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6916/LX06EBZ seen on suspended tow [ Wigley's ], M5 northbound around lunchtime today. 

Someone will probably know better but I believe it is down to driver hours in some way. Maybe the change had to come in with the extension to Salisbury Station?Noticed that on X3 Salisbury to Bournemouth routes today the buses are showing ‘Ringwood then Bournemouth” on displays and then changing to Bournemouth only from Ringwood. Suspect this is for some regulation reason or something. Can anyone explain why bus operators do this (even though no need to change vehicle at Ringwood) ? It also messes up using apps like Citymapper or Google as they only show the destination as Ringwood rather than Bournemouth
This is to do with the use of UK domestic hours rules. Splitting registrations has been the norm for years otherwise the length of journey would mean it came under EU drivers hours rules that are stricter and reflect the type of operation e.g. long distance coach travel. Some routes are split into 3 registrations.Noticed that on X3 Salisbury to Bournemouth routes today the buses are showing ‘Ringwood then Bournemouth” on displays and then changing to Bournemouth only from Ringwood. Suspect this is for some regulation reason or something. Can anyone explain why bus operators do this (even though no need to change vehicle at Ringwood) ? It also messes up using apps like Citymapper or Google as they only show the destination as Ringwood rather than Bournemouth
Noticed that on X3 Salisbury to Bournemouth routes today the buses are showing ‘Ringwood then Bournemouth” on displays and then changing to Bournemouth only from Ringwood. Suspect this is for some regulation reason or something. Can anyone explain why bus operators do this (even though no need to change vehicle at Ringwood) ? It also messes up using apps like Citymapper or Google as they only show the destination as Ringwood rather than Bournemouth
Note that route FE1 has been withdrawn without replacement. On the vehicle side, 1020 (Salisbury Reds) has been loaned to Poole, and 2009 (Swindon) likewise to Lymington. 2009 has, so far, worked the X1/2 only.The Morebus summer changes have been announced - two new routes (11 and 21) and various tweaks elsewhere, including a 7-day service to Wimborne on the 6.
https://www.morebus.co.uk/timetable-improvements-24-may-2025
Waiting with interest to see the full timetables
Some BSIP-funded developments on the way too, including a £1 evening flat fare in the BCP area and from the autumn the night buses will operate all week long
Someone will probably know better but I believe it is down to driver hours in some way. Maybe the change had to come in with the extension to Salisbury Station?
Route X3 doesn't run to/from Salisbury Station, at least not according to the latest timetable:
Ah .... I wasn't aware of that .... thanks.The X3 started to serve Salisbury station from this weekend, @greenline712. It appears that the PDF timetable on the Salisbury Reds website isn't yet updated, although the website timetable has been.
It would be even better if it could serve Bournemouth Station too, to provide a true rail connecting bus service.IIRC it was the 50km rule which saw the route curtailed from Bournemouth Triangle to Bournemouth Square as it made the route just under 50km. Hope the link to Salisbury station is successful for multimodal connections.
It would be even better if it could serve Bournemouth Station too, to provide a true rail connecting bus service.
Like I’ve said before, there must be a strong case to cut out Boscombe from the route and have it run straight down Holdenhurst Road, as that might also bring it back within the 50km rule. If Boscombe - RB Hospital still warrants a half-hourly bus service, it would make sense to increase the frequency of the 33.
Indeed, very sad news. I’ve never been that much of a fan of GoAhead but the GSC operations have been fantastically run over the years and a very smart set of companies. The envy of many.I see Roger French's blog carries an article about GSC MD Andrew Wickham who sadly passed away this morning
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Saluting Andrew’s amazing career….RIP
Sunday 25th May 2025 I’m so sorry to update today’s blog (written yesterday) with the devastating news Andrew sadly passed away in the early hours of this morning. Rest In Peace Andrew. This very s…busandtrainuser.com
It would be even better if it could serve Bournemouth Station too, to provide a true rail connecting bus service.
Like I’ve said before, there must be a strong case to cut out Boscombe from the route and have it run straight down Holdenhurst Road, as that might also bring it back within the 50km rule. If Boscombe - RB Hospital still warrants a half-hourly bus service, it would make sense to increase the frequency of the 33.
