New Service 96 between Barton and Brigg

On Tuesday 2nd May, two new 'pilot' services were launched in North Lincolnshire, operated directly by North Lincolnshire Council - a service 96 between Barton and Brigg, and a service 97 between Garthorpe, Crowle, Epworth and Wroot.

The routes will use funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and operate under a Section 22 Community Transport license. Somewhat surprisingly to me, the accompanying decision report refers to "where the market cannot sustain traditional 57 seater busses" - there are plenty of buses operated by commercial bus operators with less than 57 seats! It also states the "two main bus operators" in North Lincolnshire have "no concerns" - I'd have thought both Stagecoach and Hornsby would have been very interested in two new tendered routes, and both have small vehicles in their fleet. In addition the 96 at least could be ideal for both East Yorkshire and PC Coaches, and again both have small vehicles in their fleet. Maybe it's the pilot status of the routes that is off putting, with four weekly updates to be provided to the relevant cabinet member to "determine continuation" - i.e. the routes could be withdrawn at short notice?

Moving onto the specifics of the routes and I will cover the 97 separately - so what is route 96? It's the return of the 450 between Barton Interchange and Brigg Cary Lane via the Low Villages. The 450 ended in August 2020, since when Horkstow, Saxby, Bonby, Worlaby and Elsham have been without a scheduled bus service. The 450 had provided four services per day Monday to Saturday immediately prior to it's withdrawal whereas the 96 will provide four full route services per day Monday to Friday plus a South Ferriby to Brigg 'short' in each direction at peak times (South Ferriby is where the bus starts and ends it's 'in-service' day). Overall the timetable appears designed for one driver all day and provides options for travellers to visit both Barton and Brigg for shopping and leisure purposes. It's not well designed for onward connections to/from Scunthorpe at Brigg but a day out in Hull via Barton is more viable due to the frequency of the Barton to Hull bus service.

The 96 is a very welcome addition to the bus network and I hope it's a success. However my concern is that it could be an over ambitious offering. The harsh reality is that passenger numbers between Barton and Brigg have historically been minimal outside of school times (I've had some experience of travelling myself on this route in the noughties); an evening peak service from Brigg wasn't provided for the final few years of the 450 so that element of the service really is 'starting from scratch'. The South Ferriby (Blacksmiths) to Barton section of the route has the 350 as a half hourly alternative, the Wrawby to Brigg section has the 4 as another option. 

If North Lincolnshire Council had decided to provide the 96 Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday and the 97 Monday/Wednesday/Friday I would feel more confident of success. I know that is a lot more restrictive for accessing medical appointments, and would effectively 'kill-off' the attempt at a South Ferriby to Brigg commuting service, but it would provide a service better aligned with likely demand. My fear is that passenger numbers per journey are very low and the whole 'pilot' gets pulled. Consolidate most of those passengers - those who are travelling for discretionary purposes or who can delay their trip for a day - onto fewer journeys. 

Stagecoach Hull April 2023 Changes

Back on 30th April, Stagecoach made changes to most of their services in Hull, and sadly mostly negative amendments, especially on Saturdays. Apologies if I've missed anything major - no explanation was provided (at least not online) about what changed, so it's been a case of comparing timetables and maps. Any corrections/omissions, please post a comment.

As part of the changes, there was one renumbering - service 4b between Hull Paragon Interchange and Bilton Grange became the 15. This is far more logical now that the 4 no longer operates cross-city and the 15 number fits in far better with other East Hull service numbers.

Kingswood and parts of Bransholme saw their service restructured and reduced, with the 7 no longer operating between Bransholme North Point Shopping Centre and Kingswood Leisure Park, severing the links from Sutton Park to Kingswood and (other than the limited 255) from Bodmin Road to Beverley Road. Service 7 now operates just between Hull Paragon Interchange and North Point. The section from North Point to Kingswood Retail Park was transferred to service 11 in place of it's previous routing between the two shopping centre's, which has reduced journey times from East Hull to Kingswood as it's a far more direct routing.

As a partial replacement for service 11 in Kingswood, service 6 was amended to serve Kingsbury Way. Rather than routing via Pioneer Way in both directions between Kingswood and North Bransholme, the 6 was revised to operate a clockwise loop along Pioneer Way to North Bransholme before routing back to Kingswood via Kingsbury Way. This has shortened journey times from Kingsbury Way to Hull City Centre; an inbound off peak journey to the Interchange now takes 47 minutes rather than 63 minutes.

Service 11 was not replaced along Tiverton Road in Bransholme nor along Richmond Way, Barnes Way and Runnymede Avenue in Kingswood; these are all now unserved. The link from the residential areas of Kingswood to North Point was also lost. It should be noted Tiverton Road passengers only have a fairly short walk to Bodmin Road or Bude Road for the 10 or 11, and the unserved parts of Kingswood have a lot of larger, more expensive homes, whose occupants may not be natural bus passengers - even still these changes are clearly unwelcome.

Service 16 from Paragon Interchange to Morrisons in East Hull was also re-routed in a change that feels overwhelmingly positive. Between Newbridge Road and Morrisons the 16 no longer operates direct via Holderness Road but instead serves Southcoates Lane, Bilsdale Grove, Exeter Grove, Preston Road, Marfleet Lane and Maybury Road. This maybe a longer route, but Bilsdale Grove, Exeter Grove and Marfleet Lane were previously unserved, Southcoates Lane and Preston Road had no Morrisons link and Maybury Road no Hull City Centre service. In terms of the timetable there is a new Monday to Saturday 0843 from Morrisons (first 'shopper' service into Hull previously 0943) and a two hour afternoon gap in the hourly frequency is plugged on Saturdays along with a new late afternoon 'short' from the Siemens Factory to Paragon Interchange Monday to Friday. On the negative side, the morning peak service is withdrawn on Saturdays as is the last service between Morrisons and Siemens Monday to Friday.

The Priory Park 'Park and Ride' service 20 was amended in Hull City Centre; inbound services route via Paragon Interchange whilst rather than serving Lowgate and the Fruit Market, the 20 is diverted to The Deep instead. Monday to Friday peak and late afternoon journeys were reduced from every 20 minutes to half hourly, but not on Saturdays leading to the peculiar situation of Saturdays having a better peak time service. First service from Priory Park changed from 0630 to 0700 Monday to Saturday, with the last service Monday to Friday brought forward from 1900 from Hull Truck Theatre to 1820 from Paragon Interchange.

Another rerouting was the Monday to Friday morning peak 8X variant via Clough Road and Stockholm Road in Sutton Fields Industrial Estate being withdrawn and replaced by 'standard' service 8's. Instead service 7 gained new variant 7X via Clough Road, Holwell Road and Sutton Road during the Monday to Friday morning peak. As part of these changes, Monday to Friday the 7/7X now starts at 0520 rather than 0720 from Paragon Interchange and at 0530 rather than 0700 from North Point. Service 8 does have it's North Point to Paragon Interchange via Sutton Park 'shorts' at 0540, 0610, 0640 and 0710 withdrawn.

On the negative side, the 7 now finishes earlier; from North Point at 1530 Mon-Fri/1630 Sat rather than 1830, whilst from Paragon Interchange the final 1820 departure Monday to Saturday is withdrawn (alternative service 8 at 1805 or 255 at 1830 Monday to Friday).

Service 8, which for most of the day is a circular between Paragon Interchange, Sutton Park, North Point, Salthouse Road and Paragon Interchange also has some Monday to Friday cuts which make some sense on Wilberforce College days, but also appear to apply during college holidays. In the morning the 0835 'anti-clockwise' service 8 from Paragon Interchange now starts at Wilberforce College on Salthouse Road at 0852, whilst in the afternoon the 1400 and 1530 'clockwise' journeys from Paragon Interchange now terminate at Wilberforce College. In all three instances service 85 provides a similar timed college day alternative to the withdrawn section. The 1435 and 1605 'anti-clockwise' departures (now 1430/1600) from Paragon Interchange now terminate at Wilberforce College; service 83 on college days provides an alternative as far as Sutton Park.

Service 10 between Hull Paragon Interchange and North Bransholme, Service 12 from Paragon Interchange to North Point and Service 15 from the Interchange to Bilton Grange were all reduced from every 20 minutes to half hourly on Saturday daytimes (Wawne extentions on service 10 remain hourly). Similar reductions during the Saturday morning peak also impacted routes 1 and 2 between Paragon Interchange and the Boothferry Estate, routes 3 and 4 between Paragon Interchange and Orchard Park, route 5 from the Interchange to Kingswood, route 13 from Paragon Interchange to Bilton Grange and route 14 from Greatfield to Paragon Interchange. Service 1 also saw frequency reduced from every 20 minutes to half hourly on Saturdays post 1700.

First services on Saturdays were moved later on many routes, though it is worth noting that very early Saturday morning journeys on many services were only introduced in the past few years:

• Service 1 from Boothferry Estate: From 0533 to 0626
• Service 1 from Paragon Interchange: From 0511 to 0711
• Service 2 from Boothferry Estate: From 0510 to 0610
• Service 2 from Paragon Interchange: From 0508 to 0631
• Service 3 from Orchard Park: From 0425 to 0610
• Service 3 from Paragon Interchange: From 0525 to 0635
• Service 4 from Orchard Park: From 0547 to 0700
• Service 4 from Paragon Interchange: From 0700 to 0725
• Service 5 from Kingswood: From 0516 to 0600
• Service 5 from Paragon Interchange: From 0505 to 0715
• Service 7 from North Point: From 0700 to 0900
• Service 7 from Paragon Interchange: From 0720 to 0920
• Service 8 from North Point via Salthouse Road: From 0450 to 0607
• Service 8 from North Point via Sutton Park: From 0540 to 0745
• Service 8 from Paragon Interchange to North Point via Sutton Park: From 0535 to 0805
• Service 10 from North Bransholme: From 0425 to 0605
• Service 10 from Paragon Interchange: From 0512 to 0717
• Service 11 from Paragon Interchange: From 0505 to 0720
• Service 12 from North Point: From 0550 to 0620
• Service 12 from Paragon Interchange: From 0611 to 0711
• Service 13 from Bilton Grange: From 0440 to 0611
• Service 13 from Paragon Interchange: From 0506 to 0700
• Service 14 from Greatfield: From 0550 to 0625
• Service 15 from Paragon Interchange: From 0620 to 0723

In positive news, some minor enhancements were made to Monday to Saturday evening services. Service 3 gained a new 1905 journey from Paragon Interchange, in between the existing 1835 and 1935 services. From Kingswood on service 5 the last departure is now at 2247 rather than 2157. On service 11 a new 2250 service is added from Paragon Interchange to Kingswood, slotting in between existing 2150 and 2330 departures, whilst from Kingswood post-1800 departures increase from 1800, 1830, 1920, 1950, 2050, 2150 and 2310 to 1812, 1843, 1913, 1935, 2035, 2135, 2235 and 2330.

