400: Trans-Lancs Express
An appreciation and obituary (Page 2)
Contents:
Towards the end of its life, the 400 had suffered from unsympathetic big bus owning group politics, in the same way Burnley and Pendle, and Ribble routes in Blackburn did under Stagecoach. An inconsistent choice of vehicles has done little to woo passengers onto what was once the jewel in the crown of Selnec, Greater Manchester Transport and GM Buses. Instead of being the main express route, it was seen as just another service bus.
This contrasts heavily with the rebranding of the X43 service by Burnley and Pendle. Some 16 months after Blazefield Holdings took over Burnley and Pendle from Stagecoach Holdings, old buses were replaced by new low floor double deckers. Vehicles were aggressively branded, with the route and number advertised. At present, the X43 is one of Blazefield Holdings' best performing routes.
The summer of 2005 saw the buses rebranded as the 'Witch Way', with newer double deckers, boasting leather seats on both decks. Despite changing the terminus from Colne to Nelson, the X43 has remained a popular route, with comfort levels equal to modern private cars. The older buses (then two years old!) were transferred to the Lancashire Rose routes X40 and X41 to Accrington (with some journeys to Great Harwood, with a Sunday extension to Whalley), replacing the X1 to Clitheroe. Now owned by Transdev, the new owners aim to keep the same management in charge of Burnley and Pendle and other Blazefield Holdings companies.
Resurrection
How to revive the Trans-Lancs Express.
The Blazefield experience shows how a former basketcase service could be transformed with a lot of loving care and attention. This means investment, branded vehicles and straightforward connections with local services.
A return to the ideals of 1970 would be fantastic, where the use of an executive coach was as effective in route branding as vinyls with silhouetted witches or coloured lines. This defined the 400 as a class apart from the 9 to Rochdale, or the 10 to Dukinfield, Yew Tree.
The 400 was, and could still be a brand again, synomynous with quality. As well as the core objective of serving Bolton, Oldham, Ashton and Stockport, a Park and Ride element should be considered, ideally at stops close to railway stations, or motorway junctions.
Should the 400 be resurrected, an ideal proposition would be franchising, subject to Government thinking on quality bus contracts. Ideally, this instrument should be used to determine frequencies, vehicle specifications and fares.
Recommendations
- Route branding and designated vehicles;
- Regular services on Sundays and Bank Holidays;
- Links to Manchester Airport;
- Improved through ticketing;
- A possible return of the 401 route.
Route Branding:
One hallmark of the 400 were the vehicles. These were furnished to a higher level than that of standard buses with coach seated buses or coaches as standard. Designated vehicles would apply an air of consistency, and given the right standards of service and interior, luxury. Route branding, ideally advertising some stops on the side may help potential passengers alien to express buses. This has worked well with the 36 (Leeds - Harrogate - Ripon) and the X43 (Manchester - Burnley - Nelson) services.
There has been similar success with the TP Transpeak service from Manchester to Derby and Nottingham. In addition to its basic two hourly frequency, the service now runs hourly between Buxton and Nottingham. As with the current X43, these have been marketed aggressively, with a similar spirit to the 400 under Greater Manchester Transport.
Sunday and Bank Holiday services:
Sunday is now the second most popular shopping day. The 400 had had no Sunday service for five years. Proposed frequencies should be akin to Monday to Saturday operations. The same should also be applicable with Bank Holidays. With infrequent services, even on the main corridors during such periods, the need for the Trans-Lancs Express to augment these services is needed more than ever.
Compared with 1999, there are now more people working on Sundays and Bank Holidays. Current service frequencies do not reflect this, despite recent efforts to boost Sunday services on main corridors.
Manchester Airport:
Despite the addition of Manchester Airport to the national railway network, there are still areas once served by the 400 untouched by direct rail links to Ringway. For instance, the section of the former 400 route from Bury to Stockport requires a change of train(s) at Manchester. Until issues concerning Phase Three of the Metrolink are fully resolved, the average Ashton, Oldham or Rochdale rail passenger have to take a tram from Manchester Victoria into Manchester Piccadilly. The restoration of this link would not only link Ashton with direct airport services. The other effect will be improved connections with Tameside and Oldham for Wythenshawe residents.
As a consequence of this, taxis, via the M60 provide a more sustainable alternative. A revamped 400 could compete with that sector, though designated buses may need more luggage space than normal service buses.
Through Ticketing:
Since its inauguration in 1970, the 400 had no through ticketing arrangements besides Greater Manchester PTEs passes and (from 1983) its Wayfarer ticket. As with the X43, a possible revived 400 should include through ticketing with National Express routes. Whereas Rochdale, Stockport and Oldham are blessed with regular services by National Express, Ashton-under-Lyne only has two journeys a day each way on the 540 service to London from Rochdale.
A through ticketing element with National Express services would be a boon, especially for passengers within the Tameside area, where their presence is sparse. For example, rather than paying more expensive rail fares, or struggling with the existing direct services, one could use his/her National Express ticket from Ashton to Birmingham, on a 400 to Stockport, as well as the 540 service.
The 401:
This service should be relaunched, using what would be in most part, the Rochdale - Hyde Quality Bus Corridor. As of pre-2001, the 401 should depart 30 minutes after the 400. The route should go between Stockport and Bolton via Woodley, Hyde, Dukinfield and Middleton (avoiding Rochdale).
