Bus Services in the National Rail Timetable

[gazr]

I am currently visiting all the stations, and in doing so, have noticed that there are bus services in the timetable that proclaim to be operated by TOCs. As I count each CRS (3Alpha) code, I was surprised bus stops were assigned these in the timetable.

Looking at one particular route between Peterborough and Dereham Market Place, I tried googling and nothing came up. It's not something that google maps has as a suggested route, and LNER (the 'operator') have no fares, even though you can select "DEB" as the start/destination point. There are several buses a day according to RTT, and was wondering how I go about getting a ticket. The same goes for Luton to Dunstanble- I can find details of buses between the two, but none that run to the timetable suggested on RTT. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[peterblue]

Peterborough - Wisbech - King's Lynn - Swaffham - Dereham - Norwich is the Excel route run by First.

There are several routes running from Luton to Dunstable.

 

[Roger1973]

I didn't realise Dunstable was on 'real time trains'. National Rail Enquiries isn't offering it.

But as peterblue says, there are several bus routes between Luton and Dunstable, most via the guided busway.

Arriva route A is the most frequent (and has a night service), Arriva route Z goes a long way round to serve residential areas on the north-west side of the Luton / Dunstable area), Centrebus B, E and G are less frequent, as are Grant Palmer Buses C and Hi (yes, 'Hi') - some of the latter run from town centre stops in Luton rather than the Interchange (which is just outside Luton rail Station.)

There's also Arriva route 31 that runs along the main road not the busway.

I don't know which ones rail tickets are valid on. RTT isn't really making it clear what bus it is or where it considers the 'station' in Dunstable to be. The only 'Thameslink' branded buses are the ones running between Luton Airport Parkway and Luton Airport (which are soon to be replaced by the 'DART' link) - they certainly don't go to Dunstable.

I also wonder where RTT is getting the data from? I presume that at one time there was an arrangement for either bus operator/s or council/s to copy information to someone when the bus timetable changes, but wonder if anyone still knows to? Alternatively, there is the Bus Open Data Service (BODS) although the accuracy of the data going in to that is (from experience elsewhere) sometimes less than perfect.

 

[markymark2000]

Buses of Somerset route 28 (Taunton to Minhead) shows up for booking on all rail operators.

First Bristol A1 (Airport Flyer) is included.

Cardiff Airport to Rhoose Station Shuttle 905 can be booked online (Cardiff Air Bus).

TrawsCymru T1 (First) and T5 (Richard Bros) for travel to Lampeter and Aberaeron (as well as links from Aberystwyth to Carmarthen)


Not sure if you count these, kind of bus, kind of coach. Reading - Heathrow and Guildford & Woking RailAir services are in the database.

It's a bit odd as you will find some of them are on RTT but can't be booked (like Dunstable, I can't find that available for booking anywhere) but there are others which don't show on RTT but are available for booking tickets (Bristol Airport Flyer, TrawsCymru). Also depends on where you try to book through. Cardiff Airport to Rhoose Bus can't be booked via Thameslink but can be booked on GWR and TFW. It's awfully confusing.

 

[gazr]

Buses of Somerset route 28 (Taunton to Minhead) shows up for booking on all rail operators.

First Bristol A1 (Airport Flyer) is included.

Cardiff Airport to Rhoose Station Shuttle 905 can be booked online (Cardiff Air Bus).

TrawsCymru T1 (First) and T5 (Richard Bros) for travel to Lampeter and Aberaeron (as well as links from Aberystwyth to Carmarthen)


Not sure if you count these, kind of bus, kind of coach. Reading - Heathrow and Guildford & Woking RailAir services are in the database.

It's a bit odd as you will find some of them are on RTT but can't be booked (like Dunstable, I can't find that available for booking anywhere) but there are others which don't show on RTT but are available for booking tickets (Bristol Airport Flyer, TrawsCymru). Also depends on where you try to book through. Cardiff Airport to Rhoose Bus can't be booked via Thameslink but can be booked on GWR and TFW. It's awfully confusing.

Thanks for info on routes -a couple i already found whilst searching. There is also one from Kyle of Lochalsh to Isle of Skye. And dont get me started on ferry services (0S00) in the timetable . Unless i can buy a physical ticket or its covered in a rover, i dont think i can count it.

Also makes me wonder who is in charge of assigning CRS codes, as a couple of stops i found dont have one and use TIPLOC codes instead!

Thanks to the other replies above as well.

 

[borage]

This old thread in the railway section of here has some further information:

Rail Bus Service Peterborough - Dereham

It may be obvious to others, but not to me. Why is Network Rail currently running a half-hourly bus service from Peterborough to Dereham, calling at Wisbech, King's Lynn and Swaffham?

www.railforums.co.uk

I've just looked up Edinburgh Waverley to "Dereham Coach" on the Trainline website. A sample journey without a railcard is £72.10, compared to £71 for Edinburgh Waverley to Peterborough, so 90p cheaper than buying the bus ticket separately. An even bigger saving with a railcard.