Tesco Brigg Services Cancelled

Holloways Coaches have today cancelled their VOSA registrations for the 4 Tesco Brigg services - TB1-4, with effect from 28th March 2013. The TB1 ran from Thornton Curtis, the TB2 from Howsham, TB3 from Goxhill via Barton and TB4 from Kirton.

Holloways Coaches services to Tesco in Gainsborough have also been cancelled including the TG3 from Kirton and the TG5 from the Isle of Axholme.

Contract Swap?

Two VOSA registrations today appear to show that EYMS and Busking (Phoenix Buses) have each won a contract from each other. Busking have registered the Monday to Saturday daytime 183 Hessle town service from April 1st, a route which EYMS currently operate.

PB1084446/9 - BUSKING LTD, 52 MAIN STREET, NORTH FRODINGHAM, DRIFFIELD, YO25 8LG

• Registration Accepted
• Starting Point: HESSLE SQUARE, HESSLE
• Finish Point: HESSLE SQUARE, HESSLE OR SAINSBURYS HESSLE
• Via: HESSLE TOWN
• Service Number: 183
• Service Type: Normal Stopping
• Effective Date: 01-APR-2013
• Other Details: Mondays to Saturdays Excluding bank holidays

Meanwhile EYMS have registered the Summer weekend 133 route between Driffield and Malton which was operated last year by Busking.

PB0000328/408 - EAST YORKSHIRE MOTOR SERVICES LTD, 252 ANLABY ROAD, HULL, HU3 2RS

• Registration Accepted
• Starting Point: Driffield
• Finish Point: Malton
• Via: Wetwang
• Service Number: 133
• Service Type: Normal Stopping/Rural Bus Service
• Effective Date: 30-MAR-2013
• Other Details: Driffield - Malton

Arriva Goole-Selby Changes

Arriva are making couple of minor changes to Goole-Selby services from Monday 28th January. The weekday 0925 service 4 via Howden will operate 5 minutes later. Many services on the 400/401 via Snaith will also operate 5 minutes later throughout

EYMS 920 change

East Riding of Yorkshire Council reports that EYMS will cease to run the 0720 Hornsea-Aldbrough service 920 and 0754 return during school holidays from February.

"From Monday 11th February 2013 East Yorkshire Motor Services service 920 Hornsea to Aldbrough will no longer operate during school holidays at 0720 from Hornsea to Aldbrough and 0754 from Aldbrough to Hornsea. There is no change to the schoolday service." 

(I would guess the 220/221 are unchanged, and the title of this blog post last year was misleading)

EYMS Friday Nightbus 106 Axed

From 28th January, EYMS Nightbus 106 between Hull and Cottingham will cease to operate on Friday nights. The Saturday night service is unaffacted.

EYMS A63 Corridor Changes

From Sunday 27th January, EYMS are making some fairly minor changes to services on the A63 corridor. The 155, X55, X56 and X57 between Hull, Brough, Howden and Goole all see some retimings to improve punctuality. Additionally some journeys to Hull switch between X55's (via Gilberdyke Village) and X56's (via North and South Cave). Newport Industrial Estate is no longer served by the X55 while most 155's from Hull no longer have a timing point in Welton.

EYMS York Buses Changing

Alongside the hourly (Monday to Saturday daytime) X46 between Hull and York, the section between Market Weighton, Pocklington and York is supplemented by a variety of other services, principally the 744 and 746. The 746 operates every hour between Market Weighton, Pocklington and the University of York into York City Centre, while the 744 provides some additional journeys between Pocklington and York via Dunnington but not the University - the 744 starts in Bridlington and operates via Driffield, and between Driffield and Pocklington is itself supplemented by the 743.

From January 27th, it's goodbye to the 743, 744 and 746, and hello to the 45, 46 and 46A. Together these new services will provide an hourly Monday to Saturday daytime Pocklington to York service alongside the hourly X46 - a slight reduction on the current hourly 746 + extra 744's.

The 45 replaces the current 744 between Bridlington and York, but with a diversion via the University of York, offering new links to the university from Bridlington, Driffield and Dunnington. There is an extra journey per day via Dunnington into York, and the early morning bus from Bridlington extends to York rather than terminating in Pocklington. But no significant frequency changes compared to the 744.

The 746 becomes the 46/46A, and operates to a reduced timetable between Market Weighton, Pocklington and York. The frequency to/from Market Weighton drops from hourly to 4/5 buses per day, with some extra journeys between Pocklington and York to maintain the hourly 45/46/46A combined frequency mentioned above. While this is a significant reduction, Market Weighton retains the hourly X46 into York, as well as 4 journeys per day on the X4, so still has regular links to the city.

Improvements however for Market Weighton come with a new link to/from Driffield. The 46/46A extend beyond Market Weighton to Driffield, replacing the Middleton on the Wolds/Bainton service provided the 743 and offering new York links from these villages. One service each day further extends to Bridlington. The 46A variant covers one journey each way on weekdays only via Tibthorpe.

Evening/Sunday frequencies on the 744/746 are unchanged, with the routes renumbered/altered to the 45/46 in line with the Monday to Saturday daytime changes. The last bus from York to Pocklington Monday to Saturday at 2305 will operate as a 45A, not serving the University of York, but serving Dunnington.

If that is all a bit confusing then have a look at the new timetables on the EYMS website. Simply it's slightly less buses between Market Weighton, Pocklington and York, but new links between Market Weighton, Driffield and Bridlington. Hopefully the new links created are well used.

Also to note, the X4 between Brough, Market Weighton and York diverts via North Newbald, and is consequently retimed, from January 28th. Meanwhile from the same date the 1620 (1610 Sat) Full Sutton Prison to York journey on the 747 will cease to operate.

