(15/09/2018 04:32)Metroline1511 Wrote: [ -> ]I am fortunate to have been on an Arriva 82 in January, especially as it was part of a wider Cheshire & Wrexham trip. Furthermore, it was a Sapphire Enviro400.
I doubt that a D&G minibus would have sufficient capacity for the route.
I wouldn't put it past D&G to use a Solo or Streetlite and to not care if it means 10 standing - that's the approach they've taken with their other Wincham routes.
(15/09/2018 08:42)knutstransport Wrote: [ -> ]I wouldn't put it past D&G to use a Solo or Streetlite and to not care if it means 10 standing - that's the approach they've taken with their other Wincham routes.
I may be using D&G from Didsbury to Altrincham in November. I may be wise to go early that Saturday morning in case the bus is too small for regular passenger numbers.
(16/09/2018 12:07)Metroline1511 Wrote: [ -> ]I may be using D&G from Didsbury to Altrincham in November. I may be wise to go early that Saturday morning in case the bus is too small for regular passenger numbers.
It'll probably be OK on a weekday as long as you avoid any services around school starting/finishing time and possibly the first bus after 09:30.
If the 82 is such a busy route, why are they getting rid?
(18/09/2018 11:18)telf23 Wrote: [ -> ]If the 82 is such a busy route, why are they getting rid?
That is a very good point.
The 82 gets busy however its mostly OAP's with Passes and they dont make much money
(18/09/2018 11:18)telf23 Wrote: [ -> ]If the 82 is such a busy route, why are they getting rid?
Perhaps operational inconvenience? Note Arriva got rid of it once before when GHA took it on, only to take it back on (to a reduced frequency) when GHA went out of business.
(18/09/2018 11:30)T42 PVM Wrote: [ -> ]The 82 gets busy however its mostly OAP's with Passes and they dont make much money
Many of the places on the route are served by the Northwich-Chester train, which is much faster, so I guess those with money available use the train. Although, the bus does have the advantage of terminating in the town centre of Northwich and serving Hartford station and a few small villages without a train service.
(18/09/2018 11:18)telf23 Wrote: [ -> ]If the 82 is such a busy route, why are they getting rid?
It costs Arriva too much due to their union agreements. All breaks must be taken at the depot so despite there being time in the timetable at Northwich around 2pm for driver breaks, it isn't classed as a break, it is just layover. This instantly makes it more expensive to operate as you are paying the drivers for the time they are sat around.
Secondly, there are the shuttle cars which don't cost a lot but on a route like the 82 where it is mostly passes, the shuttle cars cost a lot. 20 mins each way to Vicars Cross, there is 40 minutes drivers are being paid and not earning anything. It all adds up doesn't it really.
And finally, there are the placement trips. 06:24 from Chester and 19:20 from Northwich. I can't see many people using these services. Just there for placement reasons to save dead millage. D&G will likely drop these trips due to the depot location. Northwich is the sort of town to not wake up until 9.30 and shuts around 4pm so really, the peak time 82s rely on schools and getting people out of Chester.
3 very good and expensive reasons why the 82 is not good for Arriva Chester. Admittedly sharing with Winsford would mean these issues would also go but then it is down to space, drivers and their wages.
(18/09/2018 11:34)knutstransport Wrote: [ -> ]Many of the places on the route are served by the Northwich-Chester train, which is much faster, so I guess those with money available use the train. Although, the bus does have the advantage of terminating in the town centre of Northwich and serving Hartford station and a few small villages without a train service.
It's not just black & white, because there's a parallel railway line, the train is quicker so not bother putting a route on, there is a couple of large villages that the 82 serves Tarvin & Kelsall some distance from the railway, well beyond walking distance anyway, i think Kelsall will be left without a bus, & Tarvin only the hourly 84, plus the train, although it takes 30 minutes Chester-Northwich compared to 55 minutes on the bus, the train is hourly as well.