Speaking to both customers and drivers, who don't like the AI timetables, especially some of waiting times of 10 minutes or more
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First Potteries Discussion
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Baxenden Bank
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A set of new timetables have been uploaded to the First Potteries website. These commence 5 January and are in addition to the variations for the Christmas period.
The biggest change is to the 38 group which, at least from the published timetable, returns to being a sensible circular Hanley - Burslem - Kidsgrove - Newcastle - Hanley circuit, clockwise and anticlockwise. Not mentioned in their own description of the changes. No apology for making such a fist of things three months ago. The 21/23 are stretched out meaning fewer journeys overall.
link to notice
link to timetables (plus a second page)
Shelton Boulevard, sounds like a nice place to take a summer stroll.
The biggest change is to the 38 group which, at least from the published timetable, returns to being a sensible circular Hanley - Burslem - Kidsgrove - Newcastle - Hanley circuit, clockwise and anticlockwise. Not mentioned in their own description of the changes. No apology for making such a fist of things three months ago. The 21/23 are stretched out meaning fewer journeys overall.
link to notice
link to timetables (plus a second page)
Shelton Boulevard, sounds like a nice place to take a summer stroll.
These changes still make the 38/A/39/A/103 an absolutely horrible set of services. The round trip time for the 38 has been reduced by about 10 minutes, all the change being between Hanley and Newcastle where the running time has reduced from 24-31 minutes to 16-19 minutes. However the 38A will still be about 25-27 minutes so presumably Shelton Boulevard adds some time - I can't work this one out. But this gain has not been used to do anything helpful on the useless frequencies and poor co-ordination of the services. Looking at the new timetables departures from Tunstall to Hanley across the 38, 38A and 103 will be 11.23, 11.28, 11.31, long gap, 11.54, 11.58, 12.03, long gap 12.22, 12.27, 12.36. It used to be every 30 minutes on each leg making every 10 minutes overall. I thought this might be because of the changes but I see it isn't any better now. Just horrible. I'm sure they could co-ordinate these better to give x10 between Hanley and Kidsgrove and x15 between Hanley and Newcastle, or at least close enough with the variable running times. They keep them all separate but they are all Streetlites so it doesn't matter if the 103 (restricted to single deckers) interworks with the others - or indeed lots of different services interwork at good frequencies, like Stagecoach seem to manage perfectly well. And its not just these routes, almost every First Potteries route - except the 25 which is regular - runs at frequencies of just over 30 minutes or just hourly. How many potential passengers forget the times, miss a bus and then can't be bothered anymore. Utterly dreadful! Oh and the last 38 from Hanley to Newcastle is changing from 21.08 to 19.50!
G760XRE
Member
Just noticed on MidlandRed.net that apparently some vehicles are being collected from Potteries tomorrow.
Had a walk past today. Nothing obvious parked outside, just the usual random selection of vehicles not being used due to the lower Saturday PVR. Its suggested in the post that it may be 44511/4 returning (44511 was parked up not in use but 44514 out in service today). Stands to reason, as Worcester is an ADL only depot now. But does anyone know for sure which vehicles are being collected?
Had a walk past today. Nothing obvious parked outside, just the usual random selection of vehicles not being used due to the lower Saturday PVR. Its suggested in the post that it may be 44511/4 returning (44511 was parked up not in use but 44514 out in service today). Stands to reason, as Worcester is an ADL only depot now. But does anyone know for sure which vehicles are being collected?
Help! I've just had a quick look at the new First website and can't see any mention of service changes or updates under any of the OpCo headings. Is the only way to get updates by registering? If so, it seems to be a very odd way of encouraging folk to travel.
Baxenden Bank
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No, it's all there on the landing page, in multiple locations - top banner, travel alerts + drop down, and the full middle of the page.
Thanks a lot.
Martin1988
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Interesting that the last bus on the 103 from Crewe will change from 2150 to 2005. Presumably the 2050 and 2150 journeys haven't been that well used since they were introduced in September (or First have decided they haven't been that well used)?
