Stagecoach North East

[kuyoyo]

RE: Stagecoach North East

(11/06/2013 06:53)riverside motors Wrote:  

(10/06/2013 18:40)kuyoyo Wrote:  

(10/06/2013 18:11)riverside motors Wrote:  I think the 12 would be a better if it was double decker but the 37/38 would be more likely to get doubles after the 36, however the 38 doesn't particulary get full compared to the 12/36/37, so putting DDA buses on could just lead purchasing new Enviro 300's for the 37/38 (could see them being eletric/gas powered). So this would mean that every area would benefit from new buses, Middlesbrough (Coulby Newham, Hemlington, Acklam etc.) would get the Enviro 400, Billingham West and would also get new Enviro 400's, Park end would get Enviro300/400's, Norton would get new Enviro300's which would just leave out Stockton areas - Enviro200's for 61? In total around 40 buses (24 Enviro 400, 11 Enviro 300, 5 enviro 200)+ 15 current enviro's = 55 + 6 alx300 = 61 of the PVR

Having travelled on the 12, I can safely say it doesn't need double deckers all the time. Most routes have the odd one or two trips that do warrant double deckers but they are mostly trips that pass schools at school finishing timing and also on a morning. In fact, the only routes that warrant full-time decker operation are actually the 36/37/38 (the 38 can get packed if the 36 in-front of it is running late). However, the opposite is true for the 59/61 - the Enviro200s would be too small on the current frequency (as they would also be on the 13) but increasing the frequency wouldn't be justify not just by investment or an increased patronage. The 36/37/38 and 12 are indeed the most likely to get the new stuff but likelihood is it would be deckers on the 36/7/8 and singles on the 12 (and of course, they would likely be Scania chassis Enviros given they aren't likely to spend that much on a depot that could be relocating in the next few years).

At several points during the day nearly all the bus services look very full, so putting only doubles on the services which call Norton (yes the 37 and 38 stop at Park end but routes to M'bro and Stockton are frequent at Park End) wouldn't make the customers happy when an empty double decker goes past and there waiting for a alx300 to Coulby Newham. I wouldn't be suprised if DDA cascades come to town...

As I said, the 36/7 are the only routes that are busy all day. It's pointless getting deckers for the 12 when the only busy trips on there are peak time trips. The simple answer would be to have the school buses operate extra trips at peak times once finished on the Macmillan runs.