Stagecoach Manchester

[Solo40336]

RE: Stagecoach Manchester and Wigan
Whoever thinks Moston Lane doesn't fill the single Deckers clearly doesn't use the route often. Regularly I have to stand on the route, Monday to Sunday, morning to night, it may not fill a decker often but that's how it should be, it's not all about the cost of new buses but the future effect, maintanance on the current E2/400 fleet is quite expensive, the cost of the new buses + vandalism, servicing etc with any big jobs under warranty, saves money in the long time.

As for the Gilmoss MMC' only being rumoured for Middleton, they were due for Middleton but we're diverted as the garage was still being upgraded and engineering staff hadn't been through the training courses. Something all completed now

[ant17612]

RE: Stagecoach Manchester and Wigan

(31/01/2017 18:01)Solo40336 Wrote:  Whoever thinks Moston Lane doesn't fill the single Deckers clearly doesn't use the route often. Regularly I have to stand on the route, Monday to Sunday, morning to night, it may not fill a decker often but that's how it should be, it's not all about the cost of new buses but the future effect, maintanance on the current E2/400 fleet is quite expensive, the cost of the new buses + vandalism, servicing etc with any big jobs under warranty, saves money in the long time.

As for the Gillmoss MMC' only being rumoured for Middleton, they were due for Middleton but we're diverted as the garage was still being upgraded and engineering staff hadn't been through the training courses. Something all completed now

I think I'll believe It when it happens. I don't suppose you know the tit that said Middleton were taking on the 17 evenings? Despite it being a fully commercial service.

[Solo40336]

RE: Stagecoach Manchester and Wigan
There's rumours going around First and Stagecoach about the 17s, it's plausible, if First were showing interest it cutting/removing the 17 evening services (as there cutting everything they can at the minute) I'm sure TfGM would step in to provide an alternative... But not heard anything official

[Quackdave]

RE: Stagecoach Manchester and Wigan

(31/01/2017 11:44)Mayneway Wrote:  Read his post again. 'Services are poor and don't warrant NEW buses'. No mention of deckers it's the suggestion that Middleton don't warrant new buses.

I am not convinced by this concept of "services warranting new buses". Fleets, as a whole, warrant new buses, as a function of old ones needing to be replaced. Services warrant vehicles of a certain size or capacity, rather than age.

OK, I accept that in some areas, the potential for newer, better, or greener buses to attract and retain customers may be somewhat higher than in others; but in general, I suspect the proportion of passengers for whom vehicle age is a significant factor in choosing to travel by bus is quite small.

(31/01/2017 16:47)ant17612 Wrote:  Not only that but the vast amount of scroats in North Manchester will see these get wrecked. Fag burns, permanent markers etc. Some of Ashton's 30 have been trashed already and these will probably stay intact for a month at best.

Vandalism is a problem regardless of the age of vehicles. Unless a bus is so old that it's going for scrap tomorrow, significant damage needs to be repaired, regardless of the age of the bus. If anything, new buses could have the effect of temporarily reducing the problem; it seems to be a recognised phenomenon that things that are already somewhat shabby and dilapidated are more prone to vandalism than things that are in good condition. In any case, no area of Greater Manchester (or I suspect any other city) is completely immune to vandalism, and keeping new buses away from the rougher areas is at best postponing the inevitable for a short while.

(31/01/2017 16:47)ant17612 Wrote:  On another note their has been no confirmation by Stagecoach themselves so It's pretty much wibble, especially when people thought the Gillmoss extra's were going there!

Well, let's wait and see!

[WhiteVanMan]

RE: Stagecoach Manchester and Wigan

(31/01/2017 20:37)Dentonian Wrote:  These "rumours" could open up a can of worms. For instance the Traffic Commissioner might want to know why Stagecoach seemingly know what First are planning, many weeks before changes are registered.

Don't forget that the new manager at First, as come from Stagecoach.

[Mayneway]

RE: Stagecoach Manchester and Wigan

(31/01/2017 18:01)Solo40336 Wrote:  Whoever thinks Moston Lane doesn't fill the single Deckers clearly doesn't use the route often. Regularly I have to stand on the route, Monday to Sunday, morning to night, it may not fill a decker often but that's how it should be, it's not all about the cost of new buses but the future effect, maintanance on the current E2/400 fleet is quite expensive, the cost of the new buses + vandalism, servicing etc with any big jobs under warranty, saves money in the long time.

As for the Gillmoss MMC' only being rumoured for Middleton, they were due for Middleton but we're diverted as the garage was still being upgraded and engineering staff hadn't been through the training courses. Something all completed now

Typical enthusiast approach. Stand on a certain section of the route or travel on a couple of houneys and assume because only half the bus is full that the service as a whole dosen't do well. I've seen Middleton services come into town pretty full and leave pretty full.

You make a good point regarding the future. This daft rumour that first are giving up the evening 17. Has anybody thought that perhaps just possibly Stagecoah may intend to run on the 17 commercially? Personally I think magics would do well but it's a possibility. Another is that with the constant swapping of services between depots lately maybe Middleton are gaining a service from another depot.

[Mayneway]

RE: Stagecoach Manchester and Wigan

(31/01/2017 16:47)ant17612 Wrote:  Not only that but the vast amount of scroats in North Manchester will see these get wrecked. Fag burns, permanent markers etc. Some of Ashton's 30 have been trashed already and these will probably stay intact for a month at best.

On another note their has been no confirmation by Stagecoach themselves so It's pretty much wibble, especially when people thought the Gillmoss extra's were going there!

There's 'scroats' everywhere though. Buses get vandalised at Ashton, Stockport and everywhere else. Have you ever travelled on the 201 through Gorton. It's full of odd balls and scroats yet what's the main type is bus used on the 201..... Brand new MMCs

[acocker96]

RE: Stagecoach Manchester and Wigan

(01/02/2017 00:03)Mayneway Wrote:  There's 'scroats' everywhere though. Buses get vandalised at Ashton, Stockport and everywhere else. Have you ever travelled on the 201 through Gorton. It's full of odd balls and scroats yet what's the main type is bus used on the 201..... Brand new MMCs

76 has its fair share of oddballs and scroats too but 10043-10051 are still in fairly decent shape inside for 5 year old buses.

[Nicholas]

RE: Stagecoach Manchester and Wigan

(31/01/2017 16:47)djb Wrote:  Having said that, there is a lot of abstraction potential from first in the area. Stagecoach seem to be carrying less passengers than jpt/bluebird did, so you can only assume first have taken some away.?

Not unless Stagecoach has lost over 40% market share in 2 1/2 years, despite having cheaper day and weekly tickets? Before Stagecoach took over JPT, market share was about 70% to First. Just before I left Stagecoach, that share had swung the other way.

Off peak services always carry fewer passengers, but peak journeys could easily fill a double decker.

[ant17612]

RE: Stagecoach Manchester and Wigan
Yet still Middleton has coped with everyone's cast offs and ex Bluebird & JPT Junk since takeover, why now decide to bring in new buses? Why not set the example from the start? I am aware of the situation with the depot yard being a state but planning on moving the older buses back across to depots they came from (59 plate Enviro200s basically) just seems ridiculous.

38 seater Enviro200s struggle on the 11/11A routes as well as other ST routes as it is and I would really hate them to see off the better capacity MAN's which are only 3 or 4 years older and have plenty of life left in them. Maybe converting every route (other than circulars) to double deck is the way forward?