• Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!

Arriva Midlands

Mikw

Member
Joined
20 Apr 2022
Messages
545
Location
Leicester
Well, if anything, the 127 certainly needs its timetable fixing. Spending nearly ten minutes dawdling about at Fennel Street or Lemyngton Street is no fun for through passengers.

In fact, perhaps they should run an express route to Shepshed avoiding the villages and maybe even curtail the 127 to run between Shepshed and Loughborough. The 127 as it is now is a relic of the time before the Mountsorrel Bypass was built.
If they curtailed it between Shepshed and Loughborough it would leave a lot of stops in Quorn, Moutsorrel, Rothley and Birstall without a bus service.
I've just been on it. Lovely electric bud, but there were 6 sets of temporary traffic lights. A diversion in Loughborough, and a long diversion around Mountsorrel. It's hard to remember a time when it hasn't had roadworks/diversions during the last few years.

It should also be pointed out that during term time it can get quite rammed with university/Rawlins/ students.
 
Last edited:
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R

RailUK Forums

busspotter1

On Moderation
Joined
23 Jul 2024
Messages
134
Location
NOTTINGHAM
So it seems after a year of competition on X38 Arriva are calling it quits.

With the new service changes X38 is now to run every 30 mins, with no Sunday service & is to interwork with the 20/21 services.

The 4 is also to see a frequency slash to every 30 mins & 4s will now also be interworked with the 26s…

I’m unable to share the post as it’s only been shared on blink, but I can’t see it being long before Arriva share the news
Interworked as in a bus would do 26 and 4 duties to increase productivity?
 

joieman

Member
Joined
18 Feb 2024
Messages
960
Location
Loughborough
If they curtailed it between Shepshed and Loughborough it would leave a lot of stops in Quorn, Moutsorrel, Rothley and Birstall without a bus service.

I've just been on it. Lovely electric bus, but there were 6 sets of temporary traffic lights. A diversion in Loughborough, and a long diversion around Mountsorrel. It's hard to remember a time when it hasn't had roadworks/diversions during the last few years.

It should also be pointed out that during term time it can get quite rammed with university/Rawlins/ students.
Oh, dear, I meant between Leicester and Loughborough... I have no idea how I didn't spot that!

And yes, having used the service almost daily across the past academic year, I can also attest that it's been particularly prone to delays and diversions. I reckon I've been along almost every passable minor road between the A6 and the actual route of the 126/127 in the villages!

Details of the upcoming service changes across Leicestershire have been published:

Improvements to the Leicester Bus Network
from 26 August 2025


It's fantastic to have recently started several new routes providing links to the Leicester area from other parts of Leicestershire. We hope you are enjoying travelling with us on them.

It is important to make sure your bus routes are kept up to date, and we will be making some improvements and revisions from 26 August 2025.

Most of the revisions are on Sundays, including some earlier and later journeys. There will also be some other enhancements throughout so please check your timetables carefully.

**The new timetables will appear on the links below as soon as they're available**

5/5A/X5 Leicester to East Goscote and Melton Mowbray
On Sundays, there will be an additional morning journey on service 5 to reflect increasing customer demand.

27/28 Leicester to Ratby and Coalville
The following changes will be made to service 28:
  • The route will continue to run between Leicester, Groby & Ratby.
  • The section of route between Ratby & Coalville will now be served in different ways to reflect lower customer demand:
    • For customers in Thornton & Bagworth the service will now be replaced by route LC15 . There’s more information on this service below.
    • Customers in Newtown Unthank can continue to use route 153.
    • Customers in Botcheston and Merry Lees are advised to contact Leicestershire County Council for any details of alternative provisions.
  • Whittington Drive will now be served route 28 instead of route 27.
29/29A/29B/29S/X29 Leicester to Swadlincote
The following changes will be made to service 29:
  • Buses will continue to run up to every 30 minutes (Monday to Saturday) and hourly (Sundays) between Leicester, Coalville & Ashby.
  • The section between Ashby & Swadlincote will also continue to run up to every hour (Monday to Saturday) and occasional journeys Sundays to reflect customer usage.
  • Buses will run via Ashby Retail Park/Coalfield Way to provide new links to shops and businesses in the area.
  • Swannington, Coleorton and Newtown Linford will not be served on Sundays due to low usage.
  • There are some other minor revisions to stopping patterns and timetable to improve punctuality.
31/31A/X31 Leicester to Oadby and Kibworth
We’re making the following improvements to your routes:
  • On Sundays, there will be more journeys throughout the day
  • The 0744 Kibworth to Leicester and 1435 Leicester to Kibworth route X31 trips will now run via Ash Tree Road, Briar Walk, Rosemead Drive, Wigston Road, Brabazon Road & Chestnut Avenue in Oadby, to accommodate students at The Beauchamp College.

