The Arriva Decker Influx

[Barney]

RE: The Arriva Decker Influx

(11/10/2014 16:32)Dentonian Wrote:  Any particular reason for the increased demand - especially given the Bus Lane suspension, and the collapse of petrol prices? Is the Merseyside economy improving? Is the QBP working well - especially from Arriva's point of view? Is Merseyrail losing out with the various line/station closures?

Not seen any patronage figures this year, but after a few years of stability, bus paronage dropped like a stone in 2012/3, so I'm wondering what the difference is in Merseyside....or is it just Liverpool.

As I said earlier £15 for unlimited travel on Arriva services within Merseyside is great value. As regards the observation that petrol is only 18p per mile, the initial purchase cost of vehicle, the depreciation of said vehicle, insurance of said vehicle, the road tax of said vehicle, servicing, repairs and general maintenance of said vehicle, extortionate parking fees of said vehicle etc etc all add up. Personally, I always use the bus to travel into Liverpool rather than use my own car.

It is no coincidence that Laird Street has had deckers on their cross-river routes for years. Commuters within the Liverpool city region beyond the student corridors of the 82 and 86 have now cottoned on to the advantages of leaving the car at home.