Substantive bus service withdrawals post-Covid

[A0]

The biggest cut is really the 44 on Sundays meaning that there are no buses from Worcester to Great Malvern on that trunk route. Perversely, you can still catch a bus to Great Malvern from Ledbury courtesy of Herefordshire Council's recently introduced Sunday services (which seem mainly to be a waste of money)

Though there is a regular (i.e. at least hourly) train service between Malvern Link and Great Malvern to Worcester on a Sunday. So it's not like there is no link at all.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Though there is a regular (i.e. at least hourly) train service between Malvern Link and Great Malvern to Worcester on a Sunday. So it's not like there is no link at all.

There’s a reason why the 44 has had a reasonable service as a trunk route. It covers a lot more of Malvern (and Worcester) than the train can ever achieve.

 

[northwichcat]

391/392 Macclesfield-Stockport disappeared in early 2020 after Manchester Community Transport ceased operations. It restarted under Go Goodwins/Little Gem when restrictions began to ease but has since had the frequency cut to every 3 hours on both routes (to create a 90 minute frequency from end-to-end) due to driver shortages.

 

[RELL6L]

It doesn’t look like there’s going to be any real replacement for the Arriva Kent 155. Nu-Venture have registered a 29 which is a shopping service from Peters Village to Maidstone through the villages on the ‘long’ 155s, one return journey Tuesdays and Thursdays. The evening service will go at the end of the month. Sad to see this in Kent - had been one of the better countries.

 

[Typhoon]

It doesn’t look like there’s going to be any real replacement for the Arriva Kent 155. Nu-Venture have registered a 29 which is a shopping service from Peters Village to Maidstone through the villages on the ‘long’ 155s, one return journey Tuesdays and Thursdays. The evening service will go at the end of the month. Sad to see this in Kent - had been one of the better countries.

It appears that some school journeys on the 151 and 549 are going to cross the Medway at Peters Bridge to a stop there, round the roundabout and back over the bridge. I don't know whether that is new. At least that is something - Peters Village is quite a large development (Bovis reckons over 1,000 new homes) and marketed towards families. I just hope that the agents point out that you will really need to drive to live there now. (I do notice that most properties have space for two cars).
Timetable:http://www.nu-venture.co.uk/149_151_549.pdf

 

[33021]

All of Chaserider’s evening services in Staffordshire plus a number of Saturday routes reduced/removed post Covid, already no Sunday services.

 

[MedwayValiant]

It doesn’t look like there’s going to be any real replacement for the Arriva Kent 155. Nu-Venture have registered a 29 which is a shopping service from Peters Village to Maidstone through the villages on the ‘long’ 155s, one return journey Tuesdays and Thursdays. The evening service will go at the end of the month. Sad to see this in Kent - had been one of the better countries.

The Sunday service is going after 2 May as well, so we now have two crazy weeks in which Burham, Eccles, and Wouldham will have an evening and Sunday service but no daytime service. Unfortunately, I heard an Arriva driver telling a passenger today that Nu-Venture were taking the whole route on; that passenger isn't going to be very happy come Tuesday.

Arriva are continuing with the hourly short journeys between Chatham and Borstal. The round trip is scheduled to take 37 minutes, which seems likely to make an hourly service rather inefficient to operate. They could just about extend that to Wouldham and Peters Village within 60 minutes. Based on the timetable which operates for the last time today that would take 52 minutes, and if that is considered too tight they could take a few minutes off it by not serving Chatham Station and using the 145 routing between Chatham and Rochester. (To do that, the service would need to move its stop in Chatham Bus Station to the other side of the road, but there is an unused stop available there.) How about it, Mr Arriva?

 

[Man of Kent]

The Sunday service is going after 2 May as well, so we now have two crazy weeks in which Burham, Eccles, and Wouldham will have an evening and Sunday service but no daytime service. Unfortunately, I heard an Arriva driver telling a passenger today that Nu-Venture were taking the whole route on; that passenger isn't going to be very happy come Tuesday.

