Belle Vue Coaches

[KXW212]

RE: Belle Vue Coaches

(06/06/2024 17:34)knutstransport Wrote:  According to bustimes two brand new MMCs are being used on the 391 today. SK24 CUA and SK24 CTY.

Started Monday - both in plain white

[knutstransport]

RE: Belle Vue Coaches
Does anyone know what Belle Vue plan for the future? I think they're losing their TfGM bus contracts as a result of the Bee Network, while the Cheshire East contracts are due for renewal at the end of the financial year and due to go out for tendering around now.

They could bid to keep the 391/392.
They could throw in the towel with regards to bus services.
They could bid to keep the 391/392 and look at bidding for more Cheshire East routes around the Wilmslow/Macclesfield areas.

[33109]

RE: Belle Vue Coaches

(04/11/2024 19:02)knutstransport Wrote:  Does anyone know what Belle Vue plan for the future? I think they're losing their TfGM bus contracts as a result of the Bee Network, while the Cheshire East contracts are due for renewal at the end of the financial year and due to go out for tendering around now.

They could bid to keep the 391/392.
They could throw in the towel with regards to bus services.
They could bid to keep the 391/392 and look at bidding for more Cheshire East routes around the Wilmslow/Macclesfield areas.

Having spoke to a guy I know who works for belle vue & is responsible for their service work they will be bidding again for the 391/392.

[knutstransport]

RE: Belle Vue Coaches

(06/11/2024 10:12)33109 Wrote:  Having spoke to a guy I know who works for belle vue & is responsible for their service work they will be bidding again for the 391/392.

Some drivers have reportedly told passengers they've won the new 5 year contract - hourly Stockport to Middlewood, with 2 hourly Macclesfield extensions.

I notice Belle Vue have a news story on their website about their future with no longer having the TfGM school services, but gaining additional Flixbus work.

[KXW212]

RE: Belle Vue Coaches
Utterly bizarre that there is to be an additional Stockport - Middlewood service. There was a reason the 191 and P1 came off. Lack of use.
If the shorts are terminating at Green Lane, that could be interesting with parked cars, which persistently block the stop and would prevent safe turning. Welcome to the world of CEC lunacy and waste.

[knutstransport]

RE: Belle Vue Coaches

(21/02/2025 10:59)KXW212 Wrote:  Utterly bizarre that there is to be an additional Stockport - Middlewood service. There was a reason the 191 and P1 came off. Lack of use.
If the shorts are terminating at Green Lane, that could be interesting with parked cars, which persistently block the stop and would prevent safe turning. Welcome to the world of CEC lunacy and waste.

The old timetable, that included a P1, is here: https://assets.ctfassets.net/nv7y93idf4j...042016.pdf

It used to be 2 buses per hour from Poynton to Hazel Grove - one operated by GHA, the other by High Peak, with no interchangeable ticketing. Note the bizarre morning peak arrangement, where southbound P1s departed Hazel Grove at similar times to 392s/393s, to give one service only a few minutes after the previous, then a gap of around an hour!

Now it's 2 hourly under one operator. A consistent hourly under one operator is perhaps middle ground. Although, I don't know enough about the current demand and unfulfilled demand to comment on the best compromise.

[knutstransport]

RE: Belle Vue Coaches
Belle Vue's new timetable is now on bus times
https://bustimes.org/services/391-stockp...2025-03-31

They also have a new 891 Poynton High School service
https://bustimes.org/services/891-stockp...igh-school

No other services, so presumably they've not won anything else.

Edit: On checking Belle Vue had the 891 under a TfGM contract last year. It transferred to Bee Network (Metroline), and is now returning to Belle Vue. The vehicle which runs the Stockport to Middlewood shorts looks like it'll also run the 891.

[KXW212]

RE: Belle Vue Coaches

(27/02/2025 18:41)knutstransport Wrote:  Belle Vue's new timetable is now on bus times
https://bustimes.org/services/391-stockp...2025-03-31

They also have a new 891 Poynton High School service
https://bustimes.org/services/891-stockp...igh-school

No other services, so presumably they've not won anything else.

Edit: On checking Belle Vue had the 891 under a TfGM contract last year. It transferred to Bee Network (Metroline), and is now returning to Belle Vue. The vehicle which runs the Stockport to Middlewood shorts looks like it'll also run the 891.

No doubt Metroline shedding even more schools in an attempt to ease the staff shortage. Four workings already transferred to Stagecoach Manchester (Stockport). Also note that the 393 is withdrawn, those 'positioning' journeys now run as 391s.