35 up for tender

There is a lengthy report on the City of York Council regarding tendered bus services in the city, which is to be presented to the cabinet member for transport on Tuesday. One of the affected services is the Transdev York operated 35 from York to Holme on Spalding Moor. The service is tendered by City of York Council, but also receives funding from North Yorkshire and East Riding of Yorkshire Councils.

The report proposes the 35 is retendered, though the actual reason for retendering is not specifically stated. It maybe simply that the current tender has expired? In 2012 the subsidy per passenger was 58p (a slight improvement on the previous year) with 14 passengers travelling per bus hour. It is expected annual costs will however increase with the new tender.

The 35 currently operates every two hours to Monday to Saturday (some journeys a variation X35), along with extra weekday peak time journeys and a limited Friday and Saturday evening service between York and North Duffield. It is proposed that the tender will be issued based on "broadly" the current timetable, although East Riding of Yorkshire Council are looking at extending the service to Market Weighton, I guess by merging it with the EYMS operated 34, that links Holme upon Spalding Moor to Market Weighton every hour Monday to Saturday mornings and early afternoon. Any Market Weighton extension to the 35 would be East Riding of Yorkshire Council funded. An all-day Market Weighton extension could offer better connections to Beverley and Hull from Holme upon Spalding Moor, for example for commuting, as well as offering 6 day a week Bubwith to Market Weighton links.

Between 2006 and 2008 the 35 had been run commercially as the 18 by First York - and the EYMS operated Sunday service between York and Holme on Spalding Moor remains numbered 18A.

Details of how associated service 36 between Elvington and York may or may not be impacted are not given in the City of York Council report.

Rationalisation = New Journey Opportunities???

This week Network Rail revealed their Strategic Business Plan. I won't go into all the details - sadly electrification of the line to Hull is no nearer - but buried within the Network Rail Route Specification 2012 - London North Eastern document on page 236 is a table relating to the Barton branch. In the project description column it says "Rationalisation and Infrastructure Improvements on the Barton On Humber Branch". The output change is listed as "New journey opportunities". From recent Friends of the Barton Line meeting minutes I recall a mention of singling some or all of the double track section between Oxmarsh (New Holland) and Ulceby. So how does reducing capacity facilitate new journey opportunities?

Page 235 has some more information, linespeed is planned to alter from predominantly 60mph to (simply) 60mph and the service levels will be unchanged. And typical Barton to Cleethorpes journey time remains 24 minutes ... If you know how to do Barton to Cleethorpes at 60mph in 24 minutes please post let me know!!! (someone has mixed up Cleethorpes with Ulceby).

Being serious again there is nothing planned to facilitate new journey opportunities at all, just to maintain the current timetable at hopefully less cost, which I presume is the idea behind singling under-utilised double track sections. One of those schemes which provokes mixed emotions - reducing costs is essential, but would it be regretted some time in the future? But why not just be honest about why it is being done?

EYMS 220/221 February Change

EYMS are amending the 220/221 between Hull and Hornsea in February. From VOSA:

PB0000328/22 - EAST YORKSHIRE MOTOR SERVICES LTD, 252 ANLABY ROAD, HULL, HU3 2RS

• Variation Accepted: Operating between Hull and Hornsea given service number 220/220S/221/920 effective from 11-Feb-2013. To amend Route and Timetable.

First Christmas/New Year Services 2012-13

First have released details of their service plans for the Christmas and New Year period. The following covers both the Doncaster and York operations which both operate into the Humber region.

Christmas Eve - Saturday Service with early finish around 2000
Christmas Day - No Services
Boxing Day - No Services
Thursday 27th-Saturday 29th - Saturday Service
Sunday 30th - Normal Service
New Years Eve - Saturday Service with early finish around 2000
New Years Day - No Services

(NB some limited exceptions to the above apply for services not operating into the Humber region)

Transdev Christmas/New Year Service 2012-13

Transdev have released details of their Christmas and New Year period service plans, covering both the Yorkshire Coastliner and local York operations.

Christmas Eve - Saturday service with an early finish. No Transdev operated journeys on the 10 to Stamford Bridge
Christmas Day - No Service
Boxing Day - No Service
Thursday 27th-Saturday 29th - Saturday Service
Sunday 30th - Normal Service
New Years Eve - Saturday service with an early finish. No Transdev operated journeys on the 10 to Stamford Bridge
New Years Day - No Service

Arriva East Yorkshire Services Christmas and New Year 2012-13

Arriva Yorkshire have released their Christmas/New Year 2012-13 service plans. Below is the information relevant to East Yorkshire services (4, 8, 356, 400, 401):

Christmas Eve - Saturday service, so route 4 will not serve Howden or Goole. Additionally the 1810 service 400 from Selby to Goole will terminate at West Cowick, and the 1900 service 400 from Goole to Selby shall not operate.
Christmas Day - No Service
Boxing Day - No Service
Thursday 27th and Friday 28th - Saturday Service, so no route 4 serving Howden or Goole, and no route 8 serving Hook on the Friday.
Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th - Normal Service
New Years Eve - As Christmas Eve
New Years Day - No Service

Stagecoach Scunthorpe Christmas and New Year 2012-13

Stagecoach have released details of their service plans in the Scunthorpe area over the Christmas and New Year period:

Christmas Eve - Normal Monday service with early finish (routes 31A/32A/350 affected)
Christmas Day - No Services
Boxing Day - Hourly daytime service on Scunthorpe town services 31A and 32A
Thursday 27th-Sunday 30th - Normal Services
New Years Eve - Normal Monday service with early finish (routes 31A/32A/350 affected)
New Years Day - No Services

EYMS 129 Revised Timetable

From Monday 6th January, EYMS are altering the 129 Withernsea to Hornsea timetable to address punctuality issues after the route was diverted to serve Sand Le Mere Holiday Park in July. Journey times are extended from 57 minutes to 64 minutes on the route which is operated under contract to East Riding of Yorkshire Council. The frequency remains two hourly Monday to Saturday daytimes (and Summer Sundays?).

