First West Yorkshire & York discussion

[TheGrandWazoo]

Is the tender not due for renewal?
If First was to lose it, it could have implications on the viability of the whole network.

Was awarded in 2015 on a five year term. However, some major changes last year, appropriately enough, suggest something may have changed though the fleet is somewhat mature

 

[Andyh82]

Was awarded in 2015 on a five year term. However, some major changes last year, appropriately enough, suggest something may have changed though the fleet is somewhat mature

Although most of the buses that York Pullman and then Transdev York ran on the contract were not particularly new, so maybe there is no minimal age requirement in the contract

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Although most of the buses that York Pullman and then Transdev York ran on the contract were not particularly new, so maybe there is no minimal age requirement in the contract

True enough about Pullman though didn't think Transdev was quite so bad, and yes, you're probably right about the lack of an age limit which is in itself an uncommon feature. Still, the fleet is now 13/14 years old and for another four years...

 

[Leeds1970]

Is there any truth that the (Leeds) numbers 11 / x26 + x27 are to be operated by CT Plus rather than First ?

 

[Andyh82]

X26 & X27 on a temporary basis, First tickets still valid

Service changes from 27th June | Leeds | First Bus

From Sunday 27th June, we'll be introducing some minor changes to our services to reflect the increase in passenger numbers and traffic on the road. The new timetables can be viewed here. A summary of the changes can be found below:

www.firstbus.co.uk

Changes to X26/X27:​

From Monday 28th June, Service X26/X27 will be run by CT Plus on a temporary basis.

• Timetables for Service X26/X27 will remain the same.
• The bus will look different (as per the image), but will follow the same route.
• All First Bus tickets will be available to buy on-bus, and mTickets will still be accepted.

 

[Kieran1990]

X26 & X27 on a temporary basis, First tickets still valid

Service changes from 27th June | Leeds | First Bus

From Sunday 27th June, we'll be introducing some minor changes to our services to reflect the increase in passenger numbers and traffic on the road. The new timetables can be viewed here. A summary of the changes can be found below:

www.firstbus.co.uk

Assume this down to a lack of drivers/ street decks needed else where on the network?

Is it me or does every timetable change include a revised service on the 4 & 16 corridor?

 

[markymark2000]

Purely a bit of speculation but isn't this how Connexions got the 64. Under contract from First then took the route on commercially. I wonder if the X26/X27 will be like the 64 and not return to First.

 

[sonic2009]

X26 & X27 on a temporary basis, First tickets still valid

Service changes from 27th June | Leeds | First Bus

From Sunday 27th June, we'll be introducing some minor changes to our services to reflect the increase in passenger numbers and traffic on the road. The new timetables can be viewed here. A summary of the changes can be found below:

www.firstbus.co.uk

Where does the X26 & X27 operate between?

 

[markymark2000]

Where does the X26 & X27 operate between?

Leeds to Thorpe Park.

 

[sonic2009]

Leeds to Thorpe Park.

Thanks markymark, i just had to google then Thorpe Park, i was thinking why would First run a bus that far

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Thanks markymark, i just had to google then Thorpe Park, i was thinking why would First run a bus that far

Yeah - not the adventure park

Of course, there is the example where CT Plus operates the metrobus m1 on behalf of First in Bristol

 

[Andyh82]

Leeds to Thorpe Park.

It’s had a notable history

Launched with brand new Streetdecks with an Orange front, on a high frequency, with presumably some sort of funding from the developers of the retail park.

Quickly reduced in frequency, but still every 10 minutes, then Covid hit, so it was reduced much further, I think it didn’t run at all at various points, and now runs with standard Streetlites every 30 minutes and only as far as the bus station so it can operate with just 2 vehicles.

Most of the route is already served by high frequency First services, except for the Thorpe Park bit itself

 

[cnjb8]

Reg and fleet numbers for the new P&R BYDs are
38401 LG21HZL
38402 LG21HZV
38403 LG21HZW
38404 LG21HZX
38405 LG21HZZ

 

[grangergranger]

Statement From CT Plus

We’ll be running the X26 and X27 services for our friends @FirstWestYorks from Monday 28th June. No changes to the times, just a different looking bus https://t.co/JXCzrSmhEj

https://twitter.com/CTPlusYorkshire/status/1407969084533321730?s=19

 

[1D53]

It’s had a notable history

Launched with brand new Streetdecks with an Orange front, on a high frequency, with presumably some sort of funding from the developers of the retail park.

Quickly reduced in frequency, but still every 10 minutes, then Covid hit, so it was reduced much further, I think it didn’t run at all at various points, and now runs with standard Streetlites every 30 minutes and only as far as the bus station so it can operate with just 2 vehicles.

Most of the route is already served by high frequency First services, except for the Thorpe Park bit itself

The developer was required to fund the bus as part of the planning consents.

It also had a failed attempt to extend it through to Garforth which lasted a few months before being cut back.

It has never managed to be advertised well enough to make it worthwhile as it could be busy on the existing high frequency area with those wanting a quicker journey if publicised well enough.

 

[Blackpudding]

Reg and fleet numbers for the new P&R BYDs are
38401 LG21HZL
38402 LG21HZV
38403 LG21HZW
38404 LG21HZX
38405 LG21HZZ

Thanks for that.

 

[cnjb8]

Thanks for that.

No problem

 

[bluenoxid]

Is it me or does every timetable change include a revised service on the 4 & 16 corridor?

It’s not far off. The challenge is that both routes are fairly lengthy, so changes to road layouts affect them both. 4 has struggled with complaints from a resident at the Pudsey Highfield Green terminus. This has created many different proposals to sort it including an attempt to run the bus up a narrow steep road and terminating it the stop earlier.

