Transdev Blazefield

[Leedsbusman]

To add to the potential confusion the real 2104 is very much in service on the usual school runs. Is there any point in us enthusiasts making any attempt to remind operators of where such situations exist? What, if anything, do the rules around BODS say about it?

And a minor correction: the Starbuses are Omnidekkas built on Scania chassis, not Volvo.

There is no requirement in BODS to have a correct fleet number tracking. I doubt most people would find it useful.

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

Apologies re the Scanias - long day typo.

How difficult is to change the bus id on a ticket machine? There have been occurances of withdrawn B7RLEs tracking as well.

Not noted here is 3626 being involved in a RTC last Thursday colliding with a lorry at Harewood Bridge. Apparently no injuries to the driver or passengers but the bus needs front end attention at least with only the offside light panel seemingly unaffected below the shattered windscreen.

Quite by chance I got to the bottom of one of these this evening. The machine from the former 1703 (last service with Harrogate on 26th January) was used by the ADL E200MMC demonstrator YX71OJB during its time in Harrogate (24th October to 15th November, presumably made redundant by the new eCitaros). It's now with Blackburn and has correctly tracked with fleetnumber 710. However it's not apparently been in service for over a week now.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Dec 2024 ==

There is no requirement in BODS to have a correct fleet number tracking. I doubt most people would find it useful.

Fair comment. Although individual vehicle details do appear on the tracking apps that might actually be used by ordinary members of the public. As you say, not a big deal though some might be disappointed when the expected double-decker turns up as a saloon, and vice-versa. It's the sort of detail that I happen to think should be correct in order to avoid public confidence in bus information systems being undermined but small beer in the grand scheme of things.

 

[johntea]

I travelled on a couple eCitaro services today...the sound quality of the automated announcement (on both, may have been the same unit but unsure) was terrible! Like a muffled sound from one corner of the bus

Also the sound when pressing the 'bell' was very muted

 

[YorkRailFan]

1871 has now been repainted into "Transdev Grey" livery, I imagine it will enter service on Coastliner shortly.

4001 (one of the open-top ADL 400s for York City sightseeing) was tracking on the Coastliner earlier today, is this simply a tracking issue/ticket machine being swapped?

 

[SCH117X]

804 finally started tracking correctly from lunchtime. 808 meanwhile is readilly identifiable on town bound local routes as the auto changing destinatiion isn't so it invariably is inbound with the outbound destinationm showing.

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

804 finally started tracking correctly from lunchtime.

Yes I noticed this on bustimes earlier, it appeared to happen between trips at the bus station. Does someone at the company follow this thread I wonder?! I also noticed that eCitaro 1004 (BV74NEO) entered service this afternoon.

More interesting, perhaps, Enviro 400EV 2201 (SK74AYA) has today started generating tracking data. Initially this was without locations so I presumed it was just confirmation that the ticket machine is correctly driving the PIDs. However location data later started coming through and it would appear that the vehicle is at a Scottish & Southern Electric facility just off the A31 in the New Forest!

 

[SCH117X]

Yes I noticed this on bustimes earlier, it appeared to happen between trips at the bus station. Does someone at the company follow this thread I wonder?!

Suspect it was probably a driver change and the new driver noticed the error.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Dec 2024 ==

1003 and 1010 are also reported as having arrived, which confirms I did see a reg of BV74NEN this lunchtime. Presumably 1003 was driver training as it headed northbound on Ripon Road as its not tracked anywhere

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

Harrogate obviously struggling with ticket machines. Another cross-tracker: 801 is tracking as 1019. And delayed due to having to recharge at the bus station. At least the wi-fi works!

 

[northern506]

Reliance routes to join Transdev York:

Sorry, we can't find this page!

www.transdevbus.co.uk

We're delighted to announce that from Sunday 19 January, we'll be adding the bus services of the much respected and admired Reliance Buses to the York & Country family.

We will take over the 30, 30X, 30XS, 30SE, 31X and 40 which link York to the picturesque market towns of Easingwold and Thirsk through villages such as Tollerton, Alne, Huby and Sutton-on-the-Forest. We'll also be running the 155R and 162R school buses.

We can't wait to welcome you on board. Times will be similar to the current ones, except for some trips which start and finish at Reliance depot - these will no longer run. We'll share more details on timetables as soon as we can.

 

[Delenn]

Reliance routes to join Transdev York:

Sorry, we can't find this page!

www.transdevbus.co.uk

Wow. Reliance have had a lot of approaches in the past. I wonder why now?

 

[dodecahedron67]

Finally gone through. Transdev have been trying to buy them out since the Rawcliffe Depot opened.