Never quite been able to work out why there was a 2150 journey to Kidsgrove only anyway. My understanding is that the section between Crewe and Kidsgrove is more lighter used than Kidsgrove to Hanley and presumably the bus would have to run empty back to Stoke anyway? Or is there a shortcut from Kidsgrove to Adderley Green depot that avoids going all the way out to Hanley Bus Station first?
At least the last journey from Crewe on a Saturday moves from 1837 to 1932 but it looks as though the last 3 journeys from Hanley will go into Crewe in service and then run light back to the depot. At least they seem to have done away with terminating the last Hanley journey at Radway Green.
Never quite been able to work out why there was a 2150 journey to Kidsgrove only anyway. My understanding is that the section between Crewe and Kidsgrove is more lighter used than Kidsgrove to Hanley and presumably the bus would have to run empty back to Stoke anyway? Or is there a shortcut from Kidsgrove to Adderley Green depot that avoids going all the way out to Hanley Bus Station first?
At least the last journey from Crewe on a Saturday moves from 1837 to 1932 but it looks as though the last 3 journeys from Hanley will go into Crewe in service and then run light back to the depot. At least they seem to have done away with terminating the last Hanley journey at Radway Green.
185
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They couldn't have picked a worse time, there's a final 2144 train from Crewe to Alsager, Kidsgrove & Longport (ie Tunstall/Burslem). They perhaps should be aiming for the gaps between trains, or an hour after that last one.
Martin1988
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Forgot there was a train option for making this journey. Am guessing the train is faster but does the bus generally win over in terms of being cheaper (or free for Concessionary Pass holders)?
What is demand like for bus travel between Alsager and Crewe in the evening? My only ever experience of making that journey has been in the afternoon rush hour so have never really been sure. The fact that until a few years ago last journeys were being terminated at Radway Green suggests it can't have been that high in the past. Or does the BSIP funding currently pay for journeys all the way to Crewe?
Also interested into how Haslington fits into the mix. Didn't realise but there are 38 journeys off of Crewe at 2035 and 2135 which is only 15 minutes before 103 journeys at 2050 and 2150. Could that be a factor in why the later 103 journeys have suffered low passenger numbers?
What is demand like for bus travel between Alsager and Crewe in the evening? My only ever experience of making that journey has been in the afternoon rush hour so have never really been sure. The fact that until a few years ago last journeys were being terminated at Radway Green suggests it can't have been that high in the past. Or does the BSIP funding currently pay for journeys all the way to Crewe?
Also interested into how Haslington fits into the mix. Didn't realise but there are 38 journeys off of Crewe at 2035 and 2135 which is only 15 minutes before 103 journeys at 2050 and 2150. Could that be a factor in why the later 103 journeys have suffered low passenger numbers?
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What is happening with Longton Bus Station (sorry, Interchange) ? Has it closed permanently or is it having a 'makeover'?
Presumably all departure points are scattered around the town now, the bus station was perhaps the most dreadful you could possibly imagine but at least it provided shelter from inclement weather!
Presumably all departure points are scattered around the town now, the bus station was perhaps the most dreadful you could possibly imagine but at least it provided shelter from inclement weather!
Lewisham2221
Established Member
This article from the end of October suggests that it will be "partially" demolished.
Longton bus station revamp to reduce antisocial behaviour
The city council plans to partly demolish the canopy and make the site smaller and brighter.
www.bbc.co.uk
It certainly looked more than partial when I drove past the other day, I'm assuming the four remaining stands will just be bus shelters - but that's pure speculation. It had become something of an antisocial behaviour magnet in recent years, so something needed to be done, it really was grim.
Baxenden Bank
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The departure points for most First services have been scattered around town for a few years. Access to, but particularly from, the bus station was poor, taking a fixed cycle of the traffic lights to exit onto Baths Road then often two further cycles to exit onto King Street / Market Street. Each cycle being three minutes (if I recall correctly). That assuming ordinary traffic hadn't blocked the yellow box at the exit to the bus station costing an extra three minutes! There is no bus activation of the lights exiting the bus station so, at quiet times, you still sit at a red light waiting to exit the bus station without a car in sight on Baths Road. The number of times I have been on a bus which simply drives through on red!
