TRIVIA: Reversing Buses

[Eyersey468]

From spending many childhood hours on holiday along east coast at Skipsea (near Bridlington), I remember an East Yorkshire route (I assume it still runs, maybe the 130) that reversed at Barmston Caravan Park, then also reversed at Ulrome.

The interesting thing to note is that I believe this route used to be able to run down the coast road all the way to Skipsea Sands (I would guess until the mid 2000s), but because of coastal erosion now has to go back and forth from the main road several times.

Yes I'm sure it does still run. There's also the 129 which reverses at Aldborough and the 173 which reverses at Tunstall and Halsham

 

[daodao]

Former NWRCC route 19 from Macclesfield to Prestbury was combined with the Macclesfield to Whirley Barn route (formerly NWRCC route 45); the service (now High Peak route 19) reverses at Whirley Barn (Sandy Lane) in both directions.

 

[Imageretriever]

This afternoon I rode the splendidly quaint 576 Arriva route departing from Shrewsbury to Oswestry via a plethora of isolated villages every 2hr. The route had its scenic charms, but it was noteworthy to me as it reversed twice en route.

I can think of plenty of routes that reverse once, but none others that do so more frequently.

So my question for the evening is: can you name any bus routes that reverse during the ride (not including reversing out of a bus station). Bonus points if you can name one that does so more than once.

You may be surprised to find out that on certain journeys the 576 actually has three reverses.
Weston Lullingfields, Kinnerley, and Knockin.

 

[Jan Mayen]

Metrobus 270 reverses into Station Road for Horsted Keynes Station (Bluebell Railway)

 

[WestieBus]

I'm not actually sure but I'm guessing WCM's 480 route reverses at the Hunter Quay Holiday Village turning area, as there is no roundabouts in that area.

 

[farwest]

Tfc 34 from Helston to the Lizard. Ruan Minor and Kuggar plus reversing for other vehicles on the narrow lanes!

 

[Dai Corner]

The Adventure Travel C2 in Cardiff reverses near the heliport.

 

[chris_in_salop]

Sorry this is a bit late, and I know I shouldn't dredge up old threads

The 740 Ludlow to Knighton reverses twice on its journey, at Leintwardine (The Lion) and Bucknell (The Tyndings). The Leintwardine reversal point is prone to floods, while the Bucknell reversal is a 3-point turn at a Forestry Commission track. We're not talking a major urban route here!

 

[geoffk]

Nothing in Greater Manchester as it's said to be prohibited, by whom I'm not sure. I believe Traffic Areas have differing attitudes towards reversal, while in some areas there is a Union agreement against it.

 

[AB93]

Nothing in Greater Manchester as it's said to be prohibited, by whom I'm not sure. I believe Traffic Areas have differing attitudes towards reversal, while in some areas there is a Union agreement against it.

They can't be that against it, with the frequent need to reverse at the top of Piccadilly Station Approach on the free buses with pedestrians everywhere!

 

[PG]

Don't think it's already been mentioned, Stagecoach Strathtay Montrose town service 47 has to reverse into the terminus at Ferryden Pier (otherwise it'd end up in the sea!) and reverses en-route at Dubton (from memory in to a farm track) and then reverses at its other terminus at Craigo.
https://bustimes.org/services/47-hillside-ferryden-4#map

 

[David Burrows]

Borders Buses 464 Berwick-upon-Tweed to Wooler revers in Bowsden and again in Lowick. Their website route map gives the impression that it doesn't reverse, but unless someone has built some new roads since last summer, it does!

 

[Ken H]

The number 1 bus from Tiverton to Exeter does - or, at least did! - reverse at a dead end in Sampford Peverell. I think it may also have done at Uffculme, but don't hold me to that!

they turn round in Uffculme, but not sure how they do it, or if it needs a reversal. (I take a reversal as needing reverse gear, not looping round an estate or roundabout)

The timing point is Ostler Inn. been there

 

[paulmch]

Two spring to mind - Stagecoach East runs the 19 twice a day in each direction from Landbeach to Cambridge, reversing at Fen Ditton. It passes through a single track road, squeezing past some very old houses that hang out onto the carriageway on the first floor. Once it's navigated that, it reverses into a very tight cul-de-sac and goes back the way it came. I've travelled on it a few times recently and it's surprisingly well-used!

