Connexions don't take over until 24/02/25. Who looks at a timetable so early? Their news page says that the timetable is not yet finalised. Given the timings of the services, they will be mainly used by old people, who would much prefer a paper timetable, which Connexions have said will be available.
BODS is just an online timetable, with all the limitations that entails, particularly cancellations. Buses cannot be relied upon from any operator these days. It is why people do not use buses. I have never been through Leeds Bus Station in the last few years without the word CANCELLED being shown on the information board, usually against a 36 service. You need to look at the live tracking and the WY Metro Next Bus apps to find out whether the bus that you want is runing and whether it is on time. Even that is no guarantee. You track the inbound service, but then it is cancelled at the bus station, so the outbound service that you were wanting to use, does not run.
You also need to look at the regulations. Connexions do not operate more than 40 services, so are classed as a small operator. They therefore do not have to host the data themselves, and can upload the file to BODS or use the BOD timetable tool to create the file to be uploaded. It is then hosted by the DfT.
The flaw in the system:
"For new registrations of local services, the process for publishing open data will be aligned with the process for applying to a traffic commissioner for registration of the new service. The date when the application for registration of a new service is made to a traffic commissioner (the 42-day period), is the last date by which the data should also be provided to BODS."
"Variations requiring an
application to a traffic commissioner (that is, where there are alterations which trigger the need for formal registration of a variation) are required to be submitted to BODS by the time of the application going to the Transport Commissioner (TC) for final review (the 42-day period).
For changes that do not trigger the variation to the registration threshold, these can be made to the BODS file at any point prior to the change coming into operation. For example, if the timetable change were to come into effect today at noon, the operator would legally be able to update their open data file up until 11:59am."
How can you register a service with an accurate timetable 42 days in advance, for a contracted service, when you do not know what timetable the contracting authority are going to impose upon you?
Why is there a need to upload it 42 days in advance, yet in other circumstances, you can upload 1 minute before a service, to a system that only checks for updates, twice a day!
There is no such thing as a perfect world. In life, if you only deal with people who strictly comply with every regulation or law, then you would not be dealing with many people, organisations or countries!
The most important thing is that the bus runs.
