Nottingham 'Bus War'

[cnjb8]

Afternoon,
I've spotted two Yourbus Enviros at a lorry site after the River Trent before the rail line heading south on M1. A quick Google Maps check says there at Walker Movements.

 

[chessie]

X1 branded stagecoach bus has been travelling round Chesterfield today on the local 39, I have the photo on my phone but I cant fathom out how to post it here..easily confused!!

 

[Llandudno]

X1 branded stagecoach bus has been travelling round Chesterfield today on the local 39, I have the photo on my phone but I cant fathom out how to post it here..easily confused!!

Great to see some innovation from Stagecoach introducing this new X1 service from Chesterfield via Alfreton then direct to Nottingham.

The marketing of the service seems quite slick as well, hope it succeeds and eventually gets incorporated into the X17 route to Sheffield which would give direct links from the likes of Clay Cross to Sheffield and Meadowhall.

 

[Mitch in Notts]

Nottinghamshire have just issued their latest monthly bus service update. No mention of the demise of Yourbus!
Todays 'Eastwood & Kimberley Advertiser' covers the loss of the lifeline Y10 bus service in Eastwood. The County Council are currently 'working' on incorporating it into the current 532/33 tendered service, which may see a reduction of frequency in these services as a result. These two services use one vehicle 0900-1500 and only have 3 journeys each! Council probably hoping that after a month with no bus service the users of the Y10 will mostly have vanished!

 

[ACBest]

Very promising loadings on the first day of the X1, no doubt helped by the 1p fare this week!

 

[chessie]

Very promising loadings on the first day of the X1, no doubt helped by the 1p fare this week!

Likewise spotted this in Chesterfield, there was a proper queue for the 1200 today which by Chesterfield standards is a bit ridiculous for a Sunday lunchtime

 

[Llandudno]

Likewise spotted this in Chesterfield, there was a proper queue for the 1200 today which by Chesterfield standards is a bit ridiculous for a Sunday lunchtime

There are only 7 journeys operating to a non clock face frequency on Sundays though.

 

[chessie]

There are only 7 journeys operating to a non clock face frequency on Sundays though.

Agree, looking forward to Monday..it really does look well for the week ahead after how today has gone

 

[cnjb8]

I was on M1 and A38 going about my business and wondering why I hadn't seen any X1s. I thought that Stagecoach had missed a trick not operating on Sundays but never mind!

 

[ChrisC]

Trent are launching their new ticket machines on Sunday 6th October. Had an email from them today saying the new machines can't accept Mango or Robin Hood cards so they are also leaving the old machines (presumably just the readers currently used to check out but modified to check in as well?) All seems a bit odd, will be interested to see how it works in practice.

Has this all happened smoothly with no problems?
I know that Trent Barton have kept the old machines in place to accept Mango but I do wonder if this will be a long term solution. Mango is not going to be accepted after December on the Nottingham Trams and I do wonder with Trent Barton’s system of non contact cards with daily and weekly caps if Mango will eventually be dropped altogether. I still use Mango to get the 10% discount on single fares but that’s far less discount than was originally given when Mango was first introduced.

 

[ag51ruk]

Has this all happened smoothly with no problems?
I know that Trent Barton have kept the old machines in place to accept Mango but I do wonder if this will be a long term solution. Mango is not going to be accepted after December on the Nottingham Trams and I do wonder with Trent Barton’s system of non contact cards with daily and weekly caps if Mango will eventually be dropped altogether. I still use Mango to get the 10% discount on single fares but that’s far less discount than was originally given when Mango was first introduced.

Working fine at the moment - I'm not seeing many people using contactless yet for touch on/touch off but they are promoting it a lot with bus stop displays and the recorded announcements, and I've tried it for a couple of trips and no issues.

 

[chessie]

Had a day out on X1 today...it was very much drawing the day trippers many of whom bizarrely claimed they were going to Nottingham from Chesterfield for the first time! All the buses from Chesterfield up to the 11.35 (10.35 filled the double decker) were very busy but through the middle of the day it was fairly quiet until dying a death late pm. One or two of the late afternoon buses back from Nottingham must have been rammed on the return but I didn't stop to find out.

Surpringsly a few people in Nottingham tried a day out in Chesterfield as well but it was a few. Hopefully they have picked up that's its 1940s market day in Chesterfield on Thursday which is always a big draw and well worth the penny travel to here.