As per the article linked by @Lewisham2221 most of the structure has been demolished, some sort of patch-up job is to be done on the remaining stands. When I last passed through (early December) the roof and upper section had been removed but the steel uprights of the demolished part had been neatly cut at a certain height rather than being removed completely. So something is being done there rather than leaving a totally cleared area.
Longton has some serious problems, some people may suggest it is linked to the Crown Hotel, its permanent residents and the people who associate with them. Prior to the current works probably all of the lower level windows had been smashed and not replaced. Much of upper level glass had also been smashed and similarly not replaced. Over the years various seats had become damaged, removed for safety reasons and never replaced.
The bus station was fine when first opened, before the shops were built backing onto it (Next / Argos block). On opening there was plenty of natural light and natural observation / supervision. Plus lots of services and passengers using the station. Once those shops were built the bus station became cold and dark without that natural supervision. There was always low level anti-social behaviour in the evenings when things were quieter from a passenger use view. Kids hanging around, riding bikes across the bus concourse etc.
Did I mention the completely naked man sat on top of the telephone box the other month, two PCSO's trying to talk him down? The telephone box has now been removed, problem solved!
Lewisham2221
Established Member
Unfortunately Longton's issues are similar to those in the rest of the city. As for the interchange, the youth ASB problem was just as bad, if not worse, than the ASB from the Crown Hotel's residents and associates. In more recent times, First's service 37 was removed from the interchange due to security/safety concerns in the evening and early hours of the morning.
Baxenden Bank
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An update.
I went to Longton (Argos collection since you ask!) last Friday and had a nosey at the building works at Longton Interchange.
Where the building has been removed, the walls have been capped off at windowsill height. Above that there are railings, up to the height of the neatly cut stanchions. I guess this will stop people vaulting the walls and stop yobbos sitting on them. The remaining section of building has been tidied up, painted, but is wholly glassless and, as far as I could tell, no end wall has been built. So it is a bit like an open barn with posts and a roof with a wall at the Tesco end - where there is a storeroom accessed from the outside. Inside the 'barn' there are two sets of four seats. So in essence a roof to keep the rain off whilst waiting but I suspect it will be a bit draughty. Still better than the provision for passengers outside The Unconventional Menagerie on Market Street.
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
An update on the BSIP has been produced. It doesn't have much detail. It's not the 'every 3 months' promised!
The link to the meeting is here on the Stoke-on-Trent City Council website. If the link doesn't work it is the Housing, Regeneration & Operations Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 15 January 2025.
'Report' and presentation:
I went to Longton (Argos collection since you ask!) last Friday and had a nosey at the building works at Longton Interchange.
Where the building has been removed, the walls have been capped off at windowsill height. Above that there are railings, up to the height of the neatly cut stanchions. I guess this will stop people vaulting the walls and stop yobbos sitting on them. The remaining section of building has been tidied up, painted, but is wholly glassless and, as far as I could tell, no end wall has been built. So it is a bit like an open barn with posts and a roof with a wall at the Tesco end - where there is a storeroom accessed from the outside. Inside the 'barn' there are two sets of four seats. So in essence a roof to keep the rain off whilst waiting but I suspect it will be a bit draughty. Still better than the provision for passengers outside The Unconventional Menagerie on Market Street.
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
An update on the BSIP has been produced. It doesn't have much detail. It's not the 'every 3 months' promised!
The link to the meeting is here on the Stoke-on-Trent City Council website. If the link doesn't work it is the Housing, Regeneration & Operations Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 15 January 2025.
'Report' and presentation:
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capitalpotter
Member
It seems First have stolen a March on D&G in tranche 3 of BSIP. Taking over evening routes 2,5, and 9. Also running a route 40 alongside D&Gs 40 and a new route 501.
D&G picked up route 27a.
Stanton's not won any extra work (not sure they bid)
D&G picked up route 27a.
