tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post3360912913095449397..comments2024-03-25T19:07:29.729+00:00Comments on Steve's Bus & Train Page: A Touch Of The DRT's!Steve Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06852377706742868978noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-2310393981813044652015-09-26T14:17:04.867+01:002015-09-26T14:17:04.867+01:00You're going to get bored stiff with this, but...You're going to get bored stiff with this, but you asked for it so . . . an Essex perspective. It might be instructive to compare the fate of the 64/65 with the Essex equivalent (sort of) 31xxx that runs out from Chelmsford via Maldon (downmarket Greater Woodbridge) and almost nowhere to Burnham-on-Crouch (posh Sax-on-Sea) via Southminster (a sort of lesser Wickham Market, I suppose). About a year ago it's frequency was increased from hourly to half hourly daytimes and a new late evening run. It seems to have stuck. By First. How come?<br /><br />Well, it has the involvement of Giles Fearnley the MD of UK Bus, who announced it himself. Whether he has any influence with the H.O. bean counters, I have no idea. There was nagging by an active local BUGS group. I suspect though that they key factor was that passenger numbers were somehow starting to increase, possibly only marginally, but the key is that magic word, trends. They need something to latch on to. Not just whinging, which we all turn a deaf ear to. And that is the 64/65 problem. Of course trends are like the weather, a pattern gets set in and it gets stuck and becomes self-fulfilling. How you get out of it, I have no idea. But my message is different, it can be done. Decline of rural services is not inevitable. A message of hope? I have no idea.smurfukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04812247601237248526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-19765200380363047672015-09-24T18:38:22.145+01:002015-09-24T18:38:22.145+01:00Brilliant post as always Steve, the Our Hire one i...Brilliant post as always Steve, the Our Hire one in Acle I think is quite well used and connects with the X1 for a few people. Have seen a few people get off when I miss the earlier bus and a few get on in the evening. John D (too lazy to sign in).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-54962952833470606502015-09-24T17:03:52.613+01:002015-09-24T17:03:52.613+01:00Sorry me being an idiot, it's funded by Norfol...Sorry me being an idiot, it's funded by Norfolk County Council. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-1671698029814308792015-09-24T16:57:37.720+01:002015-09-24T16:57:37.720+01:00Mind you NCC are up to date as usual lol Anglian A...Mind you NCC are up to date as usual lol Anglian A47 ?? suffolkraiderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04352527625849770984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-52384912808847479142015-09-24T16:56:30.353+01:002015-09-24T16:56:30.353+01:00http://www.norfolk.gov.uk/view/NCC088583 Talking o...http://www.norfolk.gov.uk/view/NCC088583 Talking of a Flexibus service this is the Ourhire one for Acle and surrounding villages suffolkraiderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04352527625849770984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-39470694859655610282015-09-24T13:41:54.406+01:002015-09-24T13:41:54.406+01:00I can't comment too much on Essex stuff (don&#...I can't comment too much on Essex stuff (don't know enough to be helpful...), but Essex CC have just published their review of supported services in the county (http://www.essexhighways.org/Transport-and-Roads/Getting-Around/Bus/Bus-review.aspx). Some cuts (particularly to once-a-week type routes in the DRT areas), a number of improvements (e.g. Leisure World Colchester is going from being effectively unserved to having buses half-hourly during the day Mon-Sat, together with services in the evening and on Sundays; Little Horkesley gains a bus service - not sure how long since it last had last one, but it may well be decades; extending a service from Mount Bures to Bures to allow connections to/from Chambers' services towards Sudbury - an idea I've often wondered about...; Dedham-Manningtree commuter link). Much of the focus, as far as I can see, seems to be on finding ways to deploy resources more effectively. On the DRT note, passes will be accepted in the same way as on buses for the DRT areas drawn up in the schedule.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-52607792706342516162015-09-24T07:40:10.402+01:002015-09-24T07:40:10.402+01:00Which is precisely why I want to change that situa...Which is precisely why I want to change that situation. Should people keep moving to keep up with the ever increasing cuts to services? Places that had perfectly good links 5 years ago haven't now and that is the main issue here.Steve Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06852377706742868978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-49793154134538421732015-09-24T04:03:58.967+01:002015-09-24T04:03:58.967+01:00To be fair, this is what happens when you decide t...To be fair, this is what happens when you decide to live in a rural area. <br /><br />You cannot rely on public service in rural areas (even if you could in the past), and if public service is so essential for you, picking a house somewhere with good links is surely paramount?<br /><br /><br />George Knightnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-76926836043489068012015-09-24T00:23:50.304+01:002015-09-24T00:23:50.304+01:00The nearest bus stop me heading for Norwich is a £...The nearest bus stop me heading for Norwich is a £15 cab fare away - each way I might add. Ipswich is £10 and Lowestoft £20. Without DRT I would be - and many others like me - buggered I think the technical term is!Steve Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06852377706742868978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-11439542768754446312015-09-24T00:20:27.781+01:002015-09-24T00:20:27.781+01:00It was David and Bryan and no that didn't work...It was David and Bryan and no that didn't work out. It's not really pics I'm after now but info and personal experience on services, particularly rural. I am far from expert on Essex services so will need a hand if I'm going to adequately cover it. Just wish there were a few more Tollesbury depots dotted around!Steve Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06852377706742868978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-38212665775693825722015-09-23T22:18:25.945+01:002015-09-23T22:18:25.945+01:00I thought the two chaps who done photos for you we...I thought the two chaps who done photos for you were doing the Essex stuff... Was it Darren and Brian? Best of luck finding somebody if notRegnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-60719405039193282892015-09-23T22:02:22.450+01:002015-09-23T22:02:22.450+01:00Of course (don't you