East Anglia Bus Scene

[Cesarcollie]

These ops can’t be losing that much money or Go Ahead wouldn’t have been prepared to invest in replacing the entire Chambers fleet in their Zebra 2 bid.

Norwich aside, East Anglia is very far behind in the electric bus revolution. I can’t see Ipswich Buses being able to even place a bid (if anymore Zebra schemes are launched) due to their garage not being easily adapted for the infrastructure required.

I was in Ipswich recently and First’s enviro 300’s and oldest eclipses were looking quite tatty meanwhile pretty much every tempo from Ipswich Buses had damaged panels and various vinyls missing.

If you search on Companies House you’ll see Konectbus (which covers Konectbus plus the H & C brands) lost £132,000 before tax y/e December 23.

 

[Simon75]

Arriva have now announced the withdrawal of service 133 from June.

Doesn't surprise me as First Essex has the X20 Stansted to Colchester via Braintree

 

[TitanMike]

Doesn't surprise me as First Essex has the X20 Stansted to Colchester via Braintree

Doesn't surprise me as First Essex has the X20 Stansted to Colchester via Braintree

I wonder if Arriva are trying to secure funding for the service from Essex County Council or Stansted Airport for continuation of the service? The X20 must've taken a lot of the Braintree<>Stansted Airport custom but the 133 provides the local links. Shame to see Arriva retreat from another part of Essex.

 

[Kartenga]

Within the last week, Metrobus have, in fact, sent a 2009 Omnicity D/D (fleet no. 6957) to none other than Beestons (source: Brighton & Hove disposals list). Don't know if that's for operating or parts.

Was advertised briefly for onward sale or parts on Beestons PSV Recycling Facebook page. So not in the Beestons fleet as such

 

[Mollman]

No it can't. ZEBRA bids were actually submitted by Local Transport Authorities, not the operator. Most bids would have detailed which buses were to be replaced - the form required that the bidder show "how the proposal meets the wider decarbonisation benefits criteria".

I doubt any LTA would have agreed to the removal of Euro VI buses from its area ahead of those of poorer emission standard.

Apologies I must have missed that bit on the form - no wonder we weren't successful!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I wonder if Arriva are trying to secure funding for the service from Essex County Council or Stansted Airport for continuation of the service? The X20 must've taken a lot of the Braintree<>Stansted Airport custom but the 133 provides the local links. Shame to see Arriva retreat from another part of Essex.

To be fair, it's not part of Essex that was traditionally theirs. However, does leave Dunmow dominated by services with premium fares.

Should we expect other Essex reductions this date - or further announcements? Although they’ve only just changed timetables in Colchester last week.

It was fairly clear when the X20 was introduced that as well as opening up new journey options from Colchester and villages to Stansted, it was to put the squeeze on the 133.

I never like to speculate on people's jobs. It's looking tough in Colchester for an operation with a small PVR (22?) - Southend is larger so perhaps more assured.

If you search on Companies House you’ll see Konectbus (which covers Konectbus plus the H & C brands) lost £132,000 before tax y/e December 23.

Perhaps a greater clue is when you look pre-Covid (and before the Hedingham/Chambers businesses) were merged into Konectbus. They were losing more money so suspect that the Norfolk ops are, in part, propping up the Essex ones.

 

[stuart81]

To be fair, it's not part of Essex that was traditionally theirs. However, does leave Dunmow dominated by services with premium fares.



It was fairly clear when the X20 was introduced that as well as opening up new journey options from Colchester and villages to Stansted, it was to put the squeeze on the 133.

I never like to speculate on people's jobs. It's looking tough in Colchester for an operation with a small PVR (22?) - Southend is larger so perhaps more assured.


Perhaps a greater clue is when you look pre-Covid (and before the Hedingham/Chambers businesses) were merged into Konectbus. They were losing more money so suspect that the Norfolk ops are, in part, propping up the Essex ones.

