Transdev Blazefield

[John HG1]

I wonder if the social communications are coming from somewhere like Elland. The sad incident last week in Harrogate of a car landing on the railway resulted in a weird staement that the 36 3 and 4 were being diverted although the listed stops not being served were just 36 ones. There was an initial mega road closure which did mean a 3 got diverted but that was quickly removed so that it was only the 36 (and A2) that were then diverted, but if the 3 and 4 were being diverted so would be the 6 and 24 And on Saturdays such an issue invaribly fails to mention the 59.

May well be Elland. I spoke to someone about lost property recently and it was a Halifax STD code.

 

[YorkRailFan]

May well be Elland. I spoke to someone about lost property recently and it was a Halifax STD code.

The Coastliner contact number is Halifax but I have managed to get through to a number in Malton. Unsurprisingly, the Malton number had far better information about Coastliner.

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

More avoidable confusion on Bustimes. The Yutong E9L demonstrator at Harrogate misidentified on that site, as confirmed upthread here, continues to work the 21 service. Yesterday Bustimes reported the apparent return of eCitaro demonstrator BF24AHC but this was soon changed to an unspecified "DEMO" and then to being the same vehicle as that attributed to the Yutong ie Env400EV demonstrator AD24ZEB. As I was in position to do so I can confirm that this vehicle is indeed at Harrogate working the 36. Bustimes seemingly can't handle duplicate registrations so it's tracking as "DEMO" with vehicle details only visible in the History notes.

It's too bad that Bustimes insists on using Discord and Facebook for it's interactive comms, I'm unlikely to get involved with those sites. If only they would do as the various rail fan orientated sites do and maintain a presence here. Unlike on Discord RUK users seem somewhat more interested in separating fact from fiction.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Jul 2025 ==

Some minor changes have been announced from 31 August:
Red Express:

Sorry, we can't find this page!

www.transdevbus.co.uk

Irwell Line:

Sorry, we can't find this page!

www.transdevbus.co.uk

Witchway:

Sorry, we can't find this page!

www.transdevbus.co.uk

Transdev will also be piloting a "SWITCH" ticket throughout Harrogate (also on A2 Flyer) in August:

Introducing the new SWITCH ticket!

www.transdevbus.co.uk

This "SWITCH" ticket sounds like the Hopper Fare in London, and its great to see something like the Hopper Fare introduced somewhere outside of London. It definitely makes travel cheaper for those outside Central Harrogate, going from Knaresborough to Leeds becomes even more cost competitive with the train for instance. I can definitely see it being popular and hope its rolled out not just in Harrogate, but in other urban areas around the country.

Worth pointing out that there is already a Harrogate day ticket at £6 which covers out to Ripley, Knaresborough, Wetherby and Harewood. So the Switch offer is only useful for return journeys with at least one leg beyond those boundaries. Could well encourage more use of the Pateley Bridge and Ripon routes (as well as Leeds as mentioned upthread) for those making occasional journeys involving a transfer. So handy for summer days out.

 

[markymark2000]

More avoidable confusion on Bustimes. The Yutong E9L demonstrator at Harrogate misidentified on that site, as confirmed upthread here, continues to work the 21 service.

You'll find in most cases, this is the details provided to it by Transdev via bus open data. If Transdev put the right vehicle codes into their ticket machine codes, bustimes would show more correct details.

If you took a moment to jump off the trend of slating bustimes, you will notice that even Transdevs own website has the information wrong. So it's not just a Bustimes issue, it's all caused by whatever codes are in Transdevs ticket machines which is sorted by their depot staff.

(screenshot from Transdevs website for the 21 which shows AD24ZEB tracking on the 21 https://www.transdevbus.co.uk/the-harrogate-bus-company/services/21/)

Spoiler: Photo

Yesterday Bustimes reported the apparent return of eCitaro demonstrator BF24AHC but this was soon changed to an unspecified "DEMO" and then to being the same vehicle as that attributed to the Yutong ie Env400EV demonstrator AD24ZEB. As I was in position to do so I can confirm that this vehicle is indeed at Harrogate working the 36. Bustimes seemingly can't handle duplicate registrations so it's tracking as "DEMO" with vehicle details only visible in the History notes.

