14's Loss is 13's Gain

Stagecoach Hull are making changes to services 13 and 14 to Orchard Park from Monday 5th September. Currently these services both operate every 10 minutes on weekdays and every 15 minutes on Saturdays.

From next week however the 13 will operate every 10 minutes on Saturdays as well as weekdays (not that Stagecoach promote this enhancement). Two journeys per hour on the 13 Monday to Saturday daytime will extend to Orchard Park Tesco, following the route taken by evening and Sunday services. Seems like a useful new shopping link for very little extra mileage.

However the 13's gain appears to come from the 14's loss. The weekday service 14 frequency drops to the Saturday frequency of every 15 minutes. I am 99% certain the 13 and 14 interwork at Orchard Park 'Pint & Pot', and therefore with only 4 14's an hour but 6 13's, I guess the opportunity was taken to run 2 13's an hour 'independently' and extend them to Tesco.

The cutback to the 14 is not a major loss - it's still frequent, and Beverley Road also has the Stagecoach 28 plus EYMS services.

Stagecoach in Hull Service 51 Changes

From Monday 5th September Stagecoach in Hull will be altering service 51 which links Hull City Centre to Kingswood via Holderness Road and Bransholme.

Alternate late afternoon journeys on weekdays from Hull will terminate at Bransholme North Point, operating as service 51B. This retains a 10 minute Hull-Bransholme frequency while reducing Kingswood extensions to every 20 minutes.

On Saturdays the daytime frequency will be reduced from every 10 minutes to every 15 minutes

677 extra journey

Not that Stagecoach have mentioned it in their September service changes list, but weekday Stagecoach in Hull service 677 will gain an extra 1800 Hull-Cranswick Foods Preston service and 1845 return, extending to Beverley Road/Clough Road, from Monday 5th September.

New timetable

When an "improved early evening timetable" isn't totally improved

Stagecoach in Hull say that 1/2 to Boothferry Estate will have an "improved early evening timetable Monday to Saturday" from 5th September. Is that true - Yes in part, but mostly No.

Taking service 1, departures currently leave Hull Interchange at 1800, then every 15 minutes until 1900, then every half hour Mon-Thu, and every 15 minutes Fri/Sat. Yet from September that becomes every 20 minutes between 1800 and 2100 then every half hour. So thats a worse services between 1800 and 1900 (1 less bus per hour), and from 1900 onwards on Friday and Saturday (1 less bus per hour). The only benefit is between 1900 and 2100 Monday to Thursday (1 extra bus per hour). The same cutbacks also affect service 2, and journeys from Boothferry Estate back into Hull are similarly affected.

If cuts need to be made, fine, but surely better to be totally honest about them. Whats wrong with saying "a early evening revised timetable including extra journeys Monday to Thursday after 1900". Don't have to admit directly to cuts, but equally not misleading anyone.

Stagecoach in Hull cut Service 32 weekday frequency

From Monday 5th September, the weekday frequency of Stagecoach in Hull's service 32 to Bransholme will be cut from every 12 minutes to every 15 minutes, matching the Saturday frequency. Weekday peak times continue to see buses operating every 10 minutes.

Chnages to the N32 nightbus will be covered in a separate post.

350 Humber Fastcat thoughts

Just a few little things:

1. Stagecoach now call the Barton Interchange, Barton Rail Station, in their timetable, but continue to use Interchange in the journey codes section. Not that it makes much difference, but I wonder why the change?

2. Stagecoach's new timetable has the incorrect timings for EYMS's 2110 Scunthorpe-Hull, which since May has run 3 minutes later between Barton and Hull to maintain a train connection. Again not the most important thing in the world, but the timetable is slightly incorrect. EYMS and Stagecoach not talking? Though to be fair EYMS still have the wrong timings on their website too.

3. EYMS have not noted Stagecoach's new evening journeys on the 350 on their website. Not surprising I suppose as they do compete with EYMS, but an example of the joint operation not being displayed in public. EYMS don't actually display times for any Stagecoach 350 services on their website, having withdrawn the link to the Stagecoach pdf timetable. Use their website and the 350 only runs every 3 hours!

Is the Hull City Circular service viable?

Another set of service changes in Hull, and once again the City Circular service 10 is included. Over the past few years since Stagecoach took the service on commercially it has seen regular changes as Stagecoach try to cut costs and/or increase usage. For a time in late 2008/early 2009 the city circular was half hourly on weekdays, with a service 11 variant, and hourly on Saturdays. Since then Bricknell Avenue Estate has been added to the route, Kingswood removed to speed up journey times and peak time services via the University of Hull trialled. Earlier this year the Saturday service was withdrawn and now further cutbacks to an already basic weekday service are planned from Monday 5th September.