Mixed reaction among drivers…

 

[Leedsbusman]

Finally gone through. Transdev have been trying to buy them out since the Rawcliffe Depot opened.

Mixed reaction among drivers…

Is that the same source that told you they weren’t bidding for the tenders

 

[YorkRailFan]

Wow, wasn't expecting that. No mention of DalesBus 74, any idea if someone else will run that as its a year round service?

 

[Andyh82]

It’s been said elsewhere that Reliance aren’t actually closing down as a business, but will continue with schools and contract work

Transdev are acquiring 11 vehicles

 

[dodecahedron67]

Is that the same source that told you they weren’t bidding for the tenders

No, because that was a transdev source and this was the reliance ops manager texting me.

 

[Deerfold]

It’s been said elsewhere that Reliance aren’t actually closing down as a business, but will continue with schools and contract work

Transdev are acquiring 11 vehicles

Whilst that's possible, Transdev are taking over current school contracts.

 

[SCH117X]

Theres five vehicles not being transferrred if the bustimes fleet list is right
24 SN59 BFZ Volvo B9TL Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 Lothian Swoops DD Sally Anne
27 AU07 DXT Volvo B7TL Wright Eclipse Gemini Kingfisher
29 AU07 DXS Volvo B7TL Wright Eclipse Gemini Reliance
31 T10 MCL (YJ08 CEF) Volvo B7RLE Wright Eclipse Urban Reliance
32 R8 LON (YJ08 CDZ) Volvo B7RLE Wright Eclipse Urban Reliance

 

[dodecahedron67]

Theres five vehicles not being transferrred if the bustimes fleet list is right
24 SN59 BFZ Volvo B9TL Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 Lothian Swoops DD Sally Anne
27 AU07 DXT Volvo B7TL Wright Eclipse Gemini Kingfisher
29 AU07 DXS Volvo B7TL Wright Eclipse Gemini Reliance
31 T10 MCL (YJ08 CEF) Volvo B7RLE Wright Eclipse Urban Reliance
32 R8 LON (YJ08 CDZ) Volvo B7RLE Wright Eclipse Urban Reliance

I believe the 11 vehicles transferring are the 11 Single Deckers:
BF62 UYO B7RLE Eclipse 2
BA15 BXS B8RLE Eclipse 3
YX68 URM E200MMC
YX19 ONV E200MMC (6 pot)
YX19 OWA E200MMC
AE12 FGM B7RLE Eclipse 2
BV22 HBH B8RLE Evora
BV22 HBJ B8RLE Evora
G19 REL B7RLE Eclipse 1
T10 MCL B7RLE Eclipse 1
R8 LON B7RLE Eclipse 1

With the 5 deckers supposedly going on via York Pullman for disposal or resale

Worth noting Transdev will take over the 74 Dalesbus until April when it will be re-tendered

 

[Leedsbusman]

Whilst that's possible, Transdev are taking over current school contracts.

Not all of them though. 155R and 162R are the only ones listed on the news item.

 

[SCH117X]

I believe the 11 vehicles transferring are the 11 Single Deckers:
BF62 UYO B7RLE Eclipse 2
BA15 BXS B8RLE Eclipse 3
YX68 URM E200MMC
YX19 ONV E200MMC (6 pot)
YX19 OWA E200MMC
AE12 FGM B7RLE Eclipse 2
BV22 HBH B8RLE Evora
BV22 HBJ B8RLE Evora
G19 REL B7RLE Eclipse 1
T10 MCL B7RLE Eclipse 1
R8 LON B7RLE Eclipse 1

With the 5 deckers supposedly going on via York Pullman for disposal or resale

Worth noting Transdev will take over the 74 Dalesbus until April when it will be re-tendered

Paul Turner on Transdev Enthusiasts has listed the eleven vehicles which includes two Geminis;

04 - BF62 UYO - Volvo B7RLE Wright Eclipse 2
05 - BA15 BXS - Volvo B8RLE Wright Eclipse 3
09 - YX68 URM - ADL Enviro200 MMC
16 - YX19 ONV - ADL Enviro200 MMC
17 - YX19 OWA - ADL Enviro200 MMC
18 - BJ11 EAE - Volvo B9TL Wright Eclipse Gemini 2
22 - AE12 FGM - Volvo B7RLE Wright Eclipse 2 (in the post he says 12 but that does not exist so I assume he means 22 and quoted its reg number by mistake)
23 - SN57 GNO - Volvo B9TL Wright Eclipse Gemini
25 - BV22 HBH - Volvo B8RLE MCV Evora
26 - BV22 HBJ - Volvo B8RLE MCV Evora
30 - G19 REL (YJ08 CEK)- Volvo B7RLE Wright Eclipse Urban (Suspect this will revert to its 08 reg)

 

[RustySpoons]

Reliance routes to join Transdev York:

Sorry, we can't find this page!

www.transdevbus.co.uk

I'll admit to being slightly out of the loop with things recently, but was this an expected move, Reliance downsizing and Transdev taking over or is it all a bit out of the blue?

