Rail Replacement

[sharksmith]

Couldn't help but notice an Arriva B7RLE in Shipley this lunchtime and wondered what it was doing as we only ever see Arriva on Dalesbus work.

I've now seen a photo of a Transev B7RLE on rail replacement work on the Airedale Line between Skipton and Leeds/Bradford today so that would appear to explain it.

My question is 'Has there been a change of attitude to this type of work to ensure this type of service is now fully accessable or is it that our major operators are looking to move into this work?'

The last time work was done on the Airedale line replacement work was in the hands of a very motley collection of coaches. Rail replacement work on the Carlisle line last year was also accompanied by announcements on station platforms to say that wheelchairs could not be carried. I wondered how long this situation would be allowed to continue, is it a legislative change or a voluntary move?

[kendall17]

Was a coordinator in Leeds today & everything was coaches in & out of Leeds.

The Transdev B7 was a standby (operated by a school bus driver) & Arrivas was the Dalesbus.

There will be an Idle based Tiger on a run tonight.

No change in attitude at the minute towards accessible vehicles, more steady money for the bus operators. Though I'm not sure how they stand with DDA.

[sharksmith]

Thanks for the information, wonder how long the railway's can get away with providing non accessible rail replacement services, I would imagine it would struggle to justify it if challenged legally when bus operators have to jump through so many hoops.

The Arriva I saw can't have been Dalesbus because as far as I'm aware it doesn't visit Shipley on the Winter Timetable and I saw this bus at lunchtime crossing Foxes Corner from the station side heading straight across towards Saltaire, maybe working Bradford to Skipton, 11:35 ex Bradford would fit with an 11:44 Shipley departure?

Although when I was heading back through twenty minutes later I thought I saw it again near Baildon Bridge. Maybe a private hire...I'll mark it down as unexplained.

[kendall17]

Arriva Probably was then. Forgot about Forster Sq to Skipton.

Found this on National Rail 're accessibility "If the train you want to travel on is cancelled or delayed
You will never be left stranded; train companies will do everything possible to get you to the station you wanted to get to. If you can’t access a rail replacement bus, the train company will provide an accessible alternative, such as a free taxi to the station you wanted to go to."

[scania60065]

1062/1055/1456/1109/1101/1850 all on rail replacement between bradford - Skipton yesterday calling at all stops

[scania60065]

Feb 5, 2018 6:46:02 GMT 1 scania60065 said:

1062/1055/1456/1109/1101/1850 all on rail replacement between bradford - Skipton yesterday calling at all stops

All run by arriva apart from transdev 1850

[Burnside]

Given Arriva run Northern, they've probably sourced vehicles from within the group.

Previously, under Serco/Abellio, they used First then Abellio's own rail replacement business, but they didn't always (First at least) use vehicles from within the group, hence the random collection of vehicles. That said, while a service bus may be preferable in that it allows disabled travellers to access the service, if you're doing Leeds to Skipton calling at all stops, a coach would be more comfortable.

[westyorkshirebus]

Plus of course you need to have suitable vehicles available, which would only happen on Sundays. You can’t have W reg ALX400s turning up straight off schools.

[scania60065]

Feb 5, 2018 18:49:29 GMT 1 westyorkshirebus said:

Plus of course you need to have suitable vehicles available, which would only happen on Sundays. You can’t have W reg ALX400s turning up straight off schools.

But a w reg is wheelchair compliant and is also a decker so more capacity? I would say that's better than a 08 plate B7RLE

[kendall17]

Arriva pretty much covering Leeds-Bradford-Halifax replacement on Sunday