Most single fares are being capped at £2 between 1st January and 31st March 2023, as part of a government-funded scheme. So far in our region, Go South Coast (trading as
Bluestar,
More,
Salisbury Reds,
Southern Vectis,
Unilink and
Unibus) and
Stagecoach have confirmed their participation in the scheme.
First have now also
confirmed their participation.
Xelabus are not taking part. There are exceptions, such as school and college routes, but the scheme means that some pretty long journeys can be made for just £2 each way.
Stagecoach has new timetables on routes 21 and 23 in Portsmouth from 3rd January, with earlier buses on weekdays and later buses on Friday and Saturday nights.
Christmas & New Year service levels:
First are taking part.
ReplyDeleteXelabus are not due to the lack of routes they operate
Blue star are also keeping the £1 evening fare.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering about that.
DeleteThe £1 evening fare (which CItyred also do) isn't part of the national £2 thing, as this scheme is managed by Southampton City Council. SCC also fund the £5 group tickets on Saturday and Sunday (til end of March).
DeleteWondering how Blue star are going to get round the clean air rules, when they bring in all the old buses, to cope with the new routes in February? Rumour has it that some will be 56 plates from Newcastle and some former Unilink from two generations ago, none of which will be compliant.
DeleteThere isn’t a mandatory clean air zone in Southampton as the city council “bottled it” so it is all voluntary. Therefore, you can operate any vehicle you wish in the city. However, from a moral point of view, Bluestar should ensure they are Euro 6 vehicles or fund the conversion to Euro 6, but I’m sure they will will kick it into the long grass and argue the point that non euro 6 buses are better than no buses at all - that’s how a monopolistic position works.
DeleteThe 06 buses were previously in London before they went to the North East so may have been upgraded to Euro 6 previously.
ReplyDeleteDon'tt think so. I checked a couple of regisrtaions and they cane back as not Euro 6.
ReplyDeleteDidn't realise the CAZ was voluntary, GSC has plenty of Euro 6 buses in more and Southern Vectis fleets where Euro ^ isn;t required but are presumably not that bothered.
But what would the point of repainting those buses if new ones are on the way anyway?
DeleteSounds like Southampton council have been quite sensible and allowed time for new buses to be built and delivered (typically 6 months). at the end of the day this was unexpected so how could blue line have ordered new Euro 6 buses to be delivered in time as you cant exactly find many on the second hand market
You can retrofit vehicles to be Euro 6 reasonably easily.
DeleteEasily yes,inexpensively no. Would not be worth doing it on the typical age coming in. The need is for about 35 vehicles, and the lead time for new one's is roughly 9 months. The biggest issue is that Go ahead new owners won't buy anything non electric and the depot concerned needs about 3 million to build a new substation.This will be interesting.
DeleteFrom a contact I have, my understanding is that Bluestar needs 28 buses for February, and they have agreed with Southampton City Council that any non Euro 6 buses drafted in will be for a maximum of 6 months. One proposal is to send 2701-7 the Salisbury Reds E200's at Morebus to Southampton to be replaced by returning stored Scanias and Eclipses to service at Morebus. Additional vehicles will be coming from Go North East and London has been asked if they have anything available. Nothing confirmed as yet there but looking likely.
ReplyDeleteBluestar said a few weeks ago we would see the new timetables for Routes 10,13,14,15,19 and 20 but they still haven't realised them.
ReplyDeleteThey'll be published well in advance of the new routes starting.
DeleteMore than likely they'll be very similar to the current First routes.
Just seen a Bluestar Poster for the Bluestar 15 in Woolston Bridge Link Road and it states only Monday to Saturday operation
ReplyDeleteBeen no info yet on evenings and Sunday frequency as yet on the new routes-be interesting to see what they come up with.
DeleteBluestar confirmed today on their FB page that the new 15 route will run hourly on Sundays.
DeleteXelabus pulling out of Bournemouth including all school services
ReplyDeleteStatement from Gareth Blair om the Yellow Buses Enthusiasts Page
DeleteGood morning, I can confirm that a decision has been made to remove the operation in Bournemouth. The 18,33,36 BCP contracts were awarded for 6 months and these come to an end in February. Rising costs with the operation and not being successful in securing good long term accomodation has forced our hand. This isnt a decision we have taken lightly and all staff have been offered work at our Eastleigh location. Yellow Coaches Limited will continue to trade from Eastleigh as a separate coaching unit on a reduced scale.
