The Plymouth Herald reports that the Liskeard depot and associated routes of Western Greyhound have been purchased by Go Ahead's Plymouth Citybus and will be rebranded as Go Cornwall Bus.
It remains to be seen what will happen to the rest of Western Greyhound.
Our Council Check series is taking a break for a couple of weeks. In the meantime you can catch up with the scores so far and read all previous reviews here.
Monday, 8 December 2014
Sunday, 7 December 2014
Council check: SESTran
This week's local authority is SESTran, which takes care of transport for several authorities in South-East Scotland, including Edinburgh. How do they promote the bus routes in their region?
Where do the buses go?
There's a regional public transport map, but it has a disclaimer stating that it doesn't include routes that are wholly within one council area. SESTran suggests trying the local councils for local routes, but they're under the impression that SESTran is taking care of everything. It then suggests Traveline Scotland, on which you can search for all routes serving a particular area, but it is rather clunky and awkward to use. 3 out of 5.
Timetables
Not provided. The best place for these is Traveline, which in Scotland is not as user-friendly as it is in the Midlands and South of England. 1 out of 5.
Fares
No information on single tickets or operators' own tickets. There is however a region-wide multi-operator and multi-modal ticket, the One-Ticket. No mention of Plusbus, which is available in Bathgate & Livingstone, Dunfermline, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Kirkcaldy and Linlithgow. 2 out of 5.
Summary
Not comprehensive and leaves you scrambling around several other websites in order to find complete information. Not really good enough for the transport portal of the region containing Scotland's capital. SESTran scores 6 out of 15.
Where do the buses go?
There's a regional public transport map, but it has a disclaimer stating that it doesn't include routes that are wholly within one council area. SESTran suggests trying the local councils for local routes, but they're under the impression that SESTran is taking care of everything. It then suggests Traveline Scotland, on which you can search for all routes serving a particular area, but it is rather clunky and awkward to use. 3 out of 5.
Timetables
Not provided. The best place for these is Traveline, which in Scotland is not as user-friendly as it is in the Midlands and South of England. 1 out of 5.
Fares
No information on single tickets or operators' own tickets. There is however a region-wide multi-operator and multi-modal ticket, the One-Ticket. No mention of Plusbus, which is available in Bathgate & Livingstone, Dunfermline, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Kirkcaldy and Linlithgow. 2 out of 5.
Summary
Not comprehensive and leaves you scrambling around several other websites in order to find complete information. Not really good enough for the transport portal of the region containing Scotland's capital. SESTran scores 6 out of 15.
Sunday, 30 November 2014
Council check: Cumbria County Council
Each Sunday, we take a look at a local authority's attempts to publicise the bus routes on its patch. This week, it's the turn of Cumbria County Council.
Where do the buses go?
A range of maps cover the whole county, including separate enlargements for the main towns. 5 out of 5.
Timetables
Bus timetables for all routes in the county are here. 5 out of 5.
Fares
Nothing about single fares, but this page gives details of the day tickets available. Unfortunately some of the information is out of date, such as the prices of Stagecoach Dayrider tickets. Plusbus, available in Barrow, Carlisle, Kendal, Whitehaven, Windermere and Workington, is mentioned. There is no multi-operator ticket, but then Stagecoach run all of the major routes anyway. 1 out of 5.
Summary
Cumbria is very geared up to welcome tourists. Maps give a good overview of which bus goes where and timetables are easy to find. A point has been deducted for the out-of-date prices given for Stagecoach tickets, but this is overall a good effort for one of the main tourist regions of the UK. Cumbria County Council scores 11 out of 15.
Where do the buses go?
A range of maps cover the whole county, including separate enlargements for the main towns. 5 out of 5.
Timetables
Bus timetables for all routes in the county are here. 5 out of 5.
Fares
Nothing about single fares, but this page gives details of the day tickets available. Unfortunately some of the information is out of date, such as the prices of Stagecoach Dayrider tickets. Plusbus, available in Barrow, Carlisle, Kendal, Whitehaven, Windermere and Workington, is mentioned. There is no multi-operator ticket, but then Stagecoach run all of the major routes anyway. 1 out of 5.
Summary
Cumbria is very geared up to welcome tourists. Maps give a good overview of which bus goes where and timetables are easy to find. A point has been deducted for the out-of-date prices given for Stagecoach tickets, but this is overall a good effort for one of the main tourist regions of the UK. Cumbria County Council scores 11 out of 15.
Sunday, 23 November 2014
Council check: Strathclyde Partnership for Transport
Each Sunday, we look at how one of our local transport authorities provides information on the buses running in its region. Today, it's the turn of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, better known as SPT.
