Quickly Revised

East Yorkshire operated tendered service 747 between Pocklington, Stamford Bridge and York was revised from Sunday 7th April to 'improve punctuality and reliability'. Monday to Saturday daytime times on this infrequent service were revised by up to 30 minutes, with more differences between Monday to Friday and Saturday than previously. Normally such a change wouldn't warrant a blog post these days, however there was a major drawback with the new timetable.

Previously it was possible to arrive in Pocklington at 1005 Monday to Saturday, and depart at 1130 - giving just about enough time for some quick morning shopping. The new timetable made this a lot more difficult; Monday to Friday the arrival is at 1010 followed by departures from Pocklington back towards York at 1115 or 1400 - i.e. just over an hour or almost four hours. On Saturdays the Pocklington arrival is 1007 followed by departures back towards York at either 1100 or 1400. 

At least this deficiency with the timetable was rectified quickly. Two weeks later on Monday 22nd April a new short journey was added from Pocklington to Full Sutton at 1140 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, and at 1145 Thursday. This restores the approximately hour and a half shopping window in Pocklington for residents of Meltonby, Bishop Wilton, Yapham, Bolton, Fangfoss and Full Sutton villages.

Having to add an extra short journey, using a second vehicle, can't be particularly cheap, and on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday it means two of the four (daytime) departures from Pocklington are within 25 minutes of each other (30 minute gap Thursday/40 minute gap Saturday). But as a quick fix it works. Presumably the 747's role in providing a York to Full Sutton Prison link for visiting times has a big impact on the rest of the timetable - i.e. the late morning departure from Pocklington has be in York for lunchtime to operate to the prison for visiting hours?

Substantial Evening Improvements to the 350

Service 350 between Hull, Barton and Scunthorpe gained a substantially improved Monday to Saturday evening service from Tuesday 2nd April, funded by North Lincolnshire Council's Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus funding allocation. All the extra and revised journeys are operated by Stagecoach.

Previously, after the East Yorkshire operated 1815 from Scunthorpe, there was just one later Stagecoach service at 1910. Since 2nd April, Stagecoach departures have operated at 1830, 1920, 2020 and 2120. From Hull the evening service comprised a 1835 and 2030 until March, but since April the 1835 is followed by a 1950, 2050, 2150 and 2300. 

As can be seen, from Hull at least there is now what could be considered a 'full' evening service six days a week. Meanwhile from Scunthorpe the last service is now two hours 10 minutes later. It should also be said that anyone wanting an evening out in Barton also benefits; a 2205 last departure from Barton Interchange to Hull and 2324 to Scunthorpe. Put simply, it's a massive improvement.

The enhanced evening service also benefits rail connections at Barton. The 2200 (2156 Sat) rail arrival at Barton from Cleethorpes previously had no bus connection onto Hull - well on Monday to Friday you could walk to Barton Market Place for the 2322 255 if you really wanted too. Now there is a 350 departure at 2205 to Hull six days a week. Connecting to the 2205 (2202 Sat) rail service from Barton to Cleethorpes meant using the 2030 350 from Hull and waiting nearly an hour in Barton, but now there is a slightly better connection at 2050 from Hull.

The new timetable isn't perfect though, but the below can probably be considered nit-picking. One notable feature is having a departure from Scunthorpe at 1815 followed by another at 1830. Not great spacing at all. This probably comes down to one or two things - the 1815 being operated by East Yorkshire and the 1830 by Stagecoach and/or ensuring that the 2300 from Hull is operated by Stagecoach Scunthorpe depot to avoid a post-midnight Scunthorpe to Hull run; the 1830 from Scunthorpe then covers the 1950 from Hull, 2120 from Scunthorpe and 2300 from Hull.

The 2120 from Scunthorpe has a 25 minute layover in Hull before returning. Unless the driver needs a mandatory short break in Hull, it seems a shame that the 2120, as the last departure from Scunthorpe, doesn't operate a little later, reducing the layover in Hull.

