(31/01/2014 18:26)mr t Wrote: [ -> ]But everyone was pleased with the old way (werent they?) so if it aint broke dont fix it kind of thing. Maybe they need to have 2 style adverts, one online like the new one that links to the timetables, but the weekly paper/Echo/Metro ones definitely need to stick the old format.
I bet it's purely down to cost. Have you seen how much it is to advertise in the papers? Ill bet they cost a few thousand each week to put adverts in all the papers.
And after all, we all moan how much the public sector wastes money, so we can't complain if the reason is cost savings can we.
Here's what's changing between 9 - 15 February 2014:
Planned changes to bus services:
The following new service is introduced from 13 February:
Taxi 1A Liverpool - Liverpool John Lennon Airport run by A and J Taxis
The following service is changing from 10 February:
157 Rainford - Ashton-in-Makerfield Merseytravel Bus Service
Interesting to note 157 now run by ACE Travel.
Do we know who won the 256 contract?
(07/02/2014 12:16)St Helens Rider Wrote: [ -> ]The following service is changing from 10 February:
157 Rainford - Ashton-in-Makerfield Merseytravel Bus Service
Interesting to note 157 now run by ACE Travel.
Good to see Ace back in St Helens and it will be good for the service too. I've not used it whilst Fairbrothers have been running it so can't say anything as to their service levels, but V reg Darts don't really have anything on Ace's much newer Enviro200s. Certainly a massive step up from Warrington Coachways too with their collection of failing Primos, unsuitable Mylleniums, rude drivers and even drivers cutting the route short in order to visit the bookmakers in Rainford village leaving the buses unattended outside.
Its actually nice to see Ace win a contract after they lost some last year, I don't imagine times have been all that easy for them.
I've been doing the 156, 157 and 256 for Fairbrothers these past few weeks. Everybody has told us how happy they have been with the service and many said we have been the best company to date so far and everyone I and other drivers have spoken to stated how disappointed they were that we were unsuccessful in our bid. If we would have won the contracts the company were to lease some new Enviros to put on these runs...
Don't know a great deal about ACE Travel to be fair but I wish them luck as the people in Ashton, Garswood and Rainford are a real credit and iv thoroughly enjoyed my time up there.
Here's what's changing between 16- 22 February 2014:
Planned changes to bus services:
Click on the service number to view details of the changes and the new timetable.
The following services will no longer run from 16 February:
350 Liverpool - Maghull run by Arriva
As a result of this change, Ashworth Hospital is no longer served during Monday to Saturday daytimes. New Route 310 partly covers some of the withdrawn section of route in Maghull.
256 Garswood – Ashton-in-Makerfield Merseytravel Bus Service
Some of this service is replaced by the previously rerouted Route 157.
The following services are changing from 16 February:
38 West Kirby – New Ferry run by Stagecoach
41, 42 Woodchurch – Mill Park run by Stagecoach
52, 52A Liverpool - Netherton run by Arriva
60 Bootle - Aigburth run by Arriva
61 Bootle - Aigburth run by Arriva
156 Garswood – Ashton and Ashton – St Helens Merseytravel Bus Service
141, 142 Woodchurch – Mill Park Merseytravel Bus Service
250 Liverpool - Maghull Merseytravel Bus Service
311 Liverpool - Skelmersdale run by Arriva
345 Liverpool - Waddicar run by Arriva
The following new services are introduced from 16 February:
310 Liverpool - Mahgull - Skelmersdale run by Arriva
X22 Heswall - Neston - Chester run by Stagecoach
according to the website this latest update of service changess didnt have any links to the timetables due to a technical fault