Chelsea Flower Show Bus

[MotCO]

In previous years there has been a special bus service operated by Go Ahead linking Victoria Station with the Chelsea Flower Show, nominally route 811. Today it did not run. Does anyone know why not? Is it running this year?

 

[Flange Squeal]

Go-Ahead London's website is only listing events services this year for the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, Hampton Court Flower Show and Farnborough Airshow.

Special events services

1st July to 14th July 2024
Wimbledon Tennis Championships
Our frequent shuttle bus services operate from various points in Central London and Wimbledon Station to The Championships.

2nd July to 7th July 2024
Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival
Our frequent shuttle bus services getting you to and from the Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival.

22nd July to 26th July 2024
Farnborough International Airshow
Why not travel to this years Farnborough International Airshow on one of Go Ahead London's Executive coaches from Heathrow Airport or our premium buses from various locations in London.

Source: https://www.goaheadlondon.com/events-and-hire/events

 

[Roger1973]

I can't answer the question fully, but -

811 is still listed in the London Service Permit Bulletin downloadable here.

But the event website does not mention it, just ordinary TFL services and a 'park and ride' from Battersea Park.

Not quite sure how the LSP works - for a service that only runs for specific events, G-A-L may be able to keep the permit even if it's not running one year. And a park and ride, on the basis that it's a contracted shuttle service with no fares being taken, may not require an LSP. (I've never been involved with services running on LSP, so can't say with any authority.)

 

[MotCO]

I can't answer the question fully, but -

811 is still listed in the London Service Permit Bulletin downloadable here.

But the event website does not mention it, just ordinary TFL services and a 'park and ride' from Battersea Park.

Not quite sure how the LSP works - for a service that only runs for specific events, G-A-L may be able to keep the permit even if it's not running one year. And a park and ride, on the basis that it's a contracted shuttle service with no fares being taken, may not require an LSP. (I've never been involved with services running on LSP, so can't say with any authority.)

Thanks for the LSP listing. I had wondered if they had forgotten to renew the LSP, but clearly that is not the case.

I'm sure that the RHS website usually refers to it, but I and many others were wandering around on Tuesday waiting for the bus which never materialised! I'm sure it was a money-earner.

 

[Busaholic]

Thanks for the LSP listing. I had wondered if they had forgotten to renew the LSP, but clearly that is not the case.

I'm sure that the RHS website usually refers to it, but I and many others were wandering around on Tuesday waiting for the bus which never materialised! I'm sure it was a money-earner.

There's brand new management, so a 'new broom' policy may apply.

 

[MotCO]

There's brand new management, so a 'new broom' policy may apply.

But the clear-out at Go-Ahead London has been fairly recent - I doubt if cancelling the link would have been top of their prioirities. I'm sure it was a money-spinner. It is also operated by their Commercial Unit -isn't this a separate entity away from the main fleets? Wouldn't there be staff and buses sitting around waiting to be used?

 

[duncombec]

As others have said, there is no mention of it on the websites of either Go Ahead London or the RHS Show page itself.

The LSP Bulletin is now rather outdated, but there are no consultations (which are often more up to date than the bulletin download), but it's also worth noting that the Wimbledon page on the website/listing quoted in post #2 also says that the 739 from St Pancras will not run this year, although the services more local to Wimbledon will. Similarly, there is currently no sign of the usual program of summer excursions from the Sutton area to the seaside, although it may still be a little early for that as the summer holidays are 2 months away.

An LSP has also gone in for shuttle services for next week's Champions League final (numbers 855A/B/C and 856 - see link to a PDF download from this page: https://haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/london-service-permit-consultations#!).

It does appear there is a deliberate choice of which work is and isn't being taken on this year.

 

[Roger1973]

Wouldn't there be staff and buses sitting around waiting to be used?

I'm aware that Go Ahead London have some 'commercial' vehicles, but doubt that they have full time drivers sitting spare for much of the year.

I've seen them post adverts for commercial drivers on casual basis for rail replacement and special event services, and have known a few people who do or have done it round other work or are semi-retired.

If other bus operators I've known are anything to go by, they will have a combination of other staff who will go driving for a few days round big events, and drivers who mostly do regular service work who will step up to do commercial work round special events and in turn have their rostered duties covered by other drivers working rest days and the like.