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Post by jdodger08 on Sept 26, 2017 23:58:52 GMT 1
Had an insight into potential problems this afternoon. Returning from a short stay on the east side of Scotland travelled to West Yorkshire(Huddersfield area) via the A68, A1(M), M1 then M62. All was fine until we approached Hartshead Moor services where overhead messages were stating "congestion between J24 and J26. About 2 miles before J24 hit 4 lanes of stationary traffic(apparently a multi vehicle collision somewhere on the Lancashire side of the border). Took us About 90 minutes to travel the 2 miles from the start of the "jam" to Ainley Top. Whilst I hope that Transdev are successful in operating a second "Cityzap" what will happen to the operation when the M62 is "stuffed" and there is no escape. In that scenario the next departure would be routed by a different route, as Zap services have an updated GPS service suggesting the quickest route. Many times the Leeds-York Zap changes from using A64 direct to using the M1 and A63. So that 1 bus stuck in the Jam would essentially be the only bus behind on its timetable. Which would yes screw the rota up. But with an hourly service, I'm sure a replacement bus could get despatched?
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Post by gooderson1 on Sept 27, 2017 7:52:44 GMT 1
I realise that the next bus would operate via a different route but finding a bus and a driver and then getting it from Burnley to the point on the route where the delayed bus should be would be another matter. I would have thought that companies these days could not afford to have a bus and driver sitting at the depot waiting to fill in.
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Post by neukit on Sept 27, 2017 19:53:06 GMT 1
I expect any disruptions on the road network will affect the new Cityzap service in the exact same way that it will affect the similar existing NatEx and Megabus services, ...and every other bus/coach service across the country! Some journeys will run late. Some journeys might get cancelled. Some journeys may be diverted. Some journeys may be covered by spare/additional resources. Some journeys will run to time!
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Post by deerfold on Sept 28, 2017 0:30:17 GMT 1
I expect any disruptions on the road network will affect the new Cityzap service in the exact same way that it will affect the similar existing NatEx and Megabus services, ...and every other bus/coach service across the country! Some journeys will run late. Some journeys might get cancelled. Some journeys may be diverted. Some journeys may be covered by spare/additional resources. Some journeys will run to time! However the M62 gets clogged up more often than the average road and Transdev depots are a long way from the route.
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Post by neukit on Sept 28, 2017 23:26:54 GMT 1
I expect any disruptions on the road network will affect the new Cityzap service in the exact same way that it will affect the similar existing NatEx and Megabus services, ...and every other bus/coach service across the country! Some journeys will run late. Some journeys might get cancelled. Some journeys may be diverted. Some journeys may be covered by spare/additional resources. Some journeys will run to time! However the M62 gets clogged up more often than the average road and Transdev depots are a long way from the route. Is there some sort of special lane on the M62 that NatEx and Megabus can use, that won't be available to Cityzap? Or, perhaps there have been bus/coach services using the M62 for decades ...and astonishingly, they still exist despite the traffic issues that can affect journey times! Whether the new Cityzap route is successful or not, won't be down to the traffic on the M62. If bus services couldn't exist where traffic was notoriously bad at times, there would be no bus services running at all in Manchester, or any other major town/city across the country!!
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kendall17
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Post by kendall17 on Sept 29, 2017 7:47:37 GMT 1
If we can do Swarcliffe to Salford (or any North West RL ground) in under 2 hours on a Friday (departing at 5), then there's no reason why CitZap cant.
Smart motorways have helped massively with our journey times, it's just the unfortunate times where there is an accident & the road closes where journeys will be cancelled.
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Post by deerfold on Sept 29, 2017 8:34:19 GMT 1
However the M62 gets clogged up more often than the average road and Transdev depots are a long way from the route. Is there some sort of special lane on the M62 that NatEx and Megabus can use, that won't be available to Cityzap? Or, perhaps there have been bus/coach services using the M62 for decades ...and astonishingly, they still exist despite the traffic issues that can affect journey times! Whether the new Cityzap route is successful or not, won't be down to the traffic on the M62. If bus services couldn't exist where traffic was notoriously bad at times, there would be no bus services running at all in Manchester, or any other major town/city across the country!! National Express and Megabus haven't tied themselves to running via Mount and Ainley top on every journey. And I can get a return for £6.40 if I know when I'm travelling same day or not including in the evening. How many of these bus services are competing against fast frequent train services and not picking up substantial numbers of people outside the cities at the end of the route whilst running at a much lower frequency and not running late evenings? How many of them don't run within 10km of their home depot? I hope this route is a success, but it seems to have a lot stacked against it.
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Post by neukit on Sept 29, 2017 19:04:25 GMT 1
I'm not entirely following all your logic, but I think if I'm reading that correctly, you are finally agreeing that the use of the M62 will not make or break the success of the Cityzap service. That will be down to other factors.
Phew, glad we sorted that!
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SF07
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Post by SF07 on Oct 4, 2017 9:11:07 GMT 1
Transdev have now officially announced the Leeds-Manchester route on the CityZap Twitter page.
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SF07
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Post by SF07 on Oct 5, 2017 19:59:46 GMT 1
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Post by gooderson1 on Oct 6, 2017 11:43:50 GMT 1
The service has not yet started but from today's Notice and Proceedings BURNLEY & PENDLE TRAVEL LTD, QUEENSGATE, COLNE ROAD,BURNLEY, BB10 1HH Operating between Huddersfield, Ainley Top and Leeds Bus Station given service number City Zap effective from 05 November 2017. To amend Timetable.
BURNLEY & PENDLE TRAVEL LTD, QUEENSGATE, COLNE ROAD,BURNLEY, BB10 1HH Operating between MANCHESTER CHORLTON STREET and HUDDERSFIELD AINLEY TOP given service number CITY ZAP effective from 05 November 2017. To amend Timetable.