Wasn't there a feeling Arriva are only hanging in on Colchester until the Park & Ride tender is due for renewal?

 

[citybus2500]

Does anyone know what Vertas use their pair of E400s on? I presume they do the same thing every day.

Thanks

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Wasn't there a feeling Arriva are only hanging in on Colchester until the Park & Ride tender is due for renewal?

They renewed it in 2022 for four years (I think) but with potential to extend for additional years - hence why the mmcs were drafted up from Kent. Best check to see if the pre tender information has been released.

 

[Cesarcollie]

To be fair, it's not part of Essex that was traditionally theirs. However, does leave Dunmow dominated by services with premium fares.



It was fairly clear when the X20 was introduced that as well as opening up new journey options from Colchester and villages to Stansted, it was to put the squeeze on the 133.

I never like to speculate on people's jobs. It's looking tough in Colchester for an operation with a small PVR (22?) - Southend is larger so perhaps more assured.


Perhaps a greater clue is when you look pre-Covid (and before the Hedingham/Chambers businesses) were merged into Konectbus. They were losing more money so suspect that the Norfolk ops are, in part, propping up the Essex ones.

Possibly true. Of course with the loss of Norwich P & R that might improve or worsen the Norfolk ops. It was declared an ‘onerous contract’ in the accounts, though subsequently bailed out by NCC, but could in reality of course still have been contributing to overheads. Time will tell I guess!

 

[Alfie1014]

They renewed it in 2022 for four years (I think) but with potential to extend for additional years - hence why the mmcs were drafted up from Kent. Best check to see if the pre tender information has been released.

Possibly it will be extended until the RTS (“Rapid Transit System”) takes over! Though no one seems to be able share what the RTS will actually deliver (frequencies, vehicle types, through ticketing etc?) and whilst the infrastructure for it is taking shape the operation is to be funded by s106 funding from developers?

 

[buslad1988]

Possibly it will be extended until the RTS (“Rapid Transit System”) takes over! Though no one seems to be able share what the RTS will actually deliver (frequencies, vehicle types, through ticketing etc?) and whilst the infrastructure for it is taking shape the operation is to be funded by s106 funding from developers?

Had never even heard about this until I googled after your post. Seems a very ambitious proposal! They are still deciding on vehicles it says on the website for it below…

Colchester Rapid Transit

Details of the Colchester Rapid Transit system advance works

www.essexhighways.org

 

[65477]

Further to the Konnectbuses / Hedingham and Chambers discussion. Braintree District Council have launched a consultation into a revised Digital Demand Responsive Transport scheme in the north Braintree area. This would include adding the Hedinghams and Great Yeldham into existing schemes. As such it would eat into the scheduled routes served by the Hedingham depot in Sible Hedlingham. It could have unforeseen consequences,

The survey is at https://forms.office.com/pages/resp...VFVFJVR1NETjcyTDI3TlZYVzdETy4u&route=shorturl but unfortunately you have two see a number of pages to get the the proposals.

 

[Alfie1014]

Had never even heard about this until I googled after your post. Seems a very ambitious proposal! They are still deciding on vehicles it says on the website for it below…

Colchester Rapid Transit

Details of the Colchester Rapid Transit system advance works

www.essexhighways.org

They’ve been saying that for the last 6-7 years, the original proposals showed trams and word on the street (or council chamber) is that it will be conventional diesel buses as there’s no money for infrastructure for EVs or Hydrogen or other any other type of fancy propulsion, especially as there’s are no operators in north Essex or Suffolk with existing charging facilities. The whole scheme has run out of money the Govt has provided £100M for the A133-A120 link road to service the Colchester Tendring Garden Community and the RTS. However the construction costs for the link Road are £25M over budget so only 3/4 of it will be built and it won’t currently link with the A120! So it will be a link road to nowhere.

 

[buslad1988]

There’s been an interesting development in Ipswich. The tendered town service 14 changes operator from 7th April - from First to Central Connect (Simonds).