One other notable change is to service 4 on Sundays, with departures from Paragon Interchange now between 0802 and 1802 rather than 0842 to 1842.

Hornsby April 2023 Changes

During April Hornsby Travel have made some minor amendments to their network. 

From Monday 3rd April the evening peak X4 from Brigg to Scunthorpe at 1745 Monday to Friday was truncated 'short' at Lakeside Retail Park - there is a 1740 service 4 from Brigg to Scunthorpe. On the 'flip side', the 1750 service 12 'short' from Ashfield to Ashby at 1750 is extended to Scunthorpe Bus Station Monday to Friday only "due to customer requests". There were also some very minor retimings to service 6 between Scunthorpe and Ashby and service 399 between Scunthorpe, the Isle of Axholme and Doncaster.

Then from Monday 17th April new service X399 was introduced between Scunthorpe Bus Station and Doncaster Frenchgate Interchange, stopping only at Scunthorpe Tesco Extra. There is one journey each way Monday to Friday at 0630 from Scunthorpe, returning from Doncaster at 1740 with a journey time of 40 minutes in the morning and 45 minutes in the evening. 

A fast Scunthorpe to Doncaster service might seem like an opportunity with the current state of Transpennine Express rail services between the two locations and maybe that has played a part in Hornsby's thinking with the X399. However during college terms times the X399 is probably intended to primarily function as a positioning journey for service 'JLC 3' between Doncaster Frenchgate Interchange and the Scunthorpe Colleges. There is a little bit of effort by not just running direct between the Ashby depot and Doncaster, and certainly a bigger commitment is being made to the X399 by running it during college holidays - I can't regard the X399 with one journey each way as a significant attempt to offer a rail alternative though. Let's hope some people find the X399 useful however.

Thornes 'hand over' Service 1 after 71 Years

East Yorkshire took over operation of the tendered Thornes operated journeys on service 1 between Holme on Spalding Moor, Bubwith, North Duffield, Hemingbrough and Selby last Monday - 17th April (Arriva operate on service 1 on college days as well, but to a different route). Thornes had been providing a Monday 0930 Holme to Selby journey followed by a 1020 Selby to Hemingbrough 'short' and a 1300 Selby to Holme; the same provision was also offered on a Friday except the Holme services were truncated to operate between Bubwith and Selby only.

With the new timetable East Yorkshire will be offering a Monday and Friday 0930 from Holme to Selby and 1300 return, providing a new Friday link from Holme to Selby. I say will, as due to temporary restrictions at Bubwith Bridge, East Yorkshire services are currently operating between North Duffield and Selby only. The 1020 Selby to Hemingbrough 'short' has ended, presumably a depot positioning service for Thornes that is no longer required.

Whilst on one hand this is just routine retendering, it does end 71 years of Thornes operation on service 1 - a detailed history has been written up by Bus and Coach Buyer.

Hull to York now every half hour

In contrast to my previous, rather downbeat, post about East Yorkshire services within Hull and the immediately adjoining areas of the East Riding, one long distance 'corridor' from Hull operated by East Yorkshire saw a very significant increase from Sunday 2nd April (or more accurately the timetable changed on the 2nd, but the 3rd saw the big increase). That 'corridor' is the one to York via Beverley, Market Weighton and Pocklington which has been increased from hourly to half hourly Monday to Saturday daytimes. A welcome but 'bold' move in the current climate, although it should be noted the increase in frequency is only on the Hull to Market Weighton section.

Prior to these changes the X46 operated hourly between Hull and York Monday to Saturday daytimes, diverting to serve the three towns of Beverley, Market Weighton and Pocklington en-route, but otherwise operating directly between the two cities. Service X47 provided a limited evening service, with later journeys operating Friday and Saturdays only and unlike the X46, the X47 additionally served Hull University, Cottingham, Barmby Moor and Wilberfoss. Then on Sunday daytimes the X46 and X47 each operated two hourly for an approximately hourly service combined.

Monday to Saturday daytimes the X46 remains hourly, but is now joined by an hourly X47, albeit no longer serving Hull University and Cottingham; serving Barmby Moor and Wilberfoss villages is the only differentiator between the two routes now. Towards York the X46 is 7 minutes quicker, but due to layover in Pocklington there is no difference in journey times in the opposite direction; presumably East Yorkshire want even interval departures from York and on the Pocklington to Hull section. Evenings and Sundays remains largely as previously, but with the X47 following it's new route omitting Cottingham and some minor retimings.

Looking in more detail and I mentioned earlier the frequency increase was only between Hull and Market Weighton - that's because the new Monday to Saturday daytime X47 replaces the 46 between Market Weighton and York. The 46 had operated hourly between Market Weighton and York via the X47 route other than within York were it served the University of York and Heworth before terminating in York City Centre on Station Road rather than at the Station itself. In many respects the X47 is an improvement, with it's links to Beverley and Hull plus it's more direct route in York and serving York Station - however it means the loss of links to the University. The University link has been around a number of years so it's a minor disappointment in a largely positive set of changes. This should be the norm and not noteworthy, but credit to East Yorkshire in their service change announcement for referring University customers to a connecting First service - route 67 from Hull Road in York. Likewise they have also signposted their Heworth passengers to First and Yorkshire Coastliner for travel into York City Centre. 

The 46 hasn't been entirely axed however - five trips a day had extended to/from Holme on Spalding Moor and the 46 survives as a Market Weighton to Holme on Spalding Moor local service, reduced to four services each way and timed to connect with the X46 or X47 at Market Weighton. Considering there is also the 18 between Holme on Spalding Moor and York (albeit currently impacted by the Bubwith Bridge closure), this seems a fair service. However taking the 46 in isolation, there seems to be a lot of spare time in the schedule - 0732 to 0930, 1002 to 1130, 1202 to 1420 and 1437 to 1735 - and nothing obvious to interwork with other than schools services. Could the 46 vehicle and driver be more heavily utilised? Maybe not between Market Weighton and Holme on Spalding Moor, but perhaps extend the 18 to Market Weighton and add a second vehicle (from the 46) to the service? A Monday to Saturday Market Weighton-Holme-Selby service, or perhaps reinstate an all-day Monday to Saturday Market Weighton to Driffeld service?

Talking of Market Weighton to Driffeld, and the last remnant of the 45 between Bridlington, Nafferton, Driffield, Market Weighton, Pocklington and York was 'killed off' as part of these changes - the 1635 from Bridlington and 1905 return from York Monday to Saturday. The X46/X47 replace between Market Weighton and York, there is a 1640(Mon-Fri)/1625(Sat) service 121 from Bridlington to Driffield and on Friday and Saturdays only a 2032 121 from Driffield to Nafferton. Service 145 between Driffield and Market Weighton gains an additional 1650 departure Monday to Friday. 

Between Hull and Beverley, the new Monday to Saturday daytime X47 restores a fourth service per hour, with the four routes involved - 23, 121, X46 and X47 timed to operate every 15 minutes combined. Hull to Beverley frequency has fluctuated between three and five services per hour in recent years, so maybe four per hour is about right?

What has struck me though is that now half the services - X46/X47 operate through open countryside between Hull and Beverley via the A1079 - whilst 'only' half operate through the villages of Dunswell and Woodmansey were there is very little open countryside. There is very little time benefit to the A1079 route, only 3 minutes compared to the 23 off peak. I get that East Yorkshire want the X46/X47 to be as similar as possible, but personally I would swap the X46/X47 with the 23, to send the X46/X47 via Dunswell (and Flemingate), with the 23 covering Victoria Road in Beverley and the A1079 (it could still serve Flemingate).

Whilst focusing on the southern end of the X47, the re-routing away from Cottingham removes the only evening and Sunday service into Beverley, as well as the ability for a Sunday dayout in York. This is another minor disappointment, but I do understand the rationale. Routing via Cottingham added an extra 5 minutes on Sunday daytimes compared to the A1079 (potentially more Monday to Saturday daytimes), and retaining just on evenings and Sundays would mean a third route variant between Hull and York.

Finally then to the Beverley to Market Weighton section, and this is where the 'bold' move has really been made by East Yorkshire - almost 20 minutes, or just over 10 miles, of open countryside other than one intermediate village at Bishop Burton. In the context of the wider Hull to York route it's a small section, but still significant. East Yorkshire will need to grow the traffic from Hull and Beverley to Market Weighton, Pocklington and York for this enhancement to work; as the pre 2nd-April arrangements show us there are alternative ways to supplement the X46 on the more densely populated sections between Hull and Beverley and from Market Weighton to York. 

Whilst you can maybe tell I have some skepticism that this is 'too bold' an increase, especially in the current environment, good luck to East Yorkshire. I hope my skepticism is misplaced and it is a success. 

Even Intervals Eroded

On Sunday 2nd April, East Yorkshire revised timetables on a number of routes "to improve timekeeping". In some instances this has meant that 'clockface timetables' or 'even intervals' have disappeared for parts of the day. It's not unusual to see that happening at peak times or even late afternoons, but this is starting creep into morning and early afternoon timetables on some routes.

What has struck me on reviewing the new timetables is how on Saturday's, but not weekdays, services in the Hull area have been particularly affected by this. 

