Buses and the coronavirus

[borage]

As regards help, all sizes of operators are going to be needing help. I'd imagine that Confederation of Passenger Transport UK (CPT) will be in discussions with the government on assistance for operators.

Yes – Bus & Coach Buyer article about the CPT's letter: https://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/cpt-calling-on-government-for-support/

 

[overthewater]

Words can not describe the Contempt I have for such a post. Again with political point making

Would it make sense for ENCTS (I'm mostly thinking of the Senior version, maybe not the Disability version) to be suspended for the duration of the National Emergency?

Most who hold ENCTS are being advised against travelling in any case, and having to pay fares would dissuade holders from making unnecessary journeys. Yes of course they still need to eat as does everyone else, but there are rather few who really can't afford to pay for one trip a week to the supermarket. In any case, the supermarket cafe will probably be closed, so what they lose on the bus fare they get back by not having a cup of tea and a bun.

The advantages are two. From one end, it would put people off making journeys they don't need to be making. From the other end, the fares income just might help an operator to stay afloat. The downside is possible political fall-out, but party politics is mostly on hold for the time being, and the Senior population would probably actually understand the thinking better than the working age population.

 

[Alexbus12]

I know of one medium sized (200+ vehicles) that only has cash to sustain 4 weeks operations if passenger numbers continue to decline.

That is extremely sad and concerning.

 

[woolos]

The first step would be to change to run a Saturday service through the week. Maybe with early morning extras if there isn’t such a service on a particular route on a Saturday.

Similar to the sort of service that runs 27-30 December

Newport bus will be running Saturday sevices from monday.

 

[Megafuss]

Would it make sense for ENCTS (I'm mostly thinking of the Senior version, maybe not the Disability version) to be suspended for the duration of the National Emergency?

Most who hold ENCTS are being advised against travelling in any case, and having to pay fares would dissuade holders from making unnecessary journeys. Yes of course they still need to eat as does everyone else, but there are rather few who really can't afford to pay for one trip a week to the supermarket. In any case, the supermarket cafe will probably be closed, so what they lose on the bus fare they get back by not having a cup of tea and a bun.

The advantages are two. From one end, it would put people off making journeys they don't need to be making. From the other end, the fares income just might help an operator to stay afloat. The downside is possible political fall-out, but party politics is mostly on hold for the time being, and the Senior population would probably actually understand the thinking better than the working age population.

No no no. ENCTS is there for some of the most vulnerable people in society, most of which have limited incomes. Buses will literally be a lifeline for those that are unable to self-isolate

 

[Robertj21a]

Would it make sense for ENCTS (I'm mostly thinking of the Senior version, maybe not the Disability version) to be suspended for the duration of the National Emergency?

Most who hold ENCTS are being advised against travelling in any case, and having to pay fares would dissuade holders from making unnecessary journeys. Yes of course they still need to eat as does everyone else, but there are rather few who really can't afford to pay for one trip a week to the supermarket. In any case, the supermarket cafe will probably be closed, so what they lose on the bus fare they get back by not having a cup of tea and a bun.

The advantages are two. From one end, it would put people off making journeys they don't need to be making. From the other end, the fares income just might help an operator to stay afloat. The downside is possible political fall-out, but party politics is mostly on hold for the time being, and the Senior population would probably actually understand the thinking better than the working age population.

I wrote a lengthy response to this and then realised it would be wasted on you.....

 

[mmh]

No no no. ENCTS is there for some of the most vulnerable people in society, most of which have limited incomes. Buses will literally be a lifeline for those that are unable to self-isolate

And vital for many to access GPs, clinics, hospitals and other services.

 

[theblackwatch]

Transdev has announced that from next Monday, it will be moving to the Saturday timetable on weekdays at Harrogate & Keighley (and probably others, although I've not checked).

 

[Rod Harrison]

I know of one medium sized (200+ vehicles) that only has cash to sustain 4 weeks operations if passenger numbers continue to decline.

Many independents may not survive even with Government support especially if school close.

 

[overthewater]

https://www.firstgroup.com/greater-...dates/coronavirus-covid19-service-information

At First Bus, your safety is our top priority. In the wake of the evolving impacts of coronavirus, we are working with the Government and wider industry to ensure we are following the latest advice to keep you safe on our buses.

