Please note that routes 57/N57, 64/N64, 65/N65, 72/N72, 85/N85, 86/N86, 114, 183, 213/N213, 265, 340, 344/N344, 371, 398, 507 and 521 have had two-year contract extensions agreed and will no longer form part of the 2014/2015 tendering programme.
The Tendering Programme is therefore revised as follows:
Tranche – Routes
446 – 71, 281/681/N281, 418.
447 – 8/N8, 205/N205, 375.
448 – 112, 232, 611.
449 – 49
450 – Tranche cancelled.
451 – Tranche cancelled.
452 – 83/N83, 395, 640, H13.
The Summer 2013 National Rail timetable is now available to download from this link (or buy in paper from Middleton Press or TSO). Main changes are as follows…
General Information
Nottingham station will be closed from 20th July until 25th August 2013. Various rail-replacement buses will serve the station and some connections will involve the local tram network.
From 22nd April until 22nd August 2013 inclusive the low-level platform at Liverpool Lime Street will be closed for refurbishment and trains on the Chester/Ellesmere Port/West Kirby/New Brighton routes will pass through non-stop.
Passengers travelling between Liverpool Lime Street and stations on those routes will need to use
Liverpool Central or Moorfields instead. Interchange between Merseyrail services and those of the
other train operators at Liverpool Lime Street will therefore take significantly longer than normal.
East Midlands Trains
Between 20th July and 25th August 2013 there is blockade of Nottingham station for major engineering work which will have a significant impact on the train service provided by East Midlands Trains. Special timetables will operate in this area during this period.
The London to York and return Saturday service will be extended through to Scarborough from 25th May until 07th September 2013.
First Great Western
The Great Western route modernisation and the building of Crossrail will continue to have an effect on our train services throughout this timetable, including;
The massive Reading station redevelopment continues and will result in world class facilities being
provided at this important station. If you are travelling through, or changing trains at Reading, please
allow yourself extra time and take care while using the station during the construction works
The South Cotswolds route between Swindon and Gloucester is closed for three weeks during August 2013 to allow our industry partners, Network Rail, to add an additional track between Swindon and Kemble. Although we endeavour to run trains whenever we can during improvement works, the nature of this project means that we will have to run rail replacement buses for these three weeks
Late night train services on Mondays to Thursday between London Paddington and Maidenhead will
have reduced frequencies throughout the duration of this timetable to allow construction works to take place for the introduction of Crossrail. Also, Acton Main Line, West Ealing and Hanwell stations will have earlier last trains to and from London Paddington as a result of this work. Crossrail is a new
underground link through central London, which will link Maidenhead in the west to Shenfield and
Abbey Wood in the east and will provide high frequencies and shorter journey times to and from central London
Following feedback from customers and stakeholders we’re pleased to announce a consistent timetable from May, with few changes. The highlights are;
High Speed Services
As in previous years we will continue to run additional trains on routes to and from the West of England throughout the summer period to cater for high levels of demand. High Speed Trains to and from Newquay will be typically 5 minutes faster than present.
The 0518 Mondays to Fridays Great Malvern to London Paddington service will be extended to start back from Hereford, providing an additional morning service through to London.
Services in the West of England
The 0935 Mondays to Fridays Exeter St Davids to Penzance will start from St James’ Park and will call
additionally at Exeter Central. This will replace the existing 0906 Exeter Central to Exeter St Davids.
The 1659 Mondays to Saturdays Brighton to Bristol Temple Meads services ceases to call at Avoncliff and Freshford, resulting in faster journey times for through customers.
London and ThamesValley services
A new Mondays to Fridays train will run from Oxford at 0518, calling at all stations to Banbury.
The Mondays to Fridays 0555 Bedwyn to London Paddington will be replaced by a 0540 Bedwyn to
London Paddington service, providing an earlier arrival into London.
Several Monday to Friday trains in the ThamesValley and London areas will be formed of more carriages than present to increase capacity and better match demand. Longer trains mean that station stops at Appleford and Radley will be changed to allow longer trains to operate.
The Monday to Friday services at 0806 and 0838 from London Paddington to Twyford will both be
extended to Reading, providing more capacity into Reading from local stations
LondonMidland
Please note Stratford-upon-Avon Parkway Station is expected to open during the course of the timetable.
London Overground
There will now be more trains between Richmond and Stratford on Sunday evenings.
An additional northbound train will run from CrystalPalace on weekdays at 0543.
ScotRail
Conon Bridge station opened on 8th February, providing important transport links for the local community; an additional six services (in each direction) will operate between Aberdeen and Inverurie on Sundays; services to/from Irvine on a Saturday will now be extended to Ayr; an hourly Sunday service will now call at Newton-on-Ayr; and the West Highland lines summer timetable has been extended to run until 27th October.
Please find below the list, and some of the timetable files too.
Service changes in Dundee (other than the cross-border routed below) will now be from Sunday 30th June 2013 – further details to follow.
SUMMARY OF LOCAL BUS SERVICE REVISIONS IN ANGUS: MONDAY 27 MAY 2013
A number of tendered local bus service contracts expire at the end of May 2013. A review
of these services and a retendering exercise has been undertaken, resulting from which
there will be changes to some local bus services in Angus, effective from Monday 27 May
2013. In addition, a number of commercial service revisions are also introduced by bus
operators from this date. Timetables for these revised services are available from local
libraries, ACCESS offices, tourist information points and online at
www.angus.gov.uk/transport
The service changes are summarised as follows:
Services 8 & 9: Montrose – Craigo – Laurencekirk (Timetable Leaflet 1)
• MW Nicoll Services 8A and 9A have been renumbered Services 8 and 9 and run via
Marykirk Road not Hospital Road in Hillside;
• A new MW Nicoll Service 8 journey will operate at 06:25 Mondays to Saturdays
between Laurencekirk and Montrose;
• A new MW Nicoll Service 47A will operate on Angus schooldays only. The AM
Journey operates from Hillhead of Hedderwick (07:50) to Montrose Academy (08:36)
via Craigo, Dubton and Pugeston; the PM journey operates from Montrose
Academy (15:50) to Hillhead of Hedderwick (16:36) via Pugeston, Dubton and
Craigo.
Services 23 & 24: Forfar Town Services (Timetable Leaflet 4)
• The 05:15 Service 23 journey on a Saturday no longer runs.
Services 30, 30A & 30B: Arbroath – Montrose – Brechin – Stracathro Hospital/Edzell (Timetable Leaflet 7)
• Early morning Monday to Saturday journeys on Services 30 and 30A between
Arbroath and Montrose operate to a revised timetable with some journeys calling
additionally at Ferryden Pier;
• The 17:05 Monday to Friday Stagecoach Strathtay Service 30 from Montrose to
Arbroath will now operate 5 minutes later as Service 30A, departing at 17:10;
• The 18:35 Monday to Friday Stagecoach Strathtay Service 30A from Arbroath to
Montrose will now operate 5 minutes later
Services 30, 31 & 51: Fowlis – Liff – Muirhead – Birkhill – Ninewells Hospital (Timetable Leaflet 16)
• Two morning peak journeys from Birkhill, Piperdam, Fowlis, Liff and Ninewells Hospital
will run directly to Dundee City Centre;
• Two peak journeys will also operate back to Liff, Fowlis, Piperdam and Birkhill from
Dundee in the afternoon peak period; • Hourly combined Service 30 and 31 will continue to run during the main part of the day with journeys being extended to Piperdam;
• Service 30, 31 and 51 will serve the new Asda store on Myrekirk Road when it opens
in July 2013;
• There are minor changes to the Sunday timetable with journeys being extended to
and from Piperdam. Sunday journeys will also be operated by National Express
Dundee.
Service 36: Arbroath – Arbirlot – Carmyllie – Friockheim – Guthrie (Timetable Leaflet 9)
• In response to customer feedback, there are minor timing changes to most Service
36 journeys.
Services 39, 73 & 73A: Arbroath – Dundee – Ninewells Hospital (Timetable Leaflet 10)
• Service 73C has been renumbered as Service 73 on Monday to Saturday evenings
and Sundays;
• Service 73E has been renumbered as Service 73A on Monday to Saturday evenings;
• Services shown in this timetable no longer call at the Technology Park, Invergowrie or
Kingoodie; all buses now start or terminate at Ninewells Hospital.
