EYMS Amending 510 in Late September

Another September change for EYMS:

1. PB0000328/72 - EAST YORKSHIRE MOTOR SERVICES LTD, 252 ANLABY ROAD, HULL, HU3 2RS
   • Variation Accepted: Operating between Bridlington Bus Station and Flamborough given service number 510 effective from 30-Sep-2013. To amend Timetable.

EYMS sell Finglands Bus Operations

First Group has today announced the purchase of the bus operations of EYMS Group owned Finglands for £50,000, subject to Office for Fair Trading Approval. Finglands currently operates in south Manchester and their operations will be incorporated into First Manchester.

The deal includes existing service registrations, approximately 100 staff and the lease on the existing Wilmslow Road, Rusholme depot. Not included are the coach opeations or any vehicles, though some maybe used temporarily by First. This could (i.e. me speculating) create opportunities for cascades to EYMS enabling the EYMS bus fleet to become fully low-floor.

355 Alteration in September

East Riding of Yorkshire Council are amending their directly operated 355 service between Airmyn, Hook and Goole in late September:

PB0004001/13 - EAST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE COUNCIL T/A FLEET MANAGEMENT & PASSENGER TRANSPORT UNIT, UNIT 10, ANNIE REED ROAD, BEVERLEY, HU17 0LF

• Variation Accepted: Operating between AIRMYN VILLAGE and GOOLE, BOOTHFERRY ROAD (TESCO) given service number 355 effective from 25-Sep-2013. To amend Route and Timetable.

Reregistered

Earlier this month, Transdev cancelled their registration for the 35 between Holme Upon Spalding Moor and York. Now they have reregistered it with VOSA:

1. PB0001873/50 - YORKSHIRE COASTLINER LTD, PROSPECT PARK, STARBECK, HARROGATE, HG2 7NY
   • Registration Accepted by SN
   • Starting Point: York
   • Finish Point: Holme on Spaldin moor
   • Via: Wheldrake
   • Service Number: 35
   • Service Type: Normal Stopping
   • Effective Date: 02-SEP-2013
   • Other Details: Monday to Saturday

Scarborough and District X28

One EYMS July change I forgot to mention earlier was the new X28. Technically I don't think it serves the Humber Region at all, and it is a Scarborough and District branded service, but it's interesting (to me) anyway. It provides one journey each way from various East Coast Holiday Camps to Pickering, Flamingo Land and Eden Camp on Wednesdays and Sundays during the School Summer Holidays. Timetable. I'm sure EYMS/Scarborough and District have previously offered such a link as a coach tour, so is this about being able to claim BSOG?

It's also got me thinking - would there be potential in a Scarborough-Flamingo Land/Eden Camp service? Or even a Bridlington-Flamingo Land/Eden Camp link?

130 Changes, New X30

From today (Sunday 21st July), EYMS have introduced a new timetable on their 130 service between Hornsea and Bridlington - and from tomorrow are introducing new service X30 between Hornsea and Scarborough.

In recent years the 130 has provided two daily year round return services between Hornsea and Bridlington, supplemented by a 3rd weekend journey in July, August and September, a 3rd weekday journey between Easter Tuesday and September, and a 4th weekday journey during the Summer School Holidays.

From Monday the 4th weekday school summer holiday journey becomes an X30, omitting Ulrome and Lissett between Hornsea and Bridlington, before extending to Scarborough via Filey, opening up new through links from holiday parks and villages south of Bridlington.

The 130 timetable is also revised, 7 days a week, The weekday year round departures from Hornsea at 1000 and 1255 move to 0930 and 1230, the Easter Tuesday to September departure moves from 1610 to 1600, with the X30 operating at 1000 (replacing the previous 1100 130 service). From Bridlington the year round 1115 and 1410 move to 1045 and 1345, the Easter Tuesday to September departure moves from 1720 to 1715, with the X30 close behind at 1725. The 1725 replaces the previous peak Summer 1215 departure from Bridlington, but I guess will be better for holidaymakers returning to their accomodation after a day out.

On weekends the current year round 1000 and 1600 depatures from Hornsea are now at 0930 and 1600, with the July to September additional service at 1230 rather than 1300. From Bridlington the year round 1110 and 1710 move to 1045 and 1715, with the July to September additional journey at 1345 instead of 1410.

A final thought, would there be any point extending the weekend and Summer weekday journeys to Hornsea Freeport? The weekday winter timetable only offers 40 minutes in Hornsea for visitors, but in Summer and on weekends a longer stay is possible. Plus the 550 Hornsea Town Service to the Freeport doesn't operate on Sundays, but the 130 could provide a limited bus link to the Freeport.

Stagecoach in Hull LINQ

Anyone know any more about this? From VOSA:

 

PB0001484/293 - LINCOLNSHIRE ROAD CAR CO LTD, PO BOX 15, DEACON ROAD, LINCOLN, LN2 4JB

• Registration Accepted
• Starting Point: Clough Road
• Finish Point: Newland Avenue
• Via:
• Service Number: LINQ
• Service Type: Normal Stopping
• Effective Date: 07-SEP-2013
• Other Details: New Shuttle Service between East Hull and Newland Avenue via Old Town

Minor Changes for EYMS 56/57/66

From Monday 22nd July, EYMS services 56 (Hull-Longhill), 57 (Hessle-Hull-Longhill) and 66 (Hessle-Hull) will have minor changes to their timetable to improve punctuality. From a quick scan through the timetables it seems some journeys will have slightly longer running times than at present

EYMS Setting Dyke Changes

From Monday 22nd July, EYMS are revising their Setting Dyke 'corridor' buses. Monday to Saturday daytimes these currently comprise the 60/60A between Hull and Cottingham every hour, the 64 between Hull and Castle Hill Hospital every hour and the 62 every half hour between Hull and Setting Dyke.

Some journeys are slightly retimed, but the major change sees the 62 between Hull and Setting Dyke reduce to hourly plus an extra journey every two hours, while service 61 will operate every two hours as a replacement. The 61 currently only provides two morning journeys from Cottingham into Hull, with one of those starting in Beverley. From Monday the revised 61 will see most journeys operate the full Beverley-Cottingham-Hull route, as previously noted here.

