plain sheet of paper, design a new Chelmsford city network from scratch

On the recent First Essex discussion the general consensus of opinion was that Chelmsford's local bus services were in a bit of a mess, after various routes were being tweaked and had bits bolted on from withdrawn routes etc
So I thought if anyone was to design a new, hopefully commercially viable, local bus route network from scratch, what would they do. Tweak present routes? or start from scratch completely?

The network is quite extensive, it just needs to be presented better in my opinion. Maybe they could take some tips from up the A12 at Eastern Counties with the good work being done at Norwich.

ChathillMan said:

The network is quite extensive, it just needs to be presented better in my opinion. Maybe they could take some tips from up the A12 at Eastern Counties with the good work being done at Norwich.

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Fair point - the Norwich network appears to be much improved in terms of marketing etc. Have they done anything at Chelmsford (or the rest of FEsx) in terms of promotion and marketing?

TheGrandWazoo said:

Fair point - the Norwich network appears to be much improved in terms of marketing etc. Have they done anything at Chelmsford (or the rest of FEsx) in terms of promotion and marketing?

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They've smartened up the leaflets at least. The x10/x30 are quite nice to look at wirh a smart livery.. but its standard First for the most part. Its really crying out for someone to give the presentation a kick up the backside, something you could say for a few other First operations to be fair.

Cambus731 said:

On the recent First Essex discussion the general consensus of opinion was that Chelmsford's local bus services were in a bit of a mess, after various routes were being tweaked and had bits bolted on from withdrawn routes etc
So I thought if anyone was to design a new, hopefully commercially viable, local bus route network from scratch, what would they do. Tweak present routes? or start from scratch completely?

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This is a theoretical response as I've not used buses in Chelmsford for a very long time.

Firstly work out the core commercial money spinners - there must be corridors which are well used and earn money. They need protecting with the minimum amount of tinkering. Makes no sense to upset regular fare paying pax.
Secondly look at what links are missing but still desirable. Are there marginal parts of the network that have prospects for growth with a bit of effort and though? Are there long standing requests from politicians, stakeholders and passengers that could be addressed?
Thirdly are there new housing / shopping / health developments that need / could sustain regular bus services?

I'd design the core first then see whether the core could support some marginal parts of routes or could be tweaked to cover aspirations for new services. I'd then look to see what could be done to add a secondary layer of service that is self supporting at perhaps lower frequency / lower cost of operation. Thirdly are there remaining links or new service options that could be introduced but which may need some council / external funding to keep them going / get them started. The final aspect is whether different vehicles or styles of operation might be worth trying to offer a service to people but an at acceptable level of cost.

I'd also want to do a "risk analysis" on traffic congestion issues to see how robust / costly schedules would need to be to ensure a reliable service could be operated. I'm guessing that Chelmsford, like so many other places, is cursed with horrendous peak time congestion on all the main radial routes plus a share of outer area roads as people try to dodge the worst traffic hotspots. If I understand things correctly Chelmsford has a very large rail commuter flow to London so there must be considerable actual / potential demand for people need connections to the station. I also believe there is / has been a lot of residential development in and around Chelmsford but I suspect some of it is not very bus friendly with narrow twisty estate roads, no bus stop spaces and no turning / stand points. The council need a kick up the posterior to force bus service facilities into every new development where new houses are remote from existing bus services.

plcd1 said:

The council need a kick up the posterior to force bus service facilities into every new development where new houses are remote from existing bus services.

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I do agree there. It seems that often while a service is funded from planning gain the infrastructure doesn't match it, and as a result the estates actually wish it wasn't there because it can't move around the estate without clouting things and churning up verges.

Certainly agree that a trip to Norwich to see how First now market their services would be worthwhile. Clear timetables and helpful staff in the travel centre in Castle Meadow.

With Chelmsford bus station right next to the train station (or railway station for traditionalists) a joined up approach should be possible with a blank sheet of paper, but then GA are due a timetable re-write when the new trains arrive so that doesn't help. Chelmsford is indeed a very busy station, one of the busiest two platform stations in the country.

With profit margins on some bus services being marginal at best, squeezing the last ounce of productivity from the fleet usually takes priority over a more commercially desirable but expensive to operate timetable.

On time departures from Chelmsford Bus Station would be an improvement.......

It's common to see your bus on the stand or parked in the station, with it's driver chatting
to co-workers at departure time. Since it takes time to set-up the ticket machine, & the
destination signs, + the boarding /ticket selling time, late departures are the norm.

I mostly live in South Woodham & adding an extra bus to the previous 3 bus service on route 36 has now allows punctual departures from SWF.

I also spend time in Thurrock & Ensign Bus seem to be a much better operator, clean & tidy buses & friendly staff.

Congestion in & around Lakeside Bus Station is a problem, but their buses are 2-way radio equipped, & it's possible to listen to their traffic controllers whilst trying to keep the services running.

As for route changes, SWF town council have asked their residents what they want to see from First Essex
on the two routes that serve the town, (36 to Chelmsford & 94 to Basildon) & making both routes more direct seemed to be the No. 1 request.

DC