Hulley's of Baslow

[Robertj21a]

"a hiccup that was just an unfortunate combination of events" may be fine for the spotter or photographer who missed that rare opportunity to ride, tick-off or photo bus number xyz on new route 123, but it doesn't cut much mustard if you were reliant on service X1 (as replacement for the 108 or 109) to do your grocery shopping, or get to an appointment of some kind. These are not areas in which it is easy to get a taxi at short notice, nor is it a short hop at low cost. Leaving passengers in the lurch seems to be accepted practice in the world of bus operators, both big and small.

Perhaps Hulleys should stop trying to be 'innovative' and stick to the knitting. Registering a new commercial route, many miles from your home depot, in very thin bus operating territory where the existing route has been subsidised for decades seemed, shall we say, a very courageous decision minister.

Yes, a courageous decision. Hulleys deserve considerable praise for sticking their head above the parapet. Without such innovation services will wither and die in the remoter rural areas.

 

[Ianno87]

Yes, a courageous decision. Hulleys deserve considerable praise for sticking their head above the parapet. Without such innovation services will wither and die in the remoter rural areas.

Given the success they've seemingly had with the X57, it would seem a shame to jeopardise this by trying to be over-ambitious.

 

[markymark2000]

I think the reaction is over the top.

Is what happend good? No! Could more have been done in terms of communication, Yes. Could the council have kept the 108/109 temporarily and had a short overlap to ensure the new route worked (given we all had punctuality concerns and stuff)? Yes.

Essentially what I am saying is while what happened wasn't good and measures need to be taken so that a repeat doesn't happen again. Some things could have been done to ease the situation and make it a lot less disruptive but for whatever reasons, this didn't happen and we will never find out the full story or timeline as it's likely commercially sensitive (unless a council would release it via freedom of information).

In my opinion, they knew earlier but tried to deal with it with quick recruitment rather than postponing the new routes (notice how there was no advertising for the X1 at all. I think that was the starting point when they were cautious)

Hulleys tried a good thing and it bit them on the behind. If everything was as short notice as they imply (as in the sickness returning to work and new starters were all due to start on Monday and didn't turn up), that's of course a situation which couldn't have been helped and anyone could have been in that same situation. Even sourcing other firms, that would take a day or two for route training and has the difficulties I outlined in an earlier post.

Bus operators plan for operational convenience and what can help make the most money. Vast interworking means less buses are needed and less shunt vehicles. Less drivers treking long distance to other routes. In a rural operation such as Hulleys, interworking makes more money and reduces PVR. That's what every bus operator wants as it means more profit. Not a single bus operator up or down this country has a timetable which is intentionally planned so that if things go up the wall, another operator can take it over.

 

[daodao]

"a hiccup that was just an unfortunate combination of events" may be fine for the spotter or photographer who missed that rare opportunity to ride, tick-off or photo bus number xyz on new route 123, but it doesn't cut much mustard if you were reliant on service X1 (as replacement for the 108 or 109) to do your grocery shopping, or get to an appointment of some kind. These are not areas in which it is easy to get a taxi at short notice, nor is it a short hop at low cost. Leaving passengers in the lurch seems to be accepted practice in the world of bus operators, both big and small.

Perhaps Hulleys should stop trying to be 'innovative' and stick to the knitting. Registering a new commercial route, many miles from your home depot, in very thin bus operating territory where the existing route has been subsidised for decades seemed, shall we say, a very courageous decision.

I agree.

Given the success they've seemingly had with the X57, it would seem a shame to jeopardise this by trying to be over-ambitious.

Hulley's have blackened their reputation with this debacle. The planned service X1 and interworking was far too complicated and long distance to deliver reliably. The Traffic Commissioners are likely to be wary of any major new services that they propose.

At one point in the last 2 years, Hulley's tried to introduce a regular extension of service 171 via Hartington to Leek, to provide a twice daily Bakewell-Leek service. It appeared on some travel websites, but was pulled before it was due to be launched.

I suspect that like many small companies, Hulley's do not have an adequate Quality Management system, which is desirable to manage change properly.
I guess that Aimees don't either. as their website still states that "Please note we no longer operate the following services 108,109, 18, 117".

By contrast, D&G seems like a higher quality operation.

 

[Djb1]

I think that the whole debacle might actually be a blessing in disguise for Hulleys.
The running times on the the X57 have been vastly exceeded on a lot of journies since schools returned. Many journeys have either left Sheffield late (because 15 mins wasn’t enough to catch up from the previous trip), or had big eat-ins to the long turnaround at the airport.
The interworking with the X1 would have failed or needed an extensive timetable re-cast.

 

[Robertj21a]

Another way over the top reaction - and comparing Hulleys to D&G, part of Peddle's empire, is a bit crazy to say the least!

