Stagecoach MCSL - Chester & Wirral Depots

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Stagecoach MCSL - Chester & Wirral Depots

30/01/2018, 16:08 Post: #6763
	iMarkeh Alexander ALX200	Joined: Jul 2016

RE: Stagecoach Chester & Wirral

(29/01/2018 21:02)chester285 Wrote: Your contradicting yourself a bit there, in one paragraph your saying you can't see anything big has happened and yet in another you saying the biggest change since stagecoach came in was the introduction of the X8 I would say that was a big change for Stagecoach in Chester!

There may not have been significant changes to routes other than those you have mentioned and I'm sure there is a plausible reason as for why Stagecoach have made those changes, but look at the investment as a whole that has been made since taking over from First, bringing in brand new 67 plates for the 471/472, 16 plates for the Chester Park & Rides and 65 plates for the 1 & 2 that's something First weren't very forth coming with (I think the only Investment they made was the 14 B7 RLES for the retained Park & Ride Contract). Ok Chester hasn't seen the level of brand new vehicles like Rockferry has seen, but they are operating newer vehicles than the rubbish first operated. It certainly is a step in the right direction

I wasn't meant to be a contradiction, it was meant more there haven't been 'big changes' and was showing the biggest change which is relatively small compared to Rock Ferry. I suppose it sounds like a contradiction but wasn't meant to be. I don't feel the X8 is a big change anymore. It was at the time then they added stops and now it is nothing new really. The X8 is actually slower than the number 1 is going to Zoo, Cheshire Oaks or Ellesmere Port. The route is now only faster to Eastham and beyond. The Zoo adds on 10 minutes to the journey time which takes hardly anyone especially at the stupid times it is served. 0621 L, 0723 L, 0807 L, 0809 C, 1939 C, 2009 C (L-towards Liverpool, C-towards Chester). The number 1 doesn't serve the zoo at these times for a reason. A prime time for the X8 could be peak times and making, not even daft but a stupid diversion adds on time which will easily discourage people. The zoo doesn't open until at least 10am and closes at 5pm the majority of the time. The evenings can be as late as 6pm so understandably some later services for staff and some earlier but the times I have stated are ludicrous. Many a time I am on the 07:00 X8 and it picks up and drops no one off. To add, it is always early by the time it gets to the zoo so I would say it is safe to say you can cut off 12 minutes from that journey alone. That can be the difference between choosing to use the bus and using a car or train. If the X8 was faster, by all means, it is a big change but now since the extra stops on the wirral and diversion into Chester zoo, it isnt. The Enviro 300s used to fly along the route depending on the driver. Since the E400MMCs were introduced, journeys are longer. Yes more capacity which is good and I support, the actual vehicles are slower. The Exeter park and ride vehicles will reduce the time a little.

I'm sure there is a reason as to why Stagecoach changed 51, 7, 9, 6 etc but in almost all cases their excuse is 'not enough passengers'. The 51 and 53 now use Solos which CAN (not always) be overcrowded and I know on the 51 especially, it is stopping a lot more frequently at almost every stop. The 51 is mainly older people so as it is, the boarding time is increased then add on stopping at every bus stop almost. The 51 used to take around 28 minutes (they were always early at Weston Grove shops so if retimed, it would have taken probably 26 mins). Now drivers are struggling to complete it in 30 due to the extra passengers. Things like increasing the frequency would actually help punctuality on the 51 as then the passengers would be spread over the route. As for the 53, now smaller buses are in use, they are getting very busy quite quickly lately. It seems to be becoming quite a popular route somehow.

7s and 9s I don't know as I don't use them but they seem reasonable. The 30 min looks like it works better. (Ignore previous comments about the 9, it appears Westminster Road now has a width restriction.

I will certainly agree that it is all a step in the right direction given the recent contract wins and with any luck, they will keep winning and the investment in Rock Ferry does have an impact into Chester obviously with the gold 1s. Is it wrong at this point to say I liked Firsts fleet a bit more? The Marshalls, Beavers and deckers were amazing. The Solars were my favorite. I get from operational side of view and due to laws regarding DDA, all these many buses are no longer in operation and I do think stagecoach' approach to maintenance is much better in that less vehicle types, the cheaper maintenance is (more spare parts around, less driver and mechanic familiarisation.

In Chester you can tell we aren't as important. At Rock Ferry and Gillmoss any sort of cancellation or even minor delay is posted. Their football services are almost spammed on the twitter. Chester post once in a blue moon and that is normally a depot wide post about delays around the whole town. Nothing is really posted promoting any service except the X8.

(29/01/2018 21:14)chester285 Wrote: What makes you say Stagecoach aren't advertising prices?

C56 is a fantastic opportunity to make it hourly if given the right advertising around Wrexham to promote only £4 to Chester. I say it to many people, on the side of the bus, it means nothing. Buses only spend so long on stands to be see or can go too fast for you to notice the prices. You need to promote it with leaflets and advertisements in the city centre. To add, promotions on social media can be shared(retweeted) to get the word out more. Word of mouth is no longer a suitable form of advertising. People rarely talk to eachother anymore and even more rarely ask for help or information. People get stuck in their ways and won't change until they can see a big enough reason to change. Savings on tickets are and obvious one to get more people onboard. Especially the youth, they will wait for the cheaper buses but never ask for prices or information. They ask a mate who know one bus going in the right direction. If more widely advertised and known about, it will be valuable. The Wrexham has a massive market for journeys into Chester. I don't know why, but it is evident with the frequency of the Arriva 1. Social media advertising costs nothing but can make a big impact on all services, the C56 is just an example.