Staffordshire Bus News

[cnjb8]

68 electrics is definitely all of Leicester's single deckers, at a push some StreetDecks too

 

[davehsug]

There was a High Peak liveried single Decker on D & G's X32 service this afternoon. Can't give any details I'm afraid, I was driving in the opposite direction!

 

[43055]

There was a High Peak liveried single Decker on D & G's X32 service this afternoon. Can't give any details I'm afraid, I was driving in the opposite direction!

Bus times shows 2 Enviro 200's recently moving from High Peak. These being:
593 - YY64 GWL
594 - YY64 GWM (on the 32's today)

 

[cnjb8]

The E200s were exchanged for Solo SRs 104/6 YJ13 HND/F

 

[33109]

The E200s were exchanged for Solo SRs 104/6 YJ13 HND/F

It's nly a temporary move until march; the railway bridge in Whaley Bridge town centre is being worked on so the E200s are currently too big for some of the temporary routes, hence the loan.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Jan 2023 ==

Aimees of Leek have recently bought some new ticket machines. I can't remember the name of them but it means they can now do contactless finally.

Also chatting to a mate t'other week who knows the owner & assures me that repaints of the solos will happen apparently.

 

[zuriblue]

Aimees of Leek have recently bought some new ticket machines. I can't remember the name of them but it means they can now do contactless finally.

Looking at their Facebook page (their website doesn't work) the new machines are Transmach, same as Hulley's of Baslow.

 

[G760XRE]

I have noticed at least 1 of the ex Potteries Volvo B7TL dockers have ended up with Reliance Motor Services in York. Found a photo of 37157 with them and it seems they may have also acquired 37146/56/60 too (although I can't find any pictures to confirm this, and I'm not going to York to find out!). Does anyone know how many of the withdrawn B7TLs have found new owners, and which ones?

Ex 37157

https://www.flickr.com/photos/gridman1965/52686665703/

 

[G760XRE]

Anyone know what's happened to First Potteries 67175 YX66WBN. Not tracked since early January (link to bustimes https://bustimes.org/vehicles/fpot-67175) and I'm local and haven't seen it about at all physically, so unlikely a tracking issue.
I know these ex Eclipse E200's have been branded on arrival from First Portsmouth claiming they shall be repainted soon, and that was nearly a year ago now. Makes me wonder if this is the first to finally be sent away for repaint. Does anyone know?

 

[mjc]

Anyone know what's happened to First Potteries 67175 YX66WBN. Not tracked since early January (link to bustimes https://bustimes.org/vehicles/fpot-67175) and I'm local and haven't seen it about at all physically, so unlikely a tracking issue.
I know these ex Eclipse E200's have been branded on arrival from First Portsmouth claiming they shall be repainted soon, and that was nearly a year ago now. Makes me wonder if this is the first to finally be sent away for repaint. Does anyone know?

It appears to have clocked off early on the last day it was running (compare with the equivalent board the next week: https://bustimes.org/vehicles/fpot-67176?date=2023-01-18) so could we’ll have been a serious breakdown/accident…

 

[G760XRE]

Saw First E200 44511 DK57SPZ being returned to Adderley Green depot on suspended tow today around 18:30. Mapping data from Bustimes.org suggests it failed in Fenton on a 6 bound for Hanley earlier in the afternoon

44511 - DK57 SPZ

ADL Enviro200

bustimes.org

 

[Lewisham2221]

First Streetlite 63347 transferred from Leicester to Adderley Green. More due to follow.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 May 2023 ==

Anyone know what's happened to First Potteries 67175 YX66WBN. Not tracked since early January (link to bustimes https://bustimes.org/vehicles/fpot-67175) and I'm local and haven't seen it about at all physically, so unlikely a tracking issue.
I know these ex Eclipse E200's have been branded on arrival from First Portsmouth claiming they shall be repainted soon, and that was nearly a year ago now. Makes me wonder if this is the first to finally be sent away for repaint. Does anyone know?

Most, if not all, of them have now had the "I'll be repainted soon" vinyls removed

 

[43055]

First Streetlite 63347 transferred from Leicester to Adderley Green. More due to follow.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 May 2023 ==


Most, if not all, of them have now had the "I'll be repainted soon" vinyls removed

Would imagine these will replace the remaining Omnicity's.

 

[Simon75]

A reply from a First Potteries boss, on a First bus Enthusiasts group , in reference to the 18 that no initial plans to increase frequency on the 18 Hanley to Leek (pre covid it was every 20 minutes, but now hourly)

 

[G760XRE]

First Streetlite 63347 transferred from Leicester to Adderley Green. More due to follow.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 May 2023 ==


Most, if not all, of them have now had the "I'll be repainted soon" vinyls removed

Would imagine these will replace the remaining Omnicity's.

