Stagecoach Manchester

[Mayneway]

RE: Stagecoach Manchester and Wigan

(30/01/2016 12:04)mbonwick Wrote:  That would be because Wigan makes good money, while the services operated/profits generated at Middleton fall far short of the level for new stock.
If anything, Wigan was undervalued by First - they were using it as a cash cow with no new vehicles for a good while before it was sold to Stagecoach.

I absolutely understand that and agree but could it not be questioned then why Stagecoach even acquired Bluebird. There was a lot of fuss made when the takeover was first announced and the feeling was that Stagecoach were buying a ticket directly into first territory to take them on when in actual fact it does seem like they have taken a step back. Perhaps with some development and maybe a direct assault on First would make the depot more profitable.

Middleton seems to be the black sheep of the Stagecoach Manchester empire. Older vehicles and drivers paid somewhat less than drivers at all other Manchester depots yet there is a constant shortage of drivers there, with drivers from other depots often having to fill the gap. A mate of mine has just started at Hyde road and been told overtime is often available working out of Middleton but if he agrees to it he will still be on Hyde road hourly rate not Middletons - I'm thinking morale at Midd isn't that good lol.