37 Leicester to Thurnby Lodge
There will be some revisions to the timetable for service 37 to improve punctuality.

44/44A Leicester to South Wigston and Wigston Magna
Some journeys in the later afternoon will now start & finish at Gloucester Crescent instead of Saffron Road and Blaby Road to reflect lower customer usage at this time and allow buses to run on time during the afternoon peak.

47/48 Leicester to South Wigston and Wigston Magna
On Sundays, there will be some additional journeys to reflect increasing customer demand.

49 Leicester to Fleckney
There will be some small revisions to departure times from Haymarket Bus Station.

50/51 Leicester to Fosse Park and Narborough or Braunstone
On Sundays, your routes will run at revised frequency to reflect lower customer usage:
  • The route 50 & 51 between Leicester & Rowley Fields will continue to run up to every 20 minutes.
  • Route 50 will then continue up to twice an hour to Fosse Park, and hourly to Narborough
  • Route 51 will then continue hourly to Braunstone.

58/58A Leicester to Hamilton
There will be some small revisions to departure times from Haymarket Bus Station to help run on time.

84/85 Leicester to Lutterworth or South Wigston
There are several improvements to your routes.
  • Additionally, on schooldays there will be an extra journey from Aylestone to Countersthorpe Academy in the morning to offer more capacity for students travelling on board.
  • On Sundays, there will be some journey improvements for help punctuality.

104 Leicester to Fosse Park
On Sundays, there will be some additional journeys to reflect increasing customer demand.

127 Leicester to Loughborough and Shepshed
On Sundays, there will be some additional journeys to reflect increasing customer demand.

153 Leicester to Market Bosworth
Your timetable has been improved to help get you where you need to be on time.

LC14 Hinckley to Fosse Park
Working with Leicestershire County Council, we have been able to enhance LC14 to cover more of Hinckley and provide better school and work connections.
  • Additionally, the timetable has been revised to offer better arrival times into Hinckley, as well continuing to & from The Hinckley School.
  • The service will now extend beyond Hinckley town centre to serve Stanley Road, Tudor Road, Netherley Road, Barwell Lane, Stoneygate Drive and Leicester Road.
LC15 Coalville to Leicester
Some journeys will now run via Thornton & Bagworth, to continue links between Coalville, Markfield, Groby Road and Leicester.

X6 Leicester to Coventry FAST
Your service X6 will see some great improvements:
  • On Mondays to Saturdays, the service will see earlier trips in the morning and later trips in the evening.
  • Also, on weekdays, there will some extra trips running at the peak periods.
  • If you are working at UHCW, trips to & from Hinckley and Leicester have been enhanced to accommodate shift change times better

X84 Leicester to Rugby
Your timetable has been improved to help get you where you need to be on time.
Revisions to your Coalville bus network from 26 August 2025

It's fantastic to have recently started several new routes in your local Coalville area. We hope you are enjoying travelling with us on them.

It is important to make sure your bus routes are kept up to date, and we will be making some improvements and revisions from 26 August 2025.

Some of the changes will provide new travel opportunities, while others have been adjusted to reflect customer usage patterns.

We know how important your bus routes are, so we have collaborated with Leicestershire County Council to ensure there is suitable options.

