Monday, 26 January 2015

Rat run / Renumbering / Ringwood

First 6 is diverted on weekday mornings towards Southampton in order to avoid jams caused by traffic avoiding the roadworks on Northam Bridge. Details of the diversion are here.

Xelabus have given notice that from 9th February, the ex-Velvet routes will be renumbered. The S1 becomes the X11, the S2 becomes X12 and the B4 becomes X14. Confusingly their website says that the X14 will only run three days a week. The B4 has only just been increased from three to six days a week. Hopefully it's an oversight on their part.

This Saturday 31st January is the last day of Gardbus 139, after which Ringwood is yet again cut off from Southampton's bus network. After then, you'll need to use National Express if you can't drive to Ringwood.
Posted by at

61 comments:

  1. Anonymous26 January 2015 at 21:20

    Excelent National Express service between Southampton and Ringwood-The only improvement that could be made is to also call at Cadnam en route as the T3/T4 has a reduced days of operation.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous27 January 2015 at 10:34

      Yes, though the need to book does make it less attractive

      Delete
    2. Anonymous27 January 2015 at 11:18

      What is wrong with the Ringwood and Southampton service that nobody - so far - has managed to run it for very long without "assistance" from Hampshire County Council? I travelled on the Dorset Sprinter version a couple of times and the passenger numbers were never over five. I've got to wonder, is there really a need? Would Ringwood to Brockenhurst Station, connecting with the trains, be a better bet? Oh, sorry, there's CANGO!

      Delete
    3. Anonymous27 January 2015 at 19:58

      Cango? How' that fit in with getting from Ringwood to Southampton? Ringwood to Brockenhurst seems to be nothing except college services, and adding train fares along with overall time taken certainly weakens any attraction severely.

      I wonder if some way to employ buses incoming to Soton there and avoid the long (almost) empty positioning trips now necessary could be achieved? may need some free thinking at western and eastern arms' incumbents.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous28 January 2015 at 09:29

      You do NOT have to book ahead with National Express. Paying the driver in cash (probably exact) is an advertised option, if the coach has space. This can cover the lack of evening buses at a fare between bus and taxi.

      Delete
  2. Phil Blair27 January 2015 at 08:38

    Good Morning - The previous owners of Velvet decided to run the alternative days on the B4 commercially. From analysis there is simply no where near enough income to support that so we are reverting to the three days as defined by SCC.

    PHILIP BLAIR
    Managing Director
    Xelabus Ltd

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous27 January 2015 at 10:58

    Whilst it's been nice to have the alternative days running on the B4,I'm amazed that anyone could have come to a decission to operate them commercially-I'm sure most people thought that SCC had added the alternative days-I hope when renumbered X14 the bus stops at the junction of Bursledon/Botley Road will have the flags put back on them(pole outwards,lamp standard inwards) and the stops in Bursledon Road prior to the Windhover Roundabout will have the flags and timetable case attended to-There is also a stop as you come out of Orpen Road onto Bursledon Road inward that always gets missed also-It might only run 3 days a week but it is a useful service to some people-I trust also when you take over the W56 and it becomes X56 that all the present A stickers between Pilands Wood,Netley and Hamble-Le-Rice on almost every stop, are covered by the X56 sticker-The Velvet saga, now behind us thankfully has left you unfortunetely with a lot of clearing up to do, but it's noticeable to us all your company is catching up quite well with the mess you were left with for which I thank you all-PAC

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous27 January 2015 at 11:15

      "When" Xelabus take over the W56, PAC? That's one I must have missed, as Wheeler's have not been running it (Thursdays only and for Eastleigh Borough Council) for very long. Withdrawing from their contract already?

      I do agree that Phil and Gareth do have some tidying up to do, in respect of the demise of Velvet. It's nice to see them making the effort!

      Delete
    2. Anonymous27 January 2015 at 12:12

      You will note from the Xelabus twitter site this is proposed as from 26th February 2015-PAC

      Delete
    3. Anonymous27 January 2015 at 12:22

      Thank you, PAC!

