Service 260 Afternoon Reduction

On Monday 28th October, Stagecoach revised service 260 between Barton, Barrow, Goxhill and Immingham to improve punctuality. With increased running times and an apparent desire to avoid the need for a second driver by extending the operating day, it meant the mid-afternoon School Holiday and Saturday only 'short' between Barton and Goxhill at 1455 and return at 1521 no longer operates. Whilst there remains a long enough gap in the timetable to reliably operate a shorter Barton to Barrow 'short' instead, it would largely duplicate the 250.

Small changes can make a big difference

Back on Monday 2nd September, Hornsby tweaked their services between Brigg and Kirton in Lindsey.

On Monday to Friday service 94 between Brigg, Scawby, Hibaldstow, Redbourne and Kirton in Lindsey, all journeys now serve The Nookings in Hibaldstow as opposed to just some; this means the last departure from Brigg to The Nookings is now at 1540 rather than 1342. In addition the 1540 is extended beyond Redbourne to Kirton in Lindsey, with the previous 1615 return from Redbourne to Brigg now operating as a full route 1602 Kirton to Brigg; the previous last Brigg to Kirton was at 1342, and from Kirton to Brigg at 1404.

Between Brigg and Kirton the service has been enhanced on schooldays by a previous closed door schools service H1 (and H2?) becoming public buses 94a and 94b. Both routes start in Bottesford and operate via Messingham and Scotter to Kirton, then direct via Redbourne and Hibaldstow to Brigg; the 94a serves The Vale Academy and the 94b Sir John Nelthorpe School, with both routes terminating at the town centre Cary Lane terminus. With the first Cary Lane arrival on the 94 at 1029, the 94a offers a much earlier 0839 arrival; in the afternoon the 94a at 1455 fits in nicely between the 1340 and 1540 94's.

Major Changes to the 11 and 111

Maybe the biggest changes in Stagecoach's Hull September service changes were to associated services 11 and 111. These major improvements were funded by Hull's Bus Service Improvement Plan allocation.

Previously service 11 operated between Hull Paragon Interchange and Kingswood Retail Park via Holderness Road, Bellfield Avenue, Spring Cottage, Bransholme North Point Shopping Centre and Bodmin Road; the frequency was half hourly Monday to Saturday daytimes, hourly evenings and Sundays. Service 111 operated via the service 11 route between Paragon Interchange and Kingswood with a short diversion in East Hull via Salthouse Road for Wilberforce College, before extending to Beverley via Dunswell and Woodmansey; there were two morning journeys from Beverley on college days, one college day only afternoon service to Beverley and one Monday to Friday afternoon service to Beverley.

Since 1st September, service 11 has been extended from Kingswood Retail Park to Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham via Kingswood Leisure Park, Orchard Park and Cottingham Village Centre. The 11 now operates hourly Monday to Saturday daytimes along it's full route, along with early morning and evening Paragon Interchange to Kingswood Retail Park shorts - that might sound like a frequency cut, but practically speaking it's not, as I will explain shortly. 

The extended 11 provides a number of useful new all day links - from the Ings Estate, Spring Cottage and Bransholme to both Castle Hill Hospital and Kingswood Leisure Park, from Cottingham to Kingswood and from Orchard Park to Bransholme North Point and East Hull. The only slight negative comment I have here is that similar peak service 80 and college service 83 haven't been renumbered to better link in with the 11 - say to 11A and 11C.

On a more minor note, the first Monday to Friday departure from Kingswood is now at 0548 rather than 0613. Sunday's though the first departure is later at 0821 rather than 0739.

Previous service 111 has been renumbered service 110, with morning services reduced to one departure from Beverley, but all journeys now operating year round Monday to Friday. Why the renumbering? Well the 111 number is used for something far more substantial now.

The 'new' 111 runs from Paragon Interchange to Kingswood Leisure Park as per service 11, then extends to Beverley via the A1079 and Flemingate. The 111 operates hourly daily daytimes and Monday to Saturday evenings, perfectly co-ordinated with the 11 for a half hourly service over the common section of route. The new 111 even includes a very late last service from Beverley at 2342 on Saturdays. The 'new' 111 gives access from large parts of East Hull to Beverley and from Beverley to Kingswood. Personally I would have routed via Dunswell and Woodmansey as opposed to a non-stop run via the A1079, but maybe there were concerns about Bus Service Improvement Plan funding causing revenue abstraction from the 41 and 43 between Dunswell and Beverley?

Overall a significant set of improvements with notable new connections. Hopefully these changes are a success.

Hull 7 and 8 'Reworked'

On Sunday 1st September, Stagecoach reworked Hull services 7 and 8. Previously the 8 had been a circular from Paragon Interchange via Beverley Road, Sutton Park, Bransholme North Point, Spring Cottage, Bellfield Avenue, Salthouse Road and Holderness Road back to Paragon Interchange, and vice versa. Service 7 then provided extra journeys between Paragon Interchange and North Point via Sutton Park, i.e. a 'part route' service 8. Now all journeys between Paragon Interchange and North Point via Sutton Park are service 7, with service 8 operating between Paragon Interchange and North Point only, via Salthouse Road. Most journeys on service 7 become service 8 at North Point, and vice versa, so 'across North Point' journeys don't require a change of vehicle despite the numbering change. Personally I prefer the new arrangement, which simplifies the service for Sutton Park.

The opportunity has also been taken to amend frequencies. On weekday afternoons from Paragon Interchange to North Point and Sutton Park, the new 7 operates every 20 minutes, compared to the old 7/8 frequency of every 15 minutes with some half hour gaps. Saturdays drop from every 15 minutes to every 20 minutes all day in each direction. Monday to Saturday evenings and Sunday daytimes increase from hourly to half hourly however, funded from Hull's Bus Service Improvement Plan allocation. The Monday to Friday morning peak variation 7X via Sutton Fields Industrial Estate remains.

Turning to the revised service 8, and it is increased from half hourly Monday to Saturday daytimes to every 15 minutes Monday to Friday and every 20 minutes on Saturdays. Sunday daytimes increase from hourly to half hourly. The last departure from Paragon Interchange is slightly earlier Monday to Friday at 2000 rather than 2020, but later on Saturdays at 2100 rather than 2020 (the nightbuses on Saturday night/Sunday morning also continue). Again these improvements benefit from Hull's Bus Service Improvement Plan allocation. 

New Hull Service 34

On Monday 2nd September, new bus service 34 was introduced in Hull, operated by Stagecoach and funded by Hull City Council's Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus allocation. The route links Stagecoach's Foster Street depot with Hull Paragon Interchange via Chamberlain Road and James Reckitt Avenue in Garden Village.

Operating Monday to Saturday, the 34 has one morning peak service from Foster Street, followed by an hourly frequency in both directions during the morning and early afternoon, extending later into the afternoon on Saturdays only. There are then four one-way only departures from Paragon Interchange at 1745, 1830, 1930 and 2030.

The 34 seems to serve two purposes, restoring a bus service along Chamberlain Road and boosting the service along James Reckitt Avenue in Garden Village. I have created a new Garden Village to Hull City Centre summary timetable, which shows how from Paragon Interchange to Garden Village off peak there are now departures at 00, 30 and 45 minutes past the hour across the 33, 34 and 40 routes. The early evening service 34's mean the last departure from Paragon Interchange to Garden Village is now at 2030 rather than 1800. Co-ordination between services in the other direction doesn't work out as well, with the 34 often following another service.

Better Evening Services in Hull

As part of Stagecoach's 1st September service changes in Hull, a number of services were increased from hourly to half hourly Monday to Saturday evenings, funded by Hull City Council's Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus funding:

• Service 1: Paragon Interchange-Hessle Road-Boothferry Estate
• Service 2: Paragon Interchange-Anlaby Road-Boothferry Estate
• Service 3: Paragon Interchange-Orchard Park
• Service 7 (was service 8): Paragon Interchange-Beverley Road-Sutton Park-Bransholme North Point
• Service 10: Paragon Interchange-North Point-North Bransholme

This adds to Stagecoach services 5 and 13 that already had a 30 minute Monday to Saturday evening frequency.

One nice touch is that up Beverley Road services have been timed for a co-ordinated 15 minute evening frequency departing Paragon Interchange; the 4 at :00 past the hour, the 7 at :15 and :45 past the hour and the 6 at :30 past the hour.

Not worth a separate post, but all service 10 journeys now operate via George Street and North Bridge in Hull City Centre, as opposed to Alfred Gelder Street and Drypool Bridge. A more direct route, which should help with punctuality, but at the cost of inferior access to the Old Town area and Princes Quay. In a similar move, all service 4 journeys inbound from Orchard Park now operate direct to Paragon Interchange via Brook Street as opposed to using the City Centre loop.