**The new timetables will appear on the links below as soon as they're available**

11/11A Coalville to Agar Nook
Routes 11 & 11A will become simpler and serve more of Agar Nook:
  • All trips will run as route 11, running via Greenhill both towards Ager Nook and Coalville.
  • Within Agar Nook, your route will now run an enhanced one-way loop via Abbotts Oak Drive, Castle Rock Drive, Oakham Drive, Stamford Drive & Greenhill Road.
12 Coalville to Whitwick
Service 12 will run extra weekday trips, a new Saturday service, and serve more of Whitwick:
  • Buses will run Church Lane in both directions, allowing two-way links to local amenities along North St & Whitwick. Customers along Brooks Lane can continue to use service 16.
  • The service will also serve more of Whitwick, running via St Bernards Road.
  • On weekdays, your route will now start earlier and finish later in the day, and on Saturdays a new timetable will be introduced.
15 Ibstock to Coalville and Ravenstone
Your service 15 has enhancements & revisions:
  • The service between Coalville & Ibstock will now run hourly to reflect customer usage and serve the new Grange Road & Sence Valley Road housing areas between Hugglescote & Ellistown.
  • Customers along Station Road and Midland Road can continue to use service LC15 or catch route 15 at Central Road or Ibstock Road.
  • Ravenstone will now be replaced by new route LC6 - please contact Leicestershire County Council for details on this route.
27/28 Leicester to Ratby and Coalville
[See Leicester section]

29/29A/29B/29S/X29 Leicester to Swadlincote
[See Leicester section]

LC15 Coalville to Leicester
[See Leicester section]
Hinckley, Nuneaton and Coventry service improvements from 26 August 2025

It's great to have recently started the new LC14 service linking up towns and villages between Hinckley and Fosse Park. We hope you are enjoying travelling on the service.

It is important to make sure your bus routes are kept up to date, and we will be making some improvements and revisions from 26 August 2025.

Some of the changes will provide new travel opportunities, while others have been adjusted to reflect customer usage patterns.

We know how important your bus routes are, so we have collaborated with local authorities to ensure there is suitable options.

**The new timetables will appear on the links below as soon as they're available**

X6 Leicester to Coventry FAST
[See Leicester section]

64/65/65A Tamworth to Nuneaton
Following a successful Warwickshire County Council tender round, we are delighted to have been awarded a new route 64, and extension of route 65, to serve the new Callander Farm housing area up to every 30 minutes. These changes will apply from 30 August 2025.
New service 64 will run between Nuneaton & Callander Farm via St Nicholas Park Drive.
Service 65 will now run beyond Nuneaton to Callander Farm via George Eliot Hospital.
There are also other improvements to service 65 to provide even better links across Staffordshire & Warwickshire.
Buses will also now serve Baddesley Ensor, Grendon Common and Ventura Park. There has never been a better time than to get on board the bus.

LC14 Hinckley to Fosse Park
[See Leicester section]

X84 Leicester to Rugby
[See Leicester section]
[I don't know why this is here given that it doesn't go anywhere near Hinckley other than that it is run from Hinckley depot]

7/7A Burbage to Nuneaton
Services 7 & 7A will have the following changes:
  • Service 7A will be renumbered route 7, continuing to run up to every hour along the current route between Nuneaton, Higham-on-the-Hill, Stoke Golding, Hollycroft, Hinckley & Burbage.
If you use existing route 7, this will no longer run due to low customer usage, however there are several alternatives:
  • St Nicholas Park Drive to & from Nuneaton will be served by new route 64
  • The Long Shoot will continue to be served by route 158
  • Hollycroft, Hinckley town centre and Burbage areas will continue to be served by route 7A (renumbered 7).
8 Hinckley to Lutterworth
Your service 8 will have minor weekday revisions and run up to every 2 hours on Saturdays due to low customer usage.
 
