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.