TrawsCambria / TrawsCymru

[Bwsbro]

Richard Bros YJ62JZR has been given a plain white TrawsCymru livery

I must admit that the TrawsLivery does suit the bus

 

[Rhydgaled]

As for your second point, the TC website states: "TrawsCymru longer distance bus services are an important part of the integrated public transport network in Wales. Funded by the Welsh Government, the buses provide vital public transport for many communities across Wales, while also giving visitors an accessible, affordable and environmentally friendly option for exploring the scenic beauty of the country." The words "direct" and "express" are not used, and neither is the phrase "limited stop".

The word 'direct' is however used on the T1, T3, T4 and T5 pages...

As for your quotes from the Winckler report, 'express' and 'direct' are two different things. I maintain that TrawsCymru services should be direct, but I've always been against the idea of express services. I agree that "splitting what demand there is between express and local services" is not a good solution. A direct TrawsCymru bus serving all intermediate points with local services for places off the direct route is what I've been proposing, not an express service. I also agree that the need for a bus service outweighs all else, if the T5 as-is simply is all that can be afforded (despite the fact there was a fairly regular Cardigan-Aberaeron direct service until Dec 2013) then so be it. I just don't think that should be branded as anything other than what it is, a sensible way of providing a local bus service.

If you were going to go 'express', then as Teflon Lettuce has posted it could only be a handful of journeys a day on very few routes (maybe Aberystwyth-Cardiff, Newtown-Cardiff and Bangor-Aberystywyth)

TC does aim to miss out the worst of the detours

I beg to differ, Fishguard has to be one of the worst detours possible. It is a moderately sensible way of providing some sort of bus service but should not be marketed as what it is not. What it is not is a realistic alternative to private transport for getting from Cardigan (or Aberystwyth for that matter) to Haverfordwest.

Richard Bros YJ62JZR has been given a plain white TrawsCymru livery

Interesting, I had assumed that vehicle was leased (from Arriva I believe). Does the application of TrawsCymru livery suggest it has been purchased by WAG?

 

[Teflon Lettuce]

All the TrawsCymru routes might not be limited stop or express but they ARE direct in the sense that they link towns WITHOUT a change of vehicle/ service.

the T1 operates DIRECT from Aberystwyth to Carmarthen and the T5 operates direct from Aberystwyth to Haverfordwest/ Fishguard...

lets be honest. if there was a service from Wick to Thurso via Lands End it could still be marketed as direct as long as it was operated as one journey using one vehicle and requiring no changes.

The 701 operates direct from Aber- Cardiff... if you were to use T1. X12 and greyhound to make the same journey that would NOT be direct!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

The word 'direct' is however used on the T1, T3, T4 and T5 pages..

I beg to differ, Fishguard has to be one of the worst detours possible. It is a moderately sensible way of providing some sore of bus service but should not be marketed as what it is not. What it is not is a realistic alternative to private transport for getting from Cardigan (or Aberystwyth for that matter) to Haverfordwest.

That is a joke? Really? I gave you and have given you the benefit of the doubt. However, no..... You're either a wind up merchant or a...... No, I won't say.

Suffice to say that TC is, as has been said ad infinitum and ad nauseum, a linking of several services to provide long distance links. Only a (insert word of choice) would realistically say you'd run via the Prescelis (population about two dozen) and not via the solitary place with any likely trade ie Fishguard. Detours = small hamlets and villages NOT major traffic sources. Of course, those hordes in Aberaeron have demanded a direct fast link (with Tempos) since the early 1960s, I imagine....

I'm sorry - I've a degree in Transport and Logistics, I'm a member of the CILT and have worked in transport for much of my life but what would I know compared to a luminary as yourself :roll: I've wasted my life

 

[Teflon Lettuce]

That is a joke? Really? I gave you and have given you the benefit of the doubt. However, no..... You're either a wind up merchant or a...... No, I won't say.