Last edited:

bringiton

Member
Joined
24 Feb 2024
Messages
645
Location
derby
Arriva's published a full list of changes coming the end of next month Revisions to the Derby bus network

4 Derby to Alvaston
Services will now run the current route between Derby city centre & Blue Peter, up to every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday to reflect customer demand. Derby Commercial Park will no longer be served due to low customer use.

Your bus will also continue beyond The Spot to & from Derby Bus Station.

There will be no Sunday timetable due to very low usage.

5/5A Derby to Littleover
Your timetable has a few improvements, mainly in the evening, to better accommodate shift changes at Royal Derby Hospital.

6/7 Derby to Sunnyhill and Sinfin
As a result of the 5 & 5A improvements, your route 6 and 7 timetable will also have slightly different times.

8 Derby to Mackworth
Your timetable has some minor improvements to help run on time.

20/21 Derby to Chaddesden and Spondon
Your timetable will see some improvements to help run on time.

Most journeys on Monday to Saturday will continue beyond Derby Bus Station to Royal Derby Hospital & Burton upon Trent as route X38.

26 Derby to Oakwood
There will be some minor timetable improvements.

Most journeys on Monday to Saturday will continue beyond Derby Bus Station to & from The Spot.

X38 Derby to Burton on Trent
Buses will now run up to every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday to reflect customer demand.

Most journeys will continue beyond Derby Bus Station to Chaddesden & Spondon as routes 20 & 21.

There will be no Sunday timetable due to very low usage.
 

busspotter1

On Moderation
Joined
23 Jul 2024
Messages
134
Location
NOTTINGHAM
Sometimes whenever a bus does the 2A service from Derby and terminates at Chellaston, it runs dead back to the bus station to run the 2 route.
How come it runs dead, surely it makes sense to run the 2A service from Chellaston back to the bus station?
 
Joined
3 Jan 2025
Messages
49
Location
Nottingham
Cuts are being made to the X38 from 31st August with no Sunday service and buses reduced to every 30 minutes.
Other changes include: route 4 extended to Derby Bus Station and route 26 extended to The Spot at Derby.
The X38 and the 20/21 will interwork due to the changes.

Full details here
 

Russel

Established Member
Joined
30 Jun 2022
Messages
5,376
Location
Lichfield
Cuts are being made to the X38 from 31st August with no Sunday service and buses reduced to every 30 minutes.
Other changes include: route 4 extended to Derby Bus Station and route 26 extended to The Spot at Derby.
The X38 and the 20/21 will interwork due to the changes.

Full details here

The X38 reverting to every 30 minutes was inevitable, no doubt Trent will follow...

I thought we'd learnt 20 years ago that bus wars are pointless.
 

derbybusdepot

Member
Joined
17 Dec 2015
Messages
346
The X38 reverting to every 30 minutes was inevitable, no doubt Trent will follow...

I thought we'd learnt 20 years ago that bus wars are pointless.
If Trent reduce the frequency to every 30, they would still require 3 branded buses. Long layovers each end, but would mean that they would nearly always have a bus at the main stop at either end, so would be very surprised if they didn't go for this option. Having a bus sat on Victoria street seems to have helped gain passengers for Trent since their latest timetable change.
 

Deerfold

Veteran Member
Joined
26 Nov 2009
Messages
13,678
Location
Yorkshire
Oh, dear, I meant between Leicester and Loughborough... I have no idea how I didn't spot that!

And yes, having used the service almost daily across the past academic year, I can also attest that it's been particularly prone to delays and diversions. I reckon I've been along almost every passable minor road between the A6 and the actual route of the 126/127 in the villages!

Details of the upcoming service changes across Leicestershire have been published:

I wondered if the extra Sunday trips on the 31/A involved just improving the frequency or extending the times.

It seemed particularly hard hit by COVID restrictions with the Sunday service dropping by 60% and finishing 3h20 minutes earlier (weekdays losing 50% of frequency and finishing an hour earlier).

Having looked at the timetable it appears to have both current and new journeys in it, with two buses leaving at the same time and 30 minute gaps.