Hull Service 12 Frequency Increase

Utilising some of Hull City Council's Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus funding, Stagecoach service 12 in East Hull was improved from Sunday 1st September. The 12 links Paragon Interchange with North Point Shopping Centre in Bransholme via Holderness Road Shops, Sutton Village and Noddle Hill Way. Previously the 12 had operated every 20 minutes Monday to Friday daytimes, half hourly weekend daytimes and hourly daily evenings.

September's enhancements increased the Monday to Friday frequency to every 15 minutes, but with some 20 minute gaps remaining - to illustrate from Paragon Interchange between 1000 and 1200 there are departures at 1008, 1023, 1038, 1053, 1113, 1133 and 1153. 

Saturday's have been improved differently, with a 15 minute frequency from North Point between 1020 and 1250, and from Paragon Interchange between 1341 and 1811. This means quite a bit of 'dead'/out of service running between Paragon Interchange and North Point in the 'counter flow' direction where the 'in service' frequency remains half hourly. There is also a new Saturday only 1941 from Paragon Interchange, filling a previous one hour gap (that remains the rest of the week).

Hourly Grimsby to Lincoln

Stagecoach service 53 between Grimsby, Caistor, Market Rasen and Lincoln was enhanced on 2nd September 2024, using Lincolnshire County Council Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus funding.

Previously the 53 had operated hourly Monday to Saturday daytimes between Lincoln and Market Rasen, and every two hours, with peak time extras, between Market Rasen and Grimsby. Most journeys were the same bus all the way between Lincoln and Grimsby, but there was one occasion each morning in each direction were passengers had to change at Market Rasen. Now the frequency is hourly across the whole route, and all journeys are through services. In reality this means three extra journeys each way between Market Rasen and Grimsby, but they make a big difference. 

Also off note is that the schoolday only variation 53B, which operated between Grimsby and Market Rasen via Binbrook rather than Caistor, has been replaced by service 53A, which is a standard 53 via Caistor but additionally serving De Aston School in Market Rasen.

Bridlington Town Network Recast

East Yorkshire made significant revisions to their Monday to Saturday daytime town services in Bridlington from 1st September.

Starting first with service 2, which operated hourly off peak to the south of the town, departing Bridlington Bus Station via the town's health centre to Cardigan Road, Belvedere Parade and Avocet Way. Service 2 was withdrawn with only a partial replacement; the daily service 136 between Bridlington and Driffield now serves Avocet Way on all journeys. On one hand this does provide new morning peak and Sunday services to Avocet Way, but Monday to Saturday daytimes are cut from hourly to every three hours. Otherwise no mitigation was provided; it is worth noting that service 136 serves Shaftesbury Road near Cardigan Road outbound from Bridlington only, and the seasonal park and ride is located at the southern end of Belvedere Parade.

Service 3 from Bridlington Bus Station to the West Hill Estate and Bridlington Hospital became the 502. There is a new timetable, but it remains hourly off peak.

Service 4 and 4A had each operated hourly from Bridlington Bus Station to the New Pasture Lane Estate via different parts of the Old Town area of Bridlington; the interval was every 20-40 minutes between the two services, combining with service 5 for a twenty minute frequency out of Bridlington Town Centre along Quay Road. With the new network, the 4 became the 501 and the 4A the 500, with each service now also incorporating a loop around Harewood Avenue, Trentham Drive and Bempton Lane. The 500 and 501 are each hourly, with a perfect 30 minute interval from Bridlington Bus Station. The 0723 Monday to Friday service 4 from New Pasture Lane to Bridlington Bus Station, and the Saturday 0823 service 4 from New Pasture Lane were not included in the new 500 and 501 timetables.

Service 5 had been an hourly service from Bridlington Bus Station to the Bempton Lane area. The new network splits the service up between three different routes. As noted above, the 500 and 501 now serve the Bempton Lane area, reinstating two buses per hour, one of the positives from these changes. Along the western part of Queensgate, the 5 is replaced by the new 503. Watsons Avenue has a frequency reduction of one bus per hour, going from the 4/4A/5 to the 500/501. However the middle section of the 5, along St Mary's Walk and Jubilee Avenue is now only served by college services and the Sunday 512.

Finally to the previous service 6, which operated hourly off peak from the Bus Station to The Crayke area. in the north east of Bridlington. The 6 is now the 503, and still does perform the same function, however rather than departing Bridlington Bus Station via the Promenade and Flamborough Road, it takes a slightly longer route via Quay Road and Queensgate - still on a hourly frequency.

In summary, the hourly 2 and 5 have been axed, with the 5 largely split between the old 4, 4A and 6 services. I haven't studied in detail, but presumably one bus was withdrawn from the Bridlington Town network as a result? 

Going Year Round

East Yorkshire operated tendered service 129 between Withernsea and Hornsea has for a number of years only had a Sunday service between Easter and early September. However, utilising some of East Riding of Yorkshire Council's Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus funding, the Sunday service is now year round. 

East Yorkshire's September service change announcement also indicated the same arrangement for the historically Summer Saturday only journeys on service 130 between Hornsea and Bridlington, though I thought they had gone year round last year. 2023 or 2024, it's good news.

360 and 361 pass from East Yorkshire to Stagecoach

On Monday 2nd September, operation of tendered services 360 and 361 between Scunthorpe and Goole passed from East Yorkshire (Elloughton depot) to Stagecoach (Scunthorpe depot). The timetable for this daily service remained unchanged. 

In one sense, the unchanged timetable is logical - why should the timetable alter because of a change of operator? Yet the timetable is very much optimised for operation from the 'Goole end' of the route, and some minor changes could provide a better service for probably less cost.

Perhaps the biggest oddity is the Saturday timetable, which requires two buses for the sake of half an hour, as a service 361 departs Goole at 1110, with the arrival of the 'previous' service into Goole at 1139. When operated by East Yorkshire from Elloughton Depot that may have made operational sense if a a driver and vehicle change needed to take place. However now a bus has to run 'dead' from Scunthorpe to Goole for the 1110, and another returns 'dead' from Goole to Scunthorpe after 1139. Given that Stagecoach have a depot in Scunthorpe, surely the timetable could be rejigged slightly to require only one vehicle all day, with driver swaps in Scunthorpe as required? Or if a second vehicle is required, ensure any 'overlaps' between vehicle requirements are timetabled to the Scunthorpe end of the route, to avoid large amounts of dead running? Potentially an easy cost saving (and better for the environment with less dead running).

Another oddity is with the morning peak Eastoft to Goole service Monday to Saturday and the evening peak return. The main purpose is to link the East Riding villages along the Ouse to Goole, and the road network means starting back at Eastoft in North Lincolnshire is a sensible thing to do. For an Elloughton based operator, it is also the sensible start and finish points for these journeys, as they can easily run dead to/from Eastoft via the A161. However for a Scunthorpe based operator, the marginal costs of running as full route journeys from Scunthorpe to Goole would be marginal. Missed opportunity? Could miss out Tesco Extra and Ealand village to cut marginal costs back further? Or at least start in Crowle, which has to be run through 'dead' anyway to get to Eastoft.

The timetable also requires dead running from Scunthorpe to Goole each morning and reverse in the evening Monday to Friday and Sunday. Operating a full in service 360 or 361 at these times might be a little optimistic, but is there a missed opportunity to run a Scunthorpe-Crowle-A161-Goole fast service? Or at least to reinstate the early morning Swinefleet-Goole short and early evening return - the extra mileage would be zero? 

Extra Morning service between Bridlington and Beverley

Over the Summer Holidays, East Yorkshire service 121 between Hull, Beverley, Driffield and Bridlington gained extra Monday to Friday hourly 'short' workings between Beverley and Bridlington, not previously covered on this blog. 

On 1st September a new timetable was introduced, that removed most of those extras, but still provided an extra service compared to pre-holidays. Monday to Friday there is now a 0750 Bridlington to Beverley service, slotted in between the 0720 and 0820 Bridlington to Hull departures. The return leaves Beverley for Bridlington at 0855, in between existing 0813 and 0913 departures.

The all year Saturday extra journeys on this otherwise hourly daily daytime service remain.

Service 121 becomes the 41 on Sunday 10th November.

One Last Timetable Change for the 63

East Yorkshire service 63 between Hull and Castle Hill Hospital via Anlaby Road, Setting Dyke and Cottingham only has two weeks remaining before it is incorporated into service 56. That didn't stop one final timetable change taking place on the 63 back on 1st September.

Monday to Friday mornings gained two new peaktime 'shorts' from Setting Dyke into Hull Interchange at 0720 and 0800, with two extra afternoon peak equivalents, departing Paragon Interchange for Setting Dyke at 1625 and 1740. The 63 is generally a half hourly service, with peak time variations. Whilst the morning timetable was thoroughly revised to incorporate the extra short workings, the afternoon extras slot into previous 35/40 minute gaps.

Saturdays also got extra 'shorts'; at 1157, 1227, 1257, 1327 and 1357 from Setting Dyke, which run 10-15 minutes ahead of the main service 63, which on Saturdays daytimes is also every half hour, with some 35 minute gaps. From Paragon Interchange, Saturday 'shorts' operate at 1650, 1720 and 1800, making a 30-ish minute frequency into a 15-20 minute frequency.