I wonder if the Reliance vehicles will move on to other Transdev depots once the route come up for re-tender and/or they can be better aligned with existing services?

 

[stevieinselby]

I'll admit to being slightly out of the loop with things recently, but was this an expected move, Reliance downsizing and Transdev taking over or is it all a bit out of the blue?

I wonder if the Reliance vehicles will move on to other Transdev depots once the route come up for re-tender and/or they can be better aligned with existing services?

Transdev have been looking to buy out Reliance for a little while, so it isn't completely out of the blue, although I don't know what has prompted the change of heart from Reliance's side.

The 30/30X, 31X and 40 are all operated commercially (I think they might get BSIP funding covering the recently reintroduced Sunday journeys but that's all).
The Dalesbus and Moorsbus services are contracted, but they are only at weekends and so doesn't affect things.
It's only the school contracts that are transferring to Transdev that will be up for re-tendering and which could lead to a change in the number of vehicles required.
While there may start to be some mixing of vehicles between the existing York & Country fleets and Reliance, I would imagine they will mostly keep to the routes they're running now – a baby E200MMC or a Strata on any of the Reliance routes would not be a good move! And I can't think they would want to upset their new customers by replacing their modern Evoras and MMCs with ageing Eclipses from elsewhere in the Transdev fleet.

 

[YorkRailFan]

I'll admit to being slightly out of the loop with things recently, but was this an expected move, Reliance downsizing and Transdev taking over or is it all a bit out of the blue?

Reliance and Transdev worked quite closely together in 2018, following the demise of Stephensons of Easingwold, when Transdev took over the 29 (now 80), 31 and 31X. Joint timetables were published for services between Easingwold and York. What we’re seeing is Transdev returning to Easingwold and Helmsley after an absence of some 5 or so years.

Reliance has been downsizing in the past few years. In 2023, they dropped the Monday-Friday 19 service they operated, with York Pullman picking it up until it went for re-tender in September. Reliance also dropped Sunday services (although these returned last Sunday) and later evening services between York and Easingwold. Then in 2024, Reliance dropped the 29, and some 31X services. Both of these were picked up by East Yorkshire in April, with the former being now numbered as the 80.

I wonder if the Reliance vehicles will move on to other Transdev depots once the route come up for re-tender and/or they can be better aligned with existing services?

The 30, 30X and 40 aren't tendered services, I believe, same with 31X services operated by Reliance.

 

[SCH117X]

And I can't think they would want to upset their new customers by replacing their modern Evoras and MMCs with ageing Eclipses from elsewhere in the Transdev fleet.

The first day, a Sunday, might see a couple of the Transdev Go branded Eclipses (for the York-Leeds extra 843s ) in use , unless at least two Reliance vehicles move to Rawcliffe before then to allow them to be used on the Sunday with York & Country fleetnames in place.

 

[Andyh82]

Reliance has been downsizing in the past few years. In 2023, they dropped the Monday-Friday 19 service they operated, with York Pullman picking it up until it went for re-tender in September. Reliance also dropped Sunday services (although these returned last Sunday) and later evening services between York and Easingwold. Then in 2024, Reliance dropped the 29, and some 31X services. Both of these were picked up by East Yorkshire in April, with the former being now numbered as the 80.

They ‘dropped them’ or they lost the tenders?

 

[Delenn]

They ‘dropped them’ or they lost the tenders?

They dropped them. None of them were tenders until they dropped them.

 

[Stan Drews]

They dropped them. None of them were tenders until they dropped them.

They were tenders in 2018 when Stephenson’s went belly up and Transdev/Reliance last worked closely together. Not sure when they were taken on commercially.

 

[stevieinselby]

They ‘dropped them’ or they lost the tenders?

The 19 was subsidised "in part" according to GOV.UK, although surprisingly the 29 appears to have been fully commercial.
I can't tell for definite about the 31X because the site only gives the subsidy status at the most recent registration.

 

[dodecahedron67]

The 31X runs reliance dropped were NYCC supported

 

[Andyh82]

I assumed the 19 was at least tendered as it seems to have changed operators a few times. I think Transdev have had it before, during that era where the livery was “York” with a white rose