Boxing Day Buses for North East Lincolnshire

Stagecoach in Grimsby Cleethorpes have released their service plans for the Christmas and New Year period:

Christmas Eve - Normal Monday service with early finish (1900-2000 ish)
Christmas Day - - No Service
Boxing Day - NEW for 2012, hourly daytime service on routes 9A (including New Waltham), 13, 14 and 46. Good to see North East Lincolnshire gain Boxing Day buses this year
Thursday 27th and Friday 28th - Saturday service except a weekday timetable on routes 1, 2 and 25
Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th - Normal Service
New Years Eve - Saturday service, except weekday service on routes 1, 2, and 25, with early finish (1900-2000 ish)
New Years Day - No Service

Stagecoach in Hull Christmas/New Year 2012-13

Stagecoach in Hull have released details of services over the Christmas and New Year period. Below is a summary

Christmas Eve - Normal Monday service until 2000; no services will depart after this time
Christmas Day - No services
Boxing Day - Special Services (see below)
Thursday 27th-Saturday 29th - Saturday service including nightbuses on all three days
Sunday 30th - Normal Sunday service
New Years Eve - Saturday service until around 1800, then special timetables (see below)
New Years Day - No services
Wednesday 2nd - Back to normal

Boxing Day Services (all daytime only):
Hourly service on the 1, 2, 28b, 30, 32, 41a (via Holderness Road), 43 and 54
Half hourly service with 60 minute lunchtime gap on the 13, 14 and 15
Hourly service on the 51 all day, with extra short 51b journeys giving a half hourly morning service into Hull from Bransholme and return in the afternoon
Plus football buses 31F, 43F and 51F

New Years Eve Evening Services post-1800:
Hourly evening service on routes 1, 2, 15, 31, 43, 51 and 54
Limited Early Evening service on routes 13, 14, 28, 30, 32, 42 and 350
Half Hourly nightbus service on routes N2, N15, N31, N43 and N51

As far as I can tell the only Boxing Day changes this year are the withdrawal of the 42, and the 'downgrade' on the 51/51b from a 30 minute Hull-Bransholme service all day in both directions. On New Years Eve the evening 13 and 28, and nightbus N13, have been withdrawn, while the evening 32/N32 has been replaced by the 31/N31. The N31 is half hourly compared to an hourly N32 last year.

Overall it seems like Stagecoach in Hull have a stable Boxing Day/New Years Eve network (funded by Hull City Council???) and they are just making relatively minor tweaks this year, probably in response to usage last year. Of course it would be nice to see more services run on Boxing Day, and on New Years Eve evening, and to reintroduce New Years Day services. But things could be worse, or non-existant.

Arriva January Selby-Goole Changes

Arriva will be altering Selby-Goole services in late January. From VOSA:

 

PB0000582/73 - ARRIVA YORKSHIRE LTD, 24 BARNSLEY ROAD, WAKEFIELD, WF1 5JX

• Variation Accepted: Operating between Selby and Goole given service number 4 effective from 28-Jan-2013. To amend Timetable.

 

PB0000582/75 - ARRIVA YORKSHIRE LTD, 24 BARNSLEY ROAD, WAKEFIELD, WF1 5JX

• Variation Accepted: Operating between Selby and Goole given service number 8/356/400/401/628/629 effective from 28-Jan-2013. To amend Timetable.

Thornes Timetable Tweaks

From 15th January, Thornes are altering the return journeys of two weekly shoppers services to run 15 minutes earlier. From East Riding of Yorkshire Council:

From Tuesday 15 January 2013 service Path 2 North Cave to York, operated by Thornes Independent Ltd will depart York 15 minutes earlier at 1415.
From Friday 18 January 2013 service Path 5 North Cave to Doncaster, operated by Thornes Independent Ltd will depart Doncaster 15 minutes earlier at 1350.

Current timetable

That was quick ...

Despite having only been introduced last month, the Transdev York Unibus extensions to Stamford Bridge are being withdrawn from the start of January according to itravelyork. As Transdev are operating a reduced holiday service over Christmas, I wonder if withdrawal could actually be next month?

New Arriva Amazon Workers Service

From VOSA:

 

PB0000582/81 - ARRIVA YORKSHIRE LTD, 24 BARNSLEY ROAD, WAKEFIELD, WF1 5JX

Registration Accepted by SN

• Starting Point: Howden
• Finish Point: Amazon Distribution, Doncaster
• Via:
• Service Number: A1
• Service Type: Limited Stop
• Effective Date: 18-JAN-2013
• Other Details: New Service

UPDATE: East Riding of Yorkshire Council's website contains the following information:

From Sunday 25 November 2012 a new bus service A1 between Howden, Goole and Doncaster (Amazon) will start. The service will be operated by Arriva Yorkshire. It will operate on a daily basis to allow people to travel to work at Amazon. The service will operate from Howden Longs Corner (0545 & 1345) and Goole North Street (0600 & 1400), arriving at Doncaster Amazon (0645 & 1445). The return journeys leave Doncaster Amazon (1515 & 2315), arriving Goole North Street (1600 & midnight), Howden Longs Corner (1615 & 0015). The service is a partnership between the Council and the Department of Work and Pensions.

Holloways Grimsby 'Shopper' to become Tuesdays only

After operation on Thursdays December 20th, Traveline East Midlands shows that Holloways Coaches 'shopper' service from Scunthorpe via Brigg to Grimsby will only operate on Tuesdays.