Most people know they oversee public transport in Glasgow, but they cover a few neighbouring council areas too, not that their own website will tell you what their region actually is. According to Wikipedia, they cover the following council areas:
The Daytripper map shows the whole region:
Where do the buses go?
Don't ask SPT, they won't tell you. No maps of any description. Not even a list of routes. You can search by area for a list of routes over at Traveline Scotland, but that site is very clunky and SPT don't tell you about it anyway. 0 out of 5.
Timetables
There is a timetable section, but it only covers those routes that are subsidised by SPT. Most bus routes are commercial and SPT offers absolutely no help (other than a list of commercial operators) to potential passengers regarding those routes. Traveline does have timetables for all routes, but SPT don't tell you that, and it's rather difficult to use anyway. 1 out of 5.
Tickets
There is a region-wide multi-operator and multi-modal ticket, the Daytripper. But there is no information on single or return fares, nor on operators' own day tickets. No mention of Plusbus, which is available in Glasgow, Kilmarnock and Ayr. 1 out of 5.
Summary
So, you have no way to find out which bus goes where, let alone a comprehensive route map, no easy access to timetables for the majority of routes and next to no information on fares. The only thing SPT can seem to do right is promote the Daytripper ticket. For a region of huge interest to tourists from elsewhere in the UK and from abroad, this is a shockingly poor offering. SPT scores just 2 out of 15.
Most people know they oversee public transport in Glasgow, but they cover a few neighbouring council areas too, not that their own website will tell you what their region actually is. According to Wikipedia, they cover the following council areas:
- Argyll and Bute
- West Dunbartonshire
- East Dunbartonshire
- North Lanarkshire
- South Lanarkshire
- City of Glasgow
- South Ayrshire
- East Ayrshire
- North Ayrshire
- Inverclyde
- Renfrewshire
- East Renfrewshire
The Daytripper map shows the whole region:
Where do the buses go?
Don't ask SPT, they won't tell you. No maps of any description. Not even a list of routes. You can search by area for a list of routes over at Traveline Scotland, but that site is very clunky and SPT don't tell you about it anyway. 0 out of 5.
Timetables
There is a timetable section, but it only covers those routes that are subsidised by SPT. Most bus routes are commercial and SPT offers absolutely no help (other than a list of commercial operators) to potential passengers regarding those routes. Traveline does have timetables for all routes, but SPT don't tell you that, and it's rather difficult to use anyway. 1 out of 5.
Tickets
There is a region-wide multi-operator and multi-modal ticket, the Daytripper. But there is no information on single or return fares, nor on operators' own day tickets. No mention of Plusbus, which is available in Glasgow, Kilmarnock and Ayr. 1 out of 5.
Summary
So, you have no way to find out which bus goes where, let alone a comprehensive route map, no easy access to timetables for the majority of routes and next to no information on fares. The only thing SPT can seem to do right is promote the Daytripper ticket. For a region of huge interest to tourists from elsewhere in the UK and from abroad, this is a shockingly poor offering. SPT scores just 2 out of 15.
Sunday, 16 November 2014
Council check: Durham County Council
This week, we judge how well Durham County Council promotes the buses on its patch.
Where do the buses go?
A series of semi-interactive maps cover the whole county. Town and city centre enlargements are included. 5 out of 5.
Timetables
Click on a route number within the maps and a link to the pdf timetable pops up on screen. 5 out of 5.
Fares
Durham's advice is to check with the bus operator, which isn't really good enough when they could have told us about the Explorer North East multi-operator ticket. Nothing about operators' own tickets, nor about Plusbus, which is available in Durham. 0 out of 5.
Summary
Good maps with integrated timetable information, totally let down by the lack of information on tickets, even though a regionwide multi-operator ticket does exist. Durham County Council scores a total of 10 out of 15.
Where do the buses go?
A series of semi-interactive maps cover the whole county. Town and city centre enlargements are included. 5 out of 5.
Timetables
Click on a route number within the maps and a link to the pdf timetable pops up on screen. 5 out of 5.
Fares
Durham's advice is to check with the bus operator, which isn't really good enough when they could have told us about the Explorer North East multi-operator ticket. Nothing about operators' own tickets, nor about Plusbus, which is available in Durham. 0 out of 5.
Summary
Good maps with integrated timetable information, totally let down by the lack of information on tickets, even though a regionwide multi-operator ticket does exist. Durham County Council scores a total of 10 out of 15.
Tuesday, 11 November 2014
Court backs wheelchair priority / Pensioners' passes causing cuts
A wheelchair user in Wetherby wanted to travel by bus, but couldn't because a mother with a pushchair would not vacate the wheelchair space. The bus driver only requested for her to move and she refused, so the wheelchair user couldn't travel. Today a judge at Leeds County Court has ruled that situation in breach of the Equality Act 2010 and First have had to pay damages to the man who couldn't travel. Full story at the Guardian.
