Warrington's Own Buses

[iMarkeh]

RE: Warrington's Own Buses

(08/04/2019 18:26)Y474 KNF Wrote:  It's future proofing - just because the new depot would have capacity for 140 buses doesn't mean WOB have to utilise all of it as soon as it becomes operational. At the moment the company has 92 vehicles in service (OTOH) - so the extra space would allow for a decent amount of expansion in the future

A gradual expansion of the network over several years is much more likely - and more sustainable - than what you've suggested

I can understand future proofing but that is a lot of extra buses. Given WOB aren't really expanding their network and haven't done for a while. As WOB interworks everything, I can't say for certain but the upgraded 32 won't put many buses onto the PVR (given it's only a 4 bus route and with the 13/14/15 changes, a bus or so should be freed up there and the existing 32 being withdrawn).

Given that they only have 92 buses right now, the 120 capacity is future proof really. 140 is just overly ambitious in my opinion. Given WOBs network hasn't really expanded much in previous years, I can't see them expanding much. It will just be the odd bus here and there (like the 22 and the 32 blue line).

Most of the routes/changes which have have made are done to work with school buses to reduce the PVR (like the 62).

Unless they have a big plan which would drastically increase the PVR (Ie Halton Transport takeover) then 140 buses will be far too high I think for Warrington. There are only so many schools they can win and I think they have all the services they will get locally without takeovers.