Stagecoach MCSL - Chester & Wirral Depots

[M113 YKC]

RE: First Chester & Wirral

(20/10/2012 15:16)wirralbus Wrote:  The problem with night buses is there isnt the market for them to operate all week and they can be a costly operation to have as the drivers are then unable to work during the day , hence usually where night buses operate there is some sort of outside funding provided .

Im not sure about getting rid of the long established service 150 which has run in different guises for as long as know of , im led to believe the night tunnel bus was introduced as a result of the night ferries on the mersey disappearing with the advent of the Birkenhead Tunnel opening and has stayed in a way ever since.

Since the laws regarding the closing hours of bars and pubs changed (they can now stay open for longer), people tend to leave at whatever time, whereas all bars and pubs used to close at about 02:00. So, instead of crowds of people wanting a bus home at about 02:00, people leave whenever they want, so buses don't pick-up many people at one time. The more journeys that operate, the more costly it can become - especially when only few people are on each bus (unless every journey between about 00:00 and 05:00 can be full). And then there's the many rules regarding drivers that can make it not worth it (and drivers want extra pay for working on night services)...

Hope this makes some sense!