Bank Holiday Services
Bank Holiday Services
(25 Mar 2016, 6:56 pm)tyresmoke Been working Metro replacements today and never seen anything like today. Even the Coasters were running in pairs with standing loads. Definitely demand for a higher service frequency on the main routes on Good Friday and has been for years.
(25 Mar 2016, 6:56 pm)tyresmoke Been working Metro replacements today and never seen anything like today. Even the Coasters were running in pairs with standing loads. Definitely demand for a higher service frequency on the main routes on Good Friday and has been for years.
(25 Mar 2016, 2:53 pm)idiot Stagecoach tweeting high customer demand causing delays. It's the 21st century that's why and I'm sure you could run more than a Sunday service.
(25 Mar 2016, 3:10 pm)Ambassador Speaking of high demand. A 40 minute wait for a 21. Outrageously bad.
This happens every bank holiday (and reliability is awful on Sundays too)
You'd think they'd learn to react to demand
(25 Mar 2016, 6:56 pm)tyresmoke Been working Metro replacements today and never seen anything like today. Even the Coasters were running in pairs with standing loads. Definitely demand for a higher service frequency on the main routes on Good Friday and has been for years.
(25 Mar 2016, 6:59 pm)Jimmi Sunday timetables on Bank Holidays don't work, they barely work on Sundays in some cases!
(25 Mar 2016, 2:53 pm)idiot Stagecoach tweeting high customer demand causing delays. It's the 21st century that's why and I'm sure you could run more than a Sunday service.
(25 Mar 2016, 3:10 pm)Ambassador Speaking of high demand. A 40 minute wait for a 21. Outrageously bad.
This happens every bank holiday (and reliability is awful on Sundays too)
You'd think they'd learn to react to demand
(25 Mar 2016, 6:56 pm)tyresmoke Been working Metro replacements today and never seen anything like today. Even the Coasters were running in pairs with standing loads. Definitely demand for a higher service frequency on the main routes on Good Friday and has been for years.
(25 Mar 2016, 6:59 pm)Jimmi Sunday timetables on Bank Holidays don't work, they barely work on Sundays in some cases!
Last #2 was 6 minutes late from Silksworth. Driver said to his friends as they were getting off its just been manic.
Sounded almost like couldn't cope with demand. Not been funny but this is the last bus of the evening? Surely should of caught up on schedule from the busy period? When will bus depots get out of the 19th century?
The crazy thing is Easter Sunday having a regular service when all that's open are pubs....yet New Year's Day has nothing.
The 21 has been utterly hopeless on Sunday's for yonks, surely they saw today coming? It's just bad management all round
(26 Mar 2016, 12:22 am)Michael Think it depends on the route...
I would imagine the 21 would suit its normal times but something like the 28, not sure it would, I'm taking guesses as I'm not from the area.
(26 Mar 2016, 12:22 am)Michael Think it depends on the route...
I would imagine the 21 would suit its normal times but something like the 28, not sure it would, I'm taking guesses as I'm not from the area.
For years, operators have told us services operate using data from previous years.
If they are indeed doing that, why isn't anything changing?
If demand is increasing year on year, why aren't operators stepping up and beyond?
In addition that, I would love to know how data is analysed for services that are non-existent on Bank Holidays.
How can they work out passenger demands, without data?
Yesterday, I went inland for the day, visiting areas served by a major operator during the normal working week - when demand is probably lower than it was yesterday (judging by the cars parked and visitors visiting - in addition to those living and working in the areas).
Was there a bus service yesterday? Whey no. Of course there wasn't.
(25 Mar 2016, 3:10 pm)Ambassador Speaking of high demand. A 40 minute wait for a 21. Outrageously bad.
This happens every bank holiday (and reliability is awful on Sundays too)
You'd think they'd learn to react to demand
(25 Mar 2016, 3:10 pm)Ambassador Speaking of high demand. A 40 minute wait for a 21. Outrageously bad.
This happens every bank holiday (and reliability is awful on Sundays too)
You'd think they'd learn to react to demand
(26 Mar 2016, 12:28 am)South Tyne Lad Going by what I've seen on Sundays, I think the 21 needs upgrading to every 7 Mins like what's shown on Monday - Saturday, Also on Monday to Saturday the service needs upgrading to every 4-5 Mins -
Newcastle City Centre - Chester-Le-Street.
