Employee/Work Shuttles

[markymark2000]

That's a good question, I'm not really sure why it runs as a public service at all ! Previously I believe the Oxford Bus Co used minibuses for their staff shuttle, why this has been upgraded to a public service with gross over-provision of vehicles is a mystery.

Easy answer. BSOG. They can claim some money back for mileage which is in service. They get nothing back on a staff shuttle. I'd put that down as the main reason personally.

Translink Metro route 93 in Belfast, Northern Ireland, may fit the description.

It runs once daily Monday to Friday in each direction, timed for a 9am-5pm working day, providing a service from the City Centre to an office park on Newforge Lane, which is one mile from the nearest other bus stop (for the 8a/b/c service) on Malone Road.

It is officially a public bus, but it always runs with the destination screen either blank or displaying "Private". The entire route is pick-up only on the outward journey. There is no matching set-down only restriction on the return journey, and the route appears on the stop flags and real time display like any other bus to the City Centre - but it will never pick up passengers.

Also, for some bizarre reason, on the outward journey, instead of picking up opposite the city's main bus and railway station like every other bus to South Belfast does, it is instead routed via the back streets behind City Hall and picks up at the Ulster Hall (a concert venue) around 250 yards away from the station. But like every other bus, it does serve the station on the return journey. I can't see any logical reason for this.

Apart from the slight detour on the outward route mentioned above, it follows the 8b/c route between the City Centre and the junction of Malone Road, Balmoral Avenue and Newforge Lane. It then runs the full length of Newforge Lane, whereas the other routes continue on Upper Malone Road then Finaghy Road to Erinvale Estate (8a/b) or Ladybrook Estate (8c)

When bustimes is back up, I will take a look at it. If it was your list, would you put it as open to the public or not because officially it is but technically it isn't. Difficult one that. Don't want to mislead anyone.

 

[Romilly]

In Durham, the first two 265 journeys out of Durham call at Belmont Business Park (handy not only for workplaces there but also for collecting parcels from the Royal Mail delivery office), and two late afternoon 208s call there on their way into Durham.

 

[danm14]

When bustimes is back up, I will take a look at it. If it was your list, would you put it as open to the public or not because officially it is but technically it isn't. Difficult one that. Don't want to mislead anyone.

I think public is most appropriate.

There's no prohibition on the public using it - you can pay the normal Metro fare or use a normal prepaid ticket. You don't need to have business at the office park to use it, and you don't receive any discount on travel if you do.

Of course, whether any member of the public would wish to use it - given that the only journey permitted is to/from the office park - is another matter. And even if they did, unless they knew that the bus runs unmarked, they would likely find themselves waiting quite a long time for it.

 

[markymark2000]

I think public is most appropriate.

There's no prohibition on the public using it - you can pay the normal Metro fare or use a normal prepaid ticket. You don't need to have business at the office park to use it, and you don't receive any discount on travel if you do.

Of course, whether any member of the public would wish to use it - given that the only journey permitted is to/from the office park - is another matter. And even if they did, unless they knew that the bus runs unmarked, they would likely find themselves waiting quite a long time for it.

I've added it in and marked it public. Thank you

 

[volvob12]

The Aviva Bristol staff bus ‘AV’ from Stoke Gifford to Bristol city centre, operated by Stagecoach West, has started up again now.

 

[Dai Corner]

The Aviva Bristol staff bus ‘AV’ from Stoke Gifford to Bristol city centre, operated by Stagecoach West, has started up again now.

When did that start?

I worked there when it was (Axa) Sun Life and don't recall such a service then.

 

[swifty]

When did that start?

I worked there when it was (Axa) Sun Life and don't recall such a service then.

Durbins ran the 101 up to Axa from the mid 2000s and was carried on once Stagecoach took over.

Back in the day, It was a handy way of running National Express coaches down to the bus station from the depot before heading up to London in the mornings!

 

[Dai Corner]

Durbins had run the 101 up to Axa from the mid 2000s and carried on until Stagecoach took over!

Ah. I left in 2004.

 

[baz962]

I'm not sure if it still runs and I can't remember which company, but easyJet staff had a bus service from Luton airport to a car park opposite Vauxhall.

 

[Three_Counties]

Arriva have a 28B in Luton that detours from the usual 28 route once each peak to serve a Vauxhall facility that is otherwise some distance from a bus stop.

