water buses in the UK

[34D]

Hello,

I see from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_taxi that waterbuses operate in Bristol, Cardiff and Spalding. Has anyone used any of these? Do any offer integrated ticketing with buses or trains?

I'm defining a Waterbus service as having a timetable and serving at least three stops (thereby excluding round trip pleasure cruises, and also excluding A to B ferries ie Southampton to Cowes).

Are there any others in the UK apart from the three above (plus London of course, which is pretty well known about)? Any proposals?

 

[edwin_m]

I used the Bristol one three or four years ago. It is signposted from Temple Meads but (at the time at least) I don't recall any integrated ticketing. Although there are some journeys at commuter times I think it's mainly aimed at tourists, as the stops serve things like the Exploratorium (?) and SS Great Britain, and for most of the central area the terrestrial bus would be quicker, cheaper and more frequent.

 

[harry42]

The Spalding one is completely independent...(also fun!)

 

[David57]

Yep, used the Spalding one a few years ago..

 

[34D]

Does the spalding one have a website link please?

 

[W-on-Sea]

On your definition the foot ferry between Brightlingsea, East Mersea and Point Clear, all in Essex, would seem to qualify (no integrated ticketing: unsurprising as East Mersea only has a very limited bus service, and, until recently, most buses to Brightlingsea were run by a local independent operator as their sole public service route).

And there may be one or two other other foot ferries in Essex that might qualify too: the Wivenhoe, Rowhedge and Fingringhoe ferry coming immediately to mind.

 

[D841 Roebuck]

Felixstowe-Harwich-Shotley is also a triangular service.

I don't know if it still runs, but there used to be a boat service along the Irwell, from the Mark Addy pub to somewhere in Salford Quays, which enabled the prawn sandwich eating segment of Manchester United's support to avoid the hoi polloi on the way to and from the match.

 

[Stonesourscotty]

There are plans for water buses again in manchester isnt there?

 

[transmanche]

Although not fitting your three-stop definition, the Nexus-operated Shields Ferry is fully integrated into the Metro and TransFare ticketing system.

The Mersey Ferry afternoon peak service is Pier Head-Seacombe-Woodside-Pier Head. Merseytravel's Saveaway and Trio tickets are accepted.

 

[High Dyke]

Does the spalding one have a website link please?

Website here: http://www.spaldingwatertaxi.co.uk/index.php

The Water taxi operates from Double Street to Springfields Retail Outlet and back. Though could it be classed as an A - B service - it only serves two termini.

No integration AFAIK.

Route Map: http://www.spaldingwatertaxi.co.uk/map.php

 

[34D]

There are plans for water buses again in manchester isnt there?

I seem to remember you (or someone else) posting this on here. Anyone got any more info or a link?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

The Water taxi operates from Double Street to Springfields Retail Outlet and back. Though could it be classed as an A - B service - it only serves two termini.

Can anyone suggest a better definition for this?

Or is it simpler if we include all the domestic A to B ferries?

I would say we just focus on inland, but that would appear to exclude the Essex one.

 

[High Dyke]

Link to Manchester Water taxi plan. http://www.manchesterwatertaxis.com/

Concept
To provide Manchester with a high quality, environmentally friendly public transport network via the regions waterways which is fully integrated into the existing transport system, accessible for all, cost effective, safe and fun.

Media reports suggest this service was due to start in June 2013

 

[telstarbox]

That website's been around for years now.

 

[theblackwatch]

Is there no longer one at Shipley? I recall years back seeing Metro type signs to the 'WaterBus' there.

 

[IanD]

Hello,

I see from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_taxi that waterbuses operate in Bristol, Cardiff and Spalding. Has anyone used any of these? Do any offer integrated ticketing with buses or trains?

I'm defining a Waterbus service as having a timetable and serving at least three stops (thereby excluding round trip pleasure cruises, and also excluding A to B ferries ie Southampton to Cowes).

Are there any others in the UK apart from the three above (plus London of course, which is pretty well known about)? Any proposals?

There are 3 operators in Cardiff Bay - 2 link to the city Centre calling at a couple of stops on the way (including Central Station). Been on both, neither picked up or set down passengers at the intermediate stops (but may do at other times). No integrated ticketing facilities, just a £3 flat fare each way.

http://www.cardiffboat.com/
http://www.cardiffaquabus.com/

The other Yellow boat operates across the Bay to Penarth - not really neart the station though (only 2 stops, so not what you wanted really).

http://cardiffwaterbus.com/
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Just seen on the Yello boat website that they do have 2 other request stops.

 

[Deerfold]

Is there no longer one at Shipley? I recall years back seeing Metro type signs to the 'WaterBus' there.

No, it's years since that gave up (perhaps 20?). It ran all the way to Saltaire along a very similar route to the train.

The signs stayed up long after the service had stopped.

 

[34D]

Link to Manchester Water taxi plan. http://www.manchesterwatertaxis.com/

Media reports suggest this service was due to start in June 2013

Easter 2014 apparently http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/news/archive/14020-salford-water-taxi-scheme-on-the-agenda.html

 

[Smethwickian]

Birmingham has one on its famous canals. Well, a short stretch around one edge of the city centre, anyhow.