EYMS Beverley-Cottingham-Hessle Major Changes

From next Monday, 22nd July, EYMS are making major changes to services between Beverley, Cottingham, Willerby, Anlaby, Hessle, North Ferriby and Swanland. Currently service 180 provides an hourly Monday to Saturday daytime link between Beverley and Hessle, serving Walkington, Skidby, Cottingham, Castle Hill Hospital, Willerby Waitrose, Willerby Parkway, Willerby Square, Anlaby and First Lane en-route. Occasional service 182 provides some faster journeys, omitting Walkington, Skidby, Waitrose, Willerby Parkway and First Lane. A morning peak journey also operates on service 61 from Beverley via Walkington and Skidby to Cottingham, and onto Hull City Centre.

Next week the 180 is reduced to operate roughly every two hours, and most journeys are extended from Hessle to North Ferriby and Swanland, replacing the current once daily Swanland to Hessle 184 service, and 3 day a week 144 from Elloughton to Beverley via Brough, North Ferriby, Swanland, Kirk Ella, Willerby and Cottingham. Most passengers on the 144 will have other options on either the 143 or 180. This is a significant improvement for passengers from Swanland and North Ferriby, with a range of departure times now available for travel to Hessle, Castle Hill Hospital and Beverley. The route from Swanland to Beverley is far from direct, but at least there is service.

Also notable in the new 180 timetable is a later last departure from Beverley, at 1710 rather than the current 1625 service. The current 0740 from Walkington to Beverley will now start in Cottingham, providing new commuting links from Cottingham, Skidby and Little Weighton into Beverley, while the first service from Hessle to Beverley moves from the present 0915 to 0740.

With the reduction to a two hourly frequency on the 180, EYMS have introduced two replacements. Firstly new service X80 between Beverley and Hessle. It operates directly from Beverley to Cottingham (current 182 route) then via Castle Hill Hospital, Waitrose directly to Willerby Square (omitting Willerby Parkway), then via the 180 route to Hessle. The X80 will operate roughly every two hours Monday to Saturday, including peak times. The X80 provides faster journey times from Beverley to Cottingham, Willerby, Anlaby and Hessle, but comes at the expense of an even interval hourly Beverley-Hessle service - it's two buses every two hours.

Secondly EYMS will operate service 61 between Beverley, Cottingham and Hull via Walkington every two hours Monday to Saturday daytimes. The service has been perfectly timed with the 180 to maintain an hourly service between Beverley and Cottingham via Walkington, Little Weighton and Skidby, and introduces all-day links to Hull and Hull Royal Infirmary from the three villages, plus it provides the only link from Beverley to Hull Royal Infirmary. Unlike the existing (and unaltered) morning peak service, Castle Hill Hospital will not be served by the new journeys on service 61.

I suspect links to Hull will be far more useful to Walkington, Little Weighton and Skidby than to Hessle. Indeed, if the 61 could be altered to serve Castle Hill Hospital on all journeys would it be better to provide an hourly 61 between Beverley and Hull, leaving all the Hessle services to operate directly between Beverley and Cottingham?

Once again EYMS have delivered significant improvements to their services at the expense of simplicity. While three infrequent service have been cancelled (144, 182, 184), the main service has become complex.

(Should finally note the current Sunday service on route 180 between Beverley and Cottingham is unaltered).

Hull City Council Tenders

A decision notice reveals Hull City Council have awarded contracts for three tendered services from 1st September, on a "two year plus one" basis.

Service 58 - Hull City Centre to Broadway Drive awarded to EYMS at an estimated annual value of £67,081.70 (this is probably a replacement for the current EYMS operated service 50)

Service 1E - Sibelius Road to Mizzen Drive via Hull City Centre awarded to EYMS at an estimated annual value of £36,279.70 (this is probably a replacement for the current EYMS operated service 1C, though it seems the current Kingswood extension may not be included)

Service 46/46D Hull City Centre to Marfleet awarded to Stagecoach at an estimated annual value of £68,845 (Stagecoach currently hold this tender)

A contract for service K1 in the Bransholme area, currently operated by Stagecoach, has however not been awarded. This apparently produces an annual saving of £38,157.35. No indication was given about any possible replacement, which could leave some roads unserved, though close to roads served by other routes.

Tender decisions were made based upon PASS/FAIL quality threshold questions followed by a 100% price based decision.

Finally the decision notice mentions improved services 58 and 1E improving access for Hawthorn Avenue, North Road, Sibelius Road and Clough Road - The current 50/1C do not serve Hawthrorn Avenue, North Road or Clough Road.

Transdev Cancel 35 Registration

Transdev York have today cancelled their registration for the 35/X35 between Holme on Spalding Moor and York with effect from 2nd September.

PB0001873/33 - YORKSHIRE COASTLINER LTD, PROSPECT PARK, STARBECK, HARROGATE, HG2 7NY

• Cancellation Accepted: Operating between York and Holme On Spolding Moor given service number 35, X35 effective from 02-Sep-2013.

Earlier this year City or York Council was considering retendering the service.

Stagecoach Hull September Changes

Stagecoach have today registered with VOSA variations for many of their Hull services from 2nd September.

10 'The Pointer'
13/14 Hull-Orchard Park
15/N15 Hull-Orchard Park-Kingswood
31/32 Hull-Bransholme/North Bransholme
43/N43 Hull-Greatfield
51/N51 Hull-Bransholme-Kingswood
70 'Ferry Bus'
101/677 Hull-Clough Road-Bransholme/Cranswick Foods Preston
110 Hull-Cottingham
W3 Beverley-Wilberforce College
W4 Hedon-Wilberforce College

Beverley Town Service Changes

From Monday 22nd July, EYMS will be altering the Monday to Saturday route and timetable of Beverley Town Services 521 and 523. Service 521 to the Swinemoor Estate will no longer serve the East Riding Community Hospital, but the 523 to Molescroft will instead. The 521 will instead stop within walking distance of the Hospital according to EYMS. The frequency of both services remains hourly.

Additionally the 1740 depature from Beverley on the 523 will no longer extend to Walkington or Cherry Burton. A new later departure on the 180 provides a replacement for Walkington passengers.