Service 73: Arbroath – Carnoustie – Monifieth – Dundee – Ninewells Hospital (Timetable Leaflet 11)
• Service 73 journeys on Mondays to Fridays departing Ninewells Hospital at 16:15,
16:45, 17:15 and 17:45 will also serve Monifieth Broomhill Drive;
• An additional Service 73B will run on Sunday mornings departing from Carnoustie
Westhaven Park at 09:41;
• There are minor changes to departure times from Ninewells Hospital on Sundays;
• Service 73C has been renumbered as Service 73 on Monday to Saturday evenings
and Sundays;
• Service 73E has been renumbered as Service 73A on Monday to Saturday evenings;
• Services no longer call at the Technology Park, Invergowrie or Kingoodie; all buses
now start or terminate at Ninewells Hospital.
Services 47, 47A, 47B, 48 & 52: Montrose Town Services (Timetable Leaflet 15)
• Stagecoach Strathtay Service 47 will now operate hourly on Mondays to Saturdays.
On Mondays to Fridays, MW Nicoll will operate some 47 journeys which combine to
provide 2 buses per hour at most times between Ferryden and Hillside;
• Some lightly used Monday to Saturday early morning journeys on Service 47 have
been withdrawn by Stagecoach Strathtay. Some of these journeys have been replaced by diverting Service 30A into Ferryden and the provision of extra journeys
on MW Nicoll Services 8 and 47;
• There are changes to the provision of bus services to and from Montrose Academy
for both entitled and non entitled pupils. In the Ferryden area, following the
withdrawal of the 08:28 Service 47, non entitled pupils will be able to travel on
Jamie’s Transport Service B14 which will run to the Academy commencing at
Ferryden Primary school at 08:43. A return service to Ferryden operated by MW
Nicoll will run at 15:55;
• Stagecoach Strathtay Service 47 departures from Montrose High Street on Mondays
to Fridays at 08:40 and 08:48 have been withdrawn and are replaced by an MW
Nicoll Service 47 journey at 08:45;
• The section of route between Hillside and Montrose on MW Nicoll Services 8 and 9
has been included in the Ferryden – Hillside pages of this booklet so that passengers
are aware of alternative services between Hillside and Montrose Town Centre;
• Service 48 journeys operated by Stagecoach Strathtay have been withdrawn.
Alternative journeys continue to be operated by MW Nicoll, some of these journeys
will be operated under contract to Angus Council while the remainder will be
provided commercially;
• MW Nicoll Service 52 now no longer serves Ferryden.
• The 13:15 Monday to Saturday afternoon journey will run 15 minutes later at 13:30
whilst the 14:15 journey will run 5 minutes later at 14:20.
Services to & from Glen Clova (Timetable Leaflet 25)
• Demand responsive Service 130 (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays only) is now
operated by ‘A Helping Hand Taxi’ and will operate at earlier times, departing
Kirriemuir Bank Street at 09:30;
• Demand responsive school holidays Service 130 (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
only) is now operated by ‘A Helping Hand Taxi’ and will operate slightly later
departing Kirriemuir High Street at 16:00; this service also now serves Braedownie
and arrives back at Kirriemuir High Street at 17:20.
Also reissued was Services 118/119 with only school service changes
New editions of the timetables for these services are available from local libraries,
ACCESS offices, tourist information points and online at www.angus.gov.uk/transport.
TfL Tender Results 13th May 2013
LBSL intends to enter into new contracts for the following routes with the operators listed below:
Route Current Operator New Operator PVR Vehicles
96 Stagecoach Selkent Stagecoach Selkent 21 New double deck
122 Stagecoach Selkent Stagecoach Selkent 16 New double deck
200 London General London General 16 New double deck and
existing single deck
317 Arriva London North Arriva London North 5 Existing double deck
393 Arriva London North Arriva London North 13 New and existing single deck
428 Arriva Kent Thameside Arriva Kent Thameside 8 Existing single deck
472/N472 Stagecoach Selkent Stagecoach Selkent 20 New double deck
486 London Central London Central 16 Existing double deck
601 Stagecoach Selkent Stagecoach Selkent 4 Existing double deck
602 Stagecoach Selkent Stagecoach Selkent 2 Existing double deck
B15 Arriva Kent Thameside Arriva Kent Thameside 6 Existing single deck
All the above routes are awarded on the basis of using conventional diesel engined vehicles with the
exception of routes 96, 122 and 472/N472 where the vehicle type will be confirmed at a later date.
Contracts will commence on the following dates:
25th January 2014 – Routes 96, 428, 472/N472, B15, 601 and 602.
8th February 2014 – Route 122
22nd February 2014 – Routes 200 and 486
22nd March 2014 – Route 393
29th March 2014 – Route 317
It’s easy to catch the bus, and if you do it during ‘Catch The Bus Week’ you can
get a free m-ticket*. From 29 April to 5 May Arriva is offering a Free Day or
Family Day Saver ticket.* See http://www.arrivabus.co.uk/catchthebus
Stagecoach East Scotland will be supporting Catch the Bus Week (29th April – 5th May 2013) by giving away free dayrider tickets in your local area.
We’ll be visiting…
Remember to keep your eyes peeled for us!
Stagecoach Bluebird will be supporting Catch the Bus Week (29th April – 5th May 2013) by giving away free dayrider tickets in your local area.
We’ll be visiting…
Keep your eyes peeled for us!
Stagecoach in the Highlands will be supporting Catch the Bus Week (29th April – 5th May 2013) by giving away free dayrider tickets in your local area. (no dates given)
DRIVE TO INCREASE BUS USE THROUGH ‘CATCH THE BUS WEEK’
25 Apr 2013
• Stagecoach taking part in national Greener Journeys initiative
• ‘Catch the Bus Week’ to run from 29 April – 5 May
• Stagecoach offers best value bus fares and highest customer satisfaction of any major UK operator
Stagecoach is joining forces with sustainable transport group Greener Journeys and other local bus providers to promote the benefits of bus use during the UK’s first ever ‘Catch the Bus Week’.
The initiative, which will run for a week from 29 April, will see bus companies across the country encouraging local people to ditch their cars in favour of taking the bus.
Throughout the week, Stagecoach – which offers the best value bus fares and has the highest customer satisfaction of any major UK Bus operator – will highlight the environmental and financial benefits of using the bus more often.
The operator’s regional bus companies across the UK will carry out a programme of promotional activities in local communities to encourage people to give the bus a try. These will include:
• Free voucher and leaflet giveaways
• Entertainment on buses
• Information on company websites including top ten reasons to take the bus
• Giveaways at local shopping centres
Robert Montgomery, Deputy Managing Director of Stagecoach UK Bus said, “There are obvious environmental benefits of taking the bus instead of driving – but bus travel can also save people money and reduce the stress of driving and parking in busy towns and cities.
“We offer the best value bus fares in Britain and have invested almost £450million over the past six years in new, state-of-the-art buses for our customers. More and more of our buses and coaches now also have Wi-Fi and we are introducing smarter ticketing across the UK to make it even easier for passengers to use our greener, smarter services.”
Transport Minister Norman Baker launched ‘Catch the Bus Week’ this week in London alongside Greener Journeys Chief Executive, Claire Haigh.
Mr. Baker said, “Modern buses are clean, green and safe. They are a lifeline for many people, and an important cog in the engine of economic growth. Surveys show that the vast majority of people who use the bus are satisfied with their experience. The challenge is to get more of the population to give buses a go, which is why this campaign is so important.”
Ms. Haigh said, “Since 2010 Greener Journeys has been striving to take one billion car journeys off the road and Catch the Bus Week will help us reach this aim. Buses play a crucial role in our society from getting children to school, carrying people to work, the shops or to their local park or swimming pool day in day out. Buses support the economy.
“Buses also help reduce congestion on the roads, promote social inclusion by providing a vital link to those without other means and reduce all our carbon footprints and travel’s effect on the environment.
“This campaign will be a springboard for greater public attention of the buses many benefits and I hope will encourage both car drivers and infrequent bus users to give the bus a try. I am delighted to be launching such an important campaign.”
Stagecoach has twice been independently recognised as having the best value bus fares of any major operator in the UK, with prices up to 20% lower than other companies.