The recent change has split the service into two at Pudsey with the service terminating at Pudsey bus station towards Pudsey then running one of two routes. It has had a very mixed response particularly early morning and in evenings.

They’ve tried playing with the 16 by running shorts between Bramley and Seacroft but it appears that this has not been popular.

Some people in Leeds would make you think that most of Leeds is covered with bus lanes and cycle lanes but the existing infrastructure hardly makes a dent on these long routes.

 

[Kieran1990]

It’s not far off. The challenge is that both routes are fairly lengthy, so changes to road layouts affect them both. 4 has struggled with complaints from a resident at the Pudsey Highfield Green terminus. This has created many different proposals to sort it including an attempt to run the bus up a narrow steep road and terminating it the stop earlier.

The recent change has split the service into two at Pudsey with the service terminating at Pudsey bus station towards Pudsey then running one of two routes. It has had a very mixed response particularly early morning and in evenings.

They’ve tried playing with the 16 by running shorts between Bramley and Seacroft but it appears that this has not been popular.

Some people in Leeds would make you think that most of Leeds is covered with bus lanes and cycle lanes but the existing infrastructure hardly makes a dent on these long routes.

I’m with you now, makes a lot of sense.
I get the benefit of cross city bus services for connectivity and not having a mountain of buses terminating in the city centre but a delay in Seacroft/ Harehills is felt in Kirkstall/ Pudsey.

I do hold some hope, with the pressure from the new metro mayor, that First will be providing a better early early morning bus service between 5-6am for us early bird workers in the coming months.

 

[NorthernSpirit]

Purely a bit of speculation but isn't this how Connexions got the 64. Under contract from First then took the route on commercially. I wonder if the X26/X27 will be like the 64 and not return to First.

Weren't the services (X26 & X27) introduced through (I think) section 106 funding, whereby a new service is introduced to the new built area what with Thorpe Park being a new town? To me the X26 and X27 seem to have been route franchised (such as the Stagecoach 7 in Worthing which is ran by Compass Bus Sussex Ltd on behalf of Stagecoach South Downs).

 

[markymark2000]

Weren't the services (X26 & X27) introduced through (I think) section 106 funding, whereby a new service is introduced to the new built area what with Thorpe Park being a new town? To me the X26 and X27 seem to have been route franchised (such as the Stagecoach 7 in Worthing which is ran by Compass Bus Sussex Ltd on behalf of Stagecoach South Downs).

First did the same with the Aberford 64 with Connexions when they had a driver shortage. This then led to Connexions taking on the 64 commercially and First letting them have it, just running early morning and evening trips.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

First did the same with the Aberford 64 with Connexions when they had a driver shortage. This then led to Connexions taking on the 64 commercially and First letting them have it, just running early morning and evening trips.

Possibly more akin to the situation in Bristol where First have the agreement to run the three Metrobus routes. However, the m1 is operated by CT Plus under contract to First, thus relieving the pressure on First in terms of depot space, driver resources and the purchase of new fleet.

 

[markymark2000]

Possibly more akin to the situation in Bristol where First have the agreement to run the three Metrobus routes. However, the m1 is operated by CT Plus under contract to First, thus relieving the pressure on First in terms of depot space, driver resources and the purchase of new fleet.

That is how the Connexions thing started. Sub contracted but then Connexions took it on commercially.

 

[NorthernSpirit]

It seems that every bus stop on the Headrow, Park Row and City Square are having the new style Leeds area route and named line maps.

 

[_toommm_]

It seems that every bus stop on the Headrow, Park Row and City Square are having the new style Leeds area route and named line maps.

I think they’re slowly working through the whole of Leeds. Headingley has recently received the new style bus stops.

 

[peterblue]

https://www.firstbus.co.uk/york/plan-journey/timetables/?operator=29&page=1&redirect=no Bizarrely, the First York staff bus has been uploaded by mistake to the First website. Listed as running between York Depot and York Depot with no fixed route; as this changes on demand

 

[JRT]

https://www.firstbus.co.uk/york/plan-journey/timetables/?operator=29&page=1&redirect=no Bizarrely, the First York staff bus has been uploaded by mistake to the First website. Listed as running between York Depot and York Depot with no fixed route; as this changes on demand

Some staff buses are public service (for public up to the depot gates, staff only within the depot eg Huddersfield 200 to Fieldhouse Lane. When Bradford had an office at Bowling Back Lane, a similar situation applied, however the Bradford staff bus isn't in the timetable.

 

[markymark2000]

Some staff buses are public service (for public up to the depot gates, staff only within the depot eg Huddersfield 200 to Fieldhouse Lane. When Bradford had an office at Bowling Back Lane, a similar situation applied, however the Bradford staff bus isn't in the timetable.

Depends where you look. First have put it on their Open Data meaning that it does show up on BusTimes.org

STL - BOWLING BACK LANE GARAGE - BRADFORD INTERCHANGE Staff Bus – First Bradford – bustimes.org

 

[Deerfold]

Some staff buses are public service (for public up to the depot gates, staff only within the depot eg Huddersfield 200 to Fieldhouse Lane. When Bradford had an office at Bowling Back Lane, a similar situation applied, however the Bradford staff bus isn't in the timetable.

If it is open for public service, it'd be more use if they said where it went.

 

[Andyh82]

Depends where you look. First have put it on their Open Data meaning that it does show up on BusTimes.org

STL - BOWLING BACK LANE GARAGE - BRADFORD INTERCHANGE Staff Bus – First Bradford – bustimes.org

Also on that list are all the Swimming Baths trips from various primary schools!