The Transport Game (UK)

[ValleyLines142]

Such is the paucity of the bus services that we have to book in at a hostelry and have time to explore in the evening. After a hearty breakfast and a light lunch, we continue our travelogue by boarding the 1236 MacLennon service W2 to Achmore village that arrives there on Friday afternoon

May I briefly hold the game for a few moments please?

There were at least two other W2 bus services departing from Bragar.

Although admittedly we are in a very isolated part of the country, is it reasonable to have to wait 20 hours for the next bus service?

If I am wrong, then apologies and I continue playing in silence!

 

[dzug2]

Indeed - and the loop off the main road through North and South Bragar has some more possibilities and is but a short walk


hope that no-one finds some strange non-advertised ferry service to St Kilda in Mad Angus's rowing boat.


A challenge.......

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Indeed - and the loop off the main road through North and South Bragar has some more possibilities and is but a short walk

I appear to have accessed a very old and out-of-date document, so my posting has quite rightly been struck-through.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

We walk the short distance to the (Stornoway) bus station and catch MacLennans W2 West Side Circular clockwise service at 1430 and travel to Braegar opp Old School on A858, arriving at 1601 Thursday afternoon

This is the posting from which the quiz should continue.

 

[ValleyLines142]

From North Bragar, we then board the 1712 MacLennan Coaches service W2 to Newmarket (Bridge Cottages), arriving there at 1735 on Thursday afternoon.

 

[dzug2]

The 1810 W2 Maclennan's anticlockwise departure from Newmarket will take us to South Shawbost, W-bound Road End on A858, arriving at 1858 on Thursday evening.

Where I suspect we are stuck overnight. Later buses seem to be set down only

 

[ValleyLines142]

The 1810 W2 Maclennan's anticlockwise departure from Newmarket will take us to South Shawbost, W-bound Road End on A858, arriving at 1858 on Thursday evening.

Where I suspect we are stuck overnight. Later buses seem to be set down only

I can't seem to find that service anywhere.

This is my source.

We then board the 1934 Galson Coaches service W2 to Barvas (Eastbound Junction), arriving there at 1950 on Thursday evening.

 

[dzug2]

???page 3 of your source has the 1810 from Newmarket

Traveline Scotland isn't finding your journey for me - something a bit like it on a Friday, but not a Thursday

 

[ValleyLines142]

???page 3 of your source has the 1810 from Newmarket

Indeed it does - I missed a page by mistake, apologies.

Traveline Scotland isn't finding your journey for me - something a bit like it on a Friday, but not a Thursday

Apologies again - it is only to Barvas, not Stornoway.

Will edit post shortly.

We then board the 1934 Galson Coaches service W2 to Barvas (Eastbound Junction), arriving there at 1950 on Thursday evening.

 

[dzug2]

That 1934 is Fridays and Saturdays only - M-Th it's 2044 arr 2100 (p2 of .pdf)

Lets try the 2200 departure from Balvas W-bound jn on A858 and get even more lost travelling to Tolstachaolais, opp North Rd End on A858 arriving at 2250 Thursday evening.

 

[ValleyLines142]

You're right indeed; gosh this timetable is ridiculous!

In a desperate attempt to head back to the ferry terminal, the next day, which I believe is Friday, we board the 0954 MacLennan Coaches service W2 to Stornoway (Bus Station), arriving there at 1115 on Friday morning.

 

[dzug2]

That allow us to escape on the 1430 CalMac ferry to Ullapool, arriving 1715 Friday afternoon

(Actually there was an earlier W2 bus from the T place dep 0756 arr Stornoway 0837 - anticlockwise)

Perhaps we have time for some bus rides while we are waiting for the ferry.... Maybe better to drown a dram or few instead. But the W4 service looks interesting.........

Well that was fun - for a certain value of fun

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

At the bus stop outside the ferry terminal, we board the 1813 D & E Coaches service 804 to Strathpeffer (The Square) that arrives there at 1910 on Friday evening.

 

[johnnychips]

After a wee dram, let's take the Spa Coaches 810 service from Strathpeffer (The Square) to Dingwall (Royal Hotel) at 2023 arriving 2035 on Friday evening.

 

[FQ]

We then 'Freight-hop' on the 21:42 EWS service to Thornaby getting there at 20:33 on Saturday evening which stopped for a red signal. It says noting in the rules about Freight-hopping.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

We then 'Freight-hop' on the 21:42 EWS service to Thornaby which stopped for a red signal. It says noting in the rules about Freight-hopping.

Now then, we cannot condone such disgraceful behaviour on this quiz and the quiz theoretical version of the BTP will be seeking your whereabouts.

I declare this posting to be null and void.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Gameplay

To play, you must depart from the station or stop where the previous post arrived using a permitted timetabled public transport service.

This extract from the rules is very clear in its wording and its intent.

 

[dzug2]

We take the Scotrail departure at 2141 and travel to Alness arriving 2153 Friday evening

 

[johnnychips]

Certainly wrong, but I applaud fishquinn's enterprise.

 

[FQ]

We then take the 22:42 to Inverness getting there at 23:27 on Friday night.

I do agree about my other move being non valid.

 

[johnnychips]

Let's get an early start and take the 0530 Stagecoach Highland 19 bus from Inverness Bus Station to Fort Augustus arriving at Abertarff place at 0628 on Saturday morning. I've always fancied going there and wonder if it has a real fort, unlike Fort William.

 

[ValleyLines142]

We then board the 0741 Stagecoach Highlands service 19C to Fort William (Bus Station), arriving there at 0844 on Saturday morning.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

We avail ourselves of a hearty Scottish breakfast then return to the bus station to board the 1015 Scottish Citylink service 916 to Uig (Pier) that arrives there at 1350 on Saturday afternoon.