Arriva are continuing with the hourly short journeys between Chatham and Borstal. The round trip is scheduled to take 37 minutes, which seems likely to make an hourly service rather inefficient to operate. They could just about extend that to Wouldham and Peters Village within 60 minutes. Based on the timetable which operates for the last time today that would take 52 minutes, and if that is considered too tight they could take a few minutes off it by not serving Chatham Station and using the 145 routing between Chatham and Rochester. (To do that, the service would need to move its stop in Chatham Bus Station to the other side of the road, but there is an unused stop available there.) How about it, Mr Arriva?

A quick look at BusTimes shows that the Borstal 155s interwork with the 133 to Cliffe, which has a 75 minute round trip time, so they add together to give two well-utilised vehicle workings.

My last trip on the 155 had 5 passengers leaving Maidstone, 3 of whom had alighted by Aylesford. One other made the short trip from Eccles to Burham. Unfortunately this route has passed its sell-by date. It is facing a typical rural problem - as older village dwellers die off or move away, the chances of their replacements not having a car are very slim indeed. The new development of Peters Village is not bus country - why would it be with house prices starting at circa £400,000?

Also worth noting that the infrastructure for Peters Village originally included bus gates and more circuitous routes for cars, has been constructed in precisely the opposite way, making it faster and easier for cars, with increasing journey times for buses. I suspect the prime retail destination from Peters Village is neither Maidstone, Rochester nor Chatham, but the tin sheds and free parking at British Legion Village, quickly reached by car, but very slow by bus.

The recipe is, I fear, likely to re-occur all over the country in the coming months. Even the DfT seems to have accepted it - the extension of Bus Recovery Grant only requires 80% of mileage from July (down from 90% at present).

 

[Typhoon]

Arriva are continuing with the hourly short journeys between Chatham and Borstal. The round trip is scheduled to take 37 minutes, which seems likely to make an hourly service rather inefficient to operate. They could just about extend that to Wouldham and Peters Village within 60 minutes. Based on the timetable which operates for the last time today that would take 52 minutes, and if that is considered too tight they could take a few minutes off it by not serving Chatham Station and using the 145 routing between Chatham and Rochester. (To do that, the service would need to move its stop in Chatham Bus Station to the other side of the road, but there is an unused stop available there.) How about it, Mr Arriva?

A quick look at BusTimes shows that the Borstal 155s interwork with the 133 to Cliffe, which has a 75 minute round trip time, so they add together to give two well-utilised vehicle workings.

My last trip on the 155 had 5 passengers leaving Maidstone, 3 of whom had alighted by Aylesford. One other made the short trip from Eccles to Burham. Unfortunately this route has passed its sell-by date. It is facing a typical rural problem - as older village dwellers die off or move away, the chances of their replacements not having a car are very slim indeed. The new development of Peters Village is not bus country - why would it be with house prices starting at circa £400,000?

Also worth noting that the infrastructure for Peters Village originally included bus gates and more circuitous routes for cars, has been constructed in precisely the opposite way, making it faster and easier for cars, with increasing journey times for buses. I suspect the prime retail destination from Peters Village is neither Maidstone, Rochester nor Chatham, but the tin sheds and free parking at British Legion Village, quickly reached by car, but very slow by bus.

The recipe is, I fear, likely to re-occur all over the country in the coming months. Even the DfT seems to have accepted it - the extension of Bus Recovery Grant only requires 80% of mileage from July (down from 90% at present).

I suspect that some bus companies are taking the opportunity offered by the impact of Covid to drop a number of marginal routes predicting that the the number of bus journeys will not return to pre-pandemic numbers. People in those villages will have found alternatives - neighbours might have got the shopping, they may have discovered home delivery (I don't suppose I am alone in being offered inducements to opt in). they have have cut the number of journeys they make - twice weekly to weekly, weekly to fortnightly. Unfortunately, local authorities (like Kent) don't have the money to support them.

