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Which bus operators are ‘going all out’ during the summer promoting new tourist orientated services?

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Goldfish62

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Which bus operators are ‘going all out’ during the summer promoting new tourist orientated services?

I have not seen any evidence of this, but then again north Wales is dominated by Arriva!
OK, brief OT interlude:

First South West are introducing around 15 new tourist-orientated services across Cornwall, Devon and Somerset.
Stagecoach Devon and First Cymru are introducing brand new open-top services.
Bournemouth Yellow Buses are expanding their seasonal open-top service and have already restarted it.
Ensign have just re-introduced their Southend open-top service.
First Wessex have just upgraded and relaunched the Jurassic Coaster.

These are just the ones I specifically know about.

My commiserations that Arriva is your local operator.
 
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Deerfold

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Which bus operators are ‘going all out’ during the summer promoting new tourist orientated services?

I have not seen any evidence of this, but then again north Wales is dominated by Arriva!
From next month Yorkshire Coastliner are doubling the frequency of the Leeds - York - Scarborough service for the summer.
 

Bristol LHS

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Go North East introducing an X11 Newcastle-Teesside-Whitby-Scarborough express (daily during the Summer, weekends only in shoulder season); plus a weekends-only direct service from Newcastle and Gateshead to Beamish open-air museum; and bringing back the AD112 Hadrian’s Wall minibus route.

I’d love to see the return of the Tees/United/Arriva Teesside to Kendal weekend service but doubt that’ll happen.
 

cnjb8

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OK, brief OT interlude:

First South West are introducing around 15 new tourist-orientated services across Cornwall, Devon and Somerset.
Stagecoach Devon and First Cymru are introducing brand new open-top services.
Bournemouth Yellow Buses are expanding their seasonal open-top service and have already restarted it.
Ensign have just re-introduced their Southend open-top service.
First Wessex have just upgraded and relaunched the Jurassic Coaster.

These are just the ones I specifically know about.

My commiserations that Arriva is your local operator.
To add to First Wessex, they are introducing the Portland Coaster and one other open top service.

First Eastern Countries potentially may have a new open top service, but I'm not sure yet.
Stagecoach South West, not to be outdone by First South West, are introducing an open top route around Barnstaple
 

TheGrandWazoo

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To add to First Wessex, they are introducing the Portland Coaster and one other open top service.

First Eastern Countries potentially may have a new open top service, but I'm not sure yet.
Stagecoach South West, not to be outdone by First South West, are introducing an open top route around Barnstaple
Not certain if those are right.

First Wessex are due to get some Geminis converted to open top but they are replacing the current ALXs? The Weymouth to Portland 501 has been going in various forms and is rebranded as Portland Coaster rather than Jurassic Coaster (which was a bit confusing vs the Jurassic Coaster from Weymouth/Dorchester via Bridport to Axminster). The 501 uses two vehicles and they have always had other seasonal services (502/503) that occasionally use a spare open topper.

The Jurassic Coaster services... but I don't know if the frequencies etc are enhanced at all. They have replaced the hard worked Omnidekkas with newly repainted ex Bolton e400s so the old JC livery is largely replaced.

Stagecoach Devon are reintroducing the Barnstaple to Croyde service after an absence of a few years, rather than around Barnstaple (which isn't that scenic). Think the Eastern Counties one is a like for like replacement for a slightly unreliable Trident.
 
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RELL6L

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Arriva X18 is doubled to its summer two hourly frequency between Alnwick and Berwick in Northumberland next week.

Don’t know whether the X93/X94 to Whitby gets increased yet but my guess is it probably will be.

Stagecoach summer services in the Lake District started a week ago.

Dalesbus in Yorkshire starting soon
 

cnjb8

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Not certain if those are right.

First Wessex are due to get some Geminis converted to open top but they are replacing the current ALXs? The Weymouth to Portland 501 has been going in various forms and is rebranded as Portland Coaster rather than Jurassic Coaster (which was a bit confusing vs the Jurassic Coaster from Weymouth/Dorchester via Bridport to Axminster). The 501 uses two vehicles and they have always had other seasonal services (502/503) that occasionally use a spare open topper.

The Jurassic Coaster services... but I don't know if the frequencies etc are enhanced at all. They have replaced the hard worked Omnidekkas with newly repainted ex Bolton e400s so the old JC livery is largely replaced.

