Transdev Blazefield

[O539]

Any news yet on who's taking over the Transdev Wharefedale Links services?

Of course it's not been announced officially yet, but it's worth a shot to ask

 

[Andyh82]

From the meetings of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority

https://westyorkshire.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s30289/Item%205%20-%20Bus%20Service%20Funding%20and%20Network%20Plan%20Development%20Update.pdf

“The current uncertainty around Government funding for bus services is impacting on the confidence of bus operators to submit tenders for contracts with the Combined Authority to operate socially necessary bus services. In late 2022, tenders were invited to operate services in the Otley, Ilkley, Guiseley and Yeadon areas. At the time of writing, insufficient bids had been received to operate all of the CA funded services and it is possible that some services may need to be suspended from February until such time as a bus operator can be found. A verbal update will be provided to the meeting on this situation”

 

[O539]

From the meetings of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority

https://westyorkshire.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s30289/Item%205%20-%20Bus%20Service%20Funding%20and%20Network%20Plan%20Development%20Update.pdf

Aw that's a shame, it looks like it might pan out similarly to what happened with the ill fated CTPlus services once they went under, as I know some services were suspended for a fair amount of time before an operator was found.
I can imagine the routes with the most difficultly finding an operator is probably the 966 or 948. Though I would be surprised if the Otley dash (965) can't find an operator, mainly since the non-menston stretch was run commercially for quite a long time in years gone by. Although that might be me being a bit optimistic.

 

[darloscott]

Any news yet on who's taking over the Transdev Wharefedale Links services?

Of course it's not been announced officially yet, but it's worth a shot to ask

Connexions have just bought some Solos from Go North East…

 

[O539]

Connexions have just bought some Solos from Go North East…

Oh interesting, they also have a singular MCV Evora coming soon. Although that's allegedly for the existing Leeds city centre route that they run, rather than any new tenders or existing Wharefedale routes

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Feb 2023 ==


In other news:


Some slightly more positive news for Transdev

“While there has been some switch away from season tickets to individual fares, we have seen a 10% overall increase in journeys made on the 36 between Leeds and Harrogate, and similarly on the Coastliner network that connects Leeds, York and the Yorkshire Coast.”

Fare cap mechanism brings Transdev patronage rise

Operator reports overall 10% growth on some routes while firm acknowledges DfT reimbursement work on cap scheme

www.route-one.net

 

[Tempest3K]

Of course, the demise of CityZap wouldn't explain some of the Coastliner increase.......

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Of course, the demise of CityZap wouldn't explain some of the Coastliner increase.......

No, it wouldn't. Did you actually read the article?

Overall 10% growth on some routes; firm acknowledges DfT work on cap scheme​

North of England bus operator Transdev Blazefield has seen a 10% overall increase in passenger journeys on some of its routes because of the Bus Fare Cap Grant mechanism in England, CEO Alex Hornby has revealed.

The operator adds that revenue and customer numbers in the first weeks of last month are “ahead of expectations” after the introduction of the scheme. Remuneration has been well received despite initial concerns about the seasonal nature of some Transdev Blazefield routes, such as the Yorkshire Coastliner route between Leeds and Scarborough.

Mr Hornby also acknowledges the work by the Department for Transport in its reimbursement calculations.

The news comes as a positive turn for the business after fuel and driver cost increases encountered towards the close of 2022.

Transdev Blazefield is also seeing success separately in terms of ticket sales at colleges in Lancashire, which are ahead of predictions. The recovery in that market sees it in growth now compared to 2019. Mr Hornby puts this down to good partnership arrangements with those establishments.

“We continue to actively promote the £2 maximum fare deal, and it is certainly causing an additional positive buzz for the bus across our operating area,” says Mr Hornby. “During January, we saw obvious signs of growth in our customer volumes with particular gains on our longer, interurban routes.

“While there has been some switch away from season tickets to individual fares, we have seen a 10% overall increase in journeys made on the 36 between Leeds and Harrogate, and similarly on the Coastliner network that connects Leeds, York and the Yorkshire Coast.”

So a clear distinction that this is due to the fare cap, and not the cancellation of Cityzap in November.

The question as to whether this uplift will be maintained once the government cash is switched off is the moot point on the whole scheme.

 

[Ken H]

Connexions have just bought some Solos from Go North East…

There is a lot of dead running from Tockwith. There haven't been any bus garages in Wharfedale for decades.

 

[WY Bus Spotter]

Lot of dead running from Tockwith. There havent been any bus garages in Wharfedale for decades.