Take the 54 between Hull Paragon Interchange and Willerby, generally half hourly but with 35 minute gaps from Paragon Interchange between 1015 and 1050, then between 1150 and 1225 followed by 1255 to 1330; similar gaps also exist in the opposite direction. The 56/57 combined from Paragon Interchange to Asda Bilton are every 15 minutes from 0815 to 1145, then 1205, 1220, 1235, 1250, 1310, every 15 minutes to 1425, 1445 then every 15 minutes to 1830. Service 66 between Hull and Hessle comes off particularly badly - every 20 minutes, but 25 minute gaps from Paragon Interchange between 0910 and 0935, 0955 and 1020, 1120 and 1145, 1245 and 1310, 1410 and 1435 and 1615 to 1640

Elsewhere there are 35 minute gaps in half hourly services 63, 104, 105 and 154 between Hull and Cottingham and 65 minute gaps in hourly services 152 (Hull to Anlaby) and 153 (Hull to Swanland).

I do have some understanding of the situation being faced by East Yorkshire - rising costs, passenger numbers not recovered post-COVID, driver shortages. Adding extra resource just to maintain the 'status quo' is not an easy proposition. We must also remember that some of these services share parts of their routes with other services; Anlaby Road for example maybe hit by the gaps in the 56, 63, 66, 152, 153 and 154 but collectively there are still plenty of services between those routes and also the 55, 350 and Stagecoach services. 

However these new timetables aren't going to help get passengers back on the buses, or attract new ones. Not only are 'non-clockface' timetables a 'harder sell', there are now notable differences between Monday to Friday and Saturday daytime timetables on many routes. Take for example Setting Dyke mid-morning into Hull on route 63; it was 0950/1020/1050/1120 Monday to Saturday, 1021/1121 Sunday. Now it's 0944/1014/1044/1114 Monday to Friday, 0936/1007/1037/1107 Saturday and 1019/1119 Sunday. 

These changes combined with various frequency reductions over the past three years from both East Yorkshire and Stagecoach and local services within Hull and the immediately adjoining areas of the East Riding have taken a 'battering'. Reducing all day bus lanes back to peak times only isn't going to help though, if anything it will make things worse...

Improved service between Hornsea and Bridlington

East Yorkshire introduced some small but welcome improvements to daily service 130 between Hornsea and Bridlington last Monday (3rd April).

Firstly a new 0815 from Bridlington to Hornsea (arriving 0920) has been introduced at weekends and on weekdays during school holidays. Whilst this is probably just a positioning journey being run 'in-service', it does make morning or full day trips into Hornsea possible - previous first arrival into Hornsea was at 1150.  

Secondly the weekend 1230 from Hornsea and 1345 from Bridlington - now retimed to 1445 - are no longer 'dated' services operating between July and September only, so are presumably now year round journeys. The 1230 is useful for those returning from morning trips into Hornsea, or looking to make afternoon trips to Bridlington. Meanwhile the 1445 gives the option of spending 4 hours 10 minutes in Bridlington rather than 6 hours 40 minutes, which was the previous requirement from October to June. 

Lets hope these extra journeys are a success.

Beverley Locals B1/B2 to be withdrawn

After operation on Saturday 1st April, East Yorkshire's Beverley Town Services B1 and B2 will cease, bringing an end to commercially operated town services in Beverley. 

The B1 and B2 were launched in September 2021, incorporating East Yorkshire's previous 520 and 521 town services, plus part of the former Acklams Coaches tendered 522 town service. The B1 operates from Molescroft to Beverley Town Centre, then performs a clockwise loop via the Swinemoor Estate (including the East Riding Community Hospital), Minster Way, Morrisons and Normandy Avenue back to Beverley Town Centre; the B2 operates the same route in reverse. Both routes operate hourly Monday to Saturday daytimes, reducing to two hourly Monday to Friday peaks. A Friday and Saturday evening service was provided until September 2022.

East Yorkshire say "regrettably the services have not delivered the growth needed to sustain the current level of service provided". I will give East Yorkshire some credit here for making a significant effort to relaunch their Beverley Town Services in 2021 and for giving new links a 'go', such as from Swinemoor to Morrisons. However it is disappointing that they don't consider any aspect of the B1/B2 to be 'salvageable'. 

Thanks to East Riding of Yorkshire Council stepping in with three new tendered services - the 525, 526 and 527 - very few parts of Beverley will be left unserved, other than Minster Way which is largely surrounded by fields. The 525, 526 and 527 will be operated by East Yorkshire, and will operate Monday to Saturday from Monday 3rd April. Together the three routes appear to require one vehicle. 

Looking in detail and most of the Molescroft to Beverley section of the B1/B2 is also served by the hourly Monday to Saturday daytime 23 between Molescroft, Beverley and Hull (and to a lesser extent by the 142). Perhaps two buses an hour was one too many? Parts of Molescroft are also served by the 121. Focusing on roads served only by the B1/B2 - St Leonard's Road (B2 only) is left unserved, whilst the 526 provides a basic replacement for Copandale Road and Scrubwood Lane. The 526 will operate Beverley Bus Station-Copandale Road-Scrubwood Lane-Beverley Bus Station with three departures at 1000, 1200 and 1400 and a total round trip time of 10 minutes.

It's unfortunate the 23 hasn't been routed via Copandale Road and Scrubwood Lane, or if that wasn't an option, the 142 could have been given this short diversion. If either of these happened then the 526 wouldn't be needed and the time could be spent enhancing services elsewhere in Beverley. 

The Swinemoor Estate - including the East Riding Community Hospital - retains an hourly service between 0930 and 1530 (plus a 1600 journey) on new circular service 525, which covers the B1 route from Beverley Bus Station to Swinemoor. the Hospital and Holme Church Lane before returning to the Bus Station via Flemingate. 

I appreciate East Riding of Yorkshire Council have needed to act quickly here so maybe this is one for the future, but the other tendered town service to Swinemoor - service 5 - leaves Beverley Bus Station at 1020, 1120 and 1320. This is poor co-ordination with the 525. Could the 5 and 525 be worked by the same vehicle to improve co-ordination and provide half hourly departures, at least in some hours - with the 142 interworked with the 526 or 527 instead of the 5?

Anyone needing to access the Lidl store to the south east of Beverley will need to use the 23 instead of the B1/B2.

Finally to Normandy Avenue and Morrisons which will be covered by the new 527 operating from Beverley Bus Station via Lincoln Way (also served by the 25) to Morrisons and then back to the Bus Station via Normandy Avenue. Departures from the Bus Station are at 1100, 1300 and 1500. Like the 526, a basic shoppers services, but certainly better than no service at all. 

There aren't any easy alternative options here. Maybe the X46 and/or X47 could operate via Lincoln Way and the 25 switch to Normandy Avenue, but the X46/X47 are meant to be direct interurban services between Hull, Beverley, Market Weighton, Pocklington and York so diverting via Lincoln Way wouldn't be ideal. 

Overall, thanks to East Riding of Yorkshire Council, the B1/B2 withdrawal isn't a disaster for bus services in Beverley. It's still not good news though.

Service 99 Returns for Summer 2023

Stagecoach service 99 between Hull and Bridlington returns for Summer 2023 on Saturday 1st April - the first time since 2019 it has started in April; there was no service I believe in 2020, whilst the 2021 and 2022 services commenced in late July at the start of the school Summer holidays.

The 2023 timetable provides between one and four journeys each way from 1st April to 5th November, operating direct between Hull and Bridlington via Skirlaugh and Beeford as usual. Unlike in previous years however the 99 does not serve Bridlington Bus Station - instead terminating at the Park and Ride site to the south of the town before continuing as a service 88 between the Park and Ride site and Bridlington Harbour.

East Yorkshire Coaster Summer 2023 Reductions

East Yorkshire commenced the Summer timetable on their 'Coaster' services between Bridlington, Filey and Scarborough yesterday (Saturday 11th March). This involves changes to the year round service 12 and reintroduction of seasonal service 13 via the various coastal holiday villages.

Compared to Summer 2022, the biggest change is that the hourly daytime 'short' service 13 journeys between Scarborough and Filey don't operate on Sundays and Bank Holidays, just Monday to Saturday. The hourly 12 and hourly 13 journeys between Bridlington and Scarborough remain seven days a week.

Also off note is that the evening service has been reduced Sunday to Thursday, with the 2040 and 2140 from Scarborough to Bridlington plus the 2200 Bridlington to Scarborough service 13 journeys no longer operating; instead the last services on these days are at 1940 from Scarborough and 2105 from Bridlington. Friday and Saturday evenings are unaffected (other than some minor retimings).

HART 243 Revised

Whilst I haven't seen a formal announcement anywhere, using a combination of 'Notices and Proceedings' from the Office of the Traffic Commissioner, as well as bustimes.org, it seems Holderness Area Rural Transport (HART) service 243 between Withernsea and Beverley was revised last Tuesday (21st February). The service was introduced last September. 

The service now appears to omit Flinton, Aldbrough and Withernwick, operating between Sproatley and Skirlaugh via New Ellerby instead. This revised route has reduced the end-to-end journey time from 90 to 60 minutes, with the service continuing to operate on Tuesdays only, departing from Withernsea at 0930. However the return from Beverley now departs at 1330 rather than 1315, giving passengers 3 hours rather than 2 hours 15 minutes in the East Riding County Town.

Barton Wren Kitchens services reduced

Today - Sunday 19th February - has seen reductions to Stagecoach's Barton Wren Kitchens services 255, 355 and 455. These follow changes to Wren shifts, most notably Wren no longer seem to have Saturday factory and warehouse shifts. The three routes are open to the general public, but very much designed around the needs of Wren workers.