EYMS Christmas/New Year 2012/13

Too early to start thinking about Christmas? Not for EYMS who have released their Christmas and New Year service details. Full details here, but below is a summary.

Christmas Eve - Normal Monday service will early finish around 8pm
Christmas Day - No Services
Boxing Day - Usual daytime hourly service on routes 34C (Hull-Willerby-Castle Hill), 56 (Hull-Longhill), 64C (Hull-Cottingham-Castle Hill), plus new for 2012, the 66 (Hull-Hessle)

Thursday 27th and Friday 28th December - Saturday service except the 107, 143, 160 and 162 shall not operate, nor shall the 1430 service 182 from Beverley to Hessle. Services 195 and 270 shall operate to a normal Thursday/Friday timetable.
Additionally on Thursday 27th:
Service 75: The 1825 from Withernsea and 2015 from Hull shall not operate
Service 106: Shall not operate
Service 134: Shall operate a normal Thursday service
Service 135: The 0910 and 1140 from Driffield shall operate as a normal Thursday, but the 0655 and 1710 shall not operate
Service X47: The 1915 and 2250 from Hull and 2208 from York shall not operate
On Friday 28th service 199, S1, S2 and S3 shall operate to a normal Friday timetable

Saturday 29th - Normal Saturday Service
Sunday 30th - Normal Sunday Service
New Years Eve - Saturday service with early finish around 8pm (so no nightbuses). Services 160 and 162 shall not operate, nor shall the 1430 182 from Beverley to Hessle. Services 143, 195, 241 and 270 will run to a normal Monday timetable.
New Years Day - No Services
Tuesday 2nd - Normal Tuesday Service

Comment - Good to see the 66 gain a Boxing Day service. Also good to see that EYMS have removed the pointless reference to the 350 operating to a weekday timetable between Christmas and New Year when the weekday and Saturday timetables are identical.

But EYMS could do more to simplify their description of service levels. Take the Tuesday only 198 Pocklington Town Service, EYMS say the route is operating a normal weekday service on Thursday 27th, Friday 28th and Monday 31st. This means no service. A Saturday service also means no service. Why add to the list of exceptions and say it is operating a normal weekday service, when a Saturday service is the same on the days affected?

Inevitably the Christmas/New Year period brings complexity, especially with services that run once or twice a week. But no need to make it any more complicated than it needs to be.

2013 Service Change: 129

East Riding of Yorkshire Council tendered service 129 between Withernsea and Hornsea, operated by EYMS, is being amended from Monday 6th January.

PB0000328/218 - EAST YORKSHIRE MOTOR SERVICES LTD, 252 ANLABY ROAD, HULL, HU3 2RS

• Variation Accepted: Operating between Withernsea and Hornsea given service number 129 effective from 06-Jan-2013. To amend Timetable.

Reversing Cuts

Since Monday, Stagecoach have quietly reinstated some weekday journeys on the 12 that were cancelled in September. The 12 links New Waltham, Cleethorpes, Grimsby and Bradley Park. The cutbacks were introduced after Stagecoach refused to participate in an e-auction process for some schools tenders that were interworked with the 12. For more on September's changes see here.

Back to this month and Stagecoach have added a 0715 Waltham to Grimsby, 0900 New Waltham to Bradley Park and 1735 from Grimsby to Waltham. This reinstates the peak service and provides an earlier daytime service into Cleethorpes and Grimsby (previously first weekday service from New Waltham was 1100). Other journeys, including the more extensive Saturday service, appear to be unchanged.

X62 New Timetable Details

The new timetable for the X62 from Hull to Leeds via Brough, Goole and Castleford from today (29th October) has seen the previously Saturday only 1030 and 1400 from Hull, and 1300 and 1630 from Leeds start operating additionally on weekdays. The weekend timetable has not altered. Also the service has switched from the City Bus Station to the Coach Station in Leeds (i.e. other side of the shared concourse).

Not quite the end for Brigg Market Day Buses

Last week I noted the end of Brigg market day (Thursday) only services 160 and 202 after operation on November 1st. I had assumed there would be no replacement, with passengers directed to  use Call Connect instead.

This will not be the case, with new Thursday only service 161 starting on November 8th. This will operate from Market Rasen via Holton Le Moor, Caistor, Grasby, North Kelsey, Bishop Norton and Waddingham to Brigg and Lakeside Retail Park serving many, but not all, locations currently served by the 160 and 202. There will be one journey each way, but prepare for a long journey if you want to travel the full route. 2 hours 5 minutes in the morning, and 1 hour 45 minutes in the afternoon. Certainly better than nothing though. The full timetable is on Traveline East Midlands.

What is confusing however is that on Traveline East Midlands, it is shown that both Dents Coaches and PC Coaches will be operating the 161 at the same times. Brigg Market Day Bus Wars would be surprising, but I guess you never know ...

Holloways Freshney Place 'Shopper' Changes

Holloways Coaches are amending their Tuesday and Thursday 'shopper' service from Scunthorpe to Grimsby from December 20th. The service operates via Ashby, Broughton and Brigg, and oddly is not included in North Lincolnshire Council timetables.

In the past Holloways Coaches operated a number of services from the Scunthorpe area to Grimsby in association with Freshney Place Shopping Centre; I'm not sure if they are still involved or not.

From VOSA:

PB0001403/3 - HOLLOWAYS COACHES LTD, COTTAGE BECK ROAD, SCUNTHORPE, DN16 1TP

• Variation Accepted: Operating between Holloways Garage and Grimsby Bus Station given service number FP1 effective from 20-Dec-2012. To amend Timetable.