They run Wharfedale services from Tockwith now, I don't see how this would be different, apart from the the 965 not really being able to run off a school duty unless there is a big gap in the timetable.

 

[SCH117X]

Connexions have some crazy interworking - for example today the bus working the 781 Meanwood to Otley then did the 940 and the 964 before taking up the return 781, empty to Wetherby for a 923 to Otley, schools and the 963, while the bus that solely had been working the morning 923s in the afternoon did3 the 964, 940, schools, X52, 963, X52, X70. Other vehicles also managed a visit to Knaresborough on the X1 whatever in amongst Wharfedale visits

Meanwhile Transdev wise Harrogates shortage through accident damage (and other factors presumably) of the Electrics has not been helped in the last few days by electric supply issues and the sight of a red Gemini or B7RLE is becoming increasingly common on the services meant to be Electric operated. Hopefully they will fix enough to maintain the reduced timetable from the 19th when the red Geminis are no doubt going to have to fill in on the 36 as it goes back to 10 minute interval between Harroagte and Leeds as well as replacing a X98/X99 vehicle when needed

 

[northernchris]

Hopefully they will fix enough to maintain the reduced timetable from the 19th when the red Geminis are no doubt going to have to fill in on the 36 as it goes back to 10 minute interval between Harroagte and Leeds as well as replacing a X98/X99 vehicle when needed

Or they could do what Keighley do with the 662 and cancel journeys each day through lack of vehicles. It's now starting to impact the 60 too, yesterday the 1630 from Leeds was cancelled and the 1655 was a single decker. Whilst it was busy, the driver didn't even bother to stop at the King Street stop despite there being room, causing further inconvenience for passengers. I'm convinced Transdev pay their drivers a bonus if they are able to complete the route sooner than the timetable allows, given they seem keen to avoid picking up passengers and frequently pass through timing points early.

 

[Swimbar]

Connexions have just bought some Solos from Go North East…

Transdev Keighley have confirmed changes:

Changes to Otley Dash and Wharfedale Links from 19 February

From 19 February, we will sadly no longer be running Otley Dash or Wharfedale Links, they will be run by ConnexionsBuses instead.

www.transdevbus.co.uk

From 19 February, we will sadly no longer be running Otley Dash or Wharfedale Links. ConnexionsBuses will be running these routes in the daytime with a new timetable on Otley Dash (which will become the 965) and the 962 which will be available on the Metro website shortly. On evenings and Sundays, our friends at FLYER will be running the buses between Otley & Weston. The 948 and 966 will be suspended.

As many of you know, the bus sector has faced significant financial and resourcing challenges over the past couple of years. We are not immune from these pressures and so these changes will mean that we can focus on delivering the best service we can to our core operations in Keighley.

 

[Bwsbro]

Vision Bus have been awarded the 113 Preston - Leyland (Little Hotline) from Rosso starting Sunday 13th April

153 Timetable

 

[RustySpoons]

Vision Bus have been awarded the 113 Preston - Leyland (Little Hotline) from Rosso starting Sunday 13th April

I wonder if the Ribble routes in/around Burnley could be going at the same time? There'll be a lot of little Mercs looking for new homes if so! Is there anywhere else in the Transdev network they'd be able to be put to good use?

 

[Bwsbro]

I wonder if the Ribble routes in/around Burnley could be going at the same time? There'll be a lot of little Mercs looking for new homes if so! Is there anywhere else in the Transdev network they'd be able to be put to good use?

As the newer ones are 27 seater, I’m sure they will find new homes quickly, either at Pennine or Rosso’s Manchester operation.

 

[Ant158]

I wonder if Transdev will end up retaining the ribble routes on an amended contract?

There's only Holmeswood and Pilkingtons locally who would take these routes back/on. Unless Stagecoach maybe put a bit in. Or maybe these routes will see some withdrawals or frequency cuts?

 

[SCH117X]

Plenty of 13-15 year old Solos at Elland which could be replaced by the Mellors.

 

[O539]

Transdev Keighley have confirmed changes:

Changes to Otley Dash and Wharfedale Links from 19 February

From 19 February, we will sadly no longer be running Otley Dash or Wharfedale Links, they will be run by ConnexionsBuses instead.

www.transdevbus.co.uk

In addition to this, in order for FLYER to cover the 965 (Otley Dash) they will be extending the A3 airport bus into Weston on evenings and Sunday to cover for Connexionsbuses

Changes to FLYER A3 from 19 February

We've made some changes to FLYER A3 on evenings and Sundays - our buses will now extend from Otley to Weston.

www.transdevbus.co.uk

 

[Andyh82]

Plenty of 13-15 year old Solos at Elland which could be replaced by the Mellors.

