Transdev Blazefield

[Deerfold]

Both the Shuttles I caught today were electric. Large text with the number and destination were very readable on both. Neither ticket machine would scan my ticket (didn't seem to be able to see the barcode rather than declaring it invalid) whilst the other two buses I caught today read it fine.

The bell is very quiet so the driver slightly overshot my stop on the first one. They're comfortable and smell lovely. The second was busier and the buses don't seem well designed for the dozen or so standing.

Ideally they'd be improving the frequency of the route to closer to its pre-Covid level, but they're still cancelling trips, presumably due to shortage of drivers.

 

[Halish Railway]

The bell is very quiet so the driver slightly overshot my stop on the first one. They're comfortable and smell lovely. The second was busier and the buses don't seem well designed for the dozen or so standing.

Ideally they'd be improving the frequency of the route to closer to its pre-Covid level, but they're still cancelling trips, presumably due to shortage of drivers.

I agree that with even just a few standees it’s quite awkward to get off. Transdev seem to have a thing with awkward buzzers on electric buses - I once missed a stop on a now gone Volvo 7900E because I couldn’t find a button!

Regarding frequencies, I don’t get how the 1A/B/C between Harrogate and Knaresborough can be every 10 minutes yet the 662, despite serving a much larger population is every 15 minutes. Yet another symptom of the degradation of bus services in West Yorkshire.

The other issue is that the timings are far too tight in practice. The timetable just doesn’t take into account the near constant congestion coming out of Keighley Bus station, as well as going through Bingley and Saltaire. The service I took set off from Keighley on time, but was 8 minutes late by the time it had left Bingley.

This as well as driver shortages and B7RLE breakdowns all add to the poor performance of the 662. It’s such a shame. These new buses are really good but the passenger experience is still poor.

 

[YorkRailFan]

1513 is back at Starbeck depot today.

 

[Mollman]

I agree that with even just a few standees it’s quite awkward to get off. Transdev seem to have a thing with awkward buzzers on electric buses - I once missed a stop on a now gone Volvo 7900E because I couldn’t find a button!

Regarding frequencies, I don’t get how the 1A/B/C between Harrogate and Knaresborough can be every 10 minutes yet the 662, despite serving a much larger population is every 15 minutes. Yet another symptom of the degradation of bus services in West Yorkshire.

The other issue is that the timings are far too tight in practice. The timetable just doesn’t take into account the near constant congestion coming out of Keighley Bus station, as well as going through Bingley and Saltaire. The service I took set off from Keighley on time, but was 8 minutes late by the time it had left Bingley.

This as well as driver shortages and B7RLE breakdowns all add to the poor performance of the 662. It’s such a shame. These new buses are really good but the passenger experience is still poor.

Frequency wise it is an interesting one. If you look at rail Harrogate - Knaresborough is still two trains and hour whilst Skipton - Keighley - Bradford was reduced to hourly in the off peak.

 

[SCH117X]

1513 is back at Starbeck depot today.

Correct, saw it in on a 6 even though Bustimes had it also on an A2 at the same time.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 Nov 2025 ==

Posting by Paul Turner on Facebook clarifies a number of matters. The Brontebus branding is to remain with wo vehicles to be so branded. They have moved away from branding some vehicles to allow for interworking; Valleyline with the 4 in the evenings and Irwell Line with the 8. Not route branding the eCitaros allows mileages to managed better.
The Rosso name and brand is to remain, the movement to Blackburn and Burnley licences is to simplify operations and it will be part the design of the 464 livery for the E200s due next year.

 

[Deerfold]

Frequency wise it is an interesting one. If you look at rail Harrogate - Knaresborough is still two trains and hour whilst Skipton - Keighley - Bradford was reduced to hourly in the off peak.

Though Keighley to Saltaire there's also 2 60s an hour and, typically, 4 trains an hour (1 misses out Saltaire and Crossflatts). Bingley to Bradford, the 662 is not the only route.

 

[WY Bus Spotter]

Though Keighley to Saltaire there's also 2 60s an hour and, typically, 4 trains an hour (1 misses out Saltaire). Bingley to Bradford, the 662 is not the only route.

*3 60s an hour nowadays, including the 60A.

 

[YorkRailFan]

'TheShuttle' B7RLE 1802 has been sent off to Blackburn for disposal and B7RLE 1838 has had its Harrogate vinyls removed.

 

[SCH117X]

B7RLE 1838 has had its Harrogate vinyls removed.

1838 has had the Your Harrogate radio promotional branding fully removed and the darker red part repainted. Some of the branding eariler had to be removed quickly as the featured presenter left the radio station. It retains Harrogate Bus Company under the windscreeen.

 

[Deerfold]

*3 60s an hour nowadays, including the 60A.

I should have remembered that - I got one just under a fortnight ago.

 

[vla50]

It looks like Transdev Blazefield is now down to their final President in service, 2701 (Y701 HRN). Given the ex Reliance B9 and two more E400s entered service yesterday, looks as if 2704/2715/2735 have been taken off the road - only leaving 2701 (Y701 HRN) and 2785 (LF52 USO) in service now

 

[darylyates17]

Am I right that all Eclipse Urbans are due to depart the fleet?