(26 Mar 2016, 12:28 am)South Tyne Lad Going by what I've seen on Sundays, I think the 21 needs upgrading to every 7 Mins like what's shown on Monday - Saturday, Also on Monday to Saturday the service needs upgrading to every 4-5 Mins -
Newcastle City Centre - Chester-Le-Street.
My mam passed Ashington bus station at about 1015, and she said there was large queues for the x22.
(26 Mar 2016, 8:25 am)Andreos1 For years, operators have told us services operate using data from previous years.
If they are indeed doing that, why isn't anything changing?
If demand is increasing year on year, why aren't operators stepping up and beyond?
In addition that, I would love to know how data is analysed for services that are non-existent on Bank Holidays.
How can they work out passenger demands, without data?
Yesterday, I went inland for the day, visiting areas served by a major operator during the normal working week - when demand is probably lower than it was yesterday (judging by the cars parked and visitors visiting - in addition to those living and working in the areas).
Was there a bus service yesterday? Whey no. Of course there wasn't.
(26 Mar 2016, 8:25 am)Andreos1 For years, operators have told us services operate using data from previous years.
If they are indeed doing that, why isn't anything changing?
If demand is increasing year on year, why aren't operators stepping up and beyond?
In addition that, I would love to know how data is analysed for services that are non-existent on Bank Holidays.
How can they work out passenger demands, without data?
Yesterday, I went inland for the day, visiting areas served by a major operator during the normal working week - when demand is probably lower than it was yesterday (judging by the cars parked and visitors visiting - in addition to those living and working in the areas).
Was there a bus service yesterday? Whey no. Of course there wasn't.
(26 Mar 2016, 6:08 pm)Adrian I didn't bother going out at all yesterday, as I really don't fancy waiting round for ages and ages to get anywhere. The service I have on a Sunday is piss poor, yet still far better than what a lot of Durham has. Several villages are without a bus service for 3 out of 4 days over the Easter weekend, yet we're apparently in 2016.
(26 Mar 2016, 6:08 pm)Adrian I didn't bother going out at all yesterday, as I really don't fancy waiting round for ages and ages to get anywhere. The service I have on a Sunday is piss poor, yet still far better than what a lot of Durham has. Several villages are without a bus service for 3 out of 4 days over the Easter weekend, yet we're apparently in 2016.
(27 Mar 2016, 1:10 pm)palatine3833 You have to look at the bigger picture though. Yes, demand is greater on Easter weekends etc., but the drivers also have families that they would like to spend the time of year with. Since it's a bank holiday, the company has to rely on volunteers to work the holiday - if you don't have the volunteers, you can't operate the services. Then you also have to look at the additional costs of operating on such holidays, since the drivers that do volunteer will need an incentive to do so. I agree that some parts of the region need higher operating levels on these holidays and that a Sunday service is, in the most part, inadequate, so maybe operators could design a 'special timetable' to relieve the crowds.
(27 Mar 2016, 1:10 pm)palatine3833 You have to look at the bigger picture though. Yes, demand is greater on Easter weekends etc., but the drivers also have families that they would like to spend the time of year with. Since it's a bank holiday, the company has to rely on volunteers to work the holiday - if you don't have the volunteers, you can't operate the services. Then you also have to look at the additional costs of operating on such holidays, since the drivers that do volunteer will need an incentive to do so. I agree that some parts of the region need higher operating levels on these holidays and that a Sunday service is, in the most part, inadequate, so maybe operators could design a 'special timetable' to relieve the crowds.
(27 Mar 2016, 1:10 pm)palatine3833 You have to look at the bigger picture though. Yes, demand is greater on Easter weekends etc., but the drivers also have families that they would like to spend the time of year with. Since it's a bank holiday, the company has to rely on volunteers to work the holiday - if you don't have the volunteers, you can't operate the services. Then you also have to look at the additional costs of operating on such holidays, since the drivers that do volunteer will need an incentive to do so. I agree that some parts of the region need higher operating levels on these holidays and that a Sunday service is, in the most part, inadequate, so maybe operators could design a 'special timetable' to relieve the crowds.