The 1325 clockwise service from Hull Interchange will terminate at Greatfield, the 1425 will cease to run and the 1525 will now start from Bransholme North Point at 1610. Anti-clockwise the 0745 from Hull Interchange now departs at 0730, the 1410 terminates at North Point rather than running full route and the 1510 short to Bilton Grange is withdrawn.

It's clear Stagecoach have been trying with the service, but the regular changes, cutbacks, and seemingly failed initiatives to increase usage lead me to wonder, does the Hull City Circular have a viable future? It's the sort of service which is 'sensitive', providing cross city links, and therefore not easy to withdraw, but it appears to be struggling. It is worth mentioning that I'm not familiar with usage of the service, but if it didn't exist would the City Circular be missed?

Looking at the route in detail, clockwise from the city centre, it duplicates the 13 between Hull and Orchard Park, except for the diversion into the Bricknell Avenue Estate. This part of Hull is only a recent addition to the City Circular, and it too does not appear to be good bus territory. It's services have been chopped and changed over the past few years too, and I guess was added to the City Circular to try and get one good service out of two bad services. The Estate currently has the hourly weekday 10, and the hourly Monday to Saturday 110 between Hull and Cottingham, of which the diversion into the Estate receives council funding.

If the 10 didn't exist, would the 110 be enough - it's certainly deemed enough on a Saturday. And even if it was not deemed enough it does not need the 10 to give the Bricknell Avenue Estate a half hourly service into Hull. Extra short journeys on the 110 or a half hourly 110 along the whole route could do that.

However it should be noted that the Bricknell Avenue Estate is home to Wyke College. I am not at all familiar with travel patterns to/from the college, but suspect this may generate some traffic to Orchard Park and Bransholme. Even still these passengers could change in the City Centre, or extra college buses be provided, including a limited daytime service for those with part days at college; the 10 would appear to currently need either 3 or 4 vehicles, such a service to the college would only need 1.

The next major link the City Circular provides is Orchard Park to Bransholme via the Sutton Park Estate. Without the City Circular such links could be made by changing at Kingswood or on Beverley Road. Or possibly the newly extended Orchard Park Tesco journeys on the 13, or the newly extended 28A journeys to Kingswood could be further extended to maintain Orchard Park-Bransholme links.

The 10 is the only service along a small part of Cheltenham Avenue in Sutton Park, but if this road requires a service then possibly the K1 could be diverted to service it.

Links between Bransholme and Midmere Avenue/Sutton provided by the 10 are duplicated by the 51 and 32 respectively; the next major destination served by the 10 is Salthouse Road, also home to Wilberforce College. Salthouse Road to Bransholme passengers could change from the 53 to the 52 to complete their journey, and there is also the college day lunchtime 123 between Beverley, Bransholme and Wilberforce College. Essentially other options exist.

The City Circular then serves Bilton Grange, Greatfield and Preston Road. Passengers from these areas wishing to reach Bransholme could either change in Hull City Centre, or on Holderness Road. The 10 does provide access from these areas to Wilberforce College, but again other options exist. Bilton Grange has the 52 to Wilberforce College, and Greatfield/Preston Road passengers can connect onto the 52 on either Holderness Road or at Bilton Grange (using the 43/54).

Finally the 10 does have a role for some local journeys within Bilton Grange, Greatfield and Preston Road. It is the only service along part off Hopewell Road, but if that needs a service the 50 could be extended. The 10 also links Falkland Road and Preston Road Medical Centre, but some 46 journeys could be diverted from Marfleet to serve Falkland Road instead.

Changing isn't ideal, but that combined with alterations to some other services lead me to believe, as an outsider, that if the City Circular didn't exist it would not cause any major hardship. Withdrawing services is not easy, and I've witnessed the anger of Greatfield residents at a Hull Bus Forum in the past, but if Stagecoach ever concluded the 10 was no longer viable, I think Hull could live without it.

Any comments welcome.

Stagecoach in Hull September Service Changes

Stagecoach in Hull have released details of their September service changes on their website. Not had time yet to review the changes in detail, but some very major network revisions, especially in the Bransholme and Kingswood areas.

360 truncated to Barton

The Traveline East Midlands website shows that from September Stagecoach's college day service 360 to Scunthorpe will no longer serve East Halton, Goxhill or Barrow. Instead all services will start from Barton. While Barrow passengers can connect onto the 360 at Barton using service 250, this option is not available from East Halton, while Goxhill passengers would need to use the train to Barton and face some very long connection times.

Humber Fastcat Gets Hourly Evening Service

Traveline East Midlands shows that from Monday 5th September, Stagecoach are adding one extra journey in each direction Monday to Saturday between Hull, Barton and Scunthorpe on the 350 Humber Fastcat, giving an hourly evening service. There will be a new 2010 service from Scunthorpe and a new 2025 from Hull. A very welcome, if slightly surprising enhancement, and one that may be off use to myself.