It's a four-stop shuttle linking the Mailbox / Gas Street basin / Convention Centre areas, up to half-hourly in summer.

Details at http://www.sherbornewharf.co.uk/waterbus.htm

The website says it continued during 'cooler months' but I personally can't recall seeing it in winter so that might be new/planned.

 

[Deerfold]

Details at http://www.sherbornewharf.co.uk/waterbus.htm

The website says it continued during 'cooler months' but I personally can't recall seeing it in winter so that might be new/planned.

And you'd expect to spot that one! I take it they're going for high visibility!

 

[jopsuk]

Do the Thames Clippers services count?

 

[Deerfold]

Do the Thames Clippers services count?

I assume 34D was referring to them in their original post.

Are there any others in the UK apart from the three above (plus London of course, which is pretty well known about)? Any proposals?

 

[34D]

Wow. I've learnt a lot in this thread. Keep em coming

 

[34D]

Thinking of both the A-B-C services and the A-B ferries, do any of them have NAPTANs?

 

[Liam]

There is the Clyde River Bus from Glasgow City Centre to Pacific Quay and Braehead

Also, the Govan and Yoker ferries, but those are A-B ferries. Further down river is the Kilcreggan ferry, linking Gourock and Kilcreggan, but until recently also served Helensburgh too. Kilcreggan and Yoker ferries are operated on behalf of SPT, so SPT Daytripper tickets are valid on board.

There are a number of cruise operators on Loch Lomond that operate a hop-on, hop-off system.

The passenger only ferry from Stromness to Graemsay and Hoy on Orkney might fall under your definition.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I think there was a WYPTE sponsored (but tourist-driven) 'Water bus' service during the late 1980s on the five-rise locks near Bingley- calling points were indicated by these signs (I do not own the photo):

 

[DaveNewcastle]

I used the Bristol one three or four years ago. It is signposted from Temple Meads but (at the time at least) I don't recall any integrated ticketing. Although there are some journeys at commuter times I think it's mainly aimed at tourists, as the stops serve things like the Exploratorium (?) and SS Great Britain, and for most of the central area the terrestrial bus would be quicker, cheaper and more frequent.

I've used the Bristol Ferry as a quick-ish way from Temple Meads station to the City Centre (ie the Watershed / bottom of Park Street for Council Offices, Colston Hall, Brandon Hill or Prince St for the Bristol Hotel (ex.Jurys Inn), Mud Dock etc.) in preference to a bus which will go the long way round picking up shoppers and their bags as it stop-starts through Broadmarsh.

But the Ferry is definitely NOT quicker on for the return journey to the station, as the east bound boats seem to go west first, then turn back. (definitely worth checking!)

 

[edwin_m]

Unless you have baggage I think most of central Bristol is actually just as quick from Temple Meads on foot. Both the bus and the ferry take a very indirect route, the one to serve the shops and the other to follow the river! Once you've walked the straight line route via Portwall Way you realise it's not as far as you first thought.

 

[bnm]

As a Bristolian I am now a regular user of the ferry service, particularly between Bristol Temple Meads and a friends place on Spike Island. It's not necessarily the quickest way to travel, but it is the most enjoyable.

For a recent history of the service, including it going into liquidation last year and then being resurrected early this year, there is much information in a thread on another rail related forum:

http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=11585.0

The Bristol Ferry Boat Company is now a Community Benefit Society having successfully met and exceeded their target of raising £250,000 by way of a Community Share offering. I did my bit and I am one of the shareholders. A youtube video shows the details of the fundraising effort as it was ongoing earlier this summer. The target was achieved in late July.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6hxb1Tdc2U

Oh, and as a Bristolian I recognise neither Broadmarsh or Portwall Way. Broadmead and Portwall Lane on the other hand....

 

[Deerfold]

I think there was a WYPTE sponsored (but tourist-driven) 'Water bus' service during the late 1980s on the five-rise locks near Bingley- calling points were indicated by these signs (I do not own the photo):

That'd be the one mentioned in posts 14 and 16. Thanks for the pic. Do you know if it was PTE-sponsored?

I know it didn't take day rover tickets.

 

[ValleyLines142]

Bristol Temple Meads to Broad Quay/Park Street is an easy walk. Walk out of the main entrance, turn right at Temple Gate, then turn left down Redcliffe Way (passing the beautiful St Mary Redcliffe Church), continue across the roundabout then over the canal, then cut across Queen Square and eventually you'll pop out by Pero's Bridge. It's actually quite a nice walk and only takes about fifteen minutes.

I used to take the 1 bus operated by First, but it goes incredibly circular, going along Victoria Street, along Wine Street, down Union Street and along Rupert Street and Colston Avenue (and of course Union Street is closed at the moment so buses are going along the full length of Newgate/Broad Weir and around Cabot via Temple Way and Newfoundland Street before joining back up the route at Rupert Street!).

I didn't even know there was a boat which could be used from Temple Meads!