Nottingham 'Bus War'

[Robertj21a]

If we name the thread East Mids Bus News then it can be for the whole of East Mids.

Too big an area.

 

[Skymonster]

Something needs to be done with the title because this topic keeps being contaminated with posts relating to Derby.

 

[chessie]

This thread has certainly morphed from the bus wars days!

Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire are fairly small counties with Derby and Nottingham being particularly quite close to each other in the transport world despite the county boundary, therefore its correct Derby often appears here in my view. I am happy for the thread to change name as per the majority votes but keep it all the same, its always been a good and often informative read here.

 

[Mitch in Notts]

As to coverage, I've just flicked through the first two pages of this thread from 10 years ago. There is regular mention of Loughborough. Postings on the First & Arriva Bus War/situation in Leicester, and of course the situation on the Nottingham to Derby corridor. So that's 3 counties mentioned in the first year of the thread......

 

[SCH117X]

DerbyLeicNotts Bus News ?

 

[cnjb8]

CT4N have an Optare Solo SR in white from what I think is Dawsons. It is KY16 PWO

 

[cnjb8]

TrentBarton and Kinch order 55 Alexander-Dennis Enviro200 MMCs.

https://www.alexander-dennis.com/me...e-alexander-dennis-enviro200-for-trentbarton/

 

[Robertj21a]

TrentBarton and Kinch order 55 Alexander-Dennis Enviro200 MMCs.

https://www.alexander-dennis.com/me...e-alexander-dennis-enviro200-for-trentbarton/

Probably for Skylink Derby, Threes and Rainbow One.

 

[cnjb8]

Probably for Skylink Derby, Threes and Rainbow One.

Looks like we might see the end of the Scania L94UB.
The Mercedes-Benz Citaros, both 0530 and 0295, have had severe reliability issues.
Some are rumoured for Kinch 2 with an increase in frequency, so:
Skylink Derby PVR = 11
Threes = 18
Rainbow One = 16
Kinch 2 = 5, maybe more after potential frequency increase.
If my maths is correct, then that's 50 buses unless Rainbow One gets a frequency increase to compensate for Rapid One withdrawal.

 

[Mitch in Notts]

If my maths is correct, then that's 50 buses unless Rainbow One gets a frequency increase to compensate for Rapid One withdrawal.

You'd get my vote for Prime Minister if we get a frequency increase on the Rainbow One when Rapid goes!

 

[ag51ruk]

If the electric buses promised for the Mickleover ever appear, that will free up 8 MMCs as well (although it's gone very quiet on that, despite receiving government funding)

 

[cnjb8]

You'd get my vote for Prime Minister if we get a frequency increase on the Rainbow One when Rapid goes!

If the electric buses promised for the Mickleover ever appear, that will free up 8 MMCs as well (although it's gone very quiet on that, despite receiving government funding)

Last I heard, Derby City Council were struggling to fund it which made no sense as they had OLEV funding.

 

[aswilliamsuk]

Looks like we might see the end of the Scania L94UB.
The Mercedes-Benz Citaros, both 0530 and 0295, have had severe reliability issues.
Some are rumoured for Kinch 2 with an increase in frequency, so:
Skylink Derby PVR = 11
Threes = 18
Rainbow One = 16
Kinch 2 = 5, maybe more after potential frequency increase.
If my maths is correct, then that's 50 buses unless Rainbow One gets a frequency increase to compensate for Rapid One withdrawal.

The upgrade of the Kinch 2 makes sense, as the vehicles currently being used presumably aren't compliant with the upcoming Leicester CAZ?

I still find it hard to understand why Trentbarton have had so many problems with Citaros when everyone else across Europe seems to run them fine, though.

 

[Robertj21a]

The upgrade of the Kinch 2 makes sense, as the vehicles currently being used presumably aren't compliant with the upcoming Leicester CAZ?

I still find it hard to understand why Trentbarton have had so many problems with Citaros when everyone else across Europe seems to run them fine, though.

Yes, very odd. Particularly as it has been going on for so very long.

 

[cnjb8]

The upgrade of the Kinch 2 makes sense, as the vehicles currently being used presumably aren't compliant with the upcoming Leicester CAZ?

I still find it hard to understand why Trentbarton have had so many problems with Citaros when everyone else across Europe seems to run them fine, though.

Maybe it's a right hand drive thing. GoNorth East are starting to have reliability issues with theirs

 

[kevjs]

The transforming cities bid shows what the plan is for the BYD Electric Buses

"The Low package also includes provision for upgrading the entrance and internal ‘Campus’ road at Nottingham City Hospital. This will enable the popular Medilink Park and Ride Service (which acts as a shuttle between Queens Medical Centre and City Hospital, and the Wilkinson Street and Queens Drive Park & Ride sites) to operate with higher-capacity, long range BYD K9 buses – thereby significantly increasing the capacity on this route" https://www.transportnottingham.com/nottingham-and-derby-receive-161m-for-transport-improvements/ (Further Information and Resources section)

 

[cnjb8]

The transforming cities bid shows what the plan is for the BYD Electric Buses

"The Low package also includes provision for upgrading the entrance and internal ‘Campus’ road at Nottingham City Hospital. This will enable the popular Medilink Park and Ride Service (which acts as a shuttle between Queens Medical Centre and City Hospital, and the Wilkinson Street and Queens Drive Park & Ride sites) to operate with higher-capacity, long range BYD K9 buses – thereby significantly increasing the capacity on this route" https://www.transportnottingham.com/nottingham-and-derby-receive-161m-for-transport-improvements/ (Further Information and Resources section)

I wonder if they will still be used on L12. It's nice to see they will be put to use again.

