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As you are probably aware we never acquired any deckers from SLT, so when we acquired it they weren't using 100 seater deckers.

I have just quickly scanned some journey data from early December, and I don't see a level of usage that supports an increase in the vehicle size.  Before acquiring the vehicles we looked at a years worth of data, and they were clearly the right vehicle.  However, if I am missing something, can you let me know which journey you think requires larger vehicles and I will look at that journey specifically for a month.

What is more interesting is that despite using 33 seater buses, to achieve a lower vehicle cost and higher fuel efficiency the service is just covering its operating costs




Simon

Wow, only covering its costs!?!?! I will admit, bus usage across the area east of Wigan seems to be hemorrhaging just like retail footfall - look at the lack of buses between Wigan and Atherton/Tyldesley. That area has gone from 5 per hour (132 + First's 32/33) to 1 per hour (First curtailed the 33, then Stagecoach cut then axed the 32). Even the Leigh <-> Astley flow has gone from a peak of something like 16 per hour down to 5.

But yes, I do remember no deckers transferring over, as D&G got rid of them all - the 126 Olympus now being at Midland Classic.

Back to the original question - and I will admit, I've moved out of the area so only use buses when I'm visiting family (which is several times a year). I don't know the time, but one day I do know of was 11 October... on this occasion it was my mum who was waiting to board in Astley and wasn't allowed on because it was so full. The result was she didn't bother going to the Trafford Centre, instead she caught the Stagecoach 34 and ended up in the Manchester Arndale during the terrorist incident! (luckily she wasn't affected). Other people who I know use the service have said similar. I hate to say, but my mum's opinion of Diamond isn't good.

Can anyone explain why DBNW don't amend the VH1 and VH2 so that they can run a figure of 8 of Walkden and Boothstown on a 30 minute frequency (Each way so 15 mins combined). The current situation means the VH1 is basically just linking people into Boothstown to change buses and the VH2 links that housing development into Walkden. If the VH1 and VH2 were combined, they could link Boothstown and Walkden making more sense. You are almost guaranteed to get more passengers running the suggested way compared to the 2 very small circulars which look as if they run around empty all day.

They are run using S106 housing development funding, private contracts (I think) for Bellway Homes. The VH1 was specifically designed to link the development with the Busway, hence why it runs over to Mosley Common as passengers can transfer at Newearth Road.

Question for Simon relating to DNW. Why are the buses on the 126 and 132 so small? Given these are the only routes to the Trafford Centre from Leigh and Wigan, the little Streetlites are very inadequate for these services, particularly during weekends and school holidays. Take the 126 - it can often be full by the time it has reached Astley, to the point people are left behind. Given the shift times at the Trafford Centre, this isn't good for shift workers. Back in SLT days, the 126 was run using a 100 capacity decker!