260 Saturday Timetable Announced

Stagecoach have released the Saturday timetable for the 260 'Villager' for when it is increased to operate six days a week on a 4 month trial from 10th November. The 260 links Goxhill, New Holland and Barrow to Barton. The Saturday service will be same as the Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday timetable, with the exception of the 1425 from Barton Tesco, which will operate through to Barton Tesco on it's return rather than terminating in the Market Place.

This is very good news. However the timetable does seem 'over generous'. Is a Saturday afternoon service really needed? Would the Saturday trial be more likely to be a success with less journeys hopefully carrying more passengers per journey?

Also the 260 is unusual in that it has a different Thursday timetable compared to the rest of the week. This is to incorporate East Halton, and a service to Dam Road/Victoria House in Barton. Maybe it's just me, but wouldn't it be more logical to have these variations on a Saturday, not a Thursday, giving a consistent weekday timetable? I can't see that it really matters what day East Halton has it's link to Barton, and Saturdays would coincide with the monthly Barton Farmers Market. The fact the Saturday service is a trial may prevent this from being done now, but something to consider? Furthermore I wonder if the Dam Road service is really needed considering the existence of the Barton Town Service?

A 'different' Saturday service could also allow better co-ordination with the 450 between Barrow and Barton. This would be difficult, though surely not impossible, on weekdays due to an interworked schools service, but there isn't that constraint on Saturdays. A 0929 260 from Barrow, followed soon after by a 0943 450 isn't ideal. Even less ideal is an 1139 260 followed by an 1143 450. And from Barton Interchange an 1145 450 followed by a 1200 260 is not exactly an even spaced timetable.

Anyway, good luck for the Saturday service.

Finally, an idea that might save a little taxpayers money 6 days a week. Currently on schooldays there is a 1530 service 450 from Brigg through Barton to Barrow and Goxhill. The bus then returns 'dead' to Barton. During school holidays and on Saturdays, the 1530 instead leaves Brigg around an hour later. Why not instead run the 1530 6 days a week as a 450 from Brigg to Barton, becoming a 260 at Barton to Barrow and Goxhill and return. This would enable the withdrawal of the 1603 260 from Barton Tesco, and reduce mileage on schooldays between Barton and Goxhill.

Boxing Day 66

Seems that the 66 from Hull to Hessle will be joining the Boxing Day bus network this year. From VOSA:

PB0000328/404 - EAST YORKSHIRE MOTOR SERVICES LTD, 252 ANLABY ROAD, HULL, HU3 2RS

• Registration Accepted
• Starting Point: Hull Interchange
• Finish Point: Hessle Square
• Via: Anlaby Road
• Service Number: 66
• Service Type: Normal Stopping
• Effective Date: 26-DEC-2012
• Other Details: Hull Interchange - Hessle Square

Stagecoach Grimsby Cleethorpes Sunday enhancements

From Sunday 11th November, Stagecoach in Grimsby and Cleethorpes are improving their Sunday services.

Back in April the Sunday service on Route 8 serving New Waltham was axed, and as a partial replacement hourly service 46 from Immingham to Cleethorpes was extended from it's North Sea Lane terminus to New Waltham and then onwards to Waltham (for operational purposes?). However from next month the Sunday 46 shall be cut back to Cleethorpes Pier, only continuing to serve North Sea Lane on Monday to Saturday evenings. While I guess some may miss this through Sunday link to Cleethorpes Leisure Centre, Meridian Point and Pleasure Island theme park, the truncation of the 46 makes way for an improved 9A.

Currently the 9A runs hourly on Sundays daytimes between Waltham, Grimsby and Cleethorpes, with hourly Sunday evening 'shorts' between Waltham and Grimsby running as service 9. November's enhancement increases the daytime frequency to half hourly, with the the route extended from it's North Sea Lane terminus to New Waltham, replacing the 46. This doubles the Sunday daytime service for both Waltham, New Waltham and Grimsby Hospital. In the evenings an hourly service will operate, now serving the full route between Waltham and New Waltham. Throughout the day on Sundays, an extra bus each hour is provided between Grimsby and Cleethorpes town centres as a result of these changes.

Thanks to admet for the 'heads up' on these changes last month.

Brigg Market Day buses ending

From Traveline East Midlands it seems that two Thursday only services into Brigg are ending after November 1st; the 160 and 202 both operated under contract to Lincolnshire County Council by PC Coaches.

The 160 operates from Caistor via North Kelsey, Bishop Norton, Waddingham, Redbourne and Hilbaldstow to Brigg. The route used to be operated by Applebys, then by Road Car and Stagecoach before passing to PC Coaches. The 202 operates from Market Rasen via Holton Le Moor, Grasby and Bigby to Brigg and Lakeside Retail Park on the edge of Scunthorpe.

If these sevices are cancelled without replacement partial alternatives would be provided by existing Holloways Coaches TB2 and TB4, Hornsby 94 and TC Coaches operated Call Connect service 3C. But for everywhere except for Hibaldstow and Redbourne it will mean the end of a 'fixed' Thursday market day bus to Brigg, with the demand responsive call connect service the only public transport option remaining.

As a final note it is interesting to contrast the approaches of Lincolnshire County Council and North Lincolnshire Council. Lincolnshire focuses on trunk routes with demand responsive services for nearly everywhere else. Whereas North Lincolnshire Council doesn't use demand responsive services at all, instead contracting 'traditional fixed services' to serve smaller communities. If the likes of North Kelsey and Bigby were in North Lincolnshire, I highly doubt the 160 and 202 would be being axed. And if places like Dragonby were in Lincolnshire they almost certainly wouldn't have a 'traditional fixed' bus service any more.

