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Buses and the coronavirus

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PTR 444

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I'm not sure what you're meaning by "Christmas Day service" - most of the country doesn't have a Christmas Day service.

Bluestar (my local operator) run two routes in Southampton on Christmas Day. One of these is a cross-city route which is extended to the city’s hospital, while the other is a combination of two inter-urban routes to Eastleigh and Winchester.

In Bournemouth & Poole, Morebus operate the M1 and M2 at a half hourly frequency, with extensions to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital and Christchurch.

Southern Vectis on the Isle of Wight runs the country’s most comprehensive Xmas day service, with special timetables throughout the day on five of its routes.
 
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NoMorePacers

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From my observations on a trip to the shop earlier, it seems like East Yorkshire have gone down to a Sunday timetable (and they seemed reasonably lightly loaded), however Stagecoach seemingly haven't put any service reductions in and their buses predictably have been carrying nothing but fresh air.
 

Ianno87

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Stagecoach Cambridge reducing timetabes from Monday (30th). Quick sample is:

-Citi high frequency services / Park and Rides reduced to Sunday timetables, albeit starting early / finishing late in line with weekday times

-Out of town routes running weekday level of service (hourly etc)

-X5 running hourly

-Village services generally on normal timetables
 

Jamesrob637

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The few buses I've seen in Plymouth (Stagecoach) have been loaded no more than 4 people. Double deckers in some cases too.
 

johntea

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Transdev live tracking is broken for a bit due to them getting the key worker service timetables in place...funny how much you suddenly realise just how much you rely on a simple feature like that and suddenly have to resort to timetables! (A side issue being the roads are dead so the bus turned up 10 minutes early anyway!)
 

Deerfold

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Bluestar (my local operator) run two routes in Southampton on Christmas Day. One of these is a cross-city route which is extended to the city’s hospital, while the other is a combination of two inter-urban routes to Eastleigh and Winchester.

In Bournemouth & Poole, Morebus operate the M1 and M2 at a half hourly frequency, with extensions to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital and Christchurch.

Southern Vectis on the Isle of Wight runs the country’s most comprehensive Xmas day service, with special timetables throughout the day on five of its routes.

So your suggestion is not running most routes? I think Transdev seem to have it about right, running Sunday services with early starts, so hourly on most services, half hourly on the busiest (surprising they're running Sunday frequencies on the M4 (1bp2h instead of 2bph) which serves the large Airedale Hospital) - they might have scope to halve frequencies on some.

Most of us shouldn't be travelling, but a fair few people need to.
 

philthetube

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On that sort of service you are not going to turn up and go so probably no issue as lons as loadings are low.
 

dvboy

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Many buses in central Birmingham were carrying nothing but air this morning. Far fewer people using them and many preferring to walk while the weather is decent too.

NXWM reduces its timetable from tomorrow (Wednesday)
 

Meerkat

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Obviously it’s good in distancing terms and having a job, but there must be some bored, lonely bus drivers pooling round our streets at the moment!
 

philthetube

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But surely for Colne Airedale isn't the main hospital?

It is the Hospital of choice and the nearest accident and emergency unit, definitely timewise and marginal distance, the alternative being blackburn which is a nightmare to get to.
 

alex397

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Stagecoach South East have announced a skeleton service from Monday 30th March, with most routes still operating.

Their M2 coach service (Canterbury-North Greenwich) will cease completely from Saturday 28th March, the withdrawal date brought forward. A sad end to that service.
 
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S&CLER

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I've just spent half an hour sitting on a bench in Lord Street in front of my flat to get some fresh air (keeping my distance from others), and noticed that Arriva's Southport local routes 47 and 49 seemed to be running a reduced frequency, the 375 and 385 Wigan route was normal, Cumfybus 15, 15A and 40 appeared to be running as normal but near empty, and Stagecoach 2 and X2 to Preston appeared to be normal but also nearly empty. The X2 could be suspended as it duplicates the 2 and the 47. I didn't see any Park and Ride buses today, but they too were near empty last time I saw them.
 

