When in this charming bus, this charming man...
This seems an odd inclusion; you would think if the network was as "networky" as is being touted there wouldn't be any gaps to fill in, let alone on a commercial basis. And that if a gap was identified the Weaver Network themselves would fill it with a franchised route.
I suspect that they have to open up the possibility of commercial services filling in gaps for legal reasons, even if in practical terms there are unlikely to be any gaps that would be viable to fill in. It may also offer some protection against a future administration running down the franchised network and leaving residents with a substandard bus service.
The same applies in Greater Manchester, for example the 464 service from Rochdale to Accrington operated by Transdev Blackburn Bus Company in a blue livery, which for part of its route within Greater Manchester is the only service, but Bee Network conditions apply.
Yes, but 464 is operated from a depot in Lancashire and it's one of more than 30 routes operating from depots outside Greater Manchester which are not part of the Bee Network, although Bee Network conditions apply within the GM boundary. Conversely, 12 Bee Network routes operate across the boundary - one into Cheshire, one to Warrington, one into West Yorkshire, four into Derbyshire and five into Lancashire.
Won’t that depend on who North Yorkshire awards the contract to?
Hadn't realised it was tendered
Neither did I but still the point remains.
Ilkley to Skipton is tendered – but Keighley to Skipton isn't, and that is also run from the Keighley depot, so it's very much up in the air whether whoever wins the Keighley franchise will want to, or will be allowed to, operate it from Keighley on a permit. But with no other operator having a depot nearby, there isn't an obvious plan B, so fingers crossed that it will continue the same as now!
Stretfordian I think you meant, although your point still stands.
My first thought was the 'W' looks to be protruding from water, which might not be seen as tactful in some flood-prone parts of the county.
It is hard to square that sentiment with the way First are operating them currently, sadly. Luckily the train covers much f the same ground, at least if travelling town-centre to town-centre. Most locals are hoping for a definite improvement on the current service, hopefully the complexities of the franchising framework will not stand in the way.
There's also the 66 Keighley to Skipton which is run from the Keighley depot. I believe that its partially funded by West Yorkshire Combined Authority so is also potentially up in the air.
That would be great, if only they weren't (mis-)using the word Metro for buses. "Merseybus" was right there!
Don’t forget there are different types of contract. There will be a large contract using the main Transdev depot taken into WYCA ownership which will only be able to operate Weaver Network services. There will also be smaller services and schools for which the operator needs to provide their own depot so there should be plenty of scope to operate permit routes from these.
Todmorden is only an outstation. It still relies on a main depot to function, and under franchising there is no guarantee the current main depot arrangement remains in place, in fact, the whole point of franchising is to bring back competition. It could change hands every seven years.
Yes I know - that’s why I suggested Rochdale is a logical ‘parent’ depot for it.
Metro's list of bus routes lists the 66 as not being subsidised.
And of course the 64 interworks with the 62. It's a tricky route to run within an hour and still allow recovery time.
First probably won't lose the Rochdale depot since First won the contract to operate in Rochdale for the Bee Network a couple of years ago. So it would not affect West Yorkshire or Weaver Network since none of the routes operated from Rochdale go into West Yorkshire at all.
I stand corrected then, I was just going off the registration of the 66.
That could easily transfer to Burnley as it could run off an extra Mainline diagram each way, or even just run out of service to/from Skipton.
Bee Network contracts are for five years I believe so therefore First could lose the depot.
Depending if Transdev wins the tender whenever it comes up for renewal.
I'm not sure who else would have a chance.
Do Bee contracts allow non-Bee services to be run from their depots?
Only the smaller depots/franchises can.
Transdev winning the 75 (Skipton to Malham & Settle) shows this as well. The only other operator I can think of would be North Yorkshire Council as a last resort.
Given how other operators are happy to run empty Tockwith to Otley and Leeming Bar to Wetherby as two examples, that could be could be workd by Burnley. Alternatively along with 64, 66 and 72 there would be a case for Transdev setting up a Skipton depot.
First Rochdale run a number of non-Bee contracts don't they? Amazon work at Manchester Airport I'm sure being one.
A Skipton outstation from Burnley could be more worthwhile than a full depot.