Suffice to say that TC is, as has been said ad infinitum and ad nauseum, a linking of several services to provide long distance links. Only a (insert word of choice) would realistically say you'd run via the Prescelis (population about two dozen) and not via the solitary place with any likely trade ie Fishguard. Detours = small hamlets and villages NOT major traffic sources. Of course, those hordes in Aberaeron have demanded a direct fast link (with Tempos) since the early 1960s, I imagine....

I'm sorry - I've a degree in Transport and Logistics, I'm a member of the CILT and have worked in transport for much of my life but what would I know compared to a luminary as yourself :roll: I've wasted my life

what do you think to my idea for a direct service from thurso to wick via lands end then? lol

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

what do you think to my idea for a direct service from thurso to wick via lands end then? lol

Only with Tempos and four different service numbers (all prefixed TC as putting just T will only depress patronage

 

[Rhydgaled]

That is a joke? Really? I gave you and have given you the benefit of the doubt. However, no..... You're either a wind up merchant or

None of the above. Therefore, given your comment, I guess that what I am is somebody who is unable to clearly put his point across in a way that it is understood. I'll try again:

There's no point in a long-distance brand for a service that cannot provide an attractive service for long-distance passengers.

Only a (insert word of choice) would realistically say you'd run via the Prescelis (population about two dozen) and not via the solitary place with any likely trade ie Fishguard. Detours = small hamlets and villages NOT major traffic sources.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think I've ever suggested running via the Prescelis as the only option. I am perfectly aware that the intermediate population is negligible. My view is that through traffic to Haverfordwest from Eglwyswrw (and points north/north-east) will be just as negligible as long as the only option for those journeys is via Fishguard.

The real question is whether it is worth providing a service that can acheive better than negligible through traffic to/from Haverfordwest. I can't answer that question, which is why I've always had an alternative on the table: don't try to provide a service that can capture that through traffic, and don't pretend you are trying either.

All the TrawsCymru routes might not be limited stop or express but they ARE direct in the sense that they link towns WITHOUT a change of vehicle/ service.

the T1 operates DIRECT from Aberystwyth to Carmarthen and the T5 operates direct from Aberystwyth to Haverfordwest/ Fishguard...

I was not using that definition of direct. What you are refering to, I would tend to call a through service (similarly with rail services, there is more than one through train a day (MON-SAT) from Fishguard to Cardiff, but only one of those uses the most direct route possible). Also, I'm not sure yet but I think a number of T5 journeys, while shown as a through service on the timetable, actually require a change of bus in Cardigan currently.

 

[Teflon Lettuce]

I was not using that definition of direct. What you are refering to, I would tend to call a through service (similarly with rail services, there is more than one through train a day (MON-SAT) from Fishguard to Cardiff, but only one of those uses the most direct route possible). Also, I'm not sure yet but I think a number of T5 journeys, while shown as a through service on the timetable, actually require a change of bus in Cardigan currently.

so, by your reckoning, the T1 from Aberystwyth- Carmarthen isn't direct because it doesn't operate via the quickest, shortest distance... however if a service was provided via that shortest distance it would be direct even if it involved a change of buses?

so in your view the 701 is a through service but travelling via T1, X12 and greyhound is.... what???

it seems to me that the only person who doesn't call a through service a direct service is you.... so who is wrong... you or every body else? I think you should team up with Edwina Hart... she seems to think the only opinion that is correct is hers... please if you can't accept that your opinion is incorrect then stop posting and leave the rest of us to have a reasonable discussion about the issues involved.

 

[Rhydgaled]

travelling via T1, X12 and greyhound is.... what???

Neither a through service nor a direct route. Wouldn't you agree?

it seems to me that the only person who doesn't call a through service a direct service is you.... so who is wrong... you or every body else?

Who's to say anybody is wrong? I suspect if I looked in a dictionary I would find both definitions of direct there, meaning we are all correct. Where you have multiple through routes between two places, would you describe all the routes as direct though?

 

[Teflon Lettuce]

Who's to say anybody is wrong? I suspect if I looked in a dictionary I would find both definitions of direct there, meaning we are all correct. Where you have multiple through routes between two places, would you describe all the routes as direct though?

simple answer... yes! an example... Megabus operates non stop between aber and lampeter... 701 and T1 both operate all stops between the same two points... all three are DIRECT services because you don't have to change buses.

