Trivia: Short Lived Bus Routes

Statto · 11 May 2024

Thinking of bus routes that were registered but only operated for less than a couple of years before being withdrawn by the same operator.

Bus routes introduced then withdrawn because of bus wars, takeovers, or company going bankrupt are not allowed.

Prime examples
X57 Sheffield - Manchester, introduced by Hulleys in 2020, but barely lasted a year before quietly being withdrawn

Manchester - Leeds CityZap, Transdev, again only lasted a couple of years

RailUK Forums

gingerheid · 11 May 2024

Not sure if it really counts, but McGills tried a 902 from Gourock to Edinburgh. In one sense it was an attempt to rekindle (albeit once a day Tuesday to Saturday) what was previously a historical Western Scottish / Clydeside Scottish / Scottish Citylink hourly service. In another sense though it was a short lived service that ran for less than 6 months in 2017.

In the same area but earlier, Arriva Scotland West tried an hour 600 service from East Kilbride to Glasgow Airport via Paisley. It was a brave attempt but was perhaps stymied by not really running normal airport bus hours - the earliest arrival at the airport was 8am and the latest departure 7pm.

Dai Corner · 11 May 2024

Adventure Travel C2 between Tesco Pengam Green and Capital Retail Park via their depot and Cardiff city centre lasted from 7 Sept 2020 until 2 Nov 2022. When I used it I was sometimes the only passenger besides drivers going to/from the depot.

They also had the tender for the X7 Chepstow - Bristol for a couple of months at the end of 2020 between Stagecoach withdrawing their commercial service and it being re-tendered as the T7, which Newport Transport got.

ajs · 11 May 2024

Service 149 operated by Portsmouth City Coaches who had recently taken over Emsworth & District Buses. This was a commuter service around Hayling Island to the Hayling Ferry. It started in October 2018 for a 6 month trial period but was cancelled before the end of the trial period. Limited timetable and lack of passengers.

danm14 · 11 May 2024

McGeehan's Coaches of Fintown, Co. Donegal had a long-standing arrangement with Bus Eireann, Ireland's national bus company, to operate some services on Route 30 between Donegal Town and Dublin on their behalf.

They decided to terminate this arrangement in 2013 and go into competition, launching a new Route 950 service, branded LakesCity, on 17th October 2013.

For various reasons - including a very limited timetable; not serving Dublin Airport; different routing between Donegal and Enniskillen (swapping Ballyshannon - a town with a similar population to Donegal Town and four miles from Bundoran which has a similar population again - for some rural Fermanagh villages); slower advertised journey times than Bus Eireann (which were not actually slower, just honest - Bus Eireann's route was and still is notorious for excessive late-running); and being unable to accept elderly and disabled people's Free Travel Passes (new routes were not permitted to join the scheme at the time) - the route was an abject failure.

There was no bus war - Bus Eireann simply sat back, continued business as usual, and waited for McGeehan's operation to fail of its own accord - which it did, on 22nd November 2013, when the service closed with less than 24 hours notice just 36 days after commencing operations.

JamesC357 · 11 May 2024

First Essex’s C12 shuttle route in Chelmsford lasted only from April to October 2022.
The B5 in Basildon lasted a bit longer, but still less than a year, only making it to February 2023. Although the B5 number is being resurrected in a few weeks, it will run over a totally different route.

Flange Squeal · 11 May 2024

After launching a daytime only X94 service between Ascot (Heatherwood Hospital) - Bracknell - College Town - Camberley - Frimley Park Hospital using some school vehicles between school runs, White Bus tried a similar formula by launching a new commercial X30 between the same end points but travelling via Bagshot and Camberley. The two routes were interworked using four buses and drivers compared with the X94’s two. The X30 launched 31 August 2021 but was withdrawn from 31 December 2022 citing low patronage, however the X94 continues to this day using three vehicles/drivers between schools.

(Image shows a route map of the X94 (left, dark green) and relatively short-lived X30 (right, light green))

CJJ Coaches commenced a roughly two-hourly commercial Bracknell to Heathrow service on 15 July 2020. A more extensive timetable had been planned but Covid saw this never materialise in reality, and the limited service that was launched only lasted a week before being suspended never to return.

