News, debate and discussion on Wales' Bus Operations.

It is with regret we propose that Arriva Buses Wales’ Aberystwyth depot, New Quay, Lampeter and Dolgellau outstations will close on the 21 December 2013, subject to a consultation period with staff.

The period of instability regarding public transport funding and potential forthcoming changes to the Concessionary Fares Scheme, together with spiralling fuel costs has resulted in an unsustainable financial pressure on our Aberystwyth operations. A recent network review has led us to believe that current services in this area cannot, despite our best efforts, continue.

Services 20, 40, 40C, 50, 585 and X94 would be affected by the closure, with the proposed last day of operation being 21 December 2013. Due to contractual arrangements service 585 would continue to operate until 15 February 2014. We have notified the local authority of our intentions.

The proposed closure may unfortunately result in staff losses, and we are currently in consultation with the 46 staff who would be affected.

http://www.arrivabus.co.uk/Aberystwyth_statement/

In Wales the only Arriva Depots that seem anything like save is Wrexham, Rhyl and Llandudno's outstation. profits in Wales are nothing like they used to be and then u got smaller Companys moving in bit by bit taking over whats left. would not shock me if more goes in time

Stagecoach reducing services and closing a depot....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south...s-27068583

(18 Apr 2014, 11:11 am)citaro5284 wrote Stagecoach reducing services and closing a depot....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south...s-27068583

Think I'll have to do that trip to Cardiff I mentioned elsewhere on the forum in July before it closes, then!

(18 Apr 2014, 11:11 am)citaro5284 wrote Stagecoach reducing services and closing a depot....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south...s-27068583

That's not good, such a shame, typical government cuts =(

Will the buses move to other depots in Wales?

Padarn Bus will close tonight after 2 people were arrested in an investigation of alleged fraud... shame for such a large operator to go so quickly however no doubt there have been things going on in the background for months if not years...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north...s-27631877

84 jobs will go and numerous services will cease, including school contracts.

(30 May 2014, 9:33 am)tyresmoke wrote Padarn Bus will close tonight after 2 people were arrested in an investigation of alleged fraud... shame for such a large operator to go so quickly however no doubt there have been things going on in the background for months if not years...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north...s-27631877

84 jobs will go and numerous services will cease, including school contracts.

Arriva taking on a few services

Arriva Buses Wales will operate several services currently run by Padarn from Saturday 31 May 2014, including services in Bangor, Maesgeirchen, Llanberis and across to Beaumaris on Anglesey. We will offer our full range of multi journey tickets, and will honour any Padarn monthly tickets currently held by customers.

Padarn services 6/6A, 53/56/57/58 and 85S will be operated by Arriva Buses Wales from Saturday 31st May, with only slight changes to the current timetables.

Does anyoe have a fleet list for Newport Bus? Got a trip planned for July

Has anyone tried the new Arriva Buses Wales services? Did the routes go in operation as planned?

http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-e...s-30615428

Major fire at coach depot.

(28 Dec 2014, 11:46 am)Andreos1 wrote http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-e...s-30615428

Major fire at coach depot.

The company who've unfortunately suffered the fire, 1st Call Travel, own former Go North East SPD 8171. Don't know whether it's been destroyed or not.

(28 Dec 2014, 6:23 pm)Adam wrote The company who've unfortunately suffered the fire, 1st Call Travel, own former Go North East SPD 8171. Don't know whether it's been destroyed or not.

The companys entire Fleet (Buses, Coaches, Mini Buses, Shuttle Cars) are all lost

(29 Dec 2014, 3:28 am)Y961 XBU wrote The companys entire Fleet (Buses, Coaches, Mini Buses, Shuttle Cars) are all lost

It is a real shame to see any company experience an incident like this. Is there any idea what was behind the cause of the fire yet?

(29 Dec 2014, 5:11 pm)Adam wrote It is a real shame to see any company experience an incident like this. Is there any idea what was behind the cause of the fire yet?

Am not sure how true it is but i saw a post of Facebook saying its Arson Attack

Some Pulsars at Arriva Cymru are being refurbished for Max.

(02 Jan 2015, 2:35 pm)ArrivaNE_7522 wrote Some Pulsars at Arriva Cymru are being refurbished for Max.