I'll put another point to you.... what you propose for the splitting of YOUR definition of direct services and more local links would increase the amount of money needed to fund the services... how many people do you think would be prepared to pay the extra in their council tax to fund the gross over-provision that would entail?

when public money is involved it will ALWAYS require compromises... and at the end of the day, whether any of us like what TrawsCymru has become or not... it is the best compromise with the funding available.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Neither a through service nor a direct route. Wouldn't you agree?

Who's to say anybody is wrong? I suspect if I looked in a dictionary I would find both definitions of direct there, meaning we are all correct. Where you have multiple through routes between two places, would you describe all the routes as direct though?

For the umpteeth time.....

TrawsCymru is a way of linking services together to provide long distance links, as Teflon Lettuce has stated, directly. Without recourse to the Encyclopaedia Brittanica, that means in a transport sense to do so without the requirement to change.

In terms of a Haverfordwest to Aberystwyth link, the amount of end to end traffic or even long distance traffic is negligible. What it does is link communities so it may promote links that weren't available before, even if it is from Libanus to Builth.

What TC isn't is a NatEx style express network but a series of long distance bus services that link communities and that is what it is being promoted as.

These are counties with very, very low population density. To give some sense of that, Somerset (regarded as a rural English country) has 218 people/km against 43 people/km in Ceredigion. Therefore, they have to serve larger communities (small towns and large villages like Pencader). However, the recognition is that they cannot serve each and every community hence services like Bwcabus and other supported services are used to feed into the main network.

Yes, I was being tongue in cheek in mentioning the Presceli's but you said "one of the worst detours" was Fishguard when in truth, where else would you run? You're fixated with this "speed element" when, in truth, it is a balance that TC is attempting to strike between being "direct" and also collecting enough passengers not to end up with poorly utilised services.

 

[Teflon Lettuce]

and let's be honest... the one thing that roads in our region are NOT designed for is speed! After all if you go from Lampeter to Carmarthen via the most direct road you will find that from Llanybydder to Carmarthen there is only one short section of road between Llanybydder and Llanllwni that has the national speed limit... I wonder why? I also wonder how an express direct service could be much faster... as I stated earlier... to take one example:

T1 Aberystwyth to Lampeter via morrisons and with a 5 minute wait at Aberaeron: 69 mins

701 Aber- Lampeter not via morrisons and no wait at Aberaeron: 57 mins

Megabus Aber- Lampeter non stop 55 mins...


I fail to see how splitting the service into long distance limited stop services and all stops local services would do anything but harm the overall service

Another thing to look at... if the services were split then someone wishing to travel from village A on one side of a town to village B on the other side of a town would need to take 2 buses... lets say both villages are 5 mins journey time from the town then that is currently a 10 min journey

if you split the service then that requires a change of vehicle.. to allow for the vagueries of our road network you would need a MINIMUM of 15 mins connection time between buses... that would mean a journey currently taking 10 mins would take 25 mins instead... how is that more attractive?

 

[Rhydgaled]

what you propose for the splitting of YOUR definition of direct services and more local links would increase the amount of money needed to fund the services...

In some cases yes. Perhaps it would be worth it, perhaps it wouldn't.

whether any of us like what TrawsCymru has become or not... it is the best compromise with the funding available.

If that really is the best that can be done, then shouldn't the TrawsCymru brand be scrapped?

TrawsCymru implies that its purpose is to transport pepole long distances across Wales. If a service cannot manage a serious attempt at doing that (and the T5, at the very least, doesn't in my view) then the name is meaningless. That doesn't necessarily mean the service is wrong, just the brand.

 

[Teflon Lettuce]

In some cases yes. Perhaps it would be worth it, perhaps it wouldn't.

again I ask you.... are you willing to pay through the nose for your grand experiment? I've said it before and I'll say it again... the ONLY way of improving services is by organic growth NOT grand schemes... ask anyone who experienced the heartache of London Buses' Bus Reshaping Plan in the late 1960's.