My day off is a Tuesday so for comparison I am going to do the same trek next week on an Explorer cos I am sad like that

 

[Mitch in Notts]

Surprised that my nearest stop just outside Nottingham, has no service X1 on the bus stop pole nor a timetable in the display case that I could see as I passed this afternoon(unless they've squeezed it into the tendered service side rather than lay it over the ad for Trents app). A service number on a stop, especially for a limited stop service, is surely essential. And yes looking forward to reducing my journey time to Chesterfield from 105 minutes with Trent to 60 minutes with the X1 - hopefully next week!

 

[chessie]

I try not to be negative but whilst the marketing campaign for the X1 has been brilliant its also been poor in other respects. As I stood by the bus stop in Chesterfield theres a timetable still advertising the now non existent 54 to East Midlands Outlet, alongside many other bus stops in town! Then you pick up a timetable leaflet on the X1 that declares Chesterfield a City Centre, did I blink and miss we are no longer a town? Its things like this where I understand people just get in their car

 

[Llandudno]

I guess all the marketing for Stagecoach is handled by staff in Barnsley who probably have never even been to Derbyshire!

There was a time some thirty years ago just after deregulation when Chesterfield Transport and then East Midland Motor Services had a very proactive marketing department........!

 

[chessie]

Surprised that my nearest stop just outside Nottingham, has no service X1 on the bus stop pole nor a timetable in the display case that I could see as I passed this afternoon(unless they've squeezed it into the tendered service side rather than lay it over the ad for Trents app). A service number on a stop, especially for a limited stop service, is surely essential. And yes looking forward to reducing my journey time to Chesterfield from 105 minutes with Trent to 60 minutes with the X1 - hopefully next week!

Not sure if theres a wider problem in Nottingham, there was a scrolling message across many a bus stop that they couldn't display real time information today and scheduled times only were displayed instead. X1 was stickered on most stops I spotted today.

 

[Speedbird96]

Not sure if theres a wider problem in Nottingham, there was a scrolling message across many a bus stop that they couldn't display real time information today and scheduled times only were displayed instead. X1 was stickered on most stops I spotted today.

https://mobile.twitter.com/NCT_Buses/status/1189190639889436676

Reported as being antennae works taking place earlier this afternoon, just checked the real-time equipment and its now back up and running.

 

[Mitch in Notts]

Not sure if theres a wider problem in Nottingham, there was a scrolling message across many a bus stop that they couldn't display real time information today and scheduled times only were displayed instead. X1 was stickered on most stops I spotted today.

Nottingham City Council labels all in it's area itself so the X1 will be sorted by them. There is one stop on the X1(Nuthall, A610, Nuthall Pub) which is in the Nottinghamshire County Council area where the operator is responsible for the stop label - this is my nearest X1 stop and it had no sticker on yesterday!

 

[chessie]

Welcome to Derbyshire, there are many a bus stop that display route numbers that haven't run for 20+ years in some cases, whilst the current service number isn't mentioned at all. I didn't realise responsibility switched from council to bus operator dependent on area, probably explains a few things

 

[43055]

Has this all happened smoothly with no problems?
I know that Trent Barton have kept the old machines in place to accept Mango but I do wonder if this will be a long term solution. Mango is not going to be accepted after December on the Nottingham Trams and I do wonder with Trent Barton’s system of non contact cards with daily and weekly caps if Mango will eventually be dropped altogether. I still use Mango to get the 10% discount on single fares but that’s far less discount than was originally given when Mango was first introduced.

I used contact less yesterday and I had no problems and took about the same amount of time as mango. A couple of others on the bus used contact less as well.

 

[Llandudno]

Welcome to Derbyshire, there are many a bus stop that display route numbers that haven't run for 20+ years in some cases, whilst the current service number isn't mentioned at all. I didn't realise responsibility switched from council to bus operator dependent on area, probably explains a few things

Perhaps it’s a cunning plan by Derbyshire County Council to drive people away from using public transport.

Less passengers on DCC supported services means that they can withdraw them easier as there are fewer passengers to inconvenience

Less passengers on commercial services means lower levels of concessionary travel reimbursement

DCC have already made significant cuts in tendered services in the past two years along with reductions in benefits of young persons/students travel passes for both bus and rail.

So much for a greener transport policy including the Peak District National Park!

