Service 23 extended to Molescroft - partially replaces axed 122

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

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

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

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

East Yorkshire reduce Service 25

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

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

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

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

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

Service 277 Morning Reductions (but done with some thought)

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

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

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

Most other 277 journeys were also retimed.

78/79 Minor Reductions

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

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

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

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

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

Consistent 66B

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

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

Small Improvements between Hull and York

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

East Yorkshire go Saturday only on the 142 (temporarily)

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

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

Beverley Locals Evening Service Withdrawn

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

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

Evening services cut north of Leconfield Sunday to Thursday

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

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

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

New early morning Withernsea to Hornsea service.

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

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

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

Hornsea-Hull Cut to Every 90 Minutes

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

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

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

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

Sunday service 24 remains every 2 hours during the daytime.

New Hospital 'Shorts' in Scunthorpe

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

Stagecoach Saturday Morning Reductions in Scunthorpe

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

Service 90 extended to Eastoft

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

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

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

Service 180 passes to Stagecoach

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

Stagecoach Hull Summer Changes

Stagecoach have 'book-ended' the school Summer Holidays with two sets of service changes in Hull - on Sunday 24th July and then on Sunday 4th September. Below are what I consider to be the main changes.

Service 1: Hull Paragon Interchange to Boothferry Estate

Since 24th July, service 1 has been reduced from every 10 minutes Monday to Saturday daytimes to every 15 minutes. The 1W variation via Smith and Nephew was withdrawn and the last bus from Paragon Interchange Monday to Saturday moved from 2305 to 2320. Some enhancements have been made on Sunday mornings with the first bus from Paragon Interchange now at 0730 rather than 0830 and from the Boothferry Estate at 0740 instead off 0820.

Service 2: Wawne-North Bransholme-North Point-Hull City Centre-Boothferry Estate

From 24th July, service 2 was amended from every 20 minutes between North Bransholme and the Boothferry Estate and every 10 minutes between Hull City Centre and the Boothferry Estate Monday to Saturday daytimes, to every 15 minutes between North Bransholme and the Boothferry Estate. This coincided with service 7 being rerouted away from North Bransholme where it had been operating every 20 minutes Monday to Friday daytimes and every half hour Saturday daytimes. All Monday to Saturday daytime service 2's now serve Paragon Interchange (services from North Bransholme had been omitting), whilst morning peak variation 2X via Sutton Fields Industrial Estate has been withdrawn. 

Hourly Monday to Saturday daytime Wawne extensions remain as before, but with some evening improvements. Rather than a last service from Paragon Interchange at 1800, departures to the village are now at 1817, 1905 and 2330. From Wawne, the last service is now at 1907 rather than 1702. 

The last service from North Bransholme is earlier at 2215 rather than 2240 Monday to Saturday, but from Paragon Interchange to North Bransholme is now at 2330 rather than 2300.

The use of the 2A suffix for evening and Sunday journeys via Sutton Park was dropped as part of these changes, whilst on Sunday daytimes rather than a half hourly service between North Bransholme and the Boothferry Estate via Sutton Park there is now an hourly service from Wawne to the Boothferry Estate via the Monday to Saturday daytime route, and an hourly North Bransholme to the Boothferry Estate service via Sutton Park. This restores a Sunday service to Wawne.

Service 3: Bilton Grange-Greatfield-Hull Paragon Interchange-Orchard Park

The 24th July changes saw the Monday to Friday 10 minute frequency from Bilton Grange start to be reduced post 1707 rather than post 1847. Monday to Saturday late evening services have been increased from hourly to half hourly.

Service 4: Bilton Grange-Hull Paragon Interchange-Orchard Park

As part of the 24th July revisions, the Monday to Friday daytime frequency was reduced from every 10 to every 15 minutes, but the Sunday frequency increased from hourly to half hourly. The last service from Paragon Interchange to Orchard Park is slightly later Monday to Saturday at 1912 rather than 1850 Mon-Fri/1845 Sat. 

Service 5: Hull Paragon Interchange-Orchard Park-Kingswood-North Point-Hull Paragon Interchange

Since 24th July the Monday to Friday daytime frequency has been reduced from every 10 minutes between Paragon Interchange and Orchard Park and every 20 minutes for the full route to every 15 minutes between Paragon Interchange and Orchard Park, and every half hour for the full route. Between Hull Paragon Interchange and North Point in East Hull, a combined 15 minute frequency is offered with service 8. On Sunday daytimes, the hourly Paragon Interchange to Orchard Park 'shorts' are extended to Kingswood.

Service 7: Hull Paragon Interchange-Sutton Park-North Point-Kingswood/North Bransholme

The only major route change Stagecoach have made in Hull is to re-route the 7 from North Bransholme to Kingswood Retail and Leisure Parks, a change introduced in the July amendments - this reintroduces a direct service from North Point and Bodmin Road to Kingswood Retail Park and a service of any kind from Sutton Park to Kingswood. Given the 2 to North Bransholme being increased in frequency, this is an amendment which seems logical. 

Monday to Friday the frequency is reduced from every 20 minutes to every half hour, coordinated with the 8 for a 15 minute interval between Paragon Interchange and North Point. The last service from Kingswood is at 1815 rather than 1655 Mon-Fri/1650 Sat when previously departing North Bransholme - again logical as Kingswood is a destination in a way North Bransholme isn't.

Service 8: Hull Paragon Interchange-Sutton Park-North Point-Salthouse Road-Hull Paragon Interchange

From 24th July, the Monday to Friday daytime frequency was reduced from every 20 minutes to every half hour. The Monday to Saturday morning peak 8X variation was renumbered as service 8, still serving Clough Road but as per bustimes.org, omitting Sutton Fields Industrial Estate - in combination with the 2X withdrawal, that leaves Sutton Fields without a bus service penetrating the estate.

Monday to Saturday evening the last clockwise circular from Paragon Interchange was moved from 2010 to 1935, but a new 2320 Paragon Interchange to North Point via Sutton Park 'short' was added.

On Sunday mornings, two new North Point to Paragon Interchange via Sutton Park 'shorts' were introduced at 0745 and 0845.

Service 12/12A: Hull Paragon Interchange-Sutton-North Point

The 24th July changes saw the withdrawal of the Monday to Saturday 1825 12A from Paragon Interchange, with the last 12A now at 1755, and alternative service 12's at 1810 and 1840. The 2310 service 12 from Paragon Interchange was retimed to 2320.

Service 14: Hull Paragon Interchange-Greatfield

An extra Sunday morning journey was added on 24th July, at 0725 - previous first departure 0835.

Service 16: Hull Paragon Interchange-Victoria Dock-Sutton-North Point

Whilst the 'headline' remains an hourly Monday to Saturday frequency, there were a number of changes introduced in July:

• The Monday to Saturday 0720 Paragon Interchange to North Point became a 0730 Paragon Interchange to Siemens.
• The Monday to Saturday 0909 Morrisons to North Point became a Saturday only 0840 Paragon Interchange to North Point, with the first weekday North Point arrival now not until 1033.
• The 1440 North Point to Paragon Interchange was withdrawn Monday to Friday but not on Saturdays
• The Monday to Saturday 1625 and 1735 Morrisons to Paragon Interchange were replaced by a Saturday only 1545 North Point to Paragon Interchange and a Monday to Saturday 1645 North Point to Paragon Interchange.
• In contrast, the differing Monday to Friday and Saturday late afternoon timetables from Paragon Interchange were standardised. The Monday to Friday 1445 to North Point, 1555/1705 to Morrisons and 1815 to North Point plus the Saturday 1440 to North Point, 1540 to Morrisons and 1640/1740/1810 to North Point became a six day a week 1445/1555/1705/1815 to North Point

Next month's changes add a 1555 North Point to Paragon Interchange Monday to Friday.

Service 20/22: Priory Park, Park and Ride

From Monday 5th September, Monday to Friday morning post-peak and lunchtime journeys and all Saturday journeys will be re-routed via Hessle Road, Askew Avenue, Boothferry Road and Anlaby Road rather than the A63 and Rawling Way between Priory Park and Hull Royal Infirmary - this is the current service 22 route, though all journeys will operate as service 20 regardless of route followed. This is big news for Askew Avenue which currently has no daytime service and now gains a 20 minute frequency. It also partially makes up for the service 1 and 2 frequency reductions on Hessle Road and Anlaby Road respectively.

Additionally it seems as if the 20 will be re-routed away from Paragon Interchange in Hull City Centre, instead operating direct from Carr Lane to Anlaby Road. I can't see this being a major issue as the Interchange passengers can use the stop on Anlaby Road opposite the station side entrance, whilst there are plenty of other direct services from the Interchange to Hull Royal Infirmary such as the Stagecoach 2/250/255/350.

