Avon Buses

[Barney]

RE: Avon Buses

(20/05/2014 08:58)MPTE1955 Wrote:  I thought that the 122 was a merseytravel contract.

The M-F service operated by Avon is commercial. The Saturday hourly 122 operated by Peoplesbus is a Merseytravel contract. I do agree that Avon's 122 operation is under threat but from Arriva's 53A not from Stagecoach which has very little presence in the Netherton/Thornton area. Avon drivers do a change-over in Netherton at 11am necessitating the use of two service vans and the costs incurred (fuel, tunnel tolls, travelling time etc.).

For those with long memories, CMT once operated the 122 on a 12-minute frequency from the city centre via Waterloo, Crosby, Thornton and Netherton to Fazakerley which made it the longest route in Liverpool.

[Gillmoss 0324]

RE: Avon Buses

(20/05/2014 09:17)Barney Wrote:  The M-F service operated by Avon is commercial. The Saturday hourly 122 operated by Peoplesbus is a Merseytravel contract. I do agree that Avon's 122 operation is under threat but from Arriva's 53A not from Stagecoach which has very little presence in the Netherton/Thornton area. Avon drivers do a change-over in Netherton at 11am necessitating the use of two service vans and the costs incurred (fuel, tunnel tolls, travelling time etc.).

For those with long memories, CMT once operated the 122 on a 12-minute frequency from the city centre via Waterloo, Crosby, Thornton and Netherton to Fazakerley which made it the longest route in Liverpool.

You beat me to it about CMT's history with the 122, didn't it for a very short time (1996? IIRC) run all the way to Garston/Aigburth Vale via the 82 route as well before it was shortend back to the City Centre?

Stagecoach could introduce a M-F 122 as from what I've seen of it does seem to carry fairly decent loads but these could be passes and not cash fares and the route does get competition from other services some of which are more frequent.

If Stagecoach are trying to see Avon out the way I hope they can at least survive in some form even if they just become a Merseytravel contractor or merge with another Wirral operator like A2B as it least they've had a go and generally found them a decent operator overall.

[MPTE1955]

RE: Avon Buses
Thanks guys, I didn't realise 122 was commercial during the week, you live and learn. As for CMT's 122, oh yes I remember that one.

[wirralbus]

RE: Avon Buses
If Avon really wanted to upset Stagecoach , just introducing a service alongside the 41/42 during the daytime might just upset the applecart , but its another one of those adages that come to mind , only time will tell.

Could Arriva though be waiting to pick anything up that's falls off from this Avon / Stagecoach battle.

[Barney]

RE: Avon Buses

(20/05/2014 11:39)wirralbus Wrote:  If Avon really wanted to upset Stagecoach , just introducing a service alongside the 41/42 during the daytime might just upset the applecart , but its another one of those adages that come to mind , only time will tell.

Could Arriva though be waiting to pick anything up that's falls off from this Avon / Stagecoach battle.

I can't comment on how profitable Avon's services on the Wirral might be, but I suspect that the 122 only just breaks even. In essence it is a hospital service carrying staff and out-patients (pensioners) to Aintree Hospital but it also carries loads of school children between Netherton and Crosby at peak times.

I've no desire to see it happen but I suspect that within the next two years the commercial services in Wirral will be shared by Arriva and Stagecoach. History has shown us that once Stagecoach begins a policy of expansion it invariably results in the buy-out or closure of the small independent operators. Just look at what has happened recently in Manchester.

[busdude]

RE: Avon Buses
According to merseytravel Avons 80 is getting withdrawn as well as the 40/40A
Along with Merseytravel contracts 197 & 213

[N271CKB]

RE: Avon Buses
The Saturday 10/11 is being rerouted to serve Bidston Road, partly replacing the 213.

[wirralbus]

RE: Avon Buses

(21/05/2014 17:12)busdude Wrote:  According to merseytravel Avons 80 is getting withdrawn as well as the 40/40A
Along with Merseytravel contracts 197 & 213

So what is happening at Avon , are they downsizing because all of a sudden routes seem to be disappearing thick and fast , or is there a big sting in the tail that nobody has seen yet.

[R557 ABA]

RE: Avon Buses

(21/05/2014 18:02)wirralbus Wrote:  So what is happening at Avon , are they downsizing because all of a sudden routes seem to be disappearing thick and fast , or is there a big sting in the tail that nobody has seen yet.

I think the best policy for Avon is doing what they're already doing, focusing on their services services that make them a few bucks and get rid of anything that will potentially hemorrhage money and assets from the company.

[busdude]

RE: Avon Buses
Seen dart KP51UFK driving along laird street about half hour ago with passengers on board, it turned right up Mallaby Street. Never knew what service it was on because it's display just said "Avon Buses" . I thought it was abit odd to be honest...