Transdev Blazefield

[asw22]

Thank you to Timetableworld for the timetables on which this summary route history is based:
1936
37 Leeds, Wetherby, Harrogate
38 Leeds, Wetherby, Knaresborough
39, 40 Leeds, Wetherby, York

1941
37 Leeds, Wetherby, Harrogate
38 Leeds, Wetherby, Knaresborough
39 Leeds, Bardsey, Wetherby
96, 97 Wetherby, Yrok

1947, 1950, 1956, 1962, 1963
38 / 39 Leeds, East Keswick, Wetherby (3/4 per hour), Knaresborough (60 mins)
96, 97(A) Wetherby, York

1964 Wetherby rail station closed

1966, 1970
38 Leeds, Wetherby (every 30 mins), Knaresborough (every 60 min)
39 Leeds, East Keswick, Wetherby (every 60 min)
79(A) Wetherby, York

1973
39, 40 Leeds, Wetherby (every 20min), Knaresborough (60min)
79(A) Wetherby, York

1978
738, 739, 740 Leeds, Wetherby (every 20min), Knaresborough (60min)
79(A) Wetherby, York

1985
796/7/8/9 Leeds, Wetherby (every 30 min), Knaresborough (60)
79(A) Wetherby, York

1989 Yorkshire Rider took over the Leeds and Bradford depots of West Yorkshire Road

So it looks like the current half hourly frequency came in around 1985 and was probably shortened to Leeds, Wetherby only by 1990.

I was a daily commuter between Leeds and Scarcroft between 2014 and 2018 - the 0725 and 0805 ex Leeds journeys would be (almost) full double deckers as would the journeys calling at Scarcroft towards Leeds between 4 and 6pm. This was a combination of Wetherby High school and Yorkshire Electric (Npower) along with other commuters and these busy journeys may explain why Yorkshire Rider / First Leeds have kept them for the past 30 years.

However Npower closed their Scarcroft site in 2018 which took a large number of passengers away, and with covid causing work from home and reduced journeys, combined with driver shortages mean that First willl no longer run this route.

Between 2018 and 2020 covid, I used a combination of First Leeds 49/50 and Transdev 7 to get to / from Seacroft with the 7 service proving more reliable albeit with busy single decks (and the occasional 62, V and W reg double decks). First Leeds Streetdecks on the 49 were also nice vehicles but not as busy).

Hopefully Transdev can overcome any driver shortages and copy the success of the 7 onto the X98/9 and make those a success. Although I very rarely commute these days, the X98/9 is on my to do list at some point.

Going down memory lane, the original Blazefield StarBus was used on the N, P and R reg Volvos that Keighley had in the mid to late 1990s - I could only find this link as I didn't have a camera (phone) in those days.

Image 7 KEIGHLEY & DISTRICT 1998 05 26 E R521 TWR, N502 HWY KEIGHLEY - CBW

Keighley & District was another company which became part of the Blazefield Group, and is now the Keighley Bus Company after Transdev took over. JULIAN DOLMAN

cbwmagazine.com

 

[Ken H]

Thank you to Timetableworld for the timetables on which this summary route history is based:
1936
37 Leeds, Wetherby, Harrogate
38 Leeds, Wetherby, Knaresborough
39, 40 Leeds, Wetherby, York

1941
37 Leeds, Wetherby, Harrogate
38 Leeds, Wetherby, Knaresborough
39 Leeds, Bardsey, Wetherby
96, 97 Wetherby, Yrok

1947, 1950, 1956, 1962, 1963
38 / 39 Leeds, East Keswick, Wetherby (3/4 per hour), Knaresborough (60 mins)
96, 97(A) Wetherby, York

1964 Wetherby rail station closed

1966, 1970
38 Leeds, Wetherby (every 30 mins), Knaresborough (every 60 min)
39 Leeds, East Keswick, Wetherby (every 60 min)
79(A) Wetherby, York

1973
39, 40 Leeds, Wetherby (every 20min), Knaresborough (60min)
79(A) Wetherby, York

1978
738, 739, 740 Leeds, Wetherby (every 20min), Knaresborough (60min)
79(A) Wetherby, York

1985
796/7/8/9 Leeds, Wetherby (every 30 min), Knaresborough (60)
79(A) Wetherby, York

1989 Yorkshire Rider took over the Leeds and Bradford depots of West Yorkshire Road

So it looks like the current half hourly frequency came in around 1985 and was probably shortened to Leeds, Wetherby only by 1990.

