Stagecoach MCSL - Chester & Wirral Depots

[iMarkeh]

RE: Stagecoach Chester & Wirral

(31/07/2016 15:24)Dentonian Wrote:  I can see the validity of such a service insofaras a direct route would avoid changing buses in the city centre. However, a number of questions need to be asked.
1. How many BAe employees live in Blacon?
2. How many are car owners?
3. How do the shifts work eg. 0800-1600; 1600-2400 & 2400-0800 would be far more costly to cater for than either three shifts away from traditional school/office peaks, or staggered shifts creating demand say, every 2 hours rather than every 8.
4. What are the long term prospects for BAe, bearing in mind Apprentices (or whatever they are called) or new starters are less likely to have a car at their disposal. I believe forecasts say that the A380 has passed its peak, and unless someone other than Emirates puts in a big order then production could cease within 3 or 4 years. Also, Brexit casts doubt on the future of AirbusUK in general, if production here is at a disadvantage to Tianjin, China or Mobile, Alabama.

6 week trials for such services would be far too short, both from the point of view of generating demand and because 8 weeks notice needs to be given for service changes! I can't remember who, but one GM Operator recently registered a new service, only to deregister the day before it started!!!
Unfortunately, it has always been one of the great failures of deregulation that the privatised bus industry have shown no route innovation whatsoever - rather they are obsessed with fighting each other and neglecting captive markets.

There are 3 shift patterns I think. This is the email I sent to Arriva. I cant seem to find the one I sent to SC. SC email was slightly adapted to their routes.

Quote:NEW SERVICE (Airbus - Saughall)
This bus is primarily for the workers however it is also a good direct link for residents wishing to shop at Broughton on the mid-day buses. There is currently no direct link between Blacon and one of Chesters biggest employers. This bus would bring in quite a lot of money as changing buses is very time consuming. I advise you have a flat fare single/return for this service. I advise a week ticket for this specific service as then the employees of Airbus can get a week ticket and not worry after that about purchasing a ticket. This service is a little messed up with all the times and there is no general interval. This services’ times are all worked around the Airbus’ shift patterns. This service should start in Saughall Church Lane. Travel via The Ridings then down past Blacon Parade then turn right down Blacon Hall Lane. Turn left at the Highfield Pub then turn right onto Sealand Road. Travel along the dual carriageway until Queensferry. The bus should then head through Sandycroft to the rear of Airbus. From here, the bus should proceed round to the front of Airbus.
The first bus should leave at 05:05 which should arrive at the rear for 05:45 then at the front for 05:52. The bus should then head into Broughton Retail Park for workers at the shops to go to work early. Arrival here should be around 05:55 and departure around 06:05. Once the bus has departed, it should head round to the front of Airbus (Dep 06:10). After this, round to the back (Dep 06:16) then finally back to Blacon and Saughall (Arr 06:55). Once arrived at Saughall, the bus should depart back for Airbus for the 07:45 starters. This bus should leave at 06:58 and arrive at Airbus rear at 07:38 and the front at 07:43. This will be cutting it fine for the 07:45 starters so the route may have to be modified to cut short on the early trip and start late at Blacon Parade and/or a quicker route not going via Blacon Hall Road. After the bus arrives at Airbus, the service should either run as a 12 or return to the depot.
A Friday only service is needed at 11:55 from Airbus heading into Saughall arriving at 12:40. There is no need for a 16:10 service as people on this shift finish at 11:45 on a Friday.
The next service that will be required is around 12:20 for a round trip arriving at Airbus rear at 13:00 and front at 13:06. The bus should then go into Broughton Shopping Park (Arr 13:10). After this, it should depart Broughton for Airbus at 13:35. This bus should depart Airbus front at 13:40 and the rear at 13:46. The bus should arrive into Saughall around 14:30. After this, the bus should run as a service 15 or run back to the depot. Another bus needs to leave Broughton Shopping Park at 16:10. This bus would depart Airbus front at 16:15 and the rear at 16:22. Arrival at Saughall is estimated around 17:05. This bus can then continue on service 15 or run light back to the depot.
The final duty should be one of the 12s which earlier arrived into the depot. The bus should depart Broughton Shopping Park at 20:25 (20:45 Monday – Thursday) leave Airbus front at around 20:30 (20:50 on Monday – Thursday) and the rear at 20:36 (20:56 Monday – Thursday). This bus should arrive into Saughall at 21:25 (21:45 Monday – Thursday).