Howards/Springfield

[ant17612]

RE: Howards/Springfield
Ex Gee Vee, Barnsley Bova FHD P69BSB (P1GVT) is now here joining K4HOW (X4GVT).

[knutstransport]

RE: Howards/Springfield
They seem to be keeping the Metrocity on the 289, the 66 reg Enviro on the 200 and the 65 reg Enviro on the 27 - some operators have problems keeping the same buses on the same routes even when they brand the buses for the routes they are usually used on (which Howards/Springfield haven't done.) Although, I imagine when the buses are due to be serviced they'll need to be some switching around given the 200 runs 7 days a week and apparently the older buses can't be used on the 289.

[M60lad]

RE: Howards/Springfield
If there's any switching round to be done to cover for Inspections etc, its usually the 27 that suffers vehicles wise and gets the older vehicles as its probably the only route that can cope with having a bigger vehicle on it as both regular drivers on there know.

Also another thing is that as well as regular vehicles on routes Howards have also got regular drivers on each of their tendered services.

[Nwales Bus]

RE: Howards/Springfield

(22/01/2017 14:25)M60lad Wrote:  If there's any switching round to be done to cover for Inspections etc, its usually the 27 that suffers vehicles wise and gets the older vehicles as its probably the only route that can cope with having a bigger vehicle on it as both regular drivers on there know.

Also another thing is that as well as regular vehicles on routes Howards have also got regular drivers on each of their tendered services.

Regular drivers on duties is often used by smaller sized operators as it builds up rappor with the local residents. I also believe that it's particularly useful on Rural routes and on service serving housing estates as the drivers over time will know where their regular passengers board and alight. It's the small things which in the end builds up a strong reputation within the loca community

[knutstransport]

RE: Howards/Springfield

(22/01/2017 15:53)Nwales Bus Wrote:  Regular drivers on duties is often used by smaller sized operators as it builds up rappor with the local residents. I also believe that it's particularly useful on Rural routes and on service serving housing estates as the drivers over time will know where their regular passengers board and alight. It's the small things which in the end builds up a strong reputation within the loca community

D&G Bus have regular drivers on the 88 route as well despite it being a route with a PVR of 5. Although they don't always do the same shifts from one day to the next e.g. the driver that takes out the 14:05 bus one day might take the 13:35 the next.

When GHA ran the 27 and 289 they used a few unmarked stops, which passengers still wanted when Howards took over the routes but initially the drivers dropped off passengers further down the road because they didn't realise where passengers had been dropped off under the previous operators. Things have settled down now but if they had a pool of 50 drivers and they all took the 27 and 289 routes they'd probably forget where the unmarked stops are. Of course the proper solution would be for Cheshire East to relocate some of their bus stops on roads which are no longer served by buses so there aren't any unmarked bus stops. The pre-2011 289 route (not via High Legh) still has some bus stops on it, as does Queensway, Knutsford and Brook Lane, Alderley Edge.

[knutstransport]

RE: Howards/Springfield
Places the bus stops where there's no bus stop sign but the stop is shown on Traveline and sometimes Google e.g. Legh Arms, Knutsford on 27 route and Clamhunger La, Mere on the 289.

[Nicholas]

RE: Howards/Springfield

(23/01/2017 07:41)knutstransport Wrote:  Places the bus stops where there's no bus stop sign but the stop is shown on Traveline and sometimes Google e.g. Legh Arms, Knutsford on 27 route and Clamhunger La, Mere on the 289.

It's what is referred to as a "ghost stop". It usually occurs in places where hail and ride applies, particularly if the location is a timing point or a school service pick-up point. Or it could be where a stop sign has disappeared but not been replaced. There are thousands of them across the country.

[knutstransport]

RE: Howards/Springfield
I noticed this was tweeted yesterday: https://twitter.com/spr_bus/status/824653920819642368

SN66 was on the 289 yesterday afternoon so I'm not sure if they'd intended to use another bus and SN66 got used because of the breakdown or if SN66 broke down but was back in service later on.

[M60lad]

RE: Howards/Springfield
Metrocity was out on 27s yesterday

[knutstransport]

RE: Howards/Springfield
Metrocity on 289 again this morning.