(10 Jul 2014, 7:44 pm)Tom wrote Something I've noticed recently about pricing on the 685. It differs between the two operators.
For example,
Stagecoach - £4.75 Hexham to Newcastle
Arriva - £5.40 Hexham to Newcastle
Stagecoach - £3.25 Heddon to Newcastle
Arriva - £3.40 Heddon to Newcastle

I don't pay (concessionary pass), but a friend who travels between Hexham and Corbridge will not use the Arriva service as it costs more than GNE (and there's five per hour versus the one Arriva/Stagecoach).

(10 Jul 2014, 8:22 pm)G-CPTN wrote I don't pay (concessionary pass), but a friend who travels between Hexham and Corbridge will not use the Arriva service as it costs more than GNE (and there's five per hour versus the one Arriva/Stagecoach).

Stagecoach are £1.85 from Hexham to Corbridge - a bit of a rip off if you ask me. Are GNE £1.50?

(10 Jul 2014, 8:26 pm)Tom wrote Stagecoach are £1.85 from Hexham to Corbridge - a bit of a rip off if you ask me. Are GNE £1.50?

GNE are £2.00 on 10, 687, X84 & X85.

GNE Fares

Hexham - Newcastle 4.70 single 5.70 return

Hexham - Corbridge 2.00 single 3.70 return

Heddon - Newcastle 3.20 single 5.70 return

(10 Jul 2014, 7:44 pm)Tom wrote Something I've noticed recently about pricing on the 685. It differs between the two operators.

For example,
Stagecoach - £4.75 Hexham to Newcastle
Arriva - £5.40 Hexham to Newcastle

Stagecoach - £3.25 Heddon to Newcastle
Arriva - £3.40 Heddon to Newcastle

Under Competition Act rules, operators are not allowed to meet and discuss their fares in order to 'set' a fare - that would be 'collusion' and they'd end up in prison!

They are allowed to accept each other's return tickets and to recharge each other appropriate reimbursement, but are not allowed to discuss or set a return fare - again, that would be collusion.

A Stagecoach short midibus (Solo?) seen @ 2pm-ish leaving Brampton for Carlisle showing service 685.

I don't know whether it ran through from Hexham/Haydon Bridge or 'started' from Brampton.

Would they schedule a small midibus on the whole of the route? (Carlisle to Newcastle to Carlisle)

Maybe it was a replacement for a breakdown?

(12 Jul 2014, 4:36 pm)G-CPTN wrote A Stagecoach short midibus (Solo?) seen @ 2pm-ish leaving Brampton for Carlisle showing service 685.

I don't know whether it ran through from Hexham/Haydon Bridge or 'started' from Brampton.

Would they schedule a small midibus on the whole of the route? (Carlisle to Newcastle to Carlisle)

Maybe it was a replacement for a breakdown?

Stagecoach run 'short' 685 journeys between Carlisle and Brampton. Their new Solo SR (47921) is for use on there. That is the reason Stagecoach's 685s are split into 3 sections rather than the 2 Arriva split theirs into.

(12 Jul 2014, 4:43 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Stagecoach run 'short' 685 journeys between Carlisle and Brampton. Their new Solo SR (47921) is for use on there. That is the reason Stagecoach's 685s are split into 3 sections rather than the 2 Arriva split theirs into.

Interesting, - thank-you.

Edited to add:-
Stagecoaches own timetable:-

http://www.stagecoachbus.com/PdfUploads/...sle%29.pdf

shows the 2pm-ish journeys from Brampton are operated by Arriva . . .

(12 Jul 2014, 4:54 pm)G-CPTN wrote Interesting, - thank-you.

Edited to add:-
Stagecoaches own timetable:-

http://www.stagecoachbus.com/PdfUploads/...sle%29.pdf

shows the 2pm-ish journeys from Brampton are operated by Arriva . . .

The 1434 from Brampton is Arriva operated - the 1404 is the Stagecoach short journey.

(11 Jul 2014, 7:58 am)eezypeazy wrote Under Competition Act rules, operators are not allowed to meet and discuss their fares in order to 'set' a fare - that would be 'collusion' and they'd end up in prison!

They are allowed to accept each other's return tickets and to recharge each other appropriate reimbursement, but are not allowed to discuss or set a return fare - again, that would be collusion.

Even if they are running the same route in partnership? I obviously believe you're right with the information about the Competition Act and that, and I can see how it can prevent bad competition, but it isn't good for the fare-paying passengers.