Service 70: Ferrybus

This route which runs daily from Paragon Interchange to connect to/from the overnight P&O North Sea Ferry between Hull King George Dock and Rotterdam, resumes on 4th September - I presume for the first time since the pandemic.

Service 99: Hull Paragon Interchange-Bridlington

For the record, this service resumed for Summer 2022 on Sunday 24th July, to the same timetable as last year.

Service 255: North Bransholme-North Point-Sutton Park-Hull Paragon Interchange-Barton-Wren Kitchens

From Monday 5th September, some Wren Kitchens workers will get a bit longer in bed! The 0420 from North Bransholme is retimed to depart at 0430, whilst the 2320 from Wren Kitchens is speeded up to arrive at North Bransholme at 0015 rather than 0037 (leaves Hull Truck Theatre at 2345 rather than 0000).

Service 350: Hull Paragon Interchange-Barton-Scunthorpe

As off 5th September, the college day extension of the 1625 Scunthorpe Bus Station to Hull to start back at the Scunthorpe Colleges, only introduced in April, is withdrawn. The VOSA registration indicates this is because service 90 to Crowle will now be serving the colleges - presumably the intention is for passengers to connect from service 90 to the 350 at Scunthorpe Bus Station.

From the same date, the Monday to Saturday 1910 from Scunthorpe Bus Station to Hull Paragon Interchange is retimed, taking eight minutes longer. The return 2020 now departs at 2030 as a result.

If I've missed anything major please post a comment below. Stagecoach provided very little in the way of commentary for these changes, so it's a case of comparing timetables to work out what has changed.

(There is also a tender win for Stagecoach's Hull depot, but as that route doesn't serve the City of Hull, I will cover in a separate post)

Extra Hornsby 399 Journeys

In June I reported that the replacement arrangements for former Isle Coaches service 399 had created an anomaly whereby there was a morning peak bus from the southern Isle of Axholme to Scunthorpe on Saturdays, but not Monday to Friday. That oddity was removed on 11th July, with enhancements to Hornsby's Monday to Friday service 399 that will also replace Isle Coaches college service 647 from Misterton to the Scunthorpe Colleges via the Isle of Axholme, once the new college year begins in September.

Two additional journeys have been added to the Hornsby 399 in each direction. There is firstly a 0645 from Scunthorpe to Graizelound via the A18, Belton, Epworth and Low Burnham. Next a 0725 Graizelound to Scunthorpe had commenced, operating via Westwoodside, Owston Ferry, Epworth, Belton, West Butterwick and Gunness, with an extension beyond Scunthorpe Bus Station to the Scunthorpe Colleges on college days.

In the afternoon there is a new 1605 college days/1620 college holidays from Scunthorpe Bus Station to Graizelound, operating via the colleges during term times, but otherwise as per the reverse of the 0725. Finally a 1725 from Graizelound to Scunthorpe has commenced, operating direct to Owston Ferry but then via Epworth, Belton, West Buterwick and Gunness. 

Overall there are now five buses per day Monday to Friday from Scunthorpe to the southern Isle of Axholme (four Hornsby, one Stagecoach) - one less than when the Isle Coaches 399 was in operation - and six in the other direction (five Hornsby, one Stagecoach) - matching the Isle Coaches provision. The new arrangements are unfortunately rather messy though - every Hornsby journey to Scunthorpe has a slightly different route, as does every journey from Scunthorpe, and then a totally different timetable on Saturdays with Stagecoach. Still it's an improvement on the initial Isle 399 replacement, so the extra Hornsby 399's are good news.

(Any students from Misterton to the Scunthorpe Colleges can use JLC Bus Route 9 instead of the 647).

First Dalesbus, now Moorsbus

Earlier this year, Pocklington joined the Dalesbus network, thanks to East Yorkshire winning the contract to provide the 822 Sunday service between York and Grassington, along with an interworked service 875 journey between Grassington and Hawes.

Now in similar circumstances, Pocklington has joined the Moorsbus network after East Yorkshire won the contract to provide one bus every Saturday, Sunday (and August Bank Holiday Monday) between 2nd July and 25th September inclusive. Service M31 provides one service from Pocklington via York and Easingwold to Helmsley every operating day, further extending to Kirkbymoorside and Pickering on Saturdays only. The M31 leaves Pocklington at 0840 Saturdays and 0835 Sundays and Bank Holiday Monday, returning at 1838 Saturday and 1912 Sundays and Bank Holiday Monday. As with the 875, the M31 sticks to the A1079 between Pocklington and York but does serve all the stops it passes.

Whilst in the Yorkshire Moors, East Yorkshire will operate on service M3 on Saturdays and service M4 on Sundays and Bank Holiday Monday. The Saturday M31 immediately becomes a M3 at Pickering travelling to Danby, then works a Danby-Pickering-Malton round trip before a Danby-Pickering service that continues as the homeward M31. On Sundays and Bank Holiday Monday the M31 immediately becomes a M4 at Helmsley travelling onto Guisborough via Stokesley; there is then a Guisborough-Helmsley-Sutton Bank round trip before a final Guisborough to Helmsley service and returning to Pocklington on the M31.

The Sunday M4 is notable in that it takes East Yorkshire into the Tees Valley area as a consequence of serving Guisborough. 

Evening Peak 145 extended to Bridlington

From Monday (4th July), the Monday to Friday 1740 service 145 from Market Weighton to Driffield will be retimed to 1750, to improve the reliability of the connection out of the 1625 service 46 from York at Market Weighton. In addition it will be extended beyond Driffield to Bridlington Morrisons, via Nafferton and Burton Agnes. Between Driffield and Bridlington, the 145 departure from Driffield at 1824 fits in between the 1740 and 1845 service 121 departures. The evening peak 145 from Market Weighton is operated by East Yorkshire's Bridlington depot, so the extension is probably a cheap and easy improvement to make.

Service 145 is operated by East Yorkshire on behalf of East Riding of Yorkshire Council. The morning peak and Monday to Saturday off-peak journeys are unchanged.

Extra Wren Kitchens Services

In April, Stagecoach introduced a couple of extra journeys from Wren Kitchens in Barton; a 1450 455 to Cleethorpes via Immingham and Grimsby Monday to Saturday and a 1450 255 to North Bransholme via Hull Paragon Interchange on a Saturday (already operated weekdays). Presumably due to them being introduced at short notice, they were initially operated as 'closed door' staff services. 

However since yesterday (Monday 27th June), they are being advertised for use by the general public. A Saturday 1335 255 from Paragon Interchange to Wren Kitchens has also been added (again already operated on weekdays).

New early morning service in Scunthorpe - and potential big boost to Sunday daytime services

Stagecoach have announced on their website that there are "some slight amends to service 1 timetable in Scunthorpe" from Sunday 26th June. From a review of the timetable, some times are slightly revised and there are new 'shorts' from Scunthorpe Bus Station to Tesco via the Hospital at 0540 Monday to Saturday, returning from Tesco at 0600. Presumably there is an early morning commuter flow that Stagecoach are aiming to serve. 

The new Stagecoach pdf timetable also shows the Sunday daytime service on evening and Sunday variant 1A, increasing from hourly to half hourly - reversing a change made almost a year ago. Excellent news worth promoting you would think - more than a "slight" amendment? As such the lack of publicity has made me dubious as to whether the 1A Sunday daytime increase is actually happening, or just a mistake in the pdf timetable. On further checking, as off now (Saturday 25th at 0930), it is not loaded into the Stagecoach website journey planner, and it's not showing on bustimes.org, which states it updated the 1A timetable data yesterday (24th). So I'm not really sure what's correct and what isn't. If the 1A is being increased then publicity for it is exceptionally poor, and if it isn't being increased then a very unfortunate mistake has been made. Not good either way.

Isle Coaches end their 291 and 399

Saturday 11th June was the last day of operation by Isle Coaches of their 291 Owston Ferry to Doncaster and 399 Scunthorpe to Doncaster services. These routes had formed the main services for the southern Isle of Axholme area in North Lincolnshire, centred on Epworth. Isle Coaches now only operate the college day 647 service between Misterton, the Isle of Axholme and the Scunthorpe Colleges.

Isle's 291 had operated twice per day Monday to Saturday daytimes, and their 399 five times per day Monday to Saturday between Scunthorpe and Westwoodside, extending to/from Doncaster once per day. I believe these were mostly operated on a commercial basis.

Hornsby last month registered a very basic replacement 399, albeit on a commercial basis - which is encouraging. Their plan was for a 0910 between Belton and Haxey in the Isle of Axholme, followed by an 0925 Haxey to Scunthorpe, 1215 Scunthorpe to Haxey and 1302 Haxey to Scunthorpe, Monday to Friday only. Unlike the Isle 399, these would not have served Westwoodside (or Doncaster), and between Haxey and Epworth would have taken the direct route via Low Burnham, as opposed to serving East Lound and Owston Ferry. 

