Transdev Blazefield

[stevieinselby]

I assumed the 19 was at least tendered as it seems to have changed operators a few times. I think Transdev have had it before, during that era where the livery was “York” with a white rose

Over the last 20 years, the service to Skelton has been run by First, Pullman, Transdev, Reliance, Pullman (again) and Transdev (again).

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

Reliance routes to join Transdev York:

Got to feel for the staff having to deal with the uncertainty arising from this especially at this time of year. Hopefully those transferring will do so on reasonable terms.

It's also a shame, in anticipation, to see the reduced visibility of a such a smartly turned out fleet in its tidy traditional livery. It was the imposition of corporate images by the national groups as they bought out seemingly every operator possible that helped me lose my interest in buses years ago. I guess nothing has changed too much in that regard. At least Transdev are less insistent on covering absolutely everything with a uniform identity.

As for the vehicles I wonder how long Transdev will retain the 2 Evora bodied Volvos: they are very much non-standard for them.

 

[YorkRailFan]

The 19 was subsidised "in part" according to GOV.UK, although surprisingly the 29 appears to have been fully commercial.

Would that be the Monday-Friday service operated by Reliance, or the Saturday service that has been operated by Transdev for the past few years? I believe the latter has been subsidised for a while, with the former being commercial.

The 29 was cut back severely, all services used to run to Easingwold via Linton and Helperby, this later became only College Services running to Easingwold, and then that was cut back to Raskelf.

Worth noting that Reliance also no longer operates the X70/70 between Ripon and Thirsk. They took this route on following Dales & District (Now Procters) dropped the route, I believe in 2023. This route is now operated by Hodgsons.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Got to feel for the staff having to deal with the uncertainty arising from this especially at this time of year. Hopefully those transferring will do so on reasonable terms.

They will be protected under TUPE so their terms will be protected. However, it might not suit an individual to transfer e.g. can walk to the current depot etc.

It's also a shame, in anticipation, to see the reduced visibility of a such a smartly turned out fleet in its tidy traditional livery. It was the imposition of corporate images by the national groups as they bought out seemingly every operator possible that helped me lose my interest in buses years ago. I guess nothing has changed too much in that regard. At least Transdev are less insistent on covering absolutely everything with a uniform identity.

As for the vehicles I wonder how long Transdev will retain the 2 Evora bodied Volvos: they are very much non-standard for them

Of course, Reliance did actually change livery for many years with a red based scheme in the 50s and 60s.

I guess it depends if the Evoras are leased but Transdev do operate plenty of Volvos.

 

[YorkRailFan]

This isn't the first time Transdev bought out the operations of a smaller operator in York, in the mid-to-late 2000s, Transdev bought out the operations of York Pullman. Pullman continued coach operations etc, and then returned to public services in 2017. Considering that Reliance will still exist (they'll continue to operate some school services) this May be the end of Reliance, for now...

 

[stevieinselby]

Would that be the Monday-Friday service operated by Reliance, or the Saturday service that has been operated by Transdev for the past few years? I believe the latter has been subsidised for a while, with the former being commercial.

The Transdev Saturday service was a separate registration from the Reliance weekday service ... it was the Reliance one that was "supported by subsidies: in part". What that doesn't tell us is how much – it could have been a de minimis payment for one of the route variations or just one or two journeys with the bulk of the service commercial, or it could have been more substantial.

Both the previous Transdev Saturday service and the current Transdev full service are "supported by subsidies: yes".

 

[SCH117X]

801 actually tracked correctly yesterday at Harrogate. Today its either not tracking or has become 1004.
1003 still hasn't tracked; wondering if it and or 1005 and or 1019 have gone to Keighley for driving training on the type; 1005 has not tracked since last Thursday and 1019 since before it was actually 801.

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

801 actually tracked correctly yesterday at Harrogate. Today its either not tracking or has become 1004.
1003 still hasn't tracked; wondering if it and or 1005 and or 1019 have gone to Keighley for driving training on the type; 1005 has not tracked since last Thursday and 1019 since before it was actually 801.

It all adds to my previous comment about Harrogate struggling with their ticket machines generally. Two of their school runs failed to track at all this afternoon but I don't suppose for a moment that they failed to run, just the machines not working correctly. Does swapping machines around make issues with them more likely? With so many vehicles coming into the fleet at the moment I suspect it could be some time before the tracking situation settles down. Oh and 2201 is still sitting in deepest Hampshire.