Based on the timetables it would appear that Scunthorpe depot will operate the extra journeys, and the current 1 hour layover of a Scunthorpe vehicle in Hull during the evening will cease.

If this is successful, hopefully Stagecoach and EYMS will look at the uneven Sunday timetable, designed to connect to a train service that runs 4 months of the year. Some later evening services, at least on Fridays and Saturdays would also be nice. But lets see how the new mid-evening journeys do first!

16 now on Fridays too!

Hornsby Travel Scunthorpe Town Service 16 is now operating on Fridays as well as Tuesdays and Thursdays, since the start of the month.

Service 16 timetable

Hornsby won the North Lincolnshire Council contract for the service from Stagecoach almost a year ago.

EYMS September Service Changes

EYMS are making various relatively small changes to services from Sunday 4th September.

Service 246 gains an extra Sunday journey in each direction between Hornsea and Beverley. Other journeys will also be retimed.

Retimings also include the X46 between Hull and York, as well as the 746 between Market Weighton, Pocklington and York. Some under used 746 journeys are withdrawn.

Service 743 between Pocklington and Driffield will now serve George Street in Driffield, and some journeys will also serve Kirkburn and Tibthorpe.

Meanwhile the Monday to Friday 0645 Pocklington-York and 1715 Pocklington-York services on route 195 are withdrawn. These are currently commercially operated but relied on interworking with lost East Riding of Yorkshire Council contracts to be commercially viable. I have noticed the loss of some Woldgate College work to Transdev York on the VOSA website - is it this which has caused the withdrawal of these journeys? An oddity is that the weekday 0900 York-Pocklington 195 remains, despite the lack of a return journey on Mondays and Thursdays. Also the commercial Saturday peak time journeys remain.

Stagecoach Scunthorpe Town Service Changes

Monday and Wednesday service 17 in Scunthorpe, that operated to the Hilton Avenue area, has been withdrawn. Instead service 37 will divert via Hilton Avenue from Monday, providing a much improved hourly daytime service Monday to Saturday.

New 37 Timetable

Stagecoach Grimsby Cleethorpes September Changes

Stagecoach Grimsby Cleethorpes are planning some service changes in September. Note the cancellation of the 2 and 20 registrations, though of course they could always be re-registered.

VOSA - Bus Registration Search Results: "PB0000163/44 - GRIMSBY CLEETHORPES TRANSPORT CO LTD T/A STAGECOACH GRIMSBY CLEETHORPES, PO BOX 15, DEACON ROAD, LINCOLN, LN2 4JB
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Grimsby Bus Station and Europarc given service number 20/2 effective from 05-Sep-2011.

PB0000163/49 - GRIMSBY CLEETHORPES TRANSPORT CO LTD T/A STAGECOACH GRIMSBY CLEETHORPES, PO BOX 15, DEACON ROAD, LINCOLN, LN2 4JB
Variation Accepted: Operating between Grimsby Bus Station and Louth Bus Station given service number 51/51C effective from 05-Sep-2011. To amend Timetable.

PB0000163/59 - GRIMSBY CLEETHORPES TRANSPORT CO LTD T/A STAGECOACH GRIMSBY CLEETHORPES, PO BOX 15, DEACON ROAD, LINCOLN, LN2 4JB
Variation Accepted: Operating between Grimsby Bus Station and Grimsby to Market Rasen given service number 3/3A/3B effective from 05-Sep-2011. To amend Timetable."

Stagecoach Hull September Service Changes

Stagecoach in Hull have registered various service changes with VOSA from early September, covering the following registrations:

• 1/2/N2 - Boothferry Estate


• 10/10B - City Circular


• 13/14 and associated variations - Orchard Park


• 15/N15 - Orchard Park/Kingswood


• 28 and associated variations - Sutton Park/Bransholme


• 30 and associated variations - Bransholme/North Bransholme


• 31/31A - Interesting, the 31 hasn't operated for a few years now, but a variation to it has been accepted by VOSA. The 31 had in the past been a variation of service 30, operating via Leads Road


• 32 and associated variations - Bransholme


• 43 and associated variations - Greatfield


• 51 and associated variations - East Hull/Bransholme


• 52/52A/53/53A - East Hull


• 54 and associated variations - Bilton GrangE


• 70/677 - Ferry Port/Cranswick FoodS


• Humber Flyer

Meanwhile the 20/20W to Kingswood and Wawne is cancelled, but as ever there is always a chance it could be re-registered or amalgamated into other services. Also cancelled are the W1/2 college buses to Wilberforce College, which are passing to EYMS.