      Delete
    4. Anonymous27 January 2015 at 12:23

      Since I posted a short while ago,you will now find more information on their main website-PAC

      Delete
  4. Anonymous27 January 2015 at 16:11

    I note on the Bluestar website all buses between City Centre and Central Station are returning to normal route as from Thursday 29th January 2015. A short section of road in Above Bar by the Guildhall Square is almost in a state of collapse, that being the bit where fancy bricks have been laid. Extra vehicles which are mainly buses will most certainly do this bit further damage. Also I noted yesterday whilst in the City Centre,Sussex Road,between Vincent's Walk and Pound Tree Road is also starting to collapse

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous27 January 2015 at 18:59

    I think saying Ringwood is cut off is a tad extreme. There is a (more or less) hourly bus to Salisbury then a half hourly bus to Ringwood.

    Christchurch and New Milton (both bigger than Ringwood) are now in exactly the same position as Ringwood, although I accept that there are rail services to both places, but then there isn't a usable Nat express link.

    Frankly the Southampton-Ringwood link has not been anywhere near viable for some time; not enough passengers and not enough farepayers amongst the ones that dop travel.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous28 January 2015 at 01:57

    It's wonderful that Xelabus are treating all their "new" routes with the same professionalism as their existing ones. Hopefully once the Velvet/Wheeler's mess is cleared up & a steady reliable & decent service (incl, vehicles) are used passenger numbers will not decline any further.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous28 January 2015 at 01:59

    And I though SCC were funding those extra B4 trips too!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Philip Blair28 January 2015 at 07:20

    Good Morning
    Just to let everyone know we do have a lot to do with bus stop infrastructure in the area. We have displayed new S1 timetables along the entire route and waited until the 9th February changes to install the remaining displays on S2 and B4. From next week all X11, X12, X14 and X56 green numbers and updated displays will be put on all stops. We are also trying to carry out some cleaning maintenance at these long forgotten bus stops. Where flags are needed we will supply.
    In the Lordswood area we do intend to supply flags and cases to replace the hail and ride. Revised timetable leaflets for X11, X12 and X14 and new X56 will be available later this week. There is a lot to do but all these marketing efforts we hope will pay off in long term passenger support.

    PHILIP BLAIR
    Managing Director
    Xelabus Limited

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Reece29 January 2015 at 05:09

      Thanks for doing this hopefully I start seeing busy buses again soon.

      Delete
  9. Anonymous28 January 2015 at 15:33

    Are these tasks included in the tender details and costs,or purely voluntary? Wheelers seemed to object to doing anything roadside IIRC.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous28 January 2015 at 20:30

      Provision of flags and information at stops in Hants is the responsibility of operators, only the poles are provided by HCC, with shelters generally provided/ funded by parish or district councils or advertising agencies in some urban areas IIRC.

      See:-
      http://www3.hants.gov.uk/passengertransport/public-transport/bus-stops-and-shelters.htm

      In Soton I understand that a contract to erect information at stops is tendered out to the companies with First currently holding the contract. At least that's what Jeff told me from his Blue Box, when I once moaned about the the wrong timetable being put at the wrong stop.

      Delete
    2. Phil Blair29 January 2015 at 08:22

      Good Morning

      Our position is that we have a budget within the company for marketing and all bus stop flags, vinyls, bus timetable cases and displays come out of our own funds. We also do our own work on bus stops and will maintain and update our own publicity at stops. That way we can be sure we are putting up the information for our company in timescales and also checking for latest information for our customers.

      PHILIP BLAIR
      Managing Director
      Xelabus Limited

      Delete
    3. Anonymous29 January 2015 at 08:46

      Delighted to note your comments regarding stop publicity-If as stated by another commentator on this site within Southampton you wait for a contractor to come along and change things you will wait to an eternity-The only correct information is that the operators have put in themselves-Brijan as an example do not put in their own publicity within Southampton,so at present for their service 7 all is out of date-Even worse at Bargate Street and at many other points along the 7 route in Southampton there is no information whatsoever-Wheeler's provide no information at most stops along the W1 whatsover, and inform you when you enquire it's not their responsibility it's up to the council-it's been an absolute joy this past few weeks where Xelabus now do the S1 to see they have put timetables at most stops which are of a size and quality that all can read-For some reason they have not put timetables in along Kingsway or by Debenham's,but I'm sure this will be done when the route changes to X11-The publicity for S1/S2 at present in Vincent's Walk/Pound Tree Road is superb-At this stop as would be expected Wheeler's have nothing for W1

      Delete
    4. Reece29 January 2015 at 18:55

      What are you going to be doing with the buses that are not in xelabus livery?