TrawsCymru implies that its purpose is to transport pepole long distances across Wales. If a service cannot manage a serious attempt at doing that (and the T5, at the very least, doesn't in my view) then the name is meaningless. That doesn't necessarily mean the service is wrong, just the brand.

How does TrawsCymru imply that? TrawsCymru translates as Across Wales.
surely by your own argument then the T5 isn't long or convoluted enough... after all it stops halfway up the coast and doesn't "cross" wales

perhaps if you think there really is a demand for a service between cardigan and aberystwyth that doesn't deviate off of the A487 for even the biggest of settlements then perhaps you should get yourself an operators licence, register the service and then prove us all wrong.

strange how no bus company has ever supplied such a service... could it be that there is no demand for it?

 

[Rhydgaled]

Yes, I was being tongue in cheek in mentioning the Presceli's but you said "one of the worst detours" was Fishguard when in truth, where else would you run?

A list of various options, which are probably in order of realisim:

1. Remove T5 from TrawsCymru network and renumber the major variations as seperate routes (possibly diverting the last remaining service via New Quay too to save a number)
2. As option 1 but with the remaining Cardigan - Aberystwyth direct service remaining as TrawsCymru as TC5 (maybe with some increase in frequency, with connecting New Quay - Aberaeron services)
3. As option 2 but with TC5 service extended to Fishguard Harbour to connect with rail and ferry services
4. As option 2 but with TC5 service extended down the A478 to Tenby, with existing 430 service cut back to Cardigan-Crymych/Hermon
5. As option 2 but with TC5 service extended over the Prescelis to Haverfordwest (possibly continuing to Pembroke or Pembroke Dock).

In other words, a TrawsCymru service to Haverfordwest is the least likely option.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

perhaps if you think there really is a demand for a service between cardigan and aberystwyth that doesn't deviate off of the A487 for even the biggest of settlements then perhaps you should get yourself an operators licence, register the service and then prove us all wrong.

strange how no bus company has ever supplied such a service... could it be that there is no demand for it?

Err? "no bus company has ever supplied such a service"??? Cardigan-Aberaeron/Aberystwyth via the A487 only? It existed up until Dec 2013, and it carried 60,321 in 2010/11 (most recent figure I have seen), up from 51,824 in 2007/8. And that was with most daytime journeys requiring a change of bus at Aberaeron. Even now, there's one T5 in each direction that doesn't divert to New Quay. It required subsidy of course, but clearly WAG and the councils thought it worthwhile at the time and even Arriva's 40 and 50 didn't manage to pay their own way. Also, for a while Richards Bros ran their share of 550 (Cardigan - Aberporth - Synod Inn) through to Aberaeron, abandoning the hopeless Synod Inn connections, on their own inititive I believe. If true that suggests they thought getting to Aberaeron and providing a good connection to Aberystwyth was more important than trying to connect to New Quay.

 

[Teflon Lettuce]

A list of various options, which are probably in order of realisim:

1. Remove T5 from TrawsCymru network and renumber the major variations as seperate routes (possibly diverting the last remaining service via New Quay too to save a number)
2. As option 1 but with the remaining Cardigan - Aberystwyth direct service remaining as TrawsCymru as TC5 (maybe with some increase in frequency, with connecting New Quay - Aberaeron services)
3. As option 2 but with TC5 service extended to Fishguard Harbour to connect with rail and ferry services
4. As option 2 but with TC5 service extended down the A478 to Tenby, with existing 430 service cut back to Cardigan-Crymych/Hermon
5. As option 2 but with TC5 service extended over the Prescelis to Haverfordwest (possibly continuing to Pembroke or Pembroke Dock).

In other words, a TrawsCymru service to Haverfordwest is the least likely option.

A) why not call it T5 to keep in the same series as other TrawsCymru services?

