Uno Bus

[markymark2000]

I'm pretty sure a county council or regional transport authority has a bit more weight behind it than a small or medium sized bus company. And it would be silly as Uno/ the university would be charging themselves if they did what you say under franchising.

You're very much mistaken in that the land owner (in this case the university), can and does pick and choose who has access. If the Uni didn't want to provide access to non Uno buses, they can still do that, and Uno will just run the buses as student only services. It's exactly what happens in London. The universities contract their own dedicated buses rather than having their buses form part of the normal bus network.

Or you end up with Lothian/Edinburgh Trams and Edinburgh Airport situation whereby the public authority/municipal ends up paying silly money to gain access to the site.

Yes Intalink/Herts CC can ask for access, the exact same as anyone can ask for access now, but they do not have to be granted it, and nothing at all stops the uni from doing what I have said above.

They would likely still be running most of the contracts in Hatfield, but under the county/ authority, all would be equal and the final say of the network would be with the authority.

That's not a given. Uno may not win any franchises, or may not wish to bid if the contracts aren't to their liking. Franchising does not mean that Uno will simply be thrown the existing routes. As proven in Manchester, you can't predict the outcome of franchise winners, and certainly shouldn't take it for granted.

For one garage, it is a lot to run but across the wider area and a complex one like Hertfordshire into North London with no obvious centre, not so much.

That is Unos CHOICE. No one forces them to run such a wide and complex network. And Uno makes a conscious CHOICE to run such long winded routes despite knowing full well the challenges in the area with congestion.

 

[Edvid]

More BYD B12s for Uno have been listed by BLOTW.

Here's a photo (not mine) of 410 / LF75 OSK with trade plates - unlike the Shuttle five it's a single-door build.

 

[jon0844]

A driver told me they've now taken delivery of a lot of new EV buses but are in the process of adapting the site to accommodate them (which I took to mean to be able to charge them all). Not sure how many or when they'll be arriving, but Uno should have a lot more electric buses in service soon. I've seen two EVs on the 602 route back to back, and it will be nice to see buses that have a better internal layout than the shuttles.

 

[Mollman]

An interesting news article has appeared on the Uno website
https://www.unobus.info/news/improving-bus-links-in-bedfordshire/

Cranfield Connect by Uno has been in consultation with Bedford Borough Council over the future of the Bedford, Kempston, Wootton corridor. We have come up with several proposals for them to consider, and we are awaiting feedback...
We would like to encourage you to contact Bedford Borough Council to speed up the process of approving new services

 

[Deerfold]

An interesting news article has appeared on the Uno website
https://www.unobus.info/news/improving-bus-links-in-bedfordshire/

I'm not sure how they expect people to write in favour of their changes with no information about what they are or how the council is holding them up.

 

[jon0844]

Following on from the thread about air con in London buses, I realised yesterday that the BYD buses Uno is running also have air conditioning throughout the bus (not just for the driver) and the bus was actually cold when I got on!

I might have been happy to even have some basic air cooling but the system is powerful. Having looked into the bus specs it appears they have a heat pump so that probably explains why (and why I'm considering a air to air heat pump for my house to heat and cool).

Sadly the driver informed me that they've got a whole bunch more EV buses they can't use yet and are stored in places around Heathrow and (I think he said) Salisbury?

You see the University of Hertfordshire decided late in the day to cancel the order of battery charges and order a different type, and so they're waiting to hear when they'll be installed so they can run the new buses now gathering dust.

One thing to note, however, is they still can't get the onboard screens to show next stop info. The horizontal displays just scroll through diagnostics and the bigger screen shows a status page that looks like a PC BIOS settings page. It shows lots of useful stats about the bus and GPS coordinates but not where you are or are going next!

 

[aswilliamsuk]

Following on from the thread about air con in London buses, I realised yesterday that the BYD buses Uno is running also have air conditioning throughout the bus (not just for the driver) and the bus was actually cold when I got on!

I might have been happy to even have some basic air cooling but the system is powerful. Having looked into the bus specs it appears they have a heat pump so that probably explains why (and why I'm considering a air to air heat pump for my house to heat and cool).

Sadly the driver informed me that they've got a whole bunch more EV buses they can't use yet and are stored in places around Heathrow and (I think he said) Salisbury?

You see the University of Hertfordshire decided late in the day to cancel the order of battery charges and order a different type, and so they're waiting to hear when they'll be installed so they can run the new buses now gathering dust.

One thing to note, however, is they still can't get the onboard screens to show next stop info. The horizontal displays just scroll through diagnostics and the bigger screen shows a status page that looks like a PC BIOS settings page. It shows lots of useful stats about the bus and GPS coordinates but not where you are or are going next!