Finally a new (restarted?) 93M will operated daily at 2140 from Mecca Bingo on Clough Road to Orchard Park Hall Road.

Service 124, Pheonix Travel and Phoenix Buses

EYMS have cancelled and Pheonix Travel have registered the 3 day a week 124 service between Bridlington and Driffield from September.

VOSA - Bus Registration Search Results: "PB1054108/6 - VICTORIA ELLEN WEBSTER T/A PHEONIX TRAVEL, 2 ORCHARD COTTAGES, MAIN ST, NORTH FRODINGHAM, DRIFFIELD, YO25 8LJ
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Driffield
Finish Point: Bridlington
Via: Ruston parva, Kilham, Thwing, Wold newton, Burton Fleming, Rudston, Boynton
Service Number: 124
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 07-SEP-2011
Other Details: Wednesday Thursday Saturday"

Two things of note here. First the spelling of Pheonix - mistake?

Secondly what, if any, connection is there between Pheonix Travel and Busking/Phoenix Buses? Both are registered in North Frodingham, but at different addresses. Phoenix Buses/Busking at 52 Main Street and Pheonix Travel at 2 Main Street. Any clarity on this would be appreciated.

Current 124 timetable

Wilberforce College Bus Services

EYMS have today registered Wilberforce College services WC1 and WC2.

VOSA - Bus Registration Search Results: "PB0000328/376 - EAST YORKSHIRE MOTOR SERVICES LTD, 252 ANLABY ROAD, HULL, HU3 2RS
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Hornsea
Finish Point: Wilberforce Collge
Via:
Service Number: WC2
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 02-SEP-2011
Other Details: College days
PB0000328/377 - EAST YORKSHIRE MOTOR SERVICES LTD, 252 ANLABY ROAD, HULL, HU3 2RS
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Withernsea
Finish Point: Wilberforce College
Via:
Service Number: WC1
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 02-SEP-2011
Other Details: College days."

I believe these are currently operated by Stagecoach in Hull. Certainly they were in September 2009, as I have a Stagecoach timetable leaflet for them dated 7th September 2009. This also included the W3 from Beverley and W4 from Hedon. Are these still operating? Will they be passing to EYMS? Or are they staying with Stagecoach?

350 and/or 360 changes

Could be something very minor, but changes planned to either the Stagecoach element of the 350 Humber Fastcat and/or the college day service 360 from September.

VOSA - Bus Registration Search Results: "PB0001484/3 - LINCOLNSHIRE ROAD CAR CO LTD, PO BOX 15, DEACON ROAD, LINCOLN, LN2 4JB
Variation Accepted: Operating between Scunthorpe and Hull given service number 350/360 effective from 05-Sep-2011. To amend Timetable."

0605 Humber Flyer not being withdrawn

Confirmation from North East Lincolnshire Council that the 0605 Grimsby-Barton Humber Flyer service is not being withdrawn.

0605 Grimsby-Barton Humber Flyer withdrawn?

A comment left by hardy202 last night

Humber Transport: Bridge Tolls and Bus Services: "Humber Flyer that leaves Grimsby at 6:05 to Barton only is stopping as of 2nd july 2011 because hardly anyone used it so they have lost it"

Nothing yet on the Stagecoach website. The journey being referred to was introduced in April as a partial replacement for the 0620 Grimsby-Hull, the withdrawal of which caused a lot of bad PR, and potential hardship for a small number of users, earlier in the year.

Many 77's become 74's

From Sunday 17th July, most EYMS service 77 journeys between Hull, Hedon, Keyingham, and at peak times, Withernsea shall become service 74 journeys operating via Ryehill rather than Burtswick, which retains the hourly 75.

Hull-Withernsea services were revised in May.

Bridge Tolls and Bus Services

Today in has been announced that Humber Bridge tolls are set to rise. While I don't intend to use this post to discuss the pros and cons of this, the inspector's report contains detail of some of the evidence provided in relation to bus services.

Section 3.9 summarises the evidence from Peter Shipp of EYMS and Gary Nolan from Stagecoach East Midlands. They say that a toll increase would require a review of the current 35% discount scheduled local bus and express coach services receive, otherwise "it would be difficult to sustain the existing level of service". It is emphasised how the toll rise is one of many cost increases currently being faced, along with fuel prices, employer national insurance and others. Fare increases are rejected as it is believed they would not be able to recoup the extra cost of the tolls and would reduce patronage.

Something to monitor in the coming months.

Robust connection maintained

Today I picked up some new North Lincolnshire Council timetables, and in the small print comes the welcome news that the 350 Humber Fastcat has had a timetable change to maintain a connection from the last evening service rail service between Cleethorpes and Barton, an issue I have covered before.