Almost certainly will see off the remaining Omnicities. Also, according to a South Yorkshire forum, 63012/34 are due to go as well as these are leased not owned by First.

First South Yorkshire Fleet | South Yorkshire Transport Forum

It is reported 60721/722/724/725/726/727/728/729/730/742 are to transfer to Rotherham tomorrow daytime. It is also reported all 4 Streetlite prototypes 47401-47404 will also move to Rotherham with

travelsy.proboards.com

Its good Potteries are getting the newer '65' plate examples. I expected we'd end up with more of the SM13N** batch when Leicester started putting their new electric singles into service. Wonder if 63250 will make a return?

 

[cnjb8]

Almost certainly will see off the remaining Omnicities. Also, according to a South Yorkshire forum, 63012/34 are due to go as well as these are leased not owned by First.

First South Yorkshire Fleet | South Yorkshire Transport Forum

It is reported 60721/722/724/725/726/727/728/729/730/742 are to transfer to Rotherham tomorrow daytime. It is also reported all 4 Streetlite prototypes 47401-47404 will also move to Rotherham with

travelsy.proboards.com

Its good Potteries are getting the newer '65' plate examples. I expected we'd end up with more of the SM13N** batch when Leicester started putting their new electric singles into service. Wonder if 63250 will make a return?

Some of Leicester's SM13Nxx batch are going off lease soon too, some have been sold to Rotala

 

[Baxenden Bank]

A reply from a First Potteries boss, on a First bus Enthusiasts group , in reference to the 18 that no initial plans to increase frequency on the 18 Hanley to Leek (pre covid it was every 20 minutes, but now hourly)

I wonder if this is the same boss who thinks First won't be running in The Potteries in five years? If the management have no faith, what chance does the passenger stand?

I do think those on the 18 route have cause to complain but I also think no-one who has any influence cares.

 

[SSmith2009]

Some of Leicester's SM13Nxx batch are going off lease soon too, some have been sold to Rotala

63068, 63069 and 63072-63078 are the ones going to Rotala but most are still being used in Leicester for now.

 

[mjc]

I wonder if this is the same boss who thinks First won't be running in The Potteries in five years? If the management have no faith, what chance does the passenger stand?

I do think those on the 18 route have cause to complain but I also think no-one who has any influence cares.

It’s a real shame the 18 has been allowed to decline to this level, and really needs some reinvigorating but you need the pockets to carry it for a while the demand catches up. It maybe also needs some rethinking and either extending back to Keele (or at least Stoke for the station) or a variation which instead of going up through Snead Green carries on along Leek Road to serve the edge of Festival Park and Etruria Valley, then either the hospital or station, that would connect a significant population with key employment and leisure destinations and save the change in Hanley.

 

[G760XRE]

First E200 44515 caught fire in service earlier today. Not that a decision has been made on its fate officially, but I can't see this one being back.

Recap: First bus engulfed in flames on Victoria Road

www.stokesentinel.co.uk

 

[James101]

Revised timetables for D&G 2 & 43 from 2nd July now on their website:

http://www.dgbus.co.uk/assets/2_2023-07-02.pdf

http://www.dgbus.co.uk/assets/43_2023-07-02.pdf

2 remains half-hourly but only running from 09:30-16:00 - aprox 2 hours off each end of today's operation.
43 reduced to hourly with roughly same first/last journeys, seems to continue to interwork with the 24 from that date without the second 43 only bus.

 

[SeanM1997]

First Potteries have registered to vary the timetables of 9 routes from 2 July 2023:
3 (3A); 4 (4A, 4E); 6 (6A, 6C); 7 (7A); 11 (11B); 18; 25; 99 (98) and 101

This is likely to mean first and last journeys being cut as well as potentially some timetable variations. Will post the revised timetables once published

 

[Baxenden Bank]

First Potteries have registered to vary the timetables of 9 routes from 2 July 2023:
3 (3A); 4 (4A, 4E); 6 (6A, 6C); 7 (7A); 11 (11B); 18; 25; 99 (98) and 101

This is likely to mean first and last journeys being cut as well as potentially some timetable variations. Will post the revised timetables once published

Not necessarily.

The "STOKE-ON-TRENT ENHANCED PARTNERSHIP PLAN AND SCHEME FOR BUSES" is due to kick in in July. The March 2023 version includes proposals for reduced fares and a number of service improvements, so it may be those. Or there may indeed be an overlap of registrations, reductions followed by enhancements!

The details are shown within the above document which is available on the Stoke-on-Trent City Council website (somewhere, don't ask me to find it again, I hate the site generally and especially the search function).

