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Arriva / Stagecoach 685

Arriva / Stagecoach 685

 
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G-CPTN



961
14 Jan 2014, 4:45 pm #21
(14 Jan 2014, 4:31 pm)gtomlinson Wonder if GNE would fancy this if Arriva stepped out.

There does seem to be an element of more bother than worth. For places en-route served by train, it would be a no brainer to jump on Thomas the Tank Engine for me

Haydon Bridge has trains that pass through every hour but only stop alternately (ie every two hours) - likewise Bardon Mill, Brampton and Wetheral.

There are also rural dwellings between the stations that are served by the 685.
G-CPTN
14 Jan 2014, 4:45 pm #21

(14 Jan 2014, 4:31 pm)gtomlinson Wonder if GNE would fancy this if Arriva stepped out.

There does seem to be an element of more bother than worth. For places en-route served by train, it would be a no brainer to jump on Thomas the Tank Engine for me

Haydon Bridge has trains that pass through every hour but only stop alternately (ie every two hours) - likewise Bardon Mill, Brampton and Wetheral.

There are also rural dwellings between the stations that are served by the 685.

CatsFast101

Unregistered

 
15 Jan 2014, 3:57 pm #22
(14 Jan 2014, 4:45 pm)G-CPTN Haydon Bridge has trains that pass through every hour but only stop alternately (ie every two hours) - likewise Bardon Mill, Brampton and Wetheral.

There are also rural dwellings between the stations that are served by the 685.

The reliability of the 685 seems to be the biggest issue. I can't imagine anyone going point to point not the service, would local service not be better for the rural areas? Not too familiar with the area.
CatsFast101
15 Jan 2014, 3:57 pm #22

(14 Jan 2014, 4:45 pm)G-CPTN Haydon Bridge has trains that pass through every hour but only stop alternately (ie every two hours) - likewise Bardon Mill, Brampton and Wetheral.

There are also rural dwellings between the stations that are served by the 685.

The reliability of the 685 seems to be the biggest issue. I can't imagine anyone going point to point not the service, would local service not be better for the rural areas? Not too familiar with the area.

G-CPTN



961
16 Jan 2014, 9:23 pm #23
The 16:35 service through Corbridge to Newcastle arrived today @16.55.

Oh and the '685' has been dropped - it's just the 85 now (to counter GNE's X85 - and X84 - I suppose.
G-CPTN
16 Jan 2014, 9:23 pm #23

The 16:35 service through Corbridge to Newcastle arrived today @16.55.

Oh and the '685' has been dropped - it's just the 85 now (to counter GNE's X85 - and X84 - I suppose.

G-CPTN



961
17 Jan 2014, 1:17 pm #24
Polling a few passengers waiting in Corbridge for buses to Newcastle, they said that the GNE buses were quicker as well as being more frequent and more reliable, so it looks like GNE are winning customers from Arriva/Stagecoach.

From Corbridge to Hexham it depends on punctuality. The Arriva/Stagecoach service is scheduled first (28 minutes past) then X84 at 32 minutes past and then X85 at 49 minutes past. Most passengers (especially those with free passes) take the first one to arrive frequently being the X84 (unless they are going further on through Hexham towards Haydon Bridge and Carlisle).
G-CPTN
17 Jan 2014, 1:17 pm #24

Polling a few passengers waiting in Corbridge for buses to Newcastle, they said that the GNE buses were quicker as well as being more frequent and more reliable, so it looks like GNE are winning customers from Arriva/Stagecoach.

From Corbridge to Hexham it depends on punctuality. The Arriva/Stagecoach service is scheduled first (28 minutes past) then X84 at 32 minutes past and then X85 at 49 minutes past. Most passengers (especially those with free passes) take the first one to arrive frequently being the X84 (unless they are going further on through Hexham towards Haydon Bridge and Carlisle).

mattdw92



181
17 Feb 2014, 10:40 pm #25
From Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire Thread:
(17 Feb 2014, 10:38 pm)mattdw92 One piece of information which about this years Stagecoach Order which has entered the public domain is the confirmation of short-term step-ins 27766/67 on the 685, which will be replaced by buses with "coach style seating, seatbelts and wifi" in the coming year."