The 2153 EYMS operated Barton-Hull (starts Scunthorpe 2110) now departs at 2156 operating three minutes later throughout, and giving a very reasonable five minute connection time from the 2151 train arrival. Well done to the person or people who initiated this!

Though very odd that there has been no on-bus posters about this, nor a timetable amendment registered with VOSA. EYMS website timetable hasn't been updated either.

1A re-registered

Looks like the 1A is now not being withdrawn

VOSA - Bus Registration Search Results: "PB0000328/374 - EAST YORKSHIRE MOTOR SERVICES LTD, 252 ANLABY ROAD, HULL, HU3 2RS
Registration Accepted by SN
Starting Point: Hull (interchange)
Finish Point: Sibelius Road
Via: Hull Royal Imfirmary and Boulevard
Service Number: 1A
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 26-JUN-2011
Other Details: Monday to Saturday"

Last month EYMS applied to cancel this tendered service

EYMS 105 evening cutbacks

From Monday 13th June, Monday to Saturday evening services on route 105 between Hull City Centre, the University of Hull and Cottingham shall revert to half hourly. It was increased to operate every 20 minutes in 2009.

EYMS 109 confirmed cancelled

EYMS have now confirmed that service 109 in Cottingham is axed after operating on Saturday 25th June. Cottingham Station excepted, this service offered nothing that the 110 does not, as discussed here.

York Pullman cutback service 10

After tomorrow, Friday 27th May, York Pullman are dropping their commercial journeys on service 10 from Stamford Bridge into York and Poppleton. These operated mainly during the day, including at peak times, usually in competition with First York, the main operator of service 10.

Remaining is a single return trip to Stamford Bridge on Saturday mornings, and a daily late evening service - new timetable It would seem therefore that the Sunday evening service has been saved - earlier in the year it was under threat.

Cleethorpes-Barton-Hull Bus-Rail connections

To update my previous post on bus-rail connections at Barton from 22nd May (next Sunday), the first Summer Sunday train from Cleethorpes will be at 0958, not 1005 as stated in my previous post, based on the new pdf timetable available on the Northern Rail website. So no issue with the bus connection to Hull as feared.

However the last evening train from Cleethorpes Monday to Saturday does have a 2 minute connection at Barton for Hull as expected, arriving at Barton at 2151 for a bus departing at 2153. I did email EYMS, operator of the 2153 bus, a few weeks ago about operating the service slightly later and I got a reply saying it had been passed onto the relevant person. For the sake of a slightly later departure, surely this can be done? A retiming of the bus to say 2155 would give a comfortable 4 minute connection.

One connection I had not picked up on however is out of the 0700 from Cleethorpes Monday to Saturday. This arrives in Barton at 0748. Northern Rail are advertising the bus connection as the 0820 Humber Fastcat. This is actually not new, just something I had not spotted before. There is a 0750 Humber Fastcat from Barton Interchange; while the 2 minute connection time is tight, probably too tight to advertise, in reality the 0750 Fastcat doesn't always leave exactly on time and from my journeys on the 0750, the connection can normally be made. Again though a slight retiming, say a 0752 departure, would resolve the issue, and there is enough waiting time at Hull between journeys to accomodate this.

If this is not possible, then why not advertise the connecting bus as the 0810 Humber Flyer from Barton. A 22 minute wait looks a lot better than the 32 minute wait advertised?

There are a couple of 'quick wins' for integrated transport to be had here. EYMS and Stagecoach - go for the win. It's not like an entire timetable recast is needed.

48 Saved for now

As posted by a commentor earlier in the week, EYMS 48 in West Hull will not now be cancelled after operation today, but will instead continue for at least three months. EYMS are asking pensioners, if they wish, to pay voluntarily, in an attempt to save the service, which has losses of £40,000 a year. Hopefully this will be enough to save the service.

EYMS 142 Changes

EYMS will be making changes to their journeys on service 142 from 15th May. The 142 is an interesting rural service, and the main operator is Acklams Coaches. In reality it is two separate services. 1 from Middleton into Beverley (though Acklams journeys also serve villages north of Middleton) and 1 from Middleton into Driffield.

Middleton-Beverley

EYMS weekday journeys are cut back with no School Holiday services at all. The 0745 Beverley-Holme and 0808 Holme-Beverley now operates on schooldays only. Meanwhile the 1610 from Beverley to Lund is withdrawn on both schooldays and School Holidays.

The only Saturday change sees the 0921 Beverley-Middleton operate 4 minutes later. The tendered Sunday service is unchanged

Middleton-Driffield

Currently EYMS provide a 0930 and 1320 from Middleton and a 1250 from Driffield on weekdays only. But from next week the weekday service is gone, but the 0930 and 1250 remain, now operating on Saturdays.