I assume the frequency is improved from every 40 minutes to every 30 with a last bus half an hour later.
 

SSmith2009

Member
Joined
20 Dec 2021
Messages
573
Location
East Midlands
I wondered if the extra Sunday trips on the 31/A involved just improving the frequency or extending the times.

It seemed particularly hard hit by COVID restrictions with the Sunday service dropping by 60% and finishing 3h20 minutes earlier (weekdays losing 50% of frequency and finishing an hour earlier).

Having looked at the timetable it appears to have both current and new journeys in it, with two buses leaving at the same time and 30 minute gaps.

I assume the frequency is improved from every 40 minutes to every 30 with a last bus half an hour later.
from what I can make of the new timetable on the arriva website it's going back to every 30 mins combined timetable on Sundays.
 

callum3490

Member
Joined
9 Oct 2024
Messages
204
Location
Nottingham
The X38 reverting to every 30 minutes was inevitable, no doubt Trent will follow...

I thought we'd learnt 20 years ago that bus wars are pointless.
TB must know how profitable or not the route is from the joint operation over the years, i cannot see trent investing in refurbishing vehicles and rebranding if they weren’t in it long term - they would’ve just kept what they had and/or used spares until arriva or they dropped

It would be worthwhile them waiting out and seeing what affect arrivas frequency decrease has on their passenger numbers

Arriva have the upper hand in the respect that they havent heavily invested in the route by keeping to generic vehicles although maybe TBs investment was aimed at showing arriva that they are in it for the long haul
 

derbybusdepot

Member
Joined
17 Dec 2015
Messages
346
TB must know how profitable or not the route is from the joint operation over the years, i cannot see trent investing in refurbishing vehicles and rebranding if they weren’t in it long term - they would’ve just kept what they had and/or used spares until arriva or they dropped

It would be worthwhile them waiting out and seeing what affect arrivas frequency decrease has on their passenger numbers

Arriva have the upper hand in the respect that they havent heavily invested in the route by keeping to generic vehicles although maybe TBs investment was aimed at showing arriva that they are in it for the long haul
I expect arriva are reducing their service to match the demand they have for them, in order to not make a loss. They are very unlikely to give up on the x38 altogether. They are also promoting it as a connection to the Royal Hospital in Derby. They seem to be marketing Derby services as a network, linking key places rather than individual routes.

Trent running every 15 on x38 isn't viable, and suspect it will be reduced to every 20 or even every 30 in the near future.

If comparing costs, Arriva have Mon to Sat PVR (peak vehicle requirement) of 4, Sunday Pvr of 2, Vs Trent Pvr of 5 and 3 on Sunday - so Trent's costs are higher. I could see Trent running the equivalent on the Sunday service all week, the extra layover at the stops either end perhaps leading to them gaining the upper hand over arriva.
 

callum3490

Member
Joined
9 Oct 2024
Messages
204
Location
Nottingham
I expect arriva are reducing their service to match the demand they have for them, in order to not make a loss. They are very unlikely to give up on the x38 altogether. They are also promoting it as a connection to the Royal Hospital in Derby. They seem to be marketing Derby services as a network, linking key places rather than individual routes.

Trent running every 15 on x38 isn't viable, and suspect it will be reduced to every 20 or even every 30 in the near future.

If comparing costs, Arriva have Mon to Sat PVR (peak vehicle requirement) of 4, Sunday Pvr of 2, Vs Trent Pvr of 5 and 3 on Sunday - so Trent's costs are higher. I could see Trent running the equivalent on the Sunday service all week, the extra layover at the stops either end perhaps leading to them gaining the upper hand over arriva.
When Arriva and Trent joint ran the service it was every 20 minutes I believe so its clearly a viable route on that frequency assuming only one operator on that frequency, Of course both running every 15 minutes (essentially every 7-8 when you combine both operators) isn’t going to work long term which is why Arriva have likely reduced to every 30 mins. The question is are people going to move over to Trents more frequent service as a result or will they stick it out and wait 30 minutes for an Arriva bus while 2 of trents sail by on the exact same route