      Delete
    5. Phil Blair2 February 2015 at 08:42

      Good Morning
      The white Dart and red Trident have remained with Xelabus until 13th February as part of the transition. They are not owned by Xelabus and will go to Cornwall after the 14th.
      From the 14th all our services will be operated by green buses.

      PHILIP BLAIR
      Managing Director
      Xelabus Limited

      Delete
    6. Reece9 February 2015 at 03:50

      What veichles are replacing the non green veichles on the X11 X12 and yhe X14?

      Delete
    7. Philip Blair11 February 2015 at 07:37

      We are planning to operate our Enviro buses in between Darts on X11 and X12 shortly.

      PHILIP BLAIR
      Managing Director
      Xelabus Limited

      Delete
    8. Reece12 February 2015 at 21:55

      Are the Enviro buses the E200s you recently bought from Wales?

      Delete
    9. Customer Services, Xelabus16 February 2015 at 09:55

      Good Morning

      Yes these 3 buses were returned from NAT to Alexander Dennis and we acquired them from the dealer.

      PHILIP BLAIR
      Managing Director
      Xelabus Limited

      Delete
  10. Reece29 January 2015 at 05:07

    If you live in Southampton you can get a train to a station close by the route of the X3 at Gemini Place in Bournemouth which will take you to Meeting House Lane in Ringwood which in the daytime is every 30 minute service.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous29 January 2015 at 15:11

    I note that the roadworks on Northam Bridge are at peak times causing delays to other routes into Southampton where traffic is trying to avoid the bridge via other routes. I note that First are now having talks with SCC to try to ease the situation along the other corridors.As it's now into the forth week of the works, I would have thought talks would have taken place before the works even began, as anyone could have forcasted what would happen.By the time they come up with any sort of part solution,if any,the works will be complete.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous29 January 2015 at 20:37

    If you can predict the traffic congestion would spread as far as Cobden Bridge, Itchen Bridge and beyond from these works then you need to be selling your services at a bookmakers or do the lottery.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous30 January 2015 at 01:35

      it's called computer simulation - I did it for my BSc degree in Mathematical sciences waaaaaaay back in 1988! These days with modern computing it's easy! Bookies use statistics all the time to stay in business!

      Delete
  13. Anonymous1 February 2015 at 10:52

    I note the First 11 Saturday service between Fareham and Gosport/Alverstoke withdrawn a month ago is to be reinstated as from 21st February 2015 thanks to funding by GBC

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous6 February 2015 at 20:56

    I note the revised publicity for Xelabus changes this weekend is already in the time cases on bus stops, and the revised route number on the flags -Pity Wheeler's was not as efficient with their operation in providing publicity.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Philip Blair9 February 2015 at 14:45

    Good afternoon

    A major exercise was carried out over the last few days to ensure all existing stops had identity for Xelabus plus correct timetable information. A full survey of additional flags and cases will be carried out this week with a view to do this work over the next few weeks.The X12 Shirley and Regents Park area plus X11 Lordswood will receive new material as part of our marketing programme. X12 Polygon area will have new painted poles and replacement flags.

    PHILIP BLAIR
    Managing Director
    Xelabus Limited

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Reece10 February 2015 at 04:16

      When the timetables and flags are up in Lordswood on the X11 will the poles be painted in green?

      Delete
    2. Philip Blair11 February 2015 at 07:36

      We are looking to position flags on lamp posts so no need for poles. We are working on painting poles left by Velvet in Polygon and Regents Park areas as soon as we can.

