Stagecoach MCSL - Chester & Wirral Depots

[R879 HRF]

RE: Stagecoach Chester & Wirral

(25/06/2015 11:16)Turbostar Wrote:  It seems like the honeymoon period following the Stagecoach takeover of Chester is well & truly over. Reduced frequencies on several local services (the 5 to Huntington being a notable exception), cuts to route X8 & now abandonment of X22. No obvious new plans in the pipeline either.

One wonders what's next to go?

If they're investing however much into routes 1 and 2 to upgrade them to 'Gold' standard, providing it goes ahead, then id say the opposite.

Clearly they've tried new ground and altered frequency on various services to try and encourage new bus users, but if its proving to run at a loss or even just about breaking even, then they'll have to cut back or there would be no service at all. Use it or lose it!

With the X22, from what ive been told, when Avon operated the route, they weren't running it at a loss or a profit, it was there about breaking even, so it was being run literally to provide a service. Big companies generally arnt interested in anything unless it has good profit in it.

Don't forget money has still been invested in the Wirral at least- although not that the public can see, but Birkenhead depot has had all the offices, staff messrooms (both engineering and drivers), toilets and reception area all refurbished. And huge money has been spent on the engineering side too, including a complete rebuild of the inspection pits which have been made deeper, wider and longer - (interestingly the length of a MegaBus... future potential?), and a new chassis wash has been installed along with a new locker and shower room.

Its been mentioned that Rock Ferry at least, unsure of Chester, is proving to be making profit and has been transformed since the sale of First, would they really invest all that money if they didn't have some big plans somewhere in the pipeline? Why spend the extra money for pits much bigger than any standard service bus without good reason?

Stagecoach know what they're doing and have proved so nationwide (generally), if it doesn't make money, its gone.