Stagecoach MCSL - Chester & Wirral Depots

[iMarkeh]

RE: Stagecoach Chester & Wirral

(31/07/2016 12:38)mtl97 Wrote:  I think stagecoach have done a good job at covering gha work with timescale they had, im sure they would of covered more if they had more buses & staff, first when they had the operations had benefit of a profitable outstation in ellesmere port which they regretted closing when they bought chester city, maybe stagecoach could look at an outstation in the port area again which could help out chester especially with chester taking on arrivas share of 2, rock ferry will have more work in september with increase in frequency of 41/42 to 10 minute combined service plus ive read route 1 will be increased frequency, the 38 is losing the heswall bit but that is only 1 bus, the sp1/2 might increase when stagecoach have resorces as there training buses have been seen regular in ellesmere port, also expect some very interesting arriva wirral changes in january when merseytravel wirral routes take effect a few arriva routes are at risk for underperforming which are under review

That could be a good alternative to a new depot in Chester. They will get the SP1/SP2 Versas from GHA as they were owned by Flintshire I think so they will go back and move onwards to SC when they are released. Training Vehicles I think should stay at Gilmoss as that depot is huge. The Eport outstation would probs hold the Golds to be fair as the last few golds terminate at Eport so they would be good for there and maybe the 2 solos for the 6 UNLESS that goes back to how it was with 6 interworking with X2 (I want this to happen again). SC are good at putting in good frequencies on services but they fall slightly when it comes to the areas. I think we need a major company like GHA which serves all the small areas.

(31/07/2016 14:05)wirralbus Wrote:  1. I don't think there is enough buses and passengers for a Cheshire Oaks - Chester shuttle , the X8 only operates because Chester Zoo and the railway companies see a business case .

2. At Cheshire oaks I have always argued that the roundabouts are the biggest congestion generators replace them with traffic lights and sequence all the lights that should go some way to making the area better for all especially the traffic trying to get out of the sainsburys supermarket car park , im surprised there is not more accidents than there actually is . Make the X8 to much of an express and it will struggle to make a decent return so I would say no to the M53 leave it with the stops on the A41 maybe add Bromborough Cross never understood that omission from all but peak hour workings.

1. I mean specifically for the COaks light switch on. Not everyday. The light switchon is packed. Maybe also at christmas increase to 20 min rather than 30 as it is busy around christmas. Generally though, it is fine.

2. COaks is horrid. The X8 could save so much time not stopping. It is a major shopping area though which is why so many buses stop despite its silly roads. Making some buses go Anti clockwise would make it so much better as then slightly fewer vehicles would mean traffic should flow slightly better. 36 especially goes right around the back of Coaks past blue Planet to go into Colliseum, round and back out. Save time and just cut out Blue Planet and it would be so much easier. The clockwise way around COaks is the most congested but SC wont change them around so it seems SC want their buses to be stuck in traffic. Lets face it, there is no other logical reason why they wont swap the bus stops there!

X8 shouldnt serve Bromborough. It has enough buses. Plus it just holds up the buses and gives a longer journey time A41 has a higher speed limit so it goes faster. A41 is good routing but it can be very busy and that is what makes me think M53 to Eport. I think it would be quicker. X8 should cut out COaks and take over X2 from Eport to Chester. I know it serves Foregate St not Bus Exchange but in the short term, I think it will be better. X8 will make up the half hourly to Chester AND it will be a quicker link to the zoo as well as linking Eport railway station with Chester Rail station as changing trains at hooton takes time...