X4 Wicstun Express to Hull

From 22nd July, EYMS's X4 Wicstun Express from Brough to York via South Cave and Market Weighton will be extended to start back in Hull, operating via North Ferriby to join it's current route in Brough. This shall offer an extra Hull to York service, new links from North Ferriby to York, and extra services between Hull, North Ferriby, Brough, Elloughton and South Cave. 5 journeys will operate each way between Hull and York Monday to Saturday, plus one extra Hull-South Cave 'working' in each direction. This compares to the current 4 services provided each way between Brough and York.

Between Hull and Brough co-ordination between the X4 and X55/X56 Petuaria Express is good, with the Petuaria Express leaving at 15 minutes past the hour, and the Wicstun Express at 40 minutes past the hour. In the reverse direction it isn't quite as good, with many Petuaria Express's leaving Brough at 38 minutes past the hour, followed by a Wicstun Express at 57 minutes past the hour.

Between Hull and York the main X46 service leaves at 5 past the hour, with the X4 leaving at 40 minutes past the hour, providing good co-ordination. In the reverse the co-ordination is perfect, with X46's leaving York Railway Station at 8 minutes past the hour and X4's at 38 minutes past the hour. Overall EYMS have done a good job at co-ordinating the revised X4 with services on both the Hull-Brough corridor and Hull-York corridor.

While this is clearly a welcome enhancement from EYMS, I would just like to note the full list of EYMS now linking Hull and Brough:
153
155/155A
X4
X55
X56
X57
While some don't operate, very often or at least serve don't serve Brough very often, it is a complex network. It offers faster journey times than when it was just the 153/155/155A, but at the expense of simplicity. Maybe trying to at least simplify the network at least a little is something for EYMS to consider next time they revise Hull-Brough services?

391 becomes X91/91

From July 21st, First South Yorkshire's service 391 will be replaced. The service currently provides a Monday to Saturday morning peak link from Epworth, Low Burnham, Haxey and Westwoodside into Doncaster. Instead this will be provided on weekdays by new service X91, and on Saturdays by an extension of existing service 91 (Finningley-Doncaster). In reality this means little change on weekdays, while on Saturdays the current 0725 departure from Epworth becomes an 0710 departure.

EYMS September Changes

EYMS have today registered changes to various routes with VOSA from early September. Many are school/college day only services, but other registrations affected are:

Variations:
121: Driffield-Bridlington section
142: Beverley-Middleton-Driffield
195/196/199/X36: Pocklington-York - the X36 is currently operated by Transdev, have EYMS won the contract for this service?
220/221/920: Hull-Hornsea
246: Hull-Hornsea
X46: Hull-York

Meanwhile EYMS have applied to cancel the 71/972 and 270. The 71 runs between Easington and Withernsea, so I'm not sure if the cancellation covers the whole service or just some schoolday only 'short' workings to Patrington.

PB0000328/82 - EAST YORKSHIRE MOTOR SERVICES LTD, 252 ANLABY ROAD, HULL, HU3 2RS

• Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Easington and Patrington given service number 71/972 effective from 02-Sep-2013.

PB0000328/205 - EAST YORKSHIRE MOTOR SERVICES LTD, 252 ANLABY ROAD, HULL, HU3 2RS

1. • Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Driffield and Beeford given service number 270 effective from 02-Sep-2013.

Bridlington Town Service Changes in September?

An interesting registration on VOSA today by EYMS for Bridlington Town Service 506. This is a route they currently operate Monday to Saturdays, with Bus King providing the Sunday service. The 506 serves the West Hill Estate and Hospital but not New Pasture Lane, which is the 'finish point' on the VOSA registration. Interworked Sunday service 508 does however serve New Pasture Lane.

PB0000328/412 - EAST YORKSHIRE MOTOR SERVICES LTD, 252 ANLABY ROAD, HULL, HU3 2RS

1. • Registration Accepted
   • Starting Point: Bridlington Bus Station
   • Finish Point: New Pasture Ln Circular
   • Via:
   • Service Number: 506
   • Service Type: Normal Stopping
   • Effective Date: 15-SEP-2013
   • Other Details: Bridlington Bus Station - New Pasture Ln Circular

EYMS register the 173

EYMS have today registered the 173 between Hull and Withernsea with VOSA from Saturday 14th September. Currently the route is operated as a Saturday only service by Lords Coaches, though EYMS have operated the route previously.

PB0000328/413 - EAST YORKSHIRE MOTOR SERVICES LTD, 252 ANLABY ROAD, HULL, HU3 2RS

• Registration Accepted
• Starting Point: Hull
• Finish Point: Withernsea
• Via:
• Service Number: 173
• Service Type: Normal Stopping
• Effective Date: 14-SEP-2013
• Other Details: Hull - Withernsea

Barton Town Service timetable change?

Currently the Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning/lunchtime 254 Barton Town Service, operated by Hornsby Travel for North Lincolnshire Council and Barton Town Council, operates an 'irregular' timetable around the town. It can broadly be split into four sections; Tesco-Market Place-Eastfield Road-Meadow Drive-Market Place-Tesco, Tesco-Market Place-Bowmandale-Tofts Road-Market Place-Tesco, Tesco-Westfield Road and return, and Tesco-Far Ings Road and return. The timetable is available on Hornsby's website, though the printed North Lincolnshire Council timetable probably displays it better.

In the latest Bartonian magazine published by Barton Town Council however there is a different timetable printed. The service still operates Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, but with a revised timetable providing an even-interval hourly service on the Meadow Drive and Bowmandale sections, while the Westfield Road and Far Ings Road sections are merged into one, operating Tesco-Westfield Road-Far Ings Road-Tesco. There is no 'effective date' provided, but is this the new 254 timetable to begin at some unknown future date?

Hornsby gain the 90 and 590

Traveline East Midlands reveals that it is Hornsby Travel who have won the contract to operate service 90 from 29th July, replacing Holloways Coaches. As already reported the weekday timetable is unchanged. (to be pedantic the 0721 from Scunthorpe will run one minute earlier). 

On Saturdays 5 journeys continue to operate from Crowle to Scunthorpe, and 5 rather than 4 will operate from Scunthorpe to Crowle; Garthorpe will no longer be served. Two journeys each way will now serve Scunthorpe Hospital on Saturdays, in line with most weekday journeys. 

