I went out on Wednesday 10 January to have a look at some of the new Arriva Connexions routes around Aylesbury. My first journey started off badly, as the 0915 X5 from Hemel Hempstead to Aylesbury broke down with “frozen air pipes” according to the driver.
After 30 minutes in the sun, the bus started up and the driver was instructed to run dead to Aylesbury to resume his place in the circuit. Probably a reasonable decision, although the next bus was 10 minutes late, so some passengers had a long wait (in very cold conditions).
The 0945 departure left at 0956, and arrived into Aylesbury at 1100, so still 10 minutes late . . . the running time looks about right, even though there were obviously two trips worth of passengers to be accommodated. The driver was good, although possibly over-cautious, although that’s a personal judgement (based on passing my PSV test in 1979!).
There were timetable leaflets on both the X5 bus and my next bus, the X9 to High Wycombe at 1140. Regrettably, no leaflets were available in the Bus Station, nor next door in the Library or at County Hall . . . perhaps a rack could be placed near the coffee stall at AY Bus Station, and the proprietors asked to keep an eye? The old Enquiry Office was plastered with adverts for the previous route network, which needs replacing (early days yet, though). Similarly the deckers I travelled on had the cove panels covered with adverts for Route 280 . . . again, something to deal with?
My X9 departed on time, just after a 130 (one of the Aylesbury Reds group) . . . loadings were very light all through to High Wycombe, and we waited time for around 10 minutes at various locations along the route; eventually arriving into HW 4 minutes early. I doubt that we carried 10 passengers . . . with the 130 taking around 20 minutes less, passengers will go for the faster bus every time, especially as the fare is £2 whichever bus is used.
I’d say that the running time desperately needs looking at on Route X9 . . . indeed, I’d almost suggest getting Buckingham County Council to act as “honest broker” to co-ordinate frequencies at 2 BPH (buses per hour) on each route; X9 doesn’t seem to need 3 BPH, and 130 at 4 BPH is hugely over-bussed.
On a positive note . . . plenty of the new Arriva timetable leaflets were in evidence at Wycombe (as were Carousel’s leaflets), and I didn’t notice any missing departures on the Arriva routes, although I was only there for 45 minutes. I’d also just mention that the e-displays and printed summaries and bus stop timetables in both bus stations were all up to date . . . well done Bucks CC!
To get home, I caught the Carousel 1 at 1330 through to Hemel Hempstead . . . a pleasant surprise, as we left Wycombe with 35 passengers on board . . . around 7 of which travelled through to Hemel! The driver was appalling . . . sharp acceleration; very fierce braking, not waiting for passengers to sit down. A passenger actually called him out on his driving, after which he drove more smoothly.
I daresay
@arrivamatt may not like some of my comments, but I make them in the spirit of informing, not criticizing . . . Arriva are to be commended in at least “having a go”, instead of sitting on their hands . . . in the same way that FirstBus went down before bouncing back, maybe we’re seeing something similar? Time will tell . . .
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