Arriva North West - Birkenhead Depot

[Raawwwrrr!]

RE: Arriva North West - Birkenhead Depot
It's ironic that Arriva are allegedly banned considering the management at Cheshire Oaks encouraged the extension of 4 Arriva bus services to be extended to Cheshire Oaks in 2006, the 59, 402, and 418/419 to increase patronage during the festive period and thereafter.

They won't be "banned" it will be that Arriva won't operate to this tourist and shopper hotspot as they don't want to encroach on another operators territory, under the fear that another operator will do the same. For example, during the time Arriva extended their services to Cheshire Oaks, Firstbus operated to New Brighton on their 32/33 (both were pretty unsuccessful in the end). If Arriva operated to Cheshire Oaks, there is nothing to stop Stagecoach operating into New Brighton also, or for example GHA strengthening their North Wales corridor. Another thing to remember around the late 2000's is that Merseyside and Cheshire like most counties housed "the big 3" and it wouldn't have just been the local area that a bus-war may have broken out.

It's a similar situation as to why Arriva don't operate a 20 after acquiring Merseyline, or Stagecoach Merseyside running a 81, 361 or a 432/433.