Service 255 from North Bransholme to Wren via North Point, Sutton Park, Beverley Road and Hull Paragon Interchange has lost all it's weekend services, namely:

• 0345 Barton to North Bransholme
• 0430 (Sat Only) North Bransholme to Barton
• 0520 (Sat Only) North Bransholme to Barton
• 0545 (Sat Only) Barton to North Bransholme
• 0710 (Sat Only) North Bransholme to Barton
• 0720 (Sat Only) Barton to Paragon Interchange
• 0850 (Sat Only) Barton to Paragon Interchange
• 1335 (Sat Only) Paragon Interchange to Barton
• 1450 (Sat Only) Barton to North Bransholme
• 1530 (Sat Only) Beverley Road to Barton
• 1705 (Sat Only) Paragon Interchange to Barton
• 1710 (Sat Only) Barton to North Bransholme
• 1750 (Sat Only) Barton to North Bransholme
• 2235 (Sat Only) Paragon Interchange to Barton
• 2320 (Sat Only) Barton to North Bransholme (2345 from Hull Truck Theatre)

From the perspective of non-Wren passengers most of these services either operate at times of low demand and/or there are similar timed journeys on other routes. Perhaps the most unfortunate withdrawals are the evening services, with the last Hull to Barton service on a Saturday now at 2030 and from Paragon Interchange to Sutton Park and North Bransholme at 2330. Presumably though there were not enough non-Wren passengers using these journeys to justify their continuation. 

Most Monday to Friday journeys on the 255 are unaffected, other than the withdrawal of the 0345 from Barton to North Bransholme and 1530 from Beverley Road to Barton. There are no alternatives for the 0345, but I can't imagine it got much use by the general public at that time in the morning. With the 1530 withdrawn, it would be good if Stagecoach could add a 1625/1630 from Paragon Interchange to Barton as an 'in-service positioning journey' for the 1710 from Barton, which would fill a 35 minute gap in the Hull to Barton service.

Turning to the 355 from Scunthorpe to Wren and the daily 0345 from Barton to Scunthorpe is withdrawn, as are the 0455 from Scunthorpe and 1710 from Barton on Saturdays only (continue to operate Monday to Friday). Again no alternatives for the early morning journeys.

Finally the 455 from Cleethorpes to Wren via Grimsby and Immingham has lost it's Saturday services, now operating Monday to Friday only. Withdrawn are the 0415 from Cleethorpes and 1450 and 1710 from Barton. 

There are no changes to the 250 and 350 journeys that operate via Wren Kitchens, including those that serve Wren on Saturdays.

I have also observed a new Stagecoach C256 in Barton recently, which as far as I can tell from bustimes.org is operating from North Bransholme via the 255 route to Wren's new factory in Barton, next door to their current site that the 250/255/350/355/455 serve. It appears to be a 'closed door' service in contrast to Stagecoach's other Wren serves, which seems a bit odd - but with at least one C256 operating at almost the same time as a 255, it maybe doesn't make much difference. 

Stagecoach Hull November 2022 Changes

Back on 20th November last year, Stagecoach amended most of their city services in Hull, shortly after the conclusion of strike action that took place in October and early November. The changes were significant, most notably:

• Frequency reductions on the highest frequency routes Monday to Saturday daytimes
• The end of most cross-city links
• Some 'erosion' of the Simplibus numbering scheme for city services

Service 1 between Hull Paragon Interchange and the Boothferry Estate via Hessle Road was reduced from every 15 minutes Monday to Saturday daytimes pre-strike to every 20 minutes post-strike, with evening and Sunday frequencies unchanged. The first bus from the Boothferry Estate is now at 0533 rather than 0433 pre-strike. As a comparison, immediately pre-COVID the 1 operated every 15 minutes Monday to Friday daytimes and every 20 minutes Saturday daytimes, supplemented by the 20 along Hessle Road (including the main shopping area) every 15 minutes Monday to Saturday daytimes for a total of 7-8 buses per hour. Until November 2019 - perhaps a fairer comparison given that the November 2019 changes had little time to 'settle-in' - the 1 had operated every 10 minutes Monday to Friday daytimes and every 15 minutes Saturday daytimes. 

Service 2 between Wawne/North Bransholme and the Boothferry Estate via the City Centre and Hull Royal Infirmary has been split in the City Centre, severing a through connection introduced in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Personally the old 10 route from North Bransholme seemed an odd choice for a through link to Hull Royal Infirmary, given it spends quite a lot of time travelling through an industrial area - the 12 might have been a better choice? Now though the 2 returns to operating just between Paragon Interchange and the Boothferry Estate with the 10 returning between Paragon Interchange and North Bransholme/Wawne.

The 2 is cut down from every 15 minutes pre-strike to every 20 minutes post-strike Monday to Saturday daytimes, with evening and Sunday frequencies unaltered. Compared to pre-COVID, the 2 is reduced from every 7-8 minutes Monday to Friday daytimes and every 10 minutes Saturday daytimes when including the short-lived 2S between Paragon Interchange, the Boothferry Estate and Sainsbury's. Until November 2019 the 2 had operated every 10 minutes Monday to Friday daytimes and every 15 minutes Saturday daytimes. 

The 10 is also reduced from every 15 minutes pre-strike - and also pre-COVID - Monday to Saturday daytimes between Paragon Interchange and North Bransholme to every 20 minutes post-strike, with hourly extensions remaining to Wawne. Again evening and Sunday frequencies are unchanged compared to pre-strike, though the Sutton Park route variations are withdrawn, partially replaced by a new one-direction only hourly Monday to Saturday evening service on route 8 from Paragon Interchange to North Point via Sutton Park. 

Service 3 between Orchard Park, the City Centre, Greatfield and Bilton Grange was also split in the City Centre, with the 3 now operating just between Orchard Park and Paragon Interchange and new service 13 picking up the Paragon Interchange to Bilton Grange section. The new 3 and 13 each operate every 20 minutes Monday to Saturday daytimes, down from every 10 minutes Monday to Friday daytimes and every 15 minutes Saturday daytimes both pre-strike and pre-COVID. The Monday to Saturday evening frequency on the 3 but not the 13 is reduced from half hourly pre-strike to hourly, with Sundays unchanged on both routes.

Another split service is the 4 between Orchard Park, the City Centre and Bilton Grange. The Orchard Park to Paragon Interchange section remains as the 4, with the Paragon Interchange to Bilton Grange section becoming the 4B - a very curious choice of number compared to how the eastern part of the 3 became the 13. I know that the number 14 is already taken, but 15 for example is available. 

Pre-strike the 4 had operated every 15 minutes Monday to Saturday daytimes and every half hour Sunday daytimes (plus a 2330 from Paragon Interchange to Bilton Grange Monday to Saturday). These daytime frequencies also matched the pre-COVID provision, Now the 4 and 4B both operate every 20 minutes Monday to Saturday daytimes and remain every half hour Sunday daytimes. The 4 has however gained an hourly Monday to Saturday evening service compared to pre-strike, but the 2330 from Paragon Interchange to Bilton Grange hasn't survived - there are alternative journeys at 2330 on service 11 for Holderness Road and service 13 for Bilton Grange.

Service 5 which had operated a circular from Paragon Interchange via Orchard Park, Kingswood, North Point, Spring Cottage and Ings Estate was split at Kingswood, with the Orchard Park section remaining as the 5 and the eastern half of the route returning to operate as service 11.

The new service 5 operates every 20 minutes Monday to Saturday daytimes, half hourly Sunday daytimes and hourly daily evenings between Paragon Interchange and Kingswood, with peaktime extras Monday to Saturday between Paragon Interchange, Orchard Park and Mizzen Road. Pre-strike the 5 had operated every 15 minutes between Paragon Interchange and Orchard Park Monday to Saturday daytimes and every half hour to Kingswood, with Mizzen Road served by some peaktime Orchard Park 'shorts'. Monday to Saturday evenings were half hourly Paragon Interchange to Orchard Park and hourly to Kingswood, whilst Sundays were half hourly daytimes and hourly evenings between Hull and Kingswood.

Pre-COVID the 5 had operated every 7-8 minutes Monday to Saturday daytimes between Paragon Interchange and Orchard Park, and every 15 minutes to Kingswood. Evenings were half hourly to Kingswood and every 15 minutes to Orchard Park when accounting for the u5 variant (reducing to half hourly in the late evening Monday to Thursday). Sundays were half hourly all day between Hull and Kingswood with extra daytime journeys between Hull and Orchard Park for a 15 minute frequency. Until November 2019 the 5 was every 10 minutes Monday to Saturday daytimes between Hull and Orchard Park and every 20 minutes to Kingswood. It should also be noted when comparing the pre-COVID offering to now, that the 4 now serves Cranbrook Avenue, somewhat compensating for reductions to the 5 over this particular section of route.

Turning to service 11 and it operates every half hour Monday to Saturday daytimes and every hour evenings and Sundays, broadly in line with the pre-strike provision on the 5 in East Hull. This is down though from every 15 minutes Monday to Saturday daytimes and every half hour evenings and Sundays pre-COVID, although the re-routing of the 8 via Bellfield Avenue partially mitigates on the Ings Estate, and the 8, which serves much of the same route as the 11 between North Point and Paragon Interchange has also gained an hourly Sunday service since the start of the COVID pandemic.

Both the 12 from North Point to Paragon Interchange via Noddle Hill and Sutton and the 14 from Greatfield to Paragon Interchange are reduced from every 15 minutes Monday to Saturday daytimes both pre-strike and pre-COVID to every 20 minutes post-strike, with evening and Sundays retaining their pre-strike frequencies. On service 12, the half hourly Monday to Saturday daytime 12A variant via Garden Village is no longer operating and replaced by all 12's operating the main route via Summergangs Road along with new service 33 in Garden Village (see below). The first service 12 from North Point Monday to Saturday is now at 0550 rather than 0445 pre-strike.

Finally there were some major changes to lower frequency services in East Hull. The hourly Monday to Saturday daytime 16 between Paragon Interchange, Victoria Dock, Newbridge Road, Morrisons, Ings Road, Leads Road, Sutton, Howdale Road, Kestrel Avenue, Biggin Avenue and North Point was truncated to operate between Paragon Interchange and Morrisons only, but is now interworked with the 40 and 41 local services. The hourly Monday to Saturday daytime 40 from Morrisons to the main Holderness Road shopping area, Garden Village, Lambwath Road, Ings Road and back to Morrisons is revised so that all journeys operate clockwise, rather than the previous mix of clockwise and anti-clockwise journeys; on arrival at Morrisons the 41 then continues as an advertised through service on route 16 to the City Centre.