Stanton's not won any extra work (not sure they bid)
Baxenden Bank
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Is there a source, or better still a link to full details?
markymark2000
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m79900
Member
Deleted.
Baxenden Bank
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Thus far:
LOT A S093/1 - Service 2 and 5 - Mon-Sat evenings (ecl BH): First
LOT B S093/2 - Service 5 - Mon - Fri early am (excl BH): First
LOT C S093/3 - Service 5 - Sat and GF early am: First
LOT D S093/4 - Service 7A - Mon-Sat Evening: First
LOT E S093/5 - Service 8 and 23 - Mon-Fri evenings (excl BH): First
LOT F S093/6 - Service 9 - Mon-Fri evenings (excl BH): First
LOT G S093/7 - Service 9 - Sat and GF Evening: First
LOT H S093/8 - Service 9 - Sun and BH Mon: First
LOT M S093/12 - Service 27A - Daily shift times: D & G
LOT N S093/13 - Service 36 and 36A - Sun and BH Mon: First
LOT P S093/14 - Service 38 and 39 - Mon-Fri evenings (excl BH): First
LOT R S093/16 - Service 38 and 39 - Sunday and BH Mon: First
LOT S S093/17 - Service 40 - Sat and GF
LOT W S093/21 - Service 501 - Mon-Fri off-peak (excl BH): First
LOT X S093/22 - Service 501 - Sat and GF: First
Note D & G service 40 only runs Monday to Friday
Which leaves:
LOT J S093/9 - Service 19 and 19A - Mon - Fri (excl BH)
LOT K S093/10 - Service 23 - Sat and GF
LOT L S093/11 - Service 27
LOT Q S093/15 - Service 38 and 39 - Sat and GF
LOT T S093/18 - Service 42 - Mon - Fri (excl BH)
LOT U S093/19 - Service 96 - Mon - Fri (excl BH)
LOT V S093/20 - Servce 500 - Mon-Fri (exc lBH)
Which may be remaining with their current operator, not being let, or simply the data hasn't been done yet.
LOT A S093/1 - Service 2 and 5 - Mon-Sat evenings (ecl BH): First
LOT B S093/2 - Service 5 - Mon - Fri early am (excl BH): First
LOT C S093/3 - Service 5 - Sat and GF early am: First
LOT D S093/4 - Service 7A - Mon-Sat Evening: First
LOT E S093/5 - Service 8 and 23 - Mon-Fri evenings (excl BH): First
LOT F S093/6 - Service 9 - Mon-Fri evenings (excl BH): First
LOT G S093/7 - Service 9 - Sat and GF Evening: First
LOT H S093/8 - Service 9 - Sun and BH Mon: First
LOT M S093/12 - Service 27A - Daily shift times: D & G
LOT N S093/13 - Service 36 and 36A - Sun and BH Mon: First
LOT P S093/14 - Service 38 and 39 - Mon-Fri evenings (excl BH): First
LOT R S093/16 - Service 38 and 39 - Sunday and BH Mon: First
LOT S S093/17 - Service 40 - Sat and GF
LOT W S093/21 - Service 501 - Mon-Fri off-peak (excl BH): First
LOT X S093/22 - Service 501 - Sat and GF: First
Note D & G service 40 only runs Monday to Friday
Which leaves:
LOT J S093/9 - Service 19 and 19A - Mon - Fri (excl BH)
LOT K S093/10 - Service 23 - Sat and GF
LOT L S093/11 - Service 27
LOT Q S093/15 - Service 38 and 39 - Sat and GF
LOT T S093/18 - Service 42 - Mon - Fri (excl BH)
LOT U S093/19 - Service 96 - Mon - Fri (excl BH)
LOT V S093/20 - Servce 500 - Mon-Fri (exc lBH)
Which may be remaining with their current operator, not being let, or simply the data hasn't been done yet.
G760XRE
Member
Walking past Adderley Green depot today I noted a 3rd ex Leicester Streetlite 63359 SM65WMC has been freshly repainted into the new group ultraviolet livery, joining 63348/9 which have been done for a few weeks but have yet to re-enter service.
