First West Yorkshire & York discussion

[Whiteway215]

Many thanks for your prompt reply.

Buses magazine Sept 2020 said 66352 went to PVS dealers Carlton, where most if not all of First West Yorkshire scrap buses seem to end up.

 

[Nailseabus]

Thank you for the info. I scoured the PSV Circle news sheets with out success, never gave it a thought about the Buses fleet news.

 

[NorthernSpirit]

Thank you for the info. I scoured the PSV Circle news sheets with out success, never gave it a thought about the Buses fleet news.

At one point the withdrawn First West Yorkshire fleet went to Cherry Row depot in Leeds but that has long been sold off.


With Leeds bus station referbishment underway, the rebuilding of Halifax bus station starting soon and now Huddersfield's bus station looks to be getting the referb treatment too, I just cannot work out how this will fit in with the exisiting multi-story above it. https://www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/hdbs

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

At one point the withdrawn First West Yorkshire fleet went to Cherry Row depot in Leeds but that has long been sold off.


With Leeds bus station referbishment underway, the rebuilding of Halifax bus station starting soon and now Huddersfield's bus station looks to be getting the referb treatment too, I just cannot work out how this will fit in with the exisiting multi-story above it. https://www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/hdbs

Cherry Row has been gone for about 3 years and it was just a staging point until disposal - sometimes for spares recovery and/or running out depreciation (e.g. artics)

Judging by the artists impression here https://www.kirklees.gov.uk/beta/huddersfield-blueprint/key-areas/the-civic-quarter.aspx then it's a remodelled entrance on the road outside rather than much involving the actual bus station.

 

[KendalKing]

Reg and fleet numbers for the new P&R BYDs are
38401 LG21HZL
38402 LG21HZV
38403 LG21HZW
38404 LG21HZX
38405 LG21HZZ

According to photos on Flickr:

38401 is LG21HZV
38402 is LG21HZW
38403
38404 is LG21HZZ
38405

 

[cnjb8]

According to photos on Flickr:

38401 is LG21HZV
38402 is LG21HZW
38403
38404 is LG21HZZ
38405

Could have changed, I did make that comment in June!

 

[Kieran1990]

Is there a bit of shortfall in buses at Bramley and Hunslet at the moment?
I've seen a few Bradford & Halifax branded B9’s out and about on locals in Leeds.
It looks like a few Streetdecks have been loaned from Hunslet to Bramley with the appearance of red branded ones out on the 49/50 corridor this week.
I even saw a Streetdeck on a 7A this week which was a surprise considering it’s a guideway route

 

[Andyh82]

Is there a bit of shortfall in buses at Bramley and Hunslet at the moment?
Seen a few Bradford & Halifax branded B9’s out and about on locals in Leeds.
Looks like a few Streetdeck’s have been loaned from Hunslet to Bramley with the appearance of red banded ones out on the 49/50 corridor this week.
Even saw a Streetdeck on a 7A this week which was a surprise considering it’s a guideway route

Various things have happened. Some older Halifax B9s have been swapped with newer Leeds B9s, with Leeds coming off worse but these buses expecting to leave the fleet in due course, also some Hunslet buses have moved to Bramley to run the 51/52

As mentioned Services 51/52 are now run by Bramley, 55/65 are now run by Bradford with the entirety of the X63 now run by Huddersfield. This is due to a driver shortage in Leeds

 

[Kieran1990]

Various things have happened. Some older Halifax B9s have been swapped with newer Leeds B9s, with Leeds coming off worse but these buses expecting to leave the fleet in due course, also some Hunslet buses have moved to Bramley to run the 51/52

As mentioned Services 51/52 are now run by Bramley, 55/65 are now run by Bradford with the entirety of the X63 now run by Huddersfield. This is due to a driver shortage in Leeds

Thanks Andy for the update. I had a feeling Bramley had taken on some of the 51/52 work.
I assume the B9’s from Halifax are due to be replaced by more Streetdecks?

 

[NorthernSpirit]

Various things have happened. Some older Halifax B9s have been swapped with newer Leeds B9s, with Leeds coming off worse but these buses expecting to leave the fleet in due course, also some Hunslet buses have moved to Bramley to run the 51/52

As mentioned Services 51/52 are now run by Bramley, 55/65 are now run by Bradford with the entirety of the X63 now run by Huddersfield. This is due to a driver shortage in Leeds

Yet the timetable for the 363/X63 appears on the First Bradford website and not under the Halifax, Huddersfield and Calder Valley site. One thing I have noticed is that the X63 now runs to an every 15 minute frequency instead of the every 12 and on the buses themselves its still advertising that it runs every 10 minutes.

