LCR Franchise Route Options

[iMarkeh]

RE: LCR Franchise Route Options

(25/02/2020 09:17)Gateacre Wrote:  Why not keep and strengthen the Bus Alliance? It has worked to increase patronage on the main corridors

Progressively extend Partnership Routes, possibly with more recognition of the smaller operators contribution to the network, including feeding to main routes.
This would keep Bus Company goodwill and importantly not end up with a system that has risks for the Ratepayers (subsidy) and political interference!

London franchise system is often quoted - their passengers have been dropping recently and I believe there is a very big subsidy involved.

The bus alliance doesn't score as many political points I think is the main reason.

Everyone looks at the London system as perfect because that is what it looks like on the surface but then when you get into it and you see that now more than ever they are forcing everyone to change buses (Which discourages usage), cutting back frequencies on what were some of the most used routes (25) and the fact a good chunk of the bus network is subsidised by the tube fares and other grants/income streams.

Don't get me wrong, TFL waste a lot of money. The cable cars I think cost hundreds of pounds per week to the taxpayer. the NB4L which then cost thousands to retrofit opening windows. You also have teams of people who don't trust bus drivers to know where they are going so instead put diversion signs up on sign posts.
The money TFL could save though, I still think the bus network would be in losses.