More bus cuts are on the way due to council funding cuts in Hampshire, Derbyshire and elsewhere. One letter-writer to the Derbyshire Times blames pensioners' passes for making so many routes unviable, a point that this blog has made before.
More bus cuts are on the way due to council funding cuts in Hampshire, Derbyshire and elsewhere. One letter-writer to the Derbyshire Times blames pensioners' passes for making so many routes unviable, a point that this blog has made before.
Sunday, 9 November 2014
Council check: East Sussex County Council
Each Sunday, we look at the bus-promoting activities of a local transport authority. Today, it's the turn of East Sussex County Council.
Where do the buses go?
This interactive map shows all bus routes in the county. There are also enlarged maps of the major towns. 5 out of 5.
Timetables
There are links to timetables from the interactive map and also on Traveline. 4 out of 5.
Fares
Details of some day tickets, including the multi-operator Discovery ticket are here. It is not exhaustive however, missing out some of the single-operator local day tickets. Plusbus, available in Lewes, Eastbourne, Hastings and Rye, is mentioned. 3 out of 5.
Summary
Excellent maps, timetables linked to on third-party sites, but not enough information on fares. East Sussex County Council scores a total of 12 out of 15.
Where do the buses go?
This interactive map shows all bus routes in the county. There are also enlarged maps of the major towns. 5 out of 5.
Timetables
There are links to timetables from the interactive map and also on Traveline. 4 out of 5.
Fares
Details of some day tickets, including the multi-operator Discovery ticket are here. It is not exhaustive however, missing out some of the single-operator local day tickets. Plusbus, available in Lewes, Eastbourne, Hastings and Rye, is mentioned. 3 out of 5.
Summary
Excellent maps, timetables linked to on third-party sites, but not enough information on fares. East Sussex County Council scores a total of 12 out of 15.
Sunday, 2 November 2014
Council check: Somerset County Council
How easy does Somerset County Council make it to find out about the buses on its patch?
Where do the buses go?
No maps and not even a list of bus services. Appalling. Those in the know will head to Traveline, where you can search for a bus route by location and see an individual route map. 1 out of 5.
Timetables
The council just sends you over to Traveline, where admittedly you can find timetables for all routes easily. 2 out of 5.
Fares
Absolutely no information is provided. There is no multi-operator ticket. Plusbus, available in Taunton, Bridgwater and Yeovil, is ignored. 0 out of 5.
Summary
This is a very poor performance all round. Anyone would think Somerset County Council is trying to put local public transport operators out of business. They are rewarded with a shameful score of 3 out of 15.
Where do the buses go?
No maps and not even a list of bus services. Appalling. Those in the know will head to Traveline, where you can search for a bus route by location and see an individual route map. 1 out of 5.
Timetables
The council just sends you over to Traveline, where admittedly you can find timetables for all routes easily. 2 out of 5.
Fares
Absolutely no information is provided. There is no multi-operator ticket. Plusbus, available in Taunton, Bridgwater and Yeovil, is ignored. 0 out of 5.
Summary
This is a very poor performance all round. Anyone would think Somerset County Council is trying to put local public transport operators out of business. They are rewarded with a shameful score of 3 out of 15.
Sunday, 26 October 2014
Council Check: Cornwall Council
Each week, we investigate the public transport information provision of one of our local transport authorities. Today, it's the turn of Cornwall Council.
Where do the buses go?
Maps are provided of the whole county and specific towns. Couldn't be clearer. 5 out of 5.
Timetables
A bus route list is provided, with links to the timetables on the relevant operator's website. In the case of First, the page it takes you through to isn't always the one for the route requested, but you can find it with a couple of further clicks. 3 out of 5.
Fares
It is not possible to find out the price of a single or return journey, but there is a list of day tickets that are available: both operator-specific and the multi-modal Ride Cornwall ticket, which is valid on all buses and trains in the county.
Plusbus is also mentioned, which is available in Penzance, Truro, Newquay, Liskeard, Bodmin, St Austell, Camborne & Redruth and Falmouth. 4 out of 5.
Summary
Good, comprehensive maps and easy-to-find timetables are complemented by full information on all of the day tickets that are available to passengers. Cornwall Council scores a respectable 12 out of 15.
Where do the buses go?
Maps are provided of the whole county and specific towns. Couldn't be clearer. 5 out of 5.
Timetables
A bus route list is provided, with links to the timetables on the relevant operator's website. In the case of First, the page it takes you through to isn't always the one for the route requested, but you can find it with a couple of further clicks. 3 out of 5.
