SN16 OWR
10614 SN16 OWU
10615 SN16 OWV
(02/07/2016 21:50)Raawwwrrr! Wrote: [ -> ]You are just correct about the calculation as Birley campus opened (majorly incomplete) September 2014, therefore the people who were inconvenienced by the move would now have finished, or are into the final year. However, those doing a four year course and started in 2013 would still require the bus next year, and due to the shocking cost of Birley Fields accommodation, many 'new' students who started at Birley are moving to areas such as Fallowfield and Rusholme, and will take the 141 if it continues to run.
The cost of a 'house' at Birley Campus is currently £140 ppw (originally £127 when incomplete) and is set to rise. The average cost of a student house in South Mancheser with bills is around £90-100 ppw depending on the number of students involved in the lease.
Ah, good point about the four year courses, so we might see the service subsidised by MMU for a further year. I wonder if it is economic without the subsidy - the loadings that I have seen would suggest otherwise.
Interestingly Stephen Knight Media reports that 17507 is for disposal, and 17561 is in reserve, The latter might be because the university service is winding down, but the former, and the long term absence of 17522, both 141 branded vehicles might suggest a reduction in service.
Went past the back of Hyde Rd on the train this afternoon. Looked like there were at least 5 or 6 MMC's possibly more outside. Saw 10609 and 10588 in the brief time I was in Piccadilly.