When 67174 was the 1st to be painted into this livery, I thought the ex eclipse E200 MMCs were going to be prioritised due to their non-standard livery. But it appears they've changed tack. Probably as this batch of streetlites are the oldest vehicles in the fleet which haven't been repainted since new.
Link to picture (mine). Apologies about the quality.
www.flickr.com
When 67174 was the 1st to be painted into this livery, I thought the ex eclipse E200 MMCs were going to be prioritised due to their non-standard livery. But it appears they've changed tack. Probably as this batch of streetlites are the oldest vehicles in the fleet which haven't been repainted since new.
Link to picture (mine). Apologies about the quality.
63359 SM65WMC
First Potteries Streelite, freshly painted into the new First bus 'ultraviolet' livery. Adderley Green depot 07.02.2025
www.flickr.com
Baxenden Bank
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LOT K S093/10 - Service 23 - Sat and GF
LOT Q S093/15 - Service 38 and 39 - Sat and GF
Appeared on bustimes.org once Saturday 1 March became visible.
LOT Q S093/15 - Service 38 and 39 - Sat and GF
Appeared on bustimes.org once Saturday 1 March became visible.
G760XRE
Member
Not sure if this is new or not, as I don't catch the service very often. But routes 38 and 39 didn't seem to be tracking any vehicles on bustimes.org today. They did track on the Firstbus app though.
Possibly as they are doing repaints for Streetlites for other depots at the same time? I wonder if 63361 is next in line as it hasn't been out since October.Walking past Adderley Green depot today I noted a 3rd ex Leicester Streetlite 63359 SM65WMC has been freshly repainted into the new group ultraviolet livery, joining 63348/9 which have been done for a few weeks but have yet to re-enter service.
When 67174 was the 1st to be painted into this livery, I thought the ex eclipse E200 MMCs were going to be prioritised due to their non-standard livery. But it appears they've changed tack. Probably as this batch of streetlites are the oldest vehicles in the fleet which haven't been repainted since new.
Link to picture (mine). Apologies about the quality.
63359 SM65WMC
First Potteries Streelite, freshly painted into the new First bus 'ultraviolet' livery. Adderley Green depot 07.02.2025
Seems a bit odd that it is just those two routes.
Anyway bustimes allows to show the 38, 38A and 39, 39A together so you can all see what a mess it is. For example from Kidsgrove to Hanley there is with the 103: 1042, 1043, 1046 then 1112, 1115, 1118!
Baxenden Bank
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In addition to the evening/Sunday new services, there are minor timing changes to the routes on 23 February, both sets are showing alongside each other. This is additional to the close running of the 38 / 39 / 103 group over much of the day.
This is my edition, extracted manually from bustimes.org. Just how anyone can think that the Chesterton to Hanley service is remotely sensible is beyond me.
| 39 | 39A | 103 | 39 | 39 | 39A | 103 | 39 | 39 | 39A | 103 | 39 | 39A | 39 | 103 | 39 | 39 | 39A | 103 | 39 | 39A | 39 | 103 | 39 | 39 | 39A | 103 | 39 | 39 | 39A | 103 | 39 | 39A | 39 | 103 | 39 | |