(27 Mar 2016, 1:10 pm)palatine3833 You have to look at the bigger picture though. Yes, demand is greater on Easter weekends etc., but the drivers also have families that they would like to spend the time of year with. Since it's a bank holiday, the company has to rely on volunteers to work the holiday - if you don't have the volunteers, you can't operate the services. Then you also have to look at the additional costs of operating on such holidays, since the drivers that do volunteer will need an incentive to do so. I agree that some parts of the region need higher operating levels on these holidays and that a Sunday service is, in the most part, inadequate, so maybe operators could design a 'special timetable' to relieve the crowds.
Completely agree. Retail and other service sectors (GNE drivers are part of this service sector) wouldn't think twice about working bank holidays.
Most companies either pay well for working it or offer a day off in lieu plus your bank holiday allowance.
I'm not saying a full service on all routes but key flagship stuff like the 21, X1 etc should have better than Sunday when the Sunday timetable doesn't even work for those routes on a normal Sunday! I've ended up driving on Sunday's because the 21 is simply totally unreliable .
Looking at some of the routes on a Bank Holiday, I think they should operate to these timetables giving the best of reduced costs whilst meeting demand during the day:
GNE:
- Coaster 1/1A every 15 minutes between Whitley Bay and Gateshead with hourly / half hourly extensions as per usual Sunday timetable to Kibblesworth or Wrekenton during the daytime.
- Simplicity 2/2A every 30 minutes each combining every 15 minutes during the daytime.
- Connections 4 every 10 minutes between Heworth and Fallowfield Way continuing every 20 minutes to
Houghton Le Spring during the daytime.
- Red Arrows X1 every 15 minutes during the daytime.
- TEN 10 / 10A / 10B normal Saturday service during the daytime.
- Angel 21 normal Saturday service during the daytime.
- Castles Express X21 normal Saturday service.
- Crusader 27 every 15 minutes during the daytime.
- Red Kite 45 / 46 / 47 normal Saturday service during the daytime.
- Fab 56 every 15 minutes during the daytime.
- Drifter 60 every 15 minutes during the daytime.
- Drifter 61 every 15 minutes during the daytime.
- Loop 93 / 94 normal Saturday service during the daytime.
- Cobalt Clipper 309 / 310 every 20 minutes each or every 10 minutes combined during the daytime.
Note that these could run every 15 minutes each (7-8 combined) with the 309 only continuing between Blyth and Whitley Bay every 30 minutes.
Arriva:
- X21 / X22 every 30 minutes each or every 15 minutes combined during the daytime.
- 35 every 60 minutes during the daytime.
- X10 / X11 every 30 minutes each or every 15 minutes combined during the daytime.
- X16 every 60 minutes between Morpeth and Newcastle interworking with service 35 at Morpeth.
This would provide a bus every 30 minutes between Morpeth and Newcastle combined with service X18
as well as the additional X15 journeys which normally operate.
- Coastliner 306 / 308 every 20 minutes each or every 10 minutes combined during the daytime.
Note that these could run every 15 minutes each (7-8 combined) with the 308 only continuing between Blyth and Whitley Bay every 30 minutes or even every 15 minutes.
(27 Mar 2016, 3:42 pm)DaveyBowyer Looking at some of the routes on a Bank Holiday, I think they should operate to these timetables giving the best of reduced costs whilst meeting demand during the day:
GNE:
- Coaster 1/1A every 15 minutes between Whitley Bay and Gateshead with hourly / half hourly extensions as per usual Sunday timetable to Kibblesworth or Wrekenton during the daytime.
- Simplicity 2A/2C every 30 minutes each combining every 15 minutes during the daytime.
- Connections 4 every 10 minutes between Heworth and Fallowfield Way continuing every 20 minutes to
Houghton Le Spring during the daytime.
- Red Arrows X1 every 15 minutes during the daytime.
- TEN 10 / 10A / 10B normal Saturday service during the daytime.
- Angel 21 normal Saturday service during the daytime.
- Castles Express X21 normal Saturday service.
- Crusader 27 every 15 minutes during the daytime.
- Red Kite 45 / 46 / 47 normal Saturday service during the daytime.
- Fab 56 every 15 minutes during the daytime.
- Drifter 60 every 15 minutes during the daytime.
- Drifter 61 every 15 minutes during the daytime.
- Loop 93 / 94 normal Saturday service during the daytime.
