North West Bus Service Changes due to Coronavirus outbreak

[KXW212]

RE: North West Bus Service Changes due to Coronavirus outbreak
CEC contract routes 391/392 (Stockport - Macclesfield) to restart on 22 June 2020, operated by Go Goodwins
https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/pdf/publ...e-2020.pdf

[knutstransport]

RE: North West Bus Service Changes due to Coronavirus outbreak
D&G are instating their 38 journeys from Monday

[knutstransport]

RE: North West Bus Service Changes due to Coronavirus outbreak
D&G are also adding in extra workings on the 8 & 12 routes from a week on Monday.

[knutstransport]

RE: North West Bus Service Changes due to Coronavirus outbreak

(16/06/2020 14:44)KXW212 Wrote:  CEC contract routes 391/392 (Stockport - Macclesfield) to restart on 22 June 2020, operated by Go Goodwins
https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/pdf/publ...e-2020.pdf

Interesting this article implies there wasn't an arrangement in place with another operator for the 391/392 to keep the service running after MCT stopped operations, despite claims that a Centrebus owned operator had been awarded a contract for it and that an operator using a debranded First Bus driver training vehicle (implying Diamond Bus) was seen doing a trial run of the route ahead of starting running a 'partly commercial service':
https://marketingstockport.co.uk/news/bu...ping-hill/

[Mayneway]

RE: North West Bus Service Changes due to Coronavirus outbreak

(18/06/2020 13:40)knutstransport Wrote:  Interesting this article implies there wasn't an arrangement in place with another operator for the 391/392 to keep the service running after MCT stopped operations, despite claims that a Centrebus owned operator had been awarded a contract for it and that an operator using a debranded First Bus driver training vehicle (implying Diamond Bus) was seen doing a trial run of the route ahead of starting running a 'partly commercial service':
https://marketingstockport.co.uk/news/bu...ping-hill/

CEC were made aware of MCTs plan to close at the end of January/beginning Feb well before the pandemic and before anyone knew what effect it would have so do you really believe they had nothing in place.
I’ve heard snippets as to why Diamond are not running it directly but apparently they have a good working relationship with Go Goodwins!

[knutstransport]

RE: North West Bus Service Changes due to Coronavirus outbreak

(18/06/2020 14:22)Mayneway Wrote:  CEC were made aware of MCTs plan to close at the end of January/beginning Feb well before the pandemic and before anyone knew what effect it would have so do you really believe they had nothing in place.
I’ve heard snippets as to why Diamond are not running it directly but apparently they have a good working relationship with Go Goodwins!

The exact wording in the article is "Due to the pandemic, it was not possible for a replacement operator to be found" so that could mean whoever was interested was no longer interested once they realised journeys other than those for shopping, work or medical needs were being banned and that any drivers showing symptoms which could be COVID-19 would be ordered to remain at home. It's worth noting both High Peak and D&G reduced their service levels (both for subsided and commercial services) around a week after Boris Johnson had said "Those who can work from home, should do so" and then a couple of days after he announced lockdown restrictions, they reduced services further.

The article also confirms TSS have been using the Flexibus vehicles to transport key workers during the period while the service hasn't operated.

[M60lad]

RE: North West Bus Service Changes due to Coronavirus outbreak
The interesting thing with 391/392 is what route round Poynton they've been route learned as before 391/392 was withdrawn there was a major road closure round Poynton which meant both routes going on a diversion which meant doing a full loop round Poynton then upto Middlewood and back down to Poynton before heading along A523 to Adlington Station then back on their respective routes onwards towards Pott Shrigley and Macclesfield.

[33109]

RE: North West Bus Service Changes due to Coronavirus outbreak

(19/06/2020 05:47)M60lad Wrote:  The interesting thing with 391/392 is what route round Poynton they've been route learned as before 391/392 was withdrawn there was a major road closure round Poynton which meant both routes going on a diversion which meant doing a full loop round Poynton then upto Middlewood and back down to Poynton before heading along A523 to Adlington Station then back on their respective routes onwards towards Pott Shrigley and Macclesfield.

As far as I know that's still in place, seems the council have got a fairly sizeable job on their hands rebuilding the bridge at higher poynton. Annoyingly until then they've still got to run the massive diversion.

[knutstransport]

RE: North West Bus Service Changes due to Coronavirus outbreak

(18/06/2020 16:26)knutstransport Wrote:  The exact wording in the article is "Due to the pandemic, it was not possible for a replacement operator to be found" so that could mean whoever was interested was no longer interested once they realised journeys other than those for shopping, work or medical needs were being banned and that any drivers showing symptoms which could be COVID-19 would be ordered to remain at home. It's worth noting both High Peak and D&G reduced their service levels (both for subsided and commercial services) around a week after Boris Johnson had said "Those who can work from home, should do so" and then a couple of days after he announced lockdown restrictions, they reduced services further.

The article also confirms TSS have been using the Flexibus vehicles to transport key workers during the period while the service hasn't operated.

The CEC news story says

"The council had hoped to find an alternative provider prior to the withdrawal of the original service but the pandemic intervened and delayed this process."

https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/council_...tated.aspx

[Mayneway]

RE: North West Bus Service Changes due to Coronavirus outbreak

(19/06/2020 10:57)knutstransport Wrote:  The CEC news story says

"The council had hoped to find an alternative provider prior to the withdrawal of the original service but the pandemic intervened and delayed this process."

https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/council_...tated.aspx

I think they were hoping for a miracle. Certainly doesn’t take 2 months to find another operator.