Another little cut back to the 250

When there were major, mostly positive, changes to Stagecoach bus services in North East Lincolnshire in May 2023, the 250 got the 'short straw', being truncated from a Cleethorpes to Hull service to become a Grimsby to Hull service; 90 minute gaps were also introduced to the hourly frequency. Along comes 21st July 2024. Another set of changes in North East Lincolnshire, once again mostly positive ... except for the 250. In fairness, the 250 doesn't seem to have lost any resource this time, so the timing is probably just for convenience.

The headline change is that the Monday to Saturday off peak service 250 goes from hourly with some 90 minute gaps to a standardised 90 minute frequency. Or viewed another way, the previous 11 round trips become 10. Peak journeys were also retimed. The driver behind this appears to be punctuality; from personal observations, the 250 did struggle to keep to the previous timetable so the old timetable was unsustainable. The July change increased journey times as well as layover time in both Grimsby and Hull. The route continues to require three vehicles.

As much as some change was necessary to restore punctuality, the reduced frequency is regrettable. As are some of the more minor details. Off peak at least, the 250 from Hull remains timed to fit in perfectly between the half hourly 350 over the shared section of route from Hull to Barton. From Barton (Ferriby Road) however the same is no longer true, with the 250 now around 7-8 minutes ahead of the 350. It should also be noted that the 250 now has longer running times than the 350 between Barton and Hull.

At an individual journey level, there is now a 0855 250 from Barton Market Place to Hull at the exact same time as the 0855 255 runs Monday to Friday. Returning from Hull, the previous last 1915 departure is now at 1945 - good news for 250 passengers wanting longer in Hull, but leads to very poor coordination between the service 350 departures at 1835 and 1950.

Hopefully Stagecoach maybe able to further tweak the timetable again in the future to mitigate some of these negatives. 

Whilst on the subject of the 250, I'm starting to wonder if dedicated single deckers in a bespoke livery aren't the best idea? At times the 250 can be quiet and a single decker is all that is needed, but at other times - e.g. Saturday mornings into Hull and late afternoons from Hull - buses are full and standing, to the point that on one occasion earlier this year I was unable to board a Saturday 1555 from Hull (thankfully I was only going to Barton so there was a 350 15 minutes later). I'm starting to think that regularly scheduling double deckers on the busiest journeys (wind restrictions on the Humber Bridge permitting) would be the best solution. No extra mileage, but extra capacity when needed. Of course the other unknown is the future of the £2 fare cap, and if that goes, what impact it has on patronage; Grimsby to Hull is currently a defacto very cheap £4 return. 

New Service 11 in North East Lincolnshire, plus the 12 back to Waltham

Stagecoach's service changes in North East Lincolnshire on 21st July included one new route - service 11 between Grimsby Riverhead Exchange and Waltham via Littlefield Lane, the Grange Estate, Laceby Road Morrisons and Bradley Road. The 11 operates hourly Monday to Saturday daytimes and incorporates the 12's previous hourly off peak 'short' journeys between Grimsby, Littlefield Lane, the Grange Estate and Bradley Park; co-ordination between the 11 and 12 ensures continued provision of a half hourly off peak frequency on the shared section of route.

There is a lot to like about the 11. Unlike the 12 it operates at peak times, providing a new peak time service for Littlefield Lane and the majority of the Grange Estate not served by the 8. Littlefield Lane, the Grange Estate and Waltham gain new links to Morrisons. The tiny Bradley village gains a service, as does the care home on Bradley Road (which going by Stagecoach and North East Lincolnshire Council publicity seems to be a key driver behind the 11). Bradley Park has lost out with a reduced frequency on the 12, but the 3 operates close by.

Talking off the 12 between Bradley Park, Grimsby, Cleethorpes and New Waltham, the remaining journeys are extended to Waltham again, not just at the start and end of the day, but all day for the first time in a number of years. This provides not only a local link from Waltham to New Waltham, but a direct route from Waltham to Hewitts Circus Tesco and Cleethorpes that doesn't involve going via Grimsby. A very welcome improvement to the bus network.

These changes have received Bus Service Improvement Plan funding.

Earlier Saturday service from Immingham to Grimsby

From Sunday 21st July, minor timing changes were made to Stagecoach service 5 from Immingham to Grimsby. In addition, the first Saturday departure from Immingham is now at 0535 rather than 0605, giving a first arrival into Grimsby at 0613 rather than 0643.

Annoying 25 Minute Gaps

Stagecoach services 9 and 10 between Waltham, Grimsby, Cleethorpes, Humberston and Hewitts Circus Tesco received a revised timetable on Sunday 21st July. Monday to Saturday daytimes each service remains half hourly for most of the day, every 15 minutes combined, but there are now occasional longer gaps of 40 minutes, or every 25 minutes on the common sections of route. Having 15 minute gaps on a 10 minute frequency is one thing - at least it's still turn up and go - but a 25 minute gap on a 15 minute frequency is more substantial and undermines the turn up and go proposition.

More positively, the first bus from Waltham is now 20 minutes earlier Monday to Saturday, at 0545 rather than 0605. 

North East Lincolnshire 3 and 4 go every 10 minutes, with extra services for Laceby

Utilising Bus Service Improvement Plan funding from North East Lincolnshire Council, Stagecoach services 3 and 4 between Laceby Road Morrisons, Grimsby and Cleethorpes were increased from every 15 minutes to every 10 minutes Monday to Friday daytimes from 21st July (occasional 15 minute gaps remain). The services continue to operate every 15 minutes Saturday daytimes, every half hour Sunday daytimes and hourly daily evenings.

On service 4 the opportunity was taken to start seven early morning journeys back in Laceby village Monday to Friday, with departures between 0420 and 0750, all before services 53 and 250 start serving the village (yes, Laceby village really does have a bus at 0420 in the morning!). Monday to Saturday two early evening journeys and two late evening journeys were also extended from Morrisons to Laceby village, after the final departures of the day from Grimsby on services 53 and 250. The last bus from Grimsby to Laceby is now at 2320. All of these extended journeys appear to be duties that start or end with a 'dead' run to the Stagecoach depot, so would appear to be worked in marginal time - certainly worth a try to see what demand is like.

From 2nd September, service 4 was further revised, with six Saturday morning journeys now starting back in Laceby village, between 0420 and 0745. 

Laceby is now in the curious situation of having a very early morning bus six days a week, but no Sunday service. I suspect the reason is that early morning improvements can be made in marginal time, but providing a useful Sunday service in marginal time would be impossible. Still a bit of a contrast though between Monday to Saturday and Sunday.

Extra Day of Town Buses for Four East Riding Towns

Four town services in the East Riding of Yorkshire gained additional operating days this Spring.

-70 Withernsea Town Service (operated by HART) - the existing Monday, Wednesday and Friday service gained a Tuesday provision, but the later Wednesday only afternoon journeys were withdrawn. I have been unable to establish the date off this change. The Tuesday service was funded from the East Riding of Yorkshire Council Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus allocation.

-84 Hedon Town Service (operated by HART) - the existing Wednesday service gained a Friday provision on 7th June. This enhancement is half funded by East Riding of Yorkshire Council and half funded by Hedon Town Council on a one year trial basis.

-183 Hessle Town Service (operated by East Yorkshire) - the existing Hessle Town Council funded Friday service was joined by an East Riding Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus allocation funded Wednesday service on 1st May. This means the route is now funded (indirectly) by the highest branch of government (Westminster) one day a week, and by the lowest branch of government (parish council) on another.

-530 Driffield Town Service (operated by HART) - the existing Tuesday, Thursday and Friday service regained a Monday provision though again I have been unable to establish the start date. This is another recipient of the East Riding's Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus funding allocation.

Barton Town Service Tweaked

The 254 Barton Town Service, operated by Hornsbys, got a revised route and timetable on Monday 13th May. It remains a Monday, Wednesday and Friday only service operating during the morning and early afternoon.

Firstly between Caistor Road and Baysgarth Leisure Centre, the 254 now operates a very slightly longer route via the Market Place, instead of using Preston Lane - a sensible change to reduce journey times to and from the Town Centre.

Secondly, rather than operating between Bowmandale and Tofts Road via Millfields, the 254 operates via Horkstow Road, serving the southern ends of Bowmandale and Tofts Road in the process.

Thirdly, Westfield Road and West Acridge - previously served only twice each operating day - have been cut from the route entirely.

Finally, a new short loop has been added three times a day from Tesco via Dam Road, Humber Road, Far Ings Road and Waterside Road back to Tesco, with connections available for Barton Town Centre. The 254 has previously done such a loop, and it partially replaces the 260 Thursday only Victoria Drive extension withdrawn in February.