One afternoon journey each way will extend beyond Crowle as far as Luddington, filling a gap in the 357 Scunthorpe-Goole timetable, which will otherwise the provide the only Saturday bus service to Eastoft and Luddington. While the revised timetable is fairly well co-ordinated with the 357 leaving Scunthorpe, it's not brilliantly co-ordinated in the other direction. Departures from Crowle  (o/s The Hub) for Scunthorpe will be at 0752, 0913, 0952, 1228, 1252, 1613 (x2), 1757 and 1836.

Hornsby Travel have also won the contract for the college day 590 from September, another former Holloways Coaches service that links Eastoft and Crowle with the Scunthorpe Colleges.

90 no longer to Garthorpe

North Lincolnshire Council reports that when the 90 (Scunthorpe-Crowle) is tendered to a new operator next month after Holloways Coaches hand back their contract, the weekday timetable will have no change, but that the Saturday service will no longer extend to Garthorpe. Stagecoach operated, East Riding of Yorkshire Council tendered, route 357 (with one journey provided by Sweyne Coaches) will continue to serve Garthorpe on Saturdays.

EYMS July Changes Teaser

EYMS have teased their July service changes in their latest newsletter. The changes will reportedly include new Hornsea-Scarborough and Hull-York links and improvements for North Ferriby, Walkington, Skidby and Beverley.

Service 55 future

On 26th July Holloways Coaches are handing back their contract for weekday service 55 between Scunthorpe, Appleby, Winterton and Burton upon Stather to North Lincolnshire Council - it had been due to run until August 2015.

In a report to the responsible cabinet member, officers write that Holloways bid for the 55 back in 2011 was £39,000 cheaper than the next lower tender, and that continuing with the current timetable "would likely prove very expensive for a relatively small number of users". Apparently the service has "few users" outside of school times, and some of these could use service 60 instead between Scunthorpe and Burton Upon Stather.

Instead the recommended option is that the 55 becomes a school/college time service, with a council owned minibus providing three weekday daytime journeys under community bus rules with a D1 licenced driver. This is expected to cost £10,500 more than the current higher level of service, but crucially maintains current links and is better than the pre-2011 level of service.

Finally officers also make the following warning:

"5.2 The public transport budget is currently under pressure. We also face the uncertainty around changes planned for Bus Operator Service Grant in October.

5.3 In view of this and other commitments, it might be necessary to consider additional funding for public transport."

 

The full report including proposed draft timetable can be accessed from this page.

X21 returns for Summer 2013

EYMS's 'fast' X21 service between Hull, Beverley, Bridlington, Filey and Scarborough returns for the Summer on Sunday 9th June, operating every day until Saturday 31st August with one journey in each direction. The service is effectively a 'relief' for the main 121 Hull-Scarborough service.

This year the service will not serve South Shore Holiday Village because the bus stop is apparently 'unsafe'. The Holiday Village can still be reached using service 130.

New Stagecoach Cleethorpes-Skegness Link

Starting today (25th May), and operating every Saturday and Sunday until 1st September, plus Monday and Fridays in school holidays, Stagecoach are offering a new Cleethorpes-Grimsby-Louth-Skegness service. The service departs Cleethorpes at 0900, and seems to follow the 51 route between Grimsby and Louth before operating to Skegness, arriving at 1110. The return service leaves Skegness at 1730, returning to Cleethorpes at 1935.

This isn't Stagecoach's first attempt at a Cleethorpes-Grimsby-Louth-Skegness Summer Service. Previously a Sunday and Bank Holiday service X51 was provided by extended Sunday journeys on the 51 between Grimsby and Louth from May to September. 4 journeys served Skegness, though unless you only wanted 65 minutes in Skegness, a day return not possible from Cleethorpes, as the first Skegness departure was from Grimsby only. The service did also provide a chance for Skegness tourists and residents to spend 3 hours 15 minutes in Cleethorpes

That Sunday service was lost in April 2011 cuts, with the Skegness extensions last operating in Summer 2010. The X51 interestingly had one working operated by Hull depot, using a vehicle otherwise on a long layover in Cleethorpes. Since April 2011 I believe Louth has been without a Sunday bus service - until tomorrow that is.

EYMS register July changes with VOSA

EYMS have registered the following with VOSA today, all effective from late July:

Variations:
56/57: Hessle-Hull-Longhill
60/60A: Hull-Cottingham
61/62: Hull-Setting Dyke/Cottingham
64: Hull-Cottingham-Castle Hill
66: Hessle-Hull
130: Hornsea-Bridlington
180: Hessle-Beverley
520/521: Beverley Town Service
523: Beverley Town Service
X4: Brough-Market Weighton-York (though the VOSA registration says the service operates to Hull which it never has done?)

Cancelled:
144: Elloughton-Beverley
182: Hessle-Beverley
184: Swanland-Hessle

New Services:
X28: Reighton Sands-Pickering-Flamingo Land-Eden Camp
X30: Bridlington-Scarborough

Bridlington-Flamborough EYMS Changes

From Monday 3rd June, EYMS are revising the route of their Monday to Saturday daytime service 510 between Bridlington and Flamborough. In Bridlington the service will now operate via the Promenade, Queensgate (and St Aidan Road?) to Sewerby Road instead of via Quay Road and Queensgate.

In Flamborough, High Street and South Sea Road will no longer be served - all journeys will instead operate via the Dog and Duck Pub on Tower Street in both directions and extend to North Landing (via Thornwick Camp between mid February and early November). As a result the timetable between Flamborough and Bridlington becomes hourly, as opposed to the currenty 53/67 minute interval.

Additionally during School Summer Holidays the frequency will be increased from hourly to half hourly (with a one hour gap at lunchtime). This is probably a replacement for service 100, which last year ran during school summer holidays roughly hourly between Belvedere Turning Circle (every two hours), Bridilington Town Centre, Flamborough and Thornwick Camp. The 100 ran on Sundays as well as Monday to Saturdays, but EYMS don't seem to have a Sunday service to Thornwick Camp this year.

