TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
I note you mention LAs & shareholders but not passengers. I also note you say Liverpool and not Merseyside. The question is has this moderate increase been across all routes or does a big increase on QP routes mask a reduction elsewhere.
I'd suggest that the needs of customers are represented by the LA - otherwise, what other needs would they have?
The increase is in the "Liverpool city region" viz centred on Liverpool, and the local authority districts of Halton, Knowsley, Sefton, St Helens, and Wirral so basically Merseyside. As regards route by route detail, that is not provided. However, it is entirely likely and expected that it will vary in different areas.
In Bristol, which has experienced substantial passenger growth, not all routes have grown. This is especially in the southern part of the city because of the demographics - some large estates have been disproportionately impacted by things like the benefits cap, and other areas (1970s suburbia) are now dominated by ENCTS pass holders with no real reason to travel more than they were.
I'm sure that in Liverpool that "not all boats rise equally" but that is always determined by other factors such as demographics, economic activity, etc
Metrolink is proven at getting people out of cars.
Yes, the seats are a bit rubbish (and I believe that'd Dentonian's main issue with them) but that's just about the easiest thing to fix.
Can't agree more. The tram has proven to take car drivers though it has abstracted bus passengers. IIRC, the Altrincham line's ridership was approx. 30/40/30 split in terms of new passengers (either car drivers or people who made journeys they wouldn't have considered otherwise), rail passengers and bus passengers.
I do believe that bus and metro seating should be more comfortable rather than plastic seats covered in thin fabric but it's hardly the end of the world.
I was pleasantly surprised to read that in the last 2 years, bus patronage has increased in the Liverpool area. Whist comparing Manchester and Liverpool's transport needs is like comparing apples and oranges, the quality bus network is part of the way forward in my opinion. It is 2018 now and all of the assets and expertise of the bus industry are mainly in the hands of the Private Sector. Surely it is not beyond the wit of man or women to come up with a partnership that encompasses the requirements of local authorities and the needs of the shareholders.I stress the word partnership rather than the London model.
Likewise, I absolutely agree with you on this (I'm oddly agreeable today). The Nexus debacle showed the lack of skills and commercial nous in the public sector (something I see in my job sadly).
Much better to get a robust enforceable partnership that secures measurable improvements - a partnership that provides investment in better bus infrastructure (e.g. better bus shelters, better bus stations, bus priority) whilst at the same time ensuring that integrated ticketing and timetabling is delivered alongside tangible, defined investment in fleets.