Stagecoach Devon are reintroducing the Barnstaple to Croyde service after an absence of a few years, rather than around Barnstaple (which isn't that scenic). Think the Eastern Counties one is a like for like replacement for a slightly unreliable Trident.
I'm not sure about the ALXs, at a guess the ALXs won't be replaced as they got Portland Coaster branding not too long ago.
Like I said about Eastern Counties, I wasn't too sure. I've heard two sides but it's most likely a replacement as you say
 

Ancelljb

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Not certain if those are right.

First Wessex are due to get some Geminis converted to open top but they are replacing the current ALXs? The Weymouth to Portland 501 has been going in various forms and is rebranded as Portland Coaster rather than Jurassic Coaster (which was a bit confusing vs the Jurassic Coaster from Weymouth/Dorchester via Bridport to Axminster). The 501 uses two vehicles and they have always had other seasonal services (502/503) that occasionally use a spare open topper.

The Jurassic Coaster services... but I don't know if the frequencies etc are enhanced at all. They have replaced the hard worked Omnidekkas with newly repainted ex Bolton e400s so the old JC livery is largely replaced.

Stagecoach Devon are reintroducing the Barnstaple to Croyde service after an absence of a few years, rather than around Barnstaple (which isn't that scenic). Think the Eastern Counties one is a like for like replacement for a slightly unreliable Trident.
The ALXs painted in Portland Coaster are not being replaced, they only got repainted just before Christmas ready for the 2021 summer season. They are to run on the the 501 and I expect may creep onto the 502/503 if they are all working. The Jurassic Coaster is operated by the newly painted E400 and the Geminis. The old livery is being removed at the moment in favour of the new Wessex livery.

In terms of the 3 Geminis from Bristol that are being converted to open-top, I've read elsewhere (link below) that they are for the Jurassic Coaster as a new X52 open top route.

 

TheGrandWazoo

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The ALXs painted in Portland Coaster are not being replaced, they only got repainted just before Christmas ready for the 2021 summer season. They are to run on the the 501 and I expect may creep onto the 502/503 if they are all working. The Jurassic Coaster is operated by the newly painted E400 and the Geminis. The old livery is being removed at the moment in favour of the new Wessex livery.

In terms of the 3 Geminis from Bristol that are being converted to open-top, I've read elsewhere (link below) that they are for the Jurassic Coaster as a new X52 open top route.

The ALXs were actually repainted last summer and were in service for the latter part of the summer season in their new Portland Coaster colours. The PVR for the 501 is one, rising to two vehicles during the peak season. Depending on the prevailing traffic/vehicle availability, the spare open top can sometimes be pushed out onto the seasonal 502/503.

The old Jurassic Coaster livery was on the original Geminis and the Omnidekkas for the X51/X53 (and X54), as well as the 501. That the Portland route has it's own livery/brand makes a lot of sense. As you know, the new JC livery came in 2019 with the ex Green Line Geminis; I don't think it has got onto the existing Geminis but has been put onto some of the ex Bolton e400s as they have now replaced the Scanias; hopefully, they will get rid of the old superseded image on any remaining vehicles.

I've not seen the stuff on the FHD forum (for some reason, my access expired and I can't get in) so would ask you to provide the actual quotes as per this forum's rules. Were the X52 make a return, you'd hope that it would be more of a success than the Slowcoaster debacle of a few years ago

Don’t know whether the X93/X94 to Whitby gets increased yet but my guess is it probably will be
I'm sure it will be but I daren't enter the depths of Arriva's website to find out
 
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HA08

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First Cymru have 3 former First West of England's Weston-Super-Mare open top Alexander ALX400-bodied Volvo B7TLs for use on new costal routes.
 

Kuyoyo

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Arriva X18 is doubled to its summer two hourly frequency between Alnwick and Berwick in Northumberland next week.

Don’t know whether the X93/X94 to Whitby gets increased yet but my guess is it probably will be.

Stagecoach summer services in the Lake District started a week ago.

Dalesbus in Yorkshire starting soon

I'm sure it will be but I daren't enter the depths of Arriva's website to find out

The Peak Timetable on the X93/X94 starts on Sunday 11th April - with the X94 re-introduced every hour to complement the X93 between Whitby and Scarborough during the main daytime and out of Middlesbrough on a morning and out of Scarborough on an afternoon/evening.
 

RELL6L

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The Peak Timetable on the X93/X94 starts on Sunday 11th April - with the X94 re-introduced every hour to complement the X93 between Whitby and Scarborough during the main daytime and out of Middlesbrough on a morning and out of Scarborough on an afternoon/evening.

Excellent. I haven't found this anywhere on the web yet - and I have tried the depths of Arriva's website - but good to know. Not yet on North Yorkshire's bus changes page, which was updated this morning, so no-one has told them yet! Scarborough Open Toppers also start next weekend.

