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Arriva (Beds, Bucks, Herts)

espicer

Member
Joined
12 Jun 2024
Messages
64
Location
Luton
Press release quoted below. Sounds very much like Arriva wanted to retain the Leighton's buses contract.
They did bid for it, but Centrebus put in a better one.
Related to Arriva: Red Rose will launch a direct service to Leighton Buzzard from Aylesbury in June. That will more than likely kill off the X4 which takes the most stupid route between the two towns. 55 minutes it can take compared to a previous run of 30.
This would be good. I hate using the X4 because it is so unbelievably long-winded. I doubt it will kill off the X4, though, as a lot of school kids use it for the school in Wing, which I can never remember the name of, and Sir Henry Floyd in Aylesbury.
Isn’t there an outstation in Leighton Buzzard?
Yes, there is as far as I'm aware.
I assume the baby MMCs might move elsewhere as a result?
They will be moving elsewhere. There are no plans for them yet, though. I do see them moving to Milton Keynes, as sometimes they sneak onto the 33.
Send the MMCs to Hemel to kill off the ancient E300s (will never happen)
The E300s are slowly but surely going, dropping like flies and replaced by the Merseyside Pulsars.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

I have also seen that Luton are getting 30 brand new Evoras for busway operation, with 10 being in the UK at the minute getting painted, and we are also due YJ08 EER/S/V from Telford, bringing practically the whole family of Olympuses to Luton. Still no idea what has happened to EEB though, hasn't been since it was in MK and hasn't been spotted in Luton at all. Wish we could have some E400s added into the mix though.
These Evoras are mirrorless which will be interesting to see, not a fan of the interior though from what I've heard! YJ08 EEV won't be coming to Luton, Telford spent a lot of money getting it fixed and don't want to send it away so soon, which is fair enough! And EEB is now finally tracking in Luton.
 
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RailUK Forums

Railguy1

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Joined
6 Apr 2016
Messages
248
Does anyone know if a freedom pass is permitted on the 724? At some point I’d like to travel from Rickmansworth or Watford to St Albans.
 

Edvid

Established Member
Joined
7 Feb 2008
Messages
2,495
It is permitted England-wide (like all other ENCTS passes), including on the 724.
 

greenline712

Member
Joined
2 Oct 2023
Messages
380
Location
Inside the M25
It is permitted England-wide (like all other ENCTS passes), including on the 724.
Just to qualify this ... a (London) freedom pass is not valid before 0930 on Mondays-Fridays.
Hertfordshire residents have full 24/7/365 validity on their ENCTS pass in Hertfordshire ... London pass holders do not.
 

PeterC

Established Member
Joined
29 Sep 2014
Messages
4,777
Just to qualify this ... a (London) freedom pass is not valid before 0930 on Mondays-Fridays.
Hertfordshire residents have full 24/7/365 validity on their ENCTS pass in Hertfordshire ... London pass holders do not.
To digress a little from the original topic, can ticket machines be programmed to this level?
 

ACBest

Member
Joined
30 Aug 2011
Messages
348
Location
Lincoln
To digress a little from the original topic, can ticket machines be programmed to this level?
They can indeed - it’s very technical, but the issuing authority of each ENCTS pass can be identified by the ticket machine, and this data can then be used to reject the pass if it is used outside of the validity time of the scheme.

That can be drilled down further too - the ticket machine is also able to identify whether the pass is a disabled, disabled plus companion or elderly pass.

Finally, the validity periods can also be set differently for each individual service, which is useful in those cases where a local authority may deem a service can start accepting passes slightly before 0930.
 

Deerfold

Veteran Member
Joined
26 Nov 2009
Messages
13,711
Location
Yorkshire
They can indeed - it’s very technical, but the issuing authority of each ENCTS pass can be identified by the ticket machine, and this data can then be used to reject the pass if it is used outside of the validity time of the scheme.

That can be drilled down further too - the ticket machine is also able to identify whether the pass is a disabled, disabled plus companion or elderly pass.

