IIRC the original announcement was their would be charging points around the town which they have not gone ahead with as yet. One problem with the routes they all operate is that they have loops at the outer end with no defined terminus so passengers would not be amused having to wait for 6 minutes while the bus recharges.
-
Our booking engine at tickets.railforums.co.uk (powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!
Competition heats up between Transdev and Connexions
- Thread starter TB
- Start date
- Status
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R
RailUK Forums
Stan Drews
Established Member
- Joined
- 5 Jun 2013
- Messages
- 1,578
I’ve never heard of any proposal to have anything other than the opportunity charging infrastructure at the bus station, and the conventional charging infrastructure at the Starbeck depot.
I imagine much will be learned (both financially and operationally) from the early ‘experiments’ with electric propulsion and other alternative fuels, before we see a more standard product evolving in years to come.
Any route based infrastructure is always going to present different challenges compared with depots, although until now, the benefit has largely been much lower battery costs.
I imagine much will be learned (both financially and operationally) from the early ‘experiments’ with electric propulsion and other alternative fuels, before we see a more standard product evolving in years to come.
Any route based infrastructure is always going to present different challenges compared with depots, although until now, the benefit has largely been much lower battery costs.
There is also new battery techhology under development; as an electrically powered airliner is envisaged then it should become possible to power a bus with a small battery for far longer than the c.25 mile range the Volvos currently have in favourable conditions i.e. far less range in practice given Harrogates random grid locks and the hills. Already lithium batteries using silicon instead of graphite in their anodes are claimed to have a 20% improved performance (= 30 mile favourable range) and 40% is envisaged (= 35 miles)
Alex Hornby tweeted last week whilst in Germany another problem facing electric vehicles was melted tarmac precluding them accessing the charging points in the German town he was in. Meanwhile Transdev B7RLE 1862 FJ58LSX self ignited last week and as a consequence a slightly newer B7RLE 1867 FJ09KNV in Pride of the North livery is now at Starbeck.
Transdev Keighley have announced changes to the Keighley to Leeds 60 from the start of September.
Besides changes due to Headrow roadworks they're putting on extra buses during the peaks (from 2pm in the afternoon!).
On the morning peak it looks like there's just one extra bus - making the service briefly every 10 minutes at Saltaire and every 15 by Leeds.
Despite the positivity, it sounds like there will be 40 minute gaps between buses going all the way to Keighley at some times, with others just running to Greengates. There are gaps of 35 minutes in the afternoon at the moment. They're already every 20 minutes 1635 to 1735
keighleybus.co.uk/news.jsp?newsID=2763
Besides changes due to Headrow roadworks they're putting on extra buses during the peaks (from 2pm in the afternoon!).
On the morning peak it looks like there's just one extra bus - making the service briefly every 10 minutes at Saltaire and every 15 by Leeds.
Despite the positivity, it sounds like there will be 40 minute gaps between buses going all the way to Keighley at some times, with others just running to Greengates. There are gaps of 35 minutes in the afternoon at the moment. They're already every 20 minutes 1635 to 1735
keighleybus.co.uk/news.jsp?newsID=2763
Last edited:
peterblue
Member
That's the impression I get too. Gaps of either 20/40 minutes in the afternoon
I'm not very familiar as I have only rode the 60 once. Is it a busy route?
I'm not very familiar as I have only rode the 60 once. Is it a busy route?
At times it's very busy. They do put deckers on at busy times, but these can be very full too.
Stan Drews
Established Member
- Joined
- 5 Jun 2013
- Messages
- 1,578
City of York Council have recently retendered the majority of their supported services.
I understand there will be some operator changes:
21 - From Connexions to York Pullman
10 (M-S eve) - From Transdev to First
24/25/26 - From Arriva to Transdev
I understand there will be some operator changes:
21 - From Connexions to York Pullman
10 (M-S eve) - From Transdev to First
24/25/26 - From Arriva to Transdev
Transdev are running an additional hourly service on route 1 between Harrogate & Knaresborough (making that 9 buses a hour) from 1 Sept which will be a 1D continuing to a new housing development on the Boroughbridge Road - it is I understand a requirement of the permission for the development rather than being a commercial decision.
Alexbus12
Member
- Joined
- 19 Jul 2018
- Messages
- 387
Anyone know what Vamooz is actually for now? Seems Reading have pulled out, Stagecarriage have ceased and very very very few trips actually run now, I know one is to a concert, the first I've seen in a while. Seems they are now concentrating on schools and work services, rather than the original idea..
That sounds rather ambitious, another service to get stuck on Knaresborough Road somewhere!
Stan Drews
Established Member
- Joined
- 5 Jun 2013
- Messages
- 1,578
AFAIK schools and work services were always part of the original idea, and appears to be where it has been most effective.
You would think there now must be scope for some services to run via Forest Lane and Hookstone Chase instead.
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
School travel was the driver behind the concept:
“VAMOOZ will seek individual customers to crowdfund regular services to specific destinations, such as schools and business parks that may not lie conveniently on the existing bus networks. Day trips will also be available to sports venues, shopping parks, festivals and events. Payment is made via the VAMOOZ app, and the final price for all customers decreases as more people commit to travelling.
The concept behind VAMOOZ is entirely new in the UK bus industry, and grew from busy buses during weekday mornings on the company’s popular 36: Riding Redefined route linking Harrogate with Leeds and Ripon, as a result of large numbers of young people travelling to schools and colleges in Harrogate.
Transdev approached parents and asked if any would be willing to commit to sending their children to school on a dedicated bus – and over a two-week period, over 70 parents said they would buy season tickets to travel on the dedicated school bus, plus the rest of Transdev’s network in Harrogate.”