260 Back to St Chad and Back on Saturdays

The 260 Barton Villager was revised on Tuesday 7th May. The service is operated by Stagecoach under contract to North Lincolnshire Council and runs between Barton, Barrow, New Holland, Goxhill, East Halton, North Killingholme, South Killingholme and Immingham - the Immingham extension having been introduced in February.

St Chad in Barrow was reintroduced to the service, having been dropped from the route in February. In addition to the overall timetable was tweaked, with some journeys retimed by up to 10 minutes.

However the biggest development was to (re)introduce a Saturday service onto this previously Monday to Friday only route, funded by Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus funding. The Saturday timetable is identical to the Monday to Friday School Holiday provision, with two Barton to Immingham round trips, and three short Barton to Goxhill round trips. The 260 had a Saturday service between 2012 and 2020, for the first five years as an 'all day' service, then reduced to a single timetabled CallConnect service in each direction, timed for Barton shoppers.

New Sunday Town Services for Scunthorpe

For around two decades, the only dedicated town service in Scunthorpe on a Sunday has been a 'round-the-houses' circular, operating in both directions - currently numbered 1A. Out of town routes provided some additional services for local travel within Scunthorpe, notably along Ashby Road (services 4 and 350) and Frodingham Road (service 350), but at uneven intervals. Sunday buses in Scunthorpe have existed, but at a rather basic level.

Things got better on Sunday 5th May as three extra Sunday town services were introduced, all operated by Stagecoach and funded by North Lincolnshire Council's Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus funding.

Firstly the 6, between Scunthorpe Bus Station, Ashby Road, Ashby High Street and Ashby Manifold Road. The 6 runs four times an hour Monday to Saturday daytimes, half hourly each by Hornsby and Stagecoach (departing every 15 minutes from Scunthorpe Bus Station, but the even interval is lost later on as they each have different timing points and running times). However despite being 'turn up and go' Monday to Saturday daytimes, there is no evening service and was no Sunday service. Along Ashby Road Monday to Saturday daytimes, as well as the 6 four times an hour along the Southern section, there is also hourly services 3, 4 and 100, plus the two hourly 103 - i.e. 7-8 buses per hour. Sunday daytimes however had just been the 350 on a frequency of every one to three hours, and the 4 on a frequency of every 90 to 120 minutes. So as can be seen, relative to the Monday to Saturday daytime service, the Sunday service was very poor.

Now there is an hourly service 6 Sunday daytimes, departing Scunthorpe Bus Station between 0900 and 1700. This fills a gap in the Manifold Road, Grange Lane South and Everest Road areas of Ashby, and provides an improved service for Ashby Road. Hopefully the Sunday 6 is a success.

Next up are the interworked services 7 and 8 in North Scunthorpe. Each service operates hourly Monday to Saturday daytimes between Scunthorpe Bus Station, Scunthorpe Hospital and Skippingdale Retail Park, each via different routes between the Hospital and Skippingdale. With the new Sunday service, each route operates every two hours, with the 7's to Skippingdale returning as an 8 and vice versa. The 7 and 8 gaining a Sunday service isn't such an obvious addition to the Sunday network, compared to the 6, but they are the only option to improve Sunday daytime buses in Scunthorpe without either duplicating or changing the 1A (which could then lead to a different route between Sunday daytimes and daily evenings - not ideal).

However rather unfortunately, the 7 and 8 leave Scunthorpe Bus Station at the exact same time each hour as the only other direct service to Scunthorpe Hospital on Sundays - the 1A. What could have been a half hourly frequency between the three routes remains an effective hourly service.

Goole + Howden Hopper

On Tuesday 7th May, a new bus service launched in Goole and Howden, the 'Goole+Howden Hopper', also known as the 'J36'. The route is operated by Sweyne Coaches and funded by the Goole Town Deal. It is an initial two year pilot to "gauge demand". The principle aim of the route is to link Goole with Howden Station - previously unserved by a bus service - and to better improve access to the large employment area west of Goole known as Capitol Park; it's in this area that the new Siemens Mobility train factory is located, as well as various other employers such as Guardian Glass (who have regular railfreight deliveries of sand). Capitol Park is otherwise only served by the Goole Town Service Monday to Friday peak times, which is designed to connect the residential areas of Goole to employment, not for rail connections.

Operating Monday to Saturday, the service operates from Howden Station, via Howden Town Centre, Airmyn Village and Glews Services (by Junction 36 of the M62) to Tom Pudding Way in Capitol Park. From Tom Pudding Way a large loop is then operated via Andersen Road (Lidl), Rawcliffe Road, Boothferry Road (Morrisons and Tesco), Goole Interchange, North Street (Town Centre) and the southern part of Andersen Road back to Tom Pudding Way, Airmyn and Howden. 

The frequency is every 25-50 minutes for much of the day, with the occasional longer gaps; I presume the lack of an even interval frequency is to optimise train connections at Howden Station. First service from Goole is 0605, with a last departure at 2200. From Howden the first departure is at 0615 with a last service at 2235. The timetable is written as Howden to Goole Interchange and Goole Interchange to Howden, so at certain times of day, a trip from Lidl, Morrisons or Tesco back to Airmyn or Howden may involve a wait in Goole Town Centre.

Also worth noting, is that a flat £1 fare is in operation, along with a £5 weekly ticket - a good job the 55 between Goole and Howden and the 88 between Goole and Airmyn are tendered, as that £1 fare plus the significantly more frequent timetable must be abstracting passengers from these services.

The Town Deal report that in the first month "almost 3,000 passengers made use of the service. More than 2,000 of these passengers paid the standard £1 flat fee, there were 589 concessions and a further 101 people paid £5 for a weekly ticket, giving them unlimited use. In June, as awareness of the new service increased further, the total number of passengers jumped to almost 4,500, with 3,281 people paying the standard £1 flat fee, 966 concessions and 136 £5 weekly tickets sold. These weekly tickets were used 723 times in total".

I wish the service well. It's maybe not the Goole Town Deal's major concern, but Howden is set to undergo a significant expansion in the coming years and the 55 on it's current timetable - every two hours, no peak service - is already poor and would be totally inadequate in the future. The new 'Hopper' will certainly help here. Add in the new rail connections and vastly improved service for Airmyn and Capitol Park and there is a lot to support here.

My only note of caution is that the service seems rather 'disjointed' from the rest of the bus network. I know the 'Hopper' is only a two year trial, but on Friday and Saturdays both the Hopper and the 55 have 2000 and 2200 departures from Goole to Howden as an example. The 88 diverting via Airmyn is rather pointless with the Hopper. Plus maybe it would be an idea to route more existing services via Capitol Park (with or without the Hopper); the 401 to Selby (Goole's only commercial bus service I think) could divert with only a minor time penalty. Maybe the peak service 360 to/from Eastoft could run as a 361 and also serve Capitol Park?

Goole GoFar goes Further

Community Transport operator Goole GoFar's two timetabled bus routes both gained an increased service back at the start of April. I think these are both funded by East Riding of Yorkshire Council's Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus funding allocation.

Previously Friday only service 198 from North Cave to Market Weighton via Hotham, South Newbald, North Newbald and Sancton gained a Tuesday service, whilst continuing to depart from North Cave at 0930, returning from Market Weighton at 1200.

Meanwhile the Tuesday only 358 from Holme on Spalding Moor to Goole gained an additional Wednesday service as well as a revised route. From Holme it continues to operate via Bubwith, Breighton and Wressle, but now omits Howden before continuing to serve Hook en-route to Goole Town Centre. Within Goole the 358 previously served North Street in the Town Centre and Boothferry Road Supermarkets (Tesco and Morrisons), but now also serves Goole Interchange and extends beyond Boothferry Road to Lidl. Departure time from Holme remains 0930, returning from Goole Lidl at 1310 (the Goole North Street departure time remains 1335).

An evening peak service returns from Doncaster to Epworth

Since COVID-19 there had been an oddity in the Isle of Axholme - a morning peak bus service from Epworth to Doncaster, but no evening peak return. For a number of years Isle Coaches 291 provided an evening peak departure from Doncaster to the Isle of Axholme, but when then 291 returned after the pandemic, it was on a more limited basis before finally ceasing altogether.

Utilising Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus funding, that all changed from Monday 8th April. Firstly though it is worth noting that First South Yorkshire's 57 between Finningley, Auckley and Doncaster - with one morning journey starting back in Epworth - became the 357 on Sunday 7th April as part of a wider renumbering scheme by First in Doncaster.

With the 357 came the extension of the 1739 Monday to Friday/1752 Saturday Doncaster to Auckley 'short' onto Epworth via Westwoodside, Haxey and Low Burnham. As well as serving commuters, these extended journeys could also be useful for Doncaster shoppers; the previous last service from Doncaster to the Isle was at 1545.