That however is not the final timetable. The subsidy 'status' of the route has changed from 'No' to 'In Part' so I assume North Lincolnshire Council have funded the improvements which have been made. The 0910 from Belton extends from Haxey to Westwoodside, the 0925 from Haxey to Scunthorpe starts at Westwoodside at 0930 and operates via East Lound and Owston Ferry, the 1215 from Scunthorpe to Haxey is now a 1230 Scunthorpe to Westwoodside via Owston Ferry and East Lound, whilst the 1302 Haxey to Scunthorpe becomes a 1327 Westwoodside to Scunthorpe, still via Low Burnham and operating direct between Belton and Gunness via the A18.

In addition there has also been an 0830 Scunthorpe to Doncaster and 1215 return added to the timetable, still Monday to Friday only. These Doncaster journeys operate via Owston Ferry in both directions and ensure a basic weekday shopping link to South Yorkshire's newest city remains.

Combined with the First operated 57f morning peak Epworth to Doncaster service and the Stagecoach operated 399 evening peak Scunthorpe to Westwoodside and return (slightly retimed) - both Monday to Saturday and operated on a tendered basis - that had looked to be the final provision for the Isle of Axholme in terms of 'timetabled' buses to Scunthorpe and Doncaster. A very basic shoppers service, plus some one direction peak services (albeit that evening peak 399 does also offer a return option for afternoon shoppers). Otherwise there is the JustGo demand responsive service which does cover Isle of Axholme to Scunthorpe journeys, and also serves Blaxton for bus connections to Doncaster.

However during the past week, in what seems to be a very late change, further services have been added for the Isle of Axholme, all on Saturdays and operated by Stagecoach - I assume funded by North Lincolnshire Council.

Firstly the Stagecoach Saturday 399 has gone from one to four journeys in each direction - 0620, 0840, 1320 and 1735 from Scunthorpe, returning from Westwoodside at 0730, 1000, 1430 and 1845. Not necessarily four useful journeys in each direction - I can't see the 0620 getting much use - but certainly enough to offer a basic shopping link and to serve any Saturday commuters. That last point is rather curious though given that Isle Coaches Monday to Friday morning peak service to Scunthorpe hasn't been replaced. 

Secondly the 291 survives as a Saturday only service, still with two journeys in each direction serving Doncaster shopping and leisure travellers. Going by bustimes.org, a Gainsborough depot vehicle operated yesterday's inaugural Stagecoach operated service.

The end result is the southern Isle of Axholme has a better service on Saturdays than during the week! Perhaps not so surprising though when the timetable is primarily geared towards shopping and leisure use rather than commuters or students.

Overall the Isle of Axholme has a worse service after the past week's changes, even on Saturdays. This is a backwards step for bus services in the area. However in current circumstances retaining six day a week links to both Scunthorpe and Doncaster, the former on a part commercial basis, feels like a case of 'could easily have ended up worse than this', especially with the existence of JustGo. 

New Monday Burton Pidsea to Withernsea service

Tomorrow - Monday 30th May - a new Monday only bus service is introduced between Burton Pidsea, Roos and Withernsea. Operated by Holderness Area Rural Transport (HART), the 72 will depart Burton Pidsea at 1100, returning from Withernsea at 1320.

Burton Pidsea is currently without a usable service to Withernsea (and has been since the withdrawal of the 76C in I think 2018), however between Roos and Withernsea there is the two hourly 129 operating either daily in Summer or Monday to Saturday in winter. From Roos there is a 1028 129 to Withernsea and a 1245 return, so the new 72 does appear a bit 'luxurious' for Roos, unless I am missing something? Perhaps the 72 should be routed via Tunstall or Halsham instead? Either way this is good news for Burton Pidsea.

Also oddly, there is very little online publicity. I can't find any mention on Burton Pidsea or Roos Parish Council's websites, not on the HART website, nor on the East Riding of Yorkshire Council news pages (are they funding it?). I only became aware of the new 72 via VOSA's Notices and Proceedings, then found the timetable on bustimes.org. Hopefully the residents of Burton Pidsea are well informed about the new service.

Service 196 extended to Allerthorpe and Melbourne

Since Thursday (26th May), East Yorkshire operated service 196 between Aughton and York has been extended to start/finish at Allerthorpe, and additionally serves Melbourne. Service 196 operates one journey in each direction on a Thursday only as a shoppers service, operated on behalf of East Riding of Yorkshire Council. 

This does have the feel of a bus that would otherwise operate 'out of service' from Pocklington to Aughton, now operating in service as it's a very indirect route for anyone traveling from Allerthorpe or Melbourne to York - but an indirect service is better than no York shoppers service at all, which was the situation until this week.

Stagecoach Fare Changes

Stagecoach East Midlands made their first change to bus fares in three years last Monday (25th April). Other than the services I use, I don't closely follow bus fares, but what caught my attention is that this wasn't just a simple increase, but rather a more complex set of changes that will be either positive or negative depending on the journeys you make. I should say this blog post isn't meant to be a comprehensive overview of the changes, rather a review of what I have spotted.

One eye catching change is that the 'young person' fares age limit has risen from 16 to 19, meaning that older teenagers no longer have to pay adult fares. Hopefully this will encourage more young people to use the bus and then some maybe continue doing so once they have to pay adult prices. There are changes to the composition of travellers allowed when purchasing a group ticket - still 5 people but no requirement for 3 to be children - as well as new flexi tickets.

Single and return fares outside of city or town megarider areas have been grouped into four bands, with each band having a set price, which has led to some significant changes. I've looked at a range of prices from my home town of Barton Upon Humber to see the impact of the changes:

Hillside Drive, Barton (last stop on Ferriby Road going out of the town)

• Was £1 Adult Single, £1.60 Adult Return, 50p Child Single, 80p Child Return
• Now £1 Adult Single, £2 Adult Return, 70p Young Person Single, £1.40 Young Person Return

South Ferriby

• Was £1.50 Adult Single, £2.70 Adult Return, 75p Child Single, £1.35 Child Return
• Now £2 Adult Single, £4 Adult Return, £1.40 Young Person Single, £2.70 Young Person Return

Barrow Upon Humber on service 250

• Was £2.70 Adult Single, £4.80 Adult Return, £1.35 Child Single, £2.40 Child Return
• Now as per the pdf fare table £2 Adult Single, £4 Adult Return, £1.40 Young Person Single, £2.70 Young Person Return
• Now as per the Stagecoach Journey Planner £3 Adult Single, £6 Adult Return, £2 Young Person Single, £4 Young Person Return

Barrow Upon Humber on service 260

• Was £2 Adult Single, £3.40 Adult Return, £1.30 Child Single, £1.70 Child Return
• Now £2 Adult Single, £4 Adult Return, £1.40 Young Person Single, £2.70 Young Person Return

Goxhill

• Was £2.75 Adult Single, £4.95 Adult Return, £1.40 Child Single, £2.50 Child Return
• Now £3 Adult Single, £6 Adult Return, £2 Young Person Single, £4 Young Person Return

Ulceby, Humber Bridge North Side

• Was £3.60 Adult Single, £6.40 Adult Return, £1.80 Child Single, £3.20 Child Return
• Now £3 Adult Single, £6 Adult Return, £2 Young Person Single, £4 Young Person Return

Winterton, Hull Royal Infirmary

• Was £4.10 Adult Single, £7.60 Adult Return, £2.05 Child Single, £3.80 Child Return
• Now £4.50 Adult Single, £7.80 Adult Return, £3 Young Person Single, £5 Young Person Return

Grimsby, Hull Paragon Interchange and Scunthorpe

• Was £5 Adult Single, £9 Adult Return, £2.50 Child Single, £4.50 Child Return
• Now £4.50 Adult Single, £7.80 Adult Return, £3 Young Person Single, £5 Young Person Return

Cleethorpes

• Was £5.90 Adult Single, £9.20 Adult Return, £2.95 Child Single, £4.60 Child Return
• Now £4.50 Adult Single, £7.80 Adult Return, £3 Young Person Single, £5 Young Person Return

Other Tickets I've Checked

Priory Park Park and Ride to Hull City Centre

• Was £2 Adult Single, £3 Adult Return, £1.30 Child Single, £1.80 Child Return
• Now £2.50 Adult Single, £4 Adult Return, £1.50 Young Person Single, £2.70 Young Person Return

North Point Shopping Centre to Hull Paragon Interchange

• Was £2 Adult Single, £3.50 Adult Return, £1.30 Child Single, £2.30 Child Return
• Now £2.50 Adult Single, £4 Adult Return, £1.50 Young Person Single, £2.70 Young Person Return

Hull and Scunthorpe Dayrider

• Was £3.70 for Adults
• Now £4 for Adults

Grimsby Dayrider

• Was £3.60 for Adults in Grimsby, Cleethorpes and Laceby, £4.30 for wider area extending to Immingham to Ulceby
• Now £4 for wider area with the addition of Holton Le Clay, but cheaper Grimsby, Cleethorpes and Laceby area only ticket withdrawn

East Midlands Day Out

• Was £9.30 Adults, £4.65 Child
• Now £7.80 Adults, £5 Young Person

Grimsby Megarider (weekly ticket)

• Was £13 for Adults in Grimsby, Cleethorpes and Laceby, £15.50 for wider area extending to Immingham to Ulceby
• Now £14.50 for wider area with the addition of Holton Le Clay, but cheaper Grimsby, Cleethorpes and Laceby area only ticket withdrawn

Hull Megarider 

• Was £13 Adults
• Now £15 Adults
• But the all operator HullCard is £14.90!!!!

