Oakwood Travel (Classic Bus North West)

[R557 ABA]

RE: Classic Bus North West

(27/09/2013 17:40)robertclark125 Wrote:  Although their website makes comparison with train times and fares, it's worth looking at the equivelant services provided by National Express. I decided to test this out, by putting into the national express website, that I wanted to leave Blackpool on 4th october (the day Red Rocket launches), at roughly 10:00, and return 18:00. Nat ex fares differ at various times of the day, but, the 10:00 328 working calls at Preston, and Bolton, before reaching manchester 1 hour 50 minutes later. The return leg leaves Manchester at 18:15, and reaches Blackpool at 19:55, taking 1 hour 40 minutes. Same calling points apply.

The combined fare was either a combi funfare at £12.30, or a standard return at £13.00

The 10:30 redrocket has no specific arrival time in Manchester, but as they reckon the journey time is 90 minutes at the longest, we'll accept it will be that. The return leg leaves Manchester 18:00, and both call at the Trafford Centre, before reaching Blackpool 90 minutes later. So, the whole round trip is 180 minutes long, compared to 2 hours 30 minutes (210 minutes) on National Express, and the return fare is also £2 cheaper.

Red Rocket perhaps don't realise it, but they may end up targeting National Express as well as the trains.

I've done a similar comparison on my blog too, looking at National Express and Northern Rail/TransPennine Express, the service however will be operated by two Mercedes Benz O530G's registered BD52 LNF and BD52 LNU.

Blog post: http://www.thenorthwestbusblog.co.uk/201...press.html