tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post3925822640849529341..comments2024-03-25T22:17:35.616+00:00Comments on Public Transport Experience: Brackley's Baffling Bus Business (prologue)fatbusblokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06833340546527596517noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post-21882204398733462072017-11-04T01:51:43.273+00:002017-11-04T01:51:43.273+00:00Some similar comparisons to where I live in Milton...Some similar comparisons to where I live in Milton Keynes. The 300 has been dratically reduced to an hourly service to Woburn Sands (used to be half hourly). <br /><br />And more recently another route end in the town has been massively reduced. Both 1 and 2 used to go to Newport Pagnell (1 every 30 mins, 2 every 20 mins). They have now been combined to run a very long loop on the 2 every 20 mins. Caused a bit of local outrage I understand. <br /><br />But is another example of route ends being mucked about with, and who is in charge....Arriva from Leicester I’m told.Richard Cousinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12472861291525609108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post-34671064251201768882017-10-13T12:16:48.136+01:002017-10-13T12:16:48.136+01:00Not quite certain that I've the time for an ex...Not quite certain that I've the time for an existential debate on whether public transport should not be considered a business! However, the status since 1986 is that bus services are a business and that local authorities would cover the wider social aspect. So in that respect, it is about profitability. <br /><br />As for FBB's synopsis of what could happen, the reality is a) no tender will be issued and b) even if someone like Centrebus elected to try and muscle in, then Arriva will simply compete on the Thurmaston to City Centre part more vigorously.<br /><br />Take it to the extreme, should a bus company continue to run a large amount of unremunerative work in order to maintain market share and keep out any intruder? Of course not, and merely running rubbish routes commercially impacts on the overall ability to invest.<br /><br />Should you therefore run only any journey that pays its way? Of course not and operators DO take this into account. A slight loss on the 1830 departure may be ok as you maintain the overall usage through the day. These things are nuanced and operators do review all of this in detail! Bus companies often (very often) will maintain individual journeys because of the holistic view in terms of patronage but there is a tipping point where it no longer makes financial sense.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post-39266686425096355262017-10-13T12:00:15.890+01:002017-10-13T12:00:15.890+01:00Yes, but if Leicestershire put out a sensible tend...Yes, but if Leicestershire put out a sensible tender for a half hourly service., Arriva can meet the need by extending journeys on the New 6, at the cost of one bus, whereas any new operator would require more vehicles to provide the end to end service. The result (hopefully) is that the county gets the best price and Arriva gets an adequate financial return. At least that’s the theory!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post-77954501629859115252017-10-13T10:04:19.571+01:002017-10-13T10:04:19.571+01:00Just suppose Leicestershire tenders for a half hou...Just suppose Leicestershire tenders for a half hour service to Syston estates (flying pigs again). Just suppose that an operator offers a cheap tender but runs via the Thurmaston housing as per the 6. Now Arriva have competition and a further loss of revenue.<br /><br />Flawed frayed end thinking yet again from the dominant operator.<br /><br />So Arrive restarts a commercial service 6 to Syston.<br /><br />It has happened so many times before.<br /><br />Best hold on to your network.fatbusblokehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06833340546527596517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post-25740693966403977502017-10-13T09:54:37.620+01:002017-10-13T09:54:37.620+01:00We are back to the dilemma. What is public transpo...We are back to the dilemma. What is public transport for? Is it for shareholders' profit? Or are the passengers to be considered. fbb's analysis may be erroneous in this specific case, but the principles are not. Somehow the bus industry needs to remember that it exists ONLY because people use the buses. Trimming fbb's frayed ends may (possibly) make economic sense but the long term costs to the public purse will certainly increase.<br /><br />fbb's shampoo is, sadly, long overdue.<br /><br />It is not (and <b>CANNOT</b>) always be about an arbitrary measure of profitability prescribed by accountants.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post-41849972248813592972017-10-13T09:31:40.823+01:002017-10-13T09:31:40.823+01:00There seems to be some erroneous thinking here. T...There seems to be some erroneous thinking here. The 5 is the direct route via the main Melton Road whereas the 6 diverts through the main Thurmaston estate. Doubtless (and Arriva will have the figures) the main issue is that relatively few passengers use the 6 around Syston - if there were masses paying cash fares, then there wouldn't be a problem as bus companies seldom withdraw really profitable routes!<br /><br />Also, as the 5 provides a very high frequency service through the centre of Syston, might it be that most able bodied people will walk to the main road and get that (every 10 mins) rather than the slower, infrequent 6? Therefore, would it be that the 6 around Syston is largely used by free pass holders for whom Arriva gets a pittance and not enough to justify the >£100k a year required to run a bus?<br /><br />The idea of running every 15 mins to save said bus just doesn't make ANY sense. As well as wrecking the consistent 5 min headway between the 5 and 6 on the city to Thurmaston section (you'll end up with half the 6's following a 5 in convoy - didn't FBB or said correspondent realise that), what you are then saying is that you'll disadvantage the area of the route around Thurmaston Estate and cut their service (the profitable, well used bit) in favour of propping up the unprofitable, poorly used bit. <br /><br />I thought the idiocy of that approach was disproved many years ago.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com