Rail replacement buses/coaches

[Mayneway]

RE: Rail replacement buses/coaches

(07/01/2016 20:22)djb Wrote:  I think a lot depends on whether it's a planned or emergency replacement. Planned ones tend to see appropriate operators in their own patch, so if there is an issue they aren't miles away from the depot.

However emergency replacements are often a case of whoever can provide any vehicle. I remember an unexpected blockade at Stockport at 0530 a while back. The first coaches on scene were modern ones from bullocks (unsurprisingly given the location), followed by a 25 year old coach from somewhere in lancashire. I suspect most people there didn't care too much about it as long as they got on it.

Absolutely agree but, and it's a big but, surly priority is getting these frustrated passengers home. Dumping people in the middle of nowhere at 11pm at night because the company was based miles away and didn't have vehicle available dosen't strike me as good practice.
I always assumed these contracts were very lucrative for coach operators.

I'm not saying the bigger companies don't do a good job but Stagecoach seem to do a better job when doing emergency Metrolink work.