When I first started this blog, I had grand plans of what it could become. But I have to face the reality that for bus news, the internet is already pretty well served. Plus, to give this blog the depth of coverage that I would have liked would take up far more time than I have available.
So it is with regret, that I have decided to close the British Bus Bugle. It might well reopen again in future if circumstances change. I remain committed to and will continue to run my other blogs, Southampton Bus Update, Great British Bus Routes, Brentwood Bus Update and Portishead Bus Update.
I've moved the live links to other blogs up to the top of the panel on the right, so that you still have ready access to up-to-date bus news from around the country.
Thanks for reading.
Wednesday, 4 March 2015
Sunday, 1 February 2015
Electioneering on the buses
With an election on the way, Labour have been talking about how the nation's buses are run. Their plan is to allow councils to plan local routes and set timetables and fares, as well as to let community groups set up not-for-profit bus operators. The article linked to above says that the 'stranglehold' of the big bus operators will be broken, but that doesn't necessarily have to be the case. Those operators who provide a good standard of service and have a good relationship with local authorities could probably expect to win several contracts or maybe to even have certain local free markets retained.
I'm not even convinced that the position of the large operators is a bad thing. It very much depends however on which of the big boys controls bus services in an area. Compare how easy a Stagecoach city is to get around with somewhere like Bristol for example.
The free market has failed some places. If it worked everywhere, it would have been imposed on London after all. But it isn't failing everywhere.
What is needed is better provision for those places left cut off from the commercial network and better integration between operators and other transport modes, at least from the passenger's point of view. Whether that comes from a form of what we have now or bundling routes under council control, that are then franchised out as a network (probably to one of the existing big groups) is for others to decide. But if the network continues to fragment and be useful to fewer and fewer people, you will have more commercially viable routes becoming unviable until eventually there is no profit to be made from bus operation. The Conservative stance of ever deeper cuts would hasten that decline.
I write this as someone who has used buses all of my life but has bought a car after moving to North Somerset due to the absolutely shambolic service being provided by First Bristol. More on that in future posts.
I'm not even convinced that the position of the large operators is a bad thing. It very much depends however on which of the big boys controls bus services in an area. Compare how easy a Stagecoach city is to get around with somewhere like Bristol for example.
The free market has failed some places. If it worked everywhere, it would have been imposed on London after all. But it isn't failing everywhere.
What is needed is better provision for those places left cut off from the commercial network and better integration between operators and other transport modes, at least from the passenger's point of view. Whether that comes from a form of what we have now or bundling routes under council control, that are then franchised out as a network (probably to one of the existing big groups) is for others to decide. But if the network continues to fragment and be useful to fewer and fewer people, you will have more commercially viable routes becoming unviable until eventually there is no profit to be made from bus operation. The Conservative stance of ever deeper cuts would hasten that decline.
I write this as someone who has used buses all of my life but has bought a car after moving to North Somerset due to the absolutely shambolic service being provided by First Bristol. More on that in future posts.
Friday, 16 January 2015
Cheaper petrol, but bus fares go up!
Motorists have benefited from a recent cut in the price of petrol, now approaching £1 a litre, compared to around £1.30 a litre in August.
Many bus passengers are wondering when they will benefit. Stagecoach and First have told the Manchester Evening News that they can't cut fares because they buy their petrol in bulk in advance at set prices in order to avoid price fluctuations.
I'm sure that's true. But if the petrol being used by their buses now was bought a couple of years ago at a higher price, surely their buyers will be buying petrol at today's low prices for use on the buses in a couple of years time. If they aren't, they're not very business-minded. So lower fuel prices will trickle down to the bus companies sooner or later.
Any car owners comparing the cost of driving or taking the bus will have seen the petrol cost of a journey come down some 30% in the last few months, while bus fares have generally risen. The bus business needs to address this if it is serious about appealing to anyone who has a real choice.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer agrees and has been telling the Express and Star about it.
So, when can fare-payers expect to see some of the benefits of lower fuel prices? Bus companies, it's over to you.
Monday, 8 December 2014
Go Ahead buys part of Western Greyhound
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.
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.
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.
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