Fares
It is not possible to find out the price of a single or return journey, but there is a list of day tickets that are available: both operator-specific and the multi-modal Ride Cornwall ticket, which is valid on all buses and trains in the county.
Summary
Good, comprehensive maps and easy-to-find timetables are complemented by full information on all of the day tickets that are available to passengers. Cornwall Council scores a respectable 12 out of 15.
Tuesday, 21 October 2014
Tyne & Wear votes to de-deregulate
The North East Combined Authority has voted for Nexus to be given TfL-style powers over the buses in Tyne & Wear. The matter now passes to an independent review board.
The county's main commercial bus operators, Stagecoach, Arriva and Go North East, had campaigned tirelessly against the move. They will probably soon have to submit bids to Nexus on a route-by-route basis in order to continue operating in Tyne & Wear.
So what's actually going to change for the passenger? Currently, the bus network, timetables and fares are set by the private bus companies, who are answerable primarily to their shareholders. Nexus may fund additional services to fill in the gaps in that commercial network. This is how buses are run across the UK, with the exception of Greater London and Northern Ireland.
Tyne & Wear's local authorities have now voted to move to a system like that used in Greater London, where a public body accountable to the whole of society decides where the buses should run and sets the timetables and fares. It then franchises out the actual running of each route to a private company, but for passengers it won't matter which company runs which bus.
It's still not quite a done deal yet, but the county's elected representatives have voted unanimously and it'll be a bold review board that chooses to overturn that.
More details in The Journal, Shields Gazette and The Guardian. Nick Forbes, the leader of Newcastle City Council, states his case here.
The county's main commercial bus operators, Stagecoach, Arriva and Go North East, had campaigned tirelessly against the move. They will probably soon have to submit bids to Nexus on a route-by-route basis in order to continue operating in Tyne & Wear.
So what's actually going to change for the passenger? Currently, the bus network, timetables and fares are set by the private bus companies, who are answerable primarily to their shareholders. Nexus may fund additional services to fill in the gaps in that commercial network. This is how buses are run across the UK, with the exception of Greater London and Northern Ireland.
Tyne & Wear's local authorities have now voted to move to a system like that used in Greater London, where a public body accountable to the whole of society decides where the buses should run and sets the timetables and fares. It then franchises out the actual running of each route to a private company, but for passengers it won't matter which company runs which bus.
It's still not quite a done deal yet, but the county's elected representatives have voted unanimously and it'll be a bold review board that chooses to overturn that.
More details in The Journal, Shields Gazette and The Guardian. Nick Forbes, the leader of Newcastle City Council, states his case here.
Sunday, 19 October 2014
Council check: Warwickshire County Council
Let's take a look at how well Warwickshire County Council promotes the bus services in its area.
Where do the buses go?
There's a full range of maps covering the whole county, including enlarged versions for the major towns. Very useful. 5 out of 5.
Timetables
You can search for timetables by route number or location here, but what you are taken to is not the timetable itself, but rather a link to the timetable on the operator's website. It's still fairly easy to use though. 4 out of 5.
Fares
Oh dear. No information on travel costs at all. Nothing on single or return tickets, no mention of operator-specific day or season tickets and there is no multi-operator ticket. Plusbus, available in Warwick & Leamington Spa, Rugby and Nuneaton, isn't mentioned. 0 out of 5.
Summary
Excellent and comprehensive maps, well linked and easily searchable timetables are let down by an assumption that no-one wants to know how much it will cost them to use the bus. Warwickshire County Council scores a total of 9 out of 15.
Where do the buses go?
There's a full range of maps covering the whole county, including enlarged versions for the major towns. Very useful. 5 out of 5.
Timetables
You can search for timetables by route number or location here, but what you are taken to is not the timetable itself, but rather a link to the timetable on the operator's website. It's still fairly easy to use though. 4 out of 5.
Fares
Oh dear. No information on travel costs at all. Nothing on single or return tickets, no mention of operator-specific day or season tickets and there is no multi-operator ticket. Plusbus, available in Warwick & Leamington Spa, Rugby and Nuneaton, isn't mentioned. 0 out of 5.
Summary
Excellent and comprehensive maps, well linked and easily searchable timetables are let down by an assumption that no-one wants to know how much it will cost them to use the bus. Warwickshire County Council scores a total of 9 out of 15.
Sunday, 12 October 2014
Council check: Worcestershire County Council
Each Sunday, we look at how well one of our local transport authorities makes it easy to find out about bus services on its patch. This week, it's the turn of Worcestershire County Council.
Where do the buses go?
