Nottingham 'Bus War'

trentside · 21st September 2010, 17:09

As some people might be aware, Nottingham based operator Premiere Travel have begun competing with TrentBarton between Nottingham-Radcliffe-Bingham and Cotgrave-Nottingham. Their latest service registration shows that they are to launch their next route on TrentBarton's high-frequency 'Indigo' corridor, between Briar Gate, Long Eaton and Nottingham.

From the VOSA website:
PB1021628/86 – PREMIERE TRAVEL LTD, TRENT WHARF, MEADOW LANE, NOTTINGHAM, NG2 3HR
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Long Eaton
Finish Point: Nottingham
Via: Brier Gate, QMC
Service Number: RED 4
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 14-NOV-2010
Other Details: Monday To Saturday every 20 min Sunday every 30 min

TrentBarton have also registered another service between Nottingham-Cotgrave under their subsidiary company Midland General, which aims to compete directly with Premiere's Red2 service.

All in all, the city and surrounding areas now seem to be facing a bus war between the two operators!

Dai. · 21st September 2010, 17:15

The good news is though, if there is a bus war there may soon be a price war.. Cheaper tickets for many!

Jordeh · 21st September 2010, 17:24

I live very close to Briar Gate so I'm familiar enough with the Indigo service, not sure why Premiere are trying to compete though. 20 Minute frequency between Briar Gate and Nottingham is sufficient, as is 6/7 Minutes frequency between Long Eaton and Nottingham (And during Rush Hour, the Commuter Express eases things off). I can't see there being much demand for this, plus Trent Barton are quite reasonably priced and have excellent buses, however saying that I'll most probably just catch whatever comes first.

Edit: Why couldn't they do Long Eaton/Briar Gate to Derby instead, there is far more demand for that, only 20 minute frequency and it's generally packed.

TrainBrain185 · 21st September 2010, 17:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dai.

The good news is though, if there is a bus war there may soon be a price war.. Cheaper tickets for many!

That was the so called idea when Deregulation arrived. Wisdom now sees it being yet another flash in the pan...waste of time.

Tom B · 21st September 2010, 18:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrainBrain185

That was the so called idea when Deregulation arrived. Wisdom now sees it being yet another flash in the pan...waste of time.

Precisely; in the few areas where competition exists, it usually finishes. We used to have competition between two companies in Doncaster; when one company sold out to First, the other was obliged to sell its operation - in the full knowledge that, if they didn't, First would come in with low fares and drive them off the road.

ivanhoe · 21st September 2010, 19:35

Premier Travel will be history in 12 months or they will go back to what they do best; the school run and park and ride. They are making an ass of the X99 Loughborough to Nottingham. Inappropriate buses and not too many fares taken for local Loughborough journies.

ChathillMan · 23rd September 2010, 09:37

Whenever I have been to Derby/Nottingham i have been impressed with Trent Barton, Premier won't last long.

If they want to really compete with them why don't they Launch a non stop service from Nottingham to Derby without the other city center stops in Nottingham, they would then have a USP

Wyvern · 23rd September 2010, 11:44

My experience of this sort of thing is that the incumbent company can no longer do the unprofitable out of hours and weekend services and it is left to the ratepayer to fund them.

Greenback · 23rd September 2010, 11:51

That's right. on one of my old routes First operate commercially until about 5.30 after which the council tax payer funds four buses in the evening run by a different operator. Of course, the tickets aren't interavailable!

shinkansen1966 · 23rd September 2010, 13:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by trentside

All in all, the city and surrounding areas now seem to be facing a bus war between the two operators!

Never understood how these 'bus wars' benefit passengers. I live in London where there's no bus wars and no competition. Just a unified bus service with a unified price structure (£1.20 with your Oyster card). Plus an easy to use web site.

Seems to work fine.

MCR247 · 23rd September 2010, 15:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by shinkansen1966

Never understood how these 'bus wars' benefit passengers. I live in London where there's no bus wars and no competition. Just a unified bus service with a unified price structure (£1.20 with your Oyster card). Plus an easy to use web site.

Seems to work fine.

Because they all want the passengers, some will have cheaper prices. Like some bus companies can put the prices up, and people will still use them, but when competition comes along with a fare that is 60p cheaper, more people will use them. Thus saving pax money.

On a similar note I think that YourBus will be around for a while with the Y36 because its competitor Nottingham City Transport, has a £1.60 adult flat fare, so they can't really adjust one route to try and eliminate the competition, whereas Trent Barton can.

trentside · 23rd September 2010, 16:13

Regarding the Premiere vs TrentBarton situation, one thing that is critical is TrentBarton maintain a great deal of 'good will' in the area. Many people think of them very highly and continue to use their services, simply because they can expect an immaculately turned out bus with a good driver.

My experience of travelling with Premiere is less satisfactory. Recently used one of their Nottinghamshire County Council contracted routes, and found it running 20 minutes late on both occasions. The vehicles were also less than clean. On one occasion the driver tried to tell me (in broken English) that my ticket was invalid (it wasn't). Complaints drew no satisfactory response.

MCR247 · 23rd September 2010, 17:57

Last Friday, TrentBarton were handing out free evening posts, and sheets with new Cotgrave Connection prices and times

90019 · 23rd September 2010, 20:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by shinkansen1966

Never understood how these 'bus wars' benefit passengers.

