Stagecoach MCSL - Chester & Wirral Depots

[iMarkeh]

RE: Stagecoach Chester & Wirral

(29/01/2018 06:04)wirralbus Wrote:  Stagecoach have been a breathe of fresh air , if First Group had got there way i am sure the depots at Chester and Rock Ferry would have long since bitten the dust.

Seemed like it was too far from First Potteries main operating area and First Manchester really never wanted this odd area in there sphere of operations.

Stagecoach Manager's seem to have had a chance to think things through and looks at things that could work and and in a good majority of occasions have worked.

I can't see much that has changed with Stagecoach in Chester.
26 (6) round Belgrave Rd was withdrawn
15 has gradually decreased in frequency (surely would have been a joint decision with Arriva)
51 reduced to half hourly (and has caused increase in journey time)
5 increased in frequency (due to funding from housing development near Rake & Pikel)
7 & 9 decreased (unsure why) and route 9 for some odd reason re-routed (I thought it was only temporary while Westminster Rd bridge was sorted)

On the whole, apart from a few minor changes, I can't see anything big that has happened. Route 1 is on the same frequency and route 2 is now Stagecoach exclusive. The majority of the time First operated, there were in competition. They had to try and win customers. By the time of the sale to Stagecoach, the partnerships had come into place calming things down.

The biggest change since Stagecoach came in is the contract wins and the X8 introduction. I don't know if it is just pot luck that more companies are ceasing trading/withdrawing services now compared to when First operated but if that is the case, there wouldnt have been many contracts up for grabs.
The X8 is a fantastic route especially now it has the normal Enviro400s back. It was a really good call. A big risk but it has definitely paid off. Just a shame it isn't a little quicker as I think a lot more people would use it. The Zoo stop seems somewhat underused apart from the summer. I would personally have reverted to the old Chester - Cheshire Oaks route in the winter via the M53 but there will be reasons for not changing it. The morning trips I see quite a few people boarding even at the train station which is an interesting stop (given the train is quicker and car parking costs around the station are quite high).