Not good enough. The council was aware of these route changes at least 2 months before they were implemented and therefore chose not to have the maps ready in time. There is a list of all bus routes in the county here, but that's not much help if you're a tourist or are new to the area and would rather have the overview that a map provides. 2 out of 5.
Timetables
Timetables for all routes in the county can be found here. 5 out of 5.
Fares
An overview of available ticket types is here, however you can't find out the price for a specific journey. There are a range of multi-operator tickets, called Connecta, which cover Worcester, Kidderminster, Redditch or the entire county.
Plusbus is mentioned, which is available in Worcester, Kidderminster, Bromsgrove, Redditch and Great Malvern. 3 out of 5.
Summary
A map is needed, but at least we have easy access to a list of routes and their timetables. Good promotion of a multi-operator ticket, but as always, people will be put off by the lack of information about single and return fares. Worcestershire County Council scores a total of 10 out of 15.
Where do the buses go?
Timetables
Timetables for all routes in the county can be found here. 5 out of 5.
Fares
An overview of available ticket types is here, however you can't find out the price for a specific journey. There are a range of multi-operator tickets, called Connecta, which cover Worcester, Kidderminster, Redditch or the entire county.
Summary
A map is needed, but at least we have easy access to a list of routes and their timetables. Good promotion of a multi-operator ticket, but as always, people will be put off by the lack of information about single and return fares. Worcestershire County Council scores a total of 10 out of 15.
Sunday, 5 October 2014
Council check: Gloucestershire County Council
This week, it's the turn of Gloucestershire County Council to tell us about the bus services on their patch.
Where do the buses go?
If we click through to Thinktravel.info, there are two bus maps, one each for Gloucester and Cheltenham, but they aren't the easiest to read and there is no map for the rest of the county. What we do have is this list of all bus routes in Gloucestershire, confusingly hosted on yet another third-party site we need to click through to, with direct links to Traveline's timetables and individual route maps. 2 out of 5.
Timetables
This page lists all bus routes in the county together with direct links to the timetable over on Traveline. 4 out of 5.
Fares
Nothing on single and return fares. The bus operators get a brief mention over on the Thinktravel.info site, but there is no clear information on ticket prices. There is no multi-operator ticket. Plusbus, available in Cheltenham, Gloucester and Stroud, gets a passing mention. 1 out of 5.
Summary
So, there are no maps to help people navigate their way around the county by public transport. The list of bus routes is not really an adequate replacement and will deter some tourists from visiting Gloucestershire. The timetables are easy to find but that's down to Traveline rather than the council. The lack of information regarding bus fares and tickets is shameful. Gloucestershire County Council scores a total of 7 out of 15.
Where do the buses go?
If we click through to Thinktravel.info, there are two bus maps, one each for Gloucester and Cheltenham, but they aren't the easiest to read and there is no map for the rest of the county. What we do have is this list of all bus routes in Gloucestershire, confusingly hosted on yet another third-party site we need to click through to, with direct links to Traveline's timetables and individual route maps. 2 out of 5.
Timetables
This page lists all bus routes in the county together with direct links to the timetable over on Traveline. 4 out of 5.
Fares
Nothing on single and return fares. The bus operators get a brief mention over on the Thinktravel.info site, but there is no clear information on ticket prices. There is no multi-operator ticket. Plusbus, available in Cheltenham, Gloucester and Stroud, gets a passing mention. 1 out of 5.
Summary
So, there are no maps to help people navigate their way around the county by public transport. The list of bus routes is not really an adequate replacement and will deter some tourists from visiting Gloucestershire. The timetables are easy to find but that's down to Traveline rather than the council. The lack of information regarding bus fares and tickets is shameful. Gloucestershire County Council scores a total of 7 out of 15.
Sunday, 28 September 2014
Council check: North Yorkshire County Council
Each week, we look at how well one of our local transport authorities promotes the bus services on its patch. This week, it's the turn of North Yorkshire County Council.
Where do the buses go?
There are no maps of any description, but this page lets you search by location for a list of all routes serving it. The results are rather cumbersome however, as only 5 results are shown per page, meaning you have to scroll through several pages to see all bus services in some locations. You can also search by route number, but that's assuming you already know which route you need. The lack of a map will ensure that many people will never find out. 1 out of 5.
Timetables
Timetables can be searched by location or route number, but be prepared to click through pages of results if you search by location. 3 out of 5.
Fares
No information is provided whatsoever, not even for Plusbus, which is available in Scarborough and Harrogate. 0 out of 5.
Summary
This really is quite poor all round. Definitely one of the worst regions of the country in which to find out about bus services. North Yorkshire County Council only manages a pitiful 4 out of 15.
Where do the buses go?