The original question asked about the operators promoting their summer services. Stagecoach in the Lakes is good as are some of the others, eg First Wessex and I am sure First Cornwall will be. Arriva though - what more can be said about their appalling web site? On the Coronavirus timetable pages you can at least find some things, but even here they are so far from getting it right. Go on the Northumberland page for example and the timetables are there, in pdf format, but each one is only a single page so they cannot be printed sensibly. And you click on the area and then the timetable you want, then go back to find another one and you are taken back two steps to the region index page not the area you were in. Nor are they all up to date, eg the 43 in Northumberland was changed in early March with extra peak journeys but this timetable isn't anywhere on Arriva - but it is on BusTimes and Northumberland web sites. A company intent on self-destruction!

Given what many operators are doing and that self contained accommodation opens next weekend I am surprised some of the Cornwall services are not starting earlier, particularly the Coasters (A1-A5 as was). Some of these serve camp sites etc which might start getting busy well before 17 May.
 

TheGrandWazoo

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Excellent. I haven't found this anywhere on the web yet - and I have tried the depths of Arriva's website - but good to know. Not yet on North Yorkshire's bus changes page, which was updated this morning, so no-one has told them yet! Scarborough Open Toppers also start next weekend.

The original question asked about the operators promoting their summer services. Stagecoach in the Lakes is good as are some of the others, eg First Wessex and I am sure First Cornwall will be. Arriva though - what more can be said about their appalling web site? On the Coronavirus timetable pages you can at least find some things, but even here they are so far from getting it right. Go on the Northumberland page for example and the timetables are there, in pdf format, but each one is only a single page so they cannot be printed sensibly. And you click on the area and then the timetable you want, then go back to find another one and you are taken back two steps to the region index page not the area you were in. Nor are they all up to date, eg the 43 in Northumberland was changed in early March with extra peak journeys but this timetable isn't anywhere on Arriva - but it is on BusTimes and Northumberland web sites. A company intent on self-destruction!

Given what many operators are doing and that self contained accommodation opens next weekend I am surprised some of the Cornwall services are not starting earlier, particularly the Coasters (A1-A5 as was). Some of these serve camp sites etc which might start getting busy well before 17 May.
Arriva's website sums up the business, being imposed by directors even when managers were pointing out how bad it is. Corporate suicide!

I guess the start of summer timetables is a tricky one; I thought they might look to the May Day bank holiday as being a key date but as we head out of lockdown, there's naturally a bit of concern about how quickly places will reopen and to what level.
 

RELL6L

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Arriva's website sums up the business, being imposed by directors even when managers were pointing out how bad it is. Corporate suicide!

I guess the start of summer timetables is a tricky one; I thought they might look to the May Day bank holiday as being a key date but as we head out of lockdown, there's naturally a bit of concern about how quickly places will reopen and to what level.
Couldn't agree more on Arriva's website, it is awful beyond belief.

Having said that it is today updated for the Teeside area from this weekend and the X93/X94 does return to its summer service, half hourly between Whitby and Scarborough plus extras early and late from/to Middlesborough. This timetable can even be printed and read (just) without a microscope, but others cannot. Not fully back to pre-Covid levels or even those of last summer, eg the X12 is only hourly between Durham and Newcastle while some Northumberland services are running at reduced frequencies (eg 1,2,35, X21,X22 all every 30 mins instead of 20).
 

TheGrandWazoo

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Couldn't agree more on Arriva's website, it is awful beyond belief.

Having said that it is today updated for the Teeside area from this weekend and the X93/X94 does return to its summer service, half hourly between Whitby and Scarborough plus extras early and late from/to Middlesborough. This timetable can even be printed and read (just) without a microscope, but others cannot. Not fully back to pre-Covid levels or even those of last summer, eg the X12 is only hourly between Durham and Newcastle while some Northumberland services are running at reduced frequencies (eg 1,2,35, X21,X22 all every 30 mins instead of 20).
Found it (eventually). To be honest, the uplift is really what it's always been so that might be fun with packed vehicles
 

swifty

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I'm not sure about the ALXs, at a guess the ALXs won't be replaced as they got Portland Coaster
Like I said about Eastern Counties, I wasn't too sure. I've heard two sides but it's most likely a replacement as you say
As has been said the new open toppers for Weymouth are for a new Summer uplift X52 service.
Simon N said:
The main purpose of the new X52 is seasonal frequency uplift between Bridport and Lulworth - the use of open tops and extension to Bovington / MW are merely bonuses.
Source: http://fhd-forums.orgfree.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=2850

Great Yarmouth’s 32905 isn’t being replaced either, it’s just been repainted and branded in the new coastal clipper colours. I think two Gemini open toppers will be joining it.
 