Presumably the ones in store will be the rest of 22 BYD B12s that were on order - the five for Shuttle work were the first of the 27 funded in total.

If some are near Heathrow, that would suggest BYD's premises, which as I recall are in Iver.

 

[Trainman40083]

Following on from the thread about air con in London buses, I realised yesterday that the BYD buses Uno is running also have air conditioning throughout the bus (not just for the driver) and the bus was actually cold when I got on!

I might have been happy to even have some basic air cooling but the system is powerful. Having looked into the bus specs it appears they have a heat pump so that probably explains why (and why I'm considering a air to air heat pump for my house to heat and cool).

Sadly the driver informed me that they've got a whole bunch more EV buses they can't use yet and are stored in places around Heathrow and (I think he said) Salisbury?

You see the University of Hertfordshire decided late in the day to cancel the order of battery charges and order a different type, and so they're waiting to hear when they'll be installed so they can run the new buses now gathering dust.

One thing to note, however, is they still can't get the onboard screens to show next stop info. The horizontal displays just scroll through diagnostics and the bigger screen shows a status page that looks like a PC BIOS settings page. It shows lots of useful stats about the bus and GPS coordinates but not where you are or are going next!

Have you got any evidence they changed their battery charger supplier? I'm told they didn't.

 

[kijeta]

I realised yesterday that the BYD buses Uno is running also have air conditioning throughout the bus (not just for the driver) and the bus was actually cold when I got on!

That's amazing! I did a Uno day yesterday and unfortunately only got the vehicles which were like a sauna inside...

 

[Edvid]

Presumably the ones in store will be the rest of 22 BYD B12s that were on order - the five for Shuttle work were the first of the 27 funded in total.

If some are near Heathrow, that would suggest BYD's premises, which as I recall are in Iver.

Only 16 were on order when I asked them, though that was back in September. Also I'm pretty sure they have (had?) their base in Heston; according to Companies House their registered office is now ARC Uxbridge, which unlike its namesake town is located just over the boundary in Buckinghamshire.

That's amazing! I did a Uno day yesterday and unfortunately only got the vehicles which were like a sauna inside...

As a rule of thumb low-floor buses produced by UK manufacturers are not equipped with air-con, in contrast to some manufacturers from overseas (BYD / Yutong in particular). The current models by ADL & Wright may have air cooling systems but that's as far as it goes.

 

[jon0844]

Have you got any evidence they changed their battery charger supplier? I'm told they didn't.

Yeah, let me demand evidence from a driver when they tell me something!

Also, can you provide evidence that I said they've changed supplier? I was told they're ordering a different (faster) charger. I never said anything about the supplier. I don't have a clue who they're using and doubt the drivers do either. I'm not sure it really matters either. The issue is that they're now behind and have new buses they can't use.

 

[Deerfold]

Yeah, let me demand evidence from a driver when they tell me something!

Also, can you provide evidence that I said they've changed supplier? I was told they're ordering a different (faster) charger. I never said anything about the supplier. I don't have a clue who they're using and doubt the drivers do either. I'm not sure it really matters either. The issue is that they're now behind and have new buses they can't use.

He didn't demand. He asked.

 

[Trainman40083]

Yeah, let me demand evidence from a driver when they tell me something!

Also, can you provide evidence that I said they've changed supplier? I was told they're ordering a different (faster) charger. I never said anything about the supplier. I don't have a clue who they're using and doubt the drivers do either. I'm not sure it really matters either. The issue is that they're now behind and have new buses they can't use.

But have they paid for those buses, they have not taken delivery of?

 

[jon0844]

But have they paid for those buses, they have not taken delivery of?

I don't know.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Jun 2026 ==

He didn't demand. He asked.

I still found it rather rude. Plus I was asked to provide evidence for something I didn't write or claim.

 

[Failed Unit]

But have they paid for those buses, they have not taken delivery of?

I suspect they have, it isn't the suppliers issue that they can't use them. The supplier has supplied what was requested so I would expect they will wan't payment. If the bus wasn't upto specification, then absolutely they wouldn't pay.

 

[Trainman40083]

I suspect they have, it isn't the suppliers issue that they can't use them. The supplier has supplied what was requested so I would expect they will wan't payment. If the bus wasn't upto specification, then absolutely they wouldn't pay.

Sorry,, no. They haven't.

 

[jon0844]

Sorry,, no. They haven't.

Cough cough, any evidence they haven't paid for the buses yet?

 

[Trainman40083]

Cough cough, any evidence they haven't paid for the buses yet?

Well, let me say I have a friend in the right place to know. Management

 

[Deerfold]

I don't know.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Jun 2026 ==



I still found it rather rude. Plus I was asked to provide evidence for something I didn't write or claim.

