Are Stagecoach and Finglands up to their old tricks again?
So suggests Lees, in a reply to the news that UK North have been taken off the road amid safety fears. My post has attracted 10 comments so far, including:
i personally thought UK north busses were much better than magic or finglands there was always like 3 at a time and there was space on them unlike magic.
I have travelled on UK North buses and never had a problem. Is this another ploy of the BIG BOYS (mainly stagecoach)with friends in high places to rid another smaller bus company off the road.
Having used this bus company for many years, it seems to me a conspiracy with the big boys pulling the strings.
I have used these buses and had no problem. Is this another ploy of stagecoach to rid the roads of smaller companies again.
They are a good compnay, cheap prices too! Bring them back!
But, on the other hand:
i have travelled on UK North and found the drivers rude, last time i travelled the driver was happy to keep slamming his brakes on jolting everyone about the bus
I was on a UK North bus going to Didsbury on Wilmslow Road, the driver was driving like he was in the “Whacky Races ” breaking hard going through traffic lights on red and I noticed also the driver was on a mobile phone whilst driving, and to top it all was drinking from a can of something
And my heart goes out to Sophie, who bought a yearly pass for UK North and now doesn’t know what to do.
I’ve noticed Magic Buses hogging the bus stops (as UK North previously did) since the students returned, with their staff selling Magic Rider passes to take advantage of the current duopoly.
After failing to meet standards by January 2, the ban on GM Buses/UK North will continue until January 19 at the earliest, reports the MEN.
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9 Comments so far
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Personally I feel far safer on a UK North than I do a Magic Bus or a Finglands. I have no idea how many of their buses I’ve caught, but I would have thought I’d notice that 75% of drivers were polish considering my boyfriend is…and I’ve seen perhaps six poles in total. Considering I get on a UK north about 4 times a day and have done since 14th September this seems totally wrong. Most of the drivers seem to be British Asian.
I don’t think many people believe this junk, hopefully UK North will be back tomorrow!
By Sarah on 01.18.07 7:35 pm
I’m sorry but I have to disagree
UKNorth have a record in being incredibly badly behaved when it comes to their activities at some stops. Blocking stops for other buses and taking a cavlier attitude to the right of way of other road users
Magic buses are the worst of stagecoach’s fleet but at least they’re being phased out as the company modernise and bring in many more low floor, low emission buses.
UKNorth’s buses are generally cast offs from other companies which have outlived their usefulness, are not accessible and would fail emissions tests if the traffic commissioner actually had any useful inspection powers.
As for driver training, they’re incredibly weak and the death caused by one of their drivers was an accident waiting to happen. Stagecoach don’t make profits significantly out of proportion to that of UKNorth – they are more expensive because they’re modernising their fleet in readiness for implementation of the Disability Discrimination Act, they pay better wages than UKNorth and have much higher standards of operation
stagecoach are no saints, do cause problems and have contributed to the decline of the bus network but the answer to them will certainly not be found with UKNorth
By johnh on 01.19.07 2:55 pm
I am a student, and the (strong) consensus from many students was that the UK north drivers were (on the whole), polish, and had a poor command of the english language. This was found mostly on the 41/42/43 routes. Sure, while the fares were cheap, the buses themselves were grubby, often had broken seats, and generally didn’t look that well maintained. I have been on board a UK north bus which ran a red light, due to (what I believe) was the driver failing to notice that the light had changed – despite having plenty of time to notice the change, and stop the bus safely.
By Corin on 01.29.07 9:47 pm
It is a tragic thing but when that poor chap was run over in Rusholme I was less than surprised. In fact I would even go as far as to say I was expecting something like that to happen. Nowadays I drive into the city every day and experience a different breed of insane road user but nothing will let me forget some of the white knuckle rides I have experienced courtesy of UK North. Their practices of sitting at the stops for ages stacked up – especially at Picadilly Gardens at night was outrageous. More than once I missed the Finglands I was waiting for due to the 10 UK North Buses filling the bus stand.
Further to that is the fares.. for the working amongst us they charge as much as Stagecoach do. Every day ordinary people in Manchester are held up by the Stagecoach ..Dick Turpin would be appalled.
By Owen on 02.05.07 5:01 pm
I noticed that your UK North Buses have all th cast off’s from old london buses companies… you must realise that stagecoach sold out of london becuase unlike manchester they are not operating there own routes they run them on behalf of london transport…. until people get a petition up and get a change in legislation so that its not a deregulated service and or at least the fares are regulated then you are basically stuff… by the member of public must be made aware that at anytime if you get on a bus and this is smoking excessively or you hear loud knocking noises etc.. you can report this to VOSA who will take up your complaint and they have the power to take these vehicles off the road.. you guys get a petition up against your local traffic commissioner.. or lobby your MP#s they are the people to change this shambles you are suffering with what i see on tv you have what 5 ,6,7, or even more companies operating the same route a farce….
By chris on 03.21.07 1:41 am
And now, surprise surprise, the fares all go up to 70p, and you still have to wait for 3 days outside Owen’s Park to get to town.
These bastards need re-regulating. Thus, vote Labour. ;o)
By el Tom on 04.25.07 1:08 am
The best news i have heard for a long time that Uk North were off the road. i worked as a driver for them some time ago when i lived in Manchester, we were told to get to bus stops before the likes of Finglands, Magic, Bullocks and Stagecoach in order to get the students, and the money. Many of us drivers would do this, not for the sake of the company but for us, we drivers were ripping off the company each making at least £60 / £70 a day, Safety was last on the list for UK NOrth, i am so happy they have gone,prehaps these so called bus companies should come to London and see how to do it.
By mark durbridge on 05.27.07 9:56 pm
OMG I cannot believe some people saying they felt safer on UK North than Stagecoach/Magic Bus. As a matter of fact all Stagecoach vehicles are inspected every 21 days to much higher standards than the MOT Standards, VOSA require all PCV Vehicle to be inspected every 28 days. So it goes like this Stagecoach/Magic=Inspected every 21 days
UK North=Were they ever Inspected??
By Oggy on 04.08.08 10:10 am
well i can tell you safety was all for passengers drivers we had hard seats no heating the management at stagecoach are very rude to drivers we get no respect at all we are bums on seats making them money
By steve on 02.11.10 12:40 am
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