tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post2797734198595849106..comments2024-03-25T19:07:29.729+00:00Comments on Steve's Bus & Train Page: Why Are Cuts Always The First Resort?Steve Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06852377706742868978noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-63374503654069470572015-08-30T18:00:24.933+01:002015-08-30T18:00:24.933+01:00The main problem with First, to me, is that they d...The main problem with First, to me, is that they don't use the resources they have efficiently. We have routes swamped with buses, and others starved. I'm not sure the passengers enter into the equation, but the managers' egos certainly do. Did Braintree suffer, against the big boys of Chelmsford and Colchester, because it had no-one to speak up for it and perhaps having lost local authority contracts (which don't make money anyway) was seen as "the loser", and is Ipswich again a backwater for First? They do seem to worry about the urban politicians who make a lot of noise, but I'm not sure that for the passengers 3,4 or more buses an hour, even often unreliable and clapped out, make a huge difference, but they keep the politicians quiet as it "sounds good" for the PR. Are they so scared of competition that they think it puts the frighteners on them or something? It doesn't. <br /><br />I think we had a situation last year where the new bus allocation went where Arriva had put theirs. The rest of the business didn't enter into the equation, apparently. Perhaps even the First corporate management are as exasperated with them as the rest of us. Most companies have cottoned on that quality, reliability and limited resources do go together. But not the local First for whom quantity is everything. So they do as much, or as little, as they think they can get away with. No confidence, and no attempt to do the right thing.smurfukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04812247601237248526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-41070135537301259592015-08-30T17:48:24.942+01:002015-08-30T17:48:24.942+01:00This comment has been removed by the author.smurfukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04812247601237248526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-91779004424926750992015-08-30T14:12:09.981+01:002015-08-30T14:12:09.981+01:00Back to subject: I hope you're not giving up o...Back to subject: I hope you're not giving up out of frustration of flogging the dead First horse. It needs more flogging in my view.<br /><br />Why aren't they fighting developers (and Councils) for revenue support as essential infrastructure contributions from new housing developments? There are enough of them, apparently keen to trumpet their affordable credentials.<br />Snape Maltings, the areas main tourist attraction, is in the middle of the routes. Where's its financial contribution to sustainable transport? It's new boss used to work for the BBC but shouldn't be allowed to get away with the same sort of hypocrisy. The supermarkets could practise a bit of social responsibility too, to woo their customers back.<br />The Suffolk coastal strip is one of Britain's main cycling areas. Ever heard of BusCycle?<br />There are plenty of such ideas. Of course you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink. But with those blinkers, it seems they can't even see the passengers standing in front of them.<br /><br />smurfukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04812247601237248526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-70676359278473389622015-08-30T13:25:42.924+01:002015-08-30T13:25:42.924+01:00I can possibly see Go Ahead looking to take over S...I can possibly see Go Ahead looking to take over Stephensons and possibly Regal. They would be a good fit with the existing Go Ahead operation in Essex & SuffolkAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-24377940949883471362015-08-30T11:59:43.931+01:002015-08-30T11:59:43.931+01:00Sorry to hear you've decided to give up (on th...Sorry to hear you've decided to give up (on the blog) first. As far as First are concerned I think the writing was on the wall when they lost out to Stagecoach in buying Norfolk Green (and that's why). Arriva (who encircle First Essex) and Stagecoach have put paid to any ambitions First had in this area. And they haven't got a Plan B. They are, to coin a phrase, the weakest link.smurfukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04812247601237248526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-74830058349518762982015-08-30T11:46:03.856+01:002015-08-30T11:46:03.856+01:00Councils are quite wiling to throw million at P&am...Councils are quite wiling to throw million at P&R services and provide information desk and waiting rooms yet are not prepared to spend a penny on normal bus services<br /><br />Bus services outside of the major towns and cities are in terminal decline. They are not now massive cuts, well there is not much left but cutting out first and last buses and reducing frequencies. Most bus services are already well below the minimum level to be of any use so they get very few passengersAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-46499644583200786602015-08-30T11:29:16.842+01:002015-08-30T11:29:16.842+01:00oops, typo alert: it was "can be done" n...oops, typo alert: it was "can be done" not gone! Wishful thinking on my part, perhaps.smurfukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04812247601237248526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-39875660006943263182015-08-30T11:19:04.871+01:002015-08-30T11:19:04.871+01:00Thanks for the acknowledgement. I think we have to...Thanks for the acknowledgement. I think we have to face it that First wouldn't choose to be in the south and east. They bet the farm on America, then rail, and lost both; and are now fighting a rearguard action against re-regulation in