They are Rhyl based Wright Pulsar 1's 2650 - 2655

(02 Jan 2015, 2:56 pm)Y961 XBU wrote They are Rhyl based Wright Pulsar 1's 2650 - 2655

For service 51 Rhyl - Denbigh

Feburary 3rd 2015

Edwards Coaches - Dennis Dart SLF Wright Crusader YAZ8646 has gone to SGI Buses

Three new Enviro 400's in Trans Cymru livery were south bound on the M6 passing Lancaster at 19:00 this evening on trade plates.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-...m-10555964

Re-jig of services in Cardiff.
They will start in the new year

PG0004444/6 - HENLEYS BUS SERVICES LTD, HENLEYS COACH GARAGE, VICTOR ROAD, CWMTILLERY, ABERTILLERY, NP13 1HU
Variation Accepted: Operating between ABERTILLERY HIGH STREET and ABERTILLERY HIGH STREET given service number Tesco effective from 10-Apr-2016. To amend Timetable.
PG1067199/2 - PEAKES COACHES LTD, (BEHIND) UNIT 10, PONTNEWYNYDD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, PONTNEWYNYDD, PONTYPOOL, NP4 6YW
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Woodland View, Wyesham
Finish Point: Woodland View. Wyesham
Via: Justins Hill, Hillcrest Road, St James St, Dixton St
Service Number: P5
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 31-MAR-2016
Other Details: Monday to Saturday
PG1103747/5 - WATTS COACHES LTD, OLD POST GARAGE, BONVILSTON, CARDIFF, CF5 6TQ
Cancellation Accepted by SN: Operating between Llandough, Institute and Cardiff, Custom House Street given service number 89B effective from 07-Mar-2016.

---

PG1103747/6 - WATTS COACHES LTD, OLD POST GARAGE, BONVILSTON, CARDIFF, CF5 6TQ
Cancellation Accepted by SN: Operating between Dinas Powys and Cardiff, Custom House Street given service number 89A effective from 07-Mar-2016.

Following the recent demise of Silcox, the outstation in Tenby seems to have been taken over by Edwards (see photo below).

I have not yet seen any Edwards vehicles parked there, though; the area seems to be being used as a general coach park for visiting coaches on daytrips.



Sent from my SM-G800F using Tapatalk

‘I hope your new boss treats you like s***’ says failed operator'

http://www.route-one.net/articles/Employ...d_operator


Charming bloke!

Yutong Bus & Coach
@YutongGlobal
14 #Yutong full electric city buses have been sent to the UK. The buses are expected to arrive in July. They will be put into operation in Newport, Wales. This is the first time a sizable volume of Chinese full electric CBU buses has been exported to the #UK. #Emobility #Evs


https://twitter.com/YutongGlobal/status/...9244663808

http://www.wrexham.com/news/urgent-updat...98792.html

Seems like there's been a bit of an outbreak at Arriva's Wrexham depot

https://www.route-one.net/news/bus-trave...out-march/

Free buses in Newport throught March. 
This follows up a similar offer in the run up to Christmas.

(09 Feb 2022, 9:35 am)Andreos1 wrote https://www.route-one.net/news/bus-trave...out-march/

Free buses in Newport throught March. 
This follows up a similar offer in the run up to Christmas.

The only issue I have with it, is that it is very short-term thinking. I am not convinced that people using a bus for free for a couple of weeks in the run up to Christmas (or even during the month of March) will lead to long-term modal shift.

In the Christmas example, it was in place of free parking or other parking incentives being available, but when it reverts back to being bus fares vs parking charges, then people will continue to park every time. I'm not against not offering free or discounted parking, but I disagree with those who keep calling for parking to be more expensive to (force) move people to bus.

Harrogate seem to have a more long-term vision with theirs, albeit limited, by offering free travel on their electric fleet every Sunday. It'd be interesting to see how successful that has proven to be in modal shift though.

(09 Feb 2022, 10:07 am)Adrian wrote The only issue I have with it, is that it is very short-term thinking. I am not convinced that people using a bus for free for a couple of weeks in the run up to Christmas (or even during the month of March) will lead to long-term modal shift.

In the Christmas example, it was in place of free parking or other parking incentives being available, but when it reverts back to being bus fares vs parking charges, then people will continue to park every time. I'm not against not offering free or discounted parking, but I disagree with those who keep calling for parking to be more expensive to (force) move people to bus.

Harrogate seem to have a more long-term vision with theirs, albeit limited, by offering free travel on their electric fleet every Sunday. It'd be interesting to see how successful that has proven to be in modal shift though.

On one hand, I can see the positives behind the free travel. Whether it is in Newport or Harrogate. However, the free travel is only as good as the network that surrounds it.

As an example, you've shared concerns around the network in Washington on Sundays.
Some people may be tempted to make the switch full time.
For others though - once they have experienced the challenge of hanging around Concord bus station for a period of time due to an infrequent service and/or connections - I am not sure that is likely to tempt many to make the permanent switch.
Even if the interior rear wall of those Solos have something 'witty' or 'desirable' plastered all over it.