I most say there was standees on the 86 yesterday morning before bus full went on and still collected passengers.

Daft thing is a colleague of mine drove past my street but I'm not allowed to car share but I was on a solo bus with people standing. Mind all but one person was wearing a mask.

I most say there was standees on the 86 yesterday morning before bus full went on and still collected passengers.

Daft thing is a colleague of mine drove past my street but I'm not allowed to car share but I was on a solo bus with people standing. Mind all but one person was wearing a mask.

Is it a company policy that you're not allowed to carshare, because according to the government guidance you're allowed to

Car sharing

It is difficult to socially distance during car journeys. You should avoid sharing a car with someone from outside your household or your support bubble unless you can practise social distancing. You can reduce the risk of transmission by:

• opening windows for ventilation
  
• travelling side by side or behind other people, rather than facing them, where seating arrangements allow
  
• facing away from each other
  
• considering seating arrangements to maximise distance between people in the vehicle
  
• cleaning your car between journeys using standard cleaning products - make sure you clean door handles and other areas that people may touch
  
• asking the driver and passengers to wear a face covering
  

Assuming you both wear a face covering there shouldn't really be an issue, and if you have the windows open, you're probably better off than being on a bus since everyone seems to close the windows still!

Yes company policy unfortunately

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and...EzGClXAsoE#

In order to cut costs due to Covid-19, Stagecoach will be switching off free onboard WiFi on buses from today with exceptions stated on this article


Sent from my iPhone XS using Tapatalk

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and...EzGClXAsoE#

In order to cut costs due to Covid-19, Stagecoach will be switching off free onboard WiFi on buses from today with exceptions stated on this article


Sent from my iPhone XS using Tapatalk

Does anyone actually use the free WiFi on board? I find the 100mb limit makes it basically unusable

Does anyone actually use the free WiFi on board? I find the 100mb limit makes it basically unusable

Clearly yes they do, GNE roughly using 1TB of data a week!

Clearly yes they do, GNE roughly using 1TB of data a week!

On average, that's only about 300mb per bus per day though.

On average, that's only about 300mb per bus per day though.

But, your comment was "Does anyone actually use the WiFi" when clearly there is, even to get up to 300mb a day per vehicle as an average.

But, your comment was "Does anyone actually use the WiFi" when clearly there is, even to get up to 300mb a day per vehicle as an average.

It's very low level - I would guess longer commuter routes take up the bulk of that.

Is that current figures because that would be fairly decent if it was. I never used to use it because 4G was much quicker and like most folk I have a fairly generous data policy these days.

Certainly not a deciding factor when commuting/travelling for me at least.

It's very low level - I would guess longer commuter routes take up the bulk of that.

Is that current figures because that would be fairly decent if it was. I never used to use it because 4G was much quicker and like most folk I have a fairly generous data policy these days.

Certainly not a deciding factor when commuting/travelling for me at least.

Yes, it was week before last.

With lockdown happening anyone think the bus companies will go back to a limited service for a few weeks.

Travel to work via public transport is still allowed, though obviously, not so many work places will be open.

With lockdown happening anyone think the bus companies will go back to a limited service for a few weeks.

Doubt it, it's the government that have told the bus companies to go back to full service. Schools, factories and other work places being open, they probably still need the extra capacity, except for perhaps on an evening/weekends.

There’ll be a huge dip. Tier 2 dropped the Metro back down to 40%, I imagine this will have a worse affect.

We’ve made the decision to close our offices until February next year so the 100 or so that were in will pop in for their laptops etc on Monday and go straight home. Hearing similar things from my opposite numbers elsewhere, even the civil service is reverting for some grades .

Funding near empty buses and trains is a burden taxpayers can do without right now...

As we head into lockdown #3/tier 4 for the foreseeable future I wonder what everyone thinks about operators broadly continuing to operate a full timetable?

Their costs are covered by the COVID-19 Bus Services Support Grant but is this the most appropriate use of public money at this time? Would the ‘Sunday Plus’ timetables not suffice during tier 4? All services would run, with normal first, last and off peak departures but I can’t really see any route justifying a 10 minute frequency until we move to at least tier 3.

I understand CBSSG requires operators and local authorities to work together to agree service provision so it’s not totally ‘on them’ but LAs have a lot on their plate right now and with £27M per week currently being spent on keeping buses running, superfluous services are an expensive luxury.

I agree, cut down to service minimums to get people from A to B. We shouldn’t be propping up multi million pound businesses. We’re not doing it for other sectors Furlough costs will cost the tax payer less than all this dead mileage and fresh air movement.

I agree, cut down to service minimums to get people from A to B.  We shouldn’t be propping up multi million pound businesses. We’re not doing it for other sectors Furlough costs will cost the tax payer less than all this dead mileage and fresh air movement.