The other is the roundabout used to turn around at Uppingham in Rutland - I suppose it's not strictly a booked reverse manoeuvre but more often than not the bus doesn't quite make it all the way round without having to stop.

 

[vlad]

The other is the roundabout used to turn around at Uppingham in Rutland...

If that counts then so does this mini-roundabout at the end of the B5331 in Rudyard, used by D&G's Macclesfield to Leek service. It's a very tight turning circle so if the driver just gets onto the pavement he's done well!

 

[Dai Corner]

If that counts then so does this mini-roundabout at the end of the B5331 in Rudyard, used by D&G's Macclesfield to Leek service. It's a very tight turning circle so if the driver just gets onto the pavement he's done well!

Or this traffic island in Swffryd where the Stagecoach 21 Cwmbran-Blackwood turns round. Parked cars usually mean even a Solo has to reverse once or twice to do it.

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

goo.gl

 

[221129]

they turn round in Uffculme, but not sure how they do it, or if it needs a reversal. (I take a reversal as needing reverse gear, not looping round an estate or roundabout)

The timing point is Ostler Inn. been there

It does a 3 point turn in the Junction. It needs a reversal.

Also in Devon with stagecoach is the the 55A in Silverton and the 55B in Thorverton villages.

 

[Deafdoggie]

If that counts then so does this mini-roundabout at the end of the B5331 in Rudyard, used by D&G's Macclesfield to Leek service. It's a very tight turning circle so if the driver just gets onto the pavement he's done well!

It’s really just a cop out. They can get away with saying it doesn’t reverse because it’s a roundabout, but in reality it has to.

 

[D365]

The 65 (Sheffield-Buxton) reverses in Litton village, I'm fairly sure there are other Peak District buses that do so also.

 

[PG]

It’s really just a cop out. They can get away with saying it doesn’t reverse because it’s a roundabout, but in reality it has to.

If that counts then so does this mini-roundabout at the end of the B5331 in Rudyard, used by D&G's Macclesfield to Leek service. It's a very tight turning circle so if the driver just gets onto the pavement he's done well!

TBH I never had any hassle registering routes with reversals with the TC, maybe things were different pre-deregulation?

Looking at that mini-roundabout (and with no idea what buses D&G run) purely from a drivers perspective I'd be half tempted to approach on the wrong side and swing anti-clockwise round it. Not advisable from a road safety perspective of course!

 

[JoshYouWerLAD]

Not strictly on a service route but Station Parade at Portsmouth is used on 589/592 journeys which terminate at Portsmouth. This is a small corner reverse manoeuvre next to a level crossing. @Whisky Papa should remember doing this.
More recently

 

[Whiteway215]

Stagecoach South West in North Devon service 21A Barnstaple—Croyde Bay-Georgeham reverses from Moor Lane into a very narrow Beach Road at Croyde Bay. I have to admire the drivers’ skill as they manoeuvre between the stone walls and wandering holidaymakers!

 

[Whisky Papa]

Not strictly on a service route but Station Parade at Portsmouth is used on 589/592 journeys which terminate at Portsmouth. This is a small corner reverse manoeuvre next to a level crossing. @Whisky Papa should remember doing this. View attachment 87196
More recently
View attachment 87197

Well - yes and no! In my time, we actually reversed into what is now Ivy Place on the opposite side of the road, but was then just a wide expanse of unsurfaced waste ground that provided access to a contractor's yard. I wasn't sure whether the reverse was still used or if the layby a mile along the A646 had taken its place for the few journeys a day that still use it. Portsmouth used to have an hourly evening / Sunday reversal when the 589 ran as a Portsmouth - Walsden shuttle with one bus, the very definition of tedium as a driver!

I'm assuming I would have driven 30737 under its previous fleetnumber (5306?) and sadly not in the commemorative livery. I did at least drive Fleetline 7006, Olympian 5156 and Leopard 8534 in Todmorden commemorative schemes over the years.