Finally, the validity periods can also be set differently for each individual service, which is useful in those cases where a local authority may deem a service can start accepting passes slightly before 0930.
Or quite a lot earlier - In North Yorkshire they are valid on the 0715 24 from Pateley Bridge. It's not clear if that's for all card holders or just local ones.
 

greenline712

Member
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2 Oct 2023
Messages
380
Location
Inside the M25
Or quite a lot earlier - In North Yorkshire they are valid on the 0715 24 from Pateley Bridge. It's not clear if that's for all card holders or just local ones.
Almost certainly local passes only ... if the standard hours in any area are the national norm, then any easement from those norms will have an additional charge levied, probably very small.
I assume that the next 24 bus is considerably later?
 

Edvid

Established Member
Joined
7 Feb 2008
Messages
2,495
Today's St George's Day event in Luton included an appearance by one of the new B8RLE Evoras, which sports a cherished busway-themed number plate.*


[* Something you'd more likely associate with Grant Palmer]
 

Edvid

Established Member
Joined
7 Feb 2008
Messages
2,495
Yup; one of the comments (by an Arriva driver) says the cherished plate will be allocated to another fresh Evora in the batch.

Incidentally it's not just the busway fleet that'll change; ARBB* registration changes aplenty will take effect on 1 June.

[* Arriva Beds and Bucks]
 

darylyates17

Member
Joined
8 Nov 2015
Messages
485
Location
St Helens
Today's St George's Day event in Luton included an appearance by one of the new B8RLE Evoras, which sports a cherished busway-themed number plate.*


[* Something you'd more likely associate with Grant Palmer]
With these Evoras now due when will the short Evoras and MMCs go to Merseyside?
 

Deerfold

Veteran Member
Joined
26 Nov 2009
Messages
13,711
Location
Yorkshire
Almost certainly local passes only ... if the standard hours in any area are the national norm, then any easement from those norms will have an additional charge levied, probably very small.
I assume that the next 24 bus is considerably later?
It's at 0900, the standard starting time for passes in North Yorkshire. I think the timetable has recently improved.
Today's St George's Day event in Luton included an appearance by one of the new B8RLE Evoras, which sports a cherished busway-themed number plate.*
That was a little early.
 

JasonL

Member
Joined
13 Nov 2024
Messages
223
Location
Earlestown, Merseyside
With these Evoras now due when will the short Evoras and MMCs go to Merseyside?
I have heard the short Evora's and the MMCs are due to move to Merseyside in June but it probably might be a bit later? A lot of the 09 Pulsar's have reached their age limit and due to be withdrawn or shifted to other depots soon.
 

darylyates17

Member
Joined
8 Nov 2015
Messages
485
Location
St Helens
I have heard the short Evora's and the MMCs are due to move to Merseyside in June but it probably might be a bit later? A lot of the 09 Pulsar's have reached their age limit and due to be withdrawn or shifted to other depots soon.
Im St Helens based so expecting the MMCs to replace the 09 plate Pulsars, there are quite a few vehicles at Bootle still over the age limit so I wonder if more vehicles are due alongside the short Evoras.
 

Voyager 2953

Member
Joined
6 Dec 2023
Messages
119
Location
London59
Yup; one of the comments (by an Arriva driver) says the cherished plate will be allocated to another fresh Evora in the batch.

Incidentally it's not just the busway fleet that'll change; ARBB* registration changes aplenty will take effect on 1 June.

[* Arriva Beds and Bucks]

Looks like Arriva are launching an X2 and X3. From Milton Keynes to Luton Airport along with some new routes along the busway. Positive stuff. Can’t wait to see these.
 

Edvid

Established Member
Joined
7 Feb 2008
Messages
2,495
Matching deregistrations would suggest the X2/3 are F70/77 renumbered. Though it looks like the airport will gain an extended Z and the new H to Thorn.

Shouldn't be too long before the changes are fully revealed.
 