On arrival in Epworth, the 357 works back in service to Doncaster, departing Epworth at 1848 Monday to Friday and 1857 Saturday. Whilst I doubt these journeys will get much use, it's good to see the bus returning to Doncaster in-service for any odd passengers that might benefit from it. The 357 also serves as a slightly later last bus of the day from Epworth to Haxey and Westwoodside, the previous service being a 399 at 1811.

An Epworth, Haxey and Westwoodside to Doncaster summary timetable is available on the Summary Timetables page.

X46 and X47 Improved

On Monday 8th April, East Yorkshire Buses took over a number of North Yorkshire Council tendered services, which have been operated from Pocklington depot. In preparation for this, on Sunday 7th April, services X46 and X47 between Hull, Beverley, Market Weighton, Pocklington and York were revised, in part to transfer almost all Pocklington depot workings on the two routes to Hull depot, freeing up Pocklington drivers for the new tenders.

It is pleasing to report that the revision to the X46 and X47 was mostly positive. Combined, the two routes remain half hourly Monday to Saturday daytimes, hourly Sunday daytimes.

Monday to Friday the 0555 Pocklington to York X47 now starts in Beverley at 0517, providing an earlier first service from Beverley, Bishop Burton, Market Weighton, Shiptonthorpe and Hayton to York - previous first arrival 0701, now 0637. On Saturday mornings a new 0630 X46 from Pocklington to York is added, but the first service at 0615 from Hull now runs later at 0635.

There is a new Monday to Friday School Holiday only 0850 X46 from Beverley to Hull, however the 0902 X46 from Pocklington to Hull is truncated to start in Beverley Monday to Friday (still starts in Pocklington on Saturdays).

The Monday to Friday 1311 X47 from York to Market Weighton is extended to Hull, and the 1708 X47 from Pocklington to York now starts in Hull at 1545, filling an hour's gaps in the timetable.

In the evening, the Monday to Friday 1815/Saturday 1810 X47 from York to Pocklington is extended to Hull, keeping the twice hourly daytime departures from York to Hull going until 1944 (1947 Sat). There is then a new Monday to Saturday 2010 X46 from Pocklington to York, filling a gap between the 1944/1947 X46 and 2110 X47. That 2110 X47 from York is then extended beyond Pocklington to Hull Monday to Saturday, which Monday to Thursdays means an 86 minutes later last departure from York to Market Weighton, Beverley and Hull; a later 2210 operates Friday and Saturday.

Finally on Sundays there is a new 0705 X46 from Hull to York, an hour earlier than the previous first service. This returns as a 0905 X46 from York to Hull, 80 minutes earlier than the previous first 'full route' journey, but incorporating the 0914 Pocklington to Hull and resulting in a later first arrival from Pocklington into Hull off 1113 rather than 1036.

Evening and Sunday buses returned to Bilton, Hedon Inmans Estate, Paull, Preston, Sproatley and Victoria Dock

Sunday daytime and Friday and Saturday evening bus services returned to the villages of Paull, Preston, Sproatley and Bilton, plus the Victoria Dock estate in Hull and the Inmans Estate in Hedon, on Sunday 7th April. Tendered by East Riding of Yorkshire Council using Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus funding, the extended services are operated by East Yorkshire Buses.

On Friday and Saturday evenings there is a new 2315 service 79 from Hull to Hedon via Victoria Dock and Paull, last service previously 1815. On arrival in Hedon, the service continues back to Hull as a 277 via Preston, Sproatley and Bilton. Using either the 1805 service 79 from Hedon or the 1850 service 277 from Hedon, passengers can now have an evening out in Hull by bus twice a week. The 2315 from Hull is also a 15 minute later last service from Hull to Hedon than provided by service 75.

Sundays see the 79 and 277 each gain three journeys operating every three hours in the daytime, and interworked with each other in Hedon so that a 79 from Hull to Hedon returns to Hull as a 277, and vice versa. This arguably gives an effective every 90 minutes frequency from Hull.

Monday to Saturday evening and Sunday daytime services were provided on these routes (the Paull service numbered 78) until Saturday 1st April 2017, when East Riding of Yorkshire Council cuts to bus subsidies led to their withdrawal.

Welcome Back to the Brough Town Service

The Brough and Elloughton Town Service returned on Monday 8th April, operated by East Yorkshire Buses as service 558 under contract to East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC) and funded with Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus funding.

The Brough Town Service had last operated just over six years previously as service 158, finishing on Saturday 31st March 2018. It was axed as part of ERYC's significant cuts to bus subsidies at the time. According to ERYC's 2016 'Review of Bus Services in the East Riding', the 158 carried an average 4 passengers per journey at a subsidy of £4.34 per passenger journey. Annual passengers were 19618.

When the 158 finished in March 2018, it was operating approximately every 40 minutes Monday to Saturday daytimes - I don't have the final timetable to hand, but in September 2014 the first journey was at 0810 Mon-Fri/0935 Sat, with the last journey at 1655. 

The final route of the 158 was from Elloughton Bus Depot via Beech Road and Hunter Road to Brough Crossroads then via Welton Road (serving Morrisons) to Myrtle Way in East Brough. From here the 158 retraced it's route to Brough Crossroads before operating a loop via Skillings Lane, Saltgrounds Road, Station Road and Welton Road back to Brough Crossroads. It was then back to Elloughton via Hunter Road and Beech Road before a final brief loop from Elloughton Bus Depot to Stockbridge Park just west of the depot. Three journeys Monday to Friday also included a trip from Elloughton to Welton and Melton, a legacy from when these villages only had a two hourly service between Hull and Brough.

The new 558 operates hourly Monday to Saturday, with a first departure at 0940 and a last at 1340. This service is much more focused on key shopping times - maybe for the best with the low average usage of the old 158. 

Once again, Elloughton Bus Depot is the starting point and once again the service operates via otherwise unserved Beech Road and Hunter Road to Brough Crossroads and then along Welton Road past Morrisons. Myrtle Way is once again served, now joined by nearby Loxley Way, and the new Aldi south of the railway line. Initially the 558 served these destinations in one order on every journey, but since 13th May, the 558 alternates between Loxley Way/Myrtle Way first and Aldi first, so as to permit two way journeys between Loxley Way/Myrtle Way and Aldi. The 558 then retraces it's way to Elloughton.

The 558 does a good job of linking the residential areas it serves with Aldi, Morrisons and what little town centre there is in Brough around the Crossroads. A shame though that the Skillings Lane area isn't served this time around - say a large Brough Crossroads-Loxley Way-Myrtle Way-Aldi-Skillings Lane-Crossroads loop, served in alternate directions every hour? 

Three journeys - the 0940, 1040 and 1140 also run from Elloughton to South Cave and back - I presume to provide a link from South Cave to Aldi, as the 55 provides an hourly service from South Cave to Elloughton, Brough Crossroads and Morrisons. 

Sunday Town Services for Bridlington

Bridlington regained Sunday town services on 7th April, operated by East Yorkshire Buses and funded by East Riding of Yorkshire Council's Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus funding allocation. These are the first dedicated Sunday town services (excluding Park and Ride) in Bridlington since the end of March 2017.

New route 512 operates every two hours daytimes in the north of the town on a large clockwise circular route from Bridlington Bus Station via Bempton Lane and The Crayke back to the Bus Station - covering areas served by what were, until the end of August, the 5 and 6 town services Monday to Saturday.

Service 513 to West Hill and New Pasture Lane - introduced on Friday and Saturday evenings back in February - also gained a two hourly Sunday daytime service on 7th April. The 513 covers areas which were, until the end of August, served by the 3, 4 and 4A town services Monday to Saturday daytimes.

Overall the majority of Bridlington gained a basic Sunday service with the 512 and 513 and most other areas of the town have a Sunday service via 'out of town' routes. Hopefully the 512 and 513 were well used over the Summer.

(The September recast of the Bridlington Town Monday to Saturday network will be covered at a later date).

Flamborough Evening Cutbacks

For the record, as I'm very late posting this, but this year the Summer evening service on East Yorkshire route 14 from Bridlington to Flamborough has operated Friday and Saturday only until last weekend (31st August), rather than daily until the end of October half term. 

The daytime service is hourly year round, with the various 65 minute gaps at certain times of the day removed on 7th April, in favour of a clockface hourly service.

Quickly Revised

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

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

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

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

Substantial Evening Improvements to the 350

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Improved Scunthorpe 10

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

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

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

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

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

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

New evening buses for Crowle

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

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

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

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

Later services for Kirton in Lindsey

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

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

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

Earlier and Later Sunday Services between Scunthorpe and Brigg

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

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

Improvements in East Hull

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

An extra town service for Beverley

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

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

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

Workers Services go Public

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Small but positive additions to the 8

Circular service 8 in Hull gained some minor enhancements on Easter Sunday (31st March) as part of Stagecoach's service changes. The route operates from Paragon Interchange serving Beverley Road, Sutton Park, North Point, Spring Cottage, Salthouse Road and Holderness Road en-route back to the City Centre.