TheGrandWazoo · 11 May 2024

The longstanding Darlington - Durham - Newcastle service was the 722 (via Elvet) and 723 (via Nevilles Cross). At deregulation, the 722 was replaced by a speeded up version (taking an optimistic 1h 25 rather than 1h 50) - think it lasted an unreliable 18 months before reverting back to the 722.

A bit of an oddity is the D1x that appeared in 2020/1 to provide additional socially distanced capacity between Trowbridge and Bath, using deckers to support the main D1 that used single decks. It disappeared in Jan 2022, but has just reappeared to provide additional capacity as the D1 is returning to pre-Covid levels of usage. Another fleeting one was the 178 from @Citistar. The hourly 178 from Radstock to Bristol was withdrawn by First, with a limited tendered service running mainly from Radstock to Brislington P&R. Appearing in Sep 2022, it was withdrawn in Mar 2023 as the local CA (awash with BSIP funds) introduced a new 522 route running hourly from Bristol to Bath via Radstock operated by First.

I'd imagine that there were a number of seasonal ones that never made it past one or two summers. First Kernow had quite a few with the Day Tripper network, the 2021 Sunseeker network based on Newquay, Discover Exeter open top service, with First Cymru having two summers in Porthcawl and one in Aberavon with an open topper. @Statto mentions the X57.... Hulleys in recent times have a lot of examples

SCH117X · 11 May 2024

Harrogate & District /Transdev Harrogate have run a number of routes with very short lifespans, notably routes serving the main hospital entrance of which there have been at least three and in the early 1990s when the Sainsburys superstore opened a number of services were extended to serve it for a brief period.

LKF747R · 11 May 2024

Lothian bus route 60 ran from Old RIE hospital to Holyrood (interworked with route 6) in 2014/15 but was withdrawn due to poor patronage.

Citistar · 11 May 2024

TheGrandWazoo said:
Another fleeting one was the 178 from @Citistar. The hourly 178 from Radstock to Bristol was withdrawn by First, with a limited tendered service running mainly from Radstock to Brislington P&R. Appearing in Sep 2022, it was withdrawn in Mar 2023 as the local CA (awash with BSIP funds) introduced a new 522 route running hourly from Bristol to Bath via Radstock operated by First.

178 ran 10th Oct 22 - 31st Mar 23. 25 weeks. 976 journeys, 975 of which operated and 970 ran within ten mins of the timetable. Not that such things are ingrained upon my memory, you understand.

dgl · 11 May 2024

The number escapes me but First Wessex operated a service to Lanehouse/Wyke Village when South West Coaches withdrew the 206 as they couldn't make it pay, only ran as a trial for something like 6 months using a bus and driver from a school run (so infrequent and not suitable times for anyone who worked) and when it naturally didn't pay it was scrapped.
No service has since replaced it which makes the new bus shelter that was fitted in Lanehouse as part of a contractual obligation for a housing development lokk a bit silly.
Some stops still have their RTI screens turned on simply telling people to look at the timetable, which confusingly some bus stops retain.

Parebunks · 11 May 2024

Stagecoach Oxfordshire briefly tried a weekend-only SW1, running direct from Carterton and Witney to London - all the way to Tower Hill. Only lasted about six months at the end of 2014 - apart from anything else, starting it at the end of summer was silly, the hoped for day trip traffic was always going to be stronger in the summer. Now returned in a different guise as Monday to Friday only commuter-focused extensions on the Oxford Tube, but following the usual route to Victoria in London.

Megafuss · 11 May 2024

At the risk of going down a murky rabbit hole, didn't the FoxStar One in Newport last only 5 months?

Eyersey468 · 11 May 2024

I'm not sure if this was what the OP had in mind, but the open top bus in Hull that East Yorkshire ran only operated for 2 summers during 2017/8

Bungle965 · 11 May 2024

16 Rochdale- North Manchester General Hospital introduced by TfGM as a tendered service operated by Stotts Tours in 2017, had a little over a year of life before being killed.

