Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Bus News

[liamf656]

Looks like 3 breakdowns for trent today. Both X38 branded Volvo's only made it until the early afternoon with 2 spares being found from other routes later on meaning a almost 3 hour gap in trent's services. Volvo 741 was out on the villager until around 0830 on the A516 between Mickleover and Etwall according the bus times. The vehicle was only being recovered at 1645. Probably because it was recovering other dead trent buses!

I didn't get a chance to look properly but there appeared to be one of the red arrow's broken down at QMC on its way to Nottingham (perhaps it got going again quickly?) at around 16:10ish - there was a second red arrow coach immediately behind it in service.

I also went past coach 80 which had failed in Lenton at around 16:40. Another bus was behind it taking all the passengers. Possibly the same one you saw?

 

[BJames]

I also went past coach 80 which had failed in Lenton at around 16:40. Another bus was behind it taking all the passengers. Possibly the same one you saw?

I thought I was a little earlier than that but I'm not 100% certain - likely was the same one in that case as there was definitely another coach behind it when I was there

 

[WAB]

The 173 has a very good service for such a rural area, with a first bus arriving in Bakewell before 0800 and last bus back at 1745 - there are many town routes in England with a worse service than that.

It's better than nothing, but still not really much good unless you absolutely cannot drive.

That's not a reason to (re)open a railway. It's a reason to commit much smaller amounts of public money to ensure rural areas get a decent bus service.

Oh, I totally agree. I just don't think there are many in the industry who have the motivation to turn provincial bus networks into useable products, even if handed the money.

 

[Russel]

So, it looks like the Peak Sightseer will be every 30 minutes, requiring 2 buses, 1 will be Trident 18467, what will the second bus be?

 

[m79900]

So, it looks like the Peak Sightseer will be every 30 minutes, requiring 2 buses, 1 will be Trident 18467, what will the second bus be?

Stagecoach showed an open top Enviro400 in the advert, in 'Peak Sightseer' livery, but I don't know if this means anything. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FzEzqJJWwAEqWuh?format=jpg&name=900x900

 

[EnviroExplorer]

So, it looks like the Peak Sightseer will be every 30 minutes, requiring 2 buses, 1 will be Trident 18467, what will the second bus be?

The quote from the MD via Twitter is ‘Initially we will be using part open top Tridents, one from East Midlands and three from our friends in the North East but we have our own Scania’s in conversion which will carry full Peak Sightseer livery - first one should be ready for early July.’ The North East examples are numbered 17239, 240, 643 and 645, though I haven’t yet seen the numbers of the dedicated Scanias confirmed.

Can be viewed at link below

https://twitter.com/MattK1979/status/1671409063144333313?s=20

 

[Russel]

The quote from the MD via Twitter is ‘Initially we will be using part open top Tridents, one from East Midlands and three from our friends in the North East but we have our own Scania’s in conversion which will carry full Peak Sightseer livery - first one should be ready for early July.’ The North East examples are numbered 17239, 240, 643 and 645, though I haven’t yet seen the numbers of the dedicated Scanias confirmed.

Can be viewed at link below

https://twitter.com/MattK1979/status/1671409063144333313?s=20

Scania E400s I presume, 15716 hasn't tracked since February, could this be one in for conversion, or am I putting 2 and 2 together and getting 5?

I think ill give this a week or two to bed in and then give it a go.

 

[Purple Train]

I had to spend the morning in Sutton-in-Ashfield (23 June). Plan was to catch bus at around 8.30, return around 1. Checked timetables, etc.
I ended up getting a lift both ways as neither bus (Trent Barton route 3B) turned up! Very far cry from 5-6 years ago when I used the service regularly.

 

[STINT47]

Trentbarton's ADLs for the threes are now under construction at Scarborough.

ADL have advised that they are struggling to source a number of parts so cannot confirm an exact date when the buses should start to arrive, but they are at least now into the build process.

 

[Teapot42]

I think ill give this a week or two to bed in and then give it a go.

I'd give it a little longer - Roadworks at Baslow are causing a lot of disruption, and are scheduled to carry on well in to July. While not on the route, they are close enough to have a knock-on effect.

Interesting how much effort Stagecoach are putting in to pushing this service, including some rather dubious claims about the scenic nature of the route. Much of it is under trees, some low enough to be rather concerning they are using a decker at all, never mind an open top, and aside from the bit down the drive to Chatsworth, not a lot really that impressive, certainly compared to what they could have chosen.