Monday to Friday, a one hour gap in anti-clockwise departures from Paragon Interchange between 1335 and 1435 has been filled with a new 1405 service. On Saturday mornings, the 0637, 0707, 0737 and 0807 journeys from North Point to Paragon Interchange via Salthouse Road now start back at Paragon Interchange to operate as a full clockwise circular. 

Finally on Sunday evenings there are new journeys from Paragon Interchange to North Point via Sutton Park at 1900, 2000, 2100 and 2200, previous last journey at 1747. In the opposite direction departures from North Point to Sutton Park and Paragon Interchange are added at 1926, 2026 and 2126, previous last journey at 1845. This restores a Sunday evening service back to the Sutton Park estate.

1C Split

As part of Stagecoach's Easter Sunday (31st March) Hull service changes, cross-city tendered service 1C between Mizzen Road in North Hull and Sibelius Road in West Hull was split into two; East Yorkshire's old service 21 returned for the Hull City Centre to Mizzen Road section and new service 61 for the Hull City Centre to Sibelius Road section.

On the 1C, the Hull City Centre to Mizzen Road section had four off peak departures each way Monday to Saturday mornings and early afternoons; 0900, 1000, 1200 and 1400 from Mizzen Road and 0935, 1135, 1335 and 1435 from Paragon Interchange. The new 21 operates hourly with departures from Mizzen Road between 0908 and 1408, and from Paragon Interchange between 0938 and 1438. A much better service at this time of day, albeit the through link to Hull Royal Infirmary that the cross-city 1C provided is lost.

Unfortunately though Mizzen Road has also lost it's peak time service. The 4A variant of service 4 between Hull Paragon Interchange and Orchard Park had operated hourly Monday to Saturday peaks, with two morning journeys from Mizzen Road and three late afternoon journeys in each direction. Since Easter Sunday, the 4A has been replaced by standard service 4's. It is worth noting that the Mizzen Road estate is within walking distance of Beverley Road for the able-bodied, from where frequent services from both East Yorkshire and Stagecoach can be caught. 

Turning to West Hull, and the 1C from Hull City Centre to Sibelius Road also had four journeys in each direction Monday to Saturday mornings and early afternoons; 0900, 1000, 1100 and 1300 from Sibelius Road and 0925, 1025, 1225 and 1425 from Monument Bridge in Hull City Centre. With the new 61, services now operate every 90 minutes; from Sibelius Road at 0935, 1105, 1235 and 1405, and from Paragon Interchange at 1025, 1155, 1325 and 1455. 

16 Curtailed

Stagecoach curtailed their service 16 in East Hull once it resumed post-Easter on Tuesday 2nd April. Since April 2023, the 16 had been operating from Hull Interchange to Morrisons on Holderness Road via Victoria Dock, Newbridge Road, Southcoates Lane, Bilsdale Grove, Exeter Grove, Preston Road, Marfleet Lane and Maybury Road. Now from Southcoates Lane it operates a clockwise loop via Preston Road, Exeter Grove and Bilsdale Grove back to Southcoates Lane. This removes the link to Morrisons and reduces a section of Marfleet Lane to school/college services only. 

Timetable wise, the 16 remains hourly Monday to Saturday daytimes. The 0640 from Preston Road - replacing the previous 0700 from Morrisons, now runs on Saturdays as well as Monday to Friday. The Monday to Friday 1606 and 1706 'shorts' from the Siemens factory to Hull Interchange are withdrawn, but the replacement for the Saturday 1650 from Morrisons - a 1640 from Preston Road - now operates Monday to Saturday. There is also a new 1740 from Preston Road to the Interchange Monday to Saturday.

All journeys to Kingswood

The history of Stagecoach service 5 in Hull includes changes between operating all services as full route journeys from Paragon Interchange to Kingswood, or operating some journeys as 'shorts' from the Interchange to Orchard Park only, using either the Medical Centre or Tesco as a terminus. 

Another change was added to the history book on Sunday 31st March; since September 2023 the Monday to Friday daytime service had operated every 10 minutes between Paragon Interchange and Orchard Park Tesco (every 9-11 minutes in the opposite direction), extending to/from Kingswood every 20 minutes. Now, however all journeys operate full route to Kingswood every 10 or 15 minutes Monday to Friday daytime. That frequency varies throughout the day, but thankfully the route is frequent enough that the regular 'flip-flopping' between intervals doesn't matter so much; to give an idea, here is one row of departure times from the Interchange copied from Stagecoach's pdf timetable:

1000 1010 1020 1035 1050 1105 1115 1125 1135 1150 1205 1215 1225 1235 1250 1305 1320 1335 1345 1355 1405 1415

Overall fewer buses between Hull City Centre and Orchard Park, but more to Kingswood and it's Retail Park.

Frequency Increase to the Boothferry Estate

Interworked Stagecoach services 1 and 2 in Hull - from Paragon Interchange to the Boothferry Estate - gained a welcome frequency increase as part of Stagecoach's 31st March service changes. Monday to Saturday daytime services have increased from every 20 minutes on each route to every 15 minutes. Also, most inbound journeys to the Interchange on service 2 will now use the City Centre Loop, other than between 1400 and 1800 Monday to Saturday.

In detail, there are also some early morning enhancements. The first Monday to Friday service 1 from Paragon Interchange to the Boothferry Estate is now at 0437 rather than 0511. Meanwhile on Saturdays the first Saturday service 2 from Paragon Interchange is at 0608 rather than 0631, leading to the first service 1 from the Boothferry Estate operating earlier at 0631 rather than 0656. 

Greater Frequency for Greatfield

As part of Stagecoach's Hull changes on 31st March (Easter Sunday), service 13 between Hull Paragon Interchange and Bilton Grange via Holderness Road Shops, Preston Road and Greatfield gained an increased Monday to Saturday daytime frequency, going from every 20 minutes to every 15 minutes. This is a very welcome increase for a key route. Also off note are two later Saturday journeys from Bilton Grange at 2302 and 2332 (last service previously 2232).

Unfortunately it is not all good news for Greatfield, as service 14 between Paragon Interchange and Greatfield via Holderness Road and Portobello Street has been reduced from every 20 minutes to half hourly on Saturday daytimes. The same reduction has also been made to the Monday to Friday afternoon peak service, with the 20 minute frequency going to half hourly intervals after 1620.

Overall though, a greater number of services for Greatfield than before the changes.

New Spurn Explorer

A new Summer Saturday link from Hull to Spurn Point commenced on 23rd March - the East Yorkshire operated Spurn Explorer. It is numbered as either service 71 or service 71E depending on where you look. I suspect the 'E' maybe an internal East Yorkshire suffix to differentiate from the main service 71 between Withernsea and Easington? The Spurn Explorer has been funded from East Riding of Yorkshire Council's Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus funding allocation. It is due to operate until 3rd November.

The new Spurn Explorer operates from Hull to Patrington largely via the service 75 route - including the Burstwick diversion - with the intriguing exception that it uses Preston Road and Marfleet Lane rather than Southcoates Lane. Logical, as it serves more residential areas, but intriguing as the southern section of Marfleet Lane is otherwise unserved, except for school/college buses.

After Patrington, the Spurn Explorer follows the main 71 route to Easington Village and Caravan Park before extending to Kilnsea Village and the Spurn Discovery Centre.

The Spurn Explorer timetable only has one full route journey from Hull to Spurn, leaving Hull at 0825, returning from Spurn at 1625. Otherwise there are two Patrington to Spurn 'shorts', designed to connect with either service X7 or 75 from Hull at Patrington. Finally at lunchtime there is a Spurn-Patrington-Withernsea and return service - that is also timed for Hull connections at Patrington - presumably to allow the driver to take a break at Withernsea?

Co-ordination with the main service 71 between Withernsea, Patrington and Easington isn't fantastic, but the timetable seems to be designed around Hull connections, which is understandable as the intent is to serve visitors to Spurn rather than local demand.

The following Sunday - 24th March - saw the commencement of the expected seasonal extension of the main service 71 between Withernsea and Easington to Spurn on Sundays and Bank Holidays only.

There are a couple of interesting articles about the Spurn Explorer - and the attraction of Spurn Point - on the East Yorkshire website here and here.

Bridlington Park and Ride passes to East Yorkshire

East Yorkshire Buses have taken over operation of the tendered Summer Only Bridlington Park and Ride this year, with the season having commenced on Saturday 23rd March. Previously operated by Stagecoach as their service 88, it is now numbered 520. 

Presumably this will mean no Stagecoach 99 from Hull to Bridlington this year; the route commenced when they won the Park and Ride contract as a 'positioning' service, albeit with some journeys at useful times for a daytrip to Bridlington.

New Wolds Explorer

The service 4 extension to Normanby Hall wasn't the only seasonal leisure service to start on Easter Saturday (30th March). The East Yorkshire operated service 200 'Wolds Explorer' also commenced. The 200 operates between Pocklington, Millington, Huggate, Fridaythorpe and Thixendale every Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday until the end of September. It is funded from East Riding of Yorkshire Council's Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus allocation.

