Cannock Garage

[Bob]

Makes a mockery of the Choice from privatisation and deregulation promised by the Thatcher govt doesn't it? Although of course they knew that all along

[Steveminor]

Arriva have the power and money to flood the route with buses if necessary though, which sadly small companies cannot continue to compete with.  National express do this often on their routes as they can afford to as Arriva can.  It then leaves very little passengers for smaller operators and eventually results in withdrawal from the route

Well they can try but with all respect they've tried that against central buses & he's still there.
Bob is right but the new bus bill seems like it's a way forward giving authorities more powers as long as they don't abuse the power then operators and authorities should be able to work hand in hand &ensure the correct frequencies are kept per route & no operator tries to use their money & power to dominate another one.
But that's a whole different debate.

[LG]

Yes will be interesting if this bus bill comes about or not

[Trident 4194]

I can see social putting all buses on 74 and failing miserably

[winston]

Arriva have the power and money to flood the route with buses if necessary though, which sadly small companies cannot continue to compete with.  National express do this often on their routes as they can afford to as Arriva can.  It then leaves very little passengers for smaller operators and eventually results in withdrawal from the route

If Arriva can afford to flood all these routes to get rid of the competition quickly, why haven't they? Arriva didn't manage to remove Central Buses off the xpre55, since then they've gained extra competition from Banga, Social, Select & NXWM in a fashion.  Arriva have put some extra buses on the 74, but it doesn't sound as though it's having the desired effect and only increased Arriva's costs further. Other than that, they appear to be playing by small operators rules of running 5 mins in front......

[LG]

The trouble with the 74 route is that the main passengers are students and in the college breaks there are very few passengers around.

[LG]

If Arriva can afford to flood all these routes to get rid of the competition quickly, why haven't they? Arriva didn't manage to remove Central Buses off the xpre55, since then they've gained extra competition from Banga, Social, Select & NXWM in a fashion.  Arriva have put some extra buses on the 74, but it doesn't sound as though it's having the desired effect and only increased Arriva's costs further. Other than that, they appear to be playing by small operators rules of running 5 mins in front......

Good point i dont know the answer.

[Tony]

Arriva have the power and money to flood the route with buses if necessary though, which sadly small companies cannot continue to compete with.  National express do this often on their routes as they can afford to as Arriva can.  It then leaves very little passengers for smaller operators and eventually results in withdrawal from the route

Do they?

Name the last route NX put extra buses on to push a small operator off

[Steveminor]

The 71/72

[Bob]

Look at how the Arriva 74 / 75 have declined in standards over the last couple of years,  from branded buses bought new ( & subsequently neglected to the point where the rear end of at least  one had turned turquoise!  & the seats stank) to upgrading to ex tamworth deckers that break down now more than they're on the road to scabby ex route 1 commanders & even cadets...talk about a premium offer...lol

[Westy]

If Nx managed to 'get rid' of the other operator by flooding the route with extra buses as mentioned, is there any guarantee Nx will keep the extra buses on there?

Former Chase services in Walsall 363,364 & 365 spring to mind, where Twm competed, Chase withdrew & Twm followed not long after, if memory serves.

[Tony]

The 71/72

No extra buses on route, just the two journeys an hour that were numbered 70 now numbered as a 72

[Bob]

If Nx managed to 'get rid' of the other operator by flooding the route with extra buses as mentioned, is there any guarantee Nx will keep the extra buses on there?

Former Chase services in Walsall 363,364 & 365 spring to mind, where Twm competed, Chase withdrew & Twm followed not long after, if memory serves.

No they don't.  They withdraw mainly and things go back to what they were. So passengers don't win. Cheers Mrs T!

[Steveminor]

No extra buses on route, just the two journeys an hour that were numbered 70 now numbered as a 72

Sundays?

[Bob]

At least two commanders on the 74 /75 today.  Decker on pye greens last two days.  Commander o  pye greens also today. Are the deckers definitely intended to stay on the staffords long term?