Centrebus operate a staff only shuttle bus for TUI between Wigmore and Luton Airport. This also interworks with route 901 which is the staff and student service between campuses of the University of Bedford (Luton).

Arriva also duplicate certain journeys on route Z to meet shift change times at Amazon and Superdrug in Dunstable.

 

[markymark2000]

The Aviva Bristol staff bus ‘AV’ from Stoke Gifford to Bristol city centre, operated by Stagecoach West, has started up again now.

Thank you. I have now added this in.

I'm not sure if it still runs and I can't remember which company, but easyJet staff had a bus service from Luton airport to a car park opposite Vauxhall.

I can't find any online presence. Do you know of any links?

Arriva have a 28B in Luton that detours from the usual 28 route once each peak to serve a Vauxhall facility that is otherwise some distance from a bus stop.

Centrebus operate a staff only shuttle bus for TUI between Wigmore and Luton Airport. This also interworks with route 901 which is the staff and student service between campuses of the University of Bedford (Luton).

Arriva also duplicate certain journeys on route Z to meet shift change times at Amazon and Superdrug in Dunstable.

Online implies the 28B runs from Luton 7 times per day and only returns to Hockwell ring. Would I be right in assuming that it basically gets people to work but coming home, they get on a 28B which then changes to be a 28 returning into Luton?
Added in the TUI bus as well.
Thank you for the contributions.

 

[Three_Counties]

Re 28B at Luton: The homeward journey does operate to Hockwell Ring, before returning to Luton as a normal 28 with through fares available due to the one-way loop operated by route 28 around the Hockwell estate.

 

[mikeg]

One type of workplace I've noticed missing is theme parks. Certainly Lightwater Valley ran work buses to/from Northallerton and Richmond via a few places. Travel for the general public was not permitted. I believe Flamingo Land does similar. Given the age and demographic of the staff, owning a car is unlikely and it's necessary to bus staff there and back, typically from town centre bus stations.
I'm unable to comment on Merlin parks but this is the norm for most of the rest of the theme park industry.

For Lightwater the company in question is Procters, iirc.

 

[168lover]

One type of workplace I've noticed missing is theme parks. Certainly Lightwater Valley ran work buses to/from Northallerton and Richmond via a few places. Travel for the general public was not permitted believe flamingo land does similar. Given the age and demographic of the staff owning a car is unlikely and it's necessary to bus staff there and back typically from town centre bus stations.
I'm unable to comment on Merlin parks but this is the norm for most of the rest of the theme park industry.

For Lightwater the company in question is Procters iirc

I know at Thorpe Park atleast staff get free travel on the shuttle buses to and from Staines and Sullivan Travel who run it have early/late services specifically for staff to use

 

[M60lad]

Speaking of theme parks, I remember years ago Alton Towers used to have their own services that used to run from the theme park to various places in the surrounding area. While mainly for staff, members of the public could use them as well.

 

[Three_Counties]

For the Harry Potter Studios at Leavesden, there are 1-2 unadvertised journeys on the 311 shuttle to and from Watford Junction before the public timetable starts for staff only.

 

[galwhv69]

Sky TV Services by Cobra Corporate Services :
S1 - Sky Studios & Osterley Station
S2 - Sky Studios & Gunnersbury Station
S3 - Sky Studios & Ealing Broadway Station

Battersea Power Station Shuttle by Go Ahead London (Commercial Services) still runs AFAIK.

The Amazon Dartford service "AZ" operated by Go-Coach runs as a public service.
I believe the other shuttles to Amazon Dartford are staff only, with one operated by Stagecoach London and one by Go Ahead London (Commercial Services). However, I'm unsure on destinations but they were in SE London, though.

The Bedfont Lakes Business Park has 2 shuttles operated by London United RATP Group:
BL1 - Bedfont Lakes & Feltham Station
BL2 - Bedfont Lakes & Heathrow T4
(There used to be a BL3 lunchtime service to Staines but that was axed not long ago)

Kingston University has a Home - Campus shuttle operated by London United RATP Group (Apparently Private but no ID needed?)
(There may be other shuttles also in operation, but can't find up to date timetables)
KU3 - Roehampton Vale Campus & Clayhill

Uni Of Greenwich has a Campus 1 -Home - Campus 2 bus shuttle operated by Centuar Travel (along with a minibus & coach service) (Private Service)
Avery Hill - Greenwich Shuttle - Avery Hill Campus & Greenwich Campus

 

[M60lad]

Has anyone mentioned the services that Swans (Chadderton) run from Manchester Airport-Amazon MAN1 Fulfillment Centre?