Deerfold

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But surely for Colne Airedale isn't the main hospital?

There's a reasonable number of staff live in that direction. It is the main hospital for much of the route towards Colne.

The M4 provides the main service for parts of Crosshills, though the 66 serves some parts.
 

Andyh82

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First West Yorks are moving to a “key worker timetable” next week based on a Sunday service during the day with peak time journeys. They are currently running a full Saturday service.
 

Dai Corner

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Newport Transport have announced further reductions and social distancing measures

https://www.newportbus.co.uk/media/introducing-special-timetable-from-march-26-2020


Newport Transport said:
From Thursday 26th of March, we will operate a special bus timetable from 07:00 to 19:00 and no Sunday service due to a significant reduction in demand and ongoing staff availability since the UK Government detailed further emergency measures.

The company has had to develop and operate a special timetable causing further reduction in bus services. This change will enable us to work with a reduced staff level, whilst protecting a greater number of people and providing a level of public transport for essential travel. Download the timetables.



From Thursday we will also enforce strict social distancing measures on our services. Until further notice driving staff will only allow 50% of the seating capacity to be utilised. We ask customers not to sit together and to refrain from using the seats directly behind the driver to assist reducing the risk of spreading the virus.



Newport Bus will also carry on with offering FREE alternative transport to NHS and emergency services personnel who live in Newport and Cwmbran where the bus service times do not suit, again offering FREE travel. Those who need to use our alternative travel arrangements can get in touch, providing a telephone number, pick up point, place of work and shift times either via email to our dedicated email address [email protected] or phone on 01633 211 202. Free travel is achieved simply by showing their NHS or emergency services ID badge at time of boarding.

Scott Pearson, Managing Director explains: “As a company, we understand how critical it is for people to have access to a bus service for work and essential shopping. By reducing our timetable further, we can prolong our running of the bus services in Newport. I would like to take the opportunity to remind bus users that whilst we have stepped up the cleaning regime on our buses, especially the high touch point areas and the driver’s cabin, we appreciate your effort in practicing social distancing with our staff and between yourself on boarding and using the bus whenever possible.

I am sincerely grateful to all the staff at Newport Transport for doing an amazing job for our customers and for their patience and understanding as we navigate through these unprecedented challenges.”

A statement plus questions and answers on the disruptions to the Newport Bus services can be found on the Newport Bus website here. This will be kept updated; however, for the latest traffic updates, we recommend people to follow the company official Twitter or Facebook pages @NewportBus.

All of the timetables can be found on the website www.newportbus.co.uk/journey-planner or on the Travelinewww.traveline.cymru).
 

jcrwey

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First Wessex (Dorset) has imposed a rather draconian timetable from Monday.

No services at all on the following routes. Fully suspended:
3: Weymouth to Westham
4: Weymouth to Preston
8: Weymouth to Chickerell
X51: Dorchester-Bridport-Lyme Regis-Axminster
X53: Weymouth to Bridport
X54: Weymouth-Lulworth-Wareham-Poole
502: Littlsea Holiday Park to Weymouth
503: Waterside/ Bowleaze Cove to Weymouth

Sunday service on:
Service 1: Weymouth to Portland
Service 2: Weymouth to Littlemoor
Service 10: Weymouth to Dorchester

Special service:
X53: Bridport-Lyme Regis-Axminster. Every 3 hours. No service on rest of X53 route between Weymouth and Bridport.
 

Hophead

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Brighton & Hove:

Please note changes to routes 25 & N25 will now operate to the Saturday vacation timetable.

On Sunday 29 March, a normal Sunday service will operate, although routes 13X, 77, 78 & 79 will not run.

On Sunday 5 April, a normal Sunday service will be in operation.