| Talke Pits, opp Arbour Street | 10:44 | .. | .. | .. | 11:15 | .. | .. | .. | 11:46 | .. | .. | .. | .. | 12:21 | .. | .. | 12:51 | .. | .. | .. | .. | 13:27 | .. | .. | 13:55 | .. | .. | .. | 14:27 | .. | .. | .. | .. | 15:01 | .. | .. |
| Crackley, adj Aston Road | 10:53 | .. | .. | 11:23 | .. | .. | 11:51 | .. | .. | 12:21 | .. | .. | 12:57 | .. | .. | 13:27 | .. | .. | 14:02 | .. | .. | 14:38 | .. | .. | 15:00 | .. | .. | |||||||||
| Chesterton, opp Rosevale Court | 10:51 | 10:58 | .. | .. | 11:22 | 11:27 | .. | .. | 11:53 | 11:55 | .. | .. | 12:25 | 12:28 | .. | .. | 12:58 | 13:01 | .. | .. | 13:31 | 13:34 | .. | .. | 14:02 | 14:06 | .. | .. | 14:35 | 14:42 | .. | .. | 15:04 | 15:08 | .. | .. |
| Cross Heath, opp Shops | 11:00 | 11:07 | .. | .. | 11:31 | 11:37 | .. | .. | 12:02 | 12:05 | .. | .. | 12:34 | 12:37 | .. | .. | 13:07 | 13:10 | .. | .. | 13:40 | 13:43 | .. | .. | 14:11 | 14:16 | .. | .. | 14:45 | 14:52 | .. | .. | 15:17 | 15:19 | .. | .. |
| Newcastle Bus Station (Stand 5) | 11:06 | 11:13 | .. | .. | 11:37 | 11:42 | .. | .. | 12:08 | 12:10 | .. | .. | 12:40 | 12:43 | .. | .. | 13:13 | 13:16 | .. | .. | 13:45 | 13:49 | .. | .. | 14:17 | 14:22 | .. | .. | 14:51 | 14:58 | .. | .. | 15:22 | 15:26 | .. | .. |
| depart | 11:09 | 11:16 | .. | .. | 11:40 | 11:46 | .. | .. | 12:11 | 12:14 | .. | .. | 12:44 | 12:47 | .. | .. | 13:17 | 13:20 | .. | .. | 13:49 | 13:52 | .. | .. | 14:20 | 14:25 | .. | .. | 14:54 | 15:01 | .. | .. | 15:25 | 15:30 | .. | .. |
| Festival Park, opp Royal Doulton | 11:18 | 11:26 | .. | .. | 11:49 | 11:56 | .. | .. | 12:20 | 12:24 | .. | .. | 12:54 | 12:56 | .. | .. | 13:26 | 13:30 | .. | .. | 14:00 | 14:02 | .. | .. | 14:30 | 14:37 | .. | .. | 15:04 | 15:13 | .. | .. | 15:38 | 15:41 | .. | .. |
| Hanley Bus Station (stand J) | 11:31 | 11:39 | .. | .. | 12:03 | 12:10 | .. | .. | 12:34 | 12:38 | .. | .. | 13:08 | 13:10 | .. | .. | 13:40 | 13:44 | .. | .. | 14:14 | 14:16 | .. | .. | 14:44 | 14:51 | .. | .. | 15:18 | 15:27 | .. | .. | 15:54 | 15:57 | .. | .. |
| depart | .. | 11:44 | 11:52 | 11:58 | .. | 12:15 | 12:24 | 12:29 | .. | 12:43 | 12:52 | 12:58 | 13:13 | .. | 13:23 | 13:28 | .. | 13:49 | 13:57 | 14:03 | 14:19 | .. | 14:27 | 14:39 | .. | 14:56 | 15:02 | 15:15 | .. | 15:32 | 15:38 | 15:49 | 15:59 | .. | 16:05 | 16:14 |
| Burslem Wedgwood Street (stop A) | .. | 12:04 | 12:04 | 12:17 | .. | 12:36 | 12:37 | 12:51 | .. | 13:04 | 13:05 | 13:19 | 13:34 | .. | 13:37 | 13:52 | .. | 14:09 | 14:11 | 14:23 | 14:38 | .. | 14:41 | 14:56 | .. | 15:21 | 15:18 | 15:39 | .. | 15:57 | 15:54 | 16:13 | 16:23 | .. | 16:20 | 16:37 |
| Tunstall, adj stop A | .. | 12:12 | 12:10 | 12:25 | .. | 12:44 | 12:44 | 12:59 | .. | 13:12 | 13:12 | 13:27 | 13:42 | .. | 13:43 | 13:59 | .. | 14:17 | 14:17 | 14:31 | 14:47 | .. | 14:48 | 15:04 | .. | 15:29 | 15:26 | 15:47 | .. | 16:05 | 16:02 | 16:21 | 16:31 | .. | 16:28 | 16:44 |
| Kidsgrove, opp Mount Road | .. | 12:22 | 12:19 | 12:35 | .. | 12:54 | 12:53 | 13:10 | .. | 13:22 | 13:21 | 13:38 | 13:53 | .. | 13:53 | 14:10 | .. | 14:28 | 14:27 | 14:43 | 14:58 | .. | 14:59 | 15:16 | .. | 15:42 | 15:37 | 16:00 | .. | 16:18 | 16:13 | 16:34 | 16:44 | .. | 16:39 | 16:57 |
| Clough Hall, opp Fourth Avenue | .. | 12:28 | .. | 12:38 | .. | 13:00 | .. | 13:14 | .. | 13:28 | .. | 13:42 | 13:59 | .. | .. | 14:14 | .. | 14:34 | .. | 14:47 | 15:04 | .. | .. | 15:20 | .. | 15:48 | .. | 16:03 | .. | 16:23 | .. | 16:37 | 16:49 | .. | .. | 17:00 |