In the same article in the Hexham Courant today, Arriva are looking to replace the Omnicity vehicles which have leather seats with fabric seating - and that they are looking at the options in terms of handrails and whether seatbelts can be fitted.
mattdw92
17 Feb 2014, 10:40 pm #25

From Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire Thread:

(17 Feb 2014, 10:38 pm)mattdw92 One piece of information which about this years Stagecoach Order which has entered the public domain is the confirmation of short-term step-ins 27766/67 on the 685, which will be replaced by buses with "coach style seating, seatbelts and wifi" in the coming year."

In the same article in the Hexham Courant today, Arriva are looking to replace the Omnicity vehicles which have leather seats with fabric seating - and that they are looking at the options in terms of handrails and whether seatbelts can be fitted.

Adrian



9,566
17 Feb 2014, 10:47 pm #26
(17 Feb 2014, 10:40 pm)mattdw92 From Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire Thread:

Interesting move, but a good one to see. Certainly heats up the competition on the Newcastle - Hexham services once more.

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Adrian
17 Feb 2014, 10:47 pm #26

(17 Feb 2014, 10:40 pm)mattdw92 From Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire Thread:

Interesting move, but a good one to see. Certainly heats up the competition on the Newcastle - Hexham services once more.


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G-CPTN



961
17 Feb 2014, 11:23 pm #27
The alterations to the 685 vehicles was discussed at a recent NCC Area Committee meeting in response to complaints received from passengers.
The leather seats afforded little purchase for passengers when the buses negotiated the twisty sections of the route. Previous (coach) vehicles had moquette seats and seatbelts, and the current vehicles had neither. Of course the current vehicles are low-floor to comply with disabled access regulations.

The Stagecoach representative announced that they would be introducing NEW vehicles later in the year, fitted with seatbelts (and wifi).

The Arriva guy was subjected to criticism that they, too, were not providing NEW vehicles, and it was my opinion that Arriva will simply recover the existing vehicle seats and fit seatbelts - leaving the criticism of poor ride quality (as mentioned, the previous (unreliable) vehicles were to coach specification rather than buses).
G-CPTN
17 Feb 2014, 11:23 pm #27

The alterations to the 685 vehicles was discussed at a recent NCC Area Committee meeting in response to complaints received from passengers.
The leather seats afforded little purchase for passengers when the buses negotiated the twisty sections of the route. Previous (coach) vehicles had moquette seats and seatbelts, and the current vehicles had neither. Of course the current vehicles are low-floor to comply with disabled access regulations.

The Stagecoach representative announced that they would be introducing NEW vehicles later in the year, fitted with seatbelts (and wifi).

The Arriva guy was subjected to criticism that they, too, were not providing NEW vehicles, and it was my opinion that Arriva will simply recover the existing vehicle seats and fit seatbelts - leaving the criticism of poor ride quality (as mentioned, the previous (unreliable) vehicles were to coach specification rather than buses).

tyresmoke



5,303
17 Feb 2014, 11:26 pm #28
(17 Feb 2014, 11:23 pm)G-CPTN The alterations to the 685 vehicles was discussed at a recent NCC Area Committee meeting in response to complaints received from passengers.
The leather seats afforded little purchase for passengers when the buses negotiated the twisty sections of the route. Previous (coach) vehicles had moquette seats and seatbelts, and the current vehicles had neither. Of course the current vehicles are low-floor to comply with disabled access regulations.

The Stagecoach representative announced that they would be introducing NEW vehicles later in the year, fitted with seatbelts (and wifi).

The Arriva guy was subjected to criticism that they, too, were not providing NEW vehicles, and it was my opinion that Arriva will simply recover the existing vehicle seats and fit seatbelts - leaving the criticism of poor ride quality (as mentioned, the previous (unreliable) vehicles were to coach specification rather than buses).

Does the poor ride quality not translate onto the E300s too or is it just an anti-Arriva stance?
I don't disagree that a route like the 685 needs coaches though.

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Service Manager, Coatham Connect

tyresmoke
17 Feb 2014, 11:26 pm #28

(17 Feb 2014, 11:23 pm)G-CPTN The alterations to the 685 vehicles was discussed at a recent NCC Area Committee meeting in response to complaints received from passengers.
The leather seats afforded little purchase for passengers when the buses negotiated the twisty sections of the route. Previous (coach) vehicles had moquette seats and seatbelts, and the current vehicles had neither. Of course the current vehicles are low-floor to comply with disabled access regulations.