For our general information please see our main Coronavirus information page »

We recognise the importance buses play in our customers' lives, not least in making sure that those who need to make essential journeys, like health service and emergency workers, can continue to do so.

This is a dynamic and fast-moving situation. We are working with Government, local authorities and partners to reassess demand for our services in the light of the latest advice. Whilst doing our utmost to maintain services for our customers, we do expect to have to make changes to our timetables as the situation evolves. We will publish these timetables on our website in the first instance

 

[Andyh82]

No no no. ENCTS is there for some of the most vulnerable people in society, most of which have limited incomes. Buses will literally be a lifeline for those that are unable to self-isolate

Rather than scrapping ENCTS like the poster suggested, I'd be thinking they should temporarily scrap the 9:30am start time and let pass holders travel for free all day. Especially as some supermarkets are doing 'over 70s only' hours at 8am.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Rather than scrapping ENCTS like the poster suggested, I'd be thinking they should temporarily scrap the 9:30am start time and let pass holders travel for free all day. Especially as some supermarkets are doing 'over 70s only' hours at 8am.

Had the same thought last night when I saw Iceland and Sainsburys offering similar opening times.

 

[Smethwickian]

National Express has already announced the cancellation of a number of seasonal services for this coming summer, including the direct services normally operated from various parts of the country to Butlins Skegness and Butlins Minehead 'due to reduced bookings'.
London to Stansted Airport services are reduced with immediate effect and a number of stops axed including Kings Cross and Farringdon.
Further NX service reductions expected to be revealed from Monday and Tuesday.
Bus Eireann service 871 {Dublin-Holyhead-Birmingham-London) will be suspended from March 24 until further notice.

As for the comments about ENCTS above, Warrington Transport has announced all-day acceptance until further notice to ease access, just as suggested above, to essential services.

And in the Network West Midlands area: "From Thursday 19 March 2020, and until further notice, the restriction on travel before 09.30 has been suspended meaning that those eligible can travel free of charge on all bus and tram services in the West Midlands Network area from the start of service - excluding services ran by A&M Group - Flexibus and Select Bus Services."

 

[PeterC]

Had the same thought last night when I saw Iceland and Sainsburys offering similar opening times.

Same here but also realised that in the villages local to me there simply aren't departures that will get pensioners to the shops during these times.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Same here but also realised that in the villages local to me there simply aren't departures that will get pensioners to the shops during these times.

Small villages tend to be quite community driven, I'm sure they will be getting a lift in the Rangie.

 

[goldisgood]

Oxford buses moving to a reduced service from Monday, with Go Ahead confirming their changes, and I guess Stagecoach will follow soon.
https://www.oxfordbus.co.uk/covid-19/

Spoiler: Oxford Bus Company

• city2 / Stagecoach 2 - up to every 10 mins
• city3 / Stagecoach 3 - up to every 15 mins
• city3A - normal Monday to Friday service
• city4 - up to every 15 mins with hourly service to Abingdon
• city5 / Stagecoach 1 - up to every 7-8 mins
• city6 - up to every 20 mins
• city8 / Stagecoach 8 - up to every 10 mins
• city9 / Stagecoach 9 - normal Monday to Friday service
• cityX3 - no service
• cityX13 - up to every 15 mins between Abingdon and JR Hospital
• city35 - up to every 30 mins (city35A/B will continue operating as long as schools remain open)
• city250 - normal Saturday service
• park&ride300 - up to every 12 mins
• park&ride400 - up to every 15 mins
• park&ride500 - up to every 30 mins between Oxford and Woodstock
• the airline - hourly service to Heathrow and hourly service to Gatwick via Heathrow, providing half-hourly service to Heathrow Airport
• BROOKESbusU1 - normal semester timetable
• BROOKESbusU5 - normal semester timetable

https://www.thames-travel.co.uk/covid-19/

Spoiler: Thames Travel

• River Rapids X38/X39/X40 - normal Saturday service and the night bus NX40 will not operate
• X2 - normal Saturday service and the night bus NX2 will not operate
• X32/X33/33 - normal Saturday service
• ST1 - normal Monday to Friday service, however, the 17:30 from Harwell to Oxford will not operate
• ST2 - normal Monday to Friday service
• 38 - normal Saturday service
• 67/67C - normal Saturday service
• 97 - normal Monday to Friday service
• 98 - normal Saturday service
• 99 - normal Monday to Friday service
• 11 - normal Monday to Friday service
• 41 - normal Monday to Friday service
• 45 - normal Monday to Friday service
• 94/94S - normal Monday to Friday service
• 96 - normal Monday to Friday service
• 136 - normal Monday to Friday service
• 143 - normal Monday to Friday service
• BB services - all BB services will continue to operate whilst schools remain open