 

[darloscott]

The new mine near Whitby being built by AngloAmerican have 3 staff shuttle routes as a park & ride. Margrove Park is operated by Coatham Coaches and Esk Valley operate to Whitby P&R and somewhere in Scarborough.

 

[Deerfold]

For the Harry Potter Studios at Leavesden, there are 1-2 unadvertised journeys on the 311 shuttle to and from Watford Junction before the public timetable starts for staff only.

I can no longer find any advertised times for the 311. I wasn't even told them when I tweeted the studio. Last time I visited staff would not let people board the bus unless they had a ticket valid within half an hour of the arrival of the bus at the studio. I'm not sure what the legalities of this are given the ticketing arrangements are separate.

 

[markymark2000]

One type of workplace I've noticed missing is theme parks. Certainly Lightwater Valley ran work buses to/from Northallerton and Richmond via a few places. Travel for the general public was not permitted. I believe Flamingo Land does similar. Given the age and demographic of the staff, owning a car is unlikely and it's necessary to bus staff there and back, typically from town centre bus stations.
I'm unable to comment on Merlin parks but this is the norm for most of the rest of the theme park industry.

For Lightwater the company in question is Procters, iirc.

The only thing online for Lightwater Valley is from 2015. Is there any more recent information on them.

Flamingo Land only have info online about discounted Coastliner fares, nothing about a shuttle bus.


Alton Towers I have put in as there is information on these via D&G Bus Open Data and bus tracking.

Sky TV Services by Cobra Corporate Services :
S1 - Sky Studios & Osterley Station
S2 - Sky Studios & Gunnersbury Station
S3 - Sky Studios & Ealing Broadway Station

Added in thank you.

Battersea Power Station Shuttle by Go Ahead London (Commercial Services) still runs AFAIK.

I have searched online and no information is available? Everything seems to be quite outdated for it.

The Amazon Dartford service "AZ" operated by Go-Coach runs as a public service.
I believe the other shuttles to Amazon Dartford are staff only, with one operated by Stagecoach London and one by Go Ahead London (Commercial Services). However, I'm unsure on destinations but they were in SE London, though.

Does the AZ bus count as a public service bus though which just diverts in to Amazon, albeit contracted to do so. It is fully open to the public and runs all through the day so unless Amazon has rotating shift times so people start and finish constantly throughout the day, I'd say it's more a public service. Just like the Grant Palmer CX bus.

The Bedfont Lakes Business Park has 2 shuttles operated by London United RATP Group:
BL1 - Bedfont Lakes & Feltham Station
BL2 - Bedfont Lakes & Heathrow T4
(There used to be a BL3 lunchtime service to Staines but that was axed not long ago)

Do we have any timetables for these? I can find the old ones from when Courtney ran the services but nothing since then.

Kingston University has a Home - Campus shuttle operated by London United RATP Group (Apparently Private but no ID needed?)
(There may be other shuttles also in operation, but can't find up to date timetables)
KU3 - Roehampton Vale Campus & Clayhill

Uni Of Greenwich has a Campus 1 -Home - Campus 2 bus shuttle operated by Centuar Travel (along with a minibus & coach service) (Private Service)
Avery Hill - Greenwich Shuttle - Avery Hill Campus & Greenwich Campus

These are more student shuttles than employee/worker shuttles.

Has anyone mentioned the services that Swans (Chadderton) run from Manchester Airport-Amazon MAN1 Fulfillment Centre?

Can you find ant information online for it?

The new mine near Whitby being built by AngloAmerican have 3 staff shuttle routes as a park & ride. Margrove Park is operated by Coatham Coaches and Esk Valley operate to Whitby P&R and somewhere in Scarborough.

Is there any online information for them? I did a search and can't find anything.

 

[Deerfold]

Boohoo in Burnley has routes V1, V1 and V3.

