WYBS
Forum Member
Watch-o
Posts: 1,495
|
Post by WYBS on Aug 26, 2023 22:56:25 GMT 1
The same asset-stripping Yanks who tried to buy First Bus?
|
|
WYBS
Forum Member
Watch-o
Posts: 1,495
|
Post by WYBS on Aug 24, 2023 21:19:02 GMT 1
36 cancellations in Harrogate alone today, and people are complaining about A&A Travel in another thread. This is far worse. I think the last of your credibility has gone there; saying that Transdev Harrogate are worse than A&A! Once again: OY VEY IZ MIR!
|
|
WYBS
Forum Member
Watch-o
Posts: 1,495
|
Post by WYBS on Aug 22, 2023 17:16:04 GMT 1
First York 37443 on the 2/3/3A and 12/13/13A Dewsbury Roads in Leeds! Michael Windle 37070 also.
|
|
WYBS
Forum Member
Watch-o
Posts: 1,495
|
Post by WYBS on Aug 21, 2023 20:40:30 GMT 1
Oops. The Yorkshire Buses B10 has caused a blockage on Farsley Town Street by bottoming out at the bottom of Wesley Street. Not sure why it was there. Been freed now. Seen it in Rodley Attachments:
|
|
WYBS
Forum Member
Watch-o
Posts: 1,495
|
Post by WYBS on Aug 21, 2023 8:52:35 GMT 1
The reason Transdev Blazefield own the bus station is that when as Blazefield Holdings they did what seemed remarkable at time and purchased the site winning a bus operator of year award as a result. The in thing up the then was to dispense of bus stations. Any such improvements would based on schemes previously mooted would not only involve Transdev, but the land owing developer, Network Rail, the Council (at least theres now only one) and the Leeds City Region from whom no doubt a lump of funding would come from if not directly from central government. Whether any such monies are currently avaiable and whether there is any commercial scheme likely in todays retail environment is another matter. There has been central government monies made available to improve the whole the bus/rail station location with the town centre which is really the main problem, the bus station in particular being hemmed in by the A61. Unfortunately the motor car rules in the minds of too many Harrogate residents and that scheme because of narrowing the road, providing an improved pedestrian environment including pedestrianising a side road and, shock horror, a cyclepath has seemingly been killed off by a legal challenge. The money is ringfenced and cannot be spent on anything else. It is very rare for a bus company to still own their bus station, most sold them off for development in the 90's, it was almost unheard of for one to buy one they didn't already own. I'm struggling to think of many bus stations owned by a bus operator still (I think Southern Vectis still own Newport but there aren't many more - Trent own Belper but it is technically their depot and none of the council contracts enter the depot at all so it is only Trent associated companies using it) so the fact the Transdev have funded it & it is as well looked after as it is marked Transdev out as something different on that basis. Wakefield Bus Station - Arriva
|
|
WYBS
Forum Member
Watch-o
Posts: 1,495
|
Post by WYBS on Aug 20, 2023 18:03:39 GMT 1
It's the same problem on here as always. It's the enthusiast versus the bus user. I know Ilkley well, although it's easier to use the train to Leeds, because it's so much faster and more convenient. You can play with your tape measures all you like, but the fact remains that there is more space at Ilkley bus station. The stands are further apart, so neither the buses nor the passengers are falling over one another. And flowers in bus stations, are all very well, but in Harrogate, it's the limited seating, the cramped width of what is just a sloping pavement thoroughfare with a roof over it, that is open to the elements, where one queue merges into another, and there isn't the space to get past, or you are walking against the flow of passengers. And don't forget, that originally, the design was so bad, that it was open to the road, until they realised the stupidity of the design and hastily glazed it in, which is why it doesn't match the rest of the bus station. There isn't more space at Ilkley. I've lost track of the amount of times I have had to stand in the rain waiting for a bus there because each shelter only only holds about 6 people, and of course I will always give up my place for an elderly or disabled person. Then when you stand outside Stand C for example, you have to stand to the side because of the close proximity to the fence and bushes behind the shelter.