So EYMS's 142 service will be in the interesting position of having a weekend service, a schoolday service, but no weekday School Holiday service.

EYMS Withernsea Cutbacks

As already briefly noted, EYMS are to cut back the offpeak Monday to Saturday frequency between Withernsea and Hull from 2 buses an hour to hourly from 15th May.

The current arrangement is an hourly 76 via Holderness Road but not Burstwick, and an hourly 77 via Hedon Road and Burstwick. The 75 operates mainly in the evenings and on Sundays serving both Holderness Road and Burstwick.

From next week the 76 is cancelled while the 75 becomes an all day service. The new service pattern is an hourly 75 between Hull and Withernsea via Holderness Road and Burstwick, and an hourly 77 between Hull and Keyingham via Hedon Road and Burstwick. 77's still extend to/from Withernsea at peak times. The new service pattern also gives Burstwick 2 rather than 1 services an hour into Hull.

New EYMS Sunday 155 timetable

Following the loss of Sunday service 156 to Colins of Goole as off yesterday (Sunday 8th), EYMS service 155 has a new Sunday timetable; 4 journeys each way between Elloughton, Brough and Hull with the first starting from South Cave and the last finishing at South Cave. The new timetable from EYMS indicates the Sunday 155 is a fully commercial operation.

Previously the Sunday 155 and 156 was mostly tendered and comprised 4 journeys a day to each off Hull and Goole. Hopefully the revised Sunday 156 between Elloughton, South Cave, Gilberdyke, Howden and Goole maintains connections to the 155 for passengers between Gilberdyke and North Cave and Hull, for example.

EYMS Bridlington Frequency Cutbacks

EYMS are making changes to Bridlington town services from Sunday 15th May.

The 505/506 to West Hill are reduced from every 20 minutes combined Monday to Saturday to half hourly. The 505 remains hourly with the 506 going from 2 buses an hour to hourly.

Similar changes for the 507/517, reduced from every 20 minutes combined to half hourly, with the 507 seeing the frequency cut to hourly and the 517 remaining hourly.

Meanwhile the 512/3 circulars are reduced from half hourly to both operate every 40 minutes

EYMS cutback 62 to Setting Dyke

EYMS's website says there will be changes to the bus times of services 60/60A/61/62/64 from May 15th. In reality it means a frequency cut.

Currently the Hull-Anlaby Road-Priory Road corridor sees 5 buses an hour, Monday to Saturday daytimes. 1 60 or 60A to Cottingham, 1 64 to Cottingham and Castle Hill Hospital and 3 62's to Setting Dyke, giving a combined 12 minute frequency. From next week the 62's become half hourly and the combined frequency becomes every 15 minutes.

I can't say I'm too surprised. The 62 often only has Mini Pointer Darts and Plaxton Primos on it, and at times that is all it needs. Anlaby Road has enough buses already, while Priory Road still maintains 4 buses an hour, with the gap between services only extended by 3 minutes from every 12 to every 15 minutes. Also the current timetable has 2 24 minute gaps between 62's, so a half hourly service only extends the maximum gap by 6 minutes for users in Setting Dyke.

EYMS May Service Changes 'Bits and Pieces'

Some bits and pieces not really worth another thread about the EYMS service changes this Sunday (15th May):

It would seem that service 48 in West Hull has been axed completely, without any replacement, leaving a number of side roads unserved. Not aware of any complaints/campaigns to try and save it though which perhaps explains why no replacement is being provided.

Some minor time changes to the 115 from Cottingham into Hull, and a morning roundtrip on the 215/315 between Hull City Centre and Endike Lane is cancelled.

The 0730(Mon-Fri)/0800(Sat) 182 from Hessle to Beverley is cancelled, while the 1605 from Beverley now runs at 1610.

1A and 109 cancelled by EYMS

EYMS have applied to cancel two tendered services today, the 1A and 109. They could have lost the tender, or the services could be cancelled without replacement.

VOSA - Bus Registration Search Results: "PB0000328/329 - EAST YORKSHIRE MOTOR SERVICES LTD, 252 ANLABY ROAD, HULL, HU3 2RS
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Hull and Sibelius Road given service number 1A effective from 27-Jun-2011.
PB0000328/366 - EAST YORKSHIRE MOTOR SERVICES LTD, 252 ANLABY ROAD, HULL, HU3 2RS
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Cottingham Railway Station and Cottingham Railway Station given service number 109C effective from 27-Jun-2011."

Sweyne still operate the Saturday 357

It seems Sweyne Coaches still operate part of the 357 route on Saturdays. While the main service is now operated by Stagecoach, Sweyne continue to operate an 0915 Eastoft-Goole and a 1000 Goole-Swinefleet according to their website.

