Competition heats up between Transdev and Connexions

[SCH117X]

It would appear that the latest skirmish isn't going to last too long.

https://www.vehicle-operator-licensing.service.gov.uk/search/find-registered-local-bus-services/details/500244/

Not surprising at all - the 1640 x1C from Harrogate today for example had a complete lack of passengers. Of course with spare vehicles expect another skirmish to be started by Connexions. Transdev will not be that happy however as the bus stop timetable issue has been resolved by Transdev putting up combined timetables for all services between Harrogate and Knaresborough - they will have to replace them all.

 

[96tommy]

Just seen a statement from Connexions and do feel sorry for them. It is clear that Transdev seem to be the problem in the relationship between the 2. Hopefully both companies can work together in the future.

 

[gnolife]

Just seen a statement from Connexions and do feel sorry for them. It is clear that Transdev seem to be the problem in the relationship between the 2. Hopefully both companies can work together in the future.

A statement from one party in a dispute saying that the other party is to blame? That's scarcely what I'd consider to be a reliable source for who's causing the problems. I would imagine if Transdev put out a statement, they'd be saying that Connexions were the problem, and based on what you seem to be saying, you would have to take that at complete face value.

 

[96tommy]

A statement from one party in a dispute saying that the other party is to blame? That's scarcely what I'd consider to be a reliable source for who's causing the problems. I would imagine if Transdev put out a statement, they'd be saying that Connexions were the problem, and based on what you seem to be saying, you would have to take that at complete face value.

I'm not just going from that statement, I've also taken into consideration other things I've heard

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I'm not just going from that statement, I've also taken into consideration other things I've heard

Judging by your earlier posts, you're not exactly an unbiased observer.

 

[96tommy]

Judging by your earlier posts, you're not exactly an unbiased observer.

??? Everyone else sticks up for Transdev and are biased towards them. I've said things for and against both companies plenty of times.

 

[the101]

If this 'statement' is ol' Craig's letter to one of the trade magazines this week concerning his tiff with Transdev, then I thought it was quite amusing. Always someone else's fault seems to be the order of the day. At least Hornby doesn't lower himself to petty exchanges via a magazine.

 

[Deerfold]

Just seen a statement from Connexions and do feel sorry for them. It is clear that Transdev seem to be the problem in the relationship between the 2. Hopefully both companies can work together in the future.

Do you want to share what this statement was and where you saw it or should we just guess?

 

[Tetchytyke]

Do you want to share what this statement was and where you saw it or should we just guess?

There was an article in Route One last week about the bus timetables, with Connexions saying that Transdev are deliberately covering up their timetables. Transdev say it's the opposite, it's that Connexions won't give them accurate data, and are posting "inaccurate" displays over the pre-printed displays. Included is a photo showing Connexions slapping laminated sheets about how the X1 is the "original and most frequent" over the top of the Transdev sheets.

http://www.route-one.net/articles/Mexican_stand_off_over_bus_stops_on_Harrogate_route

There's now been a letter in Route One from Connexions simply rehashing it all again.

http://www.route-one.net/articles/Readers_Letters/In_response_to_Transdev

It really is rather pathetic. On both sides, it has to be said. But Transdev, unlike Connexions, at least manage to remain professional when they're being petty. Connexions' Twitter feed, where I found the Route One letter, just reads like it was written by some guy who still lives in his mother's basement.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

??? Everyone else sticks up for Transdev and are biased towards them. I've said things for and against both companies plenty of times.

Really? A quick summary of your posts on this thread (ignoring some of the less relevant)

• Arguing that the CityZap average isn't "13" passengers per journey as you've never seen more than 10 on one at any time.
  
• Complaining that Transdev has reduced the number of buses to Leeds and York from Tad from 4 to 2.
  
• Connexions has also the ability to improve in the area by establishing the original C1 route from Tadcaster to York via Colton/Bolton Percy and Appleton Roebuck .
  
• Cityzap bus reliability issues - They are 12+ years old at heart. You can't fix it by putting a private reg on, giving it a lick of paint and putting a new engine in.
  
• Means that the Tadcaster - York route has gone from 6-4-2-3-2 buses an hour over the last 6/7 years. Could be to do with the outrageous prices of journeys on the Coastliner......
  
• Just wish the price was right. I made 4 trips on the Megabus to London a few months ago for the same as a return from Tad to Leeds...
  
• I know what you're getting at but prices on the Coastliner route are a disgrace.
  
• And they are annoyed at Transdev apparently removing their timetables from bus stop. Which, if true, is very childish from Transdev.
  
• Noticed Transdev are increasing prices once again. It already costs about a months wage to get from Tad to York/Leeds and back (feels like it anyway!)
  