I seem to remember there were ructions when Arriva dropped the evening 155, seems no-one took the warning signs seriously. In a way they have been spoilt with an hourly service, on the (few) occasions that I caught the 155 the numbers were rather similar to what you record and didn't pick up until we either reached Ringlestone or Borstall. It cannot help that villages like Wouldham are in the Tonbridge and Malling District Council area, when they have little connection to either Tonbridge or anywhere with Malling in its name. I think you are right that many older residents will have moved on or be largely confined to home. The outlook for the latter is bleak - taxis or nothing. The developments along the Medway all seem to be up-market (pricewise at least), largely because developers can sell it as 'countryside', 'tranquil' and 'river views' (at least until the next development comes along). The residents will largely be commuters, I expect, who book evening on-line delivery slots.

As regards Arriva offering some alternative, there is no chance. If there was a possibility of a viable service Nu-Venture are best placed to spot it - and they have, a two day a week shoppers service. I wouldn't even put too much hope for that, particularly as I don't remember too much in the way of food shopping opportunities in central Maidstone.

 

[Martin1988]

The upcoming withdrawals of First Bristol services T2 (Bristol to Thornbury) and Y2 (Bristol to Yate) would count I reckon.

Both services were reduced following the first lockdown and neither have returned to the pre march 2020 level of service since. Both were previously at least hourly during the day and ran until late evening 7 days a week but for a good while now have run at a 2 hourly frequency during daytime hours only.

I also find it interesting how the Sunday journeys on D&G route 38 (Crewe to Macclesfield) have never returned. A suggestion that D&G didn't consider them to be viable and they may have eventually ended up going anyway?

 

[Man of Kent]

I don't remember too much in the way of food shopping opportunities in central Maidstone.

There's a Sainsburys right next to the Chequers Bus Mall, and an Iceland inside the Chequers.

 

[Typhoon]

There's a Sainsburys right next to the Chequers Bus Mall, and an Iceland inside the Chequers.

Sorry, forgot about Sainsburys. I've been there (many, many years ago). I always find Iceland limited in what they sell which is why I excluded them (especially if the resident is restricted to the one bus service) but the two together would be OK.

I was wondering if there was some retail area they could additionally call at which would make the offering more attractive to passengers (so maybe enhance the chance of the route surviving), taking into account...

Unfortunately, I heard an Arriva driver telling a passenger today that Nu-Venture were taking the whole route on; that passenger isn't going to be very happy come Tuesday.

 

[daodao]

I also find it interesting how the Sunday journeys on D&G route 38 (Crewe to Macclesfield) have never returned. A suggestion that D&G didn't consider them to be viable and they may have eventually ended up going anyway?

D&G have also cut other services in this area:

• Saturday journeys on route 94 Congleton-Biddulph-Newcastle
• Sunday journeys on route 85 Crewe-Madeley-Newcastle
• Sunday journeys on Macclesfield town circular route 5

 

[Markdvdman]

Well The Trawscymru T1S has not come back that went as soon as Covid hit (Swansea to Carmarthen). The T9 to the airport too. The X10 Swansea to Cardiff has bit the dust too - but a National Express driver reckoned that lost patronage as they were using buses instead of coaches. Maybe true do not know!

 

[route101]

Looking at an old National Express route list, it would seem that a lot of their network, such as the cross country workings and services through Birmingham, have been reduced.

 

[northwichcat]

D&G have also cut other services in this area:

• Saturday journeys on route 94 Congleton-Biddulph-Newcastle
• Sunday journeys on route 85 Crewe-Madeley-Newcastle
• Sunday journeys on Macclesfield town circular route 5

I think D&G have now withdrawn all their Sunday services in Cheshire. Some that were contracted have transferred to other operators like the Northwich locals returning to Arriva.

 

[158756]

Looking at an old National Express route list, it would seem that a lot of their network, such as the cross country workings and services through Birmingham, have been reduced.

Their service updates page has a lengthy list of destinations planned to return at unspecified dates in 2022 or 2023. Not sure how it compares to what they served pre-Covid.

 

[Eyersey468]

Their service updates page has a lengthy list of destinations planned to return at unspecified dates in 2022 or 2023. Not sure how it compares to what they served pre-Covid.

