Transdev Blazefield

[Deerfold]

Which will do its usual trick this September of catching-out freshers at Leeds Beckett University who, wanting the Beckett Park campus from Leeds, stay on past the Headingley Arndale stop and find themselves a couple of miles up Otley Road outside Lawnswood School.

Perhaps both First and Metro should advertise that that is what will happen.
The Leeds map and timetable do not include this route as having any limited stop sections.

 

[Andyh82]

The fact that Coastliner are reverting to the old so called 'winter' timetable right at the start of September suggests to me that increasing Scarborough to every 30 minutes wasn't quite as popular as expected

Any summer enhancements would usually run a bit longer than that, particularly as it started in May rather than something just for the school holidays

This also means Leeds gets its direct Whitby buses back

 

[Goldfish62]

The fact that Coastliner are reverting to the old so called 'winter' timetable right at the start of September suggests to me that increasing Scarborough to every 30 minutes wasn't quite as popular as expected

Any summer enhancements would usually run a bit longer than that, particularly as it started in May rather than something just for the school holidays

This also means Leeds gets its direct Whitby buses back

I wonder if the fact it coincides with the significant reduction in government Covid support for local bus services is just incidental.

 

[Leedsbusman]

The fact that Coastliner are reverting to the old so called 'winter' timetable right at the start of September suggests to me that increasing Scarborough to every 30 minutes wasn't quite as popular as expected

Any summer enhancements would usually run a bit longer than that, particularly as it started in May rather than something just for the school holidays

This also means Leeds gets its direct Whitby buses back

The end of the summer extras in 2021 is the equivalent weekend as the 2018 and 2019 ones when they ran as Coastliner Express.

 

[theblackwatch]

Has anyone been on a Team Pennine bus yet? Is it better than Yorkshire Tiger was? Any reactions from other passengers?

I had a bit of time in Halifax one day last week and decided to cover the 20/21 which run to Rye Lane. Both routes are supposed to run every 30 minutes, and I reckon requires 3 or 4 vehicles. However, only one bus (decker 2203) was in service on the routes, meaning that more than half the services were cancelled. Nothing on the 'service updates' on their website, or on Twitter, about the cancellations. Perhaps they have 'pingdemic' issues, but definitely a case of "could do better"!

 

[RustySpoons]

I had a bit of time in Halifax one day last week and decided to cover the 20/21 which run to Rye Lane. Both routes are supposed to run every 30 minutes, and I reckon requires 3 or 4 vehicles. However, only one bus (decker 2203) was in service on the routes, meaning that more than half the services were cancelled. Nothing on the 'service updates' on their website, or on Twitter, about the cancellations. Perhaps they have 'pingdemic' issues, but definitely a case of "could do better"!

This is one thing I find deeply frustrating. Sometimes they're on the ball with announcing cancellations or issues with services, other times as in your case there's absolutely nothing.

---

Mysterious tweet from Alex Hornby...

Tweet from @AlexTransdev

A UK first is on its way to @harrogatebus

I'm sure someone in the know will be able to provide more details, I don't have a clue what it is other than a Citaro! Though I'm guessing it's electric.

 

[skyhigh]

I'm sure someone in the know will be able to provide more details, I don't have a clue what it is other than a Citaro! Though I'm guessing it's electric.

That's definitely an eCitaro - I imagine it's linked to a recent tweet from him regarding a bid for funding to convert most of their Harrogate operations to electric vehicles.

 

[aswilliamsuk]

That's definitely an eCitaro - I imagine it's linked to a recent tweet from him regarding a bid for funding to convert most of their Harrogate operations to electric vehicles.

Agreed - the bid has been made public, covering 20 single-decks and 19 double-decks (story in the Yorkshire Post on Saturday: https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/new...uses-in-battle-against-climate-change-3346081)

Harrogate district set to see introduction of multi-million pound fleet of electric buses in battle against climate change​

The plans to convert the bus fleet to electric vehicles is being drawn up by North Yorkshire County Council in the hope of improving transport links between key destinations while also curbing harmful emissions in the battle against climate change.