I was a daily commuter between Leeds and Scarcroft between 2014 and 2018 - the 0725 and 0805 ex Leeds journeys would be (almost) full double deckers as would the journeys calling at Scarcroft towards Leeds between 4 and 6pm. This was a combination of Wetherby High school and Yorkshire Electric (Npower) along with other commuters and these busy journeys may explain why Yorkshire Rider / First Leeds have kept them for the past 30 years.

However Npower closed their Scarcroft site in 2018 which took a large number of passengers away, and with covid causing work from home and reduced journeys, combined with driver shortages mean that First willl no longer run this route.

Between 2018 and 2020 covid, I used a combination of First Leeds 49/50 and Transdev 7 to get to / from Seacroft with the 7 service proving more reliable albeit with busy single decks (and the occasional 62, V and W reg double decks). First Leeds Streetdecks on the 49 were also nice vehicles but not as busy).

Hopefully Transdev can overcome any driver shortages and copy the success of the 7 onto the X98/9 and make those a success. Although I very rarely commute these days, the X98/9 is on my to do list at some point.

Going down memory lane, the original Blazefield StarBus was used on the N, P and R reg Volvos that Keighley had in the mid to late 1990s - I could only find this link as I didn't have a camera (phone) in those days.

Image 7 KEIGHLEY & DISTRICT 1998 05 26 E R521 TWR, N502 HWY KEIGHLEY - CBW

Keighley & District was another company which became part of the Blazefield Group, and is now the Keighley Bus Company after Transdev took over. JULIAN DOLMAN

cbwmagazine.com

An obvious enhancement would be to join up X98/X99 with the 8 and restore a through Leeds - Knaresborough service and maybe operate some journeys omitting Oakwood, but running down Easterley Road non stop to allow shorter journey times.
Glad you enjoyed my scans on Timetable World, by the way.

 

[SCH117X]

The Wetherby-Knaresborough service is not heavilly used and I would doubt there is the through paying custom from Leeds. The service was probably not helped by its operation by Connexions when they linked into a circular (or should that be circus) service by combining it with their Wetherby-Harrogate and Harrogate- Knaresborough services with the northbound workings upon reaching the edge of Knaresborough performing a 3/4 mile loop to stop and wait time at the southbound facing stop that is the terminus of their Harrogate service before returning in a northerly direction, that aside from delays resulting from congestion on the routes of the other two services.

 

[Leeds1970]

There has been an Interesting development today; Transdev have appointed a deputy CEO. Is Alex Hornbys workload too much or is his time at the helm coming to an end?

 

[skyhigh]

There has been an Interesting development today; Transdev have appointed a deputy CEO. Is Alex Hornbys workload too much or is his time at the helm coming to an end?

Is there a source for that? Can't see anything in the usual places.

 

[northernchris]

Today felt like going back 12 months with the amount of cancellations and lack of info provided. The 36 and 60 in particular have been dire, the 60 I was intending on travelling on was cancelled, and the following journey was 35 minutes late. Whilst heading down Kirkstall Road we passed a Keighley bound 60 which was displaying 'sorry bus full' on the desti, that was also following a cancelled service. Nothing appeared on the service updates section of the website, and the cancelled journeys hadn't been removed from the app. From a previous conversation with the social media team they advised they don't always receive the service disruptions from the Keighley duty managers so its disappointing this is still the case.

Flyer had 2 A1 boards missing for most of the day, and the 36 was the usual carnage. The 1730 was cancelled and the 1745 left the bus station with a full load, so hopefully the 1815 ran as scheduled with space for everyone, as potentially up to a 1 hour wait for some passengers further along the route.

I thought Transdev said about this time last year they had around 100 drivers waiting to be put through their test and were blaming a backlog at the DVLA, surely these would all be through now? Many of the high frequency routes are still on temporary timetables 12 months after being introduced, and there's still a high level of missing journeys. Are Transdev struggling to retain drivers, or was this the usual deflection from their own failings?

 

[Andyh82]

I was also in Leeds today and there were significant cancellations on the electronic boards for First and Arriva services as well, so Transdev are not unique in this situation.

Saturdays seem to be the worst for them all I would say, as resources are directed towards weekdays when they have school flows that must be covered.

 

[Ken H]

Even though the X98/X99 will run under the York operators licence, they will operate out of Harrogate depot

On this page ( https://www.transdevbus.co.uk/york/now-recruiting-skyclass-x98x99-ps3000-welcome-bonus ) it says

These opportunities will be based at our award winning depot in Harrogate driving our world class fleet of SkyClass buses.