I recognise it’s complicated as buses are integral to key worker transportation and the economy in general as well as the direct employment of company staff. Most buses are British built so also indirectly supporting the recovery in that regard. But it’ll be hard to stomach the big op-cos going back to resisting re-regulation after taking life support for most of 2020/1.

What really stinks is the hypocrisy of Diamond, Stagecoach etc in Manchester who categorically do want your money, but only on their terms.

https://www.yourbuses.co.uk/

I recognise it’s complicated as buses are integral to key worker transportation and the economy in general as well as the direct employment of company staff. Most buses are British built so also indirectly supporting the recovery in that regard. But it’ll be hard to stomach the big op-cos going back to resisting re-regulation after taking life support for most of 2020/1.

What really stinks is the hypocrisy of Diamond, Stagecoach etc in Manchester who categorically do want your money, but only on their  terms.

https://www.yourbuses.co.uk/

The problem is that two issues have come together which are incompatible:

1. Franchising:
The bus companies are businesses and what Transport for Greater Manchester are planning to do is to put all the bus services out to contract. The winner gets paid for operating that service, but if that is not the existing operator, then the existing operator does not get any compensation for that part of the business being taken away from them (i.e stolen). So the efforts that these companies have put into their businesses (which in most cases they indirectly purchased from GMPTE in good faith) means nothing and TfGM are saying is not worth anything. When the buses were nationalised to create the NBC in the 1960's, the operations were purchased from the existing owners, the owners received recompense for their business being taken away from them.
If I owned a business and the "government" decided that I could no longer carry on trading as they were going to take that business away from me, I would want compensating for the loss of income.

2. COVID-19:
The Government funding for bus services was because the Government imposed Social Distancing requirements which meant that more buses were needed to be run than would needed in "normal" times. When the SD requirements are removed, then the Government funding for bus companies will disappear and the bus companies will be back on their own, having to make enough money to keep the services running.

The problem is that two issues have come together which are incompatible:

1. Franchising:
The bus companies are businesses and what Transport for Greater Manchester are planning to do is to put all the bus services out to contract. The winner gets paid for operating that service, but if that is not the existing operator, then the existing operator does not get any compensation for that part of the business being taken away from them (i.e stolen). So the efforts that these companies have put into their businesses (which in most cases they indirectly purchased from GMPTE in good faith) means nothing and TfGM are saying is not worth anything. When the buses were nationalised to create the NBC in the 1960's, the operations were purchased from the existing owners, the owners received recompense for their business being taken away from them.
If I owned a business and the "government" decided that I could no longer carry on trading as they were going to take that business away from me, I would want compensating for the loss of income.

2. COVID-19:
The Government funding for bus services was because the Government imposed Social Distancing requirements which meant that more buses were needed to be run than would needed in "normal" times. When the SD requirements are removed, then the Government funding for bus companies will disappear and the bus companies will be back on their own, having to make enough money to keep the services running.

If I was a bus operator I'd probably be inclined to tell TfGM to GFY.
They're working on the premise that the operators will want to play their game, but if they don't they're left without any operators to run their franchised services

The problem is that two issues have come together which are incompatible:

1. Franchising:
The bus companies are businesses and what Transport for Greater Manchester are planning to do is to put all the bus services out to contract. The winner gets paid for operating that service, but if that is not the existing operator, then the existing operator does not get any compensation for that part of the business being taken away from them (i.e stolen). So the efforts that these companies have put into their businesses (which in most cases they indirectly purchased from GMPTE in good faith) means nothing and TfGM are saying is not worth anything. When the buses were nationalised to create the NBC in the 1960's, the operations were purchased from the existing owners, the owners received recompense for their business being taken away from them.
If I owned a business and the "government" decided that I could no longer carry on trading as they were going to take that business away from me, I would want compensating for the loss of income.

2. COVID-19:
The Government funding for bus services was because the Government imposed Social Distancing requirements which meant that more buses were needed to be run than would needed in "normal" times. When the SD requirements are removed, then the Government funding for bus companies will disappear and the bus companies will be back on their own, having to make enough money to keep the services running.

Franchising - In Manchester there's only really Stagecoach who would have reason to complain the business they acquired from GM Buses is being taken away. Rotala & Go Ahead have entered Manchester knowing franchising is on the table. The government/TfGM are in no way saying they can no longer continue trading, just that the parameters of operating are changing. Franchising still allows for companies to be profitable. 

COVID-19 - Not all operators & regions introduced dupes, but all operators did receive life support funding. NE operators did respond positively and it seems GNE even  seen a lucrative opportunity in using their surplus fleet under contract to other operators for scholars dupes. Clearly the big issue for operators is plummeting passenger numbers which makes it impossible to run a service for a profit. Bus operators, however, have received a disproportionate amount of government support. As a restaurant operator, I'd be doing cartwheels down Northumberland Street if our businesses received anything like what bus operators are. It's in poor taste to take this money 'for as long as necessary', but then demand the government butt out of your business on demand. 