In addition, a survey carried out by Stagecoach in 2012 revealed that commuters could save an average of £150 per month – or £1700 per year – just by switching from the car to Stagecoach bus services for their daily commute*.
The company also recently launched the country’s first long-term nationwide discounted bus travel scheme for jobseekers, giving thousands of job seekers across the UK a 50% discount on their bus travel to help them find employment.Holders of a Jobcentreplus Travel Discount Card qualify for half-price single and return tickets on Stagecoach’s 6,500 buses in the UK outside London.
Earlier this month, a customer satisfaction survey by consumer watchdog Passenger Focus revealed that Stagecoach bus passengers are more satisfied with their service than customers using other national UK operators. The results showed that 86% of Stagecoach bus passengers were either fairly or very satisfied with their overall service, with only 5% dissatisfied.
Stagecoach is also providing greener travel for its customers and has cut the carbon intensity of its UK bus operations by nearly 20% in the past four years. The company has invested in improved energy management systems at offices and depots to reduce carbon emissions from buildings. A hi-tech eco-driving system being rolled out across the UK has reduced fuel consumption by around 4% and resulted in smoother journeys for passengers. Stagecoach is also the UK bus industry’s leading investor in new hybrid electric buses, which deliver a 30% reduction in carbon emissions compared to standard vehicles.
To find out more about what Stagecoach Bus is doing to promote ‘Catch the Bus Week’ log on to:
www.stagecoachbus.com/catchthebusweek
For more information about Stagecoach UK Bus visit www.stagecoachbus.com
——————————–
Catch the Bus Week
Stagecoach Bus is joining forces with GREENER Journeys and other local bus providers to launch a major drive to get the public out of cars and onto the bus.
Stagecoach East, from 29 April until 5 May 2013, will be giving out promotional leaflets explaining the benefits of bus travel, and the chance to pick up a free East dayrider gold bus tickets so you can make the most of your day by bus.
Find us in the following locations from 12-14.00:
St Ives town centre on Monday 29 April
Cambridge Petty Cury / Market Square on Tuesday 30 April
Huntingdon town centre on Wednesday 1 May
Peterborough Cathedral Square on Thursday 2 May
Bedford town centre / outside Harpur Centre on Friday 3 May
Just look out for the big green hand!
A £72,000 improvement scheme at Arbroath Bus Station is nearing completion.
The Angus Council project was undertaken to make it easier and safer for larger vehicles to access the stands, minimising the risk of damage to buses and enabling better access to the sides of vehicles for luggage.
With effect from the first departures on Friday 26 April 2013, local bus services X7, 43, 43A, 44 and 44A will revert to picking-up and setting-down in the bus station. Some services will depart from different stances from those previously used and passengers are advised to check the timetable displays and information boards.
Arbroath Bus Station is busy with reversing vehicles throughout the day and car drivers are reminded that they are not permitted to enter the station either for parking or dropping off/picking up.
The only vehicles allowed in the confines of the facility other than local bus services are vehicles operated by Arbroath Taxis and deliveries to the stance café.
23 Apr 2013
· Symbolic bus re-introduced to Stagecoach London fleet
· Vehicle back in service following £60,000 refurbishment
· Bus to return to operation on Route 55 through East London
Stagecoach London has relaunched the ‘Spirit of London’ bus that was damaged in an arson attack last year.
The newly refurbished vehicle has undergone significant repair work at a cost of around £60,000 to return it to operation following the attack.
The bus was originally launched in October 2005 to replace the double deck bus destroyed in the London 7/7 bombings. It was the first of a new generation of British designed and built double deckers.
The vehicle was damaged by two arsonists in October 2012, resulting in substantial damage to the upper deck.
Despite the damage, Stagecoach took the decision to repair the bus rather than replace it, due to the symbolic importance of the vehicle.
The re-launch, which took place at the London Bus Museum, Weybridge on Sunday (21 April), was attended by Stagecoach London Managing Director, Mark Threapleton, Transport for London Managing Director of Surface Transport, Leon Daniels and George Psaradakis, the driver of the original bus on July 7th 2005.
Mark Threapleton said, “The upper deck of the bus was almost completely burnt so it has taken a lot of work to get it back into service. However, there was never any question of us retiring the bus – we have always been committed to refurbishing it to ensure it remains a fitting tribute to the 13 people who lost their lives when the original bus was destroyed in 2005.”
Leon Daniels said, “It’s good news for London that this bus will be back on the road after refurbishment. The decision to introduce a vehicle to replace the one destroyed in 2005 was an important one which meant a lot to the victims’ families and to the people of London. We are very pleased that it will be back in service carrying passengers again soon.”
George Psaradakis said, “I would like to thank Mark Threapleton very much for giving me the opportunity to take part in the re-launching of the Spirit of London. When I was told what had happened to the Spirit of London I was truly sad but, looking at the vehicle after its restoration, all the sadness I felt then has now been offset with happiness. My congratulations go to Stagecoach for the restoration of the bus, I am very proud to be working for them.”
The bus will operate on route 55 in East London and will be based at Leyton garage.
The bus was first named ‘Spirit of London’ by former London Mayor Ken Livingstone in October 2005.
London’s bus network is one of the largest and most comprehensive urban transport systems in the world. Every week day 8,500 buses carry 6.4 million passengers on 700 different routes across the capital and account for around half of all bus journeys in England.
Stagecoach operates 1004 buses during peak times on a number of routes across East and South East London.
The bus was set alight in the early hours of the morning of Friday 19 October 2012 at Walthamstow Central bus station.
There were no passengers on the bus at the time and no-one was injured in the incident.
Two 14 year old girls have since been convicted of arson.
Reduction in supported public transport services Click here to download a list of all affected services
Tuesday 16th April, 2013
Stirling Council’s Environment and Housing Committee has agreed implementation of policy savings of around £313,000 from the Support Transport Services budget at its meeting last week (11 April).
Speaking on behalf of the Council, Committee Convener, Councillor Danny Gibson, said: “Due to financial constraints, the Council has been faced with difficult choices and it is regrettable that some lower ranked bus services which have been subsidised by the Council will have to be withdrawn.
Whilst this will only affect the lowest ranked and least well used services which have been supported by the Council, it must be recognised that the vast majority of commercially viable services operated by bus firms will not be affected by these changes.
We have worked hard to ensure that as far as possible rural services will not be affected, particularly the Demand Responsive Transport contracts. The Dial a Journey Door-to-Door and Taxicard Services, which assist people with mobility difficulties, will retain the exact same level of funding as last year.
The Council continues to support a number of services which by themselves are not commercially viable but might otherwise be desirable and this year we will still be spending £725,000 to benefit Stirling passengers.”
The Committee heard that those bus contracts to be withdrawn had been assessed against the Council’s policy on prioritising bus services, agreed by the Council’s Executive in April 2008, and scored less than other supported services.
All pupils entitled to receive school transport under the Council’s School Transport Policy will continue to do so.
18 Apr 2013 Photo’s by Jamie Vendy/Big J’s Bus Photos
Stagecoach today (Thursday 18 April) announced it is to launch a major network of overnight sleepercoach services from Scotland to London this summer using a £5m fleet of specially-designed vehicles.
The fleet of 10 new coaches, equipped with a clever interior layout that allows the leather seats to be converted into lie-flat beds, will operate overnight seven days a week.
Sleepercoach services will link London with Aberdeen, Aviemore, Cumbernauld Dundee, Dunfermline Edinburgh, Falkirk, Ferrytoll park and ride in Fife, Glasgow Inverness and Perth.
The services will provide more than 1,700 lie-flat beds between Scotland and London every single week.
The state-of-the-art double-deck coaches boast luxury leather seats with tables, power sockets, free Wi-Fi and a toilet. The specially designed vehicles have 53 seats that convert into 42 beds.
Customers will receive complimentary refreshments during their journey as well as a sleeper kit which includes an eye mask, a toothbrush and toothpaste. In addition, as a pilot, passengers will also be given a choice of a blanket or a onesie to sleep in during their journey.
Prices on the new services will range from £15 to £60. Journey times are comparable to existing sleeper train services, with customers able to make the trip from both Edinburgh and Glasgow to London in less than eight hours.
The launch of the new sleepercoach network follows the huge success of a pilot route between Glasgow and London using refurbished vehicles fitted with bunk beds.