The Saturday timetable has departures from Pocklington at 1010, 1330 and 1530, returning from Thixendale at 1105, 1430 and 1630. On Sundays and Bank Holidays the 200 departs Pocklington at 1120 and 1520, returning from Thixendale at 1215 and 1615.

One interesting feature of the 200 is that customers with a ticket for the X46/X47 between Hull, Pocklington and York can travel for free on the 200.

Whilst the 200 is intended to serve visitors to the Yorkshire Wolds - including walkers - it may also have some use for villagers travelling into Pocklington. Millington and Thixendale are otherwise unserved by bus services. Huggate has the 199 into Pocklington, but only on a Tuesday, whilst Fridaythorpe has the Tuesday and Thursday 535 to Driffield, but no other weekend or Pocklington services.

Finally, if this service sounds vaguely familiar - it is. My August 2002 East Riding timetable book includes a Summer service W1 between Pocklington and Thixendale, but also extending to Sledmere and Wharram Percy. It operated on Sundays and Bank Holidays from late March until the end of September and Tuesdays in the North Yorkshire School Summer Holidays. The W1 was operated by EYMS, the brand used by East Yorkshire at the time.

Normanby Hall Regains Service 4

Using Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus funding, Hornsby service 4 between Brigg and Scunthorpe regained a Normanby Hall Country Park extension yesterday - Saturday 30th March. In the 00's it was the Sunday service that extended to the Country Park north of Scunthorpe, but this time it is the Saturday service. The extended journeys are the 0840, 1040, 1240 and 1440 from Brigg to Scunthorpe, with the 1245, 1445 and 1645 from Scunthorpe starting back at Normanby Hall 20 minutes earlier. Overall this gives good flexibility as to the length of a day out. The Normanby Hall extensions will operate until 26th October.

Otherwise bus access to Normanby Hall is via service 60 between Scunthorpe and Whitton (or the Just Go demand responsive service). However most journeys on service 60 only serve the side entrance by Normanby Village, so the new extended service 4 to the main entrance will be a big improvement from Scunthorpe, as well as providing through journeys from Brigg, Broughton and Ashby.

260 extended to Immingham

The 260 Barton Villager has been one of those services which rarely changes since it was first introduced around 20 years ago. Whilst a Saturday service came and went, and the operator changed from North Lincolnshire Council to Stagecoach, it had always been a Monday to Friday daytime Barton-Barrow-Goxhill-New Holland-Barrow-Barton circular, operating hourly with some longer gaps. A long standing exception had been a Thursday only extension to East Halton as well as a internal Barton Town Service from Tesco to Victoria Drive. Overall this had meant seven circular trips Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and six on Thursdays, two of which served East Halton.

That all changed on Monday 19th February. The 260 now operates between Barton and Immingham via Barrow, New Holland, Goxhill, East Halton, North Killingholme and South Killingholme, with the Civic Centre being served into Immingham en-route to the County Hotel. There are two full route services in each direction as well as two Barton to Goxhill and return extras on schooldays and three during School Holidays. St Chad in Barrow is now unserved, as is Victoria Drive in Barton. The service remains a Monday to Friday only route (for now).

The change is Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus funded, though I'm not sure why - resource has been taken away from the Barton to Goxhill section to provide the Immingham extension.

The intent here is good. North and South Killingholme were without a scheduled bus service, and East Halton only had one on Thursdays (college service excepted). Plus to be fair the 260 was never a busy service in recent years from my limited observations - one of those routes that usually had at least someone on, but never many. The Barrow to Barton section also received a significant boost in recent years when the four times a day service 450 was replaced by the hourly (with gaps) 250, supplanting the 260 as the primary bus service between the two settlements. In theory at least there is logic behind reducing the Goxhill to Barton service in order to address no/limited bus services elsewhere.

That being said, the new timetable isn't perfect. Anyone from Goxhill or New Holland who would like or needs a morning in Barton by bus now has only one service to choose from - the 0919 from Goxhill, arrives Barton Market Place 0950 - and can't return home until the 1245 from Barton Tesco. East Halton residents don't really have a usable service to Barton anymore - first arrival at Barton Market Place is at 1150, last departure 1252. 

In terms of co-ordination with the 250 between Barrow and Barton it is a mixed picture - see the updated Summary Timetable here. The 0942 260 from Barrow Market Place fits it well between the 0902 and 1002 250's, but the 1142 260 is just 10 minutes after a 250. In the afternoon the 1427 260 slots is nicely between the 1332 and 1502 250's; so does the school holiday 1535 260 in between the 1502 and 1602 250's, and finally the 1642 260 in between the 1602 and 1722 250's. From Barton Market Place the 0900 260 runs ahead of the 0922 250, then the 1007 260 is 15 minutes ahead of the 1022 250. Very unfortunately there are both 250's and 260's leaving Barton Market Place at 1252 and 1452 (school holidays), but the final 1557 260 fits in better between 250's at 1452 and 1622.

Isle of Axholme Service 97 revised

North Lincolnshire Council directly operated service 97 in the Isle of Axholme was revised on 29th January. The 97 was launched last May, operating between Garthorpe, Crowle, Epworth, Sandtoft and Wroot Monday to Friday. There were two full route journeys from Garthorpe, three from Wroot plus a Garthorpe to Epworth 'short' in each direction. It was reported last September that some changes may need to be made in response to early passenger numbers; those changes came in January.

The route is unchanged between Garthorpe and Epworth but now operates to Sandtoft via Low Burnham, Haxey, Westwoodside and Wroot. Haxey and Westwoodside already have Epworth links on the 399. The timetable has also been reduced, to two journeys in each direction - albeit not quite that simple. There is a morning Sandtoft-Garthorpe-Sandtoft round trip, then in the afternoon the route operates Epworth-Sandtoft-Garthorpe-Epworth.

There are now new Humber Transport Summary Timetables available for Belton to Epworth and Epworth to Haxey and Westwoodside, including the revised 97. 

Reviewing co-ordination with other services in detail and from Epworth to Haxey and Westwoodside, the 1141 from Epworth fits almost perfectly into a four hour gap on service 399. The 1315 from Epworth leaves just 21 minutes before a 399 however. From Westwoodside, the 0952 is just 12 minutes after a 399, but the 1412 fits in better between the 1323 and 1623 service 399's.

From Belton to Epworth the 1133 follows two minutes behind a service 399, but the 1548 fits in better between the 1331 and 1651 399's. Departing Epworth to Belton, the 1006 duplicates the 1007 399, with the 1426 fitting in a little better between the 1350 and 1650 399's.

Turning to North Axholme, and from Ealand into Crowle, the 1026 97 fits in nicely between the 0957 361 and the 1055 service 90. The 1446 97 runs 9 minutes ahead of a service 90, so not so good. Returning from Crowle, the 1118 97 follows after the 1114 90, whilst the 1533 97 is just a minute in front of a service 90.

Finally departing Garthorpe for Crowle, the 1100 97 slots in almost perfectly between the 0956 and 1156 service 361's, and the 1515 97 in between the 1356 and 1556 361's. From Crowle co-ordination is not as good, but not awful; the 1031 97 fits in between 1004 and 1204 service 361's, and the 1451 97 follows on from the 1404 service 361, to provide the last service of the day north from Crowle (except for a college day service 90 to Eastoft).

Overall co-ordination with other services can be described as mixed, but not an easy job to fit around multiple different other services.

Mostly Positive Changes in Bridlington

Last September, East Yorkshire made some retrograde changes to their Bridlington town services - reduced frequencies, non-clockface timetables and increasing differences between weekdays and Saturdays. It appeared to be an attempt to improve reliability without any extra resource. On Monday 29th January, East Yorkshire changed approach and made some clear improvements, "after carefully listening to your feedback".

On service 2 to the south of Bridlington, times have been aligned Monday to Saturday for those journeys that operate six days a week, as opposed to most weekday services running 5 minutes earlier than on Saturdays. For service 3 to the West Hill Estate, intermediate times have been aligned Monday to Saturday, so that the only Saturday difference is one extra journey.

Service 4 and 4A to the New Pasture Lane Estate go from a messy every 20-45 minutes combined to every hour each, on a standardised 20-40 minute interval; prior to last September they were every hour each with a combined half hourly service. 

In last September's timetable, the 5 and 5A to the north of Bridlington had retained some semblance of a clockface timetable, at least in the morning and early afternoon period, with each service operating every hour for a combined half hourly frequency. Since late January the 5A variant via Kirkgate has been withdrawn, with Kirkgate still served by the 4/4A. The 5 continues hourly, with a new Monday to Friday 0826 from Bempton Lane into Bridlington added; previous first service 0921, but the last service cutback from 1735 to 1705. 

Together with the 4 and 4A, the 5 now provides a service every 20 minutes from central Bridlington along Quay Road where the three routes diverge - hence the 20-40 minute interval on the 4/4A. It would appear that the 5A has been sacrificed to increase the 4/4A.

