STAGECOACH MANCHESTER - DELAYS AND COSTS TO THE CUSTOMERS.

According to the Stagecoach Manchester Website, only 1 customer out of every 26,193 passengers complained about the bus services between May 2014 and April 2015. Its website states that, during this period, their buses were punctual for 98.7% of the time and that the public found them to be 99.5% reliable.

Many people who have had to wait for anything up to 30 minutes in the morning for an overdue 206 bus to Hyde, would no doubt, have been inclined to disagree with these findings of Stagecoach Manchester.

Is there such a thing as a reliable bus timetable? I've frequently had to wait for a long overdue 347 bus before 3 eventually come along at the same time.

However, it is now reported that Stagecoach is only achieving just 75 per cent on many routes - and 50% on some. The company actually had 200 official complaints about punctuality in October alone - compared with just 100 in October in October 2014.

The Managing Director has issued an apology in the local press for the delays - and warned that the cost to the firm in over-time, rescheduling, extra buses and petrol - £6.75m this year - may even have to be passed on to the customer.

Stagecoach should also consider giving an apology to the many people who wait patiently at Hyde Bus Station, only to experience the frustration of some buses - such as the 6:16 pm 204 bus from Hyde - not even turning up at all!

I have written to the Head Office of Stagecoach Manchester regarding the service currently being provided by the 204/206 bus through Haughton Green, to state that, in my opinion, this situation is quite simply not good enough.

Anyone wanting to make their concerns known to Stagecoach Manchester can telephone 0161 273 3377 between the hours of 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday or write to Stagecoach Manchester Head Office, Hyde Road, Manchester, M12 6JS.


Carl Simmons
Denton South Independent
Sunday 20th December 2015