 

[RustySpoons]

Today felt like going back 12 months with the amount of cancellations and lack of info provided. The 36 and 60 in particular have been dire, the 60 I was intending on travelling on was cancelled, and the following journey was 35 minutes late. Whilst heading down Kirkstall Road we passed a Keighley bound 60 which was displaying 'sorry bus full' on the desti, that was also following a cancelled service. Nothing appeared on the service updates section of the website, and the cancelled journeys hadn't been removed from the app. From a previous conversation with the social media team they advised they don't always receive the service disruptions from the Keighley duty managers so its disappointing this is still the case.

Flyer had 2 A1 boards missing for most of the day, and the 36 was the usual carnage. The 1730 was cancelled and the 1745 left the bus station with a full load, so hopefully the 1815 ran as scheduled with space for everyone, as potentially up to a 1 hour wait for some passengers further along the route.

I thought Transdev said about this time last year they had around 100 drivers waiting to be put through their test and were blaming a backlog at the DVLA, surely these would all be through now? Many of the high frequency routes are still on temporary timetables 12 months after being introduced, and there's still a high level of missing journeys. Are Transdev struggling to retain drivers, or was this the usual deflection from their own failings?

You'd think with the amount of cancellations still they'd be reluctant to take on additional work, ie X98/X99. Same thing happened with the Ribble County services in Lancashire. Took on all the work and didn't have enough drivers to run the services. There are still frequent cancellations even now.

I can understand the desire to take on a failing service and turn it around but make sure you own house is in order first. There does seem to be an endless stream of new drivers starting, as per Alex Hornby's frequent Twitter posts introducing them, but are they sticking around for longer than the minimum amount of time required to get the £1000 welcome bonus? The latest recruitment ad for the X98/X99 offering a £3000 welcome bonus just shows how desperate times are.

Of course Transdev aren't alone in having a driver shortage, as mentioned in the previous post, Arriva and First are also having issues. But are they still taking on additional work?

 

[northernchris]

You'd think with the amount of cancellations still they'd be reluctant to take on additional work, ie X98/X99. Same thing happened with the Ribble County services in Lancashire. Took on all the work and didn't have enough drivers to run the services. There are still frequent cancellations even now.

I can understand the desire to take on a failing service and turn it around but make sure you own house is in order first. There does seem to be an endless stream of new drivers starting, as per Alex Hornby's frequent Twitter posts introducing them, but are they sticking around for longer than the minimum amount of time required to get the £1000 welcome bonus? The latest recruitment ad for the X98/X99 offering a £3000 welcome bonus just shows how desperate times are.

Of course Transdev aren't alone in having a driver shortage, as mentioned in the previous post, Arriva and First are also having issues. But are they still taking on additional work?

Indeed, this week will be interesting to see how the X98/99 fairs reliability wise. The A1 reverts back to a temporary timetable again from today, and I'm aware at least 1 Keighley driver has been route learning the X98/99 so it looks like it may be covered from existing drivers.

Arriva seem to be in a much better position now compared to this time last year, probably helped by them handing back some contracts and cutting some of the early morning and early evening journeys to focus on the core network. It's hard to tell with First as even before the pandemic they cancelled dozens of services each day!

 

[Ken H]

Indeed, this week will be interesting to see how the X98/99 fairs reliability wise. The A1 reverts back to a temporary timetable again from today, and I'm aware at least 1 Keighley driver has been route learning the X98/99 so it looks like it may be covered from existing drivers.

Arriva seem to be in a much better position now compared to this time last year, probably helped by them handing back some contracts and cutting some of the early morning and early evening journeys to focus on the core network. It's hard to tell with First as even before the pandemic they cancelled dozens of services each day!

There are some big changes in the West Yorkshire network this weekend. It looks like First are cutting at the edges, but as had been said, can Transdev cover their existing network?

https://www.wymetro.com/media/8835/public-transport-changes-3-oct-2022-13304.pdf

(I would quote but the document is 38 pages!)

 

[WY Bus Spotter]

Indeed, this week will be interesting to see how the X98/99 fairs reliability wise. The A1 reverts back to a temporary timetable again from today, and I'm aware at least 1 Keighley driver has been route learning the X98/99 so it looks like it may be covered from existing drivers.

