Stagecoach MCSL - Chester & Wirral Depots

[Olympian2100]

RE: Stagecoach Chester & Wirral

(11/11/2017 14:22)iMarkeh Wrote:  Not a lot can be done in Chester. There are places wanting more service but Stagecoach in Chester is completely stuck. They are locked in every way by Arriva. Expand on a fast route to Runcorn, X30. Want to head south of the city, Wrexham 1. West 3,4,10,11,12. North is the only way they can expand and the options are literally just the 22 which they tried and tested. Anywhere Stagecoach could go, Arriva already operate. They have said if Stagecoach go on the 10s to expand along Sealand Road, they will go in competition on the 16. They can't and wont win expanding in Chester unless they get tenders (DB1/2 & 4 are up next month which I reacon Stagecoach will get). Rob Jones is very close with John Cherry (Helms) so wouldn't go in competition towards Waverton or CRL.
All other areas make no money really.

Going off what you say about Stagecoach Gold, the 1, 2 are obviously big money for Stagecoach. As is the 41/42 (It wouldnt be so frequent otherwise). Only the 38 which has a 30 min frequency. All other routes are very regular and must have a lot of money in them. If the 1, 2, 41, 42 all go up, all the vehicles will venture onto the 38 regardless of its GOLD status so it might as well be promoted too. That would leave the 6 (Which I think should move to chester especially when the new depot opens), schools (gold is useless) and the contract routes.


Blacons.... Gold.... I don't think that will happen anytime soon. The Blacon buses get battered enough without them being new. The Eclipse are good workhorses and can be used on any route despite their primary allocation. Good buses, reasonable capacity, good for passengers due to their leg room (I find darts can be a little tight as can some Solos), also very comfy. I don't think any new bus would provide that. I think the Volvo 7900Hs would look really good in an allover Blacon type livery. It is a shame Stagecoach only buy ADL... Gold I don't think will be in Chester depot any more than current. The 5 was only done because Rob Jones lives along the route. Route 7 & 9 all used the same vehicles at the time (7 & 9 interworked with the 5 I think at some point). I don't think GOLD will have a place in Chester. It doesn't make much difference here. Arriva Saphire all go out of town. No local route gets upgraded really. It is all the longer distance. Chester - Connahs Quay (all revenue is Connahs Quay - Garden city into Chester. Sealand road does nothing for it). Chester - Wrexham (All revenue is Wrexham - Posthouse Roundabout into and out of Chester. Business Park I think is valuable but not a mega money area). Nothing local works to be upgraded really. The average passenger must be on the bus for at least 20 minutes to get any benefit of a premium brand.

The only reason Stagecoach buy ADL vehicles is due to Brian Souter having a large stake in them.