A question I've been meaning to age for ages....
How are Webberbus and Faresaver doing on the routes where they compete head-on with First? Both seem to adopt the tactic of running just in front of First (I think Faresaver might be more guilty of this), but they've both invested heavily in their fleets and put First to shame in a number of cases. I tend to only see Faresaver (in Bath or Chippenham) and they always seem well loaded, but is this mainly concessionary fares? Is either company actually hurting First, or are the Taunton (and Weston) tender losses a sign that the indies are struggling?
Interesting question. First of all, Webberbus and Faresaver employ different strategies.
Faresaver have traditionally bought their buses outright. They operate a lot of Wiltshire Council tendered routes, and schools, and this allows them to then operate competitive routes. In fact, a number are built around school workings - for instance, the X34 Frome to Chippenham only runs Monday to Friday and of the 6 vehicles used on it, only 2 run it in peak.
Their fleet is also quite a bit older with a fair few Varios still going but with newer middle aged kit like the odd e200 and MCV Evolution that they've picked up cheap. The full size DDA kit is probably 2003-2007 in the main. With a lower cost base, they've been quite successful against First and do tend to operate 10 mins in front. Recent, unscientific observations show that on the main routes, they probably have most of the Frome to Trowbridge traffic, about half of Chippenham to Bath, and 40% of the Frome to Bath route, though much is pensioner passes.
Notably, First seemed to tolerate it as long as they didn't compete in Bath, as they did start doing so in Whiteway and Weston. Conversely, when they began a Chippenham to Calne service, Stagecoach immediately retaliated and registered Chippenham town services. Faresaver haven't dared to do that again. First have seemed to let things take their way, almost as managed retreat. However, they did strangely win the Corsham town service tender in Jan - their first Wiltshire win in age. The interworking of the 267 and 234 is due to end; will that allow the 267 to be retimed in front of Faresaver?
Webberbus are different. Fewer tendered services, especially after losing the Weston ones, and now the P&R which seemed to be the real jewel. Instead of buying buses, they've tended to lease new fleets (which must be expensive). Also, they've gone head to head on new services, so none of the Faresaver winning a schools contract and then operating off peak on the back of it.
Again unscientific, they've done reasonably well on the Minehead to Taunton service. Wellington was doing ok but First have put the squeeze on now and the Bridgwater service was again doing ok. It was the big expansion on the 37/38 Taunton/Bridgwater to Wells which is most intriguing. A lot of leased kit, and often only running with half a dozen pensioners, at least from Wells to Street. Bridgwater service never seems to carry much but occasionally get a few on the Taunton route. The other big move was Bridgwater town services; don't know how they're doing as it's been a while since I've been into the town.
However, one wonders how much of a blow getting the P&R will be to Webberbus. That's 7 vehicles (I believe) on lease that will cost to return or then look to redeploy.... That said, they have recently received new vehicles so perhaps they're ok financially. However, the fact that (for a second time) they've had work taken off them for p*ss poor service is a bit concerning. One thing is certain - with BoS getting Taunton P&R (even in the interim) and the recent changes in South Glos, First are definitely embarking on a strategy to reverse their decline in market share.
Having experienced Marshall Darts in Bristol and South Wales, I know that they're usually dreadful. You might have had a better one but I've had the hell of travelling from Llanelli to Swansea on one and they're awful.
