Operator Competition in the North West

[Raawwwrrr!]

RE: Stagecoach Chester & Wirral

(25/05/2014 10:29)126th street Wrote:  Possibly, but to be frank Avon, like several other operators on Merseyside, would not be missed. They're hardly shining examples of how to run buses.
Rather a bold assertion, that.


Stagecoach had nothing to do with the demise of UK North. UK North's failure to comprehend that they needed to at least try to operate within the rules caused their demise, and everyone who shared the roads with their badly-driven, barely-maintained heaps of proverbial should be very glad they are gone.

I'd disagree with the Avon being "a bad operator", bar the recent additions the newer fleet has been quite smart and well looked after, if the MCV's weren't on a rent-to-buy agreement then there possibly might have been more money over the course of the year to maintain the fleet better.
To be fair I'd say that HTL were worse, they basically 'invested' in new buses that where up to 18 seats less than the previous versions they replaced, and although most of them are the perfect size for some routes, services such as the Garston circulars and 159 received buses too small for purpose (bar the two larger solos). Cumfybus have fell down a steep hill over the past few years also with most buses being a mis-match of panels, windows, moquette, in some cases seating, and in others running buses with no openable windows in the middle of summer.

Stagecoach Manchester did have a small involvement with the demise of UK North.
Stagecoach and UK North basically fought to death over the 192 route. At one point both operators completely brought Piccadilly to a standstill by clogging up the bus stands forcing TfGM to get involved, giving fines to both operators and bringing in new legislation as regards to who can stop where and for how long. Stagecoach also increased frequencies and converted the 192 to Magic Bus, and shortly after UK North was out of the picture, the service got 'converted' to standard operation, and the fares went up as a result.