B) so your proposal would be for passengers from New Quay wishing to go to Cardigan use a connecting service to Aberaeron? travelling for half an hour in the WRONG direction and then facing a wait for the connecting service (note my post above about reasonable connection times? how in hell do you call that either quicker or more convenient?

you've said in earlier posts that you have made all these suggestions at bus user surgeries... has it crossed your mind to ask yourself why none of your suggestions have been taken up by the powers that be?

you suggested earlier that the TrawsCymru title was misleading... perhaps the tagline they use may shed some light on the purpose of TrawsCymru... "connecting communities"
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Err? "no bus company has ever supplied such a service"??? Cardigan-Aberaeron/Aberystwyth via the A487 only? It existed up until Dec 2013, and it carried 60,321 in 2010/11 (most recent figure I have seen), up from 51,824 in 2007/8. And that was with most daytime journeys requiring a change of bus at Aberaeron. Even now, there's one T5 in each direction that doesn't divert to New Quay.

A) I'm sure that most of those service operated via Aberporth which is NOT on the A487

B) if they required a change of bus at Aberaeron then they were NOT direct services between Cardigan and Aberystwyth!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

A) why not call it T5 to keep in the same series as other TrawsCymru services?

B) so your proposal would be for passengers from New Quay wishing to go to Cardigan use a connecting service to Aberaeron? travelling for half an hour in the WRONG direction and then facing a wait for the connecting service (note my post above about reasonable connection times? how in hell do you call that either quicker or more convenient?

you've said in earlier posts that you have made all these suggestions at bus user surgeries... has it crossed your mind to ask yourself why none of your suggestions have been taken up by the powers that be?

you suggested earlier that the TrawsCymru title was misleading... perhaps the tagline they use may shed some light on the purpose of TrawsCymru... "connecting communities"
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


A) I'm sure that most of those service operated via Aberporth which is NOT on the A487

B) if they required a change of bus at Aberaeron then they were NOT direct services between Cardigan and Aberystwyth!

Leave it Teflon - he's not worff it (said in a female Essex accent)

Rhydgaled hasn't experienced life and it shows.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Teflon Lettuce
what you propose for the splitting of YOUR definition of direct services and more local links would increase the amount of money needed to fund the services...
In some cases yes. Perhaps it would be worth it, perhaps it wouldn't.


No, things have to be paid for. It wouldn't be worth it - even Ms Winckler said so

 

[Rhydgaled]

A) why not call it T5 to keep in the same series as other TrawsCymru services?

I thought it was clear that I would renumber the whole network it the TC0-9 series.

A) I'm sure that most of those service operated via Aberporth which is NOT on the A487

B) if they required a change of bus at Aberaeron then they were NOT direct services between Cardigan and Aberystwyth!

There were some direct services between Cardigan and Aberystwyth, in addition to some direct services between Cardigan and Aberaeron. There were 6 services each way between Cardigan and Aberaeron, 3 of which extended to/from Aberystwyth. These didn't go via either New Quay or Aberporth. In addition in the timetable starting 24th September 2012 there were 3 northbound and 4 southbound (one of the southbound services existed before then, as I mentioned a while back) services between Cardigan and Aberaeron via Aberporth but not New Quay.

B) so your proposal would be for passengers from New Quay wishing to go to Cardigan use a connecting service to Aberaeron? travelling for half an hour in the WRONG direction and then facing a wait for the connecting service (note my post above about reasonable connection times? how in hell do you call that either quicker or more convenient?

No, I've just failed to explain things clearly again.

The 6 direct Cardigan-Aberaeron services provided a service roughly every 2hrs and that is what I would like to see back, but this time with all 6 journeys running through to Aberystwyth. That would however replace roughly half the current hourly New Quay - Aberystwyth services between Aberaeron and Aberystwyth so the New Quay - Aberaeron connecting services would be to make up for that. I would keep the Cardigan - Aberporth - New Quay - Aberaeron service so that you don't have to travel to Aberaeron to get to Cardigan from New Quay.

As for connection times with bus services, when I knock up timetables I work on the basis of allowing 7 minutes, prefrably with buses scheduled to arrive 3 minutes before they are due to depart. I don't think a wait of more than 10 minutes is acceptable without expensive improvements to waiting facilities, and anything less than 5 minutes just isn't robust.

