https://twitter.com/passtrans/status/860093711727939584

Final hurdle cleared!

(04 May 2017, 11:31 am)Andreos1 wrote https://twitter.com/passtrans/status/860093711727939584

Final hurdle cleared!

So what does it all mean?

(04 May 2017, 11:34 am)Michael wrote So what does it all mean?

It means eezypeazy will start wittering on about magic money trees

(04 May 2017, 11:34 am)Michael wrote So what does it all mean?

There'll be Government guidance issued in due course, which I assume will be in the form of operator guidance and public guidance. I doubt that this will happen until after the general election now.

(04 May 2017, 8:37 pm)Adrian wrote There'll be Government guidance issued in due course, which I assume will be in the form of operator guidance and public guidance. I doubt that this will happen until after the general election now.

I can confirm that Guidance will indeed be delayed by the General Election. Whether this will prove significant isn't clear.

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/nort...s-13444518

Whatever the merits or benefits of this idea, it is yet another quango and yet another travel pass.

(07 Aug 2017, 8:25 pm)Andreos1 wrote http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/nort...s-13444518

Whatever the merits or benefits of this idea, it is yet another quango and yet another travel pass.

Why would it mean another quango? In fact, the article says that ultimately there will be one less (RailNorth) not one more.

(07 Aug 2017, 8:57 pm)Tamesider wrote Why would it mean another quango? In fact, the article says that ultimately there will be one less (RailNorth) not one more.

TfM, NECA and everything in between.

They were all supposed to be a voice for a particular area and as far as I am aware, are staying.

(07 Aug 2017, 9:14 pm)Andreos1 wrote TfM, NECA and everything in between.

They were all supposed to be a voice for a particular area and as far as I am aware, are staying.

Yes, but you said "another one". Plus, is the news article relevant to the Bus Services Bill? Surely, both this article and these various "quangos" (apart from NECA possibly) all rail oriented.

(08 Aug 2017, 8:22 pm)Tamesider wrote Yes, but you said "another one". Plus, is the news article relevant to the Bus Services Bill? Surely, both this article and these various "quangos" (apart from NECA possibly) all rail oriented.

Well yeah. It's another quango, in addition to the many that exist already.
Aye, those others may focus on a specific region and/or agenda - but this one is 'another one' that will represent the north, in addition to the ones that exist already, focussing on those other agendas (agendai?).

Andy Burnham and other Elected Mayors/Leaders have met in Leeds today. Top of the agenda as far as Gtr. M'cr is concerned is that Andy Burnham has effectively said that Buses WILL be reformed under options in the Bus Services Act, As soon as possible! However, he has NOT committed to Franchising and after all the evidence is gathered, proposals will go out to public consultation next Summer/Autumn. First and Stagecoach have wasted no time in responding; they've announced further inflation busing fare rises from 2nd January. This will be the second increase in 9 months as far as Stagecoach are concerned and means the most vulnerable passengers (part time workers; shoppers and regular visitors to Health Centres will have seen fares increase well over 10% since this time last year.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017...s-grayling

Seemingly at odds with what the DfT have proposed with the Buses Bill, Grayling is suggesting an 'uber' type service in the future.

Wonder if the same logic applies to his fancy plans for the ECML?

Interesting feature for the last half hour on Radio Newcastle regarding buses, bus use and mileage.

Caller on now from South Hetton discussing her difficulties beyond 5pm. She provided examples of going to Peterlee via Sunderland on a Sunday and the difficulties in keeping up traditons in getting to/from Newbottle for dancing. Something that was possible until fairly recently.

I think the quote used initially, was that mileage levels are at similar levels seen in 1986.

(16 Feb 2018, 9:42 am)Andreos1 wrote Interesting feature for the last half hour on Radio Newcastle regarding buses, bus use and mileage.

Caller on now from South Hetton discussing her difficulties beyond 5pm. She provided examples of going to Peterlee via Sunderland on a Sunday and the difficulties in keeping up traditons in getting to/from Newbottle for dancing. Something that was possible until fairly recently.

I think the quote used initially, was that mileage levels are at similar levels seen in 1986.