|
|
WYBS
Forum Member
Watch-o
Posts: 1,495
|
Post by WYBS on Aug 20, 2023 15:06:20 GMT 1
Well, now is the ideal time to acquire that land and build a decent bus station, that would then be connected to the railway station. If you want people to use public transport, then it has to be properly integrated and of decent quality, but they won't, because there isn't a budget from Transdev for it, is there? It's just going to be months of disruption, excavations, closed stands, buses queuing for a stand, no one knowing where the bus is departing from whilst more electric chargers are installed, and when it is completed, you still have the same, inadequate bus station. Pimped up, battery powered new bus, but an unappealing bus station, so people will just drive, or use the train. It's no use comparing Harrogate with places like Bridlington, Scarborough and Selby. Bridlington and Scarborough are faded-glory/rundown/rough/grotty, you-name-it, typical UK seaside towns. What is the average house price, or car spend in Harrogate compared with Bridlington or Selby? Northallerton is a small market town. Ilkley is more comparable, and the bus station is better. It's larger, it isn't built over a pavement, it isn't right next to a road, with cars going past, about 6 inches from your head. It is right next to the station, and each stand has a dedicated shelter, so there are more seats and one queue isn't merging into another and you don't have to push past the queues to get to the next stand and fight the people walking the other way to get through. And the buses don't have to reverse in a tight space, or wait for another bus to reverse out before they can leave, and there is no queuing for stands. It's not an 'unappealing bus station' at all. I've always liked it. It's clean, there's flowers, electric information boards, a staffed information point, I like the design of the shelter and so on... The only negative is that it's exposed to the elements. Also did you just state that Ilkley 'bus station' (which isn't even a proper bus station) is larger than Harrogate Bus Station? Oy vey iz mir!
|
|
WYBS
Forum Member
Watch-o
Posts: 1,495
|
Post by WYBS on Aug 19, 2023 22:15:21 GMT 1
Metro seem to be vey late with their changes leaflet this time - less than a fortnight before the changes isn't much time for most people. I really do wonder how the general public who don't see advanced Vosa registrations like us lot get along!
|
|
WYBS
Forum Member
Watch-o
Posts: 1,495
|
Post by WYBS on Aug 19, 2023 14:56:27 GMT 1
And maybe if you ever came to Harrogate then you might see the reality. Have you ever been? It's a long way from where you live, and it's a very different area isn't it? The 7 blocks the stand that the X70 uses, as it sits, unused, between services. The X70 is twice as frequent during the day as the 7. Where does the X70 go when there is a 7 blocking the stand, and the other stands are out of use because of the building works to install the electric chargers? Transdev don't go to Otley from Harrogate any longer. Connexions do. Where does the X52 go in the building works? Where does the X1 go? The X12? The Sainsbury's free bus that they operate? Do you even know what Harrogate bus station looks like, and what the road is like outside and the traffic? Do you have any idea of the disruption that is going to be caused? Do you know that Stand 1 cannot be used anymore because you can no longer reverse a bus from the stand because of the infrastructure behind it for the electric charging? Do you know that the existing Volvo BEV's are longer than the diesel buses and therefore parking buses against the wall has had to be restricted, otherwise they cannot be reversed from a stand? What is going to happen when more chargers are installed? Will there be further restrictions? Do you know that Harrogate bus station (owned by Transdev) is the worst bus station in Yorkshire? It's too small, it's open to the elements, so it is cold and draughty in winter, it's built over a pavement, it's next to a busy road, it isn't water-tight, it has no facilities, inadequate seating etc. 'Worst bus station in Yorkshire'. Nonsense. Have you ever visited Dewsbury, Wakefield or Pontefract? They're total dumps. And does it really matter where the Connexions buses will go from? From my experience they often don't show up, and of course don't run evenings and Sundays.
|
|
WYBS
Forum Member
Watch-o
Posts: 1,495
|
Post by WYBS on Aug 19, 2023 12:39:52 GMT 1
It seems like everyone is very surprised that the BMCs are getting HD Connect and the HD Connect branding is getting stronger and stronger with different coloured rear stripes appearing. Anyways, I do apologize if this is old news but I've recently noticed that some of the buses in First Leeds in the LeedsCity Green livery without stripes have now gained rear stripes. For example, Hunslet's 39204 now looks more like Bramley's 35286 and 35290. Does anybody have a photograph of the BMC condors in the new HD Connect livery? Attachments:
|
|
WYBS
Forum Member
Watch-o
Posts: 1,495
|
Post by WYBS on Aug 16, 2023 21:53:01 GMT 1
I wonder if this more or less confirms that the Shuttle and Airport Flyers will be getting E-Citaros. I can't see them getting a different product when they have clearly been impressed with Mercedes' product. I'm looking forward to riding on the new ADL deckers. The only time I have been impressed with one of their new products in recent years were the Scania E400MMCs that Stagecoach Preston got, originally for the X2. They went like Billy-o (whoever he is!). Shuttle 100% will be. Have Flyer even had any EV demonstrators yet. They haven't. It was said at the time that the Citaro Demo that Harrogate and Keighley had would be going to Idle for evaluation, but that hasn't happened yet.
