06 Jan 2020, 10:17 pm
#60
(05 Jan 2020, 11:23 pm)OrangeArrow49 I think we have a stupid bus network that discourages bus travel. We don't have competition, we have to get to wherever using whichever service is there. Always really annoys me in the West End having to buy a Stagecoach ticket just to get into town, or a Network 1 Day Rover to come home by Stagecoach later because I am going to GNE territory. Thankfully dominant is not exclusive and I can make use of the 74, X84/X85, 42A and Q3 as necessary (and preferred, because GNE is way better than Stagecoach overall). The main problem with Stagecoach being dominant in the West End is they are not really dominant anywhere else! I also don't like Stagecoach, and find the lack of competition makes them unreliable, and means they don't make an effort with anything. GNE are investing regularly to keep improving their network.
The X84/X85 will be going X-lines in the future, will that be this year? Further improvement by GNE.
I don't particularly care who is dominant wherever, if Arriva territory I don't go there, if Stagecoach territory I deal with it, sometimes reluctantly, and if there is an infrequent service, like the 74, I use that instead. Stagecoach is not all bad, I just prefer the alternatives - GNE, GCT, Stanley Travel etc. I go to GNE territory, so it costs less to get a GNE service in the West End! Stagecoach dominance or not, if GNE is better, cheaper, and makes for a more pleasant journey I will happily use the very infrequent 74 or wait for the X84/X85, far less frequent than Stagecoach along that stretch, at times of day I can't make use of the 74.
If the 74 doesn't exist in the future, I will use the X84/X85 which hopefully will stick around! Stagecoach can run as many buses as they like, doesn't mean I have to use them!
On buses magazine it says X9/X10 will be receiving a newer upgrade but i think B5s will go on if they do. Big risk of putting 6308-6314 on X84/85.