The Government has now invited the council, which is working with The Harrogate Bus Company, part of Transdev, on the scheme, to bid for more than £8m to finance the initiative across the Harrogate district.

to convert all remaining services in Harrogate (including the 36, 1 and 7 groups) to electric vehicles. The final bid (and approvals) for phase two of the ZEBRA (Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas) Scheme - of which this is part - is not due to be awarded until early 2022, so clearly Transdev is having a good look at their options - they've already looked at the Yutong E12 and BYD/ADL E200 MMC, and of course, already run the Volvo 7900e.

Believe the UK first about the eCitaro is that Transdev will be the first to trial it, since the UK version was unveiled at Farnborough recently.

 

[LOL The Irony]

I don't have a clue what it is other than a Citaro! Though I'm guessing it's electric.

It is the eCitaro.

 

[RustySpoons]

Agreed - the bid has been made public, covering 20 single-decks and 19 double-decks (story in the Yorkshire Post on Saturday: https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/new...uses-in-battle-against-climate-change-3346081), to convert all remaining services in Harrogate (including the 36, 1 and 7 groups) to electric vehicles. The final bid (and approvals) for phase two of the ZEBRA (Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas) Scheme - of which this is part - is not due to be awarded until early 2022, so clearly Transdev is having a good look at their options - they've already looked at the Yutong E12 and BYD/ADL E200 MMC, and of course, already run the Volvo 7900e.

Believe the UK first about the eCitaro is that Transdev will be the first to trial it, since the UK version was unveiled at Farnborough recently.

Could it still be considered a 'Zero Emission Bus Regional Area' with another operator who runs frequent services in the same area using diesel engined buses?

Not a great analogy, but to me it's like saying a beer garden is no smoking, but still allowing people to smoke in it.

 

[Andyh82]

As has been pointed out elsewhere, there is going to be a lot of disappointment as there are dozens of bids and someone elsewhere said only 2 actually win.

Transdev themselves are involved in 2 bids, the Harrogate one and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority one for the 662 & Flyer.

 

[busmanpro]

Accoring to an article on Route One: Bus magazine on Team Pennine, there will be six new Mellor Strata vehicles on a Mercedes-Benz chassis. They will be branded for "Calder Country." We have no idea what routes that they will serve, however since there are only six, my guess is 561, 562 and 577. They are the routes with the most rural parts on the Halifax network and for the 561/562 working, there are usually 4 vehicles with in the shift along with a usual 2 vehicles required for 577. My guess is that the buses will be on 71 plates and the fleet numbers will possibly be 84, 85, 86, 87, 88 & 89.

Team Pennine plans outlined by Transdev as brand launches

Transdev launched Team Pennine in Halifax and Huddersfield on 25 July. CEO Alex Hornby has outlined the group's medium-term plans.

www.route-one.net

Team Pennine was go on Sunday 25 July as Transdev Blazefield took over the Yorkshire Tiger business from Arriva. Its new pink-based brand was present in a modest way on the first day in the form of five Alexander Dennis Enviro200s that have been sourced and refurbished by the new owner since the deal was agreed in April.

They are the first obvious part of its medium-term plan to overhaul the Halifax- and Huddersfield-centred business, but much else has been going on in the background in the meantime.

Of the buses that have arrived from Arriva, one third will have been retired by October, says Transdev Blazefield Chief Executive Alex Hornby. Over the first weekend under new ownership, each transferred vehicle received a pre-prepared kit of external and internal vinyls to remove all mention of Yorkshire Tiger from view.

The outgoing orange livery will remain visible for now as repaint and refurbishment of buses that are staying in the long-term proceeds and newer examples arrive. Transdev Blazefield’s tentative plan calls for the Yorkshire Tiger scheme to disappear entirely within two years.