 

[traction22]

I think some of the posts here are way over the top for a company that is trying to do the right thing.

Yes, of course mistakes were made, but their statement was quick, honest and factual.

It can't be easy going through a national industry crisis and isn't as easy as just getting new drivers.

 

[daodao]

Hulley's website ( http://hulleys-of-baslow.co.uk/ ) is really quite out of date; there is no mention of the X57.

Hulleys of Baslow – Bus Services in the Peak District

hulleys-of-baslow.co.uk

 

[borage]

Hulley's website ( http://hulleys-of-baslow.co.uk/ ) is really quite out of date; there is no mention of the X57.

Hulleys of Baslow – Bus Services in the Peak District

hulleys-of-baslow.co.uk

That's an old version of their website – from 2018, judging by the list of day trips. http://www.hulleys-of-baslow.co.uk/ (note the 'www.') will get you the current version; they've tried to do a redirect but it doesn't seem to work.

 

[Killingworth]

Hulley's provide a number of tendered services which must be a priority for resources. As far as I can tell they're running the one near me satisfactorily. Clean buses, friendly drivers and usually on time. Regulars have kept using them.

 

[RELL6L]

I always thought that the timetable for the X1 was hugely ambitious with inadequate recovery and turnround time. I think they have done the right thing to pull it if they aren't sure they have the resources - yes it was short notice but they've been open and honest about it in a way which I think is better than other operators who are trying to run more than they can resource and not publicising what they aren't running. Hopefully they can keep the X57 - which by most accounts has picked up some reasonable custom - running reasonably reliably.

I note that X57 timetable still refers to journeys running through to the X1 and I think the last two journeys off Manchester Airport were put back 15 minutes due to the X1 and have stayed put back.

Hulleys are still being innovative - the X70 running through to Buxton via Youlgrave is a new route linking a service to Youlgrave (and Middleton) with the existing X70 extension to Buxton but without duplicating the Trans Peak.

 

[TheManOnThe172]

Hulleys are still being innovative - the X70 running through to Buxton via Youlgrave is a new route linking a service to Youlgrave (and Middleton) with the existing X70 extension to Buxton but without duplicating the Trans Peak.

There is "innovative" and then there is "blindly optimistic". I do hope that Bakewell-Youlgrave-Buxton turns out to be a success, but really struggle to see it. There really is sod all in between Buxton and Middleton on the A515, and I'm not sure that there is that much potential demand Buxton-Chesterfield, nor enough traffic Buxton-Bakewell to need more than the Transpeak. There is more than just a metrological "water shed" between Bakewell and Buxton - despite their both being in Derbyshire, there is something of an administrative watershed, and perhaps a social one too. Buxton looks to Greater Manchester for many of its services (eg hospital at Stepping Hill, North-West TV), where Bakewell looks to Chesterfield and gets East Midlands TV.

 

[daodao]

Buxton looks to Greater Manchester for many of its services (eg hospital at Stepping Hill)

Buxton patients also attend Macclesfield DGH. There is a reasonable daytime bus service between the 2 towns, including on Sundays.

 

[RELL6L]

On Tuesday Travel South Yorkshire was advising that the X57 was cut back to 6 journeys each way between Sheffield and Manchester City Centre only with the timetable below.

https://www.travelsouthyorkshire.com/getmedia/16e2a97e-2dcf-4140-9153-96cce7c4c1a6/257-X57-Hulleys-Sheffield-valid-from-28-September-2021-(PDF-168kb).pdf

But BusTimes shows that in fact the service to Manchester Airport is still operating and the item has been removed from the TSY website.

If you like a scenic journey on a double decker it appears that the 08.55 Bakewell to Sheffield on the 257 and 10.25 return have been operated by the company's only double decker all this week - including today - along with the 12.25 round trip on the 178 to Over Haddon.

 

[traction22]

On Tuesday Travel South Yorkshire was advising that the X57 was cut back to 6 journeys each way between Sheffield and Manchester City Centre only with the timetable below.

https://www.travelsouthyorkshire.com/getmedia/16e2a97e-2dcf-4140-9153-96cce7c4c1a6/257-X57-Hulleys-Sheffield-valid-from-28-September-2021-(PDF-168kb).pdf

But BusTimes shows that in fact the service to Manchester Airport is still operating and the item has been removed from the TSY website.

If you like a scenic journey on a double decker it appears that the 08.55 Bakewell to Sheffield on the 257 and 10.25 return have been operated by the company's only double decker all this week - including today - along with the 12.25 round trip on the 178 to Over Haddon.

I think the PTE are making more mistakes these days! It doesn't help that Hulleys own web site is out dated though, and bustimes is also wrong. I put the latter down to the feed from official sources though and as they were last minute emergency changes, I suspect this might take a while to update.