There are no maps of any description, but this page lets you search by location for a list of all routes serving it. The results are rather cumbersome however, as only 5 results are shown per page, meaning you have to scroll through several pages to see all bus services in some locations. You can also search by route number, but that's assuming you already know which route you need. The lack of a map will ensure that many people will never find out. 1 out of 5.
Timetables
Timetables can be searched by location or route number, but be prepared to click through pages of results if you search by location. 3 out of 5.
Fares
No information is provided whatsoever, not even for Plusbus, which is available in Scarborough and Harrogate. 0 out of 5.
Summary
This really is quite poor all round. Definitely one of the worst regions of the country in which to find out about bus services. North Yorkshire County Council only manages a pitiful 4 out of 15.
Sunday, 21 September 2014
Council check: Leicestershire County Council
This week, let's see how Leicestershire County Council promote the bus services in their region.
Their remit excludes the city of Leicester, which is administered separately and will be covered in a future post.
Where do the buses go?
We have a series of town maps and county-wide network diagram, plus a link to Leicester City Council's Greater Leicester Bus Map. Excellent. 5 out of 5.
Timetables
Timetables are provided, but only for those routes that are subsidised by the county council. Passengers are unlikely to know whether their route is subsidised or not, so this is far from ideal. For commercial routes, we are referred over to Traveline, which actually has timetables for all bus routes in Leicestershire and beyond. Would it have hurt the county council to include timetables for all routes? I think not. 2 out of 5.
Fares
The only fares information is a link to the Leicester Flexi multi-operator ticket, which covers the city of Leicester plus neighbouring parts of the county. There is no information on single fares, single-operator day tickets or any other type of ticket. Plusbus, available in Hinckley and Loughborough, is ignored. 1 out of 5.
Summary
Great maps, patchy timetable provision and no information on fares. Leicestershire County Council scores a total of 8 out of 15.
Their remit excludes the city of Leicester, which is administered separately and will be covered in a future post.
Where do the buses go?
We have a series of town maps and county-wide network diagram, plus a link to Leicester City Council's Greater Leicester Bus Map. Excellent. 5 out of 5.
Timetables
Timetables are provided, but only for those routes that are subsidised by the county council. Passengers are unlikely to know whether their route is subsidised or not, so this is far from ideal. For commercial routes, we are referred over to Traveline, which actually has timetables for all bus routes in Leicestershire and beyond. Would it have hurt the county council to include timetables for all routes? I think not. 2 out of 5.
Fares
The only fares information is a link to the Leicester Flexi multi-operator ticket, which covers the city of Leicester plus neighbouring parts of the county. There is no information on single fares, single-operator day tickets or any other type of ticket. Plusbus, available in Hinckley and Loughborough, is ignored. 1 out of 5.
Summary
Great maps, patchy timetable provision and no information on fares. Leicestershire County Council scores a total of 8 out of 15.
Sunday, 14 September 2014
Council check: Oxfordshire County Council
Each Sunday, we look at how well one of our local transport authorities promoted the bus services on its patch. This week: Oxfordshire County Council.
Where do the buses go?
No maps are provided, just a link to Traveline, on which you can search for all bus services serving a particular location. 1 out of 5.
Timetables
Nothing more than a link to Traveline. 2 out of 5.
Fares
Oxford's Smart Zone range of multi-operator tickets are mentioned, but that's it. No indication of travel costs if you're travelling outside of Oxford. Nothing at all on single and return fares or operators' own day tickets. Plusbus is available in Oxford, Banbury and Didcot but gets no mention from the council. 1 out of 5.
Summary
For an area of the country that is generally well regarded for the quality of its bus services, the performance of the county council is very poor. They've left as much to Traveline as possible, which is cost-effective, but also makes it more difficult for passengers to get an overview of the public transport network locally. Oxfordshire County Council really have done just the bare minimum and this is recognised in their overall score of 4 out of 15.
Where do the buses go?
No maps are provided, just a link to Traveline, on which you can search for all bus services serving a particular location. 1 out of 5.
Timetables
Nothing more than a link to Traveline. 2 out of 5.
Fares
Oxford's Smart Zone range of multi-operator tickets are mentioned, but that's it. No indication of travel costs if you're travelling outside of Oxford. Nothing at all on single and return fares or operators' own day tickets. Plusbus is available in Oxford, Banbury and Didcot but gets no mention from the council. 1 out of 5.
Summary
For an area of the country that is generally well regarded for the quality of its bus services, the performance of the county council is very poor. They've left as much to Traveline as possible, which is cost-effective, but also makes it more difficult for passengers to get an overview of the public transport network locally. Oxfordshire County Council really have done just the bare minimum and this is recognised in their overall score of 4 out of 15.
