Its voluntary but if theres not enough drivers then some will just be given a duty who should be working that so then it would be compulsary but it normslly never gets to where drivers get made to work as there is normally always enough volunteers to work as i always work 1 or the other and sometimes both.
Thanks for the explanation , this could be one of the reasons they do not want to improve the frequencies much more as it would have an effect on morale of the workforce , coupled with the effect that the traffic can be bad on Boxing Day more than New Years Day.
(28/12/2012 15:01)wirralbus Wrote: [ -> ]Thanks for the explanation , this could be one of the reasons they do not want to improve the frequencies much more as it would have an effect on morale of the workforce , coupled with the effect that the traffic can be bad on Boxing Day more than New Years Day.
But, when it comes to Bootle and Green Lane, does it not make sense to have Bootle open for their 20-ish double-deckers?
20 extra double deckers would be better than 20 single deckers , can move more people , i do get your point as well 3111.
Is it possible that the union at Bootle have some sort of agreement in place prohibiting the workforce there from working Boxing Day hence the depot remaining shut, as opposed to operating Green Lane's routes alongside its own removing the necessity for Green Lane to open? The fact that Green Lane's drivers are unlikely to be type trained on the deckers would then also provide reasoning as for why the Bootle deckers are not utilised.
I believe the rail unions have that agreement in place (whereby nobody works Boxing Day) which, alongside the fact the Christmas period provides an opportunity for engineering works to take place on a closed network, secures the fate of the rail services at these times.
Back in 2008/9 Bootle actually ran open whilst Green Lane closed, Palatine's and Cadet's were used then on Green Lane's services and as they're not on the books there I'd imagine drivers would of had to be trained then so it could happen now.
Some observations from Wednesday the 26th;
Both 2954 (MX09 JHH) and 2955 (MX09 JHK) two of the lower-emission, hyper-revving SB200/Pulsar2s were seen on the 52A, along with Interurbanised 3029 (MX59 JJV), also on the 52A.
One of GL's first batch of Pulsar1s, 2670 (CX58 EUM) was seen STUFFED FULL on the 53A, and Interurban Pulsar2 3030 (MX59 JJY) was seen later in the day on route 55.
All buses had the usual easy-to-ID "30 PULL-BACK" orange sticker on their rears, proving they were pukka GL stock.
Also, GL's destinations read "52A-Liverpool ONE Bus Station" as opposed to Bootle's usual "52A-Liverpool One" scripting.
Kind of ironic that 3029 and 3030 were let loose, seeing as Bootle already have 3027 and 3028.
Any chance of keeping them?...they'd fit in nicely...
As usual this boxing day there was no bus service yet again between maghull and liverpool and vice versa meaning maghull was effectively cut off with there being no trains do they think the people of maghull dont go out on boxing day? they could at least run one service to maghull like the 210/250/350 or run a short 311 or even extend the 55 to run up there from old roan.
(28/12/2012 16:50)MX12CFE Wrote: [ -> ]As usual this boxing day there was no bus service yet again between maghull and liverpool and vice versa meaning maghull was effectively cut off with there being no trains do they think the people of maghull dont go out on boxing day? they could at least run one service to maghull like the 210/250/350 or run a short 311 or even extend the 55 to run up there from old roan.
Widnes and Runcorn were the exact same, from Hough Green to Murdishaw and everywhere inbetween, no bus service!
(28/12/2012 17:18)Raawwwrrr! Wrote: [ -> ] (28/12/2012 16:50)MX12CFE Wrote: [ -> ]As usual this boxing day there was no bus service yet again between maghull and liverpool and vice versa meaning maghull was effectively cut off with there being no trains do they think the people of maghull dont go out on boxing day? they could at least run one service to maghull like the 210/250/350 or run a short 311 or even extend the 55 to run up there from old roan.
Widnes and Runcorn were the exact same, from Hough Green to Murdishaw and everywhere inbetween, no bus service!
Don't I know it, confined to the house! I think there was 17Bs running, that still cuts off everywhere else that is nowhere near that route.