Stagecoach Kingswood and Bransholme February Changes

I will post full details of these changes when Stagecoach publish new timetables and further information on their website, but Hull City Council have issued a press release with regards to Stagecoach's forthcoming service changes in the Kingswood, Bransholme, Sutton and Garden Village areas of the city.

What is very interesting from this press release, is that a package of overall service reductions (albeit seemingly justified reductions) is being endorsed by a Labour councillor, at a time when the national Labour party is trying to promote a policy of bus re-regulation. It is good to see a partnership approach being taken here between Stagecoach and Hull City Council.

Changes to bus routes target demand for services - 28/01/2015

From Monday 23 February some bus services in Hull will be changing to improve the frequency of a number of bus routes in the Holderness Road area. Following a review of bus routes, Stagecoach has taken the decision to revise parts of the Kingswood and Bransholme network due to low passenger numbers on certain sections of some routes, whilst increasing the frequency of more popular services in the area. In addition, working in partnership with Hull City Council, one service will be re-routed as part of the route reconfiguration. The changes include: Service 31 will be withdrawn. However, Service 32, which covers a majority of the service 31 route, will continue and the frequency will be increased. Service 52 will be withdrawn. However, Service 51, which covers a majority of the service 52 route, will continue and the frequency will be increased. Service 110 will be rerouted along the full length of James Reckitt Avenue and Ings Rd to maintain access to a regular bus service. Residents who previously caught buses on Chamberlain Rd will need to use bus stops on Stoneferry Rd or James Reckitt Avenue. Councillor Martin Mancey, Portfolio Holder for Energy City, with the responsibility for highways and transport, said: "Recession and government cuts to council funding mean that both organisations are under significant pressure to reduce costs whilst improving services for bus passengers at the same time. "We have been and will continue to work closely with Stagecoach to identify ways to improve bus routes across the city to deliver an efficient and customer focussed service." "The changes to these bus routes will improve the provision on popular bus routes for passengers, reducing the travel time and duplication whilst increasing the frequency." Jon Donnelly, Commercial Manager for Stagecoach East Midlands with responsibility for planning local bus services in Hull, said: "The February changes to our bus services reflect the demand for bus travel, which is being influenced by the continuing redevelopment of the city particularly in East Hull. "Whilst we are disappointed that services 31 and 52 are to be withdrawn, passenger numbers have not matched expectations because most people have continued to use the well established Services 32 and 51. "Consequently, working with Hull City Council we have increased the frequency of these core routes to meet this growing demand whilst maintaining a sensible level of service along James Reckitt Avenue with Service 110." Removal of Service 31 The only elements of Service 31 that will not be covered by another service are: Kingswood Retail Park Wawne Road Kingswood Medical Centre Other bus services are provided for the Kingswood Retail Park and Stagecoach are currently looking at the potential of providing a service closer to the Kingswood Medical Centre when the Kingswood Link Road is completed later this year. Enhancement to Service 32 The frequency of the service has been increased during peak times of the day. Outbound Monday - Friday The frequency of the service will be increased from 20 minutes to every 15 minutes between 9.10am - 4.10pm and every 10mins from 4.10 to 6.10pm instead of every 20mins. Saturday Changed to every 15 minutes instead of every 30 minutes between 9.10am to 6.10pm. Inbound Monday - Friday The frequency has been increased from every 20min to every 15 minutes between 6.15 to 7am and every 10 minutes instead of every 20 minutes between 7 to 8.30am Every 15 minutes instead of every 20 minutes between 8.30am to 2.20pm Every 15 minutes instead of every 30 minutes between 2.20 to 6pm Saturday Change to every 15 minutes instead of every 30 minutes between 7.45am to 6.50pm and to every 20 minutes instead of every 30 minutes between 5.50 to 6.20pm Removal of 52 Service 52 will be deregistered and the service will no longer be provided. Service 51 will cover a majority of the route of service 52 with the exception of James Reckitt Avenue and Savoy Road. Enhancement to Service 51 The frequency of the service will be increased to compensate for the removal of service 52. Outbound Monday - Friday The frequency of the service has increased from every 20 minutes to every 15 minutes between 9.03am to 4pm. From 4.03 to 6pm the frequency will be every 10 minutes instead of every 20 minutes. Saturday From 8.55am to 6.03pm the frequency changes to every 15 minutes instead of every 30 minutes. Inbound Monday - Friday The frequency of the services have increased from every 10 minutes instead of every 20 minutes between 6.55 to 8.45am Between 8.45am to 2.30pm the service will run every 15 minutes instead of every 20 minutes. From 2.30 to 6pm the service will be every 15 minutes instead of every 30 minutes. Saturday From 8am to 6pm the frequency will change to every 15 minutes instead of every 30 minutes. Rerouting of Service 110 No changes to the frequency Service will be re-routed along James Reckitt Avenue and Ings Road