(Apologies if my geography isn't 100% correct in this post)

34 via Garden Centre

Another change I failed to cover at the time, was the the introduction of a revised timetable for EYMS operated route 34 between Holme Upon Spalding Moor and Market Weighton from Monday 8th April. As far as I can tell the main change involves one weekday journey each way being diverted via Langlands Garden Centre.

New timetable

April Selby-Goole Changes

Apologies for being rather behind covering recent service changes. In March I tried to work out what the new timetable for service 8 between Selby and Goole would be. The actual new timetable for the Utopia operated journeys is here (it's a bit different). The 8 is operated under contract to North Yorkshire County Council, and Utopia won the tender for the route commencing 15th April, except for a college day only working that remains with the previous operator Arriva.

Sadly I no longer have a copy of the old service 8 timetable to compare with the new one, but the weekday service is reduced, two services remain to/from Goole along with two short Drax-Selby return journeys, maintaining all key links offered by the route. The Wednesday and Friday diversion via Hook is however withdrawn, replaced by the 355. The two hourly Saturday frequency however seems to be unchanged.

As a result of the service 8 reduction, services between Airmyn village and Goole are reduced on weekdays to two return daytime services, an extra Wednesday and Friday daytime link with the 355, plus peak time journeys on the 400. The village is however better served on weekends, with the peaktime 400 plus two hourly service 8 on Saturdays, and a two hourly service 400 on Sunday daytimes.

Also since mid-April, Arriva's 4, 400 and 401 betwen Goole and Selby have seen some timing changes, but I don't think there have been any withdrawn or extra journeys.

Any clarification, additions or corrections to the above welcome.

Holloways Not Rebidding

Holloways Coaches have 'handed back' [SEE UPDATE BELOW] two tendered services to North Lincolnshire Council from the end of July - the 55 between Scunthorpe, Appleby, Winterton and Burton, and the 90 between Scunthorpe, Crowle and on Saturdays only, Garthorpe. North Lincolnshire Council's press release initially says they have stepped in to 'save' the two routes, but later refers to having "breathing space to decide what to do", which leaves open the possibility of changes when the routes are retendered.

The 55 was substantially improved a year ago, from a very basic service between Scunthorpe, Appleby, and on some journeys Winterton, to a 90 minute frequency over the full route, and further extended to serve Burton.

Meanwhile the Holloways operated 90, which started last July replacing a former Stagecoach service, fills gaps in the Scunthorpe to Goole service provided by Sweyne Coaches on weekdays and Stagecoach on Saturdays.

UPDATE - This post was originally called 'Holloways Hands Back Contracts', but the Doncaster Free Press reports the contracts expire at the end of July and Holloways do not intend to rebid for them - so not handing them back early, but at the expected end date. Apologies if I have given the wrong impression based on my interpretation of North Lincolnshire Council's press release.

Thanks to the first comment on this post for alerting me to this.

Stagecoach Grimsby and Cleethorpes Evening Service Changes

From Easter Monday the daily evening service on routes 13 and 14 has been terminating at Cleethorpes Pier, in line with the daytime service. The evening terminus had previously been on Cleethorpes High Street.

Furthermore since Tuesday 2nd April, the 2245 service 8 on Mondays to Saturdays from Grimsby Bus Station has been terminating at North Sea Lane, in line with all other journeys on the route. Previously the journey had extended to Riby Square via Cleethorpes High Street. In reality this makes little difference, as the 2245 service 8 does still continue to Riby Square as a new 2310 service 9, which then continues beyond Riby Square back to Grimsby Bus Station via Freeman Street

Stagecoach enhance Saturday 16

Since Saturday 6th April, the 15 minute Saturday daytime frequency on Stagecoach service 16 between Grimsby Asda, Grimsby Town Centre, the Willows Estate and Wybers Wood has started half an hour earlier than previously, with a new 0918 departure from Wybers Wood and a new 0920 from Asda filling a former half hour gap between services.

Stagecoach in Hull Greatfield Minor Reductions

Since Easter Monday, Stagecoach in Hull have revised services 41 and 42 between Hull City Centre and Greatfield. Many weekday journeys from Greatfield operate 5 minutes earlier than previously, and the weekday afternoon frequency post 1430 from Greatfield has been reduced from every 10 to every 15 minutes combined between the 41 and 42 (half hourly on each route). Combined departures on weekdays from Hull City Centre between 0900 and 1000 have also been reduced from every 10 minutes combined to every 15 minutes.

On Greatfield's other Stagecoach route, the 43, the weekday frequency from Hull Interchange between 1305 and 1405 has dropped from 'up to every 10 minutes' to every 15 minutes, as has the weekday frequency from Greatfield between 1335 and 1435.

Isle of Axholme Service 58 Changes

Back in February, North Lincolnshire Council cancelled their registration for the 58 Isle of Axholme local service connecting Wroot, Epworth, Belton, Sandtoft and Crowle. It hasn't however been withdrawn, nor tendered to a private sector operator - since Wednesday (10th April) the Wednesday and Friday only service has continued to be operated directly by North Lincolnshire Council with a reduced route and timetable. The service no longer serves Crowle, and the hours of operation are reduced from '0900 to 1340' to '1000 to 1245'. The new timetable is on the Traveline East Midlands website.

Not that this press release gives the impression of a reduced service; "New Route", "We have listened to residents and taken action", “I am sure this new route for the Isle Shopper will be very much welcomed by residents and it will provide another important link with the town centre of Epworth”. If the truth is that budget pressures have forced a reduced service, then why not be honest and say so? It can still be 'spun' as good news - e.g. 'under threat service saved from axe'.

Stagecoach in Hull 15 Minor Improvements

Since Easter Monday, Stagecoach in Hull service 15 between Hull City Centre, the Avenues area, Hull University, Orchard Park and Kingswood has operated to a slightly improved timetable. The weekday peak service from Kingswood has been increased from every 15 minutes to 'up every 10 minutes' between 1650 and 1750. Meanwhile a new Monday to Saturday 2335 journey from Kingswood to Hull Truck Theatre has been added, 30 minutes later than the previous last journey on Monday to Thursdays, though earlier than previously on Fridays due to the withdrawal of the Friday night N15.