No, things have to be paid for. It wouldn't be worth it - even Ms Winckler said so

The Winckler report didn't say so, it said TrawsCymru should stop everywhere on the route but should avoid detours. Which is exactly what I've been saying. If it isn't worth avoiding the detours by running (and, yes, paying for) direct services then it is my opinion TrawsCymru should instead avoid detours by not applying its brand to corridors where detours cannot be avoided.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I thought it was clear that I would renumber the whole network it the TC0-9 series.

As for connection times with bus services, when I knock up timetables I work on the basis of allowing 7 minutes, prefrably with buses scheduled to arrive 3 minutes before they are due to depart. I don't think a wait of more than 10 minutes is acceptable without expensive improvements to waiting facilities, and anything less than 5 minutes just isn't robust.

The Winckler report didn't say so, it said TrawsCymru should stop everywhere on the route but should avoid detours. Which is exactly what I've been saying. If it isn't worth avoiding the detours by running (and, yes, paying for) direct services then it is my opinion TrawsCymru should instead avoid detours by not applying its brand to corridors where detours cannot be avoided.

1. Don't know why you have this fascination with renumbering everything with a TC - a T prefix is sufficient
2. You knock up timetables sat in your bedroom with no experience of what actually happens nor having visited the area - I suggest that you do so or you keep making mistakes (Lampeter to Llandovery)
3. The Winckler report said exactly that

You've elected to ignore what was actually said in the Winckler report. In short, she has said (and on this she's right) is that "Hey, it would be great if it could be an express" but the reality is that you would dilute the existing ridership and increase costs.

3.10 The third reason for maintaining a ‘hybrid’ TrawsCymru network is that some stakeholders have suggested that the demand for express services is limited, and that communities would be without a bus service if they were not served by TrawsCymru. There is no up to date evidence on passenger demand for express services, although it was concluded in 2003 that demand would not be sufficient to warrant non-stop services. Equally, it cannot be said with certainty that local bus services would not be available if TrawsCymru no longer stopped at intermediate stops – in some cases local authorities may need to step in to support services or to ensure demand-responsive services are available. If they did so there would be a double cost to the public purse.3.11. What is known, however, is that passenger demand across much of mid Wales is insufficient to support a large-scale commercial bus network. In Wales as a whole, 30% of the bus network is non-commercial services but this rises to more than 95% in Powys. Splitting what demand there is between express and local services seems likely to result, at best, in two, underused subsidised services or, at worst, the prospect of a nearly empty, Government-subsidised coach service bypassing communities where people have no means of getting to work or college.

3.12. The decision is ultimately one of political priorities – whether the need for speed outweighs the need for a bus service. My view is that it does not.

There is not the trade to enable services to miss out places like Pencader, or Hay or Fishguard.

TC is not about express or limited stops but its about creating links (which it does) across long distances (which it does). Where it can, it avoids the worst detours (the time and distance with the smallest ridership) and lets local services and Bwcabus serve those and feed into the TC network.

Fundamentally, you don't seem to understand what TC is about, nor understand the basic economics of rural bus operation. I've tried to explain but there's none so blind as those who do not wish to see

 

[Teflon Lettuce]

I thought it was clear that I would renumber the whole network it the TC0-9 series.

What's the point of renumbering AGAIN? It is an accepted fact that when you renumber a service you AUTOMATICALLY lose 5% of your patronage. Ask anyone who worked at Kentish Bus in the late 80's early 90's what happened when they renumbered services out of the historic 4xx series.

There were some direct services between Cardigan and Aberystwyth, in addition to some direct services between Cardigan and Aberaeron. There were 6 services each way between Cardigan and Aberaeron, 3 of which extended to/from Aberystwyth. These didn't go via either New Quay or Aberporth. In addition in the timetable starting 24th September 2012 there were 3 northbound and 4 southbound (one of the southbound services existed before then, as I mentioned a while back) services between Cardigan and Aberaeron via Aberporth but not New Quay.

