Arriva (Beds, Bucks, Herts)

[SteveHFC]

Details of bus services over the festive break are now up.

Last buses on Christmas / New Year's Eve
Luton / Milton Keynes / Herts & Essex

Reading the Luton details - I wonder if the 23 & 24 are ending at around 1900 on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve, or running through to the end of service at around 2300 as they are not listed on the last bus list. (I know what is showing on BusTimes - but that doesn't help people who aren't aware of such websites).

 

[citybus2500]

Details of bus services over the festive break are now up.

Last buses on Christmas / New Year's Eve
Luton / Milton Keynes / Herts & Essex

Festive bank holiday services

​

Special Christmas Day service 757* / A [Sunday service on Boxing / New Year's Day]​

Special service (all three bank holidays) 133 / 309 / 510​

Special Boxing / New Year's Day service 724^ [no Christmas Day service]​

[* Special single fares apply - Christmas Day £20, Boxing / New Year's Day £15]
[^ Part-operated by Carousel]

-----

Meanwhile, it's disappointing to see drivers' awareness of X1 tickets sold to Luton Airport (and the onward 100, A, F70/77 connection at Luton Interchange included) has fallen in recent weeks.

In the early weeks they were easily issued with advice to change at Luton, where they were accepted for onward travel, no problem (except on the 100, where a bit of persuasion was required*). Nowadays the general message is simply "we don't go to the airport" and most recently my single was issued to the wrong destination** so it lacked the special Valid through to Luton Airport status. Despite having an Arriva X1 leaflet with the transfer clearly explained that day's 100 driver would not budge, eventually informing me they had no instruction on X1 transfers (as I already suspected*). I also struggled with an A driver but they eventually let me on.

I sent a complaint to customer services making it clear a failure to properly brief drivers appears to be the cause; they've asked me for time of incident(s) and driver descriptions, giving the impression - right or wrong - they're interpreting my complaint as being with a particular driver only. Much as I enjoy using the X1 coach service to return home from Milton Keynes, I may switch back to the Stagecoach MK1 at this rate.

Don't know how often arrivamatt checks this forum but I've sent him a DM.

Also worth mentioning the X1 will be rerouted through Bletchley bus station and Fenny Stratford from 6 January. Stops outside the Challney Travelodge and on H10 Bletcham Way will be dropped.

[* Possibly because the 100 is Southern Counties, the others - X1 included - are (legally) Midlands, and notice of the latter's initiative wasn't properly passed on]
[** Usually not an issue for £2 (to be £3, presumably) interurban singles as long as it's on the route, but in this particular circumstance it is]

I used the X1 yesterday from MK and asked for a through ticket to the Airport. Driver selected said ticket from the bottom of the stop list and issued it.

Ticket shown to driver of A at Luton Interchange. Again, no issue.

 

[Edvid]

Incidentally I've not personally seen a passenger (myself aside) purchase a through single to the airport. Provided it's not a deputising stage carriage 'regular' I'll see how it goes on my next trip from MK this Saturday.

Meanwhile, confirmation the £3 fare cap will apply next year:

Changes to fares in Midlands, Bedfordshire, South East​

From 1 January 2025 there will be price changes to some of our fares.
The price of a single bus fare will change but with the Government capped fare you’ll still be able to get around for no more than £3 per journey, plus there will be many single fares which will cost less than this. Make sure you tell your driver where you're travelling as you board to get the best value ticket for you.

We're also withdrawing return tickets and some multi-journey tickets including the 3 and 12 day bundles and 10 trip tickets. For more details see below. [...]

-----[automerge on 23 December 2024]-----

Was issued the right X1 single this time, in part because I showed the driver an example from a previous journey. Moving on...

In addition to the Milton Keynes changes already publicised, there will be a new Mon-Sat circular.

Arriva, Milton Keynes’ leading bus operator, is delighted to announce the launch of The Loop, a groundbreaking new bus service designed to connect key destinations across Milton Keynes. Commencing from Monday 6 January 2025, The Loop represents the most significant expansion to the city’s transport network in over five years.

Buses will run up to every hour, six days per week from early until late.

Connecting communities like never before

The Loop’s innovative route will serve new destinations within Milton Keynes and enhances existing connectivity by allowing seamless travel across more of the city without the need to change buses. These destinations include:

• Oakgrove
• Kingston
• Woburn Sands and Bow Brickhill
• Caldecotte
• The Open University
• MK Hospital and Stadium MK
• Bletchley
• Furzton
• Westcroft
• Shenley Wood
• Milton Keynes city centre

The service will operate in both clockwise and anticlockwise directions, with buses running up to every hour, Monday to Saturday. This new fixed-line route has been carefully designed to link residents to major shopping, education, work, and leisure hubs, providing seamless connectivity across the city.

