Torbay bus farce

[devon_metro]

Some of you may be aware that Stagecoach are basically a monopoly in Torbay. The main route from Torquay-Plymouth though is First bus. Stagecoach are introducing the X45 from Paignton-Plymouth to compete with this. So what do First do? Introduce 15 min running between Paignton and Torquay (Stagecoach offer 10 buses per hour) whilst slashing fares off Stagecoaches rip off fares on offer. First were handing out leaflets adveritsing this and Stagecoach call the POLICE! The cheek considering they have just nicked First's route to Plymouth effectivly.

 

[Jim]

Some of you may be aware that Stagecoach are basically a monopoly in Torbay. The main route from Torquay-Plymouth though is First bus. Stagecoach are introducing the X45 from Paignton-Plymouth to compete with this. So what do First do? Introduce 15 min running between Paignton and Torquay (Stagecoach offer 10 buses per hour) whilst slashing fares off Stagecoaches rip off fares on offer. First were handing out leaflets adveritsing this and Stagecoach call the POLICE! The cheek considering they have just nicked First's route to Plymouth effectivly.

It is nobodys route really, if a Company thinks it is viable, they will introduce the service, I don't see why it is a farce, competition is good, as it makes the fares go down

 

[Dennis]

Why did Stagecoach call the police?

If First were doing something illegal then getting the police involved would be a great way of protecting their own business and at the same time gaining First some adverse publicity.

 

[Humberside]

Stagecoach have been after First a lot in the South West recently - they have taken a over a lot of former First routes in North Devon, and competing with them on some other routes

 

[Tom B]

Competition? What's that?

 

[devon_metro]

If anything it helped First as it was in the local paper!

 

[Mojo]

http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/d...uleName=InternalSearch&formname=sidebarsearch

Bus wars have broken out in Paignton - with police having to intervene in a row between major bus operators at the town's bus station.

Competition has been hotting up locally in recent weeks between Stagecoach and First, two of the country's biggest bus operators.And yesterday police were called by Stagecoach because First staff were handing out flyers at Paignton bus station telling bus travellers about cheaper fares on the company's Torquay to Paignton route.

Last week Stagecoach stepped into First's territory by introducing a new express service on the Paignton to Plymouth route.

Then First responded by improving its Paignton to Torquay service with buses every 15 minutes, and slashing the return fare to £1 less than Stagecoach.

But when First staff tried handing out flyers to Stagecoach commuters at 8.30am yesterday, Stagecoach called in the police complaining of a breach of the peace.

First managing director for Devon and Cornwall, Marc Reddy, said: "We were shocked and amazed Stagecoach called the police.

"Their local manager at Paignton had approached our people and said they were going to call the police.

"All we are doing is promoting the fact our return fare is £1 less than Stagecoach's.

"Stagecoach did similar flyer distribution at Barnstaple bus station recently and we just took it on the chin. It's all part of healthy competition for any bus company.

"The police came and we have been told we can only issue a leaflet in one small area of the bus station where our buses come in to the bay, which is about 8ft square.

"Frankly we were really surprised the police should intervene. We work closely with the police on matters of public safety, but this was not a safety issue.

"It was all very civilised. At the end of the day we all just want more people to use public transport. The more people we attract the better it is for the environment."

Stagecoach managing director Chris Hilditch said: "It all sounds like a storm in a teacup to me."

A police spokesman confirmed at 8.33am yesterday they received a call from Stagecoach reporting a dispute involving two males who were handing out leaflets and refusing to leave.

The police spokesman said: "We gave advice."

 

[Tom B]

It's interesting that bus fares in Sheffield have recently been slashed, whilst Rotherham and Doncaster still have extortionate prices. The only difference? Sheffield has competition from Terrier...

 

[Lewisham2221]

Since when did First start running between Paignton and Torquay anyway? If they only started the service in response to Stagecoach running to Plymouth or at least increased the frequency to compete, and you think it's acceptable, then you can hardly complain about Stagecoach starting the competion in the first place.

Secondly, how and where were First distributing these leaflets? If they were doing it anywhere near the Stagecoach stand/passenger queuing for/boarding the Stagecoach service, then I believe Stagecoach have every right to complain or call the Police.

Either way it's hardly a farce, and given the dirty tricks they've been known to use elsewhere, they should've seen it coming to them.

 

[Turbostar]

Looking at the comments section after that report on thisissouthdevon.co.uk, it appears it's actually Stagecoach that own Paignton bus station, & they lease a stand for First. If this is the case, things could change.

Mart

 

[Lewisham2221]

If that's the case (I think Stagecoach own Exeter Bus Station too, or at least parts of it) then they certainly have every right to stop First distributing leaflets all over the bus station and confining them to an area that constitutes being part of the stand they are permitted to use.

 

[Turbostar]

Exactly. Ok, there's nothing wrong with competition, but when Stagecoach operate the majority of bus services around the Torbay & Exeter areas, & First start throwing their weight around just because Stagecoach decide to bring in another route, who can blame Stagecoach kicking off?

Mart

 

[devon_metro]

Not really but if you have a monopoly and operate extortionaltly priced buses then i dont see why it would worry you as an operator. I just hope this leads to some serious price cuts. I can get to Exeter and back for the same price Stagecoach charge Paigntion>Torquay.

 

[yorkie]

I wish we had this sort of 'farce'

Sadly we get ripped off by the bus company also known as FarceGroup. No competition here, sadly ad:

 

[Daniel]

Well, I have a chose between Arriva, or.... Arriva.

 

[Tom B]

First have squashed all competition here... there are two independents remaining, one of which has a fleet of high quality (...) Leyland Titans complete with "Valid travelcards accepted on this bus <LT Logo>" posters... the other has a load of new vehicles, but runs them into the ground and maintenance consists of a large hammer and a roll or six of gaffer tape.

 

[David]

the other has a load of new vehicles, but runs them into the ground and maintenance consists of a large hammer and a roll or six of gaffer tape.

I take it Arriva are contracted to do the mainanence then and carried out at CF ....