Greater Manchester Franchising

[dounowhoiam]

RE: Greater Manchester Franchising

(30/03/2021 22:58)Mayneway Wrote:  As a bus driver in Manchester in Manchester I’d disagree completely with your comments above. Bus usage levels have varied but they haven’t been anything like what they were pre covid. During the initial lockdown it was actually quite scary how quiet evening peak journeys were. Yes numbers have increased slightly but I’d say they are no where near what they were before the pandemic and I honestly think they will take a long time to get any where near what they once were.

Private used car sales are up. The value of second hand cars is up because of demand and car dealerships despite being closed for 60% of the lockdown have also reported a surge in sales. Peoples patterns have changed. Shoppers now shop on line, keyworkers who once used public transport now drive to and from work and city centre office workers now work from home using WiFi and zoom etc.
There’s never going to be a day when we are told it’s suddenly safe to go about business as normal and people are unlikely to fall back into old ways. Yes patronage will rise again but I don’t think you can ever truly repair the damage that’s been done.

Establishments like cinemas, restaurants, nightclubs, pubs which generally have been what evening buses help to cater for haven't been open or if so have had reduced capacity which is why the numbers are so low.

Due to social distancing, peak buses are reaching capacity much quicker despite the lower numbers. Office based staff can primarily work from home rather than commuting via car but there will still be key workers like myself who do go by bus for work.

One thing to also note is that the Council have reclaimed some of the city centre car parks, and as part of their environmental changes may make it more difficult/costly for those still commuting into the city centre:
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/...3-19141302
As the availability of used cars dwindles and regulation on petrol/diesel strictens, it may make it more appealing to commute via public transport. The key is that services need to be made appealing with reassurances that it is safe to use.

We won't know the full path of usage until time after lockdown has elapsed, but as long as the services are still there once the passenger's need them that is what matters.