• In response to "£90 monthly ticket to either York or Leeds - so for an average month of 22 working days that's £2.05 for a journey of 11 or 15 miles. Seems pretty cheap to me as I pay the equivalent of £1.70 for a 2 mile journey."
  
• But for those who travel maybe weekly or twice weekly it is ridiculous pricing.
  
• The Cityzap is not well used at all and now with the introduction of the new Coastliner buses I would not say it is a premium service. They would earn much more money by stopping in Copmanthorpe and Tadcaster instead of having 2 or 3 people per journey
  
• I have generally never seen it with more than 11 or 12 people on. The majority of times I've seen it its been in the lower single numbers and I see it an awful lot albeit usually in the middle of the day and not in peak journeys. I think run it as a coastliner branded service and run non stop York to Leeds in the Peak times (similar to the old 743) what must be when the majority of people use it and have additional Coastliners off peak
  
• Just seen a statement from Connexions and do feel sorry for them. It is clear that Transdev seem to be the problem in the relationship between the 2. Hopefully both companies can work together in the future.

Everyone? Not me and I don't think that's reflected on this thread.

It seems you have an anti-Transdev agenda so as I said, hardly a balanced view.

In truth, there's probably fault on both sides at various times.

 

[96tommy]

I'm definitely not anti Transdev. I don't agree with all of their decisions but they are the company I travel with most so notice where they could improve more. There's clear faults on both sides.

Let's get back on topic from now on...

 

[Deerfold]

It is clear that Transdev seem to be the problem in the relationship between the 2.

There's clear faults on both sides.

Wow - that's a change of heart over a couple of hours.

 

[Andyh82]

Connexions keep saying that Transdev are at fault because they won't work together and constantly block them out of discussions.

But the question is why should they, it's a deregulated market. Connexions seem to want some sort of Oxford Bus/Stagecoach style partnership in Harrogate sharing tickets etc.

It's obvious why they want a partnership as they'd be the benefactor and there is nothing in it for Transdev.

 

[the101]

Connexions' Twitter feed, where I found the Route One letter, just reads like it was written by some guy who still lives in his mother's basement.

The thing that I struggle to understand is how he continually whines about Transdev refusing to communicate with Connexions.

Given the number of derogatory, inflammatory and otherwise offensive Tweets he has posted in the past, not just about Transdev but also about Alex Hornby personally, ignoring him and his outfit is exactly what I would expect Transdev to do.

Alternatively it could be that Transdev call when he is out driving, which by all accounts is quite often.

 

[SCH117X]

You can guess which party has been tweeting #evil referring to the other party. Childish, throwing the baby out of the pram etc who has drivers seemingly ignoring service requirements by terminating services short, why would Transdev / Alex Hornby want to deal with such an arrogant individual.

 

[JaJaWa]

That modified timetable looks horrendous - is there a pic of the combined effort anywhere?

 

[Stan Drews]

Connexions now seem to be suggesting on ****ter that the Coastliner/Cityzap revamp was all geared to running in front of their 13 on the stretch of road between York and Copmanthorpe! The guy is seriously deluded!!

Assuming that is one of the 4 examples he suggests where Transdev have timed buses a few mins in front of his in the last 2 years, I'd be curious to know what the other 3 were?

 

[SCH117X]

Connexions now seem to be suggesting on ****ter that the Coastliner/Cityzap revamp was all geared to running in front of their 13 on the stretch of road between York and Copmanthorpe! The guy is seriously deluded!!

Assuming that is one of the 4 examples he suggests where Transdev have timed buses a few mins in front of his in the last 2 years, I'd be curious to know what the other 3 were?

Harrogate route 6 increased in frequency to 30 minutes instead of the crazy 45/50 minute interval after it had originally been every 20 minutes. The 30 minute interval being managed by interworking with the 2A/2B/3 and which put it in front of the x6/x6A (to do otherwise would have required the 2A/2B and 3 to be retimed) . Response by Connexions x6 and x6A crazily retimed to the same as the 6 (and which also meant the x4 and x12 were retimed as they interwork with the x6 and x6A)

Keighley 762 (now 62) extended from Ilkley to Harrogate on a hourly basis in front of the x52. Response by Connexions x52 retimed in front of the 762 and additional am peak journey provided which they did not see the need for beforehand.