Scunthorpe Megarider

• Was £12 Adults
• Now £14 Adults

Megarider Humber

• Was £27 Adults
• Now withdrawn, £28 Megarider Connect is the alternative

Megarider Connect (valid across Stagecoach East Midlands)

• Was £30 Adults
• Now £28 Adults

There are some big increases, some small increases and some notable decreases. Based on the above sample, generally the reductions seem to be for those travelling longer distances.

For me, the bus fare from Barton to Hull City Centre has been too high for some time. £9 return makes no financial sense for me as a car owner compared to £3 park and ride, £2.70 bridge toll (with Humber Tag) and a little bit of petrol and 'car wear and tear'. Now whilst £7.80 is still expensive for just over half an hour each way on the bus, with the £1.20 (13%) reduction to the Barton to Hull adult return fare and the £1 increase in the park and ride adult return price, I might just leave the car at home next time and catch the bus all the way. The cost of being more environmentally friendly has reduced significantly in this example.

Hornsby Brigg Area Changes

Last Tuesday (19th April), Hornsby Travel revised their services 4, X4 and 94 in the Brigg area. 

Starting with the X4 between Scunthorpe, Scawby, Brigg, Wrawby, Melton Ross and Barnetby; this service has been almost entirely withdrawn due to "passenger demand". All that remains are Monday to Friday journeys at 0800 from Scunthorpe to Brigg and 1745 from Brigg to Scunthorpe. Previously the X4 had operated 7 journeys a day, every two hours with some extras, Monday to Friday, between Scunthorpe and Barnetby. As I will explain below, Scawby, Wrawby, Barnetby and Melton Ross receive alternatives, so the biggest loss is the fast service between Scunthorpe and Brigg. Cutting back the X4 isn't going to attract new passengers to use the bus, but aside from the few properties at Greetwell Crossroads no community is 'cut-off' (and Greetwell retains the residual X4 plus JustGo).

Moving onto service 4, the main route between Scunthorpe and Brigg via Ashby and Broughton; here the main Monday to Saturday daytime service remains hourly whilst the limited mid-evening journeys are retimed to operate slightly later. The big change is that Monday to Friday only, five journeys - every two hours - are extended beyond Brigg to Kirmington via Wrawby, Barnetby, Melton Ross and Humberside Airport. This replaces the X4 east of Brigg, albeit with two fewer journeys, whilst restores a timetabled bus service to Humberside Airport for the first time since the Humber Flyer was rerouted at the start of September 2020 and to Kirmington for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. For Humberside Airport, the 4 probably won't be much use, but for the sake of a minute each way, if it's passing why not divert just in case there is a passenger. However for Kirmington this is a clear good news story, and hopefully the core section of the 4 between Scunthorpe and Brigg will benefit from new 'cross-Brigg' passengers.

When the 4 isn't extending to Kirmington, then Monday to Friday daytime it will be operating as a service 94, with through 'cross Brigg' travel available. If this sounds familiar, it's the same basic arrangement as the X4 pre COVID-19, hourly Scunthorpe to Brigg then two hourly to Kirmington or two hourly onto the 94. As part of these changes the 94 gets a new timetable, with four rather than five journeys between Brigg and Redbourne and three still continuing onto Kirton in Lindsey. The 94 also now diverts via Scawby village to replace the X4. Again hopefully the 94 benefits from the 'cross-Brigg' links as well as custom from Scawby.

Overall these changes are cutbacks, but some thought has gone into ensuring they have the least impact possible and some positive developments have been included in the process.

Scunthorpe Hospital Service 9 Withdrawn

On Good Friday (15th April), Hornsby Travel withdrew their service 9 between Scunthorpe Bus Station and Scunthorpe Hospital. In part the route served as a hospital park and ride, with car parks in Scunthorpe Town Centre being used as an alterative to hospital parking. I think the service was still on it's COVID-19 reduced timetable of half hourly 0800-1800 Monday to Friday at the time of it's withdrawal. 

Stagecoach services 1, 7 and 8 provide four services per hour between Scunthorpe Bus Station and the Cliff Gardens side of the hospital Monday to Friday daytime, supplemented by the 90 every two hours off peak - so I don't envisage the withdrawal of the 9 being a major loss here. However the Church Lane side of the hospital, and Church Lane itself, is left with only the East Yorkshire 361 every two hours, so the withdrawal of the 9 maybe felt more here, especially by those with limited mobility. Could the 90 be re-routed via Church Lane to supplement the 361? Or some of the Doncaster Road services that bypass the hospital all together - the 35, 60 and 399? The 9 probably doesn't need a direct replacement, but some mitigation for Church Lane would be good to see.

Pulled from Pocklington - But almost certainly not a big loss

With effect from Monday (25th April), the York Pullman operated tendered X36 Monday to Friday peak service between Pocklington and York is slightly truncated to operate between Bielby and York only. There had been a 0630 from Pocklington, returning from York Station at 1740 as a timetabled service to Melbourne, then continuing on request only to Seaton Ross, Everingham, Bielby and Pocklington. Now however the morning service will be a 0645 departure from Bielby to York, still returning from York Station at 1740 but with the timetabled service ending at Sutton Upon Derwent, continuing onto Melbourne, Seaton Ross, Everingham and Bielby on request only.

Whilst this does mean Pocklington has lost the X36, I'd be surprised if it got much use from the town, since the 46 and X46 offer a quicker and far more frequent service for Pocklington to York travel. Instead the Pocklington end of the route is probably a legacy from when East Yorkshire operated the peaktime service in the area from it's Pocklington depot. So cutting out a little bit of mileage and omitting Pocklington may well be a sensible minor cost and carbon emission saving.

The Monday to Saturday daytime 36 and X36 between Sutton Upon Derwent and York also undergoes some minor retimings as part of this service change.

Pocklington joins the Dalesbus Network

East Yorkshire have won the 2022 contract for Dalesbus Summer Sunday and Bank Holiday service 822 between York, Boroughbridge, Ripon, Fountains Abbey, Pateley Bridge and Grassington, along with a journey on service 875 between Grassington and Hawes. 

As Dalesbus operators sometimes do, East Yorkshire have chosen to extend their service to start and finish at, or closer to, their operating depot, and for East Yorkshire that is Pocklington. The 822 will depart Pocklington at 0855, returning at 1830. Between Pocklington and York the 822 sticks to the A1079 but will serve all stops en-route. 

The 822, and East Yorkshire's 875 journey, commence tomorrow (Easter Sunday 17th April) and operate until Sunday 25th September.

(Almost) Goodbye to East Yorkshire's Service 45

Service 45 between Bridlington, Driffield, Market Weighton, Pocklington and York has been almost entirely withdrawn after operation yesterday (Saturday 9th April), whilst the ad-hoc shorter 45A variant via Warter (the more traditional route) rather than Market Weighton has been withdrawn entirely. Operator East Yorkshire cite "low levels of usage between Market Weighton and Driffield" as the reason for them pulling their commercially operated journeys.

Service 45 and 45A had provided five journeys from Bridlington to York in each direction, plus a Pocklington or Warter to Bridlington short in each direction and one extra 'one-way' York to Driffield working - all operating Monday to Saturday. The frequency was broadly every two hours with some longer gaps, and together with the 46 provided an hourly service between Market Weighton, Pocklington and York, and then further combined with the X46 an approximately half hourly service along this section of route.

The section between Market Weighton and York will be replaced from Monday (11th April) with extra 'short' journeys on service 46, so for local travel on this corridor there is little change. These new 'shorts' wait in Market Weighton for half an hour rather than run the full route to Holme on Spalding Moor, or continue to Middleton - both of which there is time to do. Presumably East Yorkshire do not think the marginal costs of doing so could be covered.