[Links - map / timetable]

 

[greenline712]

One assumes this new LOOP service is BSIP funded? That seems like a decent use of said funding. It'll be interesting to see if passengers respond and use the route . . . there has been much talk about routes such as this being wanted, but I wonder if it'll last longer than the initial funding does.

Still . . . at least it's being tried out . . .

 

[arrivamatt]

One assumes this new LOOP service is BSIP funded? That seems like a decent use of said funding. It'll be interesting to see if passengers respond and use the route . . . there has been much talk about routes such as this being wanted, but I wonder if it'll last longer than the initial funding does.

Still . . . at least it's being tried out . . .

Loop is fully commercial, with Milton Keynes City Council providing data insights to help design the route, along with support for promotion and publicity.

 

[greenline712]

Loop is fully commercial, with Milton Keynes City Council providing data insights to help design the route, along with support for promotion and publicity.

In that case, it is a brave venture ... 4 PVR and maybe 10 rota lines is a substantial investment to make.
Here's hoping ....

 

[Edvid]

More changes on the horizon for the 100/101:

100/101 Stevenage to Luton Airport
Arriva
Timetable and route change. Buses will no longer serve Crawley Green Road or Wigmore Lane in Luton, but will now operate between Luton Station Interchange and Airport via the Busway. Additional journeys from Luton on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Sunday frequency increased from hourly to every 30 minutes. Further timetable changes to improve reliability.
From 23.02.25.

February 2025

This is a summary of the forthcoming changes to local bus services in Hertfordshire in February 2025.

www.intalink.org.uk

 

[Simon75]

@arrivamatt would a expansion of the Greenline brand be viable?

 

[riceuten]

I note from the Arriva app that singles (in Stevenage) are for sale for £3. A day ticket is £5.60. However, in Welywn, the figures are £3 and £6.10. I ASSUME (though perhaps erroneously that some fares in SVG and WGC are below £3?

 

[Edvid]

Your assumption is probably correct; the presser a few posts above (in relation to a wide area, not those specific locations) says they are available.

My guess is the journey planner only offers generic £3 singles and doesn't utilise the fare stages drivers have access to when they sell singles on-board.

 

[riceuten]

However, with a couple of minor exceptions since the early 2000s, there has always been a flat fare within the whole town for one stop or from the Lister down to Knebworth. I can’t see therefore why they would be offering a £3 flat fare that could potentially apply to a minority of journeys.

 

[Edvid]

Turns out bustimes.org also lists fares provided through the BODS (Herts & Essex fares linked below)

Arriva UK Bus_9939_20260109 16:03:11 – Bus Times

bustimes.org

 

[riceuten]

Just seen from this that local services in Stevenage will be charged at (mostly) £2.70 single, and £5.60 for a day ticket. Would it have killed them to make this £5.40 (i.e. the cost of a "return")?

However, the app only allows you to buy a £3 single!

 

[londonteacher]

Just seen from this that local services in Stevenage will be charged at (mostly) £2.70 single, and £5.60 for a day ticket. Would it have killed them to make this £5.40 (i.e. the cost of a "return")?

However, the app only allows you to buy a £3 single!

A day ticket is not a return ticket though as it allows for you to go on buses for a day. The fact that it is only 20p more than two singles is amazing value to be honest!

The app only allows you to buy £3 singles so that people can’t purchase the cheaper fares and then use them for the longer distance. It makes sense and if you require the cheaper fare then ask on the bus.

 

[riceuten]

A day ticket is not a return ticket though as it allows for you to go on buses for a day. The fact that it is only 20p more than two singles is amazing value to be honest!

Amazing value ? Most people used to get a £4 return and now either have to pay £5.20 or £5.60 - that kind of ‘amazing value’? A 35-40% increase on the previous fare?

The app only allows you to buy £3 singles so that people can’t purchase the cheaper fares and then use them for the longer distance. It makes sense and if you require the cheaper fare then ask on the bus.

That makes no sense at all. People paying cash can ‘override’ as well. Having only a £3 option isn’t going to prevent this. It will mean many less people will pre buy a ticket, along with the abolition of returns, 3 day and 10 journey tickets. Well done non-Arriva, I hope all the I-squared fans who thought the company would be ‘investing in Arriva’ will see through this now.