 

[JRT]

Yet the timetable for the 363/X63 appears on the First Bradford website and not under the Halifax, Huddersfield and Calder Valley site. One thing I have noticed is that the X63 now runs to an every 15 minute frequency instead of the every 12 and on the buses themselves its still advertising that it runs every 10 minutes.

Actually the X63 timetable was recently increased, currently running on a 12-min basic frequency, with a 10-min peak service.

The driver shortage over the past few weeks in Bradford has seen a board missing every day from most routes. The other evening there were two boards missing from my local routes (Eldwick via Sandy Lane/Holme Wood via Laisterdyke/Thornton).

From Monday, frequency drops to a daytime 15-min service (Mon–Fri) on 607, 617/618, 620/621, 622/626, 636/637 and 645.

Also from Monday, the following Leeds routes will have a reduced frequency of every 12 minutes: 2/3/3A, 4/4F, 5/5A, 6/8, 12/13/13A, 33/34, 42, 49, 50/50A, 56, X56 and 72.

 

[superkev]

Re. West Yorkshire euro 6 buses and Bradfird clean air zone.

https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co...radfords-bus-fleet-now-meets-greener-targets/

NEWS that three quarters of Bradford’s bus fleet meet greener emission standards has been welcomed, but some Councillors fear neighbouring areas are being left behind.

New figures show that 75 per cent of buses in Bradford are Euro 6 standard - which means they would not be charged to enter the Clean Air Zone that is due to be introduced in the city in January.

Although the District is still behind Leeds - 83 per cent of their buses are Euro 6 standard, Bradford is now far ahead of its other West Yorkshire neighbours. Just 43 per cent of Kirklees buses are Euro 6, while 53 per cent of Calderdale’s buses meet the standard.

64 per cent of Wakefield’s buses are Euro 6.
One Kirklees Councillor described the discrepancy between neighbouring Councils “appalling” and said it seemed that Kirklees and Calderdale were the “poor relation” to Leeds and Bradford.
The details were included in a report on the work being done in West Yorkshire to cut down on carbon emissions.

It went to a meeting of West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee last week.
£770,000 boost for green energy fuelling station in Bradford
The Combined Authority’s target is to be net zero carbon by 2038 at the latest, with significant progress by 2030, and members were told this will be “extremely challenging and will require significant, swift, and collaborative action to decarbonise all sectors.”
The report said that as of June, 63 per cent of buses in West Yorkshire now met Euro 6 emission standards - a rise of three per cent on the previous quarter. Bradford in particular saw a rise of nine per cent in just three months.
However, just one per cent of the entire bus fleet are zero emission vehicles.
Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, leader of Bradford Council and Chris of the Committee, said: “It is good to see the increase in the green fleet. Some districts are not as advanced as others but that is not the fault of Councils - it is something the operators need to do.”

Councillor Eric Firth (Lab, Kirklees) said: “I’m delighted that Leeds has 83 per cent Euro 6 buses, I really am. But you look at Kirkless with 43 per cent and Calderdale with 53 per cent and you realise we are very much the poor relation. It’s not good enough, and I want to know what we are going to do about these appalling statistics.”
Referring to the fact that Bradford was so far ahead of Kirklees and Calderdale, Cllr Hinchcliffe said: “These changes need government money. In Bradford the Clean Air Zone has seen money come in to bus providers.”
Leeds Councillor Kim Groves said although a planned trolley bus scheme on the city never went ahead, it had led to an investment in the city’s public transport network.
Dave Pearson, Director of Transport Services, said: “Leeds and Bradford both had Clean Air Zone aspirations and this attracted funding that was used to retrofit mid-life buses to Euro 6 standards. We have prioritised Clean Air Zone areas because that is part of the terms and conditions of the funding we got.”