If this is the case, will these routes continue under Morebus?
DeleteThis is just typical of Xelabus. How can you put prices in for tenders just 6 months ago, then have another price 6 months later and say we are pulling out. Be interesting to know whether Xelabus actually put in a price for these tenders recently
Deletehttps://www.yellowcoaches.co.uk/news/statement-from-xelagroup-management-regarding-yellow-coaches-ltd
DeleteBluestar to add in two extra evening journeys on BS7 from Feb,according to their social media team.
ReplyDeleteThey may also run duplicate 17s at peak times
Deletefull timetables are now live on the bluestar website the big surprise being evening buses to harefield and the 19 running every 15mins mon to fri
DeleteI knew the 20 minutes frequency was too short for such important route as the 19.
DeleteI can also see later buses on the 14 and 20.
Harefield also gains a Sunday service once again.
DeleteIntreting that despite what has previously been advertised the 15 is hourly on Saturdays.
ReplyDeleteSo is by the current 6. So no change.
DeleteThe extra 2 journeys to Sholing on the 7 are interworked with the last return journey to Hedge End:
ReplyDelete7. Lordshil-Sholing 2005-2056
7. Sholing-City 2056-2115
14. City - Hedge End Station 2130-2204
14. Hedge End Station - City 2207 - 2242
7. City - Sholing 2245 - 2303
There will have to be something else in place when the T20 Blast matches at the Ageas Bowl are being played
DeleteThat will be made by Xelabus. XD
DeleteThat's the free buses that xelabus and wheels provide. I'm onabout the normal Bluestar 14 service that they will operate.
DeleteThat 14 departure after a t30 blast match will get into the city centre very late another bus will surely need to operate the last 7
You are banking on Xelabus still being here in February.
DeleteThey seem to be suffering more and more on failures coming out of Eastleigh - its like the maintenance and wages budget has dried up.
From all the hints about another operator failure imminently, that's where my money would be, were I a betting man. Wonder whether the blues have a plan in place for them too? Not sure they could cope with it, on top of City Red!
DeleteThey coped well when Yellow Buses collapsed with 2 days notices so I'm sure they have a plan in place for Xelabus
DeleteYellow Coaches drivers were recently paid £6.40 instead of £640
DeleteThat sounds like an error from an over stressed payroll manager rather than anything wilful.
DeleteThe question should be asked when a pay run does not happen.
But was it an error? They have no money left. They can't afford ticket machines there are vehicles running around without them meaning people get on for free. There's a broken down vehicle that's been abandoned in Bournemouth for at least 3 to 4days now that more bus are threatening to dispose of. They can never pay the Bournemouth staff in full as they have to keep the money back for holiday pay. They use 8.9 metre single decks on school services with upwards of 60 kids crammed in upto the windscreen.
DeleteThey've been asked not return to several petrol stations in dorset and fuel cards keep getting declined. Vehicles running around with no legal lettering or O discs. Several visits and verbal warnings from DVSA. Tendered service journey cancelled nearly every day so they can run lucrative commercial school services and private hires. If none of that says they're not in trouble I'm not sure what does
What are the odds that Xelabus will go out of business before the end of this year?
DeleteGiven that xelabus have been disposing of the Yellow Coaches fleet piecemeal since taking it over one can surmise why the clouds might be gathering. The minibuses, then the Irizar coaches and more recently the HF11 B9TLs have all been disposed of.
DeleteGuess when the new E400 MMC's get repossessed along with other new stuff that will point to issues.
Is that before or after the E200MMCs ?
DeleteEx CT plus E200MMC are now at Eastleigh for return to Mistral. The Science park E200MMC 442 has been off the road for months as they cannot afford a new engine for it.
DeletePD3 BUF272C is on ebay the end must be neigh
DeleteAt least 2 of the ex ct plus e200mmc are in use in Bournemouth today
Deletehttps://www.yellowcoaches.co.uk/news
DeleteI haven’t got round to mentioning this until now, but one thing I must say is that I am very impressed with the new Bluestar network map. It looks a lot neater with each route having their own individual colour as opposed to shades of blue being used all around (except for the Unilink routes).
