Stephensons of Easingwold

[Mr Manager]

After the ceasing trading by North east bus and coach. I have this evening heard that the above has ceased to trade also.

 

[backontrack]

Sad news.

The 29 and 31/31X services between York and Linton, Aldwark, Tollerton, Alne, Raskelf, Easingwold, Ampleforth, Helmsley and Kirkbymoorside have been taken over by Transdev.

https://twitter.com/yorkbus/status/954781785833005056

"From Monday, we'll be running routes 29 and 31/31X between #Easingwold and #York to the same timetable as now. Times for 29 > https://www.northyorkstravel.info/timetable/29sep17.pdf … ... Times for 31 > https://www.northyorkstravel.info/timetable/31sep17.pdf … We look forward to meeting our new customers this week!

"

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

After the ceasing trading by North east bus and coach. I have this evening heard that the above has ceased to trade also.

Indeed - sad to see though there have been warning signs. Another fairly long established firm goes.

Transdev pick up 29/31 whilst Connexions get the 181. No news on the rest though sounds like NYCC have had some visibility and had contingency plans?

Third one in quick succession to cease after Shaun’s and Utopia.

As always, here’s that the drivers a) get what they are already due and b) get back in work ASAP.

 

[317 forever]

It is also another bus company in Yorkshire to fold recently, after Tates, Geldards, Ladies Only Travel and M Travel and the above mentioned examples.

 

[backontrack]

Indeed - sad to see though there have been warning signs. Another fairly long established firm goes.

Transdev pick up 29/31 whilst Connexions get the 181.

I agree with the overall sentiments expressed. Do you have a source on Connexions?

It does seem a bit like Transdev got the pick of the more profitable routes, and I wonder if they'll end up competing with Reliance between York and Easingwold. As for Connexions allegedly getting the 181...they won't try to compete with Coastliner, will they?

It is also another bus company in Yorkshire to fold recently, after Tates, Geldards, Ladies Only Travel and M Travel and the above mentioned examples.

Then there's the whole Stanley Gath charade that came in after M Travel...

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I agree with the overall sentiments expressed. Do you have a source on Connexions?

It does seem a bit like Transdev got the pick of the more profitable routes, and I wonder if they'll end up competing with Reliance between York and Easingwold. As for Connexions allegedly getting the 181...they won't try to compete with Coastliner, will they?


Then there's the whole Stanley Gath charade that came in after M Travel...

181 is from the Commercial Manager of Stagecarriage - a regular and usually accurate poster on NE Bus Forum. Surprised me though as you’d think it would be a fit for Coastliner at Malton so perhaps one to wait and see...

 

[Andyh82]

181 is from the Commercial Manager of Stagecarriage - a regular and usually accurate poster on NE Bus Forum. Surprised me though as you’d think it would be a fit for Coastliner at Malton so perhaps one to wait and see...

That's probably deliberately why Connexions have got that one so they can have petty arguments in Malton as well.

 

[96tommy]

That's probably deliberately why Connexions have got that one so they can have petty arguments in Malton as well.

Totally irrelevant to this thread.

 

[darloscott]

181 is from the Commercial Manager of Stagecarriage - a regular and usually accurate poster on NE Bus Forum. Surprised me though as you’d think it would be a fit for Coastliner at Malton so perhaps one to wait and see...

Yes that's me, and my source is one of my good friends who is a driver on the 181 route, and is transferring to Connexions to continue on there.

 

[backontrack]

Yes that's me, and my source is one of my good friends who is a driver on the 181 route, and is transferring to Connexions to continue on there.

Thanks for providing this information then

 

[theblackwatch]

It is also another bus company in Yorkshire to fold recently, after Tates, Geldards, Ladies Only Travel and M Travel and the above mentioned examples.

There was also Eddie Brown a couple of years back.

Yes that's me, and my source is one of my good friends who is a driver on the 181 route, and is transferring to Connexions to continue on there.

Taking on at least three drivers according to one post I've seen - which is great news for the guys involved (who I know). Hopefully everyone affected by this will pick something up and no individuals or firms will end up being owed lots of money.

 

[SCH117X]

I presume Stephensons must have contacted operators to see who could take what on - Transdev Blazefield have a huge collection of surplus vehicles albeit most are to disposed of and could reactivate a number at short notice to fulfil either directly or indirectly the PVR of the 29/31/31X. I expect a flow of vehicles are heading east from Blackburn battling the snow that is just starting. Connexions have a spare small vehicle having given up their battle with Transdev in Otley. Connexions taking on the 181 does raise the interesting prospect of them working with Transdev due to through ticketing to Castle Howard off Coastiliners.