 

[SCH117X]

They have had issues with the ADLs not communicating with the pantographs for charging at the bus station. Probably 2201 is at the suppliers of part of the kit whilst they work out what the problem is. This caption to this photo on Flickr implies those issues have been resolved
https://flickr.com/photos/6228_leeds/54197089222/

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

They have had issues with the ADLs not communicating with the pantographs for charging at the bus station. Probably 2201 is at the suppliers of part of the kit whilst they work out what the problem is. This caption to this photo on Flickr implies those issues have been resolved
https://flickr.com/photos/6228_leeds/54197

For those not aware the location of the linked photo suggests 2211 was en-route from depot to check out the vehicle-charger interface at the bus station.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Dec 2024 ==

[edit to reflect automerge]
Friday 13/12/24
Unless there was some shenanigans with ticket machines it appears the first of Harrogate's E400EVs has today quietly entered service. Seems 2214 did the morning S3 school run, and nothing else. Unexpected. Also the 7900e's were able to cover all the daytime trips on the designated local services; don't think that's happened in a while.

 

[YorkRailFan]

Transdev will cease to operate the 808 school bus In Burnley at the end of the school term, Pendle Coaches will take it on from 6 January:

From the end of this term, we will no longer be providing the 808 school bus between Burnley and Valley Leadership Academy, due to regular, persistent and uncontrolled verbal abuse of our drivers and damage to our vehicles.

From 6 January 2025, Pendle Coaches will now run this service on behalf of Lancashire County Council. The County Council's standard school tickets will be valid, but Rosso tickets will no longer be valid.

Sorry, we can't find this page!

www.transdevbus.co.uk

Quite confused, how will a change in operator will stop the driver abuse?

 

[aswilliamsuk]

For those not aware the location of the linked photo suggests 2211 was en-route from depot to check out the vehicle-charger interface at the bus station.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Dec 2024 ==

[edit to reflect automerge]
Friday 13/12/24
Unless there was some shenanigans with ticket machines it appears the first of Harrogate's E400EVs has today quietly entered service. Seems 2214 did the morning S3 school run, and nothing else. Unexpected. Also the 7900e's were able to cover all the daytime trips on the designated local services; don't think that's happened in a while.

It has been suggested elsewhere on FB that they are ticket machine tests as part of prep for service - none have entered service yet. Seeing as 2211-13 (and potentially 2214) are now in Harrogate, I can't imagine entry into service is now far away - at last.

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

It has been suggested elsewhere on FB that they are ticket machine tests as part of prep for service - none have entered service yet. Seeing as 2211-13 (and potentially 2214) are now in Harrogate, I can't imagine entry into service is now far away - at last.

That would be expected. And I have noticed such tests taking place within depot confines. But the trip this morning generated actual times and places on the route. If it was just shadowing another vehicle something other than a peak hour school service would surely be more appropriate. A bit of a head scratcher.

 

[Leedsbusman]

It has been suggested elsewhere on FB that they are ticket machine tests as part of prep for service - none have entered service yet. Seeing as 2211-13 (and potentially 2214) are now in Harrogate, I can't imagine entry into service is now far away - at last.

2214 isn’t at Harrogate and didn’t work the S3!

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

2214 isn’t at Harrogate and didn’t work the S3!

So fun and games with ticket machines again! A deliberate wind-up for us data watchers perhaps?!

 

[Leedsbusman]

So fun and games with ticket machines again! A deliberate wind-up for us data watchers perhaps?!

I doubt it - but it wouldn't be too difficult a task, given people actually thought 2201 was in Hampshire at one stage tracking on the 36.

 

[Delenn]

Are these the next gen ticket machines like East Yorkshire have, or the same older (thicker) ones elsewhere in Transdev?

 

[Leedsbusman]

Are these the next gen ticket machines like East Yorkshire have, or the same older (thicker) ones elsewhere in Transdev?

Most of the Yorkshire machines are next gen now.

 

[omnicity4659]

Transdev will cease to operate the 808 school bus In Burnley at the end of the school term, Pendle Coaches will take it on from 6 January:

Sorry, we can't find this page!

www.transdevbus.co.uk

Quite confused, how will a change in operator will stop the driver abuse?