The Stagecoach representative announced that they would be introducing NEW vehicles later in the year, fitted with seatbelts (and wifi).

The Arriva guy was subjected to criticism that they, too, were not providing NEW vehicles, and it was my opinion that Arriva will simply recover the existing vehicle seats and fit seatbelts - leaving the criticism of poor ride quality (as mentioned, the previous (unreliable) vehicles were to coach specification rather than buses).

Does the poor ride quality not translate onto the E300s too or is it just an anti-Arriva stance?
I don't disagree that a route like the 685 needs coaches though.


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Service Manager, Coatham Connect

Tom



6,138
18 Feb 2014, 9:52 am #29
(17 Feb 2014, 11:26 pm)tyresmoke Does the poor ride quality not translate onto the E300s too or is it just an anti-Arriva stance?
I don't disagree that a route like the 685 needs coaches though.

I don't like Arriva, but the ride isn't poor in my opinion.
Tom
18 Feb 2014, 9:52 am #29

(17 Feb 2014, 11:26 pm)tyresmoke Does the poor ride quality not translate onto the E300s too or is it just an anti-Arriva stance?
I don't disagree that a route like the 685 needs coaches though.

I don't like Arriva, but the ride isn't poor in my opinion.

Tom



6,138
10 Jul 2014, 7:44 pm #30
Something I've noticed recently about pricing on the 685. It differs between the two operators. Huh

For example,
Stagecoach - £4.75 Hexham to Newcastle
Arriva - £5.40 Hexham to Newcastle

Stagecoach - £3.25 Heddon to Newcastle
Arriva - £3.40 Heddon to Newcastle
Tom
10 Jul 2014, 7:44 pm #30

Something I've noticed recently about pricing on the 685. It differs between the two operators. Huh

For example,
Stagecoach - £4.75 Hexham to Newcastle
Arriva - £5.40 Hexham to Newcastle

Stagecoach - £3.25 Heddon to Newcastle
Arriva - £3.40 Heddon to Newcastle

G-CPTN



961
10 Jul 2014, 8:22 pm #31
(10 Jul 2014, 7:44 pm)Tom Something I've noticed recently about pricing on the 685. It differs between the two operators. Huh
For example,
Stagecoach - £4.75 Hexham to Newcastle
Arriva - £5.40 Hexham to Newcastle
Stagecoach - £3.25 Heddon to Newcastle
Arriva - £3.40 Heddon to Newcastle

I don't pay (concessionary pass), but a friend who travels between Hexham and Corbridge will not use the Arriva service as it costs more than GNE (and there's five per hour versus the one Arriva/Stagecoach).
G-CPTN
10 Jul 2014, 8:22 pm #31

(10 Jul 2014, 7:44 pm)Tom Something I've noticed recently about pricing on the 685. It differs between the two operators. Huh
For example,
Stagecoach - £4.75 Hexham to Newcastle
Arriva - £5.40 Hexham to Newcastle
Stagecoach - £3.25 Heddon to Newcastle
Arriva - £3.40 Heddon to Newcastle

I don't pay (concessionary pass), but a friend who travels between Hexham and Corbridge will not use the Arriva service as it costs more than GNE (and there's five per hour versus the one Arriva/Stagecoach).

Tom



6,138
10 Jul 2014, 8:26 pm #32
(10 Jul 2014, 8:22 pm)G-CPTN I don't pay (concessionary pass), but a friend who travels between Hexham and Corbridge will not use the Arriva service as it costs more than GNE (and there's five per hour versus the one Arriva/Stagecoach).

Stagecoach are £1.85 from Hexham to Corbridge - a bit of a rip off if you ask me. Are GNE £1.50?
Tom
10 Jul 2014, 8:26 pm #32

(10 Jul 2014, 8:22 pm)G-CPTN I don't pay (concessionary pass), but a friend who travels between Hexham and Corbridge will not use the Arriva service as it costs more than GNE (and there's five per hour versus the one Arriva/Stagecoach).