Once the Clean Air Zone is introduced in Bradford, buses that don’t meet the minimum Euro 6 standard will be charged £50 a day.
NEWS that three quarters of Bradford's bus fleet meet greener emission standards has been welcomed, but some Councillors fear neighbouring areas are being left behind.
New figures show that 75 per cent of buses in Bradford are Euro 6 standard - which means they would not be charged to enter the Clean Air Zone that is due to be introduced in the city in January.
Although the District is still behind Leeds - 83 per cent of their buses are Euro 6 standard, Bradford is now far ahead of its other West Yorkshire neighbours. Just 43 per cent of Kirklees buses are Euro 6, while 53 per cent of Calderdale's buses meet the standard.
64 per cent of Wakefield's buses are Euro 6.
One Kirklees Councillor described the discrepancy between neighbouring Councils "appalling" and said it seemed that Kirklees and Calderdale were the "poor relation" to Leeds and Bradford.
The details were included in a report on the work being done in West Yorkshire to cut down on carbon emissions.
It went to a meeting of West Yorkshire Combined Authority's Transport Committee last week.

With the Bradford CAZ starting 1st January, there's a bit to go yet.
K

 

[Seehof]

First York: What has happened to the single deck electric bus fleet? I have not seen one for ages! Are there any fleet changes in the pipeline? Some of the single deckers are showing their age. Thank you

 

[dazzler]

First York: What has happened to the single deck electric bus fleet? I have not seen one for ages! Are there any fleet changes in the pipeline? Some of the single deckers are showing their age. Thank you

There was one buzzing around the University East Campus (Sport Village end) on Thursday afternoon. Kept turning up at the e-vehicle charger opposite the Sport Village bus stop with a couple of staff on board, plugging in for a moment, then disappearing off again. It appeared to be driver training as the driver was different every time it came past, with the same driver training person. (First use that rapid charger for charging the electric single deckers used on the 8 Grimston Bar Park&Ride during the week, as well as the one used on the UB.1 in University term time)

I haven't noticed any electric buses on the 8 P&R recently, but I only see that route briefly near Merchantgate on the way to work on the 66/67. The double deck e-buses are out in large numbers on the 3, 7 & 9 P&R however, I haven't seen anything else on those routes for a while now.

 

[Tempest3K]

First York: What has happened to the single deck electric bus fleet? I have not seen one for ages! Are there any fleet changes in the pipeline? Some of the single deckers are showing their age. Thank you

All the 'old' single deckers are now gone, the remaining fleet is being repainted and allegedly cleaned up inside with new 'leather' seat cushions. Apparently we're meant to be greatful that the core fleet is only 13-14 years old instead of 20 now....meanwhile, tourists and commuters get the shiny new buses on P&R.

 

[Seehof]

Thank you, both. But apart from the one you saw training, the entire fleet of electric single deckers has disappeared!

 

[Andyh82]

Thank you, both. But apart from the one you saw training, the entire fleet of electric single deckers has disappeared!

Poppleton Bar has been closed since before Covid so that’ll be one reason

Also I believe all sites have either had reduced frequencies at worst or no more than the basic normal frequency at best with no enhanced frequencies at what would usually be busy periods. Therefore there are surplus Park and Ride buses available.

 

[Seehof]

Thank you

 

[mlambeuk]

Is there any plan to reinstate the 11s service in York?, or has this service gone for good?.

 

[dazzler]

Poppleton Bar has been closed since before Covid so that’ll be one reason

Some of the spare electric buses that were surplus from the 59 to Poppy Bar were used on the 12 Monks Cross - Acomb Park/Foxwood Lane Shops route during the earlier Covid lockdown(s), but have since disappeared. I haven't a clue where they have gone, as I've only seen the one that I saw on Thursday since the 12 went back to diesel!

 

[Seehof]

Yes, as someone who is often in York city centre, I too have not seen them for ages. The P and R double deck buses are well used and there are often families with children in the front top deck seats for whom such a journey is probably a novelty!

 

[_toommm_]

Noticed the 91 seems to have changed to Streetlites recently - what depot are they based out of please?

Also found it funny on Tuesday night that one of the electric Yutong E10 buses made its way onto an X84 all the way to Ilkley. Bet that was an interesting journey on some of the hills!

 

[WY Bus Spotter]

Noticed the 91 seems to have changed to Streetlites recently - what depot are they based out of please?

Also found it funny on Tuesday night that one of the electric Yutong E10 buses made its way onto an X84 all the way to Ilkley. Bet that was an interesting journey on some of the hills!