The section of the 16 between Ings Road and North Point is now covered by new service 33 between Paragon Interchange, Garden Village, Ings Road and North Point. Sounds somewhat familiar? It has similarities to the old service 9 which used the same route between Paragon Interchange and Leads Road pre-COVID, so I'm surprised that the number 9 hasn't been reused, especially as the number 33 doesn't 'fit in' with any other Stagecoach services in Hull. The 33 operates hourly Monday to Saturday daytimes, matching the 16's old frequency, with a 12 minute journey time reduction from North Point to Paragon Interchange; for Garden Village though it's a drop from half hourly on the old 12A.

(Any services not mentioned were either unaffected or just had minor time changes).

Bridlington 4 gains a Variant

Following "feedback", East Yorkshire are introducing a 4A variant to their Bridlington Town Service 4 from 9th January.

The 4 currently operates half hourly Monday to Saturday daytimes from Bridlington Bus Station to the New Pasture Lane estate via Quay Road, Brett Street, Broadland Road, South Back Lane and Westgate.

From next week the 4 is reduced to hourly and the 4A introduced hourly as a replacement, with a co-ordinated half hourly service over common sections of route. The 4 will operate the same route as present from Bridlington Bus Station to the New Pasture Lane estate, but then return via Marton Road, Watsons Avenue, Sewerby Road, Kirkgate and St John Street - for Aldi - before picking up it's old route via Quay Road back to Bridlington Bus Station. The 4A will follow the same route in reverse. The new section of route is already served by either the 5A or 12/13, so I guess this change is very much about improving links to Aldi, and from Marton Road to the Health Centre near Quay Road. Not good news for the Brett Street, Brookland Road, South Back Lane and Westgate areas though who have their service halved into Bridlington Town Centre.

Hunts Coaches withdraw Tuesday Grimsby service

After operation on 6th December 2022, Hunts Coaches withdrew their Tuesday only service 44 from Skegness to Grimsby via Ingoldmells, Chapel St Leonards, Alford and Louth Bypass. The 44 had departed Skegness at 0900, arriving in Grimsby at 1045, before departing Grimsby at 1300 to get back into Skegness for 1445.

Alford has an alternative Tuesday Grimsby 'shopper' service on Grayscroft service 28.

For The Record: No more Nightbuses in Hull

Suspended at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hull's last nightbuses, operated by East Yorkshire, never returned. Following a change just before suspension, they comprised:

• A University Term Time Only Saturday service 106S from Inglemire Lane (departing 2250) to Spiders Nightclub on Cleveland Street via Cottingham Road, Beverley Road and Bond Street in Hull City Centre
• Three year round Saturday evening/Sunday morning service 106 journeys from Hull Old Town (departing 2330/0030/0130) to Cottingham Burton Road via Bond Street, Beverley Road, Cottingham Road, Cottingham Green and Cottingham Green Lane
• One year round Sunday morning service 106 journey from Spiders (departing 0215) to Cottingham Road via Freetown Way and Beverley Road
• One University Term Time Sunday morning service 106 journey from Spiders (departing 0245) to Cottingham Road via Freetown Way and Beverley Road
• Four University Term Time Thursday morning service 107 circular journeys from Hull University Asylum Nightclub (departing 0115, 0145, 0215 and 0310) via Newland Avenue, Princes Avenue, Spring Bank and Beverley Road back to Asylum

There is a Saturday 2330 service 63 from Hull Paragon Interchange to Cottingham Green and Green Lane which acts as a partial replacement for the 2330 106 journey, but no alternatives post midnight.

Driffield Regains a Friday Town Service

After I posted yesterday about the 530 Driffield Town Service being reduced from Monday to Friday to Tuesday and Thursday only operation in October, a comment left brings good news - a Friday service will be restored from January 6th. More details here.

The 530 is operated by Holderness Area Rural Transport (HART) for Driffield Town Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council. 

Additionally I should note that it appears bustimes.org is not showing the complete service 530 timetable, and that the final 1418 afternoon journey is still running. Again thanks to this comment for pointing this out.

Acklams Coaches cease local bus service operation in Beverley and Driffield

After operation on Saturday 22nd October, Acklams Coaches ceased operation of most of their local bus services, and it's associated BusKing operation ended bus service operation entirely. 

The commercially operated Beverley Town Service 5 and part-commercial/part-tendered service 142 between Beverley and Middleton have been replaced by an East Yorkshire operated combined service 5/142 tender, which commenced on Monday 24th October. Under Acklams operation the 5 and 142 appeared to be largely interworked and were able to use one vehicle across both services other than on Monday to Friday mornings for one journey; East Yorkshire did also have their own service 142 on a Saturday only. Now however one vehicle is used to service both the 5 and 142 all day Monday to Saturday - unsurprisingly that does lead to a slightly reduced level of service overall.

Beverley Town Service 5 operates as a circular from the Bus Station up Norwood before diverting to serve the otherwise unserved Highfield Road and Lilac Avenue areas. It then operates into the Swinemoor Estate, largely also covered by East Yorkshire's commercial B1/B2 services, before routing back to the Bus Station via Sample Avenue and Mill Lane where it is the only service. Acklams service 5 departed Beverley Bus Station at 0930, 1030, 1130, 1330 and 1430 Monday to Saturday, plus an extra 1000 departure on Saturdays, but the new East Yorkshire operated tender has only three journeys at 1020, 1120 and 1320 Monday to Saturday. 

The 142 used to be a fairly complex operation under Acklams Coaches. There was a morning journey from Bainton into Beverley via Middleton, Etton and Cherry Burton at 0920 Monday to Friday, which started back at Kilnwick on Wednesdays. Monday to Saturday there was then a 1100 Beverley-Cherry Burton-Etton-Beverley circular before a 1210 (1200 Wed) Beverley to Bainton service via Cherry Burton, Etton, Middleton and on Wednesday only, Kilnwick. Following this was a 1250 Bainton to Beverley Monday to Saturday, omitting Middleton and a final 1500 Beverley to Etton 'short' via Cherry Burton Monday to Saturday.

On top of this on Saturdays were four East Yorkshire operated journeys. An 0925 'fast' from Beverley to Middleton, a 0945 from Middleton to Beverley, a 1600 Beverley to Middleton and finally a 1638 from Middleton to Beverley that omitted Lockington but still served all other villages en-route. Off note is that the East Yorkshire 142 didn't serve Bainton, leading to the rather strange situation of Bainton only having a lunchtime 142 on Saturdays.

The new 142 timetable is much simpler. There is a Saturday only 'fast' from Beverley to Middleton at 0910, then a Monday to Saturday 0930 Middleton to Beverley via Bainton, a Monday to Saturday 1150 Beverley to Beverley circular via Middleton and Bainton, a Monday to Saturday 1350 Beverley to Bainton via Middleton and finally the Saturday only 1600 Beverley to Middleton and 1638 return omitting Lockington remain. There are actually some improvements here, with the new 1350 departure from Beverley providing an extra service to South Dalton, Holme, Lockington, Lund, Middleton and Bainton. Bainton gets a usable Saturday service and Middleton gets a Saturday afternoon service into Beverley. Cherry Burton and Etton do see a slight reduction in service however and the small village of Kilnwick is now unserved.

BusKing's tendered 135 has passed to East Yorkshire, but has lost it's Monday to Friday peak journeys at 0721 from Wetwang to Driffield, returning at 1710. The Tuesday and Thursday 'shoppers' journeys between Driffield, Wetwang and Sledmere remain however.

East Yorkshire has also gained the tendered 124 between Driffield, Ruston Parva, Boynton and Bridlington from Acklams. Whilst the Wednesday service between Ruston Parva and Bridlington remains unchanged, the Thursday Boynton to Driffield service now operates on Fridays - bad for visiting Driffield market which is held on a Thursday, but presumably good for cost and allows use of the same vehicle that does the 135 on a Thursday.

Leaving the biggest change to last, and BusKing's tendered 530 Driffield Town Service has passed to Holderness Area Rural Transport and reduced from a Monday to Friday operation to Tuesday and Thursday only. Going by bustimes.org, the final 1418 trip around the town has also been dropped. Rising costs are 'blamed' for the reductions to the service, which is equally funded by Driffield Town Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council. 

All that remains of Acklams Coaches bus network is the 131/504 tender in Bridlington, which going by this tweet, I get the impression they don't intend to rebid for when their contract ends in September 2023. Acklams Coaches have an extensive coaching operation, as well as school and college contracts and a Hull City football service, so they retain significant operations - just not local bus services.

Quietly Suspended and Never Returned

Last month I mentioned how East Yorkshire's 122 between Hull, Beverley and Molescroft was suspended due to driver shortages in September 2021 and never returned. That fate was also bestowed on the 103 between Hull Paragon Interchange and the Hull University area. The 103 had operated every 20 minutes Monday to Saturday daytimes and every half hour Monday to Saturday evenings and Sunday daytimes from Paragon Interchange via Princes Avenue and Newland Avenue before operating a one way loop via Cranbrook Avenue, Inglemire Lane, Hall Road and Cottingham Road.

In many ways the 103's withdrawal is not a major issue. Other than Inglemire Lane, everywhere else has an alternative; Inglemire Lane does not have a continuous history of bus services and it's passengers can walk to alternatives on Cranbrook Avenue, Hall Road or Cottingham Road instead.

What is striking though is how much overall frequencies are reduced in the area. Pre-COVID, East Yorkshire had nine buses per hour to the University area Monday to Saturday daytimes - the 103, the 104 every 20 minutes via Cranbrook Avenue and the 105 every 20 minutes via Cottingham Road. Now it's five per hour - the 104 every 20 minutes and the 105 every half hour. The 105's frequency reduction is another driver shortage change that has quietly become the new normal - I wish I had now kept better track of what were meant to be only temporary changes.

Stagecoach are now the main operator in the University area, with six buses per hour along Cranbrook Avenue between the 4 and the 5. That's only down two per hour from the eight buses per hour on the 5 pre-COVID - and that frequency was only introduced in November 2019; previously the 5 had been six buses per hour.

