27698 is in the paint shop getting the new colours

(Yesterday, 6:46 pm)PH - BQA wrote Are we sure this isn't just standard Stagecoach scheduling incompetency? I've never used the 12, but if it is anything like the Stagecoach routes I use on a daily basis then it'll have a wildly optimistic timetable that can only be achieved with a rocket powered bus on the 32nd day of each month. 

As an example, not a single evening peak express bus from Eldon Square gets any additional time to get to Cowgate, despite the traffic along the A167 adding 5-10 mins of delays to each trip (even during school holidays). 99% of Stagecoach buses sit in this rather than utilising the empty bus lane to the left hand side - so I'm sceptical of how much they'd actually use these new bus priority measures that they're crying for.

Honestly couldn't tell you to be honest, don't know the route either if I had to be honest to comment on that.

The Cowgate bus lane isn't ideal mind, since they've got to get across multiple lanes in traffic, it's really something that needs looked at - unsure what though to be fair. I guess something like that they did along Killingworth Road would help, and just hold the traffic further back from the lights so the buses get front of the line. 

Edit: I wonder if it's company policy that, since none of the buses heading North from Cowgate stop at the bus stop Westbound. Anyone know?

(Yesterday, 7:51 pm)Storx wrote The Cowgate bus lane isn't ideal mind, since they've got to get across multiple lanes in traffic, it's really something that needs looked at - unsure what though to be fair. I guess something like that they did along Killingworth Road would help, and just hold the traffic further back from the lights so the buses get front of the line. 

Edit: I wonder if it's company policy that, since none of the buses heading North from Cowgate stop at the bus stop Westbound. Anyone know?

Some drivers do use it, which generally saves them a few minutes, and they always seem to find it easy enough to cut back across nearer the lights. Usually getting past at least one other bus in the process. 

I think only once has it backfired when I've been on board, when cars blocked the junction at the top of the slip road so the bus was stuck doing the up and over part. Rather than getting past, we just joined back behind the express we had previously been sat behind. 

To be honest the lanes which end up going right there massively free up once they split to two, it seems to be the single lane towards Slatyford which causes the issues as people sit in the right lane until the last minute and then try and move across into stationary traffic.

(Yesterday, 6:46 pm)PH - BQA wrote Are we sure this isn't just standard Stagecoach scheduling incompetency? I've never used the 12, but if it is anything like the Stagecoach routes I use on a daily basis then it'll have a wildly optimistic timetable that can only be achieved with a rocket powered bus on the 32nd day of each month. 

As an example, not a single evening peak express bus from Eldon Square gets any additional time to get to Cowgate, despite the traffic along the A167 adding 5-10 mins of delays to each trip (even during school holidays). 99% of Stagecoach buses sit in this rather than utilising the empty bus lane to the left hand side - so I'm sceptical of how much they'd actually use these new bus priority measures that they're crying for.

I’ll just point out that the bus lane on the A167 to Cowgate is a solid white line you cannot cross the solid white line. When I drive the fastline services I will just sit in the traffic in the right lane. If you were to use the bus lane you technically have to stay in it until it ends which is after the bus stop for the 62/71/72/87 which by then it’s practically impossible to get over. So that’s why most of the buses don’t use it, they need to rethink it.

The issue with the 12 and The Lonnen in Shields is just the lack of passengers doesnt warrant the additional service of a bus every 30 mins as opposed to once an hour. The ares is an elderly persons area so I do sympathose with them, but if the custom isnt there, a commercial service wont be boosted.

If Kim and co want to spend funds, they need to look at existing funded services in the area, ie 516 operates to Nook and Marsden, funding should be directed more into this and revise the route to serve The Lonnen also, however, this now puts extra time into equation on 516, cannot do full return back to Shields within hour, so would now need to look at extra bus and extra driver, which for the number of passengers isnt worth it.

5 mins diversion into The Lonnen and 5 mins back from The Lonnen that 10 mins makes the difference to other services frequency and turn around times.

I think its a losing battle unless someone else puts hand in pocket.