New Transdev Cityzap services registered (and now cancelled)

[pdsalford]

They certainly sent people to Piccadilly *Rail* Station, but I never heard even local enthusiast forums refer to anything in/near Piccadilly Gardens.

There was an event in Piccadilly Gardens opposite Travelodge a week before the launch. I accidentally stumbled across it.

 

[Dentonian]

There was an event in Piccadilly Gardens opposite Travelodge a week before the launch. I accidentally stumbled across it.

Maybe "accidentally" was the operative word. What day/time was it by any chance?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Maybe "accidentally" was the operative word. What day/time was it by any chance?

Surely that he stumbled across means that it happened and was effective?

Saturday morning (4 Nov) at 1030 in Piccadilly Gardens seems to be the optimal time!

 

[radamfi]

The problem is it's difficult to establish a new service where there isn't an established service (it's hard to call it compete if there's nothing to compete against) and British business (and even subsidised services) don't look at building this kind of thing over the longer term. Also whilst companies may well decide which customers they'd like to encourage I've never heard of a service that's refused customers because they're outside of the demographic that their marketing department was targeting (ignoring the fact it would be illegal anyway).

If there aren't any genuinely new services possible, then how about trying to maintain and develop what they already run? Does the introduction and subsequent withdrawal of competitive services improve overall public transport patronage in the long run? How much money (that could have been used to reduce fares or improve existing services) has been wasted on competitive services over the last 31 years that end up being withdrawn soon after? I thought the industry is so skint that they can't afford such speculative activities.

 

[Stan Drews]

If there aren't any genuinely new services possible, then how about trying to maintain and develop what they already run? Does the introduction and subsequent withdrawal of competitive services improve overall public transport patronage in the long run? How much money (that could have been used to reduce fares or improve existing services) has been wasted on competitive services over the last 31 years that end up being withdrawn soon after? I thought the industry is so skint that they can't afford such speculative activities.

Some operators do seem to be willing to try new services/concepts. It’s a part of running any business really, although the sums involved will obviously vary, so smaller businesses will find it more difficult to afford the more ambitious ideas.

 

[pdsalford]

Maybe "accidentally" was the operative word. What day/time was it by any chance?

It was a Saturday lunchtime-ish (it was a while back I can't recall the exact time). By accidentally, I mean that I hadn't known it would be there and it did its job of reminding me of the new service. I'd known it was starting but was unsure of the details.

 

[route101]

Took the city zap last Friday , 1430 from Leeds , was a hot day so bus was stifling , though better once on the motorway , around 9 people on the bus .

 

[Dentonian]

Are these still run with the dedicated buses? I've heard they be been using Versas. Might have a ride on Saturday but not on a standard seated single decker!

 

[SCH117X]

Photos on Flickr show 1868 and 1869 in use earlier this week - B7RLEs equally seem to be short at Harrogate recently, could be MOT time.

 

[AJW12]

They still have the dedicated buses but there's only four of them, which is equal to the service's PVR. They're not the most reliable I've heard (not bad, but then they are thrashed out a lot more than your conventional bus!) so there are quite regularly other buses pulled in.

If you're lucky you might get one of the Witch Way B9s. Nice views from the (very comfortable) top deck! Maybe my favourite buses in the Transdev fleet.

 

[lincman]

I used this service on a few occasions, travelling from Leeds to Chadderton, on most journeys had reasonably loaded. I do however think a trick was missed by not having additional stops between Chadderton and Manchester. People on Broadway for many years enjoyed good limited stop services to Manchester and would have appreciated a reliable ,if not as frequent service. The competition on that route believe me is not the best, I have stood at the Sportsmans stop as the Zap went past and people did not even Know what the service was, I fear an opportunity lost.

 

[route101]

Where are the buses based ? Leeds to Manchester route.

 

[gnolife]

Where are the buses based ? Leeds to Manchester route.

Burnley

 

[Dentonian]

I used this service on a few occasions, travelling from Leeds to Chadderton, on most journeys had reasonably loaded. I do however think a trick was missed by not having additional stops between Chadderton and Manchester. People on Broadway for many years enjoyed good limited stop services to Manchester and would have appreciated a reliable ,if not as frequent service. The competition on that route believe me is not the best, I have stood at the Sportsmans stop as the Zap went past and people did not even Know what the service was, I fear an opportunity lost.

This was discussed recently, but I agree that even if it was one well located stop (eg the centre of Failsworth), it would have enhanced the catchment area. Its like the NatEx route between Manchester & Sheffield. Numerous well located stops with catchment areas (taking into account frequent bus connections) well into six figures have been abandoned, in favour of serving a few villagers and loads of sheep in the High Peak.

 

[lincman]

I agree one well located stop in Failsworth would make no difference whatsoever, but services on Broadway are so poor that passengers numbers have been decimated. If you look at the timetable for the Cityzap there is adequate time to offer a few well placed stops on Broadway and reverting to the stops used by the old 2 and 24 services along Oldham Road, I believe it would have carried significant numbers, grateful for a quality operation.

 

[backontrack]

I agree one well located stop in Failsworth would make no difference whatsoever, but services on Broadway are so poor that passengers numbers have been decimated. If you look at the timetable for the Cityzap there is adequate time to offer a few well placed stops on Broadway and reverting to the stops used by the old 2 and 24 services along Oldham Road, I believe it would have carried significant numbers, grateful for a quality operation.

Agreed. The direct link to Leeds and Kirklees/Calderdale at Ainley Top would probably have been availed of, too.