There are some small changes between Market Weighton and York. The Monday to Friday 0632 from Holme on Spalding Moor will run at 0714 to replace an old service 45A between Pocklington and York - oddly the Saturday equivalent, retimed two minutes later from 0647 to 0649, will depart earlier on a weekend morning than a weekday morning. The Monday to Saturday 0825 from York to Holme on Spalding Moor will start in Pocklington at 0920 Monday to Friday. The 1425 from York to Bridlington via Market Weighton will terminate in Pocklington Monday to Friday, only extending to Market Weighton on Saturdays. Similarly the current 1355 from Bridlington will be retained between Market Weighton (depart 1505) and York on Saturdays only, with Monday to Friday just the Pocklington to York section still operating. The 1625 from Pocklington to York will be withdrawn Monday to Friday but is extended to start back in Market Weighton on a Saturday. 

Between Bridlington and Driffield the 121 continues to provide a daily hourly service, so whilst the loss of five Monday to Saturday services each way is hardly welcome, for local travel there is an alternative.

That leaves the Driffield to Market Weighton section of the 45, which as well as linking the two towns also serves the villages of Bainton, North Dalton and Middleton en-route. Bainton and Middleton do have a limited service to Beverley but the 45 has been the main service here, and for North Dalton the only service. Here East Riding of Yorkshire Council have stepped in with new tendered service 145 commencing tomorrow, operated by East Yorkshire - one service, but with two distinct elements.

Firstly Monday to Friday there is a 0645 Driffield to Market Weighton journey connecting into the 46, and a 1740 in the other direction (connecting out of the 1625 from York). The second element is a Monday to Saturday off-peak 'shoppers' service between Driffield and Middleton that then extends to the nearby village of Lund, presumably because there is time to do so. Services leave Lund at 0930, 1030, 1130 and 1330, returning from Driffield at 1000, 1100, 1300 and 1400. Driffield to Bainton had been served by four journeys in each direction, Driffield to North Dalton by six and Driffield to Middleton by four from Driffield and five to Driffield, all Monday to Saturday. From Monday these communities will each have six journeys between the residual 45 and the 145 Monday to Friday, reducing to five on Saturdays - so an improvement for local links into Driffield from Bainton, Middleton and Lund. Like with the service 55 changes, a little good has come from a largely negative change.

As alluded to, the 45 isn't entirely withdrawn - the 1655 from Bridlington to York remains, whilst the 1925 45A from York to Bridlington becomes a service 45 via Market Weighton. Seems a rather 'oddball' retention, but these journeys were subsidised, not commercial, and East Riding of Yorkshire Council have decided to retain them. They do still have some purpose - providing a journey an hour later in each direction than the last 46, supplementing the 121 from Bridlington in the evening peak, and providing the last service of the day from Driffield to Bridlington, which is at 2058 on the 45 but at 1845 on the 121. The 1733 timing from Driffield towards Bainton, North Dalton and Middleton may also be useful for any villagers spending the afternoon in Driffield. 

So other than the ad-hoc Warter journeys, no section of route is left unserved, the Market Weighton to York section is barely impacted . Even focusing on Monday to Saturday daytimes, the only unserved link is Middleton to Market Weighton. This isn't a story of communities being isolated. Where it's significant is the impact on longer distance travel. There is now no Bridlington to York bus apart from that residual 45, with passengers having to travel via Scarborough or Beverley. Likewise for Driffield to York, or Pocklington and Market Weighton to Driffield or Bridlington, it's a change in Beverley going forward. 

Extra Journey to Sand le Mere Holiday Village

The East Yorkshire operated tendered 129 between Withernsea and Hornsea gains an extra 'short journey' between Withernsea and Sand le Mere Holiday Village from Monday 11th April - with a new 1610 departure operating Monday to Saturday and Summer Sundays when the holiday village is open. Currently the last service from Withernsea is at 1445, or 1245 on schooldays, so the 1610 could potentially be an attractive later departure.

Cutbacks West of Hull (with some Saturday enhancements)

In a significant set of cutbacks, from Sunday 10th April, East Yorkshire have cancelled service X5 between Hull and Goole, the Sunday service 55 between Hull and Gilberdyke and their commercial Monday to Saturday journeys on the 55 between Elloughton and Goole. Thankfully East Riding of Yorkshire Council have funded an off peak replacement for the latter cut, which comes with a small Saturday enhancement at the Goole end of the route. 

Starting with the X5, it's been a five journey a day (four on Saturday) Monday to Saturday coach service between Hull and Goole via Brough, Elloughton, the B1230 (serving the edge of Gilberdyke) and Howden, introduced last January. With the benefit of hindsight, not the best time to start a new service! It's axe now is being blamed on 'low levels of usage'. I'm not surprised. Whilst COVID-19 won't have helped at all, I was never wholly convinced about the merits of the X5 in the first place, especially west of Elloughton, due to the greater frequency and speed on the train from both Goole and Gilberdyke into Hull. 

Moving onto the 55, and Monday to Saturday there is very little change between Hull and Elloughton where an hourly service remains. The residual 155 variation via Anlaby, Hessle Cemetery Corner and in some instances Brantingham, on weekdays for certain early morning and late afternoon journeys is withdrawn and replaced by 'standard' 55's via Boothferry Road in Hull and Hessle, apart from the 0610 from Hull Paragon Interchange, which is renumbered to service 55A. Service 156 remains for South Hunsley School passengers.

Between Elloughton, South Cave, North Cave, Newport and Gilberdyke the off peak service remains hourly, but all peak journeys are withdrawn apart from one morning service to Goole. From Elloughton services depart for Gilberdyke at 0725, then hourly from 0955 to 1455, whilst from Gilberdyke departures are hourly from 0930 to 1530, then 1640. The first arrival into Hull from west of Elloughton is at 1048, with the last return at 1400. Even the 1810 from Hull to South Cave and 1906 return is truncated at Elloughton despite there still being time to run to South Cave and back - presumably unable to cover the marginal costs.

The new timetable does still allow travel from Gilberdyke, Newport, North Cave and South Cave into Brough, for example to visit Morrisons, and just about offers a usable shopping service to Hull. However for any commuters the bus is now useless, and even for leisure travel, a last 1400 departure from Hull is rather restrictive, there is no flexibility. As already mentioned, Gilberdyke does also have the train, but this isn't an option for Newport, North Cave or South Cave. East Riding of Yorkshire Council deserve credit for stepping in to keep what service there is going - it could have been a lot worse - but it's hard to be happy with the outcome.

Turning to the Gilberdyke to Goole via Eastrington and Howden section and here it's not all negative. Currently there are four journeys into Goole Monday to Friday, with three returns and two each way on a Saturday. With the new 55 timetable, that increases to four each way Monday to Saturday. This does need to be offset between Howden and Goole by the loss of the X5 - the X5 is presently the most frequent service between the two towns - but certainly a net gain for Eastrington. 

As mentioned the Sunday 55 is withdrawn entirely, operating for the last time today. It offers an approximately two hourly daytime frequency between Hull and Gilberdyke and I believe leaves a Sunday 'bus desert' between Swanland and Selby (as opposed to between Gilberdyke and Selby today). Anlaby Road within Hull has plenty of alternatives, whilst Boothferry Road has the 66 (within the Hull boundary) and 350, but otherwise the only public transport option on a Sunday for current service 55 passengers is the train to Ferriby, Brough and Gilberdyke. Melton, Welton, Elloughton, South Cave, North Cave and Newport will have nothing. Lots of other places across the country are in the same situation, but still a very disappointing development.

Finally another Saturday positive from the changes, subsidised service 88 between Goole, Airmyn, Rawcliffe and Rawcliffe Bridge gains a two hourly daytime service, interworked with the 55. This is the first time Rawcliffe Bridge has had a Saturday service since early February 2018, whilst for Airmyn it will be first usable Saturday service for some years (I seem to recall there was an 'oddball' evening 400 between Goole and Selby on a Saturday until relatively recently that gave passengers a few minutes in Goole, but no daytime service).

Flamborough Improvements

East Yorkshire Service 14 between Bridlington and Flamborough has three changes from Sunday 10th April:

• The route becomes part of the 'Coaster' brand, already applied to the 12 and 13 between Bridlington and Scarborough. 
• The Sunday daytime service returns for the Summer, and whilst it's not explicitly stated in the publicity, it appears the Sunday daytime service will now be year round.
• There are three new daily evening journeys added in each direction for the Summer (10th April to 30th October) at 1845, 1945 and 2045 from Bridlington, returning from Flamborough around half an hour later. This essentially continues the hourly daytime frequency for a further three hours (winter last departure from Bridlington is at 1745).

It's always good to be able to report some good news!

Coaster to serve Scarborough South Bay

East Yorkshire start the Summer timetable on their 12 and 13 'Coaster' branded services between Bridlington, Filey and Scarborough on Saturday 5th March. For Summer 2022, service 13 will newly serve Aquarium Top in Scarborough for access to the South Bay (apart from mid and late evening inbound services to Scarborough). Otherwise the 12 and 13 each remain hourly daily daytimes between Bridlington and Scarborough, supplemented by an hourly service 13 'short' between Filey and Scarborough. There is also an hourly daily early and mid evening service on route 13.

