The reason I think it's most likely GPS is that the single deckers don't seem to have the same issues, so I'm guessing the lower cab roof of the E400s is limiting the view of the sky the antenna gets. You need line of sight to a minimum number of satellites to get a fix, and maybe they just can't see enough.
The only problem with that theory is that only the E400s suffer this, and they have all experienced it to one degree or another.
Apologies!
Anything that sends or receives a signal has an antenna, usually just a tin foil looking square built inside the device…
If you mean the Streetlite, it's been on loan for a few weeks now, from Bus Link. I believe they bought a few for a contract which has been delayed so have loaned this one to Hulleys.
I am sure the 78 used to go that way around 2015.I lived around Wain Avenue that time.I will look for my North East Derbyshire booklet in my bus box
Thanks, yes, it was a Streetlite.
I think you'll get 1001 opinions on this!
I think COVID had a major effect, more than a lot of people think (and across many businesses)
Tripple whammies of Brexit, Covid and rampant inflation caused by the Ukraine war in quick succession. I'm actually (pleasantly) surprised far more bus operators haven't gone under.
The bus industry will be very similar to the rail industry. I'd wager that few bus companies have passenger numbers higher than say, 80% to 90% of pre COVID numbers. Maybe the revenue from those passengers is also less.
I don't think the changes to NI have kicked in yet, but I suspect it may cause a cost add on of around £800 per employee... Many, many businesses across many sectors will not be able to stand that The communication issues seem to be down to one person leaving, but if the buses all tracked, maybe they would not be needed. . As you say, irate passengers have bypassed the Council. Indeed in some areas, MPs have been sent letters (and they ignored them too). So the irate passengers raise the stakes as you have stated. But think on, say Hulleys got taken off the road.. Would those who replaced them be any better, or would the same issues remain? Maybe buses need to be better funded.
Just for clarity, it was mentioned earlier in the thread that Matt Swales had left Hulleys. I'm told this is incorrect - he just stepped down as a Director.
It's interesting. Stagecoach seldom communicate issues in Chesterfield. Not all their buses track either. They do drop services - not as high a proportion, but some. They seem to attract little if any ire.
This is a point I've made a few times, but in a slightly different way. They'd most likely be replaced by Stagecoach, with the few services not already tendered becoming so. One of the Wellglade companies, or High Peak, might take the odd one. Either way, the cost to the council is going to higher. As DCC are already short of funds I would imagine this would lead to some services (not necessarily the Hulleys ones) being cut to free up money to keep the communities served. Frequencies would likely drop and possibly less evening provision.
A very good response. Now I thought someone mentioned a lady leaving that covered communications. But before I even think about using any bus, I want to know "Is it running? Is it cancelled?". Not tracking is a real wildcard, that would almost certainly mean I'd just do something else, that doesn't involve the bus or my car. Now you mentioned Stagecoach in Chesterfield. I can't say I follow them, but presume their services are more frequent, so the issues less seen "Oh tell the customers the bus has been held up in traffic, they won't know it missed out". The real killer is it will cost the Council more, and for less, so they are probably trying to work with what they have. Yes the Council is short of money, and would, ideally like bus services to pay for themselves. I suspect they might chuck all the tendered services in the air and see what comes up. The 272 might be run totally by First. Maybe the 170 and 55 by Stagecoach. Some by High Peak, who I understand are short of buses. Wellglade could work some services from Matlock garage (but no more than 3 buses). I guess the wildcard would be say Notts and Derby running the 110/111/113/114/172, maybe utilising Derby, Ashbourne, Matlock and Belper depots. That might allow High Peak to run more services around Bakewell. But, all in all, I still think helping Hulleys through is the best outcome. Now, if anyone has ideas of how to double fare paying passengers to increase revenue to set against increased cost, with a lesser Council/Government subsidy, you might be onto a winner (and probably on a different thread)...
Industry-specific costs have been rising at at least double the rate of general inflation. At one stage industry-specific inflation was estimated to be around 25%.
Exactly..So, say the Council limited cost increases to RPI/CPI.. It isn't like Council Tax will go up 25% to cover tendered bus services. So, how do you expand the gap between costs and revenue? You sweat your assets and pray. You get the most productive effort out of your workforce. Maybe you cut corners (by that I mean you cut out what need not necessarily needs to be done now, delay investment. But then breakdowns increase, unforeseen things happen).
My understanding is that Matt's partner was doing communications, but is on maternity leave. I believe Matt was doing comms himself, but I'm not 100% on that. None of that is confirmed however, it's just bits I've picked up here and there which may or may not be correct.
That's fine if you are starting a journey, not so much if you are on the return and need to change buses.
Most are more frequent, but some aren't that often and some drop to low frequencies quite early in the evening peak. There are some working (for instance the X17 via Matlock Farm Park) which only run a couple of times a day. Stagecoach Yorkshire do post regular updates for most depots, just not Chesterfield.
They've been spraying BSIP cash around without much planning. Plenty given to Stagecoach for services that could well have been commercially operated for example. Why pay for the Peak Sightseer to run to Christmas Eve in the first year for heaven sake?
First do run all 272s in the evening and on Sunday, but I believe both have subsidy. Not sure if it's from DCC or Sheffield. Whether they could make an hourly daytime commercial service work is another question.
True, but I suspect that unless someone comes in with the necessary experience - and is listened to - then the problems might just repeat in a few years.
Chesterfield traffic office is abysmal at communicating. I said what I said...
I feel like I should say, relevant to Derbyshire "Has BSIP money so far spent, actually delivered an increase in long term revenue, or is it all being wasted?" Because without that increase, lesser services will fail, and few want that
It's an interesting question. I'd counter to ask if revenue is important here - Stagecoach seem to take the view that each trip has to stand on its own merits, so BSIP might have led to one trip having an increase in revenue, but that means nothing to another trip where the costs have risen beyond what it takes. They are still likely to pull the loss-making trip, even if overall revenue is up. (*)