Stagecoach in Hull 28/28A Morning Peak Revision

Since last Tuesday (April 2nd), Stagecoach in Hull have revised the weekday morning peak timetable of the 28/28A from Kingswood, Bransholme and Sutton Park into Hull City Centre. Previously the 28 or 28A from Kingswood ran every 15 minutes, with 3 extra short Bransholme North Point-Hull City Centre journeys for a frequency of up to every 7/8 minutes. Now either the 28 or 28A runs every 10 minutes along the full route, providing slightly more buses from Kingswood, and slightly less from Sutton Park and Beverley Road.

New Summer Skegness-Cleethorpes Service.

Stagecoach have registered a new Summer weekend and school holiday Cleethorpes-Louth-Skegness service with VOSA today:

PB0001484/291 - LINCOLNSHIRE ROAD CAR CO LTD, PO BOX 15, DEACON ROAD, LINCOLN, LN2 4JB

1. • Registration Accepted
   • Starting Point: Cleethorpes Pier
   • Finish Point: Louth Bus Station
   • Via:
   • Service Number: SKE
   • Service Type: Normal Stopping
   • Effective Date: 25-MAY-2013
   • Other Details: New Summer Service from Cleethorpes Pier on Saturdays and Sundays, plus Mon& Fri on School Holidays. Hail & Ride where safety and traffic conditions allow.

PB0001484/292 - LINCOLNSHIRE ROAD CAR CO LTD, PO BOX 15, DEACON ROAD, LINCOLN, LN2 4JB

1. • Registration Accepted
   • Starting Point: Louth Bus Station
   • Finish Point: Skegness Interchange
   • Via:
   • Service Number: SKE
   • Service Type: Normal Stopping
   • Effective Date: 25-MAY-2013
   • Other Details: New Summer Service from Louth Bus Station to Skegness on Saturdays and Sundays, plus Mon& Fri on School Holidays. Hail & Ride where safety and traffic conditions allow.

I'll continue reviewing the Stagecoach changes in Hull and Grimsby last weekend soon.

110 Weekday Peak Service Reduced

From tomorrow (Tuesday 2nd April), Stagecoach service 110 between Hull City Centre, the Bricknell Estate, Cottingham and Castle Hill Hospital will have a reduced weekday evening peak service; the Stagecoach paper timetable states this is due to 'low usage'. Previously the service operated every half hour from Hull Interchange at this time, however the frequency is to be reduced to the daytime frequency of hourly, with the 1640 and 1740 short journeys from the Interchange to the Bricknell Estate withdrawn - the last journey is now at 1710.

No other weekday journeys are affected, nor is the Saturday service, which has a later last departure at 1810.

Stagecoach in Hull Workers Services

Stagecoach in Hull are amending their weekday 677 service from Tuesday 2nd April; this is effectively a workers service for Cranswick Foods in Preston, but is also available for general public use.

Currently the service runs directly from Hull City Centre via Hedon Road to Preston, with some journeys starting at the Beverley Road/Clough Road junction. However from Tuesday services will now run from Hull Interchange up Beverley Road, along Clough Road, Leads Road, Sutton Road, Ings Road, Maybury Road and Marfleet Lane to rejoin Hedon Road and it's previous route. This offers direct links to Cranswick Foods from more areas of Hull, and also serves other employment areas around Sutton Fields Industrial Estate and Clough Road. The only major timetabling note is the withdrawal of the last evening bus in each direction, currently 1800 from the Interchange and 1845 from Cranswick Foods - the last bus is now 1655 from the Interchange and 1815 from Cranswick Foods.

Talking off Clough Road, Stagecoach are adding a new weekday workers service to serve the new Police Headquaters and other employment sites in the area - the 101 (again it is open to the general public as well). Like the 677 it will run from Hull Interchange up Beverley Road to Clough Road before continuing up Holwell Road to the North Point Shopping Centre. Journeys depart Hull Interchange at 0710, 0740, 0810 and 0840; in the return direction services start at Clough Road, departing at 1545, 1610 and 1740.

One thing - why the 101 route number. Wouldn't 676 or 678 have been better - or even 29 since it shares part of the route with the 28, and part with the 30?

31 Weekend Daytime cutbacks

From Easter Monday, Stagecoach service 31 between Hull City Centre and North Bransholme will see most of it's weekend daytime services axed. These currently operate half hourly in the morning and early afternoon inbound to the city centre, then half hourly in the late afternoon outbound from city centre - effectively acting as a relief to 'trunk' routes 30 and 32. It would seem relief is no longer needed.

The only weekend daytime journey's maintained are four North Bransholme-City Centre journeys on Saturday morning, at 0735, 0805, 0835 and 0905 - before the 32 reaches it's main 15 minute frequency.

Weekday peaktime journeys on the 31, and the daily hourly evening service remain. Stagecoach have said the 32 also has a revised timetable, but from a quick look I cannot spot any changes.

The Circular becomes The Pointer

The Hull [City] Circular is a service which has seen frequent changes over the past few years, as Stagecoach have tried to make it work as a commercial service. From Tuesday 2nd April, 'The Circular' becomes 'The Pointer', a name which no doubt comes from the new route it will take, see this map. This change, which sees a contraction in the areas served by the route, is a reflection that the service seems to be no longer an attempt to link multiple major estates without the need to change in the City Centre, but instead an attempt to serve certain specific cross-city flows, along with links into the city centre itself. The concept of the city circular appears to be dead.

The Pointer will retain the current service 10 number used by The Circular, and in the western half of the city the route is little changed. Clockwise from the city centre the route continues to serve Princes Avenue, Newland Avenue, Hull University, Hall Road and Greenwood Avenue en-route to the Orchard Park Estate. Here the route will now omit the Tesco car park, but continue to run via the Sutton Park estate to Bransholme's North Point Shopping Centre, which as well as being a shopping centre, is also a key interchange point onto other bus services.

It is in the eastern part of Hull where the route has it's biggest change. Leaving North Point the service continues to run via Midmere Avenue, but will now serve Sutton Village instead of the western part of Howdale Road (reducing duplication of the 51) en-route to Dunvegan Road, Salthouse Road and Wilberforce College. From here the service will now run directly via Holderness Road back into the city centre, omitting the Bilton Grange and Preston Road Estates, as well as the Hedon Road industrial area - this section apparently saw few passengers.

