Citylink stopping permissions

[pjnathanail]

Just seen this exchange on Scottish Citylinks twitter.

https://twitter.com/alasdairkay2/status/552778741043445760

For those who can't see, a passenger is complaining that a coach is making a drop off at a stop not usually served. Citylink say that if it is safe to do so, drivers can legally drop off anywhere.

Does anyone know if this is correct? Are there different rules for coach services and bus services? Or have Citylink maybe done something like register all bus stops on their route as drop off only, except the ones they advertise calling at?

 

[GaryMcEwan]

Depends on who the driver was to start with, sometimes the Edinburgh runs are done by Citylink drivers who reside in Perth so they know what's safe and what's not.

I know on a few occasions when I've got the M8 from Glasgow, the driver has let me off where I've asked him to albeit at a bus stop, but not a bus stop that's on the route.

From that Twitter exchange it looks like they people are just out to cause an argument...

 

[TUC]

Whatever the formal position, why on earth would someone complain about a driver being flexible and helpful?

 

[Greenback]

Whatever the formal position, why on earth would someone complain about a driver being flexible and helpful?

Presumably because they think that the enforcement of rules takes precedence?

Regardless, if drivers end up getting complaints about being flexible and helpful, you can bet they won't dare do such a thing again.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Whatever the formal position, why on earth would someone complain about a driver being flexible and helpful?

It might cause delay if he does it too much?

Some Citylink services are hail and ride, particularly the rural ones!

Neil

 

[Tetchytyke]

Poor Mr Kay, getting delayed by all of ooh, 30 seconds, because a CityLink driver was helpful to the passengers.

Obviously the sort of tedious halfwit who will whine and moan about "discretion" when the boot is on the other foot.

Thought the Twitter person handled that well!

 

[andrew bell]

First world problems, complaining about an extra, unadvertised stop. Seriously, some people need to chill out and relax sometimes. I have been on an express bus (X1 from Gorleston to Norwich) and someone accidently got on it and wanted a 'minor stop' and driver was more than willing to stop there, and no one even raised an eyelid about the stop.

 

[overthewater]

Here is the problem. The twitter user is also not happy with Citylink hacking the AM peak jounrys on that route.

Mind you some of the driver do what there like, some still operate via the Ferrytoll P&R, which there not surpose to do.

If your on a Edinburgh bus on the way out of the city and its stop to drop locals off that pee's off alot of communters.

 

[Baxenden Bank]

Many Citylink routes, and elements of National Express routes in England, are actually registered as local bus services, so have to stop at any recognised stop if requested. There are notices in NX publicity to that effect.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Many Citylink routes, and elements of National Express routes in England, are actually registered as local bus services, so have to stop at any recognised stop if requested. There are notices in NX publicity to that effect.

That one isn't, it's a (registered) express service. However it might well be the case that that simply removes that obligation, but doesn't do anything to stop the driver from making additional stops if (a) he chooses to and (b) he is not breaching company policy in doing so.

Neil

 

[E-Rail]

Express services. These can charge separate fares but passengers are not able to alight within 15 miles of boarding. They can have multiple pick up points but must then have a minimum 15 mile non stop run before setting down. If any of the pick up or set down stops are less than 15 miles apart, then no local travel is permitted between them. Express services do not need to be registered, do not require any notice to the TCs to begin operation, do not have to accept ENCTS concessionary passes and are unable to claim BSOG. Contrary to belief, if the entire route is under 50km, then these routes can still be run under Domestic Drivers Regulations without the need for tachographs and WTD rules. Although, not many are.

Certain NX and Citylink routes are semi express and semi local bus services though. For eg, NX's 007 between Dover and London is a registered local bus service between Dover and Canterbury, but still doesn't have to accept concessionary travel passes as more than 50% of seats can be reserved.

Express services must become DDA compliant from 2020, although any with registered sections will require compliance from Jan 2016, given that most express routes are operated by single deck vehicles.

 

[GaryMcEwan]

Express services. These can charge separate fares but passengers are not able to alight within 15 miles of boarding. They can have multiple pick up points but must then have a minimum 15 mile non stop run before setting down. If any of the pick up or set down stops are less than 15 miles apart, then no local travel is permitted between them. Express services do not need to be registered, do not require any notice to the TCs to begin operation, do not have to accept ENCTS concessionary passes and are unable to claim BSOG. Contrary to belief, if the entire route is under 50km, then these routes can still be run under Domestic Drivers Regulations without the need for tachographs and WTD rules. Although, not many are.

Certain NX and Citylink routes are semi express and semi local bus services though. For eg, NX's 007 between Dover and London is a registered local bus service between Dover and Canterbury, but still doesn't have to accept concessionary travel passes as more than 50% of seats can be reserved.

Express services must become DDA compliant from 2020, although any with registered sections will require compliance from Jan 2016, given that most express routes are operated by single deck vehicles.

Citylink Scottish routes accept all NEC cards we do not have ENCTS here in Scotland.

I'm pretty sure the coaches are already DDA complaint with wheelchair lifts and spaces at the front of the coach for the wheelchair.

 

[E-Rail]

Citylink Scottish routes accept all NEC cards we do not have ENCTS here in Scotland.

I'm pretty sure the coaches are already DDA complaint with wheelchair lifts and spaces at the front of the coach for the wheelchair.

Of course, yeah Scotland does accept concessionary passes on Express routes, and a nice little earner for Citylink it is too with a 64% reimbursement factor per single journey.

 

[overthewater]

Of course, yeah Scotland does accept concessionary passes on Express routes, and a nice little earner for Citylink it is too with a 64% reimbursement factor per single journey.

More like 60% and about to be cut to 58%.

 

[lightning76]

The pertinent point to the OP is that a public service vehicle may stop to pick up or set down passengers at any place where it is safe to do so, regardless of whether a bus or coach "stop" is in existence, except where stopping (as opposed to waiting or parking) is expressly prohibited, such as on a motorway or red route.

 

[Stan Drews]

Of course, yeah Scotland does accept concessionary passes on Express routes, and a nice little earner for Citylink it is too with a 64% reimbursement factor per single journey.

The rate is actually around 56/57%.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Express services.

I don't think this route is an express service in the sense you define (as being exempt from registration), rather it's a registered bus service of type "express" - like routes that normally have an X prefix, for instance. In the sense that they don't *have* to serve all stops, but there's nothing to say they can't.

The oft-quoted Varsity Line X5 is such a beast over most of its route (it's registered in bits).

Neil