Classic Bus North West - Red Rocket Express

[robertclark125]

This is the latest venture from Classic Bus North West, launching (or taking off) from October 4th, and offering a non stop run from Blackpool to Manchester. The service is using Mercs, according to the publicity (Citaros presumably) and through fares are available onto other CBNW routes.

The service runs every 90 minutes, thus there are nine departures a day, with some calling at the Trafford centre.

This partly conjurs up memories of when Stagecoach ran the X61 from Blackpool to Manchester, but also a service to the Trafford centre from preston. The Red rocket is non stop though, wheras the X61 ran via Preston.

At the same time, apparently CBNW have also gained a tender for a route 60 running to Preston, seemingly previously run by Cumfybus. Can anyone provide any more information?

 

[burns20]

Do you mean Route 80/82 Fleetwood to Preston?

www.redrocket.co.uk

Just checked VOSA it's the above services from December 9th

 

[robertclark125]

It could be that, but I'm sure I saw on the other fourm that it said 60.

 

[overthewater]

In time for xmas shoppers then.

 

[Whistler40145]

As this service is non-stop, it won't be any use for those who hold a NowCard, or is that the intention of this service?

 

[gnolife]

Do you mean Route 80/82 Fleetwood to Preston?

www.redrocket.co.uk

Just checked VOSA it's the above services from December 9th

Any particular reason to a link to a graphic design company in Exeter?

The express bus is of some interest to me, if fares are competitive with the train, as I have friends that live in that neck of the woods.


Anyone know if it's going to be going from Manchester Shudehill or Chorlton Street at this point, or if it's going to go from somewhere odd like one of the stations in an attempt to poach some customers?

 

[burns20]

Website specifies Chorlton Street but I guess it'll be the bus stops outside

 

[34D]

As this service is non-stop, it won't be any use for those who hold a NowCard, or is that the intention of this service?

If they have any sense, they'll offer ENCTS holders a special fare.

 

[overthewater]

www.redrocketexpress.co.uk

 

[WestCoast]

Well, this service is a throwback to the X61, before the service level was reduced, journey times lengthened and then cut back from Blackpool.

Will watch this attempt from CBNW with interest , they certainly are making things a bit more interesting on the Fylde.

 

[Deerfold]

www.redrocketexpress.co.uk

Not impressed with their comparison of times where the train is quoted as 90 mins - whilst the slow trains take 87 or 88 mins, most fast trains take 68-76 minutes.

 

[howittpie]

It is departing from Sackville Streey.stop TA in Manchester.

 

[telstarbox]

Quite a clumsy way of presenting the timetables too.

 

[robertclark125]

Quite a clumsy way of presenting the timetables too.

It is, but then, with so few stops, it's probably the most ideal way of doing it.

 

[howittpie]

The content of the website also comes up blocked on some computers in such places as librarires, work place which isn't very good for people wanting to find out abouth the service.

 

[Deerfold]

It is, but then, with so few stops, it's probably the most ideal way of doing it.

Apart from someone who wants to know what time they're likely to arrive at the other end.

And does "75-90 mins, longer during rush hours" indicate that at peaks it'll take 90 mins or that it will take longer than 90 then?

 

[robertclark125]

Apart from someone who wants to know what time they're likely to arrive at the other end.

And does "75-90 mins, longer during rush hours" indicate that at peaks it'll take 90 mins or that it will take longer than 90 then?

That raises an interesting point; as the service is limited stop, with so few stopping places, the driver will be free to choose the best route between the two conurbations. What that leads to is, if road A is chock a bloc, perhaps going through a village on route B will be quicker.

It'll just come down to trial and error and experience.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Well, this service is a throwback to the X61, before the service level was reduced, journey times lengthened and then cut back from Blackpool.

Looking at the title page of their website stating "To boldly go where no bus has gone before" shows a very short memory span by this company with regard to the service to which you allude in your quote above. One could forgive them if they were thinking of the Blackpool services that ran from the former Lower Moseley Street bus station that I often used in days of yore, but the Stagecoach X61 service from Shudehill bus station only ceased operation to Blackpool in very recent times.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

If they have any sense, they'll offer ENCTS holders a special fare.