- Cobalt Clipper 309 / 310 every 20 minutes each or every 10 minutes combined during the daytime.
Note that these could run every 15 minutes each (7-8 combined) with the 309 only continuing between Blyth and Whitley Bay every 30 minutes.
Arriva:
- X21 / X22 every 30 minutes each or every 15 minutes combined during the daytime.
- 35 every 60 minutes during the daytime.
- X10 / X11 every 30 minutes each or every 15 minutes combined during the daytime.
- X16 every 60 minutes between Morpeth and Newcastle interworking with service 35 at Morpeth.
This would provide a bus every 30 minutes between Morpeth and Newcastle combined with service X18
as well as the additional X15 journeys which normally operate.
- Coastliner 306 / 308 every 20 minutes each or every 10 minutes combined during the daytime.
Note that these could run every 15 minutes each (7-8 combined) with the 308 only continuing between Blyth and Whitley Bay every 30 minutes or even every 15 minutes.
(27 Mar 2016, 3:42 pm)DaveyBowyer Looking at some of the routes on a Bank Holiday, I think they should operate to these timetables giving the best of reduced costs whilst meeting demand during the day:
GNE:
- Coaster 1/1A every 15 minutes between Whitley Bay and Gateshead with hourly / half hourly extensions as per usual Sunday timetable to Kibblesworth or Wrekenton during the daytime.
- Simplicity 2A/2C every 30 minutes each combining every 15 minutes during the daytime.
- Connections 4 every 10 minutes between Heworth and Fallowfield Way continuing every 20 minutes to
Houghton Le Spring during the daytime.
- Red Arrows X1 every 15 minutes during the daytime.
- TEN 10 / 10A / 10B normal Saturday service during the daytime.
- Angel 21 normal Saturday service during the daytime.
- Castles Express X21 normal Saturday service.
- Crusader 27 every 15 minutes during the daytime.
- Red Kite 45 / 46 / 47 normal Saturday service during the daytime.
- Fab 56 every 15 minutes during the daytime.
- Drifter 60 every 15 minutes during the daytime.
- Drifter 61 every 15 minutes during the daytime.
- Loop 93 / 94 normal Saturday service during the daytime.
- Cobalt Clipper 309 / 310 every 20 minutes each or every 10 minutes combined during the daytime.
Note that these could run every 15 minutes each (7-8 combined) with the 309 only continuing between Blyth and Whitley Bay every 30 minutes.
Arriva:
- X21 / X22 every 30 minutes each or every 15 minutes combined during the daytime.
- 35 every 60 minutes during the daytime.
- X10 / X11 every 30 minutes each or every 15 minutes combined during the daytime.
- X16 every 60 minutes between Morpeth and Newcastle interworking with service 35 at Morpeth.
This would provide a bus every 30 minutes between Morpeth and Newcastle combined with service X18
as well as the additional X15 journeys which normally operate.
- Coastliner 306 / 308 every 20 minutes each or every 10 minutes combined during the daytime.
Note that these could run every 15 minutes each (7-8 combined) with the 308 only continuing between Blyth and Whitley Bay every 30 minutes or even every 15 minutes.
(27 Mar 2016, 3:42 pm)DaveyBowyer Looking at some of the routes on a Bank Holiday, I think they should operate to these timetables giving the best of reduced costs whilst meeting demand during the day:
GNE:
- Coaster 1/1A every 15 minutes between Whitley Bay and Gateshead with hourly / half hourly extensions as per usual Sunday timetable to Kibblesworth or Wrekenton during the daytime.
- Simplicity 2/2A every 30 minutes each combining every 15 minutes during the daytime.
- Connections 4 every 10 minutes between Heworth and Fallowfield Way continuing every 20 minutes to
Houghton Le Spring during the daytime.
- Red Arrows X1 every 15 minutes during the daytime.
- TEN 10 / 10A / 10B normal Saturday service during the daytime.
- Angel 21 normal Saturday service during the daytime.
- Castles Express X21 normal Saturday service.
- Crusader 27 every 15 minutes during the daytime.
- Red Kite 45 / 46 / 47 normal Saturday service during the daytime.
- Fab 56 every 15 minutes during the daytime.
- Drifter 60 every 15 minutes during the daytime.