Humber Flyer Barnetby Timetable

Stagecoach have released the revised Humber Flyer timetable from 5th November when one journey each way diverts via Barnetby.

The 0910 from Grimsby to Hull shall now leave Grimsby at 0900 and operate 10 minutes earlier to Humberside Airport, then serve Barnetby and operate at the current times between Barton and Hull.

The 1450 from Hull to Cleethorpes shall operate to the current times as far as Barton, then serve Barnetby and operate 5 minutes later than at present between Humberside Airport and Cleethorpes.

Possible withdrawal of two evening peak Scunthorpe Town Services

A report has been published on the North Lincolnshire Council (NLC) website recommending consultation about the possible withdrawal of two subsidised evening peak services in Scunthorpe. Affected services are the 1735 service 38 and 1800 service 34, both operated by Stagecoach and running Monday to Saturday.

NLC say the cost of the 1735 38 is £16.33 per day, which with an average of 4 passengers is a subsidy of £4.08 per passenger. For the 1800 34 the cost is £24.49 per day, which with an average of 7 passengers per day is a subsidy of £3.50 per passengers. Both of these subsidies per passenger are above the £3 benchmark used by NLC. Total subsidy is £12,490 per annum.

For the 34 alternatives mostly exist. There is a 32A which leaves Scunthorpe at 1800 - i.e. the same time as the 34 - travelling along Cemetery Road in Brumby. The 32A/34 also serve Bottesford Lane, Manor Road, Cambridge Avenue, High Leys Road and Quebec Road at very similar time. The main area served by the 34 but not the 32A is Alvingham Road and Collum Avenue which would be left with a last bus at 1735, provided by the Hornsby 12. The 34 does continue beyond Quebec Road back into Scunthorpe, but this section is probably just a way to get the bus back to the depot in service, I could be wrong though.

From this I'm struggling to see the point of the 1800 34. There is maybe an issue for Alvingham Road and Collum Avenue, but the 1750 service 4 from Scunthorpe to Brigg could possibly divert along these roads, with an 1800 service 6 still serving Ashby Road.

However apart from Cliff Gardens no existing alternatives exist for the 38 and the last journey would be the 1635 if the 1735 is withdrawn. But the 1745 service 60 to Whitton could always divert via Crosby instead of Berkeley Circle with little time penalty.

Complexity in timetables isn't ideal, but better than journeys being axed surely? Solutions seem to exist that allow for better value for money while still retaining links.

First 88 Retiming

From Monday 29th October First South Yorkshire are making changes to their Doncaster network, including the 88 to Goole.  Most journeys from Doncaster will leave 5 minutes earlier than at present, and arrive in Goole 3 minutes earlier. From Goole most journeys will leave 6 minutes earlier than at present but arrive in Doncaster at the same time as they currently do. The frequency remains hourly Monday to Saturday daytimes.

X62 Leeds Terminal Switch

West Yorkshire Metro's latest service change booklet notes that Stagecoach in Hull's X62 from Hull to Leeds will switch from the City Bus Station to the National Express Coach Station in Leeds at some point after October 28th. In reality this means the service will change stops in Leeds to the opposite side of the shared bus/coach station concourse.

The X62 also has a timetable change at the end of the month

Saturday Villager Trial

North Lincolnshire Council are funding a 4 month trial of a Saturday service on the 260 'Villager' service from 10th November. The service, operated by Stagecoach, links Goxhill, New Holland and Barrow to Barton, and also serves East Halton on Thursdays.

Currently the only Saturday bus service to Goxhill and New Holland is the Hornsby 366, providing one journey to/from Brigg and Scunthorpe. The two villages do also have a two hourly train service. Barrow is served by the 366, and also by the 450 providing a two hourly serve to Immingham, Grimsby, Barton and Brigg.

I'll post more on this good news story when timetable details are released.

North Lincolnshire Council press release:

From Saturday 10 November, North Lincolnshire Council will trial a new Number 260 Saturday Villager bus service - serving residents in Goxhill, New Holland, Barrow, and Barton. The new service is based on the popular 260 Villager service that runs during the week.The new Saturday service will run for a trial period of four months initially.   

Cllr Nigel Sherwood, cabinet member for Highways and Neighbourhoods at North Lincolnshire Council, said: “The Number 260 is a popular service during the week and following a petition by local residents, we have agreed to run the service on a Saturday for a four-month trial. We are not making any promises to make it a permanent Saturday service. We’ll have to see how popular it is. So it is important that people use it, after all, it’s what they asked for.”

Saturday Morning Stamford Bridge Changes

After this Saturday - the 6th - Transdev York's early Saturday morning journeys on the 10/10A to Stamford Bridge will cease (0655 10A from Nether Poppleton to Stamford Bridge and 0800 10 from Stamford Bridge to York) due to First starting a new 0730 service 10 from Stamford Bridge. Transdev daily evening service on route 10 is unaffected.

See also this post on Unibus changes

Humber Flyer via Barnetby

It would seem that from 4th November, one journey each way on Stagecoach's Humber Flyer between Cleethorpes and Hull will divert via Barnetby, following a request from a Barnetby resident, passed on via local MP Andrew Percy.