|
|
WYBS
Forum Member
Watch-o
Posts: 1,495
|
Post by WYBS on Aug 16, 2023 21:03:19 GMT 1
I wonder if this more or less confirms that the Shuttle and Airport Flyers will be getting E-Citaros. I can't see them getting a different product when they have clearly been impressed with Mercedes' product.
I'm looking forward to riding on the new ADL deckers. The only time I have been impressed with one of their new products in recent years were the Scania E400MMCs that Stagecoach Preston got, originally for the X2. They went like Billy-o (whoever he is!).
|
|
WYBS
Forum Member
Watch-o
Posts: 1,495
|
Post by WYBS on Aug 16, 2023 9:50:10 GMT 1
|
|
WYBS
Forum Member
Watch-o
Posts: 1,495
|
Post by WYBS on Aug 15, 2023 14:45:33 GMT 1
I'm really interested to see who will possibly take on Yorkshire, considering franchising won't be happening for at least a few years (if ever). Transdev would have snapped up some depots under Mr Hornby, but I can't see the new management being too keen.
Are First in a place to expand that significantly?
I've never ever liked Arriva, so I would like to see Go Ahead take on their operations in these parts (hopefully not end up like Go North East, with their losses).
|
|
WYBS
Forum Member
Watch-o
Posts: 1,495
|
Post by WYBS on Aug 9, 2023 17:39:52 GMT 1
Only issue is there is a lot of vehicles in the 2007-2009 range, as you have the 1450-1453, commanders, the volvo eclipses, the enviro 400s, tempos, enviro 200s and Selby's geminis, that could maybe put a lot of people off from buying the yorkshire operation, as most of these are around the 15-16 year range now and the average of age of a vehicle that spends in service with a main operator is around 15 years. With West Yorkshire looking likely for franchising, a slightly older fleet might not be such a bad thing. It gives Arriva the option to sell the depots & leave giving it's fleet to Metro if they want it or send it to other operations/scrap (similar to what's going to happen to it's Bolton fleet). It would also allow another Operator who wants to enter the franchised network a cheaper entry into West Yorkshire & allow them to set up their own fleet (think Go Ahead buying Queens Rd Depot in Manchester) If franchising does ever happen, it will not be until 2027 at the earliest. If DB really want shut of its UK bus operations, I would have thought they would do it within 4 years.
|
|
WYBS
Forum Member
Watch-o
Posts: 1,495
|
Post by WYBS on Aug 9, 2023 13:39:57 GMT 1
PB0000815/1019 Cancelled FIRST WEST YORKSHIRE LTD Route: East Leeds Area to East Leeds Area Service number: Flexibus Zone 1 Service type: Flexible Registration Effective date: 03 Sep 2023 What a shock! Call me Nostradamus.
|
|
WYBS
Forum Member
Watch-o
Posts: 1,495
|
Post by WYBS on Aug 5, 2023 21:02:35 GMT 1
As we understand: Henri Rohard is the new man in charge, but do we know anything about him?
Has he worked for any other companies in the UK or has he just been shipped in from Transdev head office?