It’s quite some distance from their base in Diss, unsure how they’ll place it into their existing work?

 

[stuart81]

I guess they could run a extra Diss - Eye - Ipswich service as a positioning trip?

 

[buslad1988]

I guess they could run an extra Diss - Eye - Ipswich service as a positioning trip?

Thought could make sense. They clearly are interested in expanding.

Wouldn’t surprise me if they try the Ipswich - Stowmarket - Bury St Edmunds corridor commercially at some point. Would join their network together nicely.

The Norwich city bus market is pretty crowded now with First and KonectBus covering everything. Maybe they’ll try muscling in on a few Ipswich town services?

 

[_sSamuel]

Thought could make sense. They clearly are interested in expanding.

Wouldn’t surprise me if they try the Ipswich - Stowmarket - Bury St Edmunds corridor commercially at some point. Would join their network together nicely.

The Norwich city bus market is pretty crowded now with First and KonectBus covering everything. Maybe they’ll try muscling in on a few Ipswich town services?

Wouldn't put it past them to bid for what First formerly branded as their 'Village Links' services (59,70,73 and 116). To my knowledge, the contract for these routes is due to end in August. Although, the amount of dead milage that would be required on some of these routes (not the 116 of course) would be rather significant; for example, the existing final journey on service 70 to Orford.

 

[buslad1988]

Wouldn't put it past them to bid for what First formerly branded as their 'Village Links' services (59,70,73 and 116). To my knowledge, the contract for these routes is due to end in August. Although, the amount of dead milage that would be required on some of these routes (not the 116 of course) would be rather significant; for example, the existing final journey on service 70 to Orford.

To be fair that would also give First the opportunity to finally rid themselves of what’s left of the enviro 200’s and solely concentrate on bolstering their core commercial network around Ipswich.

First have been successful as part of BSIP to improve their Lowestoft town network and restore frequencies and routes to pre-Covid levels. Not sure when this will come into effect?

Central Connect seem to like these kind of marginal tenders such as the ‘Village Links’ - they made it clear when they took over Simonds that they wanted to expand.

I bet any thoughts of using the colour blue for the new Ipswich Buses livery/branding (which was rumoured) have now been abandoned. They wouldn’t want to be confused with Central Connect.

 

[stuart81]

I wonder if Central Connect are taking on the 972 school route as well as that currently operates either side of the 14?

I think the First E200's have only hung on because the reliability of the Streetlites has been so bad

 

[_sSamuel]

I wonder if Central Connect are taking on the 972 school route as well as that currently operates either side of the 14?

I think the First E200's have only hung on because the reliability of the Streetlites has been so bad

The 972 is a separate contract I believe, only runs either side of the 14 as it only requires a midi enviro, and makes operational sense.

 

[buslad1988]

There’s been an interesting development in Ipswich. The tendered town service 14 changes operator from 7th April - from First to Central Connect (Simonds).

It’s quite some distance from their base in Diss, unsure how they’ll place it into their existing work?

Great local press as usual…

Council to pay over £250 per day to keep a bus service going for two years

Ipswich Borough Council is set to pay over £250 per day of service to ensure that bus service 14 in town keeps going.

www.ipswichstar.co.uk

Doesn’t mention it’ll no longer be First from April - and of course all the comments regarding greedy privatised bus companies ensue.

 

[stuart81]

Great local press as usual…

Council to pay over £250 per day to keep a bus service going for two years

Ipswich Borough Council is set to pay over £250 per day of service to ensure that bus service 14 in town keeps going.

www.ipswichstar.co.uk

Doesn’t mention it’ll no longer be First from April - and of course all the comments regarding greedy privatised bus companies ensue.

Hasn’t the 14 been subsidised for years now? I remember when it was interlinked with the old Ipswich Buses 22 using Metroriders and I vaguely remember it being withdrawn back then?