255 New Year Changes

Last time Wren Kitchens changed their shift arrangements at their Barton HQ, I said that there were positives and negatives for other travellers between Barton and Hull, and from Sunday 2nd January it will be the same again as service 255 between Barton and Hull is revised. There are also some positives for travel within the City of Hull.

However first of all, the 255 gained three extra Monday to Friday journeys from Monday 8th November; they never made it to the Stagecoach pdf timetable or got a formal announcement on the Stagecoach website, but did get onto bustimes.org. Journeys added were at 1325 from Hull Interchange (temporarily restoring the 15 minute frequency from Hull to Barton for 90 minutes between 1240 and 1410) and at 1450 and 2320 from Wren Kitchens in Barton.

Returning to the 2nd January changes, and Monday to Saturday they are as follows:

• The Tuesday to Friday only 0345 from Barton Wren Kitchens to the Beverley Road/Clough Road junction in Hull is extended to North Bransholme and operates daily.
• The 0550 from the Beverley Road/Clough Road junction to Barton Wren Kitchens now starts back in North Bransholme at 0520, serving North Point at 0535. This somewhat fills the gap between the 0435 255 from North Point via Sutton Park to Paragon Interchange (and beyond to Barton) and the 0553 first service 8 of the day from North Point via Sutton Park.
• The 0620 from Barton Wren Kitchens to the Beverley Road/Clough Road junction is retimed to 0545 and extended to North Bransholme. The current 0620 does get some use from Barton, so these passengers will have to either travel 35 minutes earlier or use slightly later 250 or 350 journeys.
• The 0805 from Hull Paragon Interchange to Barton Wren Kitchens now starts in North Bransholme at 0720.
• The Monday to Friday only 1325 from Paragon Interchange to Barton Wren Kitchens now departs at 1335 - no doubt better for a 1430 start at Wren, but creates an unfortunate 25-5 minute interval in the Hull to Barton timetable.
• The Monday to Friday only 1450 from Barton Wren Kitchens is extended to North Bransholme.
• The Monday to Friday only 1530 from the Beverley Road/Clough Road junction to Barton Wren Kitchens will also operate on Saturdays.
• The 1645 from the Beverley Road/Clough Road junction to Barton Wren Kitchens will start at Paragon Interchange at 1705 instead; this does remove the current situation of a 1700 250 and 1700 255 leaving the Interchange at the same time.
• The Monday to Friday only 1710 from Barton Wren Kitchens to the Beverley Road/Clough Road junction in Hull is extended to North Bransholme and also operates on Saturdays.
• The 1750 from Barton Wren Kitchens to the Beverley Road/Clough Road junction in Hull is extended to North Bransholme. The last service 7 from Hull Paragon Interchange is at 1747, whereas the 255 departs at 1830 so this could be a useful slightly later link from Beverley Road to Bransholme and North Bransholme. It also fits is relatively well between the 1810 and 1910 service 8's from Paragon Interchange to Sutton Park.
• The 1830 from Hull Paragon Interchange to Barton Wren Kitchens is withdrawn; there is a 1835 service 350 as an alternative. 
• The 1920 from Barton Wren Kitchens to the Beverley Road/Clough Road junction in Hull is withdrawn.
• There is a new Monday to Saturday 2235 from Hull Paragon Interchange to Barton Wren Kitchens - this is very welcome as the current last service from Hull to Barton is at 2020.
• The Monday to Friday only 2320 from Barton Wren Kitchens is extended to North Bransholme and also operates on Saturdays. Probably not the intention, but this journey is the closest service to a nightbus in Hull now, and departs Hull Truck Theatre at 0000.

A more general side-effect of these changes are more services between Hull Royal Infirmary, Beverley Road, Sutton Park, Bransholme and North Bransholme - again probably not intentional but welcome.

On Sundays the 255 is withdrawn entirely apart from a new 0345 from Barton Wren Kitchens to North Bransholme. This means there is now no arrival from Barton into Hull between 0425 and 1025, and the return of the three hour gap in departures from Hull to Barton between 1530 and 1830.

New Wren Kitchens Workers Service 455

Stagecoach are introducing a new service from Cleethorpes for employees at Wren Kitchens in Barton on Tuesday 4th January, numbered 455. Whilst very much aimed at Wren commuters, it does appear to be a public bus service.

The 455 will depart Cleethorpes Pier at 0415 Monday to Saturday, returning from Barton at 1710. Whilst the service isn't yet in Stagecoach's journey planner, nor on bustimes.org or traveline, going by Stagecoach's pdf timetable, it will operate the service 250 route from Cleethorpes via Grimsby Town Centre to Grimsby College, before serving the Nunsthorpe, Laceby Acres and Wybers Wood estates in Grimsby. The next timing point is Stallingborough Roundabout, so presumably also serves Healing, then Immingham, South Killingholme, Ulceby, Thornton Curtis and Barrow before arriving at Wren Kitchens.

The 455 will be the only non-schools timetabled bus service for South Killingholme. 

Also noteworthy, and almost certainty incidental rather than intentional, is that the morning 455 does offer a connection onto the new 0545 service 255 from Barton to Hull, providing a 0625 arrival into Hull City Centre from North East Lincolnshire. Based on timings at Wren Kitchens this is a 6 minute connection in Barton, though as Wren Kitchens is private property, anyone wanting to make such a journey would need to get off the 455 on Falkland Way in Barton and make the short walk to Barton Cemetery for the 255.

Humber Fastcat and 355 January Changes.

With effect from Sunday 2nd January, Stagecoach will be slightly revising their timetable for the 350 Humber Fastcat between Hull, Barton and Scunthorpe, seemingly in connection with revised shift times at Wren Kitchens in Barton. In total five journeys are altered:

• The Saturday 0815 from Scunthorpe to Hull will depart at 0755 and run via Wren Kitchens in Barton, as already occurs Monday to Friday.
• The Saturday 1545 from Scunthorpe to Hull will operate via Wren Kitchens in Barton, matching the equivalent Monday to Friday departure.
• The Monday to Saturday 1715 from Hull to Scunthorpe will operate via Wren Kitchens in Barton, but the 1745 and 1835 departures from Hull to Scunthorpe cease to do so.

As a result of these changes, the Monday to Friday and Saturday timetables will once again be identical. There are no changes to the 350 Humber Fastcat on Sundays.

Associated service 355 between Scunthorpe and Barton Wren Kitchens is also revised. The 0345 from Barton will operate daily rather than Tuesday to Friday mornings, whilst the Monday, Saturday and Sunday only 0620 from Barton is withdrawn. The 1710 from Barton will operate on Saturdays as well as Monday to Friday, but the Sunday only 1655 from Scunthorpe and 1820 and 1920 from Barton will also be withdrawn. The withdrawal of the 1655 does see the Sunday late afternoon service from Scunthorpe to Barton revert back to a 3 hour gap between the 1510 and 1810 Humber Fastcat's.

In connection with changes to the 255, it will be possible to travel from Scunthorpe to Hull and arrive as early as 0625, by using the 0455 355 from Scunthorpe and changing in Barton. It's a shame the service isn't a through 350 service, as Monday to Friday at least the 0455 355 has been worked by an Enviro400 MMC, so I think must be operated by Stagecoach's Hull depot rather than Scunthorpe depot - Hull depot also work the 255.

Christmas and New Year Bus Services 2021/2022

It's the time of year again for my annual summary of Christmas and New Year bus services across the Humber Region. The following operators are included, but not their services outside the region:

• Arriva Yorkshire
• CallConnect
• East Yorkshire (excluding JustGo)
• First South Yorkshire (Doncaster Area)
• First York
• Grayscroft Coaches
• Hornsby Travel
• Hunts Coaches
• PC Coaches
• Stagecoach 
• York Pullman (obtained via itravelyork.info)

Please check exact details before travelling as I have only summarised here, or for any occasions were publicity is incorrect (it's happened before!). If you have any further information for other operators, or to correct any details listed here, please post a comment.

Monday 20st December to Thursday 23rd December:

Normal services, except First South Yorkshire who will be operating a Saturday service. 

Christmas Eve:

Predominately a normal Friday service finishing between approximately 1800 and 2000, with the following exceptions:

• CallConnect, First South Yorkshire and Stagecoach will operate a Saturday service.
• Stagecoach services 10 (Burringham-Scunthorpe), 25 (Market Rasen-Grimsby), 35 (Amcotts-Scunthorpe), 60 (Whitton-Scunthorpe), 79 (Hedon-Hull), 90 (Crowle-Scunthorpe), 260 (Barton Villager) and 277 (Hedon-Hull) will operate as normal.