| Butt Lane, opp Banbury Street | .. | 12:32 | .. | 12:43 | .. | 13:05 | .. | 13:19 | .. | 13:33 | .. | 13:47 | 14:03 | .. | .. | 14:19 | .. | 14:38 | .. | 14:52 | 15:08 | .. | .. | 15:25 | .. | 15:52 | .. | 16:08 | .. | 16:28 | .. | 16:42 | 16:53 | .. | .. | 17:05 |
| Talke Pits, opp Arbour Street | .. | .. | .. | 12:51 | .. | .. | .. | 13:27 | .. | .. | .. | 13:55 | .. | .. | .. | 14:27 | .. | .. | .. | 15:01 | .. | .. | .. | 15:34 | .. | .. | .. | 16:17 | .. | .. | .. | 16:51 | .. | .. | .. | 17:13 |
| Crewe Bus Station (Bay 2) | .. | .. | 13:07 | .. | .. | .. | 13:41 | .. | .. | .. | 14:09 | .. | .. | .. | 14:42 | .. | .. | .. | 15:16 | .. | .. | .. | 15:52 | .. | .. | .. | 16:33 | .. | .. | .. | 17:09 | .. | .. | .. | 17:32 | .. |
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
The new barn, sorry bus station, at Longton has been opened. Note the delay in providing information screens. An article appeared in StokeontrentLive.
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G760XRE
Member
There used to be a joke about waiting for a bus and 3 turning up at once. It's like First are timing it for their buses to do so. If this was my business I'd be embarrassed. How is this justifiable?
markymark2000
Established Member
The joys of just letting AI pump out whatever rubbish timetables it wants with no care for the passengers or actual logic. Such as, why does the 103 do the run from Hanley to Kidsgrove nearly 10 minutes quicker than the 39A despite them following the exact same route on that section?
Sadly, far too many bus managers at the PLCs are very detached from the operations. The amount of managers who have made disastrous decisions for passengers, are keeping their jobs because somehow it's better for business and they have achieved their short term KPIs. Passengers are seen as unimportant and meaningless by far too many bus managers. They only remember passengers exist when it's time to pop up for a press release. (for the record, not all bus managers but certainly an increasing number of them sadly)
Metal Mickey
Member
Are there any members of this forum who know of any operators other than First who produce timetables to this standard?
I knew that they were moving slowly away from consistent times past the hour which is acceptable on high frequency turn-up-and-go routes like you have in London but not much use on anything less regular than every 12 minutes.
I don’t know the Stoke area that well, but that corridor headway of every 7 to 23 to 2 to 26 minutes is a total waste of resource, very inefficient and not really providing a service that meets the best interests of the customers and possibly the drivers as well.
Baxenden Bank
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- 4,306
The revised / new timetables are on the First Potteries website.
These AI timetables are absolutely crazy and yet they keep persisting with them! As per my post 363 above.
Several parts of First use them (just look at the Penzance 17!), the only other operator I can think of is Uno, on some services. The 601 is really random but I think they have rowed back on it on the 653.