If I was a bus operator I'd probably be inclined to tell TfGM to GFY.
They're working on the premise that the operators will want to play their game, but if they don't they're left without any operators to run their franchised services

I don't think that'll be an issue, because money. Manchester is probably the most diverse bus market in the UK with Stagecoach, First, Arriva, Go-Ahead, Rotala, Transdev & now Abelio all having an interest. If one operator declines to bid for a route, another will have no trouble in picking it up. It was Brian Souter (excellent businessman, terrible human) who was most vocal against franchising whenever & wherever it came up. Since he's no longer directly active in managing Stagecoach I'd be surprised if they went through with his previously bullish threats of not participating in franchising & selling depots to land developers.  

I'm not convinced franchising is the best thing for buses since low-floors, but I do think TfGM's proposals make enough sense for this to be a sizeable pilot to see if it can work.

It looks like the Govt are slashing funding for train services so surely only common sense that bus services will rightly follow

It looks like the Govt are slashing funding for train services so surely only common sense that bus services will rightly follow

I doubt we'll see the same reduction of services with buses as trains, trains tend to be for longer distance journeys which obviously aren't going to be taking place whereas buses typically run locally on journeys that people are probably going to keep taking.

I personally don't understand why they're making out like this 'lockdown' is a big deal, the only real difference between Tier 4 and the 'full lockdown' is that schools are closed.
People should have already been working from home anyway, so the people that were travelling to work last week will be travelling to work next week.

The only services that should see a reduction in numbers is the scholars

I doubt we'll see the same reduction of services with buses as trains, trains tend to be for longer distance journeys which obviously aren't going to be taking place whereas buses typically run locally on journeys that people are probably going to keep taking.

I personally don't understand why they're making out like this 'lockdown' is a big deal, the only real difference between Tier 4 and the 'full lockdown' is that schools are closed.
People should have already been working from home anyway, so the people that were travelling to work last week will be travelling to work next week.

The only services that should see a reduction in numbers is the scholars

The difference is it’s now law to stay at home unless for essential purposes which should and will lower passenger numbers and wfh although advised was just recommended whereas now it’s a directive.

The difference is it’s now law to stay at home unless for essential purposes which should and will lower passenger numbers and wfh although advised was just recommended whereas now it’s a directive.

The law hasn't changed since 31st December. What constitutes as working from home has always been an advisory.

May I direct you to the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (All Tiers) Regulations 2020, and then click Schedule 3A.

I'm seeing a big difference in the loadings of buses where i live. Seeing one with a passenger is the exception, rather than the norm. That includes those heading to the Arnison Centre, which was really quiet when I went to do my weekly shop, on Wednesday.

I'm seeing a big difference in the loadings of buses where i live. Seeing one with a passenger is the exception, rather than the norm. That includes those heading to the Arnison Centre, which was really quiet when I went to do my weekly shop, on Wednesday.

I went up to Newcastle earlier this week to pick up some stuff for work (I think it was Tuesday), and I didn't really see that big of a difference. Granted, I travel off peak anyway so the buses are usually pretty quiet anyway, but there still seemed to be a fair number of passengers, obviously things could have died down since then, especially with the weather but for the most part the rules here haven't changed so I don't expect to be much of a difference, and I'd be willing to bet a significant reason for the passenger numbers to drop back down to the 25% ish mark would be down to the schools being closed.

Regardless, GNE are going to be reducing services anyway from the 16th (I think anyway), I just hope they don't pull the X21 from West Auckland again, although the idea of getting an Arriva bus without having to pay them is rather appealing!

I see it is getting reported this morning that from 19th July, masks may not be mandatory and up to 'personal choice'

If so, wonder how many people still wear them on public transport and whether been double jabbed or not makes a difference to what folk decide....

https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-face...s-12348408

I see it is getting reported this morning that from 19th July, masks may not be mandatory and up to 'personal choice'

If so, wonder how many people still wear them on public transport and whether been double jabbed or not makes a difference to what folk decide....

https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-face...s-12348408

Hopefully, if I'm going to be honest, i'm sick of wearing them now, although its different, I was at the Metrocentre yesterday and couldn't breathe, it was that hot.

I see it is getting reported this morning that from 19th July, masks may not be mandatory and up to 'personal choice'

If so, wonder how many people still wear them on public transport and whether been double jabbed or not makes a difference to what folk decide....

https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-face...s-12348408

I'm in two minds.
Hate wearing the mask, but always conscious of people around me who don't respect body space and could be carrying all sorts.
I was like that before all this rona stuff to be honest!

I'm in two minds.
Hate wearing the mask, but always conscious of people around me who don't respect body space and could be carrying all sorts.
I was like that before all this rona stuff to be honest!

It could therefore be worth continuing to wear our masks on buses.  Then other passenger may be concerned in case we have the virus and avoid sitting next to us.