The onus is on Transdev to ensure that drivers aren’t being put at persistent, known risk of abuse and attack every day, so it’s good to see they have no issue with disposing of a contract if it becomes really bad.

It’s not about stopping it, it’s about protecting their own staff.

 

[YorkRailFan]

Transdev have announced some fare changes as a result of the fare cap rising:

Most of our single tickets will be £3, but we'll have a new £2.50 fare for shorter journeys. Your driver will be able to let you know if your journey is classed as a short one. These prices will be for cross boundary journeys between West Yorkshire, City of York and North Yorkshire too.

£2 tickets bought on Transdev's app will not be valid in 2025, if bought in 2024:

If you've bought your £2 ticket on the app already, please bear in mind that this ticket will expire at the end of December, or 1 month after the date of purchase, whichever comes first.

Under 19s will remain £1 in York and North Yorkshire, which is fantastic news:

Under 19s still get a great deal with us. The £1 Under 19s fare in the City of York and North Yorkshire is here into the New Year. In West Yorkshire, Under 19 fares will not change - most journeys will still be £1.20 with a £1.80 fare for longer journeys. Cross boundary journeys between North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire will be capped at £3.

changes to our fares in the New Year

www.transdevbus.co.uk

£1 fares will remain for short hops in Keighley:

and there's no change to our £1 fare in Keighley too!

changes to our fares in the New Year

www.transdevbus.co.uk

Hopper fares in Greater Manchester won't be valid on Transdev services, which is a shame:

If you travel wholly within the Greater Manchester area on the 464 and Irwell Line, the Mayor of Greater Manchester is continuing the £2 adult and £1 under 16 fare. There will be some changes to Bee Network tickets. As we're a bus company based outside of Greater Manchester, the new hopper ticket won't work on our buses unfortunately

simple fares for 2025

www.transdevbus.co.uk

Under 19 fares in Lancashire will rise to £3 but will be £2 for shorter journeys:

Under 19s still get a great deal with us. In Lancashire, Under 19 tickets will be £3 for longer journeys and £2 for shorter journeys. Due to the nationwide price cap, there won't be a discounted fare for Under 19s travelling cross-boundary between North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire.

simple fares for 2025

www.transdevbus.co.uk

The onus is on Transdev to ensure that drivers aren’t being put at persistent, known risk of abuse and attack every day, so it’s good to see they have no issue with disposing of a contract if it becomes really bad.

It’s not about stopping it, it’s about protecting their own staff.

Fair enough, just intrigued how driver abuse will be prevented when the operator changes to Pendle Coaches.

 

[Leedsbusman]

Fair enough, just intrigued how driver abuse will be prevented when the operator changes to Pendle Coaches.

have they suggested it would be prevented?

 

[RustySpoons]

Fair enough, just intrigued how driver abuse will be prevented when the operator changes to Pendle Coaches.

It more than likely won't, but Transdev publicly stating that the reason they're withdrawing the service is the behaviour of the pupils won't reflect very well on the school and hopefully force them to do something about it.

 

[158756]

It more than likely won't, but Transdev publicly stating that the reason they're withdrawing the service is the behaviour of the pupils won't reflect very well on the school and hopefully force them to do something about it.

The school in question has a very poor reputation, so I have doubts about the situation improving. Presumably the school have been aware of this issue for some time before it got to this point.

I notice there were only 3 bids for the replacement contract, and several other contracts in the Burnley and Pendle areas also only attracted 3 or even 2 bids. With Vision Bus and a few smaller operators around, does that indicate Transdev are not bidding for new schools work? (Not that they have much in Lancashire anyway)

 

[Andyh82]

The school in question has a very poor reputation, so I have doubts about the situation improving. Presumably the school have been aware of this issue for some time before it got to this point.

I notice there were only 3 bids for the replacement contract, and several other contracts in the Burnley and Pendle areas also only attracted 3 or even 2 bids. With Vision Bus and a few smaller operators around, does that indicate Transdev are not bidding for new schools work? (Not that they have much in Lancashire anyway)

Transdev stopped doing school services in Burnley years ago. They only do college contracts now

The one being talked about here was run by Rosso as it’s serving a school in Bacup

 

[158756]

Transdev stopped doing school services in Burnley years ago. They only do college contracts now

The one being talked about here was run by Rosso as it’s serving a school in Bacup

Rosso's school services are run from Burnley though, and the 808 starts in Burnley, so there's not really any difference.