Between Monday 30 March and Saturday 4 April a Sunday service will be in operation:

Earlier journeys on routes 1, 1A, 2, 5, 5A, 5B, 6, 12, 12A, 14, 14C, 21, 21A, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 46, 48, 49 and 50

Compass:
Hefty reductions with a few services running to Saturday times, the 100 chopped in the middle, but most cancelled until further notice.
 

overthewater

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Scottish Citylink is making further cuts on Monday:

https://www.citylink.co.uk/serviceupdates.php
In line with Government advice, we are asking all customers to stop all non-essential travel with immediate effect. As of Monday 30 March, we are running a reduced service for those with essential travel needs only.
The following timetables will be in place from Monday 30 March.

First Glasgow is going to Sunday Timetable from Monday: https://www.firstgroup.com/greater-...covid19-service-information/sunday-29th-march

First Scotland East is also going to Sunday timetable however the 600 will be houlry, X23 are gone, 29 are normal for the time being. https://www.firstgroup.com/south-ea...es/current-issues/coronavirus-covid19-service
 
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I see companies are STILL expecting drivers to handle cash, despite being told on here that revenue protection would be a low priority.

Arriva North East Facebook page still got people moaning, I am sure even if the drivers were dead they expect them to provide a service. No protection by way of masks or hand gel of even the ability to wash their hands guaranteed for drivers.

Buses must be a fine place for the virus to be passed on, I was just thinking the other day that when a smoker lit up at the rear upstairs ten seconds later you would smell it in the cab, can't see peoples breath being that much different. Look at the condensation on the windows, most of that will be from peoples lungs.

Let's not forget those members of the great British public who get on the bus with their money in their mouth....
 

cav1975

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Stagecoach South East have announced a skeleton service from Monday 30th March, with most routes still operating.

Their M2 coach service (Canterbury-North Greenwich) will cease completely from Saturday 28th March, the withdrawal date brought forward. A sad end to that service.

Were they planning to withdraw it anyway? The, admittedly few, times that I used it there were very few people on it although I'm told the late night journey from North Greenwich could be busy.
 

alex397

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Were they planning to withdraw it anyway? The, admittedly few, times that I used it there were very few people on it although I'm told the late night journey from North Greenwich could be busy.

It was announced on 18th March that the service would be withdrawn on 22nd May. I don't think the withdrawal was all to do with coronavirus - but it was probably the icing on the cake. It would be interesting to know whether they would have continued with the service, with some extra marketing or tweeks, if it wasn't for the virus.
 

Dstock7080

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London bus reductions from 30 March:
https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/buses/bus-changes?intcmp=47904

Further reduction of some bus routes from Monday 30 March
Following the Prime Minister's announcement about only leaving home for very limited purposes and a significant decline in bus use in recent weeks, we are reducing the timetables on the routes listed below.
The new timetables will be based on a Sunday service, but with added early morning journeys to ensure key workers can get to their workplaces.
1 2 3 5 6 7 8 11 12 13 14 15 16 18 19 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 34 36 37 38 43 49 52 55 56 57 58 59 60 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 81 85 86 87 88 92 93 94 96 97 98 100 101 102 105 106 107 109 111 113 114 115 119 120 122 131 133 134 137 139 140 141 144 145 147 148 149 155 156 157 158 159 163 168 170 171 176 177 182 183 185 188 189 195 199 200 205 207 208 209 211 213 214 219 220 221 222 236 237 242 243 249 250 253 254 257 259 260 261 262 263 264 266 269 270 271 272 274 276 277 279 280 281 282 285 295 297 309 316 319 321 322 323 328 329 332 333 337 340 341 343 344 345 349 350 360 363 381 386 388 390 396 414 422 425 427 430 432 436 452 453 460 466 469 472 473 474 476 483 488 D7 E1 E2 E3 E6 E8 H25 U7 W3 W7 W8 X26 and X140
All other day routes will continue to operate a Saturday timetable on weekdays and night buses will run a Monday to Thursday night timetable on all days of the week.
 