ReplyDeleteI’ve discussed with a friend about an eventual collapse of Xelabus.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, the X9/X10 once every 2 hours is unviable.
I suggested that Bluestar would eventually cherrypick routes from Xelabus.
I could do once again some bus manager games and suggest some rerouting of current Bluestar routes, but I will refrain myself from doing so.
It looks like that such collapse is likelier to happen than we think.
I thought the X9 and X10 were hourly at the moment, with the frequency cut to 2-hourly happening later in the year (along with some sort of route merger)
DeleteNo every 2 hours Monday to Friday with no Saturday Service
DeleteI struggle to understand the X9.
DeleteEastleigh to Colden Common is already covered by Stagecoach E1
Colden Common to Fair Oak is already covered by Stagecoach 69
Fair Oak to Horton Heath and Hedge End Centre to Botley is already covered by Bluestar 3.
what I would suggest is to withdraw the X9 and divert the X10 via Hedge End Superstores, Station, and then follow the current X9 from Wildern Lane (Hedge End) to Bishops Waltham.
Then Durley would have a taxishare.
Probably more cost-effective to withdraw both the X9 and X10 then extend Bluestar 14 from Hedge End station to Bishop’s Waltham. If Durley needs a bus, then perhaps Stagecoach could divert every other 69 to Winchester that way.
DeleteNow that the First 28/28A from Fareham runs to North Whiteley & the odd trip to Botley station I think some add on bits could cover the x9/x10 routes
ReplyDeleteOnly another five weeks till Harefield Estate gains a decent bus service once again.Good riddance First.
ReplyDeleteThere is no real difference in service quality at Harefield between First and Bluestar
DeleteExcept that Bluestar is doubling the frequency and giving Harefield an evening and Sunday service.
DeleteAll paid for by Southampton City Council…
DeleteNo nothing paid for by Southampton City Council except bluestar 10 as per the current First 9. Bluestar 13 is wholly commercial.
DeleteThat’s incorrect I’m afraid.
DeleteSince when?
DeleteThere are a few more changes on sight to Bluestar than predicted:
ReplyDelete- changes to times on Bluestar 17 and 18 (Monday to Friday)
- withdrawal of services 35, 36 and 39 as of 1st April
I understand that they are increasing running times on 17 and 18, by inserting one extra bus on each route. This should give more reliable spacing between services.
DeleteWhere have you seen that then?
DeleteA mate who works there.
DeleteI never thought those Romsey local services would last forever. It must be costing HCC bucks when most of the areas served aren’t exactly that far from an existing bus route or rail station.
ReplyDeleteJust a random thought but how will Bluestar operate the M1 Marwell service if that returns this summer? Could it become an hourly extension of route 2 from Fair Oak?
ReplyDeleteA great question. They cope well with the New Forest Tour, which involves extra buses and staff, with the duties normally covered by those staff who would be spare from Unilink. This is due to the reduced timetables needed during summer shutdown at the Uni. If they can negotiate a shorter season with Marwell, I see no reason to merge it into the 2 route.
DeleteGo Ahead have not said what so ever about running the M1 service
DeleteThanks for stating the obvious Reece. It's all about speculation!
DeleteXelabus are to re-create a few Southampton bus routes,using a vintage bus on Sat 18 Feb.The bus will be free to board and anyone wishing to board can do so along the route.
ReplyDeleteThat`s one for Reece.
DeleteI will more then likely be at a Non League match
DeleteDon’t forget the main free running day being run by the volunteers of Southampton and District Transport Heritage Trust on Sunday 19th February also.
DeleteSurprised they’re not charging. The money could have been used to help with the cost of the vanity plates on their new buses.
ReplyDeleteThe reasons for changes to services in Romsey are explained in Hampshire County Council report https://democracy.hants.gov.uk/documents/s100885/Main%20Report.pdf
ReplyDeleteWhilst the 36 and 39 are for the chop, it is unclear what is happening to the 35 -- one press report suggested a single service on the 35 will continue, which may or may not be the schooldays only service to/from Romsey School.
There were comments here that Bluestar 13 is supported by council funds and that is not true at all..
ReplyDelete