By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.
Accept
routeonerouteonerouteone
  • News
    • Show all
    • Awards & Events
    • Deliveries
    • Environment
    • Exhibitor News
    • Euro Bus Expo 2024
    • Features
    • Legal
    • Minibus and minicoach
    • Operators
    • Opinion
    • People
    • Suppliers
    • Vehicles
  • Vehicles
    • Find a Vehicle
    • ZEV Comparison Tool
    • Sell a Vehicle
    • Vehicle Seller Dashboard
  • Insights
  • Careers
  • Events
    • British Tourism & Travel Show
    • Euro Bus Expo
    • Innovation Challenge
    • Livery Competition
    • routeone Awards
  • Advertise
  • Contact
    • Share your news
    • Subscribe
    • Update Subscription Details
  • Latest Issue
  • SIGN UP
Search
© 2024 routeone News. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: 18 routes to go as Stagecoach East realigns network
Share
Font ResizerAa
routeonerouteone
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • News
    • Show all
    • Awards & Events
    • Deliveries
    • Environment
    • Exhibitor News
    • Euro Bus Expo 2024
    • Features
    • Legal
    • Minibus and minicoach
    • Operators
    • Opinion
    • People
    • Suppliers
    • Vehicles
  • Vehicles
    • Find a Vehicle
    • ZEV Comparison Tool
    • Sell a Vehicle
    • Vehicle Seller Dashboard
  • Insights
  • Careers
  • Events
    • British Tourism & Travel Show
    • Euro Bus Expo
    • Innovation Challenge
    • Livery Competition
    • routeone Awards
  • Advertise
  • Contact
    • Share your news
    • Subscribe
    • Update Subscription Details
  • Latest Issue
  • SIGN UP
Follow US
© 2024 routeone News | Powered by Diversified Business Communications UK Ltd
- Advertisement -
-
routeone > Bus > 18 routes to go as Stagecoach East realigns network
BusBus routesNewsOperators

18 routes to go as Stagecoach East realigns network

routeone Team
routeone Team
Published: September 21, 2022
Share
Stagecoach East to withdraw 18 underperforming routes
SHARE

The decision by Stagecoach East to withdraw a group of underperforming routes that have been losing an average of £12 per passenger journey, and up to £80 per individual user in the worst cases, has led to a renewed call for reregulation of buses in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough by elected Mayor Dr Nik Johnson.

18 services will be removed from 30 October as the operator repositions its network to “reflect post-pandemic travel patterns.” However, the changes that follow a network review process mandated by a previous round of Bus Recovery Grant (BRG) funding will also see improvements to some provision.

Stagecoach East says that the routes for withdrawal represent “less than 6% of the entire Cambridgeshire network” and have shown no evidence of growth. Although the Department for Transport has extended BRG into 2023, the operator adds that it has decided to focus resources on routes that have a sustainable future.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) has reacted angrily to news of the withdrawals. In a statement, it says that Stagecoach East is acting against the spirit of BRG and that the operator’s actions have placed it in an “unacceptable position.”

CPCA is yet another Combined Authority to claim that such bodies secured the extension into 2023 of BRG. Dr Johnson adds that CPCA is “appalled” at the decision to terminate the 18 routes “despite [Stagecoach East] getting a six-month bus grant.”

Dr Johnson says that CPCA officers have been instructed to take the routes in question “back out to the market” and that the business case for reregulation of bus services in the region will be subject to “review and refresh.”

In addition to the 18 withdrawals, 23 other Stagecoach East services that have challenging economics despite BRG support will continue to run “because there is some evidence of increased use.” The operator will not be drawn on what the overall changes mean for its PVR, but it says that staffing levels are not being reduced and there will be no job losses.

Managing Director Darren Roe explains that the changes are intended to deliver a sustainable network “with the aim of growing services in the long term.” He adds that while the business is grateful for government revenue support, Stagecoach East is overall currently carrying around 75% of pre-pandemic patronage and thus some “tough decisions” have become necessary.