already) join in the fun!...Of course (don't you already) join in the fun! I wasn't thinking of the, at least, Essex Councils (who are getting really good at telling you what they want you to hear. But in their defence, is there anything else?) I was thinking more of the operators (and everyone else)!smurfukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04812247601237248526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-26023696135810547402015-09-23T21:48:09.556+01:002015-09-23T21:48:09.556+01:00And I didn't mean get a taxi the whole way (17...And I didn't mean get a taxi the whole way (17 miles) I mean get a taxi to the nearest bus stop.George Knightnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-77072326258850151122015-09-23T21:42:12.403+01:002015-09-23T21:42:12.403+01:00A 3 mile journey in Norwich costs the same in a ta...A 3 mile journey in Norwich costs the same in a taxi.George Knightnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-4378784695364240942015-09-23T21:28:07.242+01:002015-09-23T21:28:07.242+01:00Does that mean I can harangue you Smurfy!! I don&#...Does that mean I can harangue you Smurfy!! I don't underestimate the intelligence of my readers - which is why I won't insult that intelligence by letting them believe false information :D <br /><br />I know full well trying to get info out of Councils is akin to getting enthusiastic service in a shoe shop so my expectations are realistic.Steve Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06852377706742868978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-45925615822929820152015-09-23T21:23:01.901+01:002015-09-23T21:23:01.901+01:00In Norwich? George a taxi to the nearest village c...In Norwich? George a taxi to the nearest village costs £12 from here, and it's not far (3 miles). The taxi companies know there is precious little competition which is why DRT is such a lifeline to rural communities. How much is a taxi to Norwich from Pulham Market for example! Is there anywhere in Norwich that isn't within 10 mins walk to a bus route?Steve Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06852377706742868978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-86992787537760833952015-09-23T20:39:47.620+01:002015-09-23T20:39:47.620+01:00I think they are a good idea for the elderly and d...I think they are a good idea for the elderly and disabled; however, when there isn't a bus, isn't that what a taxi's for? Obviously they are more expensive, but when I need to get somewhere which isn't on a bus route, this is the only option in norwich unless I want a journey 10 times longer.George Knightnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-60671794665978430292015-09-23T20:39:07.814+01:002015-09-23T20:39:07.814+01:00I believe Semmence operate the service. You must c...I believe Semmence operate the service. You must call 7 days before you want to travel. Looking into it more I have found it also operates in and around towns like Swaffham, Harling and North Walsham. I've never had to use the service myself.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-66921827676239949132015-09-23T20:36:11.923+01:002015-09-23T20:36:11.923+01:00Dunno, I think the size and diversity of Essex is ...Dunno, I think the size and diversity of Essex is a problem for us locals too. I can't say I haven't got the time, but I think we're caught between the web info and local rags which are good with news (well that they want us to hear) and a longstanding universal reticence on behalf of the Essex corporate world to engage in any public dialogue whatsoever. So I certainly feel at a personal level I couldn't add any value to what's easily publicly available anyway. On the other matter I get harangued too. I ignore it. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. And sometimes they can keep it!! Never underestimate the intelligence of the readers. We can work it out. Don't get sidetracked (except when you want to, of course!).smurfukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04812247601237248526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-4618108750377942152015-09-23T19:49:04.584+01:002015-09-23T19:49:04.584+01:00I never objected to being corrected if I published...I never objected to being corrected if I published false information -- I just got annoyed at those who had told me the wrong information. It wasn't that side of it that made me quit but the constant failure to give credit for information or claiming original information when it had been already published elsewhere. I fail to see how giving out accurate information can be seen as bullying - it happens in all areas of media all the time. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to clarify though!<br /><br />Tell me George, as an avid reader, what are your views on DRT, or do you just read to find fault?<br />Steve Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06852377706742868978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-52371795137489436852015-09-23T19:32:23.408+01:002015-09-23T19:32:23.408+01:00A reason you left blogging was because of all of t...A reason you left blogging was because of all of the "nastiness" between blogs - am I correct?<br /><br />Why then, perhaps hypocritical, that you point out flaws with other blogs about vinyls and repaints?<br /><br />I believe it is a type of bullying. It's happened to you, so you are trying to bake other blogs look bad. Please enlighten us as to why you have done this.George Knightnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-78062081572908541072015-09-23T19:20:11.444+01:002015-09-23T19:20:11.444+01:00It's a Suffolk contract for a year I believeIt's a Suffolk contract for a year I believe suffolkraiderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04352527625849770984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-51010633612457282642015-09-23T18:12:11.606+01:002015-09-23T18:12:11.606+01:00Who funds the service, Tim? Who funds the service, Tim? Steve Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06852377706742868978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-65259578213273087692015-09-23T18:11:32.587+01:002015-09-23T18:11:32.587+01:00Who funds this service - very short hours - is it ...Who funds this service - very short hours - is it easy to book?Steve Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06852377706742868978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-89988773914664482052015-09-23T17:27:32.874+01:002015-09-23T17:27:32.874+01:00At BACT we operate the 532 on a Wednesday taking i...At BACT we operate the 532 on a Wednesday taking in Laxfield Halesworth and the Saints It gets rather full and does take passes. It is said that councils are hoping more rural transport is taken up by community operators to get people moving again in the villages. suffolkraiderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04352527625849770984noreply@blogger.com