Link Network (MD Bus & Coach)

[linknetwork]

RE: Link Network (MD Bus & Coach)

(30/12/2016 10:02)Valandil Wrote:  Hi Link Network, great to see you on the forum and glad to hear that 2 out of every 3 trips on the 110 are working well.

Just wondering if you have any insights about the decker(s) on the 110 -- is this just a straightforwards temporary swap with Fairbrothers?

Also, there have been rumours going around (as always!) that Warrington want to chop their 32A from the narrow roads in the south of Penketh, as their vehicles are struggling to get around even on the revised route (to be expected, given that they sold off their Optare Solos!) If they ever did stop serving this area, would you in principle consider it and also possibly the estate around Maple Crescent which used to be served by the old 31, which actually was chopped completely by Warrington? There is lots of custom in the area, but I think Warrington have found it difficult as they always want to interwork services to reduce costs, and they have found it impossible to do this as other routes require bigger vehicles.

Hi,

When ever you see a Fairbrothers vehicle on our 110 service its simply because we've either had a mechanical issue or a vehicle is off road for a routine inspection. Fairbrothers look after our maintenance 70% of the time the rest we do in house. Today our 53 plate solo is off road due to an electrical issue.

Regarding Warrington buses, ill be honest I don't really follow what they do im aware of the changes and the routes un-serviced but there's always that burning thought "There's a reason why they dropped it"

[Valandil]

RE: Link Network (MD Bus & Coach)

(30/12/2016 11:32)linknetwork Wrote:  Regarding Warrington buses, ill be honest I don't really follow what they do im aware of the changes and the routes un-serviced but there's always that burning thought "There's a reason why they dropped it"

The only reason why they might stop serving the area is because all of their vehicles can sometimes be too large to fit -- and the only reason why they have kept serving there, despite some tight squeezes at school chucking out time, is because patronage is high.
I have no crystal ball, but my hunch is the one unprofitable vehicle on the 110 could do well for a different reason if it were rerouted to serve the estates hourly, as this would create extra and faster links to both Warrington and Widnes.

[Valandil]

RE: Link Network (MD Bus & Coach)

(30/12/2016 11:32)linknetwork Wrote:  Today our 53 plate solo is off road due to an electrical issue.

Ah, so do you have 3 Solos plus the Tempo?
I ask as all three vehicles I saw on the 110 today were Link Network branded (the usual types of 2 Solos and 1 Tempo).

[T42 PVM (Moderator)]

RE: Link Network (MD Bus & Coach)
I thought they had 2 Tempos?

[RedPanda]

RE: Link Network (MD Bus & Coach)

(30/12/2016 15:23)T42 PVM Wrote:  I thought they had 2 Tempos?

No just the one though I thought they had 2 solos and not 3

[T42 PVM (Moderator)]

RE: Link Network (MD Bus & Coach)
Sure I have seen 2 different Tempos before now

[RSTurbo50]

RE: Link Network (MD Bus & Coach)
For someone that works at WBT and has driven the previous 31 and current 32A plenty of times...unless you're in a position to lose money, don't bother with these areas as it's only passes you take and patronage was/is low on these routes.

[Valandil]

RE: Link Network (MD Bus & Coach)

(30/12/2016 20:05)RSTurbo50 Wrote:  For someone that works at WBT and has driven the previous 31 and current 32A plenty of times...unless you're in a position to lose money, don't bother with these areas as it's only passes you take and patronage was/is low on these routes.

Admittedly, lots in that area are elderly 'pass users'.

The thing is though, if you've got a small enough bus running nearby, with time to spare in the timetable, I think you might as well send it through and pick up the extra custom, but that's just my two pence worth.

[linknetwork]

RE: Link Network (MD Bus & Coach)

(30/12/2016 16:56)RedPanda Wrote:  No just the one though I thought they had 2 solos and not 3

We have 2 solos and 1 Tempo with a 2nd Tempo to come some time in January. Ex stage coach I believe.

The faulty solo was fixed and swapped back to relieve the decker yesterday.

[Valandil]

RE: Link Network (MD Bus & Coach)
YN53 SVP was on the 110 today.

By the way, this Solo says 'WARRINTON' on the front, i.e. without the 'G'.
One of the Link Network branded Solos says this too, but interestingly the other one doesn't (uses lower case instead).
Not a huge deal, and probably most people haven't noticed!