The eCitaro reappearing was because this was the last known vehicle which was using the 'DEMO' ticket machine code. That details are then kept in the database and reappears when that vehicle code next reappears in open data.
Bustimes can and does handle duplicate registrations.

It's too bad that Bustimes insists on using Discord and Facebook for it's interactive comms, I'm unlikely to get involved with those sites.

Bustimes does not interact via Facebook. The group set up on there is merely a fan group and is not actually linked to Bustimes in any way, shape or form. Bustimes only community page is the Discord (and this is linked on the website) but you can also contact them via Twitter/X or email for other issues.

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

You'll find in most cases, this is the details provided to it by Transdev via bus open data. If Transdev put the right vehicle codes into their ticket machine codes, bustimes would show more correct details.

If you took a moment to jump off the trend of slating bustimes, you will notice that even Transdevs own website has the information wrong. So it's not just a Bustimes issue, it's all caused by whatever codes are in Transdevs ticket machines which is sorted by their depot staff.

(screenshot from Transdevs website for the 21 which shows AD24ZEB tracking on the 21 https://www.transdevbus.co.uk/the-harrogate-bus-company/services/21/)

Spoiler: Photo

View attachment 184836

The eCitaro reappearing was because this was the last known vehicle which was using the 'DEMO' ticket machine code. That details are then kept in the database and reappears when that vehicle code next reappears in open data.
Bustimes can and does handle duplicate registrations.


Bustimes does not interact via Facebook. The group set up on there is merely a fan group and is not actually linked to Bustimes in any way, shape or form. Bustimes only community page is the Discord (and this is linked on the website) but you can also contact them via Twitter/X or email for other issues.

Thanks for the additional background information, it all makes sense now even if it also confirms the extent to which BODS/Bustimes represent a classic case of so close yet so far away. I guess it offends my sense that details matter.

 

[M60lad]

Not to sure if Bustimes is actually right but it seems that 6 of Burnley's E200s were out on various Mainline boards (mainly M5/M6) yesterday in place of the usual Versa's.

 

[RustySpoons]

Not to sure if Bustimes is actually right but it seems that 6 of Burnley's E200s were out on various Mainline boards (mainly M5/M6) yesterday in place of the usual Versa's.

There's a road closure in Nelson meaning buses have to run a diversion route under a low bridge, it's possible that the E200s are substituting deckers.

 

[Deerfold]

Not to sure if Bustimes is actually right but it seems that 6 of Burnley's E200s were out on various Mainline boards (mainly M5/M6) yesterday in place of the usual Versa's.

There's been a few I've seen on the M4 yesterday and today.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Aug 2025 ==

There's a road closure in Nelson meaning buses have to run a diversion route under a low bridge, it's possible that the E200s are substituting deckers.

The M4 occasionally has deckers but usually not.

 

[Andyh82]

There's been a few I've seen on the M4 yesterday and today.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Aug 2025 ==


The M4 occasionally has deckers but usually not.

If the road closure is in Nelson then it will effect all the eastern side of the Mainline not just the M4

 

[SeanM1997]

The X41 and X43 now offers tap on and tap off in Greater Manchester. I think its the only operator to be tap on and tap off as the Bee Network is all tap on only. The new ticketing arrangements hasn't been publicised as no information on website or Shudehill, just the driver saying tap on and tap off. I assume if you forgot to tap off it would charge you £3

 

[YorkRailFan]

Flyer's last Versa, 238, has been sent to Blackburn pending return to the leasing company, leaving Flyer only having Citaros in their fleet (for now).

Elsewhere, 2774 in York now wears a Citysightseeing livery (with vinyls now attached), possibly also for work on York Citysightseeing during the Winter. 1901 and 1902 now have York & Country branding, with promotion for Coastliner to Scarborough and Whitby respectively. 1772 also has York & Country branding now, with promotion at the rear for the 31X to Helmsley. 581 now also wears York & Country branding.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Aug 2025 ==

Worth pointing out that there is already a Harrogate day ticket at £6 which covers out to Ripley, Knaresborough, Wetherby and Harewood. So the Switch offer is only useful for return journeys with at least one leg beyond those boundaries. Could well encourage more use of the Pateley Bridge and Ripon routes (as well as Leeds as mentioned upthread) for those making occasional journeys involving a transfer. So handy for summer days out.

