Chaserider
 Volvo B8RLE MCV Evora (639), seen here in Lichfield Bus Station on 16 March 2024, whilst preparing to operate a 60 to Cannock. This is one of 4 Evora’s that was purchased by Chaserider in 2023 to upgrade route 60 from Cannock to Lichfield. | |
| Parent | Centrebus Group |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1977 (Original) January 2021 (Revived) |
| Headquarters | Wenlock Way, Leicester |
| Service area | |
| Depots | Delta Way, Cannock |
| Fleet | 58 (August 2024) |
| Fuel type | Diesel |
| Operator | Centrebus Group |
| Chief executive | Julian Peddle |
| Website | www.chaserider.co.uk |
Chaserider[1] is the brand name for bus services operated around Cannock and Staffordshire by D&G Bus, a local bus operator owned by Centrebus who are based in Adderley Green, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire.
History
[edit]The Chaserider brand name, which refers to Cannock Chase, was first used by Midland Red from 1977[2] until 1992.
During November 2020, Centrebus Group subsidiary D&G Bus announced they would be taking over the Cannock depot of Arriva Midlands from the end of January 2021 with operations in Cannock and Stafford running under the revived Chaserider brand.[3]
Services
[edit]_Wright_Streetlite_DF_65_on_2.jpg)
Chaserider services operate mainly around Cannock and Stafford with some further afield into Wolverhampton and Walsall.[4][5]
Since taking over from Arriva Midlands in January 2021, Chaserider have undertaken a number of service reviews including a trial of running the Pye Green circular buses on Sundays via Designer Outlet West Midlands.[6][7][8]
Some of the Stafford town centre network inherited from Arriva has been taken over by Select Bus Services.[9]
From June 2021, Chaserider introduced a new service X14 between Cannock, Shifnal, Telford and Oakengates. This had 6 journeys in each direction, but was withdrawn in January 2022 owing to low passenger numbers. [10][11]
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From February 2023, Chaserider began operating subsidised services 102 and 103 along with school services 104 and 105 in the Telford area. Also operated under contract to Telford and Wrekin Council, Chaserider also began to operate service 100 in late 2022. These services utilise a fleet of 6 suitably branded Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 MMCs.
Service 1 which ran between Cannock and Walsall and operated every 20 minutes at its peak was curtailed to operate only between Cheslyn Hay and Cannock from the summer 2022. This was controversial as at the same time National Express cut its competing X51 between Cannock and Walsall (and which continues to Birmingham) to every 30 minutes from 20 minutes between the two towns.
In July 2023, Chaserider commenced operations on behalf of Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) and Staffordshire County Council, running services 35A and 36 between Walsall, Aldridge and Lichfield. Additionally, service 19 under contract in October 2023 commenced, between Walsall and Bloxwich[12] however due to antisocial behaviour in the Coal Pool area the service was diverted, finished early and briefly withdrawn until an alternative operator was found. Service 19 is now operated by Carolean Coaches.
In November 2023, Chaserider replaced National Express West Midlands on service 5 (Wolverhampton to Codsall) on evenings and Sundays. Day time journeys are operated by Banga Buses.
In June 2024, saw the extension of the 63 Cannock to Rugeley via Brereton linking onto Uttoxeter with some journeys subcontracted to Bus Link.
In July 2024, saw the 35A Walsall to Leighswood via Aldridge service be withdrawn and replaced with a new 36A extending from Leighswood to Lichfield via Streets Corner and Muckley Corner (similar to former Diamond 35 route). From January 2025, the 36 service will operate on Sundays. These changes are on behalf of Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) and Staffordshire County Council.[13]
Due to roadworks around the Stafford town area, Chaserider amended part of their network in 2024. Service 10 in Stafford withdrawn and replaced by a diversion on selected journeys on service 841. On service 74, journeys from Stafford to Cannock operate non-stop from The Sun (Lichfield Road) to Pottal Pool roundabout. The service 826 towards Rugeley operates a loop via Baswich and Milford. These changes are expected to last until Spring 2025.
Fleet
[edit]As part of the sale to D&G bus, Arriva included 46 vehicles with sale of Cannock depot, since the takeover most of the vehicles have been refurbished into D&G two tone red livery with Chaserider branding alongside some newer additions from within D&G parent company Centrebus Group.
As of June 2022, Centrebus are upgrading the Chaserider fleet with newer vehicles from elsewhere within their operations.[14][15]
As of August 2024, the fleet consists of 58 vehicles.
References
[edit]- ^ Companies House extract company no 6918592 D&G Bus Limited
- ^ Harvey, Ian (1 September 2017). "Phil Gillam: All steamed up - but only in parallel universe". www.shropshirestar.com. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
- ^ Dougall, Emily (1 December 2020). "Arriva to sell Cannock bus depot as the Chaserider brand returns". CBW. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
- ^ North Staffs Route List Archived 4 January 2017 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved Jan 2017
- ^ Cheshire Route List Archived 6 January 2017 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved Jan 2017
- ^ Hardiman, Deborah. "Bus routes axed over low passenger rates". www.expressandstar.com. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
- ^ Hodgkiss, Samuel (31 January 2022). "Bus routes changes in Rugeley, Cannock, Stafford". burtonmail. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
- ^ Bunn, George (9 February 2022). "Upset as bus service from Cannock to Lichfield is scrapped". burtonmail. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
- ^ "Cannock to Telford with Chaserider". BusAndTrainUser. 9 June 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
- ^ "June 2021 - Staffordshire County Council". www.staffordshire.gov.uk. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
- ^ "January 2022 - Staffordshire County Council". www.staffordshire.gov.uk. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
- ^ "Chaserider". Chaserider. Archived from the original on 21 September 2023. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ https://www.chaserider.co.uk/news/walsall-to-lichfield-service-enhancements/
- ^ "Chaserider 748".
- ^ "Centrebus 670". wmbusphotos.com. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