Whilst Stagecoach have fared better on Cranbrook Avenue thanks to the diversion of service 4, both them and East Yorkshire have significantly reduced along Newland and Princes Avenue. In October 2019 there were twelve buses per hour (six on each operator across the 5, 103 and 104). Immediately pre-COVID there were fourteen buses per hour (eight Stagecoach/six East Yorkshire). Now it's six buses per hour (three on each operator) with the 5 reduced and 103 withdrawn. 

(There will be more on Stagecoach's post-strike reductions soon).

Christmas and New Year Bus Services 2022/2023

Time for the annual summary of Christmas and New Year bus services across the Humber Region. The following operators are included, but not their services outside the region:

• Arriva Yorkshire
• CallConnect
• East Yorkshire (excluding JustGo)
• First South Yorkshire (Doncaster Area)
• First York
• Grayscroft Coaches
• Hornsby Travel
• Stagecoach - with a caveat that Stagecoach publicity indicates services to Wren Kitchens in Barton have not been confirmed

Please check exact details before travelling as I have only summarised here, or for any occasions were publicity is incorrect (it's happened before!). Not much luck finding definitive information for many of the region's independent operators sadly this year, but if you have any information for other operators, or to correct any details listed below, please post a comment.

Christmas Eve:

Normal Saturday service with an early finish between approximately 1800 and 2000. 

Christmas Day:

No services.

Boxing Day:

No services, apart from a limited daytime provision operated by East Yorkshire on the following routes:

• 23: Hull-Beverley-Molescroft - Hourly 
• 56: Wymersley Road-Hull-Asda Bilton - Hourly
• 63: Hull-Castle Hill Hospital - Hourly
• 66: Hull-Hessle - Hourly
• 75: Hull-Withernsea - Every two hours, with an extra morning journey to Hull and an extra afternoon journey from Hull.
• 104: Hull-Castle Hill Hospital - Hourly
• 154: Hull-Castle Hill Hospital - Hourly

Compared to 2021, this is a somewhat reduced offering overall. The 23 is new for Boxing Day, but acts as a replacement for the two hourly 121 between Hull, Beverley and Bridlington and the two hourly X46 between Hull, Beverley and York that operated last year. Good for Dunswell, Woodmansey and Molescroft, but not so good for places like Driffield, Bridlington, Pocklington or York. One interesting quirk is that parts of Beverley and Molescroft will have the 23 on Boxing Day, but no service on the 27th and 2nd as the 23 doesn't operate on a Sunday. Elsewhere the 56 is reduced from half hourly to hourly (it's historical Boxing Day norm; the half hourly frequency was only introduced last year).

At least East Yorkshire are providing a Boxing Day service though. For the second year running there are no Stagecoach services in Hull on Boxing Day (last provided in 2020), and as per normal, no service South of the Humber.

Bank Holiday Tuesday 27th December:

A Sunday service will be provided. 

Last year East Yorkshire provided a hybrid Saturday/Sunday daytime and Sunday/Monday evening service on Bank Holidays 27th/28th, but this year it's a standard Sunday service. Whilst in most instances the impact is on frequencies, start and finish times, it does mean no service between Hessle and Beverley on the 25 and between Hull and Gilberdyke on the 55.

Wednesday 28th December:

Predominantly a Saturday service, with the following exceptions:

• Hornsby Travel will operate a normal Wednesday service.
• East Yorkshire services 124 (Ruston Parva-Bridlington) and 360/361 (Goole-Scunthorpe) will operate as normal.
• Stagecoach services 35 (Amcotts-Scunthorpe), 60 (Whitton-Scunthorpe), 90 (Crowle-Scunthorpe) and 260 (Barton Villager) will operate as normal (and presumably the 399 between Scunthorpe and Westwoodside, given that Hornsby are operating a normal service).
• Stagecoach service 291 (Owston Ferry-Doncaster) will not operate (wouldn't usually operate on a Wednesday and will be covered by the normal weekday service on Hornsby's 399)
• East Yorkshire services 18/25/54/63/75/121/X47 Friday and Saturday only evening journeys will not operate (normal Wednesday evening journeys on the 54/63/75/121/X47 will however).

Going by Stagecoach's publicity I would have to assume the usually Saturday only 173 between Withernsea and Hull will be operated Wednesday to Saturday for one week only. Passengers on the East Yorkshire operated 142 between Middleton and Beverley will also benefit from an extra afternoon journey on the Saturday timetable, compared to the standard weekday service.

Thursday 29th December:

Predominantly a Saturday service, with the following exceptions:

• Hornsby Travel will operate a normal Thursday service.
• East Yorkshire services 135 (Driffield-Sledmere), 150 (Swanland-Hessle), 196 (Allerthorpe-York) and 360/361 (Goole-Scunthorpe) will operate as normal.
• Stagecoach services 10 (Ashby Parklands-Ashby), 35 (Amcotts-Scunthorpe), 60 (Whitton-Scunthorpe), 90 (Crowle-Scunthorpe) and 260 (Barton Villager) will operate as normal (and again presumably the 399 as well).
• East Yorkshire service 143 (North Ferriby-Beverley) will not operate (wouldn't usually operate on a Thursday).
• Stagecoach service 291 (Owston Ferry-Doncaster) will not operate (wouldn't usually operate on a Thursday and will be covered by the normal weekday service on Hornsby's 399)
• East Yorkshire services 18/25/54/63/75/121/X47 Friday and Saturday only evening journeys will not operate (normal Thursday evening journeys on the 54/63/75/121/X47 will however).

Friday 30th December:

Predominantly a Saturday service, with the following exceptions:

• Hornsby Travel will operate a normal Friday service.
• East Yorkshire services 124 (Boynton-Driffield), 183 (Hessle Town Service) and 360/361 (Goole-Scunthorpe) will operate as normal.
• Stagecoach services 10 (Burringham-Scunthorpe), 25 (Market Rasen-Grimsby), 35 (Amcotts-Scunthorpe), 60 (Whitton-Scunthorpe), 90 (Crowle-Scunthorpe) and 260 (Barton Villager) will operate as normal (and again presumably the 399 as well).
• East Yorkshire service 143 (North Ferriby-Beverley) will not operate (wouldn't usually operate on a Friday).
• Stagecoach service 291 (Owston Ferry-Doncaster) will not operate (wouldn't usually operate on a Friday and will be covered by the normal weekday service on Hornsby's 399)

New Years Eve:

Normal Saturday service with an early finish between approximately 1800 and 2000. 

New Years Day:

No services (train services will be operating however, in many instances to a normal Sunday timetable apart from early morning services and engineering works related disruption).

Bank Holiday Monday 2nd January:

A Sunday service will be provided.

Tuesday 3rd January:

Services return to normal.

Return of a Withernsea to Beverley link

Holderness Area Rural Transport (HART) commenced operation of a new service 243 between Withernsea and Beverley back on Tuesday 6th September. If this sounds familiar, East Riding of Yorkshire Council used to operate a service 243 between Withernsea and Beverley in-house, once a day Monday to Friday via Roos, Burton Pidsea, Humbleton, Sproatley, Bilton and Skirlaugh. This version of the 243 is a Tuesday only operation though that is far less direct as it also incorporates elements of the old 241 between Aldbrough and Beverley. HART's 243 is being funded by East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

The new 243 leaves Withernsea at 0930 taking 90 minutes to Beverley via Roos, Burton Pidsea, Preston, Sproatley. Flinton, Aldbrough, Withernwick, Skirlaugh and Routh. The return journey departs Beverley at 1315. I am a bit surprised at the inclusion of Preston and Sproatley which already have the 242 to Beverley Monday to Saturday; a re-route via Humbleton would reduce the journey time for Withernsea, Roos and Burton Pidsea passengers. 

Anyway, hopefully the service has had a good first three months of operation.

East Yorkshire Cuts in Anlaby, Kirk Ella, Willerby and Hessle

Finishing off my review of East Yorkshire's 4th September changes, and perhaps the biggest reductions of the changes were to the Hull-Anlaby corridor - "due to low levels of usage".

The hourly Monday to Saturday daytime 151 between Hull, Anlaby, Kirk Ella and Willerby was cut entirely. The 151 shared the same route as the 153 between Hull and Kirk Ella Primary School before continuing via School Lane and Church Lane to Willerby Square and then performing an anti-clockwise loop via The Parkway and Well Lane back to Willerby Square. 

For much of the route this is a story of frequency reduction - Hull to Anlaby goes from three to two buses per hour and Kirk Ella from two to one bus per hour. These are affluent areas, and between Hull City Centre and Anlaby Common the route is shared with other services including the 154 every 20 minutes. Sadly I can understand why cutbacks are being made here. Between Hull and Willerby there are other options on the 54 and 154. 

However the relatively short section of route along School Lane and Church Lane is left unserved, and the Kirk Ella to Willerby link is lost - I can't see any easy options for a replacement though. Perhaps the biggest issue is that The Parkway and Well Lane are now also unserved. Parts of these roads are some distance away from alternative services. As much as I like the way East Yorkshire have simplified the Hull to Willerby via Spring Bank services in recent years, maybe the 54A variation via The Parkway needs to return? There isn't another easy option as the 25 between Hessle and Hornsea probably doesn't have enough spare time to divert without risking reliability. 

Service 152 between Hull, Anlaby, Hessle and Bridgehead Business Park was curtailed to run between Hull and Anlaby Lowfield Road only Monday to Saturday daytimes (when it operates hourly), as occurs with the limited daily early evening service. The 152 was extended in January 2021 to replace the 155 around Hessle and to improve services to Bridgehead Business Park. As a side benefit, the new arrangement does reinstate a daytime service from Lowfield Road into Hull; when serving Hessle the 152 had become one-way here.

Again regrettably I can see why East Yorkshire have cut back here. Hessle, and particularly the parts served by the 152 are quite affluent, and there are other - more direct - options from Hull and the eastern parts of Anlaby Road to Bridgehead Business Park. The 55 operates hourly and the 66B at peak times; additionally the 250/255/350 provide approximately three buses per hour within walking distance of the Business Park, albeit with a busy roundabout to cross when walking from the bus stop.