 

[cnjb8]

There are rumours that FJ09 BXM and BXO are going to Langley Mill to operate H1! I have no idea if this is true or not.

 

[43055]

There are rumours that FJ09 BXM and BXO are going to Langley Mill to operate H1! I have no idea if this is true or not.

If this is true then that's 1 more bus than the current pvr for the route.

 

[bussnapperwm]

CT4N have an Optare Solo SR in white from what I think is Dawsons. It is KY16 PWO

New to igo, Aston (West Midlands Special Needs Transport).

Photo when with them - https://www.busphotography.co.uk/ky16pwo/

 

[43055]

trentbarton have listed some changes to the following routes from Monday due to the reduction in passengers:
royal derby, rapid one - no service
indigo, skylink Nottingham - Sunday service (still 24/7)
skylink express - Saturday service
X38 - Sunday service starting at 7am and until 7pm

all other routes are as normal

 

[Mitch in Notts]

Sweeping changes amongst a number of operators. Hulleys, Centrebus, Arriva, Midland Classic, Marshalls of Sutton on Trent, Stagecoach etc have all announced cuts. NCT have only altered the Uni routes - 4,31 & 34 so far.

 

[edwin_m]

NCT have only altered the Uni routes - 4,31 & 34 so far.

I expect they'll soon implement their usual summer holiday changes, when the buses per hour on the frequent routes reduces a bit but the less frequent routes are unaffected.

 

[Mitch in Notts]

I expect they'll soon implement their usual summer holiday changes, when the buses per hour on the frequent routes reduces a bit but the less frequent routes are unaffected.

I can see them introducing a Saturday timetable on the basis that most office workers are off and education establishments closed. Possibly even a Sunday service with earlier starts....

 

[Mitch in Notts]

Stagecoach axing all Evening and Sunday services yet seem to be maintaining Weekday daytime service levels which is surprising - e.g. - Pronto still every 10 minutes but last bus around 7pm and no Sunday service!

 

[edwin_m]

I can see them introducing a Saturday timetable on the basis that most office workers are off and education establishments closed. Possibly even a Sunday service with earlier starts....

That has now been announced. https://www.nctx.co.uk/postponement-fare-change-and-change-service-levels

In these unprecedented times, we’re postponing the rise in fares that should have taken effect from 29th March 2020.
...
As our employee availability reduces due to COVID-19, we will no longer be able to continue running a full timetable. The number of people travelling has reduced as people follow government advice and avoid non-essential use of public transport.

We recognise however that some people still need to travel and you need certainty from us on what services we can realistically provide.
...
Week Commencing Sunday 22nd March 2020…

• We will operate a full timetable on all days except university services 4 and 31 which are suspended until further notice because of the closure of universities. The 34 will operate to its holiday timetable.
• School services A1 and A2 and other schoolday variations will also not operate.

Week Commencing Sunday 29th March 2020…

• A normal Sunday timetable will operate on Sundays.
• We will operate a Saturday timetable on all routes on Mondays to Saturdays, with the exception of Navy 49 which will operate a normal weekday timetable.
• There will be no NightBus services on any night of the week.

...
From Sunday 5th April 2020 Onwards…
NCT will review staff availability on a regular basis and will publicly announce each Friday afternoon the level of service we can operate for the next working week, i.e. from a week on Monday after the announcement.

 

[cnjb8]

Littles Travel have an ex Igo ADL Enviro200 numbered B15 registered KX59 CYY.
Meanwhile at Wellglade Group, FH54 VRX has had its Amazebus branding removed and replace with the same branding worn by the driver trainer Optare Tempos.

 

[Mugby]

Looking at Trentbarton's emergency timetable, I can imagine them having to be much more stringent in the near future.

For example, I can't see a 10 minute service on The Sixes being sustainable for long.
I live in Derby city centre and I noticed many of their services running empty yesterday, even some Mickleovers.

 

[Robertj21a]

Looking at Trentbarton's emergency timetable, I can imagine them having to be much more stringent in the near future.

For example, I can't see a 10 minute service on The Sixes being sustainable for long.
I live in Derby city centre and I noticed many of their services running empty yesterday, even some Mickleovers.

The sheer size of the new travel restrictions suggests to me that a 'Sunday frequency with tweaks' should be adequate for most routes, as long as those still working are catered for in the 'peaks'.

 

[43055]

On the way to and from work yesterday I noticed the royal derby was still running. The Sunday frequency on arriva routes looked about right for the loadings.