Go Goodwins

[knutstransport]

RE: Go Goodwins

(19/08/2017 14:15)Dentonian Wrote:  "Don't forget" the feeling might be mutual! If Altrincham went back to Cheshire, it will be easier to balance the books under franchising. In GMT days, Altrincham was always the biggest loss maker (by percentage) of the (at one time) 22 depots.

Interesting that Altrincham was such a loss maker for GM Buses, yet in the 90s North Western purchased Star Line Travel primarily for the purpose of expanding their presence in the Altrincham area. I also think you've forgotten that having more affluent areas like Hale Barnes in Greater Manchester increases council tax revenue and more council tax revenue means more money for bus services.

However, I really don't think if you asked GM residents where boundaries should be drawn that they'd even consider bus subsides!

Quote:As regards non-GM routes, I don't think this deal will directly make any difference. Eccles is, if anything, a worse location than Atherton or Preston for accessing neighbouring counties, and Goodwins' interest seems to end abruptly at the GM border, even with a large presecence in Alty, increasing interworking oppurtunities for cross-boundary contracts, at least. If you are thinking of them possibly taking on Cheshire services commercially, then surely they would be looking at operators/locations deeper into the county.

I was actually thinking Eccles is as close to Wigan as it is to Warrington.

The Cheshire East 88 and 200 contracts always seem to attract more bids than ones further from the GM border, suggesting a couple of the GM based operators bid for those contracts. Although, that may change if Cheshire East's proposal to revise and interwork bus services happens and bidding for Altrincham-Wilmslow would mean you'd also have to run Knutsford-Macclesfield.