Finally the spacing of services along Boothferry Road in Hull. From Hull Paragon Interchange after the 1950 350, there is a 1955 66, a 2025 55 Fri/Sat only, a 2050 350, a 2055 66, a 2150 350, a 2155 66, then at 2300 a 66, a 350 and on Fri/Sat also a 55. I fully accept there are a lot of factors in play when it comes to timetabling, and intervals can't be perfect everywhere all of the time. However it's less than ideal, generally two buses within five minutes then nothing for fifty five minutes. Then at 2300, two or three services at once. 

For the record, the 0455 Monday to Friday 355 from Scunthorpe to Barton Wren Kitchens was withdrawn at this timetable change. First service from Scunthorpe to Barton is now the 0605 350.

Improved Scunthorpe 10

Scunthorpe tendered service 10 - operated by Stagecoach - was enhanced using Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus funding on Tuesday 2nd April, and then further amended on Tuesday 7th May.

Previously the 10 had operated every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from Ashby Parklands Caravan Park to either Scunthorpe Bus Station on Tuesdays and Fridays or Ashby High Street on Thursdays. The route operated via Glover Road and Brumby Wood Lane, providing the only (non-college) service to these areas. The 10 also further started back at Burringham Village on Fridays. Two journeys were provided from Ashby Parklands/Burringham, and one from Scunthorpe/Ashby - giving around two hours for shopping.

On 2nd April, the 10 became a Monday to Friday service with a standardised route every day. Now starting from Burringham five days a week, the 10 continued to serve Ashby Parklands before being routed direct via Burringham Road to Ashby High Street and then onto Lakeside Retail Park; it then went to Scunthorpe Bus Station via Queensway. Times were similar to before; 0930 and 1235 from Burringham and 1200 from Scunthorpe Bus Station.

Lots of positives with the change. Burringham went from one day a week to Scunthorpe to five days a week to Ashby, Lakeside and Scunthorpe. Ashby Parklands went from twice a week to Scunthorpe and once a week to Ashby, to five days a week to both destinations plus Lakeside. However Glover Road was left with only college services, and Brumby Wood Lane became unserved.

So it is therefore pleasing that someone - presumably at North Lincolnshire Council - quickly reversed course, revising the route between Lakeside and Scunthorpe from 7th May. It still operates along Queensway, but rather than heading along Ashby Road past the University Campus, the 10 now goes in the other direction along Ashby Road, then via West Common Lane to Glover Road and it's old route into Scunthorpe via Brumby Wood Lane.

The 10 is now a rather convoluted route - however as a low frequency service, realistically being targeted at those without their own transport/unable to drive, I think it can get away with it.

New evening buses for Crowle

Back in the Spring, Stagecoach operated tendered service 90 between Scunthorpe and Crowle saw two separate service uplifts, four and a half weeks apart, thanks to Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus funding.

On Tuesday 2nd April, there were early evening improvements; the Monday to Saturday 1720 from Scunthorpe and 1755(Mon-Fri)/1800 (Sat) from Crowle were diverted via Scunthorpe Hospital in common with the off-peak service, and more significantly a new 1900 from Scunthorpe to Crowle and 1935 return were added, also serving the Hospital. 

With Scunthorpe to Crowle already approximately hourly Monday to Friday daytime/two buses per three hours Saturday daytime/three journeys on a Sunday, improving the early evening services feels like the most desirable area for any enhancements, especially when the 1720 was quite early for a last service. This is even more-so when focusing on the Scunthorpe to Althorpe Station section of route; two or three (not always evenly spaced) buses per hour Monday to Friday daytimes, but the last service from Scunthorpe was at 1735 until April. Additionally routing more journeys via Scunthorpe Hospital is good news for patients, visitors and staff - and adds just two minutes to the end-to-end journey time.

Then on Friday 3rd May, two new Friday and Saturday only round-trips were added, at 2015 and 2130 from Scunthorpe Bus Station and at 2050 and 2205 from Crowle. As with the extra Friday and Saturday evening service on the 103, a 'full' evening out in Scunthorpe is impossible with a 2130 last service, although by serving Scunthorpe Hospital, the 2015 might be handy for evening visiting.