Then they may have misunderstood.
You could have early just said that that wasn't what you were suggesting.

 

[jon0844]

Well, let me say I have a friend in the right place to know. Management

So what chargers are they getting now, how many and when are they being installed? Do you know when the remaining EVs will be introduced and what routes they're going to be on?

 

[Trainman40083]

So what chargers are they getting now, how many and when are they being installed? Do you know when the remaining EVs will be introduced and what routes they're going to be on?

Also, can you confirm what I've heard about route changes in the autumn by saying what changes are going to be made? I am not going to mention anything more here because obviously you know better.

I assume you also know about the fare promotion coming up too?

No. I only know the situation regarding the BYDs and why they are not delivered..

 

[Failed Unit]

Sorry,, no. They haven't.

They have written a good contract then. If i had delivered a product I would expect payment unless something in my control prevented them from using it.

They are better than I have given them credit for.

 

[Trainman40083]

They have written a good contract then. If i had delivered a product I would expect payment unless something in my control prevented them from using it.

They are better than I have given them credit for.

But given where they are parked, have they taken delivery? Maybe a condition was installation of the charging points.. But that I do not know.

 

[jon0844]

After a lot of fanfare of new Uno routes with some pretty extraordinary service frequencies (e.g. 602 every 15 minutes and from 0550 to 2330), it seems that from the end of August there are going to be lots of cuts.

I wonder what's causing this to happen? Is it down to a loss of income with the £3 price cap, or just insufficient passenger numbers (which I find hard to believe given that, in term time at least, many of these buses are near crush loaded).

Source:

August 2026

This is a summary of the forthcoming changes to local bus services in Hertfordshire in August 2026.

www.intalink.org.uk

Service frequencies cut in half, services cut short, services axed entirely, and a number of services only remaining on Sundays with Hertfordshire County Council funding.

I suspect there are some other cuts to come, as they've hinted at wanting rid of some routes but nothing is included in the latest service update.

Once a bus is down to once every two hours, it can't be long for the chop entirely.. who would use it?

242 Waltham Cross to Hatfield
Uno
Timetable and route service change. Service route will no longer be extended to Hatfield. Service route will operate from Waltham Cross to Potters Bar, frequency will remain at hourly service. No change to Sundays or public holiday timetable.
From 30.08.26.

243 Hatfield to Barnet Hospital
Uno
Timetable and route change. Service route will serve De Havilland Campus in Hatfield due to the route change on service 242. Timetable amended to account for the withdrawal of service 242 on journeys north of Potters Bar. (Please see service change 242)
From 30.08.26.

602 Hatfield to Watford
Uno
Timetable change. Service frequency will be reduced and operate two buses an hour. The additional Hatfield, Business Park to St Albans journeys are being withdrawn. Sundays service will receive financial support from Hertfordshire County Council.
From 30.08.26.

612 Hatfield to Luton
Uno
Service is being withdrawn.
From 29.08.26.

614/644 Hatfield to Queensbury
Uno
Timetable change. The last evening journey from Hatfield operating Mondays to Fridays is being withdrawn.
From 30.08.26.

635 Hatfield to Watford
Uno
Timetable change. Service being reduced in frequency to operate every two hours.
From 30.08.26.

653 St Albans to Welwyn Garden City
Uno
Revised timetable. Minor timing adjustments to journeys throughout the timetable. Sundays service will receive financial support from Hertfordshire County Council.
From 30.08.26.

PB1 Potters bar to Rushfield (Circular)
Uno
Service being withdrawn. Replacement service being investigated.
From 30.08.26.

X10 Hatfield to Luton
Uno
Timetable change and service route change. Service frequency reduced to an hourly service. Service re-routed to serve Oaklands College and withdrawn from Venue 360 travelling via Kimpton Road within Luton.
From 30.08.26.

There are also a number of changes for Arriva services too, although no services look like they're being axed entirely.

 

[aron2smith]

After a lot of fanfare of new Uno routes with some pretty extraordinary service frequencies (e.g. 602 every 15 minutes and from 0550 to 2330), it seems that from the end of August there are going to be lots of cuts.

I wonder what's causing this to happen? Is it down to a loss of income with the £3 price cap, or just insufficient passenger numbers (which I find hard to believe given that, in term time at least, many of these buses are near crush loaded).

Service frequencies cut in half, services cut short, services axed entirely, and a number of services only remaining on Sundays with Hertfordshire County Council funding.

Not surprised the 242 is going back home to Potters Bar, only ever seen a handful of people used it north of Potters Bar, if anywhere justifies a half hourly frequency it's to places like Cuffley and Barnet, not Brookman's Park! Arriva's 66 is being extended to Brookfield and Hammond Street every half hour at the end of July too, which could cause issues for the 242 arriving at a similar time as Brookfield's bus stand is not very big at all! Barely fits 2 buses on it.