In terms of the route within Hessle, Beverley Road is left with the oddball early morning 55A from Hull to Elloughton and the Friday Only 183 Hessle Town Service, Swanland Road is served by those two services plus the 66B and Tuesday/Thursday Only 150 Hessle/North Ferriby/Swanland/Anlaby circular, Barrow Lane and Ferriby Road by the 55A and 156 and Heads Lane by the 183 - not no service but limited. It should be said the 152 intersected Boothferry Road at Darleys Roundabout, served by the 55/250/255/350 offering four buses per hour and Cemetery Corner served by the 66 offering four buses per hour (when not impacted by driver shortages) plus the two hourly 25.

What is a bit disappointing is that no additional alternatives have been put in place in Hessle, when there appears to be easy options available. I'd argue Boothferry Road does not need the 55 when it has the 250/255/350 offering three buses an hour - so why not divert it west of Darleys Roundabout when there appears to be sufficient layover time at either end of the route to accommodate a small diversion? There are three possible options:

-The current 55A route within Hessle (old 155 route) via Beverley Road, Swanland Road, Barrow Lane and Ferriby Road. This would mean omitting the Bridgehead Business Park, but with the 66B and the 250/255/350 within walking distance, is it needed? Ferriby Road would also be within walking distance of the Business Park

-As per the 55A but via Heads Lane and Bridgehead Business Park instead of underneath the Humber Bridge Approach on Ferriby Road. Would still serve the Business Park but at the expense of a longer journey time.

-A short divert via Beverley Road and Swanland Road back onto Boothferry Road - the quick option that doesn't help Barrow Lane or Ferriby Road but would minimise the impact on the 55's journey time.

Finally hourly daily daytime service 153 between Hull, Anlaby, Kirk Ella and Swanland survives, and gains some extra journeys in a little bit of good news:

-0640, 0840 and 1840 from Hull Monday to Friday (last departure previously 1745, with an 1805 151 for Kirk Ella)

-0725, 0825 and 1840 from Hull Saturday (as weekdays for previous last departures)

-0631, 1524, 1734 and 1832 from Swanland Monday to Friday (previous first departure 0727)

-0639 and 1824 from Swanland Saturday (previous first departure 0735)

Also worth noting is that Saturday afternoon inbound services on the 152/153 now use the Hull city centre loop. 

One final disappointment though - with just the hourly 152 and hourly 153 between Hull and Anlaby Monday to Saturday daytimes, you would hope for a half hourly combined frequency. There isn't though - it's a 20 minute gap followed by a 40 minute gap. Seems to allow the two services to be worked by three vehicles so is probably an efficiency measure - but not passenger friendly. 

Overall I sadly understand the need for cuts, it''s the mitigation that is the let down for me. 

Service 23 extended to Molescroft - partially replaces axed 122

East Yorkshire's service changes back on Sunday 4th September included their service 23 between Hull and Beverley Bus Station via Dunswell. Woodmansey and Flemingate. The service had been operating Monday to Saturday hourly daytimes with a limited evening service, plus a 'one-way' 2310 journey from Hull to Beverley on Sundays.

The September changes brought about two key amendments. Firstly the service was 'de-linked' from the 24 between Hull and Hornsea. Secondly the Monday to Saturday daytime service was extended from Beverley Bus Station to Molescroft (Lockwood Road), mostly along the same route as the B1/B2 and at an almost half hourly interval combined (26/34 minute gaps from Molescroft, 25/35 minute gaps from Beverley).

If extending a Hull to Beverley service to Molescroft sounds familiar, it is. The 122 did this from 2015 to September last year, when the 122 was suspended due to driver shortages and subsequently cancelled. That suspension turned cancellation of the 122 means that the Hull to Beverley service is down to three services per hour Monday to Saturday daytimes, two via Dunswell (23/121) and one via the A1079 (X46). From both Hull and Beverley there are 20/25/15 minute gaps in departures, with 20/40 minute gaps on the Dunswell services. In terms of frequency this takes services back to mid-May 2015. After the May 2015 increase to four buses per hour between Hull and Beverley, three via Dunswell, May 2018 saw a further increase to five buses per hour, four via Dunswell. Post COVID, services were reduced back to four buses per hour, three via Dunswell in September last year. Rather sad to see the development of services 'undone' like this. (The old indirect 61 is excluded from this comparison).

Finally for the record, the 'oddball' Sunday 23 was removed in these changes. It's oddly not included in the printed timetable, but a 2310 Hull to Beverley service 121 operates on Sundays instead. 

East Yorkshire reduce Service 25

Due to "low levels of usage", East Yorkshire made cuts to their service 25 between Hornsea, Beverley, Cottingham, Willerby, Anlaby and Hessle from Sunday 4th September. 

Whilst an hourly Monday to Saturday daytime service remains between Hornsea and Beverley Flemingate, between Beverley Flemingate and Hessle the frequency is reduced to two hourly. There were no cutbacks to the times of the first or last services - indeed the last Saturday departure from Beverley to Hessle is now at 1820 rather than 1735 - so all passengers can hopefully still make their journeys, albeit with a far less convenient timetable.

When not being impacted by strikes, the Stagecoach operated tendered 180 provides an alternative slower option between Beverley and Cottingham every 90 minutes. The section of the 25 between Cottingham and Willerby is also covered by the 104/154 circular every 20 minutes and the 66 duplicates the 25 for local travel within Hessle.

Additionally the evening service between Hornsea and Beverley has been cut back from Monday to Saturday to Friday and Saturday only. Monday to Thursday the last service from Hornsea is now at 1835 rather than 2150 and from Beverley Bus Station at 1745 rather than 2110. Overall Beverley to Hornsea is now in the somewhat contrasting position of a 1745 last departure Monday to Thursday compared to 2340 Friday and Saturday. 

The two hourly Sunday daytime service between Hornsea and Beverley has been unaffected.

Service 277 Morning Reductions (but done with some thought)

On Monday 5th September, East Yorkshire revised their service 277 between Hedon, Preston, Sproatley, Bilton and Hull. It's a reduced service in the mornings, but some care has been taken to minimise the impact for commuters into Hull City Centre.

The morning peak 0720 departure from Hedon to Hull was replaced by a 0652 (Mon-Fri)/0705 (Sat) Hedon to Asda Bilton, from where the service continues as a 57 into Hull City Centre. Journey times are increased due to the 57's slightly less direct route, but if the 277 can't justify a dedicated morning peak bus, then this arrangement is the next best thing. 

Withdrawn entirely was the Monday to Friday only 0855 from Hull to Hedon, which means the first arrival into Hedon from Bilton and Sproatley is at 1110 rather than 0940. Preston does have an 0927 arrival on route 78. 

Most other 277 journeys were also retimed.

78/79 Minor Reductions

East Yorkshire withdrew three journeys across associated services 78 and 79 between Hull, Victoria Dock and Hedon from Monday 5th September, due to 'low levels of usage'. The 78 and 79 are broadly hourly Monday to Saturday daytimes, two hourly on each route, and combined with the hourly 75 and X7 to offer three buses per hour between Hull and Hedon. As can be seen below the withdrawals are relatively minor.

The only journey from Hull withdrawn was the 0815 service 79; there is an alternative service 75 journey at 0830 Mon-Fri/0810 Sat between Hull and Hedon, and a service 78 at 0850. For the small village of Paull, served only by the 79, Monday to Friday they now have no link into Hedon between 0725 and 1018, and on Saturdays no Hedon service until 1018. 

The return 0855 service 78 from Hedon to Hull was also cancelled. There is a X7 from Hedon into Hull at 0847 Mon-Fri/0852 Sat, and a service 79 at 0930. Villagers in Preston, served by the 78 but not the 79, have the 0942 service 277 as their 'closest' alternative service into Hull. 

Finally the Monday to Friday only 1620 service 79 from Hedon to Hull was removed. There is a now a gap between 1530 and 1805 on service 79, similar to Saturdays; from Hedon to Hull there is an alternate service 75 at 1612.

I should also point out that between Hull and Victoria Dock there is additionally the hourly Stagecoach service 16, apart from during the current strike when it has been suspended. 

Consistent 66B

On Monday 5th September, East Yorkshire introduced a consistent route to their Monday to Friday peak service 66B between Hull Paragon Interchange and Bridgehead Business Park in Hessle. Previously morning journeys had operated as an extension of service 66 between Paragon Interchange, the Boothferry Estate and Hessle Square, whilst the single afternoon journey operated from Bridgehead Business Park direct via Boothferry Road and Anlaby Road into Paragon Interchange, omitting Hessle Town Centre and the Boothferry Estate - or in other words, the afternoon 66B was effectively a 'short' journey on the service 55 route.

Since last month's change the afternoon service 66B - at 1715 from Bridgehead Business Park - follows the morning 66B route via Hessle Square in reverse. Consistency does have a drawback in this case though - journeys times into Hull City Centre increase by 10 minutes.

Small Improvements between Hull and York

East Yorkshire amended their X46 (and X47 variant) between Hull, Beverley, Market Weighton, Pocklington and York on Sunday 4th September.

A new 0515 Hull to York journey was added Monday to Friday, an hour earlier than the previous first service from Hull and offering a York arrival just after 0700. Also new was a Monday to Friday 0605 from Beverley to Hull. From York departures to Hull at 0632 and 0854, along with the 0805 Pocklington to Hull and 0920 Beverley to Hull were replaced with three York to Hull journeys at 0642, 0734 and 0834, offering an improved service from York. One negative was the withdrawal of the Monday to Friday 0635 Hull to Pocklington (for a York connection on service 46); this journey had operated as an extra over and above the standard hourly service, and it's removal appears to be as a consequence of the new 0515 Hull to York and improved York to Pocklington morning peak service. Overall a clear improvement which is good to see amongst many negative changes elsewhere on the East Yorkshire network.

On Saturday mornings the first journeys were revised to operate slightly earlier; at 0605 rather than than 0620 from Pocklington to York (X47 variant), at 0620 rather than 0645 from Hull to York, at 0625 rather than 0640 from Pocklington to Hull and at 0647 rather than 0702 from York to Hull.