No, I've just failed to explain things clearly again.

The 6 direct Cardigan-Aberaeron services provided a service roughly every 2hrs and that is what I would like to see back, but this time with all 6 journeys running through to Aberystwyth. That would however replace roughly half the current hourly New Quay - Aberystwyth services between Aberaeron and Aberystwyth so the New Quay - Aberaeron connecting services would be to make up for that. I would keep the Cardigan - Aberporth - New Quay - Aberaeron service so that you don't have to travel to Aberaeron to get to Cardigan from New Quay.

what I can't fathom is your fascination with withdrawing TrawsCymru from New Quay which is at least as large as Aberaeron and has a large passenger potential, especially in summer when tourists are about, whilst maintaining the diversion for Aberporth... at best described as a large village. why?

As you deign to give me a history lesson, let me give you one in return.

Originally the service was, as now, a through service operating from Cardigan- Aberystwyth via the same route as the T5 now takes. At deregulation Crosville Wales as was decided that the service was only commercially viable from Aber- Synod Inn. The county council put out a tender for a connecting service to cover the southern end of the route, connecting at Synod Inn, which was won by Richards Bros... at some time over the years someone decided that Synod Inn was not a good place to force passengers to change buses so the Richards Bros service was extended to Aberaeron to allow better interchange. THAT IS THE ONLY REASON WHY A DIRECT ROUTE FROM SYNOD INN TO ABERAERON EXISTED!

As for connection times with bus services, when I knock up timetables I work on the basis of allowing 7 minutes, prefrably with buses scheduled to arrive 3 minutes before they are due to depart. I don't think a wait of more than 10 minutes is acceptable without expensive improvements to waiting facilities, and anything less than 5 minutes just isn't robust.

(My bold) and there is the difference between you in your bedroom and professionals... Professionals don't "knock up" timetables... they compile timetables using their years of considerable, and sometimes bitter, experience. As a passenger I would NEVER trust a connection of less than 15 minutes, unless of course you wish to run a direct service with an average speed of less than a tractor to ensure the service is always on time!

The Winckler report didn't say so, it said TrawsCymru should stop everywhere on the route but should avoid detours. Which is exactly what I've been saying. If it isn't worth avoiding the detours by running (and, yes, paying for) direct services then it is my opinion TrawsCymru should instead avoid detours by not applying its brand to corridors where detours cannot be avoided.

(My bold) Exactly... it is YOUR opinion... nobody else's... everybody else is saying the exact opposite of you... so I ask again what I asked in an earlier post... who's right? you or everybody else? TBH if I were in a position where everybody was telling me I was wrong I would stop arguing my point and revisit the FACTS!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

1. 
   
   TC is not about express or limited stops but its about creating links (which it does) across long distances (which it does). Where it can, it avoids the worst detours (the time and distance with the smallest ridership) and lets local services and Bwcabus serve those and feed into the TC network.
   
   Fundamentally, you don't seem to understand what TC is about, nor understand the basic economics of rural bus operation. I've tried to explain but there's none so blind as those who do not wish to see

1. 
   
   Amen to that brother!

 

[WelshBuses93]

VDL SB200/ MCV eVolution YJ14CCV has been given unbranded TrawsCymru livery and Tempo's YJ55BKE/F have been given full branding and had re-trimmed grey e-leather seating so chances are these will be used alongside the Optare Metrocity MC11520's or used as spare vehicles.

 

[Rhydgaled]

VDL SB200/ MCV eVolution YJ14CCV has been given unbranded TrawsCymru livery and Tempo's YJ55BKE/F have been given full branding and had re-trimmed grey e-leather seating so chances are these will be used alongside the Optare Metrocity MC11520's or used as spare vehicles.

Pulsar YJ62JZR has also been given unbranded TrawsCymru livery, which has also been carried for a few years by Tempos YJ06YRY/YRO/YRZ. None of them have green TrawsCymru grab rails on board though as far as I know. I wonder who owns YJ14CCV and YJ62JZR now, since I thought they were leased vehicles and hence carried plain white liveries until recieving TrawsCymru colours.