 

[telstarbox]

Medway have suspended the twirly restriction for ENCTS:

https://twitter.com/medway_council/status/1240333122711019526?s=20

 

[telstarbox]

Also Nottinghamshire and Nottingham, and Surrey have requested their operators to do the same.

 

[Baxenden Bank]

TBH I predict that some operators may have to reduce the number of hours they guarantee, though initially they may decide to use drivers as spares to cover rota gaps.

As reguards help, all sizes of operators are going to be needing help. I'd imagine that Confederation of Passenger Transport UK (CPT) will be in discussions with the government on assistance for operators.

If your local council was expecting to spend £x this year anyway on ENCTS re-imbursement, why not give this to operators at a rate similar to that expected but without the ENCTS holders actually travelling. Provided they maintain a reasonable level of service.

 

[SouthEastBuses]

Metrobus Crawley to accept concessionary passes all day from tomorrow (19th of March 2020) rather than the usual 09:00 to 21:00

 

[Hophead]

Compass Bus (Sussex) removed ENCTS restrictions today, though this pretty much only matters to the 09:30 start.

 

[SouthEastBuses]

Compass Bus (Sussex) removed ENCTS restrictions today, though this pretty much only matters to the 09:30 start.

So did Metrobus lol. Both Compass Bus and Metrobus are my local bus companies lol

 

[overthewater]

Go ahead in Manchester will now operate enhance sunday service. Personnel a reduced Saturday or special timetable would have been better.

 

[Eyersey468]

East Yorkshire are also allowing ENCTS passes to be used before 0930 while the crisis is on.

 

[PeterC]

Carousel just announced that they are accepting ENCTS before 9:30 from tomorrow.

Nothing announced about other services in Bucks yet or by other GoAhead companies in Oxford.

 

[Andyh82]

First West Yorks have announced it’ll be a Saturday service from Monday.

You have to read some of the responses when the operators announce these changes on twitter. They beggar belief.

 

[markymark2000]

National Express has already announced the cancellation of a number of seasonal services for this coming summer, including the direct services normally operated from various parts of the country to Butlins Skegness and Butlins Minehead 'due to reduced bookings'.

Where is the announcement about the Butlins services? I can't see any news anywhere about them.

First West Yorks have announced it’ll be a Saturday service from Monday.

You have to read some of the responses when the operators announce these changes on twitter. They beggar belief.

Yes, I have seen a lot of people putting stupid replies on. Demanding lower fares as the service level is reduced and saying that the companies are putting profit above treatment of staff.
It's quite funny to look at but it couldn't be more wrong. It's done to improve reliability at a time when staff are self isolating and better match demand. In the vast majority of cases, the service drop is tiny. 1 or 2 buses per hour and that is on the more frequent routes (like Diamond Bolton reducing from 6 to 5bph on routes). It's a minimal change but people are going ape about it.
Complain a bus doesn't turn up -> bus operator tried to make buses more reliable -> complain about reduced service level. No one can win.

 

[LancasterRed]

In both Preston and Lancaster reduced timetables will be in effect as of Monday.

It's the right call. However, I can envisage an even further reduced service. The 89 and 35 are down from 6bph to 5bph. The biggest changes go to the 31 (4bph to 2bph) and 23 (10bph to 6bph) so surely all services will be bumped up to double deckers on a full-time basis to prevent overcrowding.

 

[PeterC]

Carousel just announced that they are accepting ENCTS before 9:30 from tomorrow.

Nothing announced about other services in Bucks yet or by other GoAhead companies in Oxford.

Red Eagle just announced all day acceptance. Nothing on Twitter from Bucks CC about Arriva or other operators.

 

[Hophead]

Stagecoach South also relaxing the rules for concessionary passes from tomorrow (Friday 20th). "across Hampshire, Surrey and West Sussex" it says, but presumably also applies on the pair of routes from West Sussex into Brighton.