Stagecoach Midlands disposal policy

[towerman]

Can't get my head round how they decide which buses to get rid of.About 8 or 9 years ago Kettering took delivery of Optare Solos(47401 to 47417)to operate their hopper routes in Kettering & Wellingborough.When the County Council cuts started to bite in 2010 several routes were axed so there was a need to dispose of some buses,but,rather than get rid of all the older buses they had they only got rid of 47029/30/31 plus 47401/05/10/15(all to Centre Bus)they then moved in a couple of older buses from other areas 47015 & 47069,can't see the logic.

[snoggle]

Oct 23, 2015 13:00:15 GMT towerman said:

Can't get my head round how they decide which buses to get rid of.About 8 or 9 years ago Kettering took delivery of Optare Solos(47401 to 47417)to operate their hopper routes in Kettering & Wellingborough.When the County Council cuts started to bite in 2010 several routes were axed so there was a need to dispose of some buses,but,rather than get rid of all the older buses they had they only got rid of 47029/30/31 plus 47401/05/10/15(all to Connect Bus)they then moved in a couple of older buses from other areas 47015 & 47069,can't see the logic.

Surely the logic is impeccable? Stagecoach only bring in new buses when the old ones are absolutely and utterly clapped out or where there is an obvious case of seeing off competition, pulling in the punters with an enhanced offer or to meet the requirements of a tendering authority or funding partner. Looks to me like Kettering is a market with not very good prospects and the funding cuts have made the operation even more marginal. Therefore the logic is to bring in buses with low book values but which can be run reasonably economically. The newer more expensive buses will be sent elsewhere where their earning potential is greater and there's more "fat" to cover their costs.

It's probably about survival for now - much of Northamptonshire's bus services are pretty poor and that reflects what hasn't been good territory for a long time because of ever increasing car usage and ownership. The bus is a distress purchase in many shire towns although Stagecoach do have some bright spots here and there.

Happy to be corrected if reality disproves my theory. I can't claim to know Kettering's buses well but I have spent some time looking at the level of service in Northamptonshire and what happened when the County Council had to cut funding.

[Tangy]

I believe the batch of 55 reg Solos 47401-17 are actually owned by Northamptonshire Council and not outright by Stagecoach.

I remember when First Northampton had the Wellingborough town network, operated with three council owned Solos [53071-3] (in their County Links green livery). Upon the expiry of this contract, the buses passed to new operator, Centrebus where they still operate.

[towerman]

Yes they were in a light & dark green livery but are now all back in Stagecoach's provincial livery.

[towerman]

Oct 23, 2015 18:26:13 GMT snoggle said:

Oct 23, 2015 13:00:15 GMT towerman said:

Can't get my head round how they decide which buses to get rid of.About 8 or 9 years ago Kettering took delivery of Optare Solos(47401 to 47417)to operate their hopper routes in Kettering & Wellingborough.When the County Council cuts started to bite in 2010 several routes were axed so there was a need to dispose of some buses,but,rather than get rid of all the older buses they had they only got rid of 47029/30/31 plus 47401/05/10/15(all to Connect Bus)they then moved in a couple of older buses from other areas 47015 & 47069,can't see the logic.

Surely the logic is impeccable? Stagecoach only bring in new buses when the old ones are absolutely and utterly clapped out or where there is an obvious case of seeing off competition, pulling in the punters with an enhanced offer or to meet the requirements of a tendering authority or funding partner. Looks to me like Kettering is a market with not very good prospects and the funding cuts have made the operation even more marginal. Therefore the logic is to bring in buses with low book values but which can be run reasonably economically. The newer more expensive buses will be sent elsewhere where their earning potential is greater and there's more "fat" to cover their costs.

It's probably about survival for now - much of Northamptonshire's bus services are pretty poor and that reflects what hasn't been good territory for a long time because of ever increasing car usage and ownership. The bus is a distress purchase in many shire towns although Stagecoach do have some bright spots here and there.

Happy to be corrected if reality disproves my theory. I can't claim to know Kettering's buses well but I have spent some time looking at the level of service in Northamptonshire and what happened when the County Council had to cut funding.

Looking at it from the other end,getting rid of newer buses sound like a false economy as you're not geeting your moneys worth out of them & the older buses you keep are going to be more prone to breakdown & hence more expensive to run.

[vjaska]

Nov 6, 2015 14:12:39 GMT towerman said:

Oct 23, 2015 18:26:13 GMT snoggle said:

Surely the logic is impeccable? Stagecoach only bring in new buses when the old ones are absolutely and utterly clapped out or where there is an obvious case of seeing off competition, pulling in the punters with an enhanced offer or to meet the requirements of a tendering authority or funding partner. Looks to me like Kettering is a market with not very good prospects and the funding cuts have made the operation even more marginal. Therefore the logic is to bring in buses with low book values but which can be run reasonably economically. The newer more expensive buses will be sent elsewhere where their earning potential is greater and there's more "fat" to cover their costs.

It's probably about survival for now - much of Northamptonshire's bus services are pretty poor and that reflects what hasn't been good territory for a long time because of ever increasing car usage and ownership. The bus is a distress purchase in many shire towns although Stagecoach do have some bright spots here and there.

Happy to be corrected if reality disproves my theory. I can't claim to know Kettering's buses well but I have spent some time looking at the level of service in Northamptonshire and what happened when the County Council had to cut funding.

Looking at it from the other end,getting rid of newer buses sound like a false economy as you're not geeting your moneys worth out of them & the older buses you keep are going to be more prone to breakdown & hence more expensive to run.

It's inconceivable to think because they are older, they will break down more often. Plenty of occasions where a new type was introduced and yet the older buses represented better money by being a heck of a lot more reliable.