 

[londonteacher]

Amazing value ? Most people used to get a £4 return and now either have to pay £5.20 or £5.60 - that kind of ‘amazing value’? A 35-40% increase on the previous fare?

Yes, amazing value. A day ticket allows you to travel on unlimited buses for the day with one ticket.

Yes if you only require a return you lose out but overall a good value day ticket.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 4 Jan 2025 ==

That makes no sense at all. People paying cash can ‘override’ as well. Having only a £3 option isn’t going to prevent this. It will mean many less people will pre buy a ticket, along with the abolition of returns, 3 day and 10 journey tickets. Well done non-Arriva, I hope all the I-squared fans who thought the company would be ‘investing in Arriva’ will see through this now.

I don’t understand why you are moaning at Arriva here really and there has been investment in Arriva recently with lots of new buses being purchased to replace an ageing fleet.

If people want to buy a ticket that costs less than £3 they speak to the driver to be able to say the specific destination and if it is £3 they can speak to the driver or purchase in the app.

I agree a loss of the 3 and 10 day ticket bundles is a shame and I hope in something that comes back in some form.

 

[sk688]

I don’t understand why you are moaning at Arriva here really and there has been investment in Arriva recently with lots of new buses being purchased to replace an ageing fleet.

Any sign of this investment in Herts ? 16-year old clapped out E300s running across the network and a mish-mash of dirty clapped out transferred buses , on the routes out of Hemel Hempstead at least

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Amazing value ? Most people used to get a £4 return and now either have to pay £5.20 or £5.60 - that kind of ‘amazing value’? A 35-40% increase on the previous fare?

That makes no sense at all. People paying cash can ‘override’ as well. Having only a £3 option isn’t going to prevent this. It will mean many less people will pre buy a ticket, along with the abolition of returns, 3 day and 10 journey tickets. Well done non-Arriva, I hope all the I-squared fans who thought the company would be ‘investing in Arriva’ will see through this now.

I don't think there are many, if any, I Squared fans

The fact is that passengers were being subsidised by the government. The government has now reduced that subsidy. I've a long record in criticising Arriva but this really is a consequence of the government's actions.

 

[Failed Unit]

Any sign of this investment in Herts ? 16-year old clapped out E300s running across the network and a mish-mash of dirty clapped out transferred buses , on the routes out of Hemel Hempstead at least

I was going to ask the same thing, I sure we will see some cascades from other areas if Arriva are investing. But to have a bus less than 10 years old in this area is a rare treat. We are certainly the Cinderella area.

 

[londonteacher]

I was going to ask the same thing, I sure we will see some cascades from other areas if Arriva are investing. But to have a bus less than 10 years old in this area is a rare treat. We are certainly the Cinderella area.

Any sign of this investment in Herts ? 16-year old clapped out E300s running across the network and a mish-mash of dirty clapped out transferred buses , on the routes out of Hemel Hempstead at least

According to Bus Time there are over 60 bus that are under 10 years old. That is a significant number and a mix of E200MMCs, E400MMCs and a few Streetlites.

Medway have only recently got new buses, with those before that transferred out to the North East.

I’m not a big Arriva fan however there is over 60 modern buses there. Yes, old buses need replacing and across their operating areas they are beginning to invest in new buses.

 

[Failed Unit]

According to Bus Time there are over 60 bus that are under 10 years old. That is a significant number and a mix of E200MMCs, E400MMCs and a few Streetlites.

Medway have only recently got new buses, with those before that transferred out to the North East.

I’m not a big Arriva fan however there is over 60 modern buses there. Yes, old buses need replacing and across their operating areas they are beginning to invest in new buses.

You learn something new all the time.

In Welwyn Garden City, we normally see lots of Optare Solos (61 plates the newest) - The 301 / 302 has some 61 plates but most of the time is operated by 09 plates (when I am using it). The 724 often produces a 67 plate but normally a 63. That said Hertfordshire is a big county and Welwyn Garden City could just get the worst of the fleet because people tend not to use buses as much as the areas with the newer buses. In the past the 321 always had the newer buses.

Hopefully we will see some more improvements soon

 

[Haywain]

Any sign of this investment in Herts ? 16-year old clapped out E300s running across the network and a mish-mash of dirty clapped out transferred buses , on the routes out of Hemel Hempstead at least

I really don't think that Joe Public has any idea or concern about the age of the bus they board, they are more concerned about whether it turns up (on time).

 

[alex397]

I really don't think that Joe Public has any idea or concern about the age of the bus they board, they are more concerned about whether it turns up (on time).