      PHILIP BLAIR
      Managing Director
      Xelabus Limited

      Delete
  16. Anonymous10 February 2015 at 15:05

    Can someone at Xelabus verify the route of x11 between Six Dials and City Centre-Traveline show it as via Kingsland and Debenham's each way,however no publicity at these locations-Solent University shows X11 as stopping there,which if operating via Kingsland could not serve this stop-Some clarification needed please-Also the old Velvet A publicity needs removing from Bargate,Asda,Civic Centre and New road(East Park)-Thank You

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous11 February 2015 at 00:15

    Message to the author - What does rat run mean in the title of this post please?

    ReplyDelete
  18. Philip Blair11 February 2015 at 07:33

    Good Morning

    Yes you are quite right! We had made a mistake as yet again incorrect information from the former Velvet company. Stickers and timetables will go on Debenhams and Kingsway stops shortly. New Rd stops to have them removed. On this occasion we will cover other stops too.

    PHILIP BLAIR
    Managing Director
    Xelabus Limited

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Reece12 February 2015 at 21:57

      On the bus stop by the Cenotaph will you be removing the Velvet S1 sticker

      Delete
    2. Customer Services, Xelabus16 February 2015 at 09:53

      Good Morning

      Yes its on our list

      Xelabus

      Delete
    3. Anonymous21 February 2015 at 00:23

      Don't know if you realise but there is still a VELVET bus timetable up in the timetable case that is on the bus stop POLE (not shelter) outside ASDA Southampton Marlands going north.

      Delete
  19. Anonymous11 February 2015 at 20:40

    Thank you for the clarification-It's great to see your smart buses on the routes and running reliable-All thanks to you and your team

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anonymous13 February 2015 at 12:49

    i know it's not in are area covered by Southampton Bus Updates,but Gardbus seems like another operator quite close heading for extinction in the future.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. cold head14 February 2015 at 15:31

      Yes 132 Ringwood-Wimborne ceases mid April and from mid Mat he is starting a summer Sats only service from Ringwood to Bransgore #126 routed as the More 175 was Moortown to avoid A31. I think idea is to attract visitors. Good luck if it works, but I have my doubts.

      Does VOSA review financial status from time to time? Hants County Council comments when they proposed cancelling the 175 also seemed a bit odd. Perhaps they were putting aside any doubts.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous15 February 2015 at 09:42

      And Gardbus plan on using open-top buses on those summer services too, so they clearly think there's potential demand from tourists around Burley and Bransgore. It's interesting that they are developing the 125 and 126 given that they had originally intended to just start concentrating on the taxi side of the business.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous15 February 2015 at 12:53

      I note sometime ago the owners of Gardbus described the 132 as their flagship route. I don't know of many bus operations that withdraw their flagship routes.I don't know why they keep putting routes on round the Bransgore area,when it's quite clear the passenger potential is quite low.I would have thought, although I don't know,that serving Christchurch from this area was the only sensible option as the present 125 does.A Summer only Ringwood to Brangore on Saturdays only routed over the past 175 seems futile to me

      Delete
    4. Anonymous16 February 2015 at 12:19

      I would think a circular route using the old 118 route down the avon valley to sopley then back to Ringwood on the 125
      route would be more successful-this could be a mini new forest tour using open top bus

      Delete
    5. Anonymous17 February 2015 at 09:09

      His business site indeed mentions open tops for the 125/6
      http://gardbus.co.uk/enhancements-route-125/ and the Facebook pages have something about the failed sale in comments passing between Gard and a reader.

      Delete
  21. SEV 77715 February 2015 at 14:14

    Not being a local, can I ask who "Gardbus" is? Their website claims that they are "Gardbus Limited" but her Majesty's Registrar of Companies doesn't seem to know about them nor does VOSA as far as I can see.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. cold head15 February 2015 at 20:31

      The registered companies are all called Garbu and were/ are domiciled in UK or Finland. Sorry,but on his site I see no mention of incorporated status. Can you point out where you saw it, please?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous16 February 2015 at 14:59

      Officially it should be "Simon Gard T/A Gardbus".