Stagecoach are £1.85 from Hexham to Corbridge - a bit of a rip off if you ask me. Are GNE £1.50?

park5354



406
10 Jul 2014, 10:34 pm #33
(10 Jul 2014, 8:26 pm)Tom Stagecoach are £1.85 from Hexham to Corbridge - a bit of a rip off if you ask me. Are GNE £1.50?

GNE are £2.00 on 10, 687, X84 & X85.
park5354
10 Jul 2014, 10:34 pm #33

(10 Jul 2014, 8:26 pm)Tom Stagecoach are £1.85 from Hexham to Corbridge - a bit of a rip off if you ask me. Are GNE £1.50?

GNE are £2.00 on 10, 687, X84 & X85.

park5354



406
10 Jul 2014, 10:39 pm #34
GNE Fares

Hexham - Newcastle 4.70 single 5.70 return

Hexham - Corbridge 2.00 single 3.70 return

Heddon - Newcastle 3.20 single 5.70 return
park5354
10 Jul 2014, 10:39 pm #34

GNE Fares

Hexham - Newcastle 4.70 single 5.70 return

Hexham - Corbridge 2.00 single 3.70 return

Heddon - Newcastle 3.20 single 5.70 return

eezypeazy



173
11 Jul 2014, 7:58 am #35
(10 Jul 2014, 7:44 pm)Tom Something I've noticed recently about pricing on the 685. It differs between the two operators. Huh

For example,
Stagecoach - £4.75 Hexham to Newcastle
Arriva - £5.40 Hexham to Newcastle

Stagecoach - £3.25 Heddon to Newcastle
Arriva - £3.40 Heddon to Newcastle

Under Competition Act rules, operators are not allowed to meet and discuss their fares in order to 'set' a fare - that would be 'collusion' and they'd end up in prison!

They are allowed to accept each other's return tickets and to recharge each other appropriate reimbursement, but are not allowed to discuss or set a return fare - again, that would be collusion.
eezypeazy
11 Jul 2014, 7:58 am #35

(10 Jul 2014, 7:44 pm)Tom Something I've noticed recently about pricing on the 685. It differs between the two operators. Huh

For example,
Stagecoach - £4.75 Hexham to Newcastle
Arriva - £5.40 Hexham to Newcastle

Stagecoach - £3.25 Heddon to Newcastle
Arriva - £3.40 Heddon to Newcastle

Under Competition Act rules, operators are not allowed to meet and discuss their fares in order to 'set' a fare - that would be 'collusion' and they'd end up in prison!

They are allowed to accept each other's return tickets and to recharge each other appropriate reimbursement, but are not allowed to discuss or set a return fare - again, that would be collusion.

G-CPTN



961
12 Jul 2014, 4:36 pm #36
A Stagecoach short midibus (Solo?) seen @ 2pm-ish leaving Brampton for Carlisle showing service 685.

I don't know whether it ran through from Hexham/Haydon Bridge or 'started' from Brampton.

Would they schedule a small midibus on the whole of the route? (Carlisle to Newcastle to Carlisle)

Maybe it was a replacement for a breakdown?
G-CPTN
12 Jul 2014, 4:36 pm #36

A Stagecoach short midibus (Solo?) seen @ 2pm-ish leaving Brampton for Carlisle showing service 685.

I don't know whether it ran through from Hexham/Haydon Bridge or 'started' from Brampton.

Would they schedule a small midibus on the whole of the route? (Carlisle to Newcastle to Carlisle)

Maybe it was a replacement for a breakdown?

Kuyoyo



6,849
12 Jul 2014, 4:43 pm #37
(12 Jul 2014, 4:36 pm)G-CPTN A Stagecoach short midibus (Solo?) seen @ 2pm-ish leaving Brampton for Carlisle showing service 685.

I don't know whether it ran through from Hexham/Haydon Bridge or 'started' from Brampton.

Would they schedule a small midibus on the whole of the route? (Carlisle to Newcastle to Carlisle)

Maybe it was a replacement for a breakdown?