I was going to say I wouldn't be surprised if Rosso exit the school market after losing all their contracts in Greater Manchester, but it looks like this is actually the end as far as council funded services are concerned. Their two remaining school routes 743 and 844 (and 864 currently registered as a Burnley & Pendle route) all appear to be registered as commercial services.

 

[Leedsbusman]

Rosso's school services are run from Burnley though, and the 808 starts in Burnley, so there's not really any difference.

I was going to say I wouldn't be surprised if Rosso exit the school market after losing all their contracts in Greater Manchester, but it looks like this is actually the end as far as council funded services are concerned. Their two remaining school routes 743 and 844 (and 864 currently registered as a Burnley & Pendle route) all appear to be registered as commercial services.

Rosso’s schools in Rossendale are commercial - as was the 808. Transdev hasn’t done schools for LCC in recent years. I think the 860/890 to Clitheroe was the last. There’s loads of small operators in LCC who do schools. Of interest the published 2023 and 2024 tender awards all went to independents except one which Blackpool Transport won.

 

[158756]

Rosso’s schools in Rossendale are commercial - as was the 808. Transdev hasn’t done schools for LCC in recent years. I think the 860/890 to Clitheroe was the last. There’s loads of small operators in LCC who do schools. Of interest the published 2023 and 2024 tender awards all went to independents except one which Blackpool Transport won.

The 808 is registered as a subsidised service, and the county council site says it is run on their behalf.

 

[Leedsbusman]

The 808 is registered as a subsidised service, and the county council site says it is run on their behalf.

It isn’t - it would have a $ symbol in their timetable if it were. As I said all their Rossendale area schools are commercial. LCC has tendered a replacement so those it has a duty to carry for free are able to still travel.

 

[Deerfold]

It isn’t - it would have a $ symbol in their timetable if it were. As I said all their Rossendale area schools are commercial. LCC has tendered a replacement so those it has a duty to carry for free are able to still travel.

On their full timetable on this page it does have the $.

Bus Timetables

www.lancashire.gov.uk

Bus Timetables​

This service will no longer run from 21/12/2024. For details, please refer to bus service changes.

808 Burnley - Bacup - Valley Leadership Academy (outbound)​

Monday to Friday
View route Switch direction Print timetable

Monday to Friday​

Operator	ROST	ROST
Notes	$S,SCHOL	$S,SCHOL
BURNLEY,Bus Station (Stand 5)	----	07:23
TOWNELEY,Rock Lane (opp)	----	07:28
WEIR,The Moorlands (by)	----	07:38
BACUP,St James Gardens (Stop C)	07:50	07:51
BACUP,Sandfield Road Bottom (opp)	07:55	07:56
NEWLINE,Rochdale Road (by)	08:00	08:01
FEARNS MOSS,Fearns School (o/s)	08:14	08:15

Key​

• $S - Operated on behalf of Lancashire County Council - School children only
• SCHOL - The Valley Leadership Academy only

 

[SCH117X]

The tracking of a Merc on the daytime Harrogate locals was correct today and not a ticket machine error. Saw it on 1215 route 3.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Dec 2024 ==

As for them abandoning school services there is a whole raft they are taking on in West Yorkshire from Jan 5th as listed by Metro at

https://wymetro.com/schools/changes-to-school-services/service-changes/kirklees-district-service-changes/changes-to-some-bus-operators-january-2025

and

https://wymetro.com/schools/changes-to-school-services/service-changes/bradford-service-changes/changes-to-some-bus-operators-january-2025

Colne Valley High School route CV3: will be operated by Team Pennine.
Honley High School route K1: will be operated by Team Pennine.
King James High School routes K79, K80, K86: will be operated by Team Pennin
Kirkburton Middle School routes K82 and K89: will be operated by Team Pennine.
Shelly College routes 418 and K85: will be operated by Team Pennine.
St Mary's Menston Voluntary Academy routes SM36 and SM39: will be operated by The Keighley Bus Company