      Delete
    3. Anonymous17 February 2015 at 08:59

      In full Simon Alan Gard t/a Gardbus

      Delete
  22. Anonymous16 February 2015 at 08:14

    Link to Vosa for Gard Bus (note two word spelling)
    http://www.tan.gov.uk/tanen/vosa_anonymousoperatorsearchdetails_new.asp?txtRequestId=238451

    ReplyDelete
  23. SEV 77717 February 2015 at 15:08

    Thanks for the info, I had only searched the Vosa site for Gardbus as a single word. At the bottom of the Gardbus website it states Copyright Gardbus Ltd. Not to put too fine a point on it, it is illegal to state on a web site that you are a limited company when that is not the case. It is also illegal not to have full contact details on a business web site, and I can't see a physical address listed anywhere.

    ReplyDelete
  24. cold head19 February 2015 at 10:45

    From a comment on FB he seems to have picked up on your post and indeed Limited no longer appears by copyright.
    >>we have arranged for the website to be checked and can confirm that appears legal and correct. Our trading details and address for correspondence can be found in the following section of the website www.gardbus.co.uk/the-legal-stuff/terms-of-use/<<

    ReplyDelete
  25. Simon Gard19 February 2015 at 12:03

    I would like to clarify a few points for the readers of this blog.

    1. The website shows no mention of a limited company. Particulars of ownership can be found on the following page of the website this also lists the address at which postal correspondance can be served. www.gardbus.co.uk/the-legal-stuff/terms-of-use/ .
    Our website is managed by a third party business who have produced many websites for the bus industry and I have every faith in them.

    2. Sale of the business, as those in the industry are aware yes I have been looking for some time at reducing my workload due to poor health and wishing to spend more time away from the business with my family. Advanced levels of negotiation were reached over the sale of the business, but these broke down after a suitable sale figure could not be negotiated. I continue to operate all parts of the business as before and everything is as normal.

    3. Service 132 is being withdrawn after the 18th April 2015, this service has been built up from scratch by me and as i have said previously I wish to reduce my workload. Should another operator be interested in taking it over I would offer help and advice to them as this service is considered profitable by us.

    4. Services 125/6 We are introducing service 126 during the summer following feedback received from customers asking for a Saturday service in the area. The decision to operate Ringwood - Bransgore only was made following a survey of customers to see which would be the best travel options for them. It also opens the opportunity for tourists wishing to travel to or from Burley without having to pay the higher fares of specialised tour services.

    As many of the independant operators accross the area have probably found, this site is a good way of seeing feedback from the general public and enthusiasts about the services they operate. However it can cause a lot of unncessary upset, I have seen many posts on here directed at the management of Velvet, Xelabus and now myself that cause damage & distress to the business of the bus operators which is completley unnecessary. If you have a problem with a bus operator take it up with the management directly. I welcome anyone that has a problem with our operations to come and see me talk face to face and iron out any concerns they may have.

    Simon Alan Gard
    T/A Gardbus
    Tel 01425 479068

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RG19 February 2015 at 22:17

      Firstly I should make clear that I have so far not had an opportunity to travel on your buses, as such I do not intend to offer criticism.

      However in the interests of transparency I provide a link to an archive copy of the Gardbus T&C's page from June 2014 (latest available):

      http://web.archive.org/web/20140625030302/http://gardbus.co.uk/the-legal-stuff/terms-of-use/

      I shall leave people to draw their own conclusions but it does appear to reflect my recollection of the website as I remember it from last week, certainly as far as the elements in question are concerned.

      I would perhaps agree to some extent that on occasion an operator has been on the receiving end of a 'bashing' to an unnecessary level here, however where there are concerns or issues, then IMO these can be legitimate areas for discussion (including criticism). Accordingly it is a credit to industry (as far as the independents are concerned) that so many feel able to engage in discussion here.

      Delete
  26. Anonymous20 February 2015 at 09:09

    I note on the Xelabus website page timetable and other changes to mainly X4-X6-X7 and X11 from April 2015 plus First will be operating the Eastleigh to Marwell Zoo service

    ReplyDelete
  27. Anonymous20 February 2015 at 12:53

    Who was it that was rumoured to be buying Gardbus?

    ReplyDelete
  28. Anonymous20 February 2015 at 16:52

    I can't find any timetable information on traveline for the Xelabus X56,but note the new Brijan 8B is shown

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)