Team Pennine transition will take time, says Transdev Blazefield​

Mr Hornby says that timeframe is indicative of the approach that Transdev Blazefield will take to the changeover. While a public event has already been staged to show off the Team Pennine brand, part of the message imparted is that transformation will not occur overnight.

The Team Pennine brand will progressively spread, with plans calling for the Yorkshire Tiger livery to disappear from the fleet within two years
“Our first task is to demonstrate to people that we have arrived and that we have a plan for Team Pennine,” he continues

“But we also need to explain to customers that we need some time to put that into practice.”

Engagement work with staff that have TUPE’d from Arriva is at a more advanced stage. To its credit, the former owner freed several drivers for press and public launch events last week.

Before that, each transferring employee was met individually by Transdev Blazefield managers and provided with comprehensive induction materials, along with new uniform. Only a handful of drivers elected to stay with the core Arriva Yorkshire operation.

In a different policy to that seen at some of Transdev Blazefield’s other operations, Team Pennine will not adopt route-specific liveries. The two-tone pink will be standard across the board, complemented in some cases with route branding. The latter is already in place on the pre-prepared Enviro200s, four of which are adorned for Denby Darts service 233.

“Adopting a single brand for the whole of the Team Pennine operation will give us flexibility for the future,” adds Mr Hornby.

‘Mature relationship’ with other operators in West Yorks​

Transdev Blazefield’s CEO believes that some bus services in Halifax and Huddersfield “are yet to fulfil their potential.”

But that is not to suggest that the group is already eyeing expansion for Team Pennine; while it has won five additional home-to-school contracts, space limitations at existing depots at Elland and Waterloo precludes much more growth there.

In any case, members of the West Yorkshire Bus Alliance – among which are both Transdev Blazefield and First, the largest operator in each of Halifax and Huddersfield – have a “mature relationship.” With franchising in the region having been raised by Mayor Tracey Brabin, the focus is now firmly on proving what partnership can achieve.

Team Pennine to include multimodal tickets, says Transdev Blazefield​

Such work for Team Pennine extends beyond collaborating within the bus industry. Growing its ticketing offer is a work in progress. Some simpler changes were introduced from the transfer date, including flexible ‘bundles’ for part-time workers or those who no longer need to travel every day.

Dialogue is already open with South Pennine Community Transport (SPCT) to enable inter-availability of ticketing between that business and Team Pennine – an arrangement that SPCT already has with HCT Group. Perhaps most significantly, extending Transdev Blazefield’s existing work with train operating companies is also underway.

“We plan to develop the Holmfirth to Wakefield service. It has good potential for leisure travel,” says Mr Hornby. That will include Holmfirth becoming a ‘virtual’ railway station. Such accreditation will allow customers to book a multimodal through ticket from or to anywhere on the national rail network and use the Team Pennine service to Wakefield to connect with the railhead there. Discussions with rail industry stakeholders to deliver that have already begun.

Route-specific liveries will not come to Team Pennine – but branding on the house scheme will be adopted, such as with the Denby Darts concept
As part of the wider work on the Holmfirth to Wakefield axis, refurbishment of three Optare Tempos has started.

Seven used current-generation Enviro200s that are due to arrive next month for other services will receive the same treatment.

Six new Mellor Strata minibuses will arrive by October. Mr Hornby says that those of the type already in service with Transdev Blazefield have delivered significantly lower operating costs than the vehicles they replaced through reduced fuel consumption and a minimal maintenance spend.

Local brands have a proven strength for group​

Transdev Blazefield now has a significant presence across West Yorkshire. Questioned on why it has elected not to consolidate those operations under one brand, Mr Hornby responds by saying that each has its own strong brand and that there is no reason to waste those. “We are too local to do that,” he adds.

The group does not rule out further bolt-on additions in the North of England. But currently, work is focused on developing Team Pennine and engaging with local authorities on the preparation of Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIPs).