 

[Mitch in Notts]

Surprised that my nearest stop just outside Nottingham, has no service X1 on the bus stop pole nor a timetable in the display case that I could see as I passed this afternoon

Just been passed my stop on foot and we do have a timetable but no service number sadly. I passed the 0906am ex Nottingham this morning on Alfreton Road in the City and it had a few on. There were 10 waiting for the 1006am at 950am in Nottingham as I joined another bus.

 

[chessie]

Been watching X1 through the week, in highsight I think Llandudnos previous suggestion is about correct! I cant see this lasting beyond the novelty factor but make it a Sheffield to Nottingham route by running it through the same route as X17 to Chesterfield and onwards as per X1 you probably have a good flow of people who don't mind about the journey time as long as it saves them a quid or two. I am sure Stagecoach must have stats to realise how busy this flow is on the trains.

 

[Llandudno]

Been watching X1 through the week, I think Llandudnos previous suggestion is about correct! I cant see this lasting beyond the novelty factor but make it a Sheffield to Nottingham route by running it through the same route as x17 to Chesterfield and onwards as per X1 and you probably have a good flow of people who don't mind about the journey time as long as it saves them a quid or two. I am sure Stagecoach must have stats to realise how busy this flow is on the trains.

Yes, I am sure it would be popular with ENCTS pass holders, cheaper than heating the house in winter!

Seriously though useful for those travelling from south of Chesterfield, (especially with the literally ‘000s of new houses being built along the A61) to Whittington Moor for Sheepbridge, Sheffield City Centre and Meadowhall.

Of course until around 15 years ago there were frequent buses from Clay Cross via Chesterfield to Whittington Moor and New Whittington, if my memory serves me right there may have even been a bus to/from Sheepbridge at peak hour times from Clay Cross. (120?)

 

[chessie]

Students and bloomin lots of em travel the route between sheff and notts, I have previously done the daily commute for many a year, never again .

 

[Deerfold]

Been watching X1 through the week, in highsight I think Llandudnos previous suggestion is about correct! I cant see this lasting beyond the novelty factor but make it a Sheffield to Nottingham route by running it through the same route as X17 to Chesterfield and onwards as per X1 you probably have a good flow of people who don't mind about the journey time as long as it saves them a quid or two. I am sure Stagecoach must have stats to realise how busy this flow is on the trains.

What is now the pronto (when it was the 747) had an hourly service from Meadowhall to Nottingham in the nineties. Presumably it wasn't busy enough.

I used to be able to get from my home in rural West Yorkshire to Nottingham on just 3 buses - 1 to Huddersfield, 1 to Meadowhall and 1 to Nottingham.

 

[chessie]

Yes, I am sure it would be popular with ENCTS pass holders, cheaper than heating the house in winter!

Seriously though useful for those travelling from south of Chesterfield, (especially with the literally ‘000s of new houses being built along the A61) to Whittington Moor for Sheepbridge, Sheffield City Centre and Meadowhall.

Of course until around 15 years ago there were frequent buses from Clay Cross via Chesterfield to Whittington Moor and New Whittington, if my memory serves me right there may have even been a bus to/from Sheepbridge at peak hour times from Clay Cross. (120?)

Your memory is missing a year or two but this is probably for a different thread

 

[chessie]

I would like to hear more local knowledge though chap

 

[chessie]

What is now the pronto (when it was the 747) had an hourly service from Meadowhall to Nottingham in the nineties. Presumably it wasn't busy enough.

I used to be able to get from my home in rural West Yorkshire to Nottingham on just 3 buses - 1 to Huddersfield, 1 to Meadowhall and 1 to Nottingham.

It was too busy. too crowded and too stuck in traffic when you needed it! It carted fresh air most of the time beyond that

 

[ChrisC]

What is now the pronto (when it was the 747) had an hourly service from Meadowhall to Nottingham in the nineties. Presumably it wasn't busy enough.

Going back in time even further there was the X53. Limited stop Sheffield to Nottingham operated by East Midlands Motor Services which was every 2 hours. This ran for quite a few years right through the 1970’s and into the 1980’s. This more or less followed the current Stagecoach 53 route between Sheffield and Mansfield and then ran through Kirkby in Ashfield and Hucknall to Nottingham.

The Nottingham to Mansfield and Chesterfield route has a very interesting history prior to Pronto and 747. I remember using it to visit my grandparents as a child in the 1960’s.