I can also see a missed opportunity that one didn't start from Buxton to link in with trains from Manchester.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Jun 2023 ==

It’s irregular and over complicated routes and timetables which often discourage me from leaving my car at home and travelling for days out by bus. Large gaps in the afternoon timetables with different times on school days at just the time I want to travel home just puts me off trying. As someone who lives over the border in Nottinghamshire more regular interval timetables on routes between Alfreton/Ripley, Crich and Matlock would be very helpful. It’s often easier to travel the much longer route via Chesterfield than trying to get a bus between Matlock and Alfreton.

I have thought for a while that there is a gap between Alfreton and Matlock that needs filling, but on the other hand, when you look at what lies between the two there would be limited demand for such a service. Unless a longer distance service could be extended to the McArthur Glen I struggle to see it being viable.

That said, it could be a good interworking for Hulleys between their 55 and 110/111/172.

Crich is a pain to serve at the moment with the road closure, not sure how much longer that will be in place, or if Derbyshire County Council actually intend to reopen it, or if it will end up like the road to Eyam.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Jun 2023 ==

And most of those tourists drive - why shouldn't BSIP funding be used to try to reduce road congestion?

A circular service which covers a fairly small geographic area won't stop anyone driving. There are no 'destinations' that don't already have at least an hourly bus anyway, and the fact it's not covered by any passes other than the Dayrider Gold means the cost would put anyone off connecting to it from other operators.

Stagecoach are ideally placed with depots in Chesterfield, Sheffield and Stockport to run buses across the Peak District should they want to offer an alternative for some of the bigger markets. However, they only seem interested in running services where they can squeeze the LA for subsidies.

What it really needs is a coordinated strategy with a series of park and ride sites on the outskirts of the Peak District and a network of frequent buses serving them. I'd say some form of 'tourist tax' is probably inevitable as well - after all, you struggle to get parked anywhere in the Peak District, so the cost obviously isn't pricing people out. Putting it up further (and using the revenue to fund buses) would allow those who won't leave the car at home to be able to park sensibly rather than blocking roads, and gives an alternative to others.

 

[ChrisC]

I have thought for a while that there is a gap between Alfreton and Matlock that needs filling, but on the other hand, when you look at what lies between the two there would be limited demand for such a service. Unless a longer distance service could be extended to the McArthur Glen I struggle to see it being viable.

That said, it could be a good interworking for Hulleys between their 55 and 110/111/172.

Crich is a pain to serve at the moment with the road closure, not sure how much longer that will be in place, or if Derbyshire County Council actually intend to reopen it, or if it will end up like the road to Eyam.

I think a good start to improve filling the gap between Alfreton and Matlock and provide a more useable service would be to coordinate and tidy up the existing timetables and routes. Littles 140, 141 and 142 along with TM Travel 150 all serve areas between Alfreton and Matlock but the timetables are all so irregular. I just end up giving up trying to look at all the different timetables and travel via Chesterfield or Ripley and Belper instead.

 

[Skymonster]

While its not been officially announced (and thus is still in the domain of staffroom gossip), I’m lead to believe TM is withdrawing from the 142 Alfreton - Nether Heage via Crich / Belper route at the end of the summer (October) - ostensibly because of the cost and time needed to run the vehicle empty from/to Halfway each day. If confirmed, I presume Derbyshire County Council will seek another operator for this subsidised service - maybe Littles will take it back on as it only transferred to TM relatively recently?

 

[station_road]

Derbyshire have announced free bus rides on 6 Sunday mornings through the summer, starting on 23 July. It applies for most journeys on participating operators starting and finishing in the county except for journeys starting in Derby City and is funded as part of the BSIP.

https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/trans...port/free-bus-journeys/free-bus-journeys.aspx

The operators taking part are:

• trentbarton - except night buses
• Stagecoach Yorkshire, Stagecoach East Midlands and Stagecoach Manchester
• High Peak - except services 58 and 199
• Hulleys - except the Breezer service
• TM Travel
• Diamond Bus East Midlands - Midland Classic
• First South Yorkshire

Kinchbus' Skylink Derby service is not part of the Sunday morning free fares promotion.

The offer includes the first bus to run on a Sunday morning up until those that are due to depart at 11.59am. Free buses will only be those that start and end in Derbyshire. Buses that start their journeys in Derby are not included. Passengers that start their journeys in Derby cannot take advantage of this offer

 

[markymark2000]

Derbyshire have announced free bus rides on 6 Sunday mornings through the summer, starting on 23 July. It applies for most journeys on participating operators starting and finishing in the county except for journeys starting in Derby City and is funded as part of the BSIP.

https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/trans...port/free-bus-journeys/free-bus-journeys.aspx

Quite poor explaining really. It says that it's only for buses which start AND end their journey in Derbyshire. Well that excludes most of the routes as they are cross border in some way. Midland Classic, I am sure that everything there runs into Staffordshire or Derby City. Stagecoach Manchester I know their routes all start or end in Greater Manchester. First South Yorkshire I think their only route would be the 271/272 but they run into South Yorkshire. TrentBarton, I am sure most of their buses will cross into Derby City or Staffordshire.