Stagecoach Group Chief Executive Sir Brian Souter, who today unveiled the first of the new coaches at The O2 in London, said: “It used to be just popstars that had beds on board their tour buses – now everyone can benefit from a comfortable, great value overnight journey. You can go to sleep in one city and wake up in another ready to start the day without having to pay extra for an expensive hotel room.”
Specially designed and manufactured by Van Hool in Belgium, the sleepercoaches will operate under a new megabusgold.com brand. The first of the new coaches will replace existing vehicles on the current overnight route between Glasgow and London. All routes on the sleepercoach network are expected to be launched during the summer and will be operated through the Scottish Citylink joint venture between Stagecoach and international transport group ComfortDelGro.
The vehicles will also be used to operate on the existing Scottish Citylink Gold network through the day between Glasgow and Aberdeen and Inverness.
In 2003, Stagecoach launched the budget service megabus.com, revolutionising coach travel by offering fares from just £1* via a simple online booking system. Around five million passengers now use megabus.com in the UK every year to travel to more than 60 locations across the country.
Stagecoach expanded the megabus.com brand to North America in 2006. It now serves more than 100 locations in the United States and Canada, and has welcomed around 25 million passengers.
Further information about the new sleepercoach services can be found at www.megabusgold.com
*All megabus.com and megabusgold.com bookings are subject to a 50pence booking fee
SLEEPERCOACH TIMETABLES
Inverness-Aviemore-Glasgow-London / London-Glasgow-Aviemore-Inverness
| Inverness | Departs 1930 | London | Departs 2315 |
| Aviemore | Departs 2014 | Glasgow | Departs 0730 |
| Glasgow | Departs 2310 | Aviemore | Departs 1010 |
| London | Arrives 0700 | Inverness | Arrives 10.53 |
Falkirk-Dunfermline-Ferrytoll-Edinburgh-London / London-Edinburgh-Ferrytoll-Dunfermline-Falkirk
| Falkirk | Departs 2120 | London | Departs 2300 |
| Dunfermline | Departs 2200 | Edinburgh | Departs 0700 |
| Ferrytoll | Departs 2215 | Ferrytoll | Departs 0745 |
| Edinburgh | Departs 2300 | Dunfermline | Departs 0800 |
| London | Arrives 0650 | Falkirk | Arrives 0845 |
Aberdeen-Dundee-Perth-Cumbernauld-London / London-Cumbernauld-Perth-Dundee-Aberdeen
| Aberdeen | Departs 2115 | London | Departs 2130 |
| Dundee | Departs 2240 | Cumbernauld | Departs 0515 |
| Perth | Departs 2315 | Perth | Departs 0600 |
| Cumbernauld | Departs 2359 | Dundee | Departs 0635 |
| London | Arrives 0745 | Aberdeen | Arrives 0810 |
SLEEPERCOACH PICK-UP AND DEPARTURE POINTS
LOCATION
| DETAILS | |
| Aberdeen | Bus Station, Guild Street |
| Aviemore | Rail Station Interchange |
| Cumbernauld | Town Centre South |
| Dundee | Seagate Bus Station |
| Dunfermline | Bus Station, Queen Anne Street |
| Edinburgh | St Andrews Bus Station |
| Falkirk | Newmarket Street |
| Ferrytoll | Ferrytoll Park & Ride |
| Glasgow | Buchanan Bus Station |
| Inverness | Bus Station, Castle Street |
| Perth | Broxden Park & Ride |
| London | Victoria Coach Station |
SLEEPER COACH FACTFILE
Your new and improved South Essex network
FIRST ARE BUILDING THE SOUTH ESSEX NETWORK
As part of First’s commitment to providing reliable and frequent journeys to our customers, changes to services in the Southend, Canvey Island, Basildon and Brentwood areas will commence from Sunday 5 May 2013. The revisions have been made not only to make a more efficient use of current services, but also to provide new bus routes for areas that weren’t previously served.
The key highlights of the changes are as follows:
Increased frequency, up to every 7 to 8 minutes between Benfleet, Hadleigh and Southend via the A13 London Road
Increased frequency, up to every 7 to 8 minutes between Rayleigh and Southend via Eastwood
Increased frequency, up to every 7 to 8 minutes between Southend town centre and Southend Hospital
Increased frequency, up to every 7 to 8 minutes between Benfleet and Basildon via Pitsea and Vange
Increased frequency, up to every 10 minutes between Basildon and Wickford
Increased frequency, up to every 30 minutes between Brentwood and Chelmsford
More buses serving Laindon Station
Improved Sunday service to Southchurch
First believe that the county of Essex is growing, and an essential part of growth is an excellent transport system. As well as improving frequencies along routes, certain journeys have been re-timed to coincide with rail links at Southend, Canvey and Benfleet stations. This brings valuable links to commuters travelling to London or other parts of the county.
In addition to the increased frequency of services, significant investment has also been made in bringing new buses into our fleet. The arrival of 19 new Volvo hybrid buses at Basildon, and 24 refurbished double deckers at Hadleigh and Basildon depots in addition to other more modern vehicles, has resulted in over 40% of the fleet being replaced.
A more in depth look at each service can be found below.
Southend, Castle Point & Rayleigh area
2 Southend to Basildon is renumbered as service 28,
This service will now be numbered as service 28, and will follow the same route as the current service 2 and is increased to operate every 15 minutes during the main part of the day on Monday to Saturday. Between Tarpots and Basildon, service 28 combines with service 22 to provide an increased level of service every 7 to 8 minutes between these points. Between the junction of London Road and Kents Hill Road in Benfleet, and Southend via the A13 London Road through Hadleigh, Leigh and Westcliff, service 28 combines with service 27 to provide a bus every 7 to 8 minutes.
On Sundays and Public Holidays, service 28 will operate every 30 minutes between Southend and Hadleigh, and every 60 minutes on to Basildon Hospital. Between Tarpots and Basildon Hospital, service 28 combines with service 22 to provide a bus every 30 minutes between these points
15/15A/15B/15C/16 Southend to Basildon or Canvey.
These Monday to Friday peak time only services are withdrawn and will be replaced locally by services 21 and 21X in Canvey, and services 20, 25, 25A and 25B in the Eastwood and Rayleigh area. Lower Hockley will no longer be served, and the journeys to and from Basildon are partly covered by earlier journeys on service 2, and the existing service 15B journeys serving Seevic College are replaced by new service 25B.
The section of route between/via Tesco and RBS at Thanet Grange, and via Prince Avenue will no longer be covered as the contract to carry RBS staff has been awarded to another operator.
20 Southend to Hullbridge
This service will operate to a revised timetable. However, there are no changes to the route. Main frequency every 15 minutes Monday to Saturday and every 30 minutes on Sundays.
Through Eastwood, the 20 combines with service 25/25A to provide an improved service with a bus every 7 to 8 minutes to Rayleigh or Southend.
21 Southend to Canvey
Revised to operate between Canvey Newlands and Southend via parts of the existing service 26 on Canvey Island, and the existing service 21 between Benfleet Station and Southend, with the exception that the 21 will operate via Thames Drive and Leigh Station rather than Hadleigh Road. Main frequency every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday, with more buses at peak times, and hourly Sundays. During the off-peak period, alternate journeys will operate as service 21A via Manchester Drive in Leigh-on-Sea.
A new service Service 21X will operate during Monday to Friday peak times to provide a service from Canvey Eastern Esplanade to Benfleet Station, replacing the existing services 16 and 21 on this section or route. From Labworth Park through to Benfleet Station, the 21X follows the same route as the 21. Peak time buses are designed to connect with the fast trains to London from Benfleet Station. There are no change to the evening service 21B, and school bus 822 is unchanged.
22 Canvey to Basildon
Increased to operate every 15 minutes during the main part of the day on Monday to Saturday. Between Tarpots and Basildon, service 22 combines with service 28 to provide a bus every 7 to 8 minutes between these points.
Between the junction of High Road and Kents Hill Road in Benfleet, and Basildon via Pitsea, service 22 combines with service 28 to provide a bus every 7 to 8 minutes.