JasonL

Member
Joined
13 Nov 2024
Messages
223
Location
Earlestown, Merseyside
Im St Helens based so expecting the MMCs to replace the 09 plate Pulsars, there are quite a few vehicles at Bootle still over the age limit so I wonder if more vehicles are due alongside the short Evoras.
They probably will be. I know Bootle are due the short Evoras and St. Helens are due the E200MMCs as I live in the St. Helens and anticipate their arrival in the coming months to replace the 09 Pulsars. Probably Pulsars newer than 62 plate ones will be coming in as well. My opinion
 

espicer

Member
Joined
12 Jun 2024
Messages
64
Location
Luton
Today's St George's Day event in Luton included an appearance by one of the new B8RLE Evoras, which sports a cherished busway-themed number plate.*

[* Something you'd more likely associate with Grant Palmer]
BU25 WAY will be allocated to 3200, the one in the picture (3206) will be BU25 ZBC. I believe BU25 WAY was shown just for display at the Bus Fair.
Incidentally it's not just the busway fleet that'll change; ARBB* registration changes aplenty will take effect on 1 June.
Very interesting changes, some outright competition with Grant Palmer. In my opinion, the L will outperform the Jo, especially if they make it serve the Lidl and Ocado factories. The 23 seems to be getting a variation there, so hopefully it will stop serving there as the L will provide a quicker route into Luton. I've always said the 23 should just run from Luton to Upper Sundon every half an hour! I do think, however, that the H doesn't have a chance of outperforming the Hi. Grant Palmer runs that very well, with very loyal customers. But who knows! I'm interested that the 24/25/26 is being withdrawn with no replacement. It definitely will be a nightmare as the 24 is a very popular route, but hopefully, there is something yet to be announced. I did ask whether they are considering re-extending the 24 back to Dunstable as a lot of people have been asking for that again, but I was told 'watch this space!' and I've also seen someone say 'the 24 is being withdrawn but will be changed to something we haven't seen before.' So, I haven't got a clue what's going on with that route, but hopefully Arriva will announce that along with the rest of the changes. Also interesting to see that the 4 is making a return? I'm not sure what is going on with Farley Hill, but it's very confusing. I saw a bus stop in Farley Hill last week that said that if a 31 shows up, then it's the 1, and then it will be renumbered into the 31 on 31 May, the same day the 4 is coming back! Yet the digital timetables at bus stops in Farley Hill say the 31 and the 1 are running at the same time! A complete mess!
I have heard the short Evora's and the MMCs are due to move to Merseyside in June but it probably might be a bit later? A lot of the 09 Pulsar's have reached their age limit and due to be withdrawn or shifted to other depots soon.
The short Evoras and the MMCS were supposed to go in January, but last I heard, it would be early May. I don't think they will until all the Evoras enter service, though.
Matching deregistrations would suggest the X2/3 are F70/77 renumbered.
Yes, I'm pretty sure the F70/7 are being renumbered to X2/3.
 

JasonL

Member
Joined
13 Nov 2024
Messages
223
Location
Earlestown, Merseyside
BU25 WAY will be allocated to 3200, the one in the picture (3206) will be BU25 ZBC. I believe BU25 WAY was shown just for display at the Bus Fair.

Very interesting changes, some outright competition with Grant Palmer. In my opinion, the L will outperform the Jo, especially if they make it serve the Lidl and Ocado factories. The 23 seems to be getting a variation there, so hopefully it will stop serving there as the L will provide a quicker route into Luton. I've always said the 23 should just run from Luton to Upper Sundon every half an hour! I do think, however, that the H doesn't have a chance of outperforming the Hi. Grant Palmer runs that very well, with very loyal customers. But who knows! I'm interested that the 24/25/26 is being withdrawn with no replacement. It definitely will be a nightmare as the 24 is a very popular route, but hopefully, there is something yet to be announced. I did ask whether they are considering re-extending the 24 back to Dunstable as a lot of people have been asking for that again, but I was told 'watch this space!' and I've also seen someone say 'the 24 is being withdrawn but will be changed to something we haven't seen before.' So, I haven't got a clue what's going on with that route, but hopefully Arriva will announce that along with the rest of the changes. Also interesting to see that the 4 is making a return? I'm not sure what is going on with Farley Hill, but it's very confusing. I saw a bus stop in Farley Hill last week that said that if a 31 shows up, then it's the 1, and then it will be renumbered into the 31 on 31 May, the same day the 4 is coming back! Yet the digital timetables at bus stops in Farley Hill say the 31 and the 1 are running at the same time! A complete mess!