 

[RELL6L]

I think the PTE are making more mistakes these days! It doesn't help that Hulleys own web site is out dated though, and bustimes is also wrong. I put the latter down to the feed from official sources though and as they were last minute emergency changes, I suspect this might take a while to update.

I don't think the PTE will have made it up, I assume Hulleys found extra resources and kept running through to the airport - or were told they were not allowed to make the change at such short notice. It has gone from SYT's website now and I'm not sure it was ever on Hulley's website.

I agree BusTimes can be wrong but if the live bus map shows buses actually present at Manchester Airport then I think it is probably right.

 

[traction22]

I think in the main bus times is right, it's just the late night weekend extras (and X98) were still showing last time I looked.
The PTE in general just seem to me making a number of small errors - this may not be their fault as you stated.

 

[Killingworth]

Hulley's Facebook page is the best place to get quick updates My local hourly contracted service was cancelled this morning due to a breakdown. Rural routes will always be vulnerable to events, especially so when operated by smaller companies.

 

[unlevel42]

The A57 Snake Pass is reported to be closed for two weeks from Monday 4th October.
What will be the route of the X57?

 

[GusB]

The A57 Snake Pass is reported to be closed for two weeks from Monday 4th October.
What will be the route of the X57?

From their Facebook page:

Hulleys of Baslow

SNAKE PASS ROAD CLOSURE WEEKDAYS 4-15 OCTOBER 2021 Buses scheduled over the pass before 9am or after 5pm will use the normal route. At other times they will divert via Woodhead Pass and Woodhead...

www.facebook.com

SNAKE PASS ROAD CLOSURE
WEEKDAYS 4-15 OCTOBER 2021
Buses scheduled over the pass before 9am or after 5pm will use the normal route.
At other times they will divert via Woodhead Pass and Woodhead Road.
Please note the Howard Arms stop in Glossop will therefore not be served during these times. Please use the stop outside the Corner Cupboard pub.

 

[unlevel42]

From their Facebook page:

Hulleys of Baslow

SNAKE PASS ROAD CLOSURE WEEKDAYS 4-15 OCTOBER 2021 Buses scheduled over the pass before 9am or after 5pm will use the normal route. At other times they will divert via Woodhead Pass and Woodhead...

www.facebook.com

Thank you-

 

[gnolife]

Anyone know if the Airport bound X57 is meant to pick up at the MRI and Owens Park?

 

[Djb1]

It is. But you’d better be quick if you’re going to try it. It’s being cut back to chorlton street in a fortnight.

 

[richardderby]

Hulleys increased fares by 5% yesterday, including hopper tickets, according to the facebook page

Hulleys of Baslow

Please note that due to rising fuel and wage costs, and in line with Government BRG guidelines, we have reluctantly taken the decision to increase fares and Hopper prices by an average of 5% from...

www.facebook.com

Please note that due to rising fuel and wage costs, and in line with Government BRG guidelines, we have reluctantly taken the decision to increase fares and Hopper prices by an average of 5% from tomorrow, which represents the inflationary increase over the period we have not been permitted to do so. Passenger numbers across the UK bus sector have plateaued at around two-thirds of pre-pandemic levels, and Government support to fund the shortfall, after their aggressive and effective campaign to deter people from using public transport, not only has dropped by around three-quarters, but is subject to large delays. That and a nationwide driver shortage has left us no other choice than to take this difficult decision.

 

[Goldfish62]

Hulleys increased fares by 5% yesterday, including hopper tickets, according to the facebook page

Yes, and they're being very honest and upfront about the reasons.

 

[gnolife]

It is. But you’d better be quick if you’re going to try it. It’s being cut back to chorlton street in a fortnight.

The reason that I asked is that I was waiting for one at Owens Park, which the tracking showed went down Princess Road instead of Oxford Road and Wilmslow Road.

 

[markymark2000]

Yes, and they're being very honest and upfront about the reasons.

That's good however I'd have expected a bit more notice. You can't just announce you're hoping fares tomorrow. Thats not a good way of working things. Think of all the kids who need to get on and won't have the right fares. Should always have at least a weeks notice for higher fares.

 

[Goldfish62]

That's good however I'd have expected a bit more notice. You can't just announce you're hoping fares tomorrow. Thats not a good way of working things. Think of all the kids who need to get on and won't have the right fares. Should always have at least a weeks notice for higher fares.

Agreed.

 

[Baxenden Bank]

after their aggressive and effective campaign to deter people from using public transport,

Now that bit, I like.

Speak truth to power, put the blame where it belongs.

 

[Welshman]

According to fbb's blog, service X57 is to be terminated from January 9th 2022.

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