I agree the main concern is if it turns up on time, but there’s certainly lots of examples where I’ve heard passengers complaining about the state of the bus, regardless of its age. For example - rubbish not cleared, windows too dirty, seats too hard, bus full of rattles, bus sounding clapped out. Age of the bus can have an impact on some of those last things.

 

[riceuten]

Yes, amazing value. A day ticket allows you to travel on unlimited buses for the day with one ticket.

£5.60 is "a bargain" for around 7 or 8 short routes in an area of between 4 and 5 square miles?

Yes if you only require a return you lose out but overall a good value day ticket.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 4 Jan 2025 ==

I think the vast majority of customers want a return only, rather than a "bargain" day ticket

I don’t understand why you are moaning at Arriva here really and there has been investment in Arriva recently with lots of new buses being purchased to replace an ageing fleet.

There has been little or no investment in Stevenage. As stated elsewhere, only 65-70% of the scheduled mileage is actually run due to

a) enduring driver shortage (which they have done nothing about)
b) elderly buses failing
c) zero consequences of the above

If people want to buy a ticket that costs less than £3 they speak to the driver to be able to say the specific destination and if it is £3 they can speak to the driver or purchase in the app.

Thanks for the information. You would have thought that a single ticket that only covered Stevenage would be priced at the prevailing rate. There are ZERO single fares inside Stevenage that actually cost £3 (short hop to the Old Town £1.90, more or less everything else £2.70)

I agree a loss of the 3 and 10 day ticket bundles is a shame and I hope in something that comes back in some form.

I'm not holding my breath

 

[londonteacher]

£5.60 is "a bargain" for around 7 or 8 short routes in an area of between 4 and 5 square miles?

I think the vast majority of customers want a return only, rather than a "bargain" day ticket

There has been little or no investment in Stevenage. As stated elsewhere, only 65-70% of the scheduled mileage is actually run due to

a) enduring driver shortage (which they have done nothing about)
b) elderly buses failing
c) zero consequences of the above

If people want to buy a ticket that costs less than £3 they speak to the driver to be able to say the specific destination and if it is £3 they can speak to the driver or purchase in the app.

Thanks for the information. You would have thought that a single ticket that only covered Stevenage would be priced at the prevailing rate. There are ZERO single fares inside Stevenage that actually cost £3 (short hop to the Old Town £1.90, more or less everything else £2.70)

I'm not holding my breath

So, what would be a fare price for a single ticket within Stevenage? For example, if singles were priced at £1.40 and you required 4 buses in a day then a day ticket is of equivalent value.

With regards to driver shortage, Arriva could hire more but then their overheads grow and fares might have to subsequently rise to meet this. The solution is Arriva should only schedule services they can run with the staff that they have.

Ultimately, Arriva is a private company and they have to make money for shareholders. That is what private companies do. If Hertfordshire wanted to (or Stevenage council wanted to) they could subsidise fares in the area.

But, otherwise until the local area goes with the Bee Network or upcoming Merseyside franchising model and regulates fares there is nothing that will change.

 

[riceuten]

Turns out bustimes.org also lists fares provided through the BODS (Herts & Essex fares linked below)

Arriva UK Bus_9939_20260109 16:03:11 – Bus Times

bustimes.org

This is strange - I looked when the link was originally posted (which how I knew the new Stevenage fares). These now seem to have disappeared from the list

 

[Mwanesh]

Any sign of this investment in Herts ? 16-year old clapped out E300s running across the network and a mish-mash of dirty clapped out transferred buses , on the routes out of Hemel Hempstead at least

The last new buses for Stevenage were the 11 plate Volvos for the 100/101 .Everything has been cascades

 

[Ediswan]

Thanks for the information. You would have thought that a single ticket that only covered Stevenage would be priced at the prevailing rate. There are ZERO single fares inside Stevenage that actually cost £3 (short hop to the Old Town £1.90, more or less everything else £2.70)

What Arriva appear to have achieved is that the cheapest 'return' fare they offer requires paying on board, twice. This may not go down well with those who advocate speedy boarding. (I don't use the bus often enough to benefit from a weekly ticket.)

 

[JasonL]

Does anyone have any updates about the 17 plate E200MMCs that are due to go North?

 

[darloscott]

Does anyone have any updates about the 17 plate E200MMCs that are due to go North?

Preusmably not until they get replaced with the new Evora's which we're told in NE they're delayed til around June time, so assume it'll be April/May before the first lot arrive.