I had a reporter from BBC Tees out with me on the X8 this morning - we did a return trip from Middlesbrough to Stillington and back, and the comments from our passengers were great. It showed the problem with running services quite well as there was nobody on the outbound trip but obviously coming back from Stillington, with a full load by Stockton! All good publicity for us though!

(16 Feb 2018, 9:42 am)Andreos1 wrote Interesting feature for the last half hour on Radio Newcastle regarding buses, bus use and mileage.

Caller on now from South Hetton discussing her difficulties beyond 5pm. She provided examples of going to Peterlee via Sunderland on a Sunday and the difficulties in keeping up traditons in getting to/from Newbottle for dancing. Something that was possible until fairly recently.

I think the quote used initially, was that mileage levels are at similar levels seen in 1986.

It was "28 years ago" so 1989/90, but that would be broadly similar to AFTER 26th October 1986, I suppose. I think there are two trends bearing in mind the situation in the North West (cited as seeing the biggest drop, recently) and that is that the rate of reduction in both mileage and patronage is increasing, and that what was once just a "rural" problem, is hitting more and more suburban areas.

(17 Feb 2018, 9:01 pm)Tamesider wrote It was "28 years ago" so 1989/90, but that would be broadly similar to AFTER 26th October 1986, I suppose. I think there are two trends bearing in mind the situation in the North West (cited as seeing the biggest drop, recently) and that is that the rate of reduction in both mileage and patronage is increasing, and that what was once just a "rural" problem, is hitting more and more suburban areas.

BBC Cambs asked the question about what would get listeners using the bus. An interesting listen for those stuck in traffic on their way home tonight! But what would passengers know
https://twitter.com/BusUsersUK/status/96...4365441026

In response to the bit in bold. Consolidation seems to be the watchword up here.
Routes merged, some areas left without a direct links/key areas such as hospitals left without a service beyond mid-afternoon and fleet dispositions getting smaller as older vehicles aren't always replaced by new.

In my opinion, there's only so many cutbacks that can be made, before the whole thing breaks.

(28 Feb 2018, 5:03 pm)Andreos1 wrote BBC Cambs asked the question about what would get listeners using the bus. An interesting listen for those stuck in traffic on their way home tonight! But what would passengers know
https://twitter.com/BusUsersUK/status/96...4365441026

In response to the bit in bold. Consolidation seems to be the watchword up here.
Routes merged, some areas left without a direct links/key areas such as hospitals left without a service beyond mid-afternoon and fleet dispositions getting smaller as older vehicles aren't always replaced by new.

In my opinion, there's only so many cutbacks that can be made, before the whole thing breaks.

Unfortunately, I'm not on Twitter, so can only access the basic "headline" message. However, what jumps out - apart from a media station taking an interest, per se and OTOH, BUUK being pro-active (Their profile in Gtr Manchester is non-existant) - is the words *Back* on the bus. I'm guessing the main thrust of the interview was rural Cambridgeshire rather the the suburbs of Cambridge, Peterborough, Huntingdon etc. In GM (and same goes for many other large conurbations) there are over 350,000 households without access to private transport, thus the more pertinent question would be "what would encourage you to *stay* on the bus", rather than using alternatives - especially acquiring a car?

(02 Mar 2018, 9:47 pm)Tamesider wrote Unfortunately, I'm not on Twitter, so can only access the basic "headline" message. However, what jumps out - apart from a media station taking an interest, per se and OTOH, BUUK being pro-active (Their profile in Gtr Manchester is non-existant) - is the words *Back* on the bus. I'm guessing the main thrust of the interview was rural Cambridgeshire rather the the suburbs of Cambridge, Peterborough, Huntingdon etc. In GM (and same goes for many other large conurbations) there are over 350,000 households without access to private transport, thus the more pertinent question would be "what would encourage you to *stay* on the bus", rather than using alternatives - especially acquiring a car?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05xr0ny

There you go

Can public transport be profitable?
https://www.newstatesman.com/spotlight/t...itable?amp&__twitter_impression=true

https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teess...ssion=true

Changes ahead within Tees Valley?