While the route has got shorter, the frequency is improved over much of the route. Currently a half hourly Monday to Saturday service operates between Hull City Centre, the University and Orchard Park, with weekday only extensions along the rest of the route. The Pointer however will operate half hourly over the entire route, Saturdays included. This provides much enhanced connectivity between Orchard Park and Bransholme, and also reflects changes to other services in Eastern Hull.

After operation on Easter Sunday, the 52 service between Hull City Centre, Bilton Grange and Salthouse Road will be withdrawn. This had provided the 'fast' link between the City Centre and Salthouse Road, a role which the 10 takes over, on an even more direct routing. As a result associated service 53 is altered, and will no longer serve Dunvegan Road or the eastern part of Howdale Road, a role the 10 also takes over.  

What Stagecoach must be hoping for is that the 52's current passengers transfer onto other routes, including the 10, thus boosting those services. The Pointer now appears the serve the role of 13/15 'relief' route in West Hull, providing an Orchard Park-Bransholme link, connecting Wilberforce College with North Point for onward connections, and offering a fast route between Salthouse Road and Hull City Centre - all 'stitched together' for convenience. Maybe I'm wrong, but I do wonder how much 'cross Bransholme' traffic there will be? Does it matter though? 

Some other notes on the revised 10, the 10W diversion via Askew Avenue appears to be withdrawn - this had provided a Wilberforce College link from parts of West Hull. Anti clockwise journeys will also now operate directly into the Interchange inbound, rather than via the City Centre loop.

As I mentioned earlier, the 52 is being withdrawn. The link it currently provides along Marfleet Lane to Bilton Grange will be replaced by the new 54A, though the Bilton Grange-Wilberforce College link will not be replaced. The 54A will be a variant of the 54, the main link between Hull City Centre and Bilton Grange, operating via Marfleet Lane instead of Maybury Road. The 54A will operate every 20 minutes on weekday daytimes, and every half hour on Saturday daytimes - an extra bus per hour on weekdays compared to the current 52, but with no Sunday service.

The impact on Maybury Road isn't that severe, as the 54/54A combined goes from every 15 minutes to every 10 minutes for much of the daytime on weekdays, thus Maybury Road will retain a service 54 every 20 minutes on weekdays, dropping to half hourly on Saturdays. Overall the change is surely a more cost effective way of serving Marfleet Lane, albeit adding a little complexity to the 54 in the process.

Finally the 52 currently forms a circular with the 53, which from Easter Monday becomes a stand alone service. It will continue to operate from Hull City Centre via James Reckitt Avenue, Lambwath Road, Ings Road and Savoy Road from where it will operate an anti-clockwise loop along Bellfield Avenue, Holderness Road, Salthouse Road and Middlesex Road (currently unserved) back to Savoy Road for it's return journey to the City Centre. Frequency remains half hourly Monday to Saturday daytimes, alongside an hourly Sunday and Bank Holiday daytime service.

Extra Ferrybus

From 1st April (Easter Monday), Stagecoach will be operating an extra service 70 'Ferrybus' on weekends and Bank Holidays, at 0945 from the P&O Ferry Terminal at King George Dock to Hull Interchange, supplementing the existing 0800 and 0900 departures on these days. The return service, and the (non-Bank Holiday) weekday journeys are unaffected.

Current timetable
New timetable

Stagecoach in Hull Nightbus Changes

If I was to cover the recent history of the nightbus network in Hull, it would be a rather long blog post, with frequent alterations during the past few years. So I'll miss out the contextual history and go straight to the details of the changes Stagecoach are planning from from next week (April) in yet another set of changes. In summary the Friday night service is axed, and services will operate slightly later on Saturday nights (Sunday Morning) again, with a small number of extra services operating.

For the N2 to Hessle this means the current 0015 and 0115 from Hull City Centre, and 0040 from Hessle are replaced by journeys at 0000, 0100 and 0200 from Hull Truck Theatre and 0025 and 0125 from Hessle Sqaure. The route is unchanged.

The route of the N15 to Kingswood is also unaltered. The current 0020 and 0120 departures from Hull Truck Theatre become 0000, 0100 and 0200, while the current 2355 and 0055 from Kingswood Retail Park move to 0030 and 0130.

The N31 to North Bransholme has both a revised route and timetable. Instead off operating from Hull Truck Theatre, the service will now start on Lowgate, meaning the western part of Hull City Centre will be unserved. Departures from Lowgate will be at 0030 and 0130, compared to the current 0008 and 0108 from Hull Truck Theatre.

Like the N31, the N43 to Bilton Grange will also switch from Hull Truck Theatre to Lowgate. Lowgate departures will be at 0000, 0100 and 0200 compared to the present 0030 and 0130 Hull Truck Theatre departures.

Finally the N51 to Kingswood retains it's current route, with Hull Truck Theatre departures at 0023 and 0123 moving to 0000, 0100 and 0200, and the solitary current 0044 from Kingswood Leisure Park being replaced by services at 0024 and 0124.

One day hopefully Stagecoach will find out just what is the optimum service level, and then be able to offer some stability. To take a positive from these latest alterations, at least the Saturday night service is being slightly enhanced.

450 Future

The Scunthorpe Telegraph reports North Lincolnshire Council is considering the future of service 450 between Brigg, Barton and Immingham (continues to Grimsby as the 45) from September 30th when it's current contract with Stagecoach to provide the service ends.

Apparently a report by council officers calls the places served "a difficult area to serve by bus" due to low passenger numbers for much of the day, and the length of the route. It is apparently the council's most expensive bus contract at £132,000 per annum (£435.16p per day), but the per passenger cost is £1.68, well below the £3 guideline. I say apparently because I can't find the report on the council's website, nor details of how to offer comments on the service. The deadline for comments is apparently April 20th. Am I going blind again when checking the council website?

Without seeing the report it's hard to respond in detail to North Lincolnshire Council's current thinking. It certainly is a long route however, and passengers for the Brigg schools provide a key source of revenue, which probably explains the reference to low passenger numbers for most but not all of the day. At such a large annual cost, it is understandable that the service is being reviewed, though the per passenger cost will hopefully avoid any major cutbacks.