Later services for Kirton in Lindsey

Stagecoach service 103 between Scunthorpe, Messingham, Kirton in Lindsey and Lincoln had for a number of years a rather early last departure from Scunthorpe at 1610. Using Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus funding, this changed for the better between Scunthorpe and Kirton from Tuesday 2nd April.

Firstly there is a new Monday to Saturday 1800 Scunthorpe to Kirton and 1828 return. Ideally this would run a little earlier for commuters, and to fit in better with service 100 between Scunthorpe and Messingham (departures from Scunthorpe at 1710 and 1815). However a new 1800 is far better than a last departure from Scunthorpe to Kirton at 1610.

Secondly there are further extra Scunthorpe to Kirton shorts on Friday and Saturday only at 1930, 2030 and 2130 from Scunthorpe, returning from Kirton at 1958, 2058 and 2158. These are interesting as the Friday and Saturday early/mid evening frequency is now better than Monday to Saturday daytimes, which are two hourly! Also the last departure at 2130 prevents passengers from being able to have a 'full' evening out in Scunthorpe. It would be interesting to know how these services are performing.

Earlier and Later Sunday Services between Scunthorpe and Brigg

Utilising Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus funding, the tendered Sunday and Bank Holiday daytime service 4 between Scunthorpe, Ashby, Lakeside Retail Park, Broughton and Brigg gained an extended operating day from Easter Monday, 1st April. The Sunday 4 remains operated by Stagecoach.

Previously the first bus from Scunthorpe was at 1115, and from Brigg at 1200; now though there is a 0915 from Scunthorpe and 1000 from Brigg. The 4 then operates every 90-120 minutes until end of service. Prior to April, the Sunday and Bank Holiday service finished with a 1615 Scunthorpe to Brigg, 1700 Brigg to Scunthorpe and finally a 1745 Scunthorpe to Lakeside 'short'. The 1745 now extends through to Brigg and a new 1830 Brigg to Scunthorpe has been added.

Improvements in East Hull

Finishing my review of Stagecoach's Easter service changes in Hull, and East Hull services 33, 40 and 41.

Starting with the 40 and 41, these where circular services within East Hull; the 40 operated anti-clockwise from Holderness Road Morrisons via Ings Road, Lambwath Road, Garden Village and Holderness Road Shops back to Morrisons, whilst the 41 ran from Morrisons via Broadway Drive to Jalland Lodge in Bilton Grange and back. Both routes operated hourly Monday to Saturday off peak, interworked with each other and service 16 for a convoluted through bus to Hull City Centre.

Since Tuesday 2nd April, the 41 is no more, replaced by a much improved 40. The 40 now leaves Morrisons via Broadway Drive and Jalland Lodge - incorporating the former 41 - then operates via Maybury Road to pick up part of it's former route via Ings Road, Lambwath Road and Garden Village, before operating into Hull City Centre and Paragon Interchange. The 40 remains an hourly Monday to Saturday daytime service. Whilst there are a few minor negatives - the loss of links to Holderness Road Shops for some, and slightly longer journey times for certain journeys - the City Centre link makes this change far more positive than negative.

The other excellent aspect of this change to the 40 is the co-ordination with hourly service 33 between Paragon Interchange and Bransholme North Point over the common section of route between the Interchange and Garden Village, to double the overall frequency from once to twice an hour. From Paragon Interchange the interval between the two services is exactly half hourly, whilst from Garden Village there are 27 and 33 minute gaps. 

One other change to note on the 33, it was removed from Honiton Road in Bransholme, providing a slightly more direct route to/from North Point, but leaving the relatively short Honiton Road without a service; however various routes run past each end of the road.

