tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11828686.post4370829552861317193..comments2024-03-18T23:11:58.780+00:00Comments on Plymothian Transit: Cornwall Transit 007didbygrahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01858408719372985035noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11828686.post-80000745205817832172015-04-06T14:43:27.714+01:002015-04-06T14:43:27.714+01:00From what I see daily passenger numbers are not wh...From what I see daily passenger numbers are not what they were on the 8/9 if anything I would say the 6 carries slightly more..plus Citybus now only get £1.10 or whatever they now charge per fare in Efford/Laira, instead of the very pricey £3.20 they were getting before competition. First have lower overheads as well and without flashy new buses which no one cares about other than bus spotters to be honest (who needs wifi for a 10 min journey anyway) they will find it a lot easier to sustain the low fares...hence Citybus already creeping up. If First were losing on the 6 they would have pulled it by now..lets be fair First don't give things long historically instead they have extended the route and launched 7 day week operation... does not sound like a struggling route to me, unlike the Blue Flash which has had change after change to 'prop it up' over the past 18 months, and the 32 which has needed local funding for route extensions to make it a goer. I think you are perhaps believing the hype your superiors want you to somehow.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11828686.post-39615592447603820092015-04-06T09:06:14.208+01:002015-04-06T09:06:14.208+01:00Completely agree Citybus covers the whole city , s...Completely agree Citybus covers the whole city , so you're bound to pay more for a day rider.<br />First buses are a disgrace compared to Citybus buses, Citybus are always clean inside and out, first's look like they're on the way to the scrap yard, then you see passengers on and realise your mistake! In derriford the other day I was with about 20-25 passengers waiting to go to the city centre, there was a choice of a really old decker with steps sat there belching out clouds of smoke, or a smart blue flash, yes we all went for Citybus, first had a our 4-5 passengers onAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11828686.post-46867283461332373632015-04-05T20:03:33.002+01:002015-04-05T20:03:33.002+01:00passengers numbers are actually back up to what it...passengers numbers are actually back up to what it was before the 6 started, when first start making even more losses by charging a £1, citybus will still be there. we have the larger network in plymouth. its ok charging a £1 here or doing dayriders for £3 but look at the amount of routes first run in plymouth compared to citybus. people would rather pay more and have more routes to travel on. it's not all about price. cant wait till we get wifi on our 21/21a, then we will really kill off the 3! as if we aren't busy enough on that route already! more money to invest in the company. how many new buses have first bought in last 2 years? hmm 9. and they gone to cornwall!! citybus have had 20 new deckers, 2 new coaches, and another 10 new deckers in the summer. we might charge more, but we invest in the company, the fleet, and our passengers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11828686.post-3613930285125729212015-04-03T14:35:16.423+01:002015-04-03T14:35:16.423+01:00As anon 09:38 says I would rather pay £1 single to...As anon 09:38 says I would rather pay £1 single to First than £3 return to Citybus, I totally agree, my fare is half the price with First so I will pick First thank you, lots of other people in the area where I am have done the same and unless you have something loose upstairs or more money than sense I am sure anyone would do the same. <br />I agree First have played it clever here, by having fares at £1.50 - £1.80 return compared to the rivals £3 fare.. they may well make a loss but when they pinch customers off PCB and build up their own customer base on these corridors they can then look to increase fares and make profits.. by being so cheap they have the scope to increase fares by a fair way and still be seen as a bargain compared to the rather expensive opposition. IF PCB drop their fares to £1 people will get on what ever bus comes first which will still see First increase it's customer numbers / revenue whilst PCB will have less customers paying less money so lose out doublely, same as in Efford/Laira etc.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11828686.post-57534571947888865442015-04-03T12:29:53.165+01:002015-04-03T12:29:53.165+01:00First Plymouth, Cornwall (and Somerset) are the sa...First Plymouth, Cornwall (and Somerset) are the same company, therefore post the combined results at Companies House. I don't dispute there are separate management accounts for the businesses and that the parts on their own would show a profit, but the limited company encompasses them all, so you have the combined income against the combined operating costs joined together. <br /><br />Don't forget Somerset have been expanding their service offerings against Webberbus, and this requires vehicles and staff, there are some upfront costs to met there, as in Plymouth & Cornwall with the recent expansion, so to get into a loss during this period would be entirely consistent with expansion - longer term, it will make some money. <br /><br />Evidently Alex Carter and his team are taking and are being allowed to take, the long term view which is wise given the work they've done and have still to do. In that context short term losses can be tolerated, FDC as a entire business has been loss making since 2003, when the decline set in. The other companies' profits can offset it, so it's not a problem for them to make the loss. <br /><br />It is only in the past few years that they've taken a long hard look at what is there and sought to do something with it. <br /><br />Go Ahead in this period, running Plymouth Citybus have also expanded their services, which also requires vehicles and drivers. What is noteworthy is that Blue Flash has been revised following the first year of operations - that suggests targets were not met in the first year. <br /><br />One person to do 2000 bus stops isn't uncommon in the industry, either...... Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11828686.post-24406404428442808832015-04-03T09:38:06.897+01:002015-04-03T09:38:06.897+01:00Still rather pay quid to first than £3 return city...Still rather pay quid to first than £3 return citybus want personally. Leave first to work out their profit margins. If citybus drop their farres to it will mess up profit on 40/41/42/44 all at same time of they don't they lose customers..same result. Good move by First I would say as before citybus had 90% plus pf customer on this section.. First have nothing to lose and can only gainAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11828686.post-17681486117818556522015-04-02T21:05:12.403+01:002015-04-02T21:05:12.403+01:00there is only one person who has to do over 2000 b...there is only one person who has to do over 2000 bus stops! so they have to be put up early in time for the changes<br />they may be charging a quid single, but r they actually making a profit? no. last year they made a 3 million pound loss! no wonder first kernow wants to be separate!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11828686.post-35204884804088899942015-04-02T20:47:19.944+01:002015-04-02T20:47:19.944+01:00Unfortunately Citybus are damned whichever way the...Unfortunately Citybus are damned whichever way they go. Start replacing the timetables early and it's wrong, if they had waited till the 12th to start changing that would have been wrong. If they had a mix of pre 12 and post 12 out there that would be wrong. Perhaps anonymous 12:03 and 23:42 could suggest a way that they themselves would change hundreds of timetable information sheets in one night. I'm sure Citybus would be delighted to hear. Criticize by all means but tell us how you would be perfect? This is a common occurrence among operators at major timetable changes. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11828686.post-9872063614968424932015-04-02T12:03:51.963+01:002015-04-02T12:03:51.963+01:00Ah that's Citybus for you I am afraid... Corn...Ah that's Citybus for you I am afraid... Cornish Customers will need to get used to this.<br /><br />I see First have reduced their fares again... £1 single anywhere from Manadon Roundabout to City it seems according to bus stop signs...that is brilliant value and so much cheaper than the competition. Only 50p for kids.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11828686.post-26312797547298789532015-04-01T23:42:39.150+01:002015-04-01T23:42:39.150+01:00Bizarrely the timetables in all the bus shelters h...Bizarrely the timetables in all the bus shelters have been replaced with the 12th April changes already and the current service timetables removed. The timetable booklets for the revised and new services are also available in the Citybus shop on Royal Parade but the booklets for services 5, 5A, 29, 29A etc have been removed from view. Was asked at St Budeaux Square today if the service 12 had been yet. When I told them this service didn't start for another 11 days and they should catch the 576 they told me they had just watched that bus go as they didn't know what it was - there was no timetable for it at the bus stop!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com