Among early BSIP aspirations for the group are an expansion of its battery-electric bus fleet in Harrogate and an introduction of the same propulsion method to Keighley.

 

[skyhigh]

Just passed eCitato demonstrator MB21 BUS heading north on the A1 around Wetherby. Harrogate bound maybe?

 

[RustySpoons]

Just passed eCitato demonstrator MB21 BUS heading north on the A1 around Wetherby. Harrogate bound maybe?

Indeed

Tweet from @alextransdev

Look what’s arrived @harrogatebus today. We’re on the search for the best electric bus for our customers’ needs in the coming years. Let’s see how the new @MercedesBenz CitaroE compares - a UK first for Harrogate and Yorkshire.

A fairly ugly looking thing!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Indeed

Tweet from @alextransdev


View attachment 101244

A fairly ugly looking thing!

No worse than the Yutongs. TBF, the Yutongs seem better built than the prettier 7900e

 

[Bayum]

Indeed

Tweet from @alextransdev


View attachment 101244

A fairly ugly looking thing!

Let’s hope they get passenger testing before the school holidays are over!

 

[Ashly_Jethro]

Indeed

Tweet from @alextransdev


View attachment 101244

A fairly ugly looking thing!

I hope they don’t get too star-stuck with the whole “UK first” thing, seems to me the two top contenders are the Volvos and the BYD e200s. Hopefully they go for function over status…

 

[Goldfish62]

Indeed

Tweet from @alextransdev


View attachment 101244

A fairly ugly looking thing!

If you think that's ugly I would refer you to the Caetano Citigold.

 

[skyhigh]

Indeed

Tweet from @alextransdev


View attachment 101244

A fairly ugly looking thing!

To be fair if you look at the replies to that tweet Alex himself says "we wouldn't let our buses be ugly"

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Aug 2021 ==

I hope they don’t get too star-stuck with the whole “UK first” thing, seems to me the two top contenders are the Volvos and the BYD e200s. Hopefully they go for function over status…

Looking at what Alex Hornby has said it looks like passenger comfort is the most important thing, rather than being 'first to introduce' a type.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I hope they don’t get too star-stuck with the whole “UK first” thing, seems to me the two top contenders are the Volvos and the BYD e200s. Hopefully they go for function over status…

Are you forgetting the Yutongs, now in service in Leeds, Newport, Gateshead and Leicester, among other places? Having been on both, I was disappointed by the build quality on the Volvos whilst the Yutongs were better.

 

[RELL6L]

Accoring to an article on Route One: Bus magazine on Team Pennine, there will be six new Mellor Strata vehicles on a Mercedes-Benz chassis. They will be branded for "Calder Country." We have no idea what routes that they will serve, however since there are only six, my guess is 561, 562 and 577. They are the routes with the most rural parts on the Halifax network and for the 561/562 working, there are usually 4 vehicles with in the shift along with a usual 2 vehicles required for 577. My guess is that the buses will be on 71 plates and the fleet numbers will possibly be 84, 85, 86, 87, 88 & 89.

Team Pennine plans outlined by Transdev as brand launches

Transdev launched Team Pennine in Halifax and Huddersfield on 25 July. CEO Alex Hornby has outlined the group's medium-term plans.

www.route-one.net

If they run on the 561 and 562 then they will also, with the current interworking, run on the 546, this is a 4 vehicle cycle. The 546 is not so rural except for the end of the route.
And the 577 interworks with the 530, a two vehicle cycle.
What about the 574? That runs with the 526 with three vehicles.
These are the off-peak cycles but in the peaks there is quite a bit of further interworking with some other routes so they need to find boards which don't have any really busy trips - or reschedule.
I'm sure they have a plan!

