New Buses Orders

[wirralbus]

RE: New Buses Orders

(16/03/2013 21:32)First Class Wrote:  I wonder what % of Merseytravel/DfT revenue and funding each mode of transport receives, and how this looks in comparison with other cities.

I suspect rail services in Merseyside receive the highest amount of subsidy within England (excl. London), leaving the bus as a secondary mode of transport.

Most other cities it is the other way round, buses are primary, trains are secondary.

If non-subsidised "for profit" bus companies are expected to compete against a popular but highly/ entirely subsidised rail network, then the profit margins for the bus companies probably aren't going to be as good as in other places where bigger buses exist.

I also think the Saveaway is probably too cheap. The All Zone Saveaway, for example, sees 67% (last time I recall anyway) of revenue going to the rail operators, 5% to the ferries, 1% as administration costs. Buses then only get 27%, which, from £4.80 is only £1.20 per passenger.

Split that £1.20 between each of the bus companies, (how many of them operate within the All Zones area?!), and you are left with minimal pence per passenger. There is no incentive to provide bigger buses, as they are still going to get the (small) Saveaway and PTE tickets payout regardless.

The Manchester "System One" ticket allows Buses, Trains, Trams for £8.30 a day (after 09:30).
London Zone 1-6 Travelcard is £8.90 (after 09:30)
West Yorks Train & Bus DayRover is £7.50
South Yorks TravelMaster Day is £7.55

So, in comparison, the Saveaway product (and the TRIO/SOLO etc) are seemingly priced well under what it should be, and possibly to the detriment of services in Merseyside.

A £7/£8 All Zone Saveaway would still be excellent value.

One main problem each operator would then find that there own company product is then priced too cheaply as well and you have a fares spiral then .