Sundays saw the 0910 X46 Pocklington to York replaced by a 0800 X46 from Hull to York, offering almost an hour earlier first arrival into York from Hull. A new 0910 from Pocklington to Hull was also commenced, previous first service at 1038.

Daytime times were extensively revised on all days of the week. The Monday to Saturday 1910 X46 from Hull to Pocklington became a 1905 departure operating as the X47 variant via Cottingham. Meanwhile one oddity was the retiming of the 2330 Sunday to Thursday X47 from Beverley to Hull to operate at 2340, whilst the Friday and Saturday 2205 York to Hull continues to depart Beverley at 2330.

In terms of route amendments, the biggest change was in York where arrivals now run via Rougier Street to terminate opposite the railway station, instead of operating a loop via Nunnery Lane to terminate outside the station. Saturday afternoon inbound buses in Hull City Centre now use the City Centre loop, which remains omitted Monday to Friday afternoons.

To maintain coordination between Market Weighton, Pocklington and York, the 46 between Holme on Spalding Moor, Market Weighton, Pocklington and York was also retimed, along with the single daily service 45 between Bridlington, Driffield, Market Weighton, Pocklington and York and the peaktime 145 between Market Weighton, Driffield and Bridlington. Frequency on the 46 remains hourly between Market Weighton and York, with five services a day from/to Holme on Spalding Moor. The small number of short York to Pocklington journeys were extended from the East Yorkshire bus depot in Pocklington to 'The Balk' Roundabout south of the town, so as to serve a new housing estate.

East Yorkshire go Saturday only on the 142 (temporarily)

After operation on Friday 2nd September, East Yorkshire withdrew from the 142 between Cherry Burton and Beverley Monday to Friday, leaving just their Saturday 142 between Middleton, Cherry Burton and Beverley. East Yorkshire had provided one morning journey from Cherry Burton into Beverley at 0810 schooldays/0818 school holidays, plus a schooldays only 1520 Beverley to Cherry Burton and a 1730 every weekday Beverley to Cherry Burton. As a result of this change, Cherry Burton lost it's only peaktime bus service.

A week on Monday (24th October), East Yorkshire will be back on the weekday 142 replacing Acklams Coaches off-peak service - but more on that in a later post.

Beverley Locals Evening Service Withdrawn

In September 2021, East Yorkshire revamped it's Beverley town services with new routes B1 and B2, operating under 'Beverley Locals' branding. One aspect of these changes was the introduction of a Friday and Saturday evening service, with journeys provided approximately every 90 minutes on each route. 

Sadly, after a year, East Yorkshire 'pulled the plug' following service on Saturday 3rd September, and the B1 and B2 became daytime only services. East Yorkshire stated the change was "due to low levels of usage". Disappointing, but at least East Yorkshire tried something that hadn't been available in Beverley for a number of years, and they gave it a full year to try and become established. 

Evening services cut north of Leconfield Sunday to Thursday

East Yorkshire withdrew the Sunday to Thursday evening service on route 121 (Hull-Beverley-Leconfield-Driffield-Nafferton-Bridlington) between Leconfield and Nafferton from Sunday 4th September, stating this was due to "very low levels of usage". Friday and Saturday evening services are unaffected. Northern Rail do offer an alternative though for the three largest settlements impacted - Hutton Cranswick, Driffield and Nafferton - which are the only settlements of any notable size on the section of route concerned.

In detail this means the 1935 and 2135 from Hull to Nafferton have been truncated at Leconfield Sunday to Thursday, with the last bus from Hull now at 1730 5 days a week. In the opposite direction, the 2051 from Nafferton to Hull has been withdrawn between Nafferton and Beverley Monday to Thursday and entirely on Sundays, whilst the 2251 from Nafferton to Beverley has been withdrawn Sunday to Thursday. 

On the plus side a new 1835 from Hull Paragon Interchange to Beverley has been added Monday to Saturday, as have 2030 and 2230 journeys from Beverley to Hull on Sundays. Away from the evenings and the 0653(Mon-Fri)/0703(Sat) Driffield to Hull now start in Nafferton, whilst all weekend afternoon journeys now serve the Hull City Centre loop inbound (remains omitted on weekday afternoons). 

New early morning Withernsea to Hornsea service.

East Yorkshire revised service 129 between Withernsea and Hornsea on Sunday 4th September. The route operates Monday to Saturdays plus Summer Sundays with financial support from East Riding of Yorkshire Council. In some ways the 4th September was an odd date to revise the 129, whilst it did coincide with East Yorkshire's other changes, it was also the last Summer Sunday service 129 of the year, meaning a new timetable for the final Sunday of the season. 

Firstly a new Monday to Saturday 0710 from Withernsea to Hornsea was added to the timetable, previous first service at 0845. The new 0710 omits Aldbrough Cliffs and unlike all other service 129's, serves and terminates in the Hornsea Freeport grounds. From here it continues in service around Hornsea as town service 550, with passengers able to stay onboard. I suspect the new 0710 is simply running the positioning journey for the 550 'in-service', with only a little extra mileage en-route. Hopefully it's useful to some, and if not I doubt the marginal cost is significant so worth a try.

Secondly the previous two hourly frequency during the daytime has been replaced with a 2 hour 15 minute frequency, enabling the daytime service to be worked by one vehicle and also providing a slightly longer operating day. The 0845, 1045, 1245 and 1445 from Withernsea become 0830, 1045, 1300 and 1515 departures (the later not schooldays), with the 0952, 1152, 1352 and 1552 from Hornsea becoming 0935, 1150, 1405 and 1620 departures (again the later not schooldays). The final 1610 Withernsea to Sand Le Mere Holiday Village 'short' remains when the holiday village is open.

Hornsea-Hull Cut to Every 90 Minutes

As part of their 4th September changes, East Yorkshire reduced the Monday to Saturday timetable on service 24 between Hornsea, Leven and Hull from hourly daytimes to approximately every 90 minutes. This is a disappointing alteration, but in the current environment it could have been worse. Hopefully it hasn't dissuaded too many passengers from using the 24.

Monday to Saturday the first bus from Hornsea is now at 0700 Mon-Fri/0735 Sat rather than 0630, whilst the last bus is slightly later at 2010 rather than 2000, though the 2150 service 25/23 through journey from Hornsea to Hull via Beverley no longer operates Monday to Thursday. From Hull the first bus is now at 0550 Mon-Fri rather than 0630 (remains 0630 Sat), with the last bus slightly later at 1900 rather than 1845, however with the later 2035 23/25 Hull to Hornsea through service reduced from Monday to Saturday to Friday and Saturday only.

As part of these changes the through link between service 24 and service 23 between Hull and Beverley Monday to Saturday daytimes has been withdrawn. I was skeptical it was ever going to get much use, so I'm not surprised by this and can't imagine it has caused any significant problems.

As a side effect of these changes, the half hourly Monday to Saturday daytime service between Hornsea and Leven across routes 24 and 25 is no more, and unfortunately there are some instances of the 24 and 25 operating at identical times on this section, although at other times the co-ordination is perfect, with the 24 precisely fitting halfway between the hourly 25.

Sunday service 24 remains every 2 hours during the daytime.

New Hospital 'Shorts' in Scunthorpe

On Monday 5th September, Stagecoach added some new Monday to Saturday evening peak 'shorts' to Scunthorpe Town Circular service 1, on the section between Scunthorpe Bus Station and Scunthorpe Hospital. Between 1605 and 1805 from Scunthorpe Bus Station, and 1613 and 1813 from Scunthorpe Hospital, a 20 minute frequency is provided on these 'shorts', in addition to the main half hourly service.

Stagecoach Saturday Morning Reductions in Scunthorpe

From Saturday 10th September, Stagecoach withdrew the Saturday Only 0800 service 7 from Scunthorpe Bus Station to Skippingdale Retail Park, with the first bus now at 0900, matching the Monday to Friday timetable. On service 8 the Saturday Only 0822 from Skippingdale Retail Park to Scunthorpe Bus Station was replaced by a 0842 Crosby Avenue to Scunthorpe Bus Station 'short', again matching the weekday service.

Service 90 extended to Eastoft

North Lincolnshire Council tendered service 90 between Crowle and Scunthorpe, operated by Stagecoach, is amended from tomorrow - Monday 5th September. The changes appear to be a replacement for college day service 590 between Eastoft and the Scunthorpe Colleges, which I assume has been cancelled, but also affect college holidays and Saturdays.

Monday to Saturday the 0720 Scunthorpe to Crowle now departs at 0655, extending to Eastoft on college days only. The 0755 Crowle to Scunthorpe is retimed to 0745, and on college days only starts back in Eastoft and operates via the Scunthorpe Colleges to Scunthorpe Bus Station. Interestingly during college holidays and on Saturdays, the vehicle and driver wait in Crowle rather than extend to Eastoft - presumably the marginal cost of fuel isn't deemed worthwhile. The first Monday to Friday service from Eastoft to Scunthorpe is currently 1006 and on Saturdays at 0858 (service 361).

Later in the day, the Monday to Friday 1510 from Crowle to Scunthorpe is retimed to 1530 and on college days only diverts after Scunthorpe Hospital to John Leggott College - Scunthorpe Bus Station is not served. The 1630 Scunthorpe to Crowle on college days only now starts at the Scunthorpe Colleges before extending to Eastoft. The current last service from Scunthorpe to Eastoft Monday to Friday is at 1330 (service 361). Finally the Monday to Friday 1710 Crowle to Scunthorpe now departs at 1720, starting from Eastoft on college days. Again during college holidays the vehicle and driver wait time in Crowle instead.

Service 180 passes to Stagecoach

East Riding of Yorkshire Council tendered service 180 between Beverley, Walkington, Little Weighton, Skidby, Cottingham and Castle Hill Hospital was operated by Acklams Coaches for the final time today (Saturday 3rd September). On Monday (5th), new operator Stagecoach takes over with an unchanged timetable of six journeys each way Monday to Saturday between Beverley and Cottingham; three of these in each direction extend to Castle Hill Hospital.