Christmas Day:

No services.

Boxing Day:

No services, apart from a limited service operated by East Yorkshire (see below). This is notable in that Stagecoach will not be operating any city services in Hull on Boxing Day this year, compared to the Sunday service offered last year between 0900 and 1800, and the predominately hourly service on main routes provided for a number of years prior.

East Yorkshire will be operating the following daytime services:

• 56: Wymersely Road-Hull-Asda Bilton - Half Hourly 
• 63: Hull-Castle Hill Hospital - Hourly
• 66: Hull-Hessle - Hourly
• 75: Hull-Withernsea - Every two hours, with an extra morning journey to Hull and an extra afternoon journey from Hull.
• 104: Hull-Castle Hill Hospital - Hourly
• 121: Hull-Bridlington - Every two hours
• 154: Hull-Castle Hill Hospital - Hourly
• X46: Hull-York - Every two hours

Compared to last year, the 56 is increased from hourly to half hourly, and is extended to operate between Hull City Centre and Wymersley Road, in part replacing the hourly 34 between Hull and Willerby that isn't operating this year. Also not operating this year, compared to 2020, are the 12 between Bridlington and Scarborough and the X47 between Pocklington and York (the X46 still provides a service to some of the X47 communities).

Bank Holidays Monday 27th December & Tuesday 28th December:

A Sunday service will be provided, with the exception of East Yorkshire who will provide a hybrid timetable that is a mix of almost normal Saturday timetables on some routes and service levels that are higher than Sundays but lower than Saturdays on others, with elements of Monday & Tuesday evening and Sunday provision mixed in - summary below:

• 12: Bridlington-Scarborough - Sunday service (which other than early mornings, is the same as Monday-Saturday).
• 23: Hull-Beverley - Saturday service from Hull, Cannot get the timetable from Beverley to show on the East Yorkshire website, but assume that it is also the same or very similar to Saturdays.
• 24: Hull-Hornsea - Saturday service apart from no 0630 Hornsea-Hull.
• 25: Hessle-Beverley-Hornsea - Saturday service apart from the 0700 from Hornsea starts in Beverley at 0745, whilst there is no 2340 from Beverley to Hornsea (as is usual for a Monday/Tuesday).
• 45/45A/46: Bridlington-Pocklington-York - Hourly daytime service between Pocklington to York (as normal for Monday to Saturday), 3 journeys in each direction extend to/from Bridlington (Mon-Sat usually extends hourly to Market Weighton then two hourly to Bridlington and two hourly to Holme on Spalding Moor).
• 54: Hull-Willerby - Half Hourly Daytime and Hourly Evening service.
• 55: Hull-Gilberdyke-Goole - Saturday service between Hull and Gilberdyke only, with no 0635 Gilberdyke-Hull, 0725 Elloughton-Goole or 0800 Hull-Gilberdyke. No service between Gilberdyke and Goole.
• 56: Wymersley Road-Hull-Asda Bilton - Half Hourly Daytime and Hourly Evening service.
• 57: Hessle-Hull-Asda Bilton - Half Hourly Daytime and Hourly Evening service.
• 63: Hull-Castle Hill Hospital - Saturday service from Hull apart from no 0610 and 2330 departures (the latter does not normally operate on a Monday/Tuesday, Cannot get the timetable from Castle Hill to show in full on the East Yorkshire website, but assume that it is also the same or very similar to Saturdays.
• 66: Hull-Hessle - Every 20 minutes Daytimes and Hourly Evening service.
• 75: Hull-Withernsea - Saturday service except no 0530, 0600 or 1847 from Withernsea and no 0645, 0715 or 2010 from Hull (the evening provision therefore matches a normal Monday and Tuesday)
• 104: Hull-Castle Hill Hospital - Half Hourly Daytime and Hourly Evening service.
• 105: Hull-Castle Hill Hospital - Saturday service, except no 0655 from Hull, 0700 and 0730 from Castle Hill.
• 121: Hull-Beverley-Bridlington - Saturday daytime service, except no 0605 or 0705 from Beverley to Hull. Normal Monday/Tuesday evening service.
• 130: Hornsea-Bridlington - Weekend service.
• 152: Hull-Anlaby-Bridgehead Business Park - Hourly daytime service with hourly early evening Hull to Anlaby 'shorts' (normal frequency but at different times).
• 153: Hull-Swanland - Hourly daytime service (normal frequency but at different times).
• 154: Hull-Castle Hill Hospital - Half Hourly Daytime and Hourly Evening service.
• 350: Hull-Scunthorpe - Sunday service
• X7: Hull-Withernsea - Saturday service
• X46/X47: Hull to York - Saturday daytime service, apart from no 0620 Pocklington to York X47 and the 0702 York to Hull X46 starting in Pocklington at 0740, with the usual Monday/Tuesday evening service.

The above covers all routes usually served on a Sunday, plus some that aren't. All references to normal timetables relate to the current temporary timetables due to the driver shortage.

Wednesday 29th December:

Predominantly a Saturday service, with the following exceptions:

• Hornsby Travel and PC Coaches will operate a normal Wednesday service.
• East Yorkshire services 88 (Goole-Rawcliffe Bridge) and 360/361 (Goole-Scunthorpe) will operate as normal.
• Stagecoach services 35 (Amcotts-Scunthorpe), 60 (Whitton-Scunthorpe), 90 (Crowle-Scunthorpe) and 260 (Barton Villager) will operate as normal.
• York Pullman services 36/X36 (Pocklington-Sutton Upon Derwent-York) will operate as normal.
• East Yorkshire service 142 (Cherry Burton-Beverley) will not operate.
• East Yorkshire services B1/B2/18/25/54/63/75/121/X47 Friday and Saturday only evening journeys will not operate (normal Wednesday evening journeys on the 25/54/63/75/121/X47 will however).

(As a side note, Stagecoach operated Saturday service 173 between Withernsea and Hull will be operating as part of Stagecoach's Saturday provision on Wednesday 29th, Thursday 30th and Friday 31st, so three times the normal service level this week, allowing for no service on Saturday 1st!).

Thursday 30th December:

Predominantly a Saturday service, with the following exceptions:

• Hornsby Travel and PC Coaches will operate a normal Thursday service.
• East Yorkshire services 88 (Goole-Rawcliffe Bridge), 150 (Swanland-Hessle), 196 (Aughton-York) and 360/361 (Goole-Scunthorpe) will operate as normal.
• Stagecoach services 10 (Ashby Parklands-Ashby), 35 (Amcotts-Scunthorpe), 60 (Whitton-Scunthorpe), 90 (Crowle-Scunthorpe) and 260 (Barton Villager) will operate as normal.
• York Pullman services 36/X36 (Pocklington-Sutton Upon Derwent-York) will operate as normal.
• East Yorkshire services 142 (Cherry Burton-Beverley) and 143 (North Ferriby-Beverley) will not operate.
• East Yorkshire services B1/B2/18/25/54/63/75/121/X47 Friday and Saturday only evening journeys will not operate (normal Thursday evening journeys on the 25/54/63/75/121/X47 will however).

New Years Eve:

Predominately a Saturday service finishing at approximately 2000, with the following exceptions:

• Hornsby Travel and PC Coaches will operate a normal Friday service, with early finish around 1800.
• East Yorkshire services 88 (Goole-Rawcliffe Bridge), 183 (Hessle Town Service) and 360/361 (Goole-Scunthorpe) will operate as normal.
• Stagecoach services 10 (Burringham-Scunthorpe), 25 (Market Rasen-Grimsby), 35 (Amcotts-Scunthorpe), 60 (Whitton-Scunthorpe), 90 (Crowle-Scunthorpe) and 260 (Barton Villager) will operate as normal.
• York Pullman services 36/X36 (Pocklington-Sutton Upon Derwent-York) will operate as normal.
• East Yorkshire services 142 (Cherry Burton-Beverley) and 143 (North Ferriby-Beverley) will not operate.

New Years Day:

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

Sunday 2nd January:

Normal Sunday Services

Bank Holiday Monday 3rd January:

A Sunday service will be provided.

Tuesday 4th January:

Services return to normal.

Thursday Only 161 Changes Operator

Operation of the tendered Thursday only 'shopper' service 161 between Market Rasen, Caistor, Brigg and Lakeside Retail Park in Scunthorpe, passed from Stagecoach to PC Coaches on Thursday 4th November, with no change to the timetable.

No more service 4 to Foxhills

On Monday 27th September Hornsby Travel amended their service 4 between Brigg, Broughton, Lakeside, Ashby and Scunthorpe. The main change arguably was the removal of the extension of certain journeys to Foxhills Industrial Estate, north of Scunthorpe - they had operated early morning Monday to Saturday, early afternoon Monday to Friday, late afternoon Saturday and in the evening peak and late evening Monday to Friday, to suit the needs of commuters.