 

[Volvodart]

I presume Stephensons must have contacted operators to see who could take what on - Transdev Blazefield have a huge collection of surplus vehicles albeit most are to disposed of and could reactivate a number at short notice to fulfil either directly or indirectly the PVR of the 29/31/31X. I expect a flow of vehicles are heading east from Blackburn battling the snow that is just starting. Connexions have a spare small vehicle having given up their battle with Transdev in Otley. Connexions taking on the 181 does raise the interesting prospect of them working with Transdev due to through ticketing to Castle Howard off Coastiliners.

https://www.minsterfm.com/news/local/2482232/coastliner-to-take-over-easingwold-to-york-bus-routes/
https://www.minsterfm.com/news/local/2482232/coastliner-to-take-over-easingwold-to-york-bus-routes/

A spokesperson for Coastliner told Minster FM:

We were approached by North Yorkshire County Council this morning who informed us that Stephensons are unable to operate from Monday. We volunteered to step in on these routes to ensure no loss of service.

 

[96tommy]

Good on Coastliner for taking over a few routes and same to Connexions for helping run routes too as well as take on members of staff

 

[SCH117X]

NYCC have published info of the changes
736H Sharow - Ripon - Nidderdale High School Procters Coaches
760H Great Ouseburn - Green Hammerton - King James School Abbotts of Leeming
759H Tockwith - King James School Abbotts of Leeming
771H Hunsingore - Little Ouseburn - Boroughbridge High Compass Royston
778H Marton Le Moor - Dishforth - Boroughbridge High School Procters Coaches
777H Norton Le Clay - Boroughbridge High School Procters Coaches
770H Nun Monkton - Great Ouseburn - Boroughbridge School Compass Royston
773H Myton On Swale - Brafferton C E Primary School Procters Coaches
849H Thornton Le Moor - South Otterington Primary School Winns Bros
120R Kirby Misperton - Pickering Schools Esk Valley Coaches
157R Linton On Ouse - Easingwold School Reliance Motor Services
159R Tholthorpe - Aldwark - Easingwold School Harrogate Coach Travel
172R Newton On Ouse - Forest Of Galtres Primary School Morse Coaches
177R Tollerton - Tholthorpe - Alne Cp School York Pullman
205R Barton-Le-Street-Gt Barugh-Great Habton-Amotherby School Perrys
166R Oldstead - Coxwold - Easingwold School PNP Coaches
178R Oulston - Coxwold - Carlton Husthwaite - Husthwaite School PNP Coaches
170R Overton - Forest Of Galtres Primary School York Pullman
169R Overton - Shipton (Feeder) York Pullman
181R Shipton - Overton (Feeder) York Pullman merged onto 169R
226R Acklam - Leavening - Norton College York Pullman
225R Burythorpe - Langton - Norton College & Langton School (Am) Esk Valley Coaches
223R Butterwick - Weaverthorpe - Norton College York Pullman
256R Easingwold - Ampleforth - Helmsley - Ryedale School Morse Coaches
195R Hovingham - Malton Schools Yorkshire Coastliner
383S Helmsley - Kirkbymoorside - Pickering - Scarborough Colleges East Yorkshire Motor Services
094S Thorganby - Fulford School Harrogate Coach Travel

County council supported local bus services
Unfortunately, the local bus services in the table below are affected and will not be in operation for the foreseeable future. We will review the services and undertake a tender exercise as soon as possible to attempt to secure replacement services.

Service number

Route

60 Thirsk - Carlton Husthwaite - Dalton - Thirsk Circular (Mon & Fri Only)
60A Thirsk - Dalton - Carlton Husthwaite -Thirsk Circular (Mon & Fri Only)
59 Thirsk - Husthwaite Circular (Mon & Fri Only)
194 Malton - Slingsby - Hovingham
181 Malton - Castle Howard-York
190 Malton - Foxholes

Commercial and private services
Stephensons also operated several services on commercial or private basis. We have no role in the provision of these services, but we have received the information below regarding the replacement of some of the services from Monday 22 January. Queries relating to the Coastliner services should be directed to the company.

Service number

Route

New operator Contact details
29/29A Easingwold – Linton on Ouse – Newton on Ouse - York Coastliner
31 Easingwold – Alne – York/York College Coastliner
31X Kirkbymoorside – Helmsley – Easingwold - York Coastliner
193 Malton & Norton Town Service None at present

https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/bus-service-changes-and-news

Obviously contradicts reports re the Thirsk local services going to Dales & District and the 181 to Harrogate Coach Travel aka Connexions.

 

[backontrack]

Surely EYMS would want to take over the services to Hovingham, and possibly Foxholes? For Amotherby, Slingsby and Hovingham to go from bi-hourly to zero is stark.