Stagecoach East Midlands (North)

I thought this a bit unusual. The Stagecoach leaflet covering the A1077 roadworks has contact information for Hull depot. This is despite the 350 Humber Fastcat legally being a Lincolnshire Road Car service and with Scunthorpe depot operating more journeys than Stagecoach's Foster Street Depot in Hull. What makes it even more surprising is that the leaflet also includes Grimsby depot operated service 450, which is nothing to do with Hull.

Maybe I am reading too much into this, but in the Hull Daily Mail last week the Stagecoach Hull commercial manager, John Donnelly, was referred to as commercial manager for Stagecoach East Midlands (North). So do Grimsby and Scunthorpe now come under the control of Hull, at least as far as commercial matters go?

Stagecoach Easter/Royal Wedding/Bank Holiday service levels

Stagecoach have released details of services levels over Easter, the Royal Wedding Day and May Bank Holidays

Good Friday - As usual the former Road Car services operate a Friday service - this is all services in Scunthorpe, including the 350 Humber Fastcat, plus Grimsby services 3, 25, 51, 150, 250 and 450. Also the Humber Flyer will operate a normal Friday service. All other services in Grimsby and Hull will operate to a Sunday timetable.

Easter Saturday/Sunday - Normal services
Easter Monday - Sunday service

Royal Wedding Day April 29th - Sunday service, including the Humber Fastcat. EYMS have altered their planned service provision on the Humber Fastcat from a Friday to Sunday service to match

Bank Holidays May 2nd/30th - Sunday service

Humber Fastcat Roadworks revised timetable

The timetable for service 350 Humber Fastcat (Hull-Barton-Scunthorpe) during April's roadworks, closing the A1077 between Barton and South Ferriby, is now on EYMS's website. Both Stagecoach in Hull and Stagecoach in Lincolnshire's Scunthorpe depot will be putting extra vehicles onto the service Monday to Saturday, which be diverted via the A15, B1206 (Elsham Top) and the Low Villages (Worlaby, Bonby, Saxby and Horkstow). End to end journey time is extended by about half an hour.

Thankfully the main half hourly frequency, along with evening and Sunday journeys are retained, with largely normal times between Hull and Barton, and South Ferriby and Scunthorpe Monday to Saturday. One noticeable gap though is no 0750 from Barton to Hull, the most popular commuter bus into Hull, though the Easter Holidays would have reduced usage.

As someone who uses the bus between Barton and South Ferriby once or twice a week it's inconvienent, but the road does need resurfacing and no time will be a good time to do it. I myself have been unlucky enough to hit a pothole on it.

No details on the revised 450 (Barton-Brigg) timetable yet.

EYMS May Cuts - Withernsea and 48/700 definetly gone

Peter Shipp has confirmed that EYMS has axed the 48 and 700 Walton Street Park and Ride Service in Hull. Also from May the frequency of off-peak buses between Withernsea and Keyingham will be cut, I guess from half hourly to hourly. Hull Daily Mail article

I would be shocked to see Hull City Council funding a replacement for the 700, but will be interesting to see if the 48 has gone completely, or whether a tendered replacement is started, and what happens to the Sunday tendered service.

EYMS tender loss ... to Colins of Goole

Another interesting tender result in East Yorkshire, after EYMS lost the 502 to TD Travel and Sweyne lost the Saturday 357 to Stagecoach. Now EYMS have lost the Sunday and Bank Holiday 156 to Colins of Goole who currently have no other local service work. Will be interesting to see how the new 156 co-ordinates with the 155.

VOSA - Bus Registration Search Results
: "PB1072985/1 - THOMAS WHEELER T/A COLINS OF GOOLE, 19 MALVERN ROAD, GOOLE, DN14 6HU
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Elloughton (Brough)
Finish Point: Goole
Via: Newport, Gilberdyke, Howden Service
Number: 156 Service
Type: Normal Stopping Effective Date: 08-MAY-2011
Other Details: Sunday Service Weekly and Bank Holidays"

Stagecoach Service Changes 'Bits and Pieces'

Some various miscellaneous changes to Stagecoach services from April 4th not yet covered by this blog.

Hull - Minor changes to services 13/14/15 to Orchard Park/Kingswood. Meanwhile the new service 52/3 timetable reveals usage on the Sunday service is low, but as it is growing slowly it will keep operating. The Friday/Saturday evening service is being axed

Grimsby - Service 51 to Louth will now operate via Fairfield Industrial Estate

20/20W Changes - More info

Stagecoach in Hull have produced a leaflet detailing changes to service 20 between Hull, Kingswood, North Bransholme and Wawne from Monday 4th April. See this blog post

To clarify some points, Bodmin Road is no longer served, neither is Kingswood Leisure Park apart from evenings and Sundays. Along with this services will no longer operate via the City Centre Loop in Hull inbound. This helps makes the service quicker and more direct, and contributes towards saving one bus. Passengers between Bodmin Road and Beverley Road can change at North Point Shopping Centre to make their journeys.

