(17/11/2015 23:25)copey Wrote:  Changes to 84 service from 27th December 2015. Chester service is to go hourly with 3 shorts running to provide 15 minute headway between Crewe and Nantwich. This is due to the apparent need to cut costs on the service to turn a profit. The management have determined that the main source of revenue is between Crewe and Nantwich. Three DAF DB300 Geminis are to be provided for the service which I believe are coming from Speke and three Pulsars for the shorts. These buses are to be put through polish and promote before arrival.
D&G Have also registered a Nantwich short 84 running in the offpeak Mon to Fridays so I think the corridor might be slightly over bussed. This takes effect from 30th Nov 2015.
Also the Crewe local number 8 is being de registered. Apparently D&G have registered the service along with Routemaster Buses, so another case of over bussing on a route that Arriva can't make profitable.
On a different subject, Macclesfield are having to operate the 38 Crewe - Macclesfield Sapphire with only two out of three Geminis due to 4490 being sent away for engine repairs. Centro 2612 is presently on loan from Winsford to substitute.

(18/11/2015 05:33)Valandil Wrote:  That does sound bizarre to me.
A long-distance, rural run which requires deckers due to patronage is surely a rare opportunity to hold on to.
I remember being amazed at how many people use the 84, given the type of areas it goes through.

In my opinion, a competitor would do well to register longs instead of further shorts.

(18/11/2015 10:11)copey Wrote:  I think that the reduction in Concessionary payments to Arriva has a lot to do with the decision.
The route carries a lot of passengers but revenue is too low. The concessionary payments received are now only 56 pence per passenger.
I really do hope that the decision is reversed as I also think that the route has a potential to grow and the services operating from Winsford Depot are rapidly shrinking.

(18/11/2015 14:55)Valandil Wrote:  56p for a journey from Crewe to Chester ... if only we could all pay that!

(18/11/2015 16:42)dennis-loline Wrote:  The local independents will think xmas has come early.

(19/11/2015 11:06)T42 PVM Wrote:  And it looks like it has for Route Master Buses as according to the Cheshire West Facebook Page they are going onto the longs as well, Thats more competition for Arriva on there!

http://cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/transport_and_roads/public_transport/bus_timetables,_route_maps_and/bus_service_timetables/bus_service_changes/upcoming_bus_service_changes.aspx

(19/11/2015 17:39)SNL 824 Wrote:  I assume they will be acquiring modern service vehicles for this and not using their RMs!