X2 Coach Service

[Deleted]

I know there was a thread for this somewhere but can't find it.

Hope no-one minds me starting a new one for this photo.

[RICEY]

nice pic steve. another money making company for arriva

[Deleted]

Quite possibly Jordan but at the rate coach company's are going out of business at the moment I wouldn't bank on it. Still, the longer they can ride the recession out the more business they will attract from those that have either gone or are going under.

I could be wrong but I wouldn't have thought the airport would have had enough passenger throughput to support this service just yet and therefore, I would suspect the X2 will be heavily subsidised as part of a contract. So that can only be a good thing for them.

[liamfr]

You can't see it on the photo, but close up on the coach it says it receives funding from Manchester Airport.

I've used the service a few times, never more than a couple of people on, but i've seen it pull in to the airport with a good 25-30 people. Hopefully won't have too much of an impact against the cheaper and quicker terravision service for those travelling to/from Manchester city centre.

According to one of the drivers, they are doing quite good business with people in Widnes/Warrington using the service for shopping/coming home from nights out.

[calflier]

Yes I used it in July for a flight from Manchester,and there were about 6 got on in Liverpool city centre, couple got off at LPL,5 got on and got off in Widnes Warrington,but quite a few got on in Widnes and got off in Warrington,so dont judge the service on the carrying you see at LPL,hope its a success,it can benifit the two airports for sure.

[Deleted]

For early days it sounds as though its doing OK. The fact that it is subsidised will mean it can keep going for a prolonged period. Obviously the more people that know about it the better and those that do will spread the word quickly. So hopefully, it won't be too long before it can run on its own wheels.

It shouldn't impact on Terravision, no-one traveling to Manchester city centre will want to stay on a coach for two hours when there is a regular service doing it in a lot less than half that time. If they do by mistake, they won't make the same one twice.

[sfp]

Is it likely that a service could be introduced by Airport by Coach to:

Chester/Wrexham/Shrewsbury or
Chester/North Wales Coast.

Would think there is potential for (say) an hourly service to Chester with alternate journeys then serving
a) Wrexham maybe even Shrewsbury
b) Rhyl/Llandudno

to give a two hourly interval to each

What about Wigan/Bury/Blackburn/Burnley?

Not the easiest places to connect by rail - would think a service every two hours would have some potential

[Deleted]

sfp,

The routes you mention are fine. I wouldn't be too worried about the train. Over short distances like these (less than 2 to 3 hours) the coach will win hands down.

Airport by Coach are the people to deal with. They have the financial backing needed to introduce such services and sustain them during the inauguration period. Other companies could do it but it would mean Peel having to heavily subsidise the routes until they met profitable status. Dependent on equipment used this could range from anything between 12 to 36 months, possibly more. Although, if it took more I would consider dropping the route or routes in favour of trying others, unless it turned a profit for Peel airside.

A note of concern would be that the airport would not be able to accommodate such services. It is running pretty close to capacity with regard to PSV's and unless something drastically changes, I can't see anything other than the Chester/Wrexham - Rhyl/llandudno services being able to access it's facilities. Liverpool itself only has one coach station and even that is close to capacity and is owed by National Express, who may not welcome the competition these services would bring.

Steve

[RICEY]

im thinking about making trip to manchester on friday on X2 but cant figure out the prices. how much is a single to manchester airport does anyone know?

mtia

[alanlpl]

Oct 3, 2009 13:04:09 GMT 1 RICEY said:

im thinking about making trip to manchester on friday on X2 but cant figure out the prices. how much is a single to manchester airport does anyone know?

mtia

Its £6.70 single if go online or £7 for a single to pay of the driver.

www.airportbycoachliverpool.co.uk/

[RICEY]

thanks alan. im just gonna pay the driver. 30p isnt ging to break the bank. they do look nice coaches. have wi-fi aircon and good on long trips a toilet

[Deleted]

I wouldn't speak too soon Jordan. I was talking to a guy who lives in Speke and used the service to go to Manchester Airport. Unfortunately, he was not a happy bunny. He said 'never again Next time I'll use a taxi'!!!

His complaint was, it took an hour and a half and the air-conditioning was on full, yet it wasn't a particularly warm day. He was freezing by the time he got there. Probably a little exaggerated (I would hope) but thats what he said.

[RICEY]

im only doing it as a one off as im meeting my dad whos flying back in. i rode 48a for 2hrs without aircon but did have a nice sound coming from behind me love the b10bs

[RICEY]

i rode it yesterday and im quite impressed with them. coach wasnt freezin but wish it had the heaters on as it was a bit chilly at half 6 in the morning.
overall im quite impressed. just over asn hour it took us from jla to man via warrington

[Deleted]

Oops - this looks expensive. An X2 about to be taken away on a low loader. Lets hope it doesn't put too much on the price of a ticket