Stagecoach MCSL - Chester & Wirral Depots

[chester285]

RE: First Chester & Wirral
Are all Mpu's going from both Rockferry and chester, Rumour has it that the palatine is moving from RF to Chester,

[First Class]

RE: First Chester & Wirral
If First just closed Rock Ferry and moved everything to Chester, would there be much of a loss? Surely it would be more economical?

The 38 would probably be axed, (or run a new service Chester to West Kirby a few times a day), the 41/42 has pretty much been left to rot, Avon or similar would probably like the route, and First could just carry on the 1/2, but from Chester?

[wirralbus]

RE: First Chester & Wirral
I have always said this with this operation of First Chester and Wirral that the operation would be better from one site , probably more profitable as well .

The depot at Chester is in the city and with the right development could provide first with a good pot of cash to go looking for a new depot site away from homes.


Both depots looked hemmed by houses and businesses and room for expansion is very limited.

[wirralbus]

RE: First Chester & Wirral

(22/10/2012 15:16)First Class Wrote:  If First just closed Rock Ferry and moved everything to Chester, would there be much of a loss? Surely it would be more economical?

The 38 would probably be axed, the 41/42 has pretty much been left to rot, Avon or similar would probably like the route, and First could just carry on the 1/2, but from Chester?

I will tell you now Arriva will take the 41/2 if First came off it , they didnt really wanted to give that route up after the PMT Crosville / Merseybus bus war in the first place.

[First Class]

RE: First Chester & Wirral

(22/10/2012 15:20)wirralbus Wrote:  

(22/10/2012 15:16)First Class Wrote:  If First just closed Rock Ferry and moved everything to Chester, would there be much of a loss? Surely it would be more economical?

The 38 would probably be axed, the 41/42 has pretty much been left to rot, Avon or similar would probably like the route, and First could just carry on the 1/2, but from Chester?

I will tell you now Arriva will take the 41/2 if First came off it , they didnt really wanted to give that route up after the PMT Crosville / Merseybus bus war in the first place.

Possibly starts getting anti-competitive though, doesn't it?

Arriva would dominate the Wirral. Even First 1/2 services aren't really "competition", as they are now working together.

The 41/42 is probably the most profitable route on the Wirral ran by someone other than Arriva. That said, First could have really developed this route into something great. They haven't invested in their operations like Arriva.

They then have the cheek to charge £4.60 for a Day Ticket, (same as Arriva), yet Arriva ticket has a MASSIVE area of use.

41/42 probably would have been a good QBP contender.

[CX54 DKD (Moderator)]

RE: First Chester & Wirral
Just a reminder at this stage to keep this thread on topic with news and developments regarding the current First Chester & Wirral. There is a designated thread down in the off-topic area where speculative posting is better placed.

Thanks.

[wirralbus]

RE: First Chester & Wirral

(22/10/2012 16:03)First Class Wrote:  

(22/10/2012 15:20)wirralbus Wrote:  

(22/10/2012 15:16)First Class Wrote:  If First just closed Rock Ferry and moved everything to Chester, would there be much of a loss? Surely it would be more economical?

The 38 would probably be axed, the 41/42 has pretty much been left to rot, Avon or similar would probably like the route, and First could just carry on the 1/2, but from Chester?

I will tell you now Arriva will take the 41/2 if First came off it , they didnt really wanted to give that route up after the PMT Crosville / Merseybus bus war in the first place.

Possibly starts getting anti-competitive though, doesn't it?

Arriva would dominate the Wirral. Even First 1/2 services aren't really "competition", as they are now working together.

The 41/42 is probably the most profitable route on the Wirral ran by someone other than Arriva. That said, First could have really developed this route into something great. They haven't invested in their operations like Arriva.

They then have the cheek to charge £4.60 for a Day Ticket, (same as Arriva), yet Arriva ticket has a MASSIVE area of use.

41/42 probably would have been a good QBP contender.

Take it on one step and you could say that Birkenhead - Bromborough journeys are dominated by First , with only two buses in some hours and one in the other operated by Arriva . Arriva aint dominant on that section.

Think the 41 / 42 should be Mill Park - Birkenhead Bus Station and the other section reverting back to its old Number 70 Birkenhead Bus Station - Woodchurch Estate .

[First Class]

RE: First Chester & Wirral

(22/10/2012 15:20)wirralbus Wrote:  Think the 41 / 42 should be Mill Park - Birkenhead Bus Station and the other section reverting back to its old Number 70 Birkenhead Bus Station - Woodchurch Estate .

Would also suggest routing the 41/42 via the retail park at Bromborough like the 40/40A.

[wirralbus]

RE: First Chester & Wirral

(22/10/2012 16:15)First Class Wrote:  

(22/10/2012 15:20)wirralbus Wrote:  Think the 41 / 42 should be Mill Park - Birkenhead Bus Station and the other section reverting back to its old Number 70 Birkenhead Bus Station - Woodchurch Estate .

Would also suggest routing the 41/42 via the retail park at Bromborough like the 40/40A.

By the way when Crosville first started the 41 and 42 many moons ago , the service did operate via Bromborough Retail Park but severe traffic congestion on a saturday made the service impossible to timetable , partly rectified now by the extra exits an enhancement could be possible if time could be found in the timetable .

[R879 HRF]

RE: First Chester & Wirral

(22/10/2012 16:03)First Class Wrote:  They then have the cheek to charge £4.60 for a Day Ticket, (same as Arriva), yet Arriva ticket has a MASSIVE area of use.

Lets remember First are dominant in Chester though, so whereas an Arriva day ticket may be more useful for people heading in one direction, a first ticket may be ideal for people travelling in the other ... ie to/from chester then travelling in and around chester.

As for the 41/42 - its already been mentioned it was once their trump card so to speak under the SMART scheme, but once Merseytravel axed that it was pretty much left to rot!