The times that I took it, there was no working ticket machine onboard I complained to TfGM at the time and they just told me to go to the operator!

m79900 · 11 May 2024

The Hulleys X1 from Ashbourne to Machester for I think 3 days from sept 6th to 8th 2021.

mlambeuk · 11 May 2024

First York 11s (Askhambar- Bishopthorpe- York) service

tram21 · 11 May 2024

Stagecoach Yorkshire X1 from Chesterfield (or Sheffield not totally sure) to Nottingham via East Midlands Designer Outlet

SSmith2009 · 11 May 2024

Centrebus 128 (Leicester to Barrow Upon Soar) was introduced in May 2023 as three limited daytime journeys (inbetween a peak time contract) and was replaced with an extension of the 22A from Birstall to Barrow Upon Soar in January 2024.

JD2168 · 11 May 2024

There are quite a few in South Yorkshire that meet this:
First:
Introduced an 85 from Doncaster to Stainforth around April 2009 & withdrew it in October 2009.
Introduced a 100 from Sheffield Centre to Crookes that only lasted 7 months.
Introduced a 90 from Ecclesall to Sheffield Centre that lasted a year.
Introduced a 78 from Sheffield to Parson Cross via Hillsborough replacing 87 then withdrew it 6 months later.
Introduced a 12 from Sheffield Centre to Crosspool via Coldwell lane in July 2004 then withdrew it the following March.
Introduce a 100 from Sheffield to Meadowhall via Brinsworth in July 2005 & withdrawn in October 2006.
Introduce an 87 from Meadowhall to Maltby in January 2008 & withdraw in April 2009.
Introduce a 73 in July 2010 & withdraw in October 2011.

TM Travel:
Introduced a X26 & X52 just after Wellglade took over then withdrew them 6 months later.
Introduced a series of Night services in Sheffield numbered N1, N2 & N3 then withdrew them 4 months later.

Stagecoach:
Introduced 62 from Doncaster to Bentley Toll Bar in July 2006 then withdrew in October 2007 although it had not run since April 2007.

TheGrandWazoo · 11 May 2024

A couple of ones that @Ken H may remember...

In summer 1987, United began two seasonal express services. 495 lasted quite a few years and ran from North East to the Lake District, but the 490 lasted only the first year. It ran from the North East to York, but West Yorkshire Road Car also ran a northbound York to Newcastle journey. *** EDIT - the 490 south ran from Durham to York, Leeds and Manchester as the late Mark Harrington stated https://www.flickr.com/photos/markh...tW-8wGwhQ-jkzxu5-f7tc8a-bAkfW5-bRgQBF-bAnzPQ/

In summer 1989, United commenced two new seasonal routes. X97/98 ran from Co Durham to Lightwater Valley with an Olympian in full all over advert for the park whilst the X96 ran from Richmond and Catterick Garrison - a bit niche. Again, the X97 lasted but X96 was dropped

Flange Squeal · 11 May 2024

Eyersey468 said:
I'm not sure if this was what the OP had in mind, but the open top bus in Hull that East Yorkshire ran only operated for 2 summers during 2017/8

Similarly, I think Jorvik Tour Bus’ version of the Hull tour only ran for 2021 and 2022.

If we are including attempts at open top tours, then Portsmouth has two examples in the last three years. 2021 saw independent Aldermaston Coach Lines launch a Clarence Pier to Eastney route 26 that lasted just that one summer school holiday period (with one of the vehicles used ironically moving to Hulleys where it performed the similarly short lived ‘Breezer’ in the Peak District). First then started a similar Southsea Coaster route 50, but with the start/end points shifted slightly west to run from Portsmouth Harbour to South Parade Pier. This only ran for the 2022/2023 seasons though, with no return believed to be planned for 2024.