 

[WelshBuses93]

YJ14CCV is the first MCV eVolution bodied VDL SB200 and only one also, I think is leased by Arriva Bus & Coach and Pulsar 2 YJ62JZR was once new to Reays, Cumbria. I doubt the current vehicles will receive the green grab rails as they will be replaced in 3 months and then I suppose the 2 VDL SB200's will be then sold on or they'll be sent back to Arriva.

 

[WelshBuses93]

A new bus station is under construction in Newtown. It will be a drive in, reverse out.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

A new bus station is under construction in Newtown. It will be a drive in, reverse out.

Is that part of a wider redevelopment of the area? Just wondering who was paying for it.

I wish they'd done something similar at Aberystwyth - could've been a really good interchange (but perhaps should be thankful that it's there)

 

[WelshBuses93]

I'm not too sure really. It was commented on my Flickr Photograph.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127699427@N02/16372909692/
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
New operator Mylynxbus has recently purchased 4 Optare Tempo's and 3 of the 4 are ex TrawsCambria YJ55BJE, YJ55BKK and YJ55BKU! BKU and BKK from Marchants and BJE from Pygall's Coaches.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/76935...NMU-oydSTE-gPwp75-f6TGcs-bEeQPk-3QK1Sm-dRbSZo

 

[Teflon Lettuce]

Unbelievable as it seems First have announced that they are slowing down the T1 to make it more reliable! it may only be by adding a few minutes recovery time, but the question has to be asked... how comes the T1 is now slower than the old X40 was when it went via Cribyn?

Seeing as though the 701 is now a full 35 mins faster than the T1 and doesn't seem to suffer reliability problems perhaps First should be asking what the hell it's drivers are up to to be continually late? Perhaps if they put some service controllers out on the route to monitor performance rather than just looking at computer data they might get a surprise or 2...

 

[Rhydgaled]

Unbelievable as it seems First have announced that they are slowing down the T1 to make it more reliable! it may only be by adding a few minutes recovery time, but the question has to be asked... how comes the T1 is now slower than the old X40 was when it went via Cribyn?

That is certainly supprising. Arriva's CymruExpress timetable was certainly unreliable and the 40/40c was slowed down to the current 2hrs 14mins in Dec2013 when Arriva pulled out and the council let the contract to Lewis/First joint operation. I would have thought the 2hr 14min schedule could be kept to. How did Lewis do by the way, were they operating their share reliably before First took cover the service completely?

I had a quick Google and cannot find a new timetable for the T1, when is the slower timetable due to start and is it online anywhere yet?

 

[Teflon Lettuce]

That is certainly supprising. Arriva's CymruExpress timetable was certainly unreliable and the 40/40c was slowed down to the current 2hrs 14mins in Dec2013 when Arriva pulled out and the council let the contract to Lewis/First joint operation. I would have thought the 2hr 14min schedule could be kept to. How did Lewis do by the way, were they operating their share reliably before First took cover the service completely?

I had a quick Google and cannot find a new timetable for the T1, when is the slower timetable due to start and is it online anywhere yet?

The timetable is on first's website under service updates and starts 22nd Feb

 

[Bwsbro]

There was panic on the T1 this evening as SL63GCK whilst operating the 17:10 departuree from Carmarthen. Outside the village of Llanfarian the Panic Alarm sounded stating "This Bus is under attack - Please Dial 999"

Not something you expect at 7:15pm
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
There was major problems this evening on the 15:25 T2 service from Bangor, as one of the offside window of CX12EMS smashed in the village of Trawsfynydd.

More concernly the vehicle continued to Dolgellau, before returning to Penygroes depot as the 17:35 T2 to Bangor with smashed glassed all over the seats and floor.

Some pictures of this is available on my Flickr Photostream
https://www.flickr.com/#/photos/128181123@N05/16333440688/in/search_QM_q_IS_express+motors_AND_mt_IS_all_AND_w_IS_all_AND_s_IS_rec

https://www.flickr.com/#/photos/128181123@N05/16333440818/