A report on North Lincolnshire Council's website requests that for 2012-13, Stagecoach have asked the council for a £1,700 annual subsidy for the Humber Flyer, including the journey via Barnetby - this is down from the current £2,000 annual subsidy, as a result of increasing passenger numbers. Other subsidy for the Humber Flyer comes from:
North East Lincolnshire Council - £10,000
Humberside Airport - £10,000
Hull City Council - £5,000
Lincolnshire County Council - £850

The initial request was for every journey on the Humber Flyer to serve Barnetby, but this is not possible "because they [Stagecoach] could not keep the hourly frequency if they did so" - turnarounds are 5 minutes in Cleethorpes and 13 minutes in Hull (which from experience is needed). Instead there will be a 0910 from Barnetby to Hull (currently the Humber Flyer is in Barton at this time) and the 1450 from Hull will divert into Barnetby. I would guess a part of the route will have to be cut on the journeys concerned to accomodate this, but Stagecoach are obviously prepared to do this on a limited basis. EDIT - the 1450 from Hull has a longer than usual turnaround in Cleethorpes, so there is time to serve Barnetby and the rest of the route.

Finally I should note the North Lincolnshire Council report is a recommendation to approve the £1,700 annual subsidy, and not actual approval. Therefore none of the above is confirmed to happen.

It is good to see Stagecoach's requested subsidy reduce, and attempts made to serve new markets. I'd have though it would also be possible to provide Barnetby with a peak time service as well without needing an extra vehicle or cutbacks to the route elsewhere.

York Unibus to Stamford Bridge

From Monday 8th October, Transdev York are extending some weekday journeys on Unibus 44 between York City Centre and the University of York to Dunnington and Stamford Bridge. From York's Railway Station services will depart at 0731, 1211, 1311, 1616, 1651, 1721 and 1751. From Stamford Bridge journeys depart at 0730, 0800, 0830, 0915 (to the University only), 1315 and 1400 (to the University only).

While the Transdev announcement highlights the new links this creates between Stamford Bridge, Dunnington and the University, the service also competes at peak times with First service 10, which is getting a new timetable from Sunday. Is Transdev considering competing with First to Stamford Bridge on an 'all day' basis, using unibus to 'test the water' - they already have the tendered daily evening/Saturday morning journeys on service 10 - or is this just about new University links?

Extra Scunthorpe Sunday Town Services

As already noted in the comments on this blog, Stagecoach are increasing the Sunday daytime frequency of Scunthorpe town services 31A and 32A from hourly to half hourly from November 5th.

The 31A/32A operates as an amalgam of the 31, 32, 33 and 34 Monday to Saturday daytime routes. They operate via the 33/34's Cemetery Road route in Brumby then 'cut across' to join the 31/32's Warley Road route before serving Ashby High Street and then rejoining the 33/34 route down Bottesford Road and Bottesford Lane to Cambridge Avenue. They then travel up Messingham Road, part of which is also served by the 31/32, part of which only by the 100/103. The 31A/32A then follow Burringham Road, served by the 10 Monday to Saturday daytimes, before serving the Willoughby Road, High Leys Road and Quebec Road areas served by the 33/34. From Enderby Road the 31A/32A then follow the 31/32 route back into Scunthorpe via Plymouth Road, Berkeley Circle and the hospital, but with the addition of a diversion via Tesco Extra.

The frequency increase means that some parts of Scunthorpe have a better Sunday daytime service than at any other time of the week. The High Leys Road area has two buses an hour into Scunthorpe Monday to Saturdays, but four on Sunday daytimes with the new arranagement (2 31A's, 2 32A's). Cemetery Road just has an hourly Stagecoach service Monday to Saturday, but now half hourly on Sundays. Tesco Extra isn't connected to the Scunthorpe Town or Stagecoach network Monday to Saturday daytimes, but now gets extra Sunday services.

Another interesting aspect of the change is that Stagecoach have opted to retain and enhance the 31A and 32A rather than simplify the network and remove the variation in favour of hourly 31's, 32's, 33's and 34's on Sunday daytimes, following the Monday to Saturday daytime routes.

For at least the last 15 years or so (which is as far back as I can recall) evening and Sunday town services in Scunthorpe have been provided by one hourly clockwise and one hourly anti-clockwise circular, attempting to serve as much as the town as possible using as few resources as possible. An approach that had it's merits when there was little demand for services at these times - therefore something was better than nothing - but now increasingly outdated as Sunday daytimes in particular become busier.

In Scunthorpe's case retaining the 31A and 32A is probably the right thing to do for now. Hourly 31's, 32's, 33's and 34's wouldn't deliver the frequency increase arising from Stagecoach's forthcoming change. Plus it's not like the 31A and 32A take forever. A roundtrip takes just under an hour.

New 243 Timetable Announced

East Riding of Yorkshire Council have announced the timetable for their new directly operated weekday service 243 between Withernsea and Beverley from November 5th.

From Monday 5 November 2012 new service 243 Withernsea to Beverley, operated by East Riding of Yorkshire Council will start. The service will operate Monday to Friday departing Withernsea Memorial Avenue at 10.30am and will serve Roos (10.40am), Burton Pidsea (10.45am), Humbleton (10.51am), Sproatley (10.56am), Bilton (11.03am), Skirlaugh (11.15am) arriving in Beverley at 11.35am. 

The return journey leaves Beverley Bus Station at 1.25pm and will serve Skirlaugh (1.45pm), Bilton (1.57pm), Sproatley (2.04pm), Humbleton (2.09pm), Burton Pidsea (2.15pm), Roos (2.20pm) arriving in Withernsea Memorial Avenue at 2.30pm.

The service shall overlap the East Riding of Yorkshire Council tendered, Stagecoach operated, service 242 from Hedon to Beverley which serves Sproatley, Bilton and Skirlaugh over an hour earlier than the 243 towards Beverley - good co-ordination - but leaves Beverley just 5 minutes after the new 243 in the afternoon - very bad co-ordination, though maybe interworked schools services dictate the times?

It is good to see new links being tried, and a welcome increase in the limited bus service offered to the villages off Burton Pidsea and Humbleton.

