Bus operators decide to have additional Bank Holiday

[Metroline1511]

RE: Bus operators decide to have additional Bank Holiday

(26/12/2015 12:40)Dentonian Wrote:  Saturday 2nd will be a normal (Sat) service everywhere, surely.

Buses are run based on the perceived demand for the given days. Today, there are Shops open and presumably Sales on in Manchester and Liverpool. So, for instance, there are "special" (basically Sunday levels) of service on many routes into Manchester, but very few buses in the suburbs. Monday is a Bank Holiday, so services are geared up to the demand, based on very few people working, and those that are, will be those who usually work shifts/unsociable hours, so will usually be (reluctant or otherwise) car owners.
Tuesday to Thursday will see more people working, but as its School hols, there will still be many parents on holiday, and so a reduction in demand for peak hour services. This usually means a quasi off-peak service, described as either Mon-Fri with reduced peak extras, or Saturday with daytime service levels starting earlier in the morning.

The circumstance of "bank holiday in lieu" is nothing new, as Xmas Day/NYD and/or Boxing Day, fall on a weekend somkething like 2 years in every 5. Indeed, if 2016 wasn't a leap year, we would have Xmas Day & Boxing Day covering the weekend, and then both Monday & Tuesday as "lieu" Boxing Days.

As Christmas Day this year (2016) is a Sunday, the Monday & Tuesday will both be Bank Holidays. As Monday will be Boxing Day I expect a "special" service, but on Tuesday a Sunday service.