Arriva Strike

[iMarkeh]

RE: Arriva Strike

(26/11/2017 14:20)CX06 EBK Wrote:  Most people stick with Arriva in St Helens because the vast majority of them use Arriva tickets so the smaller operators are of no use. That in itself brings up issues on strike days for many routes (except the HTL 17/30 which can accept these tickets) where people will try to get on with these tickets, Merseytravel themselves have made no effort to allow those tickets to be used on these services on strike days which should show you how little they care about that matter. The issue with retaining staff simply comes down to pay, especially at the operation I currently work at where you get paid barely over the living wage. Couple that with sub standard conditions, buses and not being paid for everything you do, is it any wonder drivers leave for either better paid independents and Stagecoach or Arriva?

Arriva operate the closest bus to them or the fastest. There are alternatives available though just walking that little bit extra. The most expensive return that I know of is £3.20 which is Link 329 to Warrington. It is hardly expensive in the grand scheme of things. Hattons aren't exactly dear (according to the prices on their website). I could understand it if the smaller companies were charging like £5.50 for a return (hint hint) but they aren't.
As has already been said, the smaller companies simply can't keep up with the rate of pay that Arriva has. Probably due to the fact Arriva don't sell returns on most routes increasing profits massively but that is where the independants jump in at a lower price but they can't compete on times so lower price + less passengers due to Arriva loyalty. You just can't pay drivers the same. It would make companies go into liquidation.