York University seems to have joined the rest of York and shown some disdain for the FTR Streetcar no. 4. The university’s “preferred supplier” is now York Pullman’s Unibus 44. The 4 has the advantage in terms of frequency and is operated with the assistance of a conductor but even so the 44 is reported as quicker—even if this is perceived rather than actual.
So, you pays yer money and you takes yer choice. In this regard, First is reported to be lowering its fares from the university to city centre to £2 return, to match Pullman’s. This would never have happened had there been no 44. And, from tomorrow, First will be extending its 4 from Heslighton Hall to Heslington East, again matching Unibus’ level of service. This is interesting for, without success, the university unsuccessfully tried this tack. It would now seem First is content to help.
In turn, a handful of peak Pullman’s Unibus services start from Acomb, the cross-city terminus of FTR. But the Pullman service operates only till twilight, with the last FTR arriving at the university after midnight.
One of York’s senior opposition councillors recently called FTR a “white elephant on wheels”. No one seems to be a big fan of York’s FTR. This is such a shame, as both the council and operator have invested thousands into infrastructure, stock and staff in a bold move to show what public transport can deliver. The partnership has tried to lift the bus to a new level but instead seems to be unloved by everyone.
Everyone that is, bar the passengers themselves. FTR has resulted in ridership increases (helped by the university expansion, no doubt). And, during all the arguing about its suitability (or not), above all the noise, no one actually hears or heeds the voice of users, most of whom, from what I hear, are pleased with the internal Streetcar environment, additional buggy space and conductors.
Sunday, 3 October 2010
Is FTR all Bad?
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8 comments:
But York didn't invest in the infrastructure with the required bus lanes and traffic light priorities etc to make this travesty of a tram service properly functional!
Yes, FTR is all bad!
The reason that there are a handful of peak-time services to and from Acomb on the 44 is purely because the Pullman depot is out to the west of York - the buses have to run through Acomb at the start and end of the day, so they might as well run in service rather than empty!
For all that some people are criticising the university for subsidising Pullman when First are running the same route, don't for one second believe that First would have extended their route to Heslington East, dropped their fares by more than 50% or offered free travel within the campus area without either subsidy from the university or the competition from Pullman. And don't for one second believe that if Pullman withdrew their service, that First would not go back to their old ways within minutes. £3 return for a journey of 1.5 miles each way is nothing short of daylight robbery.
Also worth noting that Pullman do provide an evening service from the new Heslington East campus (which First don't) as part of a different route, and return tickets issued on the 44 are accepted.
I fervently hope that the students and staff at the university recognise that if they continue to use the FTR then the Unibus will not be viable, and either will cease (with the effects on FTR known without a shadow of doubt) or will cost the university more to subsidise.
But if the University have been trying to get First to extend their service to Heslington East, for some three years with no success, then surely there's no issue with someone else taking a commercial opportunity?
Although First has ended up with egg on its face again for letting someone else in. When City of York Council are pro-bus, the local media is also pro-bus (unusually), and the local First fleet is very modern you have to ask why First can't make York work? Evidently the manage remotely approach just divorces management from local stakeholders.
According to the local press, First are going to paint a standard SD bus as a 'baby ftr' to make up the numbers. The evidence to me suggests that, in order to protect the ftr brand, First took a huge gamble through turning down the University's offer for funding that they would not fund Pullman. Surely the lesson to take away is that the ftr is too inflexible?
ftr a success? Hum, let's consider the facts:
On conversion:
* The service frequency dropped from every 8 mins to every 10
* The journey time lengthened due to the longer stop dwell time and slower buses
* The route PVR actually rose therefore!
* The service is far more expensive to operate - for three key reasons -
i) High depreciation
ii) The need for conductors
iii) Higher levels of fare evasion
The cost is self evident as in the evenings and on Sundys when there are other buses available, the ftrs stay in the depot whilst proper buses run the route.
And as for the fact that we now have a wrightbus standard rigid saloon in full ftr branded livery, its as if First can't even be bothered to protect the 'image' or reputation that's left of ftr. A real shame, but an opportunity to look in the mirror.
Not sure how many people are aware but the Unibus service now runs every ten minutes at peak times (9-6), dropping down to every 20 mins/half an hour after that, but continuing to run a service to the university until 11:11pm.
First were offered a subsidised contract over two years ago to run to Heslington East but turned it down, this year they were reoffered the contract but also turned it down then, which is when Pullman stepped up and took the contract. After which Firstgroup got (for lack of a better word) childish about the entire thing, even giving the poor customer service lad (Who is also advertising Pullman's services) grief.
Pullmans drivers respect students and make the journey enjoyable. First are bully's and are planning to run every 6 mins from march to get rid of uni bus please guys support uni bus u will miss I if it goes ad your paying way to much again .
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