On Sundays and Public Holidays, service 22 will operate every 60 minutes. Between Tarpots and Basildon Hospital, service 22 combines with service 28 to provide a bus every 30 minutes between these points
23 Southend to Temple Sutton (renumbered eastern part of service 27)
New service replacing the eastern part of service 27 between Southend and Temple Sutton, To operate every 20 minutes during the day, terminating at the top of Hamstel Road, and every 30 minutes during the evening extending into Garon Park itself. Buses towards Southend operate a loop of the town centre from Woodgrange Drive via Queensway, Southchurch Road and Chichester Road. On Sundays, the Garon Park service is covered by service 24A.
24 Southend to Temple Sutton
Revised timetable with service operating every 20 minutes Monday to Saturday. A much improved level of service will operate on Sundays, when an hourly service 24 will operate, with an hourly 24A service to Garon Park combining to form a half hourly service via Sutton Road and North/Central Avenue. Newington Avenue will have a Sunday bus service for the first time in many years.
25 Southend to Basildon, 25A Southend to Rayleigh & 25B Southend to Hadleigh
Revised timetable, with the service terminating at Basildon Bus Station, the section to Basildon Hospital being covered by new service 15A. In the Southend area, service 25 buses will operate via Prittlewell chase to serve the front of the Hospital rather than via Carlton Avenue, which will be instead served by new service 25A. Between Southend and Rayleigh, the service will operate up to every 15 minutes, with the journeys terminating and starting at Rayleigh numbered as service 25A. Certain morning peak journeys will extend to Hadleigh from Rayleigh via Woodmans Arms, Hart Road and Kiln Road as service 25B, replacing the previous service 15B. A similar return journey from Hadleigh to Southend via Rayleigh will operate in the afternoon peak.
26 Southend to Leigh Church & Hadleigh
Revised route and timetable, with journeys operating mainly between Southend and Leigh Church only via London Road and Leigh Road every 30 minutes during Monday to Friday daytimes. Certain journeys will extend beyond Leigh to and from Hadleigh depot. The existing daily service 26 on Canvey Island serving Canvey Village and Newlands will be replaced by a revised daily service 21. There will be no service on Saturdays or Sundays.
27 Southend to Canvey Leigh Beck
Revised timetable, operating between Southend and Canvey Leigh Beck, with the section between Southend and Garon Park now covered by new service 23.
The 27 will be improved to operate every 15 minutes during the main part of the day on Monday to Saturday. Between the junction of High Road and Kents Hill Road in Benfleet, and Canvey Leigh Beck via link Road, service 27 combines with service 22 to provide a bus every 7 to 8 minutes. Between the junction of London Road and Kents Hill Road in Benfleet, and Southend via the A13, service 27 combines with service 28 to provide a bus every 7 to 8 minutes.
On Sundays and Public Holidays, service 27 will operate every 30 minutes between Southend and Canvey Leigh Beck, Between Southend and Hadleigh, service 27 combines with service 28 to provide a bus every 15 minutes between these points.
The existing Monday to Friday peak time service 28 between Canvey Leigh Beck and Benfleet Station will be renumbered as service 27X, and operate to a revised timetable, connecting with the fast London trains at Benfleet Station.
Basildon and Thurrock area
5 Basildon to Pitsea Tesco
Revised timetable, with buses running up to every 10 minutes Monday to Saturday and every 30 minutes evenings and Sundays. The timetable is coordinated with services 15, 15A and 25 to provide a bus every 5 minutes between Basildon, Whitmore Way and Grimston Road during Monday to Saturday daytime’s.
8, 8A, 8B, 8C Pitsea to Laindon via Basildon to Pitsea Tesco
The timetable is revised, with running times adjusted to make the service more punctual. The service pattern is simplified and revised to operate as service 8 and 8A daily throughout the day. In Laindon, both the 8 and 8A will operate via Laindon Station during Monday to Saturday daytime’s. The evening and Sunday buses will run to the same route and times as now, with the 8B renumbered as service 8, and the 8C renumbered as service 8A
Services 8 and 8A will each operate every 20 minutes, forming a combined 10 minute frequency service over the common section of route between Staceys Corner, Basildon and Laindon
15 Langdon Hills to Wickford and 15A Basildon Hospital to Runwell via Wickford
The existing services 25A, 25B and 25C will be replaced by new services 15, 15A and 15B. Combined with service 25, a bus will operate up to every 10 minutes on the main section of route between Basildon and Wickford via Whitmore Way, Eastmayne and Nevendon Road. Laindon Station will no longer be served, instead covered by services 8 and 8A, and the once a day extension to Great Berry will no longer operate.
25 Southend to Basildon, 25A Southend to Rayleigh & 25B Southend to Hadleigh
The existing services 25A, 25B and 25C will be replaced by two new half hourly services 15 (Langdon Hills to Wickford) and 15A (Basildon Hospital to Runwell), plus a new peak time service15B linkng Langdon Hills and Basildon Hospital. Combined with service 25, a more frequent service will now operate up to every 10 minutes on the main section of route between Basildon and Wickford via Whitmore Way, Eastmayne and Nevendon Road. Laindon Station will no longer be served, and will instead covered by services 8 and 8A, and the once a day extension to Great Berry will no longer operate.
Service 25 will have a revised timetable, with service terminating at Basildon Bus Station and in the Southend area, will operate via Prittlewell Chase to serve the front of the Hospital rather than via Carlton Avenue, which will be instead served by new service 25A. Between Southend and Rayleigh, services 25 and 25A combine to form an increased service running up to every 15 minutes. Certain morning peak journeys will extend to Hadleigh from Rayleigh via Woodmans Arms, Hart Road and Kiln Road as service 25B, replacing the previous service 15B.
A similar return journey from Hadleigh to Southend via Rayleigh will operate in the afternoon peak.
On Sundays, a half hourly service will continue to be provided between Basildon Hospital, Basildon and Wickford, and an hourly service beyond Wickford to Southend.
100 Chelmsford to Lakeside via Basildon and Grays
There will be some minor changes to the timetable during the morning peak in the Lakeside to Chelmsford direction to improve punctuality. The main timetable will continue to operate every 15 minutes Monday to Saturday and every hour during the evenings and Sunday daytimes.
200 Basildon to Grays via Thurrock Colleges
Revised Monday to Saturday timetable, with additional journeys operating between Basildon and the Colleges in Thurrock to meet increased demand for student travel. The early morning timetable is revised and there will be two college day only service 200X journeys in the morning peak period which will serve now Stanford le Hope but will not call at Basildon Hospital or Orsett Village.
Additionally, three college day only service 200X journeys will operate towards Basildon during the afternoon, calling at the Colleges in Thurrock at 1510, 1610 and 1710
551 Basildon to Brentwood via Billericay is renumbered as service 9
The existing service 551 will be renumbered as service 9, providing a similar service to the current service, but extended beyond Brentwood Station to terminate at Warley, Eagle Way.The Monday to Friday peak hour service which operated between Shenfield Station and Hutton Village will be revised to instead operate via Hanging Hill Lane to Pondfield Road and Knights Way as service 9A.
The off-peak section of route between Basildon and the Festival Leisure Park will no longer operate, although Essex County Council service 237 continues to provide an alternative service.
Brentwood Services:
73 Warley to Bishops Hall Estate
The service will be revised to operate between Brentwood Station and Bishops Hall Estate, with the section of service 73 south of Brentwood Station to Warley instead being covered by an extension of service 9 (formerly 551).
The section of route via Clements Park and Woodman Road will no longer be covered by First services. The revised service 73 will operate up to every 10 minutes during Monday to Friday peak times, and every 15 minutes during Monday to Saturday daytime’s.
The evening and Sunday service will be unchanged with the service continuing to operate through to Warley at these times.
351 Chelmsford to Brentwood
This service will be improved, with the frequency increased to operate up to every 30 minutes during Monday to Saturday daytimes.
The timetables for each service are available below.
Follow us on Twitter @FirstEssex
Service 5 (PDF – 40.39 KB)
Service 8/8A (PDF – 65.11 KB)
Service 9 (PDF – 26.61 KB)
Service 15/15A/15B (PDF – 29.47 KB)
Service 20 (PDF – 43.77 KB)
Service 21/21A/21B/21X (PDF – 71.69 KB)
Service 22 (PDF – 31.9 KB)
Service 23/24 (PDF – 36.69 KB)
Service 25/25A/25B (PDF – 62.15 KB)
Service 26 (PDF – 7.28 KB)
Service 27/27X (PDF – 59.9 KB)
Service 28 (PDF – 38.92 KB)
Service 73 (PDF – 20.01 KB)
Service 100 (PDF – 67.46 KB)
Service 200 (PDF – 18.27 KB)
Service 351 (PDF – 22.41 KB)
Spring has sprung – for National Express Dundee!