 

[buslad1988]

Hasn’t the 14 been subsidised for years now? I remember when it was interlinked with the old Ipswich Buses 22 using Metroriders and I vaguely remember it being withdrawn back then?

It’s been subsided since about 2016; along with the 7 (formerly 19) and 16. The latter two routes are off peak hourly during the week and 2 hourly on Saturday. The 7 has the biggest potential linking the large Castle Hill/Whitton estates with Asda/Anglia Retail Park but who’s going to wait around for an infrequent service like that?!

All (along with the 6, 8B and 20/21/22) made up the midibus routes. To be fair they’ve all lasted longer than many other places! The narrow metroriders were very nippy around the estates, although Ipswich always opted for the wider Solo.

I recall Ipswich’s then MD saying how popular and modern the Solo’s were when first introduced; a ‘big bus’ feeling in a small vehicle.

The 14 used to serve a lot of the back roads in Chantry and linked up to Tesco and Belstead village back in the day. At its height was every 30 minutes.

The trouble with it now is it caters for such a niche market. It doesn’t venture far from services 12,13 and 15/15A which are much more frequent and it doesn’t pass any supermarkets etc. Not to mention it sits at Tower Ramparts for about 20 minutes between trips! The parked cars are also shocking on the route; you’re bouncing up and down pavements throughout!

Perhaps a better alternative would have been to revise the 14 and 16, joining them together as a circular (14/14A?). Providing links to Asda Stoke Park from Chantry and visa versa. Hourly each way. Would of made much better use of the subsidy and created potential for new passengers; rather than just sticking with the status quo which is the all too often lazy option!

 

[MotCO]

Perhaps a better alternative would have been to revise the 14 and 16, joining them together as a circular (14/14A?). Providing links to Asda Stoke Park from Chantry and visa versa. Hourly each way. Would of made much better use of the subsidy and created potential for new passengers; rather than just sticking with the status quo which is the all too often lazy option!

Do Councils ever ask bidders for any variant bids where the bidder believes a better service or route could be provided for much the same cost? In other words, using the experience of operators to suggest improvements to the service.

 

[buslad1988]

Do Councils ever ask bidders for any variant bids where the bidder believes a better service or route could be provided for much the same cost? In other words, using the experience of operators to suggest improvements to the service.

I believe the councils that do are in the minority… which concerns me when people hark on about bringing buses back into local authority control - it’s pot luck as to wether you really are getting a better service and value for money. Having a bus sat parked for 20 minutes between trips is hardly the best use of resource for the vehicle/driver.

The whole Ipswich network needs reviewing to be honest, it’s overdue and hasn’t had any significant changes for the past 8 years. They need high frequency town centre shuttle services alongside an orbital route operating clockwise/anti-clockwise (like Arriva’s the ‘loop’ in Milton Keynes) to avoid all journeys having to go through town - indeed that’s what puts off many people wanting to leave their cars.

When you look at the Ipswich network map today compared with 30 years ago bar a few withdrawals the core routes are basically the same… just a lot lower frequency in some cases. The North West of town is desolate for Ipswich Buses except the 6, which appears to not even be able to support its own evening service, having the 5E instead.

I was hoping Dan Bassett being from Reading Buses would to great things to rejuvenate the brand and make significant changes where in the past everything had always been left ‘as was’. First as competition appear to have retrenched, so it’d be nice to see him really put his stamp on things!

 

[richard13]

Doesn't surprise me as First Essex has the X20 Stansted to Colchester via Braintree

Central Connect have announced that they will replace it with the 333 in June on Essex contract.
It will be hourly 05:45 to 18:30, then 2 hourly Mon-Fri until 22:30. Sat 3 hourly until 20:45.
No overnight service and no Sunday service.