 

More nightbuses

From next week EYMS nightbus 107 from Hull University Asylum nightclub to Cottingham gains extra journeys at 0145 on Wednesday and Saturday nights (Thursday/Sunday morning), and at 0315 on Saturday nights. The 107 runs during University semesters only.

107 timetable

Hornsby 4 October Frequency Increase

From Monday 1st October, Hornsby are enhancing their service 4 between Brigg, Broughton, Ashby and Scunthorpe. Currently on Monday to Saturday daytimes the service runs hourly. The new timetable is available on the Traveline East Midlands website.
 
On weekdays the frequency increases from hourly, to 'hourly with a few extra journeys'; at 0935, 1135 and 1350 from Scunthorpe and 1025, 1225 and 1445 from Brigg. These journeys are co-ordinated with the existing timetable so some hours the frequency is half hourly as shown below (this is not the all day timetable):

Scunthorpe D. 0905 0935 1005 1105 1135 1205 1305 1350 1423
Brigg D. 0900 0955 1025 1055 1155 1225 1245 1355 1445 1510

Of course being half hourly some hours is not a memorable full half hourly frequency. In fairness the tendered 95 from Brigg to Scunthorpe via Scawby does fill some of the hour long gaps (e.g. there is a 1235 from Scunthorpe), but not all.

On Saturdays Hornsby are delivering a slightly more marketable frequency improvement - from hourly to every 45 minutes during the morning. From the timetable it appears that this can be acheived using 2 vehicles, the same as at present.

Maybe these improvements are due to extra demand at certain times of day after the end of the Stagecoach 90? Maybe this an attempt to 'test the water' for a full half hourly service? If so is it a sensible test to avoid committing too many resources at first, or is it a half-hearted attempt doomed to fail? Increased bus services are welcome, but it is a slightly odd timetable!

If Hornsby are serious about a half hourly Brigg to Scunthorpe service, and these enhancements are a success, I wonder if it would be worthwhile incorporating the 95 (currently tendered so would need to be made commercial)? Three out of four services every 2 hours could run as a 4 via Broughton, and one every two hours via Scawby, as a 5. Yes this would retain an 'odd' timetable for Broughton (though they would still have a minimum hourly service) but it wouldn't be much extra mileage since the 95 would be axed and it's passengers would hopefully transfer to the 'new 5'. Plus it would allow a marketable half hourly Brigg-Ashby-Scunthorpe service. The 94 could then provide a more frequent Lime Sidings to Brigg service, with perhaps a through Scunthorpe service from Redbourne and Hibaldstow retained on Saturdays.

As ever post any comments on the service change and my thoughts on it in the comments section below.

See also this post from earlier this year on the Brigg to Scunthorpe market.

Stagecoach South Bank November Service Changes

Stagecoach in Grimsby Cleethorpes are amending the 9/9A between Waltham, Grimsby and Cleethorpes, as well as the 45 group of services between Grimsby, Immingham and South Killingholme from November 5th. From the same date, Stagecoach are also amending the 31, 31A, 32 and/or 32A town circular services in Scunthorpe. All info from VOSA.

Holloways 55 November Change

Holloways Coaches service 55, operated under contract to North Lincolnshire Council, is being amended from November.

PB0001403/10 - HOLLOWAYS COACHES LTD, COTTAGE BECK ROAD, SCUNTHORPE, DN16 1TP
Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between Scunthorpe Bus Station and Winterton given service number 55 effective from 06-Sep-2012. To amend Route and Timetable.

New Service 243: Withernsea-Beverley

What's interesting here is not just a new weekday link between Withernsea and Beverley (I guess this is a 'shopper' service similar to the 242 from Hedon to Beverley). but that it is being operated 'directly' by East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

PB0004001/12 - EAST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE COUNCIL T/A FLEET MANAGEMENT & PASSENGER TRANSPORT UNIT, UNIT 10, ANNIE REED ROAD, BEVERLEY, HU17 0LF

• Registration Accepted
• Starting Point: WITHENSEA MEMORIAL AVENUE
• Finish Point: BEVERLEY BUS STATION
• Via: BURTONS PIDSEA
• Service Number: 243
• Service Type: Normal Stopping
• Effective Date: 05-NOV-2012
• Other Details: Monday 5th November 2012 Monday to Friday one journey in each direction

Hornsby 4 October Change

Hornsby service 4 between Brigg and Scunthorpe is being amended from October 1st. From VOSA:

PB0001410/4 - HORNSBY TRAVEL SERVICES LTD, 51 - 53 ASHBY HIGH STREET, SCUNTHORPE, DN16 2NB
Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between Scunthorpe Bus Station and Brigg, Cary Lane given service number 4 effective from 01-Oct-2012. To amend Timetable.

First October Changes

First South Yorkshire amending the 59 and 91/391 from October. It is unclear whether journeys into North Lincolnshire will be affected. From VOSA:

PB0002307/195 - FIRST SOUTH YORKSHIRE LTD, MIDLAND ROAD GARAGE, MIDLAND ROAD, ROTHERHAM, S61 1TF

Variation Accepted: Operating between Doncaster Frenchgate Interchange and Finningley, Elm Drive given service number 91/391 effective from 29-Oct-2012. To amend Route and Timetable.

PB0002307/290 - FIRST SOUTH YORKSHIRE LTD, MIDLAND ROAD GARAGE, MIDLAND ROAD, ROTHERHAM, S61 1TF

Variation Accepted: Operating between Doncaster and Wroot given service number 59 effective from 29-Oct-2012. To amend Timetable.

Hornsea Town Service Change

From Monday 17th September most journeys on the Hornsea Town Service 550, operated by EYMS, will be diverted to serve the town's Tesco store. The frequency will be reduced from every 40 minutes to hourly to ensure punctuality without requring an extra vehicle.