Better Buses for the Bricknell Estate, Cottingham, Skidby, Little Weighton and Walkington

Stagecoach's Easter changes in Hull saw Monday to Saturday hourly off peak service 3B between Paragon Interchange and the Bricknell Estate via Chanterlands Avenue replaced by new service 18 between Paragon Interchange, Chanterlands Avenue, the Bricknell Estate, Cottingham Village Centre and Castle Hill Hospital from Tuesday 2nd April; the extension being funded by East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

The 18 operates hourly Monday to Saturday off peak, but with services now operating slightly earlier and later on Saturdays. Add in the new links from parts of West Hull to Cottingham and Castle Hill Hospital, and the 18 is a very clear enhancement. There is also a new Monday to Saturday peak service to Castle Hill, 0700 from Paragon Interchange and 1755 return. Also off-note is the route in Cottingham, reinstating a bus service to New Village Road.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council tendered service 180 between Beverley, Walkington, Skidby, Little Weighton, Cottingham Village Centre and Castle Hill was also improved at the same time. This Monday to Saturday daytime service has been enhanced from every 90 minutes to hourly for much of the day (with some longer gaps), with almost all services now running to Castle Hill Hospital as opposed to just off-peak journeys. Even better, most 18 and 180 journeys operate as a through service, enabling journeys such as Walkington to Hull or Chanterlands Avenue to Beverley without a change of vehicle.

If anyone is interested, the Humber Transport Summary Timetable page now has a Beverley to Walkington timetable.

An extra town service for Beverley

Beverley gained an extra tendered town service on Tuesday 2nd April - new route 528, operated by Stagecoach under contract to East Riding of Yorkshire Council. The service operates Monday to Saturday off-peak.

The 528 operates from Beverley Bus Station via Flemingate to Beverley Parklands hourly, an area last served in September 2021 with Acklams service 6 that provided three journeys into Beverley Town Centre, and two back. 

From Beverley Parklands journeys either retrace their steps back to the Bus Station, or every two hours operate via Beverley Southern Bypass, Morrisons and Normandy Avenue back to the Bus Station. The 528 has been timed to co-ordinate with two hourly East Yorkshire operated town service 527 between Morrisons and Beverley Bus Station, thus giving Normandy Avenue an hourly off-peak service for the first time since April 2023 and the withdrawal of Beverley Locals B1/B2. I have produced a new summary timetable for Normandy Avenue, available here.

Workers Services go Public

As part of their Easter service changes in Hull, Stagecoach converted two 'closed door' workers services into public bus services on Tuesday 2nd April.

First up, the C83. Introduced in I think July 2023 as a free service for NHS employees at Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham, it has become public bus service 80. Those with an NHS ID retain free travel.

The 80 operates from Hull Paragon Interchange via Holderness Road, Salthouse Road, Spring Cottage, North Point Shopping Centre, Cheltenham Avenue, Sutton Park, Kingswood Retail Park, part of Beverley Road, Greenwood Avenue, Orchard Park, Hall Road, Endyke Lane and Cottingham Village Centre to Castle Hill - as far as I can tell that is the same as route 83 (designed for Wilberforce College, but operating year round), except for the addition of Kingswood and part of Beverley Road.

Service 80 operates Monday to Friday, with a 0620 from Hull Paragon Interchange, and a 1610 and 1720 from Castle Hill Hospital.

It would be nice to think that over time, the 80 can be developed into something more extensive, especially with the 83 factored in as well. However for now, it's good to see the C83 open to the public. 

Secondly the C256 from North Bransholme to Wren Kitchens Parrott Street factory in Barton also became public bus service 256. This isn't as exciting, since the 256 largely duplicates other services - the 0520 from North Bransholme and 1750 from Barton run at the same time as 255 journeys to Wren Kitchens 'The Nest' HQ in Barton, which is 'next door' to Parrott Street. There is also a 1420 256 from Beverley Road/Clough Road junction in Hull to Barton, and a 1550 from Barton to North Bransholme. The 256 also operates Monday to Friday only.

Interestingly when Parrott Street opened, the reason given for operating as a 'closed door' contract services was the position of the security gatehouse, requiring the bus to access the private part of the site. Not sure what has changed? Also off note, the C356 from Scunthorpe to Parrott Street remains a 'closed' private service.