91 is based out of Bramley. The streetlites came up, in exchange for some B9TLs which went down to Swansea. They were originally intended for the No. 5, but as that now has Yutongs (and has transferred to Hunslet) the streetlites tend to end up on various routes. Typically found on 9, 91, 86 etc... 91 still has B7RLEs allocated most days.

 

[noddingdonkey]

Huddersfield vehicles have had a Ticketer branded device fitted behind the cab on the grab rail, with an LCD display and a contactless logo.

Have I missed an announcement about a new ticketing initiative?

 

[borage]

Huddersfield vehicles have had a Ticketer branded device fitted behind the cab on the grab rail, with an LCD display and a contactless logo.

Have I missed an announcement about a new ticketing initiative?

This sounds like "Tap & Cap" https://www.firstbus.co.uk/buy-ticket/tap-cap

This Service operates in Aberdeen, Doncaster, Southampton and Bristol.
Tap & Cap uses contactless payments to cap your travel charges so you’ll never pay more than the price of a day ticket or week ticket, no matter how many journeys you make. So it's an easy way to get great value. If you’re currently paying by cash or with contactless, moving to Tap & Cap could save you money on your bus travel. We accept payments on VISA, Mastercard, Apple Pay (Now with Express Mode) and Google Pay.

Presumably Huddersfield is one of the next areas in the rollout

 

[61653 HTAFC]

This sounds like "Tap & Cap" https://www.firstbus.co.uk/buy-ticket/tap-cap

Presumably Huddersfield is one of the next areas in the rollout

Sounds like a good idea... just a shame it isn't being adopted by Metro and all operators, as if you travel enough within a week to hit the cap you're probably going to need more than one single operator. For example a Transdev "Pennine One" ticket is all well and good for a return journey into town from Denby Dale, but next to useless if I'm going further afield. Makes one wonder if PTEs are even worth the effort these days, as the operators seem to hold all the cards.

Would such a thing be within the purview of our elected Mayor?

 

[noddingdonkey]

That sounds good, with the move to hybrid working I often don't use the bus enough to justify a weekly but can't always predict it in advance.

 

[Deerfold]

Sounds like a good idea... just a shame it isn't being adopted by Metro and all operators, as if you travel enough within a week to hit the cap you're probably going to need more than one single operator. For example a Transdev "Pennine One" ticket is all well and good for a return journey into town from Denby Dale, but next to useless if I'm going further afield. Makes one wonder if PTEs are even worth the effort these days, as the operators seem to hold all the cards.

Would such a thing be within the purview of our elected Mayor?

Unfortunately it's not up to Metro to do this. Joint Ticketing is managed by the West Yorkshire Ticket Company Limited which is jointly owned by all the bus companies, Metro and (I think) the train companies which operate locally.
Metro have a voice but can't force anything on the operators.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Unfortunately it's not up to Metro to do this. Joint Ticketing is managed by the West Yorkshire Ticket Company Limited which is jointly owned by all the bus companies, Metro and (I think) the train companies which operate locally.
Metro have a voice but can't force anything on the operators.

Which is precisely the problem I'm referring to. Whilst the existence of the West Yorkshire Ticketing Company shows that operators are clearly willing to co-operate, Metro (as the regional transport authority) should have regulatory power to mandate a truly integrated cross-mode ticketing system such as those in many European cities/regions. That includes London, so it isn't a "not invented here" situation.

 

[NorthernSpirit]

Sounds like a good idea... just a shame it isn't being adopted by Metro and all operators, as if you travel enough within a week to hit the cap you're probably going to need more than one single operator. For example a Transdev "Pennine One" ticket is all well and good for a return journey into town from Denby Dale, but next to useless if I'm going further afield. Makes one wonder if PTEs are even worth the effort these days, as the operators seem to hold all the cards.

Would such a thing be within the purview of our elected Mayor?

I think we're in a post PTE age whereby Passenger Transport Partnerships seem to be the way to go and the PTE is relegated to a bog standard passenger transport unit that is found in county councils. I'd even go down the route of sticking Metro, the Combined Authority, West Yorkshire Ticketing Company Ltd and West Yorkshire Joint Services back into County Hall in Wakefield.

One thing for certain First hasn't decided to roll out the Tap & Cap scheme in Leeds, as Leeds is usually the first place in West Yorkshire to introduce the scheme.