43055

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Midland Classic will run a reduced timetable from Monday. Full details are below but most routes will run hourly or two hourly with the 8 and 9 will combine to provide around 30 min service to the Hospital from 0600 until 2000.
Route and timetable changes from 30 March 2020

Following the announcement by the Prime Minister on Monday 23 March 2020 that people should only leave their houses for essential trips and to work the number of passengers using our buses has clearly reduced. We are aware of the social need for our buses to operate but also we cannot justify even the Saturday level of service we are currently operating.

We have looked at all routes and have tried to come up with a fair and balanced set of timetables to cater as far as possible for key workers to get to work; their children to school and those getting essentials. In particular we have listened to feedback and tried where possible to add back in journeys and in some cases additional journeys to the timetable that was in place prior to the outbreak to Burton Queen’s Hospital.

These will be monitored and may be altered again in the near future depending on demand and also our staff availability.

Passengers are reminded that when travelling with us they should keep their social distance including only one person on the platform at any one time, not occupying the seats towards the front of the bus and staying back from the front of the bus when waiting to get off. Passengers are also encouraged to pay by contactless where possible or at least pay with the correct money.

Route 1 Buses will run Monday to Friday between Burton and Eton Park only and will operate via Waterloo Street in both directions.
For Rolleston route 401 will run that way on most journeys.

Route 2 Buses will run every hour Monday to Friday between Burton, Stapenhill and Edge Hill only. Buses will be balanced with route 21 to give a bus every 30 mins between Burton and Edge Hill.
For Harper Avenue and Horninglow see routes 8 and 9
Special notice for passengers on Horninglow Road. There will be no inbound service so passengers should board routes 8 and 9 on the way out to Harper Avenue. Route 1 will still serve Victoria Crescent inbound every hour Monday to Friday.

Route 3 Route will not run; see routes 8 and 9 as the main service through Winshill and route 18 for Vancouver Drive.

Route 4 Route will not run. For Woodville and Midway see routes 8 and 9, Swadlincote and Newhall routes 8, 9 and 19 and Stanton route 21. There will be no service on Park Road, Newhall.

Route 8 Route will run every hour Monday to Saturday.
Buses will no longer run to Goseley Estate but will run via the route 4 route of Woodville & Midway.
In Burton buses, along with route 9 will all run to the current 8H route via Waterloo Street, Harper Avenue, Rolleston Road and also incorporate Longmead Road, Calais Road, Queen’s Hospital returning via Shobnall Street.
Combined with route 9 will offer a bus up to every 30 mins between Winshill, Burton, Harper Avenue & Queen’s Hospital

Route 9 Buses will run to the Sunday timetable and route but we are pleased to be running more buses to Queen’s Hospital.
All buses will run via Winshill instead of Brizlincote. For Brizlincote see route 19.
The 0520 from the Airport which is 0545 Ashby, 0600 Swadlincote, 0605 Newhall and 0610 Winshill will continue to the Hospital arriving at 0637.
New journey at 0550 from Harper Avenue via the Hospital to Burton which will continue onto the 0620 Burton to the Airport journey.
New journey at 0641 from the Hospital which will continue onto a 0650 Burton to Swadlincote journey
New journey at 0711 from the Hospital which will continue onto the 0725 Burton to the Airport journey.
Combined with route 8 will offer a bus up to every 30 mins between Winshill, Burton, Harper Avenue & Queen’s Hospital

Route 10 Frequency reduced and will run Monday to Friday. Route 402A offers additional buses between Burton and Acorn Inn

Route 11 Frequency reduced and will run Monday to Friday.

Route 17 Frequency reduced and will run Monday to Friday.

Route 18 Frequency reduced and will run Monday to Friday. Route altered to run from Burton direct via Burton Bridge to Dalebrook. Buses will then run via Vancouver Drive in Winshill, Bretby Lane, Ashby Road, Stapenhill Road to Clay Street and Woods Lane and into Burton via St Peter’s Bridge. Buses will leave from Burton High Street Bay 10.