With regards to Wawne, Stagecoach explain that East Riding of Yorkshire Council only require an hourly Monday to Saturday service to Wawne, which Stagecoach go beyond at peak times, and in the early morning, evenings and Sundays when no service is required, but Stagecoach will provide a limited service. Still a good service level for Wawne, and Stagecoach aren't providing the bare minimum service level which is to be comended.

Major Changes to Services 42 in East Hull

From Monday 4th April Stagecoach in Hull will significantly revise service 42 in East Hull. It will now operate via Maybury Road and Holderness Road instead of Southcoates Lane. This will restore links lost to Morrisons and Astoria Bingo, amongst other locations on Holderness Road, in the controversial East Hull 2009 service recast. Maybury Road is currently only served by infrequent EYMS service 50.

There will be some associated timetable changes to service 42, and associated service 41, which covers the links lost on Monday to Saturday daytime, by the rerouted service 42.

A solution to the early morning Humber Flyer being axed

A solution has been found to cover the controversial withdrawal of the 0620 Humber Flyer from Grimsby. A new Monday to Friday only 0605 will be introduced from Grimsby to Barton, enabling a connection onto the 0653 350 Humber Fastcat to Hull.

Also from April 4th the current 0725 Hull to Cleethorpes becomes a 0720 Hull to Grimsby, giving an earlier arrival for commuters in Grimsby and removing the current situation of two buses to Barton departing Hull Interchange Stand 3 at 0725 (the other service being a Humber Fastcat). The curtailment at Grimsby is in connection with Hull depot operating part of the Humber Flyer from next week.

The Summer Sunday Humber Flyer service is also starting earlier this year, on April 10th, again serving Barton but not Grimsby.

New Humber Flyer timetable

Stagecoach in Hull Nightbus Changes

Stagecoach in Hull are making changes to their Nightbus network from April 4th, based around new routes in Hull City Centre for services N15, N32 and N43. The N15 to Orchard Park and Kingswood will now start in George Street and operate via Wilberforce Drive, Alfred Gelder Street and Carr Lane to the current Ferensway starting point. The N32 and N43 from the Welly Club to East Hull will now operate via Spencer Street, Prospect Street, King Edward Street (N32), Jameson Street (N32), Albion Street (N43), Bond Street (N43), George Street and North Bridge rather than Paragon Sqaure, Carr Lane, Alfred Gelder Street and Lowgate.

Walton Street Park and Ride cancelled?

From the VOSA website. Usual health warnings apply - services can be re-registered. But worth noting the Walton Street service is commercially operated, after Hull City Council axed the previous tender. So if EYMS have cancelled the service, the chance of a replacement service would be slim. VOSA - Bus Registration Search Results: "PB0000328/345 - EAST YORKSHIRE MOTOR SERVICES LTD, 252 ANLABY ROAD, HULL, HU3 2RS Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Walton Street Park and Ride Site and Walton Street Park and Ride Site given service number 700 effective from 22-May-2011."

EYMS May Changes, Including 48 Future?

Amongst various May variations for EYMS services posted on VOSA today was this:

VOSA - Bus Registration Search Results: "PB0000328/85 - EAST YORKSHIRE MOTOR SERVICES LTD, 252 ANLABY ROAD, HULL, HU3 2RS
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Hull and Maplewood Avenue given service number 48 effective from 15-May-2011."

As ever with the VOSA website, don't take at face value. Services can be re-registered. But equally EYMS could have cancelled this daily daytime service which operates every 70 minutes serving various 'back roads' in West Hull. Monday to Saturday services are commercial, but Sunday services receive financial support from East Riding of Yorkshire and Hull City Councils.

EYMS Bank Holiday/Royal Wedding Service Levels

It will be a case of guesswork for bus operators in deciding how many people are going to stay in and watch The Royal Wedding on April 29th and how many will use the bank holiday for other purposes. The other unknown is how many people will be taking an 11 day holiday covering Easter, the Royal Wedding and early May Bank Holidays.

EYMS have released details of their service plans for the period

Good Friday - Sunday serrvices except the 120 (Bridlington-Scarborough), 350 Humber Fastcat and Goole Town Services operating normal Friday timetables
Easter Monday - Sunday services except the 120 which will operate a Monday timetable
April 29th - Sunday services except the 120 and 350 which will operate a Friday timetable
May 2nd - Sunday services except the 120 operating a Monday timetable

As for me, I hope to watch the Royal Wedding - but if I am work at least I am lucky to have a normal service on the Humber Fastcat. Far more useful than the Sunday timetable.