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TheGrandWazoo

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As has been said the new open toppers for Weymouth are for a new Summer uplift X52 service.

Source: http://fhd-forums.orgfree.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=2850

Great Yarmouth’s 32905 isn’t being replaced either, it’s just been repainted and branded in the new coastal clipper colours. I think two Gemini open toppers will be joining it.
Thanks for that - It was duff gen that I had read the Trident was being replaced; didn't know there were two Geminis being converted.

The X52 from Bridport to Lulworth sounds very interesting; assume that the passes issue won't be the block that was encountered with SlowCoaster. Another one that I might be able to sample.
 

swifty

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Thanks for that - It was duff gen that I had read the Trident was being replaced; didn't know there were two Geminis being converted.

The X52 from Bridport to Lulworth sounds very interesting; assume that the passes issue won't be the block that was encountered with SlowCoaster.
Funnily enough it’s the oddball in 32348 from the existing FEC fleet along with ex Ensign 392 LX53AYY I believe.

Hopefully passes will be accepted - that definitely contributed to the low take up on the Slowcoaster. A strange initiative that one...
 

TheGrandWazoo

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Funnily enough it’s the oddball in 32348 from the existing FEC fleet along with ex Ensign 392 LX53AYY I believe.

Hopefully passes will be accepted - that definitely contributed to the low take up on the Slowcoaster. A strange initiative that one...
I'd seen it was 32348 - the one that never made it to Bristol!! Hadn't seen that they had another one lined up. Eastern Counties have strangely never seemed to have that many open toppers from what I recall - usually only about 3 or 4.

SlowCoaster was a Simon Newport initiative IIRC. However, as twirly passes weren't allowed, it was never likely to attract pensioners from the X53
 

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essexjohn

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Southern Vectis start their Coaster and Needles Breezer next week. The Breezer timetable seems to have a lot of padding in its timings so the route requires three vehicles.
 

ChrisC

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Given what many operators are doing and that self contained accommodation opens next weekend I am surprised some of the Cornwall services are not starting earlier, particularly the Coasters (A1-A5 as was). Some of these serve camp sites etc which might start getting busy well before 17 May.
I’m hoping that some of the Cornwall services might remain on their summer timetables a bit later this year. I think they usually finish at the end of the first week in September but if the reports of holiday accommodation being booked up right through into October is true it could be quite busy right up until the October Half Term.
 

richw

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I’m hoping that some of the Cornwall services might remain on their summer timetables a bit later this year. I think they usually finish at the end of the first week in September but if the reports of holiday accommodation being booked up right through into October is true it could be quite busy right up until the October Half Term.
My partners dad is a groundkeeper at one of the mid size parks near Looe, he said they are at 97% full for all of 2021 and 90% fully booked for 2022 from Easter through until late September.
 

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Hulley’s of Baslow are relaunching their X70 direct bus from Chesterfield to Bakewell from Monday 12 April.

The service which takes just 30 minutes will operate, more or less hourly 7 days a week from 0730-1830

The only downside is that the bus will no longer serve Chesterfield Railway Station, the terminus will be Chesterfield New Beetwell Street (adjacent to the coach station) 10 minutes walk away.
 

Hophead

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Brighton & Hove's 13X (Brighton - Eastbourne via Beachy Head) was increased from 3 journeys each-way to half-hourly from Good Friday. Currently just Sundays and Bank Holidays only at present, but this does mean that there are now 6 buses per hour between the two places every day of the week. If past years are anything to go by, a Saturday operation should arrive later and, for high summer, maybe some Monday - Friday journeys as well.

The Breeze up to the Downs routes are also running again (77 to Devils Dyke, 78 to Stanmer Park & 79 to Ditchling Beacon). These all operate Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays. From 25th April, the 77 gets 2 buses and the other two a later return trip.

There has been no confirmation that the 11X (Brighton - Eastbourne via various attractions along the A27), introduced in 2019, will return.
 

kez19

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Go North East introducing an X11 Newcastle-Teesside-Whitby-Scarborough express (daily during the Summer, weekends only in shoulder season); plus a weekends-only direct service from Newcastle and Gateshead to Beamish open-air museum; and bringing back the AD112 Hadrian’s Wall minibus route.

I’d love to see the return of the Tees/United/Arriva Teesside to Kendal weekend service but doubt that’ll happen.


just updating with links:




 

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