If trent gain some custom from Arrivas change it may make it profitable for them and worst case they could go every 20 minutes perhaps

Arriva operating every 30 minutes may balance their books in theory but only if they can keep similar passenger numbers to what they have now, if they lose some to Trents more frequent service even a 30 minute frequency might not be viable for them
 

mattb7tl

Member
Joined
1 Jan 2022
Messages
254
Location
Huddersfield
Trent could also very much just maintain the frequency despite a presumed loss with the aim of squeezing them off the service. It all depends on how much the company values the service.
 

Trainman40083

Established Member
Joined
29 Jan 2024
Messages
4,523
Location
Derby
When Arriva and Trent joint ran the service it was every 20 minutes I believe so its clearly a viable route on that frequency assuming only one operator on that frequency, Of course both running every 15 minutes (essentially every 7-8 when you combine both operators) isn’t going to work long term which is why Arriva have likely reduced to every 30 mins. The question is are people going to move over to Trents more frequent service as a result or will they stick it out and wait 30 minutes for an Arriva bus while 2 of trents sail by on the exact same route

If trent gain some custom from Arrivas change it may make it profitable for them and worst case they could go every 20 minutes perhaps

Arriva operating every 30 minutes may balance their books in theory but only if they can keep similar passenger numbers to what they have now, if they lose some to Trents more frequent service even a 30 minute frequency might not be viable for them
I guess it depends where the Arriva customers originate from. If they come from an Arriva route, they may well stick on Arriva. Likewise if they want to travel from the bus station. For some, there is the appeal of a cross City service to the hospital
 

derbybusdepot

Member
Joined
17 Dec 2015
Messages
346
I guess it depends where the Arriva customers originate from. If they come from an Arriva route, they may well stick on Arriva. Likewise if they want to travel from the bus station. For some, there is the appeal of a cross City service to the hospital
Likewise you have the customers who have just Trent tickets, that's why the joint service never worked, lack of cooperation with ticketing.

Customers they are competing for are the pass holders and those getting £3 singles. I guess arriva have worked out that's it's not worth using so much resources just to pick up a few floating passengers.

Still think the main reason Trent are doing better now is due to the fact they wait time on Victoria street in Derby.
 

Trainman40083

Established Member
Joined
29 Jan 2024
Messages
4,523
Location
Derby
Derby - I have to say, I was rather surprised to see that Arriva are cutting the frequency of the route 4 from the end of August. They cite passenger numbers have fallen. So I asked two friends who use that service if it was true and why that might be. He responded even he used it less. He lost a lot of interest in it when they moved the pick up/set off point from Babington Lane. He managed when they moved it to near the Spot. When it went halfway up Osmaston Road from the Spot, he travelled less, and more often, used other options.
 

busspotter1

On Moderation
Joined
23 Jul 2024
Messages
134
Location
NOTTINGHAM
I saw 8017 on London Road Derby heading towards the depot, is this the one that had an RTC?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

Does anybody know if the 67 plate MMC's used for the Notts Uni contract have onboard announcements?
They must comply from 1st Oct 2025...
 
Last edited:

joieman

Member
Joined
18 Feb 2024
Messages
960
Location
Loughborough
Does anybody know if the 67 plate MMC's used for the Notts Uni contract have onboard announcements?
They must comply from 1st Oct 2025...
I don't know, but I travelled on a 17-plate E200MMC in Loughborough and it had working audio announcements. Coach 7103 also has working announcements.
 

SSmith2009

Member
Joined
20 Dec 2021
Messages
573
Location
East Midlands
I saw 8017 on London Road Derby heading towards the depot, is this the one that had an RTC?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

Does anybody know if the 67 plate MMC's used for the Notts Uni contract have onboard announcements?
They must comply from 1st Oct 2025...
when new on the Oadby 31/31A they had them fitted but was hit and miss if they worked properly and would be announcing the stop name three stops back.
 

Top