 

[theblackwatch]

Many thanks for that SCH117X. Strange that NYCC have put that the 181 'will not be in operation for the foreseeable future' when Connexions are taking it over - the council should be helping ensure it succeeds! But well done to them for managing to sort all the schools stuff out so quickly over the weekend. Have all the operators got sufficient vehicles/staff?

 

[SCH117X]

It does seem a bit like Transdev got the pick of the more profitable routes, and I wonder if they'll end up competing with Reliance between York and Easingwold. .

The 40 worked by Reliance is a slower route so the competition simply has changed from Stephensons to Transdev in who works the faster route - do people deliberately take the Reliance bus the full length of the journey?

Many thanks for that SCH117X. Strange that NYCC have put that the 181 'will not be in operation for the foreseeable future' when Connexions are taking it over - the council should be helping ensure it succeeds!

Nothing surprises me with NYCC, [not] serving [very well] Englands largest county.

 

[backontrack]

The 40 worked by Reliance is a slower route so the competition simply has changed from Stephensons to Transdev in who works the faster route - do people deliberately take the Reliance bus the full length of the journey?

There's the 40 to Crayke via Sutton-on-the-Forest - but Reliance also operate an hourly service on route 30 from York to Skelton, Shipton, Tollerton, Alne, Easingwold, Raskelf, Thormanby, Birdforth, Bagby, Sowerby and Thirsk.

Nothing surprises me with NYCC, [not] serving [very well] Englands largest county.

Yep, nothing surprising here

 

[SCH117X]

There's the 40 to Crayke via Sutton-on-the-Forest - but Reliance also operate an hourly service on route 30

Again can be slower than the 31X with workings via Alne & Tollerton taking 10 minutes longer - those running as 30X have the same timing as the 31X but theres only five or six of those.

 

[NorthernSpirit]

... do people deliberately take the Reliance bus the full length of the journey?

I, my mate and his Brazilian wife have - only because she wants to see more of the Yorkshire countryside, well I can't blame her.

 

[SCH117X]

NYCC are now acknowledging Connexions working the 181 with a note that it is operating on a commercial basis without financial support from the county council. They also list Reliance operating the 31 / 31X as well as Transdev.

 

[96tommy]

Saw something in another forum about Transdev and Reliance running free on the routes they are co-operating today. Let's hope their isn't a competition between them

 

[SCH117X]

Seems that Reliance are running Easingwold to Helmsley services only; not sure whether that is instead of Transdev or in addition to.

 

[backontrack]

Seems that Reliance are running Easingwold to Helmsley services only; not sure whether that is instead of Transdev or in addition to.

I wonder if Transdev rejected the 'less profitable' section.

 

[Stan Drews]

I wonder if Transdev rejected the 'less profitable' section.

No, they've been running the whole 31/31X timetable, along with the 29/29A.

 

[Stan Drews]

NYCC are now acknowledging Connexions working the 181 with a note that it is operating on a commercial basis without financial support from the county council. They also list Reliance operating the 31 / 31X as well as Transdev.

NYCC now reporting that Connexions will cease to operate the 181 from tomorrow (Wed 24th).

181 Malton - Castle Howard - York **

Connexionsbuses* 01423 339600

* operating on a commercial basis without financial support from the county council.
** we have been advised that Connexionsbuses will cease to operate this service from Wednesday 24 January.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

NYCC now reporting that Connexions will cease to operate the 181 from tomorrow (Wed 24th).

181 Malton - Castle Howard - York **

Connexionsbuses* 01423 339600

* operating on a commercial basis without financial support from the county council.
** we have been advised that Connexionsbuses will cease to operate this service from Wednesday 24 January.

Rather odd - almost disgracefully perverse/confusing! Unless there's something else afoot.

 

[theblackwatch]

Rather odd - almost disgracefully perverse/confusing! Unless there's something else afoot.

From Connexions Facebook page:

We have been operating the 181 york - Castle Howard-malton yesterday and today since Stephensons shut down.
We’ve operated this without subsidy until Nycc could sort out tenders. However, the tender won't commence until Monday and we can’t continue operating at a loss until the successful bidder takes over then (whoever that may be),so unfortunately there won’t be any service running I’m afraid as we can’t sustain the losses until then.
Sorry - but we have been in discussions with Nycc all day to try and come to a better conclusion.
If you live in a village along the route please speak to your MP as this is not what should be happening.
We are very sorry we can’t continue- hopefully we’ll see you again next week if we are the successful bidder !

 

[overthewater]

Sounds like "oh we'll not going to win the tender"so sod it.