 

[SCH117X]

According to the West Yorkshire Information Service fleetlist https://www.wyis.org.uk/ two of the Enviros for Team Pennine are those which as new were used by York on the Selby whilst Transdev held the contract. The websites are indicating some service reductions from Monday - the 36 reducing to a 15 minute interval Harrogate to Leeds with the Ripon service being half hourly.

https://www.transdevbus.co.uk/harrogate/were-introducing-temporary-timetable-36-23-august

The A1 has a quite erratic frequency of up to 40 minutes (and not every 20 as the web page states) https://www.transdevbus.co.uk/flyer/were-introducing-temporary-timetable-flyer-a1-23-august

EDIT - tweet this morning by Harrogatebus references "continuing pressure on driver availability"

https://twitter.com/harrogatebus/status/1429009026013089792

Due to continuing pressure on driver availability, from 22 Aug we will run a temporary timetable on #the36 where we know there’s still plenty of space for everyone to travel comfortably. We thank you for your understanding.

 

[Andyh82]

If they run on the 561 and 562 then they will also, with the current interworking, run on the 546, this is a 4 vehicle cycle. The 546 is not so rural except for the end of the route.
And the 577 interworks with the 530, a two vehicle cycle.
What about the 574? That runs with the 526 with three vehicles.
These are the off-peak cycles but in the peaks there is quite a bit of further interworking with some other routes so they need to find boards which don't have any really busy trips - or reschedule.
I'm sure they have a plan!

The 577 must be a dead cert as some parts of that route are very narrow

Regarding the others, back in Yorkshire Rider days the 574 used to use full size buses, in fact it did in Centrebus days as well and i’m sure some Rochdale buses used to run via Mill Bank (527?) in the 1990s which were presumably also full size single decks, so I’m guessing the routes aren’t as extreme as the 577 is.

 

[SCH117X]

The West Yorkshire Information Service fleetlist https://www.wyis.org.uk/ has a number of former Yorkshire Tiger vehicles as being reallocated to Rosso at Rochdale;
- five Solos 167 MX07 BCO, 168 YJ57 UFH, 188 YJ58 PGK, 189 YJ09 MJO and 190 YJ59 NPG all in Rosso yellow livery
- seven Centros 1231 YJ07JSZ and 1232 to 1237 (YJ08DWK to YJ08DWP) still in Yorkshire Tiger livery
- four Tempos 1401 to 1403 (YJ09EYA to YJ09EYC) and 1404 YJ09EYF still in Yorkshire Tiger livery
Rochdale also has or is to have two more ex Lothian E400s 2813 LK07AZJ and 2815 LK07AZN quoted as being in debranded Lothian livery.

Burnley is to (or has) acquired
- Solar 1602 YN05GNU and Myllennium Vyking 2746 from Rochdale as part of its Rosso fleet ( both still in red and white Rosso livery)
- Gemini 2764 PO55 PYL from Coastliner (Pride of the North livery)
- B10BLEs 1097 PN02 HVV and 1099 PN02 HVX from Blackburn (blue and yellow livery)

Blackburn is to (or has) acquired 1867 FJ09 KNV from Malton (Pride of the North Livery)

Presumably a number of these are school duty related allocations.

 

[vla50]

The West Yorkshire Information Service fleetlist https://www.wyis.org.uk/ has a number of former Yorkshire Tiger vehicles as being reallocated to Rosso at Rochdale;
- five Solos 167 MX07 BCO, 168 YJ57 UFH, 188 YJ58 PGK, 189 YJ09 MJO and 190 YJ59 NPG all in Rosso yellow livery
- seven Centros 1231 YJ07JSZ and 1232 to 1237 (YJ08DWK to YJ08DWP) still in Yorkshire Tiger livery
- four Tempos 1401 to 1403 (YJ09EYA to YJ09EYC) and 1404 YJ09EYF still in Yorkshire Tiger livery
Rochdale also has or is to have two more ex Lothian E400s 2813 LK07AZJ and 2815 LK07AZN quoted as being in debranded Lothian livery.