Arriva seem to be in a much better position now compared to this time last year, probably helped by them handing back some contracts and cutting some of the early morning and early evening journeys to focus on the core network. It's hard to tell with First as even before the pandemic they cancelled dozens of services each day!

This morning a Keighley driver was driving 2018, with a Flyer driver besides him and a Team Pennine driver was driving 2017.

 

[RustySpoons]

I wonder if the X98/X99 will operate from York as intended when the Zap is withdrawn, the ex-Zap drivers then being able to take over X98/99 duties.

It does seem like a massive backwards move when services are being cut at various depots, but their drivers are being used to cover services elsewhere.

 

[northernchris]

I wonder if the X98/X99 will operate from York as intended when the Zap is withdrawn, the ex-Zap drivers then being able to take over X98/99 duties.

That would seem logical, so probably not!

 

[theblackwatch]

A number of changes around Harrogate from next month have been announced this evening, including the reduction of the '7' (Harrogate-Wetherby-Leeds) to hourly, which makes Connexions the prime operator between Harrogate and Wetherby. When they announced the takeover of the X98/X99, I wrote in response to them "I hope this isn't at the expense of other services" - having reminded them of this tonight they say the '7' has not recovered well since Covid. I'm not surprised given the daily cancellations...

Summary of changes from their Facebook page:
The 1 - changes to times at rush hours, still every 10 mins
Harrogate Electrics 2A/2B, 3 & 6/X6 - changes to times at rush hours
The 7 - will run every hour during the day, with extra buses at rush hours to reflect customer demand
The 36 - rush hour buses will no longer serve Bilton & Jennyfield

More details are at https://www.transdevbus.co.uk/harrogate/were-making-changes-6-november

 

[Andyh82]

I could imagine the 7 not being as strong as other routes

Breaking it down
Leeds to Seacroft - obviously at a significant disadvantage to First Leeds services who run a much higher frequency
Harrogate to Wetherby - in reality 4 buses per hour combined with Connexions is over provision

And then finally Wetherby to Seacroft - the heart of the 7 operation where this is the only service, but at the end of the day it’s a succession of fairly small well healed villages

 

[Bayum]

I could imagine the 7 not being as strong as other routes

Breaking it down
Leeds to Seacroft - obviously at a significant disadvantage to First Leeds services who run a much higher frequency
Harrogate to Wetherby - in reality 4 buses per hour combined with Connexions is over provision

And then finally Wetherby to Seacroft - the heart of the 7 operation where this is the only service, but at the end of the day it’s a succession of fairly small well healed villages

Small villages with a now poor service. Passengers will have to rely on the 174 and hourly 7 whereas they had some flexibility in the past. Also be interesting to see the effect on school traffic for Boston Spa secondary.

 

[theblackwatch]

Small villages with a now poor service. Passengers will have to rely on the 174 and hourly 7 whereas they had some flexibility in the past. Also be interesting to see the effect on school traffic for Boston Spa secondary.

I really hope for the sake of these villages that these timetable changes eliminate the daily cancellations that occur, although having experienced reductions in services on my local route, the 1, 'to improve reliability', I have found that cancellations are still just as common. Having to wait 30 mins for your next bus when one knocks isn't too bad, but if it's a wait of an hour...

 

[SCH117X]

Connexions squealed when Transdev provided 3 a hour between Harrogate and Wetherby (one via Follifoot) as that was over busing. How you say one or the other is the dominant oeprtaor is down to what hours someone wants a bus - you are not going to find a Connexions bus before 7am or after 7pm nor at all on a Sunday and of those that do exist around half are NYCC funded via Follifoot, Connexions having won the tender off Transdev. One good thing is the 39 minute dwell during daytime at Harrogate (assuming no interworking) which should resolve issues from late inbound workings.

Also be interesting to see the effect on school traffic for Boston Spa secondary.

School hours seem to 8.35 am to 3.05pm; the services that would get pupils there on time - 7.05am from Leeds, 7.25am from Harrogate still run. In the afternoon the 3.08pm and 3.38pm from Bramham War Memorial to Harrogate are retimed to 3.03pm and 3.35pm . From Boston Spa Church the 3.24pm to Leeds still runs.

 

[Bayum]

Connexions squealed when Transdev provided 3 a hour between Harrogate and Wetherby (one via Follifoot) as that was over busing. How you say one or the other is the dominant oeprtaor is down to what hours someone wants a bus - you are not going to find a Connexions bus before 7am or after 7pm nor at all on a Sunday and of those that do exist around half are NYCC funded via Follifoot, Connexions having won the tender off Transdev. One good thing is the 39 minute dwell during daytime at Harrogate (assuming no interworking) which should resolve issues from late inbound workings.