The SWITCH ticket also includes Flyer A2 to Leeds Bradford Airport, so I can see that being a popular destination as people travel to/from the airport to areas around Harrogate.

 

[SCH117X]

Suppose the only worry with a Switch ticket is whether road issues make a connection over 90 minutes using the 36. I can see a Switch holder on a 36 from Leeds getting well up the A61 only for the bus to have to turn round, back track and take a diversionary route. Wonder if their might be an exception to the 90 minute limitation in such circumstances.

 

[YorkRailFan]

From 31 August, Transdev is changing the route the 67 uses in/out of Bradford. More details:

From 31 August, we’ll be changing our route on the 67 to and from Bradford to ensure we are consistent with other bus routes between Thornton and Bradford – will this will mean easier travel for you, especially if you use multiple buses into the City.

Buses will now run directly along Thornton Road instead of along Sunbridge Road. We won’t serve stops at Preston Street, Jowett Street, Dyson Street, Gratton Road or City Park into Bradford, and we won’t also able to serve stops at Soitside, Gratton Road, Vaughn Street or Preston Street outside the city. New stops will be served, see the map below.

There will be no changes to times from our other stops.

Sorry, we can't find this page!

www.transdevbus.co.uk

 

[theblackwatch]

Suppose the only worry with a Switch ticket is whether road issues make a connection over 90 minutes using the 36. I can see a Switch holder on a 36 from Leeds getting well up the A61 only for the bus to have to turn round, back track and take a diversionary route. Wonder if their might be an exception to the 90 minute limitation in such circumstances.

There are also issues for other evening connections, meaning people have to plan carefully. For example, if you want to travel Ripon-Harrogate-Knaresborough, you can't travel on the 19.45 from Ripon, as you'd get to Harrogate at 20.26 and the next bus to Knaresborough is at 20.50, 65 minutes after you started. But get the 20.25, and you're ok, as the bus from Harrogate to Knaresborough is at 21.20.

 

[Deerfold]

From 31 August, Transdev is changing the route the 67 uses in/out of Bradford. More details:

Sorry, we can't find this page!

www.transdevbus.co.uk

Although, due to roadworks, it's been taking this route for a while. This confirms it won't return to its old route.

 

[YorkRailFan]

3641 is now in Dalesway livery, having been repainted the36 livery 'Riding Redefined'.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Aug 2025 ==

1853 has now left Starbeck, photo on Flickr of it at Bus and Coach World, Blackburn

Transdev 1853

The Harrogate Bus Company Wrightbus Eclipse 2 bodied Volvo B7RLE, 1853 FJ58 LSL

flickr.com

1853 now in Team Pennine livery, but with no branding applied.

 

[Deerfold]

May well be Elland. I spoke to someone about lost property recently and it was a Halifax STD code.

They seem to be hopeless at spelling with the last two updates for Keighley spelling Haworth as Howarth and Grammar as Grammer. They seem to be ignoring all comments on posts, now (not just the negative ones).

 

[YorkRailFan]

Transdev is saying that automatic announcements have been installed and should be working on the Easingwold services:

Journeys on the 30, 40 and 31X are getting easier and more accessible.
New announcements are now live, so you know when it's time to get off.
We'd love to hear from you. Let us know your feedback on our new announcements - email customer.services@transdevbus.co.uk.

https://x.com/yorkbus/status/1955255566449713374?t=DHh-s8rXPQzXbfxW2B_b2w&s=19

I have seen the equipment installed on the ex-Reliance ADL200MMCs and Evoras. Unsure whether the Eclipses and Deckers have them though.

 

[dodecahedron67]

BA15 BXS definitely has it fitted as I was on it yesterday, non-functioning though

 

[MCRTransitYT]

The X41 and X43 now offers tap on and tap off in Greater Manchester. I think its the only operator to be tap on and tap off as the Bee Network is all tap on only. The new ticketing arrangements hasn't been publicised as no information on website or Shudehill, just the driver saying tap on and tap off. I assume if you forgot to tap off it would charge you £3

Also seen on the 1 with a tap on tap off sticker on the ticket machine and carrying leaflets for it .Interesting to see you have to tap off on the machine. Can see this going wrong and double charging people but oh well

 

[Leedsbusman]

Also seen on the 1 with a tap on tap off sticker on the ticket machine and carrying leaflets for it .Interesting to see you have to tap off on the machine. Can see this going wrong and double charging people but oh well

Just out of interest why would you think that?