I assume the third is the short 770 workings that have been introduced on the slow route from Wetherby to Harrogate in front of one of the x70s taking the fast route. (Of course originally the x70 was timed in front of 770 but that in Connexionslogic was perfectly acceptable.) Alternatively the 1A extension to St James Retail Park runs in front of an X1 but given the X1 overtakes the 1A whilst it is in Knaresborough Bus Station that really would be throwing the baby out of the pram. And presumably we should believe Mr Temples quote in a 2013 article in the Harrogate Advertiser that "we are not trying to steal their business"...um
http://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/news/transport/residents-slam-bus-wars-as-ridiculous-1-5641372

 

[Andyh82]

I don't know how they are managing to make any money on the X1/X1C. I observed some today around 9am and the buses had between 0 and about half a dozen passengers on board. Transdev journeys probably a good two dozen at least as a minimum.

 

[SCH117X]

I don't know how they are managing to make any money on the X1/X1C. I observed some today around 9am and the buses had between 0 and about half a dozen passengers on board. Transdev journeys probably a good two dozen at least as a minimum.

Glad someone makes the same observations that I do. The X1C is being cancelled but still the X1 seems to be some vanity exercise by Mr Temple, not helped by Transdev refurbished all singing (well speaking), free wifi and usb charging vehicles on its Route 1 workings. At the end of day Transdev is akin to Trent barton or NCT and Connexions Premiere or Your Bus and history tells time after time who goes bust or gives in.

 

[SCH117X]

It might help Connexions if there drivers ran to time. This afternoon as I ventured along the Knaresborough Road an x1 and 1A were welded together at the Hospital stop then a short distance behind them an x1C (2 passengers, one at least had only just got on) and then a short distance further on running way too early the next x1 (empty). Then came a procession of Transdev vehicles on the 1C, 1B and 1C again with the next 1A seen on the approach to Knaresborough Bus Station where another x1 would overtake if running on time. The early running x1 should have been just in front of the 1B.

 

[theblackwatch]

It might help Connexions if there drivers ran to time. This afternoon as I ventured along the Knaresborough Road an x1 and 1A were welded together at the Hospital stop then a short distance behind them an x1C (2 passengers, one at least had only just got on) and then a short distance further on running way too early the next x1 (empty). Then came a procession of Transdev vehicles on the 1C, 1B and 1C again with the next 1A seen on the approach to Knaresborough Bus Station where the next x1 would overtake it if running on time.

To be honest, with the level crossing at Starbeck, buses often end up bunched together which can cause late running and a knock on effect on the following service (which may get caught at the crossing as well!). This applies to both operators - the other week, my dad noticed there wasn't a H&D service in one direction for something like 20 minutes.

The amount of services we have between Knaresborough and Harrogate now must be similar to 1987 when we had Hoppa and Challenger bread vans going up and down every few minutes, so I'm not surprised some are practically empty.

 

[Andyh82]

Yes the level crossing causes havoc, both in the time you have to wait (the barriers seem to come down ages before a train comes even though there is a manned box there) and then once open again due to all the congestion that takes a while to clear.

In Harrogate you can usually tell when the crossing has been down as in the bus station there will either be 2 or 3 Transdev 1s in situ, or none at all.

 

[SCH117X]

Did not seem to a level crossing issue - all the Transdev vehicles were spaced apart at roughly the right interval, just the one x1 running ahead of time.

 

[Andyh82]

I notice that some of Connexions own timetables have even found themselves within Metro timetable cases on the Wetherby route. Unless Metro have some how messed them up, I wouldn't have thought there would be an issue with their timetable displays displaying both operators in the most generic manner.

 

[SCH117X]

Extensive article on Transdev Blazefield in this weeks Coach & Bus Weekly which explains to some extent the Wharfedale bid / operation that aggrieved Connexions so much. Picked up the last copy in WHS in Harrogate at 10.05 this morning!

 

[Andyh82]

Transdev have tweeted apologising for delays caused by an accident at Harrogate Bus Station involving "another operators bus". Could be a Yorkshire Tiger bus, but in any case I bet if it was the other way round Connexions would be naming and shaming Transdev and blaming the French.

Also there is local custom in West Yorkshire that Good Friday is a Saturday service despite being a bank holiday. Connexions are not running their service 38 in Leeds as its a bank holiday. First aren't running their tendered Sunday service either, so the route gets no buses on Friday.

 

[Zxwii]

Connexions bus has gone through the wall. No one was hurt.

 

[Bungle965]

It would not surprise me for Connexions to turn it into a dig at the big nasty French company.
Sam

 

[Plaxton19]

It appears that Harrogate Coach Travel are on a mission to remove the image of their Scania crashing into the bus station wall from the internet - I'm not sure they realise that the person who took the image has had said picture viewed over 1000 times and now shared 52 times. Driver was on bus station concourse smoking at the time and left the handbrake off according to witnesses.

This is further to images on the net that show another HCT Scania driving down the road with the side panel flapping around and knocking into parked cars.