the north and Bristol (London style, which they exited from). Stephensons who have carved a good business out of former EC and EN territory show what can be gone, as does everyone else, who is expanding in the south and east (despite the austerity). First aren't even trying - at the national level, which is where the resources are controlled. Local management are doing the best with what they've got, until it's taken away (or falls to bits). If anyone can see a logic to the First businesses please let me know. Clutching at straws is probably the best I can come up with. After all bus to no bus is transforming travel, I suppose, and cuts and fare increases are a recovery to the banker, whose objective is to take as much money out as possible before the shenanagans goes bust. I know one of your correspondents, perhaps from First, did draw a distinction between "old" and "new" management. But I can't see the difference. I think some of us will be praying for "a Braintree", but sadly there's no need for anyone to buy out First whilst they decapitate themselves. The death will be slow and painful, unfortunately.smurfukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04812247601237248526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-77652158639052310962015-08-29T20:22:41.595+01:002015-08-29T20:22:41.595+01:00First services in Braintree that are to be cancell...First services in Braintree that are to be cancelled are being replaced by services by Stephensons of Essex. Stephensons have ordered five buses to cover the routes 21/40/131/2 alomg with a base in town. Interesting to see that First are retreating, Stephensons can see a future in the route and most buses on these routes seemed fairly well loaded. Stephensons will definitely bring an improvement to the area, considering the heaps First have been running in recent times.<br />http://www.stephensonsofessex.com/mobile/article.php?id=253Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-45953926163802856362015-08-29T19:00:32.657+01:002015-08-29T19:00:32.657+01:00This comment has been removed by the author.Trevor Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11580679352006526817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-16193131152391536272015-08-29T18:59:15.152+01:002015-08-29T18:59:15.152+01:00Your bang on the money. First only want the profit...Your bang on the money. First only want the profitable routes. Look at what they have axed over the last 10/15 years across Suffolk Norfolk and Essex. If it dnt make money it gets the axe. They killed the 63 and the same will happen to the 64. Why do Aldeburgh need all those buses when they can nearly all drive? I've worked in Aldeburgh and it ain't got anything much . the people who rely on a bus get stuffed as usual. Hopefully Galloway will continue to invest in new buses and their rural network be it via scc tender contracts. I do really fear for our rural services though. Trevor Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11580679352006526817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-50338351423084770162015-08-29T11:51:24.841+01:002015-08-29T11:51:24.841+01:00I was gobsmacked when I saw it, Griff. I get on at...I was gobsmacked when I saw it, Griff. I get on at Tesco a lot when I go to Wickham and there are always at least 15 - 20 people getting off there, and the same amount - not the same people - getting on there when I come back. Maybe if companies got tax breaks for outstations so the likes of Sax depot could re-open at minimal cost to the company then there might be a future, but it would need goodwill and incentive from many quarters.Steve Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06852377706742868978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-3989987826993800952015-08-29T11:46:54.595+01:002015-08-29T11:46:54.595+01:00I agree and thanks for making me laugh - at least ...I agree and thanks for making me laugh - at least horses weren't hampered by DDA!Steve Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06852377706742868978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-15006641677468729432015-08-29T11:45:27.476+01:002015-08-29T11:45:27.476+01:00Sometimes the truth hurts, and what you say is tot...Sometimes the truth hurts, and what you say is totally correct, and surely the only way to protect rural routes now is re-egulation so the councils have the money to subsidise them, or put a levy on concessionary passes as it's those people who use AND need those country services the most. Then when Mr & Mrs Scroggins from the town fancy a bus ride in the country they will still be able to get one.<br /><br />Thank you for taking the trouble to write those commentts - up there with the best I've ever had.Steve Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06852377706742868978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-12140871781778708832015-08-29T10:51:52.761+01:002015-08-29T10:51:52.761+01:00The reduction of the 64 service between leiston an...The reduction of the 64 service between leiston and sax appears to be incomprehensible. This is well used as sax has railway connections and supermarkets. It has certainly upset a lot of leiston people to have this service reduced to a two hourly frequency that does not even connect with the train service. As an occasional user of both the 64 and 65 services, it appeared to me that these needed increasing in frequency and was half expecting this to happen due to the amount of passengers that used the service when I travel on Saturdays. It was something of a shock to see the service cut. If there are no adequate services then central and local government should look to de-centralize services and amenities to more local geographic positions so people are able to get to them.Griffmonsterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04626039653384615664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-17701848636921239972015-08-29T10:25:28.906+01:002015-08-29T10:25:28.906+01:00i live in lowestoft and first bus has stop running...i live in lowestoft and first bus has stop running a sunday service except 101 for people who work and live in lowestoft is a joke but are still running x1 and the 1 to and from great yarmouth to lowestoft but even angian buses from beccles have stop running too not every body has a car and thanks to tories we will end up going backwards to when geogre 4th was king Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-33542353931387685052015-08-29T08:09:50.831+01:002015-08-29T08:09:50.831+01:00And to continue . . . . .