RustySpoons
Member
- Joined
- 5 Apr 2019
- Messages
- 773
As posted above, it seems to be mainly school services now. It was quite a good concept, but not knowing how much you'd actually be paying before travelling plus the chance your trip could be cancelled last minute if there aren't enough seats sold would put people off. As would long journeys on a double deck Volvo with bus seats... Cornwall's Vamooz seems to be doing well though, but I believe they're using a proper coach for most of their work.
There's a couple of works services in Burnley, but they're registered as bus routes so you can use them without even using the app and pay as you board.
Flange Squeal
Established Member
- Joined
- 17 Jul 2012
- Messages
- 1,265
First Kernow do indeed have a Plaxton Panther-bodied Volvo B12B in Vamooz colours, 23208 (VOO 273, WM04 NZU). They do also have a couple of Tridents in Vamooz livery though (33141-LR02 LWW, and 33176-HIG 1524), but I don’t know if these are ever used as crowd movers, or if the livery is purely promotional on them.
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
And a dinky MB 0814?
The timetable has been issued - looks like its arranged for a single vehicle so it might not interwork with the rest of the route 1 workings - Mon-Sat timing is 16 mins past the hour from Harrogate except Mon-Fri where the following are different; 0703, 0813, 1526, 1636, 1746, 1851 (the last working). The first working on a Saturday is 0816; on Sundays its 0815 then 0910 and hourly to 1810.
[QUOTE="Deerfold, post: 4131249, 2
On the morning peak it looks like there's just one extra bus - making the service briefly every 10 minutes at Saltaire and every 15 by Leeds.
Despite the positivity, it sounds like there will be 40 minute gaps between buses going all the way to Keighley at some times, with others just running to Greengates. There are gaps of 35 minutes in the afternoon at the moment. They're already every 20 minutes 1635 to 1735
keighleybus.co.uk/news.jsp?newsID=2763[/QUOTE]
Timetable is now available from that link. The Mon-Fri full length afternoon workings from Leeds are 1245, 1345, 1415, 1455, 1515, 1555 and then every 20 mins to 1735, 1800. The 1315, 1435 and 1535 are short workings to Greengate presumably then running out of service back to Leeds. The 0810, 1635 and 1655 from Leeds are indicated as being double deckers as are the 0624 and 1445 from Keighley.
On the morning peak it looks like there's just one extra bus - making the service briefly every 10 minutes at Saltaire and every 15 by Leeds.
Despite the positivity, it sounds like there will be 40 minute gaps between buses going all the way to Keighley at some times, with others just running to Greengates. There are gaps of 35 minutes in the afternoon at the moment. They're already every 20 minutes 1635 to 1735
keighleybus.co.uk/news.jsp?newsID=2763[/QUOTE]
Timetable is now available from that link. The Mon-Fri full length afternoon workings from Leeds are 1245, 1345, 1415, 1455, 1515, 1555 and then every 20 mins to 1735, 1800. The 1315, 1435 and 1535 are short workings to Greengate presumably then running out of service back to Leeds. The 0810, 1635 and 1655 from Leeds are indicated as being double deckers as are the 0624 and 1445 from Keighley.
The 1 hour gap from 1245 was certainly a bit of a surprise.
I imagine something had to give to allow the 20 min frequency later on, and a short journey at 1315 May not inconvenience many.
I wonder where the bus that will run the 1535 off Leeds will come from, as there is no inbound journey and it is presumably too early to run off schools.
I wonder where the bus that will run the 1535 off Leeds will come from, as there is no inbound journey and it is presumably too early to run off schools.
Price rises in Harrogate from 1st September
http://www.harrogatebus.co.uk/news.jsp?newsID=2783
Handily however it seems they have finally seemed to realize some punters (including me!) may benefit from a monthly Harrogate - Starbeck so my fare will now actually DECREASE from £40 to £37 per 4 weeks/28 days!
Harrogate - Starbeck 28 day or Pay Monthly subscription
new price £37
http://www.harrogatebus.co.uk/news.jsp?newsID=2783
Handily however it seems they have finally seemed to realize some punters (including me!) may benefit from a monthly Harrogate - Starbeck so my fare will now actually DECREASE from £40 to £37 per 4 weeks/28 days!
Harrogate - Starbeck 28 day or Pay Monthly subscription
new price £37
Alexbus12
Member
- Joined
- 19 Jul 2018
- Messages
- 387
When was the previous Harrogate fare increase?
Stan Drews
Established Member
- Joined
- 5 Jun 2013
- Messages
- 1,578
Google seems to suggest 9th Sept 2018, which would seem about right.
RustySpoons
Member
- Joined
- 5 Apr 2019
- Messages
- 773
There was an increase in the DayTripper tickets only a couple of months back. Why they didn't do the whole lot at the same time I'm not sure...
Also fare changes for Keighley with a "new range of PayMonthly" tickets involved as part of it http://www.keighleybus.co.uk/news.jsp?newsID=2784
Stan Drews
Established Member
- Joined
- 5 Jun 2013
- Messages
- 1,578
Many operators seem to take this approach of only changing certain prices at certain times. The benefit appears to be that the ‘marketing message’ can potentially reference a greater number of ‘frozen’ prices. However, where they promote fares widely in printed material, and/or on the vehicles themselves, it can lead to greater costs to maintain accuracy.
RustySpoons
Member
- Joined
- 5 Apr 2019
- Messages
- 773
Transdev are claiming they're now the 'Green Bus company' in their PR because of their mods fitted to their B7s to reduce emissions, so it seems this is the actual green bus companys way of retaliating, by using red buses...
- Status