- Drifter 61 every 15 minutes during the daytime.
- Loop 93 / 94 normal Saturday service during the daytime.
- Cobalt Clipper 309 / 310 every 20 minutes each or every 10 minutes combined during the daytime.
Note that these could run every 15 minutes each (7-8 combined) with the 309 only continuing between Blyth and Whitley Bay every 30 minutes.
Arriva:
- X21 / X22 every 30 minutes each or every 15 minutes combined during the daytime.
- 35 every 60 minutes during the daytime.
- X10 / X11 every 30 minutes each or every 15 minutes combined during the daytime.
- X16 every 60 minutes between Morpeth and Newcastle interworking with service 35 at Morpeth.
This would provide a bus every 30 minutes between Morpeth and Newcastle combined with service X18
as well as the additional X15 journeys which normally operate.
- Coastliner 306 / 308 every 20 minutes each or every 10 minutes combined during the daytime.
Note that these could run every 15 minutes each (7-8 combined) with the 308 only continuing between Blyth and Whitley Bay every 30 minutes or even every 15 minutes.
(27 Mar 2016, 3:42 pm)DaveyBowyer Looking at some of the routes on a Bank Holiday, I think they should operate to these timetables giving the best of reduced costs whilst meeting demand during the day:
GNE:
- Coaster 1/1A every 15 minutes between Whitley Bay and Gateshead with hourly / half hourly extensions as per usual Sunday timetable to Kibblesworth or Wrekenton during the daytime.
- Simplicity 2/2A every 30 minutes each combining every 15 minutes during the daytime.
- Connections 4 every 10 minutes between Heworth and Fallowfield Way continuing every 20 minutes to
Houghton Le Spring during the daytime.
- Red Arrows X1 every 15 minutes during the daytime.
- TEN 10 / 10A / 10B normal Saturday service during the daytime.
- Angel 21 normal Saturday service during the daytime.
- Castles Express X21 normal Saturday service.
- Crusader 27 every 15 minutes during the daytime.
- Red Kite 45 / 46 / 47 normal Saturday service during the daytime.
- Fab 56 every 15 minutes during the daytime.
- Drifter 60 every 15 minutes during the daytime.
- Drifter 61 every 15 minutes during the daytime.
- Loop 93 / 94 normal Saturday service during the daytime.
- Cobalt Clipper 309 / 310 every 20 minutes each or every 10 minutes combined during the daytime.
Note that these could run every 15 minutes each (7-8 combined) with the 309 only continuing between Blyth and Whitley Bay every 30 minutes.
Arriva:
- X21 / X22 every 30 minutes each or every 15 minutes combined during the daytime.
- 35 every 60 minutes during the daytime.
- X10 / X11 every 30 minutes each or every 15 minutes combined during the daytime.
- X16 every 60 minutes between Morpeth and Newcastle interworking with service 35 at Morpeth.
This would provide a bus every 30 minutes between Morpeth and Newcastle combined with service X18
as well as the additional X15 journeys which normally operate.
- Coastliner 306 / 308 every 20 minutes each or every 10 minutes combined during the daytime.
Note that these could run every 15 minutes each (7-8 combined) with the 308 only continuing between Blyth and Whitley Bay every 30 minutes or even every 15 minutes.
Going back to the topic of buses that don't run on Sundays meaning in most cases you get left with no services for three out of the four days of the Easter Holidays in some places, the following independent operators are running these timetables today:
Dales & District.
29 – Normal timetable
34 – Normal Timetable
54 – Normal Timetable
55 – Normal Timetable
70 – 07.25 from Ripon and 17.25 from Northallerton running only
72 – Saturday Timetable
856 – Normal Timetable (This service runs Sunday's only normally and is part of the Dalesbus network)
159 – Amended Timetable
Ripon, 138, 139 – Saturday Service
Hodgsons Coaches.
Saw a post on their Facebook saying that they were running a full service on the 79 today between Barnard Castle and Richmond.
The Eden.
I'm told that apparently The Eden are running a limited service on the Bishop Auckland Asda Free Bus service today, between around 10:30 and 14:45.
Scarlet Band.
Service 20 which serves Bishopton, Sadberge and Neasham will be running today as the 20 only operates on Monday's so the service runs on Bank Holiday Monday's.