Route 19 Frequency reduced to every two hours on Saturdays. Route 19 will be the only service through Brizlincote.

Route 21 Daytime frequency reduced to every hour and every two hours on Saturdays.
Additional journey will run Monday to Saturday leaving Swadlincote Bus Park at 0550 running the full route via The Gresley, Linton, Stanton & Stapenhill into Burton. This will continue to Queen’s Hospital for 06:41. The 1750 journey from Swadlincote will also continue to the Hospital for 18:44.
Passengers traveling home from the Hospital there is a route 9 at 0711 into Burton which connects with route 21 at 0725 to Swadlincote and a route 401 at 19:22 into Burton which connects with route 21E at 19:35
New journey at 0700 on route 21E from Burton to Swadlincote.
Journey at 2300 on route 21E will not operate although will return once the full timetable is restored.

Route 22 Will run Monday to Friday. Journeys from Burton at 1215 and 1415 will be combined to run at 1315. Journey from Swadlincote to Burton at 1320 will run at 1420 instead.

Route 24 Will run Monday to Friday. Journey at 1305 and 1505 will be combined to run at 1405.

Route 401 Journey from Burton to Uttoxeter at 0700 will run Monday to Friday at 0630. It will not serve Holts Lane in Tutbury.
Will continue to run hourly Monday to Friday and two hourly on Saturday.
Most buses will divert via Rolleston between Beam Hill and Tutbury offering a replacement to route 1.

Routes 402/402A/403 Morning journeys will operate as now but all daytime journeys will operate as route 402A. Buses will leave Burton and run via Acorn Inn to Needwood, Newborough, Abbots Bromley, Draycott & Marchington. Fauld and Anslow will not be served.

Route 406 Reduced service will operate. D&G route 841 will continue to run via Byrds Lane as a reduced frequency.

Route 812 Hourly service will continue to operate.

Route X12 Route suspended other than journeys at 0715 and 0750 Burton to Lichfield and 0740 and 1715 Lichfield to Burton Monday to Friday.

Please continue to check back on a regular basis as we may need to make further changes to these arrangements we more information regarding staff available and demand comes to light.

Midland Classic
 

Busaholic

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I'll apologise right away for not being able to provide the link, but it's so important it has to be mentioned. I found this on the BBC Devon and Cornwall website in their coronavirus coverage.

A 60 year old Plymouth-based bus driver working for Stagecoach is seriously ill with this virus, and his union is calling for an urgent review of working conditions, including cash handling.
 

Cowley

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I'll apologise right away for not being able to provide the link, but it's so important it has to be mentioned. I found this on the BBC Devon and Cornwall website in their coronavirus coverage.

A 60 year old Plymouth-based bus driver working for Stagecoach is seriously ill with this virus, and his union is calling for an urgent review of working conditions, including cash handling.
That’s worrying. My thoughts are with him and his family.
Truly awful.
 

Bletchleyite

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That’s worrying. My thoughts are with him and his family.
Truly awful.

Agreed.

FWIW, I am increasingly of the view that the Government should step in and make public transport all free of charge but only for those who can prove genuine need to use it e.g. key workers or if there is no supermarket near enough to you AND you are not a car owner (in this unusual situation if you own a car you really SHOULD use it).

Cash is causing transmission issues, but many bus users in the "need it to get to the supermarket" group are going to be those who do not have cards and cannot pay contactless, so just accepting card only is not a solution in the way it may be for the longer distance TOCs.

It's a real shame the UK isn't mostly dual door, as we could do what the Dutch have done and rope off the first couple of rows to protect drivers. I wonder if there would be scope, with significantly reduced service in London, for the big groups to be allowed to move some of their London fleets to the provinces temporarily to allow this to be done?
 
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