Arriva September 2015 changes

[Ashley 60171]

I just cant see whats gone wrong with the Wednesfield operation.

Arriva is a fairly well known name across the Uk.

Some of the management staff were ex NX, I believe, so you'd think they would have a fair idea what worked & what didnt, but to withdraw a route after being beaten by the likes of Banga! :0

How was Choice doing before it became Midland & absorbed the A2Z operation?

They seemed ok on the old 171 as far as I know, dunno about the rest of the operation.

Perhaps people have a perception of Arriva as that company from Cannock?

Over in Wolvertrampton, the less observant folk think of Arriva as the buses that go out into the sticks.

Back in Choice days, their network was smaller but more grounded. The growth came from TWM service cuts and stepping in to mop up after A2Z. Seven years later, slightly bigger than they were. Companies such as Arriva, First and Rotala get way too much slack on this forum. In regard to an operation being made up of mostly tendered work, why does nobody have a crack at Igo for example.

Wolves doesn't have much scope for competition, people have tried for years and failed.

Arriva Wednesfield do have a future in my opinion.

But what do I know? Half of you will turn round and probably say naff all.

[Bob]

What type of future do you envisage for them??

[Trident 4609]

The 530 has too many buses running on there. Doesn't warrant a 7 minute frequency (combined). Banga have been operating on there for years and have gathered a loyal following along the route. Regardless of whether Wednesfield, Cannock or any other Arriva Garage operated it, the 530 isn't a route that sustains competition. The same goes for the 4A. NX have the service covered. Who knows what the future holds? Maybe Wednesfield will finally have a crack at one of the main corridors in competition with NX.....

If Arriva representatives are posting that Wednesfield has a future then that means it has a future.

Anyway, If anyone in the know could tell me, will the 57 serve Silverton Way both ways or use Broad Lane South towards Bilston and Silverton Way towards W'ton? (Like the 18 does now)

[Bob]

NX have most services covered???

Doesnt stop Diamond doing well on major NX corridors such as 301/302

But then they dont have a shabby fleet of tat on those corridors

[Steveminor]

But arriva have only chosen minor routes to compete on.
Rotala do better when they choose core routes to compete with. Even they have been beaten when they go after the minor routes.
Arriva won't go after a big route for fear of all out war with nxwm.  One they would probably lose IMHO

[BN]

@BN why have almost all of Wednesfields commercial routes failed so miserably?

I wouldnt like to comment.

[BN]

Also @BN do you think the reduction in service on Sapphire route 1 will do much for it? Or be popular with passengers? And do you think given the above the Sapphire upgrade has been a failure?

I don't believe any Sapphire route in the UK has failed.

[Bob]

I don't believe any Sapphire route in the UK has failed.

So why are frequencies being reduced? The 1 has been every 20 mins for around a decade at least. Sapphire was supposed to build on this, and increase custom, and provide a viable, attractive alternativeto the car.

So, reducing the frequencies of  & elongating a previously direct service is a consequence of its success then?

Jesus......

[Westy]

NX have most services covered???

Doesnt stop Diamond doing well on major NX corridors such as 301/302

But then they dont have a shabby fleet of tat on those corridors

Is Arriva's 1 & 2 picking up between Bloxwich & Walsall, as a consquence?

I only know my mother, that uses the current daytime 2. (I've only used it when I've gone out with her & paid the difference, otherwise it's NX on the Bloxwich Road!)

[Bob]

If the 1 was picking up they wouldnt be reducing it lol!

[covlad27]

If the 1 was picking up they wouldnt be reducing it lol!

Bob im not standing up for Arriva but the reasons to me for the reduction seem to be purely to do with timetables.  I have been looking at the times and can see it looks like they have done this to level out the times to coinside with other routes to make a regilar service.  For example a combined 15 mins along parts of the route as apposed to 10 mins then 20 mins wait for the next bus

[Bob]

its gone from three fast buses per hour to two slower ones at either terminus ( the 1). On certain sections yes its four per hour but two of which are far slower. its a cut in the main.

[covlad27]

But if you look at what they are doing they are naking a 25 minute service between cannock and huntington with the 74 and 75 for instance.  The reasons are plainly obvious to me, as I said I dont think its to do with passenger numbers I believe its all to make a better sevice regulation for the passengers

[Bob]

At the moment theres five cannock to Walsall trips per hour. Three direct ones and two slow ones.

The new timetables give you  two slower number 1s plus two even slower versions of the existing slow route.

Can you tell me how that, from a passenger point of view is an improvement?

[Ashley 60171]

If you deleted all the BS, there would be nothing in these Arriva threads. Give it a rest. We're bored now!!