Reflecting a wider concern around the bus industry, Mr Roe says that concessionary numbers are as low as 55% of the pre-March 2020 figure. That has combined with inflation and increasing costs to force action.

“The 18 affected routes have been losing £12 per passenger, per journey on average. Some of them, where numbers have dropped as low as around 50 customers per week, are costing up to £80 per passenger. We cannot continue to operate services that we know are no longer financially viable. That would not be right for taxpayers or our passengers,” continues Mr Roe.

Network review work has seen Stagecoach East consult councillors in areas affected by the withdrawal of routes along with local authority officers.

Share This Article
Facebook LinkedIn Threads Email Copy Link
Previous Article Edward Hodgson Stagecoach’s Edward Hodgson in new coach operations role
Next Article routeone Awards 2022 judging completed routeone Awards: Judging complete, ticket sales strong
- Advertisement -

Latest News

Temsa HD12 and HD13 delivered to Cresta Coaches under Asset Alliance rental deal
Temsa pair join Cresta Coaches on Asset Alliance rental agreement
Deliveries
Go-Ahead London – Managing Director
Careers Jobs
andy burnham tfgm £15.6 billion (1) The funding announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves today (4 June) has been allocated to several combined mayoral authorities to use on rail, tram, road and bus infrastructure. Transport for Greater Manchester revealed today that part of the £2.5 billion it will receive will go towards making the Bee Network fully battery-electric by 2030. An as-yet undecided portion of that will support a planned investment in 1,000 new zero-emission buses over that period, the mayoral authority said. That is part of plans to build the UK's "first fully integrated, zero-emission public transport system", with trams and trains also set to benefit. Liverpool City Region's already announced BRT system is among the projects to which its £1.6 billion will be allocated. Under those plans - due for realisation by 2028 - a high-speed network will be served by articulated buses which are modelled on the 'Glider' in Belfast. It is due to link Liverpool city centre with John Lennon Airport, and Liverpool FC and Everton FC's respective stadia along three routes. Although the model of bus has not been confirmed, a Van Hool Exqui.City on loan from Belfast was last year used as a demonstrator. That 18m vehicle can accommodate around 30% more passengers than a typical bus and has three sets of double doors. The funding will also go towards buses elsewhere in the city as the region heads towards franchising services by 2027. Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotheram with a 'Glider' which was on loan from Belfast last year - an example of the sort of bus which could serve the new BRT Bus services in the East Midlands region will be boosted by the funding, thanks to the £2 billion handed to it today by the government. Some of that allocation will be used for a rapid transit network on the Trent Arc between Nottingham and Derby. Between the two cities, the Freeport, Infinity Park Investment Zone and Ratcliffe-on-Soar will also benefit from the improved bus services. South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority's newly announced commitment towards bus franchising has been boosted by £350 million in funding as part of that region's allocation. The funding for West Yorkshire will help build new bus stations in Bradford and Wakefield. Likewise, the Tees Valley Mayoral Authority will put its sum towards a new £15 million bus station in Middlesbrough. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander says: "Today marks a watershed moment on our journey to improving transport across the North and Midlands – opening up access to jobs, growing the economy and driving up quality of life as we deliver our Plan for Change. "For too long, people in the North and Midlands have been locked out of the investment they deserve. With £15.6bn of government investment, we’re giving local leaders the means to drive cities, towns and communities forward, investing in Britain’s renewal so you and your family are better off."
TfGM’s all-electric bus plan boosted by new £15.6 billion package
News
Local Transport Minister opens First Bus electric depot in Hengrove
Local Transport Minister opens First Bus electric depot in Hengrove
Bus
- Advertisement -
-

routeone magazine is the indispensable resource for professional UK coach, bus and minibus operators. The home of vehicle sales and the latest bus and coach job vacancies, routeone connects professional PCV operators with complete and unrivalled news coverage.

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • GDPR Policy
  • Sustainability
  • Advertise
  • Latest Issue
  • Share Your News
routeonerouteone
Follow US
© 2024 routeone News | Powered by Diversified Business Communications UK Ltd