Looking in more detail at the timetable and the Monday to Friday 0500 from Lakeside to Foxhills Industrial Estate has been withdrawn entirely, not just north of Scunthorpe Bus Station, there are however new 0615 Ashby to Brigg and 0630 Ashby to Scunthorpe journeys Monday to Friday. Journey times throughout the day are amended, with the overall Monday to Saturday daytime frequency remaining hourly. 

In the early evening Monday to Saturday, the service is improved, with the 1830 from Scunthorpe to Brigg replaced by 1845 and 2000 departures, plus a 2115 'short' from Scunthorpe to Ashby. In the opposite direction the 1910 from Brigg to Ashby is replaced by 1925 and 2040 departures from Brigg to Scunthorpe. However the residual late evening service Monday to Friday of a 2100 Lakeside to Foxhills Industrial Estate departure and 2215 return has been withdrawn entirely.

Also off note is that college day only service 13 between Scunthorpe Bus Station, Scunthorpe Station, Scunthorpe Hospital (Church Lane), Scunthorpe Colleges (North Lindsey and John Leggott), Ashby and Lakeside has been replaced by service 4c. In the morning the 4c is a service 4 journey from Brigg which diverts via Scunthorpe's Colleges, whilst in the evening there is a 'standalone' 1605 4c from Scunthorpe to Lakeside via Scunthorpe Station as well as the Colleges.

Brigg Town Service Changes

Hornsby Travel operated Brigg Town Services 91 and 92 received a new timetable on Tuesday 28th September, including a diversion of most service 91 journeys via Aldi just west of the town centre. The 91 and 92 operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays only.

Service 91 to the Springbank and Churchill Avenue areas of Brigg had the biggest changes. Between Grammar School Road and Wrawby Road, the 91 now operates via Barnard Avenue on the edge of the town centre, rather than via Hawthorn Avenue. The timetable has also been substantially revised, with departures from Cary Lane in the town centre at 0925, 1045 (to the Springbank area only), 1115, 1245, 1325 and 1425 (the latter to both to the Springbank area only and operating Tuesday and Thursday only) replaced by hourly departures between 0930 and 1330, plus a Tuesday and Thursday only 1410 service to the Springbank area only. 

Meanwhile on service 92 to Cadney, Howsham and Brigg Garden Centre, the 1215 from Brigg Cary Lane is retimed to 1200, whilst the Saturday only 'short' to Brigg Garden Centre and back at 1315 is retimed to 1345, matching the Tuesday and Thursday timetable.

The Return of the 94

Service 94 between Brigg, Hibaldstow, Redbourne and Kirton in Lindsey resumed on Monday 27th September, around 13 months after it's withdrawal. It's again operated by Hornsby Travel and again is operating Monday to Friday only. There are however some key changes from it's old format.

Firstly the 94 now omits Scawby, operating direct between Brigg and Hibaldstow, an understandable decision as Scawby has the X4 to both Brigg and Scunthorpe. Omitting Scawby gives a direct Brigg to Hibaldstow journey time of 9 minutes, rather than 15 minutes.

Secondly there is also a route change in Kirton in Lindsey, where the 94 no longer 'doubles up' as a town service, including serving the former RAF base Barracks, but instead operates a simple loop via South Cliff Road, Dunstan Hill, Moat House Road, Turner Street, Church Street, Spa Hill and King Edward Street.

Thirdly the timetable is notably different; there are no peak time journeys but more off-peak services between Brigg and Redbourne. Rather than operating approximately two hourly, the 'new' 94 has 5 journeys in each direction, departing Brigg for Kirton at 0900, 1200 and 1400, with 'shorts' to Redbourne at 1000 and 1300. Two morning journeys to Brigg, and the 1200 and 1300 from Brigg, divert via the Nookings estate in Hibaldstow.

Finally, with this incarnation of the 94, there are no through journeys onto service X4 to Scunthorpe.

Hibaldstow Parish Council website notes the restored 94 is a commercial venture, not tendered as it was previously. Hopefully the 94 is 'back for good', but however it turns out, credit to Hornsby Travel for trying. 

Stagecoach September Changes in Hull

Stagecoach made some significant changes to their Hull network on Sunday 26th September, which I have summarised below. 

Service 10 between Hull Paragon Interchange, North Point Shopping Centre, North Bransholme and Wawne was withdrawn; the 10 had operated half hourly Monday to Saturday daytimes. The 10 largely duplicated service 2 between Hull City Centre and North Bransholme, apart from a small section of Holwell Road between Leads Road and Sutton Road - most of which is now unserved - and the extension to Wawne village. Wawne is now served by hourly extensions of service 2 beyond North Bransholme; this is only half of the 10's frequency, but in line with the usual frequency over the past few years and does give the village links to Hull Royal Infirmary.

South of North Point Shopping Centre there is no replacement for the 10, leaving the Holwell Road and Stoneferry Road corridor with a 20 minute Monday to Saturday daytime frequency; it is worth noting the area is mostly industrial rather than residential. Between North Point and North Bransholme however, services have improved.

Service 7 between Paragon Interchange, Beverley Road, Sutton Park, North Point and Spring Cottage has been rerouted after North Point to follow the service 2 route to North Bransholme and also increased from half hourly to every 20 minutes Monday to Saturday daytimes, giving an extra bus per hour over this section compared to the 10, and a combined six services per hour with service 2 - every 7-13 minutes from Paragon Interchange and a 'perfect' every 10 minutes from North Bransholme. Residents in parts of North Bransholme and the Bodmin Road area get reinstated links to Beverley Road with this revision. The Paragon Interchange to North Point via Beverley Road and Sutton Park corridor similarly benefits from going from five to six services per hour with a coordinated 10 minute frequency across routes 7 and 8.

The section of the 7 between North Point and Spring Cottage is replaced (apart from on a section of Wawne Road) by a major change to route 16. The 16 continues to operate between Paragon Interchange, Victoria Dock and Newbridge Road but then rather than heading east, it goes west along Southcoates Lane (briefly) then up Holderness Road to Morrisons. From Morrisons the 16 heads along Ings Road (without a City Centre link apart from the infrequent 677 Cranswick Foods commuter service) and Cavendish Road to the previously unserved (since the 9 was withdrawn) northern part of Leads Road before replacing the 7 through Sutton, Howdale Road, Kestrel Avenue, Noddle Hill Way, Biggin Avenue and Honiton Road to North Point.

The 16 remains hourly Monday to Saturday daytimes, but many late afternoon journeys operate between Paragon Interchange and Morrisons only, whilst peak time journeys omit Sutton Village, Howdale Road, Kestrel Avenue, Noddle Hill Way, Biggin Avenue and Honiton Road, leaving these areas with a morning and early afternoon only service. Like Wawne, this is however in line with the 'recent norm' for Howdale Road, Kestrel Avenue and Biggin Avenue. The 16's old route in East Hull via Preston Road, Holmpton Grove, St Johns Grove, Exeter Grove, Bilsdale Grove and Southcoates Lane is not replaced - Preston Road has the 3 and Southcoates Lane the 75 and in part the 3, but the various 'Groves' are now unserved.

Returning to Beverley Road, and whilst the 7's frequency enhancement provides an extra hourly service, between Cottingham Road and Greenwood Avenue, Beverley Road has lost the 4, which has been diverted away via Cottingham Road and Cranbrook Avenue, a move which also leaves the eastern part of Greenwood Avenue unserved. The 4 remains every 10 minutes Monday to Friday daytimes, every 15 minutes Saturday daytimes and hourly Sunday daytimes.

The reason why may in part come from service 5 between Paragon Interchange, Newland Avenue, Cranbrook Avenue, Orchard Park and Kingswood being reduced Monday to Friday daytimes between Paragon Interchange and Orchard Park from every 7-8 minutes to every 10 minutes. The Sunday daytime frequency between Orchard Park and Kingswood has also been reduced from half hourly to hourly.

The other major change to the 5 is that the 11 is merged into it. The 11 previously linked Paragon Interchange and Kingswood via Holderness Road, Spring Cottage, North Point and Bodmin Road before changing number to service 5 to return to Paragon Interchange, and vice versa - now the service 5 number is used throughout. The final service 5 of the day Monday to Saturday from Paragon Interchange to Kinsgwood via Orchard Park, departing at 2320, now extends to North Point.

Elsewhere the Monday to Friday daytime frequency of the 12 and 12A combined reduced from every 10 to every 15 minutes, and the same also occurred on route 14; the 14 was every 15 minutes pre COVID-19. Early evening park and ride services from Priory Park returned to operating as service 22 via Askew Avenue and Anlaby Road, rather than Clive Sullivan Way.

(Some Saturday frequencies have since been reduced, I presume due to driver shortages).