V1 - Padiham - Rosegrove - Summit - Burnley - Boohoo Burnley

The Burnley Bus Company

bustimes.org

V1 - Padiham - Rosegrove - Summit - Burnley - Widow Hill

Rosso

bustimes.org

V3 - Colne - Nelson - Brierfield - Boohoo Burnley

The Burnley Bus Company

bustimes.org

 

[markymark2000]

Boohoo in Burnley has routes V1, V1 and V3.

V1 - Padiham - Rosegrove - Summit - Burnley - Boohoo Burnley

The Burnley Bus Company

bustimes.org

V1 - Padiham - Rosegrove - Summit - Burnley - Widow Hill

Rosso

bustimes.org

V3 - Colne - Nelson - Brierfield - Boohoo Burnley

The Burnley Bus Company

bustimes.org

Are they open for the public?

 

[duncombec]

[Battersea]
I have searched online and no information is available? Everything seems to be quite outdated for it.

The London Service Permit (LSP) was renewed recently, so may still show up in the latest bulletin.

Does the AZ bus count as a public service bus though which just diverts in to Amazon, albeit contracted to do so. It is fully open to the public and runs all through the day so unless Amazon has rotating shift times so people start and finish constantly throughout the day, I'd say it's more a public service. Just like the Grant Palmer CX bus.

The AZ is a public bus, operated as part of the Fasttrack network. [Edit: I believe] Amazon gave Kent County Council a large dollop of funding for it.

 

[Stan Drews]

Are they open for the public?

Yes

 

[markymark2000]

The London Service Permit (LSP) was renewed recently, so may still show up in the latest bulletin.

It shows up in there as running but there is no timetable or anything. Just 'bus from Vauxhall Bus Station to Battersea Power Station by London General'. I thought the power station had shut and so is this an employee shuttle or a shuttle for those who live and work in the general area? It's a bit of a mystery bus. When you search it on Google, there is a Gusti bus which comes up but nothing for the Go Ahead service other than the bare basic info on the Permit PDF.

The AZ is a public bus, operated as part of the Fasttrack network. [Edit: I believe] Amazon gave Kent County Council a large dollop of funding for it.

Thank you. I think on that basis, it's not a employee/worker bus, just happens to fulfil that function.

Yes

Thanks. Added it.

 

[duncombec]

It shows up in there as running but there is no timetable or anything. Just 'bus from Vauxhall Bus Station to Battersea Power Station by London General'. I thought the power station had shut and so is this an employee shuttle or a shuttle for those who live and work in the general area? It's a bit of a mystery bus. When you search it on Google, there is a Gusti bus which comes up but nothing for the Go Ahead service other than the bare basic info on the Permit PDF.

The London Service Permit (LSP) Bulletin is essentially the same as Notices & Proceedings (N&P) - it is a summary of the application received behind the scenes, so there won't be a timetable shown in it. The Power station is being converted into flats (see fancy images on the developer's website https://www.battersea9elms.co.uk/pr...perty-for-sale-in-battersea-power-station/208) hence the bus.

If the change is new enough, you can click on the link in the "consultation" column, which takes you to a page with the timetables on - here is the example for service 849 to Roehampton University, for example: https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/lsp/83a6701f/. However, the LSP consultations don't show up on the usual consultation site, so are very hard to search for after the fact. You can be certain, though, that if the LSP is current there is at least an intention to run it, permits are fairly expensive to hold/renew!

Indeed, here is one for GSK staff shuttle: https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/lsp/10b71d29/, which would fit your list if it isn't already on it.

 

[markymark2000]

I've changed what I was searching and I found the consultation page so I'm happy to include it.

Have Your Say Transport for London

Stay informed by joining Have Your Say Transport for London

consultations.tfl.gov.uk

 

[Three_Counties]

permits are fairly expensive to hold/renew!

But the beauty of the London Service Permit system is that there is no charge to change the detail on an LSP, unlike service registrations with the Traffic Commissioner where most changes are chargeable.

 

[markymark2000]

You can be certain, though, that if the LSP is current there is at least an intention to run it, permits are fairly expensive to hold/renew!

They do last for 5 years though so some buses could have changed to no longer run or only run when and as required but still have a permit. As with many of the tour bus routes, they run once in a blue moon but have permits ready for the few dates they do run. Event buses remain in place too, doesn't mean they run daily.

It's only something like £250 for 5 years so it's not overly expensive.