Stagecoach MCSL - Chester & Wirral Depots

[iMarkeh]

RE: Stagecoach Chester & Wirral

(25/05/2018 23:17)MPTE1955 Wrote:  217/227 gold, really!!! Don't see the need, not sure route need boosting as only routes really going to Huyton that way anyway. 53 would be a better option but not sure it is really required there either, X2 does slot of the 53 route and their buses are only slighltly away from gold.

It would help it slightly. Maybe not needed as such but let's face it, gold isn't needed on most routes. Route 1 always did well as it was. Route 2 was a QBP but in general, always worked. 471/472 again, QBP route which worked well with the buses it had. Route 5, 7, 9 in Chester had no need to go gold and only about 50% of the time are they ran by a normal solo and not a gold one.

I don't think gold gives as much of a boost to routes. The 217/227 could go gold. There is potential for them to extend and given a few of the rumors going about, gold would be a massive boost to the potential extensions. Even in their existing state though, if gold gives a boost, why would you not try to boost a route.

The 53 is an excellent route as the prices are cheaper than Arriva. You are basically giving another reason for people to transfer. With Arriva having such a monopoly between Bootle and Liverpool, anything Stagecoach can do to grab a few more of those passengers is a bonus. The X2 is only every half hour so though it is similar to gold, why would people wait 30 minutes for a bus with the added features? On the 53, SC buses are every 12 minutes. Waiting 10 minutes for a bus with extra features is something I can see people doing. Waiting 30???? There is not one person who will wait 30 minutes to get a bus with USB charging and leather seats.