Forum | Merseyside Dennis Dart Website

Received my application form today so will fill it in and get it sent off....

The management at Arriva Birkenhead arnt happy with Impera, Of course arrivas drivers love the 30 and let it run in front, but i think impera may have made the right decision to axe the 30!

It really shouldn't be that independents are forced into withdrawing routes/stopped from even trying them because of the threat of bosses at the big companies who don't like the idea and have the monopoly and man power to just make the independent go... poof. It just leaves you thinking, how is anyone meant to get anywhere in the industry when that kind of practice is common place? Also leaves me personally wishing that there was some sort of legislation in place to protect the independents in these situations but alas.... Increased competition following deregulation? Pfff, yeah, right!

What seems to happen these days is as along as they operate all the Merseytravel work the big groups wont touch them its only if they start tinkering with there profitable routes that the big boys bite and sometimes bite hard and quick.

Well it stinks! Big National Companies using their size 12 boots to walk all over a new small independent makes my blood boil. I feel like boycotting Arriva. Merseytravel have a lot to answer for. The only buses that go through the tunnell during the day are First or Arriva. No small independents, offer a service! I wonder why?

If everyone did a First no one would have a bus after 6 / 7 pm. As for a QBP dont make me laugh. RF have not had a decent bus in years. Impera had better buses to start off with, and no where near the same resources. God help the West Coast Main Line. May be they will use class 142's all the way to London, in a similar fashion to the god awful vehicles at RF. Ok yes they have had 54 plate VDL's second hand cast off's from Leeds. The point is I would sooner a local company do well. Its in our own best interests.

Laird Street as MTL was different to Arriva. If we all agree that D-Reg is not working why dont merseytravel re regulate.

Merseytravel couldn't run a bath so god help the bus users of Merseyside if it were ever re-regulated with those in charge.

(15/08/2012 22:12)CX06 EBK Wrote: [ -> ]Merseytravel couldn't run a bath so god help the bus users of Merseyside if it were ever re-regulated with those in charge.

Well, quite. It's just ridiculous that Merseytravel doesn't take the attitude of some of the other PTEs. For example look at Chester and how stringently the QBPs are run there. Then, look at Merseyside where QBP breaches are the order of the day with T reg Darts and marginally younger vehicles galore. As has been said, even those 54 reg deckers at Rock Ferry are actually non-compliant.

In a situation whereby a competent PTE is in chage, I genuinely do think that re-regulation would benefit the passenger immensely.

The real laughing point though is that the QBPs are supposedly for the benefit of the passenger.

(15/08/2012 22:38)CX54 DKD Wrote: [ -> ]

(15/08/2012 22:12)CX06 EBK Wrote: [ -> ]Merseytravel couldn't run a bath so god help the bus users of Merseyside if it were ever re-regulated with those in charge.

Well, quite. It's just ridiculous that Merseytravel doesn't take the attitude of some of the other PTEs. For example look at Chester and how stringently the QBPs are run there. Then, look at Merseyside where QBP breaches are the order of the day with T reg Darts and marginally younger vehicles galore. As has been said, even those 54 reg deckers at Rock Ferry are actually non-compliant.

In a situation whereby a competent PTE is in chage, I genuinely do think that re-regulation would benefit the passenger immensely.

The real laughing point though is that the QBPs are supposedly for the benefit of the passenger.

What competent PTE? Only one I can think of that is competent is Travel South Yorkshire. Metro just ignore everything that's advised by the bus companies and other groups and plow on with whatever they have planned. Nexus, like Merseytravel, is another one who couldn't be trusted to run a bath, I mean they can't last 5 minutes without deciding to change a route they've just changed (case and point, Whitley Bay Towns, changed at least 5 times in the last 2 years or so). TfGM I can't comment on.

Not just Chester Merseytravel need to look at to see how QBPs should be run, there's also the excellent example in Oxford as well.

I wasn't specifying a PTE in particular, it was more a sweeping reference. Judging by their running of their QBPs though, Chester seem fairly competent to me.

With regards using Chester as an example, it's nearby. It is literally over the border which makes it even more appalling that Merseytravel can't take note of what they're doing and make some attempt to replicate that here on Merseyside.

(15/08/2012 22:38)CX54 DKD Wrote: [ -> ]

(15/08/2012 22:12)CX06 EBK Wrote: [ -> ]Merseytravel couldn't run a bath so god help the bus users of Merseyside if it were ever re-regulated with those in charge.

Well, quite. It's just ridiculous that Merseytravel doesn't take the attitude of some of the other PTEs. For example look at Chester and how stringently the QBPs are run there. Then, look at Merseyside where QBP breaches are the order of the day with T reg Darts and marginally younger vehicles galore. As has been said, even those 54 reg deckers at Rock Ferry are actually non-compliant.

In a situation whereby a competent PTE is in chage, I genuinely do think that re-regulation would benefit the passenger immensely.

The real laughing point though is that the QBPs are supposedly for the benefit of the passenger.

I couldn't agree more. Not sure we should dwell on this in the Impera thread but I think quality partnerships are going to kill little operators like Impera. Quality contracts could see them win contracts like the 432 rather than running in fear from it, contracts would give the PTE more power and introduce real competition.