There aren't that many routes which run solely within Derbyshire.


If they mean the journey which someone takes must start and end in Derbyshire, it would be much better, otherwise, their list of operators need amending.

 

[derbybusdepot]

Quite poor explaining really. It says that it's only for buses which start AND end their journey in Derbyshire. Well that excludes most of the routes as they are cross border in some way. Midland Classic, I am sure that everything there runs into Staffordshire or Derby City. Stagecoach Manchester I know their routes all start or end in Greater Manchester. First South Yorkshire I think their only route would be the 271/272 but they run into South Yorkshire. TrentBarton, I am sure most of their buses will cross into Derby City or Staffordshire.

There aren't that many routes which run solely within Derbyshire.


If they mean the journey which someone takes must start and end in Derbyshire, it would be much better, otherwise, their list of operators need amending.

They obviously ran out of ideas what to waste (sorry use up) the funding on.

I believe the journeys have to start and end in Derbyshire (excluding Derby city). It's very complex to market, and goes against the grain of making buses simpler and easy to use (£2, multi operator tickets etc).

 

[ricoblade]

I'd give it a little longer - Roadworks at Baslow are causing a lot of disruption, and are scheduled to carry on well in to July. While not on the route, they are close enough to have a knock-on effect.

Multiple roadworks on Bawtry Road to Doncaster from North Notts have been and are playing havoc with SEM services.

SEM is cancelling services due to this and you have to be on top of their Twitter feed to know as there is no other source of information.

It annoys me when they cancel the 2 hourly 98 Doncaster-Gainsborough (as they did yesterday) as anyone along that route is banjaxed in having to wait 2 hours or find an alternative (like my 3 mile walk home).

 

[JD2168]

Multiple roadworks on Bawtry Road to Doncaster from North Notts have been and are playing havoc with SEM services.

SEM is cancelling services due to this and you have to be on top of their Twitter feed to know as there is no other source of information.

It annoys me when they cancel the 2 hourly 98 Doncaster-Gainsborough (as they did yesterday) as anyone along that route is banjaxed in having to wait 2 hours or find an alternative (like my 3 mile walk home).

This is true, they are regularly 20-30 minutes late. The 98 which does the 29 short to Bawtry came into Doncaster at 3:20pm yesterday, it’s due in at 2:55pm, dropped the 29 short then did the 98 afterwards that runs at 4:05pm.

 

[Skymonster]

Notts & Derby replaces TM Travel on 142 Nether Heage - Belper - Crich - Alfreton from next Monday until end of school holidays when TM returns for September and October. Presumably some of N&D’s school contracts aren’t operating over the holidays and it’s cheaper / easier to run the service from the south end of the Wellglade empire rather than Halfway - and TM’s reliability hasn’t been stellar either!

 

[ricoblade]

This is true, they are regularly 20-30 minutes late. The 98 which does the 29 short to Bawtry came into Doncaster at 3:20pm yesterday, it’s due in at 2:55pm, dropped the 29 short then did the 98 afterwards that runs at 4:05pm.

It was the other way around last week (good for me!). The inbound 98 was nowhere so they changed a 25 into the 14:05 98,

 

[43055]

Notts & Derby replaces TM Travel on 142 Nether Heage - Belper - Crich - Alfreton from next Monday until end of school holidays when TM returns for September and October. Presumably some of N&D’s school contracts aren’t operating over the holidays and it’s cheaper / easier to run the service from the south end of the Wellglade empire rather than Halfway - and TM’s reliability hasn’t been stellar either!

Indeed. Looking at bus times today one of the Solo's just did school runs. Derby uni will be on a reduced timetable which may free up one or both of the E200MMC's.

Good news for Trent Barton today is that villager branded 703 is back out after 11 months off the road!

 

[cnjb8]

Notts & Derby replaces TM Travel on 142 Nether Heage - Belper - Crich - Alfreton from next Monday until end of school holidays when TM returns for September and October. Presumably some of N&D’s school contracts aren’t operating over the holidays and it’s cheaper / easier to run the service from the south end of the Wellglade empire rather than Halfway - and TM’s reliability hasn’t been stellar either!