Dorset CC apply a "...And to continue . . . . . <br />Dorset CC apply a "usage" test . . . if an hours' trip carries more than 10 passengers in total, then the trip is worth supporting; if less, then the trip simply isn't required and will be cut.<br /><br />Now . . . profitability. It's an ugly word, but bus companies have to make profits in order to fund investment. New buses are investment, so . . . no profit, no new buses. Invisible costs of operation are also rising, especially for the PLC's (more HR and H&S legislation needs bigger HR and H&S departments; shareholders demand dividends in return for investing, and so on). I'm not defending FirstBus as such; I do believe that they demand excessive profits from their operations, but they do have a huge amount of debt to service, and users and employees don't always see the bigger picture.<br />Smaller operators simply don't have to do this, and they don't have shareholders to satisfy. However, smaller operators also don't have access to funds to replace aging buses, hence Anglian; Chambers; Konect; Norfolk Green selling out . . . . they simply couldn't fund fleet replacement because their profits weren't big enough.<br /><br />So . . . .what of the future? Mrs Scroggins will continue to die out; more people living rurally will own cars; rural bus routes will continue to suffer cutbacks and withdrawal; with more cars attempting to access cities Park and Ride will expand (thereby allowing fewer car parks and pedestrianisation). <br />If a village lies on a main road between two large towns which supports an hourly (or better) bus service, then residents will have a bus service . . . if not, then no service. I'll refer you to the "five counties" 9/19 service between Peterborough and Nottingham via Stamford, Oakham and Melton Mowbray as an example, and there are many many such services throughout the country. These will survive, simply because they are used. For the rest . . . very sorry, but unless funds become available from councils or Government (varying from no chance to no chance) they will cease.<br /><br />So, Steve . . . . I'm afraid none of this will help you personally, but based on 40 years in the industry, I don't see any improvement any time soon. Good luck.<br />greenline727https://www.blogger.com/profile/03033268278026535109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-33727335698382652322015-08-29T08:09:00.555+01:002015-08-29T08:09:00.555+01:00Ah . . . . . . rural buses; a lifeline to those co...Ah . . . . . . rural buses; a lifeline to those communities that otherwise would see so many people stranded. You are right, of course . . . . . . but now let's look a little deeper.<br /><br />In 1985, a Transport Act was implemented that said, in effect, bus companies will only be able to run bus routes that cover costs and local councils will pick up what's left. In practice, bus companies had been very good at "cross-subsidising" lightly used routes from more popular routes, and continued this practice after 1985 (but just not telling people as much).<br />That was 30 years ago (and I'd already been a busman for 10 years then!). This model worked fine as long as (1) local councils had plenty of money and (2) bus companies had lots of popular bus routes that made lots of money to (quietly) subsidise the loss-makers.<br /><br />In (around) 2000, Government recognised that rural bus routes were declining, and made a Rural Bus Grant available for councils to promote rural bus routes and financially support increased service frequencies to see if they could be saved. Suffolk CC was a big receiver of RBG, and I remember travelling on one such service from Diss to Saxmundham which carried only me (and the driver said he'd never see more than 10 passengers all day on this route).<br /><br />Fast forward to 2015 . . . . what's different? RBG finished after about 8 years, and some routes died at that time, but many more continued either operated commercially or where the bill was picked up by the local council. All well and good so far, but in the wider community, things were changing. Mrs Scroggins (the lifeline of the rural bus route . . . travelling 3-4 times per week for shopping, or to get her hair done, or to see the doctor) was getting older, and either not travelling so much, or simply dying. Mrs Scroggins' daughter either didn't live in the village, or had a car. Result, passenger numbers fell (and fell quickly). If passenger numbers fall, then the financials really don't work, and if there's no support funding then the inevitable happens. <br />Here's a case study . . . . . in Rutland RBG money supported two routes: RF1 (Oakham to Corby) and RF2 (Oakham - Melton Mowbray via the villages). RF1 runs hourly, and is reasonably well used, so will remain (still with some support, but not much). RF2 runs two hourly "the long way round" and numbers are falling {3 years ago the 1200 ex Oakham carried around 12 passengers . . .yesterday it carried 5 passengers, and ran empty for much of the journey). I think we know what will happen . . . . the service will be cut to only "essential" journeys within a few years.<br /><br />More to follow . . . . greenline727https://www.blogger.com/profile/03033268278026535109noreply@blogger.com