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Post by SCH117X on Oct 6, 2017 18:36:56 GMT 1
Apparently the timing changes are at the request of TfGM re use of the stand at Chorlton Street - a bit strange as I understand that it is only used by Transdev service, Red Express and Witch Way.
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kendall17
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Post by kendall17 on Oct 6, 2017 23:41:58 GMT 1
Apparently the timing changes are at the request of TfGM re use of the stand at Chorlton Street - a bit strange as I understand that it is only used by Transdev service, Red Express and Witch Way. Selling point of the service is linking in with those other seevices. Makes sense all from the same stand.
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SF07
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Post by SF07 on Oct 8, 2017 12:13:24 GMT 1
Apparently the timing changes are at the request of TfGM re use of the stand at Chorlton Street - a bit strange as I understand that it is only used by Transdev service, Red Express and Witch Way. There are two stops outside the coach station on Chorlton Street. Stop EZ is used by X41 (Red Express) and X43 (Witch Way). Stop EV (next to EZ) is used by service 173 and Metroshuttle 3 plus terminating stop for First's northern section of the 42 between Middleton and Manchester. Presumably, TfGM are worried that the three Transdev services will block stop EV with the X41 departing at xx10, the X43 to Skipton departing at xx15 and CityZap originally planned to depart at xx15. It looks like the timetable changes for CityZap will see weekday buses between 1015 and 1615 and all Saturday journeys will be re-timed to depart Manchester 10 minutes earlier at 05 past the hour. No changes to Sunday journeys or journeys from Leeds.
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Post by northerner on Oct 8, 2017 12:31:40 GMT 1
Given the quite lengthy (if on time!) layover of CityZap, is there somewhere the bus could go to park up without blocking the stand?
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SF07
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Post by SF07 on Oct 15, 2017 11:35:15 GMT 1
Given the quite lengthy (if on time!) layover of CityZap, is there somewhere the bus could go to park up without blocking the stand? I think the issue would be when the buses are at the stand picking passengers up rather than waiting for time. Chances are buses will probably wait on Sackville Street (other side of the coach station) or at the top of Chorlton Street (Portland Street end) out of the way. The other suitable area would probably be Stevenson Square. Meanwhile, Transdev have now officially published the timetable on the CityZap Twitter page. Looks like single deckers will be used on the route going off the image on the timetable.
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Post by SCH117X on Oct 15, 2017 18:51:32 GMT 1
The buses will be some of the now surplus B7RLEs at Burnley. WYIS reports them to be 1867-1871 and the latest WYIS fleetlist has all but 1867 in Cityzap livery. Of the others 1863-1865 are stated as going to Blackburn (and listed as being painted for that depot) which leaves three 1861,1862 and 1866. I would expect two of these at least to go to Starbeck as the newer vehicles that have been promised for the 24 Harrogate-Pateley Bridge service.
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SF07
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Post by SF07 on Oct 16, 2017 19:36:49 GMT 1
Transdev confirmed on the CityZap Twitter page that a return on the CityZap Leeds-Manchester route will cost £9, while DayTripper will be valid on the route. MCard will be accepted on the route between Leeds and Ainley Top.
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A1YBG
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Post by A1YBG on Oct 16, 2017 19:56:58 GMT 1
Transdev confirmed on the CityZap Twitter page that a return on the CityZap Leeds-Manchester route will cost £9, while DayTripper will be valid on the route. MCard will be accepted on the route between Leeds and Ainley Top. And 5 can Zap for £20 assuming that's the family day tripper. Then the concessions passes are also valid too.
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Post by passenger859 on Oct 16, 2017 20:12:40 GMT 1
Anyone know if it will be a period return for £9 (like available on Leeds/York) or just a day return?
I tend to go down into Manchester one day and come back the following day.
Thanks.
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SF07
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Post by SF07 on Oct 16, 2017 22:42:55 GMT 1
Anyone know if it will be a period return for £9 (like available on Leeds/York) or just a day return? I tend to go down into Manchester one day and come back the following day. Thanks. The CityZap Leeds-York route offer a £9 return, where the return journey is valid for a month. Presumably, the same will apply to the Leeds-Manchester CityZap route.
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Post by Marcus on Oct 19, 2017 17:34:09 GMT 1
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Post by Marcus on Oct 21, 2017 10:01:34 GMT 1
lancashirebus.co.uk/news.jsp?newsID=2131Fares are now released, £1 promo during the first week of operation. Pricing is a little odd - price between Ainley Top and Manchester matches Leeds - Manchester
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Post by passenger859 on Oct 21, 2017 11:06:53 GMT 1
lancashirebus.co.uk/news.jsp?newsID=2131Fares are now released, £1 promo during the first week of operation. Pricing is a little odd - price between Ainley Top and Manchester matches Leeds - Manchester It doesn't say anything about whether or not a return is a "day return" or "period return". Still, the £9.50 day tripper is still good value to double ZAP from York to Manchester, even one way!
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Post by passenger859 on Oct 23, 2017 11:18:14 GMT 1
News from the ZAP Cap.... Stood outside the Corny in Leeds this morning around 11. Saw Mainline liveried 1866 travelling east along Duncan Street across into Call Lane towards Leeds City Bus Station.
Destination was showing "Manchester's Fast" on top row with "from 5th November" underneath. Lots of high viz wearing staff on board so presume it was driver/route training.
I'm guessing 1866 is a vehicle of the same engine/body spec of those that have been especially refurbished? I presume they want to keep the real vehicles under wraps until nearer the launch, although won't be surprised to see one on Briggate next week, a bit like before the York service launched.
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