Indeed. Looking at bus times today one of the Solo's just did school runs. Derby uni will be on a reduced timetable which may free up one or both of the E200MMC's.

Good news for Trent Barton today is that villager branded 703 is back out after 11 months off the road!

Seems strange to transfer the service back to TM after the holidays. If its to do with fleet shortages at N+D, can't a Solo be transferred from TM or even a Scania brought back into service?

 

[m79900]

Seems strange to transfer the service back to TM after the holidays. If its to do with fleet shortages at N+D, can't a Solo be transferred from TM or even a Scania brought back into service?

Or indeed a couple of Versas, once they’re withdrawn from Threes duties.

 

[NorthernSpirit]

Better services between Leek and Buxton would help. Also if D&G reverted to a X16 Hanley-Leek- Buxton link would be better, especially connecting in Buxton with services there

I'd include the "missing link", that being a direct Huddersfield to Buxton bus (which there once was, the 61A until it was withdrawn in 2008 and partially replaced in 2009 with the summer only 951 which lasted until the end of August 2016). I'd even go as far as saying it should be reintroduced at a 2 hourly frequency but revised to start at the Buxton end e.g. first journey starts at New Mills (0730) with a Huddersfield arrival at 0855, Buxton (0900) - Hudds arrival at 1055, etc with the last journey from Huddersfield departing at lets say 1700, this could terminate at New Mills (at 1825) but it would make more sense to run it to Buxton with a 1855 arrival. Maybe something for Hulleys to experiment with.

Its a shame that the Sunday journeys on the Buxton to Hanley route were lost as I do recall it being operated by First Potteries as a service 118 at one point.

The lack of an evening service between Bakewell and Buxton has been a glaring omission for years. If the railway had remained, there would, no doubt, be a regular service throughout the evening. I'm surprised the BSIP funding hasn't addressed this.

I'd say a Buxton to Matlock "Bakewell RailLinx" would be ideal but it would need to run as an express and only calling at Buxton, Millers Dale, Bakewell, Rowsley and Matlock rather than all stops - basically a permement rail replacement service with a fancy brand and it would need to be able to start at 4am and finish at midnight/1am for it to be of any use and to connect with rail services at either end. Maybe if enough people along the route could build the demand for such a route (importantly Bakewell who could have a BKW as a station code).

 

[liamf656]

I'd say a Buxton to Matlock "Bakewell RailLinx" would be ideal but it would need to run as an express and only calling at Buxton, Millers Dale, Bakewell, Rowsley and Matlock rather than all stops - basically a permement rail replacement service with a fancy brand and it would need to be able to start at 4am and finish at midnight/1am for it to be of any use and to connect with rail services at either end. Maybe if enough people along the route could build the demand for such a route (importantly Bakewell who could have a BKW as a station code).

This sounds a bit far fetched, the Transpeak already links Matlock and Buxton hourly

 

[Simon75]

Its a shame that the Sunday journeys on the Buxton to Hanley route were lost as I do recall it being operated by First Potteries as a service 118 at one point.

D&G have introduced the 18 which run Hanley-Endon-Leek- Buxton (there was a Sunday service on the 16
Yes your correct First Potteries did the 118 which was split from the X18 (there was a connecting service at Buxton with a 218 to Sheffield

 

[WAB]

This sounds a bit far fetched, the Transpeak already links Matlock and Buxton hourly

The operating hours are fairly diabolical on the Transpeak though compared to if a rail service was still running. The last train leaves Matlock at 2312 but the last Transpeak leaves Buxton at 1800. A few evening services wouldn't go amiss - it's impossible to see a concert in Buxton in the evening and then return to Matlock/Derby.

 

[Llandudno]

It’s also not possible to get to Bakewell or Matlock from Manchester, Manchester Airport or Stockport after about 4pm without travelling via Sheffield or Chesterfield and then catching a very infrequent evening bus.

You could splash out a more expensive rail ticket and travel via Sheffield and Derby to Matlock or via Stoke and Derby to Matlock I suppose until about 8pm!

 

[m79900]

The 'little Sixes' service does no longer serve the medical centre in Wirksworth. This means that they don't need a Solo outstationed at Matlock, and can utilise the branded Versas.

 

[43055]

The 'little Sixes' service does no longer serve the medical centre in Wirksworth. This means that they don't need a Solo outstationed at Matlock, and can utilise the branded Versas.

so it's a 'big sixes' then maybe another Versa could be branded up.

 

[m79900]

so it's a 'big sixes' then maybe another Versa could be branded up.

Perhaps. What I could see happening is that it drops the ‘little Sixes’ name and gets a number such as the 6L or 6.5