 

[JoshYouWerLAD]

Well - yes and no! In my time, we actually reversed into what is now Ivy Place on the opposite side of the road, but was then just a wide expanse of unsurfaced waste ground that provided access to a contractor's yard. I wasn't sure whether the reverse was still used or if the layby a mile along the A646 had taken its place for the few journeys a day that still use it. Portsmouth used to have an hourly evening / Sunday reversal when the 589 ran as a Portsmouth - Walsden shuttle with one bus, the very definition of tedium as a driver!

I'm assuming I would have driven 30737 under its previous fleetnumber (5306?) and sadly not in the commemorative livery. I did at least drive Fleetline 7006, Olympian 5156 and Leopard 8534 in Todmorden commemorative schemes over the years.

Would have a job now trying to reverse it down Ivy Place with the recent apartments that have been built in the past few years the layby is only really used if there is a car parked dodgy down Station Parade but if you get to the layby and there is a big lorry parked at the top then it's a big drive to go up Mount Lane and back down Red Lee's Road. Another thing with turning at the layby is that its pitch black up there and alot of the time you can't make the turn back onto Burnley Road without requiring a shunt so gotta be careful for people driving in excess of the National Speed Limit

 

[Wolvercoter]

Oxford Bus Company City4 services to and from Abingdon and Oxford via Wootton - they reverse into Sandleigh Road.

You beat me to it!

I recall this route better as the 43 Abingdon Tesco to Rose Hill using Leyland Olympians and Bristol VRs (and, latterly, 40C then 45B). I recall, for a short time early 90s, the bridge on Faringdon Road in Abingdon was closed and buses were diverted from Bath Street, along Wootton Road to Long Tow, into Shippon and reverse at Elm Tree Walk. Thence Wootton and reverse again, as you say, at Sandleigh Road.

 

[ACBest]

Marshalls of Sutton-on-Trent have a few...
The 339 from Tuxford to North Muskham has to reverse at Cromwell on the southbound journey, as the village is off the A1, and the slip road onto the southbound A1 is on the opposite side of the road to the village.
The 856 from Bottesford to Lowdham via Bingham has two reverses en route - the first at Shelton, and the second at the end of Abbey Road in Bingham.
The 857 from Shelton/Bottesford to Newark has a reverse at Staunton in the Vale.

Travel Wright’s 335 from Retford to Ollerton (formerly 35) had THREE reverses en route sometimes! The first was at Elkesley, Headland Avenue; the second at Elkesley, High Street (which was fun, as it was on a blind bend); and the third at Bothamsall Church - although that one is on a request section of the route, so it all depends on demand. I’m not sure if they still serve the High Street part anymore though.

And Centrebus have a few too on routes around Leicestershire and Rutland.
The 23 between Melton Mowbray and Bottesford has a reverse at Stathern; whilst the 25 between Melton and Stathern has a reverse at Eaton.
Certain journeys on the RF1 from Oakham to Corby have a reverse at the small village of Wing, whilst the RF2 between Oakham and Melton Mowbray has two reverses - one at Greetham, and a second at the Kendrew Barracks in Cottesmore. These are usually done by turning the bus in the road, as both have enough space to do a 180° turn - but the turning area at Greetham is regularly full of parked vehicles, so a reverse is sometimes needed there.
The 55 from Grantham to Sewstern/Saxby has two reverses en route, the first being at Knipton (although if you have a small Enviro 200, a 180° turn can be done!), and the second in the small village of Stonesby.

 

[Pat1105]

Stagecoach South Wales’ 83 (Monmouth- Abergavenny) turns twice at Dingestow and The Bryn.
Stagecoach Highland 16 (Inverness - Foyers) reverses at Lower Foyers

 

[PG]

Service 77 Trowbridge - Devizes reverses into a wee lane in the village of Steeple Ashton, currently run by both Faresaver and Frome Bus.

OT: got to love the advice given on the Connecting Wiltshire journey planner!

Some directions for this journey might be impractical for pedestrians. Use your common sense.