West midlands bus franchising

Stu · October 31, 2024, 05:30:06 PM

Quote from: suavegarv on October 31, 2024, 05:23:17 PMHave the total and ongoing costs of franchising in Manchester been revealed?

The other pertinent question to be answered is has franchising bus services in Manchester made them more reliable?

B7RLE · October 31, 2024, 05:32:19 PM

Quote from: Stu on October 31, 2024, 05:30:06 PMThe other pertinent question to be answered is has franchising bus services in Manchester made them more reliable?

As someone who has multiple friends from different areas of Greater Manchester, I can confirm the answer to this is no

ellspurs · October 31, 2024, 10:00:57 PM

I went through Manchester (on my way to Glasgow) on Tuesday. I barely saw any of the yellow buses. Have they not franchised the area that covers the city centre/airport yet?

B7RLE · October 31, 2024, 10:41:20 PM

Quote from: ellspurs on October 31, 2024, 10:00:57 PMI went through Manchester (on my way to Glasgow) on Tuesday. I barely saw any of the yellow buses. Have they not franchised the area that covers the city centre/airport yet?

The south of Greater Manchester (south of the city) is set to be franchised in early 2025 - that includes the airport area

ellspurs · October 31, 2024, 11:29:17 PM

Ah, okay. That would explain the lack of yellow buses. Thank you.

frostjay974 · November 11, 2024, 03:07:21 PM

Quote from: B7RLE on October 31, 2024, 05:32:19 PMAs someone who has multiple friends from different areas of Greater Manchester, I can confirm the answer to this is no

It would be better if you went there and tested the services yourself before saying that.

Tony · November 11, 2024, 03:27:48 PM

Quote from: frostjay974 on November 11, 2024, 03:07:21 PMIt would be better if you went there and tested the services yourself before saying that.

The biggest problem in Manchester is traffic seems even worse than Birmingham. If I go up there in the morning peak looking for specific buses to photo most of them seem to arrive in Central Manchester 20-30 minutes late. Franchising does nothing to help that. It seems Manchester is even more in need of Bus Priority than Birmingham is.

Rachvince53 · November 11, 2024, 04:02:54 PM

Quote from: B7RLE on October 31, 2024, 10:41:20 PMThe south of Greater Manchester (south of the city) is set to be franchised in early 2025 - that includes the airport area

Quote from: ellspurs on October 31, 2024, 10:00:57 PMI went through Manchester (on my way to Glasgow) on Tuesday. I barely saw any of the yellow buses. Have they not franchised the area that covers the city centre/airport yet?

Yes. The franchises have gone to Diamond North West and Metroline. The yellow buses for Metroline are currently in store, some in Cardiff I understand.

B7RLE · November 11, 2024, 04:58:49 PM

Quote from: frostjay974 on November 11, 2024, 03:07:21 PMIt would be better if you went there and tested the services yourself before saying that.

I hear everyday about struggles with Bee Network services, across a wide range of them. I have also been up there once and I witnessed a convoy of vehicles on the 135, 59 and 409. 3 of the 6 routes that I rode on that day.

ellspurs · November 17, 2024, 02:38:12 PM

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c86qy500545o

More info about moneys being distributed across the country for bus networks.

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West midlands bus franchising