NATIONAL DISTRESS

03-07-2009

Debt-stricken transport operator National Express has already had to give up its East Coast rail franchise - and now, as Kevin Chapman reports, its bus operations in the West Midlands are coming under pressure too.

It has been a turbulent week for transport group National Express, who own Midlands bus operator National Express West Midlands (formerly known as Travel West Midlands).

On Monday, it was revealed rival FirstGroup was interested in taking over the business.

Two days later the DfT announced it was stripping NX of its plum East Coast rail franchise after talks on re-negotiating the contract broke down. Meanwhile the group's Chief Executive Richard Bowker announced he is leaving the business after three years to take up a job in running a railway company in the United Arab Emirates.

National Express appears to be in serious financial trouble.The group has debt of £1.2 billion, and has had to negotiate an extension with its banks to pay this off.Last month the group sold its London Bus Division.The company is also looking to cut costs, and the effects of this are already being seen at NXWM.

NXWM have already decided to reduce services on a number of routes in Wolverhampton.

For example the 501 service from Tettenhall to Wolverhampton will have its evening frequency cut from July 26th from a bus every 20 minutes to a bus every 30 minutes, whilst the 503 to Fordhouses is having a number of peak time journeys withdrawn.

The company though are trying to assure passengers that it is “business as usual”.Many passengers though do not want business as usual.They want to see a dramatic change in the standard of service they endure.

There is widespread annoyance that the company put fares up above the rate of inflation before last Christmas, with little notice.More than 7,000 passengers joined a group on the social networking site Facebook calling on the company to lower their fares.

Some services in the region are still operated with vehicles purchased 25 years ago when buses were run by the public sector transport executive.There has been investment in newer low floor buses, but many of these are in a shocking condition and look decidedly shabby compared to similar vehicles in other fleets.

Often investment in “Showcase” routes has not been maintained and after an initial buzz and an increase in patronage standards have slipped and the service has deteriorated back to mediocrity.Cuts for many will be the final straw (and make them use their cars) while those who have no choice continue to suffer the appalling “service”.

NXWM and Centro did enter into a partnership agreement to improve services, but with services deteriorating and in some areas being cut one wonders if this will lead to any real and significant improvement.It appears that in trying to be big in rail and develop international businesses National Express have taken their eye off their West Midlands operation, and the business is not as good as it could or should be.

Would things be any different with FirstGroup running the West Midlands bus operation?

Like National Express FirstGroup is exposed to a lot of debt and is having to pay it back.First’s bus businesses have also been accused of sharp practices.In 2005 first put up fares on its South Yorkshire bus company four times in the space of 12 months and cut a number of services.

Many of First's subsidiaries have also run decrepit vehicles. Meanwhile when the company took over the Great Western rail franchise in 2006, it was criticised for reducing timetables and increasing fares.

The condemnation was so severe the company was soon forced to reverse many of the cutbacks they had implemented by DfT, even though the franchise agreement (signed off by the Department for Transport) allowed them to make the cuts!

To be fair, First have made heavy investment in new vehicles and have sought to increase patronage on the bus companies they have run by offering special deals and innovative marketing.

It appears that we could be on the cusp of the biggest change to bus services in the West Midlands since Travel West Midlands was privatised in the early 90’s.Whether National Express keeps its independence, or is taken over by new management, passengers should expect to see improvement.

Bus users should not be expected to suffer dirty, late and expensive services as a result of the credit crunch and the financial difficulties of bus operators.They have had enough of “National Distress”.

Kevin Chapman is Chair of West Midlands Campaign for Better Transport

National Express are offered a right of reply. Just contact adriangoldberg@hotmail.com

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