Sunday, 7 September 2014
Council check: Northamptonshire County Council
Each week, we see how a local transport authority informs potential passengers about the bus services on its patch. This week, Northamptonshire County Council.
Where do the buses go?
Maps are provided of the whole county, including enlarged versions of the major towns. 5 out of 5.
Timetables
Timetable for all bus routes in the county can be found here. 5 out of 5.
Fares
Information is given about the Buzz Card, the multi-operator ticket for Northampton. But that's it. Nothing about single and return fares or operators' own day tickets. Plusbus, available in Northampton, Wellingborough, Corby and Kettering, is also ignored. 1 out of 5.
Summary
Top notch maps and timetables, but totally inadequate fares information. Northamptonshire County Council scores a total of 11 out of 15.
Where do the buses go?
Maps are provided of the whole county, including enlarged versions of the major towns. 5 out of 5.
Timetables
Timetable for all bus routes in the county can be found here. 5 out of 5.
Fares
Information is given about the Buzz Card, the multi-operator ticket for Northampton. But that's it. Nothing about single and return fares or operators' own day tickets. Plusbus, available in Northampton, Wellingborough, Corby and Kettering, is also ignored. 1 out of 5.
Summary
Top notch maps and timetables, but totally inadequate fares information. Northamptonshire County Council scores a total of 11 out of 15.
Thursday, 4 September 2014
Counterfeit cash but no jail for bus boss
A man found guilty of handling counterfeit banknotes has escaped a jail sentence because he owns a bus company.
Full details over on our sister blog, Southampton Bus Update.
Full details over on our sister blog, Southampton Bus Update.
Wednesday, 3 September 2014
BANES botches bus help
Bath And North East Somerset Council, also known as BANES, have managed to get a good news story carried by Now Bath regarding the acceptance of First Day tickets on a tendered evening service between Bath and Midsomer Norton. Sadly, the much trumpeted help isn't actually much help at all, as the first commenter on Now Bath quite rightly points out. So what's going on?
Commuters between Bath and Midsomer Norton have a choice of five routes from First:
But if you need to get back to Bath in the evening, there's a problem. Here are extracts from First's timetables:
The evening service is operated by Wessex, while First run the daytime service. There used to be an agreement in place whereby Wessex would accept First's return tickets, but with the introduction of First's 'Fairer Fares' return fares were scrapped. This left passengers needing to use both with a choice of two singles or a multi-operator Avon Rider at £7.20.
BANES's new arrangement with Wessex means that passengers can use a FirstDay to return on a Wessex bus. The cheapest FirstDay that is valid for Bath to Midsomer Norton?
A whole 20p cheaper than Avon Rider.
Passengers will be left thinking that BANES doesn't have a clue how much it costs to use the bus on its patch and that it doesn't really care as long as it can spin some positive publicity out of it.
Shame on Now Bath for not researching the impact on passengers and allowing themselves to just regurgitate local authority propaganda.
Monday, 1 September 2014
City-not-so-Smart
Edinburgh has launched its Citysmart card in a blaze of publicity, trumpeting it as the Scottish capital's version of Oyster.
But, as the Edinburgh Evening News points out, some bus passengers will find it cheaper to keep buying paper tickets.
Lothian Buses operate a flat fare of £1.50 per journey. They also offer a day ticket at £3.50, which it makes sense to buy if you're going to be making more than 2 journeys in a day. But the Citysmart will only register single journeys, charging you £1.50 a time. So if you will be using more than 2 buses in a day, you should shun Citysmart in favour of a paper day ticket.
The same applies to Edinburgh Trams, providing you're not travelling to or from the airport.
Citysmart is not valid on the buses of operators other than Lothian and also cannot be used on trains. So while it is a step forward, it's a bit misleading to call it an Oyster equivalent.
But, as the Edinburgh Evening News points out, some bus passengers will find it cheaper to keep buying paper tickets.
Lothian Buses operate a flat fare of £1.50 per journey. They also offer a day ticket at £3.50, which it makes sense to buy if you're going to be making more than 2 journeys in a day. But the Citysmart will only register single journeys, charging you £1.50 a time. So if you will be using more than 2 buses in a day, you should shun Citysmart in favour of a paper day ticket.
The same applies to Edinburgh Trams, providing you're not travelling to or from the airport.
Citysmart is not valid on the buses of operators other than Lothian and also cannot be used on trains. So while it is a step forward, it's a bit misleading to call it an Oyster equivalent.
Sunday, 31 August 2014
Council check: Lincolnshire County Council
Let's see what Lincolnshire County Council have to say about bus services on their patch.
They use the snazzy Lincsbus website, separate from the rest of the council's online presence:
Where do the buses go?
