Operator Competition in the North West

[126th street]

RE: Stagecoach Chester & Wirral

(25/05/2014 11:02)Raawwwrrr! Wrote:  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.

But is it surprising that Stagecoach Manchester responded robustly to an incursion on to the 192? It's clearly a good paying route and it's natural that they would strike back. UK North provided nothing whatsoever that Stagecoach didn't already, and their stupidly low fares have contributed to the instability seen in the South Manchester bus market until recently. And that came from Peter Shipp, someone who knows about these things.

UK North instigated the battle on the 192s and they got what anyone with a modicum of knowledge about running buses could see was coming. As has been said by Dentionian. the end fo UKN came when one of their drivers who could speak either no or very little English killed a bloke who happened to be working in a cherry picker.

Two of its directors then spending time in one of the government's hotels tells its own story. As with one or two others who have gone over the past few years, the bus industry is well rid of UK North.

I agree with your point regarding Cumfybus, however.