We conclude our look at where we might expect the main players co-operating in the future, under the terms of the Local Transport Act 2008. The more stars out of four, the higher the chances. Part 1 here
Wirral
Competition between First (1) and Arriva (401), along the Chester-Birkenhead-Liverpool corridor. First operates 6/hr Cheshire Oaks to Birkenhead, half of which extend south to Chester and north east to Liverpool. Arriva also operates 3/hr Chester-Liverpool. Passengers could well benefit from the co-ordination a SQBP might offer.West Yorkshire
A quality contract is possible in any of the integrated transport authorities. Of all of them and their respective PTEs, the West Yorkshire ITA is ahead of the game. While it recognises there will be costs and hasn’t yet ruled out voluntary or statutory partnerships, it is also lining up for a series of quality contracts across the Leeds city region. Could be ground breaking but will be subject to whomsoever holds the keys to No.10, in May. If the Conservatives, the government may not smile on QCs.
Northampton 
A minor bus war between Stagecoach and First in the middle years of the current decade resulted in some cuts in marginal services. Stability did return and with it, investment. Stagecoach still vies with incumbent First, for example to Rockery Farm. The pressure’s less intense in Northampton for some form of agreement but where competition exists, totals per hour remain high.
Preston
Stagecoach needs to sell its newly acquired Preston Bus operation. Since Preston Bus wasn’t the most sparkling, whomsoever buys it—if a buyer can be found—may find it can only develop the business eventually, in parallel with rather than against Stagecoach.Bournemouth
Dorset’s (or is that Hampshire’s?) premier resort would’ve landed a monopoly had Go Ahead succeeded in its quest for Bournemouth Transport. In the event, Wilts & Dorset ramped up cross-conurbation competition, with Transdev Yellow Buses following. W&D struggled and scaled back, while Transdev Yellow Buses continues its irritating competition to Poole. TYB done good. Not sure about W&D. Rationalisation is a possibility, though slim.
Saturday, 6 February 2010
Overlap—Pt 2
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8 comments:
What about Greater Manchester which has some fierce competition on some routes, especially to the universities?
In Northampton, Stagecoach United Counties have been pushing worst sorry, First Northampton out for years.
Bus wars since the privatisation of Northampton Transport has seen First regress each time the old ‘country’ operator has put any pressure on them. To a point where most new buses allocated to First Northampton are driffeted away to Leicester and most routes are operated by a mixed bag of B7 (shower cubicles), Volvo D10M’s or more horrid Dennis Lance.
Stagecoach United Counties, did seem to replace First’s services with horrid under capacity Darts, but they seem to be investing in Northampton with new M A N Enviro 300 buses. To the point that SUCOC run 60% of the Northampton town network.
In Northampton First are not “transforming travel” – I Just witness the Volvo Citybus’s with their original worn out seats.
Let’s hope that one day StagecoachUCOC replaces Worst Northampton – period.
Northampton is as good an example as any why Stagecoah is the world's best bus operator. One star? I'd say zero stars. Why would SC want to form an aliance?
it should be pointed out that this only appeals to England. First Northampton are load of crap, I have to agree why in would stagecoach even think about getting in bed with them.
Darts were used in Northampton as stagecoach had nothing bigger to use until the new buses where built.
Also the list has mist out Tyneside. I could see Go ahead and stagecoach doing something up here.
I thought W&D Poole was making good money these days!
Since Bournemouth si going to be handed over to Veolia as part of the Veolia/Transdev deal, things might start looking up for W&D soon!
stagecoach is anything but the worlds best operator all the underhand tricks they have played. Darlington anyone? and what about the countless small operators they have put out of business for no reason its a shame how many people forget so quickly what this operator has been responsible for
Are Yellows slipping you a weekly tenner?!
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