Classic Bus North West - Red Rocket Express

[Whistler40145]

Oh eck, that'd be a rather uncomfortable journey on a B10M!

 

[winston270twm]

I've no idea what happened to the Citaro bendy buses, not seen them since the Red Rocket Express was curtailed.

There's one here / was one here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/61188429@N06/20290829005/in/dateposted/

 

[Whistler40145]

AFAIK they were withdrawn from traffic requiring parts.

 

[Y961 XBU]

I thought the Bendies had all been Sold on or Scrapped, As for Darts doing the Red Rocket, big mistake, Darts where built for Estate type work not Motorway work!

 

[Whistler40145]

IMHO I can't see many passengers using this service, you've already got FTPE & Northern services from Blackpool to Manchester.

 

[34D]

Haven't they also acquired a small Warrington-based operator, specifically for access to their licence and 'O' discs?

Do you know which please?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

As a vision of a nightmare scenario, imagine what a conjoining of Red Rocket with Gorillabus might launch on an unsuspecting travelling public...

 

[Whistler40145]

Doesn't sound wonderful.

 

[Y961 XBU]

Do you know which please?

They bought the Nuttalls Licence from Tanseys, Most likley for their Ops Disks so they could run this Service

 

[Deerfold]

IMHO I can't see many passengers using this service, you've already got FTPE & Northern services from Blackpool to Manchester.

Indeed - I'm struggling to see who will find it attractive. If you've a Railcard of any sort the train is cheaper unless you get the first weekday bus. If not, it's still not a huge saving.

So, it's slower, less frequent, starts later, finishes earlier - and isn't that much cheaper (for those for whom it is at all cheaper) (unless you're returning within a week - after that up to a month the train is cheaper).

I don't mind getting a bus or coach over longer distances from time to time but it needs to be at least one out of cheaper, faster, more convenient, more comfortable and I'm struggling to see which they manage.

 

[Whistler40145]

Not only having a railcard is a big enough incentive to travel by train, the train has a far better frequency and the comfort of a Class 185 or other unit would be far more comfortable than sitting in a B10M!

 

[northwichcat]

Stagecoach Lancashire used to run a bus between Blackpool and Manchester and despite mainly using coaches and offering £1 tickets via the Megabus site they didn't get full and Stagecoach decided to withdraw the service.

 

[WestCoast]

Not only having a railcard is a big enough incentive to travel by train, the train has a far better frequency and the comfort of a Class 185 or other unit would be far more comfortable than sitting in a B10M!

It is mostly Class 156s on TPE Blackpool North - Manchester Airport services at the moment, but in my opinion at least the comfort would still be superior to a B10M or Dart.

 

[Bungle965]

Are they out of there minds using darts on that.
You will be lucky if you make it to Blackpool!!
Sam

 

[Whistler40145]

Very true WestCoast. I live and work in Blackpool and the fleet of B10Ms they use are better suited to local and not long distance work.

 

[WestCoast]

Are they out of there minds using darts on that.
You will be lucky if you make it to Blackpool!!
Sam

Very true WestCoast. I live and work in Blackpool and the fleet of B10Ms they use are better suited to local and not long distance work.

To be fair, this is the company that has used everything from Metroriders to Citaro bendy buses to Routemasters on its flagship local service. You have to expect the unexpected.

http://blackpooltram.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/rml887-in-action-on-catch22.html
http://blackpooltram.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/red-rocket-on-22.html
http://blackpooltram.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/catch-22.html

 

[Whistler40145]

Hmm, you're quite correct WestCoast, I wonder how long it'll take before the ex-Blackpool Transport Leyland Atlantean is pressed into service, it's currently running on their Number 22 Mereside to Cleveleys service and is an old V registered vehicle.

 

[robertclark125]

How long will it last on a journey on the red rocket express before it decides to have a rest?

Stagecoach East Scotland (Fife) used to, sometimes, use B10M-55s with Alexander PS body on express work, when a coach wasn't available, and there was no spare, and they did the task very well. There is a key difference; that was in the 1990s, and B10M-55's with Alexander PS body were last made about 15 years ago. Perhaps something a bit more modern, and crucially, well maintained, is required.