I don't think some routes will come back or at least not in the same form that they were pre Covid

 

[sk688]

Arriva's Sapphire 320 has gone today , as has the 300 between Hemel and St Albans

 

[RELL6L]

Arriva's Sapphire 320 has gone today , as has the 300 between Hemel and St Albans

Indeed. These are significant cuts in the Watford area but the 320 is pretty much all replaced by the 20 between Hemel and Watford and by the 321 between Watford and Rickmansworth. The 300 is largely paralleled by the 302 which remains. In a late change to the withdrawals a new route 9 has appeared hourly between Watford and Leavesden Park, part replacing the 8 which has been cut north of Watford.

As a town Watford has seen massive retrenchment by Arriva since Garston garage was closed, routes being run from Hemel and Luton. Dead journeys from Luton to Maple Cross now, presumably quite quick using the motorways.

The 320 was run by deckers, still waiting to see whether they appear on the replacement 20 or go off to get rid of older deckers in the area, maybe on the 500.

 

[A0]

Indeed. These are significant cuts in the Watford area but the 320 is pretty much all replaced by the 20 between Hemel and Watford and by the 321 between Watford and Rickmansworth. The 300 is largely paralleled by the 302 which remains. In a late change to the withdrawals a new route 9 has appeared hourly between Watford and Leavesden Park, part replacing the 8 which has been cut north of Watford.

As a town Watford has seen massive retrenchment by Arriva since Garston garage was closed, routes being run from Hemel and Luton. Dead journeys from Luton to Maple Cross now, presumably quite quick using the motorways.

The 320 was run by deckers, still waiting to see whether they appear on the replacement 20 or go off to get rid of older deckers in the area, maybe on the 500.

Sending the 321 to Rickmansworth is reverting a change made a few years back when the 321 was truncated to Watford - previously (certainly since the 80s, it had run to Rickmansworth and Maple Cross).

The bigger change on the 300/301 (both Stevenage - Hemel) was a little while ago when they truncated the 301 to St Albans, made the 300 St Albans - Hemel only and introduced the 302 as Welwyn Gdn City - Hemel replacing the Welwyn GC - St Albans part of the 300 - all very messy.

What they've got now is 301 Stevenage - St Albans, 302 Welwyn GC - Hemel, both running every 30 mins but providing a 15 minute interval Welwyn GC - Hatfield - St Albans.

 

[Dai Corner]

Commercial Stagecoach West 'Severn Express' Newport-Chepstow-Bristol withdrawn from 14 June 2020 and partially replaced by the Welsh Government funded T7 between Chepstow and Bristol on a similar hourly frequency with peak extension from/to Magor.

Initially operated by NAT Group, currently by Newport Transport.

 

[daodao]

Commercial Stagecoach West 'Severn Express' Newport-Chepstow-Bristol withdrawn from 14 June 2020 and partially replaced by the Welsh Government funded T7 between Chepstow and Bristol on a similar hourly frequency with peak extension from/to Magor.

Initially operated by NAT Group, currently by Newport Transport.

Of more significance in Newport is the withdrawal of most evening and Sunday bus services by Newport Transport.

 

[Dai Corner]

Of more significance in Newport is the withdrawal of most evening and Sunday bus services by Newport Transport.

Indeed, but the OP said he was not looking for urban routes.

 

[daodao]

Indeed, but the OP said he was not looking for urban routes.

The loss of many Sunday bus services in rural Monmouthshire would surely meet the OP's criteria, such as:

• 60 Newport-Monmouth
• 69 Chepstow-Monmouth
• 74 Newport-Chepstow
• 83 Abergavenny-Monmouth

 

[duncombec]

Indeed. These are significant cuts in the Watford area but the 320 is pretty much all replaced by the 20 between Hemel and Watford and by the 321 between Watford and Rickmansworth. The 300 is largely paralleled by the 302 which remains. In a late change to the withdrawals a new route 9 has appeared hourly between Watford and Leavesden Park, part replacing the 8 which has been cut north of Watford.

The 9 still doesn't appear on Arriva's own website properly - I couldn't see it in the list of options to choose if you "search for a timetable", but it does show up in the lengthy list (which finally appears to have been sorted into sensible numerical order). It was registered with the Intalink version of Notices & Proceedings in early April, after the news story was published on the Arriva website.

