Arriva North West - Southport Depot

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RE: Arriva North West - Southport Depot

(07/02/2015 15:10)Dentonian Wrote:  I would disagree. Before the recent cuts between Reddish and Stockport, congestion often meant a 203 ('decker operated) would often follow one or more Enviro200/MAN/Solo s on the 7/317/374. If the 203 was in sight passengers would either step back and letter the single-deckers go, or flag down the 203 even though a single-decker was already boarding. Now that smoking has been outlawed for 7+ years, I'm not quite sure why this is, although I know the elderly do not like the massive gap between stanchions on Enviro200s and a Solo is still viewed as a van with windows, even if the ride quality is far better than a Transit or Dodge S50/56 was. Other than that, it might be just that "this is sub/urban Manchester, we had double decker buses (and trams) throughout the 20th century, why are we now lumbered with country buses?"

I'm also confused by the statement that Ormskirk Road "can't support 4 buses an hour". Before ADL/Plaxton and Optare/Ashok closed down the entire North West bus manufacturing industry between them, I used to visit NC at Pemberton regularly, and throughout the time (before and after de-reg), I seem to recall something like 15 buses an hour off-peak between Enfield Street and Wigan - albeit many were already single-decks, and include the frequent 609 Norley Hall circulars.

You are comparing a small single deck to a double there. People are always going to pick a double on them grounds as there is more chance of a seat!! However with regards to the doubles v singles heading in to Wigan this is not likely to be the case so people are more likely to just jump on any bus with Wigan on the destination.