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Waterside Line (Southampton - Hythe)

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Soundwave

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Wonder how they'll feel when the bus service is inevitably cut. Now doubt they'll blame Bluestar
 
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zwk500

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I thought it had been posted with the newspaper article, but it looks like it hasn't so if anybody wants here's the consultation summary report:

Through the consultation process Network Rail will take onboard suggestions in response to feedback from both statutory and community consultees.
Network Rail is committed to ongoing consultation and engagement with interested parties. This commitment also extends to after the application has been submitted to the Secretary of State for Transport. Stakeholder engagement will continue as the TWA Order progresses through the procedures process, and beyond to the completion of the Scheme. Network Rail will continue to work with local authorities so that the Scheme can be introduced with the minimum of disruption.
 
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Dougal2345

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Go South Coast (the Bluestar owner) certainly isn't happy:

"The proposals will impact our customers and not meet the strategic aims of the scheme by increasing social exclusion, reducing access to sustainable transport and worsen connectivity and therefore impacting negatively on levelling up"

I'm surprised they didn't also warn of the risks the proposals pose of nuclear escalation in Ukraine and of spreading pandemics faster.
 

nw1

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Go South Coast (the Bluestar owner) certainly isn't happy:

"The proposals will impact our customers and not meet the strategic aims of the scheme by increasing social exclusion, reducing access to sustainable transport and worsen connectivity and therefore impacting negatively on levelling up"

I'm surprised they didn't also warn of the risks the proposals pose of nuclear escalation in Ukraine and of spreading pandemics faster.

How does it increase social exclusion?

If they think the train will make it harder for certain passengers to travel, there is no reason why they cannot continue to provide a bus service on the same corridor. There are plenty of examples where trains and buses run on the same corridor, but serve different markets - in the sense that the bus can get to areas more distant from a station, but the train is faster for those who live closer to the town centres.

Plus, they also have a great opportunity to be a participant in an integrated transport system for the area. For example, they could provide feeder buses to points further down the water, meeting trains at the new Hythe station. Or, additional Hythe town services. Or they could, if they are feeling enterprising, also provide connections at Hythe for tourist destinations such as Beaulieu, Exbury and Lepe.
 

zwk500

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How does it increase social exclusion?

If they think the train will make it harder for certain passengers to travel, there is no reason why they cannot continue to provide a bus service on the same corridor. There are plenty of examples where trains and buses run on the same corridor, but serve different markets - in the sense that the bus can get to areas more distant from a station, but the train is faster for those who live closer to the town centres.
I suspect they are suggesting that they will want a subsidy to continue operating the bus, because the market isn't big enough to support both at the same time.
Plus, they also have a great opportunity to be a participant in an integrated transport system for the area. For example, they could provide feeder buses to points further down the water, meeting trains at the new Hythe station. Or, additional Hythe town services. Or they could, if they are feeling enterprising, also provide connections at Hythe for tourist destinations such as Beaulieu, Exbury and Lepe.
This requires wider industry and local political appetite to coordinate time, fares and publicity. And Hythe won't have room for buses to be hanging around long outside it. Totton or Brockenhurst are more likely to be providing those tourists connections. The Hythe line will be almost exclusively for residents of Hythe, Marchwood and Totton to get into Southampton city centre or change at Southampton Central station for London.
 

Megafuss

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How does it increase social exclusion?

If they think the train will make it harder for certain passengers to travel, there is no reason why they cannot continue to provide a bus service on the same corridor. There are plenty of examples where trains and buses run on the same corridor, but serve different markets - in the sense that the bus can get to areas more distant from a station, but the train is faster for those who live closer to the town centres.

Plus, they also have a great opportunity to be a participant in an integrated transport system for the area. For example, they could provide feeder buses to points further down the water, meeting trains at the new Hythe station. Or, additional Hythe town services. Or they could, if they are feeling enterprising, also provide connections at Hythe for tourist destinations such as Beaulieu, Exbury and Lepe.
If the revenue drops because the train abstracts revenue, the bus service may become unviable and they could withdraw it, hence social exclusion.

No disrespect to the likes of Calshot, Exbury and Beaulieu, but they will never ever generate the £30 to £50 an hour of revenue needed to make a service viable alone.
 

Dougal2345

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nw1

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If another operator does not restart the service probably the end for the Hythe Pier railway too.

Very sad. While this is not the very worst thing going on right now, it's symptomatic of what a ghastly era the early 2020s are.
 

STEVIEBOY1

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Very sad news about the Ferry Service, I have used it a few times and the Hythe Pier Railway too and both seem well patronised.

I presume now, if you want to travel from Southampton to Hythe, you have to take a bus, how long would that journey be. ?

Lets hope the Mainline rail service is happening soon.
 

kwrail

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I suspect they are suggesting that they will want a subsidy to continue operating the bus, because the market isn't big enough to support both at the same time.

This requires wider industry and local political appetite to coordinate time, fares and publicity. And Hythe won't have room for buses to be hanging around long outside it. Totton or Brockenhurst are more likely to be providing those tourists connections. The Hythe line will be almost exclusively for residents of Hythe, Marchwood and Totton to get into Southampton city centre or change at Southampton Central station for London.
One of the advantages of the Jones Lane site for the Hythe station (apart from saving money and reducing inconvenience from not having to upgrade the School Road level crossing) is that there is space in Southampton Road for connecting buses to wait. This would not be the case for the New Road car park site.
 

zwk500

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One of the advantages of the Jones Lane site for the Hythe station (apart from saving money and reducing inconvenience from not having to upgrade the School Road level crossing) is that there is space in Southampton Road for connecting buses to wait. This would not be the case for the New Road car park site.
Not that much space, and the disadvantages of the site for construction, disabled access, less convenient for the town and less parking in the vicinity outweighs the small advantage of the bus space.
 

Wychwood93

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Very sad news about the Ferry Service, I have used it a few times and the Hythe Pier Railway too and both seem well patronised.

I presume now, if you want to travel from Southampton to Hythe, you have to take a bus, how long would that journey be. ?

Lets hope the Mainline rail service is happening soon.
The Bluestar 8 takes 57 minutes from Westquay to Hythe and the no.9 takes 40 minutes.
 

James H

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Went for a ride on the ferry today. There's a possible further announcement coming soon about the future of the service.
 

adamello

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Went for a ride on the ferry today. There's a possible further announcement coming soon about the future of the service.
Last night on Facebook, Blue Funnel, who currently operated the service stated:
Thursday 29th December 2022.
With the recent announcement of Hythe Ferry ceasing operation, there has been several parties interested in taking on or purchasing the business and continuing the Ferry Service.
At this moment in time, the ferry will continue to operate under Blue Funnel while discussions continue with a potential new owner/operator.
We strongly urge you to support the ferry during this period, and show your love of the vital link, while we hopefully complete the transition to a new operator. Confidential discussions mean no names will be released at this period in time.

 

STEVIEBOY1

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Last night on Facebook, Blue Funnel, who currently operated the service stated:


That's some good news then?
 

yorkie

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Edit: as there is no actual progress of any note, and this is still speculative at this stage, please continue the discussion at the following thread:

 
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