The 320 was run by deckers, still waiting to see whether they appear on the replacement 20 or go off to get rid of older deckers in the area, maybe on the 500.

At least some of the former 320 'deckers have moved to Kent this weekend - 6521 and 6522 were at Gillingham depot yesterday (Monday), although this is highly likely to have been a staging post for elsewhere. There continues to be a large amount of speculation/rumour as to their ultimate destination and use here.

 

[RELL6L]

The 9 still doesn't appear on Arriva's own website properly - I couldn't see it in the list of options to choose if you "search for a timetable", but it does show up in the lengthy list (which finally appears to have been sorted into sensible numerical order). It was registered with the Intalink version of Notices & Proceedings in early April, after the news story was published on the Arriva website.

At least some of the former 320 'deckers have moved to Kent this weekend - 6521 and 6522 were at Gillingham depot yesterday (Monday), although this is highly likely to have been a staging post for elsewhere. There continues to be a large amount of speculation/rumour as to their ultimate destination and use here.

Oddly the 9 appears to be running with a single bus all day, rather than the complex inter-working of the 10 and 20 or even worked in with the 8.

I have a feeling there may be a low bridge on the Holywell end of the 10 and 20 making deckers impossible, certainly there don't appear to be any. I am sure there is a great need for the vehicles elsewhere, in Kent there seems to be a huge number of aged deckers.

Sending the 321 to Rickmansworth is reverting a change made a few years back when the 321 was truncated to Watford - previously (certainly since the 80s, it had run to Rickmansworth and Maple Cross).

Yes, going back to at least the 1950s if not before the 321 ran from Luton to Watford, Rickmansworth, Maple Cross and on to Uxbridge. The 321 timetable now has the most extraordinary difference between schoolday and non-schoolday running times. On NSD a bus leaves Luton at 07.42 and is at Watford Junction at 09.07. On schooldays the bus leaves Luton at 07.01 to arrive at Watford Junction at the same time - that's 41 minutes longer!

Indeed, but the OP said he was not looking for urban routes.

As the OP myself I wasn't proposing to debate what should and shouldn't be included, more important just to provoke a discussion. I didn't mean urban, I didn't mean Sundays, I didn't mean National Express, I really meant changes which leave places / roads effectively cut off. The X7 would have counted except that was much earlier, I was talking about changes coming out of the pandemic. I'm not convinced about the First Bristol T2 and Y2 either, they are both pretty much covered by the T1 and Y1 except for a very short stretch of the Y2 just south of the M4. They may make some journeys significantly less convenient but don't really cut places off like some of my examples. The T1S and X10 also just cut down on some journey opportunities.

 

[A0]

Yes, going back to at least the 1950s if not before the 321 ran from Luton to Watford, Rickmansworth, Maple Cross and on to Uxbridge. The 321 timetable now has the most extraordinary difference between schoolday and non-schoolday running times. On NSD a bus leaves Luton at 07.42 and is at Watford Junction at 09.07. On schooldays the bus leaves Luton at 07.01 to arrive at Watford Junction at the same time - that's 41 minutes longer!

Something very odd about Arriva's timetable there though - if you look at the 7.01 (sch) departure compared to the 7.05 (non sch) they reckon it takes 4 mins on a non-school day and 7 minutes on a school day ! In fact they reckon getting *out* of Luton is 9 mins quicker on a non-school day.

The one I get is Harpenden - St Albans, because that's where they will be carrying school traffic and the "old A6" aka A 1081 is always much busier during term time - they reckon 1h 04m to get from Kinsbourne Green to Chiswell Green which they have as 39 mins for on a non-school day.

 

[RELL6L]

One I had forgotten but a comment from @TheGrandWazoo on another thread reminded me - the Arriva 86 hourly from Bishop Auckland to Toft Hill. This was an hourly service which interworked with the 56 I think and was withdrawn recently. Replaced, no doubt at Durham's expense, by PCL Travel with the 87, remaining hourly. A few miles of rural territory with no other bus route on it.

 

[route101]

Stagecoach X51 link from Glasgow to Livingston.