15 Apr 2013
Eagle-eyed motorists and passers-by might have noticed a splash of green around National Express Dundee’s East Dock Street premises – the company’s brand new hybrid electric buses are brightening up the garage despite the persistent cold and wintry weather.
The bright green double deck buses have been delivered this week from Falkirk-based manufacturers Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL). £2.8 million has been invested in the hybrid fleet, with significant contributions made by the Scottish Government’s Green Bus Fund and Dundee City Council.
National Express Dundee is the only company receiving a grant from the second round of the Green Bus Fund to choose the Scottish firm ADL to fulfil its order.
Drivers and engineers are currently being trained on how to operate and service the new vehicles, which are a first for the company and the city of Dundee. The environmentally-friendly buses reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by over 30%, as well as offering reduced noise, improved passenger comfort and reduced maintenance costs. They will operate mainly on Service 5 between Ninewells and Broughty Ferry.
Hybrid buses have been a huge success story for ADL, the Scottish bus manufacturer. They are now the world’s biggest supplier of double deck hybrids and National Express Dundee has been glad to team up with the local suppliers for the delivery of this key contract.
Colin Robertson, Chief Executive of ADL commented: “We are delighted to be working with National Express on this initiative and to see even more of our low carbon, ultra-green buses being introduced in Scotland. Greener, low emission vehicles represent the future and – through forward-thinking companies like National Express – Scotland is certainly putting itself in the vanguard of this transport revolution.”
During a recent visit to ADL’s factory in Falkirk, National Express Dundee Managing Director Phil Smith said this was a real Scottish success story:
“Our order for nine hybrid electric buses is partially funded by the Scottish Government, as well as the local council, and is now being delivered by an extremely successful Scottish company, ADL, which has its global headquarters in Falkirk. This is a real positive boost for the Scottish and local economy, as our buses will provide an improved passenger experience, which will hopefully, in turn, generate more revenue.
“National Express has a long-established relationship with ADL and this move to greener buses in Dundee will hopefully strengthen that situation still further. So far, we have been very impressed with their product and I know our drivers are looking forward to getting behind the wheel of the new hybrids.”
Report to moderator 94.1.73.216 (?)
Miss Suzy Scott
As part of FirstGroup’s stated strategy to reposition its UK Bus division to focus on those areas that offer the greatest potential for growth, it has today announced the sale of eight of its London bus depots.
The bus depots at Alperton, Greenford, Hayes, Uxbridge and Willesden Junction, along with 494 vehicles and approximately 1,700 employees, will transfer to Metroline on completion of the sale for a gross consideration of £57.5m. Metroline is an existing London bus operator and wholly-owned subsidiary of Comfort DelGro Corporation Limited, a Singapore-incorporated transportation company.
The bus depots at Atlas Road, Lea Interchange and Westbourne Park, along with approximately 400 vehicles and 1,500 employees, will transfer to Transit Systems Group, an Australian transport operator, on completion of the sale for a gross consideration of £21.3m.
Both disposals are subject to the necessary regulatory approvals including contractual obligations with Transport for London.
Commenting, Giles Fearnley, First’s Managing Director UK Bus, said:
“The sale of these operations marks further progress in our programme to reposition our UK Bus portfolio, recover performance and equip the business to achieve sustainable revenue and patronage growth. Our strategy is to focus on those areas of the country which offer the greatest potential and while we have been a key operator in London for many years, our focus going forward is on the deregulated market outside of the capital.
“Today’s decision is a business driven one and does not reflect on the effort, commitment or individual performance of our employees in London and we will be supporting them fully as they transfer to their new employers. Over the years we have enjoyed a constructive relationship with Transport for London and look forward to working closely with them to ensure this transfer goes ahead as smoothly as possible.”
This is a two-part tale…
PART ONE
Students from the city’s colleges and universities embarked on a Twitter battle with Aberdeen’s biggest bus operator after a 10% fare hike at the weekend.
First Aberdeen announced last month thatfares would increase on March 31, which would see a day ticket climb in cost from £3.20 to £3.50.
The day that the price rise took hold led to outrage on Twitter. Sparked by a comment by Robert Gordon University Vice President Paul Greene, students from across the city gave their opinion on the issue.
But rather than leaving the students to discuss it amongst themselves, First Aberdeen joined in on the conversation. Before long the operator was taking flak from all sides – and was now part of a social media debate that lasted for three hours.
RGU student Ryan Maclean, who previously held the position of Union President, was one of the Twitter users leading the debate, who slammed the price hike for the day ticket and repeatedly called for a £1 student single fare that mimics similar systems run by FirstGroup in Stirling and Leeds.
Despite repeated calls for First Aberdeen Twitter to comment on why a £1 student ticket could not be introduced in the north-east, First Aberdeen continued to rebuff the question, which lead to some other Twitter users dubbing the online meltdown as ‘a PR fail.’
Afterwards, First Aberdeen admitted that the member of staff who entered into the debate should have directed the students to customer services rather than try to answer the students’ questions directly.
A spokesman for First Aberdeen said: “We welcome all feedback from customers and our Twitter agent [on Monday] answered a number of questions on fares and enjoyed a lengthy conversation with one particular individual.
“On reflection, our agent should have directed that individual to customer services as they are better placed to deal with the questions posed.”
Some student bodies are now considering some form of protest against the price hike. Robert Gordon University Union President Francisca Chiedu said she was inundated with emails following the debate.
Ms Chiedu said: “We have to have a campaign working with other universities and colleges in the area to discuss how this issue will be solved. We need to do something about it, even if it means a boycott.
“It is shameful that students are being treated in this way.”
While day tickets have increased by 10%, the price of Academic Term and the Four Week bus passes have been held at £350 and £50.
A First Aberdeen spokesman said: “We appreciate that not everyone will welcome our new fares, even although the majority of ticket types have decreased or been frozen in price.
“Student tickets still represent good value for money – for example with the Academic Term ticket students can enjoy unlimited access to our network for just £1.15 a day.”
However, this has failed to satisfy student representatives.
Ryan said: “They [the passes] are fine if you have money, but many students can’t afford to spend £350 on a pass at the beginning of term.
“In reality, students may only be at university two to three times a week and the ‘value’ will only be used a handful of times a week.”
Ryan added that as the day fare is the only option available to purchase on-bus, the looming campus change for RGU will mean that many students will have no option other than to pay the price.
He said: “With the recent bad weather, students have had no choice but to pay to use the buses. It is upwards to a 45 minute walk [from the city centre to Garthdee] so students have no other option, especially when the university changes campus [in September].”
First Aberdeen said it would consider all suggestions made by customers, adding it plans to announce new student measures in the coming months.
A spokesman added: “We are aware of the expansion planned at RGU in Garthdee. As a result, we are looking at plans to increase the number of buses running on Services one and two, and we are also having a look at a student fares promotion.
“We hope to unveil details in the coming months.”
PART TWO
Students from the city’s universities and colleges are to protest outside the First Aberdeen’s headquarters after the area’s biggest bus company increased ticket prices by 10%.
Angry students met at Robert
Gordon University’s Student Union to discuss the issue and agreed to launch a campaign to introduce a new £1 ticket for everyone in education in Aberdeen.
A ‘Say No to First’ facebook protest was launched soon after, garnering over 1000 likes in less than 24 hours.
The group also agreed to picket First Aberdeen’s headquarters on King Street on April 12 and are planning to place posters across the city which accuse the bus company of ‘putting themselves First’.
Euan Davidson, a fourth year student at RGU, is one of the supporters of the campaign and told STV students plan to demonstrate against the increase at the end of next week.
He said: “We plan to have a day of action on Friday, April 12. This will involve a demonstration outside First HQ at around midday, but we’ll also be working to build up momentum before then, involving students across the city.
“It is enormously encouraging that so many students have supported us already, but we only have a fraction of the student population on our side. I expect by next week, that will have changed.”
However a spokesman for First Aberdeen said that the bus company has already made plans to speak to student representatives next week in a bid to resolve the situation.