The short Evoras and the MMCS were supposed to go in January, but last I heard, it would be early May. I don't think they will until all the Evoras enter service, though.

Yes, I'm pretty sure the F70/7 are being renumbered to X2/3.
How many MMCs are going to Merseyside?
 

espicer

Member
Joined
12 Jun 2024
Messages
64
Location
Luton
How many MMCs are going to Merseyside?
I believe all of Luton's are. 3132, interestingly, has NSAS from what I saw the other week, not sure if any of the others do though. I hope you guys keep them in better maintenance than Luton ever did!
 

Edvid

Established Member
Joined
7 Feb 2008
Messages
2,495
Any timescales for enabling Ticketer ETM validation of PlusBus barcode tickets in Luton/Dunstable and elsewhere, @arrivamatt?
 

Zakaria Fadel

Member
Joined
24 Dec 2019
Messages
106
Location
Milton Keynes
BU25 WAY will be allocated to 3200, the one in the picture (3206) will be BU25 ZBC. I believe BU25 WAY was shown just for display at the Bus Fair.

Very interesting changes, some outright competition with Grant Palmer. In my opinion, the L will outperform the Jo, especially if they make it serve the Lidl and Ocado factories. The 23 seems to be getting a variation there, so hopefully it will stop serving there as the L will provide a quicker route into Luton. I've always said the 23 should just run from Luton to Upper Sundon every half an hour! I do think, however, that the H doesn't have a chance of outperforming the Hi. Grant Palmer runs that very well, with very loyal customers. But who knows! I'm interested that the 24/25/26 is being withdrawn with no replacement. It definitely will be a nightmare as the 24 is a very popular route, but hopefully, there is something yet to be announced. I did ask whether they are considering re-extending the 24 back to Dunstable as a lot of people have been asking for that again, but I was told 'watch this space!' and I've also seen someone say 'the 24 is being withdrawn but will be changed to something we haven't seen before.' So, I haven't got a clue what's going on with that route, but hopefully Arriva will announce that along with the rest of the changes. Also interesting to see that the 4 is making a return? I'm not sure what is going on with Farley Hill, but it's very confusing. I saw a bus stop in Farley Hill last week that said that if a 31 shows up, then it's the 1, and then it will be renumbered into the 31 on 31 May, the same day the 4 is coming back! Yet the digital timetables at bus stops in Farley Hill say the 31 and the 1 are running at the same time! A complete mess!

The short Evoras and the MMCS were supposed to go in January, but last I heard, it would be early May. I don't think they will until all the Evoras enter service, though.

Yes, I'm pretty sure the F70/7 are being renumbered to X2/3.
The registration ‘BU25 WAY’ will be given to 3200 apparently as far as I know.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

3206 - BU25 ZBC seen here at Luton Station Interchange today
 

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espicer

Member
Joined
12 Jun 2024
Messages
64
Location
Luton
Oh yeah I just looked then. There's 14 of them at Luton and probably would get renumbered to 2796-2809?
Yeah, all the E200MMCs in Luton are going, not sure what they will be renumbered to, but they are getting renumbered.

Also interestingly, 6449 is back home in Kent, it might be entering service in Gillingham, and 2151 has been sent to Rhyl. I will not miss 2151, but hopefully, I can get a chance to grab 6449 again, as I couldn't get in Luton before it went!
 
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