Stagecoach run 'short' 685 journeys between Carlisle and Brampton. Their new Solo SR (47921) is for use on there. That is the reason Stagecoach's 685s are split into 3 sections rather than the 2 Arriva split theirs into.
Kuyoyo
12 Jul 2014, 4:43 pm #37

(12 Jul 2014, 4:36 pm)G-CPTN A Stagecoach short midibus (Solo?) seen @ 2pm-ish leaving Brampton for Carlisle showing service 685.

I don't know whether it ran through from Hexham/Haydon Bridge or 'started' from Brampton.

Would they schedule a small midibus on the whole of the route? (Carlisle to Newcastle to Carlisle)

Maybe it was a replacement for a breakdown?

Stagecoach run 'short' 685 journeys between Carlisle and Brampton. Their new Solo SR (47921) is for use on there. That is the reason Stagecoach's 685s are split into 3 sections rather than the 2 Arriva split theirs into.

G-CPTN



961
12 Jul 2014, 4:54 pm #38
(12 Jul 2014, 4:43 pm)Kuyoyo Stagecoach run 'short' 685 journeys between Carlisle and Brampton. Their new Solo SR (47921) is for use on there. That is the reason Stagecoach's 685s are split into 3 sections rather than the 2 Arriva split theirs into.

Interesting, - thank-you.

Edited to add:-
Stagecoaches own timetable:-

http://www.stagecoachbus.com/PdfUploads/...sle%29.pdf

shows the 2pm-ish journeys from Brampton are operated by Arriva . . . Huh
Edited 12 Jul 2014, 5:03 pm by G-CPTN.
G-CPTN
12 Jul 2014, 4:54 pm #38

(12 Jul 2014, 4:43 pm)Kuyoyo Stagecoach run 'short' 685 journeys between Carlisle and Brampton. Their new Solo SR (47921) is for use on there. That is the reason Stagecoach's 685s are split into 3 sections rather than the 2 Arriva split theirs into.

Interesting, - thank-you.

Edited to add:-
Stagecoaches own timetable:-

http://www.stagecoachbus.com/PdfUploads/...sle%29.pdf

shows the 2pm-ish journeys from Brampton are operated by Arriva . . . Huh

Kuyoyo



6,849
12 Jul 2014, 5:08 pm #39
(12 Jul 2014, 4:54 pm)G-CPTN Interesting, - thank-you.

Edited to add:-
Stagecoaches own timetable:-

http://www.stagecoachbus.com/PdfUploads/...sle%29.pdf

shows the 2pm-ish journeys from Brampton are operated by Arriva . . . Huh

The 1434 from Brampton is Arriva operated - the 1404 is the Stagecoach short journey.
Kuyoyo
12 Jul 2014, 5:08 pm #39

(12 Jul 2014, 4:54 pm)G-CPTN Interesting, - thank-you.

Edited to add:-
Stagecoaches own timetable:-

http://www.stagecoachbus.com/PdfUploads/...sle%29.pdf

shows the 2pm-ish journeys from Brampton are operated by Arriva . . . Huh

The 1434 from Brampton is Arriva operated - the 1404 is the Stagecoach short journey.

BJ10VUS



850
12 Jul 2014, 7:35 pm #40
(11 Jul 2014, 7:58 am)eezypeazy Under Competition Act rules, operators are not allowed to meet and discuss their fares in order to 'set' a fare - that would be 'collusion' and they'd end up in prison!

They are allowed to accept each other's return tickets and to recharge each other appropriate reimbursement, but are not allowed to discuss or set a return fare - again, that would be collusion.

Even if they are running the same route in partnership? I obviously believe you're right with the information about the Competition Act and that, and I can see how it can prevent bad competition, but it isn't good for the fare-paying passengers.
Edited 12 Jul 2014, 7:37 pm by BJ10VUS.
BJ10VUS
12 Jul 2014, 7:35 pm #40

(11 Jul 2014, 7:58 am)eezypeazy Under Competition Act rules, operators are not allowed to meet and discuss their fares in order to 'set' a fare - that would be 'collusion' and they'd end up in prison!

They are allowed to accept each other's return tickets and to recharge each other appropriate reimbursement, but are not allowed to discuss or set a return fare - again, that would be collusion.

Even if they are running the same route in partnership? I obviously believe you're right with the information about the Competition Act and that, and I can see how it can prevent bad competition, but it isn't good for the fare-paying passengers.

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