Burnley is to (or has) acquired
- Solar 1602 YN05GNU and Myllennium Vyking 2746 from Rochdale as part of its Rosso fleet ( both still in red and white Rosso livery)
- Gemini 2764 PO55 PYL from Coastliner (Pride of the North livery)
- B10BLEs 1097 PN02 HVV and 1099 PN02 HVX from Blackburn (blue and yellow livery)

Blackburn is to (or has) acquired 1867 FJ09 KNV from Malton (Pride of the North Livery)

Presumably a number of these are school duty related allocations.

2813/15 were ex Metroline London.

 

[4cryingoutloud]

2813/15 were ex Metroline London

I suspect the original poster meant 2451 and 2452, which are ex-Lothian Volvo double deckers (not E400s), and join 2450.

 

[SCH117X]

I suspect the original poster meant 2451 and 2452, which are ex-Lothian Volvo double deckers (not E400s), and join 2450.

Yes apologies SN08BXR and SN08BYB respectively.

 

[Deerfold]

The 577 must be a dead cert as some parts of that route are very narrow

Regarding the others, back in Yorkshire Rider days the 574 used to use full size buses, in fact it did in Centrebus days as well and i’m sure some Rochdale buses used to run via Mill Bank (527?) in the 1990s which were presumably also full size single decks, so I’m guessing the routes aren’t as extreme as the 577 is.

In the early 90s when I did a lot of traveling around Calderdale by bus the 574 was usually run by a double decker bus.

The 527 via Mill Bank was usually a full size single decker, with a school bus to Ryburn being a double decker.

The 577/8/9 used to be double deckers to Hubberton, Steep Lane and Boulderclough before being converted into a both-way circular and most buses terminating at Sowerby. Metro used a government grant to widen parts of the route.

 

[Ashly_Jethro]

The West Yorkshire Information Service fleetlist https://www.wyis.org.uk/ has a number of former Yorkshire Tiger vehicles as being reallocated to Rosso at Rochdale;
- five Solos 167 MX07 BCO, 168 YJ57 UFH, 188 YJ58 PGK, 189 YJ09 MJO and 190 YJ59 NPG all in Rosso yellow livery
- seven Centros 1231 YJ07JSZ and 1232 to 1237 (YJ08DWK to YJ08DWP) still in Yorkshire Tiger livery
- four Tempos 1401 to 1403 (YJ09EYA to YJ09EYC) and 1404 YJ09EYF still in Yorkshire Tiger livery
Rochdale also has or is to have two more ex Lothian E400s 2813 LK07AZJ and 2815 LK07AZN quoted as being in debranded Lothian livery.

Burnley is to (or has) acquired
- Solar 1602 YN05GNU and Myllennium Vyking 2746 from Rochdale as part of its Rosso fleet ( both still in red and white Rosso livery)
- Gemini 2764 PO55 PYL from Coastliner (Pride of the North livery)
- B10BLEs 1097 PN02 HVV and 1099 PN02 HVX from Blackburn (blue and yellow livery)

Blackburn is to (or has) acquired 1867 FJ09 KNV from Malton (Pride of the North Livery)

Presumably a number of these are school duty related allocations.

Rumours are the ex Tiger allocations are to replace the B7RLEs currently on loan. It kind of makes sense as they were wasted on school services. The Centros make the most sense as Blackpool’s seemed to do well during their time with Rosso. It does seem odd that they’d separate the Tempos though…

The two LU B10s are still in service at Blackburn so not too sure on that one… but it would make sense as to why they weren’t repainted with the others.

 

[Andyh82]

It does seem odd to seperate the Tempos. Doesn’t history show that the only people who make them work are those who get 100% into them, like Lynx bus, rather than operators who just have a few (like Trent Barton or Lancashire United).

All the changes are coming soon rather than having happened, although that hasn’t stopped someone immediately changing all the allocations on bustimes.