(14/08/2016 10:47)Dentonian Wrote:  There is no excuse for not using Hybrids on 219s. From AZ's point of view, 12117-26 were moved there specifically to run 219s; and from HE's point of view, there are plenty spare to run Sunday 219s. Presumably, this was part of the reason for removing the branding from at least some of the "256" batch (12220-32).

Incidentally, I'm advised 10603 is still parked up at Hyde Road, so not yet available for service at AZ. HE's own 10609-17 are all in service, and whilst a compliment of 34 such buses should mean plenty of spares for 201/203 (for now), it didn't stop 19365 & 19407 appearing on consecutive 203 workings yesterday.

(14/08/2016 10:47)Dentonian Wrote:  There is no excuse for not using Hybrids on 219s. From AZ's point of view, 12117-26 were moved there specifically to run 219s; and from HE's point of view, there are plenty spare to run Sunday 219s. Presumably, this was part of the reason for removing the branding from at least some of the "256" batch (12220-32).

Incidentally, I'm advised 10603 is still parked up at Hyde Road, so not yet available for service at AZ. HE's own 10609-17 are all in service, and whilst a compliment of 34 such buses should mean plenty of spares for 201/203 (for now), it didn't stop 19365 & 19407 appearing on consecutive 203 workings yesterday.

(14/08/2016 10:55)Dentonian Wrote:  I'm not really sure why he saw fit to go on record to repeat exactly what he said a couple of months ago. It doesn't do anyone any good.
1. It highlights Stagecoach's worsening obsession with the city centre and their management's increasing ignorance/apathy to what goes on beyond the Manchester (and Salford) city limits
2. It further strains relations with TFGM and re-inforces their belief that Mayoral control is needed.
3. It opens up the general debate in the MEN which shows the continuing ignorance of some members of the public as to the current legislation and financing of bus services. This is all the more incredible if we assume a very high proprtion of people commenting on t'internet are too young to remember when bus services were "blanket" subsidised by the tax-payer.
4. It brings all the champagne environmentalists out claiming that all buses run empty; buses are the sole cause of pollution and the main cause of suggestion; buses are full of anti-social people (even the empty ones?) and everyone should use trams and cycles.

(14/08/2016 22:53)Mayneway Wrote:  To be honest Dentonian I completely agree.
It was a case of what is the point to the story. To be honest most MEN readers won't have a clue who he is or care. He's announcing his retirement yet technically he's not retiring as he's taking on a senior development role.
It seems like every time he's interviewed for trade press or the general media he's got to mention how the congestion effects Stagecoach and how much it costs them in overtime every year because drivers are out late stuck in traffic. It clearly seems like he has an axe to grind.

(15/08/2016 15:25)acocker96 Wrote:  Think it's an example of MEN looking for an excuse to have a pop at public transport again?

(15/08/2016 23:45)Mayneway Wrote:  No because their simply publishing Chris Bowles comments so the comments are hardly anti public transport as such it just seems that he's taken yet another opportunity to have a moan about the congestion in the city centre and seeks to point the blaim at MCC and TFGM.

(18/08/2016 20:10)Nicholas Wrote:  I have a friend who works at HE and he would agree entirely with what Chris Bowles says, and that is because he has daily experience of the congestion in Manchester. Whenever we have a chat on the phone, he brings this up, saying on occasions he has taken 45-60 minutes to get out of the city centre, be it on Wilmslow Road routes or 38s out towards Salford.

(19/08/2016 08:56)Mayneway Wrote:  Nicholas. Im sure you have travelled many times into the city centre. I'm 32 and for as long as I can remember there has been congestion in the city centre it's nothing new. While im not arguing that congestion may have got worse I recent years it's a fact of life. Every major city has congested centres and again buses running late because of heavy traffic is nothing new either.

It seems to me that every time there's an issue with passengers complaining it's atomically blaimed on congestion. Fare rises are because of congestion.

Dentonian Wrote:No sympathy whatsoever where the 38 is concerned. If he doesn't like doing 38s (or the occasional 15/X57) maybe he should swap onto Sunday morning duties on Hyde Road - the one that includes the 0933, 203 from Piccadilly for instance. Or, put in for a transfer to Daw Bank and work the 7s on Saturdays from next month.