 

[ValleyLines142]

I mean seriously how do you even pronounce that place?!

We then embark on a whopper coach journey and board the 1445 Scottish Citylink service 916 to Glasgow (Buchanan Bus Station), arriving there at 2209 on Saturday evening.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

We decide on an overnight long journey to the north-eastern coastine and board the 0340 Scottish Citylink/Megabus (depending on fleet availability) service M9 to Aberdeen (Union Square bus station...NOT the other bus station) that arrives there at 0640 on Sunday morning.

 

[johnnychips]

Now I've always wanted to see where they hold the Highland Games, so I wanted to go to Braemar. Now I have looked the rules of the game, and I suspect my journey is one of those that is split to accommodate EU laws but is actually one service, and I'm not sure if Braemar is one leg or three. So I'm going to play safe and just go part of the way. It is:

Stagecoach Bluebird 201
Aberdeen Union St 0745 to Banochry High St 0844 on Sunday morning

and that is my move.

So here's the conundrum for the rule-setters. The connection from there to Ballater is service 201 depart 0846, and similarly at Ballater it arrives at 0928, and a new service 201 continues to Braemar at 0930. I am sure this is the same vehicle. So assuming the next poster chooses to remount this bus at Banochry at 0846, is that legal?

I got this info from Traveline Scotland, where the services are in three separate columns. However, on looking at the the Stagecoach Bluebird timetable afterwards, this service is in one column, with a gap between the 'changing' points and a symbol with this proviso:

To comply with Drivers Hours regulations, journeys connect at Banchory High Street and/or Ballater Bus Depot. The connection is guaranteed, through fares are available and passengers may remain on the vehicle which operates through

So, having read that, could I have had a move all the way to Braemar legally?

I apologise if this question has come up before, but would appreciate clarification.

 

[ValleyLines142]

oo - ig.

Thank you for clarifying Paul!

We decide on an overnight long journey to the north-eastern coastine and board the 0340 Scottish Citylink/Megabus (depending on fleet availability) service M9 to Aberdeen (Union Square bus station...NOT the other bus station) that arrives there at 0640 on Sunday morning.

Can I please draw your attention to the following extract from the rules:

[*]You shouldn't wait for more than two hours after the first available service (to any destination) has left, after allowing for the minimum interchange time.

We arrived at Glasgow at 2209 on Saturday evening, however this next move isn't until 0340, five and a half hours later. This seem to be in breach of the rules. In Stornoway, this probably would have been expected as bus services were very sporadic, but in Scotland's largest city with a population of roughly 600,000 people, there are still MANY connections beforehand, even on a Saturday evening and I think it's unfair to say we'd be stranded for over five hours.

Now I've always wanted to see where they hold the Highland Games, so I wanted to go to Braemar. Now I have looked the rules of the game, and I suspect my journey is one of those that is split to accommodate EU laws but is actually one service, and I'm not sure if Braemar is one leg or three. So I'm going to play safe and just go part of the way. It is:

Stagecoach Bluebird 201
Aberdeen Union St 0745 to Banochry High St 0844 on Sunday morning

and that is my move.

So here's the conundrum for the rule-setters. The connection from there to Ballater is service 201 depart 0846, and similarly at Ballater it arrives at 0928, and a new service 201 continues to Braemar at 0930. I am sure this is the same vehicle. So assuming the next poster chooses to remount this bus at Banochry at 0846, is that legal?

I got this info from Traveline Scotland, where the services are in three separate columns. However, on looking at the the Stagecoach Bluebird timetable afterwards, this service is in one column, with a gap between the 'changing' points and a symbol with this proviso:

To comply with Drivers Hours regulations, journeys connect at Banchory High Street and/or Ballater Bus Depot. The connection is guaranteed, through fares are available and passengers may remain on the vehicle which operates through

So, having read that, could I have had a move all the way to Braemar legally?

I apologise if this question has come up before, but would appreciate clarification.

This is absolutely fine, as through fares are available and passengers may remain on board throughout

So yes, you can go all the way to Braemar.

Although at the moment I'm awaiting clarification as Paul has left a five hour gap in Glasgow, when there are far, FAR more connections earlier on.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Although at the moment I'm awaiting clarification as Paul has left a five hour gap in Glasgow, when there are far, FAR more connections earlier on.

That posting is now "struck-through".....Postings made at 0032 are subject to the effects of sleep depravation...

I was basing my posting on being at Buchanan bus station, without seeing what other bus services were available.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

We then embark on a whopper coach journey and board the 1445 Scottish Citylink service 916 to Glasgow (Buchanan Bus Station), arriving there at 2209 on Saturday evening.

This would be the posting from which to continue our journey.

 

[ValleyLines142]

That posting is now "struck-through".....Postings made at 0032 are subject to the effects of sleep depravation...

I was basing my posting on being at Buchanan bus station, without seeing what other bus services were available.

Fair. Thanks Paul

 

[dzug2]

We make our way to Central Station and take the Scotrail service to Largs at 2245, arriving at 2347 Saturday evening

 

[FQ]

Since there is no other services that day.
We then take the 08:54 SR service to Glasgow Central getting there at 09:57 on Sunday morning.

 

[ValleyLines142]

We then grab a coffee and other snacks for a relatively long journey as we finally leave the land of haggis and bagpipes (I must admit that's a bit stereotypical!), as we board 1M07, the 1034 Virgin Trains service to Wigan North Western, arriving there at 1308 on Sunday afternoon.