They tend to benefit customers whilst they're going on because they generally get improved service levels and reduced prices.
However, as soon as one gives up or is forced out, service levels almost always drop and fares rise again, sometimes higher than what they were before.

ivanhoe · 24th September 2010, 06:59

Nottingham has probably the best operators in any of our cities outside of the 'smoke'. NCT and TB can see off one trick ponies like Premier. Noticable that the big boys have kept out. If only our cities had the same legislation as the ' smoke' then we could enjoy the same levels of services. That said, NCT and TB do a great job . Just go to Derby nearby and look at Arriva for a comparison!

21st September 2010, 17:09	#1
trentside Established Member Join Date: 14 Aug 2010 Posts: 1,889	Nottingham 'Bus War' As some people might be aware, Nottingham based operator Premiere Travel have begun competing with TrentBarton between Nottingham-Radcliffe-Bingham and Cotgrave-Nottingham. Their latest service registration shows that they are to launch their next route on TrentBarton's high-frequency 'Indigo' corridor, between Briar Gate, Long Eaton and Nottingham. From the VOSA website: PB1021628/86 – PREMIERE TRAVEL LTD, TRENT WHARF, MEADOW LANE, NOTTINGHAM, NG2 3HR Registration Accepted Starting Point: Long Eaton Finish Point: Nottingham Via: Brier Gate, QMC Service Number: RED 4 Service Type: Normal Stopping Effective Date: 14-NOV-2010 Other Details: Monday To Saturday every 20 min Sunday every 30 min TrentBarton have also registered another service between Nottingham-Cotgrave under their subsidiary company Midland General, which aims to compete directly with Premiere's Red2 service. All in all, the city and surrounding areas now seem to be facing a bus war between the two operators!

21st September 2010, 17:15	#2
Dai. welcome to the interwebs. Established Member Join Date: 2 Aug 2008 Location: Wales Posts: 1,211	The good news is though, if there is a bus war there may soon be a price war.. Cheaper tickets for many!

21st September 2010, 17:24	#3
Jordeh Member Join Date: 18 Aug 2010 Location: Nottingham Posts: 108	I live very close to Briar Gate so I'm familiar enough with the Indigo service, not sure why Premiere are trying to compete though. 20 Minute frequency between Briar Gate and Nottingham is sufficient, as is 6/7 Minutes frequency between Long Eaton and Nottingham (And during Rush Hour, the Commuter Express eases things off). I can't see there being much demand for this, plus Trent Barton are quite reasonably priced and have excellent buses, however saying that I'll most probably just catch whatever comes first. Edit: Why couldn't they do Long Eaton/Briar Gate to Derby instead, there is far more demand for that, only 20 minute frequency and it's generally packed.

21st September 2010, 19:35	#6
ivanhoe Member Join Date: 15 Jul 2009 Posts: 343	Premier Travel will be history in 12 months or they will go back to what they do best; the school run and park and ride. They are making an ass of the X99 Loughborough to Nottingham. Inappropriate buses and not too many fares taken for local Loughborough journies.

23rd September 2010, 09:37	#7
ChathillMan Member Join Date: 13 Sep 2010 Posts: 25	Whenever I have been to Derby/Nottingham i have been impressed with Trent Barton, Premier won't last long. If they want to really compete with them why don't they Launch a non stop service from Nottingham to Derby without the other city center stops in Nottingham, they would then have a USP

23rd September 2010, 11:44	#8
Wyvern Established Member Join Date: 27 Oct 2009 Posts: 1,247	My experience of this sort of thing is that the incumbent company can no longer do the unprofitable out of hours and weekend services and it is left to the ratepayer to fund them.

23rd September 2010, 11:51	#9
Greenback Moderator Join Date: 9 Aug 2009 Location: Llanelli Posts: 9,380	That's right. on one of my old routes First operate commercially until about 5.30 after which the council tax payer funds four buses in the evening run by a different operator. Of course, the tickets aren't interavailable!

23rd September 2010, 16:13	#12
trentside Established Member Join Date: 14 Aug 2010 Posts: 1,889	Regarding the Premiere vs TrentBarton situation, one thing that is critical is TrentBarton maintain a great deal of 'good will' in the area. Many people think of them very highly and continue to use their services, simply because they can expect an immaculately turned out bus with a good driver. My experience of travelling with Premiere is less satisfactory. Recently used one of their Nottinghamshire County Council contracted routes, and found it running 20 minutes late on both occasions. The vehicles were also less than clean. On one occasion the driver tried to tell me (in broken English) that my ticket was invalid (it wasn't). Complaints drew no satisfactory response.

23rd September 2010, 17:57	#13
MCR247 170397 Established Member Join Date: 7 Nov 2008 Location: Nottingham Posts: 7,561	Last Friday, TrentBarton were handing out free evening posts, and sheets with new Cotgrave Connection prices and times

24th September 2010, 06:59	#15
ivanhoe Member Join Date: 15 Jul 2009 Posts: 343	Nottingham has probably the best operators in any of our cities outside of the 'smoke'. NCT and TB can see off one trick ponies like Premier. Noticable that the big boys have kept out. If only our cities had the same legislation as the ' smoke' then we could enjoy the same levels of services. That said, NCT and TB do a great job . Just go to Derby nearby and look at Arriva for a comparison!