It's not in my immediate area I have to admit, but given the X3 is an inter-town service with no railway alternative and also provides the most significant public transport to Ringwood, it should be as fast as possible while still serving intermediate places on the direct route. It would make sense for me to run it straight down the A338 from Ringwood with stops at the roundabout (Cooper Dean, isn't it?) for interchange to other services and then fast to Bournemouth Station before calling all stops to the centre.
See posts #701 and #706Sad news. It is with great sadness that Morebus has announced the death of the company's managing director and transport industry champion, Andrew Wickham MBE.
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1292150046243781&set=a.568337298625063
I know what you mean but I remember being very impressed when Yellow Buses ceased trading in Bournemouth back in August 2022 and GSC (Morebus) got a recruitment day set up at almost nil notice (48hrs?) and, I believe, ended up signing on over 100 new drivers in a single day thereby giving those ex. YB drivers certainty of employment when they needed it most. I believe A.W was there keeping an eye on everything and no doubt talking with some of the YB drivers who turned up. This was the message on the Morebus website:Indeed, very sad news. I’ve never been that much of a fan of GoAhead but the GSC operations have been fantastically run over the years and a very smart set of companies. The envy of many.
My condolences to his family, friends and colleagues of GSC.
Since Brexit any plans to get rid of EU driving hours and just have UK driving hours?This is to do with the use of UK domestic hours rules. Splitting registrations has been the norm for years otherwise the length of journey would mean it came under EU drivers hours rules that are stricter and reflect the type of operation e.g. long distance coach travel. Some routes are split into 3 registrations.
The DfT guidance is that you show the split point in bold, and the end destination below that.
Hopefully not as I suspect the EU driving hours rules were there for a reason. It may mean quirks like the above but that's arguably better than over-working drivers.Since Brexit any plans to get rid of EU driving hours and just have UK driving hours?
Cooper Dean is a massive bottleneck. IMO it would be more worthwhile to make the new Wessex Fields junction full access and join it up with the hospital access road, allowing the X3 and X6 to access it from the north. An additional bus only road linking Chaseside with Littledown Avenue would additionally allow the X routes to bypass Cooper Dean completely.It's not in my immediate area I have to admit, but given the X3 is an inter-town service with no railway alternative and also provides the most significant public transport to Ringwood, it should be as fast as possible while still serving intermediate places on the direct route. It would make sense for me to run it straight down the A338 from Ringwood with stops at the roundabout (Cooper Dean, isn't it?) for interchange to other services and then fast to Bournemouth Station before calling all stops to the centre.
This from GoAhead themselves.Sad news. It is with great sadness that Morebus has announced the death of the company's managing director and transport industry champion, Andrew Wickham MBE. https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1292150046243781&set=a.568337298625063
(Source: https://www.go-ahead.com/news/announcement-on-andrew-wickham-mbe/)GoAhead Group said:It is with great sadness that Go-Ahead confirms that Andrew Wickham MBE, Managing Director, Go South Coast has passed away. [...] He made a big impression on our business and we will honour his legacy at the appropriate time.
Exactly. Without going over old ground, EU drivers rules are there are a reason. Just in the U.K., other routes (that weren’t the target) were swept up and hence the derogation.Hopefully not as I suspect the EU driving hours rules were there for a reason. It may mean quirks like the above but that's arguably better than over-working drivers.
Wessex Fields link road access is being restricted to hospital staff and emergency vehicles only.Cooper Dean is a massive bottleneck. IMO it would be more worthwhile to make the new Wessex Fields junction full access and join it up with the hospital access road, allowing the X3 and X6 to access it from the north. An additional bus only road linking Chaseside with Littledown Avenue would additionally allow the X routes to bypass Cooper Dean completely.
Serving Bournemouth Hospital is worthwhile even for the X routes since it acts as a major transportation hub for the outer fringes of the conurbation.
I see Roger French's blog carries an article about GSC MD Andrew Wickham who sadly passed away this morning
![]()
Saluting Andrew’s amazing career….RIP
Sunday 25th May 2025 I’m so sorry to update today’s blog (written yesterday) with the devastating news Andrew sadly passed away in the early hours of this morning. Rest In Peace Andrew. This very s…busandtrainuser.com
"I know you were pleased to get back into the operating companies and the operations director role at Go South Coast was just the job for you in 2003, and how lovely it was to see someone who loves buses running buses and doing it so well."