 

[Leedsbusman]

Am I right that all Eclipse Urbans are due to depart the fleet?

I’m told the priority is the D7C engined ones. I think that’s 1700 1752 1801-1814 batch. I believe 1730-1733 are also going.

 

[darylyates17]

I’m told the priority is the D7C engined ones. I think that’s 1700 1752 1801-1814 batch. I believe 1730-1733 are also going.

Suspected the D7Cs would go first with the odd D7E.

 

[YorkRailFan]

eCitaros 1027 and 1028 have now entered service.

 

[Halish Railway]

I’m told the priority is the D7C engined ones. I think that’s 1700 1752 1801-1814 batch. I believe 1730-1733 are also going.

So are Keighley’s 1823, 1825 and 1843-1850 going as well? (Albeit at a later date).

 

[Leedsbusman]

So are Keighley’s 1823, 1825 and 1843-1850 going as well? (Albeit at a later date).

Surely everything is going at a later date!

 

[YorkRailFan]

eCitaros 1026 and 1030 are now in service. B7RLEs 1806 and 1814 have been withdrawn and sent to Blackburn for disposal.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

The bell is very quiet so the driver slightly overshot my stop on the first one. They're comfortable and smell lovely. The second was busier and the buses don't seem well designed for the dozen or so standing.

I always assumed that ringing the bell on a bus to request a stop would also trigger a visual indicator to the driver on his/her dashboard, at least on modern vehicles. Do they not?

 

[M60lad]

I know that on MMC400 dashboard it always states when the bell has been pressed as it comes up with a warning on the dash in worded form, on other vehicles I'm sure its been a picture of the bell that briefly flashes up, but if the driver has been concentrating on the road they might not see the dash or even hear the bell if its quiet. I know sometimes depending where the bell is situated the driver can't hear it because of the cab assault screen.

 

[Hyebone]

I know that on MMC400 dashboard it always states when the bell has been pressed as it comes up with a warning on the dash in worded form, on other vehicles I'm sure its been a picture of the bell that briefly flashes up, but if the driver has been concentrating on the road they might not see the dash or even hear the bell if its quiet. I know sometimes depending where the bell is situated the driver can't hear it because of the cab assault screen.

Newer ADLs have a red light above the cab door that turns on when the bell is pressed. I'm pretty sure the bell sounds in the cab too

 

[43055]

I always assumed that ringing the bell on a bus to request a stop would also trigger a visual indicator to the driver on his/her dashboard, at least on modern vehicles. Do they not?

There is but on the Enviro's for example the indicator is tiny after the initial warning so sometimes it is better to look at the passenger indicator which is next to the doors.

Newer ADLs have a red light above the cab door that turns on when the bell is pressed. I'm pretty sure the bell sounds in the cab too

The first bell press does sound in the cab but subsequent does not.

 

[Hyebone]

The first bell press does sound in the cab but subsequent does not.

Yes, I remember now.

 

[YorkRailFan]

eCitaro 1029 is also in service now.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Nov 2025 ==

Paul Turner reports that 1037 and 1516 have received Transdev branding like 1513-15 wear.

eCitaros 1031, 1033 & 1034 are at Keighley with 1033 already tracking today. 1807 has moved to Blackburn for withdrawal and 2715 has been stood down. Rollout of the E400s for school is complete.

Bustimes reports that 1036 has now been repainted into Harrogate Red.

 

[darylyates17]

eCitaro 1029 is also in service now.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Nov 2025 ==

Paul Turner reports that 1037 and 1516 have received Transdev branding like 1513-15 wear.

eCitaros 1031, 1033 & 1034 are at Keighley with 1033 already tracking today. 1807 has moved to Blackburn for withdrawal and 2715 has been stood down. Rollout of the E400s for school is complete.

Bustimes reports that 1036 has now been repainted into Harrogate Red.

2849 isn’t tracking so suspect that’s the last E400 yet to enter service.

 

[MCRTransitYT]

2849-SN12 ACX

2849 spotted here on its first route at Keighley! Transferred over from Transport UK at London, last route for it at London was the 207 to Yeading. Here it makes its first appearance at Transdev on school service S23!

flic.kr

2849 isn’t tracking so suspect that’s the last E400 yet to enter service.

 

[darylyates17]

2849-SN12 ACX

2849 spotted here on its first route at Keighley! Transferred over from Transport UK at London, last route for it at London was the 207 to Yeading. Here it makes its first appearance at Transdev on school service S23!

flic.kr

That confirms it then, how many of these “old” B7TLs are staying as I know not all of them are going yet.

 

[YorkRailFan]

Another update from Paul Turner reveals that B7RLE 1803 is at Blackburn for disposal and eCitaros 1032 & 1035 (the final eCitaros) have arrived at Keighley.

 

[SCH117X]

Paul Turner reports that 1037 and 1516 have received Transdev branding like 1513-15 wear.

1037 differs in the above window lettering referrring to 'Powered by wind power..." rather than "...across Yorkshire & Lancashire"

 

[M60lad]

Are all the E-Citaroes for 662 only I thought some were meant to be going on 67s as well?