My son informs me that on the website "East of the M60", the article just produced on there about this new service gives fares information, which does mention a £2.00 reduction for the holders of the pass that you mention.

 

[robertclark125]

I tried to compare times and fares between Red Rocket and National Express, and I did this using a departure on or after 10:00 to Manchester, and an 18:00 departure back to Blackpool the same day. Nat ex had a departure, on 4th October, at 10:00, calling at Preston and Bolton, taking 1 hour 50 minutes (110 minutes), and a return leaving at 18:15 reaching Blackpool at 19:55, thus taking 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes). So, a atotal round trip of 210 minutes.

The total fare was £12, and this was 4th October, launch day for red Rocket. On the same day, the red rocket will leave Blackpool at 10:30, taking 90 minutes (using their supposed slowest journey time) with two stop, and a return leaving at 18:00, same time, and two stops, for £10, so it's a total of 30 minutes quicker, and £2 cheaper.

Red Rocket may be making comparisons between themselves and the train and the car on their website, but they may not realise it, but they could also end up targeting National Express. That's no bad thing for them, if they end up gaining custom though.

 

[overthewater]

http://cbnw.blogspot.co.uk/ So that is whats being used on the route.

 

[trentside]

http://cbnw.blogspot.co.uk/ So that is whats being used on the route.

Well, that's... erm... interesting. Will be curious to watch this one develop. I wonder whether they are doing any interior work on these before putting them in service? I can't imagine London interiors are that suitable for a service of this nature.

 

[radamfi]

I can't wait to use this service!

 

[Deerfold]

http://cbnw.blogspot.co.uk/ So that is whats being used on the route.

Wow, vehicles designed for the majority of passengers to stand...don't they have fewer than 50 seats?

Not sure I'd fancy that on an express!

 

[robertclark125]

They'd be good on an express, but the seating capacity will need to be improved. Luggae space for shoppers may be on their to do list as well!

 

[Deerfold]

They'd be good on an express

Really? Why?

I thought they were good for short journeys on certain routes in London but I'm not convinced they're good for long journeys, especially fast ones.

 

[radamfi]

The articulated Citaro has 49 seats, so has more seats than any rigid single decker. Only a double decker or 3 axle coach would have more seats. Rigid Citaros are pretty good on the express Derby to Nottingham Citylink service and articulated ones on the lavish 40 km Haarlem to Amsterdam Arena busway route.

 

[overthewater]

The articulated Citaro has 49 seats, so has more seats than any rigid single decker. Only a double decker would have more seats. Rigid Citaros are pretty good on the express Derby to Nottingham Citylink service and articulated ones on the lavish 40 km Haarlem to Amsterdam Arena busway route.

Also Mcgills use them on the Greenock express aswell.

Shame there did not use PS

 

[Deerfold]

The articulated Citaro has 49 seats, so has more seats than any rigid single decker. Only a double decker or 3 axle coach would have more seats. Rigid Citaros are pretty good on the express Derby to Nottingham Citylink service and articulated ones on the lavish 40 km Haarlem to Amsterdam Arena busway route.

There's an awful lot of the seats on them require the use of steps.

A typical Leyland National had 49 seats and I'd guess is a lot easier to control at speed. On a busway I'd worry about that less.

The number of seats is only slightly higher than on other modern non-bendy buses.

I see it as a surprising choice.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Shame there did not use PS

What does this mean?

 

[34D]

They'd be good on an express, but the seating capacity will need to be improved. Luggae space for shoppers may be on their to do list as well!

They have the same Merc engine as an optare solo. Totally unsuited to hills or fast roads.

Time for the LTT to stop playing buses, methinks.

 

[radamfi]

I'm sure a bendy bus from the 80s (like the ones in Sheffield) would have a lot more than 49 seats!

I'm guessing that the bendies were going cheap and that is why they are using them.