The spokesman said:”We are aware that some students are disappointed with our fares review. We have a meeting arranged with student representatives next week to discuss some of their issues.
“Last month we gave senior colleagues at Robert Gordon University a commitment to reduce one of our student ticket types later this year.
“We’d be keen to discuss with student representatives how best we can tailor that to benefit students.”
Yet the impact of the outcry has led local MSP Richard Baker to submit a motion to the Scottish Parliament, calling on ministers to consider the impact of the increases on not just the student population, but Aberdeen residents as a whole.
The motion states: “Students are just one of the many groups affected by high bus fares in Aberdeen, and [this motion] calls on the Scottish Government to ensure that students and residents in Aberdeen have access to affordable bus services.”
The motion has been welcomed by Mr Davidson, who called the development “excellent news”.
The proposed £1 fare that the campaign is calling on falls in line with similar First operations in Stirling and Leeds, and was the focus of a war of words between a Twitter agent for First Aberdeen and students on Monday.
Ryan Maclean, who was involved with the original Twitter debate, is extremely encouraged by the recent developments, and notes that students from across the city have come together to fight the changes.
He said: “It is hugely encouraging to see that students from Aberdeen College, Aberdeen University and Robert Gordon University are uniting as one to stand against this rapacious increase in the price of student day-tickets.
“First Bus have exerted a stranglehold on transport in the city for too long and the despicable nature of their price rise, targeted at those who can least afford it, has clearly been one step too far.
“First Bus need to pay heed to this response and start providing transport options that are affordable, rather than options intended to increase their inflated profit margins.”
The spokesman recognised that although the day ticket fare had increased, prices for some season tickets had been frozen, which offer unlimited travel across the city for a discounted price.
He added: “Students enjoy heavily discounted fares in Aberdeen. Whilst some student fares have increased, we have frozen the Student Academic Term Ticket and the First4Week Student ticket, both of which provide students with unlimited access to our network for well under £2 a day.”
Students took to the social media site to voice their dismay at the fare increases on April 1, which were introduced by First on March 31.
As part of the fare revisions, a student day ticket has risen by almost 10% following the fare change, increasing from £3.20 to £3.50.
However the discussion descended into a heated argument and the Twitter agent came to blows with students, who labelled the debate ‘a PR fail’.
A spokesperson for First Aberdeen apologised for the conflict, adding the agent should have directed students to customer services.
And in the wake of the online incident, the Twitter account has now ceased informal discussions with customers, advising them to contact customer services by email.
Ryan feels that the response to the increases has shown that students will fight the changes until bus prices are change to reflect student income.
He said: “The response from students and young people in the city since the fare hikes by First has been overwhelming.
“The original Twitter conversation has now had over 5,250 views and the campaignFacebook Page has received 1000 likes in less than 24 hours since it went live.
“I think this demonstrates that students are not willing to take this latest price rise lying down.”
First Aberdeen have been contacted for a response.
another press release following this post
New National Express ‘A1′ service underlines position as market leader
National Express has underlined its position as the leader in affordable airport travel following a major new agreement with one of the UK’s leading airports.
The UK’s largest coach operator and London Luton Airport, the UK’s fifth largest airport, have announced a major new agreement which will see National Express operate dedicated direct coach services between London Luton Airport and London Victoria Coach Station.
The new service will mean faster journey times, more frequent services, and more seats available at peak times for passengers getting to and from the airport. An enhanced timetable, specially-engineered around flight times, will further benefit customers.
At peak, coaches are timetabled to run every ten minutes, with 150 services travelling to and from the airport each day. This is equivalent to a third more seats than currently offered at peak times. The new service will open up the Airport’s 100 destinations to passengers via the National Express network, connecting Bristol to Barcelona, Norwich to Nice and Oxford to Olbia in a whole new way.
Operational from May 1, the London Luton Airport A1 service is entirely dedicated to airport travellers, and significantly enhances the provision of convenient and cost-effective airport travel from the Capital.
Tom Stables, Managing Director UK Coach said: “We are thrilled to be working in partnership with London Luton Airport, a move which underlines our position as the leader in affordable airport travel. Last year, we operated more than five million passenger journeys to and from airports, and we believe there is no better way to travel than by coach. This new service will be a showcase of the exceptional standard of 21st century coach travel and we look forward to welcoming holidaymakers and business travellers alike.”
Rupert Lawrie, Commercial Director, London Luton Airport commented: “The new National Express service continues our aim of delivering convenience and great value for passengers whilst supporting our commitment to increase the number of passengers travelling to and from the Airport on more sustainable modes of transport. The speed, frequency and quality of these new National Express services makes this means of public transport more feasible and attractive than ever before.”
The route will be served by a 22-strong fleet of Caetano Levante coaches. Customers will benefit from a range of features on board every coach including, toilets, free WiFi, power sockets, business-class legroom and CCTV.
National Express operate airport services 24/7, taking people straight to the airport door.
For more information visit www.nationalexpress.com or call 08717 818178.
FARES REVIEW SEES FIRST GLASGOW SLASH PRICE OF CHILDRENS TICKETS
Vast Majority of Fares Frozen
Company Promises Further Fare Cuts to Complement simpliCITY Launch in May
First Glasgow, the citys largest bus operator, today announced changes to its bus fares.
From April 7, the cost of childrens single fares will be slashed by 20% from 75p to 60p. And although First will apply a small 5p increase to the cost of its £1.15 Single Adult Short Hop and £1.85 Long Hop tickets, it has frozen the vast majority of its other fares, including all First Day and return tickets.
The company has also has promised to introduce further fare reductions to coincide with the launch of its brand new SimpliCITY network on May 26.
Ronnie Park, Managing Director of First Glasgow, said: “Despite rising costs and the ongoing challenging economy, we have been able to significantly reduce childrens tickets and freeze many other ticket types in this fares review.
“I am particularly pleased that weve been able to reduce the childrens single ticket ” I am sure this will prove popular amongst families across our network.
“And given that the cost of city centre parking will increase from Monday (1 April), we felt it was important that we freeze the majority of our tickets. Our day tickets and season tickets especially are more likely ticket to tempt motorists increasingly fed up with the cost and hassle of running a car, not to mention the problems associated with city centre parking, to use the bus more often.’
He continued: “Unfortunately however, we have had to increase some adult single fares, but I can assure customers that weve kept these to the absolute minimum.
“Almost every single cost associated with running a bus company is increasing. A recent study by the Confederation of Passenger Transport showed that overall operating costs for bus companies increased by 4.7% in 2012. Those costs are likely to increase further in 2013. However, we have done everything possible to avoid passing those costs on to our customers.’
Ronnie Park stressed that bus travel continues to represent very good value for money. “I think all our tickets offer terrific value. For example, customers using a First4Week ticket can enjoy unlimited bus travel across the city for as little as £1.35 a day. When you consider that the cost of running a car – fuel, insurance, road tax, depreciation and parking ” travelling by bus is an attractive alternative.’
He added: “We are working very hard behind the scenes to improve our services and make bus travel even more appealing.’
Details of fare changes
ALL TICKET PRICES FROZEN WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE SMALL NUMBER OF TICKETS LISTED BELOW
This includes Day tickets, but we will shortly be announcing significant price reductions on these tickets as part of the launch of our simpliCITY network.
Child Single
Was Now
£0.75 £.0.60 REDUCED!
Adult Single
Was Now
£1.15 £1.20
£1.60 £1.70 Best value: £3.00 off-peak return £4.00 FirstDay
£1.85 £1.90 Best value: £3.00/3.45 off-peak return £4.50 FirstDay
£3.15 £3.45 Best value: £4.20 off-peak return £5.50 FirstDay
£4.10 £.4.45 Best value: £4.20 off-peak return £5.50 FirstDay
Young Scotcard Singles will increase by a similar amount but continue to offer a 1/3 discount.
Off-Peak fares available after 9.30am Monday – Friday and all day Saturday & Sunday (excludes Night Services).
Network Tickets
Was Now
£17.00 £18.50 1 week Network FirstCard
£117.00 £122.00 10 week Network FirstCard
£117.00 £122.00 10 week Network FirstWeek
01 Apr 2013
Bus passengers using Stagecoach are more satisfied with their service than customers using other national UK operators, according to new independent research.
