Which local authorities do and don't put up proper bus timetables at bus stops?

[Llandudno]

Arriva routes 10 and 10A from Macclesfield to Bollington are clearly shown on Arriva's website, with maps, albeit in separate files, and there is a link to them from Cheshire East Council's website. All bus services in Macclesfield originate at the bus station and buses to it call opposite the railway station, but not generally on the outward journeys (High Peak routes 58 and 60 excepted). Reasonably up-to-date bus timetable information is displayed by Cheshire East Council at Macclesfield bus station, and at key stops such as on Victoria Road close to the hospital.

Unfortunately neither myself or the staff at Macclesfield library could fathom out the Arriva website.

I have given up on the Arriva website as it is totally incomprehensible, and if you think you may have found the information you need, personally I wouldn’t trust it to be correct, certainly in respect or Arriva Buses Wales.

The large bus shelter opposite Macclesfield railway station clearly still states that buses call there for Bollington and gives detailed timings - obviously totally incorrect.

 

[geoffk]

Last Sunday, passing a bus stop opposite the Waggon and Horses pub at Walsden, West Yorks, and hoping to find the time of the next bus, I was disappointed to find that the poster in the bus shelter only had a phone number to ring for information (no use to me, since I don't have a mobile phone) and no proper departure times. Here in Merseyside I'm used to finding such information displayed, though at times during the pandemic it has not always been up to date. Which local authorities and bus companies do and don't provide such details at bus stops?

I used to live in Walsden. The stops with shelters all had departure lists (not timetables) as far as I recall. This may be the Covid effect (frequent timetable changes) or cuts to local authority funding or a combination of both. Living in Exeter now I've found timetables at most stops and the provision of shelters is good. It certainly varies a lot round the country and you would expect Metropolitan areas to do better but clearly not in your case. Durham developed a good system while I was working there in the 1970s (!) as my former (and now sadly "late") boss was very keen on roadside displays regularly updated. I don't know if his successors have been able to maintain them. Once timetables go out of date the reliability of the whole system is called into question.

Whose job should it be - the operator or local authority/PTE? It's reasonable to argue that the big operators should be promoting their commercial services but small operators lack the resources and where several operators serve a stop the local authority/PTE is best placed to play a co-ordinating role (a role they have had since 1974).

 

[PaulWC]

One of the stops round the corner from me here in Warrington still lists a service run by Fairbrothers, a company who sold out to Warrington's Own Buses nearly 3 years ago. And I'm pretty sure it was out of date even then. It's somewhat ironic considering Warrington Borough Council seem to think that bus services start and end with Warringtons Own Buses. Other operators barely get a look in.

 

[markymark2000]

One of the stops round the corner from me here in Warrington still lists a service run by Fairbrothers, a company who sold out to Warrington's Own Buses nearly 3 years ago. And I'm pretty sure it was out of date even then. It's somewhat ironic considering Warrington Borough Council seem to think that bus services start and end with Warringtons Own Buses. Other operators barely get a look in.

The key thing here is Fairbrothers were competing with Warringtons Own Buses. IF you work with them, they are fine with you (Look at Arriva and GoNorthWest). They disliked Fairbrothers and the council, in collaboration with the bus operator, did all they could and pulled all sort of tactics to stop Fairbrothers getting passengers. Timetables were a good part of that. Warrington Council is quite dodgy like that. Nothing like Nottingham where all operators seem to get equal opportunity irrespective of competition or ownership.

(Even as a Fairbrothers supporter though, I must say, they changed their timetables often and generally at little notice so the council likely gave up trying to put up timetables when they would change so frequently).

 

[PaulWC]

The key thing here is Fairbrothers were competing with Warringtons Own Buses. IF you work with them, they are fine with you (Look at Arriva and GoNorthWest). They disliked Fairbrothers and the council, in collaboration with the bus operator, did all they could and pulled all sort of tactics to stop Fairbrothers getting passengers. Timetables were a good part of that. Warrington Council is quite dodgy like that. Nothing like Nottingham where all operators seem to get equal opportunity irrespective of competition or ownership.

(Even as a Fairbrothers supporter though, I must say, they changed their timetables often and generally at little notice so the council likely gave up trying to put up timetables when they would change so frequently).

Yeah, towards the end Fairbrothers were running 2 or 3 versions of the 16 on different routes and it was difficult to keep up with it, but Warrington Borough Council, as you say, weren't exactly helpful. Mind you, the fact they have a timetable from at least 3 years ago still posted shows their attitude towards these things in general.

 

[markymark2000]

Yeah, towards the end Fairbrothers were running 2 or 3 versions of the 16 on different routes and it was difficult to keep up with it, but Warrington Borough Council, as you say, weren't exactly helpful. Mind you, the fact they have a timetable from at least 3 years ago still posted shows their attitude towards these things in general.

The 3 versions of the 16 were done for a reason and they did run those versions for a good few months.

To say the council weren't helpful was an understatement. Forcing Fairbrothers into the coach stand and with doors being locked if a bus isn't on stand, all the passengers would wait on stand 2 waiting for the first bus to go out and they couldn't get out the door most of the time. They then didn't put any notices up about the stand changing. The council permitted buses to sit on the 'runway' blocking up the bus station so that the council buses could drive off and run dupes as soon as they saw a Fairbrother's bus reversing off stand.

It was all very dodgy and they did all that they could working together to rid Fairbrothers. IT doesn't end there but I can't say more details publicly. Let's just say another firm was in their sights and they pulled some tactics there to rid some competition. All very dodgy stuff in that council with regards to buses.