Given the service is going to run only between Preston and Manchester at times, I wonder where driver changeovers will be done?

 

[overthewater]

To be fair that continued well beyond the 90s, maybe 2007 at least.

Stagecoach Fife still throws out Double deckers on the Glasgow express at times, and there can cope well aswell.

It doesn't matter about age, if it well maintained it should happily deal with the work.

 

[iantherev]

Stagecoach Cymru at Cwmbran were still happily turning out their last 2 B10M/PSs on the Cardiff expresses right up until their last week in service earlier this year.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

They bought the Nuttalls Licence from Tanseys, Most likley for their Ops Disks so they could run this Service

In such a case as this, would not the past conduct of service operations by a buyer who had already been brought to the notice of the Traffic Commissioners be something that would be scrutinised?

 

[Y961 XBU]

In such a case as this, would not the past conduct of service operations by a buyer who had already been brought to the notice of the Traffic Commissioners be something that would be scrutinised?

I would of thought so myself considering Catch 22 are currently inder investigation anyway

 

[northwichcat]

I would of thought so myself considering Catch 22 are currently inder investigation anyway

I've seen posted on another forum they're operating it as an express style service with more than 20 miles between stops meaning the route doesn't have to be registered as a bus service. The vehicles they are planning to use will apparently display the legals relating to their licence acquired from Nuttalls (Warrington.)

 

[Deerfold]

I've seen posted on another forum they're operating it as an express style service with more than 20 miles between stops meaning the route doesn't have to be registered as a bus service. The vehicles they are planning to show will apparently display the legals relating to their licence acquired from Nuttalls (Warrington.)

Their operations are still covered by the Traffic Commissioner who could withdraw any licences they have. They just have more leeway to change times and routes at short notice.

 

[northwichcat]

Their operations are still covered by the Traffic Commissioner who could withdraw any licences they have. They just have more leeway to change times and routes at short notice.

Yes the TC can revoke all their licences but they don't need specific approval to run these services if there are more than 20 miles between stops. They are also offering discounts for over 60s opposed to allowing people in possession of over 60s passes to travel for free which would be required if it was registered as a local bus service (except pre-09:30 weekdays.)
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Just looked at this page: http://www.redrocketexpress.co.uk/xmas-buses/

Surely if they want to give themselves an edge over rail they'd run on Boxing Day with rail services not running despite many people wanting to get around for sales and sporting events.

 

[Deerfold]

Yes the TC can revoke all their licences but they don't need specific approval to run these services if there are more than 20 miles between stops. They are also offering discounts for over 60s opposed to allowing people in possession of over 60s passes to travel for free which would be required if it was registered as a local bus service (except pre-09:30 weekdays.)

I'm not sure why you're arguing. I'm well aware of the rules on registering limited stop services. My point remains that if the TC decides the company aren't fit to run anything, they won't be running anything.

 

[Whistler40145]

Exactly Deerfold. If they weren't operating correctly then the operating licenses would be revoked immediately.

 

[northwichcat]

I'm not sure why you're arguing. I'm well aware of the rules on registering limited stop services. My point remains that if the TC decides the company aren't fit to run anything, they won't be running anything.

Quoting your post doesn`t automatically mean I`m arguing with you or even specifically directing my response at you. I was following on from what you said and stating some additional potential benefits for operating services not registered as local bus services.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

To be fair, this is the company that has used everything from Metroriders to Citaro bendy buses to Routemasters on its flagship local service. You have to expect the unexpected.

http://blackpooltram.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/rml887-in-action-on-catch22.html
http://blackpooltram.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/red-rocket-on-22.html
http://blackpooltram.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/catch-22.html

Did they provide a conductor when the Routemaster was used?

 

[Whistler40145]

Yes. I've travelled on their Number 22 service and it had a conductor.

 

[Y961 XBU]

Last i heard the TC was going to take their Licence but Catch 22 have launched an appeal so the Licence will remain active until the end of the appeal