There's an easy-to-use interactive map of all bus routes in the county, including PDF enlargements for the major towns. You can't ask for more than that. 5 out of 5.
Timetables
Times for all routes are easily available via the interactive map. 5 out of 5.
Fares
After such an encouraging start, it's a bit of a shock that Lincolnshire provides no information on fares or tickets at all, not even mentioning the operators' own tickets. As far as we know, there is no multi-operator ticket. Plusbus doesn't even get a mention, even though it is available in Lincoln, Grantham and Skegness. 0 out of 5.
Summary
First class maps and accessibility to timetables, let down by the complete absence of any information about tickets and fares. Lincolnshire County Council scores a total of 10 out of 15.
They use the snazzy Lincsbus website, separate from the rest of the council's online presence:
Where do the buses go?
There's an easy-to-use interactive map of all bus routes in the county, including PDF enlargements for the major towns. You can't ask for more than that. 5 out of 5.
Timetables
Times for all routes are easily available via the interactive map. 5 out of 5.
Fares
After such an encouraging start, it's a bit of a shock that Lincolnshire provides no information on fares or tickets at all, not even mentioning the operators' own tickets. As far as we know, there is no multi-operator ticket. Plusbus doesn't even get a mention, even though it is available in Lincoln, Grantham and Skegness. 0 out of 5.
Summary
First class maps and accessibility to timetables, let down by the complete absence of any information about tickets and fares. Lincolnshire County Council scores a total of 10 out of 15.
Tuesday, 26 August 2014
Report rues deregulation
The IPPR has issued a report that calls bus deregulation outside of London a failure. What was promoted as a way to bring better services and lower fares has in many cases brought fewer services and fares that are so high, many people find it cheaper to drive or use taxis. BBC News and the Guardian report on the report, while the Independent has an editorial on the issue.
London's regulated, but still privatised, system comes in for praise. Its success is backed up by a 99% rise in passenger numbers since 1986. Over the same period, passengers numbers across the UK excluding London have dropped by around a third.
The big difference in London of course is the level of subsidy the bus network receives, which is per capita far in excess of that granted to any other region of the UK.
As an illustration of the parallel universe that passengers outside London have to contend with, MPs in Warrington are lining up to criticise fare rises at Warrington Borough Transport of up to 65%, which were implemented in August. Full story in the Warrington Guardian.
Which other industry could get away with a 65% price rise overnight? There is a lot of innovation in the bus industry, but it is often far too patchy and companies have frequently lost sight of how things appear from the point of view of the existing or prospective customer, not to mention the wider economic and social impact of service changes.
Sunday, 24 August 2014
Council check: Suffolk County Council
This week it's the turn of Suffolk County Council to show us how well they promote bus use.
Where do the buses go?
There is no county-wide map. We do have a page listing each are of Suffolk, where if you click on an area, you see timetables for all routes and a basic route diagram. Some diagrams are easier to follow than others however. This one for Ipswich Northeast is horrifically unclear:
You'd be better off using the maps produced by the bus operators, presuming of course, that you already know which operator you need. Traveline is a bit more useful and can be used to find a list of all routes serving a location. 2 out of 5.
Timetables
They're all here and you can search by service number, area or exact location. 5 out of 5.
Fares
This page explains that the operators set the fares and that you should check directly with them. Factual, but not exactly helpful. There's no multi-operator ticket in the area, so if you need to use two different bus operators, you pay twice. Plusbus is mentioned - it's available in Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds. 1 out of 5.
Summary
The only thing Suffolk does well is provide bus timetables. But there's no decent overview map to help visitors and those considering public transport for the first time find their way around and the fares information is pitiful. Suffolk County Council scores a total of 8 out of 15.
Where do the buses go?
There is no county-wide map. We do have a page listing each are of Suffolk, where if you click on an area, you see timetables for all routes and a basic route diagram. Some diagrams are easier to follow than others however. This one for Ipswich Northeast is horrifically unclear:
You'd be better off using the maps produced by the bus operators, presuming of course, that you already know which operator you need. Traveline is a bit more useful and can be used to find a list of all routes serving a location. 2 out of 5.
Timetables
They're all here and you can search by service number, area or exact location. 5 out of 5.
Fares
This page explains that the operators set the fares and that you should check directly with them. Factual, but not exactly helpful. There's no multi-operator ticket in the area, so if you need to use two different bus operators, you pay twice. Plusbus is mentioned - it's available in Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds. 1 out of 5.
Summary
The only thing Suffolk does well is provide bus timetables. But there's no decent overview map to help visitors and those considering public transport for the first time find their way around and the fares information is pitiful. Suffolk County Council scores a total of 8 out of 15.
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