 

[MCRTransitYT]

Just out of interest why would you think that?

I've heard stories of double charging people on the Bee network when they tap on and tap on another bus within 60 minutes so they would get charged £4 instead of £2. If they cant do something simple like that 100%, tramsdev with a more complicated system may not work

 

[Dwarfer1979]

I've heard stories of double charging people on the Bee network when they tap on and tap on another bus within 60 minutes so they would get charged £4 instead of £2. If they cant do something simple like that 100%, tramsdev with a more complicated system may not work

Different systems and the Bee Network one is actually more complicated as you are dealing with a variable based on time on different buses. Tap On Tap Off is relatively simpler (as you are dealing with the same bus on the same "journey") and as long as the operator maintain the Tap Off readers double charging is harder as the Tap Off readers shouldn't be able to record a boarding (the most that normally happens is passengers forget to Tap Off and are charged to the end of the route but with Fare Capping that becomes less of an issue as on so many routes you hit the cap quickly though the Manchester cap being lower than outside does increase this issue).

 

[Andyh82]

Just out of interest why would you think that?

How about if the driver sets up the machine for the next trip before the last passengers have alighted? Therefore they could get counted as travelling on two trips?

 

[Leedsbusman]

How about if the driver sets up the machine for the next trip before the last passengers have alighted? Therefore they could get counted as travelling on two trips?

But surely that’s the risk everywhere is it not - why is that different because the off tap uses the ticket machine rather than a reader?

 

[Dwarfer1979]

How about if the driver sets up the machine for the next trip before the last passengers have alighted? Therefore they could get counted as travelling on two trips?

But surely that’s the risk everywhere is it not - why is that different because the off tap uses the ticket machine rather than a reader?

That is the one time it becomes a risk, if the operator either doesn't fit seperate tap off readers (which are normally set to only record a tap as a tap off) or doesn't keep up on looking after them so the tap off readers don't work, if you tap off on the ticket machine after the driver has set it up for the next trip you will get recorded (that is a risk regardless of what system unless you have a flat fare). Ideally the drivers are properly briefed on how the system works so they stop switching early and wait until everyone alights before switching trips but drivers are creatures of habit and it will probably happen sometimes (though if they are briefed they can just tell the passengers they don't need to tap off if they have done it). It is relatively easy to identify and relatively easy to refund so if you think it happened and check your account and see it has happened then the operator should be able to deal with it fairly easily when contacted.

 

[Leedsbusman]

That is the one time it becomes a risk, if the operator either doesn't fit seperate tap off readers (which are normally set to only record a tap as a tap off) or doesn't keep up on looking after them so the tap off readers don't work, if you tap off on the ticket machine after the driver has set it up for the next trip you will get recorded (that is a risk regardless of what system unless you have a flat fare). Ideally the drivers are properly briefed on how the system works so they stop switching early and wait until everyone alights before switching trips but drivers are creatures of habit and it will probably happen sometimes (though if they are briefed they can just tell the passengers they don't need to tap off if they have done it). It is relatively easy to identify and relatively easy to refund so if you think it happened and check your account and see it has happened then the operator should be able to deal with it fairly easily when contacted.

But the second reader is surely connect to the ticket machine isn’t it? So booking up would affect both.

 

[Dwarfer1979]

But the second reader is surely connect to the ticket machine isn’t it? So booking up would affect both.

My understanding is the 2nd reader isn't normally programmed to record a tap on so it just won't record it (I assume the system knows this isn't the ticket machine do knows it can't be an on) whilst the ticket machine will record both a tap on and tap off

 

[Leedsbusman]

My understanding is the 2nd reader isn't normally programmed to record a tap on so it just won't record it (I assume the system knows this isn't the ticket machine do knows it can't be an on) whilst the ticket machine will record both a tap on and tap off

No it’s just a reader that is wired to the ticket machine. The back office works out if the tap is an on tap or an off tap.

If a card is only tapped on the ‘off reader’ it will treat that as a tap on.

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

It is relatively easy to identify and relatively easy to refund so if you think it happened and check your account and see it has happened then the operator should be able to deal with it fairly easily when contacted.

A revenue collection system that habitualises the need for passengers to make refund claims represents awful customer service. The industry needs to do better!