(19/05/2019 09:33)knutstransport Wrote:  When CEC originally put out their proposal for the 88 out to consultation there were a number of issues raised including:
1. A lack of a bus from Macclesfield to Knutsford at the end of hospital visiting hours (4pm)
2. The last bus from Macc being too early for those who finish work at 5.30pm - it was originally proposed to leave Macc bus station at 17:35.
3. Poor timings and lack of flexibility for those commuting from Macclesfield to Radbrooke Hall.

The first two issues were addressed before the new timetable started, the last was addressed at a timetable change. However, in addressing the last and changing the times to improve punctuality the first two issues have come up again. While there needs to be a bus allowing those who finish work at 17:30 to get home, it now means those finishing work at 5pm have to wait over an hour for a bus home. While the original timetable allowed someone to spend around 90 minutes visiting a sick friend/relative at the hospital during visiting hours (allowing for some time to get to and from the ward), now it only allows a 60 minute visit.

(19/05/2019 11:30)knutstransport Wrote:  Been reported elsewhere D&G were running some late rail replacement buses between Knutsford and Chester in the past week with the recently transferred Versas making an appearance - at least the drivers should be familiar with most of the route. Have D&G been operated RRBs for Northern for long? Normally Northern seem to use coach hire companies and bus operators with limited or no public bus services like MP Travel.

(19/05/2019 11:30)knutstransport Wrote:  Been reported elsewhere D&G were running some late rail replacement buses between Knutsford and Chester in the past week with the recently transferred Versas making an appearance - at least the drivers should be familiar with most of the route. Have D&G been operated RRBs for Northern for long? Normally Northern seem to use coach hire companies and bus operators with limited or no public bus services like MP Travel.

(19/05/2019 09:33)knutstransport Wrote:  The thing I don't get, either with the current timetable or the Howards one, is when High Peak decided to start running a reduced 27 service on a commercial basis it meant CEC had to contract a Knutsford Academy to Over Peover school bus, when previously those pupils were able to catch the normal bus. If they had gone back to an hourly service with alternate services via Beggarman's Lane & Over Peover and alternative services direct via Ollerton it could have met the needs of everyone and eliminated the need for a school bus contract.

I would hope any driver preference for a specific bus doesn't alter how much capacity a particular working gets and only means something like if 'Bob' does the 08:00 you get an ex-Go Goodwins Solo M880, while if 'Fred' does it you get an ex-Airport Solo M880 and if 'Charlie' does it you get a small Enviro 200, opposed to if it's Bob it's a Solo M990, if it's Fred it's a Solo M880 and if it's Charlie it's a big Enviro 200.

(19/05/2019 13:01)iMarkeh Wrote:  The whole thing could be made more simple if they put 1 more bus out. Hourly Macc - Altrincham via Knutsford and Wilmslow. 1 bus doing Northwich to Knutsford (This could probably be extended to High Legh to save paying for the 47 and would provide better shopping opportunities).

As far as I know, Arriva Rail Replacement will accept anyone with the relevant licences. If you think you can do a trip, name your price and if you are cheaper, you run it. If you can't run it, dont bid. Clearly D&G have some spare buses at the times the trips are needed. It all depends on how many buses are needed and the prices on whether you get picked or not. Arriva were having less and less operators on the system not long ago. I don't know if it's the same now but Arriva used to be bad at paying up so operators stopped doing work so perhaps they are now desperate.

(20/05/2019 05:27)knutstransport Wrote:  The 27 had the council owned Wright Cadets for 10 years and was a 2 bus all day route (except Sunday where there were 3 return workings) until the contract originally awarded to Bowers ended and High Peak attempted a commercial service. You're talking about the subsequent GHA commercial service which was 2 buses all day but on weekdays the 2nd bus ran a Macclesfield area school contract.

The other problem with the D&G arrangement is some of the 88 workings have too many passengers for 28 seater Solos, the contract was let on the basis 2 X 28 and 2 X 35 seaters would be used, so if they've only got 28 seaters available they should be using something other than a Solo as well. At a council meeting a while back Chris Almond said he was under the impression 35 seaters were used on the busier services except in exceptional circumstances.

(21/05/2019 09:24)Rick Hunter Wrote:  It's easy for someone to say oh it would work much better just by putting an extra bus in the system. The simple fact is it would cost far too much. To put another bus out there costs in excess of 100k in running costs. As in wages, fuel, inspection, maintenance and repairs, tax, insurance. Frankly the revenue generated by the extra bus doing Northwich to High Legh is going to be nowhere near that, hence the High Legh bit wasn't included in the 88/89. So few people used the old 289 on that section. Only one Wincham vehicle is out after 21.00 so there was obviously a spare vehicle to cover the rail replacement trip at 23.00. It is quite well known Arriva were very bad at paying operators for rail work but I believe things have improved a lot now.