Appendix 2, page 71, extract:

From 1st July, 2023:
A range of discounted bus fares will be introduced for all bus operator journeys made within the Stoke-on-Trent bus network (covering the current SMART pass area).
The discounted fares will be in place for a minimum of 12 months (from 1st July 2023 to 30th June 2024), and subject to demand monitoring and available funding, the intention is to extend the discounted fares period for a further 12 months, from 1st July 2024 to 30th June 2025.

Adult Returns within the Smart area are proposed to be abolished as the reduced day ticket price will be £3.50 (reduced from £5.20).

Table 2 (starts page 114)
Details the proposed service improvements.
Includes the linking of service 3 and 6 to create a new cross-city service (reducing the frequency to Crewe to hourly to provide the resources!). It also lists proposed frequencies on other routes, first and last buses etc.

I can't cut and paste it - the formatting comes out all wrong in Word or Excel!

 

[SeanM1997]

Not necessarily.

The "STOKE-ON-TRENT ENHANCED PARTNERSHIP PLAN AND SCHEME FOR BUSES" is due to kick in in July. The March 2023 version includes proposals for reduced fares and a number of service improvements, so it may be those. Or there may indeed be an overlap of registrations, reductions followed by enhancements!

The details are shown within the above document which is available on the Stoke-on-Trent City Council website (somewhere, don't ask me to find it again, I hate the site generally and especially the search function).

Appendix 2, page 71, extract:

Adult Returns within the Smart area are proposed to be abolished as the reduced day ticket price will be £3.50 (reduced from £5.20).

Table 2 (starts page 114)
Details the proposed service improvements.
Includes the linking of service 3 and 6 to create a new cross-city service (reducing the frequency to Crewe to hourly to provide the resources!). It also lists proposed frequencies on other routes, first and last buses etc.

I can't cut and paste it - the formatting comes out all wrong in Word or Excel!

Cutting the Crewe service to hourly? That won't go down well... that's crying out for D&G to compete. Hopefully it won't happen

 

[Simon75]

Not necessarily.

The "STOKE-ON-TRENT ENHANCED PARTNERSHIP PLAN AND SCHEME FOR BUSES" is due to kick in in July. The March 2023 version includes proposals for reduced fares and a number of service improvements, so it may be those. Or there may indeed be an overlap of registrations, reductions followed by enhancements!

The details are shown within the above document which is available on the Stoke-on-Trent City Council website (somewhere, don't ask me to find it again, I hate the site generally and especially the search function).

Appendix 2, page 71, extract:

Adult Returns within the Smart area are proposed to be abolished as the reduced day ticket price will be £3.50 (reduced from £5.20).

Table 2 (starts page 114)
Details the proposed service improvements.
Includes the linking of service 3 and 6 to create a new cross-city service (reducing the frequency to Crewe to hourly to provide the resources!). It also lists proposed frequencies on other routes, first and last buses etc.

I can't cut and paste it - the formatting comes out all wrong in Word or Excel!

Which 6 are you on about the the new 6 Crewe to Leighton Hospital or 6 to Blythe Bridge?

 

[SeanM1997]

Which 6 are you on about the the new 6 Crewe to Leighton Hospital or 6 to Blyth Bridge?

Cutting Crewe - Hanley from 2bph to 1bph (document says could be curtailed to Crewe - Kidsgrove only) and to join up with 6 in South Stoke

But this was written before First took over the former Arriva route in Crewe so things may have changed

 

[Baxenden Bank]

Revised timetables for First Potteries services from July can now be viewed on the Traveline SW site, start here. Click on 'route timetable' across the top, then enter 'first potteries' against operator.

 

[SeanM1997]

Revised timetables for First Potteries services from July can now be viewed on the Traveline SW site, start here. Click on 'route timetable' across the top, then enter 'first potteries' against operator.

I cant seem to see the new timetables for route 3 (Crewe - Hanley)

 

[Martin1988]

Find the most recent timetable on Traveline and the new one from July onwards is also on there with a number key at the bottom to distinguish the old and the new.

The change to the 3 involves the last journey being an hour earlier in each direction (so 1930ish from both Crewe and Hanley) except on on Saturday when the last journey from Crewe to Hanley is seemingly at 1830.

The 3A and 25 all seem to be having cuts to evening journeys too and not even looked at the timetables for the other services.

 

[43055]

Revised timetables for First Potteries services from July can now be viewed on the Traveline SW site, start here. Click on 'route timetable' across the top, then enter 'first potteries' against operator.

From what I can see the only evening service after around 2000 will be the 25 Monday to Saturday. The 7 seems to be cut to hourly Monday to Saturday as well from what I have seen so far.

 

[davehsug]

How is it possible that an urban area with a poulation of 350,000 can be left with no evening services? It really is an absolute scandal.