I find it strange that there has been no official announcement or press about his appointment, and he is nowhere to be found on Twitter; which is very un-Transdev like.
|
|
WYBS
Forum Member
Watch-o
Posts: 1,495
|
Post by WYBS on Aug 5, 2023 0:14:14 GMT 1
Another new vehicle for York has been pictured; this time in the form of an unidentified Wrights GB Kite. Photo credit to James' bus photos on Flickr flic.kr/p/2oTLfLp
|
|
WYBS
Forum Member
Watch-o
Posts: 1,495
|
Post by WYBS on Aug 3, 2023 21:23:46 GMT 1
A post today on the 'Friends of the PSV Circle' Facebook page about service 30. Poster was refused travel due to 'pre book only'. Reply from a driver was 'Just to clear a couple of things up. The service is payed for by the new housing estate on on calverly lane in horsforth. We would never refuse travel so that's absolute rubbish. Instead of slating a company on social media, try actually contacting the company first. Cheers ! A regular driver of the 30's'. I would suggest that the very long thread on this forum begs to differ. Also, I tried to use the service last week, but guess what... it was nowhere to be seen. A company straight out of the wild west. Yeehaw.
|
|
WYBS
Forum Member
Watch-o
Posts: 1,495
|
Post by WYBS on Aug 2, 2023 23:33:32 GMT 1
Believe it or not Halifax E400 33882 has been working out of Hunslet today on Dewsbury Road circuits.
|
|
WYBS
Forum Member
Watch-o
Posts: 1,495
|
Post by WYBS on Aug 2, 2023 23:20:05 GMT 1
2015 stopped working at 9.43, 2774 was taken off the 36 at midday in Harrogate. They do use 36 vehicles on other services - have been seen very occassionally on Harrogate locals and on school routes. Its not just is a vehicle available but is there a driver who knows the route. 2015 reappeared late afternoon today so three Enviros were in use - 2775 going off to work Route 1s Surely the drivers who were on the 2015's duties were booked on throughout the day. I'm sure there would've been other vehicles in the depot to stand in, the Scanias for example. Do the Scanias ever go onto to normal service work? I've seen one tracking on the no.8 but not in real life.
|
|
WYBS
Forum Member
Watch-o
Posts: 1,495
|
Post by WYBS on Aug 1, 2023 11:57:56 GMT 1
I wonder what is the shortest bus route in West Yorkshire. I know 111 is very short, but is it the shortest or are there any other shorter bus routes? Certainly used to be the K8 from Keighley bus station to Keighley Asda (3 stops including first and last). I still can't believe that it actually ever existed! Especially as the 662 (and 760 at the time on its old route) dropped you next to the side entrance and the K8 dropped you at the end of the car park. Though last time I visited, the side entrance wasn't open.
|
|
WYBS
Forum Member
Watch-o
Posts: 1,495
|
Post by WYBS on Aug 1, 2023 11:53:48 GMT 1
Connexions' 964 Otley - Cambridge Drive Circular would be my shout: 10 mins to do a full circle.
|
|
WYBS
Forum Member
Watch-o
Posts: 1,495
|
Post by WYBS on Aug 1, 2023 10:08:22 GMT 1
Hey all. I finally got around to creating a fleetlist (just for Transdev Harrogate to begin with). It includes a lot of information, but is hopefully presented in a user friendly and easy to read format. I have also included interactive web links, which are highlighted in blue. Hope you all like it and please let me know if you have any feedback. With the admins' help, I eventually hope to post each operator's fleetlist in a pinned board, just as the fleet changes threads are. This way people will know where to find them and I can keep it updated easily. I have also included an email address: westyorkshirebusspotter@gmail.com if people wish to email me with changes (please no speculation though). This way it saves me trawling through each board on here and keeping notes. The Harrogate Fleetlist (Version 1) can be found on this link: (I can't get a hyperlink working in this text at the moment. It just redirects back to this post) drive.google.com/file/d/1qSL1gTEGThXbVsobmYYoihPejhs-_qBo/view?usp=sharing
Nice work so far. I'd like to see manufacturer's name with chassis/body types, as my aging brain can't always remember who made what these days! Also, please spell "withdrawals" correctly! Thank you. I made a conscious decision to write out the full bus type, including manufacturer on the 'fleet overview' section, and then to refer to it in a shorter form beside each vehicle, as writing it out long hand was just going to take up way too much space, for example 'Volvo B7TL / Wrightbus Eclipse Gemini (with Gemini II facelift)'.
|
|
WYBS
Forum Member
Watch-o
Posts: 1,495
|
Post by WYBS on Jul 31, 2023 21:13:17 GMT 1
Transdev PDF fleetlists can be found by clicking each one of the links below. Please email updates, changes and relevant photos you would like to be featured on the next update to westyorkshirebusspotter@gmail.com
Transdev Burnley Bus Company *Coming soon*
Transdev Rosso *Coming soon*
|
|