The current linking of the 450 with the 45 between Immingham and Grimsby surely has to be the most efficient way of providing a through service to Grimsby? It's far better than duplicating the 45, which is what happened when the 250 operated between Barton and Grimsby. Hopefully this will not be lost.

If savings do have to be made I sometimes wonder how many people use the 0715 Immingham-Barton-Brigg on Saturdays. Would it be cheaper to operate the bus out of service directly along the A180 and A18 to Brigg?

Another potential saving could see the last bus from Brigg operate at 1530, and extend through to Goxhill on school holidays and Saturdays, as well as on schooldays. This could also serve New Holland, replacing the 1603 260 Villager journey. There would still be time for the bus to be back in Barton for 1715 to Immingham.

Being more positive, how about better promotion of the connection opportunities at Barton to Hull and Scunthorpe?

A final idea I would suggest is making the small diversion via Meadow Drive and Caistor Road in Barton, providing a fairly substantial residential area with a 6 day a week bus service. The old X21 between Hull and Cleethorpes briefly did this. The route should be suitable for double deckers, and might attract an extra passenger or two at minimal cost. Worth a try? Another brief diversion via Barton Tesco could be another option.

Brigg Town Service to Howsham and Cadney?

It seems changes could be on the way for the Brigg Town Service. Currently this comprises three routes, the 91, 92 and 93, operated by Hornsby Travel on behalf of North Lincolnshire Council. The services operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, with the 91 also serving the neighbouring village of Wrawby on some journeys.

According to the Scunthorpe Telegraph, Cadney and Howsham Parish Council's have requested a link to Brigg, and North Lincolnshire Council have prepared plans to alter the Brigg Town Service to provide this. Apparently a consultation on these plans closes tomorrow, but I cannot find any reference to this on the North Lincolnshire Council website. Am I going blind?

Scunthorpe Subsidised Evening Peak Services Update

Back in October I reported that North Lincolnshire Council was considering the withdrawal of the subsidised 1735 service 38 and 1800 service 34 Scunthorpe Town Services, both operated by Stagecoach and running Monday to Saturday.

North Lincolnshire Council have now made what is essentially a 'use it or lose it' plea, saying that if more people use the services, it "will help to ensure their future". So time will tell.

The case for 1800 34 isn't exactly helped by in part it duplicating the 1800 32A - something that should really be changed if the 1800 34 is retained, by slightly altering the times of one of the services to provide a better spacing between journeys.

Stagecoach Easter 2013

Stagecoach have announced their service plans for the upcoming Easter period:

Good Friday - Normal service in the Scunthorpe area, including the 350 Humber Fastcat to Hull, and on the 25 from Ludford and Binbrook to Grimsby. Saturday service on all other services in North East Lincolnshire, including the Humber Flyer to Hull. All other services in Hull to operate a Sunday service.

Easter Saturday and Sunday - Normal Services
Easter Monday - Sunday Service in all areas

Last year local services in North East Lincolnshire operated a Sunday service on Good Friday, so a Saturday service is a notable improvement.

EYMS Easter 2013

EYMS have announced details of their service plans over the Easter weekend:

Good Friday - Sunday service, including Moorsbus and the Spurn Ranger, except the 350 Humber Fastcat and Goole Town Services which will have a normal Friday service.
Easter Saturday and Sunday - Normal services
Easter Monday - Sunday service on all routes, including Moorsbus and the Malton Dodger

(NB - some further exceptions apply for Scarborough and District services)

What's Happening to the 8? 355 Returns

Back in September you may recall Arriva service 8 between Selby and Goole was diverted via Hook on Wednesdays and Fridays, replacing the 355 Airmyn-Hook-Goole service. However from mid-Aprilthe 355 will return. Today the following registration appeared on VOSA:

PB0004001/13 - EAST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE COUNCIL T/A FLEET MANAGEMENT & PASSENGER TRANSPORT UNIT, UNIT 10, ANNIE REED ROAD, BEVERLEY, HU17 0LF

• Registration Accepted by SN
• Starting Point: AIRMYN VILLAGE
• Finish Point: GOOLE, BOOTHFERRY ROAD (TESCO)
• Via:
• Service Number: 355
• Service Type: Normal Stopping
• Effective Date: 17-APR-2013
• Other Details: Wednesday and Friday only One journey in each direction

I presume this will operate via Hook. What is surprising is that despite changes to the 8, which is a North Yorkshire County Council tendered service, the journeys from Hook appear to still be operating - so why the need for the 355 to return? Below is the description of the changes to the 8 as detailed by North Yorkshire County Council in their service change document.

"Most journeys will now be operated by Utopia. The 1224hrs Selby to Goole is replaced with 1335hrs Selby to Drax, the 1435hrs Selby to Drax is withdrawn, the 1635hrs Selby to Drax school holidays is retimed to 1600hrs. The 0810hrs Drax to Selby school holidays is retimed to 0847hrs, the 0927hrs Drax to Selby is withdrawn, the 1330hrs Goole to Selby is replaced with a 1402hrs from Drax to Selby. The route in Goole is amended to serve the Hospital on inward journeys. There is no change to the school day service from Pollington to Selby College and return."

 

Applying the above to the weekday timetable (is the Saturday timetable unchanged?), the 8 will retain the folllowing journeys:

 

0835 Pollington-Selby (School Days)

0847 Drax-Selby

0922 Selby-Goole (via Hook on Wednesdays and Fridays)

1030 Goole-Selby

1122 Selby-Drax (Mon, Tue, Thu)

1122 Selby-Goole Tesco (Wed, Fri)

1150 Drax-Selby (Mon, Tue, Thu)

1221 Goole Tesco-Selby via Hook (Wed, Fri)

1335 Selby-Drax

1402 Drax-Selby

1600 Selby-Drax (School Holidays)

1635 Selby-Pollington (School Days)

 

As you can see the Hook journeys appear to be unaffacted, based on the details provided by North Yorkshire County Council. However if so, why the need for the 355? And if the above is correct Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays will have just one, pretty useless, journey to/from Goole arriving at 1014 and departing 16 minutes later. I don't think the final details of what is happening are yet in the public domain