(30 Jun 2018, 8:19 pm)Andreos1 wrote https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teess...ssion=true

Changes ahead within Tees Valley?

The mayor has said previously that he doesn't want to regulate bus services in the Tees Valley, but is happy to fund the fact finding project to prove his position - as he believes that the current network is fine, with a few tweaks to improve access in outlying areas. That's all this is.

(01 Jul 2018, 3:23 pm)RobinHood wrote The mayor has said previously that he doesn't want to regulate bus services in the Tees Valley, but is happy to fund the fact finding project to prove his position - as he believes that the current network is fine, with a few tweaks to improve access in outlying areas. That's all this is.

A potentially expensive gamble if he is proven otherwise.

Buses in 'crisis'.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-44681974

3,000 routes cut-back or withdrawn according to CBT report.

Operators accused of holding TfGM to random over fleet modernisation.

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/...ssion=true

(16 Jul 2018, 4:06 pm)Andreos1 wrote Operators accused of holding TfGM to random over fleet modernisation.

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/...ssion=true

I was in Manchester earlier and observed how shabby the bus fleets are looking, particularly First. Vantage aside, First haven't already had a new vehicle in over four years. A fleet the size of Manchester they need to introduce around 30 new buses a year just to keep the fleet average age stable. By starving the fleet of investment they'll find themselves in tricky situation in a few years when the fleet will require replacing en-mass and First Group won't be able to finance it, if last year's results are anything to go by. 

What could happen? Either franchising goes ahead and First lose market share by default, or lack of investment means First continue chipping the edges away from their commercial network with the pieces picked up by Transdev, Rotala, HCT and the independent sector.

What ever happened to Go North East’s ‘Say Yes Now’ campaign? With it’s ‘Quality Partnerships’ and ‘Charter for Positive Change’? Is it called something else now or was it all just binned when Nexus lost by default as they didn’t have to bother anymore?

(16 Jul 2018, 8:32 pm)James101 wrote What could happen? Either franchising goes ahead and First lose market share by default, or lack of investment means First continue chipping the edges away from their commercial network with the pieces picked up by Transdev, Rotala, HCT and the independent sector.

A third option is on the table, in the form of "Enhanced" Quality Patrnerships. Trouble is, no one seems to know what this could mean in practice. ie. would it cover the entire network (eg. single framework of fares to remove the existing "postcode" lottery)?

(12 Aug 2018, 2:57 pm)Tamesider wrote A third option is on the table, in the form of "Enhanced"  Quality Patrnerships. Trouble is, no one seems to know what this could mean in practice. ie. would it cover the entire network (eg. single framework of fares to remove the existing "postcode" lottery)? 

If it is anything like Sheffield, then probably cuts and consolidation. 

The S Yorkshire thread is interesting to look at when checking on the number of changes since their QP was introduced.

(12 Aug 2018, 3:17 pm)Andreos1 wrote If it is anything like Sheffield, then probably cuts and consolidation. 

The S Yorkshire thread is interesting to look at when checking on the number of changes since their QP was introduced.

That's a fair point - and an argument against QPs - but AFAIK, both the Sheffield (note it isn't labelled "South Yorkshire") and Merseyside QPs only concern specific trunk routes - and probably the ones where there is/was already competition between major companies. What I'm getting at is, with the "Enhanced" bit, will it mean ALL services in the Authority's area (eg. Greater Manchester) be covered?

(12 Aug 2018, 3:25 pm)Tamesider wrote That's a fair point - and an argument against QPs - but AFAIK, both the Sheffield (note it isn't labelled "South Yorkshire") and Merseyside QPs only concern specific trunk routes - and probably the ones where there is/was already competition between major companies. What I'm getting at is, with the "Enhanced" bit, will it mean ALL services in the Authority's area (eg. Greater Manchester) be covered?

https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/bus-opera...-1-9024145

The Sheffield Partnership has been a disaster according to some. 
Interesting figures and comments in that article and I know not all changes have gone down well. 
Further changes planned for next month are less than popular too. 

I haven't looked at the Manchester deal for a while, so can't comment on who or what will be included or whether there have been changes to previous plans.