(12 Jul 2014, 7:35 pm)BJ10VUS wrote Even if they are running the same route in partnership? I obviously believe you're right with the information about the Competition Act and that, and I can see how it can prevent bad competition, but it isn't good for the fare-paying passengers.

It'd arguably be worse if the rules werent there, as there'd be nothing stopping the two operators colluding on a higher fare table.

(12 Jul 2014, 4:43 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Stagecoach run 'short' 685 journeys between Carlisle and Brampton.

Whilst, no doubt, Stagecoach are responding to demand (they wouldn't, presumably, instigate a loss-making service) I wonder if it might accelerate the demise of the Arriva service?

Of course, as suggested, it depends on demand - if the passengers respond to a half-hourly service rather than an hourly service they may be encouraged to 'pop-in' to Carlisle (or Brampton) for a quick bit of shopping knowing that they don't have to wait an hour for a bus that might be half and hour late (having come from Newcastle) then there might be more trade.

In some respects, a long-distance service makes sense, but it also presents problems with time-keeping.
I have seen passengers from Newcastle left at Hexham on a Sunday when the Arriva service has been late arriving from Newcastle and the (reduced frequency 10.22, 13.22 and 16.22) Stagecoach service to Carlisle has left 'on time' meaning passengers have to wait three hours . . . . (instead of five minutes).

(12 Jul 2014, 10:49 pm)aureolin wrote It'd arguably be worse if the rules werent there, as there'd be nothing stopping the two operators colluding on a higher fare table.

I suppose that's true. Do you know if it applies to services like the M3, where part of the route is run by Arriva during the evening? Do Arriva charge what they want, or the usual GNE fares?

(13 Jul 2014, 11:32 am)BJ10VUS wrote I suppose that's true. Do you know if it applies to services like the M3, where part of the route is run by Arriva during the evening? Do Arriva charge what they want, or the usual £1.50, £2.00, etc fares?

It'll be the usual standard Nexus Bus fares... £1.55, £2.10 etc.

(13 Jul 2014, 11:32 am)BJ10VUS wrote I suppose that's true. Do you know if it applies to services like the M3, where part of the route is run by Arriva during the evening? Do Arriva charge what they want, or the usual £1.50, £2.00, etc fares?

I believe Arriva are cheaper on the M2/M3 for shorter journeys, as GNE "simplified" £1.45 and £1.95 Washington fares apply throughout the day.

(13 Jul 2014, 11:34 am)Tom wrote It'll be the usual standard Nexus Bus fares... £1.55, £2.10 etc.

Oh right, thanks!

(13 Jul 2014, 11:35 am)aureolin wrote I believe Arriva are cheaper on the M2/M3 for shorter journeys, as GNE "simplified" £1.45 and £1.95 Washington fares apply throughout the day.

"Simplified" is one way to put it! I know A-Line have a £1 fare on their M12 for shorter journeys, but I'm not sure if that's a Nexus set fare?

(13 Jul 2014, 11:39 am)BJ10VUS wrote "Simplified" is one way to put it! I know A-Line have a £1 fare on their M12 for shorter journeys, but I'm not sure if that's a Nexus set fare?

I'd queried the M2/M3 with Nexus once and they had told me that it isn't fully secured by Nexus on an evening, which is why they get away with not using NexusBus liveried vehicles. I'd say if this is the case, then Nexus don't set the fares.

(13 Jul 2014, 11:15 am)G-CPTN wrote Whilst, no doubt, Stagecoach are responding to demand (they wouldn't, presumably, instigate a loss-making service) I wonder if it might accelerate the demise of the Arriva service?

Of course, as suggested, it depends on demand - if the passengers respond to a half-hourly service rather than an hourly service they may be encouraged to 'pop-in' to Carlisle (or Brampton) for a quick bit of shopping knowing that they don't have to wait an hour for a bus that might be half and hour late (having come from Newcastle) then there might be more trade.

Why would it hasten a demise? The Brampton short workings have been in operation for years!

(13 Jul 2014, 1:52 pm)markydh wrote Why would it hasten a demise? The Brampton short workings have been in operation for years!

I didn't know that.

(13 Jul 2014, 1:19 pm)aureolin wrote I'd queried the M2/M3 with Nexus once and they had told me that it isn't fully secured by Nexus on an evening, which is why they get away with not using NexusBus liveried vehicles. I'd say if this is the case, then Nexus don't set the fares.

That's the same for Arriva's 53 evening journeys.