Avon operate both the 122, and the 183/184 successfully using 4 buses and plenty of dead mileage
The 1A route is day work and could easily be operated along side the 250,210,130 as that is eveing and weekend work. The 1A was planned before making a decision to return the contracts to Merseytravel to provide more day work and to make the duties more varied. It was a very differcult decision to make and was decussed with Merseytravel to terminate the contract. We gave the correct amount of notice which is i believe twelve weeks and have given 56 notice to VOSA. We will continue to operate this contract as best as we can until Ace Travel take over. We have expressed concerns to Merseytravel regarding the timings of the route at certain times of day and when Everton/Liverpool are playing at home or any other major events. The FOI will confirm that correct notice was given and the reasons why it was given.
This is my last post on this forum as some postings have been placed on here using my account without my knowledge. If anyone has any questions you can always contact myself at the depot.
M Steens
Transport Manager
The 19:36 130 journey from Old Roan didn't run (well, on time) tonight... I got the 55 and had to walk for a longer period of time than I would if my journey would have been made on the 130, and it's freezing out there...!
What people seem to be forgetting with the 130 etc is it has been pointed out these are lucrative contracts to the company. No company would just turn their noses up at big money especially in this climate with out good reason.
Im surprised if they are that lucrative that one of the smaller independents havent decided to commercialise them , then only the journeys that really need the extra support would still be merseytravel's responsibility , over the recent years some routes have seen this happen around the borough.
That is a good point. However I am only going off First Class' post that says these are lucrative contracts.
Double deck's R317 LHK and P426 KSX both on 203's this morning.
IMPERA = JOKE...Treat the passengers with contempt. I hope they run the tendered services in Liverpool until the proposed schedule end and don't give up with two weeks or so to go. IMPERA are beyond rules. They don't apply to them.
Think you need to expand on that mate, I agree with your opinion but if you are to make it public you need to explain your reasons why.
Regarding the 130/210/241/250 contracts, they are lucrative in terms that the subsidy received is fairly hefty, presumably because of the amount of resources that should be allocated to the routes, (and mileage/locations covered as a result).
I find these routes quite bizarre though:
Monday-Friday evenings = Steady, perhaps not profitable for a main operator, but a small independent could probably turn a profit
Saturdays = Profitable towards Liverpool, bit quieter in other directions
Match Days = VERY, profitable!
Sundays/Bank Holidays = Very, very profitable from first bus to around 18:00
I think if the Merseytravel subsidy wasn't as good, these routes would be private. As it is, an operator can probably get the same in secure subsidy, as it would make if they operated privately. Although finance is the same, the risk to the operator is far less if they opt for the subsidised routes.