Upcoming service changes in Merseyside

[iMarkeh]

RE: Upcoming service changes in Merseyside

(03/07/2025 15:59)Y458 KNF Wrote:  Apparently they get fuel costs back if they run it as commercial service rather than running dead.

Not apparently, it's true.

In short, if a route is tendered by the local authority, they can't claim Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) on the service, including dead mileage to/from the service.
If the bus operates a commercial placement trip though (as Hattons are doing here), that journey will be eligible for BSOG.

The rate would be 34.57p per litre used to operate this service, plus an extra 3.45p per litre for the smartcard and AVL enhancements.

So basically rather than running dead and having to pay 100% of the cost of running dead, they can run this commercial dead mileage trip, and essentially claim back around 30% of the fuel costs and any passengers that get on is easy extra money for them. It may not sound like much but it adds up.

[Merseysidebusenthusiast]

RE: Upcoming service changes in Merseyside
anyone know any changes coming in september?

[Merseysidebusenthusiast]

RE: Upcoming service changes in Merseyside
2 Sandhills - Liverpool ONE. New daily service introduced running between Sandhills Merseyrail Station, Everton Stadium and Liverpool ONE Bus Station. Operated on behalf of Merseytravel by Huyton Travel LTD.

[Gateacre]

RE: Upcoming service changes in Merseyside
Another No 2? Why are these new services, supported by the Combined Authority (Merseytravel), not allocated a number that is not already in use!

[Merseysidebusenthusiast]

RE: Upcoming service changes in Merseyside

(02/08/2025 09:47)Gateacre Wrote:  Another No 2? Why are these new services, supported by the Combined Authority (Merseytravel), not allocated a number that is not already in use!

There's no other service's numbered 2 but the Runcorn Circular and the Stagecoach Southport to Preston bus.

[DVG526]

RE: Upcoming service changes in Merseyside
Wow this 2 seems like another complete waste of money that could be spent on a rural/poorly served community. And the only time it might get used it gets suspended (prior to Everton matches). Oh and there is a big error on the timetable see if you can spot it..

[MTL0201]

RE: Upcoming service changes in Merseyside
Could they not have rerouted an existing route to go that way rather than introduce a new route, i remember Arriva had the 48A at one time which went down that way, but that didn't last long, looking at the routes that use Scotland Road 20, [X20], 47/52/52A/55/300/310/X2, the obvious one would be rerouting the 55, could even reroute one of 54/54A/56/58A they go down Vauxhall Road?

[CX06 EBK (Administrator)]

RE: Upcoming service changes in Merseyside
Or they could have ran the existing 136 all day rather than the useless 4 trips or whatever it does now. On the timetable where it shows each hour it was showing 33 minutes to do the last section although it looks to have been corrected now. I don't really see this service being much use at all.

[iMarkeh]

RE: Upcoming service changes in Merseyside

(08/08/2025 13:39)CX06 EBK Wrote:  Or they could have ran the existing 136 all day rather than the useless 4 trips or whatever it does now. On the timetable where it shows each hour it was showing 33 minutes to do the last section although it looks to have been corrected now. I don't really see this service being much use at all.

In fairness, It's pretty on brand for Merseytravel to waste money on pet projects to make themselves look good, then quietly withdraw them in a few months and hope no one notices. All day IOM Terminal bus for example.....

It's scary that such incompetent people will be in charge of planning the bus network with franchising. People hired based on tickboxes or who they know, not on how good they are at their job. And people wonder where all of the taxpayers money goes!

[Gillmoss 0324]

RE: Upcoming service changes in Merseyside
The 136 used to run evenings/Sundays didn't it? I'm sure Cumfybus and maybe Ace Travel had it one time in the late 2000's/early 2010's?