Consumer watchdog Passenger Focus found that 86% of Stagecoach bus passengers were either fairly or very satisfied with their overall service, with only 5% dissatisfied.
The overall customer ratings for Stagecoach were higher than three other national UK bus operators: Arriva (85%), First (81%) and National Express (78%). Passenger Focus does not include Go Ahead in the national operator results due to the small sample of their services covered by the survey.
Stagecoach also scored highest on the three key headline areas in the survey: value for money, punctuality and journey time.
Table 1: Overall bus passenger satisfaction % by national operator*
| Operator | Overall satisfaction | Value for money | Punctuality | Journey time |
| Stagecoach | 86 | 59 | 74 | 86 |
| Arriva | 85 | 48 | 71 | 86 |
| First | 81 | 48 | 63 | 83 |
| National Express | 78 | 50 | 62 | 80 |
Source: Passenger Focus
Passenger Focus surveyed more than 22,000 passengers from 20 areas across England, outside of London. It found that the average satisfaction with all operators across England was 84%. Bus passengers in Nottingham were most satisfied with a rating of 92%.
Satisfaction with Stagecoach services ranged from 84% in the Kent County Council and Transport for Greater Manchester areas to 90% in the Devon County Council area. Stagecoach had a higher overall satisfaction than its competitors in virtually every region surveyed.
Les Warneford, Managing Director of Stagecoach UK Bus, said: “We are proud that independent research has found Stagecoach customers are the most satisfied of any national operator. These results show that we are doing a lot right.
“On the key things that matter to our customers – value for money, punctuality and journey times – we are consistently the best. That is down to the hard work of all of our people, from the teams who prepare and maintain our buses to the drivers who welcome our customers on board.
“But we know we don’t always get things right and we need to work hard to do even better. Good customer service is particularly important to attract people who don’t use the bus and take the car. We will continue to focus on training our people, investing in improving our bus fleet, and working in partnership with local authorities to make bus travel even better.”
The Passenger Focus survey included the views of more than 4,300 Stagecoach bus users from Tyne and Wear to Devon. A breakdown of the Stagecoach results is in the table below:
Table 2: Stagecoach bus passenger satisfaction % by area
| Area | Overall satisfaction | Value for money | Punctuality | Journey time |
| Devon County Council | 90 | 47 | 75 | 89 |
| Kent County Council | 84 | 51 | 71 | 87 |
| Merseyside PTE | 88 | 62 | 66 | 86 |
| Oxfordshire County Council | 88 | 58 | 74 | 81 |
| South Yorkshire PTE | 87 | 67 | 71 | 88 |
| Tees Valley | 88 | 64 | 76 | 90 |
| Transport for Greater Manchester | 84 | 60 | 78 | 82 |
| Tyne and Wear PTE area | 87 | 60 | 75 | 88 |
Source: Passenger Focus
Stagecoach is involved in a number of initiatives to improve the quality and affordability of bus travel, and to increase customer satisfaction even further:
29 Mar 2013
• Two Stagecoach employees in the running for Frontline Employee of the Year
• West Scotland express service shortlisted for Best Bus Service
• Other shortlisted nominations reflect marketing, social media and sustainability excellence
Transport group Stagecoach is in the running for a host of top honours at the 2013 Scottish Transport Awards.
The Perth-based company has seen three of its Scottish bus companies shortlisted for awards at the ceremony, which takes place in Glasgow on 20 June. A total of six shortlisted Stagecoach entries reflect excellence across a number of areas including bus service operation, frontline customer service, marketing, social media and sustainability.
Stagecoach West Scotland’s X74 express coach service – which links Dumfries, Beattock, Moffat, Hamilton and Glasgow – is in the running for the Best Bus Service Award at the event.
In addition, Stagecoach West Scotland Operations Manager Kenny Monaghan has been shortlisted in the Frontline Employee of the Year category along with East Scotland bus driver Mike Reid, who drives the St Andrews sightseeing services during the summer months and drove as part of the Torch Relay convoy for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games last year.
Stagecoach East Scotland has been shortlisted for the Excellence in Technology and Innovation Award for its ‘Improving Relations through Social Media’ project which has delivered improved passenger information through the use of Twitter to provide regular service updates and deal with customer enquiries.
In the Excellence in Travel Information and Marketing category Stagecoach East Scotland has been shortlisted for its express coach network between Fife and Glasgow.
Stagecoach Bluebird has been named as one of the finalists in the Contribution to Sustainability category after introducing 10 hybrid-electric vehicles on the Service 59 Hospital Direct route in Aberdeen. The hybrid vehicles produce up to 30% less carbon emissions than standard buses.
Stagecoach Regional Director for Scotland, Sam Greer, said: “It’s very pleasing to be shortlisted for so many awards across a number of areas. Our staff work very hard to deliver good value, high quality, reliable bus services, as well as good customer service, for our passengers and it’s good to see their hard work recognised through these shortlisted nominations.”
At the 2012 Scottish Transport Awards, Scottish Citylink – which is operated through a joint venture between Stagecoach and international transport group ComfortDelGro – was named Bus Operator of the Year. In addition, the megabus.com overnight sleeper coach service came out on top in the Innovation of the Year category.
For more information about Stagecoach UK Bus visit www.stagecoachbus.com
The bus operator and football club are offering an exciting Daysaver deal for season ticket holders on home match days.
Beginning with the home game against Motherwell on Saturday 30 March, Dundee FC season ticket holders will be able to claim £1 off an Adult Daysaver on all National Express Dundee buses.
Supporters simply show their season ticket to the driver and pay only £2.40 to travel around the city for the whole day. Fans can enjoy the hospitality, cheer on the Dark Blues and let National Express do the driving for them!
National Express Dundee Services 18 and 19 can be caught from town to the football ground every 10 minutes.
National Express delighted to announce important business successes in UK Coach and North America
National Express Group PLC (“National Express”) is delighted to announce that its UK Coach and North American Transit operations have recently won important new business.
UK Coach win
National Express has underlined its position as the leader in affordable airport travel following a major new agreement with one of the UK’s leading airports.
National Express – the UK’s largest operator - will begin running dedicated services between London Luton Airport and London Victoria Coach Station, from May 1st. The services are expected to deliver a minimum of £6 million of annual revenue. The agreement lasts for seven years.
National Express will deliver a new and improved service offering faster journey times, more frequent services and more seats available at peak times. All coaches will be equipped with free WiFi, power sockets and business-class legroom. An enhanced timetable, specially engineered around flight times, will further benefit customers.
At peak, coaches are timetabled to run every ten minutes, with 150 services travelling to and from the airport each day. This is equivalent to a third more seats than the outgoing operator at peak times.
National Express already carries nearly 5.5 million passengers to and from UK airports. This agreement will mean National Express now serves London Luton, Gatwick, Heathrow and Stansted airports directly from central London, as well as other major UK airports including Manchester and Birmingham.
North American Transit win
National Express’ North American Transit business, National Express Transit, has also been selected to provide operations and maintenance for Solano County Transit (“SolTrans”), located in Vallejo, California.
This contract is worth $8 million of revenue in the first year, and is for an initial five year term with an option to extend by up to two years. Overall the contract has potential total revenue of $60 million.
The contract is significant as it is National Express Transit’s first in the important Californian market. The contract also encompasses all forms of transit – local fixed route, regional commuter express bus service, paratransit and General Public Dial-a-Ride – as well as customer service and vehicle and facility maintenance functions throughout the cities of Vallejo, Benicia and Fairfield, California.
The contract was awarded after a competition that judged both the operator’s bidding price and service quality proposition. In around a year National Express has built up a transit business with more than $75 million of annualized revenue. This win provides another platform for further growth in a market where we have an identified pipeline of $300 million of capital-light opportunities.
Dean Finch, Group Chief Executive of National Express said: “These announcements demonstrate the international appeal of our market-leading and value-for-money services. Within a year our North American transit business has emerged as an important new player in the market. This significant new agreement with London Luton Airport further consolidates our position as the UK’s coach market leader. These wins are further proof of the exciting pipeline of value-generating, new business opportunities we have developed.”
About National Express Group
More than 650m journeys a year are made worldwide on our bus, train, light rail and express coach operations. We deliver services in the UK, North America, Spain and Morocco. Our 40,000 employees are committed to improve the quality of life for all through travel.