Somewhat 'softening the blow' for the Bempton Lane area of Bridlington, service 12 from Scarborough now diverts via the area on a small number of journeys. The Monday to Friday 0710 from Scarborough to Bridlington serves Bempton Lane at 0812, whilst the Monday to Friday 1525 from Bridlington is also diverted via Bempton Lane to fill a 2 hour gap in the weekday service 5. Finally on Sundays three 12's in each direction divert via Bempton Lane so that residents can travel into Bridlington Town Centre during the daytime.

Service 6 to the north of Bridlington now has alignment of Monday to Friday and Saturday timetables with the exception of one Saturday only service.

Finally, Bridlington gained a new Friday and Saturday evening town service from 2nd February. The 513 - a number rather out of place for the modern day town network in Bridlington - is funded by East Riding of Yorkshire Council's Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus funding allocation and operated by East Yorkshire. It operates an hourly circular from Bridlington Bus Station from 1830 to 2230 via Hilderthorpe Road, the West Hill Estate, the New Pasture Lane Estate and Westgate in the Old Town, covering parts of the daytime service 3 and 4 routes. Creating a bespoke evening service isn't ideal, but one bus couldn't provide an even interval hourly service on routes 3 and 4, so a bespoke service is perhaps appropriate in this instance. 

Big boost for Bempton and Buckton

Another recipient of East Riding of Yorkshire Council's Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus funding was the East Yorkshire operated service 504 between Bridlington and Bempton, a village to the north of the town. The 504 was previously a Monday to Friday only service, interworked with the 131 Carnaby Industrial Estate workers service. As such, the 504 offered three journeys from Bempton and two from Bridlington, timed to operate immediately post morning peak, at lunchtime and again mid-afternoon. The 504 operates via Queensgate, St Aidan Road, Bempton Lane and Darwin Road in Bridlington on all journeys, providing a town service function as well as also serving the village of Buckton. Additionally one service in each direction also serves Fortyfoot and St Anne's Road.

That previous service remains unchanged, but has now been added too. On Saturdays and Sundays a two hourly daytime service is now provided, with five journeys from Bempton and four from Bridlington, all operating via the main route (i.e. omitting Fortyfoot and St Anne's Road). As such the weekend daytime service is more frequent than the weekday service. 

In addition a limited Friday and Saturday evening service has been provided to support nights out in Bridlington. There is a new 1900 from Bempton to Bridlington and 2310 return (both omitting Fortyfoot and St Anne's Road), with the 2310 also extending beyond Bempton to Flamborough, Thornwick Bay and North Landing. This is a logical extension as Flamborough lacks a late evening service on it's service 14 route from Bridlington.

Certainly not the only route with this sort of anomaly, but there is a very large gap in departures from Bridlington between 1530 and 2310 on Fridays and from 1640 to 2310 on Saturdays. An evening peak service would be ideal, but if not an 1825-ish departure from Bridlington which then forms the new 1900 from Bempton could make a useful difference at potentially marginal cost.

Service 121 Increased

With financial support from East Riding of Yorkshire's Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus funding, East Yorkshire increased the Saturday daytime frequency of service 121 between Hull, Beverley, Driffield and Bridlington from hourly to approximately half hourly between Beverley and Bridlington on Saturday 3rd February. The service otherwise operates hourly daily daytimes with a reduced evening service; as such the Saturday daytime frequency is now double the remainder of the week.

There are new 'shorts' from Bridlington to Beverley at 0950, 1040, 1150, 1240 and 1450, along with a new 1350 Bridlington to Hull; the '50' minute past the hour additions fit in perfectly for an even interval half hourly service. In the opposite direction, extra service operate from Beverley at 1130, 1340, 1440, 1545 and 1640, and from Hull at 1148 and 1702. Some fit in perfectly for an even interval half hourly service, others don't; though it's worth noting that from Hull to Beverley the two extra journeys need to avoid duplicating the 1155 and 1655 service 23's.

It's an interesting increase, with lots of open countryside between Beverley and Bridlington, only one intermediate town and not many large villages. That being said, this increase is very much 'baby steps'. If it's a success and that leads to a 6/7 day a week half hourly service, then the extra journeys could be combined with the existing hourly 23 between Hull, Beverley and Molescroft to offer a half hourly Hull to Bridlington provision.

Elsewhere, with effect from 28th January, East Yorkshire made some other small but notable changes to the 121. The 0644 (Mon-Fri)/0657 (Sat) Nafferton to Hull now starts back in Bridlington at 0621 (Mon-Fri)/0635 (Sat), providing a 59 minutes earlier Mon-Fri/50 minute Sat earlier first departure from Bridlington. To balance this out, the 1840 Monday to Friday Bridlington to Hull service is split at Beverley, with a new Monday to Friday 1940 Beverley to Bridlington added, providing a later last service from Beverley to Bridlington by 1 hour 16 minutes. On Saturdays the previous last 1825 service 121 departure from Bridlington now operates at 1850, which it appears is worked 'off' the previously mentioned 1702 from Hull. 

Overall it looks like 1 Monday to Friday 'board' has moved from Hull to Bridlington depot. On Saturdays the equivalent 'board;' also appears to have moved depot, but Hull are picking up some of the new Saturday extra journeys instead. 

New Evening Services in the Beverley area

On Friday 2nd February, East Riding of Yorkshire Council started contracting East Yorkshire to provide one vehicle's worth of evening services in the Beverley area every Friday and Saturday, funded by Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus funding. Three routes have gained a new evening service - the 142, 180 and 525 - albeit in each case on a part route basis only.

Before I review each route, here is the 'diagram':

• 1900 Service 180 Skidby-Beverley
• 1930 Service 142 Beverley-Cherry Burton
• 1940 Service 142 Cherry Burton-Beverley
• 2000 Service 525 Beverley-Beverley Town Service
• [46 minute break]
• 2100 Service 525 Beverley-Beverley Town Service
• [46 minute break]
• 2200 Service 525 Beverley-Beverley Town Service
• 2230 Service 180 Beverley-Skidby
• [position out of service]
• 2315 Service 142 Beverley-Cherry Burton

Service 180 is otherwise operated by Stagecoach between Cottingham, Skidby and Beverley. Prior to the 1900, the last Stagecoach operated departure from Skidby to Beverley is at 1637. From Beverley, the last Stagecoach 180 is at 1715.

The new evening 180 could have even more purpose by serving Cottingham as per the daytime route. Cottingham lost it's evening service to/from Beverley last Spring when the X47 was routed away, whilst the last daytime service from Cottingham to Beverley is at 1817 Fri/1809 Sat on service 25 and from Beverley to Cottingham at 1715 Fri/1820 Sat. 

I've looked on bustimes.org to see if a Cottingham extension would be possible for the inbound service to Beverley. On Friday 8th March, bus 0769 arrived in Hessle on the 25 at 1821 before running 'dead' to Skidby for the 1900. Today (Saturday 9th March), bus 0362 arrived in Beverley on the 25 at 1835 before running 'dead' to Skidby for the 1900. In the Friday example a Cottingham start seems easy enough - superficially at least; on Saturday's probably not possible without changing the interworking. An extension of the 2230 to Cottingham would require the 2315 service 142 to be retimed slightly later. 

With Cottingham also having bars and restaurants itself - plus visiting at Castle Hill Hospital - it does strike me that the new evening 180 has potential for a more extensive timetable. 

Moving onto the 142, for the which the limited Monday to Saturday daytime service operates an extended route beyond Cherry Burton to Middleton and Bainton. The Friday timetable in particular now is rather unusual - 1150, 1350, 1930 and 2315 from Beverley and 1007, 1307 and 1940 from Cherry Burton. Saturdays also have a 1600 from Beverley and 1657 from Cherry Burton. Clearly the new evening 142's serve a clear purpose, to give Molescroft and Cherry Burton residents the option for an evening out in Beverley. However it is perhaps a legitimate question to ask whether the funding being used would be better spent funding a late afternoon weekday service instead?

Finally, the 525; the main daytime service serves the Swinemoor Estate as well as Holme Church Lane and Flemingate, whereas the new evening jouneys omit the Swinemoor Estate and instead operate direct from Beverley Station to Holme Church Lane via Grovehill Road. I presume this is related to anti-social behaviour issues on the Swinemoor Estate? Timetable wise it's another odd one - 0930, hourly to 1530, 1600 then 2000, 2100 and 2200. A four hour gap and no early evening service into Beverley. It feels like the new evening 525's are a way to 'pass time' before taking the village passengers back home again. Plus once again, if there is money to spend on improving the 525, a later daytime service Monday to Saturday feels like a better option.

Overall the intent is good - encourage people to spend an evening in Beverley by bus. However the 'execution' doesn't feel quite right and there are arguably bigger priorities in the Beverley bus network during the late afternoon period.