Central Connect 333

Essex - Service 333 set for Take-Off!​

Today Tue 11th Mar 2025

Following the announcement by Arriva that service 133 is to be withdrawn at the end of May; Central Connect are pleased to advise we will be launching a replacement service from Monday 2nd June 2025, numbered 333.
Having analysed current usage data, kindly provided by Essex County Council on behalf of Arriva, we don't believe there is sufficient demand to reinstate the full timetable. Service 333 is being offered on a fully commercial basis with no local authority subsidies and as such the timetable has been designed to be as sustainable as possible and cover all existing periods that are deemed to be financially viable.

Timetable​

Service 333 will operate a generally hourly timetable on weekdays between approximately 0530 and 1930, with a reduced number of journeys continuing until approximately 2330.
On Saturdays a limited timetable will initially operate with buses running every 3 hours in each direction between 0530 and 2130.
At present, we don't believe there is sufficient demand to warrant a continuation of Sunday or overnight journeys.
>>Click here for a preview of the New Service 333 Timetable<<

Route​

There will be no changes to the route, however the single morning alteration to serve Braintree College will not continue.

 

[robert west]

Central Connect have announced that they will replace it with the 333 in June on Essex contract.
It will be hourly 05:45 to 18:30, then 2 hourly Mon-Fri until 22:30. Sat 3 hourly until 20:45.
No overnight service and no Sunday service.

Central Connect 333

Essex - Service 333 set for Take-Off!​

Today Tue 11th Mar 2025

Following the announcement by Arriva that service 133 is to be withdrawn at the end of May; Central Connect are pleased to advise we will be launching a replacement service from Monday 2nd June 2025, numbered 333.
Having analysed current usage data, kindly provided by Essex County Council on behalf of Arriva, we don't believe there is sufficient demand to reinstate the full timetable. Service 333 is being offered on a fully commercial basis with no local authority subsidies and as such the timetable has been designed to be as sustainable as possible and cover all existing periods that are deemed to be financially viable.

Timetable​

Service 333 will operate a generally hourly timetable on weekdays between approximately 0530 and 1930, with a reduced number of journeys continuing until approximately 2330.
On Saturdays a limited timetable will initially operate with buses running every 3 hours in each direction between 0530 and 2130.
At present, we don't believe there is sufficient demand to warrant a continuation of Sunday or overnight journeys.
>>Click here for a preview of the New Service 333 Timetable<<

Route​

There will be no changes to the route, however the single morning alteration to serve Braintree College will not continue.

does anyone know the fleet numbers for first Basildon fleet yet many thanks

 

[65477]

Central Connect have announced that they will replace it with the 333 in June on Essex contract.
It will be hourly 05:45 to 18:30, then 2 hourly Mon-Fri until 22:30. Sat 3 hourly until 20:45.
No overnight service and no Sunday service.

Central Connect 333

Essex - Service 333 set for Take-Off!​

Today Tue 11th Mar 2025

Following the announcement by Arriva that service 133 is to be withdrawn at the end of May; Central Connect are pleased to advise we will be launching a replacement service from Monday 2nd June 2025, numbered 333.
Having analysed current usage data, kindly provided by Essex County Council on behalf of Arriva, we don't believe there is sufficient demand to reinstate the full timetable. Service 333 is being offered on a fully commercial basis with no local authority subsidies and as such the timetable has been designed to be as sustainable as possible and cover all existing periods that are deemed to be financially viable.

Timetable​

Service 333 will operate a generally hourly timetable on weekdays between approximately 0530 and 1930, with a reduced number of journeys continuing until approximately 2330.
On Saturdays a limited timetable will initially operate with buses running every 3 hours in each direction between 0530 and 2130.
At present, we don't believe there is sufficient demand to warrant a continuation of Sunday or overnight journeys.
>>Click here for a preview of the New Service 333 Timetable<<

Route​

There will be no changes to the route, however the single morning alteration to serve Braintree College will not continue.

Good headline but does not reflect the article or Central Connect's press release.

The article is more about the reduction in hours of service than failing and CC have made clear the have fully analysed the potential traffic and are running this as a commercial service.

 

[F Great Eastern]

Felixstowe Travel have ceased trading.