LUYMun · 11 May 2024

I'd imagine "takeovers" mean company takeovers rather than partial route replacements, which fits the bill for my candidate: Stagecoach South's route 9 in Guildford. Bridging the gap between the University of Surrey, Royal Surrey County Hospital and Stoughton left by route changes for routes 1 and 2, it was introduced on 3 April 2023 with an hourly timetable on weekdays only, and carried very few passengers. It was even cited to make an approaching £90,000 loss when it was withdrawn after 27 October 2023.

busesrusuk · 11 May 2024

A London route (although operated mostly outside of London) that would qualify is "The Forester" route X99 introduced in 1986 at deregulation running between Harlow and Basildon and operated by the London Forest district of London Buses. Lasted no more than 6 months.

The route was operated by Leyland Nationals converted to single door and painted in a distinctive livery. One of the buses is seen in Romford:

London Forest LS76

Romford Market, 1986

www.flickr.com

DaventryRabbit · 12 May 2024

Back in around April 2006, Geoff Amos Coaches of Eydon, Northants stared running between Daventry, Coventry, Birmingham Airpt and Bham City Centre. It replaced what was originally Stagecoach United Counties X64 (1986 till 2000) and then Council Supported X42 2000 till 2005.
It lasted, to my knowledge, about 6 months.

Martin2013 · 12 May 2024

First Bristol Service 47 between Bristol and Yate and ABUS Service 96 between Brislington and Hengrove which only ran between October 2022 and March 2023.

rg177 · 12 May 2024

Back in March 2008 there was quite an outcry when Go North East cut Hadrian's Park services to North Shields and the Coast as the new services between Newcastle and Whitley Bay skipped there.

Eventually they introduced a service - basically hourly between the peaks (around 9 til 3) on weekdays only, gave it a daft number (936) then withdrew it when inevitably nobody bothered.

Zamracene749 · 12 May 2024

TheGrandWazoo said:
The longstanding Darlington - Durham - Newcastle service was the 722 (via Elvet) and 723 (via Nevilles Cross). At deregulation, the 722 was replaced by a speeded up version (taking an optimistic 1h 25 rather than 1h 50) - think it lasted an unreliable 18 months before reverting back to the 722.

I wouldn't like to attempt that nowadays in my E class Mercedes, let alone in a Metrobus or VR 8-)

I seem to recall a 123 variant on the same route? As a comparison, the 21 now takes around 1hour 10 just between Durham and Newcastle. The X1 (X12 nowadays) used to do it in 45 minutes, usually with rather nice Leyland Tigers...
Edit, back on topic, there must be thousands of services that were launched and died within months since deregulation. In my locale, the 21A Hartlepool to Easington Lane, 166 Peterlee to Sunderland, Brothers coaches 251 Peterlee Horden circular, Favourite 33 Easington Lane to Newcastle, TMS extention of the 234 to Sunderland, Premier coaches- or was it Target travel? on the X21 Newcastle to Blyth(that one used some very interesting vehicles, including double deck express coaches) etc etc.

DunsBus · 12 May 2024

Zamracene749 said:
I wouldn't like to attempt that nowadays in my E class Mercedes, let alone in a Metrobus or VR I seem to recall a 123 variant on the same route? As a comparison, the 21 now takes around 1hour 10 just between Durham and Newcastle. The X1 (X12 nowadays) used to do it in 45 minutes, usually with rather nice Leyland Tigers...
Edit, back on topic, there must be thousands of services that were launched and died within months since deregulation. In my locale, the 21A Hartlepool to Easington Lane, 166 Peterlee to Sunderland, Brothers coaches 251 Peterlee Horden circular, Favourite 33 Easington Lane to Newcastle, TMS extention of the 234 to Sunderland, Premier coaches- or was it Target travel? on the X21 Newcastle to Blyth(that one used some very interesting vehicles, including double deck express coaches) etc etc.

Redby started a Sunderland circular service at deregulation, which was abandoned three months later. And I remember Eastern Scottish in Edinburgh briefly trying a C38/C58 circular service which fared little better. Launched at the start of May 1987, it was withdrawn in mid-August that year after 15 weeks.

Trivia: Short Lived Bus Routes

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