School hours seem to 8.35 am to 3.05pm; the services that would get pupils there on time - 7.05am from Leeds, 7.25am from Harrogate still run. In the afternoon the 3.08pm and 3.38pm from Bramham War Memorial to Harrogate are retimed to 3.03pm and 3.35pm . From Boston Spa Church the 3.24pm to Leeds still runs.

When I was at Boston as a student and then as a trainee, students took a number of services rather than just one that left at a certain time. Buses very quickly got very busy, more so if the Wetherby lot managed to get one of the services.

 

[SCH117X]

weird tweet to @harrogatebus today - surely the bus service is separate to any attempted GBH which should be a Police matter and surprised they have not deleted it;

Never mind the X99, what about the number 7. This morning my girlfriend was attacked by two pupils from Boston academy. I'm sick of this service if that's what you can call it. Please please please do something about it before it goes too far. PS, get a new boss

 

[Deerfold]

weird tweet to @harrogatebus today - surely the bus service is separate to any attempted GBH which should be a Police matter and surprised they have not deleted it;

It seems to be an account set up just for 2 similar tweets to Transdev Harrogate.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Surely tweeting the school would have been more effective? Or even better, contacting the school directly rather than using social media.

The bit about getting a new boss is only going to undermine their point. Sure, kids these days think they can get away with allsorts but there's not much a bus operator can do after the fact.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Surely tweeting the school would have been more effective? Or even better, contacting the school directly rather than using social media.

The bit about getting a new boss is only going to undermine their point. Sure, kids these days think they can get away with allsorts but there's not much a bus operator can do after the fact.

Perhaps indicative that something else is behind the tweets?

 

[Swimbar]

Things are going from bad to worse!!

Sorry, we can't find this page!

www.transdevbus.co.uk

Daily service updates in Harrogate​

Today 07:12 - 23:59

• Affected routes:
• 36
• The 1
• 1A
• 1B
• 1C
• 7

To help you plan ahead and avoid disruption, we will be updating this page with any cancellations in advance. These cancellations are subject to change and may be reinstated so please check back before you travel. Don't forget, you can still track your bus in real time with live departures on the Transdev Go app.

Wednesday 19th October

#The1
Starbeck to Harrogate 7.30am

#The 1A
Harrogate to Aspin 7.41am, 10.11am
Aspin to Harrogate 8.06am, 10.36am

#The 1B
Harrogate to Eastfield 9.01am
Eastfield to Harrogate 9.27am

#The 1C
Harrogate to Carmires 7.49am, 8.51am,
Carmires to Harrogate 6.59am, 8.14am, 9.16am
Starbeck to Carmires 6.46am

#The 7
Harrogate to Leeds 6.25am, 8.40am, 10.10am, 11.10am
Leeds to Harrogate 8.20am, 11.55am, 12.55pm

#The 36
Harrogate to Leeds 9am, 9.25am, 10.25am, 10.55am, 11.25am, 12.25pm
Leeds to Harrogate 8.15am, 9.55am, 10.25am, 11.25am, 11.55am, 12.25pm, 1.25pm
Starbeck to Ripon 5.40am
Ripon to Leeds 6.30am

 

[RustySpoons]

I think further timetable reductions are still needed, or even giving up certain services. Publicising an inaccurate list of cancelled journeys has been going on for too long now. It's the same still in Lancashire.

With this amount of cancelled journeys (there's likely to be more, going off past experience) all before early afternoon you have to question where all these new drivers they're getting through the 'Academy' are going.

 

[SCH117X]

Covid seems to be on the increase so no doubt some are off with it. At least unlike a number of operators (looking in the direction of Tockwith for starters) they are attempting to publicise the fact.

 

[markymark2000]

Using those cancellations though, it only looks like about 5 drivers down. Not a huge amount, far from what some areas look like.

 

[Delenn]

To give them some credit, they seem to have mostly sorted the Coastliner out now.

 

[Swimbar]

Covid seems to be on the increase so no doubt some are off with it. At least unlike a number of operators (looking in the direction of Tockwith for starters) they are attempting to publicise the fact.

Tockwith has nothing to do with why Harrogate Bus Company has so many cancellations. Transdev need to accept they have a problem. An X99 was cancelled this afternoon not for the first time since they took over the service!