They are currently being replaced by a batch of mid life Solo SRs

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Feb 2023 ==

I wonder if Transdev will end up retaining the ribble routes on an amended contract?

There's only Holmeswood and Pilkingtons locally who would take these routes back/on. Unless Stagecoach maybe put a bit in. Or maybe these routes will see some withdrawals or frequency cuts?

Out of all the routes that are at risk, the Ribble Country ones are the ones it makes more sense to try and retain from a network perspective, as it means Transdev run the entire network in Burnley and Pendle

Wharfedale Links are a few stand alone services in an area with various operators and Little Hotline only has the slightest overlap with the Big Hotline

 

[Ant158]

What will be a shame with the Ribble routes if/when Transdev give them up will be the lack of useful timetable and network information the Transdev website and printed times provide. Holmeswood and Pilkington operate the routes well enough but have near zero presence online.

 

[RustySpoons]

I wonder if Transdev will end up retaining the ribble routes on an amended contract?

There's only Holmeswood and Pilkingtons locally who would take these routes back/on. Unless Stagecoach maybe put a bit in. Or maybe these routes will see some withdrawals or frequency cuts?

One positive that would hopefully come from them losing some of the Ribble routes is that the retained drivers would put an end to the ridiculous amount of cancelled journeys every day.

There have been murmurings that Pilkingtons are taking back the Pendleside services but nothing has been confirmed yet. No mention of the Healey Wood or Clifton Farm services in Burnley though. If they do keep those then it'd keep all the local Burnley services under the same operator.

 

[jack_99]

https://twitter.com/alextransdev/status/1624075077644873728?t=3LkJxIsyCkl_kum51jjxSA&s=19

Welcoming a temporary, new low-emission member of the family to the fleet @yorkbus today!

(Tweet includes an image of SK71CKX, an ADL E400MMC)
Wow!
Certainly an interesting choice of 'demo' vehicle given there is already no. 2019 and a gemini or two based in York amongst an array of single deck Versas and E200MMCs. Any ideas what routes this could be on? Seems odd having a big decker for small routes.

 

[52290]

Vision Bus have been awarded the 113 Preston - Leyland (Little Hotline) from Rosso starting Sunday 13th April

I live on the Little Hotline (153) route. I must say that during the Transdev regime I haven't encountered a cancellation or serious late running. Let's see how Vision bus perform.

 

[Redgown]

https://twitter.com/alextransdev/status/1624075077644873728?t=3LkJxIsyCkl_kum51jjxSA&s=19

(Tweet includes an image of SK71CKX, an ADL E400MMC)
Wow!
Certainly an interesting choice of 'demo' vehicle given there is already no. 2019 and a gemini or two based in York amongst an array of single deck Versas and E200MMCs. Any ideas what routes this could be on? Seems odd having a big decker for small routes.

The only routes suitable at York for a bus like this would either be route 20 or the newly won route 12, but I'm not sure why they would need a decker, as these routes are quiet passenger wise

 

[RustySpoons]

Are there any of the existing ADLs off the road long term, or gone back to ADL for warranty work? This could be a temporary replacement if so?

 

[HST43257]

The only routes suitable at York for a bus like this would either be route 20 or the newly won route 12, but I'm not sure why they would need a decker, as these routes are quiet passenger wise

Could it be that this bus will see the restart of the 12A until the (hopefully) renewal in a month or 2?

 

[SCH117X]

The loan period equates to the remainder of the temporary timetable of the 12.

 

[Seehof]

Is it true that Transdev have told City of York council they will not be operating routes 12, 24, 25 & 26 from 1st April? Is it also true that York council are putting all these routes out to tender which Transdev will bid for if terms are favourable?

 

[Andyh82]

Something along those lines is the case yes

To be honest I can see Transdev retaining the services

The only other operator who has run them in recent times is Arriva, and I’m not sure they’d be rushing to run them again. Unless First suddenly about turn and decide to run them for the first time in about 20 years there isn’t realistically anyone else. I can’t see the likes of York Pullman being too interested

 

[SCH117X]

Is it true that Transdev have told City of York council they will not be operating routes 12, 24, 25 & 26 from 1st April? Is it also true that York council are putting all these routes out to tender which Transdev will bid for if terms are favourable?

They are handing a lot of routes back not just in York and are likely to retender for a number of them. Costs have gone up significantly since the tenders were originally awarded. The 12 in any case is only an emergency award to them until April.