What I wished Uno would do is run the 242 to Barnet and restore the 610 to Potters Bar. No need for a separate 243 then. PB1 as a town route really needs to be based at Potters Bar Garage, TFL and Metroline should be running it!

And I think what is clear to me from these cuts is there's a fast growing gap between 'commercial' routes and the publicly funded routes, really everything needs to be runs as one thing all together.

Also I know what you mean, seeing the long queues and overcrowding for the 610/ X10 and 614 especially at peak times is bloody miserable, I'm so glad none of the buses in Cheshunt get like that very often!!

 

[Deerfold]

What I wished Uno would do is run the 242 to Barnet and restore the 610 to Potters Bar. No need for a separate 243 then. PB1 as a town route really needs to be based at Potters Bar Garage, TFL and Metroline should be running it!

Why would TfL run a bus service entirely outside Greater London?

 

[aron2smith]

Why would TfL run a bus service entirely outside Greater London?

Because PB1 was originally a London Transport route (one of the flat fare routes from the 70s) and they are using a garage where this route runs on streets right outside. It's bonkers and probably completely uneconomical to base the route anywhere but Potters Bar, and it's vital and well used by local residents. And it's not that far out of London, TFL already run 2 routes to Potters Bar, just incorporate this route and have TFL run something to Barnet and be done with it, the garage is right in the middle of the town. Nothing else makes sense here.

 

[duncombec]

Because PB1 was originally a London Transport route (one of the flat fare routes from the 70s) and they are using a garage where this route runs on streets right outside. It's bonkers and probably completely uneconomical to base the route anywhere but Potters Bar, and it's vital and well used by local residents. And it's not that far out of London, TFL already run 2 routes to Potters Bar, just incorporate this route and have TFL run something to Barnet and be done with it, the garage is right in the middle of the town. Nothing else makes sense here.

PB1 is a Hertfordshire contract, so there is nothing to stop "TfL" bidding for it if they wish. Indeed, it used to be run by Metroline, who could also reopen their commercial unit if they wished.

As for vital... hmm... the below comment was made on one of Roger French's blogs in August 2022, by someone who actually knew the economics of the route:

PB1 does better in the mornings; after 1500 on weekdays and after lunchtime on Saturdays, the route carries penny numbers; on Saturdays often consecutive rounders with no passengers at all! Roger’s journey carried 11 passengers on a rounder, which is actually quite good!!

Given the fortunes of town services country-wide, and parking around Potters Bar's estates, I can only imagine passenger numbers are equal or worse.

 

[Dwarfer1979]

Because PB1 was originally a London Transport route (one of the flat fare routes from the 70s) and they are using a garage where this route runs on streets right outside. It's bonkers and probably completely uneconomical to base the route anywhere but Potters Bar, and it's vital and well used by local residents. And it's not that far out of London, TFL already run 2 routes to Potters Bar, just incorporate this route and have TFL run something to Barnet and be done with it, the garage is right in the middle of the town. Nothing else makes sense here.

TfL don't have a depot in Potters Bar, it is owned by Metroline who could bid for it if they wanted (they have run it in the past), and Potters Bar isn't in London so whilst running to Potters Bar makes sense there isn't a reason for TfL to run a local service that has probably never been truly commercial (and has been an HCC contract for over 20 years including when run from the depot suggested it is only economical to run at). The issue for them will be it is only 1 bus & probably driver, and a small one untypical of the general London fleet, and as a Hertfordshire supported service it will be required to accept HCC/Intalink ticket products many of which are based on smartcards that I suspect TfL machines can't read (and there may even be restrictions on using TfL machines on non-TfL work as Metrolines non-TfL services always had different ticket machines) and it would probably be difficult to have 2 drivers on non-London wages just for this in an otherwise London waged depot (& the moment you add London wages to your costs you the price will be higher than a non-London operator).

 

[Deerfold]

Because PB1 was originally a London Transport route (one of the flat fare routes from the 70s) and they are using a garage where this route runs on streets right outside. It's bonkers and probably completely uneconomical to base the route anywhere but Potters Bar, and it's vital and well used by local residents. And it's not that far out of London, TFL already run 2 routes to Potters Bar, just incorporate this route and have TFL run something to Barnet and be done with it, the garage is right in the middle of the town. Nothing else makes sense here.

There's nothing to stop the route behind run from Potters Bar, but TfL have already shortened routes that used to go beyond Potters Bar station.

In the 70s London transport covered much of the home counties, often with a awkward split between them and local companies.